Serving the Electronic Design Community Since 1956
Switching Regulators Exhibit High Efficiency
October 28, 2008 11:16 am | Product Releases | CommentsOperating at an ambient temperature of up to 60°C without a heatsink or forced cooling, Tracopower’s TSR-1 Series 1 A switching regulators operate at a full load efficiency of up to 96%. The 9 models offer input voltages from 4.75 VDC to 32 VDC, output voltages from 1.50 VDC to 15 VDC, output current of 1 A, and direct operation from a 24 VDC bus voltage. The instruments act as
Embedded Systems: Take a New Look at Ada
October 28, 2008 11:14 am | by Robert Dewar, President and CEO, AdaCore | Articles | CommentsThe world of computer technology has two incompatible characteristics. First, many computer systems have long lives. Second, students and many engineers pay attention to only the latest technologies and they believe old technologies have died out. The "yesterday's-fashion” phenomenon has applied to the Ada programming language, too. If engineers have heard of Ada at all, they may assume it is an old US Department of Defense technology that disappeared long ago.
Cover Story- Power Factor Correction Goes Digital
October 28, 2008 10:41 am | by Vinaya Skanda, Senior Applications Engineer, Microchip Technology. | Articles | CommentsMost power-conversion applications require a DC source, which uses a rectifier that draws non-sinusoidal line currents. As a result, line-current harmonics have become a significant problem and they lead to overheating of transformers and inductive equipment, degradation of system voltages and increased stress on components. In addition, stringent limits imposed on harmonic currents by international groups make the need to improve power quality even more important. Power-factor correction (PFC) can help solve these problems.
Motion Controller Manages Four Axes
October 28, 2008 10:32 am | Product Releases | CommentsPairing with FANUC servos, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platform’s PACMotion motion controller module controls up to 4 axes plus a master axis in motion applications in the packaging, assembly, metalworking, and printing industries. The component uses PACcore multi-processor architecture bridged by virtual dual port memory and a PCI backplane to decrease the degrading of
UHF Reader ICs Utilize Protocol Engine
October 28, 2008 9:45 am | Product Releases | CommentsKnown as “SimplyGen2”, austriamicrosystems’ AS3990 and AS3991 single-chip UHF reader ICs use an EPC Class 1 Gen 2 protocol engine. The 9 mm² 64-pin QFN-packaged components include an integrated power amplifier, require 32 registers to enable full RF, filtering, and protocol control, and operate over a temperature range from -45°C to 85°C. The products can
Cable Assemblies Transmit 10 Gbps
October 28, 2008 9:11 am | Product Releases | CommentsTargeting the high-performance computing (HPC), enterprise networking, and network storage markets, W.L. Gore & Associates’ GORE SPF+ copper cable assemblies delivering 10 Gbps data at distances up to 25 meters. The SFF-84310- and RoHS-compliant devices use an expanded
Level Control Sensors Enhance Power Measurements
October 28, 2008 7:52 am | Product Releases | CommentsComing fully calibrated, Rohde & Schwarz’s R&S NRP-Z28 and R&S NRP-Z98 one-box level control sensors are designed to enhance the performance of power measurements. The instruments exhibit a VSWR of <1.11 in a frequency range from 9 kHz to 2.4 GHz to reduce
Lamps Include Switch and Sensor
October 28, 2008 7:25 am | Product Releases | CommentsSuiting panels and enclosures, Omega Engineering’s SL025 Series of slimline lamps come equipped with an on/off switch and a movement sensor. The CE-compliant devices fit into any position in a steel enclosure via a magnet fixing. The user has the choice of a lamp with or without
Should Energy Star exist?
October 28, 2008 7:20 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Articles | CommentsThe recent Energy Star controversy must inevitably be discussed in a broader context. To sum up current events: on June 2nd, the EPA violated Energy Policy Act (EPACT) 2005 by releasing a “technical amendment” (version 4.2) to their Energy Star solid state lighting criteria without consulting “interested parties” (i.e. industry).
Power Supply Used Globally Without Changing Settings
October 28, 2008 6:55 am | Product Releases | CommentsWith its 90-265 VAC universal input and active PFC, the 400W TMPC-400 ATX PC power supply can be used globally without changing input settings. The power supply is approved to UL 60601-1, IEC 60601-1, and EN 60601-1 medical standards, and complies with EN 60601-1-2 EMC standards, including EN 55011, EN 61000-3-2, EN 61000-4-2, and EN 61000-4-11
Audio Codec Uses Class H Technology
October 28, 2008 6:49 am | Product Releases | CommentsImproving audio playback battery life by up to 2 hours, Cirrus Logic’s CS42L55 portable audio codec utilizes supply-adjusting bimodal Class H headphone driver technology for quiescent power consumption of 5.1 mW. The 5 mm × 5 mm × 0.45 mm 36-pin QFN-packaged component delivers 1 Vrms line output from a 1.8 V supply and 17 mW per channel of 96 dB dynamic range
Tact Switches Endure 300K Cycles
October 28, 2008 6:17 am | Product Releases | CommentsDemonstrating an operating current of 1 µA at 1.8 VDC, C&K Components’ 4.6 mm × 2.8 mm KMR Series tact switches last for a life span of up to 300,000 cycles in mobile applications. The KMR 2 devices display a height of 1.9 mm and an actuation force range from 1.2 N to 4 N, and the KMR 4 units exhibit a height of 2.5 mm and an actuation force range from 2 N to
Potentiometers Integrated in Dog Training Equipment
October 28, 2008 6:16 am | Product Releases | CommentsModel P160 panel potentiometers from TT electronics BI Technologies have been implemented in Tri-Tronics' electronic dog training equipment. With a 5 oz to 8 oz-in rotational torque for each detent position over 100,000 cycles, the panels feature a resistance range of 500 O to 1 MO and standard tolerance to ±20%. The 16mm rotary potentiometers feature conductive plastic elements
Development Tool Supports MCUs and DSCs
October 28, 2008 5:48 am | Microchip Technology Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsSupporting in-circuit programming and debugging, Microchip Technology’s MPLAB ICD 3 development tool performs in Microchip’s 8-bit PIC MCUs, entire line of 16- and 32-bit MCUs, and 16-bit dsPIC digital signal controllers (DSCs). The product maintains backward compatibility with the RJ-11 interface for connecting to target boards for device programming, and shows compatibility with
Ultracapacitors Satisfy Power Apps
October 28, 2008 5:10 am | Product Releases | CommentsAdding to the PowerBurst Series, Tecate Industries’ PBF Series electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) modules target short-term or back-up power applications, such as automatic meter readers (AMRs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and wireless transmission applications. The 48 mm × 5.70 mm × 20 mm to 96 mm × 5.70 mm × 35 mm instruments suit soft shutdown, “dying gasp” notification, battery swaps, and memory retention. The devices offer capacitance values of
