|
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 23,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 195: 14 December 2004
====================================================================
20,227 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
* Other industry news
* Our Top new products selection
[1] Novel trimming technique boosts op amp accuracy
[2] Hybrid transistor boasts the best of both worlds
[3] Evaporation is easy answer to fuel-cell cooling
[4] Board speeds large-scale ASIC prototyping
[5] Electronic paper display driver sets the standard
[6] Real-time spectrum analysis comes of age
[7] Environment simplifies video processing
[8] More brightness for InGaN LEDs
[9] Design software optimises power management
[10] Bipolars drive for motor control
* New technical articles & case studies
* Other featured product news
====================================================================
Laurence Marchini , Editor, writes:
Cambridge Consultants has long been regarded as one of the UK's
greatest innovators across many fields. But I have to admit that the
company's latest innovation involves a classic piece of lateral
thinking, and one which should accelerate the commercialisation of one
of the most eagerly awaited technologies - the fuel cell.
Fuel cells have been "on the drawing board" for many years, but it is
only recently that companies have considered creating small-scale
devices suitable for inclusion in devices such as laptop computers.
(Assuming for the moment that users consider the cheap and abundant
power from a fuel cell outweighs their worries about complex fusion
reactions taking place so close to their vital organs!)
And although the only waste byproduct from a fuel-cell reaction is
water, clearly, any portable device using the technology needs to be
equipped with some means of either storing the water or disposing of
it. (Let's not even contemplate the dangers of laptop leaks.)
Bearing in mind that such fuel cells are not expected to appear in
commercial quantities until 2008, there is the added factor to
consider that laptop devices will probably need to dissipate more heat
than today, allowing for ever-more-powerful processors and
still-more-dense peripherals.
Cue Cambridge Consultants, which has killed the classic "two birds
with one stone" in its design of an evaporative cooler that uses the
waste from the fuel cell (the water) to increase the cooling of the
circuitry being powered.
The full story can be found at
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cbr/cbr121.html .
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
====================================================================
LYNUXWORKS REPORTS SIGNIFICANT GROWTH
(LynuxWorks, 10 Dec 2004)
LynuxWorks has published its second-quarter results, achieving 39%
quarter over quarter growth in sales and increased profitability and
cash flow.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lyn/lyn168.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lyn1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD
(Sonic Solutions, 09 Dec 2004)
Sonic Solutions has opened a new facility in Burbank, California, in
response to the growing demand for Sonic DVD technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/slu/slu103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:slu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PROJECT TO TEST TODAY'S PCBS ON PB-FREE LINES
(National Physical Laboratory, 13 Dec 2004)
A new NPL studio project will investigate the reliability of existing
substrates manufactured using a lead-free process.
Request free details from the supplier on Studio project:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/nti/103/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nti/nti103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nti1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
OPEN API STANDARD IS READY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
(Khronos Group, 13 Dec 2004)
The first draft specification of the OpenVG application programming
interface standard is available, on schedule, for public review.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/khr/khr100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:khr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ALL-TIME RECORD REVENUES FOR FINISAR
(Finisar Corp, 13 Dec 2004)
Finisar Corp has reported financial results for its second quarter
ended 31st October 2004.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fni/fni127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fni1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
USA AND ASIA PROVIDE BOOST TO GROWTH
(Rohde and Schwarz, 09 Dec 2004)
Rohde and Schwarz reports very positive results for the first quarter
of the new fiscal year.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rhd/rhd107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rhd1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CETECOM SETS UP SHOP IN JAPAN
(Cetecom Germany, 09 Dec 2004)
As part of the expansion of its international company network, Cetecom
has recently opened a permanent representative office in Japan.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cee/cee100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cee1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
====================================================================
[1] NOVEL TRIMMING TECHNIQUE BOOSTS OP AMP ACCURACY
(Texas Instruments, 13 Dec 2004)
A new high-precision high-speed 12V CMOS operational amplifier from
the Burr-Brown product line uses e-trim - TI's new trimming technology
that calibrates offset voltage and temperature drift during the final
steps of manufacturing. The OPA727 is well suited for applications
requiring excellent dynamic characteristics such as active filters,
transimpedance amplifiers, audio, test equipment and process control.
E-trim technology is used to trim the OPA727's offset voltage and
offset voltage drift over temperature after packaging.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex733.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex7[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[2] HYBRID TRANSISTOR BOASTS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
(STMicroelectronics, 13 Dec 2004)
STMicroelectronics has a new hybrid emitter-switched bipolar
transistor (ESBT), designed for use in welding equipment, induction
heating systems and power factor correction for audio amplifiers. The
STE50DE100 sustains a high collector-source voltage of 1000V and
collector currents of up to 50A. The four-terminal device is supplied
in an industrial tailored screw-mounted Isotop package. It is designed
to combine the strengths and eliminate the drawbacks of both bipolar
and MOSFET technologies.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/stm/stm144.html
or send a blank email to mailto:stm1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[3] EVAPORATION IS EASY ANSWER TO FUEL-CELL COOLING
(Cambridge Consultants, 10 Dec 2004)
Cambridge Consultants has developed a novel "evaporative cooler"
concept design for cooling the fuel cell powered laptop computers of
the future. Although fuel cells offer many potential benefits to the
user and the environment they produce clean water as a byproduct,
which must be managed or contained. In addition the powerful
microchips used in laptops also emit a substantial amount of heat,
which is difficult to dissipate in compact product arrangements.
