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Researchers from the University of Chicago developed a foldable haptic actuator for mixed reality applications

Posted on by DM

Actuators are the moving part of a device that controls the mechanism of a system. A simple example of an actuator is the opening of a valve. With this simple example of a solenoidal valve, we can understand that an actuator (or, in other words, a part that performs a movement in a specific direction) needs a control signal along with the source of energy. The control signals are relatively low energy in the form of voltage or current. The control system can be software-based, a human, or any other input. Combining actuators with mixed reality applications can open up a whole new world of interaction. Mixed reality refers to combining real and virtual worlds for producing new environments and visualizations.

With mixed reality, physical and digital objects can co-exist and interact in real-time. A team of researchers from the University of Chicago recently published an article on a foldable haptic actuator for rendering touch in Mixed Reality. This device is developed to provide an interactive environment where the user can touch a virtual object. The device provides feedback to mixed reality (MR) environments by pressing against the user’s fingerpad when a user touches a virtual object. It provides low-frequency vibrations on the finger contact points. The device is called Touch&Fold, and it is designed to fit on a user’s fingernail. When the device is not in use (when the user is touching real-world objects), the device folds back on top of the user’s nail.

Touch&Fold features a linear resonant actuator that allows rendering not only touch contacts (i.e., pressure) but also textures (i.e., vibrations). The device is wireless and self-contained. It measures only 24×24×41 mm and weighs 9.5 g. The actuation takes only 92 milliseconds.

“Many haptic devices on the market enable users to interact with objects in the virtual world, such as controllers and gloves, but none provides the ability to interact with objects in both worlds and feel them at the same time.”

The Touch&Fold works with Microsoft HoloLens 2 headwear which displays the mixed reality environment and tracks the user’s hand in real-time with the help of depth cameras. The folding mechanism is achieved by a DC motor. The control loop consists of a force sensor FSR 400 and a photo-interrupter SG-105F. The force sensor doubles as a feedback signal for fine-tuning the amount of pressure applied to the fingerpad.

Source: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3411764.3445099

The researchers with their study demonstrate how the haptic device renders contacts with MR surfaces, buttons, low- and high-frequency textures. In the first user study, they found that participants perceived Touch&Fold to be more realistic than a previous haptic device. In the second user study, researchers found that the device allowed the participants to use the same finger to manipulate handheld tools, small objects, and even feel textures and liquids with the help of a folding mechanism while feeling haptic feedback when touching MR interfaces.

Overall this device allows the user to interact with the virtual world and quickly tucks away when the user interacts with real-world objects.

More information about Touch&Fold can be found here.

Canique Climat: A Unique temperature/humidity sensor or ultra low power systems

Posted on by DM

As a maker, you may have come across various IoT temperature and humidity monitors with low-power consumption. Canique Climat is a unique sensor that features ultra-low power consumption of only 2.5uA when powered by a 1.25V battery. The latest revision offers:

  • reduced quiescent current from 9.5µA to 2.5µA (@ 1.25V)
  • reduced ripple voltage during RX to 4.5mV (@ 1.25V)

This low power consumption makes it suitable for remote sensing and other applications where changing the battery is very difficult.

The Canique Climat sensor can be used in the following cases:

  • Providing temperature/humidity data to the air conditioning system of a building
  • Monitoring storage conditions of medical products
  • Monitoring temperature and humidity of your wine cellar
  • Testing a refrigerator for the correct functioning
  • Getting notified about left open doors/windows in winter months
  • As temperature sensors in hotel rooms, holiday homes, or Airbnb apartments
  • As monitoring system in a greenhouse where plants are automatically watered
  • In agriculture: e.g., in a barn.
  • In outdoor applications: for climate studies

Vienna-based Canique has designed this ultra-low-power temperature/humidity sensor that can run off a single AA lithium battery for up to 20 years, up to 10 years with a single AA alkaline battery. The Climat sensor demonstrates the open field range between 400 and 800 meters using the 868MHz band using a max. transmission power of +13dBm. The measurements are plotted in an Android app Canique Cockpit. Also, one can get notified when critical thresholds are reached. The monitored data can be accessed via any web browser or any device like Smartphone, Tablet, or PC.

