e-Ismosys edition 4

e-Ismosys: The newsletter for users and partners of Ismosys.com

Welcome to the fourth edition of e-Ismosys, the newsletter of the web-based user and partner portal that provides "Engineering Solutions for the Global Electronics Industry". Created specifically for the electronics engineering community e-Ismosys reached more than 60,000 readers in May 2008 and is successfully bringing together products, services, expertise and resources to help improve engineering efficiency, speed-up product development cycles and reduce the costs and risks associated with time to market challenges.   

Ismosys.com features...

• Easy access to current and emerging technology products
• News, features, releases, articles
• Outsourced Design and Manufacturing
• Engineering services and service providers
• Significant silicon vendor endorsement
  
  
  

The latest release of Altera’s Altera’s Quartus® II software version 8.0 delivers, on average, a full two-speed grade advantage and 3X faster compile times for users of the company’s 40-nm Stratix® IV FPGAs and HardCopy® ASIC high-end FPGAs. 

Performance, Logic Utilization and Compile-Time Advantages Enable Fastest Time to Market and Efficient Team-Based Design

Supporting the company’s 40-nm Stratix® IV FPGAs and HardCopy® ASIC devices Altera’s Quartus® II software version 8.0 delivers, on average, a full two-speed grade advantage and 3X faster compile times for high-end FPGAs when compared to the latest offering fro its closest competitor. With new productivity features and support for the industry’s most advanced FPGAs, Quartus® II version 8.0 reinforces Altera’s commitment to deliver the highest level of performance and productivity to FPGA designers. (See related announcement “ Industry’s First 40-nm FPGAs and HardCopy ASICs").

Quartus II software’s incremental compilation feature offers users a second-to-none productivity advantage, capable of delivering up to a 70 percent compile time reduction compared to a standard compilation. Assisting designers to maximise the benefits that incremental compilation provides, Quartus II software version 8.0 features a new design partition planner. During the process of creating incremental compilation design partitions, an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) provides real-time feedback, such as logic resource usage and inter-partition timing paths, enabling designers to explore and quickly determine the most effective partition scheme.

Quartus II Software Version 8.0 delivers new features
New tasks window: Provides an interactive design flow console that guides users through the FPGA design flow.SOPC Builder: Offers support for incremental compilation and adds key intellectual property (IP) blocks to its design library, including JTAG and SPI interfaces.

Enhanced FPGA I/O planning: Accelerates board development with added pin-swapping capabilities in the Pin Planner.

New IP advisor: Provides design-specific guidelines and recommendations for successful use of Altera’s PCI Express and DDR3 IP.

MegaCore® IP Library: Integrated in Quartus II software, making it easier for users to access Altera’s portfolio of IP cores. New additions with this release include PCI Express Gen2 hard IP, five new video and image processing cores and many feature enhancements.

New megafunctions: New floating point, delay lock loop and memory initialization megafunctions in Quartus II software help speed design development.

According to Jean-Jacques Plane, Altera Product Manager with French Representative Advance Rep, the past five years has seen Quartus II software consistently deliver the industry’s fastest compile times for high-end FPGAs, averaging a 20 percent reduction each year: “Customers using the 8.0 release to design Altera’s 65-nm Stratix III FPGAs on Windows platforms will see compile times reduced by up to 50 percent, with an average reduction of 22 percent compared to version 7.2, and Linux platforms users will experience an average decrease in compile times of more than 30 percent”, said Plane. “Designs that leverage multiprocessor-based servers will obtain an even higher compile time advantage—an additional average reduction of 20 percent”, he concluded.

Analog Devices has launched new family of digital isolators specifically developed for use in electric-hybrid vehicleapplications, such as motor drives and battery management systems. The new two-, three-l and four-channel devices are the first digital isolators to carry an AEC-Q100 qualified –40°C to +125°C automotive temperature rating.

Analog Devices has released details of its new family of digital isolators designed to operate in automotive environments. Developed for use in electric-hybrid vehicle systems, such as motor drives and battery management systems, the ADuM120xW, ADuM130xW and ADuM140xW digital isolators are the first digital isolators to carry an AEC-Q100 qualified –40°C to +125°C automotive temperature rating.

