SODA in Data Acquisition

http://dsonline.computer.org/portal/site/dsonline/menuitem.9ed3d9924aeb0dcd82ccc6716bbe36ec/index.jsp?&pName=dso_level1&path=dsonline/2006/09&file=b3sta.xml&xsl=article.xsl&

Process Software Market Report

http://www.controlglobal.com/multimedia/2008/032.html

An Alarming Trend

http://www.connectingindustry.com/story.asp?sectioncode=669&storycode=185897

Ethernet Acquisition

http://www.automation.com/content/uei-releases-guardian-32-channel-digital-output-boards

Avoid USB Measurement Traps

http://www.designnews.com/article/46574-USB_Data_Acquisition_Wrap_Up.php

ADC Encoding Efficiency

http://www.commsdesign.com/design_corner/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208403785

Design Idea: DIY DAQ

http://www.edn.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA6571002

Serial Samplers Shine

http://www.industrialcontroldesignline.com/howto/208801511

Only the Strong Survive

http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/par/par285.html

Taking the Long View

http://www.adass.org/

 

But What Does the Print-Head Do?



The first rule in test is to understand the purpose of the product. You must assess its performance under normal and likely adverse conditions, and the consequences of failure. This examination covers the chip that controls an ink-jet printer head. It clearly demonstrates that some of required conditions are not initially obvious.

http://www.solid-state.com/display_article/337683/5/none/none/CHIPF/HP-optimizes-low-cost-processing-for-inkjet-printheads

Computing at the Speed of Light

Today's integrated circuits control electricity, but tomorrow's ICs will offer a quantum performance leap by manipulating light. IBM took a major step towards light speed computing by integrating and controlling an electrically-driven Nanoscale light emitter based on a single carbon Nanotube. EDN says IBM researchers hit a milestone in the potential development of Nanotube-based Nano-photonic devices. IBM scientists furthered the development of carbon Nanotube transistor devices by controlling the light emission and by manipulating and directing light from a single carbon Nanotube. IBM believes that this work demonstrates an unprecedented level of control over electrically-driven light Nano-emitters.

http://www.edn.com/article/CA6589995.html?industryid=47037

Ethernet Pointers from an Industrial Pro



There isn't a lot of published technical information about the ins and outs of industrial Ethernet, so talking with a "pro" can be useful. Michael Roche gives some tips on what to expect, and what to look out for, when installing Ethernet to connect programmable controllers with I/O systems.

http://www.controleng.com/article/CA6584903.html

Quo Vadis, Wireless HART?

Already more than 24 million HART pressure and temperature transmitters are installed in the process automation industries worldwide, and these could be upgraded to wireless HART by adding a simple adapter. It may be a stroke of good fortune for the aging infrastructure in many plant communication systems.

http://www.processindustryinformer.com/issues/JunJul08/Wireless_Technology.pdf

Four Machine Controllers on a Single Platform

The main thrust of industrial automation these days is integration — on a grand scale. As time goes on, end-users favor less and less the idea of having to buy separate pieces of equipment and then put them together and coordinate their activities. Why don't the controller manufacturers have the capacity to do that? Mitsubishi Electric has responded to this need with the launch of its new iQ programmable controller platform. One PLC brings it all together: logic control, computer numerical control (CNC), motion control, and robot control. And connecting all the distributed elements is a blazing-fast, Gigabit Ethernet communications bus.

http://www.controlengeurope.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=18235

Custom and OEM High-performance
Digital Cameras

As an industry specialist in custom/OEM camera design, Lumenera provides you quick prototyping and shortened time-to-market for your imaging solution. A proven supplier with over 80 high-performance scientific and industrial grade board-level and enclosed cameras, as well as cost-sensitive high volume solutions to fit your specific application and budgetary requirements.

http://www.lumenera.com/custom/index.php

Film Laminations with Optical Films

High ambient lighting levels affect visibility of all light-emitting displays. Applying optical films to a display's front surface effectively and efficiently improves brightness and contrast by reducing specular reflections. We employ several types of films to suit a variety of applications, including: antireflective, antiglare, conductive, privacy, neutral density, and color selective.

