Sony Introduces Automatic Optical Inspection Machine for PWBs

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Sony Manufacturing Systems America Inc (SMSA) has announced an automatic optical inspection (AOI) machine that delivers high-speed operation with accuracy and flexibility in a compact design.

Suitable for the detection of inaccurate component mounting, reversed components, missing components, incorrect polarity, missing solder, bridging and solder quantity, the SI-V200 model has a 2-Mpixel color CCD camera and a high-intensity, three-stage white ring lighting system incorporated in a rigid, cast-iron frame. This significantly reduces operational noise and ensures a stable inspection environment.

When the 2-Mpixel CCD camera is used in standard resolution (15.5µm), the field of view (FOV) capacity is increased by 54% as compared to the previous models. According to Jim Price, director of sales for the SMT division of SMSA, the increased FOV correlates directly to the improved inspection speed realized by the new SI-V200 unit. In addition, the upgraded camera provides high-resolution mode (11µm), allowing for the inspection of 01005-sized components.

Another feature of the unit is a high-intensity, three-stage white ring lighting system, which Price said has been proven to supply consistently stable illumination, leading to higher clarity in both black-and-white and color inspection. The system also works in conjunction with a tele-centric lens to reduce distortion, increasing the inspection accuracy of adjacent components and ensuring that images are captured correctly in all areas.

Also new is the use of a linear motor to drive the X axis. Industry tested linear motor technology provides higher reliability and lower maintenance as it relies on fewer mechanical parts. To complement the upgrade to the linear motor drive, Sony has chosen its own Magnascale technology for position control and feedback.

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30W DC/DC Converter has 4:1 Input

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V-Infinity introduced a line of 30W DC/DC converters. The VSCQ30 series is compact, has a wide 4:1 input range, and excels in environments where space is at a premium and high efficiency is demanded.  The pin mount version measures 2" x 1.6". This series also has an available "T" chassis mount version for mounting convenience. The device has an input range from 9V DC to 36V DC at a nominal input of 24V or 18V DC to 75V DC input range at nominal input of 48V. Output options range from 3.3 V DC to 15V DC. The series operates over a wide temperature range and is up to 91 precent efficient. It comes with industry standard pin-out in a six-sided metal case. Other features include fixed 300 KHz switching frequency, regulated outputs, and continuous short circuit protection. OEM pricing starts at $38 per unit. 
V-Infinity

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CamSemi Secures $26 Million Funding To Continue Development of Energy Efficient Products

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CamSemi announced the completion of what is described as one of the largest VC funding rounds for a European fabless semiconductor company this year by raising US$26 million (&Euro;13 million). The C round funding, led by 3i and existing shareholders Scottish Equity Partners (SEP) and TTP Ventures, sees the Carbon Trust join as a new investor. Carbon Trust Investments is taking a $4 million equity stake in CamSemi – its first investment in a company focused on improving the energy efficiency of consumer electronics products.

The new funding will support CamSemi's commercialization of products that the company states can dramatically reduce the energy consumption of electronic equipment in operating and standby modes. CamSemi is developing sophisticated ICs that it states will allow manufacturers to introduce highly cost-efficient mains-connected converters and battery chargers that are smaller, cheaper and more power efficient. They are said to have the potential to deliver a 10-fold improvement in standby energy efficiency and reduce operating mode losses by a factor of three.

David Baillie, CEO at CamSemi stated, "Our first products are already available to the worldwide market and shipping in volume. The C2470 family of controllers allows manufacturers for the first time to replace bulky, low cost and power-hungry linear supplies with a simple, cost competitive and much more energy efficient approach. Linear power supplies typically operate with power conversion efficiencies of 50% or even less and standby consumptions of 1 W. However, products based on CamSemi's C2470 controllers offer very significant improvements with figures of around 85% and 100mW respectively. Products are also smaller and lighter, which saves on transportation costs plus they require far less raw materials to manufacture them and they are easier to recycle too."

