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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 28,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 176: 3 August 2004
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17785 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] IDE is ready-made front end for design tools
[2] RF mixers take transformers onboard
[3] Function generator has accuracy locked in
[4] Cable assemblies promise zero attenuation
[5] Source simplifies high power harmonics testing
[6] Inverter takes charge of multiple backlights
[7] LDO targets high-reliability applications
[8] MOSFET relay has a sensitive nature
[9] Convertor range features more than 240 models
[10] Top performance from PXI embedded controller
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
It may be August, but this year, at least, the news keeps rolling in to the Electronicstalk Editorial Office (so much for my chances of play a little more golf).
Two additions in recent days are certainly worth more than a passing look.
The "2004 mid-term semiconductor forecast" from analyst Future Horizons has some worrying notes for the future, predicting that the current boom cycle will end as soon as 2006. So watch out for CEO Malcom Penn's so called "semiconductor apocalypse horsemen" (the three being the economy, unit demand and fabrication capacity) aligning to bring about a downturn before we all get too comfortable.
The second is an inspiring piece from the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, which is actively involved in the development of a novel "talking face" which promises to allow the hearing impaired to read lips over a suitably equipped telephone - even a mobile handset, so long as the display resolution is sufficient.
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!
Q2 RESULTS EXCEED GUIDANCE
ON Semiconductor Corp has revealed that total revenues in the second quarter of 2004 were $333.5 million, an increase of 8% from the first quarter of 2004.
ON Semiconductor, 30 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/onw/onw160.html
or send a blank email to mailto:onw1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
IR ENDS YEAR WITH NEAR-RECORD QUARTER
International Rectifier has reported pro forma earnings of $36.6 million (or $0.52 per share) in the June quarter.
International Rectifier, 2 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sil/sil196.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sil1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ACQUISITION EXPANDS AUTOMOTIVE RELAY PORTFOLIO
Omron Corp has acquired the automotive relay division of Bitron Industrie of Italy.
Omron Corp, 2 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oro/oro108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:oro1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AMINO LEAPS INTO THE BLACK
Amino Technologies has reported a first-half profit before tax and exceptional items of GBP 0.84 million, up from a loss of GBP 1.57 million for the same period last year.
Amino Communications, 28 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ami/ami128.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ami1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SHENZHEN OFFICE BOOSTS CHINESE MARKET PRESENCE
TTPCom has opened a new technical support office in Shenzhen, southern China.
TTPCom, 2 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ttp/ttp183.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ttp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SYNTHETIC TALKING FACE PROMISES LIP-READABLE PHONE
The RNID is working to develop cutting edge technology enabling deaf and hard of hearing people to lip-read over the phone.
The Royal National Institute for Deaf People, 2 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/roy/roy100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:roy1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EUROPE LAGS IN GLOBAL SEMICONDUCTOR BOOM
The global semiconductor market will see growth of 32% in 2004 to $220 billion, and a further 28.0% growth in 2005 to $282 billion according to a new report.
Future Horizons, 2 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/feh/feh106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:feh1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ENCOURAGING FIGURES FOR BOOKHAM
Bookham Technology has released US GAAP results for the second quarter and the six months ended 3rd July 2004.
Bookham Technology, 29 July 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/boo/boo158.html
or send a blank email to mailto:boo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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[1] IDE IS READY-MADE FRONT END FOR DESIGN TOOLS
(Cambridge Consultants, 28 July 2004)
xIDE is a novel generic integrated development environment (IDE) that can be customised for embedded system and semiconductor companies to create software development kits for ASSP, structured ASIC, platform or SoC products. xIDE reduces time to market, risk and software costs for companies requiring application-specific development tools, both for their own use and for delivery to customers. Both Unix/Linux and Windows versions of xIDE are available now, and custom plugins can be created for any embedded processor, IP core, interface or complete product.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cbr/cbr113.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cbr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] RF MIXERS TAKE TRANSFORMERS ONBOARD
(Linear Technology Corp, 2 August 2004)
Linear Technology has released two new high linearity up-converting RF active mixers with integrated RF transformers. The LT5519 and LT5520 active mixers provide the ideal combination of low distortion, low LO (local oscillator) drive requirement, high port-to-port isolation, low conversion loss, and ease of use. The LT5519 operates over the 0.7 to 1.4GHz range, whereas the LT5520 covers the 1.3 to 2.3GHz frequency bands without requiring external matching components.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lne/lne101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lne1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] FUNCTION GENERATOR HAS ACCURACY LOCKED IN
(TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments), 28 July 2004)
The TG550 from TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) is a 5MHz function generator that incorporates a digital frequency locking system that gives it a level of frequency stability that cannot be matched by conventional analogue function generators. Once the frequency has been set, pressing the "lock" key engages a measure-and-correct circuit which compensates for the small thermal and mechanical drifts that inevitably occur in an analogue generator. The frequency is compared to a crystal-controlled reference, and is maintained to an accuracy of better than one digit on the display.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/bla/bla203.html
or send a blank email to mailto:bla2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] CABLE ASSEMBLIES PROMISE ZERO ATTENUATION
(Smiths Interconnect - Times Microwave, 29 July 2004)
