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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: 23,700
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 209: 29 March 2005
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22080 product announcements and technical articles on our
website http://www.electronicstalk.com/ - all fully searchable
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In this issue:
* Editor's Message
* Other industry news
* Our Top new products selection
[1] Crystal oscillator raises frequency stability
[2] Hard macro tool speeds FPGA verification
[3] Kit checks out OLED display panels
[4] Novel MOSFET cuts on-resistance and gate charge
[5] Rugged enclosures keep dense boards cooler
[6] Compact embedded miniboard keeps its cool
[7] Programme assists RoHS compliance
[8] Acquisition range runs via USB 2.0
[9] Logic-level translator moves to lower voltages
[10] Logic analysers turn to DDR2 duties
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
Last week's editorial on the subject of computers in schools certainly
provoked more than the usual level of feedback - mostly, I suspect,
from engineers with school-age children at all levels.
Among the concerns expressed were worries about over-emphasis on use
of Microsoft software and the fear that (in engineering disciplines at
least) over-reliance on the integrity of software packages instead of
learning first principles.
Top marks, though, go to Brian Grimshaw of Preston-based Goss Graphic
Systems, who reminds us that (certainly in the case of primary
students) by the time they really need to use a computer, it won't
look much like the computer that they were taught to use.
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 email alone: see details below.
In the meantime, if you have any suggestions as to how we might make
the site or the newsletter better, email 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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BRATISLAVA OFFICE TARGETS EASTERN EXPANSION
(Omron Electronic Components Europe , 23 Mar 2005)
Omron has opened a new regional office in Bratislava, Slovakia,
following significant growth of its components business in Eastern
European markets.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/omr/omr204.html
or send a blank email to mailto:omr2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SCHEME WELCOMES REVISED DTI WEEE PROPOSALS
(Valpak, 28 Mar 2005)
Leading producer responsibility scheme Valpak has welcomed last week's
announcement from the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vlp/vlp102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vlp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SYMBOL SET DONATION TO ENCOURAGE STANDARDISATION
(Cadence Design Systems, 23 Mar 2005)
Cadence Design Systems has contributed its custom-design schematic
symbol set to the OpenKit Initiative.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cad/cad279.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cad2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DISTRIBUTOR ANSWERS CHALLENGING DESIGN PROBLEMS
(Memec Insight, 25 Mar 2005)
Memec Insight is inviting designers to take part in its 2005 Analogue
Challenge.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mep/mep100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mep1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CIRRUS AND WOLFSON BURY THE HATCHET
(Wolfson Microelectronics, 28 Mar 2005)
Cirrus Logic and Wolfson Microelectronics have settled all outstanding
litigation between the Companies.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wol/wol186.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wol1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR RAISES FREQUENCY STABILITY
(C-Mac Microtechnology, 23 Mar 2005)
A miniature low-cost lead-free TCVCXO (temperature compensated,
voltage controlled crystal oscillator) range offering frequency
stability of +/-0.5ppm over the -40 to +85C temperature range has been
introduced by C-Mac Microtechnology. Packaged as a standard 7 x 5mm
SMD, the new CFPT-126 is available in a range of frequencies between
10 and 40MHz for use in GPS, communications, networking and
instrumentation applications. To help equipment manufacturers to
comply with new environmental obligations, the CPFT-126 is designed
for lead free soldering and compliant with all requirements of the
RoHS regulations. With a 3.3V supply voltage and HCMOS output at
nominal frequencies of 10.0, 12.8, 13.0, 16.384, 19.44, 20.0, 26.0,
32.768 and 40.0MHz, the CFPT-126 is applicable to a range of
applications including telecommunications, microwave and satellite
communication systems, GPS, Ethernet products, and test and
measurement equipment. Its output frequency can be adjusted by more
than +/-5ppm through voltage control to calibrate it to nominal after
assembly. The CFPT-126 is supplied on standard tape and reel and
supports lead-free reflow soldering at 260C. Storage temperature range
is -55 to +125C, and typical ageing over the first year is +/-1ppm at
25C. Components are held in stock for fast delivery. "Despite their
high stability, C-Mac can provide these new TCXOs as off-the-shelf
products at off-the-shelf prices", said Mary Carbin, Business
Development Manager with C-Mac Frequency Products. "Not that we're
expecting them to stay on the shelves for long at the
price-performance point we are offering - we envisage a significant
mass-market uptake in emerging GPS, comms and instrumentation
applications".
