
An external clip-detection circuit adds a useful feature to some Class D IC amplifiers. Clip detection is a convenient feature in Class AB amplifiers. It produces a signal from a clip-detection pin that drives an automatic volume control, which reduces gain compression and distortion when the amplifier is overdriven. --03.20.09
FULL ARTICLEMechanical and electronic switches provide interlocks, preventing motors from overrunning their bounds. You use limit switches to switch off a motor if it reaches one of its two end positions. Even if you build a microprocessor-based motor controller, you should switch off a motor with hardware by building a safety interlock. -- 03.19.09
FULL ARTICLEWith just a few components, you can provide sufficient power to operate a high-brightness LED from a battery. HB (high-brightness) LEDs require a large amount of current to operate. When driving HB LEDs from a voltage source, you can set the required current with a suitable series resistor. -- 03.18.09
FULL ARTICLESingle-coil latching relays find use in signal-routing, audio, and automotive systems. To maximize their usefulness and cut power consumption, these coil currents must flow in both directions. -- 03.17.09 FULL ARTICLE
Digital temperature sensors combine a sensor, an ADC, and a serial interface in a single chip. They feature wide enough measurement range, good accuracy and resolution, no need of external parts, easy interface to microcontrollers, small size, and low price. With just a few components, you can provide sufficient power to operate a high-brightness LED from a battery. -- 03.16.09
FULL ARTICLEThe voltage doubler in Figure 1 provides more accurate voltage doubling than does the conventional voltage doubler in Figure 2 because it uses transistors instead of diodes. -- 02.13.09
FULL ARTICLESponsored resources
National Instruments
National Instruments
National Instruments
National Instruments
National Instruments
National Instruments

If these students are any indication, the future of mechatronics is bright.

Stefan Wolpert
Latest blog Post: The tragedy of over-compromise can make products ill-equipped. When will the design process become more fluid in the introduction of diversified products? Stefan discusses an example and relates it to technology.
Posted in: Mechatronics on Campus | 11.27.2008.
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