by Paul Golata, Mouser Electronics Gone are the days when lights were standalone devices whose sole purpose was to illuminate a particular area. The rise of connectivity and data-dependency in our lives means the role of luminaires is changing. Connected lighting systems (CLSs), using light-emitting diode (LED) technology and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, now […]
Smaller, cheaper, better: Microsatellites
by Rudy Ramos, Mouser Electronics In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1. The satellite was just 50cm wide. Today’s most massive unmanned spacecraft, the bus-sized Hubble telescope, weighs 11 tons. However, in recent decades, practical satellites have shrunk once more to Sputnik dimensions. Several factors limit satellite minimum sizes; solar panel area to generate […]
Why use optocouplers in electronics?
Optocouplers not only protect sensitive circuits but enable an engineer to design a variety of hardware applications. Optocouplers can avoid a great deal of cost in replacing components by protecting them. However, optocouplers are more sophisticated than fuses. Optocouplers also make it convenient to control the connection between two circuits by connecting and disconnecting them […]
BGP hijacking: How the Internet is getting hacked and what you can do about it
By Rudy Ramos, Mouser Electronics Most of us are familiar with the tricks used by malicious hackers to steal passwords or intercept private data. When we click a link, or start a chat, or send an email, it’s second nature to quickly check URLs and addresses to make sure that our data is going where […]
Robots are getting in touch
by Rudy Ramos, Mouser Electronics Often overlooked is the value of a sense of touch in robotics development. Designers focus strongly on discrete features such as power, freedom of movement, and machine vision. However, tactile sensing complements all of these and helps make the most of them. Having a sense of touch also adds unique […]
Free PCB footprints, schematic symbols and 3D models now available from Mouser
Mouser Electronics, Inc. has announced a new partnership with SamacSys. Under the new partnership, Mouser will provide its customers with a range of free design resources including PCB footprints, schematic symbols, and 3D models for more than 1.1 million components. These design resources work seamlessly with top engineering CAD systems, including Cadence, Altium and other programs. The […]
What are diodes? A quick refresher
A diode is a passive component made with semiconductor materials (a chip) that conducts current flowing in one direction but does not conduct current flowing in the opposite direction. The symbol for a diode (to the right in Figure 1) looks something like an arrow pointing in the direction of the forward current. Current flows […]
The changing face of medicine
by Rudy Ramos, Mouser Electronics Medicine and healthcare is one thing that matters to every single person on the planet. We all, to a greater or lesser extent, care about our health — whether it is to attain peak fitness, look for early signs of an issue or monitor / manage a long-term health condition. […]
Will AI and automation make work completely obsolete?
By Rudy Ramos, Mouser Electronics Almost 4 million US workers could eventually be displaced by autonomous vehicles, according to a US Department of Commerce report. While the report, “The Employment Impact of Autonomous Vehicles,” does not offer a firm timeline for job losses, it seems to be the latest evidence of a future in which […]
Modern factories: Electromagnetic noise is replacing audible noise
by Rudy Ramos, Mouser Electronics In the past, factories were noisy places; in fact, noise-induced hearing loss was one of the most common occupational ailments in the USA. As the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) – sometimes termed Factory 4.0 – led to more electronics in factories, electromagnetic noise replaced audible noise. As the need for process […]
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