Electronics Automation

Flash PIC microcontrollers provide certified Full-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity for 12Mbit/s data-transfer rates and 12MIPS processing performance.
Microchip has released two new Flash PIC microcontrollers, the PIC18F2450 and PIC18F4450, with certified Full-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity for 12Mbit/s data-transfer rates and 12MIPS (48MHz) processing performance. Combined with a wide variety of on-chip peripherals, nanoWatt Technology power management, and self-programmable Flash memory, these features provide a complete solution for designers working with USB in industrial, medical and many other embedded applications. Many USB-capable microcontrollers are optimised for applications in PC peripherals and consumer markets, rather than for embedded designs.

Microchip's USB PIC microcontroller family makes the benefits of Full-Speed USB available to a broader range of embedded applications that operate in harsh environments and only occasionally connect to personal computers.

Some applications that may benefit from these new USB PIC microcontrollers include industrial data-logging, timing and analysis tools; battery-powered handheld devices; and fire, security, home-automation and back-up (UPS) systems.

The two new USB PIC microcontrollers feature 16Kbyte of self-programmable enhanced Flash memory, which allows field upgrades for end applications via the USB port.

Microchip's advanced Flash technology provides high endurance of up to 100,000 erase/write cycles and data retention of more than 40 years.

One area of concern for most USB-application designers is the quantity and quality of available firmware support.

Microchip has an extensive set of libraries for the most common application classes, including the Human Interface Device (HID), Communication Device Class (CDC) and custom drivers.

In addition, Microchip has published application note AN956, 'Migrating applications to USB from RS232 UART with minimal impact on PC software', for migrating legacy serial applications.

The new USB PIC microcontrollers are also supported by Microchip's world-class development systems, including: MPLAB integrated development environment (IDE), MPLAB C18 C compiler, MPLAB ICD 2 in-circuit debugger, MPLAB ICE 2000 and MPLAB ICE 4000 in-circuit emulators and MPLAB PM3 universal device programmer.

In addition, the PICDEM Full-Speed USB demo board (DM163025) assists development with this family's advanced USB features.

The new USB PIC microcontrollers are available now for sampling and volume production.

Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente is consolidating the management of its international distribution activities into one key pan-European position filled by Frank Rotthoff.
Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente is consolidating the management of its international distribution activities into one key pan-European position filled by Frank Rotthoff. Rotthoff is an experienced industry insider who has been appointed to the post of Sales Director Europe. He is responsible for the entire distribution region spanning 23 European countries except Germany, and reports directly to Thomas Rudel, Managing Director of Sales and Marketing.

The management of the distribution activities within Germany remains unchanged in the hands of Manfred Machner.

Rotthoff has set himself the target of substantially expanding the international business of this broadline distributor in neighbouring European countries.

As a prerequisite for this, Rutronik will be looking to forge ahead further with the strategic alignment of its international distribution organisation and the European harmonisation of its service range and structures.

By doing this, Europe's top-three distributor satisfies all the requirements for tapping into significant growth potential in future.

In his career to date, Frank Rotthoff has focused from a very early stage on international and worldwide activities, initially in the field of machine, plant and process technology and since 1989 in the semiconductor business.

This was followed by many years of international management experience and responsibility in marketing with a strong emphasis on distribution with leading manufacturers of semiconductors.

'As the largest independent distributor with a European origin, recent years have seen Rutronik invest heavily in the expansion of its European distribution and marketing organisation', explains Rotthoff.

'This puts us in an ideal position to support our customers throughout the area with commercial and technical expertise'.

'Our clear commitment to Europe guarantees that our customers receive optimum service due to the different market cycles and far-reaching independence from global supply and allocation constraints'.

'After many years of working in large corporations with non-European origins, it is precisely this set of circumstances that inspires me'.

'With our highly motivated and professional team, we shall continue to grow in Europe and remain a reliable partner to our customers'.

