ESNA spoke with ReSolve, part of Arrow's newly launched reverse logistics group, which also includes Intechra, an IT asset disposition services company and Converge, an independent distributor, to discuss the importance of a reverse supply chain logistics program. 
The aftermath of Japan's earthquake last month has left the electronics supply chain struggling with production stoppages and shipment delays of electronic components and raw materials supply.
Because the DRAM market is highly volatile the current buyer's market could quickly swing into a seller's market during the second half of 2011. Buyers will need to keep an eye on several key issues.
PI HVICs eliminate sense resistor power losses in standby mode
San Jose, Calif. — Power Integrations (PI) has introduced the SENZero family of high-voltage ICs (HVICs) that disconnect sense resistors from high-voltage rails during standby or remote-off conditions.
These devices eliminate sense resistor power losses in standby mode and reduce total system power consumption, helping to meet the stringent demands of energy-conscious equipment makers and efficiency standards such as EuP and 80 Plus, said PI.
The SENZero family enables high-voltage sense resistors or resistor dividers connected to the DC high-voltage rail in power factor correction (PFC) and/or power conversion stages of a power supply to be disconnected during no-load or standby conditions to reduce power consumption. This allows functional blocks within the power supply to be shut down or disabled so that they do not draw power unnecessarily when the PSU is not in its full operation mode, said PI.
When used in this manner for PC or TV power supplies, SENZero is able to shut down the main power while keeping standby power on. The device is also suitable in other high-power applications such as laser printers, appliances, servers and networking equipment, and any other power supply where no-load performance or standby consumption is tightly regulated.
“SENZero ICs — particularly when used in conjunction with Power Integrations’ recently released CAPZero X capacitor discharge ICs — allow engineers to quickly adapt existing designs to reduce power consumption in standby mode and cost-effectively bring them into compliance with new regulations,” said Edward Ong, product marketing manager at Power Integrations, in a statement.
SENZero is available in two- and three-channel versions according to application requirements. For designs that require more than three disconnect channels, or for designs with layout or routing challenges, designers can use multiple SENZero ICs.
Delphi Automotive intros an aluminum cable as an alternative to more expensive copper cabling in automotive applications.