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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: 23,750
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 213: 26 April 2005
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22725 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] Embedded Ethernet controller shrinks to 28 pins
[2] RF chipsets support WiMAX and WiBro
[3] Programmable SoC is ready for real-time processing
[4] New architecture puts DSP in charge of power
[5] Cool claims for power amplifier modules
[6] Coprocessing kit brings DSP and FPGA together
[7] Software unites mechanical and electrical design
[8] Conductive adhesive handles Pb-free processing
[9] PXI controllers promise express delivery
[10] CAN transceivers run on a single wire
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
As if to prove that we engineers really do fulfil the "anorak" tag bestowed on us by the hoi polloi, it seems there really are people out there still hoarding magazines from the 1960s. And sure enough it was a British engineer who came up with the "mint" copy of Electronics containing Gordon Moore's original (Moore's Law) article from 1965.
So congratulations to David Clark, who allegedly obtained the copy when Philips cleared out its library in the 1970s, and will receive $10,000 from Intel for his trouble. Who knows what other gems are lurking in his collection.
I guess that might be one limitation of our online media - websites are hardly "collectable"! If they were, though, there would have been an absolute classic to collect this week when our web designer added the new tagline to the Electronicstalk banner that appears on all our news pages.
That tagline now (pretty accurately) reads: "The Web's No. 1 Publication for Electronics Engineers". Sadly, though, when it first appeared there was an "s" missing, implying that all our readers were robots (probably the best definition of an electronic engineer, rather than an electronics engineer).
But then that's the curse of the English language - one letter or two can change the meaning entirely, without appearing necessarily to do so. Suffice it to say, we at Electronicstalk will endeavour to avoid such inaccuracies. So (for example, from this week's postbag) no matter what suppliers say, a GUI is a graphical user interface (rather than graphic - which would mean explicit), and the engineering that goes into the Royal Navy's ships is "naval". (And I shudder to think what navel electronics might actually entail.)
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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ROYALTIES BOOST LINEAR'S REVENUES
(Linear Technology Corp, 21 Apr 2005)
Linear Technology reports total revenue for its third quarter ended 3rd April 2005 of $290,734,000, an increase of 39% over revenue of $209,133,000 for the third quarter of the previous year.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lne/lne149.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lne1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DIALOG HIT BY LOWER WIRELESS REVENUES
(Dialog Semiconductor, 21 Apr 2005)
Dialog Semiconductor has reported sales of Eur 18.6 million for the first quarter of 2005 (compared with Eur 23 million for Q1 2004).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dal/dal114.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dal1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
WIRELESS INDUSTRY ENDORSES DVB-H STANDARD
(Texas Instruments, 21 Apr 2005)
Key players in the wireless industry have announced support for DVB-H, an open industry standard for the delivery of mobile broadcast digital TV for the US, European and Asian marketplaces.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex808.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex8[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
YOUNG ACQUIRES STERLING
(Young-ECC Electronics, 25 Apr 2005)
Young Electronics Group has completed the acquisition of Sterling Components, the Slough based distributor of a broad range of passive, electromechanical and inductive components.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/you/you164.html
or send a blank email to mailto:you1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MIPS REVENUES SURGE BY A THIRD
(MIPS Technologies, 21 Apr 2005)
MIPS Technologies has reported financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended 31st March 2005.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mip/mip271.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mip2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DONATIONS TO AID TASMANIAN ASTRONOMY RESEARCH
(Altium, 21 Apr 2005)
Altium is donating cash, software, hardware and support to the value of $158,000 to the University of Tasmania Foundation.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tas/tas178.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tas1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
STUDY INVESTIGATES STENCIL PERFORMANCE
(DEK, 25 Apr 2005)
The nickel content of screen print stencils appears to be the figure of merit when migrating to lead (Pb)-free assembly.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dek/dek201.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dek2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
UGS COMPLETES TECNOMATIX ACQUISITION
(Tecnomatix Technologies, 20 Apr 2005)
UGS has completed its acquisition of all the outstanding equity of Tecnomatix Technologies for approximately $228 million in cash, net of any applicable tax withholding obligations.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tef/tef110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tef1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ADDITION ENHANCES AVIONICS PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
(Aeroflex, 22 Apr 2005)
Aeroflex has acquired the business of JcAIR Test Systems from aerospace and defence supplier, Goodrich Corp for $35 million in cash.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aof/aof116.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aof1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] EMBEDDED ETHERNET CONTROLLER SHRINKS TO 28 PINS
(Microchip Technology, 26 Apr 2005)
Microchip Technology has released the world's first 28-pin stand-alone Ethernet controller, which provides a low-pincount cost-effective easy-to-use solution for remote communication with embedded applications. Microchip's ENC28J60 Ethernet controller enables designers to create network- and Internet-connected embedded applications with minimised board space, cost and complexity. Whereas most Ethernet controllers come in greater than 80-pin packages, the IEEE802.3-compliant ENC28J60 offers comparable features in a 28-pin package, which simplifies the design and reduces the overall occupied board space.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ari/ari190.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ari1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] RF CHIPSETS SUPPORT WIMAX AND WIBRO