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cma/cma107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cma1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] HARD MACRO TOOL SPEEDS FPGA VERIFICATION
(QuickLogic, 28 Mar 2005)
The latest release of QuickWorks from QuickLogic Corp integrates a new
hard macro tool that enables designers to realise dramatic
improvements in their verification cycle. The breakthrough capability
brings the benefits of the design reuse methodology to designers of
QuickLogic's uWatt FPGA, programmable bridging and programmable SoC
products. As designs continue to grow in complexity, engineers spend
significantly more time in the verification phase than in the actual
design phase. This dilemma is amplified in the consumer electronics
(CE) market where product design cycles are typically less than six
months. Many of these designs are evolutionary. The ability to
leverage the verification efforts of previous design implementations
can significantly improve future development schedules. "Designers of
CE products have clearly embraced programmable logic as a means to
deliver their products to market with differentiated features", said
Brian Faith, QuickLogic's Director of Logic Products. "We believe it
is incumbent on FPGA suppliers to facilitate the improvement of these
designers' aggressive development schedules". "Our new hard macro tool
underscores QuickLogic's commitment to achieving this by providing a
tool focused on maximising efficiency and minimising risk". QuickLogic
designers can now use the hard macro tool to "harden" the Verilog or
VHDL intellectual property content with embedded placement
information. This tool enables the generation of encrypted standard
modules that promotes design reuse in future designs. "Turnkey
projects have become more and more important into today's consumer
electronics markets". "Shorter time to market, shorter product life
spans and higher degrees of flexibility demand the most from
companies", said Richard Meester, President of Quest Innovations.
"QuickLogic's hard macro tool, coupled with their uWatt FPGAs and
programmable bridges, enables Quest Innovations to ensure our
customers meet these market demands". The QuickWorks 9.7 Windows-based
tool is available today at no cost and can be downloaded from the
QuickLogic website.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/qui/qui155.html
or send a blank email to mailto:qui1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] KIT CHECKS OUT OLED DISPLAY PANELS
(Anders Electronics, 28 Mar 2005)
Anders Electronics is offering a reference design kit that will
significantly reduce the time to market of applications based on Osram
Opto Semiconductors' Pictiva organic light emitting diode (OLED) flat
panel display products. The Osram Pictiva Evaluation Kit combines a
Pictiva display with all of the hardware, software and support tools
needed to rapidly prototype, test and implement OLED-based designs.
