(1) SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS Flash memory maker develops 16-Gbit NAND device eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: "The 16-Gbit NAND flash device will allow mobile and portable application designers to use memory cards with densities up to 32-Gbytes by combining up to 16 such devices on a single card. A 32-Gbyte density translates into the ability to store 200 years of an average daily newspaper, 8000 MP3 music files, or 20 DVD resolution movies on a mobile device." Readers say: » "Can enable a much wider range of products for video and mass storage."
» "This is incremental but reflects a leading combination of technologies."
» "Hope it can be used instead of harddisk."
» "Samsung continues to push the NAND envelope by providing higher density, lower cost (over time) $/GB, and enabling a large segment of applications which could not afford mechanical Fixed disk drives for their design or usage."
» "Nobody can possibly need so much memory :-)"
» "I'll be looking for this in the next-generation iPod Nano!"
» "Technology like this will continue to revolutionize the digital media industry."
» "Replacement for hard disk drives."
» "I believe the 3D-transitor concept is the key to further increases in storage density. It is refreshing to see a product coming to market using this concept."
» "Drives greater uses of Flash memory."
» "This technology will eventually make it's way down to where I'll eventually use it - products always want more storage."
» "With upcoming devices such as video iPods, large inexpensive memory chips will help attract more consumers."
» "Perfect for the emerging class of CE goods."
USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) ATMEL ARM7 MCU combines ethernet, CAN, USB, encryption with support for real-time apps eeProductCenter's Marty Gold says: "Designed for extensively networked, real-time embedded systems, the AT91SAM7X128 and AT91SAM7X256 also have a 10-bit ADC, two SPIs, SSC, TWI, three UARTs, an 8-level priority interrupt controller, and a full complement of supervisory functions. The two new 50 MIPS MCUs have 32- or 64 Kb of SRAM and 128- or 256 Kb of 25 ns flash memory that supports deterministic processing as required for real-time control systems." Readers say: » "This is a nice product due to the integration of connectivity features. I cannot use it though because we are focused on utilizing fully integrated motherboards."
» "Full speed USB 2.0 is 450Mbs."
» "This is an application design in response to market input. Medium importance."
» "Great communications connectivity and price."
» "Encryption and Decryption hardware on chip is a great benefit. More applications are demanding security in mission critical systems."
» "It has all the things I need in uC."
» "Already using in our project."
» "IOs are too slow for our application."
» "This is a very well targeted MCU for embedded Real-Time applications. I can see how the tight integration of Communications, Encryption, and NVM with a 32bit MCU, will enable some highly innovative solutions across several industries. From Aerospace and Automotive to Bleeding-Edge Techno-Toys, This MCU should see some heavy action."
USABILITY RANK: 2 See related image
(3) TELAIRITY SEMICONDUCTOR Multicore CPU handles computational needs of high-definition video codec eeProductCenter's Marty Gold says: "Using multiple independent vector/scalar cores and targeting high-definition video encoding, the multicore Telairity-1 processor from Telairity Semiconductor has been specifically designed to handle the demanding computational requirements of the H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10) HD codec." Readers say: » "Probably wind up as an end user of another vendor's product with this integrated."
» "Multicore solutions of this type will be part of the future. It is a niche, however and will not he universal."
» "As H.264 becomes more standardized, encoding equipment should drop greatly in price - a 4-chip solution alone is $1700. What's more key is the platform and programming environment to harness the power. Great sounding product for a truly niche market today."
» "Multi-core definitely has it's applications."
» "May work for us in some apps." USABILITY RANK: 6
(4) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Audio DSP line adds performance and features for consumer apps eeProductCenter's Marty Gold says: "Texas Instruments has beefed-up its Aureus family of audio digital signal processing chips, a move that will enable consumer electronics manufacturers to provide more performance and features for applications requiring multi-channel decoding, including audio/video and DVD receivers, home-theater-in-a-box systems (HTIBs), set-top boxes, mini-compos, high-definition televisions (HDTV) and automotive navigation/multimedia systems." Readers say: » "Great level of integration."
» "This is a mere update of a previous product line."
» "TMS320DA710 offers the greatest flexibility for a streaming audio consumer applications designer. Its lower power consumption and a rich instruction set make it a very valuable product."
