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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 15: 15 May 2001
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1359 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. No IFs about PRISM with direct down conversion
2. Protocol stack simplifies DSP Internet connection
3. Bridges extend CompactPCI backplanes
4. Bluetooth analysis via the USB
5. New test lab covers GSM, Bluetooth and more
6. Nonvolatile 10bit digital potentiometers
7. PFC controller chip saves space in compliance
8. Cost-effective calculation of PCB trace impedance
9. Compact antennas put Bluetooth on the air
10. High-accuracy multifunction chip mounter
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
The older I get, it seems, the less of a "gadget freak" I become. But I may be prepared to relent if I see many more devices like the Bluetooth-enabled GSM headset that was demonstrated to me last weekend.
This doesn't necessarily mean I will stop poking the finger of fun at people who insist on carrying out hands-free conversations while walking down the street. But it may well mean that the volume applications do exist to drive Bluetooth hardware down the anticipated cost-reduction graph.
However, one thing still doesn't sit too well. The headset in question had been given as a gift to a friend of mine on a visit to a client in Scandinavia... some six months ago! The device clearly works. It is obviously manufacturable. So where is the publicity? Such a device is the ideal gadget freak's gizmo and - presumably - only exposes the human brain to ultra-low Bluetooth-level EM fields, thereby overcoming public fears about cellular handsets and wired headsets.
Ironically, the owner of the headset in question is in the media advertising business, and was bemoaning to me (along with several of his competitors) how the bottom had dropped out of the market since the US tech stock slide earlier this year, with the proverbial plug being pulled on advertising campaigns from component suppliers and OEMs alike.
Naturally, this is bad news for all concerned. But it is even more worrying for anyone thinking of tying their colours to the Bluetooth bandwagon. It doesn't matter how good the technology is. Nor does it matter how sexy the gadgets it enables. Without massive publicity, the demand will never exist to drive down the costs.
Sure enough, this week's newsletter features a number of Bluetooth-related announcements. I hope you find it useful. But 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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THIS WEEK'S INDUSTRY NEWS
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MOSYS VERIFIES 1T-SRAM ON 0.13-MICRON PROCESS
MoSys has completed silicon verification of its ultra-dense 1T-SRAM embedded memory technology on TSMC's 0.13-micron standard logic process.
MoSys, 10 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mos/mos101.html
MICREL ACQUIRES KENDIN COMMUNICATIONS
Micrel is to acquire Kendin Communications, a fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets high-performance ICs for the communications and networking markets.
Micrel Semiconductor Europe, 11 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mib/mib116.html
FAIRCHILD WINS STACK SILVER MEDAL
Fairchild Semiconductor has been awarded the prestigious Silver Medal for 2000 by STACK International, one of the world's largest components users groups.
Fairchild Semiconductor, 15 May 2001
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EUROQUARTZ, FREQUENCY PRODUCTS AND WEBSTER UNITE
Three UK crystals companies with combined experience totalling over 50 years have pooled their resources in a merger.
Euroquartz, 14 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eub/eub100.html
TALITY HELPS ADVANTEST TO BLUETOOTH SOLUTION
Tality Corp, a subsidiary of Cadence Design Systems, is collaborating in the development of Advantest's Bluetooth Protocol Tester.
Advantest Europe Corporation, 10 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/adb/adb100.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. No IFs about PRISM with direct down conversion
Intersil has revealed advance details of its next generation PRISM 3 WLAN chipset, the industry's first two-chip solution. It is also the first to incorporate a zero-IF (ZIF) architecture allowing "direct down conversion" of radio frequency signals resulting in lower-cost, high performance wireless networking for consumer applications. Its low cost makes it ideal for home wireless networking and it will be complement Intersil's existing PRISM 2.5 chipset which provides a three-chip solution optimised for embedded enterprise and business systems. The PRISM 3 chipset consists of a direct down conversion (DDC) transceiver and an integrated baseband processor and medium access controller (BBP/MAC).
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2. Protocol stack simplifies DSP Internet connection
Texas Instruments has unveiled a TCP/IP stack optimised for the TMS320C6000 digital signal processor. The company claims the new stack, combined with a new network developer's kit, can reduce the cost of network connection by more than 50% in DSP-based Internet appliances by removing the need for costly network processors and custom software royalties. The C6000 DSP TCP/IP Network Developer's Kit speeds manufacturers to market with solutions that require the connection of a C6000 DSP to a network.
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3. Bridges extend CompactPCI backplanes
Rittal Electronic Systems (RES) is now able to offer palette bridges, which fit on the rear of a CompactPCI backplane to extend the PCI slot count beyond the statutory eight slots. Alternatively custom backplanes with the bridge embedded as an integral part can be designed for comparatively low production quantities. Also available are backplanes in 3 and 6U configurations for CompactPCI power supplies, compatible both with DIN M connectors and both positions of use for the Positronic power connector.
