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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 26,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 167: 1 June 2004
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16687 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] IP embeds FPGA functions on ASICs
[2] Low-power-radio transceiver takes more onboard
[3] Software embeds vocal technical support
[4] Fibre Channel controller accelerates to 4Gbit/s
[5] Tiny module is complete handheld Wi-Fi solution
[6] Chip-scale MOSFET performs like a big boy
[7] Water-soluble solder paste cuts out waste
[8] Relay shrinks automotive assemblies
[9] SystemC models run faster than RTL
[10] Chip-scale reader to accelerate RFID growth
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
If you're one of those people who are nostalgic for the days of telexes and telegrams, then you probably type all your e-mails in capital letters and hang the consequences.
For the rest of us, though, capital letters do have significance, and indeed serve to aid comprehension. We here at Electronicstalk cherish capital letters, and only use them when they make sense, with capital initial letters for proper names, titles etc, and capital letters used to denote an abbreviation.
But abbreviations can be insidious things: before you know it we're saying them as if they're words. And this presents a quandary: how long does it take for an abbreviation or acronym to pass into the English language?
This is a process that used to happen relatively frequently - take, for example, radar and laser. Both are words that derive from abbreviations, and nobody would consider spelling them in capital letters. But the process appears to have stalled. I must admit I'm hard pressed to identify a technical abbreviation that has passed into the lingua franca in the past two decades.
So now is the time to take a stand and expand our language - while at the same time reducing the use of capital letters. My own current personal favourites for becoming real words are MOSFET and SCADA: both are well understood (oh, all right then - metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor and supervisory control and data acquisition), and both are routinely said as if they were words.
I am sure readers can think of further candidates for the dictionary. Please send nominations to ne[-email removed-]nicstalk.com.
Finally this week I must apologise to anyone who was confused by my quip last week about sending non-Kyoto-adherent politicians to see the new Hollywood blockbuster "The day after tomorrow". The couple I had envisaged cosying up together in the back row were the US President and the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard. How British Tory Party Leader Michael Howard got in on the act is anyone's guess.
My postbag over the following few days illustrated just how many readers we have in Australia!
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 e-mail 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!
E-BEAM LITHOGRAPHY SYSTEM IS UK FIRST
Innos has invested GBP 5 million to upgrade its photolithography capability, including purchase of the UK's first JBX-9300FS electron-beam lithography system.
Innos, 26 May 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iod/iod102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iod1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FUNDS TO ALLOW COMPLETION OF STRUCTURED ASIC LINE
eASIC Corp has secured $5 million in equity financing from Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, in a third round of funding.
eASIC Corp, 1 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ecc/ecc100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ecc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
LITTELFUSE ACQUIRES CONTROLLING INTEREST
Littelfuse has acquired 82.4% of Heinrich Industrie, the holding company of Wickmann Group.
Wickmann Components UK, 1 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wic/wic115.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wic1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CPS LOCATES MORE FUNDS
Cambridge Positioning Systems has raised an additional US $9 million from its existing investors to drive global take-up of its unique Matrix mass-market high accuracy location technology.
Cambridge Positioning Systems, 27 May 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cmb/cmb127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cmb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
RUSSIAN R AND D CENTRE IS A FIRST FOR CADENCE
Cadence Design Systems has opened its first office in Moscow as the latest in a series of strategic investments in Russia.
Cadence Design Systems, 27 May 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cad/cad220.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cad2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ANSOFT RAISES REVENUE TO CLOSE YEAR IN PROFIT
Ansoft Corp has revealed its financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended 30th April 2004.
Ansoft Corporation Europe, 1 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ans/ans190.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ans1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CHINESE KEYBOARD PLANT AIMS FOR 20% SHARE
Oki Electric Technology (Kunshan) is a new keyboard manufacturing and sales company based in Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, China.
