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 Products Jan 1, 2007 12:00 PM
Click here for the enhanced PDF version of this article Amplifiers
Ultralow-noise JCA amplifiers
Endwave Defense Systems' line of ultralow-noise JCA amplifiers includes more than 20 models to cover many of the microwave frequency bands. Narrowband models can be optimized for sub 0.5 dB noise figures over 100 MHz to 200 MHz sub-bands, with broadband multi-octave noise figure performance less than 1 dB maximum for C-band frequencies and below. The engineering strategy to achieve this performance uses Endwave's JCA brand amplifier building blocks and incorporates proprietary matching techniques. In addition to low noise characteristics, cost efficiencies have been achieved due to minimal touch-and-tune time. The engineering approach results in a variety of end-use advantages. They can be employed in narrowband situations, such as a GPS receiver or in an electronic surveillance system where several octaves of bandwidth may be necessary. As a result of their flexibility and ultralow-noise performance and reliability, they are useful when system engineers are looking to improve radar sensitivity, increase dynamic range, and lower reception thresholds. Design Software
Wireless SoC design flow
Cadence Design Systems and semiconductor foundry UMC have co-developed an RF integrated-circuit design and verification reference flow for wireless system-on-chip (SoC) projects. The flow, featuring the Cadence QRC Extraction and the Virtuoso UltraSim full-chip simulator, combines the Cadence Virtuoso custom design platform and UMC's RFCMOS process to deliver silicon-accurate chip simulation and verification flows. UMC and Cadence worked together to develop a methodology and flow to verify post-layout transistor-level full-chip transceivers by combining UMC's 0.13 m MM/RF PDK validated for the Virtuoso platform, silicon-accurate Cadence QRC extraction technology, and the Virtuoso UltraSim. The continually increasing demand for feature-rich wireless devices with complex functionality and minimized area and power requirements is driving the need for silicon-accurate parasitic extraction and transistor-level full-chip simulation flows that reduce risk and time-to-market for custom wireless SoCs. A reference design flow is available through UMC's customer support channels. Embedded Technology
USB 2.0 switch
Fairchild Semiconductor has introduced a USB 2.0 switch that maximizes board real estate and downloading performance. The FSUSB30 combines greater than 720 MHz bandwidth, 6 pF on capacitance and 8 kV ESD protection in a 1.4 mm × 1.8 mm × 0.55 mm UMLP device. These attributes result in rapid data transfer, diminished ESD effects and excellent signal integrity. In addition to saving space in end applications, the FSUSB30's switching performance makes it ideal for products that switch between USB/high-frequency signals. The FSUSB30 is available in UMLP, MicroPak DQFN and MSOP packages. Samples and a demo board are available. Pricing for 1000 pieces is $1.10. I
Linear Technology's LTC4307 is an I2C bus buffer with low offset and stuck bus recovery. The device adds only 50 mV of logic low offset voltage between input and output, allowing users to cascade several devices in series, while meeting V The stuck bus recovery circuitry detects and clears stuck buses. If the serial data output SDAOUT or serial clock output SCLOUT are low for more than 30 ms, the LTC4307 will automatically break the data and clock bus connections and will generate up to 16 clock pulses on the SCLOUT in an attempt to free the bus. When the bus becomes free, a connection will be enabled for proper operation to resume. Furthermore, the device provides capacitive isolation between the backplane and the card's I2C buses, even if their respective supplies are at different levels. Since the level translation is performed without a second supply pin or a second pair of input pull-up resistors, a dedicated connector pin for the backplane supply voltage is not required. In addition to facilitating live card insertion or removal, the SDA and SCL pins withstand ±8 kV of ESD, providing extra ruggedness and protecting the cards from damage due to handling. The LTC4307 is available in 8-lead MSOP and 3 mm × 3 mm DFN packages. Pricing begins at $2.15 each for 1000-piece quantities. Microwave/Millimeter-Wave Components
Wideband mixer
