APEC 2026 showcases advances in power electronics
The annual Applied Power Electronics Conference & Exposition (APEC 2026) showcases hundreds of companies that exhibit their latest component and technology advances for system power designers across a wide range of industries. Many of these…
The truth about AI inference costs: Why cost-per-token isn’t what it seems
The AI industry has converged on a deceptively simple metric: cost per token. It’s easy to understand, easy to compare, and easy to market. Every new system promises to drive it lower. Charts show steady declines, sometimes dramatic ones,…
A fully floating BJT-based LED current driver
The circuit in Figure 1 combines a VBE-referenced current source with a current mirror to implement a simple two-terminal, fully floating LED current sink or source. This approach is well-suited for applications in which tight current accuracy…
TP-Link’s Kasa EP25: Energy monitoring for a hoped-for utility bill nose-dive
How easy is it to analyze and optimize how much power the device connected to a smart plug is drawing? The answer depends in part on which hardware and firmware version you’re running.
Next up in my ongoing TP-Link smart home device ecosystem…
FET-based clamp protects 48-V USB PD EPR lines
Semtech’s TDS5311P circuit protection device delivers near-constant clamping voltage for 48-V USB PD EPR applications. A member of the SurgeSwitch family, it protects a single voltage bus or data line operating at up to 53 V in devices and…
Automotive HMI SiP packs MPU and DDR2 memory
The SAM9X75D5M from Microchip is a hybrid SiP for automotive HMI applications, integrating an 800‑MHz ARM926EJ‑S 32‑bit processor with 512 Mbits of DDR2 SDRAM. The package also includes a 24‑bit LCD controller supporting displays up…
SiC modules raise power density for AI servers
QSiC Dual3 1200-V half-bridge MOSFET modules from SemiQ address the efficiency and thermal demands of liquid-cooled AI data centers. Two of the series’ six devices offer an RDS(on) of just 1 mΩ and achieve a power density of 240 W/in.3 in…
HWLLC topology pushes fast charging to 500 W
A half-wave LLC (HWLLC) platform from Renesas includes four controller ICs rated for up to 500 W for high-speed chargers. The HWLLC AC/DC converter topology scales from 100 W to 500 W, enabling chargers for power tools, e-bikes, and other appliances…
Radar transceiver scales for automated driving
NXP’s TEF8388 RF CMOS automotive radar transceiver supports Level 2+ and Level 3 ADAS, with a roadmap toward higher levels of automation. Operating in the 76- to 81-GHz FMCW radar band, it provides 8 transmitters and 8 receivers (8T8R), scalable…
The system architect’s sketchbook: Inside the simulation
Deepak Shankar, founder of Mirabilis Design and developer of VisualSim Architect platform for chip and system designs, has created this cartoon for electronics design engineers.
The post The system architect’s sketchbook: Inside the simulation…
Active noise control: Engineering silence in audio systems
In the world of audio, silence is often as valuable as sound. Whether it is the low rumble of an airplane cabin, the drone of traffic, or the hiss of background noise in a recording, unwanted audio can compromise clarity and comfort.
Active…
Power Tips #151: Improving efficiency in 48V-input multiphase buck converters with GaN
Step-down buck converters used in 48V-to-5V power supply designs are becoming increasingly common in automotive and industrial applications, especially in advanced driver assistance systems, in-vehicle infotainment, and robotics. While synchronous…
