Page 529 – Electronics-Lab.com

PicoScope 4823 8-Channel Automotive Oscilloscope has USB 3.0

Posted on 19 July, 2019 by mixos

The PicoScope 4823 oscilloscope brings eight-channel high-speed performance to vehicle diagnosis. This deep-memory PicoScope provides 12-bit resolution, 20MHz bandwidth, a 256MSa buffer memory, and a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface.

Saelig Company, Inc. has introduced the Pico Technology PicoScope 4823 – the world’s first high-speed, high-resolution, 8-channel automotive oscilloscope. It is fast enough for decoding the latest commonly used serial protocols used in vehicles, such as CAN, CAN FD, and FlexRay. The 4823 scope offers eight common-ground signal input channels with a maximum input range of 50V and protection to 100V. The oscilloscope’s maximum sample rate of 80MSa/s (10MSa/s when using all eight channels) is sufficient to be able to see subtle signal anomalies in vehicle sensor output. This PicoScope provides 12-bit resolution, 20MHz bandwidth, a 256MSa buffer memory, and a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface. The deep memory can capture several seconds of data at the full sampling rate, which is ideal for evaluating long serial data records or intermittent glitches.

The 4823 operates with the well-known, versatile PC-based PicoScope Automotive software which includes more than 150 guided automotive tests, and provides access to thousands of automotive reference signal comparisons in Pico’s Waveform Library. Software tools included in PicoScope software include the waveform buffer, mask limit test, and serial decode. Powered solely from a USB port, the compact PicoScope 4823 is also perfect for field use since it even includes a low-voltage arbitrary waveform generator.

Diagnostic applications for the Picoscope 4823 automotive oscilloscope include:

V6/V8 Cam timing (4/6 cams plus crank, and sometimes a WPS), and VVT timing systems
Trucks, construction and agriculture equipment analysis which typically requires a mix of electrical and hydraulic measurements on multiple valves simultaneously to diagnose problems with system interactions
Broad system diagnosis on multiple components (including power, ground, signals, current)
Diagnosing faults on multiple serial busses (CAN, CAN FD, LIN, FlexRay)

PicoScope test equipment is used and trusted worldwide by both manufacturers’ and independent repair shops because it gives the capability, confidence, and support required to quickly find and verify the solutions for most vehicle faults. Made by Pico Technology, Europe’s award-winning test and measurement manufacturer, the PicoScope 4823 comes as a scope-only (PQ185) or as an 8-channel Professional Kit (PQ184) with multiple probes and accessories, and is available now from their USA technical distributor Saelig Company, Inc.

The oscilloscope costs $2,305 when ordering online from distributor Saelig

NVE ALT025 TMR Bipolar Bridge Sensor recognizes positive and negative field

Posted on 19 July, 201919 July, 2019 by mixos

The new revolutionary ALT025 analog bipolar bridge sensor by NVE utilises Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) to achieve extraordinary amount of signal (typically 20mV/V/mT) and linear range (±10 mT (±100 Oe)). Unlike other magnetic sensors, the ALT025 is able to recognize positive and negative field (South and North pole) and change the output sign accordingly, making it ideal for current sensing and proximity sensing applications where AC waveforms are expected or where the signal changes sign. The bridge signals in ALT025 are stable over the temperature range from -40°C to +125°C and the sensor is available in a miniature TDFN6 package.

Feautures

Analog TMR differential bridge sensor
Bipolar output – able to recognise positive and negative field and changes the output sign accordingly
Capable of handling large signals, typically 20 mV/V/mT
Linear range of ±10 mT (±100 Oe)
Ultra-low temperature coefficient of output (±0.1 %/°C)
Operating temperature range of −40°C to +125°C
Up to 300 kHz frequency bandwidth
20 kΩ typ. device resistance for low power
Ultraminiature TDFN6 package

ASR002 sensors feature Wheatstone bridge configuration, allowing them to operate as purely ratiometric devices; operating at extremely low supply voltages, their output signal is proportional to the supply voltage.

