Electronic Products and Technology October 2016 by Annex Business Media

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electronic electronic products products and andtechnology technology -

OCTOBER 2016

AN EP&T SPECIAL REPORT PAGE 6

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e d i t o r i a l

Shaping the future of 5G development electronic products andtechnology technology electronic products and Volume 38 Number 7

October 2016

Stephen Law Editor 416.510.5208 slaw@ept.ca

Sohail Kamal

West Coast Correspondent sohail@nextgear.ca

5G - What will shape its future development? 5G is a revolutionary paradigm shift in wireless networking to support the throughput, latency and scalability requirements of future use cases such as extreme bandwidth augmented reality applications and connectivity management for billions of M2M (Machine to Machine) devices. The ubiquity of wireless connectivity, coupled with a standardization on IP as the data protocol, the availability of low-cost and powerful computing resources in the cloud, and increasing data speeds – expected and delivered – are coming together to shape the vision of 5G. For the end-user, the promise of 5G technology starts with ultra-fast connections up to 40 times quicker than 4G, but a more subtle benefit is the conceptís signal prioritization that would give a message warning a self driving car of an impending collision, for example, precedence over a video game download. Experts say 5G will all but eliminate latency or connectivity gaps, making video buffering and delays in Skype connections a thing of the past, while defaulting to the strongest signal to allow a seamless transition between cellular and Wi-Fi. Although 5G is yet to be standardized, vendors are aggressively investing in 5G development efforts with a principal focus on new air interface transmission schemes, higher frequency bands and advanced antenna technologies such as Massive MIMO and beamforming.

According to a report from Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), mobile operators and vendors anticipate their R&D initiatives will help them achieve 5G technology commercialization by 2020. Some 5G applications, however, require step changes in network performance in certain areas, and many would put a strain even on evolved forms of current networks. The applications themselves are very diverse, and have different requirements of the network – in particular, in terms of latency, peak data throughput, connection density, throughput density and device power. Another factor that will escalate competition, particularly within the electronics & communications test segments, is the consolidation of the semiconductor industry. With fewer customers, businesses will flock to vendors that deliver the most value. Therefore, strategic partnerships will be the order of the day. To maximize its potential, 5G networks will need to meet the varied requirements, and support allocation of resources to different applications in an intelligent way. This is a significant technology challenge – but, the answers will soon follow. Stephen Law, Editor slaw@ept.ca @EPTmagazine

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Subscription Rates: Canada: $56.00 per year, US: $98.00 per year, International: USD$134.00 per year, Single copy: $15 (Canada); $20 (all others) Editorial Purpose: Electronic Products & Technology provides timely, comprehensive coverage of the latest worldwide developments and trends in electronic products, equipment and systems, and interprets their significance to manufacturers and end-users in the Canadian marketplace. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065710 Canada Post: Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: EP&T Circulation Dept., 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto, ON M3B 2S9, Subscription Inquiries: 416.442.5600 x3548 • circulation@ept.ca EP&T (Electronic Products & Technology) assumes no responsibility for the validity of claims in items reported.

© 2016 This publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the express written consent of the publisher. From time to time we make our subscription list available to companies and organizations whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you do not want your name to be made available, please contact EP&T with your subscription number.

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NEWSWATCH N E W S WATC H NE WSWATCH

electronic products and technology • october 2016

Brownsburg Electronik expands Quebec facility

CPEIA adds 3M to membership The Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (CPEIA) has welcomed global diversified technology company 3M to its growing membership. 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. Of particular interest to CPEIA’s membership and the PE industry in Canada is 3M’s Flexible Circuit Foundry business. With more than 25 years of flexible printed circuit development and manufacturing, 3M serves major OEMs in medical devices, inkjet printers, and other markets by providing one-, two- and multi-layer fine pitch flexible circuits. 3M’s Canadian operations include 1,800 people, with headquarters and manufacturing in London ON and other Ontario plants in Toronto, Brockville, and Perth, in addition to one facility in Morden, MB.

Waterloo-led groundbreaking research receives government funding Groundbreaking research initiatives at the University of Waterloo will receive more than $91-million in funding from the Federal Government, after revealing the recipients of the second competition of the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). The ceremony, held recently at the University of Waterloo, announced 13 initiatives across Canada will share $900-million in funding. Those involving Waterloo researchers are Transformative Quantum Technologies, which will accelerate the development of new quantum technologies. “Quantum devices and computing will revolutionize technology as we know it,” says Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo. “Waterloo is a global leader in both of these critical research areas, and the funding will help ensure Canada’s role at the forefront of world-changing discovery.” The Transformative Quantum Technologies (TQT) program will tackle three grand challenges in quantum research: to develop a universal quantum processor, quantum sensors and long-distance quantum communications. Under the direction of Professor David Cory, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Quantum Information Processing at Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing, TQT will aim to connect academic research with industry applications in a variety of fields. CFREF will contribute $76.3 million to this initiative of more than $140 million. “Quantum mechanics enable devices that are otherwise impossible in the classical world, and these revolutionary devices will transform the way we interact with and learn about the world,” said Cory, also a professor of chemistry in the Faculty of Science at Waterloo. “Transformative Quantum Technologies aims to develop new quantum technologies and to connect quantum devices to applications spanning the fields of medicine, health, navigation, environment, materials and others.”

MRO Electronics reaches 25-year milestone Alberta headquartered MRO Electronics recently celebrated 25 years of supplying electronics components to the industry. In that timeframe, MRO has grown to three locations, including Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, while also expanding its services. Each location has dedicated stock to serve regional needs. “As a result of our responsiveness to the market, we have grown our business over the years,” says MRO president Kevin Stiles. “Most recently we have received ISO certification. Further MRO has Controlled Goods Registration and, as a result of customer demand, has an established custom cable manufacturing entity as part of its business model. Responding to customer’s needs, MRO has put the following in place: ISO 9001:2008; Controlled Goods Program (CGP); RoHS and REACH compliant materials.

Brownburg Electronik Inc., Lachute QC, a major Canadian manufacturer of transformers, inductors and specialty coils, has injected a major investment and expansion into its existing production space. The firm has added 3,000 square feet to its 40,000 sq. ft. facility, located at 741 Lowe Street (Lachute QC). In addition, Brownburg has added new winding equipment and accessories to keep pace with current customer demands, according to sales manager Mike Schwartzman. Founded in 1976, Brownsburg serves hundreds of customers across Canada and the United States, employing more than 70 skilled workers. Specializing in custom orders, the firm is equipped with state-of-the-art production and test equipment, including computer-assisted design and simulation.

Selcom adds new pcb cleaning equipment Burnaby BC-based contract electronics manufacturing (CEM) provider Selcom Industries Inc., added some new equipment to its facility recently, which aims to improve the firm’s capabilities with printed circuit board (pcb) cleaning, according to business development manager Camy Tulsi. Selcom recently installed a brand-new Aqua ROSE brand cleaner and tester, which utilizes Deionized (DI) water and aqueous cleaning chemistries. “The new equipment, which is now operational, is geared to save time and money by combining cleaning and testing in a single step,” Tulsi says. The equipment cleans all flux types with programmable selection, including cycles for cleaning with either commercial aqueous based defluxing agents or DI water only. In business for more than 15-years, Selcom manufactures high MTBF industrial products for a variety of clients. The firm’s CEM services include SMT and thru-hole assembly for prototype and larger production runs on a turnkey or customer provided parts basis. “We are not just an assembly house but can also provide technical assistance during any phase of the design and manufacturing cycle,” says Tulsi.

