Sensors Magazine articles from September 2006

Sensors Magazine archives from September 2006

Minnesota mining.(goode sense)
September 1, 2006... Minnesota's Twin Cities area is home to a number of important sensor vendors--companies whose activities impact sensor technology overall. In August I had the opportunity to visit, and mine a handful of them for development news. Honeywell...

Investments yield RFID progress.(WIRELESS)(Radio frequency identification )
September 1, 2006... It's clear that developers see RFID-and-sensor networks as a key growth area. A sampling of recent developments in tags (sidebar) and infrastructure prove it. For instance, Sun Microsystems says it combined its RFID Test Center with its...

Biometric sensors combined.(SAFETY/SECURITY)
September 1, 2006... The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers the Multimodal Biometric Application Resource Kit (MBARK), a new standardized middleware package to help you combine various types of biometric sensors from different...

Fighting fire with sensors.(SAFETY/SECURITY)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... One of the things the FDNY learned during the crisis of 9/11 is the importance of coordinating emergency vehicles without delay," says Asa Yanai, project manager for Motorola, which supplies vehicle-tracking systems to the New York and Chicago...

What's new in tags.(NEWS, TRENDS, AND SPECIAL REPORTS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Sokymat SA's new IN tag is designed for harsh industrial and outdoor environments. Available in both low and high frequencies, it is geared for items that need to be securely identified and that are regularly subjected to high thermal and/or...

Eyes on NH roads.(MEDIA WATCH)(New Hampshire)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... The Portsmouth Herald reports that the NH department of transportation has begun deploying sensors to measure atmospheric and road-surface conditions. Scientists at the University of New Hampshire are also using the weather towers to house...

Coolest toy of the year.(MEDIA WATCH)(Lego Mindstorms NXT kit)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... BusinessWeek called the Lego Mindstorms NXT kit, which debuted July 31, "probably the smartest, coolest toy of the year... a great way to learn the basics of mechanics, physics and computer programming, or just goof off." The kit includes an...

How do you feel about PLCs?(QUICK POLL)
September 1, 2006... How do you feel about PLCs? I'd like to move to sensors with embedded control 36% I don't need or use PLCs 16% I use them and have no desire to change 47% Cast your vote in the current Quick...

Calendar.(Calendar)
September 1, 2006... Get an updated list of sensor-relevant industry events: www.sensorsmag.com/events

Programmable MEMS gyroscope.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... The ADIS16250 from Analog Devices Inc., Norwood, MA, is a MEMS gyroscope that lets you scale the sensitivity from [+ or -]80[degrees]/s to [+ or -]320[degrees]/s and has programmable features accessible via SPI. Gyroscope output is...

Control, DA software.(National Instruments Corp.'s Lab-VIEW 8.20, data acquisition software)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... National Instruments, Austin, TX, offers Lab-VIEW 8.20, the 20th anniversary edition of its graphical design platform for control, test, and embedded systems development. New features include enhanced distributed system management, advanced...

Solid-state compass.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... A 3-axis device, the EZ-COMPASS-3A from Advanced Orientation Systems (AOS) Inc., Linden, NJ, is a magnetometer compass with tilt and temperature compensation and suited for use in marine and land navigation, vehicle and structure positioning,...

Reflective color sensor.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... The OPB780 reflective color sensing assembly from TT electronics OPTEK Technology, Carrollton, TX, provides high-resolution digital measurement of the red, green, and blue components of light reflected from the surface being sensed. The...

Vibrating liquid level switches.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... K-TEK, Prairieville, LA, offers the Resonator RS80 and RS85 vibrating liquid level switches based on a robust, tuning fork design. The RS80 features a 316 SS probe while the RS85 offers a choice of 316 SS, Hastelloy C-276, Hastelloy B, Monel,...

Vision Application development software.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... Cognex Corp., Natick, MA, offers new features for its VisionPro machine vision systems to accelerate the development of PC-based machine vision applications. The QuickBuild environment defines image acquisition, vision tools, and accept/reject...

