RS Components launches web-based Microchip Resource Centre

RS Components and Microchip Technology, a leading supplier of microcontroller semiconductors, are pleased to announce the launch of a web-based Microchip Resource Centre.

The Centre provides a quick and easy route for customers to gain the latest information on the Microchip products that are available through RS. Using techniques that include demonstration videos and software downloads, customers can access information on design options for motor control applications, learn about Microchip’s most powerful microcontroller – the PIC32, design QVGA applications for the PIC24F, discover Capacitive mTouch™ Sensing Solutions as well as enrol on workshops.

Mike McGlade, Sales Channel Manager at Microchip commented: “Microchip is delighted to be working with RS in the development of this online Centre. It is important to Microchip that key technologies and resources are highlighted to the widest customer base possible. We have no doubt that many customers will book workshops, download videos and purchase products as a result of this new facility.”

Keeping customers up-to-date with new developments has always been important to RS: “This Centre provides RS’ customers with our Microchip offer, online, in one easy place. It‘s designed to add value by offering extra information above the usual datasheet and standard feature lists, such as additional video and software links to help customers get started. These include topics on touch-screen displays and developing brushless motor control. The new Centre won’t stand still either, with further developments planned on USB and the new ‘K’ series microprocessor range,” commented Marcus Goad, Product Manager at RS.

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New safety switches from Aerco reduces wiring and installation time

Now available in the UK from Aerco is the Honeywell MICRO SWITCH™ GKME series of dual connection safety switches. An extension of the GKM series, these new switches include two pre-assembled connectors that allow daisy-chain connections to be made from switch to switch and this can reduce wiring time up to fifty percent in some installations.

The GKME is designed to provide maximum machine safety and the removal of any switch indicates that a door is open and breaks the electrical safety chain. The design also simplifies both planned and unplanned maintenance because modules can be easily removed and replaced.

Potential applications include packaging and assembly equipment and textile and printing machinery.

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Catalogue components distributor opens third European office; other locations to follow this year

Mouser Electronics, Inc., today announced that it has opened its second European Customer Service Centre in High Wycombe, England. Last year, Mouser opened customer service centres in Munich and in Israel. The new office will cover the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway and the company is pursuing an aggressive roll out plan of other global offices, including more in Europe in 2009.

Mouser’s new UK facility means that customers have easy access to local sales representatives. Additionally, there is a UK website, http://uk.mouser.com, with prices in pounds sterling.

Mouser caters to the creative design engineer and small quantity buyer by stocking the latest products and by removing minimum order requirements. Mouser produces print catalogs in Europe every six months in multiple currencies and languages. In the last year, 32 new suppliers were added to Mouser’s popular line-card, nine of which were added to the catalogue, including Hirose, Leadis, Vectron, Exar, Sagrad, congatec, CalAmp, Hendon Semiconductor, AXSEM, and Kamaya. Exciting new products featured in this latest catalog include Texas Instruments’ 2.4GHz RF Front End Range Extender CC2591, Microchip’s FCC-certified RF Transceiver Modules MRF24J40MA, Freescale’s 8-bit MCU with 32-bit compatibility MC9S08AC128/96, Molex’s SFP+ high speed, stacked multi-port connector, and Zilog’s ePIR™ Zdots® motion detection SBC.

In addition, Mouser’s website with interactive online catalog is updated daily. It contains more than a million products for easy online purchase, provides over 1.5 million cross-references, as well as more than 900,000 downloadable data sheets, supplier-specific reference designs, application notes, and other technical design information.

“Mouser is known for its broad-based product line, unsurpassed customer service, and stream-lined warehouse operations,” said Mark Burr-Lonnon, Mouser’s Vice President Europe. “We continuously offer customers the most innovative products and latest technologies for their new design projects. With the opening of our new United Kingdom office, our customer base will benefit from customer support services which have become accepted as exemplary in North America and other regions in our market. ”

In January 2000, a new kind of partnership was forged when Mouser Electronics, Inc. became a subsidiary of TTI, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company. This combination of resources offers a complete solution for customers and suppliers. With Mouser’s efficiency of small-quantity order fulfillment, products are delivered quickly for design-in during the prototype stage of R&D, and then transitioned to TTI for global production quantities. This complete solution is unique in the electronics distribution industry.

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New isotropic E-H field analyser provides accurate measurements at LW, MW and SW transmitter sites

Now available from Link Microtek, the leading UK supplier of RF radiation safety systems, is an innovative field analyser designed to provide accurate isotropic measurements of both electric and magnetic fields in the vicinity of long-, medium- and short-wave broadcast transmitters.

Manufactured by Narda Safety Test Solutions, the EHP-200 includes built-in spectrum analysis capability over the frequency range 9kHz to 30MHz and accommodates all the field sensors and measurement circuitry in a robust housing only 92 x 92 x 109mm in size.Using a rugged optical-fibre link, the field analyser displays results in real time either on a PC or on the optional 8053-Display unit. The EHP-200 can handle a wide range of field levels from 0.02 to 1000 V/m and 0.6 mA/m to 300 A/m, and it features a frequency resolution down to 1kHz for detailed measurements. Dynamic range is greater than 80dB.

