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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 178: 17 August 2004
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17986 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] I/O controllers embed into industrial designs
[2] Phase change material boosts thermal performance
[3] Big Flash chips offer speedy erasure
[4] Analysers offer flexible digital interfacing
[5] Silicon microphone hides under PCBs
[6] Waveform recording firmware gains advanced gating
[7] Board embeds two CANs and a LAN
[8] Convection reflow ovens are ready for lead-free
[9] Modules offer easy analogue array development
[10] Serdes chips speed through legacy backplane test
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
The Athens Olympics has been billed as the most technologically advanced in history. This is hardly surprising: both the technologies that contribute to sport and those which relate to the dissemination of sports news have moved on at a far old pace during the past four years.
From the armchair fan's perspective, advances in camera technology are probably the most profound difference visible this time around. Multiple-angle coverage of sports such as swimming certainly add a new dimension to TV coverage, and the improved definition of modern broadcast technology even turns previously poorly covered events such as squash and clay pigeon shooting into compelling viewing.
But when it comes to the use of technology in sport itself, certain reservations seem to emerge. For instance, according to the BBC, fewer than 70% of those surveyed in a recent poll by Populus felt that athletes with access to the latest technology had an advantage over those who did not.
Personally, I can't work out why the survey didn't come out with a 100% result. Surely, the greatest use of technology in sport is in detailed analysis of the techniques involved in achieving any given goal. And with huge advances continuing apace in sensors, data acquisition and data analysis, legitimate technology can only serve to improve our understanding of how to perform "faster higher and stronger" - as the Olympian ideals would have it.
So top marks go this week to Cambridge Consultants (see below), which has come up with a novel pair of "Technospecs" that promise to offer even more meaningful data in helping tomorrow's athletes to optimise their performance - and not a performance-enhancing drug in sight. Who knows, they might even improve my golf!
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!
FAIRCHILD EXPANDS IN CHINA
Fairchild Semiconductor continues to expand its commitment to the Chinese market by adding Global Power Resource Centres in Shanghai and Shenzhen and expanding its Suzhou facility.
Fairchild Semiconductor, 13 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fai/fai307.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fai3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ANT SETS UP IN SINGAPORE
ANT has increased its commitment within the Asia Pacific region with the opening of a Singapore office to be headed by newly appointed Francis Quek, Vice President, Asia Pacific.
ANT, 17 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ant/ant120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ant1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ACQUISITION EXPANDS ELECTRONIC SYSTEM LEVEL DESIGN
ARM Holdings is to acquire Axys Design Automation, a provider of fast, accurate, integrated, processor and system modelling and simulation solutions.
ARM, 17 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ank/ank170.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ank1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MORE BASESTATION SPECIFICATIONS PUBLISHED
The Open Base Station Architecture Initiative has published basestation specifications covering the mechanics and functionality aspects of key modules.
OBSAI, 16 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/obs/obs100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:obs1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TECHNOSPECS HELP IN LEGAL QUEST FOR GOLD
A monitoring and display breakthrough from Cambridge Consultants could give athletes the means to truly optimise their training and performance.
Cambridge Consultants, 12 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cbr/cbr114.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cbr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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[1] I/O CONTROLLERS EMBED INTO INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS
(SMSC, 17 August 2004)
A new family of I/O controllers will enable system design engineers to standardise on a single part across a wide range of applications with similar characteristics. Achieving a new level of integration that reduces overall system costs, SMSC provides the necessary scalability across product and system designs. Through high levels of integration, embedded applications can now take advantage of up to six fully functional universal asynchronous receiver-transmitters (UARTs), eliminating the need for two separate I/O devices or discrete UART ICs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sms/sms101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sms1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL BOOSTS THERMAL PERFORMANCE
(Henkel Technologies, 17 August 2004)
Loctite PowerstrateXtreme is a reworkable phase-change thermal interface material ideally suited for use between a heatsink and a variety of heat dissipating components. This new compound has been specially formulated to provide a significant improvement in thermal performance compared with other products. Supplied as a free-standing film between two release liners, Loctite PowerstrateXtreme flows at the phase change temperature and conforms to the surface features of the heatsink and the component.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hen/hen106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hen1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] BIG FLASH CHIPS OFFER SPEEDY ERASURE
(Silicon Storage Technology, 17 August 2004)
Silicon Storage Technology has entered production with the first of its 64Mbit Multi-Purpose Flash Plus (MPF+) product family. The 64Mbit MPF+ SST39VF6401 and SST39VF6402 are the latest and largest densities within SST's MPF+ family of products. Ideal for mobile phones, set-top boxes, PDAs and networking equipment, SST's 64Mbit MPF+ Flash products offer several key features, including boot-block, security ID, erase suspend and resume, and hardware reset.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sor/sor103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sor1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] ANALYSERS OFFER FLEXIBLE DIGITAL INTERFACING
