Newsletters
Automotive vents protect powertrain components from harsh environments
April 24, 2013 10:03 am | W.L. Gore & Associates | Product Releases | CommentsW. L. Gore & Associates has expanded its line of GORE Automotive Vents to include the new Series: AVS 41 (P/N VE2048) venting solution, which is engineered specifically for powertrain components. This new vent improves component reliability by equalizing pressure, preventing contamination from water, dust, dirt, and other automotive fluids....
Please turn out the lights
April 24, 2013 9:18 am | by Krystal Gabert, Editor, Food Manufacturing | Blogs | CommentsWhen I was a child, my brother and I would play a little game, flipping on light switches and counting the minutes until my dad turned them off. He told us that someday we’d pay the electric bill and he’d have the last laugh, watching us pad around turning out lights just like he had.
Modular programmable DC electronic load system comprises six unique modules ranging 200 W to 600 W
April 23, 2013 2:40 pm | B&K Precision Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsB&K Precision today announced its new MDL Series, a modular programmable DC electronic load system. The MDL Series comprises six unique modules ranging in power from 200 W to 600 W.
Reference design provides a critical layer of security for networked devices
April 23, 2013 2:31 pm | Product Releases | CommentsZilog announces the introduction of the ZGATE Security Bridge Reference Design, a joint technology solution utilizing Icon Labs’ Floodgate Technology. Together, Zilog and Icon Labs have produced a microcontroller featuring an embedded firewall that provides a critical layer of security for networked devices.
Design tools give engineers an edge in online printed circuit board design
April 23, 2013 1:56 pm | Product Releases | CommentsAspen Labs and Digi-Key Corporation are giving engineers access to a new set of free, online CAD tools to support Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design and development. PCBWeb is an online CAD application for designing and manufacturing electronics circuit boards, available at no cost.
LED lighting system provides engaging, customized experience
April 23, 2013 12:40 pm | Product Releases | CommentsAcuity Brands, Inc. will unveil a new LED lighting system concept during LIGHTFAIR International 2013, April 23-25, in Philadelphia. Using wall-recessed LED luminaires, the system is a unique combination of indirect ambient illumination and luminous presentations to provide an engaging, visual experience that can be customized for the occupant and the space.
Management techniques: After-action reports
April 23, 2013 8:03 am | by M. Simon, Technical Contributor | Blogs | CommentsCBS News Money Watch has a great post up on how to improve management effectiveness. That includes both self and corporate management. The technique is common in the military but not so common in the corporate world. It is the after action report.
iBeetle: Everything you never wanted in an infotainment system
April 22, 2013 2:59 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Blogs | CommentsWe’ve talked A LOT about safety and innovation when it comes to infotainment systems in cars. We've talking more regulation, less regulation, new systems and crazy ideas. The discussion revolves primarily around how to integrate electronics
Should engineers be licensed?
April 22, 2013 2:20 pm | by Karl Stephan, Consulting Engineer, Texas State University, San Marcos | Blogs | CommentsNot long after I chose electrical engineering as a major in college, someone asked me if I was planning to take the EIT exam. What was that? It stands for “engineer in training” and it is the customary first step in obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license. To the best of my recollection, it didn’t cost that much and I went ahead and took it....
Embedded wireless portfolio adds PIC32 Bluetooth digital audio kit, plus Wi-Fi modules
April 22, 2013 12:07 pm | Microchip Technology Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsMicrochip Technology Inc. expanded its embedded-wireless portfolio to include the PIC32 Bluetooth Audio Development Kit, featuring modules, stacks and CODECs, and XBee footprint-compatible socket modules with integrated stacks. The new Wi-Fi offerings comprise IEEE 802.11b/g Wi-Fi modules with
MYO: Wearable gesture control from Thalmic Labs
April 22, 2013 10:32 am | Videos | CommentsWith a wave of your hand, MYO will transform how you interact with your digital world. The MYO armband lets you use the electrical activity in your muscles to wirelessly control your computer, phone, and other favorite digital technologies.
Development platform for the Kinetis K20 MCU is Arduino compatible
April 22, 2013 9:50 am | Product Releases | CommentsPremier Farnell announced the global availability of Freescale Semiconductor’s newest Freedom Development Platform for evaluating Kinetis K20 MCUs at element14. The new FRDM-K20D50M Development Platform is form-factor compatible with the Arduino R3 pin layout, providing
Fine-pitch soldering
April 22, 2013 9:18 am | by M. Simon, Technical Contributor | Blogs | CommentsI hand-solder. I hand-solder surface-mount devices. So far, my standard practice is to use parts no smaller than 0603s (inch), and for ICs I get them with pitches no smaller than 0.65 mm. This causes problems when I need a component that is too small for me to solder on a board with techniques I have been comfortable with up to now.
