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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: 23,300
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 226: 26 July 2005
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24576 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] Novel HD media double storage density
[2] Multichannel DDS chips offer flexible clocking
[3] Novel hybrid oscillators hit the streets
[4] Microswitches snap to it
[5] Core module adds daughters for fast customisation
[6] Design cuts the cost of Bluetooth headphones
[7] Boundary scan modules access complex boards
[8] Tiny antennas suit RFID applications
[9] D-sub connectors on the surface
[10] CAN controller moves to CompactPCI
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
It seems strange now, but it was less than two years ago that I used
this column to bemoan the lack of "public" awareness of Bluetooth.
(Admittedly, the "public" used for my straw poll comprised my family
and fellow golf club members. However, I reasoned that if I was
getting blank stares from them, then I would likely get the same
result from the proverbial "man on the Clapham omnibus".)
Clearly, that situation has changed somewhat, and the average mobile
phone owner could very probably quote the exact Bluetooth version and
revision featured in their current handset. Mind you, it is quite
possible that the first encounter any of them may have had with
Bluetooth was when the mass media highlighted it as a security
weakspot in most handsets.
Bluetooth was always intended as a ubiquitous technology - its
proponents reasoned that it would become so cheap that literally any
device could include the facility for wireless communications. And,
indeed, this week has seen designer sunglasses join that particular
list, with the widely reported launch of the RAZRWIRE - a joint
development between Oakley and Motorola. Indeed, the integration of a
Bluetooth headset with another head "adornment" is a perfectly logical
step.
Actually, the idea of using spectacles as an aid to hearing is nothing
new. Iconic (and deaf) British comedian Eric Sykes has always
maintained that his spectacles are his greatest hearing aid, with the
lenses receiving sound waves and transmitting them through the arms to
resonate his skull around his ears.
But still Bluetooth is not as ubiquitous as it might be. A new report
from VDC - see http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sgy/sgy104.html -
indicates that the automotive sector has been particularly slow to
adopt the technology. This is particularly ironic when the first
application that springs to mind is for hands-free headsets. It is
also odd in that the automotive industry has never been perceived as
slow to adopt technology.
However, the recent news that Nissan has been incorporated in Japanese
automotive giant Nissan's advanced telematics system, christened
Carwings - see http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cam/cam195.html -
suggests that the tide may be turning.
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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ZARLINK STAYS IN THE RED
(Zarlink Semiconductor, 25 Jul 2005)
Zarlink Semiconductor has released results for the fiscal 2006 first
quarter ended 24th June 2005.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mif/mif202.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mif2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
Q2 RESULTS BRING HOPE OF Q3 UPTURN
(ON Semiconductor, 26 Jul 2005)
ON Semiconductor Corp has revealed that total revenues in the second
quarter of 2005 were $302.8 million, approximately flat with the first
quarter of 2005.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/onw/onw189.html
or send a blank email to mailto:onw1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POWER GROWTH IS KEY FAIRCHILD STRATEGY
(Fairchild Semiconductor, 25 Jul 2005)
Fairchild is set to boost its levels of customer support, including
doubling the number of Global Power Resource application labs
worldwide.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fai/fai354.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fai3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CENTRE NETWORK PROVIDES GLOBAL COVERAGE
(Semikron, 25 Jul 2005)
Semikron has set up a unique network that brings together the
expertise of nine of its solutions centres from each continent.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/skr/skr107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:skr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DISPLAY DRIVER ICS DRIVE DIALOG GROWTH
(Dialog Semiconductor, 21 Jul 2005)
Dialog Semiconductor has reported sales of Eur 32.1 million for the
second quarter of 2005, compared with Eur 30.4 million in Q2 2004.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dal/dal117.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dal1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TELECOMMS DEVELOPMENT TEAM SET TO EXPAND
(Spirit DSP, 25 Jul 2005)
Spirit DSP has allocated $6.38 million from company profits to
