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Automotive-grade MOSFETs lead way for small ADAS cameras

Thu, Jul 25, 2019

The new RV4xxx series enables greater miniaturisation in automotive devices such as ADAS camera modules, says Rohm Semiconductor.

The compact 1.6 x 1.6mm MOSFETs are AEC-Q101-qualified. The MOSFETs are claimed to be the first in the industry to ensure the electrode height on the side of the package (130 micron) required for vehicle applications by using original wettable flank formation technology. The result is a consistent solder quality, says Rohm – even for bottom electrode type products – enabling automatic inspection machines to easily verify solder conditions after mounting. Automotive optical inspection is performed during the assembly process, but the height of bottom electrode components solder cannot be verified after mounting. The RV4xxx series uses a proprietary wettable flank technology that guarantees an electrode height on the side of the package of 130 micron. This is achieved by making a cut into the lead frame on the side of the package before plating. However, burrs resulting from cutting into the lead frame can occur more frequently as the height of the cut increases. Rohm’s method introduces a barrier layer on the entire surface of the lead frame to minimise the occurrence of burrs. This not only prevents component rise and solder defects during mounting, but is the first on the market to ensure a 130 micron electrode height on the side of DFN1616 (1.6 x 1.6mm) packages.

Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) are commonly used in the reverse connection protection circuits of ADAS camera modules, but the larger currents required by high resolution cameras in advanced vehicle systems, call for the use of compact MOSFETs instead that provide low on resistance and less heat generation.

For example, at a current and power consumption of 2.0A and 0.6W, respectively, conventional automotive MOSFETs can reduce mounting area by 30 per cent compared with SBDs, says Rohm. In addition, adopting bottom electrode MOSFETs for their heat dissipation characteristics, while still supporting large currents in an even smaller form factor makes it possible to decrease mounting area by as much as 78 per cent compared with conventional SBDs and by as much as 68 per cent compared with conventional MOSFETs.

Samples are available now, with OEM qualities expected in September 2019.

http://www.rohm.com/eu

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Trio of photocouplers drive industrial applications with lower power budgets

Wed, Jul 24, 2019

Three 15Mbits per second photocouplers from Renesas Electronics are designed to withstand the harsh operating environments of industrial and factory automation equipment. They have been developed in response to the trend for higher voltage, compact systems for safety standards and eco-friendly designs that require smaller ICs with lower power consumption. The RV1S9x60A family is claimed to have best-in-class low threshold input current (IFHL) ratings. The RV1S9160A (SO5) operates at 2.0mA, the RV1S9060A (LSO5) operates at 2.2mA and the RV1S9960A (LSDIP8) operates at 3.8mA.

Lower power consumption allows the RV1S9x60A photocouplers to suppress power supply heat generation. Operation at high temperatures, up to 125 degrees C (+110 degrees C for RV1S9960A) saves board space by allowing the photocoupler to be mounted near an IGBT or MOSFET power device. The devices are targeted at DC to AC power inverters, AC servo motors, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), robotic arms, solar and wind input power conditioners, and battery management systems for energy storage and charging.

The RV1S9x60A photocouplers feature high common mode rejection (noise tolerance) up to 50 kV/ micro seconds (minimum) to protect microcontrollers and other I/O logic circuits from high voltage spikes while transferring high-speed signals. The RV1S9x60A family also offers a variety of packages with the smallest footprint for each reinforced isolation (up to 690Vrms), and minimum creepage distances of 4.2 to 14.5mm to ensure safe operation.

The RV1S9160A, RV1S9060A and RV1S9960A photocouplers operate at low voltages, from 2.7 to 5.5V. Isolation voltages are 3,750Vrms (RV1S9160A), 5,000Vrms (RV1S9060A), and 7,500Vrms (RV1S9960A).

High temperature operation from -40°C to +125°C (RV1S9160A and RV1S9060A), and from -40°C to +110°C (RV1S9960A)

The supply current is 2.0mA (max), with a low pulse width distortion at 20 nanoseconds (max). Propagation delay is 60 nanoseconds max and propagation delay skew is 25 nanoseconds max.

The RV1S9x60A 15Mbits per second photocouplers are available now from Renesas Electronics’ worldwide distributors.

Renesas Electronics specialises in microcontrollers, analogue, power and SoC products for a range of automotive, industrial, home electronics, office automation, and information communication technology applications.

http://www.renesas.com

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Arrow Electronics signs agreement with Sensera for IoT location sensors

Wed, Jul 24, 2019

Real-time location and location-aware smart wireless sensor modules from Sensera are now available from Arrow Electronics, following a global agreement signing.

Sensera designs and manufactures end-to-end sensors and services for the IoT, which combines precise proximity detection and tracking in real time with smart IoT sensors.

The agreement ensures that Arrow’s IoT group will provide consultancy and assist with design and delivering sensing systems based on Sensera products, including system integration and deployment. The agreement covers Sensera’s IoT Solutions division and its MicroDevices division.

The distributor was already distributing Nanotron Technologies, Sensera’s IoT division, in some regions. Now, Arrow will provide Sensera’s entire product portfolio to its worldwide customer base for mission-critical applications. Arrow’s technical sales teams and field application engineers will provide customers with design-in and product support, adds the company.

Sensera is an IoT provider that delivers sensor-based products that transform real-time data into meaningful information, action and value. The company designs and manufactures hardware and software across the vertical technology spectrum from MEMS and sensors as well as wireless networked systems and software for the IoT.

Sensera’s MicroDevices division designs and manufactures specialised, high performance sensors, and modules.

Nanotron provides electronic location awareness products, to deliver precise position data augmented by context information in real-time.

https://www.arrow.com

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AI vision sensor encourages creativity

Wed, Jul 24, 2019

Robotics and open source hardware provider, DFRobot, describes its artificial intelligence (AI) vision sensor as user-friendly, with powerful algorithms and designed for click, learn and play to encourage creative projects.

The HuskyLens has several types of built-in image processing algorithms, allowing creators to start experimenting without requiring a deep understanding algorithms. DFRobot says that it is a time-saving device for experienced makers and an easy-to-use powerful tool for enthusiastic future makers.

The pre-installed algorithms in HuskyLen are designed for facial recognition, object recognition, object tracking, line following, colour detection, and tag detection. Users can also switch between algorithms with a single click. Algorithms like line-following and tag recognition can be activated simultaneously. The company gives the example that once applied to a small robot, it can not only follow a line but can also determine in which direction to turn.

HuskyLens can improve its abilities through learning. With a single click, the device can learn new objects, faces, and colours. By holding down the button, HuskyLens can continually learn the target, from different perspectives and at various ranges. The AI camera carries a 2.0-inch display, which means users do not have to connect to a PC for monitoring performance.

CEO, Ricky Ye, said: “HuskyLens has been designed with creators and makers in mind and has infused the latest AI technology with compact design and exceptionally fast processors to ensure that users are only limited by their imagination”.

HuskyLens is compatible with a range of microcontrollers including Arduino, Raspberry Pi, LattePanda, and micro:bit.

The company has introduced a KickStarter project.

DFRobot is a robotics and open source hardware provider that is dedicated to creating innovative, user-friendly products for the maker community and for innovation. DFRobot collaborates with multiple tech giants, including Intel and Microsoft, and has a product catalogue of over 1,000 components and widgets including sensors, robotic platforms, and communication modules.

http://www.dfrobot.com

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