Editor’s note
Welcome to the DigiKey eMagazine Volume 22 – Robotics. In this issue, we explore the technologies and engineering breakthroughs powering the next generation of robotic systems across industrial, service, and collaborative environments. We begin with a look at the Agilex 3 product family from Altera, highlighting how its high-performance processing and adaptability are helping developers build smarter, faster robotics solutions. Samtec walks us through their connectivity innovations that address the unique challenges in robotic and industrial systems, where precision and reliability are non-negotiable. STMicroelectronics dives into strategies for building flexible robotic designs, essential for developers facing constantly shifting performance demands. TE Connectivity follows with an exploration of smart navigation, safety, and control in service robotics – key factors in ensuring both effectiveness and trust in human-robot interactions. In the power domain, we examine component-based distributed power architectures that bring scalability and efficiency to robotics. As safety grows increasingly critical in collaborative environments, we offer practical guidance on selecting and integrating multi-dimensional safety systems to protect workers while enabling seamless co- existence with cobots. Finally, we delve into the core of motion and control with a detailed look at fast, precise, and low-power position sensing, a technology at the heart of responsive and intelligent robotic behavior. Whether you’re designing robotic platforms, specifying components, or architecting systems for the future, we hope this volume offers valuable insights and inspiration. The world of robotics is not just about machines – it’s about building intelligent, collaborative systems that move our industries, and our lives, forward.
Agilex 3 FPGAs & SoCs: engineering solutions for power-conscious, cost- effective embedded systems Sponsored by Altera
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8 Industrial and robotic interconnects: Samtec’s solutions for harsh environment connectivity Sponsored by Samtec 12 Building a flexible design for today’s robotic applications Sponsored by STMicroelectronics 16 Industrial service robotics: smart navigation, safety and control with TE Connectivity’s connector solutions Sponsored by TE Connectivity
20 Special feature: retroelectro
Engineering silence: the telephone and the negative feedback amplifier
30 Unlocking the potential of 48 V systems with Allegro Solutions 3 6 Smart GNSS antennas: a better way to design positioning, navigation and timing into your project 40 Why and how to use a component- based distributed power architecture for robotics 46 How to select and integrate multi- dimensional safety systems to protect workers from cobots 52 How to achieve fast, precise, and low power position sensing for real-time control
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