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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: 23,550
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 225: 19 July 2005
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24452 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] High-voltage DAC drives up to 200V
[2] PLDs cross over into FPGA applications
[3] Programmable chips to integrate entire systems
[4] Shrouded coils boost RF relay current handling
[5] Thermal analysis needs no knowledge of CFD
[6] Surface mount optical encoders go lead-free
[7] Mezzanine card boasts superior 3D graphics
[8] Adapters bring serial devices to USB
[9] Full service has all RoHS requirements covered
[10] 6U module offers up to 256 digital I/Os
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
I must admit that I'm a little surprised by recent surveys that put
growth in PC shipments well into double figures. Yesterday's figure
from IDC of Q2 shipments being up 16.6% over the same period last
year - coming on top of Gartner's 14.8% conclusion for the same
period - is difficult to explain.
Don't get me wrong, solid growth in commodity markets should form an
excellent basis for innovation (or so the theory goes) by providing
additional funds for R and D. But in the absence of new "killer" PC
applications that would encourage the world en masse to invest in new
PCs, it's hard to see what has led to the increase in demand.
Meanwhile, here in the Electronicstalk editorial offices - with full
acknowledgement that July has traditionally been dubbed "the silly
season" we have all been thinking up new applications for the
wonderful HAL5 "bionic body suit" developed by Prof Yoshiyuki Sankai
at Tsukuba University in Japan.
For those that may have missed it (and the story has been widely
covered in recent weeks), the suit appears to be the stuff of sci-fi
classics such as "The 6 million dollar man" - or more accurately
"Robocop" - in that it receives normal human nerve impulses and
amplifies them to drive a network of motors, thereby effectively
magnifying human strength.
Clearly, the technology is still in its infancy (or maybe that should
be adolescence), but some of the applications could be interesting.
One particular worry might be that once the suit has been streamlined
and miniaturised, it might be used to enhance athletic performance.
From my own perspective that can't happen too quickly - it's my only
chance of ever out-driving Tiger Woods.
On second thoughts, though, I dread to think what might happen if the
Australian cricket team were to get hold of it.
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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FAIRCHILD TO ADDRESS LOW-MARGIN OPERATIONS
(Fairchild Semiconductor, 15 Jul 2005)
Fairchild Semiconductor has announced results for the second quarter
ended 26th June 2005.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fai/fai353.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fai3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NEW FUNDS TO EXTEND WIRELESS RESEARCH
(Zensys, 15 Jul 2005)
Zensys, the inventor of the Z-Wave wireless mesh networking technology
for home control, has closed its third round of financing totalling
$16 million.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zes/zes101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zes1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CONTRACT SUPPORTS FLY-BY-LIGHT CONTROL
(C-Mac Microtechnology, 14 Jul 2005)
C-Mac Microtechnology has won a major contract, expected to be worth
around GBP 8 million over the next five years, from Galileo Avionica.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cma/cma109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cma1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
RECORD BREAKING QUARTER FOR APACHE
(Apache Design Solutions, 18 Jul 2005)
Apache Design Solutions has achieved another record breaking quarter,
while remaining cash-flow positive.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aps/aps102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aps1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AUTO INDUSTRY SLOW TO ADOPT BLUETOOTH
(Strategy Analytics, 19 Jul 2005)
A new study indicates strong reluctance by too many automotive players
to meet the large and ever growing opportunity for in-vehicle hands
free cellphone use.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sgy/sgy104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sgy1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
LEAD-FREE AWARDS UP FOR GRABS
(Soldertec Global, 18 Jul 2005)
Soldertec Global is offering individuals or organisations involved
with the development of lead-free technology the opportunity to apply
for one of this year's Lead-free Solder Awards.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/soe/soe106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:soe1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
THE EARS HAVE IT
(University of Southampton, 15 Jul 2005)
A University of Southampton scientist has just identified ears as a
potential biometric signature; but the fact that they can be concealed
