eeProductCenter Ultimate Products 5.2

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Product Shopper New Product Info

(1)
TOSHIBA
Industrial TFT-LCD modules feature replaceable LED backlights
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC) has released five color active-matrix thin-film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) modules for industrial applications that incorporate long-life LED backlighting systems. Developed by Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd. (TMD) the modules are designed to satisfy the requirements of a broad range of industrial applications such as test and measuring equipment, medical equipment, and portable handheld computing devices."

Readers say:
"Looks good, about time we had LED backlit displays..."

"Industrial controls are going to graphic. Information is understood quicker with graphics."

"Great idea to make backlight replaceable as it's the "wearing" part of an LCD. Not clear from description if the LED driver is on the replaceable backlight module or not. Might be a good idea to have that replaceable as well to accommodate fast evolving LED technology"

"Cost too high"

"The LED backlit TFT-LCDs will be very important to our customers who are environmentally conscious and who are trying to extend lifetimes and lower operation and maintenance costs."

"The LED backlighting system is the most important feature, a definite improvement over fluorescent lamps."

"It's about time that replaceable LED technology rather than fluorescent tubes were used."

"I definitely prefer the LED backlighting!"

"The introduction of a field replaceable lighting system will ensure lower cost repairs and help keep customers happy with the newer displays."

"Lower power consumption means less heat; how is the LED's heat dissipated and what is the impact on the module form factor?"

"Less Mercury, more environmentally friendly, easier disposal, more energy-efficient, great start. Can't wait for larger displays too."

"LEDs in general are revolutionizing lighting."

"The replacement of the conventional back lighting with LEDs is highly beneficial in every way. The question is does quality remain such that it can be accepted in a broader market (e.g., entertainment)?."

USABILITY RANK: 1

(2)
CYPRESS
Cypress claims industry's first programmable single-chip laser navigation system
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Cypress Semiconductor Corp. has introduced its second generation laser navigation product family, which the company touts as the first in the industry to integrate a laser navigation sensor and programmable Flash-based microcontroller on one die. Aimed at wired and wireless mice applications, the OvationONS II laser navigation system-on-chip (SoC) is said to feature excellent surface tracking performance and low-power consumption thanks to Cypress' patented OptiCheck technology integrated with a programmable CPU, USB interface, and a highly-configurable power management unit."

Readers say:
"Nice integration"

"I have already evaluated one part from this family. It performed better than all of the other products we evaluated!"

USABILITY RANK: 6

(3)
AVAGO
High-power LED modules deliver up to 1140 lumens
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Avago Technologies has introduced a new series of thin plug-and-play high-power cool white and warm white LED modules for use in architectural, backlighting, and general lighting applications. The ADJD-WMxx/YMxx Moonstone LED series features a light strip, ring and round modules to meet a variety of applications."

Readers say:
"High priced lighting. A breakthrough needs to be made to make them affordable."

"Useful information in the release could include lumens/watt and lumens/$. I expect to be buying some of these."

USABILITY RANK: 2

(4)
ANALOG DEVICES
Industrial MEMS vibration sensor mitigates risk of system failure at a lower cost
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) has introduced a high-bandwidth MEMS vibration sensor to enable better monitoring of industrial equipment performance and to reduce downtime due to unforeseen system failures. The ADXL001 is said to deliver high-performance and high-reliability vibration monitoring in a small 5 x 5-mm ceramic package at nearly half the cost of current solutions."

Readers say:
"No calibration needed is a big advantage."

"At last - extended frequency response."

"Lower g range device would be nice."

USABILITY RANK: 4

(5)
JARO THERMAL
Fan delivers super cooling at 174 CFM
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Jaro Thermal has released its AS series of Super-Flow-Turbo fans with an airflow of 174 CFM in a 25-mm design. The new thin "pancake design" uses a system of aerodynamic blades that are specifically designed and angled to maximize static pressure. In addition, an air-gliding frame delivers additional airflow to create a super-cooling fan."

USABILITY RANK: 5

(6)
CAPELLA MICROSYSTEMS Capella unveils single-chip proximity and ambient light sensor
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Capella Microsystems, Inc. has unveiled the CM3612 device, which it claims is the industry's first proximity and ambient light sensor in a single chip. The CM3612 extends battery life in touch-screen products such as iPhones and other portable products including cell phones, notebook computers and digital cameras."

Readers say:
"I hope this technology will be incorporated into the next generation of devices I use."

"Great pricing!"

USABILITY RANK: 8

(7) TAIYO YUDEN Power inductors shrink by 70 percent
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Taiyo Yuden (U.S.A.) Inc. has introduced the BRC1608 series of high-current, wirewound power inductors in an EIA 0603 case size that is 70 percent smaller than the company's previous generation. Touted as the smallest power inductors available, the BRC1608 devices measure 1.6 (L) x 0.8 (W) x 0.8 (H) mm (all dimensions � 0.2 mm). The new series is well-suited for dc/dc converter choke coil applications in digital cameras, cell phones, MP3 players and other battery-powered electronic devices."

USABILITY RANK: 3

(8)
C&K
14-function navigation switch combines sensitive touch and tactile functions
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "C&K Components has developed a 14-function navigation switch that combines sensitive touch and tactile functions while guaranteeing an extended life span of 1 million actuations per direction. Touted as the only 14-function nav switch currently available on the market, the SensoNav switch is compatible with standard SMT lines. Key applications include portable games, mobile phones, MP3 players and universal remote controls."

Readers say: " "Good options at a good price."

USABILITY RANK: 7

(9)
BOURNS
Rotary magnetic encoders operate in harsh environments
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Bourns, Inc. has introduced a line of rotary magnetic encoders that offer a variety of customizable options. Touted as providing enhanced reliability and better performance than traditional optical and contacting encoders, the EMS22 non-contacting magnetic encoders are well-suited for environments where an extreme range of temperatures and harsh conditions such as moisture, particles, grease and oil are present. Typical applications include factory automation, fuel dispensing, marine, metal working, instrumentation and material handling."

Readers say:
"Evolutionary, not revolutionary. A good improvement, I may have a use for them."

USABILITY RANK: 9

(10)
NEC
2.7-inch LCD module offers high pixel density
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "NEC LCD Technologies has announced that it will begin shipping samples of its 2.7-inch low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) thin-film-transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) module at the end of July 2008. The NL9654HL06-01J LCD module delivers a high pixel density of 413 pixels per inch in a small size direct-view LCD."

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