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Rohde & Schwarz enters source measure unit market with the new R&S NGU

Posted on by mixos

With two new source measure units (SMU), Rohde & Schwarz enters a market previously not addressed by the power products of the test and measurement specialist. The performance of the new R&S NGU201 and R&S NGU401 SMUs enables simultaneous sourcing and measuring of currents and voltages with high precision. The two-quadrant R&S NGU201 addresses wireless device battery tests and automatically switches from source mode to sink mode at a defined positive input voltage. The four-quadrant R&S NGU401 can also switch at negative voltages, supporting source measurements for a vast range of power supply types.

The steady extension of the Rohde & Schwarz portfolio of specialty power supplies continues with the first two models in the R&S NGU series of high-precision SMUs. The instruments’ innovative current feedback amplifier technology provides both maximum sensitivity and accuracy to reliably measure currents from nA to A in a single sweep. To handle rapidly changing load conditions typical of battery-powered communications devices switching between sleep and transmit modes, the R&S NGU features an optimized control loop load providing a best-in-class recovery time of under 30 μs with minimum overshoot.

The R&S NGU SMUs include six current ranges from 10 µA with 100 pA resolution to 10 A with 10 µA resolution. For all ranges, accuracy up to 0.025 % is achieved. Voltage is measured with 10 µV resolution in the 20 V range and 1 µV resolution in the 6 V range. For the typical measurement problem of capacitance at the input to the device under test, the R&S NGU features a variable capacitance mode adjustable in steps from 1 µF to 470 µF, compensating the capacitance, so that the current is displayed as if it was measured directly at the device under test. Devices up to 20 V, 8 A, and 60 W are all supported.

The four-quadrant R&S NGU401 is the specialist for semiconductor testing. It provides source measurements for any equipment requiring source and sink voltages in the range from –20 V to +20 V. In addition to the voltage regulation mode of power supplies, the R&S NGU includes a fast current regulation mode to avoid damaging current-sensitive devices under test, such as LEDs or other semiconductors. An external arbitrary waveform source connector turns the R&S NGU401 into an AC source and makes it possible to simulate glitches or unstable power supplies of up to 1 kHz.

The two-quadrant R&S NGU201 is optimized for battery drain analysis of any battery-powered device, including mobile phones, tablets, and the full range of IoT equipment. Design engineers can use it to simulate real-world battery characteristics. Once the battery model characteristics are defined, they can be re-used whenever required. With its 8 A maximum current, the instrument even supports fast-charge applications.

In addition to the dedicated source measurement features, the R&S NGU series also includes the elaborate features common to all specialty power supplies from Rohde & Schwarz. The market-leading data acquisition rate of 500 ksample per second offered by the FastLog functionality captures voltage and current levels every 2 μs so that even the shortest intermittent glitches are detected. With the optional built-in digital voltmeter, users can check voltages at any point in the device under test as well as the input voltage.

The new R&S NGU201 and R&S NGU401 source measure units are part of the R&S Essentials portfolio, and are now available from Rohde & Schwarz and selected distribution partners. With market introduction, a limited number of the fully equipped special model R&S NGU401COM is on offer at an attractive price.

For more information on the R&S NGU source measure units, visit: https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/product/ngu.html

Turn-key energy harvesting/PMIC module for IoT devices

Posted on by mixos

Miniaturization and micro-devices company Xidas has introduced what it says is the industry’s first plug & play, universal energy harvesting and power management module for IoT devices.

The EHM-UNIV, says the company, is a small surface-mount energy harvesting and power management module that eliminates the need for engineers to purchase energy harvesting evaluation modules and determine how to engineer power management ICs into their application. The module is designed to capture small amounts of harvested energy from sources such as photovoltaic cells, piezoelectric, electro-mechanical, and thermoelectric generators, and continuously trickle charge storage elements like rechargeable Li-Ion batteries, thin-film batteries, or conventional capacitors.