Cambridge Consultants has developed and tested a design that takes its
inspiration from plant-life and uses evaporation to cool the
processor, reduce package space and improve the user experience.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cbr/cbr121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cbr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[4] BOARD SPEEDS LARGE-SCALE ASIC PROTOTYPING
(Hardi Electronics, 14 Dec 2004)
The latest motherboard in the HAPS family gives customers access to
multigigabit serial links, embedded PowerPC processors and more than
1600 pairs of LVDS signals. The board, named HAPS-20, is targeted for
designers who need high-speed prototypes of large ASICs. The board can
be used as a stand-alone device to prototype ASIC designs up to four
million gates. Capacity can be further increased by stacking two or
more HAPS 20 boards together.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hrd/hrd105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hrd1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[5] ELECTRONIC PAPER DISPLAY DRIVER SETS THE STANDARD
(Ixys Semiconductor, 08 Dec 2004)
The Micronix division of Ixys Corp has unveiled the industry's first
standard product driver for electronic paper displays based on E Ink
Corp's electronic ink technology. The new display driver IC, the
MX834, targets emerging markets which value ultra-low-power,
easy-to-read displays for use in portable devices. The first
commercial application for the MX834 is in a display module
manufactured by Royal Philips Electronics. This display module is used
in a new e-book reader that is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in
late April.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ixy/ixy105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ixy1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[6] REAL-TIME SPECTRUM ANALYSIS COMES OF AGE
(Tektronix, 09 Dec 2004)
The Tektronix RSA3408A is a new high performance DC to 8GHz real-time
spectrum analyser providing 36MHz wide real-time triggering and
capture capabilities, and enhanced resolution yielding a 2000-fold
improvement in the analysis of power and frequency changes over time.
With the RSA3408A, engineers will be able to view RF signal
instabilities and transients that they never knew existed. The
RSA3408A is the only analyser that can offer a 36MHz bandwidth
frequency mask trigger (FMT), finding interfering and transient
signals that no other instrument can, ensuring that potential systems
instabilities are eliminated from the design before they can cause a
problem.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek216.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tek2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[7] ENVIRONMENT SIMPLIFIES VIDEO PROCESSING
(Celoxica, 14 Dec 2004)
Celoxica has added algorithm IP and a block-based graphical design
entry platform to its expanding portfolio of electronic system level
(ESL) design tools. The PixelStreams development environment provides
a library of powerful video data manipulation functions with an
easy-to-use interactive graphical editor. The PixelStreams platform
builds on Celoxica's best-in-class, C-based design and synthesis
products to create an ideal design flow for the rapid prototyping,
exploration and development of complex video processing systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cel/cel162.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cel1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[8] MORE BRIGHTNESS FOR INGAN LEDS
(Agilent Technologies, 14 Dec 2004)
Agilent Technologies has expanded its line of extra-bright InGaN
(indium gallium nitride) LEDs for the outdoor electronic sign and
signals market by adding new devices in 4mm (T-1) and 5mm (T-1.75)
domed through-hole packages with oval radiation patterns. These are
the company's brightest InGaN LEDs, with brightness equivalent to the
industry's leading supplier.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/265/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi265.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[9] DESIGN SOFTWARE OPTIMISES POWER MANAGEMENT
(Altera Europe, 09 Dec 2004)
Altera Corp is shipping version 4.2 of its Quartus II design software,
delivering the world's highest performance for FPGAs and CPLDs. With
this latest version of Quartus II software, Altera introduces the
PowerPlay technology suite, the industry's most advanced tools for
programmable logic power analysis and optimisation. The analysis
features included in the PowerPlay suite offer detailed estimates of
static and dynamic power, and assist a designer during the entire
design cycle, from design conception through implementation.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aeu/aeu141.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aeu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[10] BIPOLARS DRIVE FOR MOTOR CONTROL
(Zetex, 10 Dec 2004)
The efficient high current operation of the latest bipolar transistors
from Zetex Semiconductors meets all the performance requirements of DC
motor control. Provided in the SOT89 package they are also a more cost
effective alternative to much larger packaged parts. With a
collector-emitter voltage of 60V, the ZX5T851Z NPN and ZX5T951Z PNP
devices easily withstand the voltage demands of medium power motor
drive circuits. .
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zet/zet150.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zet1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
New Technical Articles and Case Studies
====================================================================
SUBMARINE DUTIES FOR FLASH-BASED FPGAS
(Actel Europe, 14 Dec 2004)
Actel's Flash-based field-programmable gate arrays have been used by
the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in its advanced
underwater seismograph.
