ICs & Semiconductors Archives - Page 135 of 235

Baseless power modules improve aircraft electrical system efficiency, says Microchip

Wed, Aug 04, 2021

Developed with the Clean Sky consortium, Microchip’s BL1, BL2 and BL3 families are qualified to stringent aerospace standards for AC/DC and DC/AC power conversion

To enable next-generation aircraft electrical systems – including electrical systems that replace today’s pneumatics and hydraulics powering everything from on-board alternators to actuators and auxiliary power units (APUs) – and reduce aircraft emissions, require new power conversion technology, explained Microchip.

It has developed the baseless power modules with Clean Sky, a joint European Commission (EC) and industry consortium, and says the BL1, BL2 and BL3 are the first aerospace-qualified baseless power modules which enable higher efficiency, lighter and more compact power conversion and motor drive systems.

The BL1, BL2 and BL3 family of baseless power modules provides greater efficiency in AC/DC and DC/AC power conversion and generation through the integration of Microchip’s silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor technology. They are 40 per cent lighter than other modules due to the modified substrate, reports Microchip. The design also produces an approximate 10 per cent cost savings over standard power modules that incorporate metal baseplates. Microchip’s BL1, BL2, and BL3 devices meet all mechanical and environmental compliance guidelines in RTCA DO-160G, the “Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment,” Version G (August 2010).

The modules are available in low profile, low inductance packaging with power and signal connectors that designers can solder directly on PCBs, helping to speed development and increase reliability. According to Microchip, modules in the family have the same height which enables them to be paralleled or connected in a three-phase bridge and other topologies to achieve higher-performing power converters and inverters.

The family incorporates SiC MOSFETs and Schottky barrier diodes to maximise system efficiency. In packages delivering 100W to more than 10kW of power, the BL1, BL2, and BL3 family is available in topology options including phase leg, full bridge, asymmetric bridge, boost, buck and dual common source. The high-reliability power modules are available in voltage ranges from 600 to 1,200V in SiC MOSFETs and IGBTs to 1,600V for rectifier diodes.

Microchip’s power module technology as well as its ISO 9000- and AS9100-certified fabrication facilities provide high-quality units through flexible manufacturing alternatives.

Microchip’s baseless power modules complement its aerospace portfolio of motor drive controllers, storage ICs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, microprocessors, timing products, semiconductors and point of load (PoL) regulators for aerospace and defence applications. Microchip also provides a full portfolio of SiC technology for aerospace, automotive and industrial applications.

Microchip’s BL1, BL2 and BL3 baseless power modules are available as 75 and 145A SiC MOSFET, 50A as IGBT, and 90A as rectifier diode outputs.

http://www.microchip.com

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Multi-speed PoE injector supports Wi-Fi 6 infrastructure

Tue, Aug 03, 2021

The EKI-2701MPI-5G is a compact, industrial grade injector by Advantech which delivers Wi-Fi 6 network infrastructure, power over Ethernet (PoE) and advanced connectivity to existing infrastructure. It supports multiple data rates, i.e. 10M / 100M / 1G / 2.5G / 5G (data in) and IEEE802.3bt 90W PoE output. Advantech advised that it can be used for obsolete infrastructure applications requiring heavy network connectivity.

The EKI-2701MPI-5G supports downward-compatible 2.5 and 5Gbits per second data rates to deliver Wi-Fi 6 capabilities to existing wireless infrastructure. It also serves as a PoE power source, delivering up to 90W output to IP cameras, Wi-Fi 6 access points, and other connected devices. The injector’s PoE standard is downward- compatible for 15, 30, and 60W PoE power delivery (PD) devices, which can facilitate network infrastructure upgrades. Using the EKI-2701MPI-5G to upgrade infrastructure saves manpower while reducing cabling weight and cost, added Advantech. The downward-compatible data rate helps extend the life cycle of existing devices, the company said.

The compact, palm-sized form factor is adaptable to network infrastructure upgrades where space is limited. It is capable of delivering network service without overheating and supports a wide operating temperature range of -40 to +75 degrees C.

The injector’s force mode power supports up to 90W by DIP switch, power input of 54 to 57V DC and 90W.

The slim industrial grade metal housing is IP40-rated and is for DIN rail mounting.

Established in 1983, Advantech offers comprehensive system integration, hardware, software, customer-centric design services, embedded systems, automation products, and global logistics support. It co-operates closely with partners for a wide range of applications in diverse industries. The company’s mission is to enable an intelligent planet by developing automated and embedded computing products and solutions that facilitate smarter working and living.

http://www.advantech.com

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Microchip unveils single chip for network synchronisation

Fri, Jul 30, 2021

Offering precise timing for 5G radio access equipment, the ZL3073x / 63x / 64x network synchronisation platform combines integration and performance in one compact, low-power device, says Microchip.

