How Does a Boost Converter Work? The basic principle of a Boost converter consists of 2 distinct states: In the On-state, the switch S is closed, resulting in an increase in the inductor current. In the Off-state, the switch is open and the only path offered to inductor current is through the diode D, the…

What is a BGA Package? A BGA package is a surface-mount packaging type that uses a grid of solder balls to connect the IC to the PCB. The solder balls are arranged in a matrix on the bottom of the package, with the IC mounted on the top. BGAs offer several advantages over other packaging…

Introduction to AM Radio Schematics An AM radio schematic is a diagram that shows the electrical connections and components needed to build a simple AM radio receiver. Understanding how to read and create an AM radio schematic is an essential skill for anyone interested in electronics and radio technology. In this article, we will provide…

What is BGA? BGA, or Ball Grid Array, is a type of surface-mount packaging used for integrated circuits (ICs) that utilizes a grid of solder balls as the connection points between the package and the printed circuit board (PCB). This packaging technology has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its numerous advantages over…

What is an AM Loop Antenna? An AM loop antenna is a type of radio antenna designed specifically for receiving amplitude modulation (AM) radio signals. It consists of a loop of wire or a coil that is tuned to resonate at the frequency of the desired AM radio station. AM loop antennas are commonly found…

SMT vs THT: A Quick Overview Before we delve into the details, let’s take a quick look at the key differences between SMT and THT Mounting: Characteristic SMT THT Component placement On the surface of the PCB Through holes in the PCB Solder connection Surface mount pads Leads inserted through holes Component size Smaller, more…

What is the PCB Bottom? The PCB Bottom refers to the side of the printed circuit board opposite the component side (top side). It is the side that typically faces downward when the board is installed in a device. The bottom side contains the bulk of the copper traces that electrically connect the components on…

Introduction to ERP Radio ERP radio, short for “Effective Radiated Power”, is a measure of the power radiated by a radio transmitter’s antenna in a specific direction. It is the product of the transmitter power and the antenna gain in a given direction relative to a half-wave dipole antenna. ERP is used to quantify and…

Introduction to FM Radio and Receivers FM (frequency modulation) radio is a popular way to wirelessly transmit audio signals. In FM, the frequency of the carrier wave is varied to encode the audio information, while the amplitude remains constant. This makes FM more resistant to noise and interference compared to AM (amplitude modulation) radio. An…

Introduction to FR4 TG130 FR4 TG130 is a specialized type of printed circuit board (PCB) material that has gained significant attention in the electronics industry due to its unique properties and performance characteristics. This high-quality substrate is designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern electronic applications, offering excellent thermal stability, mechanical strength, and electrical…