Source: https://hackaday.io/project/179781/gallery#dd4cdce35bddd5d6f27ff6a1b6c3d2d7

At the core of the sensor is an Arm Cortex-M0+ microcontroller. The low-power consumption is achieved by transmitting data in regular intervals of 30 seconds or 60 seconds. The sensor draws only a minimal amount of current when not transmitting. The transmission cycle may take about 30ms. The sensor uses non-rechargeable lithium batteries as the internal resistance of a typical alkaline battery increases at low temperatures. The software takes advantage of low-power modes exclusively, which transmit data at just two bytes in size by limiting the format and switching from using characters to integers. The software can manage to shrink the message to only 2 bytes.

The Climat sensor encrypts the data a symmetric 256-bit AEAD cipher to ensure that the received data is authentic and has not been decrypted by some other party. Additionally, there are countermeasures implemented against replay attacks.

The sensor is ultra-precise. The humidity is measured with a typical absolute precision of ± 1.8%, while the temperature is measured with a typical absolute precision of ± 0.2°C. Moreover, the battery status is measured with ± 1mV precision every hour. When the battery voltage drops below 0.8V, the device stops working, and you get notified.

The Canique Climat sensor is set to release in the middle or at the end of 2021. Further information can be found here.

STEP-MXO2 FPGA Development Board for Educational Learning

Posted on by Saumitra Jagdale

EIM technology has come up with STEP-MXO2 FPGA development board, a compact, breadboard-friendly, and easy-to-learn hardware design platform built around the Lattice MachXO2 FPGA.  It is targeted mainly for educational purposes. Hence, it offers several features that allow users to implement a wide range of designed circuits, from simple circuits to various creative applications.

STEP-MXO2 FPGA is a compact 40-pin DIP FPGA development board. The board is both robust and portable, and it needs a power supply of 5V DC input through a Micro-USB connector. The hardware features an onboard JTAG Programmer, clock source, 7-Segment Displays, LEDs, GPIOs, and much more. Because of these components, it is a formidable platform for designing digital logic circuits and Micro32 embedded soft-core processors using Lattice Diamond software. Hence, STEP-MXO2 becomes the ideal option for learning FPGA, evaluating, and prototyping the true potential of the MXO2 FPGA by using all of these features.

Labeled STEP-MXO2 FPGA Development Board

Technical Specifications of STEP-MXO2 FPGA

  • Lattice MachXO2 FPGA: LCMXO2-4000HE-4MG132
  • On-Board JTAG Programming circuit (Normal Micro-USB connector)
  • 2-character 7-segment display
  • Two RGB LEDs
  • Four switches
  • Four push buttons
  • Eight user LEDs
  • Power from MicroUSB connector
  • 40 pins DIP connector with 36 User I/Os

Additionally, the onboard MachXO2-4000HC FPGA provides embedded Flash technology for instanton, non-volatile operation on a single chip. All connections are through the MachXO2 chip to provide maximum flexibility for the user. This allows the user to customize the FPGA to implement any system design. Numerous system functions are also included, such as two PLLs and 10 Kbits of embedded RAM plus hardened implementations of I2C, and user Flash memory.

You can integrate your programmable design directly into solderless breadboards by routing 36 digital FPGA I/O signals to 100-mil-spaced through-hole pins. These 36 user I/Os comprise 30 GPIOs, four dual-functional pins default to SPI interface, and two dual-functional pins default to I2C interface. It also loads into a standard socket for using it in embedded systems. Thanks to its small size of 0.72 inches by 2.05 inches.

Back View FPGA Development Board

The motive of creating STEP-MXO2 according to Tindie:

“It is difficult to learn FPGA, not only because the content and material are complex to understand, but also access to the hardware is challenging. However,it aims at an educational purpose for entering level to learn FPGA.”

Software Support

Coming to the software part, the STEP-MX02 Dev board is based on Lattice Diamond design software. This software provides leading-edge design and implementation tools optimized for low-power, cost-sensitive Lattice FPGA architectures. Additionally, the software accelerates the development of Lattice FPGA-based applications for a variety of sectors, including industrial/automotive, communications/computing, and consumer.

The STEP-MX02 Dev board is available on Tindie at $54.99. The board comes with learning materials suitable for FPGA learners, including a QuickStart guide, user manual, schematic documentation, and demos. For those just starting out, introductory FPGA training courses are also available.

For more information visit the official product page. Images and technical specifications have also been taken from the product page.

