Automotive

The DDFlyTrain project has projected a fuel saving of around 10% based on the use of high speed flywheel brake recovery technology retrofitted to DMU rolling stock. This order of saving means that the technology has a potential ROI of inside five years. The project has also produced a proof of concept test rig used to demonstrate the technology to rail industry stakeholders and a concept for integration onto a Bombardier Turbostar DMU.

The AH376xQ family of AECQ100-qualified Hall effect latches introduced by Diodes Incorporated offers eight magnetic sensitivity options to cover the requirements of numerous automotive applications. Such uses include commutation, encoding and position control of the various motors, pumps, fans and valves found in vehicle cabins for operating windows, sun roofs, seats, tailgates and air-conditioning.

While Patrick McLoughlin, the Secretary of State for Transport confirmed last month that the electrification of the Great Western Main Line is ‘a top priority’ and should continue, the planned electrification of the Midland Main Line and Trans-Pennine routes could be ‘paused’ due to escalating costs. There are however some items being delivered on-time from UK engineering companies alongside design and fabrication innovati...

Bidirectional symmetrical (BiSy) ESD protection diodes in the compact SOT-323 package have been introduced by Vishay Intertechnology. Measuring only 2.3x2.1mm with a low 0.95mm profile, the space-saving Vishay Semiconductors single-line VLIN26A1-03G and dual-line VCAN26A2-03G offer low capacitance and leakage current for the protection of automotive data lines against transient voltage signals.

The continual introduction of new electronics-based features in cars, including various ADAS, has led to a proliferation of communications protocols that offer different combinations of speed, cost and flexibility. STMicroelectronics has introduced two devices that combine superior protection of CAN bus lines against ESD and other transients with unique compliance for all key automotive interfaces.

Vishay Intertechnology has introduced four 1 and 2A FRED Pt Ultrafast recovery rectifiers in the compact low-profile SMF (DO-219AB) eSMP series package. Combining extremely fast and soft recovery characteristics with low leakage current and low forward voltage drop, the AEC-Q101-qualified devices reduce switching losses and power dissipation in automotive and telecomms applications.

Car manufacturers strive to make future generations of vehicles safer, smarter and more fuel efficient than their predecessors. To accomplish this, electronics systems continue to increase in number and complexity as more ECUs (Electronic Control Units) are deployed in the vehicle – enabling features such as active noise cancellation, internet connectivity and in-car communications. By Ken Waurin, Segment Marketing Manager, Analog Devices

  CIT Relay & Switch offers a broad line of mechanical automotive relays. The company can support a wide range of applications, from those requiring low currents to currents of up to 80A.

Low power, flash-based FPGAs and ARM Cortex-M3 enabled SoC FPGAs, which have achieved AEC-Q100 grade 2 qualification, have been released by Microsemi. According to the company, the automotive-grade qualified SmartFusion2 and IGLOO2 devices are the only devices in the industry to offer advanced security and high reliability features critical for automotive applications.

With its newly founded Automotive Business Unit, the distributor Rutronik promises to provide focused support to manufacturers and suppliers on a global level, as Uwe Rahn, Senior Manager and head of the Automotive Business Unit, explains.