Avago Technologies White Paper Library

Avago's White Paper Library provides detailed technical insights on a variety of ways to solve relevant engineering problems.

• Fiber Optics
• LEDs
• Motion Control
• Navigation Interface Devices
• Optocouplers
• Wireless
• General Interest
   

Fiber Optics

Industrial Fiber Optics in Train Transportation Systems Trains are one of the most popular transportation systems because they are cost effective and able to transport lots of people or goods. Trains also provide high-speed transportation with relatively low CO2 emissions. A train can be a combination of one or more locomotives and attached railroad cars or a self-propelled multiple unit. A modern train is usually powered by grid electricity or by diesel locomotives. Trains have become more sophisticated with advanced systems that automatically control and monitor train operation. These integrated systems give passengers and freight a smooth and safe ride. This whitepaper discusses how modern train system design ensures reliable operation of the train power source, propulsion system and coach control systems. Published 03/08/10 Industrial Fiber Optics in Train Transportation Systems in PDF (1587 KB)

Fiber Optic Transceivers in Basestation Applications The enormous increase in cellular telephone usage has created demand, additional network capacity and bandwidth. Cellular network capacity growth is driven by new cell phone functions and services such as cameras, personal organizers, web browsing, e-mail and text messaging. Published 10/01/09 Fiber Optic Transceivers in Basestation Applications in PDF (171 KB)

Fiber Optics in Solar Energy Applications Solar energy has recently become a popular alternative source to meet energy demands around the world due to the fluctuation of oil/coal prices and global warming issues. Oil is a limited and diminishing resource, and because of this, the price surges when demand is high. Published 03/06/09 Fiber Optics in Solar Energy Applications in PDF (686 KB)

Considerations for High Speed PCB Track Design in 10Gb/s Serial Data Transmission A fundamental evaluation of a variety of approaches for designing a high-speed (10 Gb/s) serial differential electrical channel is examined. The application of the electrical interface has been simulated using HSpice software. Published 11/11/08 Considerations for High Speed PCB Track Design in 10Gb/s Serial Data Transmission in PDF (701 KB)

Industrial Fiber Optic Products for Wind Turbine and Wind Farm Applications Global warming and climate changes from CO2 emissions of traditional energy sources, such as those powered by fossil fuels, have created huge markets for alternative power generation. Wind turbine energy has become a popular alternative to meet the fast growing energy demand. Unlike fossil fuels, which are a limited and diminishing resource, wind energy is limitless and readily available. Published 11/29/07 Industrial Fiber Optic Products for Wind Turbine and Wind Farm Applications in PDF (269 KB)

Networks to Converge10 Gigabits: SANs to Seamlessly Connect LANs MANs Today, general networking, storage networking and inter-processor communications have each developed different standards. As we move toward a 10 gigabit-per-second world, total cost of ownership and interoperability will drive the industry toward a single networking interconnect standard. Published 10/25/07 Networks to Converge10 Gigabits: SANs to Seamlessly Connect LANs MANs in PDF (204 KB)

LEDs

Innovate Keypad Design With Light Guides and LEDs A light guide transmits light with high uniformity and minimal loss from an LED light source to a particular area away from its light source. Light guides are made from optical grade material such as acrylic resin, polycarbonate, epoxies and glass. Published 12/08/09 Innovate Keypad Design With Light Guides and LEDs in PDF (617 KB)

The Latest LED Technology Improvement in Thermal Characteristics and Reliability - Avago’s Moonstone 3-in-1 RGB High Power LED The range of applications for light emitting diodes (LEDs) continues to grow significantly. One of the fastest-growing and most promising uses for LEDs is in illumination applications. The LED is penetrating this market rapidly due to its combination of excellent color saturation, energy savings to meet today’s demand for reduced-energy “green” products, and long life characteristics. Published 01/21/09 The Latest LED Technology Improvement in Thermal Characteristics and Reliability - Avago’s Moonstone 3-in-1 RGB High Power LED in PDF (643 KB)

Ultra Thin Profile RGB LED Module The range of applications for light emitting diodes (LEDs) continues to grow significantly. One of the fastest-growing and most promising uses for LEDs is in illumination applications. The LED is penetrating this market rapidly due to its combination of excellent color saturation, energy savings to meet today’s demand for reduced-energy “green” products, and long life characteristics. Published 11/08/06 Ultra Thin Profile RGB LED Module in PDF (644 KB)

