|
ELECTRONICSTALK
The Independent Weekly Product Information Guide
for Electronics Design, Development and Manufacturing Engineers
====================================================================
ISSN 1475-2913 - Free subscription
Last week's delivered circulation: 24,030
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 235: 27 September 2005
====================================================================
25839 product announcements and technical articles on our
website http://www.electronicstalk.com/ - all fully searchable
====================================================================
In this issue:
* Editor's Message
* Other industry news
* Our Top new products selection
[1] Twin-transistor RAM has no capacitors
[2] New process improves op amp performance
[3] Electro-emulation tester links bench with line
[4] Stereo codec boasts superior audio quality
[5] IC floorplans take account of package constraints
[6] Medical supplies up the power density
[7] Protocol analyser checks wireless data
[8] Acquisition cards enter a new generation
[9] USB acquisition provides eight instruments in one
[10] Pairing technique developed for ZigBee appliances
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
====================================================================
Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
A week or so ago I was a little surprised to find my four-year-old son
playing with a handheld video game, which set me thinking. Had he
saved up his pocket money? Was it a gift from a rich aunt or uncle?
But no, as he took great pains to explain to me, the game had come
from a McDonalds Happy Meal.
I have to admit that I am not privy to that particular company's
purchasing policies (and my request was met with a polite refusal),
but I would have to guess that the manufacturer of that particular toy
would be hard pressed to get more than US $0.50 per unit from the fast
food giant. And that is for a device that is broadly comparable to the
early GameBoys of the late 1980s and early 1990s, which sold (in the
UK) for the equivalent of US $30-40.
Of course, there's nothing unusual in falling prices in the consumer
electronics sector - particularly for technology that has been largely
superseded by higher resolution colour graphics, polyphonic sound and
Internet connectivity. However, the mere fact that young Alexander
Marchini has collected three such (effectively free) devices proves
there is still a demand for them.
It does raise the question, though: who would willingly go into the
consumer electronics market? You only have to look at the
proliferation of set-top boxes, DVD recorders and hard-disk based
versions of both to see that there is an extremely limited window of
opportunity for any company that can identify a niche - particularly
when most such equipment is made up from an embedded PC with a few
peripherals and some readily available software.
One company that has consistently managed to find the niches over the
years has of course been Sony. But its history is not without the odd
skeleton in the closet. And yes, I will hold up my hand and admit that
I did have a Betamax VCR.
And now, it would appear that history is in danger of repeating itself
in the quest for the next generation of optical disk standards, with
the news that Microsoft and Intel have thrown their weight behind the
HD DVD standard in preference to the Sony-supported Blu-ray format.
Fortunately, this time around Sony is not on its own, and can count
the likes of Dell and Apple among other Blu-ray advocates. And this
time, Sony has at least a little more control over the software side
of the business.
However, none of this will matter a jot if the consumer is not
convinced that HD DVD or Blu-ray is "the" standard to follow.
Who would willingly go into the consumer electronics market? Certainly
not me.
