Linear Integrated Systems

09/04/2026

Dive into our latest Design Spotlight: a high-speed JFET front end engineered for multi-channel aquatic sonar imaging. Learn how a dual-matched JFET meets 100 MΩ loading while delivering the low-noise, high-speed performance needed for precise A/D conversion. Read the full breakdown and design insights: https://wix.to/2qXFeK1

This week’s Design Spotlight takes us into a sonar application proposed for multi-channel aquatic imaging. The design uses a dual matched JFET front end to meet the sensor’s differential loading requirements while providing the low-noise, high-speed performance needed for downstream A/D conversi...

09/03/2026

New on the Linear Systems Learning Series: Understanding VGS(off) — what JFET cutoff voltage really means. Dive into how VGS(off) defines when a JFET channel is essentially turned off and why it matters for precision analog and low-noise designs. Read the full post: https://wix.to/4laJ2in

Last week, we looked at IDSS—the drain current a JFET conducts when VGS = 0 V under specified conditions.This week, we're looking at the other end of the JFET's transfer characteristic:VGS(off), or gate-to-source cutoff voltage.If IDSS helps tell us where the JFET starts at zero gate bias, VGS(off...

09/02/2026

Last week, Linear Systems said goodbye to a very special member of our team as our Quality Director, Sondra Hall, began her well-earned retirement.

Sondra’s connection to Linear Systems extends far beyond her own years of dedication and leadership. Her father-in-law, John H. Hall, was a pioneering semiconductor inventor who founded or co-founded several innovative Silicon Valley companies, including Linear Systems in 1986.

Sondra’s husband, John Michael Hall, also played an essential role in the company, overseeing the fabrication processes that brought our products to life. Their sons, Michael and William Hall, continued the family tradition by working at Linear Systems, and Will remains with us today as a Process Engineer, carrying that remarkable legacy into the next generation.

Through her leadership in quality, Sondra helped protect the standards, integrity, and reputation upon which Linear Systems was built. Beyond her professional contributions, she has been a valued colleague, a trusted source of knowledge, and an important part of the Linear Systems family.

Sondra, thank you for everything you have given to Linear Systems and for the care and commitment you brought to work every day. Your contributions are woven into the history of this company, and your presence will be deeply missed.

We hope retirement brings you plenty of time with your grandchildren, tropical vacations, relaxing days at your family cabin in Arnold, and wonderful new memories with the people you love most.

Here are a few photos from Sondra’s retirement lunch, along with special memories from Linear Systems events through the years.

Please join us in congratulating Sondra and wishing her a very happy and well-deserved retirement!

08/26/2026

New on the Linear Systems Learning Series: IDSS — What Drain Current Tells You About a JFET. Dive into why IDSS matters when selecting a JFET, how it sets the operating point, and what it reveals about device behavior. Read the full breakdown and practical tips for designers: https://wix.to/BqvWWSO

Last week, we took a closer look at transconductance (gfs) and what it tells engineers about how strongly a JFET responds to a change in gate voltage.This week, we're continuing our look at key JFET datasheet parameters with another specification you'll see frequently:IDSS — Drain-to-Source Satura...

08/19/2026

Design Spotlight: JFET Current Limiters for the Masses — Explore three practical approaches to bidirectional current limiting using JFETs, including a simple single-JFET trick that leverages source/drain interchangeability. Great for analog designers interested in crossover behavior, stability, and voltage compliance. Read the full article: https://wix.to/JfYSP2U

Bidirectional current limiting presents an interesting analog design challenge—and the unique structure of a JFET offers some creative ways to solve it.In this Design Spotlight, three approaches are explored, from dual-device configurations to a particularly simple single-JFET solution that takes ...

08/18/2026

New on the Linear Systems Learning Series: Dive into transconductance (gfs) and learn how a JFET turns changes in gate-to-source voltage into drain current. Perfect for analog designers, low-noise enthusiasts, and anyone working in precision electronics. Read the full breakdown and practical takeaways here: https://wix.to/pnhBvnD

Last week, we looked at how to read a JFET datasheet and the key specifications engineers should evaluate when selecting a device. This week, we're taking a closer look at one of those parameters: transconductance (gfs).Transconductance is an important JFET characteristic because it tells us how eff...

08/12/2026

New on the blog: FET Design Spotlight — Electron Beam Circuit Protection with PAD Diodes. Discover how PAD Diodes deliver reliable protection for sensitive measurement circuitry in high-voltage electron beam systems, helping maintain accuracy and reduce downtime. Read the full post: https://wix.to/mzjDjS2

High-voltage electron beam systems demand precision—and protecting sensitive measurement circuitry is critical to maintaining accuracy and minimizing costly downtime. In this latest FET Design Spotlight, we look at how Linear Systems PAD Diodes have provided reliable circuit protection in electron...

08/06/2026

Confused by JFET datasheets? Our latest Linear Systems Learning Series breaks down the specs that actually matter — noise, transfer characteristics, pinch-off, and more — so you can pick the right device for your design. Read the quick 2-minute guide and gain confidence selecting JFETs for low-noise amps, current sources, and high-impedance sensors. https://wix.to/kaUqtWb

A JFET datasheet contains dozens of electrical characteristics, graphs, and performance curves—but which specifications matter most?The answer depends on your application.A designer building a low-noise microphone preamplifier may prioritize different parameters than someone designing a current so...

07/29/2026

Not all noise is the same. In our new Linear Systems Learning Series post, we explain 1/f (flicker) noise and why low-frequency noise matters for precision instrumentation, medical devices, and any application measuring slow or tiny signals. Learn how it can dominate measurements at low frequencies and what to consider when choosing low-noise components. Read more: https://wix.to/Jbd1Fsg

Not all noise is created equal.When engineers compare low-noise devices, they often focus on the 1 kHz noise specification. While that's an important benchmark, it doesn't tell the whole story.At lower frequencies, many semiconductor devices exhibit 1/f noise, also known as flicker noise. As frequen...

07/28/2026

Dive into Kirkwood Rough’s JFET design for a phantom-powered piezo preamplifier — battery-free, low-loading, and differentially sensed for clean acoustic tone. Read the full design spotlight and learn the practical choices behind the circuit: https://wix.to/us6PyCs

Another glimpse into the creative mind of analog designer Kirkwood Rough."‘No batteries allowed on this instrument,’ was the statement from the luthier. So, a phantom-powered preamp needed to be configured using a standard guitar cable. 'Nothing special.'First, the piezo loading had to be minima...