The 0- to 20-mA current loop is a reliable means of data communication in industrial applications. These circuits use a precision shunt in the receiver to convert the current signal into a voltage signal...
Articles and news - 3
Microcontroller supervises 0- to 20-mA protection circuit
Dpot pseudolog + log lookup table = actual logarithmic gain
This is the Microchip MCP41xxx digital potentiometer data sheet that includes an interesting application circuit comprising a Dpot controlled amplifier with pseudologarithmic gain settings...
Voltage-reference IC with integral heater offers single ppm-class results
Designers charged with creating precision analog front ends and signal chains know that the performance of the voltage reference is often the ultimate determinant of system performance...
MEMS microphone interfaces: Analog vs. digital outputs
The utilization of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems microphones presents an opportunity to incorporate sophisticated communication and monitoring capabilities into a diverse range of devices...
Floating output, variable potential battery simulator
Battery stack voltage monitor development is aided by a floating, variable potential battery simulator. This capability permits monitor accuracy verification over a wide range of battery voltage...
How a dumb move spawned the x86 and kickstarted the PC revolution
Computer Terminal Corporation launched the DataPoint 3300 computer terminal in 1969 as a platform to replace teleprinters, or the precursors to fax machines...
Transmission lines simulate digital filters in PSpice
Designers use PSpice mainly to simulate analog circuits. However, you can also simulate digital filters with it...
Keep Dpot pseudologarithmic gain control on a leash
A Microchip Inc datasheet covering the MCP4xxx family of digital potentiometers (Dpot) includes an interesting application circuit on datasheet page 15...
Using unfiltered PWM to drive high-power resistive loads
Sometimes it’s necessary to drive a resistive load such as an incandescent bulb or heating element from a DC voltage that’s higher than the nominal load voltage...
An accurate resettable fuse
The fuse described in this design idea does not drop the connection, it simply limits the output current. A behavior that is similar to a polyfuse, however the circuit is more accurate...