Times Microwave Systems has just introduced its Zero dB coaxial cable assembly capability, a revolutionary interconnect solution initially designed for fighter aircraft, helicopter, transport aircraft and UAV platforms. Zero dB coaxial cable assemblies feature no attenuation from 0.5 to 18GHz - a world first.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tim/121/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tim/tim121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tim1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] SOURCE SIMPLIFIES HIGH POWER HARMONICS TESTING
(Schaffner EMC, 30 July 2004)
The NSG1007-45 is a programmable power source for testing and evaluating high power equipment and appliances. There is a growing requirement to fully test high power products over a wide range of input line conditions to ensure reliable operation and compliance to required standards. The new NSG1007-45 power source offers a flexible and scaleable solution to these needs. The NSG1007 is an easy to use integrated test system featuring built-in output transient generation and read-back capability.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sca/sca166.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sca1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] INVERTER TAKES CHARGE OF MULTIPLE BACKLIGHTS
(Global Display Solutions, 2 August 2004)
Global Display Solutions has a new Piezo inverter for multilamp backlight systems such as LCD TVs, high-brightness LCD solutions and head-rest displays. The Piezo inverter's balanced output is billed as "the first of its kind", giving exceptional uniformity and dimming performance. GDS's Piezo inverter has improved reliability, safety and EMI performance compared with existing wire-wound component systems. This is due to a reduced overall size and lower component count.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/glo/131/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/glo/glo131.html
or send a blank email to mailto:glo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] LDO TARGETS HIGH-RELIABILITY APPLICATIONS
(Mintech Interconnect and Test, 28 July 2004)
Mintech Interconnect and Test has introduced a low dropout voltage regulator with adjustable current, remote sense capability and a low on resistance of typically 0.25ohm. The MBT1185 is a hermetically sealed device, available in an industry standard 10-lead ceramic flatpack, and is targeted at high reliability and space applications. The body of the package measures 6.4 x 6.4mm. The output voltage range is 2.5 to 25V with 1% accuracy on the internal reference voltage.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mhi/mhi100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mhi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] MOSFET RELAY HAS A SENSITIVE NATURE
(Omron Electronics, 28 July 2004)
With low on-resistance and an output capacitance-resistance product of just 5pF-ohm, the new Omron G3VM-21GR allows precision measurement and high speed networking equipment to benefit from the reliability and quiet operation of optically coupled MOSFET relays. Available as a small outline, 4-pin SMD with 7.0 x 3.9 x 2.1mm footprint, the new relay combines fast switching with a high degree of miniaturisation.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/omr/190/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/omr/omr190.html
or send a blank email to mailto:omr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] CONVERTOR RANGE FEATURES MORE THAN 240 MODELS
(Advanced Power Conversion, 3 August 2004)
Providing exceptional flexibility, high power density, high efficiency and high reliability the DH range of DC/DC convertors includes over 240 standard models rated at 25 and 50W in single, dual, triple and quad outputs. In an industry standard footprint just 25.4 x 50.8mm (1.0 x 2.0in), the 25W model has a 7.62mm (0.30in) profile and provides either single or bipolar output. The 50W model is 11.43mm (0.45in) high and is a dual-phase design that achieves very low input reflected ripple current, fast output transient response and low output ripple and noise.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/apc/apc129.html
or send a blank email to mailto:apc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] TOP PERFORMANCE FROM PXI EMBEDDED CONTROLLER
(National Instruments, 29 July 2004)
The NI PXI-8187 is billed as the industry's highest-performance 3U PXI embedded controller. The NI PXI-8187 controller features a 2.5GHz Intel Pentium 4-M processor and up to 1Gbyte of double-datarate SDRAM (DDR-SDRAM). Engineers can use the new controller for a wide range of applications from high-performance automated systems to low-cost embedded systems. The controller's rugged and industrial packaging makes it ideal for performing a variety of functions in harsh environments, including machine monitoring and control, functional test and data acquisition.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/naa/157/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/naa/naa157.html
or send a blank email to mailto:naa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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FPGAS ARE VITAL LINK IN WIRELESS ETHERNET
(Actel Europe, 30 July 2004)
Actel's low-power eX family of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are being used in Eleven Engineering's ETHx wireless Ethernet bridge platform.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/act/act181.html
or send a blank email to mailto:act1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CONTROLLERS IMPROVE GPRS MOBILE TRAFFIC SHAPER
(Adax Europe, 2 August 2004)
CellGlide has used Adax signalling controllers to help test and improve its GPRS Mobile Traffic Shaper.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aax/aax121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aax1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EN50191 SETS SAFETY TEST STANDARDS
(Clare Instruments, 2 August 2004)
John Barnett of electrical safety testing specialist Clare Instruments provides a guide to EN50191 and the safe operation of electrical test installations.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cei/cei102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cei1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured product news
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EMBEDDED FLASH PROCESS IS READY TO ROLL
(1st Silicon (Malaysia), 29 July 2004)
1st Silicon (Malaysia) is now accepting tape-outs for its new 0.25um embedded Flash technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sts/sts109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sts1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CAN MICROCONTROLLERS HAVE MORE MEMORY
(Microchip Technology, 29 July 2004)
Four new 28- and 40/44-pin PIC18F MCUs address the growing need for small, low power, cost-effective microcontrollers with built-in CAN functionality and flexible Flash memory.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ari/ari170.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ari1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TINY BOOST CONVERTORS ARE EASILY ADJUSTED
(Zetex, 2 August 2004)
Through higher component integration and smaller packaging, Zetex Semiconductors is providing an adjustable DC/DC convertor solution offering designers a significant reduction in PCB size.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zet/zet147.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zet1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SYSTEMS PROTECT MILITARY COMMS FROM PULSES
(Smiths Interconnect - Transtector Systems, 29 July 2004)
Transtector is playing an important role in protecting vital communications links in mobile military systems.
