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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 170: 22 June 2004
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17109 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] Phase-change memory promises Flash replacement
[2] Novel technology raises DSL bandwidth for HD video
[3] Spectrometer gets the measure of Pb contamination
[4] IP provides precise FFT solutions
[5] Upgrade for thermal modelling software
[6] Mobile processor moves to embedded industrial uses
[7] Additive stencil technology boosts throughput
[8] Workbench brings PLM to electronics design
[9] Spring clamp terminal for high density wiring
[10] DMMs gain filter for drive measurements
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
I guess that none of us should be surprised that somebody could be bothered to create a virus specifically targeted at Symbian-based mobile phones. The virus itself - dubbed Cabir - has proved to be relatively harmless, but it does provide a very timely reminder that it is not only Microsoft desktop operating systems that can be prey to such infection.
What's more, its means of proliferation - via Bluetooth - may prove an irresistible temptation for further mischief making.
Let's not forget that the general public is fully aware of the pervasive nature of embedded computing. Such was the all-encompassing hysteria surrounding the so-called Y2K bug that even popular TV series such as "The Simpsons" got in on the act with a nightmare vision of aircraft falling out of the sky, "Homer-cidal" sandwich toasters and self-destructing milk cartons.
Today, it would appear that the average virus creator is something of a sad character, who feels that the only outlet for their creativity is to highlight security flaws in widely deployed software - delivering a binary "up yours" to the multinational, multi-million-dollar corporations who profit from what the virus writer can prove to be a flawed product. Some popular media even laud such characters as "white knights" for beating the system.
The progression from attacking a desktop operating system to that of a cellular handset can be seen as a further instance of a virus being created simply because its originator could.
A psychologist would probably confirm that the typical virus writer would never bother to create code designed to spread through embedded operating systems - however vulnerable they might be - because the user would be unaware that it was happening, thereby denying the writer the satisfaction of publicity.
At least, that's what I'm hoping. Toasted sandwich anyone?
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!
DEFENCE SECTOR TO LEAD RUGGEDISED COMPUTING GROWTH
North American and Western European market demand for ruggedised/industrial computer systems is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% between 2003 and 2006, according to a recent report.
Venture Development Corp, 21 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ven/ven104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ven1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AMPLICON ASSISTS WITH "PIER-TO-PIER" NETWORKING
Brighton based electronics supplier Amplicon has been actively supporting and contributing to one of the latest projects to take place in the city, in its collaboration with Piertopier.
Amplicon Liveline, 16 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/amp/amp179.html
or send a blank email to mailto:amp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MOTOROLA TO ACQUIRE FORCE COMPUTERS
Motorola has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Force Computers, an embedded computing business owned by Solectron Corp.
Motorola Computer Group, 18 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/moa/moa129.html
or send a blank email to mailto:moa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NEW OFFICE IS LONG-TERM CHINESE COMMITMENT
SBS Technologies is making a major long-term commitment to the technology markets in Asia with today's opening of the offices for SBS Technologies (Shenzhen) in China.
SBS Technologies, 18 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sbs/sbs147.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sbs1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CELLULAR AND SMART CARD SERVICES EXTEND TO KOREA
Radio Frequency Investigation has appointed Seoul-based VMK as its agent for Korea.
Radio Frequency Investigation, 22 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rfi/rfi158.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rfi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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[1] PHASE-CHANGE MEMORY PROMISES FLASH REPLACEMENT
(STMicroelectronics, 21 June 2004)
STMicroelectronics is claiming significant progress in the development of a new type of electronic memory that could eventually replace Flash memory technology. The new technology, called phase-change memory (PCM), potentially offers better performance than Flash, with benefits such as faster read and write times, greater endurance, and the ability to write to individual memory addresses. Most importantly, it is also inherently more scalable than Flash and other nonvolatile memory technologies in use today.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/stm/stm104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:stm1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] NOVEL TECHNOLOGY RAISES DSL BANDWIDTH FOR HD VIDEO
(Texas Instruments, 16 June 2004)
Texas Instruments has developed a new high-bandwidth DSL technology that is backwards compatible with operators' current infrastructure and will make it possible to add competitive video service revenue to their existing data and voice services. TI's Uni-DSL (UDSL) technology raises the bandwidth of DSL to the level necessary to deliver high definition television (HDTV) and other advanced video services, as well as voice and data, throughout the home with limited fibre deployment.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex645.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex6[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] SPECTROMETER GETS THE MEASURE OF PB CONTAMINATION
(Fischer Instrumentation (GB), 17 June 2004)
A novel instrument promises accurate assessment of lead contamination as a quality-assurance measure in compliance with the RoHS and WEEE Directives. The Fischer XRF pin diode spectrometer can measure with good accuracy, contamination in the 0.02-0.05% range. This means the instrument can prove that the lead content is below the mandatory level, rather than simply showing that lead contamination is present.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fsc/fsc100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fsc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] IP PROVIDES PRECISE FFT SOLUTIONS
(RF Engines, 22 June 2004)
The Matrix range of high-specification "building blocks" for digital transceiver designs offers a unique "mix-and-match" way to create precisely tailored FFT solutions that maximise silicon efficiency. The building blocks are supplied as intellectual property (IP) components for system-on-programmable-chip designers. They allow specialised and demanding multichannel receivers to be designed in a much shorter time scale and with a much-reduced technical risk.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rfe/rfe116.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rfe1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] UPGRADE FOR THERMAL MODELLING SOFTWARE
