Taiwan Semiconductor offers alternative source for automotive-grade LDO regulators

Integrated AEC-Q100 qualified low dropout regulators (LDOs) require minimal external parts count and are offered in four configurations in heat-spreading SOP-8EP and TSSOP-14EP packages by Taiwan Semiconductor.

The TQL8xx family offers manufacturers a reliable alternative source for the critical linear regulators used in battery-driven automotive functions, including dashboard, cluster, climate control, fuel pump and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The regulators are suited for secondary supply applications where a regulated output is essential during very low-cranking voltage conditions. 

They are designed for stability in automotive battery-connect applications. They maintain two per cent accuracy over a wide range of input voltages and a full operating temperature range of -40 to +125 degrees C. They are offered in models with fixed outputs of 3.3V or 5.V and feature typical dropout voltages of 70 to 80mV at IO=100mA.  

The TQL8xx family’s four package configurations are the SOP-8EP package with ignition enable pin (only), the SOP-8EP-package with enable, reset and watchdog output; and reset threshold adjustment, the TSSOP-14EP package with enable, reset and watchdog output and reset threshold adjustment, finally there is the TSSOP-14EP package with enable, watchdog monitor input; watchdog output, reset threshold adjustment and program timing adjustment.

The AEC-qualifies devices are manufactured in-house and provide a viable alternate source for high-demand devices, commented Sam Wang, Taiwan Semiconductor’s vice president, products. 

Available design resources include comprehensive datasheets and spice models for each component in the series.

Taiwan Semiconductor’s expanded product portfolio includes trench Schottky’s, MOSFETs, power transistors, LED driver ICs, analogue ICs and ESD protection devices. Production facilities are located in China and Taiwan. They are fully compliant with current automotive and environmental standards such as IATF16949, ISO9001 and ISO14001.

Taiwan Semiconductor products are used in an array of applications in the electronics industry including automotive, computer, consumer, industrial, telecomms and photovoltaic. 

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Edge computer will drive robotic innovation, says Aaeon

The UP Element i12 Edge computer combines precision engineering with Intel technology to a new era in industrial robotics, said Aaeon. The computer has target applications in the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) and industrial automation markets. 

The computer uses the 12th Generation Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processor platforms with industrial-grade engineering to harness up to 10 cores and 12 threads, Intel Iris Xe graphics and a selection of peripheral technologies in a rugged, flexible edge system.

It has three USB 3.2 and two USB 2.0 ports for multiple 3D cameras and sensors and a dual COM port pin header for RS-232 / 422 / 485 connectivity. It is equipped with enhanced object detection capabilities and accurate positional data via lidar and inertial measurement unit (IMU) connections. 

The UP Element i12 Edge, unlike many options in the current AMR landscape, is an industrial-grade computer with enhanced shock and vibration resistance, said Aaeon, and therefore suitable for outdoor use. It also has optional I/O cable locks, shock absorbers and a phoenix connector to ease deployment. 

The integration of the Intel NUC 12 Compute Element, features Wi-Fi / Bluetooth, 12th Generation Intel Core processors and up to 32Gbyte LPDDR5 system memory.

It is estimated that the attributes offered by the Intel NUC 12 Compute Element will reduce lead time for the UP Element i12 Edge by 50 per cent, giving the development community a more advanced, streamlined route to deploying AMR and industrial automation solutions for both indoor and outdoor settings.

Established in 1992, Aaeon designs and manufactures industrial IoT and AI edge solutions. The company provides industrial motherboards and systems, rugged tablets, embedded AI Edge systems, uCPE network appliances and LoRaWAN / WWAN solutions. 

Aaeon provides experience and knowledge to provide OEM / ODM services worldwide. Aaeon also works closely with cities and governments to develop and deploy smart city ecosystems and works closely with premier chip designers to deliver stable, reliable platforms. The company is recognised as a Titanium member of the Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance. 

