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A dimmer switch is a versatile and practical device designed to adjust the brightness of lighting in a room. By regulating the amount of power delivered to a light bulb, dimmer switches offer users control over the ambiance and energy consumption of their spaces. These devices find extensive applications across homes, businesses, and industrial environments.

Types of Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches are available in a variety of designs and technologies, each tailored to meet different requirements and compatible with various lighting setups:

1. Rotary Dimmer Switch:
– Operated by turning a knob to adjust brightness levels.
– Common in older installations and ideal for simple setups.

2. Slide Dimmer Switch:
– Features a sliding control to increase or decrease brightness.
– Allows for accurate control and is user-friendly.

3. Toggle Dimmer Switch:
– Combines a traditional on/off toggle with a small slider or dial for dimming.
– Merges functionality with a classic and enduring visual charm.

4. Touch Dimmer Switch:
– Adjusted by touching a panel or button.
– Often includes modern features like memory settings for preferred brightness levels.

5. Smart Dimmer Switch:
– Connects with smart home platforms and allows control through mobile apps or voice commands.
– Works seamlessly with smart devices such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.

6. Universal Dimmer Switch:
– Compatible with different types of bulbs, such as incandescent, LED, and CFL.
– Ideal for versatile lighting setups.

How Does a Dimmer Switch Work?

Dimmer switches function by regulating the electrical current supplied to a light bulb, altering its intensity. The way a dimmer switch operates differs depending on its type and technology:

1. Incandescent Dimmers:
– Decrease the electrical voltage delivered to the bulb..
– Simple yet effective for traditional incandescent lights.

2. TRIAC Dimmers:
– Use a TRIAC (Triode for Alternating Current) semiconductor to control power delivery.
– Common in modern dimmers for compatibility with LEDs and CFLs.

3. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM):
– Found in advanced dimmers, especially for LED lights.
– Modulates the electrical signal by rapidly turning it on and off to adjust brightness without flickering.

4. Resistive Dimmers:
– Employ resistors to limit the electrical flow.
– Typically used in low-power or specialty applications.

Dimmer Switch Uses & Applications

Dimmer switches are widely used to enhance lighting environments and offer specific benefits across various settings:

1. Residential Spaces:
– Set a warm and inviting mood in spaces like living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms.
– Enable mood lighting for special occasions or relaxation.

2. Commercial Settings:
– Adjust lighting in restaurants, hotels, and retail stores to suit customer preferences.
– Improve energy efficiency in offices by adapting light levels based on natural light.

3. Theatrical and Event Lighting:
– Offer accurate management of lighting for stage productions and event configurations.

4. Outdoor Applications:
– Control exterior lights, such as patio or garden lighting, to complement outdoor activities.

How to Use a Dimmer Switch

Using a dimmer switch is straightforward, but it’s essential to follow certain steps for optimal performance:

1. Choose the Right Dimmer:
– Ensure compatibility with your lighting system (e.g., LED-compatible dimmer for LED bulbs).

2. Installation:
– Ensure the power supply is completely switched off before beginning the installation process.
– Adhere to the provided installation guidelines or seek assistance from a qualified electrician.

3. Operation:
– Adjust brightness levels using the slider, knob, or touch interface.
– For smart dimmers, set up the device via the accompanying app for remote control.

4. Maintenance:
– Regularly clean the switch to maintain optimal functionality.
– Replace faulty dimmers to maintain lighting quality.

Advantages of Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches offer several benefits, making them a popular choice for lighting control:

1. Energy Efficiency:
– Lower brightness levels reduce power consumption, leading to energy savings.

2. Extended Bulb Life:
– Reduced electrical flow minimizes stress on bulbs, increasing their lifespan.

3. Customizable Ambiance:
– Adjust lighting to suit activities like reading, relaxing, or entertaining.

4. Cost Savings:
– Energy savings and extended bulb life contribute to reduced utility and replacement costs.

5. Environmental Benefits:
– Reduced energy usage results in a smaller environmental impact and a lower carbon footprint.

6. Enhanced Aesthetics:
– Create visually appealing spaces with tailored lighting effects.

Common Challenges and Tips

While dimmer switches offer numerous benefits, they may present some challenges:

1. Compatibility Issues:
– Ensure compatibility between your bulbs and the dimmer to prevent flickering or suboptimal performance.

