e

YOUR ELECTRONICS MAGAZINE

ISSUE 3

06 Online & On time

Design tools are evolving to increase the productivity of engineers
rswww.com/electronics

New left and right hand plugs

New left and right hand plugs have been added to Tyco Electronics line of wire-to-board, Eurostyle terminal blocks. This product extension provides additional configurations of wire access angles to the standard 3.5mm and 3.81mm vertical and right angle headers. Specific applications of this product include control, input/output and field wiring. A key feature of the plugs is their multiple wire access angles which mate with 90 and 270 header interfaces. Their rising, screw clamp orientation mates to industry standard open and closed end headers on the same centerline spacing. In addition, they are end-to-end stackable without loss of centerline spacing. The plugs are UL recognized and serve the industrial control, communication equipment, and HVAC control markets. Other product options include custom marking, printing and color selection. rswww.com/Tycoelectronics

TE (logo) and Tyco Electronics are trademarks of the Tyco Electronics group of companies and its licensors.

06

l oo T NEW DESIgN

:E aRDUINo

16 ThE fUTUR
Weve all wasted hours searching through the myriad of online information. The profusion of internet sites available, for both our professional and personal needs, inevitably means our online experience can range between the good, bad and the ugly.
As engineers, we now spend more of our design time online than ever. Whether its connecting with other engineers, sharing information, or seeking new tools to help us speed up designs and differentiate our products from competitors, the internet offers lots of potential solutions. To know which solution is right, having a reliable and trusted source of information is vital. Thats why weve introduced a suite of essential design resources from RS, all available online, for engineers. Our major new initiatives are Component Chooser, 3D CAD model downloads, DesignSpark and DesignSpark PCB read more about these exciting new developments on page 6. This is in addition to the Embedded Development Platform (EDP) launched in April with access to the new ARM mbed microcontrollers read the latest update on page 36.

IS mb ed

INSIDE eTech
04 05 06 10 12 16 20 24 26 28 32 34 36 38 40 42
iSay RS NEWSlINE NEW DESIgN ToolS PRoDUcT NEWS EcaD To McaD ThE fUTURE IS mbed REvIEW: PaRallax PRoPEllER aRDUINo: EMbEDDED coNTRol MEDIcal INSTRUMENTS DESIgN TIPS: ElEkToR ESSENTIalS aUToMoTIvE coNNEcToRS EDP UPDaTE 32-bIT TEchNology lUNch bREak INDUSTRy NEWS: fRaUNhofER

Furthermore, we have just launched the first fully integrated online quote management service. This powerful, comprehensive and flexible new tool offers an invaluable service for engineers and buyers read more in Newslines on page 5. We all have our favourite and trusted sites. We hope you find our new resources valuable and that you return to them time-and-time again. Im always delighted to receive emails from our readers and would like to hear more. You can drop me an email at etech@rs-components.com or visit www.rs-components.com/etech.

Terms and conditions: Terms and conditions of sale set out in the current RS Catalogue. This issue is valid from July 2010 to September 2010.

Published by: RS Components Limited. Registered office: Birchington Road, Weldon, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 9RS. Registered No. 1002091. RS Components Ltd 2010. RS are trademarks of RS Components Limited. An Electrocomponents Company.

Glenn Jarrett Head of Electronics Marketing

M T bE DDED coN

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iSay
Simon Whittle, Chairman openet allianCe and deSiGn Centre manaGer, nuJira SayS:

RS NEWSlINES

envelope
Thinking
outside the
Its a funny thing how often the solution to a completely new engineering problem turns out to be an old idea that hasnt previously found its niche. Envelope Tracking is a beautiful theory first described by bell labs in 1937. Its proved surprisingly resistant to implementation, but now turns out to be part of the answer to cellphone networks collapsing under the data traffic generated by over-eager iPhone users.
Operators are investing in network capacity but each base station they add will draw about 3KW. Radio networks account for about 80% of an operators energy use and carbon emissions, and about half of this is dissipated as heat in the transmission circuit, so operators are pressing for higher efficiency base stations. An Envelope Tracking power modulator adjusts the supply voltage to the Power Amplifier output transistor dynamically, in synchronism with the envelope of the modulated RF signal passing through the device, so that the output device remains in its most efficient operating region. ET is attractive because it can triple the efficiency of the PA and is wideband and modulation scheme agnostic. The challenge is meeting the accuracy, bandwidth and noise specifications at a level of conversion efficiency that delivers a significant energy saving for the system as a whole. Nujira finally cracked the problem in 2002 with High Accuracy Tracking (HATTM) and momentum behind Envelope Tracking is now growing. Sumitomo has released an envelope tracking radio head, and Texas Instruments, RFMD and Triquint have all offered support. At Mobile World Congress, the OpenET Alliance published a Terminal Interface specification on the web, allowing any device or terminal manufacturer to use the technology. There are two morals here. One is not to confound the difficult with the impossible, and the other is that there is huge value in blue sky research that doesnt have an obvious application. One could call it thinking outside the envelope perhaps?

New Resources for Designers

first phases revealed in new programme to provide essential online resources to speed up design process.
The new programme from RS aims to connect with designers at each stage of their design journey, reducing the time from concept to production by making it easier to search, select, design with and buy components online from RS. First releases include Component Chooser, the powerful new parametric search and compare engine that features over 260,000 electronic and electro-mechanical products, exposing 6.5M searchable attributes. Users can configure search parameters to specify and identify components more quickly and accurately than ever before. Also launched are 3D CAD models available for download to registered online customers. Over 20,000 products have 3D models available, and all major download formats are supported. As announced in the April edition of eTech, RS has also partnered with ARM to launch an mbed module for its Embedded Development Platform (EDP), helping to bring virtual designs to life. For more on the design resources programme from rS, turn to page 6 in this edition.

New online bill of materials quotation service launched

RS website gives customers full quote management capability
RS has launched the first complete online quotes management service for customers. Users of the service are provided with full visibility of their quotation process, making product identification, pricing and redemption faster and easier to manage. customers will be able to go to their My account area and upload their bill of materials (boM) into the website, with up to 500 lines. The boM will be matched against RS part numbers, manufacturer (including manufacturer part numbers) and descriptions to return an accurate priced quotation back for confirmation. Users will then be able to approve the quote, automatically placing the order online against specified delivery dates, and if they choose, also receive enhanced messaging including confirmation and delivery updates via RS online. To use online Quotes for your next bill of materials, go to rswww.com and select My account.

Extended fPga Range

RS has added over 100 new fPga products from xilinx, altera and lattice.

fcI automotive connectors range now available

Range extension makes RS the only high service level distributor to stock fcI automotive lines
Design engineers will have access to the FCI OE-quality connectors, with no minimum order quantity for prototyping, test programmes, replacement-parts supply and specialist markets such as industrial vehicles. The range includes wire-to-wire connectors, flex interconnects, wire-to-PCB and wire-to-device connectors, power terminals, signal terminals, squib interconnects, high-reliability enclosures, pin headers and press-fit pins. RS is supporting customers with over 100 different product configurations optimised for use in areas such as engine compartment, powertrain, body and chassis, cockpit and multimedia. to see the FCi automotive range, go to rswww.com/fci

The range expansion creates a comprehensive fPga offer from RS, including mainstream Spartan and virtex families from xilinx, providing engineers with affordable devices and supporting development kits. from altera come the current cyclone families, offering low-power and high-performance devices. In addition, coming soon from lattice will be the EcP2M family with SERDES and the xP2 nonvolatile fPga family - all supported with development kits and programming aids.

Momentum behind Envelope Tracking is now growing.

04

for the latest fPga additions, go to rswww.com/electronics

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online & on time

The advent of affordable computing changed many aspects of modern day life, but nowhere has it been more apparent than in the fields of electronics and electro-mechanical design. The move from drawing board to computer screen was rapid but the transition from computer assisted drafting to computer aided design was perhaps more subtle.

Design tools are evolving to increase the productivity of engineers.

However, with continued improvements in graphics rendering, the development of more capable and accurate modelling algorithms and the ability to translate those models in to real-world designs means engineers now, more than ever before, rely heavily on computer-based design tools to deliver better designs quickly. These developments in design tools include more effective ways of sharing information. The engineering community has always benefited from the dissemination of information and in todays connected community that increasingly revolves around the internet. To allow its customers to better benefit from these trends RS Components has announced the first four of a series of initiatives to create an authoritative and convenient online source of trustworthy information that will support customers in making informed design decisions.

Continued page 08>

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Microcontrollers

in the delivery of 3D content, one of the most important elements of which is its ability to supply a file type native to the majority of the worlds most popular CAD packages. At product line level, visitors to the RS website will see a rotating 3D model of the part. Once the correct component has been successfully identified, registered users can simply download the 3D model in a file format that suits them. Another advantage of this approach is that a unique image will exist for all product variants. In the past families of products were often represented graphically by a single image for one particular popular or high level variant within that product range. This will help remove any ambiguity when it comes to correct product identification. These are the first results of a renewed emphasis on playing a key role throughout the design process, but not the last. By delivering DesignSpark PCB, Component Chooser and 3D CAD models, and with our new DesignSpark website, RS is showing its commitment to providing the design community with the right tools for the right job, in the right way.

