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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: 24,076
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 240: 01 November 2005
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26604 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
* Industry news
* Our Top new products selection
[1] GPRS connectivity made simple
[2] Serdes chipset saves display system costs
[3] Express bridge chip cuts package size and power
[4] Virtex-4 module speeds DSP prototyping
[5] MCUs offer easy upgrade to 32bit performance
[6] LCD module has novel touch technology
[7] Middleware secures systems from multiple threats
[8] Small enclosure family gains RFI-capable versions
[9] Backplanes meet latest cPCI specifications
[10] Economical option in power conversion
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
In a few months' time the Electronicstalk newsletter will reach its
fifth birthday, and it's great to be one of the "survivors" from the
many online publications which have appeared (and in some cases
disappeared) in that time. I wonder why? The format's remained the
same - is that a good thing? Should we be producing this now in HTML
with pictures, or as a PDF publication? Or go even further into
lively but headache-inducing Flash? I want to give you a chance to
tell us. Right now.
Turn to http://www.electronicstalk.com/information/survey2005.html
and you'll find a short one-page survey where you can tell us what
you like to read. If you want this newsletter to change into
something different, it's time to cast your vote. The survey is
completely anonymous and completely free; we just want to canvass
your views with a few ticks. It'll only take you two minutes! Thanks
in advance.
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.
And now: http://www.electronicstalk.com/information/survey2005.html
Best wishes
Laurence Marchini, Editor
mailto:ne[-email removed-]nicstalk.com
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This week's industry news
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TOSHIBA UPGRADES SOCS TO ARM11
(ARM, 26 Oct 2005)
Toshiba has licensed the ARM1176JZF-S processor to develop SoCs for
advanced digital consumer electronics products and mobile phones.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ank/ank228.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ank2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DUE DILIGENCE DEFENCE REQUIRES EVIDENCE
(Farnell InOne, 27 Oct 2005)
Statements of compliance alone will not be enough to prove "due
diligence" under UK legislation regarding the RoHS Directive.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/far/far175.html
or send a blank email to mailto:far1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HAZARDOUS WASTE DISCUSSED OVER BREAKFAST
(Envirowise, 27 Oct 2005)
UK electronics businesses are being urged to take advantage of a
series of free seminars which will demonstrate how to cost
effectively adapt to new hazardous waste regulations.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/env/env108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:env1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
WEBSITE EXPLAINS POWER QUALITY CONCEPTS
(Copper Development Association, 31 Oct 2005)
A new online interactive training centre covers practical and
theoretical aspects of power quality for electrical engineers,
facilities managers and M and E designers.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cda/cda118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cda1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HDTV SET FOR US TAKE-OFF
(Parks Associates, 31 Oct 2005)
Television manufacturers will see a surge in cumulative HDTV sales
over the next few years, which will boost the overall market value to
$65 billion by 2009, according to a new study.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pai/pai101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pai1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SENSE OF DESPONDENCY THREATENS INDUSTRY GROWTH
(Future Horizons, 27 Oct 2005)
A pervading sense of gloom and despondency continues to dominate the
electronics industry and is beginning to threaten growth, according
to Future Horizons.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/feh/feh114.html
or send a blank email to mailto:feh1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PROCESSOR BENCHMARKS FIND WIDER AUDIENCE
(EEMBC, 26 Oct 2005)
The Embedded Microprocessor Benchmark Consortium is to license its
benchmark software to commercial users.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eem/eem116.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eem1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
WEBCAST EXPLAINS POWER MODULE DESIGN TIPS
(Texas Instruments, 28 Oct 2005)
Analogue design engineers can now register on the TI website for a
live Analog eLab webcast entitled "Designing with power modules:
transient response, noise reduction and minimising capacitors".