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LMH6552 - 1.5 GHz Fully Differential Amplifier from the PowerWise(R) Family

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General Description

The LMH6552 is a high performance fully differential amplifier designed to provide the exceptional signal fidelity and wide large-signal bandwidth necessary for driving 8 to 14 bit high speed data acquisition systems. Using National's proprietary differential current mode input stage architecture, the LMH6552 allows operation at gains greater than unity without sacrificing response flatness, bandwidth, harmonic distortion, or output noise performance.

With external gain set resistors and integrated common mode feedback, the LMH6552 can be configured as either a differential input to differential output or single ended input to differential output gain block. The LMH6552 can be AC or DC coupled at the input which makes it suitable for a wide range of applications including communication systems and high speed oscilloscope front ends. The performance of the LMH6552 driving an ADC14DS105 is 86 dBc SFDR and 74 dBc SNR up to 40 MHz.

The LMH6552 is available in an 8-pin SOIC package as well as a space saving, thermally enhanced 8-Pin LLP package for higher performance.

Applications

•	Differential ADC driver
•	Video over twisted pair
•	Differential line driver
•	Single end to differential converter
•	High speed differential signaling
•	IF/RF amplifier
•	Level shift amplifier
•	SAW filter buffer/driver

Typical Application

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LMH6552+ADC14DS105 combo circuit

Typical Performance

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Frequency Response vs Gain (Diff Input)

Connection Diagram

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LLP connection diagram

 

 

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National Semi Introduces Common-Anode, Current-Mode, High-Brightness LED Driver With PWM Dimming

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National Semiconductor Corp. introduced what it describes as the industry's first common-anode, current-mode, high-brightness light-emitting diode (LED) driver with pulse-width modulation (PWM) dimming. The LM3433, a member of National's PowerWise® energy-efficient product family, drives high-power, high-brightness LEDs in backlighting, projector and solid-state lighting applications.

National's LM3433 LED driver is said to open the way for high-reliability LEDs to be used in large-screen liquid crystal display (LCD) television (TV) backlighting applications where a common anode approach offers a thermal advantage. In another example, the company claims that LEDs can be used in today's shrinking "pocket projector" designs for a wider color gamut, higher reliability and longer life expectancy than the ultra-high performance (UHP) lamps used today.

Luminus' PhlatLight LEDs are a new class of LED for very high-brightness applications where a point source of light is needed. The PhlatLight RGB LED is said to be capable of producing over 3,000 white lumens.

"PhlatLight LEDs are being designed into a number of display and lighting applications," said John Langevin, VP of Sales and Marketing at Luminus. "National's LM3433 driver provides a more complete solution for our customers, enabling use at the intended high performance levels that the PhlatLight chipsets were designed for."

National's LM3433 is a constant on-time dc-dc buck (step-down) constant-current regulator. It outputs a negative constant current for lighting high-power, high-brightness LEDs. The negative voltage option allows the anode of the LED to be tied directly to the ground-referenced chassis for maximum heat sink efficacy. The short constant-on-time architecture allows the use of small external passive components and no output capacitor. Two current control modes modulate LED brightness. An analog current control input is provided so the LM3433 can be adjusted to compensate for LED manufacturing variations. The other current control is a logic-level dimming input for PWM control of LED brightness. The PWM functions by shorting out the LED with a parallel switch, allowing high PWM dimming frequencies up to 40 KHz. Additional features include thermal shutdown, VCC under-voltage lockout and logic-level shutdown mode. The LM3433 is offered in a 24-pin LLP® package.

Available now, the LM3433 is priced at $2.25 each in 1,000-unit quantities.

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Drive handles 5-A BLDC motor without Hall sensor

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The DECS 50/5 controller drives brushless dc motors without Hall sensors and targets pump and fan applications. It can easily apply integrated controlling algorithms, and its wide input voltage range (10 to 50 V) adds flexibility.

The size of a business card, the module can supply a continuous output current of 5 A, yielding a maximum output of 250 W. The device's speed value can be set via a potentiometer or an analog input, and its 1/Q amplifier operates at up to 80,000 rpm. The unit provides control inputs for direction/enable/braking, an operating status LED, and a speed monitor output. ($89 ea/50—available now.)

