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Toshiba launches new high-resolution micro-stepping motor driver IC with integrated current sensing

Posted on 10 February, 202024 August, 2020 by mixos

Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH has launched an additional device to its line-up of micro-stepping motor driver ICs. The new TC78H670FTG is a dual channel high resolution micro-stepping motor driver IC that is capable of driving motors with a wide range of operating voltages. The new device is intended for a broad variety of consumer applications including 3D printers, cameras, security cameras, portable printers, handheld scanners, pico-projectors and battery powered medical devices.

The IC can drive a micro-stepping motor of up to 128 steps and with a voltage ranging from 2.5 V to 16 V at currents of up to 2 A. The output on-resistance (R_DS(ON)) is only 0.48Ω as the TC78H670FTG uses Toshiba’s latest CDMOS process, thereby reducing voltage loss and heat generation inside the driver. An ultra-low standby current of just 0.1 µA prolongs battery life and the ability to operate with a 1.8 V to 5.0 V interface allows connection to a wide variety of hosts and microcontrollers. As a result, the device is suited for use in USB powered and battery powered applications as well as with standard 9-12V system devices.

Summary of Features

Built-in Dual H Bridges, Capable of controlling 1 bipolar stepping motor
PWM controlled constant-current drive
Power supply operating voltage: 2.5V to 16.0V
Output current ratings: 2.0A (max)
Low on-resistance (High + Low side = 0.48Ω (typ.)) MOSFET output stage
Allows full, half, quarter, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128 step operation
Built-in Sense resistor less current control architecture (Advanced Current Detection System)
Multi error detect functions (Thermal shutdown (TSD), Over current (ISD), motor load open (OPD) and Under voltage lockout (UVLO))
Error detection (TSD/ISD/OPD) flag output function
Built-in VCC regulator for internal circuit
Chopping frequency of a motor can be adjusted by external resistor
Small QFN package with thermal pad (16-pin)
Ultra-low standby current of 0.1mA
Operates motors smoothly and quietly and reduces vibration; improved rotation angle accuracy achieved by micro-stepping control.

Internal Diagram

The micro-stepping control allows motors to be operated smoothly and quietly with reduced vibration and improved rotation angle accuracy. Safety features such as over current detection, thermal shut down and open-load detection are incorporated. The sophisticated motor driver is housed in a compact QFN16 package with a footprint of just 3 mm x 3 mm which, along with the elimination of the two bulky and expensive current sense resistors by incorporating on-chip current detection, contributes to significant cost and space saving in designs.

more information: toshiba.semicon-storage.com

0 to 5V output Analog Hall Sensor for Foot Controller

This project includes an analog Hall Effect sensor and an Op-Amp circuit which can be used as position or angular sensing with the benefits of no contact and wearing, high stability and wide sensing range. Two configurations of the magnet and Hall sensors are analyzed. Trimmer Potentiometer PR2 provided to adjust the offset and PR1 helps to set the system gain. The Op-Amp circuit helps to achieve the desired output bias and range. The sensor provides an approximately linear response, adapt wide magnet types and field range. DRV5053 Sensor is the heart of the project. The DRV5053 device is a chopper-stabilized Hall IC that offers a magnetic sensing solution with superior sensitivity stability over temperature and integrated protection features. The project is useful for applications like Foot Controller, Industrial control stick, Industrial foot pedal, general position or angular sensing.

The output of DRV5053 is about 0.2V to 1.8V with the quiescent 1V at zero fields or no perpendicular flux to the sensing surface. In the non-linear configuration, the output range is limited either from 0.2V to 1V or from 1V to 1.8V. An Op-Amp stage is introduced in this design. It deals with the raw Hall sensor output signal with adjustable offset and scaling range. LMV612 op-amp used for signal conditioning. Actually, any fixed position along the full stroke of the magnet can be set as an offset point mechanically. When the relative position of the magnet and the Hall sensor is fixed at the designed offset point, the final output voltage can be adjustment by PR2. U1B is used as the amplitude amplifier stage with adjustable gain tuning by PR1. Also, there is an RC filter at the final output with R3 and C4. The actuator is fixed at a mid-point between the two ends of the stroke by a dual-spring system. Controlling by the foot, the actuator can go two sides of the stroke direction. The application requires the output to stay at about 1.1V when the actuator is at a balanced point (fixed offset point). When the foot strokes downside, the output goes from 1.1V down to ~0V. When the foot strokes upside, the output goes from 1.1V up to ~5V.

