What's New in Electronics Jul/Aug 2013 by Westwick-Farrow Media

WHAT'S NEW IN ELECTRONICS JULY/AUGUST 2013

COVER STORY

CONTENTS 4

Reducing phantom loads with mini power supplies

Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest solar cells

Short circuits

ElectroneX will return to Melbourne in September

Giving robots a sense of touch

Using diamonds to develop next-gen transistors

The Grumpy page

For decades, RF professionals have trusted power measurement solutions from Rohde & Schwarz. With their unrivalled speed and fidelity, the R&S NRP-Z8x USB wideband power sensors are said to be the market leaders. All R&S NRP-Zxx power sensors are independent measuring instruments. Using a USB adapter, they can be directly connected to a laptop/PC and operated via the R&S NRPV software. The compact, robust R&S NRP2 base unit with colour display supports up to four R&S NRP-Zxx power sensors and all sensor-dependent measurement functions. Measured values are displayed numerically or graphically, depending on the measurement function. The window-based user interface allows simple, intuitive operation; the base unit can be remotely controlled via ethernet, GPIB or USB.

The Sep/Oct edition of Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New in Electronics magazine is a special

The key features for accurate and un-

ElectroneX issue. ElectroneX, the annual electronics design and assembly

complicated power measurements are top

expo, will be held at Melbourne Park Function Centre on 11-12 September.

measurement accuracy and speed as well as

If you are planning to promote your existing or new product/service

simple operation on a base unit or a laptop/PC.

at the show, make sure you email your product/service details to us

The R&S NRP power meter family combines

(wnie@westwick-farrow.com.au) to reinforce your presence at the show.

all these characteristics in the R&S NRP2

Details about the best way to prepare your editorial submission can be

base unit, R&S NRPV virtual power meter PC

found at www.westwick-farrow.com.au/pages/supply_edit.asp. The editorial

software and a comprehensive portfolio of USB-

submission deadline for the next issue is Monday 22 July.

capable power sensors. The R&S NRP family is suitable for use in production, research and development, and calibration labs as well as for installation and maintenance tasks. Rohde & Schwarz (Australia) Pty Ltd www.rohde-schwarz.com.au

REDUCING PHANTOM LOADS WITH MINI POWER SUPPLIES

4 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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While the initial enthusiasm for renewable energies might have receded somewhat, energy efficiency is still a major concern for manufacturers and consumers. This article outlines the contribution of specially developed mini power supplies in reducing standby power consumption.

ays after the Fukushima disaster, Germany decided to exit nuclear power. The frightening pictures from Japan were just too confronting and the alternatives looked promising. People envisaged gigantic offshore wind parks along the coast and solar power plants in the Sahara Desert. These solutions would solve the problem of nuclear waste disposal and the risk of a maximum credible accident. However, in reality, things are obviously more complex. While the sun shines 365 days a year over the Sahara Desert, it does not shine at night. To provide electricity during night-time, we need huge storage capacities or other power sources. Other problems arise in relation to distribution of the power. Electricity is traditionally generated close to the point of use and offshore wind parks and solar plants in far-flung countries require huge power pipelines. If such lines are to be installed near residential areas, the planning process is likely to take years. It is already obvious that the move towards renewable energy will take much longer than was initially envisaged. More immediate measures are necessary to prevent blackouts as are already happening in the USA and India. Energy-saving measures offer the best alternative. According to the EU Commission, the power that can be saved by reducing the standby and off-mode consumption of the millions of electronic devices that are found in every office and household is estimated to correspond to the annual power consumption of Denmark. Suitable technical measures to reduce office and household consumption can reduce energy total consumption by 75% by 2020, according to the EU Commission.

Standby and off-mode losses are underestimated

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An average consumer with limited technical knowledge probably believes that switching a device to standby mode is basically the same as switching it off. The consumer does not expect standby consumption to show up on the electricity bill. But the average consumer is wrong. In the old days when the garage door was controlled with a key

and the off switch was actually a mains switch - off meant off. Today, most home and office electronics come with a ‘soft off’ button, which puts them into standby or off mode. This means that a power supply designed for normal operation remains powered in no-load mode, consuming power with extremely low efficiency. Power supplies remain connected to the grid around the clock and consume considerable amounts of power even when not in use, depending on their circuitry. This can easily be verified, particularly with older, linear-controlled power supplies as they become warm. The same applies to stereo systems, which, due to the low interference, are generally equipped with linear-controlled power supplies. In older devices, the standby electronics are powered directly from the mains power supply, so that they consume between 10 and 20 W even in standby mode, which is about half the power consumed in operating mode at normal room volume. Assuming that the stereo system is on standby mode for 20 hours a day, 70% of its overall consumption occurs during the standby time. Comfort thus comes at a high price. Remote-controlled blinds and garage doors show even less favourable figures. They are normally operated for a few minutes a day and are idle and in standby mode for 99% of the time. The worst offenders are, however, old fax machines. If only a single fax is received per week, which is probably quite realistic for private fax machines, the device is in standby mode for 99.99% of the time, consuming up to 20 W just waiting for a message. Apart from the high power consumption in standby mode, it’s the unreasonable ratio between actual operating time and standby time that’s concerning. In many homes, up to 50 electronic devices with standby function or external adapter are plugged in day and night. Most of these are only used for around 10% of the time. In a well-equipped household of four, the standby and off-mode consumption can easily amount to 200 W, costing the family around $537 a year. The situation in offices is not much better.

JULY/AUGUST 2013 5

STANDBY POWER

THESE DAYS, MOST HOME AND OFFICE ELECTRONICS COME WITH A ‘SOFT OFF’ BUTTON, WHICH PUTS THEM INTO STANDBY OR OFF MODE. THIS MEANS THAT A POWER SUPPLY DESIGNED FOR NORMAL OPERATION REMAINS POWERED

IN NO-LOAD MODE, CONSUMING POWER WITH EXTREMELY LOW EFFICIENCY.

Legions of adapters power PC peripherals, communication devices and modems around the clock, even when there is nobody in the office. For older devices, details regarding power consumption in standby or off-mode are rarely included in the data sheets. Automated systems are found everywhere - in homes, offices and factories, from sensor-controlled blinds to remotecontrolled garage doors. For a few minutes of action, these systems remain powered around the clock. This also applies to remote access equipment for data loggers, weather stations, pump systems and similar equipment with SMS or GPRS modems. Low standby consumption has already become an important USP for manufacturers, as the marginally higher production costs are no longer an issue.

Stricter limits expand the market for mini power supplies The European Union’s framework directive on energy-using products, known as the EuP Directive, came into force in 2010 and put a stop to the low-cost practice of feeding the standby electronics from a mains power supply. Manufacturers had to resort to technically more demanding solutions where the standby circuit is supplied through a separate mini power supply and the main power supply is fully disconnected from the grid by means of a relay. From January 2013, the second phase of the EcoDesign Directive came into force, reducing the existing limit values by another

6 JULY/AUGUST 2013

50%. According to these regulations, complex standby circuits with display, such as those of hard disk recorders, must not consume more than 1 W. For simpler systems and plug-in adapters, the maximum standby consumption is limited to 0.5 W. As standby consumption and energy-saving ratings are now a common feature in promotional material, mini power supplies with low noload power have become extremely popular.

