PCB Design, Electronic Design, Printed circuit boards, PCB Layout

Hot Topic of September

The hot topic lately is how to reduce the thermal footprint of a device. In the September issue of EPD it brought out some methods that can improve power consumption and reduce thermal requirements of a device. Here is just a few things they had to say, let us know what you think.

Stepping Back

Periodically designers are too close to the problem and may need to step back to consider the system.

Digital Processing and shrinking cores

Most digital systems are built on standard CMOS processes. As the CMOS processes decrease in geometry, the leakage component grows due to limitations in dielectric materials and physical dimensions of the gate oxide. New materials decrease the electrical depth with maintaining the physical thinkness.

A review of the system architecture might yeild insight into areas that could benifit from redesign to significatly improve the energy consumption of the system.

Quantum CAD work very hard to reduce the thermal foot print of a device. Contact us to find out how we can help redesign your product.

Blog by Tiffany Bate

IPC STANDARD

IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries® announced the release of IPC-2152, Standard for Determining Current-Carrying Capacity in Printed Board Design. The 97-page document sets the sole industry standard for determining the appropriate sizes of internal and external conductors as a function of the current-carrying capacity required and the acceptable conductor temperature rise.

Replacing the conductor sizing charts that currently exist in IPC-2221 (which were based on data sets more than 50 years old), the new IPC-2152 standard provides guidance on how thermal conductivity, vias, power dissipation, printed board material and thickness, and most importantly, the presence of copper planes all factor into the relationship between current, conductor size, and temperature.

Engineering Literature

Bürkert has launched its new hardback fluid control systems catalogue for 2009/2010

Blog by Tiffany Bate

Strategic Eyes in the Sky

Crowd control is among top issues in UK. Since the G20 summit, officials around the UK have been in discussions to identify the most effective crowd control measures, especially with the London Olympic Games just a few years away. 

Additional security measures that have been researched involve Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). UAVs were used in the 2008 Olympic Games for crowd control and pollution monitoring.

Traditional UAVs need space to launch and land; however, as most events are held in densely populated areas, such space becomes a problem. 

That limitation has lead Fibreflight (specialists in design, development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles) to join forces with Quantum CAD (full product and PCB design firm) to develop a Vertical Take Off and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (VTOL UAV) to allow for more efficient crowd control and aerial observations...Read More.

Driving down carbon emissions

The directive imposes mandatory minimum efficiencies for three-phase. Low voltage electric motors for the first time. Covering electric motors in the range 0.75kW to 375kW, The directive replaces the voluntary agreement on motor efficiency standards that has existed since 1998.

Despite the obvious benefits that it will bring there are doubts whether the new directive will go far enough.

The question is justified on two counts – ATEX motors are excluded from the directive, and the upper limit for the IE classification is only 375kW. Of the two, the omission of ATX motors is probably the most serious because larger motors are intrinsically more efficient.

Blog by Gary Price

X-Fab high temperature CMOS chips clear 175 deg C

The German foundry X-Fab has pushed CMOS operating temperatures up to 175 deg C.

The absolute maximum is specified at 185 deg C.

The 0.35µm XA035 process will offer high-voltage and embedded non-volatile memory elements and is intended to meet the AEX-Q100 qualification tests for automotive ICs.

The mixed-signal foundry is offering a new tool that calculates expected IC lifetime for a given application profile which will be used to determine lifetime/ temperature trade-offs.

Target high temperature applications are likely to include valve control for factory automation, brushless DC motor controls, sensor interfaces, or drilling or jet engine control

The process covers voltage ranges from 3.3 to 45V. It also comes with small area EEPROM blocks including a charge pump, meeting automotive quality requirements.

Blog by Gary Price

Accurate Quotes Accurate Timescales!!

At Quantum we believe that customers should know the full scope of work ahead of them without any hidden charges.

Using the experience we have in the electronics industry we pride ourselves in being able to give accurate quotes with accurate timescales. This allows you, as a customer, to schedule and budget correctly without the fear of hearing “we need a few more days” or “we need more money.”

From the start of a project to the end, you can be confident that Quantum will deliver on time and in time for the price we quoted. With Quantum, you will not only get a quality quote but a quality service.

Why not give us a try.

Call us on 01639 864650 or email info@quantumcad.co.uk

Blog by Simon Edwards

DSEi 2009 Review

The world’s largest international defence and security exhibition was a great success for Quantum.  The opportunity to meet with senior international trade and military experts from across the entire supply chain created an optimal business environment.

DSEi also provided face to face opportunities to share ideas, discuss industry developments, conduct business, and network for future growth.

Visitors came from the UK and all over the world to experience first-hand the latest land, air and sea capabilities of more than 1,350 companies from 40 countries over four packed business day.

Recent wins with major defence contractors has enabled Quantum to further build upon its 14 years of experience in the exacting and highly demanding defence industry.

Steve Jones MD, “The defence sector is key to Quantum’s continued growth and it pushes us to raise our game resulting in an overall improvement of our skill sets across the board which in turn benefits all of our clients.  DSEi was a great exhibit to showcase our expertise in the Defence industry and build strong relationships with business contacts and clients.”

Pros
Great area for business networking
Interesting seminars
Very fast pace show – exciting information and products
Worldwide exhibitors and delegates
Great forum to set up international business partners

Cons
None – thought it was a great show and look forward to watching the leads obtained from the show turn into customers and strong business relationships.

By H Norbury

CXInsight Reduce Your Costs

Our Sister company Quantum EDS has recently redesigned their website.

 

DSEi updates

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