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My DIY Microphone PCB!

Reddit:Electronics - 9 hours 19 min ago
My DIY Microphone PCB!

A small microphone I designed for Hack Club's Highway to Hardware program! Still needs some modifications to work properly for daily use - but still incredibly happy it works!

The build was supported by Hack Club, a not-for-profit for supporting teenagers to create and build hardware and software!

All the design files are available on Github at: https://github.com/ConfusedHello/USB-Mic

submitted by /u/ConfusedHornPlayer
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Diodes Inc. Hones In on Video Signal Integrity With Hybrid Driver ICs

AAC - 14 hours 10 min ago
The new 3.3 V, four-channel hybrid redrivers may promote HDMI signal integrity for high-fidelity video transmission.

I made a small pcb with an esp to control a led strip i found on the streets

Reddit:Electronics - 15 hours 21 min ago
I made a small pcb with an esp to control a led strip i found on the streets

I found a 24v led strip but because I didn't have anything to control it, I decided to make a pcb to do so! It's very overpowered for what I currently use it for, but because of the way it's designed and the psu, i could maybe power 50 meters!
Everything including firmware is open source at https://github.com/espcaa/led-system

submitted by /u/espcaaa
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Regulator delivers clean power to sensitive circuits

EDN Network - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 23:14

Diodes’ AP7372 low-dropout (LDO) regulator offers high power supply ripple rejection (PSRR) and low output noise for precision signal chains. It powers ADCs, DACs, VCOs, and PLLs, helping meet stringent ripple and noise targets in test and measurement, communication, industrial automation, and medical applications.

The AP7372 maintains just 8 µVRMS output noise, independent of fixed output voltage, and delivers PSRR of 90 dB at 10 kHz, 70 dB at 100 kHz, and 52 dB at 1 MHz. Operating from 2.7 V to 20 V, it provides up to 200 mA of output current with a typical 120-mV dropout voltage at 200 mA The wide input range covers common rails (19.5 V, 12 V, 5 V) and single-cell Li-ion sources, while outputs from 1.2 V to 5.0 V suit analog and mixed-signal loads.

Four fixed-output voltages are available—1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5.0 V—along with an adjustable output down to 1.2 V. A dedicated resistor-divider pin allows fine adjustments above the nominal fixed-output values. The LDO also provides an enable pin for system-level control, such as power-up sequencing or shutdown when the regulator is unused. Shutdown current is approximately 3 µA, with a quiescent current of 66 µA.

The AP7372 LDO regulator costs $0.30 each in 1000-piece quantities.

AP7372 product page

Diodes

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eFuse limits current on server input rails

EDN Network - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 23:14

A 60-A eFuse from Alpha & Omega, the AOZ17517QI, is optimized for 12-V input power rails in servers, data centers, and telecom infrastructure. Operating from 4.5 V to 20 V (27 V absolute maximum), it safeguards the main input bus from interruptions caused by abnormal loads or fault conditions.

The eFuse co-packages a high-performance IC with protection features and a high-SOA trench MOSFET, which serves as the device’s controllable power switch. It continuously monitors current through the MOSFET, limiting it if it exceeds the set threshold. If the overcurrent persists, the switch turns off, safeguarding downstream devices much like a conventional fuse.

MOSFET on-resistance of 0.65 mΩ isolates the load from the input bus when the eFuse is off. Built-in startup SOA management and additional protections enable glitch-free system power-up and safe hot-plug operation.

The AOZ17517QI offers auto-restart or latch-off options. Prices start at $1.80 each in 1,000‑unit quantities. It is available now in production quantities, with a lead time of 14 weeks.

AOZ17517QI product page

Alpha & Omega Semiconductor 

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DC-link capacitors endure heat and moisture

EDN Network - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 23:14

Knowles’ Cornell Dubilier Type BLS DC-link capacitors operate in harsh environments with temperatures up to 125°C. The company reports the capacitors exceed industry standards in temperature-humidity bias (THB) testing, achieving a 100% longer lifespan than comparable devices.

The series undergoes 2000 hours of THB testing at 85°C and 85% relative humidity at rated voltage. Type BLS capacitors also meet automotive-grade electrical and mechanical requirements per AEC-Q200, ensuring reliable operation under high temperature and moisture conditions.

