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. The characteristic impedance […]
Design
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 […]
Video: Engineering slide chart from Great Innovations
In this product demonstration is an engineering slide chart from Great Innovations. For you Design Engineers, this handy tool can help you with your measurements, be it in the American or British standard. On one side of this chart, there are measurements converting fractions, decimals, and millimeters. It also includes, sheet metal and wire sizes […]
Contoured, modular ergonomic grip
The Contour Grip is a modular ergonomic grip that incorporates controls on the front, side and back. Its ergonomic design was created with feedback from experts in the field including machine operators who tested it in a virtual reality environment. The shape was refined after multiple modifications to come up with the final user-friendly version. […]
Dynamic testing saves energy, time and money
Dynamic testing of performance factors for a Department of Defense (DoD) customer’s helicopter transmissions, primarily in the Apache and Blackhawk classes presented a challenge, which involved an existing bank of over 20 individual test stands. The existing test stands ranged from 20–50 years in age and had been built with single-purpose functionality. The stands suffered […]
Fast 16-bit digital-to-analog converter at 1.5 GSPS
Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) introduced a new 16-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The quad DAC34SH84 is 50-percent faster and uses 50-percent less power than the closest 16-bit DAC alternative, clocking in at 1.5 GSPS and consuming just 362 mW per channel. The DAC34SH84 provides an easy, pin-compatible upgrade from the 1.25-GSPS DAC34H84 for customers wanting […]
Genesys Software Enhances RF System Design
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) announced the latest release of its low-cost, high-performance software for RF and microwave board design, Genesys 2012. The updated software provides enhancements in RF system simulation (including electromagnetic, circuit and statistical simulation), plus features to help designers improve the reliability of their systems. Genesys 2012 simplifies analysis of RF systems […]
PCB Design, Bringing It All Together
For anyone who has ever turned a PCB it is an obvious thing to ask for but we have all just stopped asking because one might die before it ever occurred: Integration between part manufacturer, distributor, PCB house, and PCB design tools into a development environment for the engineer. The esoteric electronic design automation (EDA) tools for the printed circuit boards of today could use some help. And that is putting it nicely.