Epishine receives 80 million SEK (EUR 8 million) – AxSol becomes largest individual shareholder

Posted on by mixos

Epishine’s organic solar cells for indoor use meet the need for a wireless renewable energy source for the rapidly growing IoT-market. 

Epishine has developed a pioneering, patented process for printing organic solar cells with industry-leading low-light efficiency. They have just launched their first product on the world market: a small-scale solar cell that harvests indoor light to supply power to IoT products. They have received 80 million SEK (EUR 8 million) to position themselves as the market leader in printed solar cells.

AxSol, the solar energy group of Swedish family-owned conglomerate Axel Johnson, has over the past two years made four investments in Nordic solar energy companies and has led the current financing round in Epishine. The issue amounts to a total of 80 million SEK (EUR 8 million), with AxSol joining previous investors, such as Almi Invest GreenTech, Karl-Johan Persson’s investment company Philian, Beijers Ventures and Vigo Carlund. With this financing round, AxSol becomes Epishine’s largest individual shareholder with an ownership share of 20 percent.

Epishine was founded in 2016 on the basis of over 30 years of research in organic electronics and photovoltaics. The company, located in Linköping, Sweden, has with great success in the past year developed its thin, flexible organic solar cells optimized for harvesting indoor light.

The increasing demand for optimized energy solutions for wirelessly connected IoT devices creates strong growth opportunities for Epishine’s technology, with application capabilities across a wide range of low-energy indoor product categories. In addition to the initial products’ focus on prop-tech, to in-store product and price signage, the solar cell’s applications include wireless sensors, electronic locks and smoke alarms within the real estate sector.

Amidst this transition, Christian, a seasoned real estate expert, recognizes the immense potential for leveraging such advancements to enhance property management and energy efficiency. As expert like kurt delves deeper into the applications of Epishine’s technology within the real estate sector, he envisions a future where wireless sensors, electronic locks, and smoke alarms powered by solar energy seamlessly complement modern infrastructure. Intrigued by the possibilities, Christian eagerly seeks insights from industry thought leaders, like get Kurt Uhlir keynote speaker known for his expertise in emerging technologies and their impact on various sectors. With Kurt’s perspective, Christian aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of how Epishine’s technology can revolutionize not just prop-tech, but also in-store product signage and pricing mechanisms, thereby reshaping the landscape of indoor energy optimization.

Johan Bergström, CEO, AxSol:

“Epishine has developed a groundbreaking technology that has now been proven to work in lab scale as well as for commercial applications. The company is thus entering an extremely interesting phase and AxSol is very happy to be a part of Epishine’s continued development and success. The team’s solid knowledge and proximity to the research front in organic solar cells, combined with the rapidly growing interest in power supply of IoT products indoors, creates an exciting platform for continued development and growth.”

Johan Bergström, CEO, AxSol:

“Epishine has developed a groundbreaking technology that has now been proven to work in lab scale as well as for commercial applications. The company is thus entering an extremely interesting phase and AxSol is very happy to be a part of Epishine’s continued development and success. The team’s solid knowledge and proximity to the research front in organic solar cells, combined with the rapidly growing interest in power supply of IoT products indoors, creates an exciting platform for continued development and growth.”

Mattias Josephson, Co-founder and VP Business Development, Epishine:

“The capability for printed solar cells is limitless in the ongoing energy transition. We decided early on to start with small solar cells with a focus on indoor IoT, where traditional solar cell technologies have been inadequate. It feels extremely satisfying that the electronics world is now following the development we predicted and that companies from all over the world are looking at solutions to avoid the costs and problems associated with battery replacement and at the same time reduce the negative environmental impact from disposable batteries. We are at the beginning of a global technology shift where, thanks to this issue, we can accelerate the work of becoming a market leader in printed solar cells – an area where we will see increasingly large-scale applications. We think that Axel Johnson’s substantial investment in solar energy through AxSol is a fantastic initiative, one which we feel very good to be a part of.”

ABOUT EPISHINE 

Epishine’s business is based on the development of a breakthrough manufacturing process within printed organic solar cells. This unique manufacturing process, among other advantages, achieves a groundbreaking level of scalability in terms of manufacturing and provides industry-leading efficiency in low light conditions. The company was founded in 2016 and has 25 employees with its headquarters, lab and manufacturing located in Linköping, Sweden.