Type BLS DC-link capacitors operate across a wide temperature range, from –55°C to 125°C, maintaining stable capacitance and low ESR even under the thermal stress of high-speed SiC switching. They offer capacitance values from 1 µF to 220 µF and voltage ratings between 450 VDC and 1100 VDC.

Encased in UL94-V0 rated plastic with thermosetting resin potting, the capacitors resist solvents and mechanical stress for long-term durability. Versatile mounting options allow horizontal or vertical board placement with 2- or 4-pin configurations.

Check availability, request samples, or get a quote on the product page linked below.

Type BLS product page

Cornell Dubilier  

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TVS diodes shield consumer electronics interfaces

EDN Network - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 23:14

TDK has added three new models to its SD0201 series of TVS diodes for USB Type-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt connections. They protect sensitive circuits in smartphones, laptops, wearables, and networking devices from ESD and transient surges.

Each component comes in a 0201 chip-scale package with dimensions of 0.58×0.28×0.15 mm, suited for space-constrained designs. With working voltages of ±1 V, ±2 V, and ±3.6 V, the TVS diodes meet the IEC 61000-4-2 standard for ESD robustness up to ±15 kV and handle surge currents up to 7 A, depending on the variant. Their symmetrical design enables bidirectional protection for I/O interfaces, and they feature low leakage current with dynamic resistance down to 0.16 Ω.

The three new devices in the SD0201 series differ in their DC working voltages and parasitic capacitances:

  • SD0201SL-S1-ULC101 (B74121U1036M060): ±3.6 V, 0.65 pF
  • SD0201-S2-ULC105 (B74121U1020M060): ±2 V, 0.7 pF
  • SD0201SL-S1-ULC104 (B74121U2010M060): ±1 V, 0.15 pF

Datasheets for the TVS diodes are available for downloading on the product page linked below.

SD0201 series product page

TDK Electronics

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Montage broadens timing device lineup

EDN Network - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 23:14

Fabless semiconductor company Montage Technology is now sampling its clock buffers and spread-spectrum oscillators, following the mass production of its clock generators. Designed for precise, low-jitter performance, these devices deliver reliable timing for AI servers, communication infrastructure, industrial control systems, and automotive electronics.

Clock chips generate the reference signals that maintain synchronization across system components. Leveraging expertise in mixed-signal IC design, core I/O technology, and PLL integration, Montage’s portfolio supports complete clock tree implementations, enhancing timing accuracy and system efficiency in a range of applications.

The timing portfolio includes clock generators with up to four independent differential outputs and clock buffers with four to ten scalable outputs for lossless signal distribution. It also features spread-spectrum oscillators that suppress EMI to enhance system stability. The devices deliver low output phase noise and offer flexible per-channel configuration—covering I/O type, drive strength, voltage, frequency, and spread spectrum—for precise receiver alignment.

Montage offers six clock generator models now in mass production, along with twenty clock buffer models and four spread-spectrum oscillators available for sampling. For more information, visit the product page linked below or email globalsales@montage-tech.com.

Clock chip product page 

Montage Technology 

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Пам'яті Федіра Федоровича Дубровки

Новини - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 21:40
Пам'яті Федіра Федоровича Дубровки
Image
kpi чт, 08/14/2025 - 21:40
Текст

Адміністрація КПІ ім.

Arm Reveals Plans to Outfit Its GPUs With Dedicated Neural Accelerators

AAC - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 20:00
New AI upscaling tech points to a 2026 mobile graphics future driven by on-chip inference.

Analysis of large data acquisitions

EDN Network - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 17:42

Digital acquisition instruments like oscilloscopes and digitizers are incorporating increasingly large acquisition memories. Acquisition memories with lengths in the gigasample (GS) range are commonly available. The advantage of long-acquisition memories is that they can capture longer-time records. They also support higher sampling rates at any given record duration, providing better time resolution.

The downside of these long records is the time required to analyze them. Most users couple the instrument to a host computer and transfer the data records to the host computer for post-acquisition analysis.

