Wireless Design & Development articles from August 2008

Wireless Design & Development archives from August 2008

Social networking gains popularity with all ages.(UP FRONT)
August 1, 2008... Social Networking, Mobile Social Networking, MySpace, Facebook, Friendster, Couch Surfing (I love that one)--what exactly are these things and why are they now such a significant part of people's lives, particularly teenagers? I had to get a...

WLAN interface card uses the safest standard for WLAN access points.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)
August 1, 2008... SEH, a printing and network computing specialist, launched the PS56 print server, a new WLAN interface card. PS56 is an IPv6-enabled print server connecting all HP output devices that have an EIO port to a wireless 54 Mbit network (802.11g),...

Home server platforms in strong demand.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)
August 1, 2008... According to new research from TDG, an analytics and advisory firm focused on emerging consumer technologies, global diffusion of Home Servers will grow from 1.2 million in 2008 to more than 90 million by 2015. TDG's latest report, "One...

New RFID service applies tags to shipped items.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)
August 1, 2008... Hewlett-Packard is expanding its REID services for IT-infrastructure tracking with the introduction of the HP Factory Express RFID service. It features the application of EPC Gen 2 RFID tags to the blade servers and other IT assets that a...

Wi-PATH series enables seamless transition to 3G connectivity.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Telular Corporation, a company that transforms analog into wireless communications, announced its Wi-PATH SX7 series for 3G networks, allowing for instant voice, data end fax services over a single wireless network....

Regulator module yields 80 A output.(WHAT'S HOT: PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Murata Power Solution's VR110B080CA-1C single inline packaged (SIP) voltage regulator module (VRM) exhibits a maximum output current of 80 A with a 7-bit DAC-programmable output voltage range from 0.8375 to 1.6000...

Chipset yields low idle current.(WHAT'S HOT: PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2008... Fujitsu Microelectronics' MB86K22, MB86K52, and MB39C316 mobile WiMAX chipset exhibits idle current of >0.500 mA in a 12-[mm.sup.2] package for devices such as smart phones and PDAs. The baseband-IC MB86K22 exhibits a bandwidth range from 3.500...

Complier offers faster interrupt handling.(WHAT'S HOT: PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2008... HI-TECH Software's ANSI C "omniscient" compiler for Microchip's PIC32 family of microcontrollers can boost real-time performance by 25% or more, and can provide nearly double the density. It increases the speed of interrupt handling by saving...

Automotive device family provides system-on-chip functionality.(WHAT'S HOT: PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lattice Semiconductor Corporaton has announced automotive versions of its non-volatile, 90 nm Flash-based LatticeXP2[TM] FPGAs, which are qualified to meet the certification requirements of the AEC-Q100 standard. The...

Module combines digitizer and DDC.(WHAT'S HOT: PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pentek's Model 7152 PMC module combines four 16-bit 200-MHz A/D digitizers with a 32-channel digital down converter (DDC) with pre-installed IP cores for Xilinx FPGAs. The device includes proprietary signal...

Processor targets HSPA femtocells.(WHAT'S HOT: PRODUCT NEWS)(picoChip's PC302 )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Built for HSPA femtocells, picoChip's PC302 system-on-chip baseband processor supports up to four users for residential and SME femtocell access points with data rates of 14.4 Mb/s HSDPA and 5.7 Mb/s HSUPA. The TR25.820 and lu-h...

Dual amplifier delivers 44 dBm output.(WHAT'S HOT: PRODUCT NEWS)(Mimix Broadband's XG1001-SA )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Mimix Broadband's XG1001-SA dual high-dynamic range amplifier yields an IP3 output of 44 dBm, noise figure of 2.10 dB, and gain of 13 dB at 2 GHz in a frequency range from 0.05 to 4 GHz. The RoHS-compliant SOIC-8-packaged device is well suited...

Oscillators offer 99.91% accuracy.(WHAT'S HOT: PRODUCT NEWS)(Linear Technology's LTC6930 )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Linear Technology's LTC6930 family of precision silicon micropower oscillators offer 99.910% accuracy with fixed frequencies from 32.768 kHz to 8.192 MHz in five versions, each with a master frequency and digitally-controlled frequency dividers...

How to design a low-power wireless sensor network: in order to build a reliable and efficient communication chain, compliance to industry standards and energy consumption are key.(EYE ON SENSORS)
August 1, 2008... Driven by the demand for "green" technology and better use of power, a new generation of extreme low power wireless networks is being developed for use in machine to machine networks, for industrial and control applications, as well as for...

Testing MMS functionality in mobile phones: thorough and accurate Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) testing is critical to the successful deployment of any mobile phone offering a MMS capability.(Cover story)
August 1, 2008... Over the years, the mobile-phone usage model has changed quite dramatically. No longer is it used solely for its voice services. Instead, the mobile phone is now being used for a growing number of social and mobile, data-centric applications....

FPGAS.(BRAINSTORM)
August 1, 2008... Welcome to Brainstorm! OEMs need to design products that are not only scalable and cost-effective, but also flexible and reusable across multiple evolving standards. Q: How can today's FPGAs enable designers to deliver high...

Medical monitors: on the path of mobility & versatility: the right mix of processing, display, human interface (TSC), data interface, and power management technologies is key to the enablement of portable medical monitoring systems.(MEDICAL ELECTRONICS: DESIGN TALK)
August 1, 2008... Originally, a patient monitor was someone who stood beside a patient watching his breathing and checking his pulse. Early electronic monitors were simple observational and diagnostic tools for monitoring basic physiological parameters of...

