When working in DesignSpark Mechanical on a 3D model it can be awkward to click on certain faces depending on where they are on the model and which way you are viewing it. To cut down on manipulating the model there is a way of being able to select concealed faces. This video shows you how.

This page includes all the reference designs for ROHM. You can download the schematic and PCB designs in DesignSpark PCB format and its BOM list in the attachments of knowledge items below.

BD9A300MUV

 

The BD9A300MUV is a 2.7V to 5.5V input, integrated 3A MOSFET 1ch synchronous buck switching regulator.

Read more

BD9C301FJ

 

The BD9C301FJ is a 4.5V to 18V Input, 3.0A integrated MOSFET 1ch synchronous buck switching regulator .

Read more

BD9D321EFJ

 

The BD9D321EFJ is a 4.5V to 18V input, 3.0A integrated MOSFET 1ch synchronous buck switching regulator.

Read more

BD9E102FJ

 

The BD9E102FJ is a 7.0V to 26V input, 1.0A, integrated MOSFET single synchronous buck switching regulator.

Read more

BD9E300EFJ

 

The BD9E300EFJ is a 7.0V to 36V input, 2.5A integrated MOSFET single synchronous buck switching regulator.

Read more

This page includes all the reference designs for Panasonic. You can download the schematic and PCB designs in DesignSpark PCB format and its BOM list in the attachments of knowledge items below.

MN101EF69D Evaluation Board

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The circuit design of BPSK communication LSI MN101EF69D Evaluation Board R51BRD (Panasonic). 

Read more

AN32258A EvaluationBoard

 

Coming Soon.......

Read more

This page includes all the reference designs for Renesas. You can download the schematic and PCB designs in DesignSpark PCB format and its BOM list in the attachments of knowledge items below.

GR-KURUMI Board

 

The GR-KURUMI board incorporates the RL78G14, Renesas 16-bit low-power consumption MCU

Read more

EZ-0012

 

Coming Soon.......

Read more

RL78 G1C

 

Coming Soon.......

Read more

Just a few years ago, drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were virtually unknown. Since then, these unmanned aerial vehicles have seen massive growth in manufacture, sales, uses and potential applications. How UAVs will affect our lives in the future remains to be seen but one thing is for sure they will have a profound impact on many industries.

Everywhere you look UAVs are flying across headlines and the technology is changing the way we interact with the world around us, from live broadcast of sporting events, real estate imagery, rescue services as a second set of eyes in the sky, military offense or surveillance, ambulances delivering lifesaving medical supply, goods delivery services, film making, recreational uses and hobbyists.

Whilst all this is great there are serious safety and invasion of privacy concerns that aviation authorities around the world are trying to address, some countries already have guidelines for hobbyists and strict regulations for commercial activities however not all countries are in harmony on good all round practices. 

The applications for UAV are growing at an extremely fast rate which fall into hobbyist, commercial and military.

Market Sectors and interesting applications include;

Music video of  ‘OK Go – I Won’t Let You Down’ was filmed in one continuous shot using a UAV; this type of filming would not of been possible a few years ago.

UAVs come in various formats but can be broken into two topologies 1) fixed wing or 2) multirotor.

Fixed wing resemble a traditional airplane design, we have seen these on the news typically military use with terrifying names like watch keeper or predator.

Multirotor is where the whole UAV thing opens up and for me at least is where the excitement begins it encompasses the traditional style helicopter with a large rotor with cyclic adjustment and a small rotor to control the direction its facing.

Non traditional multirotors mainly have a number of arms with fixed pitch propellers which are set equidistance apart, to control the movement of the multirotor is achieved by speeding or slowing down the propellers to achieve the desired movement.

Here we can see the standard terminology for an aircraft movement,

The yaw relates to horizontal rotation that relates to the direction the aircraft is facing. Pitch is rotation for moving the front and tail end up and down with the front down the UAV will move forward or vice versa and Roll is the rotation from side to side this makes it move to the right or left.

Here we see a 4 rotor UAV typically known as a Quad or Quadcopter.

For this to fly we have 4 equally sized prop / motor configuration, two of the props generate down thrust in a clock wise rotation and the other two in a counter clockwise rotation, the reason for this is to prevent the quad from spinning having equal rotational forces in a clockwise and counter clockwise directions negates the twisting forces that you might expect if all props were spinning in the same direction.

