Trenze FPGA Micromodules Suit Harsh Environments

Trenz Electronic launched its TE0320 series, a range of FPGA-based industrial micromodules for harsh environments and pervasive deployment. TE0320s integrate a Xilinx Spartan-3A-DSP FPGA, a USB 2.0 microcontroller, 128MB DDR RAM (32-bit wide), 4MB Flash memory for configuration and operation, and switch-mode power supply for all onboard voltages.

A lnumber of configurable I/Os are provided via standard board-to-board connectors. Customised versions, as well as modules with industrial-grade components are available on request.

Combined with their carrier boards, they are suitable for educational and research activities. Software for SPI Flash programming over USB, as well as reference designs for high-speed data transfer over USB are included.

Teseq Upgrades Integrated Immunity Test Program

Teseq has announced an upgrade to its AutoStar integrated immunity test management program. New features include an overview runtime mode, live battery control, automation developer's kit connectivity and a completely rewritten sequencer. The AutoStar 5.0 accommodates a range of testing needs with pre-programming for more than 1,000 tests and a standards database updated to incorporate the latest revisions of many manufacturer standards, including several 2008 standards.

The sequencer allows the user to build complex test sequences in situations with complicated testing requirements and generate a full test report of the entire sequence. Sequences are easily stored and can be run with custom dialogues or no user interface at all. Operators can fine-tune the battery level in 100mV steps via the live single-click battery adjustment for standards that require tight tolerances on battery voltage during the test run.

The immunity test software provides a runtime mode that allows the user to quickly view all of the parameters during transient testing in one screen without searching through various tabs to find the selected parameters. Autostar supports test sequencing, reporting and device under test (DUT) evaluation, and provides full control of the capacitive discharge transient simulations, supply-voltage variations and other automotive immunity tests. Also new to the fifth version is automatic integration of the AutoStar control into the user's in-house test routines.

Users can write custom automation tools with the TCP/IP protocol and ActiveX components, such as function testing of the DUT; two-way communication with AutoStar to load tests, query status of the test and the DUT PASS/FAIL status; pulse verification written for the user's own oscilloscope or other test equipment; and remote control and test monitoring. An optional automation developer's kit is available at an additional charge for further automation customisation options.

Teseq's newest version of the AutoStar immunity test software can be used exclusively with its NSG 5500, NSG 5600 and a Power Amplifier (PA), either the 5840 or 5740. The software unifies all of the features of the NSG 5000 series and PA series in one platform. Existing users can download a free upgrade to AutoStar 5.0, which includes an update to the standards database.

Concurrent SBC Complies With OpenVPX VITA 65

Concurrent Technologies has introduced an ultra-low-power 3U VPX-REDI single-board computer (SBC), the TR A40/30xRC, designed to comply with the OpenVPX VITA 65 standard. The TR A40/30xRC utilises the 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor Z530 and the integrated Intel System Controller Hub US15W, both from the Intel embedded roadmap. The board supports up to 2GB DDR2-533 soldered SDRAM and a variety of I/O interfaces, including a CANbus interface, yet maintains a typical power requirement of less than 10W.

The RC-Series TR A40/30xRC is a VPXREDI Type 1 Two Level Maintenance conduction-cooled board with support for Built In Test (BIT). The TR A40/30xRC SBC provides a flexible PCI Express (PCIe) OpenVPX backplane fabric interface that can be configured for several OpenVPX slot profiles from 8x1 PCIe ports through to 2x4 PCIe ports. This fabric flexibility makes the board suited for systems with direct wiring between slots on the backplane and for systems linked by a fabric switch card.

An air-cooled pin-compatible VPX version is also available for non-rugged applications and bench development. The TR A40/30xRC 3U VPXREDI Intel Atom processor SBC is suited to low-power rugged applications, particularly within the defence market. The 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor Z530 is manufactured using 45nm technology and provides 512kB L2 cache. It supports Intel Hyper-Threading Technology and Intel Virtualisation Technology. The Intel System Controller Hub US15W is a memory controller (interfacing to 1 or 2GB DDR2-533 soldered SDRAM), along with an I/O controller hub and graphics controller combined in a single-chip package.

Intel specifies the combined Thermal Design Power of the processor and chipset as less than 5W. This VPX SBC also supports dual-Gigabit Ethernet (or dual 1000 Base-BX) ports, a high-speed CANbus controller, two USB 2.0 ports, two RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 ports, two Serial ATA300 interfaces , DVI-D graphics and Intel High Definition stereo audio. An XMC module can be fitted to the onboard XMC site within a single slot. The XMC interface supports a x4 PCI Express link along with Pn6 XMC rear I/O to the P2 connector mapped out as P2w7-X8d+X12d.

