Page 525 – Electronics-Lab.com

4.4V to 105V Input Synchronous Step-Down Regulator Delivers Output of 1V to VIN

Posted on 31 July, 2019 by mixos

The LT7101 synchronous step-down regulator from Analog Devices is a high efficiency, monolithic synchronous step-down dc-dc converter. It uses a constant frequency, average current mode control architecture and operates from an input voltage range of 4.4V to 105V and provides an adjustable regulated output voltage from 1V to VIN while delivering up to 1A of output current. The LT7101 offers high-frequency operation and has low minimum on-time that reduces inductor size and enables constant-frequency operation even at very high step-down ratios.

Typical applications for the regulators include battery chargers and CC/CV supplies in automotive and military systems, industrial, avionics, and heavy equipment, as well as medical instruments and telecommunication systems. (See typical application diagram above).

The LT7101 achieves what the company claims to be the lowest possible dropout voltage with 100% maximum duty cycle operation.

Selecting Burst Mode, pulse-skipping, or forced continuous operation under a light load can optimize converter efficiency and output ripple.

The LT7101 includes accurate, high-speed average current programming and monitoring without the need for an external sense resistor. A bypass LDO is included to maximize efficiency, fixed or adjustable output voltage and loop compensation, and a wide array of protection features improve reliability.

Features and Benefits

Wide VIN Range: 4.4V to 105V (110V Abs Max)
Ultralow EMI/EMC Emissions: CISPR 25 Compliant
2µA IQ When Regulating 48Vin to 3.3Vout
Fast and Accurate Output Current Programming and Monitoring with No External RSENSE
Brick Wall Current Limit
Low Minimum On-Time: 35ns
Wide Vout Range: 1V to VIN
100% Maximum Duty Cycle Operation
Programmable Fixed Frequency: 200kHz to 2MHz
Eight, Pin-Selectable Fixed (1.2V to 15V) or Adjustable Output Voltages
Selectable Continuous, Pulse-Skipping, or Low Ripple Burst Mode®
Operation at Light Loads
PLL Synchronization to External Clock
EXTVcc LDO Powers Chip from Vout = 3.3V to 40V
OPTI-LOOP® or Fixed Internal Compensation
Input and Output Over-voltage Protection
Thermally Enhanced (5mm × 6mm) QFN Package

more information: Analog Devices Inc.

AI-enabled SurveilsQUAD camera features Jetson AGX Xavier

Posted on 31 July, 2019 by Tope Oluyemi

SurveilsQUAD (e-CAM20_CUXVR) is a synchronized multiple camera solution for NVIDIA® Jetson AGX Xavier™ Developer Kit that consists of four 2MP camera board and a base board to interface with the NVIDIA® Jetson AGX Xavier™ Developer Kit. Each camera is based on the camera module e-CAM21_CUMI290_MOD, a SONY® Starvis IMX290 color CMOS image sensor.

E-con Systems has launched a SurveilsQUAD (e-CAM20_CUXVR) camera system with a V4L2 Linux driver and a sample Linux app with source. The Linux-driven, AI-enabled “SurveilsQUAD” camera system features Nvidia Jetson AGX Xavier or TX2 with 4x 2-megapixel cameras with HD or FHD resolution connected via MIPI-CSI-2.

Just like the robotics focused e-CAM130_CUXVR kit which was launched in January, the SurveilsQUAD has four 4-lane MIPI-CSI-2 connected cameras and is built to function with the Linux-powered Nvidia Jetson AGX Xavier Development Kit, but the SurveilsQUAD cameras are 2-megapixel instead of 13MP. This seems like a set back to me, because of performance. The application is surveillance augmented via AI and deep learning applications running on the Xavier module’s high-end Nvidia Volta GPU. It supports applications like smart surveillance, parking lot management, intruder detection, and object tracking.

The SurveilsQUAD, which can also function with the developer kit for the lower-powered Jetson TX2, is designed based on E-con’s e-CAM21_CUMI290_MOD camera, which integrates a Sony Starvis IMX290 color, 1/28” CMOS image sensor. SurveilsQUAD’s 2-megapixel camera supports HD (1280 x 720) and FHD (1920 x 1080) at 30fps in sync mode and 120fps or 60fps in async mode, which hinges on if it is 10-bit or 12-bit output being used. The system utilizes the Xavier Image Signal Processor (ISP) for processing Auto White Balance and Auto Exposure control functions.

