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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: 23,600
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 222: 28 June 2005
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24082 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] Architecture extension cuts Java code down to size
[2] 12bit ADC claims speed record
[3] Electromagnetic drive produces vibration feedback
[4] Probes get to grips with PCB impedance measurement
[5] Frugal 4bit micro arrives on time
[6] CPU is optimised for embedded operating systems
[7] Spread spectrum FM cuts power supply noise
[8] Power PCB connectors handle up to 100A
[9] Board support tooling has universal appeal
[10] Quarter bricks add options and boost efficiency
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
Several readers have e-mailed recently asking about the coverage of
test and measurement and data acquisition in Electronicstalk. So, to
put the record straight, we aim to cover all the new products and
business news from the T and M sector that we feel is relevant to the
electronics industry.
That means you will find details of all the latest releases from all
the major suppliers of equipment designed to measure electrical and
electronic properties and quantities, but you won't have to wade
through a whole raft of equipment designed to measure other physical
or chemical quantities in order to find what you're looking for.
But if you really are interested in measuring temperature, pressure,
tensile strength, chemical properties or even just length, breadth and
height, we can help you there too. Many of our sister sites focus on
test equipment, sensors and metrology for non-electrical quantities.
These include Engineeringtalk - www.engineeringtalk.com -
Laboratorytalk - www.laboratorytalk.com - and QA-talk -
www.qa-talk.com.
Meanwhile, another heavy news week on the Electronicstalk website has
seen semiconductor analyst Future Horizons issue its latest news for
the year in which it stands by its previous prediction of double-digit
growth for the global IC business during 2005. And while the original
prediction - reported at the beginning of February - may have raised
some eyebrows, the latest confirmation (see Industry News below) is
beginning to look pretty sound.
Finally, everyone at Electronicstalk sends their condolences to the
family and colleagues of Jack Kilby, who died last week. The man
credited with the invention of the integrated circuit was one of the
true "giants" of the electronics industry. A link to his obituary can
also be found below.
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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INVENTOR OF THE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DIES AGED 81
(Texas Instruments, 23 Jun 2005)
Jack St Clair Kilby, retired TI engineer and inventor of the
integrated circuit, died on 20th June 2005 in Dallas following a brief
battle with cancer.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex844.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex8[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
IDC AND ICT TO COME TOGETHER
(IDT, 24 Jun 2005)
Integrated Device Technology and Integrated Circuit Systems have
signed a definitive agreement to combine the two companies in a
strategic merger.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/idt/idt187.html
or send a blank email to mailto:idt1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FREESCALE JOINS EUROPEAN RESEARCH INITIATIVE
(Freescale Semiconductor, 28 Jun 2005)
Freescale Semiconductor has joined NANOCMOS, an integrated project
funded by the European Commission's Information Society Technologies
Programme.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mot/mot207.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mot2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CHELTON ACQUIRES VECTOR FIELDS
(Vector Fields, 28 Jun 2005)
Chelton, the Avionics Division of Cobham, has acquired of Vector
Fields.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vct/vct111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vct1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
WIND RIVER AND GREEN HILLS BURY THE HATCHET
(Green Hills Software, 24 Jun 2005)
Wind River Systems and Green Hills Software have entered into a
nonmonetary settlement resolving all current litigation between the
two software companies.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gre/gre186.html
or send a blank email to mailto:gre1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SEMI MARKET ON TRACK FOR DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH
(Future Horizons, 24 Jun 2005)
Leading European electronics analyst Future Horizons is holding firm
to its double digit growth prediction for the global semiconductor
market in 2005.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/feh/feh112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:feh1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ACQUISITION EXPANDS POWER SUPPLY PORTFOLIO
(VxI Power, 28 Jun 2005)
Power supply manufacturer VxI Power has acquired the
intellectual-property rights of Morven Electronics' complete range of
