Raspberry Pi is a credit-card-sized single-board computer developed by Raspberry Pi Foundation. It was developed as a low-cost microcomputer to impart computer skills to school children. It comes without any power supply or peripherals, and it is supposed to be programmed in Python — the reason for the ‘Pi’ in its name. Raspberry Pi (RPi)…
Basic Electronics 29 – How to choose a battery
In the previous articles, we discussed types of batteries and different battery packs. Many embedded circuits and devices rely on batteries for a power supply and many of these devices use primary batteries that may need to be replaced. Other embedded devices are rechargeable and use secondary batteries to remain powered. It is not difficult…
Basic Electronics 28 – Geometries and standard sizes of batteries
In the previous tutorial, we discussed different types of batteries. Apart from reusability and battery chemistry, how a battery is packaged is an important factor, as it should be accommodable in a device without compromising safety norms. The geometry and size of a battery also plays a vital role in its application to a circuit.…
High time to switch to 3G/4G modems
2G networks will be soon a thing of the past, as will the GSM/GPRS modems based on it. In the past few years, 2G modems such as the SIM800 and SIM900 from SIMcom have been popular in embedded systems, particularly hobby projects. As the telecom sector moves forward, 4G has pretty much become the norm.…
Basic Electronics 26 – different types of power supplies
In the previous articles, we discussed passive electronic components like resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transformers. The passive components are particularly useful in designing various analog circuits. The real fun of modern electronics begins with semiconductors and digital electronics. Electronics is all about signals (in the form of voltage or current) and processing signals by components…
Basic Electronics 25 – Types of transformers by use
In the previous article, we discussed the classification of transformers by core material, geometry, and voltage levels. The transformers can also be classified by their application and use. Let’s explore the two broad categories of use cases first – transformers used in the electrical domain and transformers used in the electronics domain. The transformers used…
Basic Electronics 24 – Types of transformers
In the previous article, we learned about the basic concepts of a transformer. A transformer is simply a pair of inductors magnetically coupled to enable electromagnetic induction between them. With the help of transformers, AC voltages can be stepped up or down at low costs without any hassle. Stepping up or down DC voltages requires…
Basic Electronics 23 – Practical Guide to Transformers
In the previous articles, we learned about resistors, capacitors, and inductors. When discussing inductors, we had talked about mutual inductance, which is the result of magnetic coupling between two inductors. If two inductors are used in a circuit to function as ‘inductors,’ this mutual inductance or any magnetic coupling between the two inductors is generally…
Basic Electronics 22 – Reading inductor packages
We have already learned about working with, types of, and applications of inductors. In the previous article, we have previously discussed selecting an inductor for a given circuit or application. For picking up the right inductor, it is important to know about reading inductor packages. There are many types of inductors that come in a…
Basic Electronics 21 – How to select an inductor
In the previous tutorials, we discussed the basic concept of an inductor, properties of an inductor, and different types of inductors. Now it’s time to know how to select an inductor for a given circuit. Fortunately, different types of inductors are designed to suit specific applications. So, for any given application, either there is exclusively…
Basic Electronics 20 – Types of inductors
In the previous tutorial, we learned about the different properties and characteristics of Inductors. These specifications are useful in determining the efficiency of an inductor in a circuit. Manufacturers supply inductors for application-specific categories including RF chokes, power, high current, and high-frequency. So, choosing an inductor is quite simple compared to resistors or capacitors (which…
Basic Electronics 19 – Properties of inductors
In the previous article, we discussed the fundamentals and working principles of an inductor. We also learned about some common types of inductors like solenoidal coils, toroids, pot cores e and transmission line inductors. Inductors come in a variety of many other types based on construction. When select selecting an inductor for a given circuit,…
Basic Electronics 18 – Practical guide to inductors
In the previous tutorial, we discussed magnetism, electromagnetism and inductance. Inductance can be useful in circuits. The electronic components that are designed to offer inductance in a circuit are called inductors. Inductors Most of the conducting materials (metals) are paramagnetic or ferromagnetic while most of the non-conducting materials (non-metals) are diamagnetic. Any conductor shows some…
Basic Electronics 17 – Magnetism, Electromagnetism and Inductance
So far, we discussed two passive properties of electronic components – resistance and capacitance and have reviewed the associated passive electronic components resistors and capacitors. We learned how these components affect current and voltage in a circuit, their electrical properties, and their various commercial types. A third and final passive property of electronic components that…
Basic Electronics 16 – Supercapacitors
In the previous tutorials, we discussed working with a capacitor, characteristics of a capacitor, various types of capacitors, and selecting a capacitor for a given circuit. As we have learned, typical commercial capacitors have their capacitance in Picofarad, Nanofarad or Microfarad range. The maximum capacitance that these capacitors can provide is 1 Farad. If the…
Basic Electronics 15 – How to select a capacitor
In the previous article, we had a look at various types of capacitors. Now, let us discuss how to select a capacitor for a given application. Generally, the selection of a capacitor is not a daunting task unless you have specific circuit requirements. More often, engineers have a nominal capacitance derived for a circuit at…
Basic Electronics 14 – Types of capacitors (continued)
In the previous tutorial, we learned about the practical construction of a capacitor and different technical aspects associated with a standard capacitor. Let us now discuss different types of commercial capacitors and the practical technical specifications associated with them. This will help greatly in choosing the right capacitor for a given application. The capacitors are…
Basic Electronics 13 – Types of capacitors
In the previous tutorial, we learned about signal behavior and role of a capacitor in a circuit. A capacitor stores electrical charge in the form of the electrostatic field in response to an applied voltage. It charges, whenever applied voltage increases (relative to the current voltage across the capacitor), by allowing a charging current through…
Basic Electronics 12 – Practical guide to capacitors
In the previous tutorials, we discussed setting up an electronics lab and learned rudimentary know-how of resistors. Moving on with a discussion on passive components, let’s talk about the capacitor. Let us begin with a fictitious circuit Imagine a purely resistive circuit driven by an ideal voltage source or ideal current source. In such a…
Basic Electronics 11 – Power Resistors
In the previous tutorials, we discussed fixed resistors, variable resistors, and dependent resistors. The fixed resistors with a power rating of 5 W or above are classified as power resistors. The purpose of these resistors in a circuit is not to offer resistance. These resistors are assembled in a circuit only for power dissipation because…