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ELECTRONICSTALK
The Independent Weekly Product Information Guide
for Electronics Design, Development and Manufacturing Engineers
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ISSN 1475-2913 - Free subscription
Last week's delivered circulation: over 23,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 154: 2 March 2004
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15170 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] Simple test spots lead contamination
[2] Chipset cuts Edge RF down to three devices
[3] Compact antenna handles four bands in one
[4] Single source for embedded systems development
[5] FBAR duplexer shrinks by two-thirds
[6] Frugal PowerPC embeds power management features
[7] Backplanes power up CompactPCI designs
[8] Quarter bricks have minimum environmental impact
[9] Novel stencil pattern encourages paste roll
[10] USB acquisition interface gets personal
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
If there were ever an award for the most misused element of all time it would have to go to lead (or, to avoid confusion, Pb). Indeed, it is amazing that a substance of such toxicity has been used for so long and in so many different applications.
During my youth, the concern was all about its use in toys, paint and domestic pipework. Then attention switched to airborne lead pollution due to its use as an anti-knock agent in petrol. Over the years, even anglers have found themselves in the firing line, accused of endangering the health of swans and other wildfowl thanks to their use of lead shot to sink their lines.
Now the electronics industry has to fall into line as one of the measures involved in the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive. And while lead is just one of the six substances effectively outlawed by the directive from all new equipment brought onto the market from 1st July 2006, it is certainly the most commonplace.
As with all EC directives, it is up to the individual member states to implement the legislation themselves. And with a little more than two years to go, the UK appears to be well ahead of the game.
Yesterday saw the closing date for interested parties to comment on the Government's implementation proposals for both the RoHS and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directives (still available from the Department of Trade and Industry website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability/weee/). And last week the DTI awarded ERA Technology a contract to investigate the ways in which manufacturers can demonstrate compliance with the directive (see Industry News below).
This "demonstration of compliance" is all-important. For although reading the product pages of Electronicstalk "lead-free" has been an essential buzz-phrase for any component launch during the last couple of years, strangely it is still cited as only an option on many products.
The process technology involved is not "rocket science". But the higher reflow temperatures required when working with the majority of lead-free solders do require companies to re-examine some - but by no means all - of their traditional working practices.
Perhaps the most important development towards the implementation of the RoHS Directive this week comes in the form of our number-one product below - the Blundell Lead Detection Pen. For not only do such devices give manufacturers a simple way to verify their own procedures, they should prove to all concerned how easy it will be to police the directive once it becomes a legal requirement.
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.
Alternatively, the full stories behind all the summaries and headlines in this newsletter can be retrieved by email alone: see details below.
In the meantime, if you have any suggestions as to how we might make the site or the newsletter better, email me directly.
Best wishes
Laurence Marchini, Editor
mailto:ne[-email removed-]nicstalk.com
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THIS WEEK'S INDUSTRY NEWS
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To read more, use the web links. Or get the full stories emailed back to you: just send a blank email to the address shown. It's a free service. Try it! It works!
CHINESE LAB DEDICATED TO NEXT GENERATION PHONES
Analog Devices and TCL Mobile Communication Co have set up a joint development laboratory dedicated to the design of wireless handsets based on the 2G, 2.5G, Edge and 3G standards.
Analog Devices, 25 February 2004
mailto:anc2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc213.html
WOLFSON DOUBLES TURNOVER AGAIN
Wolfson Microelectronics has published its maiden full year results as a listed company for the 12 months ended 31st December 2003.
Wolfson Microelectronics, 2 March 2004
mailto:wol1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wol/wol162.html
FILTERS AND CRYSTALS COME TOGETHER
The Euroquartz Group has moved its filters division from its original Southampton location and brought it under the same roof as its quartz crystal manufacturing facility in Crewkerne, Somerset.
Euroquartz, 2 March 2004
mailto:eub1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eub/eub114.html
INDIAN SUBSIDIARY TO COVER ASIA PACIFIC REGION
CoWare has set up its first wholly owned subsidiary in India, located in Noida, near New Delhi.
CoWare, 25 February 2004
mailto:cow1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cow/cow124.html
SYNOPSYS BACK ON THE ACQUISITION TRAIL
Synopsys is set to expand its successful DesignWare portfolio of standards-based IP following the announcement of two acquisitions.
Synopsys, 26 February 2004
mailto:syn2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/syn/syn219.html
CONTRACT TO INVESTIGATE ROHS COMPLIANCE METRICS
ERA Technology has been awarded a contract by the DTI to investigate the ways in which manufacturers can demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the RoHS Directive.
