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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: 23,890
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 231: 30 August 2005
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25196 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] Chipset adds frugal multimedia to notebook design
[2] Generator-on-a-chip gives instruments three roles
[3] OEM antennas have wireless network bands covered
[4] Ferroelectric RAM aims for automotive black boxes
[5] Clock ICs come with free simulation tool
[6] Multifunction analogue inputs join PCI DAQ range
[7] Core claims gigahertz clock speed
[8] FFT cores are optimised for FPGA applications
[9] Convertor claims top dynamic performance
[10] DTV chip cuts power and size for handheld designs
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
I must admit that when I first heard the acronym RSS I thought "Oh,
that'll be another excuse for people to take time off work". Clearly I
was wrong. These days RSS has far more to do with the web than it does
with any kind of repetitive strain syndrome.
And now that the likes of Google have given us all the tools necessary
to read them, we at Electronicstalk are busy setting up RSS feeds for
just about any category of news that you could care to define.
So, assuming you have a suitable reader - such as the new Google's
Desktop Search 2, launched this week - you will be able to find a
whole new bunch of RSS feeds from Electronicstalk.
For the benefit of those who have not yet come to terms with it, RSS
stands for really simple syndication (or maybe really simple
streaming). What it really stands for is a source of news to which any
user can subscribe. And that's where we come in.
We at Electronicstalk hope that all our news is relevant to our
readers. However, we appreciate that many readers will only want to
hear about a specific technology area, or perhaps even only want news
from one company (or a few specified companies).
So right now we are busily setting up as many RSS feeds as our site
can supply. These will be based on our usual product categories, our
most requested keywords, and even on news from specific companies.
You can find our subject based RSS feeds at
http://www.electronicstalk.com/indexes/rss_categories.html and news
feeds for every company featured on Electronicstalk and all our sister
sites at http://www.pro-talk.com/rss_index.html
And for the benefit of those who are not yet equipped to handle the
technology, the Google Desktop Search software can be downloaded from
http://desktop.google.com/
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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ACQUISITION ADDS TO DATA NETWORKING EXPERTISE
(Freescale Semiconductor, 24 Aug 2005)
In a move to continue strengthening its communications processing
leadership, Freescale Semiconductor has acquired the assets of Seaway
Networks.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mot/mot210.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mot2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INTEL'S MALONEY OUTLINES MOBILE VISION
(Intel Corporation, 25 Aug 2005)
Early adoption of wireless broadband services coupled with new
energy-efficient and higher-performing developments in mobile devices
are signalling the beginning of "mobility ubiquity".
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iel/iel143.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iel1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
JAPANESE OFFICE OPENS FOR LOCAL SUPPORT
(1st Silicon (Malaysia), 25 Aug 2005)
1st Silicon (Malaysia) has opened a new sales office in Yokohama,
Japan, to expand and enhance the company's customer support in the
region.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sts/sts117.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sts1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
STEADY GROWTH FOR WIND RIVER
(Wind River Systems, 26 Aug 2005)
Wind River Systems has reported its second quarter fiscal year 2006
operating results.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wia/wia229.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wia2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DOVER TO ACQUIRE KNOWLES
(Knowles Acoustics, 25 Aug 2005)
Dover Electronics has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Knowles
Electronics for $750 million.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kow/kow109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kow1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SPACE FACILITY OPENS FOR BUSINESS
(Sypris Electronics, 25 Aug 2005)
Sypris Electronics has opened its new 900m2 space manufacturing
facility.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/syp/syp101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:syp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
QUEEN'S AWARDS ARE STILL UP FOR GRABS
(Queen's Awards for Enterprise, 30 Aug 2005)
Time is running out for companies to apply for next year's Queen's
Award for Enterprise - the UK's most prestigious business accolade.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/que/que103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:que1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CLASSIFICATION CLOUDS COMPLIANCE PICTURE
(Dionics, 30 Aug 2005)
Problems with classification of equipment are clouding the issues of
compliance with the WEEE and RoHS Directives, reports Dionics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dio/dio108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dio1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] CHIPSET ADDS FRUGAL MULTIMEDIA TO NOTEBOOK DESIGN
(VIA Technologies, 24 Aug 2005)
The VIA VN800 is the first chipset solution for the VIA C7-M processor
with DDR2 memory support for fast and efficient system memory access
and hardware MPEG-2 decoding for flawless DVD playback. The VIA VN800
features the S3 Graphics UniChrome Pro integrated graphics processor
(IGP), providing outstanding dual pipeline graphics performance
through a 128bit 2D/3D engine and shared DDR memory support for all
