Notable & Newsworthy
January 2021
Stefan Schaffhauser will assume the CEO position with the beginning of the business year on April 1, 2021. As of this date, he will lead the Traco Power Group together with the CFO, Adrian Berger.
As before, Rolf Caspar – company owner and Chairman of the Board – will continue to concentrate his efforts
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/31/2021
The hydrogen fueling station market is witnessing a dramatic acceleration in growth, with 584 hydrogen stations deployed by year-end 2020, according to a study released by Information Trends, a market research company.
The study, "Global Market for Hydrogen Fueling Stations, 2021" says the number of
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/28/2021
TDK Corporation announces the introduction of the TDK-Lambda DBM20 DIN rail mount 24V 20A buffer module. The buffer module is ideal for providing short term hold-up or peak power for loads connected to a 24Vdc output AC-DC power supply. It can supply an additional 250ms hold-up at 448W output power, or 2s with a
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/28/2021
Murata announced a new 300 W chassis mount ultra-wide 10:1 DC input range converter with patented inrush current control topology and high efficiency >92% from Murata Power Solutions. The IRV300 is a fit-and-forget module designed for harsh operating environments in railway and industrial applications. It
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/28/2021
Flex Power Modules announces the launch of the BMR492 – a series of digital eighth-brick intermediate bus converters capable of delivering between 600 to 800W of continuous power along with a peak power of up to 1100 W for short periods <1s. This so-called ‘burst mode’ operation is commonly required fo
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/28/2021
Florida Power & Light Company announced that construction has begun on the FPL Manatee Energy Storage Center, which is expected to shatter industry records as the world’s largest integrated solar-powered battery system, capable of powering Disney World for approximately seven hours.
Located in Parris
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/28/2021
Renesas Electronics Corporation announced the expansion of its 32-bit RA2 Series microcontrollers (MCUs) with 48 new RA2E1 Group MCUs. Based on the 48-MHz Arm Cortex-M23 core, the RA2E1 MCUs are entry-line, single-chip devices with up to 128-KB code flash and 16-KB SRAM memory.
The RA2E1 Group MCUs support a
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/28/2021
Engineers face challenges when designing electronics that require a high-voltage axial leaded resistor because of limited options and high cost.
Stackpole's HVA series axial leaded high voltage resistors provide high voltage handling in a cost effective, compact thru-hole package. The RoHS compliant and ha
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/28/2021
Every electronic piece of equipment or system has a power delivery network (PDN) made up of cables, bus bars, connectors, circuit board copper power planes and AC-to-DC and DC-to-DC converters and regulators. Governing the performance of a PDN is its overall architecture, such as the use of AC or DC voltage di
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/28/2021
NICHIA further demonstrates its commitment to innovation and improvements to global well-being with the launch of its newest deep UV LED, the NCSU334B. At a peak wavelength of 280 nm, NICHIA’s deep UV LED outperforms other commercially available UV-C LEDs, regardless of wavelength, output, efficiency and lifetime. At
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/27/2021
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. introduced a new series of surface-mount multilayer ceramic chip capacitors (MLCCs) with a lead (Pb)-bearing termination finish suitable for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and other space, military, and avionics applications requiring tin whisker mitigation. Operating temperatures ca
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/27/2021
Bel Power Solutions announced the ACC750 (industrial) and MCC750 (medical) Series of convection cooled power supplies which are available in a couple of single output voltages. The natural convection cooling operation (without a fan) is particularly suitable for environments sensitive to acoustical noise.
The ACC/MCC750
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/27/2021
Emerson's SolaHD surge protective devices and power filters begin a new chapter with the introduction of several upgraded versions that give users more ways to prevent damage to mission-critical electronics driving the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) within their facilities.
Each of the new SolaHD d
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/27/2021
AVX Corporation released a new series of embedded Wi-Fi antennas designed to satisfy steadily increasing cross-market demand for smaller and thinner wireless products with superior signal sensitivity. The new W Series Embedded Wi-Fi Antennas offer a wide range of standard solutions with ultraminiature form factors, PC
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/26/2021
TDK Corporation presents a new range of highly accurate differential pressure sensors (part number B58621V*), designed as printed circuit boards. The sensors are designed for measurement ranges of 16 mbar full-scale (FS), 100 mbar FS and 7 bar FS, with absolute accuracy of up to ±1 percent FS at temperatures fr
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/26/2021
Calex Manufacturing Company, Inc. announces the 250-Watt LHC Series AC-DC power supply. The ruggedized, weatherproof enclosure and thermal design allow the power supply to be deployed in severe conditions. The LHC Series was specifically designed to operate in the most demanding weather conditions, and for use in
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/26/2021
TTI, Inc., announces the availability of Datamate Mix-Tek Cable Housings from stock.
