EDN Asia articles from December 2004

EDN Asia archives from December 2004

Proprietary vs standard designs.(ednasia.comment)
December 1, 2004... Which designs are more capable of leading to profits: proprietary or standard? To a great extent PCs owe their phenomenal growth to standardization, which enable using single software application across systems from multiple vendors. The PC...

Inductors take the high-current road.(leading edge)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Despite the emphasis on low-power applications, we always seem to need more current. The low-loss LL series of toroidal inductors from J.W. Miller use a ferrous alloy powder core to handle currents to 34A, with inductances between 1 and...

Adjustable, VID-compliant, step-down controller for notebook CPUs.(leading edge)(MAX8720 )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Maxim Integrated Products' MAX8720 step-down controller features dynamically adjustable output, ultra-fast transient response, high dc accuracy, and the high efficiency required for CPU-core power supplies. The company's Quick-PWM, constant...

Low-power transceivers for industrial automation.(leading edge)(SN65HVD485 and SN65HVD308x)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Texas Instruments' three full-featured, low-power 5V half-duplex RS-485 transceivers offer what's said to be "best-in-class bus-pin ESD protection of 15kV." With an industry-standard SN75176 footprint and integrated receiver failsafe design,...

Logic gate optocouplers offer high speed at low input current.(leading edge)(FOD2200)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Fairchild Semiconductor's low input current logic gate optocoupler provides high isolation voltage (5kVrms) over a wide power supply voltage range. The high common mode rejection (CMR) of 1kV/[micro]s and hysteresis output allows the FOD2200 to...

Memory CAN microcontrollers in 28-pin package.(leading edge)(PIC18F4680, PIC18F2680, PIC18F4585 and PIC18F2585 )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Microchip Technology's PIC18F4680, PIC18F2680, PIC18F4585 and PIC18F2585 feature 48K bytes or 64K bytes of enhanced Flash program memory that offers self-programming capability, allowing the [micro]C to be programmed after being placed in a...

CMOS switch fits T/R needs.(leading edge)(UPD5710TK CMOS SPDT switch IC)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... While the glamour in wireless and RF applications may be in the complex circuitry, the antenna and associated components are equally important. The UPD5710TK CMOS SPDT switch IC from NEC supports transmit/receive (T/R) switching, diversity...

A hotbed of activity in commodity linear: TI keeps working to introduce even more products.(Safe bet series: a special series from TI Standard Linear and Logic)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Though Texas Instruments is the top dog among analog suppliers, the company still takes a workhorse approach to the market. TI is focused on introducing high-performance analog technology as well as staying committed to supporting customers...

500kHz, 500mA step-down dc/dc converter in ThinSOT.(leading edge)(LT1933)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Linear Technology Corporation's LT1933 is a current mode PWM step-down dc/dc converter with an internal 0.75A power switch, packaged in a tiny 6-lead SOT-23. Its wide input range of 3.6 to 36V makes the LT1933 suitable for regulating power from...

Timing controller IC for TFT-LCD monitor.(leading edge)(Dawin Technology)(DTML011)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Dawin Technology, an ASIC & SoC design company, has begun mass production of the DTML011 timing controller IC. Designed for use in 15-inch TFT-LCD monitors, the device will be supplied to LG.Philips LCD. The DTML011 controls timing between...

Miniaturized, power-efficient backlighting solution in PCB footprint.(leading edge)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The NCP5007 and NCP5006 are fully integrated white LED boost converters that drive up to five white LEDs in series to simplify and miniaturize color LCD display illumination used in digital cameras, cell phones and PDAs. These devices by...

Handheld testers with improved performance.(leading edge)(FIREBERD 8000)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Acterna has launched the next generation of its FIREBERD family of testers, the Acterna FIREBERD 8000 (FB-8000). Combining the success of two test platforms--the Acterna FIREBERD 6000A and the Acterna TestPad--the FB-8000 is designed to meet...

Interface standard for large screen LCD drivers.(leading edge)(Liquid Crystal Display)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Samsung Electronics has announced the availability of a new interface standard for LCD driver ICs (LDIs). The CICC (Current Mode Interface Cascade COG/COF) standard uses a new technology for data transfer where the LDI is interfaced with the...

Preamplifier chip for hard disk drive solutions.(leading edge)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Agere Systems' low-power preamplifier IC is specifically designed for use in mobile hard disk drives (HDDs). This storage chip delivers what's claimed to be the industry's fastest operating speeds in a low-power design, equipping notebook PCs...

