Новини світу мікро- та наноелектроніки

Arrow Electronics, Inc. and its engineering services company, eInfochips, are working with Infineon Technologies to help eInfochips’ customers accelerate the development of electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

Development of EV chargers, especially DC “fast chargers,” is becoming increasingly challenging to equipment manufacturers due to several factors, such as lack of prior experience, stringent functional safety and reliability requirements, and a fledgling support network. The collaboration between Arrow and Infineon aims to help innovators navigate these challenges while accelerating time-to-market.

As part of the collaboration, Arrow’s High Power Center of Excellence has developed a 30kW DC fast charger reference platform. This includes Infineon’s 1200V CoolSiC Easy power modules and also hardware design, embedded firmware, bi-directional charging support and energy metering functionality.

“Combining Arrow’s strength in components, engineering and design services with Infineon’s innovative products will help customers accelerate their design and speed to market in e-mobility applications,” said Murdoch Fitzgerald, vice president, global engineering and design services at Arrow. “Customers can rely on this collaboration to deliver innovative and leading edge DC faster chargers, accelerate and de-risk design cycles, and get access to a world-class support team enabling them to plan and manage their product roadmap and lifecycles.”

“Infineon is on a drive towards decarbonization and digitalization with our ecosystem partners, and this collaboration with Arrow is a testament to this mission,” said Shri Joshi, vice president of Green Industrial Power, Infineon Technologies Americas. “The joint 30kW DC fast charger reference platform, which includes Infineon’s latest power modules and devices, will help our customers bring more fast chargers to market as the future moves to electrical vehicles. We look forward to this ongoing collaboration to support our customer base.”

The first reference design from this collaboration, a production-grade 30kW DC fast charger reference development platform, is being demonstrated at the Applied Power Electronics Conference, Feb. 25-29, in Long Beach, Calif.

The post Arrow Electronics and Infineon Collaborate to Accelerate Automotive Electrification appeared first on ELE Times.

ROHM has announced the adoption of its 650V GaN device (EcoGaN) in the C4 Duo, a 45W output USB-C charger from Innergie, a brand of Delta. Delta is a global provider of IoT-based Smart Green Solutions headquartered in Taiwan. ROHM’s EcoGaN device contributes to greater application performance, reliability, and miniaturization by providing higher efficiency in power supply systems.

Efforts to save energy are accelerating toward achieving a sustainable society by reducing power loss, especially in equipment that handle high power. Furthermore, GaN devices that enable high-speed switching are being considered for power supplies, since high-frequency operation not only saves energy but also allows the use of smaller circuits.

Offering GaN-based devices under the brand name EcoGaN, ROHM is advancing product development and providing solutions by focusing on mastering the use of GaN, which has high potential but is difficult to handle. For discrete products, mass production of 150V withstand GaN HEMTs began in 2022 and 650V withstand GaN HEMTs in 2023 featuring industry-leading device performance (RDS(ON) × Ciss / RDS(ON) × Coss). What’s more, integrating an ESD protection element into the GNP1150TCA-Z improves ESD breakdown tolerance by approximately 75% over standard GaN HEMTs, and has been evaluated to improve application reliability that ultimately led its adoption.

Yuhei Yamaguchi, General Manager, Power Stage Product Development Dept., LSI Business Div., ROHM Co., Ltd.

We are pleased to have ROHM’s EcoGaN incorporated into USB-C chargers from Delta, a global leader in power and thermal management solutions. ROHM contributes to Delta’s prowess in high-energy power supplies by leveraging analog technology that maximizes power semiconductor performance and achieves superior topologies. Both companies share a similar management vision to realize a decarbonized and digital society, forming a strong partnership that resulted in the adoption of ROHM devices and ICs in Delta’s power circuit design. Furthermore, we look forward to our continued collaboration to promote greater miniaturization and efficiency in chargers and other products that can contribute to enriching people’s lives.

Jason Chen, General Manager, Innergie, a brand of Delta

The development of GaN power devices is a major focus in the global electronics industry, and therefore, we have deepened our collaboration with ROHM over the past several years. Moreover, in 2022, we initiated a strategic partnership to jointly develop next-generation power semiconductors for power supply systems. This partnership has delivered ROHM’s advanced 650V GaN (GNP1150TCA-Z) devices, which are now supporting Innergie’s new products. The C4 Duo is the first model from Innergie’s One for All Series adapters to use ROHM’s GaN devices, and we expect more models to adopt this state-of-the-art technology. We believe that, by strengthening our collaboration with ROHM, we will be able to provide customers adapters featuring higher power efficiency and capability, but with much smaller product size.

ROHM EcoGaN

Refers to ROHM’s new lineup of GaN devices that contribute to energy conservation and miniaturization by maximizing GaN characteristics to achieve lower application power consumption, smaller peripheral components, and simpler designs requiring fewer parts.

