Analog University: attend National Semiconductor lectures

Published:2011/8/7 22:16:00 Author:Li xiao na From:SeekIC

By David Daamen



Sure, the Internet contains thousands of electronic circuits covering equally vast numbers of applications. That’s all very well, but King Shallow & Sgt Superficial often rule and it may take a lot of searching if you really want to know all the ins and outs of a certain design aspect. Of course, enough theory may be found in datasheets and application notes published but various renowned manufacturers, but somehow the method does not appear very efficient.

In this month’s installment of Review Copy we’d like to draw your attention to National Semiconductor’s ’Analog University’, a virtual academy that’s existed for about a year now and has grown into a sizeable collection of mini courses covering a wide range of subjects. The curriculum is divided into the following categories:
- Power Management, about linear and switch-mode power supplies and converters;
- LVDS, about low voltage differential signalling and bus configurations, as well as transmission lines for these technologies;
Data Conversion, about analogue-to-digital converters;
- Audio, about thermal properties and cost cutting;
- Displays, about the principles behind the design of TFT and CRT screens;
- Wireless, basics of RF technology and information on various PLL techniques;
- Thermal Management, about thermal control systems, analogue and digital temperature sensors;
- Amplifiers, about (highspeed) opamps, low-power and low-voltage amplifiers;

The courseware comprises, among others, articles. application notes and pointers to relevant contributions in the Knowledge Base. Moreover quite a few subjects are supported by Online Seminars. Using a Java presentation — complete with sheets and sound — your lecturer will explain the subject matter in great detail. Eventually, the knowledge acquired in this way may be verified with the aid of a short research assignment or a quiz. The lectures are also accessible via a separate overview.

National’s website offers a lot more, including a massive Knowledge Base with a search engine. There’s also a section called Design Tools comprising WEBENCH, an on-line design, simulation and construction assistant!

Finally, we should not forget to mention The Bob Pease Show’ aptly called Reality TV for Analog Designers by National Semiconductor themselves.

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