» Two serializers took top honors in terms of overall technical significance in this category. Maxim's innovations were first reviewed on March 24 on eeProductCenter. In other news, Class D amplifiers continue to excite readers.
(1) MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS Serialize 27 lines into a single, twisted-pair wire eeProductCenter's Bettyann Liotta says: "These products can serialize 27 lines into a single DC-balanced twisted pair or differential line for improved EMI and low-cost routing. DC-balancing reduces the effects of low-frequency ground fluctuations, while the serial low-voltage differential signaling (LVD)S link reduces the number of wires or traces from 28 to 2, saving cost and dramatically reducing electromagnetic interference.
" Readers say: » "Our systems often have complex harnesses with over a hundred conductors going through rotating assemblies. A drop-in Serdes pair like this will be terrific for lowering overall cost and increasing performance."
» "Very handy, something I'll be using in the future."
» "Perfect delay loop around neurons in recurrent neural networks."
» "This is a great idea for eliminating traces on one's PCB, but it's a Maxim part. My organization basically blacklists Maxim due to their delivery/availability issues for anything but sample quantities."
» "Will be helpful in transmitting information from a variety of inputs without the need to run individual lines."
USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) ETHERTOUCH Ethertouch delivers next-generation capacitance sensing chip eeProductCenter's Bettyann Liotta says: "Imagine a time when the wave of your finger could replace traditional tactile input devices like the computer mouse, touch screens and key pads. Ethertouch Ltd. plans to make this dream a reality via its Ethertouch ASIC sensing chip. Ethertouch's capacitive sensing technology utilizes the capacitance between the human body and a set of sensors to achieve advanced three-dimensional (3D)-sensing solutions. " Readers say: » "Good product with many possibilities in motion detection and position detection."
» "Excellent dielectric detection in concrete."
USABILITY RANK: 8
(3) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Single-chip stereo digital amp doubles channel count eeProductCenter's Bettyann Liotta says: "These high-performance digital amplifier power stages mark the industry's first single-chip solution to drive two channels of 125 W per channel, as well as the first to drive two channels at 100 W. Manufacturers of DVD receivers and audio/video (A/V) receivers will be able to continue meeting the consumer demand for higher power with TI's latest additions to its PurePath digital technologies.
" Readers say: » "The ever increasing performance, power and ease of use of these parts makes them attractive for non-audio voice coil driving. Interesting!"
» "Possible inverter applications for UPS systems."
» "Excellent product offering for the consumer market. High efficiency with good output power combined with protection circuits makes this amp a well rounded product."
» "Inverter applicatons! Great!
USABILITY RANK: 4
(4) ANALOG DEVICES Analog Devices claims audiophile sound for its Class-D amplifier entry eeProductCenter's Stephan Ohr says: "Raising the bar for high performance in consumer audio systems, Analog Devices Inc. today (January 24th) introduced a family of audio amplifiers that combine the space- and heat-saving advantages of Class-D amplification, with dramatic improvements in sound quality and reduced EMI (electro magnetic interference). Featuring less than 0.005 percent THD+N (total harmonic distortion plus noise), and up to 2 - 40 W output power, the devices deliver an exceptional level of audio performance that no other single-chip Class-D device has been able to achieve. This unique combination of features resolves design challenges in consumer applications, such as HDTV and home theater systems, that demand high performance audio in the smallest possible space. " Readers say: » "Good product for those who are more discriminating. An efficient product with low distortion and good output power."
» "Best for sinewave power inverter design."
» "Still an excellent choice for sinewave invrter design."
» "Excellent for DC to AC inverter applications."
» "Low distortion in medium power applications. Looks like Class D amps are finally coming of age!"
USABILITY RANK: 5
(5) ATMEL Atmel breaks ENOB barrier with speedy A/D converter eeProductCenter's Bettyann Liotta says: "The AT84AS003TP with a clock frequency of 1.5 gigasamples/second breaks the 8.0 effective number of bits barrier, according to the manufacturer." Readers say: » "Sounds great for software HF radios"
» "Absolutely necessary next to a towel and book on motorcycle maintenance for this century. Perfect for waveform capture in sensing applications. I want this chip!"