The longer the record, the longer the transfer time and the slower the testing. Many instruments have added tools to allow internal analysis within the instrument, allowing only the results of the analysis to be transferred instead of all the raw data. This can save a great deal of time during testing. This article will investigate the use of several of those analysis tools.

Case study: The startup of an SMPS

Testing the startup of a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) provides an example of a relatively long acquisition. Figure 1 shows an example of a 10-ms acquisition covering the startup of an SMPS.

Figure 1 A 10-ms acquisition showing the startup of an SMPS, including the drain-to-source voltage (channel 1-yellow), drain current (channel 2-red), and gate drive voltage (channel 3-blue) of the FET switch. Source: Art Pini

This record, sampled at 250 megasamples per second (MS/s), has 2.5 million samples per channel. That is a lot of data to render on a screen with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. The oscilloscope acquires and stores all the data, but when more than 1920 samples are being displayed, it compacts the displayed data. Rather than just sparse the signal records, which might cause the loss of significant data points, it detects the significant peaks and valleys and includes those values on the display. This enables users to find significant events within the compacted displays.

Basic measurements

There are three acquired waveforms. The drain-to-source voltage (VDS), drain current (ID), and gate-to-source voltage (VGS) of the primary FET switch. The test will look at the variation in these signals as the power supply controller powers up the supply. Some basic measurements of the signal amplitudes are made and displayed. The peak-to-peak amplitudes of VDS and ID, as well as the amplitude of VGS, are shown as parameters P1, P2, and P3, respectively.

The frequency of the VGS signal and the number of edges contained in the acquisition appear as parameters P4 and P5. Amplitude measurements are taken once per acquisition. Time measurements such as frequency, period, width, and duty cycle are made once per waveform cycle. So, the frequency measurement includes all 1163 cycles acquired. This is an example of “all instance measurements.” This feature ensures that every cycle in the signal is captured in the measurement.

Zoom in on the details

All the acquired data is stored in the instrument’s acquisition memory and can be expanded using zoom traces to see the details, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Zoom traces provide horizontally or vertically expanded views of the acquired traces, allowing detailed study of the elements of each acquired waveform. Source: Art Pini

In the figure, the zoom traces of the acquired waveforms are horizontally expanded and displayed at 5 ms per division, with a horizontal expansion of 200:1. The zoom traces are taken from the area of the acquired waveform highlighted with higher intensity. The SMPS uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to control its output power.

The zoom traces show the variations in the amplitude and duty cycle of the waveforms just after the gap at 456 ms in the acquired waveforms. The zoom traces are locked together to keep the displayed waveform time synchronous. They can be scrolled horizontally or vertically to show the details in any part of the source waveforms.

Finding desired events in long records

The question of locating areas of interest in these long acquisitions has several answers. Histograms of measured parameters can display the range of values and the number of measurements made by the instrument. A measurement track displays any measurement value versus time. The track can be aligned with the source waveform to show where in the acquisition that value occurs. Some instruments offer scanning functions to map where, in the long record, specific values of a measured parameter occur. These features are extremely useful in analyzing long records.

Histograms

A histogram plots the number of measured values occurring in a small range of measured values (known as a bin) against the nominal measured value. It counts the number of measurements in each bin. Figure 3 shows a histogram measuring the duty cycle of the VGS waveform.

Figure 3 The histogram of the duty cycle measurement of the VGS waveform shows the distribution of measured values with a mean value of 28.4%, a maximum value of 38.9%, and a minimum value of 0.3%. Source: Art Pini

The histogram shows the range of values encountered in a measurement. This example shows that the most commonly occurring value of the duty cycle is 31.6%. This is read from the X@peak parameter (P4). The range of duty cycle values is from 0.3 to 38.9%. This data is based on 1164 measurements shown in the total population measurement (totp – P8). How is the location of the maximum value of the duty cycle found? A measurement track matches measurements to a specific cycle in the acquired waveform.

Measurement track

A measurement or parameter track is a waveform comprised of a series of measured parameter values plotted against time at the same sample rate as the source waveform on which the measurement was made. It is time synchronous with the source waveform.

Figure 4 is an example of a measurement track based on the duty cycle at level (duty@lv) measurement of the VGS waveform.

