Press Review
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July 2024Quartz crystals and oscillators in the maelstrom of change Press Review
Quartz crystals and oscillators in the maelstrom of change
Between supply and demand.
A wave of consolidation is sweeping through the market: many players are discontinuing older components that are less in demand. At the same time, price pressure and logistical challenges are growing, forcing everyone involved to adapt their strategies.
This publication is available in German only.
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July 2024Optimal cost-benefit balance Press Review
Optimal cost-benefit balance
Selection of precision resistors
When it comes to resistors, there are different technologies available to developers that make sense for certain applications depending on the cost-benefit analysis. However, if the application requires accuracy, minimal changes with temperature, stability over time and load, resistance to moisture and other properties, the options are limited.
WDI Press Review: Optimal cost-benefit balance (464.31 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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April 2024Clock Accuracy Press Review
Clock Accuracy
In this article, we will take an in-depth look at two crucial factors that have a significant impact on the performance of modern electronic systems: Phase noise and jitter.
Long-distance communication and data transmission are becoming easier and faster. In order to keep up with this dynamic development, we must constantly improve our electronic systems.
WDI Press Review: Clock Accuracy (647.44 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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March 2024Precision-manufactured spring contacts Press Review
Precision-manufactured spring contacts
The variety of spring contacts is growing exponentially. This is because reliable electrical contacting is essential in many industries - from consumer electronics to automotive and medical electronics to aerospace.
Precision-manufactured, spring-loaded contacts, also known as spring contacts or pogo pins, are finding their way into more and more applications, partly because the technology is constantly evolving. Innovations include smaller designs and pitches, ultra-flat designs as well as robust and larger versions with higher current carrying capacity. There are also spring contact designs that open up new application possibilities.
This publication is available in German only.
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December 2023Distribution with real added value Press Review
Distribution with real added value
Due to the constantly growing competition from online distribution, traditional distribution services appear to be becoming less and less important.
However, the turbulent last few years in the electronics industry have shown just how important well-founded advice is.
WDI Press Review: Distribution with real added value (804.17 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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November 2023High-Q capacitors Press Review
High-Q capacitors
Selection criteria for the ideal MLCC for high power RF applications.
When it comes to selecting the right high-Q capacitor, voltage, capacitance and tolerance values are just some of the criteria that need to be considered. Just because a capacitor is labeled "High-Q" does not necessarily mean that it will deliver the required performance.
WDI Press Review: High-Q capacitors (668.35 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2023PowerWirewound vs Powerfilm Press Review
PowerWirewound vs Powerfilm
A comparison of two resistor technologies.
Typical resistors used in power electronics and in inverter circuits are power film resistors and wirewound resistors. Knowing which properties characterize the two resistor types makes it easier to select components.
WDI Press Review: PowerWirewound vs Powerfilm (731.88 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2023No fear of aging Press Review
No fear of aging
Quartz aging and the effects on frequency stability.
In oscillator circuits, aging processes of the quartz crystal used can lead to deviations from frequency or even failure of the entire system. Which causes there are for the aging of quartz crystals and how it can be minimized, is shown in this article.
WDI Press Review: No fear of aging (502.71 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2023Oscillators outside their temperature range Press Review
Oscillators outside their temperature range
Operation is possible - but not recommended.
As soon as developers and system designers try to optimize their products, the question often arises: How does a crystal oscillator behave when it operates outside its specified parameters?
This publication is available in German only.
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September 2023Highest precision Press Review
Highest precision
Resistors for energy, transport and high temperature applications.
The stability of a precision resistor depends primarily on its temperature, and temperature can affect resistor stability in many different ways. Thermal-related effects on stability have various immediate, short-term, and long-term consequences, some of which are reversible and some of which are not.
WDI Press Review: Highest precision (1.90 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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August 2023Programmable Oscillators Press Review
Programmable Oscillators
The way to get to market faster.
The development time can be greatly reduced by rapidly available programmable oscillators. In series production, fixed-frequency oscillators can then be used in order to keep production costs low.
WDI Press Review: Programmable Oscillators (924.05 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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June 2023Ways through the data sheet jungle Press Review
Ways through the data sheet jungle
Crystal and oscillator data sheets often contain half-truths and are more confusing than helpful. If you want to compare the products of different providers, you need to have in-depth detailed knowledge. And that is what it is about.
Due to the technical complexity, the clock generator, whether the "simple" quartz crystal or the factory-tuned oscillator, is still often considered the problem child on the printed circuit board. Its correct specification poses enormous challenges for many users because the necessary detailed knowledge is often simply missing.
WDI Press Review: Ways through the data sheet jungle (739.28 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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April 2023Keeping development on track Press Review
Keeping development on track
Designing an oscillator circuit is a challenge for developers. However, it is possible to have the oscillator circuit analyzed by the crystal manufacturer.
If, during the development of a new clock generator, the coordination between the crystal and the other components of the oscillator circuit simply does not fit, the developer is faced with a problem. Especially if everything worked perfectly during development under optimum conditions and the error only leads to failures in the field under real conditions.
WDI Press Review: Keeping development on track (473.55 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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March 2023Get the rigth Timing Press Review
Get the rigth Timing
You have to move with the times or the times move you.
The electronics industry has had to contend with considerable turbulence in recent years. Even if the situation improves, customers are still confronted with inconsistent, sometimes extremely long delivery times, unforeseen discontinuations and erratic price developments.
WDI Press Review: Get the rigth Timing (2.70 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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November 2022Get the right timing Press Review
Get the right timing
When it comes to choosing the right clock source for an electronic system, users are always faced with the same question during development: quartz crystal or oscillator?
When looking for the right answer to this question, it is important to take into account a wide range of general conditions, such as the size of the circuit board or the required frequency stability, and also to do justice to the increasing cost pressure. The correct specification and correct application of the extremely complex clock generators also require the utmost care.
WDI Press Review: Get the right timing (1.57 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2022What to do in the current situation Press Review
What to do in the current situation
Cool through turbulent times
In view of the current situation, supply chains need to be built solidly and not only evaluated according to their savings potential. "Anyone who is currently clinging to old behavior patterns will get into trouble," says Hendrik Nielsen (WDI AG) from the point of view of a specialist for frequency-control products.
This publication is available in German only.
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October 2022Evolution with spring contacts Press Review
Evolution with spring contacts
Spring contacts are usually limited to vertical contacting. A new type of design now enables vertical and horizontal contacting. This opens up new possibilities.
Products and technologies are constantly evolving. Although the wheel is not constantly being reinvented, new materials and innovations are still leading to product improvements, cost reductions and new application possibilities. This is also the case with connecting components, especially spring contacts and spring contact modules.
WDI Press Review: Evolution with spring contacts (507.33 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2022Identify trends, avoid redesign Press Review
Identify trends, avoid redesign
Understand its background
Recently there have been significant delivery problems with watch crystals, but especially with older large crystals and oscillators. In order to avoid delivery bottlenecks, it may be necessary to switch to smaller quartzes combined with a redesign.
