» WHILE OPTEK GOT THE NOD from Readers in terms of aggregate technical significance-based on 65 Readers who rated it-some of the other products drew appreciative comments as we l l . Microbridge's product, rated at number three in this category got particular attention. Some Readers found it "fascinating."

(1)
OPTEK
OPTEK announces breakthrough in infrared sensing
eeProductCenter:"Designated the OPB100, the optical sensor pair was developed to enable circuit designers to specify an emitter/phototransistor sensor with the capability to operate at a custom distance for the cost of a standard sensor. The OPB100 sensor pair is suitable for applications requiring a special slotted switch where standard spacing cannot be used, or for long distance sensing. Additional applications include non-contact object sensing, assembly line and machine automation, and machine safety circuits."
Readers say: » "I see great design flexibility made possible with this device. An extra advantage to implementing this optical pair into a design is that last minute or future mechanical design changes may not require an additional component change." » "Usable for multiple applications, while stocking only one part."
USABILITY RANK: 1

(2)
ERNI ELECTRONICS
MicroSpeed connectors save board space
eeProductCenter: "Designed for both differential and single-ended high-speed applications, a new surfacemount, 1.1-mm shielded connector system from ERNI Electronics Inc. saves board space in board-to-board connections with a 5-mm circuit board distance."
Readers say: "Great product, but we need right angle version with more contacts (80-120)." » "Good because it's a bit cheaper than the current prices we usually go for." » "Not that dense a circuit pattern. Reasonably low stack height." » "Excellent new product." » "Shielding is the only plus I see over conventional connectors."
USABILITY RANK: 2

(3)
MICROBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES
New technology offers designers an electronically adjustable micro-resistor
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "The Rejustor is the industry's first electronically precision-adjustable microresistor. This device provides high-precision resistive trimming without requiring manual or mechanical adjustments. Typically, resistive adjustment is performed via mechanical trimpots that require manual adjustment, and digital potentiometers that offer limited resistance values or limited resolution. Laser trimming technology is also used, but it only allows for trimming in one direction before packaging. This new technology is capable of trimming using only electrical signals, as well as before or after packaging, or in-circuit during calibration."
Readers say: » "I find such a concept fascinating and having tremendous possibilities." » "Fascinating breakthrough." » "I am skeptical of the accuracy and repeatability at various temperatures. It is cheaper to rely on an old 1% high precision resistor isn't it?"
USABILITY RANK: 3

(4)
GLOBAL LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES
White LED light guides illuminate 3G cell phones
Gina Roos: "OEMs are increasingly using white LEDs for portable products including cell phones, which have led to some key improvements in package size, voltage ratings and luminosity. This has resulted in new displays with lower power consumption, smaller packages and higher brightness. GLT claims to offer light guide backlighting that offer the brightest, most efficient and most cost-effective backlighting solution in the market, which means that designers can use fewer LEDs using the company's unique MicroLens molded light extraction technology."
Readers say: » "Quite effective." » "As LEDs continue to improve doors will open for their incorporation in a cost effective unit. Keep it up!" » "Not cheap enough for the intended products."
USABILITY RANK: 4

(5)
VISHAY
Capacitor claims lowest profile in 0402 package
eeProductCenter: "Vishay Intertechnology has expanded its silicon-based capacitor line with the introduction of the HPC0402B and HPC0402C devices for smart card applications. Based on Vishay's proprietary semiconductor process, the new components are touted as the industry's first silicon-based capacitors optimized for this application, operating at higher frequencies and higher performance than conventional low-profile capacitors."
Readers say: » "How long of a lifespan while still meeting specs? How durable to damage?" » "As a new product using a new technology, its reliability is unestablished. This poses a risk for designers."
USABILITY RANK: 5

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MOLEX
GbX backplane demonstrator helps system designers test high-speed backplanes
Gina Roos: "Molex has responded to the system designer's need to test high-speed backplanes in a realworld environment with the introduction of its new GbX backplane demonstrator."
Readers say: » "Great idea, this is something we really need." » "There are definitely 'non-standard' ways of doing this which are being practiced by many companies. So the technical significance is low. However, a standard might have implications in a lot of future backplane designs of this type, and so this could be a significant product-if there is acceptance."
USABILITY RANK: 7

(7)
TT ELECTRONICS

Gina Roos: "Under development for about 12 months, TT electronics IRC Advanced Film Division is rolling out its new Chromaxx series of chromium silicon oxide resistors. Compared with other resistor technologies such as tantalum nitride and nichrome devices, Chromaxx offers a much higher sheet resistance. With sheet resistivity of 1,000 ohms/square, the Chromaxx resistors can pack higher resistance values in the same size or smaller packages."
USABILITY RANK: 8

(8)
AVX
AVX OXICap delivers high capacitance, ultra low ESR
eeProductCenter: "AVX has developed a new niobium oxide multi-anode (NOM) capacitor that delivers low equivalent series resistance (ESR), high capacitance, and high ripple current for applications such as power supply decoupling and high-speed data processing. Designated the OxiCap Series, this family of capacitors utilizes advanced technology to provide design engineers with a safe (non-burning) high resistance failure mode.Filling the performance gap between ceramic multilayer and aluminum electrolytic capacitors, these capacitors provide excellent electrical characteristics."
Readers say: "It's the one of the best." » "If the voltages were higher, we could utilize these in place of tantalums in clean-room environments."
USABILITY RANK: 6

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TERADYNE
Optical interconnect compatible with MT and ceramic ferrule technologies
eeProductCenter: "Teradyne Inc.'s Connection Systems Division (TCS) announced the company's first entry into the optical interconnect market with the introduction of the HD-Optyx optical connector. The company says it's the first modular optical interconnect that is compatible with both the high-density MT ferrule and mature, higher performance 1.25-mm ceramic ferrule technologies. This gives system designers greater flexibility by allowing them to choose 1.25-mm for system compatibility, MT for density, or both in the same system. A key feature of the HDOptyx optical connector is its modular architecture that offers a scaleable solution that can be easily and quickly configured into a custom layout without additional retooling to meet a variety of applications and changing design requirements."
USABILITY RANK: 9

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TERADYNE
Backplane connector offers backwards compatibility for quick, low-cost system upgrades
eeProductCenter: "Designed to reduce system costs while providing higher performance platform upgrades, the new VHDM H-Series connector from Teradyne Inc. combines backwards compatibility with improved signal integrity performance to provide the lowest interconnect costs for new system development and upgrades in computer, datacommunications and telecommunications equipment. The new series is compatible with all existing VHDM components including the VHDM-HSD (high speed, differential), VHDM-L (low speed), VHDM right angle male (RAM) and VHDM Stacking (mezzanine) connectors."
Readers say: "I've used this connector with good success. Great density versus space."
USABILITY RANK: 10