Latest Passives Technical Articles

Categories

Explore Negative Voltage Using LTspice and a Negative Voltage Generator

In this article, we’ll use SPICE simulations to explore the theory and behavior of negative voltages.

May 26, 2023 by Robert Keim

Analyzing a Negative Voltage Charge Pump in LTspice—Source and Load Resistance

Learn about using LTspice simulations to provide important insight into the performance of a switched-capacitor voltage-inverting power supply.

May 14, 2023 by Robert Keim

Understanding the RF Noise Figure Specification

Take a closer look at the definition of the RF noise figure and discuss some subtleties to help avoid erroneous interpretations of this specification.

May 07, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Exploring Single Stub Impedance Matching Through Smith Chart Examples

Learn about impedance matching using a single stub, transmission lines, and immittance Smith chart examples.

May 05, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Designing a Wideband Analog Voltage and Current Meter

Design a wideband analog multimeter to measure AC voltages and currents from 20 Hz to 1 MHz with a selectable sensitivity from 1 mV to 100 V, while the ammeter has a selectable current sensitivity of 10 mA to 10 A.

May 03, 2023 by John Woodgate

Designing L-type Matching Networks Using Series and Parallel RC and RL Circuits

Learn about l-type impedance matching equations through the quality factor (Q factor) of RC and RL circuits and the series-parallel conversion of these circuits.l-

April 14, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Can Voltage Be Negative? Understanding Negative Voltage

In addition to explaining the nature of a negative voltage, this article briefly discusses how negative voltages are generated and why they are useful in circuit design.

April 02, 2023 by Robert Keim

Analyze RLC Components Using the Admittance Smith Chart and Examples

Learn about the admittance Smith chart to analyze a parallel connection of resistors, capacitors, and inductors, and see the circuit's behavior over the swept frequency range.

March 24, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Learn by Example—Using an Impedance Smith Chart

Learn how a series RLC circuit with arbitrary component values can be represented as a point on the Smith chart and how an impedance contour on the Smith chart can be used to describe the circuit's frequency response.

March 17, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Investigating Lossless Transmission Line Phase Constant and Infinite Bandwidth

Learn how to derive the wave equations for a lossless transmission line and look at its infinite bandwidth and phase constant.

January 27, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

An Introduction to Current Sources

Current sources are less familiar than voltage sources like batteries and AC wall power. Current sources usually are buried, unseen, inside electronic circuitry. Learn what they are and how they are designed.

January 02, 2023 by Harry Trietley

RTD Signal Conditioning—4-Wire Configuration, Ratiometric Measurement, & Filtering

Learn about RTD (resistance temperature detector) signal conditioning through a four-wire configuration, ratiometric measurement, and input RC filters.

November 18, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Ratiometric Resistance Measurement Basics Using an Analog to Digital Converter

Learn the basics of ratiometric resistance measurements in analog to digital (A/D) converters, how it's measured, and example uses in a digital multimeter (DMM), microprocessor, and various resistive sensors.

October 07, 2022 by Harry Trietley

Electronic Component Aging—Long Term Drift (LTD) in a Voltage Reference

Learn how manufacturers characterize and estimate the long-term drift (LTD) of a voltage reference for electronic component aging prediction.

September 11, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Thermocouple Cold Junction Compensation Using Analog Temperature Sensors

Learn how analog circuits can be used to implement cold junction compensation using examples from Analog Devices and Texas Instrument's TMP35 and LM335 temperature sensors, respectively.

September 09, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Electronic Component Aging—the Aging Effects of Resistors and Op-amps

Learn about the aging behavior of resistors and amplifiers using temperature calculations and the Arrhenius equation to understand resistor drift, resistor stability, and op-amp drift.

August 28, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Using the Arrhenius Equation to Predict Electronic Component Aging

Learn about calculating the activation energy of the aging process and some of the contradictory opinions about the Arrhenius equation's usefulness when predicting a crystal's aging process.

August 18, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

High-temperature Aging Method to Evaluate Electronic Component Aging and Stability

Learn about the aging and stability challenges for electric components due to temperature and time using quartz crystals, as well as applying the extrapolation method, aging equation, and Arrhenius equation.

July 31, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Temperature Drift in Resistors and Op-amps—Flicker Noise and Signal Averaging

Learn about temperature drift in electronic circuits, namely in resistors and amplifiers. We'll also cover how the effect of flicker noise comes into play and how drift limits the effectiveness of signal averaging.

July 15, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

The Fundamentals of a Charge Pump Circuit

Dive further into switched capacitor circuits by learning about charge pump circuits, what they are, how they work, their pros and cons, and their applications.

May 01, 2022 by Jake Hertz