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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: 24,040
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 236: 04 October 2005
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26018 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] Decoder SoC enables new classes of A/V products
[2] Low-power transceiver covers US and European bands
[3] MCUs target new-generation automotive tasks
[4] PC/104 CPU takes data acquisition onboard
[5] Sensor sets stage for 3Mpixel handset cameras
[6] Environment cuts risk from FPGA design
[7] Latest LabView adds distributed intelligence
[8] USB serial servers put 16 peripherals into one
[9] Convertors directly digitise sensor signals
[10] Crystal oscillator is made for miniaturisation
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
Despite the postponement of next week's scheduled Radio Solutions
event in Nice we've had quite a flurry of activity this week on
Electronicstalk in the supposedly less glamorous end of the wireless
communications market.
The event, which is organised by the UK's low Power Radio Association
is not a new one. But the venue certainly would have been. After many
years of low-budget events at UK locations such as the National
Motorcycle Museum and the Commonwealth Institute, the move to the
French Riviera seemed to acknowledge that the whole world of wireless
M2M communications is a "sexy" one.
And, as if to acknowledge that even the basic world of ISM band
licence-free communications still has a lot of mileage left in it,
this week Analog Devices has made its latest foray into that market
with a transceiver capable of application in most of the traditional
bands for such devices, with frequency coverage from 135 to 650MHz
(see top products below).
However, anyone who has ever tried to do anything with wireless
devices other than open a garage door or disarm a security system will
be quick to point out that simply establishing an RF link (while
difficult enough in its own right) is only the thin end of the
proverbial wedge.
Where the world of wireless datacomms has come on in leaps an bound in
recent years has been in the establishment of robust communications
protocols that are capable of making the most of the low power (and
hence of necessity relatively low bandwidth) links that are essential
for efficient spectrum utilisation.
Evangelists have struggled to blaze their trails for years in European
ISM band communications at 434MHz (where the power limit is
pathetically low), at 458MHz (a frequency band drastically over-used
in the construction machinery market) and in the most recently unified
European band around 868MHz. But in recent years Bluetooth, ZigBee and
the like have shown that even with miniscule power budgets,
bullet-proof protocols are far more the key to wireless applications
than the so-called black art of RF design ever was.
One of the latest contenders in the market is Z-Wave, a mesh
networking technology from Zensys. And this week we feature a
technical background article (see link below) penned by Thomas
Jorgensen and Niels T Johansen from that company explaining how the
technology can answer the demands of domestic automation networks.
No doubt the next seven days will see further developments - both in
terms of products and news about the rescheduling of the show. Watch
this space.
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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IDT ACQUIRES FREESCALE TIMING SOLUTIONS
(IDT, 04 Oct 2005)
Integrated Device Technology has exercised an option to purchase the
Freescale Semiconductor timing solutions business for $35 million.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/idt/idt194.html
or send a blank email to mailto:idt1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PRINTED ELECTRONICS PROJECTS SHOW PROMISE
(BASF , 29 Sep 2005)
BASF Future Business is working on leading edge printed electronics
technology based on organic semiconductors that can be used in a broad
variety of everyday applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/bas/bas100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:bas1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AWARD RECOGNISES PLANT IMPROVEMENT
(Prism Electronics , 29 Sep 2005)
St Ives-based contract electronics manufacturer Prism Electronics has
won the Most Improved Plant category at the national 2005 Best Factory
Awards.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/prl/prl107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:prl1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
IEE AND IIE TO MERGE IN NEW INSTITUTION
(IEE (Institution of Electrical Engineers), 04 Oct 2005)
The members of two of the UK's leading engineering institutions, the
IEE and the IIE, have voted to create a new institution.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iwo/iwo125.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iwo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NEW SERVICE OFFERS PATENT ADVICE
(Patent Office, 03 Oct 2005)
A ground-breaking new service allows anyone to ask the Patent Office
for an expert opinion on an issue of patent infringement or validity.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pff/pff101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pff1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HIGHER-CURRENT POE MOVES TOWARDS STANDARDISATION
(PowerDsine UK, 30 Sep 2005)
The creation of a new IEEE802.3at Task Force maintains the momentum
created during the PoEPlus Study Group and is a big step towards