Target applications include portable and miniature "wearable" display
solutions such as MP3 players, mobile phone subdisplays, PDAs, medical
equipment and automotive dashboard equipment. Designed for use with a
standard Windows desktop or laptop PC, the Pictiva Evaluation Kit
comprises an evaluation board with a 128 x 64 format Pictiva display,
the Pictiva software, a USB cable, the control keyboard, a power
supply and full support documentation. Using the kit, developers can
quickly power up, initialise, and test operating modes and display
images on the Pictiva module. For more advanced functions and systems
development, the kit provides special features through its Display
List Processor software functions. Accessed via a simple user
interface, these functions allow users to render dynamic images for
viewing on the display and to create files of commands to control the
display based on specific application requirements. The Osram Pictiva
family comprises a range of lightweight, ultrathin, polymer-based,
single-colour displays that combine video quality graphics and high
contrast with a wide viewing angle. Anders Electronics stocks and
supports the full Pictiva range, which includes display formats
ranging from 80 columns x 48 rows to 128 columns x 64 rows. Available
colour options are green, yellow and orange.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/and/and112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:and1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] NOVEL MOSFET CUTS ON-RESISTANCE AND GATE CHARGE
(Toshiba Electronics Europe, 28 Mar 2005)
Toshiba has developed a novel type of power MOSFET called DTMOS. DTMOS
employs a new super junction structure that enables a reduction in
power consumption caused by on-state resistance to approximately 40%
of the value typically achieved with conventional MOSFETs. Developed
by Toshiba, the first device in the DTMOS family, TK15A60S, is
targeted for use in power supplies in television sets, home
appliances, AC adapters and ballast lighting. Toshiba has began
shipping samples of the new MOSFET, and will begin production in April
2005. The super junction structure, which has vertical paths to allow
electrical current to flow through easily on a silicon substrate,
realises lower on-resistance than the theoretical limit of silicon. By
applying this super junction structure and optimising the total
device, the on-resistance for the same area in Toshiba's DTMOS device
achieves a 60% reduction and its gate charge achieves a 40% reduction
compared with Toshiba's conventional MOSFETs. Consequently, the figure
of merit (product of on-resistance and gate charge), a characteristic
that is one important performance index for MOSFETs (in which smaller
is better), is one quarter the value of the company's conventional
MOSFETs. With this announcement, Toshiba is combining a super junction
structure with the company's original deep trench MOSFET (DTMOS)
technology. Indeed, the company is the first in the market to use
super junction structure combined with deep trench technology. The
TK15A60S features maximum ratings of 15A and 600V with on resistance
of 0.3ohm and will begin sampling in March 2005.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tos/tos261.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tos2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] RUGGED ENCLOSURES KEEP DENSE BOARDS COOLER
(Hybricon Corp, 24 Mar 2005)
Hybricon Corp has released a new line of 10U rack-mount high power
enclosures (the RME1021M Series) which feature high quality ruggedised
construction and a compact stackable design for vertically mounted
cards. The RME1021 enclosures are designed to cool extremely dense CPU
and DSP boards. Dual DC impellers powered by a dedicated power supply
output provide 456 litre/min per slot - sufficient cooling for 125W
per slot. The RME1021M enclosures are designed to meet MIL-STD-461 EMI
radiated and conducted emissions and susceptibility standards as well
as MIL-STD-810, MIL-S-901, and MIL-STD-167 environmental requirements
(a commercial version, the RME821C series, is also available).
Included are front and rear cover panels with honeycomb inlet and
exhaust and provisions for shielded connectors for I/O. The enclosures
are available with 21-slot CompactPCI, VME64x, VME, or VXS backplanes
and up to 2400W of embedded power. A closed loop fan speed control has
programmable settings for minimum and maximum speeds and temperature
break points.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hyr/hyr104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hyr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] COMPACT EMBEDDED MINIBOARD KEEPS ITS COOL
(Commell, 23 Mar 2005)
New from Commel, the LE-370Z is a 3.5in embedded fanless miniboard
that combines the Ultra Low Voltage Intel Celeron M 600MHz processor
with the Intel 852GM chipset. The LE-370Z supports a mobile optimised
integrated graphics solution with a 400MHz system bus and integrated
32bit 3D core at 133MHz. It features dynamic video memory technology
(DVMT), a low power design, advanced mobile power management and up to
1Gbyte of DDR 266/200 system memory. The integrated display controller
comes with single- or dual-channel LVDS panel support up to 1400 x
1050 SXGA+ panel resolution. The LE-370Z comes with onboard interfaces
for floppy disk drive, PS/2 keyboard and mouse, two RS232C ports, one
printer port, UltraATA 100 EIDE and IrDA. Networking is provided by
