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ELECTRONICSTALK
The Independent Weekly Product Information Guide
for Electronics Engineers
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London, UK
ISSN 1475-2913 - Free subscription
Published every Tuesday at 12:30 (UK)
Issue 42: 27 November 2001
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3329 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. Chipset cuts VoIP development time and money
2. Touchscreen controller is smaller and more frugal
3. High efficiency keeps convertors cooler
4. Fume extraction unit won't break the bank
5. High-energy-density capacitors for instant power
6. Extra bit boosts video decoder performance
7. Electroluminescent drivers generate high volts
8. Mixed-signal front end aims for set-top boxes
9. Communications processor shrinks to tiny card
10. Video-speed ATE boasts audio-grade performance
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
As the father of a four-month-old boy I am fortunately still relatively immune from the fads of what may or may not be the year's biggest-selling Christmas sensation. So it's interesting to still be able to view the melee from a "financially dispassionate" standpoint.
For the moment, at least, I have no qualms that no lesser company than the greatly revered (and still successful) British institution Hornby has jumped on the Harry Potter bandwagon. Although I have to admit to blanching at the idea of stumping up GBP 150 for a model locomotive.
What does worry me, though, is the games console business.
Microsoft's entry into a market dominated by the Sony PlayStation 2 has been a long time coming, since unveiling the Xbox earlier this year. And when a company such as Microsoft spends upwards of half a billion dollars on an advertising campaign, one can only surmise that it is envisaging some pretty serious sales figures.
Make no bones about it, Xbox, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's GameCube are serious pieces of kit which probably make the PC on which you are reading this look decidedly stale. And as such they are great news for a components industry that is looking at the slowest-growing "serious" PC market ever.
But remind me for a moment: whatever happened to "digital convergence" - the grand idea that one box would do everything? Perhaps it would be a good time to remind parents everywhere that a computer isn't just for Christmas.
I hope you find this issue of our weekly newsletter useful. We currently have almost four thousand engineers and other industry professionals on the circulation, so you're in good company. 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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THIS WEEK'S INDUSTRY NEWS
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CYPRESS TO PUT USB INTO INTEL'S CONCEPT PC
Cypress Semiconductor is to contribute to Intel's latest concept PC, codenamed Hannacroix.
Cypress Semiconductor, 26 November 2001
mailto:cyp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cyp/cyp129.html
INTERSIL THUMBS UP TO 54Mbit/s WIRELESS STANDARD
Intersil is supporting the next generation IEEE 802.11g standard that increases wireless LAN data rates to 54Mbit/s while maintaining full backwards compatibility with existing 11Mbit/s systems.
Intersil, 26 November 2001
mailto:ina1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina143.html
I-LOGIX HELPS MODEL RAILWAY INTERLOCKINGS
I-Logix and Offis Systems and Consulting (OSC) have teamed with the Euro-Interlocking consortium to help standardise the functionality and interfaces for future railway interlockings.
I-Logix Europe, 21 November 2001
mailto:ilo1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ilo/ilo105.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. Chipset cuts VoIP development time and money
Virata has revealed its new Azurite VoIP solution, which combines a Helium or Nitrogen communications processor and software with a Magnesium DSP and voice software. By integrating these critical components into one complete VoIP platform, Virata expects to offer the industry's best BOM costs, simplify customer's development of VoIP products and reduce design cycles from a typical 12-18 months to an estimated 3-6 months. In addition, the Azurite VoIP solution delivers the best-sounding voice over IP capabilities through its integration of quality of service (QoS) algorithms and high-performance echo-cancellation techniques that provide optimum voice quality even in the most adverse network conditions.
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2. Touchscreen controller is smaller and more frugal
Elo TouchSystems has developed a new, smaller, lower-power controller chip for its popular, proven AccuTouch five-wire resistive touch technology. The new COACh IIs (controller on a chip) operates at both 3.3 and 5V, and is packaged within a small-footprint 64-pin LQFP measuring 12.15 x 12.15mm.
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3. High efficiency keeps convertors cooler
The S15 and S25 series from Broadband TelCom Power are aimed at the telecommunication, industrial electronics, mobile telecommunication and distributed power markets. They incorporate BTCs patented flat transformer technology plus synchronous rectification for increased efficiency. Efficiency figures for this range are in excess of 90% and they can deliver full power at up to 70C with no heatsink or airflow, all in a tiny 1 x 1.5in package.
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4. Fume extraction unit won't break the bank
Kaisertech's new KT4 fume extraction unit has been designed to remove toxic fumes and vapours from the workbench. Priced at just GBP 395 it is said to be the simplest and lowest priced fume extraction system currently available and is also ESD safe, heat proof and portable. The unit is supplied complete with pump and filter and provides the two most popular forms of fume extraction, downdraft and cowl.