The post ROHM’s EcoGaN has been adopted in the 45W Output USB-C Charger C4 Duo from Innergie, a brand of Delta appeared first on ELE Times.

Announced today at APEC 2024, the new, highly integrated family of devices, reduces package size and increases power density for designers.

Arrow Electronics Inc and its engineering services company eInfochips are working with Infineon Technologies AG of Munich, Germany to help eInfochips’ customers accelerate the development of electric vehicle (EV) chargers...

To celebrate Black History Month, we spotlight American engineer Granville T. Woods, who held more than 50 patents and invented the Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph.

I habitually, admittedly, hold onto computers far longer than I should, in the spirit of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” (not to mention “a penny saved is a penny earned”). What I repeatedly forget, in the midst of this ongoing grasping, is that while the computer I’m clinging to might originally have been speedy, sizeable and otherwise “enough” for my needs, the passage of time inevitably diminishes its capabilities. Some of this decline is the result of the inevitable “cruft” it accumulates as I install and then upgrade and/or uninstall applications and their foundation operating systems, as well as the data files I create using them (such as the Word file I’m typing into now). I also fiscally-conveniently overlook, for example, that newer operating system and application revisions make ever-increasing demands on the computer hardware.

Usually, what compels me to finally make the “leap of faith” to something new is some variant of utter desperation: either the existing hardware has been (or will soon be) dropped from the software support list or a software update has introduced a bug that the developer has decided not to fix. Today’s two case studies reflect both of these scenarios, and although the paths to the replacement systems were bumpy, the outcomes were worth the effort (not to mention everything I learned along the way). So much, in fact, that I’ve got another upgrade queued for the upcoming Christmas holiday next-week (as I write these words in mid-December 2023). Wonder how long I’ll wait to update next time?

The 2020 (Intel-based) Apple 13” Apple Retina MacBook Pro (RMBP)

This one had actually been sitting on my shelf for more a year, awaiting its turn in my active-computer rotation, ever since I saw it on sale brand new and open-box discounted at Small Dog Electronics’ website for $1,279.99. When I found out that this particular unit also came with AppleCare+ extended warranty coverage good through mid-May 2025, therefore representing a nearly $1,000 discount from the new-from-Apple total price tag, I pulled the purchase trigger.

It represents the very last iteration of Intel-based laptops from Apple, introduced in May 2020. Why x86, versus Apple Silicon-based? I went for it due in part to its ability to run not only MacOS but also Windows, either virtualized or natively, although I also have a 13” M1 MacBook Air (also open-box, also from Small Dog Electronics, and with similar RAM and SSD capacities: keep reading) in queued inventory for whenever Apple decides to drop x86 support completely.

This high-end RMBP variant, based on a 2.3 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 “Ice Lake” CPU, includes four Thunderbolt 3 ports, two on either side, versus the two left-side-only configurations of lower-end models. It also integrates 16 GBytes of RAM and a 512 GByte SSD. Unlike its 2016-2019 “butterfly” keyboard precursors, it returns to the reliable legacy “scissors” keyboard (this actually was key—bad pun intended—for me) that Apple amusingly rebranded as the “Magic Keyboard”. Above the keyboard are the Touch ID authentication sensor alongside the nifty (at least to me), now-deprecated Touch Bar. And thankfully, Bluetooth audio support in MacOS 12 “Monterey” for Zoom and other online meeting and webinar apps now works again.

Normally, I’d restore a Time Machine backup, originating from the old machine, to the new one to get me going with the initial setup. But at the time, I was more than 1,000 miles away from my NAS, at my relatives’ house for the Thanksgiving holidays. Migration Assistant was a conceptual alternative, although from what I’ve heard it’s sometimes more trouble than it’s worth. Instead, particularly with my earlier “cruft” comment in mind, I decided to just start from scratch with software reinstalls. That said, I still leveraged a portable drive along with my relatives’ Wi-Fi to copy relevant data files from the old to new machine.

The process was slow and tedious, but the outcome was a solid success. I can still hear the new system’s fan fire up sometimes (a friend with an Apple Silicon system mocks me mercilessly for this) but the new machine’s notably faster than its predecessor. Firefox, for example, thankfully is much snapper than it was before. And speaking of Mozilla applications, I was able to migrate both my Firefox and Thunderbird profiles over intact and glitch-free; the most I ended up having to do was to manually disable and re-enable my browser extensions to get them working again, along with renaming my device name in the new computer’s browser settings for account sync purposes. Oh, and since the new system’s not port-diversity-adorned like its precursor, I also had to assemble a baggie of USB-C “dongles” for USB-A, HDMI, SD cards, wired Ethernet…sigh.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ (SP7+) for business

This next one shouldn’t be surprising to regular readers, as I telegraphed my intentions back in early November. The question you may have, however, is why did I tackle the succession now? For the earlier-discussed MacBook Pro, the transition timing is more understandable, as its early-2015 predecessor will fall off Apple’s O/S-supported hardware list in less than a year. Its performance slowdowns were becoming too noticeable to ignore. And the Bluetooth audio issues I started having after its most recent major O/S upgrade were the icing on the cake.