Oki Electric, 1 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oki/oki144.html
or send a blank email to mailto:oki1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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[1] IP EMBEDS FPGA FUNCTIONS ON ASICS
(M2000, 1 June 2004)
FlexEOS embedded FPGA technology from M2000 has been successfully manufactured on a test chip in CMOS 130nm technology. This means that a "silicon-proven" FPGA macro is now available to ASIC designers who want to add "on-silicon" logic programmability to a design. Many fields of application can benefit from FlexEOS technology, including wireless infrastructure equipment, security, printers, automotive, set-top-boxes, HDTV and imaging.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mgt/mgt100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mgt1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] LOW-POWER-RADIO TRANSCEIVER TAKES MORE ONBOARD
(Micrel Semiconductor Europe, 26 May 2004)
The MICRF505 is Micrel's next-generation RadioWire transceiver, designed to save space and cost while increasing performance and ease of use. It is also the first product resulting from the recent acquisition of Oslo, Norway-based Bluechip Communications. The MICRF505 transceiver operates from 850 to 950MHz and supports frequency shift keyed (FSK) modulation at datarates up to 200Kbit/s. Many functions are user programmable including the frequency synthesiser, making the MICRF505 suitable for frequency-hopping applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mib/mib146.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mib1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] SOFTWARE EMBEDS VOCAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT
(Spirit Corp, 27 May 2004)
Voice Prompt is a novel software application for home consumer electronics and portable devices. As home appliances get smarter, user manuals are getting even thicker, and users increasingly tend to skip everything after the chapter entitled "How to get it working". Integrating Spirit's Voice Prompt solution into consumer electronics provides the perfect interactive user manual, making it an attractive value-add for small home appliances, television and audio equipment, and portable/mobile devices.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/spi/spi124.html
or send a blank email to mailto:spi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] FIBRE CHANNEL CONTROLLER ACCELERATES TO 4GBIT/S
(Agilent Technologies, 1 June 2004)
Agilent Technologies has developed the industry's first 4Gbit/s Fibre Channel controller IC. The new device, the latest in Agilent's Tachyon series of industry-leading Fibre Channel controllers, provides enhanced performance for storage subsystems, storage routers, host bus adapters and host computer motherboards for mid-to-high-end storage applications that use multiprocessor systems. It offers an easy and economical upgrade path to 4Gbit/s speeds while allowing design re-use for existing customers.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/228/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi228.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] TINY MODULE IS COMPLETE HANDHELD WI-FI SOLUTION
(Agere Systems, 26 May 2004)
Agere Systems has released a small-form-factor 802.11g mobile Wi-Fi module specifically designed for handheld consumer devices. This embedded system-in-package (SiP) delivers 54Mbit/s speeds while balancing exceptional range and power savings for such wireless products as personal digital assistants (PDAs), media players, smartphones, handheld video game devices and digital cameras and camcorders.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/age/age139.html
or send a blank email to mailto:age1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] CHIP-SCALE MOSFET PERFORMS LIKE A BIG BOY
(Vishay Siliconix, 28 May 2004)
A new chip-scale P-channel power MOSFET is claimed to offer the industry's lowest on-resistance of any such device with a footprint area under 3mm2. Aimed at battery switch, power amplifier, load switch, and charger applications, the new Micro Foot Si8413DB delivers maximum on-resistance of just 48mohm at a 4.5V gate drive, a 31% improvement over the next-best such competing chip-scale MOSFET on the market. Maximum on-resistance at a 2.5V gate drive is a low 63mohm. Breakdown voltage for the new device is -20V.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vsh/vsh111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vsh1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] WATER-SOLUBLE SOLDER PASTE CUTS OUT WASTE
(Indium Corporation of America, 31 May 2004)
Indium6.2 is a halide-free water-soluble solder paste claimed to provide exceptional printing and an unprecedented stencil life, virtually eliminating waste. In addition, Indium6.2 offers wide humidity tolerance for consistent printing performance and sharp print definition to allow for fine pitch applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/idi/idi111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:idi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] RELAY SHRINKS AUTOMOTIVE ASSEMBLIES
(Matsushita Electric Works UK, 1 June 2004)
Billed as the smallest in its market class, Matsushita's automotive CJ relay has been designed to meet the demands of the increasing use of technology in vehicles and therefore the necessity to reduce the size and weight of electronic components in automotive applications. Occupying two thirds the space and volume of the previous configuration where two independent relay devices were used, the CJ relay has been specifically designed for any applications that require forward and reverse control circuits for DC motors.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/mat/148/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mat/mat148.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mat1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] SYSTEMC MODELS RUN FASTER THAN RTL