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex914.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex9[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] GPRS CONNECTIVITY MADE SIMPLE
(Amplicon, 28 Oct 2005)
UK supplier Amplicon has unveiled its first ever range of wireless
cellular products, and plans to "make GPRS connectivity simple and
accessible to all". New distributor agreements with manufacturers in
the USA, Taiwan and Italy will provide depth of product and
specialist knowledge in the application of cellular technologies. A
partnership agreement with Wyless PLC, an MVNO (mobile virtual
network operator) in the UK, will enable total solutions through the
provision of specialist SIM cards.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/amp/198/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/amp/amp198.html
or send a blank email to mailto:amp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] SERDES CHIPSET SAVES DISPLAY SYSTEM COSTS
(National Semiconductor, 27 Oct 2005)
National Semiconductor has introduced a new high-speed low-voltage
differential signalling (LVDS) serialiser/deserialiser (serdes)
chipset that serialises 24bit data over a single differential pair
(two wires) in flat-panel display applications. In 800 x 480
resolution liquid crystal displays (LCDs), the DS90C241 serialiser
and DS90C124 deserialiser achieve the same level of image quality
with just two wires compared to previous generations of LVDS
interfaces which required eight wires. The serdes chipset saves
system cost by narrowing data paths that reduces PCB layers, cable
width, connector size and pin count. Samples of the DS90C241 and
DS90C124 are available now to select customers, with production
quantities available in March 2006. The products are priced at $6 in
1000-unit quantities and offered in a 48-pin, 7 x 7 x 1mm TQFP
package.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nat/nat353.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nat3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] EXPRESS BRIDGE CHIP CUTS PACKAGE SIZE AND POWER
(PLX Technology Europe, 31 Oct 2005)
PLX Technology has released its ExpressLane PEX 8114 PCI
Express-to-PCI-X bridge to production. The PEX 8114 is the latest PLX
ExpressLane PCIe device to reach production level, making PLX the
only vendor with four PCIe bridges and switches now available in
volume. The PEX 8114, featuring 800Mbyte/s throughput speed (the
industry's smallest package and lowest power consumption of any
PCIe-to-PCI-X bridging device) is on the PCI-SIG integrators list,
having successfully completed and passed the special-interest group's
rigorous interoperability and compliance tests.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/plx/plx125.html
or send a blank email to mailto:plx1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] VIRTEX-4 MODULE SPEEDS DSP PROTOTYPING
(Sundance Multiprocessor Technology, 26 Oct 2005)
A new compact DSP TIM from Sundance Multiprocessor Technology
features the new Xilinx Virtex-4 SX35 FPGA with 192 XtremeDSP slices,
each capable of operating at 500MHz throughput. The SMT368 has 35,000
logic cells available for customer designs, allowing them to create
complex functions such as hundreds of intermediate frequency (IF) to
baseband down conversions in radio applications. A 128x chip rate
greatly enhances the design process of digital systems using spread
spectrum techniques. The SMT368 is also highly capable for high
definition H.264 and MPEG-4 encode/decode algorithms.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/sda/118/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sda/sda118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sda1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] MCUS OFFER EASY UPGRADE TO 32BIT PERFORMANCE
(Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe, 27 Oct 2005)
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe has released two new 32bit
microcontrollers to complement its portfolio of microcontrollers
designed with the company's proprietary FRLite core. The MB91F272 is
housed in a 100-pin LQFP package, which is pin compatible with
Fujitsu's successful 16bit MB90340 microcontroller, and contains the
32bit FR RISC core, 256Kbyte onboard Flash memory, 10Kbyte RAM and
CAN interface, as well as peripherals including, seven UARTs
supporting LIN, a 24-channel 10bit A/D convertor and three I2C
interfaces. The MB91F252 comes in a 120-pin QFP package, and features
512Kbyte Flash memory, 16Kbyte RAM and other enhanced peripherals
that include two CAN interfaces and a 32-channel A/D convertor.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/fuj/181/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fuj/fuj181.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fuj1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] LCD MODULE HAS NOVEL TOUCH TECHNOLOGY
(Toshiba Electronics Europe, 26 Oct 2005)
Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology has developed a low-temperature
polysilicon (LTPS) TFT LCD prototype with finger shadow sensing input
capability. This approach enables users to use their finger to
directly touch the display surface to select icons or buttons and
navigate through pages in the same manner as a conventional
touch-screen approach. The new display incorporates advanced
system-on-glass (SOG) technology to integrate photosensors and signal
processing functions directly onto the glass. This differs from
today's existing methods of incorporating input capability into
display systems, which require additional devices such as
touch-screens.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tos/tos282.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tos2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] MIDDLEWARE SECURES SYSTEMS FROM MULTIPLE THREATS
(Objective Interface Systems, 27 Oct 2005)
Objective Interface Systems has developed PCSexpress, a secure
high-performance communications middleware product that is integral
to MILS (multiple independent levels of security), a foundational
software architecture created to meet the gravest security threats to
mission-critical systems. PCSexpress allows engineers to quickly
design and build fast, flexible highly secure distributed systems.
