(1) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS 500–MSPS, 12-bit A/D touts small size, low power, and smooth performance eeProductCenter says: “The newest high–speed A/D converter from Texas Instruments, Inc, the ADS5463, boasts 12–bit/500–MSPS performance in a 14x14 mm package, while dissipating just 2.25 W. The converter, targeted at imaging, radar, test and measurement (T&M), communications, software–defined radio (SDR), and other leading–edge applications, is pin–compatible with existing 13–bit, 210/250 MSPS TI converters, for ease of system upgrade. TI claims that this device has significantly better signal–processing and bandwidth performance, in a much smaller package, than competitive devices on the market.”
Readers say:
» “It has a wide range of variables for the various needs.”
» “It’s very power hungry and has a relatively large package size. Otherwise, it looks pretty good.”
» “High unit cost, even in moderate volume, limits this part to certain high end–product value markets, hence the availability in Industrial and Military temp ranges.”
» “Incredibly fast. high priced, but worth it if the speed were absolutely necessary.”
» “Power is a bit high, but the input range and the fact that this is 12 bit on a 5V or 3.3V rail makes this very attractive. The price point obviously weighs heavily into the decision to use the converter in product.”
» “Not enough bits and way too expensive...”
» “Impressive bandwidth. I would probably use this using digital filtering to get 16–bit samples at a lower rate.”
» “People really need to start thinking in terms of high speed serial interfaces for these high speed ADCs.”
» “Many of the systems I have worked with require a higher ENOB. I want 16 or more so i can overesample to get 20 r signal sampling. The project is strictly digital in nature.”
» “Lower power is becoming more critical in that we are fitting more into the same space and cannot increase our power sources”
USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) CIRRUS LOGIC Class D audio system tunes in for digital TV eeProductCenter says: “Integrating a stereo analog–to–digital converter, sample–rate converter, digital audio processor and a 30–watt Class D amplifier that includes a PWM controller and power stage, Cirrus Logic touts its CS4525 as an innovative Class D audio IC that greatly simplifies system design for the global flat–panel digital television market.”
Readers say:
» “This chip looks as if it will do well in the medium fi market for flat panel TV; however, the cost could be an issue since the power saving is not a prime consideration due to the power hungry back light or plasma display.”
» “This would help reduce the number of components in a design.”
USABILITY RANK: 3
(3) STMICROELECTRONICS 3–axis accelerometer ICs spin smaller, smarter designs eeProductCenter says: “STMicroelectronics’ first two devices in its LIS302 family of low–g linear accelerometers tout extremely small form factor and low power consumption for a variety of motion–sensor applications. These 3–axis devices measure just 3–by–5–by–0.9 mm (less than one–third the size of the company’s initial MEMs offering) for meeting the space and weight constraints of portable electronics systems. From analog products with embedded features to smart sensors with digital interface, the LIS302 series is suited to applications from hard–disk drive protection to intuitive man–machine interaction in consumer applications. The ultra–compact design of these low–power (1 mW) devices are designed to provide very high immunity to vibration and shock survivability up to 10,000g.”
Readers say:
» “Why is this better then AD MEMS accels?”
» “Need to get 10K Bandwidth & SPI or I2C output.”
» “Price is good...Features good...ST Micro in the sensor market? Is this some kinda vapor–ware?”
USABILITY RANK: 2
(4) FUJITSU Fujitsu touts 1.3 GSa/s speed for its CMOS 14–bit DAC eeProductCenter says: “Fujitsu Microelectronics America says its MB86065, a 1.3 GSa/s device, is the industry’s fastest CMOS 14–bit digital–to–analog converter. “The MB86065 demonstrates the company’s ability to support the trend toward commoditization in communications infrastructure equipment,” said Stephanos Thomopoulos, senior product marketing manager. (“The higher direct–IF frequencies impact end–applications significantly by reducing the overall design effort, thus lowering the total cost of ownership and speeding time–to–market.”)”
Readers say:
» “The cost for this item is very reasonable the upgrade technology.”
» “I wish to use this DAC in DDS oscillator.”
USABILITY RANK: 4
(5) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Triple video amp has integrated filters and sync circuitry eeProductCenter says: “Texas Instruments says its THS7327 is the industry’s first video amplifier IC with integrated filters for handling both analog RGB and digital horizontal and vertical (HV) sync signals. The chip, for video projectors, professional video, broadcast video, computer display, traditional and digital TV systems, claims up to an 80 percent savings in board space versus traditional amplifier solutions.”
Readers say:
» “This device would be a very wanted item in the Video Market.”
USABILITY RANK: 7
(6) ANALOG DEVICES Synthesizer ICs with on–chip 14–bit DACs tout 1 GSPS operation eeProductCenter says: “Analog Devices says it has more than doubled the clock speed of the industry’s fastest direct digital synthesizer (DDS) ICs that use 14–bit digital–to–analog converters. As such, the AD9910 and AD9957, for frequency agile applications such as wireless base stations, military and commercial radar, test equipment, and secure communications systems, are touted as the first DDS devices with integrated 14–bit DACs to achieve speeds of 1 gigasamples per second (GSPS), while lowering power consumption by more than 50 percent.”
Readers had no comments.
USABILITY RANK: 6
(7) CIRRUS LOGIC Audio post–processor ICs for DTV deliver home–theatre features eeProductCenter says: “Cirrus Logic’s CS48520 and CS48540 for digital TV (DTV) applications are complete audio post–processing solutions designed to deliver home–theater–like audio quality. “Consumers are enjoying the display features of new flat-panel TVs, but they are less satisfied with the audio capabilities of these products,” said Keith Cheney, vice president and general manger of Embedded Products. (“Manufacturers of DTV products that provide a better audio experience to their customers will enable their products to stand out from the crowd.”)”
Readers say:
» “Looks like it will fill a need in the home theater group.”
USABILITY RANK: 9
(8) MSC Temp sensors boost thermal management for 90–nm processors eeProductCenter says: “SMSC’s two new temperature sensor families, the EMC1402, 1403 and 1404 series; and the companion EMC1422, 1423 and 1424 series (pull–up resistor versions), tout benchmark performance for single–chip high–accuracy sensors suited to 90-nm processor platforms while also minimizing diode characterization and time–to–market issues. The sensor technology, also incorporated into the company’s new EMC2101 and EMC2102 fan controllers, provide designers with an extra measure of accuracy in forced–air systems.”
Readers say:
» “What price accuracy? Does one need to pay more to get a more accurate housekeeping sensor?”
» “Good to see attention to detail in obtaining the accuracy.”
USABILITY RANK: 5
(9) TEXAS ADVANCED OPTOELECTRONICS SOLUTIONS Development board quickly evaluates light–to–frequency converters eeProductCenter says: “Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions’ evaluation board, the LTFEVM, is now available for checking the company’s TSL230RD, TSL235R, TSL237S, TSL237T, TSL238D, and TSL245R light–to–frequency converters.”
Readers say:
» “The Windows based application software will make it user friendly.”
USABILITY RANK: 8
(10) MAXIM Bidirectional video filters simplify the input–output connection eeProductCenter says: “Eliminating the need for separate input and output connectors, Maxim says its MAX7481/MAX7482 bidirectional video filters/buffers are the first devices to utilize the same filter for both the record and playback modes. As such, it’s promoted as a viable space–saving alternative that improves performance at a cost comparable to the discrete fixed–frequency, high–definition, L–R–C filter, buffer, and switch solutions now available.”
Readers say:
» “This would help reduce the number of components in a design.”
» “NTSC/PAL are dead formats. For the future they need to think HD.”
