Designers of signal receiver systems often need to performcascaded chain analysis of system performancefrom the antenna all the way to the ADC. Noise is a criticalparameter in the chain analysis because it limits theoverall sensitivity of the receiver. An application’s noiserequirement has a signifi cant infl uence on the systemtopology, since the choice of topology strives to optimizethe overall signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range andseveral other parameters. One Problem in noise calculationsis translating between the various units used by thecomponents in the chain: namely the RF, IF/baseband,and digital (ADC) sections of the circuit.
Abstract: Electrolytic capacitors are notorious for short lifetimes in high-temperature applications such asLED light bulbs. The careful selection of these devices with proper interpretation of their specifications isessential to ensure that they do not compromise the life of the end product. This application notediscusses this Problem with electrolytic capacitors in LED light bulbs and provides an analysis that showshow it is possible to use electrolytics in such products.
Abstract: We can apply a BiCMOS integrated circuit with only resistors and no transistors to solve adifficult design Problem. The mythically perfect operational amplifier's gain and temperature coefficient aredependent on external resistor values. Maxim precision resistor arrays are manufactured together on asingle die and then automatically trimmed, to ensure close ratio matching. This guarantees that theoperational amplifier (op amp) gain and temperature coefficient are predictable and reliable, even withlarge production volumes.
Abstract: A resistive feedback network is often used to set the output voltage of a power supply. A mechanical potentiometer (pot)conveniently solves the Problem of adjusting a power supply. For easier automatic calibration, a mechanical pot can be replaced witha digital pot. This application note presents a calibration solution that uses a digital pot, because digipots are smaller, do not movewith age or vibration, and can be recalibrated remotely. This proposed solution reduces the susceptibility of the system to thetolerance of the digital pot's end-to-end resistance, making the solution optimal fordesigners. This application note also explainssome of the equations required to calculate the resistor chain values and to use a digital pot in this way. A spreadsheet withstandard reisistor values is available for easy calculations.
Many system designers need an easy way to producea negative 3.3V power supply. In systems that alreadyhave a transformer, one option is to swap out the existingtransformer with one that has an additional secondarywinding. The Problem with this solution is that manysystems now use transformers that are standard, offthe-shelf components, and most designers want toavoid replacing a standard, qualifi ed transformer with acustom version. An easier alternative is to produce thelow negative voltage rail by stepping down an existingnegative rail. For example, if the system already employsan off-the-shelf transformer with two secondary windingsto produce ±12V, and a –3.3V rail is needed, a negativebuck converter can produce the –3.3V output from the–12V rail.
A large group of fiber optic lasers are powered by DCcurrent. Laser drive is supplied by a current source withmodulation added further along the signal path. Thecurrent source, although conceptually simple, constitutesan extraordinarily tricky design Problem. There are anumber of practical requirements for a fiber optic currentsource and failure to consider them can cause laser and/or optical component destruction.
The above title is not happenstance and was arrived at afterconsiderable deliberation. As a linear IC manufacturer, it isour goal to encourage users to design and build switchingregulators. A Problem is that while everyone agrees thatworking switching regulators are a good thing, everyonealso agrees that they are difficult to get working. Switchingregulators, with their high efficiency and small size, areincreasingly desirable as overall package sizes shrink.Unfortunately, switching regulators are also one of themost difficult linear circuits to design. Mysterious modes,sudden, seemingly inexplicable failures, peculiar regulationcharacteristics and just plain explosions are commonoccurrences. Diodes conduct the wrong way. Things gethot that shouldn’t. Capacitors act like resistors, fusesdon’t blow and transistors do. The output is at ground, andthe ground terminal shows volts of noise.
