EDN Asia articles from March 2008

EDN Asia archives from March 2008

Toward all-in-one power flow.(ednasia comment)
March 1, 2008... When designers were transitioning from 130nm to 90nm, and then from 90nm to 65nm, it was feared that the design rules would change so radically that engineers would have to acquire a world of new design experience to succeed at the new node....

TI's versatile high-speed variable gain amplifiers.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... Texas Instruments has introduced a family of integrated wideband variable gain amplifiers. The devices' architecture provides designers with a highly flexible combination of bandwidth, gain and analog input voltage to address design challenges...

Crypto-Module for disk drives meet strictest requirements.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... STMicroelectronics has become the first vendor of Secure HDD System-on-Chip (SoC) IP to be listed on the US National Institute of Standards and Testing (NIST) Pre-Validation list for FIPS 140-2 Level 3. ST's silicon-validated HardCache-SL3...

Avago Technologies' tiny 2.5A gate drive optocoupler.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... Avago Technologies has launched what's believed to be the smallest 2.5A gate drive optocoupler. The compact and highly integrated ACPL-H312 is available in a stretched SO-8 package, which is 40% smaller than conventional dual-inline packages...

Altera's MAX IIZ CPLDs for portable apps minimize power, space and cost.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Expanding its low-power portfolio of programmable logic solutions, Altera Corporation developed its zero-power MAX IIZ CPLD designed specifically to address the power, package and price constraints of the portable...

2.7GHz, 60dB mean-squared power detector responds in 500ns.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... LinearTechnology's LT5570 provides accurate RMS (Root-Mean-Squared) power measurement of a 40MHz to 2.7GHz AC signal over 60dB dynamic range, even with a modulation crest-factor of up to 12dB. This detector has a measurement accuracy of [+ or...

Network timing solution for wired/wireless networks.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... Xilinx and Brilliant Telecommunications have announced a carrier-class FPGA-based network timing solution for next-generation wired and wireless networks. The jointly developed solution provides next-generation communication network designers...

Single-supply multiplexers deliver increased design flexibility for high-end video apps.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... Intersil Corporation has developed two single-supply, triple 4:1 buffered multiplexers, designed for use in high-end consumer video products. The two new ICs are the ISL59451, which offers an integrated DC-restore feature; and the ISL59452,...

Advanced single-chip HD video/audio encoder/transcoder.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... Broadcom Corporation's advanced 65nm real-time, high definition (HD) encoder/transcoder solution is a single-chip transcoder that enables a wide range of consumer devices--with varying video and audio formats--to share a wide variety of video...

32-channel, 16-bit analog output board.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... United Electronic Industries has developed a high-density analog output board, which provides 32 channels of 16-bit resolution analog output with a [+ or -] 10V output range. The DNA-AO-332 is capable of driving [+ or-] 10mA while per-channel...

OKI, Fujitsu collaborate to develop next-gen ATM software.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... Oki Electric Industry Company Limited band Fujitsu Limited have announced their collaboration in developing next-generation ATM (automated teller machine) software. The companies have completed development of a prototype of the software...

Ultra bright single-chip SMT LED.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... OSRAM Opto Semiconductors' Diamond DRAGON is a super-bright LED that achieves brightness of up to 250 lumens. Available in whites ranging from 2700K through 6500K as well as all monochromatic colors, this LED is ideal for indoor and outdoor...

Embedded computer aids military missions.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... The high performance C108 is the latest addition to Aitech Defense Systems' extensive C10x SBC series. Developed for use in military embedded applications, the rugged 6U single-slot VME single board computer (SBC) offers up to 1.4GHz of...

Seamless integration of IMS platform with NGOSS framework.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... ZTE Corporation has successfully demonstrated the integration of its IMS products with Telemanagement Forum's (TMF) New Generation Operations Systems and Software (NGOSS) framework as part of the TMF's Catalyst Project. The demonstration...

4-channel 50MS/s 8-bit digitizer/oscilloscope stores 4 billion samples.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... Strategic Test Corp. has announced two 8-bit digitizer/ oscilloscope PCI Express cards. The UF2e-2020 has two 50MS/s channels, while the UF2e-2021 has four 50MS/s. Each channel has its own 8-bit ADC tot simultaneous sampling, seven programmable...