by hair means further research is needed.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/unv/unv100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:unv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] PROGRAMMABLE CHIPS TO INTEGRATE ENTIRE SYSTEMS
(Actel Europe, 19 Jul 2005)
Actel has unveiled its Fusion technology, launching the era of the
programmable system chip (PSC). Leveraging its leadership position in
Flash-based FPGAs, the company has developed the industry's first
technology designed to bring true programmability to mixed-signal
solutions. The Actel Fusion technology is the first to integrate
mixed-signal analogue capabilities with Flash memory and FPGA fabric
in a monolithic PSC. The Actel Fusion technology brings the benefits
of programmable logic to application areas that until now have only
been served by discrete analogue component and mixed-signal ASIC
suppliers. This new technology takes advantage of the unique
properties of Actel's Flash-based FPGAs, including a high-isolation,
triple-well process and the ability to support high-voltage
transistors to meet the demanding requirements of mixed-signal system
design.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/act/210/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/act/act210.html
or send a blank email to mailto:act2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] HIGH-VOLTAGE DAC DRIVES UP TO 200V
(Goal Semiconductor, 15 Jul 2005)
Goal Semiconductor has launched the HVDAC 200 - a high voltage
four-channel 9bit serially configurable voltage/current D/A convertor.
Using an advanced high voltage silicon process, the HVDAC is capable
of driving outputs in excess of 200V. The HVDAC 200's high level of
integration makes it easy to replace circuitry that has traditionally
required a plethora of discrete components made up of high voltage
transistors, op amps, D/A convertors and digital logic with a single
IC. It therefore responds to the ever-increasing market pressure to
lower costs, reduce component count and simplify design and production
of electronic systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/goa/goa104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:goa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] PLDS CROSS OVER INTO FPGA APPLICATIONS
(Lattice Semiconductor UK, 19 Jul 2005)
Lattice Semiconductor has launched its new MachXO family with the
immediate availability of its first two members, the MachXO256 and
MachXO640. This new class of crossover programmable logic device
supports applications that traditionally have been addressed either by
high density CPLDs or low capacity FPGAs, but with a more
comprehensive and cost-effective architecture and technology. Through
the use of 130nm nonvolatile embedded Flash process technology, and
the use of an industry-standard four-input look-up table (LUT)
approach for logic implementation, these new devices provide system
designers with up to 50% lower cost per logic function, yet deliver a
dramatic increase in features.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lat/lat168.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lat1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] SHROUDED COILS BOOST RF RELAY CURRENT HANDLING
(Crydom International, 19 Jul 2005)
The latest high performance miniature reed relays from Crydom can
carry one-third more current than existing types. The new device
features a full electrostatic copper screen that completely enshrouds
the relay coil, reducing power loss and self-heating, thereby enabling
the increase in current handling to an industry leading 4A RMS at
30MHz from the miniature 30 x 10mm package. The 6 Series is designed
for next generation HF antenna couplers and filter circuits where
improved RF performance and higher packing densities are required.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/crb/crb115.html
or send a blank email to mailto:crb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] THERMAL ANALYSIS NEEDS NO KNOWLEDGE OF CFD
(Daat Research Corp, 15 Jul 2005)
A new, powerful and highly affordable package from Daat Research frees
PCB designers to do their own board level thermal analyses. Engineers
now can accurately predict the thermal behaviour of their designs and
pinpoint optimum component placement on their boards. There is no need
for expert knowledge of heat transfer or CFD (computational fluid
dynamics): CoolitPCB's intelligent user interface steers the user
through the solution process. But users shouldn't be fooled by this
simplicity.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dtr/dtr104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dtr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] SURFACE MOUNT OPTICAL ENCODERS GO LEAD-FREE
(Agilent Technologies, 15 Jul 2005)
Agilent Technologies has released a series of reflective optical
encoders in a lead-free surface-mount assembly. Their small
dimensions - 6.2 x 4.4mm, with a choice of 3.2 or 2.7mm height - make
them one of the smallest reflective encoders in the industry, and
their silver-palladium (Ag-Pd) pads meet worldwide lead-free mandates.
