Linear Technology Blogs – By Engineers, For Engineers
Uncompromised Linearity from the LTC2185 and ADA4927-1
Mar 10th 2017
Introduction
The LTC2185 is a 125Msps 16-bit ADC with excellent noise and linearity performance while only consuming 185mW per channel. It is ideal for demanding low power applications that require excellent AC performance. A high performance ADC like the LTC2185 requires a high performance amplifier driving it to maintain ...
Improving Linearity by Using Absorptive Filters
Mar 10th 2017
Introduction:
When driving a direct sampling high speed ADC, the most likely place to degrade the performance is the interface between the final amplifier and the ADC. With any direct sampling ADC there will be nonlinear charge produced in the sampling process. This charge is reflected into the input network each time the sampling ...
High Voltage, High Efficiency Positive to Negative Converter
Mar 8th 2017
Design Note 561: Introduction
Positive to negative conversion (inverting output) is widely used in LCD devices, OLED displays, audio amplifiers, industrial machinery, semiconductor manufacturing process control equipment, measurement tools, testing systems, LED drivers and battery chargers. Many of these applications require ...
SmartMesh Recipes: Industrial IoT "How-To" Examples
Mar 2nd 2017
SmartMesh Recipes are quick "how-to" tutorials for wireless Industrial Internet of Things solutions based on SmartMesh IP embedded wireless sensor networking. Recipe examples include:
Sensor Integration - K-Type Thermocouple, Sensirion Temperature/Humidty Sensor, Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE)
Building a SmartMesh-to-IP ...
SmartMesh Recipe - Interfacing Your Mote to a Thermocouple
Mar 1st 2017
SmartMesh Recipes are quick "how-to" tutorials for wireless Industrial Internet of Things solutions based on SmartMesh IP. Examples include how to integrate different sensors, connect to cloud software backends, build gateways. In this SmartMesh Recipe, we use the DC9005B Eterna QuikEval Adapter to connect the mote to an LTC2984 ...
Linduino Change Log 02/17/2017
Feb 17th 2017
We regularly update our Linduino Sketchbook with new products, new files and updates. Please download the library, or rerun your automated installers for an automatic update.
1.1.9. February 17, 2017
Demo Program Changes: DC590_enhanced code: Adding functionality to 'k' command to read specifically pin 12 (MISO) when the command ...
Using the LTC6820 with the LTC24XX Delta Sigma Family
Feb 8th 2017
Introduction
The LTC6820 isoSPI isolated communication interface is typically used in automotive applications. One of the more popular applications is to isolate the battery monitor circuits. However, it can be a desirable solution for medical applications where isolation is necessary. Another advantage for the LTC6820 is to ...
Maximizing Cell Monitoring Accuracy and Data Integrity in Energy Storage Battery Management Systems
Jan 24th 2017
Grid-connected battery arrays are viable backup and carry-through power sources; application-specific measurement ICs which meet their unique and sophisticated requirements ensure reliable system performance.
The use of large-scale battery arrays for backup and carry-through energy storage is getting increasing attention, as ...
High Efficiency, 15V Rail-to-Rail Output Synchronous Step-Down Regulator Can Source or Sink 5A
Jan 23rd 2017
Design Note 560: Introduction
The LTC®3623 is a high efficiency, monolithic synchronous step-down regulator capable of sourcing or sinking up to 5A of continuous output current from an input voltage range of 4V to 15V. Its compact 3mm × 5mm QFN package incorporates an abundance of features including a low EMI Silent ...
560V Input, No-Opto Isolated Flyback Converter
Jan 19th 2017
Design Note 559: Introduction
In traditional isolated high voltage flyback converters, tight regulation is achieved using opto-couplers to transfer regulation information from the secondaryside reference circuitry to the primary side. The problem is that opto-couplers add significant complexity to isolated designs: there is ...
LTspice: Creating and Working with Symbols
Jan 12th 2017
In LTspice you can create a symbol automatically in two situations; either you have a subcircuit definition in ASCII fomat at hand or you want to create a hierarchy with your own schematics which are building blocks for larger designs. Hierarchical schematic drafting in particular offers powerful advantages by enabling larger ...
