Online & On Time Design tools are evolving to increase the productivity of engineers

1. e YOUR ELECTRONICS MAGAZINE ISSUE 3
06
Online & On time
Design tools are evolving to increase
the productivity of engineers
rswww.com/electronics

2. New left and right hand plugs
New left and right hand plugs have been added to Tyco Electronics’ line of
wire-to-board, Eurostyle terminal blocks. This product extension provides additional
configurations of wire access angles to the standard 3.5mm and 3.81mm vertical and
right angle headers. Specific applications of this product include control, input/output
and field wiring.
A key feature of the plugs is their multiple wire access angles which mate with 90° and 270°
header interfaces. Their rising, screw clamp orientation mates to industry standard open and
closed end headers on the same centerline spacing. In addition, they are
end-to-end stackable without loss of centerline spacing.
The plugs are UL recognized and serve the industrial control, communication equipment,
and HVAC control markets. Other product options include custom marking, printing and
color selection.
rswww.com/Tycoelectronics
TE (logo) and Tyco Electronics are trademarks of the
Tyco Electronics group of companies and its licensors.

3. l
Ro
T
DDED coN
06 4
bE
l
2
S
oo :E
M
T aRDUINo
NEW DESIgN
ed
mb
16 ThE fUTUR
IS
E
We’ve all wasted hours searching through the myriad of online
information. The profusion of internet sites available, for both our
professional and personal needs, inevitably means our online
experience can range between the good, bad and the ugly.
As engineers, we now spend more of our design time online than ever. Whether it’s
connecting with other engineers, sharing information, or seeking new tools to help us
speed up designs and differentiate our products from competitors, the internet offers
lots of potential solutions.
INSIDE eTech
To know which solution is right, having a reliable and trusted source of information
is vital. That’s why we’ve introduced a suite of essential design resources from RS,
all available online, for engineers. Our major new initiatives are Component Chooser,
04 iSay
3D CAD model downloads, DesignSpark and DesignSpark PCB – read more about 05 RS NEWSlINE
these exciting new developments on page 6. This is in addition to the Embedded
Development Platform (EDP) launched in April with access to the new ARM mbed 06 NEW DESIgN ToolS
microcontrollers – read the latest update on page 36.
10 PRoDUcT NEWS
Furthermore, we have just launched the first fully integrated online quote management
service. This powerful, comprehensive and flexible new tool offers an invaluable service
12 EcaD To McaD
for engineers and buyers – read more in Newslines on page 5. 16 ThE fUTURE IS mbed
We all have our favourite and trusted sites. 20 REvIEW: PaRallax PRoPEllER
Terms and conditions: Terms and
We hope you find our new resources valuable and
conditions of sale set out in the current
RS Catalogue. This issue is valid from that you return to them time-and-time again. 24 aRDUINo: EMbEDDED coNTRol
July 2010 to September 2010.
I’m always delighted to receive emails from our
26 MEDIcal INSTRUMENTS
Published by: RS Components
Limited. Registered office:
Birchington Road, Weldon, Corby,
readers and would like to hear more. You can drop 28 DESIgN TIPS: ElEkToR
Northamptonshire NN17 9RS. me an email at etech@rs-components.com or visit
Registered No. 1002091. RS
Components Ltd 2010.
www.rs-components.com/etech. 32 ESSENTIalS
RS are trademarks of RS
Components Limited. An
Electrocomponents Company.
34 aUToMoTIvE coNNEcToRS
Glenn Jarrett
Head of Electronics Marketing
36 EDP UPDaTE
38 32-bIT TEchNology
40 lUNch bREak
42 INDUSTRy NEWS: fRaUNhofER
ELE_0002_0710 eTech - ISSUE 3 03

4. iSay RS
Simon Whittle, Chairman
openet allianCe and deSiGn
NEWSlINES
Centre manaGer, nuJira SayS:
New Resources for Designers
“envelope Thinking
first phases revealed in new programme to
provide essential online resources to speed
up design process.
The new programme from RS and accurately than ever before.
outside the
aims to connect with designers at Also launched are 3D CAD
each stage of their design journey, models available for download
”
reducing the time from concept to registered online customers.