Digital temperature sensor.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... The DS75LV from Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas, TX, operates from a 1.7-3.7 V supply voltage range and provides user-selectable 9-/10-/11-/12-bit digital temperature readings over its -25[degrees]C to 100[degrees]C range. The device is factory...

Wireless sensor mote.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... The SmartMesh-XT M1030 from Dust Networks, Hayward, CA, is a 900 MHz wireless mote with a communication range of up to 200 m and current draw as low as 40 [micro]A in a typical network deployment. The device uses time-synchronized mesh protocol...

MEMS gyroscope.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... The MLX90609-N2 from Melexis Microelectronic Integrated Systems, Concord, NH, is an SOI MEMS gyroscope designed to enhance the accuracy of GPS instruments in situations where satellite reception is lost. The device is available in F.S. ranges...

Pressure sensors.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... Apogee Technology Inc., Norwood, MA, offers the Sensilica family of MEMS-based piezoresistive pressure sensors. Housed in a TO-5 enclosure, sensors are available in 15, 45, 60, 100, 200, 300, 500, 750, and 1000 psia ranges, with high...

RTD signal conditioner.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... The MAX6603 from Maxim Integrated Products, Sunnyvale, CA, is a small analog conditioner for interfacing RTDs to microcontrollers, amplifying platinum RTD signals for A/D conversion, and providing [+ or -]5 kV ESD protection. Targeted for...

Wireless thermocouple transmitter.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... The OM-CP-RFTC4000A from Omega Engineering Inc., Stamford, CT, is a battery-powered thermocouple-based temperature transmitter that can wirelessly transmit readings back to a host computer for data analysis. The device has internal and remote...

DeviceNet-enabled tachometer.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... The SpeedTalker DN (UI) from Electro-Sensors Inc., Minnetonka, MN, is a network-powered DeviceNet tachometer designed to convert pulse frequencies from a range of sensors into rpm units. The device provides measured shaft rpm from up to 2 input...

Linear position sensor IC.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... The iC-ML from iC-Haus GmbH, Bodenheim, Germany, is an integrated magnetic linear position sensor/encoder in aTSSOP20 package. The circuit contains 4 Hall sensors to generate analog sine/cosine signals at a pole pitch of 2.56 mm as well as...

PoE interface module.(HANDY NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2006... NMPD Series of compact power extraction modules from C & D Technologies Inc., Power Electronics Div., Mansfield, MA, are powered device (PD) modules for Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications. The PD interfaces feature onboard DC/DC conversion...

Blowin' in the wind.(Anemometers)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... This novel anemometer doesn't promise something for nothing--but it does come close. It scavenges energy from the very wind it is measuring and provides its own power for data transmission from a self-contained generator. The anemometer is...

Can you stomach this?(SmartPill Gl Monitoring System)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... The SmartPill Gl Monitoring System has received a 510(k) release from the FDA. The system consists of a capsule and a small data receiver. When the capsule is swallowed, encased sensors monitor gastric pressure, pH, and emptying time; combined...

E-Nosing around.
September 1, 2006... CogniScent has developed a DNA-based sensing material that can detect, identify, and discriminate among a large number of airborne compounds in ~2 s. ScenTraK, a lightweight, handheld unit, uses an optoelectronic sensor array; its output drives...

Pump it up.(glucometers, wireless near field communication)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Diabetes has been declared an epidemic by the World Health Organization. Despite many recent medical advances, the disease remains difficult to manage. One encouraging development is that Cambridge Consultants has devised a way based on...

Sense and respond networks for agile, Secure distribution: advances in RFID and sensor technologies' ability to communicate with each other in a network environment are redefining the concept of visibility throughout the supply chain.
September 1, 2006... As sensor, RFID, and GPS-based location systems become increasingly interoperable, manufacturers are better able to monitor the location and condition of incoming and outgoing shipments within the context of the total supply chain. These "sense...