voice-related R and D over the next 12 months.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/spi/spi140.html
or send a blank email to mailto:spi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
RESEARCH CENTRE FOCUSES MATERIALS EXPERTISE
(Henkel, 25 Jul 2005)
Henkel has relocated its mould compound development, application
engineering and technical service capabilities from Olean, New York,
to its new Irvine research and applications centre.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hen/hen133.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hen1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HANDSET MEMORY CARD STANDARD IS FINALISED
(MultiMediaCard Association, 25 Jul 2005)
The MultiMediaCard Association finalised the MMCmicro specification at
its recent Summer General Meeting in Zurich, Switzerland.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mim/mim103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mim1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TDK ACQUIRES LAMBDA
(Lambda, 22 Jul 2005)
Lambda, the global power supply specialist based in Ilfracombe, UK,
has been acquired from Invensys by TDK Corporation of Japan in a deal
worth $235 million.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lbd/lbd179.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lbd1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FIRE FAILS TO STOP COMPLIANCE TESTING
(RFI Global Services, 25 Jul 2005)
RFI Global Services suffered a building fire early on the morning of
Thursday 21st July at its Ewhurst Park headquarters near, Basingstoke,
UK.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rfi/rfi172.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rfi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] NOVEL HD MEDIA DOUBLE STORAGE DENSITY
(SDK, 20 Jul 2005)
SDK has started the world's first commercial production of
perpendicular-magnetic-recording-technology-based hard disk (HD)
media, enabling a dramatic increase in media recording density. In
addition to conventional desktop and notebook PC applications, demand
for HD media is growing rapidly for mobile devices, including PDA, and
for such consumer electronics applications as DVD recorders and mobile
music players. These new applications require much higher storage
capacity of HD media for handling sounds and moving pictures.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sho/sho118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sho1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] MULTICHANNEL DDS CHIPS OFFER FLEXIBLE CLOCKING
(Analog Devices, 25 Jul 2005)
Analog Devices has released the industry's first multichannel DDS
(direct digital synthesis) devices, providing a solution to two common
design challenges faced by system engineers in a range of
applications. Allowing independent programming of up to four
inherently synchronised outputs, ADI's new four-channel AD9959 and
two-channel AD9958 deliver greater control to correct imbalances
between multiple signals, enabling engineers to spend considerably
less time and effort on this usually complex portion of the system
design. For space-constrained systems, the AD9958 and AD9959 simplify
the design process by integrating multiple DDS channels on a single
chip, eliminating the need for several single-channel DDS chips and
external circuitry and offering dramatic board space reduction of up
to 75% over traditional solutions.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/anc/314/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc314.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] NOVEL HYBRID OSCILLATORS HIT THE STREETS
(C-Mac Microtechnology, 26 Jul 2005)
C-Mac MicroTechnology has released the first commercial products based
on its proprietary TC-OCXO (temperature-compensated oven-controlled
crystal oscillator) technology. Designed to combine the high stability
of an OCXO with the comparatively low power consumption, small size
and light weight of a TCXO, the new CFPO-20 series TC-OCXOs offer
stabilities to within +/-0.025ppm over operating temperature, with
output frequencies between 5 and 20MHz. The CFPO-20 series is aimed
primarily at mobile, battery powered and remote applications such as
GPS, satellite communications and secure radio.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cma/cma110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cma1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] MICROSWITCHES SNAP TO IT
(Arcolectric, 20 Jul 2005)
Arcolectric has a comprehensive new range of snap-action microswitches
available in industry-standard V3 and V4 packages. These two new
expanded ranges offer greater choice with more lever options and
operating pressures to extend their potential applications. Tested to
at least one million operations and manufactured from UL94V0 rated
flame retardant materials, these switches can be used in the most
demanding of applications. The V4 industry standard package is rated
up to 5A, 250V AC and is available for operating temperature ranges up
to 85 or 125C.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/are/are100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:are1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] CORE MODULE ADDS DAUGHTERS FOR FAST CUSTOMISATION
