Newsletters
Television's next big thing: Smell-O-Vision (again)
April 3, 2013 3:44 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Managing Editor | Blogs | CommentsNow that 3D television has failed to take off the way designers were hoping, companies have moved on to a newer, better, greater, bound-for-failure idea: Smell-O-Vision. Haruka Matsukura and a team from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have designed an olfactory display system that can work in conjunction with a 2D display.
One-resistor-tunable timer ICs operate over wide supply voltage range
April 3, 2013 11:09 am | Product Releases | CommentsTouchstone Semiconductor added four, high-accuracy, micropower timer ICs to its rapidly expanding family of “NanoWatt Analog” timer integrated circuits. These higher-single-supply voltage, second-generation timer ICs operate over a wide supply voltage range
Top 10 must-read posts from March
April 3, 2013 10:47 am | by Kasey Panetta, Managing Editor | Blogs | 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.
RJ45 connectors includes integrated magnetics
April 3, 2013 10:32 am | Pulse Electronics | Product Releases | CommentsPulse Electronics Corporation introduces press-fit RJ45 integrated connector modules (ICMs) with magnetics. Using a press-fit pin (also called compliant or interference pin) provides a pressure contact with the printed circuit board (PCB), eliminating the need for wave soldering.
Industrial analog I/O server targets process control and automation markets
April 3, 2013 10:26 am | Lantronix | Product Releases | CommentsLantronix added the xSenso Controller to its xSenso analog sensor networking family, designed specifically for use in rugged and harsh environments including industrial automation, process control, manufacturing, chemicals, and oil and gas industries. The new analog and relay outputs provide the ability to
LED linear modules boast 145lm/W luminous efficacy
April 3, 2013 10:23 am | Samsung | Product Releases | CommentsSamsung Electronics announced the introduction of a new lineup of Zhaga-compliant LED H-Series linear modules that feature extremely high efficacy, as well as excellent light quality, and color consistency for use in a wide range of LED lighting applications including ambient lighting and linear fixtures.
10 GHz BGA socket includes less than 1dB of insertion loss
April 3, 2013 9:53 am | Ironwood Electronics, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsIronwood Electronics has recently introduced a new-high performance BGA socket for 0.5mm pitch BGA 253 pin DDR4. The CG-BGA-5019 socket is designed for 8X13.5 mm package size and operates at bandwidth up to 10 GHz with less than 1dB of insertion loss.
More thought required: The simplest designs aren’t so simple
April 3, 2013 9:29 am | by M. Simon, Technical Contributor | Blogs | CommentsI'm in the process of designing an I2C system that uses telephone cable to route the signals around. It uses standard four-conductor cables with RJ-11 type plugs on the ends. For my system, it is important that there be no twists in the cable. Getting the signals reversed (clock and data) is not too bad. It will just prevent the system from working.
One accelerometer interrupt pin for both wakeup and non-motion detection
April 2, 2013 4:48 pm | by Jay Esfandyari, Gang Xu, Fabio Pasolini, STMicroelectronics | Stmicroelectronics | Articles | CommentsMEMS accelerometers can output different kinds of interrupt signals such as data ready, freefall, portrait/landscape, single-click/double-click, and impact detection, etc. Some accelerometers have built-in wakeup and motionless detection features to automatically switch between lower output data rate (ODR) at low power mode and higher ODR at normal mode....
Multitouch capacitive product able to sense up to 10 fingers simultaneously
April 2, 2013 2:26 pm | Amulet Technologies | Product Releases | CommentsAmulet Technologies is pleased to announce today its plans to launch the Multitouch Capacitive 4.3" GEMmodule developed in conjunction with partners Cypress Semiconductor Corporation and Clicktouch NV. The new product will be able to sense up to 10 fingers simultaneously on the multitouch screen....
400W quarter-brick converters attain 95% efficiency in standard DOSA footprint
April 2, 2013 2:15 pm | Tdk Corporation Of America, TDK-Lambda Americas, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsTDK Corporation announces the new TDK-Lambda iQG Series of DC-DC converters that are ideal for intermediate or distributed bus power architectures. Featuring a low profile package that is only 0.52 inch high, these converters have been designed with confined space and demanding thermal environments....
4 mm micro motor and gearhead delivers up to 1.0 W nominal power
April 2, 2013 2:06 pm | Product Releases | Commentsmaxon motor introduces the EC4, a 4 mm diameter brushless DC motor and gearhead. The typical issue found with micro drives of this size is the output power is too low for the application requirements because of the physical limitations. maxon increased the performance of this tiny motor using the latest winding technology....
Handheld time domain reflectometer features 2 ns pulse width
April 2, 2013 1:59 pm | Product Releases | CommentsMegger now offers a handheld, time domain reflectometer (TDR) featuring a 2 ns pulse width that virtually eliminates dead zones. The CFL510G accurately locates faults less than three feet from the point of connection. Designed for use by lineman in the communication and power industries on all metallic pairs...
