ECN-Electronic Component News articles from June 2009

ECN-Electronic Component News archives from June 2009

Fathoming the future.(Editor's View)
June 1, 2009... Once upon a time, if you wanted to know the future you went to a colorful character who told you your fortune by examining bird guts, tea leaves, or other obscure random pattern generator. They were called witch doctors, clairvoyants, and...

32 GB embedded memory card touted as highest density in its class.(Leading Off)
June 1, 2009... Samsung Electronics announced shipment of its 32-Gigabyte (GB) moviNAND, said to be the highest density embedded memory card utilizing advanced 30-nanometer (nm) class process technology. Use of high-density embedded memory improves the...

Magnetic reed switch positioned as world's smallest.(Leading Off)
June 1, 2009... Standex Electronics introduced a magnetic reed switch measuring 3.7 mm in length. In addition to being able to fit in very small spaces, the GR150 also maintains a very narrow sensitivity range. With a magnetic sensitivity of 2-4 Ampere Turns...

PoE SoC has 2-kV integrated isolation.(Leading Off)
June 1, 2009... A Power over Ethernet (PoE), Power System-on-a-Chip (Power SoC) with 2kV integrated isolation, the AS 1854 eliminates optocouplers and integrates functionality of up to nine separate ICs, including a third-generation IEEE 802.3af/at PD...

ARM Cortex-M3 Flash MCU boasts on-chip high speed USB device-and-transceiver.(Leading Off)
June 1, 2009... Atmel Corporation introduced an A Cortex-M3 Flash microcontroller wi High Speed (480 Mbps) USB Device SDIO/SD/MMC Host and SPI interf on-chip. This combination of feature makes the SAM3U the only Cortex-M3 device suited to applications with...

Enclosures.(PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW)
June 1, 2009... Companies mentioned in Product Technology Review: Pickering Interfaces www.pickeringtest.com Mercury Computer Systems www.mc.com Hybricon Corporation www.hybricon.com Tripp Lite www.tripplite.com Verotec Limited...

New PICMG 2.30 draft standard for cPCI can extend legacy system life.(EMBEDDED SYSTEMS)
June 1, 2009... Since its launch, the CompactPCI (cPCI) standard--designed to ensure the interoperability of modular embedded systems, single board computers and backplanes--has proved to be very popular among modular system designers, installers and users...

Utilizing microcontrollers' low-power modes and peripherals.(Low Power Microcontrollers)
June 1, 2009... Modern microcontrollers (MCUs) have a large variety of peripherals and features that can do a lot to help a design's power budget. It is important for an embedded designer to have complete knowledge of a device so that he can fully use the...

Silicon oscillators offer EMI improvements.(EMI Reduction Techniques)
June 1, 2009... One of the most difficult electronics design challenges is to track down and eliminate electromagnetic interference (EMI). Switching regulators, a common source of EMI, continue growing in usage due to their space and efficiency advantages over...

Understanding EMI reduction techniques.(EMI Reduction Techniques)
June 1, 2009... EMI (electro-magnetic interference) comes in different forms, frequencies, and levels. Electronic equipment has different categories for both emissions and susceptibility. Under normal circumstances elimination is not possible so reduction to...

Why MAX?--the purpose of WiMAX.(Wireless)
June 1, 2009... Whenever a new standard is adopted or starts to gain some ubiquity in the marketplace, I always have to ask, "So what? What does this new stuff give me that I don't already have?" It's an important question. If there is not any difference, then...

High speed digital isolation in PoE+.(Chips and DIPs)
June 1, 2009... The new IEEE 802.3at standard is best known for its expansion of the powered device (PD) maximum power to 25.5 W from the 13 W ".af" level. Perhaps more significant, however, is the added control functions included in the standard that allows...

Why does 50Hz make such a difference?(Chips and DIPs)
June 1, 2009... In customer transformer specifications, it is frequently assumed that the transformer will operate at 60 Hz, and Ensign often must ask if the customer also requires 50 Hz operation. This is more than simply our version of, "Do you want fries...

REACH and the electronics industry.(Chips and DIPs)
June 1, 2009... Certain chemical substances contained in electronic products and their components will need to be registered under the new EU Chemicals legislation ('REACH'). Failure by EU-based manufacturers or importers, or EU-based agents of non-EU...

