The new range of E3X-NA compact fibre-optic amplifiers from Omron Electronics delivers typical benefits of fibre-optic sensing, such as a comprehensive range of precise sensing heads for a limitless application solution capability, tight control of the light source for accurate and repeatable detection, and a small footprint which offers a sensing solution where mounting space is limited, or where mechanical protection is difficult to afford.

In addition, the new amplifiers are particularly easy to use.

The switching point is set simply by adjusting a multiturn potentiometer, and the amplifier’s integral bright LED bargraph display shows clearly when the amplifier is set for reliable, stable operation.

No special tools or training are required.

Installation and wiring are also fast and easy, as the units feature Omron’s master/slave connection system.

When the amplifiers are mounted in groups, power connections need only be made to the first amplifier in the group - the master.

This distributes power to up to 15 further amplifiers (slaves) connected to it, reducing wiring complexity and the risk of wiring mistakes, while providing big savings in wiring time, cost and development.

Designed to suit the vast majority of everyday sensing applications, where reliability and competitive pricing are more important than extensive functionality, Omron’s E3X-NA fibre-optic amplifiers offer a solution in a range of different versions.

Standard versions are ideal for most applications, delivering a long sensing range and a fast response, while the use of a green light source allows mark and low-contrast detection.

There are high-speed models that are well suited to counting applications, and water-resistant models with M8 connectors, which are an excellent choice for use in process plant, or where mechanical protection is difficult to achieve.

All models in the E3X-NA fibre-optic amplifier range from Omron Electronics provide a single, solid-state switching output, and all are available in PNP or NPN output versions.

+/-10V analogue command input signals are required for DC motor control, and pulse and direction commands are required for stepper motor control. The new amplifiers are highly recommended for controllers featuring custom application software or special functions which Newport motion controllers do not carry.

The C-Drive series comprises a DC brush servo amplifier (CDR-DCB) and a stepper motor amplifier (CDR-STEP), which both operate from +48V DC power supplies.

The CDR-DCB can be set to either torque (current) or speed (voltage) mode and can be easily used with digital controllers that calculate position and velocity from the motor’s encoder.

The CDR-STEP driver can micro-step precisely up to 250x and reduce power at end of motion automatically to reduce stage heating.

C-drive amplifiers can drive Newport’s positioners with motors up to 4A and are easily user-configurable (software included) via RS232 serial interface.

MOSFET output stages deliver four-quadrant power for bidirectional acceleration and deceleration of motors.

For added convenience and fast prototyping, Newport offers a full set of complementary accessories such as cables, power supplies, and a cable break-out-box for easy interfacing with our ESP6000 motion controller.

All models are also protected against output short circuit and baseplate overtemperature.

Falco Systems now offers the WMA-01 and WMA-01LF, two high voltage amplifiers that run from a low voltage power supply and provide up to 125V output. Unique is that both amplifiers can be battery powered if required, eg, for use in a Faraday cage, and that their size is only 100×50x26mm. Combined with their large voltage range, this make the amplifiers an excellent choice for use in arrange of applications, such as Mems devices, EO-modulators, PZT (piezo) positioning systems, ferroelectric devices and beam steering components.

The output noise of the WMA-01 is impressively low, at only 0.8mVrms in the DC - 20kHz full power bandwidth.

For even lower noise applications where bandwidth is not an issue, the WMA-01LF amplifier contains an output low pass filter capacitor.

This reduces the bandwidth to 50Hz, but makes the noise drop below 0.1mVrms.

The bandwidth-limited WMA-01LF is ideal for Mems or piezo positioning with manual voltage adjustment requiring extremely low noise.

The AD8034 and AD8065 combine wide supply voltage range, low input bias current and noise, low distortion, low voltage noise, low offset voltage and drift and rail-to-rail output. In addition, both products come in very small packaging, for use on even the most space-constrained boards. These performance levels at low cost are possible using Analog Devices’ proprietary XFCB high-speed complementary bipolar process.