Thermal Modeling for Application of High Power LED The Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modeling of light emitting diode (LED) components becomes increasingly more important as CFD spreads into the design process. Published 11/02/06 Thermal Modeling for Application of High Power LED in PDF (244 KB)

Color Management of Red, Green and Blue LED Combinational Light Source Combining red, green and blue LEDs (light emitting diodes) to form a light source is an attractive proposition. Such a multi-color light source can generate a wide range of colors and the LEDs themselves are robust and highly efficient. LED light sources will improve many existing applications, such as LCD backlighting, and enable new ones, such as adaptive automotive interior lighting. There are, however, challenges to overcome before a high-quality multi-color LED light source can be produced. This paper describes an Application Specific Standard Product (ASSP) integrated circuit that addresses many of those challenges. Published 06/30/06 Color Management of Red, Green and Blue LED Combinational Light Source in PDF (304 KB)

Recommendations for Installing Flash LEDs on Flex Circuits For the mobile market some PCB assemblies have been converted to flex circuit assemblies, in part because flex circuit assembly can be twisted or bent per the application needs. Flex circuits ofer the same advantages as conventional printed circuit boards: quality, reliability, and high density. Published 05/08/06 Recommendations for Installing Flash LEDs on Flex Circuits in PDF (472 KB)

Motion Control

Portable and Affordable Sensors for the Medical Device Market Reflective Surface Optical Motion Sensor Encoders In the complex medical device market today, device manufacturers strive to develop products that have competitive advantages and compelling end-user value. For instance, demand is rapidly increasing for home-managed therapy as consumer awareness grows of the benefts and cost savings of self-administered medical care. Published 11/06/09 Portable and Affordable Sensors for the Medical Device Market Reflective Surface Optical Motion Sensor Encoders in PDF (358 KB)

Stator Coupling Model Analysis In this study, finite element analysis was used to optimize the design of a stator coupling in order to increase its natural frequency. Through design iterations and analysis, it was discovered that by increasing the center hole diameter of the coupling as well as introducing stiffening ribs at the flexible part of the structure, natural frequency will increase from its original design of 714Hz to an optimized design of 1611Hz. Published 03/13/08 Stator Coupling Model Analysis in PDF (555 KB)

Implementation of a DSP-based 20-bit High Resolution Quasi-Absolute Encoder for Low-Speed Feedback Control Applications Absolute encoders using optical technology often face limitations in resolution and size. For example, to achieve a higher resolution of up to 16-bits, the absolute encoder has to be combined with an incremental pattern that is strongly interpolated with an external hardware and signal conditioning circuits. Alternatively, design engineers may use high-speed DSPs (Digital Signal Processors) to implement signal processing algorithms and calibration coefficients that can be stored in non-volatile memory. Published 11/23/07 Implementation of a DSP-based 20-bit High Resolution Quasi-Absolute Encoder for Low-Speed Feedback Control Applications in PDF (184 KB)

Process Flow Optimization with Absolute Encoders in Valve Control In process flow control, there are many actors afecting variability but the greatest contributor is the control valve’s performance. Issues associated with control valves, such as dead band, actuator/positioner’s design, response time, valve type and sizing, all have huge impacts on process flow. Extensive studies on controlloops have indicated as high as 80% of all control loops did not perform adequately in reducing process variability, apparently due to various issues with the control valve. Published 08/07/07 Process Flow Optimization with Absolute Encoders in Valve Control in PDF (574 KB)

Commutation of a BLDC Motor w/ Various Pole-pairs Simplification Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors are gaining popularity and larger market acceptance. BLDC motors are used in industries such as Industrial Automation Equipments,Consumer, Medical, Automotive, Aerospace and Instrumentation. BLDC motors do not use brushes for commutation; instead, they are electronically commutated. Published 06/06/07 Commutation of a BLDC Motor w/ Various Pole-pairs Simplification in PDF (218 KB)

Simplifying BLDC Commutation and Feedback System In a Brushless DC (BLDC) motor system, an electronic mechanism is required to commutate the system. Unlike a Brush DC motor system, the permanent magnet is located at the Rotor and the windings are located at the Stator. As a result of this setup arrangement, the windings are required to energize in sequence, to enable smooth commutation. For the electronic system to determine which windings to energize, Hall sensor feedback is used to get the current location of the windings with respect to the Rotor magnet. When using the Hall sensor, the manufacturer is required to add an additional printed circuit board and magnet that will increase cost. Furthermore, an additional 2- or 3-channel positional encoder is required for servo application that will further increase the complexity of the BLDC motor system. Published 08/17/06 Simplifying BLDC Commutation and Feedback System in PDF (65 KB)

