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New Approaches Maximize Power Supply Efficiency Across All Loads
December 19, 2007 11:04 am | by Andrew Smith, Power Integrations,Inc. | Articles | CommentsNew power regulations are redefining the meaning of efficiency in power supply design. Driven by increasing demand for electrical power worldwide, government agencies and industry groups are adopting new environmental standards that are designed to reduce power consumption by improving power efficiency. In the U.S. for example, the Department of Energy (DoE) and Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program grants certification to electronics devices that meet a range of standards for power consumption. More recently, the State of California through the California Energy Commission (CEC) has implemented a mandatory program to implement more stringent power efficiency standards for external power supplies and consumer audio and video equipment sold in California.
Serial Ports Still Bash the Bits
December 19, 2007 10:43 am | by Jon Titus, Senior Technical Editor | Articles | CommentsLike many inexpensive desktop PCs, my Dell Dimension C521 lacks a serial port. But, don't write off serial communications which will continue to play important roles in industrial controls, point-of-sale terminals and other equipment. USB and Ethernet have a place, but simple serial I/O still solves a lot of problems.
DC Power Tests: Many Instruments Do the Job
December 19, 2007 9:52 am | by Bob Zollo, Agilent Technologies | Articles | CommentsFor simple static-DC source-and-measure tests, familiar instruments such as power supplies, scopes, voltmeters and function generators work well. Dynamic DC-bias tests, though, involve sequencing and sourcing voltage and current, as well as making measurements. These bias tests require complex interactions among traditional instruments, and they can create setup and configuration challenges.
Chip Enables Simultaneous Audio Connections of Consumer Electronics
December 19, 2007 9:51 am | Product Releases | CommentsSTS Inc. announced the availability of its fourth-generation chip (DARR81) for digital wireless audio platforms in the connected home or office. The chip enables simultaneous audio connections of consumer electronics (CE) devices, such as headphones, speakers, home theater systems, flat panel TVs, game consoles, iPod and portable media player docking stations, and PCs for uninterrupted streaming of HD uncompressed wireless audio.
Pocket Reference Oscillator Integrates HCMOS Oscillator in SMA Housing
December 19, 2007 9:38 am | Product Releases | CommentsCrystek introduced the Pocket Reference Oscillator (PRO Series), said to be the industry’s first frequency control product to integrate a complete HCMOS crystal clock oscillator in a rugged SMA housing. The oscillator offers frequency stability of ±25 ppm over 0°C to 70°C (operating temperature range rated at -40°C to 85°C; storage -45°C to 90°C). They are available off-the-shelf in frequencies from 4 MHz to 125 MHz
Interface Module Connects up to 15 Addressable SEI Devices
December 19, 2007 9:02 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe SEI-USB from US Digital is an interface module that connects the company's SEI compatible devices to a standard USB 1.1 / 2.0 port. It connects up to 15 addressable SEI devices using a single 6-wire telephone-type cable up to 1000 feet long. It uses two RS-485-like differential pairs, one for “busy” flow control, and the other for bi-directional serial data
Mini Wave System for Specialized Soldering
December 19, 2007 8:54 am | Product Releases | CommentsA multipurpose miniature wave system for soldering and desoldering is now available from Manncorp. The System 120 bench-top device is designed for single-point or single-edge soldering and removal of ICs such as DIPs, QFPs, PGAs, connectors, and odd forms. It is useful for short runs requiring selective soldering of single components and can be adjusted to 399ºC for lead-free or tin/lead processing.
DC/DC Converter for Railways Generates 2 kW Output
December 19, 2007 7:59 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe HVI 2K-750/24 high input voltage DC/DC converter from Absopulse uses field proven design topology to generate 2kW output power. It accepts a 750V DC input voltage (525V to 975V DC range), which is the traction voltage typically required for mass transit vehicles such as trams, metros and light rail, as well as mining locomotives. The standard unit delivers
Board-to-Board SMC Connectors with Locking Capability
December 18, 2007 10:07 am | Product Releases | CommentsERNI Electronics expanded its 1.27 mm SMC connector family with a board-to-board right-angle SMC connector and integrated locking system. The locking system can withstand normal vibration and shock loads, yet still disconnect without using tools. Female (type Q) and male (type B) connectors are available with surface-mount termination and plastic housings constructed of
Standard Cell Device Implements a Structured ASIC as IP
December 18, 2007 9:20 am | Product Releases | CommentsChipX announced the introduction of Hybrid ASIC, the implementation of a structured ASIC as IP on a Standard Cell device. This development approach is said to allow for rapid and economical product line development and save companies recurring engineering (NRE) and tooling costs. According to the company, turnaround time for logic changes can be
Loop Powered Ultrasonic Sensors Internally Calculate Flow Rates and Volume
December 18, 2007 8:46 am | Product Releases | CommentsAutomation Products Group, Inc. introduced the LPU-2428 Loop Powered Ultrasonic Level Sensors with microprocessor control to internally perform volume, flow, and totalization calculations. These IP65 rated sensors provide a 1 foot to 25 foot (0.3 m to 7.62 m) detection range. They are designed for liquid flow-rate and volume measurement applications.
Battery Contacts Eliminate Plastic Housing
December 18, 2007 8:33 am | Product Releases | CommentsComponents Corp. announced the freestanding BC-501 battery contact series. The low profile, small footprint contacts can be placed anywhere on a circuit board and eliminate the need for a plastic housing. They have a wireform design that helps ensure reliable and high spring force. BC-510 2A contacts are provided on 8 mm wide, 4 mm pitch, conductive polycarbonate tape that meets ANSI/EIA-481 standards
Post Amplifiers with Twice the Signal Gain of Previous Offerings
December 18, 2007 7:13 am | Product Releases | CommentsMicrel's SY88343HL and SY88289HL high-sensitivity, low-power CML limiting post amplifiers are designed with twice the signal gain of the company's previously announced SY88343DL and SY88289CL. These products are targeted at applications using low-cost transimpedance amplifiers and/or low gain PIN diodes which occur in a variety of data and telecom markets
RS-485/RS-422 Transceiver Provides Precision Control
December 18, 2007 6:53 am | Product Releases | CommentsIntersil Corporation introduced the ISL3259E RS-485/RS-422 transceiver, a next-generation interface IC that combines a 100 Mbps data transmission rate with a low 2.6 mA supply current and 15 kV IEC61000-4-2 ESD (electro-static discharge) protection. The IC allows for the elimination of external protection components and saves on total costs. This device’s ESD level is rated at 15 kV air gap and 8 kV contact discharge to IEC61000-4-2 on the RS-485/RS-422 bus pins and 9kV HBM on all of the other pins.
RS-432, RS-485 Transceivers Offer Extended Operating Temperature
December 18, 2007 6:51 am | Product Releases | CommentsLinear Technology expanded its RS-422/RS-485 transceiver product family with an "H-grade" option designed for high temperature applications. LTC285xH versions feature an extended operating temperature of -40°C to 125°C, as well as the characteristics traditionally required for these applications. The new temperature grade is intended to ensure reliable data transmission in harsh environmental conditions
