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Active Components

Switch for tri-mode phones

M/A-COM has announced an RoHS-compliant SP3T Tx/Rx switch for tri-mode mobile phones (GSM, CDMA, GPS). The MASWSS0144 switch offers versatility with a low insertion loss and is configured to enable switching from a common antenna port to dual-band GSM, CDMA, cellular, PCS and GPS receive ports.

The design of the switch is asymmetric and has dedicated paths for each mode. This allows each path to be optimized for the assigned mode of operation. It is designed for the following key typical performance characteristics at 1.0 GHz, 2.7 V control voltage, and PIN of +34 dBm: insertion loss of 0.6 dB, high isolation of 30 dB, cross modulation of -102 dBm for the CDMA path, and third harmonics greater than 72.5 dBc for the GSM path.

The MASWSS0144 is packaged in a surface-mount 3 mm PQFN-12. It is fabricated on a 0.5-micron gate-length GaAs process with full passivation added.

The MASWSS0144 is available from stock.

M/A-COM
(800) 366-2266
www.macom.com

Amplifiers

Low-noise gain block amplifier

Mimix Broadband Inc. has released a gallium arsenide (GaAs) two-stage low-noise gain block amplifier that has a self-biased, single supply design. Using 0.25 mm optical etch-stop pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) device model technology, this low-noise gain block, identified as CMM1100, covers the 2 GHz to 18 GHz frequency bands and provides 3.5 dB noise figure and 18 dB gain, delivering 16 dBm P1dB.

This low-noise gain block amplifier offers a combination of low-noise figure and broadband output match by employing a unique feedback stage to provide a good noise figure that does not exist in typical distributed low-noise designs. Integrated bias coils and on-chip dc blocking are all inclusive in the compact chip measuring 1.550 mm × 1.600 mm × 0.100 mm.

Engineering samples are available.

Mimix Broadband
(281) 988-4600
www.mimixbroadband.com

WCDMA power amplifier

Anadigics Inc. has introduced three wide-band CDMA (WCDMA) power amplifiers (PAs) that offer power efficiency to extend battery life in mobile handsets and WCDMA-enabled notebook PC cards.

The HELP WCDMA PAs use the company's InGaP-Plus technology, which integrates bipolar and field-effect transistor (FET) structures on the same InGaP GaAs die. The HELP WCDMA PAs offer quiescent currents of 16 mA or lower, provide leakage currents of less than 1 microamp, and are optimized for all output power levels to deliver 50% less average power consumption. The PAs are offered in a 10-pin 4 mm by 4 mm by 1.1 mm surface-mount package designed for applications that require European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) solutions.

The AWT6272, AWT6276 and AWT6277 are priced at $2.46 in quantities of 10,000 units.

Anadigics
(908) 668-5000
www.anadigics.com

Broadband driver amplifier

WJ Communications Inc. has announced a 1 W, high-linearity driver amplifier targeted for mobile infrastructure, CATV/DBS, VHF/UHF broadband, and defense and homeland security applications. The AH202 covers the 50 MHz to 2200 MHz frequency range, is available in a 6 mm × 6 mm 28-pin QFN SMT package and is lead-free/RoHS compliant.

This device is broadband and operates over a 50 MHz to 2200 MHz frequency range while providing its P1dB and OIP3 performance when biased at +11 V; it can also be biased as low as +9 V for lower power applications. Thermal design allows the product an MTTF of more than 100 years at a mounting temperature of +85 °C. All devices are 100% RF and dc tested. The AH202 is targeted for use as a driver amplifier for a variety of applications including mobile infrastructure, CATV/DBS, VHF/UHF broadband, and defense and homeland security applications where high linearity and medium power are required.

Fully assembled evaluation boards and loose samples are available.

WJ Communications Inc.
(408) 577-6342www.wj.com

Analog and RF Front Ends

480 Mbps USB 2.0 switch

Fairchild Semiconductor's FSUSB23 is a single-port USB 2.0 high-speed (480 Mbps) analog switch in a MicroPak chip scale package (CSP). Its compact packaging, combined with low power consumption of less than 1 µA and wide bandwidth of greater than 720 MHz, make it applicable for multifunctional cell phones. The FSUSB23's ability to switch high-speed USB signals allows it to pass the eye diagram compliance for ac and dc performance to meet the USB 2.0 high-speed standard. It also retains complete USB 1.1 full-speed (12 Mbps) reverse compatibility for use in a range of applications.

The FSUSB23 complements Fairchild's line of high-performance USB switch solutions. Other USB-compliant products include the FSUSB22, a low-power two-port analog switch also for high-speed USB compliance, and the FSUSB11, a low-power, single-port full-speed USB switch.

The lead (Pb)-free FSUSB23 meets or exceeds the requirements of the joint IPC/JEDEC standard J-STD-020B and is compliant with European Union requirements.

