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1500 questions
369
votes
8 answers
What is the difference between \$V_{CC}\$, \$V_{DD}\$, \$V_{EE}\$, \$V_{SS}\$
I've seen lots of schematics use \$V_{CC}\$ and \$V_{DD}\$ interchangeably.
I know \$V_{CC}\$ and \$V_{DD}\$ are for positive voltage, and \$V_{SS}\$ and \$V_{EE}\$ are for ground, but what is the difference between each of the two?
Do the \$C\$,…
Shubham
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346
votes
6 answers
Why is there so much fear surrounding LiPo batteries?
I've been trying to design a charging system for a small robot powered by a 2S 20C lithium polymer (LiPo) battery. Were I to trust everything I read online, I would believe that the LiPo will kill me in my sleep and steal my life savings. The common…
Cerin
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328
votes
8 answers
Rules and guidelines for drawing good schematics
There are a lot of poorly drawn schematics here. A few times people have actually asked for critiques of their schematics. This question is intended as a single repository on schematic drawing rules and guidelines can point people to. The question…
Olin Lathrop
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- 36
- 428
- 915
322
votes
6 answers
Choosing power supply, how to get the voltage and current ratings?
Power supplies are available in a wide range of voltage and current ratings. If I have a device that has specific voltage and current ratings, how do those relate to the power ratings I need to specify? What if I don't know the device's specs, but…
Olin Lathrop
- 310,974
- 36
- 428
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293
votes
38 answers
Basic Electronics Book
I need basic electronics books (diodes,transistors,current.. etc) as I am just starting out with electronics and want to have something to read over the holiday.
Any suggestions of good beginners' books?
Nathan
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274
votes
3 answers
What is it that strips vocals from audio when a 1/8" audio jack is partially unplugged?
Every once in a while, my eighth-inch audio jack will slip loose and I'll seemingly lose only the voice part of a track -- leaving somewhat of a "karaoke" version. What I would guess about how audio plugs work suggests that I'd be making this up;…
editor
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248
votes
9 answers
Decoupling caps, PCB layout
I guess I've been somewhat ignorant when it comes to the finer details of pcb layout. Lately I've read a couple of books that try their best to lead me on the straight and narrow. Here is a couple of examples of a recent board of mine, and I have…
morten
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243
votes
37 answers
Good tools for drawing schematics
I was going to add a bit of information to my post on a previous day using schematics and some instructions. What programs are being employed for this purpose?
I mostly want to see what others are using and that I can easily use to give descriptive…
Kortuk
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223
votes
7 answers
Why was Mini USB deprecated in favor of Micro USB?
Mini USB connectors were standardized as part of USB 2.0 in 2000. In 2007, the USB Implemeters Forum standardized Micro USB connectors, deprecating Mini USB connectors four months later.
Why? What are the advantages of Micro USB over Mini USB that…
Dan Fabulich
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- 6
218
votes
17 answers
What is a decoupling capacitor and how do I know if I need one?
What is a decoupling capacitor (or smoothing capacitor as referred to in the link below)?
How do I know if I need one and if so, what size and where it needs to go?
This question mentions many chips needing one between VCC and GND; how do I know if…
Redwood
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206
votes
13 answers
What's the difference between a microcontroller and a microprocessor?
What's the difference between a microcontroller and a microprocessor?
endolith
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202
votes
4 answers
USART, UART, RS232, USB, SPI, I2C, TTL, etc. what are all of these and how do they relate to each other?
As a novice electronics hobbyist, I have heard these terms and more being thrown around everywhere. At its root, I understand that they are all based on communication between devices, computers, peripherals, etc.
I have a basic understanding of how…
capcom
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198
votes
8 answers
Why does USB have 4 lines instead of 3?
USB specifies 4 pins:
1. VBUS +5V
2. D- Data-
3. D+ Data+
4. GND Ground
Why is this not 3? Could the Data and Power not share a common ground? Am I correct in understanding that D- is the ground for D+?
Mark Harrison
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188
votes
11 answers
How much does it cost to have a custom ASIC made?
I have browsed several ASIC manufacturer's webs, but I haven't found an actual number.
I assume there would be a fixed cost associated with creating masks and such and then there will be a cost per unit.
Note: that I don't actually want to have an…
avakar
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183
votes
16 answers
Is C++ suitable for embedded systems?
A common question, here and elsewhere. Is C++ suitable for embedded systems?
Microcontrollers? RTOSes? Toasters? Embedded PCs?
Is OOP useful on microcontrollers?
Does C++ remove the programmer too far from the hardware to be efficient?
Should…
Toby Jaffey
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