Motor Drives, Robotics & Controls

February 2020
All Semiconductor Switch Technologies Lead to Rome

Figure 1: Si superjunction and SiC MOSFETs have a vertical structure; GaN MOSFETs on the other hand have a lateral structure

Much is made of wide bandgap technologies, especially since GaN and SiC often have a superior performance on paper when compared to classic Si switching devices. These improvements include lower on-resistance and higher thermal conductivity, features that enable improvements in efficiency and operation at higher te
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/29/2020
Motor-Driver IC Family Expands to 400 W
Power Integrations announced that its BridgeSwitch integrated half-bridge (IHB) motor-driver IC family has been expanded and now supports applications requiring up to 400 W.  BridgeSwitch ICs feature high- and low-side advanced FREDFETs (Fast Recovery Diode Field Effect Transistors) with integrated lossless cu
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/25/2020
MOSFET Power Modules Optimized for High Efficiency
Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited announced the release of a newintelligent power module, AIM702H50B, specialized for low-power BLDC motor drives system such as fan motors in home appliances and air-conditioners that require highly compact size with reliable and efficient design allowance. The new IPM7
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/25/2020
Isolated Silicon Carbide Gate Driver Provides High Efficiency
With the MAX22701E isolated gate driver from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM), designers of high-voltage/high-power systems can improve power supply efficiency by up to 4 percentage points over competitive solutions, reducing power loss and the resulting carbon footprint by 30 percent. The driver IC i
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Isabellenhütte receives type examination certification
The new launch follows the successful completion of the type examination. The DC meters are now available for purchase by manufacturers of charging stations and can be integrated into the designs of their applications.   The basis of the type examination certification was the successfully conducted metrological mea
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
ModBUS-TCP interface option for programmable DC power supplies
The option is available on all models ranging from the 1U high half rack GH1.5kW to the 3U high full rack GSP15kW. The industry standard ModBUS-TCP protocol is used for transmission of information between electronic devices for the supervision and control of automation equipment. This GENESYS+™ option allows
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Toshiba announces 100 V N-channel automotive MOSFETs
Designed specifically for modern 48 V system applications, the devices are suited to use in boost converters for integrated starter generators (ISG) and LED headlights as well as motor drives, switching regulators and load switches.   The XPH4R10ANB and XPH6R30ANB devices improve the efficiency of automotiv
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Mouser and TE Connectivity Examine Robotics Trends in eBook
In Solutions for Robots and Robot Control, engineers and subject matter experts from Mouser and TE offer in-depth articles on the latest robotics technologies in the manufacturing space. The eBook places a special emphasis on the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), highlighting the many ways in which robots are
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Mouser Launches USB-C Charging Reference Design
The reference design includes the Qorvo ACT4751 DC-to-DC buck converter and a Cypress EZ-PD CCG3PA USB Type-C and Power Delivery (PD) controller. The products and reference design support applications such as PC and tablet power adapters, smartphone and mobile chargers, vehicle chargers, and power banks. &nbs
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
First Accelerometer with Built-In Noise Filtering Function
The accelerometers are ideal for high accuracy, low power motion sensing applications in the industrial equipment and consumer wearable markets.   In recent years, as factories have begun to save labor costs and increase efficiency, the concept of predictive maintenance for detecting abnormalities b
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Ultra-compact 200W desktop power supply has GaN switching
GaN provides increased efficiency, reduced heat losses and operation a higher-frequencies, allowing the size of magnetics and other components to be reduced. The result is an amazingly-compact 200W external desktop power supply with market leading 12.5W/In³ power density.   The FiDUS GDA200 will be
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Analog Devices Launches Quad-Output DC/DC µModule Regulators
The new devices integrate switching controllers, power FETs, inductors and support components, easing the design process while reducing power consumption and board space. They are ideal for telecom, networking and industrial applications. Operating over an input voltage range of 2.7V to 17V, the LTM4668
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Three-Phase Brushless Motor Controller with Gate Driver
