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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 24,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 159: 6 April 2004
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15772 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] Top performance for 8GHz bandwidth digital scopes
[2] Top-performing 32bit cores released to market
[3] Multifunction module puts more into PXI systems
[4] Tiny claims for power MOSFET
[5] DC buffer block keeps supplies up
[6] Labyrinth screening speeds PCB assembly
[7] Stencils claim superior print performance
[8] System solution for high-density fibre networks
[9] Big Flash chips integrate memory management
[10] Headers cram in more contacts
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
There's nothing like being timely, and my comments last week on some of the more esoteric advances in robotics have received further credence this week with the release of a report from market analyst Future Horizons, naming robotics as one of the key drivers for the electronics industry over the next decade.
And while the report (of which more below) focuses on robotics applied to areas such as domestic automation, I can't help but wonder whether some other organisations might be closer to the truth.
For example, even as I write, while most serious football fans are worrying about the outcome of tonight's matches in the UEFA Champions League, the UK Robotic Football Championship is under way at the University of Warwick (that's soccer to anyone who believes other codes have any right to use the name "football"). And while the robotic game has little in common with that played by the Beckhams, Henrys and Van Nistelrooys of this world, it is worth pondering the proud boast of FIRA (the Federation of International Robot-soccer Association) that by 2050 a team of footballing robots will be capable of beating a human team (see www.fira.net).
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!
PROSPECTS IMPROVE FOR ON SEMICONDUCTOR
ON Semiconductor Corp has increased its first quarter 2004 guidance and provided an outlook on what it expects to see in the second quarter of 2004.
ON Semiconductor, 1 April 2004
mailto:onw1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/onw/onw149.html
CAMBRIDGE CONSULTANTS SELLS OFF ZIGBEE EXPERTISE
Ember Corp has purchased one of the world's deepest portfolios of 802.15.4 radio frequency IC technology from Cambridge Consultants and hired the engineering team that developed it.
Ember Europe, 1 April 2004
mailto:ebe1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ebe/ebe100.html
STRONG SECOND HALF SHOWING FOR TT ELECTRONICS
TT Electronics has published its preliminary results for the year to 31st December 2003.
TT Electronics, 31 March 2004
mailto:tct1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tct/tct102.html
CONSORTIUM TAKES CHARGE OF EBX SPECIFICATION
The PC/104 Consortium has reached agreement with Motorola Computer Group and Ampro Computers to become the governing standards body for the EBX specification.
PC/104 Embedded Consortium, 31 March 2004
mailto:pce1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pce/pce104.html
CONSUMER ROBOTICS TO FUEL ELECTRONICS GROWTH
A new report predicts that robots will become mainstream consumer products within the next decade, providing a significant growth opportunity for the electronics sector.
Future Horizons, 2 April 2004
mailto:feh1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/feh/feh101.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. Top performance for 8GHz bandwidth digital scopes
A new series of 8GHz bandwidth DSOs features industry-leading signal fidelity with unique Pinpoint triggering, four channels of concurrent high-resolution waveform capture, and a new differential probing solution using IBM's 0.18um silicon-germanium (7HP SiGe) technology. The new Tektronix TDS6000B Series includes industry-leading features and performance at all stages of a customer's high-speed design and validation processes, including ultra-high bandwidth, the best signal fidelity, leading acquisition performance, broadest trigger features, and the most extensive range of optional analysis and compliance solutions.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek201.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tek2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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2. Top-performing 32bit cores released to market
The highest performing 32bit synthesisable processor core family in the embedded market has been released for general availability and licensing by OEMs and semiconductor companies. To date, the MIPS32 24KT core family has experienced the fastest early rate of licensing of any MIPS Technologies' core in the company's history. The product family is targeted at high-volume market applications such as broadband access, wireless, networking, digital television and office automation. Silicon based on customer implementations of the 24K family is expected to enter the market by the end of calendar year 2004.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mip/mip215.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mip2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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3. Multifunction module puts more into PXI systems
The Model 41-250 is a novel multifunction 3U PXI module that provides a range of functions that would normally require as many as five or six separate modules. The module includes: a 16bit DMM with a 4.5-digit high speed measurement function and high resolution 24bit mode; a multiplexer for the DMM input; digital I/O functions; frequency counter; and an audio source. Two serial interfaces are also included allowing the 41-250 to communicate with units under test over RS232/422 interfaces.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pck/pck104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pck1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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4. Tiny claims for power MOSFET
