Wireless Design & Development articles from June 2006

Wireless Design & Development archives from June 2006

Second time around.(Wireless Design & Development magazine services)(Editorial)
June 1, 2006... It's amazing how unpredictable life is at times. If someone had told me eight years ago that I would be sitting here writing the Up Front column again, I would have told them that they were nuts. Allow me to explain. To some of you my name or...

Calibration device.(PRODUCT NEWS/ WHAT'S HOT)
June 1, 2006... Agilent announces its Fast Device Tune Measurement, a calibration device that reduces manufacturing calibration test times. Fast calibration techniques, such as 8960 Fast Device Tune, can provide an order of magnitude reduction in test time....

16-bit data converters.(PRODUCT NEWS/ WHAT'S HOT)
June 1, 2006... Analog Devices introduces two ADCs that enable designers to maintain low noise and high dynamic range, even at high input frequencies. Designers of medical systems will benefit from the converters, which offer a high SNR at 79 dB. The AD9460...

Integrated duplexer.(PRODUCT NEWS/ WHAT'S HOT)
June 1, 2006... Temex announces the launch of the TMX DU W307, an integrated duplexer for CDMA450 systems. Hermetically sealed and just slightly larger than a single SAW filter, the duplexer replaces five traditional components: two individual SAW filters and...

High voltage MOSFET.(PRODUCT NEWS/ WHAT'S HOT)
June 1, 2006... Zetex Semiconductors introduces a high voltage MOSFET to handle the requirements of pre-bias supply circuitry. The ZXMNO545G4 is a 450 V enhancement mode N-channel device used in a simple linear regulator to supply PWM ICs at startup. The...

WiMAX Test System.(WHAT'S HOT/ EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES)
June 1, 2006... LitePoint Corporation announces the IQmax Test System, supporting WiMAX products. Based on an integrated Vector Signal Analyzer (VSA) and Vector Signal Generator (VSG) architecture, the single box IQmax Test System can test critical physical...

Packaged control devices.(WHAT'S HOT/ EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES)
June 1, 2006... Hittite Microwave introduces three SMT packaged control device products, suitable for applications from DC to 6 GHz. The HMC544(E) is a DC to 4 GHz, GaAs PHEMT MMIC T/R switch. It exhibits 0.2 dB insertion loss at 1 GHz and has an input P1 dB...

Sub-miniature VCO.(WHAT'S HOT/ EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES)
June 1, 2006... Z-Communications announces their subminiature wideband VCO (SMV) with low-phase-noise performance for wireless LAN applications. The SMV2500ELF, in a frequency range of 2400 to 2484 MHz, is designed to meet the high-data-rate requirements of...

Wireless LAN radio modules.(WHAT'S HOT/ EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES)
June 1, 2006... Summit Data Communications announces a family of 802.11g Wi-Fi modules. The modules provide the features required for reliable operation in business-critical ASDs and their environments. The Summit 10G family of compact flash (CF) and PCMCIA...

Going wireless: networks as mobile as the students who use them.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)(trends in educational technology)
June 1, 2006... Welcome to the world of wireless connectivity. Wireless access adds value to mobility. The focus is off technology and on content and learning. Easy e-mail collaboration and Internet access from anywhere on campus mean more motivated and...

IBM, Alvarion to deliver wireless and WiMAX for public safety.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)
June 1, 2006... Alvarion announces an alliance with IBM to deliver wireless systems to municipalities and their public safety agencies. The alliance will enable a new approach for delivery of scalable, multi-layer IP-based wireless networks that support data,...

Boston Engineering to develop secure baggage tracking system for Logan Airport.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)(Secure Environment for Airport Terminal Systems)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... As the only U.S.-based licensed engineering service provider for INKODE Corporation's innovative patented Chipless Remote Identification System (CRIS) technology, Boston Engineering Corporation is leading a pilot project that will demonstrate a...

Enterprise VoIP adoption in North America will more than double by 2010.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)(voice over IP)(Infonetics Research)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... While voice over IP is still in the early phase of adoption, it's starting to go mainstream, says a new study from Infonetics Research, "User Plans for VoIP, North America 2006." In the three years Infonetics has conducted VoIP adoption...

