ECN-Electronic Component News articles from March 2005

ECN-Electronic Component News archives from March 2005

Triple play.(EDITOR'S VIEW)
March 1, 2005... While this headline encompasses the full extent of my baseball knowledge (or keywords), I promise that this column is not about how Spring training can possibly relate to electronics--although I welcome any analogies you can unearth. ...

High power density polymer battery.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... Varta Microbattery, Inc. has introduced its Varta EasyPack family of lithium-polymer batteries designed as a complete, off-the-shelf system. It includes the battery pack, charging algorithms and evaluation kit (including charging reference...

Uninterruptible power supplies for international applications.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... The Quint Buffer and Quint DC-UPS Uninterruptible Power Supplies from Phoenix Contact are said to ensure continuous operation of all 24V devices in electrical installations during power interruptions. This prevents unstable power grids from...

Power over Ethernet devices.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... Phihong offers a suite of Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices including standard and custom products. They include single-port PoE injectors, 8-48 port DIMM injectors, and power supplies with integrated PoE injection for networking switches....

Half-brick, 200W DC/DC converters.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... Total Power International has introduced the CBS200 as part of its 200 Watt Series. Features of this series include 24V/48V DC input, 1/2 brick size, built-in remote ON/OFF, overcurrent protection and 36 different models. Total Power...

Midrange circuit breakers.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... Waytek's mid-range circuit breakers for marine, agriculture, construction, RV, chassis and specialized equipment applications are available with 10A to 50A ratings. They come in a panel mount design as either automatic reset or switchable with...

High density 1U open PCB AC/DC 150W switching power supplies with active PFC.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... Designed to meet the space and performance needs in 1U requirement for telecommunication, industrial control and embedded systems applications, Astrodyne offers its REL150 Series of high-density open PCB switching power supplies that provide...

Power system design and assembly services.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... VPT, Inc. offers a custom power design and assembly service that is said to provide a fast and affordable design and build channel for companies that require custom power systems for high reliability applications. The design system begins with...

Switch mode and pulse Transformers for Hipot up to 40 kV AC.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... Encapsulated switch mode and pulse Transformers from Bicron for high frequency switching applications have been designed to meet the reliability demands for BIL (Basic Impulse Level) ratings at the PCB level found in power management, power...

AC/DC power supply for POE applications.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... The PALS Series from Power-One, Inc. consists of 400W and 600W AC/DC power supplies specifically for use in power-over-LAN applications. They have dual outputs of 48V and 12V that provide LAN port and internal system power. A 500 mA standby...

DC/DC converters for space-critical applications.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... MicroPower Direct has introduced its A500ERW series, a family of 5W DC/DC converters that is designed to combine economy with compact size and high performance features. These DC/DC converters are suitable for a wide range of space-critical,...

High-reliability, 10 kW rack mount AC/DC switching power supplies.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... Technology Dynamics, Inc. has introduced its HPRM Series of single/multiple output 10 kW rack mount AC/DC switching power supplies. Designed to meet the requirements of MIL-STD-810, 1399 and 461, the HRPM 10 kW is suitable for both rugged...

DC/DC converters feature a 4:1 input range.(Power Sources & Conditioning Devices)
March 1, 2005... Wall Industries' DMW Series of 15W, DC/DC converters is designed for use in applications such as data communication equipment, mobile battery-driven equipment, distributed power systems, telecommunication, mixed analog/digital subsystems,...

UL 1412-recognized flameproof resistors.(Passive & Discrete Components)
March 1, 2005... TT electronics Welwyn Components is offering its EMC Series of UL 1412-recognized flameproof resistors with a resistance range of 4R7 to 68R at 10 percent tolerance and a TCR of 100/ppm/[degrees]C, suitable for use in power supplies and battery...

JARO designs "two-in-one" fuse-protected tantalum chip capacitor.(Passive & Discrete Components)
March 1, 2005... JARO Components has announced the TCF Series of lead-free, fusible, surface-mount tantalum chip capacitors. A built-in fuse protection element guards against circuit damage which can arise in high current conditions. This integrated element...

