Less than four years after its release, the TETRIX® Building System continues to spread across the globe and into the hands of educators inspired to teach robotics.

eSilicon Corporation, the largest independent semiconductor value chain producer (VCP), announced today that HiSilicon Technologies Co., Ltd. has licensed eSilicon's silicon-proven 40nm ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) macros for its next generation of high-performance network-application ASICs. HiSilicon, founded by Huawei in 1991, is a leading semiconductor design company in the communications and consumer electronics markets. HiSilicon has established end-to-end advantages in fixed network, wireless network, digital media and wireless terminals. In the digital media field, HiSilicon provides a complete portfolio of SoCs and solutions for DVB, IPTV, surveillance and smart phones.

Vishay Precision Group, Inc. today announced that its Vishay Foil Resistors division (VFR) is now offering a wide variety of surface-mount and through-hole resistors built on Bulk Metal® Z- and Z1-Foil technologies for high reliability and high stability in medical applications. Including the recently introduced CSM3637Z, CSM3637P, Z203, and FRSM series, a wide variety of resistor configurations, chip packages, and ultra-high-precision specifications are available for optimized performance. Devices such as the VCS1625Z, VCS1625ZP, and CSM3637Z offer 4-terminal Kelvin connections for high reliability, while the FRSM, VSMP, and FRSH series feature wraparound terminations. The flexible terminations of the SMR3DZ and SMR3D eliminate stress transference from the PCB due to a difference in thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE), while the hermetically sealed packages of the VHP101, VHA512Z, and VSM46 (PRND) prevent the ingress of moisture and oxygen.

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. today introduced a new series of dual-in-line thin film resistor networks offering a wide operating temperature range of - 55 °C to + 215 °C. Providing nearly a 100 °C extension in operating temperature range over traditional thin film chip resistors, the HTRN series features low absolute TCR of 25 ppm/ºC, TCR tracking of 5 ppm/ºC, and tight ratio tolerances to 0.05 %. Featuring a rugged, molded 50 mil pitch construction with no internal solder, the HTRN series of resistor networks offers four isolated resistors with a wide resistance range of 1 to 100 kilohms per resistor, with divider ratios from 2:1 to 100:1. The devices feature very low noise of less than - 35 dB, low voltage coefficients of 0.1 ppm/V, and a power rating of 100 mW per element (400 mW per package).

Supertex, a recognized leader in high voltage analog and mixed signal integrated circuits (ICs), today introduced HV2733, a sixteen-channel, high voltage, analog switch with integrated bleed resistors. It is well-suited for applications where low voltage signals control high voltage switching, such as in medical ultrasound imaging, metal flaw detection through non-destructive testing (NDT), optical MEMS modules, and piezoelectric transducers.

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE: VSH) today introduced a new high-temperature, surface-mount, wraparound thick film chip resistor. For down-hole drilling applications, the CHPHT is the industry's first such device to offer an operating temperature range from - 55 °C to + 230 °C and a storage temperature range of - 55 °C to + 245 °C. Optimized for multi-chip modules (MCM) in down-hole drilling instrumentation, the high-temperature capabilities of the CHPHT resistor allow for the extraction of petroleum at deeper depths. Offered in 0603, 0805, 1206, and 2010 case sizes (with other sizes available upon request), the resistor offers a wide resistance range from 0.1 ohm to 100 megohms; tolerances of 1 %, 2 %, and 5 %; and power dissipation of 12.5 mW to 100 mW at + 230 °C.

Microscan, a global technology leader in barcode, machine vision and lighting solutions, announces that it has been awarded a Global Technology Award in the category of ID Systems for its Vision MINI smart camera. The award was presented to the company during a Tuesday, November 15, 2011 ceremony that took place at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre in Munich, Germany during Productronica 2011. As the world’s smallest, fully integrated vision system, the ultra-compact Vision MINI is designed for reliable vision performance in embedded identification and inspection applications. Premiering in 2005, the Global Technology Awards program is an annual celebration of product excellence in electronics surface mount assembly. Recipients of the award represent leading examples of technology innovation, selected by a distinguished panel of industry experts.

MTS Systems Corp., Sensors Division has introduced a detached electronics housing system for use with Temposonics® R-Series Sensors. R-Series sensors are used in industrial manufacturing applications where accurate measurement and low maintenance are critical. The R-Series Model RD4 is a housing style that allows the electronics to be removed from harsh environments where they may be damaged by temperature, shock, vibration or other conditions. In addition to the detached housing style of the RD4, MTS Sensors also offers a rod-style (RH), profile-style (RP) and flexible style (RF) housing style for all of the R-Series output types.

MTS Systems Corp., Sensors Division has developed new technology for their Temposonics® sensor that includes both an incremental interface and absolute output, such as Synchronous Serial Interface (SSI), in a single sensor housing. This configuration will allow for more precise position and speed control in linear motion by providing feedback to both the drive and the motion controller. The technology is expected to be launched with a new product in the first half of 2012.

Crossing Automation, Inc. (www.crossinginc.com), a leading designer and manufacturer of fab and tool automation products used by today's foremost semiconductor device and equipment companies, today announced its first licensing agreement for the sale, service and support of legacy products. Under the terms of the agreement, Global Equipment Services (GES), a high tech equipment turnkey service company serving OEMs in the global semiconductor, flat panel display and solar cell production equipment industries, will market the Axys407 Model 21 Robot family.

