what’s new in electronics nov dec 2012

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www.electronicsonline.net.au NOV/DEC 2012 - What's New in Electronics 3

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Optical vortices on a chip 20

Reducing design-in effort for

ARM processor technology 24

Ultrafast optical amplifier 30

The Grumpy 4

Nov/Dec 2012

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on the cover 4

Developing the next generation

of microsensors 6

Graphene - invisible barrier

wards off metal corrosion 14

4 What's New in Electronics - NOV/DEC 2012 www.electronicsonline.net.au

on the cover

Linear sensors come in a wide range of stroke lengths and now, with a wide range of technology choices in potentiometer, Hall effect, inductive, transformer, magnetic, laser, microwave, eddy current and magneto-strictive. All methods have their pros and cons but more important is the selection of the right sensor technology, environmental considerations and packaging of the sensor.

Externally mounted, potentiometer-sensing linear sensors are generally good for a wide range of applications. A lot of tubular, rod-end-mounted sensors of this type are still found in a wide variety of linear sensing ap-plications from motor sport suspension sensing to brake pad wear sensing on passenger trains. Our experience with the simple, potentiometer-type sensors includes applications like the positioning of the roof at the Rod Laver Arena, on various amusement rides, for railway cross points, on civil engineering projects, in steel fabrication, on dam sluice gates and other applications providing regular and dependable service in critical applications.

Provided the application is chosen correctly and mechanical dither is kept to a minimum, a potentiometric linear sensor will provide an excel-lent service life.

Hydraulic applications provide a challenge for linear sensing, with high pressures, high temperatures, dirt and dust being some of the key challenges for linear sensors. One method is to mount the sensor inside the hydraulic cylinder. It is still possible to use a potentiometer inside a hydraulic cylinder and under pressure but there are some limitations. The oil must be mineral based and have no zinc or conductive additives.

Generally for critical applications, an inductive in-cylinder sensor is the answer. An inductive in-cylinder sensor has the advantage of being incred-ibly robust with very high burst pressures. It will withstand high levels of shock and vibration and another advantage is the electronics that serve the inductive sensor which can be mounted up to 10 m from the cylinder, ensuring the electronics are out of harm’s way. Applications for inductive

in-cylinder sensors include automated tree lopping machines, mining equipment, keel positioning on racing yachts, locomotives and hydroelectric generation.

Where the application has high vibration or shock and severe environmental considera-tions like corrosive atmospheres or marine applications, a stainless steel enclosed induc-tive sensor is suitable. This sensor is provided with rod-end bearings and is designed to withstand 10,000 g of shock and provides high EMC immunity. Applications include steering position of marine waterjets, valve position in highly acidic or alkaline environments, and salt mining equipment.

Recently, Hall effect linear sensors have surfaced offering a quite robust solution for small measurement applications. The sensing element and the magnet assembly can be up to 1.25 mm apart and there can be allowance for lateral misalignment.

At Control Devices we can provide a wide range of linear sensing solutions from the above to aerospace and industrial LVDT, draw wire applications up to 50,000 mm and incremental or absolute magnetic tape solutions.

Control Devices Australia

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R901

Linear measurement

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Microsensors

Thanks to an ultrasensitive accelerometer - a type of motion detector - developed by researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the University of Rochester, this new class of micro-sensors is a step closer to reality. Beyond consumer electronics, such sensors could help with oil and gas exploration deep within the earth, could improve the stabilisation systems of fighter jets and could even be used in some biomedical applications where more traditional sen-sors cannot operate.

Caltech professor of applied physics Oskar Painter and his team describe the new device and its capabilities in an advance online pub-lication of the journal Nature Photonics.

Rather than using an electrical circuit to gauge movements, their accelerometer uses laser light. And despite the device’s tiny size, it is an extremely sensitive probe of motion. Thanks to its low mass, it can also operate at a large range of frequencies, meaning that it is sensitive to motions that occur in

tens of microseconds, thousands of times faster than the motions that the most sensitive sensors used today can detect.

“The new engineered structures we made show that optical sensors of very high performance are possible, and one can miniaturise them and integrate them so that they could one day be commercialised,” says Painter, who is also co-director of Caltech’s Kavli Nanoscience Institute.

Although the average person may not notice them, microchip accel-erometers are quite common in our daily lives. They are used in vehicle airbag deployment systems, in navigation systems and in conjunction with other types of sensors in cameras and mobile phones. They have successfully moved into commercial use because they can be made very small and at low cost.

Accelerometers work by using a sensitive displacement detector to measure the motion of a flexibly mounted mass, called a proof mass. Most commonly, that detector is an electrical circuit. But because laser light is one of the most sensitive ways to measure position, there has been interest in making such a device with an optical readout. For example,

projects such as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) rely on optical interferometers, which use laser light reflecting off mirrors separated by kilometres of distance to sensitively measure relative motion of the end mirrors. Lasers can have very little intrinsic noise - meaning that their intensity fluctuates little - and are typically limited by the quantum properties of light itself, so they make it much easier to detect very small movements.

People have tried, with limited success, to make miniature versions of these large-scale interferometers. One stumbling block for miniaturisation has been that, in general, the larger the proof mass, the larger the result-ing motion when the sensor is accelerated. So it is typically easier to detect accelerations with larger sensors. Also, when dealing with light rather than electrons - as in optical accelerometers - it is a challenge to integrate all the components (the lasers, detectors and interferometer) into a micropackage.

“What our work really shows is that we can take a silicon microchip and scale this concept of a large-scale optical interferometer all the way down to the nanoscale,” Painter says. “The key is this little optical cavity we engineered to read out the motion.”

The optical cavity is only about 20 µm long, a single micron wide and a few tenths of a micron thick. It consists of two silicon nanobeams, situated like the two sides of a zipper, with one side attached to the proof mass. When laser light enters the system, the nanobeams act like a ‘light pipe’, guiding the light into an area where it bounces back and

“The new engineered structures we made

show that optical sensors of very high

performance are possible, and one can

miniaturise them and integrate them so that

they could one day be commercialised,”

Developing the next generation of microsensorsKimm Fesenmaier

Imagine navigating through a grocery store with your mobile phone. As you turn down the bread aisle, ads and coupons for hot dog buns and English muffins pop up on your screen. The electronics industry would like to make such personal navigators a reality, but, to do so, they need the next generation of microsensors.

Oskar Painter, Prof. Applied Physics, Caltech.


Microsensors

forth between holes in the nanobeams. When the tethered proof mass moves, it changes the gap between the two nanobeams, resulting in a change in the intensity of the laser light being reflected out of the system. The reflected laser signal is, in fact, tremendously sensitive to the motion of the proof mass, with displacements as small as a few femtometres (roughly the diameter of a proton) being probed on the timescale of a second.

It turns out that because the cavity and proof mass are so small, the light bouncing back and forth in the system pushes the proof mass - and in a special way: when the proof mass moves away, the light helps push it further, and when the proof mass moves closer, the light pulls it in. In short, the laser light softens and damps the proof mass’s motion.

“Most sensors are completely limited by thermal noise or mechani-cal vibrations - they jiggle around at room temperature and applied accelerations get lost in that noise,” Painter says. “In our device, the light applies a force that tends to reduce the thermal motion, cooling the system.” This cooling - down to a temperature of 3K in the cur-rent devices - increases the range of accelerations that the device can measure, making it capable of measuring both extremely small and extremely large accelerations.

“We made a very sensitive sensor that, at the same time, can also measure very large accelerations, which is valuable in many applica-tions,” Painter says.

The team envisions its optical accelerometers becoming integrated with lasers and detectors in silicon microchips. Microelectronics com-panies have been working for the past 10 or 15 years to try to integrate lasers and optics into their silicon microelectronics. Painter says that a lot of engineering work still needs to be done to make this happen, but adds that “because of the technological advancements that have been made by these companies, it looks like one can actually start making microversions of these very sensitive optical interferometers”.

“Professor Painter’s research in this area nicely illustrates how the Engineering and Applied Science faculty at Caltech are working at the edges of fundamental science to invent the technologies of the future,” Ares Rosakis, chair of Caltech's Division of Engineering and Applied Science, says. “It is very exciting to envision the ways this research might transform the microelectronics industry and our daily lives.”

Scanning electron microscope image of an array of optomechanical accelerometer devices formed in the surface of a silicon microchip. Highlighted green areas rep-resent proof masses which are suspended by nanoscale tethers across the open etched areas of the chip. Even smaller, and barely visible, are pink highlighted optical cavities which sensitively read out the motion of the proof masses. Image credit: Martin Winger.

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Flowcode development kit

Microchip and element14 pre-sent the P IC18 MCU-based PIC18F26J50 EVK Flowcode De-velopment Kit. The product is a development and demonstration kit designed to provide develop-ers with a hands-on approach to learn Flowcode 4 more easily. The kit is based on the PIC18F26J50 microcontroller and integrates tem-perature sensor, capacitor touch sensor and potentiometer to help developers verify their programs designed by Flowcode 4.

Flowcode 4 is an advanced graphical programming language for microcontrollers. Flowcode supports code generation for PIC microcontrollers (PIC12, PIC16 and PIC18 series), PIC24 and dsPIC digital signal controllers. The pro-fessional edition includes drivers for a wide range of subsystems like LCDs, keypads, 7-segment displays, ADC and PWM, as well as communication protocols includ-ing I2C, SPI, RS-232, Zigbee, TCP/IP, etc. Flowcode is compatible with Microchip’s PICkit programmer as well as third-party programmers, and is also compatible with the HI-TECH C compiler.

