Active Components
Low-Power, Small Form-Factor Op Amps From Microchip Help To Extend Battery Life
Microchip announces the MCP6401/2/4 operational amplifiers, which add to Microchip's general-purpose Op amp portfolio by providing lower power consumption in small packages. Featuring quiescent current of just 45 microamperes with a Gain Bandwidth Product (GBWP) of 1 MHz, the MCP6401/2/4 Op amps complement Microchip's eXtreme Low Power PIC® microcontrollers (MCUs), helping to extend battery life in a variety of applications which include music players, appliances and gaming consoles in the consumer sector; industrial barcode scanners and gas meters; automotive signal conditioning for proximity and tyre-pressure measurement sensors; and medical applications such as glucometers and portable patient-monitoring devices, among others.
Actel’s RTAX-DSP FPGAs Achieve Mil-Std-883 Class B Qualification
Actel today announced that its radiation-tolerant RTAX-DSP FPGAs have completed qualification in accordance with the military and aerospace industry standard MIL-STD-883 Class B specification. This qualification expands Actel's support of high-speed signal processing applications for space payloads and exemplifies its ongoing innovation and commitment to serve designers of spaceflight systems.
MAX19993: Highest linearity, lowest noise SiGe mixer is optimized for the new 1500MHz WCDMA/LTE 3G and 4G base stations
Maxim introduces the MAX19993, a fully integrated, 1200MHz to 1700MHz, dual, downconverting mixer with an on-chip LO switch, buffer, and splitter. Designed using Maxim's proprietary SiGe process, this device delivers outstanding linearity and noise performance. Offering exceptional levels of component integration, this single monolithic IC provides two independent downconversion channels, each with a +27dBm (typ) IIP3, 6.4dB (typ) conversion gain, and 9.8dB (typ) noise figure.
Toshiba Electronics expands mobile peripheral device family with MIPI® display hub/bridge
Toshiba Electronics Europe has expanded its family of mobile peripheral device (MPD) ICs with a versatile, compact and low power product that can operate as a hub or a bridge in applications built around the latest high-speed serial MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) standards.
Renesas Electronics Introduces New USB 3.0 Host Controller with 85 Percent Reduced Power Consumption
Renesas Electronics announced the availability of its new SuperSpeed Universal Serial Bus (USB 3.0) host controller (part number µPD720200A). It offers 85 percent less power consumption compared to the company's existing host controller (part number µPD720200) when peripheral devices, such as mice, are not connected to the ports.
Smoke-detector integrated circuit features ultra-low current consumption and networking capability
The new A5303 from Allegro MicroSystems Europe is a low-current BiCMOS photoelectric smoke detector integrated circuit designed to be used with an infrared optical chamber to sense light scattered from smoke particles.
CISSOID introduce a High Temperature Schmitt Trigger
CISSOID, the leader in high temperature semiconductor solutions, introduced its Quad 2-Input NAND Schmitt Trigger product, guaranteed for operation from -55°C up to +225°C. The CHT-74132 complements the Cissoid Galaxy family of logic components for electronics systems requiring reliable operation at high temperature.
White paper - Questions and answers on FD SOI technology
This document is a high level introduction to FD-SOI technology and its applicability to next technology nodes, in the form of a few key questions and their quick answers. No deep technical details are provided here, however Question 15 provides some relevant links. Short answers are provided first (hypertext links are provided, just click on the question of interest), followed by slightly more detailed answers for the interested readers.
White paper - Forecasted impact of FD SOI technology on design
As potential users of Fully Depleted Silicon-on-Insulator (FD-SOI) technology for the 22nm/20nm CMOS node and beyond realize its many interests, the question of its impact on design practices arises. Although FD-SOI for next generation technology nodes is not on commercial offer yet, it is nevertheless important to bring early answers or indications to that question. This document therefore proposes a synthesis of what is known or can be reasonably expected from FD-SOI from a design perspective, and indicates some interesting new potentialities that designers may be able to exploit.
DS1877: SFP optical module controller with dual-receiver interface enables low-cost optical video solutions
Maxim Integrated Products introduces the DS1877, an SFP video controller with a dual-receiver interface. This device controls and monitors all receiver functions for SFP and SFP+ optical modules and fully supports the SFF-8472 specification. The DS1877 controls dual-receiver SFP modules and enables the low-cost implementation of SDI digital video and other optical video applications. Its state-machine approach eliminates the need for expensive microcontrollers and, in turn, avoids the costly software development they require. Paired with the DS1876 (an SFP controller with dual laser driver interface), the DS1877 enables full-featured optical video modules at a fraction of the cost of microcontroller-based designs.
