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New and Notable Product Design

Mention networks and most people immediately think of computers or cell phones. Here are five products with networks that may not be as familiar as the Internet or Bluetooth.

Randy Frank -- Design News, October 10, 2005

INTELLIGENT WIPER MOTOR

Microrisc IQWIPER. This reversing wiper motor has adjustable speed, angle, and positions. The intelligence for the motor comes from a Microchip microcontroller, however, the unit interfaces to a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus through Microchip's MCP201 LIN bus transceiver (http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-541). LIN is a low cost network system designed to connect distributed nodes based on the serial communication interface (SCI) universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) standard. The protocol uses the single-master/multiple-slave concept to communicate synchronization information. It reduces system costs by not requiring crystal oscillators. While capable of operating at speeds up to 20 kbps, the recommended data rates are 2,400 bps, 9,600 bps, and 19,200 bits/sec. For more information on the LIN Consortium, go to: http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-542.

HYBRID POWERTRAIN

Ford Motor Company Escape Hybrid (http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-543). The Escape Hybrid sport utility vehicle (SUV) combines a 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder engine with a 70-kW electric motor. A Controller Area Network (CAN) handles the communication between these units, as well as the 400-V, 300-A generator, a 300-V nickel-metal hybrid battery, the regenerative brakes, and a 1.5-kW dc-dc converter. CAN is a multi-master, event-oriented message transmission that operates at a maximum data rate of 1 Mbits/sec. The CAN protocol is used extensively in vehicles manufactured in every region of the world. In addition, it has been accepted for many industrial and other applications, such as factory and building automation. For more information on CAN, go to: http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-544.

HOME LIGHTING REMOTE CONTROLLER

Intermatic Inc. Handy Remote Controller (HA09) (http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-545). This wireless controller, part of Intermatic HomeSettings system, controls lighting, appliances, and electronic equipment. The remote connects to other HomeSetting products including, a wall receptacle, plug-in lamp module with an on/off/dim switch, and an in-wall dimmer switch using Zensys' Z-Wave Radio Frequency Technology (http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-546). Zensys' Z-Wave open standard is supported by the Z-Wave Alliance, an open consortium of manufacturers who build products based on Z-Wave. To provide interoperability, each product that uses the Z-Wave identity mark has to pass a stringent conformance test to assure it meets the Z-Wave standard. For more information on the Z-Wave Alliance, go to: http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-547.

FIBER OPTIC LINKED NAVIGATION AND MORE

Delphi Navigation Module (http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-548). The SAAB 9-3 uses Delphi's navigation module as the system control for a high-speed plastic optical fiber (POF) network. Providing higher performance than CAN, the Media Oriented Systems Transport, or MOST, protocol used in the network uses POF to connect the navigation module, a GPS sensor in the telematics unit mounted in the trunk, a gyro in the remote DVD unit, and the high-performance audio components. The MOST protocol was developed by Oasis SiliconSystems (http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-549). The MOST Cooperation coordinates the interconnectivity of MOST products developed by members. For more information on the MOST Cooperation, go to: http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-550.

ELECTRONIC DAMPER CONTROL

BMW X5 SUV (http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-551). Buy this car—get FlexRay and other networks for free. The four variable actuators in the X5's damper control system connect to an electronic control unit using the FlexRay protocol. FlexRay is a deterministic and fault-tolerant bus system with high data rates (up to 10 Mbits/sec) for advanced automotive control applications. BMW and DaimlerChrysler initiated the FlexRay Consortium after determining that the existing protocols would not meet their requirements for future applications including x-by-wire. Current consortium membership includes automotive, semiconductor and electronic systems manufacturers. For more information on the FlexRay Consortium, go to: http://rbi.ims.ca/4398-552.

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