WDI Press Review: Identify trends, avoid redesign (517.24 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2022Solvable challenge Press Review
Solvable challenge
Tips for implementing small crystal packages
The trend in electronics continues unstoppable towards smaller and more complex sizes. This is a blessing and a curse for developers and buyers. On the one hand, miniaturization enables the practical implementation of extensive battery-powered applications that require extremely little energy despite a feature-rich environment, on the other hand, the consequence is that the older and larger designs are gradually being pushed out of the market and component procurement for many older and mostly larger circuit board designs becomes a real challenge.
WDI Press Review: Solvable challenge (1.89 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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June 2022Redesign? Challenge Accepted! Press Review
Redesign? Challenge Accepted!
What to consider when using smaller size crystals.
For many older designs, a mostly dreaded redesign of the oscillator circuit is unavoidable. However, the redesign does not have to become a nightmare - as long as some important details are considered carefully.
WDI Press Review: Redesign? Challenge Accepted! (428.14 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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April 2022Read data sheets properly Press Review
Read data sheets properly
The truth can be found between the lines.
Resistor data sheets contain a wealth of information that is not always complete. While the data on the first page is intentionally very attractive, do not rely on it without reading and understanding the rest of the datasheet.
What developers should pay attention to.WDI Press Review: Read data sheets properly (565.23 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2021FAQ Real-Time-Clock Press Review
FAQ Real-Time-Clock
Selection and use of RTC modules
The ongoing trend towards miniaturization and the development of increasingly modern portable systems, such as wearables, are constantly presenting developers with new and even more complex challenges. Ever higher performance and additional functions must be accommodated in the smallest possible space and also be battery-friendly.
WDI Press Review: FAQ Real-Time-Clock (2.36 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2021Electronics industry 2021 Press Review
Electronics industry 2021
Between boom and despair
The electronics industry has been experiencing turbulent times for months. Customers are constantly confronted with increasing delivery times and prices.
WDI Press Review: Electronics industry 2021 (667.85 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2021Crystal oscillators: origin, functionality and specification Press Review
Crystal oscillators: origin, functionality and specification
In communication technology and digital circuits, crystal oscillators are indispensable today. This article gives an overview of the creation, functionality and specification.
Oscillators are using the mechanical resonance of a piezoelectric material, in most cases a quartz crystal, to generate a clock signal with a stable frequency in the form of a logic-compatible square wave. The signal generated in this way synchronizes the other electronic components of a system and is therefore vital for a perfectly functioning end product.
This publication is available in German only.
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October 2021The situation is getting worse! Press Review
The situation is getting worse!
Christian Dunger on the shortage.
In the face of scarcity, manufacturers are rethinking: It is no longer the price that counts, but the availability. However, the wave of discontinuations is causing a headache.
This publication is available in German only.
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September 2021So that redesign doesn't turn into a nightmare Press Review
So that redesign doesn't turn into a nightmare
For many older designs, a – mostly feared – redesign of the oscillator circuit is unavoidable. If you pay attention to a few details, you can still sleep peacefully.
Driven by the availability of ever smaller, cheaper and more energy-efficient processors, the demand for ever smaller and battery-powered IoT and wearable devices has been increasing for years. An end to the trend toward miniaturization is not in sight.
This publication is available in German only.
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September 2021Reduce latency in Wi-Fi 6E Press Review
Reduce latency in Wi-Fi 6E
Use band pass filters to reduce latency in Wi-Fi 6E applications.
Advanced high-Q RF components will play a vital role in the larger goal of eliminating many of the Wi-Fi latency problems of the past. Band pass filters help developers keep latency down.
WDI Press Review: Reduce latency in Wi-Fi 6E (637.93 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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May 2021Watch out, trap! Press Review
Watch out, trap!
Why an incorrect resistor endangers the oscillation safety.
In order to ensure the function and stability of an electronic system, a clean oscillation of the quartz crystal and a stable oscillation at the specified nominal frequency are essential.
WDI Press Review: Watch out, trap! (281.20 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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May 2021On the verge of madness Press Review
On the verge of madness
Compared to the beginning of the year, the situation has worsened significantly. Raw materials are scarce, which affects quartz crystals and oscillators.
The tense delivery situation has worsened since the beginning of the year. This is because the Corona crisis severely disrupted supply chains, especially air freight.
WDI Press Review: On the verge of madness (87.64 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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November 2020Strategy for minimizing risk Press Review
Strategy for minimizing risk
Obsolescence management instead of just reacting.
Component discontinuations, new launches, product changes: WDI wants to take the horror away from obsolescence with a coordinated portfolio, design-in support and advice.
WDI Press Review: Strategy for minimizing risk (180.42 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2020MEMS vs. Crystal Oscillators Press Review
MEMS vs. Crystal Oscillators
A performance comparison of the two different technologies under real conditions.
When it comes to selecting a suitable oscillator, users are increasingly faced with the question: MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) or quartz-based oscillator? Which technology is right for the respective application?
WDI Press Review: MEMS vs. Crystal Oscillators (638.07 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2020Connect LEDs correctly Press Review
Connect LEDs correctly
Modular solutions and maintenance of LED lighting systems.
Changing light bulbs is easy; however, these are no longer common. LEDs have taken their place, and they are not always easy to change. But even there there are user-friendly and inexpensive alternatives.
WDI Press Review: Connect LEDs correctly (1.40 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2020Influence of the capacitor tolerance Press Review
Influence of the capacitor tolerance
Small quartz crystals are required in oscillator circuits. But smaller designs have higher ESR values than larger designs with the same frequency.
This publication is available in German only.
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May 2020Quartz Crystal or Oscillator Press Review
Quartz Crystal or Oscillator
Selecting clock sources properly.
Choosing a suitable clock for a project is by no means trivial.
This publication is available in German only.
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April 2020Lesson for the world Press Review
Lesson for the world
Outbreak of the Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus in Wuhan
Following the outbreak of the Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus in Wuhan and its rapid spread, the Chinese government has taken drastic measures.
WDI Press Review: Lesson for the world (1.51 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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April 2020Unique selling points Press Review
Unique selling points
Crystal manufacturers in search
In contrast to the well-known standard products, there is a multitude of different applications and uses for crystals and crystal oscillators, all with their own, usually very specific requirements.
WDI Press Review: Unique selling points (3.18 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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March 2020Filtering, but correctly Press Review
Filtering, but correctly
Noise suppression & overvoltage protection of power supply circuits
Power supplies must be EMC safe. This includes both protection against external electromagnetic interference (EMI) and the suppression of own interference radiation, as this could impair the function of other circuits and devices.
WDI Press Review: Filtering, but correctly (1.24 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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March 2020Tense delivery situation Press Review
Tense delivery situation
Covid-19 affects supply chains, but not to the same extent everywhere.
Manufacturers of frequency control products have rarely experienced a situation such as the current one.
WDI Press Review: Tense delivery situation (818.53 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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March 2020Growing demand Press Review
Growing demand
Crystals and crystal oscillators on the rise
Some German companies in the crystal and crystal oscillator industry have so far been surprisingly less affected by the corona crisis - incoming orders are even rising.
WDI Press Review: Growing demand (11.11 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2019Synchronous in tone Press Review
Synchronous in tone
Oscillators - origin, mode of operation and specification.