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Add-on board delivers GPS positioning, navigation and timing

The latest Click board from MikroElektronika (Mikroe), the GPS 5 Click provides users with positioning, navigation, and timing services.

The board features the M20050-1, a compact GPS module receiver using the MediaTek MT3333 flash chip, providing a complete GNSS receiver from Antenova. The receiver tracks three GNSS constellations concurrently (GPS+Galileo+GLONASS or GPS+Beidou) to enhance location and TTFF (Time to first fix) and has configurable low power modes operating from a 3.3V power supply. There is the possibility of using an external antenna, back up power and various visual indicators, pointed out Mikroe. The M20050-1 also has an accurate 0.5ppm TXCO claimed to ensure short TTFF alongside multi-path algorithms, which improves position accuracy in inner-city environments.

It has been introduced to allow developers to address a broad spectrum of GPS applications where performance, cost, and time to market are prime considerations, commented Nebojsa Matic, CEO at Mikroe.

Click boards are a modular prototyping add-on board standard invented by Mikroe, which allows users add new functionalities to development boards. Click boards enable design engineers to change peripherals easily, cutting months off development time. To enable hundreds of Click boards to be connected to the microcontroller or microprocessor the company has invented the socket standard mikroBUS. This is a uniform connection interface allowing a developer to connect any Click boards to a main board instantly. The company releases a new Click board nearly every day at 10am. Microcontroller companies including Microchip, NXP, Infineon, Dialog, STMicroelectronics, Analog Devices, Renesas and Toshiba now include the mikroBUS socket on development boards.

MikroElektronika (Mikroe) is committed to changing the embedded electronics industry through the use of industry standard hardware and software solutions. In 2011, the company invented the mikroBUS development socket standard and the compact Click Boards.

SiBrain is Mikroe’s last standard, for microcontroller development add-on boards and sockets. MikroElektronika also claims to make the world’s widest range of compilers and additionally provides development environments, development boards, smart displays and programmers and debuggers.

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Murata’s Type 2AB UWB Bluetooth modules are available from Rutronik  

Small, wideband modules by Murata combine low power consumption and accurate results for compact, battery powered IoT devices.

The Type 2AB UWB + Bluetooth Low Energy wideband modules measure 10.5 x 8.3 x 1.44mm. They use short range radio frequency technology to enable a wide range of applications including healthcare, wearables, smart lighting, smart factory, real time locations systems (RTLS), asset tracking and digital payments. 

The modules integrate a Nordic IC nRF52840 which is claimed to improve design flexibility and reduce product development time by eliminating external MCUs. There is a 256kbyte RAM and 1Mbyte flash memory, a 250nA deep sleep mode with Bluetooth Low Energy function and a three-axis sensor for motion detection. It also integrates a reference clock for UWB (ultra wideband) and MCU. 

The module’s PCB mounting area is significantly reduced compared to the layout of separate UWB and BLE ICs, said Rutronik. The design also supports additional component integration. The regulatory-certified module is also claimed to minimise development time for adding UWB functionality into end products. 

The multi-antenna design consists of three antenna ports available on the component, one for Bluetooth Low Energy and two for UWB for the phase difference of arrival (PDoA) function.

The connectivity module has an operating temperature of -40 to +85 degrees C and a voltage of 2.5 to 3.6V. It also supports channels five and nine for global deployment. Transmit power, antenna delays and frequencies are calibrated for each device. 

Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente was founded in 1973 and is an independent family-owned company and is a broadline distributor. Rutronik is represented worldwide with 80 offices and provides customer support in Europe, Asia and the USA.

The company’s product portfolio includes semiconductors, passive and electromechanical components as well as embedded boards, storage and displays and wireless products. 

Rutronik offers specific products and services tailored to automotive, embedded, power and smart applications and the company provides technical support for product development and design-in, research area, individual logistics and supply chain management as well as comprehensive services. 

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