Current Sense Inductors with encapsulated through-hole design.(Passive & Discrete Components)
March 1, 2005... Coiltronics[R] Current Sense Inductors from Cooper Electronic Technologies feature an encapsulated through-hole design with isolation between Primary and Secondary of 3,750V. They are made of UL Class B-rated materials. Applications include...

Potentiometer available in over 200 configurations.(Passive & Discrete Components)
March 1, 2005... The Novotechnik PL300/310 Series of precision miniature potentiometers can be configured to customer specifications. The PL300/310 Series is built with precious metal multi-finger wipers, gold-plated solder pins and stainless steel shafts, and...

High inductance shielded potentiometers.(Passive & Discrete Components)
March 1, 2005... Renco has introduced its RL-7300 Series power potentiometers with 23 standard for each of the five different sizes. They offer a wide range of ultra high inductances from 10 mH to 1H handling currents from 12 mA up to 1A. This pot core design...

Low voltage SMT clock oscillators.(Passive & Discrete Components)
March 1, 2005... Euroquartz Group has launched a range of low voltage 7 mm X 5 mm SMT clock oscillators to meet increasing demand for low current consumption devices. The XO91 Series now features versions that operate with 1.8V and 2.5V supplies, complementing...

Low power OCXO.(Passive & Discrete Components)
March 1, 2005... ILSI offers a low power OCXO, part number 1412, which requires 175 mW at 25[degrees]C. Stabilities down to 15 ppb over a temperature range of 0[degrees]C to 50[degrees]C. The available frequencies are 10 MHz, 16 MHz, 19.440 MHz and 20 MHz. The...

High power inductors address high-temperature applications.(Passive & Discrete Components)
March 1, 2005... TT electronics' BI Technologies' HM72 Series high-power SMT inductors feature an operating range up to 180[degrees]C with a maximum temperature rise of 50[degrees]C. They have an assembled core structure with additional material molded into the...

Metral[R] 2mm backpanel connector systems.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Metral is a standardized 2mm backpanel interconnection system compliant with IEC 61076-4-104, and is designed for both low and high speed signaling applications. The system utilizes stackable modules for maximum flexibility in managing signal,...

Pwr Blade[R] power distribution connector system.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Ideal for servers, storage devices, fault-tolerant computers, uninterruptible power systems, and redundant power distribution systems. The one-piece Pwr Blade connector mixes power and signal contacts. Pwr Blade connectors are available in...

GIG-Array[R] connector system.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... GIG-Array connectors meet the needs of high-density, high-speed mezzanine applications at data rates up to 10 Gbps. The connectors are designed for 100 ohm matched impedance for differential pairs. GIG-Array connectors incorporate FCI's...

Color coded terminal blocks.(Packaging & Interconnects)
March 1, 2005... BlockMaster Electronics has announced the addition of several series of color coded terminal blocks to provide circuit designers flexibility in matching wire color to terminal bock color. The selection of wire entry offerings adds further to...

Potted hermetic connectors.(Packaging & Interconnects)
March 1, 2005... Cinch Connectors has developed an epoxy potting method that will allow connectors to pass rigid helium leakage rate tests of 1 X 10-6 through 1 X 10-9 at a lower cost than traditional fired glass or ceramic hermetic connectors, according to the...

SMI Plastic Optical Fiber connector and transceiver system for home networking applications.(Packaging & Interconnects)
March 1, 2005... Molex Inc. has announced the release of an IEEE 1394 Small Multimedia Interface (SMI) Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) connector and transceiver system to help enable home and industrial networking applications between various electronic devices....

Conductive and static dissipating connectors.(Packaging & Interconnects)
March 1, 2005... Connectors Unlimited, Inc. (CUI) has expanded its product line to include conductive and static dissipating plastics. The Black Beauty ([B.sup.2]) line uses a type of plastic that dissipates static electricity to protect electrical components...

Interconnect system provides increased packaging density.(Packaging & Interconnects)
March 1, 2005... W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. has introduced the GORE[TM] Ultra High Density (UHD) Interconnect System, a cable-to-board and cable-to-cable coaxial interconnect that provides high density and desirable performance for high-speed signals. The...

