What Makes Cryptography Easier? Secure Authenticators and Coprocessors
Sep 17, 2020
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By: Zia A. Sardar Principal Member of Technical Staff, Maxim Integrated |
Cryptography offers robust protection against security threats, yet not every embedded designer is a cryptography expert. To provide product development engineers a quick path toward an understanding of the basics on the topic, we've created a Cryptography Handbook consisting of a series of tutorials that take an engineering rather than theoretical approach. In this blog post, I'll share highlights from each chapter and also show how secure authenticators and coprocessors can help simplify the process of integrating cryptography into your embedded design.
Extend the battery life of your vehicle tracker/asset tracker/IoT device 10-fold with Maxim’s ultra-low power GPS solution
Sep 15, 2020
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By: Alec M Makdessian Executive Director, Maxim Integrated |
One of the biggest challenges in adding GPS capability to battery powered devices such as vehicle trackers, asset trackers or IoT sensors is the shortened battery life. Increasing the size of the battery for longer runtime is, in almost all cases, not an option as this would increase, the size, the weight, and the cost of the wearable.
Understand and Address Threats to Cryptographic Systems
Sep 10, 2020
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By: Zia A. Sardar Principal Member of Technical Staff, Maxim Integrated |
All of our connected systems—from pulse oximeters connected to patients in a hospital to printer cartridges to IoT devices—face constant threats from hackers. In this post, we'll take a look at a few of these threats and learn how to protect your devices from them.
Two Beautiful Ways to Measure Temperature
Sep 09, 2020
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By: Jim Harrison Guest Blogger, Lincoln Technology Communications |
In the early 1700s, German physicist Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit created the Fahrenheit scale and developed the mercury thermometer. Fahrenheit did not use the freezing point of water, which he found to be unreliable, as a basis. He termed the temperature of an ice/salt/water mixture 'zero degrees,' as this was the lowest temperature he could conveniently and repeatably attain in his lab. He reckoned the human body temperature was 96°, and used this as his upper reference. He then divided the scale into single degrees between 0 and 96. On this scale, the freezing point of pure water on the Farenheit scale happened to occur at 32° and the boiling point (at sea level) at 212°.
When Smarter Gets Smaller, Only a Dual-Core Micro Will Do
Sep 03, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Our world is getting smarter each day. Connected home systems make our personal sanctuaries safer and more comfortable. Industrial sensors keep manufacturing lines up and running continuously, while enabling equipment to adapt to product changes. Wearables and hearables monitor health parameters while providing an array of other functions.
Get More System Power Protection for Less
Sep 1, 2020
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By: Reno Rossetti Power Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Protection circuits are the unsung heroes of modern electronics. No matter the application, the long electric chain, from the AC line to the digital load, is interspersed with fuses and transient voltage suppressors of all sizes and shapes. Along the electrical path, electrical stressors – such as inrush currents due to storage capacitors, reverse currents due to wiring errors or power outages, overvoltages, and undervoltages induced by inductive load switching or lightning – can damage precious electronic loads. This is true for microprocessors and memories, built with fragile sub-micron and low-voltage technologies. Like soldiers building a fort wall, it is necessary to build a perimeter of protection around the load to handle these potentially catastrophic events.
Download App for Essential Analog IC Information On-the-Go
Aug 26, 2020
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By: Anil Telikepalli Managing Director, Core Products Group, Maxim Integrated |
Ever find that you need to review a technical detail or look up IC specs, but you're not in front of your computer? Whether you are sheltering in place at home, working in the lab, or walking outside to get fresh air, Maxim Integrated has developed a way to bring analog expertise directly into your hands. Our new Essential Analog mobile app, available for iOS and Android, provides quick and easy access to our smart Essential Analog ICs—perfect for engineers like you who are building innovative, next-generation systems.
Crafty Engineers Create COVID-19 Monitoring Devices with Arduino Boards and Maxim ICs
Aug 25, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
The COVID-19 pandemic has put the spotlight on doctors and scientists who are working diligently to treat patients, research and develop vaccine and treatment candidates, and devise health and safety protocols. We also can't forget the engineers who are contributing their expertise to battle the novel coronavirus. (Vendors like Maxim Integrated have seen the need from customers ramping up medical equipment for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients.) Over at the Arduino Project Hub, I came across several interesting designs that I'm sharing here to highlight the creativity, ingenuity, and technical talents that the DIY community is demonstrating in its efforts. With the help of reference designs featuring biosensors, these makers have created prototypes that enable remote patient monitoring, equipment sanitation, and contact tracing—all key facets in addressing the virus.
High-Speed Serial Links for High-Performance ADAS Solutions
Aug 20, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Xylon is a leading provider of intellectual property (IP) in the areas of embedded graphics, video and image processing, and networking. The Zagreb, Croatia-based company's mission is to help its customers develop high-performance designs with lower production costs through its optimized IP cores for Xilinx FPGAs. These IP cores are called logicBRICKS and they allow for configuration via a GUI and the implementation of targeted systems on a chip (SoCs) without hand coding. The cores come with detailed documentation, software support, and reference designs.
Why Hardware-Based Cryptography Offers Stronger IoT Design Protection
Aug 18, 2020
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By: Zia A. Sardar Principal Member of Technical Staff; Maxim Integrated |
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and Stewart Merkel Principal Member of Technical Staff; Maxim Integrated |
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and Aaron Arellano Member of Technical Staff; Maxim Integrated |
While today's cryptographic algorithms can be implemented using dedicated cryptographic hardware or software running on general-purpose hardware, the hardware-based approach is better.
