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MOSFET Non-Idealities in Analog IC Design

MOS transistors exhibit a wide variety of second-order effects not covered by ideal models. To design analog integrated circuits that will work in the real world, we need to understand these non-idealities.

November 10, 2023 by Nicholas St. John

X7R, X5R, C0G…: A Concise Guide to Ceramic Capacitor Types

This technical brief attempts to dispel some of the fog surrounding the three-character naming convention used to describe ceramic caps.

September 23, 2023 by Robert Keim

Output Voltage and Diode Current in a Boost Converter

Learn how output voltage and diode current affect the behavior of a step-up switching regulator.

September 13, 2023 by Robert Keim

Inductor Current in a Boost Converter: a SPICE Analysis

With the help of LTspice, we examine how inductor current affects the functioning of a boost converter.

September 08, 2023 by Robert Keim

Choosing Capacitance Values for a Step-Down Switching Regulator

Designing a buck converter? Read this article for practical guidance on selecting an output capacitance value.

August 30, 2023 by Robert Keim

The Skin Effect in Cylindrical and Rectangular Conductors: Eddy Currents and Current Crowding

The distribution of AC currents in real conductors with finite dimensions and circular or rectangular cross-sections is non-uniform. This article will discuss Faraday's law and how AC currents create eddy currents and current crowding in real conductors.

August 27, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Choosing the Right Type of Output Capacitor for a Switching Regulator

Capacitors are a crucial component of step-down switching regulators. Learn about the different capacitor types and how each one affects regulator performance.

August 25, 2023 by Robert Keim

Selecting Inductors for Step-Down Switching Regulators, Continued

Are you picking out components for a step-down switching regulator? Learn how to think about inductance values and inductor current when choosing an inductor.

August 23, 2023 by Robert Keim

Choosing Inductor Values for Step-Down Switching Voltage Regulators

Proper inductor selection is one key to the successful design and implementation of a switching regulator. This article will help you understand the relationship between the inductor value and circuit performance.

August 16, 2023 by Robert Keim

Demystifying the Skin Effect: Insights into AC Current Distribution

This article will demonstrate that the AC current density decreases exponentially into a conductor. It will also explain why we can assume that the total current has a uniform distribution from the surface down to one skin depth of the conductor.

August 06, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Exploring Output Ripple in a Negative Voltage Charge Pump Using LTspice

In this article, we’ll use LTspice simulations to more thoroughly understand output-voltage ripple and consider techniques for mitigating it within a charge pump circuit.

June 21, 2023 by Robert Keim

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