Features

Supply 5V DC
Approximate linear response
Adapt to wide magnet types and field range
0 to 5V full scale output ability
Adjustable quiescent offset and gain
Low power RRIO amplifier stage
Cost-effective
PCB Dimensions 32.09mm X 12.70MM

Tuning Guide

Tuning PR2 for the designed fixed offset output
Place the magnet to its MIN MAX stroke and tuning PR1 to get designed output range
Release or return the fixed offset point, back to step 1 readjustment the offset point
Back to step 2 to readjustment the offset output
Repeat 1 to 4 steps to get both the designed offset the scaled output range.
Note that the adjustment range of offset and scaling is also related to the mechanical magnet Configuration and the magnetic field. Do possible adjustment of the mechanical configuration if needed.
The OpAmp parameters are also adjustable for special sensing range and output coverage. It is recommended to change R1 for extend offset adjustment ability and R8 for extend the gain range.

Schematic

Parts List

Connections

Mechanical Drawing

Magnet Position vs Output

Photos

DRV5053 Datahseet

Smart Plug Reference Design – MP161 Non-Isolated Buck Regulator with ESP8266

Posted on 10 February, 202010 February, 2020 by mixos

Nowadays everything is connected. So why not also connect the wall plugs? Monolithic Power Systems presents a reference design with the MP161 part that will allow customers to join the IoT market. This is a two boards design, one for the dc-dc converter and the relay and the other for the Wi-Fi module. The configuration is designed to fit into a wall-plug.

This reference design is based on the MP161 which includes a 700V switching regulator, a low-dropout linear regulator and two channel relay drivers. The design includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (HT20) protocol and 35.4mW active input power under stand-by operation.

The relay driver in the MP161 includes 2Ω on-state resistance, rail voltage up to 30V, integrated freewheeling diode, and a nominal off driver. The integrated LDO handles up to 30V input voltage; it delivers a fixed output of either 3.3V or 5V and includes over-temperature protection

Summary of MP161 Features

Integrated 700V MOSFET and current source
Constant voltage regulation with internal loop compensation
Optimized light-load efficiency by frequency modulation
Standby mode
Anti-audible noise operation by peak current modulation
Adjustable or fixed 12V Output
Low operating current
Integrated protection functions
- Over-Temperature Protection (OTP)
- Short-Circuit Protection (SCP)
- Over-Load Protection (OLP)
- Over-Voltage Protection (OVP)

more details: www.monolithicpower.com

IPS-354 Radar Sensor – InnoSenT’s mid-range motion detector

Posted on 10 February, 2020 by mixos

InnoSenT’s IPS-354 operates in the 24 GHz ISM band and was developed for classic industrial radar applications, especially as a motion sensor for escalators. It is a K-band transceiver with two antennas; the split of the transmitting and receiving path enables maximum gain. For signal intensification, it also comes with an IF pre-amplifier. Its bandwidth is limited to lower the noise floor. Because of its stability in frequency, one version is usable for worldwide use. This product is also available with a wider beam by the manufacturer directly.

The IPS-354 detects the velocity and direction of moving objects in a mid-range coverage area and offers detection range up to 30 meters. The sensor uses a stereo (dual-channel) operation for the identification of motion direction.

To get information about the distance and presence of objects, an FMCW version of the IPS-354 is also available. The IVS-362 detects moving and stationary objects and recognizes distance.