(National Instruments, 11 August 2004)
National Instruments has released two new PXI digital waveform generator/analysers for common logic families. The new PXI modules are ideal for interfacing to high-pin-count digital ICs and electronics in a variety of industries including semiconductor, military/aerospace and manufacturing test. The new NI PXI-6542 and PXI-6541 digital waveform generator/analysers offer 100 and 50MHz maximum clock rates, respectively, and 32 channels with per-channel direction control.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/naa/159/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/naa/naa159.html
or send a blank email to mailto:naa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] SILICON MICROPHONE HIDES UNDER PCBs
(Knowles Acoustics, 17 August 2004)
The "Zero-Height" SiSonic silicon microphone, based on semiconductor technology, is now available for general commercial purchase. The surface mount capability of this new addition to the expanding SiSonic product line, makes it ideally suited for mobile phones and other applications where minimal component height is required on one side of the customer's PCB. Designed for space-sensitive applications, the Zero-Height SMD microphone is mounted under the PCB, allowing for a tight spacing between the board and the outer housing of the product.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kow/kow105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kow1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] WAVEFORM RECORDING FIRMWARE GAINS ADVANCED GATING
(Acqiris USA, 13 August 2004)
Acqiris has added new functionality to its Sustained Sequential Recording (SSR) firmware, which enhances the ability to acquire, store and transfer sequential waveforms to a host PC at high sustained trigger rates, increasing measurement throughput. The latest version of the SSR firmware for Acqiris' AP240 and AP235 dual-channel reconfigurable analyser platforms offers new "data gating" functions that further maximise event transfer rate and that now allow the setting of pre- and post-markers to predefined threshold gates.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aqi/aqi100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aqi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] BOARD EMBEDS TWO CANS AND A LAN
(Wordsworth Technology, 16 August 2004)
The PM-1002 is a PC/104-plus form factor combining dual CAN (Controller Area Network) interfaces with an Ethernet port. The PM-1002 module implements the dual CANbus with a Philips SJA 1000T CAN controller and Philips 82C251 CAN transceiver. A Realtek Rtl8 100BL provides the 10/100Mbit/s LAN function. The PM-1002 module supports Windows 98/NT/2000/XP, Linux and WIN.CE operating systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wor/wor136.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wor1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] CONVECTION REFLOW OVENS ARE READY FOR LEAD-FREE
(Kaisertech, 17 August 2004)
The Dima range of convection reflow ovens features lead-free capability to meet future electronics industry needs in view of the forthcoming lead ban. The RO-403 convection reflow oven can take printed circuit boards up to 400mm wide and the stainless steel mesh conveyor belt's speed is adjustable from 50 to 800mm/min through its 960mm tunnel. It is available as a benchtop unit or can be converted to floor standing by adding a cabinet stand.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/kai/140/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kai/kai140.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kai1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] MODULES OFFER EASY ANALOGUE ARRAY DEVELOPMENT
(Servenger, 12 August 2004)
A new hardware development platform gives designers a running start working with field programmable analogue arrays (FPAAs) from Anadigm. Servenger's new Programmable Analogue Module (PAM) products are predesigned circuit boards and accessories that allow users to quickly and easily design analogue sensor interfaces, measurement circuits, voice band processing circuits, PID systems, and myriad of other analogue functions that can be implemented in a software-controlled FPAA.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sve/sve100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sve1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] SERDES CHIPS SPEED THROUGH LEGACY BACKPLANE TEST
(Analogix Semiconductor, 11 August 2004)
Analogix Semiconductor has completed testing its 6.25Gbit/s serdes chips using Tyco Electronics' HM-Zd legacy backplane system. The Analogix D-PHY 5G backplane transceiver maintained error-free signals at extended trace distances of up to 56in in a set of rigorous tests simulating real-world conditions. Analogix's D-PHY 5G, introduced in April, was tested operating at a full 6.25Gbit/s rate with four full-duplex channels running simultaneously. The device achieved a BER (bit error rate) of 10e-16 or better in tests with both encoded and uncoded data.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/alo/alo102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:alo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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GPS RADIO IC LOCATED IN TYCO RECEIVER
(SiGe Semiconductor, 17 August 2004)
The award winning SE4100 GPS radio IC has been integrated into a series of cost-effective, high-performance modules by Tyco Electronics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sif/sif159.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sif1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FLASH-BASED FPGAS ENABLE AUDIO PRODUCT LINE
(Actel Europe, 17 August 2004)
Aviom has exclusively used Flash-based ProASIC Plus FPGA devices throughout its portfolio of audio network products, including the award-winning A-16 and A-16R personal mixers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/act/act182.html
or send a blank email to mailto:act1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SIMULATOR VERIFIES WORLD'S FASTEST ADC DESIGN
(Cadence Design Systems, 17 August 2004)
The Virtuoso UltraSim FastSpice simulator has been successfully deployed by TelASIC Communications to verify the company's TC1410 analogue/digital convertor (ADC).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cad/cad234.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cad2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES LIGHTEN SATELLITE PAYLOAD
(Saft, 17 August 2004)
The launch on 4th August of Hispasat's Amazonas satellite signalled a continuing revolution in geostationary satellite power.
