Electronics-Lab.com Blog

Steve Taranovich writes:

Touchstone, with its first analog power management product, has enhanced such a function with the capability to use supply voltages down to 0.6V while still being able to deliver a 75 mA output current.

The device can be used in power harvesting or peak load buffering applications, the LDO may post-regulate voltage buffered in a large capacitor or super-capacitor at boost’s output. Finally, the LDO may be operated simply as an on/off load switch.

TS3300 switching regulator coupled with an LDO in same package - [Link]

Multi-band antenna 2J301 offers several properties for which it´s worth to consider its usage in your devices.  

Decent gain, good VSWR values, small dimensions, resistance to outdoor conditions and a simple mount method are probably basic features, which we´d expect from external antennas for the GSM/UMTS, PCS bands. Antenna 2J301M/SMA  from company 2J provides all this but it features yet another positive feature – a good price.

That´s why, if you´re searching for an antenna with good specification for a good price, 2J301M is a good choice. An elegant design from an ABS plastic is suitable for virtually every application and an easy installation is ensured by a magnetic bottom plate together with a 2.5 m long flexible cable (RG174) with the SMA connector.

Detailed description of the 2J301M/SMA antenna can be found in the 2J301 datasheet.  In case of interest, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.

High-quality GSM/3G signal directly to your device – [Link]

Push-buttons resistant to dust and water, moreover with the well-visible LED backlight, will manage even rough handling.

If you have an application, where you need sturdy push-buttons and ideally even with backlight, then the Schurter MSM19 may be the right for you. Dust- and water-proof push-buttons can be advantageous not only in an expressly demanding industrial environment, but also in a common indoor environment, when they´re supposed to be frequently used, for example in various information or control panels etc. Right such a “harmless” environment can be easily dangerous thanks to wet hands, spilled coffee, …

Push-buttons Schurter MSM series feature a similar usage like MCS series, but it features a higher protection class – IP67 (from the actuator side). In the MSM series can be found several versions, in stock we keep 2 types – 1241.6624.x  with a ring green or red backlight (powered by 24VDC). Transparent ring from polyamide is of a neutral color (in off state of LED).

MSM series is constructed modularly, i.e. consists of the stainless steel body and the micro-switch which determines its electrical properties. MSM series can be equipped by various tact switches – 2 Types which we keep in stock are equipped with the type 1050.1151 from company Marquardt. Mid-rated force of 4,5N necessary to push the switch and the 1mm travel make these push-buttons very pleasant for handling. Gold-plated contacts of the micro-switch enable also to switch very small currents.

Detailed information will provide you the Schurter MSM datasheet.  In case of interest, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.

Resistant and irresistibly beautiful push-buttons Schurter MSM 19 - [Link]

The LT3651 enables fast charging of Li-Ion/Polymer batteries by delivering up to 4A of continuous charge current with minimal power loss. This is due to its high efficiency switchmode topology, including on-chip synchronous MOSFETs. Its autonomous operation means no microcontroller is necessary and the device integrates an onboard C/10 or timer charge termination. The LT3651’s programmable input current limit with PowerPathTM control regulates charge current to maintain a constant supply current, preventing the input supply from collapsing.

• Wide Input Voltage Range: Up to 32V (40V Absolute Maximum)
• Programmable Charge Current Up to 4A
• Selectable C/10 or Onboard Timer Termination
• Dynamic Charge Rate Programming/Soft-Start
• Programmable Input Current Limit

LT3651 – Monolithic 4A High Voltage 1 Cell Li-Ion Battery Charger - [Link]

Linear announced a new voltage drop compensator IC. The LT®6110 is a precision high side current sense with a current mode output, designed for controlling the output voltage of an adjustable power supply or voltage regulator. This can be used to compensate for drops in voltage at a remote load due to resistance in a wire, trace or cable.

The LT6110 cable drop compensator improves voltage regulation at remote loads without the need for Kelvin sense wires. The LT6110 can be used with most types of voltage regulators and can provide several volts of load regulation compensation. The LT6110 will compensate for the voltage drop due to resistance in a wire, circuit board trace or cable and can improve regulation at the load by a factor of 10. It operates with supply voltages that range from 2V to 50V, making it suitable for high power USB, Power over Ethernet (PoE), remote instrumentation and remote industrial applications. The LT6110 reduces costs by eliminating sense wires which may be prone to misconnection or damage and it makes load regulation independent of wire size or length.

LT6110 cable/wire drop compensator - [Link]

It is known, that it is ideal to protect every controlled peripherial separately. DIN Rail-mounted relay interface module Finder Master Plus 39.3x integrates function of a switching and protective element into one component.

Finder Master Plus was in detail described to you in our article  Relay interface module with a fuse module. Thanks to a growing interest, we incorporated to our standard stock offer the first type from this series – 39.31.0.024.0060. Despite the fact, that Finder Master Plus series offers more than for example Finder 38.51 series, the price of the new type is even more favorable. In its basic version, the Master Plus module is without a fuse holder (type 093.63, upon order). To deploy the fusing function, all that is necessary is to simply push-in this holder into the module, what connects the fuse in series with the switched circuit.

Condition of the fuse is easily visible through a window.  At width of a relay module only 6.2 mm, it is an interface with a separated protection, occupying only a minimum space on the rail. Interconnections in a distribution box can be further simplified and be more transparent thanks to a possibility to use interconnection jumper links. Finder Master Plus 39.3x are available in several versions, EMR or SSR, at the type 39.3x.3 also with a leakage current suppression. Detailed information will provide you the Finder S39 datasheet.