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ESD protection device clamps 15 kV to 7 V in nanoseconds

 

 

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With a 0.5-pF capacitance, the ESD9L single-line ESD protection device clamps an input ESD waveform of 15 kV to less than 7 V in a matter of nanoseconds—presented as the industry's best performance for such devices. The part comes in a 1.0 x 0.6 x 0.4-mm SOD-923 package—the industry's smallest for such devices—enabling it to safeguard high-speed data lines in portable applications such as cell phones, MP3 players, PDAs, and digital cameras.

The performance improvements were achieved via the company's novel process technology that integrates ultra-low capacitance pin diodes with high-power TVS diodes into a monolithic die. The part is suitable for high-speed applications such as USB2.0 and HDMI. ($0.15 ea/10,000—available now.)

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IR Introduces New Three-Phase 600V Gate Driver ICs

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International Rectifier, IR® introduced the IRS2336xD protected 600V three-phase gate driver ICs with integrated bootstrap functionality for appliance motor control, servo drives, micro-inverter drives, and a wide range of general purpose applications.

"Our latest high-voltage gate drivers are ideal for three-phase applications that require industrial level ruggedness. These new ICs feature IR's proprietary negative Vs immunity circuitry, allowing the devices to withstand the very large negative Vs transients that are seen during high-current switching and short-circuit conditions. Additionally, an advanced input filter improves system performance while the integrated bootstrap functionality reduces the circuit footprint," said IR's HVIC Product Manager David New.

Integrating power MOSFET/IGBT gate drivers with three high-side and three low-side referenced output channels, the IRS2336xD ICs provide 180mA/330mA drive current at up to 20V MOS gate drive capability operating up to 600V.

Part of International Rectifier's G5 HVIC platform, these devices incorporate advanced functionality including negative Vs immunity circuitry to protect the system from catastrophic events that can be seen during high-current switching and short-circuit conditions, critical for industrial systems that require high levels of robustness and reliability. Also, an advanced input filter has been integrated to reject noise and reduce distortion, improving system performance in many motor control applications.

To address the needs of applications suffering for space constraints and to simplify design, the IRS2336xD ICs feature integrated bootstrap functionality. This functionality can reduce the bootstrap power supply from six components to three, while providing VBS over-voltage protection for the system through the use of additional integrated intelligent protection circuitry.

The new devices utilize IR's high-voltage IC process which incorporates high-voltage level-shifting and termination technology to deliver what is described as superior electrical over-stress protection and higher field reliability. In addition to the over-current and over-temperature detection input, these ICs feature under-voltage lock-out protection, integrated deadtime protection, shoot-through protection, a shutdown input, fault-reporting, and are compatible with 3.3V input logic.

Available in 28-pin SOIC and 44-pin PLCC, pricing for the IRS2336xD ICs begin at US $1.89 each in quantities of 100,000 units.

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Linear Tech Adds 36V, 2A, 2.2MHz Step-Down DC-DC Converter In 3 x 3mm DFN

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Linear Technology announced the LT3500, a 2A, 36V step-down switching regulator and a linear controller in a 3 x 3mm DFN package. The LT3500 operates from a V_IN range of 3 to 36V (40V_MAX ), making it suitable for load dump and cold-crank conditions found in automotive applications. Its 2.3A internal switch can deliver up to 2A of continuous output current at voltages as low as 0.8V.

Switching frequency is user programmable from 250kHz to 2.2MHz, enabling the designer to optimize efficiency while avoiding critical noise-sensitive frequency bands. The integrated LDO controller, combined with an NPN transistor, ensures very low noise output from the primary channel or as a second channel. The LT3500's 3 x 3mm DFN-10 package and high switching frequency, which keeps external capacitors and inductor small, is said to provide a very compact, thermally efficient footprint.

The LT3500's main switcher utilizes a 2.3A, 450mV_CESAT switch, with the necessary oscillator, control, logic circuitry and LDO controller integrated into a single die. Special design techniques are said to enable high efficiency over a wide input voltage range while its current mode topology are claimed to enable fast transient response and excellent loop stability. Other features include a power good flag and soft-start capability.