The development kit is a low-power and high-performance 8-bit MCU with integrated full-speed USB 2.0 and peripheral flexibility. Features include: deep sleep mode for low-power applications; Periph-eral Pin Select for design flexibility for mapping peripherals to I/O pins; a CTMU module for easy capacitive touch user interfaces.

The PIC18F46J50 product range is suitable for applications requir-ing low-power USB solutions with a robust peripheral set in a small package. Examples include low-power design, human interface and connectivity.

element14


Small isolated micropower high-voltage converter moduleMorsun claims to have made the world’s smallest and thinnest 3 W isolated AC-DC power module that is currently available. The combination of size and wide input voltage range is what they say is a breakthrough in micropower high-voltage converter modules.

The module is 10.5 mm wide and has an isolation voltage up to 3 kVAC. It has a wide input voltage range 85~264 VAC or DC 100-400 V and meets the UL60950 and EN60950 industry standards with short circuit, open circuit and thermal protection.

DLPC Pty Ltd


EMI test receiverThe PMM7010 precompliant EMI test receiver re-solves emission problems, especially those evident during a product development cycle. Early detection of unwanted RF emissions is vital to ensure a first time pass during the final EMC certification test ap-proval, and consequently a shorter time to market.

PMM has provided a combination of a lightweight single instrument, comprising a high-quality EMI receiver with a full complement of CISPR detectors with CISPR16-1-1 resolution and built-in limits for CISPR11, CISPR14 and CISPR22 as well as a smart detector function. This will provide a fast initial overview of the unit under test.

For the most common EMI problem of conducted emissions, the PMM7010 receiver includes an in-built 16 A and 250 V LISN with artificial hand and pulse limiter protection.

Also included is the PMM PES emission remote control test suite of software, which is com-patible with Windows. It provides the creation of scan tables, limits, factors, trace comparison, markers, zoom, peaks finder and reporting. It also exports and imports measurements and settings, as well as Waterfall and Spectrogram analysis.

The receiver has interfaces for USB, RS232 and remote control for an external LISN. It is sup-ported by a wide range of accessories and third-party items, such as TEM/GTEM cells, various antennas (including triple loop) and near field probes.

Consultant Technology Australia Pty Ltd


newproducts

Buck/boost LED driverRECOM Lighting’s buck/boost LED driver can deliver high

voltages (up to 40 V) from a low voltage source (as low as 8 V), simplifying the lighting system with the use of a single driver and a long single string of LEDs.

The RBD-12 series supplies LEDs from 3 to 20 W with input voltages from 8 to 36 V providing constant currents of 350 or 500 mA. The output voltage can be above or below the supply voltage by 500 or 350 mA,

within the range of 2 to 40 VDC.The buck/boost models are digital (PWM + remote on/off) and analog

dimmable and cover the temperature range -40°C to +75°C. The devices are 32.6 x 16.6 x 11.1 mm and weigh 13 g. Depending on the application, the drivers can be

supplied with wires or with standard pins for PCB mounting.The buck/boost drivers are suitable for mobile, solar and battery driven LED systems for

transport and traffic applications (ie, mobile homes, electric cars, street lighting, traffic signs, etc.) as well as for use in marine and air traffic lighting - wherever universal, long-life LED supplies are essential. They comply with all relevant safety standards, such as EN/UL60950-1.

RS Components Pty Ltd


http://www.powerbox.com.au


Programmable analog output encodersLika Electronic’s AS/AM58A series of encoders are supplied in an industry-standard 58 mm flange diameter housing with IP67 protection (IP65 on shaft side) in both hollow (Ø 14, 15 mm) and solid (Ø 6, 8, 9.52, 10, 11, 12 mm) shaft versions. The compact housing and slim profile of 48 mm allow for a wide variety of mounting configurations for quick, safe and low-cost installation.

The encoders boast a 12-bit resolution in single-turn and up to 16,384 turns in the multiturn ver-sion, for an overall count of 65,536. The hardware and software architecture provides a range of voltage and current output includ-ing 0 to 5, 0 to 10, -5 to +5, -10 to +10 V; 0 to 20, 4 to 20 and 0 to 24 mA.

Complementary and zero-setting inputs are supplied along with a fault output to warn against circuit interruption (current output versions only). An-other feature is the optional teach-in function, which includes two start-stop buttons located on the external enclosure designed to easily program the setting of the initial (start) and the final (stop) position.

Control Devices Australia


newproducts

Surge arrester stack for telecommunicationsTDK Corporation’s EPCOS gas-filled surge arrester consists of a stack of five individual arresters and was developed to protect the power supplies of telecommunica-tions equipment. Its rated DC operating voltage is 48 VDC plus 20% according to IEC 61643-11. A feature of the arrester is its quenching of an applied DC voltage.The arrester stack with a type designation of LN8-A1400DC-5 measures 16.3 x 8.4 x 8.9 mm3 and thus takes up significantly less space than five discrete arresters.

This protective component has a surge current capability of 20 kA at an impulse wave of 8/20 µs and 4 kA at an impulse wave of 10/350 µs. The arrester is RoHS compliant, conforms to climate category of 40/90/21 of IEC 600068-1 and is designed for operating temperatures from -40 to +90°C. With a low capacitance of less than 1 pF (1 MHz) and a high insulation resist-ance of more than 10 GΩ (100 VDC), this SMD component has negligible parasitic coefficients.

The LN8-A1400DC-5 arrester is also available on tape and reel for automated SMD placement with the type designation LN8A-A1400DC-5.

Mouser Electronics


1 W DC/DC SMD convertersThe Recom R1SE Series, with 1 W of power, 1000 VDC isolation and 5 V input/output, is a part of the economical E-class. These converters are mainly used to provide isolation for the interfaces of bus systems. In these applications, operating temperatures of +85°C without de-rating are sufficient. This makes the use of high-grade temperature components with specifications up to +100°C, as used in the standard products, unnecessary. This helps to drive down both the material costs and the costly and time-consuming certifications which are no longer necessary.

The case, measuring only 12.75 x 10.7 x 6.7 mm and consisting of two parts, has been designed so that potting is not necessary; thereby further reducing the material costs. Weighing 1 g, this component can be positioned quickly and precisely with automatic placement equip-ment. Despite not being potted, the 100% lead-free design enables it to withstand all thermal cycling in the vapour phase solder processes.

Digi-Key Corporation


RF lightning arrestorsThe Times Microwave Systems LP-BTRW RF Lightning Arrestor series is suitable for applications in the 20-1000 MHz spectrum. These prod-ucts are suitable for oil/gas, electric utility, SCADA, automation, public safety, security and rail/transit where outdoor installation is required.

The LP-BTRW series offers full weatherisation to IP67 for outdoor use; DC blocked for better surge performance; multistrike capability; improved RF characteristics over the 20 to 1000 MHz frequency range; solid brass construction with white bronze plating for durability and long life; grounding bracket; and are available with N female and N male connectors.

Rojone Pty Ltd


http://www.emctech.com.au

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newproducts

Compact universal battery testerThe BT-168D battery tester is a useful toolbox companion for reading the out-

put voltage level of any 1.5 or 9 V battery. Featuring sturdy construction and an easy-to-read digital LCD, it has an adjustable sliding arm for contacting the terminals of different size of batteries. It tests 9 V MN1604, AAA, AA, C and D type batteries and even miniature coin and button cells.Its weighs less than 100 g and with dimensions of 186 x 100

x 36 mm it is suitable for an engineer’s travelling toolkit.It is suitable for standard and rechargeable batteries with a built-in load

resistor for accurate results. It features auto-polarity indication and a non-polarised testing terminal.

Digi-Key Corporation


Energy-efficient UPSsThe Eaton 9PXs are energy-efficient 6 to 11 kVA future-proofed UPSs for virtualised environments. The 9PX high power density and power usage effectiveness (PUE) is a power protection solution for IT and facility managers who are tasked with managing rising energy costs and consumption.

The devices come as a compact rack/tower versatile form factor, delivering 5400 W in a 3U and 10,000 W in a 6U profile. The 9PX fea-tures up to 95% efficiency in online double conversion mode and 98% in high-efficiency mode with a power factor of 0.9.

In double conversion topology the 9PX constantly monitors power condi-tions and regulates voltage and frequency for optimised power management. As a result, the 9PX is suitable for users looking to protect their equipment in computer rooms and small data centres as well as in industrial, manufacturing and medical applications.

For enhanced manageability, a graphical LCD provides information on the UPS’s full status and analytics as well as configuration parameters. Users have the option to monitor energy consumption at the UPS via the LCD and/or remotely through Eaton’s Intelligent Power Software Suite, which is compatible with virtualised IT environ-ments such as VMware vCenter, Microsoft HyperV, Citrix XEN and Red Hat KVM.

To ensure service continuity, in the unlikely event of issues with internal electronics for example, Eaton has equipped the 9PX with redundant components as well as an internal self-powered bypass. A maintenance by-pass module is also available for easy replacement of the UPS without interruption to critical systems. The entire 9PX range incorporates Eaton’s Hot Sync paralleling technology, enabling scaled UPS redundancy or capacity deployment as business requirements change.