By speeding up or slowing down certain pairs of props we can achieve all the directional movements of Roll, Pitch and Yaw.

For example if we speed up props 3 and 4 the back of the quad will tilt up causing it to fly forward, if we speed up props 2 and 3 the right hand side of the quad will tilt up causing it to fly to the left, by proportionally doing both we can get the quad to fly forward and to the left. This principle can be applied to any combination of props to achieve flight in any direction.

Now if we speed up props 2 and 4 the quad will rotate about the horizontal axis in a clockwise direction and similarly if we speed up props 1 and 3 the quad will rotate in a counter clockwise direction.

Whilst in this example we see a quad there are other configurations of multirotor that use this similar principle, a hexcopter use 6 props 3 in cw and 3 in ccw whilst an octocopter uses 8 props 4 in cw and 4 in ccw. One other UAV that we see is a tri copter this uses 3 props 2ccw and 1cw and also employs a servo to tilt the angle of the 2nd ccw prop to control yaw movement.

A very small foldable tricopter from the company Pocket Drone

The most recognizable quadcopter from company DJI

A kit built Hexacopter


A heavy lift Octocopter carrying an SLR camera from Droidworx

Now to see this is in action with one of the most exhilarating uses for UAV is racing, have you every wanted to fly a pod racer from the sci-fi film stars wars or ride a 74-Z speeder bike in the woods on planet Endor, well this possibility is here, with FPV racing.  Each machine is equipped with a small camera mounting on the UAV that is then transmitted back to a screen or video goggles to give you the experience of actually sitting in the craft whilst tearing around.   This has proved to be very addictive and 2015 will see the start of officially run races as part of the Aerial Grand Prix.

Over this series of Blogs I will be touching on the major aspects of UAVs, if you are considering getting your first UAV then I will be running through a build of a multirotor UAV, covering different payloads and uses, safety aspects and all things related to UAV. Next time will be looking at build a UAV verses buy a UAV the benefits and what is currently available.

Greg Spencer
Lorian – Aerial Technology Systems

RSコンポーネンツ× P板.com  主催「DesignSpark 無料講習会」の開催が決定しました。DESIGN SPARKが誇る２つのCAD、DSPCB（基板設計CAD）とDSM（3D CAD）の講習会を下記の概要で行います。「使ってみたかった」「入れたけど使えてない」「自己流で使っているがなんか使いにくい」といった方は、ぜひ受講してみてください。基板設計から筐体設計までを無料ツールで完結できます。最終製品のプロトタイプ作成に活用できます。

■セミナー名：　　「DesignSpark 無料講習会」
■日時：
　<東京会場> 2015/ 3/ 9(月)　13時：DSPCB講習会、15時10分 DSM講習会
　<大阪会場> 2015/ 3/11(水)　13時：DSPCB講習会、15時10分 DSM講習会
■場所：
　　　　<東京会場>　関東ITソフトウェア健保会館　1F会議室 A+B室
　　　　　　　　　　　　　JR総武線「大久保駅」下車北口改札より徒歩1分
　　　　　　　　　　　　　JR山手線「新大久保駅」下車徒歩5分
　　　　<大阪会場> 大阪研修センター江坂　4F 会議室B
　　　　　　　　　　　　　地下鉄御堂筋線「江坂」駅から徒歩1分
■定員：
　　　　<東京会場>
　　　　　　　　DSPCB講習会　　　50名
　　　　　　　　DSM講習会　　　50名
　　　　<大阪会場>
　　　　　　　　DSPCB講習会　　　50名
　　　　　　　　DSM講習会　　　50名
■持ち物：
　　　　　　　・ラップトップPC　（DSPCB か DSM をセットアップしておいて下さい）
　　　　　　　・マウス　　　　　　（必須。三つボタン対応ホイールマウスを推奨）
　　　　　　　・筆記用具
　　　　　　　・名刺
■受講申込：　受講料は無料。　こちらのP板.com殿の特設ページからお申込み頂けます。
■備考：
　　　　　　　・DSPCBとDSM、それぞれの受講も、両方の受講も可能です。
　　　　　　　・PCを持参しない聴講でもご参加頂けますが、
　　　　　　　　PC持込み者を前提としたセミナー内容になります。
　　　　　　　・無線LAN環境を用意しておりますが、速度が遅い場合がございます。
　　　　　　　・DesignSparkPCBはこちらからダウンロード頂けます。
　　　　　　　・DesignSpark Mechanicalはこちらからダウンロード頂けます。
■当日スケジュール：
　　12:45　～　13:00　　　受付
　　13:00　～　15:00　　　DesignSparkPCB講習会
　　15:00　～　15:10　　　受付
　　15:10　～　16:50　　　DesignSpark Mechanical 講習会

