DUBLIN, IRELAND: Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Research Report on the LED Industry of China and the World from 2009 to 2010" report to its offering.
In the 1950s, RCA first found the infrared radiation of gallium arsenide in other semiconductor alloys. LED is a luminescence component made of semiconductor materials. The component has two electrode terminals. Voltage is applied between the terminals and electricity is switched on.
After the combination of electricity and hole, the remaining power is released in form of light. Different materials have different wavelengths and thus send out lights of various colors. This is the basic lighting theory of LED.
LED can only be applied in diodes that can send out visible light. The diodes that send out near-infrared radiation are called IRED. The diodes that can send out some ultraviolet radiation are called UVLED, and their emission peak wavelengths are near visible short wave length limits.
But generally, the above-mentioned three semiconductor diodes are collectively called LED. According to their different encapsulations, they can be divided into Lamp LED, Display LED and SMD LED. LAMP and DISPLAY belong to the mature market and their growing space is limited.
According to their different constituents, LED wafers can be divided into binary wafers (GaP, GaAS), ternary wafers (GaAlP, GaAsP), quaternary wafers (InGaAlP) and chloride wafers (GaN). Chloride wafers mainly include blue-ray, pure green-ray and white-ray wafers. They have different materials and manufacturing procedures. That LED can be so highly valued is also because of GaN materials.
The global LED industries are mainly concentrated in Japan, EU and Taiwan. EU is mainly dependent on PHILIPS and OSRAM. Japan has Nichia, Toshiba, Showa Denko, Sharp, Citizen and Toyota Gosei. Only Nichia produces mainly LED. But even Nichia, it has a high rate of phosphor business. America has CREE.
These areas have a very high industrial concentration of LED. The top three manufacturers account for over 80 percent, even 90 percent of the output values. The LED industry is comparatively scattered in Taiwan. But its top three manufacturers also account for nearly 40 percent of the output values.
Manufacturers in the mainland are most scattered and they are mainly concentrated in the Downstream. There are nearly 1,000 manufactures mainly doing the packing of LAMP with the lowest profits. Less than five manufacturers can do large-scale SMD packing and less than 10 manufacturers can produce large-scale outdoor LED displays.
There are less than 10 manufacturers producing in the upper course and most of them produce low-end binary red/green LED. The main packing enterprises are Xiamen Hualian, Foshan Guoxing, Jiangsu Wenrun, Huizhou Huagang, Shenzhen Guangliangzi, Ningbo Hepu, Jiangxi Lianchuang, Tianjin Tianxing, Lanfang Xingu, Shenzhen Ruifeng, Shenzhen Ledman and Zhuhai Leedfull (Hongke)
There are almost 10 scaled LED producers in Chinese mainland, among which there are five listed companies dealing with LED-related business. Only in Saman, Newmargin and Silan LED business accounts for over 10 percent.
Friday, July 31, 2009
OMRON to spin off automotive electronic components business
TOKYO, JAPAN: Following a resolution at a board of directors meeting, OMRON Corp. announced its intention to spin off its automotive electronic components business into a new company, to be established in April 2010, through a corporate split.
Details will be announced following approval at the board of directors meeting scheduled for the second half of January 2010.
1. Background and Purpose
OMRON has designated the period from February 2009 through March 2011 as a “revival stage” in which sweeping profit structure reform will be implemented throughout the entire Group.
As part of this profit structure reform, OMRON will reorganize its business domains over the medium-term, focusing on its three control-based businesses (industrial automation, electronic components and automotive electronic components). The spin off of the automotive electronic components business is intended to improve profitability by allowing independent management of this unique business.
OMRON entered the automotive electronic components business in 1983. In 2003, after Omron instituted an internal company system, this division was reorganized as the Automotive Electronic Components (AEC) Company. OMRON worked to strengthen the burgeoning business, and sales increased rapidly on a global basis alongside the expansion of the automobile market.
The automobile industry is now feeling the effects of the global recession that began in the United States last year. With little hope of recovery in the short term and the future remaining unclear, alliances between automakers have accelerated, creating a spillover effect on suppliers of automotive systems and components.
AEC sees the changes currently taking place within the global automobile industry as an opportunity to transform itself into a company that can respond quickly and boldly to change.
In recent years, there has been a shift in what consumers require from their vehicles, resulting in the increasing adoption of automotive electronics. As an independent company, AEC will build on OMRON's core competence, sensing and control technology, and further strengthen the electronics technology and auto know-how and technology that it has cultivated to date.
AEC will focus these strengths on electronic control systems used in automotive bodies and work to respond to increasingly sophisticated and complex customer needs. At the same time, it will take a proactive and agile approach in considering partnerships and collaboration with other companies in order to respond to customer needs as quickly as possible.
In consideration of the above, OMRON determined that independent management capable of understanding and responding to movements in the automobile industry was needed to further strengthen AEC.
2. Outline of Split
1) Timeline
Schedule finalized: Second half of January 2010 (planned)
Plans approved at BOD meeting: Second half of January 2010 (planned)
Split date (effective date): April 1, 2010 (planned)
OMRON has not yet determined which assets will be transferred to the new company or their value; however, as they are not expected to exceed one-fifth of OMRON’s total assets, OMRON will not seek shareholder approval for the split in accordance with Article 805 of the Corporate Law of Japan.
2) Method
This is a simple corporate split in which OMRON is the transferring company and the new company is the assuming company.
3) Share allocation
Upon the corporate split, the new company will issue shares of common stock and allocate all of those shares to OMRON, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of OMRON.
4) Other
OMRON plans to announce information regarding the treatment of new stock acquisition rights and corporate bonds issued as a result of the corporate split, the increase or decrease of capital as a result of the split, rights and obligations to be assumed by the new company, and outlook for the fulfillment of obligations after plans for the split are approved at the board of directors meeting scheduled for the second half of January 2010.
Details will be announced following approval at the board of directors meeting scheduled for the second half of January 2010.
1. Background and Purpose
OMRON has designated the period from February 2009 through March 2011 as a “revival stage” in which sweeping profit structure reform will be implemented throughout the entire Group.
As part of this profit structure reform, OMRON will reorganize its business domains over the medium-term, focusing on its three control-based businesses (industrial automation, electronic components and automotive electronic components). The spin off of the automotive electronic components business is intended to improve profitability by allowing independent management of this unique business.
OMRON entered the automotive electronic components business in 1983. In 2003, after Omron instituted an internal company system, this division was reorganized as the Automotive Electronic Components (AEC) Company. OMRON worked to strengthen the burgeoning business, and sales increased rapidly on a global basis alongside the expansion of the automobile market.
The automobile industry is now feeling the effects of the global recession that began in the United States last year. With little hope of recovery in the short term and the future remaining unclear, alliances between automakers have accelerated, creating a spillover effect on suppliers of automotive systems and components.
AEC sees the changes currently taking place within the global automobile industry as an opportunity to transform itself into a company that can respond quickly and boldly to change.
In recent years, there has been a shift in what consumers require from their vehicles, resulting in the increasing adoption of automotive electronics. As an independent company, AEC will build on OMRON's core competence, sensing and control technology, and further strengthen the electronics technology and auto know-how and technology that it has cultivated to date.
AEC will focus these strengths on electronic control systems used in automotive bodies and work to respond to increasingly sophisticated and complex customer needs. At the same time, it will take a proactive and agile approach in considering partnerships and collaboration with other companies in order to respond to customer needs as quickly as possible.
In consideration of the above, OMRON determined that independent management capable of understanding and responding to movements in the automobile industry was needed to further strengthen AEC.
2. Outline of Split
1) Timeline
Schedule finalized: Second half of January 2010 (planned)
Plans approved at BOD meeting: Second half of January 2010 (planned)
Split date (effective date): April 1, 2010 (planned)
OMRON has not yet determined which assets will be transferred to the new company or their value; however, as they are not expected to exceed one-fifth of OMRON’s total assets, OMRON will not seek shareholder approval for the split in accordance with Article 805 of the Corporate Law of Japan.
2) Method
This is a simple corporate split in which OMRON is the transferring company and the new company is the assuming company.
3) Share allocation
Upon the corporate split, the new company will issue shares of common stock and allocate all of those shares to OMRON, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of OMRON.
4) Other
OMRON plans to announce information regarding the treatment of new stock acquisition rights and corporate bonds issued as a result of the corporate split, the increase or decrease of capital as a result of the split, rights and obligations to be assumed by the new company, and outlook for the fulfillment of obligations after plans for the split are approved at the board of directors meeting scheduled for the second half of January 2010.
LED backlight penetration in LCD TVs to grow to 40pc in 2013
AUSTIN, USA: The LED backlight market has rapidly emerged in the TFT LCD industry and is expected to continue growing for the next five years, according to DisplaySearch’s latest Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Report.
Specifically, DisplaySearch forecasts the penetration rate of LED backlights for LCD TVs to grow from less than 3 percent in 2009 to 40 percent in 2013 and surpass CCFL backlights in 2014 with more than 50 percent penetration rate.
Meanwhile, large-area LED backlight shipments for all applications will grow from 84.9 million units in 2009 to 434.8 million units in 2013, when LED backlights will be used in 54.3 percent of 10”+ TFT LCD panels. Thus, LED backlights will become mainstream in the TFT LCD industry.
While LED backlights for LCD TVs are growing rapidly, notebook PCs are the leading application for large-area LED backlight units. DisplaySearch forecasts that 100 percent of all new notebook models will have LED backlights by 2012. Fig. 1 shows the large-area LED backlight penetration in each application.
Fig. 1: Large Area LED Backlight Unit Penetration Rate by Application
Source: DisplaySearch Q2’09 Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Report
Backlight units for LCD TV are expected to be the next growth opportunity for the LED industry, with leading brands such as Samsung, LG, Sharp and Philips all expected to mass produce LED backlit LCD TVs in 2010. As a result, LED backlight units for TVs will grow to 3.6 million units in 2009 and 15.1 million units in 2010.
Companies like Samsung are focusing on the development of edge-lit LED backlights, which can reduce the bill of materials by 30-40 percent compared to direct-lit models. “Edge-lit LED backlight units for LCD TV are a temporary solution to drive costs down to open market acceptance for ‘LED TV’ as short-term marketing strategy,” noted Luke Yao, DisplaySearch Research Director.
“Consumers want a low-cost solution with acceptable picture quality, but aren’t always willing to pay a higher premium—making edge-lit LEDs an ideal near-term solution.”
For the monitor segment, cost and performance remain bottlenecks for panel manufacturers creating LED backlit monitors. Taiwanese panel makers like AUO and Innolux have been the most aggressive in developing LED monitor panels.
Since LED monitor panel sizes (18.5”W, 21.5”W, 23.6”W and 24”W) are also used for TV, DisplaySearch refreshed its forecasted penetration rate for LED monitor backlight units to 21 percent in 2013.
Currently panel makers are putting efforts into shrinking the LED backlight premium to $3-5 for 18.5”W panels. From 2010, we expect that LED backlight monitors will be developed and supported by brand name makers.
Specifically, DisplaySearch forecasts the penetration rate of LED backlights for LCD TVs to grow from less than 3 percent in 2009 to 40 percent in 2013 and surpass CCFL backlights in 2014 with more than 50 percent penetration rate.
Meanwhile, large-area LED backlight shipments for all applications will grow from 84.9 million units in 2009 to 434.8 million units in 2013, when LED backlights will be used in 54.3 percent of 10”+ TFT LCD panels. Thus, LED backlights will become mainstream in the TFT LCD industry.
While LED backlights for LCD TVs are growing rapidly, notebook PCs are the leading application for large-area LED backlight units. DisplaySearch forecasts that 100 percent of all new notebook models will have LED backlights by 2012. Fig. 1 shows the large-area LED backlight penetration in each application.
Fig. 1: Large Area LED Backlight Unit Penetration Rate by Application
Source: DisplaySearch Q2’09 Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight ReportBacklight units for LCD TV are expected to be the next growth opportunity for the LED industry, with leading brands such as Samsung, LG, Sharp and Philips all expected to mass produce LED backlit LCD TVs in 2010. As a result, LED backlight units for TVs will grow to 3.6 million units in 2009 and 15.1 million units in 2010.
Companies like Samsung are focusing on the development of edge-lit LED backlights, which can reduce the bill of materials by 30-40 percent compared to direct-lit models. “Edge-lit LED backlight units for LCD TV are a temporary solution to drive costs down to open market acceptance for ‘LED TV’ as short-term marketing strategy,” noted Luke Yao, DisplaySearch Research Director.
“Consumers want a low-cost solution with acceptable picture quality, but aren’t always willing to pay a higher premium—making edge-lit LEDs an ideal near-term solution.”
For the monitor segment, cost and performance remain bottlenecks for panel manufacturers creating LED backlit monitors. Taiwanese panel makers like AUO and Innolux have been the most aggressive in developing LED monitor panels.
Since LED monitor panel sizes (18.5”W, 21.5”W, 23.6”W and 24”W) are also used for TV, DisplaySearch refreshed its forecasted penetration rate for LED monitor backlight units to 21 percent in 2013.
Currently panel makers are putting efforts into shrinking the LED backlight premium to $3-5 for 18.5”W panels. From 2010, we expect that LED backlight monitors will be developed and supported by brand name makers.
Siemon launches Z-MAX patch cords with PCB-based Smart Plug technology
UK: Siemon has launched a new range of category 6A patch cords as part of its ground-breaking Z-MAX system.
The Z-MAX cords feature an exclusive RJ-45 Smart-Plug design which integrates a precisely performance tuned PCB into every plug. This provides best-in-class category 6A performance margins for both the available UTP and shielded configurations.
The Smart Plug’s integrated PCB, normally found only in outlets, provides enhanced signal tuning capabilities, allowing the cord’s transmission parameters to be perfectly matched to the Z-MAX outlet. This patent-pending technology enables the highest guaranteed category 6A performance margins in the industry when utilized as part of an end-to-end Z-MAX 6A cabling system.
The Z-MAX cord’s PCB-based design also enables its unique, high-performance Zero-Cross termination method. This Zero-Cross termination eliminates the split pair, pair-crossing and pair untwisting responsible for increased signal noise and performance degradation common in non-PCB RJ-45 plugs.
In traditional plugs, cable pairs are untwisted and inserted from the rear of the plug into internal channels until they are fully seated at the front of the plug and then crimped using a termination tool. This untwisting of cable pairs over the length of the plug is not necessary with Siemon’s new Z-Max Smart Plug.
Instead, cable conductors are terminated to IDC contacts at the rear of the plug to maintain pair twist to the point of contact. Circuit board traces connect the rear contacts to the front contacts. Front contacts are press-fit into the PCB in the factory, eliminating height variability caused by traditional plug crimping.
Inconsistent plug contact height can result in varying normal force between
mated outlet contacts and degraded performance.
Standards compliant and fully backwards compatible with any standards-based RJ-45 outlet, Z-MAX category 6A cords are available as both double-ended stranded patch cords and single and double-ended solid cords in both UTP and shielded constructions.
Stranded UTP patch cords feature dual jacket cable construction for excellent alien crosstalk performance and improved bend radius and flexibility. Stranded shielded patch cords utilize high-quality stranded cable for optimal transmission performance and noise resistance.
All Z-MAX cords feature a low profile boot design, which optimizes side-stackability of patch cords and enables usage in even the highest density patching environments. A cantilevered latch design further enhances the cord’s high density accessibility by allowing latch activation from further back on the boot. Removable colored clips allow simple, high-visibility colour coding even when cords are connected.
In addition to the exclusive Smart-Plug enabled cords, Siemon’s Z-MAX end-to-end category 6A/class EA network cabling solution includes the Z-MAX outlet, which offers best-in-class termination times of less than 60 seconds for both UTP and shielded varieties; high-density modular patch panels offering up to 48 ports in just 1U; and high performance category 6A UTP and F/UTP cable.
The Z-MAX cords feature an exclusive RJ-45 Smart-Plug design which integrates a precisely performance tuned PCB into every plug. This provides best-in-class category 6A performance margins for both the available UTP and shielded configurations.
The Smart Plug’s integrated PCB, normally found only in outlets, provides enhanced signal tuning capabilities, allowing the cord’s transmission parameters to be perfectly matched to the Z-MAX outlet. This patent-pending technology enables the highest guaranteed category 6A performance margins in the industry when utilized as part of an end-to-end Z-MAX 6A cabling system.
The Z-MAX cord’s PCB-based design also enables its unique, high-performance Zero-Cross termination method. This Zero-Cross termination eliminates the split pair, pair-crossing and pair untwisting responsible for increased signal noise and performance degradation common in non-PCB RJ-45 plugs.
In traditional plugs, cable pairs are untwisted and inserted from the rear of the plug into internal channels until they are fully seated at the front of the plug and then crimped using a termination tool. This untwisting of cable pairs over the length of the plug is not necessary with Siemon’s new Z-Max Smart Plug.
Instead, cable conductors are terminated to IDC contacts at the rear of the plug to maintain pair twist to the point of contact. Circuit board traces connect the rear contacts to the front contacts. Front contacts are press-fit into the PCB in the factory, eliminating height variability caused by traditional plug crimping.
Inconsistent plug contact height can result in varying normal force between
mated outlet contacts and degraded performance.
Standards compliant and fully backwards compatible with any standards-based RJ-45 outlet, Z-MAX category 6A cords are available as both double-ended stranded patch cords and single and double-ended solid cords in both UTP and shielded constructions.
Stranded UTP patch cords feature dual jacket cable construction for excellent alien crosstalk performance and improved bend radius and flexibility. Stranded shielded patch cords utilize high-quality stranded cable for optimal transmission performance and noise resistance.
All Z-MAX cords feature a low profile boot design, which optimizes side-stackability of patch cords and enables usage in even the highest density patching environments. A cantilevered latch design further enhances the cord’s high density accessibility by allowing latch activation from further back on the boot. Removable colored clips allow simple, high-visibility colour coding even when cords are connected.