Selecting clock modules under time pressure at the last minute is common practice, but rarely leads to a good result. Timely and thorough specification can help: What you should know about Frequency Control Products.
WDI Press Review: Synchronous in tone (532.81 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2019Quartz crystals for IoT Press Review
Quartz crystals for IoT
Selection of the right quartz crystal
If a stable, low-power reference is needed, oscillator circuits with 32.768 kHz crystal are the best choice. The article describes the procedure for quartz selection for IoT and wearable applications.
WDI Press Review: Quartz crystals for IoT (1.85 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2019Flexible production Press Review
Flexible production
Interquip on expansion course
A Chinese quartz crystal manufacturer with American roots: Thanks to the enormous depth of production, Interquip can produce flexible and cost-effective - and will double its capacity by the end of the year.
WDI Press Review: Flexible production (870.38 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2019Crystal oscillators Press Review
Crystal oscillators
Yesterday, today, tomorrow.
Crystals and oscillators have become smaller and smaller over the last few decades thanks to technological advances - without sacrificing performance or cost.
WDI Press Review: Crystal oscillators (3.84 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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September 2019The right rhythm Press Review
The right rhythm
Quarz crystals and oscillators.
Quartz crystals and oscillators are not only technically interesting, they also offer a diverse biotope for a wide variety of customer relationships and business models. That is why WDI relies on cooperation with a large number of manufacturers.
WDI Press Review: The right rhythm (2.64 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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June 2019Electrolytic capacitors Press Review
Electrolytic capacitors
Principles and properties
Electrolytic capacitors offer higher capacitance than other capacitor technologies of the same size. This article explains the construction of an electrolytic capacitor and its operating characteristics.
WDI Press Review: Electrolytic capacitors (520.43 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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June 2019Allocation Press Review
Allocation
Time to make a clean break?
Allocation in business means sharing the available production factors, such as machines and materials, among the various production facilities. Optimum allocation, i.e. best possible use of the production factors, ensures maximum profit.
WDI Press Review: Allocation (168.21 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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April 2019Quartz crystals and oscillators Press Review
Quartz crystals and oscillators
Why WDI relies on a large number of purchasers and suppliers.
Representing numerous manufacturers, selecting the appropriate product for each individual customer and supporting the design phase through our own expertise: “This is how we pursue a concept that is unique in Europe in the frequency-control product sector,” states Christian Dunger of WDI in an interview with Markt&Technik.
WDI Press Review: Quartz crystals and oscillators (806.07 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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April 2019MEMS-based clock generators Press Review
MEMS-based clock generators
The quartz-free alternative
Quartz-based oscillators as clock generators have ensured stable frequencies for decades and, for many applications, are still considered the best option.
This publication is available in German only.
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February 2019Heat management in batteries Press Review
Heat management in batteries
E-mobility requires complex cooling concepts
When planning battery-assisted e-mobility concepts, it’s essential to consider and integrate heat-management aspects in the very early stages of the design process. Expert teams involving battery manufacturers, electrical engineers and heat-management specialists should make early examination of the associated challenges a priority.
This publication is available in German only.
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January 2019Spring contacts Press Review
Spring contacts
Blind Mate? Shock? Vibration? – No problem!
Spring contacts are the kinds of component that we rarely give a second thought to, yet they are extremely important, reliable, flexible and highly versatile
WDI Press Review: Spring contacts (2.33 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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December 2018Chip antennas for miniature wireless modules and biosensors Press Review
Chip antennas for miniature wireless modules and biosensors
Tiny HF chip antennas no longer need to be banished to a “keep out” area, providing product designers with scope to create significantly smaller solutions for IoT transceivers, wireless medical modules and biosensors.
HF antennas for wireless medical modules have traditionally required a certain amount of reserved space outside the circuit to prevent potential interference with other components and ensure optimum radiation behaviour.
This publication is available in German only.
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November 2018For rapid switching operations Press Review
For rapid switching operations
High-performance oscillators
Oscillators with HCSL and CML outputs are popular due to their low power consumption and high performance. When designing printed circuit boards, however, there are a few points that have to be considered if you want to exploit their potential to the full.
WDI Press Review: For rapid switching operations (992.49 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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November 2018MEMS-Based oscillators in the automotive industry Press Review
MEMS-Based oscillators in the automotive industry
MEMS oscillators combine lower power consumption and extremely small housings with outstanding frequency stability and jitter performance over the entire temperature range.
Quartz crystals have been used as clock generators in oscillators to ensure stable frequencies for decades. Indeed, they are still being used successfully in many applications. Around ten years ago, however, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) came on the scene. Involving the use of MEMS resonators in oscillators instead of quartz crystals, this new technology is becoming increasingly widespread.
This publication is available in German only.
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November 2018Reducing electromagnetic interference Press Review
Reducing electromagnetic interference
Design tips for MEMS oscillators
MEMS oscillators have two key programmable features that can help reduce and attenuate electromagnetic interference caused by the oscillator.
This publication is available in German only.
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October 2018Is quality too high a price to pay? Press Review
Is quality too high a price to pay?
Precision-engineered contact pins
Developers often feel compelled to specify the most cost-effective solution for every aspect of their design to be sure that their product can compete on price. Connectors of lower quality, however, can cause premature failure, entailing extensive reworking and damaging the company's reputation in the process.
This publication is available in German only.
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October 2018Why does interference come about? Press Review
Why does interference come about?
The output signal of any oscillator contains unwanted noise and interference signals.
These signals may include random and/or deterministic elements relating to both the signal amplitude and its phase. We examine the main reasons for some of these unwanted interference signals.
WDI Press Review: Why does interference come about? (1,003.36 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2018Polymer and Hybrid Polymer Capacitors Press Review
Polymer and Hybrid Polymer Capacitors
Thanks to their unique chemical properties, polymer and hybrid polymer capacitors offer new opportunities when using capacitors.
All kinds of electronic device are now an established part of our everyday lives and have a significant impact on our professional and private needs. Consumers want products that are not only sturdy and long-lasting but are also environmentally friendly, use minimal energy and are smaller, lighter and more reasonably priced.
This publication is available in German only.
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August 2018RTC Modules with the accuracy of a swiss watch Press Review
RTC Modules with the accuracy of a swiss watch
Low power consumption in the smallest of spaces
For a good many years now, Swiss manufacturer Micro Crystal has enjoyed world renown for its quartz crystals for a broad range of applications. Micro Crystal’s real time clock modules are the logical next step, combining the extreme energy-saving properties of real time clocks with ultramodern quartz and housing technology.
This publication is available in German only.
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June 2018A changing market Press Review
A changing market
Distribution in 2018
Falko Ladiges reports on current issues surrounding distribution, manufacturers and users. He also discusses the latest trends and innovations in the components sector, the focus on applications and the current situation regarding component procurement.
WDI Press Review: A changing market (289.51 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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April 2018Clock quartz crystal circuits Press Review
Clock quartz crystal circuits
Simplicity itself.
These days, clock quartz crystals, i.e. oscillating quartz crystals with a frequency of 32.768 kHz, are some of the world’s best-selling quartz modules. And yet, despite the fact that they are used in their millions in a variety of designs, many users still don’t fully understand how these frequency control components work.
