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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: 24,130
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 238: 18 October 2005
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26409 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 transistor design cuts amplification costs
[2] Dual-core MCUs resist tampering
[3] Oscillator needs no divider for 4MHz operation
[4] EMI shielding gaskets aid environmental compliance
[5] Power chips cut the cost of charger designs
[6] Transceiver chip can be tuned from 300 to 928MHz
[7] TCAD tools help explore new concepts
[8] X-ray fluorescence verifies RoHS compliance
[9] Adapters standardise board test requirements
[10] DSP brings Dolby to budget audio applications
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
As regular readers will appreciate, I still retain an almost
anorak-like interest in the latest PC market figures. For even though
the UK (and indeed Europe) may not figure among the major players in
terms of commodity system sales, none can deny that such statistics
provide both an industry barometer and a hint to component
availability trends over the coming quarter.
And, once again flying in the face of industry predictions, global PC
shipments rose more than 17% during the third quarter according to
both IDC and Gartner.
IDC put the growth at 17.1% during the July-September period (to 52.8
million), whereas Gartner put the figure at 17.2%, with shipments at
around 55 million.
Taiwan-based Acer posted the strongest growth among top vendors, with
54% growth in the quarter.
IDC rated Dell's market share at 18.0%, up from 17.9% a year ago. HP's
market share rose to 16.0% from 15.9%.
Lenovo, which acquired IBM's PC business during Q2, ranked third with
a post-merger 7.7% market share, followed by Acer with 4.7% and
Fujitsu/Siemens with 3.8%.
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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JOINT VENTURE FOCUSES ON VOICE AND VIDEO
(Oki Electric, 18 Oct 2005)
Oki Access Technologies is a new company focused on developing voice
and video media package products for next generation mobile terminals.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oki/oki170.html
or send a blank email to mailto:oki1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CADENCE COMMITS TO E STANDARDISATION
(Cadence Design Systems, 18 Oct 2005)
Cadence Design Systems has stepped up its support for the IEEE P1647 e
standardisation effort.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cad/cad318.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cad3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MOD TO TEST CW DOPPLER RADAR
(BAE Systems Aerospace Controls, 13 Oct 2005)
BAE Systems has been awarded a $2 million contract to provide a CW
Doppler radar to the UK Aberporth Test and Evaluation Range, operated
by QinetiQ on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/bae/bae108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:bae1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PCB MAKER INVESTS FOR EXPANSION
(Exception Group, 18 Oct 2005)
Printed circuit board manufacturer Exception PCB has invested GBP 2
million in new equipment at its Tewkesbury plant.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/exn/exn100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:exn1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NEW NAME IN THE CABLE MARKET
(Prysmian Cables and Systems, 18 Oct 2005)
Following its acquisition by Goldman Sachs Capital Partners on 28th
July 2005, the former Pirelli Cables and Systems has now been renamed
as Prysmian Cables and Systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pir/pir113.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pir1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SOFTWARE JOBS MOVE FROM INDIA TO NEW YORK
(Universal Instruments Corp, 12 Oct 2005)
Universal Instruments Corp has made infrastructure and staffing
changes designed to increase its product quality, sales growth and
customer satisfaction.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/uiv/uiv188.html
or send a blank email to mailto:uiv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
KEITHLEY EXPANDS IN SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA
(Keithley Instruments, 18 Oct 2005)
Keithley Instruments has significantly expanded its business presence
in southeast Asia with an office expansion in Singapore and the
opening of two new offices in Malaysia.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kei/kei173.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kei1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ARROW EXPANDS IN SW ENGLAND
(Arrow Electronics (UK), 17 Oct 2005)
As a result of continued business growth in the southwest of England,
Arrow Electronics has expanded and moved its regional business centre
for the area to a new location near Bristol.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/arr/arr178.html
or send a blank email to mailto:arr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] NOVEL TRANSISTOR DESIGN CUTS AMPLIFICATION COSTS
(Oki Electric, 18 Oct 2005)
Oki Electric has developed a power transistor with dramatically
improved amplifying characteristics. This gallium nitride high
electron mobility transistor (GaN-HEMT), is formed on a large diameter
silicon substrate achieving a world record for transconductance rating
of 350mS/mm and maximum oscillation frequency (fmax) of 115GHz.