On the same track: tools for pc-board design: although IC designers get most of the glory, pc-board designers have for many years used architectural design for fabrication approaches that IC designers are just now adopting.(Cover Story)
December 1, 2004... The DAC (Design Automation Conference) is the premier event of the EDA industry. It is the best opportunity for vendors to exhibit their products, for designers to obtain an overview of the latest technology, and for all industry participants...

Evaluating oscilloscopes: dig deeper: read between the lines of banner specifications--bandwidth, sample rate, and record length--to drill down to the nuances and less glamorous features that affect efficiency and even the validity of your design.(design feature)
December 1, 2004... For years, electronic-system performance increased in step with steadily increasing semiconductor integration and functions, simulation-model improvements, architectural changes, and more. Through all these increases, interdevice-signaling...

Low-rate networks take control: rest assured: as businesses strive to increase efficiency and reduce labor costs through automation, low-data-rate networks are poised to become the workhorses of the wireless world.(design feature)
December 1, 2004... Although much recent design and media attention has focused on high-bandwidth, video-capable wireless networks, the market for low-cost, low-data-rate RF links promises to be even larger. Automating just a few of the multitude of repetitive...

Overview of automotive electronics industry.(Editorial)(Industry Overview)
December 1, 2004... The world's automobile production has stagnated to around 58 million units per year (Denso figure) since 1999, after showing a dismal 1 percent growth from 1974 to 1999, and an acceptable 5.9 percent growth from 1951 to 1974. However, the...

Controllers provide efficient motor control for emission-free electric scooters.(automotive)
December 1, 2004... As Asian cities become more industrialized, they are also becoming blanketed by air pollution, much of which comes from small vehicles. Public health problems that can result include an increased incidence of asthma, bronchitis and other...

Developments in Bluetooth technology driving new in-vehicle applications.(automotive)
December 1, 2004... In Stat/MDR suggests that 1.4 billion Bluetooth devices will have been shipped by 2005. Figures from Forrester also highlight that applications for Bluetooth are shifting away from just mobile phones, to PDAs, laptops and other applications...

Tiny silicon sensors tackle industrial-strength current measurements.(automotive)
December 1, 2004... Portable electronics is one of today's prime drivers in semiconductor development. And just about every portable demands some form of power management, for functions that range from battery charging to power metering. As a result, you can...

LIN bus--a cost effective alternative to CAN.(automotive)(controller area network)(Local Interconnect Network (automotive networking technology))
December 1, 2004... The automotive industry is constantly striving to reduce costs but at the same time introduce new and innovative comfort and convenience features to enhance customer demand. Most, if not all, automotive companies have now adopted various...

Fuel gauge technology predicts run time in multi-cell portable applications: as portable applications fulfill more and more operations, accurate measurement of battery capacity becomes increasingly important.(special report)
December 1, 2004... When it comes to predicting remaining system run time, batteries can become an incredibly misunderstood power source. An increasing number of diverse portable applications require more critical operations to fulfill, such as mobile phones used...

"Greater use of IPs for design will favorably affect the industry".(interview)(Interview)
December 1, 2004... EDN Asia spoke with Walden C. Rhines, Chairman and CEO, Mentor Graphics Corporation, during his recent trip to India. Rhines discussed the current state of EDA and semiconductor industries and gave his views on what lay ahead. Excerpts: ...

Delta-sigma ADCs: high performance analog solutions from Linear Technology: automatic calibration of external components.(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... The LTC[R]2449, an 8kHz, 16-channel delta-sigma ADC, provides high resolution systems designers with a dramatic improvement in accuracy, precision and drift. The device reduces the cost and increases the performance of precision designs by...

LED driver doubles as fault monitor.(design ideas)
December 1, 2004... LEDs find wide use as indicators and as light emitters in devices such as optocouplers. In some applications, the LED or the emitter may be located remotely at some distance from the main unit. Typical examples are dashboard-mounted automotive...

Current source enables op amp's output to go to ground.(design ideas)
December 1, 2004... The L[M.sub.324] is a cost-effective choice for an op amp, especially when you need to apply ground-level inputs. Although its output purportedly includes ground, its poor current-sinking capability limits the applications. At output voltages...

