Onanon's MultiWise connector combines pins, contacts and blades on a single platform, giving engineers the power to design greater conductivity and functionality into small-footprint devices. The connector satisfies the need for increased power density in small spaces by using pins, contacts and blades. This lowers contact resistance while maintaining the necessary power/signal mix.
Automotive systems engineers once restricted to packaging multiple connectors and circuitry together in an assembly can now combine the required connector features and circuitry on one connector. With the introduction of blade pins, designers can take advantage of greater conductivity available in more rugged copper and brass alloy blades. Onanon's pick-and-place blade and pin-loading systems result in reliable, corrosion-free interconnects. Moreover, Onanon's manufacturing processes can place SMT devices like capacitors, resistors and ICs directly on the connector.
The MultiWise connector system is now available. Prices begin at $3.00 in quantities of 1000.
Onanon • (408) 262-8990 • www.onanon.com
TRANSPONDER COILS
With its newly developed transponder series, EPCOS has expanded its range of inductors with a series of transponder coils. These components are suited for demanding applications such as immobilizers and tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). For the immobilizer, the coils are incorporated in the car key and in the TPMS, they are directly in the wheel, where they are exposed to high mechanical and dynamic stresses.
This extrusion-coated series, designated B82450A, was developed in cooperation with the automotive industry and has significant stability advantages over competitor products. Apart from these two applications in automotive electronics, the coils are suited for other application areas that also require high mechanical ruggedness.
The transponder coils are designed for a frequency of 125 kHz and can be operated in the temperature range from -40 °C to +125 °C. They are RoHS-compatible, suitable for lead-free reflow soldering to JEDEC J-STD-020C and can be processed with automatic SMD placement systems.
EPCOS • +49 89 636 09 • www.epcos.com
FRAM
Ramtron, a developer and supplier of non-volatile ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) and integrated semiconductor products, plans to exhibit at Convergence 2006 (booth 201) from Oct. 16-18 in Detroit, Mich., where it will preview its line of FRAM devices to be qualified for AEC Q100.
Ramtron is growing a broad line of FRAM non-volatile memory devices for demanding automotive applications. The company is pursuing plans to qualify its FRAM parts to AEC Q100 (Automotive Electronic Council's Stress Test Qualification for Integrated Circuits) standards, and is developing a number of FRAM configurations specified for the Grade 1 (-40 °C to 125 °C) operating range. This qualification program has been developed to support specific customer design-ins that are already in place.
FRAM has three major benefits compared with other non-volatile memory choices: fast write speed, high write endurance, and low power consumption. Fast writes are beneficial when capturing data from sensors, especially in noisy automotive environments or when power may suddenly fail. High endurance enables designers to capture information as often as they wish without the risk of wearing out the memory. Low power is an added benefit in applications with ever-lower power budgets such as car entertainment systems.
Ramtron • (800) 545-FRAM www.ramtron.com
BATTERY CURRENT SENSORS
A series of dual-range, automotive-qualified sensors from LEM, manufacturer of isolated current and voltage measurement components, is for accurate, wide-range current measurements in vehicle battery-monitoring applications. The 25 mod-els in the DHAB family are non-intrusive, galvanically isolated solutions.
A DHAB Hall-effect sensor is fixed onto the battery cable of a car. Its two cores allow it to be used for two separate current ranges — one be-tween ±20 A and ±80 A and the other between ±50 A and ±600 A. This enables full-range current measurements to be taken in combination with highly accurate measurements at lower currents.
The sealed housing of the DHAB sensors means that no potting is required. Panel and cable-mount versions are available to offer maximum mounting versatility. The sensors meet all relevant standards, including ISO-TS and RoHS. Principal applications are expected to be in the measurement of battery-pack current in electric and hybrid vehicles.
LEM
(+ 41) 22 706 11 11
www.lem.com
DIGITAL TUNER CHIPSET
STMicroelectronics' dig-ital AM/FM radio receiver chipset is intended for use in automotive applications. Jointly developed by ST-Microelectronics and Bosch's subsidiary Blaupunkt, this digital receiver integrates audio signal processing and radio data system (RDS) decoding, suitable for today's mid- and high-end car radios.
The chipset includes two TDA7528 radio-frequency (RF) front-end ICs and one STA3005 digital signal processor (DSP) back-end IC. The solution tunes to current analog radio services worldwide (AM, FM and U.S. weather band) as well as to the recently introduced digital broadcasts (digital audio broadcasting, digital radio Mondiale, HD radio), providing suitable interfaces to external decoders.
The TDA7528 and STA3005 are supplied in LQFP64 (10 mm × 10 mm) and TQFP144 (20 mm × 20 mm) ECOPACK packages, respectively. Samples are available and volume production is scheduled for the second quarter of 2007.
STMicroelectronics
+41 22 929 29 29
www.st.com
AMBIENT LIGHT SENSORS
Vishay's three ambient light sensors allow automatic control of liquid crystal display (LCD) brightness and enable a number of advanced automotive driver comfort and safety features. Providing a simple two-pin connection, these sensors will be used to reduce power consumption in consumer electronics applications by controlling keypad backlights and to adjust the brightness of LCDs. In automotive applications, the sensors will enable automatic headlight control, tunnel sensors, and displays that adjust automatically to changes in ambient brightness. As phototransistors, these sensors eliminate the need for an external amplifier.
The three devices give designers a choice of surface-mount 0805 (TEMT6200F) or leaded 5 mm flat-top (TEPT5700) or 3 mm (TEPT4400) packages. The angle of half intensity is ±60° for the TEMT6200F, ±50° for the TEPT5700 and ±30° for the TEPT4400. The TEMT6200F peak wavelength sensitivity is 550 nm, while the TEPT5700 and TEPT4400 are 570 nm, green-yellow on the visible spectrum. These new devices join the previously released TEMT6000 in the surface-mount 1206 package and TEPT5600 in narrow angle 5 mm package to give designers an ambient light sensor portfolio that meets the needs of every application.
In addition to improving display visibility and reducing power consumption, all three devices are lead (Pb)-free and in accordance with RoHS 2002/95/EC and WEEE 2002/96/EC. Samples are available. Pricing in quantities of 1 million pieces per year is $0.25.
Vishay
402-563-6866
www.vishay.com