Figure 4 The trace F1 is the track of duty@lv parameter (P1) values over the entire acquisition. It is time synchronous with the trace of channel 3. Source: Art Pini

The track function, located beneath the source waveform, illustrates how the duty cycle of the gate drive signal changes over time during SMPS startup. After a brief gap, it rises steadily until it reaches a plateau, then drops to a relatively stable value.

The parameter maximum (max-P2) reads the maximum value of the duty cycle as 38.59%. The parameter horizontal location of the maximum (x@max-P3) locates the maximum at 3.12 ms after the trigger (zero time). The parameter markers (blue dashed lines) mark these values on the track display. The center of the zoom traces can be set to 3.12 ms, and the zoom traces are expanded about that point to show the specific cycle of each waveform with the maximum duty cycle.

The VGS voltage appears in zoom trace Z3. The duty cycle at level is read for that specific cycle of the VGS signal in parameter P4, confirming that it is the cycle with the maximum duty cycle value. The track function helps locate specific waveform events within the long record without manually scrolling through the whole waveform to find them.

Tracks can show a variety of characteristics, such as peaks, valleys, periodicity, or rate of change. Periodicity in a track of frequency or phase provides information about frequency or phase modulation, respectively. In this example, the track has a nearly linear slope as the controller adjusts the duty cycle. The rate of change is of interest and can be easily measured, as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 Using the relative horizontal cursors to determine the rate of change of the duty cycle of the VGS waveform over the linearly changing portion of the track. Source: Art Pini

The relative horizontal cursors read the slope of the waveform between the cursor lines. This value is displayed and highlighted by an orange box in the waveform annotation box for the math trace F1 as 7.03 k% per second (7% per millisecond).

WaveScan—automatic scan and search of long waveforms

The oscilloscope used in this example has a scan and search engine called WaveScan that can locate unusual events in a single capture or scan for a specific measurement event in multiple acquisitions over a long period. WaveScan has over twenty search modes for analog or digital channel acquisition events. Figure 6 shows an example of a search using WaveScan to find all instances of a duty cycle measurement greater than 38%.

Figure 6 Using WaveScan, an automatic search tool, to search the VGS waveform for duty cycle values greater than 38%. Source: Art Pini

The WaveScan setup dialog box shows the search criteria set up to find duty cycle values greater than 38%. WaveScan can search based on measurements, waveform edges, non-monotonic edges, and serial data patterns. A numeric search, such as those on measurements, can be based on values greater, less, than, within a range, outside of a range, or for the rarest events.

In the example, the search is based on measuring the duty cycle at level with values greater than 38%. The search results are marked with red lines on the source trace and appear in the table in the upper left corner. Each event matching the search criteria is listed in the table in the order of occurrence. The maximum duty cycle value of 38.859%, located previously, is item 3. The table entries are hyperlinked to the Zoom trace, and if one is selected, it will center that event in the Zoom trace. In the example, event six is selected. The zoom trace Z1 has been centered on the sixth cycle with a duty cycle greater than 38%, highlighting its location at 3.2295 ms.

Post-acquisition analysis tools

Modern instruments offer longer acquisition times and include a host of tools to aid in analyzing the data generated. Features such as compaction, zoom, histograms, track, and WaveScan enable various analyses and measurements. The tools also augment the measurements by annotating them numerically or graphically on the display. These features enable local analysis, which accelerates testing and reduces the amount of data that needs to be transferred to external computers.

Arthur Pini is a technical support specialist and electrical engineer with over 50 years of experience in electronics test and measurement.

 Related Content

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Top 10 Deep Learning Frameworks

ELE Times - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 14:59

As technology rapidly evolves, deep learning a subset of machine learning that uses neural networks to model and understand complex patterns in data has emerged as a transformative force across industries, powering innovations from autonomous vehicles to intelligent automation;

A deep learning framework is a software library that simplifies building and training neural networks by providing pre-built components like layers, optimizers, and tools for automatic differentiation. A deep learning framework operates in four key stages: model definition involves specifying the neural network architecture using a programming interface; forward propagation processes input data through the network to generate predictions; loss calculation and backpropagation compute errors and adjust weights using automatic differentiation; and optimization trains the model using algorithms like SGD or Adam, followed by deployment to various platforms. These frameworks support both training and inference, enabling smooth transition from experimentation to production.

