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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 30,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 184: 28 September 2004
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18694 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] DSP cores embed advanced multimedia performance
[2] Big Flash chips boast super-fast programming
[3] Half-brick convertor powers up Ethernet
[4] Novel coin-type cells handle extreme temperatures
[5] Telecomms relays offer compact compliance
[6] Compact Li-ion battery backs up basestations
[7] Isolated convertor measures motor currents
[8] Novel HMI technology can be built on any surface
[9] 23GHz antenna discriminates against interference
[10] Vector processor offers versatile video solution
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
Talk about back to work with a bump: September 2004 is shaping up as one of the busiest months ever for Electronicstalk as the European electronics industry polishes off its wares in advance of Electronica. And I don’t think October will offer any more rest for the wicked either.
The mere fact that an “old-style” medium such as an exhibition can have such a profound effect on a new medium such as Electronicstalk provides interesting food for thought. But I fear there are still an awful lot of people in our business who still can’t quite get their heads around new media.
I have lost count of the number of supposedly savvy marketing professionals who have asked me whether we will be producing any special issues to commemorate the show. And while we could certainly produce a special Electronicstalk Newsletter full of products that will be featured at the show in Munich, so can anybody!
Here’s what you do. Simply go to the Electronicstalk homepage at www.electronicstalk.com and type “Electronica” into the search engine in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Hey-presto, instant Electronica special issue! (Now, if only we could create a decent virtual stein of beer and a weisswurst then we could save our readers all the aggravation of going to Munich at all.)
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!
BOSTON PLAYS HOST TO WOLFSON'S SECOND US BASE
Wolfson Microelectronics is extending its US operation with the opening of a new sales and applications office in the Boston area.
Wolfson Microelectronics, 28 September 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wol/wol174.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wol1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CONSORTIUM AIMS FOR NEW LEVELS OF OS SECURITY
The French Ministry of Defence has awarded a Eur 7 million, 3-year contract to develop a multilevel-security Linux-based operating system solution that will reach the Common Criteria EAL5.
Jaluna, 28 September 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/jal/jal104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:jal1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NANOPHOSPHOR PROJECT GAINS DTI FUNDING
Forge Europa is to lead a GBP 1.27 million project to develop nanophosphors for displays and lighting applications which has attracted in excess of GBP 500,000 of funding from the DTI.
Forge Europa, 23 September 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/frg/frg124.html
or send a blank email to mailto:frg1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NEW COMPANY TAKES UP BATON FOR F-LCOS DISPLAYS
CRLO Displays, a company formed jointly by Amadeus Capital and Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures, has acquired the business of CRL Opto from Scipher.
CRL Opto, 24 September 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/crl/crl103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:crl1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CELESTICA POWER COMPLETES ACQUISITION HAT-TRICK
C and D Technologies has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Celestica Power Systems in an all-cash transaction, the terms of which were not disclosed.
C and D Technologies (NCL), 28 September 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/can/can160.html
or send a blank email to mailto:can1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ACQUISITIONS BOOST ATCA AND RAILWAY EXPERTISE
Kontron has strengthened its activities in the ATCA field with the purchase of technologies, patents and systems that were part of the assets of the insolvent Giga Stream UMTS Technologie.