Switch series features bifurcated contact for increased electrical reliability and consistent performance
April 2, 2013 1:33 pm | C&K Components | Product Releases | CommentsC&K Components has expanded its surface-mount DIP switch series to include an ultra-miniature 1-position version for hand-held and portable electronic devices. Featuring a bifurcated contact for increased electrical reliability and consistent performance, the half-pitch TDA Series DIP switches are process-sealed for surface-mount soldering and washable-processing.
BIL Gates and the BioBrick Foundation: A new paradigm for biotechnology?
April 2, 2013 11:15 am | by Karl Stephan, Consulting Engineer, Texas State University, San Marcos | Blogs | CommentsNo, that’s not a typo in the headline. I’m not talking about the founder of Microsoft, though he is no doubt the reason that biotechnology researcher Drew Endy decided to name his new computer-in-a-cell devices Boolean Integrase Logic gates (BIL for short). The technology, which I’ll get to in a minute, is fascinating on its own.
Mouser now stocking Atmel SAMA5D3 Cortex-A5 eMPUs
April 2, 2013 10:52 am | Mouser Electronics | Product Releases | CommentsMouser Electronics announces immediate availability of the new SAMA5D3 series of embedded microprocessor units from Atmel. These high-performance eMPUs are based on the ARM Cortex-A5 processor and feature market-leading low power consumption.
DC-DC boost converter achieves a 1 MHz switching capability
April 2, 2013 10:45 am | Product Releases | CommentsArkansas Power Electronics International (APEI), Inc. and GaN Systems Inc. announced the test results for a gallium nitride power switch based DC-DC boost converter. The converter demonstrated at APEI, Inc. exploited the ultra-high switching capability of GaN Systems’ high power switch to achieve a 1 MHz switching capability.
Looking forward on Ethernet's 40th anniversary
April 2, 2013 10:24 am | by John D’Ambrosia, Chairman and Board of Directors, Ethernet Alliance Chief Ethernet Evangelist, CTO Office, Dell | Blogs | CommentsEthernet this year is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and anniversaries are typically the time to celebrate the past. But with so much innovation and development percolating across the global Ethernet ecosystem, there is little time for the technology’s vast array of stakeholders to look back on its successes.
NTC thermistors versus voltage output IC temp sensors
April 2, 2013 10:05 am | by Brian Gosselin, Jr., Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Articles | CommentsElectronic engineers are finding that thermometry is becoming increasingly more popular in modern applications. Two types of commonly used temperature sensing solutions are negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors and voltage output integrated circuit (IC) temp sensors.
Low-profile AC-DC, DC-DC power supplies offer compact options
April 2, 2013 9:26 am | Acopian | Product Releases | CommentsAnnounced by Acopian is the availability of new options to enhance the functionality of its Low-Profile Family of AC-DC and DC-DC Power Supplies. Boasting a height of only 1.7 inches, the UL recognized, CE certified low-profile family consists of 1U format 720W single-output AC-DC and DC-DC and 750W wide-adjust output AC-DC and DC-DC models.
Precision-grade optical breakhoards ideal for critical laboratory, ultrafast applications
April 1, 2013 11:27 am | Newport Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsNewport Corporation introduces precision-grade (PG) optical breadboards with patented modal damping to improve dynamic performance. Ideal for the most critical laboratory and ultrafast applications, the new PG breadboards include sealed mounting holes which make it simple and easy to contain and clean up spills or retrieve small objects.
Spectrum analyzer evaluates signals from 9kHz to 3 GHz
April 1, 2013 11:22 am | Saelig Co. Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsSaelig Company, Inc. has introduced the GA4063 Spectrum Analyzer, an advanced, high specification instrument for evaluating signals from 9kHz to 3GHz. The GA4063 features an easy-to-use keypad and soft-key layout, and a large 8.5-inch (800x480) full-color widescreen TFT LCD display,
High power, high speed infrared emitters feature ± 25° and ± 28° angles of half Intensity
April 1, 2013 11:05 am | Vishay Intertechnology | Product Releases | CommentsVishay Intertechnology, Inc. is broadening its optoelectronics portfolio with the introduction of high-power, high-speed 850 nm, 890 nm, and 940 nm infrared emitters in gullwing, reverse gullwing, and side-view surface-mount packages with wide-view dome lenses.
Intelligent controller drives hall-sensor equipped brushless DC motor up to 30Amps at up to 60V
April 1, 2013 10:49 am | Roboteq, Inc | Product Releases | CommentsRoboteq, Inc introduces an intelligent controller capable of directly driving a hall-sensor equipped brushless DC motor up to 30Amps at up to 60V. The SBL1360 targeted at designers of Industrial Automation systems, mobile robots, mechatronics, or any other medium power motor control application.
New Silicon Valley headquarters offer more perks than ever to recruit, retain talent
April 1, 2013 8:41 am | by MARTHA MENDOZA AP National Writer | News | CommentsCUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) -- Apple's ring-shaped, gleaming "Spaceship Headquarters" will include a world class auditorium and an orchard for engineers to wander. Google's new Bay View campus will feature walkways angled to force accidental encounters. Facebook, while putting final touches on a Disney-inspired campus including a Main Street with a B-B-Q shack, sushi house and bike shop, is already planning an even larger, more exciting new campus.
