http://www.epn-online.com/enCopyright 2007 - Reed Business InformationFri, 25 Jul 2008 12:48:54 +0200Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:48:54 +0200EPN Onlinelchevalier@reedbusiness.frlchevalier@reedbusiness.frhttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rsshttp://www.epn-online.com/page/new59013/allegro-unleashes-automotive-3-phase-mosfet-driver.htmlnew59013The new A4935 from Allegro MicroSystems Europe is an automotive-grade 3-phase MOSFET pre-driver IC targeted at automotive and industrial applications. This third-generation device includes enhanced performance and operational features, and is suitable for systems that use sinusoidal control of the motor phase currents. This commutation method provides smooth operation, reducing audible noise and minimising torque ripple at the load. The A4935 is targeted at the rapid growth in 3-phase brushless DC motor applications in the automotive and industrial sectors. The new device integrates a regulating charge pump which provides full gate drive capability for battery voltages down to 7V and reduced gate drive for battery voltages of 5.5 V. Also included are performance enhancements of the current sense amplifier and better fault diagnostics and reporting to decode and identify faults. Features such as top-off charge pump and bootstrap charge management make the A4935  easier to manage in terms of ensuring an adequate bootstrap capacitor charge under varying PWM conditions. Other features include cross-conduction protection with adjustable dead time and a low-current 'sleep' mode. The A4935KJP-T is supplied in a small-footprint 48L eLQFP small profile thermally efficient exposed-pad package which is lead (Pb) free with 100% matte tin leadframe plating.Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new58999/cypress-unveils-2-mbit-and-8-mbit-nvsrams.htmlnew58999Cypress Semiconductor has introduced 2-Mbit and 8-Mbit non-volatile static random access memories (nvSRAMs), extending Cypress's nvSRAM portfolio from 16-Kbit to 8-Mbit. The new devices feature access times of 20ns, infinite read, write and recall cycles, and 20-year data retention. They offer a good solution for applications requiring continuous high-speed writing of data and non-volatile data security. Systems requiring nvSRAM functionality include servers, RAID applications, harsh-environment industrial controls, automotive, medical and data communications. The CY14B102 2-Mbit nvSRAM and CY14B108 8-Mbit nvSRAM are ROHS-compliant and directly replace SRAM, battery-backed SRAM, EPROM and EEPROM devices, offering reliable non-volatile data storage without batteries. Data transfers from the SRAM to the device's nonvolatile elements take place automatically at power down. On power up, data is restored to the SRAM from the nonvolatile memory. Both operations are also available under software control. The new nvSRAMs are manufactured on Cypress's S8 0.13-micron SONOS (Silicon Oxide Nitride Oxide Silicon) embedded nonvolatile memory technology, enabling high densities and improved access times and performance. The 2- and 8-Mbit nvSRAMs have an available Real-Time-Clock feature that combines low standby oscillator current with high performance integrated memory, enabling event time-stamping supported by non-volatile memory. nvSRAMs offer a suitable alternative for fast, non-volatile memory. They reduce board space and design complexity and are economical and reliable. The new products are new in a series of nvSRAMs from Cypress, which also includes 16-Kbit, 64-Kbit, 256-Kbit, 1-Mbit and 4-Mbit devices currently shipping in production volumes.Cypress will use the S8 technology in next generation PSoC mixed-signal arrays, OvationONS laser navigation sensors, programmable clocks and other products. SONOS is compatible with standard CMOS technologies and offers advantages including high endurance, low power, and radiation hardness. Cypress's 2-Mbit and 8-Mbit nvSRAMs are currently sampling, with production starting in the third quarter of 2008. The devices are available in 48-pin FBGA and 44- and 54-pin TSOPII packages.Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59084/adeunis-unveils-arf53-modem.htmlnew59084The ARF53 from Adeunis RF enables two-way half duplex wireless data transmission over a range of 6000m. It integrates a multi-channel radio transceiver, a digital processing unit and a wide power supply range on the same board. Available as an IP65 enclosure ready for approved use, this modem uses the 869MHz (Europe) band according to the European directive RTTE EN300-220/EN 301-489 or the 902/928MHz (United-States) band according to the FCC Part 15.247 and is approved. Data transfer is performed through an RS232/RS485 serial port or USB interface. Configuration is performed by AT commands. It can be used without a licence and covers most "long-distance" wireless data transmission applications, from remote meter reading type point to point transmission to constitution of cordless multipoint local networks, in sectors of activity such as automation, robotics, remote management and more generally all types of applications requiring long range or in a particular disturbed environment.Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59059/ir-launches-three-phase-gate-driver-ics.htmlnew59059International Rectifier has launched the IRS233x(D) family of three-phase gate driver ICs for low-, mid-, and high-voltage motor drive applications including permanent magnet (PM) motor drives for air conditioners, washing machines, pumps and fans, and micro, mini and general purpose inverter drives. The IRS233x(D) is a high-voltage, high speed power MOSFET and IGBT three-phase bridge- driver with referenced output channels to provide 200 mA/420 mA drive current at up to 20 V MOS gate drive capability operating up to 600 V. The new devices feature an integrated ground-referenced operational amplifier to provide analogue feedback of the bridge current through an external current sense resistor and optional integrated bootstrap diode to reduce external part count and reduce PCB size. This family provides protection including proprietary negative voltage spike (Vs) immunity for safe operation under extreme switching conditions and short circuit events. The output drivers feature a high pulse current buffer stage designed for minimum driver cross-conduction. Propagation delays are matched to simplify use at high frequencies. The floating channel can be used to drive N-channel power MOSFET or IGBT in the high-side configuration. The new ICs utilise IR's new high-voltage IC process which incorporates next-generation high-voltage level-shifting and termination technology to deliver good electrical over-stress protection and higher field reliability. In addition to over-current detection input, the IRS233x(D) features under-voltage lock-out protection, integrated deadtime protection, shoot-through protection, fault-reporting, and is compatible with 3.3 V input logic. The IRS233x(D) range is available in 44-pin PLCC and 28-pin SOIC (wide body) and the devices are RoHS compliant.Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59057/maxim-introduces-max9257-max9258-serdes-chipset.htmlnew59057Maxim Integrated Products has introduced new members of its high-speed LVDS serialiser/deserialiser (SerDes) family: the MAX9257/MAX9258 SerDeschipset. This chipset forms a complete, bidirectional digital video link between an automotive ECU and camera. Communicating over a single, DC-balanced twisted-pair or differential line, this chipset simplifies design and reduces system cost. It eliminates the need for an external CAN or LIN interface, enables programming of camera settings through a UART/I2C control channel on a frame-by-frame basis, and allows isolation between the serialiser and deserialiser through AC-coupling. Additionally, the MAX9257/MAX9258 feature patented spread-spectrum modulation and a programmable serial data rate to reduce EMI and allow the use of lower cost cables and connectors. This chipset is suitable for automotive camera applications such as sign recognition, collision avoidance, night vision, and lane departure. The MAX9257/MAX9258 are also suitable for automotive cameras with different resolutions and speeds. They provide hot-swapping to increase fault tolerance and allow "on-the-fly" frequency programming. To ensure efficient use of ECU bandwidth, they utilise built-in error detection to alert the ECU when video or control-channel data is corrupted. Additionally, an integrated self-test feature checks for link integrity at system power-up. The MAX9257/MAX9258 operate from a 3.3V core supply and feature a separate input supply for interfacing with 1.8V to 3.3V logic levels. The MAX9257 is available in 5mm x 5mm, 40-pin TQFN or 48-pin LQFP packages; the MAX9258 is offered in a 48-pin LQFP package. Both devices are fully specified over the -40°C to +105°C operating temperature range.Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59015/vishay-unveils-white-power-smd-leds.htmlnew59015Vishay Intertechnology has released high-intensity white power SMD LEDs in the CLCC-2 flat ceramic package. The robust and light-efficient VLMW82.. series devices offer low thermal resistance of 20K/W and high optical power from 9000mcd to 18000mcd for thermal-sensitive applications. With a low profile of 0.75mm, the CLCC-2 flat ceramic package of the VLMW82.. series LEDs allows the additional current drive for a maximum light output while maintaining a high service life of up to 50,000 hours, making them suitable light sources in space-limited applications where thermal management is a key consideration. The new devices are optimised for display backlighting and illumination in automotive and transport, consumer, and general applications. An eco-friendly alternative to CCFL display backlighting, the Vishay CLCC-2 LED offers high efficiencies in brightness, lifetime and power savings in a compact package (3.3mm x 3.4mm). Typical end products include flashes for cameras; retail and window displays; emergency lighting and signs; household appliances; and automotive instrument panels and exterior lighting, such as brake lights and turn signals.Utilising InGaN technology, the LEDs offer a typical luminous flux of 35000 mlm and optical efficiency of 40lm/W at 100mA. The devices feature a luminous intensity ratio per package unit of IV max/IV min ≤1.6, forward voltage up to 4.3V, and 60° half-intensity angle. The VLMW82.. series of LEDs are compatible with IR-reflow solder processes, in accordance with CECC 00802 and J-STD-020C. Preconditioned according to JEDEC Level 4 standards, the CLCC-2 flat package is lead (Pb)-free and RoHS-compliant. The devices are automotive qualified AEC-Q101 and offer an ESD-withstand voltage up to 1kV in accordance with JESD22-A114-B. Samples of the new VLMW82.. series of high-intensity white power SMD LEDs are available now. Production quantities will be available in July 2008, with lead times of eight weeks for larger orders.Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59034/infineon-unveils-rf-transmitter-ic.htmlnew59034Infineon Technologies has introduced a family of integrated next-generation transmitter ICs for wireless control applications. All members of the new SmartLEWIS MCU PMA71xx family include an ASK/FSK multi-band transmitter for the sub 1GHz ISM frequency bands, with an 8051 microcontroller enhanced with specific embedded mixed-signal peripherals. With the SmartLEWIS MCU family inside, remote controls are capable to use radio frequency (RF) technology. RF-based applications also benefit from an extended range of more than 50 meters. The PMA71xx products are multi-band transmitters, covering four ISM frequency bands (315 MHz, 434 MHz, 868 MHz and 915 MHz) on a single chip. In addition to an 8051 microcontroller with 6 kBytes of flash memory and 10 GPIOs, all members of the SmartLEWIS MCU family integrate an RF-transmitter consisting of an integer N PLL synthesiser and a high-efficiency power amplifier with selectable output power. The embedded multi-channel 10-bit ADC includes flexible high-gain settings and can be used as an interface for a variety of analogue sensors, such as pressure sensors, temperature or humidity sensors. The integrated 125 kHz low-frequency (LF) receiver enables wireless wake-up in battery-operated applications and contactless device configuration. The family's peripherals include a data format encoder/decoder, a 16-bit CRC generator/checker, a pseudo random number generator, and several timers. An associated firmware function library provides functions such as AES encryption. This firmware is located in an on-chip ROM saving valuable flash memory. All family members are designed for low current consumption with a typical value of 500 nA in power-down mode and include a new power control system to help better preserve the life of the battery. The operating temperature range is in accordance with industrial market requirements from -40°C to +85°C. The SmartLEWIS MCU family today includes four products. Each product is designed particularly for wireless control applications, such as home automation, security and alarm systems, home entertainment products, and automatic meter reading systems. The SmartLEWIS MCU PMA7105 was developed for use in RF remote controls and digital sensor-based systems. The SmartLEWIS MCU PMA7106 targets wireless sensor applications using analogue sensors connected to an extra 3-channel 10-bit ADC with flexible gain settings and differential inputs. For applications requiring wireless wake-up or contactless device configuration such as active tagging, Infineon offers the SmartLEWIS MCU PMA7107 that features an additional 125 kHz LF receiver. The highly-integrated product in the PMA71xx family, the SmartLEWIS MCU PMA7110, is developed for use in new wireless systems that require a 10-bit ADC and LF receiver. Samples of devices in the SmartLEWIS MCU family are available with volume production scheduled for July 2008.