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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 25,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 165: 18 May 2004
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16456 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] Chipset meets ADSL2/2plus standards
[2] Practice kit prepares for lead-free soldering
[3] Module embeds high-end FPGA processing
[4] Mobile processor more than doubles performance
[5] BlackFin-based design puts video over Ethernet
[6] Easy route to power over Ethernet
[7] PMC bezels provide finishing touch
[8] More power to CompactPCI systems
[9] Lower profile for surface-mount LED family
[10] Software automates library cell creation
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
Radio has hit the headlines again this week with the news from Australia that Wi-Fi networks can be floored by a jamming signal that can be produced from a suitably equipped radio-enabled device such as a PDA.
The discovery was made last November by PhD students in the Information Security Research Centre at the Queensland University of Technology, and since then AusCERT (www.auscert.org.au), Australia's national computer emergency response team, has been alerting manufacturers to the problem. But no solution has yet been found.
The situation is very reminiscent of one encountered by a colleague of mine during the early 1990s when low-power radio telemetry was still relatively in its infancy. With no warning at all, countless remote control systems were failing - and roadside assistance organisations like the AA and RAC were besieged by calls from motorists unable to disable their car alarm systems using their keyfob transmitters.
Much effort was expended on seeking a cure. Some focused on the transmitter, some on the discrimination ability of the receiver. But there appeared to be no permanent cure. Indeed, it was only when the source of the problem was isolated that anyone realised that there could be no cure.
The source of the problem turned out to be an intentional jamming signal, routinely transmitted around sensitive installations to prevent the use of low-power radio telemetry for the detonation of a terrorist device. And it was only when the climate improved in the UK that such signals were switched off.
All of this merely serves to reinforce the vulnerability of radio as a medium. In addition to the vulnerability of data highlighted by the Bluetooth snooping scandal, any radio system will be vulnerable to jamming.
It is a little ironic, though, that a technology such as Wi-Fi that originated from military communications systems can be brought down by a gadget knocked together by students in around 30 minutes.
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!
MALAYSIAN PLANT TO CATER FOR LED DEMAND
Lumileds Lighting is opening a new plant in Malaysia to meet growing demand for its Luxeon LEDs, the world's brightest solid-state illumination sources.
Lumileds, 14 May 2004
mailto:lmi1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lmi/lmi102.html
MOVES TO STRENGTHEN EUROPEAN INFRASTRUCTURE
Following global restructuring, the launch of dynamic new product ranges, technical innovations and improved supply chain management, Universal Instruments has now focused its attention on Europe.
Universal Instruments Corp, 14 May 2004
mailto:uiv1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/uiv/uiv151.html
AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING SCHOOL TEACHERS
Outstanding primary and secondary school teachers are being sought for the 2004 IEE National Teacher Awards.
IEE (Institution of Electrical Engineers), 17 May 2004
mailto:iwo1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iwo/iwo106.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. Chipset meets ADSL2/2plus standards
The EaglePlus ADSL2/2plus customer premises equipment (CPE) chipset is capable of transmission rates of up to 24Mbit/s. The EaglePlus chipset is the first commercially available chipset compliant with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) ADSL2/2plus standards, and has established interoperability with the Alcatel 7300 Advanced Services Access Manager (ASAM) in ADSL2plus mode. Offered as a companion to Analog Devices' network processing products, the EaglePlus chipset can be used to deliver advanced voice, video and data applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc231.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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2. Practice kit prepares for lead-free soldering
The PC003 hand solder practice kit is a low cost and effective kit for training and testing employees in lead-free assembly and rework as well as process evaluation. The PCB003 kit has a double-sided PC board that has pads for 13 different components: one through-hole DIP14 and 12 surface-mount components. Each kit is boxed with the lead-free components individually bagged and tagged for easy identification. Kits consist of PLCCs, SOICs, TSSOPs, SOTs, passives and QFPs with 0.5 and 0.65mm pitch.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pct/pct118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pct1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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3. Module embeds high-end FPGA processing
A new high-performance-density processing module from Nallatech brings additional capability and flexibility to the company's Dime-II range of PCI, PC/104, cPCI and VME system motherboards. The new Nallatech BenData-II module combines the latest and highest density Virtex-II Pro FPGA from Xilinx, with the flexibility of both onboard SRAM and DDR SDRAM. High bandwidth off-module communication is provided through the multigigabit per second bandwidth of the Dime-II motherboard connections in addition to eight Rocket I/O connections.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/nal/120/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nal/nal120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nal1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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4. Mobile processor more than doubles performance
The SH-Mobile3 (SH73180) is the next high-end model in the SH-Mobile series of application processors for mobile phone systems. The device incorporates a new 32bit SH4AL-DSP RISC CPU core that offers approximately a 2.3x improvement in performance over previous models. It also incorporates a 2D/3D graphics engine, an MPEG-4 full hardware accelerator and support for a 3Mpixel camera module. This allows it to handle various kinds of advanced multimedia applications in high-end next-generation mobile phones.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ren/ren145.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ren1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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5. BlackFin-based design puts video over Ethernet
