Imec Micromachined Harvester Achieves Record Output Power
Imec and Holst Centre have created a micromachined harvester for vibration energy. The harvester has a record output power of 489µW when the vibrations closely match the MEMS’ resonance vibration (1011Hz in this case). Based on measurements and simulation, the device is ideal for shock-induced energy harvesting in car tires, where it could power built-in sensors. In a tire, at 70km/h, the micromachined harvester can deliver a constant 42µW, which is enough to power a simple wireless sensor node.
Microchip MTD6505 Resistor Programmable Motor Driver
Microchip Technology introduced their MTD6505 standalone, resistor-programmable driver. The MTD6505 motor driver is a 3-phase full-wave sensorless driver for brushless DC (BLDC) motors. It features 180° sinusoidal drive, high torque output and silent drive. The Microchip MTD6505 motor driver is sampling now in a 10-pin UDFN package. The IC is priced at $0.57 each (5,000-unit pricing). Volume production is expected to be available on December 21, 2011.
Texas Instruments DK-LM3S-DRV8312 Motor Control Kit
Texas Instruments introduced their DK-LM3S-DRV8312 motor control kit. It is designed for spinning three-phase brushless motors with a Stellaris Cortex-M3 microcontroller (MCU). The DK-LM3S-DRV8312 development kit is available now. It is an ideal solution for high-volume motor control applications, including low-voltage fans, blowers, pumps, tools and compressors.
WiPry-Combo iAccessory Turns iOS Devices into Spectrum Analyzer, Power Meter
The WiPry-Combo, from Oscium, is a dynamic power meter and spectrum analyzer that plugs into the Apple iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone. The WiPry-Combo spectrum analyzer and dynamic power meter is ideal for on-the-go technicians. The iAccessory is compatible with all generations of iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad devices (iOS version 3.1.3 or higher). Free software for running WiPry-Combo is available at Apple’s App Store. The app includes a demo package that does not require the actual WiPry device. WiPry-Combo is available now for $199.95.
WiPry-Combo iAccessory Turns iOS Devices into Spectrum Analyzer, Power Meter »
Summit SMB346 and SMB347 Programmable Li-Ion Battery Chargers
Summit Microelectronics rolled out the SMB346 and SMB347 programmable Li-Ion battery charger integrated circuits. The new ICs offers up to 2.5A charge/system current with dual input/dual output CurrentPath technology for operation with a dead or missing battery. The Summit charger ICs are available now. The SMB346 is priced at $1.27 and the SMB347 is priced at $1.36 each (quantities of 10,000 units). The new chips are ideal for smartphones, tablets, digital still cameras, digital camcorders, wireless routers, portable media/MP3 players (PMP), portable GPS navigation equipment, and portable game consoles/controllers.
Summit SMB346 and SMB347 Programmable Li-Ion Battery Chargers »
Q3 2011 Smartphone Applications Processor Revenues Grew to $2.24 Billion
According to Strategy Analytics, the global smartphone applications processor market grew to $2.24 billion in the third quarter of this year (Q3 2011). This is a 59% year-on-year growth. Qualcomm ranked first in the smartphone applications processor market with 49% of revenue share in the last quarter. Thanks to the ramp up of its Android business, Broadcom finally broke into the top-five vendor list for smartphone applications processors in the third quarter.
Q3 2011 Smartphone Applications Processor Revenues Grew to $2.24 Billion »
Smart Grid Drives ZigBee and 802.15.4 Semiconductor Market
According to NPD In-Stat, semiconductor revenues for 802.15.4 will probably grow to over $1 billion in 2015. The smart grid/automated meter reading market will account for more than 71% of the revenue. ZigBee is in a majority of smart meters that communicate with devices inside the home. The technology can mesh with other smart meters to carry the data back to the utility. The next sizable markets for ZigBee technology are home automation (driven by energy savings) and consumer lighting (due to the large number of lighting fixtures in the home and office).
Smart Grid Drives ZigBee and 802.15.4 Semiconductor Market »
Magnetic Sensors to Grow by 38% in 2012
According to an IHS report, semiconductor magnetic sensors used in automotive motors will grow by about 38% in 2012. Magnetic sensors help improve car safety, convenience and fuel efficiency. As a result, IHS expects revenue derived from the use of magnetic sensors in automotive motors will reach $160.3 million next year (compared to $116.0 million this year). By 2015, magnetic sensor revenue in automotive motors will grow to about $193.6 million.
Movea GestureBuilder Now Available to Consumer Electronic OEMs and Systems Integrators
Thanks to Movea’s GestureBuilder software, their gesture recognition and gesture database design capabilities are now available to consumer electronic OEMs and systems integrators. Gesture Builder enables touchless gestures’ for control of smartphones, tablets, TV’s, set-top-boxes, and media center PC’s running on Linux, Android, and Windows 7 (Windows 8 support is also planned). GestureBuilder is available now.
Movea GestureBuilder Now Available to Consumer Electronic OEMs and Systems Integrators »
Synopsys Acquires Magma Design Automation for $507 Million
Synopsys (Nasdaq:SNPS) will acquire Magma Design Automation (Nasdaq:LAVA) for $7.35 a share in cash, which will result in a transaction value of about $507 million net of cash and debt acquired. According to the two companies, their combined technologies, development capabilities, support teams and sales channels will provide chip designers with greater access to state-of-the art electronic design automation (EDA) solutions that will enable more profitable silicon.
Synopsys Acquires Magma Design Automation for $507 Million »
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