Inspiring the Evolution of Embedded Design

November 5, 2024


Analog and Power

XP Power Launches New Series of Baseplate Cooled DC-DC Brick Converters

The RDF series, with high efficiency, high reliability, world-wide industrial safety approvals and compliance to transportation standards, remote on/off and wide output trimming, benefits system designers with easy integration into a wide range of applications including renewable energy, battery systems, autonomous equipment, factory automation and harsh railway applications.

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CISSOID’s SiC Inverter Control Module Empowers ePTO Solution

Specially adapted for E-PTO mounting, the XRe series is quiet and offers remarkable efficiency, reduced pulsations due to its 9-piston design, and high speed in self-priming mode. Together, the ME230 and XRe provide high-performance and efficient electro-hydraulic solutions for a variety of applications.

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Keysight Expands Signal Generator Portfolio with New Portable, General-Purpose Solutions

These new solutions provide radio frequency (RF) engineers with portable and compact tools for component and device characterization at frequencies up to 26 GHz.


RF engineers rely on signal generators to develop and test components and devices across consumer electronics, wireless networks, radar systems, and more. These tools are essential for producing continuous waveform and analog modulation signals during the design and testing process.

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Build a Universal Infrared Remote

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Editor's Desk by Kirsten Campbell



Precision in Power Handling

Analog circuits directly manipulate real, continuous voltages and currents, giving them a unique role in power applications. Unlike digital systems that rely on binary states, analog designs interact seamlessly with the real world—precisely controlling variables like current, voltage, and frequency. For instance, while digital circuits can "interpret" high and low states, analog circuits can continuously adjust their output to match real-time demands. This characteristic gives analog power systems superior adaptability, which is vital for applications like audio amplification, medical imaging, and even the precise power modulation needed in electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Although analog has distinct advantages, it's not about choosing analog over digital—it’s about using them together effectively. Modern power systems are hybrids, leveraging analog’s precision and reliability alongside digital’s programmability and control. Take the example of smart grids: digital systems monitor and predict power usage, while analog circuits ensure that power flows continuously and efficiently. Without analog, the real-world application of these smart systems would falter under unpredictable power demands.


In fields where safety is paramount—think aerospace, medical devices, and industrial automation—analog designs offer unmatched predictability. Unlike digital circuits, which can encounter processing delays and data corruption, analog systems provide a direct, stable output that engineers can trust. Analog’s reliability is particularly critical in situations where power continuity is essential, such as in the backup power systems for hospitals or emergency equipment. While digital offers flexibility, analog guarantees a level of dependability that’s hard to match.


From the mastery required in design to its unyielding reliability, analog engineering is integral to applications where every milliwatt counts. For engineers, diving into analog isn’t merely about nostalgia—it’s a pursuit of understanding the real-world dynamics of power, an art form where precision, efficiency, and control meet. In this way, analog power design remains as relevant—and as fascinating—as ever.


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