Consumer

April 2016
Schurter's KMF power entry module now at Rutronik

KMF power entry module

The KMF power entry module from Schurter is for use in protection class II double-insulated applications. It provides high functionality in a compact package, just like the popular module for use in protection class I. The new version is perfectly suited for medical equipment used at home, and is now available fr
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/29/2016
element14, the world’s largest electronic design community, launches today its 2016 Pi IoT Smarter Spaces Design Challenge featuring the new Bluetooth and wireless enabled Raspberry Pi 3 microcomputer. The Pi IoT Smarter Spaces competition is challenging members to invent IoT-powered solutions that allow users to
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/28/2016
Melexis' highly-integrated RF IC encourages proliferation of low-power systems

MLX73290-A

Melexis, a leader in microelectronics engineering, has added to its portfolio of low-power wireless solutions with the introduction of the MLX73290-A. This innovative new device features a sophisticated multi-channel RF transceiver, combined with a 3-dimensional low frequency (3DLF) interface that supports ultra-low po
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/27/2016
Dialog Semi's Dual-Dim LED driver provides single-chip TRIAC and digital dimming

the iW3690, a novel driver IC for LED smart lighting

Dialog Semiconductor, a provider of highly integrated power management, AC/DC power conversion, solid state lighting (SSL) and Bluetooth low-energy technology, announced the iW3690, a novel driver IC for LED smart lighting that combines digital control (I2C) with the company's advanced phase-cut TRIAC dimming technol
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/27/2016
Motor manufacturers are in a race to switch to more energy-efficient technologies to help countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as part of a global strategy to combat climate change. While many motor makers look to substitute more iron or copper in their induction motor product lines, or switch to other mo
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/26/2016
Toshiba launches bipolar 2-Channel Stepping motor driver with max ratings of 40V and 2.0A

TC78S122FNG bipolar 2-channel stepping motor driver

Toshiba Electronics has launched a bipolar, 2-channel stepping motor driver rated for a high voltage of 40V and currents of up to 2.0A. The TC78S122FNG will help designers to save space, reduce power consumption, lower heat dissipation and minimise vibration and acoustic noise in high-speed motion control designs. Ta
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/26/2016
ADI and LifeQ collaborate to improve body monitoring in health management

The two companies plan to design low-power sensors that enable personalized, continuous and accurate tracking

Analog Devices announced a collaboration with LifeQ to develop technology that will make it possible for non-invasive body monitoring devices to provide highly accurate physiological data that currently is only available through the use of expensive, invasive and hard-to-access equipment. By combining the market-leading en
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/26/2016
VersaSense and Vicotee launch Smartmesh-based IoT products at Hannover Trade Fair

VersaSense's and Vicotee's Smartmesh-based IoT products

At this year's Hannover Trade Fair, VersaSense will present live demonstrations of its award-winning MicroPnP product range and Vicotee will release their wireless mesh Internet of Things (IoT) sensor interface, both using SmartMesh IP from Linear Technology. At Stand H23, Hall 9, they are just examples of
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/25/2016
Astute Electronics, a leading supplier of electronic components and value added services, has introduced a range of waterproof USB connectors from Amphenol LTW Technology. The range includes USB 3.0 A, 2.0 A and 2.0 B types, plus Mini USB 2.0 B and Micro USB 2.0 AB models. All versions are waterproof to IP67 o
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/25/2016
KOA Speer Electronics has added the SLW1, a 1.5 Watt, 2512 size chip to its line of molded current sensing resistors. The SLW1 features resistance values ranging from 3 mΩ up to 100 mΩ in several tolerances as low as 0.5% with a wide operating temperature range of -55°C to +180°C. The chips special electrode
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/25/2016
Many interests have been raised within the battery business in 2015 through a number of activities: the launch of Tesla's Powerwall with low prices supported by the capability of Gigafactory, Apple's patent relating to charging and managing power in a device with solid-state batteries, LG Chem's opening of a mega
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/25/2016
Germany readies itself for a new era

87% of German companies currently feel that a change to digitalisation over the next five years is a priority

In multiple presentations at the Year Of The Monkey digital festival in Munich on Thursday, the figure "87%" was prominent. This is - according to a number of research papers - the number of German companies currently feeling that a change to digitalisation over the next five years is a priority. At le
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/22/2016
Torex's 0.8A step-up DC/DC converters serve healthcare and wearables

XC9141/XC9142 Series, Small Package, WLP-6-01 (1.28 x 1.08 x h0.4mm)

Torex Semiconductor has launched the XC9141/XC9142 series of 0.8A step-up DC/DC converters with a load disconnection function. The demand for internal-driver, step-up DC/DC converters in a small package for use in portable devices has been increasing in recent years. There is also an increasing demand for produ
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/22/2016
Advanced concept bike leaps beyond racing rules

fUCI concept bike

Ever wonder why you don't see things like recumbents in the Tour de France? Well, it's because of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), which is the world governing body for bicycle racing. Among other things, the UCI places unwavering restrictions on the design of racing bikes. While this is intended to keep
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/22/2016
Power Integrations’ InnoSwitch-CP offline switching ICs now at Mouser