(Adveda, 1 June 2004)
The Univers Modeler is an extension to Adveda's ultra-fast RTL simulator, which generates a SystemC wrapper or a PLI/FMI wrapper around a native simulation model, compiled within this simulator. This allows users up to 100 times faster simulation speeds within their own simulation environment through its PLI, FMI or SystemC interface. Univers Modeler takes the original RTL-code and converts it automatically to a cycle-accurate simulation model at a higher level of abstraction, wrapped in SystemC.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ayl/ayl102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ayl1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] CHIP-SCALE READER TO ACCELERATE RFID GROWTH
(Innovision Research and Technology, 27 May 2004)
The io is billed as the world's smallest and lowest-cost 13.56MHz RFID reader. The new device is expected to have a unit cost one-tenth of existing readers and will extend the potential of RFID into completely new areas including consumer, healthcare, transport and logistics products. Smaller than a US dime, the io features an onboard RISC processor, making it ideal for small-footprint devices. Combined with its low power consumption and intelligent power management, the io is especially suited for small, battery-powered handheld devices.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ivi/ivi107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ivi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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CONTROLLER SAMPLES SENSORS FASTER
(Texas Instruments, 27 May 2004)
The TMS320F2810 digital signal controller is enabling Chronotek to increase sampling rates by more than one hundred times in its new ultrasonic transit time liquid flow sensor system.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex635.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex6[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
RADIO CHIP TAKES "FANTASTIC VOYAGE"
(Zarlink Semiconductor, 28 May 2004)
Given Imaging is using an ultra-low-power transmitter chip from Zarlink in its M2A capsule endoscope.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mif/mif172.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mif1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POWER MANAGER SIMPLIFIES ANALOGUE DESIGN AT THALES
(Lattice Semiconductor UK, 31 May 2004)
Thales is using Lattice ispPAC Power Manager devices for its signal and image processing system based on the PowerPC750fx processor.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lat/lat142.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lat1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NORMALLY CLOSED SWITCH STARS FOR SPA MAKERS
(Duraswitch, 27 May 2004)
Duraswitch PushGate pushbutton technology has been selected for the switch mechanism in two projects for spa controls.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dur/dur135.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dur1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PORTABLE POWER FOR TV AND FILM PRODUCTION
(Saft Rechargeable Battery Systems, 31 May 2004)
From Hollywood to Bollywood, Saft NiCd and NiMh cells deliver a reliable power source for Cine Power International, the leading supplier of battery packs to the world's film and programme makers.
Free brochure on NiCd and NiMh cells:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/sft/105/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sft/sft105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sft1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured product news
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AUDIO ADC HANDLES HIGH-VOLTAGE INPUTS
(Wolfson Microelectronics, 26 May 2004)
The WM8782 is a high-performance low-cost stereo audio ADC designed for recordable media applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wol/wol169.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wol1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CHIPSET IMPROVES THE IMAGE OF LARGE-SCREEN LCDS
(National Semiconductor, 27 May 2004)
Claiming a breakthrough for display technology, National Semiconductor has released a new point-to-point differential signalling digital interface architecture and chipset for LCD TVs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nat/nat276.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nat2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CHIP MOPS UP PROCESSOR-FRIENDLY FUNCTIONS
(Ramtron International, 28 May 2004)
Ramtron's newest processor companion product features highly integrated analogue and mixed-signal functions for processor-based systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ram/ram114.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ram1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DRIVE TO REDUCE FAN NOISE AND POWER
(Zetex, 31 May 2004)
The ZXBM1004 predriver IC offers flexible variable speed control of single-phase brushless DC fans and blowers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zet/zet142.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zet1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
RELAY ENSURES X-BY-WIRE SYSTEM SAFETY
(Tyco Electronics UK, 31 May 2004)
The SPR Star Point relay is specially designed for disconnecting electric power steering or X-by-wire motor applications in the event of a short circuit or malfunction.