All measurement functions are user-programmable with the EHP-200 control software, which is supplied as standard. Other standard accessories include a 10m optical-fibre cable, carrying bag, plastic pole, mini tripod, battery charger and an operating manual with test and calibration certificates.

With the built-in rechargeable Li-Ion battery providing up to 8 hours of continuous operation, the new field analyser is particularly useful for ensuring safety around the sites of large antennas, controlling the transmitted power in the actual radiation direction, and testing the functionality of the transmitting antennas. In addition, the EHP-200 can effectively measure the wave impedance of the field, thereby enabling users to identify the borders between far-field regions – which have an impedance of 377 ohm – and near-field regions, whose wave impedance is determined by the characteristics of the antennas.

» Contact Details for Link Microtek

Dedicated web pages and new e-newsletter profile 700 weekly product additions

Farnell, the leading multi-channel, high service distributor supporting millions of engineers and purchasing professionals across Europe and Asia Pacific, has added new pages to its website that give quick and easy visibility and access to a continuous stream of new products additions. With approximately 700 new products added every week, plus new technologies and new manufacturers, Farnell is able to provide design engineers with the most comprehensive choice of the very latest technology.

Under the new initiative, Farnell is also launching a monthly e-newsletter that will bring the most up-to-date product and technology news directly to subscribers. The new additions to Farnell’s product portfolio encompass devices of all types; from extensions to commodity ranges to the introduction of exciting new technologies from niche suppliers that can help customers gain crucial technological competitive advantage.

The new product pages can be quickly accessed with a single click from customers’ own Internet browsers by using the new downloadable Farnell toolbar. An overview of each product is given and then with a single click users can then directly access comprehensive data sheets, see stock availability, and then make purchases. Orders can be placed 24-hours a day with free next day delivery on all orders placed before 8pm. Farnell offers local language websites and has offices throughout Europe to provide customers, wherever they are, with excellent sales and design-in support.

Steve Herd, Senior Product Manager, Farnell, commented on the introduction of the new product introduction web pages and e-newsletters saying: “Adding new products to our portfolio to ensure that design engineers have access to the very latest technology is a key part of our business model. These new web pages and e-newsletter ensure that our customers know about the new additions and can purchase product as soon as the parts are added to our range.”

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Mouser Electronics and Vectron International Sign Global Distribution Agreement

Mouser Electronics, Inc., known for its rapid introduction of the newest products, today announced it reached a worldwide distribution agreement with Vectron International, the industry leader in precision frequency control products. Mouser’s stock includes Vectron’s most popular crystal oscillators and surface acoustic wave (SAW) products.

Barry McConnell, Mouser Senior Vice President of Products, remarks, “Vectron has an international reputation for quality and tight tolerances in the frequency control arena; factors that our designer-engineers will appreciate. As Vectron’s exclusive North American catalog distributor, Mouser can offer easy access to its broad-based product lines through our free quarterly catalog.” “Vectron is delighted to be part of the Mouser portfolio of products,” said Alan Mond, Vice President Sales and Marketing at Vectron International. “As the world’s leader in innovative timing solutions, Vectron’s focus has always been to support our customers design community. Mouser, with its leadership position in supporting over 300,000 engineers and buyers with its world class catalogue distribution infrastructure, provides an effective sales channel to tap into this crucial engineering base.”

» Contact details for Mouser Electronics, Inc.

Mouser Electronics First to Stock Rabbit Single-Board Computer (SBC)

Mouser Electronics, Inc., known for its rapid introduction of the newest products, today announced it is the first distributor to stock the latest Single-Board Computers (SBC) from Rabbit, a Digi International Company and global provider of high-performance microprocessors and development tools for embedded control, communications, and Ethernet connectivity.

The Rabbit BL4S100 Single-Board Computer ZigBee enabled Ethernet Gateway is based on a Rabbit® 4000 microprocessor. The BL4S100 features an on-board ZigBee RF module that offers mesh networking functionality to make networking easy to deploy and simple to maintain. The integrated Ethernet and ZigBee connectivity of the BL4S100 delivers a low-cost platform to design a ZigBee enabled Ethernet network. It provides embedded design engineers a simple and straightforward approach for machine control and data acquisition without the burden of cables and wiring harnesses. It can also be used in a network configuration to control temperature and lighting in a building.

Additionally, Mouser is stocking the Rabbit BL4S200 Single-Board Computer series, wireless or wired, for industrial control that delivers the features to support networking. Available in Ethernet and Fast Ethernet versions, the BL4S200 also offers a choice of Wi-Fi and ZigBee wireless networking options. Based on the Rabbit® 4000 and 5000 microprocessors, the high-performance BL4S200 series delivers higher clock speeds and twice the I/O as the BL4S100 series. This Rabbit product provides reliable hardware that has been certified by the FCC and other international agencies.

