Wireless Design & Development articles from May 2008

Wireless Design & Development archives from May 2008

WiFi "piggybacking": is it a question of ethics?(UP FRONT)
May 1, 2008... I'm sure we've all been tempted at some point to hop on another person's WiFi connection when we are in desperate mode to access that "life changing" email. The situation usually starts out very innocently. You've got a project to do, you set...

Mobile marketing platform clicks with consumers.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)
May 1, 2008... Savvy marketers in China and throughout Asia are employing a new technology from MyClick that allows consumers to access exciting promotional opportunities and discounts simply by taking aim and shooting with their mobile device cameras....

Professional picture quality integrated into mobile devices.(EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & MARKETS)
May 1, 2008... Silicon Image, Inc. introduces its 12 megapixel camera processor IP core designed for integration into system-on-a-chip (SoC) semiconductors. This technology delivers professional picture quality and advanced camera functionality once only...

Car kits give wireless remote control MP3 audio from steering wheel.
May 1, 2008... Kensington Computer Products Group has specified a pair of Nordic Semiconductor nRF24L01 ultra-low power 2.4 GHz transceivers into the remote control part of each of the three base versions of its line of LiquidAUX[TM] Auxiliary Car Kits with...

Reliable real-time messaging ever unreliable networks.(Real-Time Innovations Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Real-Time Innovations (RTI) announces support for lossy networks in RTI Data Distribution Service 4.3. Lossy networks, those that have uncertain or sporadic connectivity. Most distributed systems today rely on messaging middle-ware that uses...

Low-cost MicroTCA[TM] system designed for multiple industries.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)(Emerson Network Power)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Emerson Network Power's Centellis[TM] 500 is a fully-deployable MicroTCA system that uses innovative plastic packaging, and Emerson's MicroTCA Carrier Hub (MCH) and high performance processor module. The Centellis...

ARM9 MCU family boosts embedded flash and saves part count in connected applications.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)(STMicroelectronics N.V.)(micro controller unit)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] STMicroelectronics has increased the on-chip Flash capacity of its STR91xFA ARM966E-S based MCU family by introducing 1.1 and 2.1 Mbyte variants, delivering higher memory density than many other ARM9, or ARM7TDMI,...

Multimedia host processor with integrated H.264/ MPEG-4 video engine.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)(Renesas Technology America Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Renesas Technology America, Inc. announces the SH-MobileR2, designated SH7723, which enables the design of portable and mobile devices with multimedia capabilities that are suitable for personal navigation devices,...

ATCA CPU blade offers performance, integration and flexibility.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The aTCA-6900, a next-generation AdvancedTCA (ATCA) CPU blade which features the latest Intel[R] 5100 chipset, two quad-core LV-Xeon processors and two AMC bays for enhanced performance, integration and flexibility,...

Silicon success for single chip, multi-standard transceiver.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lime Microsystems announces the availability of a single chip multiband multi-standard reconfigurable transceiver IC. The chips have been tested and meet the original requirement for a high-frequency, agile...

Universal smart label chip priced 10 times lower.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IDS Microchip AG's recent announcement significantly broadened the scope of affordable automatic data logging RFID applications by bringing to market samples of its IDS-SL13A smart active label chip. Priced up to 10...

Channel emulator for LTE and 4G wireless.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Azimuth Systems Inc.'s channel emulator product line addresses the complex needs of emerging 4G wireless broadband technologies, including LTE, IEEE 802.16m, UMB and other technologies that will be deployed in the...

UL-and VDE-certified devices provide isolation for high voltage power systems.(PRODUCT NEWS: WHAT'S HOT)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Providing design engineers with an extended line of key components for a variety of applications, TT electronics OPTEK Technology has expanded its family of optocouplers. OPTEK's expanded optocoupler product line...

Antenna challenges for portable devices: new techniques are being developed for handling increased functionality and MIMO requirements in shrinking platforms.(EYE ON ANTENNAS)
May 1, 2008... The need to enhance functionality for wireless devices such as smartphones and data cards has driven engineers to develop circuitry with higher levels of integration to help reduce device size and cost. The multiple air interfaces supported by...

Top 10 considerations when selecting an 802.11n PA: selecting a PA amplifier for 802.11n requires special consideration since its performance can dramatically impact range, battery life and the user experience.(Cover story)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the upcoming release of the final 802.11n specification, many designers are thinking about what is required for 802.11n wireless LANs (WLANs). At the heart of this system lies the power amplifier (PA), and its...

Designing a cost-effective digital audio development board: most development hardware today is designed for flexibility and maximum performance, with little consideration to the final cost to the end consumer.(SIGNAL PROCESSING)
May 1, 2008... Development hardware is a vehicle silicon vendors use to sell their devices. When designing a development board, a vendor typically surrounds the target device with every conceivable supporting device and connector in order to enable the use of...

