From XKCD
Archive for September, 2009
For example in the automotive industry, the usual progression is items that were once was found in luxury vehicles are now standard in mid-level vehicles. Sensor wise this includes environmental control, tire pressure monitoring systems, light sensing head lights, and exterior temperature sensors built into the windshield or rear-view mirror. We’re talking $20k vehicles here.
Fitness buffs often use portable heart rate monitors, pedometers or advanced weigh scales which can estimate body fat. Nike has even released sneakers with built in sensors to track workouts and communicate workout statistics and milestones.
Of course the obvious is entertainment and gadgets. The Wii and iPhone revolutionizing their respective markets.
Many other industries also widely use sensors within applications, some of which require high accuracy and reliability. A few examples are within chemical processing, high-tech material production, pharmaceuticals, just to name a few. Accuracy is critical within these applications to ensure high yields and an overall quality production process
Later on in this discussion we’ll talk about the use of sensors from the analog signal chain design point.
PCs and servers are handling larger amounts of information and offering increasingly sophisticated functions. This reality in turn is increasing the power consumption in these computers. As a result of the technology trend toward lower voltages, larger currents, smaller packages, and integration in electronic components, system engineers face important issues when designing the DC-DC converters that provide the supply voltage to these devices. They must limit any increases in the number of power devices used in these power supplies. Simultaneously, they must also limit the heat generated and reduce the space needed for the supplies. One way to optimize efficiency is the use of Synchronous Buck Drivers (example MCP14700) . This is accomplished by incorporating dual inputs that allow the delays between the High-side and Low-side to be adjusted. This results in being able to optimize the efficiency of the DC - DC converter.
Related Links
Amazing shot between played between the legs yesterday in the U.S. Open’s semi-final match between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic
Is the next step after wireless charging is active wireless powering?
If Eric Giler’s (CEO of WiTricity) prediction is true, their product may be the next big thing. Imagine the convenience if your laptop did not need a power cord or your calls not cut out because of a dead battery? According to this CNN article, WiTricity’s technology converts electricity into magnetic fields to send it through the air at a specific frequency, dubbed ‘magnetically coupled resonance’, to power nearby electronics. While the debates, valid or not, over the safety of living under power lines and the fields generated by cell phones, the fields produced are about the same density as the earths magnetic field. Would this lead to birds crashing into homes?
Still the potential of eliminating various power supplies and billions of disposable batteries is quite attractive. Wouldn’t you have loved to see Henry Woodward, Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin’s faces if you were hand them a lit light bulb tethered to space?
With the big drop in consumer spending sales and design in the power aspect has understandably taken a hit along with it. But there still are hot areas of growth and of course it all relates to being green. Energy Star and similar programs are pushing for more efficient low power designs, LED lightning is getting a lot of attention, even as Europe phases out incandescent light bulbs in favor of CFLs, and who could forget renewable energy.
Take for example UMC, a foundry in competition with the more well know TSMC.
Taiwan’s United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC), the world’s second-largest silicon foundry, says it will allocate NT $1.5 billion (about US $46 million) to launch a subsidiary to invest in solar, LED, and some other high-growth industries. The move follows a similar-size investment by its larger rival, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). Full story here.
Well, it’s a lot but not a lot compared to what governments are throwing around, but keep in mind UMC already owns a thin-film solar cell company, an LED chipmaker, and a lightning company, making them well positioned for the future. The company with the best power solutions for these products definitely stands to benefit greatly as these technologies proliferate.
Related Links:
Lighting Applications Design Center