products.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vxi/vxi107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vxi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EMBEDDED COMPUTING SPECIALIST SETS UP IN THE UK
(Themis Computer, 23 Jun 2005)
Themis Computer continues to strengthen its presence in Europe with
the opening of a UK subsidiary based in Basingstoke.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/thi/thi100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:thi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] ARCHITECTURE EXTENSION CUTS JAVA CODE DOWN TO SIZE
(ARM, 28 Jun 2005)
ARM launched its new Jazelle RCT technology at the JavaOne Conference
in San Francisco to dramatically reduce application memory footprint
while increasing performance and saving power in a wide range of
applications including mobile phones and consumer devices. The ARM
Jazelle RCT (runtime compiler target) architecture extension expands
the Jazelle technology portfolio to include optimisations for runtime
and ahead of time compiler technologies, such as just in time (JIT)
and dynamic adaptive compilation (DAC), providing support for all the
leading Java technology and other execution environments.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ank/ank212.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ank2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] 12BIT ADC CLAIMS SPEED RECORD
(Maxim Integrated Products, 22 Jun 2005)
Maxim Integrated Products is claiming a new 12bit sampling-speed
standard with the introduction of the MAX1215, a 12bit 250Msample/s
analogue-to-digital convertor (ADC). At 250Msample/s, this new ADC has
the world's fastest sample rate at the 12bit level, and delivers
outstanding dynamic performance over input frequencies as high as
300MHz. The MAX1215 is ideal for designers who need to implement
higher order power-amplifier predistortion, because the 250Msample/s
update rate allows them to sample wider bandwidths with greater
dynamic range than could have been sampled before.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/max/max230.html
or send a blank email to mailto:max2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] ELECTROMAGNETIC DRIVE PRODUCES VIBRATION FEEDBACK
(Alps Electric (UK), 28 Jun 2005)
The Force Reactor AF Series of short-vibration feedback devices can
generate an array of vibration patterns using an electromagnetic drive
system. Many types of electronic equipment such as mobile phones and
car navigation systems are equipped with an increasing number of touch
panels, input sensor devices and other features operated by the touch
of a fingertip. These types of devices require visual confirmation of
input. Recently, however, demand has risen for vibration, clicking and
other sensory functions at the fingertips to indicate to users that
their input has been properly accomplished.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/awo/awo109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:awo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] PROBES GET TO GRIPS WITH PCB IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENT
(Tektronix, 28 Jun 2005)
Test engineers, quality engineers, manufacturing managers and test
technicians working with high speed serial buses in excess of 1Gbyte/s
and who need performance validation and conformance testing of
electrical impedance of PCBs, connectors, and components when mounted
onto a PCB will benefit from a new high performance TDR hand probe now
available for Tektronix sampling oscilloscopes. The P80318 18GHz
100ohm differential impedance TDR hand probe and P80318X 18GHz 100ohm
differential impedance TDR hand probe for manufacturing significantly
improve differential TDR measurement integrity for electrical serial
data signals compared with using two single-ended probes.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek226.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tek2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] FRUGAL 4BIT MICRO ARRIVES ON TIME
(Seiko Epson Corp, 23 Jun 2005)
New from Seiko Epson Corp, the S1C63708 is an ultra-low-power 4bit
microcomputer ideal for use in watches and clocks. This product uses
newly developed circuitry to achieve ultralow power consumption by the
power source and the oscillator. With typical low-speed operation
consuming current of just 0.15mA (in halt/3.0V/LCD off), power
consumption is reduced to one third that of earlier models. The
product will be shipped as a bare chip, and shipment of samples will
begin in September.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sik/sik100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sik1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] CPU IS OPTIMISED FOR EMBEDDED OPERATING SYSTEMS
(Axiomtek, 24 Jun 2005)
A low power 486 CPU module is the latest addition to the industrial
entry-level family line of PC/104 modules from Axiomtek. Available in
a choice of configurations and options, the AX12200 offers developers
a robust and reliable platform to build on with the added benefit of
being able to realise faster times to market for new products.
