Test Switched-Mode Power Supplies Faster Using Dedicated Oscilloscopes and Software – New in Digi-Key Article Library
Digi-Key Editor, Art Pini, Explains: To meet efficiency and form factor requirements, switched-mode power supply manufacturers are incorporating new semiconductors and circuit topologies, while also adhering to higher standards of power integrity. As a result, designers must make more complex measurements of switched-mode waveforms, which increases test time and adds cost.
In an effort to reduce test time, test equipment makers have developed hardware and software that work together to automate many of the functions and complex analysis. A good example of this combination is the Teledyne LeCroy HDO4104 oscilloscope with Power Analyzer software. This article will describe how the two can be used to perform critical analyses to shorten power supply development and test. http://bit.ly/2qxAIvZ
Samtec Releases Expansion Connector Sample Kits
Expansion Connector Sample Kits for Makers
Samtec proudly announces the release of four unique Expansion Connector Sample Kits for Makers. These new kits allow continued growth and stacking of the most popular electronics platforms using standard 0.100” (2.54mm) centerline IDC cables, sockets and headers. http://bit.ly/2rnBC1I
Balancing MCU Performance & Power Consumption with Integrated Features – Just Published by Digi-Key
Developers have had access for some time to MCUs that feature low-power operating states, shutting down peripherals and even the core itself to reduce system power requirements. For some applications, however, developers need more direct control over power utilization to ensure that portions of the system remain powered to meet key functional requirements. http://bit.ly/2qxcwtL
D3 Semiconductor Announces Global Distribution Agreement With Mouser Electronics
D3 Semiconductor, a company bringing together affiliated semiconductor companies and top-talent experts, announces that Mouser Electronics is now its global distribution partner. According to the agreement, Mouser is stocking D3 Semi’s full product line of +FET™ line of 650V-rated superjunction MOSFETs, which exhibit best-in-class performance in hard–switched applications such as PFC boost and inverters used in telecom, enterprise computing, UPS and solar. http://bit.ly/2qxiIlr
Digi-Key Premiers: Jumpstart IoT Product Development with the Electric Imp Platform – by Jacob Beningo
Designing an Internet-connected product requires many skillsets. Developers need to know how to write embedded software, build a circuit board, understand how to secure their device, and connect to a network to remotely update and manage their device. Building out the expertise and the infrastructure for a single IoT product can be challenging, time consuming, and expensive. Development teams require a way to jumpstart their development and minimize what they need to do in a typical design cycle in order to meet cost and time-to-market requirements. http://bit.ly/2qx4ktm
New Coilcraft Automotive-grade Power Inductors Offer Superior Performance in a Compact Package
Coilcraft’s new SRT8045 Series of magnetically shielded power inductors offer superior performance and a smaller package than previous-generation products. Measuring just 8.0 x 8.4 x 4.5 mm, the highly cost-effective SRT8045 has saturation current ratings up to 17.4 Amps and DC resistance as low as 7.7 mΩ, allowing users to dramatically reduce inductor size while maintaining excellent performance. http://bit.ly/2psooem #techwireintl
Digi-Key Publishes: Understanding Antenna Specifications and Operation by Award Winning Editor, Bill Schweber
The antenna can contribute enormously to a system’s performance, but only if it is given due consideration early in the design process.
This article introduces popular antenna configurations such as the monopole and dipole, and discusses their performance characteristics and how to work with them in the real world. It also discusses newer antenna designs such as patch and chip antennas, and how they can help designers meet more demanding application requirements. http://bit.ly/2qwIMzJ
Exclusive Footage of Mouser Electronics’ ISS Design Challenge Winning Device Being 3D-Printed in Space
Mouser Electronics Inc. and Grant Imahara today released official footage of the winning design of the International Space Station (I.S.S.) Design Challenge being 3D-printed in space.
The latest video episode of Mouser Electronics’ Empowering Innovation Together™ program highlights the official 3D-printing of engineer Andy Filo’s winning design and explains how astronauts may use the device in space. Femtosatellites are tiny satellites (about the size of a postage stamp) that weigh less than 100 grams. Scientists can use femtosatellites in many different missions and applications, including monitoring disasters, cosmic rays and coronal events. http://bit.ly/2qwXmHf
Controlling Tunable White LEDs for Human-Centric Lighting
Digi-Key Feature Editor Murray Slovick describes HCL and introduces Infineon Technologies’ Arduino-compatible XMC1202 RGB LED Lighting Shield
As LED lighting systems mature, it is no longer sufficient to simply provide adequate brightness without glare. With research showing clearly that ambient light affects human biology, attention has now shifted to controlling the light source to affect human circadian rhythm, visual acuity, and even productivity. http://bit.ly/2pFy4nL
Take the Zero-Touch Approach to Securely Lock Down an IoT Device
Digi-Key Editors Explain How To Take the Zero-Touch Approach to Securely Lock Down an IoT Device
The demonstrated ability of hackers to penetrate IoT devices says more about the level of security of these devices than the skill of the hackers: in most cases, the affected products lack the most basic security provisions. That said, basic security is simple conceptually, but its implementation requires careful attention at every node in a system to avoid vulnerabilities.
A pre-built security solution from Microchip Technology allows developers to implement zero-touch device provisioning in IoT applications built around the Amazon Web Services (AWS) IoT service. http://bit.ly/2pFnAVj