Worlds Lowest Power Microcontrollers with USB OTG

Digital Signal Controllers Analog

< Continued from page 07 DesignSpark DesignSpark is a dedicated website for electronic engineers providing a trusted set of design resources, reviews and industry interaction to simplify and speed up the design process. A major part of DesignSpark is the independent reviews for development kits and evaluation platforms, provided by engineers, for engineers. Members are also able to voice their views through blogs, creating themes around the latest technology trends. DesignSpark will also form the distribution hub for a range of design tools to be launched by RS. The first is DesignSpark PCB; a fully featured PCB design tool, available free of charge to all DesignSpark members without limitation. Engineers can create schematics for any sized PCB, with any number of layers. Fully (auto)routed and design-rule checked designs can then be exported in a number of file formats including IDF DXF , and standard Gerber/manufacturing format. To download and evaluate DesignSpark PCB from the DesignSpark website, register as a DesignSpark member to obtain an activation code that will unlock the Save functions of DesignSpark PCB. DesignSpark PCB comes with a component library that can be extended and shared through the DesignSpark community with other engineers. DesignSpark outputs a flexible format (CSV) Bill of Materials that can be automatically configured to include the RS part number for ease of ordering. It can also be uploaded into RS new online Quote Management service, a tool that enables an upload of up to 500 component lines for immediate price and availability verification and response.

component chooser One of the biggest challenges the engineering community faces is the time taken to navigate the wealth of online information. Crucially, one of the most fundamental decision processes in any project is component selection and, here, RS is forging the way with a new, industryleading parametric search engine that will enable the engineering community to intuitively search, select and compare electronic components more efficiently and effectively saving valuable time. This online search facility, called Component Chooser, provides an easy to use interface that allows users to search RS entire stock of electronic components on the most extensive range of parameters available in the industry, quickly returning a shortlist of possible solutions. The number of attributes held against each component technology has more than doubled, and each parameter for every component has been normalised, so results are presented in a consistent format. This enables simple and reliable comparison of products for price, performance or compatibility. 3D caD When entering the mechanical design phase, the availability of electromechanical and interconnect 3D models can significantly reduce the product design cycle. Unfortunately availability of such models in a format compliant with the engineers preferred CAD suite is limited at best. Visitors to the RS website will see the results of the work to remedy this as 3D models for the first 20,000 of its 45,000 electromechanical components are made available, each compliant with over 20 major CAD suites. The remaining 25,000 are under development and will be added to the RS website over the coming 9 months. In order to achieve this RS has partnered with Traceparts, a leading 3D content supplier to give customers access to Traceparts expertise

Serial EEPROMs

The engineering community has always benefited from the dissemination of information

Extend the battery life in your portable USB application using PIC microcontrollers with integrated USB and XLP technology. Get the worlds lowest power USB microcontrollers with the flexibility to communicate as an embedded host or device. Combine eXtreme Low Power with Full-Speed USB device, embedded host, dual role and On-The-Go Download FREE USB stacks and drivers including thumb drive support - Host, OTG and Device Stacks - Class Drivers (HID, Mass Storage, CDC Drivers) - Thumb Drive Support (Mass Storage Driver, SCSI Interface, File Management)

LOW PIN COUNT USB STARTER KIT

Supports PIC18F14K50 Family Includes PICKitTM 2 Programmer Tutorials for USB Novices

DV164126 RS Stock No 667-7980

get more online...

Join DesignSpark and get DesignSpark Pcb at www.designspark.com Search and select with component chooser at rswww.com/cc get the latest 3D caD models available for download at rswww.com/3D

Family PIC18F14K50 PIC18F46J50 PIC24FJ64GB004

Flash Program Memory (KB) 8-16 16-64 32-64

Pins 20 28-44 28-44

USB Type Device Device OTG, Dual Role, Embedded Host, Device

Sleep Current Sleep with Watchdog Sleep with Real (nA) Timer (nA) Time Clock (nA) 24 13 20 450 813 220 790 813 520

Intelligent Electronics start with Microchip

rswww.com/microchip

www.microchip.com/usb

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The Microchip name and logo and the Microchip logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. 2010 Energizer. Energizer and other marks are trademarks owned by Energizer. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective companies. 2010, Microchip Technology Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. ME254Eng/04.10D

PRoDUcT NEWS
ThERMoElEcTRIc PoWER gENERaTIoN MoDUlE
controlling the temperature of components in an efficient manner
n a range of semiconductor thermoelectric devices working on the Peltier effect when supplied with a suitable electric current, these modules can either cool or heat. When subject to an externally applied temperature gradient these devices will generate a small amount of electrical power. These solid-state devices offer long term stability and have the advantage of not generating any acoustic noise. The larger devices can be used for cooling or controlling the temperature of sub-assemblies. The small size of the mini module makes it ideally suited for cooling miniature electronic components such as infra-red detector chips, microwave Ics, fibre-optic lasers and detectors. online search term: gM2*

aTMEl QToUch coNTRollER

n The QT1106 is a self-contained, patented charge-transfer capacitive controller capable of detecting near-proximity or touch on up to seven electrodes and a wheel. It allows electrodes to project sense fields through any dielectric such as glass or plastic. These electrodes are laid out as a scroller (e.g. a wheel or slider) plus seven additional independent keys. The QT1106 can be assessed using the E1106 evaluation kit. The kit provides a convenient reference design and allows the user to visualize discrete touch buttons, dials and sliders using interchangeable QWheel and QSlide touch panels. online search term: atmel QTouch

PRoDUcT NEWS
xIlINx coolRUNNER II SEoUl SEMIcoNDUcToR acRIchE 4W SQUaRE MoDUlE
light source powered directly from the mains a leading cPlD family featuring low power capabilities
n The coolRunner-II 1.8v cPlD family leads the industry with its high performing, low power capabilities. Enhanced with revolutionary features such as DatagaTE, advance inputs/outputs and the industrys smallest form factor packaging, coolRunner-II cPlDs deliver the ultimate system solution for todays design challenges. The family delivers advanced system features and low power operation that enable the integration of discrete system functions into a single re-programmable device. They are offered in a wide range of densities, abundant I/o, and the user has the flexibility to move from one density to another in the same package. online search term: coolrunner - II

48/12vDc Eco 160 SERIES SWITch MoDE PoWER SUPPlIES

Switch Mode 35W to 200W high, open frame Power Supplies
n RS has been renowned for providing quality products, under its own name, for over 70 years. Now weve expanded our PSU range to be of one of the most comprehensive around for general industrial applications. This family are all in a 2 *4 footprint, rated at 160Watt with Power factor correction. Running at 90% efficiency they are approved for medical applications. other features include short circuit protection, circuit overload and over voltage protection. The input voltage varies from 5v to 48v with the maximum current from 2.1a to 20a. all the power supplies are guaranteed for 3 years and comply with all the standard safety approvals. online search term: eco-160

MolEx xRc SEalED coNNEcToRS

xRc sealed, plastic-circular connectors meet the demanding requirements of the nonautomotive transportation market
n Never before has Molex offered such an economical, rugged, sealed, circular connector. The XRC (Extra Rugged Circular) 14and 31-circuit (18 and 24 shell size), circular connectors are ideal for heavy-duty applications such as trucks, buses and agricultural markets. For maximum design flexibility, the XRC plugs and receptacles are available in standard and reverse gender. The connectors can be used for in-line or panel-mount applications. Designed to meet IP67 standards, XRC plugs and receptacles protect against the ingress of dust, water and other contaminants to maintain the integrity of the mated pair. online search term: Molex xRc

n Acriche is the worlds first semiconductor light source that operates directly from AC power without an additional conversion circuitry. This makes it suitable for many residential and commercial lighting applications where the main source of available power is AC. A design with Acriche product minimizes component count and board space. The operating voltage range from 100V to 230V and the lifetime is over 35,000 hours. The modules are available in warm white and pure white with multiple package options. Applications for the modules are general STMIcRoElEcTRoNIcS 2W lED DRIvER lighting, architectural lighting, street lighting, offline lED Driver board using vIPer17, STEval-Ill017v1 residential lighting (Undercabinet), decoration lighting n This board demonstrates a 2W non-isolated offline and sign lighting. constant-current lED driver based on the vIPer17 offline online search term: converter. The vIPer17 features hysteretic thermal acriche 4W protection, soft-start and safe auto-restart after the removal of a fault condition. burst mode operation and the very low consumption of the device combine to meet standby energy saving regulations. advanced frequency jittering reduces EMI filter cost. The board provides 500ma constant current for lED applications providing overtemperature protection, lED open-circuit protection, and lED short-circuit protection. online search term: STEval-Ill017v1

RS EMbEDDED DEvEloPMENT PlaTfoRM

featuring an mbed module for easy implementation of additional firmware

cycloNE III fPga faMIly

a family of low cost, low power field Programmable gate arrays from altera
n The Cyclone III FPGA family offers an unprecedented combination of low power, high functionality, and low cost to maximize your competitive edge.. To address your unique design needs, this FPGA family has up to 200K logic elements, 8 Mbits of embedded memory, and 396 embedded multipliers, Cyclone III LS devices are ideal for processing intensive lowpower applications including: Automotive, consumer, display, industrial, military, video and image processing and wireless applications. online search term: altera cyclone III

n This Command Module for the EDP utilises an ARM7 LPC2368 device from NXP The mbed . Module plugs into an mbed Adapter Board, which fits into the EDP Baseboard allowing access to the features of the EDP The mbed Module introduces a . new way to write embedded firmware. Instead of having a C compiler license installed upon the users machine the mbed Module makes use of a C Compiler installed on a virtual host. The software and project are built within the framework of an HTML page and the resulting binary image file is transferred. By rebooting the mbed Module the new image is flashed into the hardware and the mbed Module runs your application code. online search term: mbed module

oSRaM oSloN SSl lED

The new class of light
n One of the worlds smallest LEDs in the 1 W sector. Small in size, big on performance that is the new ultra-white Oslon SSL LED from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors. Its package measures just 3 x 3 mm but in terms of luminous efficacy the LED is among the greats with a typical value of 100 lm/W. The LED provides light that is ideal for spotlights, desk lights and ceiling floodlights. At an operating current of 350 mA this light source achieves a typical brightness of 110 lm in ultra-white (5700 and 6500 K), with a maximum possible luminous flux of 130 lm. online search term: oslon

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See more online - over 5,000 new products are added at rswww.com/electronics every month