Phoenix Contact acquires Perle Systems Expands its expertise in the area of industrial network technology Phoenix Contact GmbH, Blomberg Germany, concluded a contract for the acquisition of the Canadian network specialist Perle Systems Ltd., Toronto. Via the deal, Perle Systems becomes another international subsidiary of the Phoenix Contact Group, a global market leader for components, systems and solutions in the area of electrical engineering, electronics and automation. Perle Systems provides products and solutions for industrial networks. Since 1976 the company has been developing and selling media converters, industrial Ethernet switches, and serial devices. The product range comprises a large number of variants and allows numerous and new applications as part of the digitalization process. The Canadian company currently has approximately 50 employees. Phoenix Contact intends to expand the new subsidiary into industrial networking within the Group. Via the acquisition, Phoenix Contact has also strengthened its competence as a provider of solutions for Industrie 4.0. “Perle Systems has extensive product know-how and successfully operates a global online business,” says Frank Stührenberg, CEO Phoenix Contact.

Former EP&T columnist, industry commentator passes away Gordon Hutchison, long regarded as one of Canada’s foremost commentators on the electronics and telecommunications sector, passed away this spring. A regular column contributor to EP&T since the magazine’s launch in 1979, Hutchison continued with his candid and in-depth perspectives up until his retirement in the early 2000’s. He was the founder and publisher of Evert Communications producing newsletters for the high tech industry such as Canadian Communications Network Letter, the Electronics Communicator, Report on Wireless and Research Money.

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Instrumentation & Test

Use of infrared thermography in electronics By Sat Sandhu, thermography services manager, Fluke Corp.

Electronic circuits and components come in a variety of shapes and forms. All electronics operate with current flowing, which in turn leads to power dissipation. This power dissipation manifests itself primarily in the form of heat. Hence a key factor in the design, tests, verification and troubleshooting of all electronics, is heat management. With increasing circuit complexity and or reduction in size, heat management of electronics is taking on a more significant role in the design phase and also in the subsequent phases of test, verification and troubleshooting. Thermal imaging (TI) cameras are an ideal tool to use in mapping out the heat patterns on electronic circuits and components. Two major advantages of Thermal imaging over contact temperature measurement devices are: 1. The ability to measure temperatures without making contact with the circuit or component, thus ensuring that the temperature of the object is not affected. 2. The ability to view a large area or even the whole circuit or component, rather than measuring a single point.

What are the sources of heat in electronics? The power input to any electronic or electrical circuit is dissipated as heat. This heat dissipation will cause a rise in temperature above ambient. The temperature rise depends on a variety of factors. One of the primary factors will be the thermal resistance of the device; other factors include any thermal management, heat sinks, forced air cooling etc. Excluding the other factors lets us consider an example of thermal resistance only. A resistor is dissipating 300mW (0.3W) of power. Its thermal resistance is rated at 150K/W. Then this will give lead to a temperature rise of 0.3 X 150 = 45C. Assuming ambient of around 20C means that the temperature of the resistor will be around 65C. If the resistor has an operating temperature range, of, for e.g., -55C to +155C, a component temperature of 65C may not be an issue. However on other components, the combination of the power dissipation and the thermal resistance may well bring the operating temperature closer to its specified operating range. In addition we also need to consider other sources of heat in an electronic circuit. Short circuits; High speed switching, especially where the device is overclocked.

Why heat matters?

Figure 1: Anatomy of an infrared camera

It is generally accepted that operating components at higher temperatures leads to higher stresses on components and circuits. This, in turn, can lead to increase in leakage currents, greater voltage drifts, increased

propagation delays, increased chemical reactions in the material. All of these factors will lead to: Shorter lifetime: There is significant data that the lifetime of electronic parts is reduced by an increase in temperature. Whilst reliability engineering offers many tools to estimate the lifetime of products, life is reduced with an increase in temperature referred to as Mean time to failure (MTTF) or mean time between failures (MTBF), the temperature of the product is a key and vital parameter in these calculations. Whilst there is a great deal of debate and discussion on the effect of modeling used to establish reliability based on the Arrhenius equation, what is certainly true is that elevated temperatures do affect lifetime. The general quick rule of thumb is that an increase of 10C reduces lifetime by half. Greater risk of failure: Like shorter lifetime, there is also significant data that increased temperatures also increases the risk of failure. An example of this on joints. The different metals will have different thermal coefficients: thermal cycling can then lead to strains and crack in joints. Possible reduced performance: An increased temperature can also affect the overall performance of an electronic circuit. Increased switching times, reduced resistances, increased leakage currents, all these factors can be enough to alter the overall performance of an electronic circuit. Possible safety concerns: The combination of greater risk of failure, reduced performance and a higher component temperatures can also potential lead to possible safety concerns.

Case study: Use of thermal imaging in the design phase Electronic component vendors all must test their products to ensure that they perform as expected under specified conditions and to determine their typical performance life. For example, a manufacturer of surface mount resistors would want to ensure the performance, reliability, and typical life expectancy of the components it supplies. The best way to accomplish that is to test the resistors at key points during design and development stages. A resistor is primarily a device that limits current or voltage and dissipates heat depending on the currents and voltages applied. Viewing the typical thermal patterns of a resistor under test with an infrared camera equipped with a macro lens allows a manufacturer to obtain extremely useful data about the design of the resistor and its behaviour as it dissipates heat energy. Those thermal patterns can indicate manufacturing related issues.

Figure 2: Unpowered resistor set lens.

For example, Figure 2 shows an unpowered 400 ohm resistor on an ac-dc converter captured with a standard lens. Figure 3 shows the same component captured with a 25 micron macro lens. As you can see, the macro image provides much more detail about the resistor, even without power.

Figure 3: Unpowered resistor set with macro.

Next we powered up the converter and scanned it first with the standard lens (Figure 4) and then with the macro lens (Figure 5). The image captured with the standard lens doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t show any obvious problems. However, the much more detailed image captured with the 25 micron macro lens shows that the right side of the resistor is drawing far less current than the left side. This then indicates room for further investigation. Either one of the pair of resistors is drawing too much current or the other one is drawing too little current. Temperature measurements are vital in calculating expected lifetime. The heat patterns of the resistor can be detailed enough to indicate hot spots. continued on page 9 http://ept.hotims.com/61401-5

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instrumentation & test

electronic products and technology • october 2016

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Signal conditional module targets functional testers JT 2147/VPC signal conditional module allows ‘ideal world’ connections from firm’s PXI and PXIe DataBlasters to the Virginia Panel (VPC) mass interconnect system. The boundary-scan hardware interface product is based on firm’s QuadPod architecture, Product has been specifically designed for connection into G20x or G14x 192 pin ‘QuadraPaddle’ connectors and is also compatible with the VPC ‘pull thru’ system. JTAG TECHNOLOGIES http://ept.hotims.com/61401-42

Leakage current clamps measure without powering down Fluke 368 FC and 369 FC Leakage Current Clamps record, document and compare leakage current readings over time to help prevent problems before they happen without shutting down critical equipment. Rugged devices have large diameter jaws (40mm for the 368 FC; 61mm for the 369 FC) for work with oversize conductors. Clamp jaws are fully shielded and designed to accurately capture very small leakage current signals (as low as 10µA) and minimize external electromagnetic interference. The true-rms meters are designed to accurately measure complex signals, with the highest resolution of 1µA and an upper measurement range of 60 amps. FLUKE

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instrumentation & test

electronic products and technology • october 2016

Infrared thermography continued from page 6

Such hot spots are very likely outside the specified working temperature of the component and can accelerate stresses in the material leading to early failure. With the information gained from the thermal images, the engineer would be able to change the design or the manufacturing process to mitigate the stress points that are creating the hot spot.

lower temperatures by redesign only. The other major solution then was to consider the thermal management of the PCA. As there was only one device of concern, it was decided to attach a heatsink to it. The addition of a heat sink now increased the cooling effect giving a lower overall package temperature.

