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…

In many applications, there’s a need for a constant voltage source. However, there are more constant current source applications than constant voltage sources. Most power supplies are voltage sources, including batteries and bench power.  A constant current source can be used anywhere a fixed current is required. A resistor can also be used, but the…

In this article, we’ll configure a parking sensor using LoRa (long-range) devices. LoRa is a wireless communication technique derived from Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) technology. For this project, Arduino Nano is connected to an ultrasonic sensor, detecting parking occupancy based on distance measurements. When a vehicle enters or leaves a parking space, the ultrasonic sensor…

To understand all about nodes, gateways, and servers, first, we must understand what a LoRaWAN or LoRa network is. LoRaWAN (long-range wide area network) LoRaWAN is a low-power, wide-area network (LPWAN) protocol designed to enable long-range communication between LoRa-based devices and the internet. LoRaWAN builds on the underlying LoRa technology, adding network and application layer…

In the world of wireless communication, LoRa (long-range) technology has been gaining popularity due to its long-range capabilities, low power consumption, and cost-effectiveness. There can be serval applications deployed because of the features like low cost and long range where only one temperature sensor is used to monitor the temperature of a city; with the…

ChirpStack is an open-source LoRaWAN Network Server that enables communication between LoRaWAN devices and applications. It has a complete set of components, including a Network Server, Gateway Bridge, and Application Server, that can be used to set up and manage a LoRaWAN network. LoRaWAN is a network layer protocol maintained by the LoRa Alliance to…

Communication between two LoRa end-node devices can happen seamlessly. Both end-node devices include the LoRa E5 Mini Board, which switches quickly between sending and receiving messages — making two-way communication possible. In this setup, communication begins with one device sending a message and waiting for confirmation. Upon receipt, the receiving device sends a reply confirming…

LoRa (long-range) technology ensures reliable long-range communication between a node and gateway, providing long-term, low-power use for devices This article provides an explanation of LoRa node-to-gateway communication while introducing a node equipped with two buttons to control the flags. These buttons enable users to turn on or off specific actions associated with each button and…

LoRa (Long Range) is a type of wireless communication technology designed to send information over long distances with low power consumption. It uses a special technique called chirp spread spectrum (CSS) modulation, which operates by continuously changing the frequency of a transmitted signal over time. This varying frequency generates a waveform (resembling the sound of…

In this era of battery-operated devices, a DC-DC converter is needed to meet the divergent power requirements of the electronic circuitry. A battery is a type of DC Supply whose output voltage varies with its use. This means it cannot maintain a constant voltage at the output due to its discharging characteristics. For this reason,…

A LoRa gateway is a wireless communication technology designed for long-range, low-power communication between devices for the Internet of things (IoT). The LoRa gateway receives the data from devices, forwarding it to a network server, which manages the network and handles the data routing and processing. The gateways typically use a dedicated LoRa concentrator chip…

What is LoRa? LoRa (Long Range) is a wireless communication technology that sends information over long distances with low power consumption. It uses a special technique called chirp spread spectrum (CSS) modulation. Chirp Spread Spectrum operates by continuously changing the transmitted signal’s frequency over time. This varying frequency generates a waveform that resembles the sound…

A major advantage of a switching regulator is that it can boost a lower voltage into a higher one. This type of regulator is also known as a boost or step-up converter. A boost converter is used to step up an input voltage to a higher level as required by a load. This capability is…

In previous articles (including here, here, and here), we discussed the different types of filters available, including examples. If you’ve followed along, you should have an understanding of the frequency components (i.e., attenuating high frequencies when using a low pass filter and the passing frequencies for a high pass filter). You should also be aware…

Bandpass and band reject filters have the combined benefit of both low- and high-passes. They are made by connecting the low-pass and high-pass of different cut-off frequencies. It is beneficial when you require or want to reject only a particular band of frequencies. They are used heavily in investigating audio released from a black box…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…