Simulating Antenna(s) to Bits and Back in Wireless Communication and Radar Systems

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a presentation by a company whose name requires no introduction, so I won’t introduce it (I’m joking—I’ll introduce it later). The topic of this talk was today’s “latest and greatest” tools and techniques for designing wireless communication and radar systems, with an emphasis on simulation.

Today’s simulation tools blow me … Read More → "Simulating Antenna(s) to Bits and Back in Wireless Communication and Radar Systems"

Scalability, Modularity, Flexibility with QMCs and VITA 93

My podcast guest this week is Jan Zimmerman from TEWS Technologies. Jan and I are talking all about VITA 93 – a new QMC mezzanine card standard and why scalability, modularity and flexibility are central elements of this new standard. Jan and I also discuss the unique I/O capabilities of QMCs and how TEW Technologies is furthering innovation in this arena. 

 

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WTW (“What the What”)? Another 100 Mindboggling Columns!

“Good grief, Charlie Brown!” I just exclaimed upon realizing that I’ve hit another 100-column milestone (including this one) here on EE Journal. That makes 400 columns since I joined the community.

As my columns average around 1,500 words apiece, that’s a whopping 600,000 words—each one handpicked at the crack of dawn whilst still glistening with the morning dew, fresh, fragrant, and … Read More → "WTW (“What the What”)? Another 100 Mindboggling Columns!"

No batteries? No problem! Powercast and The Freedom of Wireless Power

My podcast this week is Eric Biel from Powercast. Eric and I explore each of Powercast’s innovative wireless power solutions, the origins of their Lifetime power solution, the benefits of their next generation RFID tags, and super cool new applications they unveiled at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show.

 

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Teaching AI to Semiconductor Students, Engineers, and Fabs

My mission today is to inform you about a university course that is no longer offered and a master’s degree program that is not yet available. Intrigued? Read on…

To set the scene, first let me remind you that I originally hail from England. I started at Sheffield Polytechnic (now Sheffield Hallam University) in the summer of 1975. You can read more about … Read More → "Teaching AI to Semiconductor Students, Engineers, and Fabs"

July 23, 2025
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featured chalk talk

From Datasheet to Design: Picking the Perfect Operational Amplifier
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Christopher John Gozon (Goz) from Analog Devices and Amelia Dalton explore the what, where and how of operational amplifiers. They also examine roles that supply voltage, voltage offset, and input bias and input offset current play in operational amplifiers and how you can take advantage of Analog Devices’ op amp innovation for your next design. 
Jul 11, 2025
14,033 views

featured paper

Agilex™ 3 vs. Certus-N2 Devices: Head-to-Head Benchmarking on 10 OpenCores Designs

Sponsored by Altera

Explore how Agilex™ 3 FPGAs deliver up to 2.4× higher performance and 30% lower power than comparable low-cost FPGAs in embedded applications. This white paper benchmarks real workloads, highlights key architectural advantages, and shows how Agilex 3 enables efficient AI, vision, and control systems with headroom to scale.