For embedded applications, the board supports 4GB of onboard NAND Flash via an EIDE interface. Other features provided are a PC real-time clock, watchdog timer, long-duration timer and four GPIO signals. The VITA 46.0 compliant TR A40/30x is an air-cooled SBC designed for non-rugged environments, operating over a temperature range of 0 to 55C. The pin-compatible TR A40/30xRC is designed as a conduction-cooled SBC (to VITA 48.2) for rugged environments (to VITA 47 Class V3 vibration, Class OS2 shock) and operating over temperatures of -40 to 85C (to VITA 47 Class CC4) and at altitudes from -1,000 to 50,000ft (-305 to 15,240m).

For increased physical protection the TR A40/30xRC is also a 3U VPXREDI Type 1 Two Level Maintenance SBC fitting into a 0.85-inch slot width (to VITA 48.2). Operational self-diagnostics are supported in the form of Built-In Test (BIT) including Power-on BIT (PBIT), Initiated BIT (IBIT) and Continuous BIT (CBIT). The VPX data-plane interface is a configurable PCI Express (PCIe) backplane fabric interface. The backplane fabric interface can be configured as 8x1 PCIe ports, 2x4 PCIe ports, or 1x4 and 4x1 PCIe ports. All fabric configurations are compatible with OpenVPX slot profiles.

By using one of the latest PCI Express switches the board supports PCI Express Gen 1 and Gen 2 as well as providing a four-channel DMA engine for fast data-block moves. Multiple TR A40/30xRC SBCs can be used on the same backplane (providing multi-processing) as the board also supports an option to set up link 1 in the fabric as a non-transparent bridge. The VPX control plane interface on the TR A40/30xRC can be configured as 2 x 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet ports or 2 x 1000Mbps IEEE802.3z SERDES (1000 Base-BX) ports. System management is provided to monitor the system fan, board voltages and CPU temperature.

This capability is provided via SM0-1 and SM2-3 on the P0 connector, using a Baseboard Management Controller and 8kB of non-volatile memory. For ease of integration, the TR A40/30x VPX SBC and the TR A40/30xRC VPXREDI SBC support operating systems including Linux, Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, QNX and VxWorks. The OpenVPX standard defines the VPX Systems Specification, an architecture that manages and constrains module and backplane designs. The VPX Systems Specification includes the definition of pin outs and sets interoperability points within VPX, while maintaining full compliance with the existing VPX specification.

Cypress Announces IP Elements For PSoC 3

Cypress Semiconductor has announced the availability of over 30 intellectual property (IP) elements for its PSoC 3 programmable system-on-chip architectures. The embedded design resources include example projects, application notes and solution overviews, all of which enable engineers to quickly implement designs using the PSoC Creator integrated development environment (IDE).

The IP elements help engineers to quickly design with features of the PSoC 3 architecture such as the direct-memory access (DMA), analogue peripherals and communication interfaces. These elements also provide design examples for using PSoC 3 power management, LCD segment display, CapSense buttons and sliders.

Keithley Hosts Capacitance-Voltage Testing Webinar

Keithley Instruments will host a 45min online seminar entitled 'Semiconductor Capacitance-Voltage (C-V) Testing Fundamentals'. The seminar will be broadcast on 29 October at 15:00 CET, to enable engineers based in Europe to participate in the live event. The webcast is free to attend, but registration is required.

The seminar will introduce the topic of C-V measurements as they relate to semiconductor device and materials characterisation. It is recommended for engineers who are new to semiconductor materials and device testing and those that want to refresh their knowledge of the subject.

Rotary Encoder IC Addresses Automotive Needs

Austriamicrosystems has introduced the AS5245, a magnetic rotary encoder IC designed to address automotive requirements such as reliability, accuracy and safety. Based on Austriamicrosystems' stacked-die technology, the AS5245 provides best phase matching capabilities.

No additional temperature compensation, calibration or shielding against external magnetic stray fields is needed. The digital angle data of the AS5245 is provided as a simple serial interface or as a PWM signal.

In addition, an incremental quadrature output mode with an improved interpolation algorithm can be enabled and permanently programmed with a resolution of 10 or 12 bit. An internal voltage regulator allows the AS5245 to operate at 3.3 or 5V supply within a wide ambient temperature range of up to 150C. The AS5245 is available in a lead-free QFN 32 package.