Low-power modules with no-load consumption of 0.03 W Switched-mode power supplies are designed in such a way that their optimum efficiency is close to the rated power. The efficiency drops in line with the load, until it is near zero when the device is in no-load mode. This drop, however, is not linear, and many data sheets contain only the peak values. This is often misleading, as has been shown in recent comparison tests of a number of products from different manufacturers, carried out by Recom. In these tests, the efficiency, especially in the lower and medium load range, was compared. This efficiency is relevant as power supplies are normally not exactly matched to the rated power and must cater for a certain safety reserve. Despite comparable peak values around 80%, the Recom mini power supplies were considerably more efficient in the medium and lower load ranges. At 50% load, the efficiency was still near the peak value. At a load of 15%, the measured efficiency of the mini power supplies was still between 60 and 70%.

Manufacturers are advised to choose their power supplies with great care and to perform their own tests. As regards efficiency, the need to operate the power supply at near-full load level is less important today than before. Apart from energy efficiency, electromagnetic compatibility is a major concern, as nobody wishes to get entangled in controversies about electro-smog and electromagnetic interference. In addition to emitted interference, low line-bound interference is an issue here. Power supplies of the Recom RAC series conform to EN 55022, class B, and EN 55024 that apply to household applications. This is achieved without additional external components but by means of harmonised electronic scanning of the mains frequency. Interference is thus eliminated at the source, so that small filter components can be used, especially when compared with external solutions. This has a positive effect on the power consumption, contributing to the low no-load rating. RAC mini power supplies are available for a wide input voltage range from 90 to 305 VAC (except 1 W version) and can thus be used in conjunction with microcontrollers, sensors and similar equipment in both Europe and the US with its 227 VAC mains system. The modules come with a softstart function limiting the inrush current to 1 0 A / < 0 . 5 m s ( R A C 0 1 / 0 2 / 0 3 ) , o r 30 A/< 0.2ms (RAC06), respectively. All modules are short-circuit-proof and protected against overload. The outlet voltage can be set to any value between 3.3 and 24 VDC. The 3 W module is also available with a 3.8 VDC output for chargers and GSM modems. For smart home applications, the company offers a mini power supply shaped like a flat disk. The prototypes of new power supplies undergo HALT tests, so that any problems are detected early during the development phase. The products of the RAC series are UL/EN and CE certified, and designed for continuous operation over many years. RECOM Asia Pte Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U203 WWW.ELECTRONICSONLINE.NET.AU

Heineken’s LED interactive beer bottle

utch brewer Heineken has introduced the world’s first smart beer bottle - Ignite - that can interact with other Ignite bottles, its environment and the people around it. The interactive bottle uses microsensors and wireless networking technology to sense the moment when a bottle is being

used to say ‘cheers’. The bottle can also actively respond to the music and the output of specific audio and data cues. For example, it can detect various motion types such as cheering, drinking and sitting idle on the bar top. The motions trigger certain light effects lighting up the complete bottle, enhanced by the swirls of beer, carbon dioxide and oxygen. Next to that the bottle lights can be remotely activated, so that each bottle becomes an active light source controlled by specially developed VJ software, allowing synchronisation of all bottles to the music beat. The housing under the bottle gives room to a custom-designed circuit board based around the open source Arduino hard- and software platform. It features eight bright LEDs, an efficient 8-bit microprocessor, an accelerometer to detect various motion types and a wireless network transceiver to communicate with the outside world. The 3D printed housing (designed and developed by product design firm C10) is built up of two parts, allowing the unit to be re-used on multiple bottles of beer. The intent of the Heineken Ignite project was to develop an idea that would create a memorable Heineken experience unlocking the power and possibilities of mobile innovation and technology. Heineken believes that mobile innovation could offer a much more rewarding experience than just an app and embraced the challenge to think about how the product could be leveraged as an interface to the brand experience. A prototype of the product was revealed 9 April at Milan Design Week as part of Heineken’s Lounge of the Future concept. The first prototype was clunky and still separate from the bottle itself, but it was used to demonstrate that the

basic idea works. The next challenge was to minimise the hardware. Fifty individual components needed to seamlessly work together. With a custom-designed board, the tech team managed to squeeze the whole board to just over the size of a 2 coin. The boards need their own custom casing, so the team from C10 started developing 3D printed designs that would hold the boards. The casing had to meet a host of requirements - it should be unobtrusive and stylish, made from a material that allows rapid manufacturing, should withstand cooling and house both board and battery. The team figured out a way to split the case design into two parts, one dummy part which is attached to the bottle and is disposable, and another which can be screwed on that holds all the electronics and the battery. This should be done last minute before serving because the cooling in the refrigerator plays havoc with battery life. The team eventually decided to hide the battery underneath the board making the packaging less obtrusive due to the design, shape and colour. Several prototypes later - when software, hardware and casing design come together - Heineken had the final prototype of the world’s first interactive bottle ready. The launch in Milan provided Heineken with learnings on how the prototype would perform in a real-life environment. The concept is being optimised and, based on the success of the prototype launch, Heineken is now rolling it out in nightclubs in seven of its top 25 markets before the end of the year. The 2.0 version of Ignite has also already been identified and worked on for 2014. Heineken

www.heineken.com

8 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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CODING SOLUTION The Linx 7900E combines the features of the Linx 7900 continuous ink-jet printer with Linx Black Ink 1085 to meet the coding

DOUBLE CONVERSION UPS

requirements of the electronics industry. It complies with the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU Annex II and meets IEC 61249-2-21

The Eaton 93PM UPS is a 3-phase

concerning halogens.

double conversion solution that

Matthews Intelligent Identification Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T948

keeps critical applications running efficiently. The power factor of 1.0 enables the UPS to cover power ratings from 30 to 50 kVA/ kW and offers energy efficiency in a compact 0.5 mÂ˛ footprint.

Eaton Industries Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/U089

LOW-PROFILE INTERCONNECTS RANGE The Razor Beam LP interconnects range from Samtec includes an ultralow-profile, micro-pitch system suitable for high-speed performance in space-saving applications. The low-profile socket and terminal strips (SSH/STH series) achieve a low 2 mm stack height with surface-mount termination. This 0.50 mm (.0197â&#x20AC;ł) pitch interconnect system features contacts designed for micro-pitch and low-profile interfaces.

Samtec ANZ For more info on this product wf.net.au/U078

EMBEDDED SYSTEM The ECN-680A-H61 comes integrated with Intel HD Graphics technology to deliver high-performance graphics and media processing without a discrete graphics card. Designed for scalability and cost optimisation, the product allows one DIMM per channel of DDR3 1333 MHz.

ICP Electronics Australia Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/S801

SWITCH ICS FOR VEHICLE ELECTRONICS STMicroelectronics has released the latest genera-

CNC CONTROLS

tion of its switch ICs for vehicle electronics

Featuring open architecture, the Advantage 900 CNC package

such as lights and body modules.

from Delta Tau combines operator console with a 4-, 6- or 8-axis

The devices provide enhanced

integrated controller/amplifier designed for machine tool OEMs

intelligent features, improve pro-

and retrofit applications. The digital amplifier and control were

tection and reliability, and are

integrated into one unit to streamline the manufacturing process

up to 40% smaller than competing

and reduce installation process time. This design embraces

alternatives.

a modular philosophy allowing an infinite number of machine configurations.

