Thursday, January 09, 2014: A transducer is a device that converts a signal in one form of energy to another form like electrical, mechanical, electromagnetic (including light), chemical, acoustic or thermal energy. While the term ‘transducer’ commonly implies the use of a sensor or detector, any device which converts energy can be considered a transducer. A sensor, on the other hand, is used to detect a parameter in one form and report it in another form of energy, often an electrical signal. There are many types of sensors like temperature, pressure, level, proximity and displacement sensors.
In this section, we feature some sensors and transducers that were launched in the last six months. However, companies like Murata, Analog Devices, STMicroelectronics and Freescale Semiconductor have not launched any of the featured products during this period.
Model: RFS MTS, Brand: RFS, Manufacturer: Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), USA
Launched in August 2013, the dual-axis RFS mechanical tilt sensor (MTS) is a simple-to-install in-line device, which enables customers to accurately measure the position of its antennae in real-time without physically having to check the placement on site.
Key features
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Performs calibrated angle measurement with respect to gravity, reading 0°when the device is vertical
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Digital filtering ensures stable measurements and prevents false alarms caused by antenna vibrations and its ± 0.5° of accuracy improves RF optimisation
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Has the ability to be installed into a live system and be recognised by it without the system having to be shut down or rebooted
Contact details: India office: Radio Frequency Systems India Telecom Pvt Ltd, Ph: +91-11-457-66999, Sandeep.Bhatla@rfsworld.com, www.rfsworld.com
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Model: Balluff SteelFace, Brand: Balluff, Manufacturer: Balluff GmbH, Germany
Launched in August 2013, Balluff SteelFace sensors are designed and built tough to survive longer in the most abusive applications. The one-piece stainless steel housing offers a robust operating face for the most demanding applications, and Balluff’s patent-pending coating makes it the ideal sensor choice for extreme applications.
Key features
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5mm operating distance (flush)
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Factor 1—all metals can be sensed
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Weld slag resistant W51
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coating—patent pending
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Weld-field immune
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High switching frequency
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Round corner housing
Contact details: India office: Ph: 022-25565966, balluff@balluff.co.in, www.balluff.co.in
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Model: DPS, Brand: Honeywell, Manufacturer: Honeywell Sensing and Control, USA
Launched in August 2013, the digital pressure sensors (DPS) with CANopen protocol communication are rugged, all-welded, providing consistent performance in harsh environments.
Key features
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Calibrated for pressure ranges from 10 psi to 10K psi; 1 bar to 700 bar or 70kPA to 70000 kPa, with an accuracy range of 0.25 per cent to 0.1 per cent
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Operating and storage temperature ranges from -25°C to 85°C
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CANopen protocol communication allows customers to connect to longer cable distances without sacrificing accuracy and this reduces the amount of wires that need to be connected to the system
Contact details: India office: Honeywell Automation India Ltd, Ph: 91-20-66039400, rohit.bansal@honeywell.com, sensing.honeywell.com
India distributors: element14 and RS Components & Controls India Ltd
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Model: T40B and T40FM, Brand: HBM, Manufacturer: HBM Inc., USA
Launched in July 2013, the T40B and T40FM torque transducers include an integrated speed measurement system. They are specifically designed to work in harsh environments, such as those that are high on humidity, condensation, dust, oil and grease.
Key features
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Torque measuring ranges of up to 80,000 Newton-meters
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The transducers integrate both the magnetic technology and the speed measurement sensor, which saves space and makes installation easier
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Up to 0.03 per cent of full scale linearity and hysteresis combined
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Standard response times of 1000, 3000, 6000, and 10,000 Hz options
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Low measurement uncertainty and good temperature stability
Contact details: Global office: Ph: +1-800-578-4260, info@usa.hbm.com, www.hbm.com
India distributor: Integrated Process Systems (IPS)
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Model: PA3207NL, Brand: Pulse, Manufacturer: Pulse Electronics Corp, USA
Launched in July 2013, the PA3207NL is a non-round sensor which specifically fits the standard 1.90cm×2.36cm buss bar of an ANSI 2S smart meter, making the design of the meter base simpler and the assembly easier.
