Wireless
MEMS Accelerometer from STMicroelectronics Drives Movement-Activated features into Ultra-Slim Designs
STMicroelectronics claims the world's thinnest three-axis digital MEMS accelerometer. The LIS302DLH is a high-performance high-stability 16-bit device that is only 0.75mm high and shares the 3 x 5mm footprint of other devices in ST's Piccolo MEMS family for use in ultra-space-saving product designs.
Microchip Expands Wireless Products With ISM Band, Sub-GHz Transceiver Radio
Microchip has expanded its RF Products Division wireless portfolio with the new MRF49XA Sub-GHz transceiver radio. The MRF49XA covers the 434/868/915MHz unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical Radio Frequency band, which is ideal for low data-rate, low-power embedded wireless applications. By retaining compatibility with its existing suite of development tools, Microchip makes it easy to integrate this new Sub-GHz transceiver with any 8-, 16- or 32-bit PIC microcontroller, enabling cost-effective designs for a wide range of, bi-directional, short-range wireless applications, such as remote controls, remote meter reading and home security/alarms.
Microchip Enables Embedded Wi-Fi in PIC Microcontroller Designs with ZeroG Wireless-Based Development Tools
Microchip has announced the immediate availability of the ZeroG Wireless ZG2100M and ZG2101M Wi-Fi Modules, ZeroG IEEE802.11 Development Kit for Explorer 16 and the ZeroG Wi-Fi PICtailTM/PICtail Plus Daughter Board.
Telegesis launches 3rd generation ZigBee module
Telegesis, the manufacturer of ZigBee modules utilising technology from Ember Corp, has released the ETRX3 3rd generation of advanced ZigBee modules from the UK ZigBee specialist and the first module on the market to feature the latest ARM Cortex M-3 based EM357 SOC from Ember.
Ultra Low Power Embedded TCP/IP Solution from Texim Europe
Roving Networks has introduced the RN-131G WiFly GSX module. The combination of ultra low power and the ability to wake up, connect to a wireless network, send data and return to sleep mode in less than 100 milliseconds, allows the WiFly GSX to run for years on two standard AAA batteries. Using only 100mW when awake and 10uWatts when asleep, this remarkable power efficiency makes possible a new class of internet enabled products.
RF encoder/decoder chipset speeds up radio-control design
RF Solutions has introduced a pair of encoder/decoder ICs for radio-control applications, featuring three independent I/O lines and allowing direct connection of an RF module to simplify design. Switches can be connected directly to the encoder inputs, decoder outputs will drive relays or buzzers directly, and self-learning capability delivers a result that is easy to use.
NXP Boosts RF Innovation with Next Generation SiGe:C BiCMOS QUBIC4 Technology
NXP has announced its next generation radio frequency technology with its highly advanced QUBIC4 BiCMOS silicon devices delivering higher levels of integration and performance at high frequencies, all in a cost effective way. NXP's commitment to furthering the development of QUBIC4 BiCMOS will now enable future generations of RF products such as low noise amplifiers, medium power amplifiers and LO generators for e.g. mobile phones and communications infrastructure equipment to operate at a higher performance level.
Emitter antennas for passive keyless entry systems
PREMO has developed a wide range of emitter antennas for passive keyless entry system in automotive applications. A combination of low and high frequency systems allow users to reduce power consumption.
New Multiposition Terminal Antenna from EAD
EAD is pleased to announce the introduction of the PTR2100, a half-wave groundplane independent blade antenna offering 1.5 dBi gain. It is supplied with a SMA-Male connector that can lock in three positions to allow flexibility in orientation of the terminal device.
869MHz Transmitter from Radiometrix can achieve 5km range
The TX3H-869.5-15 from Radiometrix, is an FM transmitter module achieving a power output of 450mW at 869.5MHz. It is fully pin-compatible with the company?s established range of SIL TX modules and is a drop-in UHF replacement for the TX1H VHF product, having near identical dimensions of only 45x17x6mm.