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4. Bluetooth analysis via the USB
At the Embedded Systems Show (Excel, London, 16-17th May 2001), Yokogawa Martron is introducing a new Bluetooth analyser to complement the already extensive range of Yokogawa test and measurement tools for communications and bus protocol analysis. The new BX1000 is designed for use with an external PC, to which it is linked via a USB interface. Dedicated BX1000 software runs on the PC to provide all the necessary analysis functions for the Bluetooth environment. It is compliant with Bluetooth specification Version 1.0b, and provides analysis functions for core protocols including L2CAP, SDP and RFCOMM.
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5. New test lab covers GSM, Bluetooth and more
TTPCom has announced the opening of 7layersUK, an independent test facility for the wireless and mobile communications industries in the UK. The facility is a joint venture with 7layers of Germany and an investment in the region of GBP 3 million has realised one of the most comprehensively equipped test facilities for both current and future cellular and mobile technologies. The accredited facility will provide test services for triband GSM phase 2+, GSM 900, 1800 and 1900, GPRS and SIM applications. The laboratory will benefit from being one of the first Bluetooth qualification facilities in the country.
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6. Nonvolatile 10bit digital potentiometers
The world's first 1024-tap, digitally controlled potentiometer has been introduced by Sequoia. Four devices are available, the X9110, X9118, X9111 and X9119, to replace mechanical potentiometers or D/A convertors in single-ended and dual supply applications. The new components are drawn from Xicor's programmable mixed signal portfolio, and enable low-cost generic components to be used in precision applications. 10bit resolution creates strong performance in gain control applications, and for offset correction in control loops or calibration settings. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment, raising product consistency and reducing overall system cost through time savings gained during manufacture.
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7. PFC controller chip saves space in compliance
The FAN7527 from Fairchild Semiconductor is a power factor correction (PFC) controller IC for use with power MOSFETs in electronic ballast and other low-power (sub-150W) switch-mode power supply applications. The combination of features found in the FAN7527 facilitates implementation of PFC and eliminates external components, thus reducing the overall system footprint and improving system reliability. The FAN7527, available in SOP and 8-pin DIP packages, is a boundary-conduction current-mode controller with low startup and operating current to minimise power loss and increase efficiency.
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8. Cost-effective calculation of PCB trace impedance
Polar Instruments' popular PC-based controlled impedance field solver has been upgraded with new calculations, new structures and a goal seeker calculator. Now available in Professional, Standard and College Editions to suit varying design requirements, Si6000b is the only PC-based tool capable of performing these complex calculations quickly and easily.
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9. Compact antennas put Bluetooth on the air
Flint Wireless has a new franchise agreement with Swedish antenna specialist gigaAnt, and has added a selection of size-optimised 2.4GHz antennas for Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 and HiperLAN. The gigaAnt Crispus is a low profile antenna designed for snap-in assembly directly on the printed circuit board. Dimensions of 20 x 30 x 4mm make it suitable for applications including mobile and desktop PCs, audio equipment, automotive systems, access points, toys and a wide range of industrial, scientific and medical instruments. As a half-wave antenna it is independent of ground plane, which ensures stable performance.
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10. High-accuracy multifunction chip mounter
Panasonic Factory Automation has expanded its family of compact modular placement machines with the launch of the new high-accuracy, modular style, CM301 multifunction chip mounter. Offering high levels of configuration flexibility, the new system combines tact times of as little as 0.63s per component with dimensions of just 1625 x 2405 x 1430mm to provide maximum productivity with minimum machine footprint.
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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TAKING THE BACKACHE OUT OF ROADSIDE WEED SPRAYING
The Animatics SmartMotor is at the heart of a novel and effective solution to weed control on the highways of California.
Animatics Corp, 15 May 2001
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MIXED-SIGNAL MCU BRISTLES WITH PERIPHERALS
The new Z183 mixed-signal 8bit microcontroller, now available from Gothic Components, includes system-on-chip features for a broad range of embedded applications.
Gothic Components, 10 May 2001
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EXTENDED-TEMPERATURE INTERFACE FOR AS-i BUS
AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) has expanded its family of reprogrammable interface ICs certified for Actuator Sensor-interface (AS-i) bus applications by launching an extended temperature device.
AMI Semiconductor, 10 May 2001
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TOP-BANDWIDTH CLAIM FOR 36BIT-WIDE FIFOS
Cypress Semiconductor has begun production shipments of the 3.3V versions of its x36 FIFO high-performance memories targeted at communications applications.
Cypress Semiconductor, 10 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cyp/cyp108.html
HOT-SWAP POWER CONTROLLERS INTEGRATE MOSFETS
A highly integrated family of -70V hot-swap power controllers designed especially for telecomms switch applications is now available from Micrel Semiconductor.
