This is a contribution by Farnell's Gary Nevison
UK: China published proposals for its equivalent to the EU REACH regulations in May 2009. This aims to control the manufacture, import and use of chemicals and has similarities with the EU REACH regulations.
The original proposals included very few obligations that affected substances in “articles”, as fabricated products are referred to by EU REACH, although it is clear that some of the most hazardous substances could eventually be phased out in China and this could affect the availability of some process materials and possibly also fabricated products.
The Chinese Government published and has adopted amended legislation on 19 January 2010 which is due to come into force on 15 October 2010. These recently amended Chinese regulations apply mainly to chemicals and mixtures of chemicals and not to articles.
However, the 2010 amendment now includes requirements for new chemicals that are released from articles during normal use. This has parallels with EU REACH which also requires that intentionally released chemicals (if >1 tonne) should be registered. The main China REACH obligations however are on manufacturers of substances in China and importers of substances into China. Another change is that there is now a clear reference to the GHS (Globally Harmonised System) labelling system that is being adopted in the EU and most other countries worldwide.
The substance classifications proposed in 2009 have been replaced by three categories - general new, hazardous new and priority hazardous chemicals.
China is setting up a system for pollutant release and transfer register with annual reporting requirements for manufacturers and importers of substances classified as hazardous and priority new hazardous. One change that could affect equipment manufacturers is the proposal to phase out hazardous substances. This may be achieved by promoting safer alternatives and by a six-month reporting requirement to encourage producers and importers to replace hazardous substances. Other obligations include:
* Risk management of new chemicals based on their hazardous properties and the risk of exposure to workers and consumers.
* Notification requirements for chemicals based on tonnage bands which are the same as in the EU, i.e. 1, 10, 100 and 1000 tonnes.
* Notification of new chemicals imported in quantities < 1 tonne will be introduced.
* Notification will be possible only by a registered Chinese entity.
* Reporting and notification requirements will be introduced for manufacturers and importers (of chemicals).
Unlike EU REACH, the Chinese legislation has few obligations placed on article manufacturers and importers. China's REACH legislation has been introduced fairly quickly and follows similar but more advanced chemicals legislation in Japan and Korea. The Japanese and Korean legislation is aimed predominantly at chemicals with testing, information and registration obligations but future substance restrictions are possible.
EU manufacturers may in the future be tempted to move their manufacturing facilities out of Europe to avoid REACH substance authorisation restrictions but it is possible that Asian and other countries will also restrict the use of these chemicals to protect their workers.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Ultratech receives order from Taiwan's largest LED chip manufacturer
SAN JOSE, USA: Ultratech Inc., a leading supplier of lithography and laser-processing systems used to manufacture semiconductor devices, has received an order from Taiwan's largest light-emitting diode (LED) chip manufacturer for an LED lithography system, which is specifically designed and optimized for high-brightness LED (HBLED) manufacturing.
In addition, this customer has provided a conditional commitment to purchase several additional Sapphire 100 systems to meet its ramp requirements over the next few quarters. The Sapphire 100 tool is scheduled to be available for volume shipments in the second half of 2010.
According to a representative of the Taiwan-based company, the Sapphire 100 lithography system provides the high-economic value and advanced technology required for HBLED manufacturing. Upon the successful integration of the first Sapphire 100 into its manufacturing line, the additional systems will be used to support the company's HBLED capacity expansion plans.
"This strong commitment from a top-tier Taiwan customer reinforces the value Ultratech's new Sapphire 100 system provides to HBLED manufacturers," explained Doug Anberg, Ultratech's vice president of advanced stepper technology.
"HBLEDs are expected to see strong growth over the next few years as they become increasingly integrated into the products we use in our everyday life. Ultratech's systems are specifically designed to provide cost-of-ownership advantages for leading HBLED manufacturing facilities around the world. We look forward to working closely with our Taiwan-based partner and all of our global customers as we continue to develop solutions designed to address the requirements for cost-effective HBLED manufacturing."
In addition, this customer has provided a conditional commitment to purchase several additional Sapphire 100 systems to meet its ramp requirements over the next few quarters. The Sapphire 100 tool is scheduled to be available for volume shipments in the second half of 2010.
According to a representative of the Taiwan-based company, the Sapphire 100 lithography system provides the high-economic value and advanced technology required for HBLED manufacturing. Upon the successful integration of the first Sapphire 100 into its manufacturing line, the additional systems will be used to support the company's HBLED capacity expansion plans.
"This strong commitment from a top-tier Taiwan customer reinforces the value Ultratech's new Sapphire 100 system provides to HBLED manufacturers," explained Doug Anberg, Ultratech's vice president of advanced stepper technology.
"HBLEDs are expected to see strong growth over the next few years as they become increasingly integrated into the products we use in our everyday life. Ultratech's systems are specifically designed to provide cost-of-ownership advantages for leading HBLED manufacturing facilities around the world. We look forward to working closely with our Taiwan-based partner and all of our global customers as we continue to develop solutions designed to address the requirements for cost-effective HBLED manufacturing."
Infineon drives innovation in LED lighting
NEUBIBERG, GERMANY & PALM SPRINGS, USA: At the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC), Infineon Technologies AG introduced its specific off-line driver IC for high-efficiency LED bulbs with dimming for residential lighting.
With a flexible architecture that supports very cost-effective 40W/60W/100W incandescent bulb replacement and all typical consumer lighting applications, the ICL8001G sets a new benchmark with respect to integration, performance, features, and total system cost.
The ICL8001G enables up to 90 percent efficiency, supports a broad variety of already installed wall dimmers, and is the only primary controlled off-line LED drive solution with integrated Power Factor Correction (PFC). It achieves a power factor exceeding 98 percent.
With an increasing number of countries banning incandescent lamps in favor of energy saving alternatives, LED lamps are expected to emerge as a favored replacement. Advantages of a well-designed LED bulb include 85 percent greater efficiency compared to an incandescent bulb.
This higher efficiency can have a significant impact on carbon footprint, as lighting represents nearly 20 percent of energy use (Source: EuroStat). LED bulbs also are instant-on, are easily controlled in smart lighting systems, are rated high in quality of light and have an exceptionally long life (approximately 50,000 hours).
Driver boards based on the ICL8001G implement an innovative primary control technique to manage the power consumption of LEDs. Using just 25 components for a 10W LED (60W equivalent) lamp, which is a 50 percent reduction compared to alternatives and a cost reduction of approximately 30 percent, the PCB area of the reference design is just 20mm x 70mm. At that size the PCB can easily be embedded within the common screw-in form factor of a lamp bulb. All components are assembled on a single-sided PCB, contributing to further cost reduction.
“There is a wide acceptance of the efficiency advantages of LED lighting,” said Sandro Cerato, Vice President & General Manager, ASIC & Power IC at Infineon Technologies. “With the ICL8001G Infineon offers innovation for lighting applications as it significantly reduces costs while improving the performance of the system, thereby helping use of available electricity in a more efficient manner.”
The outstanding features and performance figures of the ICL8001G allow engineers to meet current and future regulatory standards for energy efficiency and power quality. Today’s requirements are significantly outperformed and enable product manufacturers to use the ICL8001G to design top green products. This is particularly useful when LED lamps are installed in a higher number of fixtures in a single location.
The Infineon driver solution operates with many phase cut dimmers and maintains high efficiency (> 80 percent) over the complete dimming range, unlike many existing solutions where dimming reduces efficiency to about 30 percent. Consumers generally are not aware that lowering light intensity with today’s fixtures does not actually reduce the energy consumed.
Other features of the ICL8001G include isolated driver output for efficient thermal management; digital soft-start and an integrated Start-Up cell for instant on; cycle by cycle current limitation; short circuit, over voltage protection and over temperature detection.
Samples of the ICL8001G and demonstration boards are now available, with production volume available within standard lead times. Pricing for the ICL8001G is US $0.88 in 10K quantities.
The ICL8001G is an off-line switched mode power IC extending Infineon offering of a comprehensive range of LED driver solutions characterized by robustness and cost-effectiveness, meeting the evolving and expanding requirements of lighting applications.
With a flexible architecture that supports very cost-effective 40W/60W/100W incandescent bulb replacement and all typical consumer lighting applications, the ICL8001G sets a new benchmark with respect to integration, performance, features, and total system cost.
The ICL8001G enables up to 90 percent efficiency, supports a broad variety of already installed wall dimmers, and is the only primary controlled off-line LED drive solution with integrated Power Factor Correction (PFC). It achieves a power factor exceeding 98 percent.
With an increasing number of countries banning incandescent lamps in favor of energy saving alternatives, LED lamps are expected to emerge as a favored replacement. Advantages of a well-designed LED bulb include 85 percent greater efficiency compared to an incandescent bulb.
This higher efficiency can have a significant impact on carbon footprint, as lighting represents nearly 20 percent of energy use (Source: EuroStat). LED bulbs also are instant-on, are easily controlled in smart lighting systems, are rated high in quality of light and have an exceptionally long life (approximately 50,000 hours).
Driver boards based on the ICL8001G implement an innovative primary control technique to manage the power consumption of LEDs. Using just 25 components for a 10W LED (60W equivalent) lamp, which is a 50 percent reduction compared to alternatives and a cost reduction of approximately 30 percent, the PCB area of the reference design is just 20mm x 70mm. At that size the PCB can easily be embedded within the common screw-in form factor of a lamp bulb. All components are assembled on a single-sided PCB, contributing to further cost reduction.
“There is a wide acceptance of the efficiency advantages of LED lighting,” said Sandro Cerato, Vice President & General Manager, ASIC & Power IC at Infineon Technologies. “With the ICL8001G Infineon offers innovation for lighting applications as it significantly reduces costs while improving the performance of the system, thereby helping use of available electricity in a more efficient manner.”
The outstanding features and performance figures of the ICL8001G allow engineers to meet current and future regulatory standards for energy efficiency and power quality. Today’s requirements are significantly outperformed and enable product manufacturers to use the ICL8001G to design top green products. This is particularly useful when LED lamps are installed in a higher number of fixtures in a single location.
The Infineon driver solution operates with many phase cut dimmers and maintains high efficiency (> 80 percent) over the complete dimming range, unlike many existing solutions where dimming reduces efficiency to about 30 percent. Consumers generally are not aware that lowering light intensity with today’s fixtures does not actually reduce the energy consumed.
Other features of the ICL8001G include isolated driver output for efficient thermal management; digital soft-start and an integrated Start-Up cell for instant on; cycle by cycle current limitation; short circuit, over voltage protection and over temperature detection.
Samples of the ICL8001G and demonstration boards are now available, with production volume available within standard lead times. Pricing for the ICL8001G is US $0.88 in 10K quantities.
The ICL8001G is an off-line switched mode power IC extending Infineon offering of a comprehensive range of LED driver solutions characterized by robustness and cost-effectiveness, meeting the evolving and expanding requirements of lighting applications.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
FCI acquires assets of MergeOptics
SINGAPORE: FCI, a leading manufacturer and provider of connector and cable assembly solutions to the Data, Communications, Consumer, Industrial and Medical markets has acquired all the assets of MergeOptics, a manufacturer of active optical cables (AOCs)and optical transceivers.
This acquisition will allow FCI to leverage MergeOptics’ leadership position in AOCs to complement FCI’s passive and active copper cables assemblies to address Data and Communications market applications.
Data center and high performance computing applications require that the data-rate performance per channel as defined by various standards be maintained over long lengths of cable. Current applications feature both copper high speed I/O solutions for short-to-moderate lengths.
Applications that require longer cable lengths employ the use of fiber optics via either active optical cables or through the use of transceivers. The market requirements for increased speed and port density continue to drive suppliers towards higher speed solutions increasing the utilization of active optical cables and transceivers as the market drives towards 25Gb/s per channel high speed I/O solutions.
“MergeOptics leading position in active optical cables extends FCI’s existing high speed IO portfolio of passive and active copper solutions,” said Pete Curwen, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of FCI – Electronics Division. “With this complete portfolio of IO product solutions, we will be able to provide our customers with more complete and innovative solutions to their needs today and in the future.”
This acquisition will allow FCI to leverage MergeOptics’ leadership position in AOCs to complement FCI’s passive and active copper cables assemblies to address Data and Communications market applications.
Data center and high performance computing applications require that the data-rate performance per channel as defined by various standards be maintained over long lengths of cable. Current applications feature both copper high speed I/O solutions for short-to-moderate lengths.
Applications that require longer cable lengths employ the use of fiber optics via either active optical cables or through the use of transceivers. The market requirements for increased speed and port density continue to drive suppliers towards higher speed solutions increasing the utilization of active optical cables and transceivers as the market drives towards 25Gb/s per channel high speed I/O solutions.
“MergeOptics leading position in active optical cables extends FCI’s existing high speed IO portfolio of passive and active copper solutions,” said Pete Curwen, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of FCI – Electronics Division. “With this complete portfolio of IO product solutions, we will be able to provide our customers with more complete and innovative solutions to their needs today and in the future.”
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
ON Semiconductor's new power factor corrected LED driver supports TRIAC dimming
PALM SPRINGS, USA: ON Semiconductor has launched a new power factor corrected dimmable LED driver for residential and commercial lighting applications.
Housed in a compact 8-pin surface mount package, the NCL30000 achieves high power factor (> 0.95) in a single-stage topology by using a critical conduction mode (CrM) flyback architecture, thereby eliminating the need for a DC-DC conversion stage. Constant on-time CrM operation is particularly suited to isolated flyback LED applications, as the control scheme is straightforward and very high efficiency can be achieved - even at low power levels. This is important in LED lighting in order to support compliance with regulatory requirements and meet overall system efficacy requirements.
Typical applications include LED driver power supplies, LED-based down lights, TRIAC dimmable LED-based lamps and power factor corrected constant voltage supplies. This device is compatible with both leading edge TRIAC-based and trailing edge transistor-based dimmers. Depending on the dimmer used, the LED output can be controlled down to < 2 percent.
Three up to 15 W reference designs are provided and are intended to drive from 4-15 LEDs at 350 mA. They can however, be easily modified to support power levels ranging from 5 W to 30 W:
* NCL30000LED1GEVB: 115 Vac version, 90 to 135 Vac input line (TRIAC Dimmable).
* NCL30000LED2GEVB: 230 Vac version, 180 to 265 Vac (TRIAC Dimmable).
* NCL30000LED3GEVB: Extended universal version, 90 to 305 Vac.
An operating temperature range of -40°C to +125°C ensures the NCL30000 can be used across environmental operating ranges specified in the majority of solid state lighting applications. The NCL30000 has a low startup current of 24 micro amps (µA) (typical) and a low operating current of 2 milli amps (mA) (typical) that helps support high efficiency designs.
The Pb, halogen and BFR-free NCL30000 is RoHS compliant and is available in an eight-pin SOIC package. It is priced at $0.45 per unit in 10,000 unit quantities. Samples are available now. Projected lead time for production quantities is currently eight to 12 weeks after receipt of order (ARO).
Housed in a compact 8-pin surface mount package, the NCL30000 achieves high power factor (> 0.95) in a single-stage topology by using a critical conduction mode (CrM) flyback architecture, thereby eliminating the need for a DC-DC conversion stage. Constant on-time CrM operation is particularly suited to isolated flyback LED applications, as the control scheme is straightforward and very high efficiency can be achieved - even at low power levels. This is important in LED lighting in order to support compliance with regulatory requirements and meet overall system efficacy requirements.
Typical applications include LED driver power supplies, LED-based down lights, TRIAC dimmable LED-based lamps and power factor corrected constant voltage supplies. This device is compatible with both leading edge TRIAC-based and trailing edge transistor-based dimmers. Depending on the dimmer used, the LED output can be controlled down to < 2 percent.
Three up to 15 W reference designs are provided and are intended to drive from 4-15 LEDs at 350 mA. They can however, be easily modified to support power levels ranging from 5 W to 30 W:
* NCL30000LED1GEVB: 115 Vac version, 90 to 135 Vac input line (TRIAC Dimmable).
* NCL30000LED2GEVB: 230 Vac version, 180 to 265 Vac (TRIAC Dimmable).
* NCL30000LED3GEVB: Extended universal version, 90 to 305 Vac.
An operating temperature range of -40°C to +125°C ensures the NCL30000 can be used across environmental operating ranges specified in the majority of solid state lighting applications. The NCL30000 has a low startup current of 24 micro amps (µA) (typical) and a low operating current of 2 milli amps (mA) (typical) that helps support high efficiency designs.
The Pb, halogen and BFR-free NCL30000 is RoHS compliant and is available in an eight-pin SOIC package. It is priced at $0.45 per unit in 10,000 unit quantities. Samples are available now. Projected lead time for production quantities is currently eight to 12 weeks after receipt of order (ARO).
Non-volatile, quad digital potentiometers deliver static current consumption of 5 microamperes (max.)
CHANDLER, USA: Microchip Technology Inc. has announced the MCP4341, MCP4342 (MCP434X), MCP4361 and MCP4362 (MCP436X) quad digital potentiometers.
The 7- and 8-bit, non-volatile devices feature an SPI interface and static current consumption of just 5 microamperes (max.). They are specified for operation from –40° C to 125° C and are available in space-saving packages as small as 4 mm x 4 mm QFN, making them ideal for consumer and industrial applications, such as power-supply trim and calibration, set-point and process control, closed-loop servo control, PC peripherals, portable instrumentation, instrumentation offset adjust and signal conditioning.