» "If Atmel desires to be on the leading edge of providing A/D for consmer video and aduio markets, it might consdier adding a CGMS-A bits and Broadcast flag detector at the A/D input. Although not required the the FCC or any legislation, it would be welcomed by all the Music and Movie Studios (and other content owners)."
» "Still desperately need this product."
» "I don't see anything relative to the part's power dissipation, which I would expect to be high. While everyone sees the benefit of moving the ADC closer to the antenna, how does one utilize this part in applications likely to need better than 60 dB of instantaneous dynamic range - which becomes a necessary requirement the closer one gets to the antenna?"
USABILITY RANK: 7
(6) LINEAR TECHNOLOGY 16-bit A/D draws half the power at full speed eeProductCenter's Bettyann Liotta says: "This device maintains strong DC performance providing 16-bits without missing codes over temperature and ±3 least significant bit (LSB) maximum integral nonlinearity (INL). The device is intended for low power applications such as portable instrumentation, industrial process control and medical applications.
" Readers say: » "More channels, less power and size - a fine fit for our products. Thanks!"
» "Ideal for current waveform capture using a GMR or AMR like sensor. Great!"
» "A nice part. I don't see this as revolutionary, but a natural process and design evolution that achieves low power dissipation without sacrificing performance."
» "Low, scalable power dissipation is a real plus."
» "Don't know! TI choices are good too. Excellent choice to capture analog current waveforms as detected by GMR NVE sensors."
» "Transition noise of 1.6LSB RMS makes this a 13-14 bit converter. If I'm buying a 16-bit converter, I don't want to have to oversample and decimate to achieve it."
USABILITY RANK: 2
(7) ANDIGILOG Andigilog's temp sensors smarten up eeProductCenter's Bettyann Liotta says: "The aSC7511 intelligent thermal management sensor monitors temperature locally and remotely using Andigilog's unique temperature sensing technology to provide accuracy of ±1°C. By sensing temperature more accurately, these solutions will help improve overall performance and help reduce power consumption in notebook and desktop PCs utilizing processors such as the Intel Pentium 4 processors and the AMD Athlon and Duron processors.
" Readers say: » "Need four channels minimum."
» "Great for power supply optimization."
» "I like it--might have an application soon."
USABILITY RANK: 3
(8) NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR National Semi's Class D boomer audio amps conserve space and extend battery life eeProductCenter's Bettyann Liotta says: "These audio amplifiers are housed in micro SMD packages and feature externally configurable gain for space savings and flexibility in design. Additionally, they provide low power consumption shutdown mode for extended battery life. Applications include cellular phones, PDAs and other portable devices.
" Readers say: » "Excellent low power DC to AC inverters."
» "Good design that meets the design goals for most designers: Reduce parts count and reduce power consumption, both without loss of output power or clarity."
» "Low power consumption is key."
» "Definitely use it for inverter design."
USABILITY RANK: 6
(9) ON SEMICONDUCTOR ON Semi's output audio transistors eliminate thermal lag and bias in high-fidelity amps eeProductCenter's Bettyann Liotta says: "ON Semiconductor's ThermalTrak family of output transistors provide a simplified single-device solution for audio amplifier design. These devices feature patent-pending technology that enable quick and precise temperature adjustment (about 50 milliseconds). " Readers say: » "Solves a problem I've wrestled with for 30+ years! About time!"
» "Working in Audio for many years, thermal runaway has always been a problem. The new size will make more applications possible."
» "Nice, something I'll be using in the future."
» "A product that will allow for a better amplifier design. Eliminating thermal lag and bias will significantly reduce thermal bias drift and allow for a more accurate power amp design."
USABILITY RANK: 10
(10) STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS Standard Micro's thermal IC's address reliability and time-to-market issues eeProductCenter's Bettyann Liotta says: "To meet the challenges of space constraints and overall system accuracy, SMSC's EMC1002, EMC1023 and EMC1033 sensors break new ground through the company's proprietary anti-parallel diodes and ideality configuration technological advancements ý both industry firsts, according to SMSC. " Readers say: » "Great!"
» "The opportunity to have more accurate temperature readings is great. Unfortunately, I need 4 channels minimum."
USABILITY RANK: 9