The AEDR-8000 series encoders also feature a -20 to +85C operating
temperature range, enabling them to work in high-temperature
automotive and industrial environments.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/agi/302/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi302.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] MEZZANINE CARD BOASTS SUPERIOR 3D GRAPHICS
(Aitech Defense Systems, 18 Jul 2005)
Aitech Defense Systems has released its most versatile graphics/video
processing PMC for moderate to high-level applications. The new M585
multistandard graphics/video PMC is a COTS mezzanine card that
provides superior 2D and 3D graphics processing, and includes
extensive encoding and decoding capabilities to accommodate multiple
channels of video input. In addition, the new M585 provides a variety
of industry-standard high-resolution signal outputs, and is available
in three levels of ruggedisation for commercial, rugged, or military
applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ait/ait109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ait1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] ADAPTERS BRING SERIAL DEVICES TO USB
(Celsum Technologies, 19 Jul 2005)
UltraPort USB to serial port adapters, manufactured by Perle Systems
and now available from Celsum Technologies, make it extremely easy to
connect multiple RS232 serial devices to the USB ports of a computer
systems or USB hubs. Available with one, two, four or eight DB9 9-pin
D connector serial inputs connecting via a single USB port, the
UltraPort range operates with USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 host ports, has
plug-and-play and hot-plug features, and allows serial port speeds of
up to 230Kbit/s. The serial ports appear as standard Windows COM
ports, and may be renumbered at COM1 to COM4 to operate with
applications such as HyperTerminal.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/csu/101/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/csu/csu101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:csu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] FULL SERVICE HAS ALL ROHS REQUIREMENTS COVERED
(TUV Product Service, 18 Jul 2005)
From 1st July 2006, all equipment within the scope of the RoHS
Directive must comply with restrictions on the use of six hazardous
substances, in particular lead. With a year to go to this deadline,
TUV Product Service/BABT, the international market access solutions
provider, has launched its RoHS Total Lifecycle Solution to assist
equipment producers in understanding their obligations under the RoHS
Directive, demonstrating compliance and communicating their objectives
internally and through the supply chain. This unique solution is
applicable anywhere within the product lifecycle. For producers new to
the directive, TUV PS/BABT provides a competitively priced suite of
consultancy offerings through a partnership with technical information
provider ERA Technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tuv/tuv110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tuv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] 6U MODULE OFFERS UP TO 256 DIGITAL I/OS
(KineticSystems Company, 14 Jul 2005)
KineticSystems has released a new digital input/output module: the
CP387 is a single-width 6U CompactPCI/PXI module with up to 256
digital input/output channels. This new device joins KineticSystems'
growing family of data acquisition and automated test equipment (ATE)
products for the CompactPCI/PXI, VXI and stand-alone DAQ platforms.
The CP387 baseboard provides 128 TTL level digital I/O channels.
