In this article, we will learn about various filter responses. A filter response helps to understand the difference between a filter’s input signal and output signal. Keeping an eye on filter responses is necessary to analyze their behaviors. To have a better understanding of the processed signal, it is important to analyze that signal and…
How do dc-dc converters work?
A DC power supply is used in almost all of devices where a regulated voltage is required. A DC converter implements the process of DC conversion. There are two types of DC converters: Buck converter- Steps down the input source voltage Boost converter – Steps up the input source voltage Conversion topology Linear regulator –…
Transfer function, quality factor, and cut-off frequency
To better understand a filter’s functionality and performance, there are mathematical functions that represent a filter theoretically, such as transfer function, quality factor, and cutoff frequency. Understanding these terms will make it easier to understand a filter property. Terminologies (definitions) Transfer function: The inputs and outputs of an op-amp circuit may be voltages, currents, or…
What are hardware filters and their types?
Filtering is a technique used to retain the wanted components and remove the unwanted components from the input signal of the system. In signal processing, this can be done by filtering out all other frequencies while retaining a specific frequency range. The signal can be filtered by using two types of filters: software and hardware.…
How to extend solar and battery power in a weather station
Experiment 2 Aim To run an MCU on low power mode, read the temperature, pressure, and humidity readings using AHT10 and BMP280 Sensors, and send the readings over wifi. Requirements MCU: ESP32-WROOM-32D (Generic Wi-Fi + Bluetooth + Bluetooth LE MCU module) Temperature/Humidity Sensor: AHT10 (Temperature and humidity sensor) Pressure and Altitude Sensor: BMP280(Absolute Barometric Pressure…
What are the different battery types for specific applications?
In this article, we will learn how to choose a battery according to the specifications and requirements of your application. Some applications need more power and some need to be cheap with less power. There are various factors and parameters that to consider when choosing the best battery for your application. No one battery is…
Battery configurations (series and parallel) and their protections
A single cell is not sufficient for some devices. To achieve desired voltage, the cells are connected in series to add the voltage of cells. To achieve the desired capacity, the cells are connected in parallel to get high capacity by adding ampere-hour (Ah). This combination of cells is called a battery. Sometimes battery packs…
How rechargeable batteries, charging, and discharging cycles work
The battery stores electrical energy in form of chemical energy and the chemical energy again able to convert into electrical energy. The conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy is called discharging. The chemical reaction during discharge makes electrons flow through the external load connected at the terminals which causes the current flow in the…
What are the battery-selection criteria for low-power design?
A battery is an electrochemical device that can store energy in the form of chemical energy. It translates to electric energy when the battery is connected in a circuit due to the flow of electrons because of the specific placement of chemicals. For more information on how batteries work, you can read the article which…
How to achieve longer MCU battery life with low power sleep mode
There are generally six power modes in an MCU: Run: In full run mode, an MCU consumes full current. This mode is best suited for applications where power efficiency is not essential. Doze: As we know, power increases proportionally to the frequency. Therefore, we can conclude that higher clock speeds tend to higher power consumption.…
Component selection for low power embedded systems
Selecting components is one of the most essential and critical processes when designing any electronic system. Poor component selection can lead to many problems within the design, PCB layout, power budget, etc. In this article, we will discuss how to select a component for a low-power-optimized design. Resistor The power dissipated by a resistor is…
Understanding battery management systems
A battery-management system (BMS) is an electronic system or circuit that monitors the charging, discharging, temperature, and other factors influencing the state of a battery or battery pack. It’s used to monitor and maintain the health and capacity of a battery. Today’s BMS devices are advanced and will often provide pop-up notifications as you’ve likely…
Key factors to optimize power consumption in an embedded device
In the previous article, we learned what a low-power system is so now we’ll talk about the key factors using which we can make power-efficient embedded system design. The power-efficient embedded system is comprised of hardware and software design along with proper components selection. Optimization is achieved by efficient implementation in different stages using different…
What is a low power design?
Low power design is a system using a collection of techniques and methodologies for the purpose of optimizing battery life and reducing the overall power dissipation of the system. To optimize the power there are many low power techniques that depend on the level of the design selected, ranging from semiconductor technology to the higher…
What is EMC?
EMC stands for Electromagnetic compatibility, which means that a device is compatible with (i.e., no interference is caused by) its electromagnetic (EM) environment. It does not emit levels of EM energy that generate electromagnetic interference (EMI) in other devices in the vicinity. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is the interference caused by one electrical or electronic device…
What are EMS/EMC immunity lab tests?
EMC test is known as Electromagnetic Compatibility, a certification for electronic devices to maintain their limitation of electromagnetic waves. As discussed in the previous article, there are two types of EMC tests – emission (EMI) and immunity (EMS). EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) tests measure the magnetic waves emitted by the device, and EMS (Electromagnetic Susceptibility) tests…
What are some common EMI/EMC tests?
An EMC test is known as Electromagnetic compatibility, a certification for electronic devices to maintain their limitation of electromagnetic waves. As discussed in the previous article, there are two types of EMC tests: emission (EMI) and immunity (EMS). EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) tests measure the magnetic waves emitted by the device, and EMS (Electromagnetic Susceptibility) tests…
How to perform an EMI/EMC pre-compliance test
EMC testing is essential to get a certification of Electromagnetic Emission and Immunity test before launching the product in the market. However, actual EMC tests are pretty expensive. Before going for the actual EMC test, the product should test in EMC pre-compliance test Lab. Pre-compliance testing will mimic all tests performed at EMI/EMC test labs…
EMS/EMC Pre-Compliance immunity test
In the previous article, we learned about EMI/EMC pre-compliance test. EMS/EMC pre-compliance immunity test is required before the compliance test. EMS/EMC pre-compliance immunity test will give the confidence to pass the compliance test. The pre-compliance immunity test simulates all the tests done at the compliance test lab, but it is unnecessary to apply all the…
Introduction to batteries and their types
What is a Battery? A battery is an electrochemical device that can store energy in the form of chemical energy. It translates to electric energy when the battery is connected in a circuit due to the flow of electrons because of the specific placement of chemicals. It was invented by Alessandro Volta, whereas Gaston Plante…