Free brochure on EMP/HEMP solutions:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/sit/109/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sit/sit109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sit1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EFFICIENT POWER DIVISION ON THE SURFACE
(Smiths Interconnect - Florida RF Labs, 2 August 2004)
A new range of surface-mount power dividers offers design engineers options of two-, three- or four-way power division, all with excellent port-to-port isolation.
Free brochure on HybriX surface-mount power dividers:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/fri/105/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fri/fri105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fri1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
LEAD-FREE INDUCTORS HAVE NO LEADS EITHER
(TTI Europe, 2 August 2004)
TTI has two new series of lead-free inductors from TDK that help designers to follow the EU RoHS Directive for lead-free electrical equipment in advance of the July 2006 deadline.
Free brochure on TDK NLV32 and NLCV32:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tti/121/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tti/tti121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tti1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
VIRTUAL PLATFORMS KICK-START SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
(SDC Systems, 28 July 2004)
Virtio Corp has expanded the distribution of its products to the UK through an agreement with SDC Systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sdc/sdc100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sdc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ECAD PACKAGE AIMS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
(Advanced Microcomputer Systems, 29 July 2004)
Advanced Microcomputer Systems is shipping a new version of its Circuit Creator Windows XP/NT/2000/Me/9x compatible electronic CAD software package for small businesses and independent designers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/adm/adm105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:adm1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FAN CONTROLLER OFFERS BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
(Control Resources, 29 July 2004)
SmartFan Inversion is an innovative fan speed control that combines an AC/DC power supply and a DC fan control/alarm to provide the best of both worlds.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/clr/clr101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:clr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INDICATORS SHOW A BRIGHTER SIDE
(EAO, 2 August 2004)
A new version of the EAO Series 56 indicator features a raised shape that also allows the illumination to be seen from the side.
Free brochure on Series 56 indicators:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/eao/153/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eao/eao153.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eao1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BATTERY CONTACT PROBES CAN BE SURFACE MOUNTED
(Peak Test Services, 28 July 2004)
The new P985 and P955 battery contact probes for 2.5mm centres can be surface-mounted onto a printed-circuit board or soldered into a 1.65mm hole in the board and inserted from the underside.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pak/pak128.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pak1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
LIMP CABLE IS EASIER TO MANOEUVRE
(Tyco Electronics UK, 3 August 2004)
A new precision interconnect cable offers reduced size, light weight and increased flexibility for ultrasound applications.
Free brochure on Comfort cable:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tya/168/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tya/tya168.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tya1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FLUX EASES BGA BUMPING
(Indium Corporation of America, 29 July 2004)
WS-364 is a new high viscosity paste-flux for use in BGA bumping and board level attachment.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/idi/idi120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:idi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HANDTOOL SPEEDS CONTACT CRIMPING
(Anderson Power Products, 30 July 2004)
Anderson Power Products has developed a versatile hand tool for crimping its PowerMod and Power Drawer series contacts.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ars/ars108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ars1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EMBEDDED BOARD GAINS HARD-REAL-TIME LINUX
(Arcom Control Systems, 29 July 2004)
Arcom has further enhanced the features of its Linux development kit for the Viper PXA255 based single board computer by adding support for hard-real-time Linux from FSMLabs.
Free brochure on Viper Linux development kit:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/arc/135/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/arc/arc135.html
or send a blank email to mailto:arc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NEW EUROPEAN SOURCE FOR WI-FI CERTIFICATION
(Cetecom Spain, 29 July 2004)
Cetecom Spain has been selected by the Wi-Fi Alliance to become a Wi-Fi certification laboratory.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cet/cet121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cet1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MULTIMEDIA CABLE TESTER VERIFIES ALL NETWORKS
(Ideal Industries (UK), 29 July 2004)
The novel simple-to-operate VDV multimedia cable tester offers comprehensive identification and verification of voice, data and video networks.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iea/iea101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iea1[-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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