Front-Facing Cameras (Off Battery)

The specifications of the feedback (FB) voltage resistor divider in DC-DC converters often poses various design challenges, such as determining the required resistance or adjusting parameters (e.g. output voltage, upper divider resistance or lower divider resistance). Figure 1 shows the various magnitude combinations for the FB upper and lower divider resistances. This article examines the ...

Automotive electronics suppliers are faced with escalating cost pressures in the race to produce autonomous, connected, and electrified solutions. One effective way to reduce design costs is by using 2-layer automotive PCBs. However, 2-layer PCBs require special care, as they can have poor thermal characteristics, which leads to compromised performance. In this article, an automotive expert will ...

Modern life has become more convenient due to battery-powered applications for electric tools, vacuum cleaners, electric bikes, and outdoor power supplies for camping. As wireless charging continues to be more widely used in applications, lithium battery safety is a growing concern, so designers are looking to develop battery monitoring and protection solutions. A battery pack is made up of multi...

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and infotainment system-on-chips (SoCs) are offering increasingly higher computing power, which in turn results in higher power demands. An SoC can require more than 10 different power rails, with currents ranging from hundreds of amperes (A) to a few mA. Crafting an optimal power tree for these applications is not a trivial task. This article will discuss...

DC/DC instability occurs due to a variety of factors, such as improper compensation parameters or insufficient layout. This article will discuss subharmonic oscillations, a form of instability that can be generated when current mode switching regulators have a continuous inductor current and a duty cycle exceeding 50%. These oscillations then create unstable power supplies. To learn about subharm...

Designing the compensation network for buck regulators can be tedious and may require several iterations to optimize the solution. Having an optimized control loop, which can enable fast transient response while maintaining proper stability, has become a major challenge with the emergence of new applications such as ADAS and fast transient response requirements. To address these issues, buck regul...

The high power density requirement and board-level space constraints in modern applications — such as lighting, ADAS, and USB — call for higher integration in buck regulators. There is a trend to integrate MOSFETs and compensation networks inside the chip. This integration of the compensation network’s passive components saves cost, board space, and design iterations. However, it...

Start-stop functionality is expected to be featured in more and more new car models from any manufacturer. However, this presents a challenge in automotive electronics design as starting the motor in cold weather can make the battery’s voltage drop as low as 3V. This is called a “cold crank.” The power stage for most 12V automotive systems consists of a single buck converter tha...

The MPM3515-AEC1 is a 36V, 1.5A, high-voltage, automotive-grade power module from Monolithic Power Systems (MPS). This part inherits the key advantages of the MPM module family: very compact size, ease of use, and high performance. It offers an output current of up to 1.5A with performance features tailored to automotive use, including AECQ grade 1 qualification, a high operating frequency of up t...

There are a wide array of features in a smart car’s cockpit that can enhance driving experience. For example, full LCD central control screens and high-definition displays have made user experience smoother and simpler. With the addition of voice recognition, drivers can make calls and use intelligent navigation. High-quality sound and ambient lighting provide an immersive experience while listeni...