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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 156: 16 March 2004
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15394 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] PC diagnostic card even tests "dead" motherboards
[2] FPGA synthesis answers prototyping challenge
[3] Spread-spectrum SoC rejects "heavy" interference
[4] Super-bright LEDs take ESD protection onboard
[5] Integrated filter and connector keeps comms clean
[6] Open-frame switchers range up to 1kW
[7] Bluetooth radio modem cuts CDMA handset power
[8] Platform is reference for digital media players
[9] UPS mounts in standard disk drive bay
[10] Image scaler hits the colour "sweet spot"
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
The Electronicstalk website has a new look this week, with a greatly expanded list of product categories that we hope will make life a lot easier for you, the reader.
Significant changes include breaking down our Active Components section into smaller and more logical subsections, and moving semiconductor IP out and into a grouping of its own in the Design and Development section.
Other innovations include new sections in their own right for product groupings as diverse as Embedded Software, PC-Based Instruments, Frequency Control Components, Antennas and Feeders, and DC/DC Convertors.
But it doesn't have to end there. So if you have a particular pet technology area that you feel deserves its own section, then please drop me an e-mail at the address below.
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 other 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!
NATIONAL IMPROVES ON SEASONAL NORM
National Semiconductor has reported a GAAP profit of $93.1 million, or 48 cents per share, on revenues of $513.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2004, which ended on 29th February.
National Semiconductor, 15 March 2004
mailto:nat2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nat/nat270.html
FRANKFURT OFFICE TARGETS GERMAN MOTOR MAKERS
Automotive systems specialist Pi Technology is moving closer to the important German market with the establishment of a sales office in Frankfurt and the appointment of an industry expert to head it.
Pi Technology, 12 March 2004
mailto:pit1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pit/pit105.html
HONG KONG CENTRE TO FOCUS ON BACKLIGHT DESIGN
Omron is to establish a design centre in Hong Kong to handle LCD backlight design and development.
Omron Corp, 11 March 2004
mailto:oro1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oro/oro104.html
RECORD ENTRY FOR EMBEDDED DESIGN AWARDS
The PC/104 Embedded Consortium has received twice last year's number of entries for the 2004 running of its annual design awards.
PC/104 Embedded Consortium, 10 March 2004
mailto:pce1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pce/pce102.html
ACQUISITION MAKES SENSE IN AUTOMOTIVE MARKET
TT Electronics has acquired Sensopad Technologies, and aims to exploit its innovative sensor technology in the automotive market.
TT Electronics, 12 March 2004
mailto:tct1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tct/tct101.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. PC diagnostic card even tests "dead" motherboards
The PHD PCI 2 is the latest generation of the professional PC system diagnostic test card from Ultra-X. This is the sixth version of PHD, Ultra-X's most successful product, which was first introduced in 1992. The new and improved PHD PCI 2 doesn't just have all of the tried and true features of its predecessor; it also has new capabilities that stem directly from customer requirements. The new PHD PCI 2 tests motherboards with all Intel Pentium processors currently on the market as well as AMD Athlon and Opteron processors and the system periphery in less than 5min with 150 tests for all specific components.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/utr/utr100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:utr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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2. FPGA synthesis answers prototyping challenge
Design Compiler FPGA (DC FPGA) is a new FPGA synthesis product for designers who prototype ASICs using high-end FPGAs. Built on Synopsys' Design Compiler technology and incorporating new Adaptive Optimization technology, DC FPGA provides designers with an industry standard ASIC-strength solution, the best circuit timing results, and the fastest path to a prototype, through a common ASIC and FPGA flow.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/syn/syn222.html
or send a blank email to mailto:syn2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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3. Spread-spectrum SoC rejects "heavy" interference
The WirelessUSB LS radio SoC performs reliably at 10m in the presence of heavy interference from multiple 2.4GHz devices, according to recent interference immunity tests conducted by Cypress. The devices employ a unique approach announced today for handling 2.4GHz wireless data packets that has been developed by Cypress to ensure reliable data communication in electrically "noisy" environments.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cyp/cyp224.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cyp2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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4. Super-bright LEDs take ESD protection onboard