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5. High-energy-density capacitors for instant power
NESS Capacitor Co has released the first 2.7V ultracapacitors. The first ultracapacitor family with a continuous operating voltage rating higher than 2.5V is available in three capacitance sizes; 1700, 3500 and 5000F. Boasting parametric superiority over its competition, the NESS 2.7V ultracapacitors have the highest capacitance and energy storage densities, and the lowest equivalent series resistance (ESR) of any commercially available components of comparable size and weight.
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6. Extra bit boosts video decoder performance
Philips Semiconductors has released the SAA7115 9bit video decoder, with high-performance comb filter, enhanced Macrovision detection and advanced vertical blanking interval (VBI) data slicing capability. As part of Philips Semiconductors' Nexperia digital video platform, the SAA7115 provides the front-end digitisation and processing of analogue video inputs on next-generation set-top boxes, digital televisions, video projectors, personal video and DVD recorders.
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7. Electroluminescent drivers generate high volts
Micrel has released its first electroluminescent (EL) lamp driver ICs, the MIC4826 and MIC4827. The ICs converts a 1.8-5.5V DC input voltage to a high voltage AC signal that drives the EL lamp. The MIC4826 generates 160V and the MIC4827 generates 180V peak-to-peak AC output voltage. The MIC4827 is intended for applications which require the maximum EL brightness.
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8. Mixed-signal front end aims for set-top boxes
Responding to set-top box and cable modem manufacturers' demands for technologies that allow them to differentiate their products in hardware Analog Devices has released the AD9877, the newest member of its Mixed-Signal Front End (MxFE) product family. Based on ADI's "smart partitioning" methodology - a performance-enhancing design technique that partitions the signal path according to performance metrics rather than analogue/digital boundaries - the AD9877 sets the mixed-signal front end standard for broadband modems in a low-cost, low-power package.
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9. Communications processor shrinks to tiny card
HM Computing has launched a novel option for communications equipment OEMs, in the form of a tiny card called Miriac. This provides what is believed to be the smallest possible implementation of the state-of-the-art MPC8260 PowerQUICC II processor for real-time telecommunications and networking applications. Designed to plug-on 'piggyback' fashion, the 65 x 90mm card - which is manufactured in high volume - provides users with advanced communications processing power at exceptionally competitive cost.
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10. Video-speed ATE boasts audio-grade performance
Advantest has released wideband video frequency generator (WVFG) and wideband video frequency digitiser (WVFD) units for its T6673/T6683 SoC test systems. The WVFG is a 16bit resolution arbitrary waveform generator with digital to analogue conversion rates of 200Msample/s. The WVFD is a high-performance digitiser with 16bit resolution analogue to digital conversion rates of 62.5Msample/s, or 14bit analogue to digital conversion rates of 250Msample/s.
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STN LCD CONTROLLER HANDLES 64K COLOURS
Hitachi has released what it says is the world's first single-chip colour STN LCD controller for 65,536 colours.
Hitachi Europe, 21 November 2001
mailto:hit1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hit/hit125.html
BUS SWITCHES TO A SMOOTHER VOLTAGE CHANGE
Fairchild Semiconductor has released eight high-bit-count FST bus switches with TruTranslation circuitry for interfacing 5.0V inputs to 3.3V outputs.
Fairchild Semiconductor, 22 November 2001
mailto:fai1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fai/fai152.html
MORE PRECISION FROM JFET OP AMPS
Analog Devices has a new range of precision JFET op amps with performance for demanding applications such as optical networking, wireless basestations, medical CT scanners and ATE.
Analog Devices, 22 November 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc111.html
LDO BOOSTS BATTERY OPERATING TIMES
National Semiconductor has a new 250mA low dropout (LDO) regulator that increases operating time for wireless, laptop and PDA applications.
National Semiconductor, 23 November 2001
mailto:nat1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nat/nat142.html
SIX-CHANNEL DRIVER POWERS UP CD-ROM DRIVES
Rohm Electronics has launched a compact and highly reliable single-chip driver IC that provides all of the control functions needed to drive CD-ROM and DVD-ROM audio/visual applications.
Rohm Electronics (UK), 23 November 2001
mailto:roh1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/roh/roh116.html
SPARC SHOWS HIGHER PERFORMANCE AT MODEST SPEEDS
Sun Microsystems has disclosed SPECint (integer) and SPECfp (floating point) benchmark numbers for a new version of the UltraSPARC III microprocessor.
Sun Microsystems Microelectronics, 26 November 2001
mailto:sun1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sun/sun101.html
FOUR IN ONE FOR TRANSIENT VOLTAGE SUPPRESSION
Semtech reckons its SFC3.3-4 low-voltage ChipClamp TVS (transient voltage suppressor) array is a breakthrough ESD-protection device for portable and low-operating-voltage electronics.
Semtech, 21 November 2001
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http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sem/sem109.html
CRYSTAL OSCILLATORS ARE STABLE FOR BLUETOOTH
Flint Wireless has added new crystal oscillators, supporting the stability and other requirements of the Bluetooth specification to its portfolio.