Kontron UK, 28 September 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kon/kon135.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kon1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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[1] DSP CORES EMBED ADVANCED MULTIMEDIA PERFORMANCE
(StarCore, 28 September 2004)
Available now from StarCore are the SC2200 and SC2400 synthesisable digital signal processor cores. The SC2000 family features new instructions that accelerate video coding (such as H.264 and MPEG-4) and reduce code size. For example, the architectural efficiency of the SC2400 allows it to decode MPEG-4 video, while requiring one third fewer cycles than the StarCore SC1400 core. The improvement is even more relevant during video encoding, which the SC2400 can perform in only half the cycles required by the SC1400 when encoding for the H.264 standard, which results in higher performance and lower power consumption.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/src/src102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:src1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] BIG FLASH CHIPS BOAST SUPER-FAST PROGRAMMING
(Renesas Technology Europe, 28 September 2004)
Renesas Technology Europe reckons it has developed the world's fastest 4Gbit AG-AND type Flash memories, offering a programming speed of 10Mbyte/s. This enables a two hour movie to be saved using MPEG-4 in approximately two minutes. The Flash memories also offer the world's smallest die size among current commercially developed 4Gbit Flash memory devices. Compared with the current 1Gbit Flash memory device, the total chip area of the new 4Gbit Flash chips is nearly two-thirds smaller per gigabit.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ren/ren155.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ren1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] HALF-BRICK CONVERTOR POWERS UP ETHERNET
(SynQor Europe, 27 September 2004)
A new single-output isolated DC/DC convertor is ideally suited for power over LAN, IP telephony and isolated bus voltage applications. The standard half-brick module is part of the PowerQor Tera series and is capable of delivering 200W of output power at 52.5V. The open frame convertor employs synchronous rectification and a patented topology, providing excellent thermal performance and a full load efficiency of 92%.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/syb/116/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/syb/syb116.html
or send a blank email to mailto:syb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] NOVEL COIN-TYPE CELLS HANDLE EXTREME TEMPERATURES
(Maxell Europe, 23 September 2004)
The European launch of a new range of coin-type of lithium manganese dioxide power cells is billed as the dawn of new era of battery functionality. Key to the innovative properties of the new battery range is the broad temperature spectrum within which they operate. The batteries can withstand temperatures from as low as -40C to as high as +150C, without power or performance capabilities being compromised. This makes huge inroads into previously problematic applications in the automotive, utility, logistics, freight and transport sectors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mxe/mxe100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mxe1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] TELECOMMS RELAYS OFFER COMPACT COMPLIANCE
(Omron Electronics, 28 September 2004)
New compact telecomms relays from Omron enable high density mounting by reducing the mounting area of the surface mount package by up to 56% compared with comparable devices. By also meeting Telcordia specifications, the new relays are suitable for use in telecomms equipment such as central office switches and broadband routers, which must typically provide many channels of switching within a confined area.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/omr/193/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/omr/omr193.html
or send a blank email to mailto:omr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] COMPACT LI-ION BATTERY BACKS UP BASESTATIONS
(Saft, 23 September 2004)
The Intensium lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery can deliver 3kW of backup power from a 1U high rack-mounted, hot-pluggable unit. The Intensium battery has been optimised to provide the ideal source of safe, reliable and zero maintenance backup power for the new generation of micro base transceiver stations (Micro-BTS) in wireless telecomms networks. Intensium batteries are also expected to find many other telecomms applications, such as Macro-BTS, ONU (Optical Node Units), HFC (hybrid fibre coax) and equipment on customer premises.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/saf/120/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/saf/saf120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:saf1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] ISOLATED CONVERTOR MEASURES MOTOR CURRENTS
(Agilent Technologies, 27 September 2004)
A new optically isolated, programmable analogue-to-digital (A/D) convertor is optimised for measuring motor-phase currents in variable-speed motor-drive control systems. The new A/D convertor is designed for general-purpose applications such as conveyors, fans and blowers. The two-chip (HCPL-7560 and HCPL-0872) optically isolated A/D convertor is designed specifically for interfacing directly to microcontroller/DSP-based motor-drive systems.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/250/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi250.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] NOVEL HMI TECHNOLOGY CAN BE BUILT ON ANY SURFACE
