EDN Asia articles from October 2008

EDN Asia archives from October 2008

Beyond immersion lithography.(ednasia comment)
October 1, 2008... While designers move toward 32nm, two reports from IMEC should be of special interest for them. The first is the end of the road for immersion lithography. This is rather disappointing, because high-index immersion lithography using non-water...

"Industry's first" eight-channel, digital-input serializer.(INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS)
October 1, 2008... Texas Instruments has introduced what's said to be the industry's most highly integrated digital-input serializer, which incorporates eight channels and flexible features to provide high-density signal conditioning in a single, compact device....

Robotic grasshopper leaps as high as 27 times its height.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... Researchers at the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) in Switzerland have built a 5cm-tall robot that takes its design cues from grasshoppers and locusts and can jump as high as 1.4m. The 7g...

Tiny dual-antenna input GPS receiver IC.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... SiGe Semiconductor has released the SE4150L GPS radio receiver featuring dual-antenna input capability for next-generation GPS systems. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Housed in a low profile 4 x 4mm package, the SE4150L features a multi-bit...

Primary-side control boosts efficiency of AC/DC switching ICs.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... Most consumer-targeted power adapters for devices such as cellphones and MP3-player chargers use optocoupler circuits to feed back voltage information from the secondary side to the regulator circuitry. Designers use these optocouplers because...

Companies announce disposable insulin nanopump prototypes.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Debiotech and STMicroelectronics have introduced evaluation prototypes of a miniaturized insulin-delivery pump. The tiny device can be mounted on a disposable skin patch to provide continuous insulin infusion,...

Student develops attention-getting gallium-nitride MOSFET.
October 1, 2008... A student researcher at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has developed a gallium-nitride MOSFET that, thanks to its ability to operate in extreme power and temperature conditions, captured the attention of top automakers even before the student...

Nanoimprint lithography stamps out encouraging results.(pulse)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Researchers at NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) have put NIL (nanoimprint lithography)--a potential next-generation IC-fabrication technology--through its paces and pronounced the technique capable of accurately producing...

Reference designs enable next-gen FTTH solutions.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... PMC-Sierra's recent demonstration of 10Gbit/s IEEE 802.3av EPON is based on the company's complete reference designs for 10Gbit/s EPON, the PAS8001 for 10G Optical Line Terminals (OLT) and the PAS9001 for 10G Optical Network Units (ONU). It...

Integrated light sensor.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Melexis has introduced the MLX75305 light-to-voltage sensor for high-volume automotive, industrial, and consumer applications. By integrating the photodiode, transimpedance amplifier, and voltage-output stage into...

XtremeData ships 1066MHz Altera Stratix III FPGA-based Intel FSB module.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... Altera Corporation and XtremeData have announced availability of what's said to be the the industry's fastest FPGA/ Intel Xeon processor-based front-side bus (FSB) module. Equipped with multiple Altera Stratix III FPGAs and using Intel...

Tiny load switch with high current for mobile features.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... The MIC94040/1/2/3 is a family of high side load switches aimed at a variety of high-end portable, battery powered consumer devices, including smart/feature phones, personal multimedia and navigation, and Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs). Developed by...

Auto equalizer for twisted-pair cables in security video systems.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... Maxim Integrated Products' MAX7474 is said to be the industry's first adaptive equalizer for composite video over twisted-pair cables. It automatically compensates for cable losses that occur in the transmission of a composite video signal with...

Tiny module unites industrial apps.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... Following the small-form-factor trend in embedded devices, Connect One just introduced the Mini Socket iWiFi serial-to-Wi-Fi module for connecting industrial devices running machine-to-machine applications to 802.11b/g wireless networks. The...

30W power in small package.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The RP30-Series, developed by RECOM Power, is available with 2:1 and 4:1 input voltages, single, dual or triple outputs, short circuit protection, over-current protection, over-voltage protection, over-temperature...

CMOS-clock chip replaces crystal, PLL circuit.(pulse)
October 1, 2008... Stable, accurate reference frequencies are basic to almost all digital electronics. The most common references combine quartz crystals with clock-generator circuits, often employing a PLL (phase-locked loop). However, temperature changes can...

Way, way off the grid: powering the Phoenix Mars lander.(prying eyes)
October 1, 2008... The Phoenix lander's 90-day mission at the Mars pole is to gather dirt and rock samples with its robotic arm, analyze the samples with onboard instruments, and communicate results and respond to commands with its earthbound project engineers....

