Newsletters
Fanless mini PC ideal for space-challenged applications
May 20, 2013 11:01 am | Stealth Computer Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsStealth.com has released a new powerful fanless small form factor PC model LPC-480FS. The LPC-480FS is a highly reliable, fanless, energy efficient, rugged mini PC designed for a large variety of demanding applications. Stealth's LPC-480FS is a powerful diminutive computer that operates without noisy cooling fans which could draw in dirt and dust potentially causing catastrophic failures.
Fire human resources
May 20, 2013 10:31 am | by M. Simon, Technical Contributor | Blogs | CommentsManagement Consultant Dave Logan at CBS Moneywatch is warning companies to avoid falling in love with company policy. He talks about a company that wanted to hire a very disruptive genius. But HR said it wasn't possible because they had no job description for the function envisioned. And besides the guy was obviously a poor fit and a possible cause for resentment by the rest of the employees.
This is what a 1950s robot looks like
May 20, 2013 10:11 am | by Kasey Panetta, Managing Editor | Blogs | CommentsIt’s pretty crazy when you think about how far technology has come in the past five years, let alone the past 50 years. Recently, we talked about different humanoid robots, including DARPA’s PETMAN and the Alphadog Proto, a humanoid robot used to test protective clothing and a 4-legged battlefield companion, respectively.
My 90 year old grandmother tries the Oculus Rift
May 20, 2013 9:11 am | Videos | CommentsFrom the author's YouTube description: "My 90 year old grandmother tries the Oculus Rift. We were using the Tuscany demo." A virtual reality (VR) headset by the name of Oculus Rift made a big splash on Kickstarter, raising a stellar $2.43 million to get development kits into the hands and on the noggins of game developers.
Nickel-based energy storage system provides long life in high temperature
May 17, 2013 4:39 pm | Varta Microbattery | Product Releases | CommentsAnnounced today by VARTA Microbatteryis the addition of HVCAP35, a Nickel (Ni) based energy storage system to the V-Cap Series. VARTA Microbattery's new Ni based energy storage system is a hybrid technology that combines the high energy density advantage of batteries, with the high power advantage of supercapacitors.
Module designed for high-speed data aquisition, generation
May 17, 2013 2:35 pm | Product Releases | CommentsTEWS TECHNOLOGIES announced the introduction of the TPMC685, a standard single-width 32 bit PMC module offering up to 128 bit of TTL I/O arranged in 16 x 8 bit ports. Designed for high-speed data acquisition and generation, the TPMC685 is ideal for applications in process control, simulation, test, transportation, and COTS.
What are the biggest LED challenges, according to engineers
May 17, 2013 10:06 am | by Editor | Blogs | CommentsWith Lightfair in the rearview mirror and being dominated by LEDs, lighting has become an intense debate in the industry. What we want to know is what you think about the future of LEDs. We know our readers have varied opinions and valuable experiences – now here’s a great opportunity to showcase them. Send us an answer to the question below and if we think yours is great...
Converter module designed for 1200 V solar inverters
May 16, 2013 4:32 pm | Product Releases | CommentsVincotech, a leading supplier of module-based solutions for power electronics, has introduced a new compact 3x MNPC converter module in a standard flow 1 housing. Designed for 1200 V solar inverters, the flow3xMNPC 1 provides all the components for three-phase applications.
Coin cell battery holder rises under 5 mm
May 16, 2013 3:16 pm | Memory Protection Devices, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsMPD has invented another new CR2032 low profile coin cell battery holder. While other CR2032 holder solutions often rise 8 to 10 mm above the PCB, our new LP2032SM-JJ-GTR rises under 5 mm with an installed CR2032 battery.
MCU family expands to include intelligent analog and core-dependent peripherals
May 16, 2013 3:06 pm | Microchip Technology Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsMicrochip Technology Inc. expanded its 8-bit PIC16F178X enhanced Mid-Range core microcontroller (MCU) family with increased Flash memory densities, intelligent analog and digital peripherals, such as on-chip 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), 16-bit
400W AC/DC power supplies certified to EN 60601 3RDedition
May 16, 2013 2:55 pm | MicroPower Direct, LLC | Product Releases | CommentsThe MPU-400M series, available now from MicroPower Direct, is a family of compact 400W AC/DC power supplies that are certified to EN 60601 3RDedition. These power supplies offer a unique combination of high power, safety features, robust performance and compact construction.
Dealing with counterfeits in the market
May 16, 2013 2:53 pm | by George Karalias, Director of Marketing & Communications, Rochester Electronics | Blogs | CommentsCounterfeiters are adaptable and constantly incorporating solutions that can void the latest countermeasures adopted by the electronics manufacturers and their supply chain. In some cases, the counterfeits are very hard to differentiate from the original component.
What improvements would you like to see from distributors in the next 12 months?
May 16, 2013 2:29 pm | Articles | CommentsWe asked our industry experts and ECN readers to weigh in on our distributors question: What improvements would you like to see from distributors in the next 12 months? Here is what they had to say about the current state of the industry and hot it needs to be improved...