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In just about every industry you care to mention, a metaphorical brick wall has at some stage existed between the various design departments. It used to be that electronic and mechanical designers rarely met apart from at weekly update meetings such was the lack of interaction between the two disciplines. These days, contemporary business models driven by rapidly changing customer demands and the need to drive down costs dictate that a faster and more efficient concurrent approach is adopted in the pre-launch design and evaluation phase of any engineering programme. To successfully embrace this concurrent approach regular and pertinent, real time, coherent communication is vital; and the passage of this information between two departments or disciplines must be as efficient as possible. Although the take up of modern business practices has been successful in theory at the project management level, it is often the practical tools at the disposal of the engineers that let them down. In the world of design and CAD especially electronic CAD (ECAD) has changed very little in its core offering over the past few years, staying firmly rooted in the 2D world. This is in direct contrast to CAD in the mechanical world (MCAD), where the move into the 3D realm is now the dominant industry trend. It is of course arguable that the extra D taking 2D to 3D is not a major necessity in the design of electronics; being primarily a physically flat design environment with only minor intrusions into the Z axis. However, with the burgeoning expansion of mechatronics and electro-mechanical systems ECAD and MCAD are meeting head on and merging in what is currently a very loosely defined middle ground. This merging of information across design departments has, in fact, always been a possibility, but it has never been the most effective and efficient practice in terms of data hand over and translation from an ECAD package to an MCAD package. Continued page 14 >

adding the

3rd Dimension to EcaD

In the never-ending mission to get to market faster, design departments are as crucial as ever. This importance is not just restricted to their role in determining how a product is manufactured; but also how effectively they interact with other departments in order to make the early stages of a products lifecycle as smooth, cost effective and as efficient as possible.
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UTS Hi seal
IDF import sub-routines, designed especially to handle this type of data. The traffic is also far from one way. In many instances it is necessary to transfer MCAD data to ECAD packages in order to provide physical restraints for PCB shapes, mounting points or height restrictions for example. Like their MCAD peers, ECAD packages also cater for this eventuality with dedicated import filters. As well as the structures, components and data that are obviously mechanical or electrical, there is of course the electromechanical realm and the world of mechatronics, which dont really belong in either domain, but play a vital role interconnecting them. In these instances, the data flow can be back and forth and must maintain its efficacy as it migrates between packages; in many cases, CAD package-specific files are often the favoured route. The CAD industry and the companies that rely on it to disseminate data are also looking to the future, especially to the growing number of users classed as Generation Y the next generation of engineers who are used to seeing free software variants, such as Google SketchUp. Although Google SketchUp only represents 1% of current MCAD seats, the availability of a free SDK and supporting community have taken it from an architecturaltargeted package into the industrial space; and this is making it an important platform to address for the future.

dynamic ip68/ip69K Waterproof connectors in mated and unmated condition

Protection of electronics inside the equipment/boxes in case of maintenance, unmated conditions or cable damage

Sealed unmated

f roo n-p sing io os ou orr tic h C as Pl

operational safety - eSd plastic shells rapid and secure locking system quick disconnect Suitable for overmoulding sealed insulator and contacts available : 4 shell sizes, 16 different layouts multiple polarization options. standard connectors supplied with preassembled solder and PCB contacts. uV resistant suitable for outdoor use

RoHS

Compliant

< Continued from page 13 This is all set to change. Not only are many of the leading ECAD software companies starting to investigate the introduction of 3D CAD in the electronics market (flex circuits, thermal airflow effects and chassis design) but they are also looking to make the transition from ECAD to MCAD a much less painful experience. Before 3D becomes truly native in the ECAD world, the next best thing is an easier way to transfer design data. It used to be that the file information behind entire PCB assemblies would be transferred to the MCAD packages, with huge amounts of unnecessary data going with them, but intermediary steps have been developed which are not only faster, but more efficient and require far less post processing.

Souriau your Key Success partner www.souriau-industrial.com

advert_led_rs_halfpage.qxp 14.05.2010 10:02 Seite 1

RCD series: drivers that shed new light

The RCD series is a step-down constant current designed for high power LEDs use, potted, smallest, high efficiency and wider input/output voltage range, it also provides two kinds of dimming controls (PWM and Analogue) to meet a wider variety of customer demands. The key features of the RCD series at a glance:
google SketchUp

The next generation of engineers... are used to seeing free software

This middle step often comes in the form of an Intermediate Data Format, or IDF which breaks the , ECAD data into easily digestible chunks, which the MCAD package finds far easier to import. By only swapping the physical data that is required, the amount of information transferred is cut significantly too, making the entire handover far quicker. In many cases two files are generated; for example, one file will contain physical information about the PCB such as its shape, the location and orientation of each component, hole locations and areas of concern The other file will contain the . component information such as its size and shape. It is not just the ECAD packages doing all the work though. Most leading MCAD packages will have specific

SketchUp is undoubtedly going to gain some serious ground in the next few years if its early adoption rates are anything to go by. The basic free version is also going to be many peoples first foray into the 3D realm, so it has an important role to play a fact certainly not lost on many of the suppliers and software developers as they make sure SketchUp forms a major element of their future business roadmap.

Supplies up to 10 x 2-watt power LEDs Accurate constant current output Wide range of output currents Wide range of output voltages PCB and wired versions PWM dimming Up to 97 percent efficiency Analog dimming function for linear output dimming Short circuit protection
RECOM Part No. RCD-24-0.35 RCD-24-0.50 RCD-24-0.50/W RCD-24-0.70 RCD-24-1.00 RCD-24-1.00/W RCD-24-1.20 RS Stock No. 416-913 472-228 667-1664 472-222 668-9870 668-9882 668-9889

The RCD series. Highly efficient step-down regulator for constant-current output for

find the lastest RS 3D caD models available for download at rswww.com/electronics

For more parts visit: rswww.com/Recom

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product development

the future of

mbed:

adopting new technology is an important step in product development, but it neednt be a barrier.
The introduction of programmable devices changed the world of electronics forever; it ushered in a new era of digital dominance and flexibility. Since then, the role of embedded software has continued to shape the industry such that today the predominant investment and risk associated with new product development is in the bits and bytes that define their functionality.
Continued page 18 >

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... cloud hosted development environment gives developers instant access to the aRM architecture...

< Continued from page 17 The concept of embedded software when compared with hardware can be a little abstract, as we cant see the instructions being executed. For some, this level of abstraction means the hardware has almost become incidental, at least during the development phase. It is possible to model the processors instruction set and develop entire software applications before the hardware is even available. This represents a significant productivity boost and for large OEMs it has become an important part of their design process. However the cost of tools for modelling a microprocessor can be so prohibitive as to divide the developer community. In the world of 32-bit microprocessors this division is amplified to the extent that it encompasses some of the conventional development tools such as integrated development environments (IDEs), static analysis tools or advanced compilers. For many developers new to microprocessors this can represent a significant barrier to entry, something manufacturers are keen to remove. In an unprecedented move to increase accessibility to hardware, ARM teamed with NXP to introduce an environment for embedded software development that exists entirely online. This cloud hosted development environment gives developers instant access to the ARM architecture using sophisticated software development tools that are maintained on their behalf and require no downloads, installations or perhaps most importantly - maintenance. Whats more, it empowers a new segment of engineering to start developing with 32bit microprocessors, allowing them to develop prototypes rapidly, without incurring a steep learning curve or large financial investment. Engineers more familiar with programming environments will appreciate how innovative it is to put the compiler in the cloud. Theres nothing to download or configure, all the groundwork is taken care of leaving the engineer free to focus on the application code. Whats more, unlike some development environments, this cloud compiler is not restricted to a maximum number of bytes, lines of compiled code or a date; once you start programming youre free to explore the full features of cloud computing without restriction. Even for more seasoned developers, this represents a significant

productivity boost, as they can start developing code targeting the ARM7 or Cortex M3 cores without the need to invest in further tools, such as an IDE or perhaps even an instruction set simulator. The environment is called mbed and while it is accessed entirely online, it is intrinsically linked to a local hardware platform which uses an ARM based microprocessor. Initial mbed boards use NXP devices but others will be available in the future. Once connected via a USB cable, the mbed board appears to the host computer as a USB memory stick which holds an HTML file. By simply opening the file engineers are able to access the online tools needed to develop embedded software through their browser window. Access is controlled by the mbed modules identity, so the resources that appear on screen are directly relevant to the mbed module attached. This makes configuration of the design environment unnecessary; the first step towards removing the barriers to entry for newcomers. The next step is to demonstrate how accessible the hardware is by writing, building, downloading and running the mbed equivalent to the Hello World application normally associated with software development. For those unfamiliar with this, it is customary for the first program developers write using a new language to be a simple Hello World message on a screen. As the mbed modules arent configured with screens, the equivalent task is to make an LED on the board flash on and off. By understanding this simple program, users will rapidly become familiar with the process of writing, compiling and downloading programs to the mbed platform. And as they see the results immediately, it reinforces the link between hardware and software, allowing engineers unfamiliar with embedded software to overcome the abstraction between the two. The hardware is provided in a modular format that gives the engineer access to all of the microprocessors resources, such as timers, I/O, PWM generators and more. Many engineers not familiar with high level embedded software development for 32bit

devices will still be familiar with the peripherals and resources they offer, so those coming to mbed with experience of microcontrollers and assembly code should feel comfortable with the mbed platform and what it can offer. The real benefits of the mbed environment will be clear once the engineer starts developing more complex software. It uses C/C++, or rather it uses C and makes use of some the useful features of C++, such as classes. Those not familiar with C, C++ or object oriented programming might see this and shiver, but dont be put off; mbed makes it really easy to learn about high level languages (which is what C is) and how to use them. For instance, there are tutorials on the mbed website that will guide the newcomer through their first program, explaining how the compiler works, as well as why include files make it really easy to write complete programs using just a few additional lines. There is already an active mbed community, too, which offers advice, encouragement and a growing repository of embedded software targeting the mbed platform. As the community grows so too will the resources it offers. The world of embedded electronics is constantly changing; it enjoys one of the most active areas of technological investment and development, as it plays such a vital role across all industrial sectors. The mbed environment demonstrates that the way we access this technology is also changing, making it easier than ever for more engineers to start developing with advanced microprocessors.

Surround yourself with safety.