Achieving the potential of nano gas sensors: nanotechnology and a unique platform approach solve critical problems in gas sensing.(Column)
September 1, 2006... The demand for sensitive, low-power, low-cost gas sensors that respond quickly to appropriate stimuli is growing. Macro scale components and conventional manufacturing techniques cannot provide sensors that deliver the detection levels and...

Playing the e-field: capacitance sensors in action; e-field sensors are making a name for themselves in dozens of applications. find out how they work and where they excel.(Column)
September 1, 2006... When Michael Faraday introduced the concept of an electric field, little did he realize how far science would run with the idea. Today, engineers are using electric fields to sense the presence of other objects without relying on physical...

Vision sensors see more details: as prices fall and functionality rises, vision sensors are an increasingly popular choice for complex inspections. is it time for you to make the switch?
September 1, 2006... For decades, photoelectric sensors have been ubiquitous on packaging lines--triggering processes, counting, checking for label presence, sorting objects of different sizes, and performing dozens of other tasks. Even so, their usefulness has...

Build a DSSS Radio--Part 2.(direct sequence spread spectrum)
September 1, 2006... The Receiver Part Last month you got me started on building a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) transceiver. You covered the transmitter discussion and promised to come back to explain the receiver and error-correction code. Signed,...

How NetWeaver drives change.(SAP America Inc.'s SAP NetWeaver)
September 1, 2006... Ade facto standard for data integration today, SAP's NetWeaver is used increasingly--especially by discrete and process production facilities--to optimize operations. The software unifies data integration technologies (e.g., service-oriented...

Signal amplification.(Column)
September 1, 2006... With the recent introduction of cheap [DELTA][SIGMA] analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) offering resolutions of 24 bits or more, you'd think that the digital revolution is complete, and that the need for analog design has passed. Twenty-four...

Pressure sensors & transduscers.(PRINTED AND DIGITAL INFORMATION)
September 1, 2006... Kavlico's 4-color, quad-fold capability brochure has just been re-issued detailing the latest information about their standard and custom sensors and transducers. Included are typical performance specifications and features, a company profile,...

Non-contact rotary torque sensor.(PRINTED AND DIGITAL INFORMATION)
September 1, 2006... Based on a revolutionary new technology using SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) strain sensing elements, TorqSense offers a superior solution to non-contact rotary torque or viscosity measurement in industrial applications. Optional RPM Pickoff...

Sensor selection guide: optimizing manufacturing and processes, 2nd ed.(Brief article)(Book review)
September 1, 2006... Sensor Selection Guide: Optimizing Manufacturing and Processes, 2nd ed. Author: Paul W. Chapman Publisher: ISA ISBN: 1-55617-987-1 Page count: 174 ISA publishes Independent Learning Modules (ILMs), materials designed...

LVDT tutorial.(RECOMMENDED RESOURCES AND ODDMENTS)
September 1, 2006... Here's a great tutorial on LVDTs, courtesy of Macro Sensors. You'll find information on what LVDTs are and how they work, how they're used (and what industries use them), what varieties of LVDT exist, and what kind of support electronics you'll...

Online language resources.(RECOMMENDED RESOURCES AND ODDMENTS)
September 1, 2006... This site may not look pretty (it's actually fairly busy) but it is packed with excellent links to online language tools. Look here to discover online dictionaries (for more than 200 languages, no less), glossaries (including industry-specific...

Bug identification site.(BugGuide.net)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... When the weather is toasty, the insect life is out and about. If you want to identify a mystery bug, you can try BugGuide.Net, an online community of naturalists, hosted by the Iowa State University's Dept. of Entomology. Here you can look...

Charles Olson.(RECOMMENDED RESOURCES AND ODDMENTS)
September 1, 2006... I have had to learn the simplest things last. Which made for difficulties. --Charles Olson (1910-1970)