Stutensee (Germany), January 28, 2010 – Gleichmann & Co. Electronics GmbH and the South Korean Tovis Co. Ltd, the leading manufacturer of special format TFT panels, have agreed to a far-reaching sales cooperation on a pan-European level.

Tovis rebuilds ordinary TFT panels into so-called "stretched panels" which results in  aspect ratios of e.g. 32:9 to 56:9. To achieve this, panels in the usual 4:3 or 16:9 formats are precisely cut and then immediately thereafter sealed again without any loss of liquid. This is performed using Tovis’ patented cutting and sealing process. Frank Dornscheidt, Line Manager at Gleichmann Electronics, responsible for the marketing of Tovis’ products in the European market, sees an ideal complement with the special format TFT panels from Tovis to the current display product portfolio of the MSC-Gleichmann Group. “Over the next few years, individual form factors will become increasing important due to the constantly increasing information needs, but at the same time in many areas (for example, mobile passenger information) only a limited mounting space is available. With "stretched panels" it is possible to present text information much more eye-catchingly and concentrated in a small place than with traditional monitor formats.”

Yong Beom Kim, CEO of Tovis Co. Ltd., who founded the enterprise in 1998, also believes that the demand for "stretched panels" will continue to increase rapidly over the coming years. Initially focused on the production of display modules for mobile telephones and open frame monitors for the gaming market, Tovis therefore wants to continue to rapidly expand this business area with new product lines and technically competent distribution partners. “Because we also want to strengthen the design and production of customer-specific special formats, we very consciously did not look for a conventional distributor, but rather a system integrator with many years of design-in experience that can comprehensively support customers during application development in the area of displays. In this respect, we have found an ideal partner with Gleichmann Electronics,” explained Yong Beom Kim.

(from left): Yong Beom Kim, President & CEO, Frank Dornscheidt, Line Manager at Gleichmann Electronics, responsible for the marketing of Tovis’ products and Inho Cho, Marketing Manager at Tovis are jointly setting out to conquer the European market with high-quality "stretched panels".

Gleichmann Electronics will present the product range for the first time in Hall 9/Booth 9-463 at embedded world 2010. This range of products currently includes ten different panel sizes from 6.2‑inch to 49.5-inch with various resolutions, whereby the two recently introduced 37.9-inch and 28.4‑inch panels with heights from 234 mm and 296 mm respectively, manufactured from future-oriented Full HD displays, are particularly well suited for all types of travel and air passenger information.

All of Tovis’ displays feature ultra-wide horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 178°. In addition, all larger displays have a brightness of greater than 400cd/m2 and are therefore also suited for use in bright lit environments. The first high-brightness version with 1000 cd/m2  has been announced for the first  quarter of 2010.

The various TFT displays can be provided by Gleichmann Electronics, depending on the needs, as: module (LVDS input), open frame monitor (RGB/DVI input) or also complete monitor with enclosure. Furthermore, for a minimum quantity of a few hundred, Gleichmann Electronics and Tovis also offer additional customer-specific panels.

With its latest 76-inch (2 x 42-inch) and 84-inch (4 x 42-inch) seamless TFT panels, Tovis proves that the company is not only an expert in cutting and sealing. These panels feature a panel seam of just 6.8 mm. Only plasma display panels currently have a smaller spacing, however, these solutions are significantly more expensive and draw considerably more power.

IO-Link Transceiver E981.10 from ELMOS ensures better efficiency

In industrial automation technology, sensors and actuators are still mostly connected to the control via switching 24 V or standard analog signals. This is a laborious and unnecessarily expensive procedure, especially considering that in the meantime there are significantly more efficient and space-saving solutions such as, for example, the IO-Link Transceiver E981.10 from ELMOS. With the help of this highly integrated IC, process, parameter and diagnostic data can be securely transmitted digitally coded via a single 3-wire connection and a transmission speed of up to 230.4 kbit/s. What is more, the innovative communications component enables bi-directional communication with I/O field devices. It is therefore high time to think about a technology change. Would you not agree?