Multi-channel wireless audio modules for the European market
Circuit Design's WA-TX-03-R and WA-RX-03-R wireless audio modules are designed for the European harmonized 863 – 865 MHz audio band. The WA-TX-03-R / WA-RX-03-R can be set to 15 communication frequency channels within the 863 - 865 MHz band. In addition to offering frequency response sufficient for audio transmission, the compander noise reduction system enables wireless transmission of clear sound, with a wide dynamic range of 70 dB or more.
Instant wireless connectivity for existing equipment with GSM/GPRS modems from Alpha Micro
According to Alpha Micro Components, instant wireless connectivity can now be built seamlessly into existing applications using the iTegno range of GSM/GPRS modems. Ideal for customers which already have an existing solution in place but want to expand its functionality, the iTegno range of the 3832, 3845 serial and 3800 USB GSM/GPRS modems are particularly well suited to smart metering, POS, text marketing, security and remote monitoring applications. A highly cost-effective portfolio, the new range enables customers to wirelessly access the Internet, make voice calls and send and receive text alerts, faxes and emails, even where there is no Internet or Broadband connection.
Fairchild's Automatic Detection Translators Lower Power Consumption
The FXLA104 is ideal for designs needing four-bits such as cell phones, while the FXLA108 is an eight-bit translator that is optimal for notebook applications. Both translators have a capacitance of less than 10pf, easing current flow and lowering power consumption. With a built-in automatic direction control, the translator can simply sense and control the direction data should flow without a direction control pin.
Low Power Wireless Module with Long Range capability
LPRS has announced the introduction of the latest series of wireless modules from Circuit Design Inc. The MU-2-R is an embedded low power radio modem for transmission of serial data and operates at 434 MHz. The new MU-2-R is just 36 x 26 x 8mm making it almost half the size of the existing MU-1-R.
Mobile I/O Expander And QWERTY Keypad Controller For Portable Electronics
Analog Devices has announced the ADP5588 mobile I/O expander and QWERTY keypad controller with ambient light sensing for smart portable devices that require a large keypad matrix and expanded I/O lines. The ADP5588 integrates keypad scanning, de-bouncing and interrupt generation, resulting in reduced processor I/Os and loading.
TI introduces products in industry’s thinnest package for portable consumer electronics
Portable consumer electronics designers can save board space with the PicoStar package that Texas Instruments introduced today. The ultra-thin package, about as thin as a human hair, is the first to give system designers the option to embed silicon components inside the printed circuit board to maximize board space. Devices in this form factor are 50 percent thinner than similar chips in traditional packages and enable smaller, thinner end equipment. The TPD2E007, a two-channel, robust electrostatic discharge solution, is the first device available in the ultra-thin PicoStar package.
Avago's Miniature Broadband Fully Matched Low-Noise Amplifier MMIC
Avago Technologies has announced the latest addition to its family of low-cost, easy to use, high performance Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) low noise amplifier MMIC products for use in a wide range of wireless mobile communications applications. Avago's new miniature MGA-21108, which measures 2.5 by 2.5 by 0.55mm in an 8-pin STSLP package, is a fully integrated GaAs LNA for use in the 1.5 to 8 GHz band.
STMicroelectronics Announces Smart Web Based Sensor HDK for Active RFID Asset Monitoring and Security Applications
STMicroelectronics has announced what it says is the industry's most comprehensive hardware developer kit (HDK) for building active RFID tags and readers that comply with the global standard for 433MHz active RFID technology, ISO 18000-7. The beta version of the Smart Web Based Sensor HDK is available now from Arira Design.
Avago Announces CDMA Cell-Band and PCS Front End Modules for Mobile Handsets
Avago Technologies has announced two new front end modules that incorporate a power amplifier, duplexer, band-pass filter and coupler to improve efficiency and extend talk time in mobile handsets. Avago's AFEM-775x series includes Avago's CoolPAM and Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator technologies to improve performance in CDMA cell band and dual-band handsets, wireless PDAs and wireless data cards.