RF building blocks for 802.11n Wi-Fi products.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
March 1, 2008... The SE2537L and SE2581L power amplifiers from SiGe Semiconductor provide manufacturers with a very low cost route to developing Wi-Fi systems. The amplifiers are RF building blocks that simplify development and reduce cost of discrete Wi-Fi...

Plugging hardware-based compression into a server.(prying eyes)
March 1, 2008... Lossless data compression can be valuable in any number of storage, server, and networking situations, reducing both required bandwidth and storage space without damaging the data. It's too laborious to achieve high throughput in software using...

Robots on the march: robotics platforms and development tools: robotics is gaining momentum as an engineering discipline. A variety of available platforms and tools supports it. This article is the first of a two-part hands-on project exploring the topic.(Cover story)
March 1, 2008... Robots capture the imagination. With low-cost development platforms becoming more readily available, the opportunities for people to use robots for education and end applications continue to grow. The term "robot" is a tough beast to define,...

Welcome EDN hot 100 products of 2007.(design feature)
March 1, 2008... As the mercury drops below freezing, it's nice to be able to focus our attention on something hot. For some of you, this scenario might mean lounging on a sunny beach ill Hawaii, pina colada in hand. For EDN, it's compiling our annual Hot 100...

High-brightness LEDs usher in new applications and standards: as high-brightness LEDs increase in power, they will enable new applications ranging from architectural lighting to medical products. Energy Star lighting standards are evolving to keep the focus on total system efficiency.(design feature)
March 1, 2008... The HB LED (high-brightness light-emitting diode) continues to increase in power: For example, Cree currently offers devices capable of producing 881m/ W, and plans call for the emergence of 1001m/W devices by year-end and 1501m/W devices...

Measure power-line distortion with a mixed-signal-THD analyzer.(design ideas)
March 1, 2008... Because of the performance of compressors and other inductive loads, it becomes more important to monitor the distortion on a power line. With alternative power sources, such as wind or solar, a distorted 60Hz sine wave is more likely to be...

Wireless "battery" energizes low-power devices.(design ideas)
March 1, 2008... Wireless connectivity is a growing trend in portable consumer gadgets. Unfortunately, designs cannot achieve true mobility because of short battery life, so the power cord still must connect the device to the power grid to get the required...

Solid-state analog-data recorder runs for 7.4 days.(design ideas)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The solid-state data recorder in Figure 1 can continuously record the temperature for approximately 178.42 hours, or 7.434 days. The LM35DZ transducer converts the temperature to an analog-voltage equivalent. The analog voltage then goes to the...

LED drivers boost video quality in signage apps.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... The TLC5942 and TLC5945 are two 16-channel, constant-current sink, light-emitting diode (LED) drivers that have dot correction and grayscale on one integrated circuit (IC) for high-quality video. These drivers give designers increased system...

Infineon's security MCU family for SIM cards.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... This family of security microcontrollers is specifically designed for use in SIM (secure identification module) cards. Offering overall memory capacities of 256 to 512 kilobytes (KB), the SLE 76 family targets the fast-growing high-volume...

LED driver for backlight with video brightness adjustment.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The BD6095GUL is said to be the industry's first white backlight LED driver capable of automatic brightness adjustment of LCD hacklights based on ambient brightness as well as the brightness of the image signal in...

Low-jitter oscillators for communication apps.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... The DS4-XO series of crystal oscillators support frequency operation from 75 to 622.08MHz. These miniature crystal oscillators are available in a small, 5x3.2mm package, and provide jitter performance of less than 1psRMS (12kHz to 20MHz) over...

Quad synchronous buck with [I.sup.2]C.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... The LTC3562 is a quad channel, high efficiency, 2.25MHz, synchronous buck converter that can deliver dual 600 and dual 400mA continuous outputs from a 3x3mm QFN package. Using a constant frequency current mode architecture, it operates from an...

500mA load current in TSOT23 package.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed to support a wide range of handheld portable applications, the AAT1217 delivers up to 100mA output from a single-cell alkaline battery input, up to 400mA from a dual-cell alkaline battery input, and up to...

