Electronics News September 2010

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n ew s Australia’s Premier Electronics Magazine

w w w. e l e c t r o n i c s n e w s . c o m . a u INSIDE SEPTEMBER 10

On standby Initiatives for reducing the power consumption of electrical appliances on standby have been in place for over a decade, but progress is slow.

Page 12

News 4

Australia and Europe team up for science Australia will work more closely with Europe on a range of information and communications projects.

Technology 8

Pore structure of semiconductor material SRC, Cornell researchers announced a method for visualising and identifying the detailed structure of low-k insulating materials at a sub-nanometre scale.

Feature 16

Harmony in wireless systems design The use of “silo-based” methods often introduces problems. Using systemlevel models can result in significant wireless systems design improvements.

Feature 20

Post Print Approved PP255003/00319

Future Awards finalists profiled The 6th Annual Future Awards attracted a raft of exciting entries. We profile the finalists which range from an emergency alert system to a six-legged walking robot.

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NEWS

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EDITOR’S MESSAGE

Future Awards: Our barometer

Published monthly by Reed Business Information Pty Ltd Tower 2, 475 Victoria Avenue Chatswood NSW 2067 Tel: (02) 9422 2999 Fax: (02) 9422 2977 www.electronicsnews.com.au EDITOR Kevin Gomez Tel: (02) 9422 2976 kevin.gomez@reedbusiness.com.au EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Isaac Leung Tel: (02) 9422 2956 isaac.leung@reedbusiness.com.au

Kevin Gomez Editor

KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER Richard Bunting Tel: (02) 9422 2718 Fax: (02) 9422 2722 richard.bunting@reedbusiness.com.au QLD SALES MANAGER Sharon R. Amos PO Box 3136, Bracken Ridge QLD 4017 Tel: (07) 3261 8857 Fax: (07) 3261 8347 sharon.amos@reedbusiness.com.au BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Alex Evans Tel: (02) 9422 2890 Fax: (02) 9422 2722 alex.evans@reedbusiness.com.au PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jennifer Collinson Tel: (02) 9422 2657 jennifer.collinson@reedbusiness.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ronnie Lawrence ronald.lawrence@reedbusiness.com.au SUBSCRIPTIONS Customer Service Tel: 1300 360 126.

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Next Issue • Future Awards Winners • Security • Electromagnetic Interference

REGULAR readers of Electronics News will notice a different photograph accompanying this column.

Having earlier been part of the editorial team of Electronics News in 2003/04, this is a homecoming of sorts as I take over the reins of this respected publication.

There has been a marked change in the industry over the last few years. Sure we missed out on mass manufacture but that battle was lost a long time ago.

However, it is becoming apparent that we are developing advanced skills in selected areas – abilities and expertise that compare favourably with the best in the world.

And I can see glimpses of this capability when going through the entries to our Future Awards. Many of the projects submitted are simply brilliant. Most others are remarkably good.

The Student category garnered a raft of novel submissions. There must be something in the water at Bundoora with LaTrobe University students flooding our mailboxes with quality entries. (Head hunters and recruiters take note.)

Interestingly many of their entries related to the use of electronics to enhance the quality of life.

Denton Dang attempts to determine the feasibility of pre-conditioning an electrode interface using electrical stimulation sequences for cochlear implant recipients.

Michael Dempsey’s blink detection program gives children with disabilities a hands-free method of interaction with

computer programs.

Wesam Alsabban flies the flag for Queensland University of Technology with TextoBraille. This device translates text on the screen to Braille by simulating it under the user’s finger while their hands move on the feigned board.

Separating out the winners will be a challenging task for the judges. NICTA’s Dr Mark Reed and Technology Consultant Steven Keeping will join me in picking out the winners this year.

Given all the political shenanigans the country has witnessed over the past several months, reducing carbon pollution has taken a back seat.

In this issue, we examine the laudable goal of One Watt standby which was launched by the IEA way back in 1999.

Sadly, implementation has been slow and we offer some insight into possible solutions that can be developed by the engineering community.

In our next issue, we tackle interesting developments in the area of security and look at modern protection systems.

Electronics, after all, is at the heart of this industry with technologies ranging from iris scanners to biometric identification.

We always welcome comments and input from our readers so feel free to drop me an email.

Our website too offers several opportunities for the community to participate and contribute.

kevin.gomez@reedbusiness.com.au

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NEWS

IN BRIEF

$20K IN ELECTRONICS TO UNSW Farnell has donated approximately $20,000 worth of electronics products to the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of New South Wales.

Farnell provided almost 500 different products, totalling nearly 24,000 parts, which included resistors, connectors, ICs, capacitors, test and measurement and other miscellaneous products. Farnell also introduced UNSW students to its element14 internet forum to help them collaborate and share ideas with their peers across the world.

The forum is designed for electronic design engineers to provide news on product data, design tools and technology information.

WORLDWIDE CHIPS TO HIT $291B The Semiconductor Industry Association forecasts that worldwide chip sales will grow by 28.4 per cent to $290.5 billion in 2010. It also projected a 6.3 per cent growth in 2011 to $308.7 billion, followed by 2.9 per cent growth in 2012 to $317.8 billion. Economic forecasts project global economic growth rates of 4.6 per cent in 2010 and 4.4 per cent for 2011, with the fastest growth expected to be in emerging economies – especially China and India – which are creating demand for information technology products, fuelling demand for semiconductors.

RESEARCH

Aus partners with Europe AUSTRALIA and Europe will increase cooperation on international research projects covering everything from energy to nanotechnology to ICT. Following the 11th Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee meeting held in Sydney in June, the Australian Government has agreed to provide $750,000 over the next 12 months to pursue agreed research outcomes.

The funding is from the Government’s International Science Linkages program.

The focus will be on outcomes in health; biotechnology, agriculture and food; environment; energy; ICT; nanotechnologies; research infrastructures; and researcher mobility, networks and communication.

Innovation Minister Kim Carr said Australia was the first nonEuropean country to sign a treatylevel science and technology agreement with the EU. “It is important we continue this strong relationship as we tackle pressing global challenges like climate change, clean energy and environmental sustainability,” he said. “As a result of these discussions, I hope more of our scientists

GLOBAL AGREEMENT: Australia will work more closely with Europe on ICT projects. and researchers will soon begin work with their European counterparts on important health issues such as regenerative medicine, diabetes and obesity.”