The module, says the company, simply allows an IoT device developer to connect their energy harvesting generator into the device and their supercapacitor/battery to the output – no engineering required.

“There are multiple power management ICs for energy harvesting from great companies,” says David Ambrose, Director of engineering, “but they all require significant external power engineering to determine how to condition the energy harvesting generator input, protect the IC and then manage and protect the outputs, either directly or via a supercapacitor or rechargeable battery. At Xidas, we have done the engineering, packaged it in a small SIP module. We feel it should be as simple as selecting your solar, thermal, electromechanical vibration or piezoelectric generators, plugging them into an energy harvesting module and hooking it up to the output.”

The EHM-UNIV comes equipped with built-in rectification circuitry, enabling users to easily choose whether to connect an AC or DC energy harvesting source; active overvoltage protection for the energy harvesting circuitry; and a tunable regulated output or unregulated system output conditioned for powering virtually all wireless IoT sensors. The module also has a wide operating temperature range from -40°C to +85°C, and significant power monitoring for IoT battery feedback.

Specifications

Startup Threshold w/ RHB1530 battery 380 mV
Maximum Input Voltage (VIN) 3.6 V
Configurable Regulated Output (VREG) 1.5 V to 3.6 V
High current system voltage output (VSYS) up to 1 A (protected by resettable fuse)
Operating quiescent current 510 nA
Sleeping quiescent current 390 nA
Operating junction temperature range -40°C to 125°C
Storage temperature range -65°C to 150°C

Input

The EHM-UNIV-1 combines a state-of-the-art power management integrated circuit (PMIC) with supporting circuitry that reduces the number of required external components, and thus development cost. The signal conditioning provides direct input for DC input sources (e.g. photovoltaic cells) or built-in rectification circuitry for AC sources (e.g. electromagnetic transducers). This input conditioning and PMIC allow for energy harvesting from signals as low as 380mV.

Output

The EHM-UNIV-1 provides two independent output voltages: a tunable regulated output voltage (VREG) as well as an unregulated system voltage (VSYS), proportional to the energy storage level. VREG stems from a low drop-out regulator with up to 150mA, whose output voltage can be set to nine distinct levels by a single external resistor, across the range from 1.5V to 3.6V. The system output voltage allows for even higher output current (up to 1A) , protected by a resettable fuse. This output becomes ideal for wireless devices that require higher surges in current when transmitting or receiving, such as Wifi or cellular.

Pricing for the module is $45 (10-99 qty).

more information: Xidas

Vishay / Techno CDMM AEC-Q200 SMD Thick Film Chip Dividers

Posted on by mixos

Vishay Techno CDMM AEC-Q200 SMD Thick Film Chip Dividers are high voltage or high precision chip dividers offered in a ribbed molded package with compliant surface-mount leads. Designed to reduce component counts, improve TC tracking performance, and ratio stability in automotive and industrial equipment, the devices deliver a maximum working voltage of 1500V in a 4527 case size. The AEC-Q200 qualified components are also sulfur resistant, operate in a -55°C to +155°C temperature range, and are offered in a wide range of resistance values and ratios.

Features

  • High voltage up to 1500V utilizing thick film technology
  • Precision to ±0.5% with low TCR tracking to 25ppm/°C
  • Sulfur resistant
  • Automotive compliant terminations
  • AEC-Q200 qualified
  • Wide range of resistance values and ratios
  • 12.5mm creepage distance, rated 1250V per IEC 60664-1