Case study: Use of thermal imaging in verification

Conclusion

A sensor company had a PCA designed White to provide the high level of data processing required for its sensors. During the verification stage checking the PCA was inspected with a thermal imager where a hot spot was noted on a small component. On further investigation this hot spot was on a device and was around 85C. With the exception of the power supply devices and processor devices, which had heat sinks attached, the rest of the components on the board were all around 65C or less. Given that this particular component was Pantone a power supply controller chip,281 withCall of C: 100, M: 72,external Y: 0, K: 32 the large currents passing through components, it is not expected to dissipate much power at all. It was then necessary to investigate what was causing such a high power dissipation in a part which was expected to require very little power. Given that the measured package temperature of 85C was at about 23C ambient, then the part would be expected to be reach 122C at 60C ambient. This would then be very close to the specified maximum 125C junction temperature for this device. The design team then requested all the testing parameters used. Once this information was available they requested the tests to be repeated at 12V. The device now no longer got as hot measuring 42C. Highest temperatures on the board were also now under 60C, which was much more reasonable. Unfortunately the end product cannot be operated from 12V, as the system uses 24V power supply. Having identified the issue, various options were considered to resolve this matter. A redesign of the board was ruled out due to a combination of time, resource, cost and operation - cost both of the redesign and component changes that would be required. In addition was no suitable alternative to the ‘culprit’ device. The major deciding factor was that the modelling carried out clearly indicated that it would be difficult to get the desired

The two case studies described here illustrate the power of using thermal imaging in the thermal management aspect of electronics. In both instances using contact temperature measurement would have been cumbersome and very time consuming. In addition, in the case of the unbalanced current flow in the

Figure 4: Powered resistor set.

Figure 5: Powered resistor set with macro lens.

resistors the small size meant this could and would not have been identified. In the second case the effect of the probe touching the small IC may well have led to some cooling effect, which in turn, could easily report a slightly lower temperature. This lower value could have been enough to assume that this is not as critical. With the decrease in component sizes

and increased performance demands, heat management of electronics devices and circuits is becoming more significant and important. Thermal imaging is proving to be an ideal tool in helping in the design, verification and troubleshooting of electronics. For more information on infrared thermography from Fluke Corp., go to http://ept.hotims.com/61401-44

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Distribution / Supply Chain Management

Understanding the move from a traditional to a

digital supply chain with the Supply Chain of Things By Steve Vecchiarelli, vice-president, supply chain solutions at Digi-Key Electronics

Fifty years ago, Moore’s Law told us the number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits will double every two years for the foreseeable future. While that estimate has mostly held true, it is predicted that Moore’s Law will end by 2022 as it becomes physically impractical to shrink transistors much further. Today companies are changing their methodologies in how they manage their supply chains. In the maturation of supply chain management, the processes to get goods and services from one company to the other were a mix of manual and computer driven routines. The only means of accomplishing this was through manual intervention and Excel spreadsheets up and down the chain. In the days of shorter life cycles for new products this is becoming too slow. The demand for ‘Better, Cheaper, Faster’ is causing a move towards an inflection point on how a company responds to its customers’ supply chain demands. Companies are looking for a way to automate the purchasing process and increase their time to market performance. Moving to a completely digital environment not only improves a company’s time to market, but, drives up quality, improves cost reduction activities and heightens customer satisfaction.

Chains are forced to compete in a rapidly changing environment

In today’s global marketplace, supply chains are forced to compete in a rapidly changing environment, where they must either change and be open to innovation or lose valuable market position. The companies that are going to thrive in the move to a digital supply chain are the ones who are able to adapt or the ones that can see the current limitations of their manual (analog) systems and have mapped out a clear a path to digital. As companies move towards a digital supply chain, Application Program Interfaces, commonly known as APIs give better visibility into suppliers’ systems to make computer driven solutions. With this technology a customer’s software can retrieve real-time data such as stock and pricing information. This real time data helps make a decision comparing their needs with a supplier’s ability to satisfy them. Digi-Key has built a digital platform that becomes the beginning of the Supply Chain of Things (SCoT). Companies can gain exponential advantages in their processes by exploring and adopting some of these methodologies. In a traditional supply chain scenario, analysis provides information to make a decision based on a responsive approach. This may perhaps include looking at current stock levels within the company and past production needs to retroactively determine what incoming supply of components is needed. The data from outside the company, such as

distributor stock levels and delivery dates, have to be curated manually which costs time and impacts the relevancy of data. With a digital supply chain that har- Steve Vecchiarelli, nesses the power of SCoT, vice-president purchasers can make deci- supply chain sions from real-time, live solutions, Digi-Key data that gives a stronger Electronics basis of actual needs within the business, as well as the invaluable insight of real-time, live data from outside the company. Now these decisions can be made using a digital platform such as Digi-Key’s Supply Chain of Things, which gives a more complete view of the supply chain from end to end and empowers businesses to make more educated and more accurate purchasing decisions.

Digital supply chain has made the traditional supply chain even more effective In the pursuit of better visibility, faster payment and cheaper options, the digital supply chain has made the traditional supply chain even more effective. The SCoT integration smooths the process because of lateral information sharing and cross functional involvement. Order, pay, receive and use the components much faster than ever before. The traditional supply chain allowed you to see where your shipment had been according to information from the courier. Now the actual location of a shipment is available, at times, through GPS technology. Examples like GPS tracking and other technologies are reasons why improved communication provided by using a digital approach provides a significant change in the way we do business. Just as Moore’s Law opened our eyes to the possibilities of integrated circuits, it is mind-boggling to imagine the exponential improvements the integrated digital solution can bring to the supply chain. Digi-Key Electronics is continually improving its involvement with the Supply Chain of Things by providing digital solutions such as our API to provide customers with real-time, relevant information. The up and coming Supply Chain of Things takes ‘Cheaper, Better, Faster’ to a whole new level, giving analysts and purchasers actionable and real-time data exactly when they need it. Supply chain decisions are now more insightful rather than just a reaction to data that loses its relevancy with every passing hour. While it will become physically impossible to shrink transistors, it seems the digital solutions such as Digi-Key’s SCoT are just beginning to shrink the inefficiencies of a traditional supply chain model. For more information on the Supply Chain of Things from Digi-Key Corp., go to http://ept.hotims.com/61401-46

Electro Sonic doubles customer base, increases inventory EP&T asks 5 questions of E-Sonic’s national sales manager Niall Flanagan EP&T Magazine recently sat down with Niall Flanagan, national sales manager with Electro Sonic Group Inc., Markham ON, a Niall Flanagan leading authorized distributor in the Canadian market since 1952. Flanagan took the opportunity to discuss recent company developments, customer engagement, plus glance into Electro Sonic’s future as the company approaches its 65th anniversary. Q. It has been almost a year and a half since you took on the role of National Sales Manager for Electro Sonic. How has the experience been so far? NF: “It has been a great experience. Our customer base has doubled in that time period, we have more inventory on the shelf than we have ever had. Our line card has grown and customers now have access to a wider portfolio of products from us. We have also further invested in our distribution centre here in GTA.

SC_pg10-12_October16.indd 1

These factors have maximized our ability to bring unique solutions to our customers’ problems. I am excited for what the future holds.” Q. What is new these days? NF: “We’ve launched a new website www.e-sonic.com as well as introduced a Free Shipping offer. We feel that the combination of the two will offer customers more flexibility and better user-friendly experience. Recently, Electro Sonic partnered with CTS, Anderson Power Products and Teledyne LeCroy - They join our expansive line card of more than 250 suppliers.” Q. What do you see as some of the greatest supply chain challenges facing your customers today? How does Electro Sonic solve them? NF: “Customers are making fewer commitments and forecasting is less reliable, but customers still expect products to be in stock and available at a great price. We keep an availability of inventory with appropriate buffer stock. This allows us to remain flexible with down or upswings in

customer demand.“ Q. Next year will mark Electro Sonic’s 65th year in business. Tell us, what has been a constant strength in your company? NF: “I would say the biggest constant for Electro Sonic has been its people. We have an exceptional group of people who exemplify knowledge, dedication and commitment. They care about meeting our customers’ needs. Together, they form an amazing team to work with.” Q. Any insight to Electro Sonic’s footprint in the Canadian Market for 2017? NF: “Like I said, I am truly excited for the future. We are launching a customer web portal which will facilitate a seamless offline/online experience for our customers. We will continue with our commitment to carrying inventory and offering a wide variety of services to our customers. In addition, we will keep our focus on IP&E products for our customers and remain committed to our supplier relationships – both existing and new.”

