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Test equipment advancing to meet rapidly changing market needs

Although the rise of the IoT, 5G, and advanced automotive electronics markets is instigating rapid changes in technology, test equipment is keeping pace, and not just in extensions to bandwidth specifications or signal resolution. Maureen Lipps, Multicomp Pro Private Label Product Segment Leader, Test and Tools, Newark Electronics, runs through important advances in the industry and its tools.
Read the full article.

Smallest rugged AI supercomputer for avionics

Aitech Systems has released the A178-AV, the latest iteration of its smallest rugged GPGPU AI super-computers available with the powerful NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier System-on-Module. With its compact size, the A178-AV is the most advanced solution for artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, and video and signal processing for next-gen avionic platforms.
Learn more.

Touchless angle sensors get CAN SAE J1939 interface

Novotechnik has added the CAN J1939 interface (developed for heavy-duty vehicles) to its RFC4800 Series of touchless angle sensors measuring angular position up to 360°, turn direction, turns, speed, and operational status. It can provide one or two output channels. It has a longer life and robustness than an optical encoder. It can signal if a sensor needs replacing or average a programmable number of values to output to reduce external noise if present. This is wear-free angle measurement made easy.
Learn more.

Radar level sensor monitors liquids and powders

The innovative FR Series non-contact radar level sensor from Keyence has been designed to monitor the level of both liquid and powder in any environment. This sensor features short- and long-range models, as well as chemical and sanitary options to address a wide array of level sensing applications. Works even when obstructions or harsh conditions are present, such as build-up, steam, or turbulence.
Learn more.

Raspberry Pi launches $70 AI Kit

Artificial intelligence (AI) is all the rage, and the makers of Raspberry Pi have created a way for enthusiasts of the single-board computer systems to take part and do a lot of experimenting along the way.
Read the full article.

3D model sharing at Brother Industries cuts rework

When Brother Industries, maker of printers, computers, and computer-related electronics, deployed Lattice Technology's XVL Player as a viewer for sharing 3D models throughout the processes of product design, parts design, mold design, mold production, and QA of molded parts, they reduced rework significantly -- especially from downstream departments. XVL Studio with its Difference Check Option helped address the rework in mold design, for example, by always keeping everyone informed of design changes.
Read this real-world case study.

What is 3D-MID? Molded parts with integrated electronics from HARTING

3D-MID (three-dimensional mechatronic integrated devices) technology combines electronic and mechanical functionalities into a single, 3D component. It replaces the traditional printed circuit board and opens up many new opportunities. It takes injection-molded parts and uses laser-direct structuring to etch areas of conductor structures, which are filled with a copper plating process to create very precise electronic circuits. HARTING, the technology's developer, says it's "Like a PCB, but 3D." Tons of possibilities.
Learn more (video included on page).

New! Thermoelectric dehumidifiers for enclosures

Seifert Systems has just introduced its line of compact Soliflex^® Series thermoelectric dehumidifiers, with or without condensate pump. These IP 56-rated units are designed to dehumidify enclosures and small control panels, can be used indoors or outdoors, and are maintenance free. When used with a hygrostat, Soliflex dehumidifiers will keep enclosure humidity below a defined level and only operate when needed.
Learn more.

More Stego enclosure heater options from AutomationDirect

Automation-Direct has added more Stego enclosure heaters to their Enclosure Thermal Management lineup. These new 120 to 240 VAC/VDC units include small, flat versions that distribute heat evenly within compact enclosures and are available with 8- or 10-W heating capacities. Also added are compact loop heaters that feature a patented loop body design for increased natural convection airflow, reduced thermal stress on the heater, and better heat transfer. Loop heaters are available in 10- to 150-W heating capacities.
Learn more.

Great design: Handle with integrated lighting/signaling

Signaling and indicator lights, switches, and buttons -- elements that hardly any machine can do without. The new JW Winco cabinet U-handle EN 6284 integrates all these functions into a single, compact element. The new U-handle is designed to enhance the operation of systems and machines. It features an integrated button and a large, colored, backlit area on the back of the handle. These elements can be used individually or in combination, providing a versatile tool for system control and process monitoring that can be seen from across the room.
Learn more.

Engineer's Toolbox: What is ground loop feedback?

Improper grounding can create problems in data logging, data acquisition, and measurement and control systems. One of the most common problems is known as ground loop feedback. Experts at CAS DataLoggers run through five ways to eliminate this problem.
Read the full article.

AI development kit for multi-camera products

The QCS6490 Vision-AI Development Kit from Avnet enables engineering teams to rapidly prototype hardware, application software, and AI enablement for multi-camera, high-performance, Edge AI-enabled custom embedded products. The kit facilitates design with the new, energy-efficient MSC SM2S-QCS6490 SMARC compute module based on the Qualcomm QCS6490 processor. Provides support for up to four MIPI CSI cameras and concurrent Mini DisplayPort and MIPI DSI displays.
Learn more.

