Electronics-Lab.com Blog

by Ashok Bindra:

Whether for driving white LED backlights or powering RF and analog circuits, laptops, tablets and other mobile devices often require voltages that are much higher than the input supply voltage. Consequently, step-up or boost DC/DC converters generate output voltages that are several times the input to serve a variety of circuits and functions in these systems. For instance, in battery powered systems, the input normally is 5 V and below, while voltages as high as 15 and 24 V or more are needed to power RF/analog functions or drive thin-film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Similarly, high voltages also are needed to bias avalanche photodiodes (APDs) found in optical receivers.

Generating High DC Output Voltage from Low Input Supply - [Link]

TI’s latest Power Management devices, design tools and support resources in the new 2013 Power Management Guide

TI’s Power Management Guide 2013 edition - [Link]

This is a great video of Alan Wolke talking about op-amp power supply options. He explains the differences when using op-amps on a single supply, a split (or bipolar) supply and virtual ground.

This video discusses the power supply considerations for op amps. It talks about split or dual power supply and single supply operation, and why the op amp often doesn’t care which you use! It shows how traditional op amps designed for split supply operation can be used in single supply applications. The most important consideration generally is taking care of where the input and output voltages are with respect to the supply rails. The input voltage and output voltage range specifications are examined in a datasheet. The operation of a op amp in a single supply application is examined on an oscilloscope. This operation is compared to a modern rail-to-rail op amp in the same circuit.

Op Amp Power Supplies: Split, Single, and Virtual Ground Designs - [Link]

The INA230 is a current-shunt and power monitor with an I2C interface that features 16 programmable addresses. The INA230 monitors both shunt voltage drops and bus supply voltage. Programmable calibration value, conversion times, and averaging, combined with an internal multiplier, enable direct readouts of current in amperes and power in watts.

Resources: Datasheet

INA230 – Precision digital/current/voltage/power monitor - [Link]

The LTC2945 is a rail-to-rail system monitor that measures current, voltage, and power. It features an operating range of 2.7V to 80V and includes a shunt regulator for supplies above 80V to allow flexibility in the selection of input supply. The current measurement range of 0V to 80V is independent of the input supply. An onboard 0.75% accurate 12-bit ADC measures load current, input voltage and an auxiliary external voltage. A 24-bit power value is generated by digitally multiplying the measured 12-bit load current and input voltage data.

LTC2945 – Wide Range I2C Power Monitor - [Link]

Carolyn Mathas writes:

The LT3763 by Linear Technology is a synchronous buck LED driver controller that delivers more than 300W of LED power. With an input voltage range of 6V to 60V, it targets such applications as automotive, industrial and architectural lighting. Output voltage from 0V to 55V enables it to driver LEDs in a single string. The driver features input and output current monitors and limiting and accurate input and output voltage regulation.

Buck LED driver delivers 300W of power - [Link]

Steve Taranovich writes:

Exar Corporation announced the next-generation single channel switch for USB VBUS power distribution applications. The XRP2523 switch is compliant with the latest USB 3.0 specification as well as the established USB 2.0 specification. The new specification provides higher power to the downstream peripherals and enables more efficient battery charging over USB.

Power distribution switch for USB applications - [Link]

Publitek European Editors :

The low-dropout regulator (LDO) has long been the choice for buck voltage conversion not only where cost is an issue but where noise performance is critical.

The brainchild of Linear Technology co-founder Robert Dobkin, conceived when he worked at National Semiconductor, the core architecture of the regulator is very simple but effective. Dobkin took a fixed-ratio voltage regulator and adapted it so that its output could be adjusted using a voltage divider on the output.¹

In the classic linear regulator, a transistor acts as half of a potential divider. Its output voltage is to control a feedback circuit that has control over the transistor’s gate in the case of a MOSFET, which is normally the case for an LDO regulator. The constant control via feedback over gate voltage provides a stable output voltage at a level set by the reference circuitry. Because of the use of a voltage divider structure, the linear regulator can produce only a voltage that is lower than that of the input. Older regulator circuits could experience a drop of 2 V or more. LDOs were devised to provide easier control over the output voltage and to constrain this dropout voltage to less than 2 V.

Linear Regulators Drive Noise Down - [Link]

element14 has teamed up with top suppliers, including Texas Instruments, Wurth Elektroniks and Cadsoft, to launch a new wireless power microsite. Designed to accelerate the integration of wireless power solutions in popular applications, such as smart phones, digital cameras and more, the site gives engineers access to a wide range of technical experts, complimentary webinars, product roadtests, and safety and compliance standards.

Engineers are invited to learn more by registering for a free webinar – “Charging Innovation – Cut the Cord” – on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. GMT/9 a.m. CDT. Attendees will see a demo of the new microsite, an overview of wireless power reference designs, and an opportunity to have questions answered during a live Q&A session following the webinar.

Wireless power integration made easy with TI’s bqTESLA evaluation modules - [Link]

Daniel @ panstamp.com writes:

We know many of you were wondering when we’ll release a power meter compatible with panStamp. And here we are, sooner as expected, with a first prototype. We at panStamp are passionate about simplicity so you may guess that either electronics or firmware application have been designed to be as compact and efficient as possible.

panStamp Power meter board - [Link]