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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 22,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 174: 20 July 2004
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17553 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] Software brings FPGA and PCB design together
[2] Baseband modem macro runs on a single FPGA
[3] Module puts 8051-based SoC to embedded use
[4] MCU takes high-speed convertors onboard
[5] 3D laser scanner checks paste and placement
[6] Embedded XScale board secures communications
[7] Nanovoltmeter cuts through the noise
[8] Budget floating-point DSP drives down system costs
[9] Programmable chargers replenish NiMH cells safely
[10] PC-based generators put logic devices to the test
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
One of the great benefits of a career in journalism has been some of the "movers and shakers" I have been privileged to meet over the years. One of these, some 17 years ago, was a fresh-faced 22-year-old Michael Dell, launching his company's first operation outside the USA amidst much fanfare and dry ice in London's Docklands.
Dell was launched as a revolution in the way that people would buy their PCs - by cutting out the middleman. At the time, some of the technology was pretty revolutionary as well, with Dell presaging the development of SDRAM technology by using the then prohibitively expensive SRAMs to accelerate the performance of his high-end models.
However, the company was but one of many at the time (and since) that would stake its claim on the IT budgets of companies and domestic users alike. And even those that have modelled themselves on Dell have fallen by the wayside.
That Dell has been so successful in its founder's 20 years in charge is more to do with sound business practices than technology - although there is no point in having one without the other (as Dell himself remarked during our conversation). No doubt it will continue to do so after the "retirement" of its 39-year-old Chief Executive.
(For the benefit of those who may have missed the news, on Monday Michael Dell stepped down as Chief Executive of Dell, passing the job on to President Kevin Rollins. Ironically, this was the same day that yours truly purchased a new PC online - from Dell.)
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!
MIXED-SIGNAL DESIGN CENTRE OPENS IN BULGARIA
AMI Semiconductor has further expanded its mixed-signal semiconductor design and support capabilities with the opening of a new design centre in Sofia, Bulgaria.
AMI Semiconductor, 14 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/amb/amb150.html
or send a blank email to mailto:amb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FAIRCHILD RECORDS BEST Q2 FIGURES FOR THREE YEARS
Fairchild Semiconductor has published results for the second quarter ended 27th June 2004.
Fairchild Semiconductor, 16 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fai/fai303.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fai3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TWO NEW TRAINING CENTRES FOR CHINA
The latest expansion of the ARM Approved Training Centre (ATC) Programme sees the addition of two new centres in China.
ARM, 14 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ank/ank163.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ank1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SCIENTIST WINS AWARD FOR AUSN SOLDER RESEARCH
Micralyne Project Scientist, Dr Siamak Akhlaghi, has received a Silver Medal Award from the American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society (AESF).
Micralyne, 15 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mal/mal100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mal1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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[1] SOFTWARE BRINGS FPGA AND PCB DESIGN TOGETHER
(Mentor Graphics UK, 20 July 2004)
I/O Designer is a new solution that facilitates concurrent chip-to-board design of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and the PCB. Part of Mentor's continued effort to support electronics companies' need to capitalise on the latest advances in PCB and FPGA technology, the unique solution allows bidirectional communication and data management throughout the process of implementing complex FPGAs on to the PCB. In product case studies, by managing the FPGA and PCB design concurrently, I/O Designer allowed users to reduce the total PCB route lengths by more than 15%, resulting in fewer routing layers, significantly reducing design time, optimising system performance and lowering product manufacturing costs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/men/men311.html
or send a blank email to mailto:men3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] BASEBAND MODEM MACRO RUNS ON A SINGLE FPGA
(TTPCom, 19 July 2004)
CBEmacro is a complete baseband modem design aimed at enabling chip manufacturers to incorporate cellular communications technology into their products. The CBEmacro design enables manufacturers, such as those developing application and video processors, to add wireless functionality to their technology within just one year, without making substantial investments in research and development.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ttp/ttp182.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ttp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] MODULE PUTS 8051-BASED SOC TO EMBEDDED USE
(R2 Controls, 20 July 2004)
The R108 Hypercore microprocessor core module is designed to simplify integration and engineering of embedded microcontroller projects and thereby reduce the time to market and increase profitability. Based on the Silicon Laboratories 8051 system-on chip processor, the Hypercore combines 64Kbyte of Flash, 128Kbyte of battery-backed SRAM and amazingly fast performance with a vast array of I/O, serial communications capabilities and connectors to enhance integration with most any controller project design.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ron/ron102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ron1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] MCU TAKES HIGH-SPEED CONVERTORS ONBOARD
(Silicon Laboratories, 14 July 2004)
The new C8051F064 family of precision mixed-signal microcontrollers integrates a 25MIPS 8051 MCU with dual 16bit, 1Msample/s ADCs. The C8051F064 product family offers the industry's first MCU with a high-speed on-chip 16bit ADC at a price point that competes with similar performing stand-alone ADCs that do not include MCU functionality.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/snl/snl107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:snl1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] 3D LASER SCANNER CHECKS PASTE AND PLACEMENT
