Serving the Electronic Design Community Since 1956
Voltage Regulators Allow Large Transient Range
October 22, 2008 5:55 am | Product Releases | CommentsWith an input voltage range from 4.5 V to 42 V, SIMPLE SWITCHER step-down voltage regulators from National Semiconductor allow for voltage transients from 12 V and 24 V input rails. The regulators feature internal compensation and low pin-count packages. The 11 SIMPLE SWITCHER step-down voltage regulators support load currents from 0.5 A to 5 A. Each provides a fixed switching frequency
Audio Receiver Features Converter Technology
October 22, 2008 5:30 am | Product Releases | CommentsGiving designers of consumer and professional audio applications a solution for receiving incoming digital audio sources, the CS8422 24-bit, 192 kHz digital audio receiver from Cirrus Logic features a low jitter PLL and integrated asynchronous sample rate converter. The audio receiver integrates an input multiplexer that supports up to four S/PDIF or two differential AES3 audio inputs
Connector Targets IFE Systems
October 22, 2008 5:06 am | Product Releases | CommentsMeeting technical specifications for use in commercial aircrafts, ITT Interconnect Solutions’ custom ARINC 600 connector is designed specifically for in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems. The device uses Quadrax contacts for gigabit Ethernet channels, as well as a custom-size two shell designed to reduce EMI/RFI emissions. The connector utilizes custom insert arrangements and pre-loaded inserts with tail contacts to eliminate unused positions and for PC board
Light Sensors Display 16-bit Resolution
October 21, 2008 9:58 am | Product Releases | CommentsManaging LED and cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) display backlighting, TAOS’ TCS3404 and TCS3414 digital color light sensors use RGB filters to derive the color chromaticity and illuminance of ambient light with 16 bits of resolution. The 2.095 mm × 1.875 mm × 0.685 mm components automatically eliminate signal fluctuation resulting from AC lighting flicker without
Industry Focus: Touchscreens Press Deep Into Consumer Electronics
October 21, 2008 9:45 am | by Christopher Keuling, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsTouchscreen technology has become more prominent in recent years, especially in the consumer and kiosk markets. PDAs, ATM machines, supermarket check-outs, and Apple’s iPhone are among the most well-known uses of touchscreen technology. Some touchscreen technologies have found a place in applications where the more commercially known technologies (resistive and capacitive) are inadequate. This month, we review the different types of touchscreen technologies available for the consumer electronics industry, along with their pros and cons, their applications, and a look into the future.
Fear itself
October 21, 2008 9:16 am | by Alix Paultre, Editor-in-Chief | Articles | CommentsEveryone is worried about the global economy, and many are afraid that the U.S. electronic design and manufacturing industry is facing dire straights. To those who worry, I say that the primary American electronic markets are amongst the most economically stable places in this crisis, and have some of the most innovative and creative engineers in the world.
Radiometer Performs Multiple Detector Measurements
October 21, 2008 9:12 am | Product Releases | CommentsUtilizing 4-channel multiplexed technology, Gigahertz-Optik’s X1-1 handheld multi-spectralband filter radiometer simultaneously operates and displays multiple detector measurements of the XD-450X 3-cell detector series. The device exhibits autoranging from 0.1 pA to 200 uA or manual range selection, dose mode, selectable integration time from 20 ms to 1 second, USB interface, backlit LCD, and compatibility with up to 4 single- and multi-sensor light detector
Semiconductor Highlight: Integrated Drivers Optimize Stepper Motor Controller Design
October 21, 2008 8:55 am | Articles | CommentsStepper motor system designers today require more than simple drivers. They demand increased value such as reduced BOM costs with higher performance, which is helping stepper motors gain popularity in many applications historically reserved for DC motors.
VCO Demonstrates Low Phase Noise
October 21, 2008 7:58 am | Product Releases | CommentsOperating in a frequency range from 5,340 MHz to 5,390 MHZ, Crystek’s CVCO55CXT-5340-5390 VCO exhibits a typical phase noise of -102 dBc/Hz at 10 KHz offset. The 0.5” × 0.5” SMT component presents typical output power of 3 dBm, a control voltage range from 0.5 V to ~4.5 V, input voltage of 5 V, and maximum current consumption of 25 mA. The oscillator shows pulling and
Turnkey Devices Incorporate SLED Technology
October 21, 2008 7:35 am | Product Releases | CommentsPerforming in laboratory applications, Exalos’ EBS4000-0000 and EBS8000-0000 turnkey devices with touchscreens enable the use of superluminescent light emitting diode (SLED) technology. The EBS4000-0000 can utilize up to 4 different SLEDs, and the EBS8000-0000 can utilize up to 8 ones with availability as
Photos From the Renesas Developers' Conference
October 21, 2008 7:17 am | Iar Systems Software | Product Releases | CommentsAddressing the needs of engineers and managers using microcomputers to develop embedded systems, the Renesas Developers’ Conference (held from October 13 to 15 in San Diego) presented tutorials, technology updates, hands-on technical labs, panel discussions, and ‘meet the experts’ sessions.
Mechanical Hygrostats Control Relative Air Humidity
October 21, 2008 6:53 am | Product Releases | CommentsConnecting to an enclosure heater (dehumidifier), Omega Engineering’s MFR012 Series mechanical hygrostats are designed to control the relative air humidity inside of enclosures. The CE-compliant units activate the heater at the set humidity level in order to raise the dew point to help prevent damage and malfunction of electronic components caused by condensation and
SoC Reduces ICs in Amplification Circuits
October 21, 2008 6:00 am | Product Releases | CommentsUsing multibit Delta-Sigma audio converter technology, the CS47048 audio system-on-a-chip (SOC) from Cirrus Logic can reduce the number of ICs required to implement an automotive amplifier by as many as 10. Featuring a 4-channel ADC and a 32-bit audio DSP, the SOC has a 105 dB dynamic range and a -98 dB THD+N. The device uses integrated converters to simplify the management
Buck Controllers Deliver up to 12 A
October 21, 2008 5:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsAccepting and input from 6 to 42 V, the Simple Switcher family of synchronous buck controllers from National Semiconductor has an output current capability of up to 12 A. The LM3150 features an adjustable switching frequency and output voltage, and the LM3151, LM3152 and LM3153 deliver a fixed 3.3-V output voltage at 250, 500, and 750 kHz
Circuit Protectors Reset Remotely
October 21, 2008 5:37 am | Product Releases | CommentsIsolating circuit failures for design, control, and systems integration applications, Weidmuller’s ESX10-T Series circuit protectors demonstrate remote reset capabilities that operating via the use of an electronic signal. The instruments combine electronic trip characteristics and active current limitation to allow selective disconnection of loads that are connected to 24 VDC power supplies. Selective load protection prevents complete shutdown of the system by disconnecting
