New and Notable Product Design 12824

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.