Sharing a Reference Can Compromise Precision ADC Performance
Jan 12th 2017
Precision ADCs available from Linear Technology offer a high level of performance. In order to attain that high performance many design elements such as a low noise power supply and reference, proper bypassing, a ground plane, a fast settling driver and a low jitter clock must be properly implemented. Poor execution of even ...
High Linearity, Low Noise LTC2387-18 Drivers for Sinusoidal Signals
Jan 10th 2017
Introduction
The LTC2387-18 is a high speed SAR (Successive Approximation Register) ADC suited for high linearity, low noise applications. This ADC is capable of sampling at up to 15Msps, which allows it to convert signals at frequencies of several MHz. It is well-suited to convert both pulsed and continuous signals in this ...
Setting up Linduino, Visual Micro, & JTAGICE3 for Hardware Debugging
Jan 10th 2017
Introduction
The Linduino is Linear Technology’s Arduino compatible system for distributing firmware libraries and example code to customers of Linear Technology’s integrated circuits. The design is based on the Arduino Uno, using the Atmel ATmega328 processor, while adding a 14-pin QuikEval™ connector that ...
Testing Data Converters with the Arrow / Altera SoCkit FPGA Board
Jan 3rd 2017
Introduction
This blog describes how Linear Technology is using the SoCkit Cyclone V SoC FPGA board from Arrow Electronics as a system for evaluating medium- speed data converters: ADCs, DACs with sample rates less than 100Msps. LTC manufactures several evaluation boards for this purpose, including the DC718, DC890, and ...
SmartMesh IP Blink Mode Enables Roaming Nodes and <3μA operation
Nov 23rd 2016
SmartMesh IP wireless sensor networks are known for delivering >99.999% data reliability at ultra-low power, with routing nodes <50µA. But some applications call for nodes to be roaming within the wireless network. Enter SmartMesh IP Blink Mode, an ultra-low power roaming node capability that can reduce the average ...
2500VRMS Isolated RS485+RS232 Transceiver with Power
Nov 23rd 2016
In this circuit, the LTM2887-3S µModule isolator provides isolated signaling and power to the LTC2873 for a complete, 3.3V robust, galvanically isolated dual-protocol transceiver. RS232 (transmit and receive) or RS485 (half-duplex) can be selected for transmission on a single pair of wires using the 485/232 control. Mode-specific ...
2500VRMS Isolated PROFIBUS RS485 Transceiver with Power
Nov 23rd 2016
In this circuit, the LTM2887-3S µModule (micromodule) isolator provides isolated signaling and power to the LTC2876 for a complete, 3.3V robust, galvanically isolated transceiver. LTC2876 is a PROFIBUS RS485 transceiver designed to meet the specifications for PROFIBUS-DP masters and PROFIBUS-DP slaves, fully compatible ...
Switch Mode Power Supply Current Sensing - Part 3: Current Sensing Methods
Nov 22nd 2016
The three commonly employed current sensing methods for switch mode power supplies are: are using a sense resistor, using the MOSFET RDS(ON) and using the DC resistance (DCR) of the inductor. Each method offers advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when selecting one method over another.
Sense Resistor ...
Switch Mode Power Supply Current Sensing - Part 2: Where to Place the Sense Resistor
Nov 21st 2016
Where to Place the Current Sense Resistor
The placement of the current sense resistor in conjunction with the switching regulator architecture determines what current is being sensed. Currents that are sensed include the peak inductor current, the valley inductor current (the minimum value of the inductor current when in continuous ...
Switch Mode Power Supply Current Sensing - Part 1: The Basics
Nov 20th 2016
Current mode control is widely used for switching mode power supplies due to its high reliability, simple loop compensation design, and simple and reliable load sharing capability. The current sense signal is an essential part of a current mode switch mode power supply design; it is used to regulate the output and also provides ...
60V Input Monolithic Converter Powers Critical Circuits without Supercaps or Other Additional Components
Nov 15th 2016
Design Note DN1040: Introduction
The LTC3649 is a monolithic step-down regulator capable of operating from an input voltage range of 3.1V to 60V, and efficiently producing a (single) resistorprogrammable output voltage at up to 4A of output current. These features alone make it a compelling industrial or automotive supply for ...