Key features
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The current sensor is linear from 0.1 A to 200 A. It provides extremely accurate measurement of AC current at 50 or 60 Hz
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It is a core-less, lightweight, lower cost, AC current sensor for highly accurate metering applications requiring 0.2 per cent accuracy
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The non-round shape can be used in industrial motor controls, power line monitoring, and in commercial and industrial circuit panels
Contact details: Global office: Ph: 858-674-8100, SalesUSA@pulseeng.com, www.pulseelectronics.com
India distributors: NeST Connectivity Solutions Pvt Ltd, Spectra Innovations India Pvt Ltd, Mouser Electronics
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Model: Proximity Sensor E2E, Brand: Omron, Manufacturer: Omron Industrial Automation, Japan
Launched in June 2013, the small-diameter proximity sensor E2E is ultra small in size, but is easy to install. Its sensing distance is 1.5 times longer than that of previous models, for easy sensor positioning adjustment.
Key features
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High-speed response frequency detects moving objects: 5 kHz maximum
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The number of indicator lamps has been increased from one to four, making lamp positioning easier
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Special mounting brackets reduce the time and effort spent in installation
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Line-up of global small-diameter types (3 dia, 4 dia, 6.5 dia, M4, M5)
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Load short-circuit protection and output reverse polarity protection circuits are incorporated
Contact details: India office: Ph: 91-22-4228-8400, mumbai_enquiry@ap.omron.com, www.omron-ap.co.in
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Model: MMC246xMT, Brand: MEMSIC, Manufacturer: MEMSIC Inc., USA
Launched in June 2013, the MMC246xMT two-axis magnetic sensor is a fully integrated, high-performance sensor which comes in a miniature 2 mm x 2 mm x 1 mm land grid array (LGA) package and is capable of operating from a single 1.8V supply.
Key features
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Operating over the range of ±6 Gauss full scale, its fully integrated design provides all of the necessary circuit functions to facilitate its design into systems while saving space, reducing costs and increasing reliability over other solutions that require external circuit elements
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Its low noise of 0.8 mG total RMS and resolution of 0.25 mG per least significant bit result in accurate heading determination with less averaging, in addition to a < ±2 mG bias error over the –40°C to 85°C temperature range
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The low operating current of 20 µA (in 14-bit mode) and 50 µA (in 16-bit mode), along with its < 20nA current in the power-down mode, make it an energy-efficient two-axis magnetic sensor
Contact details: Global office: Ph: 978-738-0900, info@memsic.com, www.memsic.com
India distributor: Avnet Electronics Marketing
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Model: TLE496x, Brand: Infineon, Manufacturer: Infineon Technologies AG, Germany
Launched in April 2013, the TLE496x sensors are based on a new 0.35µm process technology developed by Infineon. The TLE496x hall sensor family is made up of three series: TLE4961, TLE4964 and TLE4968
Key features
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All derivatives operate at the extended temperature range from -40°C to 170°C
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With their switching thresholds of ±1 mT (bipolar switches), ±2 mT to ±15 mT (latches) and 2.5/3.5 mT to 22.5/28 mT (unipolar switches), they cover a very wide switching threshold range for latches as well as for unipolar switches
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The series consists of latches that are ideal for measuring the position of BLDC motors and pole wheels, for index counting, and for speed measurements. They are used, for instance, in the window lifts and sunroofs of vehicles
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The TLE4968-x series exhibits very low magnetic thresholds (high sensitivity of ±1 mT) and bipolar switching behaviour
Contact details: India office: Ph: +91-80-25131000, India.sales@infineon.com, www.infineon.com
India distributor: Arihant Electricals, AdvanIDe Inc.
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