making PoEPlus into a new IEEE standard.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/prd/prd121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:prd1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
VERTICAL TRANSISTORS OFFER ECONOMICAL RF SWITCHING
(Innos, 29 Sep 2005)
An EPSRC-funded project has demonstrated how high performance MOSFETs
used in radio frequency applications can be manufactured at low cost.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iod/iod118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:iod1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] DECODER SOC ENABLES NEW CLASSES OF A/V PRODUCTS
(Wis Technologies, 04 Oct 2005)
Wischip International describes the DeCypher 8100 as a breakthrough
multistream high-definition audio/video system-on-chip (SoC) decoder
with integrated digital rights management and networking support. The
DeCypher 8100 is a flexible and scalable single-chip solution that
will enable OEM consumer electronics customers to develop
next-generation IP set-top boxes and high-definition television sets
and Blu-ray (BD)/HD-DVD products at a lower cost with faster time to
market. The key enabling drivers for these emerging high-definition
consumer products, as well as high-quality IP-TV broadcasts and
video-on-demand services, are advanced compression technologies to
reduce the bandwidth requirements needed to deliver high-definition
content.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wit/wit100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wit1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] LOW-POWER TRANSCEIVER COVERS US AND EUROPEAN BANDS
(Analog Devices, 30 Sep 2005)
Analog Devices has extended its portfolio of leading RF ICs with the
ADF7020-1 transceiver. Designed to address the SRD (short range
device) wireless connectivity applications in home and building
automation, wireless video and audio, AMR (automatic wireless
metering) and security applications, the ADF7020-1 is a single-chip,
transceiver solution for the 135 to 650MHz frequency range with good
cochannel and adjacent channel rejection. This new RF IC will be
displayed on Booth 408B/410A at European Microwave Week, from 3rd to
7th October 2005 in Paris, France.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc333.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] MCUS TARGET NEW-GENERATION AUTOMOTIVE TASKS
(Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe, 03 Oct 2005)
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe has announced a new series of 32bit
RISC (FR) microcontrollers specifically designed to fulfil the needs
of next generation automotive applications. The MB91460 series is a
0.18um successor to the successful MB91360 series. The transfer to a
smaller geometry brings the advantages of lower power consumption,
higher speed and the choice of additional new features on the same die
size, or similar features on a smaller die. The MB91460 controllers
have been designed for automotive applications including body control,
dashboard and infotainment.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/fuj/179/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fuj/fuj179.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fuj1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] PC/104 CPU TAKES DATA ACQUISITION ONBOARD
(Diamond Systems, 29 Sep 2005)
Available now from Diamond Systems Corp, the Elektra is a
high-integration embedded CPU with data acquisition. Elektra
integrates a Pentium-II class CPU running at 200MHz, 128Mbyte memory,
Ethernet and a professional-quality analogue and digital I/O circuit
with autocalibration onto a single PC/104 board. Linux, DOS, QNX, and
Windows CE operating systems are supported. Elektra consumes only 5.5W
and operates over the -40 to +85C extended temperature range without a
fan.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dam/dam103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dam1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] SENSOR SETS STAGE FOR 3MPIXEL HANDSET CAMERAS
(OmniVision, 04 Oct 2005)
New from OmniVision Technologies, the OV3630 is a high performance
3.2Mpixel CMOS image sensor for digital still image and video/still
camera products. Incorporating OmniVision's new 2.2um OmniPixel2
technology and a lens format of only 1/3.2 inches, the OV3630 enables
a very compact auto focus and zoom camera module sise and makes it
possible for handset makers to bring 3Mpixel camera phones into the
mainstream handset market. The OV3630 features built-in OmniQSP
technology which provides high-grade picture processing and features
traditionally only found in digital still cameras.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/omv/omv105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:omv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] ENVIRONMENT CUTS RISK FROM FPGA DESIGN
(Nallatech, 04 Oct 2005)
New from Nallatech, Dimetalk 3 is an application development
environment for single- and multiple-device FPGA computing systems
that is easier to use than traditional design flows, shortens
development time, and reduces risk. Dimetalk 3 is the third generation
of Nallatech's acclaimed Dimetalk environment, and delivers rapid,
easy to use application development capabilities through automated
configuration of system level communications, expanded libraries of
pretested components, support for industry leading third-party tools
including FPGA compilers, and integral Dime-C entry-level C-to-VHDL
function generator. Dime-C is available as part of an early access
programme, and provides a convenient method for engineers to implement