The Surface Pro 5 (SP5), on the other hand, runs Windows 10, for which Microsoft has promised full support until at least mid-October 2025, longer if you pay up. Its overheating-induced clock throttling was annoying but didn’t occur that often. And although its RAM and SSD capacity limitations were constraining, I could still work around them. Part of the answer, frankly, ties back to how smoothly the RMBP replacement had gone; it tempted me to tackle the SP7+ upgrade sooner than I otherwise would. And another part of the answer is that I wanted to be able to donate both legacy systems to charity while they were still supported and more generally could still be useful to someone else with less demanding use cases. Specifically, I hoped to wrap up both upgrades in time to get the precursor computers to EChO for pass-along in time for them to get wrapped up by their recipients as Christmas presents for others.

Once again, I did “clean” installs of my suite of applications to the SP7+. This strategy, versus an attempted “clone” of the old system’s mass storage contents, was even more necessary in this case because the two computers ran different operating systems (Windows 10 Pro vs Windows 11 Pro). And again, the process was slow but ultimately successful. That said, the overall transition was more complicated this time, due to what I tackled before the installs even started. As I’d mentioned back in November, one of the particularly appealing attributes of the SP7+ (and SP8, for that matter) versus the SP5 is that their SSDs (like that in my Surface Pro X) are user-accessible and -replaceable. What I did first, therefore, after updating Windows 11 and the driver suite to most current versions, was to clone the existing drive image in the new system to a larger-capacity replacement, initially installed in an external enclosure.

Here’s the 256 GByte m.2 2230 SSD that the system came with, complete with its surrounding heatsink, post-clone and removal:

And here’s the 1 TByte replacement, Samsung’s PM991a (PCIe 3.0-based, to allay any excess-energy consumption concerns):

before cloning the disk image to it and installing it (absent a heatsink or thermal tape, but it still seemingly works fine) in place of its precursor:

As you can probably tell from the sticker on one side, it wasn’t new-as-advertised. But it had been only lightly used (and the bulk of that was from me, doing multiple full- and quick-format cycles on it for both initial testing and failed-clone-recoveries) so I kept it:

First step, the clone. I’d thought this might be complicated a bit by the fact that since the system was running the Pro version of Windows 11, (potentially performance-sapping) BitLocker drive encryption was enabled by default. Fortunately, however, my cloning utility of choice (Macrium Reflect Free, which I’ve long recommended) was able to handle the clone as-is just fine, even on a booted O/S with an active partition, although it warned me afterwards that the image on the SSD containing the clone would be unencrypted. Fast forwarding to the future for a moment, I made sure to archive a copy of the existing SSD’s encryption key before doing the swap, in case I ever needed to use it again. The new SSD came up auto-re-encrypted by Windows on first boot, I didn’t need to re-activate the O/S, and I archived its BitLocker key, too, for good measure.

The other—hardware—aspect of the clone was more problematic. Here’s the enclosure that I used to temporarily house the new SSD, Orico’s TCM2-C3, which I bought back in February 2020 and have been using trouble-free for a variety of external-tether purposes ever since:

This time was different. I initially tried tethering the new SSD-inclusive enclosure to the SP7+ via the USB-C to USB-C cable that came with the enclosure, but shortly after each cloning operation attempt started, I’d get an obscure “Error Code 121 – The semaphore timeout period has expired” abort message from Macrium Reflect. Attempts to reformat the SSD before trying the clone again were also inconsistent, sometimes succeeding, other times not due to spontaneous disconnects. Eventually, I got everything to work by instead using the slower but more reliable USB-A to USB-C cable that also came with the enclosure. Is my USB-C to USB-C cable going bad? Or is something amiss with the USB-C transceiver in the system or the enclosure? Dunno.

Once I booted up the computer with the new SSD inside, I ran into two other issues. The first was that the initial O/S partition, which had been hidden on the original SSD, was now visible and had been assigned the C: drive letter. A dive into Windows’ Disk Management utility got this glitch sorted out.

The other quirk, which I’d encountered before, was that the new SSD still self-reported as 256 GBytes in size, the same capacity as its predecessor. Disk Management showed me the sizeable unused partition on the new SSD, which I’d normally be able to expand the main O/S partition into. In this particular case it wasn’t able to do so, though, because the two partitions were non-contiguous; in-between them was 650 Mbyte hidden Windows Recovery partition. I could have just deleted that one, although it would have complicated any subsequent if-needed recovery attempt. Instead, I used another slick (and gratis) utility, MiniTool’s Partition Wizard, to relocate the recovery partition to the “end”, thereby enabling successful O/S partition expansion:

And as hoped-for, the SP7+ is fully compatible with my full suite of existing SP5 accessories:

What’s next?

Requoting what I said upfront in this piece:

I’ve got another upgrade queued for the upcoming Christmas holiday.

