ECN-Electronic Component News articles from March 2009

ECN-Electronic Component News archives from March 2009

Print your own Stormtrooper.(Editor's View)
March 1, 2009... Anaheim, California is known for three things: Disneyland, the Angels, and Electronics West. For those who've never been, Electronics West (EW) is one of seven shows (including, EW, Medical Design and Manufacturing West, Pacific Design and...

Boost mode converter drives up to four strings of ten 120-mA LEDs with 3,000:1 True Color PWM dimming.(Leading Off)
March 1, 2009... Linear Technology's LT3599, a 45-V, 2.1-MHz DC/DC boost mode converter is designed to operate as a constant current LED driver for up to 40 white LEDs. From a 12-V input, it can drive up to four strings of LEDs, each with up to ten 120-mA white...

Data acquisition chip enables high-slice-count CT scanners for fast, clear images.(Leading Off)
March 1, 2009... Analog Devices introduced a current-to-digital converter chip that is asserted to enable high-slice-count CT systems to capture real-time moving images--such as a beating heart--with a high degree of accuracy and detail. The ADAS1128 24-bit...

All-plastic ice sensor is transparent to radio waves.(Leading Off)
March 1, 2009... New Avionics introduced an in-flight ice sensor made entirely of plastic. The Model 9732-UAV ice-detecting transducer probe addresses the problem of conductive metallic interference with mission-critical radio antennas on unmanned aerial...

Motors & motion: motor and motion control vendors are addressing designers' needs in a variety of markets from medical to industrial to robotics. this section presents some of the recently introduced products, with a side-by-side presentation viewable online at www.ecnmag.com/ptr-march-09.aspx.(PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW)
March 1, 2009... Roboteq introduced an intelligent dual-channel DC motor controller capable of directly driving up to 120 A on each channel at up to 60 V. The AX2860 is targeted at designers of mobile robotic vehicles including automated guided vehicles (AVG),...

6LoWPAN goes where ZigBee can't: an IP-based protocol puts sensor applications on the Internet.(EMBEDDED SYSTEMS)
March 1, 2009... Many "standard" and proprietary protocols use the media-access controller (MAC) and the physical circuits (PHY) associated with IEEE 802.15.4 radios. Those protocols use their own arrangements of bits and bytes to transfer information between...

Achieving high efficiency with power switches.(Power ICs)
March 1, 2009... In general, high frequency operation allows the use of small-sized passive components in switch mode power supplies (SMPS) while it causes switching losses to increase in a hard switching mode. To reduce switching losses at high switching...

Interaction in consumer devices: motion sensing, tactile feedback, and digital ink give consumers a better device experience.(Consumer Electronics)
March 1, 2009... Consumers want end products that give them the most user interaction. Two of the most popular examples on the market are Apple's iPhone and Nintendo's Wii. These products serve very different purposes, but share electronic advances that make...

Take a top-down view of industrial imaging: don't get stuck on details when you plan to implement vision-system hardware and software.(Industrial Imaging)
March 1, 2009... Before you think about using an industrial imaging system to solve an inspection problem, you must exactly define the problem or problems you need to solve. To start, John Keating, product marketing manager at Cognex, breaks vision tasks into...

Mechatronics and assisted living.(Mechatronics)
March 1, 2009... As the name suggests, mechatronics brings together the disciplines of mechanics and electronics, plus elements of software and other technologies. With machatronics requiring many levels of expertise, how does an engineer simplify their design,...

On energy-efficient motor control.(DESIGN TALK)
March 1, 2009... According to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), motors used in applications such as pumps, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, lifts, and conveyors are responsible for over half of the world's electricity consumption....

Carrier supports four LXI function cards.(BOARDS, MODDLES & LIMBEDDES SYSTEMS)
March 1, 2009... Running the Linux 2.6 kernel via a 300-MHz processor, Bustec's ProDAQ 6100 LXI function card carrier provides access for up to four Bustec ProDAQ function cards through a standard Gigabit LAN interface. The 1 U x 19" half-wide device offers an...

Reference designs serve RF remote controls.(BOARDS, MODDLES & LIMBEDDES SYSTEMS)
March 1, 2009... Based on the Emerald GP500C communication controller, GreenPeak Technologies' new set of reference designs are designed for IEEE 802.15.4-compliant, 2.4-GHz RF remote controls and RF modules. The products integrate into consumer electronics...

Rugged SBC domonstrates low power.(BOARDS, MODDLES & LIMBEDDES SYSTEMS)
March 1, 2009... Using Intel T7400 Merom Core 2 Duo dual core processors and Intel's Virtualization Technology (VT), Aitech Defense Systems' 6U VME C160 single board computer (SBC) draws 25 W of power. The component incorporates a metal thermal management frame...