Much ado about spectrum: the FCC's "open platform" rules prohibiting licensees from requiring their customers to use specific devices, is good news for OEMs and designers.(COMPLIANCE UPDATE)
May 1, 2008... For decades, much appeared quiet on the wireless front. Most cell phones had few mobile applications, public safety and other wireless licensees operated traditional systems in their designated frequencies, and broadcasters enjoyed large swaths...

Horn antenna.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Prevents RF leakage * Optimal gain with low VSWR * Open boundary design ETS-Lindgren's Model 3164-08 open boundary, quad-ridged horn antenna meets the demands of UWB, GSM, PCS, Wi-Fi and WiMax testing....

Dual SPDT switch die for broadband.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... * Reduces DC power consumption * Low leakage current * RoHS-compliant Tyco Electronics introduces its RoHS compliant, dual SPDT switch die for broadband applications that require high linearity, low insertion loss and high...

Distribution amplifiers.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Signal distribution of broadband and SDI video sources * Optimized to preserve bandwidth * Available for bench-top or rackmount uses Stanford Research Systems introduces its FS730 distribution...

Wireless transceiver.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Three radio frequencies * 20-mile range functionality * Choice of seven hop sequences The Wilkerson Instrument Company Model DR9031 wireless transceiver provides bi-directional analog and contact...

Low noise oscillator.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Greenray Industries Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... * Precision SC-cut crystal * Frequency up to 250 MHz * Small hermetic package Greenray Industries combines precision, crystal technology with a low noise oscillator and multiplier to develop a family of miniature, ovenized crystal...

Single-chip transceiver.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Ultra-low power operation * Peak current of 13.5 mA * Fast front-end automatic gain control Nordic Semiconductor ASA releases its nRF24L01+ single chip 2.4 GHz transceiver that offers high radio...

Wide-Band VCO offers optimal phase noise performance.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Delivers 6.5 dBm output power * Ultra-low phase noise * RollS-compliant Z-Communications, Inc. announces its Model V600ME20-LF lead-free, RollS compliant voltage controlled oscillator in S-Band (1700...

Sensor IC simplifies application design.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Improves noise behavior * Dirt tolerant * High positional accuracy Melexis launches its MLX75303 optical switch SensorEyeC that is designed for high volume automotive, industrial and consumer...

Small TCXO offers high performance.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Vectron International Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * 50% smaller package * Expanded temperature range * Frequency stabilization Vectron International releases its Model VTM3 TCXO that offers similar phase noise performance in a 50% smaller package (3.2...

SMD board-to-FPC connector saves space.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Stacking height of 0.9 mm * Gold plated contacts * Nickel barrier Omron Electronic Components LLC announces its series of 0.4 mm (0.016") pitch SMD board-to-FPC plug and socket connectors. When mated,...

High performance antenna for wireless WAN applications.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... * Low side lobe performance * Front-to-back ratio * High level co-located isolation Laird Technologies, Inc. introduces its 90[degrees] dual-slant 45 WiMax base station antenna that is compliant with ETSI EN 301.525 CS pattern...

ZigBee radio module features matrix transceiver platform.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Output power up to 10 mW * Small footprint * FCC, IC and CE certified California Eastern Laboratories adds the Matrix transceiver platform to its family of ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4 radio modules. This...

Signal generators cover a wide range of frequencies.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Aeroflex Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Portable and lightweight * Carrier frequencies to 6 GHz * Fast level control The IFN 3410 series from Aerofiex, Inc. cover carrier frequencies to 6 GHz. High quality analog and vector modulation...

Receiver system for flat panel displays.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Increased digital signal integrity * Extends battery life * Supports full video interface IDT's DisplayPort receiver and timing controller device is designed for flat panel displays for monitors and...

Peripheral mode isolator.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Raditek)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Insertion loss 1.5 dB * Isolation 20' dB * VSWR 1.50:1 Raditek, Inc. announces its Model RADI-2-18-P-S3-1WR-02 wideband peripheral mode isolator that covers the full 2 to 18 GHz band. Specifications...

Software performs direct synthesis of wave forms.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... * Tests serial data standards * Easy-to-use interface * Eliminates need for multiple instruments Tektronix, Inc. announces its SerialXpress software package that performs direct synthesis of waveforms for high-speed serial data...

Processor delivers optimal clarity.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(ON Semiconductor L.L.C.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Noise reduction * Open-programmable DSP core * Advanced analog audio inputs ON Semiconductor announces the BelaSigna 300, an ultra low-power high-fidelity audio processor that targets portable...

Measurement receiver platform.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: WDD PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Troubleshoot network * Assess competitive networks * Make specialist measurements Agilent Technologies, Inc. announces six models for its W1314A measurement receiver platform that offer expanded band...

Triple output step-down switching regulator for portable applications.(PRODUCT FOCUS: SEMICONDUCTORS)(Allegro MicroSystems Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Allegro[R] announces a new triple output step down switching regulator. Allegro's A4490 provides three high current, adjustable, high performance, switching regulator outputs with an input voltage range of 4.5 to 34...

