Electronic Design UPDATE: September 14, 2005

==================================

Electronic Design UPDATE e-Newsletter
Electronic Design Magazine
PlanetEE ==> www.planetee.com
September 14, 2005
=============================


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

Download your FREE 40-Page Guide to Simpler Design Validation. Learn 
tips and tricks to apply at each stage of your design development 
for a more streamlined debug and validation process. 

http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137FB:1001CD

****************************************************************

Today's Table Of Contents:
1. News Focus
  *Walking Yields Wattage
2. News From The Editors
  *Semiconductor Sales Growth Will Hit Low Point In 2005
  *Splayed Pins Sink More Heat
  *CMOS Sensors Bring High-Res To The Mainstream
3. TechView Scope
  *Apple Taps Flash Memory For Latest iPod
4. Upcoming Industry Events
  *Int'l Robots and Vision Show
  *ARM Developers' Conference
  *Int'l Conference on Lead Free Components
5. Book Review
  *"Embedded Systems Design Using The Rabbit 3000 Microprocessor"

Electronic Design UPDATE edited by Lisa Maliniak, eMedia Editor
mailto:[email protected]
****************************************************************

BEST Designs of the Year 

Electronic Design is searching for the industry's best designs. Have 
you created an especially innovative or unique product within the 
past year? Get the recognition you deserve by submitting your design 
for consideration as an Electronic Design "Best Design of the Year." 
We're going to feature articles about the winning products in our 
December 1, 2005 "Best of" special issue. You'll also get cash, as 
the top design wins $1000. Good luck! 

Get details at http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137FC:1001CD 

****************************************************************

**********************
1. News Focus
**********************

Walking Yields Wattage

Researchers have found yet another benefit of walking -- it can be 
used to generate power for portable electronics. A new backpack can 
generate electricity by harnessing the mechanical energy created by 
walking. The walker's up-and-down hip motion makes the backpack's 
suspended load bounce up and down, generating up to 7.4 W. A typical 
cell phone consumes roughly 1 W.
   A team of biologists at the University of Pennsylvania developed 
the backpack's generator with funding from the U.S. Office of 
Naval Research. The original goal was to eliminate the need for 
soldiers to carry weighty spare batteries to power critical 
equipment such as communication devices and night-vision goggles. 
However, the developers hope the backpack also will be useful to 
field scientists, explorers, and disaster relief workers in 
remote locations. 
   A sack carrying the load is suspended from the backpack's rigid 
frame by vertically oriented springs. Normal forward walking 
causes the hip, and the backpack load, to move up and down by 5 
to 7 cm with each step. The vertical movement of the backpack 
contents provides the mechanical energy to drive a small 
generator mounted on the frame, creating a current that can 
either run a portable device or charge a battery ( view video of 
backpack operation at 
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137F4:1001CD ).
   Prototype testing showed that the backpack's power output 
increased with walking speed and with the weight of the load in 
the pack. University of Pennsylvania researcher Larry Rome has 
set up a company called Lightning Packs to commercialize the 
idea. 
     University of Pennsylvania ==> 
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137F7:1001CD

****************************************************************

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

Tektronix -- The Next Generation of Signal Generation

The new AFG3000 Series arbitrary/function generators mean a new era 
of ease and usability. A large display and GUI bring confidence that 
what you set is what you'll get. Be the first to see what the next 
generation signal generators can do for you.

http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137F5:1001CD

****************************************************************

**********************
2. News -- From The Editors
**********************

***Semiconductor Sales Growth Will Hit Low Point In 2005
The rapid rise in global energy prices and a growing excess of 
manufacturing capacity have prompted market researcher iSuppli to 
trim its forecast for 2005 semiconductor sales and to modify its 
outlook for the industry's present growth cycle. While it's still 
not clear what impact Hurricane Katrina will have on the 
semiconductor industry, iSuppli believes that at the very least the 
catastrophe will exacerbate the market's energy problems in the 
short term. The company's previous forecast was for 5.9% worldwide 
semiconductor growth in 2005. However, it now predicts that global 
semiconductor sales will rise to $232.7 billion in 2005, up only 
2.4% from 2004. It also predicts that 2005 will mark the low point 
of the present semiconductor cycle and that growth will accelerate 
during the following years. After a marginal rise in 2006, chip 
sales are expected to rise by double-digit percentages in 2007, 
2008, and 2009.
     iSuppli Corp. ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137FF:1001CD

