Acal BFi has been awarded a Performance Excellence Award for Best Product Line Performer 2011 for RF and Fibre Optic products by Avago Technologies.

“Performance Excellence Awards are given only in recognition of exceptional achievement and Acal BFi has earned this award by maintaining three consecutive years of high growth against a back-drop of a difficult and highly competitive market place,” explains Stephanie Kircher, Avago Technologies’ director of distribution, Europe. “The foundations of this growth are based on the strong relationship which exists between Acal BFi and Avago Technologies through which we have been able to nurture and support our end-customers through challenging times.”

“The specialist support provided by Acal BFi has been crucial in enabling leading customers to implement designs using Avago’s disruptive FBAR technology as well as the emerging and innovative WaferCap technologies,” explains Lee Austin, business development director for Acal BFi’s communications division. “By engaging deeply with lead customers, Acal BFi provides a conduit through which customers can feed back their design wish-lists and effectively influence the future direction of Avago’s new products and technologies.”

Acal BFi has provided specialist design support on Avago Technologies’ products to customers in applications which include automotive, test and measurement and communication infrastructure.

Paul Webster, UK managing director, Acal BFi, adds; “Acal BFi’s specialist distribution model allows us to engage with customers from concept to production, touching every aspect of design, procurement, operations, production and contract manufacturing to provide end-to-end service and support.”

The Performance Excellence Award was presented by Avago’s Stephanie Kircher to Lee Austin of Acal BFi’s communications division, at a recent Gala Dinner held by Avago Technologies in Munich.

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Suppliers of bespoke industrial solutions, Motion29 Ltd, is now stocking JAY Electronique’s new XD Series – a line of radio remote controls designed for use in Zones 1, 2, 21 and 22 explosive atmospheres.

Explosions in the workplace cause on average 6 deaths per year and leave 387 workers with permanent disabilities. Operating machinery remotely in hazardous industrial areas enhances safety, allowing for precise manoeuvres, increased productivity and freedom of movement.

Typical applications for the radio remote control range include operating industrial equipment (boiler plants, mixers, conveyor belts, silos, dryers, etc), industrial vehicles (e.g. the transportation of bulk products and hazardous substances) and industrial lifting such as travelling cranes, hoists and monorails.

To further enhance safety when using the radio remote controls, access is enabled by electronic key to an authorised operator only and the buttons are protected mechanically against unintentional actions. Additional safety features include a permanent radio link – the control’s non-directional design and insensitivity to obstacles ensures the operator is protected against taking risks during precision manoeuvres – and the automatic start-up wizard which is presented to a new operator to ensure they are trained in its handling. The XD series is compliant with ATEX rules in accordance with marking indicated.

The XD system’s modular design integrates a number of features in terms of type, position and number of function buttons. The ergonomic design ensures operator comfort which allows for one-hand control, button touch sensitivity, light-weight compact transmitters and easy identification of control functions. The 55 millisecond response time is compatible with the movement speeds of the equipment enabling quick and precise responses.

The device allows for easy maintenance with diagnostic aid indicator lights and the ability to customise the device with an electronic key according to application requirements.

The transmitter comes in two housing versions with either 6 or 10 function buttons, each with abutton and en emergency stop palm switch. The various button functions are identified by adhesive labels supplied with the device, which can be placed in the recesses on the transmitter unit according to your chosen configuration.

Accessories are available to complement the XD range such as battery packs, white blank labels for customised marking, wall bracket for stowing battery pack and antenna and antenna extensions.

http://www.motion29.com/

Link Microtek is now stocking the new Nardalert S3 RF radiation monitor from Narda Safety Test Solutions.

Featuring an innovative design with removable sensor module, the S3 unit allows rapid support in the field, simplifies calibration logistics and offers a simple means of implementing future upgrades. These are significant benefits for organisations such as broadcast and telecoms companies, which typically operate a large number of monitors to protect personnel working in the vicinity of high-power transmitters.

The frequency response of the sensor module is shaped to match the requirements of the ICNIRP international standard. Should the monitor detect electric field strengths that approach or exceed the specified exposure limit, it will generate visual, audible and vibration alarms to alert the user. The unit’s two alarm thresholds are preset to 50 percent and 200 percent of exposure limit but can be altered to other values if required.

The Nardalert S3 also features a top-mounted colour display, which shows battery status, sensor information and the frequency band of any detected fields.

For more advanced applications, an S3 ‘Optioned’ model provides additional functionality such as storage and display of exposure history and transfer of recorded data via USB or fibre-optic links.

Designed to be worn on the body or used as a fixed area monitor, the Nardalert S3 is housed in a rugged plastic casing measuring just 117.1 x
82.6 x 31.8mm and weighing only 230g with sensor attached.

It is powered by an RCR123A rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which provides approximately 25 hours of operation and can be charged either via a computer’s USB port or using the universal charger supplied.

