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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 27,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 175: 27 July 2004
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17669 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] Miniscule step-down convertor delivers 500mA
[2] GPS chipset has a sensitive side
[3] Novel probing technology aids high-speed design
[4] Embedded module is graphically superior
[5] MMICs packaged for surface-mount production
[6] LCD monitors drop into legacy CRT applications
[7] Moulding compound speeds SIP integration
[8] Linux kit speeds networking development
[9] Triple-bus design speeds multimedia MPU
[10] Woven coaxial cable assemblies made to order
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
My mailbag over the past few weeks continues to bear out my assertion that if there ever was an area of legislation that needed overhauling globally it is patent law. Recent correspondence has reflected the overall level of frustration the average engineer feels with the current system.
But one reader at least has put in a word in favour of the US patent system, contrary to the views of our last published correspondent, Tony Dickinson.
Peter Hubbard of Surface Mount Depot in Oklahoma City writes:
"As an engineer with a patent currently in the works, I must insist that current US procedures do look at prior art, contrary to what Mr Dickinson asserts. The problem would appear (from our vantage point) to be that first patents in new areas tend to be so broad that they often set up what become monopolies".
"A case outside the electronics field serves to illustrate: the company that first isolated the hepatitis C virus was issued a patent that has allowed them to so thoroughly monopolise research in that field (which plainly affects the welfare of millions previously infected). This company has chosen to make arrangements with startups so that up-front capitalisation requirements for research on treatments and cures would not be prohibitive".
"The balance between protection and monopolisation is so hard for mere mortals to know, not being able to see the future".
And I think we can all agree on Peter's last point!
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!
FOCUSED APPROACH PAYS OFF IN REVENUE GROWTH
Dialog Semiconductor has reported sales of Eur 30.4 million for the second quarter of 2004, a 32% sequential increase over Eur 23.0 million for Q1 2004, and a 44% growth compared with Q2 of 2003.
Dialog Semiconductor, 22 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dal/dal109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dal1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AGERE RETURNS TO PROFIT - FOR NOW
Agere Systems has reported that revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2004, ended 30th June, were $495 million, up 9% over the year-ago quarter, and 7% sequentially.
Agere Systems, 22 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/age/age148.html
or send a blank email to mailto:age1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ZARLINK ON TRACK FOR GROWING PROFITS
Zarlink Semiconductor has released results for the fiscal 2005 first quarter ended 25th June 2004, prepared in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Zarlink Semiconductor, 22 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mif/mif179.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mif1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MIPS REVENUE JUST KEEPS ON RISING
MIPS Technologies has reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended 30th June 2004.
MIPS Technologies, 26 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mip/mip232.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mip2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INNVO RAISES CAPITAL FOR CHINESE OFFENSIVE
Innvo Systems has closed a second round of funding totalling over S$5 million from leading global venture capitalist Walden International, and two other existing investors.
Innvo Systems, 27 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iys/iys101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iys1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CHINESE MICROPHONE PLANT COMES ON STREAM
Knowles's newest manufacturing plant in Suzhou, China, has begun high-volume production and shipments of its MEMS-based surface-mount microphone.
Knowles Acoustics, 27 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kow/kow104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kow1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CDT MERGES WITH BELDEN
A wholly owned subsidiary of Cable Design Technologies Corp has merged with and into Belden.
NORDX/CDT, 22 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nrd/nrd108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nrd1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BOOKHAM SELLS OFF RF AMPLIFIER BUSINESS
Bookham Technology has sold JCA Technology to Endwave Corp for a consideration of $6 million.
Bookham Technology, 23 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/boo/boo157.html
or send a blank email to mailto:boo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
"EXCEPTIONAL" QUARTER FOR RADISYS
Radisys Corp has reported revenues of $60.3 million for the quarter ended 30th June 2004 - a 23% increase from the same period last year.