Major AI applications are powered by well-known deep learning frameworks: Google Translate’s neural machine translation is powered on TensorFlow, whereas PyTorch facilitates OpenAI’s GPT models and Meta’s research. Keras is utilized in the classification of instructional images; MXNet makes it possible for Amazon Alexa to recognize voice; Caffe aids medical image analysis; JAX handles physics simulations and protein modeling; and ONNX helps deploy models across platforms like PyTorch to TensorFlow for edge devices

Here are the top 10 deep learning frameworks-

  1. TensorFlow

Developed by Google Brain, TensorFlow is put forward across many consumers as the most famous deep learning framework in 2025. It was first used by Google internally for some research and development projects back in 2015, but after seeing the immense potential of the framework, it was decided that an official public release would be made. It is a highly scalable and flexible framework supporting multiple programming languages and hardware platforms including CPUs, GPUs, and TPUs. TensorFlow sees many applications including image recognition, speech synthesis, and fraud detection. Its lightweight mobile offerings TensorFlow Lite and TensorFlow.js bring AI to phones and browsers.

  1. PyTorch

PyTorch, created by Meta AI, is beloved by researchers for dynamic computation and intuitive design. Initiated in 2016 by a group of individuals from Facebook’s AI lab comprising Adam Paszke, Sam Gross, Soumith Chintala, and Gregory Chanan, the framework powers the latest NLP models such as ChatGPT and BERT. It is largely deployed in academic research, autonomous driving systems, and in real-time computer vision applications.

  1. Keras

Keras is designed to be a high-level API for easily and quickly building and training neural networks. First made public in 2015 as part of the ONEIROS project (Short for Open-ended Neuro-Electronic Intelligent Robot Operating System).

Being a frontend for TensorFlow, it is great for beginners and rapid prototyping. Because of the simple handling of pre-trained models, Keras is commonly found in tasks involving sentiment analysis, recommendation engines, and medical image classification.

  1. MXNet

MXNet excels for multi-GPUs setup, supported now by Apache Software Foundation and Amazon. It is used for real-time object detection in retail, multilingual NLP models, and voice assistants, including Alexa. The fact that it supports multiple languages means it’s an excellent option for global development teams.

  1. Caffe

Created by the Berkeley Vision and Learning Center (BVLC), Caffe is a deep learning framework well renowned for its speed and modularity in image processing tasks. It found popular uses with an expressive architecture and efficiently implemented CNNs. Caffe is popular for real-time image classification, facial recognition systems, and visual search engines.

  1. JAX

Created by Google Research, JAX is a pretty cool toolkit. It offers NumPy-like syntax combined with automatic differentiation and GPU/TPU adaptations. It can be used for scientific computations, custom ML algorithms, and large-scale training of neural networks.

  1. Theano

Theano was one of the first frameworks for deep learning, developed by the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms (MILA). It discontinued maintenance after some time. Today, though mostly abandoned, Theano’s legacy still lives in the other popular frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch. Theano is still used actively for symbolic differentiation and efficient GPU numerical computation in some academic research.

  1. MindSpore

MindSpore, developed by Huawei, is targeted for AI across cloud, edge, and devices. It finds applications in natural language processing, computer vision, and autonomous systems. Due to its favorable attention toward privacy protection and efficient deployment, MindSpore is catching up in sectors like healthcare and smart manufacturing.

  1. Deeplearning4j (DL4J)

Developed by Skymind, DL4J is tailored for Java-based enterprise AI solutions. It’s applied in financial modeling, cybersecurity threat detection, and customer churn prediction. Its integration with Hadoop and Spark makes it ideal for big data analytics.

  1. Chainer

Developed by Preferred Networks in Japan, Chainer is recognized for its flexibility in defining networks of all kinds. Reinforcement learning for gaming purposes, bioinformatic research, and robotics are ways in which this application develops capabilities. Its “define-by-run” architecture is supposed to allow dynamic learning systems. It is loved by the experimental kinda-AI set.

