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ELECTRONICSTALK
The Independent Weekly Product Information Guide
for Electronics Design, Development and Manufacturing Engineers
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London, UK
ISSN 1475-2913 - Free subscription
Published every Tuesday at 12:30 (UK)
Issue 78: 27th August 2002
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6938 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. Modules combine SDRAM with Flash
2. Thermal evaluation for CompactPCI systems
3. Power amp shrinks for compact wireless networking
4. Coolers run up to 200C ambient
5. Bluetooth chip comes with performance guarantee
6. Low power radio event set for London
7. New association unites EMC community
8. FPGAs provide direct verification for ASICs
9. Modular acquisition for analogue arrays
10. Speedy access to Flash management software
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
Regular readers of this column will testify to my fixation with spotting the next "big thing" for the electronics industry. And let's face it, "big things" don't come along every day.
Twenty-one years ago, it was the PC. Not too many years later it was the emergence of cellular communications in all its guises that spurred the next stage of growth for the industry.
Since then, however, it has been difficult to pass on the baton. Many technologies have been mooted: PDAs, 3G mobile and set-top boxes to name but three. But none of these is exactly new.
So perhaps you will excuse my ennui at the news that online gaming is set to give the whole industry a shot in the arm. As one who has never owned and will probably never own a games console, I have watched the tumbling prices of devices such as the Xbox with mild amusement. That US owners of suitably equipped Sony Playstations can now (as of today) play other users online is really not going to create such massive demand for hardware that the entire industry will benefit.
Indeed, as commentators in the gaming sector have pointed out, without a greater take-up of broadband services, online gaming is going to be a very disappointing experience.
I hope you find this issue of our weekly newsletter useful. We currently have thousands of 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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DISAPPOINTING FIRST QUARTER FOR ANSOFT
Ansoft has reported financial results for its first quarter of fiscal 2003 ended 31st July 2002.
Ansoft Corporation Europe, 22 August 2002
mailto:ans1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ans/ans135.html
COURT RULES CADENCE INFRINGED MENTOR PATENT
The United States District Court for the Northern District of California has granted Mentor's motion for summary judgment of infringement against Cadence Design Systems.
Mentor Graphics UK, 23 August 2002
mailto:men2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/men/men203.html
ONLINE SHOP SUPPLIES TEST ACCESSORIES
The Peak Group has opened an online shop for test probes and receptacles.
The Peak Production Equipment, 22 August 2002
mailto:peb1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/peb/peb105.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. Modules combine SDRAM with Flash
SMART Modular Technologies has a new SyncFlash/SDRAM SO-DIMM product family. SMART's latest modules use Micron Technology's SyncFlash memory technology, combining Flash memory with a PC133 SDRAM-compatible interface. The technology enables SDRAM and Flash to reside on the same high-performance bus. The SyncFlash SO-DIMMs, available in densities combining up to 128Mbyte of SDRAM and 32Mbyte of Flash, feature execute in place (XIP) functionality that allows systems to boot up instantly with no wait time.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sma/sma112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sma1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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2. Thermal evaluation for CompactPCI systems
Rittal's innovative RiTherm system allows validation of cooling dynamics even before a particular system is built. Consisting of a combination of thermal load boards and a thermal management system based on the CompactPCI architecture, this new product offers sophisticated and simple, evaluation and measurement of cooling in cPCI systems based on 6U boards. Additionally, RiTherm evaluates power supply quality on cPCI backplanes.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rit/rit129.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rit1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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3. Power amp shrinks for compact wireless networking
According to Maxim Integrated Products, the MAX2247 is the industry's smallest silicon germanium (SiGe) linear power amplifier (PA) for 2.4GHz WLAN applications. The MAX2247 PA is available in the tiny 3 x 4 UCSP (chip-scale package) measuring only 1.5 x 2.0mm, three times smaller than the closest competitor's 3 x 3mm package. The small size makes it ideal for small form factor WLAN applications such as Compact Flash, mini-PCI, and SD cards.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/max/max102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:max1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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4. Coolers run up to 200C ambient
