Renesas Electronics Corporation has expanded its popular RZ Family of microprocessors (MPUs) with a new device targeting high-performance robotics applications. Offering the highest levels of performance within the family, the RZ/V2H enables both vision AI and real-time control capabilities. The device comes with a new generation of Renesas proprietary AI accelerator, DRP (Dynamically Reconfigurable Processor)-AI3, […]
Robotics/Drones
Tiny, all-in-one direct Time-of-Flight module targeted at advanced imaging applications
STMicroelectronics announced an all-in-one, direct Time-of-Flight (dToF) 3D LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) module with market-leading 2.3k resolution. They revealed an early design win for the world’s smallest 500k-pixel indirect Time-of-Flight (iToF) sensor. The VL53L9, announced is a new direct ToF 3D LiDAR device with a resolution of up to 2.3k zones. Integrating a dual […]
How will sensors be used to increase warehouse automation?
Many of today’s warehouses have been or are in the process of transitioning from strictly a manual or conventional warehouse to a partially and eventually a fully automated warehouse. Depending on the level of sophistication, any automated process requires a variety of sensing technologies. Research from one company predicts that over 75% of companies will […]
Tiny, resettable fuse boasts 240 VAC max voltage
Bel introduces the 0ZAF series as the latest addition to their lineup of surface mount PTC resettable fuses. Featuring a compact 2920 chip size, it boasts a maximum voltage of 240V AC. The operational (hold current) range extends from 50mA to 160mA, and it is designed to operate effectively within a temperature range of -40ºC […]
What are the six microphone polar patterns used for?
Microphone polar patterns, sometimes called pickup patterns, define microphone sensitivity in different directions. The different polar patterns are used for controlling sound pickup and isolating the sound source, or sources, of primary interest from surrounding sources. There are six common microphone polar patterns: cardioid, supercardioid, hypercardioid, omnidirectional, lobar, and bidirectional. Polar patterns are represented by […]
8×8, multi-zone ToF ranging sensor operates a 1.6 mW in low-power mode
STMicroelectronics’ VL53L8CX, the latest-generation 8×8 multizone time-of-flight (ToF) ranging sensor, delivers a range of improvements including greater ambient-light immunity, lower power consumption, and enhanced optics. ST’s direct-ToF sensors combine a 940nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), a multizone SPAD (single-photon avalanche diode) detector array, and an optical system comprising filters and diffractive optical elements (DOE) […]
Wire-to-board connector line now includes branch connector
Hirose has expanded its low-profile DF51 wire-to-board connector series to include a branch connector. The DF51B Series enables the splitting of the cable into two separate paths. This not only simplifies the design and wiring process but also enables smaller and lighter end-products. Part of the SignalBee connector family, the 2.0 mm pitch DF51B Series […]
What’s the difference between sensors used in underwater, flying, and creeping robots or drones? Pt 4
Multimodal robots that can fly and walk or crawl have been the basis of research for many years. In 2016, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s GRASP Laboratory reported the development of the Picobug with multimodal characteristics of climbing, jumping, and gliding, or even flying and swimming. With a research paper detailing many executed and […]
Wire-to-board connector now available in SMT version
Hirose has expanded its low-profile DF51K wire-to-board connector series to include a surface mount technology (SMT) version. Compatible with automated assembly processes, including pick-and-place machines, the DF51K SMT Series simplifies the assembly process and saves significant manufacturing time and cost. The compact SMT connector features a center lock design to offer high-density mounting on the PCB. […]
High-speed digitizers add pulse generation
After the successful introduction of the Digital Pulse Generator (DPG) option for its medium-speed products, Spectrum Instrumentation has now added the same feature to its ultrafast digitizers (with up to 10 GS/s speed) and Arbitrary Waveform Generators. Available for the entire product line, the low-cost $325 option adds three to four independent digital sources for […]