» The industry's first
laser-based optical mouse sensor -- from Agilent -- narrowly beat out
the competition for technical significance and for usability in this
category of widely diverse products. First reviewed by Gina Roos on May
21, 2005.
(1) AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES Agilent launches industry's first laser-based optical mouse sensors eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "
Agilent Technologies Inc. says it now offers the industry's first laser
navigation sensor technology for mouse manufacturers. Available in
three versions, the laser-based mouse sensors have been specifically
designed for high-end cordless mice, high-end corded mice, and the
high-performance gaming mice.
Based on the company's LaserStream technology that is said to uncover
microscopic detail that enables mice to track with exceptional accuracy
on more surfaces including painted metal, polished wood-grain,
translucent plastic, frosted glass and glossy white paper, and with
greater responsiveness, it was initially designed exclusively for
Logitech's MX 1000 laser cordless mouse.
Now available to the general marketplace, the company believes that the
laser-based technology will ultimately replace LED-based optical mouse
sensors in nearly all applications due to its greater tracking
capability and reduced power consumption.
" Readers say: » "Laser has been known
for long time but the cost has being very high. With more applications
in the market, those costs will be lower and better products will be
available."
» "Oh hum ...Yawn, They've replaced the mouse pad.. so what?"
» "I would be interested in knowing if it would be useful for imaging
microscopic surfaces."
» "While not groundbreaking as some medical and industrial
break-throughs, this technology will most likely prove to be eventually
engrained as common practice in day to day computer living."
» "Great technology advancement."
» "Interesting technology which probably has other applications besides
mice, perhaps optical oncoders, etc."
» "With cordless mice its ALL about battery life! Do these use fewer
electrons or not, that's the issue?"
» "Laser technology is the future. Every new product will advance the
tecnology."
USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) OSRAM OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS OSTAR LED sets new size and brightness standards eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "
Each OSTAR LED contains four high-power, thin-film indium gallium
aluminum phosphide (InGaAlP) or indium gallium nitrite (InGaN) chips.
Because OSRAM's thin-film chip emits light only from its top surface,
the high chip luminance can increase the optical system efficiency and
reduce the size of optics for lighting applications, said the company.
It can be mounted to lighting fixtures without any soldering, and it
offers a surface-mount electrical connector. The LED itself can be
mounted to a heat sink with a thermal paste for optimum heat
dissipation. Applications include colored and red-green-blue (RGB)
white architectural lighting, fiber optics illumination, portable RGB
light sources, medical lighting, aircraft illumination, automotive
exterior lighting applications, and portable projection units.
" Readers say: » "I would like a sample to test."
» "Awesome breakthrough."
» "Always looking at size and cost!"
» "LED tech has improved vastly for the better. This appears to also be an improvement."
» "Look like a good buy for outdoor applications."
USABILITY RANK: 2
(3) FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR Sensor touts industry-first g-selectable capability eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "A key
benefit of the new MMA7260Q accelerometer is its g-select feature that
ranges from 1.5 g to 6 g. The sensitivity can be selected for 1.5 g
(freefall, tilt compensation), 2 g (handheld motion detection for game
controllers), 4 g (low vibration monitoring such as for shipping and
handling) or 6 g (high vibration monitoring). This gives designers the
flexibility to select the g-force detection level for specific
application needs. In addition, it also reduces component count, which
helps improve heat dissipation and overall production costs, said the
company. " Readers say: » "The g-ratings available
are too low for us to use. Our products see 50-g levels."
» "Awesome design."
» "What else can be said - the first 3-axis accelerometer, and it's
small, low cost and has selectable sensitivity. I've already received
samples."
» "Looks very useful for some of our applications."
» "Neat Part."
USABILITY RANK: 9
(4) TYCO ELECTRONICS Circular Ethernet connector tackles industrial applications eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "
Designed for industrial Ethernet applications, Tyco Electronics has
introduced a sealed RJ-45 connector that meets Ethernet/IP RJ-45
requirements and standards. This new rugged connector is also able to
withstand the extreme conditions often found in industrial applications
such as machinery on the factory floor, diagnostic equipment in the
medical and instrumentation fields, communications equipment, printers
and other Ethernet applications where the connector requirement calls
for ruggedization and sealing. " Readers say: » "WAY too big for any of
our applications"
» "less room"
» "It doesn't appear to be shielded. There is also no part number or
model number referenced in article."
» "This meets a real need for the MIL-SPEC community."
» "Finally a solution!What does it cost?"
» "Molex was first but the tyco may suit our needs better"
» "Definitely geared for outdoor industrial - concerns would be
allignment (need D-hole) and boots to insure the integrity of the cable
(from water) whick may lead to issues with insuring a positive latch
and not twisting the insulation during instalation"
» "Great for factory ethernet apps."
» "This looks like a very good idea for our remote(dirty) locations."
» "The price seems a bit high and delivery of 7 to 9 weeks is a bit
long for last minute jobs."
» "Expensive, but if you need them, nice to have." USABILITY RANK: 3
(5) W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES Super high-density RF connectors tout performance up to 100 GHz eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "W.L.
