Electronic Design UPDATE: May 5, 2004

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Electronic Design UPDATE e-Newsletter
Electronic Design Magazine 
PlanetEE ==> www.planetee.com
May 5, 2004
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Today's Table Of Contents:
1. Industry View
  * Did You Write It Down? How To Correctly Keep A Notebook For Your 
    Ideas
2. Focus On Test & Measurement
  * Vibration Analyzer Is Fully Programmable
3. News From The Editors
  * 2.4-GHz Antennas Offer High Gain
  * Magnetoresistive Device Accurately Measures Position, Current
  * 70-W, 1U Supplies Feature Active Power-Factor Correction
4. Upcoming Industry Events  
  * Society for Information Display Symposium, Seminar, and Exhibition
  * Batteries 2004 Conference & Exhibition
  * RFIC Symposium 2004
  * Solid-State Sensor, Actuator, and Microsystems Workshop
5. Magazine Highlights: April 26, 2004
  * Cover Story: Technology Report -- SANs: Sharing Storage To Infinity 
    And Beyond
  * Technology Report -- Piecing It Together: The Old And The New In 
    Backplanes And Buses
  * Leapfrog: Industry First -- Programmable Engine Runs H.264 Baseline 
In Full-Duplex Mode
  * Leapfrog: First Look -- Nowhere To Go But Up In SoC HW/SW Codesign
  * Design View / Design Solution -- Get Yourself "Plugged In" To The 
    Latest In Socketing Systems

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Electronic Design UPDATE edited by John Novellino, Executive Editor

BE SURE TO VISIT Electronic Design's Web site, where the power of 
Electronic Design is a mouse click away! Read our Web exclusives, enjoy 
our Quick Poll, discover Featured Vendors, access our archives, share 
viewpoints in our Forums, explore our e-newsletters, and more.

Go to: http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh105Am0Av

TAKE OUR CURRENT QUICK POLL:
Lou Frenzel, our Communications Editor, has touched off a firestorm of 
controversy with his Editor's View about Broadband Over Powerline (BPL) 
in our April 21 Electronic Design UPDATE newsletter. What is your 
opinion of BPL technology?
Go to Electronic Design ==> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BGmZ0Ak

*****

Missed the Embedded Systems Conference? 

You can still find out about the hot products. William Wong speaks about 
the new and exciting developments at the show. 

View the showcast archive at: 
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHti0A8

*****

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1. Industry View -- Exclusive to Electronic Design UPDATE
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Did You Write It Down? How To Correctly Keep A Notebook For Your Ideas

