Circuit Design and Analysis
Purpose of Decoupling Capacitors Decoupling capacitors are used in electronic circuits to suppress noise, filter voltage spikes, and improve stability in power supply lines. Proper selection of decoupling capacitors is critical to ensure the capacitors can effectively perform these functions over the necessary frequency ranges in an application. This article compares key parameters that affect…
What are Decoupling Capacitors and Why are They Important? Decoupling capacitors, also known as bypass capacitors, are capacitors used to stabilize power supply voltages and reduce unwanted noise in integrated circuits (ICs). They act as local energy reservoirs that can supply currents rapidly when needed, smoothing out fluctuations in power delivery caused by changing logic…
Understanding Parasitic Inductance All conductors exhibit self-inductance, which opposes changes in current flow. In decoupling capacitors, the traces, vias, and plates inside the capacitor package contribute parasitic inductance. This parasitic inductance appears in series with the capacitance, forming an unwanted LC circuit. Parasitic inductance originates from the magnetic fields created by current flowing through metal…
Capacitive and inductive reactance are important concepts in electrical engineering for analyzing the behavior of capacitors and inductors in alternating current (AC) circuits. Capacitive reactance represents how capacitors “react” to changes in voltage and current flow in AC circuits. It limits and determines current flows. Inductive reactance represents how inductors “react” to changes in voltage…
Understanding Capacitor Voltage Ratings Capacitors have a maximum voltage, called the working voltage or rated voltage, which specifies the maximum potential difference that can be applied safely across the terminals. Exceeding the rated voltage causes the dielectric material between the capacitor plates to break down, resulting in permanent damage to the capacitor. The rated voltage…
Thermal Challenges of Voltage Divider Circuits Voltage divider circuits utilizing resistors often face thermal management challenges due to resistive heating effects. As electric current passes through the resistors, the kinetic energy of the electrons is converted into heat based on the resistor’s material properties. Managing this generated heat is critical to prevent thermal damage and…
What are Capacitors and How Do They Work? A capacitor is a passive electronic component that stores electrical energy in an electric field. It consists of two plates or electrodes separated by an insulating dielectric material such as air, paper, mica, plastic film, ceramic, or glass. When voltage is applied across the plates of a…
Identifying the Core Issue The transfer function of a power amplifier defines its ability to faithfully reproduce the input signal at the output under different conditions. When troubleshooting power amplifier transfer functions, the core objective is determining why the amplifier may not be providing the expected gain, bandwidth, phase response, or stability across the desired…
Understanding Capacitor Voltage Ratings Capacitors have a maximum voltage, called the working voltage or rated voltage, which specifies the maximum potential difference that can be applied safely across the terminals. Exceeding the rated voltage causes the dielectric material between the capacitor plates to break down, resulting in permanent damage to the capacitor. The rated voltage…
Decoupling Capacitor Fundamentals What is a Decoupling Capacitor and Why is it Needed? A decoupling capacitor is a capacitor used to decouple one part of an electrical network from another. Decoupling capacitors are used to filter noise, minimize voltage droop, and store charge for integrated circuits (ICs), helping stabilize power distribution. They are essential components…
