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Three Ways to Accelerate Cell Layout in DTCO

Three Ways to Accelerate Cell Layout in DTCO

The device technology co-optimization (DTCO) methodology requires generating large numbers of layouts. This article introduces a few ways of speeding up this time-consuming process using automation.


Upgrading My Retro Handheld Gaming Console with Motion Control and an LCD

Upgrading My Retro Handheld Gaming Console with Motion Control and an LCD

Follow my upgrade of a handheld game controller as I add a new 1.8-inch color LCD for animated graphics and an accelerometer module for motion control input.


From VHDL Code to Real Hardware: Designing an 8-bit ALU

From VHDL Code to Real Hardware: Designing an 8-bit ALU

In this project we create an 8-bit arithmetic logic unit (ALU) in the VHDL language and run it on an Altera CPLD development board connected to a custom PCB with input switches and LED display.


The Challenge of Integrating an Antenna Into Small IoT Devices

The Challenge of Integrating an Antenna Into Small IoT Devices

Designing antennas for compact IoT devices is a tricky task, but an increasingly important one. Learn more about this challenge and how to meet it.


PCB Material Properties and Their Impact on Performance of High Frequency Boards

PCB Material Properties and Their Impact on Performance of High Frequency Boards

Understanding PCB material parameters such as relative permittivity and loss tangent allows us to discuss some important considerations for choosing the right material when designing a high-speed/high-frequency application.


PCB Layout Challenges—Improve Your Switched-mode Power Supply Designs

PCB Layout Challenges—Improve Your Switched-mode Power Supply Designs

Switched-mode power supplies (SMPS) appear simple to route on your PCB, but are they? This article identifies two noise sources and simple fixes to improve your EMC performance.


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

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.


Using Single-Ended Amplifiers in Low-Side Current Sensing: Error Sources and Layout Tips

Using Single-Ended Amplifiers in Low-Side Current Sensing: Error Sources and Layout Tips

Learn how to use single-ended amplifiers in low-side current sensing, including PCB layout tips and considerations, as well as a layout example based on an op-amp in the SOT23 package.


Examining the Negative Resistance of a Quartz Crystal Oscillator

Examining the Negative Resistance of a Quartz Crystal Oscillator

This article discusses how we can examine the oscillator circuit to make sure that it has sufficient “negative resistance” or “oscillation allowance”.


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


How to Use Decoupling Capacitor Placement to Reduce Harmonic Distortion

How to Use Decoupling Capacitor Placement to Reduce Harmonic Distortion

Learn how to reduce second harmonic distortion by following some guidelines for placing decoupling capacitors in your PCB layout.


Reducing Second Harmonic Distortion with Symmetrical PCB Layout

Reducing Second Harmonic Distortion with Symmetrical PCB Layout

Need a low-distortion ADC interface? In this article, we'll discuss how to reduce 2nd harmonic distortion by using symmetric PCB layout.


Introduction to Thermal Characterization Parameters

Introduction to Thermal Characterization Parameters

In this article, we’ll discuss another group of thermal data, called thermal characterization parameters denoted by the Greek letter Psi (Ψ).


Tips for Achieving Low-Frequency Precision and Improved Bandwidth in Photodiode Circuits

Tips for Achieving Low-Frequency Precision and Improved Bandwidth in Photodiode Circuits

This article continues our discussion of design techniques that help us to improve the performance of transimpedance amplifiers.


Junction-to-Case Thermal Resistance in Thermal Design

Junction-to-Case Thermal Resistance in Thermal Design

Learn about an important thermal metric for designing the interface between an IC package and a heat sink.


Theta JA (θ<sub>JA</sub>) Test Conditions for Assessing IC Package Thermal Design

Theta JA (θJA) Test Conditions for Assessing IC Package Thermal Design

Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (or θJA) should be measured under standardized testing conditions. Learn about these details to use this thermal metric appropriately.


How Junction-to-Ambient Thermal Resistance of an IC Package Affects Thermal Performance

How Junction-to-Ambient Thermal Resistance of an IC Package Affects Thermal Performance

Assessing the thermal performance of an IC package becomes easier if you understand this common, but often misapplied, parameter known as theta JA.


What Is RF Integrated Circuit Design?

What Is RF Integrated Circuit Design?

Learn the high-level steps behind RFIC design.