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
====================================================================
This week's industry news
====================================================================
SHANGHAI OFFICE INCREASES CHINESE SUPPORT
(Wolfson Microelectronics, 27 Sep 2005)
To build on the company's rapid growth in China, Wolfson
Microelectronics has opened a second Chinese office in Shanghai.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wol/wol195.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wol1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NUMBERS GAME COULD LEAD TO ROHS CHAOS
(Farnell InOne, 21 Sep 2005)
Farnell InOne has warned the electronics industry of possible mayhem
if distributors don't take the lead in issuing new part numbers for
compliant stock.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/far/far170.html
or send a blank email to mailto:far1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ESMERTEC ANNOUNCES ITS HALF-YEAR RESULTS
(Esmertec, 23 Sep 2005)
Esmertec has announced its half-year results, strengthening of its
senior management team and has provided an update on the envisaged IPO
of the company.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/esm/esm117.html
or send a blank email to mailto:esm1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NEW TEAM AIMS TO MAXIMISE BUYING POWER
(Remploy Electronics, 26 Sep 2005)
Remploy Electronics has created a strategic purchasing team as part of
a wide-ranging reorganisation of the contract manufacturing group's
buying activities.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rmp/rmp111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rmp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INDIAN ACQUISITION FURTHERS VISION OF GROWTH
(TES, 21 Sep 2005)
TES Electronic Solutions has acquired Purple Vision Technologies, an
electronic design services company headquartered in Bangalore, India.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tez/tez103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tez1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD WINS IEE AWARD
(IEE (Institution of Electrical Engineers), 26 Sep 2005)
Eleven-year-old Edward Smith has scooped a top award for his work
helping mums and dads get to grips with the world of computers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iwo/iwo124.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iwo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SEVEN UK COMPANIES IN LINE FOR EUROPEAN IT PRIZES
(Euro-Case, 26 Sep 2005)
The European Information Society Technologies Prize is the most
distinguished award for groundbreaking products that represent the
best of European innovation in Information Society Technologies.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/euo/euo100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:euo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DSL REMAINS MOST POPULAR BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY
(DSL Forum, 23 Sep 2005)
In the first six months of 2005, another 24.5 million homes and
businesses around the world moved to broadband, according to the
latest data produced for the DSL Forum by industry analyst Point
Topic.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dsl/dsl101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dsl1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
====================================================================
[1] TWIN-TRANSISTOR RAM HAS NO CAPACITORS
(Renesas Technology Europe, 27 Sep 2005)
Renesas Technology has developed a high density capacitorless
twin-transistor RAM (TTRAM) that achieves both high speed operation
and low power consumption. Researchers from Renesas unveiled details
of the TTRAM in a paper presented at the 2005 IEEE Custom Integrated
Circuits Conference (CICC) in San Jose, California. The memory design
will allow fast, high density storage to be embedded in
power-efficient system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices built with 65nm
generation and subsequent silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS
semiconductor processes.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ren/ren197.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ren1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[2] NEW PROCESS IMPROVES OP AMP PERFORMANCE
(National Semiconductor, 27 Sep 2005)
Six operational amplifiers from National Semiconductor built on its
new, proprietary VIP50 process technology, feature significant
improvements in accuracy, low power consumption and voltage noise for
industrial, medical and automotive applications. These improvements,
combined with the products' small size, also make them well suited for
portable applications. As the industry leader in low-power,
low-voltage amplifiers, National's four latest products in this
market, the LMV651, LMV791, LPV511 and LPV7215, offer world-class gain
bandwidth product performance. For example, the 12MHz, unity-gain
bandwidth LMV651 amplifier provides 90% power savings over major
competitive offerings in SOT and SC70 packages.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nat/nat348.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nat3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[3] ELECTRO-EMULATION TESTER LINKS BENCH WITH LINE
(Schaffner , 26 Sep 2005)
New from Schaffner, the W629 electro-emulation tester offers OEMs
efficient strategies for testing finished products and partial
assemblies during the manufacturing process. Functions available
include open and short-circuit tests, insulation tests up to 500V DC
and passive component tests with an integrated RLC measuring bridge
(from DC to 100kHz AC, programmable). The W629 enables the user to
quickly and easily measure values and electrical characteristics of
passive components and wiring circuits, switching contacts and
indicators.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/sca/181/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sca/sca181.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sca1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[4] STEREO CODEC BOASTS SUPERIOR AUDIO QUALITY
(Cirrus Logic, 22 Sep 2005)
Rounding out its portfolio of stereo codec integrated circuits (ICs)
for digital audio applications, Cirrus Logic has introduced the
CS4270. With outstanding dynamic range and negligible distortion, the
CS4270 boasts superior audio quality, making it ideal for entry and
mid-level applications such as set-top boxes, digital television, DVD
recorders, audio/video receivers, music instruments and automotive
audio systems. The CS4270 uses a multi-bit delta sigma architecture,
which provides high quality analogue-to-digital and
digital-to-analogue data conversion with 24bit resolution at any
standard digital audio sampling rate up to 216kHz.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ciu/ciu100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ciu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[5] IC FLOORPLANS TAKE ACCOUNT OF PACKAGE CONSTRAINTS
(Synopsys, 21 Sep 2005)
Synopsys has extended its floorplanning solution with the introduction
of JupiterIO - an enabling technology for concurrent die and package
floorplanning and analysis that targets flip chip design flows. Using
an early access version of JupiterIO in their flows, leading-edge
companies such as Tundra Semiconductor have achieved significant
productivity gains and cost savings on their latest flip chip designs.