Fairchild Semiconductor
(207) 775-8100
www.fairchildsemi.com

Broadcast/Satellite Communications

Set-top box chips

STMicroelectronics has announced silicon devices to implement secure video processor (SVP) technology. The STB5525 STB decoder, which is also ST's single-chip solution to support dual TV and dual DVR requirements in standard-definition STBs, and the STB5524, which targets the growing DVR market, are intended for use across satellite, cable and terrestrial TV services.

The STB5525 and STB5524 devices offer a glueless interface to ST's range of demodulator chips, enabling them to be used with a range of sources to provide a solution for delivering digital content to two TV sets or two digital video recorders. They include a SATA interface for connecting hard disk and recordable DVD drives, plus two 480 Mbps USB2 ports for home networking and for the simple addition of peripherals.

The integrated CPU of the STB5525 and the STB5524 is a 300 MHz ST231 core, the ST processor to be used in an STB chip. This core is a member of the EEMBC-certified ST200 very long instruction word (VLIW) series, which was designed specifically for video and audio streaming, including MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, in digital consumer applications where high performance, low silicon costs and low power consumption must be combined with rapid development to ensure the minimum time-to-market.

The STB5525 and STB5524 decoders will be available in sample quantities in the third quarter of 2005, with volume production scheduled for the first quarter of 2006 and when purchased in volumes of 10,000 units, are priced at $15 and $14, respectively.

ST Microelectronics
(781) 861 2650
www.st.com

PC-TV demodulator

Zarlink Semiconductor has introduced a terrestrial demodulator for PC-TV, portable and handheld digital TV equipment. The ZL10354 device offers a unique “diversity enabled” maximum ratio, combining architecture that allows portable TV equipment manufacturers to link two or more chips.

Access Devices Inc., a manufacturer of digital TV equipment, is designing the ZL10354 into its PC-TV products. The mobile products target the European and Asian terrestrial markets, where free-to-air digital TV, radio, and interactive multimedia services are fueling demand for portable DVB-T electronics products. Zarlink's diversity-enabled MRC design allows two or more ZL10354 demodulators to be linked together via a simple interchip bus that also manages the diversity signal control. This bus is cascaded from chip to chip, adding signal quality improvement at each stage. Two devices deliver a sufficient improvement for most applications and consume less power than most diversity alternatives due to the low power consumption of the ZL10354 demodulator — less than 300 mW (milliWatts) in a typical application.

The ZL10354 demodulator complies with the NorDig Unified 1.0.2 and other global terrestrial DTV standards. The device includes an integrated digital IF (intermediate frequency) filter that eliminates the need for switched bandwidth surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters in the tuner design. The chip also contains an RF signal strength indicator, allowing download and reading of the TV signal strength directly at the receiver box.

The chip is pin- and feature-compatible with the ZL10353 and ZL10355 demodulators. All Zarlink demodulators feature a “blind scan and auto re-acquisition” function, built on a hardware-based state machine that automatically scans the entire broadcast band much faster than software-based channel-scanning algorithms.

Zarlink Semiconductor Inc.
(613) 592 0200
www.zarlink.com

GPS receiver

MMT has announced the availability of its MN1010 module, a GPS receiver. The ultrasmall design is packaged into a 10 mm × 10 mm × 1.8 mm, RF-shielded 36-pin package. It draws less than 75 mW. It is a complete 12-channel GPS receiver that only requires power and an antenna to operate. The 12-channel receiver allows all satellites in view to be tracked, providing a solution to minimize position jumps caused by individual satellite blockage. The GPS chipset integrated into the MN1010 is from u-Nav microelectronics and features the uN1008 CMOS RF front-end and the highly integrated uN8130 baseband processor.

The MN1010 is supported by an evaluation kit, which includes software and references designs to reduce time and cost for the OEM development.

MMT
(65) 6745 8832
www.micromodular.com.sg

GPS software

u-Nav Microelectronics has announced the availability of its Orion Navigation and SDK software package.

Orion is a powerful and versatile GPS navigation software package designed to support u-Nav's family of GPS chipsets across multiple frequency plans. The software is responsible for all GPS functions such as signal acquisition, tracking, data extraction and GPS navigation. Orion's message-based architecture supports self-contained as well as hosted applications. The compay provides industry-standard NMEA and u-Nav binary protocols. This versatile GPS navigation package supports autonomous operation and multiple-assisted operating modes, including 3GPP, 3GPP2, and IS-801 that are required by GSM, WCDMA and CDMA cellular networks. Unlike many competing A-GPS solutions in the market, u-Nav's approach allows simultaneous operation of GPS without interruption of a user's cellular call.

The Orion software development kit (SDK) provides developers the freedom to customize and add functional software blocks to meet application-specific requirements. In addition, this user-friendly SDK allows users to modify operating parameters of the navigation software and develop custom applications to run on the internal DSP of u-Nav's GPS chipsets. The SDK also provides a complete set of performance analysis tools and support for production flashing of the Orion software.