WDI Press Review: Clock quartz crystal circuits (664.46 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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January 2018Spring into action Press Review
Spring into action
Spring contacts. These are probably the most flexible components for creating individual connections between circuit boards, modules or housings. As connecting elements, spring contacts are the perfect solution in situations involving impact or vibrations, or for blind connections requiring an element of contact tolerance that rigid connectors just can’t provide.
Spring contacts basically have three components: precision-turned end caps, the sleeve and the contact pin – plus the spring itself, of course. These components are made from brass, while the springs themselves are made from beryllium copper or stainless steel. All components are gold-plated over a nickel barrier layer to ensure excellent conductivity, very good noise performance and low contact resistance of 20 mO (when the pin is compressed in its working position). The gold-plated finish also makes the contacts extremely resistant to corrosion.
WDI Press Review: Spring into action (295.65 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2017Passive components Press Review
Passive components
Key components take a back seat
“Six electronic engineers get together to talk about passive components...” – doesn’t sound very scintillating, does it? First impressions can be deceptive, however, as demonstrated by the First Expert Discussion on Passive Components.
WDI Press Review: Passive components (163.35 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2017Thermal bridges Press Review
Thermal bridges
for high-frequency and DC applications
Thermal bridges (thermal jumpers) were developed to optimise heat management in systems and to dissipate heat quickly and efficiently from active or passive components to other parts of the circuit board.
WDI Press Review: Thermal bridges (1.01 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2017Aluminium electrolytic capacitors Press Review
Aluminium electrolytic capacitors
and leakage current
Even when they are quite simple in design, aluminium electrolytic capacitors still have their downsides. Leakage current is precisely the kind of issue that developers urgently need to address.
WDI Press Review: Aluminium electrolytic capacitors (452.08 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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August 2017HF and microwave components in a pocket-sized format Press Review
HF and microwave components in a pocket-sized format
Readily available and easy to handle.
Special components are often required in the laboratory stage when projects are under development.
This publication is available in German only.
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July 2017Preselecting technical quality for the benefit of customers Press Review
Preselecting technical quality for the benefit of customers
Interview with Christian Dunger, WDI AG
Anyone with an interest in frequency control components is bound to have heard of German distribution company WDI AG, based in the town of Wedel near Hamburg. Elektronik magazine spoke to CEO Christian Dunger to find how it all began and to hear more about the company's plans for the future.
This publication is available in German only.
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June 2017The difficult nature of quartz crystals Press Review
The difficult nature of quartz crystals
Because of their technical complexity, quartz crystals are often seen as a difficult child. No wonder they’re not always the most popular components on a parts list.
WDI AG - a specialist in the Frequency Control Products market segment – has been offering comprehensive FAE support and a wide selection of different manufacturers for over 15 years, helping users choose the frequency generator that’s right for them.
This publication is available in German only.
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June 2017Even less phase noise Press Review
Even less phase noise
Trend towards miniaturisation of clock generator modules continues
When it comes to technical developments in quartz crystals and oscillators, WDI CEO Christian Dunger foresees ongoing miniaturisation combined with a continued trend towards solutions with even less phase noise, higher frequencies and lower operating voltages.
WDI Press Review: Even less phase noise (577.37 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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May 2017SMD power resistors Press Review
SMD power resistors
Optimising performance by installing resistors correctly.
When using surface-mounted power resistors, specific measures need to be taken to dissipate the resulting power losses efficiently. Metal core PCBs are extremely effective in such situations.
WDI Press Review: SMD power resistors (921.03 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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April 2017Cooling expertise Press Review
Cooling expertise
Nocolok brazing for heat sinks.
The Nocolok brazing process in a controlled nitrogen atmosphere is a fundamentally reliable joining technology. To ensure satisfactory results, however, a number of points should be noted. A detailed appraisal of individual customer requirements early in the process is also vital.
WDI Press Review: Cooling expertise (1.29 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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April 2017Benchmarking Press Review
Benchmarking
Thick-film technology versus electron beam-welded shunt resistors.
This article considers the advantages of electron beam-welded shunt resistors designed in compliance with AEC-Q200 and compares them with sensor resistors manufactured using thick-film technology.
WDI Press Review: Benchmarking (1.16 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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April 2017Price pressures and consolidation Press Review
Price pressures and consolidation
Counterfeiting concerns make traceability an issue.
According to Christian Dunger, CEO of WDI AG, the market for frequency control components (quartz crystals and oscillators) “was marked in 2016 by increasing vendor consolidation and pressure on prices.” Traceability is becoming ever more important in the face of counterfeiting concerns.
This publication is available in German only.
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March 2017Passive Components - Trendsetters? Press Review
Passive Components - Trendsetters?
Surely not? Well, yes, as a matter of fact – but not directly.
Even passive components follow trends in electronic developments and market demand. Life doesn’t stand still, even where passive components are concerned. New developments, new technologies and products that are constantly being fine-tuned and adapted to meet the demands of a global market make sure of that.
WDI Press Review: Passive Components - Trendsetters? (852.54 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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March 2017Markets, trends and technologies Press Review
Markets, trends and technologies
Quartz crystals and oscillators
In 2016, the market for frequency control products (quartz crystals and oscillators) was dominated by vendor consolidation, pressure on prices and cross-market uncertainties such as Brexit, the US Election and the worldwide rise in nationalist-protectionist tendencies.
This publication is available in German only.
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February 2017Resistors for audio applications Press Review
Resistors for audio applications
Tips on choosing the right resistor
There’s a wide range of resistors for use in sophisticated hi-fi systems and professional audio equipment, but it doesn’t mean that one size fits all.
WDI Press Review: Resistors for audio applications (287.46 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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January 2017What is electronic hardware? Press Review
What is electronic hardware?
Put simply, the components that hold the rest together.
In the manufacturing industry, “electronic hardware” is the term used to describe all small components such as fastenings and other parts used to assemble electronic products and other technical devices. In other words, electronic hardware is what holds all the rest together.
WDI Press Review: What is electronic hardware? (774.79 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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November 2016Communicating the strengths of manufacturers Press Review
Communicating the strengths of manufacturers
Distribution with a difference
Especially during the last decade, the distribution has changed significantly - not only in active components, but also in the passive and electromechanical components.
This publication is available in German only.
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October 2016Connector technology’s jack of all trades Press Review
Connector technology’s jack of all trades
Jacks: their design and use
Today’s plug connectors are perfectly designed to suit their chosen application. The mainstay of such connectors is the jack, a single element used either on the PCB itself, in the housing, on the front panel or in socket strips and IC sockets.
This publication is available in German only.
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October 2016Never out of time Press Review
Never out of time
Quartz crystals and oscillators require specialist knowledge
Due to their complexity, quartz crystals are regarded as “divas” amongst components, which may explain why they are not quite every developer’s favourite product.
WDI Press Review: Never out of time (2.03 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2016Communicating the strengths of manufacturers Press Review
Communicating the strengths of manufacturers
Distribution with a difference
As a company with more than 25 years’ experience, WDI is moving away from its role as a traditional distributor by repositioning itself as a systems consultant offering an extensive range of services.
