|
ELECTRONICSTALK
The Independent Weekly Product Information Guide
for Electronics Design, Development and Manufacturing Engineers
=======================================================
ISSN 1475-2913 - Free subscription
Last week's delivered circulation: over 22,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 179: 24 August 2004
=======================================================
18060 product announcements and technical articles
on our web site, all fully searchable at
http://www.electronicstalk.com/ - take a look!
=======================================================
In this issue:
* Editor's Message
* Our Top Ten new Products Selection
[1] Integrated suite unites physical design concepts
[2] Low-power radio transmitter shrinks to 3mm square
[3] Speedy setup for USB-based acquisition hardware
[4] Hopping module goes a long way for US comms
[5] Milestone in optical mouse sensors
[6] Novel design process boosts package performance
[7] Tools support SuperH for in-car infotainment
[8] Slim claims for speedy solid-state drives
[9] Radio machine boosts ISM transceiver bandwidth
[10] Power chips help lithium cells last longer
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* Other featured product news
=======================================================
Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
Two milestones are worthy of note this week. First, the Electronicstalk website has broken through the 18,000 story barrier – of which we are justly proud. But elsewhere in this newsletter you will see news that Agilent Technologies has shipped its 300 millionth optical mouse sensor.
Now, I have to admit that Electronicstalk has carried a number of stories about optical mouse sensors over the years – mostly from Agilent – but it has only been over the past couple of weeks that I have become a convert to the world of optical mice.
The problem was that I had an ingrained misconception about exactly what an optical mouse was. And a recent straw poll around the Pro-talk editorial office (and a repeat exercise in my golf club bar) revealed that I was not alone. “Oh, er, yes – that’s wireless, isn’t it” is the usual embarrassed reply – and it comes from many people who should really know better (myself included until a couple of weeks ago).
So just to set the record straight, although most optical mice really are wireless devices, that is not the “optical” part of the technology. An optical mouse uses an optical sensor to detect the movement of the mouse to control the cursor. The optical sensor is used in place of the traditional ball and encoder arrangement which is prone to interference from grease, dust and all manner of human excretions.
As someone who spends far too long each day at a computer I can honestly say that the optical mouse is the greatest advance seen by my desktop in the last decade. Fortunately it is now starting to become the industry norm, which may well make Agilent’s 300-million-sensor milestone start to look like a drop in the ocean.
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
=======================================================
THIS WEEK'S INDUSTRY NEWS
=======================================================
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!
RECORD YEAR FOR PATENT AWARDS
National Semiconductor is claiming a record year for innovation, with 221 new US patents granted in the past 12 months.
National Semiconductor, 19 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nat/nat285.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nat2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
OPTOCOUPLER OPERATION RESURFACES FROM LIQUIDATION
Isocom Components 2004 is the new trading name of Isocom Components that ceased trading April 2004 and went into liquidation in May 2004.
Isocom Components 2004, 18 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iso/iso106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iso1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ANSOFT BACK INTO THE BLACK
Ansoft Corp has published its financial results for its first quarter of fiscal 2005, ended 31st July 2004.
Ansoft Corporation Europe, 24 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ans/ans193.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ans1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CONSORTIUM WELCOMES SIX NEW MEMBERS
Applied Micro Circuits Corp (AMCC), Juniper Networks, Marvell Semiconductor, Patriot Scientific, Qualcomm and Rockwell Collins have all joined the EEMBC.
EEMBC, 20 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eem/eem108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eem1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MOTOROLA COMPLETES FORCE ACQUISITION
Motorola has completed the acquisition of Force Computers from Solectron Corp.
