Electronic Design articles from July 2006

Electronic Design archives from July 2006

Mix and match T&M buses with hybrid systems: the right combination of T&M driver software and communications buses can maximize measurement functions for existing hardware platforms.(basics of Design)(Test & measurement)
July 6, 2006... Test & measurement (T&M) users face greater challenges in configuring their systems to optimally suit their testing needs. Contributing to these challenges has been the availability of a bewildering array of test equipment for a growing number...

Drive multiple displays with a single microcontroller port line.(Design BRIEFS: INNOVATIVE DESIGNS FROM READERS)
July 6, 2006... Seven-segment displays are needed in many instrument designs. In conventional microcontroller-based designs, four output port lines are allocated for one seven-segment display. Figure 1 shows the conventional design for four seven-segment LED...

ICs boost next-generation power-supply features, flexibility: a 30-MIPS processor, ultra-fast PWM, and an ADC make digital (feedback) power supplies economically viable.(PUTTING NEW TECHNOLOGY IN PERSPECTIVE)
July 6, 2006... Hailed as the next generation of digitally controlled power-supply ICs, Microchip Technology's Digital Signal Controller (DSC) ICs give power supplies internal digital control. While they aren't the first ICs intended for this purpose, their...

"Sound off".(Brief article)
July 6, 2006... "This is a good story, but I am highly offended by your cover art. Why must engineers always be portrayed as characters from Revenge of the Nerds? I've been a designer for 23 years, and I look nothing like the character on your cover......

The world is ready for RoHS (whether you are or not).(Editorial)(restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances )(Editorial)
July 6, 2006... The deadline for compliance with the EU's Restrictions on Hazardous Substances has arrived. Are your products RoHS ready? A survey of Electronic Design readers reveals a mixed bag (see the figure). The elimination of lead and other...

What's all this theft stuff, anyhow?(Pease PORRIDGE)(Editorial)
July 6, 2006... My wife got stung recently. Somebody stole her computer's battery charger from her checked bags at San Francisco International Airport. Then I got stung the same way. As I was leaving my hotel in Phoenix, Ariz., I tucked my computer's...

SystemVerilog: the complete solution.(POV: POINT OF VIEW)
July 6, 2006... The electronics industry is constantly challenged by the ever-growing design and verification requirements for complex chips. With the IEEE-Std 1800-2005 SystemVerilog standard, the industry has a complete, unified language capable of handling...

A failure to communicate? London gets the message.(Tech VIEW)
July 6, 2006... A recent report from the July 7 Review Committee of the London Assembly says the most serious failure during rescue operations following the terrorist bombings in the London subway last year was poor communications between emergency services....

SAR ADC conversion rates jump to 4 Msamples/s.(Tech VIEW: ANALOG & POWER)(ccessive-approximation register )
July 6, 2006... The hottest battleground today among analog-to-digital converter (ADC) suppliers is the successive-approximation register (SAR) arena. SARs serve the medical/industrial market with zero latency and high linearity at modest conversion rates. New...

Mated to 0.13-[micro]m CMOS, foundry's SiGe npns match RFCMOS for less cost.(Tech VIEW: ANALOG & POWER)
July 6, 2006... How does an analog foundry reduce power consumption in an RF mixed-signal process while accommodating for the differences in scalability between logic and analog circuit elements? Jazz Semiconductor plans to do it with a 0.13-[micro]m...

Welcome Dan Harris to digital overload.(Tech VIEW: DIGITAL)
July 6, 2006... I'll be vacating this page so our new Digital ICs/DSP Editor, Daniel Harris, can fill the space with the latest digital delights in our July 20 issue. Tracking two technology areas has been a challenge, and I will be glad to reduce the...

Carrier-class multiservice gateway brings triple-play home.(Tech VIEW: COMMUNICATIONS)
July 6, 2006... With the continued growth of broadband services, cable TV companies and traditional telecom carriers now can offer consumers triple-play service--Internet access, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone connections, and television--all...

