Electronic Design UPDATE: February 15, 2006

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Electronic Design UPDATE e-Newsletter
Electronic Design Magazine
Electronic Design ==> www.electronicdesign.com
February 15, 2006
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http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20D1C:484C79

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Today's Table Of Contents:
1. News Focus
   *Measurement Technology Accurately Calculates On-Chip Jitter
2. News From The Editors
   *CMOS Image Sensor Focuses On Camera Phones
   *Lithography Method Shrinks IC Geometry To 26 nm
   *Multifunction Power-Management IC Benefits Portable Devices
3. TechView Scope
   *Automotive Fuel-Cell System Increases Cabin Space, Improves Performance
4. Upcoming Industry Events
   *RFID World
   *APEC 2006
   *PCB Design Conference West
5. Book Review
   *"HDL Programming Fundamentals: VHDL and Verilog"

Electronic Design UPDATE edited by Lisa Maliniak, eMedia Editor
mailto:[email protected]
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1. News Focus
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Measurement Technology Accurately Calculates On-Chip Jitter

At last week's IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference 
(ISSCC) in San Francisco, NEC unveiled technology that achieves what 
the company claims is the world's most accurate on-chip measurement of 
clock signal quality (jitter). Research into this technology was 
undertaken to support the design and development of new LSI chips, as 
well as improve their performance and reliability. 
   NEC and NEC Electronics embedded a circuit within an LSI chip to 
measure its signal deterioration. As a result, they have developed a 
new LSI design scheme to permit further performance enhancements as 
well as actual data observation in the field. By using this design 
scheme, it will be possible to gather and analyze the amount of 
signal-quality deterioration inside an LSI chip when it is being used 
in a system, even while the device is running a program.
   The new technology improves measurement accuracy by one full 
decimal place over existing methods, allowing for a 1-ps measurement 
of clock fluctuation. It not only observes clock-signal fluctuation in 
real time, it also can output that data as a digital signal.
   Normally, jitter only can be measured once per oscillation period. 
By copying the clock signal, NEC and NEC Electronics carried out 
multiple measurements during a single clock cycle's oscillation 
period. Instead of simply copying the clock signal, the copied clock 
signals were designed to carry equally distributed information about 
the time fluctuation to produce highly accurate results. 

     NEC Electronics ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20D1D:484C79

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Electronic Design Is Looking For A Technology Editor

Are you a talented engineer with a knack for writing? Then we may have 
the job for you. Electronic Design is looking for a new Technology 
Editor to do front-line writing for print and associated eMedia 
properties. This editor will develop and write feature reports, 
product coverage, news, and columns. The qualified candidate needs 
the ability to clearly present technical information in written 
form. A strong electronic engineering background and familiarity 
with any of a wide range of electronic technologies is required, 
and expertise in digital semiconductor technology is preferred.

Interested candidates should e-mail their resume to Editor-in-Chief 
Mark David at mailto:[email protected].

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*******************Live on ElectronicDesign.com***********************

Free Webcast: Boost DSP Throughput with Low-Cost FPGAs
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 2:00 pm ET

Designers are increasingly turning to FPGAs to help accelerate DSP 
performance and add extra compute power as a coprocessor. Lattice 
Semiconductor's latest-generation FPGAs have built-in, advanced DSP 
blocks that each contain a pipelined multiplier-accumulator engine. 
Learn how to implement DSP functions in these latest low-cost, 
high-performance FPGAs. One lucky participant will receive the 
ispLEVER Development Tool for FPGA and CPLD design. Register today!

http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2012B:484C79

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2. News -- From The Editors
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***CMOS Image Sensor Focuses On Camera Phones
Kodak's KAC-01301 1.3-Mpixel CMOS image sensor is specifically 
optimized to enable cost-effective designs in next-generation mobile 
phones. The KAC-01301 sensor provides the image quality currently 
available from CCD image sensors while taking advantage of the power, 
integration, and cost benefits traditionally associated with CMOS 
technology. It leverages the company's Pixelux technology, an 
architecture that uses pinned photodiodes with low dark current and a 
four-transistor shared-pixel structure. The shared-pixel architecture 
also allows for charge-domain binning of multiple pixels on the 
imaging array, enabling operating modes with increased sensitivity for 
low-light image and video capture. The KAC-01301 image sensor is 
expected to sample in the second quarter of 2006.

     Eastman Kodak Company ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20D1E:484C79

***Lithography Method Shrinks IC Geometry To 26 nm
A new IC lithography method under development at the Rochester 
Institute of Technology has led to imaging capabilities beyond that 
previously thought possible. Professor Bruce Smith and a team of 
engineering students developed a method known as evanescent wave 
lithography (EWL), which can optically image what may be the world's 
smallest semiconductor device geometry. The imaging technology created 
geometries down to 26 nm, a size previously possible only via extreme 
ultraviolet wavelength. Using the International Technology Roadmap for 
Semiconductors as a guide, the development comes at least five years 
sooner than anticipated. Knowledge gained from EWL will facilitate the 
development of microelectronics and nanotechnology that will fuel a 
good deal of product development over the next five to 10 years. Smith 
will present his research at Microlithography 2006, a symposium 
sponsored by the International Society for Optical Engineering, on 
February 21 in San Jose, Calif.