Today, for those that want to successfully overcome the permanent balancing act between cost reduction on the one side and higher equipment availability on the other side is, in automation technology, dependent on effective diagnostic concepts and efficient handling of parameter data. Modern sensors and actuators establish the necessary conditions for this. However, so far, it was not possible to efficiently implement their connection to the whole automation system. For some time now, IO-Link - as innovative interface for the ‘last meters’ - offers here completely new possibilities to the process.

In comparison to bus connections of traditional fieldbus systems, with IO-Link it is about a parallel wiring, whereby data rates of up to 230.4 kbit/s can be transmitted over a maximum cable length of 20 m. The signal transmission takes place by means of 24 V pulse modulation and a standard UART protocol. IO-Link uses the standardized unshielded 3-wire connection cable (M12, M8, M5), which is also used for connection of conventional Standard IO (SIO) sensors/actuators. This not only reduces the additional wiring effort to an absolute minimum, but also protects investments already made since proven topologies can be further used and must not be changed.

A further advantage of IO Link: Expensive shielded cable can be dispensed with due to the elimination of analog measurement value transmission. The bidirectional IO-Link communication puts the overriding automation system in a position both to write parameter and configuration data in the sensor/actuator and to read process and diagnostics data from the sensor/actuator. However, IO-Link can also handle communication via binary switching states as used by conventional SIO sensors. The new communications standard is thus backward compatible, almost without restrictions, and can be applied freely combined, also with non IO-Link capable devices.

Due to the open standard, IO-Link can be integrated in all popular automation and fieldbus systems so that a high level of flexibility with regard to supplier selection continues to be maintained. The integration of Profibus, Profinet, Interbus, ASi and EtherCAT are already available and IO-Link integration in the ODVA is being pursued.

However, in order to ensure the requirements for e.g. overcurrent and overvoltage protection, defined in the IO Link specification, a large number of individual components - transistors, diodes and other passive components - are used in the majority of the IO-Link devices available so far. For the first IO-Link field devices, this was so far the only possibility to map the interface to the wire and to fulfill the IO-Link specification. Especially problematic here is the required interoperability with the control side since the corresponding electrical circuits can orient themselves solely to the IO-Link specification.

A remedy for this is the IO-Link Transceiver E981.10, which now offers developers of IO-Link capable sensors/actuators a highly integrated, space-saving solution for the wire interface of their sensors/actuators. The driver component, which is backward compatible to today’s Standard IO applications, fulfills the requirements of all relevant standards and its features include a wide input voltage range from 8 V to 36 V, a high driver capability up to 200 mA, integrated wake-up detection and a data transmission speed of up to 230.4 kbit/s. The driver stage can optionally be used as low-side, high-side or push-pull. Short-circuit, over-current and overtemperature protection functions ensure a high operating safety and also simplify application design.

Thanks to an internal 5 V voltage regulator and a 3.3/5 V compatible digital interface, the E981.10 can be combined with a variety of popular microcontrollers e.g. with a NEC Electronics Europe‘s 78K0R MCU, which in this case takes over protocol implementation. The component is useable with a chip temperature up to +150°C and is provided in a small 4x4 mm QFN package, thus making it ideally suited for use in compact sensors and actuators.

How useful the diverse functions of the E981.10 prove to be in practice is shown in examples including the integrated wake-up detection. In most cases, an IO-Link system consists of an IO-Link master and one or more IO-Link devices i.e. sensors and actuators. The IO-Link master provides the interface to the programmable logic controller (PLC) and controls communication with the IO-Link devices connected.

As a result of the backward compatibility of IO-Link devices to Standard IO (SIO) ports of the higher level control, IO-Link sensors and actuators initially behave like SIO devices. However, it is possible for the IO-Link master to identify IO-Link capable devices in the network and switch over to IO Link communication mode. This takes place by a so-called wake-up signal.