Orion GPS navigation software is in beta release, with full production release in the fourth quarter of this year.

u-Nav Microelectronics
(949) 453-2727
www.unav-micro.com

Satellite tuner

Zarlink Semiconductor has launched the ZL10037 satellite tuner for SD and HD digital satellite television receivers used in PayTV systems.

The ZL10037 direct-conversion tuner, coupled with the ZL10313 satellite demodulator, offers a high-performance, low-power solution for QPSK satellite receivers. The ZL10037 tuner also delivers HD-compliant performance when used with an 8-PSK demodulator.

Zarlink's ZLE10542 reference design, targeted primarily at PayTV QPSK satellite receiver systems, is a complete front-end solution that combines the ZL10037 tuner with the ZL10313 demodulator. The demodulator provides strong performance across the entire satellite 1 Msps to 45 Msps DVB-S symbol rate range.

The ZLE10542 two-chip RF subsystem consumes less than 1 W of power in full operation. An integrated sleep pin reduces power consumption 1,000-fold in stand-by mode.

The ZL10037 tuner is in full production and is supplied in a 28-pin 5 mm × 5 mm QFN (quad-flat-no lead) package. The ZLE10542 reference design is available to qualified customers.

Zarlink Semiconductor
(613) 592 0200
www.zarlink.com

AGPS/GPS module for mobile devices

Fujitsu Media Devices (FMD) and Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) have introduced a AGPS/GPS module suitable for mobile devices.

The device measures 10.9 mm × 9.1 mm × 1.4 mm, with a power consumption of 180 mW in search mode, or 0.1 mW in deep sleep mode (when TCXO is turned off). Receiver sensitivity of less than -150 dBm has been achieved through Fujitsu proprietary techniques in conjunction with e-Ride Inc., a provider of GPS/AGPS IP, AGPS servers and GPS reference networks.

The module can operate in autonomous, MS-assisted (mobile station-assisted) and MS-based (mobile station-based) operating modes. It functions in the temperature range of -20 °C to +85 °C.

Fujitsu
www.fujitsu.com

GPS receiver

Atmel Corporation and u-blox AG have announced the availability of their latest GPS technology and product generation, ANTARIS 4. The ANTARIS 4 architecture combines low power consumption with up to -158 dBm tracking sensitivity.

Enabled by Atmel's advanced 0.18-micron CMOS technology for the ATR0621 baseband and RF-proven BiCMOS technology for the RF front-end IC ATR0601, power consumption levels of 62 mW during 1 Hz update rate in continuous tracking mode are achieved. This means a power consumption reduction of 40% compared to the previous chipset generation. The power consumption can be further reduced with the FixNow power saving mode. ANTARIS 4 also requires fewer external components, allowing for more space and cost-efficient designs and modules. Like its predecessor, the 16-channel ANTARIS 4 engine will feature u-blox SuperSense-enabled indoor GPS, assisted-GPS (A-GPS) and full support of WAAS and EGNOS satellites.

As an optional extension to the ANTARIS 4 chipset, the ATR0610, a fully integrated low-noise amplifier manufactured using Atmel's Silicon-Germanium (SiGe) process is available to cope with challenging reception environments and enable cost-sensitive antenna designs. For the advanced 16-channel GPS baseband, the ATR0621, a pin-compatible replacement of the ATR0620, can be used. The complete GPS firmware is integrated into the ROM, and no external Flash is required for stand-alone applications. Flash memory can be used for advanced features like dead reckoning software.

The u-blox LEA-4P is the first ANTARIS 4 module available. Measuring 17 mm × 22 mm, the LEA-4P has the same functionality as the TIM-LP and additionally features a USB port and a FLASH memory, all packed into a module 40% smaller than its predecessor.

Atmel Corporation
(408) 441-0311
www.atmel.com

Consumer Electronics

Twin-eye laser sensor

Philips Laser Sensors has developed a generation of ultrasmall position/velocity sensors based on Philips' twin-eye laser technology. The highly integrated and smart laser sensor can meet the price levels needed for use in consumer products such as computer mice, identification devices, printers or mobile phones. The company's first implementation of this technology in a commercial product is the company's PLN2020 twin-eye laser sensor.

This PLN2020 was developed in close collaboration with Logitech for use in the Logitech V400 laser cordless mouse for notebooks. The 11-pin 3.85 mm high twin-eye laser sensor has a printed circuit board footprint of 6.8 mm × 6.8 mm and incorporates lenses for its two lasers in the package assembly. These lenses project two orthogonal laser beams for X-Y position sensing. Working together, they can also simultaneously detect Z-axis movements.

The SiP also contains a dedicated application-specific integrated circuit, which performs all the necessary digital and analog signal processing for displacement calculation and laser power saving and eye-safety management functions.

