Serving the Electronic Design Community Since 1956
DSCs Integrate 16-bit Audio DAC
March 27, 2008 8:33 am | Microchip Technology Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsTargeting embedded applications requiring audio functionality, 28-pin and 44-pin dsPIC 16-bit DSCs incorporate a dual-channel, 100ksps, 16-bit audio DAC module as well as 16 kB RAM (2 Kbytes of dual-port RAM) with 64 kB and 128 kB flash optional in the dsPIC33 model. Features of the DSP-capable device include two analog comparators, selectable 10-bit or 12-bit ADC, and a
Adjustable TFT Accepts Wide Input
March 27, 2008 8:00 am | Product Releases | CommentsOffering fully adjustable outputs, the dual-channel LTC3524 BIAS and white-LED driver can generate up to 25mA at 6V for the AVDD channel, and up to 2mA at 20V and -20V for the respective VGH and VGL bias requirements with controlled power-up/power-down sequencing. Able to operate at up to 90 percent with voltages from 2.5V to 6V, the 4mm2 QFN-packaged synchronous rectification device can power up to 10 white LEDs (5 per channel) while offering a dimming ration of up to 200:1.
Partnership Creates Autofocus Liquid Lens System
March 27, 2008 5:30 am | Product Releases | CommentsCreating a driver and liquid-lens system to add auto-focus capability to compact handheld imagers such as cellular phone and PDA cameras, a partnership between Supertex and Varioptic combines the Arctic Series of liquid lenses with the HV895 family of inductorless liquid lens driver ICs. The RoHS-compliant driver/lens system does not have moving parts, and features include
Low-loss IGBTs Improve Switching In Sub-2.5 kW Inverter Applications
March 26, 2008 12:51 pm | by Vijay Bolloju, International Rectifier | Articles | CommentsTraditionally, IGBTs have addressed applications requiring high-voltage and -current ratings and relatively slow switching frequencies. When the switching frequency is low, the inherently low conduction losses resulting from the device’s low VCE(on) (collector-to-emitter saturation voltage), which derive from the IGBT’s minority carrier operation, outweigh the
Voltage Feedback Amplifier Boasts Low Quiescent Current
March 26, 2008 10:13 am | Product Releases | Commentsportable instrumentation, active filters and analog to digital converter (ADC) buffers
Antenna Switch Targets Wireless LAN Applications
March 26, 2008 9:49 am | Product Releases | CommentsOperating in the 2.4-2.5 GHz band with frequency capabilities of up to 3 GHz, the SKY13309-370 LF antenna switch targets Bluetooth systems and other applications, including analog and digital mobile television in emerging markets, wireless headsets, and receiver chain of phones. This pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) gallium arsenide (GaAs) integrated circuit (IC) switch has a positive low voltage control of 0/3V, low insertion loss of 0.5 dB at 2.5 GHz and isolation of 25 dB at 2.5 GHz.
Panel Meter Features Built-in Outputs with Dual Setpoint Capability
March 26, 2008 8:34 am | Product Releases | CommentsRed Lion Controls, Inc. announced the PAXLA panel meters featuring control capability by adding two Form C relays capable of switching up to 5A. The meter accepts DC current, DC voltage or process input signals, scaling them to a desired readout for a wide range of applications. It delivers a bright 5 digit, 0.56" high red LED display with programmable scaling and decimal points, and offers a newly designed universal power supply, accepting 50V AC to 250V AC or 21.6V DC to 250V DC
48-bit Digital Input Boards Offer I/O Flexibility
March 26, 2008 7:57 am | Product Releases | CommentsWith software selectable input switching levels from 0 – 28 VDC (with 25 mV resolution) the DNx-DIO-448 high density digital input boards, DNA-DIO-448 and DNR-DIO-448 allow for I/O flexibility. A diagnostic input mode measures the analog voltage at each input, allowing quick and accurate detection of short and open circuits as well identifying marginal or failing drive circuitry. Compatible with United Electronic Industries’ popular “Cube” and RACKtangle I/O chassis, the board reads all 48 bits at sustained rates in excess of 1 kS/second.
Low-Profile CCFL Inverters Have a Wide Input Voltage
March 26, 2008 7:44 am | Endicott Research Group | Product Releases | CommentsPresenting a profile of less than 6 mm, the SFW Series of DC to AC inverters from Endicott Research Group Inc, have an input voltage range from 8V to 18V. Available in single and dual-lamp versions, the devices feature open lamp detection, onboard PWM dimming, and lamp current regulation. Additional features include direct display connection and a start voltage of 1800 Vrms.
Talking in turbulent times
March 26, 2008 6:44 am | by Alix Paultre, Editor in chief | Articles | CommentsAnyone who has survived the last several years in the electronic industry know what I mean when I say that these are very turbulent times. Disruptive technologies in both the hardware and software arenas combined with the relentless pressure of convergence in functionality, marketplace, and the business itself have made life very interesting for electronic design engineers.
Zener Diode Assemblies Shield Automotive Peripherals
March 26, 2008 6:06 am | Product Releases | CommentsCreated to help protect consumer infortainment devices that require in-vehicle charging, a pair of 2.3A polymer-enhanced Zener diode assemblies from Tyco Electronics include a resistively non-linear, polymer positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) layer that responds to either diode heating or overcurrent events. Features include a max input of 16VDC, a resistance of 0.04O, and a power dissipation of 0.7W.
Snap-In, Panel Mount Pushbutton Switch Offers Bi-color Illumination
March 25, 2008 12:26 pm | Product Releases | CommentsAvailable in a choice of silver-plated or gold over nickel plated copper alloy, the DG Series snap-in, panel mount pushbutton switch offers design engineers bi-color illumination. The RoHS-compliant switch suits applications, such as audio/video equipment, consumer electronics, and test instruments. With a tested electrical life of 100,000 cycles with an electrical rating of 100 mA at 30V with silver contacts and 0.4V A max at 20V max with gold contacts, the device has a contact resistance is <50? initial and a dielectric strength of at least 750Vrms with an insulation resistance of over 100?.
PCI-express Bus Extender Allows Swapping of PCIe Boards without System Reboots
March 25, 2008 10:05 am | Product Releases | CommentsFuraxa Inc. announced its PCIeExt16HOT “Smart” PCI-express Live-insertion bus extender board which, when installed in any PCI-express ×16 motherboard socket, facilitates fast production testing and engineering debug of PCI-express boards of all data widths (×16, ×8, ×4, ×2 and ×1). Live insertion enables boards to be rapidly removed and exchanged without the need to power down or reboot the system. Ability to selectively reduce supply voltages by 0 percent, 5 percent or 10 percent enables margin testing of boards.
Miniature Accelerometers Address Tight Spaces
March 25, 2008 9:41 am | Product Releases | CommentsEncapsulated in a titanium package measuring 6.4 mm x 5.5 mm, the 3225M23 and 3225M24 voltage-mode (IEPE) piezoelectric accelerometers from Dytran are able to mount in spaces potentially inaccessible to other types of accelerometers. Intended for shock and vibration measurements in space-constrained lightweight applications such as in board-mounted devices
6U CompactPCI Express Carrier Board Fills Need For More Compatible CompactPCIe Products
March 25, 2008 7:25 am | Product Releases | CommentsOne Stop Systems 6U CompactPCI Express (CPCIe) carrier board enables OEMs to utilize PCIe I/O boards on their CompactPCIe systems. This Type 2 board supports a PCIe short card, usually in PCIe ×8, ×4, and ×1 configurations. While the carrier board is equipped with a PCIe ×16 connector, it communicates at ×4 speeds.