Radisys, 26 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rad/rad134.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rad1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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[1] MINISCULE STEP-DOWN CONVERTOR DELIVERS 500mA
(Texas Instruments, 27 July 2004)
The TPS62300 is billed as the industry's smallest, most efficient, high-accuracy, step-down DC/DC convertor for space-constrained applications. The tiny power management integrated circuit (IC) is ideal for smartphones, WLAN and Bluetooth equipment, digital still cameras and other battery powered devices. Leveraging advanced analogue process technology, TI's new TPS62300 step-down, 500mA convertor with integrated FETs delivers unprecedented levels of power conversion efficiency and voltage regulation accuracy from a lead-free, 2 x 1mm chip-scale package.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex662.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex6[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] GPS CHIPSET HAS A SENSITIVE SIDE
(Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe, 23 July 2004)
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) has released a two-chip solution for high-sensitivity GPS/AGPS receivers capable of indoors acquisition. The Fujitsu chipset achieves high performance (sensitivity, accuracy and TTFF) with low power and a small PCB footprint. The highly integrated solution consists of a baseband chip and an RF front end chip (supporting GPS L-band C/A code). The baseband chip interfaces to a host CPU/MCU via a simple serial interface (UART).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fuj/fuj163.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fuj1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] NOVEL PROBING TECHNOLOGY AIDS HIGH-SPEED DESIGN
(Tektronix, 23 July 2004)
The P6960 and P6980 are high-density connectorless probes using new D-Max probing technology for the TLA700 Series of logic analysers. The new D-Max probing technology surpasses that of competing products with a similar profile by enabling leading channel density and signal integrity. The new probes provide a footprint 61% smaller than the previous generation, and the lowest capacitance rating available in the industry, typically 0.5pF, to maintain the integrity of the signals being observed.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek211.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tek2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] EMBEDDED MODULE IS GRAPHICALLY SUPERIOR
(Advantech (UK), 26 July 2004)
Advantech's new SOM-4481 is a powerful, fanless SOM-ETX CPU module able to drive the most demanding embedded applications requiring high performance CPU processing power and graphics support. With support for Intel Pentium M and Celeron M processors up to 1.1GHz and enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology, the SOM-4481 offers developers a low power and scaleable solution that fits a range of needs.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/axv/155/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/axv/axv155.html
or send a blank email to mailto:axv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] MMICS PACKAGED FOR SURFACE-MOUNT PRODUCTION
(Agilent Technologies, 22 July 2004)
The AMMP series of millimetre-wave integrated circuits is packaged in an innovative 5 x 5mm low-cost surface-mount package compatible with automated assembly techniques. These packaged parts allow customers to move the entire radio frequency (RF) block diagram to lower-cost, surface-mount manufacturing rather than continue with more costly chip and wire assembly manufacturing that requires complex tuning and assembly processes. Surface-mount packaging offers performance comparable to "bare die" millimetre-wave ICs.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/237/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi237.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] LCD MONITORS DROP INTO LEGACY CRT APPLICATIONS
(Kent Modular Electronics, 23 July 2004)
CRT technology is under siege and falling out of favour as the ubiquitous flat panel steadily gains market share. Some CRT sizes are nearly impossible to source now that CRT manufacturers see an end to all but large, wide-screen tubes for domestic TV. (The 12 and 20in colour CRTs so popular during the 1980s and 1990s are examples of tubes no longer produced anywhere in the world). This is not good news for OEMs and their customers in machine tool control, process control etc who are committed to support their CRT displays for several more operational years.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/knt/knt104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:knt1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] MOULDING COMPOUND SPEEDS SIP INTEGRATION
(Henkel Technologies, 26 July 2004)
Hysol GR9810 is a technologically advanced epoxy moulding compound designed for system in package (SIP) on laminate applications. Hysol GR9810 epoxy moulding compound is designed for use as an overmould on a wide variety of laminate-based moulded array packages including SIP and flip-chip array packages that have been conventionally underfilled.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hen/hen103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hen1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] LINUX KIT SPEEDS NETWORKING DEVELOPMENT
