FPGA Central

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RF DesignLine Newsletter
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The RF DesignLine Newsletter is delivered to you
free of charge from the staff of RF DesignLine.
To view the RF DesignLine visit:
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0EtYM0E5

04-08-2009

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This issue sponsored by: Elsevier

Newnes Press is a portfolio of practical books for engineers,
developers, and designers that make things happen. Newnes
offers timeless fundamentals mixed with cutting-edge techniques
and hot technology to give today's working engineers a toolkit
for beating deadlines and creating the next best thing! Click
here to become a Newnes Press member and start saving today:
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0G5Na0EE
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EDITOR'S NOTE

It's hard to be a "kid" doing electronic-circuit engineering these
days. The parts are hard to get, too tiny to handle, PCBs are densely
packed and impossible to experiment with, and it takes a lot of
equipment to develop and test anything (scopes, meters, and software
development systems). Also, the way that hardware and software
interact means that it is difficult to tell if anything is working
until almost everything works: the block-by-block signal-path
modularity an all-analog or mostly analog signal path which can be
traced in a linear manner is not there.

But all is not lost. I know that may people lament the passing of
Heathkit, Knight Kit, and others (that was a long time ago, folks) and
they are not coming back. However, there are present-day alternatives.
I just came across this all-analog kit shortwave radio from MFJ
Enterprises
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFll0ED
Yes, shortwave radio itself is not the hot item it was, but it's still
there and an excellent vehicle for learning about RF and radio signals
and circuits. And there are others, as well, such as Ten-Tec
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlm0EE who emphasize amateur-radio kits.

This week's lead technical story is an examination of pipeline versus
sigma-delta ADC converter architectures for RF applications. As usual,
there is no right answer to "which is best?"; there are tradeoffs
along various performance parameters to weigh.

We also look at some new products in the RF area, including a MMIC
antenna switch with an SP8T configuration that's a real space-saver
for switching among multiband and diversity antennas. And there are
several interesting stories and reports from the just-finished
Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose. While not an RF event in the
strict sense, there are many RF applications which also integrate with
embedded designs

Finally, at the end, we have some links to articles from other
publications that may interest you. Check them out for added
enlightenment.

Feel free to contact me with any suggestions, comments, or even
criticisms.
Bill Schweber, Site Editor, RF DesignLine
bschweber (AT) techinsights (DOT) com
P.S. We have just posted a 45-minute course, "Fundamentals of Data
Converters", details are at
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0G1Op0EQ
The course starts with a brief history of converters (ADCs and DACs),
discusses key parameters and sources of error and finishes with
correct usage and selection of the devices.

And check out the other upcoming courses, at
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0E2Pd0EE
Yes, you could wait, since virtual seating is unlimited and
early sign-ups do not get better seats. But why wait? Of course, we
also have a solid library of on-demand courses; they typically
run an hour or less, at
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFln0EF

P.P.S. Don't forget the 2009 International Microwave Symposium,
June 7-12, in Boston, informally and commonly known as the MTT-S show,
since it is under the aegis of the IEEE Microwave Theory and
Techniques Society. Details are at
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HEqf0EB

TECHNICAL ARTICLES

--Choosing between pipeline vs. sigma delta ADCs for communications
applications--

Each analog/digital architecture has its place, depending on required
performance specifications

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlo0EG

--RF in Action: Consumer remote controls --

Say hello to RF-controlled devices. Radio technology is faster, more
reliable than and almost as inexpensive as infrared.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFLV0EJ

--Wireless triangulation using RSSI signals--

Understand how a received signal strength indicator, combined with a
networked quartet of transceivers and antennas, can pinpoint a
transmitter's location

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFLW0EK

--DVB-H Mobile TV--

This white paper provides an overview of the DVB-H mobile TV
modulation standard, and presents a demodulation solution using the
UCC Mobile (Universal Communications Co-Processor) platform, available
for licensing from Ensigma, a division of Imagination Technologies.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HEqS0Eq

--Measuring 3-port mixed-mode S-parameters--

Understand how to measure these critical parameters of a balun
(balanced/unbalanced), which provides a transition between a
single-ended unbalanced signal and a differential, balanced signal

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HEqQ0Eo

PRODUCTS

--GaAs MMIC SP8T switch streamlines mobile phone design --

NEC's UPG2193T6E SP8T GaAs MMIC antenna switch meets the needs of new
3G UMTS, W-CDMA and Quad Band EDGE mobile phone designs.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlp0EH

--SiTime enters VCXO market with MEMS-based device --

SiTime's voltage-controlled MEMS oscillator features 0.5% pull-range
linearity, small size, and flexibility through programmability.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlq0EI

--Wi-Fi sensor networking module has 5-year battery life--

RF Monolithics' 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.11 g radio transceiver module enables
OEMs to build low-power WLAN and sensor monitoring solutions for the
global market.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlr0EJ

--TriQuint rolls new driver amplifiers --

TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. has rolled out two new driver amplifiers,
including the industry's first surface-mount technology (SMT) device
for use in 40-gigabits-per-second networks.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFLX0EL

--QMEMS enables real-time clock oscillator--

A real-time clock oscillator unveiled by Epson Toyocom Corp. is said
to require 70 percent less board space while occupying 75 percent less
volume that its predecessor.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFls0EK

--OCXO delivers high stability in a miniature package--

Greenray Industries has announced the availability of the YH1420
series OCXO (ovenized crystal oscillator) which delivers excellent
short-term stability from 10 MHz to 100 MHz.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlt0EL