Intel 82562ET 10/100Mbit/s LAN, two USB2.0 ports for 40x faster data
transfer rate and backward compatible to support USB 1.0 devices and
AC97 3D audio are also integrated. Both Mini-PCI and CompactFlash
slots are provided for expansion.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/cme/108/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cme/cme108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cme1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] PROGRAMME ASSISTS ROHS COMPLIANCE
(UL International (UK), 23 Mar 2005)
A new UL service is available to help organisations meet the European
Union's strict Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive
for electronics manufacturers scheduled to take full effect in July
2006. The UL RSCS Programme tests and monitors six substances targeted
by the RoHS Directive, including lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium
(Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr+6), polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and
polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). UL's RSCS Programme helps
companies self-declare compliance with the RoHS Directive. "Companies
that fail to comply with RoHS may face severe consequences", said Dr
Terenzio Facchinetti, European RSCS Programme Manager. "Aside from the
potential loss of sales resulting from noncompliant products, these
companies could also face criminal and civil penalties". "Perhaps even
more significant is the potential impact to brand and corporate image
for those companies found to be noncompliant". The UL RSCS Programme
is designed to help companies from a number of industries impacted by
RoHS, including appliances, components, consumer electronics,
information technology, telecommunications, plastics and wire and
cable. The UL RSCS Programme can help original equipment manufacturers
(OEMs) monitor the compliance of supply-chain partners, reduce the
investment associated with internal compliance efforts and identify
compliant substitution options. For suppliers, teaming with UL offers
several benefits. The UL RSCS Programme helps streamline the reporting
process by providing a single report available online, thus reducing
costs and complexity. In addition, suppliers participating in the UL
RSCS Programme are more attractive to OEMs by demonstrating their
proactive commitment to manage compliance efforts through a globally
recognised third party such as UL. The UL RSCS Programme leverages the
organisation's extensive worldwide resources to address the challenges
of RoHS compliance. There are three main programme elements. UL
provides global testing of elements in the RoHS Directive through a
combination of UL facilities, UL qualified laboratories and UL
qualified customer labs. UL RSCS offers companies a password-protected
database to help organisations manage their restricted substances test
data. The database is comprised of specific manufacturer-supplied
parts numbers and the corresponding test data. UL uses an extensive
international network of compliance engineers to serve RSCS customers.
UL surveillance provides a check on the means a manufacturer uses to
determine its compliance with the RoHS Directive given any changes in
materials, suppliers or manufacturing processes. "With the growing
importance of global markets in a company's success, these
organisations need a global partner to help lead them through the
increasingly complex international regulatory environment", said Dr
Facchinetti. "UL is well-positioned to play a key role in helping them
succeed". The UL RSCS Programme helps OEMs and suppliers mitigate the
risk of noncompliance with global and national restricted substances
regulations. With a proven track record in product safety
certification compiled over more than 110 years, UL provides a
respected third-party source to help manufacturers monitor their
supply chains and self-declare compliance with confidence.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/uli/101/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/uli/uli101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:uli1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] ACQUISITION RANGE RUNS VIA USB 2.0
(Keithley Instruments, 24 Mar 2005)
Keithley Instruments has released the Series KUSB-3100 of USB-based
data acquisition (DAQ) measurement solutions. An alternative to ISA,
PCI, and PCMCIA data-acquisition cards, these compact DAQ measurement
tools offer easy installation with true plug-and-play capability and
easier portability than plug-in cards affording greater measurement
flexibility. Using USB as an interface for data acquisition lessens
the dependence on PC motherboard technology where slots for plug-in
boards are required. The Series KUSB-3100 consists of five different
multifunction modules that cover a broad range of applications. The
Series KUSB-3100 offers true USB 2.0 and 1.1 plug-and-play capability.
Users can install a Series KUSB-3100 module without the need to crack
open a PC to add a board, configure DIP switches and IRQ settings, or
search for the correct device driver, then reboot the system. Units
connect to USB ports on a PC via a standard, low-cost cable. The PC
automatically identifies modules and installs the necessary software
to operate the unit, greatly reducing startup time. Series KUSB-3100
modules can be installed or removed while the computer is running.