JupiterIO is part of the Galaxy Design Platform.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/syn/syn271.html
or send a blank email to mailto:syn2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[6] MEDICAL SUPPLIES UP THE POWER DENSITY
(Condor DC Power Supplies, 26 Sep 2005)
Condor has a new range of single output power supplies designed
specifically for use in medical applications. Called the GSM11 series,
the new units are housed in an industry standard 57.9 x 50.8 x 17.8mm
package and, at 11W, they offer 57% more power than previous models of
this size. They will also deliver 15W (114% more) for 1min. According
to Condor, this increase in power comes with a 25% reduction in cost
when compared with existing 7W models.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cob/cob118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cob1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[7] PROTOCOL ANALYSER CHECKS WIRELESS DATA
(Computer Solutions, 26 Sep 2005)
Now available in the UK from Computer Solutions, the Ellisys Explorer
300 wireless USB analyser is the industry's first protocol analyser to
support the Certified Wireless USB and WiMedia ultrawideband (UWB)
standards with data being taken over the air. Wireless USB ensures
that consumers have an easy and secure way to connect their home,
office and mobile devices at high speed without using cables. Products
based on the Certified Wireless USB standard from the USB-IF (USB
Implementers Forum) are expected to arrive on the market from the
beginning of 2006. To meet their deadlines, developers will need
efficient tools to speed up their debugging and further enhance
quality.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/com/com140.html
or send a blank email to mailto:com1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[8] ACQUISITION CARDS ENTER A NEW GENERATION
(Spectrum Systementwicklung Microelectronic, 26 Sep 2005)
The M2i series, introduced by Spectrum the specialist for fast PC data
acquisition, is a new generation of A/D cards based on the MI series.
The card base has been totally renewed and offers a wide variety of
new functions and features. The approved module structure is retained
to grant new functionality to a wide range of data acquisition cards.
The M2i card range covers the speed range from 200Ksample/s up to
200Msample/s with A/D resolutions of 8, 12, 14 or 16bit.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/sct/106/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sct/sct106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sct1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[9] USB ACQUISITION PROVIDES EIGHT INSTRUMENTS IN ONE
(Data Translation, 26 Sep 2005)
Data Translation is now shipping the Econseries, the latest addition
to its wide range of USB data acquisition solutions, to UK customers.
The Econseries is a family of economical "mini-instruments" for the
USB that offer low price with high signal accuracy. This series is
supported by a new application software package that ships with the
boards called Go!. The Go! software is a ready-to-measure application
that provides an instrument panel interface requiring no programming.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/dat/116/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dat/dat116.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dat1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
[10] PAIRING TECHNIQUE DEVELOPED FOR ZIGBEE APPLIANCES
(Cambridge Consultants, 27 Sep 2005)
An ultra-simple pairing technique for ZigBee enabled appliances has
been demonstrated at the ZigBee Open House event in Chicago, USA, by
Cambridge Consultants. The technique allows end-users to configure
ZigBee wireless networks in real world applications - such as
determining which lights are controlled by which switch - without any
tools or training. It works by exploiting the received signal
strength indication (RSSI) data made available by ZigBee silicon
solutions. Any ZigBee enabled device - such as a light switch -
simply needs an additional pushbutton to initiate the pairing process.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cbr/cbr131.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cbr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
New Technical Articles and Case Studies
====================================================================
THE EVOLUTION OF NETWORKING AND CONNECTIVITY
(Alpha Micro Components, 22 Sep 2005)
Christos Papakyriacou, Managing Director, Alpha Micro Components
discusses the evolution of networking and connectivity.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/alp/alp129.html
or send a blank email to mailto:alp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
STRUCTURED ASICS AID MODEM DESIGN
(Altera Europe, 26 Sep 2005)
HardCopy structured ASICs from Altera have been used in the IPX-5100,
a modem designed by Efficient Channel Coding (ECC) for broadband
Internet access through satellites.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aeu/aeu179.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aeu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MONITOR CUTS TESTING COSTS FOR AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS
(Q-Star Test, 23 Sep 2005)
Q-Star Test has announced that Freescale Semiconductor, and in
particular its Tempe site, has selected its QD-1020, multi-site IDDQ
monitor for running IDDQ tests on its automotive products.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/qst/qst101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:qst1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
Other featured new product news
====================================================================
SPEEDY ADC CLAIMS TOP DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
(Texas Instruments, 27 Sep 2005)
A new 14bit, 170Msample/s analogue-to-digital convertor claims
unmatched dynamic performance.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex885.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex8[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ADCS IMPROVE IMAGE QUALITY IN ULTRASOUND EQUIPMENT
(Analog Devices, 22 Sep 2005)
Analog Devices is introducing a quad variable gain amplifier (VGA) and
two quad analogue-to-digital convertors (ADCs) that dramatically
improve image quality in advanced medical ultrasound equipment.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc331.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CHARGER CHIPS KEEP THEIR COOL
(Linear Technology Corp, 26 Sep 2005)
Two new tiny fully integrated stand-alone linear battery chargers can
charge a single-cell Li-ion battery up to 750mA without overheating
the device or surrounding components.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lne/lne196.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lne1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BLUETOOTH CHIP BOOSTS DSP PERFORMANCE AND MEMORY
(Cambridge Silicon Radio, 27 Sep 2005)
CSR has launched its fifth generation of BlueCore, the Bluetooth
hardware and software solution that currently accounts for more than
55% of the market.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cam/cam206.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cam2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SYNTHESIS SOFTWARE BOASTS HIGH QUALITY OF RESULTS
(Forte Design Systems, 27 Sep 2005)
Forte Design Systems has upgraded its industry-leading Cynthesizer
behavioural synthesis solution to provide a more extensive production
ESL design flow.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/frt/frt110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:frt1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AOI SYSTEM PROMISES ROCK-SOLID PERFORMANCE
(Kaisertech, 27 Sep 2005)
The Vi-3K2 PCB AOI system determines the presence and absence of
components, confirms their value and polarity, checks solder joints
and bridges and provides feedback to ensure placement accuracy.
Request free details from the supplier on Vi-3K2 PCB AOI system:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/kai/155/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kai/kai155.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kai1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POWER ELECTRONICS PLATFORM INTEGRATES MORE
(Semikron, 26 Sep 2005)
Semikron has improved its Semikube power electronics platform by
teaming it with its SkyperPro and driver adapter board to provide
higher integration and intelligence.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/skr/skr109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:skr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
COMPACT EMBEDDED SBC ADDS PCI EXPRESS FOR I/O
(Axiomtek, 21 Sep 2005)
New from Axiomtek, the SBC83820 is a 5.25in-format embedded SBC that
supports the latest Intel Pentium M and Celeron M processors at both
400 and 533MHz FSB.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/axi/axi119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:axi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
OPTICAL ANALYSER GETS DOWN TO THE NOISE FLOOR
(Aragon Photonics Labs, 26 Sep 2005)
Aragon Photonics has released an enhanced version of the BOSA, dubbed
the highest resolution optical spectrum analyser (OSA) on the market.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/arg/arg100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:arg1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MODULES PLUG IN TO UPGRADE OTDR MEASUREMENTS
(Yokogawa Measurement Technologies, 21 Sep 2005)
Yokogawa has introduced two new plug-in measurement modules as well as
emulation software for its AQ7260 optical time-domain reflectometer.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/yoa/yoa153.html
or send a blank email to mailto:yoa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
====================================================================
Have you seen our other newsletters?
====================================================================
Electronicstalk is one of a number of free email newsletters for
technical professionals. See what else we have to offer, and sign up
today, at http://www.pro-talk.com
====================================================================
|
|
