Electronics News August 2011

n ew s Australia’s Premier Electronics Magazine

w w w. e l e c t r o n i c s n e w s . c o m . a u INSIDE

AUGUST 11

News 4

Carbon tax

An electric choice

The carbon tax, what it means for us, and what’s going to happen

If electric vehicles are the future, where are they now?

Technology 6

Page 12

Solar boost How local researchers are making real improvements to solar panels Feature 8

Home security The future of home security systems, and what needs to happen before that Product Feature 10

Power supplies Latest trends and improvements, and what to look out for Design Corner 17

Lighting power quality

Post Print Approved PP255003/00319

How LEDs are putting new emphasis on the importance of quality power Upcoming Event 20

Electronex Preview

Design | Communications | Environmental | Industrial | Research | Medical | Consumer

It’s here again! Take a sneak peek into what’s in store for the industry this year at Electronex

Hello future.

Goodbye status quo.

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NEWS

n ew s

EDITOR’S MESSAGE

Showcasing industry’s talent

Published five times a year Reed Business Information Pty Ltd Tower 2, 475 Victoria Avenue Chatswood NSW 2067 Tel: (02) 9422 2999 Fax: (02) 9422 2977 www.electronicsnews.com.au PUBLISHER: Michelle Graves Email: michelle.graves@reedbusiness.com.au EDITOR Kevin Gomez Tel: (02) 9422 2976 kevin.gomez@reedbusiness.com.au SENIOR JOURNALIST Isaac Leung Tel: (02) 9422 2956 isaac.leung@reedbusiness.com.au

Kevin Gomez Editor

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Average Net Distribution as at March 2011 7,103

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• Test & Measurement • Passive Components • EDA / Software Modelling • Digital Home • Green Technologies

AS THIS issue of Electronics News hits desks across the country, many of our readers will be making plans to attend Electronex in Melbourne next month.

The first event in Sydney in 2010 got off to a decent start and the show appears to have grown this year. All of which bodes well for our industry, which is albeit, a niche in Australia’s overall industrial landscape. But a vital niche, indeed.

The accompanying SMCBA Electronics Design & Manufacture Conference has been beefed up this year with several noteworthy speakers. One that caught my attention is the session on ‘Counterfeit Component Detection and Prevention’.

There is apparently a massive 12 billion dollar a year business in ‘fakes’ which hits manufacturers that consume large quantities of components. But there are also high-value, low-volume devices that can be illegally duplicated. So, despite the absence of mass manufacturing in Australia, we are not immune to this phenomenon.

The workshop on September 15 will detail the detection of counterfeit components and how best to prevent them from entering a company’s supply chain. Rick Stanton will present a plan to help screen out suspect components and will also offer useful information and suggestions for implementing your own detection, inspection and prevention program.

Interestingly, Stanton will also bring along samples of some of the “best” counterfeit components that are

infiltrating the industry.

The other major event this season will be Electronics News’ 7th annual Future Awards which will be held August 18.

Going by the interesting entries we received across the six categories, I must say that innovation and creativity is well and truly alive in Australia’s electronics engineering community.

The student category garnered a heap of projects and this bodes well for the future of the industry.

A big thank you to our sponsors Rohde & Schwarz, element14 and Kontron for supporting the Future Awards.

A special post-awards magazine supplement as well as a round table with industry leaders and the winners will mark this year’s Future Awards.

In response to reader feedback, we have also enhanced our content to deliver more even useable information. The report on Power Supplies (page 10) offers an interesting insight into the push for tighter tolerances and greater reliability among these ubiquitous products. The report also profiles a couple of interesting power supplies in the Australian marketplace along with a roundup of suppliers in this space.

As always, keep your comments coming as these go a long way in the continuing evolution of Electronics News.

Our feature line-up for the next issue is listed here.

We welcome your input and ideas as the last issue for the year takes shape. kevin.gomez@reedbusiness.com.au

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NEWS

ENVIRONMENTAL

The carbon tax to boost R&D FTER months of deliberation on both sides of politics, the Australian Government announced its plan for tackling climate change, which will most likely be pushed through Parliament when it comes back into session.

The plan, dubbed “Securing a clean energy future” involves putting a price on carbon pollution, investing in renewable energy, and improving energy efficiency.

With a carbon tax in place, electricity generation companies will likely start or accelerate their transition to renewable energy like wind and solar power, while other industries will transition to cleaner fuels like natural gas.

The transformation of the energy sector will drive around $100 billion in investment in the renewables

A

sector over the period to 2050.

Research and development into renewable energies (of which photovoltaics and other solar technologies are a major part) will be boosted, with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to effectively coordinate support for renewable energy R&D. According to the government, this means investors can more confidently put money into emerging technologies since they will be able to capture greater benefits from their investment.

The government is also establishing a $10 billion commerciallyoriented Clean Energy Finance Corporation to help ease the obstacles in regards to financing that many developing technologies face.

The CEFC will leverage private sector financing for renewable

Increased investment into R&D could boost the local electronics industry energy and clean technology projects, investments critical to the transformation of the Australian economy. It will identify projects and remove barriers that would otherwise prevent the financing of large scale renewable energy projects.

The government will focus on large-scale solar generation. Gridconnected solar power stations will be built and will supply up to 1000 megawatts of clean energy generation to Australia’s electricity market.

Research and development, and collaboration between academics and industry, is something the electronics industry in Australia is very strong in.

The increased focus on R&D means the solar development sector is due for a boom. More startups will get funding, and technologies will emerge quicker.

Electronics businesses and engineers who have knowledge of renewable energy, or are related either upstream or downstream to renewable energy systems like solar and wind will benefit from this. ■ www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au

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4 AUGUST 2011 www.electronicsnews.com.au

TECHNOLOGY

ENVIRONMENTAL

Laser doping

The solar cell optimisation method is on the verge of being commercialised (image: UNSW)

OLAR cells with 22 percent efficiency could become commonplace in just a few years, as research from scientists at the University of NSW starts becoming commercialised.

Researchers from UNSW have boosted the efficiency of common rooftop solar cells to 19.4 percent, up from 18 percent.

The 1.4 percent boost in efficiency is considered significant, since the top-of-the-line laboratoryproduced cells have efficiencies of 25 percent, and are very costly.

According to Dr Matt Edwards, Program Manager for the Technology Transfer Team at the UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, this development was achieved by using laser doping and light-induced plating to optimise the surfaces of the cell.

S

“We removed the standard screen print front contact and we do a laser doping and plating process instead,” Dr Edwards told Electronics News.

“The laser doping patterns the front dielectric and selectively dopes the region at the same time.”

The upcoming second phase will use similar technology to optimise the rear surface. This could see efficiencies jumping up to at least 21 percent, with the team aiming to break 22 percent.

The process eliminates screen printing from the cell production line, clearing the way for solar cells constructed from cheaper silicon and thinner wafers.

The method also reduces the amount of silver needed, using nickel and copper instead.

According to Dr. Edwards, the method is simple to install and drops in to existing lines. ■

MEDICAL

IBM-built bionic eye chip NICTA says probe testing has been completed on a high-acuity microchip, accelerating progress towards an Australian bionic eye.

The Bionic Vision project aims to restore a sense of sight for people with retinitis pigmentosa and agerelated macular degeneration.

The high-acuity chip was manufactured by IBM. Tests have yielded encouraging results, and further 6 AUGUST 2011 www.electronicsnews.com.au

testing is underway. The team will now work towards a version of the chip with 1000 electrodes and wireless transfer of data and power.

This microchip could then proceed to preclinical testing.

The high-acuity chip aims to provide enough visual detail for patients to be able to recognise faces and read large print. ■ www.nicta.com.au

TECHNOLOGY

MEDICAL

Bioelectronics research boost ESEARCH into bioelectronics at the University of Sydney has been boosted by a $100,000 Microsoft fellowship awarded to Dr Alistair McEwan.

Dr McEwan hails from the School of Electrical and Information Engineering at USYD. He is investigating the electrode-skin interface, with the aim of improving emergency diagnosis of heart attacks and strokes, and long-term monitoring of cardiovascular disease.

His field, bioelectronics, combines electrical engineering and biology.

Past and current research interests include the development of low-cost electronic devices to detect newborn malnutrition, obesity and diabetes in the developing world.

Now, the Microsoft Research Faculty Fellowship will help bring

R

Dr McEwan hopes to improve patient outcomes through his research forward preclinical trials of improved electrical devices, which

will be able to diagnose heart attacks and strokes sooner and with

greater accuracy.

Dr McEwan says current devices are limited by movement at the interface between the electrodes and the body, which introduces error in bioelectronic recording.

Electrical impedance measurements are very sensitive to movement, normally considered a source of noise.

Dr McEwan is using a number of impedance measurements in parallel, to adaptively condition multi-electrode array based sensors.

This information is used to improve the biological signal with advanced signal processing techniques such as compressed sensing.

