Industrial electronics [technology 1999 analysis and forecast]

摘要

In old markets and new, power electronics, robots, intelligentncontrol, and connectivity are becoming the pillars of industrialnelectronics and factory automation. Consider the integratedngate-commutated thyristor (IGCT). In the 18 months since itsnintroduction by a Wisconsin company, motor drives based on the thyristornare already making a dent in the market for medium voltage and powernlevels-up to 6.6 kV and 10 MW-not least because other devices operate atnsimilar power levels but higher losses. In the control and connectivitynfields, open systems are vigorously pursued. Software and hardwarenadvances in Java language technology are allowing manufacturers to breaknthrough the restrictions of proprietary systems and test real-timenfactory automation over the Internet, involving text, numerical data,nand graphics. Open networking for the factory is strongly advocated bynsuch industry leaders as Hirschmann Network Systems, in Riverdale, NJnand on printed-circuit boards, the use of vias under 150 Μm inndiameter (microvias) is taking hold, as packaging concepts like ballngrid arrays cause component leads to shrink