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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 23,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 196: 21 December 2004
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20,347 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
* Other industry news
* Our Top new products selection
[1] Niobium oxide capacitors go smaller and thinner
[2] BiCMOS logic shrinks into DQFN packages
[3] Regulators supply always-on power
[4] Demodulator stands up to direct conversion tasks
[5] High-integrity RTOS moves up to latest protocol
[6] Platform promises flexible graphical interfaces
[7] Thermal design software is made for collaboration
[8] Wireless connectors go one step further
[9] Subcompact board is big on multimedia
[10] Perpendicular recording boosts hard-drive density
* New technical articles & case studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini , Editor, writes:
With the holiday season almost upon us, this is the last
Electronicstalk Newsletter of 2004. Fear not, we aren't going into
hibernation - we will continue to post all the latest news on the
Electronicstalk Website. But to save clogging up unattended in-boxes,
we'll save two weeks' worth of news for our next Newsletter on 4th
January 2005.
There's no doubt that 2004 has been a funny old year. It was a year
when the electronics industry continued global growth - despite
predictions to the contrary. It may well go down as the year when
China began to emerge as a serious player in all electronics markets.
During the year, the Electronicstalk website gained more than 6000 new
news stories - an increase of more than 43%. And 2004 closes as the
year when the Wal-Mart launched a fully featured laptop - with
operating system and office applications - for less than US $500.
Now, I may not be great at predictions (just ask my bookmaker), but if
these trends continue, 2005 will see industry analysts eating their
words over the continued growth of the market. The Chinese renminbi
will overtake the US dollar as the key currency for transactions in
our business. Electronicstalk will rival Google as the web's most
visited site, and Tesco will start selling a supercomputer for less
than GBP 300.
But I have been known to be wrong.
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.
Merry Christmas
Laurence Marchini, Editor
mailto:ne[-email removed-]nicstalk.com
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This week's industry news
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SOLAR CELL FACTORY TO DOUBLE CAPACITY
(SunPower Corp, 15 Dec 2004)
SunPower Corp is to expand the manufacturing capacity of its solar
cell factory in the Philippines to 50MW by the second half of next
year - doubling its current capacity.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/snp/snp101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:snp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
UNION ENDORSES EIGT REPORT
(Amicus, 16 Dec 2004)
Manufacturing and engineering union Amicus has welcomed a Government
commissioned report on the future of the UK electronics industry.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/amy/amy100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:amy1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MORE SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT EIGT REPORT
(IEE (Institution of Electrical Engineers), 16 Dec 2004)
The IEE has added its support to the recommendations of the
Electronics Innovation and Growth Team report which get to the core of
the opportunities and obstacles facing the UK electronics industry.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iwo/iwo111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iwo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AWARDS RECOGNISE ADVANCES IN LEAD-FREE SOLDERING
(Soldertec Global, 20 Dec 2004)
Soldertec Global has revealed the four winners of the lead-free solder
awards for 2004 - all selected from nominations received from
industry.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/soe/soe101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:soe1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
LAUTERBACH SETS UP SHOP IN MILAN
(Lauterbach, 15 Dec 2004)
Lauterbach is adding to its existing branch offices in Japan, the UK
and the East and West coasts of the USA with a new Italian branch in
Milan.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lau/lau122.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lau1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MAGNETORESISTIVE RAM STRUCTURE REFINED
(Toshiba Electronics Europe, 21 Dec 2004)
At last week's IEDM Toshiba and NEC revealed two key advancements
toward development of a magnetoresistive random access memory.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tos/tos251.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tos2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
RASOR OUTLINES GROWTH OF 3G CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY
(Texas Instruments, 16 Dec 2004)
Texas Instruments Vice President and Manager, Worldwide Strategic
Marketing, Doug Rasor made a keynote address to industry leaders
attending the Yankee Group's Wireless Leadership Summit this week.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex734.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex7[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] NIOBIUM OXIDE CAPACITORS GO SMALLER AND THINNER
(AVX, 16 Dec 2004)
AVX's recently introduced technology breakthrough, OxiCap niobium
oxide capacitors are now also available in smaller and thinner
packages in response to demand in mobile phones, digital cameras and
thin notebooks and PDAs. The devices are compatible with the latest
