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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: 24,080
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 237: 11 October 2005
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26,241 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] Radio-on-a-chip aims for HID applications
[2] Novel transistor structure cuts standby drain
[3] Kit speeds quarter-VGA display integration
[4] Front-end tuner is ready for DVB-S2 duties
[5] Software masters energy management
[6] TFT LCDs cover wider temperature band
[7] ADC technology creates low power systems
[8] USB-A connector locks out vibration
[9] Improved silicon technology cuts transistor losses
[10] Real-time spectrum analysers extend to RFID
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
I must admit that I am rather proud of the fact that the rest of the
world still seems to admire the legendary British sense of fair play.
Whether it comes from an educational system that (in my day at least)
still encompassed team sports of the ilk of cricket and rugby, or
whether it is nothing more than a hang-over from the days of Empire,
the more I travel, the more frequently I am told that Britain retains
its reputation for respecting the rules.
But how well founded is that reputation?
Whether it be the company director who exploits a tax loophole or the
supposedly unemployed person who works while claiming benefit, I am
sure we all know people who "bend" the rules. And it seems that the
electronics industry is not immune from this phenomenon.
A recent survey by Dionics (see link in our lead industry news story
below) has revealed that of 100 products analysed, 78% were found to
be exempt from the RoHS Directive and a further 67% fell outside the
scope of the WEEE Directive.
But hang on - weren't these directives supposed to be
all-encompassing, with only a small proportion of products exempt -
and all for easily documented reasons? Apparently not, it seems, as a
very small proportion of the exempt products fell into the obvious
exemption categories of medical and defence electronics.
As with anything else, it seems, the devil is in the details, and a
subtle change in the description of the "intended purpose" of a piece
of equipment can make a vast difference to the regulatory requirements
governing its make-up and disposal.
But is this fair?
Dionics admits that a proportion of its survey was made up of
"international clients [who] are often desperately seeking a
legitimate exemption". But the base statistics cannot hide the fact
that more companies appear to be claiming exemptions than were ever
envisaged when the legislation was framed.
It would be reassuring to infer that the vast majority of the UK
electronics industry is fully aware of its legal requirements and is
making every attempt to comply with both the RoHS and WEEE Directives,
as they apply to their products.
Those who are playing the game as it should be played might
justifiably feel hard done by.
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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EXCEPTIONS SLIP THROUGH THE ROHS AND WEEE NET
(Dionics, 10 Oct 2005)
Statistics from Dionics Environmental Division for the third quarter
reveal some unexpected results with regard to the RoHS and WEEE
Directives.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dio/dio109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dio1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ACQUISITION ADDS USB EXPERTISE TO FIREWIRE
(Oxford Semiconductor, 07 Oct 2005)
Oxford Semiconductor has acquired TransDimension a leading provider of
USB connectivity solutions for embedded applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ofo/ofo125.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ofo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SALES GROWTH CONTINUES AT NU HORIZONS
(Nu Horizons Electronics Corp, 10 Oct 2005)
Nu Horizons Electronics Corp has reported financial and operating
results for the second quarter and six months ended 31st August 2005.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nuh/nuh128.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nuh1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EASIC RECEIVES $17 MILLION FUNDS BOOST
(eASIC Corp, 10 Oct 2005)
eASIC Corp has secured $17 million in equity financing to expand its
global operations and further develop its programmable ASIC products
at the 90 and 65nm technology nodes.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ecc/ecc116.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ecc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FLEXTRONICS INTEGRATION IS COMPLETE
(AMI Semiconductor, 05 Oct 2005)
AMI Semiconductor has completed its integration of the FPGA-to-ASIC