Cadence Printed Circuit Board Has New Features

Cadence Design Systems has released its Cadence Allegro and OrCAD printed circuit board (PCB) software with a range of new features. The Allegro and OrCAD PCB Design Release 16.3 allows engineers to miniaturise the footprint of their end product and reduce the number of physical prototype iterations. This release addresses increased functional and interconnect density through improvements for rigid-flex routing, extended high-density interconnect (HDI) rules, 3D viewing of PCBs and asymmetrical clearance for RF circuits.

Extended micro via stacking rules allow users to create the most difficult HDI designs, while multi-line curved bus routing that hugs the flex outline accelerates the creation of rigid-flex designs. An integrated 3D PCB viewer gives designers visibility into components and HDI micro via breakouts, eliminating unnecessary iterations with mechanical design teams. The Allegro PCB RF Option also helps engineers to reduce the time taken to create accurate RF circuits through the use of asymmetrical clearances for one or more RF elements.

Also featured in the 16.3 release are a number of productivity and usability improvements to the OrCAD range of products. OrCAD Capture CIS offers autowire capability to quickly add connections, as well as 3D footprint viewing. OrCAD PCB Editor provides 3D viewing and flip-board design/editing and jumper support for single-sided PCB designs. OrCAD Signal Explorer has a revamped user interface, with drag-and-drop and copy-and-paste functionality, context-sensitive RMB functions and native IBIS model support. Usability improvements are another focus of the software, which offers a user interface and adds stack-up-aware capabilities to the pre-route analysis environment.

Buffer modelling standards are embraced through native IBIS and SPICE support, including Cadence Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator models. Another improvement that boosts design cycle management is the ability to quickly scan a PCB with dozens of multi-gigabit signals and quickly determine where detailed analysis should be applied as signals are ranked according to their signal-to-noise ratio. Other key issues addressed are associated with part data management.

Integrated ECAD, MCAD part creation, generation and distribution reduce unnecessary physical prototype iterations. The part introduction capability extends management, notification of pre-release and temporary parts to shrink the design cycle. Engineers can implement part updates automatically based on approved, recommended replacements, ensuring quality of results through obsolete part tracking.

Quantum Releases Upgrade For Pulse Generator

Quantum Composers offers a firmware upgrade option for the legacy Stanford Research Systems DG535 pulse generator, allowing the user to use existing programming language as Command Set Compatibility. This will aid in transitioning programming software from the DG535 to the more fully featured and higher throughput QC9520.

The majority of these commands perform identically to the SRS equivalent instrument functions, and several capabilities actually extend the functionality and/or the limits of the SRS equivalent capabilities. The 9520 Series provides solutions to generate and synchronise multiple pulses and triggers for a variety of applications.

For automated test sequencing, all common computer interfaces, such as RS232, USB, GPIB and Ethernet, are available. The 9520 Series provides up to eight fully independent, digitally controlled channels with width, delay, and rate and amplitude control on each output.

NI Digital Video Analyser Tests Multimedia Devices

National Instruments has introduced NI Videomaster 3.0, a PXI-Express-based digital video analyser for validation and production testing of multimedia devices. Videomaster simplifies the testing of multimedia devices by using configurable measurement steps within NI TestStand test-management software to automate a full suite of video measurements.

By taking advantage of the efficient, configurable performance of Videomaster 3.0, multimedia test engineers can significantly reduce development costs and decrease overall test time. The PXI Express digital video analyser makes it possible for engineers to test multimedia devices with High-Definition Multimedia Interfaces (HDMIs). The solution supports the analysis of HDMI signals with Full HD resolution up to 1080p/60Hz, High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) and deep colour with up to 12-bit colour depth.

The Videomaster digital video analyser solution also includes more than 160 automated video measurements to eliminate the need for manual testing of HDMI devices such as set-top boxes, Blu-ray players and video recorders. Using Videomaster 3.0, engineers can perform more than 100 video measurements in less than four seconds. This high-performance functionality helps engineers achieve higher test throughput without sacrificing test quality.

Videomaster 3.0 also features improved support for analogue video interfaces, including composite, S-video and component video. With support for the latest versions of NI Labview graphical system-development software and NI TestStand as well as improved run-time performance, Videomaster 3.0 delivers a fast and powerful test solution for automated video test. Videomaster solutions are available in a variety of hardware-software bundles to meet diverse test requirements.

PI Online Learning Centre Has Instructional Videos

Power Integrations has launched PI University, an online technical learning centre featuring practical instructional videos on power-supply circuit design. The PI University courses offered each week will demonstrate new approaches to designing, specifying and testing efficient power supplies.

PI University Season One covers a range of power-supply design topics, including bringing up a power supply for the first time; identifying and troubleshooting problems; complying with energy-efficiency standards; and measurement and testing techniques. A video will be released each week throughout January 2010.