Analog signal generator sets phase-noise record.(Tech VIEW: TEST & MEASUREMENT)
July 6, 2006... The E8663B from Agilent Technologies isn't just another off-the-shelf analog signal generator with a wide frequency range. According to the company, it provides the best close-to-carrier phase-noise specification in its class. It offers a...

Tiny, low-cost, 2.4-GHz spectrum analyzer shines.(Tech VIEW: TEST & MEASUREMENT)
July 6, 2006... The Wi-Spy is a 2.4-GHz spectrum analyzer that's about the size of a small USB flash drive. According to its manufacturer, MetaGeek LLC, it's the smallest such analyzer in the world--and it only costs $99. That's about 40 times less than...

High-performance signal analyzer now measures WCDMA/HSDPA modulation quality.(Tech VIEW: TEST & MEASUREMENT)(Brief article)
July 6, 2006... Take the MS2781A Signature high-performance signal analyzer from Anritsu. Now, add the ability to measure WCDMA/ HSDPA (wideband code-division multiple-access/high-speed download packet access) modulation quality. Designers can do exactly that...

Analog/mixed-signal environment creates and debugs models.(Tech VIEW: electronic design automation)(Lynguent introduces ModLyng)(Brief article)
July 6, 2006... Today's system-on--a-chip (SoC) designs contain more analog/mixed-signal (A/M-S) content than ever, but analog designers and device modelers continue to struggle with their development efforts. A/M-S models are developed with HDL-dependent...

ESL simulator enables rapid software iterations through validated code.(electronic-system-level)(Carbon Design Systems' Carbon SOC-VSP )
July 6, 2006... Almost all electronic-system-level (ESL) simulation environments contain models at various levels of abstraction and accuracy. These models can range from behavioral level through instruction level, transaction level, cycle-accurate level, and...

Lead-free means you're still in the game: the European Union's RoHS deadline has come and gone, though some companies are still scrambling to comply.(ENGINEERING FEATURE: LEAD-FREE DESIGN)(Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive)
July 6, 2006... Did your company make it? We're about a week past the July 1, 2006 deadline for compliance with the European Union's Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive. Yet some companies still are working to ensure their products are...

DAC: let the games begin.(TECHNOLOGY REPORT: DAC PREVIEW)(Design Automation Conference)(Editorial)
July 6, 2006... As he surveys his audience of system architects, designers, and methodologists, former Cadence CEO Joe Costello will kick off the 43rd Design Automation Conference (July 24-28, Moscone Center, San Francisco) by asking a pointed question: Are...

Unintended ZigBee?(Embedded IN ELECTRONIC DESIGN)(802.15.4)(ZigBee Developers Conference)(Editorial)
July 6, 2006... ZigBee remains a hot topic. Yet it was interesting to hear that 802.15.4, on which ZigBee is based, is the platform of choice for many wireless applications. Vendors expect 802.15.4 to be a major portion of chip sales, even as ZigBee continues...

MCU kit delivers high-endurance FRAM.(EMBEDDED NEWS)
July 6, 2006... Ramtron's 40-MHz VRS51L3074 8051-based microcontroller with DSP extensions includes an 8-kbyte FRAM along with 64 kbytes of flash and 16 kbytes of SRAM. Peripherals include two UARTs, SPI, I2C, eight pulse-width modulators, and an on-board...

Expert help simplifies CAD creation.(EMBEDDED NEWS)
July 6, 2006... SolidWorks 2007 introduces a host of new features that help typical users employ sophisticated 3D CAD features through the use of SolidWorks Intelligent Feature Technology (SWIFT). SWIFT FeatureXpert handles the proper ordering of production...

Graphical tools configure DSP in dual-core audio system.(Digital signal processors)(Brief article)
July 6, 2006... Sophisticated audio processing is becoming more common and more complex. Texas Instruments (TI) has taken on the challenge to simplify things by splitting the processing chores in its TAS3108 between a 48-bit DSP and an 8-bit 8051-compatible...

TinyOs plus Zigbee stack targets tiny tasks.(Embedded in ELECTRONIC DESIGN)
July 6, 2006... TinyOS is a compact operating system (OS) designed to support small wireless platforms like 8-bit ZigBee-based microcontroller solutions. It's an open-source project that was first developed at U.C. Berkeley by the likes of David Culler, now...