Eaton Industries Pty Ltd


Embedded controllerThe NI PXIe-8135 PXI embedded controller features the quad-core, third-gener-ation, Intel Core i7 processor and USB 3.0 connectivity, claimed to make it the industry’s fastest PXI embedded controller. The product helps engineers achieve shorter test times and increase automated test throughput, further advancing PXI instrumentation for high-performance test, measurement and control applications.

Use of the quad-core, third-generation, Intel Core i7-3610QE processor, with up to 3.3 GHz clock frequency, delivers up to an 85% performance increase compared to NI’s previous-generation embedded controller.

USB 3.0 connectivity offers up to 10x faster instrument communication for transferring and storing data externally.

Four PCI Express x4 Gen 2 links interface from the embedded controller to the chassis backplane, providing up to 8 GBps of system throughput for high-bandwidth streaming applications.

National Instruments Australia


whats_new_in_electronics--newest_product.indd 1 10/10/2012 8:52:32 PM

http://www.mouser.com/new


Conductor corrosion

Graphene - invisible barrier wards off metal corrosion

A coating so thin it’s invisible to the human eye has been shown to make copper nearly 100 times more resistant to corrosion, creating tremendous potential for metal protection even in harsh environments. In applications from electronics though to ocean-going vessels, a dramatic extension of copper’s useful life is possible.

In a paper published in the September issue of Carbon, researchers from Monash University and Rice University in the US say their findings could mean paradigm changes in the development of anticorrosion coatings

using extremely thin graphene films. Graphene is a microscopically thin layer of carbon atoms. It is already in use in such things as smartphone screens and is attracting research attention for its possibilities as a means of increasing metal’s resistance to corrosion.

“We have obtained one of the best improve-ments that have been reported so far,” said study

co-author Dr Mainak Majumder. “At this point we are almost 100 times better than untreated copper. Other people are maybe five or six times better, so it’s a pretty big jump.”

Dr Parama Banerjee, who performed most of the experiments for this study, said graphene had excellent mechanical properties and great strength. Other polymer coatings that are often used on metals can be scratched, compromising their protective ability. In contrast, the invisible layer of graphene is much harder to damage and the coating does not change the feel or the appearance of the metal.

The researchers applied the graphene to copper at temperatures between 800 and 900°C, using a technique known as chemical vapour deposition, and tested it in saline water. “In nations like Australia, where we are surrounded by ocean, it is particularly significant that such an atomically thin coating can provide protec-tion in that environment,” Dr Banerjee said.

Initial experiments were confined to cop-per, but Dr Banerjee said research was already underway on using the same technique with other metals. This would open up uses for a huge range of applications; anywhere that metal is used and at risk of corrosion. Such a dramatic extension of metal’s useful life could mean tremendous cost savings for many industries.

The process is still in the laboratory-testing stage, but Dr Majumder said the group was not only looking at different metals, but also investigating ways of applying the coating at lower temperatures, which would simplify production and enhance market potential.

Monash University and Rice University

“In applications from electronics

though to ocean-going vessels,

a dramatic extension of copper’s

useful life is possible.”

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www.hammondmfg.comStandard and modifi eddiecast aluminium, metal and plastic enclosures

tel: 08 8240 2244

newproducts

Liquid cooling for electronicsThe WL series liquid to air heat exchanger systems from Laird Technologies are self-contained units designed to remove a large amount of heat from densely packed electronic environments that are not conducive to conventional heatsink fans. They provide users with the benefit of investing in a full assembly, rather than having separate components and making them work together.

Suitable for the medical and industrial markets, these products are able to main-tain peak performance of high-powered X-ray scanning systems by keeping the X-ray generator and tube cool. The WL series also extends the life and improves the performance of machine tools used in CNC machining for fabricating metals.

The products are suitable for most thermal management applications on the market. Heat transfer conducted by water is better than conventional air-cooled mechanisms due to its high thermal conductivity. As a result, the series achieves much higher cooling capacities and heat flux densities than conventional heat sink fan mechanisms. The product family also has the ability to concentrate cooling at the active source and route heat away without introducing additional heat to elec-tronics located in close proximity to the heat source. This can be critical when heat loads are in the kilowatt range.

The series is assembled through proprietary processes and designed to circulate water or water with glycol (anti-freeze) and run on AC voltage. Standard cooling capacities range from 500 to 5000 W. These units comply with process control standards and pass/fail criteria.

Soanar Limited


Wireless testing amplifierMilmega’s AS0728 product range was designed to cover the test requirements within the wireless testing frequency bands.

These 700 MHz to 2.8 GHz amplifiers are available in 25, 50, 100 and 170 W P1 dB power levels.

Westek Electronics Pty Ltd


Floating interface systemSamtec’s AFI floating interface system offers misalignment compensation in RF applications. This system is suited for mili-tary, aerospace, cable modem termination systems, internet and telecommunication applications, as well as being a solution to overcome packaging design issues.

The AFI Floating Interface (AFI Series) is a three-piece system that allows for maximum misalignment compensation of up to 0.80 mm radial and 1.00 mm axial float. The floating bullet adapter creates a flexible link between two AFI jacks in PCB stacking or motherboard expansion applica-tions. This system is designed for DC to 6 GHz performance with 50 Ω impedance.

The PCB-mounted jack features mixed technology termination for increased stability on the board, as well as cost-effective gold flash plating. The bullet adapter plug is available in a standard 9.14 mm in length. Due to the 1.00 mm axial float, standard stack height for the system ranges from 27.8 mm fully mated to 28.8 mm when floating. Additional plating options are available. Samtec’s AFI Series is a second source to Amphenol RF AFI interconnects.

Samtec USA



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newproducts

Micro pitch high-density interconnectsSamtec’s Searay interconnect system offers high-speed perfor-mance, grounding and routing flexibility of its 1.27 x 1.27 mm open pin field, but with a 0.8 mm micro pitch design that requires 50% less board space. This real estate-saving, high-density system is available in 4- and 6-row designs with up to 180 I/Os. Pin counts up to 300 I/Os are expected soon.

Its micro pitch terminals and sockets and Samtec’s Edge Rate contact system are designed for good signal integrity in rugged and high-cycle applications. The contact design also lowers insertion and extraction forces, which is an important consideration when designing-in high pin count arrays.

The 0.8 mm system comes with a standard choice of 7 and 10 mm stack heights and lead-free solder charge terminations. Its interconnects use solder charge technology to simplify IR reflow termination and improve solder joint reliability. This reduces exposure to extreme heat, which is especially relevant with the higher temperature required for lead-free processing.

The high-speed, high-density interconnect family includes 1.27 x 1.27 mm grid array systems with up to 500 I/Os. They are avail-able with stack heights from 7 to 17.5 mm, right-angle designs for high-speed micro backplane applications and a press-fit design which eliminates processing concerns for BGA-style connectors.

The interconnect system is a low-profile, high-density array with stack heights as low as 4 mm. Mating high-speed coax cable assemblies, high-density riser systems up to 40 mm and 85 Ω stackers are also available.

Samtec USA


LED for automotive front lighting systemsThe Oslon Black Flat LED from Osram Opto Semiconductors is a light source for automotive front lighting and is equipped with of Osram’s C2 ceramic conversion and UX:3 chip technology. At a power draw of only 2.3 W and an operating current of 700 mA, it achieves a typical luminous flux of 200 lm at 25°C. If operated at 1.2 A, it can achieve up to 270 lm. The light source operates up to application temperatures of 100°C in the chip.

Thermal management is said to be much simpler with this LED due to the greater thermal stability of the luminous flux and a temperature-optimised pack-aging process. This means that the typical thermal resistance has been reduced to 4 kW. The thermal coefficient of expansion of the LED’s black QFN (quad-flat no leads) package is matched to the coefficient of expansion of the metal core board. All these properties make the Oslon Black Flat fully AECQ101

automotive qualified and capable of providing more than 100,000 h at 700 mA and a chip temperature of 60°C, with a luminous efficacy of 87 lm/W.

The product is designed without a lens and has a low profile design that maximises its optical incoupling by allowing minimal distance between a light guide or lens. This means more light enters the light guide, which is critical to making the implementa-tion successful. It has dimensions of 3.75 x 3.75 mm2 and produces a luminance of 70-100 Mcd/m2, allowing for a smaller external lens and headlights which can be made much more compact.

Rexel Holdings Australia


150°C surface temperature sensorsTDK Corporation has expanded the NTCGP se-ries of TDK NTC temperature sensors with types featuring lug terminals for the measurement of surface temperatures from -40 to +150°C.

With their metal lug terminals the compact epoxy-dipped NTC thermistors can be screwed directly to circuit boards and mounted compo-nents. The NTCGP series is available in two designs: the standard design with a nominal resistance of 50 kΩ and B coefficient (B25/85) of 3950K and the linear output type with a nominal resistance of 10 kΩ and B coefficient (B25/85) of 2250K.

The NTC ceramic elements with linear output characteristics over a wide temperature range have expanded the NTCGP series. They are suitable for temperature measurement of DC-DC converters in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and DC-AC inverters of solar power systems where temperature management of the control circuit boards and electronic com-ponents used in these vehicles and systems is becoming even more important.

