eeProductCenter Ultimate Products 4.3

(1)
OSRAM OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS
Headlamp LED delivers twice the brightness

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Inc. has developed the next generation of its super bright OSTAR headlamp LED. The improved headlamp LED features five chips connected in a series, with a color temperature of 6000 K and a peak performance of 620 lumens (lm) at 700 mA, which is twice the brightness of its predecessor."

Readers Say:
"I have done little research on this product but I feel strongly about LED's as a lighting solution for any application."
"Sounds cool!"
"I will likely ask OSRAM for a sample to evaluate the technology in my lab."
"I think that in the future can use it for backlighting purposes."
"It's impressive to see the development of more efficient devices"
"Excellent improvement in the light output!"
"High efficiency LED lighting will become more important in an increasingly energy conscious world."

USABILITY RANK: 1

(2)
NEXTREME
Embedded thermoelectric coolers target hot spot cooling

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"Nextreme has developed a miniature nano-structured thin-film embedded thermoelectric cooler (eTEC) to address thermal management needs of the electronics, photonics, bio-tech and defense/aerospace industries. This technology is said to be an industry first, allowing the seamless embedding of an active cooling and/or heating device in close proximity to the die of an integrated circuit."

Readers Say:
"It appears to be a great tool in the communications systems. Hopefully I will be able to see it used."
"Downloaded video from site and really impressive. Can't wait for IPO."
"Right idea for today's silicon industry."
"Very innovative product"

USABILITY RANK: 2

(3)
TOSHIBA AMERICA ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
White LED offers twice the brightness

eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says:
"Toshiba America Electronic Components Inc. has expanded its LED product line with a device that provides twice the brightness of Toshiba's previous generation devices."

Readers Say:
"Its efficiency is of great interest and value."
"Peaked my curiosity, had to check the web site out..."

USABILITY RANK: 3

(4)
AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES
Automotive LEDs offer 50-degree viewing angle

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"Avago Technologies has released a line of high brightness red, amber, and orange PLCC-4 surface-mount technology (SMT) LEDs for use in interior and exterior automotive and electronic signs and signals applications. The HSMx-A46x series LEDs provide a narrow 50-degree viewing angle and a matched radiation pattern."

Readers Say:
"Good technology for use in environments where the cost of traditional bulb replacement is high."
"Again, efficiency, size and durability are of the greatest interest and value."

USABILITY RANK: 4

(5)
VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY
High-energy capacitor achieves ultra-high capacitance

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has released a wet tantalum high-energy capacitor, which it says offers the highest capacitance of any similar device on the market. The HE3 capacitor features a unique case design and the company's SuperTan cathode technology for improved reliability and performance in high-energy applications."

Readers Say:
"Another innovation for the communications environment/world. It should benefit us all."

USABILITY RANK: 7

(6)
TAIYO YUDEN
Ceramic chip capacitor doubles capacitance value in 0402 package

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"Taiyo Yuden (U.S.A.) Inc. has announced production availability of its AMK105BJ475MV multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) for decoupling power-line circuits in high-performance ICs used in cell phones, digital still cameras and other battery-powered portable electronics. This device offers a 4.7 uF capacitance rating in a 0402 case size, which is twice the capacitance of previous 0402-size capacitors, thanks to 30 percent thinner dielectric layers."

Readers Say:
"As a consumer, this will probably benefit in the electronics end of devices. A big plus in this regard."

USABILITY RANK: 5

(7)
TYCO ELECTRONICS
Micro-USB connector touts small size

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"Tyco Electronics Corp. says its Micro-USB connector is smaller than conventional Mini-USB connectors and enables portable device makers of mobile phones, MP3 players, GPS navigation systems, digital cameras and digital video cameras to further miniaturize their products."

Readers Say:
"A benefit to consumers in all walks of life in today's society. Allows devices to be more compact."

USABILITY RANK: 6

(8)
INVENSENSE
Dual-axis gyroscope targets motion-enabled consumer electronics

eeProductCenter's Ismini Scouras says:
"InvenSense Inc.'s IDG-300 is a dual-axis gyroscope that integrates dual-axis sensing, 500 degree-per-second full scale range, high-level output signal conditioning and 10,000 G-shock resistance."

Readers Say:
No comments.

USABILITY RANK: 8

(9)
STMICROELECTRONICS
Accelerometer saves space and power in portable apps

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"STMicroelectronics extends its family of ultra-compact low-g linear accelerometers with the LIS244AL motion sensing device that delivers low-power consumption for battery-powered portable applications such as mobile phones, portable multimedia players and remote controls."

Readers Say:
"Accelerometers are becoming useful in cryptographic applications that require some degree of randomness and entropy."
"A nice product but a little bit pricey."
"Appears to be a great aid to the Medical, Sports and Health environment."

USABILITY RANK: 9

(10)
ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS
Hall-effect sensor suits harsh automotive and industrial apps

eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says:
"Allegro MicroSystems Inc. has introduced a dual-channel Hall-effect sensor suitable for use in speed and direction sensing applications incorporating encoder ring magnet targets. The A3423 provides output signals that indicate speed and direction of the target."

Readers Say:
"Great for security and military applications."

USABILITY RANK: 10

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