Encoders for Drive By Wire Automobiles In aviation the term fly-by-wire means that the control surfaces of an aircraft are operated by actuators rather than via cables and rods, with electrical signals transmitting information from the cockpit to the actuators. The pilot’s controls, such as the control stick and rudder pedals, are fitted with analog or digital transducers that generate electrical signals corresponding to the given command. The outputs of the transducers are processed through a stability augmentation computer. The computer compares the aircraft’s actual motion, as sensed by gyros and accelerometers, and corrects it to a control law, improving the aircraft’s handling. Published 05/05/06 Encoders for Drive By Wire Automobiles in PDF (245 KB)

Navigation Interface Devices

Laser Navigation Eye Safety Classification for Optical Mouse Sensor The nature of light emitting sources used in products mandates compliance to Optical Radiation Regulations worldwide. The light emitting sources in the products that this document addresses emit sufficiently low levels of optical radiation in a selected wavelength range, only eyes may be at risk; thus, we shall refer to “eye safety” rather than optical radiation safety. Published 07/15/09 Laser Navigation Eye Safety Classification for Optical Mouse Sensor in PDF (272 KB)

Optical Mice and How They Work The mechanical computer mouse, Douglas Engelbart’s invention of the 1960’s, is starting to look like an endangered species. While users praise its ingenuity, many resent its unreliability and its need for frequent cleaning. Published 11/06/08 Optical Mice and How They Work in PDF (456 KB)

Understanding Optical Mice Today’s computer mouse comes in many shapes, and in a wide range of features, sizes and prices. The two main technologies driving this input device are optical and mechanical. The mechanical engine was the earlier system and was introduced in the 1960s. Optical technology was introduced in the 1980s but didn’t gain much traction until the early part of 2000. Published 05/12/08 Understanding Optical Mice in PDF (1314 KB)

Laser Navigation Safety and Performance in an Optical Mouse Sensor Avago Technologies, inventor of the popular LED-based optical mouse navigation engine, again revolutionized the PC mouse industry with the introduction of LaserStream laser navigation technology. Avago Technologies’ new LaserStream navigation engines provide much finer precision and more accurate tracking on a wider variety of surfaces, such as glossy and reflective surfaces. Published 05/08/06 Laser Navigation Safety and Performance in an Optical Mouse Sensor in PDF (135 KB)

Optocouplers

Safety Considerations When Using Optocouplers and Alternative Isolators for Providing Protection Against Electrical Hazards Optocouplers and alternative isolation technologies find widespread use in a variety of products for signal isolation and high voltage level shifting. These devices may also be used to provide safety related insulation. Considering these electrical concerns, it is necessary to understand the safety related characteristics of the optocoupler or alternative isolator. Published 01/29/10 Safety Considerations When Using Optocouplers and Alternative Isolators for Providing Protection Against Electrical Hazards in PDF (244 KB)

Using 10 and 15 MBd Optocouplers and Optically-isolated Gate Drivers AC Plasma Display Panels A plasma display panel (PDP) is essentially a matrix of tiny fluorescent tubes that are controlled in a sophisticated fashion. There are two main types, DC and AC. The AC PDP is the most commonly used because of its simpler structure and longer lifetime. Published 11/18/09 Using 10 and 15 MBd Optocouplers and Optically-isolated Gate Drivers AC Plasma Display Panels in PDF (144 KB)

Reliable LEDs for Automotive Grade Optocouplers One of the key enablers for optocouplers to handle automotive grade 1 applications is the use of very high performance LEDs. The LED light output dropping by less than 0.2%/°C, aids in achieving high temperature specifications and the improvements in LED design and fabrication. Published 07/15/09 Reliable LEDs for Automotive Grade Optocouplers in PDF (463 KB)

Gate Driver Optocouplers in Induction Cookers Today, with the constant search for energy saving devices, induction cookers, already a trend in Europe, is gaining more popularity in the rest of the world. These kitchen devices are popular for its high efficiency that reduces cooking time and user safety particularly towards children as it does not use flames or fire for cooking. Published 07/08/09 Gate Driver Optocouplers in Induction Cookers in PDF (217 KB)

Optocoupler Capabilities for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Electric Motor Inverter Applications The main feature of the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that helps to save fuel consumption is the electric motor drive. In the HEVs, there are several confgurations in the propulsion systems (ex. electric motor assist or fully electric motor drive during start). The main confguaration, the inverter system, is required to deliver powerful and efcient drive to the electric motor. In sophisticated electric motor drive systems, there should be a system to provide regenerative braking and transfer of energy back to the storage system via the battery charging process. The system will function as both an inverter for electric motor propulsion and converter/generator for the battery charging process. Published 05/29/09 Optocoupler Capabilities for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Electric Motor Inverter Applications in PDF (171 KB)

