Home » Author Archives: Alun Williams

Alun Williams

Web Editor of Electronics Weekly, he is the author of the Gadget Master and Electro-ramblings blogs and also covers space technology news. He has been working in tech journalism for worryingly close to thirty years. In a previous existence, he was a software programmer.

Microchip’s SAM9X75D5M hybrid MCU SiP targets automotive HMIs

Microchip-SAM9X75D5M-hybrid-MCU-SiP-JPG-300x200.webp

Microchip’s AEC-Q100 Grade 2-qualified, SAM9X75D5M System-in-Package (SiP) addresses growing demand for Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) in automotive and e-mobility applications. Supporting sophisticated graphics and large display sizes (up to 10 inches with XGA resolution, 1024 × 768), the hybrid MCU SiP combines the MPU and memory into a single package. It features an Arm926EJ-S processor and 512 Mbit DDR2 SDRAM. Display ...

EW BrightSparks 2025 profile: Osian Jones, Compound Semiconductor Catapult

ElektraAwards2025_092-EW-BrightSparks-2025-300x200.webp

Now in its eighth year, the EW BrightSparks awards see Electronics Weekly celebrate some of the brightest and most talented young engineers in the UK today. In the next in our series on the latest EW BrightSparks of 2025, we profile Osian Jones, who was an intern at the Compound Semiconductor Catapult (CSA) last year. He is studying at Swansea University ...

ESA awards OHB Sweden the EPS‑Sterna constellation contract

OHB-Swededn-satellite-300x200.webp

The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected OHB Sweden to build 20 small satellites for the EUMETSAT Polar System – Sterna (EPS‑Sterna) constellation. EUMETSAT is the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. The programme will also involve AAC Omnisys, a subsidiary of AAC Clyde Space, who provides the mission’s meteorological payload. This is a Gothenburg‑developed microwave radiometer. EPS‑Sterna ...

Toshiba’s TPHR6704RL targets industrial switched-mode power supplies

Toshiba-7676-54065134_LR-300x200.webp

Toshiba’s TPHR6704RL is a 40V, 0.67mΩ N-channel MOSFET aiming yo to improve efficiency for industrial power supplies. It uses U-MOS11-H technology, highlights Toshiba, to deliver ultra-low on-resistance, fast switching and improved EMI performance in switched-mode power supplies. For example, by minimising voltage spikes generated between the drain and source during switching. TPHR6704RL The company writes: “By adopting the U-MOS11-H process, ...

Secure your seat at the Women Leaders In Electronics Awards 2026

women-header-300x200.webp

The date is fast approaching for the Women Leaders In Electronics Awards 2026 in central London: Wednesday 29 April, at One Moorgate Place. It’s time to secure your seat at the event that recognises and showcases women’s work and impact in the electronics industry! As well as the awards themselves, of course, there will be plenty of opportunities for industry ...

Tria Technologies extends multi-OS support for Qualcomm hardware

TR027-top-down-image-JPG-300x200.webp

Tria Technologies, the embedded compute board specialist, is expanding operating system support across its Qualcomm-based hardware. Yocto Linux, Windows 11 IoT, and Android are all now available, it announces. Android 16 Specifically, for Android, while support for version 13 of the OS is currently available, Android 16 is planned for Q4 2026, says Tria. The release brings mobile capabilities to ...

SmartRay ECCO X 050G 3D laser scanning sensor for reflective surfaces

ECCO-X-050G-Launch-Post-300x200.webp

SmartRay is extending its ECCO X sensor range, for 3D laser scanning, with a model featuring 3D scanning for highly reflective surfaces, the ECCO X 050G sensor. ECCO X 050G It has the capability to measure shiny, reflective and transparent surfaces, such as glass, for example, for automated optical inspection, for manufacturers of mobile phones, camera and eyewear lenses, as ...

Direct Insight’s QSMP-20 SoM for smart devices sidesteps AI memory demand

csm_QSMP-23-ST_b34e132054-300x167-1.webp

Direct Insight, the system-on-module (SoM) specialist, has released its STM32MP235C-based QSMP-20 module. It features higher availability DDR3L RAM to sidestep AI-driven lead time and supply issues. This is a solder-down QFN-style SoM, providing a drop-in, pin-compatible upgrade for the QSMP-15, the company highlights. And there is lower-cost DDR3 RAM with shorter lead times to avoid the ongoing AI-lead pressure on ...

Recom RVP6501 transformer driver IC for discrete isolated power supplies

ProductImage-738-300x200.webp

Recom’s new range of power ICs and SMD (Surface Mount Device) transformers, for building discrete DC/DC isolated power supplies, includes the RVP6501. This is a pin-compatible second-source alternative to the 6501-type push-pull transformer driver IC. The company highlights the two features of precise switch timing and over-current protection. This, it says, is to avoid the risk of flux imbalance core ...