Electronic Design articles from November 2007

Electronic Design archives from November 2007

Serial data link analysis (SDLA) software opens the eyes of designers.(Editor's Viewpoint)
November 15, 2007... With multi-gigabit rates traversing widely used FR4 pc-board back-planes, you can expect significant attenuation and distortion of the signal, not to mention the occasional surprise. Techniques such as pre-emphasis and de-emphasis as well as...

Episode 81: gyroscopic balancing robots.(ENGINEERINGTV)
November 15, 2007... The Segway personal transport system has inspired designers to use gyroscopes and accelerometers to monitor the angular positions of freestanding robots. Students across the country also have used the Segway as a model for their robotic...

Support, integration define MontaVista Linux.(EiED onlion)
November 15, 2007... Looking for embedded Linux? Embedded/Systems/Software Editor Bill Wong checks out MontaVista's offering. ED ONLINE 17286

Wireless networking: know it all.(Bookstore)
November 15, 2007... There are dozens of books on wireless networking out here. And just when the authors finish the book, it becomes obsolete as new standards, technologies, chips, and applications come along. Yet this book is more up to date than most. ED...

The M2M market gets ready to explode.(Industry Viewpoint)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Machine-to-machine ([msup.2]m) communications technologies have been around for many years--and stuck at the bottom of the growth curve. But their fortunes are about to change. As cellularbased mobile solutions meet the rapidly growing data...

Portable designs with high-power batteries and chargers.(FreeWebina)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Wednesday, November 28, 2 p.m. ET Robin Sarah Tichy, PhD, Technical Marketing Manager at Micro Power Electronics Inc., will provide an industry update and profile new high-power (or high-pulse) rechargeable lithium batteries. This Webinar will...

Many critics say the U.S. patent system is flawed.(Poll)
November 15, 2007... What is the biggest problem with the system? The government can't keep up with the 19% volume of new applications. Big comp1anies use their resources to 50% push little companies around unfairly. Little companies...

Talking opportunity from power plant to data center; I had the opportunity to meet Roger Tipley at the recent power electronics technology exhibition & conference in Dallas. Roger is a senior technologist and engineering strategist at hewlett-packard as well as a board member of an organization called The Green Grid (www.thegreengrid.org).(Editorial)(Conference news)
November 15, 2007... The Green Grid has been operating since January and has already grown to 102 members. It is a consortium of information technology companies and professionals whose goal is to improve energy efficiency in data centers around the world. Tipley's...

Bob's Mailbox.(PeasePorridge.)(Letter to the editor)
November 15, 2007... Bob: In "What's All This Capacitor Leakage Stuff, Anyhow?" (March 29, 2007, ED Online 15116) you have a diagram of a test circuit using the LMC662. This circuit is quite a bit different from the "capacitor soakage" test circuit you referenced...

Patent litigation has doubled and will double again over the next decade.(PointOfView)
November 15, 2007... Patent litigation in the semiconductor industry has been on a steady incline since 1997, as federal district court filings have slowly doubled. A decade ago, 47 suits were filed. Halfway through 2007, 53 were filed, with 109 total for 2006....

Companies revamp read-heads for multi-terabyte storage.(TechView)
November 15, 2007... Hard-disk-drive (HDD) manufacturers are hard at work on ways to pack multiple terabytes (Tbytes) of storage onto a single device. At October's Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Conference in Tokyo, two key players in the HDD market detailed...

Transimpedance amplifier with AGC targets 803.3aq applications.(Analog & Power)
November 15, 2007... Originally deployed for 1-Gbit Ethernet, a lot of existing fiber-optic cable could manage 10 Gbits/s, thanks to IEEE 802.3aq 10GBase-LRM (long-reach multimode). This standard was approved in 2006 to address multimode dispersion in legacy fiber...

DACs simplify factory process control designs.(Analog & Power)
November 15, 2007... Working in extreme temperatures or at high voltages in factory process control, distributed control, and smart transmitter applications can be tough for 4- to 20-mA current-mode transmitters and analog I/O systems. Yet four 12- to 16-bit...

Design FAQs: frequently asked questions.(Op-Amp Noise.)
November 15, 2007... Why the fresh emphasis on low-noise amplification? Some of it is an issue of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Today, sensor voltages and device operating voltages are lower than they used to be, so noise is larger in relation to signal levels....

Signal Integrity gets the plug & play treatment.(Digital)
November 15, 2007... It's hard to beat plug & play as a hot buzzword over the past few years. Often, the term conjures up images of Microsoft Windows. Now, Altera is getting into the mix with Plug & Play Signal Integrity. The company's hot-swappable FPGA device...