New online bill of materials to production by making it
easier to search, select,
Over 20,000 products have
3D models available, and all
quotation service launched design with and buy
components online
major download formats
are supported.
RS website gives customers full quote from RS.
management capability As announced in the
First releases include April edition of eTech,
RS has launched the first complete online quotes Component Chooser, RS has also partnered with
management service for customers. Users of the service the powerful new ARM to launch an mbed
are provided with full visibility of their quotation process, parametric search and module for its Embedded
It’s a funny thing how often the solution to a completely making product identification, pricing and redemption compare engine that features Development Platform (EDP),
new engineering problem turns out to be an old faster and easier to manage. customers will be able over 260,000 electronic and helping to bring virtual designs
idea that hasn’t previously found its niche. Envelope to go to their My account area and upload their bill of electro-mechanical products, to life.
materials (boM) into the website, with up to 500 lines. exposing 6.5M searchable
Tracking is a beautiful theory first described by bell The boM will be matched against RS part numbers, attributes. Users can configure For more on the design
labs in 1937. It’s proved surprisingly resistant to manufacturer (including manufacturer part numbers) search parameters to specify and resources programme from rS,
implementation, but now turns out to be part of the and descriptions to return an accurate priced quotation identify components more quickly turn to page 6 in this edition.
answer to cellphone networks collapsing under the back for confirmation. Users will then be able to approve
the quote, automatically placing the order online
data traffic generated by over-eager iPhone users. against specified delivery dates, and if they choose, also
receive enhanced messaging including confirmation Extended fPga Range
and delivery updates via RS online.
RS has added over 100 new fPga products
Operators are investing in network Nujira finally cracked the problem from xilinx, altera and lattice.
To use online Quotes for your next bill of materials,
capacity but each base station they in 2002 with High Accuracy Tracking go to rswww.com and select My account.
add will draw about 3KW. Radio (HATTM) and momentum behind
networks account for about 80% of Envelope Tracking is now growing. The range expansion creates a comprehensive fPga
an operator’s energy use and carbon Sumitomo has released an envelope offer from RS, including mainstream Spartan and virtex
emissions, and about half of this is
dissipated as heat in the transmission
tracking radio head, and Texas
Instruments, RFMD and Triquint fcI automotive connectors families from xilinx, providing engineers with affordable
devices and supporting development kits. from altera
circuit, so operators are pressing for
higher efficiency base stations.
have all offered support. At Mobile
World Congress, the OpenET Alliance range now available come the current cyclone families, offering low-power
and high-performance devices. In addition,
published a Terminal Interface Range extension makes RS the only high service coming soon from lattice will be the EcP2M
An Envelope Tracking power modulator specification on the web, allowing any level distributor to stock fcI automotive lines family with SERDES and the xP2 non-
adjusts the supply voltage to the device or terminal manufacturer to use volatile fPga family - all supported
Power Amplifier output transistor the technology. Design engineers will have access to the FCI OE-quality connectors, with development kits and
dynamically, in synchronism with with no minimum order quantity for prototyping, test programmes, programming aids.
the envelope of the modulated RF There are two morals here. One is replacement-parts supply and specialist markets such as industrial
signal passing through the device, so not to confound the difficult with the vehicles. The range includes wire-to-wire connectors, flex
that the output device remains in its impossible, and the other is that there interconnects, wire-to-PCB and wire-to-device connectors, power
most efficient operating region. ET is huge value in blue sky research that terminals, signal terminals, squib interconnects, high-reliability
is attractive because it can triple the doesn’t have an obvious application. enclosures, pin headers and press-fit pins.
efficiency of the PA and is wideband One could call it ‘thinking outside the
“
RS is supporting customers with over
and modulation scheme agnostic. The envelope’ perhaps?
challenge is meeting the accuracy, Momentum behind 100 different product configurations
optimised for use in areas such
bandwidth and noise specifications
Envelope Tracking is as engine compartment, power-
”
at a level of conversion efficiency that train, body and chassis, cockpit
delivers a significant energy saving for
the system as a whole. now growing. and multimedia. for the latest fPga additions,
go to rswww.com/electronics
to see the FCi automotive range, go to rswww.com/fci
04 eTech - ISSUE 3 eTech - ISSUE 3 05

5. online &
on time
Design tools are evolving to increase
the productivity of engineers.
