(1) AGERE SYSTEMS 90-nm read channel cuts power consumption by up to 70% eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: " As notebook PCs and digital video products grow faster than the desktop market, consumers are demanding higher capacity with longer reliability and battery life for accessing and storing their digital content. Perpendicular recording technology is the key technique for increasing storage capacity." Readers say: » "Good introduction, it's nice to include more vendors' product portfolios.''
» "Its power consumption cut is really impressive.''
» "It was a very interesting read and will be something to consider in next gen designs for me.''
» "Interesting concept.''
» "Low power is important for portable drives.''
» "This is an important technology for the high data storage requirements in PCs and in IT.''
USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) ANALOG DEVICES Dual-channel isolators provide data and power isolation in single package eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: " Analog Devices has been serving the electronics industry with isolation products for nearly five years. Its iCoupler chips integrate very small transformers, using magnetic technology rather than optical methods that are used in optocouplers.
Its latest iCoupler family of digital isolators employs ADI's proprietary technology called isoPower, which enables the transformers not only to isolate data or signals, but also power in a single package. The extension of isoPower has been done in response to customers needs to reduce cost and size, mainly in the industrial sector. " Readers say: » "Potential interest in future projects, but nothing right now.''
» "No application at this time.''
USABILITY RANK: 2
(3) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS 24-bit RGB interface ICs bring high resolution video to mobile phones eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: " It's no secret that mobile phones are becoming increasingly sophisticated as manufacturers design in higher resolution screens to handle video-on-the-go applications. However, bridging high-quality video in mobile phones has been a major challenge. Even though these handheld systems are capable of downloading TV shows, existing interface technologies limit the display quality. Today's single-ended interfaces have thick cables, low speed and poor picture quality, and high electromagnetic interference (EMI)." Readers say:
» "This could be a key differentiator in a tough market thus lead to increased ARPU.''
USABILITY RANK: 7
(4) BROADCOM Multi-layer switches advance 10-GbE adoption in enterprise networks eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: "Aimed at accelerating 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10-GbE) adoption in data center and enterprise networks, Broadcom Corp. has developed a series of stackable, 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10-GbE) chips that feature multi-layer switching with IPv4 and IPv6 routing capabilities and deep-packet inspection with advanced security features." USABILITY RANK: 5
(5) XILINX Virtex-4 FPGAs turn into traffic managers for triple-play apps eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: " Xilinx has partnered with Modelware Inc. to provide designers of networking infrastructure equipment with a product that will enable them to integrate advanced traffic management features into their systems. With the ability to support throughput from 50-Mbits/s to more than 10-Gbits/s, the hardware-based product can manage traffic in all types of triple-play applications from access equipment to metro core routers." USABILITY RANK: 4
(6) CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR Dual-port interconnects tout 36-Gbits/s throughput at 250 MHz eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: "Cypress Semiconductor Corp.? FullFlex family of dual-port interconnects delivers an operating speed of 250 MHz and bandwidth throughput of 36 Gbits/second, which the company said is nearly 150 percent higher than competing devices." Readers say:
» "Nice presentation, excellent explaination of each element of the part and technology.''
USABILITY RANK: 9
(7) ACTEL Mixed-signal FPGA integrates soft ARM7 IP core eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: " When Actel introduced its mixed-signal FPGA products last year called Fusion, it was the first time any chip maker brought analog capability into their FPGA devices. Its Fusion products had the processing capability, but it was limited to 8-bit embedded processors, according to Mike Thompson, product marketing manager of IP at Actel." Readers say: » "Potential interest in future projects, but nothing right now.''
USABILITY RANK: 6
(8) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS On-chip capacitive digital isolators transmit data at up to 150-Mbits/s eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: " As industrial automation equipment gets increasingly sophisticated, manufacturers are requiring interface devices that offer faster data rates, as well as higher signal integrity and immunity from magnetic noises. To meet the needs of this steadily growing market, TI developed what it claims is the first on-chip capacitive digital isolators?he ISO721 and ISO721M?hat are three times faster than optocouplers, 35% faster than high-performance inductive and magnetic coupler devices, and offer up to 60% lower power than optical devices." Readers say: » "Very informative, however we do not calibrate to component level.
This new technology would be great in the data aq. systems we calibrate.''
USABILITY RANK: 3
(9) INTEGRATED DEVICE TECHNOLOGY Statistics engine liberates processor in IP-based networks eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: " As industrial automation equipment gets increasingly sophisticated, manufacturers are requiring interface devices that offer faster data rates, as well as higher signal integrity and immunity from magnetic noises. To meet the needs of this steadily growing market, TI developed what it claims is the first on-chip capacitive digital isolators?he ISO721 and ISO721M?hat are three times faster than optocouplers, 35% faster than high-performance inductive and magnetic coupler devices, and offer up to 60% lower power than optical devices." USABILITY RANK: 10
(10) LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR Two 90-nm FPGA product lines hit the market with lower price tags eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says: "Competing with programmable logic-device behemoths Xilinx and Altera hasn't been easy, but Lattice Semiconductor has developed two feature-rich product lines that it believes could help it garner market share.
The FPGA maker launched its 90-nm generation of its FPGA devices, introducing LatticeSC system chip FPGAs and LatticeECP2, its second-generation "Economy Plus" device. Both product lines will be manufactured on Fujitsu Ltd.'s 90-nm technology, using 300-mm silicon wafers at its facility in Mie, Japan. Production of both devices is expected to be available by mid-2006. " USABILITY RANK: 8