Design FAQs: compact tracing with 32-bit microcontrollers.(FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)
November 15, 2007... What debugging feature is more likely to be found in higher-end 32-bit microcontrollers? Microcontrollers with advanced debugging capabilities typically augment the standard JTAG interface with trace facilities. Trace information can be...

A pioneering ESL vendor readies its second-generation toolset.(EDA)(electronic system-level)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Now that an electronic system-level (ESL) tool vendor is using the term "ESL 2.0," I can hear the snickering already, especially from the hardcore RTL camp. Is this just some kind of marketing ploy intended to sell more of the same-old? Or is...

Verification library ensures compliance of OCP interconnects.(EDA)
November 15, 2007... Virtual platforms used for system-level design are only as good as the models they comprise. Thus, design teams devote considerable time to developing code for verifying these models. But thanks to a system-level verification library for...

Oscilloscope combines logic analyzer with ease of use for better debugging.(Test)
November 15, 2007... Nowadays, designers have to perform more and more embedded testing and digital debugging in addition to their other typical work. So, Tektronix designed its affordable MSO 4000 series of oscilloscopes to address the ever-increasing complexity...

Handheld DMM gets better with larger screen and logging.(Test)(handheld digital multimeter)
November 15, 2007... The ubiquitous handheld digital multimeter (DMM) keeps getting better. You probably have one on your bench and more around the lab, and it's still one of the test instruments you use the most. If you're looking to replace that meter with a...

Tiny dual-axis MEMS inclinometer simplifies industrial measurements: This very small and highly accurate device provides a fully compensated direct-angle digital output with less than 0.1[degrees] linear inclination error.(LeapFrog)
November 15, 2007... Targeting industrial applications, Analog Devices' ADIS16209 dual-axis inclinometer and accelerometer breaks new ground in price, performance, size, and ease of use. The company claims this highly integrated device is the industry's most...

Ip experts: put the brakes on patent reform: The patent system has been turned on its head this year via court precedents and rule revisions. Experts say these modifications need to sink in and that Congress should visit the Patent Reform Act later.(EngineeringFeature)
November 15, 2007... Issues like the presidential campaign, healthcare, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may dominate the headlines. But Congress also has been working on the Patent Reform Act of 2007, with the House of Representatives passing HR 1908 and the...

Get the low down on ultracapacitors: now that you're armed with more capacitance than earlier generations of engineers ever dreamed of, what do you do with it?(TechnologyReport)
November 15, 2007... Call them ultracapacitors. Or supercapacitors. Whatever the name, they exhibit vastly greater capacitance than conventional caps. Singly, you can buy radiallead board-mount devices rated for 5 to 10 F at 2.5 V, flashlight-battery size units...

Secure that microcontroller: encryption is only part of securing an embedded system.(Engineering ESSENTIALS)
November 15, 2007... These days, security is being built into embedded applications at all levels, including the hardware. However, the wide range of encryption applications, standards, and protocols makes it difficult at best to create a universal platform. The...

A low-power solution for GPON burst-mode receivers.(DesignView)
November 15, 2007... The move to bring broadband services capable of supporting the triple-play applications of voice, video, and data to firstmile customers (small businesses and the home) continues to evolve. A key player in this FTTx movement is GPON (Gigabit...

Alarm sequencer tells process operator where to look first.(INNOVATIVE DESIGNS FROM READERS)
November 15, 2007... In a typical process plant, a number of plant parameters will be monitored by individual alarms to ensure safety. If any process parameter crosses its upper or lower limit, the control room is alerted. But when a problem occurs, several process...

Talk to multiple devices with one UART.(IdeasForDesign)
November 15, 2007... The Universal Asynchronous Receive and Transmit (UART) interface is found on a variety of peripheral devices. Consider, for instance, a microcontroller-based system with four such peripherals. Ideally, in low-cost embedded applications, you...

Self-powered dummy load checks out multiple-output power supplies.(INNOVATIVE DESIGNS FROM READERS)
November 15, 2007... As the author points out, this incredibly straightforward active current load covering a 20-mA to 20-A range derives operating power from the devices under test (DUTs). For this particular design, the target DUTs are multiple-output power...

These touchscreen pushbuttons push you right back: a unique sensing system makes graphical interface buttons feel and respond like their mechanical ancestors.(eepn in Electronic Design)(Editorial)
November 15, 2007... Tactile feedback could add a layer of confidence as well as a more familiar feel to passive touchscreen applications. With that in mind, the TouchSense technology from Immersion (www.immersion.com) interfaces with the graphical buttons on a...

What's hot? Try a new capacitor technology, isolation transformers, and displays.(COMPONENT TECHNOLOGIES & TRENDS)
November 15, 2007... The fruit of a two-year research & development project, a unique and revolutionary capacitor technology from Electronic Concepts promises the highest level of protection against capacitor failure in catastrophic conditions. Known as...

