Wireless Design & Development articles from January 2009

Wireless Design & Development archives from January 2009

Wireless invention curbs teen's conversations while driving.(UP FRONT)
January 1, 2009... We've all been in this situation--you are returning home from a long trip, anxious to reach your final destination and the car in front of you is traveling far below the speed limit and shows no signs of moving over. This happened to me...

Product family increases FPGA-based I/O performance for PXI test systems.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] National Instruments announces a new family of open, FPGA-based hardware for the PXI platform. The NI FlexRIO product family is a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution that provides engineers with the flexibility...

CPU board designed for industrial automation and IP switching applications.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kontron introduces the CP6001-V, a 6U value line CompactPCI[R] CPU board specially designed for cost-sensitive industrial applications. Equipped with the 1.86 GHz Intel[R] Celeron[R] M processor 440, the Intel[R]...

Licensing model reduces cost of advanced verification.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Agilent Technologies Inc. announces the release of a simulation licensing model dedicated to reducing the cost of advanced verification. Used with Agilent's GoldenGate RFIC simulation, analysis and verification...

LTE Protocol Stack designed for 4G multimode handsets.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)(4M Wireless)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 4M Wireless PS100 LTE Protocol Stack is a 3GPP Release 8 compliant implementation of the LTE protocol stack for User Equipment (UE) terminals. It consists of a fully optimized Layer 2, Layer 3 and NAS LTE...

Mobile Security Card unites smart card and NFC-compatible contactless functions.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) has developed a mobile security card offering contactless smart-card security in addition to the usual data storage functions. The new security feature is provided by a cryptography...

Device enables ultra-compact USB dongles for 2.4 GHz wireless peripherals.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Nordic Semiconductor nRF24LU1+ enables ultra-compact USB dongles for 2.4 GHz wireless peripherals by integrating a full-speed USB 2.0 compliant device controller, a powerful 8-bit flash microcontroller and the...

Networked Acquisition Controller reduces overhead time.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)(MI Technologies)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MI Technologies' Networked Acquisition Controller (NAC) is designed to optimize and reduce the 'overhead' time that instruments and network components require for handshaking, coordinating, triggering and managing...

I/O expansion devices support multicast functionality.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IDT[R] (Integrated Device Technology, Inc.) introduces two PCI Express[R] (PCIe[R]) Gen2 switching solutions. Optimized for computing and embedded applications, the solutions are based on proven, IDT switching...

Sorting out new RF signal generator capabilities: modern wireless communications testing requires understanding the new capabilities offered by the latest RF signal generators.(EYE ON SIGNAL GENERATORS)(radio frequency)
January 1, 2009... There are many different kinds of RF signal generators from which to choose. No single generator fits all user requirements. This article is a guide to help you select the best RF signal generator for your needs, and it focuses on selecting...

F-RAM moves to automotive infotainment applications: protecting infotainment dynamic data is essential. The unique advantage of F-RAM guarantees higher availability & performance.(Cover story)
January 1, 2009... The use of non-volatile ferroelectric RAM (F-RAM) in automotive applications began with airbag applications. This type of safety critical application was particularly well suited to F-RAM's high endurance. In recent years, designers of...

GPS environmental challenges drive common test practices: a receiver's position accuracy is a fundamental challenge of satellite navigation system. As a result, GPS receiver designers must perform a combination of measurements to ensure the device will perform as expected.(GPS RECEIVER TESTING)
January 1, 2009... Geocaching involves discovering various "caches" whose coordinates can be found on the Web and whose contents are located all over the world. Several weeks ago, I joined hundreds of thousands of other GPS enthusiasts by trying my luck at...

Q: What are some of the most common mistakes engineers make when designing in batteries?(BRAINSTORM)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] By Chris Turner, Director of Battery Technology, Nexergy, Inc. * Among the most common mistakes that are made in the selection of batteries is not properly identifying the applicable regulatory requirements related...

Battery charger IC.(PRODUCT FOCUS: POWER MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Intersil's ISL9222A battery charger IC detects auxiliary and external power connections in cell phones and Bluetooth devices. The eight-lead, TDFN-packaged, Li-Ion component incorporates a charger and digital logic...

Power monitor IC employs digital [I.sup.2]C interface.(PRODUCT FOCUS: POWER MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2009... Utilizing TruePower technology, International Rectifier's IR3720 output power monitor IC communicates output current or voltage to the system controller through a digital FC interface. The 3 x 3-mm 10-pin DFN-packaged product utilizes...

Step-down controller drives N-Channel power MOSFETs.(PRODUCT FOCUS: POWER MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AnalogicTech's AAT1185 single-output, step-down controller delivers high--and low-side pins to drive external N-Channel power MOSFETs supporting fully-synchronous and non-synchronous operation. The 14-pin...