(Arbor Technology Co, 22 Jul 2005)
New from Arbor Technology, the EmCORE-i761 embedded board is based on
the Intel Pentium M processor, and offers a very short time-to-market
solution for OEM customers. The EmCORE-i761 embedded board concept of
off-the-shelf core modules combined with custom-made daughterboards
reduces product development time for a full custom solution. Target
markets for the EmCORE-i761 are network communication, medical,
instrumentation, transportation, electronic automation and POS.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/abo/abo103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:abo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] DESIGN CUTS THE COST OF BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES
(Cambridge Silicon Radio, 21 Jul 2005)
CSR has released a new reference design for Bluetooth stereo
headphones that offers the lowest ever total bill of materials (BOM)
cost for this type of product. The new design exploits several
features in CSR's BlueCore3-Multimedia chip, including an internal
codec, minimal external components and smaller PCB footprint, to
achieve the breakthrough BOM. By using BC3-MM's internal codec alone,
the bill of materials is reduced by around 20%. BlueCore3-Multimedia
is the only Bluetooth chip available with a high quality internal
stereo codec, achieving an SNR of up to 85dB. It is also compatible
with a wide range of external codecs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cam/cam196.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cam1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] BOUNDARY SCAN MODULES ACCESS COMPLEX BOARDS
(JTAG Technologies, 25 Jul 2005)
JTAG Technologies has a new family of digital I/O scan modules (DIOS)
for enhanced testing of complex printed circuit boards. The JT 2128
DIMM DIOS series covers the complete range of standard and small
outline DIMM connectors with pinouts from 100 up to 300 pins and
supports "self-adaptive" voltage levels for a wide range of operating
voltages. What's more, the new DIOS modules contain programmable logic
and a built-in 10MHz oscillator, allowing implementation of custom
functionality for embedded test instruments such as counters, function
generators, timers etc.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/jta/jta102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:jta1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] TINY ANTENNAS SUIT RFID APPLICATIONS
(Copernica , 20 Jul 2005)
Available now from Copernica is a range of miniature, isotropic
antennas designed for RFID applications such as keyless entry, keyless
go and RFID safety systems and anti-theft devices. Manufactured by
German company Neosid, for which Copernica is the sole UK distributor,
all the antennas operate at 125kHz and have Q factors from 23 to 30.
Sensitivity values range from 45 to 120mV/A/m and inductance values of
the individual coils are typically 2.38, 2.47 or 4.70mH.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ger/ger103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ger1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] D-SUB CONNECTORS ON THE SURFACE
(Tyco Electronics UK, 22 Jul 2005)
Tyco Electronics introduces a new D-sub connector for surface
mounting, providing an innovative solution for next generation
designs. Using key design features to ensure efficient and reliable
processing, surface mounting of this industry standard interface
connector becomes a reality for an increasingly wide range of
applications. Large die-cast mounting brackets at the rear of the
connector provide a controlled centre of gravity, for secure
positioning during assembly, and also ensure excellent mechanical
stability and electrical grounding.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/tya/195/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tya/tya195.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tya1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] CAN CONTROLLER MOVES TO COMPACTPCI
(Advantech (UK), 21 Jul 2005)
Advantech has released its first CompactPCI CAN controller. The
hot-swap supporting MIC-3680 brings the advantages of the CAN protocol
to Advantech's CompactPCI systems. The combination of CAN and
CompactPCI makes a rugged card for tough environments that have
several features for better communication. The MIC-3680 is a two-port
CAN communication card with hot-swap support, and optical isolation up
to 2500V DC. The onboard CAN controllers are located at different
positions, so the card can control two independent CAN networks
simultaneously.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/axv/188/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/axv/axv188.html
or send a blank email to mailto:axv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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PROCESSOR HELPS KEEP TRACK OF VEHICLE MOVEMENTS
(Analog Devices, 26 Jul 2005)
Maxtrack, a world leader in vehicle tracking systems will be shipping
its products with the Analog Devices Blackfin as the main system
processor.
