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ELECTRONICSTALK
The Independent Weekly Product Information Guide
for Electronics Engineers
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London, UK
Published every Tuesday at 12:30 (UK)
Issue 6: 13 March 2001
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807 product announcements and technical articles
on our web site, all fully searchable at
http://www.electronicstalk.com/ - take a look!
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In this issue:
* Editor's Message
* Our Top Ten new Products Selection
1. Web-based search simplifies MCU specification
2. Flash programs into microcontrollers
3. Capacitors bridge the high-voltage data gap
4. Convertor can drive white LEDs and bias LCDs
5. Split screen simplifies pushbutton control
6. Electroformed wafer-bumping stencils
7. Rack-mount energy system protects CTI
8. Single contacts for reliable mating
9. Deep sleep cuts data acquisition power drain
10. RAID supports bandwidth-hungry applications
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
It isn't often that electromagnetic emissions make it into the world's news media, and so this week's story that three officials of Vatican Radio face charges over emissions from their transmitter rather caught the eye. The fact that one is a Cardinal clearly made the story more "newsworthy", as did their probable defence, based on the use of a centuries-old law to circumvent EU Directives within the Vatican.
But while this is only another case of the popular media addressing a serious subject with a populist "twist", anybody associated with compliance engineering can only be positive about its effects. Let's face it, "Any publicity is better than no publicity at all" may be a cliché, but where EMC is concerned the publicity is sorely needed. It also in its bizarre way highlights the inequality of enforcement of supposedly Europe-wide laws across the continent of Europe.
While it is true that the vast majority of CE marked electrical and electronic products on the European market comply fully with all relevant directives, it is also true that some do not. This is not a secret. It is well known to the industry.
Some of these noncompliant products constitute deliberate fraud. Some, on the other hand, may be more the result of lax interpretation, along the lines: "Well, the prototype passed, so how was I to know that all the production models didn't?".
But the law knows no such distinction. The penalties for noncompliance are severe. And they apply equally across the continent.
Let's hope the publicity associated with the Vatican Radio case acts on the consciences of all who may have transgressed - whether deliberately or through a lack of care. It would be a cardinal sin to let the opportunity pass.
I hope you find this issue of our weekly newsletter useful. In addition to the new products, news and ideas featured here, there are hundreds more on our website and dozens more being added daily, so do take a look if you can. But you don't need web access! All the full stories behind the summaries and headlines in this newsletter can be retrieved by email alone: see details below. In the meantime, if you've got any suggestions as to how we might make the site or the newsletter better, email me directly.
Best wishes
Laurence Marchini, Editor
lauren[-email removed-]nicstalk.com
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MEMORY PLUS GOES IT ALONE AFTER "FRIENDLY" MBO
Memory Plus, the Swindon (UK) based independent provider of upgrade solutions, has been acquired by the existing management team from its parent company Torridon plc.
Memory Plus, 12 March 2001
mailto:mem1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mem/mem100.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. Web-based search simplifies MCU specification
Computer Solutions describes Micro-Search as the definitive, unbiased and free web-based selection guide for the 8051 family of microcontrollers. Available free of charge on the Computer Solutions website, Micro-Search solves a growing problem for engineers. Chip manufacturers are using the Internet as the primary source of detailed component data. Databooks and even CDs are becoming things of the past. But not everyone has high-speed web access, and the volume of data required to do a comprehensive survey is becoming prohibitive. With multiple manufacturers supplying over 300 variants, finding the right 8051 device can take a great deal of valuable resources.
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2. Flash programs into microcontrollers
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe and UNIS have introduced the Flash-kit programmer, a high-speed, in-system programming solution for all Fujitsu Flash microcontroller families. Fujitsu's Flash-based microcontrollers are highly successful with today's massive demand for reliable devices featuring in-built rewritable memory. The rewritable memory function offers a big advantage due to the frequent need for changing programs at each stage of development, evaluation and mass-production, and also because of slight changes in software specifications for each type of equipment.
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3. Capacitors bridge the high-voltage data gap
The development of specially engineered dielectrics and novel termination techniques has enabled Oxley to produce capacitors capable of withstanding lightning pulses up to 150kV and proof voltages of 40kV AC. The capacitors were developed in response to a requirement for a special isolation capacitor to allow data coupling between high-voltage transmission lines and low voltage communications equipment.
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4. Convertor can drive white LEDs and bias LCDs
The world's simplest micropower boost convertor capable of driving white LEDs and providing LCD bias is now available from Micrel Semiconductor for use in cellular phone and PDA applications. Housed in an IttyBitty SOT23-5 packaging, and requiring only three external components, the MIC2142 is ideal for portable, space-sensitive applications like cellular phones and PDAs. Its 2.2-16V input voltage range allows it to be powered from single-cell LiIon or three-cell alkaline/NiMH/NiCad batteries.
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5. Split screen simplifies pushbutton control
Omron has launched a new range of rectangular illuminated pushbutton switches with split-screen options offering very flexible, highly visual control switch options for process and motor control. A3PJ series pushbutton switches measure 18.9 x 26.1mm and comprise a switch unit and indicator/pushbutton unit which are joined together with a reliable snap action. The indicator unit is available in solid colour as well as two, three and four split-screen options in both horizontal and vertical orientations.