Zigbee-enabled, cost-effective and power-friendly wireless solutions.(TECHNOLOGY FOCUS: UNLICENSED TECHNOLOGIES)(Wireless Medium Access Control and Physical Layer standards)
June 1, 2006... The Zigbee" wireless technology and the underlying IEEE 802.15.4 standard provide a good fit for power-constrained wireless applications with demanding cost, performance and reliability requirements. Zigbee has obtained broad industry support...

Data-centric software to optimize design.(software design)(Cover story)
June 1, 2006... Data-centric methods and tools help developers optimize system resource usage and abstract data management coding from hardware-specifics, simplifying wireless device development, reducing time to market and managing BOM costs. Developing...

Designing miniature wireless video sensors.(VISUAL WIRELESS NETWORKING)
June 1, 2006... Wireless video networking is already a reality. Miniature, low-cost nodes with color camera, radio and power source are being readily deployed in the field--factories, stores, public buildings, home or business. The future holds even more...

Understanding sensitivity in handset design.(SIGNAL PROCESSING)
June 1, 2006... Obviously, when selecting a transceiver for GSM/GPRS applications, parameters such as the BOM, size, features and performance are important. While the minimum performance required for the entire system and implied performance for the...

Advantages of network processors in wireless infrastructures.(ACTIVE DEVICES)
June 1, 2006... The wireless world is changing. Nonstop growth in subscribers and services, coupled with the proliferation of network standards, places unprecedented demands on the network infrastructure for performance, throughput and flexibility. Whatever...

RF and Microwave Test Accessories Catalog.(from Agilent Technologies Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Agilent Technologies' 2006/07 RF and Microwave Test Accessories Catalog is now available. This catalog enables engineers to quickly research and specify Agilent's test accessories for new product development and manufacturing needs. The catalog...

Online Design Guide.(brochure from Mill-Max Manufacturing Corp.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Mill-Max Manufacturing Corporation announces that its online Design Guide now includes RoHS-equivalent parts for virtually all its products. To offer RoHS-compliant products, the company had to eliminate the lead component in tin/lead ...

Precision resistor guides.(brochure from Vishay Intertechnology Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Vishay announces two brochures on high-precision bulk metal foil resistors, entitled Audio Noise Reduction Through the Use of Bulk Metal Foil Resistors and High-Precision Bulk Metal Foil Resistors for Military and Aerospace Applications. The...

Sockets and adapters.(brochure from Advanced Interconnections Corp.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... AIC announces the Catalog 16 Preview, a short-form catalog featuring material specifications and part numbers for RoHS-compliant IC sockets and adapters for BGA, PGA, DIP and SIP packages. The sockets are available in a choice of insulators,...

Power management chip.(TECHNOLOGY AWARD: EDITORS' CHOICE JUNE 2006)(Freescale Semiconductor MC13783)
June 1, 2006... Freescale Semiconductor is meeting the increasing demands to power new features in today's smart mobile devices with this highly integrated power management and user interface (PMUI) chip. With this single-chip device, designers can optimize...

MCU/DSP core.(DIGITAL HARDWARE)
June 1, 2006... Atmel[R] Corporation announces its AVR[R] 32, a 32-bit Embedded CPU architecture with DSP extensions. Running at 100 MHz, the AVR32 core can do all the processing required to decode quarter-VGA MPEG4 movies--the same format used with various...

Digital potentiometer.(DIGITAL HARDWARE)
June 1, 2006... Maxim Integrated Products introduces the MAX5128, a 128-tap, nonvolatile digital potentiometer. The MAX5128's 2 x 2 mm microDFN package, 1 mA (maximum) standby supply current, simple two-wire, up/down interface and +2.7 to +5.5 V single supply...

Circuit simulation software.(SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2006... Ansoft announces the Nexxim[R] v3 and Ansoft Designer[R] v3 for the Red Hat Enterprise Limux[R] v.3 and Sun Solaris[R] 8 and 9 operating systems. Nexxim is the company's circuit simulation software for high-performance IC design and...

