Explore every episode of the podcast Würth Elektronik Watts Up Podcast

This podcast is designed for newcomers to the world of electronics and for educators aiming to help their students understand the fundamental concepts of key components.

We'll simplify the essentials of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and transistors—explaining what they are, how they function, and their various applications. Whether you're an aspiring engineer, a professional transitioning into the electronics field, or a teacher seeking to provide your students with a basic understanding of these components, this podcast will help you build a solid foundation in electronics.

Learn more about the featured components:

• Resistors
• Capacitors
• Inductors
• Diodes
• Transistors

EMC, or electromagnetic compatibility, is crucial in everyday scenarios and can enhance various applications. This podcast will cover the fundamentals of EMC, explore the influence of PCB layout, and examine electromechanical components that improve compatibility. For a full video and to view product materials, visit our website at www.we-online.com/podcast. 

Anymore, passive components which are solely tested with AEC-Q200 standards are still insufficient for automotive use. Additional tests are crucial for ensuring high-quality components in vehicle electronics. This podcast explores design tips using components meeting AEC-Q22 qualifications for reliable automotive designs. Watch the full webinar on demand here or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

In this podcast episode, we talk about why Switched-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) are preferred over linear power supplies in power supply design, and discuss the challenges of selecting the correct SMPS topology to meet cost, efficiency, and design requirements effectively. To compare types of SMPS topologies, including Non-isolated and Isolated topologies, click here or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com.

In this podcast, we'll show you how to effortlessly decrease the temperature on your PCB. We'll begin by guiding you through the art of designing traces based on two key IPC standards, then test the process with examples and tests. To watch the video, visit www.we-online.com/podcast. 

The technological overhaul taking place in hospitals and medical centers is undoubtedly improving medical procedures. Doctors and health professionals benefit from operating with the highest possible video image quality for the most accurate representation of patients’ conditions. With the advent of medical-grade visualization systems, procedural workflows improve, and high-quality, zero latency uncompressed video images are transmitted over long-distances for better collaboration, education and monitoring. This podcast is based on a paper published in All About Circuits. Today, we will introduce high-bandwidth uncompressed video connectivity for medical diagnostic equipment based on Valens' chipset VS3000 HDBaseT reference design solution, developed in collaboration with Würth Elektronik passive components.  

Download the article at All About Circuits: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/industry-white-papers/challenges-and-advantages-of-high-bandwidth-uncompressed-video-connectivity-for-medical-diagnostic-equipment/ 

Visit Valens online: https://www.valens.com/stello-family 

In this audio only episode, we're diving into the world of temperature sensors and taking a look at the different technology approaches of those sensors. We'll be focusing on Wurth Eletkronik's WSEN-TIDS temperature sensor a digital interface, and talk about the advantages of these sensor types in Industry 4.0 and IIoT Applications. Replay the video and other podcasts at https://www.youtube.com/wuerthelektronik/podcasts 

Wurth Elektronik is diving into the world of radio modules and exploring their diverse applications across industries. Whether it's remote control systems, wireless sensors, or even smart home devices, these modules play a pivotal role in bringing our innovative ideas to life. We'll be discussing short-range devices, also known as SRDs, as well as industrial, scientific, and medical or ISM radio links. Learn more about our line of wireless connectivity at https://www.we-online.com/en/components/products/wco .

In today's segment, we are discussing cracks on molded power inductors. We're also showing the visual asymmetry around the core which may occur during the manufacturing process of WE-LHMI inductors series.

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Download the Application Note Here.

The world of technology is ever changing. Wide bandgap power semiconductor devices like Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs are enjoying growing popularity in many modern power electronic applications like E-mobility and renewable energy. Their extremely fast switching speed capability helps to increase efficiency and reduce the overall size and cost of the system. However, fast switching together with high operating voltages and increasing switching frequencies presents important challenges to the gate driver system. Rugged galvanic isolation, compliance with safety standards, control signal noise immunity and EMI performance- Those are just some of the most important aspects that designers need to consider.

An optimal design of the isolated auxiliary supply providing the voltage and current levels to drive the SiC or GaN device is critical to help the full gate driver system meet the many requirements set by state-of-the-art applications. And today we're going to explore this design.

Download the Application Note here.

https://www.we-online.com/components/media/o190156v410%20ANP082b%20EN.pdf

As technology progresses, EMC continues to grow in importance and there is now a demand to know the characteristics of EMC components being used beyond their current, typical application range. In this podcast, we'll explain the different properties between multilayer ferrite beads in high frequency and standard multilayer ferrite beads, as well as a new methodology developed for the measurement of DC bias at high frequencies. Download the complete Application Note, ANP045, at www.we-online.com/appnotes or click here. 

