Articles
The truth about relative vs. absolute motion control systems
January 16, 2013 12:39 pm | by Chad Lucien, Hillcrest Labs, www.hillcrestlabs.com | Hillcrest Labs | CommentsSmart TV features are beginning to transform the TV into an entertainment hub. Whether functionality is native to the TV or via a connected set-top box, many Smart TV systems utilize motion and pointing to control myriad features and functions. Motion control provides cursor, point-and-click, and tilt-based controls, mimicking the control system of a computer mouse or smartphone touchscreen.
New Jersey’s power and fuel infrastructure was no match for Sandy
January 16, 2013 12:14 pm | by Chris Warner, Executive Editor | CommentsThe love-hate relationship we have with "the grid" was inescapable during Superstorm Sandy. We don’t think about it much when our homes are lit and appliances are humming – we have the freedom to do anything we want. But when there’s an interruption, there’s that nagging wish to be free from the grip of our local utility....
Resolution rises to become banner spec for oscilloscopes
January 16, 2013 11:03 am | by David Maliniak, Technical Marketing Communications Specialist, Teledyne LeCroy | CommentsSince its invention in the 1980s, the digital oscilloscope represented a more modern approach to the visualization of waveforms compared with the analog instruments it replaced. Analog oscilloscopes displayed waveforms directly, but digital oscilloscopes use high-speed analog-to-digital converters....
How to get more than 8 bits from your 8-bit scope
January 16, 2013 10:54 am | by Joel Woodward, Agilent Technologies | Agilent Technologies | CommentsMeasurements are key to all scientific and engineering disciplines. For the electronics industry, oscilloscopes provide a number of critical measurements required by engineers to conduct real-world testing and gain needed insight. The majority of today’s oscilloscopes are designed with 8-bit ADCs (analog-to-digital converters).
DC/DC converter design principles for wireless sensor node applications
January 15, 2013 4:55 pm | by Yogesh Ramadass, Design Engineer and Tony Antonacci, Systems Engineer, Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | CommentsWith the advancement of energy harvesting elements, energy can be found and captured in almost any application, allowing for a wide variety of systems to be powered remotely. Applications such as “smart homes” and “mesh sensor networks” take advantage of the harvesting elements in order to power back-end electronics....
Using wireless in industrial automation to improve energy efficiency
January 15, 2013 4:44 pm | by Cory Vanderpool, Business Development Director, EnOcean Alliance | Enocean | CommentsThere is no doubt that considerable energy is utilized when it comes to industrial facilities. According to the Department of Energy, there are about 350,000 industrial facilities in the U.S. with annual energy costs totaling $94.4 billion. It is estimated that 30 percent of this energy is used inefficiently or unnecessarily.
Designing a smart TV remote using a 2.4GHz RF radio
January 15, 2013 10:13 am | by RamaSai Krishna Vakkantula, Cypress | Cypress | CommentsToday’s television manufacturers are designing televisions that are smart and have the ability to connect to the Internet so that users can browse web content and socialize. Usually these smart TVs are mounted on the wall and all other entertainment equipment islocated behind the closed doors of an entertainment center.
What to look for in your next power supply
January 14, 2013 8:58 am | by Lorenzo Cividino, Director Field Technical Support, SL Power Electronics | SL Power Electronics Corporation | CommentsChoosing the right power supply design is imperative for an overall successful product. With the ongoing goal of increased density, reliability and efficiencies, power ratings need to be reviewed carefully. Product life, temperature, input voltage, load and cooling are vital considerations as is meeting standards for safety, EMC and regulatory environmental impact compliance.
High-voltage Battery Simulator and Test Systems Critical for Hybrid Vehicle Development
January 8, 2013 3:03 pm | by Randall Beattie, SAKOR | CommentsHigh voltage battery simulator and test systems are essential for conducting testing of the high voltage DC power systems that are such a critical element of electric (EV) and hybrid/electric (HEV) vehicles. To accurately test a high voltage hybrid
Why the computer mouse will soon be obsolete
January 8, 2013 9:04 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | CommentsIf you thought being able to “pinch” your iPad screen to zoom was cool, hold on to your hats, because there is something even better coming: a way to use your computer without even touching it.To fully understand why this technology is so awesome, you have to ask yourself about the actual reason the computer mouse is designed the way is it.
Pecan Street demonstrates the potential of smart grid technology
January 7, 2013 11:33 am | by Melissa Barnes, Associate Editor, PD&D | CommentsWhen I first learned of Pecan Street, Inc. and the Smart Grid Demonstration Project, I knew little of the consortium’s mission. I had heard of smart grids before, but I was curious to know more about what the Pecan Street’s project was and how it was significant to the advancement of “green” technology.
Four pillars of power management to consider when selecting your next PDU
January 4, 2013 1:43 pm | by Dave Proli, Director of Engineering, Marway Power Solutions | Marway Power Solutions | CommentsAs consumer, commercial and industrial electronic systems become more advanced; they require more precise and reliable power sources to function at optimum levels. System integrators and designers are turning to more sophisticated power distribution units (PDUs) with customized specifications to better tackle power hurdles.
Why dual-mode Bluetooth makes sense
January 4, 2013 10:23 am | by Dana Myers, channel marketing manager, Wireless Connectivity Solutions, Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | CommentsTraditionally, Bluetooth has been associated with hands-free calling and peripheral applications requiring short-range wireless connectivity. After the introduction of the Bluetooth v4.0specification in 2010, which standardized Bluetooth low energy operation, a large amount of the industry buzz has been on Bluetooth low energy applications....
Top 10 must-see posts for December
December 21, 2012 12:34 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | CommentsHere’s a rundown of the most read, most popular, most awesome articles on the web. Take a look at what you missed the first time around or check up on an old favorite to see the conversation in the comments. Keep checking out the Lead at www.ecnmag.com and follow us on Twitter @ecnonline for our most up-to-date articles.
Big Brother takes the wheel
December 21, 2012 9:57 am | by Meaghan Ziemba, PDD Assistant Editor | CommentsIs placing black boxes in automobiles really an invasion of the driver’s privacy? While I am all for the advancement of automobile safety, I wonder if placing black boxes in a cars is stepping over the privacy boundary? A recent article, “Black Boxes in Cars Raise Privacy Concerns” discussed the placement of event data recorders....