Motorola Embedded Communications Computing Group, 23 August 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/moa/moa130.html
or send a blank email to mailto:moa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
=======================================================
[1] INTEGRATED SUITE UNITES PHYSICAL DESIGN CONCEPTS
(Flomerics, 19 August 2004)
A new suite of software products is billed as the first to integrate the major contributors to the physical design of electronics into a single analysis environment. The Flomerics Version5 integrated suite consists of Flo/PCB for conceptual thermal design of printed circuit boards, FloTherm for system-level thermal design and optimisation of electronics systems, Flo/EMC for electromagnetic compatibility simulation, and Flo/Stress for predicting thermomechanical stresses.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/flo/133/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flo/flo133.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
[2] LOW-POWER RADIO TRANSMITTER SHRINKS TO 3MM SQUARE
(Maxim Integrated Products, 24 August 2004)
The MAX1479 is the world's smallest VHF/UHF PLL-based ASK/FSK transmitter to deliver more than +10dBm output. It is housed in a small, 3 x 3mm, 16-pin thin QFN package. This transmitter is perfect for low-cost, high-volume applications where space is critical, such as tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), keyfobs, security products, garage door openers, and remote sensors operating in the 300 to 450MHz band. The MAX1479 has a simple data interface and a divider-programmable clock-out feature that eliminates the need for an MCU resonator.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/max/max191.html
or send a blank email to mailto:max1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
[3] SPEEDY SETUP FOR USB-BASED ACQUISITION HARDWARE
(National Instruments, 18 August 2004)
Engineers and scientists can now access the high-quality measurement capabilities of National Instruments data acquisition (DAQ) hardware as easily as plugging a USB cable into a computer. Five new USB DAQ products the first in a series of devices scheduled to release during 2004 deliver easy connectivity, portability and decreased system setup time. The small size and easy connectivity of all NI USB DAQ devices make them ideal for operations such as in-vehicle data logging and environmental monitoring.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/naa/160/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/naa/naa160.html
or send a blank email to mailto:naa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
[4] HOPPING MODULE GOES A LONG WAY FOR US COMMS
(Low Power Radio Solutions, 23 August 2004)
The latest addition to the highly acclaimed Easy-Radio family of modules from Low Power Radio Solutions answers demands for long-range secure bidirectional datacommunications in products destined for US markets. The ER900FHTRS transceiver combines the company's revolutionary Easy-Radio software with frequency-hopping techniques to provide an easy-to-apply radio module capable of reliable operation at ranges up to 500m (line of sight).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/low/low122.html
or send a blank email to mailto:low1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
[5] MILESTONE IN OPTICAL MOUSE SENSORS
(Agilent Technologies, 24 August 2004)
Agilent Technologies has shipped its 300 millionth optical mouse sensor since the release of its first navigation sensor in 1999. Agilent pioneered optical sensing for mouse technology and supplies these sensors to all major optical mouse manufacturers worldwide. Today, optical mice using Agilent sensors range from inexpensive entry-level models to high-precision, dual-sensor versions with scroll wheels and multiple programmable function buttons.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/243/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi243.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
[6] NOVEL DESIGN PROCESS BOOSTS PACKAGE PERFORMANCE
(AdTech Ceramics, 19 August 2004)
AdTech Ceramics has a new design process using state of the art 3D finite element method (FEM) simulators and proprietary numerical simulators that can yield market differentiating performance while maintaining cost effective solutions. Custom microwave and RF IC packages can be modelled from 2 to 60GHz with transitions and interconnects which require extremely complex and accurate simulation to meet customer expectations.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/adt/adt101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:adt1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
[7] TOOLS SUPPORT SUPERH FOR IN-CAR INFOTAINMENT
(CodeScape, 20 August 2004)
CodeScape, the specialist SuperH series embedded tools arm of Imagination Technologies, has released support for Renesas Technology Corp's SH7780 high-performance processor for use in car infotainment systems. Increasingly preferred for application development in a range of fields including car information systems and networking appliances, CodeScape is now available to developers using the SH7780 processor and delivers the experience and rich functionality, gained over a decade of concentrating on supporting SuperH cores, to this latest member of the product range.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cde/cde100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cde1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