Bidirectional DC/DC Regulator and Supercapacitor Charger
Nov 15th 2016
Design Note DN558: Introduction
The LTC®3110 bidirectional buck-boost DC/DC regulator charges and balances a supercapacitor when a bus voltage is present (for example 3.3V) and discharges the supercapacitor into the load when the bus fails. The LTC3110 maintains the bus’s nominal level (3.3V in the example in Figure ...
Combining Distributed Read with Chain Mode Using the LTC2380-24
Oct 24th 2016
Distributed read allows the data of the LTC2380-24 collected over N samples to be read out over each of those samples one bit or a few bits at a time, reducing the frequency of SCK allowing even the relatively slow μcontrollers to keep up. Chain mode allows multiple LTC2380-24s to be daisy-chained together so that only three ...
Tuned IF Amplifier Applications
Oct 21st 2016
Introduction
The LTC6431-20 and LTC6433-15 are single-ended RF / IF gain block amplifiers that feature very high OIP3 with low noise and a gain of 20dB and 15dB respectively. The unique combination of high linearity, low noise and low power dissipation make this an ideal candidate for many signal-chain applications. These fixed ...
Hybrid Wide Dimming Ratio Linear LED Current Controller Using LT8614 & LT3083/LT6015
Oct 17th 2016
Many applications for LED illumination require wide dimming ratios. This can be accomplished simply via an adjustable current source as show below. The current source can be varied by a number of different means, and a large LED current range can be achieved. The primary problem with this technique is that the power dissipation ...
Increase Spectral Resolution for the LTC2387-18 Demo Board - Part 2
Oct 14th 2016
Introduction
In Part 1 we designed and tested a lowpass + downsample structure that increased the spectral resolution of the DC2290A-A demonstration circuit for the LTC2387-18 high speed successive approximation register (SAR) ADC from 114Hz to 0.596Hz per bin. The average noise level per bin was ...
Increase Spectral Resolution for the LTC2387-18 Demo Board - Part 1
Oct 14th 2016
Introduction
The LTC2387-18 is a low noise, high speed, 18-bit 15Msps successive approximation register (SAR) ADC. The combination of excellent linearity and wide dynamic range makes the LTC2387-18 ideal for high speed imaging and instrumentation applications. No latency operation provides a unique solution ...
Low EMI LED Driver Features 2A, 40V, Integrated, Synchronous Switches for Automotive Lighting
Oct 12th 2016
Design Note DN557: Introduction
The breadth of LED applications has grown to encompass everything from general lighting to automotive, industrial and test equipment, sign boards and safety instruments. Feature requirements for LED drivers have become more extensive. The latest LED solutions require drivers that are compact, ...
Distributed Read Examples for the LTC2512-24
Oct 12th 2016
This article provides additional examples to more thoroughly explain the distributed read capability used in the LTC2512-24 24-bit over-sampling ADC with configurable flat passband digital filter. The data sheet explains that the data can be read over multiple conversions, that it allows for a slower serial clock and that transfers ...
On-Board EEPROM on QuikEval supported Demo Boards
Oct 4th 2016
Most of our QuikEval supported demo boards have an on-board EEPROM which is used to store a string of characters. The string holds information about the part number, demo board number and other characteristics of the board. For example, here is the string stored in the EEPROM on demo board DC956: “LTC2485,Cls,D2484,01,01,DC,DC956,---------------“
This ...
Clever Circuit Improves Efficiency of Charge Pump Plus Linear Regulator Solution
Oct 4th 2016
In some systems, a charge pump plus linear regulator combination is preferred over an inductor-based switching power supply (with or without a post-regulating linear regulator) for several reasons: design simplicity, less radiated EMI, inductor-phobia, etc. For these applications, Linear Technology has a growing number ...
3A, 1MHz Buck Mode LED Driver with Integrated Voltage Limiting
Oct 3rd 2016
Design Note DN556: Introduction
The LT3952 monolithic LED driver includes a 4A, 60V DMOS power switch, excellent for driving high current LEDs in buck mode. Among its many features is an input current sense amplifier, which can be leveraged to provide built-in LED voltage limiting in buck mode.
In buck mode, the ...
I2C Timing: Definition and Specification Guide (Part 2)
Oct 3rd 2016
Introduction:
In this blog post, we will be discussing I2C timing specifications and the various ways manufacturers sometimes provide these specifications. For a primer on I2C and its protocols, please refer to the post here.