Philips
+31 40 27 91111
www.philips.com

DLP 1080p chips

Texas Instruments has introduced the 1080p resolution chipsets for the front projection market. DLP 1080p resolution chips will be made available to customers for single-chip and three-chip applications, enabling incredible detail for the ultimate HD viewing experience.

Texas Instruments
(972) 644-5580
www.ti.com

Over-the-ear headset

The Jabra BT350 is an over-the-ear Bluetooth headset with advanced features and modern design providing versatility for the perfect hands-free mobile experience.

The Jabra BT350 features a vibrate function that alerts users of incoming calls. The headset includes an intuitive “one-touch” call answer/end button and volume control. A multicolored LED indicates Bluetooth connection, battery life and charging status. It delivers up to seven hours of talk time and 200 hours of standby time.

True to Jabra form, the Jabra BT350 is lightweight (0.63 ounces) and designed for hours of comfortable use. The headset supports easy charging from either a PC via USB cable or ac adapter and is Bluetooth 1.2-compliant with wireless connection up to 30 feet.

The Jabra BT350 will be available with a suggested retail price of $79.

Jabra
(630) 442-6900
www.jabra.com

Design Software

EM design simulation software

Flomerics' Version 7 of its MicroStripes electromagnetic design simulation software for microwave and antenna design increases the speed with which users can tune their designs. The version automatically runs a series of simulations while varying one or more design parameters over a user-specified range.

The automatic meshing algorithm in the new version automatically mimics what experienced users do when they manually fine-tune the mesh. The result is that the new version eliminates the need for fine tuning, allowing automatically generated meshes to be used for nearly all simulations. The accuracy of the results produced by automatically generated meshes is equivalent to that produced by hand-tuned meshes in the majority of cases.

MicroStripes electromagnetic analysis software differs from other electromagnetic simulation software in that it uses the transmission line matrix (TLM) method for solving Maxwell's equations. A key advantage of the TLM method when applied to antenna design is that it solves for all frequencies of interest in a single calculation and, therefore, captures the full broadband response of the system in one simulation cycle. A further advantage is that the TLM method creates a matrix of equivalent transmission lines and solves for voltage and current on these lines directly. This uses less memory and CPU time than solving for E and H fields on a conventional computational grid.

MicroStripes 7 is available for all 64-bit Windows editions (x64 and Itanium). On these platforms, it comes with a 64-bit solver capable of solving problems requiring more than 2 Gbytes of memory.

Flomerics
+44 (0)20 8487 3000
www.flomerics.com

EMPiCASSO Version 4.0

EMAG Technologies Inc. has released EMPiCASSO Version 4.0. EMPiCASSO is a simulation tool for analysis and design of planar antennas and microwave circuits. The new version builds on the strengths of the previous versions and features a point-and-click layout editor, a 2.5D method of moments (MoM) simulator, a model-driven network simulator and parametric sweep and optimization utilities. It also features a faster and more accurate MoM engine, new network models using Agilent's Touchstone format, expanded geometrical objects, smart data graphs using the Touchstone format, an enhanced periodic simulator and expanded finite array capabilities.

EMAG Technologies
(734) 973-6600
www.emagtech.com

Embedded Technology

VME board

Mercury Computer Systems Inc.'s VME host board supports dual PowerPC 7448 processors and the RapidIO fabric (VITA 41.2), or a PCI Express interconnect (VITA 41.4) on the VXS multigigabit P0 backplane fabric connector. The Momentum series VPA-200 will combine host, signal processing, and I/O carrier functionality in a single slot. The VPA-200 provides a flexible, multifunction feature set for price-sensitive, entry-level military embedded applications and paves the way for higher-end implementations that require high-speed backplane interconnects made available by the VXS standard.

The VPA-200 will support dual Freescale PowerPC 7448 processors at 1.267 GHz, delivering 10 GFLOPS each for floating-point operations. The high-speed backplane interface is based on the Xilinx Virtex family FPGA, which can be configured with different IP cores to support RapidIO for distributed computing applications that require true fabric functionality or PCI Express for bridged I/O and processing clusters. VME 2eSST support running faster than 300 MB/sec will be provided by the Tundra TSi148 VME bridge chip. Off-the-shelf PCI mezzanine cards may be configured on two PMC sites.

The VPA-200 is expected to be available for $7000 in OEM quantities.

Mercury Computer Systems
(800) 229-2006
www.mc.com

ZigBee reference design

Texas Instruments Inc. has introduced an MSP430 MCU-based reference design for ZigBee and 802.15.4-ready systems that will allow the incorporation of Airbee Wireless's free, four-node ZigBee-ready protocol stack. A hardware evaluation board from SoftBaugh will also be available and includes Chipcon's 802.15.4 radio, transceiver and PCB antenna. TI's MSP430 MCU offers current consumption at 1.1 micro amps standby and 300 micro- amps active.