High-power LEDs up to 90 lumens per watt.(PRODUCT FOCUS: SEMICONDUCTORS)
May 1, 2008... Everlight Electronics Co. Ltd. introduces 1 and 3 W high-power LEDs that deliver high luminosity, long operating life and system efficiency in a broad range of designs. Part of Everlight's XcelLED[TM] series, the EHP-AX08/P01 (1 W) and...

90 nm non-volatile FPGA family is fully qualified.(PRODUCT FOCUS: SEMICONDUCTORS)
May 1, 2008... Lattice Semiconductor Corp. announces that the 17K LUT LatticeXP2-17 device, one of five members of its third-generation non-volatile LatticeXP2 FPGA family, has been fully qualified and released to volume production. Designed using the...

Single chip provides affordable connectivity.(PRODUCT FOCUS: SEMICONDUCTORS)
May 1, 2008... Addressing increasing consumer demand for GPS, Bluetooth wireless technology and FM radio in mobile handsets, Texas Instruments Inc. introduces its NaviLink 6.0[TM] (NL5500) solution, a single chip that combines assisted global positioning...

LED emitter offers optimal heat dissipation.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Avago Technologies announces its Model ASMT-Mx00 1 W high power Moonstonea LED emitter for use in a variety of architectural, garden and decorative lighting applications. Available in a thin package, this energy...

POL converters deliver 93% efficiencies.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Power-One, Inc. releases its 40, 50 and 60 A non-isolated high-current point-of-load (POL) DC/DC converters that use multiphase-synchronous-buck topologies to deliver up to 93% efficiencies in high-power-density...

LED lightpipes prevent color mixing.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Elma Electronic, Inc. offers its lightpipes that provide distinct color output, and they have optional barriers that prevent color mixing from adjacent rows. Each pipe in the LED array can block interfering light...

S-Band VCO for fixed wireless applications.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Z-Communications' Model V804ME17-LF is a lead- free, RoHS-compliant voltage controlled oscillator in S-Band (2280 to 2450 MHz) for fixed wireless applications. This oscillator offers a low phase noise performance...

Clocking family simplifies system clock design.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] National Semiconductor Corporation introduces its family of three ultra low-noise and fully-featured clock buffers, dividers and distributors that simplify system clock design while providing a low additive noise....

Power divider provides high isolation and low insertion loss.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Narda Microwave - East)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Narda Microwave-East introduces its high-performance four-way power divider for millimeter-wave applications. It provides a combination of low insertion loss, high isolation, and amplitude and phase stability. The...

Transceiver incorporates a 1200 baud modem.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2008... Radiometrix Ltd.'s TRIM 128-channel 12.5 kHz/25 kHz narrow-band FM transceiver module incorporates automatic noise squelch and a 1200 baud modem. It is intended as a general purpose VHF unit, covering any 1 MHz switching bandwidth specified in...

VCO operates from 1260 MHz to 1400 MHz.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crystek Corporation introduces its CVCO55CC- 1260-1400 VCO that operates from 1260 to 1400 MHz with a control voltage range of 0.5 V to 12 V. This VCO features a typical phase noise of-115 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset,...

GaN transistor addresses 2.5 and 3.5 GHz markets.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nitronex unveils its Model NPTI004 gallium nitride high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) that delivers 45 W at 28 V for high PAR (peak to average ratio) and pulsed applications. Designed using the proprietary...

TCXO for GPS applications.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Raltron's RTXY- 104 TCXO crystal oscillators are designed specifically for GPS applications. The electrical specifications and availability of typical frequencies such as 16.367667, 16.368 and 16.369 MHz are directly...

Digital signal controllers feature lower pin count.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Microchip Technology Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Microchip Technology announces 10 dsPIC33 28-and 44-pin 16-bit digital signal controllers (DSCs) for motor control designs that require increased memory or performance or enhanced peripherals while obtaining cost and...

WiMAX custom matrix.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Renaissance Electronics Corporation announces its compact DC-6 GHz multifunctional WiMax custom matrix that is designed with instrumentation to the DUT ports that are synthesized to RF configurations. With a total of...

Silicone gaskets feature acrylic adhesive backings.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2008... Stockwell Elastomerics announces its silicone foam and closed cell silicone sponge enclosure gaskets and cushioning pads with high- strength pressure sensitive acrylic adhesives for bonding to powder coated metal surfaces and certain low...

Attenuator features dynamic range of 110 dB.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Trilithic Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Trilithic, Inc. announces its Model BMA-35110-R wide band bench-mount step attenuator. It features a dynamic range of 110 dB in 1 dB steps over a frequency range of DC-3000 MHz. Attenuation accuracy is [+ or -] 0.5...

PCB design cycle time cut in half.(TECHNOLOGY AWARD)
May 1, 2008... Mentor Graphics Corporation and Agilent Technologies Inc. have jointly developed a solution that can significantly improve productivity for the design of RF circuits on printed circuit boards. The solution is expected to cut PCB design cycle...