The sigma-delta A/D converter employs a different concept from what has been discussed so far for the case of various types of A/D converter. While the A/D converters covered so far rely on sampling of the analogue signal at the Nyquist frequency and encode the absolute value of the sample, in the case of a [...]
Digital-to-analogue (D/A) and analogue-to-digital (A/D) converters constitute an essential link when digital devices interface with analogue devices, and vice versa. They are important building blocks of any digital system, including both communication and non communication systems, besides having other applications. A Digital-to-analogue converter is important not only because it is needed at the output of [...]
For ease of drawing complex circuit diagrams, electronic amplifiers are often symbolized by a simple triangle shape, where the internal components are not individually represented. This symbology is very handy for cases where an amplifier’s construction is irrelevant to the greater function of the overall circuit, and it is worthy of familiarization: The +V and [...]
Our exploration of thyristors begins with a device called the four layer diode, also known as a PNPN diode, or a Shockley diode after its inventor, William Shockley. This is not to be confused with a Schottky diode, that two-layer metal-semiconductor device known for its high switching speed. A crude illustration of the Shockley diode, [...]
Like all electrical and electronic components, transistors are limited in the amounts of voltage and current they can handle without sustaining damage. Since transistors are a bit more complex than some of the other components you’re used to seeing at this point, they tend to have more kinds of ratings. What follows is an itemized [...]
To overcome the challenge of creating necessary DC bias voltage for an amplifier’s input signal without resorting to the insertion of a battery in series with the AC signal source, we used a voltage divider connected across the DC power source. To make this work in conjunction with an AC input signal, we “coupled” the [...]
In the common-emitter section of this focus, we saw a SPICE analysis where the output waveform resembled a half-wave rectified shape: only half of the input waveform was reproduced, with the other half being completely cut off. Since our purpose at that time was to reproduce the entire wave shape, this constituted a problem. The [...]
Common Base Amplifier: The final transistor amplifier configuration we need to study is the common-base. This configuration is more complex than the other two, and is less common due to its strange operating characteristics. It is called the common base configuration because (DC power source aside), the signal source and the load share the base [...]
When a transistor is in the fully-off state (like an open switch), it is said to be cutoff. Conversely, when it is fully conductive between emitter and collector (passing as much current through the collector as the collector power supply and load will allow), it is said to be saturated. These are the two modes [...]