The advent of affordable computing changed
many aspects of modern day life, but nowhere
has it been more apparent than in the fields
of electronics and electro-mechanical design.
The move from drawing board to computer
screen was rapid but the transition from
computer assisted drafting to computer
aided design was perhaps more subtle.
However, with continued improvements in graphics rendering, the development
of more capable and accurate modelling algorithms and the ability to translate
those models in to real-world designs means engineers now, more than
ever before, rely heavily on computer-based design tools to deliver better
designs quickly.
These developments in design tools include more effective ways of sharing
information. The engineering community has always benefited from the
dissemination of information and in today’s connected community that
increasingly revolves around the internet. To allow its customers to better benefit
from these trends RS Components has announced the first four of a series of
initiatives to create an authoritative and convenient online source of trustworthy
information that will support customers in making informed design decisions.
Continued page 08>
06 eTech - ISSUE 3 eTech - ISSUE 3 07

6. Microcontrollers
World’s Lowest Power Microcontrollers
with USB OTG
in the delivery of 3D content, one of the most
important elements of which is its ability to
supply a file type native to the majority of the
world’s most popular CAD packages.
At product line level, visitors to the RS website
will see a rotating 3D model of the part. Once
Digital Signal
Controllers
the correct component has been successfully
identified, registered users can simply
download the 3D model in a file format that
suits them. Another advantage of this approach
is that a unique image will exist for all product
variants. In the past families of products were
often represented graphically by a single image
for one particular popular or high level variant
Analog
within that product range. This will help remove
any ambiguity when it comes to correct
product identification.
component chooser
One of the biggest challenges the engineering These are the first results of a renewed
community faces is the time taken to navigate emphasis on playing a key role throughout
< Continued from page 07 the wealth of online information. Crucially, one the design process, but not the last. By
of the most fundamental decision processes in delivering DesignSpark PCB, Component
Serial
EEPROMs
any project is component selection and, here, Chooser and 3D CAD models, and with our
DesignSpark RS is forging the way with a new, industry- new DesignSpark website, RS is showing
DesignSpark is a dedicated website for leading parametric search engine that will its commitment to providing the design
electronic engineers providing a trusted set enable the engineering community to intuitively community with the right tools for the right job,
of design resources, reviews and industry search, select and compare electronic in the right way.
interaction to simplify and speed up the design components more efficiently and effectively
process. A major part of DesignSpark is the saving valuable time.
independent reviews for development kits and
evaluation platforms, provided by engineers, This online search facility, called Component Extend the battery life in your portable USB application using PIC® LOW PIN COUNT USB
“
for engineers. Members are also able to voice Chooser, provides an easy to use interface
their views through blogs, creating themes that allows users to search RS’ entire stock The engineering microcontrollers with integrated USB and XLP technology. Get the STARTER KIT
around the latest technology trends. of electronic components on the most world’s lowest power USB microcontrollers with the flexibility to • Supports PIC18F14K50 Family
extensive range of parameters available in the community has communicate as an embedded host or device. • Includes PICKitTM 2 Programmer
always benefited
DesignSpark will also form the distribution industry, quickly returning a shortlist of possible
hub for a range of design tools to be launched solutions. The number of attributes held • Tutorials for USB Novices
by RS. The first is DesignSpark PCB; a fully
featured PCB design tool, available free of
against each component technology has more
than doubled, and each parameter for every
from the • Combine eXtreme Low Power with Full-Speed USB device, embedded host,
charge to all DesignSpark members without component has been normalised, so results dissemination dual role and On-The-Go
”
limitation. Engineers can create schematics are presented in a consistent format. This
for any sized PCB, with any number of enables simple and reliable comparison of information • Download FREE USB stacks and drivers including thumb drive support
layers. Fully (auto)routed and design-rule of products for price, performance - Host, OTG and Device Stacks
checked designs can then be exported in a or compatibility.
