(1) TELEGENT SYSTEMS TV–on–chip devices debut eeProductCenter says: “Fabless semiconductor vendor Telegent Systems, Inc., announces production shipment of the company's first-generation TV receiver chip. It's designated the TLG1100. Telegent is concurrently rolling out a TV-on-chip device called the TLG1130. These devices are expected to enable handset manufacturers and carriers to introduce new products with mobile TV, and do it before the holiday season.”
Readers say:
» “I’d only be able to use this if it were offered in a fully automotive–qualified version.”
» “This is a significant product breakthrough.”
» “Obsolete next year in USA.”
» “I imagine the cost is extremely high.”
» “For the right application, this would definitely require more research.”
» “Good for Japan and Chinese markets. US may be a little more challenging to convince users to watch TV while they are driving.”
» “Seems like NTSC RF Video transmission is pretty much going away in a few years. The TLG1130 seems like the more exciting product.”
» “I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of these in my next cellphone or pda, certainly a viable laptop option.”
» “With TV bigger is better.”
» “I just cannot believe that people would be willing to watch TV on such a small screen in large numbers. It will be a novelty at best.”
» “In my opinion, This device must also cover digital television to be useful. NTSC and PAL are standards of the past. They are being phased out.”
» “I think anyone enjoys video/picture/TV on bigger screen and so I am doubtful about the success of this idea of TV on mobile handset.”
» “TV now every where and any time. When are DVR in cell phones coming to the party too? Adding video streaming to the mix brings content on demand AND time–shifted DVR content too. Lots of choices for Joe Consumer.”
» “More attractive product would support ATSC as well.”
» “It’s about time!”
» “Will this device still be of use when the US TV market switches to the High Definition format in a few dozen months?”
» “Works up to 265 MPH!!!”
» “I am glad to see Mobile TV however, my concern is that too many people who use cell phones will become mobile TV watchers, instead of drivers.”
» “High, reliable video reception for wireless devices has always been a challenge to say the least. The performance with signal fading and interference as well as location of wireless device will most always result in poor quality. Being able to harness even the weakest of signals without compromising quality and reception is a feat to say the least. My only question is what effects will the device battery power drop have in maintaining quality. My guess is there would have to be a constant power source to keep the battery at its full potential.”
» “The TLG1100 is a much needed product in the revolution of consumer electronics and will find itself as the next necessary step in providing growth in an industry that has reached its capacity with current available technology. I would say TELEGENT SYSTEMS is an INTELEGENT NEXT STEP PRODUCT! TL gets 5 stars from me!
» “Nice for consumer based products.”
» “I really like compact, mixed signal solutions.”
» “Why one chip? Why not the best technology for digital and the best for RF using 2 chips?”
» “The adoption and success of Telegent’s TV–on–Chip will depend on the added BoM cost.”
» “The fact it supports standards other than DVB H and DVB T is a positive for it since these standards are lagging.”
USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) COMSOL RF software simulates everything from waveguides to metamaterials eeProductCenter says: “Here’s some software that can simulate everything from waveguides to metamaterials. The RF Module for the existing COMSOL Multiphysics software package from Comsol, Inc. imparts simulation for the design of sophisticated RF, microwave, and photonics components. In general, the software lets you study components and systems that deal with propagating electromagnetic waves.”
Readers say:
» “Sounds excellent.”
» “Looks like a good tool for mixed dielectrics, metamaterials, frequency selective surfaces, etc. A possible application is microwave heating of human tissue (i.e. SAR). If it is faster than current FDTD techniques it could fill a needed market niche.”
» “I have received several free promotional CD’s from this company, and like having such a wide array of topics available to evaluate. Comsol has great seminars in which to attend, I recommend them highly.”
USABILITY RANK: 3
(3) MAXSTREAM RF bridge box extends ZigBee range up to 40 miles eeProductCenter says: “Wireless modem supplier MaxStream makes available its XBee XTender wireless bridge that can extend the range of ZigBee and IEEE–802.15.4 networks up to 40 miles. Of course, to attain a 40–mile range you’ll need to use a high–gain antenna array, probably at both ends of such a path.”
Readers say:
» “This will have so many issues in the real world, it’ll never succeed.”
» “Transmitters over 5W require a license and will most likely cause havoc on other local 2.4 GHz networks looking for the strongest signal.”
» “Not obvious why someone would want to turn a PAN technology into a WAN technology. Seems like there are better ways to accomplish the same goal.”
» “Good idea. My needs fall into the 100 ft. or less range for 802.15.4 radios.”
» “I wish the picture was clearer from a design perspective.”
» “That’s like a coverage area the size of Los Angeles!!”