Features

24 GHz ISM band
K-band transceiver
Analog radar
Split transmit and receive path for maximum gain
IF-pre-amplifier
Bandwidth-limited for lowest noise performance
Stereo (dual-channel) operation
CW-radar module
Motion detection
Velocity measurement
Direction detection
Mid-range detection area
Certified and approved according to FCC rule 15C, RED article 3.2

Applications

Motion detectors
Door openers
Industrial device controls
Building automation
Escalator controls
Triggers for technical products or devices
Radar-based speed measurement
Industrial automation and building technologies

more information: www.innosent.de

STMicroelectronics STPSC8H065 is a silicon carbide power Schottky diode

Posted on 10 February, 2020 by mixos

STPSC8H065 – 650 V, 8 A high surge silicon carbide power Schottky diode

This 8 A, 650 V SiC diode is an ultrahigh performance power Schottky diode. It is manufactured using a silicon carbide substrate. The wide band gap material allows the design of a Schottky diode structure with a 650 V rating. Due to the Schottky construction, no recovery is shown at turn-off and ringing patterns are negligible. The minimal capacitive turn-off behavior is independent of temperature.

The STPSC8H065 is especially suited for use in PFC applications. This ST SiC diode will boost the performance in hard switching conditions. Its high forward surge capability ensures a good robustness during transient phases.

Key features

No reverse recovery charge in application current range
Switching behavior independent of temperature
High forward surge capability
Insulated package TO-220AC Ins:
- Insulated voltage: 2500 VRMS
- Typical package capacitance: 7 pF
Power efficient product
ECOPACK^®2 compliant component

Applications

Switch mode power supply
PFC
DCDC converters
LLC topologies
Boost diode

more information: www.st.com

Versalogic Grizzly is an Embedded Server Board Powered by 16-Core Intel Atom

Posted on 10 February, 202010 February, 2020 by mixos

A rugged embedded server featuring an Intel 16-core processor, -40°C to +85°C operation, two 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports, and up to 128 GB of ECC memory. It is ideal for high performance/high data bandwidth applications. Two Mini PCIe sockets and an M.2 site provide for expansion and on-board storage.

The Grizzly is a rugged embedded server unit (ESU) featuring an Intel 16-core processor, full -40°C to +85°C operation, two 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, up to 128 GB of ECC memory and Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI 2.0) functionality. This combination makes it ideal for edge server and HPEC applications requiring very high-performance processing and high data bandwidth. Additionally, two Mini PCIe sockets and a PCIe x4 M.2 site provide for on-board I/O expansion and high speed / high-capacity on-board storage. The Grizzly also contains additional interfaces including USB, serial and digital I/O, and SATA.

The high-performance capability of the Grizzly makes it ideal for situations where data gathering and processing need to be kept local for security or latency reasons, or to provide local cloud capability. A 16-core processor coupled with up to 128 GB of ECC memory supports the use of hypervisors for running of virtual machines. The 10 Gigabit SFP+ ports permit very high speed connectivity. Networks can be created using plug-in copper, short-reach fiber, or long-reach fiber transceivers.

The Grizzly is based on the COM Express Extended form-factor, but it is delivered as an assembled and tested, production-ready embedded computer. For hostile environments, the Grizzly is designed and tested for full industrial temperature operation (-40° to +85°C) and meets MIL-STD-202H specifications for shock and vibration.

VersaLogic’s 10+ year product life support ensures long-term availability. This avoids expensive upgrades, redesigns, and migrations that come from shorter lifecycle products.

Features:

Embedded server
Intel® 16-core server-class processor and IPMI 2.0 capability
-40°C to +85°C Operation
Operates over full industrial temperature range
128 GB of ECC memory
Industry leading capacity and error correcting RAM
10 Gigabit Ethernet (SFP+)
Supports two high speed copper or fiber connections

Specifications:

Pricing starts at $2,930.01 on Digikey with the version without memory (and 64GB DDR4 max). Visit the product page for further information

CB2 is a BASIC Retro micro Microcomputer

Posted on 10 February, 202010 February, 2020 by Emmanuel Odunlade

If you’d like to return to a time when your computer had very accessible components, a microprocessor, RAM, ROM, and I/O chips all hanging from an exposed bus, you can do so by building your very own BASIC color microcomputer with the CB2 micro kit in under 30 minutes for as low as ~$28.

The kit was designed to be plain simple and very affordable being tailored to those who don’t have access to regular retro computers but would want to have fun with these types of technologies or even learn and experiment with BASIC.

