Elektor.uk: News

Sensor+Test 2008

Tue, 13 May 2008 16:07:46 GMT

The organisers report that the Sensor+Test fair which closed last Thursday (8 May 2008) and was held over 3 days from the 6th of May, was visited by approximately 7,900 people (2007: 8,600), and 562 exhibitors (2007, 61) spread over 20.000 m 3 (2007: 23.000 m³) showed their products. The slight decline in visitors and exhibitors was ascribed to a parallel event held in Stuttgart which showed products in the sensor technology and instrumentation fields. The next Sensor+Test will be held from ...

Flowcode for ARM microcontrollers

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:37:07 GMT

Matrix have recently launched a new version of their popular graphical programming language for microcontrollers – ‘Flowcode for ARM microcontrollers’. 32 bit ARM microcontrollers are now available for the same price as 8-bit micros but offer massive advantages to developers: low power, more I/O lines, several times more ROM and RAM than a typical 8 bit micro, full floating point and maths libraries and a massive increase in processing speed and power. This new version ...

Kit enables easy RF modem development

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:31:35 GMT

Microchip Technology Inc. has announced that the Integration Associates' EZLink Development Kit (Microchip part # TDKEZ915) is available on the www.microchipdirect.com e-commerce website for USD 240. The kit gives wireless customers an easy development route for sub-GHz RF modems. The EZLink radio module contains an onboard PIC18F2520 8-bit flash microcontroller and Integration's IA4421 EZRadio transceiver. The EZLink development kit provides a complete, ready-to-use ...

Audio processor incorporates MIDI synthesiser

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:31:28 GMT

CSR and QSound Labs Inc. have announced that CSR’s MusiCore1 is now being offered with mQSynth™, a powerful wavetable MIDI synthesiser from QSound. The CSR MusiCore1 is the world’s first fully featured single-chip stereo audio processor with Bluetooth for mobile phones. With QSound’s mQSynthm, the MusiCore1 can support a full spectrum of audio features, including polyphonic ringtones, multi-track game audio and user interface sounds. CSR’s MusiCore1 technology gives ...

Keithley releases new edition of Switching Handbook

Wed, 07 May 2008 09:31:14 GMT

Keithley Instruments, Inc. has released the sixth edition of its Switching Handbook: A Guide to Signal Switching in Automated Test Systems. At more than 180 pages, this newest handbook covers the fundamentals of the switching function in test and measurement applications, providing useful, tutorial information on how to optimize switching test systems. The handbook is available at no charge at the link below. Thee handbook is divided into seven sections and discusses topics such as: The ...

16-bit USB microcontroller family

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:31:20 GMT

Microchip announces the 12-member PIC24FJ256GB1 microcontroller (MCU) family, which 100 nA standby current, memory up to 256 KB Flash and 16 KB RAM. The 16-bit family integrates USB 2.0 device, embedded-host, dual-role and On-the-Go (OTG) functionality. Microchip also provides software support, via free USB class drivers and applications. Applications such as reading and writing to Flash drives, interfacing to wireless networks, and system updates are all enabled through this complete, ...

870-nm infrared emitter with viewing angle of ±38°

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:31:13 GMT

Vishay broadens its optoelectronics portfolio with the introduction of a wide-viewing-angle infrared emitter in a leaded package. With its uniquely designed lens, the TSFF5510 has a viewing angle of ±38°, which enables better performance than standard 5-mm emitters. The combination of a wide viewing angle, power output up to 1A, and high speed makes the TSFF5510 infrared emitter dedicated for infrared audio and video data transmission in free-air data transmission applications with ...

72 watt AC-DC power adapter

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:56:15 GMT

Emerson Network Power has expanded its portfolio of ac-dc power adapters with the launch of a 72 watt model. The AD72 power adapter features a universal 90-264 Vac input and produces a single, fully regulated 16 Vdc output capable of delivering up to 4.5 A continuously. AD72 freestanding ac-dc power adapters provide a very flexible, pre-approved power solution for a wide variety of portable and desktop applications, including instrumentation, test and measurement systems, telecommunications and ...

Tektronix launches portable scopes for embedded design development

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:47:30 GMT

Tektronix has launched its DPO3000 Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope (DPO) series of portable models that extends the advantages first introduced with the DPO/MSO 4000 series. The DPO3000 provides triggering and decode support for the most popular serial buses used in embedded system design applications, including I2C, SPI, RS-232/422/485/UART, CAN and LIN. The scopes are also compact, measuring 14 cm deep and weighing 4 kg. The DPO3000 oscilloscope family consists of six models, ...

Energy-meter IC touts the highest functionality

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:46:35 GMT

The Maxim MAXQ3180 analogue front-end IC for polyphase electric meters measures and calculates voltage, current, power, energy, and all major power quality parameters. It integrates an 8-channel A/D converter and the company's dedicated, high-performance MAXQ microprocessor for computing a large set of polyphase multifunction energy metering parameters. Six of the input channels are dedicated to three-phase voltages and currents. One channel is dedicated to neutral-line current monitoring, ...

