Electronics-Lab.com Blog

The C10988MA-01 sensor from Hamamatsu Photonics is an ultra-compact spectrometer built with Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MOEMS) technology. Measuring only 27.6 x 13 x 16.8 mm and weighing just 9 grams, the device is intended to be used in portable and hand-held devices where a standard mini-spectrometer would be too large and consume too much power. [via]

The new device features an aberration-corrected concave grating with a very short focal length and blazed grating profile for high diffraction efficiency. The grating is replicated onto a convex glass lens using nano-print technology. Directly opposite the grating there is a dedicated CMOS silicon image sensor with an on-chip slit. This 75 x 750 µm slit is formed in the CMOS chip using MEMS technology. The distance between the sensor and slit is only 1 mm, and the distance between the grating and the image sensor distance a mere 8.5mm. Thanks to its novel design, the sensor offers a spectral resolution of 14 nm in the wavelength range of 340 to 750 nm, making it suitable for a variety of visible light applications requiring a miniaturized spectrometer head.

Ultra-Compact Spectrometer Sensor Targets Visible Light - [Link]

LDOs Provide Output Current of 300 mA, Input Voltage of 16V and Noise Rejection of 70 dB. Steve Taranovich writes:

Microchip Technology Inc., announced the MCP1755 and MCP1755S family of CMOS Low-Dropout (LDO) voltage regulators. These LDOs have an input voltage range of 3.6-16V and deliver an output current of 300 mA at output voltages of 1.8-5.5V, while consuming only 68 µA of quiescent current (typical). Additionally, the LDOs have a shutdown pin, enabling them to consume less than 0.1 µA (typical) during shutdown mode, which extends battery lifetimes. The LDOs are offered in SOT and 2×3 mm DFN packages.

Microchip LDO voltage-regulator family with low noise and high PSRR - [Link]

Maxim announced the a new 2-Channel 256-Step Digital Potentiometer with +5V or ±3V Operation.

The DS1868B has two 256-position potentiometers, with wiper positions each set as 8-bit values. The potentiometers can be used independently or stacked for increased total resistance and number of taps. Communication takes place through a 3-wire serial port interface that drives an internal control logic unit.

Multiple DS1868s can be linked or daisy-chained for control by a single processor. The DS1868B dual digital potentiometer replaces DS1868, which has been discontinued. The device is designed for flexibility, operating from a single +5V or dual ±3V supply. Maximum standby current is only 2µA.

DS1868B 2-Channel Digital Potentiometer - [Link]

Steve Taranovich writes:

Linear Technology Corporation announced the LT8705, a very high efficiency (up to 98%) synchronous buck-boost DC/DC controller that operates from input voltages above, below or equal to the regulated output voltage. This device has four feedback loops to regulate the input current/voltage, along with the output current/voltage.

Convert any input voltage from 2.8V to 80V into a fixed output voltage or output current - [Link]

The LTM4641 is a 4.5V to 38V input, 0.6V to 6V output, 10A step-down μModule regulator with comprehensive input and load protection features. The part monitors input voltage, output voltage and temperature conditions. If any user-adjustable trip thresholds are exceeded, the LTM4641 responds quickly (within 500ns in the case of an output overvoltage fault), ceasing operation and if necessary activating external switches to protect both input source and load. As a μModule regulator, the LTM4641 includes power MOSFETs, DC/DC controller, inductor, compensation and the protection logic circuits in a compact surface mount BGA package.

• Wide Operating Input Voltage Range: 4.5V to 38V
• 10A DC Typical, 12A Peak Output Current
• Output Range: 0.6V to 6V
• ±1.5% Maximum Total Output DC Voltage Error
• Differential Remote Sense Amplifier for POL Regulation
• Internal Temperature, Analog Indicator Output

LTM4641 – 38V, 10A DC/DC µModule Regulator with Advanced Input and Load Protection - [Link]

DIN rail terminal blocks using the CAGE CLAMP®S spring clamp bring a simpler installation even without tools and up to 30% saving of space. 

Since 1977, when company Wago launched screwless terminal blocks on the market, have the terminal blocks using this system earned a high popularity. During many years, the Cage Clamp® system proved its reliability even in most demanding environment like for example in chemical and gas industry.

