June 2009

Precision, Low Cost, Stepper Motor Controller ICs for Bipolar and Unipolar Motors
LSI/CSI has released three new high performance stepper motor controller ICs. Designated LS8297, LS8297CT and LS8397, these ICs can replace the expensive L297 in all applications, while providing additional features not available in L297. According to Pete Visconti, LSI’s VP Sales and Marketing, all these devices offer half-step and full-step sequences in both normal drive and wave drive modes similar to the L297.

In addition the LS8297CT and the LS8397 offer correction for the torque-ripple, not provided in L297 half-step sequence. A power saving holding-torque mode is also available in LS8397 for maintaining the drivers at a reduced power level when the motor is not turning. Four phase outputs and two inhibit outputs are provided for driving external H-bridge drivers, allowing for the selection of a standard driver, such as the L298 or an application specific custom driver. An external reference voltage, in conjunction with the winding current sense voltages, regulate the PWM duty cycles of the driver outputs. One of two decay modes, fast-decay and slow-decay, can be selected to suit the characteristics of the motor winding.

LS8297 and LS8297CT feature pin-for-pin cost effective replacement for L297, half and full step sequences, normal-drive/wave-drive, torque ripple correction in LS8297CT, PWM chopper circuit for motor current control, Inputs for step, forward/reverse, reset and output blanking control, supply current less than 400 uA and supply voltage: 4.5 V to 7 V. LS8397 includes all of the above plus a mode for reduced power holding torque. LS8297 and LS8297CT are available in available in 20-pin DIP, SOIC and TSSOP packages. LS8397 is available in 24-pin DIP, SOIC and TSSOP packages.

SMT DC Switching Regulator is Highly Efficient
V-Infinity, a division of CUI Inc, has released the V78XX-500-SMT series, a surface mount version of its 0.5 A V78XX-500 DC switching regulator. The V78XX-500-SMT offers efficiencies of up to 96 percent and is designed to be a high-performance alternative to linear regulators. Unlike linear regulators, the V78XX-500-SMT series does not require a heat sink, making it well suited for applications where board space is at a premium and energy efficiency is a concern.

The V78XX-500-SMT series is compact, measuring 15.24 mm by 8.5 mm by 7 mm. A wide input range is available from 4.5 Vdc to 28 Vdc and regulated output voltages of 3.3 Vdc, 5 Vdc, 12 Vdc and 15 Vdc are offered. Output current is 500 mA with an operating temperature range of -40°C to 71°C at 100 percent load, derating to 60 percent load at 85°C. The converters offer short circuit protection, thermal shutdown, very low ripple and noise (10 mV p-p typical) and an MTBF of 2 million hours.

Four Kits Give Designers Easy, Fast Access to the Unparalleled Connectivity and Data Efficiency of the Fourth Generation of Stellaris MCUs
Texas Instruments (TI), Inc. has released four cost-efficient development kits supporting the fourth generation of its ARM Cortex-M3-based Stellaris MCUs. Starting at $99, the new kits allow developers to immediately begin their designs, leveraging the advanced connectivity, data efficiency and motion control features of the newest 32-bit Stellaris MCUs. Further simplifying development, each kit includes the comprehensive StellarisWare Peripheral Driver Library, Graphics Library, USB Library and code examples.

Available today in distribution stock are two new evaluation kits, one development kit and one reference design kit. Each contains an 80 MHz Stellaris MCU with 256 K flash, 96K SRAM, StellarisWare software in ROM and integrated Ethernet, USB On-the-Go (OTG)/Host/Device and CAN. The kits provide everything needed to get a developer up and running in 10 minutes or less.

Stellaris LM3S9B90 and LM3S9B92 Ethernet+USB-OTG Evaluation Kits feature two boards for a simple out-of-the-box experience: an In-Circuit Debug Interface board and the 36 mm by 102 mm EK-LM3S9B90 or EK-LM3S9B92 evaluation board. For applications requiring power saving modes, the new 80 MHz LM3S9B90 MCU features a hibernation module for extended periods of inactivity. For applications requiring more simultaneous access to peripherals and advanced motion control, the 80 MHz LM3S9B92 MCU features eight PWM outputs for motion and energy and two Quadrature Encoder Inputs (QEI) modules, along with options for maximal peripheral connectivity. Integrated advanced connectivity peripherals including Ethernet 10/100 with two LED indicators and USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG are featured. All kits are now in stock at Digi-Key and Mouser.