     Rochester Institute of Technology ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20D1F:484C79

***Multifunction Power-Management IC Benefits Portable Devices
By integrating a slew of functions on a single chip, the STw4810 
power-management IC saves money and board space over previous 
solutions that used multiple chips and components. In addition to 
multiple dc-dc converters and programmable regulators, the STw4810 
integrates a complete USB-OTG (USB On-The-Go) transceiver and a 
memory-card interface. It also offers processor-supply monitoring and 
reset control. The STw4810 is designed as a partner for any multimedia 
application processor engine (APE) used in portable products such as 
mobile phones and PDAs. The part comes packaged in a 4.6- by 4.6-mm 
VFBGA or 6- by 6-mm TFBGA package. Volume production is planned for 
late in the first quarter of 2006. Pricing is set at $3.00 each in 
1000-piece quantities.

     STMicroelectronics ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20D20:484C79

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3. TechView Scope 
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Automotive Fuel-Cell System Increases Cabin Space, Improves 
Performance

The mainstream fuel-cell automobile is one step closer to a showroom 
near you. Honda will begin producing its next-generation FCX Concept 
hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) in the next three to four 
years. Its fuel-cell system uses a unique low-floor fuel-cell platform 
to deliver more power in less space. 
   Oxygen and hydrogen flow from the top to the bottom of Honda's V 
Flow fuel-cell stack for a vertical gas flow. The fuel cells are 
arranged vertically in the center for high-efficiency packaging. This 
compact layout puts out 100 kW while saving space, producing the 
full-sized passenger cabin that other FCVs lack.
   Water management is key to the FCX's fuel-cell performance. 
Cold-weather startup problems have been an obstacle in FCV 
commercialization. But the FCX's system uses gravity to efficiently 
discharge water formed during electricity generation. As a result, the 
FCX's startup performance matches the performance of typical gasoline 
engines in subzero temperatures. 
   An efficient 80-kW motor sits at the front of the drive train. 
There's a 25-kW space-efficient motor at each rear wheel as well, 
further improving cabin space. A newly developed absorption material 
in the tank doubles capacity to 5 kg of hydrogen at 5000 psi, 
extending cruising range comparable to gasoline engines at 350 miles. 
   In addition to the energy innovations, the car's sensors and 
intelligent cameras can recognize the driver and unlock the doors. The 
unit then sets the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and instrument 
panel to the driver's preferred positions. It also senses the driver's 
line of sight and operates switches accordingly for hands-free 
operation of audio, air conditioning, and other systems. 

     Honda ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20D21:484C79

*************************ADVERTISEMENT**************************

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April 3-7, 2006
McEnery Convention Center, San Jose, Calif.

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Register by March 7th and save up to $200, use code UX3.

http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20D22:484C79

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4. Upcoming Industry Events
**********************

February 27-March 1, RFID World 2006
Dallas, Texas
http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=1F7E5:484C79

March 19-23, APEC 2006
Dallas, Texas
http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20D23:484C79

March 26-31, PCB Design Conference West
Santa Clara, Calif.
http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=1CFBE:484C79

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5. Book Review
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"HDL Programming Fundamentals: VHDL and Verilog"
By Nazeih M. Botros 

For those who are new to hardware description languages (HDLs) or 
looking to refresh dormant skills, Nazeih Botros's "HDL Programming 
Fundamentals" provides a basic course in both VHDL and Verilog. 
There's a slew of books out there that take up either one language or 
the other. This book is a bit unusual in that it covers both in 
parallel. So it can be used to learn either language or both, as the 
reader deems necessary... 

Read the full book review at 
http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20D24:484C79

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EiED Online -- Bus and Board Show: Part 2

Embedded in Electronic Design (EiED) Online is your source for 
technical insight and hands-on reviews. Read Technology Editor Bill 
Wong's latest EiED Online column, "Bus and Board Show: Part 2." 
This year's Bus and Board show brought out a range of issues, from 
the European Union's Restrictions on Hazardous Substances to VME's 
25th  anniversary. Hear about the new Aurora fabric, and find out 
what else Bill Wong discovered at the show. 

http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20D25:484C79

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TAKE A POLL!

In his recent State of the Union Address, President Bush proposed an 
American Competitiveness Initiative. Which element of that 
initiative will best prepare the U.S. to compete in the global 
marketplace?

-- Increased funding for technology research programs
-- A permanent R&D tax credit
-- More rigorous math/science education programs

Vote at Electronic Design ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=15410:484C79

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CONTACTS: Electronic Design UPDATE e-NEWSLETTER
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Editorial: Mark David, Editor-in-Chief
mailto:[email protected]

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