Because this GaN-HEMT is achieved on a silicon wafer - not on
conventional SiC (silicon carbide) - it can reduce costs by
approximately 50%. This will help wireless communication systems
become lower power consumption, smaller and lower cost.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oki/oki169.html
or send a blank email to mailto:oki1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] DUAL-CORE MCUS RESIST TAMPERING
(Silicon Laude, 12 Oct 2005)
Available now from Silicon Laude are the world's first, and only,
tamper-resistant, dual MCS8051 instruction-compatible multicontrollers
that can directly interface with Freescale's new MR2A16A 4Mbit (256K
x16) MRAMs. Dubbed the SL80C051-2001 for the tamper-resistant version,
and SL80C051-2002 for the lower-cost, non-tamper-resistant version,
the dual 8051 multicontrollers can substantially reduce component
count, minimise PCB space and improve overall processing performance,
all while warding off attacks from software and data pirates in
embedded applications that require secure data collection and storage.
With its small, 13 x 13mm, 144-ball FBGA packaging and non-DES
cryptographic engine, the SL80C051-2001 multicontroller is ideal for
use in embedded applications such as financial data terminals,
personal identification number (PIN) pads, and other similar
applications where a high level of security from data/software
pirating is a priority.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/siu/101/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/siu/siu101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:siu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] OSCILLATOR NEEDS NO DIVIDER FOR 4MHZ OPERATION
(Kyocera Corp, 13 Oct 2005)
New from Kyocera, the CX3225SB is the world's first miniature
low-frequency quartz crystal unit that oscillates in the 4MHz
frequency range. At one twenty-seventh the size of conventional units,
the CX3225SB provides stable frequency sources for applications that
require compact size and power savings, such as portable DVDs,
handheld game-players, PDAs and cellular handsets. Previously, when no
small quartz crystal unit was available oscillating at this frequency,
Kyocera Kinseki divided higher frequencies, such as 16MHz, using ICs,
to obtain 4MHz. However, if small crystal units oscillate at 4MHz
directly, the dividing process can be omitted. Based on this, the
CX3225SB reduces the power consumption of the overall device by
approximately 30%.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kyo/kyo100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kyo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] EMI SHIELDING GASKETS AID ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
(Laird Technologies, 17 Oct 2005)
Now available from Laird Technologies is its new EcoGreen
fabric-over-foam electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding gaskets
designed specifically in response to recent environmental directives
such as the European Union's RoHS and WEEE that restrict the use of
certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
Laird Technologies is the world's leading designer and manufacturer of
EMI shielding materials, thermal interface products and wireless
antenna solutions. With continuing commitment to enhancing the
environment all of its fabric-over-foam shields are RoHS compliant and
EcoGreen shields exceed the requirement as they are halogen-free (per
the IEC61249-2-21 standard).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lir/lir108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lir1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] POWER CHIPS CUT THE COST OF CHARGER DESIGNS
(Power Integrations, 18 Oct 2005)
Power Integrations has introduced a new family of ICs designed for use
in ultra-low-cost battery chargers. The new LinkSwitch-LP family
offers the simplest energy-efficient replacement for unregulated
line-frequency transformers with up to 3W of output power. Such
chargers are commonly sold with products such as cellphones, cordless
phones, portable audio players, shavers and other personal
electronics. Chargers using LinkSwitch-LP require just 14 components -
the lowest component count available for energy-efficient
switched-mode chargers.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/poo/108/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/poo/poo108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:poo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] TRANSCEIVER CHIP CAN BE TUNED FROM 300 TO 928MHZ
(AMI Semiconductor, 17 Oct 2005)
AMI Semiconductor has expanded its family of ultra-low-power
low-datarate CMOS ICs with a versatile transceiver that provides a
single-chip wireless solution for automotive, medical and industrial
applications. The new AMIS-53000 is tunable for frequencies from 300
to 928MHz, supports ASK, FSK and GFSK modulation and incorporates
application-specific features for wireless products targeted at the
medical implantable communication systems (MICS) markets. The
AMIS-53000 is the latest member of the AMIS ASTRIC (Application
Specific Transmit and Receive IC) product family and is ideal for a
wide variety of low- to moderate-datarate systems requiring robust,