Build a charge pump with ultralow quiescent current.(design ideas)
December 1, 2004... Portable battery-powered devices often spend most of their life in standby mode, in which the quiescent current of an internal boost converter continuously bleeds the battery. The quiescent current during standby can be larger than the actual...

Family of RF car access devices extended.(ICs, SoCs & IP Cores)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * LF antenna driver * Targeted at handsfree car access passive entry go (PEG) applications * Full functionality to generate magnetic LF field in conjunction with antenna coil to transmit data to receiver in key fob or card * With...

1W modems for long-range WLAN connectivity.(ICs, SoCs & IP Cores)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Real-time inventory and change monitoring in vending machines and ATMs * Quick info upload to electronic signs and scoreboards * Timely information retrieval on kiosks and point-of-sale displays * Remote data collection from...

5V single-supply op amp.(ICs, SoCs & IP Cores)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Using a sing]e 5V supply, the THS4304 wideband op amp has a 2nd order harmonic distortion of-85dBc and a 3rd order harmonic distortion of -100dBc at 10MHz and 2Vpp output into 100[ohm] load. The device provides 3GHz unity gain bandwidth,...

Dual interface secure [mu]C.(ICs, SoCs & IP Cores)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Dual interface contact (ISO7816) and contactless (ISO14443) smartcard chip tailored for electronic identity markets * Complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) specifications for e-passports * Contact/contactless...

USB noise suppressor for PC VoIP.(ICs, SoCs & IP Cores)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Single chip echo canceller noise suppressor for PC VoIP or telephone handsfree applications such as USB telephone and PC speakerphone/conference phone * Can also be applied as standalone single chip solution for PC USB speakerphone ...

DAC with integrated multiplexer.(ICs, SoCs & IP Cores)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * 10 bit resolution DAC * Provides high linearity and dynamic range * [+ or -]0.25 LSB integral non-linearity (INL) * Noise power ratio (NPR) over 550MHz broadband pattern is 49dB at 1.2Gsps (9.5 equivalent bits) * Spurious...

Single-chip AM/FM and HD Radio baseband.(ICs, SoCs & IP Cores)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * TMS320DRI350 combines IF-sampled AM/FM and HD Radio processing on same chip * For HD Radio-only solution, TMS320DRI300 baseband provides HD radio functionality, while allowing OEMs to continue using their own proprietary designs for...

PFM inductive boost converters.(Power Components, Supplies & Devices)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Adjustable dc/dc converter solution * Output voltage up 28V from standard battery sources in 2.5 to 5.5V range * Include 30V rated NDMOS switch and peak current sensor * Generate output current of up to 10mA (max) * Internal...

Voltage regulator for automotive applications.(Power Components, Supplies & Devices)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Provides three modes: active, standby and off * Manufactured using Atmel's 0.8-micron BCDMOS process technology * Supports 40V and optimized for applications in harsh environments * Provides several protection features such as...

10A output non-isolated dc/dc converters.(Power Components, Supplies & Devices)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * 16 additional devices in NNL10 series * Offer full load current outputs of 10A and high precision voltages ranging from 0.9 to 3.3V * Operate with voltage input range of 3.0 to 5.5V * Output voltages of 0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8,...

FGA precision reference family.(Power Components, Supplies & Devices)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Reference voltage is 1.25V, 2.5V * Absolute initial accuracy of [+ or -] 2.5mV, [+ or -] 5.0mV * Temperature coefficient is 20ppm/[degrees]C (max) * Long-term stability of 10 ppmv 1,000hrs * Supply voltage range of 2.7 to...

Diode-OR controller saves power & area.(Power Components, Supplies & Devices)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Controls N-channel MOSFETs * Replaces power Schottky diodes * 1[micro]s turn-off time limits peak fault current * 80V operation * Smooth switchover without oscillation * No reverse dc current * Externally adjustable...

Charger complies with USB bus specs.(Power Components, Supplies & Devices)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Charger circuit targets phones, cameras, P1)As, lithium-ion batteries * Charging current up to 2A into single cell lithium-Ion battery * Requires 3 external resistors * With internal pass element that can function as reverse...

"Ultra-small" Schottky barrier diodes.(Power Components, Supplies & Devices)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Small, thin 1A rectified current class products, at 2.5x1.25x0.55mm (max) * Target applications include digital still cameras and mobile phones, mobile phone rechargers, PC power supply circuits * HRV103A--low-forward-voltage...