In a critical advance that will help designers meet the stringent power-density and packaging requirements of new subbrick power architectures, Siliconix has released the industry's first 200V power MOSFET available in the compact PowerPAK1212-8 package. Intended for primary DC/DC switching applications for power supplies in fixed telecomms networks and routers, the new N-channel Si7820DN TrenchFET power MOSFET is the smallest 200V device on the market suited for power switching.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vsh/vsh109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vsh1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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5. DC buffer block keeps supplies up
An innovative DC buffer block designed to prevent interruptions in equipment operation, loss of data or other problems resulting from a momentary power loss has just been introduced by Omron. The S8T-DCBU-02 provides a backup power source or a shutdown time off process for at least 500ms (at 2.5A) to 1s (at 1A) in the event of a glitch or transient interruptions in the supply of power. Up to four such buffer blocks can be connected in parallel to increase the backup time and current handling capacity.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/oro/105/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oro/oro105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:oro1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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6. Labyrinth screening speeds PCB assembly
Labyrinth and lid RFI screening is a board-level multicavity shielding concept developed and produced by Tecan. With electronic equipment getting smaller, operational frequencies and digital clock speeds increasing, there is more pressure on equipment designers to come up with new solutions. With its many advantages, the photo chemically machined (PCM) labyrinth RFI screen meets these needs. The technique successfully resolves issues relating to EMC, crosstalk, PCB real estate, overall product size, access for rework and production cost.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tea/152/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tea/tea152.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tea1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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7. Stencils claim superior print performance
Designed to optimise flexibility, performance and resilience, DEK's new VectorGuard stencil drives further the advance in Direkt Imaging technology. Using variable foils, superior print performance is guaranteed, as well as operator safety, with the risks from sharp edges eliminated. VectorGuard is surrounded by a thin aluminium extrusion that not only means it is much lighter than conventional stencils, but it is also a lot easier to handle. Despite this, VectorGuard still offers customers a robust stencil system suitable for long-term usage.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/dek/162/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dek/dek162.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dek1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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8. System solution for high-density fibre networks
Panduit has new system solution for high-density fibre optic networks. The modular LC System includes a full range of TIA FOCIS-10 compatible, next-generation small-form-factor fibre-optic connectors, patch cords, pigtails and adapters, which together provide superior durability for a longer life and fast, easy installation and management. With a typical insertion loss of less than 0.11dB, the Panduit LC System offers optical and mechanical performance beyond any of the closest market equivalents.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pan/111/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pan/pan111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pan1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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9. Big Flash chips integrate memory management
Renesas Technology Europe has released the 512Mbit HN29V512A series of superAND Flash memory, the third phase of its superAND product range following its 128 and 256Mbit models. The new series offers a fast write speed of approximately 4Mbyte/s and improved ease of use through on-chip memory management functions. The series is available in the same small CSP package (10 x 11.5 x 1.2mm) as the current 256Mbit model.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ren/ren137.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ren1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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10. Headers cram in more contacts
Less space for a given level of contact density is the big plus for the double-level base housing of the Mini and Micro Combicon range from Phoenix Contact. The performance spectrum has been broadened by the new high-temperature models MCD(V) 0.5-HT and MCD(V) 1.5-HT. They are suitable for use in the pin-in-paste process and can be reflow soldered.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pni/125/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pni/pni125.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pni1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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MIXED-SIGNAL NET CHIP BOOSTS SUN ETHERNET LINE
(National Semiconductor, 31 March 2004)
National Semiconductor has developed a high-performance, mixed-signal networking chip for Sun Microsystems' GigaSwift Ethernet product line.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nat/nat271.html
(or email mailto:nat2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FIRST BLUETOOTH HEADSET QUALIFIED TO NEW STANDARD
(Cambridge Silicon Radio, 1 April 2004)
BlueCore silicon is enabling GN Netcom to achieve qualification of the industry's first Bluetooth v1.2 headset.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cam/cam162.html
(or email mailto:cam1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
HIGH-RESOLUTION DISPLAY GIVES EARLY WARNING
(Calibre UK, 31 March 2004)
A new ultra-high-performance TFT-LCD display has been developed for the AWACS aircraft as a joint venture between military supplier Joyce-Loebl and displays manufacturer Calibre (UK).