number of file formats including IDF DXF
, - Class Drivers (HID, Mass Storage, CDC Drivers)
and standard Gerber/manufacturing format. 3D caD
To download and evaluate DesignSpark PCB When entering the mechanical design phase,
- Thumb Drive Support (Mass Storage Driver, SCSI Interface, File Management)
from the DesignSpark website, register as a the availability of electromechanical and DV164126 RS Stock No 667-7980
DesignSpark member to obtain an activation interconnect 3D models can significantly
code that will unlock the ‘Save’ functions of reduce the product design cycle. Unfortunately
DesignSpark PCB. availability of such models in a format get more online... Family Flash Program Pins USB Type Sleep Current Sleep with Watchdog Sleep with Real
compliant with the engineers’ preferred CAD
Memory (KB) (nA) Timer (nA) Time Clock (nA)
DesignSpark PCB comes with a component suite is limited at best. Visitors to the RS Join DesignSpark and
library that can be extended and shared – website will see the results of the work to get DesignSpark Pcb at PIC18F14K50 8-16 20 Device 24 450 790
through the DesignSpark community – with remedy this as 3D models for the first 20,000 www.designspark.com PIC18F46J50 16-64 28-44 Device 13 813 813
other engineers. DesignSpark outputs a of its 45,000 electromechanical components PIC24FJ64GB004 32-64 28-44 OTG, Dual Role, Embedded Host, Device 20 220 520
flexible format (CSV) Bill of Materials that can are made available, each compliant with over Search and select with
be automatically configured to include the 20 major CAD suites. The remaining 25,000 are component chooser at
RS part number for ease of ordering. It can
also be uploaded into RS’ new online Quote
under development and will be added to the
RS website over the coming 9 months.
rswww.com/cc Intelligent Electronics start with Microchip
Management service, a tool that enables get the latest 3D caD models
an upload of up to 500 component lines for In order to achieve this RS has partnered with available for download at
immediate price and availability verification Traceparts, a leading 3D content supplier to rswww.com/3D rswww.com/microchip
www.microchip.com/usb
and response. give customers access to Traceparts’ expertise
08 eTech - ISSUE 3
The Microchip name and logo and the Microchip logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. © 2010 Energizer. Energizer and other marks are trademarks owned by
Energizer. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective companies. © 2010, Microchip Technology Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. ME254Eng/04.10D

7. PRoDUcT aTMEl QToUch coNTRollER
PRoDUcT
NEWS n The QT1106 is a self-contained, patented charge-transfer
NEWS
capacitive controller capable of detecting near-proximity or touch
on up to seven electrodes and a wheel. It allows electrodes
to project sense fields through any dielectric such as glass or
plastic. These electrodes are laid out as a scroller (e.g. a xIlINx coolRUNNER II
ThERMoElEcTRIc PoWER wheel or slider) plus seven additional independent a leading cPlD family featuring
gENERaTIoN MoDUlE keys. The QT1106 can be assessed using the E1106 low power capabilities
evaluation kit. The kit provides a convenient reference SEoUl SEMIcoNDUcToR
controlling the temperature of
components in an efficient manner design and allows the user to visualize discrete touch acRIchE 4W SQUaRE MoDUlE n The coolRunner™-II 1.8v cPlD family leads
buttons, dials and sliders using interchangeable light source powered directly from the mains the industry with its high performing, low power
n a range of semiconductor thermoelectric QWheel and QSlide touch panels. capabilities. Enhanced with revolutionary features
devices working on the Peltier effect when online search term: atmel QTouch n Acriche is the world’s first semiconductor light source such as DatagaTE, advance inputs/outputs and
supplied with a suitable electric current, that operates directly from AC power without an additional the industry’s smallest form factor packaging,
these modules can either cool or heat. When conversion circuitry. This makes it suitable for many coolRunner-II cPlDs deliver the ultimate system
subject to an externally applied temperature residential and commercial lighting applications where the solution for today’s design challenges. The family
gradient these devices will generate a main source of available power is AC. A design with Acriche delivers advanced system features and low power
small amount of electrical power. These product minimizes component count and board space. The operation that enable the integration of discrete
solid-state devices offer long term stability operating voltage range system functions into a single re-programmable
and have the advantage of not generating from 100V to 230V and device. They are offered in a wide range of densities,
any acoustic noise. The larger devices the lifetime is over 35,000 abundant I/o, and the user has the flexibility to move
can be used for cooling or controlling the hours. The modules from one density to another in the same package.
temperature of sub-assemblies. The small are available in warm online search term: coolrunner - II
size of the mini module makes it ideally white and pure white
suited for cooling miniature electronic with multiple package
components such as infra-red detector options. Applications for
chips, microwave Ic’s, fibre-optic lasers
48/12vDc Eco 160 SERIES the modules are general
and detectors.
