Whether you’re developing a smart-home appliance or a system to control control a commercial building, you need a solid understanding of the associated standards, security aspects and data models. Explore our resources for home and building technology trends and technical expertise.
Specifying effective components to meet the needs of industrial & building automation
March 15, 2022
The way that industrial locations are run is currently going through a step-change, with greater use of automation being a top priority for many companies. Thanks to this, production output may be boosted and efficiency levels increased.
What does miniaturisation mean for connector selection?
By
Paul Jones
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February 9, 2022
As electronic systems become smaller, they also require more component parts in increasingly space-constrained environments to meet extra expectations on functionality. Here Paul Jones explores what they means for connector selection across markets.
From AC to DC: powering intelligent buildings
By
Philip Lechner
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September 21, 2021
There is a lot of interest in how to power the electronic and electrical devices in buildings of the future. Not just limited to energy savings, it includes how to integrate new energy sources such as solar, wind turbines and batteries.
The evolution of connectivity for building automation
By
Martin Keenan
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September 20, 2021
Buildings are evolving rapidly as developers try to maximise their returns, users’ expectations change, and climate-change mitigation becomes urgent. Building automation systems are being updated to address these concerns.
The growing role of sensors in modern building management systems
By
Alessandro Mastellari
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August 13, 2021
Today's intelligent buildings measure a multitude of building parameters. Here Alessandro Mastellari explores the sensing technologies employed to collect environmental data.
Product compliance after Brexit: UKCA and what you need to know
By
Andrew Hutton
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March 17, 2021
From the end of 2021, the CE mark will no longer be recognised in the UK. Andy Hutton gives a run down of what you need to know about the new UKCA mark.
PIR and ultrasonic sensors: What's the difference and how do they work?
By
Alessandro Mastellari
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October 21, 2019
There are two primary technologies used in detecting the presence of people, pyro-electric / passive infra-red (PIR) and ultrasonic. Alessandro Mastellari takes a look at how they differ and how they work.
How can combining different types of sensors result in more accurate data?
With more and more applications combining data from multiple sensors, Alessandro Mastellari looks at how sensor fusion is being applied with pressure sensors.
Pressure sensors: Why you should consider going digital
By
Martin Keenan
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May 9, 2019
To give the electronic systems we design the ability to detect changes to what is around them we need analogue sensors. But the processing that sits behind those sensors is in almost every case going to be in the digital domain.
Pressure sensor miniaturisation: How smaller sensors are enabling better healthcare
In the second installment of our pressure sensor series Alessandro Mastellari explores how manufacturers are developing smaller and smaller devices.
What the growing pressure sensor market means for electronics
By
Martin Keenan
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May 8, 2019
Pressure sensors became to automotive systems in the early 1990s, but as the rate of adoption of these components increases Martin Keenan investigates why.
A quick guide to multi-standard mesh networking
Recent advances in wireless technology have enabled the use of mesh network topologies in home and building control applications, but what are your options, and can you combine them?
Women in engineering – where are we now?
By
Lisa Rees
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March 7, 2019
To mark International Women’s Day, we spoke to two female engineers at different points in their careers – one from the UK and one from Germany – to find out from them what their take is on being a woman in engineering and to learn more about t
From humanoids to holograms and humanity projects - How Avnet showcased the future at electronica
November 16, 2018
And so electronica 2018 is over. In our final post, we look back on the best bits of day three.
electronica 2018 day two highlights
November 15, 2018
Another day at electronica 2018 has passed and it was arguably even busier than the first. A constant stream of customers and suppliers kept the atmosphere on the Avnet Abacus stand buzzing, and our schedule was packed full of great speakers and demo
electronica 2018 day one highlights
November 13, 2018
On a crisp morning at Messe Munich there was an excited buzz around the exhibition centre as electronica 2018 opened its doors. Read what happened on day one.
3 reasons to visit Avnet Abacus at electronica 2018
November 12, 2018
As electronica 2018 prepares to open its doors, here are three reasons you should visit Avnet Abacus on stand C5 101 this week.
Key design considerations for selecting the right RF antenna
August 7, 2018
When faced with the need to make design decisions, system engineers are challenged with multiple options, any of which can have a major impact on the effectiveness of the wireless performance.There are many considerations when selecting RF antennas f
Security and surveillance: Two sides of the coin in smart homes
By
Martin Keenan
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July 9, 2018
The new era of home security won’t just be an alarm that rings when a lock is picked or a window broken. With the rise of new technology comes the added need to protect a home’s hardware and its software.
Choosing the right wireless technology for your IoT end-device
By
Adam Chidley
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May 4, 2018
Wireless communications will connect the IoT, but it’s not quite as straightforward as adding a Wi-Fi access point to your home broadband. Avnet Abacus’ Adam Chidley takes a look at low power WANs and why they will be essential in connecting thin
From enabled to proactive: The evolution of home automation
March 29, 2018
Just how smart can a smart home get? Tomorrow’s home is a true a brainiac, making decisions for you before you even think to tell it to.
Let your home do the work so you don't have to
By
Martin Keenan
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March 29, 2018
Today, we need to interact with connected products in the home deliberately. But it does not have to stay this way.
Adapting PIR sensor technology to new applications
By
Martin Keenan
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February 7, 2018
The passive infrared sensor (PIR) seems so familiar that it is easy to miss the many applications that exist for it and the subtleties of engineering that guide the best ways in which to use it.
Customising and optimising antennas with materials science and manufacturing techniques
By
Martin Keenan
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July 14, 2017
In an increasingly connected world, performance demands on antennas are greater than ever. These increased performance demands also have to be balanced with cost, and of course, the limits imposed by the laws of physics, which make antenna design a t
How sensitivity to our environment is creating a growing market for air quality sensors
By
Giovanna Monari
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April 2, 2015
A growing pre-occupation with leading healthier life styles means that many of us are becoming much more sensitive to the environment around us, and in particular air quality.
