By Richard Mandel and Kimberly Chapple

Free Info - Circle 521

An advanced electronic technology to integrate power electronics in high temperature automotive applications was announced by AB Mikroelektronik, Salzburg, Austria. A new technique to produce hybrid circuits, known as "Patchwork" technology, integrates power components, current-sense resistive elements and control circuitry on a single ceramic substrate capable of operating efficiently at temperatures between -50°C and 150°C. For high current-carrying capability at high temperatures, thick film copper elements provide an ideal medium, with low electrical resistance and extremely high adhesion, alloying strength and migration resistance. Combining conventional thick film elements with the high current-carrying capabilities of copper conductors, copper is printed on ceramic substrates in varying thicknesses from 25µ for control components up to 200µ for power conductors and current-sensing elements. Patchwork provides the interface between the thick film and the 25µ copper film. Together with specially-developed dielectrics that permit crossover and multilayer structures, Patchwork interconnectivity allows automotive electronics design engineers to access the entire range of resistive technologies. For more information: Circle 521 - AB Mikroelektronik or connect directly to their website at http://www.OneRS.net/106df-521

Free Info - Circle 400

For companies who have had to trim lab facilities, or are too small to support in-house testing, Electro Standards Laboratories, Cranston, RI, has developed a collaborative testing and experimentation platform for electric motor and power systems that can be operated in real-time over the Internet using standard Web browsers. This service can be beneficial especially to designers of subsystems for hybrid vehicles and similar projects. This is not mere teleconferencing or a remote computer simulation, ESL points out: instead, this virtual engineering laboratory (VE-LAB) allows fully active control of actual system hardware. A command processor responds to incoming commands and updates local and remote graphical interface panels. At the local site, the GUI remote panel is supplied with real-time data graphs, process statistics, control buttons, and a real-time video link, allowing the user to monitor and control the experiment while receiving detailed data files for further analysis. As for time delay concerns, the VE-LAB system has been used in cross-country experiments through a common dialup line for Internet access, demonstrating delays of fewer than several seconds. A DSL or other high-speed line enhances performance. For more information: Circle 400 - Electro Standards Laboratories or connect directly to their website at http://www.OneRS.net/106df-400