In addition to the exclusive Smart-Plug enabled cords, Siemon’s Z-MAX end-to-end category 6A/class EA network cabling solution includes the Z-MAX outlet, which offers best-in-class termination times of less than 60 seconds for both UTP and shielded varieties; high-density modular patch panels offering up to 48 ports in just 1U; and high performance category 6A UTP and F/UTP cable.
GigOptix GX3220 TIA for 40G and 100G applications
PALO ALTO, USA: GigOptix Inc., a leading provider of electronic engines for the optically connected digital world announced the availability for sampling of the GX3220, a 28Gb/s linear transimpedance amplifier (TIA) with integrated automatic gain control for 100G DP-QPSK and 40G DQPSK applications.
“The GX3220 is a very low power, small form factor solution that more than addresses customers’ functionality requirements,” commented Padraig O’Mathuna, Director of Product Marketing at GigOptix.
“The 100G transponder standardization is still under way and power dissipation is a major concern amongst the defining group. We feel that we have not only met the current low power dissipation requirement but have successfully surpassed it. The excellent performance and extreme low power of this TIA ensures that it is strongly positioned relative to our competition.”
Key features of the GX3220 include:
* Frequency range up to 28Gb/s.
* High linearity and low harmonic distortion compliant with the draft 100G OIF recommendations.
* Supports a variety of photodiodes from vendors.
* Very low power consumption.
Ovum's most recent WAN optical components market forecast projects that the volume of 40G receivers will grow from 20K units in 2009 to 183K in 2013 (CAGR 74 percent) with the 100G WAN optical component market showing similar growth rates starting from 2010.
“The GX3220 is a very low power, small form factor solution that more than addresses customers’ functionality requirements,” commented Padraig O’Mathuna, Director of Product Marketing at GigOptix.
“The 100G transponder standardization is still under way and power dissipation is a major concern amongst the defining group. We feel that we have not only met the current low power dissipation requirement but have successfully surpassed it. The excellent performance and extreme low power of this TIA ensures that it is strongly positioned relative to our competition.”
Key features of the GX3220 include:
* Frequency range up to 28Gb/s.
* High linearity and low harmonic distortion compliant with the draft 100G OIF recommendations.
* Supports a variety of photodiodes from vendors.
* Very low power consumption.
Ovum's most recent WAN optical components market forecast projects that the volume of 40G receivers will grow from 20K units in 2009 to 183K in 2013 (CAGR 74 percent) with the 100G WAN optical component market showing similar growth rates starting from 2010.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
IPG Photonics' new breakthrough In high brightness fiber-coupled diode lasers
OXFORD, USA: IPG Photonics Corp., a leader in high power fiber lasers and amplifiers, announced the availability of a 100 Watt fiber-coupled laser diode, the most powerful high brightness single-emitter based laser diode.
“This new laser diode delivers up to 100W power out of a 105µm core diameter fiber with a numerical aperture lower than 0.12” said Dr. Alex Ovtchinnikov, IPG Photonics Corporation’s Vice President - Components.
“It is assembled using IPG’s long-life 90µm wide single-emitter chips and proprietary micro-optics. The wall-plug efficiency exceeds 50% due to nonsaturated mode of operation at a thermally-conductive passive cooling. The package size is an order of magnitude smaller than similar devices on the market. Also taking in account the lowest cost per Watt, the new PLD-100 series is well ahead in performance of any existing fiber-coupled laser diodes available in the market.”
After release earlier in 2009 of the PLD-60 series with output power up to 60W in a 105µm core fiber, IPG now extends the power into the same fiber with the new PLD-100 series. The available choice of wavelength covers all 9xx nm spectral range. The product will be released for sale starting in Q4 2009.
Combining emission of these laser diodes, it is now possible to manufacture high power diode laser modules or complete system solutions with output powers up to multiple kWs out of a reasonably thin fiber with a narrow linewidth of emission.
Such solution provides new opportunities for plastic and metal welding, brazing, cladding, medical and many other applications. It simplifies the pumping schematics of superpower fiber and disc lasers and opens opportunities for further achievements.
IPG’s semiconductor products division is the world’s largest vertically-integrated maker of high power single-emitter based laser diodes.
“This new laser diode delivers up to 100W power out of a 105µm core diameter fiber with a numerical aperture lower than 0.12” said Dr. Alex Ovtchinnikov, IPG Photonics Corporation’s Vice President - Components.
“It is assembled using IPG’s long-life 90µm wide single-emitter chips and proprietary micro-optics. The wall-plug efficiency exceeds 50% due to nonsaturated mode of operation at a thermally-conductive passive cooling. The package size is an order of magnitude smaller than similar devices on the market. Also taking in account the lowest cost per Watt, the new PLD-100 series is well ahead in performance of any existing fiber-coupled laser diodes available in the market.”
After release earlier in 2009 of the PLD-60 series with output power up to 60W in a 105µm core fiber, IPG now extends the power into the same fiber with the new PLD-100 series. The available choice of wavelength covers all 9xx nm spectral range. The product will be released for sale starting in Q4 2009.
Combining emission of these laser diodes, it is now possible to manufacture high power diode laser modules or complete system solutions with output powers up to multiple kWs out of a reasonably thin fiber with a narrow linewidth of emission.
Such solution provides new opportunities for plastic and metal welding, brazing, cladding, medical and many other applications. It simplifies the pumping schematics of superpower fiber and disc lasers and opens opportunities for further achievements.
IPG’s semiconductor products division is the world’s largest vertically-integrated maker of high power single-emitter based laser diodes.
KYOCERA establishes new sales company in India
KYOTO, JAPAN: Kyocera Corp. announced the establishment of KYOCERA Asia Pacific India Private Ltd (KAPI) — a new Kyocera Group sales company that has been positioned to cohesively strengthen components sales in the continually expanding Indian market.
KAPI, which is to start operations on August 1, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of KYOCERA Asia Pacific Private Ltd (KAP) — a Kyocera subsidiary dedicated to sales in the Asia-Pacific region.
In recent years, even amongst the BRIC countries, India has been accomplishing strikingly high economic growth — with a GDP growth rate second only to China. With development of the IT industry, and following the rapid expansion of the automotive and digital consumer electronics industries, many Japanese and foreign-based manufacturers have been setting up and relocating sales offices and manufacturing sites in the country.
Up until now, Kyocera sales activities to India had mainly been conducted from the KAP headquarters in Singapore. In 2005, KAP set up a representative office in Bangalore, India to help support the cutting tool sales of local distributors, and since then has also started actively marketing Kyocera’s line of products including electronic, semiconductor, fine ceramic and thin film components as well as solar panels.
Recognizing the importance of the rapidly growing Indian market, the establishment of KAPI will allow the Kyocera Group to better respond to customer needs and product demand.
As one of the markets in Asia on which Kyocera has placed strategic importance, KAPI will be able to aggressively develop its sales activities in India. The new company will begin with sales of cutting tools, and subsequently progress with further sales of other Kyocera components.
KAPI, which is to start operations on August 1, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of KYOCERA Asia Pacific Private Ltd (KAP) — a Kyocera subsidiary dedicated to sales in the Asia-Pacific region.
In recent years, even amongst the BRIC countries, India has been accomplishing strikingly high economic growth — with a GDP growth rate second only to China. With development of the IT industry, and following the rapid expansion of the automotive and digital consumer electronics industries, many Japanese and foreign-based manufacturers have been setting up and relocating sales offices and manufacturing sites in the country.
Up until now, Kyocera sales activities to India had mainly been conducted from the KAP headquarters in Singapore. In 2005, KAP set up a representative office in Bangalore, India to help support the cutting tool sales of local distributors, and since then has also started actively marketing Kyocera’s line of products including electronic, semiconductor, fine ceramic and thin film components as well as solar panels.
Recognizing the importance of the rapidly growing Indian market, the establishment of KAPI will allow the Kyocera Group to better respond to customer needs and product demand.
As one of the markets in Asia on which Kyocera has placed strategic importance, KAPI will be able to aggressively develop its sales activities in India. The new company will begin with sales of cutting tools, and subsequently progress with further sales of other Kyocera components.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
IDT's DisplayPort-based TCON with integrated digital LED backlight for notebook LCD panels
SAN JOSE, USA: IDT (Integrated Device Technology Inc., a leading provider of essential mixed signal semiconductor solutions that enrich the digital media experience, introduced the first solution to feature its Power Smart technology.
This solution provides power management technology for DisplayPort-based notebooks that use LCD monitors. Moreover, the IDT devices integrate Power Smart technology into existing IDT PanelPort™ solutions, providing customers with prolonged battery life, improved power consumption and increased design flexibility.
Containing three separate chips (VPP1606, VPA2000, VPA1100), this new solution is designed to work in harmony in the LCD monitor.
Uniquely integrating together programmable smart power management functionality with IDT core silicon technologies, such as timing controllers, provides an integrated system-level approach to reducing power consumption and prolonging battery life.
Optimized for LCD notebooks, the complete power management solution integrates functional blocks, thereby reducing redundancy, increasing system reliability and improving overall performance.
No longer do these technologies necessarily need to be simply stand-alone functions, but by integrating the various technologies together, the resulting performance improvement is greater than merely adding the functional blocks onto a single chip.
The IDT Power Smart technology truly is “smart” technology.
This unique embedded DisplayPort-based solution combines together a backlight LED driver with an IDT PanelPort timing controller (TCON) into one device, which works in conjunction with a power management IC.
A traditional analog LED driver is implemented in the digital realm eliminating the need for a power-intensive, high-voltage analog process. The result provides IDT customers with an inherently finer and simpler control of power management functions, for example enabling digital brightness adjustment via the DisplayPort interface.
This integration of Power Smart technology not only improves the image quality on the notebook display but also helps to extend battery life and provides designers with increased flexibility by freeing up valuable board space. This implementation also reduces bill of materials and decreases time to market for notebook providers.
“Notebook users demand the picture quality on their machine be just as good as the flat-panel monitor on their desks, and they want to use their notebooks for extended periods without being tethered to a power outlet. This new solution from IDT accomplishes both,” said Ji Park, vice president and general manager of the IDT Video and Display Operation (VDO).
“IDT is the only company offering total silicon content for notebooks using thin film transistor (TFT) LCD panels. In addition, this solution is the first to incorporate our Power Smart technology, further proving the IDT commitment to providing our customers with the most power-efficient solutions in the industry.”
This solution provides power management technology for DisplayPort-based notebooks that use LCD monitors. Moreover, the IDT devices integrate Power Smart technology into existing IDT PanelPort™ solutions, providing customers with prolonged battery life, improved power consumption and increased design flexibility.
Containing three separate chips (VPP1606, VPA2000, VPA1100), this new solution is designed to work in harmony in the LCD monitor.
Uniquely integrating together programmable smart power management functionality with IDT core silicon technologies, such as timing controllers, provides an integrated system-level approach to reducing power consumption and prolonging battery life.
Optimized for LCD notebooks, the complete power management solution integrates functional blocks, thereby reducing redundancy, increasing system reliability and improving overall performance.
No longer do these technologies necessarily need to be simply stand-alone functions, but by integrating the various technologies together, the resulting performance improvement is greater than merely adding the functional blocks onto a single chip.
The IDT Power Smart technology truly is “smart” technology.
This unique embedded DisplayPort-based solution combines together a backlight LED driver with an IDT PanelPort timing controller (TCON) into one device, which works in conjunction with a power management IC.
A traditional analog LED driver is implemented in the digital realm eliminating the need for a power-intensive, high-voltage analog process. The result provides IDT customers with an inherently finer and simpler control of power management functions, for example enabling digital brightness adjustment via the DisplayPort interface.
This integration of Power Smart technology not only improves the image quality on the notebook display but also helps to extend battery life and provides designers with increased flexibility by freeing up valuable board space. This implementation also reduces bill of materials and decreases time to market for notebook providers.
“Notebook users demand the picture quality on their machine be just as good as the flat-panel monitor on their desks, and they want to use their notebooks for extended periods without being tethered to a power outlet. This new solution from IDT accomplishes both,” said Ji Park, vice president and general manager of the IDT Video and Display Operation (VDO).
“IDT is the only company offering total silicon content for notebooks using thin film transistor (TFT) LCD panels. In addition, this solution is the first to incorporate our Power Smart technology, further proving the IDT commitment to providing our customers with the most power-efficient solutions in the industry.”
Himax white LED drivers for netbook/notebook apps
TAINAN, TAIWAN: Himax Technologies Inc. announced that its white LED (Light-Emitting Diode) driver, the HA7305, has been approved by TFT-LCD panel makers for use in netbook and notebook applications and is expected to commence mass production at around the end of third quarter 2009.
HA7305 is ideally for netbook and notebook panels with LED-backlighting. LED has merits of lower power consumption, low environmental impact and further enables small form factor electronic products. Recently, the continuous cost-down of white LEDs has triggered the fast adoption of LED backlights in numerous mid- to large-sized panel applications.
According to Topology Research Institute, it is estimated that around 60 percent of netbooks and notebooks shipped worldwide in 2009 are adopting white LEDs as backlights. Furthermore, white LEDs are expected to replace CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps) completely in netbook and notebook applications in the next two years.
Himax's white LED drivers were developed by Himax Analogic, Inc., a Himax subsidiary focusing on analog semiconductor solutions. The HA7305 is a white LED driver with 4.5V to 24V input voltage range and up to 44V output voltage; it drives up to 80 LEDs at 90 percent efficiency.
The built-in LED balance control circuitry offers stable and uniform current in and between channels with less than 3 percent inaccuracy. Moreover, the HA7305 embeds patented PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming control technology and protection features including over voltage, over current, over temperature and under voltage lockout protections.
Following the previously launched white LED drivers for smaller panels, HA7305 presents a milestone for Himax's white LED driver line to penetrate into larger panels, namely netbook and notebook applications. Looking forward, Himax expects to launch an integrated white LED driver with power management function at around the end of 2009, and will continue to expend its white LED driver offerings suitable for monitor and TV applications.
Jordan Wu, President and CEO of Himax, commented: "Himax offers display related semiconductor solutions to meet customers' different needs. With Himax's worldwide leadership in LCD drivers and broad customer base, we believe white LED drivers will become one of Himax's major non-driver products in the future."
HA7305 is ideally for netbook and notebook panels with LED-backlighting. LED has merits of lower power consumption, low environmental impact and further enables small form factor electronic products. Recently, the continuous cost-down of white LEDs has triggered the fast adoption of LED backlights in numerous mid- to large-sized panel applications.
According to Topology Research Institute, it is estimated that around 60 percent of netbooks and notebooks shipped worldwide in 2009 are adopting white LEDs as backlights. Furthermore, white LEDs are expected to replace CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps) completely in netbook and notebook applications in the next two years.
Himax's white LED drivers were developed by Himax Analogic, Inc., a Himax subsidiary focusing on analog semiconductor solutions. The HA7305 is a white LED driver with 4.5V to 24V input voltage range and up to 44V output voltage; it drives up to 80 LEDs at 90 percent efficiency.
The built-in LED balance control circuitry offers stable and uniform current in and between channels with less than 3 percent inaccuracy. Moreover, the HA7305 embeds patented PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming control technology and protection features including over voltage, over current, over temperature and under voltage lockout protections.
Following the previously launched white LED drivers for smaller panels, HA7305 presents a milestone for Himax's white LED driver line to penetrate into larger panels, namely netbook and notebook applications. Looking forward, Himax expects to launch an integrated white LED driver with power management function at around the end of 2009, and will continue to expend its white LED driver offerings suitable for monitor and TV applications.
Jordan Wu, President and CEO of Himax, commented: "Himax offers display related semiconductor solutions to meet customers' different needs. With Himax's worldwide leadership in LCD drivers and broad customer base, we believe white LED drivers will become one of Himax's major non-driver products in the future."
RFaxis offers innovative embedded antenna solutions
IRVINE, USA: RFaxis, a fabless semiconductor company focused on innovative, next-generation RF solutions for the wireless and connectivity markets, announced the debut of its embedded antenna products.
Taking an innovative approach to antennas, RFaxis will now have the ability to offer total front-end solutions. To head up its efforts, RFaxis has appointed noted industry veteran Dr. Ping Peng as vice president, Antenna Products. Key among Dr. Peng's first initiatives will be to create the industry's first series of broadband, high efficiency, high gain embedded antennas.
"A true RF front-end includes an antenna, and many so-called front-end solutions available today are lacking antennas," noted Mike Neshat, president and CEO of RFaxis.
"We feel that it was a natural fit for RFaxis to step in and solve this issue. Antennae make wireless a reality, and RFaxis will be delivering a series of patent pending, complete front-end reference designs based on our own RFeICs and antennas. With the introduction of this series, we will become a one-stop shop for complete RF front-end solutions."
RFaxis' patent pending RFeICs integrate the PA, LNA, transmit and receive switching circuitry, the associated matching network, and the harmonic filter all in a single-chip, single-die device.
These RFeICs combine superior performance, high sensitivity and efficiency, low noise, small form factor, and low cost to form an ideal solution for applications requiring low power, extended range and bandwidth and small form factor.
With an initial focus on antenna solutions for Zigbee, Bluetooth, WLAN, WiMAX, and mobile phone standards, RFaxis will offer a series of complete front-end products, as well as stand-alone, embedded antennas in the near future.
Dr. Peng said: "I am truly excited to join the RFaxis team of innovators. RFaxis' RFeICs are the perfect platform and will give me the freedom to tailor antennas to different applications. Our antenna innovations, combined with RFaxis' RFeICs, will help bring antenna technology to the next level." Dr. Peng will be responsible for leading the day to day engineering, R&D, marketing, sales, and manufacturing of all antenna products.
