New Products 2004 |
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Charge Pump Converter Works down to 0.3 Volts |
Using fully depleted transistors
Seiko’s IC
S-882Z can produce several volts from an input of only 0.3 volts. This
would be perfect for a battery charger circuit, powered from a single 0.5 volt
silicon solar cell. The S-882Z device would provide the needed initial higher
start-up voltage for a conventional voltage boost type switching regulator.
Once started, a bit of the output of the regulator would be used to main
regulator operation. This “bootstrap” method could keep the overall
efficiency in excess of 85%. |
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Miniature Flame Detector from
Hamamatsu Photonics |
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Looking very much like a small
NE-2 neon lamp, Hamamatsu’s “UV Tron”
R2868 deep ultraviolet detector can detect the unique light from an open
flame from several feet away. The 200 nanometer wavelength response of the
Hamamatsu device ignores the ultraviolet from sunlight, allowing it to be used
in outdoor applications. The only downside of the device is that it
requires a stable 325 volt supply which can source in excess of 1ma of current.
This would make the device difficult to operate using a battery supply. |
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Near
Object Sensor From Sharp |
The
GP2 family of devices from Sharp
has been used in automatic flushing toilets and in automatic faucets for
many years now. The devices contain both an infrared LED and a PIN
photo diode which is connected to a synchronous detection scheme circuit.
This method ignores most ambient light changes and only responds to light
reflected off an object that appears in front of the device. The
typical range of detection is 16 inches but with a carefully designed
circuit, it can be extended out to almost 10 feet. The only downside
of this device is its power hungry 33ma current draw. |
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Fluid Filled Tilt Sensors by Federicks |
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TrueTILT™ Narrow
Angle Precision Leveling Sensor 0703-0703-99
The 0703-0703-99 TrueTILT uses patented technology and construction to provide
an
accurate and robust narrow angle sensor at an attractive price with excellent
sensor-to-sensor repeatability and reliability. Features include highly
sensitive output,
exceptional time and temperature stability, and superior roll axis properties.
Unparalleled performance and features.
The Federicks Company
has quite a family of products that can produce a voltage proportional to the
angle of tilt. Their devices have been used in digital construction levels
and on machinery, which needs to monitor tilt. They might also be used for
vehicle motion sensors and on building sway detection. |
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Ultra Low
Current Drain Voltage Regulators form Seiko |
I could not believe my eyes when I first saw
these devices. Here was a low voltage regulator that demanded only a
microamp or so of current. Wow, these things have lots and lots of
applications. Now I could supply some of my ultra low current
circuits with a nice regulated voltage, without blowing my total battery
current budget. I have since included these parts in several of my
new designs. |
I would recommend using the Seiko S-812
regulators. These have a higher input voltage limit. They offer both
through-hole and surface mounted packages. You can buy them through
your Seiko distributor or from
Mouser
Electronics. For more technical information visit Seiko’s
website
Seiko Electronics. |
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