Electrical/Electronic News

Water cools IBM’s latest supercomputer

Hydro-Cluster design points the way to zero-emissions future vision

IBM has introduced a new supercomputer powered by one of the world’s fastest microprocessors and cooled by an innovative water system.

The new Power 575 supercomputer, equipped with IBM’s latest POWER6 microprocessor, uses water-chilled copper plates located above each microprocessor to remove heat from the electronics.

IBM Research's Water Cooled Chips: Scientists at IBM's Zurich Research Lab are working on the future of water cooling, bringing cold water to the hottest part, directly on the chip itself, and then capturing the water at its hottest and piping it off the chip for re-use.

Requiring 80% fewer air conditioning units, the water-cooled Power 575 can reduce typical energy consumption used to cool the data center by 40%. IBM scientists estimate that water can be up to 4,000 times more effective in cooling computer systems than air.

With 448 processor cores per rack, the new Power 575 offers more than five times the performance of its predecessor, and thanks to advanced water cooling and POWER6 efficiencies, is three times more energy efficient per rack. Nicknamed “Hydro-Cluster,” the system supports very large clusters (hundreds of nodes) and enables extreme performance in dense packaging. A single rack features 14 2U nodes, each with 32 4.7-Ghz cores of POWER6, a stunning 3.5 TB of memory, and yet is more energy efficient than traditional air-cooled designs. At 600 GFlops per node, the Power 575 is three times more energy efficient in GFlops per kilowatt than the POWER5 generation of air-cooled processors.

"The new computer will enable Max Planck researchers to tackle new challenging scientific problems and solve single compute tasks five to 20 times faster than is possible on the current system, which was Germany's fastest supercomputer in 2002," says Dr. Hermann Lederer, head of Application Support at Garching Computing Center (RZG), Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching, Germany.

Looking to the future, IBM scientists at the company's Zurich Research Laboratory recently presented a pioneering concept of a “zero-emission” data center at CeBIT 2008. A new kind of water-cooling system embedded on a chip is the basis for this exciting innovation that captures the water at its hottest and pipes it off the chip for re-use in heating a building or for hot water.

The IBM Research team is working on the next steps: getting the water even closer to the chip — not with a copper plate, but actually inside the chip. Then, once captured there, the water can be routed out of the computer and pumped into the heating system for re-use.

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IBM

Electrical/Electronic Products

High-reliability resistors specified for military communications, radar systems

For military/aerospace design engineers who require high-reliability, MIL-qualified components for ultra-high voltage and resistance values, IRC provides a line of resistors with voltage ratings up to 20,000 V and resistance range from 330 K to 1 G. Designated as IRC's CMH Series, the thick-film resistors are qualified to MIL-PRF-49462.

The CMH Series resistors are specified for a variety of high-reliability applications including military communications, radar equipment, high-voltage power supplies, and medical electronics, as well as any high-voltage circuit requiring a high-reliability power resistor. The resistors feature maximum power ratings of 1/4 W to 5 W at 70°C, with working voltage ratings from 750 VDC to 20,000 VDC.

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TT Electronics

Multi-beam array sensor

Contrinex has developed a unique multiple beam, diffuse, flat fiber-optic array sensor to solve the problem of capturing, counting, and controlling small components produced by modern, high-performance manufacturing machinery.

High exit speeds of parts from production machinery can make product position vary greatly and component count extremely difficult. The new Contrinex LFP-1011-020 flat fiber-optic array sensor, specifically designed for this type of application, has a beam spread of 28 mm that will detect objects in any position across the broad area of light transmission.

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Contrinex

New temperature probe for harsh environments

The Temperature Product Group of Measurement Specialties, created by the combination of BetaTHERM Sensors, and formerly YSI Temperature, offers a temperature probe ideal for harsh conditions. When temperature sensors are used in low-temperature, free-thaw, or water-immersion applications, the insulation characteristics of the temperature sensor are of huge importance. When exposed to such environments, any moisture ingress affects the electrical behavior of the sensor — and as a result affects the accuracy and reliability of its performance.

BetaTHERM's Overmolded Thermistor Probe has been developed as a solution for a wide range of demanding HVAC and refrigeration applications. These include evaporator coil and industrial case refrigeration, under-floor heating systems, climate control systems, swimming pools, sauna, and oceanographic equipment. Based on NTC thermistor technology, the overmolded probe has been tested under extreme conditions to 20,000 freeze-thaw thermal cycles.

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Measurement Specialties

LED controller drives industrial lighting innovation

Texas Instruments introduces a 4.5-V to 52-V wide-input voltage, non-synchronous boost controller intended for applications where the output is a regulated current instead of a regulated voltage. The new TPS40211 allows designers to efficiently manage LED lighting, industrial control, and battery-powered systems.

The TPS40211 efficiently drives high-power LEDs when the input voltage is less than the voltage to turn on the LEDs. The LED driver is designed to power multiple 1-W to 5-W high-brightness LEDs in a series, and features a programmable closed soft start, over-current protection with automatic retry, and a programmable oscillator frequency. The device’s fixed frequency current mode control provides improved transient response and simplified loop compensation.