It’s my “late 2014” Mac mini, which I’d transitioned to fairly recently, in mid-2021, for similar obsolescence reasons.

Like the early 2015 13” RMPB, it’s not scheduled to exit O/S support until mid-to-late 2024, but it’s becoming even more performance-archaic (due in part to its HDD-centric Fusion Drive configuration). Its replacement will be a 2018 Mac mini, also x86-based, whose specific configuration is “interesting” (I got a great deal on it, explaining why I went with it): a high-end 3.2 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU, coupled with 32 GBytes of RAM but only a 128 GByte SSD (which I plan to augment via external storage). Stand by for more details to come in a future post. And until then, I’m standing by for your thoughts on this piece in the comments!

—Brian Dipert is the Editor-in-Chief of the Edge AI and Vision Alliance, and a Senior Analyst at BDTI and Editor-in-Chief of InsideDSP, the company’s online newsletter.

Related Content

• End-of-year tech-hiccups redux
• The Microsoft Surface Pro 5 succession: Selections, motivations, and initial impressions
• Activation locks and other hardware-created forced-obsolescence case studies
• Intel’s next-generation CPUs hide chiplets inside*

The post Computer upgrades: Motivations, hiccups, outcomes, and learnings appeared first on EDN.

AXT Inc of Fremont, CA, USA – which makes gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium phosphide (InP) and germanium (Ge) substrates and raw materials – says that its full-year revenue fell by 46.3% from $141.1m in 2022 to $75.8m in 2023...

submitted by /u/Imnotshankled [link] [comments]

In a significant development for India’s semiconductor industry, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, announced plans for the establishment of two new semiconductor fabs alongside numerous chip assembly and packaging units. Tower Semiconductor from Israel and the Tata Group from India are set to invest billions in this initiative.

These multi-billion dollar fabs will operate with 65, 40, and 28-nanometer technology, marking a substantial advancement for India’s semiconductor capabilities. Additional proposals for packaging units are also in the pipeline, with approvals expected before or after the upcoming general elections.

Chandrashekhar, in an exclusive interaction with PTI, stated, “The names that you mentioned have submitted these big, very credible, very significant investment proposals. We see this happening in a very, very quick short term.”

This announcement follows the government’s receipt of 13 proposals for setting up ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging) units and four proposals for chip fabs. The government aims to secure $55 billion in semiconductor investments by 2026 and $110 billion by 2030.

Highlighting the neglected state of electronics and semiconductor manufacturing before 2014, Chandrashekhar noted a significant increase in in-house electronics manufacturing over the past decade. In FY 2022-23 alone, electronics manufacturing reached Rs 8.22 Lakh Crore (USD 102 billion), with projections indicating further growth to Rs 23,95,195 crore (USD 300 billion) by 2026.

Chandrashekhar emphasized India’s pivotal role in the global electronics market, citing the growth of mobile phone manufacturing in the country. “Three years ago, there were no Apple phones being manufactured in India. Today, we are exporting USD 10-12 billion worth of Apple and Samsung mobile phones,” he stated, underscoring India’s expanding presence in the sector.

The establishment of these new chip fabs signals a significant stride towards positioning India as a key player in the global semiconductor industry, fostering economic growth and technological advancement in the country.

The post India to Witness Major Boost in Semiconductor Industry with Two New Chip Fabs appeared first on ELE Times.

Author: Capt. Nikunj Parashar, Founder & CMD at Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd. 

In recent years, the defence sector has witnessed a transformative wave of technological advancements, with a particular focus on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into various facets of military operations. The emergence of all-electric air mobility services, particularly in the form of personal aerial vehicles, represents a groundbreaking shift in the defence technology landscape. AI and ML technologies have rapidly become integral components of military systems, enhancing their capabilities across various domains. In the realm of sensors, these technologies enable more sophisticated data analysis, allowing for real-time threat detection and predictive maintenance. AI facilitates advanced targeting, autonomous decision-making, and improved accuracy so that information systems benefit from AI-driven analytics, providing commanders with actionable insights for strategic decision-making.

One of the most notable and exciting developments in the defence sector is the emergence of all-electric air mobility services. Personal Aerial Vehicles (PAVs), often referred to as urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles, represent a paradigm shift in transportation within military operations. These vehicles leverage electric propulsion systems, eliminating the need for traditional fuel and significantly reducing both operational costs and environmental impact while providing various services such as emergency medical evacuation, logistical support and reaching areas that cannot be accessed through traditional modes of aerial transport, saving cost and time.

The adoption of all-electric air mobility services in the military context offers several advantages. Firstly, these vehicles provide unparalleled flexibility and agility, allowing for rapid deployment and evacuation in challenging terrains or emergencies. The electric propulsion systems also contribute to stealth capabilities, reducing acoustic and thermal signatures compared to conventional aircraft. Moreover, personal aerial vehicles are designed to operate in urban environments, providing an additional layer of versatility for military operations in complex and densely populated areas. Their vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities eliminate the need for extensive runway infrastructure, enabling deployment from confined spaces, such as rooftops, landing zones and droneports. The integration of AI into these aerial platforms enhances their autonomy and safety features along with advanced navigation systems, obstacle detection, and collision avoidance capabilities, making these vehicles suitable for a wide range of military applications.