Specifications

  • 4527 case size
  • 1.5W power rating
  • 1500V maximum working voltage
  • 500KΩ to 50MΩ resistance range
  • ±0.5%, ±1%, ±2%, ±5%, and ±10% tolerances
  • 100:1 to 700:1 ratio range
  • ±0.5%, ±1%, ±2%, and ±5% ratio tolerances
  • ±100ppm/°C temperature coefficient
  • ±25ppm/°C to ±50ppm/°C TCR tracking
  • -55°C to +155°C operating temperature range
  •  Materials
    • Ruthenium oxide (thick film) resistive element
    • Molded thermoplastic encapsulation
    • Alumina substrate
    • Solder-coated bronze termination

more information: https://www.vishaytechno.cn

Seeed Studio LoRa-E5 STM32WLE5JC LoRaWAN Module

Posted on by mixos

Seeed Studio LoRa-E5 STM32WLE5JC LoRaWAN Module is a low-cost, ultra-low power, extremely compact, and high-performance module. This module uses ST system-level package chip STM32WLE5JC, embedded high-performance LoRa® chip SX126X. The STM32WL module LoRa-E5 LoraWAN is embedded with Arm Cortex M4 ultra-low-power MCU and LoRa SX126X, thus supporting (G)FSK mode and LoRa. This module offers a 158dB link budget for long-distance use and features worldwide compatibility. The LoRa-E5 LoRaWAN module operates at a 3.3V supply voltage and -40°C to 85°C temperature range. Typical applications include wireless meter reading, IoT nodes, smart agriculture, smart city, sensor network, low power wide area IoT applications, and wireless communication.

Features

  • 158dB link budget for long-distance use
  • Extremely compacted size
  • Embedded LoRaWAN® protocol and AT command support global LoRaWAN® frequency plan
  • Worldwide Compatibility:
    • EU868/US915/AU915/AS923/KR920/IN865 wide frequency range
  • GPIOs of the MCU can be easily manipulated including UART, I2C, and ADC
  • FCC and CE certified
  • High Performance:
    • TXOP= 22dBm @868MHz to 915MHz and -136.5dBm sensitivity for SF12 with 125KHz BW

Specifications

  • 3.3V supply voltage
  • 12mm x 12mm x 2.5mm dimensions
  • 2.1µA sleep current
  • -40°C to 85°C operating temperature range

more information: https://www.seeedstudio.com/LoRa-E5-Wireless-Module-p-4745.html

Polaris, A Smart Electric Tripod Head

Posted on by Tope Oluyemi

Capturing a perfect night sky can be daunting. You usually need a long exposure to capture the brightness of stars, even on the clearest of nights. Also, because of the rotation of the earth, when you take pictures, the stars in pictures often show tailing or streaks. One solution was the equatorial mount that typically used by photographers. However, it could not rotate freely, and so severely limiting composition in hopes of getting a clearer image. Recently BenroPolaris has launched a campaign on Kickstarter for Polaris, which is a wireless, smart electric tripod head. This is good news for Photographers because Polaris enables you conveniently frame the perfect shooting angle with ease. Polaris can make night, landscape, and nature photography efficient and uncomplicated.

About Polaris, the company says:

“By introducing Polaris to the world, we hope to dismantle the technical boundaries traditional photographic tripods currently face to a more progressive and intelligent stage.”

Polaris works by using the inbuilt GPS, compass, and astromaps to move the head precisely to prevent tailing or streaks. This feature enables you to capture perfect shots of the Milky Way or any constellations. The inbuilt features also enable you to adjust your shooting angle whenever you want to. In order for you to frame your shot, the Polaris app uses Astro maps, AI, and the sensors in your mobile phone to make framing a shit easy. All you have to do is point your phone at the sky, move it around to see every star your camera could capture. Once you see the shot, press the shutter button, then Polaris will automatically rotate and begin capturing the area your phone was framing. Polaris features an inbuilt GPS, an accelerometer, and an electric compass. These features enable Polaris to get its latitude, longitude, and orientation data. With the data provided, the processor inside Polaris then calculates the rotation of the polar axis. You don’t have to carry out polar axis calibration due to this feature.