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New technology is being pushed to operate at increased bandwidths over wider frequency ranges. It's important for design engineers to have a reliable all-purpose radio frequency (RF) amplifier on hand. The standard process when changing the operating frequency range of an existing RF amplifier usually requires a new design, but in today's podcast, we will explain why that may not be necessary. Download the complete Application Note, ANP101, at www.we-online.com/appnotes or click here. 

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In this podcast, we will discuss several iterations of a transformer, all that achieve the same fundamental requirements. We will also illustrate failure modes that are often overlooked by online design tools, and then demonstrate solutions that could reduce cost and improve performance. Click here to watch the complete Webinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

Thermal management is a challenge due to the miniatiruzation of designs, components, and an increase in power density. In this podcast, we will discuss Thermal Interface Materials and how a good thermal management of your designs will ensure longer component and device lifetime. Click here or visit www.we-online.com/catalog/tm to view Wurth Elektronik's line of Thermal Interface Materials.

In this episode, we are talking about the function of power modules. Our purpose is to provide an overview of the MagI3C Power Modules from Wurth Elektronik and compare different power modules against other discrete solutions. We will also discuss power module features and benefits as well as explore applications for power modules. To view slides from the podcast, visit Digi-Key online or click here. 

Capacitor datasheets are often misunderstood and it is very possible that you are not getting the expected performance in your application. In this podcast, we will explain what information can be found in data sheets and what may be missing, but desperately needed, to understand the behavior of capacitors in circuits and applications. Click here to watch the complete Webinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

When designing a circuit, one of the main considerations you need to take is the expected lifetime; not only based on the product itself, but also all the individual components included. For optocouplers, the performance degrades over time depending on the operating conditions. In this podcast, we'll give an introduction into how Wurth Elektronik tests the lifetime of its optocouplers and how you can calculate the expected lifetime of your application. We'll also give special tips and tricks into how to operate the optocouplers for increased lifetime.  Click here to download the complete App Note, ANO006, or visit www.we-online.com/appnotes. 

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Learn the theory on selecting and implementing the right power line filter to reduce conducted emissions. Based on the strategy to separate differential mode and common mode components, we'll explain how to select a filter to pass the tests and demonstrate the effectivements of modal separation by a theoretical approach and live demonstration. Click here to watch the complete Webinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

There are many different applications in the market that are initiating high demand for products with higher current capability and the best performance in terms of losses and thermal behavior. In response, Wurth Elektronik has created an ever-expanding portfolio to fill the needs of customers. Today, we will discuss the importance of inductors, as well as some key features of inductors in specific designs. Download the slides here. 

In this podcast, we'll take a look at the transformers impact on conducted and radiated EMI in an application and what designers should avoid during the design process in order to minimize EMI. We will explain in detail what practical construction techniques we can employ in order to mitigate these potential emissions. We will also discuss good EMC design practices, and finally cover additional EMI reduction measures. Click here to watch the complete Webinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

Short, sweet, and to the point. Learn how the WE-FLEX and WE-FLEX HV series of flexible transformers could work for your isolated DC/DC converters. In this brief podcast, we'll discuss the benefits of each transformer, explain the differences between the two series, and explain how to understand the important parameters in order to select the right transformer in the right configuration. Click here to check out the entire line of WE-FLEX and WE-FLEX HV flexible transformers from Wurth Elektronik.

Humidity and temperature have always been critical for many components, and one of the most important are capacitors. Depending on the application, a wide variety of environmental conditions can occur. The location of use also determines the resulting humidity and temperature. An application in subtropical countries has a different demand on the components than the application in countries with more moderate climatic conditions. In the field of discrete mains filter, there are special components, and these components are designed for harsher environmental conditions. Click here to watch the complete Webinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

WE are doing Throwback Thursday #TBT – For the next few weeks, we’re republishing our most popular podcasts of the last year. Last week, we replayed our Webinar, "Basics of Power Inductors," with our presenter, George Slama, Senior Application and Content Engineer with Wurth Elektronik. Today, we continue our series on power, with the sequel webinar "Basics of Power Transformers," and discuss the differences between transformers and inductors and key functions they provide. Click here to replay the Webinar On Demand, or visit www.we-online.com/webinar. 

WE are doing Throwback Thursday #TBT – For the next few weeks, we’re republishing our most popular podcasts of the last year. This podcast comes from a WEbinar presented by Würth Elektronik's George Slama, Senior Application and Content Engineer. This first session covers inductors and how to specify and select the correct one. Click here to replay the Webinar on Demand or visit www.we-online.com/webinars.

WE are doing Throwback Thursday #TBT – For the next few weeks, we’re republishing our most popular podcasts of the last year. In last week's broadcast, we began our discussion regarding the design of a USB but from a viewpoint of EMC considerations. We discussed the hardware and components, EMC circuitry, and the use of a USB filter. This week, we begin with the filter for DC supply.