Motion Technologies Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T957 10 JULY/AUGUST 2013

Braemac Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/S730

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AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST SOLAR CELLS Scientists have produced the largest flexible, plastic solar cells in Australia - 10 times the size of what they were previously able to - thanks to a new solar cell printer that has been installed at CSIRO.

esearchers from the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium (VICOSC) - a collaboration between CSIRO, The University of Melbourne, Monash University and industry partners - have printed photovoltaic cells the size of an A3 sheet of paper. Printing cells on such a large scale opens up a huge range of possibilities for pilot applications, said CSIRO materials scientist Dr Scott Watkins. “There are so many things we can do with cells this size,” he says. “We can set them into advertising signage, powering lights and other interactive elements. We can even embed them into laptop cases to provide backup power for the machine inside.” The new printer, worth $200,000, is a big step up for the VICOSC team. In just three years they have gone from making cells the size of a fingernail to cells 10 cm square. Now with the new printer, they have jumped to cells that are 30 cm wide. VICOSC project coordinator and University of Melbourne researcher Dr David Jones says that one of the great advantages of the group’s approach is that they’re using existing printing techniques, making it a very accessible technology. “We’re using the same techniques that you would use if you were screen printing an image on to a T-shirt,” he said. Using semiconducting inks, the researchers print the cells straight onto paper-thin flexible plastic or steel. With the ability to print at speeds of up to 10 metres per minute, this means they can produce one cell every two seconds. As the researchers continue to scale up their equipment, the possibilities will become even greater.

12 JULY/AUGUST 2013

“Eventually we see these being laminated to windows that line skyscrapers,” Dr Jones said. “By printing directly to materials like steel, we’ll also be able to embed cells onto roofing materials.” The organic photovoltaic cells, which produce 10-50 W of power per square metre, could even be used to improve the efficiency of more traditional silicon solar panels. “The different types of cells capture light from different parts of the solar spectrum. So rather than being competing technologies, they are actually very complementary,” said Dr Watkins. The scientists predict that the future energy mix for the world, including Australia, will rely on many non-traditional energy sources. “We need to be at the forefront of developing new technologies that match our solar endowment, stimulate our science and support local, high-tech manufacturing. “While the consortium is focused on developing applications with current industrial partners, there are opportunities to work with other companies through training programs or pilot-scale production trials,” he added. As part of the consortium, a complementary screen printing line is also being installed at nearby Monash University. Combined, they will make the Clayton Manufacturing and Materials Precinct one of the largest organic solar cell printing facilities in the world. The Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium is a research collaboration between CSIRO, The University of Melbourne, Monash University, BlueScope Steel, Robert Bosch SEA, Innovia Films and Innovia Security. It is supported by the Victorian State Government and the Australian Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

WWW.ELECTRONICSONLINE.NET.AU

SOLAR POWER

THE SWITCHMODE POWER SUPPLIES YOU WANT NOW FOR LESS AT SOANAR 45W

60W

120W

240W

BATTERIES The Powerbanks series batteries allow users to charge their smartphone or iPad while on the beach, shopping, travelling or camping. The batteries are supplied with five interchangeable connectors. They are manufactured with Samsung lithium-ion cells with a convenient state-of-charge indicator of four blue LEDs on the face of the unit. The batteries are available in 5.6 Ah, which is 125 g, and 8.4 Ah, which is 170 g.

Premier Batteries Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/U216

SWITCHMODE POWER SUPPLY Automated Control and FEAS have introduced the SNT12524-K switchmode power supply that delivers a

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NEW DIN RAIL SERIES

consistent source of power to voltage sensitive loads, even in harsh industrial environments.

Automated Control Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T866

AC/DC DIN RAIL SWITCHMODE POWER SUPPLIES OUTPUT OUTPUT OUTPUT ORDER POWER VOLTAGE CURRENT NUMBER (W) (V) (A) 45W 60W 120W

INTERACTIVE ONLINE CATALOGUE element14 has launched its latest interactive catalogue for Australia and New Zealand. Designed to make the buying process easier, the new catalogue features 160,000 electronic components and includes a further 45,000+ products since the previous catalogue.

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65.5 × 125.2 × 100

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125.5 × 125.2 × 100 $109.60*

(30W & 75W also available - call for pricing)

• Wide power range 30W to 240W • Universal AC input voltage 90-264VAC • Voltage tolerance +/-1% • Adjustable output voltage +/-10% • High efficiency & reliability • 100% full load burn-in

• Cooling by free air convection • LED power indicator for power on • International safety approvals • Local stock • Low cost solution • 2 year warranty

* Price excludes GST and ONLY available to approved business and/or trade customers. Bulk pricing available on request.

element14 For more info on this product wf.net.au/T477

www.soanar.com RANGE - RELIABILITY - STANDARD - CUSTOM

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DIMENSIONS (W x H x D) (MM)

info@soanar.com AU 1300 365 551 NZ 0508 765 956

JULY/AUGUST 2013 13

Shaping sound with audio beamforming he idea of using an array of speakers to shape sound using beamforming has been around for many years, but up to now it has been difficult to put into practice. Using MATLAB and Signal Processing Toolbox, Philips Research engineers have developed a technology that enables two people in the same room to hear the same audio output

at different volumes. Philips was granted a patent for its audio beamforming technology in 2012. Beamforming relies on different speakers responding to the same input signal in different ways - for example, by slightly delaying the signal, playing it at different volumes or using cancellation effects. The different speaker settings allow the system to control the size, shape and direction of the acoustic wave. Because of the large range of sound wavelengths, there are conflicting requirements for ensuring good performance at both low frequencies (requiring a relatively large array size) and high frequencies (requiring a small distance between speakers). Fulfilling both requirements typically means that the array needs to consist of a relatively large number of speakers that have to be controlled individually. As a result, dynamically shaping the acoustic wave requires powerful real-time signal processing that until recently has been too expensive for consumer applications. With the falling cost of signal processing chips, this technology has become cheap enough to be applied in consumer products. Philips’ audio beamforming system consists of a loudspeaker array with each speaker in the array controlled by a digital signal processor (DSP). The DSP uses an FIR filter and other signal processing algorithms to control the loudspeaker output. Werner de Bruijn and his colleagues began their research with a proof-of-concept model consisting of a simple loudspeaker frequency response in the transfer function. As the project matured, they included more sophisticated and realistic speaker frequency responses. In cases where they knew which speaker they were going to be using, they included the measured loudspeaker frequency responses. If this data wasn’t available (perhaps because the speaker hadn’t yet been built), they used a theoretical response, derived from a MATLAB model. Using the MATLAB audio toolbox, the engineers tested the performance of the loudspeaker parameters using sound propagation simulation. They entered the room characteristics (length, width, height and loudspeaker locations) into their models and converted the frequency-domain output data to a time-domain model. They configured the output of the timedomain model as a series of movie frames, which they then combined to show an animation of the propagation of the sound wave through the room using the MATLAB movie function. The animation clearly revealed individual beams and their frequency dependence. At low frequencies, there was little beam formation, which is acceptable because the type of content the engineers wanted to beam (eg, TV commentary) typically had relatively little energy at very low frequencies anyway. At higher frequencies, they saw additional unwanted beams forming. They examined the results to find out whether these extra beams would cause effects audible to users. Because the output of the modelling work includes a complex transfer function for every point in the room, the engineers ran one further check on the behaviour of the system. They took the response at two points spaced about 20 cm apart (the width of a human head) and convolved the response with a real audio signal, such as music or a television commentary. They then output the results of their MATLAB calculations as an audio stream and listened to the result. These simulations enabled the researchers to hear what the real audio would sound like at any point in the room, giving them insight into the system’s sound quality and intensity. As well as varying the sound level at different points in the room, the same technology can be used to feed different audio signals to different parts of the room. One person can listen to classical music while another listens to a TV program. The different sound channels can be placed anywhere in the room. The combination of MATLAB simulation and low-cost digital signal processing is making it possible to create brand new products using audio beamforming. A recent project applies audio beamforming to an audiovisual device on display in a shopping mall. With audio beamforming technology, the sound can be directed to a person who is interacting with the display or even have a separate audio stream for each individual interacting with the system (for example, one stream in English and one in Dutch). Individuals passing by the system, perhaps only two metres or so away, won’t hear a thing. MathWorks Australia

