[Technology Report] Next-Generation Products Going Display-Centric
When it comes to the notion of "embedded," the microprocessor may have to renounce its sovereignty and share its scepter with the flat-panel display. The reason is simply that embedded may soon connote displays as well as microprocessors. When a...
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Stephen Grossman
, et al.
[Design Application] Boost Efficiency In Battery-Based Systems
Typically, efficiency considerations drive a designer's final decision when selecting an application's battery-power-management strategy. The choices for this strategy are switched-power converters (SPCs), charge pumps, and low-dropout regulators...
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Contributing Author
[Editorial] Technology Promises To Make The Future A Lot Better
As 2001 draws to a close, I would wager that many of us are happy to put all of its tragic events and financial disappointments be-hind us. We must never forget the lives that were lost or disrupted by the infamous terrorist attacks. But as 2002...
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Dave Bursky
[Pease Porridge] Bob's Mailbox
Dear Bob: I worked in the music recording industry for a while. The recording studios in the U.K. in the '70s wired their 1-kW amps to the speakers with 30-A, single-strand cooker wire. Sounded okay to me, but a bit...
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Bob Pease
[40 Years Ago] Transistors Undergo Mass Testing
Reliability in transistors is being greatly enhanced by the combined use of automatic testing systems, and data-processing and computer techniques. In the evolution of automated testing, two systems have been introduced—one specifically...
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Steve Scrupski
[40 Years Ago] New Connectors Withstand Adverse Environments
A new rack-and-panel connector design almost eliminates physical damage caused by environmental conditions, shock, and vibration. The connector provides multiple points of contact at all times, protecting the contacts against damage and improving...
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Steve Scrupski
[Forefront] Mask Data Preparation Sidesteps Data Volume Complications
While mask data preparation doesn't affect most front-end IC designers directly, it could cause tapeout delays. To dodge back-end crises, Mentor Graphics Corp., Wilsonville, Ore., has enhanced its Calibre technology to allow direct export of layout...
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David Maliniak
[Forefront] Molecular-Scale Electronics Grown Chemically In A Beaker
Lucent Technology's Bell Labs scientists Hendrik Schon, Zhenan Bao, and Hong Meng have created molecular-scale inverters using a class of organic semiconductor material known as thiols. This emerging technology can build transistor structures an order...
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William Wong
[Forefront] DHCP Software Improves 8051 Microcontrollers
Microcontrollers continue to improve their networking capabilities. CMX's DHCP Client, one of these improvements, eliminates the need to use fixed IP addresses on a range of 8- and 16-bit microcontrollers. This allows cost-effective microcontrollers...
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William Wong
[Forefront] Modular Board Architecture Adds RISC Processor Support
Cram a whole system onto a 100- by 140-mm board, and it can be used almost anywhere. MIPS32 support is now available in this form factor with the EnCore M2 board from Ampro Computers. The EnCore M2 uses Alchemy Semiconductor's 400-MHz Au1000 chip....
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William Wong
[Forefront] Digital Scope Aims For 2.5-Gbit/s MANs
The CSA7404 is the first and only real-time digital oscilloscope for the design of systems with data rates up to 2.5 Gbits/s. Targeted at emerging metropolitan-area networks (MANs), it features integrated optical reference receiver, clock-recovery,...
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Lisa Fakhry
[Forefront] Open-Source OS Expands Support
NetBSD may not be on the radar of many embedded developers. But it now ranks number five in embedded operating-system popularity, according to a recent survey of developers by Evans Data Corp. Available from Wasabi Systems, NetBSD 1.5.2 can be...
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William Wong