The two-channel ADuM120xW, three-channel ADuM130xW and four-channel ADuM140xW digital isolators are based on Analog Devices’ proprietary iCoupler chip-scale micro-transformer technology. All three devices provide multiple isolation channels in a variety of channel configurations and data rates up to 25 Mbps.

These CMOS-based parts consume one-tenth to one-sixth the power of optocouplers at comparable signal data rates. They operate with the supply voltage on either side ranging from 3.0 V to 5.5 V, providing compatibility with lower voltage systems as well as enabling voltage translation across the isolation barrier.

In common with all Analog Devices iCoupler parts the new digital isolators are relatively insensitive to extremes of temperature and therefore demonstrate excellent long-term reliability. And because they have a digital interface, they eliminate the need for external signal conditioning components.

World’s Best Studio-Quality Audio DAC Delivers Unprecedented 134dB Dynamic Range

ESS Technology, has unveiled the world’s best studio-quality audio DAC. The Sabre Reference Digital to Analog Converter outperforms the hitherto best audiophile equipment by offering an unprecedented134dB dynamic range and -118dB total harmonic distortion for 44.1 to 192kHz sampling rate.

ESS Technology, a leading provider of high performance audio/video solutions, has unveiled the world’s best studio-quality audio DAC. The latest member of the ESS Vista™ family, the Sabre Reference Digital to Analog Converter outperforms the hitherto best audiophile equipment by offering an unprecedented134dB dynamic range and -118dB total harmonic distortion for 44.1 to 192kHz sampling rate.

Bringing true studio quality audio to consumer digital home entertainment products including Blu-Ray/HD-DVD players, Universal DVD/DVD-Audio/SACD players and Home Theatre receivers, the Sabre Reference’s superior real-life performance is built upon a number of key ESS innovations: A patented multi-bit Hyperstream™ modulator with Dynamic Matching using 48-bit accumulator and 28-bit data path allows true reproduction of audio as it is mastered at the recording studio. Another patent-pending time-domain Jitter Eliminator enables unmatched audio clarity free from clock jitter common in digital audio systems.  

The Sabre Reference’s Hyperstream™ architecture supports mono, stereo, 4- and 8-channel output in current or voltage modes, featuring click-free soft mute and volume control, deemphasis, zero detect and programmable roll-off filter characteristics. In addition, the Sabre Reference integrates an all-digital SPDIF receiver and supports multi-channel digital audio in PCM or DSD formats. Despite its ultra high performance, the Sabre Reference operates with extremely low power, consuming only 100mW in 8-channel mode.

Housed in 64-LQFP package the Sabre Reference ES9008S Digital to Analog Converter is sampling now via Ismosys.com.

Also sampling via Ismosys.com is the Sabre Premier ES9006S Digital to Analog converter with 120dB dynamic range and - 102dB total harmonic distortion, housed in a 48-LQFP package.

 

Optimised for remote applications where low power consumption is essential, the Semtech SX12ll consumes a mere 3mA in receive mode and 25mA @ +1dBm in transmit mode. It operates in the 863-870 MHz, 902-928 MHz and 950-960 MHz frequency ranges and features a highly integrated architecture that ensures maximum design flexibility with the minimum of external components. 

The SX1211 features a highly integrated architecture that ensures maximum design flexibility with the minimum of external components. It complies with European (ETSI EN 300-220 V2.1.1) and North American (FCC part 15.247 and 15.249) regulatory standards.

