A sound generator is an integrated circuit or a voice chip with a standard CMOS process & fixed voice storage memory. This IC generates audio signals with analog, digital (or) mixed-mode electronics. The sound generator IC examples are; YM3812, UM66, UM3561, SN76477, SN76489, AY-3-8910, YM3812, 6581, etc. So, these ICs are utilized in different applications like toys, alarm circuits, musical instruments, computer sound cards, arcade game machines, etc. This article elaborates on one sound … [Read more...]

A synchronous step-up DC to DC-converter is an integrated circuit that enhances voltage supply from an input to an output. So this type of SMPS (switched-mode power supply) utilizes a minimum of two semiconductors like a transistor, a diode, and a single energy storage element. These converters are more efficient than nonsynchronous converters including 95% optimal operation efficiencies. The applications of this converter involve powering natural LED panels, charging white LED backlights, … [Read more...]

The 4000 series CMOS logic family ICs were introduced first by RCA in 1968. These are lower-power alternatives to 7400 series TTL ICs with a binary counter & an oscillator. After that, it was migrated slowly into the 4000B buffered series in 1975. These ICs have a wider voltage supply range than the contemporary logic family. So, CD4060 IC is one of the 4000 series CMOS logic chips well-known for its high noise immunity and low power consumption. This article elaborates on the CD4060 IC, … [Read more...]

The MT3608 IC was manufactured by a specialized production company like XI'AN Aerosemi Tech in February 2011. This company manufactures different electronic components and high-quality chips, which have been used widely in various fields in China to contribute to the development of the semiconductor industry. This company can also focus on serialized power management chip products development like IoT chips, smart homes, power battery management systems and LED green lighting driver chips for … [Read more...]

A voltage regulator is an IC, used to provide a fixed and stable output voltage apart from a change within the input voltage or load. Similarly, a low-dropout regulator is a DC linear voltage regulator that works even when the voltage supply is extremely close to the o/p voltage. The benefits of an LDO regulator compared to another voltage regulator mainly include smaller device size, lack of switching noise, better design simplicity, etc. So the LDO voltage regulator like LP2985 from Texas … [Read more...]

Li-ion battery charger is an integrated circuit that regulates battery charging voltage and current used in portable devices like; laptops, tablets & cell phones. Compared to other battery charger ICs, Li-ion batteries contain the highest energy densities, providing a high voltage per cell to tolerate high currents. Additionally, Li-ion batteries do not include a memory effect, so they do not consider a low charge ability if they are completely charged before depleting. But, Li-ion batteries … [Read more...]

The ZN414 IC is a single, low-cost AM radio chip designed and supplied in 1972 by Ferranti. This chip was very popular and the original IC from Ferranti was provided in a 3-pin metal TO-18 package. After that, its variants came within 8-pin DIL packages like; ZN415 and ZN416 with an in-built amplifier that could drive directly small speakers and headphones. Thus, the ZN414 IC manufacturing procedure is a relatively new called; CDI (Collector Diffusion Isolation), invented by Bell Telephone … [Read more...]

The optocoupler is a reliable and versatile component, used in modern electronic systems which bridge the gap between electrical isolation & signal transmission. This is designed with a singular channel configuration by incorporating an IR LED & an NPN phototransistor. So it is perfect for applications requiring high-performance signal processing and robust electrical separation. The key attributes of an optocoupler mainly include maximum CE voltage, an isolation voltage, wide operating … [Read more...]

A voltage regulator is an integrated circuit that is used to maintain a stable output voltage instead of changing the input voltage (or) load conditions. Almost every electronic device is designed with a voltage regulator to keep the load voltage stable. Generally, a voltage regulator may utilize a simple feed-forward design (or) may contain negative feedback, an electromechanical mechanism (or) electronic components. It is used to adjust one (or) more AC or DC voltages based on the design. … [Read more...]