Brazilian licenced edition of Elektor online

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:03:38 GMT

Editorial Bolina Brasil, publishers of the Brazilian licensed edition of Elektor launched their website at www.elektorbrasil.com.br. The website has been built in close co-operation with Elektor International Media, reflecting the structure and general look and feel of the successful English, Dutch, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese websites Elektor have operated these past two years. The new Brazilian website is under editorial control of Editorial Bolina Brasil. Brazilian visitors ...

Software for PCB thermal analysis

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:03:19 GMT

AMS Technologies announces the availability of the new version of CoolitPCB, a software for board analysis developed by Daat Research Corporation. CoolitPCB calculates fine mesh models in the time it takes competitors to deliver coarse grid answers. The software costs $5900 for a perpetual license. The tool handles transient and steady state laminar and turbulent flows and accounts for forced and free convection, conduction and radiation. It reports component junction temperature, case ...

Pico Technology: 12 GHz USB sampling oscilloscope

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:32:24 GMT

Pico Technology has unveiled the PicoScope 9201, a dual-channel PC Sampling Oscilloscope with a bandwidth of 12 GHz that redefines the performance of sampling oscilloscopes at this price level. The dual-channel PicoScope 9201 uses sequential equivalent-time sampling to achieve a sampling rate of 5 TS/s. The wide bandwidth allows acquisition and measurement of fast signals with a transient response of 50 ps or faster. Timebase stability, accuracy, and a sampling interval of 200 fs ...

Elektor May 2008: one hundred and eighty-three pages

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:38:35 GMT

Although the May 2008 issue of Elektor will appear to have the usual 88 pages, there are in fact 95 more waiting for you on the Elektor website. All is revealed on page 12 in the magazine. The ‘15 Elektor Blockbusters’ ebook is available to all readers of Elektor, i.e. both faithful subscribers and newsstand buyers. Browsing the May 2008 issue you’ll once again discover the careful balance we try to maintain between the microcontroller foray (as some call it) on the one ...

Cypress PSoC(r) CapSense enables touch-sensitive media console

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:03:31 GMT

Cypress Semiconductor Corp. announced that its PSoC(r) CapSense touch sensing solution enables the touch-sensitive CineDash media console inside Acer's new Aspire 6920 and 8920G Notebook PCs. The single-chip Cypress CapSense solution enables touch-sensitive buttons, sliders and shuffle controls that provide users with a stylish, convenient way to access and control a rich array of multimedia capabilities. The CapSense device also controls LED indicator lights on the new laptops. The ...

New PMC modules offer ultra-high-performance DSP

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:42:57 GMT

Acromag has announced new PMC-VSX modules featuring a DSP-optimized Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA that is reconfigurable for high-performance I/O processing and user-developed algorithms. The PMC-VSX has DDR2 DRAM for fast data transfer to and from the FPGA and dual-port SRAM for high-speed DMA transfer to the PCI bus. A high-throughput PCI-X interface provides high data bandwidth, and various plug-in I/O extension modules are available for interfacing analogue and digital I/O signals. The ...

Secure cryptographic RFID development kit is user-friendly

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:42:43 GMT

Melexis Microelectronic Integrated Systems NV and Atmel Corporation have announced the Yuma+, development kit for contactless, high-security RFID transactions. The Yuma+ kit is based on Atmel’s secure CryptoRF chips with 64-bit embedded cryptographic engines, Atmel’s AVR microcontroller, and the Melexis MLX90121 reader IC. With the Yuma+ kit, developers of secure RFID systems do not need an in-depth understanding of the complex details of cryptography in order to deploy secure ...

Power solid-state relays

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:58:41 GMT

Weidmüller’s Power Solid-State Relays (PSSR) are available as single- and three-phase versions. In comparison with contactors and standard relays PSSRs switch without any wear and are totally silent. They can cope with capacitive and inductive current spikes. With integrated zero-voltage switching, single-phase PSSRs are eminently suitable for switching resistive loads up to 20 A in 55 °C heat. Example applications: pulsing cartridge heaters in injection molding machines ...

8 inch in-vehicle LCD with 2,500:1 contrast ratio

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:28:59 GMT

Sharp introduces the 2,500:1 High Contrast Automotive TFT LCD. The contrast ratio enables improved readability, while maintaining the high reliability and durability demanded by in-vehicle applications with an operating temperature of -30°C to 85°C. The 8 inch screen is therefore predestined for the design of high-end instrument panels whereas LCDs need to be integrated seamlessly into frequently black-colored dashboards of premium cars. This development was achieved by optimizing the ...

