In the evolving world of electronics meeting customer expectations is paramount to its success this means quality is of utmost importance. Gateway Electronic Components Ltd, a leading distributor of ferrites and specialist in electronics, understands the significance of delivering high-quality products to its customers. With a commitment to excellence, Gateway has managed a comprehensive ISO9001 approved quality management system for 22 years. With a focus on process optimisation, the integration of new technologies, and the adoption of best practices from the industry Gateway’s manufacturing stays ahead of the curve. A Commitment to Training and Continuous Improvement Reliability is a core aspect of quality in manufacturing. Gateway understands that its products must perform consistently and reliably under various conditions. By implementing rigorous testing procedures, offering First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR), Gateway ensures that its products meet the standards its customers’ demand. By investing in employee training and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, Gateway ensures that its workforce is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver exceptional standards. What do our accreditations mean to Gateway? Operations director Heather Prieto says “Those who know our team, will be aware of just how committed we are to developing and maintaining long-term relationships built on a trust and collaboration with both suppliers and customers alike.” ISO9001 and JOSCAR Our ISO9001 and JOSCAR accreditations assure customers that the service we provide is not only of the highest quality, but that we have met the required industry standards for risk assessments, security for cross-sector collaborative solutions. To view our accreditation certificates please click here To learn more about Gateway visit https://www.gatewaycando.com/solutions To learn more about the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register (JOSCAR), please visit: https://hellios.com/joscar/

Since being founded in 2000 our team here at Gateway have taken a customer-centric approach to business, always going the extra mile to help ensure that your projects can run smoothly. To make sure that we can provide you with the best service, we place a heavy focus on quality – whether that’s distribution of components, or the manufacture of bespoke products through The Machine Shop and our IoT Solutions. For the past 21 years, Gateway has been ISO accredited and is currently compliant with ISO 9001:2015. As the business continues to expand and provide increasingly complex value-added solutions, it is important to maintain the highest quality standards for our customers. We have recently undergone our latest external ISO audit with United Registrar Systems (URS) and are pleased to announce we passed with flying colours making this our 22nd consecutive year with no non-conformances. Our ISO scope covers: “Design, Manufacture, Procurement, Stockholding, Sales and Distribution of Electronic Components, Assemblies and Proprietary Products.” Technical Director, Josh Bailey, says: “This scope shows our commitment to meeting our customers’ demands and ensuring our expansion is built on our robust quality system.” In addition to our own quality system we have also been assessed and accredited by some of the most quality focused customers in the industry, in 2021 being added to the Unipart Rail technical dossier and in 2022 being invited to join Joscar being audited and assessed not just on our quality but also on our business security, resilience and management systems. If you would like a copy of our new certificates for your files, please visit our Quality page.

The Role *** 2 Positions Available *** The role of the Machining Apprentice is to work to support the day-to-day running of the machine shop. The Machining Apprentice will work under the supervision of the Ferrite machining specialists and will report to the Technical Director. The individual will be trained to program and operate CNC and NC machinery following the machine shop safe working practices and procedural guidelines. The Apprentice will work alongside other team members to ensure our tooling and ferrite stock is replenished to ensure all scheduled jobs are completed on time. The individual will work alongside team members to ensure the machine cleaning and maintenance schedules are adhered to, this will require the individual to follow cleaning regimes and engage with external vendors where applicable. The Apprentice will work with other team members to ensure all orders meet the machine shop quality standards, this will require the individual to carry out testing following standard procedures and filling out FAI paperwork where required. The nature of the Machine Shop will require the individual to carry out tasks that are not part of the day to day running of the machine shop and may involve exploratory work to further enhance our capabilities. From time to time the role may require the candidate to work outside of the normal working pattern to ensure order deadlines are met, this will be managed based on capacity and notice will be given wherever possible. The Machine Shop has built a strong reputation for cutting edge ferrite machining and consistently pushing the boundaries of what is possible, as such the processes, procedures, tooling and all other information relating to the Machine Shop is to be treated as strictly confidential. The Machine shop operates in the Automotive and Aerospace industries and works with some of the world’s leading technology companies, some of these relationships are governed by confidentiality agreements and NDA’s. The individual will be responsible for ensuring all information relating to the Machine shop is kept strictly confidential and all agreements are adhered to. The role requires the individual to constantly evaluate and analyse all processes and procedures to ensure optimal efficiency throughout the business unit. The Machine Shop prides itself on a CanDo attitude and has established a global presence based on our ability to think outside of the box, the role requires a driven individual who can think outside of the box who thrives on challenges. Key Tasks: • Operate NC and CNC machines • Carry out detailed test procedures • Create CAD drawings and manage the CAD database • Carry out day-to-day task of the machine shop • Work to the machines job schedules • Manage stock of machine tools and work holdings Sound like this role is for you? Get in touch with our team here.