complex hardware functions using high-level design entry.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/nal/133/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nal/nal133.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nal1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] LATEST LABVIEW ADDS DISTRIBUTED INTELLIGENCE
(National Instruments, 04 Oct 2005)
LabView 8 represents a major upgrade to the graphical development
platform that improves the productivity of engineers and scientists in
design, control and test. This upgrade introduces distributed
intelligence - a powerful suite of new capabilities for engineers and
scientists to easily design, distribute and synchronise intelligent
devices and systems. LabView 8 also features a new project-based
environment for developing and managing large-scale applications as
well as the latest in Express technology for simplified instrument
control. This release also includes significant updates to the LabView
Real-Time Module, LabView FPGA Module, LabView PDA Module and LabView
Datalogging and Supervisory Control Module.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/naa/222/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/naa/naa222.html
or send a blank email to mailto:naa2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] USB SERIAL SERVERS PUT 16 PERIPHERALS INTO ONE
(Sealevel Systems, 04 Oct 2005)
Sealevel Systems has made two additions to the popular Sealink USB
product line, the Sealink+16/232 and the Sealink+16/485. Offering 16
independent serial ports, Sealink+16 devices are the perfect way to
connect multiple peripherals such as barcode scanners, serial displays
and data acquisition modules to any USB port. The serial ports on each
Sealink+16 appear as standard COM ports to the host system enabling
compatibility with legacy software. All Sealevel Sealink USB serial
servers use a state-machine architecture that greatly reduces the host
computer's overhead when communicating over multiple ports
simultaneously.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sal/sal117.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sal1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] CONVERTORS DIRECTLY DIGITISE SENSOR SIGNALS
(Linear Technology Corp, 29 Sep 2005)
Linear Technology has introduced the LTC2480 series of delta-sigma
analogue-to-digital convertors (ADCs), featuring a novel front-end
design that is able to directly digitise a wide range of sensors. The
LTC2480's Easy Drive technology results in zero average differential
input current, simplifying the design of front-end signal conditioning
circuits and allowing the ADC to be driven directly from bridges,
RTDs, thermocouples and other high impedance sensors. The LTC2480 is
the first device to directly and accurately measure high impedance
input sources without the use of an internal buffer, eliminating the
drawbacks of on-chip buffering.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lne/lne198.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lne1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR IS MADE FOR MINIATURISATION
(AVX, 30 Sep 2005)
AVX Corp is now offering an ultrasmall crystal oscillator designed for
telecommunications systems. Designated the CX-2520SB, the surface
mount crystal oscillator contains a ceramic package that offers high
reliability with repeatable performance in a compact package.
Resonating at a frequency range of 26.000-60.000MHz, the CX-2520SB
oscillator provides reflow compatibility for mobile communications,
Bluetooth and wireless local area network applications.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/avx/122/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/avx/avx122.html
or send a blank email to mailto:avx1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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MESH NETWORK ANSWERS HOME AUTOMATION DEMANDS
(Zensys, 03 Oct 2005)
Thomas Jorgensen and Niels T Johansen describe how Z-Wave technology
addresses the needs of the home control network, product development
and manufacturing processes.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zes/zes102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zes1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TRANSFORMER BASED FILTERING BANISHES THE GHOSTS
(Smart Power Systems, 30 Sep 2005)
Now electronic power conditioners can provide "computer grade" power
at the same price point as surge protection alone, copier dealers can
cost-effectively reduce service visits by as much as 50%.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/smw/smw102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:smw1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
REFERENCE DESIGN SPEEDS ENTRY PHONE TO MARKET
(Semtech, 30 Sep 2005)
Avidsen has used Semtech's voice-over-RF reference design as a core
element of its latest wireless entry phone system.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sem/sem137.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sem1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INTEGRATED FLOW CUTS DOWN IMAGE PROCESSOR DESIGN
(Magma Design Automation, 03 Oct 2005)
NuCore Technology, maker of the award-winning CleanCapture image
processors, has standardised on Magma's RTL-to-GDSII design flow,
including Blast Create and Blast Fusion.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mai/mai102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mai1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INTEGRATED ANALYSIS CUTS DESIGN TIME
(Flomerics, 29 Sep 2005)
Flomerics consultants substantially reduced the time required to
design a sophisticated electric space heater using integrated thermal
and EMC simulation software.
