Universal purpose optoelectronic logic elements
This design idea looks at the possibility of creating passive and active optoelectronic logic elements simultaneously performing the functions AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XOR, XNOR.
My favorite design idea of all time…
A look at some clever design ideas that might stick with you through the decades.
The electronic analog of the push-button switcher
Using bistable elements to create the electronic analogue of the push-button switcher.
A safe adjustable regulator
This design idea runs through several circuit topologies using the LM350 (LM317) to come to an optimized safe adjustable regulator.
Transistor ∆VBE-based oscillator measures absolute temperature
Building on a handy Jim Williams' application note exploiting the predictable BJT VBE change with variable current for temperature measurements.
How many ways can you ramp an LED?
The "thought question" of how to slowly cycle an LED's intensity up and down leads to some interesting design ideas.
The most useful application note I’ve ever read
Whenever confronted with a challenging design, it's not uncommon to seek guidance from app notes. Some of these papers really stand out and can deeply shift a designer's level of understanding of the subject in front of him.
A much faster alternative to the PWM DAC
Paying homage to the late great CE Shannon with a design idea on the Shannon Decoder.
Active shunt voltage limiter outshines Zener
Circuit to limit voltage to a maximum of 1.5 V across dissipation limited devices with symmetrical limiting and a 2 A current rating.
Successful hardware projects start with…
Running a design project with a design data sheet does not guarantee success, but it does tend to keep people focused on the important tasks.