The acronym of MIMO stands for Multiple-In, Multiple-Out which is a communication style that sends the same packet of data as several signals simultaneously through multiple antennas. This data is split into multiple data steams when transmitted and are recombined at the receiver by another MIMO configured device that has the matching number of antennas. This style of communication still uses a single radio channel and is a form of antenna diversity which improves signal quality and strength for an RF link. The receivers are typically designed to account for slight time differences in the receptions of each signal, prevent any additional noise or interference and even lost signals. Transmitting the same data on multiple streams introduces redundancy when transmitting data that traditional systems cant provide. This give MIMO some advantages over traditional antenna setups such as. 1. Overall throughput can be improved allowing for greater quality and quantity of data sent over the network. (Ideal for video content or other similar applications) 2. MIMO can help reduce issues like “fading” loses or dropped data packets. 3. Because MIMO uses multiple data packets and accounts for any disparity in signal reception, MIMO radios can utilize bounced and reflected RF transmissions to actually improve signal strength when direct line of site is not achievable. MIMO systems also allow for ad-hoc networking where individuals can enter or leave the network at anytime and automatically forward data into the network. The ability to take advantage of this type of network makes MIMO systems ideal for a variety of user groups who need reliable, scalable network coverage. Such users can be. 1. Broadcast television such as live sports or news broadcasts where the video transmission location may move without notice (following players as they run up the pitch or follow the reporter as they move through a city) and MIMO prevents the need for long expensive cable runs. 2. Emergency services who are often thrown into chaotic situations and can’t always rely upon cellular to be available. 3. First responders to natural disasters where infrastructure has been damaged or completely destroyed. MIMO systems come In a variety of form factors sometimes using multiple individual antennas however becoming increasingly popular and more common is the all in one antenna designed from the start to contain all of the antennas in one casing. Have a need for MIMO antennas? or any other style of antenna?

With the ever-growing demands for data and faster access to it, industries have made great investments into the development of 5G equipment and infrastructure. 5G technology utilises narrowband technology which provides ultra-low latency and is capable of delivering multi-Gbps peak data speeds. How can I get access to this new 5G technology? I am sure that like myself you have also seen or been exposed to in some way the advertisements of the latest generation mobile phones stating that they are “5G Ready”, and maybe you wonder what this really means and why current technology is not able to use 5G. Old technology is unfortunately not compatible with 5G due to the nature of 5G using narrowband technology and old processors not being compatible with this. This is why new mobile phones are coming out as 5G ready, with all new processors being designed and built with 5G in mind. I have old equipment in the factory or office that could really do with this additional reliability and speed, what can I do? This is where the Siretta Quartz-Onyx comes into action! The Quartz Onyx is 5G ready for action and compatible with most interfaces with its 2x RS232 or 1x RS485 serial port whilst also being capable of creating a standalone Wi-Fi network of its own. It can even interact directly to the cellular engine to automate notifications such as SMS alarms and triggered alerts, also allowing your connected equipment to interrogate connection status, signal strength and network parameters which facilitates remote systems to run autonomously. The Quartz-Onyx has a robust design coming in a compact metal enclosure which makes it ideal for industrial applications. And its not just the physicality of the Quartz-Onyx that is robust, the Quartz-Onyx also supports a number of high-end VPN security protocols allowing for the router to be used in commercial as well as industrial settings. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today and take full advantage of the future!