Designing with High Performance Hermetic Analog Isolation Amplifier Today, optocouplers are a ubiquitous electronic component,found in almost any piece of electrical equipment or in most industry segments. Since they were first introduced over twenty five years ago, optically coupled isolators, also known as optocouplers, photocouplers, or optoisolators, have proven to be an indispensable component for galvanic insulation and for ground loop noise rejection or other EMI induced noise interference isolation. Published 05/05/09 Designing with High Performance Hermetic Analog Isolation Amplifier in PDF (167 KB)

Using Hermetic Optocouplers in Military and Space Electronics Sensitive and high reliability electronic applications in areas such as space, aeronautics, military, and naval will continue to rely on high reliability hermetic components. The risks associated with using plastic electronic components in harsh and rugged environments, where components may be subjected to extremes of temperature, humidity, radiation, and shock/acceleration are just too great. Published 04/30/09 Using Hermetic Optocouplers in Military and Space Electronics in PDF (319 KB)

Automotive Optocouplers – Beyond Meeting the Electrical Performance at High Temperature The trend of electric or hybrid electric vehicles has accelerated the introduction of electronic components into cars. The components residing under the hood will experience high ambient temperatures in excess of +105°C. While some products are able to meet electrical specifications up to +125°C, they cannot be conveniently assumed to be suitable for automotive applications. Published 03/24/09 Automotive Optocouplers – Beyond Meeting the Electrical Performance at High Temperature in PDF (129 KB)

Automotive Isolation Amplifier for Voltage Sensing The introduction of electric and hybrid electric vehicles have added high voltage electric modules into the car. The battery stack in a hybrid can be in excess of 150V, higher for the inverter driving the motor. Published 03/18/09 Automotive Isolation Amplifier for Voltage Sensing in PDF (422 KB)

Building a Safe and Robust Industrial System with Avago Technologies' Optocouplers Should production line stoppage occur at an industrial automation company, millions of dollars and opportunity costs can be lost while trying to fix the problem and get the lines running again. Published 04/11/08 Building a Safe and Robust Industrial System with Avago Technologies' Optocouplers in PDF (308 KB)

Design Considerations in Using the Inverter Gate Driver Optocouplers for Variable Speed Motor Drives Inverter Gate Driver optocouplers are ideally suited for IGBT and MOSFET applications for variable speed motor drives. Their high output peak currents coupled with high voltage safety standards certified galvanic insulation, very high common mode noise rejection isolation, solid state device level reliability, and very low power dissipation, makes them indispensable inverter gate driver components. Published 11/19/07 Design Considerations in Using the Inverter Gate Driver Optocouplers for Variable Speed Motor Drives in PDF (270 KB)

Mitigation Methods for Parasitic Turn-on effect due to Miller Capacitor One of the common problems faced when switching an IGBT is parasitic turn-on due to Miller capacitor. This effect is noticeable in single supply gate driver (0 to +15V). Due to this gate-collector coupling, a high dV/dt transient created during IGBT turn-off can induce parasitic turn-on (Gate voltage, VGE) which is potentially dangerous. Published 08/10/07 Mitigation Methods for Parasitic Turn-on effect due to Miller Capacitor in PDF (240 KB)

Isolation Device in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Applications The global market demand for hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) will grow approximately twenty percent annually through 2010. The popularity of these fuel-efficient vehicles is driven by erratic fuel prices, increased emissions regulations by different countries and lowering cost disparities between HEV and gasoline vehicles. Published 07/17/07 Isolation Device in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Applications in PDF (530 KB)

Optocouplers in Industrial Communication Industrial communication includes data monitoring and processing, diagnostic and sensing as well as visualization. To maintain data integrity against group loop current or common mode noise, optocouplers are used to eliminate both problems. Published 07/12/07 Optocouplers in Industrial Communication in PDF (295 KB)

Optical-based Analog Front End for Speed Powerline Communications the Home Control of output power level on GSM mobile phones Why do we need to control the output power level of mobile phones? There are a number of very good reasons: to prevent intermodulation of base station receivers, to prevent interference with other mobile phones and to minimize power consumption depending on the distance between mobile and base station. Published 11/20/06 Optical-based Analog Front End for Speed Powerline Communications the Home in PDF (191 KB)

