element14 extends linecard, celebrates 15m Raspberry Pis

Development distributor element14 has extended its linecard with the addition of Amphenol PIHER’s range of contactless sensors and potentiometers — devices that employ state-of-the art, hall-effect and inductive technologies to offer high-performance control and measurement solutions.

Amphenol PIHER products are suitable for applications requiring high accuracy and reliability, such as automotive, aerospace, industrial, marine and home appliances. Uses for PIHER position controls and sensors are increasing exponentially with the growing requirements of intelligent machines and autonomous vehicles. Key products from the range are as follows:

• The PST 360 contactless high-accuracy position/angle sensor has a through-shaft sensing design with 360° absolute position feedback in an ultrathin package. Featuring integrated redundancy, the sensor is suitable for use in a wide range of off-highway, construction, agriculture equipment steer-by-wire applications. It can be easily adapted to fit marine outboard steering and throttle control, sport and exercise equipment, wind indicators, automation equipment and medical devices.
• The PSX-6 and PS-6 6mm SMT potentiometers feature configurable capabilities for design flexibility in a tiny package. The low-profile, dust-proof design allows it to be used in space-constrained applications. A long-life version of the PS-6 provides a control solution for the appliance and automotive industries.
• The PIHER PS2P-CON sensor offers immunity to radial and axial play on mobile shafts and the PS2P-LIN Linear Touchless Position Sensor minimises errors when measuring linear positioning. Both designs avoid significant misalignment results, poor operational performance and labour-intensive maintenance programs. As absolute sensors they will not lose measured values even after a power failure.
   

“This new franchise strengthens our relationship with Amphenol and deepens our already extensive range of sensing solutions, making over 9000 sensors and potentiometers available from stock to element14’s customers,” said Dave Beck, Head of EU & APAC Product Management for Interconnect, Passives & E-mech at element14.

The announcement comes shortly after element14 revealed it has now sold 15 million Raspberry Pi single-board computers (SBCs) since the device’s launch in 2012.

element14 stocks all Raspberry Pi models alongside a diverse ecosystem of accessories, which supports users as they build devices for home, education or commercial applications. The most recent launch, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B computer, has driven a significant increase in sales; as the most powerful Raspberry Pi to date, the new board is three times faster than the previous model with a range of memory options and improved interfacing and connectivity to extend capabilities for all users. It can be used as a high-performance embedded platform or as a full-featured desktop computer.

element14 also supports customers as they bring products to market with its maker-to-market service, programs for start-ups, 24/7 technical support and an exclusive agreement with Raspberry Pi (Trading) for the customisation of Raspberry Pi products.

“element14 is Raspberry Pi’s leading global distribution partner, selling 15 million devices since launch in 2012,” said Lee Turner, Global Head of Semiconductors and Single Board Computers for element14. “This is a major milestone for element14 as well as the Raspberry Pi Foundation and we are delighted to have shared the journey with them so far.

“The new Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Computer is a game changer, providing customers with a faster, more powerful and more feature-rich single-board computer than ever before. The power of the Raspberry Pi 4, element14’s extensive distribution network, and the strength of element14’s parent company, Avnet, in developing devices such as the Avnet Smartedge Industrial IoT Gateway, powered by Raspberry Pi, can only pave the way for more great things from this little board.”

Eben Upton, CEO of Raspberry Pi (Trading), added, “We have been working with element14 since 2012 to put Raspberry Pi products in the hands of hobbyists, educators and professional design engineers all over the world. In 2015, we announced an exclusive agreement to provide customised variants of our products to element14’s engineering customer base, and in June this year we launched Raspberry Pi 4 Model B together, bringing PC-equivalent performance to the sub-$50 price bracket.

“We are extremely excited that element14 have crossed the 15-million-unit mark; we look forward to shipping many more units together, and continuing to change lives all over the world.”

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