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59044/framos-introduces-megaplus-series-16-megapixel-cameras.htmlnew59044Framos has introduced MegaPlus EP16000 and EC16000 series of 16 megapixel cameras with cooling system. These camera models offer the resolution and image quality needed for new industrial and scientific applications. Suitable for medical imaging digitalising, they reach a colour depth of true 12 bits per channel with a resolution of 4872 pixels × 3248 pixels. The camera is available with a colour or a greyscale sensor and features low image noise. The camera's compact enclosure houses a 16 megapixel interline progressive scan CCD with a sensor area of 36mm × 24 mm. As a result, a large area of 7.4 μm × 7.4 μm is available for each pixel. In addition, passive (EP16000) or active (EC16000) cooling and an optional fan lower the sensor's temperature and hence, image deterioration caused by dark current noise is reduced to a minimum. Camera data can be transferred at full resolution with a rate of up to 3.2 fps using a FireWire or CameraLink interconnection.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59033/infineon-introduces-1-8v-broadband-low-noise-amplifier.htmlnew59033Infineon Technologies has announced the availability of the company's new low noise amplifier (LNA), a small broadband LNA for portable and mobile TV applications. The new BGA728L7 is a TV LNA worldwide that supports 1.8V, 2.8V and 3.3V operations. It is optimised for a wide frequency range covering VHFIII, UHF and L bands, and one of the few mobile TV LNAs offering dual modes (high-gain mode and low gain mode). At high-gain mode BGA728L7 helps to improve reception sensitivity for weak signals through its good noise figure of 1.4dB combined with 16dB gain. For a strong input signal the BGA728L7 can be switched to a low-gain mode to offer higher linearity with low current consumption of 0.5 mA. The Infineon BGA728L7 supports various standards such as DVB-T, DVB-H, ISDB-T, MediaFLO, T-DMB, as well as Chinese standards including CMMB, TMMB or DMB-TH. With its high gain and good noise figure, the system sensitivity can be considerably improved. By switching to low-gain mode with input 1dB Compression Point of +3.5 dBm, the LNA can handle higher input power level and therefore increase the system's dynamic range by up to 20 dB. The fast switching time of 3.5 µs also allows it to support time-slicing-based mobile TV systems. The BGA728L7 supports wide broad supply voltage range from 1.5 V to 3.6 V. At high-gain mode, it consumes about 5mA current. The noise figure is 1.4 dB and the gain is about 16 dB with minimum variation over the complete working frequency range. At low gain mode, input IP3 (Third Order Intercept Point) is +16 dBm at a current of 0.5 mA. Due to the low voltage and low current capabilities, BGA728L7 allows higher energy efficiency for portable devices and extends their battery usage time. The on-chip 1 kV HBM ESD protection simplifies the system ESD protection effort and makes BGA728L7 robust against ESD events during the assembly process. BGA728L7 integrates a high performance SiGe bipolar transistor and also components such as active-biasing, feedback and input/output matching circuits. BGA728L7 needs three external passive. As a result, system designers of mobile phones and portable devices can use BGA728L7 to get a compact, low-power mobile TV design within short time. Samples of the BGA728L7 are available now, with volume production to begin in July 2008. Infineon provides evaluation kits to support customer designs. The BGA728L7 is shipped in a tiny leadless TSLP7-1 package of 2.0 mm x 1.3 mm x 0.4 mm in size.