AMS Acquires Range Of Float Switches And Valves

AMS has announced that it has acquired the Cobham float switch and valves range from Meggitt Fuelling Products. In December 2008, AMS completed the purchase of the level and valve ranges from Meggitt.

Sold mainly into high-end applications within the Ministry of Defence, petrochemical, nuclear and chemical markets, the product ranges include: weatherproof float switches; flameproof float switches; displacer float switches; miniature and lightweight float switches; interface level switches; mechanical level indicators; inline servo control valves between 1.5in (3.8cm) and 6in; density-sensitive valves; water drain valves; pressure-regulating valves from 1.5in to 4in; refuelling control valves and dry break couplings; pig signallers; check valves; and vent valves.

Power Switches Are Optimised For USB Protection

Diodes Incorporated has introduced 0.5A single-channel power switches optimised for USB-port protection and other 3-5V hot-swap interconnects. The AP2145 (active low enable) and AP2155 (active high enable) provide complete protection solutions for consumer, computing and communication applications subject to the possibility of heavy capacitive loads and short circuits. The power switches are fully compliant with USB standards and are available in industry-standard SOP-8L and exposed-pad MSOP-8L-EP packages.

Their 10us transient response time prevents unnecessary system shutdown or restart, while their accurate 1A current limiting capability helps reduce system rail current requirements and related component costs. Offering reverse current blocking, over-current, over-temperature and short-circuit protection, as well as controlled rise time and under-voltage lockout, the AP21X5 parts are said to significantly improve the robustness of USB ports.

In addition, an inbuilt 7ms deglitch period on the flag output will prevent erroneous over-current reporting, without the need for any external components. UL and IEC60950-1CB scheme certified, the power switches are said to meet industry's most rigorous safety standards. Operating temperature rating is -40 to 85C and current consumption in shutdown mode is a maximum of 1uA.

NXP Smart Switches Support HDMI 1.4 Specification

NXP Semiconductors has unveiled intelligent switches supporting the HDMI 1.4 specification. The NXP TDA19997 and TDA19998 smart switches support the Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature, an option introduced in the HDMI 1.4 release, which reduces the number of cables required to deliver audio upstream for processing and playback.

Building on the success of previous HDMI smart switches from NXP, the TDA19997 and TDA19998 include support for all mandatory 3D over HDMI features. NXP is the one of the first semiconductor companies to deliver silicon supporting HDMI 1.4. The Audio Return Channel specified in HDMI 1.4 enables HDTVs directly receiving audio and video content to send the audio stream to an amplification system over the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra cable.

The NXP TDA19997 and TDA19998 smart switches also include built-in auto-adaptive equalisers that can handle up to four HDMI 1.4 inputs, automatically maintaining audiovisual quality over HDMI cables up to 30m in length. Their highly integrated design eliminates the need for external components, reducing the overall Bill of Materials for TV manufacturers, while delivering an enhanced viewing experience. The TDA19997 and TDA19998 are embedded with five EDID extensions for HDMI and VGA, as well as high levels of ESD protection.

The TDA19998 smart switches take advantage of NXP's F3 architecture, which guarantees fast port switching between HDMI devices while keeping a secured HDCP-protected HDMI stream at the output. The F3 architecture also enables best-in-class power efficiency of all systems in active and standby modes.

The NXP TDA19997 and TDA19998 comprise the second generation of NXP's HDMI smart switches, and are part of a portfolio of scalable solutions for the digital home, enabling TV makers to target a broad audience. The TDA19997 and TDA19998 are pin-to-pin compatible with previous generation smart switches from NXP and provide TV makers with flexibility in adapting to end-user demand. Engineering samples of the TDA19997 are available immediately from NXP.

IFM Enhances Inductive Proximity Switches

Analogue inductive proximity switches from IFM Electronic have longer sensing ranges and improved linearity. These proximity switches safely detect the tiniest changes in distance and provide a linear analogue signal - depending on the version - with a voltage output (0-10V) or current output (4-20mA).

The switches feature a repeatability of less than two per cent and linear output characteristics better than three per cent of the final value of the measuring range over the whole operating range. The sensors are supplied in cylindrical M12, M18 and M30 designs. The enhanced operating range depending on housing size and mounting type can be 0.2mm to 2mm for flush-mountable M12, and 1mm to 26mm from the non-flush rectangular version.

The response time of less than 10ms (type dependant) allows use of the sensors in processes that require fast control. The sensors have an operating temperature range of -25C to 80C.