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Founded in 1987 by John H. Hall, Linear Integrated Systems has a rich history rooted in innovation and precision. Building on decades of expertise honed at industry leaders like Amelco, Union Carbide, Intersil, and Micro Power Systems, we craft the highest performance semiconductors in the industry.
Our products—including ultra-low-noise JFETs, high-speed lateral DMOS switches, bipolar transistors, BIFET amplifiers, and more—empower our customers to build world-class solutions in audio, medical, industrial, military, and beyond.
At Linear Systems, we’re passionate about what we do—and we love sharing that passion in our blog. From technical deep dives and product releases to newsletters and industry insights, our blog keeps you up to date with everything happening in the world of high-performance semiconductors.
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🔦 Product Spotlight: SST211 / SD211DE Series
When switching speed and signal integrity matter, every nanosecond counts. The SST211/SD211DE Series of N-channel lateral DMOS switches is designed for high-speed, low-glitch analog switching in demanding applications where low capacitance and fast response are critical. Key Features ⚡ 1 ns maximum turn-on time ⚡ Ultra-low 0.2 pF reverse transfer capacitance (Crss) ⚡ Low rDS(on) ⚡ Low turn-on threshold voltage ⚡ Integrated Zener ESD protection ⚡ Available in TO-72 4-Lead (SD2
JC - Linear Systems
2 days ago1 min read
The Tiny Component Helping Power Next-Generation AI Servers
Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every industry, and the spotlight is often on powerful GPUs, advanced processors, and sophisticated software. But behind every AI server is an equally important layer of technology that rarely gets the attention it deserves: precision analog electronics. From routing high-speed signals to monitoring critical system functions, analog components help ensure AI servers operate with the speed, reliability, and accuracy today's data c
JC - Linear Systems
4 days ago2 min read
Why Engineers Are Still Using Discrete JFETs
Integrated circuits continue to advance, but many of the highest-performance analog front ends still begin with a discrete JFET. Why? Because when you're trying to capture extremely weak signals, the input stage often determines the performance of the entire system. Engineers continue to choose discrete JFETs for applications requiring: Ultra-low noise High input impedance Low input capacitance Excellent linearity Whether designing photodiode amplifiers, hydrophone preamplifi
JC - Linear Systems
Jun 251 min read
JFET Design Spotlight: Rethinking the Audio Op-Amp
There are a lot of circuits and applications of discrete and integrated component combinations solving a myriad of tasks defined as solutions to a problem. Dad used to tell me that, "The problem isn't the problem; the definition of the problem is the problem." Dr. Gene Slottow at U of I would say, "When you think you're done with the design, throw it out and start over as your unyielding self-critic until you can't anymore, then proceed." Few first circuit iterations are "the
JC - Linear Systems
Jun 232 min read
JFET Design Spotlight 🔍 | From Early OCR Systems to 45 Years of FET Innovation
"In 1979, we teamed up at DEST Corp. to design the first desktop OCR machine for scanning standard letter and legal pages with a linear Reticon stored-charge diode array. Internal to that sensor were two identical 2048-pixel diode strings. Light would deplete the diode pixel reset charge and be read as exposure versus time through a charge integrator. Because the CMOS diode-select shift registers created substantial charge injection noise, the dark string was differentiated w
JC - Linear Systems
Jun 163 min read
JFET vs. MOSFET: Choosing the Right Technology for Precision Analog Applications
Field-effect transistors are foundational building blocks in modern electronics, but not all FETs are optimized for the same tasks. While MOSFETs dominate digital circuits, power management, and switching applications, JFETs continue to play a critical role in low-noise, high-impedance analog front ends. Understanding the strengths of each technology can help designers optimize system performance and avoid unnecessary tradeoffs. Understanding the Differences Both JFETs and MO
JC - Linear Systems
Jun 153 min read
Why High-Impedance Sensors Need More Than Just Low Noise
When engineers design front-end circuits for microphones, hydrophones, piezoelectric sensors, MEMS devices, and other high-impedance signal sources, noise is often the first specification they look at. And for good reason. Weak signals can easily be overwhelmed by amplifier noise, making low-noise devices essential for preserving signal integrity. But noise is only part of the equation. In many high-impedance applications, input capacitance can have an equally significant imp
JC - Linear Systems
Jun 102 min read
JFET Design Spotlight: Maximum Power Point Test Controller
“My daughter, during her graduate studies in renewable energy applications, once needed a tester for solar panels to find their maximum power point under real-world conditions. So, this is what dads do. The resulting tester demonstrates how different semiconductors can be selected for highly specialized tasks. For instance, the JFETs used here serve three uniquely different functions. J3 is used as a variable-resistor gain element to regulate the control oscillator output l
JC - Linear Systems
Jun 92 min read
Photodiode Preamps
In some JFET op amps such as the AD743, the input capacitance is in the order of 18 to 20 pF. In comparison, with an LSK489 dual FET, the input capacitance is in the order of 3 pF, which will be suitable for low noise photodiode applications. In this section we will see why it is important to have low equivalent input noise and low input capacitance in a photodiode preamp. A simple photodiode is shown in Figure 1 below, which uses an op amp. In the photodiode amplifier belo
JC - Linear Systems
Jun 44 min read
Better Simulation Starts with Better Device Models 🔍
