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 December 2010, Vol 2 Issue 7 |
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SENSING - SWITCHING - POWER
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X Tronics brings you the latest products and their applications, new product launches, upcoming events, and important updates. For more information on X Tronics and the manufacturers we represent, please visit www.xtronics.ca
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Happy Holidays!
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| Electronic Compassing Solutions | |
Honeywell offers high accuracy compassing solutions for personal, vehicle, aircraft, and marine navigation. Honeywell has extensive experience in fabricating magneto-resistive sensors allowing them to develop electronic compass modules that are suited to ground, air, and water dead reckoning.
The earth's magnetic field is about 0.6 gauss in an open-air environment, and has a direction from the magnetic south pole to the magnetic north pole. This pointing to the north pole is the basis for magnetic compassing. At the equator, the magnetic field direction is entirely a horizontal vector, but as you compass further into the northern or southern hemispheres the magnetic field will point partially downwards (northern hemisphere) or upwards (southern hemisphere). This angle down or up at the earth's surface is called the inclination (dip) angle.
Two-axis magnetic compasses measure the horizontal vector components of the earth's magnetic field using two sensor elements in the horizontal plane but orthogonal to each other. Called the X and Y-axis sensors, each sensor on an electronic compass assembly measures the magnetic field in its sensitive axis and the arc tangent Y/X provides the heading of the compass with respect to the X-axis. A two-axis compass can remain accurate as long as the sensors remain horizontal, or orthogonal to the gravitational (downward) vector. In moving platform applications, two axis compasses are mechanically "gimballed" to remain flat and accurate.
Three-axis magnetic compasses contain magnetic sensors in all three orthogonal vectors of an electronic compass assembly to capture the horizontal and vertical components of the earth's magnetic field. To electronically gimbal the compass, the three magnetic sensors are complemented by a tilt-sensing element to measure the gravitational direction. The tilt sensor provides two-axis measurement of compass assembly tilt, known as pitch and roll axis. The five axes' of sensor inputs are combined to create a "tilt-compensated" version of the X and Y-axis magnetic vectors, and then computed into a tilt-compensated heading.
Click HERE for more information.
http://www.ssec.honeywell.com/
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Sensing Solutions for Photovoltaic Solar Arrays
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Solar trackers maximize the efficiency of photovoltaic solar arrays by continually moving them throughout the day to follow the sun. Pepperl+Fuchs offers a broad spectrum of sensing solutions tailored to suit the many different solar tracker designs in use today. Versatile inductive proximity sensors can be used to provide positioning feedback, end-of-travel limits and confirmation of "night time" or "storm safe" positions. They're available with extended temperature ranges and IP68/IP69K ratings specifically for outdoor applications. Inclination sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs are ideal for monitoring the elevation ("tilt") angle of horizontal single-axis trackers and dual-axis trackers. With accuracy of 0.5 degrees and IP68/IP69K ratings, these gravity-referenced devices offer 0-5 volt or 4-20mA analog outputs and programmable setpoint options. Rotary encoders can be used for rotational position feedback for any moving axis, thus can be found on trackers of practically any conceivable design, either single or dual-axis. Absolute rotary encoder models provide reliable, accurate position information, even through power loss. Pepperl+Fuchs' new magnetic encoders and inductive position coding systems deliver accurate position feedback using totally sealed, non-contact technology for reliable, long service life in the harshest application environments.
Proven performance, industry commitment
- Pepperl+Fuchs has a proven record of delivering reliable industrial sensors to the solar power industry worldwide.
- Offering the best product at the best price with the best service and support in the world.
- All Pepperl+Fuchs products are produced according to ISO9001, carry international certifications, and include a lifetime warranty.
- Worldwide manufacturing locations, selected for their expertise and outstanding business practices, ensure the highest quality to meet global standards.
Click HERE for more information.
http://www.pepperl-fuchs.us/cps/rde/xchg/usa/hs.xsl/index.htm
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High-Precision Gravity Referenced Inclinometer
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Sherborne Sensors high precision LSO series Rugged Servo inclinometers are designed to measure horizontal and vertical angular inclination with virtually infinite resolution.
These inclinometers provide reliable, highly accurate, tilt and inclination measurements and are used in demanding military and industrial applications where high precision angular measurements are essential.
Features
- Available ranges from ±1° to ±90°
- Resolution to 0.1 arc second (0.00003 degrees)
- High level ±5 VDC output proportional to sine of the angle of tilt
- Electrical terminations via six-way connector (LSOC) or solder pins (LSOP)
- Fully self-contained and able to connect to a DC power source and readout or control device, to form a complete tilt measurement system
- Environmentally sealed to IP65
- Continuous operation in temperatures of -18 to +70°C (-0.4 to +158°F)
- Extremely rugged, 1500g shock survivability
- Optional mating connectors and display indicator
- Custom design and manufacturing capabilities
Applications
- Bore-hole mapping, dam and rock shifts, and other geophysical, seismic and civil engineering studies
- Ballast transfer systems for offshore barges, ships and other marine applications
- Level control and calibration systems
- Pipeline levelling, setting tilt
Click HERE for more information.
http://www.sherbornesensors.com/
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NEW! Honeywell 3 Axis Compass IC
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Honeywell is pleased to announce our Honeywell's newest 3-axis Compass IC, the HMC5883L. The HMC5883L is a magnetic sensor in a 3.0x3.0x0.9 mm surface-mount 16-pin leadless chip carrier (LCC) that includes Honeywell's state-of-the-art, high-resolution magneto-resistive sensors with automatic degaussing (demagnetizing) strap drivers, offset cancellation and a 12-bit ADC for high resolution earth field sensing.