http://www.gdoptilabs.com/products/film_laminations.htm

Check Out the ProFace AGP 3000 Line of
Operator Interfaces

With new multi-media audio and video features, the ProFace AGP 3000 line includes HMI control with built-in logic, the self-guiding ease-of-use GP-Pro Ex HMI development, and the low-cost Pro-Server EX data management connectivity software. Do more with TriStar!

http://www.tristareca.com/

Full Color OLED Displays

The organic films consist of a hole-injection layer, hole-transport layer, emissive layer, and electron-transport layer. When voltage is applied to the OLED cell, injected positive/negative charges recombine in the emissive layer and create electro-luminescent light. Unlike LCDs, which require backlighting, OLED displays are emissive devices — emitting light rather than modulating reflected light.

http://www.stek-inc.com/

Omni Displays Array of Products

Omni Displays is a franchised and authorized distributor of active and passive TFTs, LCDs, LEDs, controller cards, inverters, touch screens, and all other display related products, uniquely positioned to offer competitive pricing and superior service to a broad array of customers in diverse markets. There is no single display solution ideal for every application.

http://www.omnidisplays.com/ProductsandServices/CustomSolutions/tabid/116/Default.aspx

SD2620W 3D Stereo Monitor



Planar's SD2620W produces amazing widescreen WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 3D images and delivers comfortable, full resolution to both eyes for stunning stereo imaging. The SD2620W's widescreen display offers the largest stereo viewing available. Unlike other technologies, multiple users can be both sitting and standing and see the same quality image.

http://www.planar3d.com/3d-products/sd2620w/

Heat Staking with Desktop Bonders

Miyachi Unitek's Desktop Bonders — traditionally used for hot bar soldering and bonding processes — can do heat staking at a fraction of the price of application-specific equipment!

Heat staking is a common process found in high-volume, low-cost applications for industries including automotive, medical, telecom, and consumer appliances.

http://www.muc.miyachi.com/

Vacuum Fluorescent Display with
Multicolored LEDs

Noritake introduces a unique new VFD display. The display is a vacuum fluorescent display with multicolored LEDs as backlights. The LEDs provide a bright or multicolored background to the VFD display. The designated color is controlled by software commands and can be used as a warning of performance or to provide a more attractive appearance.

http://www.noritake-elec.com/

Wireless Standard Faster, Farther

For industrial applications where running cable from a sensor/machine to a central control room isn't feasible, wireless communications is a boon. Existing standards suffer from slow bandwidth and limited reach. The proposed 802.11n uses multiple transceivers and bond neighboring bands in a single larger band to achieve 5x speed and longer transmission distances.

http://www.ecmag.com/index.cfm?fa=article&articleID=9266

Cut Software Costs with SaaS

One way to fight the high costs of software is to rent it online rather than buy it. While Software as a Service (SaaS) has made an impact on office applications, engineers are also using SaaS for CAD on Demand, project management, product lifecycle management (PLM), and new classes of collaborative platforms.

http://www.engineerlive.com/registration.php

Web Cams Allow More Machine Monitoring

On today's automated shop floor, machines regularly run for hours without human intervention. To cost-effectively monitor when machines need a tool change, maintenance, or other attention, more companies are installing Internet-connected Web cams, allowing employees to log in from anywhere (including home) to monitor equipment performance.

http://www.americanmachinist.com/304/Issue/Article/False/81460/Issue

Collaboration Connects IT, MRO, and Ops

As companies face new regulations such as RoHS and REACH, engineers have to monitor more maintenance, supply chain, and operations activities. Thankfully, the IT department has the key in the form of collaborative software programs that allow employees to see operational data from plants and departments spread globally.

http://www.automationworld.com/feature-4435

 

IEEE SENSORS 2008

The 7th IEEE Conference on Sensors will be held in Lecce (Grand Hotel Tiziano e Dei Congressi), Puglia, Italy, October 26-29, 2008. Topics to be covered include: Chemical and Gas Sensors; Biosensors; Optical, Mechanical, and Physical Sensors; Sensor Networks; Sensor/Actuator Systems; Phenomena, Modeling, and Evaluation. Details and registration are available at the Conference Web site.

http://www.ieee-sensors2008.org/noe/pagine/liv1.asp?idp=12