Integrated LQ050XX load switch ICs from Littelfuse now at Rutronik

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, Littelfuse’s LQ050XX integrated load switch ICs offer the industry’s highest performance with ultra-low power consumption. They make it possible to reduce parasitic leakage currents, improve system efficiency, and extend battery life. That means a real upgrade for a wide range of applications, e.g. in wearables, smart homes, or IoT devices.

The integrated load switch ICs are available in different housing sizes from 0.77 mm x 0.77 mm x 0.46 mm to 0.97 mm x 1.47 mm x 0.55 mm. Their small size makes them particularly suitable for applications with limited space. The switches are robust, particularly power-saving and, thanks to the cutting-edge technology they contain, can deliver market-leading performance in terms of low quiescent current and switch-off current. In addition, they impress with low power losses and reduced leakage currents for extremely convincing efficiency.

The ICs are available in the following versions:
LQ05021QCS4:
The load switch delivers 2 A rated power. The integrated slew rate control improves system reliability and reduces voltage fluctuations on the bus. Together with its outstanding efficiency, this makes it the ideal solution for applications such as IoT or wearables.
LQ05021RCS4:
The IC has a high efficiency and the leading True Reverse Current Blocking (TRCB) technology. Together with a particularly low threshold voltage, the LQ05021RCS4 prevents reverse current when Vout exceeds Vin, minimises power loss during operation, and offers an extremely low switch-off current. The switch is predestined for wearables, portable electrical devices, or IoT applications.
LQ05022QCS4:
This switch is also equipped with slew rate control, which limits the inrush current and thus minimises the voltage drop. The LQ05022QCS4 supports a wide input voltage range, which optimises both the service life and the reliability of a system. The component can also be used in different voltage rails. Preferred applications include data storage, IoT devices, or low-power subsystems.
LQ05041QCS6
The LQ05041QCS6 has a rated power of 4 A. It has an integrated slew rate control and also a slew rate control. With six bumps and a size of 0.97 mm x 1.47 mm x 0.55 mm, it is particularly small and is primarily used in data storage, or the medical sector.
LQ05041RCS6
With its leading TRCB technology and extremely low threshold voltage, the switch prevents reverse currents and minimises power loss during operation. Its main areas of application include portable devices and power-saving subsystems.

https://www.rutronik24.de/

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ST’ high-performance microcontrollers pave the way to new innovations in smart home and industrial systems

ST has revealed a new high-performance device that combines performance, scalability and security of microprocessor-based systems that are typically more complex with the simplicity and integration of microcontrollers (MCUs).

Using these new STM32H7 MCUs, producers of equipment like smart appliances, smart-building controllers, industrial automation, and personal medical devices can evolve their products more quickly and cost effectively as end-users’ demands continue to increase. Examples include adding richer, colourful user interfaces and performing multiple functions simultaneously, which is usually achieved with microprocessors (MPU).

ST’s new STM32H7R and STM32H7S microcontrollers come with robust security features, needed to address Internet of Things (IoT) applications. They include protection against physical attacks, memory protection, code isolation to protect the application at runtime, and platform authentication. The STM32H7S devices provide further security enhancement by integrating immutable root of trust, debug authentication, and hardware cryptographic accelerators that support the latest algorithms to prevent unauthorised access to code and data. With these security features, the devices are targeting up to SESIP3 and PSA Level 3 certifications, meeting the highest industry standards for cyber protection.

The STM32H7 MCUs combine the highest-performing Arm Cortex-M core ST has yet announced (Cortex-M7 running at up to 600MHz) with minimal on-chip memory and high-speed external interfaces. They let engineers build systems with extra performance and flexibility using simple, low-cost microcontroller development tools. The devices available are further divided into the STM32H7R3/S3 general-purpose MCUs and the STM32H7R7/S7 with enhanced graphics-handling capabilities. Developers can share software extensively between the two lines, enabling efficient use of project resources and faster time to market for new products.

ST’s new STM32H7 MCUs are scheduled to enter volume production from April 2024. Sample requests and pricing information are available from local ST sales offices.