Each monitor also comes with belt clip, lanyard clip, silicone rubber skin for additional shock protection, USB cable, software, operating manual, calibration certificate and carrying case. Optional accessories include fibre-optic cables and converters, as well as a mounting bracket to facilitate area monitoring.

» Contact Details for Link Microtek

Avnet Memec today announced a new pan-European distribution agreement with Adeunis RF, specialists in design, manufacture and marketing of wireless transmission systems. The agreement enables the specialised semiconductor distributor to offer modules for Near Field Communications – an important new set of technologies for the rapidly growing RFID and contactless payment markets. It further expands Avnet Memec’s offering for unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical band designs.

“Appointing Avnet Memec as our distributor throughout Europe reflects a key element of our long-term industrial strategy,” explained Hervé Vincent, Adeunis RF’s president and managing director. “With their emphasis on strong technical support and focused technologies, Avnet is the spearhead of our goals to gain a commercial presence in strategic countries and diverse vertical markets.”

The company offers great technological and commercial potential, according to Steve Haynes, president of Avnet Memec. “Adeunis RF’s modules will complement a strong existing portfolio by offering a full range of ISM bands based modules for wireless M-bus, KNX and proprietary protocols. Being able to provide module level solutions that match key technologies already available at chip level will allow our customers to go to market quicker we can help them make technologies like NFC competitive at lower volumes while keeping the possibility to seamlessly migrate to a chip level solution when the conditions are right. ”

www.avnet-memec.eu

RF Digital’s patent pending RFDANT is a full 2.4GHz ISM radio transceiver including the patent pending RFDP8 protocol, completely built into an antenna form factor. This allows the entire radio transceiver to be outside of the product. Only the power and signal cable will extend into the product enclosure, where they are connected to the PCB with a simple 1.5mm SMT or through-hole connector. The RFD21742 RFDANT is CE / ETSI tested compliant, the RFD21743 is CE / ETSI and FCC approved and certified. Both RFDANTs are available now at distributor Rutronik.

The RFDANT’s special design enables it to reach an amazing 600m range while remaining an Ultra Low Power device able to run off of a coin cell battery for years. It is suitable for mounting to virtually any type of end- product, regardless if the enclosure is plastic, metal, glass or any other material.
The entire radio transceiver is mounted inside the antenna enclosure, so it does not take any space inside the product enclosure and can be used as a wireless retrofit for nearly any product. Besides, there is no loss of RF power to the antenna from the module, which results in the most effective power transfer ratio possible, providing lowest power consumption possible to achieve a specific range. The radio being inside of the antenna and outside of the enclosure allows for more room inside of the enclosure.
Above that, there are nearly no interferences with the electronics inside of the enclosures resulting in better range and performance of the wireless system. The actual effective antenna is pushed away from the enclosure, which reduces the effect of holding the enclosure, therefore improving the performance, range and predictability of the wireless system.

» Contact Details for Rutronik

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal-processing applications, announced today that it has entered into a worldwide sales distribution agreement with Richardson RFPD, Inc. As one of the leading distributors of RF and microwave components, Richardson RFPD will support the design-in of ADI’s high-performance RF ICs (integrated circuits) along with the company’s full range of analog, mixed-signal and digital signal-processing products. ADI’s RF ICs and signal-processing technology are available now through Richardson RFPD’s North and South America offices and are expected to be available through Richardson RFPD’s offices in Europe, Middle East, Greater China, Asia Pacific and Japan in the first half of 2012.

ADI delivers world-leading data converters, amplifiers, MEMs, DSPs (digital signal processors) and power management ICs and a portfolio of high-performance RF ICs covering the entire RF signal chain from leading function blocks such as PLLs, mixers and power detectors, to highly integrated short-range single-chip transceiver solutions. Together, these technologies form a complete design and play a fundamental role in converting, conditioning, and processing real-world phenomena in a wide array of applications.

“Our customers are integrating wired and wireless connectivity into an ever-widening range of applications, and ADI’s high-performance RF and signal-processing portfolio is at the core of these systems,” said Peter Real, ADI vice president for Linear and RF. “With our portfolio and Richardson RFPD’s technical team, customers can expect to accomplish great things.”
Alex Glass, ADI vice president, worldwide channel sales, said, “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Richardson RFPD whose highly skilled RF and microwave sales and technical support teams will be accessible to customers through a global network of 47 offices and seven stocking locations.”

“We are excited to partner with ADI, and this distributor agreement further elevates Richardson RFPD’s ability to support all aspects of our customers’ needs for design, logistics, and new product updates,” said Greg Peloquin, president of Richardson RFPD. “Combining ADI’s leadership position in ADC and DAC technology, and their investment in developing innovative RF products with our global reach into the RF & Wireless market, make it possible for RF engineers to now procure almost every part they need from one qualified source.”