2. Installation Errors:
– Ensure proper wiring and follow guidelines to prevent malfunctions.

3. Noise:
– Some dimmers may produce a humming sound; selecting high-quality products can mitigate this issue.

4. Limited Dimming Range:
– Check the dimmer’s specifications for the range of brightness levels it supports.

Conclusion

Dimmer switches are essential for improving lighting management, boosting energy efficiency, and creating the desired atmosphere. With various types available, from simple rotary models to advanced smart dimmers, they cater to diverse needs and preferences. By understanding their functionality, applications, and benefits, you can effectively integrate dimmer switches into your spaces, transforming the way you experience lighting.

The post Dimmer Switch Meaning, Types, Working, Benefits & Applications appeared first on ELE Times.

Stealth technology, also known as low observable technology, is a sophisticated engineering method aimed at making objects less visible to radar, infrared, sonar, and other detection methods. Originally developed for military applications, stealth technology has significantly evolved, playing a critical role in modern warfare, security, and even civilian applications.

Types of Stealth Technology

Stealth technology encompasses various techniques and methods designed to evade detection across different spectrums. The primary types include:

Radar Stealth:
– Uses specially designed shapes and materials to reduce radar cross-section (RCS).
– Aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and B-2 Spirit are prime examples, designed with angular shapes to deflect radar signals.

Infrared Stealth:
– Focuses on reducing heat signatures emitted by engines and exhausts.
– Utilizes heat shields, special coatings, and exhaust cooling techniques.

Acoustic Stealth:
– Reduces noise generated by vehicles, particularly submarines and helicopters.
– Employs quiet engines, sound-dampening materials, and advanced propeller designs.

Visual Stealth:
– Involves camouflage and coatings to blend with surroundings.
– Advanced techniques include adaptive camouflage using digital displays or light-reflecting materials.

Electromagnetic Stealth:
– Reduces electromagnetic emissions from electronic systems to prevent detection or interception.

Sonar Stealth:
– Targets underwater applications by minimizing sound wave reflections.
– Submarines use anechoic coatings to absorb sound waves and avoid sonar detection.

How Does Stealth Technology Work?

Stealth technology operates on the principles of reflection, absorption, and emission minimization:

1. Shaping:
– Aircraft and vehicles are designed with sharp angles and curves that deflect radar waves away from the source.

2. Radar-Absorbent Materials (RAM):
– Specialized coatings and composites absorb radar waves, reducing reflected signals.

3. Heat Suppression:
– Thermal management systems dissipate or redirect heat emissions to minimize infrared detectability.

4. Soundproofing:
– Advanced insulation and quiet propulsion systems reduce acoustic signatures.

5. Signal Emission Control:
– Shielding electronic components limits electromagnetic leaks, ensuring stealthy operations.

Applications of Stealth Technology

Stealth technology has a wide range of applications, primarily in defense but increasingly in civilian sectors:

1. Military Aviation:
– Stealth fighters and bombers like the F-35 Lightning II and B-2 Spirit dominate airspace with their low radar detectability.

2. Naval Applications:
– Stealth ships and submarines employ sonar-absorbing materials and noise-reduction designs.

3. Missiles and Drones:
– Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced missiles use stealth to penetrate enemy defenses.

4. Land Vehicles:
– Tanks and armored vehicles incorporate stealth coatings and designs for battlefield advantage.

5. Surveillance:
– Stealth drones and sensors are used in intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and tracking operations.

6. Civilian Uses:
– Concepts like noise-reduction in transportation, such as electric vehicles, benefit from stealth principles.

Advantages of Stealth Technology

The advantages of stealth technology extend well beyond reducing visibility:

1. Operational Superiority:
– Allows forces to operate undetected, giving them a significant tactical advantage.

2. Survivability:
– Reduces the likelihood of detection and targeting by adversaries.

3. Precision Strikes:
– Enhances mission effectiveness by allowing stealthy penetration into hostile environments.

4. Versatility:
– Adaptable for various platforms, including aircraft, ships, submarines, and vehicles.

5. Enhanced Safety:
– Reduces collateral damage by enabling targeted operations.

Examples of Stealth Technology

Several iconic examples demonstrate the efficacy and evolution of stealth technology:

1. F-117 Nighthawk:
– The world’s first operational stealth aircraft, designed primarily for radar evasion.

2. B-2 Spirit Bomber:
– A long-range bomber with an all-wing design to minimize radar visibility.

3. F-22 Raptor:
– A fifth-generation fighter aircraft known for its radar-absorbing coatings and advanced stealth features.