Potential patient outcomes include more efficient diagnosis, particularly of strokes, improving patients’ likelihood of recovery. ■www.usyd.edu.au

www.electronicsnews.com.au AUGUST 2011 7

FEATURE

CONSUMER

Keeping an eye on the home Home security systems are failing to reassure householders, but new technologies will improve peace of mind.

Isaac Leung reports ONTEMPORARY home security systems are often connected to the telephone line, so when an alarm is tripped, the resident is alerted immediately via their handset. But the system leaves the homeowner in the dark about whether the culprit is a wayward cat, or a genuine intruder.

Early adopters have found the solution by connecting their security system to the Internet. With the addition of cameras, these enhanced systems can send the nominated person an email with a picture or footage of the area where the alarm was tripped.

These sophisticated security systems, plus other enhancements, are expected to become more prevalent, as security devices integrate more functions, and become better connected. Consumers can expect improved visibility into the status of their homes in coming years, with integration with mobile devices helping ease anxiety when owners are away from the house.

Electronics News talked to two companies, Axis Communications and Chubb Home Security, for an insight into how the security systems of the future will look.

C

Control from the cloud According to Deborah Garnier, general manager of Chubb Home Security, the main drive for early adoption of new security technologies is from people who demand more control of the system and visual verification of intruders.

The most obvious way to bring control capability and visual data to the user is through the Internet from cloud servers, to which the resident can then connect via their smart phones or remote computers when away from home.

“The best option is a combination of an alarm system/a monitoring centre/‘smart’ mobile devices,” said Garnier. “This combination provides 8 AUGUST 2011 www.electronicsnews.com.au

Current camera technology integrate multiple features and smart into one small package

insight into the alarm event including visual verification via an emailed video in real time.”

Wai King Wong, country manager of Axis Communications, said the company’s cloud-based Axis Video Hosting Solution is one such option.

Axis’ platform allow users to remotely stream the footage from their security cameras by accessing a site through a browser. The company is in talks with potential partners to bring the solution to the market.

“You can be anywhere, and you can use an iPhone or iPad to look at video recordings and alerts,” Wong told Electronics News. “In terms of technology, this is available today.

The question is who will be the hosting company to continue to develop it for the market.”

Device-level changes As nice as these extra capabilities will be, they rely on a big transition: from the currently ubiquitous movement sensors to network cameras.

These are connected to the home network and the Internet through Power over Ethernet (PoE), cabled

“When the cameras and the other systems are linked, home automation and everything else will gel together”

Ethernet, or wireless.

The Axis Communications M1054 camera, for example, provides high definition (HD) footage, an I/O port that connects to the alarm system, motion detection, speakers, microphone, and a PoE port.

When the alarm is tripped (by motion, loud sounds or other means), the camera sends the footage or images to the server for storage or dissemination to nominated parties.

All these features are powered by Axis Communication’s inhouse-developed chipsets, and fit into a slim and small body.

“The form factor, the look and feel, are very important for home users,” said Wong. “We designed [the

camera] to ensure it is not too big, so it fits [discretely] into the home. We also started [enhancing] the aesthetics and the useability of the camera as well.”

To wire, or not to wire While wireless technology has been around for years — and is enticing for home users who don’t want to deal with cables — its relative immaturity means, in most instances, PoE cameras are more practical.

Axis Communications says that while a wireless version of its camera is available, it only streams VGA resolution video due to bandwidth limitations. Additionally, it has to be powered by an adapter, so some wiring is inevitable.

Chris Tangsilsat, sales engineer at Axis Communications, says the PoE solutions in fact provide more wireless flexibility since they can be plugged into wireless routers.

“You can use not just 802.11b/g, but also the n standard for increased range, or directional wireless, or wireless mesh which can span several kilometres,” Tangilsat said.

FEATURE

face with mobile devices.

The transition to HD Internetcapable cameras has thus far been hobbled by a lack of infrastructure.

Wong is counting on the forthcoming National Broadband Network (NBN) to be the catalyst for change, not just for security, but for other areas of the home.

“With the HD TV and SMTP standards, when the cameras and the other systems are linked together, home automation and everything else will gel together,” said Wong. “With the NBN, we will have the bandwidth, and cloud computing will fall into place. Everything will be seamless and integrated.”

This level of integration, along with the flexibility of more powerful camera systems, means the consumer will soon have unprecedented control and insight into the situation at home, even while they embrace an ever more mobile lifestyle. ■ www.chubb.com.au www.axis.com

Move Your Automated Test Beyond the Box Axis Communications’ Wai King Wong and Chris Tangsilsat expect a boom in the HD IP camera market for home when the NBN comes in

Not just surveillance Network cameras are becoming increasingly intelligent and versatile, with some of the newer units packing triple-core chipsets.

Axis Communications is encouraging development by opening its systems to over 500 Application Development Partners (ADPs) who develop software for the cameras.

These are applications that turn the cameras into standard verification tools and enable facial recognition for access control, for example.

“It’s all firmware-based and accessible through the browser interface,” said Wong. “You can buy an application from the ADP and upload it [to the camera].”

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An integrated future Most commercial systems only require the cameras to stream footage on internal (‘closed circuit’) networks, mostly because of data security concerns. But to boost useability, the residential market requires Internet capability to inter-

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©2011 National Instruments. All rights reserved. LabVIEW, National Instruments, ni.com, and NI TestStand are trademarks of National Instruments.

Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. 02251

www.electronicsnews.com.au AUGUST 2011 9

FEATURE

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

Mini-UPS with built-in power supply The battery management system has enhanced capabilities on the move

Battery management system on the go DIVERSE Power Systems has introduced the Genius, a battery management system for caravanning and RV applications.

Designed and manufactured in Australia by Setec to the specifications of Diverse Power Systems, the Genius can charge current generation caravan and RV batteries.

The Genius has enhanced management capabilities like boost charge, float charge, store charge and trickle charge modes.

To ensure problem-free charging, the device can also draw charge through an optional DC input from a secondary source such as solar power.

The battery management system has been designed to ensure low battery drain at all times to maximise time between charges and extend battery life.

The system includes a host of battery protection features including reverse battery protection, battery current limit, over voltage protection, voltage current limit and fuse protection.

The low voltage disconnect facility insures the battery against excessive draw. The Genius also has a thermally controlled fan to make sure that noise levels are kept low.

FEAS, distributed by Automated Control Engineering Group, has introduced the Mini-UPS LDR30MH24, with built-in power supply.

The LDR30 guarantees constant, uninterrupted supply of power for critical applications, reducing the chances of supply-related data loss or equipment failure. It has a wide input range from 85 to 270 VAC, and is also useable as a DC/DC converter with input range from 120 to 380 VDC. The output voltage is adjustable in a range from 22.5 to 29.5 VDC at 2.0A. The power electronics allow up to a 50% overload for short periods.

The outputs are short circuit- and open circuit-protected. The electronics are encapsulated in epoxy resin, which cools the unit by natural convection.

Lead acid battery monitoring system DIVERSE Power Systems has released the Battery Monitoring System BMS001, capable of continuously monitoring 12V lead acid batteries.

The monitor estimates the state of charge and time remaining for the battery to discharge. The BMS-001 gives real time information about the health of the battery by monitoring the total charge/discharge and will warn of low battery voltage.It was fully designed and manufactured in Australia by Setec to the specifications of Diverse Power Systems.

According to the company, the monitor is suited for use with caravan batteries, marine batteries, solar energy systems and other applications.

A large LCD screen with backlight displays a range of information including volts, amps, state of charge as a percentage, total charge/discharge cycles, and remaining battery life.

Diverse Power Systems sales@diversepower.com.au www.diversepower.com.au

Single-phase power supply AUTOMATED Control Engineering (ACE) has released the Hiquel PSL 1M power supply, a 24Vdc single-phase power supply for 45mm DINrail mounting.

The power supply is designed for small distribution boards, distribution boxes and applications in industrial distribution The power supply is designed for small distribution boards boards where a low profile is required. It is also available with 12 Vdc and 5Vdc. The overload-protected unit provides single phase power supply from 100 to 240V, with various power levels possible.

The efficiency of the power supply is up to 89 percent, and it operates in temperatures between -20 and +70째C. LED indicators allow users to quickly determine if the unit is operating or has an error.

Automated Control Engineering 02 4954 5004 www.aceg.com.au www.electronicsnews.com.au AUGUST 2011 11

COVER STORY

ENVIRONMENTAL

New EVs and business models a Our consciences tell us electric vehicles are the right choice a greener future. So why aren’t we buying them? By Electronics News staff rofessor Paul Jennings from the University of Warwick in the UK investigates electric vehicles (EV). But, unlike thousands of other researchers, he’s not interested in extending the vehicles’ ranges, or improving top speeds.

Instead, Prof. Jennings is working to determine what noise an EV should make.

