Instrumentation Improves Microwave System Simulation

By David Hall, May 25, 2012

National Instruments' David Hall shows you how to augment microwave spectrum analysis with PC-based test equipment, model extraction, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations to improve your wireless design process.

The Basics of Creating a Modular Test Strategy

By David Maliniak, May 25, 2012

Building a modular test strategy can provide great flexibility in capabilities, or the system can be tailor-made for specific requirements. Often a hybrid approach encompassing traditional box instruments is best. Here are some basics to consider in formulating an approach that will work best for you.

Choose The Optimum Clock Source For PCI Express Applications

By Daniel Gallant, May 24, 2012

Getting the best performance from the PCI Express interface requires careful selection of the clocking method.

Wafer Technology Extends Moore’s Law To 20 nm

By Lou Frenzel, May 24, 2012

Soitec's new fully depleted wafers use silicon on insulator technology to implement smaller feature devices down to 20 nm.

Snap-Action Switches Still Rule The Roost

By Daniel Herzog, May 24, 2012

First found decades ago in chicken brooders, these components still are effective in applications ranging from soda machines to submarines.

Understand Analog/Mixed-Signal Design In The Analog And Digital Domains

By Ian Bower, May 23, 2012

TI's Ian Bower looks at the differences between implenting analog and mixed-signal functionality hardware and firmware with the goalof helping designers in one domain comfortable when working with designers in the other.

Understanding Micro Fastener Technology In Subcompact Electronic Assemblies

By Jay Mckenna, May 23, 2012

Micro fasteners enable lower part counts and assembly time resulting in smaller, lighter, thinner, and cheaper consumer electronics.

APU Blends Quad Core x86 With 384 Core GPU

By William Wong, May 22, 2012

AMD's R-Series accelerated processing units (APU) is built around a quad core x86 platform with a GPU that has 384 cores.

Unified DDR3 Memory Channel Design for High Bandwidth Apps with Legacy Components

By Chao-Yu Chen, May 22, 2012

Some legacy designs use a non-split transaction type bus protocol DDR3 memory channel. This design unifies the channel design so SoC designers do not have to create separate memory channels to prevent the non-split transaction.

PCIM Europe 2012 Nuremberg Survival Guide

By Paul Whytock, May 22, 2012

If you’re heading to the show, be sure to make the most of the semiconductors, sausages, and sauerkraut.

Romanian Students Win Freescale Cup For Smart Car Project

By Staff, May 22, 2012

Students from the Technical University of Iasi, Romania, won the final round of the EMEA Freescale Cup Challenge, a competition where student teams build, program, and race an intelligent model car.

Combine Low Cost, High EMI Immunity, And Ultra-Low Emissions In The LIN PHY

By David Lopez, et al., Freescale, May 21, 2012

Understanding HTML5

By Andy Gryc, May 21, 2012

HTML5 is poised to take over the Internet. Here are the basics about this technology.

Prometheus Takes Flight With Cutting-Edge VFX Technology

By William Wong, May 21, 2012

Ridley Scott utilizes the latest digital animation and 3D techniques to deliver a blockbuster sci-fi film.

What’s The Difference Between JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) And IJTAG (IEEE P1687)?

By Martin Keim, May 18, 2012

This article details the differences between the older JTAG (IEEE-1149.1) standard and the newer Internal JTAG (IJTAG, IEEE-P1687) standard for test of printed-circuit boards and ICs.