Power
Signal conditioners feature various inputs for standard voltage, current
September 7, 2012 2:32 pm | Product Releases | CommentsPepperl+Fuchs introduces KFU8-VCR-1 Transmitter Power Supply Signal Conditioners. Featuring various inputs for standard voltage and current inputs, these 1-channel signal conditioners offer maximum installation flexibility to suit a wide range of application needs
Oscillator operates from 2610 MHz to 2625 MHz
September 7, 2012 2:25 pm | Product Releases | CommentsCrystek's CVCO55CC-2610-2625 VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) operates from 2610 MHz to 2625 MHz with a control voltage range of 0.5V~4.5 V. This VCO features a typical phase noise of -120 dBc/Hz @ 10 KHz offset and has excellent linearity. Output power is typically +7 dBm.
32-bit MCUs tout large memory capacity, built-in ADC
September 7, 2012 12:10 pm | Renesas | Product Releases | CommentsRenesas Electronics announced the RX21A Group of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) for smart meters with advanced functionality. The new MCUs are said to be the first in the industry to combine large flash memory capacity of 512 KB and a 24-bit delta-sigma (Delta-sigma) A/D converter for
10 must-see posts from August
September 6, 2012 4:23 pm | by Editors | Blogs | CommentsHere’s a rundown of the most read, most popular, most awesome articles for August. They all come with a witty, engaging summary just in case you missed them the first time or want to check up on an old favorite. Keep checking out the Lead and follow us on twitter @ecnmagazine for our most up-to-date articles.
Multilayer chip inductors intended for high frequency applications
September 6, 2012 2:19 pm | Avx Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsAVX Corporation has added a new series of multilayer chip inductors designed for impedance matching, RF chokes, and high frequency filters to its expansive portfolio of thin film, MLO, power, and conical inductors. Designated the LCMC Series, the new multilayer chip inductors provide excellent Q, high SRF, a wide range of stable and accurate inductances, and tight tolerances down to 0.3nH.
Waste not, power up
September 5, 2012 8:45 am | by Eurekalert! | News | CommentsResearchers at Rice University and the Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium, have developed a way to make flexible components for rechargeable lithium-ion (LI) batteries from discarded silicon. The Rice lab of materials scientist Pulickel Ajayan created forests of nanowires from high-value
Spinach power gets a big boost
September 5, 2012 8:44 am | by Eurekalert! | News | CommentsAn interdisciplinary team of researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a way to combine the photosynthetic protein that converts light into electrochemical energy in spinach with silicon, the material used in solar cells, in a fashion that produces substantially more electrical current than has been reported by previous "biohybrid" solar cells.
Using magnetism to understand superconductivity
September 5, 2012 8:43 am | by Eurekalert! | News | CommentsMight it one day be possible to transmit electricity from an offshore wind turbine to land-based users without any loss of current? Materials known as "high temperature" superconductors (even though they must be maintained at -140°C!), which can conduct electricity without any losses, were supposed to make this dream a reality.
Compact 150 & 240 watt power supplies feature up to 200% peak power
September 4, 2012 3:38 pm | TDK-Lambda Americas, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsTDK Corporation announces the new TDK-Lambda ZWS-BP series of compact, open-frame, 150W and 240W power supplies. These single-output supplies have a low profile of 1.46” to 1.65” and compact footprints of 2.95” x 6.3” or 3.31” x 7.09”. Moreover, these units can provide a peak output power of up to 200% (for motors, pumps, etc.)...
Reliable power could have prevented Fukushima disaster
September 4, 2012 2:27 pm | by Michael A. Stout, vice president of engineering for Falcon Electric | Blogs | CommentsRecently we witnessed the disastrous earthquake and tsunami that has devastated the Japanese economy. The loss of life, property and infrastructure was on such a large scale, it was incomprehensible. Yet Japan was more prepared for a large earthquake than any other country. The blow that was dealt to its power generation and distribution system has the potential to delay the country’s economic recovery...
Power supplies designed for compact spaces
September 4, 2012 2:23 pm | TDK-Lambda Americas, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsTDK Corporation announces the new TDK-Lambda ZWS-BP series of single output, PCB-type AC-DC power supplies. Based on the popular ZWS series, the ZWS-BP is 30 percent smaller than its predecessor, thus simplifying equipment design and is offered in two mid-power output models – ZWS150BP (150W) and ZWS240BP (240W). With a 200% peak power capability, the ZWS-BP is ideal for use in electromechanical equipme
Compact GPS module achieves 22 mA current consumption
September 4, 2012 1:46 pm | Product Releases | CommentsMSC now offers the L70, a particularly high-performance and at the same time ultra low power consumption GPS module, from Quectel. The L70 module comes in a compact 10.1 mm x 9.7 mm x 2.5 mm form factor. The L70 module is based on the MTK MT3339 chipset and has 66 acquisition channels and 22 tracking channels that, in combination with advanced AGPS technology called EASY (Embedded Assist System), provide the highest performance.