Newest AMD FireStream GPU Compute Accelerators Deliver Almost 2x[1] Single and Double Precision Peak Performance and Performance Per Watt Over Last Generation
AMD announced the launch of the AMD FireStream 9350 and 9370 GPU compute accelerators, delivering industry leading performance and power efficiency to the commercial, scientific and academic research markets. With up to 2.64 TFLOPS of compute power, the new AMD FireStream accelerators are ideal for HPC, cloud and enterprise-scale deployments that require advanced performance for handling today's highly parallel, compute-intensive workloads. Several AMD technology partners and OEMs plan to offer rack mounted servers and expansion systems featuring AMD FireStream 9350 and 9370 accelerators, including One Stop Systems and Supermicro.
4D Systems launches its custom 4DGL graphics controller for OLED and LCD displays
PICASO-GFX2 is an intelligent custom 4DGL (4D Graphics Language) Graphics Controller designed to interface with virtually all popular OLED and LCD display panels currently available in the market. The PICASO-GFX2 is the fourth and most powerful chip in a series of graphics controllers designed by 4D Systems. It provides a simple, flexible and effective, low-cost graphics user interface solution for rapid application development and time-to-market.
TI introduced lowest power, 11-bit ADCs at 200 MSPS with SNRBoost technology for up to 65 MHz of signal bandwidth
Texas Instruments introduced the lowest power 11-bit, 200 MSPS ADC family, with quad (ADS58C48), dual (ADS58C28) and buffered single-input (ADS58B18) options. Featuring SNRBoost technology, the ADCs deliver enhanced in-band signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for multi-carrier and multi-mode communications systems requiring up to 65 MHz of signal bandwidth, such as CDMA, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, LTE and WiMAX.
Analog Devices Announced First Data Converter with Dynamic Power Control
Advances in factory automation, process controls, and industrial instrumentation are contributing to higher manufacturing productivity and increased output. The sustainability of such advances is under threat, however, as the density of factory process control systems reaches levels where rising power consumption and thermal issues are beginning to undermine equipment performance, reliability, and safety. Analog Devices today introduced a multichannel DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) with innovative dynamic power control circuitry including ADI's leading dc-to-dc switching converters and diagnostic features. This new DAC can enable increased system productivity, while simultaneously lowering power use without affecting safety and reliability. Watch the AD5755 DAC video for more information on its features.
MAX36051: Ultra-low-power security manager provides nonimprinting memory and tamper detection for industry's highest level of security protection
Maxim introduced the MAX36051 security manager. The device provides 128 bytes of nonimprinting memory to securely store sensitive data, while drawing very little battery power in standby mode (1.5microamps). The internal tamper monitors and tamper detection inputs interface with external sensors so that the end user has a greater level of security in their system. With ultra-low power consumption, this device is ideal in devices where small-capacity batteries are used. The MAX36051 is most appropriate for applications where tamper detection and secure data storage are required and low power consumption is critical, as in secure USB, power meter, and point-of-sale (POS) applications.
ROHM Microstep Motor Drivers Deliver High Performance and Reliability
The new high-performance, high-reliability stepper motor drivers from ROHM Semiconductor offer selectable excitation modes—full-step to sixteenth-step with 1.0A or 2.0A output current and full-step to eighth-step with 2.5A output current. These microstep drivers enable designers to optimize motor torque, noise and vibration for a wide range of applications. Selectable current decay pattern (FAST/SLOW/MIXED decay modes) further enhances motor performance.
Xilinx 7 Series FPGAs Slash Power Consumption by 50% and Reach 2 Million Logic Cells on Industry's First Scalable Architecture
Xilinx announced the industry's first FPGA series that slashes total power consumption by 50 percent and offers industry-leading capacity of up to 2 million logic cells on the only unified architecture that scales across low-cost to ultra high-end families. Xilinx 7 series FPGAs further extend the range of applications programmable logic can address by breaking new ground in solving customer challenges for lower power and cost without compromising on higher capacity and increased performance. Implemented on 28-nanometer (nm) process technology optimized to deliver low power with high performance, the new families enable significant levels of productivity as skyrocketing development costs, complexity, and inflexibility of alternative ASIC and ASSP technology make FPGA platforms more relevant to an increasingly diverse community of designers.
Tensilica HiFi Audio DSP Becomes First IP Core Approved for Dolby MS10 Multistream Decoder
Tensilica Inc. today announced that it is the first IP (intellectual property) company with an audio core for system-on-chip (SOC) designs approved for using the Dolby® MS10 Multistream Decoder, a multi-format audio decoding technology, that supports Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Pulse in a single package for next-generation HDTVs (high-definition televisions), STBs (set-top boxes) and DMPs (digital media players).
