The APC-18W5 from Avalue Technology is a new fanless flat screen multi-touch capacitive Panel PC featuring a fashionable yet industrial-grade design. The display utilizes a Projected Capacitive Multi-touch ready touchscreen with anti-scratch glass and 90% light transmission which makes the screen colours very vivid.

The APC-18W5 is powered by the low power Intel® Atom™ D525 dual-core processor and supports a PWM automatic control function, so it can automatically adjust the LED backlight brightness to reduce power consumption.

The fanless panel PC is a lightweight with a thickness of only 59mm. The design features an easy to clean IP55 front and supports VESA mounting that makes it compatible with most mounting accessories. Programmable front buttons allow users to configure the system according to their needs.

Positioned on the back of the APC-18W5 are: 1 COM Port, 2 USB ports, 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, PS2 Keyboard/Mouse, Line out and a VGA port to drive a second display. The system internally supports additional USB and Wi-Fi and other expansion can be implemented through 2 Mini-PCIe slots. Customized versions are available on request – contact Texim Europe for details .

Features
• Onboard Intel® Atom™ D525 dual-core 1.8 GHz CPU
• Projected Capacitive Touch supports multi-touch
• Onboard 1GB DDR3 with options to upgrade up to 4GB
• 1 Intel® 82574L Gigabit ethernet
• 2x 2W amplified speakers
• 2 external USB ports, 1 COM port
• 2 Mini-PCIe slots internally available for expansion
• Wide voltage input: +12V to +28VDC ErP power
• Over current & surge protection
• Backlight controlled by PWM
• IP55 compliant front panel with programmable function key

Applications
• Digital signage
• POS / KIOSK
• Logistic systems

Contact Texim Europe

Gleichmann Electronics presents the 17-inch (43.8 cm) DLF1768 ENN-A11 display from Litemax at embedded world 2012, Nuremberg in Hall 2, Booth 2-219 from February 28 to March 1, 2012. This display features a brightness of 1400 cd/m2 and a wide operating temperature range from -30°C to +85°C.

Thanks to the wide operating temperature range of the DLF1768-ENN-A11, high costs for active cooling or heating for outdoor use can be avoided. The panel is quieter, more space-saving and less likely to need servicing than previous 17-inch models.

Furthermore, the S-MVA technology used by Litemax enables extremely wide viewing angles – both horizontally and vertically – of 80 degrees. Additionally, Litemax offers an advanced optibond technology (AOT) for an optimum reproduction of images and information on the display. The exclusive glass bonding process from Litemax results in a reduction of ambient light reflections, thus providing a bright and clear image to the viewer.

Apart from the use in industrial PCs, typical areas of application for the DLF1768 ENN-A11 display include outdoor kiosks and drive-through stations as well as use under harsh environmental conditions.

More information can be found at: www.msc-ge.com

Rapid Electronics has introduced a new range of 7-segment surface mounted displays from Kingbright, ideal for use in manufacturing and small-scale development. These 7-segment displays have a right-hand decimal point and will display the numerals 0 to 9 as well as other 7-segment indicator characters. They are available as both single and two-digit surface mount LED displays, with low current operation and oblique character orientation for maximum readability.

Available in various colours with either one or two digits and in common anode or common cathode configuration, these LED displays are suitable for a wide range of applications such as digital clocks, electronic meters, and other electronic devices for displaying numerical information. The displays function with an operating temperature of –40°C To +85°C.

Rapid Electronics stock more Kingbright lines than any other UK supplier, and offer a unique service for customers wishing to buy Kingbright products. Whatever Kingbright part you require ¬ even if we do not hold current stock at Rapid ¬ we can source it on short lead times.

Richard Philpot, product manager of LEDs at Rapid, commented: ‘We are delighted to have added these Kingbright displays to Rapid’s wide range of display solutions, optoelectronics, LCD and OLED accessories. These products are competitively priced and are equally popular with industry and hobbyist.’

