Electronic Design UPDATE: March 1, 2006

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Electronic Design UPDATE e-Newsletter
Electronic Design Magazine
Electronic Design ==> www.electronicdesign.com
March 1, 2006
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http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=22558:484C79

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Today's Table Of Contents:
1. News Focus
  *16-Bit Flash MCUs Boost Power/Performance Ratio
2. News From The Editors
  *Ultra-Miniature Crystal Oscillators Suit Low-Power Apps
  *Biometric Authentication System Discerns Cardiac Patterns
  *PARC Technology Helps Cut Solar Power Costs
3. TechView Scope
  *Sensor Network Aims To Improve First Response
4. Upcoming Industry Events
  *APEC 2006
  *PCB Design Conference West
  *Embedded Systems Conference
5. Book Review
  *"Embedded Media Processing"

Electronic Design UPDATE edited by Lisa Maliniak, eMedia Editor
mailto:[email protected]
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1. News Focus
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16-Bit Flash MCUs Boost Power/Performance Ratio

Targeting the consumer electronics, household appliance, and 
industrial systems markets, NEC Electronics' 78K0R series of 16-bit 
microcontrollers delivers six times the power/performance ratio of the 
company's 8-bit MCU series. The flash-based MCUs consume 1.8 mW/MIPS. 
Designers have a large variety of design options with the 78K0R 
series, which consists of 30 devices in packages with 64 to 100 pins 
and flash memory configurations ranging from 64 to 256 kbytes.
   A three-stage pipeline supports performance up to 13 MIPS, while 
voltage-control circuits and other CPU features help suppress power 
consumption to levels approximately half those of many comparable 
16-bit MCUs. As a result, designers can develop more complex systems 
with advanced functionality while still meeting the rigorous 
requirements for low power consumption.
   The series also features power-on reset functions, 
voltage-detection circuits, on-chip oscillators, calendar timers, and 
low electromagnetic interference. The 16-bit 78K0R instruction set 
includes the 8-bit 78K0 instruction set to allow for upward 
compatibility. Built with NEC's 0.15-micron process technology and 
SuperFlash embedded flash memory, the MCUs are priced competitively 
with 16-bit mask ROM devices.
   The company's development tool suite includes on-chip debuggers and 
the Minicube2 debugger/flash programmer combination, as well as a 
software simulator and Applilet sample code-generator program. NEC 
Electronics America offers both its own flash programming services and 
services provided by a number of third-party vendors.
   Samples of the 16-bit series are expected to be available starting 
in April 2006, with volume production scheduled to begin in October 
2006. Pricing for the 100-pin 78K0R/KG3 MCU with 256 kbytes of memory 
is $5 in 1000-unit orders.
     NEC Electronics America ==> 
http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=22551:484C79

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

Free Web Seminar: Troubleshooting Common Circuit Problems Using Digital Oscilloscopes
Thursday, March 23, 2006 at 2:00 pm ET

Join us to learn about the techniques available in modern digital 
oscilloscopes for troubleshooting circuit problems. This seminar will 
focus on practical, real-world examples showing how to troubleshoot 
common failure modes of circuits and components. Topics discussed will 
include finding small signals in the presence of noise, EMI/ESD tests, 
and troubleshooting crosstalk. Register today!

http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=22550:484C79

QuickLogic Pop Quiz 

Test your knowledge with QuickLogic's short FPGA pop quiz. You'll be 
eligible to win an iPod Nano no matter what your score, so don't 
forget to enter your contact details and hit submit!

http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=22556:484C79

Free eBook: A Black-Box Approach To ADCs

This eBook provides a black-box approach to the traditional 
analog-to-digital converter (ADC) tutorial. It concentrates on the 
common characteristics of all ADCs and what they imply for the 
system-level designer. The third chapter is now available. Download 
it today!

http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=22554:484C79

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2. News -- From The Editors
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***Ultra-Miniature Crystal Oscillators Suit Low-Power Apps
The SaRonix S1643 and S1644 series quartz crystal clock oscillators, 
which come in an ultra-miniature 3.2- by 2.5-mm ceramic package, are 
an excellent match for low-power applications. AT-cut quartz produces 
a specified output clock signal between 1.8432 and 106.25 MHz. The 
crystals run off a 3.3- or 2.5-V supply and use a non-PLL 
(phase-locked loop) clock circuit to achieve low output jitter and 8- 
to 15-mA current consumption -- ideal for battery-operated or 
low-power systems. Moreover, the products achieve a +/-25-ppm total 
accuracy over commercial operating conditions and +/-50-ppm total 
accuracy over industrial operating conditions. Lead times range from 
stock to 10 weeks. Prices start around $1.10 each in 1000-piece 
quantities. The devices are available on tape and reel for automated 
pick-and-place assembly. They comply with the European Union's 
Restrictions on Hazardous Substances. And, they're compatible with 
lead-free reflow soldering guidelines.
     Pericom Semiconductor Corp. ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2255C:484C79