Based on the MSP430F161x MCU with a Chipcon 802.15.4 radio for receiving and transceiving, TI's reference design will include an example application note and PCB layout files. The free four-node ZNS-Lite software for MSP430 devices will be available via the Airbee. The software stack includes a “getting started” guide and a programmer's reference manual.

Texas Instruments
(972) 644-5580
www.ti.com

Integrated multimedia platform for handsets

Skyworks Solutions Inc. has expanded its EDGE portfolio with the introduction of its three-chip complete system solution that reduces board space and enables multimedia features including a high-resolution camera interface, MP3 and MPEG. Skyworks' Lynx architecture combines its next-generation ARM 9 processor and StarCore DSP baseband engine, an integrated analog mixed-signal and Helios direct conversion receiver, and a power amplifier module.

Lynx also delivers a system-optimized EDGE Class 12 protocol stack that incorporates a flexible multimedia framework to enable a wide range of features for globally distributed handsets. With the addition of its system solution, Skyworks' complete EDGE portfolio can be tailored to meet custom OEM and ODM integration requirements, ranging from a standalone Intera front-end module (FEM) to a Helios radio, to a complete Lynx system.

Skyworks' GSM/GPRS/E-GPRS product families go through interoperability testing (IOT) and field testing, operating on more than 100 networks in 50 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Skyworks provides an experienced customer production engineering team to support board layout, system software integration, and full type approval, up through production ramp.

Skyworks' Lynx complete system solution incorporates a multimedia framework that delivers next-generation functionality and services on a single ARM 9 core architecture. The multimedia playback engine supports a number of audio (MIDI 64-tone, XMF, MP3, WMA, AAC, AMR), still image (JPEG, GIF), video (MPEG, H.263, H.264), and 2-D/3-D graphics formats. With an integrated multi-megapixel camera interface and on-chip image signal processing (ISP), Lynx can process and encode high-resolution still image (JPEG) and video (3GPP and MP4) formats. Multiple peripheral interfaces are supported including USB 2.0 OTG, MMC/SD, IrDA, and Bluetooth. The platform comes pre-integrated with Java JTWI 1.0 and supports a number of JSRs and other data services.

The L9100 represents the first system in the platform series and provides a two-megapixel camera plus ISP, USB 2.0 OTG, MMC/SD, and IrDA interfaces, along with support for Bluetooth, GPS, WiFi and other peripherals. The Lynx L9100 is available and sampling to qualified customers worldwide.

Skyworks Solutions Inc.
(949) 231-3000
www.skyworksinc.com

ST7Lite MCU family

STMicroelectronics has announced a series of eight-bit Flash microcontrollers within the ST7Lite family, which add embedded peripherals to the established ST7Lite feature set. The ST7FLITE3 MCUs introduce an enhanced 12-bit auto-reload timer and a master/slave LINSCI asynchronous interface into the 20-pin package and mark a significant step forward in communications and control functionality for real-time, industrial, consumer and motor control applications.

The 12-bit timer offers four independent PWM (pulse width-modulated) output channels with programmable dead time generation, intended for use in half-bridge driving mode in motor control applications where PWM signals must not be allowed to overlap; a 2 kHz to 4 MHz frequency range; programmable duty cycles; polarity control; and programmable output modes.

STMicroelectronics
(781) 861 2650
www.st.com

Industrial Automation

Automated test and validation software

Tektronix Inc. has added the TDSVNM application for efficient testing and debugging of low-speed serial buses including controller area of network (CAN) and local interconnect network (LIN) networks. Tektronix' TDSVNM is available on the TDS5000B and the TDS7000B series digital phosphor oscilloscopes (DPO), both featuring the MyScope customizable user interface.

Through integrated timing analysis with protocol information, designers can use TDS5000B and TDS7000B series oscilloscopes to isolate the problems to either physical layer or data link layer. Oscillator tolerance and propagation delay measurements brings out synchronization problems whenever a new CAN/LIN node is added to the network. An ability to simultaneously decode CAN and LIN messages using two channels enables designers to monitor different segments of the network for locating communication problems across gateways. Measuring a CAN Eye diagram enables the designer to observe the noise content in the CAN message.

The TDSVNM software is available for purchase from Tektronix and the trigger module is available for purchase from Crescent Heart Software or Tektronix distributors.

Tektronix
(800) 833-9200
www.tektronix.com

Microwave/Millimeter-wave Technology

Eight-channel switch bank

Lorch Microwave's 8IFA-1340/2440-SR is an eight-channel switch bank that covers the frequency range from 1340 MHz to 2440 MHz. The unit features a 4.8 × 3.3 × 0.50 package with SMA-female connectors. The bank uses MMIC switch technology for minimum size and maximum electrical performance. Supply voltage is specified as +5 V at 10 mA. Attenuation points are specified as 35 and 65 dB with a VSWR of 2.0:1 standard.

