CONTENTS January 2008
 
Cover Story 
Selecting op amps
By Paul Rako, Technical Editor, EDN
Selecting operational amplifiers can be as complicated as the specifications for these parts. By understanding the basics, knowing your application, and using stand-alone and online tools, you can make the right choice.
 
Design Feature 
4G wireless: evolution or watershed in SOC architectures?
By Ron Wilson, Executive Editor, EDN
The next step in wireless technology could prove the tipping point for multicore embedded processing.
FPGA-prototyping and ASIC-conversion considerations
By Bob Kirk, AMI Semiconductor
Converting your FPGA to an ASIC yields many benefits. Here's a look at how designers can maximize those benefits and make the transition as quick and seamless as possible.
 
Special Report 
New roads open for hard drives
by Robert Chu, Asia Pacific Vice President,Hitachi Global Storage Technologies
The hard drive continues to evolve, playing an increasingly significant role in our daily lives. However, many believe its real impact is yet to come.
 
Pulse 
Altera’s high definition quality initiative
Freescale’s 8-bit, 8-pin device for entry-level automotive applications
First handheld mobile WiMAX test solution for network deployment, installation, and maintenance
TI’s single-chip direct down conversion architecture reduces component count by 75%
Configurable RF test platform for seamless migration from R&D to production test
Highly integrated WiMAX MIMO RF IC solutions
“Industry’s lowest” noise precision amplifier family
Avago Technologies offers SerDes supporting Intel QuickPath interconnect
Xilinx teams with EDA leaders to tackle ultra high-capacity FPGA design verification
Power-efficient integrated FET buck regulator extends battery life and saves space
Microchip unveils fast 1Mb serial EEPROM
Free, optimized ARM Cortex-M1 Processor for low power FPGAs
Integrated precision DACs for industrial automation systems
Integrated FET module delivers 50% space-savings in synchronous buck converters
Class D audio subsystem offers high output power in small total solution
 
EDN Asia.Comment 
Some issues in analog scaling
by Kirtimaya Varma
 
Interview 
“In five years China will teem with very capable designers”
by Kirtimaya Varma, Editor in Chief, EDN Asia
 
Design Ideas 
Single op amp achieves double-hysteresis-transfer characteristic
by Herminio Martínez, Encarna García, and Juan Gámiz, Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona,
Switcher adds programmable-PWM-duty-cycle clamp
by Michael O’Loughlin, Texas Instruments, Nashua, NH
Circuit provides low-cost QAM mapping and translation
Pieter Demuytere, Cedric Mélange, Elena Matei, Els De Backer, Johan Bauwelinck, and Jan Vandewege, Ghent University, Belgium
 
New Products 
Link circuit capacitors in dry technology for HVDC
2W current sense flat chip resistor in 2512 package
High power wirewound resistors
Accessories and connectors for industrial automation apps
SMNZ ultra-high-precision Z-Foil four-resistor network
Solid tantalum chip capacitors offer 220-µF/4-V CV rating in Molded 0805 case size
Wide terminal resistor ideal for high power apps
Low cost precision thin film chip inductors
Ultra compact 150W desktop switcher
160W, 3” x 5” AC-DC power supply with ATX outputs
Cover kits for three series of AC-DC power supplies
15W power from case size reduced by 50%
Power supplies target medical applications
1800W, 3-Phase AC-DC industrial power supplies with 5-year warranty
Switching power supplies provide EMC performance
4-Port ultra PoE midspan reaches full power of 60W per port
WiMAX Wave2 test system
7.5 GHz hand-portable spectrum analyzer
Handheld mobile WiMAX test solution for network deployment
ACE 400wb channel emulator for mobile WiMax testing
PXI chassis incorporate MAC panel SCOUT receivers
PCI expansion chassis for CompuScope and CompuGen cards
Compact and cost-efficient broadcast tester for all current standards
ExpressModule Interposer for PCI Express analysis
License plate recognition with TI’s DaVinci DSPs
Five-LED main/sub display driver + dual LDO
Current sense ignition IGBT for automotive apps
SOA offers “breakthrough” performance for all-optical 100Gbits/sec networks
Catalyst Semiconductor expands supervisor family
Single lane PCI Express to PCI Bridge has lower latency and better throughput
Cost-effective solutions enhance battery life consumer apps
Low-power satellite tuner for DVB-S2 apps eliminates external LNA
200 to 400MHz VCO with good linearity
Next-gen secure MCUs based on 0.13-micron process technology
Multi-standard, triple consumer video amplifier family
COTS controllers for LCDs used in harsh environments
Single-chip solution with good phase noise and multi-band capabilities
Rail-to-rail input 3GHz fully differential ADC driver
Freescale’s 12 high-performance ColdFire MCUs for Linux apps
32-Bit CISC MCU H8SX family for in-vehicle control systems
 
Prying Eyes 
Video surveillance: It’s all about computing power
By Ron Wilson, Executive Editor, EDN
KNOWLEDGE CENTER
Panasonic Key Devices Guide 2008 :
 
Fairchild Semiconductor :
 
Texas Instruments: DaVinci™ Technology
 
Texas Instruments: Safe Bet Series
 
 
FEATURED CHANNEL 
Peripherals
 
 
 
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