Free brochure on Li-ion batteries:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/saf/119/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/saf/saf119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:saf1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MEMBRANES IMPROVE PERFORMANCE AND FUNCTIONALITY
(Danielson, 13 August 2004)
Developments in membrane switch technology have opened up new areas of application in the automotive sector, says Andy Birch, Production Manager for Danielson.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dan/dan105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dan1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BELLOWS TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES CONNECTOR RELIABILITY
(Matsushita Electric Works UK, 11 August 2004)
The narrow pitch connector is probably one of the most overlooked components when considering the design and reliability of an application.
Free brochure on UBTS connectors:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/mat/153/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mat/mat153.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mat1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured product news
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CORE VOLTAGE CONTROLLER IS DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTABLE
(Maxim Integrated Products, 11 August 2004)
The MAX8720 step-down controller features dynamically adjustable output, ultrafast transient response, high DC accuracy and the high efficiency required for leading-edge CPU-core power supplies.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/max/max188.html
or send a blank email to mailto:max1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SMALLER OUTLINE FOR SPEEDY ACCURATE ADCS
(Analog Devices, 11 August 2004)
A new family of serial ADCs brings ultracompact packaging to the high-speed, high-accuracy world of medical instrumentation, data acquisition equipment, optical comms and automotive systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc244.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CHIP-SCALE MOSFETS AIM FOR BATTERY-PACK DUTIES
(Vishay Siliconix, 11 August 2004)
Two new common-drain, chip-scale power MOSFETs are billed as are the industry's first such P-channel and 30V N-channel devices.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vsh/vsh113.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vsh1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DSP TAKES VITERBI COPROCESSOR ONBOARD
(Texas Instruments, 17 August 2004)
The C6418 DSP is optimised to provide a balanced combination of performance, memory, peripherals and price tailored for telecomms, software radio and terrestrial and satellite broadcasting systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex669.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex6[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CORES OPTIMISE CHOKE APPLICATIONS
(Mécagis, 17 August 2004)
Mecagis has a wide range of standard nanocrystalline cores for use in common mode chokes.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mis/mis101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mis1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AFFORDABLE ROUTE TO MICROPROCESSOR DEVELOPMENT
(Advanced Microcomputer Systems, 16 August 2004)
A new range of 8051/52/552 microprocessor development systems is billed as complete, integrated and affordable.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/adm/adm107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:adm1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
IP-RATED KEYPADS, KEYBOARDS, SWITCHES AND FANS
(EAO, 11 August 2004)
EAO offers a wide range of environmentally protected and IP-rated keypads, keyboards, switches and fans.
Free brochure on IP-rated keypads, keyboards, switches and fans:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/eao/154/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eao/eao154.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eao1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
LIGHTWEIGHT HEAT SPREADER MAKES THE GRADE
(GrafTech International, 16 August 2004)
For the second consecutive year R and D Magazine has included a product from the eGraf thermal management product line in its list of the most technologically significant products of the year.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gaf/gaf100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:gaf1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SPLIT-SCREEN PUSHBUTTONS AID STATUS INFORMATION
(Devlin Electronics, 17 August 2004)
The LP range of illuminated pushbutton switches includes a novel split-screen dual-colour version, combining any two colours from red, green and yellow to indicate system status.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dev/dev103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dev1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PREPLACEMENT PLATFORM CLAIMS THE LEAD
(DEK, 16 August 2004)
DEK reckons its flagship machine for advanced SMT preplacement delivers the next level of speed, accuracy, repeatability and productivity.
Free brochure on Europa:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/dek/172/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dek/dek172.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dek1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SUPPLIES APPROVED FOR HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS
(Puls UK, 17 August 2004)
Ten models of the popular MiniLine power supplies family as well as the MiniLine decoupling module have been approved to meet the UL1604 safety standard.
Free brochure on MiniLine:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pul/110/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pul/pul110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pul1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TERMINAL TACKLES HOME NETWORKING
(Advantech (UK), 12 August 2004)
The EH-7105G residential terminal is designed to be an application ready platform that allows system integrators to easily link home automation, home security/surveillance and e-community/commerce.
Free brochure on EH-7105G residential terminal:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/axv/160/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/axv/axv160.html
or send a blank email to mailto:axv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
GRAPHICS CARD OFFERS DOUBLE THE DIGITAL DISPLAY
(Display Technology, 17 August 2004)
The Vampower 11 graphics card offers digital control of TFT flat panel displays, including dual panel facility, picture in picture (PIP) and extreme high resolution possibilities.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dpl/dpl105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dpl1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SPECTROMETER CHECKS SAMPLES FOR ROHS COMPLIANCE
(Jobin Yvon, 16 August 2004)
The Horiba XGT-1000WR energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer provides quantitative and qualitative nondestructive analysis of all elements from sodium to uranium.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/jbi/jbi102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:jbi1[-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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