High density AC Power supply
Lambda Configurable Power Supply NV-350. Engineers at Lambda pulled out all the stops to provide 90 percent efficient, configurable ac-dc power. At 6.6 W/inch3 , the NV-350 is fully configurable, and provides
between one and six outputs with voltages ranging from 3.3 to 32V and currents
up to 40A. The device employs an Atmel ATtiny26 MCU to handle house-keeping
routines, replacing multiple discrete components. This reduces the part count by
50 percent and board space by 40 percent while providing inrush current control,
under voltage lockout, and ensuring correct power up for internal circuitry.
For more info on Lambda's NV-35 Power Supply, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/3855-541.
Smart running shoes
Adidas Running Shoe.
Not wanting to be left out of the digital age, Adidas's engineers conceived of a
MCU-based system for running shoes. In each shoe, Microchip Technology's
PIC16F88 analyzes the input from a Hall effect sensor to gauge the runner's
speed and compressive force, compares results to data in its flash memory, and
adjusts the compression of the cushioning element for optimum comfort by turning
a motor-driven screw-cable assembly. Thanks to battery life-saving technology in
the MCU and a pulsed measurement technique for the sensor, the battery only has
to be changed if the expected 100-hr life of the shoe is exceeded.
For more info on Microchip's PIC16F88, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/3855-542.
Dirt can't hide from Ultrasonics
Black & Decker SR2000 Tide Buzz Ultrasonic Stain Remover. Engineers at Black & Decker
thought they would clean up by combining ultrasonic technology with Tide's
cleaning fluid to remove garment stains. The high-frequency device uses Silicon
Laboratories' C8051F330 to create shockwaves that loosen stains and drive them
through the fabric onto a disposable Stain Catcher Pad. The 25 MIPS MCU's
integrated functions include temperature sensors, and voltage references to
reduce the component count and fit inside the wand.
For more info on the Tide Buzz Ultrasonic Stain Remover, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/3855-543.
Wireless digital entertainment connection
Microsoft IR Transceiver Reference Design. Mouse potatoes wanting to access songs from their PC
can rest easy. To take full advantage of their new Windows XP Media Center
Edition, Microsoft engineers built an infrared (IR) transceiver reference design
using Microchip Technology's PIC18F4320. The device supports a wide range of IR
protocols, operates up to 10 ft at full duplex, and can simultaneously send and
receive IR commands. A remote IR input can wake a sleeping PC within the
low-power USB specs and the MCU's built-in flash memory allows easy upgrades via
software driver updates. Microsoft licenses reference designs to partners to
support Windows XP Media Center Edition PCs.
For more info on the XP Media Center Edition, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/3855-544.
Pill popping robot
Parata Systems Robotic Dispensing System. "Prescriptions filled while you wait" takes on a new
meaning when processing is completed in just 25 sec. Parata engineers chose
Freescale Semiconductor's MC68HC908SR12 with its two 16-bit, two-channel timer
interface modules to control the bin selection process and apply forced-air to
move the correct amount of pills into the container. The MCU also controls a
robot for capping, printing, and attaching the label, and then sorting the
bottle by patient's name into a tray.
For more info on Parata's Robotic Dispensing System, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/3855-545.
Stack lights show status
Rockwell DeviceNet(TM) Stack Light 855T. Do you know where your
factory process is? This device connects user-configurable colored lights
directly to a factory's DeviceNET bus providing a visual indication of process
status. Rockwell engineers used Freescale's 68HC908 8-bit MCU with a CAN
protocol to obtain information from the bus and control the programmable
outputs. The stack lights are incandescent lamps or long-life LEDs, and up to
five lights can operate in steady, flashing, or strobe modes. The unit accepts
flash firmware upgrades through the network.
For more info on Rockwell's Stack Light, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/3855-546.