Eight new dc-dc converters from MEAN WELL span the one to six-watt power range and come in single in-line packages (SIPs). Two of the converters are unregulated 1-W devices while the rest provide 2, 3, and 6-W outputs. All provide ultra-wide input range (the widest 4:1) and an ultra-wide range of working temperatures (-40~+90°C) and […]
Teardown: The electronics of Hello Barbie
Parents leery of privacy invasion have little to fear from Barbie, whose language skills mainly reside in the cloud. There’s been a lot of discussion in the media about privacy and home appliances that listen to conversations. The Hello Barbie doll is a voice-enabled toy that has been part of the controversy. It uses Wi-Fi […]
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New heart rate sensor claims to cut power consumption of fitness watches
It’s said that nearly 80% of the battery power in smartwatches goes to running the heart-rate monitor. But a new generation of photodiodes able to function as heart-rate sensors consumes five times less energy than the devices now found in smartwatches. The new photodiodes were developed by a Swiss startup called ActLight in conjunction with […]
Why lithium-ion batteries lose capacity over time
Researchers at the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory say they’ve identified a major culprit in capacity fade of high-energy lithium-ion batteries. With the cause identified, the next step is to figure out ways of curing the fading problem. The capacity of a Li-ion battery is tied directly to how many lithium ions […]
Budget-priced vector network analyzer handles 6 GHz with 122 dB dynamic range
The TTR500 Series USB Vector Network Analyzer is said to cost 40% less than alternatives capable of 122 dB dynamic range and 6 GHz frequency range. Developed by Tektronix, it also includes advanced features such as VectorVu-PC analysis software and a built-in bias tee for testing active devices. The TTR500 Series features an easy-to-use user […]
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Video line-up: Gallium nitride semiconductors at APEC 2017
The recently concluded APEC 2017 in Tampa played host to a lot of technological developments involving GaN semiconductors. Here are a few of the demos on the exhibit floor that highlighted what these wide band gap devices can do for power circuits. In the future, your TV set may not need a power cord […]
The case for multiprotocol, multiband connectivity in the IoT
Wireless protocols that are widely used in the IoT have a lot of common attributes. Multiprotocol SoCs able to run them all can simplify many kinds of wireless designs. TOM PANNELL | SILICON LABS We have many innate expectations for controlling the myriad devices and systems in our lives. When I enter a room in […]
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Modulating 5G
The IoT will make heavy use of fifth-generation mobile networks that use a yet-to-be-determined modulation scheme. Here are the major contenders. LEE TESCHLER | EXECUTIVE EDITOR Fifth-generation mobile networks, abbreviated 5G, will form the telecommunications standards for the internet of things. Planners say 5G will have a higher capacity than the current 4G equipment partly […]
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Thwarting hackers on the IoT
A few best practices can drastically improve the security of IoT devices and help maximize the benefits they provide. CHRISTOPHE TREMLET, SCOTT JONES MAXIM INTEGRATED The news back in March was certainly alarming – WikiLeaks announced it had internal CIA documents revealing that the spy agency had found a way to access Android and Apple […]
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Building security into IoT and IIoT end devices
Tools, operating systems, platforms, and services help open new doors for developers building security into their connected, modern-day IoT infrastructure. WARREN KURISU | MENTOR GRAPHICS Industries increasingly rely on their connected devices and networks, and they are also becoming aware that they must deter or prevent cyber attacks. It is nearly impossible to field an […]
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