Part 1 of this blog discussed sensors and products compatible with the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) Matter standard that were announced at CES 2024. This included a Matter-compliant bridge that allows previously available products to be Matter-compliant. Compliant products gain the benefits of ease of interconnectivity via Wi-Fi and increased security through Matter’s use of […]
How Matter impacts sensors: part 1
With the support of connectivity companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung Electronics, and more, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) announced the Matter standard in October 2022. The standard’s intent is to provide secure and easy to configure interconnected products for consumers. That type of interconnectivity is essential to smart homes. When Matter 1.2 was […]
How current sensing impacts electric vehicles: Part 2
Part 1 of this blog addressed current shunts and Hall-effect sensor designs. This part discusses current transformers and new technology options such as magnetoresistance and even diamond quantum sensors. One of the major issues in today’s electric vehicles (EVs) is the ongoing evolution of technology with the standards evolving as well. In the 100+ years […]
Tiny, all-in-one direct Time-of-Flight module targeted at advanced imaging applications
STMicroelectronics announced an all-in-one, direct Time-of-Flight (dToF) 3D LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) module with market-leading 2.3k resolution. They revealed an early design win for the world’s smallest 500k-pixel indirect Time-of-Flight (iToF) sensor. The VL53L9, announced is a new direct ToF 3D LiDAR device with a resolution of up to 2.3k zones. Integrating a dual […]
Portable, 4K HDMI encoder offers multi-channel support
VITEC is launching the MGW Diamond-H 4K HDMI encoder to further enhance its broad portfolio of HEVC encode and decode products. The MGW Diamond-H, a portable 4K HDMI Encoder is a significant addition to VITEC’s portable HEVC encoder product line, setting a new standard for quality, efficiency, and integration. With the ability to encode up […]
How current sensing impacts electric vehicles: part 1
The need to transition from gasoline and diesel (fossil fuels) powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce carbon dioxide levels has revealed many controversial issues. Common issues include implementation timing, required infrastructure (including fast charging multi-vehicle systems), legislated rather than consumer-based adoption, ongoing system enhancements, and sources of new critical raw materials. One of […]
How can awareness of the need for CO sensors be increased?
Public outcries for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to reduce their climate change impact have been widely promoted for more than two decades. However, attention to a more immediate public health problem from carbon monoxide (CO) has not received anywhere near the same level of attention– unless the deaths get news covered. For example, in […]
Laser diffuse sensor integrates time-of-flight technology.
Small housing, big operating range: Thanks to TOF technology, the new ODT3CL1-2M compact diffuse sensor from Leuze achieves an operating range of up to two meters. The 2-in-1 sensor detects the presence of objects and at the same time transmits measurement values. With the new ODT3CL1-2M laser diffuse sensor, the Sensor People from Leuze are […]
How is sensing used to detect glaucoma?
The term glaucoma is used to describe a group of eye diseases. In addition to damaging the eye’s optic nerve, glaucoma can result in vision loss and even blindness. About 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but the disease affects more than 67 million people worldwide and is the second leading cause of blindness. Glaucoma occurs […]
What quantum sensors can be used as GPS replacements?
There’s a variety of quantum sensors available for use as a global positioning system (GPS) replacement including quantum compasses, atomic gyroscopes, and atom interferometers. Several options for a quantum GPS replacement, also called quantum position sensing (QPS), are being developed. Three examples include quantum active navigation that overlays and supplements existing satellite-based GPS systems, quantum […]
How does a quantum radar sensor work?
It generates quantum entanglement between a microwave resonator and a signal that is emitted toward a target and can theoretically make radar detection up to four times faster in scenarios with comparable signal power and target noise. It also reduces susceptibility to jamming. A microwave quantum radar begins with a stream of entangled visible-frequency photons […]
Exploring the fundamentals of tactile switches
Tactile switches, often overlooked in their simplicity, are the unsung heroes of countless electronic devices, providing the tactile feedback and reliable actuation force that underpin user experience. From the keyboards for laptops to the robust controls of industrial machinery, these unassuming switches enable seamless interaction with the digital world. Despite their simplicity, there are still […]
Power-dense sensors help designers minimize footprint of GaN and SiC devices
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. announced the launch of its new high-bandwidth current sensors, the ACS37030 and the ACS37032, which enable high-performance power conversion with GaN and SiC technologies in electrified vehicles, clean energy solutions, and data center applications. Current high-power-density GaN and SiC FET charging and power infrastructures demand highspeed, low-loss devices to ensure efficiency and […]
How can quantum sensors and quantum batteries improve electric vehicle operation?