VCO targets wireless apps.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The CVCO55CC-2778-2945 VCO operates from 2778 to 2945MHz with a control voltage range of 0.1 to 16V. It features a typical phase noise of -110dBc/Hz @ 10KHz offset, and is packaged in the industry standard...

Power management IC maximizes energy in multi-kilowatt systems.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... The UCC28070 is said to be the industry's first single-chip, interleaved power factor correction (PFC) control circuit for multi-kilowatt communications, server and industrial systems. This two-phase, average current-mode controller allows...

Solenoid driver ensures reliable control for automotive applications.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... The FDMS2380 dual integrated solenoid driver (DISD) solution is an intelligent, dual independent channel, low-side driver with built in recirculation and demagnetization circuits designed specifically for driving inductive loads. Other...

TrenchFET power MOSFETs for automotive.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... Vishay Intertechnology has launched a series of automotive AEC-Q101-qualified TrenchFET power MOSFETs with two 60V devices in a PowerPAK 1212-8 package rated for a 175[degrees]C junction temperature. The SQ7414EN and SQ7415EN come with an...

High-speed magnetic linear motion encoder IC.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The AS5305 is a magnetic linear motion encoder IC, aimed at linear motion and off-axis rotational measurements in applications such as industrial drives, x-y stages or electrical motors. This complete...

Gigabit-LAN switch provides [+ or -] 15kV ESD protection.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... The MAX4927 quad, high-speed, high-bandwidth, Gigabit-LAN switch switches signals from two separate interface transformers and connects them to a single, 1000 Base-T Ethernet PHY. To save space and cost, the device integrates robust,...

Synchronous MOSFET driver for DC/DC converters.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... The LTC4442/-1 is a high speed synchronous MOSFET driver designed to drive upper and lower N-Channel power MOSFETs in a synchronous rectified converter topology. This driver, when combined with many of Linear Technology DC/DC controllers, forms...

Quad high-side relay cuts on resistance by 50%.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
March 1, 2008... The VNI4140K is a quad high-side intelligent power switch (IPS) that has been produced using the latest generation of ST's VIPower technology to achieve a 50% saving in Rds(on) compared to earlier devices with the same die size. This reduction...

Smart card connector with increased protection.(PASSIVES)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The CCM01 and CCM02 smart card connectors have increased protection against PIN number theft. While fully complying with VISA PCI PED requirements, the additional protection eliminates the capability for a hacker to...

High density filtered D-sub connector.(PASSIVES)
March 1, 2008... These RoHS compliant, high-density filtered D-Sub connectors are targeted specifically at the commercial market. They feature a more dense contact arrangement, resulting in substantial space and weight savings for design engineers. Compared to...

Reliable, safe connections for high current telecom apps.(PASSIVES)
March 1, 2008... The RAPID LOCK bus bar connectors are single pole, quick connect/ disconnect replacements for lug connections. They allow a reliable and safe connection, as well as better serviceability, than bolt-fitted lugs. Service in the field also becomes...

Single-row cable connectors with high current capacity.(PASSIVES)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This single-row cable connector system (SRC, single-row connector) comes in the standard pitch of 2.54mm for space-saving and flexible connections of cables to printed circuit boards. The MaxiBridge connectors are...

Supercapacitors deliver 100 times the power of batteries.(PASSIVES)
March 1, 2008... The high-temperature HS and HW series of supercapacitors provides a 4.5 to 5.5V operating voltage and a higher boiling-point electrolyte, extending the operating- and storage-temperature ranges from 75[degrees] to 85[degrees]C. The vendor...

Minitek eject latch header.(PASSIVES)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Minitek eject latch header mates with ribbon cable receptacles, and features two side latches which both latch the receptacle securely in place and can be used to easily eject it whenever required. There is also...

High-current series extended to 71A.(PASSIVES)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The ERU25 is based on improved ferrite cores and the flat rectangular wires that allow a copper filling factor of almost 100%. The low core losses and compact terminal areas of the self-supporting winding mean an...

Compact 750W medical power supply.(POWER SOURCES & CONDITIONING DEVICES)
March 1, 2008... The SMD750 Series of compact single output medical power supplies offer a high-quality power source for the most demanding medical system applications. It features power factor correction (PFC) and a wide input voltage range of 90-264VAC...

