ECN-Electronic Component News articles from August 2006

ECN-Electronic Component News archives from August 2006

Letter to the editor.(Editor's View)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... In this column in June, I suggested that companies -- and the media -- spend more time promoting engineering as a rewarding career and less time whining about an 'engineering shortage." Several responses were printed in July's Peer-to-Peer. I...

Power management and conversion IC.(Leading Off)
August 1, 2006... The ZL2105 single-chip 3A power conversion IC integrates full digital power and management capabilities in a 6 X 6 mm package, extending digital-DC technology into lower power applications. The plug-and-play device requires less than 2 cm...

Thermal imagers with 0.08[degrees]C temperature sensitivity.(Leading Off)
August 1, 2006... The Fluke T140 and T145 FlexCam[R] 160 X 120 thermal imagers with temperature sensitivity of 0.08[degrees]C are designed to deliver high resolution images that capture small temperature differences. The Windows[R] CE menu structure offers an...

4 Mbit MRAM memory in volume production.(Leading Off)
August 1, 2006... Freescale Semiconductor is volume-producing a 4 Mbit Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) device. The MR2A16A uses magnetic materials combined with conventional silicon circuitry to deliver the speed of SRAM with the non-volatility of...

DC/DC converters.(PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW)
August 1, 2006... Texas Instruments has introduced a 1W, unregulated DC/DC converter in a miniature package that features 3 kV isolation. The DCH01 family of plug-in power modules operates from a 5V input and provides single voltages of 5V, 12V and 15V and...

MCU math chip adds up.(Embedded Math)
August 1, 2006... Although compilers and assemblers produce tight integer-math code, floating-point math can require memory-hogging code libraries that emulate math operations. So, a small MCU might stall when it must compute trig or exponential values. ...

Sensorless washer motor control tuning made simple.(Motor Control ICs)
August 1, 2006... Rising energy prices are focusing consumers on energy-saving design features in home appliances. Variable-speed operation is one such feature, and experts believe it could save up to 30 percent of the overall energy consumed by an appliance...

Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST[R]): a high-speed multimedia and control bus.(Automotive Electronics)
August 1, 2006... The entertainment systems used in automobiles are in many ways more sophisticated than what you see in a typical home. One of the biggest issues for automakers is driver distraction. Information and entertainment (infotainment) systems must...

Digital scopes catch the bits.(Test & Measurement)(Cover story)
August 1, 2006... Although high-frequency communication modes such as ZigBee and Gigabit Ethernet get a lot of attention, most engineers need tools, such as oscilloscopes, that help them test and debug equipment at frequencies below 500 MHz. New "low-end" scopes...

PCI card enhances content addressable memory.(BOARDS & MODULES)
August 1, 2006... Music Semiconductors has introduced an ergonomic design tool to the desktop. The CAM Navigator PCI is designed to streamline feasibility studies and simplifies testing of custom algorithms. It is a half-size PCI card compatible with 3.3V and 5V...

Single board computer supports ISA DMA mode.(BOARDS & MODULES)
August 1, 2006... Axiomtek has launched a high performance single board computer, the SBC81200. It supports LGA775-pin Intel[R] Pentium[R] 4 and Intel[R] Celeron[R] D processors up to 3.8 GHz, with a 533 MHz/800 MHz front side bus, and it features an Intel 865G...

Pulse I/O modules for wireless transmission from remote sites.(BOARDS & MODULES)
August 1, 2006... Phoenix Contact's Pulse Input/Output expansion modules allow direct pulse information to be transmitted wirelessly from remote locations. The modules are compatible with the company's wireless BD, XD and Data BD Bus radios. The digital pulse...

Isolated analog signal condition card has 16 channels.(BOARDS & MODULES)
August 1, 2006... Each of 16 channels on Omega's OMB-DBK207 and OMB-DBK207/CJC signal conditioning cards accepts an OM5 (5B) isolated analog input module. With DaqView software, a user can configure any channel to measure temperature, strain, volts, current or...