the latest applications, and the Chromotion CE video display engine
blends hardware-based MPEG-2 decoding acceleration with advanced
rendering tools such as adaptive de-interlacing and video deblocking
to ensure the clearest playback of digital media content. Furthermore,
the VIA VN800 includes support for an external AGP 8x port allowing
optional graphics processor upgrades on supporting notebooks.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/vih/100/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vih/vih100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vih1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] GENERATOR-ON-A-CHIP GIVES INSTRUMENTS THREE ROLES
(Tektronix, 25 Aug 2005)
Available now from Tektronix, the new AFG3000 Series of
arbitrary/function generators (AFGs) consists of six models whose
ease-of-use and performance establishes a new benchmark in the "value"
category. With the AFG3000 Series, engineers have a powerful function,
pulse, and arbitrary waveform generator to shorten test time and
reduce time from design to market. Thanks to an innovative
architecture based on a powerful "generator on a chip" (GoC) ASIC, the
AFG3000 Series delivers industry-leading performance in its class. At
the same time, the platform's user interface is straightforward and
easy to use, and provides the largest available display, all
maximising productivity.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek232.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tek2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] OEM ANTENNAS HAVE WIRELESS NETWORK BANDS COVERED
(Pulse, 25 Aug 2005)
New from Pulse, the W1000-series of antennas is designed for use by
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of wireless devices. The
antennas are compatible with IEEE802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth and ZigBee
applications, as well as devices that use industrial, scientific and
medical (ISM) frequency bands. The antennas are omnidirectional,
providing broad 360-degree coverage to improve point-to-multipoint
transmission and reception between devices on wireless local area
networks (WLANs).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pls/pls136.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pls1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] FERROELECTRIC RAM AIMS FOR AUTOMOTIVE BLACK BOXES
(Ramtron International, 26 Aug 2005)
Available now from Ramtron International, the FM25256 is a 256Kbit
nonvolatile ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) with a serial
peripheral interface (SPI), that is designed for wide voltage
operation. Ramtron's newest 256Kbit serial FRAM is the
highest-performance SPI memory available with 20MHz NoDelay writes and
offers an unlimited number of read/write cycles. The product operates
from 4.0 to 5.5V and offers drop-in compatibility with
industry-standard serial EEPROMs.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ram/129/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ram/ram129.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ram1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] CLOCK ICS COME WITH FREE SIMULATION TOOL
(Analog Devices, 25 Aug 2005)
Analog Devices has expanded its growing portfolio of clock products
with three new devices and the new ADIsimCLK clock IC design and
simulation tool. ADIsimCLK offers clock and timing engineers an
easy-to-use simulation tool for designing and analysing clock circuits
used in a broad range of applications, such as wireless transceivers,
broadband infrastructure, medical imaging, general instrumentation and
automated test equipment. By using the tool's tutorials, design
wizards and user-friendly data entry screens, engineers can now create
complete, robust timing solutions in minutes. And because ADIsimCLK
models the phase noise and jitter of the components used, final system
performance can be predicted with great accuracy, allowing designers
to move from simulations to final board layouts faster, removing
iterations from the design process and speeding time to market.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc324.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] MULTIFUNCTION ANALOGUE INPUTS JOIN PCI DAQ RANGE
(Amplicon, 29 Aug 2005)
Expanding on its comprehensive family of PCI data acquisition
products, Amplicon has developed two new multifunction analogue input
boards. In addition, valuable feedback from customers has led the
company to develop LabView and Linux drivers for its entire range of
Amplicon DAQ devices. The new PCI230+ and PCI260+ boards feature a
16bit A/D convertor that samples at up to 250Ksample/s. True
differential inputs can reduce the signal noise and allow floating
signal measurements, and an FPGA allows sampling to be triggered when
an analogue threshold is crossed. Triggering is also possible with by
a digital input or counter/timer interrupt, or via software control.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/amp/196/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/amp/amp196.html
or send a blank email to mailto:amp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] CORE CLAIMS GIGAHERTZ CLOCK SPEED
(Toshiba Electronics Europe, 30 Aug 2005)
Toshiba Corp has developed a new high-end processor core, the MeP-h1,
billed as the first configurable microprocessor to achieve a 1GHz
clock speed. The MeP-h1 is based on Toshiba's "Media embedded
Processor" (MeP) architecture for digital consumer and other high
performance SoCs. It gives designers the flexibility to customise
processors at the design stage, including the ability to change
processor configurations and add custom instructions to satisfy
application requirements.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tos/tos278.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tos2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] FFT CORES ARE OPTIMISED FOR FPGA APPLICATIONS
(Actel Europe, 25 Aug 2005)
New from Actel, CoreFFT is an intellectual property (IP) core
generator that produces optimised fast Fourier transform (FFT) cores
for use with Actel's Flash- and antifuse-based families of FPGAs.