Just plug in the device, use it, and unplug it when measurements are
complete. There is no need to power down the PC. Series KUSB-3100 DAQ
modules offer lower noise sensitivity than PC plug-in boards, offering
more accurate, quality measurements. Because USB cables are typically
1 to 5m long, I/O circuitry is located further away from electrically
noisy computer motherboards and power supplies, and closer to the
signals they will be measuring. Most Series KUSB-3100 modules provide
a 500V isolation barrier from the PC, protecting both the computer and
the input device from damage caused by voltage spikes, surges, or
shorts. This built-in protection also prevents the computer operating
system from shutting down, ensuring continuous operation. All Series
KUSB-3100 solutions support USB full-speed datarates, for data
acquisition sampling rates as high as 100kHz. Keithley's top of the
line solution, the Model KUSB-3116, is fully USB 2.0 compliant,
providing functionality at the USB high-speed 480Mbit/s data transfer
rate. The increased bandwidth lets customers perform multiple I/O
operations simultaneously at throughput rates up to 500kHz in each
direction, similar to PCI measurement systems. Series KUSB-3100
modules are powered directly from the USB port via the USB cable or
through a simple connection to an external power source (Model
KUSB-3116). The Series KUSB-3100 consists of five different modules to
cover a broad range of applications. The Model KUSB-3100 and Model
KUSB-3102 feature 12bit resolution and sample rates of 40 and
100Ksample/s, respectively. Model KUSB-3108 and Model KUSB-3116
modules feature 16bit resolution with sample speeds of 50 and
500Ksample/s, respectively. These multifunction modules offer from 8
to 16 analogue input channels, up to four analogue output channels, 16
to 33 digital I/O lines, and up to five counter/timer inputs. The
Model KUSB-3160 is a multipoint digital I/O module featuring 96
digital lines for monitoring or control of high channel-count
applications. Signal connectivity is made through a variety of means
including built-in screw terminals, BNC connections, DB37 connections,
or mass termination connections, and is module dependent. These
built-in connectors eliminate the need for additional accessories,
such as cables and screw-terminal panels, which are normally required
for ISA and PCI plug-in boards. The Series KUSB-3100 modules are
multifunction devices suitable for a wide range of applications.
Modules can measure voltage, temperature, strain, and vibration and
are capable of frequency and event counting and timing for
applications in system automation, in-vehicle automotive testing, life
science research, and educational teaching labs. All KUSB-3100 Series
modules come with a variety of software tools including quick-start
applications, visual programming tools and drivers, and support for
LabView and TestPoint. Users can develop applications in Visual Basic
and Visual C++ using the supplied ActiveX controls, while Microsoft C
developers can use the supplied software development kit (SDK) for
writing applications for Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Units will be
available from stock from 1st April 2005.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kei/kei167.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kei1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] LOGIC-LEVEL TRANSLATOR MOVES TO LOWER VOLTAGES
(Fairchild Semiconductor, 24 Mar 2005)
A new low-voltage 2bit logic-level translator from Fairchild
Semiconductor combines a wide voltage range with "output enable"
(tristate) capability and ultracompact packaging. The FXL2T245L10X is
ideal for use in digital circuits to translate from lower to higher
logic levels or vice versa, especially 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.5 and 3.3V.
The translator's 1.1 to 3.6V range provides a lower voltage threshold
than most alternatives, allowing it to better accommodate the low
voltage needs of ultraportable applications, including cellphones,
digital cameras and notebooks. Packaged in a space-efficient
10-terminal MicroPak, Fairchild's FXL2T245L10X is especially useful
for "transparently" adding two additional bits to an existing
bidirectional translation path, such as a higher-definition LCD or
stand-alone 2bit translation solution for USB port data I/Os,
including Memory Stick, and other memory modules. "The FXL2T245L10X
represents Fairchild's continuing commitment to provide designers with
the flexibility to match microprocessor I/Os to a broad range of
higher and lower voltage functions", says Ken Murphy, Fairchild
Marketing Manager for Logic Products. "As product features are added
in ultraportable appliances, designers are increasingly utilising more
logic devices to resolve the mix of operating voltages". "Fairchild's
1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 16bit logic level translators in DQFN, BGA, and
MicroPak provide solutions to such problems, while requiring the
minimum amount of board space". Like other FXL series translators, the
lead (Pb)-free FXL2T245L10X meets or exceeds the requirements of the
joint IPC/JEDEC standard J-STD-020B and is compliant with European
Union requirements now in effect.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fai/fai335.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fai3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] LOGIC ANALYSERS TURN TO DDR2 DUTIES
(Tektronix, 25 Mar 2005)
Tektronix has developed new fully buffered DIMM (FB-DIMM) test
solutions for logic analysers in conjunction with Nexus Technology.
