The Oura Ring 4: Does “one more” deliver much (if any) more?
The most surprising thing to me about the Oura Ring 4, compared to its Gen3 predecessor, is how similar the two products are in terms of elemental usage perception. Granted, the precursor’s three internal finger-orientation bumps:
are now…
Silly simple precision 0/20mA to 4/20mA converter
This Design Idea (DI) offers an alternative solution for an application borrowed from frequent DI contributor R. Jayapal, presented in: “A 0-20mA source current to 4-20mA loop current converter.”
It converts a 0/20mA current mode input,…
A digital filter system (DFS), Part 1
Editor’s note: In this Design Idea (DI), contributor Bonicatto designs a digital filter system (DFS. This is a benchtop filtering system that can apply various filter types to an incoming signal. Filtering range is up to 120 kHz.
In Part…
Simple state variable active filter
The state variable active filter (SVAF) is an active filter you don’t see mentioned much today; however, it’s been a valuable asset for us old analog types in the past. This became especially true when cheap dual and quad op-amps became…
Expanding power delivery in systems with USB PD 3.1
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) started out as a data interface, but it didn’t take long before progressing to powering devices. Initially, its maximum output was only 2.5 W; now, it can deliver up to 240 W over USB Type-C cables and connectors,…
Transitioning from Industry 4.0 to 5.0: It’s not simple
The shift from Industry 4.0 to 5.0 is not an easy task. Industry 5.0 implementation will be complex, with connected devices and systems sharing data in real time at the edge. It encompasses a host of technologies and systems, including a high-speed…
A budget battery charger that also elevates blood pressure
At the tail end of my September 1 teardown of EBL’s first-generation 8-bay battery charger:
I tacked on a one-paragraph confession, with an accompanying photo that as usual, included a 0.75″ (19.1 mm) diameter U.S. penny for size comparison…
Delta-sigma demystified: Basics behind high-precision conversion
Delta-sigma (ΔΣ) converters may sound complex, but at their core, they are all about precision. In this post, we will peel back the layers and uncover the fundamentals behind their elegant design.
At the heart of many precision measurement…
Power Tips #147: Achieving discrete active cell balancing using a bidirectional flyback
Efficient battery management becomes increasingly important as demand for portable power continues to rise, especially since balanced cells help ensure safety, high performance, and a longer battery life. When cells are mismatched, the battery…
Does (wearing) an Oura (smart ring) a day keep the doctor away?
Before diving into my on-finger impressions of Oura’s Gen3 smart ring, as I’d promised I’d do back in early September, I thought I’d start off by revisiting some of the business-related topics I mentioned in that initial post in the…
Inside the battery: A quick look at internal resistance
Ever wondered why a battery that reads full voltage still struggles to power your device? The answer often lies in its internal resistance. This hidden factor affects how efficiently a battery delivers current, especially under load.
In this…
NB-IoT module adds built-in geolocation capabilities
The ST87M01-1301 NB-IoT wireless module from ST provides narrowband cellular connectivity along with both GNSS and Wi-Fi–based positioning for outdoor and indoor geolocation. Its integrated GNSS receiver enables precise location tracking using…