more information: www.rhopointcomponents.com

Greenliant Delivers Ultra-Fast Speeds with NVMe M.2 ArmourDrive SSDs

Posted on 19 July, 2019 by mixos

Greenliant has started sampling its NVMe M.2 ArmourDrive™ solid state drive (SSD) modules to customers requiring high-performance, high-capacity removable data storage that can withstand extreme environments. The new industrial temperature (-40°C to +85°C) 88 PX Series NVMe M.2 ArmourDrive SSDs use 3-bits-per-cell (TLC) 3D NAND flash memory and are built in the widely used 2242 and 2280 form factors. See NVMe M.2 ArmourDrive product information at http://bit.ly/NVMe-M2-SSD.

88 PX Series NVMe ArmourDrive SSDs provide high performance and low latency for high transactional and business critical applications. NVMe is a highly scalable protocol optimized for efficient data transport over PCIe for storage on NAND flash. Small form factor, power efficient M.2 2242 products support the PCIe Gen3x2 interface and can reach up to 1,550/950 MB/s sequential read/write performance. Offered with hardware encryption and DRAM, M.2 2280 products support the PCIe Gen3x4 interface and can reach up to 3,470/3,000 MB/s sequential read/write performance. These versatile NVMe M.2 ArmourDrive form factors are ideal for space-constrained, embedded and enterprise systems in cloud computing, broadcasting, industrial gaming, factory automation, networking and security.

Benefits of 88 PX Series NVMe M.2 ArmourDrive SSDs include:

Ultra-High Performance: Reaches up to 3,470/3,000 MB/s read/write
Wide Range of Capacities: Available in 2242 form factor (64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB) and
2280 form factor (240 GB, 480 GB, 960 GB, 1.92 TB)
Industrial Temperature: Operates between -40 and +85 degrees Celsius
Built-in ECC: Uses advanced bit error detection and correction optimized for 3D NAND
Advanced Flash Management: Extends SSD longevity using dynamic and static wear leveling
Data Security: Supports AES-256 / TCG OPAL encryption (2280) and Secure Erase

“Greenliant delivers ultra-high performance and a wide range of capacities with its industrial NVMe M.2 ArmourDrive PX Series,” said Arthur Kroyan, vice president of business development and marketing, Greenliant. “Complementing Greenliant’s broad selection of SATA M.2 products, these highly reliable NVMe M.2 SSDs give embedded system designers even more options for data-intensive applications.”

Availability
Greenliant is sampling NVMe M.2 2242 SSDs to customers on select product engagements, and expects to start shipping in volume production in August 2019. Greenliant plans to start sampling NVMe M.2 2280 SSDs in September 2019 with volume production expected in October 2019. For more information about 88 PX Series ArmourDrive products, contact a Greenliant channel partner, https://www.greenliant.com/sales.

Chip Hall of Fame: Intel 4004 Microprocessor

Posted on 19 July, 2019 by mixos

The first CPU-on-a-chip was a shoestring crash project.

The Intel 4004 was the world’s first microprocessor—a complete general-purpose CPU on a single chip. Released in March 1971, and using cutting-edge silicon-gate technology, the 4004 marked the beginning of Intel’s rise to global dominance in the processor industry. So you might imagine that the full resources of Intel—still a fledgling company at the time—were devoted to this groundbreaking project. But in fact, the 4004 was an understaffed side project, a crash job that nearly crashed, one simply intended to drum up some cash while Intel developed its real product line, memory chips.

Chip Hall of Fame: Intel 4004 Microprocessor – [Link]

Septentrio strengthens its GNSS/INS portfolio with a single antenna receiver

Posted on 18 July, 201918 July, 2019 by mixos

High-precision GPS/INS receiver is now available with a single antenna for faster integration, lighter weight and lower power consumption.

High-precision GPS/INS receiver is now available with a single antenna option for faster integration, lighter weight and lower power consumption.