Harwin’s Datamate Mix-Tek is a 2mm pitch (signal) and 4mm pitch (power/coaxial) high-reliability, high-performance connector range with a proven track record for performance under extreme conditions. Male and female cable conn
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/25/2021
Infineon Technologies broadens its EiceDRIVER portfolio with the new 24 V dual-channel low side gate driver with an integrated thermal pad. It can be operated with high switching frequencies as well as highest peak output currents and offers an enable function. The gate driver is suitable for applications with hi
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/25/2021
Mersen is pleased to announce the availability of R-TOOLS MAXX, Mersen’s next generation heat sink calculator. R-TOOLS MAXX is a no charge, on-line simulation software that allows users to model the optimum air-cooled heat sink solution tailored to their project requirements. It is completely interactive and av
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/25/2021
As The Open Group Sensor Open Standards Architecture, or SOSA initiative continues to move towards completion, Elma Electronic Inc. has added two 3U backplanes to its growing family of products aligned to Snapshot 3 of the SOSA Technical Standard. Available populated with or without VITA 67.3 connectors for ti
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/25/2021
SCHURTER expands its portfolio of highly successful rewireable IEC cord connectors, series 4782 (C13, 70 °C) and 4781 (C15, 120 °C), to include gray and white versions in addition to black. The added colors allow for distinguishing between multiphases in data centers. The white color option is also suited fo
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/25/2021
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. introduced 10 new 650 V silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky diodes. Featuring a merged PIN Schottky (MPS) design, the Vishay Semiconductors devices are designed to increase the efficiency of high frequency applications by reducing switching losses regardless of the effects from temperature va
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/25/2021
Murata announced two new ultra-wide 10:1 ratio DC-DC converters, the 250W IRH-W80 half-brick and the 150W IRQ-W80 quarter-brick from Murata Power Solutions. Both high power density modules feature efficiency levels above 91 percent with a 16 – 160 Vdc input voltage range.
The 250W IRH-W80 and 150W
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/22/2021
High Pressure Equipment Company (HiP), a subsidiary of Graco Inc., introduces new triple pump models for its PT2020 Automated Pressure Testing Controller System for air-driven high pressure hydraulic pumps. The first-of-its-kind triple pump PT2020 controller is designed to provide automated pressure control fo
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/21/2021
.jpg)
SiTime Corporation announced that CellBounce, a division of ADT, has chosen the SiTime Elite Platform Super-TCXO for its 3G-to-4G conversion solution that is certified for use on the AT&T 4G cellular network.
SiTime MEMS-based Elite Super-TCXOs achieve an all-inclusive ±250 ppb frequency stability over ten
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/21/2021
Richardson Electronics, Ltd. announced a new global distribution agreement with Signal Microwave, a leader in microwave connectors and test boards for applications up to 110GHz. The agreement aligns with both companies’ commitment to providing the highest reliability and quality products for various applications, in
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/21/2021
RWE Renewables' East Raymond (Raymond) facility, a 200-megawatt (MW) onshore wind farm located in Willacy and Cameron counties, Texas, has achieved commercial operation.
"We're excited to announce our 27th onshore wind farm in the U.S. and our eighth project on the Texas Coast," said Silvia Ortin, Chief Op
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/20/2021
Transphorm, Inc. and Bel Power Solutions stated that six of Bel’s Titanium Efficiency Power Supplies use Transphorm’s high voltage GaN FETs. This news indicates the growing trend of high performance, wide bandgap power supply units (PSUs) being deployed in datacenter servers, routers, and network switches.
The six GaN-b
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/20/2021
Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, could help decrease the world's reliance on fossil fuels. But first, power companies need a safe, cost-effective way to store the energy for later use. Massive lithium-ion batteries can do the job, but they suffer from safety issues and limited lithium ava
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/20/2021
Renesas Electronics Corporation strengthened its industry-leading RF portfolio for traditional macro base transceiver stations (BTS) with four new high-reliability, high-performance devices, offering customers access to a complete RF signal chain solution. This expansion includes the industry’s first quad-channel F4
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/20/2021
Sager Electronics is now stocking SL Power’s GU300 300W single-output, open-frame power supplies.
