Serving the Electronic Design Community Since 1956
Industry Focus- Automotive Infotainment Drives Vehicle Trends
September 26, 2008 5:48 am | by Christopher Keuling, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsWhen consumers shop for a new vehicle, they look at price and gas mileage as key factors in their purchasing decision. Technology, now more portable than ever, is also on the mind of the American consumer. Cell phones, GPS navigation devices, mp3 players, and other video applications are becoming both a necessity and a convenience for drivers.
Power Monitoring IC Exhibits 2.5 Percent Static Accuracy
September 26, 2008 5:27 am | International Rectifier | Product Releases | CommentsUsing TruePower technology, International Rectifier’s IR3721 output power monitoring IC captures dynamic power information with 2.5% static accuracy at 65°C. The 10-pin lead-free DFN-packaged component works for DC/DC converters used in notebook computers, desktop computers, and energy-efficient server applications. The RoHS-compliant IC monitors
Semiconductor Highlight: Low-Cost Embedded NVM for Power Management Designs
September 26, 2008 5:23 am | by Yakov Roizin, Evgeny Pikhay, Amos Fenigstein, Avi Strum, Tower Semiconductor | Articles | CommentsIn this paper we present two unique NVM solutions which can close two significant gaps in the embedded memory IC world. Today’s designers have a large choice of embedded non-volatile memories (NVM) verified in different production technologies. These memories can be divided into three groups
Embedded Systems: Safeguard Ethernet Interfaces from Cable Discharges
September 26, 2008 4:39 am | by Timothy Puls, Product Marketing Engineer and Hani Geske, Senior Applications Engineer, Semtech Corporation | Articles | CommentsProtecting Ethernet interfaces from cable discharges can create a challenge for engineers because good protection must meet two criteria. First, and most important, a protective device must effectively clamp a transient to a safe voltage. Second, the device must present an acceptable capacitive load on high-speed differential transmission lines. Good planning and careful selection of transient voltage-suppression devices can adequately protect Ethernet interfaces from electrostatic discharges (ESDs) and cable discharge events.
Cover Story: High-End DMMs Simplify Measurements
September 25, 2008 12:25 pm | by Jon Titus, Senior Technical Editor | Articles | CommentsWhen engineers start to evaluate a precision digital multimeter (DMM) they first think about resolution and accuracy. "They may start with requirements for a high and low measurement limit and a tolerance," said Chuck Cimino, a marketing director at Keithley. "Then they figure out how many digits they need without going into a lot of the DMM's detailed specs."
Light-Cured Adhesives Accommodate Assembly Schedules
September 25, 2008 9:39 am | Product Releases | CommentsOperating in metals, glass, ceramics, plastics, polyethylene, and polypropylene panels, ITW Devcon’s Versatile Tru-Bond 18400 Series light-cured pressure-sensitive adhesives present the option to bond parts immediately or store them for later assembly. The liquid or gel products can be applied by hand or with automated dispensing equipment, such as
Tool Suite Verifies Software Development Aspects
September 25, 2008 9:28 am | Product Releases | CommentsCovering the DO-178B certification in the avionics sector, LDRA Technology’s LDRA tool suite v7.7 uses the LDRA Testbed foundation to verify aspects of software development from requirements through run time. The program integrates TBvision to show how the source code performs against security vulnerabilities, fault detection, and adherence, and lets
AC/DC Power Modules Accept Universal Input Voltage
September 25, 2008 9:21 am | Product Releases | CommentsMeasuring 1.46” × 0.91” × 0.59”, V-Infinity’s VSK-S3 line of 3 W AC/DC power modules yield a universal input voltage in a range from 85 VAC to 264 VAC or 110 VDC to 370 VDC. The UL60950-approved devices come in 6 models with output voltages ranging from 3.3 V to 24 V with efficiency up to 78% in the 24 V model. The modules have an isolation voltage
Power Supplies Deliver 240 W Continuously
September 25, 2008 9:16 am | Product Releases | CommentsHaving output voltages from 3.3 V to 48 V in 0.1 V increments, GlobTek’s GT(M)9110P Series medical and ITE open-frame power supplies provide up to 240 W of continuous output power with 20 CFM of airflow and 150 W while convection cooled. The 3" × 5" × 1.7" PBC mount-style devices accepts universal input from 90 VAC to 264 VAC in frequency
Pressure Switches Implement Magnetic Sensing
September 25, 2008 8:35 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe CSS Series and CSC Series of current pressure switches from Setra Systems utilize magnetic current sensing technology. They are intended for HVAC/R, industrial, and lighting applications that use electric motors to drive fans, pumps, and blowers, and for sensing the status of heating coils and lighting. These solid-state switches are offered with industry standard 135 Amp or 200 Amp output
Smaller SSDs Replace Traditional Drives
September 25, 2008 7:16 am | Product Releases | CommentsAvailable in densities of 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB, Low-density solid state drives (SSDs) from Samsung are 30 percent smaller than 2.5-inch SSDs and use the same SATA II controller technology as that being used on Samsung’s just-introduced MLC-based 128 GB SSD. The SSD at 32GB capacity will read data (sequentially) at 90 MB/s and write it (sequentially) at 70 MB/s. The 16 GB reads
Yagi Antennas Operate at 2,500 MHz
September 25, 2008 6:48 am | Product Releases | CommentsFulfilling moderate to high gain directional requirements at 2.4 GHz, Astron Wireless Technologies’ P2400 Series yagi antennas demonstrate a frequency range from 2,375 MHz to 2,500 MHz. The devices include 4 levels of gain, a wideband design for coverage without
IEPE Accelerometer Offers 10 mV/g Sensitivity
September 25, 2008 5:34 am | Product Releases | CommentsWeighing in at 0.2 grams, Dytran Instruments’ 3224A1 IEPE accelerometer presents a sensitivity of 10 mV/g. The “teardrop”-designed component operates at temperatures up to 300°F with integrated electronics, an adhesive mount, and a planar shear ceramic design. The accelerometer is suitable for environmental stress screening, PC board vibration
Front End Power Supplies Exhibit High Efficiency
September 24, 2008 11:48 am | Murata Power Solutions Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsPossessing a power density up to 17.9 W/in.³, Murata Power Solutions’ D1U4-W Series AC/DC front end power supplies deliver power with efficiency of up to 90.9%. The 355.6 mm × 101.6 mm × 41 mm 1U-housed devices offer output power of 1,600 W (220 VAC) or 1,200 W (110 VAC), main output voltages of 12 V, and standby output of
Sensing Chip Resistor Offers Low Absolute TCR
September 24, 2008 10:40 am | Product Releases | CommentsUsing Z-Foil technology, Vishay Intertechnology’s VCS1625Z SMT current sensing chip resistor demonstrates an absolute TCR of ±0.05 ppm/°C from 0°C to 60°C and ±0.20 ppm/°C from -55°C to 125°C with a 25°C ref. The device exhibits power coefficient ("?R due to self heating") of ±5 ppm at rated power, a tolerance of ±0.20%, and load-life stability of