The AD8065 is a very high performance single voltage-feedback amplifier with FET inputs, with a dual version in development.

The AD8065 is noteworthy for its very low noise, at 6.5nV/rtHz and 5fA/rtHz, and very low distortion, -91dB SFDR at 1MHz.

The device operates at 150MHz with a slew rate of 180V/us.

The AD8065 also has superior DC performance, with an IB of 1pA typical, an offset voltage of 6uV typical, and a drift of less than 1mV/C.

The differential gain and phase errors are 0.01% and 0.02deg, with 0.1-dB flatness out to 7MHz, making the part ideal for video applications.

The AD8065 consumes 6.5mA supply current.

The AD8034 is a dual voltage feedback amplifier with FET inputs, with a single version in development.

The AD8034 is a lower priced version of the AD8065 offering similarly high performance while consuming only 3.3mA supply current maximum per amplifier.

With 80MHz bandwidth, slew rate of 80V/us, and low DC errors of 6mV offset voltage and 11nV/rtHz noise, the AD8034 offers significant performance improvements over other low-cost FET amplifiers.

A wide operating supply voltage range of 5 to 24V with rail-to-rail output add to the general usefulness of these amplifiers.

The AD8034 and AD8065 are sampling now and are available in very small SOIC-8, SOT23-5 and micro-SOIC packages.

SST Communications has developed two new power amplifiers for 802.11a and 802.11b/g WLAN systems. The products offer the industry’s highest linear output power, up to 3dB higher than competing products in a wide operating temperature range of -40 to +85C, to enable WLAN systems with wider transmission range and higher sustained datarates.

The devices’ ultrawide dynamic range and on-chip temperature-stable power detector allows system designers to optimise the transmitter output power for each individual user, thereby minimising the adjacent channel interference and achieving maximum capacity.

The power amplifiers are targeted at WLAN equipment including PCMCIA, MiniPCI and USB cards, as well as wireless access points.

‘The performance breakthroughs offered by our new power amplifier products are an ideal way for our WLAN customers to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace’, said Frank Chang, Vice Chairman and CTO, SST Communications.

‘Testing has shown that our new power amplifiers enable up to a 40% increase in range when compared with alternative offerings’.

‘Additionally, by integrating the power detector on-chip, we enable our customers to realise significant savings in BOM costs’.

‘Our experience in working with the leading WLAN baseband and RF transceiver providers has allowed us to design our power amplifiers with the full system considerations in mind’.

For maximum output power performance, SST Communications offers the SST12LP15 power amplifier for 802.11b/g systems, and the SST11LP12 power amplifier, which supports the entire 802.11a frequency band for US, European and Japanese markets (4.9-5.8GHz).

Specifically, the SST12LP15 features: 35dB gain (typical) with 26% power-added efficiency at 24dBm output power for 802.11g, and 29% power-added efficiency at 25dBm for 802.11b systems; excellent linearity of approximately 4% added EVM (error vector magnitude) at 24dBm output power, which is essential for 54Mbit/s 802.11g operation while meeting the standard’s spectrum mask up to +25dBm; and on-chip power detection range of better than 25dB (from 0-25dBm), with superior temperature stability of +/-0.5dB over 0 to 80C.

The SST11LP12 boasts: 35dB gain (typical) with 16% power-added efficiency at an output power of 23dBm for 802.11a (covering the complete 4.9-5.8GHz frequency range); linearity of approximately 4%-added EVM at 21dBm output power and meeting the 802.11a spectrum mask up to +23dBm; and on-chip power detection range of better than 23dB (0-23dBm), with superior temperature stability of +/-0.5dB over 0 to 85C.

Both devices feature single-ended/differential power detectors, which lower users’ power control cost.

SST Communications’ power amplifiers are manufactured using a reliable InGaP/GaAs HBT technology, with tested MTTF exceeding 600Mh at 100C.