Welcoming grandma into our virtual future
May 16, 2013 1:27 pm | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | Blogs | CommentsA virtual reality (VR) headset by the name of Oculus Rift made a big splash on Kickstarter, raising a stellar $2.43 million to get development kits into the hands and on the noggins of game developers. And now that the units have started to ship, people in the gaming community are getting treated to video after video of people wearing the goggles and trying to explain just how floored they are....
IDC connectors intended for harsh commercial, industrial, and energy applications
May 16, 2013 12:54 pm | Avx Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsAVX Corporation has introduced the latest iteration of its wire-to-board (WTB) insulation displacement contact (IDC) technology. Designed to provide a gas-tight, plated through-hole WTB termination, the new 9177-600 Series is compatible with the rugged power boards used to handle larger wire gauges and more amps per contact....
Faster FET testing with SMUs
May 16, 2013 11:12 am | by Mary Anne Tupta, Senior Staff Applications Engineer, Keithley Instruments | Keithley Instruments | Articles | CommentsField effect transistors (FETs) are important semiconductor devices because they are fundamental components of many devices and electronic instruments. Some of the countless applications for FETs include their use as amplifiers, memory devices, switches, logic devices, and sensors.
Transistor series is presented as highest power for radar and communications systems
May 16, 2013 10:08 am | Product Releases | CommentsM/A-COM Technology Solutions introduced a series of GaN in Plastic packaged power transistors for high-performance civilian and military radar and communications systems. The family scales to peak pulse power levels of 100 W, which is asserted to be the
RapidFire: Human ear 3D printed with embedded electronics
May 16, 2013 9:16 am | Videos | CommentsOn today's episode of RapidFire, brought to you by 3D Creation Systems, your number one source for 3D printing services and technology, we're exploring the emerging technology behind bionic 3D printing with embedded electronics. For more information about 3D Creation Systems, visit www.3dcreationsystems.com.
Signal Conditioner features analog and RS485 outputs
May 16, 2013 9:05 am | Macro Sensors | Product Releases | CommentsMacro Sensors introduces the EAZY-CAL LVC 4000 Signal Conditioner with analog (4-20mA or user selectable voltage) and RS-485 outputs. Compatible with most LVDT and RVDT linear position sensors, including half bridge, the EAZY-CAL LVC 4000 LVDT/RVDT Signal Conditioner digitally communicates with up to 16 devices simultaneously....
Arduino-compatible boards tout prototyping-friendly 32-bit MCU packages
May 15, 2013 5:39 pm | Microchip Technology Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsMicrochip Technology Inc. expanded its Arduino compatible chipKIT platform ecosystem, with new tools from Digilent, Inc., the Fair Use Building and Research (FUBAR) Labs, and Schmalz Haus LLC. These new tools are based on Microchip’s 32-bit PIC32 microcontrollers (MCUs) in prototyping-friendly
Modules combine capacitive humidity sensor features with ASIC functionality
May 15, 2013 5:04 pm | Innovative Sensor Technology | Product Releases | CommentsThe HYT Series digital I2C humidity sensor from Innovative Sensor Technology combines the features of a capacitive humidity sensor with the high functionality of an ASIC. Calibrated, temperature compensated, and with
Waterproof electronic enclosure family adds four new sizes
May 15, 2013 4:05 pm | Polycase | Product Releases | CommentsPolycase’s NEMA 4X rated WA, WC and WP Series of waterproof electronic enclosures has expanded to include four new enclosure sizes. Ranging from 2.28” x 2.52” to 14.12” x 7.84”, the plastic enclosures now host 17 different size options. The WA, WC, and WP Series are UL listed to UL508-4X and meet
Intelligent sensor hub integrates programmability, precision in a single package
May 15, 2013 3:40 pm | Freescale Semiconductor | Product Releases | CommentsFreescale Semiconductor is introducing a new Xtrinsic intelligent sensor hub that serves as an advanced sensor fusion platform. The Xtrinsic FXLC95000CL sensor hub integrates an on-board accelerometer with capability to manage multiple external sensors. The solution provides
Much ado about nothing: The impact of the medical device excise tax
May 15, 2013 1:32 pm | by Michael Lewis, Writer, Money Crashers Personal Finance | Blogs | CommentsStudents of military strategy learn quickly the advantages of choosing when and where to fight, rather than wasting resources on trivial issues. An impartial observer would wonder about the wisdom of the excessive rhetoric, over-the-top hyperbole, and political posturing surrounding the medical device excess tax.
MOSFETs deliver benchmark on-state resistance for improved system efficiency in heavy load applications
May 15, 2013 12:31 pm | International Rectifier | Product Releases | CommentsInternational Rectifier introduced a family of automotive-qualified COOLiRFET MOSFETs delivering benchmark on-state resistance (Rds(on)) for heavy load applications including electric power steering (EPS), braking systems and other heavy loads on internal combustion engine (ICE) and micro hybrid vehicle platforms.