TDK Australia


In conjunction with the ARCIA Industry Gala Dinner

2012

The Future of Professional Mobile Radio in AustraliaNow in its 6th year …With a sharp focus on industry end users and their needs, as well as the application of currently available technologies now and into the future, this year’s conference offers two solid days of learning and an exhibition where you will find everything you’re looking for.

Don’t miss out, Register Today!Speakers include:

Prof. Hugh Bradlow – Chief Technology Officer, TelstraChris Chapman – Chairman and CEO, Australian Communications and Media AuthorityPeter Clemons – Managing Director, QuixoticityAlvin D’Mello – Data Communications System Manager, QR National Doug Booth – Project Director, Country Fire AuthorityDietmar Schoeps – Director, Funkwerk Security Communications Marta Fontecha – Transport Area Manager, TeltronicDes Bahr – CEO, APCO Australasia

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WHEN THE WORLD COUNTS ON ENGINEERS, THEY COUNT ON US

Transforming imagination into realityOne of the world’s leading fi lm effects companies,New Zealand-based Weta Workshop has partnered withRS Components for over a decade. The effects specialists behind the Lord of the Rings, Avatar and the upcoming trilogy, The Hobbit, Weta Workshop is a multi-award-winning conceptual design and physical manufacturing facility that serves the world’s entertainment and creative industries.

Jon Ewen, Purchasing Offi cer at Weta Workshop, says, “The main reason we turn to RS Components is that they havesuch a wide range of products all in one place.” What’s more, RS Components’ quick delivery times means that most orders arrive the next day, which is vital in the fi lm industry.

The nature of Weta’s work means that they have a wide and varied requirement, as no two projects are ever the same. With an unrivalled range of electronics and maintenance products, RS Components is perfectly placed to meet this need.

“WITH SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS, RS CAN OFFER ALTERNATIVES THAT KEEP US MOVING FORWARD.”

Jon EwenPurchasing Offi cer, Weta WorkshopWellington, New Zealand

Innovative solutions for forward-thinking businessesThrough an enduring commitment to exceptional service,RS Components enables companies like KK Electrical to work smarter and more effi ciently. The New Zealand-based electrical contractor relies on us to supply its specialist automation requirements. Owner Ken Sullivan says the benefi tsRS Components brings to his business are absolute supply certainty and quick next-day delivery#.

“My local wholesaler just can’t compete with that. They might promise overnight delivery but that is rarely the case and while I might save a few bucks, it’s nothing compared to the cost of having my guys stand around idle waiting for parts to materialise,” says Sullivan.

“WHEN I ORDER THROUGH RS COMPONENTS, I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I’M BUYING AND WHEN I’LL GET IT. THAT ALLOWS ME TO PLAN PROJECTS WITH CERTAINTY AND MEETMY COMMITMENTS.”

Ken SullivanOwner, KK ElectricalChristchurch, New Zealand

# Please refer to your local RS online site forlocal delivery terms and conditions.

SINCE 1937, PUTTING OUR CUSTOMERS FIRST HAS MADE US THE WORLD’S NUMBER ONE*

WE HELP ENGINEERS KEEP THE WORLD RUNNING

1937

1937JH Waring and PM Sebestyen establish Radiospares in London.

1990International expansion into Asia and Europe begins.

1998Our fully transactional B2B website –a UK industry fi rst – supports fast, 24/7, hassle-free orders of electronics and maintenance products.

2000Electrocomponents PLC joins the FTSE 100 Index of the UK’s largest companies.

2002We are fi rst to market with a free e-Procurement tool, RS PurchasingManagerTM, saving businesses time and money.

2011Now dispatching one parcel every two seconds, we receive the ‘Operational Excellence Award’ at the prestigious Supply Chain Distinction Awards.

2012

2012RS Components wins Britain’s most coveted business award, the ‘Queen’s Award for Enterprise’.

* RS Components is the trading brand of Electrocomponents, the world’s leading high-service electronics and maintenance distributor with sales revenue of £1.27 billion as of 31 March 2012.

As the leading high-service distributor of electronics and maintenance products globally, we provide:

Widest range online & in stock

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Win tickets to the FA Cup Final with our75th Anniversary Share Your Story competition at www.rs-components.com/75

FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRONICS AND MAINTENANCE NEEDS, VISIT www.rsaustralia.comwww.rsnewzealand.com


Microscopic optics

This is an illustration of an array consisting of three identical emitters. The three-dimensional emission pattern is calculated with the use of a dipole-emission–based semianalytical model. Photo credit: Miss Yue Zhang, based on data from authors of the paper.

“... the new emitters invented at

Bristol are only a few micrometres in

size and thousands of times smaller

than conventional elements.”

Contradicting traditional conception, light in such beams does not propagate in straight rays. Instead, its energy travels in a spiral fashion in a hollow conical beam shape. The beams therefore look very much like a vortex or cyclone, with its light rays ‘twisted’ either left-handed or right-handed. In theory, there is no limit to how twisted the light rays can be.

In quantum mechanics, this feature is associated with the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of photons - photons in such beams can be thought to orbit around the beam axis, somewhat similar to the movement of planets around the Sun or electrons around a nucleus.

When such light interacts with matter, it asserts a rotational force (a torque) on the matter; therefore, it can be used as so-called “optical spanners”

in addition to “optical tweezers”, which can rotate as well as trap microscopic particles or droplets. Different degrees of twist can also be used to transmit information - al-lowing more information to be carried by a single optical signal and increasing the capacity of optical communications links.

Light beams at the same frequency but with different OAM values can be used to transmit different streams information. Single particles of light (photons) can use these different degrees of twist to represent quantum information, where a single photon can be twisting both clockwise and anticlockwise at the same time. Applications are also being developed in using such light for imaging and sensing purposes. For example, some molecules are chiral - they look the same under normal optical microscopes

An international research group led by scientists from the University of Bristol and the University of

Glasgow (UK) and Sun Yat-sen and Fudan universities

in China has demonstrated integrated arrays of emitters of

so-called “optical vortex beams” onto a silicon chip.

until illuminated by optical vortex beams with different degrees or directions of twist.

Conventionally, the generation of such beams relied on bulk optical elements such as plates, lenses and holograms. These are good for research but can be inconvenient for many applications, in particular where large numbers of such beams are needed at high packing density.

In contrast, the new emitters invented at Bristol are only a few micrometres in size and thousands of times smaller than conventional elements. They are based on silicon optical waveguides and can be made using standard integrated circuit fabrication technologies.

Siyuan Yu, Professor of Photonics Infor-mation Systems in the Photonics Research Group at the University of Bristol, who led the research, said: “Our microscopic optical vortex devices are so small and compact that silicon microchips containing thousands of emitters could be fabricated at very low costs and in high volume.

“Such integrated devices and systems could open up entirely new applications of optical vortex beams previously unattainable using bulk optics.”

These devices are readily interconnected with each other to form complex and large arrays in photonic integrated circuits and could be used for applications including com-munications, sensing and microscopic particle manipulation.

Dr Mark Thompson, Deputy Director of the Centre for Quantum Photonics at the University of Bristol, added: “Perhaps one of the most exciting applications is the control of twisted light at the single photon level, enabling us to exploit the quantum mechanical proper-ties of optical vortices for future applications in quantum communications and quantum computation.”

The work is featured on the cover of the 19 October 2012 issue of Science magazine.

Optical vortices

on a chip

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newproducts

RAMP wireless moduleLaird Technologies’ RM024 range-amplified multipoint (RAMP) wireless module is backward compatible with the LT2510 module and also offers an RF front end for improved sleep, an improved link budget and a switchable antenna output. The modules offer robust wireless com-munications for applications requiring wireless transport for serial data for machine-to-machine applications, sensing and control networks, and long-range, low-bandwidth digital signage.

The RM024 module features a frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) protocol for good interference and multipath immunity. The module’s server/client architecture allows for more than 16 million clients to be addressed and communicating within a network.

It is available in two maximum conducted output powers: 125 and 50 mW. The two versions differ not only in transmit power consumption but also the number of RF channels available. Differences between the two versions, where ap-plicable, will be denoted based on part number.

Control Synergy


Metal marking systemWeidmuller’s metal marking system combines PrintJet Pro printer and M-Print software to create aluminium and stain-less steel MetalliCards. It is suitable for electrical cabinet and tagging cables in numerous industries. MetalliCards can be created using either aluminium or stain-less steel. The aluminium tags are made from chromal-coated aluminium and are an affordable alternative for many applications. 316 grade stainless steel MetalliCards are available for labelling in corrosive environments which prevail in the process and chemical industries.

It is possible to create multiple colour graphics, characters and logos. MetalliCard markers have good mechanical characteristics making them suitable for harsh industrial environments. The markers are available in rectangular or circular shapes. The rectangular markers can be produced in 27 x 18 mm through to 85 x 54 mm. Round markers are available with a diameter of 30 mm. This broad range of sizes ensures users can tag most things with a MetalliCard, whether it be small equipment or large ratings plates.

The MetalliCard markers are versatile and easy to install and are secured to items with rivets, glue, double-sided adhesive labels or stainless steel cable ties or holders. A range of plate holders and tag rails is also available for use with all sizes of the MetalliCards.

Legacy PrintJet Pro printers can be upgraded to be able to produce MetalliCards using an update kit. Weidmuller also offers a service for those requiring durable metal labels without the purchase of the PrintJet Pro printer and M-Print software.

