Page Last Updated - May 2022

These application notes are presented as a means of making useful circuits and sub-circuits available, along with some information about how they work, test results (where applicable), etc.  Some of these are adapted from the projects page, as their application has the potential to be broader than indicated in the project itself.

Few of these (already published or yet to be published) are original, although some have been adapted and changed to the extent that the original may barely be recognisable.  As always, if you have a good circuit idea feel free to submit it (along with any reference material).

Main Index

No.	Description	Date	Flags
AN-001	Precision rectifiers. Half and full wave types for signal processing, instrumentation, etc.	Feb 2010
AN-002	Analogue metering amplifiers	Jun 2005
AN-003	Simple switchmode Supply for Luxeon Star LEDs	Jun 2005
AN-004	Car dome light extender - make the dome light stay on for a while after the car door is closed	Jun 2005
AN-005	Zero crossing detectors and comparators, Unsung heroes of modern electronics design	Jan 2011
AN-006	Ultra Simple 5V Switchmode Regulator - voltage regulator version of AN-003	Jun 2005
AN-007	High Power Zener Diode, boosting normal zeners to allow high power usage	Jun 2005
AN-008	How to Use Zener Diodes, the things the data sheets do not always tell you	Jun 2005
AN-009	Versatile DC motor speed controller (and where to get high power geared motors)	Jul 2005
AN-009/2	DC motor speed controller (Part 2)	Jul 2005
AN-010	2-Wire/ 4-Wire converters/ Hybrids (Telephone)	Feb 2009
AN-011	4-20mA Current Loop Signalling Interfaces	Feb 2011
AN-012	Peak, Average and RMS Measurements	Jul 2016
AN-013	Reverse Polarity Protection - A collection of different ways to protect electronic circuits	Jan 2017
AN-014	Peak Detection Circuits	Mar 2017
AN-015	Input Overvoltage Protection Circuits	Apr 2018
AN-016	Measuring Ultra-High Resistance With Existing (Cheap) Equipment	Apr 2019
AN-017	DC Detectors For Loudspeaker Protection (also usable as zero-crossing detectors)	Jun 2019
AN-018	Ultra-Low Leakage Diodes - Not as hard to find as you might think	Aug 2019
AN-019	'Zero Power' LED battery Condition Indicator	Jan 2022
AN-020	Mains Peak Voltage Detectors.  Unusual (but useful) circuits to detect the peak of the AC mains waveform	Jan 2022

Each application note may have one or more 'flags'.  These indicate the status of the app. note, and are as follows ...

	The design (or update) is less than 2 months old (or thereabouts)
	Mains wiring is involved, and is potentially dangerous - heed all warnings ! Note that other app. notes may also need a power supply which also requires mains wiring
Date	The page was added or updated on the date shown
	The appnote has had an update since original publication
	Link to external site

ESP reserves the right to change or update application notes, projects and articles without notice, so it is important to be aware that a change may have been made.  You should always watch for updates of previously published items. Do not build any of the circuits presented here without checking for updates first.  An 'update' symbol indicates a recent addition or update.

Please see the ESP disclaimer for important information about this site and the contents thereof.

Please note that these application notes are not supported, so please do not ask for assistance or explanations. All circuits are checked for accuracy, but it is not guaranteed that they will work for your application.  In the same way that you might find application notes published by semiconductor (or other) manufacturers, you don't e-mail them for help and the same applies here.

Submissions are welcome, but unlike magazines where they may offer prizes or cash for submissions, all I can offer is wide distribution of your idea.  Please ensure that any submission is accompanied by full disclosure of references - do not try to claim the work of others as your own.

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