Agilent Technologies has developed the industry's first super-bright white InGaN (indium gallium nitride) LEDs with ESD protection. The high brightness and weather-resistant packaging technology makes these LEDs ideal for outdoor applications such as pedestrian crossing signs, speed limit and exit signs, scoreboards and other variable message signs, as well as backlighting for transparent sign panels. Agilent's HLMP-CWx8 and HLMP-CWx9 series lamps are built with a new InGaN flip-chip die technology for higher brightness.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/215/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi215.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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5. Integrated filter and connector keeps comms clean
Acara is a novel integrated filter and power connector system for telecomms infrastructure applications. Schaffner's unique, patented, high-current DC power connector with integrated EMC filter represents a milestone for EMC solutions. Designed for use in electricity networks with high currents, the Acara system offers significant savings in both component and assembly costs. Schaffner components such as the Acara filtered connector help ensure the reliability and continuity of communication infrastructures today and for the future.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sca/sca158.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sca1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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6. Open-frame switchers range up to 1kW
Rittal has added four models of open-frame power supplies with ratings of 250, 400, 600 and 1000W to its Ripac product range. All four power supplies provide 5 and +/-12V outputs with wide range inputs from 90 to 253V AC, and additionally 120 to 340V DC for the 250W model.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/rit/166/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rit/rit166.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rit1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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7. Bluetooth radio modem cuts CDMA handset power
The SiW1722 is a single-chip Bluetooth device designed exclusively to meet the rigorous RF, power and cost requirements of CDMA mobile phones using CDMA chipsets with an integrated Bluetooth baseband. Implemented on CMOS process technology, the highly integrated direct conversion radio modem's unique on-chip RF matching feature helps drive down cost by eliminating all external RF matching components, making it ideal for direct PCB insertion.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sxw/sxw113.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sxw1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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8. Platform is reference for digital media players
The Ateme Advanced Multimedia Platform (AMP) is based on open platform standards with a fully programmable computing core, opening the way for a brand new processing COTS board for OEMs. It provides a re-usable, cost optimised dual-core computing board featuring a Texas Instruments DM642 DSP and a general purpose processor (GPP) that can be used with a companion interface board, which allows for an array of I/O that can be easily adapted for a specific end product.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/kan/157/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kan/kan157.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kan1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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9. UPS mounts in standard disk drive bay
The SI-3 is a novel entry-level internal UPS for desktop or industrial PCs. Priced at less than GBP 100, the SI series is the first uninterruptible power supply system that can be mounted into a PC case using a 5.25in drive bay. Each device is a fully integrated UPS with all the necessary components in a single box.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rug/rug102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rug1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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10. Image scaler hits the colour "sweet spot"
The PremierViewPro-AV is a new high performance, extremely flexible image scaler from Calibre that is designed specifically for use in projection, AV and home theatre applications. PremierViewPro-AV allows pixellated display devices to be run at their optimal resolution whatever the input image source. It is therefore ideal for applications such as driving LCD, DILA, DLP and LCOS projectors. It also improves the image quality and flexibility of very large, flat-panel plasma and LCD displays.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/cal/110/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cal/cal110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cal1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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AUDIO DSP ENABLES XBOX SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM
(Texas Instruments, 10 March 2004)
Spherex developed the Xbox 5.1 surround sound system based on the TI Aureus audio DSP, setting a new standard for video game audio.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex599.html
(or email mailto:tex5[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
CEM ADDS VALUE TO MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM
(EC Electronics, 16 March 2004)
RDT's Tempus 2000 is the in-flight passenger health monitoring system that famously helped to save the life of Stephen Clarke, a passenger on a British Midland flight last year.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ece/ece104.html
(or email mailto:ece1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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...And take a look at these stories too...