Unlike mechanical potentiometers, the MCP434X/436X devices can be controlled digitally, through an SPI interface. This eliminates the need for human interaction, which increases system accuracy, flexibility and manufacturing throughput while decreasing manufacturing costs. Digital control also provides more system flexibility than mechanical control. Non-volatile memory enables the digital potentiometers to retain their settings at power down, and their low static current consumption of just 5 microamperes (max.) helps to extend battery life.
“Customers are constantly looking for ways to reduce power consumption and design footprint, while increasing the accuracy and performance of their designs,” said Bryan J. Liddiard, vice president of marketing with Microchip’s Analog and Interface Products Division. “With static current consumption of just 5 microamperes (max.), and availability in small packages, the MCP434X and MCP436X digital potentiometers help designers achieve these goals.”
The MCP4341/2 digital potentiometers are available in 14- and 20-pin TSSOP, and 4 mm x 4 mm QFN packages, for $1.00 each in 10,000-unit quantities. The MCP4361/2 digital potentiometers are available in 14- and 20-pin TSSOP, and 4 mm x 4 mm QFN packages, for $1.34 each in 10,000-unit quantities. Samples can be ordered today.
The 7- and 8-bit, non-volatile devices feature an SPI interface and static current consumption of just 5 microamperes (max.). They are specified for operation from –40° C to 125° C and are available in space-saving packages as small as 4 mm x 4 mm QFN, making them ideal for consumer and industrial applications, such as power-supply trim and calibration, set-point and process control, closed-loop servo control, PC peripherals, portable instrumentation, instrumentation offset adjust and signal conditioning.
Unlike mechanical potentiometers, the MCP434X/436X devices can be controlled digitally, through an SPI interface. This eliminates the need for human interaction, which increases system accuracy, flexibility and manufacturing throughput while decreasing manufacturing costs. Digital control also provides more system flexibility than mechanical control. Non-volatile memory enables the digital potentiometers to retain their settings at power down, and their low static current consumption of just 5 microamperes (max.) helps to extend battery life.
“Customers are constantly looking for ways to reduce power consumption and design footprint, while increasing the accuracy and performance of their designs,” said Bryan J. Liddiard, vice president of marketing with Microchip’s Analog and Interface Products Division. “With static current consumption of just 5 microamperes (max.), and availability in small packages, the MCP434X and MCP436X digital potentiometers help designers achieve these goals.”
The MCP4341/2 digital potentiometers are available in 14- and 20-pin TSSOP, and 4 mm x 4 mm QFN packages, for $1.00 each in 10,000-unit quantities. The MCP4361/2 digital potentiometers are available in 14- and 20-pin TSSOP, and 4 mm x 4 mm QFN packages, for $1.34 each in 10,000-unit quantities. Samples can be ordered today.
Monday, February 22, 2010
WiSpry obtains key patent for MEMS variable capacitors and actuation components
IRVINE, USA: WiSpry Inc., a leader in tunable RF semiconductor products for the wireless industry, announced that the Company's patent application for MEMS variable capacitors and actuation components, and related methods has been granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office (Patent number 7,545,622).
This fundamental patent enables innovative mobile handset designers and manufacturers to design and optimize handset performance dynamically for the very first time. The result for the consumer is less dropped calls, increased talk time and better battery life.
"WiSpry has devoted significant resources to protecting its intellectual property throughout the history of the Company," said Jeff Hilbert, president and COO of WiSpry. "As we move into high volume production, it is imperative we continue to obtain protection for the key technology that enables our breakthrough product roadmap."
This fundamental patent enables innovative mobile handset designers and manufacturers to design and optimize handset performance dynamically for the very first time. The result for the consumer is less dropped calls, increased talk time and better battery life.
"WiSpry has devoted significant resources to protecting its intellectual property throughout the history of the Company," said Jeff Hilbert, president and COO of WiSpry. "As we move into high volume production, it is imperative we continue to obtain protection for the key technology that enables our breakthrough product roadmap."
Friday, February 19, 2010
RFMD expands 3G product portfolio with TD-SCDMA power amplifier
BARCELONA, SPAIN: RF Micro Devices Inc. has expanded its industry-leading 3G front end product portfolio with the RF7234, RFMD's second-generation TD-SCDMA power amplifier (PA).
The dual-mode RF7234 (TD-SCDMA and WCDMA band 1) follows RFMD's first-generation TD-SCDMA PA, the RF3266, which has secured multiple design wins across leading TD-SCDMA reference designs and is forecast to support multiple top-tier handset manufacturers headquartered in Asia and Europe.
Both the RF7234 and RF3266 deliver superior performance at peak power conditions and ample margin across spectral emissions mask requirements – meeting or exceeding the critical performance metrics of today's TD-SCDMA handsets.
Accordingly, RFMD is supporting multiple TD-SCDMA reference designs, including MediaTek and T3G, and RFMD expects robust growth in TD-SCDMA handsets in calendar 2010, driven by Samsung, ZTE, BYD, LG and other leading handset manufacturers.
Eric Creviston, president of RFMD's Cellular Products Group (CPG), said: "RFMD is introducing a record number of new cellular components this year in support of our customers' new handset builds. We are particularly focused on expanding our leadership in 3G with a broad product family that is cost- and feature set-optimized for this rapidly emerging, high-growth category. In TD-SCDMA, we are forecasting strong customer adoption of our RF3266 and RF7234, and we expect robust growth in TD-SCDMA devices in calendar 2010."
The RF7234 and RF3266 expand an industry-leading 3G product portfolio that accommodates all major RF architectures, including existing mode-specific/band-specific and mode-specific/multi-band architectures as well as emerging multimode/multi-band, converged architectures. RFMD's innovative 3G products also include a broad range of GSM/GPRS and EDGE power amplifier-based and switch-based components optimized for 3G mobile internet devices, providing a comprehensive RF product portfolio covering the entire cellular front end.
The dual-mode RF7234 (TD-SCDMA and WCDMA band 1) follows RFMD's first-generation TD-SCDMA PA, the RF3266, which has secured multiple design wins across leading TD-SCDMA reference designs and is forecast to support multiple top-tier handset manufacturers headquartered in Asia and Europe.
Both the RF7234 and RF3266 deliver superior performance at peak power conditions and ample margin across spectral emissions mask requirements – meeting or exceeding the critical performance metrics of today's TD-SCDMA handsets.
Accordingly, RFMD is supporting multiple TD-SCDMA reference designs, including MediaTek and T3G, and RFMD expects robust growth in TD-SCDMA handsets in calendar 2010, driven by Samsung, ZTE, BYD, LG and other leading handset manufacturers.
Eric Creviston, president of RFMD's Cellular Products Group (CPG), said: "RFMD is introducing a record number of new cellular components this year in support of our customers' new handset builds. We are particularly focused on expanding our leadership in 3G with a broad product family that is cost- and feature set-optimized for this rapidly emerging, high-growth category. In TD-SCDMA, we are forecasting strong customer adoption of our RF3266 and RF7234, and we expect robust growth in TD-SCDMA devices in calendar 2010."
The RF7234 and RF3266 expand an industry-leading 3G product portfolio that accommodates all major RF architectures, including existing mode-specific/band-specific and mode-specific/multi-band architectures as well as emerging multimode/multi-band, converged architectures. RFMD's innovative 3G products also include a broad range of GSM/GPRS and EDGE power amplifier-based and switch-based components optimized for 3G mobile internet devices, providing a comprehensive RF product portfolio covering the entire cellular front end.
LED backlight costs falling faster than conventional LCD backlights
AUSTIN, USA: Most LCD panel and set makers are focusing on development of LED (light emitting diode) backlight units for improved visual performance, thinner form factor, and lower power consumption. The key issue has been reducing cost, in absolute terms and relative to the conventional CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent) backlights.
The newly-released DisplaySearch Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Cost Report, which is the only report to analyze and forecast the cost structure of CCFL and LED backlight costs, disclosed that the average cost of 40” edge LED backlight unit in Q1’10 is $118, and will fall to $100 by Q4’10 (see Fig. 1).
Cost reduction is driven by increasing production volumes, which affects LED and material costs, and by improvement in LED luminous intensity, which enables the use of fewer LED chips.
Fig. 1: Backlight Cost Comparison for 40” Full HD LCD TV Panel
Source: Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Cost Report
The core components in a TV with an LED backlight unit—LED chips, LGP (light guide plate), and DBEF (dual brightness enhancement film)—are not used in conventional CCFL backlight units for LCD TVs. In the 40” LED backlight cost, the light source including the LED assembly accounts for 34% of the BOM, the LGP is 13 percent, and the DBEF is 15 percent (see Fig. 2), so it is clear that LED design, output, and chip cost will be key for LED backlight cost reduction.
Fig. 2: Cost Breakdown for 40” FHD Edge-LED Backlight Unit (Q1’10)
Source: Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Cost Report
“To reduce LED backlight costs, manufacturers need to develop innovative LED backlight structures with minimal use of LED chips, LGPs with optimized patterns, and effective optical film stacks,” noted Kevin Kwak, DisplaySearch Director of LED Backlight Unit Research.
“Analyzing developments throughout the supply chain, we have built an LED and CCFL backlight cost simulation model,” Kwak continued. “Based on this model we can forecast that the cost of a 40” LED backlight will reach $100 in Q4’10, a 2.8x premium over the equivalent CCFL backlight, down from 3.7x at the beginning of 2009.”
The newly-released DisplaySearch Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Cost Report, which is the only report to analyze and forecast the cost structure of CCFL and LED backlight costs, disclosed that the average cost of 40” edge LED backlight unit in Q1’10 is $118, and will fall to $100 by Q4’10 (see Fig. 1).
Cost reduction is driven by increasing production volumes, which affects LED and material costs, and by improvement in LED luminous intensity, which enables the use of fewer LED chips.
Fig. 1: Backlight Cost Comparison for 40” Full HD LCD TV Panel
Source: Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Cost ReportThe core components in a TV with an LED backlight unit—LED chips, LGP (light guide plate), and DBEF (dual brightness enhancement film)—are not used in conventional CCFL backlight units for LCD TVs. In the 40” LED backlight cost, the light source including the LED assembly accounts for 34% of the BOM, the LGP is 13 percent, and the DBEF is 15 percent (see Fig. 2), so it is clear that LED design, output, and chip cost will be key for LED backlight cost reduction.
Fig. 2: Cost Breakdown for 40” FHD Edge-LED Backlight Unit (Q1’10)
Source: Quarterly LED & CCFL Backlight Cost Report“To reduce LED backlight costs, manufacturers need to develop innovative LED backlight structures with minimal use of LED chips, LGPs with optimized patterns, and effective optical film stacks,” noted Kevin Kwak, DisplaySearch Director of LED Backlight Unit Research.
“Analyzing developments throughout the supply chain, we have built an LED and CCFL backlight cost simulation model,” Kwak continued. “Based on this model we can forecast that the cost of a 40” LED backlight will reach $100 in Q4’10, a 2.8x premium over the equivalent CCFL backlight, down from 3.7x at the beginning of 2009.”
Thursday, February 18, 2010
LED Illumination Direct opens revolutionary LED showroom in Texas
AUSTIN, USA: LED Illumination Direct has opened a one-of-a-kind, green showroom in the Waco area. This 2,500-square-foot showroom hosts LED Illumination Direct’s 200 different varieties of LED products.
LED Illumination Direct’s showroom demonstrates LED lighting capabilities by comparing its LED lights to incandescent, CFLs, and Fluorescent lighting and showing various light spectrums and colors available in the LED light.
"Our doors are open to commercial, industrial and residential consumers who are looking for the best selection of quality LED products to provide energy efficiency and solid state lighting," says Greg Klepper, CEO of LED Illumination Direct.
LED Illumination Direct’s lights are recyclable, energy efficient and cost effective and emit 90 percent less heat than a conventional bulb. The LED low emission bulbs can be touched by the human hand, unlike that of incandescent, CFLs, and Fluorescent lights. The showroom is set up where the lights can be touched, held and controlled by anyone present.
“Greg Klepper and LED Illumination Direct produce the highest quality LED products on the market today and are the leaders of the LED lighting industry,” said Anthony Newberg, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, Dealers Electrical Supply Co.
“Without LED Illumination Direct the lighting industry would not be where it is today.” Dealers Electrical Supply is the authorized distributor in Texas for LED Illumination Direct.
The technologically advanced showroom at LED Illumination Direct displays LED lighting products ranging from LED tube lights, LED high power bulbs and spotlights, LED household lights, LED PAR/floodlights, LED flexible strips and LED modules.
LED Illumination Direct’s showroom demonstrates LED lighting capabilities by comparing its LED lights to incandescent, CFLs, and Fluorescent lighting and showing various light spectrums and colors available in the LED light.
"Our doors are open to commercial, industrial and residential consumers who are looking for the best selection of quality LED products to provide energy efficiency and solid state lighting," says Greg Klepper, CEO of LED Illumination Direct.
LED Illumination Direct’s lights are recyclable, energy efficient and cost effective and emit 90 percent less heat than a conventional bulb. The LED low emission bulbs can be touched by the human hand, unlike that of incandescent, CFLs, and Fluorescent lights. The showroom is set up where the lights can be touched, held and controlled by anyone present.
“Greg Klepper and LED Illumination Direct produce the highest quality LED products on the market today and are the leaders of the LED lighting industry,” said Anthony Newberg, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, Dealers Electrical Supply Co.
“Without LED Illumination Direct the lighting industry would not be where it is today.” Dealers Electrical Supply is the authorized distributor in Texas for LED Illumination Direct.
The technologically advanced showroom at LED Illumination Direct displays LED lighting products ranging from LED tube lights, LED high power bulbs and spotlights, LED household lights, LED PAR/floodlights, LED flexible strips and LED modules.
Powerwave intros Nexus FT repeaters for GSM, WCDMA and LTE deployments in EMEA region
BARCELONA, SPAIN, GSMA Mobile World Congress 2010: Powerwave Technologies Inc., a leader in end-to-end wireless coverage and capacity solutions, announced the general availability of its new family of Nexus FT™ repeaters, which provide high quality, efficient multi-service wireless coverage for GSM, WCDMA and LTE deployments in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
The new single- and dual-band repeaters, which support 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands, address operators’ needs for high power, multi-standard network equipment to improve and extend access to 3G services and to prepare for future 4G deployments, as well as those engaged in implementing UMTS in the 900 MHz band and frequency re-farming in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands.
Designed to maintain quality of service and support new mobile data services for GSM, WCDMA and LTE within current in-building coverage systems, the ultra linear performance of Powerwave’s Nexus FT repeater systems provides operators with a reliable, cost-effective and future-proof solution for extending the capacity and reach of their existing wireless networks.
In turn, end users enjoy high-quality mobile coverage in indoor environments such as subways, airports, office buildings and shopping malls, and are assured full 3G and 4G capabilities can be realized in coverage areas.
Featuring a modular and robust design, the repeaters offer both a compact footprint and boast the industry’s smallest maintenance-free passive cooling package with no fans required. Powerwave Nexus FT repeaters offer the lowest total cost of ownership in the market; with “field friendly” simplified band upgrade capability, operators can implement new modulation schemes without impacting coverage footprint – reducing costs associated with network upgrades.
The product and can be deployed up to 25km (15 miles) from an existing base station to deliver an efficient, multi-service solution for today’s current and emerging 4G networks. Leveraging energy-efficient, multi-carrier power amplifiers (MCPAs) to reduce power requirements at the remote site, Nexus FT repeaters are ideal for multi-operator and multi-band deployments.
The new models include:
* Single-Band 900 MHz: RH100020/101
* Single-Band 1800 MHz: RH200020/101
* Single-Band 2100 MHz: RH600020/101
* Dual-Band 900 MHz and 1800 MHz: RH201022/101
* Dual-Band 900 MHz and 2100 MHz: RH601022/101
* Dual-Band 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz: RH602022/101.
All part numbers offer an IP65 and NEMA 4 protection rating, and are fully weather- and lightning-protected for pole, rooftop or tower-top deployments.
The new single- and dual-band repeaters, which support 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands, address operators’ needs for high power, multi-standard network equipment to improve and extend access to 3G services and to prepare for future 4G deployments, as well as those engaged in implementing UMTS in the 900 MHz band and frequency re-farming in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands.
Designed to maintain quality of service and support new mobile data services for GSM, WCDMA and LTE within current in-building coverage systems, the ultra linear performance of Powerwave’s Nexus FT repeater systems provides operators with a reliable, cost-effective and future-proof solution for extending the capacity and reach of their existing wireless networks.
In turn, end users enjoy high-quality mobile coverage in indoor environments such as subways, airports, office buildings and shopping malls, and are assured full 3G and 4G capabilities can be realized in coverage areas.
Featuring a modular and robust design, the repeaters offer both a compact footprint and boast the industry’s smallest maintenance-free passive cooling package with no fans required. Powerwave Nexus FT repeaters offer the lowest total cost of ownership in the market; with “field friendly” simplified band upgrade capability, operators can implement new modulation schemes without impacting coverage footprint – reducing costs associated with network upgrades.
The product and can be deployed up to 25km (15 miles) from an existing base station to deliver an efficient, multi-service solution for today’s current and emerging 4G networks. Leveraging energy-efficient, multi-carrier power amplifiers (MCPAs) to reduce power requirements at the remote site, Nexus FT repeaters are ideal for multi-operator and multi-band deployments.
The new models include:
* Single-Band 900 MHz: RH100020/101
* Single-Band 1800 MHz: RH200020/101
* Single-Band 2100 MHz: RH600020/101
* Dual-Band 900 MHz and 1800 MHz: RH201022/101
* Dual-Band 900 MHz and 2100 MHz: RH601022/101
* Dual-Band 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz: RH602022/101.