Up to +1000 price breaks are available across this Kingbright range and discounts are possible on bulk orders. Technical specifications and datasheets for individual products are available on the Rapid website.

» Contact Details for Rapid Electronics Ltd.

Mouser Electronics, Inc., a leading design engineering resource and global distributor for semiconductors and electronic components, today announces the European expansion of its agreement with OSRAM Opto Semiconductors.

The extended distribution partnership further strengthens Mouser’s European line card by providing customers with OSRAM Opto Semiconductors’ extensive portfolio of high-performance LEDs for diverse applications. The expansion, agreed upon at the recent Embedded World Show in Germany, fits Mouser’s strategic emphasis on supplying innovative solutions to design engineers and small production buyers.

“We are pleased to now offer European design engineers the highly innovative lighting solutions from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors,” says Mark Burr-Lonnon, Mouser Vice President of EMEA and APAC Business. “OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is known as world leader in the production of LED and IRED products. They pride themselves in having trend-setting technologies that are shaping the future of lighting. Both our existing and new customers will benefit greatly from this expanded agreement.”

“We have enjoyed great success with Mouser as our catalogue distributor in America, Canada and Mexico and are excited about broadening our business together in Europe. With our corporate culture focused on innovation, we support Mouser’s strategy of being the one-stop source for design engineers and small production buyers. It fits our own company’s mission of lighting the future,” emphasizes Stephan Kreusel, Director Distribution Europe and Emerging Markets for OSRAM Opto Semiconductors.

» Contact details for Mouser Electronics, Inc.

Global agreement provides Electronic Design Engineers with newest intelligent touch iLCD technology

Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl) the leading multi-channel, high service distributor supporting millions of engineers and purchasing professionals globally, today announced a global franchise agreement with demmel products, an innovative leading manufacturer of “Next Generation Intelligent LCD” (iLCD) technology.

The global agreement adds demmel products’ new iLCD product line to Premier Farnell’s portfolio and is available through its business units in North America (Newark and element14), Europe (Farnell), ANZ, ASEAN, India, China and Hong Kong (element14). The addition of these products is ideal for a wide and diverse range of applications and industries.

demmel products’ “Next Generation Intelligent LCD” (iLCD) technology enables users to store all necessary Windows fonts, graphics, text templates and macros in the flash memory of the iLCD’s controller. This considerably reduces the development time normally required for the pixel-based programming process of conventional LCDs. iLCD panels can be accessed through legacy control systems or operated by low cost microcontrollers using high-level commands.

By adding a low-cost model to the existing product portfolio of intelligent displays, even price-sensitive applications and low quantity production runs can now be equipped with a colour display. Development costs are almost completely eliminated and time-to-market is shortened significantly by using iLCDs. The extremely compact 240 x 400 pixel touch screen iLCD is optimised for landscape mode but can also be operated in portrait mode. iLCDs are available from 2.8″ (240 x 320 pixel) to 10.2″ (1024 x 600 pixel) and every model comes with the same set of commands and electrical connections.

Through Premier Farnell’s global distribution network and element14, the company’s innovative information portal and eCommunity for electronic design engineers, demmel’s iLCD products can be ordered in bulk and are available for next-day delivery. Local language websites and regional offices ensure that Premier Farnell’s customers receive excellent sales and technical support on all its product lines.

“As a global player in the electronics distribution sector, we always require a comprehensive suite of products for our customers, especially design engineers interested in purchasing product at the beginning of the product life cycle, to offer them a broader cost-competitive choice from one source,” said Mike Buffham, Director of Product and Supplier Management at Premier Farnell “We are delighted with the agreement with demmel products, leaders in iLCD technology, providing an ideal partnership that is in line with our strategy to provide our customers with exceptional time-to-market technology and superior product support service.”

Dipl. Ing. Herbert Demmel, Owner of demmel products said: “We are very pleased with this partnership which enables us to now offer the advantages of our iLCD panels to customers all over the world. The agreement is proof of the high level of trust that the electronic industry bestows upon Premier Farnell and its distribution leadership within the market.”