GSM/GPRS module-in-a-package from UR Group shrinks embedded wireless applications
UR Group has extended its range of dual-band GSM/GPRS data modules, giving designers the extra choice of a surface-mount module for direct soldering to the PCB, with QFN pinning and a footprint of 30.2mm x 20.8mm. UR's new module, the Teltonika TM1, combines its small outline with a total height of only 2.87mm. This is approximately half the height of the Teltonika TM2 plug-in board introduced by UR in 2008, and brings the TM2's comprehensive voice and data functions to miniaturised, tightly integrated board designs.
Stand-Alone Fuel Gauges Integrates a Li+ Protector and SHA-1 Authentication
Maxim has introduced the DS2775/DS2776/DS2777/DS2778, said to be the industry's first 2-cell, stand-alone fuel gauges to integrate a 2-cell lithium-ion (Li+) protector in a tiny, 3mm x 5mm TDFN package. Additionally, the DS2776/DS2778 integrate SHA-1 authentication for battery security. These devices consume 75% less board space than the leading competitive solution, which requires three discrete ICs to implement the same security functionality as the DS2776/DS2778.
RF transceiver targets radio designers with high performance and flexibility
CML Microcircuits has introduced a high performance integrated RF quadrature / low IF transceiver IC, which features an advanced image-reject up-conversion modulation system and flexible superheterodyne receiver.
Premo launchs a low profile three axes coil (X-Y-Z) with high robustness
PREMO launchs a low profile three axes coil (X-Y-Z) with high robustness; the "3DC11LP" for RFID transponder application (from 20kHz up to 134,2kHz).
Contract-free GPS tracker brings eye-in-the-sky security to any desktop
RF Solutions has enabled contract-free GPS tracking for personal security and asset management by introducing the Shadow Tracker system using pay-as-you-go mobile and Google Internet maps. The system's personal base-station and software allow users to track the location of the GPS/GSM handset supplied from a home or office PC.
Elan Digital’s chip provides extra USB and UART host ports for mobile platforms
As the wireless communications market continues to expand and develop more and more sophisticated products, so the need to extend the capabilities of standard mobile device platforms increases. Because of its inherent versatility and flexibility, Elan Digital's tried and tested VMB5000A bridge device is finding new applications in the mobile device market.
Fairchild Announces SD Card Multiplexer that Interfaces between Three Different Voltage Levels
Fairchild Semiconductor brings designers of smart phones a SD card translating multiplexer that interfaces three different I/O levels between host and SD interfaces. The FXL3SD206 multiplexes between three voltage levels and three parts, saving valuable board space and minimizing design complexity. This single device replaces a multiple chip solution in smart phone applications. With an optimal 24-pin UMLP footprint, this SD card multiplexer is ideal for space-constrained designs found in smart phones and other SD applications.
WiMAX antennas for the growing machine to machine market from Panorama
Panorama Antennas has announced the availability of its new high performing WiMAX antennas for machine to machine communications. The new range of antennas will be show cased at the Hannover Fair on 20th April 2009.
Radiometrix at Hannover Messe 2009
Radiometrix will be exhibiting at this year's Hannover Messe, which runs for the whole of the week starting on the 20th April at the Hannover exhibition grounds. The show, which has been running for a total of sixty two years, is regarded not only Europe's but the world's largest industrial exhibition, with in the region of 5000 companies exhibiting and 180-200,000 visitors passing through its doors annually.
Single pole/triple throw switches eliminate handheld device connector congestion in smart phones, PDAs & MP3/4 players
Intersil has introduced two switches that provide the industry's optimal solution for eliminating congestion in handheld device connectors. The ISL54214 dual SP3T (Single Pole/Triple Throw) switch or 3:1 Mux combines low distortion audio and two accurate USB 2.0 high speed data (480Mbps) signal switching paths in the same low voltage device. The switches enable use of a common mini USB or audio headphone connector in media players and other portable battery-operated products by allowing either two USB transceivers or one USB transceiver -- plus a UART transceiver -- to share pins with an audio codec.
National Semiconductor’s Stereo Headphone Amp said to Double Audio Playback Time for Portable Devices
A PowerWise stereo headphone amplifier from National Semiconductor draws only 0.9 mA (typical) of quiescent current to double the audio playback time of smart phones, full-featured mobile phones and portable music players.
