ECN Magazine All

“Cloud” signals dark days for software buyers

cwarner — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:06:39 +0000

The software industry is now making its predictable push toward fully cloud-based business models and leaving customer preference in the dustbin. Earlier this month, Adobe decided it will discontinue its Creative Suite product line and replace it with its Adobe Creative Cloud, which is a full subscription service.

PCI Express board provides two optically isolated serial ports

Jason Lomberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:40:35 +0000

Sealevel’s 7203e PCI Express serial interface provides two optically isolated serial ports, each individually configurable for RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485. Each serial port utilizes a high-performance UART with 128-byte Tx/Rx FIFOs that enables data rates to 460.8K bps for reliable high-speed communications in data intensive applications.

Over-the-air test system enables industry’s first 802.11n WLAN over-the-air measurements

Jason Lomberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:28:51 +0000

CETECOM has selected Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) to enhance their over-the-air (OTA) testing capabilities with a new test system that includes LTE multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) and 802.11n functionality. The TS8991 test system can perform OTA measurements for LTE MIMO in addition to all cellular 2G, 3G, and 4G technology standards.

Cradle turns smartphone into handheld biosensor

mbarnes — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:26:02 +0000

Handheld digital microscopes bring versatility, affordability to video inspection

cwarner — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:11:15 +0000

In recent years, many electronics manufacturers have been adopting the use of video inspection systems utilizing digital cameras to perform many of the visual inspection functions formerly performed with optical microscopes. Digital camera technology has improved to the point where their image quality now rivals that of optical instruments for many applications.

ESO's Very Large Telescope celebrates 15 years of success

Jason Lomberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:48:07 +0000

Researchers reveal model of Sun's magnetic field

Jason Lomberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:41:51 +0000

Researchers at the Universities of Leeds and Chicago have uncovered an important mechanism behind the generation of astrophysical magnetic fields such as that of the Sun.

Scientists have known since the 18th Century that the Sun regularly oscillates between periods of high and low solar activity in an 11-year cycle, but have been unable to fully explain how this cycle is generated.

UBC engineer helps pioneer flat spray-on optical lens

Jason Lomberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:29:08 +0000

A University of British Columbia engineer and a team of U.S.

Intergalactic Geek Pride Day Quiz

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:13:11 +0000

There was a time when "Geek" was far from a badge of honor. Jr. High School (AKA middle school) was developed specifically for the purpose of making geeks miserable. We were told that lockers were designed for holding books, lunches jackets, but in reality, the secret anti-geek coalition had lockers installed so geeks could be stuffed inside of them, or could have the doors slammed in their faces.

The world's favorite fruit only better-tasting and longer-lasting

Jason Lomberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:04:24 +0000

Already more healthy, now more tasty and longer-lasting

Tomatoes, said to be the world's most popular fruit, can be made both better-tasting and longer-lasting thanks to UK research with purple GM varieties.

"Working with GM tomatoes that are different to normal fruit only by the addition of a specific compound, allows us to pinpoint exactly how to breed in valuable traits," said Professor Cathie Martin from the John Innes Centre.