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U151 14 JULY/AUGUST 2013

WWW.ELECTRONICSONLINE.NET.AU

Cable Assembly @ Ampec

Local manufacturing capabilities for cable assembly with a fully equipped factory

Ampec Technologies specialises in manufacturing of custom design cable assemblies at our local factory in Sydney. We also have overseas manufacturing partners to cater for high volume production. Our experienced team is at your service.

e sales@ampec.com.au w www.ampec.com.au

Production team trained to IPC/WHMA-A-620A

Fully automatic cut, strip and crimp machines

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+61 2 8741 5000

WEATHER-RESISTANT SECURITY CAMERAS Panasonic Australia has expanded its security range with three new cameras developed specifically with a full spectrum of demanding security and surveillance applications in mind. The range includes two WV-CP300 series fixed day/night cameras and the WV-CP624E compact day/night fixed camera

IRED FOR GESTURE DETECTION

with Super Dynamic 6 technology. The two WV-CP300 series

The infrared (IRED) Oslon black SFH 4716S from Osram Opto

colour surveillance cameras feature a newly developed digital

Semiconductors, with an optical output of 1030 mW and a beam

signal processor (DSP), providing improved image quality in

angle of 150째, is suitable for gesture detection systems linked to

attractive units.

computer games or for optical safety systems in the automotive

Panasonic Australia For more info on this product wf.net.au/U300

sector.

Osram Australia Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T862

EMC HORN ANTENNAS HOUSING SYSTEM The ME-PLC housing system from Phoenix Contact offers plenty of space for electronic components, a pluggable front connector and a mounting rail bus connector on the rear.

Phoenix Contact Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T877

16 JULY/AUGUST 2013

Q-par Angus, a microwave antenna and development company, has announced the launch of a range of wideband waveguide horns and high-power waveguide adapters to cover the waveguide WRD250 and WRD750 frequency bands.

Test & Measurement Australia For more info on this product wf.net.au/T288

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THE SWITCHMODE POWER SUPPLIES YOU WANT NOW FOR LESS AT SOANAR CNC-MILLED AND SCREEN-PRINTED ENCLOSURES

240W 100W

Screen Process Circuits provides CNC milling and screenprinting services. The user simply supplies the company

60W

with generic panels and enclosures and they will be CNC milled and screen-printed to requirements.

Screen Process Circuits For more info on this product wf.net.au/T856

25W

IN STOCK NOW

CAPACITIVE CONTROLLERS Bestech has released a range of modular designed capaNCDT 6220 capacitive sensor controllers for non-contact displacement and position measurements. The controllers feature four measurement channels and provide the user with the ability to add or remove channel modules. The capacitive sensor controllers are operated via web interface and ethernet

AC/DC ENCLOSED SWITCHMODE POWER SUPPLIES

interface, and support various installation options for ease of use, such as benchtop and top-hat rail wall mounting.

Bestech Australia Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/U093

OUTPUT OUTPUT POWER VOLTAGE (W) (V) 25W 60W 100W

TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTERS

240W

OUTPUT ORDER CURRENT NUMBER (A)

DIMENSIONS LIST (L x W x H) PRICE (MM)

12V

2.1A

SE-25-12

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1.1A

SE-25-24

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SE-60-12

24V

2.5A

SE-60-24

12V

8.5A

SE-100-12

24V

4.5A

SE-100-24

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20A

SE-240-12

24V

10A

SE-240-24

98 x 97 x 35

$28.77*

159 x 97 x 38

$38.37*

199 x 98 x 38

$44.77*

215 x 115 x 50

$71.20*

Acromag’s ST130 temperature transmitters are USB configured, loop powered and provide a proportional 4-20mA output. The transmitters claim to provide a performance level and feature set previously unavailable in a unit of this size.

Metromatics Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T872

• Wide power range 25W to 500W • Universal AC input voltage 85-264 VAC • Voltage tolerance +/- 1% • Adjustable output voltage +/- 10% • High efficiency & reliability • International safety approvals

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* Price excludes GST and ONLY available to approved business and/or trade customers. Bulk pricing available on request.

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WWW.ELECTRONICSONLINE.NET.AU

info@soanar.com AU 1300 365 551 NZ 0508 765 956

JULY/AUGUST 2013 17

SHORTcircuits As wearable technology becomes more prevalent, we’ll need small displays that are brighter and more efficient. A Brooklyn-based start-up called Lumiode is working on one possible solution. Unlike most displays, which have a light-emitting backplane and use filters to make the individual colour pixels that collectively form images, Lumiode’s technology uses the light-emitting diodes as the pixels. They are more efficient because no light is lost through filtering. The result, says founder and CEO Vincent Lee, will be tinier, brighter, more energy-efficient head-mounted displays and projectors. And while it will be some time before the company’s technology is ready for a Google Glass-like product, growing interest in ever-smaller electronic displays that fit in with our daily lives could spur demand. Most displays - such as LCD monitors or smartphone screens - use LEDs for the light source at the back of the screen. In such screens, images are created as light passes through filters. The drawback is that this reduces overall brightness and means that the LEDs are always on, which wastes energy. Lumiode, which spun out of Lee’s graduate work at Columbia University’s Columbia Laboratory for Unconventional Electronics, takes a different tack. The company patterns LED into arrays, adding a layer of silicon on top of each individual LED that controls the amount of light it emits. In this way, the LED itself serves as the component that forms an image. “What we’re doing is, we’re patterning LED wafers directly and making the image component directly in the LED material, rather than using it as a backlight,” Lee said.

LED-FITTED SOFT EYE CONTACT LENSES Ulsan National Institute of Science & Technology (UNIST) scientists have combined graphene with silver nanowires to form a thin, transparent and stretchable electrode which overcomes the weaknesses of each individual material, resulting in a new class of electrodes with widespread possible applications including picture taking and scanning using soft contact lenses. This new class of hybrid transparent and stretchable electrode paves the way for flexible displays, solar cells and electronics. As an in vivo study, this contact lens was worn by a live rabbit eye for five hours and no abnormal behaviour, such as bloodshot eye or the rubbing of eye areas were observed in the live rabbit. Wearing eye contact lenses, picture-taking and scanning, is not science fiction anymore. Transparent electrodes have been widely used in things like touch screens, flat-screen TVs, solar cells and light-emitting devices. Commonly made from indium tin oxide (ITO), it is brittle and cracks thus losing functionality if flexed. It also degrades over time and is expensive due to the limited quantities of indium metal. As an alternative, the networks of randomly distributed mNWs have been considered as promising candidates for next-generation transparent electrodes, due to their low-cost, high-speed fabrication of transparent electrodes. However, the number of disadvantages of the mNW networks limited their integration into commercial devices. They have low breakdown voltage, typically high NW-NW junction resistance, high contact resistance between network and active materials, material instability and poor adhesion to plastic substrates. Graphene is also well known as a good candidate for transparent electrodes because of their unique electrical properties and high mechanical flexibility.