low power wireless communications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/amb/amb178.html
or send a blank email to mailto:amb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] TCAD TOOLS HELP EXPLORE NEW CONCEPTS
(Synopsys, 18 Oct 2005)
Synopsys reckons its new Sentaurus technology CAD (TCAD) tool suite
sets a new standard for TCAD technology by embedding a comprehensive
suite of core TCAD products for multidimensional process, device and
system simulation into a powerful user interface. Created by
integrating the industry-leading features of Synopsys and former ISE
TCAD products, Sentaurus includes a wide range of new features and
capabilities. Together with TSuprem4, Medici and Raphael existing
Synopsys products, Sentaurus will put Synopsys customers in a strong
position to address future challenges in semiconductor development
while maintaining continuity with their existing software
installations.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/syn/syn273.html
or send a blank email to mailto:syn2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] X-RAY FLUORESCENCE VERIFIES ROHS COMPLIANCE
(Fischer Instrumentation (GB), 18 Oct 2005)
EU politicians have decreed a ban or a limit on certain materials that
pollute or harm the environment, generating the new EU regulations,
RoHS and WEEE. To demonstrate conformity with these guidelines,
manufacturers must continually analyse the materials of their
components. Conducting this analysis using the X-ray fluorescence
method has many advantages. The X-ray fluorescence method is
especially economical for screening the components as a first step in
the inspection process. Personnel without special knowledge of
analysis methods can easily identify specimens that are clear of
harmful substances. Components that are at the critical borderline or
above can then be analysed quantitatively or rejected. The supplier
can then be required to provide a detailed analysis or replacement
parts. The Fischerscope X-ray XAN and XDAL from Fischer
Instrumentation (GB) automate the analysis procedure.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fsc/fsc101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fsc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] ADAPTERS STANDARDISE BOARD TEST REQUIREMENTS
(Connect Tech, 17 Oct 2005)
Connect Tech has introduced a line of engineering tools designed to
simplify the development and testing process by eliminating the need
for dedicated development systems. These passive adapters allow
developers to use standard PCbus slots to test CompactPCI, PC/104 and
PC/104-Plus boards. The adapters are easy to use: simply mount the
test card and place the adapter into the system's ISA or PCI slot.
Additional configuration is unnecessary.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cne/cne101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cne1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] DSP BRINGS DOLBY TO BUDGET AUDIO APPLICATIONS
(Freescale Semiconductor, 18 Oct 2005)
Freescale Semiconductor has released an advanced cost-effective
digital signal processor (DSP) featuring Dolby Digital, Dolby Virtual
Speaker and Dolby Headphone technology functionality. The DSPD56374 is
expected to bring high-end Dolby technology to a significantly larger
set of consumer and automotive applications, including digital
televisions and video game accessories. The advanced software product
is production ready and is the latest in a family of software ROM
codes supported on the DSP56374, which was introduced in 2004.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mot/mot219.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mot2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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ETHERNET CHIPS ENABLE TIGERISH GIGABIT SWITCHES
(Agere Systems, 13 Oct 2005)
SMC Networks has begun shipping the first in a new line of gigabit
workgroup switches, the TigerSwitch 1000, powered by Agere Systems'
industry-leading Ethernet chips.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/age/age189.html
or send a blank email to mailto:age1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PROCESSOR POWERS FINGERPRINT-RECOGNITION MODULES
(Analog Devices, 14 Oct 2005)
Fingerprint specialist Suprema is using the Analog Devices Blackfin to
drive its Unifinger SFM3000 and SFM3500 fingerprint-recognition
modules.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc339.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AUTOMATED METER READING SYSTEM USES ZIGBEE
(Freescale Semiconductor, 13 Oct 2005)
Leading Danish electricity company NESA is to deploy the first
ZigBee-enabled system for automated meter reading (AMR) in Europe.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mot/mot215.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mot2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BATTERIES KEEP SATELLITE RUNNING THROUGH ECLIPSES
(Saft Rechargeable Battery Systems, 17 Oct 2005)
Saft's lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology achieved two important
firsts with last week's successful launch of France's new Syracuse
IIIA secure military telecommunications satellite.