CoreFFT is designed for high-reliability applications requiring
resistance to high temperature, firm-error immunity and radiation
tolerance, such as radar, ground and air communications, acoustics,
oil production and medical signal processing. CoreFFT produces
FPGA-optimised modules that perform FFTs to convert a signal from the
time domain to the frequency domain in order to show the spectral
content of the signal.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/act/213/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/act/act213.html
or send a blank email to mailto:act2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] CONVERTOR CLAIMS TOP DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
(Texas Instruments, 26 Aug 2005)
Texas Instruments has a new 13bit, 250Msample/s analogue-to-digital
convertor (ADC) that features best-in-class dynamic performance at
high input frequencies. The ADS5444 offers 68dB signal-to-noise ratio
(SNR) and 75dB spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) at the maximum
sample rate of 250Msample/s and an input frequency of 230MHz, making
it ideal for a variety of wideband applications including
software-defined radios, basestation receivers, and test and
measurement systems. The ADS5444 provides a complete solution by
including a high-bandwidth input buffer, a linear track-and-hold stage
and an internal reference, simplifying system design requirements.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex869.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex8[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] DTV CHIP CUTS POWER AND SIZE FOR HANDHELD DESIGNS
(Zarlink Semiconductor, 30 Aug 2005)
Zarlink Semiconductor has launched a new terrestrial demodulator for
PC-TV, portable and handheld digital television equipment designs. The
ZL10355 device offers the industry's smallest package, lowest power
consumption and lowest software overhead, coupled with an extended
temperature range uniquely suited for mobile DTV. The demodulator
fully complies with the stringent NorDig Unified 1.0.2 standard.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mif/mif205.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mif2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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IPTV - THE INDUSTRY'S NEXT BIG MOTION PICTURE
(Agere Systems, 29 Aug 2005)
During the past year, IPTV has emerged as a viable technology for
carrying broadband services over traditional telephone copper wires,
says Agere CTO David Sonnier.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/age/age186.html
or send a blank email to mailto:age1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ARM-BASED MCU POWERS UP MOBILE COMPUTER
(Sharp Microelectronics Europe, 26 Aug 2005)
Sharp Microelectronics Europe and Nordic ID, the manufacturer of
mobile data capture instruments and auto ID products, are successfully
co-operating to design ARM-based industry handheld devices.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/skc/skc118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:skc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DECODER HELPS BUDGET FREEVIEW BOX SPEED TO MARKET
(Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe, 24 Aug 2005)
FME has been working closely with UK digital set top box manufacturer
TVonics, which is commencing mass production of its stylish, digital
terrestrial set top box for the UK and European markets.
Request free details from the supplier on SmartMPEG MB86H25B
decoder:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/fuj/176/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fuj/fuj176.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fuj1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BLUETOOTH CHIP ENABLES STYLISH HEADSET
(Cambridge Silicon Radio, 24 Aug 2005)
CSR's BlueCore silicon is the critical technology behind iCombi's new
Bluetooth stereo headset, the AH10.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cam/cam202.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cam2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
COOLING MODELS VALIDATE SUPERCOMPUTER DESIGN
(Flomerics, 29 Aug 2005)
Before Silicon Graphics could bring its new SGI Altix 3700 Bx2
supercomputer to market, the company's engineers needed to figure out
a way to keep all the components cool.
Request free details from the supplier on Flotherm:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/flo/154/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flo/flo154.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
IF THE VOLUME CONTROL FITS - WEAR IT!