High-temp cabinet cooler keeps incineration process in business

An EXAIR client company handles waste treatment on a large ship by operating an incinerator. The area where the incinerator is located gets very hot (over 120° F). This causes failures in the electronics package used to control the incineration process. Since compressed air is readily available, EXAIR's Model HT4225 Cabinet Cooler System is being used to keep the panel cool. It saved the customer from having to replace their control units due to the hot conditions in the incinerator room. Thermostat control is also available, conserving air and operating only when needed to minimize air consumption.
Learn about EXAIR's huge selection of Cabinet Coolers.

Compact snap-in capacitors for general-purpose applications

TDK's new EPCOS B43659 series of snap-in aluminum electrolytic capacitors is the next generation of ultra-compact, general-purpose components for voltages of 450 V (DC) featuring an extremely high CV product. It provides the same features and serves the same applications as the previous series but is much more compact. These RoHS-compliant capacitors can be used in a wide range of applications, such as switched-mode power supplies, frequency converters, UPS, medical equipment, and solar inverters.
Get all the specs.

Conductive Brush Ring overcomes current leakage in EV powertrains

SKF's new Conductive Brush Ring paves the way to greater reliability and longer life in high-performance electric vehicle powertrain systems. Using pure carbon fiber bristles, it provides a reliable electrical connection between an EV eAxle rotor shaft and its housing. When used in combination with SKF Hybrid ceramic ball bearings, it helps to alleviate parasitic current effects that can lead to premature failure in bearings and other components. Available in different configurations for wet (oil-lubricated) motor designs -- and soon for dry (sealed) applications.
Learn more.

Demand for quantum dots projected to increase 20-fold over next decade

By Dr. Guillaume Chansin, Senior Technology Analyst, IDTechEx

Ever since Sony launched the first television with quantum dots in 2013, these highly engineered materials have been in the spotlight. In the new report "Quantum Dots 2016-2026: Applications, Markets, Manufacturers," IDTechEx Research forecasts that shipment of quantum dots will increase significantly in the next 10 years.

Quantum dots are nanocrystals of semiconductor. What makes them so attractive is that their optical properties can be tailored for various applications. Inside a TV, they help deliver colors that are more faithful to the original image.

It took a long time for quantum dots to reach large-scale commercialization. The first startup, Quantum Dot Corporation, was founded in 1998 to develop new bio-molecular markers. The idea was to use quantum dots to replace the fluorescent tags often used in life science. When the company was acquired in 2005 by Invitrogen (which is now part of Thermo Fisher), it looked as if quantum dots were ready for the big time. However, they never became mainstream in life science, due in part to the fact that they were very expensive. Today, quantum dots are used in research labs to develop advanced sample imaging.

Other companies believed quantum dots were the ideal materials to improve colors in display and lighting. In 2009, Nexxus Lighting commercialized the first LED light bulb with quantum dots. But the world was not ready to switch to LED lighting, and the product was quickly discontinued. The future of quantum dots looked uncertain, so when Sony adopted the technology in their LCD TV it gave a strong confidence boost to the industry.

There are now several models of TVs and monitors based on quantum dots on the market. Most notably, Samsung has bet big on quantum dots to compete against the OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TVs from rival LG.

Fig 1. Samsung is heavily promoting a range of top-end TVs made with quantum dots. [Photo source: G. Chansin].

 

 

Applications in display panels are now driving the sales of quantum dot materials. According to the IDTechEx forecast, demand for quantum dots will grow from less than 100 kg in 2015 to over 2 metric tons in 2026, which is more than a 20-fold increase. Components for LCDs will remain the biggest market segment, but other applications will emerge, such as quantum dot LED (QLED), photovoltaic, and sensors.

QLED is a promising technology that uses quantum dots as electroluminescent materials, in much the same way as OLED. However, it will take several years for this technology to be commercialized. Applications in image sensors may come to market much faster. A company called InVisage has developed a way to deposit quantum dots on a silicon chip to make hybrid CMOS image sensors. The start-up company recently announced their first product, a 13-megapixel image sensor for mobile devices.

The difference between OLED and quantum dot (QD) technology
According to LG, "Since LCD cannot emit light itself, it needs a light source such as the backlight. An LCD with an LED backlight uses RGB colors (red, green, and blue) to produce white. The latest-technology LED LCD uses blue LEDs, coated with a yellow phosphor, to create white light.

"Quantum dot (QD) TV is an improved version of this. Instead of using blue LEDs with yellow phosphor, it uses QD particles to create white. Quantum dot technology absorbs blue light and transfers it to red and green to create white color. Through this process, it can produce accurate colors.

"An OLED display is a display comprised of an organic compound that emits light in response to an electric current. Each pixel can emit light itself, so it does not have a problem of light from the backlight leaking through the display. Hence, OLED is very different from QD."

More insights
In "Quantum Dots 2016-2026: Applications, Markets, Manufacturers," IDTechEx Research finds that the market for quantum dot devices and components will grow to over $11 billion by 2026.

Fig 2. Quantum dots will enable a market worth $11 billion by 2026. Source: IDTechEx Research report www.IDTechEx.com/qd.

 

 

For comprehensive analysis of quantum dots, their applications, industry players, and market forecasts, see www.IDTechEx.com/qd.

Source: IDTechEx

Published December 2015

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