InnoSwitch-CP switching IC

Mouser Electronics is now stocking the InnoSwitch-CP switching ICs, part of the InnoSwitch family from Power Integrations. These new offline constant-current/constant-voltage flyback switching ICs incorporate a constant power output profile which, when paired with an adaptive-voltage protocol such as USB-PD, hel
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/22/2016
Ultrathin organic material empowers e-skin display

Ultraflexible organic photonic skin

University of Tokyo researchers have developed an ultrathin, ultraflexible, protective layer and demonstrated its use by creating an air-stable, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display. This technology will enable creation of electronic skin (e-skin) displays of blood oxygen level, e-skin heart rate sensors fo
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/20/2016
KEMET, a leading supplier of electronic components and Novasentis, a leading developer of haptic and sensory feedback technology for wearable devices, announced a collaboration to develop next generation Electro-Mechanical Polymer (EMP) film-based haptic actuators for wearable devices. Novasentis will provide th
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/19/2016
IAR Systems announced that the world-leading development toolchain IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM now supports the Wireless Gecko SoCs from Silicon Labs. With its highly optimizing build tools, smart integrated profiling tools and comprehensive debugging capabilities, IAR Embedded Workbench enables developers to
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/18/2016
Cree claims highest efficacy and reliability for the XP-G LED family

XLamp XP-G3 LED

Cree introduced the XLamp XP-G3 LED, which delivers 31% more lumens and 8% higher lumens-per-watt (LPW) than the industry-leading XP-G2 LED. Leveraging key elements of Cree’s SC5 Technology Platform, the high-power XP-G3 LED improves the lumen density, voltage characteristics and reliability of previous XP-G ge
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/18/2016
Toshiba launches ARM Cortex-M3-based MCUs for motion and consumer apps

M3H microcontrollers

Toshiba Electronics Europe has announced a range of new microcontrollers (MCUs) based on the ARM Cortex-M3 core. The M3H microcontrollers are the first product group from the new TXZ Family and are the first Toshiba MCUs to be fabricated with an embedded flash memory process based on the 65nm logic process. Pr
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/18/2016
Transformers can often provide an inexpensive solution for a variety of applications. The purpose of the transformer is to isolate the secondary side of the circuit from the primary power source, transfer power efficiently from the electrical source to the target load and protect users from hazards like electric sh
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/17/2016
LEDs are increasingly used in 24VAC and 12VAC lighting systems as a robust, energy efficient and high performance alternative to halogen lamps. Power converters that drive the LEDs should have a high power factor (above 90% in order to meet generally-accepted green standards), should be efficient, use a minimal nu
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/17/2016
The buzz around a concept called The Internet of Things has been around for a few years, and it’s not going away anytime soon. In fact, it might be bigger than anyone ever imagined. And all that added connectivity brings with it a great deal more control. The industry is becoming excited about the evol
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/17/2016
LED technology has developed over recent years, and is now the obvious choice for many applications from energy-efficiency architectural lighting to outdoor displays. These applications tend to vary considerably, each requiring a different number, type, color and configuration of the LEDs, which means that driver ci
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/17/2016
EnOcean kinetic power challenges the industry

PTM 215ZE 2.4 GHz radio pushbutton transmitter module

At Light + Building 2016 in Frankfurt, EnOcean presented a new self-powered product family for wireless communication in the globally-usable 2.4 GHz frequency band. This adds to the company’s products in 868 MHz, 902 MHz and 928 MHz for new markets and regions. With the 2.4 GHz offering, OEMs can now realise ba
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/15/2016
An effective method for filtering high-frequency power supply noise and cleanly sharing similar voltage supply rails (i.e. analog and digital rails for mixed-signal ICs) while preserving high-frequency isolation between the shared rails is the use of ferrite beads.  A ferrite bead is a passive device that fi
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/15/2016
The phone Martin Cooper used was the prototype Motorola DynaTAC, and it could only be used for 20 minutes before the battery died. Battery life has continued to cause concern for manufacturers. Bluetooth introduced its low-energy feature in 2010 with Bluetooth 4.0 with energy efficiency as the prime goal, achieved in
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/15/2016
The desire for ever higher image quality has seen frame rates in high-end televisions increase to 240 frames per second (fps) simply to ensure that the fast moving action in sports programs or movies does not suffer from smearing or multiple images. Display panels for PCs similarly need to support high frame ra
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/14/2016
The state of solid-state lighting

Kevin Parmenter, Power Systems Design Contributor

I’m not sure that I have seen anything in the electronics industry shift from an emerging technology to a commodity as fast as high-brightness LED lighting. Only 10 or so short years ago I was trying to talk marketing people at two major semiconductor companies into making parts for the market.  Since they coul
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/13/2016
In the third part of this series, we’ll see how Dr. Fred Lee’s analysis of current-mode control resulted in a high modulator gain, and also look at the consequences of this gain on current-loop predictions. Current-Mode Control Circuit Figure 1 shows a buck converter with peak current-mode control. T
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/13/2016
IHS says high-growth wireless charging market matures in 2016

