It can be helpful to rapidly and easily determine the polarity (npn or pnp) and function of a transistor. The pocket-transistor tester is ideal for quickly testing without regard to such parameters as gain and frequency response...

The circuit here is an oscillator with an unusual frequency divider that I designed when I was developing an RF system. I needed a stable and accurate 455 kHz digital signal generator that used as few components as possible...

Switching Battery Inc., has unveiled an innovative electronic method for the connection of batteries called "para-series". The patent-pending para-series method is based on dynamically switching a group of batteries...

Also called the ThermoPen, the goal of this project was to create a portable thermometer usable for precise uses case...

A global survey by Farnell shows significant use of low-cost SBCs are being used in all stages of product development and production led by the Raspberry Pi...

Over the years, various power-off circuits have been published. However, the circuit proposed here is very simple and has excellent characteristics. It features a fast power-off transition, with only 8 mV voltage drop at power on and sub-µA leakage current...

PragmatIC Semiconductor’s recent announcement about developing a flexible version of the 6502 processor takes tech history buffs on the road to nostalgia...

Some transducers for portable or automotive applications need accurately regulated, high-voltage bias and draw little current. To produce such high voltages from a low battery voltage, designers typically use switch-mode dc/dc converters...

A ground plane acts as a common reference voltage, provides shielding, enables heat dissipation, and reduces stray inductance (but it also increases parasitic capacitance). While there are many advantages to using a ground plane, care must be taken when implementing it...

Despite its critical nature in high-speed circuitry, printed-circuit-board layout is often one of the last steps in the design process. There are many aspects to high-speed PCB layout; volumes have been written on the subject. This article addresses high-speed layout from a practical perspective...