(Arcom Control Systems, 23 July 2004)
An embedded Linux development kit for Arcom's IXP425 XScale based network processor board is now available. The Intel IXP425 based Mercury board includes two 100Base-Tx Ethernet ports, four high-speed USB 2.0 ports, three RS232 ports and one RS422/485 port. The board is also fitted with 64Mbyte of soldered DRAM and 16Mbyte of Flash memory, along with a CompactFlash port and PC/104 expansion bus. The development kit is a ready-to-run embedded Linux system with full support for all onboard peripherals.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/arc/134/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/arc/arc134.html
or send a blank email to mailto:arc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] TRIPLE-BUS DESIGN SPEEDS MULTIMEDIA MPU
(Renesas Technology Europe, 26 July 2004)
The SH7780 microprocessor combines the high-end SuperH SH-4A CPU core with a PCIbus controller. The device features a dedicated triple-bus architecture and delivers 720MIPS and 2.8GFLOPS at 400MHz - a combination that provides an overall improvement in system performance. For example, the SH7780 supports sophisticated speech recognition and speech synthesis without the need for external DSP. The microprocessor is designed for high-performance multimedia applications such as car navigation systems, game machines and digital home electronics products.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ren/ren149.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ren1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] WOVEN COAXIAL CABLE ASSEMBLIES MADE TO ORDER
(Smiths Interconnect - Times Microwave, 26 July 2004)
Times Microwave Systems has a new woven coaxial cable assembly capability for mobile cell sites and other applications requiring an organised cabling system. Cables are woven together using a variety of materials to maintain a low profile and organised cable configuration.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tim/120/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tim/tim120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tim1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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DIGITAL CONTROLLER OPTIMISES ELECTRIC SCOOTER
(Texas Instruments, 21 July 2004)
Leveraging the efficiency of real-time, high-performance control, Vectrix Corp has selected the TMS320LF2401A digital signal controller for its revolutionary electric motor scooters.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex661.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex6[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FPGAS CONTROL KEY ROSETTA SYSTEMS
(Actel Europe, 21 July 2004)
More than 400 Actel radiation-tolerant and radiation-hardened FPGAs have been used by the European Space Agency and its contractors as part of the Rosetta space mission.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/act/act180.html
or send a blank email to mailto:act1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FRUGAL MPU POWERS SIEMENS THIN CLIENT
(Transmeta Corp, 22 July 2004)
The energy efficient Crusoe processor has been chosen for the new Futro S thin client series from Fujitsu Siemens Computers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tsm/tsm100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tsm1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MPEG-2 ENCODER FEATURES IN NEWS-GATHERING SYSTEM
(Hitachi High-Technolgies (Electronic Components), 27 July 2004)
An exciting new entry to the market of encoder modulator convertors is Peak Communications' EMC7002 highly integrated solution.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hac/hac110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hac1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NOVEL TECHNOLOGY SHRINKS SET-TOP-BOX CHIP DIE
(Monterey Design Systems, 26 July 2004)
To meet the low cost requirements of high volume markets, Toshiba turned to AFP technology to reduce the die size of its eight million gate Valiant design by 10.5%.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mon/mon164.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mon1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured product news
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AMP CUTS CURRENT DRAIN FROM TFT LCDS
(Intersil, 22 July 2004)
The EL5027 isnew low-cost dual buffer amplifier that brings high performance and lower power consumption in thin-film transistor liquid-crystal displays (TFT-LCDs) for portable devices.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina315.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ina3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
COMPACT OUTLINE FOR SIX- AND SEVEN-OUTPUT CONTROL
(Maxim Integrated Products, 26 July 2004)
The MAX1586A, MAX1586B and MAX1587A are billed as the smallest, most efficient power-management ICs optimised for devices using Intel X-Scale microprocessors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/max/max187.html
or send a blank email to mailto:max1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CARD POWER CHIP MEETS SMART AND SIM STANDARDS
(Linear Technology Corp, 27 July 2004)