National Semiconductor Extends Family of Low-Power Audio Subsystems for Handheld Devices
National Semiconductor has announced it has extended its family of low-power Boomer Class D audio subsystems with two premium quality devices that simplify portable product design. The LM49352 mixed-signal audio subsystem and LM49151 analog subsystem are targeted at smart phones, full-featured phones, portable gaming devices and portable GPS devices.
Class-G headphone amplifiers from Texas Instruments
Users of music phones and MP3 players can benefit from dramatically extended music playback time enabled by two new 25-mW Class-G, DirectPath stereo headphone amplifiers from Texas Instruments, which adjust their voltage supplies to the audio signal to minimize power dissipation. In a standalone Lithium-Ion battery test between TI's Class-G technology and a competing ground-referenced Class-AB device, the TPA6140A2 and TPA6141A2 reduced power consumption by 30 percent.
Free ADI Design Studio Simplifies Design Of Short-range Wireless Devices
Analog Devices has announced the availability of its latest version of its free, downloadable ADIsimSRD Design Studio for the development of short-range wireless devices. ADIsimSRD Design Studio Version 1.1 conducts real-time simulations, tests configurations and troubleshoots potential problems in short-range radio communications systems using ADI's ADF70xx family of short-range transmitters and transceivers.
TDC announces its smallest embedded WiFi module
TDC is targeting the growing Internet Appliance market with its smallest-ever embedded WiFi module that provides a plug and play WLAN interface within half the footprint of existing solutions available from TDC. ConnectOne Nano WiReach from TDC can bridge directly from a serial port or wired Ethernet to WiFi, providing a complete implementation including security and networking protocols, firmware, TCP/IP stack and an Internet Controller in a module with a footprint of only 34 x 18mm. Previous, less fully featured devices from TDC had a footprint of 41 x 32mm.
UHF Radio Receiver Module Supports data links up to 64kbits/s over distances of 300m
The Radiometrix RX3G is a PLL based miniature PCB mounted UHF radio data receiver. When used in conjunction with the manufacturer's matching TX3B-869-64 transmitter, it can facilitate the simple implementation of wireless infrastructure that is capable of supporting speeds of 64kbits/s and transmission ranges up to 75m in-building or 300m over open ground.
EAD launches range of RFID panel antennas
EAD has introduced a new range of UHF circularly polarised panel antennas designed for RFID applications at 868 MHz. The new range introduces five panel antennas from a very compact panel through to a dual polarised panel antenna.
TI claims smallest Impedance Track battery fuel gauge for handhelds
Texas Instruments has introduced a single-cell battery fuel gauge integrated circuit with Impedance Track technology, which is half the size of its predecessor. The tiny bq27505 stand-alone lithium battery capacity monitoring and reporting device resides in the system and measures only 2.5 x 2 x 0.625 mm, and supports portable applications, such as smart phones, digital cameras and MP3 players, where maintaining long battery life is critical for end users.
TI to provide solutions for standardized ZigBee RF4CE specification for RF Remote Controls
Texas Instruments has announced that the company will continue to develop and deliver hardware and software solutions for the new standardized ZigBee RF4CE specification for radio frequency (RF)-based remote controls. TI's portfolio of ZigBee RF4CE system-on-chip products integrates an IEEE 802.15.4-compliant radio, MCU and flash memory, and an extensive set of peripherals. TI is a key contributor to the development of the ZigBee RF4CE version 1.0 specification, which will be available to ZigBee Alliance members this quarter.
One-Chip Interface IC from STMicroelectronics will help Card-Slot Feature Phones keep Trim
In the future, many cellular handsets will feature a slot for a removable memory card. Designers can minimize the impact of this feature on handset dimensions by using the EMIF06-mSD02N16 SD Card interface IC just announced by STMicroelectronics.
Dual-Band MIMO Internal Antenna Optimizes 802.11n System Performance
Laird Technologies has announced the availability of its new SM24513P3 Dual-Band MIMO Internal Antenna. Specifically designed to enhance the latest generation of Wireless LAN (WLAN) technology systems, the SM24513P3 embedded antenna makes use of MIMO technology in which multiple wireless transmitters and receivers operate simultaneously.
