September, 2016
www.us-
tech.com
Pleasanton, CA — ICS Electronics has launched a new modular switch control system that can be used to put together switching systems of almost any size, from small matrixes to systems with multiple chas- sis and hundreds of switches. Applications include systems with RF switches, relays, digital signals, at- tenuators, and electronic loads. The basis of the sys- tem is a controller board that provides the external interfaces and sends commands to intelligent switch modules through its internal I2C buses. The switch modules sit on and control the user’s driver boards which can hold relays, RF switches, attenuators or provide digital I/O lines. Short CAT5 cables connect the switch modules together and also connect to an optional front panel HMI touchscreen or a frequency synthesizer. ICS’s modular switch control system is a scala-
ble solution that allows the user to create the re- quired switch system size with minimal engineering, virtually eliminating the interconnect wiring issues, reducing fabrication cost and giving the user more control using ICS’s switch system firmware. The modular switch control sys-
tem has two major components: the modular system control board that in- terfaces with the outside world and its satellite switch modules. The modular system control board (MSC02) con- tains the control processor, Ethernet, USB and serial interfaces, the I2C in- terfaces and the power regulator. The MSC02 board can be controlled by 10/100 MHz Ethernet, through a USB bus, or by RS-232C, RS-422 or RS-485 serial signals. The three buffered I2C bus ports drive the switch modules as well as an optional front panel HMI touchscreen.
Datum Intros Spot Electro Polishing Gel
Endicott, NY — Datum has launched its Datum EP Gel, an electropolishing gel that allows users to polish selected parts of a stencil, giving greater con- trol over the level of polishing. Conventional electropolishing
methods have several challenges, in- cluding high setup costs, inconsistent current density, over-polishing and the need to polish the total surface area on both sides of the foil includ- ing the fiducial mark. Gathering feedback from customers, Datum set out to formulate a compound to ad- dress these limitations. Using a gel that can be applied to only the areas that require it results in significant cost and time savings. Other advantages of EP Gel in-
clude the ability to polish pre-mounted foils. This eliminates starting refer- ence point errors and distortion due to repeated tensioning and handling is- sues. The degree of electropolishing can also be controlled through the color change of the gel, and power con- sumption is reduced from the tradi- tional 400 to 1,000A at 12V, down to 3A at 12V. In addition, the gel has a low environmental impact. Typically, using the gel requires only 100ml for a stencil. Less consumption means less contaminant to process. Handling, transport and storage safety are im- proved by the use of smaller volumes of acid electrolyte. The use of fresh chemistry for each application pro-
vides added control to the process. Contact: Datum Alloys, Inc., 407
Airport Road, Endicott, NY 13760 % 607-239-6274
E-mail:
us.sales@
datumalloys.com Web:
www.datumalloys.com
The switch modules (I2C01) are small daugh- ter boards that mount on the user’s driver boards
Page 27 Modular Switch Control System from ICS Electronics
and bring a high degree of intelligent control down to the driver board level. The switch module handles the I2C interface protocol, command parsing and control outputs for switches, attenuators and paral- lel I/O. The switch module’s firmware can be config- ured to check switch indicator lines, digital inputs and alert the user for command complete, a switch- ing error or input signal change. Contact counters can count switch or individual position actuations and save the values in the local switch module. The user’s driver boards can be simple two-
sided boards, which reduces design and fabrication costs since the logic is all in the switch module. The driver boards can hold relays, mate to RF switches, can contain digital I/O lines, attenuators, connectors
MSC02 modular switch control system.
Circle, Pleasanton, CA 94588 % 925-416-1000 fax: 925-416-0105 Web:
www.icselect.com
or any combination that the user requires. Contact: ICS Electronics, 7034 Commerce
Go to
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