Hermetic feedthroughs are critical in new flywheel systems.(Eye on Efficiency)
June 1, 2009... The phrase "everything old is new again" certainly applies to today's flywheel technology. Forget the mechanical bearing, standard atmosphere 5,000 rpm steel behemoths of the past, many of today's flywheel designs feature compact carbon fiber...

Eye on efficiency in high performance electro-optical systems.(Eye on Efficiency)
June 1, 2009... In today's "greening" economy, pressure to increase efficiency without sacrificing performance also increases. Especially in handheld, battery-operated devices, battery life is a driving specification. Military contracts have been won and lost...

The climate is right for wireless environmental sensors: growing concern over global climate change has lead to increased demand for remote battery-powered sensors.(Environmental Sensing)
June 1, 2009... The effects of man-made climate change, once seen as a problem for future generations, is now viewed as an immediate threat, leading to significant technological investments to build a more sustainable future. From measuring the decline of snow...

Device converts digital values into analog signals.(BOARDS, MODULES & EMBEDDED SYSTEMS)
June 1, 2009... The HART Loop Converter (HLC) from Pepperl+Fuchs allows users to access the digital information from HART-enabled field devices and makes it available to the analog world of process control. The HLC uses the HART protocol to communicate with...

RFID slice allows discrete and analog I/O.(BOARDS, MODULES & EMBEDDED SYSTEMS)
June 1, 2009... Containing two channels, a Simple RFID (RFID-S) slice from TURCK allows traditional discrete and analog I/O slices. The RFID-S slice does not require software for integration into a PLC system. It is compatible with BL20 non-programmable and...

I/O Cube compatible with 30+ board types.(BOARDS, MODULES & EMBEDDED SYSTEMS)
June 1, 2009... Available in two models--a three-I/O layer (five-slot PPC5-1G) or a six-I/O layer (eight-slot PPC8-1G)--the PowerDNA PPCx-lG Gigabit Ethernet I/O Cube from UEI is compatible with all 30+ UEI I/O board types. The six-layer model (PPC8-1G Cube)...

Low-power FPGAs offer low power consumption.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
June 1, 2009... Presented as having the lowest (up to half)s power consumption and price of any SERDES-capable FPGA device, the LatticeECP3 family is also presumed to be the only 65-nm mid-range products of their type. Features include multi-protocol 3.2G...

FPGA families enable improved designs.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
June 1, 2009... Providing improved methodologies for creating FPGA-based SoC solutions, the Virtex-6 and Spartan-6 FPGA families from Xilinx can deliver twice the capacity at half the power consumption compared to previous families. With a logic density of up...

NOR flash memory uses 45-nm process.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
June 1, 2009... Based on StrataFlash memory architecture, the first multilevel cell NOR flash memory products from Numonyx using 45-nm process technology extends beyond its 65-nm predecessor. The 1-Gb monolithic device is drop-in compatible with the company's...

TFT Displays don't require an external video controller.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
June 1, 2009... With built-in controllers and LED backlights, LXD Small TFT Displays don't require an external video controller. Sizes range from 2.0" to 4.3". Each display is designed with a touch panel option. The interconnect is a flex circuit to a Molex...

Green OLED supports up to 16 levels of grayscale.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
June 1, 2009... Billed as one of the largest passive OLED displays on the market, a 5.5" diagonal 256 x 64-pixel passive matrix monochrome grayscale Green OLED from OSD Displays supports up to 16 levels of grayscale. The display features the Solomon Systech...

Emitter presents high radiant intensity and optical power.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
June 1, 2009... Measuring 3-mm (Tl), Vishay Intertechnology's VSLB3940 940-nm infrared emitter offers on-axis radiant intensity of 65 mW/sr and optical power of 40 mW at 100 mA. The component exhibits switching times of 15 ns, support for data rates up to 30...

SSLD delivers hysteretic control.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
June 1, 2009... Using a buck topology, Supertex's HV9919 SSLD uses a hysteretic control function to maintain its output current between a fixed minimum and maximum level at all times. The PWM controller performs in solid-state lighting applications and as a...

