Electronic Design UPDATE: April 20, 2005

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Electronic Design UPDATE e-Newsletter
Electronic Design Magazine
PlanetEE ==> www.planetee.com
April 20, 2005
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Today's Table Of Contents:
1. Industry View
  *Residential Ethernet: Unifying Consumer A/V And Information 
   Technology
2. Focus On Test & Measurement
  *DAQ I/O Board Features On-Board DSP
3. News From The Editors
  *Very Small LEDs Shine Very Brightly
  *LVDS Chips Shape High-Speed Signals
  *Debug Tool Upgrades For Xtensa-Based Designs
4. Magazine Highlights: April 14, 2005
  *Cover Story: Engineering Feature -- IP That Fits
  *Technology Report -- DRAM Advances Splinter To Meet Many System 
   Needs
  *Leapfrog: First Look -- First Serial RapidIO Switch Arrives
  *Leapfrog: First Look -- Audio DSP Perks Up Sound-Quality 
   Perception
  *Design View/Design Solution -- Adaptive Radios Abet Wireless 
   Connectivity

Electronic Design UPDATE edited by Lisa Maliniak, eMedia Editor

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1. Industry View -- Exclusive to Electronic Design UPDATE
**********************

Residential Ethernet: Unifying Consumer A/V And Information 
Technology

By Michael Johas Teener, Plumblinks

While it's been extraordinarily successful as a computer network, 
Ethernet hasn't been widely adopted for real-time streaming of audio 
or video. There are two primary reasons for this. First, Ethernet 
doesn't provide the kind of isochronous and deterministic 
low-latency services these applications require. Second, the market 
wasn't large enough to justify the work necessary. As a result, 
designers use other technologies -- either IEEE 1394 (FireWire, 
iLink, etc.) for the local cluster or a variety of point-to-point or 
proprietary systems for longer distances.
   Times have changed. There is a growing awareness of the need for 
a network that can distribute high-quality digital audio and 
video. More than that, the industry knows this will have to be a 
heterogeneous network that supports both wired and wireless 
components. Oddly enough, the wireless networks (IEEE 802.11 and 
the various versions of Ultra-Wideband, or UWB) have made strong 
efforts to provide these media-friendly services even though the 
wireless environment is much more challenging. The missing link 
in this is the wired component.
   It's possible to use Ethernet without any changes for A/V 
networks. Yet to get to an acceptable level of service, designers 
must limit the amount of traffic offered by each device. They 
also must limit the topology of the network (number of devices, 
number of hops). They must require the network to have much 
higher bandwidth capabilities. And, they must limit the use of 
priority services to only A/V streams. 
  These restrictions make it unlikely that any particular queue on 
the network will get too long and drop packets or add excessive 
delay. However, there is no way of enforcing the constraints. One 
PC with unusual but perfectly standards-compliant software would 
cause unacceptable delays and dropped packets. Similar problems 
could result from "too many" devices or an unexpected 
configuration of switches or hubs.
   One alternative, IEEE 1394, provides all the services an A/V 
requires. The recent 1394b and 1394c efforts extended 1394 
networks to 100-m hops, just like Ethernet, and the 1394.1 
specification facilitates 1394 scalability, just like 802.1D does 
for 802 networks.
   But there is one very important challenge to using 1394 as the 
backbone of an A/V network: 1394 is not Ethernet. For almost all 
existing computer applications, the existing and planned wired 
network is (or will be) Ethernet. So even though 1394 is a 
perfectly adequate (arguably, even superior) A/V interconnect, 
Ethernet's market lead makes it unlikely that 1394 will become 
the only network in the home.
   Another alternative, USB, is used in most low-end point-to-point 
computer applications. But it is a master-slave peripheral 
connection inappropriate for multipoint peer-to-peer connections.
   The various 802 wireless networks all have some kind of 
"isochronous-like" services. Indeed, 802.15.3a/b, WiMedia, and 
802.11e have completed (or nearly completed) "protocol adaption 
layers" to enable them to carry 1394 data. Perhaps these networks 
are the correct path.
   Unfortunately, the quality of service for wireless is not 
adequate for HD-quality video. The average data rate of the 
proposed 802.11n and UWB nets is okay, particularly at short 
ranges. It's not "reliably reliable" (there are too many normal 
home environments that will result in momentarily excessive 
packet loss rates), though, and latency is often excessive 
(frequently tens of milliseconds). For example, an 802.11g 
wireless local-area network (LAN) will drop its rate whenever 
someone picks up a 2.4-GHz cordless phone. Wireless is an 
important part of the home A/V network, but it is not the 
solution for the backbone.
   Consequently, the IEEE 802.3 working group has created the 
Residential Ethernet study group to set the objectives and study 
the feasibility of bringing isochronous transport to Ethernet. 
Several approaches have been discussed in the group. My favorite 
describes a way to extend existing Ethernet technology at the MAC 
and bridging levels and still offer almost the same isochronous 
quality of service provided by IEEE 1394 
( http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F13:F6E03 ).
   Indeed, this method enables a very simple and low-cost 
hardware-based bridging between Ethernet and 1394, something that 
should be a requirement for any network that is intended to work 
with consumer A/V ( http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F12:F6E03 ).
The hardware cost of this approach is minimal, and all the 
fundamental inventions are already part of the IEEE 802 and 1394
families. So the work remaining, while subtle and nontrivial, 
is straightforward engineering.
    The standardization effort is just starting, but the existence 
of IEEE 1394 and the media streaming capabilities of the 
wireless networks are providing a strong incentive to accelerate 
the process. Given the basic simplicity of my preferred 
approach, we might see prototype silicon in only one year.