Features:

Sensor: 1/2.8″ Optical format CMOS Image sensor
Focus Type: Fixed focus
Resolution: 2.0 MP
Pixel size: 2.9 µm x 2.9 µm
Sensor Active Area: 1945H x 1097V
G sensitivity: 1.3 V @ 12-bit HCG mode, 0.65 V @ 12-bit LCG mode
Output Format: RAW 10/12 bit
Shutter type: Electronic Rolling Shutter
Holder: S-Mount
ISP: External ISP
DFOV : 132°(with the lens provided by e-con)

The SurveilsQUAD’s S-Mount compatible system comprises of the camera board and a baseboard to interface with the Xavier Developer Kit. The product page states the system supports -30 to 85°C temperatures and ships with 5x 30cm micro-coaxial cables, and an SD card with the Linux code. According to Nvidia, the 105 x 87 x 16mm Jetson AGX Xavier module has more than 10x the energy efficiency, and more than 20x the performance of the Jetson TX2.

Getting Started

The module enables 8x ARMv8.2 cores, a 512-core Nvidia Volta GPU with 64 tensor cores and also 2x Nvidia Deep Learning Accelerator (DLA) engines. Available also is a 7-way VLIW vision chip, 16GB 256-bit LPDDR4 RAM and 32GB eMMC 5.1. The module is available through a $1,300 Xavier Development Kit. The SurveilsQUAD (e-CAM20_CUXVR) camera system is available now in single-unit test samples till July 23 for $549 plus shipping, after which the price will increase to $599.

More information can be found on E-con Systems’ SurveilsQUAD product and shopping page.

1.5×1.5mm quantum cascade laser has a surface emission of 5W

Posted on 31 July, 2019 by mixos

Improving on previously published room-temperature large-area photonic crystals (PhCs) Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), researchers from ETH Zurich have fabricated a device with 5W surface-emitting peak power when driven in pulsed operation. by Julien Happich @ eenewseurope.com

Their paper “Large area photonic crystal quantum cascade laser with 5 W surface-emitting power” published in the Optics Express journal explains how they improved their buried heterostructure and buried grating technique through several design tweaks, notably by optimizing current injection using a grid-like overlay electrode.

The large-area PhC-QCL consists of an array of square pillars (over 500 periods in each in-plane dimension), comprising a 2.6μm-thick active region based on a strain-balanced InGaAs/AlInAs structure. One peculiarity of the design is that the top-view shape of each PhC pillar is a square with a missing corner, which the authors explain, creates an asymmetry that enhances the surface power extraction. The empty space of the PhC layer is filled with InP:Fe building the PhC layer with an index contrast between 3.08 (InP) and 3.35 (InGaAs/AlInAs). After growing an InP:Si cladding layer on top, the laser cavity is defined by wet-etching the cladding layer into 1.5×1.5mm square mesas, with SiNx deposited on the boundaries of the mesa to create absorbing boundaries.

Cost-effective nRF9160 Development Kit from Nordic

Posted on 31 July, 2019 by mixos

The Nordic Semiconductor nRF9160 Development Kit (DK) is a cost-effective hardware development platform providing all necessary tools for evaluation and development of application firmware based on the nRF9160 SiP (System-in-Package). This supports both LTE standards, M1 and NB-IoT, and is globally compatible. The nRF9160 DK is available from Rutronik UK.

The Development Kit includes a LTE antenna that supports bands in 690-960MHz and 1710-2200MHz. It has a dedicated GPS antenna for the nRF9160 version with built-in GPS, a 2.4GHz antenna can be used with Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth Mesh and IEEE 802.15.4 protocols, like Thread or Zigbee. The nRF52840 SoC (System on Chip) is integrated as board controller and can be used, for example, to build a Bluetooth Low Energy gateway.

Developers have access to all I/O pins and module interfaces via plug connectors, including an Arduino UNO Rev3 interface. The popular SEGGER J-Link OB is integrated for debugging and programming. It also provides a debug out function.

The DK has both a 4FF SIM card slot and a MFF2 SIM footprint. A preloaded SIM card from iBasis with 10MB of data for LTE-M helps to kick-start developments. Furthermore, the nRF9160 DK has four LEDs, two buttons and two switches that are user-programmable.