“Electric Vehicles are very quiet externally and internally, which makes them a potential low-speed safety risk to pedestrians,” said Prof.

Jennings in a statement. “Sound not only alerts people to the presence and direction of a vehicle, it also indicates the type of vehicle – for instance a bus – and whether it is stopping or accelerating.”

Cynics argue that the lack of sound from EVs has nothing to do with their silent running and everything to do with the fact that no one’s buying them. They’ve got a point, because in Australia, like every other developed country, there are very few EVs on today’s roads.

Prof. Jennings says adding “an appropriate noise” to an EV will help, noting “the lack of sound can make the vehicles unattractive to customers who expect, and enjoy, aural feedback whilst driving”.

The absence of a sonorous exhaust note, however, isn’t the only reason for the absence of EVs on Australia’s roads. Price, range, performance, recharging and battery replacement costs are all cited as reasons why we’re sticking with the internal combustion engine rather than embracing EVs. However, (despite the fact that electric vehicles first hit the road at the end of the 19th century) modern EV technology is in its infancy compared with conventional vehicles, and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment will surely see the public’s objections overcome.

Meanwhile, the cost of fossil fuel will only escalate. By investing in

P

12 AUGUST 2011 www.electronicsnews.com.au

Better Place Australia’s model will extend the range of EVs by offering five-minute battery changes.

hybrids (vehicles powered by a combination of electric and conventional fuel) and EVs, the automotive manufacturers have already conceded that (at least part) to tomorrow’s vehicle fleet will be predominantly electric powered.

Where are they?

According to GoAuto.com.au, a respected Australian motoring consumer advice publication, which itself was citing a JD Power & Associates 2011 “Green Automotive Study”, EVs will “account for just 7.3 percent – or 5.2 million units – of the 70.9 million passenger vehicles forecast to be sold worldwide in 2020”. And that figure includes hybrids.

And in the UK, figures from 2009 (the latest available) show that of

the country’s 26 million cars, just 0.1 percent were electric.

But surely Australia, with the worst carbon emission per capita in the developed world, would be keen to set an example by enthusiastically buying EVs? It seems not.

To be fair, there isn’t that wide a choice of EVs available here (there are about 16 models worldwide), but if we consider hybrids, a number of which have been on the market for several years, the situation doesn’t look any more promising.

GoAuto reports that while total hybrid vehicle registrations more than doubled in 2010 compared to the previous year – up from 4,197 to 9,784 units – this still represents less than one per cent of the total newvehicle market here.

The percentage is even lower

SHORTCUTS The Australian public’s ‘green conscience’ isn’t yet enough to overcome its objections to electric vehicle ownership ■ Today electric vehicles are a little greener than petrol cars and about the same as the best diesels – but they will improve as more emission-free electricity becomes available ■ Li-ion batteries suit EVs because they boast one of the best energy densities of any battery technology ■ Three quarters of drivers’ daily journeys take less than 20 minutes, with just two percent of them using more than 50 percent of battery charge.

■

COVER STORY

address old objections among private buyers (in other words, discounting government and fleet sales) with just 2,292 being purchased, accounting for less than 0.25 percent of new car sales.

New technologies do take time to gain traction in a market dominated by an established solution. And the internal combustion engine is certainly that, with the four-stroke having been invented in the 1870s.

How green is an EV? Despite some of the more evangelical claims from EV proponents, these vehicles are not emission free. Even the manufacturers, perhaps conscious of future liability claims, don’t pretend their cars are completely green. For example, while the marketing blurb for Nissan’s new LEAF includes the line “This is a vehicle that does not emit any CO2 when driven - in fact - it has no tail pipe”, there is a caveat.

Later the company says “The Nissan Electric Car produces zero emissions during operation.

Depending on the energy source used, CO2 and pollutant emissions may be produced during the manufacture of the vehicle and battery, the re-charging of the battery and disposal of the battery”.

Assuming that the manufacture and disposal of a conventional vehicle and an EV generate the same amount of emissions (and that is a big assumption, but Electronics News couldn’t locate anyone that had done the sums), the only other differentiation between each technology is the emissions generated by the EV while recharging.

So how much carbon is emitted generating the electricity to recharge the batteries? A UK Government “Postnote” from the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology, states “Given the UK’s current electricity mix, the carbon emissions due to driving an EV are comparable with the most efficient diesel cars, and are around 30 percent less than the

average for new fossil fuel cars”.

The UK has a slightly lower reliance on carbon-emitting power generation than Australia’s 80 percent – due to the significant amount of nuclear power they use compared to our coal-fired power stations – so EV carbon emissions here will be worse; but probably not by a huge amount.

So it seems that today EVs are a little greener than petrol cars and about the same as the best diesels. In the future, there will be more electricity generated from non-emitting sources, proportionally reducing the carbon footprint of the EV. However, the internal combustion engine will hardly be starved of development, and will continue to become more efficient and emit fewer grams of carbon from the exhaust. It could therefore be some time yet before the EV opens up a wider gap in the emission stakes.

Price and performance Petrol heads probably wouldn’t give a second glance at an EV if it whisked by them in the street. But if they were prepared to give a model such as Tesla’s much-vaunted Roadster a test run, they would be impressed.

Throttle response from an EV is virtually instantaneous, and, unlike a “peaky” petrol engine, the car’s electric motor offers full torque from zero revs, allowing the car to pull strongly throughout the rev range. Electric motors can rev faster because they have only one moving part compared with a petrol engine’s hundreds.

The Tesla can hit 100 km/hr in less than four seconds and claims a maximum range of 380 km on a single charge. “The Roadster delivers an addictive driving experience,” said Simon Hackett, the first Tesla owner in Australia, in a statement.

“Once I felt the fluid, on-demand power curve of the car, I couldn’t go back. In a Tesla Roadster, you know you're driving the future.”

Electric power can mean electrifying performance as proven by the Tesla Roadster.

But you do have to pay for that performance. The Tesla is a rich man’s plaything at just shy of $223,000, but even cars targeted at the family market aren’t cheap. The Nissan LEAF, for example, has a relatively modest 80 kW motor yet retails for around US$33,000 ($31,140) in North America and will probably attract a premium when it arrives in Australia in 2012. In comparison, a 108 kW petrol-engined Mazda 3 retails for about $22,000.

Nissan says that the LEAF battery costs around $10,000. That 24 kW/hr power source owes a big debt to the consumer electronics sector. The demand for long life from portable products such as mobile phones intensified development of “highdensity” battery technology.

Li-ion batteries are the preferred choice for good reasons: they boast one of the best energy densities of any battery technology, exhibit no socalled memory effect, and lose charge only slowly when not in use.

Moreover, Li-ion cells can be recharged thousands of times before failure and are relatively inexpensive

in terms of Whr/$.

The batteries provide a voltage of between 3.3 and 4.2 V (depending on the chemistry) by the passage of lithium ions (Li+) from negative to positive electrode through a nonaqueous electrolyte and separator diaphragm. Applying a higher voltage than the battery produces, but of the opposite polarity, reverses the direction of ion migration. These ions become embedded in porous electrode material due to a process known as intercalation, effectively recharging the battery.

Another characteristic of Li-ion batteries is that they can be charged relatively quickly to around 80 percent of their capacity, although the final 20 percent ‘topping-up’ takes longer. This is because the charging profile is typically divided into two phases, a fast constant current phase, followed by a longer constant voltage phase.

This is good news for EV vehicles because it means that they can plugin for a short period yet still achieve a decent amount of charge. And Liion battery lifetime is not compro- > www.electronicsnews.com.au AUGUST 2011 13

COVER STORY

ENVIRONMENTAL

mised but short charging sessions.

The other major benefit of using Li-ion batteries is availability of supply. Because these remarkable devices have been the mainstay of portable electronics for a number of years, there are many manufacturers and the price is relatively stable.

Sony, is in discussion with automotive manufacturers to directly supply Li-ion batteries for EVs.

A case of range anxiety Despite the impressive energy density of Li-ion batteries (around 720 kJ/kg), they don’t come anywhere near the energy density of petrol (47 MJ/kg). Because an EV has a compact electric motor, manu-

facturers can take advantage of the space traditionally taken up by the internal combustion engine to house the battery pack. Nonetheless, there is still a limit to what can be packed in, and because of the huge difference in their fuel’s energy density, petrol-powered cars have much greater range.

EVs ranges continue to improve, but today’s vehicles, based on mixed driving cycles, can typically run for about 150-to-250 km before rolling to a halt. That’s enough to cause anxiety in drivers used to 600-to800 km on a tank of fossil fuel.

In a British study called CABLED (Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrators) the

EV charging can be a lengthy process. typical usage of 25 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs and 20 Smart fortwo electric cars was monitored over a total of 237,000 km.

The study found that over three quarters of drivers’ daily journeys took less than 20 minutes, with just two percent of them using more than 50 percent of the battery charge.

That meant that 98 percent of people had enough battery capacity for a return trip without a top-up.