Lorch Microwave
(800) 780-2169
www.lorch.com

Bias-tee

The BT-2/18-S from Lorch Microwave is a bias tee that covers 2 GHz to 18 GHz. The unit features 1.0 dB maximum insertion loss from 2 GHz to 4 GHz and 1.8 dB from 4 GHz to 18 GHz. The VSWR is specified as 1.8:1 from 2 GHz to 18 GHz. The package is 0.75 × 0.75 × 0.62 excluding connectors and pins.

Lorch Microwave
(800) 780-2169
www.lorch.com

Next-generation Wireless

Licensable 802.11b/g WLAN platform

Redpine Signals Inc. has unwrapped a licensable 802.11b/g wireless LAN (WLAN) platform labeled Pine1-LP. Drawing less than 170 mA [377 mW] for the complete SDIO/SPI-based WLAN reference design during a 54 Mbps FTP download, it is the lowest power licensable 802.11b/g platform, claims Redpine Signals. For VoIP calls, it draws only 12.5 mA [35.6 mW].

The Pine1-LP low-power 802.11b/g platform is a complete standards-compliant solution for low-power mobile applications. It includes a baseband MAC, analog front end, an 802.11b/g RF transceiver and power amplifier, as well as SDIO and SPI host interfaces. While the RF transceiver and PA are on a single chip supplied by Taiwan's Airoha Technologies, the AFE is integrated with the baseband MAC. The baseband MAC chip is expected to be available toward year's end.

The SDIO interface is specifically designed to support full 54 Mbps 802.11g data rates. The Pine1-LP MAC, which supports the new 802.11i and 802.11e standards, is based on a programmable packet engine, which off-loads WLAN packet processing and TCP checksum calculations from the host resulting in lower power and increased system performance. Furthermore, the Pine1-LP platform supports Bluetooth coexistence in the 2.4 GHz band with popular Bluetooth chips.

Redpine Signals
(408) 748-3385
www.redpinesignals.com

802.15.4 wireless microcontroller

Jennic has announced that its JN5121 single-chip IEEE 802.15.4 wireless microcontroller is available and in production in volume quantities. It is designed for power-efficient control within wireless sensor networks based on the IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee standards.

The JN5121 combines a 32-bit RISC core, fully compliant 2.4 GHz IEEE802.15.4 transceiver and integrated 64 KB ROM and 96 KB RAM memory blocks, all in a single 8 mm × 8 mm 56-lead QFN chip package.

Manufactured on IBM's 7RF low cost RF CMOS process, which is designed for RF and low-power wireless applications, the wireless microcontroller from Jennic provides a versatile general-purpose solution for a diverse range of low-power sensor network applications ranging from simple point-to-point to complex mesh requirements in home, building and industrial control and automation systems.

The device is controlled via the SPI or UART interfaces, whereas debug is achieved via a second UART port. Jennic also provides IEEE802.15.4 protocol software, coordinator and endpoint device evaluation boards and software development tools.

Jennic
+44 (0) 114 281 2655
www.jennic.com

Bluetooth silicon

CSR plc has launched its fifth generation of BlueCore, the Bluetooth hardware and software solution. It has also released its BlueMedia enhancements using DSPs embedded inside the IC to bring both improved audio performance and added radio functionality.

BlueCore5-Multimedia includes a doubling of the processing power of the DSP co-processor to 64 MIPS. The on-chip memory in BlueCore5-Multimedia has also been upgraded to 156 Kbytes SRAM, and improvements to the internal stereo analog Codecs now provide up to 90 dB signal to noise ratio. In addition, the BlueMedia enhancements are sized to run a range of digital music compression and decompression Codecs including MP3+, AAC, WMA3, and ATRAC, as well as new additional audio functions including voice recognition, text-to-speech synthesis and 3D-postitional surround sound.

BlueCore5-ROM features the fifth-generation Bluetooth core as a stand-alone IC, and is targeted for those applications, including the mobile phone, that already include a separate DSP co-processor. In this case, CSR can provide the BlueMedia DSP software to run on the separate IC optimized to run in conjunction with CSR ICs.

BlueMedia on-chip DSP enhancements are also used in its BlueCore5 ICs to offer other non-Bluetooth radios for broadcast reception. The first of these will be BlueCore5-FM, with FM radio embedded in the Bluetooth silicon. This IC is targeted at those applications that are looking to reduce the cost, size and power consumption of existing broadcast receivers at the same time as upgrading to include Bluetooth.

BlueCore5-Multimedia and BlueCore5-ROM will start sampling from the fourth quarter of 2005. BlueCore5-FM will start sampling in early 2006. Prices for the BlueCore5 range from $3 to $5.