I2C data transfers occur over a physical two wire interface which consists of a unidirectional serial ...
Op Amp Precision Positive & Negative Clipper using LT6015/LT6016/LT6017
Oct 3rd 2016
It can be a challenge to match the voltage range of an analog signal to the input range of an analog to digital converter (ADC). Exceeding the ADC’s input range will give an incorrect reading, and if the input goes far enough beyond the power supply rails substrate currents can flow into the ADC which can cause latch up ...
LT3759 Wide Vin, 48V @ >100mA Output Boost Converter that Works Down to 1.6V
Oct 3rd 2016
The LT®3759 is a wide input range, current mode, DC/DC controller which is capable of regulating either positive or negative output voltages from a single feedback pin. It can be configured as a boost, SEPIC or inverting converter. An internal LDO regulator draws power from VIN or DRIVE to provide up to a 4.75V supply for ...
Single-Ended to Differential Driver Circuit for the LTC2387-18 SAR ADC
Sep 26th 2016
The LTC®2387-18 is a 15Msps, highly linear, low-noise SAR converter with differential inputs. The combination of excellent linearity and wide dynamic range makes this ADC ideal for high speed imaging and instrumentation applications. No-latency operation provides a unique solution for high speed control loop applications. ...
LTC2387 Drivers Part III: Trans-Impedance Amplifier/Driver
Sep 8th 2016
This is unabashedly a classic case of what marketing calls “a solution looking for a problem”. It is an example of how the full SNR of the LTC2387 may be realized for a real world signal. Most signals originating in low level circuitry, in sensors, or in the real world, will require significant gain to develop 8Vp-p ...
Build a Precision Low Noise 5A Power Supply
Sep 6th 2016
The LT6658-2.5V voltage reference has the specifications of a precision reference with dual outputs capable of 150mA and 50mA. This unprecedented combination of precision and power allows the unique ability to create a very precise high-current power supply with load regulation of less than 12ppm/A. Only a few additional components ...
Uncompromised Clocking Solution for 16-Bit 2.5Gsps High Performance DAC
Sep 6th 2016
Design Note 555: Introduction
The LTC®2000 16-bit 2.5Gsps DAC offers excellent AC performance. For many DAC applications, phase noise, noise spectral density (NSD), and spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) are critical to maximize the number of possible channels in a band without eroding the signal to noise ratio (SNR) in ...
How NOT to Damage Your Switching Regulator Demo Board
Sep 2nd 2016
Introduction:
A great way to develop a design is to start with an existing demo board and modify it. While this simplifies the process, there are a few pitfalls to be aware of so that you do not have to spend time tracking down and replacing damaged components. Below are four common ways to damage your circuit.
1) Improper ...
I2C Primer: What is I2C? (Part 1)
Sep 2nd 2016
Introduction:
The Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus is a two wire serial interface originally developed by the Phillips Corporation for use in consumer products. It is a bi-directional bus that is easily implemented in any IC process (NMOS, CMOS, bipolar) and allows for simple inter-IC communication. Connections are minimized ...
LTspice SOAtherm Support for PCB and Heat Sink Thermal Models
Sep 1st 2016
The SOAtherm model distributed with LTspice software and simplifies Hot Swap and Surge Stopper designs by verifying directly within a circuit simulation that a particular MOSFET’s Safe Operating Area (SOA) is not exceeded. This article assumes a basic understanding of the SOAtherm model. If you are not familiar with SOAtherm, ...
Passive Battery Cell Balancing
Aug 18th 2016
In the automotive and transportation marketplace, large battery stacks provide high output power without producing harmful emissions (i.e. carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons) associated with gasoline-powered combustion engines. Ideally, each individual battery in the stack equally contributes to the system. However, when ...
Active Battery Cell Balancing
Aug 18th 2016
With passive and active cell balancing, each cell in the battery stack is monitored to maintain a healthy battery state of charge (SoC). This extends battery cycle life and provides an added layer of protection by preventing damage to a battery cell due to deep discharging over overcharging. Passive balancing results in all ...