Future establishes new biz dev group Future Electronics, Montreal, a global distributor of electronic components, has established a group of factory trained Interconnect Business Development Managers (IBDM) with extensive experience in the connector industry. Via the move, Future seeks to position itself as a leader in the market for interconnect demand creation, according to president Robert Miller. The Future Electronics team of Interconnect Business Development Managers (IBDM) has been instrumental in providing optimized solutions and introducing cutting edge connector technology to Future’s customers in all regions, Miller says. “Our IBDM goal is to provide our customers the best solution for the application to enhance the performance of the design with the latest technology available in the market today” adds Jack Voelmle, Future vice-president of interconnect sales.

Future adds two lines Future Electronics has expanded its inventory of DEUTSCH (TE Connectivity) products, for the aerospace and transportation markets. In addition, global LED manufacturer American Bright, has come to an agreement with Future to distribute its entire line of industry optoelectronic components.

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distribution / supply chain management

electronic products and technology • october 2016

element14 reaches Raspberry Pi milestone 10 millionth Raspberry Pi is sold The Raspberry Foundation has announced a further milestone in its short history, selling its 10-millionth Raspberry Pi mini-computer worldwide since its launch fourand-a-half years ago. element14 has partnered with the Raspberry Pi Foundation since 2012, has manufactured and sold over 6.5 million Raspberry Pis, and has an exclusive customization service for the Raspberry Pi for customers in industry. “This has been an incredible journey. The Raspberry Pi began as something special for the education and maker market,” says Chris Breslin, chief product officer, element14. “Now, the Raspberry Pi has been embraced by industry and element14 has a successful customization programme focused on this market.” Claire Doyle, global head of Raspberry Pi for element14 added: “We’re delighted to be celebrating another major milestone with our friends at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, so soon after Raspberry Pi’s fourth Birthday and the launch of the Pi3 Model B in February. “As the leading manufacturer and distributer of the Raspberry Pi, element14 have manufactured and sold over 6.5 million Raspberry Pi boards and millions more accessories. We are thrilled to see this amazing product get into the hands of more and more customers worldwide.”

Mouser inks Dell OEM solutions, Amphenol LTW Mouser Electronics Inc. has signed a distribution agreement with Dell OEM Solutions, which combines Dell’s portfolio, a rich partner ecosystem, deep vertical and domain expertise, and a collaborative approach to provide end-to-end Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Dell’s IoT product line available from Mouser Electronics features the company’s first purpose-built industrial PC products, the Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series. The product is designed to aggregate, secure and relay data from diverse sensors and equipment. The Intel Atom processor provides capacity to perform local analytics so only meaningful information is sent to the next tier, which could be another gateway, the datacenter or the cloud. This minimizes consumption of expensive network bandwidth and reduces overall solution latency. Mouser has also signed a global distribution agreement with Amphenol LTW, a division of Amphenol Corp. and a leader in rugged and harsh environment interconnects. Amphenol LTW manufactures a broad variety of advanced, high-quality interconnect devices for indoor and outdoor applications in renewable energy, power generation, lighting, agriculture, communications, and industrial markets. Products in the Amphenol LTW line are rated IP65 to IP69K and include a wide range of rugged plastic circular connectors, M Series sensor connectors, waterproof USB connectors, Ethernet solutions, and solid state lighting/LED connectors.

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Company will accelerate strategy to bring world-class design chain and supply chain services to high-growth customer markets Leading global technology distributor Avnet Inc. has entered into an agreement to sell its Technology Solutions operating group to Tech Data Corporation in a stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $2.6 billion. The sale of this business provides both Avnet and Tech Data with immediate opportunities to focus on core strategies and scale their respective businesses, ultimately delivering greater profitability to their shareholders. “We believe the acquisition of Technology Solutions by Tech Data is the best decision for our employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders. This transaction presents us with the best strategic path for Avnet’s future success and profitability and puts Technology Solutions in position to achieve breakthrough business results with Tech Data,” says William Amelio, chief executive officer of Avnet. “Moving forward, Avnet will focus its resources and investments on becoming a leader in design chain and supply chain services not only for our current customers and suppliers, but also for new markets. We will drive targeted investments in embedded solutions, Internet of Things (IOT) and critical digital platforms. By investing in these high growth areas, we can expand the breadth of our portfolio and attract new customers worldwide who depend on us to deliver world-class solutions.”

Provides next generation solutions, marketing, training, resources Avnet’s Technology Solutions operating group is a global IT solutions distributor serving customers and suppliers in more than 80 countries. It provides next generation solutions, marketing, training, resources and services that span the cloud to the data center and encompass the entire IT lifecycle. They work with value-added resellers to make it easier and more affordable to enter and excel in high-growth technology and vertical markets locally and around the world. “This transformative transaction will position us as a premier global IT distributor with the most diverse end-to-end solutions from the data center to the living room,” adds Bob Dutkowsky, chief executive officer of Tech Data.

Electronics industry loses two mainstays Canada’s electronics industry has lost two industry supply chain mainstays, past and present. Al Deskin, head of Deskin Sales into the 1990’s passed away on September 6, 2016. Deskin Sales was formed as a manufacturer’s representative in his basement in 1958. Over the next 36 years Deskin grew the business into a vibrant, diversified company and into one of Canada’s premier stocking distributor of electronic and cable television components. Deskin was a major supplier to the cable television industry having supplied cable to wire many Canadian cities. Deskin had eight offices including four warehouses across the country employing more than 120 people. Alvin Deskin was beloved husband of Betty. Loving father and father-in-law of Steven and Brenda Deskin and their children, Michael and Noah and Nancy Deskin, Sean Teperman and their children, Alexandra and Justin. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Sydney, and the late Sandra Witsotski, the late Mina Leibowitz, Beverly and the late Murray Deskin, and Mariette and the late Nathan Kerdman. In addition, BC-based Mode Electronics president Ted Marble passed on August 28, 2016. He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon, children Leah (Victor) and Trevor (Susanne) and beloved grandchildren Chase, Parker, Elle, Cole and Devin. Ted was owner and president of Mode Electronics for 29 years. He and Sharon enjoyed many wonderful trips. Ted’s love of cars let him to rebuild a 1927 Willys Knight which was his pride and joy.

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To Be Precise.

London-based distributor, Simcona Electronics, recently hosted its 23rd Annual Golf Classic at Cobble Hills Golf Club. The event, attended by more than 50 industry professionals, featured 18 holes of ‘best ball’ golf, a BBQ and finished up with prizes for the foursomes. The winning foursome was comprised of John Miekle, TCH; Kevin Wilkinson, Panduit; Harry Coates, Schleuniger; and Paul Mudhar, X-Tronics. The ‘Most Honest’ foursome trophy went to Chris Kiss, Simcona; Caroline King, CCX Freight; Ritch Mackie, MG Chemicals; and Paul Meunier, Hoffmann/Pentair. Simcona thanks the sponsors of the event, including ebm-PAPST, TD Commercial Banking, Pentair/Hoffman, X-Tronics, Kycon, M.G. Chemicals, Equity Associates, Matera Technologies and EMT Engineering. On behalf of the golfers and non-golfers present (Tom Luke), thank you to those at Simcona for organizing and hosting their annual golf classic.

The winning foursome was comprised of John Miekle, TCH; Kevin Wilkinson, Panduit; Harry Coates, Schleuniger; and Paul Mudhar, X-Tronics. The foursome is pictured with Tim Dawe, one of the event organizers.