Courses currently available include: Testing Compliance to Energy-Efficiency Standards; Fixing a Flyback Supply with No Output Voltage; and Techniques for Measuring Efficiency Power Integrations. Each IC includes a 700V power Mosfet combined with control and protection circuitry on a single chip.

Features include current limiting and thermal shutdown with automatic fault recovery capability to improve reliability, frequency jittering to reduce EMI and EcoSmart technology to reduce standby energy waste.

Comsol Announces Multiphysics 4.0 Beta Edition

Comsol has released the beta edition of Comsol Multiphysics 4.0, its multiphysics modelling and simulation environment. Version 4.0 delivers the Comsol Desktop, a new user interface that is designed to allow users to easily build and run simulations. 'With the new Comsol Desktop environment, we're making it easier for more engineers to apply multiphysics to more applications,' said Svante Littmarck, president and chief executive of Comsol.

'The Comsol Desktop streamlines the modelling process for a broad user base. 'This unified interface is built for cross-disciplinary applications and is quick to learn,' he added. The Comsol Desktop allows the user to organise the work flow and gives a clean overview of the modelling process. Users can set up the desktop's appearance using its docked window placement capabilities that include the main menu, model builder and a help desk, as well as settings, messages and graphics windows.

The model builder brings a dynamic model configuration approach to simulations. Users can right click to perform common tasks such as importing CAD, meshing, specifying material properties, solving and plotting results. If changes need to be made, the model builder provides access to any part of the model settings. Users can record and save the steps of the set-up to use sequentially as a model is automatically re-evaluated and refined. Dynamically updated context-dependent help enables easy browsing and extends the search functionality.

CAD interoperability remains a top priority to provide the best path for CAD users to connect to Comsol Multiphysics for their simulations. To this end, Comsol has released the Livelink for PTC Pro/Engineer. By establishing association between the two geometry representations, changing a feature in the CAD model automatically updates the Comsol geometry accordingly. This enables multiphysics simulation involving parametric sweeps and design optimisation directly from within Pro/Engineer.

Versions of Livelink for Solidworks and Autodesk Inventor are already available as optional add-ons to Comsol Multiphysics. Comsol Multiphysics version 4.0 expands the geometry functionality by its CAD import module, which is based on the Parasolid Editor geometry kernel from Siemens PLM Software.

Users are provided with CAD tools that support Parasolid-based geometry operations directly in the Comsol Desktop. All solid operations are associative and now allow for multi-parameter sweeps over any group of geometry dimensions. Geometry models created from scratch or modified CAD models can be saved to Parasolid format directly. Comsol Multiphysics version 4.0 supports parallel processing on standard multi-core computers as well as distributed memory systems (clusters).

This means that users can turn to the already available implementation of shared memory on clusters to solve a series of identical parameterised models, one per computational node, or solve a single large model using distributed memory. The Comsol cluster implementation can utilise shared memory multi-core processors on each computer or node in combination with the cluster distributed memory system. Version 4 supports Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003, Windows HPC Server 2008 and Linux. Users can expect accelerated development of new cluster support in future versions of Comsol Multiphysics.

Optitex Presents Textile Industry Webinars

Optitex will host a series of webinars for current users of CAD software and other parties interested in the fashion and textile industry. The webinars provide an opportunity for anyone interested in the latest CAD technology and the many ways it can streamline workflow. The webinars will provide information for those in the fashion and textile industry looking to increase profits during pre- and post-production phases.

Participants will be provided with knowledge to enhance speed, accuracy and fit when working with CAD software. Participants can review topics such as 3D design and fit, nesting, marking and animation, while acquiring tips to maximise the usage of their current software. Optitex specialists will lead the series of webinars from 28 October 2009 until 24 March 2010.

Dynamic Systems Releases Tracking Software

Dynamic Systems has announced the release of a low-cost WIP (work in process) software program based on bar code technology, called Checkmate WIP Lite. The release of WIP Lite is targeted at manufacturers who want to know who is assigned the job, where it currently is in the plant and how long it has been in that location.

The work order can be tracked to department, task or employee; multiple jobs may be assigned to the 'badge'; and time frames may be set for each task and reported when overdue. The tracking software is said to provide: a reduction of late jobs; the ability to identify bottlenecks; an improvement in productivity; and increased customer service.

Dynamic Systems provides bar code systems including a tool and equipment management system with a maintenance scheduler, inventory control, time and attendance and job costing.

