Latest Smart Grid/Energy Technical Articles

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Introduction to Hysteresis: Rate-Dependent and Rate-Independent Hysteresis

This article, the second in a series on hysteresis, explains two types of hysteresis found in engineered systems.

November 15, 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

Understanding Photovoltaic and Photoconductive Modes of Photodiode Operation

In this article, we’ll look at advantages of two types of photodiode implementation.

December 20, 2020 by Robert Keim

A Case for Renewables with Solar Photovoltaics: A Power Engineer’s Perspective

Why should we consider solar in design? Here's an argument put together by a power engineer.

October 18, 2019 by Lorenzo Mari

Introduction to the Advanced Extensible Interface (AXI)

This article will introduce the Advanced Extensible Interface (AXI), an extension of AMBA.

October 17, 2019 by Stephen St. Michael

Introduction to Vibration Energy Harvesting

Learn more about vibration energy harvesting as a source of power for electronic systems.

August 19, 2019 by Francesco Orfei

Disadvantages and Advantages of Energy Harvesting

Energy harvesting is a way to obtain electrical energy from the one already available in the environment. Where is energy harvesting appropriate in designs?

August 19, 2019 by Francesco Orfei

EV Charging Standards and Infrastructure

Learn more about EV charging connectors and standards in this overview.

August 13, 2019 by Erik Johnson

Exploring Power Transformer Protection for Power Systems: Failure Types and Differential Protection

Learn why power transformers are important, where they can fail, and why protection systems are crucial.

April 26, 2019 by Edis Osmanbasic

High-Voltage DC Power Transmission: Should HVDC Replace AC in Power Systems?

Is AC energy transmission the most efficient option for the 21st century?

April 25, 2019 by Edis Osmanbasic

PCB Layout for a Photovoltaic Power Supply for Microcontroller Circuits

This article discusses the PCB layout for a power-supply circuit that generates a regulated 3.3 V rail from a small solar cell.

June 07, 2018 by Robert Keim

Schematic Design for a Solar-Powered Charge-Pump Power Supply Circuit

This article discusses a 3.3 V power-supply circuit that is built around an inductorless DC/DC converter and a solar cell.

June 06, 2018 by Robert Keim

Selecting and Implementing Photovoltaic Cells for Solar-Powered Devices

This article discusses details that will help you choose the right kind of solar cell and successfully incorporate it into your next project.

May 31, 2018 by Robert Keim

The Circuit Designer’s Guide to Photovoltaic Cells for Solar-Powered Devices

This article presents the equivalent circuit for a solar cell and discusses some implementation details.

May 30, 2018 by Robert Keim

Hardware Evaluation for the Cypress S6AE102A/S6AE103A Eval Kit for Energy Harvesting Applications

In this article, we will assess and characterize the hardware of two power management IC development boards from Cypress Semiconductor, designed for energy-harvesting applications.

May 08, 2018 by Mark Hughes

Build an Arduino Multi-Node BLE Humidity and Temperature Sensor Monitor

Use Cypress Solar-Powered BLE Sensors, an Arduino UNO, and an HM10 BLE module to make your own multi-node temperature and humidity monitor and display.

April 28, 2017 by Raymond Genovese

Overview of the BLE Solar Beacon from Cypress Semiconductor

Transmit humidity and temperature data with a fully functional, off-the-shelf, battery-less wireless sensor node.

April 27, 2017 by Raymond Genovese

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Silicon Carbide (SiC) FETs: A New MOSFET from Cree

The C3M0075120K is a low-on-resistance N-channel FET for high-power switching applications.

March 28, 2017 by Robert Keim

Understanding Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in Power Systems

This article describes the cause and effect of total harmonic distortion (THD) in power systems. Some means of improving THD are also discussed.

March 15, 2017 by David Williams

Understanding, Calculating, and Measuring Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)

Total harmonic distortion (THD) is a measurement that tells you how much of the distortion of a voltage or current is due to harmonics in the signal.

February 20, 2017 by David Williams