Simplify System Monitoring While Shrinking Your Solution Size
Aug 13, 2020
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By: Suravi Karmacharya Sr. Business Manager, Industrial Communications, Maxim Integrated |
Monitoring an industrial system—such as building automation or industrial networking equipment—is essential to ensure continuous operation. You'd want to know, for instance, whether the voltage in your system is set at the right threshold, or if a relay contact is present. However, system monitoring usually requires an external isolated power supply. Such power supplies can consume a lot of space and also be quite costly, especially when the power demand on the field size is small.
Buck vs. Boost Converters: How Do They Compare?
Aug 11, 2020
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By: Reno Rossetti Power Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Buck (step-down) and boost (step-up) converters are the main staples of the DC-DC, non-isolated power conversion industry. They serve very different applications and purposes and, hence, a comparison seldom comes to mind and may seem like comparing apples to oranges. But performance parameters like accuracy, efficiency, cost, size, and noise are a common ground where, indeed, these two configurations can be compared. For this comparison we will use Simplis™ simulations. For simplicity, we will discuss an ideal operation in steady state when the closed-loop correction can be neglected, and the device can be adequately represented by a simplified power train driven by the chosen duty cycle, for example 50%.
Here’s an Easier Way to Keep Your IoT Devices Safe from Hackers
Aug 6, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Researchers discovered earlier this year that a security issue enabling a hacker to infiltrate a home or corporate network through smart light bulbs—first detected four years ago—is still present unless a patch is installed. Hackers are launching distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks after hijacking access control systems for smart doors and smart buildings, potentially gaining access to internal networks. A smart vacuum cleaner has turned out to be, well, not so smart, as flaws make it vulnerable to various attacks, including one that allows malicious actors to peek inside users' homes through the appliance's embedded camera. The list goes on.
Simplify Your PLC Design with a Digital I/O IC
Aug 4, 2020
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By: Timothy Leung Business Management Director; Maxim Integrated |
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and Josh Fankhauser Business Manager, Industrial Communications; Maxim Integrated |
Whether your industrial application is a robot, factory automation equipment, or part of a utility distribution control system, you'll need to meet the same common requirements: deliver more functionality in increasingly smaller spaces, with the flexibility to adapt to ever-changing requirements.
Wearable Flags Health Changes in Seniors Via Biosensors and Predictive Analytics
July 30, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
If you've got a parent, grandparent, or other older loved ones in your life who aren't living with you, it might be challenging to feel assured that they're doing well. Changes in diet and other behaviors that could indicate a health concern might be too subtle to notice during a periodic visit. And with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to disrupt family visits—or even making them impossible in some cases—it has become that much harder to assess the well-being of seniors.
Tips to Achieve Faster Design of USB-C Power Solutions
July 28, 2020
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By: Bakul Damle Business Management Director; Maxim Integrated |
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and Sagar Khare Executive Business Manager, Battery Management; Maxim Integrated |
Advanced features like 5G and 4K displays in portable devices are driving up power consumption—a lot more than 15W in many cases in devices operated by high-capacity 2S batteries. For these power-hungry gadgets, USB-C Power Delivery (PD) is a boon as it enables fast charging that gets these products back in operation with little downtime. Also, many applications that previously used AC-DC barrel adapters are migrating to USB-C PD for convenience and standardization.
Biosensors Detect Sleep Apnea Via Wearable, Home-Based Test
July 23, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Do you feel rested after a night's sleep? If you're like many people, the answer may be no. According to sleep researchers, nearly one billion adults have mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea and more than 85% of them are undiagnosed.
Is Your Wearable Equipped to Support Remote Patient Monitoring?
July 21, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Wearable remote patient monitoring is gaining momentum, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Devices developed with accurate biosensors, advanced algorithms, and accompanying apps are providing unprecedented access to health insights that are helping medical professionals and end users proactively manage preventative care needs and chronic conditions. "In the old days, the talk was about the quantified self—counting steps, monitoring heart rate, but without insights. Today, there are more analytics and more insights into your health—and what you should do," Andrew Baker, one of Maxim Integrated's healthcare technology experts, said during a recent webinar.
How to Get 20% More Battery Life for Your Wearables and IoT Designs
July 16, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
When you rely on a smartwatch to manage your appointments, review messages, and track health parameters, you'll want the device to run reliably over the course of each charge. It's a hassle to have to scramble for the charger more often than you expect—especially if you're out and about. As with any low-power electronic product, however, the device's compact form factor will limit its battery capacity.
Can Wearable Health Technology Pinpoint Disease Onset?
July 14, 2020
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By: Ian Chen Executive Director, Industrial & Healthcare Business Unit, Maxim Integrated |
Amidst a global pandemic, innovators and designers are showing ever greater interest in using non-intrusive health-monitoring devices. In previous posts, I've explored the implementation considerations for optical biosensors and commented on the reliability of sensor data. Illustrating the concepts discussed previously, this post provides an account of our team's challenges and accomplishments in creating a longitudinal health monitor. Our subjects were young calves and we monitored them against the onset of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
How Signal-Chain ICs Form Foundation for Smart-Grid Equipment
July 9, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
One of the top smart-grid equipment suppliers in China, Beijing Sifang Automation develops solutions for power system automation, relay protection, power system security and stability control, HVDC transmission control, dispatching automation, distribution automation, power simulation, and rail transportation for electric power system and related industries, including petrochemical, coal, and metallurgy.