Tektronix demonstrated both FB-DIMM and second generation PCI Express
test solutions for their industry leading oscilloscopes at the recent
Intel Developer Forum (IDF), San Francisco. FB-DIMM and second
generation PCI Express are the two most recent examples of the
industry trend to replace legacy shared parallel buses with high-speed
point-to-point serial buses. FB-DIMM is an interconnect architecture
for high-end memory connections, enabling memory chips to operate at a
throughput of 6.4Gbyte/s, double the current throughput of today's
DDR-2-400 modules. Similarly, PCI Express second generation operates
at 5Gbit/s, double the bandwidth of the current PCI Express
specification. "Having new test and validation capabilities available
for FB-DIMM and second generation PCI Express early in advance of
first silicon power on is essential to help the broader community of
companies who are working to design and implement these technologies",
said Jim Pappas, Director of Initiative Marketing for Intel's Digital
Enterprise Group. Tektronix' TLA700 Series logic analyser and Nexus
Technology's NEX-FBD-NEXVu enable designers to verify, test and debug
the advanced memory buffer (AMB) control of the DDR2 SDRAM.
Additionally, the FB-DIMM northbound and southbound traffic can be
monitored by Tektronix' TLA700 Series logic analyser and a Nexus
Technology NEX-FBD-LAI interposer card. "To keep pace with more
complex and shorter design cycles, designers need to optimise their
FB-DIMM testing and validation with powerful solutions that enable
them to address these challenges", said David Bennett, Vice President,
Logic Analysers Product Line, Tektronix. "Tektronix offers the world's
most powerful logic analysers, which can be utilised in concert with
specific support packages such as Nexus Technology's latest offerings
to provide a robust toolset for FB-DIMM and DDR2 testing". "We found
the combination of the Tektronix TLA700 logic analyser and
NEX-FBD-NEXVu from Nexus Technology to be extremely useful in our
FBDIMM debug work", said Terry Lee, Executive Director of Advanced
Technology and Strategic Marketing, Micron System Memory Group. "This
combination enables easy connectivity without requiring an interposer
card and it allows us to probe signals, as seen by the memory chips,
with minimal impact on signal integrity". "In addition, the analogue
multiplexer capability of the Tektronix TLA allows these signals to be
viewed with a Tektronix oscilloscope without having to reprobe,
simplifying signal integrity measurements". At IDF, Tektronix
demonstrated new RT-Eye Serial Compliance and Analysis software
modules that transform a host oscilloscope into a powerful automated
validation and compliance-testing platform for FB-DIMM and second
generation PCI Express. The modules run on the Tektronix TDS6000
Series and TDS/CSA7000 Series oscilloscopes including the recently
announced TDS6124C and TDS6154C. The latter is the world's fastest
oscilloscope designed for the most demanding serial data applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek221.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tek2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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BEWARE THE HIDDEN COSTS OF WORKING WITH RF ICS
(Low Power Radio Solutions, 24 Mar 2005)
Today's wireless SoCs offer the promise of reduced cost radio
telemetry, but Barry Gillibrand warns that for most applications the
hidden design costs can dominate.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/low/low124.html
or send a blank email to mailto:low1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
STRUCTURED ASICS SPEED RECEIVER DIFFERENTIATION
(ChipX, 28 Mar 2005)
XM Satellite Radio Holdings has used ChipX structured application
specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for volume production of XM
receiver integrated circuits.