Request free details from the supplier on Blackfin:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/anc/315/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc315.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SIMULATION SOFTWARE OPTIMISES X-RAY TUBE DESIGN
(Vector Fields, 25 Jul 2005)
Electromagnetic simulation software that includes advanced space
charge capabilities enables engineers to optimise vacuum tube design
features.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vct/vct112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vct1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PLM SUITE KEEPS CONTROL OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
(MatrixOne, 21 Jul 2005)
Imagination Technologies has adopted MatrixOne's Synchronicity
Publisher Suite with IP Gear to manage its portfolio of innovative
silicon and software intellectual property (IP).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mix/mix106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mix1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PC/104 HARDWARE STEERS STUDENT VEHICLE UNDER WATER
(Parvus Corp, 21 Jul 2005)
A George Institute of Technology graduate student team will be relying
on Parvus embedded PC/104 computing hardware to power its autonomous
underwater vehicle in an international competition.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/prv/prv148.html
or send a blank email to mailto:prv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PLUG-AND-PLAY ADAPTER AIDS CREDIT CARD CONVERSION
(Alpha Micro Components, 21 Jul 2005)
The NetPort "plug-and-play" serial-to-Ethernet cable adapter enables
any device or machine with a serial port to become network and
Internet-enabled in an instant.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/alp/alp127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:alp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured new product news
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VIDEO DRIVER GENERATES ITS OWN NEGATIVE SUPPLY
(Intersil, 26 Jul 2005)
A novel video driver provides an elegant solution to a real world
analogue problem.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina356.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ina3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CURRENT SENSE AMPLIFIER SURVIVES OVERVOLTAGES
(Linear Technology Corp, 25 Jul 2005)
A high side current sense amplifier combines very quick response times
with an input voltage range of 4 to 60V.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lne/lne180.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lne1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
KIT PUTS MCU TO EMBEDDED MODEM DUTIES
(Silicon Laboratories, 20 Jul 2005)
A new development kit provides all the hardware and software to create
an application with embedded modem connectivity.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/snl/snl120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:snl1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PCB DESIGN SOFTWARE IS MADE FOR TEAMWORK
(Cadence Design Systems, 26 Jul 2005)
The latest Allegro technology shortens design cycle time by enabling
team-based PCB system design throughout the design flow.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cad/cad299.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cad2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CHASSIS COME WITH VME64X 12-LAYER BACKPLANES
(APW Electronic Solutions, 25 Jul 2005)
The 19in rack mounting slimline Zephyr chassis family is designed for
housing a production system or for use in a software/hardware
development environment.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/apw/apw121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:apw1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
WI-FI ANTENNA SHOWS DIVERSITY EVERY WAY
(Huber+Suhner, 20 Jul 2005)
A novel dual polarised 2.4GHz Wi-Fi omnidirectional antenna enables
improved system performance by deploying diversity without the need
for two separate antennas.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hub/hub117.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hub1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
VMEBUS SBC MEETS EXTREME MILITARY DEMANDS
(Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing, Video and Graphics, 20
Jul 2005)
A new rugged single board computer is designed for demanding military
applications that require high performance VMEbus embedded computing
in extreme environments.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pte/pte111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pte1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
VERTICAL MOUNT CONVERTORS SAVE SPACE ONBOARD
(Artesyn Technologies, 25 Jul 2005)
Eight new vertical mount nonisolated point-of-load DC/DC convertors
are designed specifically for applications where board space is at an
absolute premium.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/art/art203.html
or send a blank email to mailto:art2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SWITCHERS PROMISE FLEXIBLE DVI VIDEO ROUTING
(Hall Research Technologies, 25 Jul 2005)
New DVI video switchers provide a powerful and economical solution for
high-resolution digital video distribution needs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hal/hal107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hal1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HALF-RACK SUPPLIES ADD ETHERNET FOR INTEGRATION
(Elgar Electronics Corp, 20 Jul 2005)
Elgar Electronics Corp has added an Ethernet/LAN connectivity option
to the Sorensen DLM 600W series, its most popular half-rack family of
DC power supplies.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/elg/elg107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:elg1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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