Understand When and Why System Reliability Matters
July 7, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
As much as we try to avoid or prevent it, failure does happen. The important thing is to be prepared for failure, so we can quickly address or resolve it. But not all failures are alike. For example, a laptop that you use daily might experience glitches from time to time. If it's well-designed, you can simply reset the machine to get it back to its original state. But, as Carlos Rodriguez, a Maxim Integrated microcontroller expert, notes, "We don't always have this luxury of having a manual reset and being able to reset the device we are designing."
What Makes PUF Technology One of the Best Protections in Cryptography?
July 2, 2020
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By: Zia A. Sardar Principal Member of Technical Staff, Maxim Integrated |
A physically unclonable function (PUF) is used in cryptography and within embedded security ICs to generate on-demand secret keys that are erased right after they're used. What makes PUF technology so effective is that it's based on random physical factors (unpredictable and uncontrollable) that exist natively and/or are incidentally introduced during a manufacturing process. Because of this, a PUF is virtually impossible to duplicate or clone.
How Miromico Designed the Industry’s Smallest LoRaWAN Module for the IoT
June 25, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
The company is disrupting the design of sensors by tapping into novel wireless communications technologies. In doing so, Miromico is producing low-cost, battery-powered sensors that operate for more than 10 years. To facilitate fast prototyping and development for its customers, its designs are based on standard Miromico modules that can be used out of the box. Using these modules, designers can bring wireless connectivity to a variety of products.
How Soundmatters Is Making Small, Portable Speakers Sound Better
June 25, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Soundmatters got its start in 1998 as an audio research and development company. Today, it is a leading developer of innovative, high-performance, and ultra-compact audio systems. Its groundbreaking designs have developed a reputation for providing world-class sound in the smallest sizes possible. The company's portfolio includes the Dash7 portable speaker, the FOXLV2.2 Series personal studio monitor, and the FOXLO palm-sized powered subwoofer.
Don’t Get Cold Feet from Your ASIL B and Cold-Crank Specifications
June 24, 2020
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By: Szukang Hsien Executive Business Manager, Automotive Business Unit |
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and Reno Rossetti Power Blogger; Maxim Integrated |
New vehicle models are increasingly equipped with multiple displays for different functions. These "infotainment" displays may include an instrument cluster, a central information display, mirror replacement displays, and multiple rear-seat entertainment displays. Since an instrument cluster display provides relevant safety information to the driver, its electronics must be robust enough to not only withstand a harsh automotive environment (cold/hot crank, load-dump, start/stop), but also incorporate additional diagnostics required to meet ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) safety standards, have low electromagnetic interference (EMI) to reduce interference with multiple RF receivers in the vehicle, and be small enough to fit additional electronics within the same space.
How Performance at the Edge Drives Smarter Manufacturing
June 23, 2020
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By: Jeff DeAngelis Managing Director, Industrial Communications; Maxim Integrated |
We have all heard the term "living on the edge" at one time or another. It usually refers to a person that walks a fine line between achieving ultimate performance at a level no one else has achieved or ends up defeated by not rising to meet the demands of a task at hand. To put this concept into perspective, one can flash back to the introduction to ABC's "Wide World of Sports:" "The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat"! However, I prefer to remember those moments in time where performance at the edge provides the necessary inspiration to achieve success. Picture football legend Pele playing on a damp day in Yankee Stadium in 1976 when the NY Cosmos took on the Miami Toros. In the last seconds of the game, Pele glides into position at the upper right side of the box. He does the unthinkable by receiving the cross from his teammate while jumping up into the air with his feet high, then falling backwards blind to the goal behind him and magically performing the most incredible bicycle kick that ends with the ball slicing through the air to find the only remaining space beyond the outreached hands of the goalie and into the left side of the goal. Meantime, the goalie lies face first on the ground with that painful look of utter defeat. Purely a magical moment in sports where an athlete achieves the ultimate performance of their craft at the extreme edge of their sport.
Virtual Sensors Show Brings Latest Technologies to You
June 18, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold around the world, we've all had to make adjustments in our lives. For many industries, tradeshows provide a venue to demonstrate the latest products, meet customers face to face, and share knowledge with peers. Since now is not a safe time for such large gatherings, many companies—Maxim Integrated included—are shifting to virtual platforms.
How Cryptographic Algorithms Protect Embedded Designs
June 16, 2020
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By: Zia A. Sardar Principal Member of Technical Staff, Maxim Integrated |
Cryptography is as strong as the algorithms used to implement it. In modern cryptography, we have the fundamental XOR function, as well as the more complex algorithms used in many applications today. In this blog post, I'll provide an overview of some key algorithms, including Secure Hash Algorithms and the AES algorithm.
HollySys Creates Small, Efficient Industrial Automation Solutions
June 11, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
HollySys develops industrial automation products such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and distributed control systems (DCSs). The leading automation and IT solutions provider also researches embedded computing platforms, industrial networks, and large-scale configuration software.