Play the i-TRIXX quiz and win a portable oscilloscope

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:01:51 GMT

Thanks to our friends at Velleman , Belgium , who have been kind enough to offer this portable oscilloscope, you can win this beautiful Personal Pocket Scope PPS 10! This high-tech measuring instrument, with dimensions as small as 155 x 100 x 45 mm , can communicate with a PC through a electrically isolated RS232 interface, allowing the included software to analyse measurements made ‘in the field’. The scope’s resolution is 0.1 mV and it can handle frequencies up to 2 MHz. ...

Smart-card interface features low-power operation

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:52:28 GMT

Maxim Integrated Products has introduced a low-power smart-card interface aimed at financial terminals, set-top boxes, and other smart-card reader applications. The DS8113 performs level translation between a host microcontroller and a 5-V, 3-V, or 1.8-V smart card while supplying up to 80 mA for smart-card operation. The DS8113 boasts the industry's lowest-power stop mode, which allows products to support smart-card communication and draw only 10 nA when the card is inactive. In ...

Wireless EEG system is powered by body heat and light

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:52:16 GMT

In cooperation with the Holst Centre (Eindhoven, The Netherlands), IMEC has developed a wireless 2-channel EEG system with a hybrid power source driven by body heat and ambient light. It combines a thermoelectric generator that uses heat from the subject’s temples and silicon solar cells. The entire system is wearable and resembles a set of headphones. It can supply more than 1 mW on average indoors, which is more than enough for the target application. Thermoelectric generators using ...

200mA LDO regulators with high ripple rejection and low output noise

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:42:44 GMT

Toshiba Electronics Europe (TEE) has expanded its family of low drop out (LDO) voltage regulators with a new series of CMOS devices that offer high ripple rejection ratio, low quiescent current, and very low output noise voltage. Available with output voltages from 1.5V to 5.0V, devices in this LDO regulator family (TCR5SBxx series) deliver a maximum output current of 200mA and are supplied in a SOT25 (SMV) package. Toshiba’s new LDO regulators have a low typical quiescent current of ...

ARM9 MCUs with 288 Kbytes to 2.1 Mbytes Flash

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:36:43 GMT

STMicroelectronics has increased the on-chip Flash capacity of its STR91xFA ARM966E-S based MCU family by introducing 1.1 Mbyte and 2.1 Mbyte variants. The devices are pin- and function compatible with existing 288 Kbyte and 544 Kbyte versions in LQFP-80, LQFP-128 and BGA-144 packages. As the first family to combine the ARM966E-S CPU core with Ethernet connectivity and large memory capacity including 96 Kbytes of SRAM, the STR91xFA series now further extends the performance of networked ...

Crossware: MMU support to ARM debugger

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:24:17 GMT

Crossware have added support for the ARM9 memory management unit (MMU) and fast context switch extension (FCSE) to its ARM Development Suite. This allows developers to exploit the advanced memory management features of ARM9 chips such as the Atmel AT91SAM9263 and Atmel AT91RM9200 microcontrollers. Full debugging is possible when the memory management unit is enabled even when complex virtual to physical memory translation is being used. The Crossware debugger understands the memory ...

National Instruments Introduces High-Density Industrial Digital I/O for USB

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:18:36 GMT

National Instruments today announced the NI USB-6509, a bus-powered, portable, USB digital I/O device for acquiring data in a broad range of applications. With 96 bi-directional digital I/O channels and plug-and-play USB connectivity, the device is ideal for industrial control and automated test applications yet versatile enough for general-purpose data acquisition and academic applications. The USB-6509 delivers, to a portable USB form factor, an industrial feature set of four high-reliability ...

Portable USB module supports synchronous analysis of sound and vibration

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:25:58 GMT

Data Translation has announced the DT9837A, a high-performance USB module for sound and vibration analysis. The DT9837A has four independent 24-bit integrated electronics piezoelectric (IEPE) sensor inputs that are synchronized with a tachometer input to provide time-synchronised data streams for field or laboratory use. A read-back channel from the analogue output ensures signal correlation with the input stream, output stream and tachometer. Several tachometer measuring modes allow ...

12-bit wideband D/A converter synthesizes signals from DC to 2 GHz

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:25:31 GMT

Maxim Integrated Products has introduced the MAX19693, a 12-bit, 4.0-Gsps wideband D/A converter optimised for direct digital synthesis of high-frequency and wideband signals in the first Nyquist zone. It can directly synthesisze signals in the frequency range from DC to nearly 2 GHz. The MAX19693 achieves a spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of greater than 70 dBc for output frequencies below 800 MHz and 62 dBc at an output frequency of 1500 MHz. At a 4.0-Gsps ...

Li-Ion/Polymer battery charger IC with input protection

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:28:13 GMT

By integrating an isolated OVP switch, AnalogicTech’s AAT3783 Li-Ion/Polymer battery charger offers protection against single point failures up to 28 V while reducing component count and simplifying design. The AAT3783 is a 1 A linear Li-ion/Polymer battery charger IC with an integrated over-voltage protection (OVP) switch. Designed to charge 4.2 V Li-ion /Polymer battery cells from either AC or USB inputs, the charger IC also features a digital thermal management system ...