Additionally, Nordic offers compatible development tools, including the nRF Connect SDK (Software Development Kit). This extensible framework enables the development of very small applications in highly constrained circumstances and the programming of powerful, richly featured software for advanced applications. The nRF Connect for Cloud is a cloud-based IoT platform for development, test and evaluation of cellular IoT and Bluetooth Low Energy devices. The LTE Link Monitor uses AT commands to monitor the modem/link status and information about the network.

more information: www.nordicsemi.com

Ultra-Small RX651 MCU package for Compact IoT Connectivity Modules

Posted on 30 July, 2019 by mixos

RX651 32-Bit MCUs with up to 2MB Flash/640KB SRAM with Various Security Features. Renesas Electronics has added four new RX651 32-bit microcontrollers to its portfolio, in ultra-small 64-pin (4.5×4.5mm) BGA and 64-pin (10x10mm) LQFP packages. by Julien Happich @ eenewseurope.com

This represents a 59% footprint reduction compared to the 100-pin LGA, and a 49% size reduction versus the 100-pin LQFP, claims the company. The 32-bit MCUs address advanced security needs for endpoint devices employing compact sensor and communication modules in industrial, network control, building automation, and smart metering systems operating at the IoT edge. The RX651 MCUs integrate connectivity, Trusted Secure IP (TSIP), and trusted flash area protection that enable flash firmware updates in the field through secure network communications. The increase in endpoint devices operating at the edge has increased the need for secure over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates. The new RX651 devices support this reprogramming requirement with integrated TSIP, enhanced flash protection, and other technology advancements that offer a more secure and stable solution than other available solutions on the market.

Key Features

RXv2 Core 120 MHz operation (34 CoreMark/mA)
2.7 to 3.6 V operation
A wide package lineup : 64-pin (4.5mm x 4.5mm, BGA) to 176-pin
Equipped with various communication interfaces such as Ethernet,USB, CAN, SD host/slave interface, and quad SPI.
Program Flash up to 2 MB, SRAM up to 640 KB
- DualBank function convenient for firmware update *1
HMI
- TFT-LCD controller and 2D drawing engine can reduce CPU load at running of LCD display.*1
Security
- Equipped with memory protect functions that protect Flash memory from unintended access to flash
- Equipped with a trusted secure IP that protects key data from disclosure *1
- Equipped with various encryption engines : AES, TRNG, TDES *1, RSA*1, SHA*1

Renesas Electronics – www.renesas.com

Emtrion launches a SBC based on the ST STM32MP1

Posted on 30 July, 2019 by Ayo Ayibiowu

STMicroelectronics, one of the leading semiconductor manufacturers, launched the STM32MP1 microprocessors series back in February 2019 which are based on an HSA (heterogeneous system architecture). The microprocessors are based on an Arm^®Cortex^®-A7 core running at 650 MHz and Cortex^®-M4 at 209 MHz combined with a dedicated 3D graphics processing unit (GPU) and MIPI-DSI display interface and a CAN FD interface.

The STM32MP1 microprocessors series is expected to follow new applications in the computing world targeting use in Industrial control, HMI (Human Machine Interface), Gaming console, Industrial IoT, and many more. Emtrion, the Germany based company is banking on the STM32MP1 microprocessors and they announced an upcoming computer-on-module based on the STM32MP1 back in March this year. The module was called the emSTAMP Argon Module and is tailored for graphics, communications, and industrial IoT applications.

Fast-forward to today, Emtrion has recently launched the Emtrion emSBC-Argon, a single board computer that is based on the STM32MP1 microprocessor that is packed in the Emtrion’s emSTAMP-Argon module. The emSTAMP-Argon module combines a pair of 650MHz Cortex-A7 cores with a 209MHz Cortex-M4 measuring only 35 x 35 x 4mm. The Emtrion emSBC-Argon SBC integrates the emSTAMP-Argon module using an edge-castellated “stamp hole” interface.

The emSTAMP-Argon module is available in two variant; STM32MP157A and STM32MP157C models. Both models include a Vivante 3D GPU that supports OpenGL ES 2.0, adds dual FD-CAN support, a WXGA resolution (1280 x 800) at 60fps video. The STM32MP157C goes a step ahead by adding a hardware crypto chip with TRNG, tamper, secure boot, and TrustZone support.

