CONTENTS August 2008
 
Cover Story 
Embedded x86: keystone of your non-PC design?
By Brian Dipert, Senior Technical Editor, EDN
x86 microprocessors may not have the absolute lowest power per megahertz, absolute highest performance per clock tick, or optimum code efficiency when you evaluate them against all possible alternatives. Bundle up the features, though, and the total
 
Design Feature 
Overcoming USB measurement-test-setup issues
By Keith Klepin, Cypress Semiconductor
Designers must meet stringent constraints to comply with the USB-IF spec. Clever techniques can help you design your system to meet these specs.
Buck-boost converters change with the times
By Paul Rako, Technical Editor, EDN
Buck-boost converters provide voltages both above and below the input voltage. This feature is useful if your design's input voltage changes drastically or if its load voltage varies.
 
Special Report 
Advanced network planning and optimization tools are vital for WiMAX success
By Dr. Eustace Tameh, Wireless Planning Manager, ProVision Communications
 
Pulse 
RF screen coating saves space
By Graham Prophet, Editor, EDN Europe
Integrated dual-slot AdvancedMC hot-swap power manager
Processor supports capacitive touch sensing for button and slider replacement
By Robert Cravotta, Technical Editor, EDN
Process makes silicon circuits that can fold, bend, and stretch
By Matthew Miller, Editor in Chief, EDN.com
Solid-state cooling device harnesses corona discharge
By Matthew Miller, Editor in Chief, EDN.com
Ramtron intros event data recorder with integrated F-RAM memory
Tiny 10GigE field tester with advanced IPTV, triple-play service test features
“Industry’s smallest” form factor 1.6MHz synchronous buck regulator provides 95% efficiency
Complete TD-SCDMA test solution for network deployment, installation, and maintenance
Very thin autofocus LED for digital still cameras, camera phones
Single-chip WiMAX MIMO RF transceiver improves receiver SNR
“Industry's first” 32V 500mA buck regulator with integrated dual power monitor
Backlight assemblies <1mm high utilizing 0.4mm thin light guides are now a reality
30TB disk-based backup system with data de-duplication, scalable GRID architecture
Active-matrix display employs nanowire transistors
By Matthew Miller, Editor in Chief, EDN.com
 
EDN Asia.Comment 
A new device will enter designs
by Kirtimaya Varma
 
Design Ideas 
Small capacitor supports telecom power supply during brownouts
Samuel Kerem, Rockville, MD; Edited by Charles H Small and Fran Granville
Tiny microcontroller hosts dual dc/dc-boost converters
Dhananjay V Gadre, Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
Cross-coupled gates prevent push-pull-driver overlap
Richard Rice, Oconomowoc, WI
 
New Products 
Impact connectors deliver increased speed, density
GEM thermistor provides stability over time
PCB connector and contact series has a 45A UL rating
Windows-based design tool improves wire-harness quality
Junction-box assembly has a complete harness system
Waterproof, circular connector has one-touch bayonet lock
Automotive thin film chip resistor offers 1000-V ESD stability
Ultra-thin, high-temperature, 5.5V supercapacitors
Power adapter suits ac/dc needs worldwide
20W PCB mountable ac/dc power supply comes in multiple output voltages
1000W power supply aims at gaming systems
High-power POE midspan compatible with Cisco AP1250
RECOM launches catalogue for full power
1000W power supply for harsh environments
6W miniature switchmode transformer
180W desktop power supply
“Industry’s first” full production release of DDR3 register
Dual simultaneous sampling 1MSPS 12-bit ADC
Low power display controller for mobile applications
High-power LED driver drives 8 HB LEDs for automotive designs
Silicon carbide bipolar junction transistor and SiC Schottky diode in TO-220 package
Touch screen controller IC cuts power, response time
Multirate, CDR SerDes reduces saves power, cost
Dual differential ADC drivers with ±0.1dB and ±0.1° matching at 100MHz
500mA, 300MHz synchronous step-down DC/DC converter
High-brightness SMT LEDs for indoor, outdoor signs
Stereo-audio processor supports Bluetooth
Rectifier provides 12.5-kW per rack unit
Switching regulator comes in miniature SIP package
24V DC/DC converters target vehicle-battery systems
12-Bit, 3Msps SAR ADC dissipates 7.2mW in SOT23 package
600V PFC high-frequency rectifiers with 19 and 20ns reverse recovery times
Programmable meter includes integrated diagnostics
I/O virtualization support in PCI Express Summit Protocol Analyzer
PXI solid state switching solution
Analysis software handles both standards-based and proprietary OFDM schemes
Avionics Test Bench and Avionics Test Studio
Expanded RF/mixed-signal simulation coverage for wireless communications IC design
 
Power Supplement 
The time is ripe for digital power
By Denice Cabel, Editor
Digital control of power conversion and management
Sabin Lupan, Field Applications Engineer, International Rectifier
Digital Power: A panoramic view of applications and challenges
By Steve Mappus, Systems Engineer, Fairchild Semiconductor
New digital system solution for quasi-resonant flyback converters
Mao Mingping, He Yi and Jeoh Meng Kiat, Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific
The true promise of digital power control
By Bryan Kris, Staff Architect, Microchip Technology Inc.
Designing efficient power systems for tomorrow
Satish Mohanram, Technical Consultant, National Instruments India
 
Prying Eyes 
The Tesla Roadster: Sporty and electric
By Paul Rako, Technical Editor, EDN
KNOWLEDGE CENTER
Panasonic Key Devices Guide 2008 :
 
Fairchild Semiconductor :
 
Texas Instruments: DaVinci™ Technology
 
Texas Instruments: Safe Bet Series
 
 
FEATURED CHANNEL 
Processors & Tools
 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT
 
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
 
RESOURCE CENTER
 
 
PRODUCT NEWS
 
FEATURED SPONSORS
 
 
DESIGN CENTERS
 
ADVERTISEMENT
     
Reference Designs