Sensor-rich designs: designers are adding sensors and intelligent processing to fill the holes in their end-system capabilities, and it is yielding designs that cost less to produce and operate.(Cover story)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As the cost of microprocessors and sensors continues to drop, autonomous and semiautonomous systems can incorporate more intelligence and make more optimal decisions based on a better understanding of their internal...

Measurement-based simulation simplifies analysis of lossy backplanes and cables: a systematic approach uses DSO-based TDR and TDT measurements to construct models whose simulated response displays an uncanny resemblance to the response of the real hardware.(design feature)
October 1, 2008... A challenge that often confronts IC designers and support engineers is creating realistic data-channel models and accurately simulating signal transmission through them. Spice models of connectors, vias, and transmission lines work well at...

Spread-spectrum-clock generators reduce EMI and signal-integrity problems: as electronic products become faster and more complex, radiated-EMI emissions increase dramatically. With the recent proliferation of portable and wireless products, this growth heightens the probability of interference between systems and makes EMI a major concern.(design feature)
October 1, 2008... It is well-known that, during system development, critical signal-integrity and EMI (electromagnetic-interference) simulations are difficult, time-consuming, and error-prone due to their reliance on hard-to-predict models and parameter...

Reliable digital power conversion: a new paradigm.(special report)
October 1, 2008... Modern power-supply design presents a three-dimensional challenge to the designers: * A power-handling section involving semiconductor switches, magnetic devices and capacitors, which necessarily remains in the exclusive analog domain, ...

General-purpose components implement USB-based data-acquisition system.(design ideas)(universal serial bus)
October 1, 2008... Figure 1 presents a Design Idea for a USB-based data-acquisition system that uses a serial ADC employing general-purpose components, such as D flip-flops, a binary counter, and a shift register. Using the DLP-USB245M FIFO-to-USB-converter...

Small, simple, high-voltage supply features single IC.(design ideas)
October 1, 2008... Sensors, electrostatic traps, and other applications require regulated, high-voltage power supplies that deliver modest amounts of output current. Simplicity, low quiescent current, and compactness are desirable in such supplies. The circuit of...

CMOS DACs act as digitally controlled voltage dividers.(design ideas)
October 1, 2008... Digital potentiometers, such as Analog Devices' (www.analog.com) AD5160, make excellent digitally controlled voltage dividers in applications in which 8-bit resolution is acceptable. This Design Idea shows how to use a CMOS DAC as a voltage...

52V boost controller for industrial, battery-powered systems.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... The TPS40210 non-synchronous DC/ DC controller with current mode control supports design configurations that require a grounded source N-channel FET, including boost, flyback and SEPIC topologies. The integrated device provides programmable...

Single-chip audio solution targets soundbar market.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The MAP-M is a fully integrated single-chip audio solution for the emerging soundbar market. Soundbars are wide-but-thin powered speakers, located below a fiat-panel TV. They deliver top-quality sound and solve the...

Single chip TFT LCD drivers for AV portable applications.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... Solomon Systech Limited has launched a series of single chip TFT LCD drivers SSD2118B, SSD2119, SSD2123, SSD2125 and forthcoming SSD2127 for portable device applications. The complete series is said to be the only dedicated TFT driver series...

Tiny surface mount ambient light photo.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... The APDS-9008 is an analog-output ambient light photo sensor that comes in a lead-free miniature chipLED surface mount package. It offers a wide voltage range from as low as 1.6V up to a maximum of 5.5V and incorporates a spectrally suited...

DC/DC converter delivers 1.25A from 2x3mm DFN.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... The LTC3564 is a high efficiency, 2.25MHz, synchronous buck regulator that can deliver up to 1.25A of continuous output current from a 2x3mm DFN or ThinSOT package. Using a constant frequency current mode architecture, the device operates from...

Mobile WiMAX chipsets for mobile devices.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... Fujitsu Microelectronics has developed a mobile WiMAX chipset optimized for mobile WiMAX devices such as smart phones and PDAs. It includes a baseband LSI, MB86K22; an RF LSI, MB86K52; and a power management LSI, MB39C316. These three devices...

Single supply LDOs with low input voltages.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... The MIC6910x/15x/30x family of very low voltage linear regulators are part of a high-current, single supply LDO family that operates from an input voltage as low as 1.65V. Aimed at the industrial, medical, communications, computing and consumer...

"Highest" linearity amplifier for differential signals.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... Texas Instruments' dual-channel, high-speed current feedback amplifier features 70% greater bandwidth gain at +2V/V than competitive devices, providing fast signal conditioning with the highest linearity to minimize distortion for better signal...