Key features
Low Rx power consumption: 3mA
Low Tx power consumption: 25 mA @ +10 dBm
Good reception sensitivity: down to -107 dBm at 25 kb/s in FSK, -113 dBm at 2kb/s in OOK
Programmable RF output power: up to +12.5 dBm in 8 steps
Packet handling feature with data whitening and automatic CRC generation
RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) range from Rx noise floor to 0 dBm
Bit rates up to 200 kb/s, NRZ coding
On-chip frequency synthesizer
FSK and OOK modulation
Incoming sync word recognition
Built-in Bit-Synchronizer for incoming data and clock synchronization and recovery
5 x 5 mm TQFN package

 

Catalyst Semiconductor has launched a new five-channel voltage supervisor that provides system designers with high reset threshold accuracy and very low power consumption. Developed to monitor the power supply (Vcc) status of a microprocessor, microcontroller, ASIC or other system processor, the new CAT885 lowers system costs and saves board space by integrating five channels into a single, small MSOP 8-lead package, Offering Two Fixed and Three Variable Voltage Supervisors.

Catalyst Semiconductor has further expanded its voltage supervisor product line with the addition of a new five-channel device that provides system designers with high reset threshold accuracy and very low power consumption. Developed to monitor the power supply (Vcc) status of a microprocessor, microcontroller, ASIC or other system processor, the new CAT885 lowers system costs and saves board space by integrating five channels into a single, small MSOP 8-lead package.

Typical Application

The CAT885 features an open-drain output, active-low function with manual reset, which makes it ideal for implementing system reset and monitoring functions in a wide range of electronic products. The device is able to monitor up to five system voltages by maintaining a reset output active until all the power supply voltages exceed the specified trip values. The reset output is maintained in an active condition until the internal timer times out, which allows the system power supplies to stabilise. Two of the five voltage detectors are factory set for standard supplies (+5.0V, +3.3V, +3.0V, +2.5V or +1.8V), while the threshold voltages of the third, fourth, and fifth voltage monitors can be adjusted for specific system design requirements (greater than 0.6V) using external resistors.

Pin-for-pin compatible with Intersil’s ISL88031, the new Catalyst CAT885 supervisor features an accuracy of  +/- less than 2% of the voltage threshold. Samples in the 8-lead MSOP are available on request from Ismosys.com. Projected lead-time for production quantities is currently 6 to 8 weeks from receipt of order.

 

Exar Corporation has long recognised that highly reliable and accurate power management is a critical part of any technology-dependent system. The company has recently extended its already broad array of high-performance and industry-proven power management solutions with the addition of two LED Driver circuits:

Exar’s new LED driver with inductive boost capabilities provides system architects with additional design options for backlighting applications. The SP6699 is ideal for small display/keypad LED lighting applications found in handheld portable devices such as PDAs, cell phones and data collection devices.

Compatible both with PWM dimming up to 1 kHz and analog dimming the SP6699 achieves a shutdown current of 3.2uA. It operates from 2.5V all the way up to 16V and achieves 84% efficiency by utilising a 0.2V feedback to minimise power loss. The 0.2V feedback is +/-6% accurate over the full operating temperature range. In addition, the SP6699 has an Over Voltage Protection (OVP) to eliminate any risk of damage in the event of an open circuited LED or a shorted feedback resistor.

The  SP6699 reduces board space requirement by integrating the schottky diode (a switch boost regulator), and by driving up to five LEDs in series display, which  enabes designers to reduce connector pin count. According to Joe Vyvijal, vice president, Exar Power Product Line the new inductive boost device provides system architects with a highly efficient solution for applications where LEDs must be tightly regulated to achieve uniform brightness: “Despite its small small 2.9x2.8mm SOT23-6 package, the SP6699 will drive up to five series LEDs with the addition of only four external components”, Vyvijal said.

The SP6887 operates over a -40°C to +85°C temperature range. Samples and technical documentation are available now via Ismosys.com. Additional information can be found at: http://www.exar.com/Common/Content/ProductDetails.aspx?ID=SP6699.

 

The next generation of Cyan’s Integrated Development Environment (CyanIDE®) delivers not only the basic editing, project management, code building and debugging elements, but also system configuration, optimised automatic code generation and a high level abstracted peripheral driver framework. By bringing these elements together within CyanIDE 2’s Graphical Configurator the software frees its users to focus on the system-level design.

CyanIDE 2™, the next generation of Cyan’s Integrated Development Environment (CyanIDE®) provides support for a portfolio of external peripherals which will enable user modification of Cy-Solved solutions at the system level.