Key features

STM32MP157AAC processor from STMicroelectronics
ARM Dual Cortex-A7 @ 650MHz – 2470 DMIPS
ARM Cortex-M4 @ 200MHz – 250 DMIPS
Co-processor: ARM Neon ™, FPU, and 3D GPU
Operating system: Linux or Android
Virtualization capable (Jailhouse)
up to 512 MB DDR3L SDRAM
8GByte (up to 64 GB) eMMC Flash
Up to 8 MB of QSPI-NOR-Flash
2 x FD-CAN 2.0
Size: 104.5 x 77.5 mm

The emSBC-Argon is capable of virtualization through the open-source Jailhouse Linux-based partitioning hypervisor. Protocols such as PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP are all available and ready to run real-time processes and communication applications. Also, since the Cortex-M4 core is based on the ecosystem of the STM32 MCU, codes for STM32 Cortex-M4 systems are easily reusable on the SBC.

The 104.5 x 77.5mm emSBC argon supports both Android and Linux operating systems. As seen on similar SBCs, the emSBC argon includes a microSD slot, 10/100 Ethernet, USB 2.0 host, SPI, ADC 16bit, PWM, DAC 12bit, I2C, SAI, I/O headers, MIPI-DSI interface, and micro-USB OTG ports. The power supply is provided through the DC barrel jack, and it also includes an RTC-battery-supply holder. Power management features like PowerDown and wake is supported.

No information is available about the board pricing, and you will have to contact customer care about it. More details on the emSBC-Argon are available on the product page and the emSTAMP-Argon module also on the product page.

Physicists create quantum microphone to count sound particles

Posted on 30 July, 201930 July, 2019 by mixos

Physicists from Stanford have created a device they call a “quantum microphone” that is sensitive enough to measure the individual particles of sound called phonons. The scientists say that the new device will allow new types of quantum sensors, transducers, and storage devices for future quantum machines. by Shane McGlaun @ slashgear.com

A phonon is something first proposed by Einstein in 1907 and is the name for a packet of vibrational energy emitted by jittery atoms. The packets manifest as sound or heat depending on their frequencies. Phonons have vibrational energies that are restricted to discrete values.

The energy of mechanical systems can be represented by different “Fock” states as 0, 1, 2, and so on based on the number of phonons it generates. The team at Stanford have created the world’s most sensitive microphone that uses quantum principals to pick up the whispers of atoms. It does this by measuring the Fock state and thus the number of phonons.

Physicists create quantum microphone to count sound particles – [Link]

Slamtec Mapper M1M1 ToF Laser Scanner Kit has 20M Range

Posted on 30 July, 2019 by mixos

The Slamtec Mapper has two models with a detection range of 20m and 40m. It can easily map for home scenes or commercial, light industrial scenes. The following picture shows the M1M1 map function with a 134 meters * 111 meters underground parking lot. In the handheld mode, the built-in 9 degrees freedom inertial navigation system of the M1M1 can eliminate the bumps and shake caused by walking and exert super high map construction performance.

SLAMTEC has released the Slamtec Mapper M1M1 ToF laser mapping sensor. It is more than a laser range scanner, the M1M1 features high-quality mapping and real-time localization or navigation function. Which means it can easily map for your home or office. Actually, it supports both indoors and outdoors mapping, supports large working scenarios over 100,000 m². It is a perfect laser scanner for robot localization and navigation, environment surveying and mapping, etc.

The M1M1 can detect up to 20 meters with the 5cm resolution and the re-localization accuracy is less than 0.02m. Such high-performance thanks to the SLAMTEC third-generation SLAM engine. On top of that, SLAMTEC M1M1 is quite easy to use, there is no need for any external dependency, just connect it with your computer via the USB cable, it will work then. What’s more, the M1M1 comes with SLAMTEC full cross-platform SDK and tools for both mobile phones and PC. Get one now and make your own map, it pretty cool!

more information on: www.seeedstudio.com

RS Summer 15% Discount Offer Ends 31st July!

Posted on 30 July, 201930 July, 2019 by mixos

Summer Discount Offer Ends 31st July!