USABILITY RANK: 2
(4) CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR ISM–band radio–on–a–chip includes flash microcontroller eeProductCenter says: “Building a remote control, wireless mouse, or home automation product? If so, check out this new device from RFIC maker Cypress Semiconductor Corp. It’s debuting a next–generation PRoC, or Programmable Radio–System–on–a–Chip. The single–chip Cypress PRoC LP integrates the company’s existing WirelessUSB LP 2.4–GHz transceiver with its enCoRe II 8–bit Harvard architecture flash–equipped microcontroller.”
Readers say:
» “Excellent for dedicated applications.”
» “An interesting product for niche products when you can control both ends of the link.”
» “This product is closer to what I would use. The radio and micro on a single chip is the type of product I am looking for.”
» “OK, Chipcon, you’ve met your match!!!”
USABILITY RANK: 4
(5) NAVSYNC LTD ARM–equipped modules acquire GPS signals, generate reference eeProductCenter says: “GPS components vendor NavSync Ltd. is dishing up a pair of GPS (Global Positioning System) modules designed for acquiring and tracking satellites in weak signal areas such as under dense foliage, in urban canyons, and even inside buildings. Both run embedded ARM (Advanced RISC Machines) processors.”
Readers say:
» “This project is a good idea seeing as our department has very little in–building communication.”
» “Wish my cell phone had sensitivity this good... I would never have a dropped call again.”
USABILITY RANK: 7
(6) MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS $4 tuner ICs serve Japanese mobile–broadcast TV, digital radio designs eeProductCenter says: “RFIC maker Maxim Integrated Products is fabbing two power–managed chip types for designers of Japanese digital broadcast products. Maxim’s MAX2161 and MAX2162 are dual–band dual–mode tuners. The small size of these devices lets you design television sub–systems that meet the tiny–footprint and low–height requirements of Japanese cell–phone–TVs.”
Readers say:
» “May find a use for these for a different application.”
» “I ordered the evaluation kit.”
» “Maxim is always shrinking the BOM!!”
USABILITY RANK: 8
(7) AZIMUTH SYSTEMS Hardware/software platform ensures Wi–Fi Certification eeProductCenter says: “This is a product that can help you expeditiously get the coveted Wi–Fi Certified logo on your next product. The Wi–Fi Certification validates the interoperability of your Wi–Fi–connected design. What’s most significant about Azimuth’s Wi–Fi Alliance Test Engine Architecture is that it implements a standard test approach in a semi–automated system, and the Wi–Fi Alliance Test Engine Architecture is what’s used and accepted by the Wi–Fi ATLs (Alliance Authorized Test Laboratories).”
Readers say:
» “Significant and necessary.”
» “I would like to see some of the test benchmarks on this item.”
» “Looks robust, and useful, for Wi–Fi designers. I like the NIST level security rating too.”
» “FAn interesting approach that could enable in–house testing before contracting with a test house.”
USABILITY RANK: 6
(8) MERCURY COMPUTER SYSTEMS COTS RF platform puts signal conversion close to the antenna eeProductCenter says: “MIL board maker Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. has available an application–ready platform for WBDLS (wideband data links and satellite communications) processing. It puts signal conversion close to the antenna/sensor. What’s more, this board doesn’t need a backplane interface, although it does draw power from the power pins of a VME connector.”
Readers say:
» “ASounds like the kick in the pants that satellite communications has needed.”
» “The technology sounds good.”
» “I really like innovative FPGA–based applications.”
USABILITY RANK: 9
(9) SAELIG Smart turnkey modules implement Bluetooth eeProductCenter says: “Here’s news of two Bluetooth products available from Saelig Co. The first is a 2 x 1–in. DIL–packaged (dual in–line) embeddable control module based on Microchip Technology’s popular PIC16F877 microcontroller. The module implements Bluetooth communications directly from the UART pins of the PIC microcontroller, without any need to know the details of the complex Bluetooth protocol.
Readers say:
» “This is already a very crowded market. Integrating BT has become relatively simple and cheap (much cheaper than these products).”
» “Kind of expensive.”
» “It's large and expensive; already single chip solutions that do the same thing. Hobbyist use only.”
» “Price is too high.”
» “The products look interesting, but in my application I need single chip solution at a lower price point.”
» “Looks compact, and easy to use. Convenient for many types of uC based designs. Maybe a bit pricey, however.”
USABILITY RANK: 5
(10) METALINK Dual–band chipset is 802.11n–draft compliant eeProductCenter says: “Here’s a chipset that may ease designs of wireless digital entertainment systems. Introduced by Metalink Ltd,. a provider of wireless and wire–line broadband communication silicon, this second–generation WLANPlus chipset is billed by the company as the industry’s first CE–grade (consumer electronics) IEEE-802.11n–draft–compliant dual–band chip–set. The devices comprising the chipset were pre–introduced about 18 months ago by Metalink, and the company is now set to ship to OEMs with this second–gen rendition.
Readers say:
» “Good signal processing strategies, and 60 Mbps! (PS: I counted 23 acronyms in this article.)”