Module uses active 3.3-V backplane management system.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
June 1, 2009... Providing a MCH slot and five AMC slots, the EcoBox MicroTCA system platform from Elma Electronic uses an active 3.3-V backplane management system with inrush current control and over-current protection. The platform uses a standard 300-W ATX...

Gel targets large-scale LED applications.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
June 1, 2009... Acting as an alternative to hermetically sealed housings, HumiSeals' UV40 gel has been formulated for large-scale LED applications such as LED displays often found above stadiums during sporting events. The adhesive withstands UV exposure,...

Multiple feedthrough plates minimize potential downtime.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
June 1, 2009... Douglas Electrical Components' (DECo) Portplate systems, which combine fully assembled, pre-tested multiple feedthroughs on a single plate are said to minimize the amount of potential downtime due to system leaks, which would usually result in...

Cable assemblies feature 100 db of shielding.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
June 1, 2009... Hand-formable cable assemblies from Electronic Assembly Manufacturing (EAM) use a copper-tin composite outer conductor to achieve shielding effectiveness of more than 100 dB. The cable assemblies provide typical insertion loss of 0.7 dB/ft. at...

Handheld cases use magnesium-based alloy.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
June 1, 2009... Suiting industrial automation, medical, avionics, marine, and automotive equipment, TEKO Enclosures' TEKMAG handheld cases are manufactured in TEKNIUM, a magnesium-based alloy. The 6.181" x 3.889" x 1.236" devices feature a contoured design and...

Connector offers touch for hazardous voltage applicatons.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
June 1, 2009... Providing power contacts rated up to 110 A, the SBS75x Connector from Anderson Power Products is recommended for use with DC voltages in systems operating from 50 V to 600 V. The housing accepts up to four auxiliary contacts for applications...

Push-Pull I/O connector suits outdoor environments.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
June 1, 2009... FCI has become a certified second source for HARTING'S Outdoor PushPull I/O connector family. The outdoor I/O product family is said to be the industry's highest-density, field-installable IP 67 solution for fiber, power and copper signal...

Adhesive serviceable to over 400[degrees]F.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
June 1, 2009... Purportedly resistant to impact, thermal shock, vibration, and fatigue cracking, the Supreme 10HT adhesive from Master Bond is serviceable over a temperature range of 4 K to over 400[degrees]F. It is resistant to chemicals including water, oil,...

Power supply meets EISA Standards with interchangeable blades.(POWER SOURCES)
June 1, 2009... The GT-841078 Series of interchangeable blade wall plug-in power supplies from GlobTek meets EISA Standards with interchangeable blades. The supplies are Class II, double-enforced and offer insulation mechanical configurations and regulated...

Power distribution system allows 83 disconnects.(POWER SOURCES)
June 1, 2009... With multiple connections per phase, the Altech Power Distribution (APD) System allows up to 83 disconnects per meter. The APD system houses two conductors in plastic insulation suitable for voltages up to 600 VAC. Conductors with current...

Energy Harvesting Module provides 100 [micro]Ah.(POWER SOURCES)
June 1, 2009... Using two EnerChip CBC050 solid state energy chips, the EnerChip EH CBC5300 Energy Harvesting Module from Cymbet provides 100 [micro]Ah of power. The EnerChip EH is designed to provide energy conversion, energy storage, and power management in...

SMT 5W DC/DC converters offer 4:1 input.(POWER SOURCES)
June 1, 2009... Power Sources Unlimited's Tracopower TES5WI Series of 5 W DC/DC converters comes in a 24-pin SMT package. The design complies with lead free reflow solder processing according IPC/JEDEC-J-STD-020C. Standard models feature an ultra wide, 4:1...

DC/AC inverter offers alarm signal output.(POWER SOURCES)
June 1, 2009... Taiyo Yuden's LS6Q-1612A-RH--low-profile DC-to-AC inverter is intended for driving cold-cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) in liquid crystal display (LCD) backlighting applications. Designed for use with 12" to 17" industrial-grade LCD panels,...

Power converter uses industrial grade components for critical apps.(POWER SOURCES)
June 1, 2009... Schaefer, Inc. has introduced the C/B5800 Series of 12,000 W DC/DC converter, AC/DC power supply and battery charging products. Five standard DC input voltage options span a range from 80 VDC to 800 VDC. AC input models offer either one-phase...