The SIM-14H+ wideband mixer from Mini-Circuits is a ceramic surface-mount device operating from 3.7 GHz to 10 GHz. The device can be used as either an upconverter or downconverter, and has excellent bandwidth from dc to 4 GHz. Supporting RF power to 100 mW, the device has a conversion loss of 7.0 dB typical and an IP3 of 25 dBm. Minimum signal isolation is 24 dB between the local oscillator and RF inputs, and 8 dB between the local oscillator input and intermediate frequency output for all frequency ranges. Consult the factory for extended temperature ranges outside -40 °C to 85 °C. Next-Generation Wireless
USB 2.0 hub controller
Cypress Semiconductor's next generation of high-speed USB 2.0 hub controllers, the EZ-USB HX2LP controller, is the newest member of the low-power EZ-USB LP family. The controller is USB-IF and Windows hardware-quality lab (WHQL)-compliant and is available in four-port (CY7C65630-56LFXC) and two-port (CY7C65620-56LFXC) options. The device integrates external passive components, such as pull-up and pull-down resistors, along with gang port power control to reduce the overall bill-of-materials required to implement a hub design. The EZ-USB HX2LP, which supports bus-powered and self-powered modes, is available in a small form factor 56-pin QFN package that is backward compatible with Cypress's TetraHub controller. The EZ-USB LP family takes advantage of advanced process technology developed by Cypress to slash dynamic and standby power consumption by nearly 50%. As a result of the low dynamic power, peripherals using these devices can operate from the power of the USB bus. The low standby current enables portable USB applications to significantly extend battery life. The EZ-USB HX2LP is in full production and priced under $2.00 in high volume. Cypress also offers the CY4605 reference design (for the CY7C65620-56LFXC) and the CY4606 reference design (for the CY7C65630-56LFXC). Secure RFID tag
SecureRF's SecureRF tag features onboard security and cold chain management features, targeting pharmaceutical supply chain applications. The tag uses SecureRF's security technology to actively authenticate and encrypt reader/tag communications. This solution will help pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors provide a tamper-proof record down to the item level that will prove the packaged drug is authentic, and ensure privacy by allowing only authorized readers access to sensitive information. The RFID solution is based on SecureRF's cryptographic protocol, the Algebraic Eraser (AE). The AE makes it possible to put authentication and data protection protocols directly on a passive RFID tag and provide high levels of communication security with readers. Pharmaceutical manufacturers can use the authentication and data protection features of the SecureRF tag to address problems of drug counterfeiting by using recognized cryptographic methods to create an unalterable electronic “seal.” The SecureRF tag also includes a temperature sensor. It addresses industry issues of pharmaceutical cold chain management by monitoring and securely recording an item-level temperature history. The SecureRF solution also provides privacy protection for consumers and will help address Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy requirements. The SecureRF tag protects privacy by preventing unauthorized reading of the information in the tag with strong authentication. SecureRF's first secure tag, a battery-assisted passive tag that supports EPCglobal Gen 2 standards, will be available for industry pilots early in the first quarter of 2007. WiMAX chipset
Beceem Communications' baseband and RF chipset supports all features of the Mobile WiMAX Wave 2 profile. The BCS200 chipset includes advanced smart antenna technologies such as MIMO and beam forming, plus Beceem's CMOS direct-conversion radio. Performance benchmarks over MS120 solution include greater than 25 Mbps total throughput, more than 25% reduction in active power consumption and greater than 60% footprint reduction. The BCS200 solution builds on Beceem's field-proven MS120 Wave 1 chipset and software. The BCS200 solution consists of the BCSB200 baseband chip and associated firmware implements physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) functionality with minimum processing load for the host processor; the BCSR200 direct-conversion CMOS radio supporting 2 GHz and 3 GHz designs, as well as dynamically programmable channel bandwidths from 5 MHz to 10 MHz; and a complete reference design kit including driver software and RF calibration tools, facilitates rapid development of Mobile WiMAX devices by OEMs and ODMs. BCS200 chipset samples and reference design kits are available. Wireless HSDPA card