4. Virginia-Class Submarine:
– Utilizes acoustic stealth to operate undetected in hostile waters.

5. Zumwalt-Class Destroyer:
– A stealth warship with angular designs and radar-absorbent materials.

6. RQ-170 Sentinel Drone:
– Known as the “Beast of Kandahar,” this UAV combines stealth and advanced surveillance capabilities.

Challenges and Limitations

While stealth technology provides numerous benefits, it also encounters significant challenges:

1. High Costs:
– Stealth platforms are expensive to design, build, and maintain.

2. Technological Countermeasures:
– Advanced detection methods, like low-frequency radar, challenge stealth capabilities.

3. Limited Payloads:
– To maintain stealth, platforms often compromise on weapon load and internal space.

4. Environmental Conditions:
– Factors like weather can impact the effectiveness of stealth features.

5. Energy Demand:
– Sophisticated stealth systems often require high energy, limiting their operational endurance.

Future of Stealth Technology

The future of stealth technology lies in adaptive and intelligent systems. Emerging trends include:

– Quantum Stealth: Advanced materials that bend light to make objects invisible.
– AI Integration: Autonomous systems capable of dynamic stealth adjustments.
– Hypersonic Applications: Developing stealth features for high-speed vehicles.
– Advanced Materials: Nano-coatings and metamaterials for enhanced stealth.

Conclusion

Stealth technology represents a pivotal advancement in modern engineering and defense. From radar evasion to acoustic stealth, its applications have reshaped military strategy and continue to influence various fields. As detection methods evolve, so too will stealth technologies, ensuring their relevance in a rapidly advancing technological landscape.

The post Stealth Technology Definition, Types, Working & Applications appeared first on ELE Times.

Graphics chip designer Imagination Technologies is up for grabs again. A Bloomberg report claims that Canyon Bridge Capital Partners, the private equity firm with ties to Chinese state investors, has hired Lazard Inc. to seek a buyer for the Hertfordshire, U.K.-based chip designer.

Imagination, once a promising graphics technology outfit, could never recover after the Apple fiasco and the perception of Chinese ownership. According to media reports, Apple, which owned an 8.1% stake in Imagination, considered buying the British chip designer in 2016. However, after failing to agree on Imagination’s valuation, Apple left the negotiating table and announced that it would start developing its own graphics IP.

Apple contributed to nearly half of Imagination’s sale, sending shock waves at the British chip company at that time. The company’s stock fell by 70%, and in 2017, Canyon Bridge, backed by state-owned China Reform, acquired Imagination for $686 million. Soon after, Imagination began shedding its non-core businesses; for instance, it sold its connectivity business Ensigma comprising Wi-Fi and Bluetooth silicon to Nordic Semiconductor.

Next came the issue of China gaining access to key semiconductor technology. The effort to appoint new board members and Imagination’s listing in Shanghai proved hot potatoes, leading to intervention from the U.K. regulators to ensure that Imagination remains a U.K.-headquartered business. The company has been in distress since then.

Figure 1 Imagination has more than 3,500 patents related to graphics and related technologies.

Its CEO, Simon Beresford-Wylie, has denied a recent Daily Telegraph report that he’s stepping down. He also rejected some reports about the company engaging in illicit transfers of technology to China. Earlier, in November 2023, Reuters reported that Imagination was laying off 20% of its staff.

With this backdrop, let’s go back to Imagination on the selling block. The Bloomberg report has named Alphabet Inc.’s Google, MediaTek, Renesas, and Texas Instruments as Imagination’s key clients. But no suitors have been reported in trade media yet.

Imagination owners are pinning their hopes on two major factors. First, they draw their hopes from Nvidia’s runaway success in the graphics realm. Though Nvidia’s GPUs are targeted at entirely different markets such as data centers and scientific computing. Imagination, on the other hand, mainly offers graphic solutions for lower-power markets such as automotive, PC cards, drones, robotics, and smartphones.

Second, like Nvidia, Imagination aims to bolster its standing by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) content in its graphics IP offerings. The British chip firm plans to turn its graphics IP into AI accelerators for low-power training and inference applications.

