Linear constantcurrent drivers, for instance, offer low EMI, low cost, and use only a few components. Many designers favor them for low-current applications where power loss is a minor concern. If ...

A parallel circuit is way of connecting components on separate branches, so the current can take different routes around the circuit. The current is different in different parts of a parallel circuit.

Series and Parallel Circuit Series and parallel circuits are two fundamental configurations in electrical circuits, each with distinct characteristics that affect how electricity flows through them.

White LEDs used in backlighting provide illumination for the pixels in liquid crystal displays. The LEDs are typically routed on one or two sides of the displays light diffuser, and biased with 20 mA ...

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are often used with a voltage source from a power-supply output voltage. The output voltage increases until the current through the LEDs reaches the value of the ...

Machine-vision systems use very short flashes of intense light to produce high-speed images employed in a wide variety of data-processing applications. For instance, fast-moving conveyor belts are run ...

This article was taken from the November 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by ...