[8] SLIM CLAIMS FOR SPEEDY SOLID-STATE DRIVES
(Simpletech Europe, 24 August 2004)
The Zeus Ultra DMA solid state drive (SSD) is billed as the world's thinnest, fastest solid-state drive. Ideal for applications requiring high reliability and high tolerance to shock, vibration, altitude, humidity and temperature, the drives use SimpleTech's patented stacking technology to measure just 9.5mm thick and have sustained read/write rates of up to 60Mbyte/s.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/smp/smp111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:smp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
[9] RADIO MACHINE BOOSTS ISM TRANSCEIVER BANDWIDTH
(Xemics, 24 August 2004)
The XE88LC07A is a higher-speed version of the Xemics XE88LC06A radio machine. Both devices exploit the company's BitJockey circuit to send data over high-datarate ISM band transceivers at up to 156Kbit/s with minimal CPU load. With its 5MIPS sustained operation capability, the XE88LC07A core is able to interface to a codec, compress/decompress voice while sending/receiving data to/from a transceiver in pseudo-full-duplex mode.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/xem/140/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xem/xem140.html
or send a blank email to mailto:xem1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
[10] POWER CHIPS HELP LITHIUM CELLS LAST LONGER
(Texas Instruments, 19 August 2004)
Two new families of single-chip, battery charge and power management ICs provide safer, more efficient charging capabilities for single-cell lithium-ion applications. The bqTiny III (or bq2403x) series of Li-ion linear charge and system power path management devices is the latest advancement in TI's bqTiny line of battery management charge ICs. In addition to integrated PowerFETs, high-voltage protection, current sensor, reverse-blocking protection, thermal regulation, high accuracy current and voltage regulation, the IC offers a dynamic power-path management (DPPM) feature.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex671.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex6[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
New Technical Articles and Case Studies
=======================================================
KENWOOD EXPLOITS DIGITAL AUDIO TECHNOLOGY
(Texas Instruments, 18 August 2004)
The latest new consumer product from Kenwood features TI's PurePath Digital technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex670.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex6[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PROGRAMMABLE SYSTEM CHIP MEETS BASESTATION SPECS
(Lattice Semiconductor UK, 19 August 2004)
Lattice Semiconductor and Tyco Electronics have successfully demonstrated a complete solution for the Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI) Reference Point 3 (RP3) interface.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lat/lat144.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lat1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EMULATION SYSTEM VERIFIES LEADING-EDGE GRAPHICS
(Cadence Design Systems, 20 August 2004)
ATI Technologies has used the Cadence Incisive Palladium acceleration and emulation system to verify some of its highly complex designs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cad/cad235.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cad2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
Other featured product news
=======================================================
PWM CONTROLLERS UPGRADE PSU PERFORMANCE
(Intersil, 18 August 2004)
A new family of single-ended current-mode PWM controllers is designed to improve performance of AC/DC and 48V DC/DC convertors widely used in telecomms, datacomms and server applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina318.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ina3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TRIAXIAL ACCELEROMETER TAKES CONVERTOR ONBOARD
(Oki Electric, 18 August 2004)
Oki reckons it has developed the world's thinnest three-axis accelerometer module, the ML8950.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oki/oki150.html
or send a blank email to mailto:oki1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PROCESSOR ENABLES FAST-ACCESS AV DATA STORAGE
(Oxford Semiconductor, 19 August 2004)
The OXAV940 multimedia processor enables high quality audio and video data to be recorded directly onto an in-product hard disk.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ofo/ofo118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ofo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AMP POWERS BASESTATIONS UP TO 10GHZ
(Agilent Technologies, 20 August 2004)
A new E-pHEMT MMIC medium-power amplifier is optimised for use as a driver in wireless fixed access-points/basestations operating at up to 10GHz.