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products on review

electronic products and technology • october 2016

Canadian designed desktop pick & place machine suits low volume SMT production Chipsetter ONE represents low-cost option for electronic start-ups After more than two years of development, Chipsetter Inc., Hamilton ON, launched the Chipsetter ONE, calling it the first industrial grade desktop pick and place machine designed for electronic start-ups. Having features previously found only on factory floor SMT assembly equipment costing tens of thousands of dollars, the Chipsetter ONE makes rapid hardware prototyping an affordable reality. Electronics developers will no longer be forced to choose between tedious manual assembly or costly contract service providers, according to founder Alan Sawul. “By enabling automated inhouse assembly, the Chipsetter ONE desktop pick and place machine provides complete control over assembly cost, turnaround time

Low-cost pick&place unit handles 950 component per-hour Chipsetter ONE provides a placement speed of up to 950 component placements per hour. Requiring minimal setup time, product’s control software uses built-in cameras to automate system setup. Unit delivers placement accuracy of 30 microns repeatability and handles components down to 0402 and board sizes up to 13.5” x 10”. Equipped with 8-position nozzle rack, unit has two pickup heads for increased placement speed. Custom feeders enable pickup of tape and reel packaged components in 8mm, 12mm and 16mm reel widths.

and quality,” Sawul says. The idea for Chipsetter ONE was born when Sawula was an undergraduate Mechatronics Engineering student at McMaster University. As an active member of the maker community, Sawula was familiar with the challenges inherent in prototype circuit board assembly. Inspired by how desktop 3D printers were empowerThe Chipsetter ONE ing designers by turning their ideas into objects quickly and inexpensively, he imagined a similar solution for electronics. After earning his desktop pick and place Master’s degree, Sawula’s work on the project accelerated. By 2015, machine provides complete he had recruited a small team of engineers, incorporated the compacontrol over assembly cost, ny, and been awarded a development grant by the Ontario Centres of Excellence. Having honed the design of Chipsetter ONE through three turnaround time and quality. generations of prototypes, the team is now turning to the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter to finance full production. “The Chipsetter ONE is the tool we’ve always wanted,” says Sawula. “As makers ourselves, we know that great ideas come from everyone, but without access to the right tools those ideas will never exist. Fast and affordable assembly of small batches of electronics is the last remaining barrier to unlocking the next era of electronics development,” Sawula notes. Chipsetter is hopeful that those who share their excitement about this next step in desktop manufacturing will support the firm’s Kickstarter campaign.

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Vancouver based MTT Innovations teams up with Barco Firms to commercialize a high-efficiency, ultra-bright projector In 2012, a group of three engineers wanted to combine their love of cinema with their desire to work in a dynamic, fast paced environment. All three had worked for large corporations and their previous employer, Dolby Vancouver, had recently relocated to San Francisco. So instead of taking the relocation offer, they decided to start MTT Innovations and try to solve one of the biggest bottlenecks in the movie theatre experience: image projection. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Gerwin Damberg, CTO of MTT Innovations, about how MTT began, the future of cinema and applications of their technology that would interest EP&T’s readership. Q: What was the impetus for starting MTT Innovation? “First, we like movies, and we had worked in this high level space in cinema. Second, we knew one bottleneck has been the projector. The current movie production pipeline has great cameras, very good video codec and great image processing tools,” explains Damberg. On the receiving end, humans are able to perceive a huge variety of colours and shapes and the biggest obstacle to garnering the picture quality that uses this massive range has been the projector in a cinema. The new partnership with Barco will speed up the commercialization of their MTT LEAP Light-Efficient Adaptive Projector, as they grow from eight to 20 engineers over the next year. Q: Sounds simple enough, so what were the obstacles to innovation? “One reason this is hard to do is there needs to be a lot of light for a big screen, which entails significant engineering and cost challenges, as well as thermal management,” says Damberg. To get more and better light onto the screen, MTT Innovations had to think outside the box. Conventional projectors have three basic components: a lamp, a prism to separate white light into RGB and a filter which creates shades and colors by blocking and wasting light. “So instead of using a filter, we have found a much more efficient way of taking light and moving it around so we do not have to use a filter. The light is 10 or 20 times brighter, the dark areas are darker, so the image looks much more life-like,” says Damberg. Of course, implementation was tricky. “We needed complex algorithms, and we have tirelessly

prototyped it over three years.” With pre-commercial tests looking great, MTT Innovations will boast massive cost savings as conventional projectors waste as much By Sohail Kamal, as 80% of the source light that West Coast MTT Innovation’s patent-pending Correspondent technology recycles. Q: What about other applications, how would EP&T’s readership benefit from MTT’s technology? “There are many other applications, for instance, outdoor advertising such as LED walls use a lot of energy and they are hard to maintain. Car headlamps in the future may use projectors that could project light, symbols and signals,” says Damberg. Q: It is great to see a Vancouver company grow at this pace. Can you share a tip for future entrepreneurs who aim to follow in your team’s footsteps? “What has helped us was to start out with a real industry problem to solve. This allowed us to focus on solving that problem without getting distracted by creating a ‘cool’ technology. I see a lot of cool technologies that then look for markets, which I think is much more difficult. The other benefit to focusing on an industry problem is that it allowed us to run lean in terms of marketing,” explains Damberg. On one hand, investors want leading edge, industry ready innovation, but on the other - in order to attract investment, entrepreneurs find themselves investing heavily in time, money and staff on websites, marketing materials and business development staff, all of which may not be the forte of research and development driven engineers. Damberg explains, “By focusing on an industry problem, we have earned future orders from industry as well as strategic partnerships with bigger players which allowed us to access funding more easily from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program and the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. From there, and with Barco at our side, look for us in a theatre near you in the not so distant future. Barco posted sales of $1.029-billion Euro in 2015. To learn more about MTT Innovations, visit mtt-innovation.com

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Medical Electronics

Global demand for

medical imaging chips continues to soar By Robbie Galoso & Tom Hackenberg, IHS Markit

Given the medical imaging industry’s growing requirements for power savings, higher resolution and the need to support integrated security and communications, the unit volume of semiconductors used in medical imaging will continue to increase. The market grew at a five-year compound annual growth rate of 8.2 percent, from 46 million in 2015 to 73 million in 2020. Even with increasing demand for energy-efficient and integrated components, year-over-year global revenue growth from semiconductors used in medical imaging was flat, due to optical component price erosion, reaching $1.1 billion in 2015. One of the most important trends in the semiconductor industry today is the development of chip solutions that integrates several components into a single chip package to minimize size, save energy and lower production cost without sacrificing functionality. As the size of semiconductors continues to decline, imaging systems that used to cost more

than a million dollars – and which traditionally required a lot of space to install have evolved into smaller, less-expensive systems that can be used in small clinics or doctors’ offices.

Imaging systems evolve as smaller, less-expensive The IHS Markit Industrial Semiconductor Market Tracker tracks the following four major types of medical imaging equipment (the following medical imaging data comes from the IHS Markit Medical Devices and Equipment service): 1. The ultrasound market is forecast to grow 4.7 percent over the next five years. Portable ultrasound in China is not growing as fast as previously expected, due to less capital investments and strategy shifts toward higher-end systems from major suppliers. With ultrasound typically costing less than computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), healthcare reform is likely to favor the more widespread adoption of ultrasound, which bodes

well for patients and doctors opting for systems that minimize radiation exposure. 2. The X-ray market is expected to grow 5.3 percent, led by mobile X-ray replacing existing analogue mobile systems with more efficient and higher-priced digital X-ray systems -- especially in the APAC region. 3. The MRI market is expected to grow 6.4 percent, due to higher demand for open MRI in emerging markets, which is more cost effective than closed systems. Open MRI has not gained traction in the United States and other mature markets, because of its lower field strength and weaker image quality compared to closed MRI. 4. The CT market is expected to grow 4.2 percent, led by 64-slice systems which are more cost effective than the 128slice systems, but still provide sufficient image quality for diagnostic purposes. As the 128-slice system market matures and the devices become more affordable, it will gradually gain momentum. The demand for less-than-16-slice systems and 17- to 63-slice systems will continue to decline, because emerging regions are price-sensitive and quality is not a primary consideration.