Figure 2 Imagination is aiming to bring graphics-centric AI to battery-powered devices like drones and smartphones.

Imagination, founded in 1985, has come a long way in its 40-year long technology journey. Once seen as a jewel in Britain’s technology crown, it’s now facing the paradox of a struggling company with a highly promising technology. Perhaps its new owner could address that paradox and put the graphics design house in order.

Related Content

• Re-imagining Imagination Technologies
• Imagination’s RISC-V gambit reaches its next level
• Imagination Raises $100 Million Investment To Take On Edge AI
• GPU specialist Imagination to create 250 engineering jobs in 2022
• Imagination Sells Ensigma Wi-Fi Business to Nordic Semiconductor

The post Is Imagination Technologies for sale again? appeared first on EDN.

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Made during challenge "12hours to 200kv". It's not safe, it's not wise but looks kind of cool. submitted by /u/Alexandria_Cinis [link] [comments]

Edwin Henry Colpitts (January 19, 1872 – March 6, 1949)
James Kilton Clapp (December 03, 1897 – 1965)

The two persons above are the geniuses who gave us two classic oscillator circuits as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 The two classic oscillators circuits: Colpitts (left) and Clapp (right).

We’ve looked at these two oscillators individually before in “The Colpitts oscillator” and “Clapp oscillator”.

However, a side-by-side examination of the two oscillators is additional time well spent.

The Clapp oscillator was devised as an improvement over the Colpitts oscillator by virtue of adding one capacitor, C3, in the above image.

The amplifier “A” is nominally at a gain value of unity, but as a matter of practicality, the gain value is slightly lower than that because the amplifier is really a “follower”. If made with a vacuum tube, then “A” is a cathode follower. If made with a bipolar transistor, then “A” is an emitter follower. If made with a field effect transistor, then “A” is a source follower. The concept itself remains the same.

Each oscillator works because the RLC network develops a voltage step-up at the frequency of oscillation. The “R” is not an incorporated component though. The “R” (R1 or R2) simply represents an output impedance of the follower. The 10 ohms that we see here is purely an arbitrary value guess on my part. The other components are also of arbitrary value choices, but they are convenient values for illustrating just how these little beasties work.

We use SPICE simulations to examine the transfer functions of the two RLC networks as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Colpitts versus Clapp spice simulations using the transfer functions of the two RLC networks.

Each RLC network has a peak in its frequency response which will result in oscillation at that peak frequency. However, the peak of the Clapp circuit is much sharper and narrower than that of the Colpitts circuit. This narrowing has the beneficial effect of suppressing spectral noise centered around the oscillation frequency.

Note in the examples above that the oscillation peaks differ by 0.16% and that the reactance of the L1 inductor and the reactance of the L2 C3 pair differ by 1.12%. That’s just a matter of my having chosen some convenient numbers with the intent of having the two curves match in that regard at the same peak frequency. (I almost succeeded.)

The Clapp oscillator has several advantages over the Colpitts oscillator. The transfer function peak of the Clapp circuit is narrower than that of the Colpitts which tends to yield an oscillator output with less spurious off-frequency energy meaning a “cleaner” signal.

Another advantage of the Clapp circuit is that capacitors C4 and C5 can be made very large as the L2 C3 combination is made to look like a very small inductance value at the oscillation frequency. The larger C4 and C5 values mean that any variations of those capacitance values brought about by variations of the input capacitance of the “A” stage have a minimal effect on the oscillation frequency.

That’s because frequency control of the Clapp circuit is primarily set by the series resonance of the L2 C3 pair rather than the parallel resonance of L1 versus the C1 C2 pair in the Colpitts circuit. If the “A” input capacitance tends to vary for this reason or that, the Clapp circuit is far less prone to an unwanted frequency shift as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 A Clapp versus Colpitts frequency shift comparison showing how the Clapp circuit (right) is far less prone to this unwanted shift in frequency.

John Dunn is an electronics consultant, and a graduate of The Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (BSEE) and of New York University (MSEE).

Related Content

• The Colpitts oscillator
• Clapp oscillator
• Emitter followers as Colpitts oscillators
• Oscillator has voltage-controlled duty cycle

The post Clapp versus Colpitts appeared first on EDN.