Polaris also features a high precision hall angular sensor as well as a reduction gearbox structure, which can reach an extreme control precision of up to 0.01˚which is equal to the amount the earth rotates in 2.5 seconds. This enables you to capture the stars with a longer exposure, and can get the same result as you would get with a 2.5-second exposure. This helps reduce the image being blurry due to the earth’s rotation and the magnification effect of the camera lens. Your shots will be clear, sharp, and leave out the blurry star trails. When shooting landscape photos of sunrise or sunset, you encounter the problem of choosing the most suitable shooting location and angle for the best shot. However, In conjunction with the mobile app, Polaris can simulate the sun’s movement, and you can compose the picture before the sun has risen or is close to being set. The composition is simulated by making use of the mobile phone’s accelerometer, camera, and AI. All you have to do is select where you want the Sun framed above the horizon and send it to Polaris. Polaris will take photos at the exact time the sun hits the selected angle.

Polaris utilizes your camera’s autofocus features to eliminate blurry photos. The smart controller takes a set of photos with different focal points, and using the AI can synthesize these into photos without blur. Polaris also reviews each photo after exposure is complete, and can adjust the camera parameters if needed. Polaris can also carry out time-lapse photography. It uses the smartphone app to make setting up the interval between shots, duration, and exposure easy. Polaris also enables automatic panoramic shooting which can be realized and reviewed in near real-time. Polaris also supports automatic multi-line panoramic photo shooting, so you can choose the number of rows and columns of the photo.

Polaris offers an easy-to-use graphic interface with adjustable controls. The interface enables you to add custom control nodes. Each of the control nodes can individually configure the parameters of the camera, the time interval between each shot, and the precise angle of the camera, or the rotation speed of the head. Polaris has two versions. One version features integrated Wi-Fi remote control. The other adds cellular capabilities to extend your control distance to any place within network coverage. So with Polaris, you don’t need to be near the camera all the time. Polaris’s wireless connection and app, enable you to transfer files right to your phone for preview and inspection without a card reader and computer. You can also process and send the shots to any social media platform. Polaris is very durable, it is mainly made of aluminum alloy and stainless steel. It is also rated to IPX6 water-resistant performance, enabling the head to work even in torrential downpours.

Polaris will ship with:

  • The type of lens: Dummy Battery;  Capacity: 20000mAh
  • Two USB Type-C ports are used to power Polaris or other devices.
  • Two DC ports can power the camera through the camera power supply adapter.
  • A 1/4 screw port allows it to be easily fixed on a tripod and other equipment.

Pricing starts from $599- $999. The project will only be funded if it reaches its goal by Mon, March 15 2021 2:58 PM CET. More information can be found on the project page on Kickstarter.

Pier 42 Arduino video display shield with 4x composite video outputs and integrated framebuffers

Posted on by Emmanuel Odunlade

Wolfgang Friedrich has launched an Arduino video display shield that offers up to 4x impressive composite video display outputs and integrated frame-buffers — a video display add-on for Arduino Uno and Feather form-factor microcontroller boards.

“This Arduino 4x Video Display Shield provides up to 4 analog composite video display outputs with integrated frame buffer memory accessible through SPI.” says the electronics engineer. “The four video outputs are accessible through 1 RCA connector and 1 VGA DB15-HD connector that uses the red, green and blue channels for the composite signal.”

The 4x Video Display Shield is built around the VLSI VS23S040 chip, one that has up to 4x 1Mbit frame-buffer unused memories and is able to output composite video with resolutions from 320×200 in 65536 colors to 720×576 in 4 colors. The board also features a SOIC-8 footprint for an I2C EEPROM as well as a 16Mbit SPI flash memory pre-loaded with a 94-character bitmap (ASCII code 33-126), a bouncing ball demo, and a static image.

“There is an NTSC version with a 3.579545MHz crystal or a PAL version with 4.43618MHz crystal available. Currently 2 resolutions are implemented: NTSC 320×200 with 256 colors and PAL 300×240 with 256 colors.” Friedrich adds.

