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By Design News Staff -- Design News, February 17, 2003
Digital signal processors
Configurable software control
The TDPS1000EVM digital power supply developer's kit features a fully configurable software control platform that includes intelligent fault management, active-in rush control, and digital current sharing, allowing for a single solution to be used across multiple platforms. The DSP kit, based on the company's TMS320C2000 DSP platform, may be used in telecom switching equipment, high power rectifiers (300W+), network servers, and uninterruptible power supplies. Texas Instruments Inc., www.ti.com Enter 576
Network management
New remote management
The Network Management Card has added new features such as environmental monitoring and remote management of UPS systems through an on-board modem. The environmental monitoring feature sends alerts when temperature and humidity changes reach levels beyond the set parameters. The on-board modem feature allows users to track network failures and receive remote event notification, as well as dial into the network card and access the UPS. American Power Conversionwww.apc.com Enter 577
Transducers
HART compatible
Adding to the company's family of signal conditioners, these loop powered MCR temperature transducers come in both a standard head mount version for DIN-B style field installations and a 12.5-mm housing for DIN-rail mounting. Designed with HART compatibility, they convert temperature signals from thermocouples, potentiometers, RTDs, and sensors into 4-20 mA analog signals, powering the signal conversion. Transducers reportedly may be mounted in hazardous areas and feature LED indication for wire break or short circuit diagnostics. Phoenix Contact, www.phoenixcon.com Enter 578
Screwless wire connector
Alternative to soldering
The BUCHANAN two-position vertical screwless wire connector, the latest addition to the company's line of board mount wire connectors, provides an alternative to soldered, direct wire-to-board terminations. Connector contacts, spaced on 3.5-mm staggered centerlines and providing a 600V ac rating, have a 2A current rating and may be re-terminated up to five times. Applications for the wire connectors include garage door openers, HVAC controls, security systems, lighting products, vending machines, and gaming products. Tyco Electronics, www.tycoelectronics.com Enter 579
SMT headers
Vertical shrouded, unshrouded versions
These Surface Mount Technology (SMT) headers are designed to populate both sides of printed circuit boards with their vertical shrouded and unshrouded versions, as well as low-profile horizontal unshrouded versions. Adding to the KK® and SL™ products, the 2.54-mm pitch single row headers come with 0.64-mm square phosphor bronze pins and high-temperature thermoplastic housings that withstand SMT board processing. Molex Inc, www.molex.com Enter 580
CAR series relay
10 ms operate, release time
The CAR series relay measures 27 x 27 x 24 mm and is available in 30, 40, and 70A. Operating in an ambient temperature range of -40 to +85C, it features switching voltage of 75V and coil voltages of 6, 12 and 24V dc. The relay works in appliances and automotive, and comes with such available options as quick connects, mounting tabs, and sealant. Hasco Components Internationalwww.hascorelays.com Enter 581
TFT-LCD modules
Uses Luxeon high-brightness LEDs
Three TFT-LCD modules incorporate the company's Luxeon line of high-brightness LEDs for use in multimedia, medical, and factory automation monitoring systems. The modules offer long life, a wide range of colors, and mercury-free operation, making it more compliant with environmental laws. LumiLeds Lighting, www.lumileds.com Enter 582
Digital oscilloscope
Accurate signal capture
WavePro 7100 (1 GHz) and WavePro 7300 (3 GHz) digital oscilloscopes use X-Stream™ technology and WaveShape Analysis for a new set of applications. With more accurate signal capture and more precise measurements, these instruments have a sampling rate in 4-channel of 10 GS/s per channel and a maximum 2-channel sample rate of 20 GS/s per channel. Both products offer a choice of acquisition memory links, which is doubled if only one or two inputs are used. X-Stream technology is reportedly a fast streaming architecture. LeCroy Corp., www.lecroy.com Enter 583
IP67 fiber optic sensor
Requires no DIN-rail mounting
The FI22 inline fiber optic sensor is designed for use without an enclosure and requires no DIN-rail mounting. It features a snap mounting bracket and adhesive mount and can be located anywhere in the assembly. Features include visible light beam, real time feedback, LED bar graph display, and manual adjustment for fine-tuning. Reportedly small and rugged, these units have flexible abrasion-resistant Steelskin™ surface and mount directly on the outside of machines. Banner Engineering Corp.www.bannerengineering.com Enter 584