The LT3500EDD pricing starts at $3.25 each for 1,000-piece quantities. The LT3500IDD is tested and guaranteed to operate from a -40 to 125°C operating junction temperature and is priced at $3.90 each. The LT3500HDD is tested and guaranteed to operate from a -40 to 150°C operating junction temperature and is priced at $4.15 each. All versions are available from stock.

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Microchip Tech Introduces Non-Volatile Digital Potentiometers With SPI Interface

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Microchip Technology Inc. announced the MCP4141/2, MCP4241/2, MCP4161/2 and MCP4261/2(MCP41XX/42XX) non-volatile digital potentiometers. The 7- and 8-bit devices have a SPI interface and are specified over the extended industrial temperature range of -40 to 125°. They are available in several industry-standard packages, including the 3 x 3 mm DFN package.

Unlike mechanical potentiometers, the MCP41XX/42XX devices can be controlled digitally, through an SPI interface. This is said to increase system accuracy, flexibility and manufacturing throughput, while decreasing manufacturing costs. Non-volatile memory enables the devices to retain their settings at power down, and their low static current consumption of just 5µA, maximum, is said to help extend battery life.

"We are pleased to expand our mixed-signal product portfolio with the MCP41XX/42XX digital potentiometers," said Bryan Liddiard, Vice President of Marketing with Microchip's Analog and Interface Products Division. "Designers can now benefit from using Microchip's low-power digital potentiometers over the popular SPI interface."

"The MCP41XX/42XX family enables designers to enjoy the numerous benefits associated with digital potentiometers in an affordable way," said John Austin, Senior Product Marketing Manager with Microchip's Analog and Interface Products Division. "With extended temperature range operation and availability in many industry-standard packages, the devices are expected to help designers meet and exceed demands for smaller, better and less-expensive designs."

The MCP41XX/42XX digital potentiometers are well suited for a wide variety of 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.

The products are priced as follows (each, 10,000 piece quanitities): MCP4141/2 (8-pin SOIC, MSOP, PDIP and 3 mm x 3 mm DFN packages) – $0.58; MCP4241 (10-pin 4 mm x 4 mm QFN package & 14-pin SOIC, PDIP, TSSOP packages) – $0.76; MCP4242 (8-pin 3 mm x 3 mm DFN package & 10-pin MSOP package) – $0.76; MCP4161/2 (8-pin 3 mm x 3 mm DFN, MSOP, PDIP and SOIC packages) – $0.69; and MCP4261/2 (8-pin MSOP, PDIP, SOIC and 3 mm x 3 mm DFN packages) – $0.87.

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Dobkin to Speak On Loss-Versus- Efficiency at Power Conference

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Renowned analog circuit designer and a founder of Linear Technology, Robert Dobkin will deliver a lunch-time talk on the relevance of power loss in switching regulators, next Tuesday, October 30 at the Power Electronics Technology Conference in Dallas. Earlier that day, Dobkin will accept Power Electronics Technology's Product of the Year Award for Linear Technology's LT3080 Adjustable Low Dropout Regulator.

The awards ceremony will follow the keynote address by Roger Tipley of HP and The Green Grid, which will take place from 9:45 to 10:45 in the Solutions Theater, located in the exhibit hall. Dobkin's luncheon presentation will be given in the same location from 11:30 to 12:30.

In his presentation on the show floor, Dobkin will advise engineers to "Evaluate Your Switching Regulators Using Power Loss – Not Efficiency." Dobkin acknowledges that the standard for switching regulator performance has traditionally been efficiency. Nevertheless, comparing the efficiency of different switching regulators can give false answers, says Dobkin.

"Efficiency measures the circuit, not the regulator itself," says Dobkin, "Examining the power loss of different switching regulators provides a more true comparison. And sometimes even linear regulators beat switchers."