Conclusion:

The importance of selecting a framework may increase as deep learning continues to influence the technologies of the future. There are several different ecosystems, each with its own unique set of advantages. TensorFlow chose production-grade scalability, while the other chose a research-friendly strategy. The combination of cloud integration, open-source innovation, and hardware acceleration will guarantee that deep learning remains at the forefront of AI advancements across a range of industries well into 2025.

The post Top 10 Deep Learning Frameworks appeared first on ELE Times.

Vibration motors: The key to compact haptic solutions

EDN Network - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 13:29

Vibration motors are the silent workhorses behind tactile feedback in wearables and handheld devices. These compact actuators convert electrical signals into physical cues, enriching user interaction. Whether you are prototyping or troubleshooting, understanding their behavior and integration is key to designing responsive, reliable hardware.

Let’s start with the basics: How they generate vibration, and what sets different types apart.

ERM and coin vibration motors

As is often valuable to design engineers, vibration motors can be categorized by form factors to simplify selection and integration. The two primary types are eccentric rotating mass (ERM) vibration motors and coin vibration motors.

ERM vibration motors generate vibration by spinning a mass that is offset from the center of rotation. This off-center mass creates an imbalance, producing the desired vibration effect. These motors typically have a cylindrical form factor, with the rotating shaft and eccentric mass often exposed. Their design is straightforward and well-suited for applications where space constraints are less critical.

Coin vibration motors, sometimes referred to as “pancake” motors, also rely on an offset rotating mass to produce vibration. However, they feature a flat, compact, and fully enclosed form factor. Internally, they contain a short shaft and a flat mass that is offset from the center of rotation, allowing the mechanism to fit within the coin-shaped housing.

Although coin motors operate on the same ERM principle, industry convention typically distinguishes them by form: the exposed cylindrical type is commonly referred to as an ERM vibration motor, while the flat, enclosed type is known as a coin or pancake vibration motor.

Figure 1 ERM and pancake vibration motors generate haptic feedback via eccentric rotating mass. Source: Author

LRA vibration motors

While our primary focus has been on vibration motor form factors, there is another important category worth highlighting: linear resonant actuator (LRA) vibration motors. In terms of external appearance, LRAs often resemble coin vibration motors, sharing the same flat, compact form factor. This visual similarity can be misleading, as the underlying mechanism is fundamentally different.

Unlike ERM motors, which rely on a rotating offset mass driven by a unidirectional current, LRAs operate using a linearly oscillating mass. This mass moves back and forth in a controlled manner, following the principles of simple harmonic motion. Because the direction of movement continuously changes, LRAs require an alternating current (AC) signal with a specific frequency that matches the resonant frequency of the actuator.

This distinction in operating principle allows LRAs to deliver more precise and efficient haptic feedback, making them well-suited for applications where responsiveness and control are critical. Despite their similar form factor to ERM and coin motors, LRAs represent a distinct class of vibration technology.

Figure 2 LRA vibration motor generates haptic feedback via resonant linear actuation. Source: Author

Keep note that there is also a growing category of brushless vibration motors, typically based on brushless DC (BLDC) technology. These motors offer improved durability and efficiency compared to traditional brushed ERM designs, thanks to the absence of mechanical brushes.

While they may share similar cylindrical or coin-like form factors, their internal construction and control requirements differ. Brushless vibration motors are especially useful in high-reliability applications where splendidly long mean time before failure (MTBF) and low maintenance are priorities.

Figure 3 BLDC motors often feature additional wires that enable functions like speed regulation and directional control. Source: Author

How to use actuators

Up next, we take a closer look at how to use these tiny actuators effectively in your designs.

To start with, ERM and coin vibration motors that run on DC can be powered directly from a suitable DC source. But when it comes to haptics—where you want the motor to respond to input—you will probably want to hook it up to a microcontroller. That way, you can control not just the on/off state but also tweak the amplitude and define vibration profiles.

For those seeking integrated driver solutions, ICs such as the NCP5426 offer a reliable and efficient alternative to using a simple BJT or MOSFET.

LRAs, on the other hand, operate on an AC signal and are tuned to a specific resonant frequency. Driving them properly usually means using a dedicated LRA driver to ensure optimal performance.