6A Monolithic Synchronous DC/DC Step-Down Converter with Digital Power System Management
Aug 10th 2016
Design Note 554: Introduction
Digital Power System Management (PSM) controllers usually target high current point-of-load (POL) applications. Lower current applications, with up to 6A load current, can also benefit from PSM features. The LTC®3815 is a 6A monolithic synchronous stepdown converter with digital power monitoring ...
Consequences of Not Following the Data Sheet Bypass Recommendation
Aug 8th 2016
I occasionally get customers who ask me to review their ADC schematics and often I will see that the values for the bypass capacitors for Vdd and Vref are smaller than the data sheet recommendations. Here is an experiment I would like to share to show why it is important to use the suggested bypassing values. The circuit of ...
Anti-Alias Filter for 24-bit ADC
Aug 3rd 2016
For many ADC applications a simple RC filter at the buffer input will provide adequate anti-alias filtering. For applications that require a higher order filter an active filter is often used. The active component in that filter must have sufficient bandwidth, fast settling, low noise and low offset so that it doesn’t ...
LTC6244 High Speed Peak Detector
Aug 1st 2016
Introduction
Peak detectors capture the extrema of the voltage signal at its input. A positive peak detector captures the most positive point of the input signal and a negative peak detector captures the most negative point of the input signal. Ideally the output of the peak detector circuit tracks or follows the input voltage ...
DC2191A Upconverts the Output of the LTC2000
Jul 19th 2016
The DC2191A is a new demo board that provides an LTC5579 upconverting mixer at the output of the high speed LTC2000 DAC. The IF output of the DAC feeds a passive lowpass reconstruction filter which then drives the IF input of the upconverting mixer. This interface is simple and requires no DC level shifting.
An ...
Using the Averaging Functions of PScope
Jul 18th 2016
When looking at the sampled output data from an analog to digital converter (ADC) it is often desirable to average blocks of samples from cycle to cycle. This will reveal more details about the ADC’s characteristics, like the true shape of the noise floor, and may reveal low level spurs as well. PScope, Linear Technology’s ...
Using LTspice to Characterize Capacitor Banks
Jul 12th 2016
Capacitor banks are used to filter noise and provide energy storage for fast load transient response. For modeling the stability of a DC/DC converter the ESR of the capacitor bank is needed. This can be easily done if only one type of capacitor is used with multiple capacitors in parallel. This is difficult ...
Electrolytic Capacitor-Based Data Backup Power Solution for a 12V System Regulated from 5V to 36V Input
Jul 5th 2016
Design Note 553: Introduction
Data loss is a concern in telecom, industrial and automotive applications where embedded systems depend on a consistent supply of power. Sudden power interruptions can corrupt data during read and write operations for hard drives and flash memory. Often, embedded systems need just 10ms to 50ms ...
LTspice: AC Analysis Using The Step Command
Jul 4th 2016
In LTspice, AC analysis involves computing the AC complex node voltages as a function of frequency using an independent voltage or current source as the driving signal. The small signal analysis results are plotted in the waveform viewer as magnitude and phase over frequency.
AC analysis in LTspice has a number of settings: ...
Baseband Design Example for LTC5589/LTC5599 Low-Power IQ Modulator
Jul 1st 2016
Introduction
This basic low power modulator was described in the LT Journal Nov 2015 article. In this blog post, we will show how to:
Use simulation to validate the filter design, and
Reduce DC offsets by utilizing Differential Amplifiers for the baseband drive.
Also shown are some miscellaneous tips to help complete ...
95% Efficient at 2MHz 42V Sync Buck
Jun 24th 2016
Linear Technology’s family of high voltage synchronous step-down DC/DC switching regulators offer up to 95% efficiency. Switching at 2MHz, these low EMI parts utilize the Silent Switcher technology. Other features include spread spectrum frequency modulation, ultra-low quiescent current and are available with single, dual, ...
No-Opto Isolated Flyback Converters
Jun 10th 2016
The no-opto isolated flyback parts from Linear need no opto-coupler or LT1431 shunt regulator for regulation. They sense the isolated output voltage directly from the primary-side waveform. This simplifies the design, allows for a smaller solution size and only requires one component crossing the isolation barrier. The load, ...
LT6703 AC Line Overcurrent Indicator
Jun 4th 2016
Circuit Description
This circuit design is to monitor the average current in an AC line-connected load and to illuminate an LED if it exceeds a specified level.
