Electronic Design UPDATE: February 28, 2007

Feb. 28, 2007
A strategic Alliance between Discera Inc. and Vectron International has led to the introduction of the first MEMS-based CMOS timing circuit that can directly replace traditional quartz crystal oscillators. Other oscillator technologies the MOS1 can replac
Electronic Design UPDATE e-Newsletter | February 28, 2007

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Today's Table of Contents:Featured Story: Programmable CMOS MEMS Timing IC Targets Direct Plug-in Replacement of Traditional Quartz Crystal Oscillators
  • Editor's View: CFLs For Illumination: The Hidden Catch
  • Scope: Tiny Controller Stabilizes Power Grids
  • Focus On Communications: Smart HART Transmitters Boast Extreme Accuracy
  • Now on electronicdesign.com: Find Power Products Power Blog
  • News From The Editors:
    Cable Spec Will Bring PCIe Architecture "Outside The Box"
    Single-Chip Platform Targets Bluetooth Headsets
    Surface-Mount Film Resistors Meet Lightning Strike Specs
    SMD Electrolytic Capacitor Family Grows In Range, Voltage Levels
  • Quick Poll: In "To Be Almost Human Or Not To Be, That Is The Question," Digital Technology Editor Dan Harris writes that while the Japanese have embraced humanoid robots, Westerners have a different perspective. Do you think humanoid robots will one day be embraced in the West?
  • Embedded in Electronic Design Online: Real Robots, Part 1: The Contenders
  • Product Picks Online:
    1.8-in. HHD Boasts 100-Gbyte Capacity
    Dual-Core Audio DSPs Support Multiple HD Applications
    Ambient Light Sensors Help Improve LCD Performance
    Redundancy Adds Reliability To 4-Channel A/B Switch
    Coaxial VCO Features Very Low Phase Noise
  • Upcoming Industry Events:
    LIGHTCongress
    Spring 2007 VON
    Multicore Expo
Electronic Design UPDATE edited by Christine Hintze, Associate Editor..featured story | Programmable CMOS MEMS Timing IC Targets Direct Plug-in Replacement of Traditional Quartz Crystal Oscillators By Roger Allan, Contributing Editor

A strategic Alliance between Discera Inc. and Vectron International has led to the introduction of the first MEMS-based CMOS timing circuit that can directly replace traditional quartz crystal oscillators. Other oscillator technologies the MOS1 can replace are ceramic, film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR), and surface acoustic-wave (SAW) timing devices.

Read the full article.....editor's view | CFLs For Illumination: The Hidden Catch By Don Tuite, Analog Technology Editor

CFLs are gaining popularity as a compact, energey efficient replacement for incandescent bulbs. But what happens when consumers dispose of these mercury-laden bulbs?

Read the full article.....scope | Tiny Controller Stabilizes Power Grids By Rich Gawel, Managing Editor

An IC developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory can sense disruptions in a power grid and respond in a quarter of a second to temporarily shut off appliances in consumers' homes, giving the grid a chance to stabilize and avoid a blackout.

Read the full article.....focus on communications | Smart HART Transmitters Boast Extreme Accuracy

The THZ2 and TDZ2 family of two-wire, loop-powered Smart HART temperature and signal transmitters have a 4- to 20-mA temperature output signal with a superimposed HART digital signal, which allows any HART-compatible control device to program zero, span, sensors trim offset, and other calibration variables.

Read the full article.....now on electronicdesign.com | Find Power Products Power Blog

What happens when two tech giants merge, Congress takes on H1-B visa legislation, and power supplies in consumer electronics come under fire? Find Power Products Technology Editor breaks it all down in the Find Power Products Power Blog, updated bi-weekly on the Find Power Products Web site.

To read Sam's latest blog, "ColdWatt Delivers Efficiency Without Sacrificing Density," go to power.elecdesign.com.

..news from the editors | Cable Spec Will Bring PCIe Architecture "Outside The Box"

The PCI Express External Cabling 1.0 specification, published by the PCI Special Interest Group, will allow developers to create external applications, as well as applications internal to an enclosure that need a cable connection.

Read the full article.... Single-Chip Platform Targets Bluetooth Headsets

Broadcom Corp.'s advanced silicon and software platform, featuring the BCM2047 and BCM2044 chips that support Bluetooth Version 2.0 with EDR, aims to improve the user experience of wireless mono and stereo headsets.

Read the full article.... Surface-Mount Film Resistors Meet Lightning Strike Specs

TT electronics' IRC Wire and Film Technologies Div. has certified its HSF Series to meet or exceed GR1089 lightning strike specifications. The series is unspiraled, offering advantages where power is maximized.

Read the full article.... SMD Electrolytic Capacitor Family Grows In Range, Voltage Levels

Vishay Intertechnology's newest additions to its RoHS-compliant aluminum electrolytic capacitors extend both the capacitance range and voltage range available.

Read the full article.....quick poll | In To Be Almost Human Or Not To Be, That Is The Question , Digital Technology Editor Dan Harris writes that while the Japanese have embraced humanoid robots, Westerners have a different perspective. Do you think humanoid robots will one day be embraced in the West?
  • Yes; Once exposed to humanoids, they'll wonder how they lived without them
  • Maybe; Once the West sees how helpful robots are, they'll be more accepting
  • No; Robots are viewed as machines in the West, and that won't change
Let your voice be heard. Vote now on www.electronicdesign.com. The Quick Poll is located at the bottom of the page, so don't forget to scroll down!..embedded in electronic design online | Real Robots, Part 1: The Contenders By Bill Wong, Embedded/Systems/Software Technology Editor

Robots are finding daily use, but much more can be done only if we have developers familiar with the technology. Products like iRobot's Roomba are available in local stores. On Mars, NASA's twin rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, continue to explore the planet.

Read the full article.....product picks online | 1.8-in. HHD Boasts 100-Gbyte Capacity Dual-Core Audio DSPs Support Multiple HD Applications Ambient Light Sensors Help Improve LCD Performance Redundancy Adds Reliability To 4-Channel A/B Switch Coaxial VCO Features Very Low Phase Noise ..upcoming industry events | LIGHTCongress March 15, 2007 New York Spring 2007 VON March 19-22, 2007 San Jose, Calif. Multicore Expo March 27-29, 2007 Santa Clara, Calif. See more industry events......

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