Consumer
TFT LCDs Include LED Backlights
April 5, 2010 7:12 am | Product Releases | CommentsOptrex America is offering TFT LCDs with white LED backlights. These displays feature long lifetimes (an average of 60,000 hours), with front-of-screen brightness levels ranging from 400 cd/m2 to 700 cd/m2 for indoor use and 800 cd/m2 to 1500 cd/m2 for outdoor applications. Additional features include
AA Battery Clip Includes SMD Leads, Two Spring Arms
April 5, 2010 7:05 am | Product Releases | CommentsMPD’s BK-53 surface mounting AA battery clip uses two spring arms to capture and hold a AA battery in place. These arms are said to make it easy to insert and remove a AA battery because of the desirable access afforded. Normally used in pairs, the clips are
MOSFET Solutions Tout Desirable Reverse Recovery Time
April 2, 2010 11:20 am | Fairchild Semiconductor | Product Releases | CommentsFairchild’s half-bridge Ultra FRFET family provides desirable reverse recovery time (trr) of 35 ns to 65 ns and a small reverse recovery current (1.8 A to 3.1 A). In LCD TV designs, this family is said to eliminate the need for
LED Driver Addresses Medium LCD Display Backlighting
April 2, 2010 6:54 am | Product Releases | CommentsAllegro MicroSystems, Inc. introduced a new high power LED driver with output disconnect for backlighting medium LCD displays. This driver targets in-dash navigation systems, automotive infotainment, and back-up camera displays.
Liquid Level Sensors Suit Automotive, Control, and Industrial Apps
April 2, 2010 6:07 am | Product Releases | CommentsHermetic Switch announced its PRX+1660 Series sensors for liquid level monitoring in appliance, automotive, control, household, industrial, municipal, petrochemical, power generation, processing, and recreational markets. These sensors can
One-Amp Voltage Regulators Support Sub-1 V Rails
April 1, 2010 8:20 am | On Semiconductor | Product Releases | CommentsON Semiconductor introduced five CMOS linear voltage regulator families. The NCP69x families are optimized for use in low current consumption portable battery-powered and ‘always on’ applications such as cable modems, satellite receivers, digital-set-top boxes and electricity meters. The NCP690, NCP691, and NCP692 are
Sony removes PS3 Linux support
April 1, 2010 6:59 am | by Andrew Maiman | Blogs | CommentsSo, even if you haven’t heard the latest news regarding Sony and the PlayStation 3 it will come as no surprise that they’re up to their anti-consumer practices once again. According to a blog entry on the official Sony web site, they have released a new firmware version (3.21) todayThis new “update” removes the ‘Other OS’ feature that is present on older PS3s...
A Perspective-Corrected Handheld Cubic Display
April 1, 2010 5:45 am | Videos | CommentsThe pCubee is a handheld cubic display system made with five flat-panel screens that uses perspective-corrected rendering and real-time physics simulation to create compelling visualization and interaction techniques for 3D content.
Seven-Segment Numeric LED Display Performs in High Temps
March 30, 2010 2:32 pm | Product Releases | CommentsLumex launched QuasarBrite High-Temperature Seven-Segment numeric LED Display technology capable of providing bright, crisp display performance in temperature ranges up to 105°C. The new ¼ Watt LED displays are
Power Controller for Dimmable LED Lighting Touts High Efficiency
March 30, 2010 2:16 pm | Product Releases | CommentsCypress Semiconductor introduced AC-DC digital power controllers for LED lighting. The CY8CLEDAC01/02 controllers are presented as delivering high efficiency while meeting EnergyStar requirements. They provide
LED-Backlit LCD TV Sales Surge
March 29, 2010 5:29 am | News | CommentsThe LCD TV shipment outlook has been increased to 180 million units in 2010, driven in part by the rapid expansion of LED backlit models.
