Signal relays are devices that are commonly used to control the flow of electrical current in a wide range of applications, from simple household appliances to complex industrial systems. Their simple design has made them a go-to component for safely and reliably controlling circuits from a distance. Signal relays are typically tasked with switching current…

The new Pxxx0S3N SIDACtor Protection Thyristor Series safeguards exposed interfaces in industrial and ICT applications, including RS-485 data interfaces and ac/dc power supplies. Providing equipment in harsh environments with increased protection from severe overvoltage transients assists designers in complying with regulatory requirements. Available in a compact, DO-214AB (SMC) package, the Pxxx0S3N SIDACtor series is designed…

by Ken Ghadia, Sales Engineer, TechnoTronix PCB fabrication is transforming circuit board design into a physical PCB based on design specifications. It is usually an outsourced activity done by a Contract Manufacturer (CM) who strictly follows the specifications provided by the designer. Certain critical factors like choice of the PCB substrate, layout strategy, surface coating requirements…

by Ken Ghadia, Sales Engineer, TechnoTronix It is difficult to build a quality product at the lowest cost. The quality of a PCB depends on the competence of its design for assembly, testing, repair, reliability, manufacturing, and yield. Several factors impact the cost of a PCB assembly. However, the designers can consider certain factors that may…

by Ken Ghadia, Sales Engineer, TechnoTronix Radio Frequency (RF) PCBs are very high-speed circuits operating at frequencies in the range of 100MHz and above, typically from 500MHz to 2 GHz. RF PCBs are the backbone of wireless networks, high-tech gadgets like smartphones, smart TVs, etc. Also, RF PCBs are used in automotive, medical equipment, military,…

By Krupa Bhavsar, Applications Engineer, Dialog Semiconductor Sine waves are continuous waves, which describe a smooth periodic oscillation. These waves are generally used in signal processing and engineering fields In this article, dual sine waves with opposite polarity as shown in Figure 1 are generated without coarse PWM “steps”. For generating sine waves, one PWM…

Ultrasonic sensors have been a popular method for distance measurement and object detection for many years. Their basic operating principle works by measuring the amount of time it takes for their emitted ultrasonic pulse of sound to bounce off an object and return, hence the name ultrasonic sensor. With the market for autonomous robots, vehicles,…

In the previous tutorial, we learned how to use the Nextion HMI editor. In this tutorial, we will is studying the advanced features of the HMI and learn how to interface an external microcontroller with nextion HMI. Our focus will be on communication protocol, command set, and data synchronization. Nextion HMI talks with external modules…

Utilized as a no-touch method to provide either precise distance measurement to an object or simple “there/not there” logic, proximity sensors span a wide range of technologies, each offering their own set of operating principles, advantages, and drawbacks. Some of the most commonly found technologies in portable or small embedded systems include ultrasonic, photoelectric, laser…

Depending on the application, a controller or variable-speed electric-motor drive may need to measure any combination of rotor speed, position, and direction. Absolute encoders are a popular motion control choice with their ability to determine rotor position immediately at power on, while also being able to keep track of position during sudden power losses. With…

by Dialog Semiconductor LED displays are widely used in systems ranging from digital clocks, counters, timers, electronic meters, basic calculators, and other electronic devices capable of displaying numerical information. Figure 1 depicts an example of a 7-segment LED display which can show decimal numbers and characters. As each segment on the LED display can be…

Having been around for more than two decades, USB connectors are one of the most popular and well-recognized interconnect components in electronic designs. From Type A to Type-C, USB has gone through an array of changes both in terms of the physical connector as well as their associated standards. USB Type-C is the most advanced…

Terminal blocks, often called connection terminals or screw terminals, provide secure wire-to-board or wire-to-wire connections in a range of end applications. While a relatively straightforward component by their very nature, terminal blocks still have a number of design considerations to take into account. Key mechanical specifications like the wire-entry orientation, wire-securing method, and module type…

As an often overlooked or underappreciated aspect of a final design, dc power connectors, also known as barrel connectors, provide a key connection point for powering many applications. Although a relatively simple component in the design process, it is still important to have a basic understanding of a dc power connector’s specifications and nomenclature. Specifications…

By Aurindam Bhattacharya, C-DOT representative in Government Departments Back in 2015, the Government of India launched the Smart Cities Mission program with the ultimate goal of developing 100 smart cities by 2022. The aim is to create cities that provide essential infrastructure, provide a decent standard of living for its citizens, and create a sustainable…

STMicroelectronics has introduced VIPer222, a flexible and rugged controller for high-voltage converters up to 8W. It is the first in ST’s highly integrated controller family to contain a 730V avalanche-rugged power stage, ensuring superior reliability. The other features of VIPer222 include short-circuit protection, thermal protection, pulse skipping protection, soft start, and circuitry to manage burst-mode…

The MAX20047 by Maxim Integrated is a cost-effective, automotive-grade dual-port charger IC with a very small footprint. It has specifically designed for automotive based charging applications. It is equipped with a 6A step-down buck converter with integrated high-side and low-side FETs. This combination allows it to operate within an input voltage range of 3.5V –…

Littelfuse, Inc. announced a new series of 250V Telecom PPTCs designed to help make telecom and network equipment more reliable. The TSM250-130 series protects against power cross and induced power surges as defined in ITU, Telcordia GR1089 and IEC 62368-1. Because it combines two resistance-matched PPTCs in a single surface-mount housing, it reduces the board…

Littelfuse has introduced a series of low capacitance TVS Diode Arrays (SPA Diodes) optimized to protect high-speed differential data lines from electrostatic discharge (ESD), cable discharge events (CDE), electrical fast transients (EFT), and lightning-induced surges, keeping network communications reliable by safeguarding signal integrity. The SP3384NUTG Series can protect up to four channels against up to…

The LoRa Alliance, the global association of companies backing the open LoRaWAN standard for the Internet of Things (IoT) low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs), announced that LoRa Alliance Authorized Test House TÜV Rheinland has opened a LoRaWAN Certification testing site in India, and that DEKRA will also offer local certification testing by the end of the year.…