The Embedded Masterclass 2008 - London, UK and Bristol, UK: 08/05/2008, 13/05/08

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:41:03 GMT

With its focus on leading edge embedded technology and tools, the Embedded Masterclass has gained a reputation for being 'useful and informative', a chance to meet with vendors and engineers in a non-sales environments and a chance to listen to technical presentations from key industry leaders. The Embedded Linux Workshop will show how to build a working embedded Linux system, using an ARM development board as the target. Topics covered include cross-development tools, kernel ...

Microchip Introduces High-Voltage Linear Regulators (LDOs)

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:55:51 GMT

Microchip announces MCP1790 and MCP1791 high-voltage linear regulators (LDOs). With a continuous 70 mA output, the ability to operate at a continuous input voltage of up to 30V and load-dump protection up to 43.5V, the new LDOs are ideal for automotive and industrial applications. They also feature low quiescent current, low shutdown current and ceramic capacitor stability, which enable smaller, ultra-efficient designs at lower costs. The MCP179X LDOs were designed for use in applications ...

IR LEDs in PLCC-2 packages specified for single device and array applications

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:02:44 GMT

Providing design engineers with a family of versatile, high stability infrared light sources, TT electronics OPTEK Technology has developed a comprehensive range of surface mount infrared LEDs. Designated the OP180 Series and OP280 Series, the infrared LEDs are housed in plastic leadless PLCC-2 packages and feature a silicon encapsulant that increases the operational life of the component. The surface mount infrared LED family consists of the following components: OP180 - high power GaAs ...

New Elektor movies on YouTube

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:51:45 GMT

Where our UK competitors EW and EPE seem stuck in the past as far as new media technologies are concerned to support, announce and generally liven up electronics projects, Elektor has its own channel on YouTube and is happily adding movies. No beautiful actresses, sorry, but the sort of tech stuff readers buy our magazine for. The Elektor/Microdrones Quadrocopter can be seen in action at Embedded Nuremberg, 2008. The lightweight, extremely agile craft was decidedly ‘flown’ by ...

TI and Aptina announce HD IP camera reference design

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:10:41 GMT

Texas Instruments (TI) and Aptina Imaging have announced a high-definition (HD) IP camera reference design, the DM355IPNC-MT5. Based on TI’s TMS320DM355 DaVinci processor and Aptina’s 5-megapixel sensor, the camera can serve up simultaneous 720p and CIF MPEG-4 streams with G.711 audio. The DM355IPNC-MT5 comes in a low-end version and a mid-range version. Both are based on the DM355, which features an ARM 9 running at 216 or 270 MHz and coprocessors for MPEG-4 and MJPEG ...

Programmable LED driver targets automotive applications

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:09:24 GMT

Maxim Integrated Products has introduced the MAX16816, a high-voltage, programmable, high-brightness (HB) LED driver for automotive and general lighting applications. The MAX16816 is designed to meet the requirements of the latest front-light automotive designs, such as high- and low-beam assemblies, adaptive front light systems, daytime running lights (DRLs), and fog lamps. The device is also well suited for high-power floodlighting, down lighting, and projection systems that require ...

Portuguese licenced edition of Elektor online 1 April 2008

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:19:58 GMT

Editorial Bolina, publishers of the Portuguese licensed edition of Elektor today launch their website at www.elektor.com.pt . The website has been built in close co-operation with Elektor International Media, reflecting the structure and general look and feel of the successful English, Dutch, Spanish, French and German websites Elektor have operated these past two years. The new Portuguese website is under editorial control of Editorial Bolina. Elektor congratulate Editorial Bolina on the ...

Battery authentication ICs

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:51:56 GMT

Intersil has introduced a battery authentication ICs for cell phones. The ISL9206 and ISL9206A are battery authentication ICs that incorporate Intersil’s FlexiHash+ engine. It provides very high levels of security using a basic challenge/response scheme based on 32-bit challenge code and 8-bit response code. FlexiHash+ employs two sets of 32-bit secrets for generating authentication code to offer tens of billions of potential configurations for users. And with 16x8 one-time programmable ...

Elektor April 2008 issue on sale from 27 March 2008

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:12:32 GMT

The April 2008 issue of Elektor went on sale on Thursday 27 March 2008 in UK newsstands and bookshops and selected Tesco stores! The issue is packed with articles for a wide audience including high-end audio fans, software & embedded addicts and microcontroller enthusiasts, not forgetting beginners, students and those who like news and background stories from the electronics industry. Microcontrollers have a strong presence in the issue: DigiButler (part 1) describes a powerful home ...

Load switches with controlled slew rate simplify portable electronics designs

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:46:07 GMT

Fairchild Semiconductor has introduced the FPF1007-1009 series of advanced load switches with multiple slew-rate options that protect circuits from undesirable voltage and current transients. Targeting portable electronics designs, the FPF1007-9 series has been specifically designed to protect applications with capacitive loads. During turn-on, these loads typically cause transient current spikes and voltage sags, which may cause problems in the end application. The FPF1007-9 family ...

