Embedded Computing Design

Although buffers and drivers don?t appear to add functionality to a circuit, these apparently simple interface elements are essential to viable circuit design and operation.

The design assignment is clear: build a small datalogger which will be inaccessible once in place, yet must operate for a minimum of 20 years.

Voltage drop and low voltage at the load is more than just a nuisance. It can cause circuits to not function at all, or function erratically when the voltage is at the edge of the IC specification.

Be sure your system is protected against power-supply faults as well as the complementary scenario.

When embedded systems need to contact the outside world to sense strong signals, they often need electrical dilation on the I/O. The question is: Should I use a SSR to do this, or an EMR?

The primary objective of any AC/DC or DC/DC power supply or regulator is to provide a stable DC-output voltage despite changes in input voltage or load conditions.

While most engineers assume the brushless DC motor is the best choice, the older brushed motor may be better while offering a lesson in the importance of objectively looking at design options.

Sensing of current magnitude is critical in many applications and often done by measuring the voltage across a shunt resistor, but even this simple technique has subtleties and issues to resolve.