» Wireless and video applications appear to have spawned a number of analog solutions listed in this issue. But, once again, a Class D audio amp tops the list.

(1)
MICROSEMI CORP.
Class D audio amp eliminates filters, smooths design for portable devices
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Designated the LX1701, the new Class-D amplifier can drive up to 3 watts of mono output into 2 Ohm speakers, or 2 watts output into 4 Ohm speakers, providing full 20Hz to 20kHz high audio fidelity, with a total harmonic distortion (THD) of less than 1%. A very low quiescent current consumption of 2 milli-amps results from a proprietary output modulation design that also enables filter-less operation in many applications. "
Readers say: » "Will certainly lead to a revolution in the vast audio industry." » "Nice, simple-to-use IC" » "I like THD." » "If only it worked at higher voltages!" » "It is a great design for small PDA apps. The industry could use higher power versions for home and automotive use, 10 to 100W." » "Very nice. Small and small footprint. Good for portable products." » "Nice clean part, not a lot of bells and whistles. " » "Looks as good as the similar National part. National parts are more readily available in the supply chains and quantities that I use."
USABILITY RANK: 1

(2)
SILICON LABORATORIES
High-speed converter integrated on MCU is just right combo for wireless test
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "The C8051F064 product family of precision mixed-signal microcontrollers (MCUs) integrates a 25 MIPS 8051 MCU with dual 16-bit, 1 Msps (mega sample per second) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). "
Readers say: » "Sounds like a great idea, hopefully the 25 MIPS MCU can keep up with two of these ADCs at the same time." » "More of the same. Need better development tools." » "Nice product, we needed more analog bit resolution within an MCU over the traditional 10 bit'ers. Hope these can be actually purchased, and are not vapor-ware." » "Excellent chip at this price point. Can be helpful in making many instrumentation products also." » "Nice fast A/D, lots of peripherals, but I work in an ARM world." » "Clever, but what's "wireless" about it? So it's a low-power converter." » "The pricing of the parts and tools is excellent." » "It's great that a USB interface is available with an embedded 8051 core for this high speed ADC convertor, especially at such a great price point!" » "Impressive speed and resolution for an on-chip ADC." » "Faster than I need, but a good price point, I think I'll try the eval kit." » "The specs for the AD convertor are very good (which is to be expected from SiLabs) and the power of the high speed integrated microcontroller with very mature development tools makes this a dynamite product! " » "I am presently looking for a replacement for an old 80C32 project. This may just fit the bill"
USABILITY RANK: 2

(3)
NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR
Amplifiers set sights on professional and wideband video applications
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "These devices drive today's highest-resolution video signals in LCD projectors, multi-media, video switching and routing, conference room and HDTV systems. The LMH6738 is a wideband, triple, current feedback (CFB) operational amplifier, and the LMH6739 is a wideband, triple, programmable gain buffer (PGB), both operating at 750 MHz small signal bandwidth. "
Readers say: » "Good amp" » "Is it really 750 MHz bandwidth, or GBW product?" » "Great product, if it can hold quality" » "Similiar to many other high speed amps already on the market. Nothing earth shattering here." » "Really great product!" » "Possible RF applications as well." » "Impressive bandwidth with price to go along with it."
USABILITY RANK: 3

(4)
WOLFSON MICROELECTRONICS
Integrated multichannel codec awakens next-gen AV systems
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "The WM8777 multi-channel CODEC leads the industry in integrated audio signal processing capability. When combined with a commercially available DSP, this single mixed-signal device provides all the major audio functions for next generation of 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 audio-visual systems, including DVD receivers, flat panel televisions and other multi-media home and automotive equipment. "
Readers say: » "This is good innovation in a fast growing audio/video industry" » "Entertainment is where the money is!" » "Very good for use in the entainment electronics industry." » "I guess I don't see the point, when it still requires an external DSP. Why not just program the DSP to do the CODEC function ?"
USABILITY RANK: 4

(5)
MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS
World's first video signal conditioners with AGC and back-porch clamp-to-ground
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "The MAX7450/MAX7451/MAX7452 is the first video signal conditioner with automatic gain control, which will help problems with camera-to-monitor quality in security applications. "
Readers say: » "Unique, but still needs delay EQ" » "Interesting for a subset of our customers/product line." » "Like the product, hate the company. These engineers run amok, produce tons of great products that you can't actually buy. We always have difficulty purchasing Maxim or Dallas products as they won't actually make and sell what they engineer. So bad is their buisness methodolgy that we dismiss them out of hand as candiates for production designs. That is too bad, as the product features and technology are very good." » "I could see a video signal conditioner application in a new self-contained security monitoring system my company will make operational in the near future." » "Maxim continues to innovate." » "Video security is becoming key." » "This is a break through in cost for this technology that will drive the cost of video systems down. This has great potential in the securtiy applications for businesses." » "The chip is great but availability is terrible." » "It costs a lot more than $20 to design a module a few years ago to do what this chip does for $1.50" » "Currently evaluating these parts. They are fantastic. I design a lot of crazy video systems that have video inputs that are less than perfect and not at all consistent. These will fit the bill nicely." » "The AGC is a plus for applications with varying but long coax lines. And we use lots of sync seperator and DC restoration chips now. This does it all in one. Thanks!"
USABILITY RANK: 5

(6)
ANALOG DEVICES
Thinking inside the box - the future of converter designs?
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Offering 100 nA at 3V, the nanoDAC family (14-bit AD5641, 12-bit AD5621, 10-bit AD5611 and 8-bit AD5601) addresses low-power single-supply apprlications space- and power-constrained products. The applications include level setting -- setting the voltage level for control or monitoring "
Readers say: » "Multiple sourcing/cost issues?" » "Would be worth using to replace several octal DACs in our current design. Thanks!"
USABILITY RANK: 6

(7)
INTERSIL CORPORATION
PWM controllers offer superlative specs for telecom, datacom applications
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "The ISL684x family of single-ended current-mode PWM controllers is designed to improve performance of AC-DC and 48 volt DC-DC converters widely used in telecom, datacom, and server applications. Devices in the ISL684x family are high-performance pin-for-pin upgrades for industry standard products, but with many significant performance advantages. "
Readers say: » "Too many on market" » "Soft start must be added externally. Current sense is good." » "Need automotive temp range." » "Has many built in features that significantly simplify the design. Good for a wide variety of applications."
USABILITY RANK: 7

(8)
PMC-SIERRA
System clock generator tailored for system level clocking solutions
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "The highly integrated CM5470 device, designed for direct compatibility with PMC-Sierra's 200 to 900 MHz RM7000 and RM5200 MIPS-based product families, is optimized for MIPS-based printer and consumer applications. "
Readers say: » "So what's new?" » "When is it available in volume? Can PMC make it in volume?"
USABILITY RANK: 8

(9)
AGERE SYSTEMS
Preamplifier designed for current and future 2.5-inch HDDs
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "The PA7700 preamplifier addresses the needs of the hard disk drive (HDD) for laptop PCs, meeting the requirements for both the desk top 7200 rpm and the lap top 4200 rpm drives. The 2.5" 4200 rpm is more concerned about power consumption. The 7200 rpm market is less concerned about power and more about performance. "
Readers say: » "This is a very interesting breakthrough. This could be one major driving factor in smaller PCs." » "Portable devices will proliferate." » "Agere should look for even smaller form factor. 2.5" is not the panacea." » "Great combo of compromises."
USABILITY RANK: 9