(Texas Instruments, 25 Apr 2005)
Texas Instruments has expanded its portfolio of complete wireless signal-chain solutions for broadband wireless access, introducing three radio frequency (RF) chipsets, the TRF11xx chipset at 2.5GHz, the TRF12xx chipset at 3.5GHz and the TRF24xx chipset at 5.8GHz. TI's new chipsets are designed to support IEEE802.16d/e standard RF front end for wireless basestations, access points as well as equipment backhaul, point-to-point microwave and public safety band applications. These new chipsets are capable of supporting both emerging WiMAX and WiBro applications based on the IEEE802.16 standard, as well as the more traditional fixed wireless access.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex811.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex8[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] PROGRAMMABLE SOC IS READY FOR REAL-TIME PROCESSING
(Micro Memory, 25 Apr 2005)
Available now from Micro Memory, the CoSine is a highly integrated, completely preconfigured system-on-chip for real-time FPGA-based signal processing. Bridging two high-speed interfaces (Serial RapidIO, PCI-X or PCI-Express) through a multiport DDR controller, the elegant design enables noncontentious access to a user programmable logic (UPL) block and QDR II SRAM controller.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/miy/miy100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:miy1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] NEW ARCHITECTURE PUTS DSP IN CHARGE OF POWER
(Silicon Laboratories, 21 Apr 2005)
Based on a patented architecture, the Si825x family of single-chip digital power supply controllers combines the flexibility and programmability of a DSP with the fast response of a hardware-based controller. This unique architecture enables the Si825x family of products to provide both digital power control and power management functions for most isolated and nonisolated switch-mode power supply topologies while consuming one-tenth the space and drawing less than 15% of the supply current of typical DSP solutions.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/snl/snl119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:snl1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] COOL CLAIMS FOR POWER AMPLIFIER MODULES
(Agilent Technologies, 25 Apr 2005)
Agilent Technologies has released a family of 4 x 4mm power amplifier (PA) modules featuring CoolPAM technology. CoolPAM significantly reduces battery power consumption and allows mobile handsets to run cooler. Agilent's CoolPAM technology uses advanced InGaP heterojunction bipolar transistor MMIC technology to provide state-of-the-art reliability, temperature stability, cool operation and ruggedness. CoolPAM power amplifiers are already proven in handsets from leading manufacturers in Korea.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/291/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi291.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] COPROCESSING KIT BRINGS DSP AND FPGA TOGETHER
(Kane Computing, 25 Apr 2005)
Kane Computing is now shipping a new Ateme development kit, complementing existing audio/video hardware platforms. The DMCK (digital media coprocessing kit) is dedicated to collaborative processing between DSPs and FPGAs. The board integrates the Altera's Cyclone EP1C20 FPGA and Texas Instruments' DM642 that combines outstanding processing capabilities with the interfaces needed for the professional video market. The Cyclone FPGA is directly connected to video encoder and decoder thus allowing video pre- and post-processing.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/kan/169/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kan/kan169.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kan1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] SOFTWARE UNITES MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL DESIGN
(Flomerics, 20 Apr 2005)
FLO/PCB v2.2 features more than 25 improvements and enhancements that significantly improve usability and tighten integration between electrical and mechanical design of printed circuit boards. These enhancements demonstrate Flomerics' commitment to streamline physical design of electronics by improving design collaboration between electrical and mechanical engineers. Highlights of the new release include automatic "Manhattan distance" calculation and constraint management.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/flo/145/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flo/flo145.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] CONDUCTIVE ADHESIVE HANDLES PB-FREE PROCESSING
(Henkel, 26 Apr 2005)
Always on the forefront of next-generation materials development, the Electronics Group of Henkel has introduced a new conductive adhesive to address the requirements of higher temperature processes such as lead-free manufacturing. Delivering excellent electrical conductivity for attachment of integrated circuits (ICs) and components to metallic lead frames, Loctite QMI529HT is a highly silver filled conductive adhesive designed to provide high thermal conductivity.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hen/hen122.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hen1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] PXI CONTROLLERS PROMISE EXPRESS DELIVERY
(National Instruments, 22 Apr 2005)
National Instruments has announced two new PXI controllers, the NI PXI-8195 and NI PXI-8196, which are the industry's first controllers to use the Mobile Intel 915GM Express chipset. In addition, the PXI-8196 is the first embedded controller to use the power of a 2.0GHz Intel Pentium M 760 processor, making it the industry's highest-performance embedded controller and increasing its overall performance by more than 50% compared with existing PXI controllers operating with the 2.5GHz Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor. The new PXI-8195 includes the 1.5GHz Intel Celeron M 370 Processor.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/naa/198/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/naa/naa198.html
or send a blank email to mailto:naa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] CAN TRANSCEIVERS RUN ON A SINGLE WIRE
(Freescale Semiconductor, 21 Apr 2005)
Dual-wire CAN transceivers are used in high- and medium-speed applications with the primary goal of data transfer. Advanced automotive networks and applications such as power windows and door locks, seat and mirror controls and internal digital temperature gauges do not require high-speed data transmission. The extra power dual-wire CAN transceivers provide is wasted in these applications and can unnecessarily increase the cost of the system. In cost-sensitive applications, single-wire CAN solutions provide an adequate speed and cost alternative. Freescale's MC33897 single-wire CAN transceivers allow the popular CAN protocol to be transmitted over one wire rather than two.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mot/mot196.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mot1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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SIGNAL SWITCHES BOOST PCI-X GRAPHICS PERFORMANCE