One project that has already received the go-ahead is the Square

FABRICATION

ARM, TSMC PARTNER FOR SOC ARM and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) have entered into a long-term strategic agreement. The agreement will enable the companies to optimise Systems-On-Chip based on ARM processors and cover a range of process nodes extended down to 20 nm. TSMC will have access to the implementation of ARM processors on TSMC process technologies, such as the ARM Cortex processor family and CoreLink interconnect fabric for AMBA protocols. It also establishes a long-term relationship with ARM for the development of physical IP, including memory products and standard cell libraries targeting the most advanced TSMC 28 nm and 20 nm processes.

$63M nanotech centre opens THE FEDERAL and Victorian Governments, along with Monash, Swinburne, Deakin and La Trobe universities, RMIT, CSIRO and MiniFab Australia have contributed $63 million to the development of the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, which is considered the centrepiece of the National Fabrication Facility.

Available for use by local and international researchers, the nanotechnology centre was designed to help situate Australia at the forefront of the field, said Richard Marles, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry.

“Nanotechnology is a genuinely exciting scientific field and the Melbourne Centre for

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Nanofabrication is a state-of-the-art facility,” he said. “Nanotechnology has the potential to lead to life altering developments in fields as diverse as telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and medicine.”

The Australian National Fabrication Facility includes the largest purpose-built, clean room complex in the Southern Hemisphere.

The clean room will allow scientists to work with materials at a microscopic level in terms of photolithography and etching, electroforming and structuring, nano-imprint lithography and process inspection. ■ nanomelbourne.com

Kilometre Array (SKA) where Australia and the Netherlands will work closely to develop the world’s next-generation radio-telescope. (See this issue page 7.) ■ www.delaus.ec.europa.eu

Aus space web portal launched THE Federal Government has launched a web portal to raise the national and international profile of Australia’s growing space activities and services. According to Innovation Minister Kim Carr, the site will help educate people about space activities and technologies, such as satellite navigation and communication. It will also support the efforts of the Innovation Department’s Space Policy Unit to coordinate Australia’s national and international civil space activities.

“The portal will make it easier to find the things you need, including how to apply for a grants under the Australian Government’s $40 million Australian Space Research Program,” he said.■ www.space.gov.au

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NEWS

IN BRIEF

FEMTOCELL STANDARD PUBLISHED The WiMAX Forum and the Femto Forum have published the WiMAX femtocell standard, which will allow vendors to start developing standardised femtocells and associated network equipment based on the IEEE 802.16e radio interface and profiles. The WiMAX femtocells will enhance coverage and capacity inside buildings and in small outdoor areas, as well as support advanced services. In addition to its security framework, the standard incorporates support for three usage models for different deployment scenarios: Open Model; Closed Subscriber Group; and Closed Subscriber Group Open. The standard will impact all elements of the WiMAX femtocell network. The WiMAX Forum aims to start certifying compatible products early 2011 to guarantee efficient and effective interoperability between different vendors' access points and core network equipment.

ON ACQUIRES SANYO ON Semiconductor has acquired Sanyo Semiconductor for approximately $366 million. The agreement grants Sanyo Semiconductor customers access to front-end mixed-signal and analogue manufacturing, and ultra high volume back-end facilities of ON Semiconductor. Sanyo Semiconductor is expected to provide ON Semiconductor with access to its Japanese and Asian customers. The acquisition should be completed this year.

POLYMERS

CSIRO grants polymer use CSIRO has signed a global licencing agreement for its patented Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) technology, which enables the development of complex molecules through a polymerisation process that can be used for a range of products.

According to CSIRO, the technology is already generating improvements in the areas of coatings and paints, electroactive materials, fuel additives, biomaterials, polymer synthesis, personal care, drug delivery agents and car components. Monomer-Polymer, a US company that specialises in manufacturing specialty monomers and sophisticated polymers, has agreed to market the technology worldwide.

Monomer-Polymer and Dajac Labs CEO Stephen Bell said having access to RAFT technology will allow the company to “undertake controlled radical polymerisations and consequently, create additional

POLITE PATENT: CSIRO will spread the polymer joy by licencing its Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) technology. success and opportunity in material development”.

Additionally, Monomer-Polymer said that the licensing agreement would enable the company to strengthen its position as a key

SHIPMENTS

Short-range wireless ICs TOTAL shipments of short range wireless ICs, including Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, 802.15.4 and Wi-Fi, are expected to increase 18 per cent in 2010, ABI Research said. Bluetooth ICs, which lead the short range wireless IC market, are expected to exceed 55 per cent of total Short Range Wireless IC shipments in

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2010. The cellular handsets segment is maintaining the highest unit shipment of Bluetooth-enabled products, followed distantly by the notebook and UMDs. Bluetooth-enabled home entertainment products form an emerging market that is forcing an increase in Bluetooth IC shipments.■ www.abiresearch.com

player in the synthesis, development and scale-up of specialty monomers and resulting polymer systems. www.csiro.au www.monomerpolymer.com

Materials market forecast to grow WITH GaAs HBT and pHEMT devices continuing to play a pivotal role in cellular radio terminals and a broad range of other markets, Strategy Analytics has projected that the epitaxial substrate suppliers market will grow in material output through 2014. ■ www.strategyanalytics.com

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INVESTMENT

Aus, the Netherlands build Square Kilometre Array AUSTRALIA and the Netherlands will work closely together on vital technology for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

Australia’s CSIRO has signed a Statement of Intent with ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, to cooperate on developing and testing technology that will ultimately make the Square Kilometre Array possible.

“CSIRO and ASTRON will be working on phased array feeds – receivers with many separate, simultaneous beams for detecting radio waves – which have the potential to give telescopes a much wider fieldof-view,” said Innovation Minister Kim Carr.

The technology will initially be used on the first six antennas of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder radio telescope, due to be completed in early 2011 at Murchison in Western Australia.

Carr said the Australian Government will be investing over

PLASTIC ENCLOSURES WITHOUT THE NEED FOR TOOLING

$280 million in infrastructure to support Western Australia project while the Western Australia Government will be investing another $30 million.

It has an estimated construction cost of $13 billion over its expected 50 year lifetime.

A joint bid by Australia and New Zealand has been shortlisted to host the Square Kilometre Array. The other shortlisted site is in Southern Africa. The array will consist of several thousand antennas over a 5,500 km baseline (in the case of an Australia-New Zealand configuration), operating as a single instrument with 10,000 times the potential of existing telescopes to make new discoveries.

The potential benefits of hosting the SKA in Australia and New Zealand will include business opportunities and industry development. ■ www.csiro.au www.astron.nl

FOUNDRY

Samsung qualifies 32 nm LP process with HKMG SAMSUNG Electronics announced that its foundry business, Samsung Foundry, has qualified 32 nm lowpower (LP) process with high-k metal gate (HKMG) technology.