Taking an innovative approach to antennas, RFaxis will now have the ability to offer total front-end solutions. To head up its efforts, RFaxis has appointed noted industry veteran Dr. Ping Peng as vice president, Antenna Products. Key among Dr. Peng's first initiatives will be to create the industry's first series of broadband, high efficiency, high gain embedded antennas.
"A true RF front-end includes an antenna, and many so-called front-end solutions available today are lacking antennas," noted Mike Neshat, president and CEO of RFaxis.
"We feel that it was a natural fit for RFaxis to step in and solve this issue. Antennae make wireless a reality, and RFaxis will be delivering a series of patent pending, complete front-end reference designs based on our own RFeICs and antennas. With the introduction of this series, we will become a one-stop shop for complete RF front-end solutions."
RFaxis' patent pending RFeICs integrate the PA, LNA, transmit and receive switching circuitry, the associated matching network, and the harmonic filter all in a single-chip, single-die device.
These RFeICs combine superior performance, high sensitivity and efficiency, low noise, small form factor, and low cost to form an ideal solution for applications requiring low power, extended range and bandwidth and small form factor.
With an initial focus on antenna solutions for Zigbee, Bluetooth, WLAN, WiMAX, and mobile phone standards, RFaxis will offer a series of complete front-end products, as well as stand-alone, embedded antennas in the near future.
Dr. Peng said: "I am truly excited to join the RFaxis team of innovators. RFaxis' RFeICs are the perfect platform and will give me the freedom to tailor antennas to different applications. Our antenna innovations, combined with RFaxis' RFeICs, will help bring antenna technology to the next level." Dr. Peng will be responsible for leading the day to day engineering, R&D, marketing, sales, and manufacturing of all antenna products.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Diodes Inc. intros 15 MOSFETs for LCD TV and monitor backlighting markets
DALLAS, USA: Diodes Inc. a leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality application specific standard products within the broad discrete and analog semiconductor markets, has expanded its broad MOSFET offering with the introduction of 15 new devices designed specifically for LCD TV and monitor backlighting markets.
Provided in industry standard TO252 and SO8 packaging, these MOSFET devices deliver the high-power handling and fast switching that are required by high efficiency Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) drive architectures.
The 30V rated, SO8 packaged dual n-channel DMN3024LSD suits push-pull inverters and offers a space saving advantage over discrete component alternatives. In full and half bridge topologies requiring complementary pairs, the DMC3028LSD provides an integrated high performance n- and p-channel MOSFET combination.
The extended TO252 MOSFET product family meets the higher power handling requirements with optimized on-resistance and gate charge performance for backlighting applications with multiple lamps.
These 12 new TO252 MOSFETs consist of nine n-channel and three p-channel parts, covering the drain-source voltage, which ranges from 20V to 60V.
Provided in industry standard TO252 and SO8 packaging, these MOSFET devices deliver the high-power handling and fast switching that are required by high efficiency Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) drive architectures.
The 30V rated, SO8 packaged dual n-channel DMN3024LSD suits push-pull inverters and offers a space saving advantage over discrete component alternatives. In full and half bridge topologies requiring complementary pairs, the DMC3028LSD provides an integrated high performance n- and p-channel MOSFET combination.
The extended TO252 MOSFET product family meets the higher power handling requirements with optimized on-resistance and gate charge performance for backlighting applications with multiple lamps.
These 12 new TO252 MOSFETs consist of nine n-channel and three p-channel parts, covering the drain-source voltage, which ranges from 20V to 60V.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Nujira signs Richardson Electronics as global distribution partner
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND: Nujira, world leaders in efficient RF transmission technology, has signed a global distribution agreement with the RF, Wireless and Power Division (RFPD) of Richardson Electronics Ltd.
Richardson will market, sell and support Nujira Coolteq power modulators and Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD) solutions in all applications and markets, most notably the cellular infrastructure and defense markets.
Tim Haynes, CEO Nujira, said “Richardson Electronics offers us a global channel to market, with sales and technical support locations in every major market in North and South America, Asia and Europe. Their ‘engineered solutions’ based business model and outstanding global logistics capability means that they are a perfect fit for us. Richardson has the right relationships, and the right expertise to take Coolteq to market successfully.”
Chris Marshall, Vice President for RF & Microwave Products, Richardson Electronics, added, “Nujira has an exciting and innovative technology that has great potential to improve systems that incorporate RF power amplifiers -- by significantly increasing energy efficiency, one of the key challenges for today’s RF design engineers.
"Using Coolteq modules, our customers can achieve industry leading power efficiency, and build solutions that are smaller, lighter, lower cost and require no secondary cooling such as fans or air conditioning. There is considerable potential for Nujira’s technology, and we are pleased to help introduce it to the key global markets.”
Nujira’s High Accuracy Tracking (HAT) technology modulates the voltage supplied to the power amplifier (PA) in line with the transmission envelope, to ensure that the output device remains in its most efficient operating region.
Integrating the Nujira Coolteq power modulator into a PA will dramatically improve power efficiency (typically from 15 percent to 45 percent). Nujira is already engaged with 13 cellular base station manufacturers.
Sumitomo Electrical Industries of Japan has publicly announced products based on Coolteq modules, with other manufacturers to follow during 2009.
Richardson will market, sell and support Nujira Coolteq power modulators and Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD) solutions in all applications and markets, most notably the cellular infrastructure and defense markets.
Tim Haynes, CEO Nujira, said “Richardson Electronics offers us a global channel to market, with sales and technical support locations in every major market in North and South America, Asia and Europe. Their ‘engineered solutions’ based business model and outstanding global logistics capability means that they are a perfect fit for us. Richardson has the right relationships, and the right expertise to take Coolteq to market successfully.”
Chris Marshall, Vice President for RF & Microwave Products, Richardson Electronics, added, “Nujira has an exciting and innovative technology that has great potential to improve systems that incorporate RF power amplifiers -- by significantly increasing energy efficiency, one of the key challenges for today’s RF design engineers.
"Using Coolteq modules, our customers can achieve industry leading power efficiency, and build solutions that are smaller, lighter, lower cost and require no secondary cooling such as fans or air conditioning. There is considerable potential for Nujira’s technology, and we are pleased to help introduce it to the key global markets.”
Nujira’s High Accuracy Tracking (HAT) technology modulates the voltage supplied to the power amplifier (PA) in line with the transmission envelope, to ensure that the output device remains in its most efficient operating region.
Integrating the Nujira Coolteq power modulator into a PA will dramatically improve power efficiency (typically from 15 percent to 45 percent). Nujira is already engaged with 13 cellular base station manufacturers.
Sumitomo Electrical Industries of Japan has publicly announced products based on Coolteq modules, with other manufacturers to follow during 2009.
Monday, July 20, 2009
TI intros lowest power video amplifiers
DALLAS, USA: Two new video amplifiers from Texas Instruments Inc. help manufacturers meet the demand for more energy-efficient home and portable entertainment systems.
The THS7365 is the lowest power six-channel, fixed filter video amplifier supporting HDTV and SDTV. The device delivers 21 percent lower power consumption at 5 volts (V) and 50 percent lower at 3.3 V to help manufacturers achieve ENERGY STAR compliance in set-top boxes (STBs) and Blu-ray DVD players.
The THS7319 is the lowest profile, three-channel video amplifier supporting EDTV. It delivers 25 percent lower quiescent current than alternative devices to prolong battery life in portable media devices.
Key features and benefits of THS7365:
* Integrated 6th order Butterworth fixed filter for HD and SD video. Bypass mode provides up to 250 MHz bandwidth to support full HD 1080p60 or UWXGA video.
* Six-channel operation supports composite (CVBS) video, S-video and Y'P'(B)P'(R) component video simultaneously.
* Total supply current of 21.6 mA at 5 V and 20.7 mA at 3.3 V provides the low power consumption that is important for devices seeking ENERGY STAR compliance.
* Power down disable mode reduces quiescent current to 0.1uA to save power when the system is idle.
* Wide supply and low voltage operation of 2.6 V to 5.5 V from a single supply maximizes design flexibility.
Key features and benefits of THS7319:
* Integrated 3rd order Butterworth fixed filter for EDTV provides space savings
Low quiescent current of 1.1 mA/channel and 0.15 uA in power down mode extends battery life.
* 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm x 0.40 mm tiny MicrostarCSP package reduces height by more than 30 percent for a thinner profile.
* Wide supply and low voltage operation of 2.5 V to 5.5 V from a single supply maximizes design flexibility.
The THS7365 is available today in a TSSOP-20 package that is lead-free and green (RoHS-compliant) and priced at $0.70 in 1,000-unit quantities. The THS7319 is available today in a tiny MicrostarCSP package for $0.85 in 1,000-unit quantities.
The THS7365 is the lowest power six-channel, fixed filter video amplifier supporting HDTV and SDTV. The device delivers 21 percent lower power consumption at 5 volts (V) and 50 percent lower at 3.3 V to help manufacturers achieve ENERGY STAR compliance in set-top boxes (STBs) and Blu-ray DVD players.
The THS7319 is the lowest profile, three-channel video amplifier supporting EDTV. It delivers 25 percent lower quiescent current than alternative devices to prolong battery life in portable media devices.
Key features and benefits of THS7365:
* Integrated 6th order Butterworth fixed filter for HD and SD video. Bypass mode provides up to 250 MHz bandwidth to support full HD 1080p60 or UWXGA video.
* Six-channel operation supports composite (CVBS) video, S-video and Y'P'(B)P'(R) component video simultaneously.
* Total supply current of 21.6 mA at 5 V and 20.7 mA at 3.3 V provides the low power consumption that is important for devices seeking ENERGY STAR compliance.
* Power down disable mode reduces quiescent current to 0.1uA to save power when the system is idle.
* Wide supply and low voltage operation of 2.6 V to 5.5 V from a single supply maximizes design flexibility.
Key features and benefits of THS7319:
* Integrated 3rd order Butterworth fixed filter for EDTV provides space savings
Low quiescent current of 1.1 mA/channel and 0.15 uA in power down mode extends battery life.
* 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm x 0.40 mm tiny MicrostarCSP package reduces height by more than 30 percent for a thinner profile.
* Wide supply and low voltage operation of 2.5 V to 5.5 V from a single supply maximizes design flexibility.
The THS7365 is available today in a TSSOP-20 package that is lead-free and green (RoHS-compliant) and priced at $0.70 in 1,000-unit quantities. The THS7319 is available today in a tiny MicrostarCSP package for $0.85 in 1,000-unit quantities.
Connexion2 selects Antenova’s RADIONOVA M10214 GPS RF antenna module
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND: Antenova Ltd, the integrated antenna and RF solutions company, announced that Connexion2, manufacturers of the award winning Identicom lone worker device, has selected Antenova’s RADIONOVA M10214 GPS RF Antenna Module for its Identicom i757 and i777 models.
"Accuracy, reliability and low power consumption are essential performance requirements for any personal safety device," stated Greg McCray. "The high performance and quick-fix accuracy of the M10214 RF Antenna Module has enabled Connexion2 to meet customer demand to add greater location accuracy for mobile workers, particularly those constantly on the move and in higher risk jobs such as traffic wardens, district nurses, paramedics and cash in transit operatives.
"The small size and low profile of the M10214 vertical mount form factor has enabled Connexion2 to add GPS to the i757 and i777 models in the same thin and discreet ID card format as in their non-GPS models."
"Antenova’s M10214 GPS RF Antenna Module is a complete GPS system solution, including all the RF and antenna in an easy to integrated compact module," stated Craig Swallow, CEO of Connexion2. "The size, accuracy and reliable performance of the module coupled with the fact that it easily integrated into our existing design and form factor made it the ideal choice for adding GPS to our Identicom lone worker devices."
Antenova’s GPS RADIONOVA M10214 RF Antenna Module is a complete GPS system solution in a compact, low profile form factor suitable for embedded mobile device applications.
M10214 combines the SiRF GSC3LTf low power GPS receiver IC with Antenova’s high efficiency complementary antenna technology and all front-end components (e.g. low noise amplifier, SAW filters and TCXO) in a single package, fully integrated laminate base module for optimum performance.
RADIONOVA M10214 operates on a single 3.6V positive bias supply with low power consumption and available low power modes for further power savings. M10214 is supported by SiRF’s GPS software suite and uses a UART/SPI host processor interface. The low profile connector and optional PCB cut-out allow the small 43x9x4mm3 single package module to be vertically mounted with a low 6mm height requirement.
"Accuracy, reliability and low power consumption are essential performance requirements for any personal safety device," stated Greg McCray. "The high performance and quick-fix accuracy of the M10214 RF Antenna Module has enabled Connexion2 to meet customer demand to add greater location accuracy for mobile workers, particularly those constantly on the move and in higher risk jobs such as traffic wardens, district nurses, paramedics and cash in transit operatives.
"The small size and low profile of the M10214 vertical mount form factor has enabled Connexion2 to add GPS to the i757 and i777 models in the same thin and discreet ID card format as in their non-GPS models."
"Antenova’s M10214 GPS RF Antenna Module is a complete GPS system solution, including all the RF and antenna in an easy to integrated compact module," stated Craig Swallow, CEO of Connexion2. "The size, accuracy and reliable performance of the module coupled with the fact that it easily integrated into our existing design and form factor made it the ideal choice for adding GPS to our Identicom lone worker devices."
Antenova’s GPS RADIONOVA M10214 RF Antenna Module is a complete GPS system solution in a compact, low profile form factor suitable for embedded mobile device applications.
M10214 combines the SiRF GSC3LTf low power GPS receiver IC with Antenova’s high efficiency complementary antenna technology and all front-end components (e.g. low noise amplifier, SAW filters and TCXO) in a single package, fully integrated laminate base module for optimum performance.
RADIONOVA M10214 operates on a single 3.6V positive bias supply with low power consumption and available low power modes for further power savings. M10214 is supported by SiRF’s GPS software suite and uses a UART/SPI host processor interface. The low profile connector and optional PCB cut-out allow the small 43x9x4mm3 single package module to be vertically mounted with a low 6mm height requirement.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Global OLED revenues to reach $7.1 billion by 2016
AUSTIN, USA: In its latest Quarterly OLED Shipment and Forecast Report, DisplaySearch forecasts the total OLED display market will grow to $7.1 billion by 2016, from $0.6 billion in 2008, with a CAGR of 36 percent.
DisplaySearch also reported that in Q1’09 worldwide active matrix (AM) OLED revenue surpassed passive matrix (PM) OLED for the first time. AMOLED revenue is increasing strongly due to strong mobile phone main display shipments, as Nokia, Samsung Electronics, and Sony Ericsson heavily promoted AMOLED mobile phones in first half of 2009. More than 10 mobile phone models with AMOLED main displays have been released in 2009.
PMOLED has been the revenue leader in the OLED display market, driven by high unit shipments. However, in Q1'09, PMOLED shipments were down significantly due to weakness in MP3 and mobile phone sub-display applications.
“AMOLED displays have become an important differentiating feature for high end electronic products,” noted Jennifer Colegrove, PhD, Director of Display Technologies at DisplaySearch.
“As we forecasted, AMOLED revenue surpassed PMOLED revenue in Q1’09, and AMOLED is likely to pass PMOLEDs in terms of unit shipments in 2010. There will be about 20 new or upgraded AMOLED production lines installed or upgraded worldwide in the next three years,” Colegrove added.
Fig. 1: OLED Display Revenue Forecast
Source: DisplaySearch Q2’09 Quarterly OLED Shipment and Forecast Report
The company also reported that worldwide OLED display revenue in Q1’09 was $143 million, down 8 percent Q/Q. AMOLED revenues were up 17 percent Q/Q.
Samsung Mobile Display (SMD), created from Samsung SDI’s OLED business and Samsung Electronics’ mobile display business, started operation in January 2009. SMD had a strong Q1’09, and as a result, it kept the #1 position in shipments with 37 percent market share, followed by RiTdisplay at #2.
OLED manufacturers are planning to make TV panels larger than 11” in 2009; LG Display is mass-producing small-size AMOLED currently, and has announced it will mass-produce 15” AMOLED panel for TV application at the end of 2009. LG Electronics announced that it will commercialize 15” OLED TV for the holiday season (Table 1).
Table 1: AMOLED TVs Planned for the 2009-2010 Holiday Season
Source: DisplaySearch
DisplaySearch also reported that in Q1’09 worldwide active matrix (AM) OLED revenue surpassed passive matrix (PM) OLED for the first time. AMOLED revenue is increasing strongly due to strong mobile phone main display shipments, as Nokia, Samsung Electronics, and Sony Ericsson heavily promoted AMOLED mobile phones in first half of 2009. More than 10 mobile phone models with AMOLED main displays have been released in 2009.
PMOLED has been the revenue leader in the OLED display market, driven by high unit shipments. However, in Q1'09, PMOLED shipments were down significantly due to weakness in MP3 and mobile phone sub-display applications.
“AMOLED displays have become an important differentiating feature for high end electronic products,” noted Jennifer Colegrove, PhD, Director of Display Technologies at DisplaySearch.
“As we forecasted, AMOLED revenue surpassed PMOLED revenue in Q1’09, and AMOLED is likely to pass PMOLEDs in terms of unit shipments in 2010. There will be about 20 new or upgraded AMOLED production lines installed or upgraded worldwide in the next three years,” Colegrove added.
Fig. 1: OLED Display Revenue Forecast
Source: DisplaySearch Q2’09 Quarterly OLED Shipment and Forecast ReportThe company also reported that worldwide OLED display revenue in Q1’09 was $143 million, down 8 percent Q/Q. AMOLED revenues were up 17 percent Q/Q.
Samsung Mobile Display (SMD), created from Samsung SDI’s OLED business and Samsung Electronics’ mobile display business, started operation in January 2009. SMD had a strong Q1’09, and as a result, it kept the #1 position in shipments with 37 percent market share, followed by RiTdisplay at #2.