Request free details from the supplier on Structured ASICs:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/chi/112/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/chi/chi112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:chi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TOUGH TOUCH SCREEN SURVIVES AUSTRIAN KIOSKS
(3M Touch Systems UK, 23 Mar 2005)
Telekom Austria has converted 500 conventional telephone boxes into
advanced multimedia kiosks specifically designed with wheelchair
accessibility in mind.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mto/mto109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mto1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
OPTICAL ENCODER ENABLES DIRECT DISC LABELLING
(Agilent Technologies, 24 Mar 2005)
Agilent Technologies has revealed that its AEDR-8300 reflective
optical encoder has been incorporated into the LightScribe direct disc
labelling technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi284.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured new product news
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IC SENSOR PROVIDES NOVEL ROTARY CONTROL
(Quantum Research Group, 24 Mar 2005)
The QT510 QWheel IC is a novel chip that Quantum Research Group
believes will cut the cost of rotary touch sensing by 60% in consumer
electronic products.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/quc/quc103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:quc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SOLID-STATE DRIVES COME WITH SERIAL ATA INTERFACE
(Simpletech Europe, 24 Mar 2005)
SimpleTech has extended its Zeus solid state drive (SSD) product line
with the introduction of a Serial ATA (SATA) version.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/smp/smp114.html
or send a blank email to mailto:smp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MONOLITHIC VGAS CLAIM BASESTATION SUPREMACY
(Maxim Integrated Products, 25 Mar 2005)
The MAX2056 and MAX2057 are billed as the industry's highest
performing RF variable gain amplifiers in monolithic form.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/max/max217.html
or send a blank email to mailto:max2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TANTALUM CAPACITORS HANDLE HIGHER VOLTAGES
(AVX, 28 Mar 2005)
AVX has extended the voltage range of its TMC series of tantalum
capacitors with 16 and 20V offerings.
Request free details from the supplier on TMC series:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/avx/108/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/avx/avx108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:avx1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DSP ALGORITHMS OFFER COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS
(Kane Computing, 23 Mar 2005)
Kane Computing has recently signed a distribution agreement to
represent the portfolio of DSP algorithms, chips and solutions from
Adaptive Digital Technologies in the UK and Ireland.
Request free details from the supplier on Adaptive Digital
Technologies algorithms:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/kan/163/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kan/kan163.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kan1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CMOS SENSORS AIM FOR AUTOMOTIVE MARKET
(OmniVision, 24 Mar 2005)
The OV7940 is a new high-performance, highly integrated analogue CMOS
image sensor based on OmniVision's proprietary OmniPixel technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/omv/omv103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:omv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
1000W SUPPLIES AIM FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
(Condor DC Power Supplies, 23 Mar 2005)
The GPMP1000 series of 1000W single output medical power supplies use
either a DIN connector or terminal block for connection and offer a
range of standard features including overload protection.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cob/cob115.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cob1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DIGITISER REVOLUTIONISES DYNAMIC MEASUREMENTS
(National Instruments, 23 Mar 2005)
Design and test engineers can now use a single modular instrument to
make a wide range of dynamic measurements with the new National
Instruments flexible resolution digitiser.
Request free details from the supplier on PXI-5922 digitiser:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/naa/194/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/naa/naa194.html
or send a blank email to mailto:naa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BUDGET CLAMP METER GETS THE MEASURE OF DC
(Extech, 28 Mar 2005)
Extech Instruments has a new, single-function, DC-only 400A clamp
meter it reckons is easy to set up and operate and offers the best
value in DC clamp meters available in the market today.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/exe/exe100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:exe1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ADAPTER PROVIDES FULL WAN CONNECTIVITY
(SBS Technologies, 23 Mar 2005)
The latest addition to the Telum 1000 line from SBS Technologies is
the Telum 1001-DE DS3/E3 ATM network adapter.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sbs/sbs157.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sbs1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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