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59043/framos-introduces-network-attached-camera.htmlnew59043Framos has introduced a network attached camera with five megapixel resolution. With the Le575, Lumena offers a high quality network attached camera in 5 megapixel. The camera transfers six images per second at its full resolution of 2560 pixels × 1920 pixels in the form of individual JPEG compressed images or as motion JPEG coded video stream. It achieves 26 fps with a resolution of 1024 pixels x 768 pixels. As an option, the Le575 is available with direct power supply over the network cable (Power over Ethernet). The Lumenera Le575 offers configuration options for diverse security applications. Predefined actions can be performed automatically when certain events occur such as sending out up to 110 previously recorded images from the camera's buffer memory by e-mail or FTP. For reasons of reliable privacy protection, image areas not to be monitored can be masked out in the device itself. The camera offers a light sensitivity of 2 Lux at F 1.0; programmable day and night adjustments allow for an automatic changeover into an enhanced low light mode. An optional variant of the Le575 with true day/night mode is available for highly detailed imaging under extreme illumination conditions.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59032/e2v-introduces-mixed-signal-asic-development-kit.htmlnew59032e2v has announced the availability of CAPRI2.0, its new mixed signal ASIC development kit. CAPRI2.0 is a toolset for pre-developing and validating entire sensing systems and helping to improve new product time-to-market. e2v's Mixed Signal ASIC (MSA) business unit provides customised solutions for sensor data acquisition in automotive, medical and industrial markets, specifically for safety and security, energy management and pollution reduction, and health and sport applications. The nature of the sensing element to interface defines the analogue front-end of the ASIC: the critical section of the final ASIC design. Therefore, the CAPRI2.0 Development Kit comprises daughter boards, embedding an analogue front-end specific to a family of sensing elements, and a shared mother board representative of the future ASIC digital element.The shared mother board incorporates: a digital FPGA which embeds a small footprint 32-bits microcontroller core; a new and friendly open source software development interface; and all relevant hardware features for extension boards and debugging purposes. Each daughter board embeds an analogue Front-End IC, for example a dual channel high-resolution wheatstone bridge with D/A output, or a high-resolution low-power capacitive interface. The user simply has to connect their sensing element to the CAPRI2.0 kit to start their ASIC evaluation and development work.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new58957/digital-logic-unveils-pc-104-express-frame-grabber.htmlnew58957With the new Microspace PC/104-Express peripheral card MSMG104EX, Digital-Logic is offering a video frame grabber to connect up to 16 video cameras or one S-Video camera respectively. The compact module is equipped with four BT878 frame grabbers with 4-channel video multiplexer, a PCIe/PCI bridge and 16 TTL Inputs/Outputs. The frame grabber supports common image formats like PAL and NTSC. Software supports toggling between both formats. The bandwidth for PAL is 4x 25 frames/sec and for NTSC 4x 30 frames/sec. The maximal transfer rate is 133Mbyte/s. The video cameras are connected by SMA coaxial connectors which provide a high mechanical robustness because of bolted connection. Standard pass-through connectors allow the board to be used either above or below other PCI104 modules. It is connected to the PCI Express bus through one lane. Included in delivery are drivers for Windows or Linux and optional demo software for display and storage of 16 video streams. The MSMG104EX has dimensions of 90mm x 96mm x 17mm (W x L x H) and a weight of 120grams. It requires a 5V/3.3V power supply and operates within the standard temperature range of -25°C to +50°C. The MTBF (mean time between failures) is specified with over 100,000 hours. Typical applications are security and video surveillance, image recording (digitising), and image evaluation.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59039/silicon-introduces-isodriver-family.htmlnew59039Silicon Laboratories has introduced the Si823x ISOdriver family, fast and integrated isolated gate drivers. Suitable for power supplies, motor control and lighting systems, the ISOdriver family integrates a two-channel isolator and dual driver into a single chip while improving power efficiency, enabling customers to increase power supply density and performance. Based on Silicon Laboratories' proprietary RF isolator technology and new CMOS gate driver design, the ISOdriver family offers higher reliability, increased noise immunity and reduced PCB area. By integrating the isolator and driver into a single chip, the ISOdriver external BOM is reduced to three capacitors