Bus bar technology simplifies complex cabinet wiring.(Packaging & Interconnects)
March 1, 2005... FCI USA Inc. can now offer design engineers a way to simplify complex cable harness and wiring problems while simultaneously optimizing cabinet space. Based on laminated bus bars and plates, FCI's power distribution systems create a clean and...

Substrate with high thermal conductivity rating.(Packaging & Interconnects)
March 1, 2005... Alunit[R] aluminum nitride ceramic substrate from CeramTec offers a thermal expansion coefficient that is comparable to silicon. With its desirable insulating properties and high thermal conductivity rating (~180 W/mK), the Alunit substrate...

Integrated magnetic filter components for Gigabit Ethernet and PoE applications.(Packaging & Interconnects)
March 1, 2005... As part of its MaxJack family. ERNI has introduced RJ45 connectors that meet the high demands in modern data networks. The single-port MaxJack, with a straight design and integrated magnetic filter components, is configured for IEEE...

Rugged headset and handset assembly cords.(Packaging & Interconnects)
March 1, 2005... These fully connectorized handset and headset assembly cords from Whitney Blake Company are appropriate for communication applications. Originally designed with a rubber jacket strictly for military use, the cards are manufactured with a...

SMT alumina substrate terminations.(Packaging & Interconnects)
March 1, 2005... EMC Technology has released an entire line of SMT alumina chip terminations designed for the telecom market. These terminations can be used in applications from DC to 3 GHz, and they are appropriate for Cellular, GSM, PCS and UMTS applications....

Power amplifier substrate.(Packaging & Interconnects)
March 1, 2005... CPS Corporation has announced AlSiC power amplifier substrates for hybrid circuits used in wireless and commercial microwave communications infrastructures. These metal matrix composites provide reliability for the housing, interconnection and...

TL series illuminated toggle.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... TL series of miniature size, LED illuminated toggle switches enhance the appearance of any design. TL's translucent colored toggles provide an evenly diffused and eye-catching illumination. TL series is available in red, green and amber Bright...

KP01 silent actuation pushbutton.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... The new KP01 series of silent actuation illuminated pushbuttons meets the challenges and demands specific to the audio/video and broadcast industries. The sculptured square caps are available in three industry standard sizes: 12mm, 15mm and...

SMARTSWITCH[TM] LCD display.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... NKK Switches introduces the small STN LCD display complementing the fully programmable IS Series SMARTSWITCH[TM]. The liquid crystal display provides a high-contrast viewing area of 13.9 X 10.6 mm with a 36 X 24 pixel resolution to maximize...

G series illuminated toggle.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... G series is the first ultra-miniature, bicolor, LED illuminated toggle switch. Its LED light source fully illuminates the entire toggle actuator with a bright and jeweled appearance, which enables aesthetically pleasing user-interfaced...

FP01 photo-diode-activated illuminated pushbutton.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... NKK Switches introduces a unique contact-less construction with its new FP01 photo-diode-activated illuminated switch. Meeting the needs for frequent repeat actuations, the FP's rugged construction provides high reliability, smooth actuation...

Tools simplify HMI designs.(Special Report)
March 1, 2005... Basic washing machines come with knobs and switches, and high-end machine tools often include industrial-grade LCDs and animated displays. For each product, engineers developed an appropriate human-machine interface, or HMI. [ILLUSTRATION...

Panel Mount LEDs for 120V AC applications.(Optoelectronics & Displays)
March 1, 2005... Wilbrecht Electronics has designed a series of Panel Mount LEDs specifically for 120V AC applications. The 120V AC LEDs allow an upgrade for panel indicators where longer life is desirable. The LEDs are appropriate in control panels,...

Dual lamp CCFL driver for high bright displays.(Optoelectronics & Displays)
March 1, 2005... Taiyo Yuden has made available the LS530, an addition to its line of compact DC/AC inverters for driving cold-cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) in LCD back lighting applications. The LS530 is designed specifically for use with the Sharp 10.4"...