(Eleksen, 26 Aug 2005)
Unveiled this week by Scottevest, the SeV Tactical VC jacket
incorporates ElekTex, Eleksen's groundbreaking intelligent and
interactive fabric.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/elk/elk101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:elk1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MAINBOARDS POWER UP INTERNET TELEPHONY
(VIA Technologies, 24 Aug 2005)
VIA EPIA Mini-ITX mainboards have been adopted by UK-based Telappliant
to power a new range of ArenaTalk voice servers that provide a
complete "out of the box" Internet telephony solution for SMEs.
Request free details from the supplier on EPIA Mini-ITX mainboard:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/vih/101/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vih/vih101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vih1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured new product news
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LSI ENABLES DUAL-MODE HANDSETS
(Renesas Technology Europe, 25 Aug 2005)
Renesas Technology has started shipping evaluation samples of a
single-chip LSI, jointly developed with NTT DoCoMo, for dual-mode
mobile handsets supporting W-CDMA and GSM/GPRS (2G) systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ren/ren193.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ren1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NETWORKING SOCS PUT MORE OF THE SYSTEM ON CHIP
(Galazar Networks, 25 Aug 2005)
Galazar Networks has expanded its portfolio of multiservice access
solutions with the introduction of CompactNode and MicroNode.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gal/gal103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:gal1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SECURE DIGITAL CARD EXPANDS FOR LARGER FILES
(Kingston Technology, 24 Aug 2005)
Kingston Technology has expanded its Secure Digital (SD) Ultimate Card
product line with the release of a new ultraperforming 2Gbyte capacity
card.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kin/kin133.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kin1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CHARGER CHIP CUTS COMPONENT COUNTS
(Advanced Analogic Technologies, 30 Aug 2005)
A highly integrated single-cell lithium-ion/polymer battery charger IC
reduces component count in a wide range of portable, battery-powered
consumer applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aog/aog115.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aog1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PWM CONTROLLERS INTEGRATE MORE ONBOARD
(Intersil, 24 Aug 2005)
New two- and three-phase PWM controllers feature high-current,
integrated MOSFET drivers and industry-leading system accuracy.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina359.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ina3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
WIREWOUND RESISTORS FEATURE MILITARY PRECISION
(Steadlands International, 24 Aug 2005)
Designed to meet the exacting requirements of MIL-R-93, P Series
moulded precision wirewound resistors offer high stability and low
TCR.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/stb/stb108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:stb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CORE CLAIMS TOP PERFORMANCE AT 90NM NODE
(Tensilica, 30 Aug 2005)
The Xtensa LX reaches the highest clock rate published to date of any
licensable 32bit processor in 90nm technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tey/tey108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tey1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SOFTWARE ADDS C-BASED FPGA DESIGN INPUT
(Impulse Accelerated Technologies, 30 Aug 2005)
CoDeveloper C-to-FPGA tools from Impulse Accelerated Technologies can
now be integrated with advanced FPGA synthesis and verification tools
from Synplicity.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iml/iml100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iml1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
COMPOSITE BACKSHELLS MEET MILITARY SPECIFICATIONS
(Aerco, 25 Aug 2005)
A new range of composite circular connector accessories from Glenair
are qualified to the shock, vibration, thread strength and bend moment
requirements of MIL-C-38999 and MIL-C-85049.
Request free details from the supplier on Glenair backshells:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/aea/200/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aea/aea200.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aea2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TOOLKIT HAS UNIVERSAL APPEAL
(Tyco Electronics - Global Application Tooling, 24 Aug 2005)
A new universal service and maintenance toolkit is ideal for low
volume production, prototyping and repair.
Request free details from the supplier on Universal service and
maintenance toolkit:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tyb/121/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tyb/tyb121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tyb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
STANDARD INTERFACES PUT LAPTOPS IN CONTROL OF PXI
(National Instruments, 26 Aug 2005)
Engineers can now directly control a PXI/CompactPCI system from a
laptop computer using new National Instruments ExpressCard MXI and
PCMCIA CardBus interfaces.
Request free details from the supplier on PXI-ExpressCard8360 and
PXI-CardBus8310:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/naa/217/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/naa/naa217.html
or send a blank email to mailto:naa2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EMBEDDED MODULE IS MADE FOR NET-BASED CONTROL
(Impulse Corporation, 26 Aug 2005)
Available now from Impulse is Rabbit Semiconductor's new RCM3750
RabbitCore module.
Request free details from the supplier on RCM3750 RabbitCore:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/imp/139/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/imp/imp139.html
or send a blank email to mailto:imp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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