The Keys to How Modern Cryptography Keeps Transactions Safe
June 9, 2020
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By: Zia A. Sardar Principal Member of Technical Staff, Maxim Integrated |
With its origins in the Greek word kyptos, which means hidden, cryptography is a discipline that is essential in our connected world. Whether we are paying for something online, depositing a check via our smartphones, or establishing a virtual account with our healthcare providers, we all want to be assured that the messages and data transmitted are secure. Cryptography applies advanced mathematical principles for storing and transmitting data as a means to protect our information from getting into the wrong hands.
Automotive LED Driver Simulation Sheds Light on MOSFET Switch Behavior
June 4, 2020
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By: John Christopher Rice Principle MTS, Field Applications; Maxim Integrated |
Automotive incandescent bulbs have largely given way to more efficient, reliable, stylish, and even safer light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs turn on in a fraction of the time required to heat the filament of an incandescent bulb and are especially useful in brake lamps, where fractions of a second matter. The challenge in designing an automotive LED lamp is in satisfying government requirements for light output while also being cost effective. Another hurdle is design complexity where a switch-mode power supply (SMPS) is often required. A SMPS is more complex, expensive, and can be a source of electromagnetic interference (EMI), especially in comparison with the body control module (BCM) high-side-driver (HSD) that is typically used to turn on an incandescent bulb. Generating sufficient light output often requires a series string of LEDs. Consequently, a boost converter is often used to create the LED string comp
Philips RDT Relies on RTC to Keep Remote Patient Monitoring Device on Schedule
June 2, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
When a paramedic or other pre-hospital medical professional is caring for a patient in the field, the equipment used must be reliable, lightweight, rugged, and easy to use. After all, the field could be an accident scene, a battlefield, a commercial airplane, or even a luxury yacht. These are the types of unpredictable environments that Remote Diagnostics Technologies (RDT), a Philips business unit located in Hampshire, U.K., knows well. Philips RDT is a leader in developing innovative remote monitoring and resuscitation solutions for pre-hospital and critical care services.
Answering the Call to Help Maxim Integrated Customers Innovate in Our New World
May 28, 2020
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By: Jon Imperato VP, Worldwide Sales & Marketing, Maxim Integrated |
As we all do our part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, one quote stands out in my mind: "Change means discomfort—in stopping the old ways and doing things differently." This statement comes from Dr. John Kotter, a Harvard Business School professor and leading authority on leadership and change. And in the face of this pandemic, the sentiment rings true for many of us.
Understand the Multiphase Buck Voltage Regulator Advantage
May 26, 2020
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By: Reno Rossetti Power Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Step-down (buck) voltage regulators have long been the preferred DC-DC conversion electronic workhorse thanks to their inherently high efficiency. Only in buck mode the current is directed to the output during the entire cycle. The higher delivery of current to the output, per cycle, makes the buck converter the most efficient architecture. As one of many examples, modern microprocessors, from those used in powerful server blades to smartphones, operate with very low input voltages, making the buck converter the necessary power source. As these applications grow in sophistication, the power source has to beef up its power delivery while stepping up its efficiency to reduce heat losses. Accordingly, the buck converter has evolved from non-synchronous to synchronous switching and from a single-phase device that delivers a few hundred milliamperes of current to a multiphase device that can successfully deliver tens to hundreds of amperes of current.
How a Small Schottky Diode Minimizes Noise in Synchronous Converters
May 21, 2020
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By: Ray Crampton Guest Blogger, Ray Crampton Consulting |
Every switching supply designer becomes keenly aware of the need to design for noise and the tug of war this has with efficiency, board space, cost, and development time. The body diode present in MOSFETs used in synchronous converters is a wonderful freebie—it provides the conduction path during dead time commutation. Also free is the noise it generates, which is not the kind of "free" we want more of. Let's look at what's going on, explore how a small Schottky diode can help minimize noise, and develop some understanding of when and how this technique would be helpful.
How iButton Devices Facilitate Electric Car Safety
May 19, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Like so many events and large gatherings, even the Formula Student Germany competition has been cancelled for 2020. While event organizers look ahead to a time when it's safe to hold the typically annual event once again, let's take a look at what goes into building an electric race car for the design competition.
Making a Difference in the Global Fight Against COVID-19
May 14, 2020
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By: Laura Owen Chief Human Resources Officer, Maxim Integrated |
I am not sure about all of you, but this is my first global pandemic. None of us knows when this will end. But we all know it will end. And for most of us, given the uncertainty, this is a much heavier lift than expected. There will be movies made telling this story, and Maxim's story will be told, as it always has been told, by our employees.
Safeguard Smart Medical Devices for Enhanced Patient Safety
May 12, 2020
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By: Carlos Alberto Rodriguez Business Manager; Micros, Security & Software, Maxim Integrated |
In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, healthcare professionals are seeing a rise in telehealth practices, as physical distancing guidelines are compelling doctors to meet with their patients by phone or online. Smart, connected medical devices are a useful tool in this climate. For example, wearables that provide continuous, real-time monitoring of vital signs can yield a treasure trove of health insights for patients and physicians alike. But, as with any IoT devices, smart medical devices—and the sensitive patient data they collect—can also be vulnerable to security threats if left unprotected.
What’s All the Fuss About Cryptography?
May 7, 2020
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By: Zia A. Sardar Principal Member of Technical Staff, Maxim Integrated |
When you make an online purchase, conduct a banking transaction, or enter your password into your email client, you're engaging in an activity that utilizes cryptography. Thanks to cryptography, your private information is safe from security threats posed by third-party adversaries as it is transmitted from one point to another. Without this technique, life in our internet age wouldn't be possible. Transactions wouldn't go through and our data would be exposed, leaving it open to exploitation.
