Free “Test-Fit” Shielding and Electrical Contact Kit

A RoHS-compliant beryllium copper sample gasket kit is available from Omega Shielding Products. The sample assortment contains over 20 popular sizes and shapes including contacts, fold-overs, clip-ons and longitudinal edge gaskets. The wide selection of products allows engineers to “test-fit” multiple styles to determine the best solution.

Omega’s beryllium copper gaskets are highly-conductive connectors that are used in applications ranging from RFI shielding to battery contacts and grounding strips. The sample kit also includes a CD with helpful application, shielding effectiveness and performance data. Installation guidelines, mounting options and electronic-grade plating alternatives are also reviewed.

For more information or a free sample kit, contact Omega Shielding Products Inc., 9 Emery Ave., Randolph, NJ 07869, phone: (800) 828) 5784 or (973) 366-0080, fax: (973) 366-8232, or visit www.omegashielding.com.

High Performance EMI Filter

RFI Industries Pty. Ltd. has introduced the TH series of single phase, ultra high performance EMI filters.

These filters are designed for use in digital systems (particularly switched mode power supplies) to suppress continuous or intermittent interference from pulse signals. They are also well suited for use with low impedance loads.

TH series filters incorporate a differential mode choke to improve response in this mode and also have a low leakage current of <0.5mA.

The rated input voltage is 120/250Vac, at 50/60Hz and the filters are available in current ratings from 6A to 30A.

As a QA test, a one-minute test voltage of 1500Vac line to line and 1500Vac line to ground is applied to each filter at manufacture. The filters also conform to climate category 25/085/21.

RFI Industries Pty. Ltd. offers a complete range of EMI RF filters for both commercial and military applications.

For more information, visit www.rfi-ind.com.au.

CADSTAR Microstrip Routing Tools

iMstrip, a specialist routing interface tool for handling microstrip routing for radio frequency (RF) design within CADSTAR environments, interfaces between CADSTAR, and Aplac and Agilent microstrip routing tools allows designers to simulate high-frequency conductor geometries in RF printed circuit boards (PCBs). Without it, the task would usually take hours in redrawing the schematic by hand to perform simulation and verification checks for RF. With iMstrip, this task now takes only a matter of minutes, says the company.

Since the schematic and PCB layout will contain both component and route shape symbols, specialized RF simulation is required. In these designs, conductors or routes/tracks, act as components and need to be created as integral parts of the circuit. The layout has a direct impact on the way a board works; route length and width, physical component positioning and size, and the composition of substrate material all affect the frequency of a wave.

Accurate tuning and physical simulation of PCB conductors is critical. It is essential to verify that the schematic that has been transferred to physical layout exactly matches what was intended by the designer. Faults in this part of the design process not only cause circuitry problems but will also affect the core functionality.

Once the microstrip simulation routing tools have performed checks on a CADSTAR design, the results can then be transferred back to CADSTAR schematics for corrective design modifications using the iMstrip.

For more information, visit http://www.incasystems.fi/iMstrip.html.

Connectors’ Coil Spring Increases EMI Protection

Binder-USA has a new shield termination technique employing a coiled shielding spring which firmly connects a cable’s braided shield to a connector’s metal housing. This enhancement ensures 360° EMI protection and reduces the number of components required for assembly as well as the overall assembly time. The new termination technique is available on Binder Series 713, 715 and 825 m12 threaded connectors.

The introduction of the coil spring increases EMI protection while maintaining the IP67 protection rating.

Connectors will accept cable as large as 9mm in diameter, and up to five conductors can be terminated.

For more information, visit www.binder-usa.com.

EMI Filters Run Up to 1600A

Deltron Emcon has developed a new high current filter, the HCF 690VAC. Applications include high power motors, inverters and convertors for large-scale industrial three-phase systems, such as conveyor belts, mine shaft lifts and heavy machinery in manufacturing, mining and petrochemical industries.

The HCF 690VAC comes in 300, 600, 1000 and 1600A versions. It is rated to 50C and can be used in TN and IT power supply networks.Although generally used in Class A applications, it can also be used to meet the more stringent Class B compliance requirements.

The smallest filter in the range (300A) has a footprint of just 198 x 146mm and is just 75mm high.The largest filter (1600A) is not much bigger at 380 x 325 x 145mm.

For more information, visit www.deltron-emcon.com.

Low-Cost Automotive and ISM RF Test Systems

Agilent Technologies Inc. now offers a low-cost, scalable, functional tester designed for automotive and general-purpose test markets. The Agilent TS-5020 also helps manufacturers get their products to market faster by accelerating test-system deployment.