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WE are doing Throwback Thursday #TBT – For the next few weeks, we’re republishing our most popular podcasts of the last year. Next up, our very popular episode, "USB Interface from an EMC POV- Part I." Today's discussion centers around the Universal Serial Bus, commonly known as USB.  We'll be discussing the interface from an EMC point of view, and talk about technologies, hardware and components, PCB layout, and more.

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WE are doing Throwback Thursday #TBT – We’re republishing our most popular podcasts of the last year. First up, "Safe, Reliable Designs for Non-Isolated Offline Switchers with 400VDC Rated Power Inductors."

Although the majority of AC offline converters and switching converters that run from hazardous voltage, include galvanic isolation for safety, there are many applications where non-isolated circuits can be used. Where mechanical isolation protects the user and service personnel from contact with hazardous voltages, or for where both input and output voltage are on the primary side of isolated converters, the buck regulator and buckboost regulators are often more efficient, use less PCB area and cost less to implement than flyback regulators. 

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Common mode chokes are widely used noise suppression components for a variety of applications. For a better understanding, we will explain how to properly read the main datasheet parameters and charts to find the right common mode choke for specific applications. We also demonstrate how to simulate common mode chokes using software, such as LT Spice. Click here to watch the complete Webinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

MEMS based pressure sensors have gained popularity in recent years for their altimeter functionality. In today's podcast, we'll discuss the altimeter functionality of the absolute pressure sensors from Wurth Elektronik, and the built-in sensor features such as filters, offset calibration, temperature compensation, and more to help customers to implement the altimeter functionality with high accuracy. Download the complete Application Note, ANM003, at www.we-online.com/appnotes or click here. 

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Retrofitting industrial equipment with sensors and IP connectivity is a cost-efficient way of gaining the benefits of IIoT, like data collection and real-time monitoring, without fully replacing functioning equipment. In this podcast, based off a recent webinar, we present a IoT retrofit connectivity solutions based on the Calypso WiFi module, with the help of a live demo. Click here to watch the complete Webinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

Measuring current is important to maintain safety control over circuitry. Current sense transformers also give distinct advantages when measuring circuit current. In this interview with Dean Huumala, Senior Manager with the Product Management Group at Würth Elektronik, explains the advantages and uses of current sensors. Click here to view the Current Sense Transformer line from Würth Elektronik and select the right transformer with the REDEXPERT component selection tool available at www.we-online.com/redexpert.

Because of fast assembling and small sizes, designers are turning to surfance mount technology on their PCBs. Although there are still through-hole (THT) components that need to be soldered by Wave, Through-Hole Reflow (THR), allows designers to solder the Through-Hole Components together with the surfance mount parts in the Reflow Oven, thus canceling the whole Wave Soldering Process; saving time and money. Click here to watch the complete Webinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

In our last episode, we talked about an adapter stick for the RS-485 Standard that was designed to include a complete filter circuit for selected applications. Today's podcast is part two of understanding the RS-485 Transmission Standard, and how to design the correct PCB, measurement of the S-parameters, and an evaluation. Download the complete Application Note, ANP008, at www.we-online.com/appnotes or click here. 

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By filtering directly at the interface, interference emissions, electrostatic discharges and fast transients bursts are prevented from entering the system; thus negatively influencing the operating performance. To verify the EMC properties of electrical systems, special tests are carried out in accredited EMC test laboratories, and if these tests are not passed, the application has to be revised. In order to simplify this process, an adapter stick was designed which contains a complete filter circuit for the selected application and can be plugged into the appropriate interface. Today's podcast is split in to two episodes. In part I of today's podcast, we will discuss the filter stick for the RS-485 transmission standard, how to correctly select the components, and finish with a discussion on the filter circuit of the supply voltage line. Download the complete Application Note, ANP008, at www.we-online.com/appnotes or click here. 

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The most common means of solving electromagnetic noise problems is to shield the system with conductive materials, however, a large number of electronic devices have many parts that operate at high frequencies that can cause complex EMI problems that cannot be removed with conductive shielding. In today's podcast, we discuss ways to avoid these issues by using Flexible Absorber Sheets to supress unwanted high-frequency electromagnetic components. Download the complete Application Note, ANP059, at www.we-online.com/appnotes or click here. 

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Besides the basic guidelines for applications, designers need to consider mechanical and electrical properties when selecting FPC connectors and FFC cable. This podcast comes from a recent webinar, in which Wurth Elektronik Application Engineer Frank Fraeber discusses the characteristics and differences of each connector and explains how to select a suitable component for different applications. Click here to watch the complete Webinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

At the Applied Power and Electronics Conference (APEC) in Houston, Texas in 2022, Wurth Elektronik showcased its Hortirack. The Hortirack is a horticulture grow chamber that allows users to grow plants and produce from seedlings; using an array of horticulture LEDs produced by Wurth Elektronik. Today's podcast gives insights into the world of horticulture LEDs and how they can support food production. We will also look at considerations needed from an electrical and biological view. Click here to watch the complete Webinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

In this podcast, we explore the world of energy harvesting and discuss ways to not only harvest energy, but also use it in electronic applications. This podcast, based on a popular webinar, delves into the bascis first, describing ambient energies available, then moves on to challenges in converting and storing energies. We will finish off by examining the new low power converter ICs that can be powered from multiple harvesters at the same time. Click here to watch the complete Webinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars. 

