(1) SHARP MICROELECTRONICS OF THE AMERICAS 3.5-inch TFT-LCD packs performance for next-gen mobile devices eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Touting outstanding price/performance value, Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas has rolled out a 3.5-inch QVGA thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) with an integrated touch screen for next-generation handheld applications. This new LQ035Q7DH06 display also serves up high brightness, low power consumption and high color saturation." Readers say: » "Very unique in terms of power and clearance."
» "Sounding very nice. More infro about drivers, demo board and developing documentation.
Looking more for engineering info, not marketing promotions."
» "The success of the product will depend on the final form factor. If it is part of a thin device it will sell well. Demand should be there."
» "Very cool..."
» "It looks only marginally better than many 3.5" displays i have looked at. The price looks outrageous!"
» "Portable video is becomong a lrge market for entertainment. Better low cost displays like this should be very popular."
» "Looks good. I like the integrated touchscreen."
» "I would like to know if there is an automotive compliant version available."
» "High contrast, good color fidelity - very important. Motion portrayal proerties will become more important as video takes off."
» "Looks great!"
» "Very interesting"
» "Clean look, nice connectivity, cost is the only factor"
» "Cost is high."
USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) TYCO Backplane connector operates up to 10 Gbits/s and higher eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Targeting high-speed signal and high-density backplane applications, Tyco Electronics has developed its new Z-PACK MAX connector that performs at speeds up to 10 Gbits/s and higher. These connectors may be used in high-speed applications for servers, storage devices, switches, and routers." Readers say: » "We are regularly pushing 3.125G across backplanes that we design. At the rate speeds are increasing, we will probably need a connector like this sooner than later."
» "Should be higher demand for these in the near future."
» "Z-Pack connectors and board routings are in the premium price range."
» "Nice design, delivery quantity my be too high for our product output."
» "Seems a little over priced even at such great throughput."
USABILITY RANK: 3
(3) ANALOG DEVICES 3-axis accelerometer sets low power benchmark for mobile devices eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Analog Devices, Inc. said its new ADXL330, 3-axis accelerometer, is the industry's lowest power device of its kind, typically consuming only 200 microamps at full power at a supply voltage of 2.0 V. Combined with a small surface-mount 4 x 4 x 1.45-mm package, the new device aims to be the sensor of choice for a variety of portable consumer devices, particularly mobile phones, by offering designers the ability to deliver new motion and tilt sensing features.
"We're targeting the handset market and other portable devices where low power, small package and very low cost are probably three of most important things that customers are asking for in these high-volume applications," said Mack Lund, product manager, Micromachined Products Division, Analog Devices. "We've seen very high growth in consumer applications, although historically our business was based largely on crash [automotive airbag] sensors but that has been changing over the past couple of years."" Readers say: » "Expensive component."
» "Very useful."
» "Already done."
» "like the 3 contacts, not sure if fits our applications, but made a note of it for my file."
» "Interesting user interface posibilities."
USABILITY RANK: 9
(4) VISHAY Resistor delivers low resistance in small package eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has released a new 1/10-W surface-mount Power Metal Strip resistor that is said to be the industry's smallest such device to combine a low 15 milliohm to 100 milliohm resistance value range, a tight tolerance of 1%, and low resistance temperature characteristics (RTC) values down to ±75 ppm/°C. All these features enable the design of smaller and lighter end products.
Due to the combination of small footprint, low resistance values, and low RTC, the new WSL0603 resistor also assists in current sensing accuracy, which allows designers to use lower cost ICs, said the company. In addition, these devices may be used as replacements for larger components or multiple high-value resistors running in parallel to provide a greater space savings on the printed-circuit-board for all types of current sensing, voltage division and pulse applications." Readers say: » "Good, low-value good stability shunt resistors are usually difficult to find."
» "Looks like a resister, good specs, will consider for the next design."
USABILITY RANK: 2
(5) FIRGELLI TECHNOLOGIES Mini actuators drive new apps eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Firgelli Technologies has introduced a new family of micro linear actuators at the RoboNexus Conference this week. The company said these next-generation linear actuators will enable a new class of robotics, medical devices and consumer products.
The first products introduced in the micro-motion and nano-motion family are the LS and PQ micro-actuators. These miniature cylindrical actuators are smaller than a cigarette, and provide efficient piston-like linear motion, said the company. They are designed to eliminate the challenges associated with engineering a linear stage from large motors, servos, gears and rods." Readers say: » "I can see the need for these actuators in the semiconductor field."
» "Interesting."
» "But..."