Low Current, Unique 36 Volt DC Gearmotor Develops 310 IN. LB. Torque at 13 RPM
Midwest Motion Products has released a new DC gear motor, the MMP-TM55-36VGP57-308. Accepting any 36 Volt DC Power source, including battery power, this robust Gear Motor measures 2.14 inches in diameter, by 7.75 inches long, and has a keyed output shaft of 12 mm diameter by 25 mm long. Custom output shafting is available.

Easy mounting is accomplished with 4 face mount M5 threaded holes, equally spaced on a 40 mm Dia. B.C. The output of this reversible gearmotor is rated for 398 IN LBS continuous torque, at 13 RPM and 443 IN LBS Peak. Despite its compact size, and weight of approximately 4 pounds, it’s an efficient design, requiring 2.1 Amps at 36 Volts DC to generate its Full Load Torque. That translates into long life battery charge, very low noise operation and lower costs for related drive electronics. Motor windings for 12, 24, 48, 60 and 90 Volts are available. This unique design is rated at an “IP-54” protection level for operation in harsh environments. Variable Speed is accomplished with our fully compatible speed controls, model MMP 25A-48V or MMP 20A-48V-RSP.

Infineon and LS Industrial Systems Form Joint Venture to Forge Ahead in Molded Power Module Business for White Goods
The Korean company LS Industrial Systems and Infineon Technologies AG have established the joint venture LS Power Semitech Co., Ltd., which will focus on the development, production and marketing of molded power modules for white good applications. The establishment of the joint venture paves the way for Infineon and LS Industrial Systems to more rapidly access the promising market for energy efficient household appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners, and also for other low-power consumer and standard industrial applications. The use of variable-speed motors to reduce the energy consumed by household appliances is growing in response to regulatory requirements and consumer demand. Concurrently, smart design of drive control electronics to make best use of these motors presents manufacturers with further opportunities for efficiency and savings.

LS Industrial Systems holds 54 percent and Infineon 46 percent of the joint venture with headquarters at LS Industrial Systems’ site in the city of Cheonan which is located about 160 kilometers south of Seoul. Infineon will provide the joint venture with licenses to IP as well as technology and process know-how on its power module family CIPOS (Control Integrated Power System), and will transfer existing CIPOS backend manufacturing equipment from Regensburg, Germany. Both companies will closely cooperate in terms of marketing, international sales and new product developments. LS Power Semitech expects to begin mass production for CIPOS modules by January 2010 in its Cheonan manufacturing site.

Toyota Selects A&D Technology to Supply New Transmission Test Cell
A&D Technology has been selected by Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America to supply a state-of-the-art transmission test cell. A&D will deliver three low-inertia permanent magnet dynamometers and high-performance AC drives together with their iTest data acquisition and control system.

In addition, the system includes A&D’s Andromeda real-time, multi-processor simulation platform, allowing Toyota to simulate virtually any combination of engine, vehicle and powertrain configurations, including hybrid systems, in conjunction with the physical transmission. With this advanced technology platform, Toyota can perform a variety of transmission development activities, from durability testing to conceptual studies.

Research and Markets: Reliability and Flexibility Required in Process Control Applications Promote Demand for Electric Drives in the European Chemical Industry
Research and Markets has added Frost & Sullivan's new report "Electric Drives Market in the European Chemical Industry" to its offering.

The increasing demand for energy-efficient systems coupled with the need for reliability in process applications offer high potential for electric drives in the European chemical industry. Despite the economic slowdown and declining industrial output in the European chemical industry, the electric drives market is anticipated to sustain its growth rates due to the need for infrastructural changes in chemical plants across Eastern Europe.

In EU, energy prices for industrial applications are showing an upward trend. The average energy price for industrial applications in EU 27 rose 23.9 per cent in 2008 compared to 2007. Due to this unprecedented increase in energy prices, chemical customers consider the usage of variable speed drives in their plant optimization programs an energy-efficient measure.

The current slowdown in the European automotive and construction sectors has adversely impacted the electric drives market in the European chemical industry. The lack of new projects and frozen investments due to the apprehensions of chemical suppliers in the ongoing global economic crisis is restraining the expansion of the electric drives market. Lowered productivity indicates that many production sites in Europe were closed during 2008. This resulted in the lack of demand for electric drives in the European chemical industry.

UQM Technologies Announces $2.77 Million in Military Orders
UQM Technologies, Inc., a developer of alternative energy technologies, has received orders from military customers during the past three months totaling $2.77 million for propulsion systems, generators and funded engineering activities.

The most recent order is a $750,000 Phase II Small Business Innovation Research contract from the US Navy to develop a high torque electro-magnetic actuator system. The focus of this two-year effort will be to improve the torque capability of electric motors through the use of advanced materials research and the company’s proprietary magnet architecture. The company will also collaborate with the University of Texas to develop an advanced gearbox as part of the development effort.
 
