2021-10-15

Why are two capacitors—0.1uF and 0.01uF—always placed in circuits?

The concepts of bypass capacitor and decoupling capacitor are common in circuit design, yet they can be tricky to grasp. To fully understand these terms, it’s helpful to return to their original English contexts. In English, “bypass” literally means taking a shortcut; in the context of circuits, it carries the same meaning—allowing a signal to bypass certain components or sections of the circuit. Meanwhile, “couple” in English refers to a pair or a matching set; by extension, it also conveys the idea of pairing or coupling. If a signal from System A induces a signal in System B, we say that Systems A and B are coupled—a phenomenon illustrated in the figure below.

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2020-07-30

Basic Knowledge of Infrared Pyroelectric Sensors and Common Issues in Their Use

A pyroelectric infrared sensor is a type of sensor that detects infrared radiation emitted by humans or animals and converts it into an electrical signal. As early as 1938, some researchers proposed using the pyroelectric effect to detect infrared radiation, but this idea did not receive much attention at the time. It wasn't until the 1960s, with the rapid advancement of laser and infrared technologies, that research on the pyroelectric effect and the application of pyroelectric crystals were once again spurred forward. Today, pyroelectric crystals are widely used in infrared spectrometers, infrared remote sensing systems, and thermal radiation detectors, making them an ideal detector for infrared lasers. Their applications are now expanding rapidly into various automated control devices. Beyond their well-known uses in stairwell automatic switches and burglar alarms, these sensors hold great promise for even more diverse fields. For example, air conditioners and water dispensers that automatically shut down when no one is present in the room; televisions equipped with mechanisms that can detect when no one is watching or when viewers have fallen asleep and then automatically turn off; applications in monitor screens or automatic doorbells; and integration with cameras or digital photo cameras to automatically record the movements of animals or people—just to name a few. Based on your own creative ideas, you can combine these sensors with other circuits to develop even more advanced and innovative products or automated control systems.