» "Like the size and force ratings, might have to build a Robot just to try them, will tell a buddy of mine about them. He does build Robotic devices."
» "Little slow but interesting product."
» "Intriguing." USABILITY RANK: 7
(6) MOLEX SFP connectors provide increased port density for storage, networking apps eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Molex Inc. has expanded its small form-factor pluggable (SFP) product offering with the introduction of its new SFP stacked multi-port connectors. These new connectors offer high-port density with complete integration of stacked 20-circuit SFP connector ports within a cage.
The SFP connectors offer five port configurations (two-by-one, two-by-two, two-by-four, two-by-five and two-by-six) and are available in two heights. The medium height of 25.50 mm (1.004 in.) meets industry standards and is consistent with the stacked multi-port modular jack design. The tall height of 29.30 mm (1.154 in.) is designed for 1U applications and is only available in the two-by-one port configuration. They also come with an integrated lightpipe option that provides port status indication and activity feedback, as well as support mono and bi-color surface-mount light emitting diodes (LEDs)." Readers say: » "If I had an application for them them I would probably use them."
» "Would be very interested if "in form factor" version has intrgrated lightpipe option."
» "Seems expensive...."
» "Good.")
» "Not sure if the price per unit will factor into any new design."
» "Not within our processes scope, but i can see benefit in its utilization. Will look for it on future component purchases." USABILITY RANK: 5
(7) OSRAM OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS Advanced thin-film technology beefs up LED performance eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Inc. has made significant improvements to its proprietary thin-film technology that have resulted in enhancements to the luminous efficacy and color palette of its Power TOPLED line of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for automotive, signal and signage applications. The new Power TOPLED products are said to offer 150 percent greater efficiency and produce a wide variety of red and yellow tones. In addition, the new devices offer all the benefits of surface-mount technology in a very high brightness LED.
Improvements to the company's thin-film technology enable all generated light to emit through the top of the LED chip, which the company said results in higher luminous efficacy and red indium gallium aluminum phosphide (InGaAlP) LEDs that are bright enough for a wide range of applications including rear light clusters and indicators in automobiles and for display panels in traffic control systems." Readers say:
» "Very interesting; not in the field of my applications."
» "Will probly send for a sample pack, to see the actual colors." USABILITY RANK: 4
(8) CALIFORNIA MICRO DEVICES VGA port chip replaces 22 discrete devices eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "California Micro Devices claims its highly-integrated interface solution, the CM2006, is the industry's first complete VGA and DVI-I port companion circuit for digital TV and LCD monitors. The VGA port device replaces 22 analog and passive components and integrates electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, level shifting and buffering and backdrive protection in a single chip.
As part of the Cal Micro's Application Specific Integrated Passive (ASIP) line, the CM2006 is designed for VGA and DVI-I ports in digital consumer electronics and PC peripheral applications. The device connects between the video graphics controller of a LCD monitor or digital TV and the analog video output (VGA or DVI-I connector)." Readers say: » "Pricing seems a little high if board area is not at a premium...."
» "Nice design, will look at implementing it into my next design." USABILITY RANK: 8
(9) SANYO DENKI Fan motor delivers high airflow, low noise eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Sanyo Denki has expanded its San Ace 40 family of compact DC cooling fan motors with the availability of the 12-volt G- and J-speed models that deliver as much as 15% more airflow than its predecessors, while consuming 15% less power.
Thanks to its innovative design, the new San Ace 40GV increases maximum airflow by as much as 15% over its predecessor (0.68 m3/min, 24 CFM, 330 Pa/1.32 in H2O max.) while consuming 15% less power (7.2 watts). In addition, an advanced impeller and frame design allows the motor to operate 3 dB quieter than competitive offerings, according to the company." Readers say: » "Not so revolutionary."
» "A bit more expensive for a minimul cooling advantage."
» "Will look for this from local reps." USABILITY RANK: 6
(10) TABTRONICS High-efficiency transformer delivers 720 watts in a compact package eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Tabtronics Inc. has introduced a highly efficient transformer for 150 kHz bridge converter applications. The new HXTH01260 transformer, using the company's Hyper-X Magnetic Technology to dissipate less than 1% of output power, delivers 12 volts at 60 amps from a 400 volt DC input in compact PQ32/30 package.
Housed in a 42.40 x 33.66-mm package with a height of 33.66 mm maximum, the HXTH01260 transformer's rugged construction uses thick tinned-copper terminations for the high current center-tapped secondary. These foil terminations can be changed to accommodate unique interface requirements. The new device is RoHS compliant." Readers say: » "Remarkable performance."
» "I like the size."
USABILITY RANK: 10