Brad Thomas, ip help llc

Engineers must know not only how to come up with inventive ideas, but 
also how to protect them. A key factor in that protection is a properly 
maintained notebook. This can help you prove that you are the inventor 
as well as when you thought of the idea and turned it into an actual 
object or process. It also can prove that you did not abandon the idea 
while you developed it and that it was new and original. All of these 
factors are important in  defending and protecting your rights.
   Here are some suggestions on keeping a notebook:
   * Use a book with permanently bound pages.
   * Write your name, address, and the date you began to keep the book 
on the front cover.
   * Number the pages.
   * Use signature lines at the bottom for your witnesses. For example, 
write "Witnessed and Understood:" with a "Signature" line and a 
"Date" line.
   * Write all entries in ink and by hand. 
   * Do not erase. Cross out errors, and make a new entry. Entries 
should not be changed at a later date. Make a new entry, 
cross-reference the earlier entry, and point out any change.
   * Make entries as you work.
   * Date every entry. If you're writing about something that happened 
before, state when the work was actually done and why you did not 
enter it earlier.
   * Record dates of conception and dates of "reduction to practice." A 
sketch and brief description may be enough to establish conception. 
You need to make and successfully test the invention to show 
reduction to practice.
   * Write so that you could prove facts in court. Be candid. Be 
credible.
   * Write so that a coworker could continue from where you stop. 
   * Avoid making negative notes such as "Does not work," which might be 
interpreted as you abandoning the idea. 
   * Indicate which project your work involves. 
   * Include all plans, procedures, diagrams, and sketches considered 
during the project, along with information to identify and explain 
the subject matter. The entries should indicate the nature of the 
project, when it started, ideas considered, what was made, what was 
tested, test results, observations, and conclusions.
   * Sign and date pages when full. 
   * Do not leave blank areas on a page. If you want a separation, draw 
a diagonal line or cross through the open space.
   * Have at least one impartial person who is competent to understand 
the work regularly examine, sign, and date each page. This person 
should not be a spouse, best friend, joint inventor, your patent 
attorney, or a notary public. Find a witness who can be trusted to 
keep your work confidential and who will be available later in case 
you should need testimony to support your claims.
   * Record the names of people involved with the work.
   * Record the names of witnesses present during demonstrations and 
important experiments. Have at least two sign your entry.
   * Record the name of the invention. Include its purpose and a 
description. Also include a working sketch/diagram and describe 
similar publicly known inventions/prior art, novel features, and its 
advantages and disadvantages.
   * Record how you developed your idea. Include the progress and 
completion of compounds, assemblies, or models that are being 
prepared for testing. Explain how these are being made. 
   * Record how you tested your idea, the results, and what you learned. 
Make particular note of successful tests, including dates, the 
elements involved, and comments on the results.
   * Write objectively, and focus on the facts. Do not write conclusions 
unless they are supported by the facts recorded.
   * Permanently attach all important loose documents, such as letters, 
sketches, photos, or printouts relevant to the project in the 
notebook with your signature and date. Include a reference to 
attachments in your entries.
   * File receipts, correspondence, cancelled checks, and other 
miscellaneous documents relating to your invention. Note the date you 
received them.
   * Ensure that your work and notebook contents are kept secret. 
Consider confidentiality agreements for your witnesses. Add the line 
"The above information is confidential" just above your 
witness-signature area.
   * Lock up your notebook.
   All this detail may seem tedious and time consuming. But if you ever 
have to prove the ownership of your work, it will be invaluable.

Brad Thomas is the founder and president of ip help llc, Deerfield, Ill. 
Prior to founding ip help, he managed corporate litigation involving 
patents, trademarks, trade dress, trade secret information, and unfair 
trade practice issues. He can be contacted 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://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtj0AA

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2. Focus On Test & Measurement
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***Vibration Analyzer Is Fully Programmable
A full-featured vibration analyzer, the ZonicBook/618E offers eight to 
56 channels of data acquisition. Its PowerPC-based Ethernet engine 
transfers acquired data to the host PC at better than 2 Mbytes/s. The 
dynamic inputs are software programmable for voltage range (nine 
ranges), ac/dc coupling, and ICP source, and they read sensor 
calibration information. Software in the PC determines all of the 
analyzer's capabilities, so users can upgrade their units as needed. 
Five software packages are available, each tailored to a particular 
vibration measurement and analysis application. The hardware portion of 
the system is the signal conditioning and acquisition engine. The 
eight-channel ZonicBook/618E with one eZ-Series software package costs 
$13,999. Each additional eight-channel option is $4899. Delivery is in 
three weeks.
     IOtech Inc. ==> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtk0AB 

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3. News -- From The Editors
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***2.4-GHz Antennas Offer High Gain
The Model PA24 2.4-GHz directional, high-gain antennas come in thin, 
low-profile packages. The PA24-13 (13.0-dBi gain) and the PA24-19 
(19.0-dBi gain) are designed for use with wireless local-area networks 
and IEEE 802.11b/g applications. They operate from 2400 to 2485 MHz, 
with a temperature range of -40 deg. C to 70 deg. C. They have a Type N 
female connector. The weatherproof antennas are made of gray 
UV-resistant ABS plastic radomes with aluminum backplates and die-cast 
aluminum brackets that can tilt 45 deg. Mounting hardware is stainless 
steel. The PA24-13 is 7.5 by 7.5 by 0.8 in. and weighs 17.6 oz. The 
PA24-19 is 15.4 by 10.6 by 0.8 in. and weighs 60 oz. The PA24-13 starts 
at $39.95, and the PA24-19 at $64.95 (1-9). In 100-piece quantities, the 
antennas cost $33.96 and $55.21 each, respectively. The are available 
from stock.
   Pacific Wireless ==> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtl0AC 

