Electronics Weekly – Maxim LED Controller, Toshiba Photocouplers & More

New products from Maxim, OmniVision, Pasternack, RS Components and Toshiba.

Maxim Automotive LED Controller

Maxim Integrated has released the MAX20078 synchronous buck, high-brightness LED controller, which provides low electromagnetic interference (EMI) for exterior LED lighting and improved safety applications.

The MAX20078 produces fast response times, enabling smoother transient responses. While eliminating the need for external compensation components, it also offers a wide dimming ratio and features both integrated fault protection and monitoring circuitry. 

The MAX20078 allows for fast LED switching and low EMI so that designers no longer need to sacrifice one for the other. These benefits, along with simplified design and flexible switching frequencies, allow designers to achieve faster time-to-market.

Information about the device’s pricing and availability can be found on Maxim’s website.

OmniVision Minuscule Image Sensor

OmniVision has introduced the OV6948, one of the world’s smallest commercially available image sensors. Initially developed for small-outer-diameter medical endoscopes and catheters, the OV6948 can be incorporated into a diverse range of applications, including dental, veterinary, IoT, industrial, wearable and forensic devices.

Key Features:

  • 1/36-inch optical format.
  • 200 × 200 pixel capture at 30 frames per second.
  • High sensitivity: 1000 mV/lux-sec.
  • Analog data output with the ability to transmit up to 4 meters with minimal signal noise.
  • Minimum package size (4 pads total) for easy integration.

The OV6948 image sensor will be showcased at MD&M East in New York. The sensor is expected to start mass production in the second quarter of 2018.

For more information, visit OmniVision’s website.

Pasternack BMA Connectors and Adapters

Pasternack has released a line of 52 BMA connectors and adapters with a maximum operating frequency of 22 GHz. Typical applications include blind mating, rack and panels, phased array systems, RF backplanes and high-speed switching.

The product line is made up of 45 connectors with VSWR as low as 1.2:1, and 7 adapters with VSWR as low as 1.15:1. They feature gold-plated BeCu contacts, 50 Ohm impedance and a temperature range of -65°C to +125°C. Many of the models provide radial and axial float to help with alignment.  Military versions are made of stainless steel and commercial versions are constructed of brass. Hermetic versions are also available.

Additional technical specifications are available on Pasternack’s website.

RS Components Flexible LED Strips

RS Components has announced the availability of flexible LED strips and accessories from Osram. The LINEARlight FLEX range features a series of coloured LED strips that can be cut to fit custom lighting installations.

Delivering diffused light lines without visible spots, the strips are available in long operational lengths, with a single power feed for lengths up to 6m. The modules also offer strong self-adhesive backside for easy mounting. Constructed from high-performance silicone, the LED strips provide IP67 protection and resistance to UV light sources and salt mist.

As well as a wide range of LED colours – including white LED strips with colour temperature options from 2700K to 6500K, red, green and blue LED-strip products – the LINEARlight FLEX range also includes LED drivers, controllers, dimmers and mounting accessories.

For more information, visit RS Components’ website.

Toshiba Photocouplers

Toshiba has introduced a series of 10 AEC Q101-qualified photocouplers designed to address the demanding isolation, interface, switching, and form factor requirements of automotive applications. 

The line of photocouplers features a variety of devices – including the IC output TLX9304, TLX9378 and TLX9376 – which are housed in low-profile SO6 packages and offer data rates of 1Mbps, 10Mbps and 20Mbps, respectively.

The photocouplers can operate at temperatures from -40ºC to 125ºC, ideal for inverter control and intelligent power module (IPM) interface applications in conventional, electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications.

The photorelay is designed to meet automotive battery control needs. Despite their small size, all of the photocouplers have creepage/clearance distances of 5mm and offer a minimum isolation voltage of 3750V.

A list of schematics for each photocoupler is available on Toshiba’s website.

Missed last week’s Electronics Weekly? Click here.