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16 June 2006

News & Analysis | Technical Features | Opinion | Interview
News & Analysis
EMI filters require no grounding
Murata Manufacturing addresses the perennial problem of insufficient space in small devices with the NFA2ASN series of EMI filters, which do not require connection to the ground plane.

FPGA-based tools rev key algorithms
DRC Computer Corp. and Celoxica Ltd have developed an FPGA-based coprocessor module and software development tools that accelerate compute-intensive algorithms.

Novices get IC picture
A new IC verification product lets designers with limited verification expertise craft multichannel, system-level verification scenarios.

Startup rolls soft PHY core for Wi-Fi
Silvus Communication Systems Inc. breaks into the scene with the VHDL software for a PHY chip, aimed at next-gen Wi-Fi chipsets.

Hub lets hosts easily share USB peripherals
Standard Microsystems Corp.'s MultiSwitch USB hub allows users to connect and share multiple USB peripherals without having to touch a cable.

Analog analysis tool works with flow
CircuitFire is touted as the first 3D thermal analysis tool for analog and mixed-signal ICs that's integrated directly into the design flow.


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Multigigahertz antenna gets on board
Centurion Wireless Technologies Inc. demonstrated its NanoAnt surface-mount antenna at the recent CTIA Wireless 2006.

PCs for Third World, by design
Intel Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. are taking their fierce rivalry to the Third World. At stake is an untapped emerging market of 3.8 billion people.

Sparks fly after wireless standard tests
Vendors targeting the next-generation WLAN standard went on the defensive recently after the first tests of draft IEEE 802.11n clients and routers indicated poorer-than-expected performance.

1394 primed for home net revival
Promoters who recently gathered in Dresden, Germany for a 1394 Trade Association quarterly meeting insisted that IEEE 1394 is not just back, but never really went away.

For net gear, all roads lead to ODMs
IC and embedded-software firms are working to squeeze OEMs out of next-gen network equipment, forcing Taiwan-based ODMs into the driver's seat.

Time for Taiwan to pick up the pace
The recent approval by Taiwan's government of two investments in mainland China has been called 'small but encouraging'--a clear step toward liberalization.

Wet lithography makes its way out to fabs
Lithography vendors are all set to rescue chip developers from high-k gate oxide delays with immersion scanners that boost resolution to 45nm lines and spaces.

Design role drives 'new Europe'
Hungary and its neighbors in the 'new Europe' are attracting increased attention from IC and electronics multinationals, making this region a hub for electronics design and development.

Fuel cells won't power phones
Nokia's tech adviser believes the comms industry's power consumption problem can be solved—not by fuel cells or other battery alternatives, but by better system and IC design.

Leakage control needs multipronged attack
Controlling power requires a holistic approach. Thus, there is plenty of work to do on all fronts—process, chip design and system architecture—to solve the worsening leakage problem.

At 90nm, FPGA power loss shifts
The move to 90nm has challenged FPGA vendors to enable designers to reduce FPGA power consumption in the entire system.

Low-power IC test can be trying
With their greater susceptibility to delay defects, low-power devices face a greater risk of test escapes. Engineers must be aware of downstream test strategies early in the design process.

Real-life power gates a bigger challenge
Power gating requires a system-level understanding of where to add power gates, and how and when to control them.

Reining in IC power requires careful plandue
Michael Burstein provides a set of guidelines that engineers can use to address power-consumption issues and explore power-reduction techniques.

Just how low can FPGAs go?
Low-power FPGAs are technically feasible and may become economically viable as future nodes shrink.

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Technical Features
Accounting for LO noise in Tx/Rx mixer ICs
By introducing a noise parameter in dBc/Hz for the passive mixer IC, one can calculate system-related impairments when using the IC in base-station transmit and receive applications. (PDF file)

Home media center built with Linux on PowerPC architecture
A multimedia center implementation that uses open software and PowerPC architecture is expected to address the challenge of consolidating multiple functions into a single device. (PDF file)

Signal conditioning car ICs go green
Converting to green, lead-free packaging in the automotive industry can be a daunting task. However, by considering devices that meet and exceed requirements, a system designer can mitigate engineering risks. (PDF file)

High performance Java on embedded devices
Growing clamor for a high-performance execution environment capable of delivering various performance-intensive applications has taken Java far beyond the realms of simple games. (PDF file)

Smart integration in advanced TV
Smart integration in the display interface should spell success for advanced TVs and other high-image-quality display products. (PDF file)

Picking the right computational model
A software development tool can mix and match models to generate the right embedded solution for any application and hardware target. (PDF file)

Scale JTAG to meet evolving embedded system needs
Once initial adoption of ATPG support and a JTAG mux device is completed, designers can easily implement new JTAG capabilities one small step at a time. (PDF file)

Effective STB testing improves time-to-market
Automated measurement helps cut down performance time from weeks to a few minutes. Moreover, it ensures accuracy and repeatability of measurement results, which are key factors affecting time-to-market. (PDF file)

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Opinion
Multicore SoCs: A challenge for developers
Multiple processors make a compelling choice for designers—however, challenges remain in software development.

Outsourcing can boost IC quality
Design outsourcing is gaining popularity in the IC industry because it lowers overhead and labor costs, and accelerates time-to-market for finished products.


Interview
Networking guru bets for the best
Building big stuff is what fires up Bechtel Telecommunications and its CTO, Jake MacLeod. Rick Merritt of EE Times sat up with the CTO recently.

Talkback

eeForum:
Demystifying Vietnam
What does Vietnam offer that a rising number of top-tier semiconductor companies are setting up and expanding operations there?

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