CONTENTS March 2008
 
Cover Story 
Robots on the march: Robotics platforms and development tools
By Robert Cravotta, Technical Editor, EDN
Robotics is gaining momentum as an engineering discipline. A variety of available platforms and tools supports it. This article is the first of a two-part hands-on project exploring the topic.
 
Design Feature 
EDN Hot 100 Products of 2007
High-brightness LEDs usher in new applications and standards
By Margery Conner, Technical Editor, EDN
As high-brightness LEDs increase in power, they will enable new applications ranging from architectural lighting to medical products. Energy Star lighting standards are evolving to keep the focus on total system efficiency.
 
Pulse 
TI’s versatile high-speed variable gain amplifiers
Avago Technologies, tiny 2.5A gate drive optocoupler
Single-supply multiplexers deliver increased design flexibility for high-end video apps
Ultra bright single-chip SMT LED
32-channel, 16-bit analog output board
Embedded computer aids military missions
Carrier-class FPGA-based network timing solution for next gen wired & wireless networks
Seamless integration of IMS platform with NGOSS framework
RF building blocks for 802.11n Wi-Fi products
4-channel 50 MS/s 8-bit digitizer/oscilloscope stores up to 4 billion samples on board
Crypto-module for disk drives meet strictest requirements
OKI and Fujitsu collaborate in developing next-generation ATM software
Altera’s MAX IIZ CPLDs for portable apps minimizes power, space and cost
Advanced real-time, HD video/audio encoder/transcoder single-chip solution
2.7GHz, 60dB mean-squared power detector responds in 500ns
 
EDN Asia.Comment 
Towards all-in-one power flow
by Kirtimaya Varma
 
Design Ideas 
Measure power-line distortion with a mixed-signal-THD analyzer
By John R Ambrose, Mixed Signal Integration, San Jose, CA
Wireless “battery” energizes low-power devices
By Carlos Cossio, Santander, Spain
Solid-state analog-data recorder runs for 7.4 days
By S Vinay Kumar, Mysore, India
 
New Products 
Smart card connector with increased protection
High density filtered D-sub connector
Single-row cable connectors with high current capacity
Reliable, safe connections for high current telecom apps
Supercapacitors deliver 100 times the power of batteries
Minitek eject latch header
High-current series extended to 71 A
Compact 750W medical power supply
Encapsulated PCB-mount supplies for medical and OEM apps
IAR PowerPac TCP/IP for ARM
Power supply available in 10 output voltages
Compact power supply in multiple mechanical formats
Precision HV power supplies
120W desktop measures 6.3 x 2.56 x 1.71”
More power, less space
5800 Series ATE with integrated JTAG/boundary scan
RF Test platform for seamless migration from R&D to test
Beagle USB 480 protocol analyzer
Boonton 7.5GHz portable spectrum analyzer
2-channel 100MS/s 12-bit digitizer/oscilloscope card for PCI Express
PCI Express card stores up to 4 billion samples on board
Software accelerates system simulation and testing
Software and hardware simplifies design of embedded devices
LED drivers boost video quality in large-panel signage apps
Infineon’s security MCU family for SIM cards
LED driver for backlight with video brightness adjustment
Step-up converter delivers 500mA load current in TSOT23 package
Oscillators provide low-jitter performance for communication apps
Quad synchronous buck with I2C
VCO targets wireless apps
TrenchFET Power MOSFETs for automotive
Power management IC maximizes energy in multi-kilowatt systems
Solenoid driver ensures reliable control for automotive applications
High-speed, high-resolution magnetic linear motion encoder IC
Gigabit-LAN switch provides ±15kV ESD protection in TQFN package
Synchronous MOSFET driver for DC/DC converters
Quad high-side solid-state relay cuts on-resistance by 50%
High-power LED driver targets rapidly growing, mid-size LCD panel market
Thermostat output IC with temperature switching function
 
Power Supplement 
The future of power efficiency is here
COMMENTS by Denice Cabel, Editor
Conquering the Complexities of FPGA Power Consumption
Power semiconductors are key to improving MIPS/m2
By Tim Phillips, International Rectifier
Simplified implementation of power factor correction using digital signal controllers
By Mohammad Kamil, Microchip Technology Inc.
Processor power for mobile equipment
by Thomas Schaeffner, Texas Instruments
This article details how different processors typically used in mobile equipment need to be powered. This solution uses the TPS65020, a power supply chip dedicated for processors in portable applications.
Class D amplification in action
Ian Moulding, Zetex Semiconductors
Extending battery life for a cleaner environment
by Richard F. Zarr, National Semiconductor
Challenges in the power industry
by Michael Stefani, Vicor Corporation
 
Prying Eyes 
Plugging hardware-based compression into a server
 
 
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