In fact, the study revealed that most drivers finished their daily journeys with over 40 percent of the battery’s charge still remaining. And the average user only needed to recharge every 2-to-3 days, allowing them to plan charging at home overnight or at their place of work over 85 percent of the time.

The future for EVs? Nonetheless, EV manufacturers aren’t suggesting that a run from Sydney-to-Melbourne is an option today. But that may change in the future if a model promoted by Better Place Australia gains traction.

Better Place plans to address many of the consumer’s objections to EVs, including purchase cost, range and the cost of replacing the battery 14 AUGUST 2011 www.electronicsnews.com.au

pack when it reaches the end of its useful life. And the company has also enhanced its environmental credentials by, whenever possible, offering recharging from emissionfree electricity sources.

Better Place is rolling out a network for EVs (starting in Canberra later this year), where owners can drive in and remain in their vehicle while the exhausted battery is swapped for a fullycharged one. The process is said to take less time than filling a tank on a conventional vehicle.

The success of the enterprise relies on a deal with Renault because it’s the only manufacturer that can currently supply a vehicle that’s capable of having the battery changed in this way. (Better Place says it is in discussion with other automotive manufacturers.)

The consumer purchases Renault’s five-passenger Fluence Z.E. model, and because they don’t have to buy the $10,000 battery pack, the car is much cheaper than other EVs. The 185 km-range car is delivered with a battery, of course, but that is the property of Better Place. In addition to the car, the buyer will require a subscription to

COVER STORY

Better Place for access its charging facilities and the supply of electricity. “The cost of the Fluence Z.E. without the battery but with the subscription to Better Place is not that much different to what you’d pay for a petrol car,” Better Place’s CTO, Alan Finkel, told Electronics News.

“Once EVs are manufactured in volume, the vehicle cost, excluding the battery, will be less expensive than the petrol equivalent because of the [simplified transmission].”

According to Dr Finkel, the ultimate way to extend the range of EVs is to provide high-speed charging [5 minutes or less], “and the only way you can do this is by fast battery switching”.

Dr Finkel, however, is keen to stress that battery swapping is likely to be an occasional activity for tomorrow’s EV drivers because of typical Australian driving patterns.

“With 185 km of range, bearing in mind that motoring here is highlyconcentrated in the major cities, the majority of round trips will be achievable with one charge allowing most recharging to be done at home,” he explains. “We anticipate that about 95 percent of charging will be done at home or at public or corporate charging stations.”

Moreover, Dr Finkel says that home charging needn’t take over EV driver’s lives. “The mass-produced cars that are coming out in the next few years tend to have batteries of capacities around 25 kW/hr and a charging capability of up to 15 A from a single phase 230 V outlet.

“That’s a maximum power of 3.45 kW, which, assuming linear charging, will fully boost a flat battery in just over seven hours,” he adds.

“But mostly you’ll be coming home with substantial charge still left on the battery so it will only need a few hours to top-up. Even a one hour charge – perhaps while the user is shopping – will add about 25 km range.”

Dr Finkel agrees that today’s EVs,

considering the way electricity is generated in Australia, produce about 30 percent fewer emissions than equivalent petrol vehicles, but, he claims, that’s missing the point.

“30 percent fewer emissions is a big step in the right direction, but it’s a poor way of looking at it, because EVs are a forward-looking

technology. A better way to look at is to consider the emissions of EVs in twenty years from now as the grid mix changes to include a much higher percentage of emissionfree electricity.”

So will Better Place’s initiative see more EVs silently gliding about our suburban streets? Dr Finkel thinks

so. “If you make the assumption that there will be charging network providers who will cover the cost of the battery – and it’s a good assumption because we’re already here – the take-up of EVs will be high. We’re expecting that by 2020, in excess of 20 percent of new vehicle purchases will be electric cars.” ■

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EMONA www.electronicsnews.com.au AUGUST 2011 15

ELECTRONICS NEWS FUTURE AWARDS 2011

Introducing our 2011 sponsors The Electronics News Future Awards recognise engineering and design excellence in the Australian and New Zealand electronics industries. Electronics News thanks the sponsors for supporting this premier event.

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With more than 30% of our employees in R&D, Kontron creates many of the standards that drive the world’s embedded computing platforms. Kontron’s product longevity, local engineering, support, and value-added services helps to create a sustainable and viable embedded solution for OEMs and system integrators. Kontron works closely with our customers on their embedded application-ready platforms and solutions, enabling them to focus on their core competencies. The result is an accelerated time-to-market, reduced total-cost-of-ownership and an improved application with leading-edge, highlyreliable embedded technology. Kontron has been shifting the way that we design new products for our customers. You will see us starting to focus more on developing embedded computers that serve a specific vertical market, or niche.

With a more customer oriented approach to product design, it is easier to find application-specific solutions, whether that be Panel PCs designed for in-the-field medical applications, or servers specifically designed to be compliant with railway specifications. The mix of commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and custom designed solutions that Kontron offers allows our customers to select the perfect solution for their application.

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With the evolution of technology, customers in the electronics distribution industry will continue to demand high quality products combined with fast, convenient and reliable support. element14 recently became the industry’s first business to combine commerce and community, providing a one stop solution for the full design cycle from concept through to end of life. element14 offers the broadest range of design centric inventory with over 85,000 of the most-demanded products stocked in our Sydney warehouse, available for same day or next day delivery. Over 130,000 products are stocked in our regional distribution centre in Asia Pacific for delivery within two days. This is supported by dedicated premium services such as 24/7 customer service and 24/5 online technical support. We also offer an online community services such as the element14 knode, a revolutionary online design platform focused on the needs of electronic design engineers. With design solutions in both hardware and software, the element14 knode enables engineers to research, design and develop in an integrated environment. We also provide comprehensive resources for product categories through element14 features. Both services highlight how element14 is uniquely placed to meet the needs of design and maintenance engineers through our multi-channel, high service distribution model.

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Rohde & Schwarz has stood for quality and innovation in test and measurement, broadcasting, secure communications as well as radio-monitoring and radiolocation for more than 75 years.

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the company ensuring that we can maintain and expand our position as a world leader in the development of RF and Microwave circuits. We are experts in test and measurement and communications, our engineers operate at the leading edge of development of the modulation modes, waveforms, wireless protocols and encryption techniques applied in modern communications networks. This ensure that Rohde & Schwarz is ideally placed to recognise and assist those seeking to grow by the application of engineering excellence, especially in wireless communications and systems design in electronic product development.

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16 AUGUST 2011 www.electronicsnews.com.au

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FEATURE

DESIGN

Power quality for lighting New forms of lighting, such as high-brightness LEDs, are an exciting prospect. But designers must ensure power supplies for these new technologies meet power quality guidelines. Benbro Electronics explains ew lighting technologies, such as highbrightness LEDs and compact fluorescent lights (CFL) are more efficient and flexible than conventional incandescent lighting, but bring with them new design challenges.

One of the major challenges is the requirement for a different power supply than that used with traditional lighting, and the effect that power supply can have on distribution systems because of the harmonics it generates.

Those harmonics affect power quality - defined as a measure of the ability of an electrical system to deliver power in the safest, most effi-

N

LEDs enable new lighting concepts, but careful attention must be paid to the power supply

cient manner. There are two major elements that affect power quality, phase displacement and wave distortion (see figure 1).

Poor power quality can limit the number of devices that can be placed on a particular distribution network.

In severe cases it can even harm the system and the devices connected to the network. It’s important, therefore, that designers ensure lighting systems are driven by efficient and sustainable power sources that will not unnecessarily burden the grid.

Guidance is available from the several standards that exist to ensure lighting compliancy. The standard which most directly affects lighting power quality is the “Standard for

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Limitations on Harmonic Currentsâ&#x20AC;?, or EN61000-3-2 Class C limits. ANSI C82.77-2002 is the equivalent harmonic emissions specification for lighting in the U.S. EN61000-3-2 defines the rules for harmonic currents drawn from the grid when connected to a low voltage distribution system. It is applicable to any electrical or electronic equipment with an input current of up to 16 A per phase and nominal 230 Vac, or 414 Vac for three phase.

There are 4 classifications within

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FEATURE

DESIGN

In the most severe cases, poor power quality can harm the distribution system and the devices connected to it Fig.1: Two major elements affect power quality: phase displacement and wave distortion

Fig. 2: Current and voltage curves for a power supply that draws current in sinusoidal fashion

Fig. 3: Current and voltage curves for a power supply that draws current in non-sinusoidal ‘bursts’ the standard: Class A covers balanced three phase equipment; Class B portable tools; Class C lighting and dimming equipment, and Class D ITE. Class C allows power consumption up to 25 Watts (higher than the power consumption of a standard LED lamp or fluorescent strip) though changes in the standard are still anticipated and this number may be reduced.