Thermix has a range of high-performance thermoelectric microcoolers (including multistage devices) capable of operating at up to 200C for cooling semiconductor laser and superluminescent diodes, IR detectors, CCDs and other elements of microelectronics and optoelectronics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/trm/trm100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:trm1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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5. Bluetooth chip comes with performance guarantee
Cambridge Silicon Radio guarantees that its second-generation single-chip Bluetooth solution, BlueCore2-External, will meet or exceed the Bluetooth specification between -40 and +85C. Every key performance parameter - including all RF parameters - is guaranteed to meet or exceed the Bluetooth specification in this temperature range. This guarantee applies to the CSR standard reference design which uses commercial spec components.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cam/cam108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cam1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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6. Low power radio event set for London
This year's Radio Solutions conference and exhibition is being held on 30th and 31st October at the Commonwealth Conference and Events Centre, Kensington, London. In its 11th year, Radio Solutions is the only conference and exhibition dedicated to the needs of the low power radio industry. For any company working in the short range device (SRD) industry, this year's conference is a 'must'.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lwp/lwp100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lwp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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7. New association unites EMC community
The EMC Industries Association (EMCIA) is a new trade association for EMC suppliers, manufacturers, consultants and other associations. Chairman for the new association is Chris Marshman BEng, MPhil, CEng, MIEE, Managing Director of York EMC Services, and known to many as Mr EMC.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eci/eci100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eci1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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8. FPGAs provide direct verification for ASICs
SpeedGate DSV (Direct System Verification) uses off-the-shelf FPGAs to create ASIC prototypes that can be tested at speeds comparable to a real-time operating environment. Version 2.0 adds distributed processing interfaces to accelerate compute-intensive operations, such as synthesis and place and route, driving down costs by reducing the time for those steps in direct relation to the amount of compute farm resources used. The new version also expands language support to include Verilog, VHDL and mixed-HDL.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/men/men204.html
or send a blank email to mailto:men2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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9. Modular acquisition for analogue arrays
Up to eight input and eight output channels are now available on the BenEra using four of the latest Virtex-II BenAddas from Nallatech's new scalable Dime-II range. As well as tightly coupled FPGAs and memory resource, the BenAdda provides 2 x 14bit ADC resolution with up to 105Msample/s per channel sampling rate and 2 x 14bit DAC resolution offering 160Msample/s per channel sampling rate.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nal/nal106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nal1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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10. Speedy access to Flash management software
The FlashFX design ready kit provides a binary device driver specific to a targeted platform, allowing for a quick, easy, and low cost application of FlashFX Flash media management software. The FlashFX driver integrates into the development environment of the operating system and creates a FlashFX disk to manage the unused resident Flash memory. This driver allows for applications to use the FlashFX disk as a standard drive.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dta/dta108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dta1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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SOFTWARE HELPS IN VERILOG TRAINING COURSE
(Mentor Graphics UK, 26 August 2002)
Special editions of the Mentor Graphics ModelSim simulator and LeonardoSpectrum synthesis tools are to be included in a new self-study programme for learning PLD design and Verilog.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/men/men205.html
(or email mailto:men2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
CONNECTORS MAKE IT ROUND THE WORLD
(Fischer Connectors, 23 August 2002)
An onboard camera system mounted in each of the computing craft in the Volvo Ocean Race owes its reliability in part to waterproof connectors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fis/fis101.html
(or email mailto:fis1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
ON-SITE CALIBRATION KEEPS AIRBAG TESTER RUNNING
(Sira Test & Certification, 22 August 2002)
When Intier Automotive Interiors needed to have its airbag deployment facility recalibrated, the cost of returning to the US manufacturer was prohibitive.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sia/sia101.html
(or email mailto:sia1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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...And take a look at these stories too...