For 5G, time sources need to be synchronised throughout a packet-switched network 10 times more accurately than 4G requirements. The devices makes it possible to achieve 5G performance with what is claimed to be the first single chip, highly integrated, low power, multi-channel IC coupled with the company’s IEEE 1588 precision time protocol (PTP) and clock recovery algorithm software modules.

The ZL3073x / 63x / 64x network synchronisation platform implements sophisticated measure, calibrate and tune capabilities, which reduces network equipment time error to meet the most stringent 5G requirements, said Rami Kanama, vice president of Microchip’s timing and communications business unit.

Microchip’s measure, calibrate and tune capabilities ensure 5G systems achieve ITU-T Standard G.8273.2 Class C (30ns max|TE|) and the emerging Class D (5ns max|TEL|) time error requirements. The architecture offers up to five independent digital phase locked loop (DPLL) channels while consuming only 0.9W in a compact 9.0 x 9.0mm package that simultaneously reduces board space, power and system complexity.

There are five low-jitter synthesisers which offers 100 femto second root mean square (rms) jitter performance required by high speed interfaces in the latest 5G radio unit, distributed unit and central unit systems.

Microchip’s network synchronisation platform software includes its ZLS30730 high-performance algorithm coupled with its ZLS30390 IEEE 1588-2008 protocol engine. The network synchronisation platform combines seamlessly with Microchip’s family of precision 5G oscillators, adds the company. Its portfolio also includes clock generation, fanout buffer and jitter attenuator solutions as well as quartz and MEMS oscillators and Ethernet physical layer (PHY) devices.

A graphical user interface (GUI) and evaluation board are also available, along with application notes and other design-in support tools.

The ZL3073x / 63x / 64x network synchronisation platform is available in production quantities and offered with IEEE 1588 PTP and algorithm software modules, which are provided through license terms for download.

http://www.microchip.com

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Neural network detects faces in 12milliseconds

Wed, Jul 28, 2021

Faces can be detected in video and still images at 12 milliseconds per inference in the Detectum neural network created by Xailient. The IoT face detection system uses Maxim Integrated’s MAX78000 AI microcontroller.

Xailient’s neural network draws 250 times lower power (at just 280 microJoules) than conventional embedded solutions, and at 12 milliseconds per inference, the network performs in real time and is faster than the most efficient face-detection system available for the edge, claims Maxim.

Battery-powered AI systems that require face detection, such as home cameras, industrial grade smart security cameras and retail solutions, require a low power operation to provide the longest possible time between charges. In addition to supporting standalone applications, Maxim Integrated’s microcontroller paired with Xailient’s neural network improves overall power efficiency and battery life of hybrid edge / cloud applications that use a low power ‘listening’ mode which wakes up the more complex systems when a face is detected.

Xailient’s Detectum neural network includes focus, zoom and visual wake word technologies to detect and localise faces in video and images at 76 times faster rates than conventional software, at similar or better accuracy, says Maxim. The ability to localise a face means that it can be used for advanced applications which determine where a face is in the image’s field of view. Examples include person, vehicle and object counting, presence or obstruction detection, as well as path mapping and footfall heatmaps.

The network can be extended to other applications such as livestock inventory and monitoring, parking spot occupancy and retail or warehouse inventory levels.

Xailient’s neural network combined with the computational efficiency and low power sleep modes of the MAX78000 microcontroller extend the operating time of coin cell battery-powered, hybrid edge/cloud applications for many years, says Maxim.

“AI is on track to be the second largest carbon emitting industry,” said Dr. Shivy Yohanandan, Xailient chief technology office (CTO) and inventor of Xailient’s Detectum neural network technology. “Replacing 14 legacy internet protocol cameras that use traditional cloud AI with edge-based cameras equipped with the Maxim Integrated MAX78000 paired with Xailient’s neural network has the equivalent carbon impact of taking one gasoline powered car off the road,” he said.

The MAX78000 is available now and Maxim also offers the MAX78000EVKIT# evaluation kit.

The Detectum neural network, series models, tools, services as well as focus, zoom and visual wake word technologies are available directly from Xailient.

http://www.maximintegrated.com

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Baseless power modules improve aircraft electrical system efficiency, says Microchip

Multi-speed PoE injector supports Wi-Fi 6 infrastructure

Microchip unveils single chip for network synchronisation

Neural network detects faces in 12milliseconds

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