--Anadigics introduces RF line amps for CATV distribution--

Anadigics Inc. (Warren, New Jersey) has launched a family of 870-MHz
hybrid line amplifiers, designed primarily for use in CATV
distribution systems.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFLY0EM

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NEWS

--MIT harnesses viruses to print 'green' batteries--

Viruses can be used to assemble tiny batteries that can then be
printed on plastic films, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
researchers claim.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlu0EM

--Graphene circuit combines Si, GaAs functions--

Graphene transistors could enable complex new circuits using
relatively simple architectures, according to Massachusetts Institute
of Technology researchers.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFLd0EX

--Trio of free application resources covers broadband distortion
measurements, RFID tag testing, and satellite payload assessment--

Two conventional application notes and a seminar on CD can help
designers in various RF and related areas

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HEqU0Es

--Vote on top ten sites with engineering appeal--

The Internet's strength--limitless content--can also be its most
maddening quality for a user trying to pinpoint information.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFLe0EY

--Algorithm could replace touch screens with MEMS control--

A new type of MEMS-based user interface enables 12 different device
control functions while also eliminating expensive touch screens.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlv0EN

VIEWPOINT

--Saying goodbye to the ghost--

The analog TV ghost is being exorcised by digital TV, but it will be
replaced by the blank/static screen of death

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlw0EO

--WiMedia and UWB: where to from here?--

We're pleased to present a guest commentary on the future of UWB, by
Eric Broockman, CEO Alereon, Inc, commenting on and extending the
recent news about this technology and its future. . . .

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFLf0EZ

--Wireless or not? When are short-distance, point-to-point RF links
worthwhile?--

I am not a big fan of RF for short distance, point-to-point
interconnection (under 3 feet or 1 meter). Sometimes, a basic cable is
a better way to get information from point A to point B. Yet other
times, wireless is the better choice. . . .

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HEqd0E8

--A changing of the guard--

Hello to all! I'm the new site editor for RF DesignLine, and will try
to maintain the standards of thoroughness, relevance, usefulness, and
interest that Janine provided.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HEqe0EA

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS CONFERENCE

--Advances in wireless, sensors, MEMs set to boost energy harvesting--

A confluence of the development of wireless and lower power
electronics, along with advancements in sensors and MEMS, is
fundamentally changing today's energy harvesting market.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlx0EP

--ACE Award winner Sanghi uneasy about U.S. economy--

Even for Microchip Technology Inc., named 2009 "Company of the Year"
during the EE Times ACE Awards, there is no magic formula to quickly
lift the company out of the current recession.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFly0EQ

--Latest news from ESC Silicon Valley--

The tone for this year's Embedded Systems Conference Silicon Valley
was set by former Apollo astronaut Ken Mattingly, who reminded a
spellbound audience of the power of teamwork and selflessness.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlz0ER

--Counterpoint: Meeting with the unexpected--

At trade shows these days, everyone wants to know the number of
attendees. This tends to drown out a somewhat more important issue:
the quality of the show. But when we walk into unexpected encounters
with people we've never met before at a trade show, we are always
reminded of one thing: This is why we travel.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFl10EE

--Microchip, Chang headline 2009 ACE Award winners --

Microcontroller and analog chip vendor Microchip Technology was
presented the award for "Company of the Year," one of 11 winners of
the 2009 EE Times ACE Awards. Morris Chang, founding chairman of TSMC,
was honored with a "Lifetime Achievement Award."

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFl20EF

--Astronaut invokes 'Apollo spirit' for 'hard days ahead'--

Kenneth Mattingly recalled the Apollo spirit of cooperation in the
rescue of the Apollo 13 mission and encouraged engineers at the
Embedded Systems Conference to apply the same determination to the
current hard times.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFl30EG

--Slideshow: ACE Innovators of the Year--

We present our five finalists for the 2009 ACE Innovator of the Year
Award.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFl40EH

MOST POPULAR ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

--RF in Action: Consumer remote controls --

Say hello to RF-controlled devices. Radio technology is faster, more
reliable and almost as inexpensive as infrared.

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFLV0EJ

--Choosing between pipeline vs. sigma delta ADCs for communications
applications--

Each analog/digital architecture has its place, depending on required
performance specifications

http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFlo0EG

AROUND THE WEB
Here are some interesting technical articles recently seen in other
publications:
-- An RF/microwave spectrum analyzer with the proper functionality can
serve as an effective tool for finding and locating unknown wireless
signals in the field: "Classify Digital RF Signals In The Field,"
Microwaves & RF, January 2009;
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFLg0Ea
--Analog- and RF-simulation tools offer choices of simulation speeds
and support hierarchical design strategies: "Simulation gets speed,
capacity boost," EDN, January 22, 2009;
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFLh0Eb
--Here are a number of manufacturers’ recommendations and other notes
on design, handling and processing of circuits on common substrate
materials: "Design Notes for Laminates and Other Substrate Materials,"
High Frequency Design, December 2008;
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFLi0Ec

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOW HIRING ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Electronics Group Now Hiring 04/03/09

Boston Scientific seeking Principal Electrical Engineer in Natick, MA
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFFO0E5

D. E. Shaw Research seeking Chief of Staff in New York, NY
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFir0EG

KVH Industries seeking Embedded Software Engineer in Middletown, RI
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HEKc0EU

Osram Sylvania seeking Technical Training Specialist in Danvers, MA
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFis0EH

SEL seeking Distribution Solutions Engineer in Pullman, WA
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0HFBJ0Ev

For more great jobs, career-related news, features and services,
please visit EETimesCareers.
http://newsletter.designlinenetwork....rT0QTC0EfwY0EY
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EE Times Vendor Sponsored Product Information:
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