Micrel Semiconductor Europe, 11 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mib/mib117.html
DYNAMIC DIODE DUO IMPROVE TV HORIZONTAL VOLTAGE
New from Fairchild Semiconductor, the FFPF60B150DS is a copackaged damper and modulation diode pair for improving horizontal voltage control in colour televisions and monitors.
Fairchild Semiconductor, 14 May 2001
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CUTTING THE COST OF HI-REL SATELLITE DEVICES
NEC's low-earth orbit L-Grade high-reliability devices include transistors and monolithic microwave ICs (MMICs) in both silicon and gallium arsenide (GaAs) technologies.
NEC Electronics UK, 15 May 2001
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RESETTABLE PROTECTION FOR SET-TOP BOXES
Raychem has released a new, coated version of its 90V radial leaded PolySwitch resettable fuses - the BBR550 and BBR750 devices.
Raychem Circuit Protection, 11 May 2001
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SOLID ELECTROLYTE CAPACITORS LIVE LONGER
Samwha Electric UK has introduced a new high reliability series of solid electrolytic capacitors for long-life applications up to 50kh.
Easby Electronics, 14 May 2001
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HIGH-FREQUENCY INDUCTORS FOR WIRELESS APPLICATIONS
Flint is introducing two new ranges of nanohenry inductors for a whole spectrum of mobile, cordless and wireless designs including Bluetooth applications.
Flint, 15 May 2001
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MCU KIT WORKS AS DEMO, EVALUATION PLATFORM AND ICE
Solid State Supplies reckons the Limited Edition 3 Diamonds Kit is destined to become a designer's best friend.
Solid State Supplies, 9 May 2001
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DSP56800 DESIGN SOFTWARE COMES FOR FREE
Motorola is offering a complimentary license of the award-winning Metrowerks CodeWarrior for DSP56800 integrated development environment (IDE) with the purchase of a DSP56800 evaluation module.
Motorola SPS, 10 May 2001
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CHASSIS ADDS EIGHT PCI SLOTS
Adept Scientific announces the release of the new Satellite series PCI expansion chassis from Measurement Computing Corporation, the new name of ComputerBoards.
Adept Scientific, 11 May 2001
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IP65 SEALING EXTENDS INTEGRATED MOTOR RANGE
Animatics has released its 2300 series and 3400 series IP65 SmartMotors for wash-down, dusty, corrosive or outdoor environments.
Animatics Corp, 15 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ani/ani102.html
TOLERANCE IS A BLESSING FOR MCM CONNECTOR
Suited to high-density requirements, RJ connectors from Hypertac find numerous applications in the interconnection of dual-cavity MCMs, PCBs and daughterboards
Hypertac, 10 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hyp/hyp100.html
TERMINATOR PROVIDES QUALITY OF A FULL-SIZE PRESS
A new terminator, specifically designed for crimping terminals of 2.5mm2 (14awg) or less, has been developed by Tyco Electronics.
Tyco Electronics - Global Application Tooling, 11 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tyb/tyb101.html
HIGHEST POWER DENSITY IN CLASS CLAIM FOR SWITCHERS
New from UR (Ultimate Renaissance), EOS V-series switching power supplies pack up to 40W into a lightweight, open-frame unit occupying surface area similar to a regular business card.
Ultimate Renaissance, 9 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ure/ure102.html
VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR SYSTEM ACQUIRES HV DATA SAFELY
Available from Impulse Corporation, the Dataforth SCMVAS is an analogue signal conditioning system designed to safely monitor, and accurately measure voltage potentials up to 1200V peak-peak.
Impulse Corporation, 9 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/imp/imp112.html
LOW-PROFILE POSITION SENSOR/POTENTIOMETER
Piher has introduced a resistive sensor that is ideal for a wide range of position sensing and control functions in automotive, industrial and consumer applications.
Piher International, 10 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pih/pih100.html
WAVEFORM MATHS FUNCTIONS ENHANCE FLUKE SCOPEMETERS
Fluke has upgraded its 190 Series ScopeMeters with a new firmware release that adds powerful waveform mathematics capabilities.
Fluke (UK), 14 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flu/flu108.html
PORTABLE JITTER ANALYSIS FOR SDH AND SONET SYSTEMS
Anritsu has introduced the MP1580A, a portable jitter analyser for 2.5/10Gbit/s SDH/SONET fibre-optic transmission systems.
Anritsu (UK), 14 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anr/anr103.html
ANALYSER ADDRESSES 2.5G DESIGN VERIFICATION
Tektronix has announced an important new option for testing mobile handsets for General Packet Radio System (GPRS) compliance.
Tektronix, 15 May 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek105.html
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