Terms and Conditions

This offer is for 10% off all orders with RS over the value of £150 or 15% off all orders with RS over the value of £300
Promotion code offers will be shown on the customer’s invoice only and will not be shown on your online order.
Promotion period 1st June 2019 – 31st of July 2019. Orders must be received by RS within the promotion period. Scheduled orders placed before the promotion period for delivery during the promotion period will not be eligible for this promotion. Excludes forward, scheduled and export orders.
These promotions excludes employees and their immediate families of RS Components Ltd, its agents and anyone professionally connected with this promotion.
RS deals only with the company and not with individual employees.
No further discounts will be applied.
Customers will not be permitted to participate in this promotion if, by doing so, they may cause RS and / or themselves (their Company) to be in breach of any agreement (including but not limited to any contract of employment) to which they are party or in breach of any law, regulation or rule having the force of law to which RS or the participant may be subject. Any participation must be in compliance with any Contractual Framework, where applicable.
Promotion codes cannot be used on all Raspberry Pi Boards & Bundles, Tektronix and Keysight technologies, Test & Measurement products and 3D printers (3D Brands include ReprapPro, Ultimaker, 3D Systems). 3D printer exclusion extends to Scanners, Software and Filaments from RS, Verbatim and 3D Systems. Red Pitaya products are also excluded from this offer.
Only one promotion code can be redeemed per order. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, promotions, discounts or rebate.
RS reserves the right to change the promotional offers and prices at any time.
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Offers are available whilst stock last.
RS accepts no responsibility for products not received by the customer. See RS Conditions of Sale on the RS website.
Website Promoter: RS Components Limited, Birchington Road, Weldon, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 9RS, UK.

$4.3M raised by Voyant Photonics for lidar to be fitted on the head of a pin

Posted on 29 July, 201929 July, 2019 by Tope Oluyemi

Voyant Photonics has created a lidar system that could be fitted on the head of a pin.

This development is noteworthy because LIDAR is a method by which robots and autonomous vehicles sense the world around them, but the lasers and sensors are usually large and use up a considerable amount of space. LIDAR solutions available today are still, as large as the size of a hand, and the ones available for use in production vehicles are quite larger. A very small lidar unit can be placed in every corner of a car, and many other industries could use it to provide rich data.

The idea behind LIDAR involves a single laser being swept across a scene multiple times per second, its reflection is meticulously calculated to track the distances of objects. But due to the bulky nature of mechanically steered lasers which are slow and prone to failure, companies are attempting new techniques, like flash Lidar (illuminating the whole scene at once), or metamaterials (steering the beam with complex electronic surfaces instead). However, Voyant has pioneered a technique to apply silicon photonics to lidar (silicon photonics, is the manipulation of light on a chip for various purposes).

Voyant’s “optical phased arrays” method alters the phase of the light traveling through the chip. This results in a strong beam of non-visible light that can be played over a wide overlay of the environment at high speed with no moving parts at all.

Voyant co-founder Steven Miller says “This is an enabling technology because it’s so small… We’re talking cubic centimeter volumes. There’s a lot of electronics that can’t accommodate a lidar the size of a softball — think about drones and things that are weight-sensitive, or robotics, where it needs to be on the tip of its arm.”

Phare says “This lab basically invented silicon photonics… We’re all deeply ingrained with the physics and devices-level stuff. So we were able to step back and look at lidar, and see what we needed to fix and make better to make this a reality.”

Voyant’s ingenious approach to moving and emitting light from the chip enables them to create a device that is compact and combines transmitter and receiver in one piece, with a good performance.

Phare says “The silicon photonic architecture we use lets us build a very sensitive receiver on-chip that would be difficult to assemble in traditional optics. So we’re able to fit a high-performance lidar into that tiny package without any additional or exotic components. We think we can achieve specs comparable to lidars out there, but just make them that much smaller.”

The team plans to expand and get the tech out of the lab and into the hands of engineers and developers soon, with the first round of funding available. The specs, dimensions, power requirements and others vary depending on the application and industry. This will enable Voyant to make decisions based on feedback from people in other fields.

Voyant’s $4.3 million funding is raised from Contour Venture Partners, LDV Capital, and DARPA.

Visit voyant photonics for more information about the chip.