During wake-up, the signal applied to the sensor in SIO mode is overwritten by the master with a typically 80 μs impulse. The signal state can be high or low level, according to the sensor output signal. The information about a wake-up event exists for the software of two bits; from the level to be driven (TXD) and the level to be received (RXD). A combinatorial linkage of two IO ports for generation of an interrupt is generally not available with the microcontroller used. Support of the wake-up procedure by the E981.10 reduces the demands on the software, which otherwise would have to monitor the communication path by comparing the send and receive signal in high resolution. The binary wake-up signal provided by the transmitter can trigger an interrupt, which in turn results in relieving the microcontroller. The signaling of an overcurrent error condition (ILIM signal), caused by a short-circuit or other incidents, is a further example of the high flexibility of the E981.10. This feature contributes to a significant increase in the long-term reliability of the product. By recognizing these errors, the software can react intelligently and deactivate the driver stage. In addition, the power dissipation can be reduced by examining the line for overcurrent in long intervals.

With the qualification and final EMC tests at the renowned test and certification body of the FTZ in Zwickau, Germany, development work of the E981.10 is now complete according to plan. The official test report of the FTZ Zwickau, which proves compliance with the EMC limit values at transmission rates of up to 230.4 kbit/s, is available upon request.

Samples of the E981.10 are now available from Gleichmann Electronics. Large quantities will be available starting March, 2010. We will be pleased to help you in the selection of the optimal microcontroller, whereby corresponding IO-Link protocol stacks are available for almost all of the microcontrollers in our product portfolio. Upon request, we will gladly send you detailed information and product descriptions of the E981.10.

Three new starter kits for LED applications

Indeed, the wide range of lighting technology possibilities of LEDs is readily praised, but at the same time it is completely forgotten that this diversity obviously also requires a corresponding high flexibility of the LED control. It is not just a matter here of color mixing, remote controlling or compatibility of the LED light modules with various control devices, but function monitoring and a reliable current control must also be guaranteed.

In view of the diverse and in part clearly different practical demands, NEC Electronics has put together three starter kits for the wide range of needs. These kits make it as simple as possible for developers to get started in the world of LEDs.

The 78K0 - Shine It! starter kit is based on a 78K0 8-bit MCU equipped with a four channel buck-boost DC/DC converter. The integrated converters serve as constant current source for the control of LEDs. The driver output of up to 350 mA per channel is sufficient for direct control of RGB LEDs. However, the driver output can be increased via external output stages, thus enabling the connection of high-brightness LEDs or up to four LED strips. The connections for this are already provided on the board.

The starter kit can be directly connected with a PC via USB and parameterized from there. In addition, the possibility exists to connect the board via DMX-512 to an overriding lighting control. With the Applilet EZ software provided with the starter kit, the microcontroller can be initialized on the PC per mouse click. In addition, it enables the user to create light scenarios, which can be displayed by the existing LEDs on the starter kit or externally connected LEDs. Furthermore, Applilet EZ automatically generates the C code and HEX code for the microcontroller and creates a project file for the free demo version of IAR Embedded Workbench provided with the kit.

The second starter kit in this group is NEC Electronics’ 78K0IX2 LED. The 78F0756 from the 78K0/Ix2 8 bit family is used here as microcontroller. The integrated 16-bit timers, which can generate four PWMs with 40 MHz based on an internal oscillator, as well as the intelligent linking of the three on-chip comparators and A/D converters with the timers, enable a simple and resource-saving implementation of controllers for LED control. In addition, the chip with integrated op-amp offers the possibility to amplify signals from photo diodes or light sensors and to read via an A/D converter. The Manchester decoder/encoder, which is also integrated, simplifies the communication via DALI. Three LEDs are already mounted on the evaluation board of the 78K0IX2 LED kit; however, external LEDs can also be connected. The connection with a PC takes place per USB and, furthermore, the connection to lighting control devices is possible via DALI or DMX-512. In addition, Applilet EZ software, as already mentioned in connection with the Shine It! kit, is included in the starter kit. This enables, among other things, initializing the microcontroller via mouse click, creating light scenarios and automatically generating the C code and the HEX file.

