RS Components (RS) is supporting the ‘Big Step Challenge’, which is being launched by Messe Muenchen, the organisers of electronica 2018. The challenge has been devised to harness the power of the show’s international audience essentially ‘walking to unite the world through technology’. The electronica trade fair attracts visitors from more than 80 countries, who will be encouraged to take part.

The introduction of a series of high-power LEDs from Osram in innovative packaging provides more options for engineers and lighting designers, says RS Components (RS). Osram has dispensed with traditional and costly ceramic-based packaging for professional exterior lighting applications. It now employs epoxy-based packages on its OSCONIQ P series of high-power and ultra-high-power LEDs offering outstanding reliability, long-term performance and e...

The MPLAB Snap in-circuit debugger/programmer from Microchip which allows fast, easy debugging and programming of most Microchip PIC, AVR and SAM flash microcontroller units (MCUs) — including 32-bit devices — and dsPIC digital signal controllers (DSCs) is available at RS Components.

The trading brand of Electrocomponents, multi-channel distributor, RS Components (RS), has introduced the Molex Squba range of 1.80mm sealed wire-to-wire connectors, designed to fit into small spaces while offering IP67 protection against liquid, dust and dirt. Squba supports currents up to six amps carried over No. 24 to No. 22 AWG wire, delivering high power over a small wire gauge.

Renesas Synergy MCUs and development kits from Renesas Electronics are now available and shipping from RS in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. The Renesas Synergy Platform is a fully qualified MCU hardware and software platform that enables faster time to market for a wide range of wireless and wired embedded IoT applications.

A portfolio of high-power connectors from Amphenol that are specifically designed for connecting up power cables used with electric vehicle (EV) drive systems is available at RS Components. Designed to be a safe and reliable solution for servicing electric vehicles, the MSD series of receptacles and plugs offers a tool-free solution for disconnecting an internal high-voltage battery pack and delivering short-circuit protection.

An innovative, easy-to-use desktop vacuum former from London-based start-up Mayku is on sale at RS Components. The Mayku FormBox works with any domestic vacuum cleaner to make moulds and other objects in minutes, with no software or digital model manipulation required.

Availability of the SAM L10 and SAM L11 family of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) from Microchip Technology has been announced by RS Components. Supporting development kits that enable users to experience the high performance levels and integrated hardware-based security delivered by these new Arm Cortex-powered MCUs are also in stock.

A series of RS Pro anti-vibration hermetically sealed coaxial connectors for RF and microwave applications are in stock at RS Components. Ideal for use in harsh application environments and advancing the design of standard push-on RF/microwave connectors, a key feature of the anti-vibration connector range is its screwing mechanism that prevents accidental disconnection.

Screw terminals, cage-clamp terminals and housings are among a range of heavy-duty connectors released by RS Pro. The components offer excellent value for customers and are designed for the industrial environment, especially in sound and lighting applications and in the robotics and machinery sectors.

Innovative products, inspirational stories and some fun will be found on the RS Components (RS) stand at electronica in Munich later this year (November 13-16). The company will be showcasing the latest technologies from world-leading vendors and enabling visitors to find inspiration for their next engineering project.

Guglielmo Marconi, Hedy Lamarr and Grace Hopper all feature in a new comedy podcast series called History Makers produced by RS Components. The podcasts explore a modern day technology theme, such as Wi-Fi, artificial intelligence or 3D printing, and delves into the lives of the great inventors from centuries past who made it all possible, with a few laughs along the way.

The latest Vishay SensorXplorer kit and 10 compatible sensor demo boards for ambient-light, proximity and bio-sensing applications are available at RS Components (RS). The associated sensors, available from RS in small packs for prototyping or tape-and-reel for production, meet project needs from proof of concept to volume assembly.

A Cloud-enabled development kit that kick-starts IoT-sensing projects by allowing users to collect and analyse data on a dashboard within minutes after unboxing has been released by RS Components. The UrsaLeo UL-NXP1S2R2 kit contains a Silicon Labs Thunderboard 2 sensor module, ready to connect to UrsaLeo’s services platform in the Google Cloud.

2W and 3W DC/DC converters in the compact SIP-8 package from Traco Power are in stock at distributor RS Components. The devices target a range of general electronics design applications, and are especially suited to deployment in factory automation equipment.

The Amphenol ICC BergStak Lite 0.8 mm vertical mating PCB-to-PCB connector system is available from RS Components. An economical and versatile connector range with a multiplicity of configuration options, BergStak Lite is well suited to high-speed, high-density parallel board stacking applications in IP phones, measurement equipment, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, portable industrial terminals, security systems and test equipment.

The Fluke Professional series of infrared thermal imaging cameras are available at RS Components. They provide crisp and highly detailed images that help maintenance engineers and technicians to locate hot spots and diagnose potential problems in electrical systems.

Availability of a new series of ISOBUS circular connectors manufactured by Amphenol has been announced by RS Components. The key application area for the ISOBUS series of cable connector sockets is in agricultural and forestry vehicles, as the series offers a standardised connection that meets ISO 11783-2.

Availability of the latest version of the Arduino Yún Linux-based board has been announced by RS Components. It delivers advanced network connections for IoT (Internet of Things) projects. Offering value and reliability, the Arduino Yún rev. 2 targets use by design engineers, hobbyists and those in educational establishments.

Open source digital design is by no means a new phenomenon, with projects such as the venerable OpenRISC processor having been flown aboard a NASA satellite and immortalised in silicon in Samsung digital televisions, to name just two applications.  Author: Andrew Black, Treasurer and Director of the Free and Open Source Silicon Foundation and Founder of the Open Source Hardware User Group.