(H2i Technologies, 23 September 2004)
A new type of human-machine interface based on patented optoelectronic technology makes it possible for any surface to be interactive. This novel technology promises all-new data entry systems for industrial and medical equipment as well as for household appliances, consumer electronics, multimedia kiosks and ATMs used by the general public.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hec/hec101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hec1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] 23GHZ ANTENNA DISCRIMINATES AGAINST INTERFERENCE
(Smiths Interconnect - Radio Waves, 27 September 2004)
Radio Waves is claiming a breakthrough in high-performance antenna design for 23GHz systems. The new Discriminator is a 305mm-diameter antenna that has first side lobes 23dB down from the main beam. This exceptional performance greatly reduces interference from other microwave transmitters when colocation is required. The newest member of the Discriminator series operates in the 23GHz band and meets stringent FCC category A requirements.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/rdi/112/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rdi/rdi112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rdi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] VECTOR PROCESSOR OFFERS VERSATILE VIDEO SOLUTION
(On Demand Microelectronics, 27 September 2004)
Embedded Award winner On Demand Microelectronics will demonstrate a fully software programmable MPEG4/H.264 over DSL solution at Electronica. Based on the company's VSP vector signal processor, the solution is ideal for future high-end digital-video-broadcasting (DVB) applications. Extremely high processing power and low power usage are outstanding features of the DVB solution, particularly as they are also the main requirements of mobile products.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ond/ond100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ond1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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MODEL-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT SPEEDS HANDLER DESIGN
(I-Logix Europe, 23 September 2004)
German semiconductor equipment manufacturer and market leader in gravity and MEMS handling, Multitest has cut the development time of new software products in half through deploying Rhapsody.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ilo/ilo122.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ilo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DAIMLERCHRYSLER TAKES NEW ROUTE TO DASH DESIGN
(I-Logix Europe, 23 September 2004)
The use of Statemate with MicroC Code Generator successfully led to the design of a new instrument cluster for the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum product lines.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ilo/ilo123.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ilo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SOFTWARE ILLUSTRATES MERITS OF PROPER GROUNDING
(Flomerics, 27 September 2004)
Recent research has indicated that electromagnetic emissions from interface cards can be reduced by as much as 20dB through simple changes in grounding arrangements.
Free brochure on Flo/EMC:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/flo/135/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flo/flo135.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EMBEDDED ETHERNET SWITCH IS COOL IN DEFENCE
(Performance Technologies, 22 September 2004)
Isothermal Systems Research is using the CPC4416 embedded Ethernet switch in one of its SprayCool liquid-cooled computers, used for the defence industry.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pfo/pfo127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pfo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NICKEL LAYER STOPS PACKAGES SPROUTING TIN WHISKERS
(Agere Systems, 22 September 2004)
Agere Systems reckons its engineers have found the right mix of packaging ingredients to enable the semiconductor industry to successfully implement lead-free packaging.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/age/age151.html
or send a blank email to mailto:age1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured product news
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DUAL OP AMP DRIVES FOR VDSL DMT APPLICATIONS
(Intersil, 22 September 2004)
Intersil has a new high-speed dual operational amplifier for use with VDSL and ADSL line driving in discrete multitone (DMT) based solutions aimed at video-on-demand applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina322.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ina3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ARM-BASED MCU TAKES USB AND HDD INTERFACES ONBOARD
(Oki Electric, 22 September 2004)
A new series of ARM946E-based single chip microcontrollers offers built-in interfaces for High Speed USB 2.0 and hard disk drives.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oki/oki152.html
or send a blank email to mailto:oki1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FRUGAL WIRELESS DEVICES ON SHOW IN MUNICH
(Xemics, 22 September 2004)
Xemics will showcase its ultra-low-power wireless products in Hall A5, Stand 176 at Electronica.