Multi-core DSP chips.(FEATURED PRODUCT)
June 1, 2006... picoChip introduces its next generation of picoArray[TM] multi-core processor arrays for next-generation wireless systems. The PC202, PC203 and PC205 are highly integrated DSPs. While the three devices each have different performance and...

Bushing-style EMI Filter.(FEATURED PRODUCT)
June 1, 2006... Tusonix, Inc. introduces its miniaturized 4209-013 metric bushing-style EMI Filter with high test and working voltage and M6 X 0.5-6g thread. This bushing suppresses unwanted EMI in applications where small size and high test and working...

Crystal filters.(PASSIVES)
June 1, 2006... The UM-series custom crystal filters from Network Sciences offer bandpass and band reject filters packaged in surface-mount and leaded hermetic enclosures. The UM-series is available in all filter design approximations with several package...

Flip-chip resistors.(PASSIVES)
June 1, 2006... TT electronics IRC introduces a microwave/ RF termination resistor rated for operation at frequencies up to 40 GHz. Designated the MWR series, the microwave chip resistor is constructed using the company's TaNFilm" self-passivating thin film...

Non-inductive resistors.(PASSIVES)
June 1, 2006... Ohmite Manufacturing Company announces the TFS series resistors, which have been specifically designed and developed in order to absorb more energy compared to standard film resistors. Appropriate for medical surge protection applications,...

Power management chip.(FEATURED PRODUCT)
June 1, 2006... Texas Instruments Inc. announces a buck-boost power-management IC that helps extend battery life in smart-phones, digital still cameras and other single-cell, lithium-ion (Li-Ion) powered multimedia devices. The DC/DC converter delivers up to...

Power management devices.(POWER)
June 1, 2006... National Semiconductor introduces the LP3971 PMU and kM3370 dual-channel, step-down DC/DC converter, both featuring a digital [I.sup.2]C compatible interface that enables design engineers to customize electrical specifications such as output...

Stand-alone Li-Ion battery charger.(POWER)
June 1, 2006... Linear Technology Corporation announces the LTC3552-1, an efficient, compact power-management device for handheld applications. The LTC3552-1 includes a stand-alone Li-Ion battery charger and a high-efficiency dual synchronous buck regulator...

Quarter-brick converters.(POWER)
June 1, 2006... Power-One, Inc. introduces its QMS series of quarter-brick DC/DC converters. Three single-output models provide 3.3 VDC at 25 A, 5 VDC at 14A and 12 VDC at 6.75 A. The 18 to 60 VDC input range facilitates operation from 24 and 48 V, eliminating...

E-pHEMT balanced amplifiers.(AMPLIFIERS)
June 1, 2006... Avago Technologies introduces a pair of very low-noise, high-linearity, high-gain balanced amplifier modules that operate in the 1.8 to 2.2 GHz frequency range. The modules are housed in a package measuring 5.0 x 6.0 mm to simplify system...

LNA IC.(AMPLIFIERS)
June 1, 2006... NEC's UPG2311T5F LNA IC combines two stages of very high gain with a low noise figure and provisions for a band pass filter between stages. Housed in a 3 x 3 x 0.75 mm QFN 12 package, the device replaces two stages of discrete devices, which...

Dual/quad converters.(SIGNAL TRANSLATION)
June 1, 2006... Analog Devices Inc. introduces a 16-bit quad D/A converter in a 3 x 3 mm, 10-lead LFCSP. The AD5664R offers low power consumption (5 mW at 5 V including reference). It integrates four buffered 16-bit D/A converters in addition to an on-chip...

A/D converter.(SIGNAL TRANSLATION)
June 1, 2006... Linear Technology Corporation announces the LTC2242-12, a 12-bit 250 M s/s high-IF sampling ADC that offers a 1.2 GHz analog input bandwidth. Operating on a 2.5 V supply, the LTC2242-12 consumes 740 mW operating on a 1.8 V analog supply. The...