High-flowing AC cooling fans.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)
August 1, 2006... Jaro Components, Inc., has introduced a high-flowing AC cooling fan that tops out at 450 cfm. The model effectively dissipates heat while maintaining a low operating noise. The models are now available in 110V to 240V. The airflow ranges from...

A/B relay switch with remote serial control.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)
August 1, 2006... Electro Standards Labs has introduced its Model 7232 RJ45 A/B relay switch with remote serial control. This switch affords local and remote access functionality. Manual control is accomplished by pressing the front panel pushbutton to change...

Economical Planetary Gearheads.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)
August 1, 2006... Danaher Motion has introduced Micron ValueTrue Planetary Gearheads. ValueTrue provides precise operation with just 4 arc-mins of backlash. The gearheads are available in eight frame sizes from 60 mm to 200 mm, with inline and right angle...

Temperature controller doubles zone count per module.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)
August 1, 2006... Athena Controls, Inc. has announced its Series RMT Controller for runnerless molding applications. The product doubles the zone count per module. Two operator interfaces, four LED displays and discrete indicators for heat output, alarm, degree...

Bipolar, 1.8[degrees], NEMA 17 step motor.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)
August 1, 2006... Lin Engineering has announced an addition to its line of integrated step motor/driver/controllers. The SilverPak 17T is a bipolar, 1.8[degrees], NEMA 17 step motor integrated with a microstepping driver and intelligent controller. It is...

High-resolution reflective optical encoders.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
August 1, 2006... Avago has announced a higher resolution option for the AEDR-8300 Series of reflective optical encoders. The AEDR-8300 1Wx offers 212 1pi (lines per inch), high maximum count frequency at 60 kHz and operates from a single 3.3V to 5V supply,...

Four 32-bit MCUs for embedded and industrial applications.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
August 1, 2006... Luminary's LM3S301, LM3S310, LM3S315 and LM3S316 Stellaris[TM] MCUs are targeted at embedded and industrial applications. The MCUs have speed up to 25 MHz, incorporate ADC and motion control peripherals and have memory up to 16 KB Flash/4 KB...

PWM sensorless controller for three-phase full-wave BLDC motors.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
August 1, 2006... Marktech is offering the Toshiba TB6575FNG PWM sensorless controller for three-phase full wave brush-less DC (BLDC) motors. The rotation speed control is via a variable PWM duty cycle controlled by an analog input voltage. On receiving an...

Serial RapidIO[R] Switch with multicast capability.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
August 1, 2006... Tundra Semiconductor's Tsi578 Serial RapidIO Switch with patent-pending technology is suited for a wide range of applications such as wireless base stations and video infrastructure. Features include: desirable scalability; and port flexibility...

Constant current drivers provide fixed 100 mA output.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
August 1, 2006... Supertex's CL6 and CL7 linear, constant current, LED drivers with fixed output currents of 100 mA are suited for applications using 24V/48V inputs. Both ICs feature built-in reverse polarity protection as well as over-temperature protection....

1-10 width options for high-quality Lightpipes.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
August 1, 2006... Elma Electronic has announced a line of 90 Series Lightpipes in 1-10 wide options. The series 90 offers a wide range of styles of lightpipes. Various combinations of single, dual, vertical and horizontal configurations are available. Lightpipes...

High power mini LED driver.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
August 1, 2006... Zetex Semiconductors has introduced the ZXLD1350 LED driver. Operating from an input supply of between 7V and 30V, the driver can produce an adjustable output current of up to 350 mA, to support an LED chain of up to eight 1W LEDs. Its use of...

Modular LED-based edge-lighting.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
August 1, 2006... Global Lighting Technologies Inc. has formed a partnership with Luminus Devices, Inc. to produce modular LED-based edge-lighting assemblies for large-screen LCD TVs. Luminus' PhlatLight[TM] technology, combined with GLT's patented MicroLens[TM]...

Chassis features full redundancy.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
August 1, 2006... Elma Electronic Inc. has announced a 5U AdvancedTCA chassis with full redundancy. There are dual redundant fan trays, shelf managers and A/C power supplies. The shelf managers and A/C power is optional. Side-to-side cooling is achieved via a...