As the first to qualify 32 nm LP HKMG logic process technology, Samsung Foundry said it’s ready to begin volume manufacturing of chips designed to meet the mediaintensive, energy-efficient requirements of next-generation mobile consumer electronics.

Leveraging its deep sub-micron expertise in low power technology, Samsung Foundry, together with the IBM Joint Development Alliance (JDA), has tuned its 32 nm LP HKMG gate-first process node to deliver a process platform with double the logic density of 45 nm

processes through minimised restrictive design rules.

As part of the qualification process, Samsung Foundry designed and manufactured a 32nm LP system-on-chip (SoC) that shows 30 per cent dynamic power reduction and 55 per cent leakage power reduction when compared to the SoC design implemented at 45nm LP at the same frequency.

Samsung Foundry worked with EDA partners including Synopsys, Cadence Design Systems and Mentor to incorporate major advances into the design flow for 32nm LP such as Statistical Static Timing Analysis (SSTA) to address variation and reduce timing margins. ■

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www.samsung.com www.electronicsnews.com.au SEPTEMBER 2010 7

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TECHNOLOGY

Sub-nm low-k material images Researchers can visualise and identify the detailed structure of low-k insulating materials at a sub-nanometre scale.

SEMICONDUCTOR Research Corp.

(SRC) and researchers from Cornell University announced a method for visualising and identifying the detailed structure of low-k insulating materials at a sub-nanometre scale.

According to SRC, the ability to capture direct, quantitative images of pore structures will help solve semiconductor scaling concerns that could affect the future performance and power usage of integrated circuits.

Researchers were able to obtain 3D images of the sub-1nm pores inside a low-k material using electron tomography.

They accomplished this using an annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope.

This microscope provided quantitative, spatially-resolved information

that can now be applied to low-k liner interfaces in integrated circuits to improve their performance and reliability.

So far, measurements using gas adsorption, X-ray reflectivity, small angle X-ray diffraction, neutron scattering and positron annihilation have been used.

However, SRC said these methods lack the spatial resolution to explore process variations around individual devices where damage could occur.

Nor can the methods give direct information about the individual 3D pore shapes, connectivity and variations when integrated into a real device. â– UP CLOSE: The ability to capture direct, quantitative images of pore structures will help solve semiconductor scaling concerns that could affect the performance and power usage of integrated circuits.

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www.src.org www.cornell.edu

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TECHNOLOGY

AECOM, UCSB join forces on nanotech AECOM Technology is collaborating with the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), on nanotechnology research.

For the joint effort, AECOM will provide technical resources, review, and financial support for studies investigating the environmental fate and transport, toxicity and safe handling of nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) – a nanomaterial that is proving effective in treating contaminated groundwater and soils.

PARS Environmental will

provide a sample of its nZVI product, the NanoFe for laboratory testing.

“While nZVI has been effective for groundwater treatment, its environmental and human health risks need further study,” Robert Weber, AECOM environment chief executive, said.

“Research such as ours is critical to helping industry and the public understand the health and environmental implications of nanomaterials.”

In other nanomaterialrelated projects, AECOM environmental scientists and engineers are pilot testing the use of nZVI for remediating sites with

contaminated groundwater.

AECOM’s toxicology laboratory has performed preliminary investigations on the aquatic toxicity of nZVI and other nanomaterials.

In Australia, AECOM economists and other technical experts analysed the social and economic impacts of nanotechnology in the health & medicine, energy, water and food sectors for the Australian Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. This data will be shared with Bren researchers. ■ www.aecom.com www.ucsb.edu

Companies sync on semiconductor making

Gold, platinum process for medical devices

IBM, Samsung Electronics, GLOBALFOUNDRIES and STMicroelectronics are collaborating to synchronise semiconductor manufacturing facilities for the production of advanced chips based on a 28nm process jointly developed by IBM Technology Alliance.

The synchronisation process is expected to help ensure that customers’ chip designs can be produced at multiple sources in three different continents with no redesign required.

The technology alliance, based at IBM’s facility in East Fishkill, New York, includes GLOBALFOUNDRIES, IBM, Infineon Technologies, Renesas Electronics, Samsung Electronics, STMicroelectronics and Toshiba.

IBM, Samsung and GLOBALFOUNDRIES – members of the Common Platform Alliance – are working with STMicroelectronics to develop and standardise advanced, 28 nm process technology to

RAYDIANCE has demonstrated a technology that has the ability to machine precise, micron-resolution in gold and platinum, two of the more difficult-to-process materials use in medical devices.

The company said its engineers have achieved the results using its Smart Light 50 femtosecond pulse laser integrated into a Rofin StarCut Tube workstation.

The team ablated prototype stent designs in 18k gold tubing at a linear processing rate of 6 mm/s and in a platinum:iridium alloy at a rate of 1.75 mm/s. Both finished parts had excellent edge quality and no apparent heat affected zones.

According to Raydiance, its athermal solution provides a platform to medical device manufacturers that have a difficult time in machining precise features in metals such as gold and platinium through a non-linear optical breakdown process. ■

ensure consistent production worldwide for electronics and device manufacturers.

The low-power, 28nm process technology is designed for the next generation of smart mobile devices, enabling designs with faster processing speeds, smaller feature sizes, low standby power and longer battery life.

The 28nm chips will use bulk complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and high-k metal gate (HKMG) processes. Members of the alliance are driving the global standard for HKMG with their “Gate First” technology.

This solution shares the process flow, design flexibility, design elements and benefits of all previous nodes based upon poly SiON gate stacks. GLOBALFOUNDRIES entered the foundry industry in early 2009. ■ www.ibm.com www.samsung.com www.globalfoundries.com www.st.com

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IN FOCUS

Connecting Austr The inaugural Electronex Exhibition will be a showcase of niche techno

FREEDOM: The DEK Horizon platform allows users to configure their screen printers as needed. he first Electronex Exhibition will be held at Australian Technology Park, Sydney, from 8 to 9 September 2010.

Organised by Australasian Exhibitions and Events and the Surface Mount and Circuit Board Association, the niche trade event for the electronics industry will showcase equipment, services and technologies from more than 60 companies.

The Surface Mount 2010 Conference will be held in parallel from 7 to 9 September. Attendees to the conference will be able to hear from international speakers on the latest in electronics design and manufacture.

According to the organisers, the electronics industry has seen a move in recent years towards more niche manufacturing applications and innovations. The new exhibition is specialised for the electronics sector, to more accurately service the

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industry’s procurement and development requirements.

Solutions on display will cover the latest technologies for design, manufacturing, components, assembly, test & measurement, communications and R&D for all industry sectors requiring electronics solutions for production and manufacturing.