Operational amplifier.(FEATURED PRODUCT)
June 1, 2006... Fairchild Semiconductor announces five operational amplifiers (op-amps). The 210 MHz FHP3x50 and the 50 MHz FHP3x30 families allow designers to target a range of HD and SD video applications including set-top boxes, digital TVs and audio/video...

Radio Chip Development Kit.(FEATURED PRODUCT)
June 1, 2006... Cypress Semiconductor announces a development kit for its PRoC[TM] (Programmable Radio-on-a-Chip[TM]) devices. The PRoC Development Kit includes flexible development boards, PRoC modules, LCD modules, schematics, bills-of-materials, source code...

DSP power management tools.(DEVELOPMENT KITS)
June 1, 2006... TI announces the TMS320C55x[TM] Power Optimization DSP Starter Kit (DSK) for evaluation of C55x[TM] DSP devices. With a fully integrated set of power estimation and measurement tools, including built-in, USB-based National Instruments...

Active doubler.(INTEGRATED COMPONENT)
June 1, 2006... Mimix Broadband, Inc. introduces a 7.5 to 22.5/15.0 to 45.0 GHz active doubler offered in a 3 x 3 mm QFN surface mount plastic package that is Rolls compliant. This packaged device combines an active doubler with an output buffer amplifier...

Protection devices.(EMC/RFI)
June 1, 2006... Semtech announces the EClamp[TM]237xP family of devices designed to protect against the increased risk of ESD and increased levels of EMI and RFI in 3G and CDMA phones. The devices feature IEC-standard levels of ESD protection, low capacitance...

Signal generators.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2006... National Instruments announces seven signal generators for applications from DC to microwave. The RF and microwave signal generators extend PXI to 6.6 GHz for continuous-wave (CW) sourcing, common tunable local oscillator (LO) and...

Testing 1xEV-DO devices.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2006... Willtek Communications announces two options on the 4400 Mobile Phone Tester series for the testing of 1xEv-DO wireless devices. The options have been designed specifically to the requirements of manufacturing sites and repair centers. The...

PSA with built-in measuring receiver.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2006... Agilent Technologies Inc. announces the availability of a built-in measuring receiver personality for its PSA series of spectrum analyzers. The Agilent N5531S measuring receiver system is comprised of the PSA measuring receiver personality...

Optimization software.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2006... Schema announces the release of Mentor," a wideband CDMA, EV-DO and UMTS optimization software based on actual network usage. Mentor analyzes real information generated by subscribers' mobile handsets, delivering a comprehensive view of the...

Service monitor.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2006... Aeroflex introduces the 2944B analog radio test set. The 2944B is an entry-level test set with added functionality and features that enhance its capability to carry out professional, cost-effective analog radio testing and maintenance. It comes...

Test software.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2006... Berkeley has released Windows' software for playback of BumbleBee[TM] studies on any PC. The PC playback viewer is for spectrum analysis data captured on the handheld BumbleBee. The Windows software application can read and display RF data...

RFIC simulator.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
June 1, 2006... Xpedion Design Systems announces the latest version of its GoldenGate[TM] simulator, version 4.0. This release features capabilities such as running Monte Carlo analysis on parallel machines, a reduction in simulation time, remarkable memory...

Coaxial connector.(INTERCONNECT/INTERFACE)
June 1, 2006... Murata Electronics North America introduces the HSC series, an advanced board connector and cable assembly that provides a low profile (0.6 mm height / mating height 1.2 mm max.) in a 2.0 x 2.0 mm package. The miniature HSC series is...

PCB connector series.(INTERCONNECT/INTERFACE)
June 1, 2006... Anderson Power Products[R] (APP) introduces the High Current Connector and Contact series. An appropriate solution for applications that require high current connections to a PCB, the series may be configured in one or two row configurations,...

Bluetooth Test Instrument.(FEATURED PRODUCT)
June 1, 2006... Anritsu Company introduces the MT8852B Bluetooth test set, a test instrument with both Bluetooth Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) and Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH) testing capability. The ability to conduct EDR and AFH tests makes the test set a...