ICs & Semiconductors

Rutronik offers small, integrated Bluetooth and RF antenna SiP modules

Mon, Jan 28, 2019

System in package (SiP) modules from Insight SiP, the ISP1507-AL, are described as one of the smallest, fully integrated devices on the market. The module is for implementing Bluetooth Low Energy and ANT+ RF connections.

Available from Rutronik24, the ISP1507-AL is based on the nRF52810 multiprotocol system on chip (SoC) from Nordic Semiconductor. Its size and levels of integration make it particularly suitable for mesh relay nodes and price-sensitive IoT applications, says the distributor.

Insight SiP is a French technology company that specialises in radio frequency (RF) circuit miniaturisation, SiP technology and antenna in package (AiP) products. The ISP1507-AL use an Arm Cortex M4 floating point processor, which enables it to do fast calculations and manage all 13 I/Os, as well as analogue and digital peripherals. Its small dimensions (it measures 8.0 x 8.0 x 1.0mm), coupled with its range of functions mean the ISP1507-AL BLE module can be used where fast processing and low power consumption is needed. Target applications include IoT, industrial sensors, wearables, beacons, and home automation.

The ISP1507-AL BLE module features 192kbyte flash memory, 24kbyte RAM, and two integrated crystals (32MHZ and 32kHz) to enable high performance operations. In many cases, the ISP1507-AL SiP can eliminate the need for an additional microprocessor or additional memory, says Rutronik.

The SiP also includes an antenna and various interfaces, including SPI, I2C, UART, and ADC.

The ISP1507-AL BLE module supports Bluetooth 5.0, ANT+, and other mesh protocols. The optional NFC antenna allows touch-to-pair functionality.

Nordic’s software stacks can also be used for ISP1507-AL module. In addition, the ISP1507-AL SiP is pin-compatible to the related modules, including the ISP1507-AX and the ISP1807-LR, which will be available in early 2019.

Insight SiP provides turn-key design services and creative packaging for customers who need highly integrated systems to meet the space requirements for wireless and portable devices. The company has expertise in custom multi-die RF circuit miniaturisation, SiP and AiP designs and provides ready-to-use RF modules for Bluetooth Low Energy applications, such as telecomms and mobile computing, portable consumer devices, healthcare, automotive, connected cars, industrial, and the IoT. The company has headquarters in the south of France, and sales offices in the US, Japan, and a worldwide distribution network.

https://www.rutronik24.com

> Read More

Super-junction MOSFETs minimise power dissipation

Tue, Jan 22, 2019

Leveraging ST Microelectronics’ carrier-lifetime control technology, the MDmesh DM6 MOSFETs are 600V devices that contain a fast recovery body diode to bring the performance advantages of ST’s super-junction technology to full and half-bridge topologies, zero voltage switching (ZVS) phase shift converters and any topologies that require a diode able to handle dynamic dV/dt.

The MDmesh DM6 MOSFETs have reduced reverse-recovery time (trr) to minimise power dissipation in the diode when turning off after freewheeling. Recovery softness is optimised to enhance reliability, adds ST. In addition, very low gate charge (Qg) and on-resistance (RDSON), and a capacitance profile tailored for light loads, allow higher operating frequencies and greater efficiency, with simplified thermal management and reduced EMI. These characteristics make the MDmesh DM6 devices suitable for equipment such as charging stations for electric vehicles, telecom or data centre power converters, and solar inverters, where they are claimed to enable superior energy ratings with more robust performance and increased power density.

The MOSFETs are part of the STPower portfolio. There are 23 part numbers covering current ratings from 15 to 72A, with gate charge (Qg) ranging from 20nC to 117nC and RDSON from 0.240 down to 0.036 Ohm respectively.

Package options include the new low-inductance leadless TO-LL, PowerFLAT 8×8 HV, D2PAK, TO-220, and TO-247 with short leads, long leads, or Kelvin pin for applications requiring precision current sensing.

