Minimalist Temperature Control Demo

This application note from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. shows an example of a 1-Wire® HVAC-style thermostat with a ready-to-use printed circuit board populated with a 1-Wire temperature sensor. This Minimalist Temperature Control Demo is a closed-loop, 1-Wire MicroLAN control system consisting of a PCB, a cable with two RJ-11 connectors and a disk with software. Featuring direct-to-digital, direct-to-PC instrumentation with graphical user interface, ready-to-use temperature control demonstration and minimalist sensor chips with 1-Wire line-powered MicroLAN ™ networking technique, this demonstration also includes self-configuring TMEX-based software, a DS1820 1-Wire Thermometer and DS2407 Addressable Switch as a Sensor/Actuator. Read the entire application.

Homeland Security Water Protection Partnership Developed

Sandia National Laboratories, in conjunction with CH2M Hill and Tenix Investments Pty. Ltd., developed an unattended water safety system that detects currently unmonitored biological agents including bacteria, viruses and protozoa. While current real-time, remote water quality monitoring is limited to detecting parameters such as turbidity or pH, this microfluidics-based detection technology offers a safer water system. Initial deployment is expected later this year. Click here to read more.

SPONSORSHIP AREA
4 sponsorships per newsletter

Sponsorship Includes:

  One Product Image: dimensions ~100 x 100 pixels (file size no larger than 8 KB)
  50 words of text, including bold heading.
  Two trackable links:
    — 1 link must go to a detailed product page on either the sponsor company's Web site or the GlobalSpec Web site
    — the second link is to go to either the sponsor company's homepage or their Company Profile page on the GlobalSpec Web site.
  Link on product image will go to the detailed product page.

Examples shown below.

Concord Electronics Corporation

PC Mount Screw Terminals

Concord Electronics now has easy to mount, low cost alternatives to terminal strips, screw type edge connectors and barrier blocks. Accepts solid or stranded wire, lugs and crimp type terminals. Horizontal or vertical mounting, heavy duty & low profiles available with screw (unassembled or installed and captivated).

Ocean Optics, Inc.

Reliable Spectrometer Wavelength Calibration

The Ocean Optics HG-1 is a handheld low-power, drift-free mercury argon source that enables users to perform fast, reliable wavelength calibrations of diode-array spectrophotometers and post-dispersive monochromators. Available for just $399, the HG-1 produces fixed, low-pressure mercury and argon atomic emission lines from 253-1700 nm.

Measurement Computing

Measurement Computing presents the PMD-Temp

The USB-based PMD-Temp provides 8 temperature inputs, supports all of the common temperature sensors — RTDs, Thermocouples, Thermistors, and Semiconductor temperature sensors and provides 8 DIO bits, all for just $499. Device accuracy exceeds the temperature sensors accuracy, so the PMD-Temp records the most accurate data possible. Shipments start late March. Read more

Sypris Test & Measurement

Sypris Test & Measurement is a value-added supplier of test and calibration services to Defense Contractors, Government Agencies, Automotive industries, Telecom manufacturers, and Medical and Commercial market sectors. We provide:

Thermal Test Engineer

Want to evaluate thermal management technologies for the next generation of servers? How about having a strong desire to conduct experiments to characterize thermal performance of IC packages, heat sinks, air movers and server systems? If you have at least three years experience in thermal/mechanical engineering and want to work in San Diego for $26.45 an hour, click here.

Electro-Optical Engineer

Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvalle, CA is looking for a team member of electro-optical, software, and test engineers to integrate, test and operate a state-of-the-art test facility for ground, airborne and space sensors and systems. You’ll be designing gas and solid-state lasers, masers, infrared and other light emitting and light-sensitive devices. If you have a BS and two years of experience or a MS with no experience, you just might qualify for this position. Click here.

Dr N.G. Knear:

Several engineering positions within my company were recently outsourced to another country. I’m afraid my job may be next. I like my job and this company and really don’t want to leave. Any suggestions on how I can keep my job and get promoted within the company?