(Flomerics, 16 June 2004)
Version 5 of the Flotherm thermal management simulation package claims substantial improvements in the areas of usability, CAD import, compact modelling and numerical stability. Flotherm has become the standard tool for design and optimisation of cooling systems for electronics equipment with a user base twice that of all competitors combined. The menus have been redesigned in the new release to more intuitively guide the user through the modelling process. Analysis accuracy has been improved with a grid-based dissection CAD import method that provides better handling of complex product geometries.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/flo/129/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flo/flo129.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] MOBILE PROCESSOR MOVES TO EMBEDDED INDUSTRIAL USES
(Kontron UK, 21 June 2004)
The Intel Pentium M Processor - part of the Intel Centrino Mobile Technology and initially created for mobile PC applications - is now available on a standard ATX motherboard designed for harsh ambient conditions. The ATX-855GME board with 400MHz FSB by Eching-based Kontron Embedded Computers will be available for at least five years. The board's outstanding features include: a 1.6GHz processor requiring only passive cooling; the high-performance 855GME chipset (also a part of the Centrino Technology); the ICH4 I/O hub with fast South Bridge and the latest technology support.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kon/kon123.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kon1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] ADDITIVE STENCIL TECHNOLOGY BOOSTS THROUGHPUT
(DEK, 18 June 2004)
DEK's latest additive stencil technology allows users to create deposits of several heights in a single pass, to increase throughput, reduce the number of process steps, and increase equipment use. DEK's solution to creating multiple deposit heights also enhances the lifetime of squeegee blades or the wipers of an enclosed printing head, as well as the stencil. Additive stencil technology can be applied to either side of the stencil. Building up selected areas on the stencil surface allows the height of selected deposits to be increased by between 10 and 100um compared with the nominal height determined by the main stencil thickness.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/dek/168/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dek/dek168.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dek1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] WORKBENCH BRINGS PLM TO ELECTRONICS DESIGN
(Cadence Design Systems, 18 June 2004)
The Allegro Design Workbench software suite is a new family of products for the Cadence Allegro system interconnect design platform that use advanced MatrixOne product lifecycle management technology. The delivery of this software suite, which is claimed to boost engineering productivity up to 50% percent, marks the formal entry by Cadence into the collaborative design and library data management market.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cad/cad226.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cad2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] SPRING CLAMP TERMINAL FOR HIGH DENSITY WIRING
(Phoenix Contact, 17 June 2004)
The new STTB 2.5-Twin double-level spring clamp terminal from Phoenix Contact features three spring connection points and a bridge shaft for each respective level. Due to its compact size, it is particularly suitable as a voltage distributor. With a width of only 5mm, it offers a high wiring density where space is restricted, particularly in compact control panels and enclosures.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pni/131/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pni/pni131.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pni1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] DMMS GAIN FILTER FOR DRIVE MEASUREMENTS
(Fluke (UK), 18 June 2004)
The new and improved Fluke 80 Series V of DMMs boasts enhanced safety features and a test tool designed to deliver accurate readings even on difficult adjustable speed drive measurements. The new Fluke 80 Series V DMMs comprises the entry level Fluke 83 V, the Fluke 87 V which includes a plug-in Fluke 80BK temperature probe, and the Fluke 87 V/E industrial electrician combo kit.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/flu/155/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flu/flu155.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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FLASH-BASED FPGAS FIND A HOME IN THE JSF
(Actel Europe, 21 June 2004)
Actel Flash-based FPGAs have been chosen by Hamilton Sundstrand for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) project.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/act/act177.html
or send a blank email to mailto:act1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
VIRTUAL CPU SPEEDS STORAGE ASIC TO MARKET
(Summit Design, 16 June 2004)
Fujitsu has successfully used Summit Design's electronic system level (ESL) methodology based on Virtual-CPU (V-CPU) for its latest Serial Attached SCSI ASIC project.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/smm/smm106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:smm1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BLACKFIN MODULES TAKE EDGE PROTOCOLS ONBOARD
(TTPCom, 21 June 2004)
Siemens Information and Communications Wireless Modules, Analog Devices and TTPCom are developing a range of products based on ADI's and TTPCom's Edge technologies.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ttp/ttp179.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ttp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DISPENSER IS SPOT ON TO INCREASE THROUGHPUT
(Contax, 16 June 2004)
Stoneridge Pollak has turned to Hampshire-based Contax to increase production efficiency.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cnt/cnt114.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cnt1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BLUETOOTH MODULE OFFERS REMOTE METER READING
(Cambridge Consultants, 22 June 2004)
Cambridge Consultants has delivered a prototype design of a Bluetooth-based radio module to the leading utility metering company, Actaris.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cbr/cbr111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cbr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NEW DIRECTIVES CREATE COMPLIANCE DILEMMA
(Dionics, 17 June 2004)
Alan Bird, Sales Manager at Dionics, illustrates the frequently complex relationship between allied legislation.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dio/dio104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dio1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FILM CLARIFIES ELECTRONICS PACKAGING PROBLEMS
(Sensor Products, 21 June 2004)
Analysis of contact uniformity in PCB assemblies and verifying planarity or flatness between semiconductor wafers and bonding heads was, until recently, a largely inaccurate and unscientific process.