Low-power secure supervisor with 64 bytes of memory.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... The DS3655 is a secure battery-backup controller and supervisor with temperature and voltage monitoring. An ultra-low-power single-chip device that integrates a battery-backup controller, system power monitor, CPU supervisor, elapsed-time...

Non-volatile push-button DCPs combine performance and flexibility.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... ISL22511 and ISL22512 are said to be the world's smallest non-volatile push-button DCPs. These easy-to-use, rugged devices provide designers flexibility, while saving board space and power. Both come in very small micro-QFN packaging...

STM8S MCUs offer advanced 8-bit core, platform scalability.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... STMicroelectronics has added more 8-bit MCUs using its next-generation STM8 core, by introducing the STM8S family specified for the industrial temperature range. The 8-bit STM8 core has a 32-bit memory interface and three-stage pipeline,...

Single-phase ICs for sinusoidal, trapezoidal motor control.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... The IRS260xD family of single-phase high-voltage ICs (HVICs) is designed for motor drive applications including air conditioners, fans, pumps, micro, mini and general purpose inverter drives. They offer optional dependent or independent high-...

Low-power, auto-zero op amps.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... Microchip's MCP6V01/2/3 (MCP6V0X) auto-zero operational amplifiers (op amps) are low-power op amps that feature a self-correcting architecture that enables ultra high precision, with an input offset voltage of just 2[micro]V maximum. They also...

800/900MHz compliant transceiver for ZigBee.(SEMICONDUCTORS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The AT86RF212 offers an RF performance with a link budget of up to 120dB in the 800 and 900MHz ISM bands available in Europe and North America, respectively. The link budget is the result of the -110dBm sensitivity...

Ray data just a click away.(DISPLAYS)
October 1, 2008... Osram has provided direct Internet access to the ray data for its light emitting diodes. The ray files indicate the pattern in which light is emitted from an LED and include the coordinates of the emission point, the direction of emission, the...

10- and 5-Watt LED panels with direct die attachment technology.(DISPLAYS)
October 1, 2008... This family of light engine panels feature direct die attachment (DDA) technology and integrated thermal management architecture to increase service life, luminous output and overall luminary efficiency. Available with a power rating of 10 or 5...

Flexible color A4-size E-paper.(DISPLAYS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LG.Philips LCD has developed what's said to be the world's first 14.1-inch flexible color E-paper display, the size of an A4 sheet of paper. The E-paper uses electronic ink from E-Ink Corp. to produce a maximum of...

Surface mount white LEDs for backlighting units.(DISPLAYS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This series of SMD LEDs yields up to 1900mcd, offers a 120[degrees] viewing angle, and has a crisp, clear bright white output that is ideal for display backlighting. Available on reels for automatic placement to...

Half-watt white LEDs for solid-state lighting apps.(DISPLAYS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Avago Technologies has developed half-watt cool white and warm white light emitting diodes (LEDs) to its series of Moonstone power LEDs. Available in tiny packages, the ASMT-Mx60 LED provides solid-state lighting...

SMD LEDs in PLCC-4 package feature thermal resistance down to 290K/W.(DISPLAYS)
October 1, 2008... Vishay Intertechnology has released a series of power surface-mount LEDs that deliver an advance in heat dissipation and brightness. The VLMx32 devices feature a PLCC 4 package with a lead frame optimized to provide very low thermal resistance...

LED strip lighting in warm and cool white.(DISPLAYS)
October 1, 2008... This line of PCB-strip mounted LEDs can be used as a complete strip or cut into 10 separate smaller 3-chip boards. The LED modules can be ordered precut to specified lengths. The devices run on 12 VDC, have a 120[degrees] viewing angle, and run...

Miniature silicon-chip capacitor has low profile.(PASSIVES)
October 1, 2008... The miniature, wire-bondable SiC0101 silicon-chip capacitor has a wire-bondable pad on the top and metallization on the back, allowing the use of epoxy die. The capacitor aims at RF-microwave, multichip-module, and hybrid-microelectronics...

Wet electrolytic tantalum capacitor.(PASSIVES)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This wet electrolytic tantalum capacitor features a patented high capacitance cathode system that enables high CV designs, well beyond the values specified in the Mil-PRF-39006 drawing. Designated the TWA, the wet...

