Technical Features
February 2022
Introduction
Large language models are revolutionizing how we access data and artificial intelligence (AI) advancements are disrupting how industries and societies use data center computing resources. Instead of typing keywords into a search engine, we are at the point where we can ask AI a question, much
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Date:
04/29/2026
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Introduction
As discussed in previous installments in this series, integrating power electronics co-located or in close proximity to motors is an important design goal in many battery-powered applications. Faced with increasing functionality and power requirements, as well as the size and weight constraints in
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Date:
02/25/2022
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Introduction
Now that the era of the IoT, AI, and 5G has arrived, intelligent, lightweight, and miniaturized motor drives are essential to the next generation of power tools. According to a forecast provided by Grandview Research [1], the global power tool market is projected to reach 40.9 billion US dollars
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Date:
02/18/2022
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The challenge
Heat management is one of the biggest challenges for motor control and drive designs as it affects the efficiency and lifetime of the solution. In battery-powered applications, more sophisticated cooling mechanisms are adopted, requiring smaller heatsinks as well as different approaches other than PCB cooling. Power MOSFET package innovation is moving towards these new industry´s needs by developing products overcoming thermal challenges.
Current state-of-the-art solutions
Today most of the power MOSFET
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Date:
02/11/2022
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The proliferation of renewable-energy applications is driving an increasing need to test batteries, fuel cells, solar panels, and other devices that produce renewable DC power. An electronic load—typically programmable and designed to draw various and specified amounts of power from a source—is the ideal inst
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Date:
02/06/2022
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Introduction
Very often we hear that today’s world is moving faster. Let’s take a moment to think about what this really means. We see things changing around us, no doubt about it. New apps, solutions, behaviors, habits, discoveries, implementations – there are plenty of innovative ideas that one cou
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Date:
02/04/2022
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Figure 1: AC-DC power supply block diagram
During a storm, or when equipment is using a common power source shared with large machinery, the nominal AC input voltage may dip for a short period of time. This frequently happens when lightning strikes are in close proximity to a facility, or when large amount of current is drawn during a welding process on
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Date:
02/04/2022
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Figure 1: Real-time data in the global ‘datasphere’ will reach 51 zettabytes by 2025
It is estimated that by 2025 the annual size of real-time data in the global ‘datasphere’ will have increased tenfold from the level in 2018, reaching a total of 51 zettabytes. Indeed, driven in part by the pandemic, global internet traffic grew by around 35% in 2020 as a result of rapid uptake of video st
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Date:
02/04/2022
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Figure 1: The buck and boost DC-DC converter outlines
This article gives a broad review of the switched-mode topology technology and some commercial implementations. Historically DC-DC conversion utilised a series pass element (transistor) with linear circuitry, resulting in woeful efficiency levels especially if the differential voltage across the series pass el
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Date:
02/04/2022
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Figure 1: The flyback transformer circuit schematic
Integrated circuits and transistor components of the switch mode power supply (SMPS) already operate at faster switching speeds and higher efficiency than in previous years. Likewise, magnetic components used in SMPS circuit topologies require advanced design and analysis to keep up.
A flyback topology with low
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Date:
02/04/2022
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Figure 1: A series of Molex RNC sensors daisy-chained together
Driven by rising customer expectations, over the last decade there has been a significant shift of priorities within vehicle design. A far greater proportion of automotive engineers’ focus is now placed on enhancing the driving experience, to make the time that people spend in their cars as enjoyable as possible. Th
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Date:
02/04/2022
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Figure 1. Automobile instrument cluster and centre console. (Source: Shutterstock / BoJack)
Providing power rails for automobile instrument clusters and radio head units presents many conflicting design challenges. These include finding a highly efficient switching regulator with low quiescent current (IQ) that can generate a low output voltage directly from the vehicle battery, while still maintaining l
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Date:
02/04/2022
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Figure 1: Certified Functional Safety Resources and Development Ecosystem
Stringent International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 26262 functional safety specifications ensure that the increasingly complex and sophisticated automotive applications operate safely. However, developing compliant designs and achieving certification can be a time-consuming and expensive process. Th
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Date:
02/04/2022
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Figure 1: Figure of merit RDS∙A compared for technologies at increasing voltage rating
A traction inverter is an application that is peculiarly unique; power conversion electronics is generally pushing to ever-higher switching frequencies for higher power density, but a motor drive typically seen in an EV is still operating around 20kHz. The reason is that the magnetic element is the motor, which is
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Date:
02/04/2022
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Figure 1: Voltage distributes equally across inductor turns
Yes, voltage ratings for inductors. The popularity of molded composite core inductors has placed new emphasis on voltage ratings to ensure safe and reliable inductor operation. Molded-core inductors place the core material in direct contact with the windings, changing the way inductor windings are insulated. New circuit
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Date:
02/02/2022
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