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Semiconductor content thrives in medical imaging The demand for high-quality and innovative medical imaging has increased the advancement, performance and penetration of semiconductors and sensors. Ongoing component price erosion continues to intensify across the semiconductor industry, as semiconductor manufacturing continues to increase significantly in China. Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors are highly predominant in CT-scan and X-ray systems, allowing amplified cross-sectional image slices of scanned body areas with higher resolution, faster data throughputs and better diagnostics. CMOS is an emerging technology that is preferred over charge-coupled device (CCD) technology, due to lower cost, higher readout speed and less noise. Scanner performance improvements and innovations have significantly increased slice count, leading to faster and clearer images. It is also a lot safer for patients, thanks to its reduced radiation dosage levels. More power discrete and module semiconductors are required for motor control and input-power refinement - especially in MRI systems requiring greater magnet-

ic-field strength, with the transition to 3 Tesla (3T) technology.

Multi-channel analog-to-digital converters Analog semiconductors are also prevalent in the medical imaging market, due to the integration of low-noise amplifiers, voltage-to-current amplifiers and multi-channel analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) into single analog frontend integrated circuits (AFE ICs). These circuits are much smaller and dissipate less power, than earlier-generation parts, while providing twice the performance. Analog advancements have addressed the low-power and low-cost needs of CT scanners with high slice counts and clearer images. A high-resolution ADC must be used during an MRI scan to produce a strong magnetic field. Processors are another crucial component and differentiator in medical imaging devices. These include microcontrollers (MCUs), microprocessors (MPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), applications/media processors (APs) and configurable system-on-chip (CSoC). AP is defined under application-specific logic. Configurable processors, including field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and CSoCs, are defined under programmable logic devices. Processor trends in medical imaging reflect -- and even exemplify -- trends that are occurring across the semiconductor industry.

MCUs are cheap compared to image processors MCUs typically control human-machine interface functions, motor control, power management control, connectivity, security and other functions that have little to do with image processing. They are inexpensive compared to image processors, and they are also less likely to fail in adverse environments with a lot of radioactivity, high temperatures or electro-magnetic interference, which makes them well suited for use in medical-imaging equipment. MCUs are used in touchscreens and keyboard controllers, motor controllers, sensor fusion, network connectivity, safety and security. Improvements in the equipment’s ease-of-use, comfort and control of the equipment improves, are primarily due to the use of MCUs. As imaging equipment trends from large, clinically installed models to mobile and portable solutions, these features will be in high demand, continued on page 16

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medical electronics

electronic products and technology • october 2016

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Contact our Customer Service Representatives today for pricing availability and technical aspects, such as application and/or approvals, help in obtaining required documentation, and for assistance in designing specialty products. QUICK PICK REPLACEMENT OPTIONS P/N 86610400 Rating: 10A/125VAC

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StingRay µFocus (Micro Focus) laser line generators enable the detection of smaller features in machine vision applications based on triangulation. Devices provide a linewidth that is 40% smaller than standard Coherent StingRay products (at the same working distance) and caan achieve focused linewidths as small as 20µm, thus providing increased spatial resolution and the ability to discern finer details. Based on cost-effective laser diode technology, modules are available at wavelengths of 520nm, 660nm, 785nm and 830nm, at power levels of up to 200mW. COHERENT

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16-09-23 11:22 AM

medical electronics

electronic products and technology • october 2016

Managing component obsolescence in medical devices

Don’t plan to fail

The consumer electronics industry has embraced obsolescence as a way of increasing profits. Smartphones, laptops, and media players are designed to fail, central to this is the rechargeable battery. Many manufacturers now seal the battery into the device, so rather than simply swapping the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery when it reaches its end of life, users are strong-armed into buying a new product. However, when it comes to medical devices obsolescence on such a large scale is unacceptable. The consumer market seems to have

Solving Your Board to Board Connector Design Challenges

1.0mm Pitch SMT Connector

accepted that planned obsolescence, or planned failure, is simply a fact of modern life. In the field of medical technology, however, the idea of having to replace a costly device because the battery, for example, is suddenly obsolete after less than two years would cause uproar. Of course, obsolescence is inevitable to some degree, especially as technology is constantly changing and adapting to consumer expectations and medical innovations. Battery technology in particular is constantly in the headlines as cell manufacturers attempt to keep pace with the needs of consumer devices leaving medical device OEMs with limited options. The development of healthcare devices is becoming increasingly holistic and system-led, no longer operating in silos. This means that component obsolescence has a much deeper impact, as the entire system has to be taken into consideration when replacing a part to ensure stringent requirements and regulations continue to be met. The demand for these smarter devices, that still need to provide a return on investment (ROI) with a long product development lifecycle (PDLC), is forcing

By Rob Phillips, sales and marketing director, Accutronics Ltd.

medical device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to take a long hard look at component obsolescence management. This raises a quandary, where do OEMs invest their time and expertise? Should they take engineers away from research and development of revolutionary devices to focus on obsolescence solutions? It’s not an easy choice to make. Medical technology (medtech) OEMs are having to focus on maintaining devices rather than replacing them, and so being aware of when and where issues may arise during a device’s lifespan is vital unlike, for example, a smartphone. Reliance on a supply chain that was primarily developed for an industry that changes more rapidly than the relatively slow-paced medical sector will cause problems. Battery cell manufacturers can often fall into this category. International, commercial cell manufacturers often design battery cells with their own consumer device divisions in mind. When these devices evolve and place different demands on batteries, the cells will be discontinued and replaced with different models. Medical devices need to be able

Membrane style pushbuttons, indicators are reliable

Firm manufactures its own IEC 60320 C16 and C18 screw-mount inlets at Iowa USA facility. The screwmount inlets are rated 250Vac 10A international and 250Vac 15A North American. Products can be used in applications that require an IEC 60320 C16 inlet to connect to a C15 connector or a C18 inlet to connect to a C17 connector. C16 and C18 screw-mount inlets have QD and solder tab options. INTERPOWER

Series 70 membrane style pushbuttons and indicators combine the flexibility of polyester membranes with firm’s industry standard pcb footprint to generate a wide range of application possibilities. Product’s switch elements provide an IP67 rating and combine durability with a multitude of indicator and pushbutton options. Offered in either square or round variants, devices are available in a variety of color choices with evenly diffused illumination. EAO

www.advanced.com info@advanced.com http://ept.hotims.com/61401-14

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http://ept.hotims.com/61401-55

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Global demand for

medical imaging chips continued from page 14

Power Supplies & Cords

800.424.9850 401.823.5200

For more information on battery products from Accutronics Ltd, go to http://ept.hotims.com/61401-53

C16, C18 screw-mount inlets made in USA

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to rely on a continuous supply of the same battery type for an average lifespan of around 10 years, so they need to be able to count on their supplier. Involvement by a battery integrator in the early stages of a device’s design allows the battery to be tailored to meet the electronic device’s specific requirements. This can also ensure the battery includes cells which are available from multiple vendors, have longevity and meet all regulatory safety requirements. Goo from Accutronicsd cell selection means the battery will be available for the life of the device whilst a poor choice can mean successive redesigns throughout the product lifecycle. Planned obsolescence management doesn’t have to mean you plan to fail. Working with component providers that are committed to helping manage future obsolescence will allow medical device OEMs to focus on developing new technology rather than investing valuable resources on extensive obsolescence programs.