(Pericom Semiconductor Corp, 21 Apr 2005)
Asustek's latest motherboard that has dual x16 PCI-Express slots to support either a single graphics card, or dual SLI-ready graphics cards with Nvidia SLI technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pom/pom111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pom1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ASIC TECHNOLOGY SPEEDS ST PRINTER CHIP TO MARKET
(eASIC Corp, 25 Apr 2005)
EASIC customer STMicroelectronics has achieved 24 hours turnaround from RTL to tapeout using the company's Structured eASIC technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ecc/ecc114.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ecc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DSP-BASED AUDIO HELPS THE HARD OF HEARING
(AMI Semiconductor, 21 Apr 2005)
AMI Semiconductor's BelaSigna 200 DSP-based audio system has been selected by Phonak Communications for the SmartLink SX.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/amb/amb167.html
or send a blank email to mailto:amb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MUSIC PLATFORM USES EFFICIENT AUDIO FORMAT
(Coding Technologies, 22 Apr 2005)
Loudeye is deploying Coding Technologies MPEG-4 aacPlus audio format into its mobile music platform as an option for operators worldwide.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cdi/cdi108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cdi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
VERSATILITY IS KEY TO PLACEMENT PLATFORM CHOICE
(Assembleon, 25 Apr 2005)
Assembleon has supplied and installed two Gemline Topaz-XiII SF systems to Renishaw, allowing further flexibility and room for product development.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ass/ass128.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ass1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
VERSATILITY IS KEY TO ENCLOSURE SPECIFICATION
(Rittal, 22 Apr 2005)
When Transaction Network Services configured its latest hardware it looked for an enclosure supplier with products that were both attractive and versatile to ensure fast and easy installation.
Request free details from the supplier on FlexRack and RiPatch:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/rit/190/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rit/rit190.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rit1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured new product news
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HIGH-SPEED PCI BRIDGE FITS IN LIMITED SPACE
(PLX Technology Europe, 26 Apr 2005)
The PLX FastLane PCI 6466 is billed as the industry's smallest 64bit, 66MHz PCI bridge.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/plx/plx119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:plx1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MOSFETS RESIST THERMAL EFFECTS
(Vishay Siliconix, 22 Apr 2005)
Siliconix has developed the industry's first N-channel MOSFETs that combine a high 3.4V threshold voltage with on-resistance as low as 2.7mohm.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vsh/vsh118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vsh1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
RESET CONTROLLER OFFERS FLEXIBLE PROGRAMMING
(Summit Microelectronics, 26 Apr 2005)
The SMR101 programmable reset controller is the latest addition to the growing family of flexible integrated reset circuits from Summit Microelectronics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sum/sum127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sum1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NEW FORMAT TARGETS MOBILE DATA STORAGE
(Kingston Technology, 21 Apr 2005)
Kingston Technology's high-capacity MMCmobile cards are slated for use in next-generation mobile phones and digital devices that will offer enhanced media and storage functionality.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kin/kin125.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kin1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CHARGER CUTS UNNECESSARY RECHARGE CYCLES
(Linear Technology Corp, 26 Apr 2005)
The LTC4061-4.4 is a compact stand-alone linear single-cell Li-ion battery charger with features that improve charging safety, simplify charge termination and prolong battery life.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lne/lne150.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lne1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TRANSCEIVERS TAKE VCO AND PLL PARTS ON CHIP
(Maxim Integrated Products, 26 Apr 2005)
A new family of crystal-referenced VHF/UHF transceivers delivers more than +10dBm output power and -114 or -110dBm sensitivity.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/max/max222.html
or send a blank email to mailto:max2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PLL STOPS LINE CARDS GETTING THE JITTERS
(Semtech, 21 Apr 2005)
The ACS8942A is a jitter attenuating and multiplying phase-locked loop for generating ultra-low-jitter output clocks for Sonet and SDH network equipment.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sem/sem130.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sem1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CRYSTALS CUT REAL-TIME CLOCKS DOWN TO SIZE
(Euroquartz, 25 Apr 2005)
A new range of ultraminiature crystals provides 32.768kHz output for use in real-time clock applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eub/eub120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eub1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PLATFORM DISCOVERS MICROCONTROLLER DESIGNS
(Anglia, 25 Apr 2005)
Anglia has introduced a complete low-cost development platform for the STR71xF series of microcontrollers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ang/ang117.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ang1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
COMPACTPCI SYSTEMS HOUSE UP TO SIX BOARDS
(Schroff UK, 25 Apr 2005)
With the control and measurement and automation market sectors in mind, Schroff has configured new CompactPCI plug-in systems in 1, 2 and 3U for horizontal 6U board assemblies.
Request free details from the supplier on CompactPCI plug-in systems:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/sch/143/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sch/sch143.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sch1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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