名刺サイズのワンボード計測器「Red Pitaya」がFrost & Sullivan社の技術革新賞を受賞しました！
オープンソースハードウェアとして開発された名刺サイズワンボード計測器「Red Pitaya」が、その性能・拡張性・コストパフォーマンスの面で"革新的なシングルボード"と評され、フロスト＆サリバン社の電子テスト・測定ツール部門の「2014 Global New Product Innovation Award」を受賞しました。

フロスト＆サリバン社は米カリフォルニア州にあるリサーチ＆コンサルティング企業です。特に顧客のビジネス成長加速にフォーカスした様々なリサーチとコンサルティングを強みとしています。同社の行った様々な独自リサーチの結果、世界中のテスト機器・計測器市場において、Red Pitayaが「成長性」「革新性」「リーダーシップ」の3つの点で最も優れた製品であるという評価を得ました。

2015年1月14日にサン・ディエゴで行われた第9回Annual Innovation in New Product development and Marketing Strategy Conferenceにて、フロスト＆サリバン社はこの様に述べていました。
「Red Pitayaは試験・測定業界に吹き込んだ新しい風と言えるでしょう。高性能・小型でありながら他の競合よりも低価格！しかもオープンソース開発を採用し、柔軟なカスタマイズも実現しています。まさに 2014 Global New Product Innovation Awardを受賞するに相応しい製品です。」

Red PitayaのCEO、Rok Mesar氏は以下の様に述べていました。
「2014年はRed Pitayaにとって特別な年でした。kickstarterでは私たちの予想を遥かに上回るご支援をいただき、各社の協力によって目標を上回る計装技術を搭載することが叶い、わずか6か月で世界中に3000以上ものユニットを出荷することができました。この賞は本当に一生の思い出に残るものです」

Red Pitayaは以下の商品ページから入手することができます。

商品ページへ

【この解説ページでは、独自のライブラリ作成とプリント基板レイアウト作成が可能な中級以上のユーザを対象にしています。ライブラリ作成やプリント基板レイアウトの作成についてはこちらをご覧ください】

このページでは、Designspark PCBで作成したプリント基板デザインをDesignspark PCBの3D表示に対応させる方法について解説します。ここでは、ローム降圧DC/DCコンバータ BD9C301FJの評価ボードのリファレンスデザインを例に3Dモデルを適用する手順をみていきます。まず、通常の手順でライブラリ作成とプリント基板レイアウトの作成を行ってください。

Height(高さ)プロパティの適用

まず、それぞれのパーツについて高さの情報を与える必要があります。この値は部品のデータシートに記載されている最大高さにするのが便利でしょう。なぜなら、このHeightプロパティの情報は、Designspark Mechanicalへのエクスポートにも利用され、筐体設計には最大高さが利用されることが多いからです。Heightプロパティは、プリント基板デザインの生成された部品のインスタンスに個別に適用することも可能ですが、あらかじめライブラリに適用しておいた方が簡単です。すでに、部品を配置してしまっている場合は、ライブラリのプロパティ値を変更後、コンポーネントのアップデートを行い、プリント基板デザインの方に適用するようにしてください。

Heightプロパティの設定にはライブラリ作成時に個別に割り当てをするよりもValueの一覧から、まとめて入力するの方が簡単ですので、その方法を説明します。ライブラリマネージャから、Componentsタブを選択します。一番下にあるValuesボタンを選択して、ライブラリのValue値一覧を表示させます。

一覧の右側にあるAddボタンを押して、Nameに"Height"と入力、Heightプロパティの行を作ります。各部品の高さ情報を入力したら、OKを押してウインドウを閉じます。高さのない部品は、値を入力する必要はありません。これで、高さ情報がライブラリに設定されました。すでにライブラリの部品を利用している場合は、基板デザインへのアップデートを忘れず行ってください。