SL Power’s GU300 series are medical power supplies with digital control and monitoring for more precise in-system operation. SL Power GU300 features a screwless design with no top-side heatsink, allowing for a mor
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/20/2021
Over the past 20 years, scientists have been developing metamaterials, or materials that don't occur naturally and whose mechanical properties result from their designed structure rather than their chemical composition. They allow researchers to create materials with specific properties and shapes. Metamaterials are
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/20/2021
Renesas Electronics Corporation announced the expansion of its RZ/G2 general-purpose 64-bit microprocessors (MPUs), delivering improved AI processing for a wide range of applications. The expanded product lineup includes three new entry-level MPU models built around the latest Arm Cortex-A55 core: The RZ/G2L, RZ/G2L
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/19/2021
For applications that require an axial leaded pulse handling resistor, there are a few options. Wirewound resistors are a good option for low voltage pulses but will be inductive and costly for higher resistance values. Carbon composition resistors have excellent energy handling and low inductance but poor environmenta
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/19/2021
Mouser Electronics, Inc., is expanding its comprehensive range of products and resources aimed at developers of AI and IoT solutions. These include a machine vision development kit from ADLINK suitable for industrial applications, a low-power dual-core processor with neural network accelerator from Maxim Integrated fo
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/18/2021
TRACO POWER announces their new THN 20WIR series of 20 watt high-density DC/DC Converters in the industry standard 1” x 1” footprint which has been qualified for railway and rugged industrial applications with EN 50155 and EN 61373 certifications and IEC /EN /UL 62368-1 approvals.
The THN 20WIR series of ru
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/18/2021
Taiwan Semiconductor announces the availability of the RS2x family of fast recovery rectifiers. These 2A-rated diodes are available with reverse voltage ratings of 200V and 1 KV, each available in either SOD-128 or Thin SMA package. These two surface mount packages align with standard pc-board solder pads fa
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/18/2021
Any building project requires the formulation of a series of initial plans prior to starting construction to serve as a basis and guide for the whole process. A similar procedure is followed in software development, with the inclusion of a specific step known as modelling. "The process is equivalent to th
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/18/2021
The brain strategy for storing memories may lead to imperfect memories, but in turn, allows it to store more memories, and with less hassle than AI.
In the last decades, Artificial Intelligence has shown to be very good at achieving exceptional goals in several fields. Chess is one of them: in 1996, for the first time, the computer Deep Blue beat a human player, chess champion Garry Kasparov. A new piece of research shows now that the brain strategy for st
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/18/2021
Karl-Heinz Steinmetz, who leads TI’s hybrid and electric vehicle and powertrain sector team
Electric vehicles rely on battery management systems to maximize their power, range, and efficiency. Every battery cell in the EV has to be wired to a BMS, and since more cells means a higher charge capacity – leading to a longer electric range – manufacturers pack as cells in there as they can. And that ma
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/15/2021
ROHM’s newly introduced 125°C operation compatible I2C bus EEPROMs, BR24H-5AC series, targets applications that require data storage under harsh environments, such as factory settings for onboard cameras and sensors, airbag operating history, and data logging for always-on operating industrial automation sy
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/14/2021
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (MPS) announced the launch of a new family of 48 V – 6V digital DC-DC power modules for 48 V Data Center Solutions, utilizing eGaN transistors from Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) Corporation. These power modules target applications for high density computing and data centers, ar
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/14/2021
Traco Power launched its TPP 450 series two years ago, quickly recognized as one of most reliable high-density 3x5 power supplies in the industry. The series now offers a major expansion with Protection Class II models (TPP 450BA-M Open-Frame Models and TPP 450B-M Enclosed with Fan Models). These products are id
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/13/2021
.jpg)
XP Power announces the introduction of the PLS1500 series of 1500W rated, 1U high, 19” rack-mount programmable DC power supplies. This latest extension complements the 600W PLS600 range for higher power equipment in a wide variety of OEM, industrial, and laboratory applications. Typical applications include co
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/12/2021
Renesas Electronics Corporation announced its collaboration with Microsoft to accelerate the development of connected vehicles. Renesas’ R-Car Starter Kit, based on Renesas’ R-Car automotive system-on-chip (SoC), is now available as a development environment for the Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform (MCVP). MCVP combines a partner ecosystem with a horizontal pla
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/12/2021
GaN Systems announced the release of two 650V half-bridge daughter cards (30A and 60A), which provide an ultra-versatile platform to evaluate GaN drivers and transistors. The evaluation cards are available in two power levels, up to 3kW (GS-EVB-HB-66508B-RN) and up to 6kW (GS-EVB-HB-66516T-RN) and include the Re
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/12/2021
Solar FlexRack announced that the company has supplied its TDP 2.0 Solar Trackers for a portfolio of distributed generation solar projects located in Connecticut. Part of Solar FlexRack's tracker growth phase into the northeastern region of the US, the solar projects are being developed by TRITEC Americas, a lea
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/12/2021
Infineon’s Tim Hu
Infineon just did a 4-part article series for us on USB power delivery solutions, and we thought it’d be instructive to take a deeper dive.