Dobkin currently serves as Linear's chief technical officer and vice president of engineering. At Linear he was responsible for all new product development until 1999. Prior to founding Linear Technology in 1981, Dobkin was director of advanced circuit development at National Semiconductor for eleven years.

He has been intimately involved in the development of high performance linear integrated circuits for over 30 years and has generated many industry standard circuits including the industry's first three-terminal adjustable linear regulator. Dobkin holds over 50 patents pertaining to linear ICs and has authored over 50 articles and papers. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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Pulsed, Laser Pattern Generator for Making or Writing Small Features on Wafers or Substrates from NextTechs

Background

A laser pattern generator for mask making or direct writing of features on a wafer or other substrate uses a pulsed laser source to achieve high power and short wavelength ( e.g. 263 nm or less) radiation, for writing very small-sized features. The laser pulse frequency is either synchronous or asynchronous to the writing grid of the features being written. Technology To form devices having a feature size of 300 nm or less requires high resolution imaging, only provided by short wavelength radiation about 250 nm or less. There is direct ratio between laser wavelength and feature size; it is difficult to fabricate a feature size substantially smaller than the wavelength of the exposure radiation. However, a laser pattern generator using a pulsed laser, operating at e.g. 355 nm or less instead of a conventional continuous wave laser, allows use of short wavelength laser radiation and hence fabrication of small feature sizes. Methodology This laser pattern generator employs in one embodiment a laser outputting pulsed coherent light at a wavelength of e.g. 263 nm. The laser is a frequency quadrupled solid state laser. This laser is pulsed at high frequency, providing a stream of laser pulses rather than a continuous output beam. The present laser pattern generator may operate in a synchronous mode, where the pulse rate of the laser is synchronous to the beam placement on the writing grid, i.e. the data which is used to operate the modulator is synchronous to the laser beam pulse rate. In this case, the modulator rise time can be much shorter than the laser pulse. Asynchronous Mode In asynchronous mode, in which the pulse rate of the laser is at least as fast as the pixel rate of the data used for writing the pattern, the phase of the pulse rate of the laser is independent of the phase of the external modulator. The modulation rise time in this case is comparable to or greater than the pixel period of the data being written. Synchronous and Asynchronous Modes In the synchronous embodiment of this technology, a mode locked laser is used in an otherwise conventional laser scanner of the type commercially available. However, the data defining the pattern to be written, i.e. on, off or gray level data, is delivered synchronously with the laser pulses so that the pixels are either exposed or non-exposed on a fixed writing grid. In asynchronous mode, the pulse rate is comparable to or faster than the modulation rate and hence not synchronous to the data defining the pattern. Summary In order to have an efficient operating laser pattern generator, the laser typically has a pulse rate greater than one MHz in either embodiment. Moreover, the spot size to pixel grid separation is large enough to ensure smooth image intensity. The laser itself is a mode-locked solid state laser outputting light at e.g. 263 nm. Commercially available laser pattern and generators already operate in the ultraviolet. Hence, their optics which are optimized for somewhat higher e.g. 350 nm wavelengths, are readily reconfigured by routine optical engineering to deal with the shorter present 263 nm wavelength. The present technology is not limited to a 263 nm laser and is applicable to longer wavelengths and also to shorter wavelengths, to the extent that suitable laser sources are available operating at shorter wavelengths.

Source: NextTechs For more information on this source please visit NextTechs

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DigiTronics open BIG 4 Theme

Digital electronics have spurred the human imagination and stimulated progress, while opening a fresh world of opportunity. At this year's DigiTronics Taipei (Taipei International Digital Electronics Show) visitors can discover the latest trends and products at 4 vital show pavilions, namely the Fiber 2u Pavilion, Intelligent Dwelling Space Pavilion, Smart Energy Efficient House Pavilion and DTV Pavilion.

 

Throughout this space one will be amazed by the latest breakthroughs in broadband, digital, intelligence, and energy efficiency that beckon a new wave of promise.