VPT, Inc., a HEICO company, today announced that the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has issued new Standard Microcircuit Drawings (SMDs) for more than 150 of VPT's space grade, radiation hardened DC-DC power converter modules. VPT's rad hard SV Series of DC-DC converters are manufactured to MIL-PRF-38534 Class K, the highest level for products used in space environments. These products are suited for use in a wide variety of space applications including low Earth orbit (LEO) systems, geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) systems, deep space probes, and other demanding applications.

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. is expanding its PowerPAIR® family of dual asymmetric power MOSFETs for low-voltage DC/DC converter applications with new devices that expand the series' voltage and package footprint options. The new devices make Vishay the only supplier to offer 3 mm by 3 mm, 6 mm by 3.7 mm, and 6 mm by 5 mm PowerPAIR form factors. Expanding the portfolio with new footprint options are the 30 V SiZ300DT in the PowerPAIR 3 x 3 and the SiZ910DT in the PowerPAIR 6 x 5. The SiZ300DT targets DC/DC applications handling currents of 10 A and under, while the SiZ910DT is suitable for applications above 20 A. The PowerPAIR 3 x 3 has approximately one third the area of the PowerPAIR 6 x 5.

PCBCircuitBoards.co has recently coveted a top customer service award for the quality of its service levels as a printed circuit board manufacturer. The award was issued last week and the staff at the company are said to be delighted with this accolade. One of the top managers at PCBCircuitBoards.co said that “we have always tried to rise above our competitors in the field and deliver outstanding levels of customer service and it’s a nice feeling to have this effort recognized at last. The team here, across all our departments, have been working very hard over the last few years and the recognition that they are receiving is well deserved”. He went onto say that we have one of the best customer service teams of all the printed circuit board manufacturers in the country and it’s good to know that our customers recognize the time the effort that has been put in”.

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE: VSH) today broadened its optoelectronics portfolio with the release of two new 850 nm infrared (IR) emitters built on the company's SurfLight surface emitter technology. Offered in the high-power Little Star® package with a 6.0 mm by 7.0 mm by 1.5 mm footprint, the VSMY7852X01 and VSMY7850X01 offer exceptionally high current drives, radiant intensity, and optical power, while providing low thermal resistivity. The VSMY7850X01 emitter contains a 42 mil chip and is designed for high drive currents up to 1 A and pulses to 5 A, while the VSMY7852X01 features a 20 mil chip for high drive currents up to 250 mA and pulses to 1.5 A. Due to the devices' low thermal resistivity of 10 K/W for the VSMY7850X01 and 15 K/W for the VSMY7852X01, the maximum current can be employed over almost the entire operating temperature range of - 40 °C to + 100 °C.

Hansen Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: HNSN), a global leader in flexible robotics and the developer of robotic technology for accurate 3D control of catheter movement, today announced that its Magellan™ Robotic System will be presented at the upcoming 38th annual VEITHsymposium™ November 16-20 at the Hilton New York in New York City.

Xyntek, Inc., a global leader in pharmaceutical packaging line automation, design, build, and integration solutions, is proud to announce their proven Machine Vision Solutions to support global serialization, track and trace, and e-Pedigree requirements. "Xyntek has been integrating Machine Vision Solutions and microprocessor based packaging line automation & control solutions within the Pharmaceutical industry since the late 80s. Most recently, our professional services & solutions have been contracted by several major pharmaceutical manufacturers to help with planning and assessments of their upcoming serialization initiatives. As part of these efforts, we are integrating our Machine Vision Solutions on their packaging lines in order to continue to support tracking and tracing of serialized products," said Elliot Abreu, Vice President.

Plexon Inc, the leader in advanced, turnkey hardware and software for neurotechnology research, announces the launch of the DigiAmp™ 256 Digitizing Amplifier at Neuroscience 2011. The DigiAmp 256 is the latest in an expanding range of front-end amplifiers for the OmniPlex® neural data acquisition system.

Robotiq is pleased to introduce the Adaptive Gripper and welding glove component for flexible fixturing welding applications at FABTECH 2011. As the first industrial dexterous gripper on the market, the Adaptive Gripper gives industrial robots “hand-like” capabilities to enhance their ability to handle a wide variety of parts in a welding environment through a rugged and simple design. “The increasing rarity of welders led manufacturers to automate, but the pressure towards high-mix, low-volume part batches has made automation more complex and costly,” said Samuel Bouchard – President of Robotiq. “Additionally, custom-made fixtures often create roadblocks to optimization. The goal is to provide the right tools so the true benefits of automation can be realized: improve productivity, welding quality and consistency.”

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE: VSH) today announced a new cermet panel potentiometer that features long life to 2 million cycles and full IP67 sealing for reliable operation in extreme environmental conditions. Featuring a heavy-duty construction, the Vishay Sfernice P13L potentiometer is optimized for use as a voltage divider operator interface for military applications, cameras, night-vision devices, and portable industrial or professional equipment requiring operator setting. The potentiometer reduces costs by eliminating the need to design and build sealed protection against dust and moisture for the device in these applications.

RoboBusiness Leadership Summit -- octoScope, Inc., a wireless solutions and services company, announced today that its wireless test product, octoBox™ has shipped to customers for wireless product production testing. Customers include iRobot® Corporation, who is using octoBox to test wireless radios for its unmanned ground vehicles. In addition, at the RoboBusiness Leadership Summit, octoScope will demonstrate octoBox in booth 'O', Wednesday and Thursday, November 2nd and 3rd, 2011.