Evaluation kit supports very small 5-W GaN MMIC power amplifier
April 20, 2013 2:19 pm | Richardson Rfpd | Product Releases | CommentsRichardson RFPD, Inc. announced the immediate availability and full design support capabilities for a new evaluation kit for a 5W GaN MMIC power amplifier from Nitronex. The NPA1003QA-EVK evaluation kit includes a test fixture tuned for
Gas gauge IC monitors lead-acid batteries in UPS, e-bike designs
April 20, 2013 1:31 pm | Texas Instruments | Product Releases | CommentsLead-acid battery, battery management, gas gauge integrated circuit, gas gauge IC, capacity measurement, power management, battery packs, impedance track
Mini DC servo controller suits PMDC motors containing Hall effect sensors
April 20, 2013 12:59 pm | Maxon Precision Motors, Inc. | Product Releases | Commentsmaxon precision announced a new DC servo motor controller, the ESCON 50/5 OEM module. This mini OEM plug in module is a four-quadrant pulse width modulated (PWM) servo motor controller that can efficiently control permanent magnet brushed DC motors (PMDC motors) and Brushless DC servo
40-Watt, 2” x 1” DC/DC converter offers a 4:1 input
April 20, 2013 12:00 pm | Contech, A Division Of Calex | Product Releases | CommentsConTech announced the “TMF” Series of DC/DC converters. The series offers up to 40 W of fully regulated output power with an industry standard 2” x 1” footprint, and a 4:1 input range with nominal input voltages of 24 VDC and 48 VDC. Single outputs are
LED arrays promise design flexibility, ease of use, and energy efficiency
April 19, 2013 4:21 pm | by LED array, Vero, solid state lighting | Product Releases | CommentsBridgelux announced the commercial availability of the Vero LED array, a solid state light source that is positioned as making quality lighting easy. All form factors of the LED arrays are now commercially available and shipping to customers and distribution partners worldwide. The
Slide-in housing includes collapsible front panel to improve the horizontal mounting of circuit boards
April 19, 2013 4:20 pm | Product Releases | CommentsIntermas announces the development of a 1 HU slide-in housing with collapsible front panel to improve the horizontal mounting of circuit boards. Currently, the usage of a foldaway-hinge can be very challenging when designing a 19-inch slide-in housing with only one height unit (1 HU = 44,45 mm)....
VCO operates from 2700 to 5400 MHz with a tuning voltage range of 0-24 Vdc
April 19, 2013 4:06 pm | Product Releases | CommentsThe new V600ME31-LF operates from 2700 to 5400 MHz with a tuning voltage range of 0-24 Vdc. This octave tuning VCO features a typical phase noise of -107 dBc/Hz @ 100 kHz offset and an average tuning sensitivity of 140 MHz/V.
Off-line controllers designed for LED lighting
April 19, 2013 3:56 pm | Product Releases | CommentsThe XC9401 series are off-line controllers for LED lighting. Operation within the range 85VAC - 270VAC and by DC input is possible by optimizing external components. Using selected components to match the circuit configuration, a wide variety of specifications can be realized.
This is the most ridiculous phone ever
April 19, 2013 3:48 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Managing Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe words “mega” and “phone” should never be combined when it comes to cellphones, but that didn’t stop Samsung from making the most ridiculous phone yet. The company has blown away the competition when it comes to screen size with their new 6.3 inch (diagonally) and 5.8 inch Galaxy Mega phones. For the sake of comparison, the Apple iPhone 5 is 4 inches.
System extends 100 displays by daisy chaining from one display to the next
April 19, 2013 3:46 pm | Product Releases | CommentsDigital connectivity solutions provider Gefen today announced the availability of its new Daisy Chain HD System, which creates a large infrastructure for wiring displays using CAT-5 cable. The system includes sender, splitter and receiver units—all interconnected in a daisy chain concept.
Metal-oxide varistors provide transient voltage protection
April 19, 2013 3:37 pm | Nic Components | Product Releases | CommentsNIC Components is pleased to announce the addition of UL listed (US and Canada; UL 1449 rev3) radial leaded metal oxide varistors (MOVs) to its circuit protection products offering. The newly released NVR series has large disc MOV construction for fast acting absorption of transient energy (joules) on 50 or 60 Hz power circuits....
LED signage & display kit enables rapid design creation and quick prototyping
April 19, 2013 3:24 pm | Jkl Components Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsJKL Components Corporation has announced the availability of an LED Signage & Display Kit — Part Number SK14. It includes a full selection of LED technologies appropriate for use in the signage, display, gaming and architectural industries. These kits are excellent for product development of backlit signs....