SWITch MoDE PoWER SUPPlIES lighting, architectural STMIcRoElEcTRoNIcS 2W lED DRIvER
online search term: gM2* lighting, street lighting,
Switch Mode 35W to 200W high, open offline lED Driver board using vIPer17, STEval-Ill017v1
residential lighting (Under-
frame Power Supplies
cabinet), decoration lighting n This board demonstrates a 2W non-isolated offline
n RS has been renowned for providing quality and sign lighting. constant-current lED driver based on the vIPer17 offline
products, under its own name, for over 70 online search term: converter. The vIPer17 features hysteretic thermal
years. Now we’ve expanded our PSU range to acriche 4W protection, soft-start and safe auto-restart after
be of one of the most comprehensive around the removal of a fault condition. burst mode
for general industrial applications. This family operation and the very low consumption of the
are all in a “2 *4” footprint, rated at 160Watt device combine to meet standby energy saving
with Power factor correction. Running at 90% regulations. advanced frequency jittering reduces
efficiency they are approved for medical EMI filter cost. The board provides 500ma constant
applications. other features include short circuit current for lED applications providing over-
protection, circuit overload and over voltage temperature protection, lED open-circuit protection,
MolEx xRc SEalED coNNEcToRS protection. The input voltage varies from 5v and lED short-circuit protection.
xRc sealed, plastic-circular connectors meet to 48v with the maximum current from 2.1a to online search term: STEval-Ill017v1
the demanding requirements of the non- 20a. all the power supplies are guaranteed for
automotive transportation market 3 years and comply with all the standard safety
approvals.
n Never before has Molex offered such an economical, rugged,
online search term: eco-160
sealed, circular connector. The XRC (Extra Rugged Circular) 14- RS EMbEDDED
and 31-circuit (18 and 24 shell size), circular connectors are ideal
for heavy-duty applications such as trucks, buses and agricultural
DEvEloPMENT PlaTfoRM
markets. For maximum design flexibility, the XRC plugs and featuring an mbed module for easy
receptacles are available in standard and reverse gender. The implementation of additional firmware
connectors can be used for in-line or panel-mount applications.
Designed to meet IP67 standards, XRC plugs and receptacles n This Command Module for the EDP utilises oSRaM oSloN SSl lED
protect against the ingress of dust, water and other contaminants cycloNE® III fPga faMIly an ARM7 LPC2368 device from NXP The mbed
. The new class of light
to maintain the integrity of the mated pair. a family of low cost, low power field Module plugs into an mbed Adapter Board, which
Programmable gate arrays from altera n One of the world’s smallest LEDs in the 1 W
online search term: Molex xRc fits into the EDP Baseboard allowing access to the sector. Small in size, big on performance – that is the
features of the EDP The mbed Module introduces a
. new ultra-white Oslon SSL LED from OSRAM Opto
n The Cyclone® III FPGA family offers an unprecedented new way to write embedded firmware. Instead of having Semiconductors. Its package measures just 3 x 3 mm
combination of low power, high functionality, and low a C compiler license installed upon the users machine the but in terms of luminous efficacy the LED is among
cost to maximize your competitive edge.. To address your mbed Module makes use of a C Compiler installed on a virtual the greats with a typical value of 100 lm/W. The LED
unique design needs, this FPGA family has up to 200K logic host. The software and project are built within the framework of provides light that is ideal for spotlights, desk lights
elements, 8 Mbits of embedded memory, and 396 an HTML page and the resulting binary image file is transferred. and ceiling floodlights. At an operating current of 350
embedded multipliers, Cyclone III LS devices By rebooting the mbed Module the new image is flashed into the mA this light source achieves a typical brightness
are ideal for processing intensive low- hardware and the mbed Module runs your application code. of 110 lm in ultra-white (5700 and 6500 K), with a
power applications including: Automotive, online search term: mbed module maximum possible luminous flux of 130 lm.
consumer, display, industrial, military,
online search term: oslon
video and image processing and wireless
applications.
online search term: altera cyclone III
10 eTech - ISSUE 3 See more online - over 5,000 new products are added at rswww.com/electronics every month eTech - ISSUE 3 11

8. In just about every industry you care to mention,
a metaphorical brick wall has at some stage existed
between the various design departments. It used
to be that electronic and mechanical designers rarely
met – apart from at weekly update meetings – such
was the lack of interaction between the
two disciplines.
