Industry news

Linear Technology introduced the LT3669, an IO-Link PHY compatible (COM1/COM2/COM3) industrial transceiver that includes a high efficiency step-down regulator and a low dropout linear regulator. The device offers cable interface protection to ±60V. Wake-up detect functionality as well as a programmable power-on reset timer are included for system reliability. The LT3669/-2 operates from a 7.5V to 40V input voltage range

Read more

The US-based smart module and power optimization company Tigo Energy is teaming up with SunGift Trade — the UK-based distribution arm of the installer SunGift Solar — with the aim of becoming a major force in the UK’s solar PV market. As per the new arrangement between the two, SunGift will carry and utilize stock of the Tigo Dual Maximizer

Read more

More than 10 years ago, the frequency control industry introduced PLL-based (phase-locked loop) oscillators, an innovation that pioneered several features previously unavailable with traditional crystal oscillators (XOs). Leveraging internal clock synthesizer IC technology, PLL-based XOs can be programmed to support a wide range of frequencies. This breakthrough eliminated the material processing steps required to cut and machine quartz to make

Read more

International Rectifier designed its D series of low-power, radiation-tolerant, two-output dc-dc converters to meet the high-reliability design requirements of satellite power systems. The D28xxD and D50xxxxP D series features low output noise, and guaranteed end-of-life (EOL) output-voltage drift with high-level output cross regulation.  Each converter output is independently regulated with 5-W maximum rated output power or 10-W total output power. 

Read more

Intersil’s ISL85403 is a 36 V, 2.5 A synchronous buck or boost buck controller with a high-side MOSFET and low-side driver integrated. In buckmode, the ISL85403 supports a wide input range of 3 V to 36 V. In boost-buck mode, the input range can be extended down to 2.5 V and output regulation can be maintained when VIN drops below

Read more

Artesyn Embedded Technologies, formerly Emerson Network Power’s Embedded Computing & Power business, today announced the new AVD85 family of 85-Watt, sixteenth-brick, high-efficiency, fully-regulated dc-dc converters. The AVD85 offers excellent thermal performance, high power density of 72.5 W/in2 and delivers a peak efficiency of 92 percent. Optimized for high density applications with restricted space, the AVD85 family provides an adjustable output

Read more

RFID battery-free sensors are a very good alternative to natural source energy harvesting solutions for those applications in need of a reliable wireless energy source. Energy harvesting from natural sources is the optimum solution. However, the efficiency of devices commercially available is still a bit limited. On top of that, natural energy sources are generally not reliable (i.e.: photovoltaics depend

Read more

Infineon is expanding its Austrian site in Villach in a project it calls “Pilot Space Industry 4.0”. This, says Infineon, is an ‘ innovative concept for networked and knowledge-intensive production’. Research on new materials and technologies will also be intensified. Infineon’s expansion plans foresee investments and research costs amounting to a total of € 290 million, creating approximately 200 new

Read more

Large-scale energy storage is one of the major challenges facing renewable energy, but a recent breakthrough could be a real game changer. Scientists at USC, led by professor Sri Narayan, just developed a new long-lasting battery that is cheap to build, water-based, and made out of green components with no toxic chemicals and no metals. The battery can be used

Read more

Modern high-speed RS-485 data links are pushing the envelope to the absolute breaking point with regards to data rate versus cable length. Applications include position encoders, traffic monitoring, seismic networks, and GPS transceivers. Data rates from as low as 8 Mbits/s up to 20 Mbits/s are driven across distances of 200 to 1000 feet (70 to 300 m). The designs

Read more