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Texas Instruments

Subminiature snap-action switch has longest overtravel

Crouzet North America, a division of Custom Sensors & Technologies (CST), has introduced the new V5 Sealed (V5S) snap-action switch in response to market demand for increased miniaturization in switch-readiness indication. The device’s innovative design incorporates the longest available overtravel on the market, subminiature size, customized mounting options, and cost-effective pricing in an IP67 fully sealed package. The V5S is targeted for passenger car, valve operation, medical, RV dish network alignment positioning, and other industrial applications.

The V5S single-break, changeover switch features 2 mm of plunger overtravel versus the typical 1.2-mm overtravel in competitive models, offering design engineers expanded tolerance flexibility and simplified subassembly design integration. High-performance versatility is provided with its ability to actuate in multi-directional angles up to 45°.

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Crouzet

High-temperature preamplifier operating to 120°C

The Automotive Sensors division of PCB Piezotronics has announced the release of a new high-temperature preamplifier, designed to overcome high-temperature testing challenges associated with NVH powertrain and vehicle underhood testing applications, and to broaden options for NVH test engineers collecting acoustic data in high-temperature areas.

Automotive engineers routinely perform NVH tests in areas around the powertrain, where elevated operating temperatures can present major measurement challenges. In the past, test engineers were limited by preamplifiers offering operating temperature ranges to 70°. Model HT426E01 is a 1/2-in. preamplifier operating from ICP sensor power, terminating with a BNC connector and utilizing standard coaxial cables.

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PCB Piezotronics

Limit switch adapter allows plug-and-play installation

Honeywell introduces an adapter for limit switches with 20-mm thread conduit openings. When purchased as a pre-installed accessory on a Honeywell MICRO SWITCH limit switch, this patent-pending adapter is ready to mount and plug into a Deutsch DT4 mating connector.

Typical installation time for limit switches includes as much as three minutes to wire a standard-type switch. The plug-and-play adapter may realize cost savings in reducing installation time, minimizing down time for switch replacement, or by eliminating additional parts normally associated with the assembly of a pigtail connector.

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Honeywell

New Twisted Pair IDC cable

Samtec has introduced its new Twisted Pair IDC Cable Assemblies that provide up to 2.5 times the performance of traditional IDC Flat cable. The differentially routed assemblies employ 32 AWG 7/40 Tinned, Twisted Pair cable with PVC insulation, and Samtec’s high-quality, multi-finger .05-in. (1.27-mm) pitch Tiger IDC contact system. This is ideal for high-reliability and high-mating cycle applications.

The female assembly (FFTP Series) is double-ended with standard notch polarization and mates with Samtec’s standard .05-in. (1.27-mm) Micro, Shrouded, and Ejector Headers. The male assembly (FMTP Series) is available double-ended or with a transfer end (socket has notch polarization) and mates with Samtec’s standard .05-in. (1.27-mm) Low Profile and Micro Socket Strips.

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Samtec

Encapsulated thermostat for damp environments

Selco Products Company has introduced the new T60 Encapsulated Thermostat for manufacturers requiring a highly reliable thermostat in wet or damp environments. Featuring an all-plastic sealed housing that eliminates corrosion and prevents water damage, the T60 offers users a smaller package, lower cost, and longer life than competitive models. Suitable applications for the T60 temperature controller include refrigeration defrost control, heat pumps, and HVAC applications.

Selco’s T60 is an automatic reset thermostat featuring a factory calibrated fixed bi-metal disc mounted adjacent to the monitored surface. It provides a rapid response to temperature changes and is built to open or close on rise at the desired set point. The T60 quickly adapts to 5/16-in. or 3/8-in. tubing with or without clip. A clip can be provided to hold the sensing element firmly against the surface. Its compact size allows placement into applications with tight space restrictions.

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Selco

Lighted and vandal-resistant push-button switch

The MPI002 Series of lighted and vandal-resistant push-button switches from Bravo Electro Components is manufactured of stainless steel and designed with a high resistance to wear and tear, corrosion, and harsh use in potentially hostile environments such as access control applications.

These push-button switches feature an illuminated ring of LED light available in red, green, amber, blue, and white. Standard features include: 22-mm diameter, bright LEDs for daylight viewing, separate terminals for LED power, dielectric strength up to 2 kV (contact to panel), seals rated to IP66/EN60952 standards, gold-plated contacts, and reliability rated for 35,000 electrical/750,000 mechanical contacts (minimum).

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Bravo Electro Components

Humidity and temperature transmitter

The HTZ Smart HART Humidity and Temperature Transmitter from Moore Industries simultaneously measures temperature and humidity in processes that require extremely close monitoring. This includes clean rooms, assembly areas, and storage facilities in the pharmaceutical, semiconductor, food processing, biotechnology, and similar industries.

HART communications, an industry first for a humidity transmitter, allows the unit to be programmed or queried from any point along one of the transmitter’s dual 4-20-mA loops. Accuracy of the relative humidity measurements is up to ±0.75% RH, the temperature measurements is up to ±0.036°C, and the dewpoint calculation is within ±0.5°C.