CRS
+44 (0)1223 692000
www.csr.com

Passive Components

Flexible Adaptenuators

Mini-Circuits new line of Adaptenuators are simply attenuators with different types of input and output connectors. The benefits of using Adaptenuators are improved interface matching and eliminating the hassle of stocking all different types of adapters to fit your attenuators. Based on the attenuation value required, the attenuator with the right connector needed can be selected. The Adaptenuators are designed with an ultra-wideband frequency response, usable to 4 GHz with a super flat frequency response. Durably built with solid unibody construction.

In stock, from 19.95 ea. (Qty.1-24).

Mini-Circuits
(718) 934-4500
www.minicircuits.com

Rollabout BNC tool kit

Trompeter has upgraded all of its full-size “suitcase”-style tool kits with the replacement of the previous “suitcase”-style container with the Rollabout tool kit case. The Rollabout provides installers a hard-shell tool case equipped with smooth-rolling wheels and a retractable handle. The interior foam features three layers of protection, a hard layer for tool placement/position, a soft layer to cushion lateral tool movement and an “egg-crate style” soft foam in the interior of the lid for vertical protection. It is fully lockable and waterproof.

The Rollabout kit replaces the medium and large tool kits in Trompeter's line of installation tooling products. Each kit can be custom ordered with an array of tools. As an example, the mainstream installer tool kit for a telco central office installer is the TLE0002DI0C1A20, and it includes the 700-0024 coax cable cutter, the 010-0098 center contact crimp tool, a battery-powered rechargeable coax stripping tool, two cutter heads for that tool (one for 735 cable and one for 734 cable), a CD3-19 flip flop dieset, a CT4L crimp tool, a 010-0133 test unit (for continuity and pin height), the RT1L BNC removal tool, and the Rollabout case.

Pricing on this particular kit in quantity one is $1847.06.

Trompeter
(800) 982-2629
www.trompeter.com

Low-inductance MLCC

AVX Corporation has expanded its low-inductance MLCC family of IDC technology to include an additional case size and increased number of terminals per device.

The development of additional termination technology has allowed AVX to reduce the ESL to approximately 25 pH for the 0306 case size with a typical capacitance of 1 mF. This technology also provides the ability to increase the number of terminals per device.

Pricing typically starts at $0.10 with a lead time of eight to 10 weeks.

AVX
(843) 946-0414
www.avxcorp.com

Adapters

Aries Electronics Inc. has introduced two Correct-A-Chip adapters that permit the use of SOIC D package 150 mil body chips to be used on boards designed for SOIC DW package 300 mil body chips and vice-versa.

The series 666000 adapters accept narrow-body SOIC D package devices while mounting on boards designed for wide-body SOIC DW package footprints. Series 665000 adapters accept wide-body SOIC DW package devices while mounting on boards designed for narrow-body SOIC D package footprints.

Both designs are available in pin counts from eight through 24 pins, and are constructed of .062 inch (1.56 mm) FR-4 boards manufactured to IPC-600E Class 2 standards. The FR-4 material is glass filled and UL94V-0 rated, with one ounce of copper traces. The male pins are brass with 200 µ tin over nickel plating.

All Aries Correct-A-Chip adapters are manufactured and inspected using IPC-610B Class 2 guidelines and are available in custom materials, platings, sizes and configurations to suit specific customer applications.

Pricing for a 24-pin adapter starts at $7.25 per unit in quantities of 100. Delivery is stock to four weeks ARO.

Aries Electronics
(908) 996-6841
www.arieselec.com

Semiconductor Technology

Silicon carbide substrate and epitaxy materials

Cree Inc. can take orders for 100 mm (4-inch) n-type silicon carbide (SiC) substrates and epitaxy material. The current Cree standard for SiC is 3-inch diameter material.

SiC is a high-performance semiconductor material used in the production of a broad range of power, light and communications components, including power switching devices, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and RF power transistors for wireless communications. Cree's ability to produce single crystal SiC in the larger 100 mm format allows customers to potentially double the number of devices produced per wafer compared with current production on three-inch material.

Cree
(919) 313-5300
www.cree.com

Signal Processing

IP core generator

Actel Corporation has introduced CoreFFT, an intellectual property (IP) core generator that produces optimized fast Fourier transform (FFT) cores for use with Actel's flash- and antifuse-based families of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). CoreFFT produces FPGA-optimized modules that perform FFTs to convert a signal from the time domain to the frequency domain to show the spectral content of the signal.

The CoreFFT RTL generator produces modules that can compute 256-, 512- or 1024-point complex forward or inverse decimation-in-time (DIT) FFTs. The core's DIT Radix-2 implementation has been optimized for Actel devices. The module's input and output data are represented as 32-bit words comprising 16-bit real and imaginary parts.

Actel's CoreFFT generator is now available. The core is $500 for a multiple-use RTL generator.

Actel
(650) 318-4200
www.actel.com

Test and Measurement

Signal analyzer update

Anritsu Company has introduced version 2.0 of the Signature (MS2781A) signal analyzer that features up to 30 times faster operation speed, increased demodulation bandwidth, improved IQ vector output and improved amplitude accuracy. Signature is now compatible with Anritsu's MG3700A vector signal generator.