Weidmuller Pty Ltd


http://www.au.element14.com/tool-selector


newproducts

Mini-ITX motherboardThe EMX-945GSE, a Mini-ITX form factor motherboard, is based on the Intel Navy Pier platform Atom N270 processor with mobile Intel 945GSE express chipset, which features high performance with low energy waste.

The product supports both 48-bit LVDS and two channels of 18-bit LVDS with DVI interface (refer to EMX-945GSE-DVI) for multidisplay configurations according to the customer’s demands.

The Atom processor is not only power-optimised, but delivers dual-core performance through its Hyper-Threading Technology, suitable for embedded solutions. The mother-board supports DDR2 SODIMM memory up to 2 GB and comes with an onboard CPU and system monitoring, smart fan control and a watchdog timer.

The device features a 32-bit graphics engine based on Intel Graphics Media Accel-erator 950 with LVDS, DVI, CRT ports to provide multiple graphic displays. This module has additional support for dual-channel, 24-bit LVDS to present high-definition video transmissions, especially when connecting with larger (17″+) LCD panels.

The product comes with a PS/2 keyboard and mouse, and four COM ports. Network-ing is provided by two Realtek RTL8111C gigabit LANs. It provides one IDE connector, two SATA connectors and six USB 2.0 ports. The board delivers high-bandwidth expansion slots with one Mini PCIe and one PCI slot for future add-in card upgrades.

The device is suitable for embedded market segments such as digital signage, interactive clients (kiosks, point-of-sale terminals), thin clients, digital security, residential gateways, print imaging, and commercial and industrial control.

Backplane Systems Technology Pty Ltd


MotherboardThe IMBA-Q770 ATX motherboard supports the 22 nm LGA1155 third-generation Intel Core processor family and Intel Q77 Express chipset. Inte-grated dual HDMI and DVI-I on the Intel Q77 Express Chipset and Intel HD Graphics with DX11 support allow the motherboard to deliver enhanced graphics performance and support three independent displays with an additional VGA connector.

With USB 3.0, PCI Express generation 3.0 and a SATA 6 Gbps port, the product excels in data and video transmission for remote security and manageability. It can support up to three independent displays, quad-/dual-core Intel Core i7/i5 processors and dual-channel DDR3 1600/1333 MHz with maximum support up to 32 GB. The motherboard has three PCI slots for flexible expansion for high-speed networks. The Intel Q77 Express chipset supports state-of-the-art Intel Active Management Technology (Intel AMT) 8.0.

All IEI products can be remotely controlled using the company’s iEZman and One Key Recovery functions. iEZman allows a remote user to control and perform administrative tasks through a graphical user interface in Windows. All functions can be managed through this single interface after password verification.

The IMBA-Q770 is a suitable platform for high-performance surveillance sys-tems, the gaming industry, public infotainment and high-resolution digital signage applications.

ICP Electronics Australia Pty Ltd


http://www.ebmpapst.com.au


SEMISTACK® RE Optimized converter for solar and wind

450 kW – 6 MW

Power density of up to 11.4 kVA/l i tre

2 and 4 - quadran t 3 - phase conver t ers

Water -cooled IGBT platform

Long l i fet ime

+61 3- 85 61 56 00 [email protected] www.semikron.com

newproducts

Bus coupler for fast I/O systemsThe Axioline AXL BK S3 Sercos-3 bus coupler from Phoenix Contact supplements the Axioline real-time I/O system. Its advantages include short reaction times and synchronised operation.

The bus coupler, which complies with specifi-cation V1.3, published in late 2011, accommo-dates up to 63 additional Axioline modules. This includes digital and analog inputs and outputs, temperature sensors, as well as transmitters for position detection. Even when operated with a minimum Sercos cycle time of 31.25 µs, the internal Axioline local bus cycle time of just a few microseconds ensures that the process data is always up to date.

In addition to multiple real-time connections and detailed diagnostics options, the free startup+ software allows users to check the electric wiring of an Axioline station even before startup. Communication takes place either via the service interface built into the bus coupler or via one of the two ethernet ports provided.

The coupler is suitable for use in packaging and printing machines or as a process bus for hydraulic or other pressure regulation systems where I/Os and drives share a common network.

Rittal Pty Ltd


Low-profile, high-current inductorsVishay Intertechnology’s IHLP low-profile, high-current inductor in the 2020 case size offers an ultralow 1.2 mm profile with a high maximum fre-quency and low inductance values down to 0.10 µH.

With a frequency range up to 5 MHz, the IHLP inductor serves as a high-performing, space- and power-saving solution for voltage regulator module (VRM) and DC/DC converter applications in end products. These include next-generation mobile devices, notebooks, graphic cards, portable gaming devices, personal navigation systems and personal multimedia devices. The inductor is also a solution for low-profile, high-current power supplies and point of load (POL) converters, distributed power systems and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

The IHLP-2020AB-01 offers an inductance range from 0.10 to 4.7 µH, a saturation current range from 4.4 up to 35 A, typical DCR from 4.32 to 159 mΩ, and maximum DCR from 4.6 to 168 mΩ. The inductor handles high transient current spikes without hard saturation. It is packaged in an RoHS-compliant, 100% lead (Pb)-free shielded, composite construction that reduces buzz noise to ultralow levels. The device is specified for an operating temperature range of 55 to 125°C, with high resistance to thermal shock, moisture, mechanical shock and vibration.

Fastron Technologies Pty Ltd


http://www.semikron.com


ARM design

“ARM processors are at the heart

of nearly all current smartphones

and tablet computers in the

consumer market.”

For many embedded system developers the latest ARM processors present an extremely exciting prospect, as they deliver PC-class performance, while offering unrivalled energy efficiency. But, there are also inhibitions. These result from the greater amount of development effort needed in comparison to x86 technology. Embedded hardware manufacturers are, however, in a position to significantly reduce this effort with hardware-relevant software services.

The trend - ARM processorsARM processors are at the heart of nearly all current smartphones and tablet computers in the consumer market. State-of-the-art ARM imple-mentations, ie, from NVIDIA or Texas Instruments, lend these devices

PC-class computing power and graphic capabili-ties thus enabling the realisation of sophisticated, intuitive user interfaces. At the same time, they combine this ease of use with extremely high energy efficiency - paving the way for new ap-plications which to date were not possible with x86 processors. This was either due to the x86

processors’ high power dissipation or due to budget issues. Now even the unit costs are in favour of the small computing geniuses which are currently being sold in amazingly high numbers: Google, for example, states that around 500,000 new ARM-based smartphones are being ac-tivated daily - and that figure only refers to sales with the open source Android operating system.

ARM - interesting for embedded designsAll these factors - attractive user interface, high energy efficiency and competitive unit prices - add up to make ARM technology attractive to embedded systems developers and to facilitate new applications which to date were not possible with x86 technology. Dedicated processors with different configurations allow for ARM-based solutions to be ideally tai-lored to target applications and boast very low power consumption of just 1-3 W on average. As, however, the convergence of consumer electronics devices and PCs progresses, ARM and x86 processor features are moving

closer together. In addition, ARM processors have now arrived in the lower performance class of x86 processors - while still offering unbeaten energy efficiency.

ARM presents new challengesThe new generation of ARM processors therefore possesses enormous potential for new designs which require graphical user interfaces in combination with extremely low power consumption and flexible network connectivity. Long-lasting, robust tablet PCs, as used in hospital or emergency services, for logistics or outdoor applications, as well as compact designs for in-vehicle infotainment and digital signage, are good examples. This new class of devices, which are becom-ing ever more intelligent and - thanks to touch-screen technology - can be operated intuitively and are gaining popularity in

Typical ARM-based Pico-ITX motherboard.

Reducing design-in effort for ARM processor technology ©

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ARM design

industrial applications as they offer a higher degree of convenience and operating safety.

In comparison to the world of x86, the implementation effort is initially higher - as in comparison to the extremely standardised x86 world, where a driver is already available for nearly every piece of hardware and more often than not already integrated in the operating system - ARM technology works according to different rules. Due to the device-specific tailoring of ARM processors, the development process for ARM-based designs is more intense, as hardware development and hardware-related software development are closely interlocked. For example, there is no standard operating system for ARM that automatically runs on all ARM devices. All the operating systems currently available for ARM processors, like Windows Embedded Compact (formerly Windows CE), different Linux derivates or Linux-based Android, first have to be adapted to the hardware. This includes integrating hardware-specific driv-ers as well as carrying out hardware-specific optimisations to the operation systems and to the application level. This intense develop-ment is illustrated in the following example of the Android operating system.

Uniform look and feel via hardware abstractionIn order to be able to install Android ARM-based hardware, a proper Linux base needs to be created. An ARM-optimised Linux kernel has to include the drivers of the desired pe-ripherals and be set up to work with Android via different patches. This is the basis on which the application framework for Android is drafted. It is designed to provide a uniform look and feel on whichever device is being developed. Android achieves this by integrating a hardware abstraction layer which shows the interfaces to the hardware on the application framework as abstract modules. Thus the HAL provides, for example, interfaces to graphics, camera, audio, Wi-Fi, GPS etc, independent of whether the physical hardware itself is from manufacturer A or manufacturer B.

