A quality end product is the ultimate goal of any manufacturer, going back to the earliest stages of its design. But in electronics, the end product is the sum of so many more parts than almost any other category. These components—either active, passive, or electromechanical—are often considered commodity products, given their simplicity in most cases and basic function. But that doesn’t mean they could be overlooked, as any electronic instrument or device is only as good as the sum of its parts.
For the most part, basic electronic components can be packaged discretely, in networks of like components or arrays, or integrated inside packages like integrated circuits. With that, such packages can be considered components themselves. Here’s a look at some discrete component products recently put on the market.
Waveguide-to-waveguide transitions for 5.85 to 110 GHz
Fairview Microwave has launched a new line of waveguide transitions that operate from 5.85 to 110 GHz across 14 frequency bands. These waveguide adapters are ideal for high power
wireless applications such as test benches, instrumentation, MILCOM, SATCOM, telecom and radar applications where signal strength and integrity are critical. Fairview’s new waveguide-to-waveguide transition series consists of 23 unique models utilizing a range of waveguide sizes and frequencies. This product line allows for smooth transitions between different waveguide sizes with minimal loss and VSWR as low as 1.08:1. Waveguide sizes in this line range from WR-10 to WR-137. They are offered with UG-style square cover and round cover flanges, CPRG-style or UBR-style flanges. These new waveguide transitions are made of rugged, gold-plated or painted brass, depending on the model. Mechanical lengths of these adapters range from 1 to 6 inches. All models are REACH and RoHS compliant. Fairview Microwave
Cylindrical supercapacitor series enhances pulse power handling
AVX Corporation has released a new series of cylindrical, electrochemical, double-layer supercapacitors. Rated for 2.7V and delivering high capacitance values (1F–3,000F), low ESR
(0.16mΩ–200mΩ at 1,000KHz), low leakage (6μA–5,800μA), high energy density (1.2 to 5.6Wh/kg), and long lifetime performance (50,000+ cycles), the new SCC Series supercapacitors exhibit excellent pulse power handling characteristics, and can be used alone or in conjunction with primary or secondary batteries to provide extended backup time, longer battery life, and instantaneous pulse power as needed. Available in a wide range of case sizes with diameters spanning 6.3mm to 60mm, case lengths spanning 12mm to 165mm, and either radial, solder pin, or cylindrical leads, the SCC Series introduces what AVX calls the industry’s smallest 1F/2.7V supercapacitor to market, and offers ideal hold-up, energy harvesting, and pulse power solutions for industrial and consumer applications. AVX Corporation
27 GHz bandwidth epoxy mount socket
Ironwood Electronics' new high-performance socket—SG-BGA-6484—allows for 1 mm pitch,
11x13mm body IC's to be used in socket and operate without compromising performance in Ironwood’s very high-speed memory applications. The new 27 GHz bandwidth sockets easily support very dense BGA devices utilizing a high-performance conductive elastomer contactor. The contact resistance is normally 20 milliohms. The sockets have a precision design, which guides the IC to the exact position for connection of each ball and uses an open top socket lid to provide compressive force. The socket accommodates IC packages such as the Micron's flash memory BGA package, 1 mm pitch BGA, and 8x8 array of balls. The socket requires no solder and no mounting holes and requires only 1.25 mm perimeter space for the socket body on the target PCB. Ironwood Electronics
Snap-action switches in two sizes
CIT Relay & Switch offers the miniature VM3 and sub-miniature SM3 Series snap-action
switches. Available in either SPST or SPDT, these UL/cUL recognized switches offer numerous actuator styles including pin plunger, standard, short and long hinge levers, roller and simulated roller. Termination options include .110” quick connect, solder lug, PC terminal, and right or left PC terminal. Contact material on the VM3 and SM3 Series is silver and both offer choices of operating force. Ratings are up to 16amps at 125VAC/250VAC and IP67 versions are available. CIT Relay & Switch also offer customization of its snap-action switch to fit customer's exact requirements. CIT Relay & Switch
Sliding power connector
TE Connectivity (TE), has introduced a sliding power connector. This is one of the only
connectors of its kind that allows for hot swapping (serviceability) of components in a server drawer without shutting power down to the entire system. Designed for applications such as hard disk drives, power supply units, racks, servers, storage units, and other high-current applications, the sliding power connector saves significant operational costs because it can reduce the need for system downtime that is normally required when swapping server drawer components. The sliding power connector can also minimize the need for a bulky cable management system within the drawer, opening up more space for airflow and reducing overall cooling costs. It also shows improved voltage drop over cables due to a more direct path from the power source to the server, increasing energy efficiency. TE Connectivity
About the Author
Mike Hockett
Former Editor
Mike Hockett was Editor in Chief for EE from September 2018 to Sept. 2019. Previously he served as editor for two manufacturing trade publications: Industrial Distribution, and Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation. He began in sports writing for a trio of newspapers in Wisconsin and Iowa and earned a BA degree in print journalism from UW-Eau Claire.
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