BERLIN, GERMANY: Marvell, an industry leader in storage, communications and consumer silicon solutions, announced the Marvell 88DE80xx family of hybrid demodulators.
The Marvell 88DE8020 and 88DE8025 are the first in a family of solutions that Marvell is developing for worldwide TV Radio Frequency (RF) sub-systems. The 88DE8020 and 88DE8025 are single chip hybrid demodulators for Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) and analog video broadcasting worldwide.
The 88DE8020/88DE8025 demodulates Intermediate Frequency (IF) signals from the hybrid tuner and generates Digital Transport Stream and Analog Composite Video with Sound Intermediate Frequency (SIF). The Marvell-designed integrated RF sub-system is designed to enable TV makers to develop a single TV controller chassis for worldwide needs and localize it with region specific tuners and demodulators.
Measuring 7x7mm in a 48-pin QFN package, the Marvell 88DE8020 features very high level integration for the demodulation of Digital Video Broadcasting -- Cable (DVB-C), Digital Video Broadcasting -- Terrestrial (DVB-T) (Annex A and C) and NTSC/PAL/SECAM.
The 88DE8025 is a pin-compatible subset of the 88DE8020 supporting analog and DVB-T demodulation for applications that do not require DVB-C. Typically, TV makers need to provide multiple SAW filters, and separate analog and digital demodulators for integrated digital televisions (iDTVs) that support hybrid terrestrial and cable networks in DVB countries.
The high level of integration in the Marvell 88DE8020 is designed to enable TV manufacturers to develop RF sub-systems that have lower cost, lower power and a slimmer profile.
"Demodulator performance is one of the critical blocks for an immersive viewing experience for digital television sets," said Dr. Nikhil Balram, Vice President and General Manager of the Digital Entertainment Business Unit, Communications and Consumer Business Group at Marvell Semiconductor, Inc.
"We believe the Marvell 88DE80xx solutions for worldwide RF sub-system market to enable our customers to achieve robust reception under varying signal conditions like multi-path, adjacent and co-channel interference and impulse channel noise with Marvell's proprietary ClearRF technology, while also achieving lower cost and lower power through our high integration."
At the IFA 2009 tradeshow in Berlin, Marvell will demonstrate a cost-effective RF sub-system for DVB iDTVs. The demonstration will be at Marvell's Crowne Plaza Suite. Please contact a Marvell representative for more information. A complete evaluation kit with documentation, firmware and Nordig, D-Book and E-Book test results is available upon request.
The Marvell 88DE802x parts are sampling now and will be shipping in the first calendar quarter. Budgetary pricing for 88DE8020 and 88DE8025 are respectively $3.25 and $2.75 for quantities of 500K units or more.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
What's the impact of legislation on LEDs?
There is a lot of interest in Europe around the impact of legislation on LEDs. Here's a guest post by Gary Nevison, Head of Legislation, Farnell, A trading division of Premier Farnell UK Ltd.
LEDs background
Light emitting diodes or LEDs are increasingly used for lighting applications and in displays. This trend is due to research into brighter and more energy efficient devices that are able to compete with fluorescent lamps that contain small amounts of mercury.
LED lighting is often used in homes, offices and also in vehicles. Several computer manufacturers now offer laptops with LED displays instead of the standard liquid crystal displays (LCDs). A few LED televisions have also been launched recently.
LED displays are more energy efficient than LCDs in laptop PCs because they do not require the conversion of the standard laptop battery voltages to the high voltages required by LCD backlights. LED lighting is still not as energy efficient as fluorescent lighting but researchers expect to be able to attain higher efficiency in the near future.
The development of LED lighting will affect EU legislation in the future in a variety of ways:
RoHS directive
The RoHS directive has three exemptions for mercury in fluorescent lighting: One for compact fluorescent lamps, one for linear lamps and one for special lamps that are used as LCD backlights.
These exemptions are justified because LED lighting is not yet as energy efficient as fluorescent lighting and the availability of LED displays is very limited at present.
RoHS bans mercury because it is very toxic but infrared and red LEDs contain very small amounts of arsenic which is also very toxic and is a carcinogen. Green and yellow LEDs contain phosphides which are also hazardous substances.
