PCB Design, Electronic Design, Printed circuit boards, PCB Layout

Specialist Electronics Product Design

2009-11-11T08:00:00+00:00

Looking for Specialist Electronics Product Design Service? We can help.

Perhaps you have a concept for a new product but lack the necessary in-house skills to execute the full product design processes? Our designers can take your ideas and through a collaboration process, design everything from the ground up and continue right through to producing the final product if required. Both the hardware design and the software/firmware development aspects can be handled by us allowing tighter controls over specification changes, budget and decrease time to market.

Click here to see our previous work.

WAM – It’s Wireless Aided Medication

2009-11-09T08:00:00+00:00

As healthcare continues to be a growing global issue, Medimax has just made life a little simpler.

Pill boxes have been around for many years. Caregivers load the box with the patient’s weekly dosage of medication to help them know which tablets are required each day. Medimax has taken this basic product a step further by equipping the pill boxes with wireless technology, thus creating the Maya.

Daily dosage activities are stored in Medimax’s central computer system and the information is available to caregivers via the internet, direct emails or text messages.

There is no need for the patient to have a computer, phone line or any form of Internet access at home as the Maya communicates directly with the central computer through a wireless network.

This update to the pill box should make a major change to the quality of life for patients and caregivers. This lessens the burden for caregivers when monitoring patient’s usage and gives greater peace of mind knowing they are following the medication schedule as prescribed.

Blog by: H Norbury

Semi-autonomous Cars in Ten Years

2009-11-06T08:00:00+00:00

Image a daily commute that allows you to enjoy the paper, talk on the phone or watch the morning news while your car drives for you! This dream may become a reality within the next 10 years.

The EU has just launched SARTE (Safe Road Trains for Environment) to create autonomous driving cars for motorway commuting.

The SARTRE technology could improve traffic flow and fuel consumption and reduce accidents and journey times.

In 2011 test cars equipped with this technology will fill the lanes of test tracks. Equipment will include a navigation system and a transmitter/receiver unit that communicates with the lead vehicle. The built-in system allows for travel on the existing road network.

How is works

The idea is that a lead vehicle (driven by an experienced driver like a taxi or bus driver) will be the head of each road train, consisting of six or eight vehicles. As the driver enters the motorway, they meet up with a road train and lets their car do the work from there.

As you are ready to exit the motorway, simply resume control of your vehicle and leave the convoy by exiting to the side. The other vehicles will close the gap and resume their trip.

For more information visit: Engineering & Technology Blog by: H Norbury

Universal Mobile Charger

2009-11-04T08:00:00+00:00

Major mobile phone manufacturers, including Sony Ericsson, have signed up to a new mobile phone charger that will work with any handset. The concept that has been approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is aimed at cutting down the waste produced when people change mobile phones. GSMA approximate that 51,000 tonnes of waste chargers are generated each year.

Blog by Peter Walsh

Fuel Cell Technology

2009-11-02T08:00:00+00:00

Toshiba have released the Dynario fuel cell. This is a mobile fuel cell that runs on methanol and water, and can be used to charge mobile phones and small devices. It is currently only on sale in Japan. Methanol fuel needs to be bought to refill the device.

How would you like to be able to charge your mobile phone while on the go? Would you like to see this technology available in the UK?

Blog by Peter Walsh

Cadence Design

2009-10-30T08:00:00+00:00

Cadence Design Systems introduced version 16.3 of the Allegro and OrCAD printed circuit board (PCB) software. The latest release includes new features and functionality designed to boost productivity and performance for PCB engineers.At Quantum we have IPC designers that have years of experience in Cadence Allegro and OrCAD design.

TechnologyWorld09

2009-10-28T08:00:00+00:00

TechnologyWorld09 is the leading technology 'meet the buyer' event in the UK. It brings together the best of UK innovation to carefully selected buyers and potential partners from across the globe to do business via a two day meeting focussed event.

Our MD, Steve Jones will be at the show. Register at TechnologyWorld09.com and book a meeting with him on-line to discuss your product development or PCB design needs.

Rapid PCB Design

2009-10-26T08:00:00+00:00

The global business environment puts more and more pressure on our customers to stay competitive – bringing their ever more complex products to market faster while improving design productivity.

See how we can help you with our Rapid PCB Design.

Blog by Tiffany Bate

Green electronics Epeat registry expands worldwide

2009-10-23T08:00:00+01:00

Products certified by Epeat – which stands for Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool are listed in a registry. Products are judged on 23 attributes that make up an environmental performing rating. There are 28 optional attributes as well.

The ratings are either gold, silver or bronze that cover monitors and desktop computers. The organisation, which is made up of manufacturers, recyclers and advocacy groups, is in the process of establishing an Epeat rating for televisions, printers and copiers. It also expects to take on consumer electronics and servers, according to executive director Jeff Omelchuck.

Registries for monitor and PC buyers will now be able available in Canada, Europe, China, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Mexico. The Green Electronics Council says it now has 1,300 vendors, which represents $60bn in tech purchases.

Blog by Gary Price

ST targets car systems with low noise MEMS sensor

2009-10-21T08:00:00+01:00

STMicroelectronics has introduced a MEMS motion sensor for use in adaptive front lights, anti-theft systems and control of vehicle dynamics.

The AIS226DS is a two-axis in-plane accelerometer capable to greater accuracy then is possible using two individual sensors. The device senses acceleration up to +-6g, where one ‘g’ is the acceleration due to gravity.

The AIS226DS can also resolve angles of incline smaller than 0.62 degrees. The ability to accurately measure incline is important in auto-levelling lamp, e-parking brake, and HAS (Hill Start Aid) applications.

Motion is sensed using a tiny MEMS motion detector built on a silicon chip. An interface chip, available with an SP1 or 12C output, is also integrated, enabling direct connection to the vehicle’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

Non –automotive applications are likely to include vibration sensing in industrial equipment, black-box security monitors for shipping containers, inclinometers, and robotic systems.

Blog by Gary Price