Ohm’s Law is the classical physics explanation of the linear relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in a conductor. Quantum mechanics provides insights into the mechanisms behind this behavior, explaining why Ohm’s Law still holds true even on very small scales where quantum effects are significant. Ohm’s law is a macroscopic view of classical physical […]
FAQ
What does a watchdog timer watch?
Watchdog timers (WDTs) watch MCU operations to ensure reliability, especially in embedded systems, robotics, medical devices, electric grid monitoring, deep space missions, and other critical applications. They are used to detect and correct MCU and software glitches without human intervention. The WDT monitors system operation by listening to signals from the MCU. The system software […]
What is the Coherent Hub Interface?
The Coherent Hub Interface (CHI) is used in system-on-chip (SoC) designs to track which processor has the most recent copy of a data block, preventing other processors from using old data. CHI is used in a wide range of applications requiring high-performance cache coherence, such as mobile devices, networking equipment, automotive systems, and data centers. […]
How to avoid common electronics hardware engineering errors
There are many ways to arrive at a less-than-optimal electronics hardware solution. This article is an overview, not a comprehensive compilation of possible hardware engineering errors and how to avoid them. Common errors include incorrect component selection, poor circuit design practices, such as grounding or signal integrity issues, improper power supply specifications, neglecting thermal management, […]
What determines the size of the dataset needed to train an AI?
Large data sets are needed to train artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. Large data sets can be expensive. So, how much data is enough? The complexity of the problem, the model complexity, the quality of the data, and the required level of accuracy primarily determine that. Data augmentation techniques can be used to increase the size […]
A survey of Wi-Fi connectivity modules for IoT applications: part 4
This last FAQ in this series will cover Broadcom, Telit Cinterion, and Renesas’s latest innovations in Wi-Fi connectivity solutions for IoT applications. These innovations continue to focus on Wi-Fi 6 and 7 technologies, which offer improved speed combined with other features. Broadcom: BCM43740/43720/47722/6765/6726/67263 Broadcom’s BCM43740/43720/47722/6765/6726/67263 are the latest versions of the company’s Wi-Fi modules, featuring […]
A survey of Wi-Fi connectivity modules for IoT applications: part 2
This second part of the multipart FAQ will focus on Wi-Fi modules from u-blox and Microchip Technology. u-blox, a Swiss company primarily known for GPS and cellular technologies, has recently expanded into Wi-Fi modules. Microchip Technology is based in the US and is known for developing low-power connectivity options for IoT applications. u-blox: MAYA-W4 Series […]
A survey of Wi-Fi connectivity modules for IoT applications part 1
Wi-Fi connectivity has become important for many IoT ecosystems, enabling data exchange with cloud servers and facilitating real-time monitoring. This multipart FAQ on Wi-Fi connectivity for modules for IoT applications will focus on 10 prominent manufacturers and their modules that every electronics engineer should know. This first part focuses on Expressif Systems and Texas Instruments, […]
A survey of Bluetooth connectivity modules for IoT applications: part 4
This final part of the FAQ covers the Bluetooth connectivity modules from Nordic Semiconductor and STMicroelectronics. The modules covered are based on higher processing power and advanced versions of ARM Cortex processors. Nordic Semiconductor: nRF54L Series The nRF54L series (Figure 1) from Nordic Semiconductor features a 128 MHz Arm Cortex-M33, providing sufficient processing power for […]
A survey of Bluetooth connectivity modules for IoT applications: part 3
Microchip Technology and Qualcomm have their own proprietary SoC in their Bluetooth modules. In this third part of the FAQ series, we discuss the RNBD350 and QCC711 Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) modules and explore their development kits. Microchip Technology: RNBD350 The RNBD350 is a compact BLE 5.2 module based on Microchip Technology’s PIC32CX-BZ3 SoC, designed to […]