µPower, Low Voltage Comparator with Reference
The basis of this design is the LT6703-2 which combines a micropower, low voltage comparator with a 400mV reference ...
Inverting Regulator Takes Inputs Up to 50V and Supports Outputs to 4A
May 25th 2016
Design Note 552: Introduction
Positive-to-negative DC/DC conversion (inverting output) is widely used in LCD devices, OLED displays, audio amplifiers, industrial equipment, measurement tools, test systems, LED drivers and battery chargers. In all of these cases, the inverting converter must be compact, support high power and ...
Negative Voltage Ideal Diodes (Diode-OR Controllers)
May 23rd 2016
An ideal diode (also referred to as a diode-OR controller and more generally as a PowerPath controller) is a robust, expanded functionality replacement for a discrete power diode. It consists of a MOSFET in place of the diode to provide a low voltage drop, low power dissipation switch that connects a power ...
LTspice: Using Time-Dependent Exponential Sources to Model Transients
May 15th 2016
When working with Surge Stoppers or Hot Swap Controllers, occasionally there is a need to simulate a circuit's behavior with a specified voltage or current transient. These transients are usually modeled using a double exponential waveform characterized by a peak voltage, a rise time (usually 10%–90%), a fall time to 50% ...
How to Drive the LTC2387 (Part 1): Signal Applications to 5MHz that Require Low Inter-Modulation Distortion
May 13th 2016
The biggest challenge in driving a 15Msps, 18-bit ADC with an 8Vp-p input range is the lack of integrated amplifiers with adequate bandwidth, low noise, and the required output excursion. There are low-noise, high-BW amplifiers than can produce 2VPP. There are low speed amplifiers than can produce 8VPP. For low distortion beyond ...
Primer on PowerPath Controllers, Ideal Diodes & Prioritizers
Apr 29th 2016
Electronic systems powered by multiple DC sources are commonplace - they include handheld devices (USB port and battery), portable instruments (wall adapter and battery), and high-availability servers (main and redundant/auxiliary supply rails). Selecting the correct input supply to power the system is not a trivial ...
Common Questions About the LTC2668 Family of 16bit VOUT DACs
Apr 19th 2016
The LTC2668-16 packs 16, 16-bit high performance Digital to Analog converters (DACs) into a tiny, 6x6mm QFN package, with 8 and 4 channel versions in a 5x5 QFN, and 12-bit versions for lower resolution applications. A general purpose DAC such as this finds its way into a myriad of diverse applications, and tends to generate ...
Ultrathin Triple Output μModule Regulator for DDR, QDR and QDR-IV SRAM Fits 0.5cm2 Area and Backside of PCB
Apr 18th 2016
Design Note 551: Introduction
Delivering the highest RTR (random transaction rate) of QDR (quad data rate) SRAMs, QDR-IV provides up to 400Gbps data transfer for high bandwidth networking, high performance computing and intensive data processing applications. A key challenge at these faster data rates is maintaining the integrity ...
Audio Spectrum Analyzer with the Linduino
Apr 12th 2016
There are several methods for implementing a spectrum analyzer. I’ve been working with SAR ADC products for some time, and using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for spectral analysis on a daily basis. Another common method for implementing a spectrum analyzer is called the swept-tuned receiver. This method involves mixing ...
60V, 4A Synchronous Monolithic Step-Down Regulator Has Rail-to Rail Operation
Apr 5th 2016
Design Note 550: Introduction
The LTC3649 is a high efficiency synchronous monolithic step-down regulator, which integrates top and bottom N-channel MOSFETs on the die. This regulator features a wide input voltage range, 3.1V to 60V, and a wide output voltage range from 0V to (VIN − 0.5V). This extremely wide range of ...
AN159: Measuring 2nV/√Hz Noise and 120dB Supply Rejection on Linear Regulators - The Quest for Quiet
Apr 4th 2016
AN159: Introduction
A quiet, well regulated supply is important for optimum performance with a number of circuit applications. Voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) and precision voltage controlled crystal oscillators (VCXOs) respond to small changes in their supply very quickly. Phase-locked loops (PLLs) require a stable supply ...