Digital Multimeters

for the latest aRM mbed microcontrollers and development kits, visit rswww.com/electronics

Digital Oscilloscopes Capacitance Meter LCR Meters Multi-Function Calibrator/Meter Clamp Meters

Performing at your best in hazardous work environments takes exceptional tools. Our new family of handhelds put safety first, packing a wealth of important features and capabilities into bright orange cases. Each meets critical safety standards while providing world-class accuracy and ease-of-use. Backed by more than 70 years of measurement expertise. Thats value. Thats Agilent.

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For a free application note and product information

2010 Agilent Technologies, Inc.

www.agilent.com/find/GoOrange

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Agilent and our Distributor Network Right Instrument. Right Expertise. Delivered Right Now.

rswww.com/agilent

DESIgN REvIEW

DESIgN REvIEW

get into

with the Parallax Propeller

by Dr William Marshall, RS components

Parallel Processing

Cog 0 Cog 1 Cog 2 Cog 3 Cog 4 Cog 5 Cog 6 Cog 7

pin direction pin output 32
p31 p30 p29 p28 p27 p26 p25 p24 p23 p22 p21 p20 p19 p18 p17 p16

Every now and again something different comes along. Microcontroller chip development has proceeded down the same paths for many years now: either the same basic core processor being surrounded by more and peripherals or the processor itself being made more and more powerful.

The common feature is a single processor supported by specialist, dedicated logic providing features like Pulse Width Modulation output and pulse- counting input. The Propeller from Parallax represents a major change in design philosophy. This device contains eight 32-bit processors or COGs with minimal support logic and only the most basic I/O hardware (Fig.1). A first reaction to this layout might be: Great, I can implement that Neural network project with each COG running essentially the same program. While pure parallel processing may indeed be a good use for the Propeller, I dont believe this was the main driver behind the design. The idea is to give the engineer maximum control over the peripheral system in a particular application. You may still have a single COG running the top-level program, farming out lower-level tasks such as serial I/O to another COG as and when required. This is the really fascinating feature of this device: the ability to reconfigure itself under program control to suit the requirements at a particular time and then to shut processes down when no longer needed, perhaps re-assigning processor resources to a completely different task. The processor clock is also under program control so power consumption can be reduced if high speed is not needed when implementing slow I/O such as RS-232. The Starter kit hardware The kit contains a very small demonstration board packed with various I/O sockets, some rather surprising: VGA output to a monitor, TV output, PS/2 keyboard and mouse sockets. The video outputs are provided because the chip contains as part of its central resource ROM, the look-up table of a character generator. The only conventional I/O port is USB derived from the on-board FTDI chip. The UART function that drives this device is of course implemented entirely in software and runs on one of the COGs. All communication with the IDE software on the PC - Propeller Tool is via the USB port. There is a serial EEPROM on-board which communicates with the Propeller via an I2C bus which, you guessed it, is implemented in software run by a COG. It provides nonvolatile memory for user programs. These

I/O routines are loaded from system ROM at Reset to allow programs to be downloaded from the PC or from the EEPROM, but are then shut down before the users program begins execution. If your program requires these I/O resources, then it will have to load them and assign COG(s) as appropriate. This may seem awkward at first, but why have unwanted resources cluttering up memory space if you dont need them? Propeller Tool The IDE that comes with the starter kit is called Propeller Tool and provides program editing, compilation of the high-level language Spin, and downloading to the demo board. You have the option of programming in Spin, assembly language or a combination of both. Obviously the assembler produces more efficient, faster operation and there is the usual trade-off between faster development and faster operation. The editor screen is very colourful and the automatic assignment of different colours to code blocks aids understanding of the program structure. There are two options for downloading and running: compile and run in COG RAM, and compile and send to the external EEPROM from where it is automatically loaded into RAM by the device bootloader. The former is best for development, only transferring to non-volatile memory when the code works. Using the Demo board To illustrate some of the main features of Propeller programming, a task was devised involving the speed control of a small DC motor using PWM. Two pushbuttons provide Speed Up and Speed Down inputs. The drive capability of the I/O ports is insufficient for the motor used so an H-Bridge circuit was constructed from half of an L293D quad driver chip. This was mounted on the breadboard together with two Tact switches, pull-up resistors and decoupling capacitors (see picture on page 23). Note the use of the D-variant of this chip which has built-in protection diodes for driving inductive loads. Only Ports 0 to 7 of the Propeller are available to the user out of a possible 32, the others being committed

to EEPROM busses, etc. on this demo board. The Propeller is a +3.3V device although both +3.3V and +5V regulated supplies are available. Hence the logic of the L293D works off the +3.3V supply, while its separate motor supply pin is connected to +5V. A small but very useful feature is the Ground or 0V post which takes the croc clip from a oscilloscope probe. Programming in Spin A possible solution for the program to drive the motor is given in Listing 1 (see page 22). It is not presented as an optimal solution but does illustrate some of the key features of Propeller programming. The aim is to use two COGs; one driving the PWM output with a mark/ space ratio set by the global variable Ratio, the second monitoring two push button inputs and setting the value of Ratio. The PWM frequency is to be 1kHz. The CON statements set up two system constants and fix the clock speed. We decided on a 20 MHz clock so the internal PLL multiplier is set to 4 given the 5 MHz crystal supplied with the board. Next, the VAR statements set up global variables: Ratio as mentioned, Period and Stack which assigns stack space for the second COG. The first public method, PUB Main performs the usual initialization tasks including setting an initial value of Ratio equivalent to 50% PWM. Each COG has a simple Count/Capture Unit made from some registers and a few bits of logic. There are two identical counters, A and B each consisting of three registers CTR, FRQ and PHS. CTR sets the operational mode, PHS is the accumulator holding the current value and FRQ is added to PHS when required. Counter A is used here. First, the CTRA register is set to select PWM mode and Bit 31 of PHSA connected to output Port 0. FRQA is set to 1 so that PHSA is incremented by one for each cycle of System Clock.

32
p15 p14 p13 p12 p11 p10 p9

i/o direction reg.

i/o direction reg.

i/o direction reg.

i/o direction reg.

i/o direction reg.

i/o direction reg.

i/o direction reg.

i/o direction reg.

Video Generator

Video Generator

Video Generator

Video Generator

Video Generator

Video Generator

Video Generator

Video Generator

Counter a + ppl

Counter a + ppl

Counter a + ppl

Counter B + ppl

Counter B + ppl

Counter B + ppl

Counter a + ppl

Counter B + ppl

Counter B + ppl

Counter a + ppl

Counter a + ppl

Counter B + ppl

Counter a + ppl

Counter a + ppl

i/o output reg.

i/o output reg.

i/o output reg.

Counter B + ppl

Counter B + ppl

i/o output reg.

i/o output reg.

i/o output reg.

i/o output reg.

i/o output reg.

i\o pins

p8 p7 p6 p5 p4 p3 p2 p1 p0

512 x 32 ram processor

512 x 32 ram processor

512 x 32 ram processor

512 x 32 ram processor

512 x 32 ram processor

512 x 32 ram processor

512 x 32 ram processor

512 x 32 ram processor

32 32 32 32 16 pin inputs System Counter data Bus address Bus

Vdd Vdo VSS p31 p30 p29 p28 p27 p3 p2 p1 p0 VSS

power up detector (~10ms)

hub
reset delay (~50 ms) ClKSel 3 rC oscillator 12 mhz / 20 mhz 5 3 Clock Selector (muX) reSet Bus Sequencer 8192 x 32 ram 8192 x 32 rom Cog enables lock Bits (8) Cog 6 Cog 7 Cog 0

CloCK

System Counter

p4 p5 p6 p7 VSS Boen reSn Vdd p8 p9 p10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 14 15 16 20 21 22 18 19 17

33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23

p26 p25 p24 Vdd Xo Xi VSS p23 p22 p21 p20

Boen

Brown out detector

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34

reSn

Cog 1

SoFtreS

CloCK

hub
ram, rom, Configuration, Control

Cog 2

pllena
Xi Xo

Vdd

VSS

p12

p13

p14

p15

p16

p18

p19

p17

p11

oSCena oSCmode

Crystal oscillator dC 0 80 mhz (4 - 8 mhz with Clock pll)

Clock pll 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, (16x must be 64 - 128 mhz)

SoFtreS pllena oSCena oSCmode ClKSel 2 3 Configuration register System Counter

Cog 5 Cog 4

Cog 3

i/o pins

hub & Cog interaction

fig. 1

Continued page 22 >

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DESIgN REvIEW
************************************************************** * Simple DC motor speed controller using counters for timing * * PWM mark/space ratio from 0 to 100% * **************************************************************
< Continued from page 21 Now comes the first really interesting instruction: COGNEW. This is what launches the second COG. Up to now, COG 0 has been doing everything, running the boot-loader and then the first part of our program. COGNEW tells it to load the public method Buttons into the next free COG, in this case COG 1, and set it running. Once it has done that it launches the Toggle method and runs that from now on. A feature peculiar to the Propeller is the sharing of the 32 GPIO port lines by all processors. Each COG has its own Port Direction register, each output of which is OR-ed with the next COGs register (see Fig.1 page 20). A COG requiring an output port needs to set the appropriate bit in its Direction register to logic 1. Once set it also enables the corresponding output from the COG I/O register to drive the I/O pin. Care must be taken to ensure that two COGs dont try and use the same port line for output, as program operation will not be as expected! Port input is completely independent and any COG may read the state of any port pin at any time. A COG can check its own output or indeed monitor what other COGs are doing on port pins they have set as outputs. The Propeller has no interrupt system so there are a number of Wait instructions which cause program execution to pause until some event takes place. WAITCNT suspends operation for the specified number of system clock cycles by checking the value of a target figure against the value of the System Counter CNT. In PUB Toggle PHSA is loaded with the negative (2s complement) value of Ratio. This of course sets Bit 31 or the sign-bit of PHSA to logic 1. As this bit is connected to Port 0, the PWM output also goes high. PHSA is now automatically incremented at the System Clock rate by having FRQA added to it. After Ratio clock cycles, PHSA reaches zero and Bit 31 changes to logic 0. That is the end of the PWM pulse. While all this is happening the COG is sat in the WAITCNT statement for the duration of Period. Of course PHSA continues to increment, but the end of Period will be reached long before PHSA reaches a value setting Bit 31 high again. When WAITCNT times out the cycle repeats, with PHSA being reloaded with Ratio. We have thus added some more parallel operation by having the Counter determine the pulse width, while independently the COG program is setting the period. This is how the PWM waveform on Port 0 is generated by Toggle. The WAITPNE instruction in the Buttons method waits for Port 1 or Port 2 (or both) to go to a logic 0. In other words it waits for a button to be pressed. The beauty of these Wait instructions is that the COG operation is suspended with its power consumption reduced by over 85%. You can see that the COG running Buttons spends most of its time asleep, only waking when necessary. The max (<#) and min (#>) statements in Buttons provide the upper and lower limits for Ratio. Speeding it up You would normally expect programs run by an on-board interpreter, in this case SPIN, to be slower than those in native assembler. The unique architecture of the Propeller does to some extent widen the speed gap. This is because user SPIN code is held in shared central RAM while each COG runs the interpreter in its own local memory. The hub provides access to central resources in a strict time sequence and a particular COG may be held up waiting its turn. Machine code from the assembler is stored and run in the COG local memory resulting in a considerable increase in throughput.

