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element14 Community launches global LED design challenge with Würth Elektronik

Tue, Jul 22, 2025

element14, an Avnet Community, has launched a new global design challenge in collaboration with Würth Elektronik. This new competition invites engineers, makers and hobbyists to develop a prototype or test rig using Würth Elektronik’s cutting-edge SMD LEDs with Integrated WL-ICLED Controller.

The challenge encourages participants to demonstrate the WL-ICLED Controller’s capabilities through applications such as:
• Home appliances
• Industrial control systems
• Smart lighting
• Gaming peripherals
• Decorative lighting
• Smart home monitoring or notification systems

Ten applicants will be selected to receive a free design kit, including a variety of Würth Elektronik WL-ICLEDs, an Arduino Zero, a power supply, and additional accessories to support their builds. All challengers must incorporate WL-ICLED technology into their project and document their progress through a series of blog posts.

Please note that this challenge may require SMD soldering, reflow soldering and PCB design.

Applications are open now through 8 August. Selected participants will have until 26 October to complete their projects, with winners announced shortly after.

To be eligible for prizes, selected challengers must post at least five updates on the element14 Community and a final project blog showcasing their build and the WL-ICLED’s capabilities. Entries will be judged on creativity, technical execution, and effective use of the controller’s features.

For more information on the design challenge and to register, please visit: https://community.element14.com

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Ibase announces new outdoor computer for extreme environments

Tue, Jul 22, 2025

Ibase has launched the ARS200, a rugged, waterproof all-in-one outdoor computer engineered for high-reliability performance in extreme conditions. Purpose-built for mission-critical applications, the ARS200 combines durable industrial-grade hardware with environmental resilience, making it ideal for smart transportation, traffic monitoring, industrial automation, outdoor digital signage, and energy infrastructure deployments.

Powered by Intel 14th/13th Gen Core U-series processors and supporting up to 64GB of DDR5-5600 memory, the ARS200 offers computing performance with energy efficiency. Its modular design supports multiple M.2 slots for wireless and storage expansion, and includes rich I/O options such as dual 2.5GbE LAN, dual CANbus, and a SIM slot for 4G/5G LTE connectivity.

Built with an IP65-rated fanless enclosure, the ARS200 is protected against water, dust, and harsh weather conditions. It operates across wide temperature ranges from -20°C to 70°C, ensuring 24/7 performance in both hot and cold outdoor environments. To support deployment in diverse field applications, it accepts a wide-range 12V~24V DC input and is equipped with built-in protections against over-voltage, under-voltage, and reverse polarity.

The ARS200 is engineered for rugged edge computing applications requiring long-term durability and uninterrupted operation. It enables industries to bridge the gap between reliable computing infrastructure and real-world operational challenges, driving smart city initiatives, supporting mission-critical transportation and logistics systems, and empowering operators with the confidence to deploy in the harshest environments, knowing their systems are built to endure the toughest conditions.

https://www.ibase.com.tw

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Adlink launches cExpress-R8 a compact solution to Demanding Industrial Workloads

Tue, Jul 22, 2025

Adlink has introduced the cExpress-R8, a COM Express COM.0 R3.1 Type 6 Compact module powered by AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series processors (8845HS, 8840U, 8645HS, 8640U). Engineered for the demands of modern smart industrial applications, it delivers an advanced integration of high-performance and energy-efficient design. This module ignites mission-critical AI capabilities, accelerated edge computing, and advanced graphics performance.

Pushing the limits of edge performance, Adlink’s cExpress-R8 combines up to 8 “Zen 4” cores and 16 threads with integrated AMD RDNA 3 graphics and an XDNA NPU, delivering up to 40 TOPS. The cExpress-R8 fuels power-efficient AI inferencing and fast decision-making across machine vision, robotics, medical imaging, infotainment, and intelligent human-machine systems. With XDNA architecture, performance-per-watt efficiency is optimised, delivering advanced AI processing, and enabling more complex AI workloads without a significant spike in energy demands.

To guarantee real-time processing, the cExpress-R8 supports up to 96GB of DDR5 memory at 5600 MT/s, with both ECC and non-ECC options available. ECC acts as a watchdog, detecting and correcting errors in environments, where failure isn’t an option, whether in mission-critical applications, gaming, transportation, and POS (Point of Sale)/POI (Point of Information) systems.

With support for up to four displays, DP, eDP, HDMI, LVDS, and VGA interfaces. VGA and eDP outputs are available as optional features, allowing flexible visual configurations to meet edge computing demands. Combined with scalable performance, power, and graphics configurations, the cExpress-R8 is well-suited for a diverse range of edge applications. With 10-year product availability, it ensures long-term design stability and lifecycle alignment for system integrator roadmaps.

Adlink’s cExpress development kits, including reference carriers and full I/O support, will be available in Q4 of 2025 to help you accelerate prototyping and simplify system integration.

https://www.adlinktech.com

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Mouser now stocking new TDK converters for AI, IoT, 5G, and big data

Mon, Jul 21, 2025

Mouser is now shipping the new FS160x µPOL DC-DC converters from TDK. The FS160x µPOL DC-DC converters feature full telemetry and increased performance in a compact, power-dense package. These converters are ideal for big data, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G cells, and IoT.

The FS160x µPOL DC-DC converters are easy to integrate and offer a wide input voltage range of 4.2V to 16V and three continuous load capacities: 3A, 4A, and 6A. The FS160x µPOL low-profile package (3.3 × 3.3 × 1.35 mm) is suitable for automated assembly using standard surface-mount equipment and features an on-chip pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller and integrated MOSFETs, with an incorporated inductor and capacitors, creating an extremely compact and accurate regulator.

The FS160x µPOLs device’s built-in protections include pre-biased start-up, overvoltage protection, soft-start protection, thermal shutdown with auto-recovery, and thermally compensated overcurrent protection with hiccup mode. The TDK FS160x µPOL DC-DC converters feature full telemetry for high power-density applications with optimised construction that delivers extraordinary power density in surprisingly small modules, with a wide operating range from -40 °C to 125 °C.

Mouser also stocks the TDK EV1603-5000-A evaluation boards, which provide a demonstration and development platform for the FS160x µPOL DC-DC converters. The evaluation boards provide an example application circuit, allowing rapid prototyping when incorporated into existing designs.

https://www.mouser.com

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