18 AUGUST 2011 www.electronicsnews.com.au

What are harmonic currents?

tuting the voltage harmonics for the current (I) harmonics.

Harmonic currents are distorted waveforms caused by non-linear loads which appear at multiples or “harmonics” of the power frequency. Switching power supplies are a major source of non-linear loads.

Figure 3 illustrates a power supply that draws its current in a non-sinusoidal burst. Note the difference between a linear voltage and current relationship (figure 2) and the non-linear relationship shown in this figure. The distortion of the current curve shown in figure 3 and the phase displacement between the current and voltage curves of figure 2 both affect power quality.

Distorted current and voltage waveforms can be described as the fundamental waveform plus one or more harmonics (see figure 4). Even-numbered harmonics tend to cancel each other out, but unfortunately the odd-numbered harmonics add in a way that quickly increases distortion because their peaks often coincide.

The total harmonic distortion (THD) is calculated as the total RMS value of all harmonics to the I fundamental or first harmonic expressed as a percentage. The Total Voltage Distortion is derived by substi-

Effects of harmonic distortion Harmonic currents are pathdependent and can only flow in the non-linear loads that created them, so their effect on other loads in the system is negligible.

However, they can impact the distribution system.

Since real power can only be delivered at the fundamental frequency, harmonic currents reduce system capacity and limit the amount of power available to other loads.

In three phase systems, the odd triple harmonics (or ‘triplens’) are sent to the voltage supply. These currents may be larger than any of the phase currents. Currents may be as high as 200 percent of phase currents and if the device is not designed to withstand the additional load it can overheat and cause a fire.

Moreover, an indirect effect takes place when harmonic currents excite resonant frequencies, which in turn cause high harmonic voltages capable of destroying the device.

Unlike current distortion, voltage distortion is not path dependent and will appear on common busses connecting other devices in the vicinity.

FEATURE

Fig. 4: Distorted current and voltage waveforms can be described as the fundamental waveform plus one or more harmonics

Fig. 5: Current lagging voltage by 45 degrees generates reactive power that does no useful work

Harmonic voltages create voltage distortions that may cause significant harm, such as shortening the performance of capacitor banks or the utilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transformers.

Voltage distortions also cause multiple zero crossings that may adversely affect the operation of equipment that rely on zero crossing for the sequencing of devices.

Non-linear loads with phase-toneutral or phase-to-phase connections are not generally affected.

However, the fifth harmonic voltage distortion in a three-phase motor will cause a negative torque to be applied. This might cause the motor to either try to draw more current from the fundamental frequency in an attempt to regain its speed, overheat or fail. This makes the elimination of the fifth harmonic crucial in industrial applications.

Harmonic currents may also be displaced or out-of-phase with the applied voltage. In figure 5, the current lags the voltage by 45 degrees. During part of the cycle the voltage is positive and the current is negative. This means the voltage and current are working against each other in a reactive manner.

fluorescent and HID lamps have lagging current and create reactive power. Switching power supplies also exhibit phase displacement and also create reactive power. Reactive power is not useful work; the power is merely absorbed and returned to the load.

The equation for reactive power is V x A x sin (displacement angle).

Any power that does not perform useful work is detrimental since it reduces power quality.

Power quality in a system can be measured by its power factor. The power factor is the ratio of true power to apparent power. True power is the power delivered to the load, while apparent power is the product of its voltage and current. If the true power equals the apparent power then the system is said to have a power factor of 1, or unity. This means that the system is drawing AC current directly proportional to the AC line voltage. Once a waveform becomes distorted or displaced, there is a reduction in power factor (and power quality). These factors need to be taken into careful consideration when designing effective and efficient lighting systems. â&#x2013;

Effects of phase displacement

Further information: Benbro Electronics specialises in designing and manufacturing regulated DC power supplies and battery chargers, DC-to-DC converters, solar regulators and audio products for numerous applications.

Many incandescent lighting systems do not reduce power quality because they have sinusoidal waveforms that are in phase with the voltage waveform. However, magnetic ballasts for

www.benbro.com.au www.electronicsnews.com.au AUGUST 2011 19

FEATURE

DESIGN

Electronex 2011 and SMCBA conference: a preview Electronex will be hosted at Melbourne after a successful 2010 at Sydney LECTRONEX, to be hosted at the Melbourne Park Function Centre from 14 to 15 September 2011, is now Australasia’s largest specialised exhibition for the local and regional electronics industry.

The event, aimed at electronics and OEM professionals, will provide attendees with the opportunity to source the latest products, technologies and solutions – some of which are detailed in the pages accompanying this pre-show report.

Exhibitors at Electronex will

E

showcase services and products for electronic product design, development, assembly, manufacture, test, measurement, repair, systems and component supply.

Growth in Melbourne Noel Gray, Managing Director of AEE, said that following the success of the inaugural event in Sydney last September, Electronex made its move to Melbourne.

The event will combine a growing dedicated trade show of 85+ exhibitors with a 2 day technical conference conducted by the Surface

Mount & Circuit Board Association.

“This year’s Melbourne event...has increased in size and is expected to attract even more trade visitors and conference delegates,” Gray said. “[This] re-affirms its continued pre-eminence and the growing support and enthusiasm for a specialised electronics industry platform showcasing local Australian and New Zealand based suppliers and distributors.”

The venue, at the Melbourne Park Function Centre, is located less than 1km from the city centre and provides modern exhibition and conference facilities with easy transport and accommodation access and ample parking for trade visitors and conference delegates.

With Melbourne reporting a resurgence in OEM development activity over recent months the show is already enjoying strong registrations from all professional industry disciplines associated with, and requiring electronics for product, systems, and manufacturing development from throughout the state and across the nation.

Co-located conference The SMCBA Electronics Design & Manufacture Conference 2011 will be staged concurrently and colocated with the exhibition in the adjoining conference centre.

Professionals involved in electronics design and manufacturing 20 AUGUST 2011 www.electronicsnews.com.au

can attend conference sessions to hear about leading edge technology developments from a number of keynote speakers hailing from various countries.

The co-location means that during session breaks, conference attendees can emerge into the exhibition floor to conveniently source new product and service suppliers.

With improved content and what is considered the best international programme in years, the conference is already seeing registrations from delegates from all over Australia and from overseas.

It will feature both international and Australian experts, who will present information on the latest directions for the electronics market.

Seats for all sessions remain available but delegates are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

The programme is designed to ensure delegates have sufficient time to attend the exhibition. A networking VIP industry cocktail function scheduled for 14 September is included in delegate registration.

Attendance to the Electronex exhibition is free to all conference delegates, and to trade visitors who register online prior to the show. ■ For conference sessions and trade show registration details please visit the show website at www.electronex.com.au or call 03 9676 2133.

FEATURE

What’s coming at Electronex 2011 Electronex 2011 will feature a host of electronics solution providers. Here is a selection

Active Components

APEX Electronics

Active Components will have free samples of the NXP ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers for prototyping.

Cortex-M0 devices use low-power core that’s ready to replace traditional 8/16 bit architectures, while Cortex-M3 devices offer best-in-class bandwidth and connectivity, and the new Cortex-M4 devices bring highperformance signal processing capabilities within reach of the typical MCU programmer.

Apex imports and distributes passive and active electronic components throughout Australasia. Key suppliers to Apex include Energy Micro, WIZnet, MiocroPower Direct, Alpha & Omega Semiconductors, LINX Technologies and ZOWIE Technology.

Electronex will see Apex showcasing new products, including the Energy Micro Tiny Gecko performance, ZERO Gecko Cortex-M0 and EFR4D Draco energy friendly radio products.

Stand B04 jamesy@activecomponents.com

Stand B16 mike@apexelec.co.nz

HK Wentworth

SUBA Engineering

HK Wentworth will release the Hakko FM206 multi-function rework station, as well as a new Electrolube silicon. This compact FM206 puts all rework options at the operator’s fingers tips. Three ports are available to control the soldering iron FM2027, desoldering gun FM2024 and the new jot air pencil FM2029. With a simple swap over, the SMD hot tweezer small and large variations can be controlled.

SUBA Engineering will exhibit the Asscon VP450 soldering system.

The VP450 soldering system has been developed for use in the lab, special applications and small series production. It is particularly suitable for test soldering, for qualifying soldering processes, and for soldering sample assemblies. It has semi-automatic operation, and is useable for small production runs. In combination with the patented ASSCON desoldering system, the appliance can also be used for repairing assemblies.

Stand B10 chris@hkwentworth.com.au

Machinery Forum Machinery Forum will showcase its new portable video microscope to inspect hidden solder joints of BGAs,ìBGAs, CSPs and Flip-Chips.

The new ERSA mobileSCOPE is a compact video microscope for mobile use. It is equipped with different optical systems for various application fields. The instrument has been designed for optical inspection and digital image recording including measurements of solder joints on BGA, ìBGA, CSP and FlipChip packages.