3Dモデルを適用していない3D表示

高さ情報の適用された、この状態で3D表示させてみましょう。3D表示させるには、3Dメニューから、3D Viewを選択してください。

この状態では、次の画像のように高さ情報が適用された箱がたくさん作成されていると思います。また、高さプロパティに値がない場合は、一定の高さの箱になっています。スルーホールの穴には白いピンが接続されています。また、箱の外形はシルクの外形図を元に作成されていることが確認できます。これをきちんとした3D表示ができるように変えていきます。

3Dモデルの適用

それでは、本題の3Dモデルの適用方法に移っていきます。3Dモデルはライブラリに適用することもできますが、今回は部品のインスタンスに直接適用する方法について説明します。3Dモデルを適用したいモデルを選んで、右クリック、Properties...を選択してください。ここでは、メインICにSOICのパッケージを適用してみます。

プロパティ画面から、Addを選択します。

次のようなValueウインドウがでてきます。Nameに、3dpackage、ValueにSOIC*と入力してください。このValueの値にいれるパッケージの名前は、3Dのライブラリから利用できそうなものを選択します。ライブラリマネージャの3D VIewタブから一覧を確認することができます。Nameにはここにあるパッケージ名を入れます。また、自分でこのパッケージライブラリを作成することも可能ですが、今回は既存のものを利用します。

OKを押して、プロパティウインドウに戻ってください。適用を押して、その後ウインドウを閉じ、再び3D表示してみましょう。

このように3D表示すると、きちんとICのパッケージが基板上に表示されていると思います。

同様の手順でチップコンデンサに06*を、チップ抵抗にC040*を適用します。コイルには外形に基づいた黒い箱の生成できるSMD?を適用します。

続いて、ピンヘッダに3Dモデルを適用します。ピンヘッダは、正しく表示するためにHeightプロパティを調整する必要があります。まずそのまま、3MHDR*パッケージを適用してみます。このようにただの黒い箱になってしまいます。

そこで、Heightプロパティを2.5mmにしてみます。すると、ピンが現れました。このように、3MHDR*パッケージは最大高さを設定していると正しく表示されないことに注意してください。

次は、3Dパッケージを表示させたくない部品の設定方法です。Nameに3dpackage、Valueは空欄を設定します。端子台とテスト端子に適用します。すると、次のように、何も表示されず、シルクが見える状態になります。

3D表示の調整

これでプロパティの適用はすべて完了しました。ここではさらにリアルな基板のような表示を目指して表示の設定を変更します。

まず、3D表示画面の左にあるSettingsアイコンをクリックします。

緑のレジスト基板の場合、3D View SettingsウインドウのColorsタブのBoardをDark Green、CopperをForest Greenとすると本物に近い見た目となります。

また、Settingsタブでは、Board Thicknessを0.800mm、Layer Drawing Thicknessを0.001mm、Gap For Exploaded Viewを0.000mmとすると自然な見た目となります。

完成

これで、基板の3D表示ができるようになりました。3D表示をさせることでより基板の完成イメージを把握しやすくなります。

DesignSpark PCBをダウンロード

Designspark PCBはフル機能を商用利用を含め、完全無料でご利用いただける基板設計ソフトウェアです。多数のチュートリアル等を公開しております→Designspark PCBの使い方一覧

リファレンスデザインカタログでは回路図、基板レイアウト、ライブラリを含んだ多数のリファレンスデザインをご用意しております。

Using Janus and gStreamer to feed video straight into the browser.

WebRTC enables browser-based Real Time Communications (RTC) via simple APIs. It is royalty free and powerful. We can use Janus, a general purpose WebRTC gateway, to stream video from a Raspberry Pi directly to browsers, without having to install any extra software on client machines.

We will use a gStreamer pipeline to take the video output from a Raspberry Pi camera module and encode the video in H.264 format before passing it on to Janus.

Hardware used:

• Raspberry Pi 2
• USB Wifi adaptor
• 8GB micro SD card
• Raspberry Pi Camera

Initial Raspberry Pi setup

To begin with we will assume that:

• you are running the latest version of Raspbian (version 'January 2015' at time of writing).
• you have a Raspberry Pi camera module attached.
• the network is configured and you can SSH into the Pi.