Encapsulated PCB-mount supplies for medical and OEM apps.(POWER SOURCES & CONDITIONING DEVICES)
March 1, 2008... The KM-family of encapsulated AC-DC power supplies are designed for medical and other OEM applications that require robust, encapsulated, lightweight and compact power supplies. Single, dual and triple output models are available with power...

IAR PowerPac TCP/IP for ARM.(POWER SOURCES & CONDITIONING DEVICES)
March 1, 2008... IAR Systems' TCP/IP stack works with IAR PowerPac RTOS and file system to offer the benefits of an easy-to-use TCP/IP interface to developers using IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM. This addition to the company's integrated middleware portfolio...

120W desktop measures 6.3x2.56x1.71 in.(POWER SOURCES & CONDITIONING DEVICES)
March 1, 2008... By utilizing synchronous rectification for high efficiencies up to 88%, and a patented enclosure design for improved heat dissipation, 120W of output power has been packed into the high density 6.26x2.56xl.71in package. The APS100/120EST...

Precision HV power supplies.(POWER SOURCES & CONDITIONING DEVICES)
March 1, 2008... The "E" Series is a line of precision, enhanced power supplies that operate from 0 to 1kV through 0 to 15kV at 4, 15/20, or 30W. The Series offers a high-resolution, programmable, high-voltage DC output optimized for bias or power applications....

Compact power supply in multiple mechanical formats.(POWER SOURCES & CONDITIONING DEVICES)
March 1, 2008... The SDC320 AC-DC power supply offers four formats, two using convection cooling or system airflow, and two with internal fan cooling. The compact 320W unit, measuring just 4x6x1.5in (101.6x152.4x 38.10mm) for the U-channel model, has a power...

More power, less space.(POWER SOURCES & CONDITIONING DEVICES)
March 1, 2008... The N2Power XL275 Series of ultra small, highly efficient AC-DC power supplies pack 275W of power into a 12.22W/cubic inch power density, fitting into industry standard 1U OEM applications or any application where space is critical. The Series...

Power supply available in 10 output voltages.(POWER SOURCES & CONDITIONING DEVICES)
March 1, 2008... This is a family of 1000W power supplies that come with a five-year warranty. The single-output HWS1000 series is ideal for powering process control, ATE, factory automation, and other equipment where high reliability and extended life under...

5800 Series ATE with integrated JTAG/ boundary scan.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
March 1, 2008... The 5800 Series multi-configuration, multi-function automatic test equipment (ATE) system now has integrated JTAG/boundary scan capabilities. The Series features, as an option, the PXI-based SCANFLEX platform from GOEPEL electronic. The...

Beagle USB 480 protocol analyzer.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Beagle USB 480 Protocol Analyzer is a low cost, non-intrusive high-speed USB 2.0 bus monitor which comes complete with software and royalty-free API. The Analyzer is capable of capturing, displaying, and...

Boonton 7.5GHz portable spectrum analyzer.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
March 1, 2008... This 9103 handheld spectrum analyzer operates at frequencies up to 7.5GHz. It supports many microwave applications, featuring the typical measurements of standard desktop spectrum analyzers such as channel power, occupied bandwidth and adjacent...

Software and hardware simplifies design of embedded devices.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
March 1, 2008... National Instruments and QNX Software Systems have announced an OEM evaluation bundle of software and hardware that reduces the barrier to entry for engineers and scientists using graphical system design to create embedded devices that require...

Spectrum analyzers increases production yields.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
March 1, 2008... The MS271xB family of economy microwave spectrum analyzers has been enhanced to provide specialized demodulation hardware and prewritten test routines for six wireless system configurations--Fixed and Mobile WiMAX, W-CDMA/HSDPA, cdmaOne,...

Software accelerates system simulation and testing.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
March 1, 2008... The MathWorks' SystemTest 2 is a test management and analysis software for system verification and validation. It enables engineers to automatically distribute independent tests or simulation runs of Simulink models to multiple processors,...

2-channel 100MS/s 12-bit digitizer/oscilloscope card for PCI Express.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The UF2e-3027 digitizer/oscilloscope PCI Express card has two 100MS/s 12-bit ADCs for simultaneous sampling, and up to 2 GigaSamples of on-board memory so that signal lengths of up to 10 seconds can be recorded when...