Veolia Chooses Eaton's Arcon For Switchgear Safety

EMS has selected a design based on Eaton's Moeller Modan modular switchboard system for a critical application at the Selchp energy recovery plant owned by Veolia Environmental Services. Additionally, as Veolia Environmental Services is committed to ensuring high safety levels, it was decided that the switchboard should be fitted with an Arcon arc-fault protection system.

This system was developed by Eaton's Moeller business and is approved by VDS Schadenverhutung, an independent international accredited and notified authority for safety technology. Veolia Environmental Services' new switchboard, which replaces an existing board that could no longer meet current operational needs, supplies power for the aero condenser installation that underpins the operation of the cooling towers at the company's Selchp plant in south London.

The plant incinerates 400,000 tonnes of waste per annum and uses the heat produced to generate enough electricity to supply around 48,000 homes. If the cooling towers are out of action, then the plant cannot operate. 'In applications such as this, fully withdrawable switchgear is the best solution,' said Craig Walford, technical sales engineer at EMS. 'This means that if an assembly should fail it can be replaced by a spare in a matter of minutes.

'That made a Modan W board the ideal choice for the project, especially as the system could be fitted with the Arcon arc-fault protection system. 'For Veolia Environmental Services, this was a particularly important point,' he added. Arc faults are a major risk to the reliable supply of electrical energy. Even today, despite all the precautionary measures that are taken, they still occur in electrical distribution systems.

Arc faults occur more frequently than is usually realised and, because of the high energy available from the mains supply in a typical switchboard, their consequences are often devastating. In around 10ms - well before the breaker protecting the board has time to trip - temperatures around the fault can rise to about 13,000K and pressures to two atmospheres or more. These conditions create an extreme risk of fire and explosion, possibly leading to injury or even death for anyone in the vicinity.

They also result in severe damage to the equipment, which will almost always need to be replaced after the fault rather than repaired. Often, this means extended downtime while suitable replacements are sourced, together with the high costs associated with the purchase and fitting of replacement equipment. The Arcon system has been specifically developed to eliminate these problems. It will also minimise the risk of this mission-critical switchboard being out of service for an extended period if an arc fault should occur. Arcon has four major components: a photodetector, a current sensing system, a logic module and a quenching device.

The photodetector comprises a flexible fibre-optic cable that is routed through all the areas of the switchboard where an arc fault might occur. The cable can detect light over its entire length. Under normal conditions, a transmitter at one end of the cable continuously sends light pulses to a receiver at the other end, thereby constantly confirming that the system is operating correctly. If an arc fault occurs, however, the receiver sees the light from the arc instead of the normal pulses and instantly sends a signal to the logic module. The current sensing system is also connected to the logic module.

If the module receives an arc-fault signal from the photodetector at the same time as there is a rapid increase in current, it triggers the operation of the quenching device, which is connected as close as possible to the load side of the incoming circuit breaker. Once triggered, the quenching device short circuits all three phases in less than 2ms. This means that the fault-current energy is diverted away from the arc fault and is safely contained by the quenching module until the incoming circuit breaker trips. Extensive tests have shown that the risks of explosion and fire are eliminated.

This has been confirmed by operational experience in Germany, where more than 250 Arcon installations are currently in service. Arcon users are said to have found that after the system has quenched an arc fault, damage to the switchboard is minimal, allowing it to be returned to service as soon as the source of the arc fault has been eliminated. For the Modan board supplied by EMS to Veolia Environmental Services, the Arcon equipment was incorporated in its own compartment adjacent to the main 1,000A incoming air circuit breaker.

The board also included eight 45kW DOL withdrawable starters, and a six-stage 200kVAr automatic power factor correction system. The modular design of the Modan system allowed the board, which is just 600mm deep, to be split into two 1,200mm-wide sections for ease of transport and installation. Eaton's Moeller Modan switchboards are available in fixed and withdrawable versions to suit almost every power distribution requirement up to 6,300A. All types can be fitted with the Arcon arc-fault protection system during manufacture, and the system can, in some instances, be retrofitted to existing Modan boards. In all cases, Arcon systems can only be fitted by specially trained and approved suppliers.

TUV Hessen Offers Pre-Shipment Inspections

TUV Hessen is now offering its pre-shipment inspections independent from a quality control. The TUV inspectors control completeness and packing of the goods before despatch to make sure the articles arrive safely. The pre-shipment inspections can be adapted to meet the requirements of the destination country/customer.

TUV Hessen can perform quality or production control, keep an eye on timelines, confirm the conformity of goods with standards of the destination country, as well as manage the whole supplier side of the project management. The company has a large pool of qualified experts from different fields of expertise and access to an international network of branches with several offices on each continent.

The third-party function of TUV Hessen is said to signal reliability to prospective customers when this inspection is included in tenders and offers.