CB2 is very easy to assemble, it works like the micros from the ‘80s except it is cheaper and much easier to use. It works directly with a TV and keyboard, no PC’s required, and it can be used as a standalone microcomputer to run games and applications. It can also be used for automation processes without using a monitor or keyboard and even as a measurement instrument for hobbyists.

CB2’s firmware is based on an open-source project built by Joerg Wolfram (called AVR ChipBasic2). It utilizes standard interfaces such as RS-232, UART, LPT, I2C, etc. to communicate with devices like control modems with an ATmega644P chip (ATMEGA644P-20PU or ATMEGA644PA-PU), which connects up to a PS2 keyboard port, as well as a 9-pin connector for serial operations.

The CB2 micro has SCART (RGB) video and B&W composite right out of the box. There’s no need for extra adapters, except when you need color composite – that’s possibly the only scenario when you’ll need an adapter to build. The signals for this color composite adapter are taken from the RGB of the SCART pins and the Hsync/Vsync on the PCB. There is no special Dsub connector in the CB2 micro.

Some interesting features of the kit include:

16 foreground and background colors (PAL/NTSC) on TV SCART (RGB/Hsync/Vsync), pseudographics and B/W composite. Color composite/HDMI/VGA support with external converters.
Sound with envelope and volume adjustment.
PS/2 keyboard (or USB with adapter), RS232, 2x serial TTL, LPT, 8x A/D inputs and I2C, all BASIC controlled.
Tiny-BASIC with a featured embedded editor, Chip8, SCHIP, 8080 and AVR-native binaries supported.
Cross programs call external flash and EEPROM options.
The terminal program, color terminal, X-modem transfer, PC connectivity, networking.

The kit comes with eight programs stored on the internal flash. More information along with various applications or hardware extensions for CB2 micro is available here.

KIOXIA unveils fifth-generation BiCS FLASH

Posted on 10 February, 2020 by mixos

New generation 3D flash memory adds layers, boosts capacity, broader bandwidth and provides new design flexibility

KIOXIA Europe GmbH, the world leader in memory solutions, today announced that it has successfully developed its fifth-generation BiCS FLASH three-dimensional (3D) flash memory with a 112-layer vertically stacked structure. KIOXIA plans to start shipping samples of the new device, which has a 512 gigabit (64 gigabytes) capacity with 3-bit-per-cell (triple-level cell, TLC) technology, for specific applications in the first quarter of the calendar year 2020^[1].

The new device aims to fulfill ever-growing bit demands for a wide variety of applications, including traditional mobile devices, consumer and enterprise SSDs, emerging applications enabled by the new 5G networks, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles.

Going forward, KIOXIA will apply its new fifth-generation process technology to larger capacity devices, such as 1 terabit (128 gigabytes) TLC and 1.33 terabit 4-bit-per-cell (quadruple-level cell, QLC) devices.

KIOXIA’s innovative 112-layer stacking process technology is combined with advanced circuit and manufacturing process technology to increase cell array density by approximately 20 percent over the 96-layer stacking process. The new technology reduces the cost per bit and increases the manufacturability of memory capacity per silicon wafer. Additionally, it improves interface speed by 50 percent and offers higher programming performance and shorter read latency.

Since announcing the world’s first^[2] prototype 3D flash memory technology in 2007, KIOXIA has continued to advance the development of 3D flash memory and is actively promoting BiCS FLASH to meet the demand for larger capacities with smaller die sizes.

Fifth-generation BiCS FLASH was developed jointly with technology and manufacturing partner Western Digital Corporation. It will be manufactured at KIOXIA’s Yokkaichi Plant and the newly built Kitakami Plant.

[1] Not all features have been tested and device characteristics may change in the future.
[2] Source: KIOXIA Corporation, as of June 12, 2007.

more information: www.kioxia.com

Free Elektor Article: Power Outage Detector with Text Messaging

Posted on 10 February, 2020 by mixos

Power outages are fairly rare in central Europe, and when they do occur, they are usually short. However, if the heating system of your holiday home doesn’t start up again after a power outage, the consequences can be costly. And even if only your freezer at home stops working while you’re on holiday, the stench when you get back can spoil your homecoming. The detector described here detects even short power outages and sends you text message alerts. Note: For 115-VAC operation replace R9 by a wire strap.

