[sdiy] More EDN design ideas; linear regulators

[Bob Gonsalves]

1. Pulse-width Conversion Tips

At press time, this week's most popular Design Idea among EDN readers
was, "Circuit converts pulse width to voltage,"
http://article.e-inSITE.net/UM/T.ASP?A5.15.1386.2.910807891 .
(The polls haven't closed yet - you can still vote for your favorite DI
on EDN's home page www.ednmag.com .)

Following up with another pulse-width conversion tip, we point you to
"Convert periodic waveforms to square waves"
http://article.e-inSITE.net/UM/T.ASP?A5.15.1386.3.910807891

..coincidentally contributed by Ron Mancini, EDN's popular analog
columnist, and represented in the following Analog inSITE collection of
Mancini nuggets on linear regulators.

(Keep in mind that if you have an excellent design approach to share
with your fellow engineers, you can submit it at:
http://article.e-inSITE.net/UM/T.ASP?A5.15.1386.4.910807891 )

2. Understanding Linear Regulators

By Ron Mancini: Linear regulators convert unregulated dc voltage to
regulated dc voltage. They couple excellent regulation characteristics
with excellent noise performance and simplicity of use, but their low
efficiency and high dropout voltage slightly nullify these advantages.
http://article.e-inSITE.net/UM/T.ASP?A5.15.1386.5.910807891

For more on the underlying principles of feedback that linear regulator
design is based on, check out Ron's two part article, "Feedback Made
Simple"
Part 1: http://article.e-inSITE.net/UM/T.ASP?A5.15.1386.6.910807891
Part 2: http://article.e-inSITE.net/UM/T.ASP?A5.15.1386.7.910807891