PCF8574 and I/O Bus Expanders

I2C bus and PCF8574

Every so often, a new innovation comes barrelling into the electronics industry and remains useful for decades to come. Almost 40 years after it was introduced, the inter-integrated circuit (I2C) protocol is still a popular low-speed signaling standard for interfacing between host controllers, sensors, slave components, and much more.

Component Footprints for Hardware Start-Ups

Creating a custom schematic symbol in a SPICE program.

Creating a hardware start-up is perhaps one of the most challenging tasks an entrepreneur can take on, especially because a hardware start-up requires a vast amount of resources.

MSP430: Applications for Low Power MCUs

MSP430 applications on a PCB

When you think of embedded systems, plenty of different applications come to mind. Anything from a programmable microwave to an electronic control unit in an automobile qualifies as an embedded system. Each of these applications needs a different type of processor to provide its functions. For smaller devices like wearables and always-on products, you’ll need […]

How to Create a Bill of Materials

Organizing an electronics project can be a daunting task. Collaborating between design and engineering teams—while making sure a project uses the best parts for the job—can get complicated quickly.

ULN2003 Datasheet: Discussing Transistor Arrays and Parameter Necessities

DPAK transistors and ULN2003 datasheet

Instead of using multiple discrete transistors to build Darlington pairs, you can use a ULN2003 or one of its variants. Here’s where you can find a ULN2003 datasheet. IoT products, environmental products, and anything else that needs analog sensor fusion will operate at a variety of signal levels. The signal type also varies from sensor […]

Making the Best Engineering BoM For Your Electronics Production

An engineering BoM, also called an engineering bill of materials, specifies how a finished electronics project is designed. It is a standardized and centralized source of information that guides electronics manufacture. In its simplest form, it can be a single table of materials with their associated costs and other relevant data.  Its construction is often […]

LM358 Datasheet: Applications for Low Power Operational Amplifiers

LM358 datasheet op-amp

Every engineer remembers the classic LM356 op-amp from their electronics lab classes. Looking for an op-amp for your next system? Every engineer is likely familiar with the LM358 and the specifications in the LM358 datasheet. This common op-amp has plenty of uses in DC and low-frequency AC applications. There are many other op-amps that provide […]