Diodes launches miniature SOT963 packaged devices for ultra portable electronics
Diodes incorporated has introduced bipolar transistor, MOSFET and TVS devices in the ultra small SOT963 package, achieving the same or better performance of much larger packaged parts.
Flyback Controllers Operate from -55°C to 150°C Junction Temperature
Linear Technology announced high reliability military temperature (MP) grade versions of the LTC3803/-3/-5 current mode flyback controllers in the tiny 6-pin ThinSOT™ package. These devices are specified and are 100% production tested over a junction temperature range of -55°C to 150°C. The input and output voltage ranges of LTC3803/-3/-5-based power supplies are limited only by external components, enabling wide-input-voltage and high-input-voltage applications commonly found in industrial, telecom, military and automotive settings.
Octasic Announces Opus-Based DSP Products
Octasic Inc., a leading innovator of media processing and wireless solutions, today announced that it has developed the industry's most power-efficient family of DSP solutions for media gateways, high-definition (HD) video and wireless systems.
Octasic Introduces New Multi-Core DSP Device for Video
Octasic Inc., a leading innovator of media processing and wireless solutions, today announced the industry's highest-density, lowest power multi-core DSP device for video processing. The OCT2224M is part of Octasic's newest family of multi-core DSP solutions (see related announcement). Delivering three times more power efficiency than any other DSP on the market today, the OCT2224M device provides the best performance-to-power ratio in the industry.
Octasic Introduces New Multi-Core DSP Device for Wireless Baseband
Octasic Inc., a leading innovator of media processing and wireless solutions, today announced the industry's most efficient multi-core DSP devices for basestation PHY and MAC. The OCT2224W is part of Octasic's latest family of multi-core DSP solutions (see related announcement). Delivering three times more power efficiency than any other DSP on the market today, the OCT2224W device provides the best performance-to-power ratio in the industry.
MAX98300/02: Maxim stereo Class D amplifiers extend battery life while reducing EMI, clipping, noise, and clicks/pops
Maxim introduced the MAX98300/MAX98302, mono/stereo 2.4W/channel Class D amplifiers that achieve the industry's lowest power consumption and need no EMI-suppression components.
Tiny transistors from Diodes Incorporated aid product miniaturisation
In the ultra-small DFN1411-3 surface mount package, 20V NPN and PNP bipolar transistors announced by Diodes Incorporated deliver a dramatic increase in the power density and efficiency of power management circuits. The transistors have been designed on Diodes' Generation 5 matrix emitter Bipolar process.
National Semiconductor’s FPD-Link III SerDes Provide Industry’s First Real-Time Bidirectional Control for Driver-Assist Cameras
National Semiconductor today unveiled its FPD-Link III family of automotive-grade serializer and deserializer (SerDes) chipsets featuring the industry's first real-time, bidirectional control channel for driver-assist video cameras. The FPD-Link III chipsets improve driver safety and response time by delivering clock, data, and real-time I2C bidirectional control, continuously over a single differential pair.
Toshiba develops leading-edge silicon nanowire transistor for 16nm generation and beyond
Toshiba Corporation announced that it has developed a breakthrough technology for a nanowire transistor, a major candidate for a 3D structure transistor for system LSI in the 16nm generation and beyond. The company has achieved a 1mA/μm on-current, the world's highest level for a nanowire transistor, by reducing parasitic resistance and improving the on-current level by 75%. This is a major step towards practical application of nanowire transistors. This achievement will be presented at the 2010 Symposium on VLSI Technology in Hawaii, on June 17.
Three-phase brushless DC motor pre-driver IC for office automation applications
The A4936 from Allegro MicroSystems Europe is a three-phase brushless DC motor pre-driver IC targeted at applications within the office automation sector including laser printer and copier drum drives. The new device incorporates outputs for the direct high-current gate drive of an all N-channel power MOSFET three-phase bridge with a maximum supply voltage of 38 V. Also included in the A4936 device are three Hall-element inputs, a sequencer for commutation control, fixed off-time pulse width modulation (PWM) current control, and locked-rotor detection.
MAX31C80/D80: New spread-spectrum clock generators provide industry's best EMI noise reduction
Maxim introduced the MAX31C80/MAX31D80 spread-spectrum generators, which provide best-in-class EMI peak-noise reduction. The MAX31C80/MAX31D80 also offer the designer unprecedented flexibility to use any clock frequency or crystal to achieve the desired output frequency. The devices use a high-quality, programmable, fractional PLL with low jitter (< 75ns) to provide a 2MHz to 134MHz output, regardless of crystal or clock input.
iC-Haus Website Update adds 100 plus products
For more than 25 years iC-Haus is serving the industrial, medical and automotive markets with innovative, advanced and reliable integrated circuits, system-on-chip solutions and microsystems.