Date:
01/07/2021
Vicor announced the launch of its first radiation-fault-tolerant DC-DC converter power modules, housed in the new Vicor plated SM-ChiP package. Capable of powering low-voltage ASICs of up to 300 watts from a 100V nominal power source, the ChiPs were tested by Boeing to be resilient to 50krad of total ionizing do
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/07/2021
As modern electronics evolve, applications and their requirements become more diverse. A key factor in adding electrical content to any device is how much power is required within the available space. For small size end products, this can be a challenging task. High power resistors are a good solution for maximizi
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/07/2021
A team of researchers from Binghamton University has been selected to receive $2.6 million from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to develop ways to reliably support higher amounts of solar power on the grid.
The three-year project will focus on advanced grid-forming photovolt
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/07/2021
Hunt Military Communities (HMC), the largest U.S. military housing owner, announced its project to expand on its leading initiatives to integrate additional solar rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems across its facility at Scott Air Force Base. This community includes more than 1,500 homes serving 3,000 residents. Th
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/06/2021
Sager Electronics is now stocking TDK-Lambda’s PFH500F Conduction Cooled 500W AC/DC Power Modules.
The PFH500F Series is a high density and high efficiency AC/DC power module that comes in a compact 4” x 2.4” brick footprint. It’s rated at 500W and operates from 85 to 265 VAC input. The series is s
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/06/2021
In modern offline AC-DC power solutions, programmability and adaptive control offer the flexibility and intelligence needed by smart home devices to better interface with their power systems. In these systems, a secondary side microcontroller (MCU) is typically not capable of starting a system without the use of
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/06/2021
Table 1: Comparison of parameters for G4 750V SiC FETs with similar 650V SiC MOSFETs and 600V Superjunction fast diode FETs
The automotive market for Silicon Carbide (SiC) devices is widely expected to exceed the $1.5 billion threshold in 2025 with an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38 percent. This is driven by the value provided by SiC based components in On-board chargers, DC-DC converters and in Traction inverters. With the launch of
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/05/2021
Regardless of which analyst organization provides the information, the future looks bright when it comes to zero emission vehicles, or ZEVs. On average, they predict electric vehicles (EVs) accounting for approximately 60% of all passenger vehicle sales by 2040. Also forecasted is that 30% of the global passenger ve
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1. A complete broadband RF power meter
RMS-responding RF power meters are widely used in test and measurement applications to precisely and accurately measure the RF power of signals with varying crest factors. These expensive connectorized devices offer a high level of precision, while relying on extensive characterization and calibration, but this pr
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1. Electrical schematic of bipolar, bidirectional, 2-terminal power supply: VIN = 5 V to 24 V, VOUT = ±10 V at 3 A
Most electronic systems depend on power voltage rails that are either positive or negative, but a few applications require individual rails that can be both. In these situations, positive or negative power is supplied by the same terminal—that is, the output voltage of the supply can be adjusted through its en
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Introduced in 2014, USB Type C is the latest physical standard, well-recognized for its simplified, bi-directional package, higher data rates, and greater power delivery. As has already been alluded to, USB connectors are defined by these three different, yet related standards: the physical connector, data transmission pr
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: Today’s smart hand tools provide information for machine control and inform the operator of part quality with tolerance indication
In manufacturing, it makes perfect sense to maximize the value of every dollar, but it also means hard choices must be made when selecting handheld gages. For example, myriad issues such as training, warranties, throughput requirements, manufacturing methods and materials, the end-use of the workpiece, and general co
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: O-Ring Circuit
Among the many benefits of USB Type-C connectors are their small size, easy-to-use features, and versatility. USB Type-C (also called USB-C) can support multiple protocols, such as USB 3.1, DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB PD. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) released guidelines for USB Type-C called USB Type-C Ca
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: AC and DC EV charging