The STM32H7S8-DK demonstration and development platform, and the affordable and extendable NUCLEO-H7S3L8 MCU board, are available to accelerate building applications using the new devices.

https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32h7-series.html

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ST reveals high-performance wireless microcontrollers

ST has revealed the next generation of its short-range wireless microcontrollers. These all-in-one components enable wearables and smart objects including smart home devices, health monitors, and smart appliances to become ever more miniaturised, easy to use, secure and affordable.

Short-range wireless technologies like Bluetooth LE, Zigbee and Thread (popular in smart meters and smart buildings) are the fabric connecting smart devices to home bridges, gateways, and controllers including smartphones. As we all seek solutions for making life more economical, sustainable, and comfortable, vendors are looking to bring creative and high-performing new solutions to market more quickly, within tight cost constraints. They need to be stylish, too: tiny, low-profile, or even embedded out of sight in other equipment, such as in smart bulbs. Going wireless is a part of this trend, for freedom, flexibility, and fashion.

Wireless microcontrollers like ST’s new STM32WBA5 product line allow a one-chip solution that’s extremely compact, reduces the bill of materials, and shortens the time to market by relieving wireless design challenges. Also, being compatible with the development tools and software packs of the STM32 microcontroller development ecosystem, the new line simplifies migrating existing products designed for wired connections.

The new series’ flagship STM32WBA55 microcontroller can communicate using multiple wireless standards concurrently, including low-energy Bluetooth LE 5.4, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter (Thread RCP). Matter border router is a perfect match with the STM32WBA5 for this new open-source connectivity standard for smart-home and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. In this way, the STM32WBA55 supports a great user experience while simplifying hardware and software engineers’ development journey, aiding affordability and time to market for the new product.

With this new generation, ST has also introduced support for the recently completed Bluetooth LE Audio specifications that enable exciting and innovative new products for richer listening and hearing experiences. These include the new Bluetooth Auracast feature, which opens the door to a new world of audio broadcasting applications.

The STM32WBA series is the first wireless MCU in the market to achieve the important SESIP (Security Evaluation Standard for IoT Platforms) Level 3 security certification. With this, smart devices containing STM32WBA microcontrollers are ready to satisfy the US Cyber Trust Mark and EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED) regulations due to become mandatory in 2025.

The new STM32WBA5 product line will be available on st.com on March 12. Sample requests and pricing information are available from local ST sales offices. ST will introduce a ready-to-use module containing the STM32WBA, integrated with necessary external components including power-supply and antenna-balancing circuitry, in June 2024.

https://www.st.com/stm32wba

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u-blox releases versatile Wi-Fi 6 module for the mass market

u-blox has announced its new NORA-W4 module. With a range of wireless technologies (Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth LE 5.3, Thread, and Zigbee), compact form factor (10.4 x 14.3 x 1.9 mm), and affordability, NORA-W4 is ideal for IoT applications such as smart home, asset tracking, healthcare, and industrial automation.

NORA-W4 is a single-band tri-radio Wi-Fi 6 module built on the Espressif ESP32-C6 System-on-Chip. It enables battery-powered IoT nodes to operate directly over Wi-Fi. This simplifies implementation and reduces system-level costs by limiting the need for a Bluetooth gateway, making it a perfect match for applications like wireless battery-operated sensors.

NORA-W4 uses Wi-Fi 6 technology that is optimized for IoT and significantly reduces network congestion in environments such as factories, workplaces, or warehouses, thereby improving throughput and reducing latency. Fully backward compatible with Wi-Fi 4, the module can also be used in cases where the Wi-Fi infrastructure has not been upgraded.

The u-blox NORA-W4 module supports Matter protocol, Thread, and Zigbee technologies that are designed for new applications in the smart home environment. Consequently, it allows interoperability with other Matter smart home devices.

NORA-W4’s small form factor permits designers to adapt to device size constraints. Its compatibility with other u-blox NORA modules is key to effortless technology migration, such as transitioning from Wi-Fi 4 to Wi-Fi 6. In addition, the module is packed with enhanced security features, including secure boot, trusted execution environment, and flash encryption, to name a few.

NORA-W4 is available in 6 different variants: open CPU or u-connectXpress, antenna pin or PCB antenna, and with either 4MB or 8MB flash memory. Early samples are available now, with volume production scheduled for H2 2024.

https://www.u-blox.com

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