(Alliance Sales (Europe), 14 July 2004)
The GSI Lumonics SVST 8300 SPI automated optical inspection system is optimised for high-throughput pre- and post-solder paste inspection of PCB assemblies and also performs component placement inspection. The AOI system uses 3D height data to measure solder paste volume, which is the most important variable for producing high quality solder joints.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/all/all109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:all1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] EMBEDDED XSCALE BOARD SECURES COMMUNICATIONS
(Arcom Control Systems, 16 July 2004)
Arcom has a new and exciting low power Intel IXP425 XScale based single board computer for secure embedded communication systems. The Mercury is a low power PC/104 compatible single board computer based on the 533MHz Intel IXP425 XScale network processor. The IXP425 is an implementation of the low power Intel XScale microarchitecture and includes two on-chip 10/100Base-T Ethernet controllers, high speed serial ports and a PCIbus interface to local peripherals.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/arc/133/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/arc/arc133.html
or send a blank email to mailto:arc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] NANOVOLTMETER CUTS THROUGH THE NOISE
(Keithley Instruments, 15 July 2004)
The Model 2182A nanovoltmeter is optimised for making low noise measurements in research, metrology, nanotechnology, superconductivity and other low-voltage/resistance applications. The Model 2182A brings a powerful new set of capabilities to researchers when used in conjunction with Keithley's recently introduced models 6220 DC current source and 6221 AC/DC current source; users now are able to make resistance measurements, pulsed I/V measurements, and differential conductance measurements faster and more accurately than previously possible.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kei/kei154.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kei1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] BUDGET FLOATING-POINT DSP DRIVES DOWN SYSTEM COSTS
(Texas Instruments, 20 July 2004)
DSP systems designers can improve system performance while reducing DSP costs by using the new TMS320C6711 digital signal processor. The C6711 DSP at 250MHz is aimed at applications seeking high precision and wide dynamic range offering more than three times the megahertz per dollar and 150% more performance over its original predecessor. The new C6711 DSP provides 1500MFLOPS at a suggested price of just $18.00 and performs up to six IEEE-compatible floating point operations per cycle.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex660.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex6[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] PROGRAMMABLE CHARGERS REPLENISH NIMH CELLS SAFELY
(Mascot, 16 July 2004)
Rechargeable NiMH batteries are becoming more advanced and their use is rapidly spreading into a wide variety of applications. Accordingly, the demands on battery chargers have increased. For safe and fast battery charging, new chargers must be able to handle a broad range of battery specifications. Mascot has identified this development and has developed a new range of chargers, the models 2015 and 2215, to meet the demand for more flexible and versatile charging.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/msc/msc100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:msc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] PC-BASED GENERATORS PUT LOGIC DEVICES TO THE TEST
(Dataquest Solutions, 20 July 2004)
Over time an increasing number of digital logic standards have evolved. Where originally TTL and CMOS were the main standards, the newer low-voltage versions LVTTL and LVCMOS are now in common use. Another factor in the evolution of digital communication is the need for high-bandwidth low-noise communication, and this has led to the introduction of ECL, PECL and most recently LVDS, whose differential signal connection provides greater noise rejection. For the test engineer and system designer, finding PC-based hardware specifically designed to generate high-speed digital patterns covering these all these standards can be a problem.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/daq/daq105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:daq1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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FPGAS AND READY-TO-RUN IP SPEED PANELS TO MARKET
(Altera Europe, 14 July 2004)
Altera's low-cost Cyclone devices are being used by AMX Corp to implement advanced image processing functions for its award-winning Modero ViewPoint (MVP) touch panels.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aeu/aeu133.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aeu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PROGRAMMABLE SOCS AID COMMERCIAL SPACE FLIGHT
(Cypress Semiconductor, 19 July 2004)
Cypress MicroSystems PsoC devices are embedded into the Dynon Avionics' EFIS-D10 electronic flight information system that was used aboard the first private manned space flight.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cyp/cyp235.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cyp2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
RF FRONT END SIMPLIFIES WIRELESS USB MODULES
(SiGe Semiconductor, 20 July 2004)
Unigen Corp has selected SiGe's RangeCharger SE2526A RF front-end device for its new Nexus family of Juno WirelessUSB modules.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sif/sif157.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sif1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PLATFORM HELPS EUROCOPTER DESIGN CRITICAL DISPLAYS
(Wind River Systems, 15 July 2004)
Eurocopter has used Wind River Platform for Safety Critical as the device software foundation for the flight display system of two new helicopters - the Super Puma EC 225 and the Cougar EC 725.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wia/wia210.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wia2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PRINTERS PROVIDE TRACEABILITY FOR CD-RS
(Imaje UK, 14 July 2004)
With a production cycle of just 1.8s per CD-R, Europa Magnetics at Cramlington, Northumberland, is one of the most efficient disk manufacturing plants in Europe.
