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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 155: 9 March 2004
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15282 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] Novel ADC takes sigma-delta to the fourth order
[2] MCU incorporates high-resolution conversion
[3] Prequalified Bluetooth board speeds time to market
[4] PCI board accelerates legacy applications
[5] FBAR filters shrink into GSM RF front ends
[6] Low-profile inductors store more energy
[7] Oval profile enclosures bring artistic edge
[8] Cables cover critical applications
[9] Gold-plated contacts boost switch reliability
[10] Hot pricing for cool-running blue lasers
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
Last week's editorial comment on the RoHS Directive certainly struck a chord with Electronicstalk readers who have a number of concerns with the legislation, even at this early stage.
Among the concerns raised are questions as to exactly which products and/or sectors are exempt from the legislation (one reader asks whether this might be the end of the lead-acid battery), and questions about procedures such as hand soldering.
Another interesting aspect is raised today in an article (previewed below) from Paul Chinery, Managing Director of distributor Dionics, who argues that the directive will bring about a wave of obsolete components, the likes of which we have never seen before. So hands up all those who don't want to get stuck with an obsolete inventory!
However, as we said last week, at least the EU nations are taking steps to deal with waste and with hazardous substances. Yesterday's UN University report on recycling has done a worthwhile job in highlighting the environmental impact of the electronics industry in terms to which the general public can relate.
Fortunately, experience has shown that EU directives have a global influence. Put simply, it doesn't matter where you may be designing or manufacturing your products, if you want to sell them in the European Union you need to comply with all relevant directives. And with the forthcoming expansion of the Union, can any company afford to forsake such a huge market?
We all know the old cliche that "there's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip", but the twin prongs of the WEEE and RoHS Directives should go a long way towards cleaning up our industry worldwide.
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, e-mail 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!
MERITECH ADDS KOREAN DIMENSION TO ARM TRAINING
ARM has expanded its Approved Training Centre (ATC) Programme with the addition of MeriTech, based in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, Korea.
ARM, 4 March 2004
mailto:ank1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ank/ank139.html
MANUFACTURING IS ALIVE AND WELL
A recent report by the Institute for Manufacturing, which claims manufacturing is already gone or going from the UK is flawed, according to Robert Rospedzihowski of Premier Farnell.
Farnell InOne, 5 March 2004
mailto:far1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/far/far138.html
COST CUTTING PAYS OFF FOR DURSWITCH
Duraswitch has revealed financial results for the quarter and year ended 31st December 2003.
Duraswitch, 4 March 2004
mailto:dur1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dur/dur127.html
CLEAN ROOM INVESTMENT TO ASSURE LCD QUALITY
Global Display Solutions has recently made a significant investment in a new, cutting-edge clean room for the controlled assembly of high brightness LCD modules.
Global Display Solutions, 5 March 2004
mailto:glo1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/glo/glo127.html
MORE HELP FOR UNDERGRADUATE PLACEMENT
More electronic engineering undergraduates and small businesses within the electronics sector are set to benefit from the Step Solutions: Electronic Engineering programme.
Step Enterprise, 8 March 2004
mailto:sep1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sep/sep104.html
NEW FOCUS ACQUISITION COMPLETED
Bookham Technology has completed its acquisition of New Focus.
Bookham Technology, 9 March 2004
mailto:boo1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/boo/boo147.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. Novel ADC takes sigma-delta to the fourth order
A novel advanced digital microphone technology is claimed to boost the performance of the next generation of cellular phones. Featuring ultra-low-power mixed-signal design, Zarlink's new chip is the industry's only A/D convertor to meet the stringent performance specifications demanded by cellphone manufacturers. By supporting the full audio band up to 20kHz Zarlink's new high-performance A/D convertor for digital microphones helps achieve clearer sound quality in cellphones. In addition, the device easily supports cellular phone stereo performance.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mif/mif166.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mif1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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2. MCU incorporates high-resolution conversion
The C8051F350 is precision mixed-signal microcontroller that integrates an eight-channel, 24bit ADC with a high-speed 8051-compatible CPU. Available in a small 5 x 5mm package, the highly-integrated C8051F350 is 30% smaller than competing solutions. Based on the industry's fastest 8051 CPU, the C8051F350 delivers up to 50MIPS throughput with a 50MHz clock.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/snl/snl101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:snl1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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3. Prequalified Bluetooth board speeds time to market
The EasyBlue ACL drop-in board is a Bluetooth-qualified solution that can significantly reduce time to market as it bridges directly from a four-wire UART to the air interface. The Bluetooth class 2 reference design can be used as a drop-in solution for all kinds of power-sensitive Bluetooth datalinks. It completely bridges the host controller interface (HCI) to the air interface and provides the full Bluetooth datacommunication feature set; ranging from high speed communication over seven slaves to scatternet support.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/xem/133/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xem/xem133.html
or send a blank email to mailto:xem1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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4. PCI board accelerates legacy applications
