AFR Enterprises Blog - page 2

Generators and alternators are both common systems used to generate electrical current, but while a generator is able to produce direct current (DC) voltage, an alternator supplies alternating current (AC) voltage. Although AC voltage can be useful for a number of applications, it cannot be used for devices such as batteries that are commonly found in automobiles and aircraft alike. Despite this, alternators are a very common feature in such vehicles, providing the power necessary to charge batteries and power electrical systems. Since AC voltage cannot be used in these instances, devices known as rectifier diodes must be in place for the means of transforming AC voltage into DC voltage. Read more >>

Power supply units employ various circuit-level components to achieve a desired output. Such elements may include resistors, transistors, capacitors, diodes, or any combination of the above. More often, in complex power supply units, specialty devices must be implemented to perform a task. One such device that plays an integral role in the conversion of alternating current to direct current is the bridge rectifier circuit. This component, which has been used with regular frequency since its invention in the late 1800s, remains a staple in many power supply units of the modern era. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about bridge rectifier circuits, including their design, operating principle, and variants. Read more >>

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A thermistor is a type of resistance thermometer or resistor that has functions which depend on temperature. It is a temperature-sensing element made up of a sintered semiconductor material. A thermistor is also a powerful tool that exhibits a huge change in resistance which is proportional to a small temperature change. Thermistors are of two types - positive temperature coefficient (PTC) and negative temperature coefficient (NTC) viations. In this blog, we will talk about positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors in particular. Read more >>

Diodes are a staple of digital electronic circuits, serving to direct current in a single direction. This is done through a low resistance being implemented in one direction, while a high resistance deters flow in the other. In a forward bias diode, the polarity of the external voltage will oppose the built-in potential, causing current to flow through the p-n junction. However, some diodes will have an external voltage that is of the same polarity as the built-in potential, blocking the flow of current as per the reverse bias phenomenon. There are various types of diodes available on the market, each varying in their characteristics of voltage and current to accommodate different applications. Varactor diodes in particular are types that are known for their ability to take on the application of reverse voltages. As a diode type commonly found in various FR filters, parametric amplification circuits, and other assemblies, it can be beneficial to have a better understanding of its design. Read more >>

Operational amplifiers are a form of integrated circuit capable of amplifying weak electric signals, boasting an output that is upwards of 100,000 times the potential difference of the input terminals. They were first developed in 1968 by Fairchild, such products featuring high reliability, low cost, low power consumption, and compact packaging. This eventually led to the release of the Texas Instrument LF353N, that of which is a type of dual JFET op-amp with high input impedance and JFET connected inputs. In this blog, we will discuss the LF353N op-amp in more detail, allowing you to better understand its operations and applications. Read more >>

Field effect transistors, or FETs, are a commonplace electronic component found in many circuit assemblies. Coming in the form of assembled discrete electronic components, FETs are capable of managing the flow of current through the voltage that is induced at the gate terminal. While FETs are often found in numerous power control, electronic switching, and amplification applications, their primary use is within integrated circuits where they enable large scale assemblies to operate with ease. In this blog, we will discuss FETs in more detail, allowing you to have a better understanding of their common functionalities and types. Read more >>

Whether an electronic circuit is used to power a simple calculator or advanced server systems, many of the same basic building block components are used to construct such assemblies. Across all circuits, the resistor, capacitor, and inductor are the most widely used components, each of which serve varying roles. While resistors manage and control the flow of current, capacitors are capable of storing electrical energy within an electric field as a passive component. Inductors, on the other hand, are quite similar to capacitors, albeit storing energy within a magnetic field. In this blog, we will discuss inductors in more detail, allowing you to better understand their design and use within electronic circuitry. Read more >>

In digital electronic projects, encoders and decoders play a particularly important role, allowing data to be converted from one form to another. They are commonly found in communication systems such as those related to telecommunication and networking, enabling the transfer of data. Similarly, within the digital realm, encoders and decoders transmit data. With this in mind, this blog will cover their use in a diverse set of applications and how they work. Read more >>

Resistors are commonplace components for countless electronic components, coming in the form of passive components that impede the flow of current within electrical circuits. Resistors can come in numerous forms, many featuring varying designs and characteristics that allow them to take on differing roles. Depending on the resistor, one may use such components for dividing voltages, generating heat, controlling gain, terminating transmission lines, and much more. To familiarize yourself with resistors, we will provide a brief overview of the most common types. Read more >>