Stand A06 machinery@machineryforum.com.au

Stand B27 hzimmermann@suba.com.au

ERSA Soldering ERSA is showing off its new ECOCELL, an in- and offline selective soldering system for futureoriented manufacturing layouts. The ECOCELL system operates according to the Toyota principle, with the flow of the printed circuit boards being in the counter-clockwise direction. This U-flow arrangement is ideal for installation as production islands, but, if considered beneficial, it can also be integrated.

Stand A06 machinery@machineryforum.com.au > www.electronicsnews.com.au AUGUST 2011 21

FEATURE

INDUSTRIAL

A focus on Taiwan

Taiwan’s electronics sector, with its close geographic and cultural proximity to China, is de lessons can we learn from this Asian Tiger? Isaac Leung reports

Diptronics has advanced manufacturing in Taiwan, with machines engineered and assembled in-house

HE RISE of China as an electronics manufacturing powerhouse has forced Australia’s electronics sector to adopt a more design/IP centric model. But the migration of manufacturing has also affected Asian countries like Taiwan.

In June 2011, Electronics News visited Taiwan, courtesy of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council.

The Taiwanese government is making a concerted effort to build an information society.

The Institute for Information Technology (III) was established in 1979 to push this agenda.

According to Sam Shen, Deputy Managing Director for the International Division of III, Taiwan remains a major procurement centre for the region, with its main strengths being its OEMs and ODMs. Its businesses are making products in China, but retain decision-

T

24 AUGUST 2011 www.electronicsnews.com.au

making and other high-end activities within Taiwan.

“Taiwanese firms no longer play on their manufacturing capabilities, but have moved to global logistics,” Shen said.

And where 30 years ago, Taiwan specialised in copying products from other countries, like many other Asian countries (Japan and South Korea come to mind), it is now developing its own products in a bid to differentiate itself.

Mobile as the future SMEs and corporations in Taiwan are responsible for a large number of ICT-related products, with mobile handheld devices a large growth area.

“As long as product functions and mobility keep growing, new opportunities will emerge for Taiwanese companies,” claimed Shen. “The real strength of Taiwan are the small companies supporting the strength of wellknown brands.”

A large number of SMEs exist in Taiwan, providing niche services and parts which together enable the creation of devices. These specialist companies are staunchly retaining their operations in Taiwan.

However, profit margins are shrinking for hardware devices, meaning Taiwanese devicemakers are increasingly focused on value-adding with services and content.

HTC, for example, is employing software engineers, and there is always the chance that the smartphone operating system market (which thus far has been dominated by Google’s Android, Apple’s iOS and Microsoft’s Windows Phone) will further fragment as manufacturers develop their own software.

But this fragmentation will not be a negative move for consumers, claims Joseph Wu from TAITRA, since the diverse software experience offers

FEATURE

dealing with many of the same issues that Australia faces. What

choice, but will retain inter-compatibility through the cloud.

Manufacturers in Taiwan

Research & innovation

As part of the visit to Taiwan, TAITRA organised site visits to a number of electronics firms. FAVITE, GW Instek, and Diptronics stood out.

FAVITE is the largest RFID manufacturer in Taiwan, with an entire production line in the country. It specialises in UHF products, and provides OEM and ODM services to its clients, who are predominantly system integrators.

These system integrators often use UHF readers and tags to enable parts of the applications or projects.

According to FAVITE’s RFID sales specialist Wendy Chang, UHF is still at a emerging stage, and the company is aiming to work with system integrators to increase adoption around the world.

“UHF is not a very easy sector to be in. Systems integrators have the ability to write software and control conditions, so 50 percent of the contribution to a project has to come from the client,” said Chang.

While keeping its base in Taiwan, FAVITE, like many other manufacturers, is expanding its production line to China.

“There is a market for our products in China, and this will allow us to cater to it,” Chang said. “We have the IT teams and background knowledge on the products. China has a lot of production capabilities but not a lot of technical knowledge on their application and integration.”

Nowhere is the upwards move to the cloud more evident than at the Industrial Technology Research Institute’s (ITRI) Cloud Computing Centre in the windy city of Hsinchu.

Here, shipping containers hold cloud servers, with 500 racks crammed into each, hosting companies like Wistron and Invensys.

Since its founding in 1973, ITRI has been instrumental in founding companies that are now key players in the semiconductor industry, including UMC, TSMC, TMC and Vanguard International.

By partnering with over 50 research institutes, ITRI has come out with a number of next-generation technology solutions, including car tracking on roads, personal health devices, and a flexible and paper-thin speaker made from nanomaterial which can be configured for different sizes and shapes.

STEPS TO SUCCESS

Taiwan is successfully leveraging its position and proximity to China, choosing battles wisely and proactively anticipating future trends.

• Building infrastructure for a connected society and economy, improving competitiveness of businesses • Locate manufacturing facilities in China with heavy quality control, but retain decision-making and high-end activities like design and logistics • Ensuring smaller, specialised companies stay afloat to support larger businesses • Heavy focus on R&D and new products, and value adding beyond hardware, via services and content • Working closely with partners and customers to predict and respond to new developments, and ensure successful projects

Standing up to the test GW Instek (or Good Will Instrument) designs and manufactures oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, signal sources, power supplies and component safety analysers.

While GW Instek derives around 80 percent of its revenue from its own instruments, the company also provides ODM services for brands like Tektronix, Hitachi and Kenwood.

Helena Wang, manager of GW > www.electronicsnews.com.au AUGUST 2011 25

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FEATURE

INDUSTRIAL

Instek’s overseas sales department, said the company is now working on strengthening its R&D capabilities.

“Our products started by targeting the low-end, but now we have very strong R&D and are positioned in the middle-higher range,” Wang told Electronics News.

Like other instrument manufacturers in Asia, GW Instek has yet to achieve brand recognition in the wider market, but hopes to compete in price, quality and product range.

When asked about the price competition from China, Wang pointed out that Chinese companies tend to manufacture duplicates at a low price, and generally lack R&D capabilities, quality control, and customer support.

“Most of the cost of our instruments is from the material and components. We differentiate by having higher quality components, and advanced functions,” said Wang.

On a tour of GW Instek’s facility, Wang also mentioned calibration accuracy as being a big source of problems with Chinese instruments, and emphasised the rigorous testing of its products, including EMI, temperature and humidity.

Switching it up It takes a visit to Diptronics to appreciate the market for seemingly simple components like the small switches

and buttons found on the electronic boards of common devices like notebook computers.

Established in 1985, Diptronics produces and develops precision switches for use on electronic boards.

It has captured approximately 60 percent of the notebook market.

While the company has production facilities in China, it undertakes preproduction and the production of miniature tactile switches and high level products in Taiwan, having imported Sumitomo injection moulding machines, as well as Japanese punching machines, thickness checking systems, and digital microfocus X-ray systems, etc.

During a tour of the Diptronics production line, Vincent Chang, manager of the sales department, emphasised that the company selfdesigned the line and a number of the machines, having the parts manufactured in China to be shipped back and assembled.

The company has its finger on the pulse of the market through the relationship its sales team has built with customers, allowing it to predict demand in advance to keep up with its clients’ demands.

Diptronics is focused on developing new components. Demand for indicating switches with LED technology in particular, is on the rise, with

Diptronics expanding its range in that area and projecting a big leap in LED switches within the next three years.

This R&D focus served it well, with the company actually gaining market share post-GFC, powering a very quick recovery from 2009. “[During the GFC] we stabilised our production. After 2009, many switch makers could not offer new products, so we took market share from our competitors,” Chang told Electronics News. Overall however, Chang said the company has benefited from a very stable industry.

“Over the last 26 years, we have phased out none of our products,” Chang said, while adding six or seven new products to its range annually.

Diptronics’ main competition are from big global companies like Alps and Panasonic. However, it has a strong market in Taiwan, which is home to a range of notebook manufacturers. It has mainly competed by offering a high degree of customisability and quick turnaround.

When asked about problems with IP protection in China, Chang maintained that Diptronics staff are very involved in auditing the quality control in China, with 100 percent control of the Chinese production processes.

However, Chang acknowledged challenges on the horizon.

“China wants to double its wages in the next five years, and it is a challenge for us, since our operations are labour-intensive,” he said. “We are expanding our automation line to reduce our dependence on labour, and to lower our costs.”

On exhibition FAVITE, GW Instek and Diptronics will be among the hundreds of exhibitors at TAITRONICS 2011, the 37th Taipei International Electronics Show, to be held from 10 to 13 October at the TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taipei.

Organised by TAITRA and the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association, the show will feature categories for a whole range of electronic components, meters and instruments, from passive components to consumer electronics and RFID. Specifically angled at professionals, TAITRONICS will provide visitors with a window into the Taiwanese electronics supply chain, and an opportunity to discover and source electronics gear, components and equipment from a range of manufacturers. ■ www.taitronics.tw www.favite.com www.gwinstek.com www.dip.com.tw

www.electronicsnews.com.au AUGUST 2011 27

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The CVX FGI - FCB GigE interface board enables users to take full advantage of the camera's progressive scan sensor, doubling the effective resolution compared to previous interlaced versions.

