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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 21: 3 July 2001
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1871 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. System configures programmable IP for comms
2. Circular beam is a bonus for red laser diodes
3. Tiny input device provides handheld cursor control
4. Holographic materials focus light on brighter LCDs
5. Frac-N PLLs achieve faster hopping times
6. Easy-to-use voltage-controlled electronic load
7. Reset ICs prevent system errors during power up
8. Stand-alone web-based serial analyser
9. Shallow trench isolation boosts NOR Flash memories
10. Dual vertical headers use compliant pin interface
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
I'm a big fan of acronyms - those clever little mnemonics that can often stick in the mind a lot longer than the sum of their parts. Let's face it we all know what a laser is, but can we necessarily remember what it stands for?
However, some times the acronym is just too darned silly, a case in point being the new EU Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment. The objectives of the WEEE Directive are highly laudable in encouraging recycling of components from discarded household appliances and IT and telecommunications equipment rather than putting it in landfill sites. But perhaps a little more thought might have been given to the name.
Or maybe somebody's taking the Directive.
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
mailto:lauren[-email removed-]nicstalk.com
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*** WEB ACCESS NOT NECESSARY! ***
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THIS WEEK'S INDUSTRY NEWS
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INTERSIL AND IDT TO WORK ON VOICE ACCESS SOLUTIONS
Intersil has entered into a collaboration agreement with Integrated Device Technology (IDT) to develop voice access solutions for telecommunications applications.
Intersil, 27 June 2001
mailto:ina1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina124.html
MOSYS GOES PUBLIC TO RAISE OVER $51 MILLION
Monolithic System Technology (MoSys) has announced the initial public offering of 5,000,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $10.00 per share.
MoSys, 2 July 2001
mailto:mos1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mos/mos103.html
RAILWAY COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WINS TI AWARD
With overwhelming interest from around the world, and thousands of entrants, Texas Instruments has announced the winners of its $100,000 Analogue Design Challenge.
Texas Instruments, 2 July 2001
mailto:tex1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex121.html
ACER TAKES BLUETOOTH FROM NEWLOGIC
Acer Laboratories has signed an agreement to license NewLogic's Boost Radio and Boost Software products.
NewLogic, 3 July 2001
mailto:new1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/new/new106.html
DELTRON ON THE DISTRIBUTOR ACQUISITION TRAIL
Deltron Electronics has acquired Birmingham-based Hawnt Electronics in a GBP 6.8 million cash deal.
Deltron Roxburgh, 29 June 2001
mailto:del1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/del/del106.html
RFI SURVEYS PAVE THE WAY FOR LONDON TRANSPORT
RFI has conducted a series of EMC surveys to establish the electromagnetic environment of London underground stations and bus routes.
Radio Frequency Investigation, 29 June 2001
mailto:rfi1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rfi/rfi125.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. System configures programmable IP for comms
QuickPack from QuickLogic is a novel "point and click" system for implementing complete key interface blocks within complex communications systems designs. The system initially includes fully interoperable cores for master and target Utopia Level I, Level II, and Level III as well as the PHY and Link layer versions of POS-PHY L3. All the cores were developed by Munich-based MorethanIP, and are optimised for use in the full range of QuickLogic's ESP and new Eclipse FPGA families. With the combination of ESP device platforms and the QuickPack development system, designers now have a complete, fast, and easy development solution for communications interfacing applications.
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2. Circular beam is a bonus for red laser diodes
Hitachi has announced the MARU Beam Series of red laser diodes which offers the world's first circular beam with a 1.2 (typical) aspect ratio in the 635nm wavelength band. The first products in this new series are the HL6335G and HL6340MG, which use 9 and 5.6mm packages with 5mW optical outputs, respectively. The move from an elliptical beam to a new circular beam with a 1.2 (typical) aspect ratio enables the beam-forming mechanism in laser application products, such as straight line laser levellers, laser markers and equipment with a built-in laser sensor, to be simplified.
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3. Tiny input device provides handheld cursor control
Now available from Diamond Electronics is the world's smallest input device, the Piccolo Point MiniJoydisk. With an exceptionally low profile that measures less than 4mm thick, the touch-sensitive cursor controller packs exceptional functionality into a tiny footprint, resulting in the ability to scroll and point with only a fingertip. Diamond expects the Piccolo Point to be a key component in helping the interactive world leapfrog current hardware technology into the future.
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4. Holographic materials focus light on brighter LCDs
After intensive research, Densitron has implemented a process claimed to improve LCD reflected brightness by at least 50%. The company's MirrorLight holographic materials focus ambient light into an intense viewing cone instead of scattering it over a wide area. Ambient light that falls on the face of the display is focused to a narrower cone of 15 degrees, and this importantly improves contrast and viewability without the need for power-hungry backlighting.