Power MOSFETs offer low on-resistance.(PRODUCT FOCUS: POWER MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Based on TurboFET[TM] technology, Vishay Intertechno1ogy's 20V SiS426DN and SiR496DP and 30 V Si7718DN and Si7784DP N-channel power MOSFETs exhibit "on-resistance times gate charge" of 76.6 m[OMEGA]-nC at 4.5 V and...

Power manager/Li-ion charger provides digital control.(PRODUCT FOCUS: POWER MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Linear Technology's LTC4099 power manager, diode controller and Li-ion/polymer battery charger delivers digital control and status readback for portable USB powered devices, such as media players, PDAs, PNDs and...

Addressing the challenges in the design of high performance FOTA diff engines: firmware over-the-air (FOTA) technology makes it possible to detect bugs, defects and design flaws after the handset lands in the subscribers' hands.(DESIGN TALK: MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2009... Firmware over-the-air, abbreviated as FOTA, is the technology to enable wireless device manufacturers and network operators to remotely update the mobile device software, mainly firmware, already deployed in the market. At the center stage of...

Software bundle improves efficiency in signal analyzers.(PRODUCT NEWS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Anritsu Company introduces a software bundle for its MS269xA signal analyzers to improve efficiency during development of mobile phones and cellular base stations, as well as in other R&D applications. These new...

Attenuated switch performs at three levels.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Teledyne Coax Switches)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Teledyne Coax Switches introduces its CAS-37 tri-state attenuated switch with a frequency range of DC-25 GHz. The multi-state coaxial switch can be switched to a low-loss state (

VCTCXO for GPS WiMax applications.(PRODUCT NEWS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NDK America, Inc. announces its NT3225SA series SMT VCTCXO (Voltage Controlled Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator) that measures 3.2 x 2.5 mm with a height of 0.9 mm maximum. They are available in a frequency...

SP14.2 cores provide buffer management features.(PRODUCT NEWS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lattice Semiconductor Corporation announces that its LatticeSCM FPGA family-based SPI4.2 MACO (Masked Array for Cost Optimization) cores have been enhanced by adding link layer buffer management options. These...

Multi-position switches feature K-type connectors.(PRODUCT NEWS)
January 1, 2009... Ducommun Technologies, Inc. announces its QK Series of SP3T-SP6T coaxial multi-position switches that feature K-type connectors with a frequency from DC to 40 GHz. Acmator options include normally open and TTL circuitry with integrated...

Splitters perform to 2.7 GHz.(PRODUCT NEWS)(MECA Electronics)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... MECA Electronics, Inc. announces its reactive splitters with rugged construction and optimal performance across all wireless bands from 0.8 to 2.7 GHz, making them suitable for in-building or tower top systems. The splitters are available in...

Handheld computer for rugged environments.(PRODUCT NEWS)
January 1, 2009... Two Technologies, Inc.'s Safari rugged handheld computer is IP65-rated for protection against dust and water. The case is molded from Cycoloy, an ABS/polycarbonate blend plastic, offering extreme resilience to environmental stresses, as well as...

LDO regulator offers high efficiency.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc.)(low dropout)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Fairchild Semiconductor unveils its Model FAN2564 300-mA low-dropout (LDO) regulator that features high efficiency and transient response. It is a low input voltage LDO with the efficiency of a switcher-based solution, but in the footprint of...

Digital Radio Test Set features intuitive touch-screen control.(PRODUCT NEWS)
January 1, 2009... Aeroflex launches its 7100 Digital Radio Test Set that enables chip-set designers, software developers and handset manufacturers to accelerate the pace of development projects to meet the requirements of the new 3GPP Rel-8 E-UTRAN standard,...

Headlamp LED delivers brighter light.(PRODUCT NEWS)
January 1, 2009... With its integrated shutter, the OSTAR headlamp LED from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors will simplify automotive headlamp optical systems by emitting an efficient and clearly defined light beam without the need for external shutters that are common...

Controller targets notebook power supplies.(PRODUCT NEWS)
January 1, 2009... Maxim Integrated Products introduces its Model MAX17101 dual, Quick-PWM step-down controller with synchronous rectification for generating 5V/3.3V supplies in battery-powered systems. This device consists of four output-voltage regulators,...

System achieves rare security certification.(TECHNOLOGY AWARD)
January 1, 2009... JANUARY 2009 WDD EDITOR'S CHOICE Green Hills Software, Inc.'s INTEGRITY[R]-178B operating system has been certified by the National Information Assurance P to Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL) 6+, High Robustness. This...