and a diode, allowing an isolated high-side/low-side or dual low-side driver solution that occupies 200 mm2. As an isolated, high-side, low-side, 4 Amp driver, the ISOdriver family delivers improvements in MOSFET turn-on and turn-off times. Less power is wasted during a FET switching cycle, enabling higher efficiency supplies. Integrated overlap protection also improves efficiency by preventing high-side and low-side MOSFETs from being on at the same time. The ISOdriver's shorter propagation delay of 50 ns (max) increases timing margins and improves control response for better overall system performance and reliability. The ISOdriver family's CMOS-based design has the benefit of providing tighter tolerances on unit-to-unit variations, eliminating the need for factory screening or calibration after system assembly. In addition to performance, integration and reliability advantages, the Si823x family features programmable dead-time, allowing users to optimise efficiency. Integrated under-voltage lock-out (UVLO) circuitry on both the input and output sides of the isolated driver prevents erroneous FET driver switching when input voltages are low during system start up or shut down, thus preventing damage to the supply. The Si823x family is available now. The Si823x devices are available in three input configurations and offer 0.5 and 4 Amp peak output currents. Two control interfaces are also available: two wire and PWM.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new58988/laird-unveils-heptaband-external-wireless-antenna.htmlnew58988Laird Technologies has announced the availability of its new Heptaband External Wireless Antenna. This flexible antenna exhibits good radio transmission characteristics while supporting seven bands in one profile. The seven antenna bands operate simultaneously, providing performance across Cellular Quadband GSM, UMTS/3G, GPS, and WiFi/ WLAN frequencies. This blade-style antenna measures 6.33 inches and has a knuckle/swivel snap-in or SMA/TNC/RPTNC connector option, allowing for easy integration into a variety of customer devices. Operating frequencies include 824-894 MHz, 880-960 MHz, 1575 MHz, 1710-1880 MHz, 1850-1990 MHz, 1920-2170 MHz, and 2400-2500 MHz.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59042/beck-ipc-unveils-graphical-user-interface.htmlnew59042The GC01 Graphic Controller for the IPC@CHIP SC123/143 from Beck IPC makes it easy to fit IPC@CHIP-based embedded applications with a graphic touch display. The GC01 graphic expansion can be connected easily in terms of hardware and software to the Beck IPC Embedded Controller. An entry level function kit - the FK61-GC01 Function Kit - is also available. It contains all the components required for the simple and fast development of graphical user interfaces for the IPC@CHIP. The FK61-GC01 function kit as well as preliminary versions of the GC01 graphic controller is available since May 2008.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59031/e2v-selects-electroglas-eg6000-300mm-wafer-prober.htmlnew59031e2v and Electroglas have announced that e2v has purchased an Electroglas EG6000 300mm wafer prober for their production wafer test facility in Grenoble, France. The EG6000 will allow e2v to test wafers up to 300mm diameter, with a temperature range from -55° to 200°. It was integrated into e2v's high volume specialist semiconductor production test environment. The EG6000 responds to the high performance requirements of e2v's multi-product testing environment. The EG6000 features low vibration operation, thermal agility, and Z precision and has good contact resistance stability (CRES).Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59038/silicon-achieves-ts-16949-quality-registration.htmlnew59038Silicon Laboratories has announced that it has become an International Standards Organization/Technical Specification (ISO/TS)-16949:2002 registered corporation demonstrating the company's achievement in meeting the quality standards. Meeting this qualification is required to supply products to automotive customers. Silicon Labs provides a number of microcontrollers (MCUs) for the automotive market including its C8051F52x and C8051F53x families, which are automotive qualified. These MCUs are functionally dense 8-bit automotive MCUs and offer a high level of integration, performance and features. The F52x and F53x MCUs are currently being designed in with major automotive manufacturers for body control applications within the automobile such as fluid level monitoring, seat position and adjustment, window lifters, steering angle sensors and back-up cameras. All devices are designed to operate across the full automotive temperature (-40 to 125 ºC) and voltage range and integrate a ±0.5% precision internal oscillator and a 12-bit ADC in packages as small as 3 x 3 mm2.