The input common-mode voltage range (commonly abbreviated as VCM or VICR) is a term that’s widely recognized in the analog world but misunderstood in the comparators world. For an amplifier, VCM is defined as the average voltage applied to both inputs. But for a comparator, it has an entirely different meaning.
The normal operation of a comparator implies two inputs crossing…
The classic analog signal chain comprises inputs, processing and outputs. The inputs are received by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) or comparators. A microcontroller (MCU) with control software handles the processing. Finally, the analog outputs are produced by digital-to-analog converters (DACs) or pulse-width modulation (PWM).
In this article, I’ll introduce a new type of…
The increasing number of electronic circuits in vehicles is placing greater demand on the amount of power consumed from the battery. The battery supply remains on even when the car is parked or turned off, in order to support such features as remote key entry and security.
Since all vehicles run on a finite battery supply, it’s important to find a way to…
A common definition of quiescent current (IQ) is the current drawn by an integrated circuit (IC) in a no-load and nonswitching but enabled condition. A broader and more useful way to think about it is that quiescent current is the input current consumed by an IC in any number of its ultra-low-power states.
For battery-powered applications, this…
Battery packs have enabled a new generation of personal electronics. Products with demanding power requirements like power tools, e-bikes, and electric vehicles have been redefined by advancements in high performance battery technology. Today, batteries must be safer, more efficient, and smarter than ever before. The increased demand for intelligent battery pack systems…
Ground projection around vehicles has made great strides in recent years with the addition of logo projectors. Auto makers have used logo projection to enable vehicle owners to customize their car while still providing some functionality by lighting the ground around the doors. However, these systems are currently only able to display a single pattern and do not support any features…
(Co-authored by Wenhao Wu)
Effective ways to implement backup power from supercapacitors
Many modern, smart Internet-of-things (IoT) devices that run from line power need backup power to safely power down or to perform last-gasp communication in the event of an unexpected power outage. For example, an electricity meter could share details about the time, location…
(Co-authored by Alex Pakosta)
Lithium thionyl chloride (LiSOCI2) batteries are popular in smart flow meters because they provide higher energy density and a better cost-per-wattage ratio than battery chemistries such as lithium manganese dioxide (LiMnO2). One disadvantage of LiSOCl2 batteries is poor response to peak loads, which can result in a decrease of the usable battery capacity…
Comparators are fundamental analog components found in nearly every application. One way to describe comparators is that they are 1-bit ADCs: They have two inputs, with one typically used as a voltage reference and the other an input voltage signal. Depending on which input is the reference and what the input voltages are, the comparator output will toggle high or…
(This article was originally published on Planet Analog.)
I last left you hanging with a fancy-looking diagram and table in the first installment of this series, very likely lost, dazed and confused. Let me go into some more detail on the three motor types: speed, torque and position.
Speed
A motor system falls under the speed category when its primary function is to operate at a constant or variable speed. These systems…
(This article was originally published on Planet Analog.)
Quick – what are the three motor types? The most common answer that I hear is “brushed-DC motors, stepper motors and brushless-DC motors,” which is basically a knee-jerk reaction to the question. Some of the more intrepid motor-drive experts I know might say “single-phase AC input, multiphase AC input or DC input,” categorizing each motor by its input…
Today’s space race isn’t just about landing on new worlds; it’s a race to better connect our own, through global broadband connectivity powered by mega constellations known as low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Just like terrestrial applications, LEO satellites require signal and power isolation to enhance system integrity and performance by preventing ground potential…
The transimpedance amplifier (TIA) is one of the most common circuits in the world of precision analog circuits. The dynamic range required of a single TIA can be quite a challenge, often spanning many decades, such as picoamperes to microamperes.
Selecting a single resistor to accommodate such a wide dynamic range is a lose-lose situation, so circuit designers will often turn to…
As Industry 4.0 spreads advanced manufacturing processes across global markets, demand for highly automated systems that operate with an integrated manufacturing flow and constantly collect process control data is increasing drastically. Most of these systems – including magnetic encoders in robotic arms, proximity sensors, actuators, pressure transmitters, linear motors and autonomous…
Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid EVs (HEVs) are changing, as are the electronics inside them. The increasing amount of electronics plays a significant role in the overall form and function of these vehicles. Drivers, however, haven’t changed; they still expect their EVs and HEVs to drive further without stopping, become more affordable, charge faster, and keep them safe. But…
In applications measuring high current levels through a resistive shunt, the differential voltage developed across a tiny shunt is typically very small in order to minimize the power dissipation inside the sensing resistor – in the range of just a few millivolts. Contrary to popular belief, the slew rate of the op amp has little bearing on its performance due to the small signal…
On our way to zero-emission transportation, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) present a natural transition from internal combustion engines (ICE) to battery electric vehicle (BEV). This transition period will take years, and brings in several types of hybrid vehicles depending on the level of electrification. On one end, we have mild hybrid vehicles with typically…
Global efforts to reduce power consumption are only increasing, with many countries requiring that home appliances, like those shown in Figure 1, meet efficiency standards set by organizations such as the China Institute of Standards (CNIS), Energy Star in the United States and Blue Angel in Germany. To meet these standards, system designers are increasingly moving away…
Developing functional safety systems in a streamlined and simplified manner calls for robust functional safety support. Part of this includes having the resources to validate that the development tools used in the system design process meet functional safety requirements.
The new TI Arm® Clang compiler’s available TI compiler qualification kit helps simplify system design development efforts. The TI compiler qualification…
Sean Murphy co-authored this technical article.
The shift toward industry 4.0 automation spurred an exponential increase of robots on factory floors, including industrial robots, collaborative robots and service robots (automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots). Because these robots often work alongside humans, they must have advanced sensing and functional safety capabilities…
With a swipe of the hand, gesture detection gives drivers a new way to control in-cabin climates, lighting, windows, infotainment systems and more. There are currently several options for adjusting various comfort and convenience functions in the cabin. However, manipulating the buttons, knobs and especially touchscreens requires drivers to divert their eyes.
Today, many automotive…
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