Electronics

Fingerprint slide

Ultra-small for wireless devices

TruePrint^™-based biometric fingerprint slide sensor is reportedly ultra-small and uses little power, and is available for PDAs and wireless devices. The EntréPad^™ AES2500 is billed as the world's most advanced sensor, and is designed for OEMs to provide security and password replacement. The technology allows fingerprints to be read below the surface of the skin, reportedly eliminating most recognition failures due to dirt, dry skin or excessive moisture. AuthenTec Inc., www.authentec.com Enter 577

Sub-mini relay

Standard and latching coil

The T-series low-profile DPDT relay with a standard and latching coil reportedly meets FCC part 68's 1500V surge. UL and CSA listed for high quality and safety, they offer a mechanical life of 100 million cycles. DPDT relays measure 5 x 9 x14 mm. T-series switches 30W dc, 62.5V ac at 125V dc or ac at 1A. Hasco Components Internationalwww.hascorelays.com Enter 578

Fixed-gain amplifiers

Wideband, low-noise op amps

High-performance fixed-gain amplifiers are manufactured using the company's BICOM-III process, reportedly the first complementary bipolar silicon-germanium process. The high-bandwidth, low-noise units operate from a single 3-5V power supply. The THS4302 high-speed op amp features a bandwidth of 2.4 GHz. Applications include wireless base stations, relay stations and other infrastructure equipment needing wider bandwidth packed in less space. Texas Instruments, www.ti.com Enter 579

Heating blankets

Provide controlled heat-ups

Environmental factors in heating applications require products with the ability to withstand chemicals, moisture and abuse. SRMU silicone rubber heating blankets come in a variety of sizes and shapes, resist radiation, and are a flexible solution for freeze protection, process temperature control and solids melting. As OEM or replacement parts, silicone blankets may be used in applications requiring rapid heat up, steady temperature maintenance and uniform heat distribution. OMEGA Engineering, www.omega.com Enter 580

Circuit breakers

High current-carrying ratings

The 8345 is a single-pole magnetic circuit breaker available in ratings up to 125A and measurements of 0.749 x 1.860 x 2.500 inches. The additional 25A reportedly makes the 8345 the highest current-carrying device available in its frame size. The circuit breaker is also UL 489A-compliant and available in two-, three-, and four-pole configurations. Applications include equipment, telecommunications, and plant control systems. E-T-A Circuit Breakers, www.etacbe.com Enter 581

Screw-clamp connector

High power, increased amps

The 7573 Series connector 10.16 mm pitch, screw-clamp PCB connector allows vertical wire entry through its 90° wire-to-screw entry orientation. The series is UL-rated for up to 10A, 300V, and VDE rated for up to 59A, and 300V for wire sizes 22-8 AWG. Blocks are made of a polyamide 6.6 plastic housing and have marking tags for quick identification. Wieland Electric Inc., www.wielandinc.com Enter 582

Wireless headset design

Create safer automotive devices

EtherMIND HS software for building hands-free wireless mobile Bluetooth^™ headsets is available to automotive industry suppliers. Using EtherMIND HS, headsets connect wirelessly to an automobile's speaker system, provide full duplex audio, and act as the device's audio I/O mechanism. The headset eliminates all wires and gives users more mobility without compromising call privacy. MindTree Consulting Pvt. Ltd.www.mindtree.com. Enter 583

Microcontrollers

Design control of power use

PICmicro® FLASH microcontrollers feature nanoWatt technology, allowing flexible power managed solutions for system power consumption. These units feature electrically erasable cell process technology in an operating voltage of 2 to 5.5V, and are reportedly ideal for battery-managed applications. They are pin-and-code compatible with the company's 18-, 28-, and 40-pin products. Applications include smoke sensors, leak or gas detectors, hospital ID tags, security systems, portable devices, and glucose meters. Microchip Technology Inc., www.microchip.com Enter 584