These days, contemporary business models – driven
by rapidly changing customer demands and the
need to drive down costs – dictate that a faster and
more efficient concurrent approach is adopted in
the pre-launch design and evaluation phase of any
engineering programme. To successfully embrace
this concurrent approach regular and pertinent,
real time, coherent communication is vital; and
the passage of this information between two
departments or disciplines must be as efficient
as possible.
Although the take up of modern business practices
has been successful in theory at the project
management level, it is often the practical tools at
the disposal of the engineers that let them down.
In the world of design – and CAD especially –
electronic CAD (ECAD) has changed very little in its
core offering over the past few years, staying firmly
rooted in the 2D world. This is in direct contrast to
CAD in the mechanical world (MCAD), where the
adding the
move into the 3D realm is now the dominant
industry trend.
3rd Dimension to EcaD
It is of course arguable that the extra ‘D’ – taking
2D to 3D – is not a major necessity in the design of
electronics; being primarily a physically flat design
environment with only minor intrusions into the
Z axis. However, with the burgeoning expansion
of mechatronics and electro-mechanical systems
ECAD and MCAD are meeting head on and merging
in what is currently a very loosely defined middle
ground. This merging of information across design
In the never-ending mission to get to market faster, design departments are as departments has, in fact, always been a possibility,
crucial as ever. This importance is not just restricted to their role in determining but it has never been the most effective and efficient
how a product is manufactured; but also how effectively they interact with other practice in terms of data hand over and translation
from an ECAD package to an MCAD package.
departments in order to make the early stages of a product’s lifecycle as smooth,
cost effective and as efficient as possible. Continued page 14 >
12 eTech - ISSUE 3 eTech - ISSUE 3 13

9. UTS Hi seal
dynamic ip68/ip69K
IDF import sub-routines, designed especially to handle Waterproof connectors in mated and unmated condition
this type of data. The traffic is also far from one way. In
many instances it is necessary to transfer MCAD data to
ECAD packages in order to provide physical restraints for
PCB shapes, mounting points or height restrictions for ■ operational safety - eSd
Protection of electronics inside the equipment/boxes in case
example. Like their MCAD peers, ECAD packages also
cater for this eventuality with dedicated import filters.
of maintenance, unmated conditions or cable damage · plastic shells
■ rapid and secure locking system
As well as the structures, components and data that are f · quick disconnect
roo
obviously mechanical or electrical, there is of course the
Sealed io n-p sing ■ Suitable for overmoulding
· sealed insulator and contacts
unmated os ou
electromechanical realm and the world of mechatronics,
which don’t really belong in either domain, but play a vital orr tic h
C as
role interconnecting them. In these instances, the data Pl ■ available :
RoHS
flow can be back and forth and must maintain its efficacy
· 4 shell sizes, Compliant
as it migrates between packages; in many cases, CAD · 16 different layouts
package-specific files are often the favoured route. · multiple polarization options.
The CAD industry and the companies that rely on it to · standard connectors supplied with
disseminate data are also looking to the future, especially preassembled solder and PCB contacts.
to the growing number of users classed as Generation ■ uV resistant
‘Y’ – the next generation of engineers who are used to · suitable for outdoor use
seeing free software variants, such as Google SketchUp.