Utilizing Honeywell's anisotropic magneto - resistive (AMR) technology, the solid-state HMC5883L features advanced precision in-axis sensitivity and linearity and is designed to measure both the direction and the magnitude of Earth's magnetic fields. Applications for the HMC5883L include Mobile Phones, Netbooks, Consumer Electronics, Auto Navigation Systems, and Personal Navigation Devices.
Key product features include:
- 12-bit ADC coupled with low-noise AMR sensors achieves 2-milli gauss resolution in ±8 gauss fields
- Allows for 1 to 2 degree compass heading accuracy.
- Built-in self-test - optional feature built into the internal ASIC that can be used to:
- Quickly verify sensor's full functionality without requiring expensive test equipment
- Sensitivity matching from different axes/sensors
- Adjust sensitivity drift due to temperature
- Low-voltage operations (2.16 to 3.6V) and low-power consumption (100 μA)
- Compatible for battery powered applications.
- Built-in strap drive circuits
- Provides demagnetization of the sensor for each and every measurement, as well as offset compensation for consistent measurement accuracies up to 1 to 2 degrees, and reduced need for recalibration.
- I2C digital interface
- Popular two-wire serial data interface for consumer electronics.
- Wide magnetic field range (+/-8 Oe)
- Sensors can be used in strong magnetic field environments with a 1 to 2 degree compass heading accuracy.
- Software and Algorithm Support
- Heading, hard iron, soft iron, and auto calibration libraries are available.
- Fast 160 Hz Maximum Output Rate
- Ideal for pedestrian navigation and LBS applications.
Click HERE for more information.
http://www.ssec.honeywell.com/
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NEW! Sealed Thermostats from Senasys
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This patented thermostat package provides a high performance, low cost thermostat suitable for extreme environments.
 
The units are sealed to provide a long life in harsh environments. Carrying up to 15 Amps at 120VAC allows for use in a large number of applications (-21 to 220ºF/ -29 to 105ºC). Sealed thermostats meet MIL-STD-202 specification for humidity, moisture resistance, salt spray, freeze and thaw, and shock and vibration.
Click HERE for more information.
http://www.senasys.com/
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NEW! Lower profile PTO switch from Elobau
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Elobau Sensor Technology Inc. introduces its 151PTO push button for vehicle applications. This new PTO is based on Reed switch technology and has a lower profile then existing PTO push buttons. It is designed to be incorporated in commercial vehicle applications.  The 151PTO is lighted, which enables "day and night" functions as required by many vehicle applications. The 151PTO has a symbol plate at the front of its housing, and can be customized to accommodate specific symbols. The switch mechanism features reliable non-contact Reed switch technology utilizing moving magnet along a Reed element, located in the push-button housing.
The switching power is 10W/VA under 48V maximum switching voltage, with a maximum switching current of 0.3 Amps. The electrical connection is through 5 wires, with a standard Molex plug. The non-contact switch design ensures a longer service life, guaranteed to
4 million switching operations. The 151PTO push-button operates in a range from -40ºC to +85ºC (-13ºF to +175ºF). The robust rubber boot provides an IP67 protection class above the mounting panel. The push button is tested to DIN IEC 68 Part 2, and materials used have a high chemical resistance. Click HERE for more information.
www.elobau.com
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NEW! Toggle Switch for Military Applications
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 The 12000X778 toggle switch by APEM is one of the best toggle switches available on the market. This toggle switch is designed for high-rel applications and is QPL certified to MIL-DTL-83731 and MIL-DTL-3950. This switch features a double shell case for superior mechanical strength, a pinned lever to ensure a strong electrical ground to the bushing and gold plated - solid silver alloy rivet contacts for reliable performance. Available with both solder lug and pc terminals, all models feature a 15/32" mounting bushing and a low profile body; perfect when space behind-the-panel is limited.
Click HERE for more information.
www.apem.com
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Sherborne Electronic Inclinometer
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The Accustar® Electronic Inclinometer from Sherborne is an extremely accurate angle measurement device. This compact and rugged sensor is ideal where space is critical and environmental conditions are serious design concerns.
The heart of the system is a patented, capacitance based sensor without any moving parts. When rotated about its sensitive axis, this unique sensor provides a linear variation in capacitance, which is electronically converted into angular data. The sensor and low-power CMOS electronics are encased in a rugged plastic housing. Designed for easy integration, with a choice of analog, ratiometric, digital or serial models, the Inclinometer produces an output signal corresponding to direction and magnitude of angular displacement. The Accustar® Electronic Inclinometer complies with International EMC and EMI Standards and is CE approved.
Click HERE for more information.
http://www.sherbornesensors.com/
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X Tronics News!
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X Tronics Joins forces with
Sherborne Sensors
We are pleased to announce the partnership between X Tronics and Sherborne Sensors. X Tronics will represent the complete line of Sherborne Sensors' inclinometers, accelerometers, force transducers and associated products throughout Canada.
The addition of High Precision accelerometers, inclinometers, and force transducers addresses a need in the Canadian marketplace we've been looking to fill for several years. We expect Sherborne Sensors' products to complete X Tronics' product offering when it comes to Inertial, Inclination and Force sensing applications.
X Tronics provides an extensive offering of sensors and complimentary products, as well as a highly seasoned group of Technical Support and Sales staff to assist customers during the sensor selection process.
http://www.sherbornesensors.com/
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