Friday, June 27, 2008

Low-Cost Anemometer Fights Dust

This application note describes a low-cost circuit that can detect when a chassis fan filter has become clogged with dust. It does this by using a temperature sensor to determine the rate of cooling of a transistor in the air path of the cooling fan, thereby implementing a simple thermal anemometer.

source: http://pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/an/AN844.pdf

LX1970 VISIBLE LIGHT SENSOR

The LX1970 light sensor can be used in conjunction with an LCD Front or Back Light Controller such as the LX1992 for LEDs or the LX1689 for CCFLs. This application note describes how to design in the LX1970.

Source: http://www.microsemi.com/micnotes/1403.pdf

Saturday, June 21, 2008

AM portable radio receiver by ZN414 IC




An AM portable radio receiver made from the ZN414 IC. The ZN414 ic has now been replaced by the MK484 which is identical in performance and pinout.

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Micro Power AM Broadcast Transmitter

In this circuit, a 74HC14 hex Schmitt trigger inverter is used as a square wave oscillator to drive a small signal transistor in a class C amplifier configuration. The oscillator frequency can be either fixed by a crystal or made adjustable (VFO) with a capacitor/resistor combination. A 100pF capacitor is used in place of the crystal for VFO operation. Amplitude modulation is accomplished with a second transistor that controls the DC voltage to the output stage.


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