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discussion
Posted on Jul 23 at 7:12am by Max Maxfield
I really enjoyed "The Prefectionists" from Bill's list -- so many books... so much to learn... so little time...
Posted on Jul 22 at 10:37am by JK
While I’d like to have read more on harmonics, I was impressed that an article this long on analog electronics could be written without once invoking chicken-blood and astrology! Kudos! ...And nice selection of books. I would have included “Ignition!: An informal history of liquid rocket propellants”, by John ...
Posted on Jul 17 at 9:46am by Max Maxfield
Not my peeps!
Posted on Jul 17 at 9:23am by JK
ALL chip designers should only use two fingers when they type - I mean it's binary... "...this is typical of the way I’m greeted by my adoring fans every day when I arrive at my office..." Be careful - In a crowd that large at least one is a ...
Posted on Jul 17 at 7:23am by Max Maxfield
Hi RedBarnDesigner -- re Bardwells, check out my "Eclectic Electronic Emporiums" column that just posted on Hackster.io https://www.hackster.io/news/eclectic-electronic-emporiums-309b3a24654d
Posted on Jul 16 at 9:36am by RedBarnDesigner
Thanks to JK for posting exactly what I was thinking when I watched the video!
Posted on Jul 16 at 9:35am by RedBarnDesigner
Hi again Max, This was one from a set of project books for children exclusive to Woolworths. The Project Book 057 - "Build you own computer". You may also be interested in Project Book 147 "Build your own Crystal Set" Full set and individual items available on eBay (U.K.) {Ask your ...
Posted on Jul 16 at 8:54am by Max Maxfield
I thought that study had been discredited, not least because Rosa lied about her credentials.
Posted on Jul 16 at 7:49am by Max Maxfield
Ooh -- I'll look around and see if I can find that book. Re Bardwells, I remember it well. In fact, you should check out my next "Throwback Thursdays" column, which will post tomorrow morning on Hackster.com because Bardwells is one of the featured stores.
Posted on Jul 15 at 11:04am by JK
The videos: To be fair you should have pointed out that it is a scientifically proven fact that unless you’re a welder or an umpire, wearing a baseball cap backwards will instantly cause your IQ to drop a minimum of 50 points, based on experiments at St Cedd's College, Cambridge, ...
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featured blogs
Jul 17, 2025
Why do the links in Outlook emails always open in the Microsoft Edge web browser, even if you have another browser set as your default?...
Automotive MOSFETs
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Infineon
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Joseph Sara and Amelia Dalton explore the mega trends motivating MOSFET innovation and the details of Infineon’s cutting-edge MOSFET solutions. They also explore the benefits of Infineon’s OptiMOS 7 platform and how you can take advantage of Infineon MOSFETs for your next design.
Jul 21, 2025
1,634 views
On-board Battery Charger & DC-DC Converter
Sponsored by Infineon
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Steven Hehn from Infineon and Amelia Dalton investigate the functions of on board chargers and high voltage to low voltage DC-DC converters for electric vehicles. They also investigate the benefits that wide band gap power technologies can bring to these kinds of designs and the innovative solutions that Infineon offers for your on board charger and DC/DC design needs.
Jul 17, 2025
6,800 views
Qorvo Accelerating Matter Product Development with Qorvo QPG6200
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Qorvo
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Tim Allemeersch from Qorvo and Amelia Dalton explore the challenges of Matter application development and how Qorvo can help you navigate the landscape of Matter development. They also investigate the benefits of Qorvo’s QPG6200 IC and how you can get started using this integrated circuit for your next Matter design.
Jul 16, 2025
7,169 views
Smarter Isolation for Smarter Power Systems
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Bourns
Today’s smarter power systems demand smarter gate drive isolation. In this episode of Chalk Talk, Kritika Murari from Bourns and Amelia Dalton explore the hidden complexities of gate drive isolation, how reinforced gate drive isolation can improve a variety of design parameters, and how you can take advantage of Bourns push pull isolation transformers for your next design.
Jul 14, 2025
10,638 views
Improving the Cockpit Computer using Companion Microcontroller
Sponsored by Infineon
Companion microcontrollers are a vital element of today’s complex automotive designs. In this episode of Chalk Talk, Matthew Goodavish from Infineon and Amelia Dalton investigate how the architectural evolution in automotive design has encouraged the need for companion microcontrollers, the role that safety islands play in the development of these systems, and the core system benefits that companion MCUs bring to these kinds of designs.
Jul 10, 2025
15,576 views
USB’s Renaissance: Overcoming Stagnation with 10 & 20 Gbps Innovation
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Infineon
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Jimmy Chou from Infineon and Amelia Dalton explore the challenges of USB design and how Infineon is furthering innovation with the EZ-USB FX10. They also investigate the high bandwidth data subsystem, the high bandwidth data interface and the robust security features included in this solution.
Jul 3, 2025
16,643 views