The wireless charging receiver market grew more than 160 percent in 2015

The wireless charging receiver market grew more than 160 percent in 2015 over the previous year, as annual global shipments reached 144 million units. Integrated receivers hit mainstream devices, and refinements to system design and diversification for various applications and power ratings is now driving the de
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/12/2016
Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente has launched a new range of selected products and solutions under Rutronik POWER. It comprises a broad portfolio of power semiconductors, passive components and electromechanical components for industrial, household appliance and automotive applications. A preferred program o
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/12/2016
ROHM Semi to show their latest solutions at Hannover Messe

The Venturi VM200-FE-01 will be fitted with ROHM-manufactured SiC technology

ROHM Semiconductor will be exhibiting at Hannover Messe 2016, which will be held in Hannover, Germany, from 25 April (Mon.) to 29 April (Fri.). For its first exhibit at the trade fair, ROHM will go in with a theme of ‘Endless Possibilities’ – through which the company plans to introduce key devices to co
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/12/2016
ROHM to show new key products for efficient, high-power performance at PCIM 2016

ROHM Semiconductor Presents Its New Power Management Key Products

At PCIM in Nuremberg from May 10-12, 2016, ROHM Semiconductor will showcase its latest power product novelties for high-speed switching and high power performance, at the same time meeting the need for greater energy savings and higher efficiency (Hall 9 - Booth 316). Advanced power devices make a huge impact on
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/11/2016
Transformer energy performance standards being introduced all around the world are spurring transformer manufacturers, as well as their electrical steel, cable and coil winding equipment suppliers, to rethink materials, designs and manufacturing methods in a bid to balance performance with cost. In 2010 the
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/08/2016
RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), a leading distributor for engineers, has announced new additions to its extensive battery portfolio with the RS Pro range of rechargeable batteries, three new variants from the Energizer family and a range of Storacell battery-storage so
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/07/2016
Wuerth Elektronik eiSos upgrades RED EXPERT online design tool

Clearly presented AC and DC losses per inductor

RED EXPERT from Wuerth Elektronik enables eiSos developers to simulate the company's power inductors. The losses determined with RED EXPERT are based on current and voltage waveforms typical in applications. Besides the core and winding losses, they also include the losses arising from the specific geometries of
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/07/2016
Ampleon announced its participation at the forthcoming Electronic Design Innovation Conference - EDI CON – held in Beijing, China between April 19 – 21, 2016. At their booth, number 607, Ampleon will showcase demonstrations of a plasma light module developed by Luma in collaboration with Ampleon and, a new re
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/07/2016
Mouser Electronics announced that it has entered into a global distribution agreement with RFaxis, home to the world's first RF Front-end Integrated Circuit (RFeIC). Mouser will carry several of RFaxis’ CMOS-based radio frequency (RF) solutions. The global agreement extends the reach of RFaxis’ worldwide sal
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/07/2016
Linear's 20V, synchronous 4-switch buck-boost LED driver with spread spectrum suits a variety of lighting applications

LT8391 synchronous buck-boost DC/DC LED controller

Linear Technology announced the LT8391, a synchronous buck-boost DC/DC LED controller that regulates LED current from input voltages above, below and equal to the output voltage. Its 4V to 60V input voltage range makes it ideal for a wide variety of applications, including automotive, industrial and architectural lig
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/06/2016
AMIHO Technology and ROHM Semi launch New Wireless M-Bus eval kit for IoT apps and smart metering

The kit contains two nodes based on AMIHO’s AM060 868 MHz Wireless M-Bus radio modem module

AMIHO Technology, experts in wireless communications, and ROHM Semiconductor announce the launch of their latest Evaluation Kit, designed to get customers up and running rapidly with sub-GHz radio design. The kit contains two nodes based on AMIHO’s AM060 868 MHz Wireless M-Bus radio modem module. This design fe
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/06/2016
Offering transient voltage suppression (TVS) for USB data and power connections, the D5V0F3B6LP20 diode array introduced by Diodes Incorporated is one of the most rugged protection devices in its class. It is aimed at consumer and mobile communications products with a USB interface, especially those employing th
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/06/2016
DELO Industrial Adhesives now offers high-strength epoxy resin-based adhesives that offer excellent adhesion to sensitive plastics as well as fast curing times at low temperatures. DELO-DUALBOND LT2216, ideal for electronic and optoelectronic applications in the automotive and consumer electronics industries, re
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/04/2016
A finely tuned carbon nanotube thin film has the potential to act as a thermoelectric power generator that captures and uses waste heat, according to researchers at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The research could help guide the manufacture of thermoelectric devices based on
. . . Learn More
Date:
04/04/2016
Archives