18 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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MICRODISPLAY LED TECH FOR NEXT-GEN WEARABLE GADGETS

NEWS, VIEWS & REVIEWS

ORGANIC THIN-FILM SOLAR CELLS Researchers from the University at Buffalo are helping develop a new generation of photovoltaic cells that produce more power and cost less to manufacture than what’s available today. Currently, solar power is produced with either thick polycrystalline silicon wafers or thin-film solar cells made up of inorganic materials such as amorphous silicon or cadmium telluride. Both are expensive to manufacture, said Qiaoqiang Gan, University at Buffalo assistant professor of electrical engineering. His research involves thin-film solar cells, too, but unlike what’s on the market he is using organic materials such as polymers and small molecules that are carbon based and less expensive. These devices don’t match traditional solar cells in terms of energy production but they are less expensive and - because they are made (or processed) in liquid form - can be applied to a greater variety of surfaces. The reference to paint does not include a price point but rather the idea that photovoltaic cells could one day be applied to surfaces as easily as paint is to walls, he said. There are drawbacks to organic photovoltaic cells. They have to be thin due to their relatively poor electronic conductive properties. Because they are thin and, thus, without sufficient material to absorb light, it limits their optical absorption and leads to insufficient power conversion efficiency. Their power conversion efficiency needs to be 10% or more to compete in the market, Gan said. To achieve that benchmark, Gan and other researchers are incorporating metal nanoparticles and/ or patterned plasmonic nanostructures into organic photovoltaic cells. Plasmons are electromagnetic waves and free electrons that can be used to oscillate back and forth across the interface of metals and semiconductors. Recent material studies suggest they are succeeding, he said.

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DETECTING HOMEMADE EXPLOSIVES, NOT TOOTHPASTE Sandia National Laboratories researchers want airports, border checkpoints and others to detect homemade explosives made with hydrogen peroxide without nabbing people whose toothpaste happens to contain peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is found in everyday products ranging from soap, toothpaste and hair colour to laundry bleach, carpet cleaners and stain removers. Part of the challenge faced in developing a portable sensor is to detect a common homemade explosive called a FOx (fuel/oxidiser) mixture, made by mixing hydrogen peroxide with fuels, said Chris Brotherton, principal investigator for a Sandia research project on chemiresponsive sensors. The detector must be able to spot hydrogen peroxide in concentrations that don’t also raise suspicions about common peroxide-containing products. Brotherton’s Early Career Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project proved a sensor could identify relatively high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and differentiate that from a common interfering substance such as water, he said. The next step would be to work with an industrial partner to design an overall system that works faster and can be mass produced. The sensor has other potential uses, such as monitoring underground water, looking for plumes of contamination or monitoring industrial processes. Researchers need to reduce the chemical reaction time so the sensor doesn’t take too long to be useful at a checkpoint, he said. The detector also must be incorporated into a larger unit that includes equipment to gather a sample for analysis. It wouldn’t have to be a large unit. Various detectors on the market today are about the size of a small, handheld vacuum cleaner, Smith said. The support equipment would suck up a sample of air and the detector would test it. Although a detector package could target a single type of vapour, a manufacturer could add it to a unit that detects several substances. That way, a checkpoint could have one sensing system rather than separate units for every material of concern, Brotherton suggested. JULY/AUGUST 2013 19

RF INDUCTORS The SMG1812 RF inductors from Gowanda Electronics are suitable for medical imaging and other magnetic-sensitive applications. With dimensions of 4.8 mm (length) x 3.4 mm (width) x 3.5 mm (height), the inductors are claimed to be the world’s smallest non-magnetic moulded RF inductors.

Clarke & Severn Electronics For more info on this product wf.net.au/U119

EMBEDDED RFID READERS ThingMagic’s range of embedded readers includes the Mercury5e (M5e) UHF RFID module, about the size of

ENTRY-LEVEL INDUSTRIAL MONITORS

a PCMCIA Type II PC card, and the single-port M5e-Compact embedded

The FPM-2000 series industrial monitors with 12, 15 and 17″

UHF RFID reader, about the size of

versions have been designed to fit into areas of limited space

a CompactFlash card.

without compromising on quality.The lockable I/O connector design

Step Global Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T058

secures the cables and ensures they don’t work their way loose.

Advantech Australia Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/U187

20 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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CONTACTOR FOR HIGHPOWER APPLICATIONS The ecoAmp high-power Kelvin contactor is a solution for applications of 1000+ amperes. To achieve equal current symmetry over I/Os within the contactor, the contacting resistance is held low and stable.

Multitest http://multitest.com/

VIDEO PROCESSING AND ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM

EMBEDDED BOX PC

HALO, a HD video processing and enhancement system from RFEL,

Interworld Electronics has released the AEC-

provides next-generation, low-power, real-time video processing for

6877 Intel Core i7/i5/Celeron-based embedded

image-based surveillance, which is a critical capability for counter-

controller from Aaeon, a high-performance,

terrorism, defence and security, and is not restricted by American

stand-alone embedded PC featuring fanless

ITAR export regulations as it is designed and manufactured in the

operation, compact size, robust construction

UK. Potential applications include: fixed and mobile installations,

and low power requirements.

including covert CCTV monitoring and surveillance, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Interworld Electronics &Computer Ind

RFEL http://rfel.com

For more info on this product wf.net.au/U080

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JULY/AUGUST 2013 21

NETWORK ANALYSER The HTECH uVNA 7 USB Vector Network Analyser (uVNA) is a portable instrument for network analysis measurements of antennas, cables and electronic

PCB DESIGN LAYOUT TOOL

circuits. The analyser covers a frequency range from 500 kHz to 120 MHz.It is suitable for use in electronics

The DesignSpark PCB version 5.0

design, development and test activities, in electronics

from RS components integrates

teaching environments and in radar site support.

Genesis Software Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T888

two additional features within the free design tool - online Design Rule Checking and buses. These features have been introduced to further reduce design times for engineers and to minimise errors during the design process. This new release builds on the previous version of DesignSpark PCB,

APPLICATION DELIVERY CONTROLLER

which provided access to the

The Barracuda application delivery controller (ADC) is an integrated solution that

ModelSource component library,

combines load balancing, application acceleration, application control and web

PCB quote service and BOM

application security into a single, high-performance platform. Like load balancers,

quote functionality.

ADCs direct traffic to different servers based on availability and load.

RS Components Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/U115

Barracuda Networks For more info on this product wf.net.au/U111

CIRCUIT BOARDS? For all your prototyping requirements

from budget …

… to fully-

featured Quick Circuit allows

you to make your own prototype circuit boards and perfectly machined panels in next to no time.

Shouldn’t there be one on your bench?

Tel +61 2 9807 7081 satcam@satcam.com.au

www.satcam.com.au

22 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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QUAD BAND 3G ROUTERS EMC AND EMI TESTING TOOL The EMSCAN EMxpert is a real-time EMC and EMI testing tool that enables product

The Cybertec 2150 and 2250 3G routers feature a faster processor, additional memory and quad band modules as well as additional functionality in the new firmware.

Madison Technologies For more info on this product wf.net.au/U305

development engineers and designers to rapidly identify and solve EMC/EMI problems in a single design cycle in their own laboratory environment. With EMxpert, unexpected compliance test results can also be avoided altogether. For PCB engineers, finding, characterising and effectively addressing unintended emissions (EMI/EMC) or RF leakage continues to be a persistent design challenge.

EMC and RF Solutions For more info on this product wf.net.au/T907

3 W DC-DC MODULE Mornsun Power has launched a 3 W DC-DC converter into its R2 family. The PWB_ZP-3WR2 series, with a wide 4:1 input voltage range, performs well, with stable output voltages and low output ripple and noise characteristics. Its EMI performance meets the standard of CISPR22/ EN55022 CLASS A without any external components. The series is suitable for use in industrial control, electric power, instrumentation applications and more.

