Serving the Electronic Design Community Since 1956
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
Battery Charger IC for Single and Dual Cell Applications Reduces Charge Time
December 18, 2007 6:36 am | Product Releases | CommentsAdvanced Analogic Technologies Incorporated announced the AAT3663, the first in a family of 1A linear battery charger ICs capable of charging up to two Li-ion cells in series. Designed to operate from either an AC adapter or a USB port, this device features the company’s Digital Thermal Loop charge reduction circuit which monitors the internal die temperature and gradually steps down the charge current to avoid thermal shutdown.
Power Dividers Use 8-Way Adjustment
December 18, 2007 6:14 am | Product Releases | CommentsMicrolab/FXR, a subsidiary of Wireless Telecom Group Inc., announced an 8-way version of its Dx-64FN Power Divider series. The frequency includes all cellular, PCS, and UMTS bands in a single unit. It is suited for low power applications where output isolation is more important than lowest possible loss. The wide frequency range of this design allows use with multi-band
Ball Bearings in Variety of Metric Sizes
December 17, 2007 11:39 am | Product Releases | CommentsDanaher Motion's Thomson Super Ball Bushings are now available in metric sizes of 16, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 mm. These bearings have a coefficient of friction as low as 0.001 so designers can specify smaller, less expensive motors, belts, gears, and ball screws. They are drop-in replacements for existing applications and are dimensionally interchangeable with competitive and legacy applications.
Micro USB Connectors in A- and AB- Sizes
December 17, 2007 6:51 am | Product Releases | CommentsKycon now offers micro-USB connectors in the KMMX size. Connectors are availabile with the Micro-B receptacle for standard devices and the Micro-AB receptacle for the USB Implementers Forum Specification's USB-On-the-Go devices. Both are surface-mount receptacles with stainless steel shells, yielding more than 10,000 insertion cycles for longer life and higher durability.
Automotive Grade, Hall-Effect Sensor Offers 2.1 kVrms Isolation
December 17, 2007 6:28 am | Product Releases | CommentsAllegro introduced two current sensorsfor AC and DC currents in automotive applications. The ACS714 and ACS715 devices are akin to the company's ACS712 and ACS713 devices, which are specialized for low current sensing in non-automotive applications. The differences are realized in the more rigorous test regiment over the full automotive temperature range (-40°C to +150°C) and the greater detail
Photoelectric Sensors Provide Quick Response Time
December 17, 2007 6:28 am | Product Releases | CommentsPepperl+Fuchs introduced the GLV18 Econo-Vue Photoelectric Sensors in a compact, short housing that provides greater mounting flexibility. The series is available in five different sensing modes and provide sensing ranges up to 20 m. All models are available in straight and right-angled housings, cabled and quick disconnect versions, and come standard with a flush mount bracket to create a custom look on panel mounts.
Two-in-One ST5 Connector for Mobile Devices
December 17, 2007 6:28 am | Product Releases | CommentsJapan Aviation Electronics developed the ST5, a low-profile, SIM/microSDTM two-in-one connector for connecting the microSDTM, SDA cards, and GSM11.11 plug-in SIM cards in high-end mobile devices. The connector is 2.8 mm thick, uses a push-push insertion/ejection structure; and has a breaking mechanism to prevent the microSDTM card from disconnecting. The design emits an audible click
Small Linear Motor Pushes Up to 200-times Its Own Weight
December 17, 2007 6:12 am | Product Releases | CommentsNew Scale Technologies added to its SQL Series of piezoelectric SQUIGGLE motors, said to be the world’s smallest linear motors. The SQL-1.8 SQUIGGLE motor travels as fast as 7 mm per second and pushes axial loads of up to 30 g -- nearly 200 times its own weight of 0.16 g. At 1.8 × 1.8 × 6 mm, the SQL-1.8 is still less than half the size of competing micro-motors, according to the company.
Phase Lock Loop VCO Covers Wide Frequency Range
December 17, 2007 6:11 am | Product Releases | CommentsRaltron Electronics Corp. released their PCC-A1-3100 PLL family of VCO’s covering a frequency range of between 500 MHz and 3.5 GHz. The unit consists of a PLL IC loop filter and VCO. It uses an internal frequency reference that typically is 10 MHz but could also be specified at different values by the customer. Key specifications for a 3100 MHz unit show typical operating supply voltage at 5.0V at 70 mA
Pump Family Utilizes An Integral Electro-hydraulic Servo Piston Assembly
December 17, 2007 5:45 am | Product Releases | CommentsSauer-Danfoss announced the release of its H1 45/53cc and 78cc single pumps, joining the 147/165cc single pump and the 45/53cc integral tandem pump for a variety of propel and non-propel applications. The H1 family of closed-circuit variable displacement axial piston pumps is compact and features high power density. All the units use an integral electro-hydraulic servo piston assembly that controls rate (speed) and direction of hydraulic flow.
Short Stoke Pneumatic Cylinders Provide Maintenance-Free Operation
December 17, 2007 5:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsParker Hannifin Corporation introduced their C05 and C05S Short Stroke Pneumatic Cylinder Series. They feature compact, short stroke cylinders in single- and double-acting versions, suited for clamping and locking operations in a variety of industrial markets. Stainless steel piston rods are standard for corrosion resistance. The double-acting C05 pneumatic cylinder is available in 12, 20, 32, 50 and 63 bore sizes with strokes up to 25 mm.
Bobbing for Energy in the Pacific Northwest
December 17, 2007 4:50 am | Blogs | CommentsEnergy News: Most of Earth's surface is covered with free, green, non-depleting energy -- the movement of ocean waves -- and scientists say that power could be a major contributor to electric grids if only it were easily captured. So, researchers at universities such as Oregon State, and at start-ups such as Finavera Renewables and Ocean Power Technologies, are experimenting with special buoys that transfer movement into energy.
Quad-Mode Alternative to 604 LED Driver
December 14, 2007 6:05 am | Product Releases | CommentsCatalyst Semiconductor's CAT3604V is a four-channel LED driver eliminates high-profile inductors and unwanted EMI. It has a fourth operational mode, 1.33x, in addition to the typical modes of 1x, 1.5x, and 2x. The 1.33x mode helps reduce input switching currents to the battery, thereby minimizing overall supply noise. The driver also has a dimming interface
