Electronicstalk newsletter issue 349

The week's top stories from Electronicstalk

Written by the Electronicstalk editor Dec 18, 2007

Just when you thought we were all cleaning up our acts and not squandering resources, along comes a new report from US researcher NanoMarkets predicting that the market for so-called disposable electronics is about to go through the roof. And while it is worth clarifying that the lion's share of the market, which is predicted to exceed US $26 billion by 2015, will be made up of printed electronics, largely on paper, it seems ironic that such predictions should be made in the very year that most European nations (and others) have finally got around to addressing their citizens' throwaway culture.

But while throwing away an e-paper display or an RFID-enabled train ticket is light years away from continuing to dispose of old CRTs and refrigerators by throwing them into landfill sites, it creates a dichotomy the consumer may find difficult to resolve. On the one hand producers are setting about educating their customers on responsible disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment via take-back schemes, and then a whole new class of e-waste arrives that is just fine to chuck in the bin.

And in case the more environmentally aware of you hadn't noticed, weren't we supposed to be recycling paper in any case?

Mind you, the concept of disposable electronics is nothing new. Just take a walk down the toys aisle at your local discount store. Many of those stocking fillers that are priced perfectly for the season and are unlikely to last into the new year include that most hideous cost-saving design fault - the hard-wired battery (which is probably potted to the circuit board as well). So even if the toy did hold a child's attention span for longer than the school holidays, once the battery is exhausted, it can only go in the bin.

That may be just about it for 2007, but it doesn't mean that you won't be able to keep up with all the latest electronics news. We will be keeping the Electronicstalk website updated every day during the festive season, bringing you all the product and industry news you could possibly want, as soon as it is available.

So it only remains for me to wish all of you the compliments of the season from all of us here at Electronicstalk.

Top Products featured this issue

[1] SIMULATION PROGRAM EASES CAPACITOR CHOICE

(AVX, 12 Dec 2007)

AVX has developed a new version of SpiTanII, its popular simulation program for its tantalum and Oxicap niobium oxide capacitor ranges. SpiTanII is an application that enables the designer to view all basic characteristics and parameters for tantalum and Oxicap capacitors. The designer can select a desired component by part number or by reference to capacitance, rated voltage, case size or series. For the selected capacitor all basic parameters - such as frequency characteristics of capacitance, ESR, impedance, DF and ripple current and ripple voltage ratings - are displayed.

> Quick link to request free details direct from the supplier:

[2] ANALOGUE COMPENSATION IN ONE

(Microbridge, 13 Dec 2007)

Microbridge Technologies has a new family of low-power low-TC re-adjustable resistors designed to meet customer needs for a low-cost single-element device to compensate and calibrate precision analogue circuits. Microbridge has previously shown its capability to calibrate individual electronic devices such as voltage references, sensors or circuits needing adjustments with passive, electrically adjustable resistors. The new single, low power Rejustor will emphasise how to calibrate devices and circuits for mass production. It can be used with off-the-shelf hardware from National Instruments (NI-cDAQ 9172) to calibrate a wide range of circuits in parallel.

> Quick link to request free details direct from the supplier:

[3] BACKSHELLS DOUBLE UP FOR BUS CABLE FLEXIBILITY

(Tyco Electronics UK, 12 Dec 2007)

A novel range of die-cast backshells from Tyco features an innovative design with two cable entries. Particularly suited to daisychain applications, the backshells form part of the D-subminiature connector family and offer the ideal solution for industrial applications where a bus style connection is required. To maintain screening integrity at the end of a connection run, or for applications requiring just one cable entry, a blanking plate is provided.

> Quick link to request free details direct from the supplier:

[4] SINGLE-OUTPUT SUPPLIES KEEP A LOW PROFILE

(Lambda, 17 Dec 2007)

Three new series of single-output 20, 40 and 60W AC/DC units are the latest additions to Lambda's open PCB ZPSA power supply range. All units within the new series boast a very low profile - the ZPSA20, for example, measures just 88.9 x 50.8 x 20.32mm - making them an ideal choice for applications ranging from video/audio routers, datacomms, point of sale equipment, low power LED signs and lighting. The ZPSA20 series is available in standard output voltage configurations from 3.3 to 24V DC, and the ZPSA40 and ZPSA60 are available from 3.3 to 48V DC.

> Quick link to request free details direct from the supplier:

[5] TWO SUPPLIES ARE BETTER THAN ONE

(Acopian Power Supplies, 13 Dec 2007)

Acopian's Pluggable Redundant Power Systems plug into the front panel, permitting a supply to be changed literally in seconds, without any need to deal with mounting hardware and connecting wiring. The system continues to provide uninterrupted output power from the other power supply during the transition. The system consists of two identical plug-in supplies, each capable of delivering the full rated output power of the system, in a fully wired rack mounting assembly equipped with input switches, voltmeters, front panel output voltage adjustments and failure alarm circuits that provide the user with a set of Form C (SPDT) dry contacts that may be used to control an external alarm or other circuitry; they switch if either supply's output voltage deviates by 2V or more from the nominal.

