Latest Optical Networking Technical Articles

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A Primer on Digital Pulse Amplitude Modulation

An encoding technique used for digital communication, pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) converts a discrete-time signal into a variable-amplitude continuous-time signal that is suitable for high-speed wired communication systems.

January 22, 2023 by Robert Keim

Intro to 5G NR

Learn the basics of 5G NR (New Radio), including its frequency bands, applications, and what technologies make it possible.

October 15, 2021 by Dale Wilson

Learn How Integrated Solutions Can Increase the Accuracy of Resistive Current Sensing

In this article, we’ll discuss why a discrete implementation cannot provide a high accuracy in resistive current sensing.

August 15, 2021 by Dr. Steve Arar

How Standard Deviation Relates to Root-Mean-Square Values

This article explores an interesting connection between an important statistical measure and one of the fundamental analytical tools of electrical engineering.

July 28, 2020 by Robert Keim

Average Deviation, Standard Deviation, and Variance in Signal Processing

This article discusses three descriptive statistical measures from the perspective of signal-processing applications.

July 10, 2020 by Robert Keim

Introduction to CAN (Controller Area Network)

This article introduces the Controller Area Network (CAN) serial communication bus, detailing message frames, bus arbitration, and signaling.

February 19, 2019 by Stephen St. Michael

Digital Design with Pass-Transistor Logic

This article presents efficient, pass-transistor-based implementations of important digital functionality.

December 26, 2018 by Robert Keim

Introduction to Pass-Transistor Logic

This article explores an alternative, and in some cases advantageous, approach to MOSFET-based implementation of digital logic functions.

December 17, 2018 by Robert Keim

Clock Signals in FPGA Design: Data Path Maximal Clock Rates and the Xilinx PERIOD Timing Constraint

This article will discuss the Xilinx Period timing constraint that allows us to describe the characteristics of the clock signal that will be used with an FPGA design.

December 05, 2018 by Dr. Steve Arar

Understanding Bandwidth in Communications and Computing

This article discusses how to interpret and specify bandwidth in systems that involve data transmission and digital processing.

November 27, 2018 by Robert Keim

How to Design a Super Simple Sensor System for Industrial Monitoring Applications

This article describes an Ethernet-connected subsystem of a larger modular sensor system designed for industrial or smart home sensing and monitoring. We will discuss a custom sensor subsystem developed for this application.

September 12, 2018 by Mark Hughes

How to Decode Manchester-Encoded Data Using Hardware

This article looks at some circuits that can help you extract the original data from a Manchester-encoded signal.

March 01, 2018 by Robert Keim

How to Generate Manchester-Encoded Data in Hardware and Firmware

This article discusses implementation details for a simple yet effective technique that can improve your digital communication.

February 26, 2018 by Robert Keim

How to Use a Robot to Record and Transfer Audio Signals

This article provides detailed information on sampling audio signals and transferring the data to a PC for analysis.

September 15, 2017 by Robert Keim

Radio Meets Fiber Optics: RF Over Fiber

Radio Over Fiber (ROF) combines RF and optics, providing optical links to replace strategic portions of cellular, satellite, and copper based systems.

June 14, 2017 by Marie Christiano

High-Frequency Interconnections: A New Line of RF Cables from Pasternack

Connecting two parts of a system becomes complicated when your signals are up in the gigahertz range. Let’s take a look at some new cabling options.

May 05, 2017 by Robert Keim

Robust, High-Speed Serial Communication: A New RS-422/485 Transceiver from Maxim

The MAX14775E offers high-performance capabilities that make it especially suitable for data transfer in harsh environments.

March 09, 2017 by Robert Keim

Build Your Own LED Photography Ring Light

LED ring flashes and lights can be a valuable tool for photographers. In this tutorial, we are going to build our own ring light out of LEDs!

January 26, 2017 by Alex Udanis

Quark D2000 I2C Interfacing: Add a Light Sensor and an LCD

Get acquainted with using I2C with the Quark D2000 development board by interfacing an ambient light sensor and an LCD.

January 12, 2017 by Raymond Genovese

The Packet Concept: High-Level Synchronization for Data Links

Learn about (for lack of a better term) packetization, a technique that facilitates robust data transfer in optical, RF, and long-distance-digital communication systems.

December 30, 2016 by Robert Keim