Are you given a list of parts by the technical team or a customer and when you read through it you wonder what it is you’re buying? How often do suppliers come back with alternatives and give you technical information that you don’t quite understand. Let’s all be honest we have all been in this situation at one time or another. I will happily pop down to our Machine Shop with a data book in hand to speak to our technical gurus to get a feel and picture for the parts. I like to have a good understanding of what it is I’m dealing with. In this blog we will take a look at the basics of what Ferrite is and some of the applications it can be used in. So, let’s start with some basic facts and information about Ferrite and their applications to hopefully give you a better understanding of Ferrite. Firstly, what is Ferrite? Simply put ferrite is a ceramic material with magnetic properties. It is a brittle compound made up of iron oxide mixed with any number of other metallic elements such as manganese, zinc and nickel. Depending on the material composition they are classified as soft or hard Ferrites. Ferrite is used in a wide variety of applications from household appliances, to antennas and transformers. Hard Ferrite holds the magnetic charge so are essentially magnets. They are often used in household items such as electric ovens and fridges. Soft Ferrites are more complex and have a wider range of applications. Unlike hard Ferrite, soft Ferrite does not hold the magnetic charge and when the electric field is removed the magnetism disappears, this is known as having a low coercivity. Ferrite comes in a variety of shapes and sizes from blocks, cores and toroids, to beads and clamps. There is a chance you will recognise some of these descriptions from parts you have looked at in the past. Each type has its advantages in its given application; Ferrite cores used in a transformer will act as an insulator and has a high electrical resistance, whereas Ferrite in antennas focus the radio waves in the right direction, and Ferrite clamps on cables prevent electromagnetic interference. Some of the most frequently asked questions we get about Ferrites are based on the applications of Ferrite beads/clamps, if you dig a little deeper into Ferrite clamps it will give you a clearer understanding of how they work. Not only do they have the ability to reduce electromagnetic interference or noise, but they also have the ability to suppress high frequency noise in wires that conduct electricity making them a handy and versatile tool when used correctly. Gateway stocks over 1000 lines of Ferrite and accessories available of next day delivery. To talk to a member of our sales or technical team about the Ferrites we stock or for advice on which Ferrite would best suit your application please call or email our sales team on 01270 615999 / sales@gatewaycando.com Struggling to find what you require or looking for something a little bit special, Gateway offers custom gapped and machined Ferrite cores. You can find out more on our CanDo solutions and Machine Shop capabilities here. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

With the world wide adoption of smartphones and other mobile devices which now play such pivotal roles in our day to day lives, charging requirements have both increased and changed in their demands. Users are now demanding more flexibility when It comes to charging their devices, not always being able to or just not wanting to plug in. This is where Wireless charging really shines as a great and simple way for users to get the power they need! How does wireless charging work? In recent years a lot of research has been conducted on wireless charging systems, with the Qi low-power standard being developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) supported by the IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization. This Qi standard is already in use with the practical application of electromagnetic induction charging in mobile devices. Where would I actually take advantage of this? In short, you can use this technology anywhere! Wireless charging technology is being adopted in a wide range of fields from consumer level electronics to Electric Vehicles (EV’s). Consumer level electronics are an ideal target as mentioned earlier majority of people are using smart phones and at the end of the day (or sometimes multiple times a day) we all need to charge up! And having a wireless pad on the bedside table to place your device on rather than worrying about plugging in a cable and it not making a good connection causing the device to not charge. Where can I get the coils for my design? TDK offer a great range of Tx and Rx coil units that are designed to satisfy the growing user demand for easy and frequent charging. With the Tx coils acting as the primary winding and the Rx acting as secondary windings both solutions developed with a broad line-up to suit key WPC Qi Specifications. The Rx coils come in a range of thicknesses from 0.5mm to 1.25mm and all Rx coils are designed with magnetic attractor materials to support the magnetic alignment.

Siretta’s range of signal analysers allow you to identify a range of cellular networks whilst providing detailed analysis and breakdown of the results. Siretta offer 3 variations of the Snyper which have a range of features and capabilities, in this blog we will highlight some of the key features and differences in each model. We start with the Snyper-LTE + this comes in a rugged case which is the same as both the Spectrum and the Graphyte however does not include all the same accessories. This device is perfect for someone who only needs to do one-off surveys for the best signal and where the use of a directional antenna isn’t required. The LTE+ allows the user to scan for specific bands for example, you can decide to scan for just 2G if you do not require 3G or 4G. Just like the other 2 devices mentioned above the LTE+ will timestamp your surveys which can be viewed on a computer in HTML format. Next would be the Snyper-LTE + Spectrum. This device provides detailed information for available 2G,3G and 4G networks. It can save up to 50 surveys much like the Graphyte. The Spectrum comes with the “LiveScan” feature which allows you to attach a directional antenna enabling you to identify the source of the signal as well as two antennas which allow you to pick up various frequencies. Finally, the Snyper-Graphyte is the top of the range with all the bells and whistles. Some of the main features to highlight is the ability to do sequential surveys which is only available on this device. This means that you can set up the device and leave it in location to complete the surveys on a set time interval to identify how the signal changes over different periods of the day. So to round off, what are the differences in each model ? To put it simply as the models progress they gain additional features, starting off with the Snyper LTE + which is the basic model that provides raw functionality. The LTE+ model will perform single surveys that can cover all 3 technologies (2G, 3G and 4G) or specify a singular technology if you require it for you specific application. The LTE + Spectrum is the next in line and it provides the ability to store up to 50 surveys on the device as well as gaining access to the “LiveScan” features which enables you to identify the general direction of the base station. And last but not least we have the Graphyte which has all of the above features as well as having the ability to automatically perform sequential surveys, which is a great asset when needing high performance consistently as it helps you hedge you bets against “network breathing” (which can is a topic to be covered in another blog!) If you have any questions or enquiries please don’t hesitate to contact us on any of the below methods!