Mike Scott, Mouser’s Vice President of Active Products, comments, “Once again Rabbit has created a product that simplifies the design cycle for the engineer. We are thrilled to have these new SBCs on our shelves and available for our customers, which underscores our focus on having the newest products in stock.”

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Mouser Electronics Receives Outstanding Sales Achievement Award from Microchip Technology

Mouser Electronics, Inc., known for its rapid introduction of the newest products, today announced it has received an award for Outstanding Sales Achievement for 2008 from Microchip Technology, a leading manufacturer of microcontroller and analog products.

Mouser’s sales achievement was a direct result of the cooperative, collaborative relationship between Mouser and Microchip. Microchip’s continuous release of new products, combined with Mouser’s ability to rapidly launch new products via the web and its quarterly catalog, allowed immediate product availability to the design engineering community. The resulting response from buyers was overwhelming and led to record breaking sales numbers. While Mouser’s 2008 sales increased 84%, even more impressive is that Mouser’s Microchip customer base increased 250% over 2007.

Glenn Smith, President and CEO of Mouser, states “The entire Mouser team proudly accepts this award from Microchip. This great achievement is indicative of Mouser’s commitment to become the world’s most preferred source of components for the electronics design engineer and a confirmation of Mouser’s promise to provide the latest, newest products and technologies as quickly as possible.”

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4- and 5-Wire Resistive Touch Screens from The Bergquist Company Now Available at Digi-Key

Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, announced today that it is now stocking new 4 and 5-Wire resistive touch screens from The Bergquist Company.

In stock, these products can be purchased on Digi-Key’s global websites. Bergquist touch screens are also featured in Digi-Key’s print and online catalogs.

Bergquist optimized 4-wire resistive technology solutions are rated for 10 million single point activations and feature enhanced coatings to increase brightness and reduce reflections. Benefits include high resolution, pressure sensitive activation (with stylus and gloved finger), resistance to dirt and water, low cost, and low power consumption. Applications include handheld devices, light industrial, and home appliances.

Bergquist 5-wire resistive analog touch screens are ideally suited for durable, reliable performance in a wide variety of demanding physical and harsh-environment applications. Unlike other resistive technologies that must use opposing layers to create X and Y-axis measurements, the Bergquist 5-wire utilizes the stable substrate of glass for both X and Y-axis measurements.

Electrically, the 5-wire operates by supplying five volts to ground and toggling in both directions, thus supplying the X and Y-axis measurements. The sense line, or fifth wire, is connected to the top film substrate. When the top layer is depressed, making contact with the base layer, it picks up the voltage data and carries it to the electronics. Because the top layer is acting only as pick-up layer, it can tolerate resistive changes without impacting the reliability of the touch points’ accuracy from the base layer. For this reason, the 5-wire is able to withstand temperature, humidity, and mechanical stresses, and as a result, 5-wire touch screens are specified for 35 million activations. Other benefits include its high resistance to scratches, abrasions, and external contaminants as well as its superior image clarity and brightness.

“We are very pleased to offer these quality touch screen products to the tens of thousands of design engineers who rely on Digi-Key to have the products they need when they need them,” said Digi-Key President and COO Mark Larson.

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Mouser Electronics and Leadis Technology Sign Global Distribution Agreement

Mouser Electronics, Inc., known for its rapid introduction of the newest products, today announced it has signed a global distribution agreement with Leadis Technology, a fabless semiconductor company that specializes in designing and developing analogue and mixed-signal semiconductors.

Mouser’s Leadis stock includes display drivers, power management ICs, LED drivers, touch sensors, and audio CODECs that enable and enhance the features of mobile and consumer electronic devices. The Leadis LDS8845 4-channel LED driver features ultra low dropout and no noise with a high efficiency current regulator that can drive up to four LEDs. Other advanced products include the PureTouch™ Capacitance Touch IC series. Within that series, the LDS6000 IC features 15 sensor inputs using a single controller and the LDS6020 IC includes integrated keypad LED drivers for lighting effects using a single controller.

Mike Scott, Mouser Vice President of Active Products, states, “Leadis is truly an innovator in the areas of sight, sound, and touch. For years, design engineers in Asia have trusted Leadis for their cutting-edge, patented products and Mouser can now offer those to customers throughout the world.”

“Leadis is very pleased to add Mouser as a distribution partner. We look forward to offering a wide range of Leadis products to Mouser’s broad customer base, from our PureTouch™ family of Touch Controllers to a broad portfolio of LED Driver and Power Management solutions,” said Skip Wong, Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Leadis Technology. “The LDS6xxx family of Touch Products offers industry-leading low power solutions, contributing to “green” compliance for capacitive button, slider, and scroll applications, and the LDS8xxx family of products offer high-efficiency in the 4 and 6-channel LED Driver backlighting, and a Flash/Lamp Driver family targeted at the fast growing market of lighting applications.”

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