Developed for embedded systems, enterprise servers, workstations and
global networks, PCSexpress provides off-the-shelf high-assurance
communications security that reduces the duration, schedule risk and
cost of designing, evaluating, accrediting and deploying highly
secure systems. PCSexpress meets a critical need in a market in which
attacks on networked services, including viruses, worms and other
security threats, will cost businesses a projected $17.5 billion in
2005, according to Computer Economics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/obj/obj100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:obj1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] SMALL ENCLOSURE FAMILY GAINS RFI-CAPABLE VERSIONS
(Hammond Electronics, 01 Nov 2005)
Hammond Electronics has announced RFI-capable versions of its 1594
heavy-duty, small enclosure family. In a major breakthrough in
plastic enclosures, the 1594 cases are moulded in a metal-loaded
plastic that gives attenuation levels of more than 50dB from 100 to
1000MHz. The lightweight, low-cost and style of a plastic enclosure
can now be combined with EMC screening capability for applications
where it is needed. The 1594 has a 3mm thick wall to give good
mechanical and EMC protection, and is available in five sizes,
ranging from 56 x 56 x 40mm to 167 x 107 x 65mm.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/ham/121/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ham/ham121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ham1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] BACKPLANES MEET LATEST CPCI SPECIFICATIONS
(Schroff UK, 27 Oct 2005)
Schroff has developed a new 64bit range of CompactPCI backplanes with
rear I/O for CompactPCI systems with horizontal board assembly that
conform to PICMG 2.0 Rev 3.0. The backplanes for 6U CompactPCI
hot-swappable boards are available as two-, four-, six- and
eight-slot versions (1, 2, 3 and 4U). They are constructed as
continuous monolithic 9U backplanes, with an integrated 3U wide area
for plug-in 3U/8HP power supplies with P47 connectors.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/sch/149/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sch/sch149.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sch1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] ECONOMICAL OPTION IN POWER CONVERSION
(Vicor UK, 31 Oct 2005)
Vicor has released a new lower-cost option for its high-performance
second-generation line of DC/DC convertor modules and Vipac arrays.
The new E-grade DC/DC convertor modules use advanced power
processing, control and packaging technologies to provide high power
density, flexibility and reliability, along with cost effectiveness
achieved through high volume manufacturing. High-frequency ZCS/ZVS
switching provides high power density with low noise and high
efficiency.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/vic/128/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vic/vic128.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vic1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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WEEE COMPLIANCE: IS RFID TAGGING THE ANSWER?
(IDC, 01 Nov 2005)
IDC Managing Director Kevin Buckley discusses the issues involved in
using RFID tagging to achieve compliance with the WEEE Directive.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/idc/idc102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:idc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TWO CORES ARE BETTER THAN ONE FOR SURVEILLANCE DVR
(Analog Devices, 26 Oct 2005)
Zhejiang Dali Technology has used the Blackfin processor to drive the
company's digital video recorder, manufactured specifically for the
managing and storing of surveillance video.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc342.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CONTROLLERS ADD INTELLIGENCE TO SUBWOOFERS
(Texas Instruments, 26 Oct 2005)
Velodyne Acoustics is using TI's TMS320C2000 platform of digital
signal controllers across all new subwoofers - including the latest
SPL-R Series.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex912.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex9[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
RTL-TO-GDSII FLOW SPEEDS 65NM SERDES TO MARKET
(Magma Design Automation, 28 Oct 2005)
Next-generation serdes vendor Aeluros has successfully taped out a
65nm high-density low-power IC using Blast Create, Blast Fusion and
Blast Noise.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mai/mai104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mai1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured new product news
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DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIERS DRIVE HIGH-SPEED ADCS
(Texas Instruments, 28 Oct 2005)
Three new high-performance low-distortion fully differential
amplifiers drive high-speed ADCs in demanding test and measurement,
medical imaging, wireless infrastructure and industrial applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex913.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex9[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FPGAS HOST FLEXIBLE WIMAX BASESTATION
(Altera Europe, 27 Oct 2005)
Altera and Wi-LAN have formed a partnership to deliver the first