At this point, it’s worth noting that the DRV2605/DRV2605L from Texas Instruments is a popular motor driver designed for haptic feedback applications. Unlike basic motor drivers, it can generate nuanced vibration patterns, making it ideal for creating tactile feedback that feels responsive and intentional. Thus, it offloads waveform generation from the host processor, simplifying design and saving resources.

Quick note: After reviewing numerous datasheets, a few general trends emerge. Most ERM vibration motors are rated around 3 V, with a starting voltage near 2.5 V and a rated current close to 100 mA at full voltage.

In contrast, most LRAs tend to have a rated voltage of approximately 2 V RMS, a nominal operating current around 150 mA, and a resonant frequency of 150 Hz ±5Hz. That said, consider these figures as ballpark estimates rather than absolutes. Always double-check with the specific datasheet!

Other design considerations

When it comes to mounting vibration motors, they are typically placed within an enclosure or directly onto a PCB. For enclosure-based setups, custom 3D-printed housing can be a convenient way to fasten the motor. If you are mounting the motor to a PCB, many models offer through-hole pins for straightforward soldering. For coin and LRA types, the adhesive backing is usually sufficient for reliable attachment.

As a little extra, here is a handy blueprint for testing/driving a 6-wire vibration motor with integrated driver (Model NFP-BLV3650-FS, for example)

Figure 4 This handy little circuit tests and runs most vibration motors with internal drivers. Source: Author

Just to round things off, there are numerous ways to integrate haptic feedback into your devices, with vibration motors being one of the most accessible options. Whether you opt for a simple implementation or a more sophisticated approach, adding haptics can significantly elevate your device’s user experience and overall effectiveness.

The insights shared here are intended to serve as a springboard, hopefully helping you incorporate haptic feedback into your designs with confidence and creativity.

T. K. Hareendran is a self-taught electronics enthusiast with a strong passion for innovative circuit design and hands-on technology. He develops both experimental and practical electronic projects, documenting and sharing his work to support fellow tinkerers and learners. Beyond the workbench, he dedicates time to technical writing and hardware evaluations to contribute meaningfully to the maker community.

Related Content

The post Vibration motors: The key to compact haptic solutions appeared first on EDN.

TekkaSketch: Reinventing the Etch-a-Sketch with E-Ink and ESP32 Innovation

Open Electronics - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 13:20

The iconic Etch-a-Sketch, a toy beloved by generations, always had one major limitation: a drawing mistake meant shaking the entire device and starting over from scratch. With the TekkaSketch project, this limitation is overcome thanks to a modern approach that integrates digital functions while preserving the classic aesthetic. The idea stems from observing the original […]

The post TekkaSketch: Reinventing the Etch-a-Sketch with E-Ink and ESP32 Innovation appeared first on Open-Electronics. The author is Boris Landoni

Govt Confirms Tariff Stability for Indian Pharma, Electronics

ELE Times - Thu, 08/14/2025 - 13:19

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has clarified that no additional tariffs have been imposed on Indian exports to the United States in the pharmaceutical and electronics sectors. As per a written reply in the Lok Sabha, this announcement would bring relief to exporters in these sensitive sectors facing concerns about possible duty hikes.

In the meantime, the Ministry said that other goods have been subjected to a reciprocal tariff of 25% from August 7 and that this applies to around 55% in value of India merchandise exports to the US. Furthermore, on August 27, the ad valorem duty of 25% on certain goods will come into being.

The government undertakes consultations with stakeholders, including exporters, MSMEs, and the industry, for the assessment of these measures. It was emphasised that top priority will continue to be given to protecting the interest of farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, and all sections of the industry.

On the trade diplomacy front, India and the US are continuing negotiations on a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) aimed at enhancing market access, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and improving supply chain integration. Talks began in March 2025, with five rounds completed so far the latest held in Washington from July 14 to 18. The US delegation is set to arrive in India by the end of August for the sixth round of Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiation.

The Department of Commerce is closely monitoring the situation to evaluate the potential repercussions of the tariff changes and is working on strategies to mitigate any adverse effects. Measures such as export promotion and market diversification are being explored to support affected industries.

The post Govt Confirms Tariff Stability for Indian Pharma, Electronics appeared first on ELE Times.

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