Assuring Data Integrity in an Optically Isolated 3.3 V I²C Bus The inter-IC bus (I2C bus) is being used in an increasing number of applications, including consumer appliances, communications equipment and industrial equipment. In practically all cases low voltage optocouplers are used to provide galvanic isolation in the 3.3V I2C bus interface. In a minimum confguration three high speed optocouplers are used to isolate the CLK, SDA_in and SDA_out bus signals. Published 05/08/06 Assuring Data Integrity in an Optically Isolated 3.3 V I²C Bus in PDF (137 KB)

ACSL-6xx0 Stacked LED Enables Highly Integrated Optocouplers Optocouplers are widely used in providing galvanic isolation because of their true isolation characteristics. The heart of a modern optocoupler is an input infrared-emitting LED and an output photodetector, separated by a light transmissive medium, that can also act as an insulation layer. Or an additional light transmissive dielectric layer can be added to provide insulation. The photodetector can be a phototransistor, a photodiode with a transistor, or an integrated detector/logic integrated circuit. Most optocouplers are certifed to the basic safety standards as outlined by UL1577, CSA and IEC/DIN EN/EN 60747-5-2. Published 05/03/06 ACSL-6xx0 Stacked LED Enables Highly Integrated Optocouplers in PDF (100 KB)

Wireless

Integration Creates Compact CDMA RF Front End with GPS Capability In this whitepaper, design requirements, best practice PCB layout, component selection and system design will be addressed. A highly integrated CDMA plus GPS RF front end design with measured performance characteristics will be used as a concrete example. The three Avago RF modules used are: the ACPM-7353 dual-band Power Amplifier Module designed for CDMA (code division multiple access) cellular and PCS; the ACFM-7103 multiplexer; and the ALM-1412 GPS Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) with Integrated Filter. These three compact components replace seven discrete components. Published 10/16/09 Integration Creates Compact CDMA RF Front End with GPS Capability in PDF (297 KB)

GaAs-Based Surface Mount Wafer Scale Package MMICs for DC to 45 GHz Applications Packaging has always been the “Achilles Heal” of extracting the maximum microwave performance out of any IC technology. The inherent parasitic capacitance and inductance associated with bond wires, lead frames, and encapsulating dielectric materials dominate the final products high frequency performance. One way to solve this problem is to eliminate parasitic causing factors and make the IC become the package. This is the basis of WSP (Wafer Scale Packaging). Published 08/28/09 GaAs-Based Surface Mount Wafer Scale Package MMICs for DC to 45 GHz Applications in PDF (1942 KB)

DC to 85GHz TWA and Ka-band 4.9W Power Amplifier Using an Optical Lithography Based Low Cost PHEMT Process An optical photo lithography based 0.15μm GaAs PHEMT process and 2mil-substrate technology that enables high production throughput and low cost is described. The developed process achieved Imax=575mA/mm, BVgd=14V, and 753mW/mm of output power density at P-1 condition at 18GHz. Published 11/26/08 DC to 85GHz TWA and Ka-band 4.9W Power Amplifier Using an Optical Lithography Based Low Cost PHEMT Process in PDF (966 KB)

Avago introduces 18 GHz and 26.5 GHz low-noise E-pHEMT in 0402 Compatible Packages Produced by Advanced Wafer-scale Packaging Technology Smaller, lower cost components are crucial to the development of today’s higher-performance, smaller and increasingly price-competitive mobile devices. Since the introduction of chip scale packages (CSPs) they have become a major trend in active device packaging. Published 05/14/08 Avago introduces 18 GHz and 26.5 GHz low-noise E-pHEMT in 0402 Compatible Packages Produced by Advanced Wafer-scale Packaging Technology in PDF (551 KB)

Ka-band 2W/4W MMIC Power Amplifiers in 7x7mm Low-cost SMT Package The development of PHEMT, 24 to 31GHz 2W/4W power amplifier MMICs are described. The amplifier was designed with highly integrated distributed line-based low-loss power combining design techniques utilizing a 0.15μm GaAs PHEMT production process. Published 09/26/07 Ka-band 2W/4W MMIC Power Amplifiers in 7x7mm Low-cost SMT Package in PDF (1169 KB)