How Capacitors Provide a Window into the Real Value of a Battery
May 5, 2020
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By: Reno Rossetti Power Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Capacitors, with their ability to store charge and deliver it quickly on demand, are essential components in power conversion. Output capacitors readily supply a sudden load increase, while the voltage regulator control loop reacts slowly to the sudden demand. Input capacitors present the power source with a smoother load by averaging the voltage regulator's current peak demand. Supercapacitors complement ordinary power sources like batteries in supplying fast varying loads, which the battery would be unable to supply due to its high impedance. And supercapacitors can replace backup batteries in low-dissipation applications in which typical power outages last from a few seconds to several hours.
Prioritizing Customer Focus to Save Lives
April 30, 2020
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By: John Kirwan VP, Global Customer Operations, Maxim Integrated |
The current COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything we've faced in modern times. While Maxim Integrated works to maintain a safe environment in our manufacturing facilities, we also remain committed to meeting our customers' semiconductor needs. Some of our factories as well as our subcontractors' factories have been affected by the pandemic, and the situation is dynamic. Also, cargo flights are operating and prioritized to ensure the flow of goods, but we do expect some cargo shipment delays. Faced with these challenges, we are doing all that we can to minimize shipment delays to our customers.
Charging Your Car’s Battery – in 1898
April 28, 2020
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By: Jim Harrison Guest Blogger, Lincoln Technology Communications |
The story of the birth of the electric car is also the story of a quite amazing confluence of inventions during the mid- to late-1800s. A time of really rapid change.
What’s in Photoplethysmography Data? A Look at the Interaction Between Sensor Performance and Algorithms
April 23, 2020
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By: Ian Chen Executive Director, Industrial & Healthcare Business Unit, Maxim Integrated |
Whether a sensor can provide reliable data depends on the target information, the algorithm deployed, and the specific details of a given use case. Optical biosensing has become a mainstream feature in smart watches and fitness wearables. This article will provide an overview of the interaction around photoplethysmography (PPG) data collected by optical biosensors.
Why Does It Take a Pandemic to Realize the Value of Remote Patient Monitoring?
April 21, 2020
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By: Andrew Baker Managing Director, Advanced Sensor Products, Maxim Integrated |
The grim headlines that the COVID-19 pandemic are bringing to us each day serve to highlight the promise of remote patient monitoring. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 6 in 10 American adults live with at least one chronic disease and 4 in 10 adults have two or more. Conditions such as heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease, diabetes, and kidney disease are leading causes of death and disability in the U.S., and also contribute the most to the country's $3.5 trillion annual health care bill.
How LiDAR Delivers Critical Distance-Sensing for Self-Driving Cars
April 17, 2020
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By: Bonnie C. Baker Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
If you're designing autonomous vehicle applications, you know how important LiDAR (light detection and ranging) is. A critical optical technology that executes autonomous vehicle distance-sensing, LiDAR is an important part of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and essential for self-driving cars. Its performance depends on the optical front-end, as well as how the signal is transmitted through the signal chain and then processed. An important component in this signal chain is the transimpedance amplifier (TIA). In this blog post, I'll provide an overview of how LiDAR works and discuss what to look for in an effective TIA.
In LiDAR applications, a laser light nanosecond pulse burst is sent from a source and reflected from objects in the view. The reflected light is detected, and the time of flight (ToF) creates a distance map of the objects in the view.
Ensuring Employee Safety During an Unprecedented Time
April 16, 2020
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By: Vivek Jain Sr. VP, Technology and Manufacturing Group, Maxim Integrated |
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to touch lives around the world, Maxim Integrated’s first priority is employee health and safety. While many of our employees are working remotely, our manufacturing facilities are up and running and remain committed to doing their part to alleviate the impact of this global pandemic. As such, we have added 50 more priority parts to our supply chain for products used in medical equipment that assists in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients. At the same time, we’ve also implemented comprehensive social distancing measures to protect the health and safety of our workers.
How NCATEST Raised Performance and Lowered Power of Its Automated Test Equipment
April 15, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Shanghai, China-based NCATEST Technologies researches, designs, and manufactures high-end automatic test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry. Quality, of course, is critical in ATE, as these systems are used to prevent defective semiconductor devices from being used in their final products. As such, NCATEST adopts advanced technology and scientific management methods to develop and produce its products, which serve different types of chips for different markets. The company prides itself on local production, extensive applications coverage, fast lead times, cost-effective solutions, and customized services and development.
Get Ahead of Power Challenges in E-Scooters, E-Bikes, and Other Location-Tracking IoT Designs
April 14, 2020
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By: Roger Yeung Executive Business Manager, Mobile Solutions, Maxim Integrated |
Love them or hate them, electric scooters are now a part of the urban landscape in cities around the world. No longer just a kid's toy, these two-wheelers are billed as an efficient way to bridge the "last mile" between, say, the commuter train and the office. Similarly, electric bikes for rent have also proliferated.
How Secure Authentication Protects Your Automotive Designs from Counterfeiting
April 9, 2020
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By: Audrey Barber Principal Member of the Technical Staff, Applications; Maxim Integrated |
How would you feel if you spent months designing a part for a new car, only to discover third-party vendors offering versions of the component that are strikingly similar to yours? Or, what if you're a driver who discovers non-genuine parts inside your vehicle? With electronic systems becoming increasingly prevalent in today's cars, protecting your designs from counterfeiting or similar threats should be a top consideration in the name of safety.