MPLAB starter kit for DSCs adds digital audio to embedded designs

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:45:46 GMT

Microchip Technology Inc. has announced its MPLAB Starter Kit for dsPIC DSCs (part # DM330011), which is a complete hardware and software tool suite for exploring applications based upon Microchip’s dsPIC DSCs. With a built-in debugger on the board, you can simply install the software and connect the USB cable to the PC. After you start up the MPLAB IDE you are in full control, able to run the sample programs and download and test your own applications. The development system ...

7.0-inches TFT display with 16:9 format and LED backlight

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:50:45 GMT

Gleichmann Electronics presents part number NL8048BC19-02, the 7.0 inches TFT display, designed by NEC LCD Technologies and built using twisted nematic (TN) technology. It has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and is controlled via a selectable 6-bit or 8-bit low-voltage differential signalling (LVDS) interface. Luminance is 400 cd/m² and contrast ratio 500:1. A foil technology allows both horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 160° typical. An additional feature is the ...

ESP Technologies

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:13:36 GMT

ESP was formed in 2005 to fill a gap in the market for electronic design services by integrating design capability with follow-through into volume manufacturing. Specialising in the housing, thermal management, EMC design, MMI design and productionisation of electronic products, ESP has established a solid track record in bringing new projects to a successful launch in short timescales. The two key directors of ESP Technologies are Andrew Brickell, Technical Director, who has more ...

New Cypress CapSense Express(tm) is fastest button and slider replacement

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:11:10 GMT

Cy press Semiconductor Corp. introduced the CapSense Ex press (tm) capacitive touch sensing solution for button and slider replacement. The CapSense Ex press solution enables designers to implement up to 10 buttons and/or sliders in as little as five minutes — with no coding. The PSoC Ex press (tm) visual embedded system design tool and CapSense Ex press configuration tool allow designers to monitor and tune the performance of the buttons and sliders in real time using a graphical user ...

Zero-IF Tuner

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:04:48 GMT

Maxim introduces the MAX2117 zero-IF (ZIF) tuner for UHF-band MMDS applications. This device receives QPSK signals in the 470 MHz to 1000 MHz range and down-converts them to baseband for demodulation. Specifically designed for China 's UHF-band MMDS systems, the MAX2117 is compatible with most DVB-S demodulators. A 8dB (typ) noise figure, combined with a better than 25 dB (typ.) adjacent-channel protection ratio (ACPR), makes this device ideal for MMDS applications. The MAX2117 operates ...

Remembering Sir Arthur C. Clarke

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:13:59 GMT

Science fiction writer and visionary Sir Arthur C. Clarke died on 19 March 2008 in Colombo , Sri Lanka , at the age of 90. He was born on 16 December 1917 in Minehead, Somerset in the United Kingdom and moved to Sri Lanka ; then called Ceylon , in 1956. The international telecommunication community will remember Sir Arthur for making popular the concept of using the geostationary orbit for communications. In October 1945, Clarke published in the British magazine Wireless World a technical paper ...

Altera and Bitec deliver platform for next-generation video system development

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:33:34 GMT

Altera and Bitec, Ltd. today announced the availability of a video development kit that enables designers to rapidly develop and prototype high-performance, cost-sensitive video applications. At the heart of the kit are Altera’s Cyclone® III FPGAs, which are an ideal video processing platform given the device’s large parallel processing capabilities with up to 288 multipliers, 4-Mbit embedded memory blocks, and low power consumption. The kit supports multiple video I/O formats, ...

The Reference "MOST Book"

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:50:27 GMT

Complete information compiled on the subject of MOST is now available as a standard work: The reference "MOST Book" provides an introduction to the technology and applications of the multimedia standard MOST (Media Orientated Systems Transport). Not intended to replace the official MOST specifications, it gives a overview introducing these specifications. This compendium is published in the series Electronics & Electrical Technology library of the Franzis Verlag. The authors are a ...

DisplayPort to HDMI/DVI level shifter supports legacy displays

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:51:24 GMT

Maxim Integrated Products has introduced the MAX9406, a fast, low-skew, quad-channel level shifter for DisplayPort to HDMI/DVI adapters that enables PCs with a DisplayPort output to directly drive an HDMI/DVI-capable display, such as an LCD screen. The MAX9406 lets PC and graphics card manufacturers design for the DisplayPort specification while supporting legacy HDMI/DVI displays with a low-cost level shifter. It can also level-shift a differential video data stream from a PCI Express ...

National Instruments: highest-accuracy multifunction data acquisition devices with USB

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:25:14 GMT

National Instruments has announced a new line of M Series USB data acquisition (DAQ) devices with 18-bit analogue input accuracy at sampling rates up to 625 kS/s. The NI USB-6281 and USB-6289 feature an 18-bit ADC, which provides a 4X increase in resolution over traditional 16-bit devices, equivalent to more than 5½ digits of resolution for DC measurements. These devices also offer enhanced analogue output channels that feature programmable range and offset settings. In addition to standard ...