DESIgN REvIEW
component list
32330 Propeller Starter Kit L293DNE Quad half-bridge drive Tact push button switch RE280 DC motor

RS Stock No. 405-571 526-868 479-1390 238-9709

Port 0 = PWM output Port 1 = Speed Up button input Port 2 = Speed Down button input CON _clkmode = xtal1 + PLL4X _clkfreq = 20_000_000 VAR word Ratio word Period long Stack[9] Ratio = PWM pulse width Period = PWM period Make stack space for COG 1

PUB Main Initialisation of ports, counters and program start Ratio := 10000 Initial PWM 50% Period := 20000 Set PWM period ctra[30..26] := %00100 Configure Counter A to NCO/PWM mode ctra[5..0] := %00000 Direct Counter APIN to Port 0 frqa := 1 Set counter increment to 1 dira[0..2] := %100 Set Ports 0 = output, 1 & 2 = input cognew(Buttons, @Stack) Start COG 1 running Buttons routine Toggle COG 0 runs PWM generator routine PUB Toggle | Time COG 0 produces PWM signal with pulse width set by variable Ratio Time := cnt Set base time from System Counter repeat Repeat next 3 lines forever phsa := -Ratio Load negated Pulse width into PHS Time += Period Time = Time + Period waitcnt(Time) Wait for interval set by Time PUB Buttons | Width COG 1 monitors two pushbuttons to derive value for Ratio repeat Repeat next 8 lines forever Width := Ratio waitpne(%110, %110, 0) Wait for button press if ina[1] == 0 If Speed UP button pressed Width := Width + 1 <# Period then increment Width to max Period else Speed DOWN button pressed Width := Width - 1 #> 0 so decrement Width to min 0 Ratio := Width waitcnt(6000 + cnt) Wait before checking buttons again

Essential reading Programming and Customizing the Multicore Propeller Microcontroller Shane Avery et al ISBN 978-0-07-166450-9 McGraw Hill

get more online...

a fuller version of this review along with SPIN source code files is available at rs-components.com/etech

listing 1. SPIN source code for the PWM demonstration program

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arduino

EaSy aS...
for designers and students new to microcontrollers, arduino represents one of the most accessible routes to becoming part of a new era in embedded control. The arduino board is so straightforward and easy to program that it is accessible to engineers with no prior experience, while at the same time offering enough performance and capability to address ambitious tasks.

Embedded control as

With its low cost of entry, flexibly modularised approach and vibrant developer community for support, Arduino is one of the most straightforward ways to add intelligence to your design. Arduino allows prototypes to be built based on multi-pin devices such as the 100pin TQFP ATmega 1280 without resorting to complex soldering and handling techniques. The Arduino project was initially developed to enable university students to create complex applications running on standardised hardware platforms. This has largely become possible through the use of a special programming language based on C/C++, running in an environment developed specifically for Arduino boards featuring Atmels 8bit MCUs. It is this combination of hardware and software that is now enabling all engineers to explore the world of embedded control, and RS has recently become a worldwide supplier of Arduino boards, making this exciting platform accessible to the entire engineering community.

enable engineers to quickly create complete systems with almost limitless possibilities. As an open source project, Arduino has an active developers community, meaning help is never far away. The Arduino site features blogs from the team, as well as links to developer forums, where the topics range from powering up your first board to designing complete systems. The accessible nature of software development for Arduino is unlike traditional embedded platforms; the IDE provides the key building blocks to software development and uses a subset of the C/C++ language syntax, meaning users only need a very basic understanding of software development to create real-world applications. Essentially, Arduino applications are endless loops, defined using simple constructs using keywords such as IfThenElse. The digital and analogue I/O are referenced directly using keywords and pin designations, allowing simple control functions to be created quickly, while allowing more complex algorithms to be generated intuitively. The vibrant community also provides access to a wealth of existing software, donated by active developers. It is this willingness to comply with the spirit of open source that really underpins the unrivalled growth being experienced by Arduino. For any engineer new to microcontrollers, the Arduino project offers everyone irrespective of experience a chance to expand their horizons.

With its low cost of entry, flexibly modularised approach and vibrant developer community for support...

Arduino is essentially a concept; an open source standard defining a hardware platform which offers a number of digital and analogue inputs and outputs (I/O). The behaviour of the processing boards I/O is defined by the program, which in turn is created using the Arduino integrated development environment (IDE); a freely available download from the projects website (www.arduino.cc). Arduinos modular approach extends beyond the processor, to include add-on boards that provide specific functions. Known as Shields, these boards can offer access to wireless connectivity, such as the XBee ZigBee shield from Digi International (part number 696-1670), or the Ethernet shield (part number 696-1661). Together, the processing boards and Shields

RS components is the exclusive official global catalogue distributor for arduino, stocking the Duemilanove McU board based on the atmega328, Zigbee and Ethernet Shield boards. Plus workshop kits containing all the components required to begin prototyping. See our range at rswww.com/electronics
eTech - ISSUE 3

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The front (and back) panel of a medical instrument presents special challenges to the electronics design engineer. In addition to being clear and easy-to-use, the equipment must comply with very specific standards such as the Medical Devices Directive, quality management standards like ISo13485, and must often be risk-assessed to evaluate the potential for and the consequences of incorrect connection and use.
Rear panel solutions The rear panel normally provides power to the device alongside any data connections. Good rear panel design entails reducing risk of misconnection through clear labelling and simplicity of use, and keeping the size and number of connections to a minimum to improve device portability and miniaturisation. Connectors with a wide range of mechanical or colour coding possibilities are popular to guide end-users to connect the right cable to the right socket safely, easily and quickly, and if necessary prevent potentially dangerous misconnections. Power inlet modules for medical equipment need to be double fused for protection and should offer good mains filtering to ensure a clean power supply

In particular, with a vast amount of instrumentation, information systems, patient care and critical care equipment in use in hospitals alongside the inevitable personal and professional wireless communications systems, careful attention to electromagnetic compatibility and RF immunity is essential In the constant drive to minimise hospital infections, front panels will usually need to be thoroughly and regularly cleaned and sterilised, especially where patients have physical contact with the system. Waterproof switches, keypads and coverings are essential for front panels and, whilst IP65 protection against dust and moisture ingress is adequate to provide wipe-clean capability, moving up to IP67 allows equipment to be fully immersed and sterilised. As an example, the whole ITW Switches range is IP67 rated. Its portfolio of more than 1500 switches offers designers a vast array of options, for instance in the Flex-Tech 57M family of miniature panel sealed metal pushbutton switches. These miniature, rugged vandal-resistant switches have zinc alloy housings and velour chromo plating, and are available as maintained or momentary action, in illuminated and non-illuminated versions. Reducing the risk of infection Increasingly, however, prevention of MRSA and other lethal hospital-borne infections requires more active defence. APEM, for example, offers antibacterial coatings on its membrane overlay, switch and keypad products, in addition to wipe-clean IP65/67 sealed switches and waterproof membranes. Tactile switches have been developed to meet the very specific demands of medical devices. A particular requirement is that usually the operator is wearing disposable gloves, calling for a strong tactile feel and audible click. The reverse is true for equipment used in audiology, where even a quiet click would be distracting.

well-suited to OEM medical designs. Those with medical approvals, namely EN606011, can be designed into patient monitoring systems and other portable equipment for use in medical wards and surgical operating theatres. To meet this standard the level of leakage current for ac/dc power supplies is 500 micro amps max at 230V, with a further requirement for power supplies and dc/dc converters to have higher isolation voltages. Simple, reliable, connectors When it comes to data connections on the rear panel, the first prerequisite for connectors and cable assemblies is reliability. They need to be engineered with high quality materials, fully adapted to medical environments, tested to be shielded against electromagnetic interference and as with front-panel components must be able to withstand a range of cleaning and sterilisation processes. A prime example is ODUs MEDI-SNAP miniature cylindrical connectors, which ensure higher safety through blind mating capability and a push-pull-locking mechanism. The medical connector range comes with plastic housing made from either polysulphone (PSU) or polyetherimide (PEI) thermoplastics. These offer superior performance to standard polycarbonate materials: PSU can be subjected to repeated cleaning and sterilisation, whilst PEI is additionally resistant to autoclaving and steam sterilisation processes. From the power inlet to the front panel, innovative and dependable electromechanical components like these are helping designers to meet the very special challenges of medical instrumentation and equipment. learn more about the growing range of products supplied by RS that are suitable for medical applications at rswww.com/electronics
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Prescribing the right connections

for medical instruments
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...prevention of MRSa and other lethal hospital-borne infections requires more active defence.
with low EM emissions. In addition, there is a requirement on medical equipment to keep current leakage as low as possible, embodied in the IEC 950 standard. Schaffner FN92XXB and FN28XB series medical IEC Inlet plugs, for example, have an integral mains filter that eliminates mains borne interference beyond the capability of capacitors alone. Earth leakage current specifications of 0.002mA/phase ensure conformity with IEC 950. Internal and external power supplies such as those offered by Emerson under the Astec and Artesyn brand names are