Adept Turnkey 02 9979 2599 www.adept.net.au

systems using code generated by Simulink HDL Coder.

Users of xPC target can now reconfigure digital input/output (I/O) modules and implement high speed algorithms for controls or signal processing within real-time testing and prototyping environments.

Mathworks 02 8669 4700 www.mathworks.com.au

Vector network analysers ROHDE & Schwarz have released the ZNB and ZNC vector network analysers, with a dynamic range up to 140dB, a sweep time of 4ms with 401 points and excellent stability.

The analysers are designed for demanding applications in the production and development of RF components. They cover the frequency ranges from 9 kHz to 3 GHz, 4.5 GHz or 8.5 GHz. Both the ZNB and the ZNC have a large touchscreen that allows users to access all instrument functions quickly and display results and extensive measurements clearly.

The ZNB covers the frequency range from 9 kHz to 4.5 GHz or 8.5 GHz and is available both in two-port and four-port models. It has a dynamic range of 140 dB, low trace noise of 0.004 dB (RMS) and high output power of up to +13 dBm, adjustable electronically in a range of 90 dB. The R&S ZNC with a frequency range from 9 kHz to 3 GHz is a costefficient alternative for users. The instrument is available with two test ports and offers a sweep time of 11 ms with 401 points and a dynamic range of up to 130 dB. It is used to test passive RF components.

Rohde & Schwarz 02 8874 5100 www.rohde-schwarz.com.au

The latest IB050Q096T70N1-00 is a high-power, 5:1 conversion ratio, open-frame unit. It operates from a wide input voltage range of 36 to 60V at power levels of up to 750W, with 2,250Vdc isolation from input to output, while achieving over 98 per cent peak efficiency.

Powerbox 02 9457 2200 www.powerbox.com.au

Intermediate bus converters POWERBOX has announced the IBC 050 and IBC 048 series of VI BRICK Intermediate Bus Converters.

The new family of converters includes over 12 models, in eighthand quarter-brick formats, delivering from 300W up to as much as 750W. The products offer pin-to-pin, drop-in functional equivalence to industry-standard converters.

28 AUGUST 2011 www.electronicsnews.com.au

Camera interface board ADEPT (now Adept Turnkey) has released Stemmer’s CVX FGI-FCB GigE interface board which feeds digital, uncompressed image data to a PC or network.

The interface board is compatible with the Sony FCB-EX E OEM series of cameras. It allows full control of the camera modules.

Lightning protection systems for solar WESTEK Electronics is now distributing Leutron’s lightning protection systems for PV panels.

PV panels are usually located in exposed positions, and so are likely to be subject to strong induced voltages by nearby lightning strikes.

The transient DC protection provided by Leutron’s system is complementary to the protection of the inverter at the AC output side.

The Leutron EnerPro 502 series has three basic models available catering for panel voltages of 500, 800 and 1000V respectively. The devices handle discharge current to 20 kA (40 kA max) and voltages to 2.5, 2.5 and 4.2 kV respectively.

Westek Electronics 03 9369 8802 www.westek.com.au

Prototyping and simulation solution MATHWORKS has announced xPC Target 5.0, which provides support for FPGAs, extending the rapid prototyping workflow for modelbased designs.

With xPC Target, computationally intensive algorithms can now run on FPGA boards.

According to MathWorks, control systems engineers can program FPGA boards for xPC Target Turnkey

HSPA+ M2M module CINTERION, distributed by ETM Pacific, has launched the PH8, the company’s flagship HSPA+ M2M module which delivers high-speed wireless connectivity on both 2G and 3G networks.

The PH8 module is suited for data-rich M2M applications and integrates the latest 45 nanometer chipset from Qualcomm.

The HSPA+ module offers speeds up to 14.4 Mbps for downloads and 5.76 Mbps for uploads and it is compatible with Quad-Band GSM/GPRS, EDGE and five UMTS bands for true global roaming.

Its three antenna connectors provide improved data speeds under fluctuating network conditions and continuous GPS monitoring without blanking.

ETM Pacific 02 9956 7377 www.etmpacific.com.au

Dual measurement multimeter GOOD Will Instrument, distributed

by TekMark, has launched the GDM8261 dual measurement multimeter.

The GDM-8261 is a genuine instru-

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ment-grade 6 digit multimeter with a high DC voltage accuracy (35ppm), dual measurement, 11 measurement functions and 10 advanced measurement functions.

The instrument can accommodate a scanner card, allowing it to switch between multiple-test points on a device under test.

For in-system measurement and test application interfaces, the GDM8261 uses RS232 for legacy applications as well as USB. TekMark Australia 02 9911 3888 www.tekmarkgroup.com

Hybrid regulators IMARK Communications has released the IMARK HR Hybrid Regulators for wind turbines and photovoltaic arrays.

The hybrid regulators are suited for use with remote area power systems, and are designed to charge and manage battery banks. They integrate with RAPS inverters.

The Imark HR Hybrid Regulators are Pulse Width Modulation shunt regulators for efficiency, and utilise heavy-duty low loss diodes and

MOSFET power components.

IMARK Communications 03 9329 5433 www.imark.com.au

Tiny Ethernet I/O modules ICP Electronics Australia has released the t(P)ET-P2R2/tET-P2R2 Tiny Ethernet I/O Module (with PoE).

The modules can be remotely controlled through a 10/100M Ethernet network by using Modbus TCP/UDP protocol. They are ideal for integration into the HMI, SCADA, PLC and other software systems.

The tET-P2R2 and tPET-P2R2 contain 2 channels of photo-isolated digital inputs and 2 channels of formA power relay outputs.

The module can be used to create a DI to DO pair-connection through the Ethernet.

The unit features a 32-bit MCU to enable efficient handling of network traffic. It has a built-in web server with a web management interface to allow users to modify the settings of the module.

ICP Electronics Australia 02 9457 6011 www.icp-australia.com.au

Waterproof embedded PCs BACKPLANE Systems Technology has announced Aplexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ACS-2701A waterproof, embedded PC for harsh environments.

The ACS-2701A is constructed from diecast aluminium and supports

In-vehicle box computer ADVANTECH-DLoG has announced the TREK-510, an ARM-based industrial-grade in-vehicle box computer.

Functionality offered by the system include tracking, positioning, and I/O with complete WWAN support, including GPRS, CDMA or HSDPA. The TREK-510 mobile data terminal is said to provide efficient invehicle communications, monitoring on-board vehicle systems and driver behaviour, to help fleet managers effectively operate and manage their fleets. It can be connected to devices like OBD-II or TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), wirelessly sending important driver/vehicle/location/car information back to the control center.

When coupled with the TREK-303 Smart Vehicle Display, with auto light sensor and easily installed single cable connection to the computing box, the solution provides a strong foundation for a wide range of fleet invehicle needs. The unit operate a wide working temperature range and has an anti-shock/vibration design.

TREK-510 also uses a special design to handle the critical issue of invehicle power. Special power protection and car power management software prevent electrical noise and surges from impacting the system, guarding against damage from transient car power.

Advantech 03 9797 0100 www.advantech.net.au

one 2.5 inch SATA HDD/SSD drive bay, and one CompactFlash slot for high-capacity storage. All connectors are rated IP67.

The embedded PC is fanless, and features the Intel Atom Z510 1.1GHz processor, as well as 1GB of DDR2

system memory.

The ACS-2701A supports wide range operating temperature from 20 to +60°C. Backplane Systems Technology 02 9457 6400 www.backplane.com.au

www.electronicsnews.com.au AUGUST 2011 29

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TOP TWEETS

Electronics News is providing a running stream of news on Twitter.

Follow @ENMag on Twitter to keep informed. Here are some of the top Twitter posts in July:

Protected USB coupler

High-power LED driver MORNSUN, distributed by DLPC in Australia, has released the KC24W series high-power LED driver, a step-down constant current source.

The LED driver has high efficiency, wide input voltage range, and selectable PWM dimming and analogue dimming functions. It also has remote shutdown capability, and efficiency up to 96 percent.

The KC24W series can be used in 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V landscape lighting, special lighting controls, commercial lighting, automotive lighting and other lighting applications. The leaded wired package allows for more convenient use where no PCB is required or desired.

The product has an ultra wide range voltage input and output of 5.5 to 48 VDC output current accuracy (± 2%) with high output current stability(±1%) and low Ripple & Noise(<100mV) suitable for use with large capacitive loads(1000uF).