***Magnetoresistive Device Accurately Measures Position, Current
Using two magnetic field sensors, the ZMX40M accurately measures linear 
position and high-voltage current with a sensitivity greater than that 
of traditional Hall effect devices. Thin-film permalloy stripes covering 
each sensor form a Wheatstone bridge that provides an output voltage 
proportional to the magnetic field (Hy) running the length of the SM8 
package. Internal permanent magnets create a perpendicular field (Hx) 
that suppresses hysteresis and biases the sensors in their linear 
region. With calibration to allow for tolerance differences between the 
sensor bridge outputs, the ZMX40M can resolve distances down to 30 
microns in toothed-wheel and automotive applications. By combining both 
bridge outputs and locating an external current loop above or below the 
ZMX40M, a high-voltage current sensor can be created. The device costs 
$1.95 each in lots of 10,000. Delivery is four to six weeks.
     Zetex Inc. ==> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtm0AD 

***70-W, 1U Supplies Feature Active Power-Factor Correction
The REL70 series of high-density enclosed switching power supplies 
delivers outputs of 70 W while meeting the space and performance needs 
of 1U packaging. Twenty-two models are available for single, dual, 
triple, and quad outputs from 2.5 to 48 V dc. All accept 85 to 264 V ac, 
offer active power-factor correction to 0.98, and have soft-start 
circuitry and integral electromagnetic-interference filtering that meets 
EN61000 requirements. They include a power-good LED indicator and an 
output-adjustment potentiometer. Operating ambient temperature range is 
-10 deg. C to 50 deg. C without derating. Measuring 4.5 by 2.5 by 1.22 
in., the supplies come with Molex-style connections. They cost $69 each 
in units of 100 and are available four weeks ARO.
     Astrodyne ==> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtn0AE 

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4. Upcoming Industry Events
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May 23-28, Society for Information Display Symposium, Seminar, and 
Exhibition
Seattle, Wash.
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHTL0A7 

June 2-4, Batteries 2004 Conference & Exhibition
Paris, France
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHto0AF 

June 6-8, RFIC Symposium 2004
Fort Worth, Texas
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtp0AG 

June 6-10, Solid-State Sensor, Actuator, and Microsystems Workshop
Hilton Head Island, S.C.
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtq0AH 

Calls For Papers:

Nov. 10-11, Wireless Congress 2004: Systems & Applications
Munich, Germany
Deadline: Abstract by July 1
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtr0AI 

Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 2004 Materials Research Society Fall Meeting
Boston, Mass.
Deadline: Abstract by June 22
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHts0AJ

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

April 26, 2004:

* Cover Story: Technology Report -- SANs: Sharing Storage To Infinity 
And Beyond 
Storage-area networks bring vital support to capacity-hungry systems, 
and fiber-optic links help make them more pratical than ever.
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtt0AK

* Technology Report -- Piecing It Together: The Old And The New In 
Backplanes And Buses
Serial bus technologies push performance while backward compatibility 
remains a key concern for COTS environments.
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtu0AL

* Leapfrog: Industry First -- Programmable Engine Runs H.264 Baseline In 
Full-Duplex Mode
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtv0AM

* Leapfrog: First Look -- Nowhere To Go But Up In SoC HW/SW Codesign
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtw0AN

* Design View / Design Solution -- Get Yourself "Plugged In" To The 
Latest In Socketing Systems
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHtx0AO

For the complete Table of Contents, go to 
Electronic Design ==> 
http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/eA0Gl4E70Fh10BHty0AP

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CONTACTS: Electronic Design UPDATE e-NEWSLETTER
==================================

Editorial: Lucinda Mattera, Associate Chief Editor:
mailto:[email protected]

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