In case of interest, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com

Finder Master Plus ensures it – [Link]

If you´re looking for a reliable and price affordable connectors for memory cards and SIM cards, we have a solution for you.

No doubt, that data storage media and SIM cards need a reliable contact. A contact which won´t oxidize either after a long term usage in an outdoor environment. This fact is well known mainly to producers of outdoor operating devices, often in outlying localities, where every servicing causes useless expenses.

That´s why, in our offer can be found several connectors and holders of a quality construction from company Attend with an excellent price / performance ratio. Some connectors from company Attend may be familiar to you for example also from our article Migrate to a new type of a SIM card connector Attend. We gradually increased number of types held in stock and recently we also added another 2 types – holder for two SIM cards 115H-BA00 and holder for Micro SIM 115I-BEAA. Attend connectors feature gold-plated contacts and they´re specified for industrial temperature range. All details necessary for usage of these connectors can be found in datasheets at particular types.

In case of interest in any Attend component, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.

Attend – reliable workplace for your memory- and SIM cards - [Link]

Company YAGEO announced its intention to remove marking of RC/AC 0603,0805,1206 SMD chip resistors from July, 1-st, 2013.

Everything implies, that the situation with marking of chip resistors (0603/0805/1206) will soon be similar to chip capacitors – i.e. no marking on the top of the component. The reason for this step is to reduce unnecessary chemical usages for environmental protections.
Naturally, to identify the product resistance value, each single reel will be labeled with all relevant data as so far. Performance, features, specifications and manufacturing process of these resistors remain the same. So, the elimination of the marking on top of the product itself has no impact on the product functionality and reliability. There will be a short period of time that both types of the products, with marking and without marking, co exist while changing the production lines one by one.

Detailed information: Yageo – Remove marking of RC/AC 0603/0805/1206.

Will the SMD resistors marking become a history? - [Link]

If you´re facing a decision which diode to use in your device or searching for a replacement, then this article is dedicated right for you. 

Reliable diodes are often one of the fundamental pillars of a proper operation of devices. Many designers choose a suitable type so to say “by an eye” , by experience. So it can easily happen, that there will be used a uselessly overrated diode (occupying more PCB space) or in a worse case – an insufficiently rated diode, which will work in a given device on the border of its possibilities.

Diodes in general feature one good property – they´re relatively easily replaceable by a similar type from another producer. KAs SOS electronic is the authorized distributor of company Diotec, we´re able to offer you a suitable type for virtually any device, or a replacement for almost any diode from other producers.  Diotec as a producer specialized mainly on diodes, offers a wide portfolio of diodes with axial leads, in SMT packages, including power types like power sod-123, Power-SMD, D-PAK (TO252AA) and D2PAK (TO263AB), super-fast with low losses but even rectifying bridges and many other types.
Schottky diodes naturally provide lower losses thanks to a lower forward voltage, that´s why their usage is mainly in place in applications with relatively higher currents. In general it´s also valid, that a small SMT package can significantly eliminate the radiation of EMI in switch-mode power supplies (thanks to a minimal parasitic inductance), what can be one of factors, whether a given device will meet EMI regulations or not.

On the internet, it´s possible to find various „cross-reference-lists“, but for a given application, usually only some selected parameters are important.  That´s why we better recommend to choose according to concrete parameters. A help at selection will provide you the case cross reference and the list of most commonly used 1A diodes. For a practical usage, it´s good to be familiar with hints for soldering and assembly, minimum solder pads sizes as well as basic facts about basic facts about thermal stresses of diodes.
Also available to download is the example of usage of Diotec diodes in Set Top Boxes and in LED driving. It is worth to mention, that also several fakes of Diotec diodes appeared on the market.

In case of interest in any component from company Diotec, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.

Do you need diodes? – Diotec has them - [Link]

Switch-on, switch-off, change-over, change polarity,… all this is possible with 2-pole push-buttons switches of Unimec series.

If we design a device with push buttons, it is usually advantageous when we can use the same push-buttons, independently on whether we use them for switch-on, switch-off, change-over,… Moreover, at a modification of a given device, a possibility to change the function of a given push-button without its exchange is often highly welcome. Unimec series push-buttons easily meet these requirements for versatility, what probably was a reason why a word „Uni“ is also in the name of this series. The quality of the Unimec series is also guaranteed by the fact that company MEC from Denmark already for 75 years develops and produces top quality push-buttons.

Unimec push-buttons can be used by up to eight ways, as illustrated in the attached diagram. Unimec are available as momentary or latching and also in a standard or a high-temperature version (for operation at up to +160°C). Unimec are also available with silver-plated conacts (for currents from 0.5 mA) and also with gold-plated contacts, for currents already from 0.5 uA. Maximum current of 250mA (up to 500mA in a steady state) allows a universal usage, including a direct switching of many components, like for example latching relays. High-quality plastics, inner parts made of stainless-steel and an IP54 protection give a presumption of a long lifetime of these push-buttons.

Unimec series can be used with various key-caps without or with indication LEDs. Moreover, with the 16.250 adapter it is possible to use a wide spectrum of key-caps from the Multimec series. Detailed information will provide you the Unimec datasheet.

Selected types we keep in stock, upon request we´re able to provide you any other types of the Unimec series. In case of interest, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.

Switches MEC Unimec switch in up to eight ways - [Link]