Energy Micro, the energy friendly microcontroller and RF radio company, has announced a distribution agreement with Hakuto in Japan. Hakuto will promote Energy Micro’s complete range of ultra low power ARM® Cortex™ based EFM32 Gecko MCU and EFR4 Draco RF devices.

Established in 1953, Hakuto is recognised as one of Japan’s leading distributors of semiconductor devices, electronic components and manufacturing equipment. It operates offices in Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kansai and Nagoya and a technical centre in Isehara. With fully automated warehouse facilities, the company offers customers a complete range of inventory control systems, including consignment, Kanban and VMI.

“After the Great East Japan Earthquake, Energy efficient design has become more important in Japan. With ultra low power microcontrollers, Energy Micro can meet a growing demand for energy efficiency. We are very proud to be partnered with Energy Micro and expect to succeed together in this new and growing market” said Jun Takagi, Director and Vice President Semiconductor Devices First Division of Hakuto.

Andrea Marchi, Energy Micro’s VP of Sales and Marketing for the Asia Pacific region said, “Hakuto’s standing in the Japanese market, with its in-depth knowledge of microcontroller technology and energy sensitive applications, will help us to significantly boost our presence in Japan. With a Hakuto sales and field application engineering team dedicated to both the EFM32 Gecko microcontroller and EFR4 Draco radio products we look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Gore) announces that Astron Electronics, Inc. (Astron), Gore’s authorized sales representative in Southern California, will now sell Gore’s high-performance line of Test & Measurement Microwave/RF Cable Assemblies.

“Astron and Gore have built a strong relationship around Gore’s ePTFE and PTFE material technology, providing solutions for EMI grounding and shielding,” says Mark Mulle, Global Channel Leader for Gore. “We are excited to bring the same technical leadership of Gore’s high-performance Microwave/RF Test Cables to the Astron product offering.”

“These high-end products allow Astron to enhance our position with our clients that need premium-performance test cables. When RF engineers need to design for extremely precise and repeatable testing tolerances, we will provide innovative testing solutions such as the GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies and VNA cables,” says Steve Tennessen, President of Astron. “These products provide test engineers with ultra-high performance test cable assemblies that ensure consistent and reliable results in any precision test application through 110 GHz.”

Mouser Electronics, Inc., today announced it has signed a global distribution agreement with Powercast Corporation, a ground breaking innovator bringing remote, wireless power capabilities to micro-power devices.

Powercast’s Powerharvester™ Receivers harvest RF energy (radio waves) and convert it into DC power for low-power applications over distance. In stock at Mouser is the Powercast P2110 915 MHz Powerharvester™ Receiver that can provide intermittent power for battery-free devices or pulse-charge batteries and the Powercast P1110 915 MHz RF Powerharvester ™ Receiver that continuously trickle-charges batteries or provides direct power.

Also available at Mouser is the Powercast Lifetime Power® Energy Harvesting Development Kit for Wireless Sensors, a complete demonstration and development platform for creating battery-free wireless sensor applications powered by RF energy. The kit, which was co-developed with Microchip, contains everything you need to convert RF energy into DC power.

Russell Rasor, Mouser Vice President of Advanced Technology, states, “Powercast is a welcome addition to Mouser’s lineup of products targeting alternative power sources. Their unique technology provides a reliable, constant power source and opens up new avenues for design engineers to create next generation devices, today.”

“With the addition of Powercast’s RF energy harvesting and wireless power products, Mouser Electronics is now a one-stop shop for engineers developing micro-power applications,” said Harry Ostaffe, Powercast’s Director of Marketing and Business Development. “Mouser is widely known for its extensive component inventory and quick turnaround times for both prototype to production quantities and their large customer base extends Powercast’s reach to a broader audience of design engineers.”

» Contact details for Mouser Electronics, Inc.

Microchip Technology announces the new MRF89XA transceiver with extremely low receive current of 3mA for longer battery life in 868, 915 and 950MHz Sub-GHz wireless networks. The transceiver and modules are available at distributor Rutronik now.

The 868 MHz MRF89XAM8A and 915 MHz MRF89XAM9A transceiver modules accelerate design cycles by removing the complexity of designing RF circuitry and the cost of obtaining agency certification. The Sub-GHz frequency bands are sometimes preferred by designers for a broad range of battery-powered wireless sensor networks and metering communications.

In addition, the MRF89XA transceiver and modules integrate a 12.5dBm Power Amplifier for long transmission distances and a Low Noise Amplifier for -113dBm enhanced receive sensitivity. To ease communication and further prolong battery life, the MRF89XA combines an integrated packet handler with a 64-byte FIFO for transmit and receive buffering. The new MRF89XA transceiver and modules are ideal for low-power wireless sensor and metering communication.

» Contact Details for Rutronik