All part numbers offer an IP65 and NEMA 4 protection rating, and are fully weather- and lightning-protected for pole, rooftop or tower-top deployments.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Impact Components announces distribution agreement with Korea's Innodisplay
SAN DIEGO, USA: Impact Components has reached an agreement with Innodisplay to be the sole distributor of Innodisplay’s full line of industrial & commercial application LCD A/D controller cards and open frame LCD kits in North America.
“Our partnership with Innodisplay allows Impact to bring a full integration solution to customers for their LCD needs,” said Brian Garlick, LCD Division Leader for Impact Components. “This adds an additional level of support and convenience for Impact customers.”
Johnny Sohn, President of Innodisplay, had similar sentiments. “Partnering with Impact Components enables North American companies to benefit from our range of TFT-LCD solutions. We are confident in Impact’s ability to bring their industry experience to bear in helping customers design-in and fully support our products.”
“Our partnership with Innodisplay allows Impact to bring a full integration solution to customers for their LCD needs,” said Brian Garlick, LCD Division Leader for Impact Components. “This adds an additional level of support and convenience for Impact customers.”
Johnny Sohn, President of Innodisplay, had similar sentiments. “Partnering with Impact Components enables North American companies to benefit from our range of TFT-LCD solutions. We are confident in Impact’s ability to bring their industry experience to bear in helping customers design-in and fully support our products.”
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
PCTEL unveils dual polarization MIMO antenna for broadband wireless mobile apps
BARCELONA, SPAIN: PCTEL Inc., a leader in propagation and wireless network optimization solutions, unveiled its new Medallion™ Dual Polarization GPS Multi-Band mobile antenna.
The new model, based on the popular Medallion mobile antenna platform has been enhanced to provide MIMO coverage for broadband wireless frequencies used for voice, video and data transmission in public safety, emergency response and mass transit applications.
PCTEL’s new Medallion antenna provides dual vertical and horizontal polarization and diversity at 2.3 to 2.7 GHz frequencies commonly used for data and streaming video communications. The antenna enables enhanced data throughput with faster transfer speeds and decreased interference in urban areas with high levels of wireless activity. The modular design of the Medallion platform adapts easily to other frequency applications, including 3.5 GHz WiMAX.
The PCTEL Medallion antenna supports no tune, multi-band coverage of GSM 850/1900 and GSM 900/1800 frequencies as well as GPS L1 tracking. Other features include low profile housing and over-molded gasket design for water and dust ingress protection.
“Our Medallion platform has been extremely well received in the marketplace since its introduction last year,” said Jeff Miller, Vice President and General Manager of PCTEL’s Antenna Products Group. “We are pleased with the Medallion’s performance in emergency response, fleet management and locomotive applications. The platform’s versatility has allowed us to expand our offering by applying new technologies and added frequencies, as shown with this new multi-band MIMO antenna with GPS tracking,” added Miller.
The new model, based on the popular Medallion mobile antenna platform has been enhanced to provide MIMO coverage for broadband wireless frequencies used for voice, video and data transmission in public safety, emergency response and mass transit applications.
PCTEL’s new Medallion antenna provides dual vertical and horizontal polarization and diversity at 2.3 to 2.7 GHz frequencies commonly used for data and streaming video communications. The antenna enables enhanced data throughput with faster transfer speeds and decreased interference in urban areas with high levels of wireless activity. The modular design of the Medallion platform adapts easily to other frequency applications, including 3.5 GHz WiMAX.
The PCTEL Medallion antenna supports no tune, multi-band coverage of GSM 850/1900 and GSM 900/1800 frequencies as well as GPS L1 tracking. Other features include low profile housing and over-molded gasket design for water and dust ingress protection.
“Our Medallion platform has been extremely well received in the marketplace since its introduction last year,” said Jeff Miller, Vice President and General Manager of PCTEL’s Antenna Products Group. “We are pleased with the Medallion’s performance in emergency response, fleet management and locomotive applications. The platform’s versatility has allowed us to expand our offering by applying new technologies and added frequencies, as shown with this new multi-band MIMO antenna with GPS tracking,” added Miller.
Aptina delivers full HD video for mobile phones with CMOS image sensor
BARCELONA, SPAIN: Aptina, a leading innovator of CMOS imaging technology, announced the availability of full HD video (1080p/60fps) for high-end mobile phones with the launch of its new high-resolution 14-megapixel, 1.4-micron MT9F011 mobile camera image sensor.
Designed for improved video performance, this easy-to-use, cost-effective product offers both higher sensitivity for high-frame rates and reduced structured noise for clean low-light video.
The pre-processing options and features of the new MT9F011 mobile camera image sensor directly reflect the advanced capabilities OEMs and camera module integrators are looking for in high-end mobile phones. These include low power consumption, a four-lane MIPI® data interface (configurable as single, dual or quad lane), Bayer resample for improved video, 1/2.3” optical format, and 25 degree chief ray angle to minimize module height.
“Aptina continues to enable imaging everywhere,” said Farshid Sabet, Vice President and General Manager of Aptina's Mobile, PC Gaming Business Unit. “In an increasingly video-centric world, the availability of the MT9F011 and its full HD video combined with unparalleled pixel performance and sensor functionality enables our customers to deliver new and differentiated video products faster. Based on recent interest and design-in activity, the MT9F011 sensor positions us to leverage our strength and capitalize on new opportunities.”
The pixels in the new MT9F011 are engineered to overcome the challenge of effective photon collection in the photodiodes that small pixels present when using conventional front side illumination (FSI). Aptina A-Pix technology provides sensitivity that is BSI-equivalent, yet with less crosstalk, lower noise and more accurate color reproduction.
Samples of the MT9F011 are currently available with mass production expected in Q2 2010.
Designed for improved video performance, this easy-to-use, cost-effective product offers both higher sensitivity for high-frame rates and reduced structured noise for clean low-light video.
The pre-processing options and features of the new MT9F011 mobile camera image sensor directly reflect the advanced capabilities OEMs and camera module integrators are looking for in high-end mobile phones. These include low power consumption, a four-lane MIPI® data interface (configurable as single, dual or quad lane), Bayer resample for improved video, 1/2.3” optical format, and 25 degree chief ray angle to minimize module height.
“Aptina continues to enable imaging everywhere,” said Farshid Sabet, Vice President and General Manager of Aptina's Mobile, PC Gaming Business Unit. “In an increasingly video-centric world, the availability of the MT9F011 and its full HD video combined with unparalleled pixel performance and sensor functionality enables our customers to deliver new and differentiated video products faster. Based on recent interest and design-in activity, the MT9F011 sensor positions us to leverage our strength and capitalize on new opportunities.”
The pixels in the new MT9F011 are engineered to overcome the challenge of effective photon collection in the photodiodes that small pixels present when using conventional front side illumination (FSI). Aptina A-Pix technology provides sensitivity that is BSI-equivalent, yet with less crosstalk, lower noise and more accurate color reproduction.
Samples of the MT9F011 are currently available with mass production expected in Q2 2010.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Lemnis Lighting submits first products in LED lamp portfolio for ENERGY STAR qualification
SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Lemnis Lighting recently announced at the Strategies in Light conference in Santa Clara, that it has started submitting the first products of a broad portfolio of LED replacements for incandescent and halogen light bulbs for ENERGY STAR qualification as of August 2010.
Lemnis Lighting, which specializes in energy efficient, LED-based lighting solutions and markets various LED retrofit lamps under its renowned Pharox brand name, has now submitted the following LED replacements to be tested for eligibility under ENERGY STAR.
Over the course of Q1 and Q2 2010, Lemnis Lighting will also introduce and submit several new products for ENERGY STAR, including smaller retrofit products for residential applications.
Lemnis Lighting has developed this range of LED products in response to the demand from the US government, utilities and retail chains to produce high quality and efficient LED products that perform up to the highest standards without compromising the quality of light.
Over the coming period, the Lemnis Lighting products will be subjected to rigorous performance tests, including lifetime tests and stress tests under extreme conditions, to ensure that they live up to the high standard of ENERGY STAR qualified products.
"Lemnis Lighting has been a global front-runner in developing and bringing to the market high quality, warm white LED lamps as a genuine alternative to incandescents, halogens and CFLs. We are confident that our new generation of products will meet the criteria for ENERGY STAR® and can make a significant positive impact in achieving the goal of a more energy-efficient world," said Lemnis Lighting CEO Remko Gaastra.
"We have gladly accepted the challenge from the US government - driven by consumer need for assurance of quality, safety - to accelerate the introduction of reliable LED lamps into the US consumer and business markets and will continue to do so," added Martijn Dekker, CTO. "Over the next quarters, more and more efficient and high quality products will be developed and launched by Lemnis Lighting into the US market."
Lemnis Lighting, which specializes in energy efficient, LED-based lighting solutions and markets various LED retrofit lamps under its renowned Pharox brand name, has now submitted the following LED replacements to be tested for eligibility under ENERGY STAR.
Over the course of Q1 and Q2 2010, Lemnis Lighting will also introduce and submit several new products for ENERGY STAR, including smaller retrofit products for residential applications.
Lemnis Lighting has developed this range of LED products in response to the demand from the US government, utilities and retail chains to produce high quality and efficient LED products that perform up to the highest standards without compromising the quality of light.
Over the coming period, the Lemnis Lighting products will be subjected to rigorous performance tests, including lifetime tests and stress tests under extreme conditions, to ensure that they live up to the high standard of ENERGY STAR qualified products.
"Lemnis Lighting has been a global front-runner in developing and bringing to the market high quality, warm white LED lamps as a genuine alternative to incandescents, halogens and CFLs. We are confident that our new generation of products will meet the criteria for ENERGY STAR® and can make a significant positive impact in achieving the goal of a more energy-efficient world," said Lemnis Lighting CEO Remko Gaastra.
"We have gladly accepted the challenge from the US government - driven by consumer need for assurance of quality, safety - to accelerate the introduction of reliable LED lamps into the US consumer and business markets and will continue to do so," added Martijn Dekker, CTO. "Over the next quarters, more and more efficient and high quality products will be developed and launched by Lemnis Lighting into the US market."
RFS' DC-FIT DC-connector solution dramatically simplifies upgrades of existing wireless cell sites
COLOMBES, FRANCE: On the occasion of the 2010 Mobile World Congress, Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), the global wireless and broadcast infrastructure specialist, is introducing DC-FIT, the world’s first DC-Connector solution, featuring innovative new technology that substantially reduces installation time and costs when upgrading existing wireless cell sites to Remote Radio Head (RRH) technology.
To continue offering premium services to their customers, while dealing with the challenges of exploding mobile broadband requirements and the growth of low-ARPU subscribers, mobile operators worldwide are constantly upgrading their networks using the latest available technologies.
These activities involve upgrading or replacing old-style base stations with the latest base station architecture where the RF filter and power amplifier of the base station, also called a Remote Radio Head (RRH), are installed next to the antenna at the top of the tower.
Obtaining approval for extending telecommunications networks is becoming increasingly difficult as people are often sensitive to the idea of new antenna sites. As a result, using and optimizing existing sites is the first natural approach.
However, existing sites are typically already crowded and overloaded with equipment. Dismantling cell sites is time consuming and, in many cases, not acceptable as operators cannot generate revenue from a site that is off-air.
This is why RFS is introducing DC-FIT, an innovative DC-Connector solution that enables mobile operators worldwide to dramatically reduce their roll-out time and operational expenses when they upgrade their existing wireless cell sites to RRH technology.
“To easily, quickly and cost efficiently upgrade existing wireless cell sites to RRH technology, the use of existing coaxial feeders as RRH power supplies and as housing for the fiber optical data connection is the answer,” says Marc Kaeumle, VP RF Transmission and Distribution at RFS. “With RFS’ DC-FIT solution, installation time and costs are substantially reduced. When making use of existing coaxial feeder lines, rollout planning is simplified and site preparation time can be reduced by 30 to 50 percent,” he adds.
This innovative concept was developed by RFS at the request of a leading international mobile operator who selected RFS as its trusted partner to design a solution that enables reuse of existing foam dielectric cables as the RRH power supply. The strong collaboration between RFS, the operator and a leading international wireless infrastructure integrator, who acted as turnkey contractor to the operator, was fundamental to making this project a success.
RFS has obtained an exclusive license agreement from the operator to promote and market the concept worldwide. This makes the DC-FIT solution an official RFS global exclusive offering that no other vendor may produce.
The RFS DC-FIT solution is already available for coaxial cables with a 7/8”, 1-1/4” or 1-5/8” nominal diameter. The first prototypes were developed in only two months, and already more than 1,000 RFS DC-FITs have been sold.
To continue offering premium services to their customers, while dealing with the challenges of exploding mobile broadband requirements and the growth of low-ARPU subscribers, mobile operators worldwide are constantly upgrading their networks using the latest available technologies.
These activities involve upgrading or replacing old-style base stations with the latest base station architecture where the RF filter and power amplifier of the base station, also called a Remote Radio Head (RRH), are installed next to the antenna at the top of the tower.
Obtaining approval for extending telecommunications networks is becoming increasingly difficult as people are often sensitive to the idea of new antenna sites. As a result, using and optimizing existing sites is the first natural approach.
However, existing sites are typically already crowded and overloaded with equipment. Dismantling cell sites is time consuming and, in many cases, not acceptable as operators cannot generate revenue from a site that is off-air.
This is why RFS is introducing DC-FIT, an innovative DC-Connector solution that enables mobile operators worldwide to dramatically reduce their roll-out time and operational expenses when they upgrade their existing wireless cell sites to RRH technology.
“To easily, quickly and cost efficiently upgrade existing wireless cell sites to RRH technology, the use of existing coaxial feeders as RRH power supplies and as housing for the fiber optical data connection is the answer,” says Marc Kaeumle, VP RF Transmission and Distribution at RFS. “With RFS’ DC-FIT solution, installation time and costs are substantially reduced. When making use of existing coaxial feeder lines, rollout planning is simplified and site preparation time can be reduced by 30 to 50 percent,” he adds.
This innovative concept was developed by RFS at the request of a leading international mobile operator who selected RFS as its trusted partner to design a solution that enables reuse of existing foam dielectric cables as the RRH power supply. The strong collaboration between RFS, the operator and a leading international wireless infrastructure integrator, who acted as turnkey contractor to the operator, was fundamental to making this project a success.
RFS has obtained an exclusive license agreement from the operator to promote and market the concept worldwide. This makes the DC-FIT solution an official RFS global exclusive offering that no other vendor may produce.
The RFS DC-FIT solution is already available for coaxial cables with a 7/8”, 1-1/4” or 1-5/8” nominal diameter. The first prototypes were developed in only two months, and already more than 1,000 RFS DC-FITs have been sold.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Component orders jump in January: ECA
ARLINGTON, USA: Electronic component orders jumped upward in January according to the monthly report compiled by the Electronic Components Association (ECA). ECA’s monthly report consolidates order information collected in confidence from leading electronic component manufacturers.
The upward trend in electronic component orders goes back seven months, but January showed perhaps the biggest jump during that time. Manufacturers are likely reacting to a combination of factors, including internal supply chain intelligence, good demand during the recent holiday season, and positive forecasts from analyst firms such as iSuppli, which predicts a mild recovery for the electronics market this year.
“The industry has seen a decent rebound for more than half a year, and the start of a new year typically leads to optimism,” says Bob Willis, ECA president. “Unlike the market decline we had in 2009, key indicators point to modest growth this year.”
The upward trend in electronic component orders goes back seven months, but January showed perhaps the biggest jump during that time. Manufacturers are likely reacting to a combination of factors, including internal supply chain intelligence, good demand during the recent holiday season, and positive forecasts from analyst firms such as iSuppli, which predicts a mild recovery for the electronics market this year.
“The industry has seen a decent rebound for more than half a year, and the start of a new year typically leads to optimism,” says Bob Willis, ECA president. “Unlike the market decline we had in 2009, key indicators point to modest growth this year.”
Friday, February 12, 2010
ON Semiconductor offers high-voltage MOSFET portfolio
PHOENIX, USA: ON Semiconductor has expanded its market leading power switching product offering with the introduction of a high-voltage power MOSFET portfolio including 500 volt (V) and 600 V devices.
These solutions are designed for the robust needs of high voltage, energy conversion applications such as Power Factor Correction (PFC) and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) stages, where faster turn-on and reduced dynamic power losses are crucial.
Specifically, they are ideal for power adapters for gaming, printing and notebooks, and implementation in ATX power supplies, LCD panel power and industrial lighting ballast.
The new 500 V and 600 V devices are single N-channel MOSFETs offering minimized power dissipation by delivering competitively low RDS(on). These devices employ planar stripe technology, allowing operation in the most demanding applications. Low gate charge reduces switching loss, which also enables higher power efficiency. The avalanche energy ratings on these devices offer robust operation in power supply applications. The superior performance of these devices combines to enable the development of more efficient power subsystems.
“This portfolio introduction is just the first step into the high-voltage power MOSFET market for ON Semiconductor,” said Paul Leonard, vice president and general manager of ON Semiconductor’s MOSFETs products division.
“We have strategically entered the high-voltage switching market at this time to better service our customers’ overall power management needs by providing a comprehensive selection of load switching solutions from 500 volts to 600 volts. Moving forward we will continue to expand our high-voltage power MOSFET portfolio with targeted solutions for consumer and industrial customers. This is yet another example of how ON Semiconductor is working to strengthen its position as an industry leading provider of energy efficient power solutions.”
