Electronic Design UPDATE: May 11, 2005

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Electronic Design UPDATE e-Newsletter
Electronic Design Magazine
PlanetEE ==> www.planetee.com
May 11, 2005
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Today's Table Of Contents:
1. News Focus
  *Li-Ion Battery Chargers Select Between USB And AC Adapter
2. News From The Editors
  *White LED Driver Adds Shift Register
  *I/O Module Combines PCI, Ethernet Advantages
  *Inductor Delivers Low DCR In A Small Package
3. TechView Scope
  *Networking Technology Transmits Data Over Body Surface
4. Upcoming Industry Events
  *Spring Processor Forum 
  *SID International Symposium 2005
  *Sensors Expo and Conference

Electronic Design UPDATE edited by Lisa Maliniak, eMedia Editor

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A Closer Look At Video Signals

Nowadays there are numerous standards for the digital video signals 
widely used in such products as game players and cell phones. Tough 
design questions arise, however, because those digital signals must 
be dealt with in an analog domain. Get the answers in a new eBook, 
"Analog/Mixed-Signal Components For 21st Century Video," by 
Analog/Power Editor Don Tuite.

http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98B0:1001CD

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1. News Focus
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Li-Ion Battery Chargers Select Between USB And AC Adapter

Two standalone dual-input linear battery chargers, the LTC4075 and 
LTC4075X, efficiently manage the charging of single-cell lithium-ion 
(Li-ion) batteries from either wall-adapter or USB power sources. 
Using a constant-current/constant-voltage algorithm, the chargers 
can deliver up to 950 mA of charge current from a wall-adapter 
supply or up to 500 mA of charge current from a USB supply while 
automatically sensing the presence of voltage at each input. The 
final float voltage accuracy is +/-0.6% in either case. The LTC4075X 
disables the trickle charge function, which benefits systems that 
require more charge current during low-battery conditions. 
Applications include PDAs, MP3 players, lightweight portable medical 
and test equipment, and cell phones with large color screens.
   The LTC4075/X is equipped with a patented thermal regulation 
scheme that maximizes the charging rate without the risk of 
overheating. Wall-adapter supply charge current, USB supply 
charge current, and charge termination current are all 
programmable via a single resistor. As a standalone charger, it 
also features trickle charge for battery pre-conditioning, 
undervoltage lockout, automatic recharge, a charge status 
indicator, and "power present" status outputs to indicate the 
presence of wall-adapter or USB power. 
   The LTC4075/X is offered in a low-profile (0.75 mm), 10-lead, 3- 
by 3-mm DFN package. External MOSFETs, sense resistors, and 
blocking diodes aren't required, so the total solution footprint 
is less than 25 square mm. To preserve battery energy, the 
LTC4075 draws less than 6 microamps from the battery terminal in 
standby and less than 2 microamps in shutdown mode. The LTC4075/X 
is rated for operation from -40 deg. C to 85 deg. C. Pricing 
starts at $1.88 each in 1000-unit quantities. 
     Linear Tehnology Corp. ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98B9:1001CD

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2. News -- From The Editors
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***White LED Driver Adds Shift Register
A white LED driver with an onboard 10-bit serial-to-parallel shift 
register takes aim at LED indicator and interior lighting 
applications. The CAT310 drives up to 10 color or white LEDs. It 
safely handles "load dump" transients to 40 V, suiting it for use in 
automotive systems. The internal shift register accepts up to a 
10-bit data stream, stores the state condition of each output 
channel, and upon command, latches the input data to enable or 
disable the outputs. This provides LED blanking and pattern control 
for signal indication in applications such as diagnostic tools or 
control panels. A serial output lets users cascade multiple CAT310 
drivers. Each channel can sink up to 50 mA, with the current through 
each LED set by a series resistor. Housed in a 20-lead SOIC package, 
the driver chip sells for $0.95 apiece in lots of 1000.
     Catalyst Semiconductor Inc. ==> 
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98B1:1001CD

***I/O Module Combines PCI, Ethernet Advantages
The E-PDISO16 digital I/O module combines the advantages of both 
Ethernet- and PCI-based solutions in one product. The high-voltage, 
high-current Ethernet module offers functionality and performance 
usually found in PCI devices: 16 isolated digital inputs, 500-V dc 
isolation, and 16 Form C relays with 6-A at 240 VAC/28 VDC contact 
ratings. Unlike a PCI-based system, however, the E-PDISO16 
Ethernet-based device can be distributed anywhere there's a network 
connection and power. Users can connect the device to the network at 
the point of measurement and then configure, monitor, and control 
the device from anywhere else on the network. A compact form (17.2 
by 5.1 by 1.75 in.) makes the module ideal for laboratory, test, and 
industrial monitoring and control application. The E-PDISO16 digital 
I/O module will be priced at $499 each. Shipments begin in late May.
     Measurement Computing Corp. ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98B8:1001CD