CyanIDE 2 features an easy to use graphical system that delivers not only the basic editing, project management, code building and debugging elements, but also system configuration, optimised automatic code generation and a high level abstracted peripheral driver framework. By bringing these elements together within CyanIDE 2’s Graphical Configurator users are free to focus on the system-level design and are able to select devices external to the core microcontroller in combination with the peripherals internal to their selected Cyan microcontroller. CyanIDE 2 embraces the industry standard Eclipse platform and GCC based tool chain.

According to Nigel Bond, Business Development Manager Ismosys.com, the continual development of CyanIDE 2 is driven by customer requirements and defined by the extended capabilities of current and future Cy-Solved products: “Cyan is committed to extending the library of supported external peripherals with each new release of CyanIDE 2.

 

SMART Modular Technologies’ new lineup of low-power fully-buffered DIMMs (FBDIMMs) target mainstream Intel®-based server platforms and high performance computing (HPC) applications, addressing the needs of next generation server modules. 

Available in densities up to 4GB the new modules utilize the industry’s lowest power 1.5V DRAMs and advanced memory buffers (AMBs) to achieve an average of 20% power savings compared to modules that use standard 1.8V DRAMs and AMBs.

The new specialized lineup of low power 1.5V FBDIMMs is a direct result of SMART’s R&D quest to reduce system power by decreasing memory power consumption. By using industry-leading 1.5V 1Gb DRAMs in conjunction with x8-based configurations, SMART's new modules cut in half the number of DRAMs needed per rank from 18 to 9, helping OEMs achieve the lowest possible power combination. Top priorities in today’s server designs, increased efficiency and reduced power consumption help minimize the thermal issues that can degrade system reliability and data integrity.

According to Semico Research, lowering system-level power consumption with 1.5V DDR2 while maintaining design continuity is a higher priority for some OEMs than the expanded feature set that comes with upgrading to DDR3. As a result, Semico expects that 1.5V performance will extend the product life cycle of DDR2 well into the 2Gb generation of DRAM.

The new 1.5V FBDIMMs are available in DDR2-667 and DDR2-800 speed grades. 

 

The Semtech SX8724 ADC offers up to 16-bit differential data acquisition, equivalent to 24-bits when coupled with the x1000 gain. It offers significantly better resolution than 20+ bits offered by a conventional ADC, thanks to Semtech’s unique ZoomingADC™ technology.

The device features programmable gain: (1/12 to 1000),  sensor offset compensation up to  x15 full scale of input signal and low-power consumption of 250 µA for 16b @ 500 S/s. The SX8724 is a data acquisition system based on Semtech’s low power ZoomingADC™ technology. Designed to directly connect most types of miniature sensors to a general purpose microcontroller, the SX8724 is ideal for a wide range of industrial pressure and temperature sensing applications and for use in barometer and compass designs.

The device has up to 16-bit differential data acquisition, equivalent to 24-bits when coupled with the x1000 gain. In addition it features, three differential inputs or six single-ended signal inputs to enable it to be quickly and easily adapted to multiple sensor systems. Its digital outputs are utilised to bias or reset the sensing elements whilst its four digital outputs are used to bias the sensors.

Additional features
• Programmable gain: (1/12 to 1000)
• Sensor offset compensation up to 15 times full scale of input signal
• Programmable Resolution versus Speed versus Supply current
• Internal or external voltage reference
• Internal time base
• Low-power (250 µA for 16b @ 500 S/s)
• I²C interface

 

Fox Electronics’ HCMOS XpressO™ oscillators are now available with 2.5-volt operation. Featuring a third order Delta Sigma Modulator (DSM) that offers significantly reduced noise levels, noise-reducing DSM technology, and a patented  noise architecture, new oscillators offer significantly lower jitter, phase noise and cost compared to conventional bulk quartz and surface acoustic wave (SAW) oscillators.

Frequency control solutions specialist Fox Electronics has made its HCMOS XpressO™ oscillators available with 2.5-volt operation. Featuring a third order Delta Sigma Modulator (DSM) that offers significantly reduced noise levels, the new oscillators are comparable to conventional bulk quartz and surface acoustic wave (SAW) oscillators but cost significantly less. 