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DESIgN TIPS

IN aSSocIaTIoN WITh

DESIgN TIPS

330R

330R

330R

BAT85
C1 100u 25V C2 100n 3
SIGNAL PROCESSING CIRCUIT VOLTAGE REGULATOR OSCILLATOR CIRCUIT

P1 100k

R4 22k

C3 4u7 63V

R5 68k

R8 470k 5 6

Its not always easy to reverse a car. There are some good reasons why modern cars are often fitted with sensors that indicate when the rear bumper comes dangerously close to an object behind the car. The circuit described here is the perfect solution to make parking easier in fixed locations, such as in a garage.
people find it more difficult to reverse a car than drive forwards. In any case, it is much trickier to estimate how much space there is between an object and the rear bumper, and looking behind you can result in an unpleasant feeling in your neck. A solution to this problem is the reversing aid, which indicates how much further you can drive backwards without hitting anything. The circuit presented here should be mounted in a fixed position, for example on the back wall of a garage. With the help of a clearly positioned visual display you can tell if you can reverse further without crashing into the wall. Principles For the measurement of the distance we use a special sensor made by Sharp, the GP2D120. The sensor measures the distance with the help of an IR LED that has a wavelength of about 850 nm. The output voltage of the sensor becomes less as the distance increases. The visual display of this radar consists of a number of LEDs that start to flash when an object comes within range of the sensor. The closer the object comes to the sensor, the faster the LEDs will flash. A VCO (Voltage

0.5 V while an object is held at the required minimum distance from the sensor. The VCO is then turned off by T1 when the minimum distance is reached. The operation of the VCO is quite straightforward. C3 is charged via R3. (Were assuming that T1 is turned on.) When the voltage at the inverting input of IC1B becomes less than the voltage at the non-inverting input, the output becomes high and C3 is discharged via D1 and R4. The threshold set by R5 and R6 determine the operating range. R8 has been chosen such that the hysteresis is about 0.5 V. When the VCO is operating the hysteresis is between 3.4 V and 3.9 V. The maximum input voltage of the VCO is then about 3 V. With the right settings in our prototype we set the voltage on the wiper of P1 (pin 3 of IC1A) to 1.45 V this covers the complete sensor output range. The VCO has been designed in such a way that the pulse width varies as well as the frequency. At higher frequencies the larger current through R3 will cause a larger current to flow through R4, which means it will take a bit longer before C3 becomes sufficiently discharged to make the output of IC1B switch state again. The output voltage of the sensor is monitored by opamp IC1D, which is configured as a comparator. Its function is to make sure that the LEDs start to flash with a minimum frequency when an object comes within range. P2 is used to adjust the voltage across R11 between 0.1 V and 0.32 V. At the lowest setting of P2 the sensor appeared to have a range of about 1 m. That was surprisingly more than

LED DRIVE CIRCUIT

LED

OUTPUT CIRCUIT

+5V
R9 39k R10 39k

R2 100k

220k

by Ton giesberts (Elektor labs) based on an idea by ludovic Meziere (france)

MOD1
PSD

K2 IC1B
D3 7

R1 100k

IC1A

R3 100k R6

K1
R16 4k7 T2

GP2D120 2

R7 22k

R14 100k

D4

BC550C
P2 100k R11 2k7 12 13 D2 1M

1k

10 9 R15 100k

BAT85 IC1C
8

IC1D

14

BAT85

C4 470u 25V

R13

4k7

T1

R12

BAT85

BD139

R17

+5V

090184 - 11

figure 1. In the circuit diagram we can see some classic applications of opamps: an inverter and a comparator.

Most

we expected because the data sheet made us believe that the maximum range was only 30 cm (1 foot). When the voltage output of the sensor becomes too low the output of IC1D becomes high and D2 then prevents C3 from charging up. The output of IC1B will then stay low. Once the car has been parked, the LEDs stay on for about 5 minutes before theyre turned off by IC1C. IC1C is used to check if the LEDs are flashing. When the output of IC1B is low, C4 will be charged up quickly and the output of IC1C stays high, blocking D4. The LEDs will now be off in all circumstances. If the output of IC1B stays high then C4 will slowly discharge via R13. Finally, after about 5 minutes, the output of IC1C becomes low and the base current of T2 is then diverted via Schottky diode D4. The LEDs will now stay off until the car moves away again, when the LEDs start flashing until the car moves out of range. At the maximum distance the period of the flashing LEDs is about 240 ms, with a pulse width of 50 ms (D = 21%). At the minimum distance the period is 160 ms, with a pulse width of 95 ms (D = 59%). The change in frequency from 4 Hz to 6 Hz may not appear to be much, but the change in the duty cycle makes it much more noticeable. Power supply and Pcb The sensor and the circuit built around the

opamps are powered by a 78L05. A zener diode has been added to the input of the regulator to keep its dissipation to a minimum. Otherwise there would be 7 V across the small regulator, for no good reason. The LEDs are powered directly from the mains adapter. With a mains adapter of 12 V you can connect five red LEDs in series without any problems. The current consumption in stand-by (no reflection) is 39 mA. With all the LEDS turned on 76 mA is drawn. For this circuit a small single sided PCB has been designed, which consists of two parts. The PCB artwork can be downloaded from the eTech website. The LEDs have been kept separate so that they can be mounted in a clearly visible position. The sensor and the rest of the circuit can then be mounted in the most suitable location. Headers have been used for the connection between the two boards. On the LED side a right-angled version is most suitable. With the appropriate sockets you can make an easily maintainable connection between the boards. The sensor made by Sharp can also be connected via a pin-header. The sensor itself has to be connected using a special 3-pin socket with a lead pitch of 2 mm, made by JST (Japan Solderless Terminals). Continued page 30 >
eTech - ISSUE 3

Controlled Oscillator) has been used to implement this. The LEDs will turn on permanently when a minimum distance has been reached. circuit diagram As we mentioned earlier, the GP2D120 (MOD1 - in figure 1) measures the distance and reduces its output voltage as the distance to the object (the car) becomes greater. The relationship isnt inversely proportional and neither is it linear, since the angle of reflection changes less as the distance increases. In

order to properly drive the following VCO built around IC1B, the signal is first inverted using IC1A. Preset P1 has been added to shift the output voltage of IC1A such that it comes completely within the operating range of the VCO. The VCO is turned on when T1 is made to conduct. This is easily implemented by connecting the base resistor of T1 to the output of IC1A. To make the LEDs light up continuously the output voltage of IC1A has to be adjusted with P1 to be just under

28

330R

oUTMaNoEUvRED Perfect parking with a reversing aid

+12V
D26 3V6 1W3 1 C7 220u 25V

IC2 78L05

+5V
3 C6 10u 63V
4

D25

D5 D6

D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 R20

D15 D16 D17 D18 D19 R21

D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 R22

11

100n

1k5

IC1 = MCP6004-I/P

12V
0

IC1

C5

R18

D7 D8 D9

+5V
D1

+5V

R19

+12V

eTech - ISSUE 3

29

DESIgN TIPS
component list
figure 2. The layout of the relatively small boards makes them appear fairly crowded. however, due to the use of through-hole components the soldering shouldnt cause any difficulties.

Resistors R1,R2,R3,R14,R15 = 100k R4,R7 = 22k R5 = 68k R6 = 220k R8 = 470k R9,R10 = 39k R11 = 2.7k R12 = 1k R13 = 1M R16,R17 = 4.7k R18 = 1.5k R19 - R22 = 330 P1,P2 = 100k preset (Piher)

RS Stock No.

151-303 151-167 157-531 157-480 151-331 151-325 151-072 157-446 151-123 151-000 151-094 151-375 473-590

Semiconductors D1D4 = BAT85 D5D24 = LED, 5mm, red, low current D25 = LED, green, 5mm, low current D26 = zener diode 3.6V, 1.3W T1 = BC550C T2 = BD139 IC1 = MCP6004-I/P IC2 = 78L05 Miscellaneous K1,MOD1 = 3-pin SIL pinheader K2 = 3-pin right angled SIL pinheader MOD1 (not on PCB) = GP2D120 2 pcs PCB solder pin, diam. 1.3mm 3 pcs BPH-002T-P0.5S, JST BPH-002T-P0.5S PHR-3, JST PHR-3 Socket for 3-pin SIL header

RS Stock No.

300-978 646-6670 826-436 812-358 545-2254 314-1823 403-181 398-552

RS Stock No.

681-3269 681-2521 315-400 434-138 353-1276 353-1311 681-3269

capacitors C1 = 100F 25V, radial, lead pitch 2.5mm (0.1), diam. 8mm max. C2 = 100nF MKT, lead pitch 5mm (0.2) or 7 .5mm (0.3) C3 = 4.7F 63V, radial, lead pitch 2.5mm (0.1), diam. 6.3mm max. C4 = 470F 25V, radial, lead pitch 5mm (0.2), diam. 10mm max. C5 = 100nF ceramic, lead pitch 5mm (0.2) C6 = 10F 63V, radial, lead pitch 2.5mm (0.1), diam. 6.3mm max. C7 = 220F 25V, radial, lead pitch 2.5mm (0.1), diam. 8 mm max.

RS Stock No.

684-1942 463-1765 520-1040 684-1958 652-9995 440-6547 193-6815

opamp choice For the quad opamp weve selected an inexpensive rail-to-rail version made by Microchip, the MCP6004-I/P which is perfect , for this application. The opamp specifications that have to be considered for this circuit are not the bandwidth, slew-rate or output current for a change, but the maximum differential input voltage. Were using two opamps as comparators, which means that the voltage difference between the two inputs could be several volts. The opamp used here can cope with a voltage difference that is equal to the supply voltage. This supply voltage can be between 1.8 V and 5.5 V (7 V is the absolute maximum).