***Biometric Authentication System Discerns Cardiac Patterns
Every individual has a distinctive cardiac pattern that lends itself 
to use in biometric authentication. Aladdin Knowledge Systems has 
demonstrated a biometric authentication technology that uses a 
person's natural biodynamic signature (BDS), an electro-bio signature 
that is unique to each individual. Unlike other biometric technologies 
that use fingerprints, pictures, or static bio-signals to identify a 
person, BDS is based on intrinsic human electro-biometric dynamic 
signals acquired by merely touching a small conductive surface. The 
signature is based on the electronic signals humans produce from their 
body, including the heart. This new biometric technology is highly 
accurate, user friendly, and difficult to deceive. Aladdin may offer 
the authentication technology as early as 2007.
     Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd. ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2255F:484C79

***PARC Technology Helps Cut Solar Power Costs
The Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) and SolFocus are working together 
on a solar-power system that will cut costs by as much as half. PARC 
is contributing core patents and long-term technology-development 
support for SolFocus' current and next-generation product lines. The 
venture builds on the original SolFocus design for concentrator 
photovoltaic technology, which creates electricity by using precision 
optical components to direct and concentrate sunlight onto 
high-efficiency solar cells. The venture is a result of PARC's "clean 
technologies" initiative, a research program designed to focus on key 
areas of renewable energy. The innovative module design is based on a 
solid-state concept featuring small reflective concentrator elements 
housed in a flat molded glass tile with mirrors on each side. Each 
tile will be pressed from molten glass and will contain 160 individual 
cells, generating a total of 30 W. Several tiles can be joined 
together to deliver the desired total electrical output. 
     Palo Alto Research Center Inc. (PARC) ==> 
http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2255D:484C79 

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3. TechView Scope 
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Sensor Network Aims To Improve First Response

First responders have to be ready for anything -- chemical, 
biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. Early identification is 
the key to success. Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a 
detection system that operates on a citywide level. This system 
integrates a 911 dispatch system with sensors, alarms, and video 
surveillance. 
   The SensorNet system is on trial at Fort Bragg, a military base in 
North Carolina. The base is home to more than 30,000 residents, with 
11 shopping centers, 28 restaurants, a major medical center, 11 
churches, and 183 recreational facilities. It also covers more than 20 
million square feet of office buildings. Protecting such a large area 
may seem like a demanding task for a new system. 
   Yet the system is quite simple. It relies on plug-and-play sensors 
in applications that are invisible to users, unlike conventional 
public-safety mass-notification networks. It doesn't require any 
complicated computer programming. Also, it sends information directly 
to command centers or emergency responder dispatchers in real time. 
Most importantly, it's easy to operate. 
   "Any sensor can talk to any application," says Bryan Gorman, a 
researcher with Oak Ridge's Computational Sciences and Engineering 
Division. "Just like with the Internet or with telephone systems, it 
doesn't matter what kind of computer or telephone you have, where you 
are or what application you're running. The system just works."
   The trial will assess how well the system integrates its chemical, 
biological, radiological, and nuclear sensors with meteorological 
sensors, intrusion detectors, and access control technologies. The 
sensors that emerge as the best in class will be incorporated in 
SensorNet installations around the United States. Funded by the 
Department of Defense, the project is scheduled to last five years. 
     Oak Ridge National Laboratory ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=22560:484C79

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4. Upcoming Industry Events
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March 19-23, APEC 2006
Dallas, Texas
http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=22555:484C79

March 26-31, PCB Design Conference West
Santa Clara, Calif.
http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2255E:484C79

April 3-7, Embedded Systems Conference Silicon Valley
San Jose, Calif.
http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2255A:484C79

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5. Book Review
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"Embedded Media Processing"
By David. J Katz and Rick Gentile 

Although multimedia processing is very common, getting started in this 
arena is not as simple as churning out some dialog boxes and some Java 
code. Check out this book and you will have a good idea of both the 
topic areas and methods that will prove very useful. You won't find a 
detailed implementation of a Hough Transform, but that is something 
you can often find in a runtime library. What you really need to know 
is where it is used... 

Read the full book review at 
http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=22552:484C79

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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 discovered at the show. 

http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=22553:484C79

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TAKE A POLL!

As Internet traffic increases, speeds decrease, causing bothersome 
delays. Telecom companies have proposed a fee-based system to deal 
with the problem. Should Internet users be charged for sending 
e-mail?

-- Yes, charges may reduce overuse that clogs the system
-- Users should have the option to pay for faster service
-- There should be an e-mail limit at which charges begin
-- No, it should stay a free method of information exchange

Vote at Electronic Design ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2255B:484C79

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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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