Sub-Assemblies I Product News
Plextek launches fast-deployment surveillance camera
Cambridge-based electronics and communications design consultancy, Plextek, have announced the launch of Sentinel, a high resolution wireless camera system that can be deployed in under five minutes. Combining a high-performance digital sensor and zoom optics, intelligent real-time image processing and 3G connectivity, the battery- powered integrated system provides impressive video resolution for important scene areas, matched to the variable bit rate of cellular networks. Sentinel automatically detects moving objects to determine the image areas for high quality transmission and to trigger alarms, delivering an easy to use system for both portable and vehicle use. In addition an operator may select static image areas for high-quality transmission. The camera has been designed for defence
and security applications such as public order monitoring, special operations and crime scenes requiring fast set-up, as well as allowing flexible and cost-effective monitoring of multiple locations. Sentinel identifies areas of interest in the image and intelligently assigns different amounts of image compression to each one. Video quality can therefore be maintained for important image areas whilst reducing it in others allowing optimised image resolution to be sent over wireless links having bandwidths limited to cellular speeds. Together with real-time motion and target tracking to identify important elements of the scene, the system can adapt dynamically as the link quality varies, allowing users freedom to concentrate on the important aspects of a scene. Commenting on the launch Graham
Tootell, Project Engineer at Plextek said, “Not only does it provide excellent imaging, it can be configured to trigger an alarm when
Rittal provides grounding to UL1950
Various solutions have been developed to protect components from electrostatic charge and to combat the problem effectively. However one major problem exists where a plug-in board has been tested immediately prior to insertion into a live system under hot- swap conditions. Rittal has developed a solution to combat the discharge under these circumstances. A new ESD discharge facility effectively
people stray into certain areas making it ideal for the police and armed forces. Having these capabilities deployed in under five minutes means that an area or crime scene can be secured rapidly and potential problems identified and averted more effectively.” The system offers a full 360-degree pan
and a battery life of 24 hours in a typical scenario, together with all weather monitoring and resolution that can allow person identification at distances in excess of 600 metres. The modular system architecture also allows the standard 3G wireless modem to be substituted with alternative wireless link transceivers according to requirements. This is the first system offering utilising
Plextek’s suite of image processing functions launched in early April. Plextek’s software processing can be applied to a wide range of cameras and sensors, including high quality cameras incorporating digital image sensors such as used in Sentinel. The functions provide much better resolution for image areas of interest whilst trading it off in others, giving better overall system performance.
Plextek |
www.plextek.com
Verbatim now using new material technologies to enhance LED experience
Verbatim, a Mitsubishi Chemical company, is using advanced materials technology to deliver commercial and domestic LED lighting that will give users more control over the quality of light generated. The company is looking to market these lamps with a near- daylight colour rendering index (CRI) of 98 during 2011. Verbatim LED lighting will be available in
wholesale and retail outlets throughout Europe by the end of this year. Initially, the company plans to sell lamps with many of the most common shapes and base fittings including A-lamps, candle lamps and directional MR16s, with a choice of E14, E27, GU5.3 and GU10 bases to follow later. The products will be suitable for direct replacement of incandescent and halogen lamps. Typical energy savings will be 80%, compared with conventional lighting, and the products will have much longer life of around 35,000 hours, equivalent to 15 years at 10 hours per day, depending on operating conditions. The first family of lamps will be based on a
blue light-emitting chip LED technology. They will be available in cool and warm white, and have a typical colour rendering index (CRI) similar to that of other products currently in the market. The next generation of lamps, planned for 2011, will use a violet light emitting chip with red, green and blue phosphors. These products, also in warm white, will offer further improvements in CRI with a typical average value of 98 which is very close to natural light. The company is working with partners to
develop complete lighting solutions that include fixtures and electronic control of both brightness and colour rendering through
38 April 2010
simple, user-friendly interfaces. Gary Milner, President, Verbatim EUMEA:
"However energy-conscious people are they will not buy lighting that compromises the quality of their work or home environments. Our goal is to provide competitive low energy lighting that is indistinguishable from incandescent lighting in terms of colour rendering, where that is the consumer preference. We'll also develop a family of tunable products that make lighting adaptable to suit the mood that users want to create."
