Various types of processors (DSPs, MCUs, etc.) have the ability to do math using floating point numbers, but what exactly does this mean? In general, floating point math offers a wider range of numbers and more precision than fixed point math. Knowing the difference, and when to use which type of math can make a […]
FAQ
DEMUX, MUX, and Decoders: How To Expand I/O
The relentless march of technological progress has given engineers increasingly smaller and more energy efficient microcontrollers to use in their designs. These benefits do come with a cost, however. Physically smaller packages have less room for I/O pins meaning fewer peripheral components can interface with the microcontroller itself. Fewer peripherals means less functionality which tends […]
Memory technology from Floating Gates to FRAM
There are two basic types of memory: volatile and non-volatile. Volatile memory loses its content and becomes a blank slate whenever power is completely removed. However, volatile memory doesn’t need much power and can maintain its contents with a small battery. Non-volatile memory retains its contents even if power is completely removed. SRAM and DRAM […]
A look at the computer engineering stack
The embedded world looks a lot like the computing world as technology evolves, so it’s worth taking a look at the full computer engineering stack. This kind of stack refers to the structures built on top of each other that combine to form computers, not the memory register stack that processors use and can sometimes […]
Selecting an LED and finding the correct size resistor
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are diodes that emit light when energized. LEDs can light a room now, whereas for decades they had been too weak to do much more than act as indicators. LEDs are fun to play with, and a fairly safe way to introduce kids to principles of circuits. There’s just a few […]
Wireless and MCUs: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Zigbee?
Most of the things in the Internet of Things (IoT) will include processors, sensors, and a wireless communication path to the Internet, and all likely will be limited to a small power budget. Which one should you use? Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ZigBee are different wireless communication protocols that are often accessible as modules for easy […]
MCUs & Dev Boards: saving power by the microAmp
A previous article about optimizing power efficiency in microcontrollers concentrated on optimizing code and using low power MCUs from manufacturers. A closer look at power saving techniques in hardware is in order, however, if you need to squeeze every drop out of an MCU that can’t be traded in for a lower-power model. Components: Many […]
What is an open drain on a FET device and how is it used?
If you are working with an integrated circuit (IC) and the datasheet mentions an open drain or open collector, that’s engineering speak for a current sink on an output pin. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, a “current sink” means that the current is flowing into the pin (or node, etc.), not out of the […]
Board Support Package: what is it?
When designing a new system, you might find yourself drawn to a new processor with features that can make a real difference in the final product. Most semiconductor vendors will provide an evaluation board that you can use to evaluate whether or not you want to invest your time and money into that particular processor […]
What is DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) vs SRAM?
Both DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) are types of Random Access Memory (RAM). RAM is a semiconductor device internal to the integrated chip that stores the processor that a microcontroller or other processor will use constantly to store variables used in operations while performing calculations. RAM refers to the […]