In many rail-to-rail opamps there are protective diodes connected in anti-parallel between the inputs, which means the maximum differential input voltage may only be 1 V. In theory our circuit could also use these opamps. For this reason R9 has been added to the inverting input of IC1D. As an example, we tried using a TS924IN. What goes wrong in this case is that the two inputs of the comparators affect each other. The time constant of C4 and R13 turns out to be lower because of the addition of R14 and R15.

get more online...

Download the Pcb artwork from Design Tips at www.rs-components.com/eTech

30

eTech - ISSUE 3

ESSENTIalS
cRyDoM SSRS
Solid state relays are the future for reliable electronic and electrical load switching.
n They contain no moving parts, offer high resistance to vibration and require lower currents to operate making them ideal for use in portable and industrial equipment. The crydom range of SSRs includes both Pcb & DIN rail mount versions from 100ma to 125a with both ac & Dc control options. online search term: crydom SSR

TEST lEaDS SET

Practical lead set with a wide range of accessories for taking measurements in most situations.
n Includes: 2 x 1.2m silicone multimeter leads with shrouded 4mm terminations one end straight, one end right angled, (red and black); 2 x crocodile clips (red and black); 2 x long reach multimeter probes with removable 4mm tip exposure adaptors (red and black); 2 x spring loaded grabber multimeter probes (red and black). complies with IEc1010-1 cat III 600v safety standard. online search term: 262-7742

ESSENTIalS

MUlTI-fUNcTIoN gRaPhIcal METER

an analogue input meter with a programmable multi-function 320x240 pixel graphcis display
n Supplied complete with Windows based configuration software the SGD 24-M can be programmed via USB for input scaling and 6 types of virtual meter including analogue meters, VU type bargraphs, or 3 digit. Powered from 4-30Vdc with a supply current less than 100mA and supports input voltages from 0-40Vdc. online search term: lascar SgD

vISIToRS / lab covERSPEcS

can be worn on its own or over prescription spectacles.
n Ideal for lab or manufacturing areas, the coverspecs are ultralightweight, with a single piece polycarbonate lens moulding. With a tough construction, they provide excellent all-round visibility. Meets EN166-1F with a Class 1 optical lens. , online search term: 764-142

Eco WIRE
a range of hook-up wire which uses an environmentally-friendly alternative to Pvc sheath.
n EcoWire uses a modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) thermoplastic and contains no heavy metal pigments, allowing it to help manufacturers meet Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) requirements. Available with a variety of sheath colours from 28AWG (0.07mm) to 10AWG (5.37mm). online search term: Eco wire

aNTISTaTIc fIElD SERvIcE kIT

Ideal for field based personnel that need a temporary anti-static area to work on
n Available in a lightweight and heavy duty version these kits include a black wide jaw croc clip, stacking snap banana, 10 mm male snap riveted to material, adjustable wrist strap and a ground cord which is supplied in a plastic service wallet with zipper. online search term: 681-1235 & 681-1231

lINDSTRoM cUTTERS & PlIERS

a wide range of high precision tools designed specifically for use within the electronics industry.
n In addition to cutters and pliers, we also supply tweezers and screwdrivers from Lindstrom. All products are manufactured to the highest standards guaranteeing an accurate and even action for the life of the tool. online search term: lindstrom

DIgITal PRogRaMMablE SolDERINg IRoN

cost effective, entry level soldering station for the intermittent / low volume user. The hand piece and tips are designed to enable rapid heat recovery required for lead free soldering.
n Digital display with 3 programmable set point temperatures, preprogrammed to: 150, 300, 400C. Operating temperature range: 150 450C. Supplied with 24V / 48W soldering iron and 230V power supply, with grounding stud/ socket for critical applications and ESD work. online search term: 665-4789

flUkE 233 MUlTIMETER

be in two places at once with the new fluke remote display multimeter.
n The removable display solves the problem of holding both the meter and the test leads, so taking measurements in hard-to-reach places is easy. The removable display gives the user flexibility in situations where display viewing is difficult or impossible, or in areas where the operator cannot easily be close to the active measurement point, for example in clean rooms or temperature test chambers. Wireless technology allows the display to be carried up to ten metres away from the point of measurement. online search term: fluke 233

TEchSPRay RENEW hIgh PERfoRMaNcE Eco-clEaNINg foR SMT

a range of eco-cleaners that are non-ozone depleting, have very low vocs (volatile organic compounds) and no global Warming Potential
n SMT Eco-STENcIl effectively removes all types of solder paste and uncured adhesive from screens, misprinted boards and equipment. It is a safe replacement for IPa cleaners. SMT Eco-ovEN cleans reflow ovens, wave soldering systems by removing all types of flux residues. It is fast acting and more effective than IPa for baked on flux residues. online search term: TEchSPRay

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33

automotive
connector solutions
vehicle markets worldwide are changing quickly, as factors such as electric vehicles and rising car ownership in fast-growing economies empower new brands to challenge established players. Innovations like vehicle buses, lED lighting and hybrid or all-electric powertrains are especially demanding on interconnect and switch components.
From specialist government and commercial vehicles, to motorsport and custom cars, the automotive industry demands top reliability, top performance and top cost-effectiveness. Although many suitable solutions are available, they are commonly targeted at manufacturers ordering in high volumes. Where does this leave the specialist vehicle manufacturer, or those developing prototype or test designs? RS is expanding its range of switch and interconnect solutions through partnerships with top manufacturers. automotive connectors There is a huge amount of interconnection in todays vehicles, whether signals are routed by conventional wiring looms or automotive buses such as CANbus, FlexRay or LINbus, for example. Increasingly, the trend is to use low-voltage differential signalling (LVDS) instead of conventional serial or parallel data, with its advantages of high speed and excellent EM shielding. The durable, two-conductor JAE MX38 is able to withstand tight bend radii and more than 82,000 flex cycles and is ideal for distribution of high-speed data at LVDS levels, for example carrying serial data from externally-mounted cameras in advanced parking and vehicle guidance systems. LVDS interconnects will also distribute DVD and TV video and audio to seat-mounted LCDs, as part of Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) systems. As with other automotive interconnects, the overall aim is to reduce the size and weight of components, whilst at the same time handling a larger number of I/O and higher currents. This can only be achieved with smaller pitch: automotive connectors have to deal with wires less than 0.05mm, yet still operate at temperatures up to 125C. Features like secondary locks, straight-angle scoop-proof mating and low insertion forces are mandated by standards bodies like USCAR 2 to ensure that automotive interconnects are assembled correctly and will therefore perform within specifications for the whole design life. high brightness, low power The latest automotive designs are putting still-greater demands on interconnection. Take, for example, the increasing trend for LED lighting as daytime running lights for cars. High-power LEDs have significantly different requirements from conventional incandescent lamps: in particular, there is a need to keep junction temperatures as low as possible in order to maximise light output and unit life. Manufacturers like JAE are developing connectors for main driver modules, cable assemblies with built-in heat-sinks and wiring harness connectors to meet these emerging requirements. Another technology that pushes interconnection to extremes is that of hybrid and electric cars. Even the charging connectors require extreme power capacity, reliability and safety. Connectors developed by ODU for the new MINI E have two power contacts rated at 60A, 240V AC, three signal contacts rated at 1A 42V, nominal current, and a safetyprotected earth offering 60A short-circuit current capability. The connectors are protected to IP 66 when mated and operate in ambient temperatures up to 80C. Demands like this are already filtering from the volume market to systems for lower-volume applications, such as emergency vehicles, construction equipment, prototypes and racing cars, as well as after-market products. That is why RS is expanding its portfolio rapidly. For example an exclusive agreement with FCI Connectors has just been announced to introduce FCIs family of automotive products through high service level distribution for the first time. OE-quality connectors are produced by FCIs Motorized Vehicles Division, and include wire-to-wire connectors, flex interconnects, wire-to-PCB and wire-to-device connectors, power terminals, signal terminals, squib interconnects, high-reliability enclosures, pin headers and press-fit pins. Such agreements give customers rapid access to specialist automotive interconnect and switch solutions, with no minimum order quantity for prototyping, test programmes, replacementparts supply and specialist markets such as industrial vehicles.

although many suitable solutions are available, they are commonly targeted at manufacturers ordering in high volumes.

See the latest additions to our range of automotive components at rswww.com/electronics

eTech - ISSUE 3

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35

EDP UPDaTE

EDP supports aRM mbed format

The Embedded Development Platform from RS now offers easier access to aRM processors
The mbed development environment launched by ARM recently (see the mbed article in this issue for further details) provides instant access to a very powerful suite of software tools, hosted in the cloud to support a hardware platform for rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept. Now, RS has added support for the mbed format to its Embedded Development Platform (EDP), which will bring even more benefits to developers who are new to the concept of 32bit processors. EDP is the perfect complement to mbed, as it too offers a fast and flexible way of configuring hardware functions using modules. With the introduction of a special adapter, engineers can now plug their mbed module into the EDP baseboard and operate it alongside up to three additional modules, chosen from the growing number of Application Modules offered for the EDP This . instantly extends the capabilities of mbed processing modules to include peripheral functions without the need to build unwieldy breadboards or develop a bespoke hardware platform. The reusability inherent within EDP coupled with the , open and unrestricted access to mbeds software development environment, create a powerful prototyping platform. Creating a proof-of-concept has never been easier or more accessible; mbed is designed to provide engineers with an easy and intuitive route to 32bit processing, so no experience is required. The software development tools are only a click away, along with a growing repository of code, examples and advice. RS is dedicated to providing engineers with the resources they need to move from concept to prototype as quickly and efficiently as possible. Bringing together EDP and mbed represents a significant milestone along the road to simpler development, giving engineers of all abilities the tools they need to create prototypes using the latest technologies. The strengths of EDP include the ability to assimilate other innovative solutions such as mbed, which means its worth as a reusable, extendable platform is matched only by its value.

our online quote tool is so quick it will give you a slice of your day back.