Say “No More” to Tedious Calculations for E Series Values
April 7, 2020
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By: Dwight Larson Principal Member of the Technical Staff, Applications; Maxim Integrated |
You're probably all too familiar with this drill: you're working on your design, planning out the components that you'll want to place on your board. You'll need resistors, capacitors, inductors. Which means that you'll need to embark on that tedious, yet manual, task of calculating standard component values—better known as the E series of preferred numbers. Not the most appealing part of the project!
How Analog Devices Are Enhancing LUXROBO’s IoT and Robotics Development Platform
April 02, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
From a bot that can paint to a smart trash can, a candy machine, and a music box, the creations that LUXROBO's MODI community have come up with are nothing short of inspiring. They demonstrate the promise of the company's MODI "robotics of things" platform.
CES 2020: The Power Behind Robotics
March 31, 2020
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By: Reno Rossetti Principal Writer, Maxim Integrated |
Power Play: Get Design Tips on Power Applications and Circuits
At this year's CES 2020 in Las Vegas, service robots where a big hit on the show floor. It's easy to understand why: they look and are, indeed, exotic. Among the automated machines I saw at CES: Samsung's Ballie, a personal assistant the size of a tennis ball that rolls on the floor, following its owner and helping him around the house; spider-like creatures capable of coordinating their motion on multiple legs; and humanoid ones that appeared to pop right out of a Disney cartoon.
MediaTek Taps Into GMSL SerDes Technology for Automotive Infotainment Solution
March 30, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
When you step inside one of today's newer cars, you'll likely be served a veritable buffet of entertainment and information options. Music and movies, vehicle performance metrics, safety features, and more are delivered by sophisticated car infotainment systems. Analyst firm MarketsandMarkets anticipates that the global in-vehicle infotainment market will reach US $54.8 billion by 2027, up from US $24.3 billion in 2019.
Need to Design Small, Reliable Earbuds in a Hurry? Sometimes It Pays to Play It Cool…
March 24, 2020
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By: Michael Jackson Principal Writer, Maxim Integrated |
If you're designing true-wireless earbuds, there are some key features they need to have:
- Small size
- Reliability
- Fast and efficient battery charging
Is Pulse Transit Time Needed for Accurate Blood-Pressure Monitoring from Wearables?
March 19, 2020
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By: Andrew Burt Executive Business Manager, Industrial & Healthcare Business Unit, Maxim Integrated |
Cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death for Americans since 1920. Also alarming is the fact that related medical as well as indirect costs that totaled $555 billion in 2016 are expected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2035, according to the American Heart Association.
ASIL-Grade Camera Power Protector Safeguards Your Car Cameras
March 17, 2020
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By: Starry Tsai Executive Business Manager, and Chintan Parikh, Business Director; Automotive Business Unit, Maxim Integrated |
Your eyes aren't the only ones fixed on the road while you're driving these days. Modern vehicles now boast multiple cameras, which, combined with other advanced sensors such as radar and LiDAR, support safety features like advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The fusion of these sensors detects blind spots, pedestrians, street lanes, and more…and even guides the vehicles to park themselves. Some of today’s semi-autonomous vehicles, for instance, have 8 to 12 cameras providing 360-degree surround view for parking assist and forward visibility of 250m for collision avoidance. These cameras can work with ultrasonic sensors and a forward-facing radar to provide a more extensive field of vision.
Why a Secure Micro with PUF Is a Strong IoT Hacking Defense
March 12, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
How would you feel if you put hours of effort and your ingenuity into designing a product, only to find cheaper copycats on the market? And what if, over time, those copycats failed and somehow eroded your company's brand reputation? It happens more often than it should, especially as hackers up their game in sophistication and consumers get attracted to lower cost options.
Psst…This Fitness Wearable Tells You Your Body’s Secrets
March 10, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Fitness trackers have come a long way since a professor from the University of Oulu in Finland invented the first battery-operated, fingertip heart-rate monitor for the Finnish National Cross Country Ski team in 1977. Today's wearables come in a variety of form factors and monitor a wide range of human body signals, including pulse/heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, electrocardiogram (ECG), UV light, and temperature. Knowing these data points gives us insights into various fitness and wellness conditions, like heart health, sleep quality, stress, and athletic performance.
Keep Hackers’ Hands Off Your Battery Packs
March 5, 2020
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By: Norberto Sanchez-Dichi Member of the Technical Staff, Applications; Maxim Integrated |
In today's world of battery-powered electronics, one of the issues facing OEM manufacturers and customers alike is counterfeit products. Aside from lost revenue by manufacturers and disappointing product quality experienced by customers, counterfeit products—especially counterfeit batteries—can be a safety hazard when improperly recharged due to the array of unique cell chemistries in the market.
Are Biometric Sensors the Key to Healthier Horses…and Humans?
March 4, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Racing is a physically intense activity. Wearable biosensing technologies provide a convenient, unobtrusive way to monitor vital signs during training periods as well as races. Based on the insights gleaned, runners can make adjustments to ease the stress on their bodies while enhancing their performance.