The quantities of arsenic or phosphide used are however very much smaller than the amount of mercury in equivalent light output fluorescent lighting. Another issue is that LED lamp production is an energy intensive process that uses very toxic chemicals and so, ideally, a full life cycle assessment of LED lighting compared with fluorescent lighting should be carried out before changes are made to legislation.
It is clear however that in the future, all three of these RoHS exemptions could be repealed when viable mercury-free alternatives are available.
Energy using Products (EuP) directive
The EuP Directive aims to reduce the amount of energy used by electrical equipment and two EU regulations have been adopted that will restrict the supply of less energy efficient lamps.
Tighter restrictions will be imposed at specific dates in the future (1, 3 and 8 years after entry into force) and LEDs will inevitably be one of the alternative options available, especially when their energy efficiency improves.
REACH regulations
REACH imposes a variety of obligations on manufacturers of electrical equipment, particularly on the use of hazardous substances. Some LEDs contain arsenic and this is likely to be classified as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) and included in the Candidate List. Authorisation may also be a requirement for use of arsenic chemicals in the EU and restrictions are also possible, but unlikely.
LEDs background
Light emitting diodes or LEDs are increasingly used for lighting applications and in displays. This trend is due to research into brighter and more energy efficient devices that are able to compete with fluorescent lamps that contain small amounts of mercury.
LED lighting is often used in homes, offices and also in vehicles. Several computer manufacturers now offer laptops with LED displays instead of the standard liquid crystal displays (LCDs). A few LED televisions have also been launched recently.
LED displays are more energy efficient than LCDs in laptop PCs because they do not require the conversion of the standard laptop battery voltages to the high voltages required by LCD backlights. LED lighting is still not as energy efficient as fluorescent lighting but researchers expect to be able to attain higher efficiency in the near future.
The development of LED lighting will affect EU legislation in the future in a variety of ways:
RoHS directive
The RoHS directive has three exemptions for mercury in fluorescent lighting: One for compact fluorescent lamps, one for linear lamps and one for special lamps that are used as LCD backlights.
These exemptions are justified because LED lighting is not yet as energy efficient as fluorescent lighting and the availability of LED displays is very limited at present.
RoHS bans mercury because it is very toxic but infrared and red LEDs contain very small amounts of arsenic which is also very toxic and is a carcinogen. Green and yellow LEDs contain phosphides which are also hazardous substances.
The quantities of arsenic or phosphide used are however very much smaller than the amount of mercury in equivalent light output fluorescent lighting. Another issue is that LED lamp production is an energy intensive process that uses very toxic chemicals and so, ideally, a full life cycle assessment of LED lighting compared with fluorescent lighting should be carried out before changes are made to legislation.
It is clear however that in the future, all three of these RoHS exemptions could be repealed when viable mercury-free alternatives are available.
Energy using Products (EuP) directive
The EuP Directive aims to reduce the amount of energy used by electrical equipment and two EU regulations have been adopted that will restrict the supply of less energy efficient lamps.
Tighter restrictions will be imposed at specific dates in the future (1, 3 and 8 years after entry into force) and LEDs will inevitably be one of the alternative options available, especially when their energy efficiency improves.
REACH regulations
REACH imposes a variety of obligations on manufacturers of electrical equipment, particularly on the use of hazardous substances. Some LEDs contain arsenic and this is likely to be classified as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) and included in the Candidate List. Authorisation may also be a requirement for use of arsenic chemicals in the EU and restrictions are also possible, but unlikely.
Kulicke & Soffa launches ConnX-LED
FORT WASHINGTON, USA: Kulicke & Soffa Industries Inc. announced the formal launch of ConnX-LEDPSTM automatic ball bonder -— an extension of the company’'s leading ConnXPSTM bonding platform.
With new features and enhancements specifically designed for LED applications, ConnX-LED will help K&S customers increase their efficiency and productivity, and meet the challenges of the fast-paced, high growth LED market.
ConnX-LED offers all of the features required for bonding LED packages, including accuracy to +/- 3.5 m, automatic recovery paths for common production stoppages, programmable back-up power and many others—providing customers with reduced cost of ownership in a highly competitive market space.
