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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 161: 20 April 2004
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15975 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] BOMs checked for regulatory compliance
[2] Processors put multimedia on the move
[3] SMD adhesive solves assembly problems
[4] No cadmium required for power relays
[5] Flash chips ramp up to 4Gbit density
[6] Programmer is missing link in Cypress PSoC design
[7] Transistor aids basestation upgrades
[8] USB acquisition gets personal
[9] Serial transceivers speed to Profibus applications
[10] Custom cable option on high-reliability connectors
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
The more observant of you may have noticed a few changes to the Electronicstalk website over the past week. And, yes, I'm afraid we have been experimenting with some slightly different page layouts.
However, just for once, we've had our own best interests at heart - as well as yours.
But for the benefit of those of you who thought their monitors had suffered some form of mirror reversal, let me reassure you that we are the guilty parties. Henceforth the strip of Google-powered small ads will appear in the left-hand margin, rather than on the right-hand side.
Why the change, you may ask. Well, strange though it may seem, it appears that the left-hand margin is more appealing than the right - I kid you not. Since we started the experiment, click-throughs to advertisers' websites have increased more than 50%. That translates into valuable revenue for Electronicstalk, and means that we can continue to bring you our service without resorting to more obtrusive forms of advertising.
If anyone can think of a logical reason to explain this phenomenon, please let me know! Otherwise I will file it with all that other left-side/right-side malarkey, such as why right-handed golfers find right-to-left putts easier to read than the other sort.
Anyway: on to the important stuff. 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!
FUNDING TO ENABLE FURTHER RF DEVELOPMENTS
Nanotron Technologies has closed its 4th round of funding successfully and raised Eur 8 million of additional capital.
Nanotron Technologies, 15 April 2004
mailto:not1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/not/not101.html
REPORT VERIFIES FPGA RADIATION IMMUNITY
A new report verifies that FPGAs based on Flash and antifuse technologies are immune to configuration upsets caused by high-energy neutrons naturally generated in the earth's atmosphere.
Actel Europe, 20 April 2004
mailto:act1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/act/act175.html
MOLEX COMPLETES CINCH ACQUISITION
Molex has completed its previously announced transaction to acquire the automotive and specialty connectors business of Connecteurs Cinch.
Molex UK, 15 April 2004
mailto:mol1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mol/mol161.html
REPORT REVEALS COMPETITIVE EDGE
Mobile operators worldwide are looking to Edge as either a permanent fix for data offerings or as an interim solution to allow more robust data and voice services for the next half-decade.
Visant Strategies, 15 April 2004
mailto:vsa1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vsa/vsa103.html
SBS RETURNS TO SOLID OPERATING INCOME
SBS Technologies has published results for its third quarter ended 31st March 2004.
SBS Technologies, 19 April 2004
mailto:sbs1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sbs/sbs143.html
MODEST PROFIT IS MAJOR RECOVERY
NetTest has released its 2003 financial results.
NetTest, 19 April 2004
mailto:net1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/net/net124.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. BOMs checked for regulatory compliance
Design Chain Associates has a new service to help electronics OEMs speed their transition to component-level compliance with the European Union's Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive 2002/95/EC. "We have been asked several times recently if we could help new and existing clients identify components in existing and even new products that might have compliance issues, and guide them to replacement components or help define redesign directions", said Michael Kirschner, President of DCA. "So we've taken the step to put in place an infrastructure to enable a rapid BOM analysis and recommendation service".
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dsi/dsi103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dsi1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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2. Processors put multimedia on the move
A new family of processors based on Intel XScale technology can handle multiple forms of wireless broadband access with enough computing power to provide cellphones with full motion video conferencing capabilities and PDAs with DVD-quality video playback. The processors include a set of new technologies designed to meet the multimedia, low power and security requirements of advanced cellphones and wireless PDAs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iel/iel130.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iel1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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3. SMD adhesive solves assembly problems
Together with renowned electronics customers, Delo has developed a new adhesive that ensures the reliable fixation of critical SMD components during wave soldering or reflow processes. Delo-Monopox MK096 is a heat-cured, single-part epoxy resin optimised for high-speed processes as well as manual processing.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/inb/inb104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:inb1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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4. No cadmium required for power relays
The RX series of PCB power relays is fitted with environmentally friendly cadmium-free contacts, complying with the RoHS Directive which will ban or restrict hazardous substances from 1st July 2006. Produced on a fully automated assembly line the RX power relay has the same contact rating, coil specification and isolation parameters as traditional 25.5mm tall PCB power relays, such as Tyco Electronics' Schrack RP series, but is in the new-generation low-profile 15.7mm housing.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tya/161/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tya/tya161.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tya1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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5. Flash chips ramp up to 4Gbit density