In todays constantly advancing society we are becoming ever more connected with one another, allowing for further advancements and growth. This is facilitated by the amazing telecommunications networks that we have developed and the use of both small scale and large scale server networks. This infrastructure requires vast amounts of power to keep it all functioning and providing the services we have become dependent upon, that’s where the new µPOL Technology from TDK comes in. The µPOL Technology provides lots of benefits over current DC-DC power modules, such as its smaller size when compared to individually packaged ICs. The smaller package size and low profile allows the µPOL to be placed on a PC board very close to its loads (such as an FPGA or ASIC) whilst sharing a heat sink covering both packages. The µPOL can also be mounted to the backside of a PCB creating more space on the topside of the board for components such as memory or ICs. FS1412 is a 12 A DC-DC power module featuring a Vin range of 4.5V to 16V with a Vout of 0.6V to 1.8V, Iout of 0A to 12 A and an operating temperature range of -40 degrees to +125 degrees contained within the compact size of 4.9mm x 5.8mm x 1.6mm can you really ask for more. It provides the best power density for its compact size, and provides simple design stages as it comes with integrated MOSFETs/Driver, Inductor and Regulator. With the new FS1412 µPOL power module being an ideal fit for applications such as big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G cells, telecommunication, IoT and much more why hesitate.

We are all very familiar with 3G and 4G by this point as it has already become an integral part of our modern way of living, keeping us all connected to one another worldwide 24/7. So its understandable that when talking about 5G people just see it as the next G and it not being anything special beyond slightly faster speed. However that could not be further from the truth as 5G is up to 100x faster than 4G, and I’m sure you will all agree that this is a significant improvement! But its more than just faster connectivity speeds, 5G will also provide ultra-low latency and greater bandwidth. What does that mean for you ? well for your personal usage it means streaming content such as video calls to family and friends will have no noticeable delay in video or sound making it as though they were sat in the room with you. You also don’t have to be so concerned about competition when wanting to share or get data at large events (such as sports events, musical concerts and festivals etc.). But what does this mean for industry? With the improved network speeds and increased bandwidth 5G provides a much more robust and reliable network that industry can rely on for their mission critical applications. 5G will help improve fleet tracking allowing for 24/7 live status tracking of goods such as chemicals or medical supplies which need to be stored at specific temperatures for the duration of transit. The improved data throughput also allows for large data packets to be transferred seemingly instantaneously (downloading GB data files in minutes!) which can allow for large data bundles to be streamed continuously without issue. Or potentially more relevant in our modern world of remote working it will enable remote workers to reliably and quickly connect to cloud platforms and email services wherever they may be, if that takes the form of a home office or out at a public space 5G will enable them to perform their day-to-day tasks without obstacle. To wrap up the blog we will quickly try and explain why 5G networks provides such greater speeds and reliability compared to the current 4G network. 5G just like its predecessors uses cellular technology however it takes advantage of millimetre wave 24GHz to 54 GHz, and can be implemented in 3 types of band (low band, mid band or high band). Low band 5G uses similar frequency ranges as 4G and thus provides similar performance and range, mid band 5G uses microwaves of 1.7GHz – 4.7GHz providing speeds of 100-900Mbit/s and each cell tower providing service up to several kilometres in radius. High Band is much shorter distance due to using millimetre wave, utilising 24GHz – 47GHz (which is near the bottom of the millimetre wave band so there is potential to grow and use higher frequencies in future) however due to the short range nature of this technology they will be used in dense urban environments and areas where large crowds congregate like sports stadiums and convention centres. Have industrial requirements for 5G devices and connectivity? Contact Gateway today via any of the below methods for more information and discussion regarding your requirements!