RF connectors
50-Ohm matched impedance
Ganged RF connectors and cable assemblies are reportedly suitable for applications where high bandwidth analog and blind mating of critical high-speed circuits are required. The connectors feature a 50-Ohm matched impedance contact system and press-fit termination and locator pegs. Applications include telecommunications, cellular base stations, wireless networking, coaxial connections for daughtercard to backplane, and more. Options are available for cabling in 6 and 8 positions in several standard lengths. Molex Inc., www.molex.com Enter 585
Satellite radio antenna
Aerodynamic profile
The low profile XM20 antenna measures 14-mm tall for use in XM satellite radio. Eliminating the need for drilling, adhesive mounts allow the antenna to be easily installed. Reportedly resistant to damage from vandalism, car washes, and environmental conditions, the XM20 is compatible with all XM Satellite Radio Tuner Boxes from Sony, Pioneer, Alpine, and Audiovox. Centurion Wireless Technologies Inc.www.centurion.com Enter 586
Spring clamp terminal block
Expands circuit design options
The ZSRK2.5 Series panel mount mini spring clamp terminal block is available as a 5-mm width block that allows voltage to be distributed throughout a multipole assembly. Made with a top wire entry design, it features individual snap-together elements or multipole assemblies up to 12 poles. Applications include wire terminations in confined space uses, as in panels, small enclosures, and equipment and machinery housings. Conta-Clip Inc.www.contaclip.com Enter 587
Motor supply cable
Reduced diameter, shielded
OLFLEX® VFD SLIM shielded motor supply cable is designed to withstand non-linear power distortions common in VFD drives. This reduced-diameter cable is UL and CSA TC approved, available in sizes 16 to 2AWG, and is approved for 1,000V by ULAWM. VFD SLIM uses semiconductive insulation that smoothes stranded copper, a design that disperses voltage increases caused by wave reflections, harmonics, and spikes. Lapp USA Inc.www.lappusa.com Enter 588
Step power supply
For small or cramped enclosures
Flat step power supply units may be used for installation in small enclosures and cramped consoles. Five units are available, each with power reserve for reliable start-ups: I/O ranges 5V/4A, 12V/3A, 15V/2.4A, 24V/1.5A, and 48V/0.75A. These units have universal ac and dc voltage ranges and can be installed where static voltage drops and transient power failures occur. Large size capacitors reportedly ensure a power failure bridging time of more than 20 ms under full load. Phoenix Contactwww.phoenixcon.com Enter 589
DIN controller
Remotely monitors 31 controllers
The PXR3 controller features a large LED display, watertight and corrosion-resistant face plate, 3-button keypad, and auto-tuning and fuzzy controls. This 1/32 DIN controller automatically retunes under certain conditions and its standard 8-segment ramp/soak feature is expanded. The PXR3 can remotely monitor up to 31 controllers at a time when used with RS485 option. Each package contains free Windows®-based software. TTI Inc.www.ttiglobal.com Enter 590
Photoelectric sensor
Foreground/background suppression
The Omron E3Z-LS diffuse photoelectric sensor is reportedly the only sensor offering foreground and background suppression. Features include a visible beam that ensures easy alignment, a unique algorithm that minimizes the affect of external light interference, an IP67-rated enclosure, and a choice of NPN or PNP output models. Applications include highly reflective packaging and other products that have shiny or irregular surfaces. This sensor's low black/white error of 10% ensures reliable detection. Omron Electronics Inc.www.omron.com Enter 591
Balanced transformer
Power up to 1000W
A standalone, balanced transformer is available for applications requiring noise-free operation and no power line hum. The BP-30 handles up to 1,000W and reduces common mode noise by 60 dB. With input and output voltages of 120V/60Hz, this product eliminates noise from unbalanced ac power lines. Applications include film, video, and audio recording studios; designers of audio, laboratory, broadcasting and communications equipment; and electronics or computer hardware designers. Alpha-Core Inc., www.alphacore.com Enter 592
Conductive gasket
Super-soft, conformable
GORE-SHIELD GS8000 is a soft, conformable, conductive gasket material reportedly providing excellent cavity EMI shielding in portable wireless devices. Due to increased use of flexible housing materials and bendable circuit boards, EMI shielding is difficult but super-soft GS8000 fills areas in device housings where compressive forces are very low. According to the company, the material reduces costs, protects against electromagnetic interference, and offers designers an alternative to FIP gaskets and large die-cut gaskets. W.L. Gore & Associates, www.gore.com Enter 593