Safety-standard compliant photocoupler in a 6-pin SDIP package.(Optoelectronics & Displays)
March 1, 2005... Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. has introduced a high-speed, surface-mount MOSFET/IGBT gate driver photocoupler designated the Toshiba TLP701. The device is housed in a SDIP package which occupies half the space of the standard...

New super-high luminance white LED out-flashes others.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... The CL-591S is a new super high-luminance white LED in Citizen's CITILIGHT [R] Series, intended to supplement available light for digital imaging. This self-contained SMD package houses 3 or 4 elements, with integral lens and reflector....

Compact surface-mount switch array gives finger-tip five-point control.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... The LS25 LUMISWITCH[TM] could be the perfect function control for your next portable device. Whether navigating a menu or operating a remote, the LS25 makes one-finger control easy and intuitive. The compact size, surface mounting and...

Micro buzzers with built-in oscillator.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... The MEB Series buzzers are a good match for both portable and fixed devices. Typical sound pressure level is a loud 87dB, while drawing just 25mA. At 12 X 7.5mm, the MEB-12C-5 can mount on today's tight circuit boards. The -20[degrees] to...

PASTELITE[R] LEDs go beyond primary with a rainbow of pastel colors.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... The world's first pastel-color LEDs will really give your designs an exotic touch. Available in four surface-mount styles, with top-firing or side-firing design. The CL-191 is available in many pastel shades, allowing very personalized color...

Torchlight LEDs put light where it is needed.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... With more and more portable devices performing multiple functions, it's only natural to consider adding a built-in flashlight to your design. It's easy with CL-630S/CL-550S Series LEDs from Citizen. Each surface mount component houses a bright...

Lens arrays offer custom configuration.(Optoelectronics & Displays)
March 1, 2005... Omron's injection molded PIL MLAs (Microlens Arrays) are rated to operate in uncontrolled environments from -40[degrees]C to +85[degrees]C and are available in both flat and right-angle configurations. These lens arrays feature easy alignment...

Flat-panel TV illumination system.(Optoelectronics & Displays)
March 1, 2005... Agilent Technologies Inc. has introduced a color management system for backlighting LCD flat-panel TVs that is said to provide 25 percent more brilliant color than current fluorescent backlighting. Agilent's HDJD-JB01 illumination and color...

Acrylic polymer for optical applications.(Optoelectronics & Displays)
March 1, 2005... Cyro Industries' Acrylite SuPure [TM] acrylic polymers are free of material defects, dust and contaminants, resulting in visibly pure-molded parts and reduced processing defects in optical and automotive applications. The SuPure acrylic polymer...

Graphic operator interface terminal.(Optoelectronics & Displays)
March 1, 2005... QSI has announced the release of the QTERM-Z60 graphic operator interface terminal. The QTERM-Z60 is a rugged HMI terminal using touchscreen graphics to interface with the user. It comes equipped with one switch-selectable serial port and can...

Timing controllers in TFT displays.(Optoelectronics & Displays)
March 1, 2005... One Stop Displays has announced the availability of many TFT standards including the 2.5" TFT (Model OSDT025GN02). This model is a popular standard from digital still cameras to industrial display applications. By default, this display will...

Six-channel white LED driver for main and sub displays.(Optoelectronics & Displays)
March 1, 2005... Catalyst has introduced a high efficiency white LED driver. The CAT3606 regulated charge pump is designed to provide uniform, flicker-free backlighting for large panel and dual LCD display systems. The device is said to replace inductor boost...

New pixel technology for low-light photography.(Field Applications)
March 1, 2005... Embedded cameras have emerged as a key feature in many of today's mobile consumer electronic devices, including PDAs and mobile phones. Access to faster networks has made sharing and downloading images more convenient, and image-based content...

Captive slide magnetostrictive sensors.(Sensors & Actuators)
March 1, 2005... Novotechnik U.S. has introduced a captive slide version of its TLM Series of magnetostrictive position sensors. This version is designed as a replacement upgrade for traditional rodless position sensor applications. Data output rate is 16 kHz....