Triple-level PCB terminal blocks up the density ante.(INTERCONNECTS)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Accommodating increasing density levels, the CTBTDVJ series triple-level pc-board (PCB) terminal blocks sport a 5.08-mm pitch and provide six- or nine-pole connections within the same width as single-level two- or three-pole terminal blocks....

HDMI mini-connectors accommodate deep color, 10.2-gbit/s throughput.(INTERCONNECTS)(high-definition multimedia interface)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... A KMDMIX family of HDMI mini-connectors supports deep color over HDMI, DVD audio, and other features of the HDMI implementation in a smaller form factor than traditional HDMI connectors. The series offers a standard through-hole 19-pin...

MIL-DTL-55116 audio connectors thwart EMI.(INTERCONNECTS)
November 15, 2007... Finding employment in 60-V/0.5-A audio circuits, the MIL-DTL-55116 audio connectors are now available in modified versions to provide effective electromagnetic- interference (EMI) filtering. The waterproof and polarized connectors provide five-...

Universal quick-fit PCB terminal features anti-rock design.(INTERCONNECTS)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... A rugged, quick-fit female pc-board (PCB) terminal features an anti-rock design that not only ensures increased PCB mounting strength but also helps simplify board design and enhances flexibility for board layout and component placement. Its...

Microwave switch connector debuts as market's smallest.(INTERCONNECTS)
November 15, 2007... According to the company, the 2.5- by 2.5- by 1.4-mm ceramic SWF series switch connectors are the smallest surface-mount microwave switch connectors available. Their test probes are compatible with the larger SWD series connectors, eliminating...

Miniature linear accelerometers enhance motion-sensing applications.(SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... With very flexible output capability and embedded "smart" features, the LIS331 MEMS-based three-axis linear accelerometers meet the rapidly expanding demand for miniature motion sensors in consumer and industrial markets. The devices come in a...

Miniature infrared sensors measure to 1000[degrees]F.(SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS)
November 15, 2007... Incorporating a remotely mounted infrared sensor head connected to a high-performance, microprocessor-based signal conditioner, the OS100E series miniature infrared transmitters measure from -18[degrees]C to 538[degrees]C (0[degrees]F to...

Electrolytic tilt sensor raises accuracy bar.(SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS)
November 15, 2007... This single-axis, linear-output electrolytic tilt sensor measures a 10[degrees] range with a resolution less than 1 arc second and a null repeatability of less than 2 arc seconds. The component also boasts long-term stability over its angle and...

Capacitive-touch IC includes power management.(SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS)
November 15, 2007... The QT102 single-channel touch-on/touch-off sensor chip integrates power management and safety functionality, suiting it for products with rigid powermanagement requirements. In an SOT-23 package, the chip combines a toggle-mode on/off switch...

Inductive sensors reside in rectangular housing.(SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS)
November 15, 2007... Offered in a compact IP67-rated rectangular housing that enables them to fit into small spaces, the F1 series inductive sensors detect metallic objects in material handling or packaging applications. They're available in dc or ac-dc models that...

Remote temperature sensors include local sensor in SOT-23 package.(SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS)
November 15, 2007... The TMP421 (one channel) and TMP422 (two channels) are the smallest remote junction temperature sensors available, according to their manufacturer. They offer a remote sensor accuracy of [+ or -]1[degrees]C and a built-in local temperature...

Led drivers power high-brightness devices up to 5 W.(ICs FOR DISPLAYS & INDICATORS)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Offering a constant current and a low feedback voltage, a pair of LED drivers expands the PowerWise product line to power 1- to 5-W high-brightness LEDs. The LM3401 and LM3405A handle LEDs suitable for industrial and automotive applications as...

Switching regulators drive high-brightness LEDs efficiently.(ICs FOR DISPLAYS & INDICATORS)
November 15, 2007... Promising to reduce power dissipation in sense resistors by 80% while boosting efficiency by 2%, the NCP3065 switching regulator drives high-brightness LEDs found in low-voltage lighting, landscape path and solar lighting, lighting, halogen...

Inverter reduces audible noise when driving EL lamps.(ICs FOR DISPLAYS & INDICATORS)
November 15, 2007... With [+ or -]15 kV of electrostatic-discharge (ESD) protection, the MAX4990E dc-ac converter for driving electroluminescent (EL) lamps employs an inductor-based boost converter to generate 250 V p-p. Promising to maximize design flexibility,...