DLPC Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T879 WWW.ELECTRONICSONLINE.NET.AU

JULY/AUGUST 2013 23

ELECTRONEX WILL RETURN TO MELBOURNE IN SEPTEMBER

lectroneX, the annual electronics design and assembly expo, returns to Melbourne on 11-12 September at Melbourne Park Function Centre. Alternating annually between Melbourne and Sydney, the event is designed to help professionals across a vast array of industry sectors to stay in touch with the latest electronics technology developments for systems integration and production electronics. With a move towards niche and specialised manufacturing applications in the electronics sector, the competitive future of practically every Australian industry sector is increasingly reliant on the utilisation and integration of the latest electronics innovations in production, assembly, systems development, maintenance and service. Design, electronic and electrical engineers, OEM, scientific, IT and communications professionals and service technicians are invited to attend the event where they will find the latest

24 JULY/AUGUST 2013

technology driving future product and system developments. The trade show will feature over 80 companies showcasing and demonstrating the latest new product releases for industry, scientific and commercial applications. The SMCBA Electronics Design & Manufacture Conference is being held in conjunction with the exhibition. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conference will not only feature several international presenters and deliver a wealth of information on electronics design and manufacture, but it will also feature new streams on embedded systems and new product development. The event will feature workshops on CAD Library Management for Electronics Design, EMC at Component and PCB Level, issues faced in manufacturing of electronic products and a statistical process control workshop. Australasian Exhibitions & Events Pty Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/U225

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RACKMOUNT NETWORK PLATFORMS The Avalue ENA-7180 Series space-saving 1U-based rackmount network systems are designed for VPNs, firewall and other network-security applications. The two network platforms are built around Intel D2550 Dual Core processors

HIGH-DEFINITION OSCILLOSCOPES The Infiniium 9000 H-Series high-definition oscilloscopes come in bandwidths of 250

and Intel Core i7/i5/i3.

Backplane Systems Technology Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T648

MHz, 500 MHz, 1 GHz and 2 GHz. They offer up to 12-bit vertical resolution, which represents 16 times the quantisation levels of traditional oscilloscopes with 8 bits of resolution. The 9000 H-Series uses a combination of hypersampling and linear noise-reduction technology to provide noise levels three times lower than traditional 8-bit oscilloscopes.

Agilent Technologies Australia Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T987

COMPUTER EFFICIENCY TESTING In keeping with the requirements of the industry, Comtest Laboratories has added the newly issued Australian Standards for computers to its NATA accreditation for efficiency testing: AS/NZS 5813 - Energy performance of computers; AS/NZS 5814 - Energy performance of internal power supplies; and AS/NZS 5815 - Energy performance of computer monitors.

Comtest Laboratories Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T792 WWW.ELECTRONICSONLINE.NET.AU

JULY/AUGUST 2013 25

COMPACT DRIVE The Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 525 AC drive is designed to help machine builders and end users simplify equipment design and operation, and speed installation and configuration.

Rockwell Automation Australia For more info on this product wf.net.au/T671

PXI CHASSIS Geotest-Marvin Test Systems has added two PXI chassis to its product line - the GX7200, a 21-slot PXI Express chassis and the GX7800, an 8-slot, low-cost PXI chassis.

LED LAMP The Verbatim VxRGB Vivid Vision is an MR16 directional LED lamp

Vicom Australia Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/U304

designed to meet requirements in professional applications such as hospitality venues, sophisticated retail outlets and museums where high-contrast lighting enhances the unique features of artworks. The VxRGB directional lamp is a retrofit replacement for typically 20 W low-voltage halogen reflector lamps.

Verbatim Australia Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/U102

RJ AND USB CONNECTORS The RJ and USB field series of connectors from Amphenol comprises standard RJ45 and USB connectors embedded

AVIONICS BUS TEST AND SIMULATION

into rugged waterproof circular military connector housings

The ANET1553-x boxes are based on AIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

There is now also a transversally sealed version available

latest Common Core Architecture and can be op-

that stops water ingress even when not connected to a

erated over standard ethernet, incorporating all functions and

mating plug or protective cover.

features of MIL-STD-1553 interfaces.

Connector-Tech ALS Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/U114

Unitronix Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/S969

26 JULY/AUGUST 2013

primarily from the MIL-C-26482 or MIL-DTL-38999 series.

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DATA LOGGER The Lascar EL-USB-ACT data logger from Soanar measures and stores over 127,000 AC and DC current readings over a 0 to 1000 A DC measurement range (0 to 723 A for AC).

Soanar Limited For more info on this product wf.net.au/U076

LED

driver www.recom-lighting.com

SPECTRUM ANALYSERS The NRA-3000 and NRA6000 remote spectrum analysers from Narda now provide uninterrupted I/Q data as a real-time stream. At the same time, the number of samples for spectrum analysis has been increased to over 600,000.

Narda Safety Test Solutions GmbH For more info on this product wf.net.au/U113

ALUMINIUM CONNECTORS The Lemo M-Series is said to be the smallest multipin, fullshielded, vibration-secure and sealed connector available, offering a lightweight connection with high pin-count density, 360째 EMC shielding protection. It is suitable for applications including man-portable, vehicle-mounted and aircraft electronics.

John Barry Group Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/U058

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JULY/AUGUST 2013 27

GIGABIT WAN/LAN INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET SECURITY ROUTER Weidmuller has created a gigabit WAN/LAN industrial ethernet router that delivers comprehensive security features.The product features an in-built SPI firewall to prevent unwanted remote network access.

Weidmuller Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T525

48 V POWER SYSTEM The Flatpack2 48 V Integrated power system has been designed to meet the demand

SOFTWARE FOR TEST AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEM DESIGN Measurement Studio 2013 is claimed to be the only .NET software suite that provides all the tools needed to build a professional, end-to-end test or measurement system in Microsoft Visual Studio.

National Instruments Australia For more info on this product wf.net.au/T287

28 JULY/AUGUST 2013

for higher density and more condensed power solutions. It is suitable for applications needing an expandable, easily serviceable and reliable power supply, fitting within a minimal space. This system can be mounted into racks, cabinets or enclosures and can operate at a wide range of temperatures (-40 to +60째C) with a high MTBF.

Eltek Australia For more info on this product wf.net.au/T725

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PIEZOTRONIC TRANSISTORS

GIVING ROBOTS A SENSE OF TOUCH Using bundles of vertical zinc oxide nanowires, researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have fabricated arrays of piezotronic transistors capable of converting mechanical motion directly into electronic controlling signals. The arrays could help give robots a more adaptive sense of touch, provide better security in handwritten signatures and offer new ways for humans to interact with electronic devices.

he arrays include more than 8000 functioning piezotronic transistors, each of which can independently produce an electronic controlling signal when placed under mechanical strain. These touch-sensitive transistors - dubbed ‘taxels’ - could provide significant improvements in resolution, sensitivity and active/adaptive operations compared to existing techniques for tactile sensing. Their sensitivity is comparable to that of a human fingertip. The vertically aligned taxels operate with two-terminal transistors. Instead of a third gate terminal used by conventional transistors to control the flow of current passing through them, taxels control the current with a technique called ‘strain-gating’. Strain-gating based on the piezotronic effect uses the electrical charges generated at the Schottky contact interface by the piezoelectric effect when the nanowires are placed under strain by the application of mechanical force. The research was reported on 25 April in the online journal Science, at the Science Express website, and will be published in a later version of the print journal. The research has been sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the US Air Force (USAF), the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. “Any mechanical motion, such as the movement of arms or the fingers of a robot, could be translated to control signals,” explained Zhong Lin Wang, a Regents’ professor and Hightower Chair in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at