Free brochure on SPR Star Point relay:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tya/164/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tya/tya164.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tya1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
OPTOCOUPLER BOASTS NOISE REJECTION GUARANTEE
(Fairchild Semiconductor, 1 June 2004)
A novel new high-speed 3.3V transistor optocoupler is the first to guarantee a minimum 5kV/us common mode noise rejection (CMR) rating as a standard feature.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fai/fai295.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fai2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
KIT IS SPEEDY ROUTE TO SPEAKERPHONE DEVELOPMENT
(Acoustic Technologies, 27 May 2004)
The ATR3000DT full-duplex desktop speakerphone reference design and development kit simplify integration and speed time to market.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aou/aou104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aou1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
JMC FANS JOIN THERMAL MODELLING LIBRARY
(Flomerics, 31 May 2004)
Flomerics has dramatically speeded the thermal design process for users of JMC fans by adding 48 thermal fan models to its SmartParts3D website.
Free brochure on SmartParts3D:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/flo/128/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flo/flo128.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ARCHITECTURE TARGETS ADVANCED MOBILE MULTIMEDIA
(StarCore, 31 May 2004)
The StarCore V4 architecture combines an average of 50% higher video processing capability, improved RTOS support and enhanced program control compared with previous StarCore processors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/src/src101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:src1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NOVEL APPROACH TO TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAYS
(3M Touch Systems UK, 27 May 2004)
Heralded as an industry breakthrough, Dispersive Signal Technology offers a fundamentally different approach to touch.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mto/mto101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mto1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EASY MOUNTING FOR SELF-SEALING PUSHBUTTON
(EAO, 1 June 2004)
EAO has developed a novel fast-mounting version of its market-leading Series 56 pushbutton.
Free brochure on Series 56 pushbutton:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/eao/148/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eao/eao148.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eao1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
WAVEGUIDE JOINTS CATER FOR ROTATING DISHES
(Link Microtek, 27 May 2004)
A new range of inline rotary waveguide joints are designed for use with rotating dish antennas in satellite communications uplink and earth station applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lib/lib150.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lib1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
STENCILLING TECHNIQUE SIMPLIFIES BGA REWORK
(Best, 26 May 2004)
Best has developed a newly patented process for the faster and more reliable reworking of BGAs, CSPs and other area array devices.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/bst/bst101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:bst1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BUDGET ROUTE TO REPAIR BGA PACKAGES
(Practical Components, 1 June 2004)
The Practical Components BGA Reballing Kit features patented stencils and holders are used to manually rework BGA components to original condition.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pct/pct119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pct1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NOVEL CELL BOOSTS LITHIUM-ION CAPACITY
(AGM Batteries, 27 May 2004)
AGM Batteries has launched a new lithium-ion secondary (rechargeable) cell with an increased capacity of 6Ah.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agm/agm100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agm1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TESTER CHECKS EDGE TRANSMITTER ALIGNMENT
(Willtek Communications, 1 June 2004)
Willtek has boosted its ability to test Edge-capable mobile devices by launching the 4468 Edge System Option for its Willtek 4400 Series mobile phone tester.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wil/wil119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wil1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HANDHELD SCOPES TURN TO CANBUS ANALYSIS
(Fluke (UK), 1 June 2004)
The compact Fluke ScopeMeter 120 Series of industrial handheld oscilloscopes are a rugged solution for on-the-job troubleshooting.
Free brochure on ScopeMeter 120 Series:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/flu/154/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flu/flu154.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.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:
Buildingtalk - for the building and construction industry
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Processingtalk - for process engineers
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