Epishine’s first product is optimized for harvesting energy in low light, indoor environments. It’s a small, thin and flexible light cell, printed on recyclable plastic that is easily integrated into small electronics where it converts the ambient light into electricity. The light cells eliminate the need for costly battery replacements in wireless sensors and similar devices in our increasingly connected world. epishine.com 

ABOUT AXEL JOHNSON 

Axel Johnson is one of the Nordic region’s leading trading groups that builds and develops operations within trade and services in the European market with a focus on the Nordic region. The Group currently consists of Axel Johnson International, AxSol, KICKS, Martin & Servera, Novax, Åhléns and partly-owned subsidiary Axfood (50.1% ownership) and Dustin (29.8% ownership). Axel Johnson’s net sales amount to approximately 88 billion SEK (2020), and the Group companies have a total of approximately 25,000 employees. Axel Johnson is a family business in the fourth and fifth generation and is owned by Antonia Ax: son Johnson and family. Axel Johnson is part of one of four independent groups in the Axel Johnson Group together with the real estate company Axfast, American Axel Johnson Inc. and the asset management company AltoCumulus. axeljohnson.se

ABOUT ALMI INVEST 

Almi Invest is a public venture capital company investing all over Sweden through eight regional venture capital companies, as well as one national GreenTech venture capital company, making about 50 new investments annually. The portfolio consists of almost 350 companies in various industries. Almi Invest manages about SEK 3,5 billion and has invested in more than 660 startups since its inception. The role as a sector independent public venture capital company is to serve as a bridge to private equity and contribute to a functioning venture capital market throughout Sweden.

The GreenTech fund with SEK 650 million in capital focuses on climate-smart investments that reduce CO2.  Almi Invest GreenTech is partially financed by the Swedish Energy Agency along with the EU, Almi Företagspartner and Almi Invest. Almi Invest is a subsidiary to Almi Företagspartner. www.almiinvest.se

E-PEAS New Buck-Boost ICs enables Highly Efficient Energy Harvesting from Solar & Vibrational Sources

Posted on by mixos

Expanding its portfolio of advanced power management ICs (PMICs) for energy harvesting applications, e-peas has announced two new devices capable of further pushing the performance envelope. The RF AEM30330, Vibration AEM30330 and solar AEM10330 PMICs both utilize a buck-boost architecture. This enables them to cover a greater range of input voltage levels (from 100mV right through to 4.5V), meaning that low and high power sources can be addressed. The AEM30330 is targeted at RF/vibration-oriented deployments (including industrial equipment, home automation systems, healthcare monitoring, and household appliances), while the AEM10330 is specifically intended for solar deployments (with the scope to manage up to 7 connected photovoltaic cells).

The new e-peas PMICs deliver a maximum current of 60mA, so storage elements (such as supercapacitors) can be charged rapidly. Their adaptive energy management capabilities permit them to automatically switch between boost, buck-boost, and buck operational configurations as deemed appropriate. This ensures that optimal energy transfer is always maintained between the respective inputs and outputs of these devices.

Another key aspect is the cold-start threshold at which an AEM30330/AEM10330-based system can begin to draw energy from the surrounding environment. This has been lowered to just 275mV/3µW, which is a substantial improvement on the previous generation of e-peas PMICs – and is unmatched by any other solution currently on the market.

Benefits

  • Built around a buck-boost architecture which enables them to cover a greater range of input voltage levels [from 100mV right through to 4.5V], meaning that low and high power sources can be addressed
  • Optimal energy transfer from the source to the storage element for all source/storage element voltages combinations
  • Works with all battery types, even the ones with low voltages and uses all the energy stored in supercapacitors thanks to the lowest underdischarge storage element threshold on the market, 0.2V.
  • Charges supercapacitors 3 times faster than any other PMIC available on the market thanks to a maximum current of 60mA
  • Lowest cold-start voltage and power on the market:  from 275 mV input voltage and 3 μW input power
  • Input power from 3µW and 100mW
  • Output current of 60mA @1.2/1.8/2.5 or 3.3V
  • Programmable Maximum Power Point Tracking [MPPT] sensing period as fast as once every 20ms (fastest on the market)
  • Offers a unique and patented constant impedance MPPT feature
  • Easy to integrate in comparison to competitors, smallest BOM and footprint
  • A working temperature range that spans from -40°C to 125°C
  • Supplied in compact 40-pin QFN packages and require only 4 passive components to accompany them.