Gore & Associates, Inc. has launched the newest addition to its
GORE blindmate/push-on connector family with the introduction of the
GORE 100 series connectors. The super high-density blindmate,
high-performance microwave interconnect system offers performance up to
100 GHz.
The company developed the GORE 100 connectors, an extension of the SMP
and SMPM connector families, in response to the industry's demand for
increased packaging density, low mass, and increased performance at
higher frequencies. These new connectors are 35% smaller than the
current SMPM connectors and offer increased electrical performance,
allowing designers to develop thinner, lighter, smaller and more
cost-effective TR modules, printed-circuit boards, and power dividers,
said the company.
" Readers say: » "Would like to test a pair of conn."
» "I am a software guy, but I am sure my hardware counterparts will like this."
» "Our highest frequency is 450MHz."
» "They look small and strong."
» "Don't have an app for them."
» "Looks most interesting - need more details - cost...."
USABILITY RANK: 8
(6) STACKPOLE ELECTRONICS New passivated precision film resistor technology solves moisture concerns eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"Stackpole Electronics, Inc. has introduced a new line of
anti-corrosive precision chip resistors that are said to eliminate
moisture concerns typically associated with nickel chromium precision
resistors.
Designated the RNCS series, it is available in industry standard 0402
to 2512 case sizes. The devices offer a resistance range from 4.7 ohm
(Ω) to 1 MΩ, with tolerances down to ±0.01%
and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) ratings as low as 5
ppm/ııC. The operating temperature range is -55ııC to 150ııC. " Readers say: » "We conformally coat our
boards."
» "Very high operating environment range. Useful for harsh
environments."
» "There is no mention of power densities or frequency response
characteristics - How good is their poulse handling characteristics
etc... too many unknowns."
» "Needed in these types of harsh environments..."
» "The cost of the resistor will never fly in the current automotive
world. Cost will have to be reduced over half."
USABILITY RANK: 4
(7) MOLEX Optical connector system combines high performance with environmental protection eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "A new
Optical Industrial LC Duplex connector system from Molex Inc. combines
the high performance of a fiber optic connection with a rugged
industrial connector to allow for easy installations and terminations
in harsh industrial environments.
The new connector system works with any standard fiber type and is
available in both single-mode and multimode styles. It offers moisture
and dust protection and a broad temperature range of -40°C to
85°C), which makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor
applications. " Readers say: » "Good for outdoor"
» "Good design to incorporate the mechanical connecting to the physical touch mechanisms."
» "A good sealed optical connector is a must!"
» "Would work great in high traffic areas."
» "What is the reliability for this product. What can it be compared to?"
USABILITY RANK: 7
(8) BI TECHNOLOGIES Voltage divider in SOT-23 package eases board routing and layout problems eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"Providing design engineers with an alternative to large resistor
network packages that require long signal traces and complex circuit
layouts, TT Electronics BI Technologies Electronic Component Division
has developed a SOT-23 packaged precision voltage divider network for
aerospace, industrial, military and medical industries.
Designated the SS1 series, these divider networks consist of two
ultra-stable Nichrome thin-film resistors on a silicon substrate.
Packaged in a 3-lead SOT-23 package, the two resistors are connected in
series for an optimized voltage divider circuit. A 3-resistor network
is also available in a four-leaded SOT-143 package." Readers say: » "Would like a sample."
» "I'm going to contact the manufacturer."
» "This seems like a very handy product. I will look for ways to use
them. However, the cost is a little high for consumer apps."
» "This would save a ton of time and effort trying to do PCB layouts"
» "1 MOhm capability would be very helpful. What is power dissippation
capability? Potentially very useful product."
» "Cost and delivery are a bit dicey but otherwise a nice option." USABILITY RANK: 5
(9) IRC Wirewound resistors double the power ratings in axial-leaded packages eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"Providing design engineers with cost-effective resistors for power
circuits where board space is at a premium, resistor manufacturer IRC
now offers economical wirewound devices that are rated at double the
power dissipation of traditional axial-leaded packages. Designated the
SP/SPP series, these power wirewound resistors are also available in
fusible and flame-resistant versions.
Applications for the SP/SPP series resistors include power supplies,
motor controllers, televisions, consumer electronic products and
appliances, as well as general-purpose power circuits. The resistors
can also be used as drop-in replacements for carbon composition devices
in certain applications.
" Readers say: » "Would like sample."
» "Don't use many thru hole parts."
» "The biggest problem with power resistors is the amount of heat
transferred to the PC board. I wonder if this technology helps?"
» "Are they RoHS complient? Can they handle the 260 degree C
tempurature that the RoHS solders require?"
» "What a great technology breaktrhough for system and PCB design
capabilities."
» "What is the inductive characteristic?"
USABILITY RANK: 6
(10) VISHAY DALE Power inductor delivers lowest DCR for its package size eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has once again extended its IHLP family
of low-profile, high-current inductors with a new device that offers
the lowest direct current resistance (DCR)/μH available in a
compact 0.402 x 0.452 in. (10.2 x 11.5 mm) package with a low 0.157 in.
(4.0 mm) height profile.
<P>
With industry-leading specifications including DCR values down to 0.65
milliohm (mohm) at 0.19 μH, the new Vishay Dale IHLP-4040DZ-05
is a high-performance, space- and power-saving solution for DC/DC
converter applications for products such as mobile devices, notebook
computers, desktop computers, and servers. Other applications include
low-profile, high-current power supplies, point of load (POL)
converters, distributed power systems, and field programmable gate
arrays (FPGAs).
" Readers say: » "Inductance ranges WAY below what we need."
» "Do the specs include the package and leads?"
USABILITY RANK: 10