Universal control module uses resistive touchscreen.(BOARDS, MODDLES & LIMBEDDES SYSTEMS)
March 1, 2009... Designed for the food service industry, Renau Electronic Laboratories' UCM-1000 universal control module uses a 4.3" WQVGA TFT color resistive touchscreen. The 5.25" W x 3.45" H X 0.90" D unit connects to Renau's Hybrid Micro Control Series...

Solid-state contactors present high power ratings.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL)
March 1, 2009... At 40-A or 50-A load ratings per phase at 65[degrees]C ambient temperature, Crydom's RHP line of hybrid solid-state contactors offer configurations with power ratings of 120 VAC, 240 VAC, 280 VAC, or 600 VAC. The devices demonstrate full-load...

Membrane switch keypads target interface designs.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL)
March 1, 2009... Able to replace multiple mechanical switches, soldered wires, and cable assemblies, NKK Switches' FM Series membrane switch keypads perform in human-machine interface designs. The dot-illuminated devices offer 12 or 16 keys, pre-configured...

Battery charger IC enhances internal protection.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
March 1, 2009... Operating in cell phone handsets, STMicroelectronics' ESDA8V-1MX2 battery charger IC absorbs mainsborne surges containing peak pulse energy of up to 500 W. The 1-mm X 1.45-mm x 0.55-mm unit offers a 50 percent reduction in leakage current,...

Equalizer/driver/retimer IC addresses 10G SFP+ system design.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
March 1, 2009... Suitable for 'direct attach' passive twin-ax copper cables and 10GBASE-SR optical modules, Phyworks' PHY1066 equalizer, driver, and retimer IC enables host board designers to create 10-Gbps Ethernet SFP+ receive and transmit interfaces. The...

Microcontrollers enable industrial connectivity.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
March 1, 2009... Shipping with the Freescale MQX RTOS, Freescale Semiconductor's MCF5225x family of 32-bit ColdFire V2 microcontrollers offer on-chip USB device/host/on-the-go, Fast Ethernet, CAN, and encryption for connectivity in industrial networking...

Rectifiers exhibit low forward voltage drop.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
March 1, 2009... Provided in an SOT-23F package, the CMPSH1-4L and CMPSH1-4LE Low-[V.sub.F] Schottky rectifiers from Central Semiconductor have a forward voltage drop of 270 mV at 100 mA and 390 mV at 1 A. The CMLPSH1-4LE version has leakage currents of 200...

Stereo audio switch eliminates unwanted clicks and pops.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
March 1, 2009... Performing in mp3 players, docking speaker systems, cell phones, portable DVD players, and sound cards, Intersil's ISL54406 stereo audio switch is said to eliminate unwanted clicks and pops typically caused by powering up and down, muting on...

CCD cameras drive vehicle applications.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
March 1, 2009... With an angle of vision of 130[degrees] and a level of sensitivity of [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sharp Microelectronics Europe +49 (0) 180 507 35 07, www.sharpsme.com

SSLD performs temperature management.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
March 1, 2009... Leadis' LDS8160 solid-state lighting driver (SSLD) is intended to optimize the LED drive current for desirable luminosity-over-temperature performance, and includes a temperature compensation engine and current regulator. The former monitors...

Edison-based LED lamp delivers 160 lm.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
March 1, 2009... Available in white-light 2,800K, 5,200K, and 6,000K color temperature versions, the EnergyLED E26 LED light bulb from Marktech LED Lighting uses 4.6 W to generate 160 lumens of light. Engineered to last 50,000 hours, the bulb is lead free and...

Headers and mates perform in household appliances.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
March 1, 2009... Engineered for board-to-board or board-to-cable connections, Sullins Connector Solutions' SBH Series fully-shrouded male box headers and SFH Series female header mates perform in household appliances, HVAC equipment, gasoline pumps, vending...

Thermally conductive adhesives dissipate heat to 599[degrees]F.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
March 1, 2009... Combining high-temperature resins and conductive fillers, Cotronics' Duralco 132 thermally conductive adhesives form bonds with continuous service at up to 500[degrees]E The products are suitable for bonding and assembling heating coils,...

Energy Star adapter operates worldwide.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
March 1, 2009... Complying with Energy Star EPS 2.0 requirements, Phihong's PSA18R-120P 18-W adapter includes four interchangeable AC plugs, making it compatible with virtually every power outlet worldwide. The Class II, double-insulated unit exhibits no-load...