Multicore MCU manages residential and home multimedia.(Embedded IN ELECTRONIC DESIGN)
July 6, 2006... Efficient and secure handling of network data like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or streaming video are second nature for Freescale's 266-MHz MPC8321. It combines a 64-bit PowerPC e300c2 core with the 32-bit QUICC II RISC engine, which...

ARM9 plugs into ARM7 socket.(Embedded IN ELECTRONIC DESIGN)
July 6, 2006... Atmel's 200-MIPS ARM926EJ-S-based AT91SAM9260 has the same pinouts as its ARM7 product line, providing developers with an upgrade path to this higher-performance platform. The chip sports an RC oscillator, a camera interface, seven USARTs, a...

Save those watts with a power-aware design flow for SoCs: you'll lose the battle if you try to manage power as an afterthought and your latest and greatest chip's architecture is already fixed in place.(Design SOLUTION EDA)
July 6, 2006... At a time when a single data a center may consume more power than millions of homes (1), it's easy to see that power consumption has become critically important for all designs--not just battery-powered products. Leakage power now dominates 90-...

Optical fiber interconnect is easy to maintain.(Component VIEW)
July 6, 2006... ITT's Cannon PHD high-density optical interconnect systems are flexible, scalable, and easy to maintain. Based on an industry-standard 1.25-mm ceramic ferrule, the system enables a higher-density optical system than most traditional SC, ST, or...

Laser Components IG's fiber-optic switches are based on a micro-mechanical/micro-optical design that delivers high flexibility, long-term stability, and excellent optical properties.(NEWS IN BRIEF: OPTOELECTRONICS)
July 6, 2006... Laser Components IG's fiber-optic switches are based on a micro-mechanical/micro-optical design that delivers high flexibility, long-term stability, and excellent optical properties. The response times are less than 2 ms, and a lifetime of more...

Vishay Intertechnology has two new infrared transceivers.(NEWS IN BRIEF: OPTOELECTRONICS)
July 6, 2006... Vishay Intertechnology has two new infrared transceivers that support the IrDA high-speed IrSimpleShot protocol for beaming digital pictures directly from camera phones to TVs, printers, and other enabled camera phones. The TFDU6300 and...

A family of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) from DMG Technologies features 1.25- and 2.5-Gbit/s versions of the devices.(NEWS IN BRIEF: OPTOELECTRONICS)
July 6, 2006... A family of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) from DMG Technologies features 1.25- and 2.5-Gbit/s versions of the devices. Packaging configurations include pigtails, TO cans, and the industry-standard 14-pin butterfly format. These long-wavelength...

Turn positive buck/boost circuits negative.(IFD POWERFUL IDEAS FOR DESIGN)
July 6, 2006... Most common dc-dc power application circuits are designed for a positive buck or a boost circuit. However, certain designs may require a negative buck or boost topology. The problem usually arises because most board designers aren't accustomed...

ISI lead free interposers for DDR2 BGAs.(PRODUCT ALERT)
July 6, 2006... ISI Lead Free Interposers allow OEMs to use standard eutectic (leaded) SMT assembly processes, even when BGAs are only available in lead-free packaging. DDR2 memory chips are one common application, although ISI supplies interposers for a...

Snap mount aluminum electrolytic capacitors deliver 50% more life without added cost.(PRODUCT ALERT)(Brief article)
July 6, 2006... For high-reliability power supply applications, the new LBB series snap mount capacitors offer up to 3,000 hours life at 85[degrees]C, with full-rated voltage and ripple... 50% longer life than standard products of comparable price. Its low Z...

New automotive low-side intelligent power switches feature high power density and diagnostic feedback.(PRODUCT ALERT)
July 6, 2006... International Rectifier's IPS10xx intelligent power switches are qualified to Q100 for harsh automotive environments. The new line includes the IPS1011R, a 13mOhm IPS in a D-Pak that enables high power density. The IPS devices include a...