Free brochure on Specialist displays:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/cal/113/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cal/cal113.html
(or email mailto:cal1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
ANOTHER HAT IN THE RING
(ChipX, 1 April 2004)
Structured ASICs offer a new option for designers needing to provide digital signal processing functions, says Doug Bailey, VP Sales and Marketing at ChipX.
Free brochure on Structured ASICs:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/chi/110/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/chi/chi110.html
(or email mailto:chi1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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...And take a look at these stories too...
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FASTER ERASING FOR 32MBIT FLASH MEMORY
(Infocus UK, 31 March 2004)
Silicon Storage Technology has developed a high-performance 32Mbit Flash chip that boasts typical chip erase time of just 40ms.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ifo/ifo100.html
(or email mailto:ifo1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FLAT PANEL INTERFACE GOES TO INDUSTRIAL EXTREMES
(Analog Devices, 31 March 2004)
The AD9883ABST is the newest member in Analog Devices' portfolio of flat panel display interfaces.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc222.html
(or email mailto:anc2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
MOBILE MEDIA PROCESSORS MADE FOR HANDHELD DEVICES
(Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe, 1 April 2004)
Two new advanced mobile media processors (MMPs) for mobile phones and other handheld devices will be available in sample quantities from April 2004.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fuj/fuj159.html
(or email mailto:fuj1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
AMPLIFIERS AIM FOR PRECISION SIGNAL CONDITIONING
(Texas Instruments, 5 April 2004)
A new series of 12V, zero-drift operational amplifiers are ideal for high-precision, power-sensitive applications requiring stability over time and temperature.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex615.html
(or email mailto:tex6[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
CHIP CLEARS UP HANDS-FREE CAR KITS
(Acoustic Technologies, 5 April 2004)
The ATH3001 hands-free car kit (HFCK) full-duplex integrated circuit is designed for improved sound quality in hands-free applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aou/aou102.html
(or email mailto:aou1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
EXPANSION FOR DYNAMIC TOOLSUITE
(LynuxWorks, 31 March 2004)
LynuxWorks has added significantly enhanced features to its Java and Eclipse platforms.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lyn/lyn159.html
(or email mailto:lyn1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PARASITIC EXTRACTION PACKAGE VALIDATED
(Synopsys, 1 April 2004)
Star-RCXT - the industry standard for RC parasitic extraction - has been validated for UMC's most advanced 90nm processes.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/syn/syn227.html
(or email mailto:syn2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
REFERENCE DESIGN PROVIDES DROP-IN BLUETOOTH AUDIO
(Open Interface North America, 1 April 2004)
Bluemagic Soundabout is a complete suite of software and hardware reference designs that inexpensively add near-CD quality audio to consumer devices without sacrificing quality or reliability.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oen/oen102.html
(or email mailto:oen1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
HANDHELD EMULATOR FOR ALL THE FAMILY
(Hitex Development Tools, 5 April 2004)
The DProbeST10 is a modular in-circuit emulator for the STMicroelectronics ST10 family.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hex/hex108.html
(or email mailto:hex1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
DEMO KIT PUTS VOICE CODEC IN WIRELESS LINK
(CML Microcircuits, 5 April 2004)
The DE6491 wireless voice link demonstration kit provides instant evaluation, design and operational access to designers of radio-voice products using CML's latest low-power CMX649 audio codec IC.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cml/cml103.html
(or email mailto:cml1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
RAD-HARD LIBRARY GAINS NOVEL OUTPUT DRIVER
(IMEC, 6 April 2004)
Adiabatic Logic has signed a co-operation agreement with IMEC, which will lead to its patented low power intelligent output driver technology being used by IMEC in radiation hardened environments.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ime/ime144.html