The Role of Drones in Border Security and Beyond

As the defence industry continues to push the boundaries of innovation, the integration of unmanned systems has become pivotal in providing robust and efficient solutions for safeguarding national borders. Borders present a unique set of challenges, demanding cutting-edge technologies to address the vast expanses of water in coastal regions and remote terrains in hilly areas. The defence industry recognizes the unparalleled capabilities of autonomous drones, whether they be Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), in meeting these challenges head-on, offering comprehensive solutions for border surveillance.

Autonomous drones, equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and technologies, have become indispensable assets in the arsenal of defence systems. These unmanned maritime and aerial platforms operate seamlessly without direct human intervention, following pre-programmed routes or responding dynamically to emerging threats. The defence sector harnesses the autonomy of these drones to ensure continuous, systematic, and cost-effective monitoring of maritime borders as they are equipped with advanced sensors, high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging, enabling them to capture detailed and actionable intelligence about the maritime environment and difficult terrains, providing the capability to detect, track, and respond to potential threats in real-time, bolstering national security measures.

The real strength of autonomous drones lies in their ability to cover extensive areas swiftly, providing unparalleled situational awareness. The defence sector employs these systems to conduct thorough surveillance, identify suspicious activities, monitor vessel movements, and combat illicit operations such as smuggling and illegal fishing, facilitating rapid decision-making and response coordination. This not only enhances the safety of defence personnel but also ensures continuous surveillance capabilities, maintaining an unyielding presence along maritime borders.

Furthermore, the defence industry capitalizes on the versatility of autonomous drones, extending their applications beyond border security. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms enhances data analysis, allowing for the identification of complex patterns and potential threats with unprecedented accuracy. This proactive approach empowers defence agencies to stay ahead of emerging challenges and allocate resources effectively. The use of such technology represents a futuristic leap in military capabilities as these vehicles not only address operational challenges but also align with the growing emphasis on indigenization in developing defence technologies. As the defence sector continues to evolve, the integration of these cutting-edge technologies is shaping the future landscape of military operations.

The post Technological Advancements in the Aerospace and Defence Sector – Integration of AI/ML into sensors, weapons and information systems designed for the Military appeared first on ELE Times.

In today’s fast-paced world, technology has revolutionized various aspects of our lives, including how we monitor and safeguard our vehicles. One such advancement in vehicle security is the car tracker, a sophisticated device designed to provide real-time location information and other valuable data about a vehicle’s whereabouts. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what car trackers are, the different types available, how they work, and the benefits they offer to vehicle owners.

What is a Car Tracker?

A car tracker, also known as a GPS tracker or vehicle tracker, is a compact electronic device that utilizes the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine the precise location of a vehicle in real time. It communicates this information to a central server or a designated user interface, allowing vehicle owners or authorized personnel to monitor the vehicle’s movements remotely.

Types of Car Trackers

1. Hardwired Trackers: These trackers are directly connected to the vehicle’s power source and are usually installed discreetly within the vehicle’s electrical system. Hardwired trackers offer robust and continuous monitoring capabilities, making them suitable for long-term vehicle tracking.
2. Plug-and-Play Trackers: Also known as OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) trackers, these devices are plugged into the vehicle’s OBD port, typically located under the dashboard. Plug-and-play trackers are easy to install and can be transferred between vehicles effortlessly, making them ideal for temporary tracking or rental fleets.
3. Battery-Powered Trackers: These trackers operate on internal batteries and do not require a direct connection to the vehicle’s power source. Battery-powered trackers offer flexibility in installation and are often used in situations where covert tracking is required or in vehicles without a permanent power source.

How Does the Car Tracker Work?

Car trackers rely on GPS technology and cellular networks to transmit location data. Here’s a simplified overview of how they work:

1. GPS Acquisition: The tracker receives signals from GPS satellites to determine its precise location coordinates.
2. Data Transmission: The tracker then transmits this location data and other relevant information such as speed and direction to a central server or user interface via cellular networks.
3. Remote Monitoring: Vehicle owners or authorized users can access this information in real-time through a web-based platform or a dedicated mobile app, enabling them to track the vehicle’s movements remotely.

Car Tracker Benefits

1. Vehicle Security: Car trackers serve as a powerful deterrent against theft and unauthorized use by providing real-time location information. In the event of a theft, trackers facilitate quick recovery efforts, increasing the chances of recovering the stolen vehicle.
2. Fleet Management: For businesses with a fleet of vehicles, trackers offer valuable insights into vehicle utilization, route optimization, and driver behaviour. This allows for better fleet management, improved efficiency, and cost savings.
3. Insurance Discounts: Many insurance companies offer discounts to vehicle owners who install car trackers, which are considered a proactive measure to mitigate the risk of theft or loss.
4. Peace of Mind: Knowing that their vehicles are equipped with trackers provides vehicle owners with peace of mind, especially when their vehicles are parked in unfamiliar locations or left unattended for extended periods.