OLED manufacturers are planning to make TV panels larger than 11” in 2009; LG Display is mass-producing small-size AMOLED currently, and has announced it will mass-produce 15” AMOLED panel for TV application at the end of 2009. LG Electronics announced that it will commercialize 15” OLED TV for the holiday season (Table 1).
Table 1: AMOLED TVs Planned for the 2009-2010 Holiday Season
Source: DisplaySearch
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Kyocera develops industry’s first SAW filter with high selectivity to prevent radio wave interference
JAPAN: Kyocera Corp. has successfully developed two types of compact Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filters — for reception and transmission — that dramatically improve the prevention of radio wave interference in next-generation high-speed wireless communication networks such as WiMAX.
This development creates the first SAW filters in the industry in the high-frequency range of 2.6 GHz to feature high selectivity and low loss characteristics. Samples of the new SAW filters are currently available.
SAW filters are used to separate desired signals in high-frequency bands. The 2.6 GHz range, which is used by diverse communications networks, is a particularly highly congested frequency.
Consequently, these new compact SAW filters were developed to improve usability in order to assure stable communications through the prevention of radio wave interference with other systems in adjacent signals during data transmissions and data communications in next-generation high-speed wireless networks.
Using circuit design, simulation, and microfabrication technologies that have been developed through years of research, Kyocera has achieved a 30 dB typ. attenuation of signals adjacent to 5 MHz-wide bands in the 2.6 GHz range, boasting an insertion loss of only 2.5 dB typ.
This is an industry-first in the development of compact, revolutionary SAW filters for the prevention of radio wave interference.
As high-speed mobile wireless communication networks including WiMAX, Wi-Fi and XG-PHS are expected to show further growth, the demand for SAW filters is also expected to expand due to their effective application in high-speed mobile wireless communication networks and related devices, and wireless measuring instruments such as testers for wireless communications devices.
This development creates the first SAW filters in the industry in the high-frequency range of 2.6 GHz to feature high selectivity and low loss characteristics. Samples of the new SAW filters are currently available.
SAW filters are used to separate desired signals in high-frequency bands. The 2.6 GHz range, which is used by diverse communications networks, is a particularly highly congested frequency.
Consequently, these new compact SAW filters were developed to improve usability in order to assure stable communications through the prevention of radio wave interference with other systems in adjacent signals during data transmissions and data communications in next-generation high-speed wireless networks.
Using circuit design, simulation, and microfabrication technologies that have been developed through years of research, Kyocera has achieved a 30 dB typ. attenuation of signals adjacent to 5 MHz-wide bands in the 2.6 GHz range, boasting an insertion loss of only 2.5 dB typ.
This is an industry-first in the development of compact, revolutionary SAW filters for the prevention of radio wave interference.
As high-speed mobile wireless communication networks including WiMAX, Wi-Fi and XG-PHS are expected to show further growth, the demand for SAW filters is also expected to expand due to their effective application in high-speed mobile wireless communication networks and related devices, and wireless measuring instruments such as testers for wireless communications devices.
LCR's analog brushless DC motor controls ideal for high-reliability apps
NORRISTOWN, USA: LCR Electronics, a leading manufacturer of EMI filters and electronic products as well as high-end enclosures for military, telecom and commercial applications, has released two new analog brushless DC motor controls ideal for use in three-phase brushless DC motors typically found in high-reliability environments.
The cost-effective boards feature simple user interfaces, making the EC105 and low voltage EC107 ideal for portable and space-constrained applications such as commercial tools, appliances and small traction systems.
Each board features a potentiometer for speed command, a toggle switch for direction, and a tact switch for fault reset, which provides precise, variable control of motor speed using the motor's hall effect sensors for feedback.
The EC105 and EC107 from LCR Electronics use a trapezoidal two-quadrant control technique and include soft start, resettable overload detection as well as an optional coating for humid or wet environments.
The analog brushless DC motor control systems operate at a temperature range of 0 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius Introduction of a four-quadrant control version is planned for late 2009.
The EC105 has an input of 120/240 VAC and a 3 A maximum load current, which is upgradable to a maximum of 20 A. Its output is 150/300 VDC. The EC107 has an input of 12/24 VDC and a load current of 5 A maximum, which is also upgradable to a maximum of 20 A.
Both controls offer RoHS compliance, optional EMI compliance, quick turn-around time to get products to market faster and the quality, reliability and competitive pricing included with all LCR Electronics products.
Pricing for an EC105 starts at $75 per unit in quantities of 1,000. Pricing for an EC107 starts at $50 per unit in quantities of 1,000. Delivery is typically eight weeks ARO.
The cost-effective boards feature simple user interfaces, making the EC105 and low voltage EC107 ideal for portable and space-constrained applications such as commercial tools, appliances and small traction systems.
Each board features a potentiometer for speed command, a toggle switch for direction, and a tact switch for fault reset, which provides precise, variable control of motor speed using the motor's hall effect sensors for feedback.
The EC105 and EC107 from LCR Electronics use a trapezoidal two-quadrant control technique and include soft start, resettable overload detection as well as an optional coating for humid or wet environments.
The analog brushless DC motor control systems operate at a temperature range of 0 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius Introduction of a four-quadrant control version is planned for late 2009.
The EC105 has an input of 120/240 VAC and a 3 A maximum load current, which is upgradable to a maximum of 20 A. Its output is 150/300 VDC. The EC107 has an input of 12/24 VDC and a load current of 5 A maximum, which is also upgradable to a maximum of 20 A.
Both controls offer RoHS compliance, optional EMI compliance, quick turn-around time to get products to market faster and the quality, reliability and competitive pricing included with all LCR Electronics products.
Pricing for an EC105 starts at $75 per unit in quantities of 1,000. Pricing for an EC107 starts at $50 per unit in quantities of 1,000. Delivery is typically eight weeks ARO.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Compal selects Teradyne TestStation LH for notebook testing
NORTH READING, USA: Teradyne Inc., the industry’s leading manufacturer of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) test and inspection systems, announced that Compal Electronics Inc., a provider of consumer electronic solutions, has ordered multiple Teradyne TestStation LH in-circuit test systems to test its latest generation high-volume notebook and netbook products.
Compal, a strategic Teradyne customer, relies on the high quality testing capabilities of the TestStation LH to test their advanced PCB technologies. Compal chose TestStation for its next generation Framescan vectorless test technologies and its unique SafeTest protection technologies that allow for safe, accurate and reliable testing of low-voltage components.
The flexibility of TestStation’s scalable test architecture and test solutions also allows Compal to configure the TestStation LH to meet their specific testing needs and satisfy their price/performance requirements.
“Compal is pleased with the exceptional test capabilities, diagnostic accuracy and throughput of the TestStation LH,” said Robert Shyn, vice president of Compal Information (Kunshan) Co. Ltd. “We also appreciate the support and valuable technical assistance that we have received from the Teradyne applications team. We look forward to their continued support in achieving our production goals in 2009 and beyond.”
“Teradyne has built a close working relationship with Compal as they employ the TestStation LH to meet and exceed their high volume, high quality PCB manufacturing requirements,” said Bobby Griffis, marketing director for Teradyne’s Commercial Board Test Group.
Compal, a strategic Teradyne customer, relies on the high quality testing capabilities of the TestStation LH to test their advanced PCB technologies. Compal chose TestStation for its next generation Framescan vectorless test technologies and its unique SafeTest protection technologies that allow for safe, accurate and reliable testing of low-voltage components.
The flexibility of TestStation’s scalable test architecture and test solutions also allows Compal to configure the TestStation LH to meet their specific testing needs and satisfy their price/performance requirements.
“Compal is pleased with the exceptional test capabilities, diagnostic accuracy and throughput of the TestStation LH,” said Robert Shyn, vice president of Compal Information (Kunshan) Co. Ltd. “We also appreciate the support and valuable technical assistance that we have received from the Teradyne applications team. We look forward to their continued support in achieving our production goals in 2009 and beyond.”
“Teradyne has built a close working relationship with Compal as they employ the TestStation LH to meet and exceed their high volume, high quality PCB manufacturing requirements,” said Bobby Griffis, marketing director for Teradyne’s Commercial Board Test Group.
MEMSIC launches out-of-balance (OOB) sensor modules
ANDOVER, USA: MEMSIC Inc., a leading MEMS solution provider, combining proprietary MEMS technology with advanced mixed signal processing and system solutions, released its new family of Out-of-Balance (OOB) Sensor Modules, the MXC62XXXGMW, specifically designed for consumer washing machine applications.
This family of sensors is packaged in a module which is easily assembled onto the outer basket of the washing machine, thereby easing customer’s design-in and test, and the overall reliability of the OOB solution.
Accurate OOB detection and vibration sensing capabilities are some of the most important features needed for more efficient and faster-spinning washing machines.
The characteristics of the load can significantly affect the balance during the course of the wash cycle, and the only way to prevent mechanical problems during the high speed spinning cycle is to detect, assess or even predict possible OOB conditions.
The MXC62XXXGMW family of OOB modules employs state-of-the-art MEMS accelerometers produced by MEMSIC, Inc. The accelerometer is equipped with on-chip mixed signal processing and an I2C bus, allowing the device to be connected directly to a microprocessor, eliminating the need for A/D converters or timing resources.
The MEMSIC accelerometer data accurately reflects the OOB condition of the washing machine’s outer basket. Washing machine developers are thereby able to detect the existence of a basket OOB condition and take further action to correct it, which may include a manual alarm system or an automatic re-balance operation.
Since the MXC62XXXGMW is based on MEMSIC’s proprietary heat convection design, which does not use a moving mass inside the chip, it is inherently more reliable than other sensor technologies in the harsh vibration and EMI environment of a washing machine. The reliability of the MXC62XXXGMW has been proven in production with MEMSIC’s lead customer for this family of modules.
The MXC62XXXGMW is available immediately.
This family of sensors is packaged in a module which is easily assembled onto the outer basket of the washing machine, thereby easing customer’s design-in and test, and the overall reliability of the OOB solution.
Accurate OOB detection and vibration sensing capabilities are some of the most important features needed for more efficient and faster-spinning washing machines.
The characteristics of the load can significantly affect the balance during the course of the wash cycle, and the only way to prevent mechanical problems during the high speed spinning cycle is to detect, assess or even predict possible OOB conditions.
The MXC62XXXGMW family of OOB modules employs state-of-the-art MEMS accelerometers produced by MEMSIC, Inc. The accelerometer is equipped with on-chip mixed signal processing and an I2C bus, allowing the device to be connected directly to a microprocessor, eliminating the need for A/D converters or timing resources.
The MEMSIC accelerometer data accurately reflects the OOB condition of the washing machine’s outer basket. Washing machine developers are thereby able to detect the existence of a basket OOB condition and take further action to correct it, which may include a manual alarm system or an automatic re-balance operation.
Since the MXC62XXXGMW is based on MEMSIC’s proprietary heat convection design, which does not use a moving mass inside the chip, it is inherently more reliable than other sensor technologies in the harsh vibration and EMI environment of a washing machine. The reliability of the MXC62XXXGMW has been proven in production with MEMSIC’s lead customer for this family of modules.
The MXC62XXXGMW is available immediately.
Gwangju joins Cree LED City program
GWANGJU, SOUTH KOREA: Cree Inc. announced that Gwangju, South Korea, is the first city in South Korea to join the LED City initiative, an international program that promotes the deployment of energy-efficient LED lighting.
Gwangju, South Korea's center for the advancement of photonics, is home to 180 companies that were formed to research, develop and commercialize LED lighting products.
A wide variety of LED light fixtures illuminate the Kimdeajung Convention Center, World Photonics EXPO 2009, KEMCO Honam Energy & Climate Change Center, and the Gwangju Metropolitan City underground parking lot.
By replacing fixtures from parking indicator lights to streetlights, the city calculates that the highly-efficient LED lights are expected to use approximately 30 percent less energy than current fluorescent lamps, which could save the city up to 234,000 kWh and reduce carbon emissions by as much as 8,465 kg annually.
Gwangju will highlight its LED lighting installations and participation in the LED City program when it hosts the World Photonics Expo later this year from October 9 to November 5.
Expo participants and visitors will be encouraged to visit LED lighting sites to experience this new, energy-efficient technology first-hand and to learn more about deploying LED lighting in their own cities.
"We are excited to showcase LED lighting throughout our city," said Mayor Park Kwang-Tae. "A tremendous amount of investment and effort has been put toward various photonics industry technologies locally, and we are proud to demonstrate the energy and maintenance cost savings that can be gained with LED lighting.
"Through our participation in the LED City program we hope to help other cities throughout the world adopt LED lighting and to draw attention to the high-quality LED lighting products produced here in South Korea."
"It is especially satisfying to see our LED lighting products being installed here for the benefit of our fellow citizens," said Dr. EunYoung Yu, president of Korea Photonics Technology Institute. "For the last eight years, we have worked to develop the highest quality LED lights. Our goal is to bring this highly energy efficient and low-maintenance technology to neighborhoods, offices, schools and public places throughout South Korea."
LED City
The LED City is an expanding community of government and industry parties working to evaluate, deploy and promote LED lighting technology across the full range of municipal infrastructure to:
* Save energy
* Protect the environment
* Reduce maintenance costs
* Provide better light quality for improved visibility and safety.
According to the US Department of Energy, approximately 20 percent of electricity used in the world powers lighting. In a world with soaring energy prices based on the availability and control of fossil fuels, and with growing concern about sustainability of the environment, a revolution in lighting is long overdue.
Participants include Raleigh, NC; Ann Arbor, MI; Austin, TX; Anchorage, AK; Tianjian, China; Torraca, Italy; Toronto and Welland, ON; Indian Wells, CA.
Gwangju, South Korea's center for the advancement of photonics, is home to 180 companies that were formed to research, develop and commercialize LED lighting products.
A wide variety of LED light fixtures illuminate the Kimdeajung Convention Center, World Photonics EXPO 2009, KEMCO Honam Energy & Climate Change Center, and the Gwangju Metropolitan City underground parking lot.
By replacing fixtures from parking indicator lights to streetlights, the city calculates that the highly-efficient LED lights are expected to use approximately 30 percent less energy than current fluorescent lamps, which could save the city up to 234,000 kWh and reduce carbon emissions by as much as 8,465 kg annually.
Gwangju will highlight its LED lighting installations and participation in the LED City program when it hosts the World Photonics Expo later this year from October 9 to November 5.
Expo participants and visitors will be encouraged to visit LED lighting sites to experience this new, energy-efficient technology first-hand and to learn more about deploying LED lighting in their own cities.
"We are excited to showcase LED lighting throughout our city," said Mayor Park Kwang-Tae. "A tremendous amount of investment and effort has been put toward various photonics industry technologies locally, and we are proud to demonstrate the energy and maintenance cost savings that can be gained with LED lighting.
"Through our participation in the LED City program we hope to help other cities throughout the world adopt LED lighting and to draw attention to the high-quality LED lighting products produced here in South Korea."
"It is especially satisfying to see our LED lighting products being installed here for the benefit of our fellow citizens," said Dr. EunYoung Yu, president of Korea Photonics Technology Institute. "For the last eight years, we have worked to develop the highest quality LED lights. Our goal is to bring this highly energy efficient and low-maintenance technology to neighborhoods, offices, schools and public places throughout South Korea."
LED City
The LED City is an expanding community of government and industry parties working to evaluate, deploy and promote LED lighting technology across the full range of municipal infrastructure to:
* Save energy
* Protect the environment
* Reduce maintenance costs
* Provide better light quality for improved visibility and safety.
According to the US Department of Energy, approximately 20 percent of electricity used in the world powers lighting. In a world with soaring energy prices based on the availability and control of fossil fuels, and with growing concern about sustainability of the environment, a revolution in lighting is long overdue.
Participants include Raleigh, NC; Ann Arbor, MI; Austin, TX; Anchorage, AK; Tianjian, China; Torraca, Italy; Toronto and Welland, ON; Indian Wells, CA.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Carmanah, frog design to intro next-gen solar-LED area lights
VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA: Carmanah Technologies has signed an agreement with frog design inc. to introduce the next benchmark in solar-LED area lighting.
Established in 1969, frog design is a global innovation firm that has pioneered some of the world’s most groundbreaking designs for trendsetting companies such as Apple, Disney, HP, Louis Vuitton, Logitech, Microsoft, and Sony.
"Exploring the possibilities for the next generation of solar powered lighting is an exciting design challenge,” noted Doreen Lorenzo, president of frog design. “Alternative energy solutions are a big part of the future of the field of innovation. We’re excited to be partnering with industry leaders like Carmanah.”
Built on nearly two decades of experience developing self-contained solar-LED lanterns and beacons for the marine and aviation industries, Carmanah’s solar-powered street, parking lot and pathway lights help businesses and communities introduce outdoor area lighting wherever it’s needed, without trenching, cabling, grid access, or a monthly utility bill.
With more than a quarter of a million units deployed, Carmanah products are widely used and recognized around the world for durability, performance and dependability — operating safely and reliably in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
For this significant new product, Carmanah is committed to introducing a trend-setting design that incorporates the unique benefits of today’s photovoltaic, LED and lighting technology. “With solar energy more attractive than ever, I believe our technology is fast approaching the tipping point between industry innovation and widespread acceptance,” said Ted Lattimore, Carmanah CEO.
“Thanks to the amazing capabilities of today’s solar-LED technology, solar-LED lighting can offer convenience without compromise — as an affordable, high-performance alternative to traditional wired systems. Today’s high-output LEDs produce more light for less power, so batteries, panels and support structures can be smaller and lighter than ever before,” said Lattimore.
“That’s why we’re so excited to work with the creative professionals at frog design; together we can deliver a powerful new lighting alternative that’s high performance, low maintenance, and great looking — day or night.”
