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12-bit ADCs Address Space-Constrained Applications
December 9, 2008 6:50 am | Analog Devices, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsRequiring only eight pins and traces compared to as many as 26 in similar dual-channel devices, a pair of four-channel 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) Analog Devices use up to 50 percent less printed-circuit-board surface area than other ADCs in their class. Requiring a single 1.8-Vin, the 250-MSPS (mega-sample-per-second) AD9239 incorporates a packetized output scheme, while the 210-MSPS AD9639 supports a JESD204-compliant output.
Cable Joins USB and RS232 Devices
December 9, 2008 5:56 am | Product Releases | CommentsProviding an interface between USB and RS232-based devices, the USB-RS232-WE cable from Future Technology Devices has a small PCB encapsulated into the USB connector with an FTDI FT232R serial UART IC interface plus a RS232 level shifter. Supporting data transfer rates up to 1 Mbaud, the cable has LED indicators
Audio Amplifier Exhibits Low PSRR
December 9, 2008 5:55 am | On Semiconductor | Product Releases | CommentsPerforming in portable and wireless applications, ON Semiconductor's NCP2991 Class AB audio amplifier offers a power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) of -103 dB. The 1.450-mm × 1.450-mm × 0.600-mm µBump-packaged component demonstrates selectable start-up time between 15 ms and 20 ms, current consumption of 20 nA, total harmonic
ESD Arrays Exhibit Low Capacitance and Leakage Current
December 9, 2008 5:53 am | Product Releases | CommentsWith a typical capacitance of 0.7 pF and a maximum leakage current as low as 0.085 µA, the VBUS053AZ-HAF ESD-protection array from Vishay guards USB-OTG ports against transient voltage signals. The device provides three lines of USB ESD protection at a 5.5-V working voltage, and one line of VBUS protection
Discovery Opens Potential for Spintronic Logic
December 9, 2008 5:27 am | Product Releases | CommentsResearchers working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have demonstrated for the first time the existence of a key magnetic—as opposed to electronic—property of specially built semiconductor devices. This discovery raises hopes for even smaller and faster gadgets that could result from magnetic data storage in a semiconductor material, which could then quickly process the data through built-in logic circuits controlled by electric fields.
Switches Offer Markings and Bi-color Illumination
December 9, 2008 5:09 am | Product Releases | CommentsBuilt to be at least IP65 compliant, Lamb Industries’ Anti-Vandal pushbutton switches can exhibit markings and bi-color illumination. The devices come in panel cutouts of 12 mm, 16 mm, 19 mm, 22 mm, and 25 mm diameter, and provide flat, domed, raised, concave, and guarded actuator options. The products offer nickel plating, gold
Automotive Headlamp LED Produces 1,000 lm
December 9, 2008 4:25 am | Osram Opto Semiconductors | Product Releases | CommentsAvailable in from one- to five-chip arrays, OSRAM Opto Semiconductor’s OSTAR Headlamp LED with integrated shutter delivers from 125 lm at 700 mA (one chip) to 1,000 lm at 1 A (five chips) in automotive headlamp optical systems. The device demonstrates a power rating of 12 W and a street-legal color temperature of 6,000K, which is said to
SAS/SATA Host Adapters Deliver 8-GB/s Connection
December 8, 2008 11:34 am | Product Releases | CommentsUtilizing PCI Express 2.0 and 6-Gb SAS speeds, ATTO Technology’s ExpressSAS H608 and ExpressSAS H680 SAS/SATA host adapters supply a full-duplex connection to SAS/SATA storage of up to 8 GB/s. The ExpressSAS H608 offers 8 internal
Synthesizer ICs Demonstrate Low Phase Noise
December 8, 2008 11:03 am | Product Releases | CommentsOperating from -40°C to 85°C, Hittite Microwave’s HMC700LP4E fractional-N and HMC698LP5E and HMC699LP5E integer-N synthesizer ICs exhibit a phase noise of -108 dBc/Hz with FOM in the order of -227 dBc and -153 dBc/Hz at 10-kHz offset from a 100-MHz, 0-dBm signal, respectively. The 8-GHz HMC7000LP4E has a 16-bit fractional divider, 24-bit delta-sigma modulator, 14-bit reference path divide, charge pump, and
Temperature Measurement Instruments Make Low Noise
December 8, 2008 10:34 am | Product Releases | CommentsExhibiting a temperature accuracy of ±0.15°C, Data Translation’s DT9871U (for USB) and DT8871U (for Ethernet) TEMPpoint temperature measurement instruments demonstrate noise of <±1.5 uV. The tools use up to 48 dedicated 24-bit A/D converters, up to 48 dedicated CJC circuits, 16 (8/8) and opto-isolated digital input and output lines. The instruments offer 1,000-V channel-to-channel galvanic isolation, constant throughput across
Technology Integrates Inductive Touch into Existing Application Code
December 8, 2008 10:03 am | Microchip Technology Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsPerforming in a single standard 8-, 16-, or 32-bit PIC MCU or 16-bit dsPIC DSC, Microchip Technology’s mTouch inductive touch-sensing technology allows designers to incorporate inductive touch-sensing functionality with their existing application code. The product enables devices to work through plastic, stainless steel, aluminum, gloves, and surfaces containing liquid. Implementation details are available via a free download from
Fuses Handle High Voltages
December 8, 2008 9:31 am | Product Releases | CommentsComing in a 5 mm × 20 mm ceramic package, Littelfuse’s 477 Series time-lag cartridge fuses demonstrate a voltage rating of 500 V at 8 A or above. The RoHS-compliant devices exhibit ampere ratings from 0.5 A to 16 A, an interrupting capability of up to 1,500 A at 400 VDC, and recognition from UL, CSA, and SEMKO. The products are appropriate for 3-phase power supplies, uninterruptable power systems (UPSs), motor control
Semiconductor Highlight: Power Management for Low-Power IP Phones and VoIP Devices
December 8, 2008 9:19 am | by Rich Nowakowski and T.Y. Chan, Texas Instruments | Articles | CommentsNow that power via media-dependent interface (MDI) was added to the IEEE 802.3af Standard, data terminal equipment (DTE) can receive power over existing data transmission cables. The IEEE 802.3af Standard defines the requirements associated with providing and receiving power over the existing cabling. The power sourcing equipment (PSE) provides the power on the cable, and the powered device (PD) receives the power.
Microcontrollers Target Driver-Assist Vehicle Applications
December 8, 2008 8:42 am | Renesas | Product Releases | CommentsCreated to address the increasingly popular “preventative safety” features in new vehicles, the 32-bit SH74504 and SH74513 microcontrollers (MCUs) from Renesas Technology feature on-chip flash memory and peripheral sets tailored for driver-assist systems. Examples of such “proactive” in-vehicle features include lane-departure warning systems, adaptive cruise control functions and blind-spot monitors.
Shielded Connectors Serve Rugged Applications
December 8, 2008 8:15 am | Product Releases | CommentsComing preassembled for Profibus and Ethernet users, Binder-USA’s M12 shielded panel-mounted male or female connectors offer a receptacle that is attached to a shielded cable with a twisted pair of AWG 22 wires. The Profibus receptacles come in a front- or rear-mount design for mounting to control cabinets, and the die-cast zinc housing has a galvanic