In conclusion, car trackers are invaluable tools for enhancing vehicle security, optimizing fleet management, and providing peace of mind to vehicle owners. With various types available to suit different needs and preferences, investing in a car tracker can be a proactive step towards safeguarding your valuable assets on the road.

The post Understanding Car Trackers: Types, Working Mechanism, and Benefits appeared first on ELE Times.

Author: Ajay Kumar Lohany, Delivery Sr. Director- Aero & Rail, Cyient

With projections indicating a doubling of air passenger numbers to 8.2 million by 2037, the advancement of all-electric and hybrid-electric propulsion for powering Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is evolving into a billion-dollar industry. Recent assessments by Rolls Royce suggest that approximately 15,000 Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles will be indispensable across 30 major cities by 2035 solely to meet the demand for intracity travel. By 2030, top players in the passenger Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector could boast larger fleets and significantly more daily flights than the world’s biggest airlines. These flights, averaging just 18 minutes each, will typically carry fewer passengers (ranging from one to six, plus a pilot).

Source: Cirium; investor presentations; US Bureau of Transportation Statistics; McKinsey analysis

The increasing urbanization, expanding population, aging infrastructure, and the surge in e-commerce and logistics underscore the need for a contemporary, safe, and cost-effective transportation solution for both people and goods. Urban Air Mobility (UAM) presents a seamless, reliable, and swift mode of transportation, addressing present and future urban challenges. With the capacity to transform intra and inter-city transportation, UAM offers a quicker and more effective alternative to conventional ground-based transportation methods. The adoption of Urban Air Mobility hinges on five primary factors:

• Growing demand for alternate modes of transportation in urban mobility
• Need for convenient, efficient and last-mile delivery
• Zero emission and noise-free mandates
• Advancement in technologies (Energy storage, Autonomous, Connected, Power Electronics)
• Security

Despite the growing Urban Air Mobility (UAM) sector, it faces significant challenges that need addressing for future growth and success. These challenges range from developing reliable electric propulsion systems to achieving autonomous flight capabilities and establishing necessary infrastructure like vertiports and charging stations. Overcoming these hurdles is vital for unlocking UAM’s transformative potential in urban transportation.

AI Integration for UAM Enhancement

Utilizing AI for predictive maintenance enables analysis of sensor data and onboard sources to forecast maintenance needs, reducing downtime and increasing aircraft availability. AI-enabled maintenance inspections allow for rapid issue identification through image analysis of eVTOLs and UAVs, minimizing errors and oversights. AI aids in making better decisions for aircraft maintenance support by thoroughly analyzing various considerations, likely leading to improved outcomes. Additionally, robotic systems equipped with AI algorithms can autonomously repair or replace minor parts, enhancing safety for maintenance teams. Moreover, AI facilitates better diagnostics and targeted troubleshooting, expediting issue identification and repair suggestions. Ultimately, proactive maintenance, data integration, and improved safety are promised by AI in UAM, ensuring aircraft are maintained effectively from takeoff to landing.

AI in Intelligent Cabin Management (ICMS)

The Intelligent Cabin Management System (ICMS), utilized in aviation and rail industries, undergoes continuous advancements fueled by emerging technologies. Enhanced facial recognition algorithms, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), significantly improve efficiencies and reliability in user authentication, behavior analysis, safety, threat detection, and object tracking. Moreover, ICMS prioritizes monitoring passengers’ vital signs onboard for health safety.

This solution ensures cabin operations with a focus on passenger safety, security, and health, suitable for various passenger cabins in aircraft and rail, and particularly ideal for UAM applications. It facilitates cabin entry by authorized crew and passengers, guides seating arrangements, enforces luggage placement regulations, ensures compliance with air travel advisories, monitors passenger behavior for preemptive intervention, identifies permitted and potentially threatening objects, flags left luggage, and detects vital health parameters for real-time monitoring and control.

AI in UAM Maintenance

AI-driven predictive maintenance involves analyzing sensor data and onboard sources to anticipate UAM maintenance needs, aiding in proactive scheduling and minimizing downtime. Similarly, AI-based inspections utilize image analysis to swiftly identify potential issues during regular checks, enhancing accuracy and reducing errors. Additionally, AI supports maintenance decision-making by analyzing various factors like repair costs and part availability, providing informed recommendations. Future advancements may see autonomous maintenance systems, powered by AI, performing routine tasks such as inspections and minor repairs, improving efficiency and safety. Furthermore, AI assists technicians in diagnostics and troubleshooting by analyzing data and historical records to pinpoint issues and suggest appropriate solutions, streamlining maintenance processes and ensuring UAM operational reliability.