This publication is available in German only.
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September 2016The latest passive components Press Review
The latest passive components
New developments, changes and demands
Life doesn’t stand still, even for passive components. New developments, new technologies and products adapted to the latest market requirements all make sure of that. This report outlines new developments, changes and demands in the passive electronic components market.
This publication is available in German only.
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July 2016Voltage stress factors Press Review
Voltage stress factors
Silicon-based suppressor diodes protect ICs from voltage spikes
The trend towards higher packing densities and lower-voltage power supplies means that integrated circuits are also more susceptible to voltage spikes. Whilst electrical overstress transient voltage suppressors (EOS TVS) do protect ICs from such spikes, until now developers have always had to make compromises when selecting discrete components.
WDI Press Review: Voltage stress factors (2.21 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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March 2016To be precise... Press Review
To be precise...
Precise power-saving clock generators for small-cell applications.
For many years, oven-controlled crystal oscillators (OCXOs) were leaders in frequency stability. These days, however, technological advances mean they are now facing competition from smaller, more energy-efficient VC-TCXOs. WDI discusses some of the features of these two types of oscillator.
WDI Press Review: To be precise... (687.86 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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February 2016PEMCO components design-in-support Press Review
PEMCO components design-in-support
Passive doesn’t mean "commodity"
WDI is not only a specialised distributor of clock generators, it has also built up its own division for passive and electromechanical components and batteries (PEMCO for short), representing over 30 manufacturers. The main driving force behind this business division is customer demand for technical consulting for new applications and projects.
This publication is available in German only.
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February 2016Ongoing advances in miniaturisation Press Review
Ongoing advances in miniaturisation
Falling prices despite improved product performance.
Niels Hagen, Team Leader Product Marketing FCP at WDI AG, reaffirms that advances in crystal and oscillator miniaturisation "have been a given for many years, with no signs of any let-up in 2016". What’s more, the market demands continuous improvements in product performance "in tandem with declining prices".
This publication is available in German only.
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November 2015Working with the customer to find a good balance. Press Review
Working with the customer to find a good balance.
EMS customers impose special requirements on their distributor.
WDI offers specialist technical advice and design-in support through its FCP (Frequency Control Products) and PEMCO (Passive and Electromechanical Components) divisions. EMS and electronics service providers also make good use of this expertise and value WDI as a supplier. Christian Dunger, WDI CEO, explains just how this specialist distributor meets the highly specific logistical, commercial and technical demands of its customers.
This publication is available in German only.
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November 2015Ready to roll Press Review
Ready to roll
Spring contacts for flexible, quick-release connection.
With all manner of different spring contacts available, new designs are emerging all the time. Although somewhat cumbersome and not exactly ideal for automatic insertion, the new designs are nevertheless following the trend towards automation: robots are now capable of inserting a whole host of individual spring contacts straight from the roll.
WDI Press Review: Ready to roll (1.33 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2015Simplicity itself Press Review
Simplicity itself
Clock quartz crystal circuits.
These days, clock quartz crystals, i.e. oscillating quartz crystals with a frequency of 32.768 kHz, are some of the world’s best-selling quartz modules. And yet, despite the fact that they are used in their millions in a variety of designs, many users still don’t fully understand how these frequency control components work.
WDI Press Review: Simplicity itself (510.25 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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August 2015Change in the electronic components sector Press Review
Change in the electronic components sector
As the past few months have shown, Industry 4.0 is driving development in the equipment and components sector. The demand for miniaturisation has certainly also had an impact on the electronic components used, resulting in a clear change in this sector too.
Based on their own experience, four companies offer views on the current situation regarding components and examine possible future trends.
This publication is available in German only.
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August 2015Outstanding under extreme conditions Press Review
Outstanding under extreme conditions
Impact of shock and vibration on oscillators
Clock generators are based on periodic movements in the form of pendulum and rotation oscillations and also bending and torsional vibrations. If these are disrupted by acceleration torques, for example, this can lead to an undesirable change in the resonator’s rhythm. A new concept has led to the introduction of ultra-accurate clock generators which are considerably less susceptible to interference.
This publication is available in German only.
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July 2015Focussing on customer value Press Review
Focussing on customer value
Challenges and opportunities for distribution.
No branch of industry has had to face as many challenges as the electronics sector in recent decades. How does a company marketing over 30 FCP and PEMCO product lines view market opportunities and the value of distribution?
WDI Press Review: Focussing on customer value (530.21 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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July 2015Complete Modules versus Manual Optimisation Press Review
Complete Modules versus Manual Optimisation
Real-time clocks are found in almost all electronic devices. However, it’s not just clock and calendar functions that are wanted, system functions such as a periodic wake-up signals or time stamps are also in demand. Whereas, in the past, real-time clocks were often optimised manually, RTC modules offer a completely optimised solution. And that’s not the only advantage...
For applications which have no real-time clock (RTC) integrated in the microcontroller or have insufficient capacity, many manufacturers now offer special external clock modules. These RTC components can be integrated into an existing system environment using all standard serial interfaces, from the popular I²C interface to the 3- or 4-wire SPI interface.
This publication is available in German only.
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April 2015How to choose the right frequency generator Press Review
How to choose the right frequency generator
Due to its technical complexity, a quartz oscillator is often regarded as a source of potential problems and, as such, is not exactly one of the most popular components on a parts list.
WDI AG specialises in the “Frequency Control Products” segment, offering not just a wide range of different manufacturers but also comprehensive FAE support to help developers choose the right frequency generator. The brief question-and-answer section that follows is designed to help the reader make the right choice. Gerd Reinhold deals with issues like these on a daily basis and has put together a selection of the most frequently asked questions for your information.
This publication is available in German only.
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March 2015Focussing on customer value Press Review
Focussing on customer value
Challenges and opportunities for distribution.
No branch of industry has had to face as many challenges as the electronics sector in recent decades. How does a company marketing over 30 FCP and PEMCO product lines view market opportunities and the value of distribution?
WDI Press Review: Focussing on customer value (843.52 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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March 2015Trends in oscillator technology Press Review
Trends in oscillator technology
The endless quest for precision.
Even though the trend for manufacturing configurable oscillators only started just over a decade ago, the range of possible applications for high-performance frequency-control components has been extended considerably by these recent developments. The latest designs feature modular concepts with quartz and silicon reference sources, backed up by their own electronic systems for improved adaptability in line with the necessary performance characteristics.
WDI Press Review: Trends in oscillator technology (916.68 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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January 2015“No point using MEMS unless they add value” Press Review
“No point using MEMS unless they add value”
In an interview with Christian Dunger, CEO of WDI AG, the Elektronik editorial team asks why, for a large number of applications, quartz-based oscillators can claim to be a better alternative to MEMS-based oscillators.
Developers of electronic circuits often begin the design process by deciding whether to use an oscillating quartz crystal or an oscillator. This fundamental decision depends on a number technical and commercial parameters, such as the required design, the dimensions, the application in question, the available budget and the desired product performance.
This publication is available in German only.
