James Prescott Joule, in formulating what is now known as Joule’s Law, found that various forms of energy such as mechanical, electrical and heat are essentially identical and can be changed one into the other. His work formed the theoretical basis for the First Law of Thermodynamics. Joule further investigated the phenomenon of magnetostriction. He […]
Thermal camera, stand optimized for benchtop analysis of PCB thermal characteristics
FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) today announced the launch of the FLIR ETS320 thermal imaging solution for electronics testing in engineering benchtop environments. As the first FLIR camera designed specifically for benchtop work in testing and analyzing the thermal characteristics of electronic components and printed circuit boards (PCBs), the FLIR ETS320 aims to advance testing […]
Budget-priced vector network analyzer handles 6 GHz with 122 dB dynamic range
The TTR500 Series USB Vector Network Analyzer is said to cost 40% less than alternatives capable of 122 dB dynamic range and 6 GHz frequency range. Developed by Tektronix, it also includes advanced features such as VectorVu-PC analysis software and a built-in bias tee for testing active devices. The TTR500 Series features an easy-to-use user […]
When waveform read-outs come from a SPICE simulator
In a simpler time there wasn’t a great need for electronic simulation because equipment composed of discrete components could easily be bread boarded and powered up to try out ideas. This approach is now unfeasible thanks to billion-component ICs, multi-gigahertz bandwidth requirements, parasitic impedances, and electromagnetic interference issues. Rather than manually building and testing multiple […]
Simulation software provides new RF PCB, laminate, module, and silicon RFIC capabilities
Keysight Technologies, Inc. has introduced the latest release of its powerful Advanced Design System (ADS) software, ADS 2016. The software improves design productivity and speeds circuit and electromagnetic simulation performance. ADS 2016 provides new RF printed circuit board, laminate, module, and silicon RFIC products, as well as technologies, capabilities and other enhancements. ADS is the […]
Basics of wiring three and four-way switches
Two three-way switches necessarily sit some distance apart, but electrically they constitute a single “black box.”
Keysight Technologies Wins Elektra 2014 Educational Support Award from European Electronics Industry
Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) announced that it has won the Elektra 2014 Educational Support award given by the European Electronics Industry. The educational support award category is dedicated to companies that have truly demonstrated their commitment to the education of engineers of the future by providing support to schools, colleges and universities. “Helping to […]
Basics of modeling transistors
By David Herres All transistors operate according to the exact same physical principles as diodes, the only difference being that they have greater complexity because there are additional P-N and N-P junctions and accordingly more terminals. As with simple diodes, a transistor junction conducts when it is forward biased and does not conduct when it is reverse […]
Understanding the Basics: What is Characteristic Impedance?
By David Herres We speak of 50- or 75-Ω coaxial cable. The novice wonders if these numbers apply to a given length, say 100 ft. Could you connect an ohmmeter to one end of the cable and expect to get that reading with or without the conductors shunted at the far end? The answer is absolutely not. […]
Floating Switch from TI Transforms Offline LED Drive Design
Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) introduced the industry’s first floating switch architecture that simplifies the offline linear drive of LEDs in lamps, downlights and fixtures. The AC switched matrix technique features TI’s TPS92411 floating MOSFET switch and is an innovative approach to producing low-ripple LED drive current without magnetic components. The architecture provides excellent compatibility […]
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