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SILICON TUNERS SIMPLIFY SATELLITE RECEPTION
(Philips Semiconductors, 10 March 2004)
The TDA8262 and TDA8263 are silicon tuner chips designed for quick and easy implementation of digital satellite reception.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/phi/phi255.html
(or email mailto:phi2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SAR CONVERTORS IMPROVE DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
(Texas Instruments, 12 March 2004)
A new pair of high-speed 14bit successive approximation ADCs are ideal for advanced signal processing applications which require high speed, high precision and low power.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex600.html
(or email mailto:tex6[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
ACTIVE RECEIVE MIXER AIDS FREQUENCY PLANNING
(Analog Devices, 12 March 2004)
A novel active receive mixer is claimed to be ideal for the demanding signal processing requirements within wireless infrastructure designs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc216.html
(or email mailto:anc2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
MAGNETIC SENSOR TAKES POSITION
(Zetex, 16 March 2004)
Containing two highly sensitive magnetic field sensors, the ZMX40M from Zetex can be used for accurately measuring linear position and high-voltage current.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zet/zet136.html
(or email mailto:zet1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SOFTWARE BOOSTS MULTIMODE CHIPSET TO 150Mbit/s
(Agere Systems, 16 March 2004)
New performance acceleration software for the WaveLAN 802.11a/b/g multimode chipset delivers up to 150Mbit/s data throughput for wireless networking products.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/age/age131.html
(or email mailto:age1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FILTER FAMILY RUNS UP TO 36A
(Epcos, 15 March 2004)
The SIFI family of two-line filters designed for 250V AC now covers the current range from 1 to 36A.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/epc/epc148.html
(or email mailto:epc1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
INTERFACE SUPPORT BOOSTS SERVER AVAILABILITY
(OSA Technologies, 11 March 2004)
The latest release of OSA Server Manager software now supports the Service Availability Forum Hardware Platform Interface (SA Forum/HPI).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/osa/osa104.html
(or email mailto:osa1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SOFTWARE MAPS COMPLEX REGISTER STRUCTURES
(Recardis, 15 March 2004)
Regtify is a flexible and highly customisable framework for management and automated implementation of register maps in large integrated systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rar/rar100.html
(or email mailto:rar1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
CODEC RUNS MPEG-4 ON CELLPHONE PROCESSOR
(Techno Mathematical Co, 16 March 2004)
A novel H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard video decoding software package enables high-speed video processing on a mobile phone CPU alone.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tom/tom100.html
(or email mailto:tom1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
INDUSTRIAL CHASSIS LOCKS OUT ALL BAR USB PORTS
(Commell Systems Corp, 10 March 2004)
The RKC-8400 is a 4U 19in rack-mount 14-slot ATX industrial chassis with front access USB ports in its lockable door.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cls/cls101.html
(or email mailto:cls1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
HEATERS HELP LCDs WEATHER THE COLD
(Densitron Europe, 10 March 2004)
Applications requiring LCDs which need a fast response time at temperatures down to -40C will certainly benefit from a new range of low-cost clear screen heaters.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dec/dec120.html
(or email mailto:dec1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
LONG LIFE PREDICTED FOR CLICK-FREE SWITCHES
(ITT Industries, Cannon, 16 March 2004)
The QSA series of two- and four-way switches are designed for long life, excellent tactile feedback and silent operation in a broad range of applications with low current demands of 1-50mA.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/itt/itt132.html
(or email mailto:itt1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PDA STYLE CONNECTOR DELIVERS INDUSTRIAL ROBUSTNESS
(Honda Connectors, 16 March 2004)
The new BCL series connector system from Honda makes the small size, high integration and robustness of a PDA I/O connector available for a wide range of handheld applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hob/hob116.html
(or email mailto:hob1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
INVESTMENT PROGRAMME ANTICIPATES GROWTH
(Remploy Electronics, 12 March 2004)
Remploy Electronics has embarked on an investment programme that aims to turn its six dedicated electronics manufacturing facilities into "centres of excellence".
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rmp/rmp101.html
(or email mailto:rmp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
COMPACT POL CONVERTOR PUTS POWER WHERE IT'S NEEDED
(Artesyn Technologies, 15 March 2004)
The SMT12F is an ultracompact 12A nonisolated point-of-load DC/DC convertor module with a footprint of just 13.5 x 16mm, yielding a power density figure in excess of 23W/cm3.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/art/art174.html
(or email mailto:art1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
NOVEL INTERFACE LENDS SCOPE FOR CUSTOMISATION
(Tektronix, 10 March 2004)
The TDS5000B Series of digital phosphor oscilloscopes feature the industry's first customisable user interface and new context-sensitive, right mouse click menus.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek197.html
(or email mailto:tek1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
USB TESTER IS OPERATING SYSTEM AGNOSTIC
(Ultra-X Benelux, 16 March 2004)
QuickTech USB 2.0 is a novel tool that provides speedy and accurate troubleshooting of high-speed USB ports for professionals and ambitious amateurs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/utr/utr101.html
(or email mailto:utr1[-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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