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5. Frac-N PLLs achieve faster hopping times
Fujitsu Microelectronics has introduced a new family of dual (RF and IF) PLLs designed for use in the next generations of mobile telephones, both 2.5G (GPRS and Edge) and 3G (UMTS). The family, the MB15F8xUL, comprises four devices, all of which offer exceptionally fast hopping/lockup times thanks to the use of a powerful technique, Fractional-N (Frac-N). For example, the fastest unit in the family, the MB15F88UL, features a hopping/lockup time of just 133us, and a phase noise of -80.37dBc/Hz (at 1.8GHz and 1kHz offset) with a spurious of -71.51dBc (at 8GHz and 400kHz offset).
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6. Easy-to-use voltage-controlled electronic load
Datel's DTL22A is the first in a series of easy-to-use voltage-controlled electronic loads. The DTL22A's 0-20A output is straightforwardly controlled by applying 0-10V inputs generated by circuits as simple as the wiper of a trimpot or as sophisticated as analogue feedback loops, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), analogue-output computer I/O boards (D/A boards) etc. The DTL22A is a near-ideal (output impedance greater than 10Mohm), voltage-controlled current sink.
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7. Reset ICs prevent system errors during power up
Rohm has launched a family of high-accuracy, low-current reset ICs that will prevent system errors during the transient states that can occur when CPUs and logic circuitry are switched on and off or when system voltage fluctuates. The BD47xxG reset IC family consists of 28 devices that offer typical detection voltages starting at 1.9V and increasing, in 0.1V increments, to 4.6V.
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8. Stand-alone web-based serial analyser
The COM-Watch Server is a stand alone web-based serial analyser from Amplicon Liveline. COM-Watch 2000, the software solution for solving data communication problems, is already a well established product for data communication analysis. The new server features all of the benefits of COM-Watch 2000 combined in a solution which allows the end user complete freedom in analysing communication signals at any time, anywhere in the world.
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9. Shallow trench isolation boosts NOR Flash memories
The first 64Mbit NOR Flash memory devices to feature a shallow trench insulation (STI) silicon structure deliver significant space and power savings while offering higher performance and lower noise operation than devices based on conventional NOR technology. Toshiba's TC58FVT64 64Mbit NOR Flash memory is supplied in a 48-pin TSOP, and is available with organisations of either 8M x 8bit or 16M x 4bit. Designed to operate with voltages down to 2.7V, the memory incorporates read, program and erase commands that are fully JEDEC-compliant to ensure full compatibility with microprocessor interfaces.
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10. Dual vertical headers use compliant pin interface
Molex has launched a line of Mini-Fit-CPI connectors to help eliminate the expense and problems associated with soldering headers to PC boards. These dual-row vertical headers feature a compliant pin interface with 'eye of the needle' pressfit pins that require no soldering. They are ideal for the high density, high current requirements of today's telecommunications and networking equipment, including backplanes.
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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DRIVE HELPS KEEP PLEASURE BEACH RIDERS DRY
Visitors to Blackpool Pleasure Beach can be sure of a warm reception after a ride on the new GBP 15 million Valhalla, the world's biggest dark water ride, thanks to an innovative drying system.
ABB Automation, 29 June 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/abb/abb116.html
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MICROCONTROLLER DRIVES FOR DISPLAY APPLICATIONS
The HT49R50A from Steatite is an 8bit single-chip microcontroller featuring single-cycle instruction and two-stage pipeline architecture for high-speed performance.
Steatite Group, 2 July 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ste/ste100.html
1MBIT SRAM RETAINS ITS DATA AT LOW VOLTAGES
NEC's latest 1Mbit SRAM is designed using full CMOS process memory allowing it to operate with supply currents as low as 25mA and with supply voltage 1.8-3.6V.
NEC Electronics UK, 2 July 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nec/nec101.html
LOW-PROFILE RELAYS SWITCH STRONGLY
Schrack PT power relays from Tyco Electronics feature a modern design with AC and DC coils and a choice of 2-, 3- and 4-pole variants with contact ratings of 12, 10 and 6A, respectively.
Tyco Electronics UK, 2 July 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tya/tya111.html
HIGH-ACCURACY ENCODERS PRODUCED TO ORDER
Tecan Components claims to manufacture encoder disks to unprecedented levels of accuracy, at the same cost or less than standard parts.
Tecan Components, 3 July 2001
mailto:tea1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tea/tea113.html
ANALYSIS STRETCHED TO LATEST IC PACKAGES
Ansoft has upgraded its advanced semiconductor packaging design tool, Turbo Package Analyser (TPA).
Ansoft Corporation Europe, 27 June 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ans/ans108.html
COMPILER EXPLOITS PowerPC VECTOR COPROCESSOR
Green Hills Software has a new compiler for its Multi IDE that provides automatic vectorisation support for Motorola PowerPC processors equipped with the AltiVec vector-processing engine.