Analog PAM4 Chipset Delivers DSP-Level Performance Without Tradeoffs for Hyperscale Data Centers
March 3, 2020
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By: Andrew Sharratt Executive Director, Cloud & Data Center, Maxim Integrated |
Manufacturers of advanced modules for hyperscale data center applications can reduce power, latency and cost with the industry's first analog PAM4 chipset to target full standards-based performance. PAM4 is a technically challenging coding scheme, especially for optical transmissions, caused by dramatic reduction in signal strength and new requirements for linearity. Technology demonstrations have been shared for many years; however, to date, real-world deployment has been negligible. While engineers are working towards implementing PAM4 using expensive 7nm DSP solutions, the 100G CWDM4 modules continue to be shipped in large volumes at a highly optimized price point. Given this backdrop, large-scale deployment of PAM4 modules will be gated by a few key considerations.
Guide to LiDAR Sensors for Self-Driving Cars
February 27, 2020
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By: Bonnie C. Baker Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Some years down the road, you may summon an autonomous vehicle to pick you up and drive you to work. While you're catching up on emails or perhaps maybe a nap during the ride, you trust that the car's sensors and cameras will guide it safely and accurately to your destination.
Tips for Achieving Efficient AC Motor Drive System Design
February 26, 2020
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By: Jim Harrison Guest Blogger, Lincoln Technology Communications |
For an engineer tasked with making an efficient motor drive system, there's some bad news and some good news. The bad is, you have a lot of options to look at, and the good is exactly the same thing, plus the knowledge that you can make a really efficient motor/drive combination if you put just a little time and money into it.
Quickly Simulate DC-DC Converters with SIMPLIS-Based Tool
February 25, 2020
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By: Brooks Robert Leman Senior Principal Member of the Technical Staff, Applications, Maxim Integrated |
WIf you've got plans to attend the upcoming Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC) in New Orleans, I invite you to come and hear my talk during one of the Exhibitor Seminars. I'll discuss "Getting the Most from SIMPLIS DC-DC Converter Simulation" from 1p.m. to 1:30p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, at Exhibit Theater 2.
Robust NAND Flash Wafer Testers Rely on Low-Power ATE Drivers
February 20, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
When it's time to test the ICs on a wafer for functional defects, you know you're in the home stretch of the semiconductor production process. Digital Frontier, based in Suwon, South Korea, develops high-performance automatic test equipment (ATE) for reliable and economical semiconductor production. The company's NAND flash wafer tester tests and compares the output signals from the buffer to the design under test (DUT), which is the semiconductor device to be inspected.
How to Create Accurate Performance-Tracking Sports Wearables
February 19, 2020
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By: Sudhir Mulpuru Business Management Director, Industrial & Healthcare Business Unit, Maxim Integrated |
Whether you run long distances on weekends or participate in recreational or professional-level sports, you'd probably be interested in an accurate way to track your progress and performance. Wearables offer a solution.
Save Up to 6 Months for Your Wrist-Based Pulse-Oximeter Design
February 18, 2020
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By: Neset Tamer Executive Business Manager, Maxim Integrated |
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and Zafer Zamboglu Director of Software; Micros, Security & Software Business Unit, Maxim Integrated |
Blood-oxygen saturation (SpO2), an indicator of oxygen levels in capillary blood, provides a wealth of insights into our well-being. Coupled with other vital signs, SpO2 offers clues into areas including heart health, sleep patterns, and respiratory function. Normal levels of blood oxygen fall in the 95% to 100% range, while a measurement of 90% or less warrants a consultation with a doctor.
Ask Michael: Let Your Customer (NOT Your PLC) Choose How to Use Its Channels
February 13, 2020
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By: Michael Jackson Principal Writer, Maxim Integrated |
I am trying to reduce the number of different ICs required in our latest model of PLC. We have always used multiple converter ICs for the different input signal types (4-20mA, voltage, RTD, and thermocouple). This approach has constrained the number of channels we can allocate to each, which frustrates some customers. Do you guys have a part that can accept different types of input signals on a single channel that would allow us more flexibility in our design?
Future of Industrial Automation Demos at embedded world
February 12, 2020
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Jeff DeAngelis Managing Director, Industrial & Healthcare Business Unit, Maxim Integrated |
Momentum toward industrial convergence is building as many companies strive to create intelligent manufacturing facilities. Achieving industrial convergence calls for real-time decision-making at the edge of the manufacturing line. This is where equipment can be monitored and actions taken to generate enhancements in manufacturing throughput and efficiency and to reduce operational costs.
See How Click Boards Make It Quick to Evaluate RTC ICs
February 11, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
When you're ready to start a new project, you're faced with a lot of IC choices. You can read datasheets, talk to your peers, and research parts online. However, one of the fastest ways to get a sense of how well an IC will work in your design is through an evaluation board. What's more, there are "mini" evaluation boards available that are even easier on your budget while providing a fast way to test-drive an IC's functions and features.
Ask Michael: How Can I Simplify My Digital Input Design?
February 4, 2020
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By: Michael Jackson Principal Writer, Maxim Integrated |
My boss has asked me to design an optically isolated digital input for a programmable logic controller (PLC) I/O module. Trying to keep the current anywhere close to 2mA for the Type 3 specification over such a wide input voltage range is wrecking my head (never mind trying to meet the switching thresholds). That, combined with the Schmitt trigger circuit on the output node, is making the whole thing very "unwieldy" (to put it politely). Any suggestions to help this frustrated hack?