Kane Computing is now shipping the Falcon-561 prototyping video to Ethernet development kit made by Momentum Data Systems. The Falcon-561 is a prototyping and development system board for the powerful BF561 symmetric multiprocessing dual-core BlackFin device. Its primary purpose is to serve as a hardware platform for software to capture video and send it out over an Ethernet link.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/kan/159/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kan/kan159.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kan1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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6. Easy route to power over Ethernet
Texas Instruments has developed a versatile new IC controller and the industry's first power-over-Ethernet plug-in power module that reduces design time and eases implementation of Ethernet-powered industrial and commercial devices such as WLAN access points, IP phones, security and point-of-sale systems. TI's new TPS2375 controller builds on the success of the TPS2370, introduced in 2003, to effectively manage discovery, classification and delivery of DC power to a powered device.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex630.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex6[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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7. PMC bezels provide finishing touch
Elma has expanded its CompactPCI packaging support with a new range of PMC bezels, gaskets and fillers in a range of standard finishes, backed by a full customisation service. The new bezels are available in aluminium or zinc, and the snap-in shielded filler panels are stainless steel. Standard parts are available ex-stock, and custom machining or silk-screening are typically available in 3 weeks, offering a fast and easy route to mezzanine card hardware development.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/elm/elm119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:elm1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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8. More power to CompactPCI systems
According to Schroff, traditional power supplies for CompactPCI systems are reaching their performance limits. And while the simplest solution would be to add a third or fourth power supply, the cPCI standard only allows two power supply slots with exact mechanical dimensions. Now Schroff has extended its maxpowerPro range with two power supplies (AC/DC and DC/DC) with equal dimensions (6U/8HP/160mm deep) which fulfil the demands of users in the telecomms, automation and MSR technology sectors through higher performance density and increased efficiency.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/sch/134/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sch/sch134.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sch1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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9. Lower profile for surface-mount LED family
The HSMx-C120 series of ChipLED surface-mount LEDs are billed as the world's smallest for applications such as LCD and keypad backlighting and status indicators in the next generation of smaller, thinner mobile phones and PDAs. Other applications include office and industrial automation, consumer appliances, networking and medical instruments. Agilent's HSMx-C120 series LEDs are available in a wide variety of colours to help manufacturers make more visually appealing products, and in a range of die technologies to meet both brightness needs and cost constraints.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/226/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi226.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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10. Software automates library cell creation
ZenCell Factory is a novel automated library cell creation solution for standard cell-based design. ZenCell Factory is the first commercial solution to automatically create standard cells that are fully laid out, characterised and verified in a matter of days instead of months.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zen/zen101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zen1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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SoC DRIVES NOVEL PCI DIGITISER CARD
(RF Engines, 12 May 2004)
RF Engines and Acqiris have codeveloped a new high-speed digitiser design and processing core.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rfe/rfe115.html
(or email mailto:rfe1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SET TOP BOX PROCESSOR TAKES SOFT MODEMS ONBOARD
(Silicon Laboratories, 14 May 2004)
STMicroelectronics licensed and integrated Silicon Laboratories' system-side silicon direct access arrangement (DAA) technology into its new STi5100 processor.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/snl/snl103.html
(or email mailto:snl1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FPGAs ENABLE BROADBAND-EXPANDING TECHNOLOGY
(Altera Europe, 14 May 2004)
Altera's programmable logic solutions have enabled the implementation of Broadband Physics' novel sub-band division multiplexing (SDM) technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aeu/aeu124.html
(or email mailto:aeu1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
TURNKEY FPGA SOLUTION SPEEDS TARGA TO MARKET
(Actel Europe, 18 May 2004)
Actel has joined with IP and design services partner Inicore to deliver a turnkey design solution to the Targa Systems Division of L3 Communications for a new line of data storage products.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/act/act176.html
(or email mailto:act1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SOUND QUALITY IS KEY MEASURE OF FAN NOISE
(Sunon, 14 May 2004)
By focusing on optimising sound quality - rather than just volume - MagLev motor fans provide the ultimate quiet life for end equipment users.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sno/sno101.html
(or email mailto:sno1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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...And take a look at these stories too...