Verbatim|
www.verbatum.com
Components in Electronics
removes all built-up charge from the front panel of the plug-in board and rapidly brings the panel to protective earth potential. Achieved via a heavy duty contact embedded in the guide rail, which is in permanent electrical contact with the chassis, the new system has been tested to IEEE1101.11 and UL1950 to 30 Ampere capacity. Initially designed as a rear I/O guide rail for 80mm assemblies, the high current discharge contact and associated guide may also be used for front mounted panels where excessive static build-up is likely. The new guides include the facility to safely
discharge any remaining static or operational charge (such as that stored in capacitors) from boards being inserted into the system directly following a test under power. For this, an
additional grounding clip is fastened to the guide rail in the direct path of the PCB which needs to be designed in accordance with IEEE guidelines. Additionally, the guides have chambers at
the front for the insertion of coding keys to prevent incorrect board insertion when used in conjunction with IEEE type lever handles on the plug-in board / front panel. When used at both the top and bottom of a 6U board/front panel combination, these provide almost 4100 different coding variants.
Rittal |
www.rittal.co.uk
OKW extends advanced IP66 enclosures range
OKW have extended its ‘SMART-BOX’ range of plastic enclosures. Typical applications will include heating and air conditioning controllers, monitoring systems, safety and security equipment and test and measurement devices. New design features include case fixings
screws and wall mounting shafts hidden behind two hinged trims which are fitted in the lid. The lid trims hinge wide to allow screw driver access, and are then clipped into the closed position. As a result, no visible fixings can be seen once the unit is mounted on the wall or machine. The enclosures are moulded in flame
retardant ABS rated to UL 94 V-0. The standard colour is light grey, RAL 7035, and the cases have a modern fine textured surface finish. Internal screw pillars are moulded in the top and base parts for mounting PCBs, DIN-Rails, displays etc. The ‘SMART-BOX’ enclosures are fully
insulated to VDE 0100, and sealed to protection class IP66 for indoor and outdoor use. The moulded gasket is designed for easy replacement during long term maintenance. The range is now available in six standard sizes with external dimensions from 120 x 90 x 50 mm to 280 x 170 x 60 mm. The cases are assembled by four rustproof
stainless steel fixing screws which are positioned outside of the sealed interior. An optional key lock can also be fitted for security. To aid installation and servicing, two plastic lid supports are also provided, and the wall fixing dimensions are moulded onto the underside of the cases. OKW can supply ‘SMART-BOX’ enclosures
with additional holes for push-buttons, connectors and displays etc., plus silk-screen printed legends and logos, and EMC shielding.
OKW|
www.okw.com
Geartooth speed and direction sensor for automotive transmission controls
ZF Electronics has developed a new Hall-effect geartooth speed and direction sensor specifically for harsh automotive environments. In modern vehicles, engine transmission is controlled by a large number of different sensors and controllers - for example, sensors are used on the transfer gears or on the output shaft to measure direction, speed and change of speed. Typically, a gear sensor will have only a speed or speed and direction output, but the new Cherry SD1012 series from ZF Electronics has two discrete quadrature outputs, allowing it to be used with a splined gear-tooth. The two outputs provide a better resolution for measurement in such applications. As the SD101201 sensor has near-zero
speed sensing capability, only minimal movement of the ferrous geartooth targets is required prior to recognition. Capable of over 8000Hz target speed, this rugged sensor also features a locating mark to ensure correct rotational alignment. Moreover, 10-bit dynamic threshold detection offers an automatically adjusting magnetic range and is self-compensating to target geometry and immune to target run out. The Cherry SD101201 geartooth speed and direction sensor is available in a durable and
robust flange-mount plastic housing which suits harsh automotive environments and is qualified to an operating temperature range of -40°C to 125°C. Although a low-cost package suitable for high-volume automotive applications, it also meets IEC60529 IP67 for dust and water protection. ZF Electronics also offers OEM end
customers a mapping capability – the customer can send in their target to be analysed with a Cherry speed or speed and direction sensor for best application results.
ZF Electronics |
www.cherry.co.uk
www.cieonline.co.uk
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