The MDmesh DM6 family is in production now. Please contact your local ST office for pricing and sample requests.

http://www.st.com

> Read More

Zero-drift op amp provides EMI filtering

Wed, Jan 16, 2019

Meeting the needs of precision measurement in industrial control and factory automation, the MCP6V51 zero-drift operational amplifier (op amp) provides precision measurement and minimises the influence of high-frequency interference, claims Microchip. The MCP6V51 offers a wide operating range and on-chip EMI filters.

The so-called smart factory has led to an increase in the number of sensors that need to be monitored and the MCP6V51 amplifier is designed to provide accurate, stable data from a variety of sensors. Its self-correcting zero-drift architecture enables high DC precision, claims Microchip, providing a maximum offset of ±15 microV and only ±36 nanoV per degree C of maximum offset drift. The MCP6V51 supports a wide operating voltage range – from 4.5 to 45V, suitable for factory automation, process control and building automation applications.

The increasing numbers of wireless sensors and wireless capabilities raises high frequency interference within sensitive analogue measurement as a critical consideration. The additional on-chip EMI filtering within the MCP6V51 provides protection from these unwanted and unpredictable interference sources. This allows designers to provide improved performance while more easily managing an increasingly difficult environment.

Programmable logic controllers and distributed control systems used within industrial automation run on a variety of voltage rails, such as 12, 24 or 36V. The support for a wide range of supply voltages includes overhead to account for supply transients by supporting an operating range up to 45V.

An evaluation board is also available. The eight-pin SOIC/MSOP/TSSOP/DIP evaluation board (Part # SOIC8EV) is a blank PCB that allows each device pin to be connected to a pull-up resistor, a pull-down resistor, an in-line resistor, and a loading capacitor. The PCB pads allow through-hole or surface-mount connectors to be installed to ease connection to the board. Additional passive component footprints are on the board, to allow simple circuits to be implemented.

The MCP6V51 is available today for sampling and volume production in both eight-lead MSOPs and five-lead SOT-23 packages.

http://www.microchip.com

> Read More

Analog Devices and Momenta partner for HD maps in autonomous vehicles

Fri, Jan 11, 2019

High definition (HD) maps are a critical element of autonomous driving and must deliver accurate, real-time information to help safely guide the vehicle to its destination. Announcing a collaboration with Momenta, an autonomous driving technology company based in China, Analog Devices will develop HD maps in autonomous vehicles. Analog Devices’ inertial measurement units (IMUs) will be used to improve the mapping system and technology upgrades in Momenta’s L3 freeway ramp-to-ramp and L4 full autonomy driving mapping software.

Under poor weather conditions, or when a GPS signal is lost, an IMU delivers mapping output. Analog Devices’ IMUs will enhance Momenta’s mapping software to meet the demanding accuracy requirements of HD maps. Analog Devices points out that its IMUs exceed the value/performance ratio of higher cost alternative sensors based on fibre optic gyro or laser gyro technologies.

Momenta’s vision-based semantic HD maps are crowdsourced, highly accurate and frequently updated. They provide map update and localisation services. Momenta is also able to leverage modules mounted on taxis, trucks and buses to create a

Momenta’s team includes experts on computer vision and deep learning, including one of the authors of Faster R-CNN and ResNet, the influential deep learning network.

Analog Devices has more than 30 years of experience in MEMS inertial sensor design. Its MEMS IMUs have been applied in the avionics and smart agriculture sectors, which have similar requirements to those for autonomous driving. Analog Devices’ MEMS IMUs are capable of maintaining critical specifications such as bias, sensitivity, and cross-axis sensitivity under all conditions, including time variation, shock, vibration, and temperature conditions.

http://www.analog.com

> Read More

About Smart Cities

This news story is brought to you by smartcitieselectronics.com, the specialist site dedicated to delivering information about what’s new in the Smart City Electronics industry, with daily news updates, new products and industry news. To stay up-to-date, register to receive our weekly newsletters and keep yourself informed on the latest technology news and new products from around the globe. Simply click this link to register here: Smart Cities Registration