To simplify the use of its pioneering capacitive sensors and provide precise positional feedback in closed loop applications, Queensgate developed its NPC-D-5200 digital controller. The controller incorporates a precision capacitive measurement circuit that is updated with the stage position 120,000 times per second. This allows it to deliver high positional accuracy at speed. The controller/sensor […]
Capacitive
Measuring at the Nanoscale
Sometimes measurements have to be made at the smallest levels. Queensgate’s NX NanoSensor has the sensitivity to measure changes in position to an atomic scale. Key applications include: stage feedback, vibration measurement, metrology, deformation measurements, precision manufacturing, drift measurement, precision beam steering and microscopy. The non-contact position measuring system consists of two sensor plates – […]
MEMS-Based Pressure Sensor Uses Thermal Differential for Sensing
Designed for VAV damper control as well as HVAC applications such as room pressure monitoring, fume hood controls, furnace press switches, heat recovery systems, burner control, fan control, filter monitoring and more, the MDP200 Pressure Sensor from MEMSIC Inc. is an integrated MEMS thermal differential pressure sensor. The sensor utilizes thermopile structures similar to the […]
The evolution of liquid level sensing
by Matt Burns, Technical Marketing Director, Sensors, Avnet There are multiple ways for engineers to measure and keep track of liquids in a container, and one will fit your application. Anyone who lives near a river or creek knows the anxiety that can happen during a thunderstorm, when rising water levels can cause high stress […]
Implement Proximity and Touch Sensing Technology without Writing any Software
Replacing a mechanical switch with a digital output touch sensor is a lot easier if the system designer does not have to write any code. With that goal in mind, Microchip Technology developed its MTCH102-5-8 capacitive touch controllers. The 2-, 5- and 8-channel controllers replace mechanical buttons with a simple digital output in a hardware-only […]
Noise-Immune Capacitive Sensing
Electrical noise source such as radios, power supplies, lights and motors can pose serious problems for capacitive sensors. To combat these problems, Texas Instruments (TI) FDC2214 capacitive sensing integrated circuit (IC) family offers 60x better performance in the presence of noise compared to existing capacitive-sensing solutions. The IC’s have a unique narrow-band architecture that eliminates […]
Capacitive Sensors Close the Loop in Nanopositioning Actuators
With input from integrated capacitive sensors, Queensgate Instruments’ newest Digital Piezo Translator (DPT) series of actuators deliver precise positioning and rapid settling. The sensors allow the actuators to achieve position resolutions down to 0.09nm (RMS) with less than 2ms response time and 0.5nm (RMS) repeatability. The actuators can move loads of up to 60kg across […]
New Package Option for Their Two-Wire, Unipolar, Hall-Effect Switch Family
Allegro MicroSystems, LLC announces a new package option for their A115x (A1152, A1153, A1156, and A1157) family of two-wire, unipolar, Hall-effect switches, which are factory-trimmed to optimize magnetic switchpoint accuracy. These devices are produced on the Allegro™ advanced BiCMOS wafer fabrication process, which utilizes a patented high frequency, 4-phase, chopper-stabilization technique. This technique achieves magnetic […]
New Capacitive Displacement Sensor Packs High Precision into Tiny Spaces
The new CPL350 is a small, precision capacitive displacement sensor from Lion Precision. The single-channel sensor brings top-shelf performance into tiny spaces at more affordable prices. Ideal for embedded and OEM applications. Designing machines that require embedded, high-precision position sensing can be a frustration for engineers and designers. Non-contact sensing with resolutions in the nanometer […]
Power Management in Energy Harvesting
At Sensors Expo 2015 in Long Beach, CA, Sam Nork, a design manager for Linear Technology explains the company’s power management ICs for energy harvesting applications. For more information about power management ICs for energy harvesting, click here.