Michael Johas Teener is currently an independent consulting 
engineer. Prior to that he was plumbing architect at Apple Computer, 
a title he also held from 1988 to 1996. He was the chief architect 
of Apple's FireWire effort. Teener has been a major contributor, 
editor, and chair of the original IEEE 1394-1995 standard and the 
1394b and 1394c supplements, as well as a major contributor to the 
Residential Ethernet Study Group. He can be reached at 
mailto:[email protected].

To comment on this Editor's View, go to Reader Comments at the foot 
of the Web page:

Electronic Design UPDATE ==>
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F18:F6E03

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2. Focus On Test & Measurement
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***DAQ I/O Board Features On-Board DSP
The DT9841E supplies two input and two output channels of real-time 
processor-based data acquisition via the USB 2.0 port. The latest in 
the Fulcrum II series of DSP-based data-acquisition boards offers 
measurement and control performance up to 1000 times faster than 
that of a PC-only system. The board contains two 24-bit delta-sigma 
analog input channels with built-in anti-aliasing filters and two 
24-bit delta-sigma analog output channels to stimulate systems under 
test. It also has 24 digital I/O lines for control and monitoring 
and three 32-bit counter-timers. All subsystems can be run 
simultaneously and monitored in real time with the on-board 32-bit 
floating-point processor. The DT9841E features sampling rates to 100 
kHz and uninterrupted data transfer. The included DT Dynamic Signal 
Analyzer software enables users to stream real-time data without 
programming. Graphical programming also is available through the DT 
Measure Foundry/RT-Streaming application. The DT9841E costs $1495 
and is available for immediate order.
     Data Translation ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F23:F6E03 

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3. News -- From The Editors
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***Very Small LEDs Shine Very Brightly
Three exceptionally bright red, soft orange, and yellow LEDs are 
available in ultra-compact surface-mount packaging. The 
AlInGaP-based (aluminum indium gallium phosphor) ultra-miniature 
LEDs have dimensions of just 1.6 by 0.8 by 0.6 mm and are compatible 
with the industry-standard 0603 footprint. Typical applications for 
the new series include backlit keypads, indicator and backlighting 
for audio and video equipment, and displays for mobile phones. The 
red TLMS1000 (628 nm), orange TLMO1000 (605 nm), and yellow TLMY1000 
(588 nm) LEDs feature luminous intensity of 4, 7.5, and 7.5 mcd, 
respectively. The luminous intensity ratio is less than 1.6 per 
packing unit. Samples and production quantities of the new 
surface-mount LEDs are available now with lead times of six weeks 
for larger orders. Pricing for U.S. delivery in 100,000-piece 
quantities starts at $4.00 per 100 pieces.
     Vishay Intertechnology Inc. ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F25:F6E03