Although Google SketchUp only represents 1% of
current MCAD seats, the availability of a free SDK and
< Continued from page 13 supporting community have taken it from an architectural- Souriau your Key Success partner
targeted package into the industrial space; and this is
This is all set to change. Not only are many of the leading making it an important platform to address for the future. www.souriau-industrial.com
ECAD software companies starting to investigate the
introduction of 3D CAD in the electronics market (flex advert_led_rs_halfpage.qxp 14.05.2010 10:02 Seite 1
circuits, thermal airflow effects and chassis design) but
they are also looking to make the transition from ECAD
to MCAD a much less painful experience. Before 3D
becomes truly native in the ECAD world, the next best
thing is an easier way to transfer design data. It used to
be that the file information behind entire PCB assemblies
would be transferred to the MCAD packages, with RCD series: drivers that shed new light
huge amounts of unnecessary data going with them,
but intermediary steps have been developed which The RCD series is a step-down constant current designed for high power LEDs use, potted, smallest, high
are not only faster, but more efficient and require far efficiency and wider input/output voltage range, it also provides two kinds of dimming controls (PWM and
less post processing. Analogue) to meet a wider variety of customer demands.
“
The key features of the RCD series at a glance:
The next generation of ✔ Supplies up to 10 x 2-watt power LEDs
engineers... are used to seeing google SketchUp ✔ Accurate constant current output
”
✔ Wide range of output currents
free software SketchUp is undoubtedly going to gain some serious ✔ Wide range of output voltages
✔ PCB and wired versions
ground in the next few years if its early adoption rates
are anything to go by. The basic free version is also going ✔ PWM dimming
This “middle step” often comes in the form of an to be many people’s first foray into the 3D realm, so it ✔ Up to 97 percent efficiency
Intermediate Data Format, or IDF which breaks the
, has an important role to play – a fact certainly not lost on ✔ Analog dimming function
ECAD data into “easily digestible” chunks, which the many of the suppliers and software developers as they for linear output dimming
MCAD package finds far easier to import. By only make sure SketchUp forms a major element of their The RCD series.
✔ Short circuit protection
swapping the physical data that is required, the amount future business roadmap. Highly efficient step-down regulator
of information transferred is cut significantly too, making for constant-current output for
the entire handover far quicker. In many cases two files RECOM Part No. RS Stock No.
are generated; for example, one file will contain physical RCD-24-0.35 416-913
information about the PCB such as its shape, the location RCD-24-0.50 472-228
and orientation of each component, hole locations RCD-24-0.50/W 667-1664
RCD-24-0.70 472-222
and “areas of concern” The other file will contain the
. RCD-24-1.00 668-9870
component information such as its size and shape. RCD-24-1.00/W 668-9882
RCD-24-1.20 668-9889
It is not just the ECAD packages doing all the work find the lastest RS 3D caD models available
though. Most leading MCAD packages will have specific for download at rswww.com/electronics For more parts visit: rswww.com/Recom
14 eTech - ISSUE 3

10. mbed:
the future of
product development
adopting new technology is an important step in
product development, but it needn’t be a barrier.
The introduction of programmable devices changed the world of electronics
forever; it ushered in a new era of digital dominance and flexibility. Since
then, the role of embedded software has continued to shape the industry such
that today the predominant investment and risk associated with new product
development is in the bits and bytes that define their functionality.
Continued page 18 >
16 eTech - ISSUE 3 eTech - ISSUE 3 17

11. “ ... ‘cloud hosted’ development
devices will still be familiar with the peripherals
and resources they offer, so those coming to
environment gives developers instant mbed with experience of microcontrollers and
”
assembly code should feel comfortable with
access to the aRM architecture... the mbed platform and what it can offer. The
real benefits of the mbed environment will
be clear once the engineer starts developing
more complex software. It uses C/C++, or
rather it uses C and makes use of some the
< Continued from page 17 productivity boost, as they can start developing useful features of C++, such as classes. Those
code targeting the ARM7 or Cortex M3 cores not familiar with C, C++ or object oriented
The concept of embedded software when without the need to invest in further tools, programming might see this and shiver, but
compared with hardware can be a little such as an IDE or perhaps even an instruction don’t be put off; mbed makes it really easy to
‘abstract’, as we can’t ‘see’ the instructions set simulator. learn about high level languages (which is what
being executed. For some, this level of C is) and how to use them.
abstraction means the hardware has almost The environment is called mbed and while
become incidental, at least during the it is accessed entirely online, it is intrinsically For instance, there are tutorials on the mbed
development phase. It is possible to model linked to a local hardware platform which uses website that will guide the newcomer through
the processor’s instruction set and develop
entire software applications before the
an ARM based microprocessor. Initial mbed
boards use NXP devices but others will be
their first program, explaining how the
compiler works, as well as why ‘include’ files Surround
yourself with
hardware is even available. This represents available in the future. Once connected via a make it really easy to write complete programs
a significant productivity boost and for large USB cable, the mbed board appears to the using just a few additional lines. There is
safety.