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INTERCONNECT DEVICES SUPPORT PCI EXPRESS
(PLX Technology Europe, 22 August 2002)
PLX Technology is developing I/O interconnect devices based on the next-generation input/output architecture PCI Express.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/plx/plx103.html
(or email mailto:plx1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
LINUX-BASED GATEWAY-ON-A-CHIP SECURES ROUTERS
(Philips Semiconductors, 22 August 2002)
Philips has developed a novel Linux-based gateway-on-a-chip system solution, which includes processors, software and boards for manufacturers of SOHO broadband routers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/phi/phi161.html
(or email mailto:phi1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
P-CHANNEL MOSFETs BOOST CIRCUIT EFFICIENCY
(Zetex, 22 August 2002)
Zetex has released its first 30V P-channel enhancement-mode MOSFETs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zet/zet111.html
(or email mailto:zet1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
MULTIPLE-VOLTAGE SUPERVISORS SAVE SPACE
(Xicor, 26 August 2002)
New ranges of dual and triple low-voltage supervisors with and without embedded memory provide designers with complete flexibility to implement system management functions.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xic/xic110.html
(or email mailto:xic1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SPEEDY DAC CLAIMS DYNAMIC SUPERIORITY FOR COMMS
(Maxim Integrated Products, 26 August 2002)
The MAX5195 is a 14bit 260Msample/s DAC claimed to provide the world's best dynamic performance in spurious-free dynamic range, intermodulation distortion and signal to noise ratio.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/max/max100.html
(or email mailto:max1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SINGLE CHIP SOLUTION FOR VIDEO SPECIAL EFFECTS
(DT Electronics, 27 August 2002)
Providing video special effects such as rotation, zoom, and picture-in-picture, Logic Devices' LF3312 is now available from specialist distributor DT Electronics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dte/dte108.html
(or email mailto:dte1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SIL RELAYS SAVE SPACE IN HIGH-DENSITY SWITCHING
(Pickering Electronics, 22 August 2002)
A new range of ultracompact single-in-line relays requires just one quarter the board area of an industry-standard 0.2 x 0.8in SIL package.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pke/pke100.html
(or email mailto:pke1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
HIGH-RELIABILITY FOR CHIP RESISTORS
(State of the Art, 23 August 2002)
State of the Art (SOTA) is expanding its line of established high-reliability chip resistors qualified to MIL-PRF 55342 (revision G, amendment 3).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sat/sat101.html
(or email mailto:sat1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FILTERS KEEP TEST SUPPLIES PURE
(REO (UK), 27 August 2002)
A new range of multistage EMI filters is ideal for providing an ultra-clean test power source in screened rooms.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/reo/reo111.html
(or email mailto:reo1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
RELAYS AIM FOR NEXT-GENERATION AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS
(Matsushita Electric Works UK, 27 August 2002)
Matsushita Electric Works is developing a new range of 42V relays to meet the changing demands of the automotive industry as it heads towards the introduction of 42V control systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mat/mat137.html
(or email mailto:mat1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SIMULATOR AIDS WIRELESS JAVA DEVELOPMENT
(Rococo Software, 22 August 2002)
Rococo Software and Bantry Technologies are to integrate Rococo's Impronto Simulator and Bantry's VirtuoSimo, making it easier for developers to build wireless Java applications and services.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rco/rco100.html
(or email mailto:rco1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
THERMAL ANALYSIS SOFTWARE RUNS ON MULTIPROCESSORS
(Daat Research Corp, 22 August 2002)
Daat Research has added multiple processor capabilities to boost the calculating speed of Coolit, the company's CFD thermal and flow analysis software for electronics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dtr/dtr100.html
(or email mailto:dtr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
LIBRARY INCLUDES AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL MODELS
(Ansoft Corporation Europe, 26 August 2002)
An automotive model library is now available for Simplorer, versions 5.0 and soon-to-be-released 6.0.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ans/ans136.html
(or email mailto:ans1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PANEL METERS SHOW THEIR TRUE-BLUE COLOURS