Interconnect solutions provide automatic coplanarity compensation
August 29, 2012 1:44 pm | Product Releases | CommentsAutosplice has introduced a new series of specialized Solderball Pin Array (SPA) interconnect capabilities that leverage the company’s industry-leading Solderball Pin Technology by creating pre-defined arrays and header configurations that are targeted to meet application-specific requirements.
Relay touts compact size
August 29, 2012 10:26 am | Product Releases | CommentsGIGAVAChas introduced a new DPDT 20kV relay. The G53WF is ideal for applications requiring high continuous carry current, up to 150A, as well as high power RF circuits that require low signal loss. The combination of massive copper contacts and a vacuum dielectric provide a low and stable 12 milliohm contact resistance which means low voltage drop in DC circuits and low signal loss in RF circuits.
Simple techniques to improve solar panel efficiency using a microcontroller or SOC
August 28, 2012 4:54 pm | by Gautam Das G, Applications Engineer at Cypress Semiconductor | Articles | CommentsToday, people are more concerned about fossil fuel exhaustion and environmental problems caused by conventional power generation and renewable energy sources than ever before. Among the renewable resources, photovoltaic panels and wind-generators are primary contenders. They have the advantage of being maintenance and pollution-free...
Keep remote sensors energized
August 28, 2012 4:31 pm | by Sol Jacobs, VP and General Manager, Tadiran Batteries | Articles | CommentsSelecting a primary battery capable of delivering 25 years of continuous operation is an important consideration, especially in situations where the battery replacement is difficult or impossible or not cost effective, as battery failure is commonly identified as the first or second major factor contributing to overall system failure.
USB-powered switches feature 10 W power-handling capability
August 28, 2012 1:11 pm | Product Releases | CommentsVaunix Technology Corporation has announced their new LSW Series Switch products. This new Lab Brick product family has a 10 W power handling capability and offers reliable, high isolation, low power and low cost solid state switch products in both single pole double throw (SPDT) and single pole four throw (SP4T) configurations.
Why Nikola Tesla deserves a museum
August 27, 2012 9:52 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsNikola Tesla is arguably one of the most underappreciated scientists in history. He was a very cool, brilliant guy, but money wasn’t really his strong suit. He built a laboratory called the Wardenclyffe Tower in Shoreham, New York, which he lost due to his financial problems. The tower that Wardenclyffe was named for was destroyed in 1917, 15 years after it was built.
High-density, output configurable power system provides 1,300 W for space-constrained apps
August 23, 2012 9:48 am | Vicor Corp. | Product Releases | CommentsVicor Corp. introduced the Westcor MicroPAC power factor corrected AC/DC power system providing up to 1300 W of continuous power at up to 92 percent efficiency and 25 W/in3 power density in a 4 x 1.72 x 7.45 inch package. Offering semi-regulated output voltages of
A mentor's perspective: Project-based learning and student competitions
August 22, 2012 10:57 am | by Gen Sasaki, Principal Technical Consultant, MathWorks, www.mathworks.com | Blogs | CommentsI have experienced first hand the great learning opportunity such venues provide students to apply what they have learned in the classroom, and have fun (and a fair share of pain) doing it. In addition, this hands-on learning brings greater understanding and gratification of the knowledge acquired in coursework. In addition, a team competition
Line driver features two fanout modes, 1:4 fanout differential
August 22, 2012 10:03 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe PRL-414RSTR is a 1:4 fanout differential RS-422 line driver. It has two sets of floating 124 Ω differential inputs designed to accept RS-422 signals. The PRL-414RSTR high speed fanout line driver facilitates testing and integration of high speed digital communications circuits and distribution of satellite signals.
Self-charging power cell converts and stores energy in a single unit
August 22, 2012 9:38 am | by Eurekalert! | News | CommentsResearchers have developed a self-charging power cell that directly converts mechanical energy to chemical energy, storing the power until it is released as electrical current. By eliminating the need to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy for charging a battery, the new hybrid generator-storage cell utilizes mechanical energy more efficiently than systems using separate generators and batteries.
Fueling nuclear power with seawater
August 22, 2012 8:42 am | by Eurekalert! | News | CommentsWhen you take a dip in the ocean, nuclear fuel is probably the farthest thing from your mind. Uranium floats in Earth’s oceans in trace amounts of just 3 parts per billion, but it adds up. Combined, our oceans hold up to 4.5 billion tons of uranium – enough to potentially fuel the world’s nuclear power plants for 6,500 years.
Isolation transformer reduces risk for electrical shock from entertainment devices
August 21, 2012 11:42 am | Product Releases | CommentsBridgeport Magnetics Group introduces the Mini ISO-PUCK isolation transformer for television sets and other entertainment electronics in patient rooms and hospital wards. The Mini ISO-PUCK offers protection against electric shocks as stipulated in NFPA 99, 2012 edition, for patient care areas like operating rooms or rooms intended for the examination and treatment of patients.
Dual range DC power source delivers up to 350 W of power
August 21, 2012 11:02 am | Product Releases | CommentsB&K Precision today announced the addition of the model 1747--its latest dual range DC power source. Delivering up to 350 W of power with constant voltage (CV) and constant current (CC) modes, model 1747 can output either higher voltage at a lower current range