The TS-5020 is ideal for testing automotive supplemental restraint systems, small body electronics and HVAC climate-controlled modules. It has the flexibility to perform RF stand-alone tests, such as remote-keyless-entry and tire-pressure-monitoring systems, as well as a combination of low-frequency (AC and DC) and high-frequency (RF) tests specifically targeted to the automotive market. This test platform is also compatible with ISM band in industrial and consumer applications from 100MHz – 3GHz for remote control transmitters/receivers, remote metering, remote temperature sensors and RFID.

Agilent’s TS-5020 can be combined with optional Agilent instruments, including the industry-leading N6700 Series module power supply and Agilent GPIB PCI card, to perform more sophisticated tasks.

For more information, visit www.agilent.com/find/ts5020.

Tyco EMI/RFI Filtering Selection Guide and Catalog

Tyco Electronics Corp. has published a new edition of the CORCOM Product Guide. The guide has become the industry standard for selection and application of EMI and RFI filtering devices. Included in the new guide is detailed information on RFI power line filters, power entry modules, DC filters and signal line filtering products.

In addition to extensive product information, the guide includes detailed, easy-to-use selection charts to assist designers in the product selection process. The flow-chart style of the selection chart allows engineers to quickly determine the most suitable product for specific applications and parameters.

Supplementing the selection guide and product information is a useful technical note chapter that highlights the major design and application criteria used in EMI/RFI mitigation.

To obtain a CORCOM product guide, send an email request to newproducts@tycoelectronics.com with Catalog 1654001 in the subject line.

Filter Plates in RoHS-Compliant Versions

Spectrum Control’s complete line of standard and custom filter plates for EMI filtered signal lines has been redesigned to meet the European Union’s RoHS directive that restricts the use of six substances, including lead. These include the Easy Mate, Easy Mate Jr., bolt-in and custom filter plates.

Designed for snap-in installation into the chassis, Easy Mate filter plates reduce installation time and prep work costs, says the company. Both the Easy Mate and Easy Mate Jr. filter plates feature multiple finger ground contacts that provide the lowest path of impedance for noise-to-ground and EMI filtering from 5MHz to 18GHz.

The bolt-in filter plates eliminate the need to mount filters into bulkheads and offer excellent filtering from 5MHz to 1GHz, as well as mixed capacitance values and circuits. They are offered in various plate sizes with up to 74 lines per plate (high-density), and 60 pins per plate (standard density). Custom designs are available for size, filtering and material requirements in a variety of industrial, medical and telecommunications applications.

Pricing for the RoHS-compliant filter plates ranges from $5 to $90.

For information, visit www.spectrumcontrols.com.

Wire-Wound Chip Inductors for Signal Line

Taiyo Yuden, Inc.‘s new LBM2016 series of wire-wound chip inductors are now being mass produced at the rate of 3 million units per month, with production expected to reach 10 million units by summer. The EIA0806 case size (2.0mm L x 1.6mm W x 1.6mm H) LBM2016 is 43% smaller by volume than equivalent-rated inductors typically used for signal line filter applications in standard TVs (soon also flat-screens), audio equipment, set-top boxes, AV equipment and other devices that require large numbers of signal lines and corresponding inductors.

Signal line circuits incorporating an inductor and capacitor are used to isolate specific signal frequencies, a critical operational requirement of all modern electronics. This application requires inductors with a higher Q factor and narrower inductance tolerance than the type of power inductors typically used in DC/DC converter choke coils and IC input power circuits. However, adapting this same technology to LBM2016 series signal line inductors enabled Taiyo Yuden to significantly reduce chip size while retaining the high Q factor and narrow inductance tolerance of previous signal line inductors.

Further refinements included optimizing the material compound ratios of the outer covering, redesigning the ferrite core, thickness and number of windings to eliminate all wasted space and optimize performance. As with other Taiyo Yuden inductors, the LBM2016 series non-polarized electrodes simplify manufacturing by allowing the device to be mounted, right side up, regardless of orientation. A total of 25 different part numbers are currently offered in the LBM2016 series

For more information, visit www.yuden.us.

LORENTZ-HF Simulation Software

Integrated Engineering Software (IES), the makers of various electromagnetic analysis and simulation software, has released LORENTZ-HF, a new simulation program aimed at the SATCOM and high-energy physics communities. LORENTZ-HF has been developed to meet the need for reliable and verifiable computer simulation data for the phenomenon of multipactor discharge, or multipaction.

LORENTZ-HF combines IES’ 3D MoM full-wave program SINGULA with the ray tracing and space charge capabilities of their LORENTZ program. The merger of these two established programs into LORENTZ-HF constitutes a significant leap forward in overall capability for researchers and engineers designing satellite communications equipment, RF components, high power RF amplifiers, vacuum electronics components, high frequency/RF cables and more.

LORENTZ-HF is now available for evaluation. Corporate, research and academic rates are in effect for rental, lease or permanent license purchase.

For more information, phone: (204) 632-5636 or request an evaluation online at www.integratedsoft.com.

