Serving the Electronic Design Community Since 1956
Tablets with Windows RT see slow sales, IDC says
May 1, 2013 5:25 pm | by PETER SVENSSON - AP Technology Writer - Associated Press | News | CommentsMicrosoft is seeing slow sales of a version of Windows designed for thin and light tablets, even as the tablet market as a whole is growing, a research firm reported Wednesday. Researchers at IDC said manufacturers shipped 200,000 tablets running Windows RT, the special version of Windows for...
ECN's interview with the Wireless Power Consortium
May 1, 2013 4:51 pm | by Chris Warner, Executive Editor | Articles | CommentsThe Qi standard is the only non-proprietary solution for wireless charging available in products today. It works by generating a safe electromagnetic field between a charger and a device through a well-established process called magnetic induction. Qi chargers have a built-in transmitting coil, so any Qi device will work with any Qi charger, now and in the future.
Wireless charging: An interview with the Alliance for Wireless Power
May 1, 2013 4:38 pm | by Chris Warner, Executive Editor | Articles | CommentsWireless power is slowly evolving to help make charging second-nature to the consumer. In Japan, for instance, several portable devices are available that support wireless charging.As more portable devices that offer wireless charging capabilities enter the market, the need for standards naturally will follow.
Rugged four-port mini USB hub from B&B Electronics mounts anywhere
May 1, 2013 4:10 pm | B & B Electronics | Product Releases | CommentsB&B Electronics Manufacturing expanded its family of industrial-grade USB 2.0 hubs with the UH104, an affordable, four-port mini USB hub used to connect multiple peripheral devices to a single USB port. Powered exclusively by the host USB port, it provides downstream devices with 100 mA of power and High Speed USB connectivity at 480 Mbps.
Vector signal generator creates complex multichannel scenarios for highest demands
May 1, 2013 3:09 pm | Rohde & Schwarz | Product Releases | CommentsThe R&S SMW200A high-performance vector signal generator from Rohde & Schwarz enables faster time-to-market, improves end-device quality, and exceeds important 2G, 3G and 4G digital standards and applications. Featuring versatile configuration options...
Brain scans reveal which alcoholics at greatest risk of relapse
May 1, 2013 3:02 pm | by Yale UniversityYale University | News | CommentsEven the most experienced counselors have difficultly spotting a recovering alcoholic in danger of relapse. Brain imaging scans might do a better job, new Yale research suggests....
Roboteq backs Raspberry PI-based Robot Navigation Computer project on Kickstarter
May 1, 2013 2:53 pm | Roboteq, Inc | Product Releases | CommentsRoboteq is collaborating on a kickstarter project named RIO (for Raspberry IO) and aimed at creating an intelligent I/O card that stacks over the $35 Raspberry PI Linux Single Board computer. The RIO card includes a rich set of I/O and connectivity features.
10 MUST READ posts from April
May 1, 2013 2:44 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Managing Editor | Blogs | CommentsHere’s a rundown of the most read, most popular, most awesome articles on the web. Take a look at what you missed the first time around or check up on an old favorite to see the conversation in the comments. Keep checking out the Lead at www.ecnmag.com and follow us on Twitter @ecnonline for our most up-to-date articles.
Dual bayonet locking connector designed for industrial Ethernet applications
May 1, 2013 2:17 pm | Conec | Product Releases | CommentsCONEC has advanced its IP67-rated RJ45 family of connectors to include Ethernet I/O ports with a dual bayonet in-line coupler that can be used as a true in-line extension. The dual bayonet coupling mechanism is in compliance with IEC 61076-3-106 and provides increased protection for the connector system against contamination and moisture.
Blackbaud 1Q profit beats Street, revenue up
May 1, 2013 1:57 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsBlackbaud Inc. said Wednesday that its net income fell 4 percent in the first quarter, hindered in part by a larger interest expense. Its adjusted results beat analysts' estimates. Its stock was up 3 percent in afternoon trading. The software and services provider to the nonprofit sector earned...
Cutting the fat: The case for a microcontroller-less capacitive touch screen controller
May 1, 2013 12:13 pm | by Eric Siegel, Touch Screen Control Business Development Manager, Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Articles | CommentsTouchscreens are everywhere! While the means by which they detect a touch has evolved over the years, more recently you might say they have revolved as old technologies are reopened and rechristened anew. (I’m looking at you, optical touch.) Touchscreens are finding their way into our homes and our everyday consumer devices.
Kodak to exit bankruptcy a different company
May 1, 2013 12:02 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsEastman Kodak plans to emerge from bankruptcy protection by the end of September after shedding most of the businesses that turned it into an American icon. The reorganized Kodak will focus instead on commercial imaging and printing, where it believes it can once become profitable, according to...
Single-stage LED driver promises highest levels of dimmer compatibility
May 1, 2013 11:55 am | Cirrus Logic -- Apex Precision Power | Product Releases | CommentsCirrus Logic, Inc. has introduced a first family of single-stage LED drivers, the CS1615/16, targeting the incandescent lamp replacement market. Through patented technology, the CS1615/16 consistently outperforms competing single-stage LED drivers in dimmer compatibility while offering
Goldman Sachs strikes deal to buy Ebix
May 1, 2013 11:53 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsGoldman Sachs & Co. plans to buy Ebix Inc. and take it private in an $820 million deal that includes debt, the insurance technology provider said Wednesday. Ebix, based in Atlanta, provides software and e-commerce services to the insurance industry. Its board accepted the Goldman Sachs offer....
Smart protocol converter translates avionics messages in real-time
May 1, 2013 11:47 am | Product Releases | CommentsData Device Corporation (DDC) introduced the AceXtreme Bridge Device to translate avionics messages in real-time between MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, and Ethernet in any direction, without a host computer. With an onboard Intel Atom processor, two Ethernet channels, two