These solutions are designed for the robust needs of high voltage, energy conversion applications such as Power Factor Correction (PFC) and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) stages, where faster turn-on and reduced dynamic power losses are crucial.
Specifically, they are ideal for power adapters for gaming, printing and notebooks, and implementation in ATX power supplies, LCD panel power and industrial lighting ballast.
The new 500 V and 600 V devices are single N-channel MOSFETs offering minimized power dissipation by delivering competitively low RDS(on). These devices employ planar stripe technology, allowing operation in the most demanding applications. Low gate charge reduces switching loss, which also enables higher power efficiency. The avalanche energy ratings on these devices offer robust operation in power supply applications. The superior performance of these devices combines to enable the development of more efficient power subsystems.
“This portfolio introduction is just the first step into the high-voltage power MOSFET market for ON Semiconductor,” said Paul Leonard, vice president and general manager of ON Semiconductor’s MOSFETs products division.
“We have strategically entered the high-voltage switching market at this time to better service our customers’ overall power management needs by providing a comprehensive selection of load switching solutions from 500 volts to 600 volts. Moving forward we will continue to expand our high-voltage power MOSFET portfolio with targeted solutions for consumer and industrial customers. This is yet another example of how ON Semiconductor is working to strengthen its position as an industry leading provider of energy efficient power solutions.”
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Philips Lumileds receives ISO/TS16949 certification
SAN JOSE, USA: Philips Lumileds announced that each one of its three design, development and manufacturing sites have received ISO/TS16949 certification highlighting the company’s commitment to quality management.
All three sites, San Jose, Penang, and Singapore, were certified within weeks of each other with zero non-conformities, representing an approach and commitment to quality that is consistent throughout the company.
The ISO/TS16949 is an international standard for automotive industry suppliers and it defines quality management system requirements. As one of the world’s leading suppliers of LEDs for exterior vehicle applications, Philips Lumileds is dedicated to achieving the highest standards and establishing a framework for continued improvements.
Although designed for the automotive industry, the benefits of robust quality management will be realized by customers in the lighting and consumer electronics industries as well. Particularly in the solid-state lighting environment where LED components are often “fit-for-life” knowing that a supplier is committed and has sound practices with respect to quality is essential.
“Thanks to the efforts and commitment of the entire company, this process affirms that Philips Lumileds is leading the quality effort for power LEDs,” said Darren Smith, VP Quality and Zero Defect at Philips Lumileds. “This is an ongoing effort through which we will continue to minimize defects, variance and waste in the production process for our LUXEON, SnapLED and SuperFlux products.”
The certification process requires two separate audit programs at each site. The first is to verify that the company and site are ready for a full assessment. The second is to confirm that the management system in place conforms to the requirements. Any non-conformance to the standards must be corrected prior to certification.
All three sites, San Jose, Penang, and Singapore, were certified within weeks of each other with zero non-conformities, representing an approach and commitment to quality that is consistent throughout the company.
The ISO/TS16949 is an international standard for automotive industry suppliers and it defines quality management system requirements. As one of the world’s leading suppliers of LEDs for exterior vehicle applications, Philips Lumileds is dedicated to achieving the highest standards and establishing a framework for continued improvements.
Although designed for the automotive industry, the benefits of robust quality management will be realized by customers in the lighting and consumer electronics industries as well. Particularly in the solid-state lighting environment where LED components are often “fit-for-life” knowing that a supplier is committed and has sound practices with respect to quality is essential.
“Thanks to the efforts and commitment of the entire company, this process affirms that Philips Lumileds is leading the quality effort for power LEDs,” said Darren Smith, VP Quality and Zero Defect at Philips Lumileds. “This is an ongoing effort through which we will continue to minimize defects, variance and waste in the production process for our LUXEON, SnapLED and SuperFlux products.”
The certification process requires two separate audit programs at each site. The first is to verify that the company and site are ready for a full assessment. The second is to confirm that the management system in place conforms to the requirements. Any non-conformance to the standards must be corrected prior to certification.
Luminus Devices in full production with warm white PhlatLight LEDs
SANTA CLARA, USA: Luminus Devices Inc., developer and manufacturer of high light output PhlatLight LEDs, has announced the general availability of its warm white PhlatLight LEDs. Warm white is a critical color for indoor commercial and residential lighting applications.
Warm white PhatLight LEDs are part of the company’s SST-50 and SST-90 product lines. With a minimum CRI of 80 and a typical CRI value greater than 85, this new offering from Luminus will ensure that the color quality standards set by Energy Star can be achieved.
“Today, our rapidly expanding product line now includes high quality warm white PhlatLight LEDs well suited for commercial and residential lighting applications, including retrofit bulbs and indoor lighting fixtures,” said Keith T.S. Ward, president and CEO of Luminus Devices. “Luminus is committed to providing market-leading performance and the ability to use fewer warm white PhlatLight LEDs in the new lighting applications of the future.”
Warm white PhatLight LEDs are part of the company’s SST-50 and SST-90 product lines. With a minimum CRI of 80 and a typical CRI value greater than 85, this new offering from Luminus will ensure that the color quality standards set by Energy Star can be achieved.
“Today, our rapidly expanding product line now includes high quality warm white PhlatLight LEDs well suited for commercial and residential lighting applications, including retrofit bulbs and indoor lighting fixtures,” said Keith T.S. Ward, president and CEO of Luminus Devices. “Luminus is committed to providing market-leading performance and the ability to use fewer warm white PhlatLight LEDs in the new lighting applications of the future.”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Ametherm announces new partnership with Rhopoint Components
CARSON CITY, USA: Ametherm, a US based manufacturer of inrush current limiting power thermistors, has added Rhopoint Components to its list of authorized distributors.
Rhopoint will offer Ametherm's complete line of circuit protection devices, supporting outputs from 50 to 7,500 watts and continuous currents from .25 to 50 amps.
"The demand for high power circuit protection is increasing, especially in the 800 watts and above range," said Eric Rauch, Ametherm's president. "Applications include motor drives, soft start circuits, HVAC, switch mode power supplies, audio amplifiers, and medical X-ray equipment. Our focus on high quality and durability will enable Rhopoint to quickly meet those needs in their market."
Rauch says that the Ametherm line will also help Rhopoint, previously an exclusive distributor of RTI Electronics inrush current limiters and sold as Surge-Gard, provide a seamless transition for customers as RTI is divested by its parent company, Intricon.
"Rhopoint is excited to be the sole distributor of Ametherm in the UK," said Ian Moore, Rhopoint Sales Director. "Ametherm's inrush current limiting power thermistors are UL-CSA approved, expand the range of inrush current limiters formerly offered by RTI, and extend the range of available applications for our customers."
Rhopoint will offer Ametherm's complete line of circuit protection devices, supporting outputs from 50 to 7,500 watts and continuous currents from .25 to 50 amps.
"The demand for high power circuit protection is increasing, especially in the 800 watts and above range," said Eric Rauch, Ametherm's president. "Applications include motor drives, soft start circuits, HVAC, switch mode power supplies, audio amplifiers, and medical X-ray equipment. Our focus on high quality and durability will enable Rhopoint to quickly meet those needs in their market."
Rauch says that the Ametherm line will also help Rhopoint, previously an exclusive distributor of RTI Electronics inrush current limiters and sold as Surge-Gard, provide a seamless transition for customers as RTI is divested by its parent company, Intricon.
"Rhopoint is excited to be the sole distributor of Ametherm in the UK," said Ian Moore, Rhopoint Sales Director. "Ametherm's inrush current limiting power thermistors are UL-CSA approved, expand the range of inrush current limiters formerly offered by RTI, and extend the range of available applications for our customers."
California Micro Devices presents HBLED protection devices at SIL 2010
SANTA CLARA, USA: California Micro Devices, a wholly owned subsidiary of ON Semiconductor, will be showcasing its innovative LuxGuard family of turnkey solutions for ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection and thermal management for high power, high brightness LED (light emitting diode) lighting applications at the Strategies in Light Conference and Exhibition 2010 at the Santa Clara Convention Center from Feb. 10-12.
A pioneer in the development of ESD protection circuits for high power HBLED applications, CMD has shipped more than 300 million units to customers since 2001. The market for high power HBLEDs has expanded beyond traditional market segments such as the status and alphanumeric display markets into a wider range of lighting applications including illumination; automotive; signage and residential and commercial lighting.
New LuxGuard products showcased
The LuxGuard CM1753 and CM1754 feature a 50 volt breakdown voltage specification, delivering a robust 8kV HBM (Human Body Model) of ESD protection with low input capacitance for high power, high efficacy HBLED lighting applications.
Designed as silicon based side mount ESD protectors, the CM1753 is designed for P-up common cathode configurations and the CM1754 provides identical protection for N-up common anode configurations. Their small form factor enables them to be used in all applications, including existing HBLED lamp modules with 1 to 15 LEDs in the string.
LuxGuard range of advanced protection
LuxGuard products for HBLEDs include silicon submounts and side mount TVS diodes. LuxGuard submounts provide integrated ESD protection at levels exceeding 15kV HBM (Human Body Model).
The submount also helps to cushion the LED from stress due to thermal expansion coefficient differences between the LED and the lead frame, while the option of an aluminum top coat provides improved reflectivity. CMD also offers TVS diodes mounted next to the LED die within the LED fixture. ESD ratings vary based on die size, and are typically between 8kV and 30kV HBM.
With a number of design options, LuxGuard products leverage CMD's significant process, design and application knowledge and provide customers superior value of application specific solution, while enjoying the lower costs associated with higher volume, general customer solutions.
Besides CMD LuxGuard products, there will be demos of ON Semiconductor LED lighting applications including:
* Halogen desk lamp converted to LED using a Cree XLAMP MC-E LED. The lamp is powered by an ON Semiconductor offline LED driver GreenPoint® reference design and meets the ENERGY STAR® SSL Power Factor Requirement for Residential Luminaires.
* MR16 LED lamp powered by an ON Semiconductor 1W to 5W LED driver GreenPoint reference design which allows operation off of 12V ac or 12V dc.
A pioneer in the development of ESD protection circuits for high power HBLED applications, CMD has shipped more than 300 million units to customers since 2001. The market for high power HBLEDs has expanded beyond traditional market segments such as the status and alphanumeric display markets into a wider range of lighting applications including illumination; automotive; signage and residential and commercial lighting.
New LuxGuard products showcased
The LuxGuard CM1753 and CM1754 feature a 50 volt breakdown voltage specification, delivering a robust 8kV HBM (Human Body Model) of ESD protection with low input capacitance for high power, high efficacy HBLED lighting applications.
Designed as silicon based side mount ESD protectors, the CM1753 is designed for P-up common cathode configurations and the CM1754 provides identical protection for N-up common anode configurations. Their small form factor enables them to be used in all applications, including existing HBLED lamp modules with 1 to 15 LEDs in the string.
LuxGuard range of advanced protection
LuxGuard products for HBLEDs include silicon submounts and side mount TVS diodes. LuxGuard submounts provide integrated ESD protection at levels exceeding 15kV HBM (Human Body Model).
The submount also helps to cushion the LED from stress due to thermal expansion coefficient differences between the LED and the lead frame, while the option of an aluminum top coat provides improved reflectivity. CMD also offers TVS diodes mounted next to the LED die within the LED fixture. ESD ratings vary based on die size, and are typically between 8kV and 30kV HBM.
With a number of design options, LuxGuard products leverage CMD's significant process, design and application knowledge and provide customers superior value of application specific solution, while enjoying the lower costs associated with higher volume, general customer solutions.
Besides CMD LuxGuard products, there will be demos of ON Semiconductor LED lighting applications including:
* Halogen desk lamp converted to LED using a Cree XLAMP MC-E LED. The lamp is powered by an ON Semiconductor offline LED driver GreenPoint® reference design and meets the ENERGY STAR® SSL Power Factor Requirement for Residential Luminaires.
* MR16 LED lamp powered by an ON Semiconductor 1W to 5W LED driver GreenPoint reference design which allows operation off of 12V ac or 12V dc.
Ultratech intros Sapphire 100 lithography system for HBLED manufacturing
SAN JOSE, USA: Ultratech Inc., a leading supplier of lithography and laser-processing systems used to manufacture semiconductor devices, today introduced its newest lithography system, the Sapphire 100 for high-brightness light-emitting diode (HBLED) manufacturing.
By leveraging its lithography and technology leadership, the Sapphire 100 lithography system is designed to enable Ultratech customers to meet the growing demand for illumination products with HBLED technology. Today, this demand is driven by strong growth in LED backlighting applications, with even greater potential from energy savings as the world intensifies its energy conservation efforts with the implementation of LED-based, solid state lighting. Currently in beta, Ultratech's production-ready Sapphire 100 lithography system will be available in the second half of 2010.
According to Strategies Unlimited, illumination is expected to become the fastest growing segment of HBLEDs (2007 - 2012 CAGR of 36 percent). Future growth in the LED lighting market is expected to come from a mix of sources, such as street and parking lights, and indoor residential and office applications.
It is estimated that the potential annual energy cost savings is in the $10 billion - $100 billion per country. Building on this expectation, Ultratech has designed the Sapphire 100 to provide competitive advantages for its HBLED manufacturing customers.
Doug Anberg, Ultratech's VP of advanced stepper technology, noted: "Today, approximately 25 percent of electricity is used for lighting. As energy conservation efforts continue to increase, we expect lighting products with HBLED technology to be in high demand. The development of our Sapphire 100 system is an example of our long track record of anticipating industry trends and providing high value to meet the changing needs of our global customers. We look forward to working with leading HBLED manufacturers and to establish their competitive advantages with Ultratech lithography systems for the burgeoning illumination market."
By leveraging its lithography and technology leadership, the Sapphire 100 lithography system is designed to enable Ultratech customers to meet the growing demand for illumination products with HBLED technology. Today, this demand is driven by strong growth in LED backlighting applications, with even greater potential from energy savings as the world intensifies its energy conservation efforts with the implementation of LED-based, solid state lighting. Currently in beta, Ultratech's production-ready Sapphire 100 lithography system will be available in the second half of 2010.
According to Strategies Unlimited, illumination is expected to become the fastest growing segment of HBLEDs (2007 - 2012 CAGR of 36 percent). Future growth in the LED lighting market is expected to come from a mix of sources, such as street and parking lights, and indoor residential and office applications.
It is estimated that the potential annual energy cost savings is in the $10 billion - $100 billion per country. Building on this expectation, Ultratech has designed the Sapphire 100 to provide competitive advantages for its HBLED manufacturing customers.
Doug Anberg, Ultratech's VP of advanced stepper technology, noted: "Today, approximately 25 percent of electricity is used for lighting. As energy conservation efforts continue to increase, we expect lighting products with HBLED technology to be in high demand. The development of our Sapphire 100 system is an example of our long track record of anticipating industry trends and providing high value to meet the changing needs of our global customers. We look forward to working with leading HBLED manufacturers and to establish their competitive advantages with Ultratech lithography systems for the burgeoning illumination market."
LeCroy intros trigger and decode package for MIL-STD-1553
CHESTNUT RIDGE, USA: LeCroy Corp.'s new 1553 TD (trigger and decode) package provides all the tools needed to analyze and debug the MIL-STD-1553 protocol bus.
Immediately available for the WaveSurfer Xs/Xs-A, WaveRunner Xi/Xi-A, WavePro 7 Zi and WaveMaster 8 Zi oscilloscopes, LeCroy's 1553 TD decode provides both a transfer level view to enable a higher level understanding of messaging and timing, or a word level view to debug at the individual bit level.
Traditional MIL-STD-1553 debug tools only show the messages in a text file without providing a view of the waveform to truly understand the signal behavior. LeCroy's 1553 TD solution provides both the protocol analyzer view with the table view, and the oscilloscope view to debug on the physical layer signal.
Color-coded overlays on various sections of the protocol decode are used by 1553 TD for a visual display that is easy to understand. This feature, exclusive to LeCroy, is intuitive for experienced engineers; and especially useful for users new to the MIL-STD-1553 standard. In addition, decode information condenses or expands depending on the timebase/zoom ratio setting, simplifying both routine verification and complex troubleshooting. Engineers can choose to decode into Hex and Binary.
The 1553 TD trigger can be configured for both transfer level and word level messaging. In addition, the 1553 TD trigger solution provides tools to isolate specific errors in the protocol to quickly pinpoint the area causing the most problems.
A timing trigger mode allows the user to quickly find timing violations of both the intermessage gap time (IMG) or the response time between a BC and RT, or from a RT to another RT. The 1553 TD trigger solutions help to isolate rare problems not easily detected by viewing decoded data alone or by viewing the data with a bus analyzer. In addition, 1553 TD turns the oscilloscope into a protocol analyzer with a customizable table display or protocol information which can be exported as an Excel file.
Immediately available for the WaveSurfer Xs/Xs-A, WaveRunner Xi/Xi-A, WavePro 7 Zi and WaveMaster 8 Zi oscilloscopes, LeCroy's 1553 TD decode provides both a transfer level view to enable a higher level understanding of messaging and timing, or a word level view to debug at the individual bit level.
Traditional MIL-STD-1553 debug tools only show the messages in a text file without providing a view of the waveform to truly understand the signal behavior. LeCroy's 1553 TD solution provides both the protocol analyzer view with the table view, and the oscilloscope view to debug on the physical layer signal.