Hermetic, leadless ceramic SMT packages for direct PCB mount.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
August 1, 2006... Remtec offers leadless ceramic SMT hermetic packages for direct PCB mount with unique wrap-around interconnections, plugged via holes, hermetic-filled vias and integrated passives. Plugged via holes with low resistance (>1 m[ohm]) provide for...

Photovoltaic connection system.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
August 1, 2006... Tyco Electronics has expanded its SOLARLOK photovoltaic (PV) connector system. The expansions include three new junction box configurations that accommodate different wiring needs. The number of rails determines how many electrical connections...

Disposable medical connector.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
August 1, 2006... Fischer Connectors has introduced the Limited Use Connector (L.U.C.[TM]) system with multiple configurations. It features a plastic interface piece designed to accept the company's standard contact block configurations. The connector can accept...

SMT inductor for switch applications.(PASSIVE & DISCRETE COMPONENTS)
August 1, 2006... The Coiltronics[R] brand of high current HC9 SMT inductors from Cooper Bussmann Electronics Technology are designed for use in VRM (multi-phase buck regulator) circuits with switch mode applications requiring lower inductance, low voltage and...

Solid tantalum chip capacitors.(PASSIVE & DISCRETE COMPONENTS)
August 1, 2006... Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has announced the Hi-Rel COTS T83 Series solid tantalum chip capacitors designed for a variety of avionics and military systems such as radar, missiles and other weapons systems. These molded case capacitors are...

Miniature TCXOs offer tight stability through 800MHz.(PASSIVE & DISCRETE COMPONENTS)
August 1, 2006... Greenray Industries, Inc. has announced a family of miniature, high performance TCXOs. Model T1177 and T1185 TCXOs achieve stabilities at frequencies up through 800 MHz. Model T1177 is available from 100 MHz to 800 MHz, offers LVDS or PECL...

Wire-wound chip inductors for IC input power circuits.(PASSIVE & DISCRETE COMPONENTS)
August 1, 2006... Taiyo Yuden, Inc. has announced its LBMF1608 Series wire-wound chip inductors. The devices achieve a 47 [micro]H inductance rating in 0603 case size (1.6 mm X 0.8 mm X 0.8 mm), the LBMF1608 is 33 percent smaller by volume than equivalent-rated...

External 19W switch mode power.(POWER SOURCES)
August 1, 2006... SL Power Electronics is introducing a 19W family of external switch-mode power supplies that is the first in its Energy Star offering. Suitable for telecommunications, broadband and computer peripheral applications, the PW148 Series is...

300W power input module for high-performance ATCA boards.(POWER SOURCES)
August 1, 2006... Tyco Electronics Power Systems introduced its PIM300 Series 300W power input module designed to comply with the Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA[TM], AdvancedTCA[TM]) specifications. The module is targeted for high-density,...

Step-up DC/DC converter.(POWER SOURCES)
August 1, 2006... austriamicrosystems has announced the AS1321, a high efficiency step-up DC/DC converter with a fully integrated synchronous rectifier. The DC/DC converter has an output voltage of 5V with a supply voltage of 1.5V to 5.0V and is capable of...

Power factor corrected compact switching power supply.(POWER SOURCES)
August 1, 2006... MicroPower Direct has announced the RL9827Sx Series, which provides 150W of output power in a compact, high power density U-Channel package. With features that include power factor correction; auto-selectable AC inputs; overvoltage/load and...

Compact power module.(POWER SOURCES)
August 1, 2006... TDI has introduced its Signature 1,000W Universal Input modules which are high-reliability rectifier/battery chargers for TelCom applications (-54V DC) or front ends (+48V DC) in distributed power architectures. Other outputs from 42V DC to 58V...

Transformer eliminates reflected noise from power sources.(POWER SOURCES)
August 1, 2006... West Coast Magnetics has introduced its Noise Cut Transformer. This transformer will eliminate reflected noise from power sources, and it is suitable for conditioning the power supplied to sensitive production equipment. Features include a rack...

16-bit SAR ADC.(POWER SOURCES)
August 1, 2006... Texas Instruments has announced what is said to be the industry's fastest 16-bit successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADS8422 achieves 4 MSPS without sacrificing AC or DC performance, making it suitable...