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6. Electroformed wafer-bumping stencils
Electroformed wafer-bumping stencils from Tecan Stencils Limited (TSL) are used to accurately deposit solder paste directly onto silicon wafer die. Following reflow, the paste forms the conductive solder bumps required for I/O. Highly accurate and repeatable results are offered by the stencils which allow users to cost effectively maximise the available yield from a given wafer. The stencil apertures have very smooth walls, with a trapezoidal cross-section, which ensure optimum paste release characteristics - improving the consistency of solder paste volume and hence, ball size and regularity.
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7. Rack-mount energy system protects CTI
Unipower Telecom's Gravitas Vanguard 19in rack-mount energy system is designed to meet the requirements of the small to medium enterprise using CTI (computer-telephony integrated systems). A 6U-high system chassis houses up to five hot-swap 48V/20A or 24V/40A Vanguard rectifiers, modular DC distribution, LVD (low voltage detect) and optional AC circuit breakers and system controller.
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8. Single contacts for reliable mating
ODU has designed a range of single contacts for applications requiring very secure contact coupled with low insertion force. Typical uses are in power supplies, testing and monitoring equipment, docking systems, lighting and aeronautics. Three systems are available, slotted, lamella and Springtac, with contact diameters ranging from 0.6 to 50mm. Solid pins are common to all three.
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9. Deep sleep cuts data acquisition power drain
A very low power data acquisition and logging unit for battery-powered remote measurement systems has been announced by BitBox of Basingstoke. Developed for use in monitoring marine environmental sensors in remote locations both on and off shore, the DAB board has a very low current (100uA) deep sleep mode, with automatic wake-up driven by its own real time clock.
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10. RAID supports bandwidth-hungry applications
Sequoia Industrial Systems Division is introducing the world's first RAID storage solution to support full-speed 100Mbyte/s Fibre Channel standards. The specialist distributor has recently signed a franchise agreement with Ciprico - the Minneapolis, USA, based leader in high-performance, direct-attached and networked storage solutions - and is adding the flagship Ciprico 7000 series disk array to its portfolio.
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CONTROLLER GENERATES HIGH VOLTAGE FROM 3.3V RAILS
The industry's most flexible low-voltage DC/DC PWM (pulsewidth modulation) controller is now available from Micrel Semiconductor.
Micrel Semiconductor Europe, 7 March 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mib/mib111.html
SMALLER IGBT PACKAGE HAS 6000V ISOLATION
Dynex Semiconductor has released a new compact IGBT module package designed for applications up to 3300V including traction auxiliaries and specialist motor drives.
Dynex Semiconductor, 13 March 2001
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RELAY FOR COST-EFFECTIVE POWER SWITCHING
The HJ plug-in relay from Matsushita Electric Works provides a cost-effective solution for a broad spectrum of power-switching applications.
Matsushita Electric Works UK, 8 March 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mat/mat113.html
CHIP RESISTORS RUN THE RANGE OF TEMPERATURES
Rohm Electronics has launched a family of miniature chip resistors for applications where space is limited and where precision operation is required across a wide temperature range.
Rohm Electronics (UK), 12 March 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/roh/roh102.html
PCB DESIGN SUITE CHECKS UP ON FABRICATION
Innoveda has announced an enhanced version of its popular PowerPCB printed circuit board layout system that incorporates the powerful CAM350T DFF Audit module for board fabrication checking.
Innoveda, 12 March 2001
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TOOLS SPEED 56K DSP DESIGNS TO MARKET
Tasking has announced the immediate availability of the Tasking DSP56xxx Tool Suite V3.0, featuring advanced debugging capabilities and a new integrated development environment.
Tasking Software, 13 March 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tas/tas100.html
TFT MONITORS TURN TO TOUCHSCREENS
WASP has added three more LCD monitors to its range to meet all popular market requirements.
WASP, 9 March 2001
mailto:was1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/was/was101.html
COMPACT DSP-BASED MOTOR CONTROLLER
The first in a series of DSP-based motor controllers for brushless motors makes its UK debut at the Power Electronics Exhibition.
Solid State Supplies, 12 March 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sol/sol102.html
CONNECTORS SECURE SD MEMORY CARDS
Molex has introduced a new range of connectors for use with Secure Digital (SD) memory cards.
Molex UK, 7 March 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mol/mol102.html
LOW-PROFILE FPC CONNECTOR HAS SMALLEST FOOTPRINT
Omron's new family of FPC connectors features the industry's smallest footprint, combined with a very space-efficient design and an advanced slider mechanism.
Omron Electronics, 13 March 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/omr/omr118.html
VALVE DISPENSES WITH ADHESIVES AND SEALANTS
The model 2200-250-000 is a point of application dispense valve designed for use with high- and low-viscosity plural component adhesives or sealants.
Integrated Dispensing Systems, 12 March 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/int/int103.html
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dab/dab102.html
DIGITAL I/O ON THE USB FOR THE COST-CONSCIOUS
Data Translation reckons its DT9835 offers the best cost-per-point for digital I/O on the market.
Data Translation, 12 March 2001
mailto:dat1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dat/dat103.html
BLUETOOTH CAPABILITY ADDED TO SIGNAL GENERATOR
IFR Systems has announced two new frequency models in different price ranges for its most popular signal source, the 2026 multisource generator.
IFR Systems, 8 March 2001
mailto:ifr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ifr/ifr103.html
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Engineeringtalk - for mechanical/automation engineers
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