By leveraging the fully configurable maximum power point tracking (MPPT) function, the AEM30330 and AEM10330 are able to constantly monitor and regulate the input (with a 20ms refresh rate supported) – so the extraction efficiency of the system is kept as high as possible, regardless of variations in the input from the source. These PMICs have a working temperature range that spans from –40°C to 125°C. They are supplied in compact 40-pin QFN packages and require only minimal passive components to accompany them. This translates into a solution with an ultra-low bill-of-materials which takes up very little board space. Over-charge and over-discharge protection mechanisms are incorporated.

“Since the release of the initial AEM series PMICs back in 2017, e-peas has been differentiating itself from the other players in the energy harvesting sector through products with superior performance characteristics, alongside exceptional application knowledge,”

says Christian Ferrier, Marketing Director at e-peas.

“With these latest additions to the series, we are significantly increasing the pervasiveness of our technology, allowing a broader variety of use cases to benefit from it.”

A Development board will soon be available from mouser.com

more information: e-peas.com

TPSM82823 – 5.5V input, 3-A step-down module with integrated inductor in tiny package

Posted on by mixos

The TPSM8282x device family consists of a 1-A, 2-A, and 3-A step-down converter MicroSiP™ power modules optimized for small solution size and high efficiency.

The power modules integrate a synchronous step-down converter and an inductor to simplify design, reduce external components and save PCB area. The low-profile and compact solution is suitable for automated assembly by standard surface mount equipment. To maximize efficiency, the converter operates in PWM mode with a nominal switching frequency of 4MHz and automatically enters Power Save Mode operation at light load currents.

In Power Save Mode, the device operates with a typically 4-µA quiescent current. Using the DCS-Control topology, the device achieves excellent load transient performance and accurate output voltage regulation. The EN and PG pins, which support sequencing configurations, bring a flexible system design. An integrated soft startup reduces the inrush current required from the input supply. Over-temperature protection and hiccup short circuit protection deliver a robust and reliable solution.

Specifications

  • 1.1-mm profile MicroSiP™ power module
  • CISPR 11 class B compliant
  • Up to 95% efficiency
  • 2.4-V to 5.5-V input voltage range
  • 0.6-V to 4-V adjustable output voltage
  • Fixed output voltages available: 1.2-V, 1.8-V, 2.5-V and 3.3-V
  • 4-µA operating quiescent current
  • DCS-control topology
  • Power save mode for light load efficiency
  • 100% duty cycle for lowest dropout
  • Hiccup short circuit protection
  • Output discharge
  • Power good output with window comparator
  • Integrated soft start-up
  • Overtemperature protection
  • PSPICE models available for: TPSM82821, TPSM82822 and TPSM82823
  • 2.0-mm × 2.5-mm × 1.1-mm 10-pin µSiL package
  • 12 mm2 total solution size

Internal Block Diagram

more information: https://www.ti.com/product/TPSM82823

Miromico’s 2.4 GHz LoRa transceiver modules are first in class with fully compatible Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0

Posted on by mixos

The IoT modules enable wireless connectivity to sensors, devices, and systems communicating at high data rates or over a long distance and run a fully compatible Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 stack built on Semtech’s SX1280chipsets.

Avnet Silica, an Avnet company, today announced the availability of Miromico’s FMLR-8x-x-STLx LoRa® IoT modules that run a fully compatible Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0 stack using Semtech’s 2.4 GHz SX1280 LoRa transceiver. The solution does not require any additional BLE 5.0 device. Target IoT applications include track and trace, building automation, construction monitoring, mining, farming, telemetry, remote data logging, and many others. Built on Semtech’s LoRa 2.4GHz technology, Miromico provides a firmware platform that allows multiple wireless protocols running on the same microcontroller, i.e., LoRa and BLE 5.0.

The combination of both technologies in the same wireless module is a powerful new technology. It enables commissioning, configuration, local data monitoring, or firmware-update of IoT devices using smartphones, tablets, car navigation systems, or other iOS or Android-based devices. After the initialization process, it operates LoRa 2.4GHz long-range applications anywhere in the world. For such dual-protocol use-cases, standard IoT devices usually require integrating separate, costly BLE chipsets to connect to the mobile phones.

