Beyond Ohm’s Law

June 24, 2010
$jq().ready( function() \{ setupSidebarImageList(); \} );

Current-voltage

Ohm’s law describes the common current-voltage relationship, which has a linear, positive slope (see the figure). Fundamentally ohmic devices are found in every electronic product as discrete resistors and within ICs. But while linear resistance is comfortably familiar, nonlinearity and negative resistance are complementary topics that deserve equal attention.

Nonlinearity is just as necessary, as its linear counterpart to perform many useful functions. Weak nonlinearities may be ignored for practical purposes in many cases or exploited purposefully and advantageously in others. Both linear and nonlinear behaviors can be understood concurrently. The subject is found laced throughout electrical engineering, from physics to chemistry, the biological sciences, and other disciplines. Ultimately, thinking outside the limitations of Ohm’s law may allow us to discover new ways to make circuits perform.

As is simply stated by S.A. Maas in Nonlinear Microwave and RF Circuits (2nd edition, Boston: Artech House, 2003): “All electronic circuits are nonlinear: this is a fundamental truth of electronic engineering.”

Sponsored Recommendations

Highly Integrated 20A Digital Power Module for High Current Applications

March 20, 2024
Renesas latest power module delivers the highest efficiency (up to 94% peak) and fast time-to-market solution in an extremely small footprint. The RRM12120 is ideal for space...

Empowering Innovation: Your Power Partner for Tomorrow's Challenges

March 20, 2024
Discover how innovation, quality, and reliability are embedded into every aspect of Renesas' power products.

Article: Meeting the challenges of power conversion in e-bikes

March 18, 2024
Managing electrical noise in a compact and lightweight vehicle is a perpetual obstacle

Power modules provide high-efficiency conversion between 400V and 800V systems for electric vehicles

March 18, 2024
Porsche, Hyundai and GMC all are converting 400 – 800V today in very different ways. Learn more about how power modules stack up to these discrete designs.

Comments

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Electronic Design, create an account today!