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1500 questions
40
votes
4 answers
What's the catch with FRAM?
After recently acquiring an MSP430 Launchpad I've been playing with various microcontroller projects. Unfortunately, the MSP430G2553 only has 512 bytes of RAM, so doing anything complex requires external storage.
After looking at SPI and I2C SRAM…
David Given
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40
votes
10 answers
How can human finger pressure be measured?
I am dealing with a situation where a patient can only very lightly press his fingers / hand to signal what he / she wants. Speaking or eye tracking is not possible.
The person is also not able to lift his hand. The only movement possible is a…
tmighty
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40
votes
12 answers
How to make electronic systems which work below −40°C (−40°F)?
I notice on a lot of electronic products that most of them work down to −40°C. Glaring example with Microchip microprocessors page: https://www.microchip.com/ParamChartSearch/chart.aspx?branchID=1012 (check last columns).
What I want
I would like…
AmateurDAero
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40
votes
2 answers
What is the purpose of those star like solder joints?
I recently watched a Xbox Series X PSU repair video on YouTube and was surprised by the fact some solder joints have a star-like shape:
Is there any specific reason to do this? This is the first time I see this.
My guess is those joins are stronger…
tigrou
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40
votes
5 answers
When Intel / AMD choose their Nanometer Processes, why were the specific numbers, 5, 7, 10, 14, 22, 32, 45, etc chosen?
When looking at the roadmaps for the CPU manufacturing process
https://wccftech.com/intel-expects-launch-10nm-2017/
Semiconductor Process Technology
Year
10 µm
1971
6 µm
1974
3 µm
1977
1.5 µm
1981
1 µm
1984
800 nm
1987
600…
Anon
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40
votes
2 answers
Why can't RGB or bicolour LEDs produce a decent yellow?
I have several different RGB LEDs and bicolour red/green LEDs, from different suppliers.
I find that, with the appropriate resistors, they can produce a perfect orange and cyan; and a barely acceptable magenta. One thing they cannot produce,…
Sod Almighty
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40
votes
10 answers
Can a premium HDMI cable outperform a standard cable?
Assuming two cables both conform to the same standards (e.g. HDMI2.0, high-speed, ...) is it possible that a premium cable will outperform a standard cable when using an objective benchmark that measures the quality of picture/audio? Or what…
zr.
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40
votes
5 answers
Looking for open source FPGA hardware and dev tools
Investigated FPGA boards but cannot find open-sourced board and vendor-neutral FPGA development tools:
The ORSoC manufacturer boasts open-sourcing on its website but I cannot really find strong evidence except webmastering OpenCores.org.
The duo:…
hhh
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40
votes
10 answers
Why do GPS receivers have a 1 PPS output?
I was surprised to see that the GPS receiver I'm working with has a pin reserved for outputting a 1 PPS (Pulse Per Second) signal. What is the point of this? Can't the microcontroller easily generate its own 1 PPS signal?
Randomblue
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40
votes
13 answers
Why can current only flow in loops?
In the following image:
Why can't current flow across the following wire?
It's a simple question, but I've kind off always wondered.
Thanks!
Physco111
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40
votes
8 answers
Why do utility companies supply at a frequency of either 50/60 Hz?
It just struck me that Utility Companies world-wide supply domestic users at either 50/60Hz. It could have been selected to be 10 Hz, or 100 Hz ... whatever
Was 50/60 chosen at random? Is there some rationale involved (efficiency, easier to…
Everyone
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40
votes
11 answers
Free circuit simulator for educational purposes
I am looking for a free circuit simulator for educational purposes. My requirements are:
Visual ("draw a circuit diagram, click simulate")
It should contain light bulbs as circuit components such that
2.1. They become (visually) brighter if you…
student
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40
votes
6 answers
Designing a *linear* MOSFET driver stage
I'm looking for a MOSFET driver circuit that can be placed between an op-amp
and a power MOSFET to operate the transistor as a linear amplifier (as opposed
to a switch).
Background
I'm developing an electronic load circuit that must be able to step…
scanny
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40
votes
4 answers
Where did the value of 0.1uF for bypass capacitors come from?
Nearly everyone recommends 0.1uF for bypass capacitors. Why this value? I assume there is no harm to using larger values so is it merely a "sensible minimum"? And if so why do people go for the minimum rather than using higher values - it seems to…
Timmmm
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40
votes
2 answers
What is an LUT in FPGA?
I have gone through various sources... But I am not quite sure what it is.I want an and gate and the logical equivalent is two inputs feeding to one gate and for Y=AB' the logical equivalent is feeding to one not gate and one and gate. But it is the…
Muthu Subramanian
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