Color-coded overlays on various sections of the protocol decode are used by 1553 TD for a visual display that is easy to understand. This feature, exclusive to LeCroy, is intuitive for experienced engineers; and especially useful for users new to the MIL-STD-1553 standard. In addition, decode information condenses or expands depending on the timebase/zoom ratio setting, simplifying both routine verification and complex troubleshooting. Engineers can choose to decode into Hex and Binary.
The 1553 TD trigger can be configured for both transfer level and word level messaging. In addition, the 1553 TD trigger solution provides tools to isolate specific errors in the protocol to quickly pinpoint the area causing the most problems.
A timing trigger mode allows the user to quickly find timing violations of both the intermessage gap time (IMG) or the response time between a BC and RT, or from a RT to another RT. The 1553 TD trigger solutions help to isolate rare problems not easily detected by viewing decoded data alone or by viewing the data with a bus analyzer. In addition, 1553 TD turns the oscilloscope into a protocol analyzer with a customizable table display or protocol information which can be exported as an Excel file.
Pickering Interfaces intros new LXI high voltage matrix
CLACTON ON SEA, UK: Pickering Interfaces is expanding its range of LXI compliant products with the introduction of a new LXI High Voltage matrix, 60-311.
The 60-311 is a matrix designed for high voltage switching applications. Designed to withstand voltages up to 1kV with up to 2A of carry current, the 60-311 provides a dense and cost effective solution to matrix switching solutions where high user voltages may be encountered.
The LXI Class C compliant device uses high voltage D Type connectors ensuring that the connection solutions are readily available from Pickering Interfaces and other suppliers.
The 60-311 is offered in three configurations single, dual and triple 75x4 matrices - each individual matrix includes isolation relays on the X and Y axis that simplify configuration of the matrix into larger matrix sizes, when interconnecting the matrices together, which avoids excessive matrix loading in many applications.
The LXI Class C compliant interface allows simple Ethernet control of the matrix with local or remote access. The isolated nature of the LAN connection is well suited to high voltage applications. The 60-311 is designed to be used in rack, bench or distributed tests systems and uses a 3U rack mountable case system.
The 60-311 is a matrix designed for high voltage switching applications. Designed to withstand voltages up to 1kV with up to 2A of carry current, the 60-311 provides a dense and cost effective solution to matrix switching solutions where high user voltages may be encountered.
The LXI Class C compliant device uses high voltage D Type connectors ensuring that the connection solutions are readily available from Pickering Interfaces and other suppliers.
The 60-311 is offered in three configurations single, dual and triple 75x4 matrices - each individual matrix includes isolation relays on the X and Y axis that simplify configuration of the matrix into larger matrix sizes, when interconnecting the matrices together, which avoids excessive matrix loading in many applications.
The LXI Class C compliant interface allows simple Ethernet control of the matrix with local or remote access. The isolated nature of the LAN connection is well suited to high voltage applications. The 60-311 is designed to be used in rack, bench or distributed tests systems and uses a 3U rack mountable case system.
FDK joings Distributed-power Open Standards Alliance (DOSA) for DC power
TOKYO, JAPAN & SAN FRANCISCO & PLANO, USA: The Distributed-power Open Standards Alliance (DOSA), a global association dedicated to bringing compatibility and standardization to the DC-DC board mounted power conversion market, has added FDK Corporation to its membership roster. FDK is a global electronic component and battery manufacturer, cultivating and using cutting-edge technologies in areas such as material engineering and high-density mounting.
Akira Kamada, corporate senior executive vice president of FDK, commented: "The DC-DC converter industry in Japan, while serving a substantial domestic market, has evolved in relative isolation from the global mainstream, with little standardization. As a member of DOSA, FDK looks forward to leveraging its extensive domestic experience to promote platform standardization in Japan for the benefit of both customers and members of the alliance.”
DOSA was founded in 2004, by Lineage Power and SynQor, to develop standards for DC-DC converters to ensure compatibility and facilitate second sourcing for customers. DOSA carries the mission of establishing standards over a broad range of power converter form factors, footprints, feature sets and functionality for both non-isolated point-of-load (POL) and isolated applications.
Alliance members include the two founding member corporations as well as Acbel, Bel Power, Delta Electronics, Emerson Network Power, Ericsson Power Modules, Lambda, Murata Power Solutions, NetPower Technologies, Power-One, and Wall Industries.
“We are excited to add a well-respected manufacturer such as FDK Corporation to the DOSA membership lineup,” said Niklas Fallgren, vice president and general manager of Lineage Power’s Embedded OEM division. “The market penetration of DOSA worldwide has created such strong customer demand that membership continues to expand—proof the charter for compatible and standardized DC-DC power conversion products is on target and what design engineers truly need.”
Akira Kamada, corporate senior executive vice president of FDK, commented: "The DC-DC converter industry in Japan, while serving a substantial domestic market, has evolved in relative isolation from the global mainstream, with little standardization. As a member of DOSA, FDK looks forward to leveraging its extensive domestic experience to promote platform standardization in Japan for the benefit of both customers and members of the alliance.”
DOSA was founded in 2004, by Lineage Power and SynQor, to develop standards for DC-DC converters to ensure compatibility and facilitate second sourcing for customers. DOSA carries the mission of establishing standards over a broad range of power converter form factors, footprints, feature sets and functionality for both non-isolated point-of-load (POL) and isolated applications.
Alliance members include the two founding member corporations as well as Acbel, Bel Power, Delta Electronics, Emerson Network Power, Ericsson Power Modules, Lambda, Murata Power Solutions, NetPower Technologies, Power-One, and Wall Industries.
“We are excited to add a well-respected manufacturer such as FDK Corporation to the DOSA membership lineup,” said Niklas Fallgren, vice president and general manager of Lineage Power’s Embedded OEM division. “The market penetration of DOSA worldwide has created such strong customer demand that membership continues to expand—proof the charter for compatible and standardized DC-DC power conversion products is on target and what design engineers truly need.”
Avago intros ultra low noise amplifier for cellular infrastructure apps
SAN JOSE, USA & SINGAPORE: Avago Technologies, a leading supplier of analog interface components for communications, industrial and consumer applications, has announced the latest edition to its family of ultra low noise, high gain, high linearity Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) active bias amplifiers for use in cellular infrastructure applications.
Avago’s MGA-633P8, which is an easy-to-use GaAs monolithic microwave IC (MMIC) low noise amplifier (LNA), provides ‘Best in Class’ performance and has a compact footprint. Additionally, it has a common printed circuit board layout, which is ideal for front-end applications used in cellular base stations.
The MGA-633P8 is designed to be used as a first stage LNA for cellular base station transceiver radio cards, tower mounted amplifiers, combiners, repeaters and remote/digital radio heads.
The MGA-633P8 uses Avago’s proprietary GaAs Enhancement-mode pHEMT process to achieve such a high gain with a very low noise figure. Housed in a compact 2.0 mm by 2.0 mm by 0.75 mm 8-pin Quad-Flat-Non-Lead (QFN) package, the MGA-633P8 is designed to enable cellular applications that operate within the 450 to 2000MHz frequency range to achieve superior performance levels. As a result, designers will be able to use this active bias LNA to develop next-generation cellular applications that are more compact with more features and functions to satisfy the growing needs of designers.
With its compact low-profile footprint coupled with its low noise, high gain and high linearity features the MGA-633P8 is suitable for use in line terminal equipment, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, CDMA2000 and TD-SCDMA cellular infrastructure applications.
Avago’s MGA-633P8, which is an easy-to-use GaAs monolithic microwave IC (MMIC) low noise amplifier (LNA), provides ‘Best in Class’ performance and has a compact footprint. Additionally, it has a common printed circuit board layout, which is ideal for front-end applications used in cellular base stations.
The MGA-633P8 is designed to be used as a first stage LNA for cellular base station transceiver radio cards, tower mounted amplifiers, combiners, repeaters and remote/digital radio heads.
The MGA-633P8 uses Avago’s proprietary GaAs Enhancement-mode pHEMT process to achieve such a high gain with a very low noise figure. Housed in a compact 2.0 mm by 2.0 mm by 0.75 mm 8-pin Quad-Flat-Non-Lead (QFN) package, the MGA-633P8 is designed to enable cellular applications that operate within the 450 to 2000MHz frequency range to achieve superior performance levels. As a result, designers will be able to use this active bias LNA to develop next-generation cellular applications that are more compact with more features and functions to satisfy the growing needs of designers.
With its compact low-profile footprint coupled with its low noise, high gain and high linearity features the MGA-633P8 is suitable for use in line terminal equipment, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, CDMA2000 and TD-SCDMA cellular infrastructure applications.
AuthenTec intros new smart sensor for PC market
MELBOURNE, USA: AuthenTec, the world’s leading provider of smart fingerprint sensors and solutions, has introduced its newest smart sensor specifically tailored for convenient security, personalization and touch-based functionality in today’s PCs and peripherals.
AuthenTec’s new AES2660 192-pixel-wide sensor complements the AES1660, a 128-pixel wide smart sensor for the PC market introduced six months ago, giving PC OEMs the ability to choose the appropriate sensor for the particular requirements of each individual product.
“One of the many advantages that AuthenTec brings to its PC customers is a broad product portfolio and significant investment in our product and packaging roadmaps,” said AuthenTec Vice President of PC Products Tom Aebli.
“Today’s PC market is characterized by a wide variety of netbook, notebook and tablet platforms with screen sizes from 10-inches up to 17-inches. The AES2660 is the next generation of our PC series of sensors, tens of millions of which have been shipped to the world’s leading PC OEMs, and will give our customers the ability to choose the physical size that best fits their specific design requirements.”
The AES2660 incorporates programmable LED drivers supporting 24-bit resolution, or 16 million color options, offering PC manufacturers flexible lighted LED fading, blinking and color control options that enhance PC feature discovery and the PC user experience. AuthenTec will begin volume shipments of the AES2660 sensor this quarter.
The AES2660 sensor is based on AuthenTec's patented and unique TruePrint technology that reads below the surface of the skin to the live layer where a person's true fingerprint resides.
This patented subsurface approach enables AuthenTec sensors to read virtually every fingerprint, every time - a critical requirement in any fingerprint-enabled device. The sensor also includes AuthenTec’s TrueNav menu navigation features, TrueFinger anti-spoofing security, and TrueMatch pattern matching to ensure the industry's highest level of security, usability and convenience.
Complementing AuthenTec’s smart sensor offering for the PC market is the Company’s TrueSuite client application software designed to make a fingerprint-enabled PC simpler and more secure, while increasing user convenience and personalization. TrueSuite is tailored for consumers who demand simplicity, improved usability, and one-touch access to their digital ID and social networks.
AuthenTec’s new AES2660 192-pixel-wide sensor complements the AES1660, a 128-pixel wide smart sensor for the PC market introduced six months ago, giving PC OEMs the ability to choose the appropriate sensor for the particular requirements of each individual product.
“One of the many advantages that AuthenTec brings to its PC customers is a broad product portfolio and significant investment in our product and packaging roadmaps,” said AuthenTec Vice President of PC Products Tom Aebli.
“Today’s PC market is characterized by a wide variety of netbook, notebook and tablet platforms with screen sizes from 10-inches up to 17-inches. The AES2660 is the next generation of our PC series of sensors, tens of millions of which have been shipped to the world’s leading PC OEMs, and will give our customers the ability to choose the physical size that best fits their specific design requirements.”
The AES2660 incorporates programmable LED drivers supporting 24-bit resolution, or 16 million color options, offering PC manufacturers flexible lighted LED fading, blinking and color control options that enhance PC feature discovery and the PC user experience. AuthenTec will begin volume shipments of the AES2660 sensor this quarter.
The AES2660 sensor is based on AuthenTec's patented and unique TruePrint technology that reads below the surface of the skin to the live layer where a person's true fingerprint resides.
This patented subsurface approach enables AuthenTec sensors to read virtually every fingerprint, every time - a critical requirement in any fingerprint-enabled device. The sensor also includes AuthenTec’s TrueNav menu navigation features, TrueFinger anti-spoofing security, and TrueMatch pattern matching to ensure the industry's highest level of security, usability and convenience.
Complementing AuthenTec’s smart sensor offering for the PC market is the Company’s TrueSuite client application software designed to make a fingerprint-enabled PC simpler and more secure, while increasing user convenience and personalization. TrueSuite is tailored for consumers who demand simplicity, improved usability, and one-touch access to their digital ID and social networks.
NEC Electronics America illuminates LED lighting innovations
Strategies in Light Conference 2010, SANTA CLARA, USA: NEC Electronics America, Inc. today announced it will showcase the breadth and depth of its expertise in LED lighting technologies during the Strategies in Light Conference 2010 (booth #501), February 10-12, at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
Demonstrations will highlight the company’s cost-competitive, intelligent digital-control solutions for a range of high-brightness (HB)-LED lighting applications, including street lighting, entertainment and architectural lighting, and residential and commercial retrofitted lighting.
In keeping with the theme of this year’s conference, “Entering a New Era for LED Market Growth,” the company will demonstrate multiple lighting applications:
DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). DALI is a digital protocol for the control of lighting in buildings, such as electrical ballasts and dimmers. NEC Electronics America will feature its 78K0/Ix2 microcontroller (MCU) in conjunction with a commercial DALI lighting control to demonstrate networked HB-LED lighting for a commercial environment. As shown in this demonstration, the DALI lighting controls send commands to the MCU, which in turn receives the commands, interprets them and drives the HB-LEDs accordingly.
DMX512. DMX512 is a standard for digital communication networks that are commonly used to control stage lighting and effects. To illustrate the precise control required by entertainment and architectural applications, NEC Electronics America’s multi-color LED demonstration will feature the 78K0/Ix2 MCU and a commercial DMX512 controller for network lighting control, color sequencing, programmability and dimming sequencing capabilities.
Street lighting. NEC Electronics America will demonstrate how to leverage up to four individual channels of HB-LEDs for street lighting applications. The multi-channel configurability provides additional reliability and output power for this type of application, which requires constant, consistent lighting. The demonstration features NEC Electronics’ HCD/LED MCU with an integrated four-channel LED driver, as well as networked lighting control via protocols, such as PLC and wireless (ZigBee), to demonstrate support for the growing trend toward networked street lighting.
LED TRIAC dimmer. In the TRIAC dimmer, NEC Electronics’ 78K0/Ix2 MCU tackles the challenge of using a commercial TRIAC dimmer to dim LED lights. The MCU also manages converting AC-to-DC power, power factor correction and constant high-current LED drive. As a flash-based MCU, the 78K0/Ix2 device also offers flexibility in lighting control and programmability, as well as network lighting control with the support for current and emerging networking protocols (e.g. DALI, DMX512, ZigBee and PLC).
The street lighting and TRIAC dimmer demonstrations are also available as reference designs for customer development.
“LED technologies are popping up in several new lighting application areas, such as networked street lighting, which require solutions that enable flexibility while maintaining reliability and competitive costs,” said Bob Pinteric, general manager, Multipurpose Microcontroller Strategic Business Unit.
“NEC Electronics’ 8-bit 78K0/Ix2 and HCD/LED MCUs offer lighting designers varying integration levels and multiple topologies to meet their changing design needs. The solutions also enhance NEC Electronics’ ‘smart energy’ vision, interfacing with protocols such as PLC and ZigBee for the networked environment.”
Demonstrations will highlight the company’s cost-competitive, intelligent digital-control solutions for a range of high-brightness (HB)-LED lighting applications, including street lighting, entertainment and architectural lighting, and residential and commercial retrofitted lighting.
In keeping with the theme of this year’s conference, “Entering a New Era for LED Market Growth,” the company will demonstrate multiple lighting applications:
DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). DALI is a digital protocol for the control of lighting in buildings, such as electrical ballasts and dimmers. NEC Electronics America will feature its 78K0/Ix2 microcontroller (MCU) in conjunction with a commercial DALI lighting control to demonstrate networked HB-LED lighting for a commercial environment. As shown in this demonstration, the DALI lighting controls send commands to the MCU, which in turn receives the commands, interprets them and drives the HB-LEDs accordingly.
DMX512. DMX512 is a standard for digital communication networks that are commonly used to control stage lighting and effects. To illustrate the precise control required by entertainment and architectural applications, NEC Electronics America’s multi-color LED demonstration will feature the 78K0/Ix2 MCU and a commercial DMX512 controller for network lighting control, color sequencing, programmability and dimming sequencing capabilities.
Street lighting. NEC Electronics America will demonstrate how to leverage up to four individual channels of HB-LEDs for street lighting applications. The multi-channel configurability provides additional reliability and output power for this type of application, which requires constant, consistent lighting. The demonstration features NEC Electronics’ HCD/LED MCU with an integrated four-channel LED driver, as well as networked lighting control via protocols, such as PLC and wireless (ZigBee), to demonstrate support for the growing trend toward networked street lighting.
LED TRIAC dimmer. In the TRIAC dimmer, NEC Electronics’ 78K0/Ix2 MCU tackles the challenge of using a commercial TRIAC dimmer to dim LED lights. The MCU also manages converting AC-to-DC power, power factor correction and constant high-current LED drive. As a flash-based MCU, the 78K0/Ix2 device also offers flexibility in lighting control and programmability, as well as network lighting control with the support for current and emerging networking protocols (e.g. DALI, DMX512, ZigBee and PLC).
The street lighting and TRIAC dimmer demonstrations are also available as reference designs for customer development.
“LED technologies are popping up in several new lighting application areas, such as networked street lighting, which require solutions that enable flexibility while maintaining reliability and competitive costs,” said Bob Pinteric, general manager, Multipurpose Microcontroller Strategic Business Unit.
