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Mourning the death of Google Reader (and finding a suitable replacement)
March 18, 2013 3:40 pm | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | Comments
Like many of you, I was shocked, dismayed, and several other adjectives upon learning that Google Reader will soon go kaput. As a journalist, I sift through copious amounts of content daily, and it would be no exaggeration to say that Google Reader makes my job exponentially simpler, so I took its demise rather hard.
My wish list for the next iPhone
April 4, 2013 10:32 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | Comments
A new iPhone is imminent! Man the ramparts! Sound the trumpets! A new coronation is upon us! OK...
Technology forces your teen to stop texting and driving
March 19, 2013 12:19 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Blogs | Comments
Everyone knows texting (or Redditing or Facebooking or Tweeting) while driving is a bad idea,...
Why your car is a better driver than you
February 7, 2013 2:06 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Blogs | Comments
It came to my attention while working on an article about intelligent systems in cars that...
First launch of X-47B unmanned drone from aircraft carrier
May 24, 2013 11:27 am | Videos | CommentsAn X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) taxies and launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is the first aircraft carrier to successfully catapult launch an unmanned aircraft from its flight deck.
“Cloud” signals dark days for software buyers
May 23, 2013 4:06 pm | by Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe software industry is now making its predictable push toward fully cloud-based business models and leaving customer preference in the dustbin. Earlier this month, Adobe decided it will discontinue its Creative Suite product line and replace it with its Adobe Creative Cloud, which is
PCI Express board provides two optically isolated serial ports
May 23, 2013 3:40 pm | Sealevel Systems, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsSealevel’s 7203e PCI Express serial interface provides two optically isolated serial ports, each individually configurable for RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485. Each serial port utilizes a high-performance UART with 128-byte Tx/Rx FIFOs that enables data rates to 460.8K bps for reliable high-speed communications in data intensive applications.
Over-the-air test system enables industry’s first 802.11n WLAN over-the-air measurements
May 23, 2013 3:28 pm | Rohde & Schwarz | Product Releases | CommentsCETECOM has selected Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) to enhance their over-the-air (OTA) testing capabilities with a new test system that includes LTE multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) and 802.11n functionality. The TS8991 test system can perform OTA measurements for LTE MIMO in addition to all cellular 2G, 3G, and 4G technology standards.
Handheld digital microscopes bring versatility, affordability to video inspection
May 23, 2013 3:11 pm | by Jim Norton, Custom Products & Services, Inc., www.custom-products.com | Blogs | CommentsIn recent years, many electronics manufacturers have been adopting the use of video inspection systems utilizing digital cameras to perform many of the visual inspection functions formerly performed with optical microscopes. Digital camera technology has improved to the point where their image quality now rivals
Amplifier operates from 10 kHz to 400 MHz and has a rated power of 260 W
May 23, 2013 12:36 pm | Teseq, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsTeseq expanded its broadband amplifier line to include a Class A linear and low distortion model that operates from 10 kHz to 400 MHz with a rated power level of 260 W. For use in commercial or in-house EMC test laboratories, the CBA 400M-260 is appropriate for automotive, military and aerospace BCI
Pressure sensors ensure optimal operations of safety trailers used on remote sites
May 23, 2013 12:31 pm | Product Releases | CommentsAmerican Sensor Technologies (AST) pressure sensors are serving as components in a remote monitoring system that ensures optimal operations of safety trailers used on remote sites as emergency first aid stations. Mining, construction, oil fields and other industrial sites are often located miles away from medical facilities.
Data acquisition module ideal for high-power applications
May 23, 2013 12:17 pm | Product Releases | CommentsICP DAS USA has introduced M-7069D, a Modbus RTU based data acquisition module with 8 LED indicators that can be used to monitor the relay output status. Options are provided that allow power-on and safe digital output values to be configured. 4 kV ESD, 4 kV EFT and 3 kV surge protection are provided to enhance noise protection capabilities in industrial environments.
Unipolar and bipolar high-voltage amplifiers are available to 20 kV
May 23, 2013 12:05 pm | UltraVolt, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsUltraVolt expanded its line of precision high-voltage amplifiers - the HVA Series - capable of operating in DC, reversible, and amplifier modes. The new line of precision high-voltage amplifiers, the 10 HVA-20 HVA Series, is available with unipolar or bipolar output at 0 to 10 kV, 15 kV and 20 kV. Together with
Software allows for easy setup of embedded motion controllers
May 23, 2013 11:13 am | Performance Motion Devices | Product Releases | CommentsPerformance Motion Devices announces a major new release of its Pro-Motion software for Windows-based environments. Pro-Motion 5.0 adds a number of key capabilities including an upgraded axis setup wizard, support for SPI-based motion amplifiers including PMD's ATLAS digital amplifier products, and support for all-in-one embedded motion cards and systems.
End-to-end test solution analyzes IP-based applications
May 23, 2013 11:05 am | Rohde & Schwarz | Product Releases | CommentsRohde & Schwarz has developed the world's first integrated end-to-end test solution that examines the impact applications have on smartphones and the network using IP and protocol statistical analysis. Equipped with the new R&S CMW-KM051 option, the R&S CMW500 wideband radio communication tester can comprehensively analyze and test IP-based applications....
