Fully-Integrated Microprocessor Monitor

TC1232 Microprocessor Monitor is a fully-integrated processor  monitor that provides three important functions to safeguard processor sanity:

•    Precision power on/off reset control
•    Watchdog Timer, and
•    External Reset override

This device is monitored by the on-board watchdog circuit. Providing a periodic low-going signal on the ST input. Whenever it fails to provide or supply signal within the selected time-out period, an out-of-control processor is indicated and the TC1232 issues a processor reset as a result. It’s output are instantly pushed active when the PB input is brought low by an external push button switch or other electronics signal.

This device is packed in a space-saving 8-Pin PDIP or SOIC package, a 16-Pin SOIC package and requires no external components.

It has precision voltage monitor, reset pulse width of 250 ms minimum, with no external components. The watchdog timer is adjustable and is operating a voltage of 4.0V to 5.5V.

Check out this Block Diagram to understand the flow of the system of this device.

For more info read more on this webpage.

Read More

Microchip Technology's Serial Quad I/O™ SuperFlash® Memory Devices

Here’s something new with Microchip Technology.  All of us wanted devices that are super fast specially with our gadgets. We hate if a device takes time to respond on our commands. Copying files on a memory or deleting can sometimes take time with other devices because they are using a slow technology. But with this new Microchip Technology Serial Quad I/O SuperFlash Memory Devices making those task is as easy as counting 1-2-3.

SST26WF016B provides 16-Mbit of Memory and is based on Microchip’s high-performance SuperFlash technology with fast erase times and superior reliability. The SQI interface is a high-speed 104 MHz 4-bit multiplexed I/O serial interface which allows for high-data throughput in a low pin-count package.  The SST26WF016B provides faster data throughput than a comparable x16 parallel Flash device without the associated high cost and high-pin count of parallel Flash.

The SST26WF016B offers excellent quality and reliability with 100 years data retention and device endurance of over 100,000 erase/write cycles. Enhanced safety features include software write protection of individual blocks for flexible data/code protection and a One-Time Programmable (OTP) 2 Kbyte Secure ID area.

For more features and information about this device, please visit this site,

Read More

What’s New at Mouser Electronics?

NXP Semiconductors’ SSL5015TE LED Driver Integrated Circuit is now available at Mouser Electronics. It is engineered to drive LED lamps for general mains non-dimmable light applications and it targets 100VAC or 120VAC systems. It also boasts an input power factor that is greater than 0.95, with a low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of less than 20 percent.

The NXP SSL5015TE LED Driver Integrated Circuit (IC) can be configured as a buck converter while drawing only 1.3 mA. The chip can start up directly from the HV pin using an internal high-voltage current source. While the converter is switching, Vcc is supplied through the DVDT pin by a capacitor coupled to the drain pin or by an auxiliary supply. This feature not only simplifies the VCC supply, but it allows designers to incorporate a low-cost, off-the-shelf inductor. It also targets a variety of lighting applications including retrofit LED lamps and driver modules for LED lighting.

It can be applied for Retrofit LED lamps and Driver modules for LED lighting.

It has the following features:

• Driving LED strings from a rectified mains supply
• Highly integrated switch mode LED driver with integrated 300 V(DC) power switches
• Efficient BCM operation with:
• No reverse recovery losses in freewheel diode
• Zero Current Switching (ZCS) for turn-on of switch
• Zero voltage or valley switching for turn-on of switch
• Minimal required inductance value and size

• Direct PWM current regulation possible
• Fast transient response through peak current mode control
• No overshoots or undershoots in the LED current

• Full set of internal protections
• UnderVoltage LockOut (UVLO)
• Leading-Edge Blanking (LEB)
• OverCurrent Protection (OCP)
• Internal Over Temperature Protection (OTP)
• Brownout protection
• Output Short Protection (OSP)

• Low BOM LED driver solution
• No Schottky diode required due to ZCS
• Easy external temperature protection with a single NTC resistor
• Option for soft-start function
• Compatible with wall switches with built-in standby indicator lights

• High reliability: IC lifetime meets and exceeds the required LED lamp lifetime

Source: EEWeb Mouser News

Read More

MotionTracking™ Devices

InvenSense and Digi-key has come into a signed agreement fot the global distribution of InvenSense’s MotionTracking devices. Devices that are good for consumer electronic products such as Smartphones, tablets, game controllers, Smart TVs and wearable sensors.

"Motion sensing technology is found in nearly every facet of our daily lives, as we become more and more tech dependent," noted Mark Zack, Digi-Key's Vice President for Global Semiconductor Product. "InvenSense has found a unique niche within the technology market and their innovative product provides tremendous value to our global customers. We are extremely pleased to add their exciting portfolio of motion sensing solutions to our broad line card."

