Digi XBee Wi-Fi Embedded RF Module
Digi International announced their XBee Wi-Fi embedded RF module. The XBee Wi-Fi delivers serial to IEEE 802.11 connectivity. With the new Digi module, engineers can create a single board design for wireless products that supports 802.15.4, ZigBee, ZigBee Smart Energy, 2.4 GHz, 900 and 868 MHz, Wi-Fi and proprietary DigiMesh protocols. It is ideal for energy management, process and factory automation, wireless sensor networks, and intelligent asset management. XBee Wi-Fi development kits are available now for $149.
VIA Labs VL751 USB 3.0 to NAND Flash Controller
VIA Labs introduced their VL751 SuperSpeed USB to NAND flash controller. The VIA Labs VL751 is a single-chip solution for USB 3.0 flash drives. The chip features a four-channel NAND interface, USB 3.0 compliant, Bulk-Only Transport, 120MB/s data transfer speed, interleaving support, and SuperSpeed certified. VIA Labs VL751 USB 3.0 to NAND Flash controller is available now for sampling.
Microchip MCP3903 Analog Front End for Three-Phase Energy Metering
Microchip Technology introduced the MCP3903 analog front end (AFE) for three-phase energy metering. The MCP3903 AFE features six 16-/24-bit Delta-Sigma analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), signal-to-noise and distortion (SINAD) of 89 dB (typical), total harmonic distortion (THD) of -99 dB (typical), programmable gain amplifiers (PGAs), low-drift voltage reference and phase-delay compensation. The chip is available now in a 28-pin SSOP package for $3.14 each (10,000-unit quantities). The MCP3903 AFE is ideal for utility meters, power-monitoring devices and instrumentation devices.
Mentor Embedded Hardware Enablement Program
Mentor Graphics introduced a new program that combines Mentor Embedded professional services and products specifically for hardware companies. The new Mentor Embedded Hardware Enablement Program features services and training for embedded Android, Linux, open source tools (GNU, GCC, Eclipse), user interface (UI) creation, and vertical markets like in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), smart energy and retail applications. The full range of Mentor Embedded products and services for hardware vendors is available now.
Microchip Audio Development Board for Creating 24-bit Audio Applications
Microchip Technology recently introduced the Audio Development Board for the creation of high-quality, 24-bit audio applications. The Audio Development Board for PIC32 microcontrollers (MCUs) features an 80 MIPS PIC32 MCU, a 24-bit Wolfson audio codec, a two-inch color LCD Display, a USB interface, and an onboard microphone. The Audio Development Board for PIC32 MCUs (part # DM320011) is available now for $149.99. The Digital Audio Development Kit for PIC32 MCUs (part # DM320411) is also available. This kit features the accessory development platform for iPod and iPhone. It will be available by September to Apple Made For iPod (MFi) licensees via Apple’s authorized distributor.
ZMDI ZLED7320, ZLED7330, and ZLED7002 LED Driver ICs
ZMD introduced the ZLED7320 40V LED driver, ZLED7330 high-current 40V LED driver, and ZLED7002 dual channel LED driver. The ZLED7320, ZLED7330 and the ZLED7002 ICs are available now. The ZLED7320 is priced at 0.66€ or US$0.86 for 2,500 units. The ZLED7330 is priced at 1.06€ or US$1.38 (2,500 units) and the ZLED7002 is priced at 0.47€ or US$0.62 (2,500 units).
McObject eXtremeDB Cluster Distributed Database for Real-Time Applications
McObject introduced their eXtremeDB Cluster, which is the first clustering database system built from the ground up for distributed embedded software and real-time enterprise applications. eXtremeDB Cluster manages data stores across multiple hardware nodes, increases the net processing power available for data management, reduces system expansion costs, and delivers a more scalable and reliable database solution for increasingly data-intensive real-time applications.
Microsemi Offers to Acquire Zarlink Semiconductor for CAD $3.35
Microsemi is offering to acquire Zarlink Semiconductor for CAD $3.35 per share in cash. The proposed transaction has a total equity value of USD $548.7 million based on a fully diluted share count and represents a 40% premium to Zarlink’s share price as of July 19, 2011, and a 43% premium to Zarlink’s trailing 30 day average share price. The CAD $3.35 proposal exceeds every Zarlink closing share price over the last five years.
Intel Targets Clouding Computing, Acquires Fulcrum Microsystems
Intel is acquiring Fulcrum Microsystems Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition is subject to the approval of Fulcrum Microsystems shareholders, regulatory approval and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2011. Fulcrum Microsystems is a privately held fabless semiconductor company that designs Ethernet switch silicon for data center network providers. It is based in Calabasas, California.
Electronic Design Automation Revenue Increased by 16% in Q1 2011
The Electronic Design Automation (EDA) industry revenue increased to $1446.4 million in the first quarter of 2011. According to the EDA Consortium (EDAC) Market Statistics Service (MSS), this is a 16% increase from Q1 2010, which had revenues of $1247.0 million. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, sequential EDA revenues decreased by 4.1%. The four-quarters moving average increased by 14.2%. The four-quarters moving average compares the most recent four quarters. Companies that were tracked employed 26,457 professionals in Q1 2011, a 1.2% decrease compared to the 26,767 people employed in Q4 2010, but up 1.4% compared to Q1 2010.
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