Free brochure on MGA-425P8:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/242/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi242.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MCU SPEEDS IR CONTROLLER DEVELOPMENT
(Zilog, 20 August 2004)
Zilog has unveiled a migration path to high volume microcontroller production with the roll-out of the Crimzon ZLR16300, a low cost supporting ROM-based member of the Crimzon MCU family of IR MCUs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zil/zil128.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zil1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
METAL-FILM CHIPS PROMISE PRECISE RESISTANCE
(Rhopoint Components, 24 August 2004)
The new RG range of ultraprecision metal-film chip resistors comes with temperature coefficients down to 5ppm/C and tolerances as good as +/-0.02%.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rho/rho138.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rho1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DESIGN SERVICES TAKE SIGNAL INTEGRITY ONBOARD
(Advanced Layout Solutions, 24 August 2004)
ALS has recently purchased Cadence Design Systems' SpecctraQuest SI Expert to highlight and correct signal integrity issues in high-speed board designs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aay/aay101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aay1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PACKAGE DESIGN SOFTWARE CUTS DOWN ON PCB ERRORS
(ChipData, 24 August 2004)
IC2 PkgXpert 2.5 is an application designed to create and repurpose accurate, consistent package geometries using industry standard or user-defined specifications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cip/cip102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cip1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SEALED ILLUMINATED SWITCHES OFFER MANY OPTIONS
(EAO, 24 August 2004)
Series 04 sealed, illuminated switches combine style and industrial durability.
Free brochure on Series 04 sealed illuminated switches:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/eao/155/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eao/eao155.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eao1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CONNECTORS BRING FINE-PITCH CIRCUITS ONBOARD
(Omron Electronics, 18 August 2004)
Omron has added 0.3mm pitch FPC connectors to its XF2-series of cable-to-board connectors, allowing designers using fine pitch FPC to save time during assembly and ensure high reliability.
Free brochure on XF2B:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/omr/191/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/omr/omr191.html
or send a blank email to mailto:omr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NOVEL CONTACTS MOVE INTO CUSTOM CONNECTOR MARKET
(Ardent Concepts, 24 August 2004)
The proprietary Redundant Contact compliant interconnect technology is now available in volume for custom applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ard/ard105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ard1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PC/104 CPU WON'T BREAK THE BANK
(Acrosser USA, 18 August 2004)
The AR-B1423C is a complete computer system on a single PC/104-sized board at a one-off cost of just $104.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/acr/acr101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:acr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
STARFABRIC CARDS EXTEND THE REACH OF PCIBUS
(Contec Microelectronics Europe, 18 August 2004)
A new series of PCIbus extension systems uses the high-speed serial transmission and a PCI bridge to enable PCI boards to be used at a distance of up to 12m from the PC.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cec/cec100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cec1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EMBEDDED MOTHERBOARD TAKES "EVERYTHING" ONBOARD
(Advantech (UK), 24 August 2004)
The AIMB-330 is an EmbeddedATX low-profile motherboard specifically designed with "everything" onboard.
Free brochure on AIMB-330:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/axv/161/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/axv/axv161.html
or send a blank email to mailto:axv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BROADBAND ANTENNA EXPANDS EMC TEST SOLUTIONS
(Schaffner EMC, 20 August 2004)
The BHA 9220 is a linearly polarised broadband antenna for EMC and RF measurements over the frequency range 200MHz to 2GHz that may be used both as a transmitter and receiver.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sca/sca167.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sca1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
=======================================================
Have you seen our other newsletters?
=======================================================
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
* Email mailto:join-buildingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
CIMtalk - for automation engineers and the industrial IT sector
* Email mailto:join-cimta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Engineeringtalk - for mechanical/automation engineers
* Email mailto:join-eng-ta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Industrialsafetytalk - for safety professionals
* Email mailto:join-industrialsafetyta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Laboratorytalk - for all lab and research personnel
* Email mailto:join-laboratoryta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Manufacturingtalk - for production engineers
* Email mailto:join-manufacturingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Printingtalk - for printers and print buyers
* Email mailto:join-printingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Processingtalk - for process engineers
* Email mailto:join-processingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
QA-talk - for quality assurance professionals
* Email mailto:join-qa-ta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Subcontractingtalk - for the subcontract manufacturing industry
* Email mailto:join-subcontractingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
=======================================================
|
|