I/O Links demonstrate 10 Gb/s per channel.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
March 1, 2009... Using common wire gauges in cable lengths up to 10 m, FCI's DensiShield I/O links exhibit 10 Gb/s per channel differential performance. The differential performance can be achieved at 6 m or less by using 30 AWG cable, at 8 m or less by using...

Enclosures target remote-control devices.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
March 1, 2009... Combining gray ABS with black 'soft-touch' rubberized TPE, TEKO Enclosures' TEKO 'OV-IP' enclosures are designed for small RF or infrared remote control devices fitted on a key ring. The 2.236" X 1.732" X 0.570" cases consist of an IP 65/NEMA...

Rotary latch enables electronic access.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
March 1, 2009... Performing in storage compartments or access doors for vehicles and medical, electronics, self-service, and industrial equipment, Southco's R4-EM rotary latch allows for electronic access. The 2.56" x 2.72" x 0.75" interconnect installs with...

RJ45 jacks integrate magnetic isolation modules.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
March 1, 2009... With features such as integrated magnetic modules to isolate common and differential-mode interference, a family of RJ45 LAN jacks from Epcos is available in single, dual and quad-port versions. Able to withstand a breakdown voltage of 1,500...

Experimentation kit generates thermoelectric power.(POWER SOURCES)
March 1, 2009... Suitable for demonstrating the Seebeck effect, Tellurex's PG-1 thermoelectric power generation experimentation kit supplies a net output of -0.75 W and an adjustable output voltage from 3 VDC to 14 VDC. The fully assembled unit can be used to...

UPS battery charger generates 500-W output.(POWER SOURCES)
March 1, 2009... Using high frequency conversion topology to generate 500 W output power, the BCH 501 Series, a compact DC output UPS system/battery charger from Absopulse, is comprised of two vertically stacked ('piggy-backed') chassis. The input accepts a...

Power supplies address medical applications.(POWER SOURCES)
March 1, 2009... With a 4-kVAC I/O isolation and an output-to-ground isolation of 1,500 VAC, digitally controlled 300-W power supplies from TDK-Lambda meet the IEC 60601-1 starndard for medical equipment. Regulated DC outputs of 12 V or 24 VDC are standard, and...

POL converter delivers 20 A.(POWER SOURCES)
March 1, 2009... Accepting an input from 2.40 V to 5.50 V or 4.50 V to 14 V, respectively, Lineage Power's APTH020A0X3-SRZ and APTS020A0X3-SRZ TLynx open-frame DC/DC converters provide up to 20 A of output current in a regulated output voltage range from 0.60...

Desktop power supplies meet LPS and EISA requirements.(POWER SOURCES)
March 1, 2009... Demonstrating an output voltage from 12VDC to 30 VDC, GlobTek's GT-41069 family of 90-W desktop power supplies complies with Low Voltage Power Source (LPS) and EISA requirements. The Class II and FE devices accept a universal input from 90 VAC...

Power entry modules fit in 1U enclosures.(POWER SOURCES)
March 1, 2009... Providing a combination of appliance inlet and circuit breaker in a single module, the Series 6135 and 6136 families of power entry modules from Schurter are compact enough to be mounted in lU-sized products and enclosures. The 6135 offers a...

Switching power supplies serve industrial/medical applications.(POWER SOURCES)
March 1, 2009... Delivering 450 W with active PFC, Astrodyne's PMK450 and PMMK450 Series switching AC/DC power supplies are designed to perform in I.T.E systems, pumps, motors, and instrumentation applications, as well as medically approved AC/DC power supply...

3-A converter boasts integrated inductor.(POWER SOURCES)
March 1, 2009... Delivering an output of 3 A in a 28-[mm.sup.2] package, the EN5337QI synchronous buck DC/DC converter from Enpirion has an integrated inductor for a power density of 149 W/[in.sup.2]. The 5-MHz device accepts an input from 2.375 V to 5.5 V and...

Air/oil cleaner power supplies offer wide output voltages.(POWER SOURCES)
March 1, 2009... Presenting an auto-ranging AC input, LHV Power's LHV-45 Series 45-W electrostatic air/oil cleaner power supplies exhibit an output voltage range from 1 kVDC to 30 kVDC. The fully encapsulated units demonstrate constant voltage, constant power,...

Images sensors support inspections on factory floors without using PC.(SENSORS)
March 1, 2009... Combining the functionality of a photoelectric sensor and a vision sensor, Banner Engineering's iVu Series image sensors allow users to apply and support inspections on the factory floor without using a PC. The products offer integrated or...