programmable, low-cost WiMAX-compliant base transceiver station modem
solution supporting the IEEE802.16-2004 standard.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aeu/aeu182.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aeu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FPGAS HOST LOW-COST PCI EXPRESS INTERFACE
(Lattice Semiconductor UK, 27 Oct 2005)
An extremely low cost programmable PCI Express solution incorporates
LatticeECP and LatticeEC FPGA devices, the Genesys Logic GL9711 PCI
Express PHY and Northwest Logic's PCI Express IP core.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lat/lat172.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lat1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PWM CONTROLLERS BOAST 1% ACCURACY
(International Rectifier, 28 Oct 2005)
International Rectifier has introduced two 1%-accurate single-output
synchronous buck PWM controllers with 4.5 to 16V input voltage
capability.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sil/sil241.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sil2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POWER CHIP CUTS CORE CONSUMPTION
(National Semiconductor, 27 Oct 2005)
The industry's first digitally controlled PowerWise energy management
unit reduces the power consumption of digital processors used in
battery-powered handheld consumer products.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nat/nat354.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nat3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DETECTOR SWITCHES NEED NO SOLDER ONBOARD
(Alps Electric (UK), 26 Oct 2005)
New detector switches, developed for detection of drive mechanisms in
automobiles and home electronics, enable connections without the use
of solder.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/awo/awo116.html
or send a blank email to mailto:awo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DIGITAL DOWN-CONVERTOR CORE RUNS ON FPGAS
(RF Engines, 27 Oct 2005)
RF Engines has introduced the first, fully flexible 64-channel
digital down-conversion (DDC) core for use on FPGAs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/rfe/rfe127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rfe1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FUNCTIONAL VERIFICATION TAKES TAILORED APPROACH
(Cadence Design Systems, 26 Oct 2005)
Cadence Design Systems has repackaged its Incisive functional
verification platform, including full solutions with tailored and
integrated products coupled with methodologies for unique segment
needs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cad/cad319.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cad3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
VERSATILE RELAY IS LAUNCHED
(Idec Electronics, 01 Nov 2005)
Anyone who uses a large number of single-pole and two-pole relays
with high contact ratings should consider the RQ relay from Idec
Electronics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ide/ide118.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ide1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
D-SUBS ARE FULLY ROHS COMPLIANT
(GTK, 31 Oct 2005)
New D subminiature connectors from GTK all meet the requirements of
the new RoHS legislation which will be introduced next summer.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gtk/gtk105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:gtk1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SCREW TERMINALS TAKE MULTIPLE ROLES ONBOARD
(Phoenix Contact, 28 Oct 2005)
The screw terminals from Phoenix Contact's compact Combicon product
range are designed as PCB terminals and as codable plugs.
Request free details from the supplier on Combicon screw terminals:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/pni/156/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pni/pni156.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pni1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MARINE CONVERTOR SUPPLIES REGULATED POWER
(Phoenix Contact, 31 Oct 2005)
The Quint 24VDC/24VDC/10A DC/DC convertor is approved for marine
applications.
Request free details from the supplier on Quint 24VDC/24VDC/10A:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/pni/157/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pni/pni157.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pni1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CONVERTOR GOES ONBOARD XDSL LINE CARDS
(Tyco Electronics Power Systems, 27 Oct 2005)
The CPFW080X6 is a high-efficiency, full-brick, multiple-output,
modular DC/DC convertor designed to support xDSL applications.
Request free details from the supplier on CPFW080X6:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/ml/tco/122/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tco/tco122.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tco1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PLATFORMS OFFER SPEEDY ROUTE TO VOIP
(Motorola Embedded Communications Computing Group, 27 Oct 2005)
Motorola has released its first voice over IP (VoIP) open
application-enabling platforms and outlined plans to extend the
product range in the future.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/moa/moa137.html
or send a blank email to mailto:moa1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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