Request free details from the supplier on VES140S Li-ion cells:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/sft/107/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sft/sft107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sft1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MEDICAL MANUFACTURER TAKES COMPLIANCE IN HOUSE
(Schaffner, 12 Oct 2005)
A newly equipped test lab allows medical equipment manufacturer KeyMed
to perform practically all the EMC testing required for its products
and meet the requirements of EN60601-1-2.
Request free details from the supplier on EMC compliance test
equipment:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/sca/182/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sca/sca182.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sca1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured new product news
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SOI PROCESS PROMISES ANALOGUE ADVANTAGES
(Zarlink Semiconductor, 17 Oct 2005)
A fully complementary silicon on insulator bipolar foundry technology
is designed to meet the high performance requirements of DVD players,
digital video recorders and ADSL modems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mif/mif210.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mif2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BRIDGE CHIP IS FIRST LINK FROM PCIE TO ASI
(StarGen, 18 Oct 2005)
The Kestrel is the industry's first PCIe to Advanced Switching
Interconnect bridge IC for connecting PCI Express based host
processors to ASI fabrics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/stg/stg100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:stg1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MANAGEMENT ROLE FOR INTELLIGENT SWITCH CONTROLLER
(VIA Technologies, 14 Oct 2005)
The VIA Networking Atlantic VT6528 Ethernet 26-port switch controller
is an intelligent single-chip switch controller featuring advanced
management and security technologies.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vih/vih108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vih1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BASEBAND CHIPSET MASTERS HANDSET PROCESSING
(Agere Systems, 18 Oct 2005)
Agere Systems is delivering its new Vision X115 chipset solution
supporting cinema-quality video and CD-quality audio capabilities for
mainstream Edge feature phones and smartphones.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/age/age190.html
or send a blank email to mailto:age1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
65NM SOC TECHNOLOGY COMES ON STREAM
(TSMC, 17 Oct 2005)
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has successfully completed
the first of three CyberShuttle prototype production runs for the
company's industry leading 65nm Nexsys technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tsc/tsc101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tsc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MEMORY MODULES SUPPORT NEXT GENERATION NOTEBOOKS
(Kingston Technology, 17 Oct 2005)
Kingston Technology has released ValueRAM DDR2 667MHz (PC2-6400)
memory modules to support next generation notebook and mobile systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kin/kin136.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kin1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
REGULATOR RANGE FEATURES SCALEABLE CURRENT
(Monolithic Power Systems (MPS), 13 Oct 2005)
Monolithic Power Systems has released the MP2309 and MP2307 23V
synchronous step-down regulators.
Request free details from the supplier on MP2309 and MP2307:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/moo/107/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/moo/moo107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:moo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
OP AMP AND REFERENCES AID INSTRUMENTATION DESIGN
(Analog Devices, 13 Oct 2005)
A JFET-input op amp and a family of low power voltage references are
optimised for a combination of high precision, ultrasmall footprint
and very low power consumption.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc338.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SOFTWARE CUTS GUESSWORK FROM IP BLOCK BASED DESIGN
(AccelChip, 13 Oct 2005)
New technology is claimed to provide unparalleled automation for DSP
applications in FPGAs and ASICs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ack/ack100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ack1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TOUCH TECHNOLOGY COMES TO MEMBRANE KEYPADS
(Zytronic, 17 Oct 2005)
Zytronic has applied touchscreen technology to membrane keypad
applications to produce custom keypads that benefit from a zero
wear-out mechanism and high resistance to scratches.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zyt/zyt116.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zyt1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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