(1) IWATT Primary–side controller advances digital power eeProductCenter’s Vince Biancomano says: “Proclaiming a paradigm shift in power supply control techniques with its iW1688 PWM chip, iWatt says it’s the first to secure significant benefits of digital control as applied to the primary side of low–power AC/DC adapters and chargers. Using what the company says is a unique combination of sampling techniques and an efficient digital engine, the iW1688 is designed to achieve tight regulation and a smaller, less expensive and more efficient implementation for the 2– to 5–watt adapters used in cellular and cordless phones, digital music players, and still cameras.”
Readers say:
» “This device looks pretty slick!”
» “As Mr. Hill said ‘up to this time securing tight supply regulation required secondary feedback loops that add both components and create a concern as to the overall reliability of the optocoupler’ right on.”
» “PWM technology is essential in our line of design, so the iW1688 should prove useful.”
» “Use would depend on cost, since most products at this location are cost driven. The technical significance is mitigated by needing a third winding on the transformer, as well as the low switching frequency.”
» “Looks like something I would like to try out.”
» “Sounds like an interesting gadget.”
» “Innovative concept and one which may solve low power requirements.”
USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) CALIFORNIA MICRO DEVICES Third–generation ESD port protectors support HDMI 1.3 specs eeProductCenter’s Vince Biancomano says: “California Micro Devices’ CM2030 and CM2031 family of MediaGuard devices tout the industry’s best performance for high–speed lines in meeting the signaling (signal integrity) and ESD protection requirements for the latest HDMI (High–Definition Multimedia Interface) devices.”
Readers say:
» “Interesting, cheap and will simplify.”
USABILITY RANK: 4
(3) CELLERGY Supercaps are cost–effective for portables eeProductCenter’s Vince Biancomano says: “Citing a breakthrough in the cost of supercapacitors––under a dollar in production quantities for its product as compared to double or triple that amount for competing units––Cellergy says its small–footprint series (as small as 17.5–by–17 mm) as well as its low–profile (1.9 mm) series are a viable design option in portable consumer devices.”
Readers say:
» “Very interesting.”
» “It may be a bit early for super caps, but they have a promising future.”
USABILITY RANK: 3
(4) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI targets digital power conversion with DSP controllers eeProductCenter’s Marty Gold says: “Targeting digital power conversion and motor control applications, Texas Instruments has added four new members to its TMS320F280xx digital signal controller family. The move follows the announcement of Microchip Technology’s new PIC–based DSP controllers also for digital power conversion usage.”
Readers say:
USABILITY RANK: 2
(5) APOLLO DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES Controller software package simplifies multiple–LCD signage apps eeProductCenter’s Vince Biancomano says: “ArtistaControlCenterLITE software from Apollo Display Technologies simplifies the control of digital signage that uses multiple TFT LCDs in advertising applications, POI/POS displays, HMIs for machine control, and status displays.”
Readers say:
» “About time someone figures this out, nice job.”
USABILITY RANK: 5
(6) SEMTECH DC/DCs adapt to CDMA handset’s power profile eeProductCenter’s Vince Biancomano says: “Semtech’s SC250 and SC251 are the first members of a DC/DC step–down (buck) power converter family designed to improve battery life by providing adaptive power management for CDMA and WCDMA handsets.”
Readers say:
» “These are neat, I have to play with one.”
USABILITY RANK: 7
(7) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Stackable controller ICs simplify multiphase DC/DCs eeProductCenter’s Vince Biancomano says: “Texas Instruments’ TPS40140 PWM controller, touting a simpler approach to multiphase DC/DC topologies, can be scaled up in 16–phase blocks to facilitate 320–amp service. Indeed, more than a dual version of the company’s previously released TPS40100, the chip offers a new take on previous multiphase controller topologies offered by International Rectifier and Linear Technology, says Tim Goodrow, product marketing manager for DC/DC controllers.”
Readers say:
» “Nice design.”
USABILITY RANK: 8
(8) ZILKER LABS DC/DC chip packs the most power management for 3–amp applications eeProductCenter’s Vince Biancomano says: “Affording a one–chip solution for basic power–with–power management designs, Zilker Labs says its ZL2105 is the industry’s only such offering for 3–amp service with complete digital–power management facility, and is the mostly easily configured.”
Readers say:
USABILITY RANK: 6
(9) XP POWER Low–power DC/DCs raise COTS standards eeProductCenter’s Vince Biancomano says: “XP Power’s MTC series of 4– to 35–watt commercial–off–the–shelf (COTS) DC/DC converters, specifically for defense and avionics applications, touts features virtually unheard of at the low–power levels. These forward converters, working from a 15.5– to 40–volt input, include external frequency synchronization (400–500 kHz), voltage trim (using a voltage source or resistor) and remote–sense circuitry; external control over thermal shutdown (i.e, for the ‘battle’ mode, where the user can’t afford to shut down the system); and over–voltage and over–current protection.”
Readers say:
USABILITY RANK: 10
(10) COPLEY CONTROLS Servo hammers pneumatics for flexibility, low noise eeProductCenter’s Vince Biancomano says: “Copley Controls’ XSJ family of linear servo systems, starting at $1,600, is the company’s answer to a cost–competitive solution that’s more flexible and much lower noise than traditional pneumatic positioners.”
Readers say:
» “I like the feature sets.”
» “I like the safety improvements that result from eliminating pressurized air. I would expect this to have better servo response and damping, but I don’t see information suggesting this.”
