Features

Peregrine Semiconductor, a fabless provider of high-performance radio frequency integrated circuits (RF ICs), is expanding its family of MultiSwitch STeP8 dual single-pole, seven throw (SP7T/SP7T) UltraCMOS antenna switches which have been optimised to handle the significant carrier aggregation challenges of 4G mobile wireless applications as adopted by leading RF front-end module suppliers. The PE42128x devices have been designed to support simultaneous multi-band operation of up to 14 frequency bands while delivering exceptional linearity, insertion loss performance and small size.

Link Microtek will be using this year’s European Microwave event to highlight a new broadband dual-channel coaxial rotary joint that employs special contacting technology to give it long life in commercial and military satellite communications applications.

Linear Technology has unveiled the LTC3330, a complete regulating energy harvesting solution that delivers up to 50mA of continuous output current to extend battery life when harvestable energy is available. The device requires no supply current from the battery when providing regulated power to the load from harvested energy and only 750nA operating when powered from the battery under no-load conditions.

u-blox, the Swiss-based provider of wireless and GPS/GNSS semiconductor components, has announced the opening of an LTE RF (Radio Frequency) design centre in Cork, Ireland. It is the company’s fourth R&D centre focusing on chip design for embedded 4G wireless communications.

Omron’s D6F-PH digital differential pressure sensors are now available from TTI, a specialist distributor of passive, connector, electromechanical and discrete components. Featuring superior accuracy and repeatability over standard differential pressure sensors currently on the market, the D6F-PH differential pressure sensors are particularly suitable for low-flow conditions due to their wide pressure range and sensitivity.

Despite a major surplus in the light-emitting diode (LED) market, leading suppliers are increasing their capital spending and production because of government incentives and in order to cash in on an expected boom in the lighting business. Global shipments of metal organic chemical vapor-deposition (MOCVD) equipment, tools that are essential for LED manufacturing, are expected to rise by 17 percent in 2013, according to new research from IHS .This will be the first annual growth for the MOCVD market since 2011, and will represent a major turnaround from the 70 percent plunge of 2012.

Rutronik is now stocking Fujitsu’s new family of D322x-B of µATX mainboards with LGQA1150 sockets. The mainboards support the 4th generation Intel Core processor family. The new mainboards, the D3220-B with the Intel B85 chipset, D3221-B with Intel’s Q83 chipset and the D3222-B with Intel’s Q87 chipset are now mass-produced using the latest versions of the respective chipsets.

Silicon Labs has introduced an new highly integrated, feature-rich 8-bit microcontroller (MCUs) that has been optimised for cost-sensitive motor control applications. The C8051F85x/6x MCUs combine best-in-class analogue and communications peripherals, flash sizes ranging from 2 kB to 8 kB, high performance, small-footprint packaging and cost-effective pricing, making them suitable for brushless dc motor control applications used in remote-control helicopters and cars, PC and electric fans, electric tools and small appliances.

Toshiba Electronics Europe has launched a compact and efficient sine wave driver IC for control of three-phase DC brushless motors in electric fan applications. The TB6585AFTG will suit ventilation fans and fans in home appliances that require quiet operation and low energy consumption. Mass production of the new IC started last month.

Optoelectronics specialist, OMC, is now offering a fibre optic link service specifically tailored to meet the requirements of the high voltage market. HV applications such as power distribution networks and power supplies often require optical isolation because of the voltages present, however, achieving consistency of performance has proven a challenge for many providers.