October 2021

From this Issue...

Short-circuit detection circuit analysis

It is very common to apply a short-circuit detection circuit to a design to alert to a short; see Figure-1. This circuit is simple and widely used by electronics designers since it detects the resistance of a connected circuit – represented by R6. When …

Accuracy and precision in on-chip synchronisation

By Paolo Novellini, Principal Engineer, Xilinx Many applications would simply not exist without synchronisation – the timing coordination of events to operate systems in unison. Synchronisation is the technology that keeps local clock copies (slaves) a …

Qualifying the C standard library for use in safety-critical applications

The responsibility for demonstrating that application software complies with the relevant functional safety standards lies firmly with the application developer.

Shifting demand for multi-layer ceramic capacitors creates a critical supply shortfall for military needs

Military demand for high quality, high-voltage multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) has been hit hard by a shift in production by the world’s largest MLCC manufacturers who are focusing on a seemingly insatiable demand for smaller, lower voltage and, in some way, lower-performance MLCCs.

Totem-pole PFC techniques and technologies for more efficient PSUs

The bridgeless totem-pole power factor correction (PFC) is an elegant solution that replaces the lossy bridge rectifier and PFC FET and boost diode with four active switching devices.

Verification challenges in the JESD204B standard for high-speed data converters – Part 1

The world of data converters is evolving: As the bit depth and sample rate go up, getting data in and out becomes increasingly difficult.

Sustainability is about “Education, education, education!”

Earlier in August, TT Electronics appointed its first ever Sustainability Director, Emma Darke. We caught up with Darke to find out more about her ambitions and that of TT Electronics when it comes to sustainability and going “green”. Q: …

Promising medical device creates images from weak magnetic fields at room temperature

TDK and Yokohama National University (YNU) have developed an image diagnosis technology based on a high-sensitivity magnetic sensor that detects weak magnetic fields at room temperature. Its magnetic field detection performance almost reaches that of t …

XCAM and the Open University develop cameras for space applications of the future

XCAM and the Open University have developed new enhanced performance imaging technology for conducting research in space. Initially, however, it will support research conducted by the NASA’s Roman space telescope but will be built upon as a flagship fo …