***Splayed Pins Sink More Heat
Cool Innovations claims its splayed-pin fin heatsinks generate 20% 
to 30% better cooling than standard-pin fin heatsinks when operating 
in low-airspeed environments and in the natural convection mode. 
UltraCool P pin fins feature an array of round pins that are splayed 
outwards. They possess the same large surface area of conventional 
pin fin heatsinks but aren't as densely configured. The sparse 
configuration enables surrounding airflows to enter and exit the pin 
array more efficiently. UltraCool P pin fin heatsinks are forged 
from pure aluminum and oxygen-free copper. They're available in a 
wide variety of standard sizes, ranging in footprint from 0.5 by 0.5 
in. to 2.0 by 2.0 in. and in height from 0.2 to 1.1 in. The new 
splayed line suits any surface-mount package type and is offered 
with pre-applied double-sided thermal tape or mechanical clips. 
Pricing begins at $1.50 each. 
     Cool Innovations Inc. ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137FE:1001CD

***CMOS Sensors Bring High-Res To The Mainstream
A pair of CMOS sensors brings high-quality images to mainstream 
image-capture applications such as digital cameras and camera 
phones. Both the 5- and 3.1-Mpixel image sensors are equipped with 
Micron Technology's proprietary low-noise, high-sensitivity 
DigitalClarity technology, which helps output high-quality images 
while also extending a device's battery life. The 5-Mpixel MT9P001 
sensor is designed for either digital camera or camera phone 
applications, while the 3.1-Mpixel MT9T012 sensor just targets 
camera phones. The sensors were developed using a pixel size of 2.2 
microns square, which created a small form factor to accommodate 
shrinking camera and camera phone size while preserving picture 
quality. In addition, both sensors feature pixel binning, simplified 
mechanical shutter support, and support for multiple interface 
standards. The 3.1-Mpixel image sensor is currently sampling, with 
production quantities available in the fourth quarter. Samples of 
the 5-Mpixel image sensor are expected to be available in November. 
     Micron Technology Inc. ==> 
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137FA:1001CD

****************************************************************

**********************
3. TechView Scope 
**********************

Apple Taps Flash Memory For Latest iPod

Apple has done it again. The iPod nano offers 2 or 4 Gbytes of flash 
memory, based on the model, starting at $199. That's 500 or 1000 songs, 
respectively. Measuring just 3.5 by 1.6 by 0.27 in., this 1.5-oz 
device is about as thick as a pencil. But it still features a 
1.5-in. color LCD and the click wheel that iPod fans have grown to 
love. Its built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers up to 14 
hours of music -- or, four hours of slideshows with music. The player 
also holds up to 25,000 photos. Users on the go can sync their iPod 
nanos with their calendars, contact lists, and to-do lists. And, it 
comes in white or black. The iPod nano works with Mac OS X and 
Windows 2000/XP. 
     Apple Computer ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=13800:1001CD  

****************************************************************

A T-Shirt For Your Thoughts

Here's your chance to select the best design and product articles 
that have appeared in the pages of Electronic Design during the past 
year. Take our short Readers' Choice online survey and get a chance 
to be one of 20 lucky participants who'll walk away with a coveted 
Electronic Design t-shirt. Look for the results in our "Best" 
special issue hitting your desk (and browser) on December 1.

http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137F6:1001CD

****************************************************************

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

September 27-29, International Robots and Vision Show and Conference
Chicago, Ill.
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137F0:1001CD

October 4-6, ARM Developers' Conference '05
Santa Clara, Calif.
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137F9:1001CD