Power Up Internal Circuits While Simplifying Diagnostics for Signal Monitoring Applications
January 30, 2020
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By: Suravi Karmacharya Sr. Business Manager, Industrial Communications, Maxim Integrated |
In an industrial system, a field-side fault rooted deep inside the equipment can be the difference between, say, continuous uptime in an automated factory or money-draining periods of lost productivity. Signal monitoring is essential, whether you need to detect if the voltage is at the right threshold, a relay contact is present, or some other condition. And power and data isolation between high-voltage field-side circuits and low-voltage logic-side circuits can be advantageous in preventing faults, eliminating noise and ground loops between the two sides, and, overall, ensuring operational safety of the equipment.
Uber Driverless Cars, AI and IoT at CES 2020
January 28, 2020
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By: Reno Rossetti Principal Writer, Maxim Integrated |
I signed up to visit the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2020) earlier this month with great expectations. Based on the agenda, the Las Vegas Convention Center exhibit floor would showcase tons of technology while the numerous panel sessions would cover the most disparate subjects, from robots to artificial intelligence (AI) to virtual currencies. It would be a great opportunity to brush up on new technology trends and test my opinions about some of its most lofty promises. In the end, I got more than I bargained for.
How to Extend the Life of Your Smart Factory’s Wireless Beacons
January 23, 2020
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By: Reno Rossetti Principal Writer, Maxim Integrated |
Industry 4.0 has given us smart factories, which are highly digitalized and connected for adaptive manufacturing as well as increased throughput. The increased intelligence in these manufacturing facilities is not only enhancing productivity, but it's also making it possible to identify and fix any breakdowns on the factory floor in real time with little human intervention. For the past several decades, automation has been the key driving force in increasing factory efficiency. With advances in communication, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and the internet of things (IoT), we are moving ever closer to making factories truly smart.
Your Guide to the Advantages of Pack-Side Fuel Gauging
January 21, 2020
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By: Sagar Khare Executive Business Manager, Mobile Solutions Business Unit, Maxim Integrated |
With the increasing popularity of portable devices, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have become ubiquitous. These batteries, however, have stringent safety requirements which typically require battery packs with integrated protectors.
Calterah Semiconductor Delivers High-Performance, Power-Efficient mmWave Radar Tech
January 16, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
Shanghai-based Calterah Semiconductor is a leading provider of 77/79GHz CMOS millimeter wave (mmWave) radar sensor ICs for automotive and industrial applications. You might find the company’s technology in applications such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), security screening and imaging, and smart homes.
Getting to Reliable Sensor Data: Interaction Between Electronics, Optics, and Mechanical Design
January 15, 2020
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By: Ian Chen Executive Director, Industrial & Healthcare Business Unit, Maxim Integrated |
Getting reliable sensor data is complex. For example, an optical heart-rate sensor is actually sensing the changes in an electric current. Heartbeats cause the volume of arterial blood to change synchronously with each pulse. The change in volume changes the amount of light absorbed and reflected as it travels through live tissue. When that light exits the tissue and enters a photodetector, it changes the output current. By creating a sensing system that carefully sets up a proper series of “dominos,” a current sensor becomes a heart-rate sensor.
Function-Rich Diving Computer Fueled by Analog and Power Management ICs
January 14, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
When you’re exploring the depths of the ocean, it’s essential to know how much oxygen is left in your scuba tank, how deep underwater you are, ocean conditions, and other parameters. A wrist-worn diving computer can serve as your guide. One of the market’s most prominent developers of innovative dive technologies is Mares, based in Rapallo, Italy. Collaborating with ROJ, an Italian electronics designer, developer, and manufacturer, Mares has created the Genius wrist dive computer.
Add Diode ORing Without Losing Efficiency
January 9, 2020
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By: Travis Taylor Applications Engineer, Advanced Sensor Products, Maxim Integrated |
Wearable and handheld electronic design comes with an inherent tradeoff between battery life, feature richness, and size. To fit the most features in a small device, you want the smallest, most efficient power management scheme. For simple battery-powered devices, all you often need is a diode ORing. A diode ORing powers the device from the battery when unplugged and switches to the charging cable when plugged in. This simple scheme uses two diodes to select the option with the higher voltage. However, diodes have an inherent tradeoff between forward voltage, leakage, size and cost, where you generally get to pick two.
Simplify System Power Design for Your Automotive Displays
January 8, 2020
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By: Szukang Hsien Executive Business Manager, Automotive Business Unit, Maxim Integrated |
The Tesla Model 3 is changing our impression of the vehicle dashboard. Gone are the multiple gauges, buttons, and knobs that we’re accustomed to. Instead, when you step into the driver’s seat, the car’s 15-inch touchscreen takes center stage, providing access to all driver controls. When it comes to automotive displays, vehicle manufacturers are starting to incorporate more screens—and bigger, sharper ones—inside their cabins. Displays for functions such as advanced instrument clusters, heads-up displays, infotainment, center displays, rear-seat entertainment, and smart mirrors are delivering vivid images of the surrounding environment, automotive controls, and infotainment options.
Can Wearables Help Prevent the Silent Killer?
January 7, 2020
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By: Christine Young Blogger, Maxim Integrated |
What you don't know might hurt you. Such is the case with high blood pressure, or hypertension. "In terms of hypertension, the statistics are pretty frightening. Around a third of all people in the U.S. suffer from hypertension. Unfortunately about half of those don't know they have it," noted Andrew Baker during a November talk at IDTechEx Show! in Santa Clara.
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