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Moore Industries

Fault-tolerant industrial Ethernet I/O

EtherTRAK-2 is a reliable, redundant Ethernet-based I/O system for the automation industry. Features include Web-based I/O configuration and monitoring, self-calibrating analog I/O, the ability to store project documentation in a quick-access Web server, and OEM-customizable components and labeling.

EtherTRAK-2 has dual Ethernet ports, RS483, and USB. Each port has MAC and IP addresses, allowing two module connections to independent networks. A real-time ring switch passes Ethernet traffic between the two ports, permitting you to daisy chain without external switches. Connecting the last device back to the first forms a real-time ring, creating redundant Ethernet reliability.

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SIXNET

Battery charger for handheld barcode imagers

Pepperl+Fuchs introduces the ODZ-MAH-CHARGER, a battery charger designed specifically for use with GRIP2 and GRIP3 model barcode reader handles. The charger is easily mounted to a wall or countertop, provides LED indication of the battery charge status, and is available with an optional Bluetooth modem.

This battery charger has a footprint of 9.125 in. x 3.4 in. x 2 in. and weighs just 4.8 oz. It provides a charge time of approximately 3 hr for barcode readers using GRIP2 handles, and 6 hr for barcode readers using GRIP 3 handles. A 5-VDC power supply is included.

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Pepperl+Fuchs

Subminiature through-hole switches

C&K Components has developed new versions of sealed through-hole subminiature tact switches. Designated the KSA family, the tact switches consist of the KSA, KSL, KSB, KSI, KSFI, KSJ, and KSD devices. The switches are available in a variety of configurations, including vertical and right-angle mounting, top or side actuated, and with a soft or hard actuator. The sealed KSA tact switches can be configured for harsh environment applications and can be adapted for different PC board thicknesses.

Ideal for automotive, consumer electronics, industrial, and telecom networking applications, the RoHS-compliant tact switches have a life expectancy up to 1,000,000 operations and feature an actuation force from 1.5 N to 5 N, including detect version with silver and gold coatings. The KSA family of switches meets ISO9001/14001 and TS16949 standards.

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C&K Components

Bolt-on temp sensors designed for easy installation

Athena Controls is now offering new bolt-on temperature sensors for industrial and commercial temperature sensing applications. Designed for quick and easy installation, the sensors are available in a wide temperature range and can be mounted on machines, against process pipes, or embedded directly into a machined part. The threaded fasteners install in seconds and can be easily removed for installation at another location.

Standard 100-, 200-, 500-, and 1,000-Ω platinum elements provide stable and reliable output compatible with most control and monitoring systems, and the sensors’ physically interchangeable designs allow the user to easily customize their installation to different instrumentation.

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Athena Controls

Adding digital audio to embedded designs made easy

Design engineers, students, and teachers are always looking for ways to quickly and inexpensively evaluate semiconductor architectures and high-speed applications, such as DSCs and digital audio. This MPLAB Starter Kit’s high-performance integrated debugger/programmer makes entering the world of digital audio singularly simple. Packaged with Microchip’s world-class tools — the MPLAB IDE, MPLAB C30 Student Edition C compiler, and hardware debugging and programming solutions — this new kit contains everything needed for dsPIC DSC code development at the lowest possible cost.

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Microchip Technology

Smart Network three-channel IEPE interface module

VIP SENSORS introduces the Model 6006, a three-channel IEPE interface module with a fully digital communication interface. All electronics for analog signal conditioning, analog-to-digital conversion, digital signal processing, and RS-485 network communications are incorporated into the module enclosure. The gain and offset, filter corner frequencies, and sample rates for the accelerometer are all programmable. The module provides data in engineering units, performs self-testing functions of its electronics, and stores TEDS (transducer electronic data sheet) information for complete identification of each sensor connected to the network.

The Smart Network is a multi-drop transducer communication bus with a high data throughput that supports high-frequency measurements and a high level of synchronization for all channels connected to the network. A Smart Network controller card and PC software are used to communicate with all module channels connected to the network, for sending commands to each module, and receiving and storing sensor data.

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VIP Sensors

New keyboard backlight requires less power, fewer LEDs

Global Lighting Technologies has introduced a new, thinner, LED-based backlight for use with desktop or notebook PC keyboards that provides excellent brightness and uniformity, along with the opportunity to utilize fewer LEDs, reducing the cost of the backlight.

The backlight design utilizes the company’s patented MicroLens light extraction technology and optical engineering expertise to extract more light from the backlight through to the keyboard, increasing brightness while spreading the light more uniformly. GLT selectively illuminates only those areas where light is required, increasing the light output — and brightness — at the precise points where needed.

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Global Lighting Technologies

Titanium-clad copper electrodes carry high current in corrosive processes

Metallurgically bonded titanium-clad copper electrodes for chemical processing, electroplating, metal finishing, and metal recovery applications are available from Anomet Products.

Anomet Titanium Clad Copper Electrodes feature a large OFHC copper core to provide uniform current distribution and a metallurgically bonded titanium cladding for optimum corrosion resistance. Ideal for applications requiring high current-carrying capacities in extremely corrosive processes, they can withstand extreme thermal cycling and are ductile for shaping and forming.

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Anomet Products