Ferrite is a ceramic compound with magnetic properties (Ferrimagnetic) which is useful for a number of different applications due to the lack of electrical conductivity. Predominantly, Ferrite is used for power applications, home appliances and EMI suppression – uses include antennas, magnetic cores for transformers, and ferrite beads for cables. The Ferrite Gateway Machine Shop offers a range of machining capabilities to help you achieve bespoke solutions for your project, with one of the most recent additions being Ferrite Lapping. To help you understand how Ferrite Lapping could work for your next project, we are going to be taking a look at what the process is, why it is used, and what it can be used for. What Is Ferrite Lapping? Ferrite Lapping is a process used to remove material from the surface of a workpiece, which is beneficial for creating a smooth finish after machining (removing any grooves or indentations). By creating a flat surface finish, Ferrite Cores can attain a tighter mating which increases AL value. This is done through using abrasives in a rotational motion to ensure that an even amount of material is being removed – this is essential for creating a perfectly flat finish. Lapping is typically used on cores with a permeability of 5000 or more, which helps to achieve maximum AL value. In addition to Lapping, the Gateway Machine Shop can offer a Mirror Finish – this is achieved by an additional process after Lapping where finer abrasives are used to further reduce imperfections (meaning that an even greater AL value can be accomplished). Why Is Ferrite Lapping Used? Lapping is a process used on ungapped cores – helping to remove imperfections on the surface of the core, as well as reducing the effects of an air gap on mated cores (also referred to as parasitic air gaps). The benefit of Ferrite Lapping is that it can produce a surface finish of 0.1-0.2 microns (compared to 0.5-1.0 microns for a normally flat-ground surface). Achieving this level of finish creates a datum face, improving the mating surface of the workpiece which increases the resultant AL value. Polishing, which helps to achieve a Mirror Finish, also has the ability to improve the flatness of the core by reducing minute deformations or scratches that can occur when Lapping. To demonstrate the effect that Lapping has on Ferrite cores, we have put together a comparison of two pairs of POT cores – one pair is the standard off-the-shelf version (unlapped) and the other pair has had the surface lapped. Both pairs were tested using a bobbin wound with 100 turns of wire which sits on the centre limb. Using the LCR meter in our Machine Shop, we were able to measure the Inductance of each pair of cores. The unlapped cores (see image above) came to 66.349mH, giving them an AL value of 6634.9 – in comparison to this the lapped cores (see image below) came to 74.032mH which equates to an AL value of 7403.2. From this is it clear to see that by simply Lapping the surface of the cores it is possible to significantly increase the AL value – in this case by just shy of 770. What Can Ferrite Lapping Be Used For? There are many applications where Ferrite Lapping would provide a suitable finish to workpieces, including EMI Suppression, Power Applications, Sensors and Antennas, and Absorption of High Frequencies (shielding). These applications are used across a range of industries, such as Electronic Manufacturing, Medical, and Aerospace. Lapping is a finishing process, so if you require a core for your project Ferrite Lapping may help you to achieve increased precision. Conclusion As you can see, Ferrite Lapping provides a range of advantages which can benefit a variety of solutions, and our team in the Machine Shop have worked extremely hard to refine the process to ensure that our customers receive the highest quality finish. Have a project in mind that would benefit from Ferrite Lapping? Our team would love to work with you – fill out an enquiry form here. For more information, please feel free to get in touch with our team of technical experts – Phone: +44 (0) 1270 615 999 Email: gapping@gatewaycando.com

Are you designing the next generation of IoT devices which could revolutionise an industry or the way we live? But you don’t have the time to design an enclosure that’s suited for your circuit! Well look no further than the Hex-Box by CamdenBoss! The Hex-Box is an excellent blend of flexibility and user-friendly customisation, allowing for wall mounting when paired with a specially designed circular wall mount or a desktop device with the ability to connect rubber feet. The enclosure provides a customisable side panel selection from simple blanked panels that can be machined to allow for USB Ports or other connectors your device may be using as well as vented side panels should your equipment require additional cooling. There is also a cable entry point on the base of the enclosure to make cable management a thought of the past as all the wires can be easily hidden and protected. A PCB can be mounted to either the top or base of the enclosure providing six bosses in the top and 4 in the base which are positioned to suit a Raspberry Pi Board. The base of the enclosure is con caved to allow for flush wall mounting as well as a convexed lid with a smooth bevel and flat top ideal for 2.5” screens. The lid is also easy to digital print on, allowing for branding so you can be sure everyone knows who’s device they are using! We have mentioned the Hex-Box being well suited to Raspberry Pi boards once already in this blog however to really highlight just how well suited the Hex-Box is for these applications CamdenBoss put together the ultimate enclosure and have already customised two panels that are perfectly suited for the Raspberry Pi connections! Does your enclosure have requirements the Hex-Box doesn’t suit ? then contact us and we can help find a suitable enclosure from CamdenBoss’s comprehensive catalogue of enclosures!