Plug-and-play crypto chip for host-side security

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:51:02 GMT

Atmel Corp. has released its CryptoCompanion chip, which provides plug-and-play host-side cryptographic security for embedded systems that are prone to counterfeiting, firmware theft or violation of licensing agreements. This means that designers do not have to design or test the cryptographic algorithms. Systems likely to fall victim to counterfeiting schemes include printers and printer cartridges, appliances with smart batteries, set-top boxes, video game consoles, video game cartridges, ...

Microchip 32-bit PIC32 MCU family gets USB on-the-go

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:37:02 GMT

Microchip announces the addition of integrated USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG) functionality to its 32-bit PIC32 microcontroller family. The PIC32 family brings more performance and memory to embedded designers while maintaining pin, peripheral and software compatibility with Microchip’s 16-bit microcontroller and DSC families. The maximum operating frequency for the PIC32 family has been increased to 80 MHz, which further extends the performance reach of the new 32-Bit PIC32 microcontroller ...

Warm white SMD LEDs with 1800 to 7100mcd

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:57:48 GMT

Vishay released two series of warm white power SMD LEDs. The VLMW611 series is offered in the CLCC-6 package, while the VLMW621 series features the CLCC-6 flat package, which offers an height profile of 0.9mm. The devices utilize InGan Technology to offer luminous intensity range of 1800mcd to 7100mcd. Their thermal resistance allows these devices to handle the additional current drive needed for maximum light output while maintaining a long service life of up to 50,000 hours. The LEDs are ...

USB power management switches feature adjustable current limit

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:44:09 GMT

Texas Instruments Inc. has introduced power distribution switches with an integrated FET that can be set to support a 100-mA to 1.1-A current limit range for a standard USB port or other applications requiring a current limited switch. The power management IC efficiently protects an input voltage supply against potential short-circuit conditions that may occur when using a USB connection in a mobile phone, notebook computer, LCD TV, set-top box, gaming system or IP phone. TI's ...

DSP starter kit with Spartan-3A DSP FPGA for low-cost applications

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:44:02 GMT

Xilinx has announced a low-cost starter called XtremeDSP Starter Kit – Spartan-3A DSP FPGA Edition. It provides a complete basis for developing DSP designs for cost-sensitive applications such as portable medical equipment, low-cost wireless infrastructure, flat panel displays, and other applications that require DSP performance with low cost and low power. This starter kit features the low-cost Spartan-3A DSP 1800 FPGA, which offers more than 20 billion multiply-accumulates per ...

Elektor at Embedded World 2008 - with Quadrocopter & Co.

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:58:19 GMT

Elektor was again present at the ‘Embedded World’ show in Nürnberg , Germany , on 26, 27 and 28 February 2008. The Elektor crew had a few fun days there, ‘talking shop’ with readers and subscribers, discussing technology and getting feedback on published projects and articles. The ATM18 board described in the April 2008 issue and linked to the German ‘CC2’ ComputerClub TV programme was showcased and got a lot of attention. Future instalments of the series ...

Dual Photo Diode

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:36:18 GMT

Prema Semiconductor announces the release of their first optical standard component PR5001, a dual photo diode for the near infrared range. An active area of two times 0.75mmx1.2mm is packaged in a clear DFN package with a size of 1.8mmx2.9mm. Prema´s silicon photo diodes have separate cathodes and a common anode. They offer a low dark current in the range of less than 100pA at reverse voltages of up to 20V. The capacitance of the photo diodes of less than 60pF at 10Volts allows the use for ...

Versatile triple supervisor

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:08:25 GMT

Linear Technology introduces the LTC2919, a versatile triple supervisor that monitors its own supply voltage and two adjustable inputs. Polarity selection and a buffered reference output allow the LTC2919 to monitor a combination of two positive or negative supplies for undervoltage (UV) and overvoltage (OV) conditions. The two inputs have a nominal 0.5V threshold and tight ±1.5% accuracy over the full temperature range. In addition to monitoring the two adjustable inputs for UV or OV, the ...

i-TRIXX presents: build your own circuits and have fun!

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:02:56 GMT

Are you familiar with i-TRIXX? This free e-zine from the makers of Elektor, the electronics monthly, is published every Wednesday. i-TRIXX comes packed with news and all the latest on the internet, computers, electronics gadgets and gaming. Besides, the e-zine also covers simple but useful circuits for home construction. Elektor’s renowned electronics lab employs a team of experienced engineers surrounded by professional test and measurement equipment. The Elektor lab output and ...

