New Phoenix Contact PTSM Series PCB Terminal Blocks in Stock at Digi-Key Corporation

Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, today announced it has stock on Phoenix Contact‘s new PTSM series PCB terminal blocks.

The PTSM series PCB terminal blocks are available for purchase on Digi-Key’s global websites and will be featured in future print and online catalogs.

The PTSM series has a 5A-rated spring-cage connector and a small footprint that allows for several design possibilities. The terminal blocks are 5mm in height and have a 2.5mm centerline. These parts are available in pin-in-paste method mounting or true surface-mount technology, both of which help engineers save time and money when compared to traditional mounting methods.

Features include a quick push-in connection, cost-saving mounting technology, and optimization of tight spaces. The PTSM series’ small size is valuable in applications in which board space is constrained. The quick push-in technology reduces the amount of time spent on inserting wires when compared to traditional technology.

The PTSM series may be used in applications such as LED lighting, building automation, and power supply units.

“The chief benefits of the new PTSM series PCB terminal blocks are their small footprint and the quick push-in technology which provide cost- and time-saving measures,” said Jeff Shafer, Digi-Key’s vice president of interconnect, passive and electromechanical product. “Engineers can use these products to explore numerous design possibilities and applications with design support services from Digi-Key. Our goal at Digi-Key is to continue providing top-quality, user-friendly product to aid engineers in their design process.”

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Actel Awards European Distributor of the Year to Avnet Memec

Avnet Memec, the highly specialised semiconductor distributor of Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, has been honoured by Actel as “European Distributor of the Year“. The award was presented to Georg Hanak, Actel Business Development Manager at Avnet Memec, for outstanding performance at the annual Actel Sales Conference in San Francisco. Hanak has been Avnet Memec’s Business Development Manager for Actel since 2008 and was able to generate 60% revenue growth within the line compared to 2009. Avnet Memec has the sales franchise for Actel products in Germany, France and the UK.

“Avnet Memec continues to deliver consistent value to our customers and trading partners,” says Steve Haynes, President Avnet Memec. “This award shows that Actel recognises our commitment and expertise in this market. We are looking forward to continuing and expanding this successful cooperation.”

“Through its outstanding performance, know-how and engagement Avnet Memec contributed to our business success. We are very pleased to present the European Distributor of the Year award to Avnet Memec and to honour Georg Hanak and his team for their performance in 2009,” adds Jay Legenhausen Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales Actel.

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RS Components, the leading distributor of electronic, electro-mechanical and industrial products, today announced that it has signed a two year global supply agreement with Cobham plc (LSE: COB), one of the world’s largest aerospace and defense contractors. Under the agreement, RS Components is Cobham’s distributor of choice for electronic and electromechanical components in the UK, France, USA and Denmark, for development and small batch production quantities.

Commenting on the agreement, Simon Hakney, Cobham Commodity Director said “Cobham plc selected RS as its distributor of choice on the basis of its wide product portfolio of electronic, electrical, electromechanical, and industrial components and high availability. This is backed up by the RS very high service level offer and technical support giving us value for money and peace of mind. RS also offers great support across other commodity areas. We look forward to a long and continued relationship to the mutual benefit of both organisations.”

The agreement gives Cobham sites in the UK, France, USA and Denmark access to preferential pricing and delivery. These terms are available to Cobham across the full portfolio of over 500,000 products offered by RS in each country, including tools, test equipment and other items as well as electronic and electromechanical components. The agreement will be serviced by RS in the UK and Denmark, Allied Electronics in the USA and Radiospares in France. Paul Quested, General Manager RS UK commented: “We are delighted to have been able to help Cobham Group in meeting its precise electronic and maintenance requirements and streamlining their overall purchasing processes. We look forward to developing a close working partnership and meeting all of Cobham’s present and future needs.”

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RS Agreement with Arduino

RS Components today announced that it has signed an agreement to become the exclusive official global catalogue distributor for the cult Arduino electronics prototyping platform for creating interactive objects or environments. Since it emerged from the Interaction Design Institute in Ivrea, Italy, Arduino has acquired a strong following as a simple, powerful, cost-effective control interface and over 50,000 boards have already been shipped worldwide.

Arduino is a tool for the design and development of embedded computer systems, consisting of a simple open hardware design for a single-board microcontroller, with embedded I/O support and a standard programming language. The Arduino programming language is based on Wiring and is essentially C/C++.

Commenting for RS Components, Glenn Jarrett, Head of Electronics Marketing said: “RS is delighted to support the Arduino project by taking this open hardware and open source software concept to the global market.” He continued: “The Arduino board is so straightforward and easy to program that it is accessible to engineers with no prior experience, but at the same time offers enough performance and capability to address complex tasks. Arduino is a really important tool that engineers everywhere are looking at and in particular we believe will engage the next generation of engineers.”

