Wearable

Flat connectors withstand higher operating temperatures

Thu, Mar 05, 2020

Flat flexible cable/flat printed circuit (FFC/FPC) connectors from Hirose Electric can withstand higher operating temperatures than standard FFC/FPC connectors. The FH67 series withstand temperatures ranging from -55 to +125 degrees C. This heat resistance capability enables the connector to be used in harsh automotive environments.

The FH67 0.5mm pitch connectors are characterised by a single action lock and a vertical connection design. 

The robust FFC/FPC connectors’ one-action lock allows an FFC/FPC to be inserted into the connector without opening the actuator. This can be done with one hand or by automated machinery, says Hirose, saving valuable assembly time and reducing the rates of mating failure. Removing the connector is also easy and can be done by one hand or by robot.

The FH67 series is reliable with an independent two-point spring contact design, which includes a wiping element that reduces contact failure due to dust intrusion.

The ground contacts allow a shielded FFC to be used which prevents EMI. The FH67 series has a height of just 5.2mm, making it suitable for space-constrained design for use in automotive equipment, smart home devices, medical equipment and other portable devices.

Hirose Electric is a Japanese manufacturer of high-quality connectors. It was established in 1937 and uses advanced engineering services, customer service and worldwide manufacturing capabilities to provide technically advanced connector products for many industries including industrial, automotive, consumer, testing, broadcasting, and telecommunications.

Hirose established European offices over 30 years ago to compete internationally in Europe. In 2010, the European offices were merged together to form Hirose Electric Europe. The European headquarters is based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Other European branches are located in Germany, UK, France and Italy.

http://www.hirose.com/eu

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Skyworks to support Wi-Fi 6E

Thu, Feb 13, 2020

Working with the Wi-Fi Alliance, Skyworks Solutions is developing future-proof connectivity and supporting the Alliance’s next-generation wireless technologies.

Skyworks addresses all existing Wi-Fi standards and is working within the Wi-Fi Alliance to develop its Wi-Fi 6E products that operate in the 5.925 to 7.125GHz frequency range.

Demand for high data applications such as streaming media/TV/audio, social media and smart home devices, has led to calls to open up additional frequency bands to complement the existing 2.4 and 5GHz bands. This new spectrum is expected to be made available by regulators around the world and it represents an opportunity to deliver the benefits of Wi-Fi 6 coupled with increased bandwidth available in the new 6GHz band.

“The 6GHz band addresses the growing need for Wi-Fi spectrum capacity to ensure users continue to experience reliable and seamless connectivity,” said Kevin Robinson, senior vice president of Marketing, at the Wi-Fi Alliance. “We are glad to see Wi-Fi Alliance members working closely in Wi-Fi Alliance to ensure that new products meet high standards for interoperability and security.”

Dave Stasey, vice president and general manager of diversified analogue solutions for Skyworks, added: “We look forward to . . .  providing the highest performance solutions for our OEM customers which deliver maximum Wi-Fi range and speeds.”

Skyworks’ powerful modules facilitate Wi-Fi functionality with best-in-class linearity and performance in the smallest footprint available, explains the company. By incorporating the required functionality to deliver maximum performance, products reduce time to market in this sensitive arena. They contain a logarithmic power detector to support wide dynamic ranges, low power consumption and improved thermal management.

Skyworks Solutions specialises in analogue semiconductors for a wireless networking revolution. Its semiconductors connect people, places and things within the aerospace, automotive, broadband, cellular infrastructure, connected home, industrial, medical, military, smartphone, tablet and wearable markets.

Skyworks has engineering, marketing, operations, sales and support facilities located throughout Asia, Europe and North America.

http://www.skyworksinc.com

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Hailo-8 has processor architecture specifically for deep learning

Wed, Feb 05, 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker, Hailo, is sampling the Hailo-8 deep learning processor. The chip’s architecture enables edge devices to run sophisticated deep learning applications that could previously run only on the cloud. It can be used in multiple industries, but the company has a focus on automotive.

The Hailo-8 processor features up to 26 Tera operations per second (TOPS), to “significantly outperform” other edge processors in terms of area and power efficiency, says Hailo. The architecture design relies on the core properties of neural networks, so that edge devices can now run deep learning applications at full scale more efficiently, effectively, and sustainably than traditional solutions, while significantly lowering costs, explains the company.

Hailo is working with leading OEMs and Tier-1 automotive companies in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The processor is also suitable for smarter edge and IoT devices which also require the use of high-performance cameras to perform tasks such as semantic segmentation and object detection in real-time. The Hailo-8 can perform these at full resolution, yet consuming only a few Watts. The processor’s heat dissipation removes the need for active cooling systems in the automotive industry, claims Hailo.

Hailo is an AI-focused Israel-based chipmaker. The company has developed a specialised deep learning processor that delivers the performance of a data centre-class computer to edge devices. Hailo’s AI processor is the product of a rethinking of traditional computer architecture, enabling smart devices to perform sophisticated deep learning tasks such as object detection and segmentation in real-time, with minimal power consumption, size, and cost. The deep learning processor is designed to fit into a multitude of smart machines and devices, including autonomous vehicles, smart cameras, smartphones, drones, AR/VR platforms, and wearables. The company was founded in 2017 by members of the Israel Defense Forces’ elite intelligence unit.

https://www.hailo.ai/

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Rutronik UK adds Minew’s MS88SF2 multi-protocol module

Fri, Jan 24, 2020

Based on Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF52840 SoC, the MS88SF2 multi-protocol module can be operated with Bluetooth 5.0, ZigBee 3.0, Thread and ANT wireless protocols, as well as with proprietary 2.4GHz stacks. The module is the latest module from Minew and is available at Rutronik UK.

The integrated module measures just 23.2 x 17.4 x 2.0mm and contains all necessary components from radio to different antennae (PCB and ceramic) and the antenna-matching network, or a U.FL/IPEX antenna plug, for external antenna connection, says Rutronik UK. The metal cover protects against unwanted radiation and electromagnetic waves.

It has an Arm Cortex-M4F processor with a core speed of 64MHz, delivering sufficient computing power for highly complex algorithms and also for floating-point calculations, confirms Rutronik UK. The 1Mbyte flash memory can hold several radio stacks and also larger customer applications and offers enough space for data logger tasks. Power management includes an on-chip DC/DC converter and low-dropout (LDO) controller as well as automated power-saving mode.

The MS88SF2 is CE, FCC, IC, TELEC and BQB-certified. It is intended for cost-effective building of network nodes in applications such as cycling computers, heart rate and blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose meters, scales, thermometers, mobile accessories, sports and fitness sensors, remote controls and toys, key fobs and wrist bands, 3D glasses and gaming controllers.

Rutronik UK operates as an independent company. Its parent company, Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente, is the third largest distributor in Europe and ranked number 11 worldwide. The broadline distributor supplies semiconductors, passive and electromechanical components as well as boards, storage, displays & wireless products. The company‘s primary target markets are the automotive, medical, industrial, home appliance, energy and lighting industries. Rutronik’s brands for product lines are Rutronik Embedded, Rutronik Smart, Rutronik Power and Rutronik Automotive, providing specific products and services in groups tailored to the applications. Rutronik also offers technical support for product development and design-in, individual logistics and supply chain management.

http://www.rutronik.com

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