Multiplexed Scaleable Absolute Encoders.(Sensors & Actuators)
March 1, 2005... Computer Conversions Corporation has announced a series of Multiplexed Scaleable Absolute Encoders that are suited to severe electrical (EMI) and physical environments. These units will convert up to 16 shaft inputs to BCD or binary information...

Integrated reflective optical sensor.(Sensors & Actuators)
March 1, 2005... Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has introduced its reflective optical sensor that is capable of detecting objects at operating distances of up to 40 mm. The surface-mount TCND5000 reflective sensor that includes an IR emitter and PIN photodiode in...

Pressure sensors with EMC-compatibility.(Sensors & Actuators)
March 1, 2005... Sensortechnics' 50S series offers OEM customers amplified pressure sensors from 1 psi to 100 psi. They are precision calibrated and temperature compensated using the latest ASIC technologies. The 50S series is said to reach a high overall...

Scanner motor encoder.(Sensors & Actuators)
March 1, 2005... The FS1 motor encoder consists of a Canon laser diffraction and interference rotary encoder with a single-phase 4-pole coreless, brushless DC motor and a dedicated controller. Scanning speed is 60 Hz. Rotor inertia is 35.4 gc[m.sup.2] with a...

Logic ICs: domain-optimized FPGAs address SoC challenge.(Semiconductor Highlight)
March 1, 2005... System-on-a-chip (SoC) design is becoming more complex--and more expensive. Soaring ASIC costs--at $10M and up for 130 nm CMOS technology--along with increased risk associated with new process technologies, is opening the door for a new...

BiCMOS logic device for space-constrained applications.(Integrated Circuits)
March 1, 2005... Royal Philips has unveiled what is said to be the industry's smallest BiCMOS logic device in the Depopulated very-thin Quad Flat-pack No-leads (DQFN) package. With DQFN packaging, Royal Philips is able to offer the same performance...

Expanded family of platform ASICs.(Integrated Circuits)
March 1, 2005... LSI Logic Corp. has announced the expansion of its RapidChip Xtreme[TM] family of pre-built slices designed to deliver a low-risk path for building multi-Gigabit serial interface designs, including PCI Express, RapidIO and Serial Attached SCSI....

Smart card IC with flash for SIM and Java cards in GSM phones.(Integrated Circuits)
March 1, 2005... EM Microelectronic's EMTCG96-3G Flash memory-based smart card IC for use in SIM and Java cards for GSM mobile phones as well as banking, healthcare and loyalty card applications is compatible with the ISO7816-3 Integrated Circuit Card (smart...

Radiation-hardened, logic-level MOSFETs.(Integrated Circuits)
March 1, 2005... International Rectifier has introduced radiation-hardened (RAD-Hard[TM]) logic-level gate drive MOSFETs designed to boost efficiency and performance in circuits that traditionally relied on bipolar transistors. The general-purpose, low-power...

Logic level translators for cell phones, notebooks and portables.(Integrated Circuits)
March 1, 2005... Fairchild's FXL4T245BQX (4-bit bi-directional) and FXL5T244BQX (5-bit unidirectional) low-voltage logic-level translators in DQFN packaging are designed for battery powered portable devices. These CMOS-based FXL Series translators enable...

733 MHz SBC is the Fastest -40[degrees] to +85[degrees]C fanless native x86-compatible embedded PC.(WinSystems' DesignSolutions)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Processing speed, low power consumption, and wide operating temperature are desirable yet conflicting goals for industrial computers. WinSystems' solves this dilemma with their new EBC-C3, a highly integrated, full-featured, single board...

Motor control: micros make motors move.(Embedded Systems)
March 1, 2005... We've all used vending machines, but hardly ever think about how they work by just turning motors on or off to dispense snacks. But medical instruments, pick-and-place machines and other equipment require more accurate motion control. Designers...

Responsive brushless DC motor.(Electromechanical/Mechanical Devices)
March 1, 2005... Servo Magnetics has introduced a responsive compact brushless DC motor that features a high torque to size ratio. The motor is capable of delivering a peak of 10 oz-in with 3.6A at 7,000 rpm in its 0.75" O.D. X 3.4" L., stainless steel housing....