Septentrio, a leader in high-precision positioning technology, announced today that their GPS/INS receiver is now available with a single antenna option. This single antenna receiver brings the possibility of robust centimeter positioning and 3D attitude (heading, roll, pitch), while keeping weight and power consumption to a minimum. For Septentrio customers this means simplified integration as well as increased operation time and productivity.

Key features

Reliable and accurate IMU-enhanced GNSS positioning down to the cm level
Full attitude – heading pitch and roll
Ultra-lightweight, low-power and compact
AIM+ Advanced Interference Monitoring and mitigation system
High update rate, low-latency positioning and attitude
Robust calibration for wide temperature ranges

Septentrio reliable centimeter-level positioning is based on multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS) technology. AsteRx-i S combines GNSS and an industry-grade IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) to deliver precise positioning together with 3D attitude and coasting functionality. Septentrio’s unique GNSS – IMU integration algorithm enables continuous positioning in difficult environments such as near high structures, under foliage or during short GNSS outages (this is referred to as coasting or dead reckoning). This makes AsteRx-i S an ideal positioning solution for robotics, autonomous vehicles and logistics. Previously available only as a dual antenna product, AsteRx-i S is now available with either a single or a dual antenna option.

“By strengthening our GPS/INS integration portfolio we continue building upon our strategy of bringing reliable precise positioning together with 3D attitude to challenging industrial environments such as container parks or tree plantations,” said Danilo Sabbatini, Product Manager at Septentrio. “AsteRx-i S has now become even more versatile with the support of both single and dual antenna operations on the same hardware platform. With the single antenna AsteRx-i S delivers accurate 3D attitude in small-size applications where weight and power consumption are critical, while the dual antenna option is still the best solution for applications requiring short initialization time.”

Small, light, low power

The single antenna AsteRx-i S requires minimal space which makes it ideal for robotic devices looking for small and light precise positioning solutions. Since only one antenna is required, there is less weight and lower power consumption, resulting in extended battery life. The dual antenna AsteRx-i S, on the other hand, is the best solution for devices requiring quick heading initialization and devices with prolonged static operation.

Advanced Interference Mitigation

AsteRx-i S comes with built-in Advanced Interference Mitigation (AIM+) technology. In robotic devices neighboring electronics can emit electromagnetic radiation which interfere with GNSS signals. AIM+ offers protection against such interference resulting in faster set-up times and robust continuous operation. A built-in power spectrum plot allows users to analyze interference, helping locate its source and mitigating it.

By offering both single and dual antenna options, Septentrio is now able to better accommodate specific needs of their customers interested in a GNSS/INS solution.

More product info: AsteRx-i S product page

100mA fixed-voltage regulators are rugged and inexpensive

Posted on 18 July, 201918 July, 2019 by mixos

ON Semiconductor’s MC78L series of fixed-voltage regulators are inexpensive, easy-to-use devices suitable for a multitude of applications that require a regulated supply current of up to 100mA.

Like their higher-powered MC7800 and MC78M00 series cousins, these regulators feature internal current limiting and thermal shut-down protection, making them remarkably rugged. They are available in fixed output-voltage options of 5V, 6V, 8V, 12V and 15V.

The MC78L voltage regulators are available in production volumes from Future Electronics. Full pricing and stock availability information available online.

These regulators offer a performance advantage over the traditional combination of a Zener diode and resistor: they feature substantially lower output impedance and draw a lower quiescent current. In addition, the MC78L regulators can be integrated into many applications’ circuit design with no need for external components.

The MC78L series is available in various package options:

Through-hole TO-92 with straight or bent leads
Surface-mount SOIC-8
Surface-mount SOT-89

You can find full pricing and delivery information by clicking here.

ON Semiconductor also supplies the NCV78L series, which has the same electrical characteristics, but which is suitable for automotive and other applications requiring unique site and control change requirements. The NCV78L devices are AEC−Q100 qualified and PPAP capable.

A series of complementary negative regulators, the ON Semiconductor MC79L, is also available from Future Electronics.

