Microsemi Expansion Board
Microsemi and SiFive have collaborated to launch the HiFive Unleashed Expansion Board. Utilizing the Mi-V RISC-V ecosystem, the expansion board broadens the capabilities of SiFive’s HiFive Unleashed RISC-V development board. It allows software and firmware engineers to write Linux-based applications targeting a 1GhZ+ RISC-V 64-bit CPU.
The Unleashed Expansion Board provides other features as well, including a PCIe root complex, serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) port, M.2 SSD port, two USB ports, HDMI, double data rate fourth-generation (DDR4) memory expansion, an embedded multi-media controller (eMMC) managed NAND Flash and secure digital card slot.
For more information on the Expansion Board, visit this website.
Renesas Multiphase PMICs
Renesas has announced three programmable power management ICs (PMICs) for application processors in smartphones and tablets: the ISL91302B, ISL91301A and ISL91301B. The PMICs also provide power to artificial intelligence processors, FPGAs and industrial microprocessors (MPUs), and are ideal for powering the supply rails in solid-state drives (SSDs), optical transceivers and a range of consumer, industrial and networking devices.
The ISL91302B dual/single output, multiphase PMIC provides up to 20A of output current and 94 percent peak efficiency in a 70mm2 package. Furthermore, the ISL91301A triple output PMIC and ISL91301B quad output PMIC both deliver up to 16A of output power with 94 percent peak efficiency.
Information concerning pricing and availability can be found on Renesas’ website.
RS Components Pocket-Sized Oscilloscope
RS Components has introduced a compact oscilloscope that has a footprint approximately the size of a passport with a thickness of 19mm. Connected and powered via USB, it offers a bandwidth of 20MHz and features an arbitrary waveform generator.
The specifications include a maximum sampling rate of 200MS/s, software-enhanced resolution up to 12 bits, and USB streaming up to 1 MS/s for waveform captures of up to 100 million samples in length. Input range is selectable from ±50mV to ±20V. The signal integrity, with less than 150 microvolts RMS noise and 50dB harmonic distortion, makes it suitable for a range of analogue and digital applications.
For more information, visit RS Components’ website.
Samsung Image Sensor Integration
Samsung has launched the 16-megapixel ISOCELL Slim 3P9 image sensor along with a Plug and Play system; a pre-optimized turnkey camera module made up of an ISOCELL image sensor and preferred partner components. The sensor features Tetracell technology that helps capture bright and vivid pictures taken with smartphones. Tetracell merges four neighboring pixels, allowing the 3P9 to function as a 2.0μm image sensor for front-facing cameras that can take brighter pictures in low-lit environments.
For faster auto-focusing, the 3P9 utilizes phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) with doubled auto-focus agent density than that of conventional PDAF sensors. The sensor also stabilizes pictures and videos taken while in motion with a gyro-synchronizer that syncs frame exposure time from the sensor with movement data from the device’s gyroscope. Once the data is synced, the mobile processor can adjust the frames based on movement rather than rigorously analyzing each frame to detect and compensate for angular movement.
Additional technical specifications are available on Samsung’s website.
TI Step-down Power Module
Texas Instruments (TI) has released a 5.5-V step-down power module that provides continuous 6-A output current with up to 95 percent efficiency. The TPSM82480 DC/DC module integrates power metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) and shielded inductors into a low-profile package for space and height-constrained applications such as point-of-load telecommunications, networking and test and measurement power supplies.
The TPSM82480 maintains the required 6-A output current over the full temperature range without additional airflow. It accomplishes this using a two-phase control topology that shares the load between the phases to ensure greater efficiency and balanced operation. Additional features include adjustable soft start, voltage select (VSEL) to support multiple processor stages and a power-good indicator.
For more information, visit TI’s website.
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