Novatel Wireless has received compliance approval for its Merlin XU870 HSDPA ExpressCard from PCMCIA, GCF, and a range of North American and European operators. Both PTCRB and GCF have developed relationships with network operators and OEMs to make certain that regulatory compliance is achieved in wireless products. The Merlin XU870 ExpressCard incorporates HSDPA technology (as well as tri-band HSDPA/UMTS and quad-band EDGE/GPRS technology) offering connection speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps with firmware upgrade and operator network capability. It is designed to the ExpressCard/34 form factor; however, it will also fit an ExpressCard/54 slot. The Merlin XU870 ExpressCard is being sold through NexAira for customers in North America. In addition, several OEM manufacturers are expected to make the XU870 ExpressCard available at the beginning of this year. Optoelectronics
LED bar graph
OTEK has added its model switchboard LED bar graph (SEB) to its line of low-cost bar graphs with LCD or LED display and serial I/O. The SEB can be purchased as an indicator only (no outputs) or V/mA or serial input (as a remote display) or as an indicator/controller with outputs such as relays, analog outputs (4 V to 20 V or 0 V to 5 V), RS232, 485, USB or Ethernet and any power input from 5 Vdc to 32 Vdc or 90 Vac to 265 Vac. As an indicator only, the SEB is 1 inch on the front panel with zero depth behind, other than the Euro-style screw connector. Zero and span is done with two front-panel potentiometers and configuration via the RS-232 RJ11 port under the display. For the “controller” version, a 2-inch-deep module is plugged in the SEB behind the panel. This module contains the relays, analog outputs, RS-232, 485, USB and Ethernet interface as well as power supplies. Standard input signals are V/mA including current loop. Options for any signal (TC, RTD, S-G, RMS, pH, %RH, etc.) are available. Mil-Spec, nuclear, hazardous and industrial grade are also available. Packaging & Interconnects
SOWIC-to-DIP adapters
Aries Electronics RoHS-compliant version of its SOWIC-to-DIP correct-a-chip adapter enables users to upgrade to SOWIC without changing their PC board layout. The adapter is available on 7.62 mm (0.3 in.) pitch centers. Its body is constructed of 1.56 mm (0.062 in.) FR406 or IS410 per IPC 4101A/24/26/28, with one ounce of copper traces on both sides. Its pins are 360-1/2 hard brass alloy per UNS C36000 ASTM-B16-85 with 10 µ-in. minimum gold plating per MIL-G-45204 over 100 µ-in. nickel plating per QQ-N-290. The suggested PCB hole diameter is 0.71 mm (0.028 in.) and all tolerances are 0.13 mm (0.005 in.). Aries will continue to offer the standard non-RoHS compliant version of the adapter for customers who require tin/lead plating. All Aries correct-a-chip adapters are available in custom materials, platings, sizes and configurations to suit specific customer applications. Pricing for a 14-pin adapter is $8.40 each in quantities of 25. Stereolithography resins
DSM Somos has developed four resins. The ProtoGenT O-XT 18120 is a highly accurate, high-temperature ABS-like resin in translucent color. The ProtoGenT O-XT 18420 is a highly accurate, high-temperature ABS-like resin in white color. The ProtoCastT AF 19120 is a fully antimony-free (heavy metal-free) resin designed for the investment casting industry. The NanoToolT is a high-temperature composite resin featuring superior sidewall quality and fast processing speeds. Used for wind tunnel models in aerospace and Formula 1, rapid tooling inserts and metal plating. Each material represents performance advantages. The resin opens the door for foundries seeking a cost-effective way to produce low-volume production metal parts in a variety of alloys. While the use of stereolithography for investment casting patterns in place of wax patterns has become quite common in the United States. Finally, Somos' versatile NanoTool resin-the newest in its line of composite SL materials-generated interest among industry groups needing highly stiff parts with exceptional sidewall quality. MEMS sealing furnace