conversion assets of newly acquired Flextronics Semiconductor.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/amb/amb175.html
or send a blank email to mailto:amb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BROADCOM TO ACQUIRE ATHENA
(Broadcom Corp, 10 Oct 2005)
Broadcom Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire
Athena Semiconductors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/brd/brd104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:brd1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
OUTDOOR TEST FACILITY PUTS DISPLAYS ON TRIAL
(Global Display Solutions, 06 Oct 2005)
Global Display Solutions has opened an innovative outdoor test
facility in Cornedo, Italy.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/glo/glo139.html
or send a blank email to mailto:glo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INITIATIVE AIMS TO CO-ORDINATE LEAD-FREE FINDINGS
(Elfnet, 11 Oct 2005)
The European electronics industry is entering a business-critical
period with only nine months to go before the RoHS Directive deadline
of July 2006.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/elf/elf102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:elf1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
REPORT ALLAYS LEAD-FREE PASTE USERS' FEARS
(National Physical Laboratory, 10 Oct 2005)
The NPL has published its report on the effect of voiding on lead-free
reliability.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nti/nti113.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nti1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] RADIO-ON-A-CHIP AIMS FOR HID APPLICATIONS
(Cypress Semiconductor, 11 Oct 2005)
Cypress Semiconductor Corp has introduced its next-generation 2.4GHz
WirelessUSB radio-on-a-chip device. The new WirelessUSB LP offers the
most robust solution with the lowest power consumption for keyboards,
mice and other human interface devices (HIDs), while providing an
unparalleled feature set enabling low BOM costs, higher datarate
applications, and faster time to market. WirelessUSB LP operates
between 1.8 and 3.6V, using many advanced techniques to extend battery
life in devices such as wireless mice. As part of Cypress's
WirelessUSB portfolio, the device uses Cypress's patented direct
sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) and frequency-agile technology to
offer best-in-class interference immunity for a 2.4GHz radio system.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cyp/cyp277.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cyp2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] NOVEL TRANSISTOR STRUCTURE CUTS STANDBY DRAIN
(Oki Electric, 10 Oct 2005)
Oki Electric has developed a new device structure for super low
off-leakage current. While maintaining the speed of performance of
previous devices, the SoI (silicon on insulator)-CMOS transistor
structure succeeds in reducing the standby consumption current
(off-leakage current) by over 90% compared with previous transistors.
Oki is the first company in the world to develop a fully depleted SoI
transistor using a nondoped body and nonoverlap type SoI structure.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oki/oki167.html
or send a blank email to mailto:oki1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] KIT SPEEDS QUARTER-VGA DISPLAY INTEGRATION
(Anders Electronics, 10 Oct 2005)
A new evaluation kit from Anders Electronics aims to significantly
reduce the time to market of applications using Toppoly's 2.8 and
3.5in QVGA low temperature polysilicon TFT displays. Using the QVGA
TFT kit from Anders Electronics, engineers will typically get the
display working with their controller board within approximately one
day, eliminating the need to design their own interface board. It
combines a 2.8 or 3.5in LTPS display and integrated touch screen
option with an interface board and all of the cables and documentation
needed to drive the display from a microcontroller or TFT controller
board.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/and/119/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/and/and119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:and1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] FRONT-END TUNER IS READY FOR DVB-S2 DUTIES
(Sharp Microelectronics Europe, 10 Oct 2005)
Sharp Corporation has started series production of the new front-end
tuner (BS2S7HZ6306) for digital satellite receivers. This leading
developer of satellite tuner technology and market leader for
satellite tuners is therefore one of the first manufacturers to
provide a digital receiving part for the new DVB-S2 standard: a key
component for receiving HDTV by satellite. The new DVB-S2 standard has
a much faster transmission speed than the existing DVB-S standard.