STMicroelectronics Extends Class-D Amplifier Portfolio, Enabling High-End Home Multimedia to Look as Good as it Sounds
STMicroelectronics has announced production availability of an analog-input 2x100W class-D power amplifier. This high-end amplifier extends the company's range of class-D devices that deliver audiophile sound quality in components smaller than competing devices by using an advanced chip manufacturing process.
MAX98500: Boosted speaker amplifier makes smartphone speakers louder without collapsing battery voltage
Maxim introduced the MAX98500, a boosted 2.2W Class D amplifier designed for battery-operated portable devices. This device integrates a boost converter to provide a constant output power and, therefore, louder audio output over a wide range of battery supply voltages. Additionally, the MAX98500 is uniquely equipped with a battery-tracking automatic-level-control (ALC) circuit that limits the maximum output swing as the supply voltage drops. ALC helps to avoid clipping and prevents the battery voltage from collapsing, which otherwise might cause a reset of the system. The MAX98500 is ideal for cell phones, portable media players, PDAs, netbooks, and other battery-operated audio applications.
MAX9268: Gigabit multimedia serial link deserializer with integrated full-duplex control channel reduces EMI and saves cost
Maxim introduced the latest member of its high-speed LVDS deserializer family: the MAX9268 deserializer with LVDS system interface. When paired with a gigabit multimedia serial link (GMSL) serializer such as the MAX9259 or MAX9249, the MAX9268 forms a complete bidirectional digital video link over a single DC-balanced twisted-pair or differential line. Maxim's patent-pending, differential, full-duplex control channel eliminates the need for an external CAN or LIN interface, thus simplifying design while saving space and reducing cost. This approach enables bidirectional communication with the display module, as well as programming of camera settings through a UART/I2C interface on a frame-by-frame basis. The MAX9259/MAX9268 chipset is ideal for automotive applications such as sign recognition, collision avoidance, night vision, and lane departure.
Fairchild Semiconductor’s USB Technology Differentiates Mobile Designs
USB has become the universal interface for mobile applications. The USB port has evolved from a pure data portal to a means for file transfers, battery-charging, music listening and factory programming. To better support the industry's convergence into one connector, Fairchild's new USB transceiver and USB accessory detection switch bring functional enhancements without adding design complexity or increasing space and power in mobile designs.
Freescale’s flagship applications processor product line enjoys marketplace momentum, spawns new offering
Eighteen months since its introduction, Freescale's i.MX51 product family has sparked compelling new product categories, cemented the company's leadership position in fast-growing markets and secured more than 50 design wins across a broad range of consumer applications.
picoChip launches smartSignaling– enables a 3G femtocell to support up to 400 smartphones
picoChip has enhanced its picoXcell platform to address the need to support large numbers of smartphones on a femtocell. New smartSignaling features within the company's PC3x3 devices now enable up to 400 'always on' users on a femtocell with additional benefits such as longer handset battery life.
TI delivers Class-D amp with integrated boost converter for 36 percent louder audio across the Li-Ion battery range
Texas Instruments Incorporated today introduced a 2-W mono Class-D audio amplifier with integrated boost converter, which delivers 36 percent louder audio than competitive devices, consistent across the entire Li-Ion battery range. The highly efficient TPA2015D1 allows more than twice the battery life compared to the nearest competing amplifier and is available in a compact 2-mm x 2-mm WCSP package for space-constrained applications including smart phones, notebooks, portable navigation devices, portable docking station and portable DVD players. In addition, the amplifier incorporates battery monitoring automatic gain control (AGC) and SpeakerGuard technology to prevent early shutdown at low battery voltages and prevents clipping, which protects speakers.
National Semiconductor’s Channel Link III SerDes First to Integrate Zero-Latency Control Channel for Industrial Video Applications
National Semiconductor Corp. today introduced its Channel Link III serializer and deserializer (SerDes) family featuring the industry's first integrated zero-latency, bidirectional control channel. The SerDes deliver clock, high-speed data and a low-speed, bidirectional I2C control bus over a single twisted wire pair. This significantly reduces interconnect size, weight and cost by up to 50 percent for industrial video, imaging and display applications.
National Semiconductor’s SolarMagic Chipset Makes Solar Panels “Smarter”
National Semiconductor Corp. today introduced the solar industry's first in-panel SolarMagic™ chipset, marking the advent of a new category of solar systems: "smart panels."