Free brochure on S8 Master 1.1M:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/iaj/101/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iaj/iaj101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iaj1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
WAFER BONDER IMPROVES MEMS GYRO
(Applied Microengineering, 19 July 2004)
The throughput and performance of wafer bonding tools can play a key role in determining the cost of assembly and packaging of MEMS and other microsystems devices.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aml/aml104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aml1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured product news
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CD PROCESSOR SUPPORTS MULTIPLE FORMATS
(Toshiba Electronics Europe, 14 July 2004)
Toshiba has expanded its family of DSPs for digital audio equipment with the world's first single-chip CD LSI to offer support for both MP3 and Sony Atrac CD formats.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tos/tos237.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tos2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ANALOGUE SWITCH UPOGRADES EXISTING DESIGNS
(Intersil, 14 July 2004)
The MightyMUX ISL84684 is a new high-performance dual switch that provides enhanced performance and reliability to replace currently available devices.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina314.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ina3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
LDO HANDLES BIG LOADS IN PORTABLE KIT
(Advanced Analogic Technologies, 20 July 2004)
The AAT3239 is a new 500mA low-dropout (LDO) linear regulator for battery-operated portable applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aog/aog101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aog1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SNAPPY ANSWER TO EMI PROBLEMS
(Wurth Elektronik UK, 14 July 2004)
The new Star Gap range of snap-on ferrites is especially helpful for EMI problems in the frequency range 100MHz to 2.5GHz.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wur/wur107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wur1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
REED RELAYS SWITCH TO HIGH-SPEED LOGIC
(Rhopoint Components, 20 July 2004)
With a 10GHz -3dB roll-off point two new reed relays from Rhopoint Components offer an ideal way for switching low level RF signals and high speed logic.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rho/rho137.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rho1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SAFETY CAPACITORS SHRINK TO SURFACE MOUNT OUTLINE
(NIC Eurotech, 20 July 2004)
NIC Components Europe has a new family of high-voltage ceramic chip X2/Y3 safety capacitors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nic/nic135.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nic1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
KIT AIMS FOR BLUETOOTH EXPANSION
(Rococo Software, 14 July 2004)
The Linux-based Impronto Developer Kit (DK) will help software developers to design Java/Bluetooth applications for a variety of wireless devices.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rco/rco104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rco1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PLATFORM AIDS PC104 PROTOTYPING
(Parvus Corp, 20 July 2004)
The PC104+DEV is an open-frame development platform designed to simplify software and hardware development of embedded computer systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/prv/prv133.html
or send a blank email to mailto:prv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EASY ASSEMBLY FOR SUBRACK EMC COVERS
(Rittal, 14 July 2004)
The latest addition to the versatile Ripac subrack system is a range of EMC covers which simply "snap-in" to the assembled unit.
Free brochure on Ripac EMC covers:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/rit/174/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rit/rit174.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rit1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
COMPACT FAN PERFORMS LIKE ITS BIG BROTHER
(EAO, 15 July 2004)
With frame dimensions of only 80mm square and 38mm thick the airflow of the new San Ace 80G cooling fan equals that of the larger 120mm square San Ace 120P.
Free brochure on San Ace 80G:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/eao/151/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eao/eao151.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eao1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MINIATURE FEEDTHROUGHS LEAVE ROOM FOR EXPANSION
(Thunderline Z, 19 July 2004)
Thunderline-Z has developed a miniature hermetic glass feedthrough with a body height of just 0.89mm - a size reduction of around 13%.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/thu/thu106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:thu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NOVEL BACKPLANE CONNECTOR GAINS SECOND SOURCE
(FCI, 20 July 2004)
FCI has signed a second source licence agreement granting Amphenol the right to manufacture, market, and sell the four- and five-pair AirMax VS (Virtual Shield) connector worldwide.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fci/fci122.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fci1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TELECOMMS POWER SYSTEM GOES TO EXTREMES
(Tyco Electronics Power Systems, 15 July 2004)
The CPS6000 power system is the newest platform in temperature-hardened CPS family from Tyco Electronics Power Systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tco/tco109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tco1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PCI-X BOARDS OFFER EXPRESS PERFORMANCE
(Crellon Microsystems, 15 July 2004)
The Adlink Technology Blue Express series of PCI Express industrial PC solutions is ideal for high speed and high performance applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cre/cre127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cre1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SOFTWARE HAS SCOPE FOR HDMI COMPLIANCE TESTING
(Tektronix, 16 July 2004)
A new high-performance oscilloscope software package provides an automated compliance testing solution for High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) products.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek210.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tek2[-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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