At the annual conference of the Society of Automotive Engineers, no small number of technical papers cover issues surrounding driver interactions with features on the car dashboard. Touchscreens, in particular, are a hot topic. You can find SAE papers with impressive-sounding titles such as, Touch Interactive Display Systems: Human Factors Considerations, System Design and Performance […]
Teardown: Anki Cozmo, distant relative of Vector
Cozmo is a palm-sized robot from San Francisco-based Anki, the same company that makes an intelligent racing robot system called Overdrive that we’ve torn down previously. Cozmo is actually an earlier version of an Anki robot called Vector. Vector has more capabilities in the area of artificial intelligence, thanks to its use of a processor […]
BGS 121 package socket has 52 GHz bandwidth
A new high-performance elastomer socket is designed for 0.65-mm-pitch BGA packages. The SG25-BGA-2051 socket is designed for a 8×8-mm package size and operates at bandwidths up to 52 GHz with less than 1 dB of insertion loss (GSSG configuration). The contact resistance is typically 20 mΩ/pin. Network analyzer reflection measurements for the G-S-S-G case were […]
Primary lithium-manganese-dioxide cylindrical cell features long-term reliability
A high safety and energy density cell, the CR-AG offers important features within the meter market, particularly a long lifespan. This technology replaces thionyl chloride as standard battery. This cell utilizes Manganese-based cathode material to deliver better temperature tolerance so it can operate in harsh environments. For the CR-AG, features include: • High current pulse […]
Protocol analyzer now supports PAM4 50G-400G Ethernet
A trace capture and analysis solution handles the 802.3cd and 802.3bs 50/100/200/400GE four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) Ethernet specifications. With the new NET-T200-P4L-A license to the SierraNet T328, the platform enables higher data rates and enhanced reliability for future-generation data centers and cloud-based services. With the NET-T200-P4L-A license, the SierraNet T328 helps identify and reduce […]
1.2 to 1.5-kW modular supplies have full MoPPs isolation, low acoustic noise, up to 18 outputs
The QM8 modular power supplies are rated at 1,200 to 1,500 W. These models are available with up to 18 outputs, have full MoPPs (Means of Patient Protection) isolation and low acoustic noise. With medical and industrial safety certifications, the power supplies are suitable for use in medical, test and measurement, communications and broadcast equipment. […]
Demo: Gate drivers and eGaN transistors on the same chip
We recently did a short video with Alex Lidow from EPC who took us through a demonstration of a gate driver integrated onto the same chip as eGaN transistor. Driving the gate of the power transistor is complicated because of the parasitic elements. Lidow explained that eGaN transistors switch in a nanosecond or less, and […]
Drone kit aims to make innovation easy for amateurs
IIT Bombay-based nano-drone startup, Drona Aviation, has developed PlutoX, said to be ultimate aerial robotics kit for makers. “Being tinkerers ourselves, we’re well aware of the demotivating crashes, burdensome coding and other challenges that limit the scope of tinkering and innovating with drones. PlutoX was engineered particularly ensuring agility, durability and affordability for fellow tinkerers,” […]
Trends in discrete power semiconductors
For many years the rumored demise of the discrete semiconductor has been thrown around, says Joe Beck from Central Semiconductor. Everything’s going to be integrated into an IC. It’s all going away. Not true. In fact, there’s more interest in discretes today than in the last 10 or 15 years, Beck says. When engineers try […]
Tips on selecting toroidal inductors
Anthony Kourtessis from Signal Transformer, a Bel Group, recently went through some of the things you need to keep in mind when selecting a toroidal inductor in a short video with us. First and foremost, he said, you need to establish which product will give the greatest energy storage capability. In addition, you’re looking for […]