The sensorless design of the TC78B009FTG does not require Hall effect sensors, making it ideal for applications involving high-velocity fans or impellers in servers, blowers, small pumps, cordless vacuums and robotic cleaners.   In recent years, increases in server capacity and performance have requir
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Further Optimized Automotive 180nm BCD-on-SOI Technology
The new medium voltage devices cover voltages from 12V to 32V. With that customers now have access to a complete portfolio of different voltage options – covering a 10V to 200V voltage range. These new complementary NMOS/PMOS devices support automotive AEC-Q100 grade 0 designs and deliver competitive on-resistance (R
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
AVX Updates SpiCAT Online Simulation Tool With MLCC Series
The tool enables the quick, easy, and accurate parametric characterization of an extensive range of multilayer ceramic, tantalum, polymer, and niobium oxide surface-mount capacitors, as well as multilayer varistors.   The interactive online tool groups various product series by common application features to sim
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Maxim makes $25M Investment in New Design Center in Dublin
The design center will focus on product development and conducting research and development in the areas of analog semiconductor design to deliver Maxim’s innovative solutions across many end markets.   To make this vision a reality, the company will recruit a strong team of mixed-signal and analo
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Powerbox announces high peak load power supply for medical laser applications
Based on digital control and high energy storage management techniques, the SMM3000A80024C series delivers 2.25kW repetitive peak power to medical lasers with high efficiency. The SMM3000A80024C complies with medical safety standards and for silent operation it includes a thermo-controlled cooling system. &n
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
SIGA expands with Stabilised Transformers acquisition
SIGA Electronics has expanded its business in High Voltage and High Power transformers through the acquisition of the business and assets of Stabilised Transformers.   “The acquisition offers significant benefits to Stabilised Transformers as well as to SIGA customers,” commented Richard Thrussell, G
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Shunt Resistors Feature High Rated Power in 5.0mm×2.5mm Size
It is ideal for current detection in motors and power supply circuits used in automotive systems and industrial equipment.   This new series combines a revised electrode structure with optimized device design that improves heat dissipation to PCB where the resistor is mounted on. The result is a 39%
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Flex Power Modules announces miniature DC-DC converters
The new devices are all isolating converters providing output power of up to 1W, with no minimum load required.   Efficiency is typically 84% (PUA-A), 80% (PUC-B) and 81% (PUB-M) – all at full load. Input-to-output isolation voltage is 2000V (PUA-A), 6000V (PUC-B) and 3000V (PUB-M).   The ne
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
iMOTION IMC300 adds Arm MCU for maximum flexibility
IMC300 complements the IMC100 series and aims at variable speed drives that require very high application flexibility. Both families, IMC100 and IMC300, share the same implementation of the MCE 2.0 providing ready-to-use motor and, optional, PFC control. Applying the MCE for controlling the motor, customers can focus
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/20/2020
Resistors Feature Industry's Highest Power in their Size
ROHM recently announced the availability of shunt resistors, GMR50 series, delivering industry-leading 4W rated power (at electrode temperature TK=90°C) in the compact 5.0mm×2.5mm (2010 type package) size. It is ideal for current detection in motors and power supply circuits used in automotive systems and in
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/18/2020
Isolierter CAN-Transceiver mit Automotive-Qualifizierung
Mit Eigenschaften wie einfacher Aufbau, umfassende Funktionalität, hohe Störsicherheit und schnelle Datenübertragung ist der CAN-Bus das bevorzugte Kommunikations-Netzwerk für elektronische Komponenten im Bereich Automotive. Mornsun unterstützt diese Technologie ab sofort mit isolierten CAN-Transceivern, die n
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/13/2020
MCU Family Moves Software Tasks to Hardware
In microcontroller (MCU) based system design, software is often the bottleneck for both time to market and system performance. By offloading many software tasks to hardware, Microchip Technology Inc.’s next generation PIC18-Q43 family helps developers bring higher performing solutions to market faster.  The family’
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/12/2020
Are Robots Designed to Include the LGBTQ+ Community?

Will robots and AI respond appropriately to an elderly gay couple? Researchers say it's important to make design decisions now to make certain that technology is inclusive.

In a new short paper in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence, Roger A. Søraa from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and co-authors Eduard Fosch-Villaronga from Leiden University in the Netherlands, and Adam Poulsen from Charles Sturt University in Australia discuss what a queering of robots m
. . . Learn More
Date:
02/12/2020
Archives