> Quick link to request free details direct from the supplier:

[6] CHARGER CHIPS MEET USB BATTERY SPECS

(NXP Semiconductors, 14 Dec 2007)

NXP Semiconductors is claiming a first for its USB battery charger detection solutions for mobile phones. The ISP1704 and ISP1601 are capable of detecting and differentiating between a dedicated USB charger, USB host charger and USB host when charging a mobile phone battery. The mechanism is in accordance with recently introduced regulations for the sale of mobile phones in China as well as the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) Battery Charging Specification Rev 1.0. This technology allows for faster charging, longer battery life and initiates automatically whenever the consumer uses the USB connector in their mobile phone.

[7] POWER MANAGER TAKES CHARGE OF USB DEVICES

(Linear Technology Corp, 12 Dec 2007)

The LTC4090 from Linear Technology is an autonomous linear PowerPath manager, ideal diode controller and stand-alone high input voltage battery charger for portable USB devices. For high efficiency charging, the switching front-end topology accommodates various inputs, including high voltage power sources up to 38V (60V maximum withstand capability) such as 12V regulated/unregulated AC/DC wall adapters, FireWire ports or automotive power. In addition, the IC accepts low-voltage power sources such as 5V wall adapters, USB ports and single-cell Li-ion/polymer batteries.

> Quick link to request free details direct from the supplier:

[8] DATABASE IS CUT DOWN FOR MOBILE APPLICATIONS

(Ittia, 17 Dec 2007)

Ittia has released Ittia DB-SQL, a lightweight relational database management system suitable for the next generation of embedded systems and mobile devices. Ittia DB version 2.5, now available for public beta, introduces support for SQL, the standard interface used by enterprise databases. Ittia's SQL engine is lightweight, with a footprint that is measured in kilobytes. By focusing on the features that are needed on embedded systems, Ittia DB-SQL offers exceptional performance in an embeddable library that can be used without an external server process.

[9] PROCESSOR MODULES TAKE MASSES OF STORAGE ONBOARD

(Rabbit Semiconductor, 17 Dec 2007)

New from Rabbit, the RCM4300 series of RabbitCore modules enables a new generation of applications that use more memory for data and code. The onboard mass storage provides even more performance and easier design than any other alternative in its price range. Software design is supported by a new release of Rabbit's Dynamic C tools. Dynamic C version 10.21 includes the new Megabyte Code Support (MCS), enabling designers to use over 1Mbyte of SRAM for shared code and data.

[10] MINIATURE HDDS BOOST MOBILE STORAGE DENSITY

(Toshiba Europe Storage Device Division, 13 Dec 2007)

Toshiba Europe Storage Device Division has five new small-form-factor hard disk drives (HDDs) for consumer electronics and IT applications. The new HDDs further extend Toshiba's market leading family of mobile hard drives and strengthen the company's capabilities to offer a range of high-performance high-capacity storage solutions to suit all market needs. The dual-platter 120Gbyte MK1214GAH is a high performance PC HDD and offers an aerial density of 295.1Mbit/mm2 - Toshiba's highest aerial density to date and its highest capacity for PC and IT applications.

This week's industry news

PRINTED ELECTRONICS TO SPUR DISPOSABLE CULTURE
(NanoMarkets, 18 Dec 2007)
Report provides a complete analysis of the new opportunities appearing in disposable electronics as the result of emerging low-cost devices.

DEAL STRENGTHENS EUROPEAN COVERAGE
(Schurter Input Systems, 17 Dec 2007)
Distribution deal with Rutronik also underlines Schurter's significant market position in electromechanical components.

FREE WORKSHOPS TO EXPLAIN CLEAN DESIGN
(Envirowise, 18 Dec 2007)
Presentation subjects include cleaner design principles for both products and packaging, as well as an update on existing and future legislation.

AMIS ACQUISITION CONTINUES ANALOGUE EXPANSION
(ON Semiconductor, 14 Dec 2007)
AMIS will immediately contribute new products and capabilities in medical and military/aerospace markets.

ACQUISITION ADDS GPS TO RF EXPERTISE
(Atheros Communications, 17 Dec 2007)
The acquisition of u-Nav immediately expands Atheros' growing product portfolio in mobile wireless communications.

IP DEAL IS OF ACADEMIC INTEREST
(Qualcomm, 17 Dec 2007)
Agreement underscores Qualcomm's commitment to technology universities and research institutes globally, with a focus on funding academic research.

INVESTMENT ANTICIPATES UK MANUFACTURING UPTURN
(TT electronic manufacturing services (TTems), 18 Dec 2007)
Contrary to the negative growth that many UK-based CEMs are currently experiencing, TTems is responding to an increasing number of market opportunities.

AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR TO SEE HUGE LED GROWTH
(IMS Research, 17 Dec 2007)
The LED value from external automotive lamps is predicted to rise from a third of the LED total to over a half by 2013.

ALLIANCE SMOOTHES ROUTE TO MOBILE WIMAX COMPLIANCE
(AT4 wireless, 14 Dec 2007)
Sequans and AT4 wireless will co-operate on Mobile WiMAX Wave 2 radio testing to accelerate delivery of their respective solutions.

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Dave Wilson

Electronicstalk editor

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