Axiomtek's PC/104 module solutions are entry-level CPU cards with
integrated CPU and chipset, with stand-alone capability and flexible
I/O options that developers require.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/axi/axi113.html
or send a blank email to mailto:axi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] SPREAD SPECTRUM FM CUTS POWER SUPPLY NOISE
(Linear Technology Corp, 24 Jun 2005)
Linear Technology has introduced the LTC3808, a step-down synchronous
DC/DC controller with integrated spread spectrum frequency modulation
for systems requiring very low EMI and low noise power supply. The
LTC3808 minimises the need for EMI shields and filters by randomly
varying the switching frequency from 460 to 635kHz, reducing the peak
radiated and conducted noise of the DC/DC controller alternatively by
more than 20dB when operating the LTC3808 at a constant switching
frequency. The device provides two options: user-selectable 300, 550
or 750kHz operating frequency or 250-750kHz phase-lock loop (PLL)
operation.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lne/lne172.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lne1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] POWER PCB CONNECTORS HANDLE UP TO 100A
(Icore International, 22 Jun 2005)
Icore International has launched a new PCB connector, which provides a
low cost solution for electronic power applications rated up to 100A.
The simple design provides reliable contact without the cost of
complex components. The connector features a copper contact formed
into a U shape, providing a solid, single piece path for the current.
The contact is silver plated to provide an anticorrosion surface with
a malleable contact point to help optimise contact integrity. The
fingers are shaped to allow the smooth, easy insertion of the PCB
contact into the connector.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/ior/104/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ior/ior104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ior1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] BOARD SUPPORT TOOLING HAS UNIVERSAL APPEAL
(Novatec, 22 Jun 2005)
Novatec has designed and patented a new universal board support
tooling called VacuNest. The system offers optimum support as it takes
and maintains the exact shape of the board. Currently available
flexible support tools are all based on pins that touch the bottom
side of the board and so offer only a limited support area. With those
existing systems, the forces induced during the print stroke may be
very important and may damage components. VacuNest combines the
flexibility of universal tools with the support quality of dedicated
tools.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nva/nva101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nva1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] QUARTER BRICKS ADD OPTIONS AND BOOST EFFICIENCY
(Artesyn Technologies, 28 Jun 2005)
Artesyn Technologies has launched a new series of
ultra-high-efficiency Typhoon quarter-brick intermediate bus
convertors (IBCs) that generate up to 50% more useable power than
previous generation models. The series includes the IBC38AQT
unregulated, fixed ratio DC transformer for computing, and two
semiregulated models with input voltage ranges optimised for telecomms
(IBC28AQW) and networking (IBC30AQS) applications. All three IBCs
employ a new, leading edge conversion topology to maximise efficiency
and power density. The unregulated IBC38AQT, for example, can deliver
up to 450W of output power - 150W more than its quarter-brick
predecessor - with an efficiency of over 95%, and has a power density
in excess of 20W/cm3.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/art/art201.html
or send a blank email to mailto:art2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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LED DISPLAY BREAKS MULTIPROCESSING RECORD
(Altera Europe, 27 Jun 2005)
Barco is using more than 100 Cyclone FPGAs and Nios II embedded
processors per square metre in its revolutionary OLite 510
indoor/outdoor surface mount device LED display system.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aeu/aeu167.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aeu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FPGAS FLY WITH AIRBUS
(Actel Europe, 23 Jun 2005)
More than 700 Actel FPGAs have been designed into the Airbus A380.
Request free details from the supplier on ProASIC Plus and SX-A:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/act/206/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/act/act206.html
or send a blank email to mailto:act2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HDTV CUTS THE WIRES WITH ULTRAWIDEBAND RADIO
(Freescale Semiconductor, 23 Jun 2005)
Haier Corp has demonstrated a novel LCD high definition TV and digital
media server that use Freescale's ultrawideband technology to
broadcast HD video and audio streams.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mot/mot206.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mot2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SIMULATOR REMOVES THE NEED FOR THERMAL PROTOTYPING
(Flomerics, 27 Jun 2005)
Computer simulation helped engineers at Transmode Systems to quickly
design a metropolitan area networking system that easily meets all of
the company's demanding thermal requirements.