***LVDS Chips Shape High-Speed Signals
Two high-speed, low-voltage differential-signaling (LVDS) analog 
interface chips extend the reach and drive of high-speed analog 
interfaces. The SCAN921821 dual 18-bit LVDS serializer features 
pre-emphasis, JTAG, and 15,000-V electrostatic-discharge (ESD) 
protection. The SCAN90CP02 1.5-Gbit/s, 2-by-2 LVDS crosspoint switch 
also provides JTAG and ESD protection and configurable pre-emphasis. 
In addition, the DS90LV110AT 1:10 LVDS repeater now offers a 
failsafe mode. Each of the two serializers in the SCAN921821 handles 
payloads up to 1.188 Gbits/s for a total of 2.376-Gbit/s throughput. 
The SCAN90CP02 2-by-2 LVDS nonblocking crosspoint switch operates at 
speeds up to 1.5 Gbits/s. The SCAN921821, in a 10- by 10-mm FBGA, 
costs $9.95. The DS90LV110AT, in a 28-pin TSSOP, costs $5.24. The 
SCAN90CP02, in a 28-pin LLP and 32-pin LQFP, goes for $4.75. All 
prices are for 1000-unit quantities. 
     National Semiconductor ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F24:F6E03

***Debug Tool Upgrades For Xtensa-Based Designs
First Silicon Solutions (FS2) and Tensilica Inc. have joined forces 
to reinvigorate the FS2 System Navigator. The tool now debugs and 
supports the system integration of system-on-a-chip (SoC) designs 
with Tensilica's Xtensa V and Xtensa LX configurable and extensible 
processors. The FS2 System Navigator handles designs that employ 
multiple Xtensa processors -- a hallmark of the Tensilica 
architecture. System Navigator is available with a USB 2.O PC host 
connection and an optional 10/100 Ethernet connection. Because the 
Ethernet solution lets the FS2 tools appear as a node on the 
network, remote use of the tools is possible. Both the USB and 
USN/Ethernet tools connect to the Tensilica SoC target via a 14-pin 
JTAG connector. The System Navigator tools cost $2495.
     First Silicon Solutions Inc. ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F26:F6E03

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4. Magazine Highlights
**********************
In case you missed them, here are some of the high points of our 
most recent issue.

April 14, 2005:

* Cover Story: Engineering Feature -- IP That Fits
Choosing the right IP will make or break your design... and 
deadline.
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F16:F6E03

* Technology Report -- DRAM Advances Splinter To Meet Many System 
Needs
Designers can choose from different strengths of SDRAM, RDRAM, 
DDR1/2, GDDR, and XDR to fit specific applications.
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F17:F6E03

* Leapfrog: First Look -- First Serial RapidIO Switch Arrives
Switch fabrics need switch chips -- let the melee begin.
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F14:F6E03

* Leapfrog: First Look -- Audio DSP Perks Up Sound-Quality 
Perception
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F1A:F6E03

* Design View/Design Solution -- Adaptive Radios Abet Wireless 
Connectivity
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F19:F6E03

For the complete Table of Contents, go to Electronic Design ==>
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=7F1B:F6E03

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THOUGHT YOU'D MISSED THEM? DON'T WORRY, THEY'RE ARCHIVED
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CONTACTS: Electronic Design UPDATE e-NEWSLETTER
==================================

Editorial: Mark David, Editor-in-Chief
mailto:[email protected]

Advertising/Sponsorship Opportunities: Bill Baumann, Publisher:
mailto:[email protected]
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