ConnX-LED joins iStackPSTM, ICONNPSTM ConnX, and ConnX-VLEDPSTM in Kulicke & Soffa’s Power Series platform, the next generation of semiconductor assembly equipment for today’s most challenging applications. Driven by the most powerful X-Y-Z motion control system available on the market, Power Series products deliver the highest levels of speed, accuracy and throughput for reduced cost of ownership for the segment that the respective model serves.
Scott Kulicke, Chairman and CEO of Kulicke & Soffa: said, “Recent industry research projects a 20 percent annual growth rate in total LED demand through 2012, as LED backlight displays and energy-saving lighting solutions continue to penetrate their market niches. The launch of ConnX-LED is just one of the steps we’ve taken recently to optimize our product portfolio and distribution approach to address this market, one we have not traditionally served. We believe that we are now well positioned with the right products and sales infrastructure to gain meaningful share in this important and growing segment.”
ConnX-LED will debut at the 11th China International Optoelectronics Expo, held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Shenzhen, PRC September 6-9, 2009.
With new features and enhancements specifically designed for LED applications, ConnX-LED will help K&S customers increase their efficiency and productivity, and meet the challenges of the fast-paced, high growth LED market.
ConnX-LED offers all of the features required for bonding LED packages, including accuracy to +/- 3.5 m, automatic recovery paths for common production stoppages, programmable back-up power and many others—providing customers with reduced cost of ownership in a highly competitive market space.
ConnX-LED joins iStackPSTM, ICONNPSTM ConnX, and ConnX-VLEDPSTM in Kulicke & Soffa’s Power Series platform, the next generation of semiconductor assembly equipment for today’s most challenging applications. Driven by the most powerful X-Y-Z motion control system available on the market, Power Series products deliver the highest levels of speed, accuracy and throughput for reduced cost of ownership for the segment that the respective model serves.
Scott Kulicke, Chairman and CEO of Kulicke & Soffa: said, “Recent industry research projects a 20 percent annual growth rate in total LED demand through 2012, as LED backlight displays and energy-saving lighting solutions continue to penetrate their market niches. The launch of ConnX-LED is just one of the steps we’ve taken recently to optimize our product portfolio and distribution approach to address this market, one we have not traditionally served. We believe that we are now well positioned with the right products and sales infrastructure to gain meaningful share in this important and growing segment.”
ConnX-LED will debut at the 11th China International Optoelectronics Expo, held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Shenzhen, PRC September 6-9, 2009.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Fairchild's 30V MOSFET in power 56 package breaks 1mOhm MAX RDS(ON) barrier
SAN JOSE, USA: Fairchild Semiconductor brings designers of servers, blade servers and routers the industry’s first sub-one mOhm 30V MOSFET in a Power 56 package.
This 30V MOSFET, the FDMS7650, functions as a load switch or an ORing FET. In server farms, these ORing FETs are used when many power supplies are arranged in parallel to share the load. Dissipating less power and delivering higher efficiency is critical for the overall efficiency of these server farms because the FETs are continually on.
The FDMS7650 is the first in Power56 packaging to break the 1mOhm barrier with a MAX RDS(ON) of only 0.99mOhm, reducing conduction losses and improving the overall efficiency of the application. This 30V MOSFET can deliver the same total RDS(ON) with half the number of FETs. As an example, in a typical application using 2.0mOhm MOSFETs, the solution would require twice the number of FETs.
The FDMS7650 is able to achieve this groundbreaking RDS(ON) through Fairchild's advanced-performance PowerTrench® MOSFET technology. This technology yields an exceptionally low RDS(ON), total gate charge (QG) and Miller Charge (QGD) – enhancements that result in high efficiency by minimizing conduction and switching losses.
This power MOSFET is one of Fairchild’s many MOSFETs that offer compelling advantages in power designs. Good examples are Fairchild’s 30V Dual N-Channel MOSFETs, the FDMC8200 and FDMS9600. The FDMC8200 typically features an RDS(ON) of 24mOhm on the high side and 9.5mOhm on the low side, enhancing efficiency in DC-DC applications.