The period of performance for the remaining orders ranges from two months to one year.
“The military continues to aggressively pursue the advancement of electric motor technology and its use in a variety of demanding applications, including vehicle propulsion,” said William G. Rankin, President and CEO of UQM Technologies, Inc. “We are pleased to have the US Army, Navy and Air Force as significant customers for our proprietary technology and are looking forward to the continued development and application of our advanced motors and power electronic controls for their programs.”

LE Becomes Technology Provider to Marathon Electric for High Efficiency Generators
Light Engineering (LE), a company focused on amorphous iron electric motors and generators for permanent magnet rotating machine applications, has named Marathon Electric Generators (Marathon), a division of Regal Beloit Corp., the exclusive distributor of LE’s advanced auxiliary power unit FR-10 for fire and rescue applications. LE has also declared Marathon to be a non-exclusive distributor of all other LE power generation products in North America. In connection with the agreement, LE has also granted Marathon a non-exclusive license to LE’s patents covering amorphous iron rotating machine technology for Marathon’s use in manufacture and distribution of LE power generation products.

LE’s amorphous iron technology is well suited for variable speed applications that allow for tremendous energy savings through more efficient machines and systems. The LE technology, protected by 21 United States and several international patents, yields the following benefits: high power density available in the industry, increased power for the same machine size and active material content.

2010 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference Call for Papers
The Conference Planning Committee is currently accepting papers for 2010 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference.

This seventh annual, two-day symposium will serve an audience of decision makers from around the world who are interested in learning the latest advancements, capabilities and economics in electric motor, drive & automation systems. This is an opportunity to present to top executives and technical professionals of leading companies that integrate motor/drive, automation & motion control technology into their products and equipment as well as developers and manufacturers of motors, drives, controls, power electronics and integrated systems, and component, material and technology providers. We are looking for various types of presentations as they relate to:

• MOTOR & DRIVE SYSTEMS
• POWER ELECTRONICS & EFFICIENCY
• MECHATRONICS
•PRECISION MOTION CONTROL
• AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY & APPLICATIONS

Submit abstracts by e-mail to Shannon Given no later than July 31st for consideration. Early submission are welcomed and appreciated.

Click here for more information about submitting your abstract.

JUNE 2009
9-11
MD&M East, New York, NY.
ATX East, New York, NY.
Atlantic Design & Manufacuring Show, New York, NY.

8-10
Sensors Expo, Rosemont, Ill.

14-16
EASA 2009, St. Louis, MO.

JULY 2009
14-16
Semicon West, San Francisco, Calif.

SEMICON West 2009
July 14-16
San Francisco, CA

Connect with the latest trends and information about the microelectronics industry, discover solutions for today's critical challenges, and network with friends and colleagues.  It’s SEMICON West 2009, July 14-16, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA. 

Keynote addresses from

• Anand Chandrasekher, Intel
• Walden Rhines, Mentor Graphics
• Panel on the semiconductor industry roadmap (ITRS) 

TechXPOTS cover device scaling, assembly, test and packaging, solar/PV, EHS, and standards.  Themes include advances in semiconductor manufacturing; challenges for microelectronics manufacturing beyond 2010; new paradigms for packaging & test; integration across the supply chain; and new opportunities in photovoltaics.

Extreme Electronics sessions and networking highlight MEMS, nanoelectronics, LEDs/Solid State Lighting, and printed and flexible electronics.

Hundreds of exhibits and more! Register today at  www.semiconwest.org. 

ECCE Energy Conversion Congress and Expo (ECCE 2009)
Sept. 20-24, 2009
San Jose, Calif.

You are cordially invited to be a part of the ECCE Energy Conversion Congress and Expo (ECCE 2009) hosted by the Industry Applications Society (IAS) and Power Electronics Society (PELS) scheduled for September 20-24, 2009 at the Double Tree Hotel in beautiful San Jose, CA, USA.

The inaugural ECCE 2009 will combine the IEEE power electronic, energy storage, and machines community into one spectacular annual event. Energy conversion and energy efficiency / savings have become ever more important in the global marketplace, requiring global and integrated system solutions. ECCE 2009 will feature timely tutorials, oral and poster sessions, industry exhibition, engaging speakers and exciting social networking events.  Online registration is opening soon – visit www.ecce2009.org for more information.

Garysguide is the #1 Business Events Calendar in the country covering Tech, Media, Finance, Legal, Biotech, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship &more across 30 cities. Our audience is a highly targeted mix of connectors and influencers including Entrepreneurs, VCs, CEOs, CTOs, Bloggers, Analysts and Technologists.

For more information please visit www.garysguide.org.

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