Driver Modules Power Mid-size, Multi-string, LED backlit LCDs
March 25, 2010 5:55 am | Endicott Research Group | Product Releases | CommentsThe SFDMD Series is designed for applications that require a small footprint with high efficiency and brightness stability over a wide input voltage range, such as medical patient monitors, POS, kiosk, ATM, gaming and GPS displays. Less than 5 mm high, with a footprint of 2.782” (70.66 mm) x 0.96” (24.4 mm), drivers offer
In-line DSL CPE MicroFilter Presented as World’s Smallest
March 19, 2010 6:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsPulse introduced what it asserts is the first digital subscriber line (DSL) NanoFilter. The Z-321NF in-line DSL customer premises equipment (CPE) MicroFilter offers both voice and data protection by
Power Rocker Switch is Water Resistant
March 17, 2010 6:46 am | Product Releases | CommentsPhaseda LLC has introduced a water resistant power rocker switch. This HB-series rocker switch has a special internal design that leads water away from the contacts, making it appropriate for
Do gamers make better soldiers?
March 17, 2010 5:54 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsFindings by the Office of Naval Research indicate that video games improve overall perceptual and cognitive abilities. While nothing new—the claim is nearly as old as Pac-Man, the irregular warfare we face today makes it more relevant than ever. Since Pong, video games have been castigated for everything from school truancy, to school shootings, to even global warming.
Hacking the Princeton Tec EOS LED Headlamp with a Cree XPG
March 16, 2010 7:59 am | Videos | CommentsDave does a teardown of the Princeton Tec EOS headlamp and mods it with a new Cree XPG LED.
80 W Power Supply Presented as Energy Efficient
March 15, 2010 8:49 am | Product Releases | CommentsCUI Inc’s power line, V-Infinity, announced the release of the VOF-80 open frame AC/DC power supply. The supply has a low no-load power consumption of <0.5 W and is suited for use in
Innovation on display at Games Conference
March 15, 2010 6:51 am | News | CommentsMotion controls and social gaming were the hot topics at this week's Game Developers Conference, the annual convention of game designers, programmers and executives. Sony shook up the conference with a splashy introduction of the PlayStation Move, a new wand-shaped PlayStation 3 motion controller system that will rival Nintendo's popular Wii.
Right-angle SMT Illuminated Pushbutton Designed With Long Travel
March 15, 2010 6:04 am | Product Releases | CommentsE-Switch launched the LP37 Series illuminated pushbutton switch, which features a right angle, surface mount design with long travel. LED colors of red, green and yellow are available. Specifications include
Latest ZigBee Standards now available for Public Download
March 15, 2010 5:50 am | News | CommentsThe ZigBee Home Automation and ZigBee Remote Control Standards are now available for public download.
Drive-Thru Kiosk Uses Touchscreen Tech
March 15, 2010 5:41 am | News | CommentsThe Way2Order Drive-Thru kiosk solves critical challenges surrounding drive-through self service by integrating outdoor-usable touchscreen technology which can be operated with bare or gloved hands.
Digital Light Sensors Operate Behind Darkened Glass
March 12, 2010 6:23 am | Product Releases | CommentsTexas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions announced the first members of its next generation digital ambient light sensor (ALS) and proximity detection family. These devices are said to eliminate the need to use clear glass/plastic in front of the sensor or
Panasonic's first 3-D TV set in $2,900 package
March 11, 2010 8:38 am | News | CommentsPanasonic Corp. on Wednesday revealed the price for its first 3-D TV set, confirming that $3,000 is about what it takes to be among the first to watch 3-D movies in the home. The Japanese company put its first 3-D sets on sale at an event in New York on Wednesday.
Brainstorm: Batteries
March 11, 2010 4:34 am | by Edited by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Articles | CommentsWhat is the next breakthrough in battery technology?
PA Eliminates the Need for RF Component Matching
March 9, 2010 11:49 am | Product Releases | CommentsCalifornia Eastern Laboratories (CEL) is shipping its uPG2251T6M GaAs power amplifier (PA). According to the company, the PA eliminates the need for RF component matching, which reduces component count and simplifies procurement. The new 2251 PA is