First we will enable the Pi camera module:

• $ sudo raspi-config
• Choose 'Enable Camera' and press return
• Save and quit raspi-config

Testing the camera

Now that we have enabled the camera module we can test that it is working correctly using the command line tool raspistill.

$ raspistill -o test.jpg

This should have taken a photo. Type ls to see if test.jpg has appeared in your directory.

Copy this photo over to your local machine and open it with an image viewer. If it needs rotating you can use the options -vf and -hf for vertical and horizontal flipping when taking the photo. E.g:

$ raspistill -vf -hf -o test2.jpg

Once you are happy the camera is working and you know which extra options to use we can move on to getting the camera streaming video over the network.

Setting up Janus

It is worth taking a look at the Janus GitHub repository for some background information and to assist with installation.

First make sure your Apt cache is up to date:

$ sudo aptitude update

Next we need to install build dependencies as follows:

$ sudo aptitude install libmicrohttpd-dev libjansson-dev libnice-dev libssl-dev libsrtp-dev libsofia-sip-ua-dev libglib2.0-dev libopus-dev libogg-dev libini-config-dev libcollection-dev pkg-config gengetopt libtool automake dh-autoreconf

We will not be making use of Data Channels, WebSockets or RabbitMQ so we don't need to install the optional dependencies.

Next we can clone the repository onto the Pi, build and install:

$ git clone https://github.com/meetecho/janus-gateway.git

$ cd janus-gateway

$ sh autogen.sh

$ ./configure --disable-websockets --disable-data-channels --disable-rabbitmq --disable-docs --prefix=/opt/janus

$ make

$ sudo make install

Now run a comand to install default configuration files:

$ sudo make configs

Next modify /opt/janus/etc/janus/janus.plugin.streaming.cfg (we will use nano but you may use an editor of your choice):

$ sudo nano janus.plugin.streaming.cfg

Add the following lines (and comment out the other example streams by adding a semicolon before each line)

[gst-rpwc]

type = rtp

id = 1

description = RPWC H264 test streaming

audio = no

video = yes

videoport = 8004

videopt = 96

videortpmap = H264/90000

videofmtp = profile-level-id=42e028\;packetization-mode=1

Save and exit the editor.

Installing gStreamer and Nginx

gStreamer is a pipeline-based multimedia framework that we will use to encode the video for streaming. To install gstreamer:

$ sudo aptitude install gstreamer1.0

Nginx is a lightweight web server that we will use to serve the Janus demos, specifically the streaming example. To install this:

$ sudo aptitude install nginx

Now copy the Janus HTML content to the Nginx server root:

$ sudo cp -r /opt/janus/share/janus/demos/ /usr/share/nginx/www/

Now start Nginx:

$ sudo service nginx start

Streaming test

Now open two SSH shell sessions logged into the Pi. We will run one command in each shell.

In the first shell execute the following:

$ raspivid --verbose --nopreview -hf -vf --width 640 --height 480 --framerate 15 --bitrate 1000000 --profile baseline --timeout 0 -o - | gst-launch-1.0 -v fdsrc ! h264parse ! rtph264pay config-interval=1 pt=96 ! udpsink host=127.0.0.1 port=8004

This will take video from the camera, format it and pipe it into gStreamer to be H.264 encoded, before sending it on to Janus.

In the second shell navigate to /opt/janus/bin/ and execute:

$ ./janus -F /opt/janus/etc/janus/

This starts the Janus WebRTC gateway.

On a different computer connected to the same network, ensure you running a recent version of Firefox (we are using build 37). Enter the following into the address bar:

http://<IP_of_your_pi>/streamingtest.html

This will load the streaming demo that is bundled with Janus. Click the 'Start' button next to the heading, choose your stream and click 'Watch or Listen' to display the video stream from the Pi directly into your browser!

Enclosure build

To complete the hardware side of the project we made a simple enclosure for the Pi and Pi camera module that can be mounted on a tripod or CCTV camera mount. See the DesignShare project for more details, including the design files for laser cutting.

With thanks to Neil Stratford and Tobias Wolf for info useful in getting Janus working.