Flint, 23 November 2001
mailto:fli1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fli/fli133.html
ALUMINIUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS RUN TO 105C
Logic Electronic Components is the sole agent, distributor and representative for Jianghai aluminium electrolytic capacitors in the UK, Ireland, France and Germany.
Logic Electronic Components, 26 November 2001
mailto:loa1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/loa/loa100.html
RELAY OCCUPIES A THIRD LESS FOOTPRINT
Rhopoint Components has the new 9290 series surface mount reed relay from Coto Technology.
Rhopoint Components, 27 November 2001
mailto:rho1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rho/rho113.html
IP CORES PASS BLUETOOTH TESTING
Working with test house 7 layers UK Ltd, TTPCom has qualified its Bluetooth IP core solution to version 1.1 of the Bluetooth specification.
TTPCom, 21 November 2001
mailto:ttp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ttp/ttp115.html
ALGORITHMS CUT FPGA PLACE AND ROUTE IN HALF
QuickLogic has released version 9.1 of its QuickWorks development software.
QuickLogic, 22 November 2001
mailto:qui1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/qui/qui114.html
SOFTWARE SIMPLIFIES COMPLEX BALLAST DESIGN
The latest ballast design software from International Rectifier (IR) can dramatically reduce electronic ballast design time.
International Rectifier, 23 November 2001
mailto:sil1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sil/sil121.html
ENCLOSURES HIT THE SLOPES
New from Evatron Enclosures, the PP71 has a futuristic design with rounded corners and recessed sides greatly enhancing the aesthetics.
Evatron Enclosures, 27 November 2001
mailto:eva1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eva/eva102.html
ANTISTATIC TREATMENTS AND CLEANING PRODUCTS
Electrolube has launched a comprehensive range of antistatic treatments and cleaning products.
Electrolube, 26 November 2001
mailto:eec1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eec/eec100.html
PROGRAMMABLE DISPENSER CALLS THE SHOTS
New from Sealant Equipment and Engineering is the Program-A-Shot 997 meter/mix/dispense system.
Sealant Equipment & Engineering, 26 November 2001
mailto:sxv1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sxv/sxv100.html
200W SWITCHER GAINS POWER FACTOR CORRECTION
Amplicon Liveline has upgraded its successful PU200 range of 200W switch mode power supplies with the addition of power factor correction.
Amplicon Liveline, 22 November 2001
mailto:amp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/amp/amp141.html
HALF-BRICK CONVERTOR PROTECTED FOR TELECOMMS
Advanced Power Conversion has added a new encapsulated half-brick module to its DC/DC convertor range.
Advanced Power Conversion, 26 November 2001
mailto:apc1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/apc/apc106.html
CARRIER PUTS DSP INTO EMBEDDED APPLICATIONS
Hunt Engineering has released Heron-Base1, a single-slot module carrier for its Heron DSP range.
Hunt Engineering, 23 November 2001
mailto:hun1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hun/hun102.html
FRAMEGRABBER SUPPORTS LATEST CAMERA LINK SPEC
New from Firstsight Vision, the Viper-CamLink from Coreco Imaging is a single-slot high-performance acquisition and preprocessing board for the PCIbus.
Firstsight Vision, 23 November 2001
mailto:fia1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fia/fia108.html
PC-COMPATIBLE VME BOARD RUNS UP TO 1GHZ
Concurrent Technologies has added a 1GHz Pentium III CPU option to its VP PSE/Pxx single-slot 6U VME family.
Concurrent Technologies, 26 November 2001
mailto:cct1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cct/cct108.html
MIX AND MATCH SERIAL COMMS PROTOCOLS ON ONE BOARD
New from Micro Technic, the Micronix PV series is a complete line of four-port PC/104 modules for serial communication via RS232, RS422 or RS485.
Micro Technic, 26 November 2001
mailto:mit1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mit/mit112.html
HW AND SW PLATFORM FOR ATM AND IP IN 3G
Creative Electronic Systems has unveiled its Transport Network Solution (TNS), which is an IP and ATM multiservice platform for telecomms equipment focusing on 3G cellular.
Creative Electronic Systems, 26 November 2001
mailto:cgt1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cgt/cgt100.html
KIT TEACHES HOW TO USE A SCOPE
The new Tektronix operator training kit provides education about the features, uses and basic operation of an oscilloscope through its extensive instructions and step-by-step lab exercises.
Tektronix, 21 November 2001
mailto:tek1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek120.html
INFRA-RED SCOPE CHECKS SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
A new system for infra-red observation has been developed by Olympus for use with the BX51 metallurgical microscope.
Olympus Optical Co (Europa), 21 November 2001
mailto:oly1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oly/oly103.html
MPEG2 TRANSPORT STREAM GENERATOR TESTS DVB SYSTEMS
The new VT1200 Series from Yokogawa Martron is a range of compact MPEG2 transport stream generators for verifying the correct operation of DVB systems.
Yokogawa Martron, 27 November 2001
mailto:yoa1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/yoa/yoa107.html
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