 

Fiber 2u � The Generation of Broadband

Remember each time you click onto ADSL that Taiwan's optical fiber subscribers will reach 500 thousand before the end of this year and 2.4 million by 2010. By that time, broadband subscribers will comprise more than half of the optical network. It's faster than ADSL and has higher bandwidths and is expected to eventually replace ADSL to become the main stream.

 

In order to establish a more complete development environment for FTTx, the most important foundation work for the Committee of Communications Industry Development (MOEA) this year is FTTx. And that endeavor is best show at the Fiber 2u Pavilion at this year's DigiTronics Taipei. To make this exhibit the best three groups have come together with their best.

 

These groups, the Committee of Communications Industry Development, the Communications Industry Alliance, and Triple-I (Institute for Information Technology) breaks the traditional image of control room optical fiber and instead opens a clear window on the latest Fiber to the Building (FTTB) technology.

 

In order to extend the optical fiber's application to the home users, the Committee of Communications Industry Development, Communications Industry Alliance and the Institute for Information Technology is beginning to promote FBB and collaborate with construction firms to encourage the establishment of FTTB (FTTB enables broadband subscribers to connect to at least 10/100Mbps of optical fiber Ethernet, and the bandwidth can be expanded to 1Gbps base on demand.)

 

Under the flourishing development of multimedia and digital contents, popular demand for greater bandwidth is constantly increasing. Optical networks enable content service for IP digitalized sound, data and multimedia data. Optical transmission will become the spindle for mass media of daily life, therefore opens a new blueprint of broadband Internet generations.

 

FBB (Fiber Broadband Building) Mark

Source: Committee of Communications Industry Development, MOEA, 2007/4

　

The Fiber 2u Pavilions introduces the application of optical fiber in the home of the future. That's where you can identify the meaning of FBB and establish a life of broadband applications for yourself! In today's advanced communication technology, This area brings together the best of such makers Sole-Vision Technologies, ACTi, China Network Systems and UniSVR!

 

Intelligent Dwelling � Be a Smart Digital Aborigines 

Are you a digital cave man driven crazy by electric appliances and computers, or a digital Neanderthal at ease with your digital lifestyle? This year's DigiTronics Taipei features "the Intelligent Dwelling Space Pavilion" that's put together by ITRI's (the Industrial Technology Research Institute) Material & Chemical Research Laboratories. It shows the vast improvements that can be achieved by applying concepts of Contented Security, Health Care, Sustainable Energy Efficient and Comfortable & Convenient.

 

The exhibits in this pavilion embrace Home Security, Remote Monitoring, Medical Health Care, Interface Integration and the Establishment of Information & Communication Platform. Participating manufacturers cover everyone from up, mid, and downstream, including Rosonix Technology, Mo-Soft Tech., A-Medi Technologies and ITRI's creativity Lab and Materials & Chemical Research Laboratories. In incorporates Rosonix Technology's quest to develop Wireless Sensor Networks to create Intelligent Dwelling Spaces.

 

Rosonix Technology accepted technical transfer by Triple-III to utilize the Intelligent Location Based System in this project.

 

Intelligent Location Based System

Source: Rosonix Technology, 2007/4

 

Access control and guest tracking can be easily handled by the Wireless Real Time Location System to cut the burden of manual calculation and human error. It also helps business logistics by decreasing problems and operating costs. Used in commercial spaces or museums, the system can be used to transmit commodity commercials or exhibit narration to the speaker after the sensor had confirmed that the client is in position, providing a more exquisite personalized service. The National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung already uses this kind of application. The Wireless Real Time Location System is also suited for everyday tasks such as community safety, and senior and child care. It can confirm the location of seniors or children at all times.

 

Smart Energy Efficient House � A New Move for the Environment

Everyone knows the pinch of soaring oil prize; Even if not an environmental specialist, you must have heard about the Kyoto Protocol and seen some imaginary movies about land being swallowed up by sea. The Smart Energy Efficient House, schemed by the ITRI Energy and Environment Research Laboratories (EEL), reminds people that they can make improvements even in their everyday daily lives. Air conditioning systems developed by EEL of ITRI can be plugged in for reduced use of energy and great savings.