BUY A Pi2

Like a Chef, any respectable Design Engineer should have a basic set of essential ingredients in their tool box to help tackle problems or add a little zest to the recipe. Say hello to Bare Conductive's electronic paint.

What started out as a University Project idea by Matt Johnson and Co to print electronic circuits onto human skin, quickly evolved into an awesome tool that every Maker, Hacker and Design Engineer should have in their tool box.

The applications for Bare Conductive’s waterbased nontoxic electrically conductive paint are endless. It can be used to learn the basics of Electronics by using it to paint circuits, or at the other end of the scale, drawing in a missing or broken tracks on a PCB.

Here are some great examples of where it has been used.

Drawing and Printing Circuits

Electric paint can be used to draw or screen print low voltage circuits.  When drawing circuits, it’s a bit like painting a wire.  When it’s dry, it becomes conductive.  Screen printing also means that it’s great for creating applications like wearable tech.  Electric paint can be used on all kinds of surfaces and substrates including walls, glass, textiles, plastics and wood.

Cold Solder Components

There is not always a soldering iron to hand to make a quick repair of your broken tech, or add or repair a component on a prototype that you have created.  Some applications may also be sensitive to heat.  Electric paint is an effective conductive adhesive and is applied straight from a handy pen or tub, and is ideal for securing things like through hole components.

Repair a Circuit

When prototyping or making quick repairs, Electric Paint can be a great hack for connecting up a broken track or break in a circuit on a PCB or a piece strip-board.  Its adhesive properties also mean that it will make a lasting repair.

Capacitive Sensor and Potentiometer 

Bare Conductives electric paint has another great trick up its sleeve!  It makes a great capacitive sensor on almost any surface. 

Touch and proximity sensing can be achieved at a range of scales, it even works through some solid surfaces.

Touch Board

The Touch Board is a fantastic companion of electric paint.  Its Arduino compatible and turns almost any material or surface into a sensor.  It’s great for creating interactive applications including sound via its onboard MP3 player. 

The Technical stuff

Processing Graph & Equation

Typical 55 Ω/Sq @ 50 microns or 32 Ω/Sq surface resistivity when using a brush/manual screen printing. The below graph illustrates how resistance changes with line shape and a simple equation can be applied to roughly predict surface resistance:  Resistance = 19.77(length/width) + 12

Whether you are looking to create fun projects, make repairs or lash together prototypes, Bare Conductive's electric paint is a handy addition to anyone’s draw or toolbox.

More about Bare Conductive

BUY NOW

The Wearable Technology Show  takes place on 10-11 March 2015 at ExCeL in London and is the biggest event for wearables, augmented reality & IOT in the world and will include more than 100 technology innovators and 200 speakers.

^{Image credit Wearable Technology Show}

If you're a design engineer researching Wearble Tech and The Internet of Things, this is a great place to hang out, learn and get ideas. The conference programme has a variety different tracks, offering delegates a unique opportunity to hear from some of the leading experts in wearable technology, view the latest product demonstrations from around the world and network with the industry. Microsoft, Amazon, Samsung, Martian and Mclaren will present keynote addresses.

Performance Sports track: 

• Michael Platt, Director Strategic Products Group, Microsoft
• Duncan Bradley, Head of High Performance Design, Mclaren Applied Technologies
• Kip Fyfe, CEO, 4iiii
  

Connected Living track: 

• Stan Kinsey, President, Martian Watches
• Ashutosh Tomar, Principal Engineer, Jaguar Landrover Research 

Innovation & IoT track:

• Jorgen Nordin, Head of International Partner & Product Development, Jawbone
• Anastasia Emmanuel, Director, UK Technology and Design, Indiegogo
• Marco Della Torre, Co-Founder, VP (Product Science), Basis VP/Intel
• Steve Wainwright, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Freescale
• Justin Jungsup Lee, Wearable & Smartwatch Lead, LG Electronics
• Philip Oldham, Head of Marketing, Samsung

Augmented Reality track: 

• Gaia Dempsey, Co-Founder and VP- Marketing, DAQRI
• Ori Inbar, CEO and Co-Founder, AugementedReality.org
  

Product, Payments & Retail track: 

• Jamie Heywood, Director, Amazon 

Smart Textiles & Fashion track:

• Dominique Vicard, Primo1D
• Francesca Rosella & Ryan Genz, Cute Circuit 
  

Medical track: 

• Ariel Garten, Co-Founder and CEO, Muse/Interaxon
• Ian Olsen, Executive Director, Maxim Integrated Products

Enterprise & M2m track:

• Hakim Jaafar, Marketing Manager , STMicroelectronics
• David Smith, Product Marketing Engineer, Texas Instruments

The event will also hold a Wearable Technology Start-Up Competition, a dedicated Hackfest and The Wearables 2015, sponsored by IBM; the winners of which will be announced at the after show networking party on 10 March at the Fox Pub next to ExCeL. Last year Wearables winners included Reebok, Fleksy and Virgin Atlantic.

Registration for the Wearable Technology Show is open now at http://www.wearabletechnologyshow.net/register.  

Follow on Twitter @wearabletecshow #WTS15 

^{Image credit Wearable Technology Show}

Microchip Technology Inc. is an American manufacturer of microcontroller, memory and analog semiconductors. Its products include microcontrollers (PICmicro, dsPIC/PIC24, PIC32), Serial SRAM devices, radio frequency devices, thermal, power and battery management analog devices, as well as linear, interface and mixed signal devices. Headquarters in Chandler, Arizona. It provides low-risk product development, low total system cost. In this article, we will focus on its touch and input sensing solutions and related products.

 Microchip's award winning technology covers a broad range of implementations for touch and other input sensing applications. With the help of its techniques, engineers can have the freedom to innovate with an industry leading, robust, touch implementation on Microchip’s vast range of PIC microcontrollers. It can be divided into four aspects: proximity, keys and Sliders; touch screen and touch pad controllers; 3D tracking and gesturing; haptics.

Proximity, Keys and Sliders

Firstly, let’s look at the Proximity, keys, Sliders and their related products. Microchip offers both turnkey products for a no code development plug-and-play solution, as well as a proven robust firmware solution that leverage their PIC microcontroller portfolio.

1. Microchip mTouch^® solution

Microchip’s mTouch sensing solutions enable designers to easily design and integrate touch technologies into their applications.

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2. Products

• RightTouch Turnkey Solutions
• mTouch Firmware Solutions
• mTouch Proximity Solutions                                            

Product Details

Touch Screen and Touch Pad Controllers

Microchip’s offers a broad portfolio of touch solutions for resistive and projected capacitive applications that make it easy for designers to integrate touch-sensing interfaces. The touch technology is high flexibility, sophisticated and easy integration

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1. Resisitive Touch Screen Controller

• AR1011-I/SS: supports UART communication                                        Buy  Now

• AR1011-I/SO: 10 bit 140sps UART 4, 5, 8-Wire, 20-Pin SOIC                 Buy  Now      

2. Projected Capacitive Touch Controller

• MTCH6102-I/SS:Low-power projected capacitive touch controller Buy  Now

• MTCH6102-I/MV: Projected Cap. Touch Controller UQFN28              Buy  Now

3D Tracking and Gusturing

Microchip’s E-field sensing technology detects the proximity of a human hand and gives accurate X-Y-Z coordinates and recognized 3D gesture. Microchip's MGC3130 is the world’s first electrical near field (E-field) 3D Gesture Controller. Based on Microchip’s patented GestIC® technology, it enables to detect gestures of the user and to track a movement. Interaction with a devices becomes as simple and intuitive as a wave of the hand. With the MGC3xxx controller family Microchip offers a true single chip solution for gesture recognition, removing the need of host processing completely. There are many application now,  for example, it been used for controling volume of audio, switching light and you also can see it in PC/PC Peripheral 3D TouchPad.

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Haptics Technology

As designers increasingly look to touch sensing as the primary user interface, haptics provide feedback that enhances the design and usabilit. To give users mechanical feedback, Microchip offer turnkey products incorporating Immersion’s Technology including their Haptic Effects Libraries. Microchip's Haptic technology, or haptics, provides tactile feedback to the user by applying forces or vibrations. It can not only restore the mechanical feel, improve user experience, but also provide more realistic experience, reduce distraction and increase safety. Therefore, it is widely used in many areas, including appliances, industrial, automotive and gaming.

>>>>>READ MORE