Request free details from the supplier on Integrated analysis
environment:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/flo/158/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/flo/flo158.html
or send a blank email to mailto:flo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PLATFORM TO DRIVE AUTOMOTIVE TELEMATICS
(VIA Technologies, 03 Oct 2005)
VIA Technologies has helped Mini-box.com to launch the VoomPC family
of compact, high performance yet affordable x86 car PC kits aimed at
driving telematics mainstream.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vih/vih105.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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ADC CLAIMS SAMPLING SPEED RECORD
(National Semiconductor, 30 Sep 2005)
Three new gigahertz-speed analogue-to-digital convertors are claimed
to offer the industry's best performance with ultralow power
consumption.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nat/nat350.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nat3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DESIGN KIT HELPS USERS BUILD BUCK CONVERTOR
(Flextek Electronics, 30 Sep 2005)
A design kit has been launched that enables customers to build,
program, test and analyse a buck convertor controlled by an 8bit PIC
micro.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fle/fle102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fle1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HOT-SWAP CONTROLLER DOES AWAY WITH ORING DIODES
(Summit Microelectronics, 29 Sep 2005)
The SMH4814 can monitor and control two independent -48V feeds,
allowing for redundant power supply control.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sum/sum131.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sum1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POWER AMP COVERS FULL RANGE OF 2.4GHZ SYSTEMS
(Link Microtek, 03 Oct 2005)
The new TQP777002 power-amplifier module is a high-linearity device
designed for 802.11b/g wireless LAN and Bluetooth systems, as well as
other applications in the 2.4GHz ISM band.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lib/lib182.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lib1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SURFACE-MOUNTING CLIPS SPEED SCREENING ONBOARD
(Harwin, 29 Sep 2005)
A new range of surface mount EMI/RFI shield clips saves PCB space and
reduces assembly and rework time by eliminating through hole
manufacturing processes.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/haa/haa121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:haa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CURRENT LIMITER EASES THE INRUSH
(REO (UK), 03 Oct 2005)
A new current limiter module is designed to reduce the current surge
when loads such as transformers (especially toroidal types),
switch-mode power supplies or small motors are first switched on.
Request free details from the supplier on ED1/16:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/reo/126/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/reo/reo126.html
or send a blank email to mailto:reo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NOISE AND ECHO REDUCTION COMES TO BLUETOOTH
(NCT Europe, 04 Oct 2005)
Voice technology specialist NCT has released its ClearSpeech
technology for Cambridge Silicon Radio's BlueCore3.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nct/nct105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nct1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EVALUATION KIT SPEEDS BASESTATION DEVELOPMENT
(Texas Instruments, 30 Sep 2005)
An easy-to-use RF transmit signal chain demonstration kit speeds time
to market by cutting development time, risk and cost in wireless
infrastructure applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex886.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex8[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
JTAG TOOLS COVER FULL POWERPC FAMILY
(Embedded Toolsmiths, 30 Sep 2005)
Embedded Toolsmiths is now offering Guardian-SE JTAG ICE and Agile-DB
debugger support for Applied Micro Circuits Corporation's PowerPC
440SP and 440SPe processors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eme/eme100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eme1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POE INJECTOR WORKS WITH GIGABIT ETHERNET
(Phihong Europe, 03 Oct 2005)
A new single port power injector for power-over-Ethernet applications
is designed for use with Gigabit systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/png/png102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:png1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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