The FDMS9600 offers synchronous Buck applications, an optimal power stage through low switching losses on the high side MOSFET and low conduction losses on the low side SyncFET MOSFET.
This 30V MOSFET, the FDMS7650, functions as a load switch or an ORing FET. In server farms, these ORing FETs are used when many power supplies are arranged in parallel to share the load. Dissipating less power and delivering higher efficiency is critical for the overall efficiency of these server farms because the FETs are continually on.
The FDMS7650 is the first in Power56 packaging to break the 1mOhm barrier with a MAX RDS(ON) of only 0.99mOhm, reducing conduction losses and improving the overall efficiency of the application. This 30V MOSFET can deliver the same total RDS(ON) with half the number of FETs. As an example, in a typical application using 2.0mOhm MOSFETs, the solution would require twice the number of FETs.
The FDMS7650 is able to achieve this groundbreaking RDS(ON) through Fairchild's advanced-performance PowerTrench® MOSFET technology. This technology yields an exceptionally low RDS(ON), total gate charge (QG) and Miller Charge (QGD) – enhancements that result in high efficiency by minimizing conduction and switching losses.
This power MOSFET is one of Fairchild’s many MOSFETs that offer compelling advantages in power designs. Good examples are Fairchild’s 30V Dual N-Channel MOSFETs, the FDMC8200 and FDMS9600. The FDMC8200 typically features an RDS(ON) of 24mOhm on the high side and 9.5mOhm on the low side, enhancing efficiency in DC-DC applications.
The FDMS9600 offers synchronous Buck applications, an optimal power stage through low switching losses on the high side MOSFET and low conduction losses on the low side SyncFET MOSFET.
Avnet Electronics and NMB ink distribution agreement
PHOENIX & CHATSWORTH, USA: NMB Technologies Corp., a Minebea Group company, and the Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas business region of Avnet Inc. have signed a distribution agreement.
Under the terms of the agreement, Avnet in the Americas will market NMB’s comprehensive line of more than 100 AC and DC axial fans and blowers, ranging in size from 25mm to 173mm.
NMB has over 50 years of experience in the development of AC/DC axial fans and blowers for use in personal computing, networking, telecommunications, home entertainment and electronics, automotive, medical and industrial market applications. Together with Avnet’s technical expertise and supply chain service solutions, the two companies can provide tailored services and cooling products to meet customers’ exact needs.
“Avnet has a reputation as a leader across all the cooling markets we want to explore. This represents a great opportunity for NMB, as our focus is on total thermal management solutions,” said Ed Gomez, distribution manager for NMB Technologies Corporation.
“NMB’s portfolio of AC and DC solutions is uniquely positioned to meet the thermal management needs and challenges of today’s complex designs,” said Alex Iuorio, senior vice president of supplier management for Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas. “NMB and Avnet offer customers the quality and reliability they come to expect in products and the design expertise and services that will help them complete those designs faster and speed their time to market.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Avnet in the Americas will market NMB’s comprehensive line of more than 100 AC and DC axial fans and blowers, ranging in size from 25mm to 173mm.
NMB has over 50 years of experience in the development of AC/DC axial fans and blowers for use in personal computing, networking, telecommunications, home entertainment and electronics, automotive, medical and industrial market applications. Together with Avnet’s technical expertise and supply chain service solutions, the two companies can provide tailored services and cooling products to meet customers’ exact needs.
“Avnet has a reputation as a leader across all the cooling markets we want to explore. This represents a great opportunity for NMB, as our focus is on total thermal management solutions,” said Ed Gomez, distribution manager for NMB Technologies Corporation.
“NMB’s portfolio of AC and DC solutions is uniquely positioned to meet the thermal management needs and challenges of today’s complex designs,” said Alex Iuorio, senior vice president of supplier management for Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas. “NMB and Avnet offer customers the quality and reliability they come to expect in products and the design expertise and services that will help them complete those designs faster and speed their time to market.”