The Nexdome Dragonfly leverages the dual-core TMS320DM644x architecture based on DaVinci technology to create a versatile, plug-and-play video security solution.
Nexvision, a manufacturer of IP network video security solutions, has announced the first IP video security camera prototype based on TI's DaVinci technology. The Nexdome Dragonfly leverages the dual-core TMS320DM644x architecture based on DaVinci technology to create a versatile, plug-and-play video security solution that can be tailored to meet specific customer demands, benefiting from the implementation of open industry standards such as Linux, MPEG4 and real-time streaming network protocols to offer seamless integration of the camera into global surveillance systems. In addition, Nexvision has benefited from TI' s leading expertise in high performance analogue, by integrating TI's differentiated analogue companion products in the design of the Nexdome Dragonfly, such as video decoders, amplifiers, power LDOs, power DC/DC switches, USB switch and more.

The Dragonfly provides an open camera platform that is highly suited to large area surveillance applications such as public transportation, utility plants and medical centres.

These large areas need to rely on cameras that enable monitoring centres to deal more easily with the increase in the number of surveillance cameras with advanced features, such as object detection and tracking, traffic surveillance and automatic licence plate recognition.

The compact size of the camera (130 x 130mm) makes installation fast and simple.

'The success of video surveillance has created a big challenge in terms of manageability', said M Lange, Business Development Manager for Nexvision.

'TI's DaVinci technology-based processor is the only embedded media controller on the market that integrates onto one chip the image processing power and peripherals needed for high-end video analysis and H.264 D1 real-time compression for streaming video over xDSL lines'.

'As a result, we are able to offer our customers a compact, open and scalable platform that can easily be integrated into their surveillance network'.

'The inherent integration of DaVinci technology and its open platform means companies can quickly and easily develop advanced security solutions, all for a reduced bill of materials (BOM)'.

'Nexvision was able to design NexDome Dragonfly based on a single DaVinci technology-based processor within six months, a record design cycle time', said Cyril Clocher, Business Development Manager for TI's DSP group in Europe.

'In addition, the power and programmability of DaVinci technology-based processors allows customers to create unique, feature-rich video applications that were previously impossible'.

The Nexdome Dragonfly has already been adopted by NMI Security, a market leader in the implementation of immersive technology.

'Nexvision is one of our strategic partners, and we are working together on several projects to introduce next generation immersive technology to the market', said Cliff Lunt, Marketing Director of NMI Security.

'Most recently, Nexvision has helped us successfully deploy an immersive system on the Stockholm Underground, and we continue to collaborate closely on further infrastructure projects in the UK'.

The Nexdome Dragonfly features a 360 degree x180 immersive lens on a high resolution five megapixel CMOS 1/1.8 inch sensor, allowing the user to view a full scene or zoom in through a virtual pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) display without diminishing image quality.

Depending on the video image sise, Dragonfly provides different video codecs ranging from MJPEG to MPEG4 Part 10 (H.264) from 6frame/s in high definition (HD) up to 30frame/s in VGA and D1.

It also supports streaming and standard network protocols such as RTP/RTCP, PPP, HTTP, FTP, SMTP, Telnet, DNS and DHCP, as well as offering a large choice of wired and wireless IP links such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Power line, xDSL and GPRS/Edge.

The TMS320DM644x architecture is a highly integrated system-on-chip (SoC) that has absorbed many of the external components required for digital video, dropping hardware BOM by as much as 50%.

The DM644x devices are based on TI's performance-leading TMS320C64x+ DSP core, an ARM926 processor, video accelerators, external memory/storage interfaces, and networking, video and audio peripherals that match consumer entertainment equipment specs.

Nu Horizons Electronics Corp has signed a nonbinding letter of intent to acquire DT Electronics, a franchised technical distributor of electronics components based in Coventry, UK.
Nu Horizons Electronics Corp has signed a nonbinding letter of intent to acquire DT Electronics, a franchised technical distributor of electronics components based in Coventry, UK. For its most recent fiscal year ended 31st March 2006, DT Electronics' has reported unaudited revenues of approximately US $25 million. Consummation of this transaction is subject to certain requirements, including the satisfactory completion by Nu Horizons of its due diligence investigation and the execution by the parties of a definitive purchase agreement that has been approved by Nu Horizons' board of directors.

The transaction is expected to close on or about 15th August 2006.