» Contact details for Farnell

… a step change in the future of digital panel meters

RS Components (RS) launches the PanelPilot series from Lascar Electronics. It represents the evolution of digital panel meters from simple LED displays, via LCD, to fully software configurable touchscreen TFT displays.

The PanelPilot offers designers in machine building and electronic design companies the ability to configure the panel meter to display the reading in a format and style that matches their application and product design. It adds the benefits of visual impact, innovation and flexibility to their design and the opportunity to be ‘faster-to-market’, without adding complexity. The meter employs open-bus architecture, giving designers the option to directly interface via an I2C or SPI bus.

Available in both 2.4” (product code 704-8138) and 2.8” (product code 704-8131) screen sizes, they combine the clarity of a 16-bit colour TFT display with the simplicity of USB programmability in a single compact unit. PanelPilots have an attractive starting price of under £60 and are available from stock now.

Mark James, Product Manager, RS Components commented, “RS is one of the first companies to bring this innovative product to market because of its significant experience of the panel-building sector and its long-running relationship with panel metering specialists Lascar Electronics”.

The PanelPilot colour TFT graphics meter allows users to program and display meter styles previously provided by traditional panel meters. The meter is programmable via USB interface with free Windows® based configuration software downloadable from the web – compatible with Windows XP, 2000, Vista and Windows 7 (32 bit).

Users can select the type of meter style they want from an initial choice of six (including 3.5 digit, 4 digit voltmeter, bar-graph, and analogue style options) then personalise the display by selecting preferences including colour, labels, text, voltage input scaling and power-up ‘splashscreen’. A large and increasing library of standard meter configurations is available. These can be customised in minutes to the designer’s precise requirements.

Once programming is complete, the user can save all selections to the meter and computer, detach the unit and mount it in their panel as they would any standard display.

The PanelPilots have a wide operating voltage of 4 to 30Vdc and feature 2 voltage inputs (max 40Vdc) that are fitted with a programmable gain amplifier (PGA), which automatically selects the best input voltage range to give the highest resolution. The voltage range is extrapolated from the values entered in the PanelPilot software.
The TFT display has a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and a 16-bit colour depth. Any graphics that are uploaded to the meter are automatically converted to this specification.

Three user interfaces are available:

Basic User – with power and signal input only. If the meter is pre-configured then this is all that is required for connection.

Intermediate User – enables USB to configure and customise the meter as required for connection to the application using power and signal inputs.

Advanced User – advanced configurations will be made available using I2C and SPI bus. Configuration is by USB for connection to the application using the dual-in-line IDC connector.

A 16-way pin header is fitted to the rear of the unit for expansion and advanced interface options. These include alarm outputs and I2C & SPI inputs that will be implemented in future applications.

Panel or enclosure installation of the display is simple using 4-screw terminals and a panel fixing clip. The integrated bezel fits snuggly into a panel up to 3mm deep (cut-out size 74 x 46mm) with a splash-proof seal on one side and a metal clip on the other to hold the meter firmly in place.

» Contact details for RS Components

67 new displays from the world’s leading OLED manufacturers

RS Components is pleased to announce the expansion of its range of displays from the world’s leading OLED manufacturers, including 4D Systems, Bolymin, CMEL, Powertip and Univision. The company now offers 67 different active and passive matrix OLED displays, spanning a range of sizes from 0.79 to 4.3-inches, with resolutions from 64 x 48 to 480 x 272.

Portable products have played an important role in our lives for some time. Their design requirements, however, continue to present engineers with challenges. Reducing power consumption, weight and cost, while at the same time meeting market demands for the increased multimedia functionality and aesthetic appeal that users have come to expect with each new generation, is not an easy task.

OLEDs come as a welcome advancement in display technology for design engineers in both consumer and industrial markets. The advantages they deliver mean it is now impossible to overlook them when developing a portable application.