Hawker Richardson will be introducing the DEK Horizon platform.

According to the company, the platform allows users freedom of choice to configure their screen printers exactly as needed, be it for lowvolume specialist projects or highspeed, high-volume assembly.

The product comes standard with an array of features, and is then customised with a range of options which provide speed improvements, enhanced yields, intelligent board support and comprehensive service plans.

Altronic Distributors will have its series of weatherproof IP67 rated push button switches at its stand.

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IN FOCUS

stralia’s industry technologies in an increasingly specialised industry. By Isaac Leung.

These switches are suited for installation in industrial panels, pool and equipment controllers and vending machines.

The manufacturer says the models are suited for low current switching, with contacts rated to 125mA at 125VAC. The buttons have low profiles, protruding only 7mm from the surface when installed.

The units are momentary action and feature single pole, single throw operation. They are RoHS compliant and IP67 approved for immersion in water to one metre. Various models feature red and black pushbuttons, as well as flush mounted red LEDs. Bondline will be showing off its anti-fatigue mat with conductive and dissipative properties. It allows the electrical grounding of workers who are wearing suitable static control footwear as recommended by IEC/AS61340.5.1.

The mats are modular and the components can be assembled to make the final version as long as required. All outside edges are bevelled.

SATCAM will demonstrate TTech’s auto tool changing QCj5 with vacuum table technology and aircushioned depth-of-cut control. The distributor says the device makes circuit board prototyping easier, quicker and more precise.

Machinery Forum will showcase its range of equipment, including the HR 100 ERSA Hybrid Rework. The system has Hybrid heating technology which combines infrared and convection heating in one hand tool for soldering and de-soldering densely packed SMT components.

The manufacturer says the infrared radiation is augmented by a gentle flow of hot air to homogenously heat components sizing from 0201s to 20 by 20 mm SMDs. The exchangeable hybrid adaptors focus 200W of hybrid heating power onto the component while protecting chips from blowing away.

ONBoard Solutions will feature

SOLUTION: Automated LS60V-LED SMT pick and place machine. the QUICK 865AD Rework Station.

The system has a rated heating power output of 1.3kW, temperature range of 100 to 500°C and is suited for leaded and lead-free soldering and desoldering.

It provides full digital control of air flow, air temperature and heating time. The heating cycle can be triggered with the handle sensor, or via foot pedals.

Vicom will demonstrate a range of WaveMaster and LeCroy oscilloscopes from WaveMaster and LeCroy.

According to the distributor, the WaveMaster 8 Zi is the world’s fastest real-time oscilloscope. Its XStream II architecture is said to deliver superior signal fidelity, very high real-time bandwidth and sample rate, and very fast throughput.

APS Novastar and Upton Aust will release the LS60V-LED automated SMT pick and place machine, a new solution for LED placements.

The machine is said to address customers’ requirements for longer LED panel lengths, LED package nozzle dimensions and material selection. It utilises APS Novastar’s proprietary touchless centring system, providing placement rates of up to 4800cph.

Suited for short to medium run SMT assembly, the product is capable of precisely placing 0201s, SOICs, 15-mil pitch QFPs and CSPs, BGAs, and microBGAs. Its operating system is said to be easy to learn. ■

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COVER STORY

One-Watt standby National and global initiatives for reducing the power consumption of electrical appliances on standby have been in place for over a decade, but progress has been extremely slow. By Electronics News staff. he NSW Government is currently running a series of online and TV advertisements featuring black balloons escaping from electrical appliances around the house. Each balloon represents 50g of carbon pollution. The imagery is a clever mechanism to remind consumers that the convenience of electrically powered devices comes at an environmental cost.

While there are dissenters, the majority of the scientific community suggests that cost comes in the form of an inexorable rise in global average temperatures. Man-made carbon emissions (and other pollutants) create a greenhouse effect, whereby the sun’s heat gets through, but the dirty atmosphere prevents heat radiated back from the Earth’s surface escaping into space.

There’s a degree of irony in the State Government’s ad campaign: A viewer will have more than likely just sat down, hit a button on the remote control or keyboard and watched the TV or PC flicker instantly to life before watching the ad. The convenience of rapid startup, while saving human energy, uses power and adds to the “black balloons” floating off into the upper atmosphere.

This is because fast start-up initiated from a remote control requires the TV or PC to be in a “standby” mode. While this uses a fraction of the energy of a fully operational set, over time, it adds up to become significant. And it’s not just TVs and PCs that are the culprits; almost every consumer electronics product features a standby mode – what’s more, it’s typically the default method of operation, and many modern electrical appliances no longer have an off switch.

The global warming theory is far from proven, but the consensus is that humanity would be mad to take the risk that continued atmospheric

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ALWAYS ON: Many modern electrical appliances no longer have an off switch.

pollution will raise temperatures to a critical level. That means limiting carbon emissions partly by reducing power demands. With electrical appliances in standby mode accounting for an estimated 8 to 10 per cent of all domestic electricity consumption in Australia, decreasing that load is a good place to start.

Black balloons galore The Commonwealth Government has been recording the power consumed by a “basket” of electrical appliances in a variety of operating modes since 2001. Products include

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devices, such as air conditioners, espresso machines, microwaves and home theatres. The latest interim report covers the period 2008 to 2009. Standby Power Store Survey 2008-09: Interim Report the document is available for download.1 The survey indicates a positive trend for some products. The average standby power consumption of an LCD TV in passive standby was 5.1W in 2004 (an average from the tests on 36 machines) compared to 3.1W in 2009 (20). (Intriguingly though, in 2008, the value was 1.6W (30)).

Plasma TVs fare even better: In

SHORT CUTS Electrical appliances in standby mode account for an estimated eight-to-ten percent of all domestic electricity consumption in Australia ■ Many electronics designers question if it’s worth any extra effort to search out low power versions of devices for their mains-powered design ■ Manufacturers are unlikely to spend significant development dollars on further reductions in standby power consumption without either formal legislation or increased consumer pressure ■

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COVER STORY

FIGURE 1: Average power consumption of domestic electrical appliances in Australia.

FACTS & FIGURES

Samsung’s 2Gb Green DDR3 Samsung Electronics has begun mass producing its first 2-gigabit (Gb) Green DDR3 using 30 nanometer (nm) class process technology. The 30nm-class 2Gb Green DDR3 chips are for server applications with memory modules that can reach up to 1.866 gigabits per second (Gbps) at 1.35 volts, while PC modules can run at up to 2.133Gbps (1.5 volts).