For application engineers this is advanta-geous as the application development can be carried out in a standardised way, the actual physical hardware is completely irrelevant. This high degree of standardised hardware access guarantees that one and the same Android application can run on different ARM platforms. Precondition for this is that manufacturers of ARM-based hardware also provide all the components as HAL modules for the software level. For standard compo-nents, such as audio-controllers, which are common in Android-based consumer devices, the corresponding HAL module is most likely already available.

Extended application-specific I/O support, however, which reaches beyond the standard range of interfaces, needs to be implemented and also anchored into the application framework. This anchoring in the applica-tion framework is necessary to create a re-usable software-infrastructure, which application engineers can easily integrate in their application.

Hardware-related software services take a front seatThis example is a good illustration of how when ARM-based devices are being developed, hardware-related software services are taking a more dominant role than was the case with x86 technology. Application engineers, whose core competence lies in software development, should not be afraid of exploiting the advantages of ARM technology. More and more, embedded hardware platform manufacturers are ensuring that the effort needed here is kept to a minimum. For example, Kontron’s service offer even includes ARM-based motherboards, modules and systems equipped with all the relevant operating systems. This means that cus-tomers profit from application-ready platforms, which already provide the complete software infrastructure to the hardware in the preinstalled operating system. This ensures that developers can immediately begin their application development above the operating system level.This can be performed independent of whether the customer prefers the rich ecosys-tem of Android or the uniform look and feel of the Metro user interface which has been announced for selected ARM processors in Windows 8.

Real-time operating systems such as QNX, Green Hills and VxWorks will also be supported. A hardware platform will therefore not be shipped as a barebone, but with the right software support the corresponding licences will be shipped too. It goes without saying that this also is true for customer-specific designs which without a doubt will be a major ap-plication focus for ARM projects. OEM customers profit from standard products solutions which have already been developed, so that only the customer-specific individualisation requirements have to be fulfilled and financed. In turn, this significantly reduces the overall development costs and accelerates time-to-market.

Hardware selection supportThe development services which a company like Kontron fulfils for such a platform are used for other platforms. This is also an advantage for OEM customers as they can homogenise their product range in terms of hardware platforms much more efficiently. This means they have one contact person, uniform tools and a wide product range of ARM up to high-end x86 processors. This enables device manufacturers to slim down the number of suppliers they use and by doing this save costs, due to more homogenous, completely coordinated embedded computing platforms from manufacturers like Kontron.

Kontron Australia Pty Ltd


In preparation for ARM-based embedded designs with Android, software-technical integration of peripherals into the Hardware Abstraction Layer is necessary. (Source: Google I/O 2008, http://sites.google.com/site/io/anatomy--physiology-of-an-android.)


• Realtechnicalengineeringsupport• CustomDesigntothemajorstandards• Makedirectreplacementsofstandardparts• Onelocalmanufacturingfacility• TwocompanyownedChinaproductionfacilities

Talk to the transformer company that speaks your language.

And all available to you, so contact:

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Designers & Manufacturers of Transformers and Wound Components

Ph: +64 9 818 6760 F: +64 9 818 1442 E: [email protected] Culperry Rd, Glendene, Auckland, New Zealand

THE ONE SIMPLE LOW COST SOLUTION

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• Fast, easy Debug & Test during product development

• Inbuilt 16 Amp/250 Volt LISN for conducted emission testing

• High quality EMI Test Receiver with new SMART Detector

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CONSULTANT TECHNOLOGY AUST. PTY. LTD.PHONE: (02) 9452 3831 FAX: (02) 9451 7421

EMAIL: [email protected] WEB: www.contec.com.au

Untitled-1 2/8/2006, 2:43 PM1

ConsultantTech_AD.pdf 1 15/10/2012 10:43:14 AM

Faraday offers a range of: RFI / EMI / EMC Power RF FiltersEMC Antennas – Dipoles to Horns

Amplifiers – RF & Microwave (DC – 4000W) and RF Modules Shielded Enclosure – Anechoic Chambers

– Antenna Measurement SystemsAbsorber – EMC Test Boxes – MIL-STD Test Equipment

RF Shielding – Magnetic Shielding – MRI Shielding

(03) 9729 5000 [email protected]

newproducts

Ultrahigh-brightness displayAdvantech IDK-2131 series of large-sized 1200-nit ultrahigh-brightness LED display kits comes with a 31.5″ 1200-nit, industrial-grade LCD panel and an LED driver board. With an extra bright display, high sunlight read-ability and large format size, the IDK-2131 series is designed to be used for outdoor applications such as: public information kiosks, advertising, video walls and more.

The series supports wide viewing angles of 89/ 89/ 89/ 89° with intelligent high brightness LED technology for low power consumption, longer product life and stable operation. The IDK-2131 series consumes little more power than a standard 31.5″ LCD kit but achieves three times the brightness at 61.9 W. The displays are equipped with an auto-sensor for the LED backlight that can detect ambi-ent light from its external environment. The sensor increases and decreases display brightness as required, with energy savings of up to 50%.

Advantech Australia Pty Ltd


High-power LED drivers for outdoor lightingThe RACD100 and RACD150 series LED drivers are suit-able for indoor and outdoor applications whether they are running on 115, 230 or even up to 277 VAC. This includes road, street and walkway lighting, LED signage and outdoor area lighting for car parks, public buildings and tunnels.

The RACD150 series is a 150 W fully sealed IP67 LED driver with an extended universal input voltage range of 90-305 VAC and constant current output from 6.3 to 3.2 A at voltages from 24 up to 48 V. The RACD100 series offers 100 W of power with the same universal input voltage range and IP67 rating, but with constant current output from 8.3 to 2.1 A at voltages from 12 up to 48 V.

Both series feature dual mode operation for either constant current or constant voltage, making them suitable for driving LEDs directly or via local constant current DC/DC modules directly on the light engine board. The converters operate with full load efficiencies of more than 90%, feature active PFC with power factors exceeding 0.98 and are fully protected against short circuit, open circuit, overload and overtem-perature conditions.

The RACD100/150 are Class 1 power supplies, housed in a metal case with 300 mm lead wires, and are rated for ambient temperatures of -30 to +70°C with a maximum case temperature of 95°C. The converters are UL, FCC and CE certified and conform to the UL8750 and EN61347-1 safety standards for LED lighting. They also comply with EN61000-3-2 class C for EMC.

Cutter Electronics


http://www.tarapath.com.au

http://www.faradayshielding.biz


EMONA

SydneyTel 02 9519 3933Fax 02 9550 1378

MelbourneTel 03 9889 0427Fax 03 9889 0715

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email [email protected] web www.emona.com.au

“Rigol Low Cost 1.5GHz Spectrum Analyser”

RIGOL DSA-815 1.5GHz SPECTRUM ANALYSER

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�Supports Communication with PC and Remote Control via: LAN, USB & GPIB (opt)

Buy on-line at www.emona.com.au

DSA-815 With Tracking Generator $1,505 ex GST

DSA-815 Spectrum Analyser $1,295 ex GST

newproducts

Embedded Wi-Fi development boardsMicrochip Technology has integrated its Wi-Fi modules from its Roving Networks acquisition into its flexible, modular Explorer development systems supporting all of Microchip’s 8-, 16- and 32-bit PIC microcon-trollers. The RN-131 and RN-171 PICtail/PICtail Plus daughter boards are the first two products developed by Microchip based on Roving Networks modules. The modules use a simple serial interface to connect with any PIC microcontroller and expand Microchip’s wireless portfolio with what is claimed to be the industry’s lowest power consumption along with an integrated TCP/IP stack in a certified Wi-Fi solution. The Roving Networks RN-171 and RN-131 fully certified modules are com-prehensive networking solutions that include an 802.11 b/g radio, baseband processor, TCP/IP stack and a host of networking application features. No external processor drivers are required, enabling Wi-Fi connectivity for 4-, 8-, 16- and 32-bit processors. This onboard-stack approach significantly reduces users’ integration time and development effort in a small form factor, while offering low power consumption down to 4 µA in sleep, 35 mA in receive and 120 mA in transmit mode.

Microchip Technology Hong Kong


PoE managed industrial ethernet switchThe IPS-3082GC-24V managed industrial ethernet switch pro-vides advanced network control and security management to stay in a higher level of auto-mation control networks, eg, SNMPv1/v2c/v3, IGMP v2/v3 and STP/RSTP/MSTP.

The switch supports ethernet redundancy protocols ORing and O-Chain, with recovery time of less than 10 ms and up to 250 nodes, for network security and reliability. It is an environment-friendly switch which supports ‘Green Power Schedule’, allowing the user to set the desired power accord-ingly and eliminating energy wastage.

The product comes with eight integrated ports with PoE (PSE) function and 2 GB combo ports with an IP31-grade rugged alu-minium housing. This rugged switch has an extended tem-perature range of -40 to +75°C, making it suitable for surveillance applications that handle large video image and data transmis-sion. The plug-and-play design and fault relay alarm function for auto notifications make the switch a user-friendly device and easy to implement in industrial on-site applications.

The switch is loaded with Power Boost, which supports wide-range 12-36 VDC power inputs and generates 50 VDC PSE power output per port. Each port provides 15.4 W to work in harsh environments such as IP surveillance, wire-less AP, etc. With its redundant power system, the switch could provide power backup in case any power break occurs.