Rotary encoders offer improved PROFINET IO support.(SENSORS)
March 1, 2009... The Ertec200-based OPTOCODE family of rotary encoders for PROFINET IO networks from FRABA support RT (real-time) and NRT (non-real-time) data transfer according to the PROFIDrive profile with cycle times as short as 10 ms. They allow users to...

Thermal imaging array measures 256 elements.(SENSORS)
March 1, 2009... Including an integrated electronics system with a ROIC chip, Cal Sensors' [LIRA.sup.5S] lead-selenide (PbSe) thermal imaging array senses up to 256 elements in the wavelength region from 1[micro]m to 5.5 [micro]m. The 28-pin-packaged device...

IEPE accelerometer measures vibrations underwater.(SENSORS)
March 1, 2009... Exhibiting sensitivity of 100 mV/g, Dytran Instruments' Model 3217A general-purpose accelerometer is designed for underwater vibration measurements in submersible applications with a factory-molded urethane boot and urethane cable. The 5-g...

Laser navigation sensors operate in harsh environments.(SENSORS)
March 1, 2009... Targeting automated guided vehicles, Danaher Motion's LS5 Navigator laser navigation sensors are designed for use in outdoor and indoor environments. The devices withstand variations in temperature from -30[degrees]C to 50[degrees]C, relative...

Digital meters measure components.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
March 1, 2009... Handling SMT components and traditional components with wire leads too short to insert in test terminals as small as 0.3 mm, Aven introduced two battery powered Quick-Test Tweezers that incorporate a digital meter in a "tweezer" form factor for...

Oscilloscope and DSA trigger rapidly.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
March 1, 2009... Providing support on all channels simultaneously for bandwidth, memory, sample rate, and waveform capture rate, the DPO70000B Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope (DPO) and DSA70000B Digital Serial Analyzer (DSA) Series from Tektronix are presented as...

Signal tester is first LTE base-station simulator.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
March 1, 2009... Designed with four RF units that enable 2x2 MIMO system handover tests (in a simulated network environment), the MD8430A signaling tester from Anritsu is presented as the industry's first LTE base-station simulator. The unit can conduct...

Digital oscilloscopes support up to 30 GHz.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
March 1, 2009... Demonstrating 512 Mpts of analysis and >15-GHz edge triggering, LeCroy's WaveMaster 8 Zi Series digital oscilloscopes provide support for bandwidths from 4 GHz to 30 GHz. The instruments exhibit standard sample rates of 80 GS/s for...

Environmental issues: Q: Which green technology has the most commercial potential?(Brainstorm)
March 1, 2009... P. Lindsay Powell, 3M, www.mmm.com As T. Boone Pickens compellingly points out to us, in weaning ourselves off our dependency for imported oil we must invest in gas, sun, and wind, and the United States is fortunate to have an abundance of...

Where do the LEDs belong?(ON THE LIGHT SIDE)
March 1, 2009... At CES 2009 in Las Vegas, it appeared that every major LCD TV manufacturer had at least one model with an LED backlight. It quickly became apparent that there are some clear advantages to using LEDs as the light source, but a closer look at the...

Piezoelectric ceramic drives automobile innovation.
March 1, 2009... Piezoelectric ceramic components composed of Lead Zirconate Titanates (PZT) have enabled many recent technological innovations in the automobile industry. PZT components can be found throughout many state-of-the-art vehicles, enhancing safety,...

Next stop, the twilight zone.(efficiency Zone)
March 1, 2009... President Obama's position on tailpipe emissions presents a strange paradox: traditional supporters of states' rights are clamoring for one national standard, while federalists want the states to decide. It would seem that we've entered bizarro...

Energizer to release OEM version of zinc/air battery.(efficiency Zone)
March 1, 2009... The history of portable electronics is one of decreasing size, both for the devices themselves and the batteries to power them. A while back, I reported on the Quad A battery--specifically, Energizer's push to make the Quad A more commercially...

Books & kits.
March 1, 2009... 3-D Accelerometer Kit Lacks Critical Information ZSTAR3 Multiple Wireless Triple-Axis Reference Design Demo, RD3172MMA7456L, Freescale Semiconductor. US$99. www.freescale.com Freescale Semiconductor, which has produced many types...

Researchers demonstrate nanoscale chip-cooling technology.(Research EDGE)
March 1, 2009... Scientists for the first time have applied superlattice-based thermoelectric thin-films on an active silicon microchip within an integrated electronics package. The development is reported in the online edition of Nature Nanotechnology, which...

Easy assembly of electronic biological chips.(Research EDGE)
March 1, 2009... A handheld, ultra-portable device that can recognize and immediately report on a wide variety of environmental or medical compounds may eventually be possible, using a method that incorporates a mixture of biologically tagged nanowires onto IC...