This document was developed under the Standard Hardware and Reliability Program (SHARP) TechnologyIndependent Representation of ElectroNIc Products (TIREP) project. It is intended for use by VHSIC HardwareDescription Language (VHDL) design engineers and is offered as guidance for the development of VHDL modelswhich are compliant with the VHDL Data Item Description (DID DI-EGDS-80811) and which can be providedto manufacturing engineering personnel for the development of production data and the subsequent productionof hardware. Most VHDL modeling performed to date has been concentrated at either the component level orat the conceptual system level. The assembly and sub-assembly levels have been largely disregarded. Under theSHARP TIREP project, an attempt has been made to help close this gap. The TIREP models are based upon lowcomplexity Standard ElectroNIc Modules (SEM) of the format A configuration. Although these modules are quitesimple, it is felt that the lessons learned offer guidance which can readily be applied to a wide range of assemblytypes and complexities.
Abstract: It is incredible how many programmable logic controls (PLCs) around us make our modern life possible and pleasant.Machines in our homes heat and cool our air and water, as well as preserve and cook our food. This tutorial explains the importanceof PLCs, and describes how to choose component parts using the parametric tools on the Maxim's website.A similar version of this article was published February 29, 2012 in John Day's Automotive ElectroNIc News.
Low power operation of ElectroNIc apparatus has becomeincreasingly desirable. Medical, remote data acquisition,power monitoring and other applications are good candidatesfor battery driven, low power operation. Micropoweranalog circuits for transducer-based signal conditioningpresent a special class of problems. Although micropowerICs are available, the interconnection of these devices toform a functioning micropower circuit requires care. (SeeBox Sections, “Some Guidelines for Micropower Designand an Example” and “Parasitic Effects of Test Equipmenton Micropower Circuits.”) In particular, trade-offs betweensignal levels and power dissipation become painful whenperformance in the 10-bit to 12-bit area is desirable.
Portable, battery-powered operation of ElectroNIc apparatushas become increasingly desirable. Medical, remotedata acquisition, power monitoring and other applicationsare good candidates for battery operation. In some circumstances,due to space, power or reliability considerations,it is preferable to operate the circuitry from a single 1.5Vcell. Unfortunately, a 1.5V supply eliminates almost alllinear ICs as design candidates. In fact, the LM10 opamp-reference and the LT®1017/LT1018 comparators arethe only IC gain blocks fully specifi ed for 1.5V operation.Further complications are presented by the 600mV dropof silicon transistors and diodes. This limitation consumesa substantial portion of available supply range, makingcircuit design diffi cult. Additionally, any circuit designedfor 1.5V operation must function at end-of-life batteryvoltage, typically 1.3V. (See Box Section, “Componentsfor 1.5V Operation.”)
Abstract: There are differences between the operation of low-frequency AC transformers and ElectroNIc transformersthat supply current to MR16 lamps, and there are also differences in the current draw for MR16 halogen lamps andMR16 LED lamps. These contrasts typically prevent an MR16 LED lamp from operating with most ElectroNIctransformers. This article explains how a high-brightness (HB) LED driver optimized for MR16 lamps will allow LEDlamps to be compatible with most ElectroNIc transformers.A similar version of this article appeared on Display Plus, July 7, 2012 and in German in Elektronikpraxis, October 1,2012.
Automobile ElectroNIc systems place high demands ontoday’s DC/DC converters. They must be able to preciselyregulate an output voltage in the face of wide temperatureand input voltage ranges—including load dump transientsin excess of 60V and cold crank voltage drops to 4V. Theconverter must also be able to minimize battery drain inalways-on systems by maintaining high effi ciency over abroad load current range. Similar demands are made bymany 48V nonisolated telecom applications, 40V FireWireperipherals and battery-powered applications with autoplug adaptors. The LT3437’s best in classperformancemeets all of these requirements in a small thermallyenhanced 3mm × 3mm DFN package.
Traditionally, an ElectroNIc Circuit Breaker (ECB) comprisesa MOSFET, a MOSFET controller and a current senseresistor. The LTC®4213 does away with the sense resistorby using the RDS(ON) of the external MOSFET. The resultis a simple, small solution that offers a signifi cant lowinsertion loss advantage at low operating load voltage.The LTC4213 features two circuit breaking responses tovarying overload conditions with three selectable tripthresholds and a high side drive for an external N-channelMOSFET switch.