Building Automotive GUIs “In a Flash”
January 25, 2008 5:51 am | Articles | CommentsAccording to Adobe Systems, over 300 million mobile devices have graphical user interfaces (GUIs) based on Adobe Flash technology – a number that may exceed a billion by 2010. Developers of in-car navigation and infotainment systems are also beginning to embrace Flash, for a simple reason: it can reduce the time to build a GUI by up to 50%. In the past, software teams had to translate their GUI prototypes into C, C++, or Java code, a labor-intensive process that can take many months. Now, teams can prototype their GUIs with high-level Flash tools and run those GUIs directly on embedded Flash players, without having to write graphics code.
Mini-Size 5W to 15W PC-Mount Power Supplies
January 25, 2008 4:05 am | Product Releases | CommentsLambda introduced its KPSA-family of pc-mountable AC/DC power supplies. These single output supplies are available with output power ratings of 5W, 10W and 15W and output voltages including 3.3V, 5V, 12V, 15V, and 24V (custom voltages also available). They operate with a very wide input range of 85V AC to 264V AC and in temperatures ranging from 0°C to +70°C (convection cooled).
Black Anodized Aluminum Lighted Pushbutton Switch
January 24, 2008 4:28 am | Product Releases | CommentsCIT RELAY & SWITCH offers the CH Series LED illuminated pushbutton switch with a new black anodized aluminum body and actuator. Functions include momentary or alternate action in SPDT or DPDT configurations. Illumination includes center dot or ring illumination feature red, yellow, green, blue, white and orange LED voltages, inclusive of 6V DC up to 220V AC. This vandal and water resistance switch offers panel cutout of 16 mm
Schottky Diode in the SOD-882L Package
January 22, 2008 8:20 am | Product Releases | CommentsCentral Semiconductor Corp. announced the CFSH-4 Schottky Diode in the SOD-882L Tiny Leadless Package (TLP). The 40V, 200 mA device has a switching speed of 5ns. Designed for applications where ultra small size with reasonable power dissipation is a prime requirement, it is suitable for portable battery powered applications such as: DC/DC converters, switching circuits, and LCD backlighting.
CE-Approved, 24V DC-LVDT Position Sensors are Available in Metric Versions
January 22, 2008 5:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsMacro Sensors offers a metric version of its 24V DC LVDT position sensors. Constructed entirely of stainless steel, the HSE HSER 750 Series of 19.0 mm diameter DC operated LVDTs is hermetically sealed, making them impervious to dirt, water, steam and other corrosive elements. These CE-approved and rugged units are suitable for use in
Hand-Held, Two Channel Data Recorder System with Integral Printer
January 22, 2008 5:41 am | Product Releases | CommentsAstro-Med's Test & Measurement Product Group introduced the Dash 2EZ+, a two channel, hand-held data acquisition system with integral chart recorder. It is capable of recording two channels of analog voltage channels along with one TTL event input to CompactFlash media at sample rates up to 40 kHz per channel. The unit also contains an integrated 3.1" strip chart recorder for hard copy printout.
Pulse Radar Sensors with Self-Adjusting and Target Tracking Technology
January 22, 2008 5:22 am | Product Releases | CommentsAutomation Products Group's PR Series Pulse Radar Level Sensors offer non-contact level measurement in challenging environmental conditions. Providing the process industry standard output of 4-20 mA, the sensors operate using a frequency burst at 6.3 GHz. Pulse Radar sensors provide a detection range up to 100 ft. (30m), resolution to 0.22 in. (5.7mm) and accuracy to
Step-Down Converter Helps Backplane-based Equipment Designers Meet Environmental Standards
January 22, 2008 4:57 am | Product Releases | CommentsAdvanced Analogic Technologies Inc. announced the AAT1160, a synchronous step-down DC/DC converter delivering up to 3A output from a 12V input. The device operates across a wide 4V to 13.2V input voltage range. It supplies a load current up to 3A with a fixed or adjustable output voltage which can be regulated to as low as 0.6V. The device supports efficiency levels up to 96 percent.
Power Management ICs Help Maximize Battery Runtime, Minimize Heat
January 21, 2008 9:31 am | Product Releases | CommentsLinear Technology Corporation introduced its LTC3556 multi-function power management devices for Li-Ion/Polymer battery applications. It integrates a switching PowerPath manager, a stand-alone battery charger, ideal diode, I2C control, a synchronous buck-boost regulator, two synchronous buck regulators plus
65 nm FPGA Family Adds Three Devices
January 21, 2008 7:59 am | Product Releases | CommentsXilinx introduced three new devices and small form factor packaging to its 65nm Virtex-5 LX and LXT FPGA platforms. The addition of the Virtex-5 LX155 device to the logic-optimized LX platform, and the addition of the LX20T and LX155T devices plus a new small footprint 19 mm FF323 package to the Virtex-5 LXT platform with low
Constant-Current LED Driver Allows Multiple Devices to Be Cascaded and Programmed Via One Serial Interface
January 21, 2008 5:13 am | Product Releases | CommentsCatalyst Semiconductor, Inc. has expanded its recently introduced family of large LED video display drivers with the CAT4008, an 8-channel, constant-current sink LED driver for billboard, marquee, instrument and other large, general-purpose LED displays. The device’s LED channels can operate with an output voltage on the LED pins as low as 0.4V (for 2mA to 100mA LED current), to enable more power-efficient designs.
Ultra Miniature IEPE Accelerometer Weighs 0.2 Grams
January 21, 2008 4:43 am | Product Releases | CommentsDytran Instruments Inc. introduced an ultra miniature IEPE accelerometer which is laser welded in a titanium housing. Weighing in at just 0.2 grams, this miniature accelerometer successfully reduces mass loading effects. Because of its tiny “teardrop” design, the 3224A2 is suitable for vibration measurements in small locations. The model 3224A2 is available with a sensitivity of 2mV/g and can operate at temperatures up to 300°F.
Protected Three-Phase 600V IC Featuring Extra Channel for PFC or Brake and Ground Fault Protection
January 18, 2008 6:53 am | International Rectifier | Product Releases | CommentsInternational Rectifier introduced the IRS26302D protected 600V three-phase gate driver IC with ground fault protection. The IC has a seventh gate drive channel for a power factor correction (PFC) switch or inverter brake, making it well-suited to medium power appliance motor control and many other general-purpose three-phase inverter applications. The controller integrates power MOSFET/IGBT gate drivers
Coaxial Solid-State PIN Diode Switches with Desirable Isolation
January 18, 2008 6:02 am | Agilent Technologies | Product Releases | CommentsAgilent Technologies Inc. introduced a family of coaxial solid-state PIN diode switches -- including the P9400A/C transfer, P9402A/C SPDT and P9404A/C SP4T switches -- with a broad operating frequency range from 100 MHz up to 18 GHz for fast, accurate test in automatic test equipment (ATE) systems. Desirable isolation and ultra-fast switching speed make these switches suited for R&D and manufacturing engineers designing manufacturing test systems or requiring a fast switching solution to validate component performance.
Modular Pushbutton Switch Series Offers Many Illumination Options
January 16, 2008 6:12 am | Product Releases | CommentsE-Switch announced its modular MDP-16 Series of illuminated pushbutton switches. Its modular interface design features an attractive front panel and many illumination options. Actuator styles include a low or high bezel, and a flush mount or full guard option. There are six actuator colors to choose from. Specifications include electrical life of 6,000 cycles both silver and gold; mechanical life of 50,000 cycles typical; contact rating is