lead-free directives, are RoHS compliant, halogen-free and carry the
coveted Sony Green Partner award. Launched at the beginning of the
year, niobium oxide capacitors offer a wide range of benefits.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/avx/105/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/avx/avx105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:avx1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] BICMOS LOGIC SHRINKS INTO DQFN PACKAGES
(Philips Semiconductors, 16 Dec 2004)
In a drive to meet market demands for smaller electronic products,
Philips has unveiled the industry's smallest BiCMOS logic device in
the depopulated very-thin quad flat-pack no-leads (DQFN) package. With
DQFN packaging, Philips is able to offer the same performance
characteristics of today's larger BiCMOS logic devices in a package
that is 35% smaller, as well as a solid roadmap to continue cost
reductions.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/phi/phi290.html
or send a blank email to mailto:phi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] REGULATORS SUPPLY ALWAYS-ON POWER
(Maxim Integrated Products, 15 Dec 2004)
The MAX8718 and MAX8719 are small, high-input-voltage linear
regulators that supply always-on, keep-alive power to CMOS RAM,
real-time clocks (RTC), and microcontrollers in systems with
high-voltage batteries. The low 25uA quiescent supply current is
essential for these micropower applications. Even when subjected to
fast supply-voltage changes that occur during the switchover from
battery to AC-adapter input power, the MAX8718 provides a fixed 5 or
3.3V output.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/max/max206.html
or send a blank email to mailto:max2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] DEMODULATOR STANDS UP TO DIRECT CONVERSION TASKS
(Linear Technology Corp, 20 Dec 2004)
A new, very high linearity and low noise I/Q demodulator from Linear
Technology provides the performance needed for direct conversion and
IF conversion of radio signals to baseband for high performance
receivers. The LT5517 has an IIP3 (input third-order intercept point)
of 23.5dBm and a noise figure of 9.5dB at 200MHz, allowing the robust
detection of weak signals, even in the presence of high level
interference.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lne/lne109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lne1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] HIGH-INTEGRITY RTOS MOVES UP TO LATEST PROTOCOL
(Green Hills Software, 16 Dec 2004)
Green Hills Software has released two dual-mode IPv4/v6 Internet
protocol stacks for its RTCA/DO-178B, Level A compliant Integrity-178B
RTOS for safety- and security-critical applications. The IPnet and
IPlite stacks take advantage of the Integrity-178B RTOS' secure
partitioning, allowing networked applications to share the same
processor as software requiring certification to the most stringent
safety standards.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/gre/179/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gre/gre179.html
or send a blank email to mailto:gre1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] PLATFORM PROMISES FLEXIBLE GRAPHICAL INTERFACES
(Tilcon Software , 21 Dec 2004)
The Tilcon Interface Development Suite (IDS) is a GUI and HMI builder
consisting of three powerful components: it is billed as the fastest,
most cost effective way to create today's demanding embedded graphical
interfaces. The sharpness, reliability, and real-time performance of
its high-end graphical objects result in precise, photorealistic
displays and instrument clusters.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/til/til100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:til1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] THERMAL DESIGN SOFTWARE IS MADE FOR COLLABORATION
(Flomerics, 15 Dec 2004)
Version 2 of Flomerics' FLO/PCB software - developed specifically to
enable electronic and thermal engineers to collaborate on PCB design -
provides a new 3D viewer and a conduction-cooled operating environment
and automatically calculates maximum power dissipation for a given
operating temperature. The 3D viewer in the new version allows
designers to determine the effect of the height of components on
cooling issues. The ability to simulate conduction-cooled environments
makes it possible to evaluate boards in sealed enclosures, such as
those found in military electronics and ruggedised systems.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/flo/139/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flo/flo139.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] WIRELESS CONNECTORS GO ONE STEP FURTHER
(Aliner Industries, 21 Dec 2004)
Whereas most high-performance connectors for wireless applications
focus on miniaturisation and cost effectiveness, Aliner reckons its
ultraminiature SSMCX connectors go one step further by assuring user
friendliness, durability and (most importantly) shock resistance.
Thanks to the company's advanced CNC process technology, SSMCX
connectors are built to last, offering considerable savings on
maintenance cost. This connector uses DFA and DFU concepts which
reduce both assembly cost and end product failure rates.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aln/aln103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aln1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] SUBCOMPACT BOARD IS BIG ON MULTIMEDIA
(Display Solutions, 21 Dec 2004)
Leading UK distributor and system integrator Display Solutions has
announced the availability of Aaeon's Gene-6350 subcompact board.
Driven by the requirements of the automotive and embedded computing
markets this 5.75 x 4in board offers outstanding performance, low
power consumption, flexibility and high-quality multimedia capability.