Thursday, September 3, 2009
APC intros MGE Galaxy 7000 offering compact and high efficiency UPS
BANGALORE, INDIA: The introduction of MGE Galaxy 7000 offers new levels of high efficiency power protection for IT and other mission critical equipment. Its digital design coupled with a comprehensive range of options enables the new UPS to be fully adapted for use in a range of applications from large data centres to industrial and manufacturing operations.
In data centre applications, the MGE Galaxy 7000 meets the combined need for high levels of power availability and runtime in a small footprint. In standard form, the new UPS as unitary can support a load from 250 kVA to 500kVA and provide up to two hours autonomy in the event of a mains power failure.
Its compact size, back to back or back to wall installation enables more room to be utilised for other equipments in the technical room than traditional UPS systems. What’s more, the UPS can be upgraded to ensure available and secure power infrastructure for current as well as future demands.
At the same time, MGE Galaxy 7000 boasts a 94.5 percent efficiency rating in double conversion mode (up to 97 percent in optional economy mode) and therefore enables customers to reduce energy wastage as well as operating expenses. The MGE Galaxy 7000 will therefore be of equal interest to organisations with an interest in “greening” their power infrastructure as well as those that are simply cost conscious.
“While energy efficiency is the need of the hour, our customers also want cost effective, adaptable solutions to address their critical power needs for assured business continuity.
APC by Schneider Electric is committed to making energy safe, reliable and efficient. The new Galaxy 7000 offers an energy efficient IGBT rectifier and a rating as high as 500kVA. This will help meet high standards of efficiency required by most mission critical equipments,” said Shrinivas Chebbi, CGM & President - India, APC by Schneider Electric.
"The new MGE Galaxy 7000 also offers redundancy options to assure our customers of highest level of power protection," he added.
Standard features include a new and unique transformer less UPS topology, built in static switch and maintenance by-pass, plus an IGBT rectifier with power factor correction for low input current total harmonic distortion.
MGE Galaxy 7000 also features cold start, soft start, walk-in charger and inrush current limit for compatibility with generator sets. The full redundancy of its cooling system provides a high level of reliability. The new UPS also supports modular paralleling for power upgrades or additional redundancy, and can be incorporated into a wide variety of high availability architectures.
Its 0,9 output power factor provides more available kW to be fully compliant with the latest power factor corrected IT loads.
The MGE Galaxy 7000 has been designed for ease of installation as well as maintenance. All connectors and switches are either incorporated or accessible from the front of the new system and therefore no access is required via side or rear panels either during installation or operation. The MGE Galaxy 7000 is also supplied ready for connection to all standard earthing arrangements.
To ensure available runtime and maximise battery life, MGE Galaxy 7000 Lifecycle Monitoring incorporates Digibat programmable battery monitoring to automatically test battery levels at specified intervals, without the need to discharge the batteries. This feature provides a realistic assessment of available power back-up and battery life expectancy whilst reducing ongoing maintenance costs.
As a further option, the system may be specified with Cellwatch or B2000, utilities which provide continuous check for each of the battery block. Using trend curves, these systems provide an early warning system against the emergence of battery failures and promote proactive maintenance for enhanced system uptime.
For the highest levels of manageability, the MGE Galaxy 7000 is fully compatible with APC remote management tools and can be easily monitored and controlled from anywhere on the network.
In addition to the Ethernet, it is also compatible with other communications protocols including J-Bus/Mod-Bus and relay contacts. A high definition front panel display, with intuitive man-machine graphical interface, ensures that the UPS can be managed locally, safely and effectively.
In data centre applications, the MGE Galaxy 7000 meets the combined need for high levels of power availability and runtime in a small footprint. In standard form, the new UPS as unitary can support a load from 250 kVA to 500kVA and provide up to two hours autonomy in the event of a mains power failure. Its compact size, back to back or back to wall installation enables more room to be utilised for other equipments in the technical room than traditional UPS systems. What’s more, the UPS can be upgraded to ensure available and secure power infrastructure for current as well as future demands.
At the same time, MGE Galaxy 7000 boasts a 94.5 percent efficiency rating in double conversion mode (up to 97 percent in optional economy mode) and therefore enables customers to reduce energy wastage as well as operating expenses. The MGE Galaxy 7000 will therefore be of equal interest to organisations with an interest in “greening” their power infrastructure as well as those that are simply cost conscious.