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new58990/austriamicrosystems-introduces-1a-low-dropout-regulator.htmlnew58990austriamicrosystems has expanded its low dropout regulator (LDO) portfolio with the AS1364, capable of delivering up to 1A while operating at low dropout voltages. The AS1364 operates from a 2 to 5.5V supply, making it suitable for dual or triple standard-cell and single Li-Ion battery powered applications. Offering low dropout voltage of 140mV @ 1A with low quiescent current of 35µA during operation and 10nA during shutdown, battery life time is maximised when using AS1364. The AS1364 is available as adjustable version or with pre-programmed output voltages in the range between 1.2 to 5.0V with an output voltage accuracy of 0.75%. While the adjustable version allows high flexibility in design and does not require a bypass capacitance, the pre-programmed versions offer improved noise performance through a bypass pin. The noise is therefore improved from good 50µVrms of the adjustable version to 10µVrms of the pre-programmed versions. The AS1364 also offers a power-ok output that signals when the output voltage drops out of regulation by 6% typically. A digital enable pin allows system-level dynamic power management. Furthermore, the AS1364 offers over-temperature and over-current protection. The AS1364 is available in a thermally enhanced TDFN 3x3mm 8-pin package suitable for operating environments ranging from -40 to +85°C.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59030/optek-unveils-slotted-optical-switch.htmlnew59030Providing design engineers with a transmissive sensing device for office and automation applications, TT electronics' OPTEK Technology has developed a slotted infrared optical switch for non-contact interruptive object sensing. Designated the OPB420 series, the switch includes an infrared LED and phototransistor, with both devices housed in a right angle plastic package. This configuration allows for an opaque object to block the light beam from multiple directions, including the X-, Y-, and Z-axes. Typical applications for the OPB420 series include low paper tray sensors, corner sensors, door sensors, tray sensors, printers, copy machines, paper and mail sorting equipment, amusement gaming equipment and medical equipment. The OPB420 series switch features an 880nm wavelength infrared LED with a power dissipation of 100mW. The input diode's maximum forward current is 50mA and maximum forward voltage is 1.7V (If=20mA). Reverse DC voltage is 2V, with reverse current of 100mA (Vr=2.0V). Electrical performance of the output phototransistor is characterised at collector-emitter voltages of 24V and 30V and power dissipation of 100mW. Operating temperature range is -40°C to +85°C.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59037/national-introduces-dual-gigabit-ethernet-interface.htmlnew59037National Instruments has introduced its high-performance dual gigabit Ethernet interface for PXI Express. The NI 8234 module offers two gigabit Ethernet ports with up to 1000 Mb/s transfer speeds per port for high-performance machine vision and dedicated LAN/LXI instrument control networks. The new module features a x4 PCI Express interconnect, providing up to 1 GB/s bandwidth for real-time data streaming from a single PXI Express slot to give engineers and scientists more available slots for other PXI instrumentation, data acquisition and bus interface modules. Based on the Intel 82571EB gigabit Ethernet controller, the 1000 Mb/s Ethernet ports offer performance increase from 100 Mb/s Fast Ethernet. Compatible with the GigE Vision camera interface for machine vision applications, the NI 8234 delivers high-speed image transmission rates for standard cabling at distances up to 100 meters. With GigE Vision support, the NI 8234 is the first NI PXI Express module for machine vision applications. Engineers and scientists can add GigE modules to a PXI Express system to use more GigE Vision cameras with the NI 8234. As a result, they now can stream images from multiple GigE Vision cameras simultaneously to a PXI platform.The NI 8234 is also suitable for LAN and LXI instrument control applications using dedicated private networks. Combined with the NI LabVIEW graphical system design platform, the module simplifies the use of LAN and LXI for distributed instrument control applications by connecting multiple Ethernet-based instruments with a single interface. The company offers more than 400 instrument drivers for LAN and LXI instruments available for download on the NI Instrument Driver Network to further simplify instrument control. Compatible with Ethernet standards and cabling, the new dual gigabit Ethernet interface delivers gigabit Ethernet performance with CAT 5 Ethernet cables. It automatically detects cable polarity, eliminating the need for crossover and straight-through cable swapping.