AC induction and AC reversible gearmotors.(Electromechanical/Mechanical Devices)
March 1, 2005... Source Engineering. Inc. has introduced its line of AC induction gearmotors and AC reversible gearmotors suitable for medical, aerospace, automotive, industrial and consumer applications. The line includes 44 models integrated with 3:1 through...

Encapsulated Thermostat for Electronics.(Electromechanical/Mechanical Devices)
March 1, 2005... The Cantherm F11-E06 Encapsulated Thermostat for Electronics is available with die cut PCB leads. JEDEC TO-220 critical dimensions, such as lead spacing, lead to backplane and board to mounting hole, have been provided to ensure...

AC to DC fan speed control.(Electromechanical/Mechanical Devices)
March 1, 2005... The SmartFan Inversion fan speed control from Control Resources combines an AC to DC power supply and a DC fan control/alarm to provide AC power and the control and efficiency of DC fans. Typical speed controlled DC fans use 40 to 60 percent...

DC fans for 1U applications.(Electromechanical/Mechanical Devices)
March 1, 2005... Orion Fans has developed the 120 mm X 32 mm Rigel Series OD 1232 model DC fans. The fans' compact size, high airflow and increased functionality make them appropriate for applications such as 1U servers and power supplies, as well as similar...

Thin pushbutton switches.(Electromechanical/Mechanical Devices)
March 1, 2005... NKK Switches has released its JF series of pushbutton tact-style switches, an ultra-thin, dome contact series designed for front panels. The JF Series is available in round or square shapes with four different styles of actuators. Actuator...

Controller and drive system for single-axis applications.(Electromechanical/Mechanical Devices)
March 1, 2005... Galil Motion Control has made available its CDS-3310 single-axis controller and drive system to provide desirable performance and precise control of a single brush or brushless servo motor. It combines a programmable motion controller and 500W...

Guide highlights DC Drives.(Electromechanical/Mechanical Devices)
March 1, 2005... Danaher Motion has released its 40-page Guide to Seco DC Drives which includes complete product features, options, benefits and specifications, as well as application examples and selection charts for the company's entire family of Seco-branded...

Hour meters and event counters monitor systems.(Test & Measurement)
March 1, 2005... L-3 Communications, Electrodynamics, Inc. has introduced its DDS200 Series of solid state panel mount hour meters and event counters that are designed to MIL-M-7793/14 and companion DDR-1 Palm[TM]-Based Readers. The indicators monitor and store...

LeCroy announces 4+32 oscilloscope Mixed Signal Option.(Test & Measurement)
March 1, 2005... LeCroy has introduced the MS-32, a Mixed Signal Option that adds full 32 digital channel support to most 4-channel WaveSurfer, 400 and WaveRunner 6000A Series high performance oscilloscopes. The MS-32 is well suited for embedded controller...

Insulated test point loops.(Test & Measurement)
March 1, 2005... E-Mark's test point range now includes eight colors of its through-hole, insulated test points with extended leads that are suitable for .052" (1.32 mm) diameter holes in .093" (2.38 mm) thick PCBs. The curve of the leads prevents damage to...

Free 2005 NI measurement and automation catalog.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... The National Instruments catalog is the leading virtual instrumentation resource for engineers and scientists seeking the most productive customer-defined software and hardware tools. You will find everything you need from new product...

No programming required.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... National Instruments SignalExpress is interactive software for quickly acquiring, comparing, automating, and storing electronic measurements. Access your measurements quickly using built-in steps for signal acquisition, processing, time and...

Load, analyze and report billions of data points with NI DIAdem.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... National Instruments DIAdem is an interactive tool for mathematical and visual data analysis. Save valuable time by automating repetitive analysis and reporting tasks. NI DIAdem is capable of working with data files that contain over 100...

Reduce costs with FREE measurement and control designer CD.(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Up to 64 percent of your test and measurement application costs are spent on configuration and development time. In addition to hundreds of development resources, this FREE CD helps you select the best software and hardware for your system...