Sensors

4D imaging millimeter wave radar equips vehicles with superhuman vision

As technology continues to evolve, next-generation ADAS systems will no longer rely solely on a single sensor technology but will move toward multi-technology fusion.

Optimized analog front-end design for edge AI

Connected applications are in transition, from the internet of things (IoT) to the artificial intelligent internet of things (AIoT). Real-world data is now doing double-duty. How does that impact analog design?

A technical guide to distributed aperture radar

The combination of innovative hardware and advanced software is enabling a new approach to synthetic aperture radar design, improving spatial resolution, position detection and object recognition.

The choice of energy harvesters for self-sustaining sensors

PART 2: This article reviews advances in self-sustaining sensor nodes, focusing on innovative designs tackling intermittent energy and ultra-low-power challenges.

4D Radar: Extraordinary sensors for the cars of tomorrow

The full realization of NOA requires three main sensing technologies – camera lens, millimeter wave (mmWave) radar, and light detection and ranging (LiDAR). Each of these technologies has its own strengths and limitations, which complement the othe

Navigating the Future: How Avnet is addressing challenges in AMR Design

Autonomous Mobile Robots are performing tasks that are too dangerous, tedious, or costly for humans. Designing AMRs involves many technical and business challenges. This article covers these challenges and how Avnet will help you overcome them.

The importance of programmable technology in a smarter digital age

Programmable technologies like PGA and programmable IC offer significant competitive advantages that will play an increasingly important role in the digital age.

The future of EV charging: revolutionary developments are closer than you think

Electric vehicles (EVs) are big business. You only need to look at Tesla’s share price to see just how big. Imagine how much more valuable the market would be if EVs could charge in a few seconds, not minutes or hours.

Solutions for transportation design pain points don’t have to be daunting

Transportation engineers seeking solutions to overcome today’s most common design pain points can look to the industry’s long history of innovation for inspiration.

Choosing the right image sensor for machine vision applications

The core component in any machine vision system, the image sensor has a major influence on product performance—but there's no universal right fit. There are many aspects to consider, and every manufacturer's product is different.

How engineers cut development time in half for an EV fire warning system

Through rapid prototyping, Amphenol developed sensor modules that reliably detect carbon dioxide and hydrogen from cell decomposition venting for early warning of lithium cell thermal runaway.

It’s good to be back! Reunited at Embedded World 2022

With some new solutions from leading suppliers, and a major announcement between Amazon Web Services and Avnet, the Embedded World exhibition and conference reflects what’s important to the wider industry.

A closer look at SiC quality

Silicon carbide builds on established manufacturing methodologies but requires entirely new manufacturing processes. Increasing yield and reducing costs relies on imposing the highest quality at every stage.

DMS: Don't fall asleep at the wheel – I'm watching you!

Until humans can comfortably "hand over the steering wheel" to machines, "human-machine co-driving" will dominate the automotive market. A recent development in this scenario is the Driver Monitor System (DMS).

How robust testing forms part of the SiC supply chain

In high reliability/availability applications, SiC semiconductors are seen as emerging technology. This article explains their benefits and how an end-to-end supply chain with robust testing makes SiC a safe design option.

BCG Sensing Technology Brings You “Closer” to Your Heart

Professional medical terminals like BCG devices, which are both non-sensing and require minimal management, are bound to occupy an important place in the future wave of smart sensing, smart life and smart medical care.

New technologies could make building management, HVAC systems even smarter

The IoT has connected buildings in new and enabling ways. The next stage, already started, is to use AI to make buildings even smarter. AI relies on data, and data comes from sensors essential to these systems.

Prevent facial recognition spoofing with stereo vision

Without any additional protection, image sensor-based facial recognition is easy to spoof with a printed photo. We explore hardware options to prevent this spoofing, including Avnet’s own dual-camera mezzanine for Ultra96-V2 development boards.

How to use structured light and image sensors for range detection and identification

Today’s most popular 3D imaging technologies are Time of Flight (ToF), stereo vision and structured light. This article overviews the basic operating principles and the relative strengths, weaknesses and trade-offs associated with each option.

Smarter lighting makes for healthier people

Lighting can have an important effect on our well-being and effectiveness. In fact, lighting matters so much that UNESCO designated May 16 as the annual International Day of Light to recognize its role in healthy living.

Putting the smarts into building automation

Smart building automation can augment the capabilities of today’s building management systems and create new data flows that reveal insights about how a building is functioning and used. It can also enable new revenue streams for building managers.

Technologies for drones, robots and autonomous vehicles

When we talk about autonomous applications, devices such as drones, robots and driverless vehicles come to mind. What they all have in common is the ability to gather information on their surroundings, process this data, interpret it and act on it.

Vision systems: Processing at the edge, in the cloud, or both?

Computer vision perfectly exemplifies the conundrum developers face when comparing processing data in the cloud or at the edge. That is, should the data generated by the camera be processed locally, in the cloud or both?

A comparison of vision sensing technologies in autonomous systems

Electronic sensors provide autonomous systems with essential information. The type of sensor used determines how this information is captured and how useful it is. This data-driven approach brings with it some tough design decisions.

How electronic sensors mirror nature

Recent research puts sensors at the top of the list of technologies of interest to engineers. Find out how the latest electronic devices replicate some of the most amazing sensory capabilities found in nature.

How no-code design could accelerate Industrial IoT development

Developing large numbers of new and diverse devices for an Industrial IoT solution can challenge your engineering resources. Using a no-code approach to development can reduce the size and complexity of that challenge.

Time-of-flight cameras make patient monitoring secure and private

A growing need exists for alternative solutions to patient monitoring applications in healthcare facilities. Time-of-flight cameras enable sensors to read position data of scenes within the field of view, but without identifying patient information.

What is sensor fusion? Let's start with the story of the blind men and the elephant.

When multiple pieces of information on the features of the object are integrated, more complete and accurate pictures can be formed. This method of integrating multiple sensors is called “sensor fusion.”

A mask that can detect viruses – who wouldn’t want one?

Engineers from MIT and Harvard University have jointly developed a new type of mask that embeds sensors in the fabric and can diagnose whether the wearer has COVID-19 in just 90 minutes, with an accuracy comparable to standard PCR tests.

The growing role of sensors in modern building management systems

The key enabler of intelligent buildings is sensing technology that provides the raw data upon which these services rely. The relatively low cost of deploying many sensor types is also encouraging developers to deploy them.