“While energy efficiency is the need of the hour, our customers also want cost effective, adaptable solutions to address their critical power needs for assured business continuity.
APC by Schneider Electric is committed to making energy safe, reliable and efficient. The new Galaxy 7000 offers an energy efficient IGBT rectifier and a rating as high as 500kVA. This will help meet high standards of efficiency required by most mission critical equipments,” said Shrinivas Chebbi, CGM & President - India, APC by Schneider Electric.
"The new MGE Galaxy 7000 also offers redundancy options to assure our customers of highest level of power protection," he added.
Standard features include a new and unique transformer less UPS topology, built in static switch and maintenance by-pass, plus an IGBT rectifier with power factor correction for low input current total harmonic distortion.
MGE Galaxy 7000 also features cold start, soft start, walk-in charger and inrush current limit for compatibility with generator sets. The full redundancy of its cooling system provides a high level of reliability. The new UPS also supports modular paralleling for power upgrades or additional redundancy, and can be incorporated into a wide variety of high availability architectures.
Its 0,9 output power factor provides more available kW to be fully compliant with the latest power factor corrected IT loads.
The MGE Galaxy 7000 has been designed for ease of installation as well as maintenance. All connectors and switches are either incorporated or accessible from the front of the new system and therefore no access is required via side or rear panels either during installation or operation. The MGE Galaxy 7000 is also supplied ready for connection to all standard earthing arrangements.
To ensure available runtime and maximise battery life, MGE Galaxy 7000 Lifecycle Monitoring incorporates Digibat programmable battery monitoring to automatically test battery levels at specified intervals, without the need to discharge the batteries. This feature provides a realistic assessment of available power back-up and battery life expectancy whilst reducing ongoing maintenance costs.
As a further option, the system may be specified with Cellwatch or B2000, utilities which provide continuous check for each of the battery block. Using trend curves, these systems provide an early warning system against the emergence of battery failures and promote proactive maintenance for enhanced system uptime.
For the highest levels of manageability, the MGE Galaxy 7000 is fully compatible with APC remote management tools and can be easily monitored and controlled from anywhere on the network.
In addition to the Ethernet, it is also compatible with other communications protocols including J-Bus/Mod-Bus and relay contacts. A high definition front panel display, with intuitive man-machine graphical interface, ensures that the UPS can be managed locally, safely and effectively.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Pickering Interfaces launches 60-511 low thermal EMF 56x33 EMR matrix
CLACTON-ON-SEA, UK: Pickering Interfaces is expanding its range of customer focused LXI switch matrices with the introduction of the 60-511 Low Thermal EMF 56x33 EMR (Electromechanical Relay) Matrix.
The 60-511 provides a compact solution for applications requiring low thermal EMF errors for data acquisition and low voltage measurements. Careful attention to the design of the 60-511 has led to a thermal EMF of typically less than 1.5µV. The 60-511 is implemented in a compact 2U rack mountable enclosure.
The 60-511 user connections are provided by commercially available 25 way and 37 way D Type connectors which are fully supported by the range of Pickering Interfaces cable and connector accessories, further simplifying customer integration requirements. The 60-511 is pin compatible with the Pickering Interfaces 60-510 low thermal EMF reed relay matrix.
The 60-511 has several advantages over the established 60-510, offering improved low thermal EMF performance & higher switching capacity at a significantly lower price.
The 60-511 provides a compact solution for applications requiring low thermal EMF errors for data acquisition and low voltage measurements. Careful attention to the design of the 60-511 has led to a thermal EMF of typically less than 1.5µV. The 60-511 is implemented in a compact 2U rack mountable enclosure.
The 60-511 user connections are provided by commercially available 25 way and 37 way D Type connectors which are fully supported by the range of Pickering Interfaces cable and connector accessories, further simplifying customer integration requirements. The 60-511 is pin compatible with the Pickering Interfaces 60-510 low thermal EMF reed relay matrix.
The 60-511 has several advantages over the established 60-510, offering improved low thermal EMF performance & higher switching capacity at a significantly lower price.
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