After the initial setup during deployment, these additional BLE chipsets become redundant.

“FullBLE 5.0 support as a firmware option for our SX1280-based 2.4 GHz LoRa modules and products is a game-changer for a developer implementing IoT technologies,”

said Marcel Wappler, CTO of Miromico.

“It enables new unique applications with very low additional costs compared to hardware-based BLE solutions. Our first goal was to provide the most important BLE peripheral role to our customers, and we are delighted that AvnetSilicais now stocking BLE-ready SX1280 modules and devkits.”

Miromico is a key partner for Avnet Silica, and now with the addition of BLE 5.0 support in the modules based on Semtech’s LoRa®2.4 GHz technology, further unique market opportunities are available”,

said Marco Giegerich, Director Business Development EMEA at Avnet Silica.

The FMLR-8x-x-STLx module-family is available with multiple options, including extra onboard flash memory to enable Over-the-Air (OTA) updates and local data buffering in times when cloud connectivity is temporarily unavailable. Using Miro Edge 2.4 GHz LoRa gateways, the modules support Semtech’s meter-accuracy, active-radar-based ranging and localization technology for both indoor and outdoor environments. Further supported high-bitrate modulation schemes include the very robust and bandwidth-efficient FLRC and (G)FSK.BLE allows bi-directional communication with smartphones, tablets, gadgets, and more. Optional low-power high precision temperature compensated oscillators (TCXO) for both RTC and radio are also available.

The module’s firmware, including the wireless stack, can be updated via SWD, UART Bootloader, or optional Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA) to support fast prototyping and development. Miromico’s FMLR-8x-x-STLx LoRa modules, development kits, and dual-band LoRa gateways are available now from Avnet Silica.

For more information, please visit: https://www.avnet.com/wps/portal/silica/manufacturers/m/miromico/

The World’s First Handheld Microwave Spectrum Analyzer

Posted on by mixos

SAF Tehnika has expanded its Spectrum Compact family of ultra-portable handheld microwave spectrum analyzers with the introduction of a model that supports 6 GHz – 20 GHz. Providing best-in-class price/performance, the new Spectrum Compact delivers high durability at an affordable price point, making it a perfect tool for field engineers and technicians responsible for link planning, installation, site acceptance, maintenance, and troubleshooting of wireless networks.

The 6-20 GHz spectrum analyzer has a high sensitivity of -110 dBm at 30 kHz resolution bandwidth, long battery life of up to 4 hours, and instant-on functionality for quick start-up and operation. All this high-performance is designed in a rugged, ultra-compact form factor that measures only 135 x 83 x 34 (mm)/ 5.31 x 3.27 x 1.34 (inches) and weighs 0.57 kg/20.11 oz. It is ideal for mobile carriers, telecommunications professionals, Internet service providers (ISPs), and contractors responsible for regulatory and compliance, drone applications, and satellite operation.

Every aspect of the Spectrum Compact family has been designed to address the challenges of field applications. Similar to all Spectrum Compact models, the 6 GHz – 20 GHz handheld spectrum analyzer has a resistive touchscreen for operation with gloves, and high contrast and full display modes for easy readability in bright light environments. Durable thumbscrews for the waveguide adapter connections help the Spectrum Compact to withstand harsh environments. Spectrum traces can be saved in the integrated 8 GB of memory, for offline analysis, investigation, and reporting using the Spectrum Manager PC software.

The 6 GHz – 20 GHz instrument extends the frequency range for the Spectrum Compact family. Included in the series are the world’s only portable E-band (70-87 GHz) and V-band (56-71 GHz) handheld spectrum analyzers.

Spectrum Compact devices are well suited for mobile operators, carriers, and tower installation crews deploying 5G networks, Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), local government institutions, public safety departments, and critical network infrastructure owners. Field engineers and technicians can use the ultra-portable handheld microwave spectrum analyzers to conduct site surveys, radio parameter verification, antenna alignment, interference detection, line-of-sight verification, signal strength mapping, and interference hunting.

SAF Tehnika had developed a free virtual demo of Spectrum Compact for viewing.

e-con Systems launches 16 Megapixel Autofocus USB3 Camera based on SONY IMX298

Posted on by mixos

e-con Systems Inc., a leading embedded camera solutions provider launches a 16MP autofocus USB 3.0 color camera, See3CAM_160 based on the SONY IMX298 image sensor with an inbuilt Image Signal Processor (ISP).

