SOURCE:
Altium
2008-08-06 08:53:00
Next Generation of Electronics Engineers Shine Light on Future Energy Technology
Next Generation of Electronics Engineers Shine Light on Future Energy Technology
Altium Supports Solar Car Teams in Both the United States and Australia
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA–(EMWNews – August 6, 2008) – Altium (
industry’s leading developer of unified electronic product development
solutions, is supporting the future of design innovation in two student
projects from the University of New South Wales and the University of Iowa.
The students are using Altium’s unified electronics design solution to
design, build and race solar cars in a series of competitions to promote
the development of solar energy.
In Australia, Altium is supporting the University of New South Wales’ Solar
Racing Team, Sunswift. The team is developing a solar powered racing car
that will compete in both the World Solar Challenge in 2009, the world’s
first and premier solar racing event, and the inaugural South Africa Solar
Challenge (SASC) in 2010.
Students are using Altium’s unified electronic design environment to build
a complete suite of electronics, including new driver controls, monitoring
systems and a new braking system. These systems will have to endure more
than 7,000 km of extreme conditions, from the hot, dry desert of Australia
to the tough, hilly coast of South Africa.
“The team’s objectives are to develop innovative technologies, provide a
platform for practical learning for students and promote a sustainable
future, and Altium is helping make these dreams a reality,” said Clara
Mazzone, Project Leader, Sunswift.
Altium is also supporting the Iowa State University’s PrISUm solar racing
team, which is designing, Sol Invictus, its ninth car for competition. This
latest car will be featured in the North America Solar Challenge (NASC)
2008, traveling from Dallas, Texas to Calgary, Alberta, Canada — a total
of 3,861km.
Altium’s unified electronics design solution is being used on the largest
electronics project, a new battery protection system for the car. The new
system, which comprises several PCBs, will help protect the car’s
lithium-ion batteries by monitoring all 30 battery modules for voltage
levels, temperature and current. It also allows the driver to switch off
battery modules that can be susceptible to damage from surges in voltage,
or from excessive temperatures.
Students are also using Altium’s unified electronics design solution to
develop a range of custom electronics that will be incorporated into the
car’s final design. These include power supplies, a speedometer and power
meter displays. A driver interface will display performance data, and a
communication link will send data from the car’s battery protection system
and motor controller, to team members, allowing them to implement features
such as cruise control.
“Altium Designer is a great asset to the team. With it, we’ve been able to
capture schematics and complete layouts quicker than ever. With the extra
time we now have to spend on design work, our team is sure to be successful
in the forthcoming competition,” comments Scott Elliott, Director of
Electrical Systems, Team PrISUm.
Altium supports tomorrow’s electronics innovators with a worldwide program
of sponsored and donated software licenses. The company provides its
unified electronics design solution to more than 900 universities and
educational institutions worldwide.
About Altium
Altium Limited (
that break down the barriers to innovation, and help organizations easily
harness the latest devices and technologies, to create their next
generation of electronic products.
Altium’s solutions are unique because they unify the separate processes of
electronics design, all within a single electronics design environment,
working off a single data model, which links all the aspects of electronics
product design into one process.
Founded in 1985, Altium has headquarters in Sydney, Australia, sales
offices in the United States, Europe, Japan, China, and resellers in all
other major markets. For more information, please visit www.altium.com.
Altium, Altium Designer, LiveDesign, and their respective logos are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Altium Limited or its subsidiaries.
All other registered or unregistered trademarks referenced herein are the
property of their respective owners, and no trademark rights to the same
are claimed.
| US Media Contact:
Emily Taylor Altium Media Contact: Alan Smith |
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