(1)
SUPERTEX
Highly integrated ultrasound pulser IC comes in small package

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Supertex has introduced a highly integrated, high-voltage and high-speed, four-channel ultrasound pulser IC. The HV758 IC brings together the controller logic interface circuitry, level translators, MOSFET gate drive buffers and high-current, high-voltage outputs in an 8 x 8 mm, 64-lead, monolithic package."

Readers Say:
"Currently working on sonar range finder."
"Most interesting mix of HV and high speed."
"I gave it a 5 for sig. because I've done some ultrasound designs before, and it looks like a part I would have used if it had been available."

USABILITY RANK: 1

(2)
VISHAY
White LED drivers deliver 90 percent efficiency

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has released two 1.25-MHz current-mode boost converters optimized for white LED applications. The SiP12510 and SiP12511 white LED drivers offer a 90 percent typical efficiency, said to be the highest rating for this type of device."

Readers Say:
"Maybe the price is in euros."
"It could be good in using LCD back light for day light applications."

USABILITY RANK: 2

(3)
MICREL
Tiny LED driver boasts high power

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: " Micrel Inc. says it has developed the industry's tiniest and most powerful LED driver for portable applications that enables designers to enhance their integrated cameras with a high-brightness LED flash that consumes minimal board space and battery life. "

Readers Say:
"Nice small parts count."

USABILITY RANK: 3

(4)
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
TI launches 216-kHz stereo A/D converters with 124-dB dynamic range

eeProductCenter's Ismini Souras says: "Texas Instruments Inc. developed a pair of 24-bit, 216-kHz A/D converters, completing its audio signal chain for professional digital audio recording and processing applications. According to TI, the PCM4220 and PCM4222 dual-channel devices combine high integration with the highest dynamic range in the industry of up to 124-dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) while still reducing power consumption by 50 percent compared to competing products. "

Readers Say:
"Wow, that is doing a lot with 300mW."
"Glad the price is high. More dynamic range unfortunately equates to higher volume after over compressing like most source material is these days!"
"Price is on the higher side for standard applications."

USABILITY RANK: 4

(5)
MAXIM
White LED charge pump integrates audio amplifier

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Maxim Integrated Products says it has introduced the industry's only negative charge pump with an integrated fully differential, bridged audio amplifier. The single-chip MAX8678 white LED driver (WLED), available in a 3 x 3 x 0.8-mm TQFN package, is 50 percent smaller than the standard two-chip solution, said Maxim."

Readers Say:
"Maybe this device is required in some cheap applications, but I think it is not a good idea to combine different functions (LED pump and audio AMP) in one device."

USABILITY RANK: 8

(6)
FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR
Analog products target automotive engine control

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Freescale Semiconductor is introducing six standard SMARTMOS analog products designed for automotive engine management applications to meet the industry's performance, fuel efficiency and environmental requirements. This expanded SMARTMOS line-up includes signal conditioning, H-bridge and output driver components for the company's automotive microcontrollers."

Readers Say:
"I am sure that SMARTMOS may be useful in transport embedded systems."
"Keep doing car's electronic revolution"

USABILITY RANK: 6

(7)
IXYS CORPORATION
Linear power MOSFETs offer improved power dissipation

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "IXYS Corporation has released a series of 500-V to 1200-V linear power MOSFETs with a proprietary cell design that significantly improves ruggedness and power dissipation capabilities. Unlike normal MOSFET operation where the transistor functions like an on/off switch, linear applications subject the MOSFET to high thermal stress due to the simultaneous occurrence of high drain voltage and current, which is why Trench and other planar MOSFET technologies are not recommended for linear operation, said IXYS."

Readers Say:
"Wow - this could be useful."

USABILITY RANK: 5

(8)
LEADIS TECHNOLOGY
TFT-LCD driver offers up to 50 percent power savings

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Leadis Technology, Inc. has announced sample availability of the LDS285, a 16 million color QVGA TFT driver. This device is the first in a new family of TFT-LCD drivers enabled with the Leadis' proprietary PowerLite dynamic backlight control (DBC) algorithm, which calculates the optimal backlight level for each image, saving power in battery-powered mobile applications including mobile handsets and portable media players."

Readers Say:
"Could not find data on web site"
"Designer has to be sure that there are no shifts white color balance"

USABILITY RANK: 10

(9)
AUSTRIAMICROSYSTEMS
Rotary encoder detects rotational angle, vertical distance and magnetic tilt

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "austriamicrosystems has expanded its magnetic rotary encoder IC family with the introduction of the AS5046. This 12-bit resolution magnetic rotary encoder detects rotational angle, vertical distance and magnetic tilt. The device can detect vertical distances over several millimeters, making it suitable for contactless, multi-axis human interface devices such as navigational knobs."

Readers Say:
"Interesting."
"This keeps the electronics safe and needs no contacts that wear and get mechanically produced contamination produced by a rotating shaft."
"Unfortunately still low resolution."

USABILITY RANK: 10

(10)
LEM
ASIC transducer in SO-8 package provides isolated current measurement

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "LEM has introduced a miniature integrated circuit transducer in a SO-8 package for AC and DC isolated current measurement of 70 amps or higher. The Minisens integrates, in one mixed-signal ASIC, Hall-effect sensors with a magnetic concentrator to allow direct current measurement without the need for an additional magnetic core."

Readers Say:
"Please send samples"
"Low power and Minisens is important for any application."

USABILITY RANK: 9

In case you were wondering, here's how Ultimate Products works: Our editors select up to 10 of the most significant products posted at www.eeProductCenter.com during the calendar quarter. Then, using an electronic balloting process, we submit the products with the accompanying editorial reviews to selected, qualified readers. Those readers score the products by technical significance and
USABILITY on a scale of 1 through 5, with 5 being the highest score. The product ranked No. 1 in each category was judged as most technically significant for that category. Relative
USABILITY rankings and selected reader comments are also reported. More than 1,000 of you helped to choose these products. As always, we are grateful for your enthusiastic participation.

Patrick Mannion
Editor-in-Chief, Techonline Network and eeProductcenter.com
pmannion@cmp.com