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Dear Sir/Madam
The show must go on and it will go on with
Electronica and SPS/IPC/Drives, two exhibitions in which embedded
systems play a major role. This newsletter gives you a preview of
what you might expect in November in Munich and Nuremberg. Enjoy!
Wolfgang Patelay
Technical Editor, EPN
FlexRay Development Tool (TTTech)
The TTX-Development Cluster provides developers with all the
tools needed to build up a time-triggered communication
architecture with FlexRay. In addition, the TTX-Disturbance Node
offers an inexpensive way to test and validate a system by
controlled fault injections using programmable fault scenarios.
Click here
Computer-on-Module (Anders Electronics)
The CM-X270L computer-on-module has an integrated
WLAN interface, allowing developers to easily implement wireless
connectivity into embedded and mobile computing applications. Single
or dual antenna options are supported for to improve reception, and
the device is capable of operating over small distances even with no
antenna attached.
Click here
USB
IP Cores (Evatronix)
Silicon Intellectual Property (IP) provider Evatronix
has announced that it now delivers IP-XACT-assured XML meta-data for
its range of USBHS-OTG-MPD IP cores. The XML-based format, as
defined by the IP-XACT specification (v1.2) from the SPIRIT
Consortium, is used for automated integration techniques and
contains a detailed description of the IP interface and memory map,
allowing users to manage internal and external IP libraries in a
consistent way.
Click here
64-bit RISC-based SoC (Toshiba)
For the use in the control of colour graphic displays
in new and emerging hybrid and solid-state vehicle instrument
clusters and centre consoles, the Capricorn-M and Capricorn-L ICs
integrate in a single chip a powerful 64-bit processor, a floating
point unit, an advanced graphical display controller with dedicated
accelerator functions, and a comprehensive range of on-board
peripherals and interfaces.
Click here
USB in automotive: No longer just for PCs
Universal Serial Bus (USB) has long been the ubiquitous standard
for PC peripheral connectivity, but recently it has started
venturing into the automotive market. MP3-supported stereos,
DVD players and advanced GPS navigation systems are all part
of infotainment automotive electronics. Equipping our cars with
these high-tech gadgets requires a sophisticated, yet simple,
form of communication. The article by
Brian Ellis from Cypress shows how this communication
can be realised with USB.
Click
here
FPGAs
- In the driver's seat for automotive electronics
Today, several factors influence the significant
growth of electronics in the automotive arena. Among these are
technology (as semiconductor design and manufacture advances,
component costs are lower and devices are more reliable than
electromechanical solutions), competition (carmakers use
electronics-based features, such as GPS navigation systems, DVD
players as well as in-car TVs and PCs, as a competitive advantage),
performance (electronics are used to optimise fuel consumption and
engine performance), regulations (electronics used in engine-control
systems to help reduce emissions are required by law), and safety
(features such as air bags, ABS systems and side-detection radar
systems are an important marketing tool).
Martin Mason
from Actel highlights in his article all these factors in detail.
Click here
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Electronic circuit replaces mechanical push-push switch
Mechanical push-pushbutton switches (also known as
alternate-action or push-on/push-off switches) can be bulky and
expensive. This Design Ideas by
Donald Schelle
from Maxim describes as
an alternative, an electronic version that uses a cheaper, NO
(normally open), momentary-on switch.
Click here
SPST
pushbutton switch combines power-control, user-input functions
This
Design Idea by
Eugene Kaplounovski
describes an enhancement to a previous one. The described circuit
uses a normally open SPST pushbutton switch instead of the SPDT
switch that the original design required. You can use a membrane
switch to significantly simplify the industrial design of the device
and enhance its ergonomics. In addition, this circuit slightly
reduces the current drain in active mode by eliminating current flow
through the unactuated switch.
Click here
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4| Market Research |
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Despite its critics, Muni-Wireless broadband systems growing
Worldwide deployments of municipal wireless networks for public
Internet access will continue at a rapid pace over the next few
years, with the US leading the way. The total worldwide market
will reach 248 deployments by the end of 2006, and will grow to
over 1,500 by the end of 2010, according to In-Stat. Most
networks are not entirely owned and operated by local
governments. The trend has the local government facilitating
deployment, but having a private sector provider owning and
operating the network.
Click here
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5| Book of the Month |
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Designing SOCs with configured cores, by Steve Leibson
This book emphasizes a processor-centric MPSOC
(multiple-processor SOC) design style shaped by the realities of
the 21st-century and nanometer silicon. It advocates the
assignment of tasks to firmware-controlled processors whenever
possible to maximize SOC flexibility, cut power dissipation,
reduce the size and number of hand-built logic blocks, shrink
the associated verification effort, and minimize the overall
design risk.
Click here
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Copyright 2006, Reed Business Information.
EPN and EDN Europe are members of the Reed Electronics Group
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France
Tel- +33 (0) 1 46 29 23 60
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