Keithley's 2006 test and measurement product catalog.(PRODUCT ALERT)
July 6, 2006... Keithley's 2006 Test and Measurement Product Catalog offers details and specifications on the company's general-purpose and sensitive sourcing and measurement products, DC switching, RF switching and measurement, specialized power supplies,...

ASIC design choices and IDM supply options.(application specific integrated circuits, integrated device manufacturer)
July 20, 2006... ASIC design isn't for the faint of heart. Success requires expertise, and the challenges increase with the movement to submicron designs. Yet with the complexities of ASIC design, customers will often leave performance on the table. ...

Kurzweil's vision for aiding the Blind offers engineering inspiration.(Ray Kurzweil)
July 20, 2006... One of the keys to success as an inventor, says Ray Kurzweil, is figuring out how to time your inventions--not only with societal trends but also with emerging technologies that can make your vision a reality. Just look at his latest creation,...

"Sound off".
July 20, 2006... "You don't say where the hydrogen will come from. Where is the non-polluting, non-carbon-producing hydrogen source? Nuclear? Many don't like that. Wind, solar cell? Renewable, but can these produce enough to be really useful? Straight to the...

Bob's mailbox.(Letter to the editor)
July 20, 2006... Hey Bob: This motorcycle road-racing engineer can tell you that the whole nitrogen-fill thing is usually a load of you know what (see "Bob's Mailbox," March 16, p. 20). The first thing they do when demounting/mounting your tire is to spray the...

IP cores, FPGAs to launch 10-Mbit/s flight control systems.(intellectual-property cores / field-programmable gate-array )
July 20, 2006... A multidrop version of SAE AS5652-the 10-Mbit/s version of MIL-STD-1553-will soon appear in more next-generation avionics applications. Typical applications for MIL-STD-1553, a proven 1-Mbit/s bus technology, include navigation systems,...

Flexible semiconductor stretches a designer's imagination.(Tech VIEW)
July 20, 2006... Think of it as silicon Silly Putty. University of Wisconsin at Madison researchers have demonstrated a way to release, strain, and move thin membranes of semiconductors from a conventional flat substrate to a new contoured surface. The...

Student-built Hybrids rise to the Challenge X.
July 20, 2006... Consumers want fuel efficiency as well as utility in their cars. That's why the U.S. Department of Energy has teamed with General Motors to sponsor Challenge X: Crossover to Sustainable Mobility. This three-year contest asks university teams to...

Backlight LEDs promise a bright future at SID conference.(Society for Information Display conferance)
July 20, 2006... The most power-hungry component in the average laptop is the cold-cathode fluorescent (CCFL) backlight for the display. I had heard that CCFLs were on their way out, though, and that their exemption from the European Union's Restrictions on...

A window into printed silicon brings design and manufacturing closer.(Aprio Technologies Inc. launched new software 'Halo-Quest')(Brief article)
July 20, 2006... Since 2003, Aprio has strived to link the disciplines of design and manufacturing. With the launch of a new application called Halo-Quest, Aprio has moved closer to a unified approach that brings foundry data into the design world. It also...

Space-based, full-chip router takes on mixed-signal and custom-digital designs.(Cadence Design Systems)(Brief article)
July 20, 2006... Traditional shape-based and gridded routers are having trouble with today's subnanometer system-on-a-chip (SoC) designs. And when it comes to mixed-signal or custom digital SoCs, the problems are even worse, thanks to the increased...

Two cores, too cool.(Intel launched Dual-Core processors targeting embedded applications)(Brief article)
July 20, 2006... Intel doesn't take competition lightly, and low power consumption and high performance are at the top of its checklist. Its 64-bit Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor 5100 family reduces power consumption by 40% compared to earlier dual-core Xeons,...

32-bit DSCs sport high-res PWM.
July 20, 2006... The TMS320F28015 and F28016 60-MHz, 32-bit digital signal controllers (DSCs) from Texas Instruments incorporate three 16-bit, high-resolution pulse-width modulation (HRPWM) channels in addition to eight conventional channels. The HRPWM's 150-ps...

