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Tools and Techniques Surmount the Multi-core Challenge
August 4, 2008 11:15 am | by Jon Titus, Senior Technical Editor | Articles | CommentsMulti-processor computers have existed for some time, but only within the last few years have engineers had the opportunity to buy off-the-shelf chips with more than one processor or "core." These devices come in two varieties; symmetrical and asymmetrical. The first group provides multiple "clones" of the same core CPU, thus the term symmetrical. The second group includes devices that put different types of CPUs, DSPs, and accelerators in a system on a chip. I'll concentrate on the former multi-core technologies.
LDOs Operate With Low Quiescent Current
August 4, 2008 9:13 am | Product Releases | CommentsOperating from a minimum input voltage of 1.7 V, Micrel’s MIC531x family of dual LDOs consume total quiescent current of 37 µA while supplying output current of up to 300 mA. The components offer current limit and thermal shutdown protection, PSSR, POR, and voltage scaling while operating in a temperature range from
TFT Integrates Touchscreen
August 4, 2008 8:02 am | Product Releases | CommentsUsing a white LED backlight, OSD Displays’ OSD35GN827A 3.50” diagonal transmissive WVGA TFT includes an integrated resistive touchscreen. The device exhibits an initial typical brightness of 240 cd/m² and a 350:1 contrast ratio in a 78.20 × 65 × 4.35-mm package with an active area of 70.08 × 52.56 mm. The TFT has functions using chip-on-glass technology, which supports a 24-bit SYNC-mode TTL interface that offers
Supplies/Transformers Offer 20 W/VA Output
August 4, 2008 6:45 am | Product Releases | CommentsMeeting the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, GlobTek’s linear power supplies and transformers present DC or AC outputs up to 20 W/VA, an output voltage range from 3 to 48 VDC and load-specified output in 50 mA increments from 50 mA with ±5% tolerance. The UL94V-0-packaged devices offer thermal and
Digital Potentiometers Enable Precision Calibration
August 3, 2008 7:10 am | Analog Devices, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsExhibiting less than 1% end-to-end resistor tolerance (RTol) error over a ±15-V supply range, Analog Devices' AD529x family of single-channel, 10-bit programmable digital potentiometers (digiPot) offer up to 20 times better performance than similar devices. Available in three versions, the parts offer improved system accuracy in demanding applications such as industrial control systems and medical instrumentation.
Transducer Contains No O-rings
August 1, 2008 8:21 am | Product Releases | CommentsPerforming with Krystal Bond technology, American Sensor Technologies’ one-piece stainless steel AST20HA pressure transducer has no internal o-rings and exhibits 100-V/m EMI/RFI protection from electrical noise. The CE-approved device offers pressure ranges from 0 to 10,000 psi in compound ranges up to 2500 psi while
Ultra-small Code Reader Automatically Recognizes Major Linear and 2D Codes
August 1, 2008 7:26 am | Product Releases | CommentsOmron Electronics introduced an ultra-small, fixed mount multi-code reader, model V400-R, that automatically recognizes commonly used bar codes and 2D matrix codes. Measuring 58 mm × 46 mm × 24.2 mm, the palm-size metal body reader mounts almost anywhere, and the combination of flexible mounting orientation and front view or side view models gives the V400-R a
LX800-based SBC Offers Mid-range Computing, Low Power Consumption
August 1, 2008 6:43 am | Product Releases | CommentsDiamond Systems Corporation announced its Rhodeus PC/104 form factor single board computer. It offers mid-range computing power and low power consumption. The SBC is appropriate for low cost/high volume applications with mid-range performance requirements, such as medical equipment, process control and instrumentation. Rhodeus uses the
Measurement Software Supports EDGE
August 1, 2008 5:56 am | Product Releases | CommentsHaving compatibility with MS269xA signal analyzers, Anritsu’s MX269013A and MX269013A-001 measurement software delivers support in 2.5-G GSM/EDGE and G EDGE Evolution (EGPRS2) mobile phone
OLED Smart Switches Feature High Resolution, Programmability
July 31, 2008 1:39 pm | Product Releases | CommentsNKK Switches announced the availability of its OLED SmartSwitch and SmartDisplay high resolution programmable switches. These switches offer high contrast more brilliant pictures, 180-degree viewing angles, full colors, lower power consumption, fast response times and no backlighting requirements. These programmable pushbutton switches and displays feature a programmable and changeable OLED module with 65,536 colors in 16 bit mode, and
Supplies Meet Energy-Efficiency Standards
July 31, 2008 10:22 am | Product Releases | CommentsComing in five voltage ranges from 12 to 48 V, SL Power Electronics’ Ault PW153KB Series of 40-W external power supplies meets the requirements for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Level IV and Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The single-output devices have universal input from
Energizer Stays One Step Ahead by Catering to Diminutive Device Trend
July 31, 2008 9:55 am | by by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | Comments“Quad A” may soon become part of the common vernacular. Although the AAAA battery (or Quad A) has been commercially available since 1989, it’s mostly been a niche product, difficult to find on shelves. But with consumer electronics moving towards smaller, more lightweight devices, with decreasing power requirements, the battery industry is adapting. Quad A has long been an internal industry standard for 9 V batteries (6 Quad A’s linked together, each generating 1.5 V, equals 9 V), but it could soon displace the AAA as the battery of choice for portable electronics.
VCSO Exhibits Low Phase Noise
July 31, 2008 7:35 am | Product Releases | CommentsOffering a typical second harmonic of -14 dBc and no sub-harmonic, Crystek’s CVS575S-500 500-MHz voltage controlled surface acoustic wave (SAW) oscillator (VCSO) generates a phase noise level of -135 dBc/Hz at an offset of 10 KHz. The 5 × 6.5 × 2.5-mm Pb-free SMT-packaged device operates from a 3.3-V
Adhesives Target Personal Communication Devices
July 30, 2008 7:02 am | Product Releases | CommentsHaving electrical conductivity appropriate for personal communications devices, Adhesives Research’s ARclad 92262 and ARclad 92264 acrylic adhesives perform in applications such as mobile phones, computers, PDAs, disk drives, modems and automotive electronics. The 1.800-mil (0.045-mm) ARclad 92262
SOC IC Offers Dual-Core Functionality
July 30, 2008 6:52 am | Product Releases | CommentsIntegrating AltiVec.128-bit vector processing technology, Freescale Semiconductor’s MPC8640D PowerQUICC SOC IC exhibits dual e600 core functionality for CPU speeds from 1 to 1.25 GHz per core and typical power from 14 to 21 W. The device has L1 cache with 32 KB instruction and 32 KB data per core with
