Electronic Products: Top 10 products of 2021

Electronic Products looks back at the top 10 products of 2021 as the year comes to a close. Four of the top products target automotive applications, which simplify design, save space, and improve efficiency. Other top products also address design complexity like the PoE adapter and the active noise cancellation (ANC) sensors and space savings in consumer applications, including a micro buzzer and MEMS microphone.

By 2027, over 73% of new vehicles shipped globally will feature embedded connectivity, according to ABI Research’s connected car report. This connectivity is increasing the complexity of automotive electronics systems with additional components and subsystems. There is also a lot of development around safety features including ADAS, driver-monitoring systems, surround view, traffic-jam assist, and automatic parking that require new sensing technology. The automotive industry also is making big moves toward electrification.

So not surprisingly, automotive designers are looking for ways to simplify their designs and increase efficiency. The top automotive products, based on our readers, include a wireless battery management system (BMS), GaN power devices, ANC sensors, and a DMS processor that address these design issues.

The wireless BMS solution enables ASIL-D systems with a wireless protocol, while simplifying the wiring system, reducing design complexity, and extending driving range in electric vehicles. The integrated GaN power devices provide fast switching while reducing stray inductances, and the high integration eases system implementation, reduces space constraints, and improves overall efficiency. The driver monitoring systems (DMS) processor integrates an AI NPU, ISP, and DDR3 memory, consuming less than 1 watt, while the automotive ANC sensor family helps to reduce cable complexity.

Components targeting wireless technology and IoT also garnered some top views, including a PoE to USB-C adapter, a 60-GHz mmWave chipset, and a wireless microcontroller (MCU) module. The PoE to USB-C adapter connects IoT devices with a USB-C connector over PoE, leveraging the benefits of both PoE and USB-C technologies. The adapter converts both power and data while offering up to 60 W USB output power via an Ethernet cable up to 328 ft./100 meters from the location of the USB-C device and it is also plug and play, so no configuration is needed.

The 60-GHz mmWave chipset integrates a dual-polarized, 16-channel beamformer with up and down converters in a single package for wireless backhaul, 5G NR-Unlicensed, and fixed wireless access, while the wireless MCU module also makes design easier by offloading the complete RF design and saves space in a miniature 7 × 11.3 mm package for IoT designs.

Other space savers include a micro buzzer, measuring 3.2 × 3.2 mm, with a 2-mm profile, targeting space-constrained portable designs; a high dynamic range MEMS microphone, measuring 4 x 3 x 1.2 mm, with 73 dB SNR and a high acoustic overload point (135 dB SPL); a miniaturized MEMS gas sensor platform, and a double-duty piezo-based energy harvesting and sensing module.

The top 10 products are based on the highest page views in 2021, solely looking at new product introductions launched during the year.  Here are the top 10 most popular products.

STMicroelectronics unveils its first STM32 wireless MCU module

STMicroelectronics’ first STM32 wireless MCU module offloads the complete RF design for IoT designs, delivering a faster time to market.

Micro buzzer targets space-constrained applications

CUI Devices has launched a new micro buzzer, measuring 3.2 × 3.2 mm, with a 2-mm profile, targeting space-constrained designs.

PoE to USB-C adapter extends reach of USB Type-C devices

Microchip claims the first IEEE 802.3bt PoE to USB-C adapter that supports a variety of PoE standards up to 90 W and output power up to 60 W.

TDK unveils advanced sensor and laser technologies

TDK announces several advances at CES 2021, including a CO2 gas sensor, energy-harvesting sensor module, and full-color laser module.

TI launches ASIL-D compliant wireless battery management system

TI has unveiled its wireless battery management system for EVs that complies with ASIL-D requirements, reducing design complexity and cost.

ST unveils integrated automotive GaN power devices at PCIM Europe

STMicroelectronics provides a look into its new STi2GaN family of integrated GaN power devices for automotive applications at the PCIM Europe.

Molex unveils automotive noise cancellation sensor

Molex launches the first product in a new automotive noise cancellation sensor family that also helps to reduce cable complexity.

Infineon launches next-generation XENSIV MEMS microphone

Infineon’s IM73A135 XENSIV MEMS microphone delivers improvements , offering advantages over electret condense microphones.

DMS processor integrates AI NPU, ISP, and DDR3 memory

OmniVision claims the first dedicated DMS processor, with integrated AI NPU, ISP, and DDR3 memory, consuming less than 1 watt.

Movandi unveils 60-GHz mmWave chipset, upgrades smart repeaters

Movandi expands its 5G mmWave infrastructure portfolio with the MV6055 60-GHz mmWave chipset and new capabilities for its smart repeaters.