Inductive families add inductors and chokes.(PASSIVES)
October 1, 2008... The vendor's 10 inductive-component families aim at power and EMC-filtering applications. The family includes bobbin-wound, surface-mount inductors; vertical-mount, leaded-torroid inductors; low-profile, shielded and unshielded surface-mount...

iVDR connectors for removable storage apps.(PASSIVES)
October 1, 2008... FCI has expanded its line of storage interface interconnects with the development of a connector for use with the information Versatile Disk for Removable usage (iVDR) standard. This connector provides a single row of 26 contacts and 1.27mm...

Gore launches UHD connector tool.(PASSIVES)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] W. L. Gore & Associates introduces an online builder for configuring GORE Ultra High Density (UHD) Interconnects to use in bench-top test systems, instrument probe cable, parallel data link, production floor...

Size 11 double stack non-captive hybrid linear actuator.(PASSIVES)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 28000 series (Size 11) double stack non captive hybrid linear actuator is a compact option for linear motion applications. The lead screw runs axially through the center of the motor and must be restrained from...

Small SMD series for high currents.(PASSIVES)
October 1, 2008... This highly compact low profile power inductor series features an insertion height of 1.0mm and a footprint of 2.0x2.0[mm.sup.2]. The B82466G0 series covers an inductance range from 0.5 to 22[micro]H and a saturation current of up to 1.6A. The...

RF-test-instrument family adds WiMax testing.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
October 1, 2008... Adding to the vendor's RF-test capabilities, the 2820 and 2920 signal-creation and -analysis tools allow WiMax-signal testing. Built on a next-generation hardware platform, the tools add support for new signal standards, including the 802.16e...

Faster, effective testing of femtocell networks.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designers seeking to develop femtocell technologies can use the G35 protocol analyzer to provide simulation and emulation of key elements of their femtocell designs including UMTS core network interfaces over IP such...

Standalone flying probe low-cost, flexible fixtureless test.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 4520 standalone flying probe system is a quick, easy and flexible solution to meet a variety of PCB testing needs. Designed to perform high-speed, high-accuracy fixtureless test in a standalone platform, it...

"Perfect balance" of analyzer, detector, software.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
October 1, 2008... The Thermo Scientific NORAN System 7 is said to be the most advanced EDS X-ray microanalysis system available. Equipped with a high throughput pulse processor, spectral imaging capability and a sophisticated software suite, the system is a...

Application firmware transforms signal analyzers for WiMAX MIMO analysis.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
October 1, 2008... Rohde & Schwarz has added a suite of application firmware for WiMAX MIMO measurements in line with IEEE 802.16e-2005. The R&S FSQ-K94 option is designed to run on the R&S FSQ and R&S FSG signal analyzers. It also supports a combination of...

Microwave spectrum analyzers measure TD-SCDMA signals.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
October 1, 2008... The MS271xB family of economy microwave spectrum analyzers create a cost-efficient method to quickly and precisely measure the performance of TD-SCDMA components. The TD-SCDMA measurement capability is part of a series of enhancements made to...

Search for better power efficiency.(COMMENTS)(Brief article)(Column)
October 1, 2008... I bought my first mobile phone exactly a decade ago. That phone did not have a camera, music player, GPS, Bluetooth, Web browser, not even a calculator. It lacked all the fancy features, but it was packed with battery power that could last up...

New solutions for powering LEDs in portable applications.(POWER SUPPLEMENT)(Light Emitting Diodes)
October 1, 2008... The trend in portable products is bent toward increasingly more multimedia applications. This trend has mandated the use of higher resolution displays with millions of colors. The traditional methods used to light the display was the vacuum...

Selecting the right DC/DC converter for portable applications.(POWER SUPPLEMENT)
October 1, 2008... The ubiquity of portable electronics has forced system designers to focus more and more on the design of power-management circuitry. Today's designer must find ways to extend battery life while still maintaining performance. On top of this,...

High power 3.3V bus in Li-Ion handheld devices.(POWER SUPPLEMENT)
October 1, 2008... Generating an output voltage that is always above or below the input voltage can easily be accomplished by a conventional boost or buck regulator. However, when the output voltage is at a fixed voltage that is within a wide input voltage range,...

Knowledge is power.(POWER SUPPLEMENT)
October 1, 2008... Consumers are looking for more and better functionality on their portable multimedia player (PMP) systems. System designers have responded by creating increasingly complex systems. The challenge is that--notwithstanding the increasing...

A power evolution in wireless connectivity for portable devices.(POWER SUPPLEMENT)
October 1, 2008... Over the past two decades we have witnessed the evolution of the mobile handset from a relatively simple product for portable communication to a multipurpose tool. Competition between designers is fierce, each striving to incorporate that key...