ICP Electronics Australia Pty Ltd



newproducts

30 W GaN power amplifierThe TriQuint Semiconductor TGA2576-FLis a 30 W GaN packaged wideband power amplifier fabricated on TriQuint’s production-released 0.25 µm GaN on SiC process.

Operating from 2.5 to 6 GHz, the device achieves 45.5 dBm saturated output power, 35% PAE and 26 dB small signal gain. Fully matched to 50 Ω and with integrated DC blocking caps on both I/O ports, the TGA2576-FL is suited to support both commercial and defence-related applications.

Other key featured include bias values of: Vd = 30 V, Idq = 1.55 A, Vg = -3.3 V, and dimensions of 11.4 x 17.3 x 3.0 mm.

Richardson RFPD

www.richardsonrfpd.com

Data acquisition systemsDewetron DEWE2 data acquisition systems use simul-taneous sampling Trion plug-in modules to combine the modularity of PXI with a larger front panel capable of containing 8 RJ45 connectors. The connectors of a single Trion module accommodate strain gauge sen-sors; 6 or 8 IEPE sensor connectors; 4 or 8 isolated high-voltage inputs.

The modules are inserted from the front of the DEWE2 chassis and can be combined and exchanged directly by the user in seconds. They plug in and out using the same locking/ejector mechanism made popular by the PXI standard. This allows DEWE2 instruments to be

quickly adapted for various sensors and applications.The function of every single measurement channel as well as of the connected sensors can eas-

ily be proofed via a system check. This results in a reduction of user errors, which saves valuable time. Analog, digital, CAN bus, GPS, counter and even video signals are hardware-synchronised during the measurement process. This is guaranteed by Sync-Clock technology, which provides high-quality measurement data and the ability to easily view and evaluate results.

SuperCounter provides advanced counter technology with absolute phase and amplitude to enable synchronisation of inputs. Any online and offline analyses are simplified due to storage of synchronous data. DEWE2 instruments have the option of 4 to 18 Trion slots and are available with or without a built-in computer. The DEWE2-A4 is an all-in-one platform with four slots for any combination of Trion modules. It features an Intel i7 processor running Windows 7 and a built-in display and keyboard. The Trion modules feature a separate 24-bit A/D converter on each channel.

Metromatics Pty Ltd


Handheld enclosuresThe AA, A and C sizes of the 1553 family of soft-sided handheld enclosures feature an ergonomic, curved shape that fits comfortably into the hand.

The AA measures 75 x 50 x 17 mm, the A 100 x 61 x 17 mm and the C size, available with or without a battery compartment, is 117 x 79 x 33 mm. The C size is a deeper version of the existing B size, which has a depth of 24 mm.

Available in RAL 7035 light grey or RAL 9011 black, both colours feature RAL 7012 grey over-moulded soft side grips. The units are moulded in general-purpose ABS and are suitable for hous-ing small handheld instruments, remote controllers, flying lead machine controllers and many other applications where a small enclosure is required.

The top cover is recessed to allow a membrane keypad to be flush mounted and PCB standoffs are moulded into the base. Battery versions are supplied with clips for two AA and one PP3 batteries.

All 1553 enclosures can be supplied factory modified with machining and silk screening to the user’s specification.

Hammond Electronics Pty Ltd


http://www.lpkf.com/prototyping


IMP continue to be Australia’s number one supplier of locally manufactured, high quality printed circuit boards.Talk to one of our experienced customer service team members who are ready to assist you with your product needs

Key dates over Christmas:Customer Service & Support - open right through Christmas (excl pub hol)Manufacturing - will be closed from Dec 21- Jan 14

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newproducts

Automotive power MOSFETsThe AUIRFR4292 and AUIRFS6535 are automotive-qualified power MOSFETs featuring low on-state resistance for Piezo injection systems for both gasoline and diesel engines.

The 250 V AUIRFR4292 offers a maximum Rds(on) of 345 mOhm in a DPAK package, and the 300 V AUIRFS6535 features a maximum Rds(on) of 185 mOhm in a standard D2PAK package.

This makes the MOSFETs suited for Piezo injection ap-plications where high-voltage is required to drive the actua-tors, and is claimed to ensure faster response and more precise control than magnetic solenoid injection systems.

As part of IR’s automotive quality initiative targeting zero defects, the MOSFETs are

subject to dynamic and static part average testing combined with 100% automated wafer level visual inspection.

Whilst AEC-Q101 qualification requires that there is no more than a 20% change in Rds(on) after 1000 temperature cycles, extended testing of the MOSFETs demonstrated a maximum Rds(on) shift of less than 10% at 5000 temperature cycles. They are also feature an environmentally-friendly, lead-free and RoHS compliant bill of materials.

Avnet Electronics Marketing


Miniature teardrop accelerometerDytran models 3225M36 and 3225M37 of ultraminiature teardrop IEPE accelerometers are designed to adhesively mount in spaces typically inaccessible to accelerometers. Available with a choice of 5 or 10 mV/g sensitivity, the sen-sors have an overall height of 5.5 mm and weigh 0.85 g.

Featuring a quartz shear sensing element in a lightweight titanium housing, the 3225M36 and 3225M37 utilise a specially designed 3-56 coaxial connector, mating with a field replaceable 20′ coaxial cable assembly terminating to a 10-32 plug with adhesive mounting capabilities. The units incorporate Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) and comply with IEEE 1451.4 for larger channel count applications.

Typical applications include environmental stress screening (ESS), mechanical shock and PC board vibration response.

Metromatics Pty Ltd


http://www.imppc.com.au


Optical amplifiers

Ultrafast optical amplifierWithin optical microchips, light finds its way through channels and waveguides made of silicon. For example, light from a glass fibre is led through a structure of optical channels with splitters and couplers. Silicon is the workhorse for this, but it still only offers passive conduc-tion of light, with some losses as well.

To be able to amplify the signal, or even to include a light source on the chip, extra circuitry has been required. For example, other types of semiconductors, like gallium arsenide, are an option, but materials doped with the rare earth material erbium have shown the additional ability to amplify the light signal.

New technologyUntil now, no chip existed which integrated the silicon and erbium-doped material. In her thesis, PhD candidate Laura Agazzi of the Uni-versity of Twente in the Netherlands demonstrates a working chip for

the first time. It will be able to amplify light at data bandwidth speeds up to 170 Gbps. The prototype chip has a signal gain of 7.2 decibel at infrared light 1533 nanometres.

The prototype is really only a starting point, but the results are very promising. One of the possibilities is a laser with an extremely narrow line width of 1.7 kHz. “In any application that

needs emission or amplification of light, this integration of silicon and erbium-doped material is useful. It is not limited to telecommunica-tions. You could use these chips for sensor purposes and for tracing extremely small particles,” Agazzi adds.

Trade-offAgazzi has investigated the optical properties of aluminium oxide doped with erbium, to understand the mechanisms that influence the amplifica-tion properties in a negative way. One of these is called energy-transfer up conversion (ETU), which is detrimental for good functionality. “If you want a large amplification, you would like to put many erbium ions in the material, this in turn can cause a higher ETU. There are possibilities in adapting the host material, causing less interaction of the

ions. With my models, I have gained better insight in these and other mechanisms that lower the amplification.”

ResearchAgazzi conducted her research within the Integrated Optical Microsystems (IOMS) of Prof Markus Pollnau, which is part of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology of the University of Twente. She has suc-cessfully presented and defended her thesis Spectroscopic Excitation and Quenching Processes in Rare-Earth-Ion-Doped Al

2O

3

and their Impact on Amplifier and Laser Performance.

University of Twente

http://www.utwente.nl

“If you want a large amplification,

you would like to put many

erbium ions in the material, this in

turn can cause a higher ETU.”

The integration of silicium and Al2O

3 doped with

erbium provides a powerful optical amplifier.©

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Ampec Technologies Pty Ltd Unit 1, 63-79 Parramatta Road, Silverwater, NSW 2128Tel: +61 2 8741 5000 E: [email protected] W: www.ampec.com.au

RG6RG11RG58

RG142RG174RG179RG213RG316

LMR® seriesLeaky cables

and moreU.FLSMABNCTNCN Type F Type and more ‘LMR® is the registered trademark of Times Microwave Systems’

newproducts

In-vehicle computersThe Sintrones range of in-vehicle computers includes a variety of different technologies to benefit their application across numerous industries. They feature an IP65 standard design and -40 ~ +70°C extended temperature across the board. A fanless design, vibration and shock management and sunlight-readable LCD and touch screens make these computers suitable for all conditions.

The in-vehicle design features include a wide range DC input (+9 ~ 36 V), power ignition and power management, isolation for power, serial and I/O ports, wireless communications and a battery backup solution. All products are eMark and EN50155 certified, to guarantee traffic safety and environmental protection.

The Sintrone range of in-vehicle computers is suitable for many differ-ent industries, including railways, fleet management, waste truck logistic service, public transportation surveillance, police car real-time voice and data communication, and emergency medical services.

Uses within the graphics and media industries include mobile digital video recording, mobile digital signage and infotainment systems.