– Wall Adapters with Interchangeable Plug Option – Desk Top to 200W – Open Frame with PFC – DIN Rails to 960W – LED Drivers – Medical Approvals

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requiring higher quantities of MCUs with greater functionality. Since medical imaging equipment is expensive, and unitshipment numbers are relatively small, the designs for image pre-processing vary widely. This type of equipment can include vast numbers of discrete analog-to-digital components, through DSPs fed into one large FPGA, to process and organize all of the signals in parallel; or, the FPGA might include integrated DSP slices. Part or all of this pre-processing may be replaced by custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Occasionally a semiconductor supplier markets a single ASIC processor as an inexpensive integration of these multiple components, but the trend seems to come back to DSPs and FPGAs to accommodate increasing precision and flexibility. This ‘tic-toc’ design strategy will continue back and forth between increasing performance and cost effectiveness. The vast majority of image post processing is done on workstations and industrial computers specially designed for medical imaging. In fact, some of the most common image processing is completed on industrial PCs and industrial devices that are not classified in the ‘imaging device’ category. The need for processors that support better resolution and high-performance 3D imaging affects processors in these devices, more than it affects the actual imaging equipment itself. However, not all medical-imaging equipment requires an external computer for image processing - especially very compact and portable devices where it is more convenient to build all-in-one solutions. APs and CSoCs are increasingly used as substitutions for post processing, when costs and power efficiency are required, but higher resolution is not.

http://ept.hotims.com/61401-15

16-09-23 11:22 AM

medical electronics

electronic products and technology • october 2016

Making a splash in water-resistant digital devices Trend of waterproofing portable electronic devices has led fastener makers to create solutions The trend in consumer electronics has always been to make them faster, smarter, and with ever-expanding capabilities. But waterproofing has become the new focus of global electronics manufacturers and most brands are rushing to include this benefit to ensure they are not left behind in this ultra-competitive market. Since water-resistant standards play a big role in making expensive handheld and wearable digital devices more durable, the industry has adopted the IPX7 rating, which protects against immersion in water for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter (3.28 feet). Yet the critical element in meeting or exceeding these higher standards is something most consumers are barely aware of–micro fasteners that must lock out moisture while also complementing the aesthetics of the phone, watch or tablet design. Making devices that are eye-catching, as well as water, air and dust proof adds incredible value to a new product. Fulfilling both demands is proving difficult because some of the most effective processes for making large, practical screws are not suitable for micro fasteners, experts say. As a result, the cost per unit is two or three times higher for the smaller screws. In addition to this, in some cases, overspray of the sealant needed to assure water resistance has led to a discoloration that ruins the appearance of the device’s exterior.

under the head is preferable because it is the first barrier against moisture. Yet this is the method that, in some cases, results in an overspray and discoloration caused by the application process. “You don’t want to spend double or triple the price on a fastener and not have it look cosmetically pleasing,” Riskin says. “In a sense, electronic manufacturers are struggling with a three-way battle. Function versus beauty versus cost.” Also, the sealant is what creates prohibitive costs because it must be applied to every single unit as a secondary operation, forcing major manufacturers to spend upwards of tens of millions of dollars annually just on micro fasteners alone. But what if the sealant could be eliminated from the equation? That’s easier

said than done. The sealant creates a water and dust barrier and, in addition, the screws must have an anti-vibration feature applied so that it won’t loosen and back out during normal use of the device. Both features are 2nd and 3rd operations that are very costly to the overall price of a fastener. “When you’re stacking multiple components for assembly, tolerances always add up and nothing is perfect. So the more bearing surface area you can have can be a major advantage. These solutions provide additional bearing surface area or a single circular point of contact under the head, improving the sealing surface,” he says.

Now that his study is complete, Riskin hopes his discoveries will help handheld and wearable device manufacturers dive deeper into the realm of new possibilities. For more information on the survey results as conducted by Stanley Engineered Fastening, go to http://ept.hotims.com/61401-56

Testing for a solution A solution that improves reliability while lowering costs was discovered using a variable water pressure simulation chamber where a combination of water and air pressure simulates 1 to 10 meters of water depth. The assembly was conducted using guidelines set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) using a minimum of 32 pieces (in this case the M1.0 x 3.0, a common sized screw used in digital devices). Initially, the screws were tightened to the correct seating torque specifications using a micro torque wrench. (ISO threads = 0.36 Kgf-cm; threads = 0.42 Kgf-cm. A 15 percent increase in torque was added to the threads in order to achieve the same clamp load due to friction.) Water pressure was applied to the head of each fastener to simulate an actual environment that could destroy a portable electronic device (such as a toilet, swimming pool or bathtub). Once the chamber achieved full pressure, engineers set a timer for 30 minutes and then closely watched the pressure meter and checked for leaks in the dry bottom portion of the chamber. If the pressure dropped and/or the presence of water was found on the bottom test plate, this would indicate a system failure.

Exceeding IPX7 standards The test was created and executed by Sean Riskin, director of engineering for the Global Electronics Group at Stanley Engineered Fastening. Afterward he created a revealing study that includes his findings that tested nearly a dozen fastener configurations of various brands to find the best solutions that meet or exceed IPX7 standards. Most sealants for micro fasteners are a nylon or Teflon-based substance, and there are only two options for applying the protection. Manufacturers either seal the threads, or seal underneath the head of the screw. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Sealing just the threads may not protect the multiple layers of components that are in a typical fastened joint. This is because the components being fastened together are in the path of water before the protective sealant. Sealing

http://ept.hotims.com/61401-16

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2016-04-14 3:36 PM 16-09-23 11:22 AM

products on review

electronic products and technology • october 2016

Full colour TFT LCD measures 5" WINSTAR WF50C diagonal 5.0 inch full color 480x272 (WQVGA) TFT LCD display module is built in with ILI6480H2 LCD driver IC. Device supports 24 bit RGB parallel interface and has a module dimension of 120.7 x 75.8 mm, plus active area size of 110.88 x 62.832mm. Product’s supply voltage for logic range is from 3.0V to 3.6V; power supply voltage 3.3V. Device is landscape mode, suitable for industrial control and medical applications. Module provides operating temperatures between -20C to +70C, while its storage temperatures range from -30C to +80C. DB LECTRO http://ept.hotims.com/61401-57

Development platform speeds designs in IoT, wearables space WaRP7 IoT and wearable development platform, enhanced by NXP Semiconductors and designed in partnership with Newark element14, is built from the ground up to address key challenges such as size, battery life and connectivity. The open source design and complete software package allows developers to innovate without licensing restrictions, reducing time to market and moving focus to product differentiation in this rapidly growing market. The continual focus on smaller, lighter and more powerful components has expanded this market creating new opportunities for design engineers. ELEMENT14 http://ept.hotims.com/61401-63

u-remote safe power-feed modules integrate safety u-remote safe power-feed modules provide integrated functionality to safely switch off power to all modules that are within a safety segment, eliminating the need for a safety controller. The compact safety devices meet stringent machine safety standards that include SIL 3 CL and Category 4 PL e, and can help increase efficiency and reduce wiring costs in applications by eliminating costly home run wiring while providing immediate feedback on the status of the safety circuit. WEIDMULLER http://ept.hotims.com/61401-58

6W dc-dc converters deliver up to 6000Vdc I/O isolation AM6T-NZ and the AM6TW-NZ (UL Listed) regulated 6 watt series of dc-dc converters come in a metal or plastic DIP24 package and provide continuous short circuit protection and over voltage protection (OVP). Devices provide 3 different levels of input to output isolation: 1500, 3000 and 6000Vdc and are 100% tested for one minute during manufacturing. Products come in single 3.3, 5, 9, 12, 15, 24Vdc or dual output models ±5, ±12, ±15Vdc and wide 2:1 input range and ultra wide 4:1 input range. AIMTEC

Self-supporting sponge connectors affix LCDs to pcbs Zebra Self-Supporting Sponge Connectors provide low-force option for connecting LCD displays to circuit boards. The physical characteristics of the devices dramatically reduce bowing of the pcb due to the minimal force required to make full electrical contact. Device is suitable for high-vibration environments and handheld devices. The carbon-based devices provide a current carrying capacity of .050 mA per .040” x .040” pad and can be specified with 140, 240 or 500 conductive layers per inch. FUJIPOLY AMERICA http://ept.hotims.com/61401-64

Motorized dc air moving impellers boost CFM Motorized (dc) impellers provide high levels of static pressure (32.72 / 44.58mmAq in free air - per rated voltage) and deliver strong advantages over other types of leading air movers. The ISO-certified (190 x 69mm) impeller is suitable for high-impedance applications. Product’s reversed blade design (PWM speed controlled) provides a rated speed of 2500 / 2800 RPM, with a 324 / 369 CFM. JARO http://ept.hotims.com/61401-65

http://ept.hotims.com/61401-59

Compact current-compensated chokes mount vertically, horizontally RN series of current compensated EMC correcting chokes are available in horizontal and vertical mounting options, with additional inductance values for currents between 0.3 and 10A. Devices are rated up to 300Vac and the extended product range enables electronic design engineers to optimise their EMC/EMI solutions for performance and pcb layout. SCHAFFNER http://ept.hotims.com/61401-60