According to the company, its 30nm-class DDR3 chip will provide memory solutions with high performance at low power levels to accommodate for new generation servers of cloud computing and virtualisation.

With plans to also produce the new 30nm DDR3 chips in a 4Gb density by year end, Samsung will broaden its memory line-up with mass production of 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB 30nm-class RDIMMs for servers, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB UDIMMs for workstations and desktop PCs, plus 2GB, 4GB and 8GB SoDIMMs for notebooks and all-in-one desktops.

2004, the passive standby power consumption was 2.4W (21 machines) dropping to an just 0.4W in 2009 (9).

Elsewhere, DVD players dropped from 2.6W in passive standby mode in 2004 (78) to 1.2W in 2008 (21).

However, it is not all good news for consumers keen to save the planet. Hard Disk Recorders, which have now largely replaced VCRs for recording programs to be viewed later, had an average passive standby power consumption of 5.5W in 2004 (4), which had climbed to 6.6W by 2009 (15).

For all the devices measured in the survey, the average passive standby power consumption in the survey has declined slightly from 3.5W to 2.8W in 2009 (see Figure 1).

Put another way, every electrical appliance in the average home is constantly burning 2.8W even when it is not being used.

For an average household with, say, 15 electrical appliances, that adds up to 42W or 368kWhr per year.

A coal-fired power station produces about 1kg of carbon dioxide to generate 1kWhr(2), so in a year the average Australian household could be releasing 368kg of carbon dioxide or 7,360 of the NSW Government’s black balloons into the atmosphere from appliances on standby.

Worldwide, standby power is estimated to contribute 1 per cent to total carbon emissions.

Consumer power The solution to this problem is in the consumers’ hands. They could just > www.electronicsnews.com.au SEPTEMBER 2010 13

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“Even a mobile phone charger plugged into a live wall socket that’s not actually charging a phone is guilty of squandering watts.”

turn off appliances at the mains – but this is hardly convenient and is therefore unlikely to be very popular. An alternative strategy is for the CE companies to design more efficient products so that standby currents are dramatically reduced.

There is no legislation to force them to do this, but there is some political pressure in the form of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) One-Watt program.

The IEA launched its 1W target for standby power back in 1999.

But while it has gained an international profile, take-up has been patchy. In contrast, a voluntary program called Energy Star, which predates One-Watt and was launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992, is a more widespread initiative.

The Energy Star endorsement label certifies that a product has been designed with energy saving features (not just when in standby) built in. Supporters of the initiative claim that Energy Star marked devices consume around 75 percent less power in standby than standard products3. It should be noted that Energy Star and One-Watt are not the same thing, and many Energy Star marked products have power consumptions well over 1W when in standby mode. In addition, Energy Star has primarily focussed on office equipment, such as printers, PCs and fax machines rather than domestic appliances like TVs and washing machines.

While voluntary adoption of One14 SEPTEMBER 2010 www.electronicsnews.com.au

Watt has been a little disappointing, Australia is one of the few countries that cannot be accused of dragging its feet. In addition to being an early signatory to the Energy Star initiative, Australia was the first nation to publicly state that it would pursue the 1W target under the banner of the IEA standby power initiative.

According to the Commonwealth Government, the statement was meant to “demonstrate to suppliers in Australia and internationally that excessive standby should be redressed through better design practice and other strategies.”

The statement was also meant to prove to consumers that the government was acting to reduce excessive standby on their behalf. Since Australia’s announcement, other IEA member countries such as Japan and the US have taken similar stands.

One-Watt design For their part, silicon vendors do not want to be accused of not being good global citizens, and have worked hard to reduce the power consumption of their devices. In truth, much of this progress has been driven by the need to extend battery life in mobile products, but the lessons learned there are being applied to mains-powered products, too.

Manufacturers providing specific power consumption figures for chips in various operating modes have significantly aided the designer looking to limit standby power. For example, Microchip (distributed in Australia by RS Components) is currently promoting its eXtreme Low Power (XLP) PIC microcontrollers that run from a 1.8/2.0V power source and feature “Sleep” (analogous to standby) currents in the 300 to 850nA range.

The company also features a useful low-power design support section on its website.

Texas Instruments (Digi-Key) similarly features a range of ultralow power microcontrollers in

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eight-, 16- and 32-bit formats. The popular MSP430 chips, for example, boast standby modes that consume just 0.5μA. In the memory chip sector, Micron announced earlier this year a low power version of its DDR2 DRAM that operates from 1.2V and is claimed to consume 50 per cent less power than its predecessor. And elsewhere Samsung is touting its socalled Green DDR3. This memory is fabricated using 30nm technology that is said to result in power savings of up to 20 per cent compared to the previous 50nm devices (see sidebar ‘Samsung’s 2Gb green DDR3’).

The passive component manufacturers have not been left behind in the drive for more efficient devices, either. Power-management company International Rectifier (Arrow Electronics) has a wide range of what it claims are “energy saving products” such as power modules, IGBTs and MOSFETs in its portfolio. For example, the company has recently released its 25V DirectFET MOSFET chipset boasting high-efficiency operation (and consequently lower power consumption) across the operational range. Dozens of other passive component manufacturers such as Linear Technology, Cypress (Avnet) and Fairchild Semiconductor (Farnell) are also keen to tout their environmental credentials But while it is relatively easy for electronics designers to search out low-power versions of devices for their mains-powered designs, many question whether it is worth the extra effort. After all, consumers buy products for what they do when they are on, not when they are “off.”

Slow progress Despite over a decade passing since the IEA’s One-Watt program was announced, progress toward the target has been slow. The average standby power consumption across a selection of domestic electrical appliance languishes at around the 2.8W

mark. And it shows no signs of dropping dramatically in the near future.

Manufacturers are unlikely to spend significant development dollars on further reductions in standby power consumption without either formal legislation or increased consumer pressure. Formal legislation isn’t on the horizon and, anyway, to be truly effective it would have to be adopted across the world. That seems a remote possibility bearing in mind the global community cannot even agree on a general emissions reduction strategy.

Consumer pressure can make electronic products more environmentally-friendly because buyers will pay a premium for “green” products if the benefits are easily identifiable and simple to understand.

Unfortunately, One-Watt standby is neither of those.

No doubt electronics designers with a conscience will search out the technologies and components that can be designed into their products to reduce standby power. But designing for One-Watt is an extra burden and inevitably adds to the Bill-of-Materials and extends the design schedule – so progress is unlikely to accelerate.