SST International has upgraded the model 3150 high vacuum furnace to offer MEMS manufacturers the option to separate the critical steps of getter activation and hermetic sealing of discrete MEMS packages, thus preserving the unaltered vacuum absorbing capacity of the getter material in the packages. Before package sealing, a proprietary high-temperature process is devoted to getter activation. The separation of this process from the sealing steps permits the ideal temperature required for getter activation, which is higher than sealing temperatures (typically in the range of 250 °C to 300 °C). The getter, fully activated by means of this dedicated process and maintained in the best operational conditions, ensures long-term stability of the package vacuum or inert gas atmosphere and improves MEMS lifetime and performance. PageLid is SAES Getters' solution for the integration of a getter thin film into hermetically sealed discrete packages of MEMS. SAES recognizes in SST International's model 3150 the best performing equipment for integration with PageLid. Avoiding any welding of bulk getters in discrete miniaturized hermetic packages, PageLid is a metallic, ceramic or glass lid bearing customer-defined patterns of getter thin films. The Page film deposited on PageLid consists of SAES' zirconium alloy, whose composition and morphology are optimized to maximize sorption performance and reduce activation temperature. Through the chemical sorption of active gases, the film dramatically reduces out-gassing from the lid material area, while its absorption capacity can be customized to ensure the device-designed lifetime. Passive Components
Surface-mount inductors
The DR331-5 surface-mount inductor from Datatronic Distribution offers EMI protection performance and reliability in a miniature package. The inductor stands 1 mm tall and is 6.70 mm × 5.60 mm. These inductors are ideal for a range of portable devices. To protect critical circuits from the dangers of EMI, the inductor features a wide inductance range from 1.2 µH to 330 µH, ±20%. The DCR range is 0.08 Ω to 15 Ω maximum, and the current rating is 2.1 A to 0.13 A. The DR331-5 is available with gold wrap around or tin wrap around terminations at no additional charge. Custom-designed DR331-5 inductors are available upon request to meet unique circuit requirements. Pricing is from $0.29 each in production volumes. Surface-mount isolators/circulators
Renaissance Electronics' redesigned surface-mount SLE series isolators are suited for low-power applications. This device is low cost and miniaturized, making it a perfect fit for telecom applications. This device is also available in a circulator version. Models are available in typical bandwidths of 5% with isolation values greater than 17 dB and insertion loss values of less than 0.8 dB. Signal Processing
Delta-sigma ADC
Linear Technology's LTC2492 is a 4-channel delta-sigma ADC that integrates a temperature sensor in a 4 mm × 3 mm DFN package. The LTC2492's easy drive design results in zero average differential input current, allowing measurements of high impedance input sources without the need for an internal buffer. This sampling scheme allows the ADC to be driven directly from bridges, RTDs, thermocouples and high-impedance sensors. Rail-to-rail input signals can be directly digitized while maintaining dc accuracy (2 ppm INL). The LTC2492 includes a high accuracy internal temperature sensor that offers 1/30 °C resolution and 2 °C absolute accuracy. The ADC converts the output of the temperature sensor or the input multiplexer, which can be configured for four single-ended channels, two differential channels, or two single-ended and one differential. After a new channel is selected, the LTC2492's no latency delta-sigma digital filter settles in a single cycle. The LTC2492 communicates via a 4-wire SPI-compatible serial interface and performs conversions at rates of 15 Hz or 7.5 Hz while using the internal oscillator. The LTC2492 can be configured to reject line frequencies of 50 Hz, 60 Hz or both, while maintaining 600 nV For lower-resolution applications, Linear Technology is introducing the LTC2488, a pin-compatible 16-bit ADC. The LTC2492 and LTC2488 are available in DFN-14 (4 mm × 3 mm) packages, offering a pin-compatible and code-compatible family for performance/cost optimization. Pricing begins at $2.95 each for the LTC2492 and $2.15 each for the LTC2488, in 1000-piece quantities. Bidirectional video filter