Established in 1969, frog design is a global innovation firm that has pioneered some of the world’s most groundbreaking designs for trendsetting companies such as Apple, Disney, HP, Louis Vuitton, Logitech, Microsoft, and Sony.
"Exploring the possibilities for the next generation of solar powered lighting is an exciting design challenge,” noted Doreen Lorenzo, president of frog design. “Alternative energy solutions are a big part of the future of the field of innovation. We’re excited to be partnering with industry leaders like Carmanah.”
Built on nearly two decades of experience developing self-contained solar-LED lanterns and beacons for the marine and aviation industries, Carmanah’s solar-powered street, parking lot and pathway lights help businesses and communities introduce outdoor area lighting wherever it’s needed, without trenching, cabling, grid access, or a monthly utility bill.
With more than a quarter of a million units deployed, Carmanah products are widely used and recognized around the world for durability, performance and dependability — operating safely and reliably in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
For this significant new product, Carmanah is committed to introducing a trend-setting design that incorporates the unique benefits of today’s photovoltaic, LED and lighting technology. “With solar energy more attractive than ever, I believe our technology is fast approaching the tipping point between industry innovation and widespread acceptance,” said Ted Lattimore, Carmanah CEO.
“Thanks to the amazing capabilities of today’s solar-LED technology, solar-LED lighting can offer convenience without compromise — as an affordable, high-performance alternative to traditional wired systems. Today’s high-output LEDs produce more light for less power, so batteries, panels and support structures can be smaller and lighter than ever before,” said Lattimore.
“That’s why we’re so excited to work with the creative professionals at frog design; together we can deliver a powerful new lighting alternative that’s high performance, low maintenance, and great looking — day or night.”
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Disruption in micro materials processing market opens opportunities for laser suppliers
MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA: Sales of lasers for low-power materials processing has fallen by 40 percent in 2009, but sales will grow to exceed $460 million by 2013.
While the market appears at first to be merely scaling to the world economy, it is also likely to disrupt mark et share in many segments, in a game of musical chairs. These are some of the conclusions of a new report from Strategies Unlimited.
The strongest growth will be in fiber lasers, diode lasers, green lasers, m ode-locked (ultrafast) lasers, and lasers for manufacturing solar cells. All segments will see some growth beginning in 2010, but there will be more shuffling of technologies and suppliers than is first apparent, given the evolving situation in these segments.
Coherent, Rofin-Sinar, and GSI Group (including the revenues for Excel Technology for all of 2008) are at the top of the list in last year’s market share. This is because of the highly fragmented nature of the market.
These companies have strong shares in more than one laser technology in this low-power category, while many companies are highly concentrated in just one, or their sa les are split across other application areas not counted in this study.
While the market appears at first to be merely scaling to the world economy, it is also likely to disrupt mark et share in many segments, in a game of musical chairs. These are some of the conclusions of a new report from Strategies Unlimited.
The strongest growth will be in fiber lasers, diode lasers, green lasers, m ode-locked (ultrafast) lasers, and lasers for manufacturing solar cells. All segments will see some growth beginning in 2010, but there will be more shuffling of technologies and suppliers than is first apparent, given the evolving situation in these segments.
Coherent, Rofin-Sinar, and GSI Group (including the revenues for Excel Technology for all of 2008) are at the top of the list in last year’s market share. This is because of the highly fragmented nature of the market.
These companies have strong shares in more than one laser technology in this low-power category, while many companies are highly concentrated in just one, or their sa les are split across other application areas not counted in this study.
Pickering Interfaces intros high density LXI 2 pole matrices
CLACTON ON SEA, UK: Pickering Interfaces is expanding its range of customer focused LXI switch matrices with the introduction of the 60-555 high density 512x8 2-pole EMR (electromechanical relay) Matrix and 60-556 high density 512x4 2-pole EMR Matrix.
The 60-555 and 60-556 provide a compact solution for applications requiring 8 Y and 4Y axis connections and 2 pole switching. The new LXI matrices occupy just 1U of a rack height in a test system.
With a 2A current rating and a voltage rating 300Vdc/250VAC the matrix is capable of handling the most commonly encountered signals in ATE systems. The X axis dimension can be selected from a range of 6 versions offering sizes from, 192 to 512 for each model.
The 60-555/6 user connections are provided by 160 pin DIN41612 plugs which are fully supported by the range of Pickering Interfaces cable and connector accessories, further simplifying customer integration requirements.
The product expands the range of 60-550 series matrices from Pickering Interfaces that feature x4 to x64 Y axis dimensions by adding 2 pole switching options to the range.
The 60-555 and 60-556 provide a compact solution for applications requiring 8 Y and 4Y axis connections and 2 pole switching. The new LXI matrices occupy just 1U of a rack height in a test system. With a 2A current rating and a voltage rating 300Vdc/250VAC the matrix is capable of handling the most commonly encountered signals in ATE systems. The X axis dimension can be selected from a range of 6 versions offering sizes from, 192 to 512 for each model.
The 60-555/6 user connections are provided by 160 pin DIN41612 plugs which are fully supported by the range of Pickering Interfaces cable and connector accessories, further simplifying customer integration requirements.
The product expands the range of 60-550 series matrices from Pickering Interfaces that feature x4 to x64 Y axis dimensions by adding 2 pole switching options to the range.
High growth rates for LED replacement lamp market
MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA: Market conditions are right for the LED replacement lamp market to accelerate in the next few years, according to a new market report by Strategies Unlimited.
Dramatic improvements in commercially available LED performance in recent years, as well as significant cost reduction, has made it feasible to design LED lamps to offer comparable lumen output and to compete with other established lighting technologies on the basis of cost of ownership.
The market is in a state of flux as utilities, energy efficiency organizations and customers look for optimum solutions which save energy, minimize the cost of ownership, and give acceptable quality of light. Customers are in the process of being educated about comparing cost of ownership rather than the initial price of lamps.
Regulations in Europe will ban the 100W incandescent clear glass lamp starting in September 2009, and will progressively ban all inefficient incandescent lamps by 2012 and all incandescent lamps by 2016. The Energy Information and Security Act of 2007 began the process of restricting the sale of inefficient lamps in the US.
By 2012, with a few exceptions, inefficient incandescent lamps cannot be sold. Although the awareness of these regulations is still weak in the marketplace, they will create market opportunities for LED replacement lamps. Recognizing the potential of LED technology to save energy, policy makers have been supporting the research and development of LED technology and helping its commercialization.
In the short run, while LED replacement lamps become a viable alternative, regulators are encouraging compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). However, over the next five years, the advantages of LED technology over CFL will become recognized, especially with respect to the quality of light, dimmability, controllability, lamp life and environmental cost of ownership. Some well-designed LED lamps already offer effective lumen efficacies that compete with CFLs.
The commercial and industrial segments will embrace LEDs to control costs and save energy. The LED lamps will be used for directed light applications, in hard-to-reach places and where the cost of re placement is very high. Although the market for LED replacement lamps is still in its early stages of development, the lamp revenues are forecast to grow at a CAGR of 107 percent through 2013.
Dramatic improvements in commercially available LED performance in recent years, as well as significant cost reduction, has made it feasible to design LED lamps to offer comparable lumen output and to compete with other established lighting technologies on the basis of cost of ownership.
The market is in a state of flux as utilities, energy efficiency organizations and customers look for optimum solutions which save energy, minimize the cost of ownership, and give acceptable quality of light. Customers are in the process of being educated about comparing cost of ownership rather than the initial price of lamps.
Regulations in Europe will ban the 100W incandescent clear glass lamp starting in September 2009, and will progressively ban all inefficient incandescent lamps by 2012 and all incandescent lamps by 2016. The Energy Information and Security Act of 2007 began the process of restricting the sale of inefficient lamps in the US.
By 2012, with a few exceptions, inefficient incandescent lamps cannot be sold. Although the awareness of these regulations is still weak in the marketplace, they will create market opportunities for LED replacement lamps. Recognizing the potential of LED technology to save energy, policy makers have been supporting the research and development of LED technology and helping its commercialization.
In the short run, while LED replacement lamps become a viable alternative, regulators are encouraging compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). However, over the next five years, the advantages of LED technology over CFL will become recognized, especially with respect to the quality of light, dimmability, controllability, lamp life and environmental cost of ownership. Some well-designed LED lamps already offer effective lumen efficacies that compete with CFLs.
The commercial and industrial segments will embrace LEDs to control costs and save energy. The LED lamps will be used for directed light applications, in hard-to-reach places and where the cost of re placement is very high. Although the market for LED replacement lamps is still in its early stages of development, the lamp revenues are forecast to grow at a CAGR of 107 percent through 2013.
What is drving market for electrical motors in automotive?
WELLINGBOROUGH, UK: Light vehicles are an important market for suppliers of electrical motors. According to a new report from IMS Research, the average vehicle featured over 30 electrical motors in 2008. In the same year, 66 million vehicles were produced.
Overall, the market for electrical motors in automotive applications is forecast to grow at an average rate of around 7 percent over the next seven years (although the market will shrink in 2009 as the downturn will mean lower vehicle production volumes). However, the report finds that demand for electrical motors in some applications will grow much faster than the average rate.
So, which applications will drive growth? According to report author, Jon Cropley: "A range of powertrain applications are becoming more common and this is partly due to stricter standards on emissions and fuel economy. Many of these powertrain applications use electrical motors. Examples include exhaust gas recirculation valves, dual-clutch transmissions, automated manual transmissions and electric power steering systems."
IMS Research forecasts the market for motors in electric power steering systems will grow by an average of over 12 percent a year, over the next seven years.
The trend to hybrid and electric vehicles is also driving growth in demand for motors. Motors are required for vehicle propulsion, for the air conditioning compressor pump and, in hybrids, for engine cooling pumps.
Many convenience and comfort applications that use electrical motors are also becoming more popular, bolstering the growth of sales for electrical motors, particularly those applications using multiple motors. One example is hard-top electric roof systems and these tend to feature around six motors.
Another example is climate control systems which use motors for controlling air mix doors. Furthermore, climate control systems are becoming advanced. Some of them feature automatically moving air outlet grilles. Some high-end vehicles now also feature a separate climate control system in the rear of the vehicle.
Not that the market for motors in every type of automotive application is growing. Demand is stagnant for some; for others, motor suppliers are only able to charge commodity prices. Nevertheless, the report finds that there are opportunities. Suppliers just need to have the right products for the right applications.
Overall, the market for electrical motors in automotive applications is forecast to grow at an average rate of around 7 percent over the next seven years (although the market will shrink in 2009 as the downturn will mean lower vehicle production volumes). However, the report finds that demand for electrical motors in some applications will grow much faster than the average rate.
So, which applications will drive growth? According to report author, Jon Cropley: "A range of powertrain applications are becoming more common and this is partly due to stricter standards on emissions and fuel economy. Many of these powertrain applications use electrical motors. Examples include exhaust gas recirculation valves, dual-clutch transmissions, automated manual transmissions and electric power steering systems."
IMS Research forecasts the market for motors in electric power steering systems will grow by an average of over 12 percent a year, over the next seven years.
The trend to hybrid and electric vehicles is also driving growth in demand for motors. Motors are required for vehicle propulsion, for the air conditioning compressor pump and, in hybrids, for engine cooling pumps.
Many convenience and comfort applications that use electrical motors are also becoming more popular, bolstering the growth of sales for electrical motors, particularly those applications using multiple motors. One example is hard-top electric roof systems and these tend to feature around six motors.
Another example is climate control systems which use motors for controlling air mix doors. Furthermore, climate control systems are becoming advanced. Some of them feature automatically moving air outlet grilles. Some high-end vehicles now also feature a separate climate control system in the rear of the vehicle.
Not that the market for motors in every type of automotive application is growing. Demand is stagnant for some; for others, motor suppliers are only able to charge commodity prices. Nevertheless, the report finds that there are opportunities. Suppliers just need to have the right products for the right applications.
Trip or blip for circuit breaker market in 2009?
WELLINGBOROUGH, UK: It is forecast to be a tough year for the low voltage products market in North America. According to IMS Research, the market for moulded case (MCCB) and power circuit breakers is expected to decline from $1163.6 million in 2008 to $1035.6 million in 2009, a contraction of 11 percent.
The long term outlook is for the market to return to growth in the region of 3% per year; however, the period of recovery is expected to be prolonged.
While 2009 is already proving to be a difficult year for circuit breaker suppliers, the MCCB and power breaker markets are affected differently by the downturn.
The collapse in the construction industry began in 2007 over a year before that of industrial production. This had the greater impact on the MCCB market leading to a drop in this market, beginning in 2007.
However, recovery in the construction industry, particularly in areas such as commercial buildings, is expected to lead to an upturn in the MCCB market in 2010.
The power breaker market has lagged the MCCB market, with growth remaining positive in 2008, buoyed by the greater proportion of sales into heavy industry, such as oil and mining. These industries were more resistant to the onset of the downturn.
However, recovery of the market is also lagging that of the general economy and growth is forecast to be negative through 2010, although it is expected to return to around 3 percent by 2012.
The long term outlook is for the market to return to growth in the region of 3% per year; however, the period of recovery is expected to be prolonged.
While 2009 is already proving to be a difficult year for circuit breaker suppliers, the MCCB and power breaker markets are affected differently by the downturn.
The collapse in the construction industry began in 2007 over a year before that of industrial production. This had the greater impact on the MCCB market leading to a drop in this market, beginning in 2007.
However, recovery in the construction industry, particularly in areas such as commercial buildings, is expected to lead to an upturn in the MCCB market in 2010.
The power breaker market has lagged the MCCB market, with growth remaining positive in 2008, buoyed by the greater proportion of sales into heavy industry, such as oil and mining. These industries were more resistant to the onset of the downturn.
However, recovery of the market is also lagging that of the general economy and growth is forecast to be negative through 2010, although it is expected to return to around 3 percent by 2012.
New antenna technologies crucial to future of cellular
BOSTON, USA: “Antennas for Mobile Devices: New Technologies, New Opportunities,” from the Strategy Analytics RF & Wireless Component market research service, explores new antenna technologies and the companies helping to avert an impending crisis in cellphone antennas.
Christopher Taylor, Director of the RF and Wireless Components service and author of the report, stated: “Future cellular devices will have to handle seven or more primary cellular bands, diversity antennas, and three or more bands for connectivity peripherals, placing difficult performance demands on cellular antennas -- among these, the need for several small antennas placed in close proximity to each other and the users’ head and hand.
"Device makers hope to avert an antenna crisis by teaming with antenna specialists, such as Laird, Tyco, Pulse, Ethertronics and Skycross, to make use of new antenna technologies that will include tunable and active antennas. If successful, these technologies and companies will help propel the market for antennas for wireless mobile devices to more than 5 billion units in 2014.”
Asif Anwar, Director of the GaAs and High Speed Semiconductor service, added, “As outlined in the report, the new antenna technologies will add a new dimension to the cellular RF front business, affecting power amp, switch-module, filter and chipset suppliers, as well as the way OEMs do business.”
Christopher Taylor, Director of the RF and Wireless Components service and author of the report, stated: “Future cellular devices will have to handle seven or more primary cellular bands, diversity antennas, and three or more bands for connectivity peripherals, placing difficult performance demands on cellular antennas -- among these, the need for several small antennas placed in close proximity to each other and the users’ head and hand.
"Device makers hope to avert an antenna crisis by teaming with antenna specialists, such as Laird, Tyco, Pulse, Ethertronics and Skycross, to make use of new antenna technologies that will include tunable and active antennas. If successful, these technologies and companies will help propel the market for antennas for wireless mobile devices to more than 5 billion units in 2014.”
Asif Anwar, Director of the GaAs and High Speed Semiconductor service, added, “As outlined in the report, the new antenna technologies will add a new dimension to the cellular RF front business, affecting power amp, switch-module, filter and chipset suppliers, as well as the way OEMs do business.”
austriamicrosystems unveils low noise 650mA DC-DC buck regulator
UNTERPREMSTAETTEN, AUSTRIA: austriamicrosystems, a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, launched the AS1339 step down regulator.
High efficiency and tiny packaging make the AS1339 ideal for multiband WCDMA/NCDMA applications, such as cellular handsets, wireless PDAs, and smart phones.
The AS1339 delivers up to 650mA from an input voltage range of 2.7 to 5.5V making the device ideal for single Li-Ion cells. To improve battery lifetime low power RF amplifiers can scale the output power dynamically by changing its supply voltage.
To support this, the output voltage of the AS1339 is dynamically controlled using an external analogue input signal. Additionally, the extremely fast 30µs settling time of the output voltage ensures CDMA-specifications are not exceeded.
The AS1339 housed in a 2x2mm WL-CSP is designed for minimal space requirements in size restricted battery powered applications such as mobile phones and other portable wireless end equipment.
The 2MHz fixed switching frequency minimizes the PCB footprint by allowing the use of tiny low profile inductors and capacitors. This constant frequency switching results in low predictable output noise which is additionally reduced by the internal noise reduction circuitry.
“Power efficiency combined with reduced external component size and cost is the key behind the AS1339 buck converter,” said Bruce Ulrich, marketing director Standard Linear at austriamicrosystems.” austriamicrosystems’ AS1339 is the perfect symbiosis between efficiency and analog performance. Thanks to its small size and fast switching speed only a minimum of PCB space is required. Combined with the unique low noise circuitry this part is the way to go for high efficiency RF PA designs.”
With 97 percent peak efficiency the AS1339 boosts battery lifetime in any application. Supporting 1.1A of peak current, the integrated 110m Ohm bypass FET provides maximum power with minimum dropout under even low-battery conditions.
The AS1339 enters bypass mode automatically during high power transmissions. The AS1339 also integrates two 10mA low-noise, high-PSRR LDO’s, making them ideal for PA biasing. Each LDO features a separate enable, provides high output voltage accuracy, and requires only 10nF of output capacitance.