4U rugged rack server sports a pair of cool dual-core xeons.
July 20, 2006... The Procelerant RMS420-5000XI rack-mount server from Radisys takes advantage of a pair of Intel's latest 2.33-GHz 5140 Xeon processors. It's ideal for 3D and 4D graphic applications. The motherboard has an x 16 PCI Express slot for...

Dual-core xeon drives Com Express.
July 20, 2006... A 2-GHz dual-core Xeon LV processor with Intel's E7520 chip set powers Eltec's Eurocomm 400 COM Express module. The Eurocomm 400 can hold up to 4 Gbytes of DDR2-RAM with error-correction coding. Interfaces include two x 8 and x 4 PCI Express...

Dev kit handles robot JAUS.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
July 20, 2006... The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) mandates the JAUS (Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems) software-messaging protocol for all unmanned systems. With RE2's JAUS Software Development Kit Version 1.0, developers can quickly deliver software...

Single-chip radio lets WiMAX devices switch bandwidth on the fly.(Tech VIEW: WIRELESS)
July 20, 2006... Also known as 802.16-2004, WiMAX probably is the only wireless standard that allows for bandwidth changes to better match up with the available spectrum and the desired speed partitioning for different services. A 1.5-MHz bandwidth may be...

Second-generation wireless USB hub doubles previous performance.
July 20, 2006... It's getting easier every day to build wireless USB ports thanks to Ultra-Wideband UWB) products like Wisair's hub. This second-generation device offers full Certified Wireless USB operation for consumer, PC, and mobile applications. This...

One smart serial RapidIO switch: this pre-processing Serial RapidIO switch reduces DSP cluster processing load by 20% or more.(PUTTING NEW TECHNOLOGY IN PERSPECTIVE)
July 20, 2006... Integrated Device Technology (IDT) takes a novel approach, or rather an intelligent approach, to Serial RapidIO (sRIO) switching. The company's 70K2000BR pre-processing switch (PPS) chip combines an sRIO switch with on-chip processing optimized...

WI-FI's five-pronged attack alters the wireless landscape: products based on the 802.11 WLAN standard stay strong, thanks to a steady stream of new innovations and applications.(Cover story)
July 20, 2006... Since the first short-range wireless networking technologies arrived in the late 1990s, one standard has climbed to the top. Wi-Fi, also known by the IEEE standard designation 802.11, maintains its domination over the world of computing and...

SIC of figuring out the best ASIC solution? Programmable ASICs--application-specific integrated circuits--bridge the gap between FPGAs and standard-cell ASICs.
July 20, 2006... Ever go to a restaurant, sit down to a complex menu, and just wish you had a few choices instead of dozens? If you've recently attempted to decide the optimal ASIC solution to best fit your design constraints, you may have felt similarly...

Will your 802.11n products have next-generation performance? Channel emulation is critical to ensuring repeatable testing of MIMO technology because it subjects RF signals to real-world multipath conditions.
July 20, 2006... The forthcoming IEEE 802.11n standard will specify next-generation Wi-Fi products with performance that greatly exceeds current solutions. One of the key technologies used in 802.11n is multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. ...

Oscillators control frequency with MEMS resonator.(microelectromechanical-system)
July 20, 2006... In the EMO series of oscillators from Ecliptek, an internal microelectromechanical-system (MEMS) resonator primarily controls the CMOS output frequency. By using its proprietary MEMS resonator design and resourceful programming methods, the EMO...

Endwave defense systems offers yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG).(NEWS IN BRIEF: OSCILLATORS)
July 20, 2006... Endwave Defense Systems offers yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) frequency sources with the high spectral purity needed for frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar, microwave point-to-point radio, and instrumentation applications. Aside from...

A pair of precision silicon oscillators from maxim integrated.(NEWS IN BRIEF: OSCILLATORS)
July 20, 2006... A pair of precision silicon oscillators from Maxim Integrated Products boasts [+ or -]0.25% accuracy from 0[degree]C to 85[degree]C. Both 3- by 3-mm oscillators can drive low-speed USB applications. They have a fixed frequency from 922 kHz to...