(or email mailto:ime1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
HARD-REAL-TIME JAVA NEARS COMMERCIALISATION
(Aonix, 6 April 2004)
Aonix has made public its plans for delivering safety- and mission-critical Java technologies to its mainstream markets.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nwm/nwm105.html
(or email mailto:nwm1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PANEL FEATURES SUNLIGHT-READABLE ANNUNCIATOR
(Paramount Panels (UK), 31 March 2004)
A new range of flight-deck security panels incorporate an integral sunlight-readable annunciator to ensure that flight crew are always able to see when the cockpit door is unlocked.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pmo/pmo100.html
(or email mailto:pmo1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
EVALUATION FOR SMALL-FORM-FACTOR COLOUR DISPLAY
(EarthLCD, 6 April 2004)
The ezLCD-001-EDK is an evaluation kit for a novel 2.7in 240 x 160 small-form-factor TFT colour LCD that comes mounted as a complete assembly with a perfectly matched inbuilt EarthLCD controller card.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ear/ear102.html
(or email mailto:ear1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
CONNECTION BLOCKS HANDLE HIGHER TEMPERATURES
(Camden Electronics, 6 April 2004)
A new range of connection blocks is suitable for use in electrical and lighting applications where high temperatures are expected.
Free brochure on CHTB series:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/cab/128/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cab/cab128.html
(or email mailto:cab1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
BUDGET MODELS ACCELERATE SHRINK TO EIGHTH BRICKS
(Artesyn Technologies, 1 April 2004)
Five new low-cost 25/20A isolated eighth-brick DC/DC convertors are set to accelerate design migration from standard quarter-brick form factors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/art/art175.html
(or email mailto:art1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PMC OFFLOADS NETWORK STORAGE TASKS FROM CPUs
(SBS Technologies, 1 April 2004)
The PMC-ISCSI-ST is a single-width 32/64bit, PCI/PCI-X Mezzanine Card (PMC) for enterprise level storage and networking systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sbs/sbs141.html
(or email mailto:sbs1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
BOARD BRINGS EMBEDDED PROCESSOR AND I/O TOGETHER
(Mosaic Industries, 2 April 2004)
Mosaic's new PowerDock provides a mechanical and electrical platform for its tiny low-cost Qcard single-board computer and up to eight I/O expansion modules (the Wildcards).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/msa/msa102.html
(or email mailto:msa1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
12bit DIGITISER BOARDS OFFER "MORE FOR LESS"
(Alazartech, 5 April 2004)
A new family of 12bit PCI waveform digitisers meets the needs of OEM applications involving ultrasonic imaging and inspection, shock and vibration, manufacturing test and scientific R and D.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aza/aza100.html
(or email mailto:aza1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
EMBEDDED MODULE TAKES ACQUISITION ONBOARD
(Winsystems, 5 April 2004)
Winsystems reckons the PCM-ADIO is the most flexible PC/104 industrial data acquisition module on the market, combining all the key elements of a total data acquisition system on a single board.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wns/wns101.html
(or email mailto:wns1[-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:
Engineeringtalk - for mechanical/automation engineers
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Laboratorytalk - for all lab and research personnel
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Manufacturingtalk - for production engineers
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Processingtalk - for process engineers
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QA-talk - for quality assurance professionals
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Subcontractingtalk - for the subcontract manufacturing industry
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Buildingtalk - for the building and construction industry
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CIMtalk - for automation engineers and the industrial IT sector
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*** Coming soon - join now ***
Printingtalk - for printers and print buyers
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