Maxim Integrated Products' MAX7481/MAX7482 bidirectional video filters/buffers provide reconstruction filters and line drive buffers for composite video (CVBS) and S-video (Y/C) signals in playback mode and anti-aliasing filters in record mode for consumer devices. The MAX7481/MAX7482 are ideal for portable video applications that require low-voltage, low-power operation and analog video inputs and outputs. Moreover, the MAX7481/MAX7482 feature Maxim's DirectDrive technology, which ensures low-power operation in a single-supply system. DirectDrive uses an internal negative charge pump and a regulator to maintain the output-blanking level at ground so that the output to the display can be dc coupled. This topology eliminates the need for large output-coupling capacitors or a sag-correction configuration. The MAX7481/MAX7482 offer many features that enable portable consumer applications to share connectors in record and playback modes. These include a composite and S-video record and video-playback interface for portable devices; inputs and outputs that share one connection to external video devices save space in portable media applications; advanced power-down modes for extended battery life; and +6 dB (MAX7481) or +7 dB (MAX7482) gain. Each channel consists of a low-pass filter and an output buffer capable of driving a full 2 V The MAX7481/MAX7482 operate from a single +2.7 V to +3.6 V power supply. These devices are offered in a 5 mm × 5 mm, 28-pin TQFN package. Prices start at $1.35 for 1000-unit quantities. Software Radio
SDR software suite
The Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC), an agency of Industry Canada, has released its SCARI software suite, an integrated development environment for software-defined radio (SDR) technology. The SCARI software suite 2007, a component-based development (CBD) environment for SDR, redefines the modeling strategy and enables manufacturers to leverage SDR technology. Built on the open-source Eclipse environment, the tool set of SCARI software suite 2007 offers embedded-system software developers a well-known, platform-independent interface for the design, modeling and monitoring of its SDR products. The suite offers finer design granularity, real-time model validation and re-factoring capabilities. The SCA core framework, included in the software suite, is available for multiple operating systems (Linux, VxWorks, Integrity, YellowDog and soon LynxOS), ORBs (ORBexpress, TAO) and processors (x86, PowerPC, ARM). Switches/Connectors
Connector housings
Phoenix Contact's Building Case (BC) electronic housing system features uniform compact height and allows a variety of PC board design options in mounting, component height, networking and termination. The system was designed for the building automation industry, but the flexibility of the housings make them useful in other industries, such as instrumentation and industrial control manufacturing, where users face similar space constraints. The BC housings allow vertical, horizontal or lengthwise PC board mounting. A 16-position DIN-rail connector provides parallel, serial communications and power busing, so that modules can be swapped without interruption. With modification, the housings can be mounted on a panel or wall instead of a DIN-rail. The system is compatible with various terminal blocks and standard data connections, such as D-SUBs, RJ 45s and others. The user can choose between a clear, hinged cover, which provides user interaction or a captive, snap-in cover the same color as the housing. The BC housings comply with DIN 43380. Test and Measurement
Vector signal generator
PrecisionWave's p1511A is a RF vector signal generator that generates digitally modulated and CW signals in the 800 MHz to 1000 MHz and 1700 MHz to 2200 MHz cellular bands for developers and testers of cellular technology-based products. The instrument's I/Q generator produces high-accuracy signals for any digital modulation scheme used in these bands. As examples, EDGE average RMS error vector magnitude (EVM) is typically less than 0.8%, and GSM phase error is below 1°. With a wide -100 dBm to +20 dBm power output range, harmonic suppression is better than -40 dBc at +13 dBm, and spurious is below -80 dBc. The source's 1 GHz CW phase noise is less than -100 dBc/Hz at 20 kHz offset, and at 2.2 GHz is better than -92 dBc/Hz at 20 kHz offset. With an easy-to-use front panel, and dimensions of 3U (height)×19 in.×17 in., the p1511A is ideal for bench top use. The p1511A is well suited for ATE applications, having frequency and power switching times of only 15 ms and 2.5 ms respectively. Included instrument libraries and APIs for Microsoft Visual Studio enable rapid development of LAN-based instrument control software. The p1511A is priced at $11,500 and fully warranted for one year. Calibration services
Sypris Test and Measurement has added antenna, isotropic/electromagnetic field probe, line impedance stabilization network calibrations and RF screen room/anechoic chamber certification to its suite of calibration service offerings. Sypris Test and Measurement calibrates test equipment ranging from ac-dc, RF, physical dimensional and temperature instruments.
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