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DRIVER PUMPS UP WHITE LEDS
(Arques Technology, 12 May 2004)
The AQ9156 is a 1.5x switched-capacitor (charge pump) regulator, ideal for white LED applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/arq/arq104.html
(or email mailto:arq1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
DUAL PWM CHIP PROVIDES FLEXIBLE POWER REGIMES
(Intersil, 12 May 2004)
The ISL6539 is a dual PWM controller IC designed to provide cost-saving power solutions for a wide range of applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina294.html
(or email mailto:ina2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
HIGH VOLTAGE RATING FOR FAST RECOVERY DIODES
(International Rectifier, 17 May 2004)
The 60APU06 and 60EPU06 are platinum (Pt) diffused ultrafast-recovery epitaxial diodes each rated at 600V.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sil/sil188.html
(or email mailto:sil1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
INCREASED POWER HANDLING FROM COMPACT PNP
(Zetex, 17 May 2004)
The ZX5T2E6 PNP transistor is billed as taking the performance of miniature SOT23-6 packaged parts to a new high with its power handling capability of 70W.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zet/zet141.html
(or email mailto:zet1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FREE FERRITES FOR TEST HOUSES
(Schaffner EMC, 14 May 2004)
Independent EMC test houses may now request a free EMC "Wall Kit" for their facilities, to provide on-the-spot remedies to unwanted emissions.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sca/sca162.html
(or email mailto:sca1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
MICROKERNEL OPTIMISED FOR BLACKFIN PROCESSOR
(Green Hills Software, 12 May 2004)
Green Hills Software and Analog Devices have set down a multi-year roadmap of product integrations that includes support for the Velosity microkernel and the Multi IDE for the Blackfin processor.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gre/gre171.html
(or email mailto:gre1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
MULTIPROCESSOR CORE PROVIDES THE POWER OF FOUR
(ARM, 18 May 2004)
The MPCore synthesisable multiprocessor, based on the ARMv6 architecture, can be configured to contain between one and four processors delivering up to 2600MIPS of Dhrystone performance.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ank/ank151.html
(or email mailto:ank1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
MODULAR CABINETS COME IN 100 STANDARD SIZES
(Eurobex Manufacturing, 13 May 2004)
A new catalogue update from Eurobex Manufacturing introduces thousands of new products, including the new Mtrx modular cabinet line.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eob/eob102.html
(or email mailto:eob1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
LIGHT WEIGHT FOR RACK-MOUNT KEYBOARD AND DISPLAY
(Chassis Plans, 18 May 2004)
The CPCSD1-15L is an ultralight 1U rack-mount keyboard/LCD drawer designed for the rugged mobile computer market for installation in 19in rack transport cases.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cas/cas100.html
(or email mailto:cas1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PLUGS SPEED SPRING-CAGE TERMINAL BLOCKS
(Phoenix Contact, 17 May 2004)
With novel double-sided plug outlets, ST-Combi pluggable spring-cage terminal blocks from Phoenix Contact are transformed into a completely modular, pluggable connector.
Free brochure on ST-Combi:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pni/127/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pni/pni127.html
(or email mailto:pni1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER EXTENDS COPPER'S REACH
(Fujitsu Components Europe, 14 May 2004)
A new four-channel optical transceiver extends the signal transmission reach of a copper interface up to 300m at 2.5Gbit/s or 100m at 3.125Gbit/s over multimode fibre ribbon cable.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fit/fit101.html
(or email mailto:fit1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
COMPACTPCI BOARD FEATURES LATEST LOW-POWER PENTIUM
(Concurrent Technologies, 13 May 2004)
The PP 312/01x CompactPCI board features the newly announced low power 1.8GHz Intel Pentium M processor 745 (formerly codenamed Dothan).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cct/cct138.html
(or email mailto:cct1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
EIGHT-CHANNEL DIGITISER SAVES PCI SLOTS
(Strategic Test, 14 May 2004)
The new UltraFast UF3132 is heralded as the first digitiser PCI card to provide eight analogue input channels on a single card.
Free brochure on UltraFast UF3132:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/sra/118/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sra/sra118.html
(or email mailto:sra1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
ANALYSER SIGNS UP FOR NEXT-GENERATION COMMS TESTS
(Anritsu (UK), 18 May 2004)
The Signature MS2781A signal analyser is claimed to offer unparalleled performance, functionality and ease of use.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anr/anr166.html
(or email mailto:anr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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Have you seen our other newsletters?
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