The Geo Drive family of universal motor drive amplifiers consists of one- and two-axis three-phase servo amplifiers that support a wide variety of motor types, power ranges and user interfaces

The Geo Drive family of universal (brush, brushless and induction) motor drive amplifiers consists of one- and two-axis three-phase servo amplifiers that support a wide variety of motor types, power ranges and user interfaces. They are designed to operate directly off the power mains (models for either 240 or 480V AC).

An external power supply of +24V DC for logic power is required.

Most Geo drives are available in a two-axis design that simplifies installation and reduces panel space requirements.

The Geo iDrive combines the power of the PMAC2 programmable multi-axis controller with a wide selection of amplifier models in a convenient compact package.

The PMAC2 motion controller inside the Geo iDrive can be programmed for virtually any kind of motion control application, and it includes PLC programming features for logic control.

With Bruel and Kjaer UK’s new range of 16-channel DeltaTron conditioning amplifiers, setup times can be substantially reduced along with a considerable increase in measurement reliability

Setting up multichannel testing systems in cars, aircraft, trains and satellites is often a time-consuming and tedious business. With Bruel and Kjaer UK’s new range of 16-channel DeltaTron conditioning amplifiers, setup times can be substantially reduced along with a considerable increase in measurement reliability.

The 2694 family of 16-channel DeltaTron conditioning amplifiers has been developed for multichannel applications, such as modal analysis, operational deflection shapes and microphone array measurements, where typically between 16 and 512 channels are employed.

Offering full IEEE 1451.4 Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) support, the new 2694 DeltaTron amplifiers are available in four versions, all controlled with Windows-based software via a PC RS-232 interface.

With a clear graphical overview of all channels provided on the PC, setups can be defined offline then uploaded into the amplifiers in a matter of seconds.

Up to 16 amplifiers can be daisychained and controlled from each COM port on the PC and, when not in use, superfluous channels can be disabled.

The 2694 can be used as a stand-alone unit or in multiple configurations for large channel count applications.

Either way, a multichannel test setup based on the 2694 combined with ultra-flexible DeltaTron cabling, patch panels and DB50 flat cables, delivers superior test reliability, efficiency, integrity and cost-effectiveness.

Through the RS-232 interface, 2694 can read serial numbers, type numbers and sensitivities for all relevant transducer types designed in accordance with IEEE 1451.4.

The transparent protocol option also enables the entire contents of the TEDS to be read via RS-232 if required.

The new amplifiers support integrated electronics piezoelectric (IEPE) transducers such as Isotron/DeltaTron accelerometers and microphone preamplifiers.

Voltage transducers and tachometers are also supported.

Input is via BNC sockets while output is through a 50-pin sub-D socket with breakout cable to BNC plugs.

One of the 16 channels can also be set up as a multiplexer output if required.

The 2694 features conditioning amplifiers designed with extremely low noise specifications resulting in a dynamic range of over 120dB.

The power supply is completely galvanically isolated from the rest of the instrumentation by means of opto-couplers enabling fulfilment of stringent EMC requirements for industrial environments.

Multichannel measurements are often conducted in difficult and hostile environments where vibrations, temperature variations, high humidity and EMC conditions frequently impose severe demands on the electrical and mechanical reliability of any instrumentation being used.

Celsum Technologies now supply the revised versions of the popular ICA In-Cell Amplifiers for strain gauges and devices, with lower profile and higher stability

The new industrial (S) and very high stability (H) options for In-Cell Amplifiers allow users to tailor their selection of these miniature analogue signal conditioners to their application. The ICA range has output options of 0.1 - 10.1V (ICA1), 0.1 - 5V (ICA2), 0 +/- 10V (ICA3), 4 - 20mA (3 wire (ICA4) and 2 wire (ICA5)), and the new ICA6 10V with 15 - 24VDC excitation.

There is also an ATEX-approved version, the 2-wire 4-20mA, ICA5A.

These new In-Cell Amplifiers have a lower profile (7.6mm high x 19mm diameter), and are equipped with a mounting hole, weigh only around 2 grammes, making them ideal for in-cell signal conditioning and for mass-sensitive applications in research, development, production and processing.