The LTC4557 is a dual SIM/smart-card power supply and level translator, which provides both 1.8 and 3V SIM power and digital signal level shifting from a 3 x 3mm QFN package.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lne/lne100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lne1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
WIDE DUAL-PORT FAMILY GAINS 4 AND 9MBIT OPTIONS
(Cypress Semiconductor, 27 July 2004)
Cypress Semiconductor has added two new devices to its industry-leading FLEx72 family of high-bandwidth dual-port RAMs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cyp/cyp237.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cyp2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTROLYTICS SHRINK INTO PSU DESIGNS
(Easby Electronics, 26 July 2004)
A new ultra-low-profile series of high voltage electrolytic capacitors offers a wide operating temperature range.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eas/eas141.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eas1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PLATFORM ENCLOSURES SPEED SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
(Elma Electronic UK, 21 July 2004)
A new 48-page catalogue describes nearly 500 complete, wired and tested standard platform configurations for AdvancedTCA, cPSB, cPCI, VME, VME64x and VXI.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/elm/elm121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:elm1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SUSPENSION ARM PUTS CONTROLS IN THE RIGHT PLACE
(ETA Enclosures (UK), 23 July 2004)
The Bioniq Pendant Suspension Arm system offers operators an unrivalled level of flexibility, styling and performance.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eae/eae100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eae1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POWER CORDS COVER GLOBAL REQUIREMENTS
(PowerPax UK, 21 July 2004)
To compliment its range of high-quality power supplies, PowerPax UK now offers a comprehensive range of very aggressively priced fully approved mains leads and power cords.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/prp/prp105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:prp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CD-ROM BRINGS BROCHURES AND CATALOGUES TOGETHER
(Smiths Interconnect - Times Microwave, 26 July 2004)
Times Microwave Systems has released its updated CD-ROM which now includes several new and updated brochures and catalogues.
Free brochure on CD-ROM:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tim/119/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tim/tim119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tim1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HIGH-DENSITY CONNECTOR TOLERATES MISALIGNMENT
(Radiall, 27 July 2004)
Radiall's SMP connectors were developed to help designers reduce the size and increase the density of MIC (microwave integrated circuit) packaging.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rac/rac124.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rac1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MASS IMAGING PLATFORM RUNS BACKSIDE WAFER COATING
(DEK, 26 July 2004)
A new high throughput backside wafer coating process is capable of exceeding the +/-12.5mm total thickness variation stipulated by most wafer processing specialists.
Free brochure on Backside wafer coating process:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/dek/170/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dek/dek170.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dek1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PAIR TO POOL LED EXPERTISE IN NEW RANGE
(Agilent Technologies, 23 July 2004)
Agilent Technologies and Lumileds Lighting are to collaborate on a new series of light-emitting diodes.
Free brochure on Lumileds Lighting:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/238/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi238.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
RECTIFIER CRAMS 1350W INTO 1.5U HEIGHT
(Tectrol, 27 July 2004)
The TCR-1350 is a compact rectifier module that delivers 1350W in a 1.5U profile, maintaining full power with no derating up to 65C.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ttr/ttr103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ttr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SLIMLINE MODULE EMBEDS FRUGAL GPS CAPABILITIES
(Xemics, 27 July 2004)
A novel slimline GPS module makes it easy for volume manufacturers of consumer products to add location capability with minimal impact on device size while retaining power efficiency.
Free brochure on SlimGPS RGPSM202:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/xem/139/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xem/xem139.html
or send a blank email to mailto:xem1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BUDGET PRICE FOR GENERAL-PURPOSE SPECTRUM ANALYSER
(Aspen Electronics, 23 July 2004)
The GW Instek GSP-827 general-purpose spectrum analyser is available from Aspen Electronics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ane/ane101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ane1[-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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