“NEC Electronics’ 8-bit 78K0/Ix2 and HCD/LED MCUs offer lighting designers varying integration levels and multiple topologies to meet their changing design needs. The solutions also enhance NEC Electronics’ ‘smart energy’ vision, interfacing with protocols such as PLC and ZigBee for the networked environment.”
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Valdez, Alaska, joins Cree LED City program converting all street lights to LEDs
VALDEZ, ALASKA: Cree Inc. announced that the city of Valdez has joined the Cree LED City initiative, an international program that promotes the deployment of energy-efficient LED lighting. Valdez is in the process of converting all 343 street lights to LED technology.
As part of this project, city officials have negotiated a new, reduced billing rate with Copper Valley Electric Association for the LED street lights and will renegotiate its maintenance contract when it expires in 2011.
“We project we can achieve 45-percent or higher energy savings with the new BetaLED® fixtures we are installing, compared with the high-pressure sodium lights we are replacing,” said Mayor Bert Cottle. “As we look ahead and anticipate rising energy costs, investing in LED technology becomes even more attractive. Community feedback on the initial lights has been overwhelmingly positive. Valdez citizens like the quality and color of the new LED lights and they are happy about the projected energy and maintenance cost savings.”
“Copper Valley is taking a leadership role in the utilities industry by setting a reduced rate on LED street lights,” said Greg Merritt, Cree vice president of government relations. “Other utilities are grappling with how to handle LED street-lights tariffs and Copper Valley’s proactive stance can serve as a model for promoting energy-efficient LED lighting.”
The BetaLED fixtures can be operated at three light levels. Initially, the fixtures will be operated at a higher setting for maximum light output during the winter months, when snow removal activities require high light levels. Going forward, city officials can choose to switch the lights to a lower operating level, depending on actual light-level requirements, which can potentially increase energy savings to 60 percent.
Valdez initially installed two trial street lights outside City Hall in January 2009 and solicited feedback from the community. The city began replacing the first one-third of its streetlights in December 2009 and expects to complete the full conversion by 2011. The new LED lights are expected to last ten times longer than the high-pressure sodium lights currently in use.
As part of this project, city officials have negotiated a new, reduced billing rate with Copper Valley Electric Association for the LED street lights and will renegotiate its maintenance contract when it expires in 2011.
“We project we can achieve 45-percent or higher energy savings with the new BetaLED® fixtures we are installing, compared with the high-pressure sodium lights we are replacing,” said Mayor Bert Cottle. “As we look ahead and anticipate rising energy costs, investing in LED technology becomes even more attractive. Community feedback on the initial lights has been overwhelmingly positive. Valdez citizens like the quality and color of the new LED lights and they are happy about the projected energy and maintenance cost savings.”
“Copper Valley is taking a leadership role in the utilities industry by setting a reduced rate on LED street lights,” said Greg Merritt, Cree vice president of government relations. “Other utilities are grappling with how to handle LED street-lights tariffs and Copper Valley’s proactive stance can serve as a model for promoting energy-efficient LED lighting.”
The BetaLED fixtures can be operated at three light levels. Initially, the fixtures will be operated at a higher setting for maximum light output during the winter months, when snow removal activities require high light levels. Going forward, city officials can choose to switch the lights to a lower operating level, depending on actual light-level requirements, which can potentially increase energy savings to 60 percent.
Valdez initially installed two trial street lights outside City Hall in January 2009 and solicited feedback from the community. The city began replacing the first one-third of its streetlights in December 2009 and expects to complete the full conversion by 2011. The new LED lights are expected to last ten times longer than the high-pressure sodium lights currently in use.
Agilent's enhanced signaling analyzer for LTE supports entire network in real time
SANTA CLARA, USA: Agilent Technologies Inc. has added capabilities to its Signaling Analyzer Real Time (SART) for LTE.
These enhancements allow wireless carriers and network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) to analyze an LTE-enabled tenfold plus increase in network traffic without sacrificing real-time-to-results. The SART 6.60 will be demonstrated at the 2010 Mobile World Congress, Hall 8, Stand A77, Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 15-19.
The SART’s access to air-interface data sources permits industry-unique end-to-end call trace across both LTE and non-LTE network components, eliminating the multiple iterations of testing required when using individual point solutions. End-to-end visibility, along with more efficient and scalable hardware and software, accelerates 4G development, deployment and critical time to market.
Operators who once gave themselves eighteen to twenty-four months to set up UMTS want LTE networks successfully operating in nine to twelve. This can’t happen if the time it takes to conduct network trials increases with the rate of traffic.
“'Deploy it right, but bring it to market fast’ is today’s mantra, as carriers race to realize 4G technology,” said Steve Urvik, protocol analysis and diagnostics marketing manager for Agilent’s Network Solutions Division. SART has performed faster and better than other solutions in side-by-side competition. It is the only system that provides end-to-end, real-time analysis, whether the focus is on network performance, RF performance, IMS service delivery, etc. This is critical when ‘early to market’ means ‘early to market share.’”
These enhancements allow wireless carriers and network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) to analyze an LTE-enabled tenfold plus increase in network traffic without sacrificing real-time-to-results. The SART 6.60 will be demonstrated at the 2010 Mobile World Congress, Hall 8, Stand A77, Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 15-19.
The SART’s access to air-interface data sources permits industry-unique end-to-end call trace across both LTE and non-LTE network components, eliminating the multiple iterations of testing required when using individual point solutions. End-to-end visibility, along with more efficient and scalable hardware and software, accelerates 4G development, deployment and critical time to market.
Operators who once gave themselves eighteen to twenty-four months to set up UMTS want LTE networks successfully operating in nine to twelve. This can’t happen if the time it takes to conduct network trials increases with the rate of traffic.
“'Deploy it right, but bring it to market fast’ is today’s mantra, as carriers race to realize 4G technology,” said Steve Urvik, protocol analysis and diagnostics marketing manager for Agilent’s Network Solutions Division. SART has performed faster and better than other solutions in side-by-side competition. It is the only system that provides end-to-end, real-time analysis, whether the focus is on network performance, RF performance, IMS service delivery, etc. This is critical when ‘early to market’ means ‘early to market share.’”
Monday, February 8, 2010
Peratech’s QTC sensor technology licensed to Samsung Electro-mechanics
RICHMOND, ENGLAND: Peratech Ltd, the leader in new materials designed for touch technology solutions, has signed a major licensing agreement for its Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC) technology, which will be included within a new range of pressure sensing components from Samsung Electro-mechanics (EM).
The license is for the use of Peratech’s innovative QTC switches in 5-way input devices, or Navikeys, made by Samsung Electro-mechanics that are used for menu navigation and interaction on mobile phones. Until now, these devices are usually made using dome switches that allow current to flow when depressed giving a simple on/off operation.
By replacing the dome switches with switches made from force sensitive QTC, the resulting input device is now pressure sensitive so that as more pressure is applied to the switch, more current flows. This adds a whole new dimension to the input device and this proportional input opens up a raft of new ways to interact with the phone.
For example, the speed of scrolling through a list or the speed of movement in a game can vary depending on how hard the switch is pressed, making interaction faster and more intuitive.
Philip Taysom, joint CEO of Peratech, said: “This is a very significant step for Peratech and we are delighted Samsung EM has chosen our QTC technology. It is a huge testament to the power and potential of QTC technology to not only replace traditional switches with more reliable switches but to also add new functionality so that better, more innovative products can be created with enhanced user interaction. Samsung EM supplies components to most of the leading phone manufacturers so our technology will soon be used across a wide range of next generation phone models. In fact, a Navikey using QTC from Samsung EM is already being used into a Tier 1 mobile phone.”
Dr. Ho-Chul Joung, Principal Manager at Samsung EM, added: “The pressure sensitivity of the QTC switches changes the game when it comes to human machine interface design enabling truly 3D user interfaces to be created in small, low power devices. This three-dimensionality cannot be matched with existing resistive and capacitive technologies and means that the next generation of mobile phones will have many new and exciting features because of it.”
The license is for the use of Peratech’s innovative QTC switches in 5-way input devices, or Navikeys, made by Samsung Electro-mechanics that are used for menu navigation and interaction on mobile phones. Until now, these devices are usually made using dome switches that allow current to flow when depressed giving a simple on/off operation.
By replacing the dome switches with switches made from force sensitive QTC, the resulting input device is now pressure sensitive so that as more pressure is applied to the switch, more current flows. This adds a whole new dimension to the input device and this proportional input opens up a raft of new ways to interact with the phone.
For example, the speed of scrolling through a list or the speed of movement in a game can vary depending on how hard the switch is pressed, making interaction faster and more intuitive.
Philip Taysom, joint CEO of Peratech, said: “This is a very significant step for Peratech and we are delighted Samsung EM has chosen our QTC technology. It is a huge testament to the power and potential of QTC technology to not only replace traditional switches with more reliable switches but to also add new functionality so that better, more innovative products can be created with enhanced user interaction. Samsung EM supplies components to most of the leading phone manufacturers so our technology will soon be used across a wide range of next generation phone models. In fact, a Navikey using QTC from Samsung EM is already being used into a Tier 1 mobile phone.”
Dr. Ho-Chul Joung, Principal Manager at Samsung EM, added: “The pressure sensitivity of the QTC switches changes the game when it comes to human machine interface design enabling truly 3D user interfaces to be created in small, low power devices. This three-dimensionality cannot be matched with existing resistive and capacitive technologies and means that the next generation of mobile phones will have many new and exciting features because of it.”
Aries' BGA switch-a-pitch adapters enable cost-effective use of 0.40mm pitch devices with 1mm pitch boards
BRISTOL, USA: Aries Electronics, an international manufacturer of standard, programmed and custom interconnection products, recently added new BGA Switch-A-Pitch Adapters that allow for smaller pitch devices to be used with larger pitch boards. The new adapters in the series adapt 0.40mm devices to boards with a 1mm pitch.
Aries' BGA Switch-A-Pitch Adapters, part of the extensive line of Correct-A-Chip Adapters, drastically reduce costs by making possible the use of newer, tighter pitch devices with larger pitch boards, which are readily available and therefore more economical, vastly lowering the PCB cost.
The adapters have tops with BGA landing pads on a 0.40 mm pitch and bottoms fitted with BGA balls on a 1.00 mm pitch. Open space around the adapter tops provides space for further components to be added to the design at a lower cost.
High density interconnect (HDI) construction is reduced and the need for laser-drilled microvias on the motherboard is eliminated by adapting tighter pitch devices to larger footprints. The BGA Switch-A-Pitch Adapters enable the use of standard line and trace spacing down to 0.003" (0.076 mm).
The innovative adapters can operate at up to 221 degrees F (105 degrees C) for FR4 and up to 266 degrees F (130 degrees C) for lead-free. The recommended PCB size for a 1.00 mm pitch is 0.020" (0.50 mm). Boards are 0.062" (1.57 mm) thick FR4 or Rogers 370 HR with 1/2 oz copper traces on both sides. Solder spheres are 63/37 tin/lead or lead-free SAC 305. The adapters feature non-solder mask defined (NSMD) pads finished with electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG).
As part of Aries' Correct-A-Chip Adapter series, the Switch-A-Pitch Adapters save users both time and money. Correct-A-Chip Adapters allow the use of different termination styles or pitches on one board designed for an alternative style or pitch and can be fitted with either active or passive components for added functionality.
Aries adapters are available as adapter only or as a turnkey solution with mounted devices. Specializing in custom design and production, Aries offers standard products as well as special materials, platings, sizes and configurations upon request.
The Switch-A-Pitch Adapters are custom made to customer requirements. Pricing for a typical adapter with 32 positions is $6.50 each in quantities of 1,000. Delivery is four to five weeks ARO.
Aries' BGA Switch-A-Pitch Adapters, part of the extensive line of Correct-A-Chip Adapters, drastically reduce costs by making possible the use of newer, tighter pitch devices with larger pitch boards, which are readily available and therefore more economical, vastly lowering the PCB cost.
The adapters have tops with BGA landing pads on a 0.40 mm pitch and bottoms fitted with BGA balls on a 1.00 mm pitch. Open space around the adapter tops provides space for further components to be added to the design at a lower cost.
High density interconnect (HDI) construction is reduced and the need for laser-drilled microvias on the motherboard is eliminated by adapting tighter pitch devices to larger footprints. The BGA Switch-A-Pitch Adapters enable the use of standard line and trace spacing down to 0.003" (0.076 mm).
The innovative adapters can operate at up to 221 degrees F (105 degrees C) for FR4 and up to 266 degrees F (130 degrees C) for lead-free. The recommended PCB size for a 1.00 mm pitch is 0.020" (0.50 mm). Boards are 0.062" (1.57 mm) thick FR4 or Rogers 370 HR with 1/2 oz copper traces on both sides. Solder spheres are 63/37 tin/lead or lead-free SAC 305. The adapters feature non-solder mask defined (NSMD) pads finished with electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG).
As part of Aries' Correct-A-Chip Adapter series, the Switch-A-Pitch Adapters save users both time and money. Correct-A-Chip Adapters allow the use of different termination styles or pitches on one board designed for an alternative style or pitch and can be fitted with either active or passive components for added functionality.
Aries adapters are available as adapter only or as a turnkey solution with mounted devices. Specializing in custom design and production, Aries offers standard products as well as special materials, platings, sizes and configurations upon request.
The Switch-A-Pitch Adapters are custom made to customer requirements. Pricing for a typical adapter with 32 positions is $6.50 each in quantities of 1,000. Delivery is four to five weeks ARO.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Cree breaks 200 lumen per watt efficacy barrier
DURHAM, USA: Cree Inc. recently announced another industry-best reported efficacy record of 208 lumens per watt for a white power LED. This R&D result passes a significant milestone within the solid-state lighting industry as well as demonstrates Cree’s relentless drive to increase the performance of its LEDs.
Cree’s tests confirmed that the LED produced 208 lumens of light output and achieved 208 lumens per watt efficacy at a correlated color temperature of 4579 K. The tests were conducted under standard LED test conditions at a drive current of 350 mA at room temperature.
“We have now broken the elusive 200-lumen-per-watt efficacy barrier for a single white power LED,” said John Edmond, Cree co-founder and director of advanced optoelectronics. “This is a result of improvements in blue optical output power, lower operating voltage and higher conversion efficiency. We continue to push the envelope in white LED technology to enable the highest efficiency white lighting products in the marketplace.”
While this level of performance is not yet available in Cree’s production LEDs, Cree continues to lead the industry with the broadest family of high-performance LEDs.
Cree’s tests confirmed that the LED produced 208 lumens of light output and achieved 208 lumens per watt efficacy at a correlated color temperature of 4579 K. The tests were conducted under standard LED test conditions at a drive current of 350 mA at room temperature.
“We have now broken the elusive 200-lumen-per-watt efficacy barrier for a single white power LED,” said John Edmond, Cree co-founder and director of advanced optoelectronics. “This is a result of improvements in blue optical output power, lower operating voltage and higher conversion efficiency. We continue to push the envelope in white LED technology to enable the highest efficiency white lighting products in the marketplace.”
While this level of performance is not yet available in Cree’s production LEDs, Cree continues to lead the industry with the broadest family of high-performance LEDs.
Amara Raja Electronics launches revolutionary new UPS - Tribal Italia
HYDERABAD, INDIA: Amara Raja Electronics Ltd (AREL), an Amara Raja Group company, has launched "Tribal"- its umbrella brand for Consumer Products.
Co-inciding with this launch, AREL unveiled its first innovative product offering - Tribal Italia pure sine wave UPS, which is stylishly designed, incorporating advanced technology.
Amara Raja Electronics is an integral part of Rs. 2420-crore Amara Raja Group. Amara Raja is well known for its Amaron Batteries across the world.
Tribal Italia is a practical product solution, evolved from the experiences of Indian consumer. A high profile techno design team from Amara Raja Electronics initiated a nation wide survey on the available range of inverters and UPS in the market. The survey parameters included performance, ease of use, aesthetics, and maintenance/battery management.
Tribal Italia is a design marvel in the UPS category that incorporates the best in class UPS technology with a touch of Italian design brilliance and is "Unbelievably Good Looking."
Tribal brand believes in improving the quality of life by offering innovative and well designed products by leveraging convergence of technologies. A wide range of power back-up products, emergency lanterns and a lot more are on the anvil.
Jayadev Galla, Director of Amara Raja Electronics, comments on the new products: "We are delighted to announce the launch of Tribal brand of UPS which promises to deliver high quality & reliable power back-up solutions with style. The past few years have shown a significant shift in the home appliance category with consumers demanding products that are aesthetically pleasing and sophisticated in their design."
Co-inciding with this launch, AREL unveiled its first innovative product offering - Tribal Italia pure sine wave UPS, which is stylishly designed, incorporating advanced technology.
Amara Raja Electronics is an integral part of Rs. 2420-crore Amara Raja Group. Amara Raja is well known for its Amaron Batteries across the world.
Tribal Italia is a practical product solution, evolved from the experiences of Indian consumer. A high profile techno design team from Amara Raja Electronics initiated a nation wide survey on the available range of inverters and UPS in the market. The survey parameters included performance, ease of use, aesthetics, and maintenance/battery management.
Tribal Italia is a design marvel in the UPS category that incorporates the best in class UPS technology with a touch of Italian design brilliance and is "Unbelievably Good Looking."
Tribal brand believes in improving the quality of life by offering innovative and well designed products by leveraging convergence of technologies. A wide range of power back-up products, emergency lanterns and a lot more are on the anvil.