DC-DC converters feature a typical efficiency of 95.5%
May 23, 2013 10:53 am | Murata Power Solutions Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsMurata announced the UDQ series of isolated digitally controlled DC-DC converters developed by Murata Power Solutions. Incorporating a 32-bit ARM7 processor, the 420 Watt regulated UDQ2204/001 model is the first in a series of DC-DC converters from Murata Power Solutions to include a PMBus compatible digital interface.
Engineering Update #11: Navy launches drone from aircraft carrier
May 23, 2013 10:42 am | Videos | CommentsIn this week's headlines: For the first time ever, the Navy has launched a drone the size of a fighter jet from the USS George H.W. Bush warship. Scientists at Germany's Max Planck Institute have created polymer-based flexible circuits, able to withstand high temperatures. These flexible paper circuits are so efficient, low cost, and versatile that they promise to open doors into new possible electronic applications.
MOVs target incoming power distribution panels
May 23, 2013 10:36 am | Product Releases | CommentsStackpole’s ZOV Series of metal oxide varistors is a series of epoxy coated square varistors with sizes from 23 mm to 60 mm. These high-energy varistors come in a single disc, double, triple and quadruple disc versions with pulse current capabilities of up to 80 kA. This series offers energy handling up to
SPI digital potentiometers operate at 10, 12, 18, 24, 36 volts
May 22, 2013 4:26 pm | Microchip Technology Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsMicrochip Technology Inc. announced two new volatile, SPI digital potentiometers (digipots)—the MCP41HV31 and MCP41HV51 (MCP41HVXX)—its first to operate at 10, 12, 18, 24 and particularly 36 volts, for systems requiring wide signal swing or high power-supply voltages.
Power MOSFET series offers on-resistance down to 30 mΩ
May 22, 2013 3:53 pm | Vishay Intertechnology | Product Releases | CommentsVishay Intertechnology added additional 650 V power MOSFETs to its E Series family of devices. These 22 new devices in eight different packages offer an extended on-resistance range from 30 mΩ to 600 mΩ at 10 V and broaden the series' maximum current ratings from 6 A to 105 A.
Epoxy mount socket operates at bandwidths up to 8 GHz
May 22, 2013 3:12 pm | Ironwood Electronics, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsIronwood Electronics has recently introduced a new high-performance BGA socket for 0.8mm pitch BGA 78 pin DDR3 packages. The SG-BGA-6374 socket is designed for an 9x13 mm package size and operates at bandwidths up to 8 GHz with less than 1dB of insertion loss.
The future of food: NASA's printed pizza
May 22, 2013 1:50 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Managing Editor | Blogs | CommentsIn the great world of 3D printing, nothing is more fascinating to me than the idea of printed food. There has been some rumblings about printed meat, but it’s been mostly outliers in the industry. However, NASA just made it a little more legitimate with by offering a $125,000 grant to Systems and Materials Research Corp to develop a 3D printed version of an American (and worldwide) favorite: Pizza.
Radiation-hardened DC-DC power converters for space systems
May 22, 2013 11:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsVPT Inc., a HEICO company, announced the availability of a new series of radiation hardened DC-DC power converters, point of load converters, and EMI filters to power space systems.
Powerful LED light built to maximize illumination with compact, rugged design
May 22, 2013 11:36 am | Larson Electronics Llc | Product Releases | CommentsLarson Electronics has announced the release of a powerful new LED light built to provide maximum illumination from a compact yet rugged design. Featuring over 29,000 lumens of light output and, inline transformer, and rugged waterproof construction, the LEDP5W-60-1227-20C High Intensity LED Light is an ideal alternative to hot running and fragile HID lighting systems
Power transistors present desirable on-state resistance for low-energy, space-efficient designs
May 22, 2013 11:35 am | Stmicroelectronics | Product Releases | CommentsSTMicroelectronics has introduced a generation of energy-efficient power devices that are positioned as reducing the environmental impact of equipment such as telecom or computing systems, solar inverters, industrial automation and automotive applications. STripFET VII DeepGATE MOSFETs are asserted to
LED power supplies feature dimming range from 10 to 100 percent
May 22, 2013 11:32 am | Product Releases | CommentsGreen Watt Power, a division of Calex Mfg. Co., Inc. in Concord, California, announces the introduction of the GLCD 50 Watt constant current dimmable LED power supplies. The dimming options for the GLCD 50 include 0-10V, PWM and external potentiometer.
MOSFETs support a maximum current of 6A
May 22, 2013 11:27 am | Advanced Power Electronics Corp. | Product Releases | CommentsAdvanced Power Electronics Corp. (USA), a leading Taiwanese manufacturer of MOS power semiconductors for DC-DC power conversion applications, has announced a miniature, ultra-low on-resistance 6A dual load switch. Comprising two N-channel MOSFETs with associated control circuitry, the APE8990-3 has an RDS(ON) of 20mΩ and controlled turn on functionality.
Industrial-grade safety disc capacitors offer reliable operation up to 125 degrees celsius
May 22, 2013 10:08 am | Kemet Electronics Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsKEMET Corporation announced the release of the new Radial Through Hole Ceramic Safety Disc Capacitors. KEMET's 900 Series encapsulated radial through-hole ceramic disc capacitors are specifically designed for interference-suppression AC line filtering applications.
What steps are necessary to keep counterfeit components out of the supply chain?
May 21, 2013 3:36 pm | Articles | CommentsWhat steps are necessary to keep counterfeit components out of the supply chain? Are more industry standards needed? Stop having unrealistic pricing expectations. Understand and qualify quality vendors of all kinds. Allocations and obsolescence are part of our industry....