Economical HDTV transmission is only possible in conjunction with
MPEG4 data compression, which reduces the volume of data by about
two-thirds in comparison with MPEG2 compression. Thanks to the new
forward error correction (FEC) codes, the robustness of data
transmission can be maintained in the DVB-S2 standard.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/skc/skc122.html
or send a blank email to mailto:skc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] SOFTWARE MASTERS ENERGY MANAGEMENT
(Accelerated Technology, 06 Oct 2005)
Accelerated Technology, a Mentor Graphics division, has unveiled its
new Nucleus Energy Manager (EM) software. Combined with the ARM
Intelligent Energy Management (IEM) software technology and Dynamic
Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) hardware, the Nucleus EM software
allows developers to increase energy performance resulting in extended
battery life for handheld devices. These include smart phones, feature
phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), game consoles, and media
players.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/acl/acl118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:acl1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] TFT LCDs COVER WIDER TEMPERATURE BAND
(Apollo Display Technologies, 11 Oct 2005)
Optrex is expanding the operating temperature range of its standard
industrial TFT LCD product line to -20 to +70C. This standard
90-degree-wide operating temperature range is being implemented now
and throughout 2005 in what Optrex calls one of the industry's
broadest standard ranges of high-performance active matrix digital TFT
LCDs, available in sizes from 6.5 to 15.0in diagonal in VGA, SVGA and
XGA formats from Apollo Display Technologies. The expanded operating
temperature range is part of Optrex's ongoing strategy of co-ordinated
performance enhancements to its industrial TFT product line.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/apg/apg100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:apg1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] ADC TECHNOLOGY CREATES LOW POWER SYSTEMS
(Xignal Technologies, 05 Oct 2005)
Xignal Technologies has announced a breakthrough in
analogue-to-digital convertor (ADC) technology. Using proprietary
architectural advances in continuous time delta sigma (CTDS)
conversion, Xignal's architecture enables the design of high
resolution (12bits and above) ADCs that convert at up to several
hundred megahertz effective sampling rates on a power budget less than
half that of existing pipeline solutions. Moreover, the breakthrough
is accomplished in mainstream 130nm CMOS technology that is available
from a wide variety of foundries. This facilitates a high degree of
functional integration including an on-chip, low-jitter, precision
clock that eliminates the need for external timing circuits.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xig/xig103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:xig1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] USB-A CONNECTOR LOCKS OUT VIBRATION
(Yamaichi Electronics , 07 Oct 2005)
The Y-ConIP20Lock-11 from Yamaichi is the first USB-A connector on the
market with an additional locking mechanism. This IP20 product builds
on the success of the RJ45 version (Y-ConIP20Lock-10) introduced last
year, and uses the same tool-free locking clip design and the same
mounting frames as its sister product. The compact format offers the
smallest available USB-A product with locking system, and allows
integration into 19in rack systems or applications having a small
space overhead.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/yaa/yaa101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:yaa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] IMPROVED SILICON TECHNOLOGY CUTS TRANSISTOR LOSSES
(ON Semiconductor, 10 Oct 2005)
ON Semiconductor has introduced a new family of high-performance
low-saturation-voltage bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) that reduce
overall circuit cost while contributing to better power efficiency and
longer battery life in a wide variety of portable applications -
including cellphones, PDAs, media players, notebook computers and
digital cameras. These innovative low saturation voltage BJTs are
miniature surface-mount devices featuring high current gain
capability. They are designed for use in low-voltage, high-speed
switching applications where affordable yet energy-efficient control
is important.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/onw/onw198.html
or send a blank email to mailto:onw1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] REAL-TIME SPECTRUM ANALYSERS EXTEND TO RFID
(Tektronix, 10 Oct 2005)
Tektronix has introduced a new RFID software measurement suite for its
WCA200A, RSA3300A and RSA3408A real-time spectrum analysers. Already
the most capable spectrum analyser for RFID testing, Tektronix
continues to advance the capabilities of real-time spectrum analysers
by adding new measurements and troubleshooting features specifically
designed to help the RFID engineer. Wireless technologies continue to
proliferate across industries such as healthcare, government, supply
chain management, transportation and retail. In all of these markets,
RFID is becoming prevalent.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek240.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tek2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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TEN CONSIDERATIONS WHEN SPECIFYING AN RF GASKET
(Laird Technologies, 11 Oct 2005)
Compiling a list of essential requirements is an ideal way to reduce
cost and improve the performance of RF gaskets in specific
applications says Gary Fenical from Laird Technologies.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lir/lir107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lir1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ONLINE SERVICE PROMISES FASTER ACCESS TO SAMPLES
(Beganto, 05 Oct 2005)
Distribution's role in component sampling is expected to grow thanks
to a new online sampling application, says Beganto CEO Sunil Grover.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ben/ben103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ben1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
OMAP PROCESSOR ENABLES SAMSUNG'S SYMBIAN HANDSETS
(Texas Instruments, 10 Oct 2005)