LTspice: Behavioral Voltage Sources
Apr 4th 2016
Nearly all circuits that you simulate need a voltage source of some kind. In LTspice, the humble voltage source rarely gets to demonstrate its true capabilities. This video will help you learn some of the undiscovered talents of the LTspice voltage source. In this video we’ll explore the power of the behavioural voltage ...
LTSpice: Plotting a Parameter Against Something Other Than Time (e.g. Resistance)
Mar 25th 2016
A common use for LTSpice® is to run a time domain transient analysis where a parameter (e.g. voltage or current) can be plotted against time. Occasionally, you may wish to know the behavior of a circuit versus another parameter such as resistance. This can be done by using the “.measure” and “.step” ...
A New Era in Space Products - Radiation Tolerant
Mar 23rd 2016
Recent developments have made doing business in space ever more achievable to a broadening base of companies. A market previously consisting solely of major defense contractors and national governments has been disrupted by a growing list of commercial companies determined to deploy an enterprise beyond the confines of our ...
LTspice: Generating Triangular & Sawtooth Waveforms
Mar 16th 2016
Some of the most common waveforms needed in simulating voltage and current sources are sine, square, triangular and sawtooth shapes.
LTspice® simulation software has a built-in pulse, sine, exponential, single frequency FM and an arbitrary piece-wise linear functions available in the source component editor. Although ...
LTpowerCAD: Power Design Summary
Mar 11th 2016
The LTpowerCAD is a design tool program that simplifies power supply design. Unlike conventional simulation tools, the LTpowerCAD guides a user through a power supply design via a set of steps to ensure you meet your requirements. This video covers the Power Design Summary which provides a complete details that highlight your ...
LTpowerCAD: Loop Compensation & Load Transient
Mar 11th 2016
The LTpowerCAD is a design tool program that simplifies power supply design. Unlike conventional simulation tools, the LTpowerCAD guides a user through a power supply design via a set of steps to ensure you meet your requirements. This video covers the Loop Compensation & Load Transient step which helps you optimize your ...
LTpowerCAD: Loss Estimate & Break Down
Mar 11th 2016
The LTpowerCAD is a design tool program that simplifies power supply design. Unlike conventional simulation tools, the LTpowerCAD guides a user through a power supply design via a set of steps to ensure you meet your requirements. This video covers the Loss Estimate & Break Down step which provides efficiency and losses ...
LTpowerCAD: Power Stage Design
Mar 11th 2016
The LTpowerCAD is a design tool program that simplifies power supply design. Unlike conventional simulation tools, the LTpowerCAD guides a user through a power supply design via a set of steps to ensure you meet your requirements. This video covers the Power Stage Design step which offers a user friendly schematic interface ...
Differences Between the Ćuk Converter and the Inverting Charge Pump Converter
Mar 7th 2016
The Ćuk converter (also referred to as the two inductor inverting converter), the inverting charge pump and the single inductor inverting converter (also referred to as the inverting buck-boost) all provide a negative output voltage from a positive input voltage. However, engineers often unknowingly refer to these topologies ...
60V Buck-Boost LED Driver with Up to 98% Efficiency Has Internal PWM Dimming and Spread Spectrum
Feb 26th 2016
Design Note 548: Introduction
Synchronous buck-boost converters with four power switches can deliver very high efficiency while providing both step-up and step-down DC/DC conversion. Combining the capabilities of two separate converters (buck and boost) has the advantage of reduced solution size and cost. Four-switch converters ...
Powering Altera Arria 10 FPGA and Arria 10 SoC: Tested and Verified Power Management Solutions
Feb 19th 2016
Design Note DN549: Introduction
FPGA development kits allow system developers to evaluate an FPGA without having to design a complete system. Figures 1 and 2 show Altera’s new 20nm Arria 10 FPGAs and Arria 10 SoCs (System-on-Chip) development boards. These boards are tested and verified by Altera, exemplifying best design ...
Introduction of LTpowerPlanner Program – A System Level Power Architecture Design Tool
Feb 19th 2016
Modern electronics systems have an increasing level of complexity. There can be a large number of power rails and supply solutions on a system board. Before choosing or designing each individual power supply, the system hardware engineer first needs to understand the system power needs and then architect the system power tree ...
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