Toshiba has developed the semiconductor industry's first 4Gbit single-die, multilevel cell (MLC), NAND Flash memory. Fabricated with 90nm process technology, the new chip offers double the capacity of Toshiba's present largest single-die NAND Flash memory, and will realise higher capacity Flash memory cards capable of supporting a wide range of applications. The new 4Gbit NAND Flash memory enables faster write performance by implementing advanced design concept and adjusting the control system of the memory cell.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tos/tos220.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tos2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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6. Programmer is missing link in Cypress PSoC design
Orlin Technology has begun shipping its inexpensive Prongle 2 programmer for Cypress Microsystems PSoC microcontrollers. Now it is possible to design with these innovative microcontrollers by simply downloading the free PSoC Designer development environment from the Cypress Microsystems website, designing your own analogue/digital PSoC and then programming it either in-socket on in-system using the Prongle 2.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/orl/orl102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:orl1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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7. Transistor aids basestation upgrades
Agilent Technologies has released its highest linearity E-pHEMT (enhancement-mode pseudomorphic high-electron-mobility transistor) field effect transistor (FET) which is available now in a 4.5 x 4.1 x 1.5mm SOT-89 surface-mount package. By using an industry-standard package, Agilent's new ATF-50189 single-voltage E-pHEMT FET simplifies upgrading 450MHz to 6GHz basestations to higher channel capacity.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/219/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi219.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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8. USB acquisition gets personal
The PMD-1608FS is the latest addition to the Personal Measurement Device (PMD) product line from Measurement Computing Corp. The new USB-based DAQ module offers performance claimed unheard of in its price range. The PMD-1608FS provides eight simultaneously sampled, 16bit analogue inputs with continuous multichannel sample rates up to 100Ksample/s and burst sample rates up to 200Ksample/s.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mur/mur100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mur1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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9. Serial transceivers speed to Profibus applications
The ISL4486 and ISL81486 are new ultra-high-speed Linearlink RS485/422 serial data transceivers. Both ICs are half-duplex configurations that operate from a nominal 5V supply over a wide +/-10% tolerance voltage range of +4.5 to +5.5V, which relaxes supply requirements and reduces costs. The ISL4486 provides an ultra-fast 40Mbit/s datarate and an industry-leading 2.5V differential signal into a 54ohm load. The ISL81486 delivers 30Mbit/s and a 2.3V differential output voltage.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina286.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ina2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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10. Custom cable option on high-reliability connectors
Hypertac Interconnect now provides custom cabling assembly services for both its standard and custom Hypertac connectors. This means electronic equipment manufacturers can now work with a single supplier for high reliability, end-to-end interconnect solutions. For OEMs that specify standard connectors, the new service means they can eliminate the need to source, certify and terminate cables for their Hypertac connectors, resulting in a more cost competitive solution.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/hyp/105/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hyp/hyp105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hyp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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PROCESSOR POWERS UP 3G HANDSETS
(Texas Instruments, 14 April 2004)
The OMAP application processor features in new FOMA 900i Series 3G handsets from NTT DoCoMo, including the N900i from NEC, P900i from Panasonic Mobile Communications and SH900i made by Sharp.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex617.html
(or email mailto:tex6[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
BLUETOOTH TURNS HANDSET TO VIRTUAL OFFICE
(Cambridge Silicon Radio, 15 April 2004)
The Orange SPV E200 uses the CSR BlueCore Bluetooth solution.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cam/cam164.html
(or email mailto:cam1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
POWER MODULES SIMPLIFY AIR-CONDITIONER DESIGN
(Fairchild Semiconductor, 15 April 2004)
Samsung Electronics Co has selected Fairchild's compact, dual inline packaged SPM smart power modules to power its new line of three-phase inverter-based air conditioners.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fai/fai288.html
(or email mailto:fai2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
DIGITAL IC PLATFORM SORTS OUT 8-MILLION-GATE SOC
(Cadence Design Systems, 14 April 2004)
Toshiba America Electronic Components (TAEC) has successfully implemented an 8-million-gate SoC using the Cadence Encounter digital IC platform.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cad/cad209.html
(or email mailto:cad2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PUSHBUTTON IS KEY TO ELECTRONIC LOCK SUCCESS
(Duraswitch, 16 April 2004)
PushGate pushbutton technology has been chosen by Marks USA, a leading manufacturer of locksets, for its latest model in the iQue line.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dur/dur132.html
(or email mailto:dur1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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...And take a look at these stories too...