Financing for the acquisition will come from Nu Horizons' existing cash on hand plus borrowings on current bank lines of credit.

Established in 1987, DT Electronics' products come from leading suppliers of semiconductors, power supplies and passive components.

Its customers include those in broadcast, communications, industrial, instrumentation, medical and consumer electronics markets.

DT Electronics is distinguished by leadership in technical design-in work and has received numerous supplier and customer awards in recognition of this expertise.

Arthur Nadata, Chairman and CEO for Nu Horizons Electronics states: 'We are very pleased to have reached a preliminary agreement to acquire DT Electronics'.

'We expect that our acquisition of DT will establish a footprint for Nu Horizons' Distribution business within the European market'.

'We believe that the acquisition will be synergistic due to each company's complimentary supplier base, limited line card and demand creation business philosophy'.

'Following the acquisition, we intend to operate with one seamless global infrastructure and operating system, combining industry-leading technical sales and field application engineers with world-class logistics in our effort to set a new industry standard'.

Tony Frere, Managing Director for DT Electronics added: 'DT Electronics looks forward to finalising our agreement with Nu Horizons Electronics'.

'They have established a strong presence and reputation within the Americas and Asia Pacific'.

'Both companies share a similar vision of having a limited line card and customer-centric approach to conducting its business by gaining a deep understanding of suppliers' products and technologies and customers' requirements to deliver optimal service and support'.

Virage Logic Corporation has announced the appointment of Christine Russell as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Virage Logic Corporation has announced the appointment of Christine Russell as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Russell will be responsible for all financial and administrative aspects of the company and will report directly to Adam Kablanian, Virage Logic's President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Russell brings more than 20 years of financial executive management experience in both emerging and larger technology firms in the Silicon Valley to Virage Logic.

Most recently she served as CFO of OuterBay Technologies, a database archiving company, which was sold to Hewlett-Packard in February 2006.

Prior to that, Russell held CFO positions at Nasdaq-listed Ceva, a digital signal processing IP company, and Persistence Software.

She also held CFO or senior financial positions at Cygnus Solutions (sold to Red Hat), Valence Technology, Xerox and Measurex (Honeywell).

'We are very pleased to have someone of Christine's calibre with an IP industry background join our management team', said Kablanian.

'With her IP business model experience, I'm confident she will provide strong leadership to Virage Logic's financial operations and will be a key contributor to the overall success of the company as we continue to build a solid business based on both license fees and royalties'.

'I'm excited to join Virage Logic as it celebrates its 10th anniversary and builds on its solid track record of being first to market with technically superior IP at the advanced process nodes', said Russell.

'This leadership was evidenced in the company's recently announced growing royalty revenues as customers begin to ramp to volume with their 90nm based designs, particularly in high-volume consumer applications'.

The ABT1018 video scaling ASIC has been used by Teac Esoteric Company in the new P-03 Universal Super Audio CD/CD/DVD player.
Anchor Bay's ABT1018 video scaling ASIC has been used by Teac Esoteric Company in the new P-03 Universal Super Audio CD/CD/DVD player. The ABT1018 features select Video Reference Series (VRS) branded technologies including Precision Video Scaling, RightRate frame rate conversion and aspect ratio control. The P-03 Universal represents the latest 'design-win' for Anchor Bay as more manufacturers are realising greater video performance with their flexible and easy-to-implement video processing ASICs.

The ABT1018 is Anchor Bay's second generation video scaling ASIC targeted at DVD player/recorder, HDTV set-top box and A/V receiver applications requiring up-conversion from standard and high definition formats all the way up to 1080p.

With the ABT1018, the P-03 Universal is able to supply high resolution images direct to the display using its HDMI output, completely bypassing the display's internal processing chip.

The ABT1018 features a proprietary 10bit Precision Video Scaling engine that can independently scale an image horizontally and vertically to achieve outstanding picture quality for today's high resolution video displays.

'Anchor Bay's ABT1018 was a sensible choice for Teac Esoteric and the P-03 Universal because of the reference quality scaling it delivers at such a remarkable value'.

'The chip is easy to install, and when teamed with our boards, provides the dynamic scaling performance we expect'.