DLPC 07 3823 4844 www.dlpc.com.au

Soanar 1300 762 627 www.soanar.com

Fluke 02 8850 3333 www.fluke.com.au

Outdoor panel PC

30 AUGUST 2011 www.electronicsnews.com.au

Handheld portable oscilloscopes

WINCOMM, distributed by Soanar, has released the WTP-8865-15O, an all-round IP65 rated 15” Panel PC. The enclosure is rated IP65 and is coated in anti-corrosion black powder. The variable speed fan allows operation in temperature conditions from -25C to 55C. The PC has an Intel ATOM N270 1.6GHz processor on a 945GSE chipset. The mini PCIe expansion slot can be used for the optional 802.11 b/g WiFi kit which is supplied with water-proof external antenna.

Mettler Toledo 1300 659 761 au.mt.com

PRECISE measurement data at a low cost is a possibility with Mettler Toledo's new IND131 and IND331 weighing terminals.

The weighing terminals have organic LED weight display, ultra-fast A/D conversion rate, and patented TraxDSP digital filtering, as well as a choice of AC or 24 VDC power supply.

An optional PLC interface allows bidirectional information exchange with the terminal. The panel does not

Weidmuller 02 9671 9999 www.weidmuller.com.au

FLUKE has introduced the ScopeMeter 190 Series II 2-channel handheld portable oscilloscopes.

The new meters provide 4- and 2channel, 200MHz, 100MHz and 60MHz bandwidth, with CAT III 1000V/CAT IV 600V safety rating.

The units combine a two-channel oscilloscope with a 5000 count digital multimeter. They provide a clear picture of the electrical signal, allowing visual analysis of the waveform to see signal disturbances like noise, distortion or transients.

The tool can be used to troubleshoot equipment performance problems in the field, and also for service and installation tasks.

The Fluke ScopeMeter range oscilloscopes combine a sealed case that is IP51 dust and drip proof with a design that is tested to withstand 3g vibration or 30g shock.

have to be laser cut in order to panelmount the unit.

Weighing terminals

WEIDMULLER has released the FrontCom Micro USB Coupler, a panel mounted IP65 protected communications port for the common 22.5mm hole.

Technicians can use the USB-A to USB-B coupler to access PLC, drives, and HMIs located in switchboards and cabinets without exposing themselves to high voltage equipment.

A push and pull rubber cover protects the coupler from dust and dirt and is easily opened and closed.

Engineer's Perspective: Electric Vehicle Technology - Rethinking the whole concept http://dlvr.it/cSDJF Memory OEMs diversify into external HDD http://dlvr.it/c1d27 Growing electronic devices underwater http://dlvr.it/bjB5Q Bluechiip’s prototype biobank tracking chips survive torture http://dlvr.it/b724D Next-generation MRAM to be developed by Hynix, Toshiba http://dlvr.it/b6jmh

COM Express development kit KONTRON has released the COM Express Starterkit Type 6, accelerating the design and development of new systems based on COM Express pin-out Type 6 Computer-on-Modules.

The components of the starter kit can be assembled in minutes, allowing developers to quickly begin platform evaluation.

According to Kontron, the PCIExpress support of its starter kit addresses industry demands to move from parallel communication towards purely serial embedded systems designs with higher bandwidth and transfer rates.

Kontron 02 9457 0047 www.kontron.com

WEB DIRECTORY

To advertise email sarah.bateman@reedbusiness.com.au

Amtex Electronics www.amtex.com.au Established in 1979, Amtex Electronics has become a leading supplier of Power Supplies, Battery Chargers, DC-DC Converters & Lab Supplies for both standard and custom solutions. From our large inventory, quick-turn-around local assembly and backed by expert technical staff you can be assured of the right products, when you need them.

Please visit our web site or call 02 9809 5022 for further information.

au.element14.com Welcome to element14, the new face of Farnell.

With access to over 450,000 products, from 3,500 leading suppliers, element14 connects you to a world of electronic components.

We offer great value-added services such as local, free re-reeling, cut-to-length cable and peel packaging.

We also offer a leading information portal and community website for design engineers developed to bridge the information divide in the electronics design industry.Visit our website today!

ASD TECHNOLOGY www.asdtech.com.au ASD Technology is a premier supplier of quality RF/ Microwave, Millimeterwave, Fiber Optics and Satcom components and subassemblies. Our products include Amplifiers, Antennas, Attenuators, Adapters, Cable Assemblies, Circulators, Coaxial Connectors, Directional Couplers, Filters, Fiber Optic Links, Isolators, Limiters, Mixers, Noise Sources, Oscillators, Phase Shifters, Power Dividers Combiners, Splitters, Synthesizers, Switches, Terminations, Waveguide Components and more.

FLUKE CALIBRATION www.fluke.com.au Fluke Calibration is a leader in precision calibration instrumentation and software for electrical, temperature, pressure, flow, and RF measurements. Calibration products from Fluke are found in calibration facilities around the world, including National Metrology Institutes, that demand the highest levels of performance and reliability, backed by state of the art metrology and uncompromising support.

Aussirad Electronics www.aussirad.com.au • Potentionmeters Omeg-Panel-switched 1/4W-100W • Rotary encoders with LED • LED 12V Lighting Colours 3W-7W with dimmable options • JoystickPosition sensors- for robots-airbag • Resistors 1/8W to greater than 5000W braking types • Capacitors –Full range • Fans 12- 24-48V dc – AC24-380Vac • Diodes- Semiconductors-mA to greater than 250A • Solar Panels on / off grid Inquiries welcome

Koloona Industries www.koloona.com.au

High quality circular connectors with the LEMO designed push pull mating. Harsh environment connectors rated to IP68.

Plastic connectors for the medical industry.

Coaxial, triaxial, quadrax, multi contact and fibre optic connectors. LEMO is accredited with ISO9001:2000 and all connectors are RoHS compliant.

Koloona Industries is a wholly owned Australian Company who have been Importing and Distributing Electrical & Electronic Components for 30 years.

Koloona specialise in High Quality Switching and Protection Components with many supportive products to complete the range. We pride ourselves on our ability to offer quick service and full technical and application support.

Powerbox Australia www.powerbox.com.au Microchip Technology Inc. www.microchip.com/8bit • Low pin count and small form factor • Easy migration • Cost effective • Low power capability • Ease of use and quick development • Mutiple product options • Flexible flash program memory

SATCAM www.satcam.com.au RS Components www.rsaustralia.com www.rsnewzealand.com Easy access to over 350,000 Electronic, Electrical and Industrial products from over 2,500 of the world's leading manufacturers. Online users have instant stock availability and access to over 100,000 free datasheets. Delivery is free for all orders over $125 in Australia and New Zealand.

Faraday Pty Ltd is a specialist electromagnetic shielding company, which provides design, installation, and testing of shielding systems for Industrial, Medical and Defence EMI requirements. Faraday represents pre-eminent international companies including ETS Lindgren (EMCO / RANTEC / Holaday), AR Worldwide (Amp Research / AR-modular rf), Solar Electronics and TESEO.

Lemo www.lemo.com

M Rutty & Co www.mrutty.com.au "Companies include Portescap miniature & speciality motors, Dunkermotoren advanced motion solutions, Mavilor - AC/DC motors and drives, Italtronic DIN rail enclosures and Bivar PCB hardware. Specializing in subracks & innovative high quality 19" enclosures".

Faraday Pty. Ltd. www.faradayshielding.biz

Quick Circuit from SATCAM allows you to make your own prototype circuit boards • circuit board prototypes in hours • uses standard CAD output • mills, drills and routs – no chemicals • analog, digital, RF and microwave • engraves and mills panels • plated-through holes • LED illumination of work area • models with automatic tool change Shouldn't you have one on your bench?

MORNSUN www.mornsun-power.com Australia & New Zealand Distributor DLPC Pty Ltd (07) 3823 4844 Email: keith@dlpc.com.au

Victorian Distributor Fairmont Marketing (03) 9878 3077 Email: nick@fairmontmarketing.com.au

"Powerbox suppling a wide selection of AC/DC Power Supplies, DC/DC Converters, Military Power Supply, Railway Converters, Security Power Supply, Euro Cassettes, External Power Supply, Medical Power Supply, Battery Chargers, Laboratory Power Supplies & DC/AC Inverters"

New Soth Wales Distributor EMT Electronics (02) 9703 5425 Email: schubert.tan@emtelectronics.com.au

Soanar Plus www.soanarplus.com Soanar Plus offers an on-line ordering service with more than 7,500 plus parts in stock and ready for next day delivery. Our site offers real-time pricing and availability, broken pack quantities, side by side comparison and datasheets. This website complements our FREE catalogue.

TekMark Australia Pty Ltd www.tekmark.net.au Leading supplier of Electronics Test & Measurement Technologies. Authorised Distributor of Tektronix in Australia. Key products offered: Oscilloscopes, Spectrum Analysers, Signal Generators,Video Test Equipment, Logic Analysers, Frequency Counters, Power Supplies, Digital Multimeters, Access Network Testers, Optical & Metallic TDRs, RF Test Equipment.

www.electronicsnews.com.au AUGUST 2011 31