Conclusion

The integration of AI into UAM maintenance offers numerous benefits that significantly enhance the efficiency, safety, and reliability of UAM operations. Through proactive maintenance enabled by AI’s predictive capabilities, maintenance teams can anticipate and address potential failures before they occur, reducing unplanned downtime and enhancing operational reliability. Furthermore, AI-supported maintenance increases aircraft availability, ensuring vehicles are consistently safe and reliable, thus contributing to higher customer satisfaction and overall operational performance.

Moreover, AI-driven maintenance optimization leads to cost reduction by accurately predicting maintenance needs and minimizing unnecessary inspections and component replacements, thereby reducing labor and material costs. Additionally, AI’s continuous monitoring of UAM vehicle conditions enhances safety by detecting anomalies or safety risks in real-time, preventing accidents and ensuring timely maintenance. Overall, the application of AI in UAM maintenance represents a transformative step towards a more efficient, safe, and reliable urban air transportation system.

The post Emerging solutions in all-electric air mobility service appeared first on ELE Times.

Authored by: Mr. Aveen Padmaprabha, Head of Industrial Quality Solutions, Carl Zeiss India (Bangalore) Pvt. Ltd.

 

Mr. Aveen Padmaprabha, Head of Industrial Quality Solutions, Carl Zeiss India (Bangalore) Pvt. Ltd.

The aerospace industry in India is one of the fastest-growing sectors with an increasingly strong domestic manufacturing base. To gain further competitive advantage, the implementation of new technologies such as additive manufacturing has been gaining importance in the recent past. While this method leads to cost reduction of building low-volume parts, as well as enables the industry to challenge the limits of efficiency through extremely accurate and complex design executions, the quality challenges faced by these new manufacturing processes should also be thoroughly addressed. High-precision metrology solutions are not only an opportunity to optimize the manufacturing process but also offer valuable insight into material sciences and ensure the quality of the output.

Additive Manufacturing as an Opportunity in Aerospace

Air travel, a preferred mode of transportation, relies on aircraft parts meeting stringent quality standards. For instance, before a supplier commences production, up to 1500 inspection features of a turbine blade must be verified, adhering to tight tolerance ranges at every production step. Beyond this challenge, another is the vital maintenance and repair operations (MRO) which often involves replacing high-complexity, quality-intensive low-volume or single parts. Traditional manufacturing processes for MROs prove both time and cost-intensive, unable to meet the demanded complexity and accuracy efficiently. Consequently, additive manufacturing, specifically 3D printing, is increasingly integrated into the aerospace production chain in India, positioning the industry as a pioneer in additive manufacturing innovation. However, the adoption of this technology brings its own challenges, which our experience suggests can be effectively addressed through high-quality metrology solutions.

Hitting the Brake: The Process and Challenges of Additive Manufacturing

Powder is the building block of additively manufactured parts. The particles are small, typically ranging from a few micrometers to tens of microns in diameter. Their size distribution and shape influence spread ability and hence possible defects might occur during the process. The defect density is among other aspects and also a factor for the recycling and aging of the powder. A uniformly distributed powder bed is the essential basis for a stable and reliable additive manufacturing process. Improper powder quality, powder rheology and the process parameters might cause voids to form in the final structure. The additive manufacturing process, unlike traditional manufacturing methods, requires powders to be melted layer by layer during the build. Melt temperatures and process parameters greatly affect the crystallography and, as a consequence, part properties. After printing, the part is still attached to the build plate. It is then heat-treated for stress relief and removed from the build plate with a band saw or wire EDM. Some parts are then heat treated again for microstructure changes. These processes possibly influence the characteristics and accuracy of the part, impacting the quality and safety. Post which, Dimensional accuracy and surface finish are critical to ensure proper assembly and consistent matching across multiple parts. Even though additive manufacturing is an immense opportunity since it enables an unprecedented control over material microstructures. Analyzing and understanding these structures is key for an efficient and optimized process that ensures the demanded quality and safety.

Precision at all Altitudes: Overcoming the Challenges

Utilizing cutting-edge measurement and inspection equipment is crucial for meeting aerospace parts’ sophisticated requirements. Our metrology solutions support and can be implemented throughout the manufacturing process, enabling immediate corrective actions, ensuring high-quality output, and promoting sustainable resourcing. We employ Light or Electron Microscopes and CT for continuous powder characterization, identifying sources of quality issues in the powder bed during or after printing. Defective parts can be detected and fixed during the build, avoiding downstream costs and increasing yield. Optical 3D-scanners, Coordinate Measuring Machines, and high-resolution CT validate accuracy, inspect finished parts, and analyze internal structures, contributing to defining optimal settings for future processes. The comprehensive data analysis across the process chain, facilitated by metrology devices equipped with IoT and PiWeb software by ZEISS, ensures correlation and supports an efficient and optimized process. Investing in high-quality metrology and research equipment is indispensable for ensuring safety and quality in the aerospace industry, particularly as ‘Make in India’ propels the sector’s growth, with additive manufacturing playing a vital role in material science and process optimization.