Finally, the 78K0-LIGHTCOMMS is offered purely as a control for subordinate lighting systems. This kit is based on an 8-bit microcontroller of the 78K0/Kx2 product family, which, among other things, features a variety of integrated peripheral components such as internal oscillators, timer, A/D converter, low voltage detection, etc. The kit can be operated as DALI or DMX master and can be directly connected with a PC via USB. With PC software included in the kit, DALI or DMX networks can be directly accessed and devices connected to the network can be controlled, parameterized or read via accompanying controller tools depending on the protocol.

In addition to extensive documentation, each of the three starter kits contains tools for calculation of inductances, numerous application examples and circuit diagrams. Furthermore, a code-limited demo version of IAR Embedded Workbench is included in the kit. An on-chip debugging can be carried out via the USB interface provided on the boards.

CAN, DeviceNet and CANopen enable reliable communication with proven technology

Originally developed by Bosch in the nineteen-eighties for networking of control units in cars, CAN and protocols based on CAN e.g. CANopen or DeviceNet are also firmly established in other areas such as industrial automation, medical technology, energy technology or building automation as reliable communications standard. It’s no wonder, the serial bus system is perfectly suited for the exchange of data between controllers, sensors and actuators.Originally developed by Bosch in the nineteen-eighties for networking of control units in cars, CAN and protocols based on CAN e.g. CANopen or DeviceNet are also firmly established in other areas such as industrial automation, medical technology, energy technology or building automation as reliable communications standard. It’s no wonder, the serial bus system is perfectly suited for the exchange of data between controllers, sensors and actuators.

Despite that, or perhaps because of that, even after so many years it is worth taking a critical look from time to time at the current service portfolio of its suppliers. Are quality and reliability of the products used okay? What is the situation with guaranteed availability of the devices used over a long period of time? If you don’t want to experience any unpleasant surprises, in case of doubt, you are well advised to check it out every once in a while. With microcontrollers from NEC Electronics, for example, we know from decades of personal experience that product life cycles of more than 10 years are more or less standard. This is obviously also valid for the 16-bit and 32-bit microcontrollers of the F series, which are qualified for the automobile sector, and the 32-bit MCUs of the J series. The latter are ideally suited for all applications where USB, CAN and Ethernet must be combined.

The 78K0R/Fx3 product family, specifically designed for cost-sensitive applications and provided with a CAN interface as standard, includes more than 30 software compatible microcontrollers in 30-, 48-, 64-, 80- or 100-pin packages. With a processing power of approximately 15 DMIPS, integrated multiplier and divider unit as well as 16 KB data flash, a maximum of 256 KB flash and 16 KB of RAM, these products are ideally suited for sensors, actuators, measurement devices, interface converters or small controllers.

The V850ES/Fx3-L product family, which is based on the 32-bit V850ES core, offers high computing power and features an outstanding price-performance ratio. If this is still not enough performance for you then the microcontrollers of the V850ES/Fx3 series, which are pin and software compatible to the V850ES/Fx3-L product family, are your best choice. With greater than 60 DMIPS processing power, up to 1 MB flash, up to five CAN interfaces and flexible timers that are also suitable for 3-phase motor control, these microcontrollers meet even the highest demands of the developer.

Due to the high degree of market acceptance of the V850ES/Fx3 product family, NEC Electronics has already announced a successor family for this year. The V850E2/Fx4 series, in comparison to the Fx3 version, will offer significantly more processing power and memory, both in the lower performance segment and in the high-end segment.

J series microcontrollers are perfect complements to the Fx3 series of MCUs. Timer units, which can be used especially for motor control applications, are also provided on these chips. Furthermore, they also combine several communication interfaces such as USB Host, USB Device, CAN and Ethernet.

NEC Electronics and Gleichmann Electronics offer starter kits with comprehensive software libraries as reference designs and complete development environments for all product families. Certified communication stacks from third parties are also available. Additional information can be obtained at