Request free details from the supplier on Flotherm:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/flo/151/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flo/flo151.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POWER SUPPLY ATE IS ESSENTIAL TO POWERSTAX
(Schaffner, 28 Jun 2005)
Powerstax has become the latest UK customer to buy an Intepro 9000
power supply ATE system from Schaffner.
Request free details from the supplier on Intepro 9000:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/sca/178/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sca/sca178.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sca1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EMS COMPANY IS IMPRESSED BY QUICK CHANGEOVERS
(Universal Instruments Corp, 24 Jun 2005)
Harvard Custom Manufacturing has already installed one complete
Universal AdVantis line with another line scheduled for final
installation this summer.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/uiv/uiv177.html
or send a blank email to mailto:uiv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured new product news
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PROCESSOR FOCUSES ON AUTOMOTIVE INFOTAINMENT
(Texas Instruments, 23 Jun 2005)
Texas Instruments has introduced a new OMAP processor for
high-performance, feature-rich automotive infotainment products,
including digital media and hard disk drive-based head-units.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex843.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex8[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POWER MANAGERS TARGET LOW-OUTPUT SWITCHERS
(Allegro MicroSystems Europe, 24 Jun 2005)
The STR-A61xx Series of power-management ICs are pulse ratio control
topology devices designed for use in relatively low output power
switch-mode power-supply designs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/alb/alb196.html
or send a blank email to mailto:alb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
REFLECTIVE SWITCH CUTS ITS LOSSES
(Peregrine Semiconductor, 23 Jun 2005)
The PE4283 is an SPDT reflective switch for developing "convergence"
market and generic RF applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/peg/peg112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:peg1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POWER RELAY AIMS FOR DIGITAL TV DUTIES
(Fujitsu Components Europe, 24 Jun 2005)
A new 10A power relay with a maximum noise level of 50dB is ideal for
use in sophisticated consumer appliances, such as digital televisions.
Request free details from the supplier on FTR-H3:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/fit/112/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fit/fit112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fit1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
WORKBENCH INTEGRATES POWERQUICC AND POWERPC
(Wind River Systems, 24 Jun 2005)
Wind River Systems is to provide support for Freescale's latest
PowerPC and PowerQUICC processors across all its DSO platforms.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wia/wia228.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wia2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SHIELDING SERVICE PROVIDES FULL COVERAGE
(Precision Micro, 23 Jun 2005)
Precision Micro has launched a complete "service package" for those
requiring EMI/RFI shielding solutions, covering all aspects from
design to compliance.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/prh/prh100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:prh1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
COMPACT CABLES CUT WEIGHT AND SPACE
(Tyco Electronics UK, 24 Jun 2005)
A new range of lightweight small-diameter low-fire-hazard cables
offers up to 30% weight and up to 50% space savings compared with
other standard commercial cables.
Request free details from the supplier on C-Lite cables:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/tya/193/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tya/tya193.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tya1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
OPTICAL INSPECTION SYSTEMS TAKE AN OBLIQUE VIEW
(Vision Engineering, 27 Jun 2005)
Vision Engineering has developed a switchable oblique and direct
viewer for its innovative expanded-pupil Alpha and Lynx optical
inspection systems.
Request free details from the supplier on C-161/2:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/vis/112/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vis/vis112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vis1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BATTERIES PACK IN MORE ACTIVE MATERIALS
(Gillette Company, 24 Jun 2005)
Duracell has improved the performance of its core battery ranges - the
Ultra M3, Plus and Procell AA, AAA, C and D products - by increasing
the amount of active materials in the cells.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gil/gil104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:gil1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
UPGRADED FPGAS BOOST ACQUISITION MODULES
(National Instruments, 22 Jun 2005)
National Instruments has released seven new R Series devices and five
CompactRIO modules for embedded digital signal processing and
high-speed control.
Request free details from the supplier on R Series and CompactRIO:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/naa/205/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/naa/naa205.html
or send a blank email to mailto:naa2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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