Intevia FAQ

Electronics

Q: What is the electronics in an Intevia® intelligent fastening solution?

A: The electronics consist of an electronics assembly (or printed circuit board) which typically includes an ASIC and, when required, additional external circuits, to perform the actuator control, sensing and communications functions required for the application.

Q: Does every fastening mechanism in an assembly need its own electronics?

A: No, in a typical assembly, a network of several fastening mechanisms may only have one or two intelligent fasteners with electronics. The others are "slave" fastening mechanisms that are wired to and controlled by these "master" fasteners.

Q: Where is the electronics located?

A: The electronics can be built into the base or body of the fastening mechanism or into the connector, which attaches to the fastening mechanism.

Q: How large is the electronics?

A: For simple applications with wired communications, electronics can be quite small (about the size of a dime) although multifastener mechanisms, multisensor, high current or radio-linked applications may need a much larger electronics package. In line with current trends, electronics packaging should continue to reduce in size, while processing power, data storage and overall functionality should increase with advances in silicon technology.

Q: How much energy does the electronics use?

A: Power consumption varies by application and fastening mechanism type depending on the mechanism and actuator design, which will dictate voltage and current requirements.

In general, average operating current is about 1 amp and average power consumption is commonly less than 3 watts.

Q: What other functions can the electronics undertake?

A: In addition to actuator control, the electronics may undertake other control reporting and sensing functions relating to the assembly in which it is incorporated.

Q: Can the electronics control other devices?

A: In addition to controlling master and slave fasteners within the network, the electronics may also be programmed to control other devices such as lighting or other nonfastening devices that are associated with the assembly into which the fastening mechanism is incorporated.

Q: What is an ASIC?

A: The ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) is a custom designed silicon IC, which incorporates as much of the electronics circuitry and functionality that can be practically and cost-effectively achieved.

Q: Can the electronics be made redundant?

A: The electronics can be made redundant by the duplication of the electronics assembly, network connection, power feed connection and fastener mechanism actuating element connections. Redundancy needs to be considered in the overall fastener mechanism design to remove all possible single points of failure.