Texas Instruments LMR360xx/LMR360xx-Q1 Step-Down Converters

Posted on 18 July, 2019 by mixos

Operating input range from 4.2V to 60V. 2mm x 3mm HotRod™ QFN package. Junction temperature range from -40°C to 150°C. 26µA quiescent current. The list of amazing features is long. And that’s before you see the eye-popping efficiency plots. LMR36006/15 are the industrial buck converters you’ve been looking for.

Texas Instruments LMR360xx/LMR360xx-Q1 Step-Down Converters are an easy-to-use, synchronous, step-down DC/DC converter with integrated high-side and low-side power MOSFETs. These devices provide up to 0.6A (LMR36006/LMR36006-Q1) or 1.5A (LMR36015/LMR36015-Q1) of output current that is delivered over a wide input voltage range of 4.2V to 60V. Tolerance goes up to 66V. The LMR360xx/LMR360xx-Q1 uses peak-current-mode control to provide optimal efficiency and output voltage accuracy. Advanced high-speed circuitry allows the LMR360xx/LMR360xx-Q1 to regulate from an input of 20V to an output of 5V at a fixed frequency of 2.1MHz. Precision enable gives flexibility by enabling a direct connection to the wide input voltage or precise control over device start-up and shutdown. The power-good flag, with built-in filtering and delay, offers a true indication of system status eliminating the requirement for an external supervisor.

Features

AEC-Q100 Qualified for Automotive Applications
- Device Temperature Grade 1: –40°C to +125°C, T_A
Designed for Automotive Applications
- Junction Temperature Range –40°C to +150°C
- Protection Features: Thermal Shutdown, Input Undervoltage Lockout, Cycle-by-Cycle Current Limit, Hiccup Short-Circuit Protection
- Spread-Spectrum Frequency Modulation
- HotRod™ Package Enables Low EMI and Minimized Switch Node Ringing
- 0.2V Dropout With 0.6A Load (Typical)
- ±1.5% Reference Voltage Tolerance
- 3.3V Fixed Output Voltage Option Available

Suited for Scalable Power Supplies
- Pin Compatible With
  - LMR36015-Q1 (60V, 1.5A)
  - LMR33620/30-Q1 (36V, 2A or 3A)
- 400kHz, 2.1MHz Frequency Options
- Integration Reduces Solution Size and Cost
  - Small, 2mm×3mm VQFN Package with Wettable Flanks
    - Few External Components
  - Low Power Dissipation Across Load Spectrum
    - 94% Efficiency at 400kHz (12V_IN, 5V_OUT, 0.6A)
    - Increased Light Load Efficiency in PFM
    - Low Operating Quiescent Current of 26µA

The LMR360xx/LMR360xx-Q1 is in a HotRod™ package which enables low EMI, higher efficiency, and the smallest package to die ratio. The device requires few external components and has a pinout designed for simple PCB layout. The small solution size and feature set of the LMR360xx/LMR360xx-Q1 are designed to simplify implementation for a wide range of end equipment. The LMR360xx-Q1 devices are AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive applications.

Order one today -> LMR36006/15

Simple DataFlash board plugs into an Arduino to provide 4Mbytes of EEPROM

Posted on 18 July, 2019 by mixos

This is a small board that plugs into one of the headers on an Arduino Uno or other board to provide 4Mbytes of non-volatile storage. by David Johnson-Davies:

It works with either 5V or 3.3V boards, and is based on the low-cost 4Mbyte Winbond W25Q32FVSIG DataFlash chip. It is ideal for applications such as data logging, playing audio samples, and storing text.

I also describe a simple DataFlash library to interface to the board.