Applications depend on certain or fixed capacity values to achieve a desired performance. However, ambient temperature, structural changes or component tolerances play an important role. Today we will discuss an overview of the most important factors and how these can be reduced by using a different material or external influences. Download the complete Application Note, SN011, at www.we-online.com/appnotes or click here. 

Our last podcast introduced ferrites and the basics of EMC. Today we finish with a discussion on insertion losses and calculations and close with clamp-on ferrites. Click here to watch the complete WEbinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

In today's podcast, we discuss the basics, along with an overview of EMC, details on chip bead ferrites, and how to correctly read datasheets associated with ferrites. Click here to watch the complete WEbinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

Energy-efficient devices are important components for saving resources and protecting the environment. The more efficient the electronics, the longer the battery service life for mobile devices, and in large-scale industrial and server installations with thousands of loads, the energy requirement is clearly reduced. The basis for energy-efficient devices is essentially influenced by the power supply unit. Download the complete Application Note, ANP031, at www.we-online.com/appnotes or click here. 

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Anymore, passive components that are only AEC-Q200 tested are not enough for the use in automotive application. Many more tests are needed for qualification for a good design and high quality component because without electronics, our vehicles would not operate. In this podcast, we discuss a few little design tips using passive components that are adequate enough to pass AEC-Q22 qualifications and complete a reliable automotive design. Click here to watch the complete WEbinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

Even though a switching regulator may produce a constant output voltage at the end of the development phase, often, designers encounter unpleasant effects, such as unwanted oscillations, at the input. So why does the input of the switching regulator tend to oscillate under certain circumstances? In this podcast, we examine "negative" resistance and come to the understanding that the sign is based on a behavior which can be attributed to transients. Download the complete Application Note, ANP008, at www.we-online.com/appnotes or click here. 

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While Press-Fit is becoming more widely known in the industry, do the masses of designers really understand the benefits of using the technology? In this interview with Ben Arden, Business Development Manager for the Electromechanics Division at Würth Elektronik's, Ben explains the advantages and uses of REDCUBE Press-Fit components. Click here to view the entire REDCUBE line, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/redcube.

REDCUBE Press-Fits

Today, an innovative sensor system contains so much more than just the single sensor cell. The ongoing miniaturization in microelectronics development makes it possible to design Application Specific Integrated Circuits, or ASICs, with remarkable performance and minimal size. In today's podcast, we will show that besides an analogue to digital converter, we can also integrate complex digital signal processing. Click here to watch the complete WEbinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars. 

REPLAY WEBINAR ON DEMAND

A whisker is a crystalline structure of material that appears on tin surfaces. This well-known phenomenon was discovered in the early 1950's, and new legislative actions to avoid lead in electronic components has lead to the return of this whisker problem. These whiskers may reduce the isolation resistance and additional problems arise when the whiskers break and short the printed circuit board or some fine pitch components. In this podcast, we'll discuss some facts about understanding whisker formation and mitigation strategies that Wurth Elektronik is using.  

Download the complete Application Note, WPP001, at www.we-online.com/appnotes or click here. 

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EMC ferrites are widely used on many PCBs today. In this podcast, we'll discuss the influence of DC bias and explain the differences between the old measurement type and new extended measurement type. We also discuss the influence of temperature and compare the surface mount ferrite to the surface mount ferrite for high frequency applications, then finish with the pulse current detection of the WE-MPSB and the new pulse definition of wired surface mount products.

Click here to watch the complete WEbinar on demand, or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars.

Multilayer chip antennas are a preference for engineers, who are restricted by cost, time and space requirements in wireless system designs for handheld devices. In this podcast, we will show how even non-RF engineers can easily incorporate the antenna into new designs without special RF design knownedge. We also focus on how to match chip antenna with the rest of the circuit and give special consideration to coaxial connector types and their effects on the impedance. Click here to watch the complete WEbinar on demand or visit Würth Elektronik online at www.we-online.com/webinars. 

Output filters are often used for noise suppression, which may have an influence on the control loop. To prevent output power losses, it may be necessary to compensate the control loop. No matter what switching regulator topology is used, as a result of the parasitic series resistor ESR, and the parasitic inductance ESL, of the output capacitor, the output current causes an undesired residual ripple. Download the complete Application Note, ANP006, at www.we-online.com/appnotes or click here.

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