OLED v LCD

Power consumption is the dominant issue for design engineers at present. LCD technology engages a backlight, whereas OLED has no backlighting function, therefore it is not possible for an LCD to display true black. OLEDs have an ‘off element’ that produces no light and consumes no power. LCD technology wastes power because the liquid crystal acts as a polarizer which filters out half of the light emitted by the backlight. As a result, OLED technology consumes less power.

The OLED manufacturing process is also very different to that of LCDs. OLEDs can be printed onto almost any substrate with inkjet printer technology. This allows ultra thin as well as roll-up displays to be achieved. The OLED manufacturing process is also considerably cheaper than those employed for LCD or plasma displays, which is reflected in the price to the user.

Aesthetically OLEDs are more appealing than LCDs. OLED technology achieves increased brightness and a higher contrast ratio, typically 10,000:1 compared with 400:1 for an LCD. The viewing angle of an OLED can be up to 180 degrees both up/down and left/right; 120 degrees is pushing the limits for LCDs.

In addition, the response time of an OLED display is typically 50μs versus 25ms for a LCD, meaning that full motion-video is faster and greyscale is far superior.

» Contact details for RS Components

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.

» Contact Details for Digi-Key Corporation

Farnell reflects growth potential for instrumentation and medical with new products and design support

Farnell, the leading multi-channel, high service distributor supporting millions of engineers and purchasing professionals globally has enhanced its range of products and online technical resources relating to instrumentation and medical applications. The addition of 1,000 new products and added focus recognises the rapidly growing importance of this market sector and the need to support design engineers in developing industry-leading solutions.

The new product introductions include FPGAs, DSPs, high performance analogue and displays from leading suppliers such as Texas Instruments, Maxim and Freescale.

Instrumentation and medical provides the focus for the latest issue of Farnell’s Technology First Journal that contains a range of informative and interesting articles on the subject. This is supported by access to the new products via the Technology First online guide: ‘Instrumentation & Medical Electronics’ located on the Farnell website. The guide contains comprehensive information to support design work including technical datasheets, manufacturer’s guidance notes, technical articles and web casts.

The rapid growth in the instrumentation and medical electronics market is being driven by a demographic shift that is seeing a massive rise in the average age of the global population. This is stimulating demand for advanced medical electronics equipment that simplifies, speeds, and reduces the cost of healthcare.

Commenting on the focus and new product introductions, Jamie Furness, Technology Development Manager, Farnell said: “Technological capabilities are converging with huge demographic changes to create significant growth opportunities for medical electronics. At Farnell we are reflecting this situation by offering more leading-edge products and supporting them with technical information and insight to help the engineering community incorporate them into their latest product designs.”

» Contact details for Farnell

Farnell selected to promote Rohm’s leading semiconductor range

Farnell the leading multi-channel, high service distributor supporting millions of engineers and purchasing professionals globally, has signed a pan-European agreement with Rohm, the Japan based manufacturer of integrated circuits (ICs), discrete semiconductors, displays and passive components.

The new agreement provides access to more than 120 product lines from Rohm’s industry-leading range of passive components, ICs and discrete semiconductors. The devices offered include drivers and receivers, transistors, diodes, LEDs and laser diodes.

Farnell was selected as the ideal distribution partner to address applications for Rohm’s products due to their breadth of product portfolio and their strong and established pan-European structure that enables it to support customer applications across the continent. All of the new devices are available via the company’s website and are backed by comprehensive technical data and support. Next day delivery across Europe with no minimum order quantities or hidden shipping charges is guaranteed.

Commenting on the signing of the agreement, Marianne Culver, Group Director / Senior Vice President, Global Supplier Management, Premier Farnell commented: “Rohm is a highly regarded company within the electronic components market. With their leading range of ICs and discrete semiconductors coupled to Farnell’s supply chain and support proposition in Europe, we expect to achieve great success in helping design engineers select and source the optimum products for their applications.”

Christian Andre, President of Rohm Europe, said: “We are delighted to cooperate with an industry leader like Farnell. They will bring high levels of expertise and service to support the engineering community looking to design-in Rohm semiconductor devices”

» Contact details for Farnell