Power Converter:
In January 2013, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) launched its power DC/DC step-down converter, which increases the amount of harvested energy an end application can use by as much as 70 per cent, compared to alternative devices.
Features: TPS62736 DC/DC converter delivers high power conversion efficiency from 10 uA to 50 mA output currents, and consumes only 350 nA of active current (20 nA during standby). The converter achieves greater than 90 per cent efficiency across output currents higher than 15 uA. TPS62736 regulator steps down the voltage from a power source, such as a thin-film, a regular battery or a super capacitor, and features a programmable output voltage.
For further details: India Product Information Centre; Toll: +91 80 41381665; Toll free: +1800 425 7888; tiasia@ti.com
Wirewound resistors
In January 2013, Vishay Intertechnology launched a series of axial cemented wirewound resistors, called Z300-C series, which offer a customised high-voltage surge withstanding capability of up to 12 kV.
Features: Z300-C series features a high-voltage surge withstand capability of up to 12 kV as per IEC 61000-4-5 (1.2 microseconds/50 microseconds). The maximum allowed surge handling capacity depends on the resistor model and ohmic value.
The resistors provide a power rating from 1 W to 6 W at an ambient temperature of 40°C and 0.9 W to 5.4 W at 70°C. The devices offer resistance from 0.15 ohms to 10 kilohms (with other values available on request), resistance tolerances of 5 per cent and 10 per cent, and a temperature coefficient (TCR) of 200 ppm/K (400 ppm/K for resistance values below 1 ohm).
For further details: Ph: 91-80-2558-6277; business-asia@vishay.com; www.vishay.com
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A ‘coil on module’ chip package
In January 2013, Infineon Technologies AG introduced its ‘coil on module’ chip package for dual interface bank and credit cards.
Features: The new ‘coil on module’ package combines a security chip and antenna that makes a radio frequency (RF) connection to the antenna embedded on the plastic payment card. Using an RF link, rather than the common mechanical-electrical connection between the card antenna and the module, improves the robustness of the payment card and simplifies card design and manufacturing, making it more efficient and up to five times faster than conventional technologies.
The chip package is also suitable for other types of dual interface smart cards such as electronic access controls, public transport ticketing and electronic identity documents.
For further details: Ph: +91 80 25131000; www.infineon.com
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Photocouplers
In January 2013, Renesas Electronics Corporation launched two new photo-couplers—the PS9332L and PS9332L2, with an integrated insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) protection function, for applications such as industrial machinery and solar power systems.
Features: PS9332L and PS9332L2 feature an integrated active Miller clamp circuit to prevent IGBT malfunction, world-class high-speed switching (20 per cent faster than conventional Renesas products) among IGBT drive photo-couplers with the integrated IGBT protection function, the compact 8-pin SDIP (shrink dual inline package), and guaranteed high-temperature operation. The photo-couplers can be used for the gate drive of IGBT devices in inverter circuits for motor control, etc. PS9332L and PS9332L2 are IGBT drive photo-couplers that have a gallium-aluminium-arsenide (GaAlAs) LED as the photo detector.
For further details: Ph: 080-67208700; sg.renesas.com
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Bi-directional isolators
In January 2013, Mouser Electronics Inc introduced two low power bi-directional isolators, the ISO1540 and ISO1541 from Texas Instruments, into its portfolio.
Features: TI ISO1540 and ISO1541 feature isolation technology that provides for function, performance, size and power consumption advantages when compared to opto-couplers. These bi-directional isolators enable a complete isolated I²C interface to be implemented within a small form factor. ISO1540 provides two isolated bi-directional channels for clock and data lines, while the ISO1541 offers bi-directional data and a uni-directional clock channel. ISO1541 is ideal for applications that have a single master while ISO1540 is designed for multi-master applications.
For further details: Ph: +886 (2) 2799 2096 4816; daphne.tien@mouser.com; www.mouser.com
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Buck converters
In January 2013, Linear Technology launched LTC3646, a 40 V input capable synchronous buck converter that can deliver up to 1 A of continuous output current from a 3mm x 4mm DFN-14 (or thermally enhanced MSOP16) package.
Features: LTC3646 operates from an input voltage range of 4 V to 40 V, making it ideal for automotive and industrial applications that require a high voltage input capability, high efficiency and fast switching frequencies for small solution footprints. LTC3646 utilises a unique controlled on-time architecture that can step inputs as high as 36 V down to 3.3 V with switching frequencies in excess of 2 MHz, keeping switching noise out of critical frequency bands, such as an AM radio. Also, it can deliver a very fast transient response even with duty cycles less than 10 per cent. Its internal synchronous rectification delivers efficiencies as high as 95 per cent and requires only 140 µA of quiescent current, maximising battery runtime.
For further details: Ph: (91) 80 4012 4610; www.linear.com
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Front end modules
In January 2013, RF Micro Devices Inc unveiled a highly-integrated front end module (FEM) for smart energy/advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) applications.
Features: The single-chip RFFM6403 FEM reduces customer design time and speeds the time-to-market in smart energy/AMI applications operating in the 405 MHz–475 MHz frequency range, as well as for portable battery powered equipment and general 433/470 MHz ISM band systems. RFFM6403 integrates a transmit high power path with a +30.5dBm PA and Tx harmonic output filtering, a transmit bypass thru path with Tx harmonic output filtering, and a receive path with a low noise amplifier (LNA) with bypass mode. The FEM also features a low insertion loss/high isolation SP3T switch and separate Rx/Tx 50Ω ports, simplifying matching, and providing input and output signals for both the Tx and Rx paths.
For further details: Ph: 336 664 1233 (US); www.rfmd.com
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Single-cell boost converters
In January 2013, Intersil Corporation launched a family of boost converters which are ideal for single-cell Li-Ion powered products incorporating USB ‘on-the-go’ (OTG) capability.
Features: Available with either a 5 V fixed output voltage or an adjustable output, ISL9113 is a fully-integrated synchronous boost converter that delivers an industry-leading current density of 460mA/mm2. Integrated 1.3 A rated synchronous MOSFETs can deliver 5 V at 500 mA from a single-cell Li-ion battery. This capability is often required to power external peripherals attached to a smartphone’s or tablet’s USB port. Having a 20uA quiescent current, it delivers excellent efficiency under light load conditions . It is available in a tiny 0.8mm×1.36mm WLCSP package or 2mm×2mm DFN package.
For further details: Ph: 080-30428400; www.intersil.com
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USB thermocouple power sensors
In January 2013, Agilent Technologies Inc launched its U8480 series of USB thermo-couple power sensors.
Features: U8480 series provides the best accuracy in the power-meter and sensor portfolio and comes with a power linearity of less than 0.8 per cent. With USB functionality, the U8480 series power sensors plug directly into PCs or USB-enabled Agilent instruments, and offer users the ability to measure power without needing an external power meter or power supply. With their built-in trigger function, thermocouple power sensors give test engineers the ability to synchronise measurement capture without needing an external module. The internal calibration function saves time and reduces wear and tear on connectors. These power sensors also come bundled with Agilent’s N1918A Power Panel software, making the U8480 series one of the most cost-effective solutions in the company’s power-meter and sensor portfolio.
For further details: Ph: 011 4627134, www.agilent.com
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