"The addition of Digi-Key as a key distributor of our products provides the ability for customers to quickly receive delivery of InvenSense's parts around the world. Digi-Key supports our commitment to meet the design needs of a diverse customer base through an extremely easy to use and flexible channel," said Dan Goehl, InvenSense's Vice President of Worldwide Sales. "As the leading provider of MotionTracking solutions for consumer electronic and industrial applications, InvenSense is committed to continuously expanding its global presence and service."


Check it out here!

Read More

Crystal LAN™ Ethernet Controller

CS8900A is a Crystal LAN® 10Base-T Embedded Ethernet Controller featuring a single-chip IEEE802.3 Ethernet solution and operating at full duplex. It has an on-chip RAM buffers transmit and receive frames as well as 10Base-T ports and filters. It has on-chip RAM, 10Base-T transmit-and-receive filters and a direct ISA-Bus interface with 24 mA drivers.

It eliminates the need for costly external components required by other Ethernet controllers. It also offers a broad range of performance features and configuration options. It increases system efficiency because it has a unique PacketPage architecture that automatically adapts to changing network traffic patterns and available system resources.

CS8900A is available in a 100-pin TQFP package for small form-factor, cost-sensitive Ethernet applications. This product (CS8900A) has a small design that will allow system engineers to design a complete Ethernet circuit that occupies less than 1.5 square inches (10 sq. cm.) of board space. Incorporates a 4-Kbyte page of on-chip memory, eliminating the cost and board area associated with external memory chips.

CS8900A’s Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) engine is fully compliant with the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard (ISO/IEC 8802-3, 1993), and supports full-duplex operation. CS8900A is designed to work well in either motherboard or adapter applications.

CS8900A is very low cost, high performance, low power consumption, it offers three power-down options: Hardware Standby, Hardware Suspend and Software Suspend. It is also designed for very low noise emission.

For more info and features about CS8900A, you may check out this page.

Read More

Allegro MicroSystem's New A6261: Protected LED Array Driver

Here’s new from Allegro MicroSystems, they just released the A6261 Protected LED Array Driver. It is a programmable current regulator that uses linear operation and supplies up to 100mA from each of four outputs (PL and LY) to drive arrays of high brightness LEDs. To ensure safe operation with maximum possible light output this driver would drive the LEDs with constant current. It has 2 outputs with 100mA and 200 mA.

It has an output control, which enables a direct control for PWM applications, short detection is also provided to protect LEDs and the A6261 whenever a short-to-ground happen at any LED output pin. There is also a temperature monitor. On the package are 8-pin SOICN, 10-pin MSOP and 16-pin TSSOP, all with exposed pad for enhanced thermal dissipation. Lead free with 100% matte tin leadframe plating.

With the following Features & Benefits:

• AEC Q-100 qualified
• Total LED drive current up to 400 mA (LP and LY packages) or 300 mA (LJ)
• Current shared equally up to 100 mA by up to 4 strings (LP and LY)
• 6 to 50 V supply
• Low dropout voltage
• LED output short-to-ground and thermal protection
• Disable on open LED detection option
• Enable input for PWM control
• Current slew rate limit during PWM
• Current set by reference resistor
• Automotive temperature range (K, –40°C to 150°C)

Read more A6261: Protected LED Array Driver for more info about the product.

Read More

CAP1114 - Multi-Channel Capacitive Touch Sensor

We are currently in the era of touch and sensor technology. Latest phone and computer devices nowadays are having a touch screen features. You will be left out if you don’t have the latest touch screen phone or tablet. As an online geek, I always make sure that I am updated to every new technology that came out to the market.

Thanks to our inventors they were able to make CAP1114, a multiple channel capacitive touch sensor and LED driver. CAP1114 can be applied mostly to consumer electronics, desktop and notebook PCs, LCD monitors and other devices that has capacitive touch sensor technology. With that, we are enjoying our mobile devices with touch screen capability like never before.

CAP1114 device integrates SMSC’s RightTouch™ technology and consists of 14 individual capacitive touch sensor inputs with programmable sensitivity mainly for the use in touch button and slider switch applications. Each sensor contains automatic recalibration with programmable time delays.

The complete product features of CAP1114 based on the Microchip News are the following:

• Fourteen (14) capacitive touch sensor inputs
• Lid closure detection
• Low power operation
• Alert to signal touch to host processor
• User controlled reset
• Low external component count
• SMBus 2.0 compliant interface to change operating parameters to work in a wide variety of systems
• Eleven (11) LED driver outputs
• Development boards and software available
• Available in 32-pin 5mm x 5mm QFN Lead-free RoHS Compliant package

Read More