Backplane Systems Technology Pty Ltd


TerminalAdvantech has announced the release of Android 4.0 with its HIT-W181. The HIT-W181 is an 18.5″, 16:9 full-flat PC or multitouch terminal, with features including 2.0 MP camera, Wi-Fi, VoIP, barcode reader, RFID, NFC, MSR and fingerprint reader. The slim, fanless, all-in-one system, powered by an Intel Atom or Intel Core i7 processor, is suitable for retail, exhibition hall, education, vending, self-service and kiosk applications, where a fast and efficient system is needed.

Android 4.0 has replaced hardware/programmable but-tons with a set of virtual keys, allowing quick and easy application development. The device brings native NFC (near field communication) support which will appeal to transaction-based applications that need reliable commu-nications between handset and the HIT-W181 display. The system supports face recognition coupled with auto-login for simple and secure authentication.

The terminal takes advantage of improvements in sta-bility and speed that are a part of Android 4.0. System speed is 30% faster than under Android 2.3 and operating system stability has been enhanced, giving the platform the stability needed to serve critical applications. Memory management has also been improved, with better memory allocation and de-allocation of tasks running on the system.

Advantech Australia Pty Ltd



newproducts

RF driver ampliferRichardson has released a 1/2 W RF driver amplifier from Analog De-

v i c e s . T h e A D L 5 3 2 4 i n c o r p o r a t e s a d y n a m i c a l l y a d j u s t a -ble biasing circuit that allows for the customisation of OIP3 and P1 dB performance from 3.3 to 5 V, without the need for an external bias resistor.

This creates the opportunity for dynamic biasing of the device where a vari-able supply is used to allow for full 5 V biasing under large signal conditions and then reduced supply voltage when signal levels are smaller and lower power consumption is desirable.

The amplifier covers the frequency range of 400 to 4000 MHz and requires few external components to be tuned to a specific band.

Additional features include: gain of 14.6 dB at 2140 MHz; OIP3 of 43.1 dBm at 2140 MHz; P1 dB of 29.1 dBm at 2140 MHz; noise figure of 3.8 dB; SOT-89 package, MSL-1 rated; ESD rating of ±3 kV (Class 2).

Wireless Components


Digital signage kitThe Kontron DSEK-12 is de-signed to help streamline the digital signage development and the evaluation process allowing OEM designers and advertisers alike to reduce the time to deployment and costs. The kit is co-developed with Intel Corporation and with technology from Microsoft to address the growing demand from compa-nies in markets such as retail, transportation and medical that want to use digital signage as a powerful vehicle to interact with customers and gain valu-able consumer information in real time.

The Kontron DSEK-12 offers a prevalidated system that fea-tures technologies from Kontron, Intel and Microsoft. The kit uses the modular OPS-compliant Kontron media player KOPS800 based on 3rd generation Intel Core processors, which will also be available as a standalone me-dia player. Computer-on-module (COM) high-performance COM Express provides high-end graphics and display support features with a migration path to give developers the scalability required for future digital signage upgrades.

The Kontron DSEK-12 includes demo versions of Flypaper and Scala Content Creation and Content Management Software (CMS), and a 180-day evalua-tion copy of Microsoft Windows Embedded POSReady 7 (point of sale).

The Kontron DSEK-12 comes with pre-loaded Intel Audience Impression Metrics (Intel AIM Suite). This allows advertising companies to present person-alised content to consumers and at the same time gather valuable analytics.

Avnet Electronics Marketing


http://www.npa.com.au


T 3 9532 0234 F 3 9532 0281 [email protected] 3 9532 0234F 3 9532 0281 [email protected]

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newproducts

System design softwareNational Instruments has introduced NI LabVIEW 2012, the latest version of the system design software for engineers and scientists. Users gain ready-to-run starting points for a breadth of LabVIEW applications and access to training options that help improve the quality of their systems. The version supports a large portfolio of new hardware products to expand platform capabilities and enable cutting-edge systems.

Features and resources in LabVIEW 2012 are said to promote training and drive development practices to

help users deliver high-performance and high-quality systems in less time, thereby minimising development and maintenance costs.

Features include: templates and sample projects; self-paced online training; improved stability; tools for high-performance analysis and advanced image processing; productivity enhancements derived from user feedback; mobile apps for display and control on an iPad. Additional resources are available: case study - http://sine.ni.com/cs/app/doc/p/id/cs-14731/; white paper - http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/pub/p/id/1611/; video - http://zone.ni.com/wv/app/doc/p/id/wv-157/.

National Instruments Australia


Development platformelement14 presents the Freescale Freedom Development Platform for the Kinetis KL2 MCUs. The platform is a small, low-power evaluation and development system for quick application prototyping and demonstration based on the Kinetis L series, said to be the industry’s first microcontrollers built on the ARM Cortex-M0+ processor.

The development platform combines an industry-standard form factor that is compatible with hardware designed to work with Arduino and Arduino-compatible boards. Using this platform to speed up development, applications such as small appliances, gaming acces-sories, portable medical systems, audio systems, smart meters, lighting and power control can now leverage 32-bit capabilities and the scalability needed to expand future product lines, all at 8- and 16-bit power consumption levels.

The KL2 MCU family is software- and tool-compatible with all other Kinetis L ranges and adds a full-speed USB 2.0 On-The-Go controller with an integrated low-voltage regulator. It is also compatible with the Kinetis K20 MCU (ARM Cortex-M4) family, providing a migration path to higher performance and feature integration.

element14Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/R495

RF switch matrixMini-Circuits’ USB-8SPDT-A18 is a gen-eral purpose USB-controlled RF switch matrix containing eight electromechanical SPDTs, absorptive failsafe RF switches constructed in break-before-make con-figuration and powered by 24 V DC with a switching time of 25 ms typical.

The eight absorptive switches allow for a large number of presets, such as dual transfer switches, 2 in/8 out, an SP9T, or 2 in/6 out plus an SP3T. Any design configuration can be saved, with all jump-ers and switch states clearly indicated for quick recall and setup or as a handy reference when working on future projects. The RF switches can be operated in all these configurations remotely using the supplied GUI program, or programmed by the user using the included API DLL com object. They also operate over a wide frequency band from DC to 18 GHz, have low insertion loss (0.2 dB typical) and high isolation (85 dB typical), mak-ing the switch matrix suitable for a wide variety of RF applications.

The switch matrix enables testing of multiple parameters or multiple DUTs in a single pass, without stopping to connect/disconnect cables.

A software CD, USB cable and 24 V DC power are also included.

Clarke & Severn Electronics



Grumpy chats about hybrid cars

the

page

I don’t know about you but I am mightily underwhelmed by hybrid cars. True, they are full of sophisticated electronics and true they do go some way towards satisfying the consciences of greenies. But, on the down side, they are expensive, they are complex, they have limited range in their electrical mode and there are few places to charge the batteries other than in your own garage.

To me they are bisexual products of a motor industry that has reluc-tantly pandered to ill-conceived demands from governments intent on being seen to be saving the planet.

While one cannot go past the engineering ingenuity that has pro-duced these vehicles, they are still neither Arthur nor Martha and like most compromises they fall short of the target.

At the heart of the problem is, of course, the battery. Lithium-ion, though a huge advance on lead acid, still falls far short of delivering the range that is acceptable to the average motorist, who expects more than 175 or so km per charge for $50,000.

To make these vehicles more appealing and to extend their range, small petrol engines cut in when the amps cut out. But this not only adds to the complexity of the engineering, it also adds to the weight and so puts more de-

mands on the batteries, further limiting performance. In addition, it becomes a polluter in its own right, which defeats the purpose of a ‘green’ car in the first place.

I am aware that sales of hybrids have gone up some 84% in the last year and with next-generation vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf becoming mainstream, perhaps we are moving towards a more practical vehicle which may further increase usage. But always the questions that most drivers will ask are: How far can I go before I run out of volts? How much do I have to pay for the privilege of being green?

However, what is impressive is the new boy on the block - the Holden Volt, due on sale shortly at around $60,000. Although this is a hybrid with a petrol engine, the purpose of the engine is to charge the batteries. The car has a 111 kW electric motor giving 368 Nm. The 1.4 L, 63 kW engine drives a generator to charge the batteries that can also be charged from a home power point. With this system, the vehicle has a range of 500 km and even then all that is needed is a petrol station, not a power outlet. It solves the range issue but the pollution issue remains. Just as some drivers can get phenomenal range from a tankful of petrol purely through judicious driving tech-

niques, so too can the range of hybrids be extended to well beyond 175 km a charge.

However, various surveys have shown the average distance driven by a com-muter is only around 60 km a day - well within the range of a pure electric car. If this is so, it would seem that there is a specific market for an electric commuter vehicle with the longer distances being left to conventional cars. Australia should be looking at a greater use of solar panels, which have also improved out of sight over recent years.

The Leaf is leading the way here by incorporating a solar panel to maintain battery levels while the car is parked.

Australians are developing a mindset for smaller cars other than the mostly status-symbol-seeking, child-carrying, four-wheel-drive set. With this in mind, perhaps the car makers should stop trying to be all things to all men and concentrate on building a small, all-electric car with basic yet safe specifications, but above all, cheap.

To encourage this, governments should stop haphazardly throwing millions of dollars at our foreign-owned motor manu-facturers and target their throw to make them develop pure electric cars and the associated battery technology.

Then, and only then, will we see the rise of the totally green car at a price that is affordable.

“At the heart of the problem is,

of course, the battery.”©

iSto

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/ Ben

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Mike Smyth, specialist technical writer

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