Development EpHEMT E-pHEMT (enhancement-mode high-electron mobility transistor) is a semiconductor process optimized for wireless applications that operate from a single positive voltage source. Ordinary depletion-mode pHEMTs conduct at zero gate bias, or when the drain current, Id, reaches a saturated level (Idss) at a gatesource voltage (Vgs) of 0 VDC. An E-pHEMT shows no conduction at zero gate bias, so that Id = 0 at Vgs = 0V. Thus, it can operate without the negative voltage (required for switch on) required for depletionmode devices. Published 06/10/07 Development EpHEMT in PDF (349 KB)

EpHEMT vs HBTs for PA Applications Many different semiconductor technologies are currently being used for power amplifiers (PAs) that include a mix of Silicon and GaAs devices – Silicon Bipolar, Silicon MOSFET, GaAs MESFET, GaAs HBT and GaAs pHEMT. Avago uses enhancement-mode pHEMT (E-pHEMT) process for its PA design while most competitors have developed GaAs HBT technology. This paper shows why E-pHEMT technology can provide superior electrical and reliability performance for power amplifier design in wireless communications. Published 05/24/07 EpHEMT vs HBTs for PA Applications in PDF (100 KB)

A High Isolation Buffer Amplifier Enhancements Mode PHEMT The design and implementation of a high isolation buffer amplifier is presented. This IC uses a two gain stage topology processed in the Avago Technologies Enhancement Mode pHEMT GaAs technology and is packaged in the 8-lead 2mm x 2mm LPCC. It operates preferably from a 5 Volt supply and consumes approximately 35 mA quiescent current. By varying an external bias resistor, the buffer amplifier can deliver maximum output power up to 20 dBm at 2 GHz. It has better than 40 dB of input-output port isolation and operates from 0.5 GHz to 6 GHz. Published 12/07/06 A High Isolation Buffer Amplifier Enhancements Mode PHEMT in PDF (497 KB)

Design and Performance of a 1.6-2.2GHz Low-Noise, High Gain Dual Amplifier in GaAs E-pHEMT The design and realization of a dual low noise amplifier (LNA) module in the 2 GHz band suitable for balanced receiver front-end application is presented. The module was designed to operate from a 5 V supply with a control voltage for convenient adjustment of bias condition for optimum noise figure. The MMIC portion of the designed was fabricated in Avago Technologies' proprietary 0.5 um GaAs enhancement-mode Pseudomorphic High-Electron-Mobility Transistor (e-pHEMT) process. This module is suitable for balanced amplifier applications when combined with external 3-dB hybrids, giving an extremely low noise figure (NF) of 0.55-0.8 dB, coupled with a moderately high OIP3 (Output Third Order Intercept Point) of 38-42 dBm at 28-32 dB gain. It is also capable of delivering a P-1 dB of more than 20 dBm at 180 mA current drain. Published 10/19/06 Design and Performance of a 1.6-2.2GHz Low-Noise, High Gain Dual Amplifier in GaAs E-pHEMT in PDF (563 KB)

A comparison of Bulk and Epitaxial PIN diodes in low cost wideband RF switching Both electromechanical and semiconductor switches are proven technologies used in the control and routing of RF signals. While the use of mechanical switches can be justified in precision test equipment such as vector network analyzers, size- and cost constrained mass-produced consumer products such as cable or satellite television (CATV/SATV) delivery systems call for electronic switches based on either transistors or PIN diodes. The absence of moving parts also gives semiconductor switches the advantages both of faster response times and longer life spans than their mechanical counterparts. Published 08/10/06 A comparison of Bulk and Epitaxial PIN diodes in low cost wideband RF switching in PDF (122 KB)

General Interest

Power Supply Control from PCB to Chip Core As silicon technology advances to enable higher density ASICs, the core logic voltage decreases. The lower voltage, in combination with higher current requirements, requires tighter tolerances on the power supplies. The control of the power supplies from the PCB to the die is the subject of this study. Published 01/22/08 Power Supply Control from PCB to Chip Core in PDF (371 KB)

Reflective Color Sensing with Avago Technologies’ RGB Color Sensor Reflective color sensing is typically realized through photodiodes with multiple illuminant or photodiodes coated with color filters with single illuminant. This paper presents the concept of reflective color sensing using an RGB color sensor. Published 02/20/07 Reflective Color Sensing with Avago Technologies’ RGB Color Sensor in PDF (72 KB)

Solid State Relay Transient Immunity The Solid State Relay (SSR) is a solid-state replacement of the electro-mechanical relay, and is commonly used for general purpose switching of signals and low power AC/DC loads. It consists of a light-emitting diode (LED), a photo-sensitive FET driver and high-voltage MOSFETs. Published 11/08/06 Solid State Relay Transient Immunity in PDF (163 KB)