The fitting of an Intel Ultra Low Voltage Celeron 400/650MHz processor
is responsible for the outstanding performance combined with the low
power consumption of this board.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dis/dis115.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dis1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] PERPENDICULAR RECORDING BOOSTS HARD-DRIVE DENSITY
(Toshiba Europe Storage Device Division, 15 Dec 2004)
Toshiba Europe Storage Device Division today further reinforced its
manufacturing and technological leadership with the launch of the
world's first 1.8in hard drives to incorporate perpendicular
recording. The MK400GAL packs 40Gbyte into a drive only 5mm thick,
and the 80Gbyte MK8008GAH sets news records for capacity in small form
factor hard drives.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tsh/tsh112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tsh1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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CARDS ARE JUST THE TICKET FOR GERMAN FOOTIE FANS
(Philips Semiconductors, 17 Dec 2004)
FC Cologne has implemented a multifunction contactless ticketing
solution based on Philips Mifare DESFire chip technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/phi/phi291.html
or send a blank email to mailto:phi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
COMPILER CUTS SOC POWER AND AREA FOR OKI
(Cadence Design Systems, 21 Dec 2004)
Oki has successfully taped out a chip for its uPlat SoC design
platform with the new low-power capability of Cadence Encounter RTL
Compiler synthesis.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cad/cad259.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cad2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FANS ARE A QUIET SUCCESS IN DIGITAL AUDIO
(Sunon, 16 Dec 2004)
MagLev fans are used to provide silent cooling in the Digital Sound
Projector, a high-end single loudspeaker panel with eight independent
channels of sound.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sno/sno102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sno1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PLACEMENT MACHINE BOOSTS THROUGHPUT AND QUALITY
(Blundell Production Equipment, 20 Dec 2004)
CRS Electronics of Ware, Hertfordshire, has considerably increased
production capacity and PCB build quality since installing a new
iPulse M1 SMT placement machine and reflow oven.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/bun/bun118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:bun1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
COMMS ADAPTER AIDS OPERATIONS SUPPORT SYSTEMS
(Performance Technologies, 15 Dec 2004)
Ace*Comm Corp is using Performance Technologies' communications
hardware and software in its data collection solutions for telecomms
carriers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pfo/pfo135.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pfo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured new product news
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PROCESSORS TUNNEL TDM STREAMS OVER IP AND WIRELESS
(Zarlink Semiconductor, 21 Dec 2004)
Three new low-density CES-over-packet processors will allow network
operators to cost-effectively support TDM voice, video and data
services over expanding metro Ethernet and wireless networks.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mif/mif191.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mif1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MIXED-SIGNAL ARRAY TAKES MORE MEMORY ONBOARD
(Cypress Semiconductor, 21 Dec 2004)
Cypress MicroSystems has begun production shipments of its smallest
and most highly integrated PSoC mixed-signal array.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cyp/cyp245.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cyp2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MCUS CUT DOWN ON MEMORY TO SAVE COSTS
(Zilog, 17 Dec 2004)
A new series of small memory devices are particularly suitable for
designing into low cost, general purpose 8bit microcontroller
applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zil/zil138.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zil1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PCB TOOLS ADDRESS FLEX CIRCUIT REQUIREMENTS
(Mentor Graphics UK, 21 Dec 2004)
Mentor Graphics has incorporated advanced design capabilities for flex
and rigid-flex boards into its Expedition and Board Station RE PCB
layout tools.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/men/men332.html
or send a blank email to mailto:men3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DESIGN SOFTWARE BRIDGES MECHANICS AND ELECTRONICS
(TurboTools Corp, 15 Dec 2004)
TurboTools Corp has released the production version of CablEquity, its
patent pending software that automates design and documentation of
hardware electrical systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tbo/tbo102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tbo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EPOXY ADHESIVE IS IDEAL FOR HIGH-SPEED SMT LINES
(Henkel Technologies, 17 Dec 2004)
Loctite 3629 is a low temperature cure epoxy adhesive that is
particularly suited to high-speed dispensing on a range of industry
standard machines, including ProFlow cassettes for printing.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hen/hen112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hen1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HALF BRICK TARGETS POWER-OVER-ETHERNET
(Advanced Power Conversion, 20 Dec 2004)
New to the Powerstax range is the H201 series DC/DC convertor,
specially designed for power-over-Ethernet applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/apc/apc133.html
or send a blank email to mailto:apc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DSP-BASED I/O BOARD AIMS FOR DEFENCE APPLICATIONS
(SBS Technologies, 20 Dec 2004)
SBS Technologies has continued its role as an embedded defence
electronics leader by introducing a new member of its line of
DSP-based I/O interface boards for military and defence applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sbs/sbs149.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sbs1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MINIATURE BANANA PLUGS PROBE TIGHT SPACES
(Pomona Electronics, 17 Dec 2004)
A new range of miniature banana plugs are designed for electronics
technicians working on circuit boards with limited area in which to
plug leads.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pna/pna103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pna1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
WI-FI SYSTEM TESTS PRODUCT AND NETWORK PERFORMANCE
(Communications Machinery Corp, 16 Dec 2004)
The EE-WPA is a multistation test system for WPA-Enterprise with full
support for 802.1x authentication, Radius, EAP-TLS, TKIP, MIC and
WPA-Personal preshared key mode.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cou/cou100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cou1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Have you seen our other newsletters?
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