Features and Specifications include:

  • 4x analog composite video display outputs
  • Board IO voltage: 1.65V – 5.5V
  • Operating supply voltage: 4.5V to 20V
  • Max Resolution: 720×576 in 4 colours
  • Implemented Resolutions: NTSC 320×200 with 256 colours and PAL 300×240 with 256 colours
  • Crystal: NTSC 3.579545MHz or PAL 4.43618MHz
  • SPI communication interface @up to 38MHz
  • 4x 1Mbit Video Frame Buffer
  • 16Mbit SPI Flash that provides storage for display content.
  • Up to 2Mbit (optional, not populated) EEPROM
  • IO connectors Arduino Uno and Adafruit Feather compatible
  • Dimensions: 85 mm x 53 mm (3.3″ x 2.1″)

The board is designed as an Arduino shield compatible with microcontrollers which share the same form factor and pinout.

“The board uses the Arduino IOREF voltage to translate between 3.3V on the shield side and the respective IO voltage on the Arduino side. So this shield works together with UNO, MEGA, DUE, and also with any 3.3V system that uses the Arduino form factor and pinout, without modifications. In addition, an Adafruit Feather compatible pin header can be populated to tap into the 2nd universe of development boards.”

If you are interested in the 4x Video display shield, you can purchase one on Tindie for $35 (single-output version) or $39 (full four-output version), with an additional $3 for feather wing headers.

You’ll get further details on the board including source codes, documentation, design files, and datasheet on GitHub or the project’s hackaday.io page:

Synaptics Launches Next-Generation VideoSmart VS640 SoC With CAS Security Support

Posted on by Abhishek Jadhav

VS640

Back in 2020, Synaptics’ released their award-winning high-performance multimedia system on a chip solution – VideoSmart VS680, designed for smart displays, video soundbars, voice-enabled devices, and computer vision IoT products. Continuing with the same architecture, the team has launched its latest edge computing SoC – VideoSmart VS640 with an integrated CPU, GPU, audio DSP, and a neural processing unit.

This low-power, high-performance SoC comes with a quad-core multimedia processor along with a dedicated dual-core audio DSP. The manufacturer has provided the chip with several capabilities like far-field voice processing and custom wake words.

“Based on our proven AI-enabled platform, this new offering expands the types of applications and systems that can benefit from our highly integrated SoC solutions for video processing”

said Venkat Kodavati, senior vice president and general manager, Multimedia Division at Synaptics.

Cost-efficient VS640 SoC shares the same SDK reducing time-to-market for developers. As the solution targets set-top boxes and streaming OTT devices, Synaptics has provided AV1 video decode format for YouTube and Netflix content. For better implementation, the SoC also supports several operating system frameworks like Android TV, RDK, Linux, and AOSP.

“Our flexible architecture allows product developers to combine the performance, power, and security features they need to differentiate in competitive edge-based computing markets,” Synaptics explains. “In addition to the VS640, we have now infused AI across nearly our entire portfolio of video, vision, voice, audio, biometrics, touch, display, and security solutions.”

Additionally, the SoC supports SyNAP (Synaptics neural network acceleration and processing) toolkit that builds on the builds AI frameworks like TensorFlow, TensorFlow Lite, and ONNX.

“As part of the SyNAP framework, Synaptics’ SyKURE™ technology protects the privacy of users while exceeding the required levels of security for content providers,” says the company.

As part of the SyNAP, the SyKURE framework supports conditional access system (CAS) security to prevent reception that is not authorized.

As of writing, there is no information about the pricing or availability of the chip. We do not see any product page from the manufacturer as well.

NTM88: NTM88 Highly Integrated Tire Pressure Sensor

Posted on by mixos

NXP Semiconductors NTM88 Pressure Sensor is a complete, fully-integrated Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor (TPMS) solution in a single, compact package. The NTM88 TPMS solution integrates an 8-bit microcontroller (MCU), a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, and an RF transmitter. The device features low transmit-power consumption, a large customer memory size, and a choice of either dual- or single-axis accelerometer architecture.

