Engineering Hall of Fame/Flashback

APRIL 16, 1992
Although little new appears to be happening in the general-purpose high-resolution (greater than 13 bits) monolithic digital-to-analog converter (DAC) domain, IC DACs aimed strictly at digital audio applications are on a roll. Some of this audio-DAC technology, primarily several new DAC architectures, is being transferred to the general-purpose arena. In fact, several of the new general-purpose DACs are based on audio-DAC technology, with a potential for much more in the future.

Today, you can buy 16- to 20-bit IC audio DACs that offer a dynamic range of more than 100 dB and a signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB.... Also available are 16- to 20-bit general-purpose IC analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with similar dynamic range that provide accuracy levels of 16 bits or greater at dc and over temperatures. (Special Report, p. 55)

APRIL 12, 1977
Higher speeds and greater bit densities, but lower power and cheaper prices—plus more functions per chip. These major trends in semiconductor memory development have produced today's bewildering array of memory alternatives, including dynamic and static RAMs, ROMs, PROMs, EPROMs, and EAROMs.

This semiconductor-memory revolution will be highlighted in \[Electro '77\] Session 5, which will attempt to pinpoint some of these trends. A new family of bipolar PROMs with built-in output registers saves PC-board space while cutting power consumption and cycle times, according to a Session 5 paper on the impact of registered PROMs on the computer architecture.... (Electro Special Section, p. 55)

APRIL 12, 1962
Support for the proposed merger of the IRE and AIEE wasevident at a general membership meeting held during the IRE show in New York City. About 400 IRE members expressed their opinions and, in a straw vote, backed the merger by 313 to 44.

If the merger is approved by a special referendum within the next two months, the 97,000-member IRE and the 70,000-member AIEE will merge on Jan. 1, 1963. The new organization would be known as the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), and have combined assets of about $6.5 million. (News, p. 10)

Electronic Design's Engineering Hall Of Fame honors the profession's most noteworthy individuals. It's our way of thanking the design engineers who have been the hallmark of our very existence and, indeed, our very name. In our October commemorative issue, we will honor the first 50 inductees—one for every year of our magazine. Propose your own candidates and vote for your choices from the individuals nominated by the editors.

Visit our Web site (www.elecdesign.com) to make your choices from the best in the industry.