Servo - October 2010

NEW PRODUCTS

ADAPTERS SERVICES

XBee SIP Adapter

Parallax’s new XBee SIP adapter is a fully-assembled, small-footprint solution for interfacing the most commonly-used XBee module features with your 3.3V or 5V microcontrollers. With many XBee adapters on the market, Parallax gave this design careful consideration to customize the product for educational and hobby uses. The 2 x 5 dual SIP header makes a sturdy connection to your breadboard or through-hole board, and brings the basic connections to your prototyping area without taking up a lot of space. The more advanced XBee features are still accessible through additional headers on the module.

Features include: • Onboard 3.3V regulator. • 5V to 3.3V logic translator buffers common I/O pins.

• Six status indicator LEDs for power, Tx, Rx, RSSI, associate, and mode (Sleep/ON).

• Small footprint dual SIP header provides support and allows easy interfacing to DOUT (TX), DIN (RX), RTS,

5V supply, and ground.

• Five-pin female header connections provide interfacing to other XBee pins such as sleep, reset, and associate.

• A row of 10 plated through-holes with 0.1” spacing allows the option of soldering jumper wires or a header (not included) for access to the remaining XBee pins in advanced applications.

• An additional plated through-hole gives access to a 3.3V output for ADC reference (VREF) when required.

• Adapter board is pre-assembled — no soldering required for using most common XBee features.

• Compatible with all Parallax microcontrollers, including the 5V BASIC Stamp modules and 3.3V Propeller P8X32A.

New IMS Prototyping Service

PCB-POOL® — a leading manufacturer of prototype printed circuit boards — has announced the introduction of a new metal core (insulated metal substrate) PCB prototyping service.

Metal core PCBs are designed to transmit heat away from operating areas on the PCB or components to less critical areas such as metal heat-sink backing and metallic core.

Designers of high intensity LEDS, power converters, automotive applications, or any circuits requiring greater heat dissipation can now take advantage of reduced pricing and shorter lead times offered within this new service. Various machining methods have been integrated in the IMS manufacturing process; these include the ability to produce threaded drill holes, counter-sinking, and controlled depth milling using the latest CNC technology.