Massimo Banzi, co-founder for Arduino, said: “The RS website is the first stop for engineers around the world seeking tools and technologies for their next project. Its ability to deliver any of those tools and technologies to the bench the next day is legendary. A major goal of the Arduino project is to make our tools accessible and the unrivalled reach of RS’ marketing and logistics truly takes our technology to the world’s electronics engineering professionals.”

RS Components Arduino stock profile includes the Duemilanove MCU board based on the Atmega328, ZigBee and Ethernet Shield boards and workshop kits containing all the components required to begin prototyping.

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Digi-Key’s e-commerce tools integrated as part of NXP’s new SimPort Design Center developed by Transim Technology

Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, in partnership with Transim Technology and NXP Semiconductors, today announced the launch of the NXP SimPort Design Center incorporated with Digi-Key’s industry leading e-commerce platform.

This design simulation tool provides engineers with the capability to create custom reference designs and immediately verify and test their designs online using Transim’s proprietary WebSIM® technology. Once the designs are tested and approved, the engineer can immediately purchase components using Digi-Key’s e-commerce tools.

Digi-Key’s e-commerce tools enable the user to create a bill of materials from a simulated design and view real-time pricing and availability of parts for the design.

“Digi-Key is committed to providing innovative solutions to our customers. The partnering of our e-commerce platform with Transim and NXP embodies those goals,” said John Collins, Digi-Key’s chief information officer. “By utilizing web services as an integration platform, we bring together the powerful combination of Transim and NXP solutions with Digi-Key’s unparalleled breadth of product and leading edge technologies to give the customer the most convenient, flexible experience possible.”

Transim’s Design Center combines engineering software, internet and simulation technology to create a powerful simulated design solution. The simulated design center is customized to meet manufacturers’ needs and features their products and technologies in an easy-to-use web application. Transim engineers collaborate with each manufacturer’s design engineers to mimic the design process as it occurs when conducted in real life.

“Digi-Key has a long history of embracing leading edge technologies to provide their customers with the absolute best service possible,” said Birgit Knorr, Transim’s president and CEO. “Integrating our innovative online engineering solutions within Digi-Key’s state-of-the-art website provides the customer with a complete and intuitive experience from design support through BOM management and order fulfillment.”

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Digi-Key Corporation and Seoul Semiconductor Announce Worldwide Distribution Agreement

Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, and LED innovator/manufacturer Seoul Semiconductor have entered into a global distribution agreement. The agreement includes distribution through Digi-Key of the full range of Seoul Semiconductor’s products, from the smallest DC LED to the innovative and world’s first AC LED, Acriche™.

Seoul Semiconductor is a leading innovator of high-brightness and energy-efficient LEDs. Products stocked by Digi-Key are available for purchase on Digi-Key’s global websites. Additionally, these products are slated to be featured in future print and online catalogs.

“With technology breakthroughs increasing brightness, or lumens per watt, at lower price points, the interest in LEDs continues to grow dramatically,” said Dave Doherty, Digi-Key’s vice president of semiconductor product. “With products such as Seoul Semiconductor’s Acriche AC LED, we are confident a global partnership will benefit our customers. Digi-Key’s commitment to providing top-quality products continues with the addition of Seoul Semiconductor’s product to our broad product offering.”

Brian Wilcox, vice president of North American sales for Seoul, said, “We are pleased to partner with a distribution leader such as Digi-Key on a product opportunity where demand is growing with increasing intensity. The Digi-Key Lighting Partners Program will link our customers to the entire eco-system surrounding the LED, helping them get to market faster.”

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Digi-Key Corporation Announces Exclusive Global Distribution Deal with EPC

Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, today announced it has signed a deal for the global distribution of gallium nitride (GaN)-based power management devices from EPC.

Established in 2007, EPC is a fab-less company with subcontract manufacturing in Taiwan. EPC’s key markets include voltage controllers, LED boost converters, power MOSFET and IGBT replacements, drivers, power amplifiers and RF MOSFETs.

EPC’s founders are committed to developing GaN products to be used as cost-effective silicon product replacements. In June 2009, EPC released the first commercial enhancement-mode GaN transistors. EPC has developed products with behavioral characteristics similar to silicon power MOSFETs to make GaN transistors easy to use.

EPC’s products for applications requiring 200V or less are available for purchase on Digi-Key’s global websites. Additionally, these parts will be featured in future print and online catalogs.

“Digi-Key has the fastest global logistics and the most efficient supply chain of any distributor with which I have worked over the last 30 years,” said Alex Lidow, EPC’s co-founder and CEO. “This will translate into fast and easy service to all our global customers who want to gain access to our enhancement-mode GaN transistors to replace their less-efficient power MOSFETs.”