The NXP Semiconductors NTM88 Pressure Sensor is available in a compact 4.0mm x 4.0mm HQFN24 package with dimple wettable flanks, enabling visible solder joint inspection.

Features

  • 100kPa to 900kPa pressure range options
  • Field-proven accelerometer architecture offers motion detection and tire localization capabilities
  • Single-axis or dual-axis options
  • Low-power wakeup timer, free-running counter, and periodic reset are driven by LFO
  • 180nA power consumption typical (stand-by at 3.0V, 25℃)
  • Dedicated state machines for reduced power consumption
  • 8-bit MCU/S08 core with SIM, interrupt, and debug/monitor
  • 512Bytes RAM / 16k Flash (1k for NXP coefficients, 15k for user applications and NXP firmware libraries)
  • Internal 315MHz to 434MHz RF transmitter
  • Internal 125kHz LF receiver
  • Six multipurpose GPIO pins (including two A/D inputs)
  • 4.0mm x 4.0mm x 1.98mm HQFN24 package with dimple wettable flanks

more information: https://www.nxp.com/products/sensors/pressure-sensors/tire-pressure-monitoring-sensors/ntm88-highly-integrated-tire-pressure-sensor:NTM88

Ultra-High Energy Storage 6 V Supercapacitors – PTV Series

Posted on by mixos

Eaton’s PTV supercapacitors are an excellent source of backup, pulse, and hybrid power in industrial applications

Eaton – Electronics Division’s PTV supercapacitors provide ultra-high capacitance and high-density power with ultra-low ESR for a host of industrial applications. Comprising two TV family cells with passive voltage management, they reduce cell count and simplify designs. These supercapacitors are an excellent source of backup, pulse, and hybrid power in industrial applications. These supercapacitors support hundreds of thousands of charge and discharge cycles with operating lifetimes of up to 20 years. The cells are maintenance-free with zero thermal runaway risk. Each EDLC cell offers 6.0 V (5.0 V at +85°C) of working voltage with operating temperatures from -40°C to +85°C, meeting the higher voltage and temperature requirements of industrial applications. PTV supercapacitors can be utilized as standalone energy storage systems or combined with secondary batteries to optimize the lifetime, runtime, and cost.

Features

  • Ultra-high capacitance
  • Excellent temperature withstand capability (-40°C to +85°C)
  • Higher working voltage 6 V (5.0 V at +85°C) and high current-handling capacity
  • Passive cell voltage management
  • Ultra-low ESR for high power density
  • Low profile design for space-saving

more information: https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/catalog/electronic-components/ptv-supercapacitor.html

Hybrid LIC Supercapacitors Deliver up to 220 Farads at 3.8 Volts

Posted on by mixos

Cornell Dubilier’s VMF/VPF hybrid supercapacitors offer greater energy density, low self-discharge rate, and ultra-fast charging. Applications include solar/wind energy storage, energy harvesting, pulse power, UPS systems, and smart electric meters. The VMF series optimizes lifetime, runtime, and cost and has a low self-discharge current and high energy density. These appeal to various market segments, including metering, back-up power, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and small electric vehicles.

Specifications

  • Temperature range: -25°C to +85°C
  • Rated voltage: 2.5 V to 3.8 V
  • Surge voltage: 4.2 V
  • Capacitance: 10 F to 220 F
  • Capacitance tolerance: ±20%
  • Life cycles: 500,000
  • RoHS compliant and PET sleeve
  • Combines the long life (calendar and cycle life) characteristics of the EDLC with the high energy density of the Li-Ion battery
  • Safety: low self-discharge, no thermal runaway, open failure with use of safety vent
  • Instant charging and on-demand discharge
  • No shipping restrictions

more information: https://www.cde.com/new-product/vmf-vpf

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