ESD chip achieves low capacitance and clamping voltage.(CIRCUIT-PROTECTION DEVICES)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Protecting high-speed data lines in portable applications, the ESD9L electrostatic-discharge (ESD) protection device comes in an SOD-923 package. It exhibits a capacitance of 0.5 pF and clamps an input ESD waveform of 15 kV per IEC61000-4-2 to...

Varistors widen operating temperature range.(CIRCUIT-PROTECTION DEVICES)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... The ZVY and AVY series of multilayer, low-voltage, and automotive varistors are now available with operating temperatures up to 150[degrees]C, which their manufacturer calls the highest in the industry. Available in surface-mount or...

Enhanced LCDs fit variety of applications.(DISPLAYS & INDICATORS)
November 15, 2007... Integrating numerous options to meet a range of applications, these enhanced LCDs are deployable as outdoor menu boards, medical devices, and point-of-transaction devices. Each of the 28 different display models in the family offers a different...

4.1-in. LCD modules boost picture quality.(DISPLAYS & INDICATORS)
November 15, 2007... Boasting industry-leading picture quality, according to its manufacturer, the NL8048HL11-01B 4.1-in. diagonal TFT LCD module employs low-temperature poly-silicon technology and delivers wide video graphics array (WVGA) resolution. The module...

Ultra-thin, 2.2-IN. LCD targets mobile devices.(DISPLAYS & INDICATORS)
November 15, 2007... According to its manufacturer, a 2.2-in. LCD that's 0.68 mm thick is the thinnest on the market, thanks to proprietary fabrication techniques. Image quality approaches that of an LCD TV via the component's contrast ratio of 2000:1, a viewing...

Multi-display unit hosts six TFT LCDs.(DISPLAYS & INDICATORS)
November 15, 2007... The Vitrine multiple-display unit supports up to six TFT LCDs for indoor-advertising or customer-information applications. It uses the company's Windows-based ArtistaControlCenter software in conjunction with ArtistaUSB or ArtistaNET (LAN)...

Transparent displays address aesthetic concerns.(DISPLAYS & INDICATORS)
November 15, 2007... A series of transparent and segment electroluminescent (TASEL) displays targets designs where aesthetics are crucial to functionality. The components offer the benefits of transparency and can integrate into numerous designs via cutting and/or...

2.2-in. TFT modules deliver QCIF+ resolution in sunlight.(DISPLAYS & INDICATORS)(thin film transistor )(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... For outdoor applications, these 2.2-in. TFT LCDs with QCIF+ (176 by 220) resolution can be read in sunlight and offer high brightness, contrast, and color saturation with exceptional transflective properties. Their TFT cells exploit high...

Mini chip led family adds new members.(DISPLAYS & INDICATORS)
November 15, 2007... Expanding the PicoLED series of chip LEDs are three members: the PicoLED-eco, PicoLED-RGB, and PicoLED-mini, which is the industry's smallest, according to the manufacturer. Available in red, orange, yellow, and green, the PicoLED-eco (SML-P11...

Encapsulated PFC supply delivers 300 W.(MORE COMPONENTS)(Power factor correction )(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... For operation in extreme environments, the PPF 300 series power supply with a PFC input provides up to 300 W via single outputs of 12, 24, 36, or 48 V or 72 V dc from a universal input. PFC is a minimum of 0.97 at full load for the entire input...

2-W sip dc-dc converters provide high isolation.(MORE COMPONENTS)
November 15, 2007... The D200EI series of miniature 2-W single-inline-package (SIP) dc-dc converters suits board-level power applications that require small size and high input/output isolation levels in the realm of 3 kV dc. The 24 models in the series operate...

Multi-output supplies scrub for medical apps.(MORE COMPONENTS)(applications)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Meeting UL, cUL, and TUV 60950/60601.1 requirements and compliant with EMC directives for CE and FCC Class B applications, the UF-400AX series of programmable, multiple-output power supplies is ready for deployment in medical and information...

1-KW supply offers 10 output options.(MORE COMPONENTS)
November 15, 2007... Pumped for powering process control, automatic test equipment, and factory-automation environments, the HWS1000 series 1-kW power supplies meet the SEMI F47 powerline sag specs, which are mandatory for high-volume semiconductor manufacturing...

Miniature relay switches up to 100 A.(MORE COMPONENTS)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... The G19 pc-board-mount relay can switch up to 45 A continuously and handle a maximum of 100 A. Minimum load is 1 A at 12 V dc. A choice of contact materials is available as well as pin-outs for both U.S. and European markets. Other options...

VHF antenna advances next-gen mobile TVs.(MORE COMPONENTS)
November 15, 2007... The TVNext internal VHF antenna exploits the company's patented antenna technologies, which accounts for its small size, ease of integration, and gain/efficiency performance. It also eliminates the need for unique manufacturing processes or...