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the Georgia Institute of Technology. “This could make artificial skin smarter and more like human skin. It would allow the skin to feel activity on the surface.” Mimicking the sense of touch electronically has been challenging and is now done by measuring changes in resistance prompted by mechanical touch. The devices developed by the Georgia Tech researchers rely on a different physical phenomenon - tiny polarisation charges formed when piezoelectric materials such as zinc oxide are moved or placed under strain. In the piezotronic transistors, the piezoelectric charges control the flow of current through the wires just as gate voltages do in conventional three-terminal transistors. The technique only works in materials that have both piezoelectric and semiconducting properties. These properties are seen in nanowires and thin films created from the wurtzite and zinc blend families of materials, which includes zinc oxide, gallium nitride and cadmium sulfide. In their laboratory, Wang and his co-authors - postdoctoral fellow Wenzhuo Wu and graduate research assistant Xiaonan Wen - fabricated arrays of 92 by 92 transistors. The researchers used a chemical growth technique at approximately 85 to 90°C, which allowed them to fabricate arrays of strain-gated vertical piezotronic transistors on substrates that are suitable for microelectronics applications. The transistors are made up of bundles of approximately 1500 individual nanowires, each nanowire between 500 and 600 nm in diameter. In the array devices, the active strain-gated vertical piezotronic transistors are sandwiched between top and bottom electrodes made of

JULY/AUGUST 2013 29

PIEZOTRONIC TRANSISTORS

indium tin oxide aligned in orthogonal crossbar configurations. A thin layer of gold is deposited between the top and bottom surfaces of the zinc oxide nanowires and the top and bottom electrodes, forming Schottky contacts. A thin layer of the polymer Parylene is then coated onto the device as a moisture and corrosion barrier. The array density is 234 pixels per inch, the resolution is better than 100 µm, and the sensors are capable of detecting pressure changes as low as 10 kPa - resolution comparable to that of human skin, Wang said. The Georgia Tech researchers fabricated several hundred of the arrays during a research project that lasted nearly three years. The arrays are transparent, which could allow them to be used on touchpads or other devices for fingerprinting. They are also flexible and foldable, expanding the range of potential uses. The potential applications include: • Multidimensional signature recording, in which not only the graphics of the signature would be included, but also the pressure exerted at each location during the creation of the signature and the speed at which the signature is created. • Shape-adaptive sensing, in which a change in the shape of the device is measured. This would be useful in applications such as artificial/prosthetic skin, smart biomedical treatments and intelligent robotics in which the arrays would sense what was in contact with them.

• Active tactile sensing, in which the physiological operations of mechanoreceptors of biological entities, such as hair follicles or the hairs in the cochlea, are emulated. Because the arrays would be used in real-world applications, the researchers evaluated their durability. The devices still operated after 24 hours immersed in both saline and distilled water. Future work will include producing the taxel arrays from single nanowires instead of bundles, and integrating the arrays onto CMOS silicon devices. Using single wires could improve the sensitivity of the arrays by at least three orders of magnitude, Wang said. “This is a fundamentally new technology that allows us to control electronic devices directly using mechanical agitation,” Wang added. “This could be used in a broad range of areas, including robotics, MEMS, human-computer interfaces and other areas that involve mechanical deformation.”

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CENTRAL INVERTERS The PVS800 inverter series from ABB is now available in 875 and 1000 kW sizes. The operating temperature and altitude rating have

WIRELESS PRODUCTS

both been extended and the modular direct current (DC) input design

Microchip Technology has expand-

is said to provide greater flexibility for system integrators.

ed its embedded-wireless portfolio

ABB Australia Pty Ltd For more info on this product wf.net.au/T686

with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and ZigBee products. The Bluetooth additions include the PIC32 Bluetooth Audio Development Kit, featuring modules, stacks and codecs, and XBee footprint-compatible socket modules with integrated stacks.

Microchip Technology Australia For more info on this product wf.net.au/T880

SYNCHRONOUS DRAMS Alliance Memory has extended its 128M and 256M lines of high-speed CMOS synchronous DRAMs (SDRAM) with new devices in a 54-ball, 8 x 8 x 1.2 mm TFBGA package. The 8M x 16 and 16M x 16 SDRAMs feature fast access time from clock down to 4.5 ns at a 5-ns clock and clock rates of 143 MHz.

Future Electronics For more info on this product wf.net.au/T953

SOLID-STATE DRIVES Mushkin’s line of 1.8″ Chronos GO SATA III (6 Gbps) solid-state drives (SSDs) is available in 120, 240 and 480 GB capacities.The drives feature a smaller, lighter footprint than the previous generation, and offer performance and reliability improvements for power users.

Mushkin www.mushkin.com WWW.ELECTRONICSONLINE.NET.AU

JULY/AUGUST 2013 31

USING DIAMONDS TO DEVELOP NEXT-GEN TRANSISTORS

Mike Smyth, specialist technical writer

Diamonds may traditionally be a girl’s best friend but these little gems could soon become the electronics engineer’s best friend too.

hey are not only the hardest material known, they are a good conductor of heat and, when suitably doped, become an excellent conductor of electricity. Laurens H Willems van Beveren, a senior postdoctoral research fellow in solid state physics at Melbourne University, is researching these and other properties of diamonds to perhaps develop the next generation of transistors. “We’re investigating the fundamental behaviour of charge carriers in synthetic diamonds - that is how electrons and holes behave in a diamond,” he says. Future transistors will ideally operate at much higher speeds than today’s devices and their working might not be based on electrical charge but rather on the ‘magnetic moment’ (a tiny magnetic field) of individual charge carriers. This magnetic moment is referred to as ‘spin’ by physicists and can display quantum mechanical behaviour. The emerging field of technology known as ‘spintronics’ is focused on building electronic circuits based on this physical quality. It has been predicted and recently shown by several groups that a superconducting state can exist in diamond films that are doped with a very high concentration of boron atoms.

32 JULY/AUGUST 2013

“We are trying to observe the same phenomenon in nitrogendoped ultra nanocrystalline diamond films (UNCD) for which the charge carriers are electrons rather than holes. This work could result in a new class of diamond-based, high-temperature superconductors with sensing and device applications. “For our experiments we used a recently commissioned dilution refrigerator to subject our samples to a broad range of temperatures. This can cool to a minimum temperature of -273°C - more than 100 times colder than the average temperature in space.” In solid materials, atoms are typically arranged in a periodic fashion called a lattice. By stacking layers of lattice planes together, a crystal can be formed. A solid typically comprises many crystals but can also be made up of a single crystal only. It is very difficult to synthetically grow a large piece of highquality, single crystal diamond as it must be grown from a single seed under very precise growth conditions. Generally the atoms in a crystal are not static. They vibrate back and forth and at room temperature there is enough thermal energy to shake the lattice continuously. These thermally activated vibrations are called phonons that play a major role in determining

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CONDUCTORS

THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE IS INVESTING TWO DIFFERENT DIAMOND DEVICES. THE FIRST IS MADE FROM NITROGEN-DOPED (20%) UNCD AND IS ARRANGED AS A HALL BAR. THE SECOND DEVICE IS A HALL BAR TRANSISTOR, FABRICATED FROM A SYNTHETIC SINGLE CRYSTAL DIAMOND

ÂŠ iStockphoto.com/FreshPaint

WHICH CONTAINS VERY LITTLE NITROGEN.

