Certification to industry standards always enhances the market opportunities for products and, in some cases, is essential for the product’s selection in certain applications. With American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) approvals for several models of pressure sensors, American Sensor Technologies, Inc. (AST) can address a variety of marine and offshore applications. AST4000 sensors have applications […]
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Smoke-Detector IC with Programmable Calibration and Operating Modes
Integration is the signature of semiconductor technology. Microchip Technology’s RE46C190 3V photoelectric smoke-detector IC integrates a horn driver and boost regulator. In addition, the IC has programmable calibration and operating modes that can be selected and calibrated during manufacturing. This simplifies smoke-detector design and manufacturing. The integrated photoelectric smoke detector requires minimal external components. The […]
Triaxial Piezoelectric Accelerometer for General Vibration Testing
A new triaxial accelerometer from Meggitt Sensing Systems addresses a variety of requirements for general vibration testing. Applications from lighting systems and wireless equipment to helicopter engines and combustion turbines can take advantage of the Endevco model 2228C capabilities. These include: Sensitivity of 2.8 pC/g Ground isolated Light weight (15 gm) Requires no external power […]
Motion Sensing Demoed in Visteon Concept Vehicle
The center console (dashboard) could change dramatically in future vehicles with controls located closer to driver. This frees up space for other options. Visteon demonstrates one possibility using motion sensing to Sensor Tips senior editor Randy Frank at CES 2011. To view the video, click here. To find out more about instrument panel technologies from […]
Using Texas Instruments BQ24210 in Solar Energy Harvesting
Any energy harvesting system requires some level of power management including battery charging. At CES 2011, Jon Beall, product marketing engineer in the Battery Management Solutions Division of Texas Instruments, explains the functionality that the BQ24210 provides to a solar energy system. To view the video, click here. For more information about the BQ24210 800mA, Single-Input, […]
Anti Sleep Pilot Targets Driver Drowsiness
Demonstrated at CES 2011, the Anti Sleep Pilot is an aftermarket automotive device intended to predict and prevent the consequences of driver fatigue. Personalized calculations of the driver’s fatigue level using reaction times established from initial tests allow the Anti Sleep Pilot to determine when to alert the driver to take a break. To see […]
Sensing in the AR.Drone Quadricopter
Controlled by a cell phone (iPhone/iPod, Touch/iPad and others), Parrot’s AR.Drone quadricopter uses pressure sensors (for altitude) and camera sensors for its control. At the 2011 International CES in Las Vegas, Yoni Benatar, project manager for Parrot explains the sensors in the wirelessly-controlled aerial robot to Sensor Tips senior editor Randy Frank. The AR.Drone employs […]
IR Sensing Used in Instrument Panel Concept
At the 2011 International CES in Las Vegas, an expert in Visteon’s tent demonstrates infrared (IR) technology to sense where a driver points in a concept instrument panel to Sensor Tips senior editor Randy Frank. Occupant interface technology using IR sensing tracks the finger and has advantages over a capacitive proximity sensing. To see the […]
Robotic Floor Cleaner Relies on Sensors
At the Digital Experience at the 2011 International CES in Las Vegas, Evolution Robotics displayed a robotic hardwood floor cleaner that used several different types of sensing technologies. For navigation, the robot uses a NorthStar navigation system that provides a GPS-like beacon using infrared technology to the robot to guide the robot’s path across the […]
A Short Demonstration of GM’s EN-V Capabilities
I attended the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and had the opportunity to look for sensors in a variety of applications. General Motors two-wheel EN-V concept vehicle provided a great example. Driven in a variety of modes, including autonomous driven over a programmed path, the electric vehicles demonstrated both tracking and collision […]
