Technical Articles

The latest mixed-signal controllers combine the best of both the analogue and digital power-conversion worldsStephen Stella,Microchip TechnologySince the introduction of digital power conversion designershave had a clear choice between using analogue or digital for their designs. Each approach has its own distinct benefits as well as drawbacks, but the development of mixed-signal or hybrid controllers is making it possible for designers to combine the best of both power-conversion worlds.Analogue for performanceThe advantage of analogue power conversion is that it offers ... more

Using Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) for sensorless control of Brushless DC (BLDC) motor control to bring this technology within reach of low-cost, mass applicationsCharlie Ice, Microchip TechnologyAs the technology of choice for many high- to mid-range systems, Brushless DC (BLDC) motors offer a constant or variable speed drive combined with high reliability and ease of control. The use of even a few Hall Effect sensors, however, adds to the total system cost which can take BLDC out of the reach ... more

Stephen Porter, Microchip TechnologyA state-of-the-art user interface used to be a couple of knobs on the front of a television screen giving the user the power to get out of their chair and adjust the volume and the channel. Now, users don’t even need to get off the sofa to control simulated surround sound or high-quality video.As appliances become more complex and users expect more from the user interface, designers are faced with increasingly complex decisions such as: what information ... more

The following article presents the results of an extensive survey organized by South-East European INDUSTRIAL Market (SEEIM) magazine with manufacturers of medical electronics (including dental, laboratory and cosmetic devices) in Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. The purpose of the survey was to outline the current status of the medical electronics industry, as well as the prospects for the development of the sector in the region. The survey examines OEM companies, reviewing regional developers and manufacturers of medical electronics and major EMS ... more

Jonathan Dillon, Microchip TechnologyIntroductionIt is critical that replaceable or disposable accessories for medical devices have a method of proving that the correct accessory, or attachment, is being used. If incorrect accessories are accidentally used, such as accessories designed for another model of the same equipment, or for another manufacturer’s equipment, thiscould cause safety issues. Furthermore, the reuse of disposable accessories may result in inferior performance and is likely to be unsanitary. Counterfeit accessories also pose a serious threat as they ... more

Ralf Hickl, Rutronik Elektronische BauelementeAnyone wanting to expand an existing device to include wireless technology usually connects a transceiver to the microcontroller. It sounds simple, but it isn’t. It requires recalculations regarding cost, quality and risk ratings, development and logistics costs increase and the reliability of the device often drops. Reason enough to consider a microcontroller with integrated transceiver. Many MCU manufacturers have already responded to the wireless trend and the growing demand for transceivers, supplying their chips with different ... more

Implementing MCUs which combine graphic display controllers, with support for capacitive-touch, touch-screen and USB peripherals.Rishi Vasuki, Microchip TechnologyHMI designs in embedded systems are evolving fast as the cost of manufacturing fashionable and more elegant interfaces continues to decrease. Some applications are already combining touch-sensitive interfaces, such as keys, sliders, touch-screens and haptic feedback, with rich graphical displays using the latest generation of microcontrollers (MCUs) which integrate graphic display controllers, with peripherals for implementing capacitive-touch, touch-screen controllers and USB onto a ... more

Bulgaria is a key electronics manufacturing hub in Southeast Europe. The country is increasingly being preferred by many electronics assemblers and is set to emerge as one of the key recipients of foreign direct investments in electronics industry. The article presents three successful long-standing investments in the sector.Melexis BulgariaMelexis Bulgaria has now more than 13 years of successful presence in the market and represents the first foreign investment in the area of microelectronics in Bulgaria. Since its start, the company ... more

By Darren Wenn,Microchip TechnologyTouch-screen and touch-panel interfaces have rapidly assumed the position of input-medium-of-choice in a wide variety of application spaces, driven to a large extent by the success of portable products such as Apple’s iPhone and iPad. Touch-driven interfaces have a long history prior to the current phase of widespread acceptance in the consumer electronics space; a wide variety of sensing technologies, and a great deal of ingenuity, have been applied to the problem over many years. Today’s explosive ... more

Two cogeneration biomass power plants will be build in Benkovac and ZupanjaThe project includes the construction and implementation of two cogeneration biomass power plants which will be located in the area of Croatian towns Benkovac and Zupanja with total capacity of 28,6 MW (14,3MW + 14,3MW). Project Benkovac is located in the Business zone Sopot. Complete infrastructure within the zone is provided by the Town of Benkovac. Land purchase for biomass power plant was executed in 2008.Forest biomass will be ... more

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is investing 6 million Euro for a 20 percent stake in Enso Hydro Energji to help it build a series of small hydropower projects in Albania that will increase the country’s electricity generation capacity and reduce energy imports.Austrian hydropower developer Enso Hydro established Enso Hydro Energji to develop small and medium hydro power plants in Albania. Over the next three years the company aims to invest around 75 million Euro in the ... more

Serbia is becoming a regional energy hubConsidering overall projections for energy demand increase in the region of South East Europe, Serbia also undertook a number of power generation investment projects in order to increase the security of supply and its regional energy position. Serbia Energy Consultants completed the 2012 energy sector analysis which included all relevant aspects of a new emerging market linking north - south and east -west. New power generation projects are initiated, classic power plants units, renewable ... more

South-East European INDUSTRIAL Market magazine presents top manufacturing companies in the region as a history and scope of activityBULGARIACarat ElectronicsCarat Electronics was originally established as a plant for memory devices in 1969. In 1983, due to a change in its field of activity, the company’s name was changed to "Systems for Teleprocessing and Networks" (STN) and keeps the same name until the beginning of 2005. In 1997 the company was privatized and since the year of 2000 its major shareholder ... more

Vivien Delport, Cristian Toma, Microchip Technology.One wireless security solution simply does not fit all applications and various factors need to be balanced, if designers are to find a system that offers adequate protection at an affordable cost. The latest microcontrollers, featuring advanced security encryption algorithms, on-chip RF communication or low-power technology, together with dedicated RF ICs, can help designers to easily develop a complete, secure wireless system that offers the right balance of cost, size and functionality.No wireless access-control device ... more

The liberalization of the energy and utility sector and the necessity of new modern facilities in South-East Europe open new opportunities for investors and public authorities. What are the market potential, the latest industry updates and best green practices? The answers of these questions will be given at the 8th Congress and Exhibition on Energy Efficiency (EE) and Renewable Energy (RE), the 1st SEE Solar Exhibition and the 3rd Conference and Exhibition on Waste Management, Recycling and Environment - ’Save ... more