Electronic Components Semiconductors: Guide
Electronic component semiconductor silicon wafer It is indisputable that the invention of the transistor opened the door for the current technological revolution. Today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find products that do not leverage electronics to enhance capabilities and functionality. More often than not, these products and systems are driven by circuit boards that […]
Arduino Opta Datasheet: Applications and Analysis
Arduino Opta micro PLC in TH35 module form factor for easy mounting Since the inception of the Arduino project in 2005, electronics enthusiasts have been attracted to Arduino boards and products. By simplifying the design and development of interactive systems, Arduino paved the way for hobbyists, students, and early career designers to test prototypes and […]
TPS54620 Datasheet: Analysis
The TPS54620 datasheet provides all critical information about device operation and details. All devices need power to operate, but power delivery methods are vast and customizable. One method is a step-down buck converter that reduces the voltage from the power input to increase the current at the output. Whether the application is for high-density distributed […]
HC-SR04 Datasheet: Analysis
The HC-SR04 datasheet provides all the critical information to set up and evaluate the device. Sensors are an important part of interfacing any microcontroller with the surrounding environment. One method of sensor analysis is object detection. While infrared is a common, cheap manner of object detection, it can suffer from poor responsiveness during conditions where […]
Best Electronic Parts Search Tools for PCB Designers
Electronic parts search tools must sift through millions of components. PCB Designers have to weigh many part options when building their bill of materials (BOMs). Searching and comparing dozens or hundreds of unique MPNs for cost, availability, package, etc., can be a considerable time sink, especially for design teams that cannot lean on a procurement […]
Common Electronic Component Problems and Solutions
Identifying electronic component problems and solutions requires technical analysis. There’s a marked difference between designing and manufacturing electronics: the former (solely) does not have to account for many real-world issues when operating as a simulator. Even with a greater mindfulness of design for manufacturing (DFM) practices, the steps between design and manufacturing can vex a […]
PCB USB C Connector: Important Design Guidelines
PCB USB-C Connectors are ubiquitous for their fast charging and reconfigurable high-speed data transfer. As the latest update to the USB connector type format, USB-C offers unparalleled ubiquity across electronics for data transfer and power charging. From the designer’s perspective, USB-C has some additional considerations to weigh during layout to prevent poor performance. For any […]
Electronic Schematic Symbols: PCB Design Best Practices
Electronic product innovation today is based on effectively using the oldest form of communication: symbols and imagery. Today, it is difficult to find any product that does not directly or indirectly rely on electronics. From relatively simple functions like controlling LED indicators to driving smart devices and appliances, PCBs and the electronic components that comprise […]
Electronic Component Reliability Database: Uses and Tools
Electronic component reliability databases enable reliable PCB design and manufacture Electronic component reliability databases are structured data collections for assessing and predicting electronic component reliability, failure rates, and lifecycle performance. Using historical data, environmental stress factors, materials properties, and operational conditions, they assist engineers and manufacturers in selecting components, assessing risks, and maintaining their products. […]
Toshiba’s MOSFET Circuit Simulator Online: Targeting Specifications for Power Supply
Virtually all electronic device, board, and system design is predicated on the ability to convert an often fixed input power source to match the requirements for one or more load circuits. The essential functionality is typically performed by a linear or switched-mode power supply (SMPS) circuit. For SMPSs, a key decision is what type of […]