It seems the best answer to the standby power challenge remains in the hands of the consumer – by reaching for the mains switch. ■ 1www.energyrating.gov.au/library/ details200812-storesurvey-interimreport.html 2en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuel _power_station 3www.energystar.gov.au/about/ index.html

For more on standby power, visit bit.ly/ENmagOneWatt australia.rs-online.com www.digikey.com.au www.arrowasia.com au.farnell.com www.avnetonline.com.au www.electronicsnews.com.au SEPTEMBER 2010 15

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Wireless design harmony The use of “silo-based” methods in wireless systems design often introduces problems. Using system-level models can result in signi

t times, creating a modern wireless communication system feels like conducting a discordant orchestra. The different parts of the “orchestra” (for example, analogue, digital, network) all play their separate parts in isolation, and it’s taking more and more “rehearsal time” (verification) to bring everything together to produce the final piece.

Heightened competition, the spectre of commoditisation and recent staff layoffs are all creating a pressing need for more efficient design processes. So is it possible to enable different development teams to play together better? Can we make design process improvements without abandoning our existing and trusted toolchain? Is it possible to cut down on rehearsal time and get to market faster?

A

The problem The “silo” development methodology causes system development problems because engineers develop components in isolation. As Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli has written, “The resulting lack of an overall understanding of the interplay of the subsystems and of the difficulties encountered in integrating very complex parts causes system integration to become a nightmare.”

This silo approach makes design tradeoffs extremely difficult. For example, the engineer may wish to use a cheaper power amplifier and correct for non-linearities using digital methods (such as digital predistortion), something difficult to do with many design tools.

Often, design tools are targeted at a single design domain (for example, analogue design) and do not co-simulate well with tools for other design domains. This makes interaction between engineering teams more difficult than it needs to be.

Silo development also introduces

FIGURE 2: Communication between the system modelling tool and the device-under-test.

verification inefficiencies. It pushes integration testing toward the end of the design process, when bugs are more expensive to fix. Adding to this is the tendency of engineering teams to write test harnesses from scratch, instead of using trusted models created earlier in the design process.

By design, the silo development approach is fragmented. This process increases project risk and makes it difficult to produce globally optimised designs. Can we link different parts of the design process and get to market faster? Can we do this in an evolutionary way?

Linking design domains To link different design disciplines, engineers need to be able to simulate and design different design domains in the same model execution run. For example, the engineering team may wish to simulate

16 SEPTEMBER 2010 www.electronicsnews.com.au

“The most expensive time to find errors in any wireless design is right at the end of the development process” in one model a system that has digital, analogue, network and MEMS subsystems. This requires a simulation platform that can simulate different types of systems at the same time. Fortunately, such systemlevel design platforms exist.

Figure 1 (on page 17) shows one such platform modelling a digital pre-distortion system including analogue and digital elements.

This system-level design platform carefully combines different simulation types and tools, allowing the user to build one system

model combining the behaviours of all subsystems.

Using multi-domain platforms rapidly enables engineers to find out whether a system composed of different subsystems will work and to optimise across design domains.

This system model can act as a golden reference for the next stages of the design flow.

Linking different tools Linking different domains offers advantages, but such system-level models cannot replace detailed implementation work using dedicated analogue or digital tools.

Unfortunately, analogue and digital design tools do not always interface well with one another, and often the only communication is via offline file sharing. This makes it difficult to test digital-digital behaviour before a physical prototype is available.

However, if we already have a

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n significant design process improvements. By Mike Woodward.

SIERRA WIRELESS AirPrime SL6087 & SL808x Offering the scalability, flexibility and reliability needed to take your connected devices into the future, the SL6087 embedded module features quad-band Edge in a 74-solderable pad LGA form factor. The SL808x embedded module delivers high-speed dual-band UMTS/HSDPA connectivity in the same standard LGA form factor.

FIGURE 1: Model and plots of a digital pre-distortion system.

functioning multidomain systemlevel model, could an engineer use this model to help? For example, can the engineer use a system-level model as a test harness for a detailed analogue design?

To reuse the system model, the system-level design platform needs co-simulation links to implementation tools. These co-simulation links should be run-time links enabling the examination of dynamic behaviour of systems (for example, the digitaldigital or digital-mechanical interface). These co-simulation links require different tool vendors to work together to bridge the gap between design tools.

Fortunately, this is happening.

Tools are exchanging data at each simulation time step, enabling simulation of the dynamic behaviour of the digital-digital system.

This kind of co-simulation offers three benefits. First, it enables the system-level model to be reused as a test bench during the implementation phase of the project. Second, the system model acts as a common simulation platform between different disciplines, enabling collaboration via a common model all can understand and use. Third, it enables engineers to benefit from a more integrated development approach

while still using existing tools, reducing adoption risk.

Linking verification The most expensive time to find errors in any wireless design is right at the end of the development process, which is unfortunately when most errors are found. Engineers would rather get bad news as soon as possible, so they prefer to verify the majority of the system early in the design process.

System models can be used as test harnesses when implementing and verifying designs. This approach moves integration testing much earlier in the design process and allows integration errors to be found before commitment to silicon. This early verification has yielded large savings in several projects. In fact, by using a multi-domain simulation engineers are able to rule out unworkable designs at the start of the project. Effectively verification is brought to project inception.

The last step in the wireless development process is the physical prototype, for example the RF front end for a base station. The prototype’s behaviour is examined using test equipment. There is an opportunity to re-use the system model to generate test vectors or to provide >

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www.m2mconnectivity.com.au www.electronicsnews.com.au SEPTEMBER 2010 17

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custom data analysis (for example, calculating standard specific measurement parameters such as ACLR for HSDPA. Although modern test equipment generates standard specific waveforms and does have some standard specific measurement options, wireless developers will often have their own parameters and quality metrics to measure. Here, the system model can be extended to take those measure-

ments and to do custom calculations and analytics.

To do this the system modelling tool must have links to test equipment; fortunately, many tools have these links. Figure 2 (on page 16) shows one such tool communicating directly with a deviceunder-test via test equipment.

The design flow shown in Figure 3 starts with a system-level design and integrates with existing flows to offer efficiency improvements without the

FIGURE 3: Complete Model-Based Design workflow integrating different teams and design stages.

risk of revolutionary change. As much of the system model as possible is re-used throughout the design process, extracting the maximum value. At the early stages of the project, the model unifies different design domains and enables design tradeoffs – so the engineers find out very early on if the design will work. This brings verification to the start of the design process.

Playing nicely together We re-use the system model with co-simulation as a test harness during implementation and verification, allying the system model with implementation tools. This links the different design teams via a common platform that enables earlier and more detailed testing. Finally, the system model is reused as a test harness and golden reference for verification, comparing the physical wireless prototype with the system model golden reference.

This saves on test harness development costs.