Moreover if the supply is not required, for example mobile phone in-flight mode, the AS1339 offers a 100nA shutdown mode combined with an output disconnect feature. Additional features are soft start and safety features such as current overload and thermal shutdown protection.
The AS1339 is available in the tiny 2x2mm WL-CSP 16-bumps covering the industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.
High efficiency and tiny packaging make the AS1339 ideal for multiband WCDMA/NCDMA applications, such as cellular handsets, wireless PDAs, and smart phones.
The AS1339 delivers up to 650mA from an input voltage range of 2.7 to 5.5V making the device ideal for single Li-Ion cells. To improve battery lifetime low power RF amplifiers can scale the output power dynamically by changing its supply voltage.
To support this, the output voltage of the AS1339 is dynamically controlled using an external analogue input signal. Additionally, the extremely fast 30µs settling time of the output voltage ensures CDMA-specifications are not exceeded.
The AS1339 housed in a 2x2mm WL-CSP is designed for minimal space requirements in size restricted battery powered applications such as mobile phones and other portable wireless end equipment.
The 2MHz fixed switching frequency minimizes the PCB footprint by allowing the use of tiny low profile inductors and capacitors. This constant frequency switching results in low predictable output noise which is additionally reduced by the internal noise reduction circuitry.
“Power efficiency combined with reduced external component size and cost is the key behind the AS1339 buck converter,” said Bruce Ulrich, marketing director Standard Linear at austriamicrosystems.” austriamicrosystems’ AS1339 is the perfect symbiosis between efficiency and analog performance. Thanks to its small size and fast switching speed only a minimum of PCB space is required. Combined with the unique low noise circuitry this part is the way to go for high efficiency RF PA designs.”
With 97 percent peak efficiency the AS1339 boosts battery lifetime in any application. Supporting 1.1A of peak current, the integrated 110m Ohm bypass FET provides maximum power with minimum dropout under even low-battery conditions.
The AS1339 enters bypass mode automatically during high power transmissions. The AS1339 also integrates two 10mA low-noise, high-PSRR LDO’s, making them ideal for PA biasing. Each LDO features a separate enable, provides high output voltage accuracy, and requires only 10nF of output capacitance.
Moreover if the supply is not required, for example mobile phone in-flight mode, the AS1339 offers a 100nA shutdown mode combined with an output disconnect feature. Additional features are soft start and safety features such as current overload and thermal shutdown protection.
The AS1339 is available in the tiny 2x2mm WL-CSP 16-bumps covering the industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Global next-gen display market worth $16.9 billion by 2014
WILMINGTON, USA: According to a new market research report, Global Next-Generation Display Market (2009-2014), published by MarketsandMarkets, the total global next-generation display market is expected to be worth $16.9 billion by 2014, out of which the Asia market will account for nearly 42 percent of the total revenues,
The global market is expected to record a CAGR of 20 percent from 2009 to 2014.
Environmental concerns are driving the need for greener and low-power-consuming display systems. Efficient and advanced display systems with enhanced image quality and lower power consumption is the need of the hour.
In the next-generation display market, 2D one sided display market is the largest segment; and is expected to reach $8.4 billion by 2014 at a CAGR of 11.5 percent.
The high market size of 2D one sided display is mainly due to its low power consumption and applicability in wide range of applications such as industrial, advertisement and public information, entertainment and consumer electronics. The touch screen display market is estimated to be $2.3 billion in 2014.
Low labor cost and early initiatives have made Asia the dominant player in the next-generation display market. In 2009, the market share is estimated to be 52 percent with a size of $3.7 billion.
Furthermore, Asia's large LED and OLED supplier-base also helps in making the manufacturing of these displays cost effective.
Europe is expected to have the second-highest market for next-generation displays. However, large consumer base of next-generation display devices in the US and Europe makes them the most attractive market for display components and device manufacturers.
The global market is expected to record a CAGR of 20 percent from 2009 to 2014.
Environmental concerns are driving the need for greener and low-power-consuming display systems. Efficient and advanced display systems with enhanced image quality and lower power consumption is the need of the hour.
In the next-generation display market, 2D one sided display market is the largest segment; and is expected to reach $8.4 billion by 2014 at a CAGR of 11.5 percent.
The high market size of 2D one sided display is mainly due to its low power consumption and applicability in wide range of applications such as industrial, advertisement and public information, entertainment and consumer electronics. The touch screen display market is estimated to be $2.3 billion in 2014.
Low labor cost and early initiatives have made Asia the dominant player in the next-generation display market. In 2009, the market share is estimated to be 52 percent with a size of $3.7 billion.
Furthermore, Asia's large LED and OLED supplier-base also helps in making the manufacturing of these displays cost effective.
Europe is expected to have the second-highest market for next-generation displays. However, large consumer base of next-generation display devices in the US and Europe makes them the most attractive market for display components and device manufacturers.
NEAH presents fuel cell prototype to military and civilian energy sectors
BOTHELL, USA: NEAH Power Systems will present its disruptive and unique methanol-nitric fuel cell, funded by the Office of Naval Research, at the 11th Electrochemical Power Sources R&D Symposium beginning today in Baltimore, MD.
Attendees include representatives from all branches of the military, as well as many leaders from the civilian energy sector.
Dr. Tsali Cross, VP of Engineering at NEAH Power, will describe NEAH's Development and characterization of porous silicon based methanol-nitric fuel cell prototype systems for portable military applications at the Power Sources Symposium. The presentation summarizes NEAH's research and development on anaerobic fuel cells.
"We are very grateful to the ONR for their generous support of the anaerobic direct methanol fuel cell project over the past year and we are happy to showcase our findings at this prestigious conference. The anaerobic fuel cell system will serve as the foundation for numerous fuel cell products," Dr. Chris D'Couto, NEAH's President and Chief Executive Officer, noted.
Attendees include representatives from all branches of the military, as well as many leaders from the civilian energy sector.
Dr. Tsali Cross, VP of Engineering at NEAH Power, will describe NEAH's Development and characterization of porous silicon based methanol-nitric fuel cell prototype systems for portable military applications at the Power Sources Symposium. The presentation summarizes NEAH's research and development on anaerobic fuel cells.
"We are very grateful to the ONR for their generous support of the anaerobic direct methanol fuel cell project over the past year and we are happy to showcase our findings at this prestigious conference. The anaerobic fuel cell system will serve as the foundation for numerous fuel cell products," Dr. Chris D'Couto, NEAH's President and Chief Executive Officer, noted.
Spurred by demand LED output returns to last year’s benchmark
TAIPEI, TAIWAN: According to the industry research institute LEDinside, in June 2009, Taiwan’s listed LED manufacturers recorded total revenue of NT$565.2 billion a 9.5 percent growth compared to NT$516 billion in May (+4.7 percent YoY). Considering the past experience, the demand for the hot season is likely to extend through September and October.
LED chip makers’ total revenue amounted to NT$2.453 billion, up by 13.9 percent MoM in June; and LED packagers posted NT$3.198 billion in revenue, a 6.4 percent growth MoM.
Source: LEDInside
Based on LEDinside's observation of the market dynamics, current order visibility is at approximately four weeks. As for upstream chip makers, Blu-ray chips are still in tight supply. Judging from the rate of production ramp up from upstream manufacturers, Blu-ray chip short supply is not likely to ease until the end of the year.
Meanwhile, as downstream LED packagers have entered into the traditionally hot season, demand for conventional cell phone and Smartphone handsets expanded. The introduction of new LED NB models will continue to push up the demand for LED backlighting
In June, the total revenue of Taiwan’s LED chip makers was up by a whopping 13.9 percent MoM to NT$2.453 billion, (YoY -25.7 percent). As for the individual players, spurred by LED TV orders, upstream chip makers such Epistar and FOREPI posted revenues that surpassed the performance level of the same time last year.
Epistar's Blu-ray and high-brightness quaternion are currently running at full utilization, while the conventional quaternion utilization is still maintained at around 70 percent.
As a result of the fully-loaded utilization of Blu-ray, revenue growth in June is primarily generated from May’s deferred shipments. FOREPI recorded NT$168 million in revenue, up by 4 percent MoM, with its 27 existing MOCVD utilization close to 100%; its June09 revenue paralleled the standard of last year.
Downstream LED packagers posted total sales revenue of NT$3.199 billion (up by 6.6 percent MoM and 7.7 percent YoY). Packaging output has surpassed that of May08. Thanks to robust demand from the lighting sector, medium- and large-sized backlight, various packagers such as Edison, Ledtech, Unity Opto and Light House Tech celebrated significant revenue growth.
Source: LEDInside
Leading packager Everlight maintained at NT$908 million; encouraged by the high demand level in the traditionally hot season, its monthly revenue may return to the NT$ 1 billion mark. Edison Opto also posted NT$150 million in revenue, up by 15 percent MoM, and a whopping 60 percent growth compared to the same time last year.
The outstanding performance is mainly attributed to increasing LED streetlamp demand, the 1W and 3W high-power LED shipments; total revenue hit a record high.
LED chip makers’ total revenue amounted to NT$2.453 billion, up by 13.9 percent MoM in June; and LED packagers posted NT$3.198 billion in revenue, a 6.4 percent growth MoM.
Source: LEDInsideBased on LEDinside's observation of the market dynamics, current order visibility is at approximately four weeks. As for upstream chip makers, Blu-ray chips are still in tight supply. Judging from the rate of production ramp up from upstream manufacturers, Blu-ray chip short supply is not likely to ease until the end of the year.
Meanwhile, as downstream LED packagers have entered into the traditionally hot season, demand for conventional cell phone and Smartphone handsets expanded. The introduction of new LED NB models will continue to push up the demand for LED backlighting
In June, the total revenue of Taiwan’s LED chip makers was up by a whopping 13.9 percent MoM to NT$2.453 billion, (YoY -25.7 percent). As for the individual players, spurred by LED TV orders, upstream chip makers such Epistar and FOREPI posted revenues that surpassed the performance level of the same time last year.
Epistar's Blu-ray and high-brightness quaternion are currently running at full utilization, while the conventional quaternion utilization is still maintained at around 70 percent.
As a result of the fully-loaded utilization of Blu-ray, revenue growth in June is primarily generated from May’s deferred shipments. FOREPI recorded NT$168 million in revenue, up by 4 percent MoM, with its 27 existing MOCVD utilization close to 100%; its June09 revenue paralleled the standard of last year.
Downstream LED packagers posted total sales revenue of NT$3.199 billion (up by 6.6 percent MoM and 7.7 percent YoY). Packaging output has surpassed that of May08. Thanks to robust demand from the lighting sector, medium- and large-sized backlight, various packagers such as Edison, Ledtech, Unity Opto and Light House Tech celebrated significant revenue growth.
Source: LEDInsideLeading packager Everlight maintained at NT$908 million; encouraged by the high demand level in the traditionally hot season, its monthly revenue may return to the NT$ 1 billion mark. Edison Opto also posted NT$150 million in revenue, up by 15 percent MoM, and a whopping 60 percent growth compared to the same time last year.
The outstanding performance is mainly attributed to increasing LED streetlamp demand, the 1W and 3W high-power LED shipments; total revenue hit a record high.
Enpirion’s DC-DC converters redefine low-power switching
BRIDGEWATER, USA: Enpirion announced the availability of two feature-rich voltage mode synchronous buck DC-DC converters: the 6A EN5364 and the 9A EN5394.
These low-power switch-mode converters are complete power systems on a chip (PwrSoC), achieving up to 93 percent efficiency and integrating the inductor, power switches, gate drive, controller, and loop compensation, all in tiny 8 mm x 11 mm x 1.85 mm packages.
The 9A EN5394 sets a new standard in power density by delivering 100 Watts per square inch (15 Watts per square centimeter).
Leading OEMs have widely adopted this technology and are already designing with Enpirion’s new 6A and 9A DC-DC converters. The parts meet the precise voltage and fast transient requirements of high-performance applications such as set-top boxes/HD DVRs, LAN/SAN adapter cards, audio/video equipment, optical networking, multi-function printers, test and measurement, embedded computing, storage, and servers.
“Power density is critical, especially as the number of application features and functions increase and the equipment form-factor shrinks,” said Paul O’Shea, Sr. Editor for Electronic Products magazine.
“Enpirion proves that they can meet the industry challenge for high efficiency and power density, with the introduction of the EN5364 and the 100 Watts per square inch EN5394 highly integrated power SoC,” said O’Shea.
Operating the EN5364 and EN5394 power devices requires very few external components, resulting in simplified board design and layout, as well as improved manufacturability and reliability.
The two parts are pin compatible, offering a scalable power solution that enables the user to easily tune to their design as the power requirements evolve. A rich set of features, including phase-lock operation and phase delay, facilitates ease of use in systems that are sensitive to ripple and beat frequencies.
These low-power switch-mode converters are complete power systems on a chip (PwrSoC), achieving up to 93 percent efficiency and integrating the inductor, power switches, gate drive, controller, and loop compensation, all in tiny 8 mm x 11 mm x 1.85 mm packages.
The 9A EN5394 sets a new standard in power density by delivering 100 Watts per square inch (15 Watts per square centimeter).
Leading OEMs have widely adopted this technology and are already designing with Enpirion’s new 6A and 9A DC-DC converters. The parts meet the precise voltage and fast transient requirements of high-performance applications such as set-top boxes/HD DVRs, LAN/SAN adapter cards, audio/video equipment, optical networking, multi-function printers, test and measurement, embedded computing, storage, and servers.
“Power density is critical, especially as the number of application features and functions increase and the equipment form-factor shrinks,” said Paul O’Shea, Sr. Editor for Electronic Products magazine.
“Enpirion proves that they can meet the industry challenge for high efficiency and power density, with the introduction of the EN5364 and the 100 Watts per square inch EN5394 highly integrated power SoC,” said O’Shea.
Operating the EN5364 and EN5394 power devices requires very few external components, resulting in simplified board design and layout, as well as improved manufacturability and reliability.
The two parts are pin compatible, offering a scalable power solution that enables the user to easily tune to their design as the power requirements evolve. A rich set of features, including phase-lock operation and phase delay, facilitates ease of use in systems that are sensitive to ripple and beat frequencies.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Antenova adds cellular Penta-band SMD antennae
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND: Antenova Ltd, the integrated antenna and RF solutions company, announced the addition of two new cellular penta-band SMD antennae to the gigaNOVA range of market proven surface mount antennae.
Designed for ease of integration into wireless devices, the Reflexus A10315 and Calvus A10340 antennas are ideally suited for an extensive range of embedded cellular applications such mobile handsets, femto base stations, vehicle tracking, remote monitoring and other M2M applications.
“There has been strong demand for high performing and easy to integrate standard cellular antennas for the ever expanding wireless device market,” stated Greg McCray, CEO of Antenova.
“Both Reflexus and Calvus are high performance penta-band antennas offering the ease of integration benefits of a surface mountable device that has not been offered in the industry until now. Reflexus A10315 antenna which incorporates Antenova’s patented complementary antenna technology is extremely resistant to de-tuning and offers reliable, robust, performance across all device applications.
"Calvus is an SMD version of our existing Flavus GSM internal snap-in antenna, offering Flavus customers the same good performance with the flexibility to switch to an SMD device if required. These standard penta-band antennas offer design flexibility and are particularly suited for module makers targeting the growing M2M market and device manufacturers looking to add cellular connectivity into their products.”
Reflexus A10315 is a high efficiency penta-band cellular SMD antenna suitable for GSM, GPRS and UMTS applications and covers the GSM850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA frequencies. Reflexus’s complementary antenna structure provides excellent resistance to de-tuning and offers predictable performance in customer devices.
Reflexus A10315 is a compact 40x10x3.2 mm3 size antenna intended for surface mounting and requires minimal ground plane. Calvus A10340 penta-band antenna is a surface mountable version of Antenova’s popular Flavus snap-in cellular antenna suitable for GSM, GPRS and UMTS applications and also covers the GSM850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA frequencies.
Calvus is a very compact 27x8x3.2 mm3 size antenna intended for surface mounting and requires minimal ground plane to operate efficiently. Both Reflexus and Calvus are supplied in tape on reel and available for volume purchase through Antenova’s global network of leading distributors and agents.
Antenova offers the gigaNOVA range of market leading antenna solutions for 2.3 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 5 GHz, GPS, GSM and ISM900 bands. gigaNOVA standard antennas are small and designed for easy integration into wireless devices and are the smart choice for GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, WiBro, ZigBee, MIMO and cellular M2M applications.
Antenova also offers a full range of development support and RF testing to help reduce customization, design costs and accelerate time-to-market.
Designed for ease of integration into wireless devices, the Reflexus A10315 and Calvus A10340 antennas are ideally suited for an extensive range of embedded cellular applications such mobile handsets, femto base stations, vehicle tracking, remote monitoring and other M2M applications.
“There has been strong demand for high performing and easy to integrate standard cellular antennas for the ever expanding wireless device market,” stated Greg McCray, CEO of Antenova.
“Both Reflexus and Calvus are high performance penta-band antennas offering the ease of integration benefits of a surface mountable device that has not been offered in the industry until now. Reflexus A10315 antenna which incorporates Antenova’s patented complementary antenna technology is extremely resistant to de-tuning and offers reliable, robust, performance across all device applications.
"Calvus is an SMD version of our existing Flavus GSM internal snap-in antenna, offering Flavus customers the same good performance with the flexibility to switch to an SMD device if required. These standard penta-band antennas offer design flexibility and are particularly suited for module makers targeting the growing M2M market and device manufacturers looking to add cellular connectivity into their products.”
Reflexus A10315 is a high efficiency penta-band cellular SMD antenna suitable for GSM, GPRS and UMTS applications and covers the GSM850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA frequencies. Reflexus’s complementary antenna structure provides excellent resistance to de-tuning and offers predictable performance in customer devices.
