Design Features: May 25, 1995

Cover Story
Choosing an op amp: it's no longer a trying task	There are more op amps available now than ever before. But, as a result of fundamental design improvements, focused speci-fications, and application-optimized devices, it's now a lot easier to pick one. For circuit designers, the parts' underlying process technology is secondary to their features and benefits. --Bill Schweber, Technical Editor
Design Features The hottest new technologies and the latest design techniques to help you work efficiently and effectively.
More pins and less space beget new IC packaging	ICs keep sprouting more pins, yet dice must not grow, and packages have to shrink. The result will be new kinds of IC packages and new ways of connecting to dice-innovations that will profoundly affect upcoming product designs. --Dan Strassberg, Senior Technical Editor
Software quality: not an oxymoron	The economics of cost overruns and maintenance and the demands of ISO-9000 for European trade are forcing the software and embedded-systems industries to take a critical look at quality. Unfortunately, no quick answers are in sight. --Richard A Quinnell, Technical Editor
Class D amplifiers provide high efficiency for audio systems	Advances in MOSFET technology and integrated half- and full-bridge predrivers now make class D amplifiers a practical alternative to linear amplifiers in many applications. The biggest benefit compared to more traditional amplifier topologies is high efficiency. --Jeffrey D Sherman, Harris Semiconductor
Understanding a relay's operation can prevent trouble down the line	The venerable relay has undergone some changes in the past few years. Designers have supplemented conventional SSRs with optically coupled SSRs, challenging the familiar EMRs. You should understand the operation of these SSRs to get the best performance results. --Doug Lionetti, Aromat Corp