Request free details from the supplier on ProASIC Plus:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/act/194/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/act/act194.html
or send a blank email to mailto:act1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PLATFORM ACCELERATES SUPERCOMPUTER CHIPSET
(Cadence Design Systems, 14 Dec 2004)
Technology giant NEC Corp has used the Cadence Encounter digital IC
design platform to develop the complete 90nm chipset for one of the
world's fastest vector supercomputers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cad/cad257.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cad2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HANDHELD SCOPE CHECKS RETAIL RF SECURITY SYSTEMS
(Fluke (UK), 08 Dec 2004)
A handheld Fluke ScopeMeter oscilloscope is an ideal solution for
testing the tagging and gate systems commonly used in retail shops to
provide protection against theft.
Request free details from the supplier on ScopeMeter 199C:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/flu/164/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flu/flu164.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POWER MANAGERS PROTECTS DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENTS
(Powervar, 09 Dec 2004)
A global medical technology company has chosen Powervar's
Uninterruptible Power Managers to provide the power conditioning and
protection for its Phoenix diagnostic instruments in Europe.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pob/pob110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pob1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
UML MODELLING TOOL SETS THE STANDARD FOR ZF
(Artisan Software Tools, 10 Dec 2004)
One of the automotive industry's leading suppliers of driveline and
chassis systems has chosen Real-time Studio as its modelling tool for
software development.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/asa/asa102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:asa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
Other featured new product news
====================================================================
KIT CUTS THE COST OF ANALOGUE ARRAY DEVELOPMENT
(Anadigm, 13 Dec 2004)
Anadigm is lowering the price of its full-featured field programmable
analogue array (FPAA) development kit, including development licence,
to just $199.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ana/ana136.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ana1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SPLINED LEDS NEED NO PCB FOR BACKLIGHTING
(Forge Europa, 10 Dec 2004)
Forge Europa has introduced a new, unique range of SPLEDs for use in a
huge range of illumination applications including backlighting and
filament bulbs replacement.
Request free details from the supplier on SPLEDs:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/frg/127/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/frg/frg127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:frg1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FAN KEEPS LATEST PENTIUM RUNNING COOLER
(EAO, 13 Dec 2004)
The latest addition to the San Ace MC CPU cooling range is a
long-life, low-noise and operationally efficient fan designed
specifically for the latest Intel Pentium 4 processor, socket 478.
Request free details from the supplier on San Ace MC:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/eao/166/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eao/eao166.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eao1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FILLERS MIND THE (THERMAL) GAP
(Chomerics Europe, 13 Dec 2004)
Two new thermally conductive gap filling materials provide a thermally
efficient interface between heat generating components and heat
spreading or dissipating surfaces.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cho/cho128.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cho1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
QUARTER BRICK BOASTS HALF-BRICK POWER RATING
(Power-One, 09 Dec 2004)
The QTS48T38096 is a 97%-efficient 38A DC/DC quarter-brick optimised
for IBA bus convertor applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pxw/pxw107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pxw1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
GENERAL-PURPOSE I/O DEVICES ARE FRUGAL WITH POWER
(Philips Semiconductors, 08 Dec 2004)
Continuing its innovation in I2C solutions, Philips has a new series
of I2C-bus controlled push-pull general-purpose input/outputs (GPIOs).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/phi/phi288.html
or send a blank email to mailto:phi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CENTRE PROBE SOCKET SPEEDS DEBUG OPERATIONS
(Aries Electronics, 13 Dec 2004)
A novel solderable centre probe socket enables users to debug a wide
range of package types - BGA, UBGA, MLF, QFN and others - on the same
package footprint.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aie/aie131.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aie1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
COOL CPU EMBEDS IN POOR AIRFLOW APPLICATIONS
(Wordsworth Technology, 14 Dec 2004)
The 5.25in Nova-C400 is an all-in-one fanless solution targeted at the
embedded and industrial computing market, and uses the ULV Celeron
400MHz processor to minimise power consumption.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wor/wor142.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wor1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DISTRIBUTION UNITS PUT MORE POWER ON THE RACK
(APW Enclosure Solutions, 14 Dec 2004)
APW Enclosure Solutions has extended its range of power distribution
units.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/apx/apx119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:apx1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ROBUST DESIGN FOR CLASS D AUDIO AMP
(International Rectifier, 14 Dec 2004)
A new audio amplifier reference design offers a complete and robust
solution for designers looking to move up to the performance potential
of a Class D audio amplifier in a smaller footprint.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sil/sil207.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sil2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MESFET SWITCH SUITS MULTIBAND ANTENNAS
(Toshiba Electronics Europe, 08 Dec 2004)
A new industry-leading small, low-profile GaAs MESFET SPDT switch aims
for use in multiband/multimode cellular antenna switch modules,
Bluetooth modules and WLAN applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tos/tos249.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tos2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
Have you seen our other newsletters?
====================================================================
Pro-Talk publishes a whole series of newsletters for technical
Professionals. Sign up to be put on free circulation at
http://www.pro-talk.com today.
====================================================================
|
|