The world’s automobile manufacturers are responding to ever stricter emissions regulations by increasing the proportion of electric vehicles (EVs) in their ranges. Global EV sales have surged in recent years and data from 2020[i] suggests that EVs are beginning to take market share from traditional, internal
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: Connector solutions such as SMC, MiniBridge and MaxiBridge are installed in many inverters or battery management systems of hybrid vehicles
Particularly in the automotive industry, very high demands are placed on connections. In harsh and often near-engine environments, connector systems must not only be as compact as possible, but must also exhibit high vibration resistance, robustness, temperature resistance, high current carrying capacity and ea
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: VIGIL Project 1 - Charge post charging vehicle at Aston University test site
Enabling EVs to return energy to the power grid when parked and plugged for charging, will increase grid resilience, allow for better exploitation of renewable sources and lower the cost of ownership for EV owners – leading to new business opportunities and clear advantages for EV users and energy consumers.
VIGIL was backe
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Automotive lighting is undergoing a fundamental change as more lighting solutions (both interior and exterior) shift from conventional bulbs to light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs present unique challenges in automotive applications, but they also promise unique advantages and possibilities. While driving LEDs re
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: Starter generator and eBoost locations in an electrified vehicle
Starter generator systems play multiple roles in electrified vehicle architectures. They are responsible for starting the engine, supplying electrical boost to the engine, and generating charge voltage during deceleration or coasting, which reduces wear on mechanical braking systems while improving overall system ef
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1. Automotive applications are prone to transient and surge conditions
Protecting downstream automotive electronic system content vulnerable to “load dump” conditions is a major challenge in this market. Automotive systems require transient voltage suppressor (TVS) devices capable of shunting high-energy transients safely away from electronic circuits.
In addition to se
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
We have never relied more on batteries than we do today. That trend will accelerate as we turn more to renewable energy, electric vehicles and the IoT starts to really fulfil its potential. Analyst, IDC predicts that there will be 41.6 billion IoT connected devices by 2025, the majority of which will use some ki
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
This past November, PSD made the pilgrimage to the “Motor City,” The Automotive Capital of the World…on our computers.
The Battery Show and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo (rebranded as The Battery Show & EV Tech Digital Days) has a proud history of spotlighting the latest in automo
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Happy New Year! And welcome to the first issue of PSD in 2021. It is also our first January issue as a standalone magazine. This year will see us add two new issues in January and August. One of the reasons that we increased the number of issues to 12 this year was because there wasn’t enough space to cover al
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
Electric and hybrid vehicles currently own a very humble slice of the automotive pie (<2%), but that’ll change very soon.
A combination of government mandates – the UK plans to outlaw non-zero emission cars by 2035 – and automakers pledging to go fully electric should create a bear market for EVs a
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/04/2021
KDC Solar LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CI Renewables LLC, has commenced commercial operations of its 1.6 megawatt (MW) solar carport at CentraState Medical in Freehold, New Jersey. The new system will generate approximately 2.1 million kilowatt hours of solar electricity per year. This is the equivalent of
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/01/2021
When a swarm of smarticles is made to interact in a confined space, they form stunningly symmetric dances whose choreography emerges spontaneously from the physics of low rattling.
Predicting when and how collections of particles, robots, or animals become orderly remains a challenge across science and engineering.
In the 19th century, scientists and engineers developed the discipline of statistical mechanics, which predicts how groups of simple particles transition between order and
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/01/2021
Stretching of microfabricated diamonds pave ways for applications in next-generation microelectronics.
Diamond is the hardest material in nature. But out of many expectations, it also has great potential as an excellent electronic material. A joint research team led by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has demonstrated for the first time the large, uniform tensile elastic straining of microfabricated diamond a
. . . Learn More
Date:
01/01/2021