Original publication: Elektor Magazine 4/2018 on page 12
Authors: Luc Lemmens Mathias Claussen
Free download expires: Friday 14 February 2020.
Original article production number: 160372
Software, Bare PCB, Semi-kit available; see PRODUCTS below. Semi-kit available at a discounted price.

Like what you’re seeing? Then go to the article page and download a pdf copy of the full, original article from 2018. Downloading is free from Friday 7 February to Friday 14 February 2020.

Special Offer: the semi-kit of the Power Outage Detector is available at a discounted price. Click on the PRODUCT below. Offer is limited to stocks. The bare PCB and the ready-programmed microcontroller for the project are also available.

Microrad NHT 3DL Electromagnetic Field Safety Analyzer

Posted on 7 February, 20207 February, 2020 by mixos

Microrad’s NHT 3DL Electromagnetic Field Analyzer is designed to measure electromagnetic fields in both time and frequency domains and in compliance with all the main international standards and regulations

Saelig Company, Inc. has introduced the Microrad NHT 3DL Electromagnetic Field Analyzer, which is designed to measure electromagnetic fields in both time and frequency domains and in compliance with all the main international standards and regulations. A wide selection of interchangeable electromagnetic field probes allows this handheld analyzer to measure complex electric and magnetic fields from DC to 1MHz in Selective Mode, and 0 to 40GHz in Wideband Mode. The Monitoring Mode function allows for received signals from the attached probe to be recorded to the instrument’s non-volatile internal memory. The NHT 3DL can analyze and store complex waveforms with transitory and pulse characteristics. This saved data can then be downloaded to a PC in order to extract relevant information acquired during the monitoring. Battery power allows the user to perform monitoring tasks for at least 24 hours. NHT 3DL can be entirely controlled remotely via fiber optic or wireless (Wi-Fi) connections. Outdoor monitoring in all weather conditions can be carried out, due to the NHT 3DL’s IP67 enclosure.

The NHT 3DL when operating in broadband mode with E series probes covers frequencies from 100kHz to 40GHz. When utilized in conjunction with the ER series probes it can demodulate and rebuild radar signal pulses up to 500ns, providing automatic measurement of Tau, PRF and Duty Cycle values. This mode is particularly useful for radar source recognition and measurement. In the FFT Analysis Mode, the device covers the 1MHz band in four decades, 1/10/100/1,000kHz with 1,000 points resolution per decade and automatic peak search markers. In the Oscilloscope Mode, it displays high-definition time frames with manual trigger function and Amplitude/Time marker. The NHT 3DL, when combined with the new 33S Triple Probe, can measure static magnetic, magnetic, and electric fields from 1Hz to 1MHz in a disjoint/combined mode.

The operator interface is based on a high-resolution color touch screen display. It can be remotely controlled via Wi-Fi or fiber-optic connection, with the display shown on Windows and Android devices. The Microrad NHT 3DL analyzer is designed to operate also as an area monitor.

The NHT 3DL is ready for the 5G challenge, for the automotive/railway electric traction industry, the medical diagnostics field, or wherever regulated industrial activities exist. The NHT 3DL’s 5G Trigger function is capable of capturing events up to 100 microseconds. 5G utilizes mobile directional beams (Full Dimensional 3D) with the possibility of directing the radiated lobe of the antenna in a targeted way towards the individual user, even in motion. The mobile directional beams, in horizontal plane (azimuth) as well as in vertical plane (elevation), are emitted from macro-cellular, micro-cellular and pico-cellular sites that use Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antennas up to 8×8 elements. 5G is a system that optimizes the electromagnetic coverage both in spatial and energetic terms, able to modify the dimensional characteristics of the radiation beam both in Beam Sweeping and in Beam Tracking phases.

Made by Microrad, a recognized leader in electromagnetic safety instrumentation, the NHT 3DL Electromagnetic Field Analyzer is available now from Saelig Company, Inc. their USA technical distributor.