Encapsulated power modules feature long life.(POWER SOURCES)
August 1, 2006... Bear Power Supplies has added 30W encapsulated AC/DC converters to its existing line of 5W, 10W and 15W supplies. These compact and rugged power supplies are designed for long life in commercial, industrial and medical applications. The 30W...

Surge arresters offer ultra low capacitance for xDSL applications.(POWER SOURCES)
August 1, 2006... STMicroelectronics has introduced a range of TRISILs designed to protect ADSL/VDSL modems and similar high bit-rate communications equipment on the CPE (customer premises equipment) side. The expanded family provides bidirectional crowbar...

Surface mount fuse for telecom.(POWER SOURCES)
August 1, 2006... Schurter has announced an RoHS compatible non-resettable fuse series, the TF 600, which offers a rated breaking capacity of 60A at 600V AC, over a current range of 0.5A to 2A. The fuse is designed to assist manufacturers of telecommunications...

Incremental encoders provide up to 10,000 ppr resolution.(SENSORS & ACTUATORS)
August 1, 2006... Sick Stegmann has introduced DGS66 incremental encoders. The encoders are available with an IP65-rated housing and provide up to 10k pulses per revolution for reliable operation in applications such as machine tool, textile, woodworking and...

Capacitive level sensor.(SENSORS & ACTUATORS)
August 1, 2006... Sie Sensors, Inc. has announced the microLEVEL SK1-FSA-mLM12-XDC-PSU Series, which self-adjusts the sensitivity automatically upon installation. Operating at 10V DC to 35V DC, this three wire PNP/NPN and normally open/normally closed complete...

Hermetically sealed DC-LVDT position sensors.(SENSORS & ACTUATORS)
August 1, 2006... Macro Sensors has announced a family of rugged hermetically sealed sensors for general industrial use. Enclosed in a heavy wall, stainless steel housing, the HSE/HSER 750 Series of 3/4" diameter DC operated LVDTs are impervious to dirt, water,...

Customized display devices for Multi-Tank applications.(SENSORS & ACTUATORS)
August 1, 2006... MTS Systems Corp. Sensors Division is offering customers Red Lion Tank Level and Multi-Tank Level Monitoring HMI Modbus RTUs, customized display panels for multiple tank systems that provide vital storage information on temperature, volume,...

Data acquisition with onboard processing.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
August 1, 2006... Microstar Laboratories has introduced a mid-range DAP board, model number DAP 5000a/526, powered by an Intel Pentium 233MHz CPU. The device also includes 16 analog inputs, two analog outputs, 16 digital inputs and 16 digital outputs. External...

Custom electrical test sets.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
August 1, 2006... Staco Energy Products Co. has introduced the Power Provider System line of custom products that monitor and control a wide range of variables so that manufacturers of electrical products can accurately test their products. Common uses include...

AC dynamometers for automotive testing.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
August 1, 2006... Sakor Technologies, Inc. has introduced the Accudyne[TM] family of AC motoring dynamometers. The dynamometer is compatible with a broad range of testing applications, including conventional engine and power-train systems, hybrid vehicle drives,...

16-bit PCI digitizer with dual port memory.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
August 1, 2006... AlazarTech has announced the ATS660[R] 16 bit PCI waveform digitizer designed for OEMs and R&D customers involved in RF signal analysis, biomedical imaging, ultrasonics, OCT, radar and lidar. The digitizer offers two simultaneous analog inputs...

Emulator for dynamic wireless systems testing.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
August 1, 2006... LitePoint Corporation has announced the TrueChannel[TM] Emulator, which reproduces highly accurate multi-path environments for testing up to 4 X 4 multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) or single input/single output (SISO) wireless designs. The...

Probe for high temperature measurement.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
August 1, 2006... Super Omegaclad[R] XL thermocouple probes from Omega Engineering are made with mineral-insulated cable and nickel-chrome sheathing. These corrosion-resistant probes measure high temperatures with desirable long-term accuracy. The probes can...