The PCI-953 is a PICMG 1.0 generic processing engine board designed to support a broad range of applications requiring ISAbus support with high-performance processing, such as those found in automation, communications, medical and military environments. Combining high value, fast time to market and long life support, the PCI-953 offers a host of design and integration possibilities for developers. It is especially suited for applications requiring high memory bandwidth combined with CPU intensive tasks such as image processing, VoIP and HLR/SCP.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kon/kon120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kon1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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5. FBAR filters shrink into GSM RF front ends
Agilent Technologies is shipping samples of the industry's smallest filters to select manufacturers for integration into GSM RF front-end modules. Because of the small size and superior thermal performance of Agilent's film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs), filters can now be incorporated into front-end modules, including transceiver modules. Agilent's FBAR filters use the company's Microcap bonded wafer chip-scale technology to create the industry's smallest RF filter.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/214/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi214.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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6. Low-profile inductors store more energy
A new series of shielded drum core surface mount power inductors stands just 1.8mm high and claims the highest energy storage density (typically 200nJ/mm3) of any SMT inductors in their class. The PG0085/PG0086 series is ideal for local DC/DC conversion. The new series offers high inductance values, up to 3.5uH, a reduced footprint (4.1 x 4.1mm maximum), low direct current resistance and a current rating up to 1.5A.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pls/pls119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pls1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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7. Oval profile enclosures bring artistic edge
OKW has expanded its ground breaking Art-Case range with the six new models of the 160 series. These attractive, ergonomically shaped and tactile enclosures are ideal for housing OEM and consumer electronics. Unlike the existing 110 series Art-Cases, which are round, the new 160 series have an oval shape measuring 160 x 110mm in heights of 38, 41, 63 and 95mm. Art-Cases are suitable for handheld, tabletop and wall-mounting applications, and can even be inverted and fitted to a ceiling.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/okw/133/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/okw/okw133.html
or send a blank email to mailto:okw1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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8. Cables cover critical applications
Alpha Wire's Xtra-Guard high performance electronic cables provide an unrivalled choice of powerful solutions for critical applications across a wide range of industries. Available in five versions that cover a wide spectrum of industries, Xtra-Guard performs flawlessly in high-reliability, high-demand applications. And when matched with Alpha Wire's FIT preferred heat shrink products, the cables provide optimum protection and performance in the harshest of working environments.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aqq/aqq101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aqq1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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9. Gold-plated contacts boost switch reliability
The B3F is a novel 6mm tactile switch with gold plating over the contact points, providing more stable contact and insulation properties over long-term application even in severe environments. As a result, the B3F 6mm tactile switch is ideal for medical equipment and measurement instruments requiring high-reliability contacts, disaster prevention equipment and other security related equipment for which long-term installation is necessary, and operational parts for outdoor base receiver stations and watt meters.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/oro/103/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oro/oro103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:oro1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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10. Hot pricing for cool-running blue lasers
A new range of lower-cost thermoelectrically cooled (TEC) laser diode modules offer exceptional wavelength and power stability (better than 1%), greatly increased pointing accuracy and significantly extended laser diode lifetime. The new TEC laser diode modules in the blue region of the spectrum produce elliptical output beams and output powers of 50mW at 405nm, 15mW at 440nm and 4mW at 473nm.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pot/126/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pot/pot126.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pot1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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CORE HELPS PROVIDE A LEARNING EXPERIENCE
(ARC International, 3 March 2004)
LeapFrog Enterprises has licensed the ARCtangent A5.1 processor core for the Leapster Multimedia learning system, an award-winning new portable learning system.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ara/ara167.html
(or email mailto:ara1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
GIGAHERTZ DSPs IN DRIVE FOR DARPA PRIZE
(Texas Instruments, 9 March 2004)
TI's leading video and imaging DSPs and control technologies are at the heart of Team DAD's unmanned, self-navigating vehicle.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex598.html
(or email mailto:tex5[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
POLYESTER FILMS ARE KEY FOR THE FORCE
(Autotype, 4 March 2004)
GPS Developments, a switch panel manufacturer, was recently commissioned to produce switch panels for a communication system for the Metropolitan Police.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aut/aut100.html
(or email mailto:aut1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
DUAL-FREQUENCY OPERATION IS KEY TO BRUSH CLEANING
(Kerry Ultrasonics, 5 March 2004)
Brush Traction, one of the UK's most experienced railway stock refurbishment companies, has witnessed an improvement in cleaning quality following the installation of an ultrasonic cleaning system.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ker/ker119.html
(or email mailto:ker1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
RoHS TO OBSOLETE ENTIRE CATALOGUES OVERNIGHT
(Dionics, 9 March 2004)
The RoHS Directive has the potential to create a whole new phenomenon of widespread, simultaneous obsolescence at unprecedented levels, claims Paul Chinery, Managing Director of Dionics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dio/dio103.html
(or email mailto:dio1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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...And take a look at these stories too...