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59036/national-unveils-labview-toolkit-for-gps-receiver-testing.htmlnew59036National Instruments has announced the NI GPS Toolkit for LabVIEW, an extension of the graphical system design environment that expands the NI RF PXI platform to include multi-satellite GPS signal simulation. Using NI LabVIEW software to create waveforms that simulate up to 12 satellites (C/A codes in the L1 band), engineers can test receiver characteristics such as sensitivity, time to first fix (TTFF) and position accuracy with the NI PXIe-5672 RF vector signal generator. With the new toolkit, engineers can use a combination of simulated and recorded GPS waveforms as a comprehensive, low-cost solution for receiver design validation and verification. By recording live GPS signals off the air with an NI PXI-5661 RF vector signal analyser and an NI PXI-5690 pre-amplifier (low-noise amplifier), engineers can capture GPS signals with natural impairments that a receiver would observe in the real world. They also can generate both simulated and recorded signals with the NI PXIe-5672 RF vector signal generator, by continuously streaming GPS waveforms from hard disk. With a 2 TB redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) hard drive option, engineers can generate up to 12.5 minute of non-repeating simulated waveform or 25 hours of continuous recorded GPS signal to test how the receiver responds to a broad range of circumstances. Engineers can combine the GPS Toolkit with the NI Modulation Toolkit for LabVIEW, NI TestStand test management software and PXI RF modular instrumentation for a complete low-cost production test solution. Because PXI modular instrumentation is purely software-defined, the same PXI system can test wireless devices that use other standards such as RDS, WiFi, GSM, WCDMA, Bluetooth and DVB. PXI measurement systems offer a low cost, flexible and high throughput solution. For multi-protocol test, the cost savings of PXI is higher.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200http://www.epn-online.com/page/new59035/ni-introduces-compact-fieldpoint-controllers.htmlnew59035National Instruments (NI) has released three new Compact FieldPoint controllers that deliver increased performance, higher processor speed and improved Ethernet throughput. The NI cFP-2220, cFP-2210 and cFP-2200 controllers include a 400 MHz PowerPC processor and Wind River VxWorks real-time operating system (RTOS) for greater processing power and faster data analysis. The cFP-2200 features up to 128 MB of SDRAM and onboard storage, and the cFP-2210 delivers up to 256 MB of SDRAM and up to 128 MB of onboard storage. The cFP-2220 has dual Ethernet ports for connectivity to enterprise and dedicated I/O networks, as well as three RS232 ports and one RS485 port for serial devices. For logging and transferring data on external memory, the controller includes an additional USB port and a removable CompactFlash slot. The cFP-2220 also has up to 256 MB of onboard storage and SDRAM for storing more data on the controller itself. Engineers can create stand-alone embedded systems with these new controllers by using LabVIEW Real-Time to deploy custom applications for data logging and monitoring, real-time analysis and intelligent control. The new controllers also feature increase in Ethernet throughput for better data transfer rates, and they include Reliance file system support to protect data integrity. In addition, NI has released two new connector blocks for convenient wiring and troubleshooting. The NI cFP-CB-2 and cFP-CB-4 offer removable connectors for easy front-panel access to the terminals for wiring sensors. The cFP-22x0 controllers are fully RoHS-compliant products for the Compact FieldPoint product line. The remainder of the Compact FieldPoint product line is expected to be RoHS-compliant by 2010.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0200