Microelectronics world news

Private rare-earths exploration and process development company US Critical Materials Corp (USCM) of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA and Columbia University have signed a two-year sponsored research agreement seeking to advance scientific pathways that enable the development of future US production of gallium, scandium, titanium and rare-earth elements from red mud, a major byproduct of aluminium refining...

We used to have a wired door bell button as a garage door opener near the back door inside the house. The wiring got damaged in an area new wiring couldn’t be rerouted during renovation. Came up with this solution - took a garage door opener apart - connected wires to a decora style momentary switch and soldered other end to the pads for the buttons on pcb. Added a whip antenna to over come shielding of electrical box and drywall. To maintain the 9 inch whip antenna, drilled a small hole in electrical box and fed it into wall. Works perfectly. submitted by /u/Certain_Proposal7191 [link] [comments]

Deepak Shankar, founder of Mirabilis Design and developer of VisualSim Architect platform for chip and system designs, has created this cartoon for electronics design engineers.

The post The system architect’s sketchbook: The coherency wall appeared first on EDN.

With Keysight Assembly simulation software, automotive manufacturers can virtually test shop-floor processes to identify issues early in development. Late-stage assembly failures drive delays, rework, and recalls. By delivering early insight and integrating with existing ecosystems, the software improves body-in-white assembly workflows.

Developed with automotive OEM partners, Keysight Assembly enables engineers to replicate processes such as part positioning, clamping, and spot welding through guided workflows and templates—without requiring finite element modeling (FEM) expertise. It also provides early visibility into distortion and dimensional risks, shortening production timelines and improving build accuracy.

Keysight Assembly integrates with Keysight’s stamping simulation software, allowing engineers to carry stamped-part data across the process—from forming through assembly—and validate outcomes against pre-production scan data. It also integrates with CAD, product lifecycle management (PLM), Excel, and existing digital workflows without disrupting established practices.

Learn more about Keysight Assembly and related webinars here.

Keysight Technologies  

The post Simulation tool tests assembly processes upfront appeared first on EDN.

Littelfuse’s TDB series of miniature DIP switches uses a 1.27-mm half-pitch, surface-mount design to reduce PCB footprint. The compact devices support high-density layouts where space, reliability, and manufacturability matter.

The switches are available in 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-position SPST configurations, with body lengths ranging from 3.67 mm to 13.83 mm depending on position count. Contact ratings of up to 50 VDC, 100 mA (steady state) and 24 VDC, 25 mA (switching) make them suitable for low-power industrial control, as well as consumer IoT and smart home devices. Contact resistance is 100 mΩ maximum, and insulation resistance is 100 MΩ minimum at 100 VDC.

Compatible with automated SMT assembly, the switches feature gold-plated bifurcated contacts and top tape sealing for post-reflow washable processing. They offer a mechanical and electrical life of 1000 cycles and operate over a temperature range of –40°C to +85°C.

The TDB series switches are available in tube or tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume production. Samples can be obtained through authorized Littelfuse distributors.

TDB series product page 

Littelfuse

The post SMT DIP switches fit space-constrained PCBs appeared first on EDN.