Nuts & Volts

■ H A R D W A R E ■ S O F T W A R E ■ G A D G E T S ■ T O O L SStudent License, while the Home/Small Office license is priced at $50(US). A 30% Academic Discountis also available. More detailed informationis provided at www.rapid-pi.com/pricing.aspxA fully-functional 60-day evaluationversion of Rapid-Pi can be downloadedfrom www.rapid-pi.com/download.aspxFor more information, contact:Trident Software Pty Ltd.Web: www.rapid-pi.comALPHA EF-6100LOW-SOLIDS WAVESOLDER FLUXCookson ElectronicsAssemblyMaterials(CEAM) announcesthe global launchof ALPHA EF-6100low-solids wavesolder flux, the latestaddition to itssteadily expandingline of EF-Series environmentally-friendlyfluxes designedfor new lead-free processes, as well astin-lead processes. This no-clean, alcohol-basedflux provides best-in-classreliability, passing all international reliabilitystandards including IPC, Bellcore,and JIS.“ALPHA EF-6100 offers lowresidue for excellent board cosmeticsand pin-testability for lead-free andtin-lead applications,” said SteveBrown, Global Product Manager atCEAM. “Additionally, EF-6100 meetsall IPC, Bellcore, and JIS electromigrationand surface insulation resistancestandards — confirming its exceptionalelectrical reliability.”Fully lead-free capable ORL0,ALPHA EF-6100 leaves minimal colorless,non-tacky, clear flux residue thatspreads uniformly over the surface ofprinted circuit boards. It providesexcellent resistance to connectorbridging across a broad range ofprocess conditions. It is compatiblewith all common pad finish types andimproves yield by reducing defects,minimizing rework, and increasingthroughput.For more information, contact:Cookson ElectronicsAssembly Materials600 Route 440Jersey City, NJ 07304Web: www.cooksonelectronics.comHIGH VOLTAGEUSB DIGITAL I/OThe RP00001616TB buffered USB DIOboard features 16 inputs and 16 outputs.Both leads of the optically-isolatedinputs are made available to the user.This allows the designer the flexibility touse a variety of DC voltages on the inputs.Each input requires a current limitingresistor and is sensitive to below 2mA. Two SIP resistor networks are suppliedto act as pull-ups for the digital inputs.When the resistor networks are installed,the user can connect the cathodeof any of the inputs to the ground suppliedon the input connector to signal aninput event.Both leads of each digital outputhave been made available to the user.Each output has the ability to switchloads up to 250 Vac/Vdc at a maximumcurrent of 120 mA.This low cost DIO board has aneasy-to-use USB interface. The unit ispowered by the USB port eliminatingthe need for external power supplies.Reading and writing the DIO is donethrough a DLL (dynamic link library).This makes it easy for the popular programminglanguages (C++Builder,VisualC, Visual Basic, NI’s MeasurementStudio, etc.) to access the routinesneeded to control the DIO. This boardcan also be accessed from an actionstep in NI’s Test Stand using the DLLFlexible Prototype Adapter.The RP00001616TB buffered USBDIO board is supplied as a PCB,making it ideal for OEM applications.A 10’ USB cable, two resistor networksand a CD containing the manual,drivers, and a variety of softwareexamples ships with each unit. Theboards are available for $125.For more information, contact:BCSWeb: www.bcsideas.comNO PERSONALCOMPUTERNEEDED!The 20-year habit of requiring a$1,000 personal computer for every$5 computer trainer, logic trainer, orcomputer educational device can nowbe broken with a stand-alone microcontrollerfrom Industrial Ventures (IV).The IV Prd Kit has been upgraded toinclude three meta-technical features:• Auto message generation includingloop-back facility and a complete ASCII-8 character set for testing any standardEIA RS232 device.• The partially assembled and testedkit with power supply, cables, andinstructions insures “out-of-the-boxoperation” without effort.• Self-programming Flash memory withthe Atmel MEGA8515 RISC microcontrollerfeatures 14 MIPS together with operatingsoftware including OS, Monitor,and Applications as examples/tutorial.The IV-Prd-Kit sells for $49, andcompletely unassembled kits areavailable starting at $24 each. Shippingis free within the US and begins in June2006. IV terms are Postal Money Orderwith order.Many low-cost accessories andbreadboards are available, and pricingand specifications are available from IV.For more information, contact:Industrial VenturesPO Box 245Waldwick, NJ 07463-024536 May 2006