OEMs it has become an important part of host computer as a USB memory stick which already an active mbed community, too, which
their design process. However the cost holds an HTML file. By simply opening the offers advice, encouragement and a growing
of tools for modelling a microprocessor file engineers are able to access the online repository of embedded software targeting the
Not to mention
can be so prohibitive as to divide the tools needed to develop embedded software mbed platform. As the community grows so
developer community. In the world of 32-bit through their browser window. too will the resources it offers.
microprocessors this division is amplified
to the extent that it encompasses some of
the conventional development tools such as
Access is controlled by the mbed module’s
‘identity’, so the resources that appear on
The world of embedded electronics is
constantly changing; it enjoys one of the most greater accuracy and
more features.
integrated development environments (IDEs), screen are directly relevant to the mbed active areas of technological investment and
static analysis tools or advanced compilers. module attached. This makes configuration development, as it plays such a vital role across
of the design environment unnecessary; all industrial sectors. The mbed environment
For many developers new to microprocessors the first step towards removing the barriers demonstrates that the way we access Performing at your best in hazardous work
this can represent a significant barrier to to entry for newcomers. The next step is to this technology is also changing, making it
easier than ever for more engineers to start
environments takes exceptional tools. Our new
entry, something manufacturers are keen demonstrate how accessible the hardware
to remove. In an unprecedented move to is by writing, building, downloading and developing with advanced microprocessors. family of handhelds put safety first, packing a
increase accessibility to hardware, ARM running the mbed equivalent to the ‘Hello
teamed with NXP to introduce an environment World’ application normally associated with wealth of important features and capabilities into
for embedded software development that software development. For those unfamiliar
Digital Multimeters
bright orange cases. Each meets critical safety
exists entirely online. This ‘cloud hosted’ with this, it is customary for the first program
development environment gives developers developers write using a new language to be for the latest aRM mbed Digital Oscilloscopes standards while providing world-class accuracy
instant access to the ARM architecture using a simple ‘Hello World’ message on a screen. microcontrollers and development Capacitance Meter
sophisticated software development tools that As the mbed modules aren’t configured with kits, visit rswww.com/electronics and ease-of-use. Backed by more than 70 years
LCR Meters
are maintained on their behalf and require no screens, the equivalent task is to make an Multi-Function Calibrator/Meter of measurement expertise. That’s value. That’s
downloads, installations or – perhaps most LED on the board flash on and off. By
Clamp Meters
importantly - maintenance. What’s more, it understanding this simple program, Agilent.
empowers a new segment of engineering to users will rapidly become familiar with
start developing with 32bit microprocessors, the process of writing, compiling and
allowing them to develop prototypes rapidly, downloading programs to the
without incurring a steep learning curve or mbed platform. And as they For a free application note
large financial investment. Engineers more
familiar with programming environments
see the results immediately,
it reinforces the link between and product information
will appreciate how innovative it is to put the hardware and software, www.agilent.com/find/GoOrange
compiler in the ‘cloud’. There’s nothing to allowing engineers unfamiliar © 2010 Agilent Technologies, Inc.
download or configure, all the groundwork with embedded software
is taken care of leaving the engineer free to to overcome the ‘abstraction’
focus on the application code. What’s more, between the two.
unlike some development environments, this
cloud compiler is not restricted to a maximum The hardware is provided in a modular
number of bytes, lines of compiled code or a format that gives the engineer access to
date; once you start programming you’re free all of the microprocessor’s resources, such
to explore the full features of cloud computing as timers, I/O, PWM generators and more.
without restriction. Even for more seasoned Many engineers not familiar with high level
developers, this represents a significant embedded software development for 32bit
Agilent and our Distributor Network
Right Instrument. Right Expertise. Delivered Right Now. rswww.com/agilent
18 eTech - ISSUE 3