How FPGA trends impact wireless infrastructure design organizations: while many skills are necessary to develop FPGA designs, a team-based design methodology approach proves to be both effective and efficient.(FPGA TRENDS)
August 1, 2008... With the introduction of 40 nm field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), the design domains of wireless infrastructure electronics that can be addressed with programmable logic devices (PLDs) are growing (see Figure 1). This is a response to...

Harnessing the benefits of adaptive RF tuning: a high-level open-loop RF tuning solution called the Radio Antenna Frequency Tuner (RAFT) can be used to optimize antenna impedance.(RF TUNABILITY)
August 1, 2008... While today's portable wireless devices embody dizzying arrays of features and capabilities, they still are beholden to the basics of RF transmission theory. The paradigm is essentially the same as sticking a set of rabbit ears atop a 50"...

Front ends boast high power density.(PRODUCT FOCUS: POWER)(Emerson Network Power's UFE power supplies series)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Delivering up to 2,000 W in a 5.5" x 10.7" x 1.6" package, the UFE series of programmable AC/DC front-end power supplies from Emerson Network Power yield a power density as high as 22 W/[in.sup.3]. Up to three...

MOSFETS allow 125 V input.(PRODUCT FOCUS: POWER)
August 1, 2008... Maxim Integrated Products' MAX15018 and MAX 15019 half-bridge MOSFET drivers allow input voltages up to 125 V with a high-side (HS) pin. The HIP21001B- and HIP21011B-compatible devices provide a peak source and sink current of 3 A, typical...

Signal ICs integrate isolator and driver.(PRODUCT FOCUS: POWER)
August 1, 2008... Silicon Laboratories' Si823x ISOdriver family of mixed-signal ICs integrate a two-channel isolator and 4-A dual driver into a single chip with under-voltage lock-out circuitry. The analog-intensive CMOS-designed devices yield peak output...

Conversion ICs target notebook adapters.(PRODUCT FOCUS: POWER)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Power Integrations' TOPSwitch-HX family of AC/DC power conversion ICs are appropriate for adapters for notebook computers, LCD monitors and flat-panel TVs from 20 to 100 W. The eSIP-L-packaged devices combine a 700 V...

Buck converter includes performance monitoring.(PRODUCT FOCUS: POWER)
August 1, 2008... Provided in a 4-[mm.sup.2] MLPQ 12-pin package, the AS7620, a hysteretic, high efficiency, 32 V step-down DC/DC buck converter, from austriamicrosystems provides both "early-power-fail" warning and "power-good" signals for alerts in...

Non-reflective MMIC SP4T covers DC to 18 GHz.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2008... Hittite Microwave Corporation announces its GaAs pHEMT SP4T (single pole, four throw) MMIC switch which is suitable for automotive, industrial sensors, test and measurement, microwave radio, military and space applications from DC to 18 GHz....

DSA line features serial-addressable control interface.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation's PE4370x)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation releases three 7-bit UltraCMOS digital step attenuators to complement its 50[ohm] DSA line. These HaRP-enhanced devices offer a serial-addressable control interface which allows...

32-bit ARM-based radio module lowers power consumption.(PRODUCT NEWS)(California Eastern Labs' FreeStar Pro ZigBee)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... CEL expands its line of IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver systems with the addition of the FreeStar Pro 32-bit ARM-based ZigBee radio module. Based on the Freescale MC13224V 32-bit ARM Platform-in-Package (PIP), the FreeStar Pro leverages the...

Keyboards featured on dual output function generators.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Protek Test and Measuremet offers its Model B8040FD DDS function generator. This high stability direct digital synthesis dual-output function generator has less than -54 dBc (Sine wave) harmonic distortion and a keyboard for rapid entry of...

Ultra-mini encapsulated switching supplies improve EMC performance.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2008... Astrodyne Corporation adds 30 W units to its ECA Series of ultra-miniature encapsulated switching power supplies for EMC noise compliance to EN 60601-1-2:2001. The ECA30 series accepts universal input from 90 to 264 VAC and 22 models are...

HV-HBT transistors provide RF solution.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2008... TriQuint Semiconductor releases two HV-HBT (high voltage-heterojunction bipolar transistor) devices that are efficient and highly linear. When paired with proprietary high power HBT devices, they provide a complete RF solution for 3G/4G high...

Single-chip system decrypts and decodes code-hopping transmitters.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Radiometrix introduces an IC that uses an internal clock so that a sophisticated low cost data-decoder that incorporates secure authorization can be produced. Using a single button and suitable FM receiver, the user can instruct the KRX416 IC...

Combined audio filtering and ESD protection save board space.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2008... STMicroelectronics introduces its EMIF06-AUD01F2 for optimal audio performance in feature-rich cellphones. The device implements the complete EMI (electromagnetic interference) filtering and ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection for stereo...

RFIC measures peak to average power ratio.(WDD EDITOR'S CHOICE: TECHNOLOGY AWARD)
August 1, 2008... Hittite Microwave's HMC614LP4E RMS Power Detector is designed for RF power measurement, and control applications for frequencies up to 3.9 GHz. The detector provides a "true RMS" representation of any RF/IF input signal. The output is a...