Simple DataFlash board plugs into an Arduino to provide 4Mbytes of EEPROM – [Link]

SDG1032X 30MHz Function / Arbitrary Waveform Generator

Posted on 17 July, 201917 July, 2019 by mixos

SIGLENT’s NEW SDG1000X series dual-channel function/arbitrary waveform generators with specifications that include up to 60 MHz maximum bandwidth, 150 MSa/s sampling rate and 14-bit vertical resolution. The proprietary EasyPulse technique helps to solve the weaknesses inherent in traditional DDS generators when generating pulse waveforms, and the special square generator is capable of generating square waveforms up to 60 MHz in frequency with low jitter. With these advantages, the SDG1000X can provide users with a variety of high fidelity / low jitter signals while meeting the growing requirements of a wide range of complex and varied applications.

Key Features:

Dual-channel, with bandwidth up to 60 MHz, and amplitude up to 20 Vpp.
150 MSa/s sampling rate, 14-bit vertical resolution, and 16 kpts waveform length
Innovative EasyPulse technology, capable of generating lower-jitter Pulse waveforms, brings a wide range and extremely high precision in pulse width and rise/fall times adjustment.
Special circuit for Square wave function, can generate Square waves up to 60 MHz with jitter less than 300 ps+0.05 ppm of period.
Plenty of analog and digital modulation types: AM, DSB-AM, FM, PM, FSK, ASK, PSK and PWM.
Sweep and Burst functions.
Harmonics Generator function.
Waveform Combining function.
High precision Frequency Counter.
Standard interfaces: USB Host, USB Device (USBTMC), LAN (VXI-11).
Optional interface: GPIB.
Waveform Combining function.
4.3” TFT-LCD display.

Identical dual output-channels with high performance

Capable of outputting large signals at high frequencies. dual-channels, 20 Vpp amplitude can be guaranteed at up to 10 MHz.

Innovative EasyPulse Technology

When a Pulse waveform is generated by a common DDS generator, there will be a one-clock-jitter if the sampling rate is not an integer-related multiple of the output frequency. SDG1000X EasyPulse technology successfully overcomes this weakness in DDS designs and helps to produce low jitter Pulse waveforms.

Easy controll with 4.3” TFT Screen Display and Arbitrary Waveform Software EasyWave

The 4.3” TFT display, makes operation much more convenient. And EasyWave is a powerful arbitrary waveform editing software that supports several ways to generate arbitrary waveform such as manual drawing, line-drawing, equation-drawing, coordinate-drawing, etc. It is quite convenient for users to edit their own arbitrary waveforms through EasyWave.

Bode plot

according to by Harry Baggen @ Elektor:

The SDG1032X also offers some interconnectivity with other test equipment produced by Siglent. Owners of Siglent’s SDS1104X-E or SDS1204X-E oscilloscopes can connect to the SDG1032X using the included USB cable to display the frequency characteristics of a network as a Bode plot. This is a really handy feature and saves bench space; there is now no need for a separate signal generator such as the Siglent SAG1021 together with its associated software. I searched through the operator’s manual but couldn’t find any reference to this feature. I tried it out and according to Siglent it works for all models in the 1000X, 2000X and 6000X series. If you are heavily into analogue design, this feature gives the 1032X a significant advantage over the SDG830.

Video

SIGLENT’s NEW SDG1000X series start at €259.00 and is available from various distributors online.

more information:

PC based Spectrometer using AS7265X spectrum sensors

Posted on 17 July, 2019 by mixos

Our friends on open-electronics.org published a new project based on AS7265X spectrum sensors family. by Boris Landoni

After this introduction we enter into the merits of the project, which consists in developing a PC spectrometer obtained by connecting to the USB port (which is now a standard for Personal Computers and “mobile” devices such as tablets and smartphones) using a serial / USB adapter the spectrum detector breakout board (whose project was published in issue n ° 230) and using a specific software provided by AMS, which is the manufacturer of the three spectral sensor components used in the breakout board itself. The software, which can be installed in a Windows environment, runs on a specific platform called ActiveTcl which can be freely downloaded (in free version) from the reference site www.activestate.org; so you can’t run it like any Windows application, but you have to install the runtime. But this, as we will see later, is not a problem, as the execution environment is of free use.

PC based Spectrometer using AS7265X – [Link]