Fox’s noise-reducing DSM technology, combined with the series’ low noise architecture, enables these oscillators to offer significantly lower levels of jitter and phase noise, making them ideal for applications including SONET, Ethernet, storage area network, broadband access, microprocessors/DSP/FPGA, industrial controllers, test and measurement equipment, fibre-channel, wireless such as Bluetooth and WiMax and portable products that demand low power consumption.

Because the new oscillators operate at the same voltage as the silicon chips they are providing timing to, they use less current and generate less heat.  In addition, the HCMOS versions utilise an application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) architecture for accurate performance, decreased cost and increased flexibility.

Designed to benefit engineering and purchasing personnel alike, these high-quality, low-cost oscillators offer short lead times and are guaranteed to be shipped within 24 hours for samples and within 10 days maximum for production quantities. Comprehensive traceability and quality control is assured by Fox’s patented serial identification system with enables any product back to be traced back to its original manufacturing lot.

 

Available in 10k ohm, 50k ohm, 100k ohm versions Catalyst Semiconductor’s new 5.5-volt 32-tap Digitally Programmable Potentiometer (DPP™) is housed  in a small, SOT-23, 8-lead package. It features  a remarkably easy-to-use digital interface. 

Catalyst Semiconductor has added a new 32-tap device to its extensive family of Digitally Programmable Potentiometers (DPP™). Housed in a small, SOT-23, 8-lead package, the new CAT5128 digital potentiometer is ideal for a wide range of control and calibration applications, such as digital volume control and LCD screen contrast and brightness adjustment applications in portable, consumer and industrial electronic products, as well as automated, tamper-proof product calibration and remote control adjustment applications.

The CAT5128 is a volatile, single-pot device that features a remarkably easy-to-use digital interface. It provides a low-noise, stable, reliable and simple alternative to DACs and mechanical potentiometers. DAC-based approaches typically require additional interconnects resulting in added board real estate and system costs.

As a ‘volatile’ device, the wiper of the CAT5128 powers on at the midscale setting and the up/down control can be configured to work directly with the system microprocessor or via two external push-button switches. And as the CAT5128 is silicon-based it is insensitive to mechanical vibrations, shock and oxidation, making it a ideal for harsh or demanding applications where conventional mechanical potentiometers could be found wanting.

 

An acknowledged leader in small panel display drivers with integrated controllers and mobile backlighting LED drivers, Leadis has  recently diversified its product offering to include low power audio components, including CODECs and FM transmitters and a comprehensive portfolio of power management products, featured in this edition of e-Ismosys.

Patented Power Management Technology
Leadis Power Management product families including low- and ultra-low linear regulators (LDOs), LDO controllers, thermal switches, battery charger controllers, shunt references, and current regulators. Focusing on applications including SMPS, battery chargers and on-board point-of-load regulation, the Leadis competitive edge in Power Management components comes from a number of technologies unique to the company: 

Leadis’ Orthophase™ inductor technology provides a means for implementing high power, high frequency inductors within a PC board without the EMI concerns of typical air-core techniques. Orthophase™ technology enables the inductor to be implemented directly within a printed circuit, eliminating the ferrite core and more importantly the losses it engenders, and reducing the height of the power circuitry.

An improvement on existing CMOS LDO architectures, Leadis’ QuikLDO™ technology enables high speed and low dropout without requiring load capacitance for stability. A capless LDO saves board space and improves load transient performance.

AcuRef™ voltage reference technology allows for greatly reduced process sensitivity in bandgap references used in Leadis products. Using the relationship between transistor beta and Vbe, the reference is given a beta dependent term that cancels the beta dependence of the reference. This allows for higher precision products that don’t require  trimmed bandgaps, or much simpler trimming to reach a given precision.
 
Leadis’CasPump™ converter technology enables the primary side control of a switching regulator to operate without an auxiliary rail or bias winding. It achieves a significant power saving by re-circulating energy from the gate drive.