Desperate to Stay Put

Dear Desperate,

Needless to say, you would be wise to update your resume, stat! In today’s global economy, no job is secure. I’m not saying you should start job hunting in earnest, but having a current resume listing all your responsibilities at this company may help you show management just how vital you are to the organization. In addition, trying to prepare a resume in the heat of a layoff or firing only adds to the stress level. First off, note any new job functions, list latest accomplishments and keep a running record of new skills you have acquired. Make a date in your PDA to check it out every quarter, especially as you take on new responsibilities. As for the office, start dressing more professionally. Finally, don’t be shy! Make sure your bosses (and their bosses!) know how much they depend on you. Good luck!

Roller Coaster Physics

Need a refresher on physics, but looking to have some fun at the same time? How do physics affect the design of a roller coaster? What kind of wheels are used and what about friction? Design your own roller coaster online at either of the following sites:
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/coaster.html
http://www.funderstanding.com/k12/coaster/

Get Medieval!

Trebuchets have been used in more recent times to pitch a piano a 100 yards in a famous episode of Northern Exposure, or compete in pumpkin throwing contests in Morton, IL. (This year's winner went 1,860 feet!) But now you can build your own online trebuchet and pit your skills against others at:
http://www.globalspec.com/trebuchet

A Moment in Engineering History

March 14, 1879 marks the birthday of Albert Einstein in Ulm, Germany. Space and time would never again be the same with his theory of relativity. The quantum and photo-electric effect was "discovered" as was the atom. And, thanks to Einstein, mass was recognized as a form of energy (E = mc?). 2005 marks the centennial of his theory on the quantum of light and the photo-electric effect.

For more on Einstein click here.

Sony Investing in Producing Computer Chips

Sony plans to invest more than $575 million in the next two years to boost production for LCD driver chips. In addition, the company is investing another $480 million to make image sensor chips and charge-coupled devices used in digital cameras.

Read the full story.

Visit GlobalSpec at the 2005 EDS Show, Booth #4305

2005 Electronic Distribution Show and Conference, May 3-5, 2005, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas. Email Sales for more details.

Rebuild and Retrofit

Pratt and Whitney offers rebuilt and retrofit programs to update obsolete instruments to either a digital or laser configuration. All components are evaluated and replaced as required or remanufactured to a new condition.

Download a pdf file about the program.

SPONSORSHIP AREA
4 sponsorships per newsletter

Sponsorship Includes:

  One Product or Logo Image: dimensions ~100 x 100 pixels (file size no larger than 8 KB)
  50 words of text, including bold heading.
  Two trackable links:
    — 1 link must go to a detailed product page on either the sponsor company's Web site or the GlobalSpec Web site
    — the second link is to go to either the sponsor company's homepage or their Company Profile page on the GlobalSpec Web site.
  Link on product image will go to the detailed product page.

Examples shown below.

Amtech Electrocircuits

24 Hour Printed Circuit Board Assembly Services

Amtech possesses the knowledge and capabilities to provide a quick, cost-effective and quality solution to all Printed Circuit Board requirements. They are dynamic enough to assemble boards with technologies from Trough Hole to BGA and from PROTOTYPE, LOW, and TO HIGH VOLUMES.

Interconnect Devices

Product Connectors for High-Stress Environments

Synergetix custom interconnect solutions are ideal for applications where absolute reliability is required, like medical, military and aerospace. They are vibration resistant, compact, durable and provide extremely long life and consistent resistance. Using the spring probe technology of our sister company, IDI, they outperform bent metal and other conventional connectors.

Narda East

Narda's New SRM-3000

Narda's new SRM-3000 is capable of decoding GSM and UMTS control channel information, allowing accurate power density measurements. The SRM-3000 is the only system that can measure each emitter separately in a multiple emitter area. It reads important information allowing engineers to know exactly what the measured fields are in relation to percentage the site is operating at.

Spectron Glass and Electronics Inc.

Spectron Continues Tradition of Excellence!

Spectron has been the leading supplier of Electrolytic Tilt Sensors and Inclinometers for over 50 years, serving industrial, military and construction applications. The tradition of quality and design excellence continues with the SPECTROTILT RS232 Electronic Inclinometer, making high accuracy/low cost tilt measurements a reality.

What do you sense?  Check out the latest sensing and measurement instruments and flow sensing equipment. Plus new diodes on the horizon. 

Are you up to the Ultimate Engineer Challenge?  See how you rank with your peers!

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