EMI Filter for Wireless Handsets

California Micro Devices has a new generation Praetorian CM1452 EMI filter with ESD protection for wireless handsets in a 0.40mm pitch chip-scale package (CSP). This saves up to 45% board space compared with 0.50mm pitch CSP or plastic TDFN packages. It also eliminates the need for additional diodes for ESD protection.

The CM1452 provides both EMI filtering and ESD protection for interfaces that connect the host processor to the camera and display modules in wireless handsets.

Each channel of the CM1452 consists of a three-pole L-C filter with a minimum inductor value of 17nH and nominal capacitor values of 15pF. Insertion loss is lower than R-C filters, typically less than 1dB. The device also features excellent filter performance with a typical corner frequency of 300MHz, a rolloff of 20dB/octave and attenuation greater than 30dB between 800MHz and 3GHz. It also offers ESD protection up to ±15kV contact discharge per IEC61000-4-2 Level 4 specification and ±30kV using the human body model.

The lead-free CM1452 devices are housed in CSPs that measure 1.67 x 1.05 mm, 2.47 x 1.05mm and 3.30 x 1.05mm for the four-, six- and eight-channel versions, respectively.

For more information, visit www.calmicro.com.

Demodulator for WiMAX Use

Sirenza Microdevices has released the newest addition to its line of high performance products for WiMAX (802.16 d/e) applications. The SRQ-2116Z is a new high linearity direct quadrature I/Q demodulator IC enabling high throughput in WiMAX base station equipment.

Produced in SiGe HBT technology, the SRQ-2116Z operates over the 700 to 3800MHz frequency range with 13dB of gain and provides excellent amplitude and phase balance for input second order intercept point of +60dBm. The SRQ-2116Z is housed in a low-cost TSSOP-16 package with mean time between failure (MTBF) of 1 million hours, in line with Sirenza’s 3R® program.

The SRQ-2116Z is available for immediate shipment in a RoHS-compliant, lead-free package.

For more information, visit www.sirenza.com.

RFI/EMI Supression Capacitors

Vishay Intertechnology has launched two new series of high-reliability components designed for RFI/EMI suppression. Complying with EN132400/IEC 60384-14 2nd edition, ENEC-VDE, UL1414 and CSA requirements, the VY1 and VY2 capacitors can be used in both line by-pass and across-the-line configurations, to suppress both common-mode and differential-mode interference.

The VY1 series is rated for use in the IEC 60384-14.2 X1 mode at 760Vac, and in Y1 mode at 500Vac (both at 50Hz). This series is available in values from 10pF to 4.7nF and is 100% tested at 4,000Vac (50Hz) for 2s. With a peak voltage of 8kV, VY1 capacitors are intended mainly for continuous use, and where the highest safety levels are required, such as in CTV, LCD and CRT monitors, VCRs and DVD players and high-frequency ballasts.

The VY2 series is rated for use in X1 mode at 440Vac, and in Y2 mode at 300Vac (both at 50Hz). Available values range from 10pF to 10nF and the devices are 100% tested at 2,600Vac (50Hz) for 2s. These capacitors are designed for intermittent use applications where the expected peak voltage is 5kV or less.

Both sets of products are available with tolerances of ±10% or ±20%, and with vertical (in-line) kink or straight leads. Available lead spacings are 10mm or 12.5mm (VY1), and 5-, 7.5- and 10mm (VY2). The capacitors are designed to require as little space as possible, with body diameters ranging from 7.5mm to 16mm, and thickness down to 5mm.

The VY1 and VY2 ranges are available in bulk, tape and reel, and taped ammopack packaging. Operating temperature is -40°C to 125°C.

For more information, visit www.vishay.com.

First Motorized Prosthesis with a Brain

Ossur’s Power Knee is the first motorized prosthesis to give leg amputees fluid motion by simulating the movements of the real knee next to it.

A series of sensors strapped to the healthy leg measures pressure and motion 1,350 times a second to determine where the leg is going and how fast. The data transmit wirelessly to an artificial-intelligence processor on the 10 pound battery-operated Power Knee. The microchip controls a brushless motor that drives the device precisely in sync with its healthy counterpart.

For more information, visit www.ossur.com.

RoHS Compliant and Flame Retardant EMI Shield

Laird Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of electromagnetic interference shielding materials, thermal interface products and wireless antenna solutions, is offering EcoGreen™ EMI shields in response to recent environmental directives such as the European Union’s RoHS and WEEE that restrict the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.

All of Laird Technologies’ fabric-over-foam EMI shields are RoHS-compliant but EcoGreen shields extend the compliancy because they are halogen-free (per the IEC 61249-2-21 standard).

Ideal EcoGreen applications include computer servers, desktop or notebook computers, digital cameras, liquid crystal displays, medical equipment, plasma display panels, printers and telecommunications enclosure cabinets.

For more information, contact Laird Technologies, phone: (800)843-4556 www.lairdtech.com.