Reflexus A10315 is a compact 40x10x3.2 mm3 size antenna intended for surface mounting and requires minimal ground plane. Calvus A10340 penta-band antenna is a surface mountable version of Antenova’s popular Flavus snap-in cellular antenna suitable for GSM, GPRS and UMTS applications and also covers the GSM850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA frequencies.
Calvus is a very compact 27x8x3.2 mm3 size antenna intended for surface mounting and requires minimal ground plane to operate efficiently. Both Reflexus and Calvus are supplied in tape on reel and available for volume purchase through Antenova’s global network of leading distributors and agents.
Antenova offers the gigaNOVA range of market leading antenna solutions for 2.3 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 5 GHz, GPS, GSM and ISM900 bands. gigaNOVA standard antennas are small and designed for easy integration into wireless devices and are the smart choice for GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, WiBro, ZigBee, MIMO and cellular M2M applications.
Antenova also offers a full range of development support and RF testing to help reduce customization, design costs and accelerate time-to-market.
Luminous Power invests in Delhi based Tritonics (India)
NEW DELHI, INDIA: Luminous Power Technologies, market leader in home inverter & UPS segment has made a strategic investment in Delhi based, Tritronics (India) Pvt Ltd, a respected name in the online UPS industry.
Luminous, a Rs 500 crore turnover company, received private equity infusion from CLSA Capital partners in 2007. Inline with its commitment to CLSA, this is the second major strategic investment made by Luminous. The company is now poised for achieving its objective of Rs 1,000 crore turnover.
Tritronics has been in power back-up business in India for almost 20 years. It has core strengths in online UPS systems with in-house R&D, Manufacturing and a nationwide after sales service network. Tritronics is a very strong player in the government, institutional, banking and financial sectors, and is actively exploring opportunities in telecom and industrial segments.
‘With this tie-up, we feel much stronger as an Organization. We will have much more to offer to our Customers, suppliers, Employees and all other stake holders” said Rajan Chadha, Promoter & Managing Director of Tritronics, who will continue to head the operations at Tritronics along with the other Promoter Director Rajiv Chatrath.
“Tritronics compliments our current business operations and together we will enhance our stakes in the market by adding new business segments with a head start. Tritronics has an excellent team and credibility and we see huge potential to grow this business by complimenting their strengths from LUMINOUS” said Rakesh Malhotra, Managing Director of Luminous Power Technologies.
Luminous, a Rs 500 crore turnover company, received private equity infusion from CLSA Capital partners in 2007. Inline with its commitment to CLSA, this is the second major strategic investment made by Luminous. The company is now poised for achieving its objective of Rs 1,000 crore turnover.
Tritronics has been in power back-up business in India for almost 20 years. It has core strengths in online UPS systems with in-house R&D, Manufacturing and a nationwide after sales service network. Tritronics is a very strong player in the government, institutional, banking and financial sectors, and is actively exploring opportunities in telecom and industrial segments.
‘With this tie-up, we feel much stronger as an Organization. We will have much more to offer to our Customers, suppliers, Employees and all other stake holders” said Rajan Chadha, Promoter & Managing Director of Tritronics, who will continue to head the operations at Tritronics along with the other Promoter Director Rajiv Chatrath.
“Tritronics compliments our current business operations and together we will enhance our stakes in the market by adding new business segments with a head start. Tritronics has an excellent team and credibility and we see huge potential to grow this business by complimenting their strengths from LUMINOUS” said Rakesh Malhotra, Managing Director of Luminous Power Technologies.
Himfr analyzes electronic components price trend
BEIJING, CHINA: Himfr.com, one of China's leading B2B search platforms with more than 30 B2B industry websites to its name, analyzes electronic components price trends.
The electronic components market is in an unstable state with demands remaining downbeat with no signs of improvement as the Spring and Summer off-season approaches.
Overall, the market price of components has fallen slightly, and according to market conditions, a sharper decline in price is likely to follow.
Amid a gloomy outlook, the market still has a chance of survival, with consumers turning their attention to internet and high-end mobile phones. Under the current market environment, sales for internet and high-end mobile phones have been satisfactory. Himfr's analysts estimate that in 2009, global online sales will reach 26 million units, which light-up hopes for an optimistic prospect.
In the past few years, the regulator market has been growing. In 2009, influenced by macro-economic developments, as well as changes in demand, the regulator market growth rate will decline by -21.5 percent.
Recently, the consumer electronics market will look forward to a healthy growth for products such as notebook computers,desktop computers, mobile phones, MP3s/PMPs, as well as LCD TVs.
When the price erosion comes, these products will bear the brunt of this market, but their prices are among the first to be stabilized. At present, the market is turning its attention to the growth of emerging markets, such as the alternative energy market, followed by mobile phone and PC markets.
Connector
In the Chinese market, the demand for connectors started to rise, especially those that are used in consumer electronic products. This trend will be modest and will continue into the third quarter.
As the demand started to rise, the substantial decrease in the price of connectors will be stabilized. Standard connector products supply period will be maintained in four to six weeks.
SAW filter
Demand remain weak for the 5x7mm and 2.5x3mm package market. In the first half of 2009, the entire market demand was low, and 1.1x1.4mm, and 1.6x2mm market demand remained stable, keeping the price of these products steady.
Diode
Diodes are widely applied, and the price is usually steady. However, under the current market situation, which is quite rare, the market has undergone a gloomy period under the economic downturn. With demand and average sales price falling, it is expected that the rectifier and diodes market will decline by 16.2 percent.
The electronic components market is in an unstable state with demands remaining downbeat with no signs of improvement as the Spring and Summer off-season approaches.
Overall, the market price of components has fallen slightly, and according to market conditions, a sharper decline in price is likely to follow.
Amid a gloomy outlook, the market still has a chance of survival, with consumers turning their attention to internet and high-end mobile phones. Under the current market environment, sales for internet and high-end mobile phones have been satisfactory. Himfr's analysts estimate that in 2009, global online sales will reach 26 million units, which light-up hopes for an optimistic prospect.
In the past few years, the regulator market has been growing. In 2009, influenced by macro-economic developments, as well as changes in demand, the regulator market growth rate will decline by -21.5 percent.
Recently, the consumer electronics market will look forward to a healthy growth for products such as notebook computers,desktop computers, mobile phones, MP3s/PMPs, as well as LCD TVs.
When the price erosion comes, these products will bear the brunt of this market, but their prices are among the first to be stabilized. At present, the market is turning its attention to the growth of emerging markets, such as the alternative energy market, followed by mobile phone and PC markets.
Connector
In the Chinese market, the demand for connectors started to rise, especially those that are used in consumer electronic products. This trend will be modest and will continue into the third quarter.
As the demand started to rise, the substantial decrease in the price of connectors will be stabilized. Standard connector products supply period will be maintained in four to six weeks.
SAW filter
Demand remain weak for the 5x7mm and 2.5x3mm package market. In the first half of 2009, the entire market demand was low, and 1.1x1.4mm, and 1.6x2mm market demand remained stable, keeping the price of these products steady.
Diode
Diodes are widely applied, and the price is usually steady. However, under the current market situation, which is quite rare, the market has undergone a gloomy period under the economic downturn. With demand and average sales price falling, it is expected that the rectifier and diodes market will decline by 16.2 percent.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
TriAccess announces RF over glass (RFoG) amplifier
SANTA ROSA, USA: TriAccess Technologies, a leading provider of CATV and FTTH (Fiber-To-The-Home) RFICs for amplifying high-quality multimedia content, announced the TAT6254D, a new amplifier for Radio Frequency over Glass (RFoG) based fiber access networks.
The TAT6254D is tailor-made for RFoG applications and utilizes TriAccess’ proven trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) technology in an optimized two stage single chip solution. The TAT6254D is released for general availability with an 8-week lead time.
The TriAccess TAT6254D incorporates all the downstream receiver requirements for quality RFoG services, providing a single chip solution for R-ONUs (Residential Optical Network Unit).
The integration of TIA and output stage amplification for RFoG specific levels enables a highly economic solution. In addition, the dual TIA placement onto a single die assures consistent, manufacturing-repeatable CSO performance and excellent noise.
“The TAT6254D’s low noise and high gain performance optimizes the optical input range for a balance of low cost equipment and full 20km downstream performance,” said Brian Bauer, TriAccess Technologies VP of Marketing. “The accompanying automated gain control – or AGC – reference circuit provides simple, highly cost-effective gain control solutions.”
RFoG is emerging as an effective approach to new construction and network upgrades, primarily because it uses the current cable plant so well and offers a smooth, incremental upgrade path in particularly competitive markets.
To maximize the economic viability of RFoG, network operators pay careful attention to the R-ONU, as it is the most expensive piece of equipment in the system on a cost-per-subscriber basis. The TAT6254D is an RFIC amplifier solution that minimizes R-ONU cost while maximizing performance and capability as part of an economic network approach.
“Subscribers continue to demand more services which require cable operators and MSOs to enhance their networks to keep current subscribers and win new customers,” said Chris Day, TriAccess Technologies President and CTO.
“The demarcation point into the home is the critical link to ensure a consistent signal that maximizes the value of the FTTH network. The TAT6254D amplifier provides RF services for cable operators using RFoG/DOCSIS, as well as those choosing to deploy other PON architectures.”
The TAT6254D utilizes the latest advances in GaAs technology to create an integrated RFIC that provides significant noise reduction, gain improvement and a stable RF signal for high performance and cost-effective RFoG applications. The TAT6254D is expected to exceed RFoG requirements for future CATV systems.
The TAT6254D is tailor-made for RFoG applications and utilizes TriAccess’ proven trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) technology in an optimized two stage single chip solution. The TAT6254D is released for general availability with an 8-week lead time.
The TriAccess TAT6254D incorporates all the downstream receiver requirements for quality RFoG services, providing a single chip solution for R-ONUs (Residential Optical Network Unit).
The integration of TIA and output stage amplification for RFoG specific levels enables a highly economic solution. In addition, the dual TIA placement onto a single die assures consistent, manufacturing-repeatable CSO performance and excellent noise.
“The TAT6254D’s low noise and high gain performance optimizes the optical input range for a balance of low cost equipment and full 20km downstream performance,” said Brian Bauer, TriAccess Technologies VP of Marketing. “The accompanying automated gain control – or AGC – reference circuit provides simple, highly cost-effective gain control solutions.”
RFoG is emerging as an effective approach to new construction and network upgrades, primarily because it uses the current cable plant so well and offers a smooth, incremental upgrade path in particularly competitive markets.
To maximize the economic viability of RFoG, network operators pay careful attention to the R-ONU, as it is the most expensive piece of equipment in the system on a cost-per-subscriber basis. The TAT6254D is an RFIC amplifier solution that minimizes R-ONU cost while maximizing performance and capability as part of an economic network approach.
“Subscribers continue to demand more services which require cable operators and MSOs to enhance their networks to keep current subscribers and win new customers,” said Chris Day, TriAccess Technologies President and CTO.
“The demarcation point into the home is the critical link to ensure a consistent signal that maximizes the value of the FTTH network. The TAT6254D amplifier provides RF services for cable operators using RFoG/DOCSIS, as well as those choosing to deploy other PON architectures.”
The TAT6254D utilizes the latest advances in GaAs technology to create an integrated RFIC that provides significant noise reduction, gain improvement and a stable RF signal for high performance and cost-effective RFoG applications. The TAT6254D is expected to exceed RFoG requirements for future CATV systems.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Microtune’s wideband tuner and upstream amplifier deployed in EuroDOCSIS 3.0 products
PLANO, USA: Microtune Inc. announced that its market-leading wideband tuner (MicroTuner MT2170) and its DOCSIS 3.0 upstream amplifier (MicroStreamer MT1570) have been deployed in cable modems that achieved certification status by Cable Europe Labs for the EuroDOCSIS 3.0 specification.
Both products are currently shipping in high volume, and the MT2170, the industry’s first DOCSIS 3.0 wideband tuner, has now shipped well over two million units to date.
This tuner chip is currently deployed in cable equipment for high-speed DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS 3.0 services that have launched in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“We congratulate our customers on their EuroDOCSIS 3.0 certification, and we are proud to support their product, design and engineering efforts with our family of DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS 3.0 products,” said James A. Fontaine, CEO and President of Microtune.
“Worldwide cable TV operators are relying on DOCSIS 3.0-class certified equipment to support their next generation of high-speed data and video services.”
Fontaine added: “In implementing these advanced cable services, operators in Asia, Europe and North America are addressing different business models, network designs and channel allocation plans. With our tuner and amplifier portfolio, we offer market-proven and customer-hardened products that can be flexibly modularized to meet the needs of varying DOCSIS 3.0 deployment strategies, service scenarios, and products.”
Microtune’s DOCSIS 3.0 technology, including its wideband and narrowband tuners and MT1570 wideband upstream amplifier, has been implemented in DOCSIS 3.0 equipment ranging from ultra high-speed data modems and IPTV set-top boxes to high-end gateways.
Both products are currently shipping in high volume, and the MT2170, the industry’s first DOCSIS 3.0 wideband tuner, has now shipped well over two million units to date.
This tuner chip is currently deployed in cable equipment for high-speed DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS 3.0 services that have launched in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“We congratulate our customers on their EuroDOCSIS 3.0 certification, and we are proud to support their product, design and engineering efforts with our family of DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS 3.0 products,” said James A. Fontaine, CEO and President of Microtune.
“Worldwide cable TV operators are relying on DOCSIS 3.0-class certified equipment to support their next generation of high-speed data and video services.”
Fontaine added: “In implementing these advanced cable services, operators in Asia, Europe and North America are addressing different business models, network designs and channel allocation plans. With our tuner and amplifier portfolio, we offer market-proven and customer-hardened products that can be flexibly modularized to meet the needs of varying DOCSIS 3.0 deployment strategies, service scenarios, and products.”
Microtune’s DOCSIS 3.0 technology, including its wideband and narrowband tuners and MT1570 wideband upstream amplifier, has been implemented in DOCSIS 3.0 equipment ranging from ultra high-speed data modems and IPTV set-top boxes to high-end gateways.
Aviel receives initial $268,000 order from Zargo
SAN DIEGO, USA: Aviel Electronics, a division of RF Industries Ltd announced it has been awarded an initial $268,000 production order for a custom designed SMB connector from Zargo Technologies, a leading Canadian Electro-Mechanical Distributor.
The initial order of 10,000 connectors is expected to be substantially delivered in RFI's current fiscal year ending October 31, 2009.
"During RFI's recent second quarter ended April 30, 2009, Aviel worked closely with Zargo, investing significant manpower and resources to meet specifications for this custom designed RF coaxial connector. We believe our work to date, the award of this initial contract and opportunity to compete for additional follow-on orders have the potential to significantly improve Aviel's profitability in the coming year," said Bob Macias Aviel's General Manager.
"Our advanced design SMB connector is a hermetically sealed, 'Push Lock' style IP68 (International Protection Rating) RF coaxial connector, which will be used for an undisclosed, high-performance aerospace application," added Denver Carnes, Aviel's Director.
Las Vegas, Nevada-based Aviel, part of the RF Connector and Cable Assembly Division, designs and manufactures custom, obsolete and specialty connectors, in quantities ranging from one unit to thousands, for aerospace, microwave, defense and OEM industrial applications.
The initial order of 10,000 connectors is expected to be substantially delivered in RFI's current fiscal year ending October 31, 2009.
"During RFI's recent second quarter ended April 30, 2009, Aviel worked closely with Zargo, investing significant manpower and resources to meet specifications for this custom designed RF coaxial connector. We believe our work to date, the award of this initial contract and opportunity to compete for additional follow-on orders have the potential to significantly improve Aviel's profitability in the coming year," said Bob Macias Aviel's General Manager.
"Our advanced design SMB connector is a hermetically sealed, 'Push Lock' style IP68 (International Protection Rating) RF coaxial connector, which will be used for an undisclosed, high-performance aerospace application," added Denver Carnes, Aviel's Director.
Las Vegas, Nevada-based Aviel, part of the RF Connector and Cable Assembly Division, designs and manufactures custom, obsolete and specialty connectors, in quantities ranging from one unit to thousands, for aerospace, microwave, defense and OEM industrial applications.
Semtech's smallest 1A Li-ion battery charger
CAMARILLO, USA: Semtech Corp. has announced the SC824, a linear, triple mode, single-cell lithium-ion battery charger in a ten-lead 2x2mm MLPD package for handheld devices.
The SC824 is the newest member of Semtech's platform of miniaturized battery chargers. It has unique 30V input voltage protection with 9.6V maximum input over-voltage protection (OVP) threshold. The 30V input rating protects portable systems against hot plug overshoots and faulty charging adapters.
Under-voltage lock out (UVLO) is lowered to 2.85V in the SC824 so it will work well with voltage or current-limited adapters. When charging from USB, a proprietary under-voltage limiting feature reduces the charge current as needed to prevent VBUS collapsing below 4.5V in case of a weak host or hub.
Compared to previous devices in the SC81x/SC82x family, the SC824 provides additional features including an NTC thermistor interface, multi-stage timer, and an extra indicator flag.
The NTC is used to disable charging when the battery temperature falls above or below predetermined thresholds. The NTC interface may also enable or disable LDO mode when the battery is disconnected.
The optional programmable multi-stage charge timer protects against a faulty battery, or terminates charging on timeout if the system load is too high to terminate charging on current. Two flags indicate valid input voltage, charger status and faults.
“Not only does our new charging platform exceed the performance one would expect from a tiny state-of-the-art battery charger,” said Karl Volk, Semtech’s marketing director for Handheld Power, “but it also integrates a host of advanced features that are rare, even among much larger competing devices thereby increasing value to our customers.”
The SC824 incorporates the preferred and safest lithium-ion charging algorithm with multiple regulation loops of constant current (CC), constant voltage (CV), and constant die junction temperature (CTj). The CTj loop greatly simplifies the thermal design considerations. A tri-level logic input selects from three modes of charging: adapter mode, USB low power mode and USB high power mode.
