Serving the Electronic Design Community Since 1956
Sensor Zone: March 2009
February 19, 2009 10:37 am | by Tony Beswick, Russ Petrucci and Phil Slater, Morgan Technical Ceramics | Articles | CommentsPiezoelectric 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, performance, energy-efficiency and comfort. For example, you will find PZT sensors under the hood detecting engine knocking, PZT transducers in the gas tank measuring the fuel level, PZT actuators operating valves
Starter Kit Enables FPGA-based Prototyping Designs
February 19, 2009 9:35 am | Product Releases | CommentsIntended for use with Libero development tools, Actel’s IGLOO nano starter kit can be used for prototyping designs targeted to IGLOO or ProASIC3 nano FPGAs. The product includes a development board with an IGLOO
Modules Automate Key Measurement and Analysis Tasks
February 19, 2009 8:35 am | Tektronix | Product Releases | CommentsThe DPOxAUDIO and DPOxPWR triggering and analysis modules from Tektronix are designed to automate key measurement and analysis tasks on digital audio buses and switch-mode power supplies. Features include the Wave Inspector search/navigation toolset and the TekVPI probe interface
Load Regulator Supports Appliances and Handheld Products
February 19, 2009 8:31 am | Product Releases | CommentsDelivering up to 1.5-A output current, the MIC23150 HyperLight Load Regulator from Micrel supports portable products and green home/office appliances. Features include: 23 Micro Amps of quiescent current, 93 percent peak efficiency, 87 percent efficiency under a 1 mA load, operating input supply range from 2.7 V to 5.5 V
Design Talk: Mechatronics
February 19, 2009 8:04 am | Articles | CommentsMore than 50 million people in the United States have disabilities, a number that is growing rapidly as the population ages. This growth has sparked renewed interest in developing more sophisticated assistive technologies to enable an oftentimes disabling environment. This growth presents semiconductor suppliers with an opportunity to enable this field
POL Voltage Regulators Boast Benchmark Efficiency
February 19, 2009 7:56 am | International Rectifier | Product Releases | CommentsTargeting energy-efficient server, storage and netcom applications, International Rectifier’s Gen2 SupIRBuck POL voltage regulators deliver 4-A, 8-A, and 12-A output current with benchmark efficiency over the entire load range, according to the company. The 5-mm × 6-mm devices exhibit an input voltage range from 1.5 V to
Digital Pressure Gauge Uses Five-Digit Display
February 19, 2009 7:04 am | Product Releases | CommentsLeveraging MEMS-based sensing technology, Automation Products Group’s PG5 digital pressure gauge utilizes a 5-digit display with 0.40” characters. The device delivers 0.01-digit resolution through 100 psi, has ranges from vacuum to 500 psi and from 0 psi to 10,000 psi at ±0.25% accuracy of full scale. The unit incorporates a 9-V battery for self-powering; an all-stainless steel sensor, and a microprocessor-based circuit with
Planetary Gearbox Touts High Reduction Ratios
February 19, 2009 6:21 am | Product Releases | CommentsDesigned for Pittman brand DC motors, AMETEK Technical & Industrial Products’ G30A planetary gearbox achieves reduction ratios to 46,656:1 in 4:1, 5:1, and 6:1 multiples. The device presents maximum load capabilities from 106 oz/in. (0.750 N/m) for 1-stage models to 1.250 oz/in. (8.800 N/m) for versions with
SFP Cage Delivers EMI Shielding
February 19, 2009 5:48 am | Product Releases | CommentsOperating in blade servers, switches, routers, and add/drop multiplexers, Pulse's SFP032-L 2x8 SFP cage connects transceivers and shields them from EMI. The 25.50-mm H × 63.25-mm D × 114.25-mm W product has a 2-piece structure to prevent deforming during press fitting; handles speeds up to 5 Gb, and withstands
Automotive Power Inductors Operate at 180°C
February 19, 2009 5:30 am | Product Releases | CommentsTargeting automotive underhood environments, BI Technologies’ HA55 Series power inductors exhibit an operating temperature range from -40°C to 180°C. The units offer rated current from 40 A to 60 A, typ. rated current inductance values from 7 µH to 20 µH, and saturation current from 43 A to 50 A. The devices have a recommended
Dimmable Mains LED Driver Powers Green Designs
February 19, 2009 5:10 am | Product Releases | CommentsDriving lighting systems with variable power requirements, NXP Semiconductors’ SSL2101 integrated dimmable mains LED driver (SSLD) operates in LED retro-fit lamps, LED modules, LED spots, down-lights, and LED strings for retail displays. The component can perform directly from a rectified mains power supply in combination with
POL Converters Meet DOSA Standards
February 19, 2009 4:40 am | Murata Power Solutions Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsDelivering respective output currents of 3 A and 5 A, Murata Power Solutions’ OKY-T/3-D12P-C, OKY-T/3-D12N-C, and OKY-T/5-D12N-C Okami POL DC/DC converters can act as drop-in replacements for other DOSA-compliant
HDR Camera Features 2-CCD Design
February 18, 2009 12:24 pm | Product Releases | CommentsThe AD-081CL high dynamic range (HDR) camera from JAI features a 2-CCD design with two standard ICX204AL 1/3” monochrome progressive scan sensors. The prism-based design enables the camera to simultaneously capture two channels of 30 fps video, with each channel having 1024 x 768 resolution
Amplifiers Integrate Directional Coupler
February 18, 2009 12:21 pm | Product Releases | CommentsIntegrating the directional coupler, a family of single and dual-band WCDMA power amplifiers (PA) from Skyworks Solutions is purported to reduce the phone board footprint and bill-of-material costs. The amplifiers are offered in 10 bands, and range from 824 MHz to 1980 MHz
Electric Vehicles on Cell Phone Contracts
February 18, 2009 11:15 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsShai Agassi, CEO of Better Place, wants to make electric cars viable. His solution? Spread battery-swapping stations throughout the world, using a fee structure similar to cell-phone contracts. According to Better Place’s site, “The batteries of a zero-emission vehicle need three things in place for optimum functionality: charging spots, battery switching stations, and software that automates the experience.” Their solution is a network of stations where depleted batteries can be swapped out for fresh ones.