Metal plate zero ohm jumper lowers resistance TLRZ series metal plate zero ohm jumper is available in 0603, 0805, and 1206 package sizes with current ratings of 26A, 31.6A, and 40A respectively. The low resistance resistor jumper provides an operating temperature of -55°C to +170°C. Product’s metal plate construction improves dimension accuracy and low height with a thickness as low as 0.5mm. Device has an ultra low resistance not to exceed 0.2mohm and is AEC-Q200 qualified. KOA SPEER ELECTRONICS

http://ept.hotims.com/61401-61

Adjustable busbars reduce installation time 790 Series adjustable busbars provide improved shield contact and performance, while eliminating unwanted electrical noise. Device provides an exclusive latching spring and the adjustable carriers are available with heights from 70mm to 80mm. Units can be cut to any desired length and are pre-connected to the DIN rail adapter, reducing installation time. WAGO http://ept.hotims.com/61401-62

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Test software performs boundary scan test ScanNavigator integrated boundary scan test software provides a quick, easy and a cost-effective way to perform boundary scan test using Teradyneís Di-Series, family of C-size VXI digital test instruments. The suite of powerful tools for boundaryscan testing and programming is based on the original JTAG standard, IEEE 1149.1. Product delivers in a single, intuitive graphical user environment. Whether itís high fault coverage shorts and opens testing on boundary scan nets, or programming PLDs and flash memory via the scan chain, product provides easy access to all the hardware and software tools necessary. ACCULOGIC http://ept.hotims.com/61401-66

On-demand symbols and footprints delivered in 24 hours InstaPart on-demand service delivers symbols and footprints to users’ inboxes in less than 24-hours for a set-fee per component, keeping designers focused on innovation and product development on track. Product eliminates the need for users to spend days creating digital models for their designs. This process is tedious, time consuming and error prone, with mistakes resulting in costly prototype iterations and project delays. Users simply search and download models for free, boosting productivity SNAP EDA

http://ept.hotims.com/61401-67

16-09-23 11:21 AM

Printable Electronics

Security innovations ensure

product authenticity, consumer safety By Dr. Paul Smith, vice-president & centre manager, Xerox Research Centre of Canada (XRCC), Mississauga ON

The engineers and scientists at the Xerox Research Centre of Canada (XRCC) spend much of their time helping companies come up with innovative security solutions to battle counterfeits and protect their brands against pirates – an enormous challenge with an annual global price tag of $1.7-trillion, according to the Organization for Economic Development. To illustrate how companies can circumvent the issue of counterfeiting, consider a recent example of a firm that worked with Xerox Canada’s Graphics Communications Operations to crack a unique pharmaceutical security challenge that required a creative solution. The OTC Group in London ON is a highperformance packaging and data company that provides brand marketers and retailers cost-effective, high-speed packaging and promotion solutions with customization and personalization. OTC Group needed to come up with a solution for pharmaceutical clients to prevent package theft and counterfeiting, while adhering to stringent requirements the U.S. government introduced to track and trace packaging. Not only do theft and fake packaging cost the pharmaceutical industry an estimated $75-billion to $200-billion globally each year, but they

Printed electronics solutions can add intelligence and anti-counterfeiting measures to any package

also endanger human lives. Traditionally, packaging companies have tried to guard against pharmaceutical counterfeiting by using an inkjet process to apply identifiers in the final stages of manufacturing. But this method has been insufficient and leaves ample opportunity for fraud, especially when package printing and assembly are provided by outside vendors. The OTC Group and Xerox collaborated to create an innovative workflow process and packaging approach that guarantees security. The process combines OTC group software and the Xerox Automated Packaging Solution (XAPS). This allows the OTC Group to produce folded cartons with advanced anti-counterfeiting measures, as well as unique product information for tracking and tracing, at the beginning of the printing process. The solution goes beyond legal requirements, and can save clients millions. For example, a client recently required an

800,000 printed carton production run and OTC Group estimates that the solution eliminated millions of dollars of risk exposure by providing traceability at every level, with the ability to account for every package printed – including waste – and providing that data to the client.

Printed Memory can be beefed up with optional tamper-evident adhesives and a cryptographic feature Xerox also has a printed electronics solution that can add intelligence and anticounterfeiting measures to any package. Xerox Printed Memory consists of thin micro-circuits on a label that is a thin film of plastic adhesive. Each digital label holds as much as 36 bits of rewrit-

able memory and can store up to 68 billion distinct data combinations. Data is preserved until overwritten within a 10-year span. Everything from lot codes and serial numbers to expiration dates and geographic codes can be stored on it. These digital labels can measure and count. For instance, this information can tell you when a water filter must be changed, or if a compliant part is being used in a medical device. And, because the memory labels are manufactured by a printing process, the cost is dramatically lower than those technologies based on RFID or silicon chip technology. An inexpensive contact device is used to write and read the labels. To meet the many unique applications and uses, a customized reader can be designed based on user requirements. It can be an external reader to read the memory on packages or it can be integrated into a dispensing unit for use in Smart Consumables. Adding even greater security, Xerox Printed Memory can be beefed up with optional tamper-evident adhesives and a cryptographic feature that includes barcodes or QR codes. Protecting brand and packaging is important in every industry. But it’s critical for those in pharmaceutical, government and any industry concerned with gray market sales, counterfeiting and supply chain integrity. Of course, the end-user is also a beneficiary as well, having the peace of mind that their products are safe and genuine. For more information on security solutions from Xerox Research Centre of Canada (XRCC), go to http://ept.hotims.com/61401-68

New test to improve commercial viability of printable electronics NPL develops method of measuring the quality of printed circuits using Raman spectroscopy The UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has developed a new, non-destructive, method of measuring the three dimensional orientation of molecules in an organic semiconductor transistor, using Raman spectroscopy. This will create a new, faster and more flexible method of measuring the efficiency of electrical conductivity in a printed circuit. Modern electronic devices, such as LEDs or solar cells, can save significant cost and weight by using organic (as opposed to in-organic) semi-conductors as they allow largevolume printing of electronic circuits onto thin sheets of plastic material. The ‘ink’ in this case consists of organic polymer molecules that conduct electricity. Yet as this ‘ink’ dries, molecules can crystallise in all directions, making it harder for electrons to travel along it and so reducing its ability to conduct electricity. Measuring the direction of molecules in a printed circuit is a key part of the quality control process. Until now, measuring such variations non-destructively and in three dimensions has not been possible. This new method for doing so takes advantage of how a molecule vibrates when light is shone on it. Different vibrations change the frequency of the reflected light,

the main principle behind Raman spectroscopy. Molecules facing different directions will react – or vibrate – differently as a laser is passed over, causing reflected light of different frequencies. By measuring the different light frequencies reflected by the printed circuit, NPL’s test reveals the orientation of the molecules in the circuit in three dimensions. By creating such a test for printed electronic circuits, the efficiency of the production process of electronic devices can be drastically increased, meaning they can be made cheaper, faster and of better quality. NPL Higher Research Scientist Dr Sebastian Wood says, “Understanding molecular orientation has been an area of interest to the printed electronics community for over a decade, with various one and two dimensional tests being undertaken. NPL is the first organisation to characterise this important property efficiently and in three dimensions, without destroying the test circuit. We’re excited to be the organisation that enables what could be a revolutionary breakthrough in the performance and commercial viability of printable electronics.”

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MISSISSAUGA

October 25 • 10am-4pm Mississauga Convention Centre EP&T’s 2016 Series of Regional High-Tech Electronics Shows

OTTAWA

October 27 • 10am-4pm Brookstreet Hotel