Free brochure on Ultra-low-power wireless products:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/xem/141/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xem/xem141.html
or send a blank email to mailto:xem1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CHIPSET CUTS CONVERTOR LOSSES
(International Rectifier, 27 September 2004)
A new chipset provides control and synchronous switching for high-frequency DC/DC convertors powering next-generation Intel and AMD processors in high-end advanced servers and desktop computers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sil/sil197.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sil1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SINGLE-CHIP SOLUTION BRINGS PEN SENSING ONBOARD
(Wacom Components Europe, 28 September 2004)
A new mixed-signal IC allows the easy integration of Wacom's proven inductive pen sensing technology into mobile devices such as smartphones and personal digital assistants.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wac/wac104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wac1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ULTRACAPACITOR ADOPTS BATTERY OUTLINE
(Young-ECC Electronics, 24 September 2004)
The BCAP0350 D cell is the first ultracapacitor based on an industry standard form factor and the first to be standardised on battery sizing.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/you/you153.html
or send a blank email to mailto:you1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SOFTWARE STREAMLINES EDA LINKS
(Ansoft Corporation Europe, 24 September 2004)
AnsoftLinks v3 software significantly streamlines data flow from popular electronic design automation (EDA) vendor software into Ansoft's products.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ans/ans195.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ans1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BACKLIGHTS SHOW UP AT ELECTRONICA
(Rogers Corp, 28 September 2004)
Rogers Corp will exhibit its newest electroluminescent (EL) product lines, manufactured by its Durel Division, at this year's Electronica show in Munich.
Free brochure on EL backlighting:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/rog/103/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rog/rog103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rog1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NOVEL FILM HAS FLAT CABLES COVERED
(Holland Shielding Systems, 28 September 2004)
Holland Shielding Systems has developed a cost effective EMI protection solution for flat cables.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hol/hol113.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hol1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TOUCH SCREEN CONTROLLER BOASTS EASY PC INTERFACING
(3M Touch Systems UK, 28 September 2004)
A new range of touch screen controllers offers improved integration into PC-based kiosks and industrial control systems by providing support for both traditional serial comms and USB ports.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mto/mto102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mto1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FLUX IS OPTIMISED FOR PB-FREE WAVE SOLDERING
(Indium Corporation of America, 27 September 2004)
Wave solder flux 3592-35 has been specifically developed for the Pb-free wave soldering of mixed-technology and through-hole electronic assemblies.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/idi/idi129.html
or send a blank email to mailto:idi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
24V-INPUT CONVERTORS AIM FOR BASESTATION POWER
(Artesyn Technologies, 22 September 2004)
Artesyn Technologies has added 24V-input eighth-bricks and quarter-bricks to its Typhoon family of board mounted DC/DC convertors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/art/art184.html
or send a blank email to mailto:art1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MINIATURE HV SUPPLIES RUN FROM 5V INPUT
(Emco High Voltage Corp, 28 September 2004)
Emco High Voltage Corp has added a 5V input power option for its miniature, precision regulated, CA Series.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eco/eco106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eco1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
VIDEO CAPTURE CARD GOES ON THE RECORD
(Wordsworth Technology, 22 September 2004)
The IVC-4200 four-channel MPGE4 video capture card is an ideal solution for the easy development of digital video recorder solutions.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wor/wor138.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wor1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CAMERA SYSTEM KEEPS WATCH OVER EMC TESTS
(Worthy Design, 24 September 2004)
A novel fibre optic camera system provides a robust video link to areas where high electromagnetic radiation exists, such as EMC test cells.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wrt/wrt100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wrt1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
STARTER KIT SIMPLIFIES MIGRATION TO PXI
(Adlink Technology, 27 September 2004)
The PXI Starter is a special product bundle for those considering the switch to a PXI platform for their data acquisition or automated measurement systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/adl/adl140.html
or send a blank email to mailto:adl1[-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
* Email mailto:join-buildingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
CIMtalk - for automation engineers and the industrial IT sector
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Engineeringtalk - for mechanical/automation engineers
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Industrialsafetytalk - for safety professionals
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Laboratorytalk - for all lab and research personnel
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Manufacturingtalk - for production engineers
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Printingtalk - for printers and print buyers
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Processingtalk - for process engineers
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QA-talk - for quality assurance professionals
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Subcontractingtalk - for the subcontract manufacturing industry
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