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FIVE-LAYER PACKAGE TAKES IN MCU, LOGIC AND MEMORY
(Renesas Technology Europe, 14 April 2004)
A novel five-layer stacked SiP (system in package) device combines a high-performance SuperH microprocessor, logic LSI chip and memory chips in a single package.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ren/ren138.html
(or email mailto:ren1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
WOLFSON SCRAPS LEAD FROM NEW PRODUCTS
(Wolfson Microelectronics, 14 April 2004)
Wolfson Microelectronics is to supply all its new products in lead-free format only, compatible both with conventional SnPb and Pb-free soldering processes.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wol/wol165.html
(or email mailto:wol1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
RFID CHIP MEETS LATEST STANDARDS
(Philips Semiconductors, 20 April 2004)
Philips has released the industry's first RFID chip compliant to worldwide regulations supporting the EPCglobal standardisation activity for UHF.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/phi/phi258.html
(or email mailto:phi2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
RF RELAY SHRINKS TO THE SURFACE
(Radiall, 14 April 2004)
The R596 SMT micro-relay range combines the excellent reliability, RF and repeatability characteristics of coaxial switches with the miniature size of a surface mount component.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rac/rac123.html
(or email mailto:rac1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
HYBRID CHOKES HAVE BOTH MODES COVERED
(Micromark C and CD, 20 April 2004)
A new range of hybrid choke coils combines common-mode and differential-mode suppression in a single component, saving both board space and bill of materials costs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mmk/mmk138.html
(or email mailto:mmk1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
ANALOGUE AND MIXED-SIGNAL CORES JOIN IP LIBRARY
(NewLogic, 14 April 2004)
NewLogic Technologies has expanded its IP library with a range of high-performance analogue and mixed-signal IP cores.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/new/new123.html
(or email mailto:new1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
UK DISTRIBUTION FOR NOVEL PROTOTYPING BOARDS
(Spartan Europe, 14 April 2004)
As part of an international distribution programme, Schmartboard has sighed Spartan Europe to distribute its revolutionary prototyping tools in the UK.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/seu/seu100.html
(or email mailto:seu1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PROCESSOR MODEL SPEEDS TIME TO MARKET
(StarCore, 16 April 2004)
StarCore and VaST Systems Technology Corp have developed a high-performance, cycle-accurate software model of the StarCore SC1200 processor core, which includes the cache subsystem.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/src/src100.html
(or email mailto:src1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SOFTWARE OPTIMISES THERMAL DESIGN
(Daat Research Corp, 19 April 2004)
OptimizeIt is a powerful new tool that transforms design optimisation into a faster, more effective and efficient process.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dtr/dtr102.html
(or email mailto:dtr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
CHASSIS HAS PLENTY IN STORE FOR VIDEO RECORDING
(Aicsys, 15 April 2004)
The RCK-410D is an industrial chassis for rack-mountable digital video recording systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aic/aic105.html
(or email mailto:aic1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FLEXIBLE CONFIGURATION FOR WATERPROOF KEYPADS
(EAO, 16 April 2004)
AVLE, AVSE and AVME watertight, vandal-resistant keypads are constructed using a durable, click-dome matrix enclosed by a protective silicone rubber case.
Free brochure on AV keypads:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/eao/146/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eao/eao146.html
(or email mailto:eao1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
EASY APPLICATION FOR THERMAL GAP FILLER
(The Bergquist Company, 20 April 2004)
A new thermally conductive, nonreinforced gap filling material from The Bergquist Company is designed for mid- to high-thermal-performance applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/brg/brg106.html
(or email mailto:brg1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
LED ILLUMINATOR PROVIDES A SPEEDY CURE
(Rhopoint Components, 20 April 2004)
Offering a typical radiant flux of 285mW and a peak wavelength of 395nm, a new ultraviolet, high-flux LED illuminator is now available from stock from Rhopoint Components.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rho/rho133.html
(or email mailto:rho1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
TRANSCEIVER RANGE COVERS ALL 10GBIT/S FIBRE OPTICS
(Agilent Technologies, 15 April 2004)
Agilent Technologies has released a complete family of 10Gbit/s Ethernet, Fibre Channel and Sonet/SDH fibre-optic transceivers for enterprise, storage and metro networks.
Free brochure on 10Gbit/s fibre-optic transceivers:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/218/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi218.html
(or email mailto:agi2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
RECTIFIER FRONTS UP WIRELESS POWER SYSTEM
(Tyco Electronics Power Systems, 20 April 2004)
The 24V NP1300 rectifier has been specifically designed for 24V applications and is used as a part of the Infinity Platform for global wireless solutions.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tco/tco100.html
(or email mailto:tco1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SYSTEM-ON-MODULE SOLUTIONS USE XSCALE TECHNOLOGY
(Advantech (UK), 16 April 2004)
Based on ARM/XScale technology, Advantech offers OS-ready, SBC-level system on module platforms for applications such as mobile platforms, telemetrics, medical equipment, POS and HMIs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/axv/axv132.html
(or email mailto:axv1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
BUDGET PC/104 BOARD UPGRADES LEGACY 486 DESIGNS
(Evalue Technology, 19 April 2004)
The ECM-1340 is a PC/104 STPC Elite/Consumer-II CPU module that provides a low cost but rich functionality entry-level system.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eal/eal116.html
(or email mailto:eal1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
GEODE-BASED EMBEDDED BOARD IS SET FOR LONG RUN
(Arcom Control Systems, 20 April 2004)
Arcom is making a commitment on the long-term supply of its fanless 300MHz SBC-GX1 embedded PC, successfully sold to many OEM machine and instrumentation builders.
Free brochure on SBC-GX1:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/arc/131/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/arc/arc131.html
(or email mailto:arc1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
IMMUNITY TESTING EXPANDED TO 2.7GHz
(York EMC Services, 19 April 2004)
The York EMC Services (YES) Castleford laboratory has recently been assessed by UKAS for performing radiated immunity measurements to 2.7GHz.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/yor/yor101.html
(or email mailto:yor1[-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
Email mailto:join-eng-ta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
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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