Samsung Electronics has selected technology from TI's OMAP platform
and Bluetooth solutions for its first Symbian OS and Series 60-based
smartphones, the SGH-D720 and SGH-D730.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex893.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex8[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
VIDEO CHIP POWERS HOLLYWOOD-QUALITY HOME THEATRE
(Silicon Optix, 06 Oct 2005)
Launched last month at Cedia 2005 in Indianapolis, the Calibre
Vantage-HD home theatre video scaler and switcher is powered by the
Realta HQV video processing engine.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/siz/siz100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:siz1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SINGLE PROCESSOR TAKES ON NETWORKED AV CENTRE
(Analog Devices, 05 Oct 2005)
The Blackfin processor has been implemented in a concept design for a
networked audio/video centre by Yamaha Corp, a global leader in music
equipment as well as home audio and video systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc334.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MODEL-BASED DESIGN REPLACES PAPER-PASSING EXERCISE
(The MathWorks, 07 Oct 2005)
Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems has used Simulink to model and
implement an advanced nonlinear FPGA-based signal processing and
control subsystem for an airborne system project.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mth/mth148.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mth1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ASSEMBLY CELLS AID FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION
(Universal Instruments Corp, 06 Oct 2005)
Motorola's new production line for assembly, packaging and in-circuit
test of advanced automotive electronic modules uses two Universal
Polaris assembly cells.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/uiv/uiv187.html
or send a blank email to mailto:uiv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MINI-ITX MAINBOARD HOSTS OPEN-SOURCE FIREWALL
(VIA Technologies, 10 Oct 2005)
The VIA EPIA CL6000 Mini-ITX mainboard has been adopted by
Vermont-based Logic Supply, a well-known Mini-ITX systems provider and
retailer, for its new range of Perimeter firewall appliances.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vih/vih106.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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RADIO PROCESSOR HAS MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES
(CML Microcircuits, 06 Oct 2005)
The CMX7031 is a novel two-way radio processor IC that enables a new
and revolutionary approach to design.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cml/cml110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cml1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BIPOLAR TRANSISTORS SHRINK TO SOT23 PACKAGING
(Zetex, 10 Oct 2005)
Achieving the same current handling capability as much larger SOT223
equivalents, a new series of SOT23 packaged bipolar transistors will
significantly reduce PCB size.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zet/zet162.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zet1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DIGITAL SIGNAL CONTROLLERS REMOVE DSP COMPLEXITY
(Microchip Technology, 11 Oct 2005)
The dsPIC33 family of digital signal controllers is claimed to offer
high levels of performance, memory and I/O without the complexity of
traditional digital signal processors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ari/ari201.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ari2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
IP CORE PUTS PCI INTO BUDGET FPGA DESIGNS
(Brace Design Solutions, 10 Oct 2005)
New from Brace Design Solutions is the BDS XPCI PCI IP core, a Xilinx
Logicore PCI compatible PCI IP core.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/bre/bre100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:bre1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MOTHERBOARDS MASTER FPGA PROTOTYPING
(Hardi Electronics, 06 Oct 2005)
Hardi Electronics has used the ARM Developer's Conference to release a
new series of motherboards it claims feature unmatched performance and
capacity.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hrd/hrd107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hrd1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INVERTER MAXIMISES SOLAR SYSTEM EFFICIENCY
(Magnetek, 10 Oct 2005)
Suitable for residential as well as commercial applications, the
Aurora PVI-3600 indoor inverter redefines weight, size and performance
in solar power installations.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mak/mak102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mak1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HDL DESIGN SUITE GAINS ITS OWN SPELLCHECKER
(Mentor Graphics UK, 10 Oct 2005)
Mentor Graphics has developed a novel concurrent design checking and
creation environment, which is available in the latest version of the
HDL Designer Series tool suite.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/men/men375.html
or send a blank email to mailto:men3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MAGNETIC SHEETS BOOST RFID ANTENNA SENSITIVITY
(Alps Electric (UK), 10 Oct 2005)
New magnetic sheets use Alps' Liqualloy metallic glass powder to boost
the sensitivity of RFID antennas.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/awo/awo114.html
or send a blank email to mailto:awo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HARD DRIVES SWITCH TO SATA INTERFACE
(Toshiba Europe Storage Device Division, 07 Oct 2005)
Toshiba Europe Storage Device Division has optimised its family of
2.5in hard disk drives for highly portable consumer electronic
products and notebook PCs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tsh/tsh116.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tsh1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PCMCIA AND COMPACTFLASH CARDS PUT TO THE TEST
(Elan Digital Systems, 11 Oct 2005)
A novel test bed handles up to 36 PCMCIA and CompactFlash cards
simultaneously, while allowing the user to access each card
individually to perform test and/or measurement diagnostics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ean/ean112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ean1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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