December 6-8, IPC/JEDEC International Conference on Lead Free 
Electronic Components
Boston, Mass.
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137EF:1001CD

****************************************************************

**********************
5. Book Review
**********************

"Embedded Systems Design Using The Rabbit 3000 Microprocessor"
By Kamal Hyder and Bob Perrin

The Rabbit 3000 is Rabbit Semiconductor's latest microcontroller 
line, and "Embedded Systems Design Using The Rabbit 3000 
Microprocessor" covers it very well. This book looks at the 
architecture of the chip, as well as at how the chip can be used for 
controlling an embedded system...

Read the full book review at 
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137F3:1001CD

****************************************************************

Technology in the News

Electronic Design has a new online feature, Technology in the News. 
We're going to be taking a closer, in-depth look at the technology 
issues that are currently making headlines in the mainstream media. 
Read our first offering, which explores the electronics that are 
powering the next generation of gaming systems.

http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137F1:1001CD

****************************************************************

Embedded in Electronic Design (EiED) Online is your source for 
technical insight and hands-on reviews. Read one of Technology 
Editor Bill Wong's latest EiED Online columns, "An Eye on NI Week." 
Bill attended NI Week, National Instruments' annual dog and pony 
show. He takes a look at the best of breed, including some 
integrated solutions that streamline the development process along 
with Lego robot competitors.

http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137F2:1001CD

**********************

TAKE A POLL!

Should the U.S. implement strict federal recycling policies for 
e-waste?

-- Yes, it's a huge enviromental problem
-- Eventually, but it's not imperative
-- No, let it be done on the state level
-- No, it's a waste of time and money
-- Not sure

Vote at Electronic Design ==> http://www.elecdesign.com

********************************************************************

**LAST CHANCE -- SUBMIT BY 9/30**

Want Your Picture Published In Electronic Design? It's Easy! 

Send us some photos showing you (and your team) at work. We need 
them for our "Day in the Life of an Electronic Designer" photo 
essay, which will appear in Electronic Design's Oct. 20 special 
issue. There's a $500 Grand Prize for best photo series and $250 
prize for best photo, and we pay $50 if we use any of your photos in 
the issue. Please include the names and titles of all photo 
subjects, as well as company name and the type of work-in-process 
illustrated by the photo. Digital photos should be in .tif or .jpg 
formats and must have resolution of at least 300 dpi. Deadline for 
submission is Sept. 30.

E-mail digital photos to Richard Gawel at mailto:[email protected]

Mail hard-copy photos to:
 
Richard Gawel
Managing Editor
Electronic Design
45 Eisenhower Dr., 5th Floor
Paramus, NJ 07652

****************************************************************

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE TO ELECTRONIC DESIGN
If you're reading this e-newsletter, then you are either a current 
Electronic Design subscriber, or should be (145,000 of your peers 
are). To apply for or renew a subscription to Electronic Design 
absolutely FREE and without paperwork or hassle, click on the link 
below.

http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137F8:1001CD
****************************************************************

==================================

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

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

Advertising/Sponsorship Opportunities: Bill Baumann, Publisher:
mailto:[email protected]
=======================================
You've received this e-newsletter for one of two reasons:
1) you subscribe to Electronic Design magazine
2) you've signed up for it at
http://www.planetee.com/Index.cfm?Action=Email



Please see below for unsubscribe and address-change instructions.

To unsubscribe click here 
http://nls.planetee.com/u?id=DAC10E05C26BA87283CBFE29DFA7F1A0

To change your email address send an email, include your old address 
as well as your new one, to:
mailto:[email protected]

To subscribe visit our e-newsletter subscription center at 
http://www.planetee.com/Index.cfm?Action=Email

If you need assistance in updating the information you have provided 
to Penton or you have questions or comments about our privacy 
policies, please click on the link below.
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=137FD:1001CD

Copyrighted 2005 Penton Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Electronic Design
45 Eisenhower Dr., 5th Floor
Paramus, NJ 07652 
USA