I/O field platform
Small, rugged and versatile
The Compact FieldPoint I/O product line is designed for use with LabVIEW software in harsh industrial environments. This robust design offers engineers and scientists better performance and control in a factory, within a machine, or from remote locations, the company says. The product family includes 20 I/O modules and three intelligent controllers. They perform analog and discreet control, user-defined data logging, and advanced math and signal processing. Compact FieldPoint operates -25C to 60C and can be Ethernet-connected for Web-enabled applications. National Instruments, www.ni.com Enter 594
Data starter kits
Connects to serial port
The DI-154RS and DI-194RS starter kits are designed for fast and inexpensive data acquisition systems with rates up to 240 samples per second. Starter kits include an Active X control library, 4 bipolar analog input channels, 2 digital inputs for remote operations, and 1 digital output that provides a variable frequency square wave output. Starter kits allow designers to digitize high-level analog signals, record them to a hard drive, and plot the signal on a PC monitor in calibrated units, in real time. Dataq Instruments, www.dataq.com Enter 595
Data cable connector
No special tools or cutting
The revos IT data cable connector is designed to install pre-assembled cables into panels and control cabinets. Connections include hood and housing, and double locking levers to code IP65. The snap/lock procedure requires no special tools or cutting. Revos connectors are available in 2, 3, and 4-cable feed-through capacity in 10, 16, or 24-pole configurations. Applications include automotive production, control panel shops, energy and power stations, conveyers and equipment, food processing, and metal and woodworking machinery. Wieland Electric Inc., www.wielandinc.com Enter 596
Test socket CAM lids
Eliminates damage to package pads
These high frequency test sockets are now available with a CAM lid on both double-hatched and hinged designs, which protects solder balls and package pads by offering Z-directional force without X or Y movement. The load reportedly may be applied to the device after the socket is closed and latched. In the open position, the load is made to be easier to apply, while in the closed position, the lid features increased accuracy without losing Z-force. Aries Electronics, www.arieselec.com Enter 597
Coaxial switch
Life of 10 million cycles
The series CCM-33 coaxial switch offers a life of 10 million cycles and has been designed for test and measurement equipment or broadcast and cable systems that switch microwave signals from a common input to either of two outputs. The switches are compatible with SMA connectors and operate from dc to 18GHz. Impedance is 50 ohms and switching time is 20 ms. Teledyne Relays, www.teledynerelays.com Enter 598
Backplane design
Reduces signal layer count
The QuadRoute technique for use with Active Interconnect is designed for the interaction of passive and active components. Using the Z-PACK HM-Zd connector, QuadRoute reduces signal layer by half. According to the company, this justifies the use of higher-performance materials to reduce dielectric losses. The result is improved performance for 3.125-6.25 GB/s serial lengths and reduced backplane costs up to 30%. The design technique results in predictable behavior for all signal layers throughout the entire backplane. Tyco Electronics Corp., www.tycoelectronics.com Enter 599
System-on-module
First 64-bit PCI architecture
Blazor™ is reportedly the first system-on-module architecture based on 64-bit PCI bus technology. OEMs can develop embedded solutions requiring high processing and data throughput capabilities. Meet time-to-market requirements using a variety of dense form factors in Blazor for faster and easier deployment, the company says. Applications include medical and industrial imaging, network security, network storage, VoIP convergence networks, and video production. PFU Systemswww.pfusystems.com Enter 600
Digital multimeter
Built-in laser dot/circle
The HHM2-IR digital multimeter measures true RMS ac voltage and current, resistance, and temperature, and includes a set of test leads. Features include non-contact infrared measurement by laser dot and circle, dual type K thermal couple inputs, and standard voice annunciation. The product also includes a lead handle, 3-position volume switch, ac adapter, and earphones. OMEGA Engineeringwww.omega.com Enter 601
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