Additional charging functions include reverse current blocking, pre-qualification of a low-voltage battery, soft-start to reduce the burden on wall adapters with poor transient response, optional float charging or top-off charging with termination, auto- or forced-recharging and open/short-circuit protection.
The SC824 is packaged in a 2x2mm lead-free MLPD package (0.6mm max. height) and complies with the European Union's Restriction on Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) directive to meet worldwide environmental and regulatory requirements.
The SC824 is the newest member of Semtech's platform of miniaturized battery chargers. It has unique 30V input voltage protection with 9.6V maximum input over-voltage protection (OVP) threshold. The 30V input rating protects portable systems against hot plug overshoots and faulty charging adapters.
Under-voltage lock out (UVLO) is lowered to 2.85V in the SC824 so it will work well with voltage or current-limited adapters. When charging from USB, a proprietary under-voltage limiting feature reduces the charge current as needed to prevent VBUS collapsing below 4.5V in case of a weak host or hub.
Compared to previous devices in the SC81x/SC82x family, the SC824 provides additional features including an NTC thermistor interface, multi-stage timer, and an extra indicator flag.
The NTC is used to disable charging when the battery temperature falls above or below predetermined thresholds. The NTC interface may also enable or disable LDO mode when the battery is disconnected.
The optional programmable multi-stage charge timer protects against a faulty battery, or terminates charging on timeout if the system load is too high to terminate charging on current. Two flags indicate valid input voltage, charger status and faults.
“Not only does our new charging platform exceed the performance one would expect from a tiny state-of-the-art battery charger,” said Karl Volk, Semtech’s marketing director for Handheld Power, “but it also integrates a host of advanced features that are rare, even among much larger competing devices thereby increasing value to our customers.”
The SC824 incorporates the preferred and safest lithium-ion charging algorithm with multiple regulation loops of constant current (CC), constant voltage (CV), and constant die junction temperature (CTj). The CTj loop greatly simplifies the thermal design considerations. A tri-level logic input selects from three modes of charging: adapter mode, USB low power mode and USB high power mode.
Additional charging functions include reverse current blocking, pre-qualification of a low-voltage battery, soft-start to reduce the burden on wall adapters with poor transient response, optional float charging or top-off charging with termination, auto- or forced-recharging and open/short-circuit protection.
The SC824 is packaged in a 2x2mm lead-free MLPD package (0.6mm max. height) and complies with the European Union's Restriction on Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) directive to meet worldwide environmental and regulatory requirements.
Diodes Inc. intros DAC and pre-amplifier audio device
DALLAS, USA: Diodes Inc. has released an 8-channel DAC (digital-to-analog converter) and pre-amplifier chip. This new device offers designers of audio/video receivers (AVRs) and add-on sound cards the opportunity to improve audio performance, while also reducing costs.
As an addition to the Diodes’ Direct Digital Feedback Amplifier (DDFA) product line, the ZXCZM800 dramatically reduces circuit complexity. In both consumer and professional audio product designs that currently use multiple quality 2-channel DACs to achieve mid- to high-level audio performance, the ZXCZM800 significantly reduces component count and printed circuit board (PCB) real estate.
In high-performance differential mode, the DDFA product line delivers a dynamic range (DNR) up to 126dB. Additionally, Diodes’ solution provides equal and, oftentimes, improved sound quality of typical mid-range AVRs and sound cards that currently produce a DNR of 112dB.
For designers looking to expand a product’s feature set, the ZXCZM800 also offers pre-amplifier digital signal processor (DSP) features, which can be easily programmed using an existing system host processor.
The ZXCZM800 DAC and pre-amplifier chip is supported by an 8-channel demonstration board, which is available for volume production DAC and pre-amplifier designs.
As an addition to the Diodes’ Direct Digital Feedback Amplifier (DDFA) product line, the ZXCZM800 dramatically reduces circuit complexity. In both consumer and professional audio product designs that currently use multiple quality 2-channel DACs to achieve mid- to high-level audio performance, the ZXCZM800 significantly reduces component count and printed circuit board (PCB) real estate.
In high-performance differential mode, the DDFA product line delivers a dynamic range (DNR) up to 126dB. Additionally, Diodes’ solution provides equal and, oftentimes, improved sound quality of typical mid-range AVRs and sound cards that currently produce a DNR of 112dB.
For designers looking to expand a product’s feature set, the ZXCZM800 also offers pre-amplifier digital signal processor (DSP) features, which can be easily programmed using an existing system host processor.
The ZXCZM800 DAC and pre-amplifier chip is supported by an 8-channel demonstration board, which is available for volume production DAC and pre-amplifier designs.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Avago intros two new balanced LNAs for cellular infrastructure apps
SAN JOSE, USA & SINGAPORE: Avago Technologies, a leading supplier of interface components for communications, industrial and consumer applications, announced two ultra-low noise, high gain, high linearity Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) balanced low noise amplifiers for cellular infrastructure applications.
Avago’s MGA-16516/17516, which are the latest additions to its family of economical, easy to use LNAs, helps to significantly improve the sensitivity and dynamic range of cellular infrastructure applications.
Both LNAs feature a compact footprint and are designed to be used as first stage LNAs. Typical applications include cellular base station transceiver radio cards, tower mounted amplifiers, combiners, repeaters and remote/digital radio heads.
Avago’s MGA-16516/17516 LNAs are housed in a 4 mm by 4 mm by 0.85 mm surface mount 16-lead QFN package, and were developed using Avago’s proprietary 0.25 m GaAs enhancement-mode pHEMT process.
The MGA-16516 operates from 500 to 1,700 MHz, while the MGA-17516 operates from 1,700 to 2,700 MHz. These new LNAs will enable Avago to provide support for GSM, CDMA, UMTS and next generation LTE cellular bandwidths.
The MGA-16516/17516 have been designed to be used with 3dB hybrid couplers at the input and output of LNAs typically found in the front end of cellular base stations, combiners and transceiver radio cards.
In a typical operating environment of 5-Volts and 50mA per channel, the MGA-16516 delivers a 0.45 dB noise figure, 17.5 dB gain, 11.5 dBm input Third Order Intercept Point (IIP3), and 18 dBm output power at 1 dB compress point (P1dB) at 850MHz.
Under the same operating conditions, the MGA-17516 delivers enhanced performance of 0.52 dB noise figure, 17.2 dB Gain, 13.7 dBm IIP3, and 21.5 dBm output power at P1dB at 1,850 MHz.
Avago’s MGA-16516/17516, which are the latest additions to its family of economical, easy to use LNAs, helps to significantly improve the sensitivity and dynamic range of cellular infrastructure applications.
Both LNAs feature a compact footprint and are designed to be used as first stage LNAs. Typical applications include cellular base station transceiver radio cards, tower mounted amplifiers, combiners, repeaters and remote/digital radio heads.
Avago’s MGA-16516/17516 LNAs are housed in a 4 mm by 4 mm by 0.85 mm surface mount 16-lead QFN package, and were developed using Avago’s proprietary 0.25 m GaAs enhancement-mode pHEMT process.
The MGA-16516 operates from 500 to 1,700 MHz, while the MGA-17516 operates from 1,700 to 2,700 MHz. These new LNAs will enable Avago to provide support for GSM, CDMA, UMTS and next generation LTE cellular bandwidths.
The MGA-16516/17516 have been designed to be used with 3dB hybrid couplers at the input and output of LNAs typically found in the front end of cellular base stations, combiners and transceiver radio cards.
In a typical operating environment of 5-Volts and 50mA per channel, the MGA-16516 delivers a 0.45 dB noise figure, 17.5 dB gain, 11.5 dBm input Third Order Intercept Point (IIP3), and 18 dBm output power at 1 dB compress point (P1dB) at 850MHz.
Under the same operating conditions, the MGA-17516 delivers enhanced performance of 0.52 dB noise figure, 17.2 dB Gain, 13.7 dBm IIP3, and 21.5 dBm output power at P1dB at 1,850 MHz.
NXP claims breakthrough in MOSFET performance
EINDHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS: NXP Semiconductors announced the world'’s first n-channel sub 1 Milliohm 25V MOSFET, PSMN1R2-25YL, boasting the lowest ever RDSon and best in class Figure of Merit.
This is the lowest ever RDSon MOSFET in a Power-SO8 package (Loss Free package: LFPAK) and is an extension to NXP’s existing MOSFET portfolio.
The newest generation MOSFET combines the high performance Power-S08 LFPAK package with latest Trench 6 generation silicon and offers numerous performance and reliability advantages in a wide variety of demanding applications such as: power OR-ring, motor control and high efficiency synchronous buck-regulators.
“The technology for producing MOSFETs is an ongoing race to improve performance,” says John David Hughes, Senior International Product Marketing Manager of NXP.
“We are using innovative techniques in the new Trench 6 process which further reduce the on-resistance. There are many advantages of the new Trench technology to our customers such as improved switching efficiency from the silicon and superior electrical and thermal resistance from the package. NXP’s Power-S08 (LFPAK) package is compatible with all widely accepted Power SO-8 PCB footprints.”
NXP’s world leading Trench 6 MOSFETs, PSMN1R2–25YL, has a typical RDSon of 0.9 mOhm for a 25V part in Power-S08 (LFPAK), and 1.0 mOhm (typical) for a 30V part.
In addition to the launch of the world’'s lowest RDSon MOSFET, NXP is announcing a new portfolio of products aimed at power supply, motion control, and industrial markets.
The range includes products with operating voltages of 25, 30, 40 and 80 volts, packaged in Power-S08 (LFPAK) and TO220.
This is the lowest ever RDSon MOSFET in a Power-SO8 package (Loss Free package: LFPAK) and is an extension to NXP’s existing MOSFET portfolio.
The newest generation MOSFET combines the high performance Power-S08 LFPAK package with latest Trench 6 generation silicon and offers numerous performance and reliability advantages in a wide variety of demanding applications such as: power OR-ring, motor control and high efficiency synchronous buck-regulators.
“The technology for producing MOSFETs is an ongoing race to improve performance,” says John David Hughes, Senior International Product Marketing Manager of NXP.
“We are using innovative techniques in the new Trench 6 process which further reduce the on-resistance. There are many advantages of the new Trench technology to our customers such as improved switching efficiency from the silicon and superior electrical and thermal resistance from the package. NXP’s Power-S08 (LFPAK) package is compatible with all widely accepted Power SO-8 PCB footprints.”
NXP’s world leading Trench 6 MOSFETs, PSMN1R2–25YL, has a typical RDSon of 0.9 mOhm for a 25V part in Power-S08 (LFPAK), and 1.0 mOhm (typical) for a 30V part.
In addition to the launch of the world’'s lowest RDSon MOSFET, NXP is announcing a new portfolio of products aimed at power supply, motion control, and industrial markets.
The range includes products with operating voltages of 25, 30, 40 and 80 volts, packaged in Power-S08 (LFPAK) and TO220.
Nanometrics receives multiple system orders for HB LED metrology
MILPITAS, USA: Nanometrics Inc., a leading supplier of advanced process control metrology systems used primarily in the manufacturing of semiconductors, solar photovoltaics and high-brightness LEDs, announced orders for one VerteX and multiple RPMBlue photoluminescence (PL) mapping metrology systems.
The VerteX system is expected to be qualified into a new HB-LED development line, and the RPMBlue systems are expected to be qualified into the high-volume manufacturing line of a different customer. All systems are expected to be qualified in the third quarter of this year.
“Our customers are leveraging the increased capability of the VerteX system to address challenges in the rapidly-growing HB-LED market. New end-device deployments in area lighting, LCD back-lighting and an increased understanding of the performance and cost-of-ownership benefits of high-brightness LEDs are driving HB-LED development,” commented Tom Ryan, Director of the Materials Characterization Business Unit at Nanometrics.
“Our PL mapping products are well-positioned to support increased development and rapid production ramps as new high-brightness LED manufacturing technologies come online.”
The VerteX PL mapping system provides a combination of metrology technologies to support both process development and production control. The VerteX is capable of supporting epitaxial layer metrology on many substrate types and sizes and, due to the illumination system options, can cover the entire spectrum of LED technologies from UV-LEDs through the visible colors to infra-red.
Nanometrics’ newest product for HB-LED process control is the RPMBlue. This is targeted at production control of Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based blue HB-LEDs that are increasingly used in LCD back-lighting. The system has been optimized for industry-leading throughput of up to 80 two-inch GaN wafers per hour.
Because of the available features and performance, Nanometrics believes its PL mapping systems are used by over 90% of the top-tier HB-LED manufacturers in development and production.
The VerteX system is expected to be qualified into a new HB-LED development line, and the RPMBlue systems are expected to be qualified into the high-volume manufacturing line of a different customer. All systems are expected to be qualified in the third quarter of this year.
“Our customers are leveraging the increased capability of the VerteX system to address challenges in the rapidly-growing HB-LED market. New end-device deployments in area lighting, LCD back-lighting and an increased understanding of the performance and cost-of-ownership benefits of high-brightness LEDs are driving HB-LED development,” commented Tom Ryan, Director of the Materials Characterization Business Unit at Nanometrics.
“Our PL mapping products are well-positioned to support increased development and rapid production ramps as new high-brightness LED manufacturing technologies come online.”
The VerteX PL mapping system provides a combination of metrology technologies to support both process development and production control. The VerteX is capable of supporting epitaxial layer metrology on many substrate types and sizes and, due to the illumination system options, can cover the entire spectrum of LED technologies from UV-LEDs through the visible colors to infra-red.
Nanometrics’ newest product for HB-LED process control is the RPMBlue. This is targeted at production control of Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based blue HB-LEDs that are increasingly used in LCD back-lighting. The system has been optimized for industry-leading throughput of up to 80 two-inch GaN wafers per hour.
Because of the available features and performance, Nanometrics believes its PL mapping systems are used by over 90% of the top-tier HB-LED manufacturers in development and production.
Orion issued 20th patent; reflector technology uses 50pc less energy, better lighting
MANITOWOC, USA: The US Patent and Trademark office on Tuesday, July 7, approved a design patent for Orion Energy Systems' fluorescent reflector in its retrofit kit.
The retrofit kit reflector patent marks the 20th patent for Orion, a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and deploys energy management systems, consisting primarily of high-performance energy-efficient lighting, intelligent wireless control systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers.
The newly patented reflector is part of Orion's retrofit kit, designed to replace inefficient lighting in existing strip fixtures. Orion's retrofit kit is available in two sizes to fit the most common strip fixtures and is delivered in one piece, making installation significantly easier than other retrofit kits on the market which come in multiple parts that require assembly before installation.
Orion's reflector is shaped like a flattened, upside-down "w" and is coated with a highly reflective white gloss coating to maximize light output to the area needed. The reflector is aluminum, making the retrofit kit extremely lightweight.
The patent joins other Orion patents, including the design of its Compact Modular(tm) energy efficient lighting platform and its direct renewable solar Apollo Light Pipe. Orion's technology is designed to reduce commercial and industrial energy consumption for lighting from 50 percent to 80 percent. Orion has 18 patents pending.
"Our growing patent portfolio validates Orion's thought leadership in the market and ongoing commitment to pioneering products that help companies save significantly on their energy costs without compromising their operations," said Orion President and CEO Neal Verfuerth.
"At Orion, it's in our DNA to bypass the typical barriers to innovation and the result is breakthrough technology that is saving our customers more than $577 million and delivering more than 7.5 billion kilowatt-hours to the grid."
Orion's innovation and technology recently won the praise of President Barack Obama, who applauded Orion in a White House speech promoting clean energy, the creation of green collar jobs and the importance of energy efficiency. Obama challenged Orion and other clean energy companies to "mount a historic effort to end once and for all our dependence on foreign oil."
Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 4,581 facilities across North America. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 435 megawatts, saving customers more than $577 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 4.9 million tons.
Orion's technology was recently internationally recognized with a Platts Global Energy Award for the single most innovative and sustainable green technology of 2008.
The retrofit kit reflector patent marks the 20th patent for Orion, a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and deploys energy management systems, consisting primarily of high-performance energy-efficient lighting, intelligent wireless control systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers.
The newly patented reflector is part of Orion's retrofit kit, designed to replace inefficient lighting in existing strip fixtures. Orion's retrofit kit is available in two sizes to fit the most common strip fixtures and is delivered in one piece, making installation significantly easier than other retrofit kits on the market which come in multiple parts that require assembly before installation.
Orion's reflector is shaped like a flattened, upside-down "w" and is coated with a highly reflective white gloss coating to maximize light output to the area needed. The reflector is aluminum, making the retrofit kit extremely lightweight.
The patent joins other Orion patents, including the design of its Compact Modular(tm) energy efficient lighting platform and its direct renewable solar Apollo Light Pipe. Orion's technology is designed to reduce commercial and industrial energy consumption for lighting from 50 percent to 80 percent. Orion has 18 patents pending.
"Our growing patent portfolio validates Orion's thought leadership in the market and ongoing commitment to pioneering products that help companies save significantly on their energy costs without compromising their operations," said Orion President and CEO Neal Verfuerth.
"At Orion, it's in our DNA to bypass the typical barriers to innovation and the result is breakthrough technology that is saving our customers more than $577 million and delivering more than 7.5 billion kilowatt-hours to the grid."
Orion's innovation and technology recently won the praise of President Barack Obama, who applauded Orion in a White House speech promoting clean energy, the creation of green collar jobs and the importance of energy efficiency. Obama challenged Orion and other clean energy companies to "mount a historic effort to end once and for all our dependence on foreign oil."
Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 4,581 facilities across North America. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 435 megawatts, saving customers more than $577 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 4.9 million tons.
Orion's technology was recently internationally recognized with a Platts Global Energy Award for the single most innovative and sustainable green technology of 2008.
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