Green Hills Software, 27 June 2001
mailto:gre1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gre/gre106.html
MICROMINIATURE SIDE-ACTUATED TACTILE SWITCH
Designed to be compatible with surface-mount processes, ITT Industries, Cannon reckons its KMS microminiature side-actuated tactile switch is the next step in small side-actuated switches.
ITT Industries, Cannon, 27 June 2001
mailto:itt1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/itt/itt101.html
LOW-PROFILE LED ARRAYS FOR PRECISION ILLUMINATION
Manufactured by Integrated Photomatrix and available now from Pacer is the Hi-Lyte low-profile illuminator.
Pacer Components, 2 July 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pac/pac101.html
100 PAGES ON THERMAL MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS
Thermal management specialist Pfannenberg has published a new 100 page catalogue giving full technical details of its standard range of products.
Pfannenberg (UK), 2 July 2001
mailto:pfa1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pfa/pfa100.html
SINGLE-AXIS POTENTIOMETER JOYSTICK CONTROLLERS
Otehall Switches has launched the C700 range of single-axis potentiometer joystick controllers.
Otehall Switches, 3 July 2001
mailto:ote1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ote/ote100.html
ILLUMINATED SHAFT THROWS LIGHT ON ENCODERS
New from EAO is the illuminated shaft 62A Series of Grayhill optical encoders.
EAO, 3 July 2001
mailto:eao1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eao/eao105.html
CHIP-ON-GLASS LCD MODULES SAVE MORE SPACE
Glyn has added the new 'off the shelf' chip-on-glass LCD modules, from Seiko's Vitrium series, to its range of products.
Glyn, 3 July 2001
mailto:gly1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gly/gly102.html
HIGH TORQUE CHARACTERISTICS FROM SIZE 11 STEPPER
Featuring high torque characteristics, the size 11 is a new addition to the already popular range of Sanyo Denki stepper motors from EAO.
EAO, 3 July 2001
mailto:eao1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eao/eao106.html
ENCLOSURE SYSTEM FEATURES MODULAR FRONT
Rittal's TS8 enclosure system now features a new modular front designed to facilitate more flexible assembly of user levels.
Rittal, 28 June 2001
mailto:rit1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rit/rit116.html
BACKSHELL SCREENS, SEALS AND TAKES THE STRAIN
Cobra Head is the name of a new range of low profile backshells from KEC that can provide screening, sealing and strain relief for all sizes of standard circular connectors.
KEC, 29 June 2001
mailto:kec1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kec/kec108.html
OVER-MOULDED CONNECTORS SAVE SPACE AND COSTS
Deutsch offers a space- and cost-saving over-moulded alternative to its traditional boot and adapter back fittings, while also maintaining environmental sealing and strain relief.
Deutsch, 3 July 2001
mailto:deu1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/deu/deu102.html
NEPCON SEMINAR PAPERS AVAILABLE ONLINE
The papers from the full Nepcon 2001 Process Technology Seminar program are now available to download on the Nepcon website.
Reed Exhibitions, 3 July 2001
mailto:ree1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ree/ree102.html
INVERTERS SWITCH FROM MILITARY TO INDUSTRIAL USE
Digital Power has released a range of DC/AC inverters that will find many applications in telecommunications and industrial systems.
Digital Power, 2 July 2001
mailto:dib1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dib/dib101.html
VARIABLE-OUTPUT FREQUENCY CONVERTORS
New from Magnus Power, the redesigned LP series of frequency convertors is offered with either single- or three-phase output.
Magnus Power, 3 July 2001
mailto:mag1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mag/mag100.html
THREE SERVERS SQUEEZED INTO 1U RACK SYSTEM
Sequoia's Industrial Division has introduced a high-density rack-mount server integrating three systems in a single 1U server, tripling the previous capacity for high-density solutions.
Sequoia Technology, 3 July 2001
mailto:seq1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/seq/seq112.html
MORE CURRENT FROM LABORATORY POWER SUPPLY
TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) has introduced a new version of its best-selling CPX200 laboratory power-supply unit incorporating additional features and enhanced performance.
TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments), 28 June 2001
mailto:bla1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/bla/bla122.html
VISUAL BASIC SPEEDS CUSTOM PSU TEST GENERATION
Users of Schaffner's market-leading power supply ATE systems can now create their own custom test sequences in minutes using the PowerStar 5 Test Development Kit.
Schaffner EMC, 2 July 2001
mailto:sca1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sca/sca118.html
MULTICHANNEL FILTER CARD WITH GAIN FOR VME AND VXI
Kemo has developed a multichannel filter card with gain which is physically compatible with data-acquisition and instrumentation systems based on the 6U VME and B-size VXI industry standards.
Kemo, 3 July 2001
mailto:kem1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kem/kem100.html
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Have you seen our other newsletters?
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We also publish other engineering newsletters like this
once a week. All are free, so take a look:
Engineeringtalk - for mechanical/automation engineers
Email join-eng-ta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
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