System-level design brings more harmony to the wireless design process, enabling different design disciplines to play together more easily, thereby cutting down on project development time and risk. â– Mike Woodward is Communications Industry Marketing Manager with MathWorks 18 SEPTEMBER 2010 www.electronicsnews.com.au

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Envision, Develop, Design Your Future

FUTURE AWARDS The Electronics News Future Awards is the prestigious electronics industry awards program that recognises excellence in the Australian electronics industry.

Be recognised for your contribution to the Australian electronics landscape

TICKET SALES Date: Thursday 16 September 2010 Time: 6:30 pm Venue: L’Aqua, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney Ticket Price: $120 per person or $1,100 for a table

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Future Awards finalists The 6th Annual Electronics News Future Awards are coming up and you won't want to miss out.

he time has come once again to celebrate electronics excellence in Australia. The 6th Annual Electronics News Future Awards (formerly EDN Innovation Awards) this year highlights entries in application-specific categories to help better promote the potential of Australian innovation. As Government, industry and academia are working together to ensure the future viability of Australian electronics, the Future Awards provide the perfect forum at which designers can showcase their talent.

Taking place at L’Aqua, Cockle Bay Wharf in Sydney on 16 September, the awards ceremony is sure to provide the perfect setting for inspired interaction among electronics designers, engineers and system integrators. It is clear from this year's finalists that Australia is in no danger of slowing down.

For information or to book your tickets, contact Jessica Hughes at (02) 9422 2914 or e-mail jessica.hughes@reedbusiness.com.au

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Communications BlueSIM Desktop Phone | The DualSIM Phone Company

Acts as an extension of any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. It enables users to link their mobile phones and make and receive calls through the BlueSIM phone. The phone will automatically connect to the same mobile once it has been connected the first time, allowing for easy connectivity and use.

E-Charger | E-Green Technologies

An EV charging station that can be paid and enabled via a mobile phone through SMS-generated messages without the need for network subscriptions. The EC15A/32A EV charging stations can be installed alone or in a network of smart charging infrastructure for EVs and performs energy metering via a

certified electronic meter. It can also monitor and collect battery temperature levels and automatically cut off power, if required, while doubling up as a parking meter if necessary.

ALERT | LX Innovations

12-24 MOB Locator Beacon | Sea Air and Land Communications

In the event a crew member that is wearing a 12-24 MOB Locator Beacon falls overboard from a vessel, the beacon will activate automatically when immersed in water.

Designed by Sea Air and Land Communications (Salcom), the locator beacon can transmit an emergency signal for up to 24 hours, which will enable the crew to locate the missing person(s).

Digital Home Axeze Keyless Automation | Axeze

LX Innovations: YellowBird ALERT

The RFID system enables people to carry a tag or card to gain entry to their homes. The keyless entry system (KES) enables people to gain access to their homes via their mobile phones to any Bluetoothenabled devices. Configurable with a range from 0.5 metres to up to 10 metres with either passive or active entry, the tags are managed through database management software, allowing users to control who they want to have access to the property via the tags.

S*A*T*R | Battlefield Sports

An emergency alert system that warns of natural disasters via the use of AM and FM radio transmissions. It can be configured via a GPS chip, which enables region-specific messages to be transmitted. It logs onto a registered radio station and sits dormant until an alert is received. In the event of an emergency, authorities may choose to send an alert by creating a message and alert tone packaging, which sends out an immediate radio broadcast. But if it loses contact with the radio station, it will scan for alternative stations and will alert users if it cannot self heal. The YellowBird receives this alert, switches on and toggles between alert mode and radio mode until either the user acknowledges the alert, or no signal is received for five minutes and it returns to its dormant state.

20 SEPTEMBER 2010 www.electronicsnews.com.au

accuracy without requiring a central computer system. The company said the system innovates in optoelectronics, which involves emitting infrared through a lens and receiving a signal through special infrared filters.

YellowBird ALERT | LX Innovations

For details, see listing under “Communications.�

Portus Home Energy Management System | Portus

Monitors and controls the home from any location either from the mobile phone or Internet browser. The system provides real-time access to view what is happening at home through the Portus Home wireless camera. Integrated with the functionality of a wireless broadband gateway with a Zwave Home Area Network, it can be configured to send instant alerts via SMS, email or voicemail if any intrusion is detected, as well as control a lighting or heating system.

Multi-Channel Remote Control & Receiver Suite | TecHome

The 433 Mhz/ZigBee remote control and receiver suite consists of two multi-channel remotes: one with an LCD display, a wireless wall switch and a compatible receiver. The remote controls and receiver suite can monitor and control multiple devices in real time and provide feedback. It can also integrate with other automation systems or can be used as a standalone controller.

Industrial Electronics KEP Total Hospitality Solution | Axeze

Battlefield Sports: small arms transmitter receiver (S*A*T*R) The small arms transmitter receiver (S*A*T*R) is used to simulate direct-fire infantry engagements without the need for blank munitions. The technology uses a combination of infrared and radio data transfer, enabling real-time hit-feedback and other statistics, such as fire

The one-tag system controls the dispensing of beer and spirits within a venue and helps identify waste, monitor quality and prevent theft.

The readers plug into a USB or a serial port and send information to a host to take action, such as at the point of sale. The reader is designed around a multi-drop network where ordering is done via combination of RFID tags and touch-screen menus. >

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tion, on-screen emissivity correction, transmissivity correction and high temperature alarm. Its 2 GB SD memory card will store at least 3,000 basic infrared images.

Fluke 233 Remote Display Multimeter | Fluke Australia

bluechiip: bluechiip solution bluechiip solution | bluechiip

Based on MEMS (micro electromechanical systems) technology and on micro beam structures, enables integration of the logistics chain and monitoring of the temperature of valuable samples such as cord blood and stem cell samples during storage, transfer and retrieval in cryogenic environments. Each chip is programmed with a unique identification number.

E-Charger | E-Green Technologies

For details, see listing under “Communications.”

Fluke Ti32 Industrial Thermal Imager | Fluke Australia

Enables users to record voice comments with every image taken, as well as view, edit and analyse the infrared images through the installed SmartView software. It also has a three-button menu designed for intuitive operation and naviga-

The digital multimeter gives ultimate flexibility in unusual measurement scenarios, such as hard to see and reach places where machines or panels are physically separated from a limit or isolator switch, or in user prohibited areas such as clean rooms or hazardous areas. Users are able to remove the display screen before putting the metre in a convenient location without the need to juggle leads and the meter while stretching into a tight spot.