In the year 2003, company Wago brought on the market an innovated version named as Cage Clamp® S, bringing up to 30% space saving and mainly enables even simpler installation of wire leads (solid wires, stranded wires, fine-stranded wires, ferruled wires). Solid wires but also ferruled stranded wires can be simply pushed-in into the terminal block without using any tools. It enables shortening of time for installation down to 50% in comparison to Cage Clamp system and down to approx. 25% in comparison to classic screw terminal blocks.
Screwless contacts Cage Clamp S can be found in a vast system of DIN-rail terminal blocks – TOPJOB S. Series TOPJOB S provides wide possibilities of usage and features many accessories like interconnecting jumpers, testing pins, fuse blocks and many other.

A comprendious overview of features and possibilities of the TOPJOB S system will provide you the TOPJOB S brochure. Directly from our stock, we´re able to provide you with selected types of TOPJOB S series. In case of interest in types, which we don´t stock, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.

Wago TOPJOB ® S – nowadays standard in installations? - [Link]

The MAX44281 is the industry’s first op amp in a 4-bump WLP package, designed for use in portable consumer and medical applications. This device is offered as a noninverting amplifier with gain (AV) of +1V/V, +2V/V, or +10V/V. The device features rail-to-rail output, low 100µV input voltage offset, and 15MHz of bandwidth with only 700µA of supply current. The device is available in an ultra-small, 0.86mm x 0.86mm, 4-bump WLP package with 0.5mm height.

MAX44281 – Ultra-Small, Ultra-Thin, 4-Bump Op Amp - [Link]

After the recently introduced 1A diode SKL14, we introduce you the 3A type in the same miniature PowerSOD-123T package.

New Schottky diode SKL34 features almost the same possibilities of usage like SKL14, which was recently introduced in our article: SKL14 – 1A Schottky diode will fit everywhere. The main difference is that SKL34 can be used even in more powerful applications with higher currents.

If SKL14 surprises by its max. current in such a small package, than it could be said, that SKL34 shocks by its 3 Amps. A very high current is enabled by a thermally enhanced PowerSOD-123T package with extended solder pads. Detailed information will provide you the SKL34 datasheet.
In case of interest, please contact us at  info@soselectronic.com.

SKL34 – another surprisingly small 3A Schottky diode - [Link]

Maxim’s ModelGauge™ algorithm reduces design complexity and maximizes battery runtime.

San Jose, CA—January 2, 2013—Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM) today announced that it is now sampling the MAX17048, the industry’s simplest low-power fuel gauge for Lithium-ion (Li+) batteries. Operating at only 23µA, this battery fuel gauge uses 4x less power than competitive devices and even less in micropower hibernate mode, in which the fuel gauge continues to operate. It needs only one external capacitor, not the multiple external devices of competitive devices, so it simplifies designs, shrinks solution size by 3x, and reduces costs. This fuel gauge is ideal for portable battery-powered applications where size, cost, and power are critical, such as smartphones, wireless handsets, and mobile accessories, including Bluetooth® headsets, portable speakers, fitness devices, and Wi-Fi® routers.

Traditional fuel gauge designs require multiple external components including current-sense resistors, which increase both bill of materials (BOM) cost and design complexity. Those fuel gauges also use coulomb counting, which can drift and affect the accuracy of the gauge over time. The MAX17048 features the proven ModelGauge™ algorithm and does not require coulomb counting to report accurate battery state-of-charge, thus extending runtime.

MAX17048, MAX17049 Micropower 1-Cell/2-Cell Li+ ModelGauge ICs - [Link]

The LT®3651-8.2/LT3651-8.4 are 2-cell, 4A Li-Ion/Polymer battery chargers that operate over a 9V to 32V input voltage range. An efficient monolithic average current mode synchronous switching regulator provides constant current, constant voltage charging with programmable maximum charge current. A charging cycle starts with battery insertion or when the battery voltage drops 2.5% below the float voltage. Charger termination is selectable as either charge current or internal safety timer timeout. Charge current termination occurs when the charge current falls to one-tenth the programmed maximum current (C/10). Timer based termination is typically set to three hours and is user programmable (charging continues below C/10 until timeout).

LT3651-8.2 and 8.4 – Monolithic 4A High Voltage 2-Cell Li-Ion Battery Charger – [Link]