Temex claims it offers the world's smallest flatpack oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) for space applications.(NEWS IN BRIEF: OSCILLATORS)
July 20, 2006... Temex claims it offers the world's smallest flatpack oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) for space applications. The 1- by 1-in. low-consumption OCXO is designed specifically for synchronization applications such as outer-space...

[mu]C-based technique yields configurable timing signals.(Design BRIEFS: INNOVATIVE DESIGNS FROM READERS)
July 20, 2006... Many electronics applications require various processes to be monitored and controlled, generally under microcontroller supervision. The proper timing to, say, turn a motor on or off, or to open or close a valve, is critical for an efficient...

Generate 630 V using A transceiver IC.(Design BRIEFS: INNOVATIVE DESIGNS FROM READERS)(Brief article)
July 20, 2006... For applications requiring only a few milliamps of supply current, an RS-232 transceiver IC (MAX202) and a few external components can generate bipolar supply rails up to [+ or -]30 V. Such capability is useful in [+ or -]15-V op-amp circuits...

Ready-to-go wireless!(PRODUCT ALERT)
July 20, 2006... A compact network processor module, WiPort(tm) enables you to build wireless networking into virtually any electronic device with serial or Ethernet capability. With WiPort your products can be wirelessly accessed and controlled over a network...

Sound and vibration toolkit.(Catalog Literature Review)
July 20, 2006... Easily handle audio measurements, fractional-octave analysis, sound and vibration displays and much more with the National Instruments LabVIEW Sound and Vibration Toolkit. Combined with the industry-standard LabVIEW development environment,...

High performance sockets and adapters.(Catalog Literature Review)
July 20, 2006... Includes GHz bandwidth sockets for BGA and QFN only slightly larger than the IC with integral heatsink for medium power and optional heatsinking to over 100 watts. Up to 500k insertions. Adapters for prototype, test, and more. Quick turn volume...

Free 2006 NI measurement and automation catalog.(Catalog Literature Review)
July 20, 2006... Featuring new product information, comparison charts, key specifications, and information on: * NI LabVIEW 8 Distributed Intelligence * PCI Express M Series * PXI Flexible-Resolution Digitizer * USB Data Acquisition Modules...

Free bud industries enclosure catalog.(PRODUCT ALERT)
July 20, 2006... A complete line of enclosures, cabinets, chassis, and racks are described in Bud's new Short Form Catalog. Whether it's plastic or metal, standard or custom, Bud quality means that it's always on time, always on spec, and always built to last....

FREE pulse I-V measurements CD.(PRODUCT ALERT)
July 20, 2006... New semiconductor materials, shrinking device dimensions, and higher operating speeds are making characterization more challenging than ever-new measurement techniques such as pulse I-V testing will be needed in addition to DC characterization...

Caplugs introduces new line of fiber-optic connector protection.(PRODUCT ALERT)
July 20, 2006... Caplugs now offers a new family of fiberoptic caps to protect your ST, FC, SC & SMA style connectors. Understanding that damage to fiber optic connectors can be costly, Caplugs has designed an inexpensive solution to meet your product...

AFL high performance digital magnetic sensors.(PRODUCT ALERT)
July 20, 2006... NVE's AFL series devices are digital switch products designed to run at very low voltages and very low currents. Operation with single battery supplies is possible with these parts. The output is configured for use as a "switch" to detect a...

Host-based storage technology offers customizable security.(Tech VIEW: DIGITAL)
July 20, 2006... According to the U.S. Commerce department, IP theft costs U.S. businesses about $250 billion each year. Many stories in the news have described stolen storage devices like hard-disk drives containing sensitive data. These devices are rarely...

Digital design tip: FPGA escape planning.(Tech VIEW: DIGITAL)
July 20, 2006... Whether you implement FPGA designs individually or as part of a team, planning your escape routes early can save you from multiple downstream iterations and a possibly unroutable printed-circuit board. To avoid these issues, work with the...

Pondering: Androids at home.(Tech VIEW DIGITAL)
July 20, 2006... This issue's question comes from Hiroshi Ishiguro, an android science professor in the Department of Adaptive Machine Systems at Osaka University: How do people in the United States feel about having in their own home a very lifelike android...