'Furthermore, Anchor Bay always provides superior technical support, a factor that should not be overlooked', said Hiroyuki Hoshino R and D Manager Teac Esoteric Company.

The P-03 Universal shares many of the same design attributes as the original SA-CD/CD player P-03, featuring the heavy duty VRDS-NEO mechanism which provides a rigid and vibration-free, disc clamping system.

The P-03 Universal integrates proven, high quality video processing technologies enhanced by Esoteric.

Unlike other players using 10 bit or 12 bit video processing, the P-03 Universal is equipped with the latest 14bit/216MHz video D/A convertor chip as well as the ABT1018 video scaling chip from Anchor Bay.

The D/A convertor chip offers the finest analogue output available for resolutions up to 480p/576p, while an HDMI output offers an artifact-free digital connection for resolutions up to and including 1080p.

'TEAC has a well-earned reputation of excellence in the industry and it is an honour to have our Precision Scaling technology and ABT1018 chip chosen for the P-03 Universal'.

International Rectifier has introduced four SO-8 30V dual HEXFET MOSFETs for synchronous buck convertor applications up to 6A.
International Rectifier has introduced four SO-8 30V dual HEXFET MOSFETs for synchronous buck convertor applications up to 6A. The devices have optimised conduction, switching and body diode characteristics that maximise performance, enabling cooler operation. When compared with similar devices on the market, these new MOSFETs deliver as much as 1% better efficiency over their entire load range, and as much as 2% more efficiency under light loads like those experienced during 'sleep' or 'standby' modes.

Housed in a single SO-8 packages, these dual devices offer a more compact footprint than using pairs of individually packaged transistors for space constrained applications.

They are also suitable for high performance DC/DC synchronous point-of-load (POL) convertors used in advanced telecomms and datacomms systems, as well as general-purpose buck convertors up to 6A.

The IRF7904PbF and the IRF7907PbF each deliver as much as 1% higher efficiency over the entire load range of 6A compared with similar competing devices.

The IRF7902PbF and IRF7905PbF are for high efficiency DC/DC convertors up to 5A, and perform similarly at full load.

However, at 2A, performance is better by as much as 2% versus industry-standard devices.

The IRF7902PbF and IRF7905PbF have similar electrical characteristics, but have different pinout configurations, whereas the IRF7904PbF and the IRF7907PbF match pinouts with the IRF7902PbF and the IRF7905PbF, respectively.

These devices are available either in tubes or tape and reel and are lead-free and are compliant with the Restriction of hazardous substances Directive (RoHS).

Smaller, thinner, faster, cooler running and more reliable MOSFET devices promise leading edge performance and design flexibility for portable applications.
Recognising the industry's need for smaller, thinner, faster, cooler running and more reliable MOSFET devices for portable applications, ON Semiconductor has introduced uCool (micro-cool) - a new family of power MOSFETs that deliver leading edge performance and design flexibility for portable applications. This introduction is marked by the release of the company's first six uCool devices in a thermally enhanced, remarkably small, WDFN6 package. 'We have designed the uCool portfolio to exclusively address the unique power management challenges in portable devices such as lithium-ion battery charging circuits, high and low side load switches, and synchronous buck and boost circuits', said Thibault Kassir, ON Semiconductor's Director of Marketing for Power MOSFETs.

'These first uCool devices are just the beginning of what we expect will be an extensive portfolio utilising our latest trench technology'.

'Operating voltages will range from 8 to 30V and a variety of configurations will be offered - including single, dual, FETKy, complementary and integrated load switch'.

The six debut uCool products use exposed drain DFN technology for exceptional thermal resistance (38C/W) and power ratings (1.9W) in an impressively small 4mm2 footprint.

Delivering up to a 190% improvement in steady state power rating over the industry standard SC-88 package and 130% improvement over the SC-70-6 flat lead package, the WDFN6-packaged uCool devices - from a power perspective - make significantly better use of valuable board space in portable applications.

The 20V P-channel single NTLJS3113PT1G and the dual NTLJD3115PT1G are both optimised for lithium-ion battery charging applications with on-resistances at 4.5V of 42 and 100mohm, respectively.