ZEISS, as a key global provider, plays a pivotal role with its Blue Line process, contributing to the industry’s success through precise metrology and quality solutions. Moreover, the company’s commitment to excellence extends beyond mere provision, as it actively engages in collaborative ventures. The company’s globally unique application lab not only facilitates joint customer projects and scientific studies but also serves as a dynamic hub for hands-on demonstrations. This collaborative approach fosters a rich environment for learning and knowledge distribution, ensuring that the aerospace industry benefits not only from cutting-edge technology but also from shared insights and collective expertise.

In my opinion, the aerospace industry in India stands at the forefront of innovation and technological advancements, embracing additive manufacturing as a crucial element in its production chain. By leveraging cutting-edge measurement and inspection equipment throughout the entire manufacturing process, the industry can achieve immediate corrective actions, increase yield, and streamline resource utilization. With continued investments in high-quality metrology and research equipment, the aerospace sector can ensure the safety and quality of its intricate and complex components, further solidifying its position as a leader in technological innovation.

The post Precision at all Altitudes for Aerospace: Addressing the Challenges of Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace Production appeared first on ELE Times.

Learn the basics of how vector network analyzer (VNA) calibration techniques correct measurement errors.

submitted by /u/User2716057 [link] [comments]

Remember that clunky thermostat you used to wrestle with, blindly adjusting the temperature in hopes of comfort? Well, thanks to the magic of the Internet of Things (IoT) and custom software, creating a smarter, more responsive home is no longer science fiction. But it’s not just about thermostats. There are also coffee makers that anticipate your morning routine, lights that adapt to your mood, and appliances that communicate with each other, all bringing convenience and efficiency. That, my friend, is the power of integrating IoT with custom software, and Relevant Software development company has the recipe to help you orchestrate it.

From Scattered Devices to a Connected Ecosystem: The Magic of Integration

Think of your home as an orchestra. Each device – the lights, the thermostat, the smart speaker – is an instrument with its own song. But without a conductor, the music is chaotic and disjointed. That’s where custom software steps in, acting as the conductor, harmonizing these individual devices into a seamless symphony of smart living.

Bridging the Language Gap: Custom Software as the Interpreter

Each IoT device speaks its own language, a complex code of ones and zeros. But your phone, tablet, and voice assistant need to understand them all. Custom software acts as the interpreter, translating these diverse languages into a unified tongue that your smart home ecosystem can comprehend. It’s like having a personal translator for all your devices, ensuring they communicate smoothly and respond to your commands flawlessly.

Beyond Automation: Tailored Experiences for Your Unique Lifestyle

Automation is great, but true smart living goes beyond just setting schedules. One of the roles of custom software here is to help you personalize your IoT experience. Imagine lights that adjust to your circadian rhythm, a coffee maker that learns your preferred strength, or a thermostat that anticipates your arrival home. Through applications that learn about your habits, needs, and preferences, it’s possible to create a truly personal smart home.

Enhancing Customer Experiences

Retail is another arena where IoT and custom software blend to offer extraordinary experiences. Imagine walking into a store that knows your preferences or an online shopping platform that offers personalized recommendations based on your IoT-enabled devices at home. The more data smart devices collect, the more aligned the customer experience will be with user preferences.

Unlocking the Full Potential: Security, Efficiency, and Beyond

Obviously, IoT integration with custom software brings convenience. Yet, the benefits of this blend are far more diverse and impactful both for businesses and consumers:

• Work smarter and save money. Custom software looks at the data from IoT devices to make everything run smoother, fix things before they break, and use resources wisely. This means you can do more with less and save money, too.

• Beyond the walls. Your smart home can easily interact with external services, order groceries based on your fridge inventory, or adjust your thermostat based on weather forecasts.

• Smart decisions with data. Custom software processes huge piles of data from IoT devices to give businesses smart tips for making better choices and coming up with new ideas.

• Competitive advantage. Businesses leveraging IoT with custom software can offer differentiated products and services, setting themselves apart in the market with cutting-edge offerings.

Your Smart Future Starts Today

Integrating IoT with custom software is about creating a smarter, more personalized, and ultimately more fulfilling living experience. It’s like having technology that fits perfectly into our daily lives, making everything easier and more suited to what we like. We’re right on the edge of this amazing future, and it’s filled with endless opportunities. Whether it’s making businesses run smoother, turning boring tasks into fun ones, or keeping our online selves safe, mixing IoT with custom software is the magic key.

The post Integrating IoT with Custom Software for Smart Solutions appeared first on Electronics Lovers ~ Technology We Love.

submitted by /u/ErikOostveen [link] [comments]

submitted by /u/AutoModerator
[link] [comments]

submitted by /u/ivosaurus
[link] [comments]