Elnec BeeHive8S stand-alone multiprogramming system

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:03:14 GMT

BeeHive8S is an extremely fast universal 8x 48-pindrive Stand-Alone concurrent multiprogramming system designed for high volume production programming with minimal operator effort. The chips are programmed at near maximum programming speed. The programmer consists of 8 independent isolated universal programming modules, based on popular single-site BeeProg+ programmer hardware. This allows sockets to run asynchronously (concurrent programming mode). Each programming module starts programming the ...

Microphone array amplifier cuts background noise

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:30:05 GMT

National Semiconductor has introduced the PowerWise LMV1088 dual-input microphone array amplifier, the first in a line of audio products using analogue far-field noise suppression technology. The device is said to reduce background noise and improve voice communication clarity in applications such as mobile phones, two-way radios and powered headsets, while at the same time consuming one-tenth the power of comparable DSP or microprocessor-based software systems. According to the company, ...

ST offers freeTCP/IP stack with STR91x MCUs

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:30:37 GMT

STMicroelectronics offers the NicheLite TCP/IP stack free of charge with its STR91x 32-bit flash microcontrollers, which are designed for networking applications. ST and InterNiche tailored the standard stack for optimal performance with the STR91x. The stack capabilities can also be easily extended with add-on modules already available from InterNiche. As a fully-featured TCP/IP stack with a memory footprint of less than 12 KB, NicheLite provides memory efficiency, low cost and ...

Worldwide sales of semiconductors January 2008

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:59:00 GMT

Worldwide sales of semiconductors in January were $21.5 billion, a nominal increase of 0.03 percent from January 2007, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported. Sales declined by 3.6 percent from December 2007 when the industry reported sales of $22.3 billion. SIA said the sequential decline in sales was in line with traditional seasonal patterns for the industry.

Embedded World 2008: 27% more visitors

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:55:51 GMT

The Nuremburg Fair organisers reported that 17,341 people visited the fair embedded world 2008 that ended on the 28th February. This is an increase of 27% compared to the previous year’s event. 1,250 visitors participated in the parallel "embedded world Conference" and the "electronic displays Conference" congresses. The event will be held again from 3 - 5 March 2009.

Tektronix launches H600 RFHawk Signal Hunter

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:10:01 GMT

Tektronix Communications launched the H600 RFHawk™, its handheld, digital RF signal hunter solution for the surveillance and security market. The H600 RFHawk combines a high performance spectrum analyzer with an intuitive set of user controls, allowing for the quick and simple classification and location of both analog and digital RF transmissions. The importance of quickly tracking down signals that may be used for disruptive, illegal purposes has grown significantly in recent ...

i-TRIXX: free in your mailbox every Wednesday!

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 10:53:37 GMT

Are you familiar with i-TRIXX? This free (!) e-zine from the makers of Elektor, the electronics monthly, is published every Wednesday. i-TRIXX is packed with news and all the latest on the internet, computers, electronics gadgets and gaming. Besides, the e-zine also covers simple but useful circuits for home construction. Are you confident about your knowledge of computers and electronics? Then play the i-TRIXX Quizz and enter a prize draw. All you have to do is answer five questions a ...

Hot-swap controller provides adjustable current limit

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:52:03 GMT

Linear Technology Corp. has introduced the LTC4218 hot-swappable controller for protecting boards with load supply voltages ranging from 2.9 V to 26.5 V. The LTC4218 uses an external N-channel pass MOSFET in the power path to limit the inrush current during power-up and thus enable safe board insertion and removal from a live backplane. An adjustable current limit allows users to vary the current limit threshold under various load conditions, such as disk drive spin-up to normal ...

Tiny board does high-performance DSP

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:42:54 GMT

Critical Link today announced the MityDSP-Pro, a high-end edition of its customisable MityDSP platform. The MityDSP-Pro features a Texas Instruments (TI) TMS320C6455 DSP clocked at 1.2 GHz, which gives the MityDSP-Pro five to six times the processing power of the original MityDSP. The MityDSP-Pro targets data- and processing-intensive applications, including embedded radar control and signal processing, high-data-rate real-time data acquisition, image processing, video processing, and test ...

Digital controller chip speeds intelligent supply design

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:49:05 GMT

The Analog Devices ADP1043 secondary-side digital PWM power control and management IC provides designers with a highly integrated circuit architecture and the flexibility to configure system power supply parameters in a matter of minutes using an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI). Design engineers with no prior programming experience can quickly adjust power functions such as frequency, timing, voltage settings and protection limits. According to an Analog Devices spokesman, the ...

Europe invests in real-time Java for multicore systems

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:40:35 GMT

With support from the European Commission, the Java Environment for Parallel Real-time Development (JEOPARD) project is investing over €3.3 million (about ₤2 million) in an advanced framework for real-time Java running on multicore and parallel systems. This platform-independent framework will maintain the robust reliability essential for safety-critical and mission-critical applications, while using the additional processing power available from the latest parallel platforms. ...

