Articles
Putting technology adoption on a faster curve
September 18, 2012 2:22 pm | by Jeff Jussel, Sr. Technology Director, Newark element14 | CommentsKeeping up with the pace of changing technology is a challenge for even the most experienced embedded system developer. As new processor architectures, silicon chips and their peripherals come to the market, what is the quickest way for engineers to evaluate and successfully adopt technology to their next design?
Electronica 2012 and the PCB Marketplace
September 18, 2012 11:28 am | by Electronica | CommentsIn close cooperation with the ZVEI (Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association), the PCB Marketplace communications platform is being initiated at electronica for the first time. Following its successful launch at productronica 2011, now the forum as well as a networking
Embedded platforms featured at Electronica 2012
September 18, 2012 11:22 am | by Electronica | CommentsAt the embedded platforms conference from November 14 – 15, semiconductor and tool manufacturers as well as service-providers will present concrete solutions and services for developing embedded platforms. The conference will cover a wide range of topics, from embedded design
Audio-signal processing without code headaches
September 18, 2012 11:18 am | by Jon Titus, Technical Contributor | CommentsGraphical approaches to processing audio information lets designers concentrate on how their products sound rather than on DSP and programming chores. It seems few people lack an audio device, which can include an MP3 player and small sound bar up to a custom HiFi sound system in a home theatre.
The lighting game is changing before our eyes
September 18, 2012 9:05 am | by Ted Konnerth, Founder, President and CEO, Egret Consulting Group | CommentsA secret lingers behind most lighting fixtures made since WWII. Don’t tell anyone, but lighting manufacturers don’t actually make ‘lighting’ equipment. For years, fixtures have fallen into the same classifications. When it comes to fixture types, there’s the 2X2, 2X4, troffer, downlight, strip, wrap, wallpack, Type 2, Type 5, spot, flood, can and so on.
Incandescent ban evokes nanny state
September 18, 2012 8:50 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsI've never thought of incandescents as dangerous contraband, but beginning September 30th, the Edison light bulb will be analogous with moonshine liquor and mind-altering drugs. Absent legislative action (which caused this mess in first place), this quintessential lighting technology faces mandatory retirement.
The sensor that could save (plant) lives
September 17, 2012 9:33 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | CommentsTechnology can be a bit of a smoke and mirrors field. Sometimes, the technology is useless, sometimes it’s stupid and sometimes, the price point exceeds the usefulness. For example, Koubachi’s Wi-Fi plant sensor, falls into the category of useful (ish) but way too expensive to justify buying.
Roundtable: What advice would you give to a newly minted design engineer?
September 14, 2012 9:38 am | Comments"What advice would you give to a newly minted design engineer?" Industry experts and ECN readers dish out their best advice for new design engineers. A ton of great advice flooded our inbox: Find a mentor, be a mentor, learn from your own mistakes, but also from other engineers.
Design safe endoscopes and medical imaging devices with high-speed digital isolators
September 14, 2012 9:32 am | by Zhang Bin, Application Development Manager, Avago Technologies, and Harold Tisbe, Application Engineer, Avago Technologies | CommentsIn medical imaging devices, large quantities of video imaging data need to be transferred from image sensor to image processor while maintaining high levels of electrical isolation so the sensor won’t shock the patient. The high-speed digital data transmission channels between the sensor and image processor require high-levels of isolation while transferring data at up to 100Mbaud for real-time displays.
Can technology force you to relax?
September 14, 2012 9:10 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | CommentsIn today’s world we’re all guilty of multi-tasking. We talk on the phone while we drive to work. We check email while eating breakfast. We read a book on the treadmill. There are just too many things to do and too few hours in the day. Sometimes you have to be reminded to stop
When smart cars get street smart
September 13, 2012 8:47 am | by Chris Warner, Executive Editor | CommentsIn recent years, there’s been a lot of buzz about automotive infotainment systems — features that are built into recent model cars that can offer anything from satellite navigation, DVD players, internet access and more. This has led to concern from regulators about driver inattention and its impact on safety.
Epoxy adhesive films and preforms for electronics manufacturing
September 11, 2012 12:27 pm | CommentsElectronics manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to improve product quality, speed time to market, and reduce production costs. To optimize manufacturing, engineers carefully consider the three major aspects of production: technology, processes, and materials. More and more, manufacturers are turning to innovative adhesives as a means to achieve multiple technical goals.
Getting in your head
September 11, 2012 10:54 am | by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director | CommentsProfessor Edward S. Boyden is probably one of the few individuals on the planet who is actually best described as a brainiac. Currently serving as the principal investigator at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Synthetic Neurobiology Group, Boyden’s mission is to develop tools for controlling and observing the dynamic circuits of the brain.
Meeting satellite design challenges with both off-the-shelf and customized space-grade DC-to-DC converter solutions
September 11, 2012 9:30 am | by Rob Warren, Vice President and General Manager, Microsemi Corporation | CommentsSatellite design engineers face many difficult issues. End customers such as the U.S. Air Force are demanding ever higher levels of reliability. Failure in space-related applications is not an option. The products used in satellites must work every time, in a plethora of environmental extremes...
Twitter politics: How social media impacts presidential elections
September 10, 2012 5:28 pm | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsThe news that President Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention was the "biggest political moment ever" on Twitter isn’t exactly surprising, but it’s worth taking a look at how social media influences political contests.