                           DC Split Air Conditioner Controller                                    Metal Halide Lamp

                           Development System   

                                                               

                                                                                　

Furthermore, although the convenience stores in the modern day society operate 24-7 to provide people with all weather convenience, it also causes a 24-7 energy burden. This calls for more rational power use devices to conserve power. As a result this pavilion is staging the Convenience Store Electricity Energy Saving Surveillance System that offers a 3-win prospect for chain outlets, convenience stores, and consumers. The cost of this system developed by ITRI is only a third of similar products abroad/

 

The lighting products appearing everywhere in the Energy Efficient House are also ITRI energy saving exhibits. The LED Lighting Module for example is capable of supplying 20 thousand hours of power, the Metal Halide Lamps with Dimmable Electronic Ballast or the Lighting Management Systems are suited for group control. The long-term aim is the same, to make for Simple, Convenient, Intelligent and Efficient hourly energy saving.

 

A Power Saving Surveillance System For Convenience Store

Source: EEL (ITRI), 2007/4

 

The Digital TV Fever Sweeping the Globe

Digital TV has become the most popular key development of the global video industry. Advanced countries like the USA, Japan and those across the EU have sequentially begun broadcasting digital TV and radio. As gap filler stations are constantly being established in offshore island regions, the airwaves of Taiwan's digital wireless TV have reached over 80% capacity. This year, the Taiwan Digital Television Committee (DTVC) is promoting a series of campaigns launched by Taiwan's GIO (Government Information Office) which aim to connect the annual DigiTronics Taipei to the DTV Pavilion. The main topic focuses upon high definition TV, handheld mobile TVs and the latest digital TV technologies.

 

High definition TV and handheld mobile TVs will be a vital aspect of digital entertainment. The DTV Pavilion joins five major wireless TV stations, systems, and terminal firms across Taiwan to fully present the future trends of Taiwan digital TV. The 5 TV stations will each showcase their high definition TV programs, handheld mobile TVs and other themes.

 

In this endeavor Taiwan's flagship company, Tatung Co. is working with Triple III to present its best high definition TVs and handheld mobile TVs. And nearby will be Gemstar Tech with their EPG (electronic program guide).

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Foxconn launch GeForce 8600 & 8500 series Graphics Cards

Foxconn, a leading global manufacturer of quality performance computing hardware, today announced the release of their NVIDIA® GeForce 8600GTS, 8600GT and 8500GT graphics cards.

The new Foxconn GeForce 8600 graphics series feature NVIDIA’s revolutionary new DX10 unified architecture which brings unparalleled levels of graphics realism and performance to gamers. In addition, the new graphics cards include Foxconn’s unique cooling system, which is proven to increase overclocking capability by up to 15%.

At the sub-$100 price point, the new Foxconn GeForce 8500GT delivers unprecedented levels of graphics realism and gaming performance, without emptying your wallet.

Go Extreme with Foxconn 8600GTS and 8600GT Overclocked Versions

In addition to the standard GeForce 8600 and 8500 series cards, Foxconn is launching factory GeForce 8600GTS and 8600GT “Overclocked” graphics cards. These beasts are clocked at a stunning 700 / 2200 and 560 /1560 MHz (Core / Memory clock) respectively.

Both products are subject to Foxconn’s strict in-house testing and state-of-the-art manufacturing capability, which ensures ensure top-notch quality, excellent performance and long-term reliability for even the most demanding gamers worldwide.

Foxconn Advantages:

1. Foxconn’s “Second-to-None” Quality

According to Toms Hardware, “Most graphics card ‘companies’ leave the actual production of their products to manufacturing experts such as Hon Hai Precision Industry Company, Limited (i.e. Foxconn)”. There is no doubt about Foxconn’s quality and engineering capabilities when it comes to the design and manufacture of graphics cards.

2. Foxconn’s Value-Adding Bundle

Every Foxconn 8600 series graphics card comes bundled with two great software applications - Restore IT 7.0 and Virtual Drive Pro 10.0, along with FOXCONN’s proprietary “Foxware Overclock Utility”. These bundles retail at more than US$100.00 when acquired separately in local retail stores.