» "0n target for our products." USABILITY RANK: 3
(5) MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY PIC MCUs expand with passive-keyless-entry, more peripherals eeProductCenter's Marty Gold says: "
Microchip Technology Inc. has beefed-up its microcontroller line with four new product offerings, broadening out both its low- and high-end families into new 8-bit applications. The company has also launched an application-specific device for passive-keyless-entry and other wireless authentication uses." Readers say: » "They are on the critical path but others are aware of the need and have competitive solutions."
» "When I think of Microchip, I think of good chips and not-so-good development tools."
» "...Interesting." USABILITY RANK: 4
(6) AGERE SYSTEMS SoC boosts capacity in small form factor disk drives eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: "Agere Systems' executives are pretty certain that high-density NAND flash device will not replace hard disk drives in laptops and media players. The company's latest device, the SC1200 TrueStore CE storage SoC, is directed at improving storage space in Small Form Factor (SFF) hard disk drives (HDD) and supports all of the HDD formats that exist, including 0.85-in. 1.0-in. and 1.8-in." Readers say: » "This will be a strong contender. If they contiue to advance they may hold a firm position."
» "Agere is not the undisputed leader here, but having a good product for a market that will take off phenominally is their sweet spot. Larger size, perpendicular recording support is important, but in consumer markets, low power, ruggedness and less lag/higher performance should have been the tagline here."
» "Not impressive"
» "SFF HDDs are a "flash in the pan" market. Flash will overtake them, but for now, this is an important step for HDDs."
» "On target for us."
USABILITY RANK: 7
(7) SPANSION Memory and logic package integration offers designers flexibility eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: "The long-lived movement towards miniaturization has chip makers continuously looking for new ways to help system manufacturers reduce the size of their products. Spansion LLC, the flash memory joint venture between Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif., and Fujitsu, is nurturing that trend with its latest package-on-package (PoP) solution that vertically combines discrete logic and memory packages." Readers say: » "This has strong implications along the roadmap of future architectures."
» "I think Spansion has done a great job of meeting and evolving with their markets/customer needs. Form factor is king in consumer portables including phones."
» "Why haven't we looked into 3D chips before this? It is a logical answer to expanding Moore's Law into the future. This will be big in the consumer market."
» "Solid entry." USABILITY RANK: 5
(8) ZILOG Application-Specific microcontrollers focus on motor control eeProductCenter's Marty Gold says: "Zilog's thrust into the growing motor control market is its Z8 Encore! MC family, a new generation of flash MCUs targeted at sensorless Brushless DC (BLDC) and AC Induction motor control applications. Available immediately, the new line is initially offered with a choice of 16KByte (Z8FMC16100), 8KByte (Z8FMC08100) or 4Kbyte (Z8FMC04100) of on-chip flash memory. Applications include power tools, household appliances, automotive, pumps and industrial drives." Readers say: » "Cute."
» "Pricing is not bad, I would consider these devices for special motor applications."
» "This is a development with high risk and high potential."
» "Unfortunately too late for a present development based on TI 320f2801. Looks as a good price/performance ratio. 6PWM channels great if all independant (coming applications with two 3 phase drives as in 3ph PFC drives). Development system cost high."
USABILITY RANK: 9
(9) MICRON TECHNOLOGY VLP miniDIMMs improve signal integrity in networking applications eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: "The very low-profile (VLP) mini dual in-line memory modules (miniDIMM) from Micron Technology offer networking equipment manufacturers a DIMM that is less than half the size of previous modules.
According to company executives, Micron is the first supplier to provide PC2-5300 and PC2-6400 DDR2 VLP registered and unbuffered VLP miniDIMMs for the networking and communications equipment markets." Readers say: » "This is an incremental improvement."
» "Price tag can be a concern."
» "We are getting closer to replacing the harddisk." USABILITY RANK: 8
(10) FUJITSU MICROELECTRONICS AMERICA FlexRay controller delivers 10 Megabit/sec. over two channels for In-Vehicle Networks eeProductCenter's Marty Gold says: "Fujitsu Microelectronics'(FMA) FlexRay controller supports FlexRay version 2.0. Based on IP developed by Robert Bosch GmbH, the MB88121 delivers 10 Megabit per second over two channels." Readers say: » "Significant but not a certain winner."
USABILITY RANK: 10
