Technical Features

January 2017

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Figure 1: Replacing conventional, discrete power conversion with power modules throughout the vehicle provides significant cost and weight savings in EVs

High-Density Power Modules Simplify and Downsize EV Power System Design

Greg Green, Director of Automotive Marketing, Vicor

The electrification of the automobile is presenting new challenges for power system designers in achieving the highest power density at the lowest weight possible, eliminating compromises in vehicle range and overall performance. Designers of power delivery networks (PDNs) are also tasked with designing safe, effici

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Date:

10/31/2024

The ROHM Arduino-based EVK allows rapid evaluation and prototyping of stepper motor systems

Step-by-step

Andrea Colognese, Rohm Semiconductor

Combining ultra-precise control with long operating life, stepper motors have become a critical building block in motion-based applications ranging from white goods to factory automation and robotics to printers and point-of-sale equipment. For the designer, the challenge is to ensure the best combination of pe

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Date:

01/30/2017

Innovative topology for piezo drivers

Jim Mutzabaugh, Apex Microtechnology

Piezoelectric elements have traditionally been used primarily in applications in the audio industry, operating in the human audio range (nominally 100 Hz to 18 kHz). However, subsequent improvements in device characteristics have extended their usefulness into markets which demand much-higher performance. For ex

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Date:

01/30/2017

Advanced distributed power

Mark Adams, CUI, and Mark Patrick, Mouser Electronics

DC-DC converter modules have been around a long time and can be found in most power conversion stages of virtually every application today. As their use evolved to changing application requirements so did the design approach used to construct them. One of these trends meant that in order to preserve conversio

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Date:

01/28/2017

Measuring the power of complex RF waveforms

Giovanni D’Amore, Keysight Technologies

The ability to make consistent measurements of RF or microwave power levels is vital to developing effective radio systems and networks. This article explores how different approaches affect the resultant measurements. The test case compares various approaches to making average power measurements of contin

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Date:

01/28/2017

Designing the turnaround!

Thomas Rudel, CEO, Rutronik

Lots of things are currently changing: Digital transformation is in full swing, changing our daily lives and demanding new business models. Many countries are facing economic and social challenges. Let’s look at how this effects distribution and what companies like Rutronik are doing to continue to move forward in

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Date:

01/28/2017

Optimizing wet processing equipment

Louise Bertagnolli, president, JST Manufacturing

Microfabrication operations such as metal lift-off, stripping, etching, plating/coating, cleaning, and de-bonding are typically wet processing procedures. Yet, selecting the equipment to perform those procedures most efficiently and cost-effectively is often not a simple matter (see Figure 1). In most cases, the

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Date:

01/28/2017

Busbar choices for EV power distribution

Dominik Pawlik, Rogers Power Electronics Solutions

Interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) is growing steadily as battery technologies improve and the driving range of such vehicles increases. Perhaps as important, EVs/HEVs offer a “green” alternative to traditional vehicles powered by internal-combustion gasoline engines. EVs and HEVs r

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Date:

01/28/2017

Powering marine

Patrick Le Fèvre, Powerbox

We are all aware about self-driving cars, and all exciting projects the automotive industry is engaged in, but very few have heard about unmanned ship and projects to operate large fleets of vessels navigating from dock to dock without operational crews (see Figure 1). In early stages, projects such as Maritime Un

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Date:

01/28/2017

Smart dimming technologies

David Gamperl, ams

Resolution is the most obvious battleground on which rival television and display manufacturers fight. Consumers have been willing to pay a premium for high-definition HD) displays, and, more recently, for 4k displays. Eventually, ultra-high definition 8k displays are expected to supersede the current generation of

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Date:

01/28/2017