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A 500 mA Power Op Amp Breakout Board With Precision Current Limiting

A 500 mA Power Op Amp Breakout Board With Precision Current Limiting

Safely drive up to ±500 mA into reactive loads. This compact module employs the LT1970A and offers independent 1% source/sink thresholds and onboard fault diagnostics.


A Dual 38W Power Amplifier: A Compact STA540-Based Stereo Audio Board

A Dual 38W Power Amplifier: A Compact STA540-Based Stereo Audio Board

This project brief describes how to build a compact dual-channel power amplifier module that delivers 38 W per channel into 4-ohm speakers using STMicroelectronics' STA540 audio amplifier IC.


A Precision Multi-Sensor Data Acquisition Module

A Precision Multi-Sensor Data Acquisition Module

Build a low-noise, 32-bit delta-sigma ADC board designed around the ADS1262. This 10-channel design features integrated signal conditioning for RTDs, thermocouples, and strain gauges.


An Ultra-Low-Noise Pre-Amp For Audio Applications

An Ultra-Low-Noise Pre-Amp For Audio Applications

Build an ultra-low-noise preamplifier with a JFE150 JFET and OPA202 op-amp, perfect for high-impedance sensors, hydrophones, guitar pickups, microphones, and turntables.


A Four-Channel RS-422 Differential Line Receiver Module

A Four-Channel RS-422 Differential Line Receiver Module

This project brief describes how to build and use a four-channel differential line receiver module for balanced RS-422 and RS-485 data links.


A Four-Channel RS-422 Differential Line Driver Module

A Four-Channel RS-422 Differential Line Driver Module

This project brief describes how to implement a four-channel differential line driver module for reliable long-distance data transmission over balanced twisted-pair lines.


A 7 to 60 V Input Buck Converter: A Wide-Range DC-DC Step-Down Module

A 7 to 60 V Input Buck Converter: A Wide-Range DC-DC Step-Down Module

This project brief describes how to build a wide-range DC-DC buck converter capable of delivering a regulated 5.0 or 3.3 V output from input voltages ranging from 7 to 60 V.


The Isolated Half-Bridge: An IGBT Gate Driver Module with Current Sense

The Isolated Half-Bridge: An IGBT Gate Driver Module with Current Sense

This project brief describes how to assemble an isolated half-bridge IGBT gate driver module built around the NCD57085DR2G. It features onboard current sensing and overcurrent protection.


Building a Resistor Color Code Calculator and Ohmmeter Using Arduino

Building a Resistor Color Code Calculator and Ohmmeter Using Arduino

For this project, I built a handheld resistor color code calculator and ohmmeter using the ATmega328 microcontroller and a 1.8-inch color LCD display.


Building and Certifying an Open-Source IoT Controller, Part 3: Manufacturing and Testing

Building and Certifying an Open-Source IoT Controller, Part 3: Manufacturing and Testing

This four-part series walks through the development of the Anthilla Controller, an open-source Internet of Things (IoT) hardware platform. In Part 3, we cover the manufacturing, assembly, and product testing of the board.


Assessing the Effect of Load Capacitance on the Frequency of a Quartz Crystal

Assessing the Effect of Load Capacitance on the Frequency of a Quartz Crystal

Learn how the load capacitance mismatch can “pull” the crystal to oscillate at a different frequency and how we can circumvent this problem.


Four Lessons an Adult Engineer Can Learn From Children’s Toys

Four Lessons an Adult Engineer Can Learn From Children’s Toys

Children’s toys aren’t just for children. Inside every toy, there are hundreds of hours of engineering experience just waiting to be discovered.


PCB Layout Techniques for Reducing Harmonic Distortion of a Differential ADC Driver

PCB Layout Techniques for Reducing Harmonic Distortion of a Differential ADC Driver

Summary


All About Seeing Your Projects: Optical and Digital Magnification

All About Seeing Your Projects: Optical and Digital Magnification

Smaller electronics call for more powerful inspection equipment. If you're building a collection of at-home lab equipment, these visual tools may help you see where you're going on minuscule boards.


Via Configurations for Connecting Decoupling Capacitors

Via Configurations for Connecting Decoupling Capacitors

In this article, we’ll focus on the different via configurations that can be used to connect a decoupling capacitor to the PCB power and ground planes.


Common PCB Stackups for a Four-Layer Board

Common PCB Stackups for a Four-Layer Board

This article looks at the common options for a four-layer board stackup.


Understanding Schematics

Understanding Schematics

If you're looking to get a better handle on how to read schematics, this helpful guide will give you a head start.


6 Ways to Design for Circuit Board Rework

6 Ways to Design for Circuit Board Rework

Learn why you should design for rework—and 6 easy ways to do it.


A (Solder) Bridge To Nowhere: What Is a Solder Bridge and How to Avoid Them in PCB Design

A (Solder) Bridge To Nowhere: What Is a Solder Bridge and How to Avoid Them in PCB Design

Learn what solder bridges are and how to avoid them.


Electrical Symbols for Electronic Components: Passive Components

Electrical Symbols for Electronic Components: Passive Components

This two-article series provides an overview of circuit symbols, along with some information on the components that they represent.