***Inductor Delivers Low DCR In A Small Package
Vishay Intertechnology has extended its IHLP family of low-profile, 
high-current inductors with a new device that offers very low 
DCR/microH in a compact 0.402- by 0.452- by 0.157-in. package. The 
IHLP-4040DZ-05 has DCR values down to 0.65 milliohm at 0.19 microH. 
It is a space- and power-saving solution for dc-to-dc converters, 
notebooks, and many other applications. This new power inductor 
handles high transient current spikes without saturation. And, it 
operates over a frequency range up to 5 MHz. Saturation current and 
typical DCR values for the inductor range from 40 to 60 A and from 
1.55 milliohms to 0.65 milliohm, respectively, over an inductance 
range of 0.56 to 0.19 microH. Inductance tolerance for the new 
device is +/-20%. The IHLP-4040DZ-05 has a lead time of eight weeks 
for larger orders. Pricing for 500-piece reels starts at $0.65 per 
piece for quantities of 10,000 pieces or more.
     Vishay Intertechnology Inc. ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98B7:1001CD

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3. TechView Scope 
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Networking Technology Transmits Data Over Body Surface

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) Corp. is developing an 
innovative human area networking technology called RedTacton that 
safely turns the surface of the human body into a data transmission 
path at speeds of up to 10 Mbits/s between any two points on the 
body. Using an electro-optic sensor, NTT has already built a small 
RedTacton transceiver prototype the size of a PCMCIA card.
   The RedTacton technology enables the first practical human area 
network between electronic devices located on the body and PCs or 
other network devices embedded in the environment. Communication 
is achieved via a new generation of user interface based on 
totally natural human actions such as touching, holding, sitting, 
walking, or stepping on a particular spot. RedTacton can be used 
for intuitive operation of computer-based systems in daily life, 
temporary one-on-one private networks based on personal 
handshaking, device personalization, security, and a host of 
other applications.
   NTT's human area network uses weak electric fields on the surface 
of the body as a transmission medium. Basically, a RedTacton 
transmitter couples with extremely weak electric fields on the 
surface of the body. The weak electric fields pass through the 
body to a receiver, where the fields affect the optical 
properties of an electro-optic crystal. A laser light detects the 
extent to which the optical properties are changed, and the 
change is subsequently converted to an electrical signal by a 
detector circuit.
   A communications path can be created with a simple touch, 
automatically initiating the flow of data between a body-centric 
electronic device and a computer that is embedded in the 
environment. Using a RedTacton electro-optic sensor, two-way 
communication is supported between any two points on the body. In 
addition, communication is not just confined to the surface of 
the body, it also can travel through the user's clothing to a 
RedTacton device in a pocket or through shoes to communicate with 
a RedTacton device embedded in the floor. NTT is committed to 
moving RedTacton out of the laboratory and into commercial 
production as quickly as possible by organizing joint field 
trials with partners outside the company under NTT's 
comprehensive producer program.
     NTT Corp. ==> 
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98AE:1001CD

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Take the Infineon Memory Challenge

We have an all-new pop quiz to test your memory skills! Take a bash 
at the five memory-related questions and you'll be in with a chance 
of winning a super-duper Sony Playstation Portable device. We'll 
also be throwing a few Electronic Design t-shirts into this month's 
quiz, so put your knowledge to the test and hit that submit button!

http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98AF:1001CD

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4. Upcoming Industry Events
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May 16-19, Spring Processor Forum
San Jose, Calif.
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98B4:1001CD

May 22-27, Society for Information Display (SID) International 
Symposium 2005
Boston, Mass.
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98BA:1001CD

June 6-9, Sensors Expo and Conference
Chicago, Ill.
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98B6:1001CD

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Embedded in Electronic Design (EiED) Online is your source for 
technical insight and hands-on reviews. Read Bill Wong's latest EiED 
Online column: "Something Red, Something Blue." 
http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98AC:1001CD

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TAKE A POLL!

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-- Often
-- Sometimes
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-- I don't own an iPod or MP3 player

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

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Get The Lead Out!

The European Union, as well as Japan and China, are about to 
restrict the use of environmentally hazardous materials in 
electronic components and systems through the Restrictions on 
Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive. Check out Electronic Design's 
new RoHS Reference Center with links, articles, and more. Take our 
RoHS quiz to see how much you really know about this new EU 
directive. Then download the first chapter of our eBook, "Electronic 
Design's Guide To New International Environmental Laws." And stay 
tuned for more chapters to learn everything you need to know about 
this important emerging topic.

http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=98B3:1001CD

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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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