Polar Light Technologies (PLT) — which stems from research by founder professor Per-Olof Holtz and his team at Linköping University (with support from Sweden’s innovation agency Vinnova) — has fabricated 625nm-wavelength red-light-emitting pyramidal micro-LED based on its non-etching bottom-up concept. The firm has hence achieved red, green and blue pyramidal micro-LEDs using the same material compound...

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DigiKey, a leading global commerce distributor offering the largest selection of technical components and automation products in stock for immediate shipment, is proud to sponsor the Eleckart competition during the 2025 Shaastra Technical Festival in Chennai, India, from Jan. 3-7, 2025.

The Eleckart event will test students’ understanding of digital electronics and their problem-solving capabilities using a minimal set of resources. The event consists of two rounds. The first round will test participants’ knowledge of creating electronic circuit diagrams using DigiKey’s Scheme-it platform. The final round will be on circuit building using actual components while managing the points that are deducted through components taken. Winners will receive prizes up to ₹50,000.

The festival is hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) and showcases engineering, science and technology with competitions, lectures, exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops. Students can register for technology-related workshops focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT), rocket propulsion, Arduino, CAD for industrial designs, AI and machine learning, and quantum computing.

“DigiKey is excited to sponsor the Eleckart competition during IITM’s Shaastra Technical Festival and have a chance to connect with the 60,000 attendees that will visit the summit,” said Y.C. Wang, director of global academic programs at DigiKey. “India is one of DigiKey’s top markets and this opportunity allows us to interact with students, engineers and designers who will foster future innovations in India and around the world.”

On Jan. 4, DigiKey representatives will showcase Sparkfun’s Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) at the Eleckart event. Students can visit the DigiKey table to learn about the organization’s largest selection of technical components and about DigiKey’s tech resources such as online conversion calculators, PCB builders and design tools. Students can also receive free DigiKey PCB rulers.

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GigaDevice has introduced the GD32H75E 32-bit MCU, featuring an integrated GDSCN832 EtherCAT subdevice controller, which is also available as a standalone device. Both components target industrial automation applications, including servo control, variable frequency drives, industrial PLCs, and communication modules.

Powered by an Arm Cortex-M7 core running at up to 600 MHz, the GD32H75E microcontroller includes a DSP hardware accelerator, double-precision floating-point unit, hardware trigonometric accelerator, and filter algorithm accelerator. It also comes with 1024 KB of SRAM, up to 3840 KB of flash memory with security protection, and a 64-KB cache to enhance CPU efficiency and real-time performance.

The MCU’s integrated EtherCAT subdevice controller, licensed from Beckhoff Automation, manages EtherCAT communication, acting as an interface between the EtherCAT fieldbus and the sub-application. It includes two internal PHY ports and an external MII. With 64-bit distributed clock support, it enables synchronization with other EtherCAT devices, achieving DC synchronization accuracy to within 1 µs.

The GD32H75E MCU is available in two variants: one with two internal Ethernet PHYs and another that supports bypass mode, both housed in BGA240 packages. Samples and development boards are available now, with mass production planned for Q2 2025.

GD32H75E product page

GigaDevice 

Find more datasheets on products like this one at Datasheets.com, searchable by category, part #, description, manufacturer, and more.

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Airoha Technology’s AB1595 Bluetooth audio chip features a 6-core architecture and a built-in AI hardware accelerator. It consolidates functions typically spread across multiple chips into a single SoC and achieves Microsoft Teams Open Office certification.

The AB1595 uses AI algorithms and input from up to 10 microphones to improve speech clarity by reducing background noise. This collaboration allows it to accurately distinguish between the user’s voice and environmental sounds, achieving professional-grade speech quality. In noisy environments like offices and cafes, it enhances voice noise suppression from 10 dB up to 40 dB, optimizing speech quality and elevating consumer headsets to professional teleconference standards.

Real-time adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC) in the AB1595 boosts environmental noise attenuation across a wide frequency range. It detects the user’s wearing condition (e.g., fit or leakage) and adjusts compensation accordingly. Internal filters automatically adapt to both the fit and surrounding noise, balancing effective noise cancellation with comfort for a superior wearing and listening experience.

Airoha reports that the AB1595 has been adopted by customers, with products expected to be available in Q1 2025. A datasheet was not available at the time of this announcement. Contact Airoha Technology here.

Airoha Technology 

Find more datasheets on products like this one at Datasheets.com, searchable by category, part #, description, manufacturer, and more.

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