Software

element14 Inductive Sensing design challenge winners announced

October 18, 2014

Newark element 14 is a chicago based electronic distribution company . It was founded in 1934 as Newark electric which was a small shop selling radio parts in chicago. Now it is the sixth largest electronics distributor around the globe. Elements 14 has selected the winning design in its inductive sensing design challenge. It was the first inductance to digital converter from texas instruments.

element14 Inductive Sensing design Challenge

Inductive sensing is a contactless, magnet-free sensing technology that can measure the position, motion, or composition of a metal or conductive target as well as detect the compression, extension, or twist of a spring. The LDC1000 enables inductive sensing, by utilizing coils and springs as inductive sensors to deliver better performance.

It also provides better reliability, and greater flexibility than existing sensing solutions – at lower system cost and power. Belgian designer Sammy Peiren was named the Grand Prize Winner for his USB microphone concept, and Dutch designer Elbert Kreukniet was announced Community Choice Winner for his wireless metal detector.

The criteria for choosing the winners was based on their design which has new innovations or possibilities like inductive sensing a contactless , magnet free sensing technology. Peiren’s USB microphone has device LDC1000 to detect sound waves of higher densities with greater sensitivityand dynamic range, whereas kreukniets wireless metal detector pairs an in-app smartphone display with LDC1000 module for depth adjustment and targeted positioning and can use bluetooth or Wi-Fi communication for more accurate metal detection.

Also read : element14 at Automation 2014 presents latest development kits ready of IOT

All the ten finalists were given a chance to prove their abilities by providing them with LDC1000 Evaluation Module and a budget of AU$313.64 for additional components and a CadSoft pro license . Peiren being a grand winner has secured 128GB ipad Air, a Beats by Dre Powerbeats in-ear Headset and an ipad air smart case.

The element14 Community Choice Winner, Kreukniet will receive a 32GB iPad Air and an Apple in-ear Headset with remote and microphone

By conducting these competitions and encouraging the engineers to think out of box and try to create new possibilities to use inductive sensing technology. These inductive sensors have many applications in automobile,traffic lights, metal detectors,medical devices, computers. Also they cover a staggering array of consumer electronics and a variety of automated industrial processes. One Challenge proposal seeks to use inductive sensing to analyze traffic patterns, while another will use the technology to ensure metals used in building construction are safe – a potentially life-saving application.