Bundle Benefits:

Back up your important hard drive data and game archives with Restore IT 7.0.
Virtual Drive Pro 10.0 eliminates the need to swap game CDs one at a time.
Foxware Overclock Utility makes graphics core / memory speed adjustments possible.
3. Foxconn Peace-of-Mind Warranty

Foxconn offers a 3 year manufacturer warranty on all video card products; we make sure every customer’s investment is well-protected.

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The Leadtek WinFast PX8600 GT TDH 512MB with an Exclusive Fansink Design

Leadtek Research Inc., known globally for extreme visual graphics technology development, is proud to announce the launch of its new mid-range graphics card, WinFast PX8600 GT TDH 512MB. With Leadtek’s original and exclusive fansink within a single heatpipe, this sensational new card offers the best of cooling system capabilities – a whopping 15 degrees cooler in GPU temperature and ultra quiet noise level. And it all adds up to outstanding performance and the ‘coolest’ price for gaming enthusiasts.

Based on new 80nm technology and powered by NVIDIA GeForce® 8600 GT graphics processing units, WinFast PX8600 GT TDH 512MB applies GDDR2 memory enabling rapid frame rates in performance. Also built for the Home Premium Edition of Windows Vista, WinFast PX8600 GT TDH 512MB excels in running the Windows Vista 3D graphics user interface. Backed up by Microsoft DirectX 10 and Shader Model 4.0 support, the new card delivers unparalleled levels of graphics realism and film-quality effects.

With the GigaThread revolutionary unified architecture, the card’s fully-unified shader core, as expected, massively supports thousands of independent, simultaneous threads, maximizing GPU utilization and redefines gaming performance and extreme processing efficiency in advanced and prior generation shader programs.

Specifically, WinFast PX8600 GT TDH 512MB takes NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology and goes for HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) support, delivering unprecedented picture clarity, vivid color and precise image scaling for all video contents. It allows a de-interlacing, noise reduction, image sharpening and new inverse telecine technology for proper playback of HD formats, providing users with the most complete Blu-ray application.

Apart from supporting Dual-Link DVI-I connectivity, the new card can be showcased with a 30-inch LCD monitor with mind bending resolution of 2560x1600. It also complies with the NVIDIA Lumenex engine and stunning true 128-bit floating point High Dynamic Range (HDR) lighting to enable complex effects for cinematic reality with twice the precision of previous generations, bringing environments to life for an ultra-realistic experience.

Last but not least, the new card supports NVIDIA SLI breakthrough technology, enabling state-of-the-art inter-GPU and MCP communication and scalable link interface for a more efficiency.

As the “best value” 3D graphics card in the GeForce 8600 GT series, we can say in all confidence that WinFast PX8600 GT TDH 512MB scores a bull’s eye when it comes to performance in relation to value on a competitive market place.

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Latest Projector from Mitsubishi Offers Increased Performance at Lower Cost

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Presentation Products Division, maker of award-winning, high-quality presentation and display products, today introduced its SE2U projector, with a suggested retail price of $995. Improvements in brightness, contrast ratio and lamp life make Mitsubishi's SE2U projector an economic and cost-effective projector in the under-$1,000 display category.

"The SE2U is a full-featured projector at a discount price," said James Chan, director, projector product marketing for Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America. "It offers professional-quality presentation tools in a low-cost package with no compromises, raising the bar overall in the important sub-$1,000 projector market."

The new SE2U projector blasts 1500 lumens, bright enough for most office, classroom and conference room conditions, and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, providing brighter whites while offering better colors and details in darker shades. Its efficient 2,500-hour lamp typically lasts years under normal operating conditions, making the SE2U a cost-effective projector for the busy, budget-conscious presenter.

In addition to a computer input, Mitsubishi's SE2U projector displays video signals from VCRs or DVD players, making it a versatile and effective tool for multimedia presentations. The projector, which comes with a carrying case, weighs about six pounds, light enough for quick and easy portability between meetings.

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