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POWER AMP BOOSTS WI-FI INTEGRATION
(SiGe Semiconductor, 4 March 2004)
The RangeCharger SE2535 power amplifier is claimed to deliver an unprecedented combination of integration and performance to high-speed Wi-Fi systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sif/sif151.html
(or email mailto:sif1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
LOW-VOLTAGE TRANSCEIVER BOOSTS SERIAL DATARATE
(Intersil, 4 March 2004)
The Linearlink ISL43485 is billed as the industry's fastest 3.3V RS485/422 serial data transceiver.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina279.html
(or email mailto:ina2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
MICROCONTROLLERS TURN TO MOTOR CONTROL
(Arizona Microchip Technology, 4 March 2004)
Microchip has expanded its product range for the electronic motor control market with a new PIC microcontroller, the PIC16F716, and three new MPLAB-compatible development tools.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ari/ari161.html
(or email mailto:ari1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
INTEGRATED INVERTER DELIVERS 2A
(Toshiba Electronics Europe, 5 March 2004)
Toshiba has expanded its family of motor drive ICs with a brushless motor driver IC that offers a 2A output current.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tos/tos215.html
(or email mailto:tos2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
NOVEL WIRELESS PROCESS CUTS OUT SAW FILTERING
(Xemics, 9 March 2004)
TrueRF is a novel wireless technology from Xemics that leverages ASIC IP focused on providing absolutely minimum solution cost.
Free brochure on TrueRF XE1202A and XE1203:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/xem/134/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xem/xem134.html
(or email mailto:xem1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
POWDER CORES BOOST CHOKE PERFORMANCE
(Almag Division, Carnhill Transformers, 4 March 2004)
A new range of storage inductors and differential-mode suppression chokes use high-energy-storage Hi-Flux powder cores to achieve the highest inductance in minimum size.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aag/aag107.html
(or email mailto:aag1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SYNTHESIS SOLUTION INCLUDES ON-CHIP PASSIVES
(Ansoft Corporation Europe, 3 March 2004)
Q3D Extractor v6 is Ansoft's next generation of 3D parasitic extraction technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ans/ans184.html
(or email mailto:ans1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FPGA-BASED EVALUATION FOR IMAGE PROCESSING
(Celoxica, 9 March 2004)
The RC300 and RC2000-Pro are FPGA-based evaluation and prototyping boards claimed to offer new capabilities for designers of image processing and data streaming applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cel/cel153.html
(or email mailto:cel1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
TWO INLETS ARE BETTER THAN ONE FOR QUIET BLOWER
(NMB-Minebea, 3 March 2004)
NMB Minebea has extended its wide range of fans and blowers with a small radial double inlet blower.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nmb/nmb123.html
(or email mailto:nmb1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
RGB LED BACKLIGHT IS READY TO USE
(Lumileds, 9 March 2004)
The Luxeon DCC is billed as the first fully assembled LED-based RGB light source for use as an alternative to cold cathode fluorescent lamps in LCD backlights.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lmi/lmi101.html
(or email mailto:lmi1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
MORE DENSITY FOR FIBRE-OPTIC INTERCONNECTION
(ITT Industries, Cannon, 4 March 2004)
A new line of harsh environment connectors to the PHD multichannel optical interconnect system from ITT Industries, Cannon.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/itt/itt130.html
(or email mailto:itt1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
GEL-BASED TOOLING SPEEDS SETUP TIMES
(Contax, 4 March 2004)
Speedline Technologies' new Gel-Flex tooling is a revolutionary new MPM conformal board support system, available in the UK, Ireland and Benelux exclusively from Contax.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cnt/cnt106.html
(or email mailto:cnt1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
APEX RECOGNITION FOR VIA FILL PROCESS
(DEK, 4 March 2004)
The IPC Association has recently commended DEK's technological advances with its new Via Fill process.
Free brochure on Via Fill:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/dek/158/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dek/dek158.html
(or email mailto:dek1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FOUR-OUTPUT SWITCHER IS A COOL OPTION
(XP, 8 March 2004)
The JPS250 quad is a versatile four-output power supply in a rugged U-channel chassis for space-sensitive applications or where insufficient system air is available and conduction cooling is required.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xpp/xpp130.html
(or email mailto:xpp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
MEZZANINE CARE TAKES OVER NETWORK SECURITY
(Extreme Engineering Solutions, 8 March 2004)
The XPedite2000 is a PMC-format network security accelerator board powered by the award winning Cavium Networks Nitrox security macro processor.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ext/ext103.html
(or email mailto:ext1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
TEST SERVICES VERIFY HANDSET AUDIO PERFORMANCE
(Radio Frequency Investigation, 4 March 2004)
Radio Frequency Investigation has a new "over the air" audio testing service for the latest mobile handsets.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rfi/rfi155.html
(or email mailto:rfi1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FIRST TESTER FOR RELEASE 5 BASESTATIONS
(Racal Instruments Wireless Solutions, 8 March 2004)
Racal Instruments Wireless Solutions (now an Aeroflex company) is claiming an industry first for its 6401 Release 5 Layer 1 test system.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rca/rca113.html
(or email mailto:rca1[-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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