ERA Technology, 26 February 2004
mailto:era1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/era/era112.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. Simple test spots lead contamination
A novel lead detection pen can be used in a production environment to verify whether or not any lead is present in solder or components. With the advent of lead free soldering, it is important for manufacturers to be able to tell whether lead is present in PCBs or components. The Blundell Lead Detection Pen is easy to use. Simply swipe the tip of the pen over any surface - for instance a PCB pad, a component leg, a solder bar or roll of solder wire. If the swab on the pen's tip turns bright pink, lead is present in the swiped surface.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/bun/bun112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:bun1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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2. Chipset cuts Edge RF down to three devices
A new fully FTA-compliant quad-band RF system solution for E-GPRS (Edge) handsets is already proven with many different basebands and is highly integrated, comprising just three major components. The solution makes it easy for a manufacturer to implement Edge RF by automatically resolving some of the difficult technical issues, such as power control and managing TX noise, associated with this. Samples are available now with mass production scheduled for mid-2004.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ren/ren130.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ren1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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3. Compact antenna handles four bands in one
A new compact quad-band antenna is aimed at applications in cellular handsets, smartphones and PDA applications. The Quadnova covers the AMPS 800, GSM 900, DCS 1800 and PCS 1900 bands and is suitable for Asia, European and American (CDMA/TDMA 800 and 1900) handsets, smartphones and PDA applications. With a volume of less than 3.5cm3, this antenna is the smallest quad-band device in the world and offers over 50% average terminal radiation efficiency over all four bands.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aen/aen114.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aen1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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4. Single source for embedded systems development
A novel combination development kit aims to save embedded engineers the time and cost involved in sourcing and configuring separate software development tools. Comprising the Phytec Rapid Development Kit and iSystem iPDP Starter Kit, it includes everything an embedded systems engineer needs to immediately start developing software and reference designs. The kits are available for the Motorola PowerPC MPC565 and Atmel AT91M55800A (ARM7TDMI) with the Intel XScale PXA255 kit coming soon.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/isy/isy103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:isy1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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5. FBAR duplexer shrinks by two-thirds
The ACMD-7401 is billed as the industry's smallest film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) duplexer for handsets, data cards and other wireless products operating in the US PCS (personal communications service) frequency band. The ACMD-7401 FBAR duplexer is 66% smaller than Agilent's first-generation HPMD-7904 FBAR duplexer, which is currently shipping in more than 80% of new CDMA handsets designed for the US PCS market.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/212/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi212.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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6. Frugal PowerPC embeds power management features
System developers can rev up the performance of their embedded applications while staying within tight power budgets by using the MPC7447A processor from Motorola. This high-performance, power-efficient 32bit RISC device, operating in excess of 1.4GHz, is the latest and fastest member of the MPC74xx PowerPC processor family. The MPC7447A offers developers on-chip power management features, such as the ability to change clock frequencies dynamically.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mot/mot185.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mot1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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7. Backplanes power up CompactPCI designs
Rittal has added modular power backplanes to its CompactPCI range. The new backplanes, which enable CompactPCI power supplies to share power and to be hot-swapped, can accommodate up to 10 power supplies in either 3 or 6U format. AC or DC power input is via a six-pole Mate-N-Lok connector, and the output power is distributed to modular CompactPCI backplanes via ATX-style connectors on the rear connected through standard cable harnesses.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/rit/165/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rit/rit165.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rit1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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8. Quarter bricks have minimum environmental impact
Combining very competitive pricing with excellent performance and reliability, Ericsson Power Modules' PKM-E quarter bricks are designed to offer minimum environmental impact to meet future legislation. Featuring an open frame design with components mounted on one side only, the modules are very cost effective for OEM and CEM customers with applications in communications, avionics, industrial and medical equipment. Particularly useful in industrial applications, PKM-E modules are available with 24V inputs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eri/eri105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eri1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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9. Novel stencil pattern encourages paste roll
Subtle stencil design enhancements from specialist manufacturer Tecan actively promote better aperture filling and printed deposit definition, leading to improved consistency across the printing process. Ongoing development and optimisation has led to the implementation of a proprietary technique known as paste roll activation (PRA) across the company's range of enhanced stencils, including electroformed, precision laser and laser-formed variants.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tea/151/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tea/tea151.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tea1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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10. USB acquisition interface gets personal
The new PMD-1208LS personal measurement device is the ideal low-cost product for equipment designers wishing to be able to link standard I/O signals to a USB port. Designed by data acquisition specialist MCC, the PMD-1208LS is a neat, functional little unit which connects a USB port to eight single-ended or four differential analogue inputs, as well as offering two channels of 10bit analogue output, a 32bit counter and 16bit digital I/O.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ade/156/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ade/ade156.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ade1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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MOBILE FLASH TECHNOLOGY HELPS UPGRADE HANDSETS
(M-Systems, 2 March 2004)
TI has integrated support for M-Systems' Mobile DiskOnChip Flash disk onboard multimedia memory solution into its OMAP 1710 application processor.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mys/mys102.html
(or email mailto:mys1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
CELL BALANCING IS KEY TO BATTERY MANAGER SUCCESS
(Xicor, 2 March 2004)
The X3100 family of battery management devices has been chosen by two high-profile companies for use in notebook computer and other portable applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xic/xic133.html
(or email mailto:xic1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
RFID TAGS KEEP TABS ON SMART COUPLINGS
(Innovision Research and Technology, 2 March 2004)
Ultra-low-cost tags designed by Innovision R and T will allow Colder Products Company to use RFID tagging across a large range of its smart couplings, radically improving product identification.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ivi/ivi103.html
(or email mailto:ivi1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
HIGH YIELDS DEPEND ON RELIABLE MEASUREMENT
(Keithley Instruments, 1 March 2004)
Paul Meyer explains how to improve test accuracy and throughput for optoelectronic components with specifically designed automated test instruments.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kei/kei148.html
(or email mailto:kei1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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...And take a look at these stories too...