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November 2014Quartz oscillator miniaturisation Press Review
Quartz oscillator miniaturisation
According to Epson Manager Stefan Hartmann, when it comes to quartz-based clock generators, there is now an increasing trend towards the use of quartzes with reduced equivalent series resistance (ESR). This trend has come about because an ever-increasing number of ICs are being trimmed to extremely low power consumption levels. Miniaturisation of designs is still a hot topic, with MEMS clock generators holding onto their niche position.
Hartmann, QD Department Manager for Epson Europe Electronics, explains that, although research into the further miniaturisation of frequency control components is still continuing, “customers are increasingly apprehensive about such models, because miniaturisation brings with it a fundamental deterioration in properties."
WDI Press Review: Quartz oscillator miniaturisation (397.27 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2014Guaranteed range of options Press Review
Guaranteed range of options
WDI CEO Christian Dunger is firmly convinced that anyone who wants to succeed as a developer of analogue/mixed-signal designs incorporating frequency control components “will do so faster if they are able to consult a product specialist during the project design stage”.
By agreeing deals with 28 manufacturers of clock generator modules, the specialist distributor based near Hamburg is able to cater for a broad range of requirements.WDI AG has now become one of the main specialist distributors in the European electronics market. Initial doubts that this might lead to conflicts of interest - the business model is heavily geared to the same product from a variety of different suppliers - have long since been quashed.
This publication is available in German only.
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September 2014Golden flexibility Press Review
Golden flexibility
Connecting circuit boards with precision-turned male/female contacts.
In the field of through-hole or SMD technology, developers have a variety of models and sizes of horizontal, vertical and perpendicular connection options to choose from. The components are available both as individual connectors with male and female contacts, and as moulded plastic modules or male and female connector strips. WDI shows the differences between the various models.
WDI Press Review: Golden flexibility (1.44 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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August 2014“Old hat or innovation?” Press Review
“Old hat or innovation?”
Thorsten Broda, WDI, on the subject of wire-wound resistors.
The oldest resistor technology is based on knowing the specific electrical resistance as a material constant. This material constant can be influenced by alloying metals.
WDI Press Review: “Old hat or innovation?” (205.11 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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June 2014HF and microwave terminating resistors Press Review
HF and microwave terminating resistors
In high-frequency systems, HF and microwave terminating resistors fulfil very important roles by absorbing power, adjusting reflection or line matching. The following examples provide an overview of common HF and microwave terminators and highlight relevant parameters which need to be borne in mind in the respective applications.
Terminating resistors, which are also referred to as terminators, substitute resistors or (dummy) loads, absorb undesirable energy (or energy which is better not being used) in electronic circuits and convert it into heat. In the case of high-frequency or microwave transmission, these are used to terminate HF antenna outputs, which typically have an impedance of 50 Ω or even 75 Ω in the case of radio transmission.
This publication is available in German only.
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March 2014Specialist knowledge Press Review
Specialist knowledge
Interview with Niels Hagen, Product Marketing FCP at WDI AG.
The quartz crystal is a “diva amongst components” and is not exactly the darling of developers. Niels Hagen explains what working with quartz crystals really entails.
WDI Press Review: Specialist knowledge (550.19 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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March 2014Clear benefits for developers Press Review
Clear benefits for developers
WDI has made a point of specialising in technical consulting and design-in support in both of its divisions, FCP (frequency control products) and PEMCO (passive and electromechanical components). As a result, WDI views itself neither as a traditional “broadliner” nor as a niche specialist.
“We offer our customers added value by using our expertise to provide a solution with innovative and sophisticated products," explains Christian Dunger, CEO of WDI AG.
This publication is available in German only.
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February 2014The final hour has not yet come Press Review
The final hour has not yet come
According to Christian Dunger, CEO at WDI AG, MEMS-based clock generators have been around for “barely ten years”. Dunger recalls that “very early on, active marketing initiatives created the impression that the final hour had come for traditional, quartz-based oscillators”. To the great disappointment of the MEMS oscillator pioneers, SiTime and Discera, this prediction has not yet come true as the dominance of quartz components continues undiminished.
According to Dunger, the manufacturers of MEMS clock-generator components initially concentrated on the high-volume segment, “ideal” for the MEMS oscillator “thanks to its design”. Yet, as Dunger explains, it soon became clear that there was little demand for large unit volumes, especially in the European and American markets.
This publication is available in German only.
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January 2014Impact of oscillators Press Review
Impact of oscillators
A world without noise would be ideal for an electrical engineer. But what is this noise? What do we mean by electrical noise? Or, more specifically: what is phase noise? As engineers, we know intuitively that a low noise level in a system is better than a high noise level.
However, we somehow have to record this noise in quantitative terms using units and concepts which are acceptable to us all – and that’s what we hope to do in this article. We also examine the difference between the phase-noise performance of mass products and reasonably-priced high-performance quartz oscillators.
WDI Press Review: Impact of oscillators (4.27 MiB)This publication is available in German only.
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January 2014Memory boost Press Review
Memory boost
Flash drives for mobile devices are subject to rather demanding requirements with regard to size, power consumption, shock resistance and service life. This inevitably has an impact on the components used in the memory sub-system, such as the clock generator. Modern MEMS oscillators are particularly good for such storage applications.
Back in the 1990s, solid-state drive technology (SSD) was used solely for special small-format storage applications, such as digital cameras or USB sticks. With the costs per gigabit for this technology continuing to fall, SSD is now able to compete with traditional hard drives (HD) and is increasingly taking over in the area of client and enterprise computing.
WDI Press Review: Memory boost (973.14 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2013A signal source in a pocket-sized format Press Review
A signal source in a pocket-sized format
A portable HF source with low phase noise opens up new opportunities in development work and in the laboratory, where bulky and expensive measuring equipment would previously have been required.
Until quite recently, the use of a 1 GHz signal source with low phase noise was prohibitively expensive, restricting it to high-end applications where the high cost of using this technology could be justified.
This publication is available in German only.
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April 2013»Short-term bottlenecks are possible« Press Review
»Short-term bottlenecks are possible«
According to WDI CEO Christian Dunger, current lead times for frequency-control components are between “low to normal”.
However, if demand were to soar suddenly due to higher demand in certain market segments (such as the automotive or telecommunications industries) “short-term bottlenecks could occur in supply. This is because stocks in customer, manufacturer and distributor warehouses are kept relatively low”.
This publication is available in German only.
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March 201328 manufacturers and plenty of options Press Review
28 manufacturers and plenty of options
Interview with Christian Dunger, CEO of WDI AG
Developers of analogue mixed-signal designs seeking to design custom frequency-control components will, where possible, find the component they are looking for more quickly if they plan their project with a distributor. One such service provider has even signed contracts with 28 relevant manufacturers for said components.
This publication is available in German only.
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February 2013From hand to mouth Press Review
From hand to mouth
According to WDI CEO Christian Dunger, “customer and manufacturer warehouses worldwide are relatively empty, which is why many of our products are living a kind of ‘hand to mouth’ existence”. This could lead to problems if demand were to soar.
Having said that, current lead times are between low to normal. At the start of 2012, lead times for the highly popular 3.2 x 2.5 mm model were still between 8 to 12 weeks, but had dropped to the standard average of 4 to 6 weeks by the start of 2013.