In the near term, quantum sensors are being developed that can more accurately measure EV battery capacity, assess battery safety, and reduce vehicle weight. In the longer term, quantum batteries have been proposed that could dramatically improve the speed and efficiency of battery charging. The energy remaining in an EV battery has been estimated using […]
What are the seven types of quantum sensors?
The seven types of quantum sensors include chemical sensors, clocks, gravimeters, imaging, interferometers, magnetometers, and thermometers. Several types of quantum sensors are already in use, and more are being developed for commercialization. They can be used in a wide variety of applications from earth sciences to molecular biology and wide band gap power semiconductors. Chemical […]
What technologies are used to make quantum sensors?
Quantum sensors rely on quantum mechanical principles like entanglement, interference (also called superposition), discrete quantum states, and coherence. They are unlike quantum computers, which need highly stable environments for operation. Some quantum sensors can operate at room temperature. As a result, quantum computers are still a work in progress, while quantum sensors are used today. […]
How is sensor fusion used in medicine?
Sensor fusion is most frequently discussed in smartphone and automotive control applications. However, the fusion aspect was initially created for military analysis. From the analysis standpoint, for improved decision making, medical applications can and have benefited from sensor fusion. One example is in cancer detection and focused surgery. Specifically, the detection of and surgery for […]
How do diffuse, retroreflective, and through-beam ultrasonic sensors differ?
Ultrasonic frequencies are above the human audio range – higher than 20 kHz. Operating in the ultrasonic frequency range, ultrasonic sensors are commonly used for measuring proximity (distance), determining the level in storage tanks, detecting objects, and more. By measuring the time it takes for sound to travel to and reflect off the surface (time […]
LiDAR, laser rangefinders, and optical fiber test equipment by up to 50% with sensors
Phlux Technology announces its first product, the Aura family of 1550 nm devices based on the company’s Noiseless InGaAs APD technology. The sensors are 12X more sensitive than traditional best-in-class InGaAs APDs. As a result, the operating range of LiDAR, laser rangefinders, and optical fiber test equipment can be extended by up to 50% with […]
New modular USB3 machine vision camera series
Teledyne FLIR IIS introduced the new Dragonfly S USB3 camera series to its machine vision portfolio. The new series is a result of Teledyne’s constant commitment to set and enhance vision industry standards for customer success. It addresses the market’s essential need for a modular, compact, and lightweight camera for at-scale manufacturing, volume-based applications, and […]
LVDT signal conditioner configures in just minutes
NewTek’s smart NTC-6000 Signal Conditioner takes out the complexity of setting up a signal processing system while protecting against operating failures and cybersecurity hacks. Both intuitive and user-friendly, the NTC-6000 Quik-Cal supports AC-operated LVDT, RVDT, or LVRT half-bridge sensors in converting unconditioned position feedback into a choice of voltage, current and digital outputs including 4-20mA, 0-5V, […]
How will sensors be used to increase warehouse automation?
Many of today’s warehouses have been or are in the process of transitioning from strictly a manual or conventional warehouse to a partially and eventually a fully automated warehouse. Depending on the level of sophistication, any automated process requires a variety of sensing technologies. Research from one company predicts that over 75% of companies will […]
Powerful compact, low-cost electromagnets
A powerful series of compact, low-cost electromagnets has been released by Magnetic Sensor Systems (MSS). Their E-22-150 Series of Tubular Electromagnets 1.5 in. in diameter x 2.15 in. feature 19 different windings to select from based on the duty cycle and holding force requirements of the application. E-22-150 Electromagnets are immediately available off-the-shelf in sample […]
Miniaturized MEMS pressure sensor incorporates proprietary tech for enhanced EV thermal management
Melexis has introduced the MLX90830, a miniaturized MEMS pressure sensor that incorporates the company’s patented TriphibianTM technology. The sensor is capable of measuring gas and liquid media from 2 to 70 bar. It is factory-calibrated to measure absolute pressure and provides a proportional analog output signal. The MLX90830 is designed to be integrated into the […]
Next generation CMOS image sensors for low light conditions
Teledyne e2v announces OnyxMax, the next generation of its popular Onyx 1.3M low light CMOS image sensor. This new sensor has been designed for extremely low light conditions, down to 1 mLux. The combination of sensitivity and image resolution increases its range, allowing even small objects to be detected in harsh conditions. This makes OnyxMax […]