These devices are priced at $0.30 and $0.31 per unit in 10,000-unit quantities.

The 20V P-channel FETKy NTLJF3117PT1G (100mohm) is optimised to convert a 3 to 4V battery voltage into 1.1V to power a microprocessor.

This device is priced at $0.31 per unit in 10,000-unit quantities The 30V N-channel single NTLJS4159NT1G (35mohm) and FETKy NTLJF4156NT1G (70mohm) are both optimised for synchronous boost applications such as white LED backlight voltage.

These devices are priced at $0.29 and $0.30 per unit in 10,000-unit quantities.

The 30V N-channel dual NTLJD4116NT1G (70mohm) is optimised for low side switching such as camera strobe and flash.

This device is priced at $0.30 per unit in 10,000-unit quantities.

Although the new uCool power MOSFET family have the same footprint dimensions as a standard SC-88 and SC-70-6 packages, ON Semiconductor's latest MOSFETs offer the added feature of an exposed flag on the bottom surface that acts as a drain contact and heat dissipation path.

The improved thermal path allows for either greater power handling or operation at a lower junction temperature.

These options are important in battery-operated devices because lower junction temperature equates to lower on-resistance or less power loss.

This, in turn, extends the life time of the battery - an extremely important factor considering the many power-draining features being designed into cellphones, digital still cameras, portable games, portable global positioning systems or just about any consumer electronic battery-powered system.

'The uCool product portfolio hits the mark within the portable industry for size, thermal resistance and power rating - especially when compared with larger packages such as the Micro-8, TSOP-6 and ChipFET', said Tom Zemites, ON Semiconductor's Product Marketing manager for Portable MOSFET Products.

'We are providing the industry with a smaller power package that will enable designers to dramatically reduce board space without sacrificing performance, all in a nonbump form'.

The E-183 current regulating diode delivers a constant 18mA over a voltage range of 6-25V.
With the increasing current demands of modern LEDs, Semitec has responded by adding an 18mA current regulating diode (CRD) to its range. The E-183 delivers a constant 18mA over a voltage range of 6-25V. A single CRD can replace several components in a multiple input voltage circuit (eg 6-100V) and helps to minimise PCB space in space-critical applications.

The extra costs involved in purchasing, handling and placing numerous components instead of just one CRD must also be seriously considered.

The CRD also offers superior performance and overvoltage protection (compared with resistors) in circuits driving LEDs.

With current values now available up to 18mA, designers can control the brightest high-current LEDs now available in the market.

Semitec CRDs are available in both mini-MELF and DO-35 formats.

Glass encapsulation ensures long-term stability and operating use up to 150C.

By using them in series or parallel, both higher voltages and higher current ratings can be achieved.

Vishay has licensed its Siliconix TrenchFET power MOSFET technology to KEC, the largest manufacturer of discrete electronic components in Korea.
Vishay Intertechnology has signed an agreement to license its Vishay Siliconix TrenchFET power MOSFET technology to KEC, the largest manufacturer of discrete electronic components in Korea. In signing the agreement with Vishay, KEC will now be able to offer its customers power MOSFETs built on industry-leading TrenchFET technology, the first such products to be manufactured in Korea. The Vishay Siliconix TrenchFET technology, which has progressed through several generations of advancements since its original introduction in the 1990s, enables power MOSFETs with the industry's lowest on-resistance, a figure of merit that translates into smaller, more power-efficient, and cooler-running devices and end products.

As the first manufacturer of trench power MOSFETs in Korea, KEC will address a local market for power MOSFETs valued yearly at 250 billion Won (US $266.7 million).

Until now, demand for trench power MOSFETs in Korea has been supplied entirely by imported devices.

Siliconix pioneered the development of vertical trench power MOSFETs to overcome the limitations of planar DMOS devices, where a parasitic junction FET effect places a severe limit on the benefit of increasing transistor cell densities.

TrenchFET power MOSFETs overcome this barrier by vertically redirecting the current flow in the device's channel in a direct path between the topside source and the backside drain contact.

The result is a high level of scalability that allows successive generations of TrenchFET silicon technology to provide significant increases in power MOSFET performance.