WDI Press Review: From hand to mouth (113.60 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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January 2013An essential ingredient of automotive engineering Press Review
An essential ingredient of automotive engineering
Nowadays, it would be inconceivable to build cars without frequency-control components. They are used for a range of different applications in the automotive industry, but in particular for engine control, safety systems and in automotive information and communication technology.
The introduction of microcontroller units (MCUs) and the associated use of clock generator components have revolutionised the automotive world. The first quartz crystals were used back in the 1930s in car radios manufactured by Galvin Manufacturing Corp. Today, a multitude of frequency-control components is to be found in each and every car because clock signals are an essential part of the way control devices operate.
This publication is available in German only.
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November 2012Choosing the right braking resistor Press Review
Choosing the right braking resistor
It is often hard to specify the exact braking resistor required for a given application. That’s because there can be different application and environmental parameters at play which aren’t always fixed at the outset. However, we need to know this information if we are to choose the right braking resistor for the application in question.
The main purpose of a braking resistor is to slow down a torque, or - to put it more precisely - to convert kinetic energy into heat and dissipate this heat in a controlled manner without damaging or destroying the apparatus / equipment. If an electrical machine or a motor is switched off, they act like a generator - and this energy has to be absorbed.
This publication is available in German only.
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November 2012Golden Prospects - Smart spring contacts Press Review
Golden Prospects - Smart spring contacts
Spring contacts are definitely more versatile — and they should certainly not be restricted to use as programming modules or test probes. In this report, WDI refutes their reputation as a boring module and tells us about their design, versatility and possible applications.
Spring contacts are the sensible alternative in all scenarios where a rigid connection is not viable, e.g. due to vibration, or where a blind connection needs to be established with a mating face. Spring contacts are always gold-plated and provide a reliable and durable connection.
This publication is available in German only.
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October 2012Vibration-resistant quartz crystals Press Review
Vibration-resistant quartz crystals
As frequency-control components, quartz crystals continue to dominate in many applications. However, with demands for improved resistance to shock and vibration, “semiconductor processes will come into their own for manufacturing purposes – and the growing trend for miniaturisation also means additional benefits”, points out Gerd Reinhold, from FCP Product Marketing at WDI AG.
Historically speaking, the quartz resonator has always been one of the most fragile components in an electronic system. This is hardly surprising, as the resonator consisted of a large quartz crystal which was fitted in a metal housing with metal clips – such as the large, round crystals from the AT cut, seen in particular in the HC49U housing. This design really could not withstand vibrations in excess of 50 to 100 g.
This publication is available in German only.
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October 2012Advantages and disadvantages of MEMS oscillators Press Review
Advantages and disadvantages of MEMS oscillators
MEMS oscillators are becoming increasingly popular and have distinct advantages over quartz-based versions. The hope is that they may be able to replace these, at least in part, in the future. This article describes how this might happen.
Increasing digitalisation in the electronics industry means that practically every electronic module is now equipped with a microprocessor or microcontroller. As these components operate sequentially, these systems and their peripheral components need to be timed. This function is currently provided primarily by quartz oscillators which have consequently seen their market share and technical importance rise sharply in recent years. However, a quartz oscillator is not always the perfect timing solution — although it is often used for timing in electronic systems.
This publication is available in German only.
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July 2012Temperature behaviour of quartz crystal oscillators Press Review
Temperature behaviour of quartz crystal oscillators
Oscillators in digital circuits are designed to keep time reliably within the specified temperature range – and to do ensure this happens, testing during production is vital.
In digital circuits, clock generators are usually provided by oscillators with a mean precision of, say, ±50 ppm across an operating temperature range defined by the user. Such clock oscillators are usually quartz crystal oscillators where the quartz crystal is accommodated in a hermetically sealed housing together with the relevant integrated circuit, connected via bonding wires.
This publication is available in German only.
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June 2012Spotlight on MEMS oscillators Press Review
Spotlight on MEMS oscillators
WDI’s product range, largely based on quartz crystal oscillators, is now being expanded with the introduction of semiconductor-based MEMS frequency generators by Discera. The distribution agreement recently concluded with the US manufacturer covers Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Although the market for MEMS-based frequency generators is still a niche one at the moment, Europe’s largest specialist distributor of clock-generator components now also wants to be involved in semiconductor-based frequency generators.
WDI Press Review: Spotlight on MEMS oscillators (142.45 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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June 2012High-performance TCXOs Press Review
High-performance TCXOs
After a brief digression into the development of TCXO temperature-compensating technologies since the 1960s, this article explains the state of technology today. Thanks to the high level of integration of digital and analogue compensation circuits, stabilities in precision TCXOs are now possible in the sub-ppm range.
For over 50 years, thermistor/resistor networks have been used widely in the temperature compensation of quartz crystal oscillators. In so doing, a correction voltage generated by a network of one or more thermistors eliminates the frequency/temperature dependence in a voltage-controlled quartz crystal oscillator. With the emergence of capacity diodes and in the wake of improvements made with NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistors, considerably more precise compensation has become possible in the case of quartz crystals, enabling stabilities of 0.5 ppm.
WDI Press Review: High-performance TCXOs (1,019.99 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2011Resistors for circuit protection Press Review
Resistors for circuit protection
In E&E Kompendium 2012, Falko Ladiges of PEMCO Product Marketing at WDI AG reports on reliable protection for circuits that enables them to function perfectly despite higher starting currents, high-voltage impulses and other overload states. Resistor circuits have long been seen as a secure, cost-effective form of circuit protection, providing controlled protection in the event of an error status.
The application determines the nature of the suppressor circuit and the resistors to be used. This means that the type of resistor (wire, metal film, metal oxide or chip) that is best able to meet the performance requirements must first be selected.
WDI Press Review: Resistors for circuit protection (215.95 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2011Wrap up the automotive market Press Review
Wrap up the automotive market
Issue 41/2011 of Markt & Technik contains a feature on Taiwan producer TXC with whom WDI has expanded its range of clock generators for the automotive market. WDI represents the manufacturer in Europe, not just as a distributor but also as its agent with responsibility for direct customer business in the automotive sector.
Currently hovering just outside the top 3 in the world, TXC is the fourth biggest producer of clock generators across the globe. At the same time, TXC is the largest non-Japanese supplier of frequency control components to the automotive sector, giving it a crucial competitive advantage.
WDI Press Review: Wrap up the automotive market (412.07 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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September 2011Specialising in quartz crystals Press Review
Specialising in quartz crystals
In the face of customers’ commercial interests and ever-increasing technological demands, the market for oscillators is becoming ever more specialised. An article in the September 2011 edition of Design & Elektronik Kompakt brilliantly illustrates this trend by citing examples from network engineering, portable applications and automotive engineering.
When it comes to newly developed oscillator technologies, it is not just about ever higher frequencies: ongoing optimisation in relation to phase noise, jitter, design and power consumption is just as important. In addition, it is becoming ever more complicated and costly to meet the requirements for the growing share of portable applications - usually the smallest designs. This explains why the market for oscillators is becoming increasingly specialised.