The signal analyzer provides digital modulation analysis over the 100 Hz to 8 GHz frequency range. The version of Signature has demodulation bandwidth of 50 MHz. The signal analyzer also has improved amplitude accuracy of 0.65 dB.

Signature can output up to 10 Msamples of IQ vector data to MATLAB in a few seconds. It delivers high-end performance for spectrum analysis and vector signal analysis. The analyzer has intermodulation distortion (TOI) of +23 dBm, displayed average noise level (DANL) of less than -147 dBm in a 1 Hz bandwidth, and amplitude accuracy of less than 0.65 dB. For digital modulation analysis, Signature has measurements for error vector magnitude (EVM), carrier leakage, and I/Q imbalance without a separate computer. It has less than 1.25% EVM for many common QAM and PSK signals.

It is priced at $49,500. Delivery is four weeks.

Anritsu Company
(800) 267-4878
www.anritsu.com

Time and Frequency

GPS timing clock

Temex Time has announced a jumpstart, plug-and play GPS/Rubidium timing designer kit. The designer kit comes with a GPS receiver, antenna and related cable accessories, and a smart GPS-disciplined SRO-100 Rubidium SynClock+.

The SRO's SmarTiming+ technology also disciplines the GPS auto-adaptively at leading-edge 1 ns resolution, while modeling the stability-affecting temperature range of the SRO at 1 degree Celsius resolution.

The kit comes with a Windows iSync+ software application to control and monitor a complete suite of time and frequency features as well as timing and holdover performance.

Temex Time
+41.32.732.16.66
www.temextime.com

Tx/Rx Technology

WCDMA front-end module

Skyworks Solutions Inc. has launched its Intera front-end modules (FEMs) for wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) applications with support for high- speed downlink packet access (HSDPA). The Intera FEMs integrate the load insensitive power amplifier, a duplexer, power detector and filters into a 5 mm × 8 mm package. The SKY77413 and SKY77414 are matched 22-pin surface-mount modules that meet the spectral requirements of WCDMA up to 24.8 dBm and 23.9 dBm output powers. Different control pins are available to enhance the performance of the FEMs at different power levels.

By optimizing the efficiency of the InGaP HBT PA monolithic microwave integrate circuit (MMIC) and reducing the RF loss between the integrated components, the SKY77413 FEM achieves current as low as 450 mA, and the SKY77414 FEM achieves current as low as 470 mA at maximum output power (24.8 dBm for SKY77413 and 23.9 dBm for SKY77414).

The SKY77413 (for frequencies that range between 824 MHz to 849 MHz) and the SKY77414 (for frequencies that range between 1850 MHz to 1910 MHz) are available for sampling and priced at $4.50 each in quantities of 10,000.

Skyworks Solutions Inc.
(949) 231-3000
www.skyworksinc.com

GaAs MMIC chipset

Mimix Broadband Inc. has introduced GaAs MMIC subharmonically pumped receiver and transmitter devices, which integrate an image reject subharmonic anti-parallel diode mixer, an LO buffer amplifier and a low-noise amplifier for the receiver, and an output amplifier for the transmitter.

The image reject mixer eliminates the need for an image bandpass filter after the amplifier to remove thermal noise at the image frequency. Using 0.15-micron gate-length GaAs pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor device model technology, these devices cover the 18 GHz to 25 GHz frequency bands. The receiver has a noise figure of 2.5 dB and 15 dB image rejection across the band. The transmitter has a +20 dBm output third-order intercept point (OIP3) and 15 dB image rejection across the band.

This receiver and transmitter pair, identified as XR1006 and XU1002, are suited for wireless communications applications such as millimeter-wave point-to-point radio, local multipoint distribution services, SATCOM and VSAT applications.

Mimix Broadband Inc.
(281) 988-4600
www.mimixbroadband.com

Parabolic antenna

Pacific Wireless has released an all 900 MHz grid dish antenna. The GD9-15 features high gain and low wind loading with a patented wire grid design. The NLOS series grid dish antenna system is constructed of heavy-duty galvanized welded steel with light gray powder coat paint overcoat. These antennas have front-to-back performance to minimize external interference. They come standard with a 30-inch LMR240 pigtail cable terminated with an N female connector.

Pacific Wireless
(801) 572-3024
www.pacwireless.com

Power dividers

The 50PD-559 and 50PD-560 power dividers have been introduced by JFW Industries. Their 800 MHz to 2400 MHz frequency range, 5 W power-handling capabilities, and 20 dB minimum isolation make them appropriate for many wireless applications. The two-way configuration is $59 and the four-way version is $79 (1-99 pieces).

JFW Industries Inc.
(317) 887-1340
www.jfwindustries.com