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COPROCESSOR MAKES THE MOST OF ANTENNA DIVERSITY
(Zyray Wireless, 25 February 2004)
With the launch of Spinnerchip 1.1, Zyray Wireless is showcasing proprietary technology that enables the worlds first commercially available dual-mode multi-antenna diversity chipset for handsets.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zyr/zyr102.html
(or email mailto:zyr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
CONTROLLER PROVIDES HIGH-VOLTAGE STARTUP
(ON Semiconductor, 25 February 2004)
The NCP1280 is a highly integrated, voltage mode PWM controller which is the first in the industry to offer a high-voltage (up to 700V) startup for active clamp circuits.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/onw/onw143.html
(or email mailto:onw1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
TRANSMIT FILTER CUTS SIZE FOR PCS HANDSETS
(Agilent Technologies, 26 February 2004)
A new, smaller film bulk acoustic resonator full-band transmit filter is now available for handsets, data cards and other wireless products operating in the US PCS frequency band.
Free brochure on ACPF-7002:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/211/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi211.html
(or email mailto:agi2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SOT-PACKAGED NETWORKS ALLOW EASY PLACEMENT
(TT Electronics Welwyn Components, 1 March 2004)
A new series of small-outline-transistor-packaged precision thin-film resistive devices allows circuit designers to place a miniature three-resistor precision network virtually anywhere on a PCB.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wel/wel119.html
(or email mailto:wel1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
BUDGET LARGE-SCREEN DISPLAY GOES TO PRODUCTION
(Screen Technology, 25 February 2004)
Cambridge-based Screen Technology has produced its first ITrans production prototype, the first ever high-brightness, 68in diagonal SVGA display made from 16 tiles.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/scr/scr101.html
(or email mailto:scr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FAST-FIT FANS AND FILTERS SEALED TO IP56
(Rittal, 26 February 2004)
Rittal has a new range of fans and filters with solutions for achieving both high airflow rates and an IP protection level against water and dust to IP56.
Free brochure on IP56 Fan and Filters Quick Fastening System:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/rit/164/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rit/rit164.html
(or email mailto:rit1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
ROTARY SWITCHES FEATURE QUARTER-INCH SHAFTS
(EAO, 26 February 2004)
Machines often receive rough treatment, and so Grayhill offers the option of a meaty 0.25in-thick shaft size on several of its multi- and single-deck rotary switches.
Free brochure on Grayhill rotary switches:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/eao/144/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eao/eao144.html
(or email mailto:eao1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
LOW-PROFILE P4 COOLER AIMS FOR EMBEDDED DESIGNS
(Commell, 2 March 2004)
The CPC-1400C is a low-profile Pentium 4 CPU cooler that combines rugged construction, a long lifecycle, low noise and advanced power dissipation while fitting standard cooler holes.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cme/cme103.html
(or email mailto:cme1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
NOVEL FILMS FOCUS ON ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
(GE Advanced Materials, 26 February 2004)
Ultem 1000B, 5000B and EXSP0023 are the first members of a family of PEI films based on X Gen resin technology and characterised by their excellent temperature performance and electrical properties.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gad/gad102.html
(or email mailto:gad1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
CATALOGUE COMES WITH DISCOUNT VOUCHER
(Kaisertech, 1 March 2004)
Kaisertech is launching its new 160-page catalogue with a 10% discount voucher on selected items to applying customers during March and April.
Free brochure on Full range:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/kai/133/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kai/kai133.html
(or email mailto:kai1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FULL-BRICK CONVERTORS RUN UP TO 600W
(Lambda, 2 March 2004)
The PAF range of full-brick DC/DC convertors has been expanded with the introduction of new 600W versions with high input voltage ratings.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lbd/lbd165.html
(or email mailto:lbd1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
WINDS OF CHANGE TOUCH PC/104
(Kontron UK, 27 February 2004)
Kontron has developed a new CPU board form factor known as speedMOPS for PC/104 expansion boards.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kon/kon115.html
(or email mailto:kon1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
ONE TESTER HAS WIRELESS LAN BANDS COVERED
(Anritsu (UK), 2 March 2004)
The MT8860A WLAN test set is the first high-speed measurement solution designed specifically for testing WLAN devices in the 2.4 and 4.8-6GHz industrial scientific and medical frequency bands.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anr/anr162.html
(or email mailto:anr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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Have you seen our other newsletters?
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We also publish other professional technical newsletters like this once a week. All are free, so take a look:
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