Free brochure on Pressurex:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/seb/106/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/seb/seb106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:seb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured product news
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MODULE IMPROVES RANGE FOR 54G WIRELESS DESIGNS
(SiGe Semiconductor, 16 June 2004)
SiGe Semiconductor is supplying a custom module designed to enhance coverage and reduce implementation costs of 54g wireless LAN products enabled by Broadcom Corp.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sif/sif155.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sif1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MCUS SHRINK TO MOP UP NEW APPLICATIONS
(Microchip Technology, 16 June 2004)
A revolutionary range of 6-pin Flash devices in ultrasmall-form-factor SOT-23 packages provide an ideal solution for many markets and uses not typically served by microcontrollers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ari/ari168.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ari1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ASIC CORE BOOSTS SYSTEM PACKET INTERFACE BANDWIDTH
(Agilent Technologies, 21 June 2004)
A new SPI-4.2 ASIC core from Agilent Technologies demonstrates breakthrough data transfer performance of 1Gbit/s, surpassing the previous industry best of 800Mbit/s.
Free brochure on SPI-4.2 ASIC core:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/232/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi232.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TINY CLAIMS FOR SMD INDUCTORS
(TDK Electronics Europe, 16 June 2004)
The VLF series is billed as the smallest SMD power inductors available today.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tdk/tdk105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tdk1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DESIGN GUIDE FOR BOARD-LEVEL EMC
(Wurth Elektronik UK, 17 June 2004)
"The trilogy of inductors" is an EMC design guide available exclusively from Wurth Elektronik.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wur/wur104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wur1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TOROIDS PROVIDE HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPPRESSION
(Magnetec, 22 June 2004)
Toroids made from the nanocrystalline material Nanoperm are finding increasing use in modern power electronics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mgn/mgn103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mgn1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ESL DESIGN TAKES ON SYSTEMC MODELLING AND ANALYSIS
(Summit Design, 17 June 2004)
The latest version of Summit Design's Visual Elite graphical based ESL design product includes Advanced SystemC modelling and analysis capabilities.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/smm/smm108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:smm1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
COMPACTPCI CHASSIS OFFER STORM FORCE PERFORMANCE
(APW Electronics, 16 June 2004)
The Zephyr family of horizontal CompactPCI chassis are designed for 19in rack mount or desktop use.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/apw/apw117.html
or send a blank email to mailto:apw1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CONTROLLER TAKES CHARGE OF THERMAL MANAGEMENT
(Control Resources, 17 June 2004)
SmartFan Cirrus is a compact, microprocessor based interface designed for the electronics, industrial and HVAC control markets.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/clr/clr100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:clr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CUSTOM KEYPADS PROVIDE SOPHISTICATED INTERFACES
(EAO, 22 June 2004)
EAO offers fully customised keypads with function keys engraved to exact OEM requirements.
Free brochure on Custom keypads:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/eao/149/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eao/eao149.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eao1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CABLE HARNESSES AIM FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
(Hypertac, 22 June 2004)
Hypertac Interconnect has entered into a strategic relationship with Affinity Medical to deliver overmoulded cable harness products based on Hypertac and third-party connectors.
Free brochure on Overmoulded cable harness products:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/hyp/106/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hyp/hyp106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hyp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PATCH CORDS FEATURE NOVEL RJ45 LATCHES
(The Siemon Company, 22 June 2004)
The BladePatch is described as being like no other patch cord available in the market today.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/smo/smo104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:smo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CONVERTORS SQUEEZE 100W INTO EIGHTH-BRICK OUTLINE
(Artesyn Technologies, 22 June 2004)
Artesyn Technologies has extended its Typhoon family of board mounted power with the addition of a new 100W series of eighth-brick DC/DC convertors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/art/art180.html
or send a blank email to mailto:art1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CONVERTOR RUNS ONLINE TERMINALS OVER IP NETWORKS
(Sena Technologies, 21 June 2004)
The SS800 can connect online lottery terminals to IP networks, while retaining existing lottery equipment and network infrastructure.
Free brochure on SS800:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/sna/102/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sna/sna102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sna1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CURRENT SUPPLIES PUT LASER DIODES TO THE TEST
(Newport Group, 16 June 2004)
Newport Corp has a new series of laser diode current supplies that offer a level of performance and functionality previously unavailable in low cost instruments.
Free brochure on 500B Series:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/nwp/103/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nwp/nwp103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nwp1[-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:
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