Low power 15,000-gate FPGAs for 99 cents

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:36:24 GMT

Actel announced the addition of two members to its IGLOO and ProASIC3 field-programmable gate array (FPGA) families starting at just 99 cents. Comparable in density to 128 macrocell complex programmable logic device (CPLD) offerings, the 15,000-gate devices offer power consumption as low as 5 microwatts (5µW). The FPGAs provide an alternative to FPGAs and CPLDs in consumer, medical, communications and industrial applications, such as portable media players, smart phones, memory card ...

Three-channel step-down converters

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:12:19 GMT

AnalogicTech has introduced two mini-Power Management Units (PMUs) that combine three step-down DC/DC converters in a single monolithic IC. Targeted at portable devices with rapidly evolving feature sets, the 3-channel AAT2784 and AAT2785 allow designers to add one 1.5A synchronous step-down converter and two 300mA synchronous step-down converters or one 1.5A synchronous step-down converter and two 600mA synchronous step-down converters respectively, without radically altering their existing ...

Wanted: your circuits and experiments!

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:06:16 GMT

Elektor’s Summer Circuits edition for the year 2008 will once again contain a lively collection of smaller projects, circuits and experiments. The summer being the time of the year when lots of things can be done out of doors, we thought we’d focus the issue on outdoor electronics in the widest sense of the word. Everything electronic you use in the garden, on your (motor) bike, ultralight, Segway, or hiking, camping, sailing or flying. If you have projects that fit the bill, do not ...

PSoC FirstTouch kit for under $30

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:30:21 GMT

The PSoC® FirstTouch TM Starter Kit from Cypress Semiconductor Corp. is a USB thumbdrive kit that provides a quick, easy and affordable way for embedded customers to evaluate the integration, flexibility, and real mixed-signal programmability of PSoC mixed-signal arrays. Wihout writing or debugging a single line of C or Assembly code, the PSoC FirstTouch Starter Kit, working with Cy press 's PSoC Ex press TM visual embedded system design tool, provides designers with CapSense touch, ...

Miniature Z-Foil resistors

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:49:48 GMT

Vishay announces the Z202 series of miniature ultra-high-precision Z-Foil resistors, which provide a typical TCR of ±0.05ppm/°C from 0°C to +60°C, PCR (ΔR due to self heating) of ±5ppm at rated power, tolerances to ±0.01%, load life stability of ±0.01%, and can be trimmed to any specific value at any tolerance within the standard resistance range of 5Ω to 30kΩ. The Z202 is a miniaturized version of Vishay’s Z201. Constructed with a Bulk ...

RAMBUS XDR memory architecture named 2008 DesignVision winner

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:47:17 GMT

Rambus Inc. announced that the International Engineering Consortium (IEC) has chosen the Rambus XDR (tm) memory architecture as the winner in the 2008 DesignVision Awards category for Semiconductors and ICs (IP). The IEC DesignVision Awards recognize technologies, applications, products, and services judged to be the most unique and beneficial to the industry. "This year's winners exemplify the highest level of innovation in today's industry," commented IEC Executive Vice ...

Verotec strengthens direct sales route and tech support

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:32:57 GMT

Verotec, the successor company to Vero Electronics and APW, are pleased to announce that a new online shop, www.verotecshop.co.uk will be launched on March 1st 2008. Well-known APW / VERO products such as KM6-II subracks & front panels, Diplomat, LBX & Verotec cases, fan trays, 19" rack cases and many others can now be purchased either directly or through the new on-line shop. Selected sizes from all ranges are also available from the leading pan-European catalogue ...

Display MCU interfaces TFT with Linux

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:47:49 GMT

Renesas Technology Europe announced today the immediate availability of the SH7721 microcontroller for battery-operated devices that use TFT displays and feature-rich Linux user interfaces. The SH7721 SH-3-based microcontroller has 170 DMIPS performance, 32 KB unified cache, and a five-stage pipeline. It integrates a TFT controller with up to 1024x1024 resolution, depending on colour depth, and a dedicated 2.4-KB line-buffer RAM to prevent flickering. Further support for state-of-the-art ...

Power Metal Strip Resistors for 275 degrees Celsius

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:31:45 GMT

Vishay announced two high-temperature, surface-mount Power Metal Strip resistors in 3921 and 5931 case sizes to offer an operating temperature range of –65°C to +275°C. The proprietary construction of the WSLT3921 and WSLT5931 devices incorporates a solid metal iron-chrome alloy resistive element with low TCR (<20PPM/°C) and specially selected and stabilized material for high-temperature capability. The devices are suited for all types of current-sensing, voltage ...

Control kit targets three-phase brushless PMSM motors

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:48:19 GMT

STMicroelectronics has announced a complete three-phase motor-control development kit based on the STM32 Flash microcontroller, to enable users to evaluate this 32-bit solution and start development of their own sensorless motor-control application. The STM32 uses the powerful ARM® Cortex™-M3 core, developed specifically to address the requirements of cost-sensitive home-appliance and industrial applications that need high MCU performance with exceptional energy efficiency. ST is the ...