Jayadev Galla, Director of Amara Raja Electronics, comments on the new products: "We are delighted to announce the launch of Tribal brand of UPS which promises to deliver high quality & reliable power back-up solutions with style. The past few years have shown a significant shift in the home appliance category with consumers demanding products that are aesthetically pleasing and sophisticated in their design."
Friday, February 5, 2010
Next gen LED signage displays put business in an energy-saving light
KENILWORTH, USA: Restaurants, bars, hotels, exhibit companies, health clubs, houses of worship, professional photographers, and all customer facing retail businesses seeking a low-cost eco-friendly way to constantly update their consumer messaging should immediately check out the new Sentina uSign Series of LED displays introduced by Sentina.
Sentina uSign is the next-generation LED signage solution designed to put every business in an energy saving light that will simultaneously stop customers in their tracks - and allow businesses to communicate their message, product offering, sales special, or menu of the day.
Designed to replace fluorescent-based signage, Sentina uSign displays advance the state-of-the-art in energy-efficient LED lighting a number of ways.
First, the displays incorporate an enhanced LED lighting design that feature customized Super LED lights that are 20% brighter than conventional LED lights.
Second, these Super LED lights are embedded behind a proprietary Shoji screen based Optical Reflection Panel that produces an ultra-bright, evenly dispersed edge-to-edge light that virtually eliminates heat emission.
Third, the ultra-lightweight display frames are constructed entirely of recycled plastic.
Fourth, each Sentina uSign frame consumes only 6 watts of power, which translates to an operating cost of less than a penny per-day in normal usage.
Fifth, each 8-1/2" X 11" display costs only $80.
According to Mei Noguchi, President of Sentina: “Our solution eliminates the historic limitations of LED lighting that have restricted its use to single task applications such as laser pointers. We have combined the energy-saving efficiency of Super LED lights with the even light dispersing capability of our proprietary OptiLight panel to create a new generation of affordably priced retail signage.”
Sentina uSigns can be vertically or horizontally stacked or hung in any kind of retail environment. Sentina uSigns eliminate the need to constantly produce a high volume of costly and wasteful printed menus, price sheets, and handouts. Now business owner/operators simply need to print out an 8.5” X 11” film sheet and place it in the Sentina uSign frame.
Headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey, Sentina is a manufacturer of innovatively designed, affordably priced consumer and business LED lighting solutions, household, travel and mobility, products that are both energy and cost efficient.
Sentina uSign is the next-generation LED signage solution designed to put every business in an energy saving light that will simultaneously stop customers in their tracks - and allow businesses to communicate their message, product offering, sales special, or menu of the day.
Designed to replace fluorescent-based signage, Sentina uSign displays advance the state-of-the-art in energy-efficient LED lighting a number of ways.
First, the displays incorporate an enhanced LED lighting design that feature customized Super LED lights that are 20% brighter than conventional LED lights.
Second, these Super LED lights are embedded behind a proprietary Shoji screen based Optical Reflection Panel that produces an ultra-bright, evenly dispersed edge-to-edge light that virtually eliminates heat emission.
Third, the ultra-lightweight display frames are constructed entirely of recycled plastic.
Fourth, each Sentina uSign frame consumes only 6 watts of power, which translates to an operating cost of less than a penny per-day in normal usage.
Fifth, each 8-1/2" X 11" display costs only $80.
According to Mei Noguchi, President of Sentina: “Our solution eliminates the historic limitations of LED lighting that have restricted its use to single task applications such as laser pointers. We have combined the energy-saving efficiency of Super LED lights with the even light dispersing capability of our proprietary OptiLight panel to create a new generation of affordably priced retail signage.”
Sentina uSigns can be vertically or horizontally stacked or hung in any kind of retail environment. Sentina uSigns eliminate the need to constantly produce a high volume of costly and wasteful printed menus, price sheets, and handouts. Now business owner/operators simply need to print out an 8.5” X 11” film sheet and place it in the Sentina uSign frame.
Headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey, Sentina is a manufacturer of innovatively designed, affordably priced consumer and business LED lighting solutions, household, travel and mobility, products that are both energy and cost efficient.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
IXYS intros new 900V rugged and fast polar series power MOSFETs
BIEL, SWITZERLAND & MILPITAS, USA: IXYS Corp. has announced new 900V additions to its comprehensive Polar HiPerFET Power MOSFET product portfolio.
Available with drain current ratings from 10.5 Amperes to 56 Amperes, these new 900V additions complement IXYS’ high-voltage Polar HiPerFETTM MOSFET product line (available from 500V to 1200V), providing the end customer a broader selection range of robust, energy efficient high-voltage MOSFET solutions to choose from.
These new 900V devices combine advantages derived from IXYS’ Polar Technology platform and HiPerFETTM process to provide improved power efficiency and reliability in today’s demanding high-voltage conversion systems that require bus voltage operation of up to 700V.
IXYS’ Polar Technology platform has been especially tailored to minimize on-state resistance while maintaining a low gate charge. This results in a substantial reduction in conduction and switching losses of the device. Lower thermal impedances are also achieved, increasing the total power density capability of these devices.
Power switching capabilities and device ruggedness are further enhanced with a fast intrinsic diode with low reverse recovery charge (Qrr) and improved turn-off dV/dt immunity. The improved turn-off dV/dt immunity offer significant safety margins for the stresses encountered in high-voltage switching applications.
These combined device attributes allow for improved efficient topologies in hard-switching inverters, switch-mode/resonant-mode power supplies, high voltage lighting, AC/DC motor drives, robotics/servo controls, industrial machinery and active power factor correction circuits.
IXYS offers a full range of discrete standard thru-hole and surface mount packages for these new Polar HiPerFETTM additions. Versions are also offered in IXYS proprietary ISOPLUS packages, providing UL recognized 2500V isolation with superior thermal cycling and thermal performance.
Available with drain current ratings from 10.5 Amperes to 56 Amperes, these new 900V additions complement IXYS’ high-voltage Polar HiPerFETTM MOSFET product line (available from 500V to 1200V), providing the end customer a broader selection range of robust, energy efficient high-voltage MOSFET solutions to choose from.
These new 900V devices combine advantages derived from IXYS’ Polar Technology platform and HiPerFETTM process to provide improved power efficiency and reliability in today’s demanding high-voltage conversion systems that require bus voltage operation of up to 700V.
IXYS’ Polar Technology platform has been especially tailored to minimize on-state resistance while maintaining a low gate charge. This results in a substantial reduction in conduction and switching losses of the device. Lower thermal impedances are also achieved, increasing the total power density capability of these devices.
Power switching capabilities and device ruggedness are further enhanced with a fast intrinsic diode with low reverse recovery charge (Qrr) and improved turn-off dV/dt immunity. The improved turn-off dV/dt immunity offer significant safety margins for the stresses encountered in high-voltage switching applications.
These combined device attributes allow for improved efficient topologies in hard-switching inverters, switch-mode/resonant-mode power supplies, high voltage lighting, AC/DC motor drives, robotics/servo controls, industrial machinery and active power factor correction circuits.
IXYS offers a full range of discrete standard thru-hole and surface mount packages for these new Polar HiPerFETTM additions. Versions are also offered in IXYS proprietary ISOPLUS packages, providing UL recognized 2500V isolation with superior thermal cycling and thermal performance.
Cyberlux files patents for exclusive products contracted by new OEM customers
RESEARCH TRIANGLE, USA: Cyberlux Corp., a leading provider of LED lighting solutions, announced that it has recently filed for patent protection for four new products developed for its new OEM customers.
The company’s new patent filings address the apparatus and methods for providing unique solid-state lighting technology encompassed in four product solutions, extending the existing Cyberlux patent portfolio for future product development. The Cyberlux OEM clientele have received orders and contracts from both governmental agencies, as well as large, multi-national retailers for the products designed by Cyberlux.
Encompassed in two new patent filings, the Cyberlux Portable Shelter Lighting (PSL) and Enclosed Shelter Lighting (ESL) systems deliver the most energy efficient white and red LED lighting available in a fixed or portable lighting solution for enclosed spaces.
Designed to provide ideal light dispersion and illumination for the portable shelter and “command and control” environments, Cyberlux engineered the PSL and ESL system configurations to flexibly illuminate environments of any size and scale, all powered by either AC or DC power, including DC solar power.
Meeting the requirements of the world class, multinational OEM customer, who provides specialized command and control systems to all branches of the US and foreign military services, homeland defense and first responders, the PSL and ESL products expand the Cyberlux OEM product offerings to the Department of Defense (DoD) supplier marketplace and address the significant fluorescent lighting technology transition.
The Cyberlux I-Safe LED Lighting products are designed to meet the stringent Intrinsically Safe certification standards required to safely operate lighting products in hazardous, flammable environments, such as First Responders are typically required to do. Encompassed in two additional patent filings, the Cyberlux I-Safe products are engineered to contain no components or circuits that hold enough electrical energy or thermal energy to cause an ignition to occur.
The Cyberlux I-Safe LED Lighting products provide multi-mode task and work lighting in compact, light-weight designs that are flexible and adaptable and made from chemical and corrosive resistant materials. Utilizing unique Cyberlux LED technology that produces 50 – 120 lumens from AAA, C, D to 6V battery power, the Cyberlux I-Safe LED Lighting products operate for 20 – 60 hours, are waterproof, are impact resistant from a 2 meter drop and meets the Intrinsically Safe standards of multiple agencies, including the Mine Safety and Heath Association (MSHA) standards.
As part of the Cyberlux/Spectrum Brands Supplier Agreement, Cyberlux will exclusively supply Spectrum Brands with the proprietary I-Safe LED Lighting products which Spectrum Brands will evaluate for distribution to their global retail and commercial client base.
“Cyberlux is excited to have already received orders and contracts for the LED solutions designed for our military clients, as well as for our large retail client. The Company’s expanding patent claims portfolio will not only provide patent protection for our important LED products and lighting systems, but will also provide an ongoing development platform for future products,” said Mark Schmidt, president and chief executive officer for Cyberlux.
“The company’s ability to partner with significant OEM customers, develop, patent and produce innovative solid-state lighting products is strategically important and supports our focus on near-term profitability and long-term growth.”
With proprietary Cyberlux LED technology, unique product knowledge and OEM production capability, Cyberlux is positioned to be a leading LED solution provider for both new and existing OEM customers.
The company’s new patent filings address the apparatus and methods for providing unique solid-state lighting technology encompassed in four product solutions, extending the existing Cyberlux patent portfolio for future product development. The Cyberlux OEM clientele have received orders and contracts from both governmental agencies, as well as large, multi-national retailers for the products designed by Cyberlux.
Encompassed in two new patent filings, the Cyberlux Portable Shelter Lighting (PSL) and Enclosed Shelter Lighting (ESL) systems deliver the most energy efficient white and red LED lighting available in a fixed or portable lighting solution for enclosed spaces.
Designed to provide ideal light dispersion and illumination for the portable shelter and “command and control” environments, Cyberlux engineered the PSL and ESL system configurations to flexibly illuminate environments of any size and scale, all powered by either AC or DC power, including DC solar power.
Meeting the requirements of the world class, multinational OEM customer, who provides specialized command and control systems to all branches of the US and foreign military services, homeland defense and first responders, the PSL and ESL products expand the Cyberlux OEM product offerings to the Department of Defense (DoD) supplier marketplace and address the significant fluorescent lighting technology transition.
The Cyberlux I-Safe LED Lighting products are designed to meet the stringent Intrinsically Safe certification standards required to safely operate lighting products in hazardous, flammable environments, such as First Responders are typically required to do. Encompassed in two additional patent filings, the Cyberlux I-Safe products are engineered to contain no components or circuits that hold enough electrical energy or thermal energy to cause an ignition to occur.
The Cyberlux I-Safe LED Lighting products provide multi-mode task and work lighting in compact, light-weight designs that are flexible and adaptable and made from chemical and corrosive resistant materials. Utilizing unique Cyberlux LED technology that produces 50 – 120 lumens from AAA, C, D to 6V battery power, the Cyberlux I-Safe LED Lighting products operate for 20 – 60 hours, are waterproof, are impact resistant from a 2 meter drop and meets the Intrinsically Safe standards of multiple agencies, including the Mine Safety and Heath Association (MSHA) standards.
As part of the Cyberlux/Spectrum Brands Supplier Agreement, Cyberlux will exclusively supply Spectrum Brands with the proprietary I-Safe LED Lighting products which Spectrum Brands will evaluate for distribution to their global retail and commercial client base.
“Cyberlux is excited to have already received orders and contracts for the LED solutions designed for our military clients, as well as for our large retail client. The Company’s expanding patent claims portfolio will not only provide patent protection for our important LED products and lighting systems, but will also provide an ongoing development platform for future products,” said Mark Schmidt, president and chief executive officer for Cyberlux.
“The company’s ability to partner with significant OEM customers, develop, patent and produce innovative solid-state lighting products is strategically important and supports our focus on near-term profitability and long-term growth.”
With proprietary Cyberlux LED technology, unique product knowledge and OEM production capability, Cyberlux is positioned to be a leading LED solution provider for both new and existing OEM customers.
Fulton Innovation partners with leading developer and manufacturer of film capacitor solutions
ADA, USA: Fulton Innovation (Fulton), the creator and exclusive licensor of eCoupled intelligent wireless power, announced its partnership with SBE Inc. (d/b/a SB Electronics).
Fulton is leveraging SBE’s expertise in the development of advanced capacitor designs for next generation systems, as well as its renowned collaborative engineering approach.
SBE’s Power Ring Film Capacitor and Patented Pulse Power solutions provide a much higher degree of reliability, higher power density, and improved performance in demanding applications including transportation, military/aerospace, alternative energy, medical and laser equipment, and the power supply industries. The company supplies many leading companies in these markets with millions of units successfully deployed in the field.
“This is an important partnership for us to work with the leading developer of capacitors in order to provide additional options to enable our manufacturing partners to incorporate eCoupled technology in their products,” said Dave Baarman, Director of Advanced Technologies for Fulton Innovation.
“We are excited about our partnership with Fulton Innovation and the opportunity to work with the leader in the rapidly growing wireless power industry by providing advanced capacitor design solutions to best enable their vision,” said Ed Sawyer, President and CEO of SBE Inc.
Fulton is working with a wide range of industry-leading device and infrastructure companies to bring eCoupled wireless power to life in a number of different environments. Many of these partners, including Fulton as a founding member, are also members of the Wireless Power Consortium and are working toward a global wireless power standard.
Fulton is leveraging SBE’s expertise in the development of advanced capacitor designs for next generation systems, as well as its renowned collaborative engineering approach.
SBE’s Power Ring Film Capacitor and Patented Pulse Power solutions provide a much higher degree of reliability, higher power density, and improved performance in demanding applications including transportation, military/aerospace, alternative energy, medical and laser equipment, and the power supply industries. The company supplies many leading companies in these markets with millions of units successfully deployed in the field.
“This is an important partnership for us to work with the leading developer of capacitors in order to provide additional options to enable our manufacturing partners to incorporate eCoupled technology in their products,” said Dave Baarman, Director of Advanced Technologies for Fulton Innovation.
“We are excited about our partnership with Fulton Innovation and the opportunity to work with the leader in the rapidly growing wireless power industry by providing advanced capacitor design solutions to best enable their vision,” said Ed Sawyer, President and CEO of SBE Inc.
Fulton is working with a wide range of industry-leading device and infrastructure companies to bring eCoupled wireless power to life in a number of different environments. Many of these partners, including Fulton as a founding member, are also members of the Wireless Power Consortium and are working toward a global wireless power standard.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Demand of LED package for TVs reaches 9.36 billion units YOY 450 percent
TAIWAN: In early 2009, after Samsung invested a large budget in promoting the new concept of LED TV, the market witnessed a surge in the replacement of new generation TV.
According to LEDinside’s latest market trend report, the total shipment of LED-backlit TVs in 2009 was about 3.5 million sets. Of that, Samsung was on the top with more than 70 percent share; followed by Sharp and LG. Notably, in the first wave of LED-backlit TV competition, shipment ratio of the two Korean companies accounted for 80 percent of the total.
As an increasing number of TV brand makers join in the competition, the LED-backlit TV shipment target in 2010 is expected to reach to 39 million sets. Of the total, shipments from Korean and Japanese vendors account for 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively.
In addition, calculating from the number of LED packaging, LEDinside estimated a demand of 9.36 billion LEDs in 2010, an annual growth rate of 450 percent. The shipment growth of Taiwan’s LED packaging vendors will face substantial threat and challenge under the following circumstances: Korea has substantial control over the supply of key LED components, and Japan has robust demand from its domestic market.
As for the price, take the 46-inch TV backlight module for example, the price gap of LED and CCFL continues to narrow; and by the end of 2010, the gap will diminish to less than 1.5 times, while the current price gap is around 2.4 times.
The main reasons are the improvement of the luminous efficacy, the evolution of the production process and the reduction of the light bar usage. In 2010, continual decline of the LED price and the technology upgrade of the products are the biggest competitive advantages of LED-backlit TVs, compared to the traditional LCD TVs.
Demand of LED package for TVs in 2010 (E)
According to LEDinside’s latest market trend report, the total shipment of LED-backlit TVs in 2009 was about 3.5 million sets. Of that, Samsung was on the top with more than 70 percent share; followed by Sharp and LG. Notably, in the first wave of LED-backlit TV competition, shipment ratio of the two Korean companies accounted for 80 percent of the total.
