Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE: VSH) today broadened its optoelectronics portfolio with the introduction of a new generation of 850-nm infrared emitters in 5-mm leaded packages. The TSHG5210 and TSHG6210 are available with ±10° viewing angle while the TSHG5410 and TSHG6×10 devices are available with a ±18° viewing angle. They offer extremely high radiant intensity with the industry’s lowest forward voltage.

The four emitters released today are optimized for infrared illumination for CMOS and CCD cameras used in closed-circuit television (CCTV) security applications; high-speed infrared data transmission in home entertainment surround-sound systems, museums, and concert halls; and for particle detection in smoke detectors.

For security camera illumination, the emitters’ high radiant intensity of 230 mW/sr at 100 mA for the ±10° devices and 90 mW/sr at 100 mA for the ±18° devices provide longer illumination distance and greater resolution. In addition, the emitters show the lowest degradation over time. Where some competing emitters degrade up to 60% in one year, Vishay’s emitter intensity remains virtually unchanged.

For high-modulation operation, the new emitters feature switching times of 20 ns, supporting data transmission rates up to 16 Mbit/sec. For smoke detectors, the higher radiant intensity of the ±10° devices allows for lower current operation to extend battery life.

While many emitters are only suitable for 50-mA operation, Vishay’s TSHG5×10 and TSHG6×10 devices comfortably provide 55-mW optical power at 100 mA. The emitters offer high power output, with a forward voltage of 2.3 V at 1 A and 1.5 V at 100 mA. To control the height of the emitter when inserted into the PCB for soldering, the TSHG5×10 devices feature a standoff. The devices are lead (Pb)-free in accordance with WEEE 2002/96/EC and RoHS 2002/95/EC.

A new in-line connector from Tyco Electronics is designed to make connecting of aluminum-clad printed circuit boards for LED lighting applications that include lighting controls and LED light modules faster and easier. The low-profile surface-mount connector, available in two, four, and six positions, uses a hermaphroditic blade and receptacle design to allow LED printed circuit board strips to be joined with more flexibility than with traditional post-and-receptacle headers. Connections can be made by sliding the two boards together horizontally or vertically. The unique capability to slide the two boards together vertically makes replacement of a board in mid-strip easier by lifting up the strip to be replaced and lowering in the new one.

The new connector features a flexible mating engagement allowance of 2.5 mm horizontally and 1.1 mm vertically to accommodate variations in the mounting of the pc boards. It also permits right-angle mating of the boards.

The hermaphroditic design results in only one part to be inventoried and simplifies design by allowing the same footprint on both ends of the strip. The liquid-crystal polymer housings are available either tape or reel mounted, are compatible with vacuum pick-and-place equipment and reflow soldering, and feature a low, space-saving profile of only 3.2 mm. They have a 5 A current rating. Materials are RoHS compliant.

Sharp adds to its family of white Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with four products. These High Brightness (HB) LEDs provide brightness levels of 1400 and 2000 mcd at IF = 20 mA, and are specifically designed with a small package (3.2 x 2.8 x 1.9 mm or 2.64 x 1.64 x 0.7 mm) for space-limited applications such as display illumination for hand-held or portable devices. The LEDs offer matched radiation patterns, ensuring consistent color mixing and uniformity. They are well suited for many consumer and commercial lighting applications that have traditionally used conventional incandescent or other technologies, but offer long operating life and low power consumption.