Software platform

Small, for rough applications

An industrial-distributed I/O line with a small, rugged form factor is reportedly suited for embedded control, data logging, and remote applications. Compact FieldPoint products extend the company's LabVIEW software to harsh environments for use by engineers and scientists needing advanced measurement and control capabilities in the field. This product family has 20 I/O modules and 3 intelligent controllers performing analog and discreet control to process signal generation, calculus, curve fitting, and statistics. National Instruments, www.ni.com Enter 585

Dc/ac inverter

Powers in-vehicle electrical devices

A 150W dc/ac inverter is available to power in-vehicle electrical devices, like televisions and VCRs. Reportedly the most powerful of its type, the inverter features 300W peak power, low battery warning buzzer, short-circuit protection, shock protection, low key-off current, optional driver-controlled on-off switches, and LED output reader. Applications include portable televisions, VCRs, personal computers and peripherals, and infotainment systems. Designed to meet OEM power and performance requirements, units reportedly help protect appliances from radio interference, electrical fire and other vehicle damage. Omron Automotive Electronics Inc.www.omronauto.com Enter 586

FPC connectors

Secure cable retention

Design engineers can make secure PCB connections in hand-held devices using 6298 Series connectors with a space-efficient, low profile of 0.9 mm. Units feature front-hinged actuators and connectors that lock flex cables into position, compensating for poor cable retention. Available in 3- or 4-position types, these 0.5 mm pitch connectors accept 0.2 mm flex circuits. With an operating temperature range of -25 to 85C, units are surface-mountable and compatible with automated assembly equipment. AVX Corp., www.avxcorp.com Enter 587

Voltage care plan

Low uncertainty, downtime

A Direct Voltage Maintenance Program is available for this company's 732 series and 734A reference standards. This program meets increasing demands for accurate, on-site calibration at low cost and allows metrologists to conduct calibration procedures on standards while the company writes and maintains the data. Benefits include virtually zero down time, multiple standards support, optional product warranty coverage and special reports. Fluke Corp., www.fluke.com Enter 588

Instrumentation modules

Channel-to-channel isolation

The DI-1000TC line of instrumentation modules is designed for use across all temperature-measurement applications including laboratories and heavy industry. Its channel-to-channel isolation feature is ideal for use in industrial applications that include the large common-mode voltages typical of grounded thermocouples. They also support synchronization of measurements among connected modules, guaranteeing simultaneous readings. Features include a sampling rate of 5 Hz, free PDA software, built-in open T/C detection and high accuracy. Dataq Instruments, www.dataq.com Enter 589

Fiber optic sensor

For direct surface mounting

A miniature fiber optic sensor designed to be used without an enclosure does not require DIN-rail mounting and features a unique snap-mount bracket and an adhesive-mounting for location flexibility. Reportedly rugged, lightweight and low profile, the units have a plastic housing and IP67 environmental rating suited for mounting directly on machines. Designed for use with the company's stainless steel sheathed fiber, the system is less bulky than glass fiber optics. Features include visible light beam, manual adjustment, and 8-segment LED display. Banner Engineering Corp.www.bannerengineering.com Enter 590

Inverter driver ICs

Simplifies motor drive design

Appliance manufacturers using variable speed motors can reportedly save half the energy and use new features with the IR2136 family of three-phase, inverter-driver ICs. This series is designed to save energy in electronically driven home appliances like clothes washers and air conditioners, as well as light industrial and automotive motor drives. Features of the 600V ICs include COMS or LSTTL compatibility and 120mA/250mA output source/sink current. This IC uses cross-conduction prevention logic to eliminate short circuits and automatically clear over-current fault conditions. International Rectifier, www.irf.com Enter 591

Radio, I/O module

Used in harsh industrial environments

Designed to eliminate cable and conduit for analog and digital signals in harsh industrial environments, the MCR-RT-I/O-PLUS is available to add multiple changes of I/O to paired transceivers in combinations. Features include expandable I/O options, 600-1,000 ft indoor range with no line of sight, separately powered transmitter and receiver, and no wiring requirement. The system is reportedly maintenance-free, reliable, and offers quick installation compared to other systems. License-free and interference-free, it mounts in a DIN-rail mount housing with integrated bus connection for communications. Phoenix Contact, www.phoenixcon.com Enter 592