Rotary encoder exhibits small footprint.(SENSORS)
June 1, 2009... Being billed as the world's smallest, Avago Technologies' and the FAULHABER Group's PA2-50 rotary encoder measures 3 mm x 3.28 mm x 1.26 mm. The component incorporates the AEDR-8400 optical IC with a transmitter and emitter located on the same...

Optical encoder has 2-bit quadrature resolution.(SENSORS)
June 1, 2009... Intended for applications such as audio, aircraft, medical and test equipment, a panel mount optical encoder from CUI has a 2-bit quadrature resolution. The C14 series has a 16- or 32-angle of throw position along with three shaft options that...

Emitter used for near-to-far infrared applications.(SENSORS)
June 1, 2009... The PIRELC, a high-output emitter from Cal Sensors can be used as a steady state or pulsed source of blackbody radiation for near-to-far infrared applications. The solid state emitter offers output of 4 x [10.sup.-2] W/[cm.sup.2] at 1 inch from...

Vibration monitoring system handles up to 900[degrees]F.(SENSORS)
June 1, 2009... The Model 5334 high-temperature vibration monitoring system from Dytran Instruments can handle up to 900[degrees]F. Operating from a constant current two-wire (IEPE) power unit, the system consists of a high temperature charge mode...

Ultrasonic level sensors target fluid apps.(SENSORS)
June 1, 2009... Measuring up to 26.2' (8 m), Gems Sensors & Controls' UCL-520 Series ultrasonic level sensors are suitable for non-contact fluid applications, such as industrial water treatment, wastewater management, and chemical storage. The two-wire...

Simulation system touts high capacity.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2009... Offering three- or six-sector configurations, Catapult Communications' LTE User Equipment (UE) Simulation test system demonstrates a UE capacity of up to 400 connected UEs per sector. The product supports maximum data throughput of up to 300...

Radio communication tester supports multi-standard testing.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2009... Exhibiting a frequency range up to 6 GHz, Rohde & Schwarz's R&S CMW500 wideband radio communication tester offers a two-channel option, so it can test two DUTs at the same time using different standards. The unit supports GSM/(E)GPRS,...

Temperature/process controller boasts high accuracy.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2009... Coming in a 1/16 DIN 74-mm case with NEMA4X and IP66 waterproof and dustproof protection, RKC Instrument's FBI00 temperature/process controller touts an accuracy of 0.1 percent. The device offers selectable sampling times of 50 ms, 100 ms, or...

Portable OTDR based on scanning photon counting.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2009... AMS Technologies presents Luciol Instruments' LOR-200 high-resolution portable OTDR that is based on Luciol's proprietary scanning photon counting technology. The instrument distinguishes events with 20-cm separation and has a sub-m attenuation...

Analyzer serves [I.sup.2]C buses.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2009... Using a high-speed USB 2.0 interface, Corelis' BusPro I2C analyzer presents an intuitive environment for PC hardware debugging, software development, and in-system programming of serial EEPROMs. It supports Standard-mode, Fast-mode, Fast-mode...

Digitizers use up to eight channels.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2009... Configuring up to 64 channels in a single system, GaGe's Octopus CompuScope 84XX 16-bit digitizers offer two, four or eight digitizing channels in a single PCI card. The products present up to 4 GB of on-board acquisition memory, base memory of...

Anemometers show air velocity and temperature simultaneously.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2009... Using an LCD display with digital readability, Omega Engineering's Series HHF42 portable hot-wire anemometers read air velocity and temperature simultaneously. The CE-compliant instruments record minimum and maximum reading with recall. The...

Voltage measurement instruments offer 48 inputs.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2009... Data Translation's VOLTpoint Series precision voltage measurement instruments include 48 separate 24-bit resolution inputs each with its own A/D converter for direct connection to a PC via USB or LXI-compatible Ethernet. Direct voltage inputs...

Brainstorm.(Lighting)
June 1, 2009... Q: What's the chief factor preventing mainstream adoption of solid state lighting? Ken Marasco, Analog Devices, www.analog.com Smart phones, portable media players, digital still cameras, scan guns, point-of-sale terminals, and...