As an increasing number of TV brand makers join in the competition, the LED-backlit TV shipment target in 2010 is expected to reach to 39 million sets. Of the total, shipments from Korean and Japanese vendors account for 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively.
In addition, calculating from the number of LED packaging, LEDinside estimated a demand of 9.36 billion LEDs in 2010, an annual growth rate of 450 percent. The shipment growth of Taiwan’s LED packaging vendors will face substantial threat and challenge under the following circumstances: Korea has substantial control over the supply of key LED components, and Japan has robust demand from its domestic market.
As for the price, take the 46-inch TV backlight module for example, the price gap of LED and CCFL continues to narrow; and by the end of 2010, the gap will diminish to less than 1.5 times, while the current price gap is around 2.4 times.
The main reasons are the improvement of the luminous efficacy, the evolution of the production process and the reduction of the light bar usage. In 2010, continual decline of the LED price and the technology upgrade of the products are the biggest competitive advantages of LED-backlit TVs, compared to the traditional LCD TVs.
Demand of LED package for TVs in 2010 (E)
IBM signs five-year remote managed services deal with Sandhar Technologies
BANGALORE, INDIA: IBM has signed a five-year remote managed services outsourcing agreement with Sandhar Technologies, an auto ancillary group based in New Delhi.
The deal will enable the company to align its Information Technology (IT) initiatives with business priorities thereby ensuring risk mitigation and substantial cost savings.
As part of the agreement signed in December 2009, IBM will manage the IT infrastructure for Sandhar Technologies, helping the company focus on its core business while reducing capital expenditure. The scope of managed services includes server management and network & security management, which will be remotely carried out from IBMs Global Management Centre in Bangalore.
“The business landscape is becoming increasingly competitive and volatile, implying the need for us to be nimble. It is therefore necessary for us to blend our high dependency on IT with business goals, which we feel should be entrusted to a partner like IBM who has demonstrated domain expertise and technology prowess,” said, Arvind Joshi, CFO, Sandhar Technologies.
Sandhar Technologies, a $164 million diversified auto ancillary group, has 18 manufacturing plants and 3200 employees. The company’s product line consist of automotive locking systems, plain and prismatic rear view mirror assemblies, sheet metal components, clutch and brake assemblies to name a few. Unlike its peers in the industry, the company has relied on a long term IT strategy to ensure efficiency.
Ashish Kumar, VP and General Manager, Global Technology Services, IBM India/South Asia, said: “The auto ancillary industry in India has tremendous growth potential. The domestic market players are beginning to play a significant role in the global automotive supply chain and are relying heavily on IT to ensure operational efficiency and increase revenues. With our deep expertise in the global market, IBM will help Sandhar Technologies in its technology adoption roadmap and will bring to them best practices that will enable them to be effective competitors in the global landscape.”
As per an Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) report, the turnover of the auto component industry was estimated at over $ 18 billion in 2007-08, an increase of 27.2 per cent since 2002. It is likely to touch $ 40 billion, increasing India’s share in the global auto component market from 1 percent to 3 percent by 2015-16.
IBM has been enabling small and medium businesses – automotive companies included - across India with unique technology solutions that enable them focus on their core business while realizing cost efficiencies.
The deal will enable the company to align its Information Technology (IT) initiatives with business priorities thereby ensuring risk mitigation and substantial cost savings.
As part of the agreement signed in December 2009, IBM will manage the IT infrastructure for Sandhar Technologies, helping the company focus on its core business while reducing capital expenditure. The scope of managed services includes server management and network & security management, which will be remotely carried out from IBMs Global Management Centre in Bangalore.
“The business landscape is becoming increasingly competitive and volatile, implying the need for us to be nimble. It is therefore necessary for us to blend our high dependency on IT with business goals, which we feel should be entrusted to a partner like IBM who has demonstrated domain expertise and technology prowess,” said, Arvind Joshi, CFO, Sandhar Technologies.
Sandhar Technologies, a $164 million diversified auto ancillary group, has 18 manufacturing plants and 3200 employees. The company’s product line consist of automotive locking systems, plain and prismatic rear view mirror assemblies, sheet metal components, clutch and brake assemblies to name a few. Unlike its peers in the industry, the company has relied on a long term IT strategy to ensure efficiency.
Ashish Kumar, VP and General Manager, Global Technology Services, IBM India/South Asia, said: “The auto ancillary industry in India has tremendous growth potential. The domestic market players are beginning to play a significant role in the global automotive supply chain and are relying heavily on IT to ensure operational efficiency and increase revenues. With our deep expertise in the global market, IBM will help Sandhar Technologies in its technology adoption roadmap and will bring to them best practices that will enable them to be effective competitors in the global landscape.”
As per an Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) report, the turnover of the auto component industry was estimated at over $ 18 billion in 2007-08, an increase of 27.2 per cent since 2002. It is likely to touch $ 40 billion, increasing India’s share in the global auto component market from 1 percent to 3 percent by 2015-16.
IBM has been enabling small and medium businesses – automotive companies included - across India with unique technology solutions that enable them focus on their core business while realizing cost efficiencies.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Fulton Innovation partners with leading developer and manufacturer of film capacitor solutions
ADA, USA: Fulton Innovation (Fulton), the creator and exclusive licensor of eCoupled intelligent wireless power, announced its partnership with SBE Inc. (d/b/a SB Electronics) today. Fulton is leveraging SBE’s expertise in the development of advanced capacitor designs for next generation systems, as well as its renowned collaborative engineering approach.
SBE’s Power Ring Film Capacitor and Patented Pulse Power solutions provide a much higher degree of reliability, higher power density, and improved performance in demanding applications including transportation, military/aerospace, alternative energy, medical and laser equipment, and the power supply industries. The company supplies many leading companies in these markets with millions of units successfully deployed in the field.
“This is an important partnership for us to work with the leading developer of capacitors in order to provide additional options to enable our manufacturing partners to incorporate eCoupled technology in their products,” said Dave Baarman, Director of Advanced Technologies for Fulton Innovation.
“We are excited about our partnership with Fulton Innovation and the opportunity to work with the leader in the rapidly growing wireless power industry by providing advanced capacitor design solutions to best enable their vision,” said Ed Sawyer, President and CEO of SBE Inc.
Fulton is working with a wide range of industry-leading device and infrastructure companies to bring eCoupled wireless power to life in a number of different environments. Many of these partners, including Fulton as a founding member, are also members of the Wireless Power Consortium and are working toward a global wireless power standard.
SBE’s Power Ring Film Capacitor and Patented Pulse Power solutions provide a much higher degree of reliability, higher power density, and improved performance in demanding applications including transportation, military/aerospace, alternative energy, medical and laser equipment, and the power supply industries. The company supplies many leading companies in these markets with millions of units successfully deployed in the field.
“This is an important partnership for us to work with the leading developer of capacitors in order to provide additional options to enable our manufacturing partners to incorporate eCoupled technology in their products,” said Dave Baarman, Director of Advanced Technologies for Fulton Innovation.
“We are excited about our partnership with Fulton Innovation and the opportunity to work with the leader in the rapidly growing wireless power industry by providing advanced capacitor design solutions to best enable their vision,” said Ed Sawyer, President and CEO of SBE Inc.
Fulton is working with a wide range of industry-leading device and infrastructure companies to bring eCoupled wireless power to life in a number of different environments. Many of these partners, including Fulton as a founding member, are also members of the Wireless Power Consortium and are working toward a global wireless power standard.
North Shore Components expands counterfeit avoidance programs
BELLPORT, USA: North Shore Components, a leading broad line distributor of electronic and electromechanical components, has just expanded its industry-leading counterfeit detection services with the addition of the Insight 200 motorized 3-axis scanning acoustic microscope inspection system and the LTS-200 Robotic Lead Tinning System.
North Shore Component’s ultra-modern test lab and warehouse features the latest systems designed to test and validate the authenticity of electronic devices used in high-performance military/aerospace applications. This capability has been enhanced significantly with the purchase of the Insight 200 motorized 3-axis scanning acoustic microscope inspection system for determining the authenticity of semiconductor plastic and flip chip packages.
The Insight 200 complements the Company’s comprehensive in-house testing services, including: Advanced Decapsulation (DCAP) to verify the authenticity of raw dies within component chips; Solderability Testing to determine whether strong electrical connections are being made; ESD S 20.20:2007- Certified Workstations (verified by KEMA) to ensure that sensitive electronic components are protected against electro-static discharge (ESD); X-Ray Equipment to verify whether wire bonds are intact, the existence of chip dies, and the uniformity of chip die sizes by lot and date code; High Power Microscopic Inspection (300X) to determine if surfaces have been sanded and remarked while checking for bruised or non-uniform component leads; and Resistance-to-Solvent permanency marking tests to authenticate OEM markings, logos and date codes.
North Shore Components has also purchased the LTS-200 Robotic Lead Tinning System, which enables aged components to be re-tinned by removing old solder plating and recoating the component leads with virgin alloy.
According to Joseph Ruggiero, Vice President of North Shore Components, “With component counterfeiters becoming increasingly sophisticated, we need to become increasingly proactive by continually upgrading our Testing Services and Quality Management Systems to provide our customers with peace-of-mind, knowing that they are receiving only superior quality OEM parts when sourcing components on the surplus and franchise markets.”
North Shore Component’s ultra-modern test lab and warehouse features the latest systems designed to test and validate the authenticity of electronic devices used in high-performance military/aerospace applications. This capability has been enhanced significantly with the purchase of the Insight 200 motorized 3-axis scanning acoustic microscope inspection system for determining the authenticity of semiconductor plastic and flip chip packages.
The Insight 200 complements the Company’s comprehensive in-house testing services, including: Advanced Decapsulation (DCAP) to verify the authenticity of raw dies within component chips; Solderability Testing to determine whether strong electrical connections are being made; ESD S 20.20:2007- Certified Workstations (verified by KEMA) to ensure that sensitive electronic components are protected against electro-static discharge (ESD); X-Ray Equipment to verify whether wire bonds are intact, the existence of chip dies, and the uniformity of chip die sizes by lot and date code; High Power Microscopic Inspection (300X) to determine if surfaces have been sanded and remarked while checking for bruised or non-uniform component leads; and Resistance-to-Solvent permanency marking tests to authenticate OEM markings, logos and date codes.
North Shore Components has also purchased the LTS-200 Robotic Lead Tinning System, which enables aged components to be re-tinned by removing old solder plating and recoating the component leads with virgin alloy.
According to Joseph Ruggiero, Vice President of North Shore Components, “With component counterfeiters becoming increasingly sophisticated, we need to become increasingly proactive by continually upgrading our Testing Services and Quality Management Systems to provide our customers with peace-of-mind, knowing that they are receiving only superior quality OEM parts when sourcing components on the surplus and franchise markets.”
Monday, February 1, 2010
Seoul Semiconductor to introduce groundbreaking 100 lm/W LED source in Q1 2010
PORTLAND, USA: Seoul Semiconductor, a leading global LED manufacturer, will introduce the first 100 lm/W AC LED light source during the first quarter of 2010.
Offering 25 percent greater efficiency than existing LED light products, this latest offering from Seoul Semiconductor’s Acriche brand will be available for sampling by March 1. It will be supported with a global marketing campaign.
Seoul Semiconductor, which has pioneered development and manufacturing of next-generation LED light sources since 1992, notes that Acriche outlasts incandescent and compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, and due to its long life is less costly to use than traditional lighting methods.
Like other Acriche products, the new 100 lm/W LED needs no AC-DC converter. Additionally, it generates less than 1/10th the carbon emissions of an incandescent bulb, an important consideration in meeting new regulatory standards in markets worldwide.
Seoul Semiconductor is in the process of carrying out investment activities, active research and development activities, and marketing promotions to boost the supply of Acriche in the United States, and has thus far invested nearly $20 million with plans to expand the investment in the future. In particular, it is making a huge effort with Acriche’s patented technology for use in multiple lighting applications through continual research and development for dynamic evolution of the product.
"We're proud to introduce this next-generation Acriche with its environmentally friendly profile, and cost-efficient application," said S.M. Lee, Vice President of Seoul Semiconductor in Korea. "This new product represents great strides by Seoul Semiconductor's Technical Research Institute. Acriche now has up to ten times the efficiency of incandescent bulbs and greater system level performance as compared to generic DC LEDs."
The global market for LEDs exceeds $5 billion annually, and is expected to grow at a pace of more than 24 percent annually. Acriche is expected to appeal to the US market, where the race to instill "green" living practices has intensified, resulting in increased numbers of lighting systems being replaced or upgraded with LED solutions.
Anticipating a continued robust US demand for Acriche, Seoul Semiconductor is dedicating foundry resources to ensure supplies of the product are readily available. Mass production of the new Acriche will begin in the first quarter of this year. In addition, research and marketing campaigns are underway to raise consumer awareness about the benefits of LED technology.
What is Acriche?
Seoul Semiconductor’s main product, Acriche, is an AC-driven semiconductor light source. Because the LED does not require a converter; it is more energy- and cost-efficient than DC LEDs.
In addition, Acriche is officially recognized for its safety, having acquired CE and TÜV certifications as well as UL certification in the United States due to the reliability of its electronic parts. Acriche is easy to install. In addition, with a life span of more than 35,000 hours, Acriche LEDs meet Energy Star requirements for indoor and outdoor solid state lighting.
Offering 25 percent greater efficiency than existing LED light products, this latest offering from Seoul Semiconductor’s Acriche brand will be available for sampling by March 1. It will be supported with a global marketing campaign.Seoul Semiconductor, which has pioneered development and manufacturing of next-generation LED light sources since 1992, notes that Acriche outlasts incandescent and compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, and due to its long life is less costly to use than traditional lighting methods.
Like other Acriche products, the new 100 lm/W LED needs no AC-DC converter. Additionally, it generates less than 1/10th the carbon emissions of an incandescent bulb, an important consideration in meeting new regulatory standards in markets worldwide.
Seoul Semiconductor is in the process of carrying out investment activities, active research and development activities, and marketing promotions to boost the supply of Acriche in the United States, and has thus far invested nearly $20 million with plans to expand the investment in the future. In particular, it is making a huge effort with Acriche’s patented technology for use in multiple lighting applications through continual research and development for dynamic evolution of the product.
"We're proud to introduce this next-generation Acriche with its environmentally friendly profile, and cost-efficient application," said S.M. Lee, Vice President of Seoul Semiconductor in Korea. "This new product represents great strides by Seoul Semiconductor's Technical Research Institute. Acriche now has up to ten times the efficiency of incandescent bulbs and greater system level performance as compared to generic DC LEDs."
The global market for LEDs exceeds $5 billion annually, and is expected to grow at a pace of more than 24 percent annually. Acriche is expected to appeal to the US market, where the race to instill "green" living practices has intensified, resulting in increased numbers of lighting systems being replaced or upgraded with LED solutions.
Anticipating a continued robust US demand for Acriche, Seoul Semiconductor is dedicating foundry resources to ensure supplies of the product are readily available. Mass production of the new Acriche will begin in the first quarter of this year. In addition, research and marketing campaigns are underway to raise consumer awareness about the benefits of LED technology.
What is Acriche?
Seoul Semiconductor’s main product, Acriche, is an AC-driven semiconductor light source. Because the LED does not require a converter; it is more energy- and cost-efficient than DC LEDs.
In addition, Acriche is officially recognized for its safety, having acquired CE and TÜV certifications as well as UL certification in the United States due to the reliability of its electronic parts. Acriche is easy to install. In addition, with a life span of more than 35,000 hours, Acriche LEDs meet Energy Star requirements for indoor and outdoor solid state lighting.
Ignis awarded another splitter agreement in Asia
OSLO, NORWAY: Ignis ASA, an international provider of optical components, has entered into another supply agreement for delivery of splitter chips to a leading Asian manufacturer of optical splitter modules. The agreement is signed for a period of 3 years and is estimated to have a minimum value the first year of USD 1.5 million.
Ignis is experiencing substantial growth of business demand in all product segments. Over the last year, Ignis has gained a particularly strong market position in Asia with a large portfolio of blue chip customers.
Matt Lee, COO in Ignis ASA, said: "This is another proof of our competitive strength in the splitter chip segment. Together with our Asian customer we have formed a strategic partnership for increasing distribution of optical splitter modules in the fast growing Chinese market for broadband access."
China is showing impressing growth in online and broadband usage with more than 300 million Internet users where 90 percent have broadband access. China’s broadband service providers, such as China Telecom, China Netcom and China Mobile, have deployed up to 15 million FTTx (Fiber-To-The-x) lines in 2009 and FTTx subscribers in China are expected to top 50 million in 2012.
Ignis keeps investing significant time and efforts in the Asian broadband market to further improve its market position and win new blue chip customers in all parts of the region.
Ignis is experiencing substantial growth of business demand in all product segments. Over the last year, Ignis has gained a particularly strong market position in Asia with a large portfolio of blue chip customers.
Matt Lee, COO in Ignis ASA, said: "This is another proof of our competitive strength in the splitter chip segment. Together with our Asian customer we have formed a strategic partnership for increasing distribution of optical splitter modules in the fast growing Chinese market for broadband access."
China is showing impressing growth in online and broadband usage with more than 300 million Internet users where 90 percent have broadband access. China’s broadband service providers, such as China Telecom, China Netcom and China Mobile, have deployed up to 15 million FTTx (Fiber-To-The-x) lines in 2009 and FTTx subscribers in China are expected to top 50 million in 2012.
Ignis keeps investing significant time and efforts in the Asian broadband market to further improve its market position and win new blue chip customers in all parts of the region.
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