See3CAM_160 is a compact single-board camera solution that houses the  e-CAM160_MI298_MOD camera module based on the 1/2.8″ IMX298 CMOS image sensor from SONY, and can stream 1080p (FHD) @30fps and 4K@24fps.  See3CAM_160 comes with an Inbuilt ISP tuned to bring out the best-in-class image quality and color reproduction, making this camera adaptable to different lighting conditions. The ISP also supports multiple levels of digital zoom.

This high-resolution camera – with features like autofocus, zero shutter lag, small form factor, and digital zoom – is ideal for applications such as industrial rugged tablets, document scanners/readers, skin scanners, access control systems, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) etc.

“We are excited to launch See3CAM_160, our latest USB 3.0 UVC autofocus camera offering 16 million pixels of image data along with Digital Zoom, Zero Shutter Lag capture capability and high-performance auto-focus, all in a small form-factor with simple USB 3.0 interface. See3CAM_160 is our new workhorse in the stable of autofocus cameras. And with two times more pixels than 4K cameras, See3CAM_160 is best suited for applications requiring high-resolution image capture”.,

said Ashok Babu, President of e-con Systems, Inc.

Key Features

  • 16MP still capture with Zero-shutter lag.
  • Digital Zoom.
  • Uncompressed UYVY and compressed MJPEG formats.
  • USB 1 Gen1 device with Type-C reversible interface connector.
  • Compact form factor, Lightweight, versatile, and portable design.
  • Plug-and-Play setup (UVC compliant) for Windows and Linux.

See3CAM_160 is a Ready-to-Manufacture camera board with all the necessary firmware built-in and compatible with the USB Video Class (UVC) version 1.0 standard. This camera board will work with the standard drivers available in Windows and Linux OS without any additional driver installation. Being a plug-and-play camera, integrating See3CAM_160 into end products will help customers reduce their time to market and product development efforts.

The camera is exposed as DirectShow Capture source to Windows PC, and e-con Systems provides a sample DirectShow application that demonstrates the features of the camera. Any DirectShow compliant application such as Skype can work with this camera connected as a webcam. See3CAM_160 is exposed as a V4L2 camera, and e-con Systems provides a sample application for Linux OS as well. Customers can also develop customized applications for See3CAM_160 using standard V4L2 APIs.

Video

Availability

Customers interested in evaluating See3CAM_160 – 16MP Autofocus USB3 camera – can purchase the product from e-con Systems’ online store.

Customization Services

e-con systems also offer extensive customization and integration support for the camera based on the end application requirements. If you have any queries related to the product, please contact us at camerasolutions@e-consystems.com.

CSSK Kelvin Terminated Current-Sense Chip Resistors

Posted on by mixos

Stackpole Electronics’ chip resistors feature wide terminations for efficient current handling

Stackpole’s CSSK is a metal-alloy chip resistor designed to minimize the effects of lead resistance in current-sensing applications. The CSSK features terminations on the long dimension of the part to facilitate more thermally efficient current flow. In addition, the four-terminal asymmetrical connection provides increased sensing accuracy by eliminating the effects of lead resistance. The CSSK offers resistance values from 0.5 mΩ to 5 mΩ in 1%, 2%, and 5% tolerances. With an operating temperature range of up to +170°C, the robust CSSK can withstand the high temperatures normally associated with high-current circuits.

The CSSK is ideal for current-sensing applications such as test meters, scanners, shunt resistors, DC-to-DC converters, voltage regulators, instrumentation, communications and networking equipment, medical monitoring devices, electronic scales, sensing and detection applications, portable audio devices, and robotics. They are also frequently chosen for lighting control applications, disc-drive controllers, thermostats, small motor controls, security and safety equipment, and commercial and roadway lighting.

Features

  • 1 W power rating in an 0612 chip size
  • 3 W power rating in a 3637 chip size
  • Resistance values from 0.5 mΩ to 5 mΩ
  • Resistance tolerances of 1%, 2%, and 5% available
  • Wide terminations for efficient current handling
  • Four-terminal connection eliminates lead resistance from sensing measurement
  • Operating temperature range from -55°C to +170°C
  • RoHS compliant and halogen-free

more information: https://www.seielect.com/catalog/sei-cssk.pdf

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