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Stay up-to-date with the latest additions to the RS EDP portfolio at rswww.com/edp

oNlINE QUoTES
rswww.com/tips

36

eTech - ISSUE 3

performance
If you only listen to the manufacturers, all 32-bit processors offer class-leading performance, so how do you really choose the right solution for you? EaSE of DEvEloPMENT

Roadmap to

The number of viable application areas for microcontrollers (MCUs) is growing and inherent in that growth is a need for higher performance. In general, the vast number of 8- and 16-bit MCUs available may cover the needs of all traditional applications, but the trend towards smarter living is driving demand for smarter MCUs; devices that can provide all the usual control functions but with something extra. Typically that something extra is connectivity. The term connectivity covers both wired and wireless communications, but while established markets have in the past implemented relatively simple serial protocols such as RS232/422, todays applications require more robust solutions which are able to support higher bandwidths over networked topologies. This may include wired technologies such as USB, Ethernet or CAN, or wireless networking solutions including 802.11, Bluetooth or ZigBee. These modern communication protocols are essentially driven by standards which are not trivial, requiring a significant amount of processing power. Many 8- and 16-bit MCUs are able to meet the need for relatively complex communications, but as applications become more sophisticated the need for processing power will increase; realtime operating systems and time-critical

protocols will demand faster, more capable processor cores and this represents one ofthe key reasons why the industry is transitioning to 32-bit based devices. Most MCU vendors are now actively developing 32-bit solutions but few are taking the same measured approach as Microchip. While Microchips very successful 8- and 16-bit MCU families use a proprietary core, Microchip has chosen to standardise its 32-bit families on 3rd Party IP from MIPS. This benefits Microchip customers by bringing an entire eco-system of software development tools to the PIC MCU platform. Furthermore, by adopting licensable IP Microchip is able , to deliver leading-edge performance without compromising on features. The 32-bit technology chosen by Microchip for the PIC32 families is the MIPS M4K core; it uses a Harvard architecture (separate data and program buses) and independent benchmarks show the PIC32 delivers more performance than competing 32-bit MCUs. For example, at 80MHz the PIC32 delivers 120 Dhrystone MIPS (1.5DMIPS/MHz) compared to 1.25DMIPs of the nearest competitor. These independent benchmarks show the PIC32 completes tasks over 30% more efficiently than other cores and along with the Harvard architecture, the core features a single-cycle hardware MAC, which enables it to complete many common processing tasks much quicker; typically the PIC32 would complete an FFT in 28% less time than a comparable 32-bit device.

compatibility A key focus for Microchip is the compatibility it offers between its families of PIC MCU devices. Through the use of MPLAB (Microchips Integrated Development Environment) this extends to the PIC32, as it offers pin- and peripheral-compatibility with the 16-bit PIC MCU families, which means code developed for a 16-bit device will be compatible with the PIC32 family, providing a true performance roadmap. This is unrivalled in the industry, even among vendors standardising on a common 3rd Party core technology; predominantly the peripherals, memory management, interrupts and pin configurations will be significantly different, both between vendors and a single vendors range of MCUs even those using the same core architecture. In addition, the extensive suite of software development tools offered by Microchip remains compatible across all PIC families, allowing its extensive software libraries to be used on all devices, including the PIC32. The significance of this compatibility can not be underestimated; the choice of which MCU family to adopt today is based largely on the quality of the software development tools and the availability of software libraries. Microchip continues to develop software applications and make them freely available to customers, including advanced communications protocols for the PIC32 family. For the many existing PIC users now evaluating 32-bit MCU solutions, the PIC32 represents their simplest transition. It offers an almost seamless move from 8- and 16-bit devices to high performance processing. For a wide choice in performance, a familiar and compatible development environment, the PIC32 family is unsurpassed. There are many 32-bit solutions available, all claiming to offer the highest performance when measured against a specific parameter. However, for your application, only one solution is truly the best; the key is to find it. Independent benchmarks are an excellent starting position and in this respect the PIC32 is unbeaten, but why leave it to chance? RS offers a range of development kits for all leading 32-bit solutions, allowing engineering teams to evaluate devices using real life applications; your own benchmark.

SEaMlESS TRaNSITIoN

hIghER PERfoRMaNcE

loW PoWER

faSTER PRocESSINg

for more information or to check out the range of development kits available, visit rswww.com/electronics

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eTech - ISSUE 3

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lUNch bREak

lUNch bREak

how to play: as with standard sudoku, every row and column and 3 x 3 square must contain the numbers 1 through 9 exactly once. The grid is composed of shapes with a dotted outline. at the top of each shape is a number, this signifies the sum of the cell. for example; if there is a shape composed of two cells with a 3 in the corner, the total of those cells is 3. from that you can tell that the values of the cells must be 1 and 2 or 2 and 1. It is not permitted to repeat a number in a shape. If you have a sum of 8 across three cells, this cannot be 2, 4, 2 as the 2 is then repeated in the shape. No numbers are placed in the grid to start with, unlike in normal sudoku; however you can work out every number with no guesswork but applying logic alone to reach the unique solution for each puzzle.

WIN

a garmin Nuvi 255W gPS with our killer sudoku

Daily No. 1513

24 10 23 11

Easy

Name: Job Title:

16

10

20

Ship-To-Number: Tel: E-mail:

11

15

15

10

11

31
Send your completed Sudoku to: RS Components Ltd, eTech Team, DPN 24, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 9RS. terms & Conditions: This competition is being run by RS Components Ltd. To enter the competition, all information on the entry form must be supplied. Entry is free, no purchase is necessary. It is the responsibility of the participant to gain permission from his/her employer to enter this competition. The prize is as stated. No cash alternatives are available. The competition is open to all RS Components catalogue recipients, except employees of RS Components or their families. The closing date for entries is 01/09/2010. The date of the draw will be in the month of September 2010. The winner will be selected at random by RS Components and will be notified by 1st October 2010. Responsibility cannot be accepted for lost entries, damaged or delayed in transit to the porters address. Illegible, altered or incomplete entries will be disqualified. Details of the prize winner can be obtained from the promoter after the date of the draw by sending an SAE to RS Components, eTech Team, DPN 24, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 9RS or by visiting www.rs-components.com/etech.

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Copyright (c) 2009, killersudokuonline.com

Where will you take yoUR eTech?

our very own Pui chueng launches our new competition Where will you take yoUR eTech?
Pui climbed Mount Kilimanjaro earlier this year and was snapped with her copy of eTech when she reached the peak. can you beat this? Are you going to the pyramids, diving with sharks or trekking in the jungle? Send your photographs along with your name and company via email to etech@rs-components.com. The best photo(s) will be printed in the next edition.

broadcast to the Nation Quiz! 1 2 3 4

What video standard is used in the Uk? a. What does NTSc stand for? a. What is the standard aspect ratio of a widescreen television? a. how many frames per second (fPS) does a Pal signal contain? a.

5 6 7 8

What does DvD stand for? a. What Does hDMI stands for? a. What does ccD stand for? a. Where does the term vox pop come from? a.

What is the furthest distance at which the human ear can detect audio frequencies? a.

10

Phantom power is a means of what?

a.

You may submit up to 5 photos per eTech issue. Entries must be clearly labelled with your name and company details and be sent from your company e-mail address for verification. Entries from a personal e-mail address may not be used. All entries must be your own original work and must not infringe anyones privacy or copyright or breached any laws. You must have obtained permission of any people featured in the photo, or their parents or guardians if children under 16 are featured. By entering your photo, you allow RS Components to edit and reproduce your photo along with your name and company details in any media in all countries. RS is under no obligation to publish your photo.

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eTech - ISSUE 3

answers can be found at

www.rs-components.com/etech

eTech - ISSUE 3

41

INDUSTRy NEWS

a Mini-laboratory for all cases

Many illnesses can be reliably diagnosed through laboratory tests, but these in vitro analyses often use up valuable time. a system developed by fraunhofer research scientists, which can carry out complex analyses on the spot, will soon be ready for the market.
Well just have to wait for the results of the laboratory testsThese . words are familiar to many patients. It then usually takes several days for specimens to be sent to the laboratory and analyzed and for the doctor to receive the results. For many illnesses, however, a speedy diagnosis is crucial if the treatment is to be successful. In future, the patient might only have to sit in the waiting room for a few minutes until the results are ready. In a joint project, researchers from seven Fraunhofer institutes have developed a modular platform for in vitro diagnosis which enables various types of bioanalysis of blood and saliva for example to be conducted in the doctors surgery. Thanks to its modular design our IVD platform is so flexible that it can be used for all possible bioanalytical tasks, states Dr. Eva Ehrentreich-Frster from the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT) in Potsdam-Golm. The core element of the mini-laboratory is a disposable cartridge made of plastic which can be fitted with various types of sensor. For an analysis the doctor fills the cartridge with reagents binding agents which indicate the presence of certain substances such as antigens in the specimen material. Various tests or assays are available for different types of analysis. To perform an assay, the doctor only has to place the relevant substances in the cartridge and the test then takes place automatically. We have optimized the assays so that up to 500 assay reactions can be conducted in parallel in a single analysis step, explains Dr. Ehrentreich-Frster. Even in the case of complex analyses the doctor obtains a result within about 30 minutes. A new module on the reverse side of the cartridge also makes it possible to analyze the specimen material at DNA level. Once the cartridge has been prepared, the doctor places it in the measurement system. The results can be read out with either optical or electrochemical biosensors. The researchers have installed a readout window for both methods in the measurement system, which features a bypass through which the specimen is pumped. In addition to medical applications, Dr. Ehrentreich-Frster has other markets in her sights. The IVD platform is also suitable for food analysis and doping checks. The mini-laboratory will soon be ready for the market.

its modular Thanks toIvD platform design our is so flexible that it can be used for all possible bioanalytical tasks
dr. eva ehrentreich-Frster from the Fraunhofer institute for Biomedical engineering (iBmt) in potsdam-Golm

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Weve added over 4,000 Vishay products, giving you an ever expanding choice.

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