Also, they have improved temperature performance, a user-selectable span resistor and are RoHS compliant.

Celsum Technologies Managing Director, Roy Carter, said ‘We are extremely pleased with the enhanced In-Cell Amplifiers.

They provide a cost-effective yet reliable and easy-to-install way of converting the noise-sensitive millivolt signals at the strain gauge into robust signals for display, logging and control’.

Thin dielectric material technology is used in a wide range of microwave amplifiers for the defence and civil markets

Specialist high technology UK company Labtech is using its thin dielectric material (TDM) technology to launch a new low-cost standard amplifier range. The company is harnessing the skills of its two manufacturing centres of excellence - Labtech Microwave in Milton Keynes and Labtech Circuits in Presteigne - to offer a wide range of microwave amplifiers for the defence and civil markets.

Labtech has many years’ experience of producing high quality cascadable broadband and multi-octave band amplifiers with gain levels up to 80dB and output powers of +30dBm.

Labtech’s product range covers low-noise octave band amplifiers up to 40GHz, multi-octave band amplifiers up to 40GHz, high-gain multi-octave limiting amplifiers and medium-power amplifiers to 1W.

Labtech Microwave has also developed a new range of low noise amplifiers (2 to 18.0GHz) using the TDM technology to compliment the existing alumina technology and is committed to providing a fast response to customer requirements to meet important deadlines.

By being able to design and produce amplifiers, the company’s design team can offer a form-fit and function capability for products no longer available in today’s marketplace.

All amplifier modules are assembled in purpose-built clean rooms which house thin film processing, automatic chip and wire assembly, alignment, test and laser welding for hermetic sealing.

Amplifiers are offered in a range of standard or customer package outlines.

All manufacture and testing is undertaken in a class 10,000 clean room with fully automated chip placement and wire bonding.

Labtech can fully test components/subsystems and integrated assemblies to MIL-STD requirements demanded by various customers around the world.

Synectic design’s amplifiers can connect to various transducers including: strain gauges, pressure transducers, but are most commonly used with load cells

Synectic Design says it is renowned for the high quality and excellent value instrumentation amplifiers it produces. Synectic was one of the first manufacturers to build digital amplifiers and the depth of understanding and range that is offered reflects this, it adds. Synectic design’s amplifiers can connect to various transducers including: strain gauges, pressure transducers, but are most commonly used with load cells.

Most load cells produce an analogue output signal, but increasingly many process control systems require a digital input, therefore the load cell signal needs to be digitised as well as amplified.

This is where a digital amplifier is required.

Digitisation of load cell signals provides increased accuracy, resolution and reduced noise interference of the signal.

Synectic Design’s digital amplifiers provide the digitisation and amplification function in one unit; many competitors’ digital amplifiers require a digital junction box before the amplifier input says the company.

Synectic Design offers five digital amplifiers, tailored for different requirements.

The SY016 is a completely self contained unit which will provide excitation for up to four 350R bridges.

The device’s built-in microcomputer calculates a temperature compensated 20 bit value (signed), which is directly proportional to the load.

The SY016 has typical reading speed of 200Hz (limited by Windows) and communicates via RS232.

The SY036 is a cased self contained unit which can be placed inline with a computer cable.

The unit has a 16 bit processor and can be connected through RS232, RS485, or now via USB.

A logger option is available and it is possible to scale the output signal to many engineering units rather than purely the raw signal.

Synectic’s SY034 an SY044 are similar in terms of offering a high resolution 24 bit processor, operating at a speed of currently up to 100Hz.

The unit connects to a PC via either RS232 or the more popular USB option.

The difference between the two units is that the SY034 is a single channel amplifier and the SY044 is a dual channel amplifier, where both channels read simultaneously.

The final digital amplifier is the SY056 which is due to be released soon.

The SY056 will use a 24 bit processor that will read data at a speed of up to 2.5MSamples second.