the physical properties of solids such as thermal and electrical conductivity because of their interaction with mobile charge carriers. At dilution refrigerator temperatures there is not enough thermal energy to shake the atoms and the presence of phonons is drastically suppressed. This implies that mobile charge carriers in solids can become free of interacting (scattering) phonons and their true quantum mechanical nature can be revealed. Research is currently focused on two different diamond devices. The first is made from nitrogen-doped (20%) UNCD and is arranged as a Hall bar - a standard shape used in solid state physics that can be used to determine the density and mobility of charge carriers in the device. This is done by applying a magnetic field perpendicular to the sample surface. The nitrogen-doping provides an excess electron charge which is otherwise an electrical insulator. The excess electrons are mobile and responsible for the flow of electricity in this material. The UNCD films are polycrystalline materials consisting of ultrasmall diamond grains ranging from 2 to 5 nm to 1 micron. Due to the small size of these grains there is a lot of surface that interconnects these grains as opposed to a single crystal of diamond. It is these boundaries between the grains where dopants are most likely to gather and contribute to electrical flow. The researchers expect that not only the doping concentration but also the size of

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the crystals and the surfaces between the grains of the polycrystalline film play in important role in the conductivity of the material. The second device is a Hall bar transistor, fabricated from a synthetic single crystal diamond which contains very little nitrogen. To create excess charge carriers in these high-quality single crystal diamonds, a technique called hydrogen (H)-termination is used. The crystals are exposed to a microwave plasma containing hydrogen which, in combination with a thin water layer, introduces a hole-type surface conductivity. In these hydrogen crystals the majority charge carriers are holes rather than electrons and the current flows on the diamond surface only, rather than in the bulk of the crystal. To determine the fundamental properties of the charge carriers in the diamond samples, the Hall effect was used where the electrical current passing through the sample depends on the intensity of a magnetic field applied to the sample. This relationship allows a determination of the fundamental properties of the charge carriers such as density and mobility. This is than repeated for different temperatures to see if the material behaves as an insulator or carrier. From the preliminary low-temperature measurements it is seen that the UNCD samples behave as insulators. That is, the electrical current disappears when the temperature is dropped below a certain point - somewhere between 1 and 10 K, depending on the doping concentration. Other research groups have demonstrated otherwise, says Beveren, and more work is needed to reconcile the Melbourne data with other published results. The single crystal diamond samples, however, conduct electricity all the way down to the lowest possible temperatures the dilution refrigerator can reach and display only moderate temperature dependence. The Melbourne research is fundamental and not application driven. However, as more and more scientific knowledge of charge carriersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; behaviour becomes available, this research might be applied to the design of future transistors and/or sensors. In the near future, the researchers want to create nanometre-scale electronic devices in diamonds using the electron-beam lithography facility at the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication. Such ultrasmall devices will lead to novel biocompatible sensors such as those developed for use in the bionic eye and diamond transistors whose operation will depend on the presence of a single hole charge. Importantly, the group has passivated the H-terminated diamond surfaces with an alumina capping layer. This means that the technology for implementing surface-conducting diamonds into device applications is now more robust and might become a reality.

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GRUMPY WHINES ABOUT ANNOYING PACKAGING Mike Smyth, specialist technical writer

udwig van Beethoven wrote a frenetic piece of piano music that was entitled Rage Over a Lost Penny and the composition reflected his impotence at not being able to find the coin. While not so elegantly executed, I have a similar frustration with trying to extract common objects from fiendish and devious packets that enclose many of today’s products. And many of these packets contain electric items from batteries to memory sticks. But let’s get this thing into perspective. While foodstuffs may be game for elaborate packing because of health reasons and in a bid to extend shelf life, why do we have to have the same degree of security when it comes to batteries, a bar of soap, a ball pen refill or a computer memory stick? Take foods for instance. Biscuits are a major contributor to broken fingernails and rising gall as we fight the plastic packet only to open it upside down and shoot the contents over the floor. I can understand the hygiene and non-contamination reasons behind the protection. But I can’t help recalling with affection the days when biscuits were displayed in the shop and served from an open tin into a brown paper bag. And while we are in the grocers, where the grocer wore a full-length long black apron and no plastic gloves, bacon was sliced in front of the customer, who chose the thickness of the rashers as the grocer held up a sample for inspection while the flies buzzed around to be chased away by the delivery boy. Sugar, butter, lard and eggs were not pre-wrapped in finger-defying shrink plastic. And I doubt we were any less healthy through all this exposure to air and other people. In fact, I believe our immune systems were better served by this exposure to all manner of bugs. I am sure this cotton wooling has contributed in no small part to making us such precious, sensitive little animals that today we cannot take a minute chance of a little foreign matter in our food. It has to be a contributing factor to the fact that antibiotics are no longer as effective as they once were - so sanitised have we become. However, with world travel and the danger of carrying strange and exotic diseases globally, food wrapping has become more or less essential. But we should not lose site of the fact that most plastics come from oil, a commodity that is a finite resource. One of the greatest frustrations, and one of the most challenging, are medical pills that mostly defy all but the smallest and most dexterous fingers - not the often arthritis-ridden fingers of the elderly who are most likely to need them. Sick people, some with failing eyesight, have to struggle with double-wrapped pills inside metallised sheets. Whatever happened to pill boxes? How many times have I just avoided major surgery by stabbing at a vacuum-wrapped memory stick with a non-too-clean screwdriver and how many times have I struggled with a bar of soap having cardboard on the outside and then cellophane wrapped inside that? What is so precious about soap? Apart from my screwdriver-attacking frenzies, I’ve tried attacking the packet with a pair of scissors. I’ve tried sheer brute strength, twisting and bending in the hope of finding a weak spot but I inevitably retire beaten and broken and wait for the blood pressure to subside before having another go. Why should it be this hard to get into the packet or am I missing some delightfully simple way of entry. If so, there are many more like me out there who have not a clue how to break down the barriers. So can we perhaps be a little more selective in our packaging - eliminate the unnecessary from the necessary. Packet in, I say, for the sake of good relations.

34 JULY/AUGUST 2013

Editor Mansi Gandhi wnie@westwick-farrow.com.au Chief Editor Janette Woodhouse Publisher Geoff Hird Art Director/Production Manager Julie Wright Art/Production Tanya Scarselletti, Jeanette Teuma Colleen Sam Circulation Manager Sue Lavery circulation@westwick-farrow.com.au Copy Control Mitchie Mullins Advertising Sales National Sales Manager: Nicola Fender-Fox Ph: 0414 703 780 nfender-fox@westwick-farrow.com.au NSW, QLD - Liz Wilson Ph: 0403 528 558 lwilson@westwick-farrow.com.au VIC, SA, WA - Lachlan Rainey Ph: 0402 157 167 lrainey@westwick-farrow.com.au New Zealand - Gemma Burr Ph: 0800 442 529 gburr@westwick-farrow.com.au USA - Huson International Media East Coast Ph: +1 212 268 3344 West Coast Ph: +1 408 879 6666 ralph.lockwood@husonmedia.com UK - Huson International Media Ph: +44 1932 56 4999 gerryb@husonmedia.com ASIA - Lachlan Rainey Ph: +61 (0) 402 157 167

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March 2013 Total CAB Audited Circulation (Aust + NZ) 5,863 (88% personally requested) Printed and bound by Pegasus +61 2 8822 0716 Print Post Approved PP100007394 ISSN No. 0728-3873 All material published in this magazine is published in good faith and every care is taken to accurately relay information provided to us. Readers are advised by the publishers to ensure that all necessary safety devices and precautions are installed and safe working procedures adopted before the use of any equipment found or purchased through the information we provide. Further, all performance criteria was provided by the representative company concerned and any dispute should be referred to them. Information indicating that products are made in Australia or New Zealand is supplied by the source company. Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd does not quantify the amount of local content or the accuracy of the statement made by the source.

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