Additional expansion up to 128 digital channels is provided by four
mezzanine card sites. These sites can be populated with an assortment
of I/O options such as isolated input, isolated output, relay output,
AC switch output or differential I/O to extend the capability of the
CP387.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gag/gag103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:gag1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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NOVEL ARCHITECTURE BRINGS HARMONY TO DTV
(On Demand Microelectronics, 19 Jul 2005)
A vector signal processor can form the basis for a software
programmable decoder for all digital TV standards.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ond/ond104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ond1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BLUETOOTH CHIP AIDS AUTOMOTIVE TELEMATICS
(Cambridge Silicon Radio, 14 Jul 2005)
CSR's BlueCore Bluetooth chip has been incorporated in Nissan's
advanced telematics system, christened Carwings.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cam/cam195.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cam1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
RTOS HELPS KEEP WATCH OVER SHUTTLE EXTERIOR
(QNX Software Systems, 15 Jul 2005)
The QNX Neutrino RTOS will power the Neptec laser camera system (LCS)
for NASA's Return to Flight mission.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/qnx/qnx120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:qnx1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MICROPROCESSORS ASSEMBLED AT LIGHTNING SPEED
(Universal Instruments Corp, 13 Jul 2005)
Universal Instruments has designed a line that can assemble 2000
microprocessors per hour - approximately 60 to 80% faster than
existing lines.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/uiv/uiv178.html
or send a blank email to mailto:uiv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DESIGN-TO-MANUFACTURE EXPERTISE IS KEY
(Prism Electronics , 14 Jul 2005)
The design-to-manufacture expertise of contract electronics
manufacturer Prism Electronics has taken a unique new product from
prototype through to full production.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/prl/prl103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:prl1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured new product news
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ADC CLAIMS BREAKTHROUGH IN DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
(Texas Instruments, 19 Jul 2005)
A new 13bit, 210Msample/s ADC boasts 68dB signal-to-noise ratio and
79dB spurious-free dynamic range at the maximum sample rate and an
input frequency of 230MHz.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex857.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex8[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PROGRAMMABLE I/O CHIP TAKES DIAGNOSTICS ONBOARD
(iC-Haus, 14 Jul 2005)
The iC-JX is a bidirectional I/O device in an MQFP52 package with 4x4
high-side drivers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ica/ica101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ica1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CERAMIC NETWORK OFFERS MILITARY LEVEL PRECISION
(TT Electronics Welwyn Components, 14 Jul 2005)
Welwyn Components has developed a military voltage divider that
provides two matched resistors with precision absolute and ratio
tolerances (0.05%, 0.01%) on a single chip.
Request free details from the supplier on D1206 Series:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/wel/131/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wel/wel131.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wel1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
OVERCURRENT PROTECTION SUITS TELECOMMS LINECARDS
(Raychem Circuit Protection, 19 Jul 2005)
The PolySwitch TSM600-400 is a low-resistance resettable overcurrent
protection device for communications infrastructure applications.
Request free details from the supplier on PolySwitch TSM600-400:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/ray/128/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ray/ray128.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ray1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
KIT GETS STARTED WITH PIC MICROCONTROLLERS
(Microchip Technology, 14 Jul 2005)
A new starter kit enables engineers, students and anyone with an
interest to easily begin development and experimentation with PIC
microcontrollers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ari/ari196.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ari1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TOUCH SENSORS ARE ON THE BUTTON FOR HMIS
(Quantum Research Group, 13 Jul 2005)
Novel charge-transfer digital sensor chips facilitate the manufacture
of man-machine interfaces at a cost comparable to using
electromechanical switches.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/quc/quc105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:quc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SWITCHABLE LCD PROMISES PERSONAL PRIVACY
(Sharp Microelectronics Europe, 15 Jul 2005)
A novel LCD can be switched between a wide viewing angle and narrow
viewing angle by means of an electrical on/off switching action.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/skc/skc117.html
or send a blank email to mailto:skc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FANLESS CPUS EMBED TRUE INTEL ARCHITECTURE
(Parvus Corp, 13 Jul 2005)
Three new fanless PC/104-Plus CPU cards enable the ULV Intel Tualatin
Pentium III processor to be reliably integrated into demanding mobile,
high vibration and extreme temperature computing.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/prv/prv147.html
or send a blank email to mailto:prv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DIGITAL VIDEO PROCESSOR COMES ON PCI OR CPCI
(Kane Computing, 15 Jul 2005)
The Leonardo line is the real solution for ultrafast LVDS digital
video acquisition and real-time processing of the incoming video data
and is available as a PCI board or CompactPCI card.
Request free details from the supplier on Arvoo Leonardo LS:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/kan/173/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kan/kan173.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kan1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ACQUISITION SYSTEM DELIVERS OSCILLOSCOPE FEATURES
(Acqiris USA, 19 Jul 2005)
A compact, turnkey, multichannel data acquisition system delivers
essential oscilloscope capabilities in a small, modular package, and
eliminates the need for extensive software development.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aqi/aqi105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aqi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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