(Datel (UK), 23 August 2002)
Datel's top selling DMS-20PC series of subminiature 3.5-digit DPMs are now offered with brilliant blue LED displays.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dad/dad116.html
(or email mailto:dad1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
COAX TEST CABLE IS THERMALLY STABLE
(Smiths Interconnect - Times Microwave, 23 August 2002)
Now available from Times Microwave Systems is the PhaseTrack 230R series of 50ohm thermally stable coaxial test cables.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tim/tim105.html
(or email mailto:tim1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
MODULE IDENTIFIES INDUSTRIAL CONNECTORS
(Harting, 26 August 2002)
An electronic identification module has been added to the Han range of industrial connectors from Harting.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/har/har134.html
(or email mailto:har1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PCI CARD IS DIGITAL SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM
(Wordsworth Technology, 23 August 2002)
The IVC-200G video capture PCI card provides a real-time video monitoring capability that is an ideal basis from which to build a digital surveillance system.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wor/wor125.html
(or email mailto:wor1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
ETHERNET SWITCHES TAKE ON INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
(Hirschmann Electronics, 23 August 2002)
The MICE family is a new range of manageable, modular Ethernet and Fast Ethernet industrial switches reckoned to set new standards in industrial Ethernet networking.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hir/hir101.html
(or email mailto:hir1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
CPCI PLATFORM SQUEEZES IN TELECOMMS APPLICATIONS
(Kontron North America, 23 August 2002)
Kontron has released a 4U eight-slot CompactPCI high-density packet switched platform for OEM telecomms and datacomms applications where rack space and value are key concerns.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kon/kon106.html
(or email mailto:kon1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
TRANSCEIVERS TACKLE TEMPERATURE EXTREMES
(Aerocomm, 27 August 2002)
The AC4424 transceiver family facilitates problem-free radio communication between outdoor equipment operating at -40C with indoor equipment operating at +80C.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aro/aro106.html
(or email mailto:aro1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
LOW-POWER SUBCOMPACT BOARD INCLUDES THE LOT
(Impulse Corporation, 27 August 2002)
The Gene-6310 is a highly integrated multimedia Pentium III level SBC which combines outstanding computing performance with competitive pricing.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/imp/imp119.html
(or email mailto:imp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
TINY MODULE INTEGRATES TWO GSM BANDS WITH GPS
(Falcom, 27 August 2002)
The Falcom C2D-SI combines a fully type approved dual-band (GSM900/1800) GSM/GPRS core with a 12-channel GPS receiver into a form factor of only 64 x 42 x 13mm.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fal/fal104.html
(or email mailto:fal1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
TEST CASES CHECK GPRS INTEROPERABILITY ISSUES
(setcom, 22 August 2002)
Setcom has developed a broad line of GPRS interoperability simulation (IOST) test cases which can be implemented on a standard GPRS protocol test system.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/set/set101.html
(or email mailto:set1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
LOW-COST LOGIC ANALYSERS OFFER UP TO 48 CHANNELS
(TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments), 22 August 2002)
The LA3200 and LA4800 logic analysers are designed to meet the needs of digital engineers working on low- to medium-speed systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/bla/bla150.html
(or email mailto:bla1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SYNTHESISERS OFFER MICROWAVE MIGRATION PATH
(Anritsu (UK), 23 August 2002)
Anritsu has added three new CW generators to its MG3690A series, creating the industry's first synthesiser family to cover the entire DC to 65GHz frequency range.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anr/anr133.html
(or email mailto:anr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SOFTWARE TAKES ON TASKS FROM OLD PLOTTERS
(Amplicon Liveline, 27 August 2002)
Plottergeist is a software package that extends the life of test and measurement equipment by allowing a standard PC to emulate an HPGL plotter for printing test kit traces on a low-cost printer.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/amp/amp152.html
(or email mailto:amp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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