“EPC’s gallium nitride-based power management products bring intriguing next-generation breakthrough benefits to existing MOSFET and Bipolar solutions,” said Dave Doherty, Digi-Key’s vice president of semiconductor product. “We are thrilled to be the first to offer these innovative products to the engineering community.”

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Franchise extended to offer UK embedded designers a new world-class portfolio of solutions

Avnet Embedded, an Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) company, today announced that its franchise with Kontron, the global leader of embedded computing technology, has been further extended to include the UK. Kontron’s vast portfolio of embedded computing technology solutions is already represented by Avnet Embedded in France and the Nordic regions through longstanding relationships with Axess Technology and Trident, both Avnet Embedded businesses. This newly extended relationship will provide Avnet Embedded with access to Kontron’s entire range of embedded computing solutions broadening its offering to embedded designers throughout the UK. An agreement covering Italy was recently announced. The franchise agreement with Kontron is also covered globally including America through Avnet Electronics Marketing.

According to Jürgen Grabow, Vice President of EMEA Sales, Kontron, “This new agreement extends our relationship with Avnet Embedded to most of the major markets in Europe. Their energy, focus and customer-centric approach, based on strong technical know-how have been extremely productive in Italy, France and the Nordic region. Their UK team has demonstrated that they can replicate this performance.”

“We are very excited about this opportunity and hope to continue the success in the UK we have achieved with the Kontron products in France and the Nordics,” said Martin Brooks, vice president, Avnet Embedded. “Kontron is a key and strategic supplier of innovative world-class products for Avnet Embedded in Europe and this appointment shows that our relationship with them continues to grow and strengthen.”

Trident and Axess Technology received awards in Kontron’s annual sales partner meeting for their excellent performance in 2008.

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Over 230 additional IR semiconductors brings the total to over 1300 products available direct-from-stock for next-day-delivery

RS Components, the leading distributor of electronic, electro-mechanical and industrial products, today announced the introduction of over 200 new International Rectifier semiconductors to its product portfolio. The expanded selection offers electronic design engineers an extensive choice of the most suitable technologies for their requirements.

The comprehensive product expansion includes the IRAM range, a series of compact plug-and-drive technology power modules, fully protected high-side Intelligent Power Switches (IPS) that are suitable for harsh environments and the IRF DirectFET MOSFET range that increases current density by a factor of two and reduces PCB space by 50%.

The enhanced portfolio is available direct-from-stock in industry-standard packaging, ready for direct insertion into automated production runs. All products are supplied in flexible quantities so customers can order the quantity they need and avoid unnecessary stock-holding costs. Customers can also achieve larger discounts when ordering higher quantities.

Commenting on the launch, Volker Schendel, Director Business Development Planning and Analysis for International Rectifier stated: “International Rectifier is delighted with the continuing efforts RS has made to expand its range of International Rectifier semiconductors. The range expansion will increase the benefits to customers by combining IR technology with RS’ high levels of service and support.”

Paul Webster, Head of Product Management, Electronics at RS added: “The increased range will give electronic design engineers a wider choice of International Rectifier semiconductors, available from a single source, at a competitive price.”

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US engineers use collaborative online ‘workspace of tomorrow’ to connect, design, purchase seamlessly

element14, a new collaborative workspace created for electronic design engineers at www.element-14.com has added an electronics technology store to its environment for US customers. With this enhancement, element14 now seamlessly supports the US engineering community in a way that no other website can: from early design development and concept through the creation of a product prototype—every stage is supported.

At the element14 store engineers can purchase many of the new technologies they learn about and discuss in the community, without having to leave the environment. The store offers a wide selection of top brand, board-level products and development kits required for next-generation design development. Products are available for same day shipping within the US at three fixed freight rates, starting as low as $5 per order.

Launched in June, 2009 as a global technology resource and community for design engineers, element14 uses web 2.0 functionality and a built-in translation tool to break down language barriers required to facilitate interaction, collaboration and information sharing worldwide. A fully searchable library of technical data streamlines research for the newest technologies, and CadSoft’s EAGLE software, is available for download.

“element14 has already attracted tens of thousands of engineers, drawn by such features as “Ask an Expert”, deep dive technology microsites like the Microchip Technology nanoWatt XLP Resource Center and the opportunity to ‘road test’ new technologies,” said Alisha Mowbray, Senior VP, Innovation Marketing, element14. “With the addition of a store, element14 truly becomes the workspace of tomorrow, the way more and more design engineers will choose to connect, design and purchase.”

element14 is backed by global electronics distribution leader Premier Farnell. The element14 store is supported by live technical product chat and a customer service team.

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