Accurate simulation depends on accurate models. That’s why we’ve released new SPICE models for the LSK389, now covering all A, B, C, and D grades. These updated models are derived from real device characteristics, with key parameters like VTO and β refined based on IDSS and transconductance. This gives designers a much closer representation of how each grade actually behaves in circuit. What this means for you: More accurate circuit simulation across all LSK389 grades B
JC - Linear Systems
Jun 11 min read
The Crucial Role of Analog Front End Design in Modern Sensing Systems
Detecting weak signals starts at the analog front end. Modern sensing systems depend on capturing extremely small signals amid noisy environments. Whether the input comes from acoustic sensors, radio frequency (RF) devices, or other sensor types, the design of the front end determines the overall system’s ability to perform accurately and reliably. Precision analog components like the LSK389 dual JFET transistor play a vital role in this process. Their ultra-low noise and tig
JC - Linear Systems
May 283 min read
JFET Design Spotlight: A Single JFET Phase Splitter for audio applications
“There is sound and then there is the sound of sound.”™ In designing discrete element electronic audio circuitry, there will inevitably be a need to split a signal to a 0° and 180° phase differential. Either to drive a balanced signal to a transformer, a line signal to an XLR connector, or a differential voltage to drive a push-pull stage within a power amplifier stage, or on and on and on. Though not always needed for the task, a phase splitter will often require a zero volt
JC - Linear Systems
May 192 min read
The Hidden Role of Semiconductors in AI Infrastructure
When people talk about AI, the focus is almost always on GPUs, CPUs, and advanced nodes. But that’s only part of the story. Behind every AI system is a broader layer of semiconductors responsible for signal integrity, timing, and control — the functions that allow high-performance compute to actually work in real systems. AI Performance Depends on More Than Just Processing Power Modern AI hardware is pushing limits across the board: Faster data movement Higher board density T
JC - Linear Systems
May 132 min read
Design Spotlight: A High Voltage Soft Start Circuit for the Masses
High-voltage startup problems can quietly kill performance and hardware. This week’s Design Spotlight dives into a ±1kV soft-start circuit that solved a real-world failure in electron microscope HV amplifiers. “A HIGH VOLTAGE SOFT START CIRCUIT FOR THE MASSES “There are times where a system design doesn’t work when the anticipated design conclusion is missing a critical element. This happened when an electron microscope’s High Voltage amplifiers were turned on and capacit
JC - Linear Systems
May 72 min read
Why Engineers Are Switching to the LSBF862 and Not Looking Back
When NXP Semiconductors discontinued the BF862, most engineers didn’t just lose a part, they lost a go-to solution they trusted in critical designs. What we’re seeing now is interesting. Teams aren’t just replacing it… they’re upgrading. The LSBF862 is quickly becoming the preferred choice not only for legacy BF862 designs, but for entirely new designs where low noise and stability actually matter. Here’s why 👇 A lot of replacements technically work. But in ultra-low-noise c
JC - Linear Systems
May 12 min read
A Discrete Design for a Guitar Compressor
“8 years were spent working with, and listening to, a cadre of guitarists debating various pedal sound effects. Most debated was the lowly Compressor. Orange squeezer, MXR Dynacomp, Ross, Boss, and on and on. The simplest of all were those like the Ross compressor with a CA3080 OTL IC, (operational transconductance amp) used as a variable gain amp for leveling the transient amplitude input of an electric guitar. These designs had a couple drawbacks, being, to slow of an attac
JC - Linear Systems
Apr 232 min read
Improving Bandwidth in Photodiode Amplifiers with the LSK489 Ultra-Low Noise, Low Capacitance Dual JFET
Designing high-speed photodiode and sensor front ends often comes down to one limiting factor: input capacitance. Even when noise performance is optimized, excess capacitance at the input can restrict bandwidth, slow response time, and introduce distortion. For engineers working with precision optical or sensor signals, this creates a constant tradeoff between speed, stability, and complexity. In photodiode and high-impedance sensor circuits, total input capacitance directly
JC - Linear Systems
Apr 152 min read
A Radio Frequency RMS Metering Circuit
RF Engineers know that temperature effects matter in RF measurement. This constant temperature substitution design tackles that challenge in a clever way using pico-amp diodes. JFET Design Spotlight - A Radio Frequency RMS Metering Circuit “When Linear Technology introduced the LT1088 RMS converter, it was packaged in a complicated iso-thermal DIP package to allow the published RMS measuring circuit application some working room. The problem with that application was temp
JC - Linear Systems
Apr 92 min read
Struggling with Obsolete Parts? How Engineers Are Solving It
Every engineer has faced it at some point: a critical component in your design is suddenly obsolete, unavailable, or impossible to source reliably. And unlike digital systems, analog designs don’t always give you the luxury of a quick swap. So what do you do when a key part disappears? Why Obsolescence Hits Analog Designs Harder In digital design, you can often work around a part change with firmware or minor adjustments. In analog circuits, even small parameter differences c
JC - Linear Systems
Apr 62 min read
Linear Systems Releases SPICE Model for the PAD Series Low-Leakage Diode
Linear Systems is pleased to announce the release of a new SPICE model for the PAD Series low-leakage diode, developed by our engineering team. This model enables designers to simulate the SSTPAD10 in LTspice and other SPICE-compatible simulators, supporting faster circuit development and more accurate performance evaluation. The PAD Series of low-leakage diodes was designed for precision applications where minimizing leakage current and maintaining stable capacitance are cri
JC - Linear Systems
Mar 251 min read
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