WDI Press Review: Specialising in quartz crystals (544.34 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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May 2011What to look out for in real-time-clock applications Press Review
What to look out for in real-time-clock applications
In the 10/2011 edition of Elektronik Praxis, Roland Häni, Senior Application Engineer at Swiss-based RTC specialist MICRO CRYSTAL, and Gerd Reinhold, FCP Product Marketing at WDI AG, offer important insights into the correct and functional design of circuits, highlighting the pros and cons of various technical approaches to design.
Many applications need time and date information – from domestic appliances with a simple time display to cash machines or payment systems where the time and date are printed on slips of paper, or mobile telephones where timing data also need to be generated in standby mode.
This publication is available in German only.
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April 2011Quartz - a problem child? Press Review
Quartz - a problem child?
In the 04.2011 edition of E&E, Gerd Reinhold of FCP Product Marketing at WDI AG, answers frequently asked questions about quartz crystals under the heading "True or False", offering important tips on how to ensure that crystal specifications are correct.
Because of its complexity, quartz is seen as a "diva" among components, not exactly endearing itself to developers. WDI AG is a distributor specialising in the "Frequency Control Products" market segment. As well as offering products from a wide range of manufacturers, WDI AG also provides extensive FAE support to help developers choose the right frequency generator.
WDI Press Review: Quartz - a problem child? (528.83 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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February 2011Market challenger set to take off? Press Review
Market challenger set to take off?
The 08/2011 edition of Markt & Technik takes a fresh look at the question "MEMS: yes or no?" Stefan Hartmann (Epson Toyocom), Harald Rudolph (KVG) and Christian Dunger (WDI AG), discuss the technology, performance and market prospects of the MEMS clock generators currently being heavily promoted in the media.
Bosch spin-off SiTime, financed through venture capital, started business five years ago. By offering products in the 200 kHz to 800 MHz range, this MEMS specialist now addresses almost all important segments, from consumer to industrial applications. What’s more, SiTime is now seeking to challenge quartz oscillators, tried and tested for decades in the clock-generator industry.
WDI Press Review: Market challenger set to take off? (518.21 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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January 2011A specialist distributor is not a niche player Press Review
A specialist distributor is not a niche player
In the special edition of Distribution + Dienstleistung from Markt & Technik (issue 01/2011), Christian Dunger, Board member of WDI AG, explains the special status and function of specialist distributors in the market environment dominated by broadliners.
By offering clock generators, WDI specialises in highly complex products that require a lot of pre-sales support. However, WDI doesn’t want to be pigeon-holed as a niche player, as Christian Dunger, Product Marketing FCP at WDI, explains.
This publication is available in German only.
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November 2010Passive components and e-mechanics too Press Review
Passive components and e-mechanics too
WDI AG may be seen by many of its customers as a specialist in quartz crystals and oscillators. Yet, these products only make up part of its overall product range. In the 11/2010 issue of Elektronik Industrie, Falko Ladiges (PEMCO Product Marketing) explains its large selection of highly compatible products - from classic passive components (resistors, potentiometers, and so on.) to electromechanical products (connectors, batteries, etc.).
With its extensive range of frequency-control components, WDI has gained a good reputation. So it’s easy to forget that WDI’s range of classic passive components and electromechanical components has undergone major expansion in recent years.
This publication is available in German only.
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October 2010Resistors for smart meters Press Review
Resistors for smart meters
In the 10/2010 edition of Design & Elektronik, Falko Ladiges (PEMCO Product Marketing) explains how to select optimised resistors for digital electricity meters and adapt them for specific applications.
In recent years, there has been a fundamental change in the design of electricity meters, with a move away from electro-mechanical Ferraris meters. Application-specific, standard ICs available from a range of suppliers mean that commercially viable mass-market digital systems are now possible. Yet, however advanced these "smart meters" may be – they all need analogue front-end components if they are to work reliably and accurately.
WDI Press Review: Resistors for smart meters (416.90 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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October 2010Power pachyderms Press Review
Power pachyderms
In his article about thick-film heating elements in the 10/2010 issue of EL-Info, Falko Ladiges, PEMCO team leader at WDI AG, explains the technology behind them and looks at possible applications.
Thick-film heating elements ensure direct surface contact to provide optimum heat transfer exactly where it’s needed. Compact and with a flat profile, thick-film heating elements on ceramics can replace existing heating elements. As well as offering product design benefits, they are more cost-effective and require less space.
WDI Press Review: Power pachyderms (114.79 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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September 2010Specialists are better Press Review
Specialists are better
Board member Christian Dunger uses the "Distri am Wort" column in the 09/2010 issue of Elektronik Journal to discuss current and future developments in the market, and to explain the strategy and USPs of WDI AG.
PEMCO and FCP (frequency control) are the areas in which WDI specialises: business is going well, but the lead times are a bit of a stumbling block for industry. After getting off to a great start in the first six months of this year, WDI is expecting a slight slow-down in the market as a whole during the second half of 2010.
WDI Press Review: Specialists are better (230.31 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
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July 2010In future we don't want to become a broadliner Press Review
In future we don't want to become a broadliner
In Distribution Quarterly 03-2010, Markt & Technik reported on our activities and our continuous growth in the PEMCO sector, passive and electromechanical products.
As a distributor of frequency control products, WDI has been established on the market for many years. Consequently, WDI is by no means merely a specialist distributor of frequency control products, but has also manufactured a linecard in the passive and electromechanical components and batteries (PEMCO) sector, which is something to be proud of.
This publication is available in German only.
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July 2010The main causes of oscillator faults Press Review
The main causes of oscillator faults
The output signals of oscillators are not perfect. Common problems often include jitter and phase noise. But what are the actual causes? Gerd Reinhold, Field Sales, FCP Product Marketing at WDI AG, explains the causes and consequences in detail in issue 13/2010 of ElektronikPraxis.
An oscillator can still be good - depending on its quality, the output signal contains unwanted noise and interference signals. Typical problems include unclean output frequencies and harmonic or subharmonic interference, for example. This article deals with the main causes of unwanted interference signals.
This publication is available in German only.
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July 2010Both technologies have a right to exist Press Review
Both technologies have a right to exist
Do MEMS oscillators replace traditional quartz oscillators? What are the technical differences and what advantages and disadvantages does MEMS technology offer? We explain in the 27/2010 issue of Markt & Technik.
Christian Dunger, Team Leader, FCP Product Marketing at WDI, a specialist distributor of frequency control products, believes that MEMS oscillators have future potential. However, he believes that MEMS technology will be not replace established quartz products in the foreseeable future. According to Dunger, both technologies have a right to exist. The use of a MEMS oscillator depends on the application and its requirements.
This publication is available in German only.
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March 2010All the difference Press Review
All the difference
There are many electronic component providers and the market is hotly contested. But why are some more successful and constantly growing even in difficult times? In our 03.2010 issue E&E surveyed leading distributors to find out their personal opinions.
Components can be purchased by almost anyone - the art goes far beyond just selling. At the same time, more and more distributors are penetrating the market. USPs are a prerequisite in order to stand up to the competition. E&E questioned respondents about the crucial differences.
WDI Press Review: All the difference (408.14 KiB)This publication is available in German only.