PWM controller simplifies low-voltage, high-current designs.(Power Components, Supplies & Devices)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Texas Instruments' multi-phase synchronous dc/dc buck controller with integrated adaptive gate drivers is a flexible power management device that saves board space and simplifies power design for dual-channel, multi-phase systems supporting up...

Opto subminiature wedge-based LEDs.(Components)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * 180[degrees] wide-viewing angle for optimal display efficiency * Rated 2.5 to 48VDC, subminiature unit measures 20.37rain in length and 5.842mm in diameter * Offers extended service life up tol00,000 hours * Requires low...

Rugged high surge resistor for surface mount.(Components)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Designed to handle pattern of overloads within circuit * Fully rated to 1W @ 70[degrees]C * Operating temperature of 150[degrees]C (max) * Available in resistance ranges from10[ohm] to 10K[ohm] with 10% tolerance * High...

Electrolytic capacitors for automotive electronics.(Components)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * High ripple current capability of 13A at 10kHz and 105[degrees]C * Passed all vibration tests up to 30g and 2kliz, even after prolonged thermal stress over 2000 hours at 125[degrees]C * Designed for operating voltages from 25 to 63V...

Circular connectors in 37- and 51-way styles.(Components)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * 37- and 51-way versions added to APD series of circular DIN72585 connectors * Bayonet coupling ensures tight, vibration resistant connection * Sealed up to IP69K * 51-way product also available with secondary locking system for...

Long life carbon potentiometer.(Components)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * TOCOS carbon film potentiomcter RVQ series * Sizes vary Dora 10 to 24mm in diameter * Rotational life runs millions of cycles. (50,000 to 10,000,000 cycles) * 1/4 to 1/2W * Resistance value is 1 to 30k[ohm] * Suitable...

Small, nonvolatile linear digital potentiometers.(Components)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * "Industry's smallest" I(2)C, 32-tap, nonvolatile digital potentiometers packaged in a 3x3mm SOT23 or TDFN * Feature an integrated EEPROM * On-chip memory stores the wiper position prior to power-down enabling devices to operate like...

High-power Ostar LEDs for smaller projectors.(Components)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Ostar high-power LED * Measuring 3x1cm, this RGB light source emits virtually all of the light generated internally through the top of the chip * Its brightness, uniform light and small mounting depth makes it ideal for use in mini...

1W carbon composition resistor.(Components)
December 1, 2004... Resistor manufacture1, Stackpole Electronics, has developed a 1W carbon composition resistor to accompany its existing 1/4- and 1/2W carbon composition resistor offering. The RCI series carbon composition resistor has a rated power of 1W at...

Field testers for network deployment.(Test & Measurement)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * OFI-2041 extends coverage of test solutions for telecom and coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) networks to FTTx (Fiber-to-the-X) * Enable fiber test applications to extend to home, curb or premise * Can be configured for...

Oscilloscopes up to 128Mpts.(Test & Measurement)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Bandwidths of 600MHz and 1GHz * With depths up to 128Mpts, complex waveforms at oscilloscope's full sample rate for time spans in tens of milliseconds captured * Segmented memory acquisition mode allows engineers analyzing...

Software tool troubleshoots VoIP problems.(Test & Measurement)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Enables network operators to identify problems with VoIP signaling and quality in single tool * Performs detailed analysis and troubleshooting of VoIP telephone calls, providing quick identification of VoIP transport-related issues by...

Tool tests mobile phones from dev to certification.(Test & Measurement)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Includes RF test systems covering all development stages of mobile user equipment * Frequency range from 400MHz to 2.7GHz * Simulates relevant transmitter and receiver test scenarios and performs associated tests including simulation...

40GHz broadband vector signal analysis.(Test & Measurement)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Analyzes and measures digitally modulated signals of up to 40Gllz in frequency, time and modulation domains, with bandwidths of up to 120MIIz and symbol rates of up to 81.6MHz * Demodulates signals with up to 28MHz in RF range, or...

Flexible and scalable optical tester.(Test & Measurement)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... * Additions made to MTS-8000 field optical tester line * Designed for field use in both outside plant and central office applications * Enhancements based on input gathered from field technicians service carriers and equipment...

Analyzer speeds audio/video-based dev and testing.(Test & Measurement)
December 1, 2004... Interra Systems' H264 Analyzer is a new comprehensive analysis and compliance tool for hardware engineers and software developers creating high volume consumer products or applications, such as DVB-H mobile phones, broadband DSL equipment,...