MetroSpec 32" Passenger Information Display | Metromatics

The display is enclosed in a rugged aluminium casing that is powdercoated black with anti-graffiti paint. The display has a cooling system allowing it to operate in temperatures from 0 to 50 degrees Celsius and an anti-reflective laminated glass. The 32-inch information display also has a high luminance of 1350 Cd/m2 and a horizontal and vertical viewing angle of 178 degrees. pMC Process Controller | PTronik International

Continuously monitors dust collector performance and triggers optimised ‘bag pulse’ cleaning via presets or user-defined parameters. The pMC also logs operational data for subsequent analysis/process improvement and provides real-time monitoring and control, locally and remotely, via inbuilt web-enabled software.

YellowBird ALERT | LX Innovations

For details, see under “Communications”.

Si-Toro | Southern Innovation

Aiming to commercialise radiation detection and measurement technology, Southern Innovation's Si-Toro technology has been implemented in hardware, which is capable of realtime radiation pulse processing. The technology has application in a range of existing radiation detection and measurement technologies can be improved, including forensic analysis, non destructive testing, borehole logging, medical imaging and mineral analysis.

Wellness FaceID | Axeze

A biometric embedded facial recognition system that maps up to 7,000 points on a face to provide a higher level of security. The system incorporates adaptive source-light technology to work under different lighting conditions and is supported by software, including time attendance setup, access control and user identification.

Microlec Industries: Intelligym Intelligym | Microlec Industries

Digitises the workout recording process at gyms, operating through a simple interface that makes it easy for gym members to record what they are doing quickly and easily in terms of weight, repetitions, peak speeds, forces and time under load.

Able to be retrofitted onto any brand or type of equipment, it also approximates the calories burned during strength training activities while free weight and cardio activities are recorded into the personal handheld display. >

Faraday offers a range of: RFI / EMI / EMC Power RF Filters EMC Antennas – Dipoles to Horns Amplifiers – RF & Microwave (DC – 4000W) and RF Modules Shielded Enclosure – Anechoic Chambers – Antenna Measurement Systems Absorber – EMC Test Boxes – MIL-STD Test Equipment RF Shielding – Magnetic Shielding – MRI Shielding

(03) 9729 5000 22 SEPTEMBER 2010 www.electronicsnews.com.au

sales@faradayshielding.biz

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The ECG for the Mind (EVestG) | Dr Roger Edwards

An electronic diagnostic screening test and treatmentmonitoring tool for the BIG 4 Central Nervous System conditions of depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, and dementia.

The patented technology, invented at Monash University and clinically trialled at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, measures patterns of electrical activity in the brain's balance system, allowing doctors to fast track the detection of mental illness and monitor the effectiveness of treatments.

Environment imPower | Fasco

Fasco: imPower A multi-speed motor that has the ability to reduce running costs, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The technology enables pool owners to save up to $430/year and 2.3 tonnes of CO2. Also, unlike typical pool pumps, the noise level of the imPower technology is significantly reduced through slowing the motor and pump speed.

E-Charger | E-Green Technologies

For details, see listing under “Communications.”

YellowBird ALERT | LX Innovations

For details, see listing under “Communications.”

24 SEPTEMBER 2010 www.electronicsnews.com.au

Portus Home Energy Management System | Portus

E-Charger | E-Green Technologies

For details, see listing under “Digital Home.”

For details, see listing under “Communications”.

Automotive

Student

Integrated CAN-BUS Bluetooth | Fiberdyne Systems

Robo Soccer | Daniel Wright, LaTrobe University

Made for customers with an Audi, Skoda or Volkswagen vehicle, the system features full integration in the infotainment system of the vehicle and can be controlled either directly from the multi-function steering wheel of the car or a touchscreen radio if it’s available. The Bluetooth system has the ability to organise phone search, call lists and caller ID alphabetically of more than 1,000 contacts, with four numbers per contact for each paired phone.

Can either be operated autonomously, semi-autonomously or teleoperated-controlled while playing a game of soccer. It uses a WiFi connection, allowing the robot to communicate over a wireless medium and to any TCP/IPenabled device. Over this connection data from the robot, such as onboard sensor readings, including temperature, infrared sensors and battery status, is transmitted.

Digital Pre-Amp | Fiberdyne Systems

This project is an investigation of the potential of a pre-conditioner below the auditory threshold of the majority of cochlear implant recipients and the attempt to determine the feasibility of pre-conditioning an electrode interface using electrical stimulation sequences.

This was done through the development of several paradigms, which were tested with cochlear implant recipients.

Allows installers to connect any aftermarket amplifier or processor with a TOSLINK digital input to a range of latemodel Audi, Mini, Mercedes, BMW or Porsche vehicles. The DA1000 plugs into the MOST bus ring in place of the factory amplifier, bypassing the factory amp, steals digital audio out of the MOST ring and then feeds it directly into the digital TOSLINK input of a digital sound processor. iStud | Traffic Innovations

A low-cost vehicle detection sensor to replace the traditional wired loop technology used at traffic lights. The intelligent Stud (iStud) has a magnetic sensor that is used to detect vehicle presence, speed and classification, which are transmitted back in real time to a Line Interface Card (LIC). The data can be used to activate a traffic light controller or be forwarded to a central monitoring centre for traffic analysis.

Electrode Pre-conditioning | Denton Dang, LaTrobe University

Insectabot | Duc Hau Huynh, LaTrobe University

A six-legged walking robot that has a total of 12 degrees of freedom. It is capable of two different walking gaits to provide the ability of fast or stable walking with support for turning and going in a forward and backward motion. The control unit of the robot is implemented using the Atmega128L 8-bit RISC microcontroller and the Spartan3 xs200 FPGA. The system is powered from a rechargeable LiPo battery, with onboard charging to provide a light-

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weight and high-power energy source. It interfaces with the computer via an XBee wireless connection, allowing it to be controlled by a custom GUI created in Visual Basic.

Assistive Technology for Children with Disabilities | Michael Dempsey, LaTrobe University

The system is a cost-effective and reliable means of interaction for Cerebral Palsy sufferers. It consists of a webcam, PC, USB device and software to utilise a camera with microphone for blink detection and vocal recognition. Blink detection locates the eyes within the input image and determines whether or not they are closed. The implemented method of

voice-detection compares the voice fingerprint of a pre-recorded sound file to that of the incoming audio stream. When the software has determined if a blink has occurred or if a voice is present, it performs a 'left mouse-click' giving the user a handsfree method of interaction with computer programs.

Autonomous Quadrotor Helicopter | Peter Devlin, LaTrobe University

The autonomous aircraft has the ability to hover at low altitudes.

Microcontrollers running proportional-integral-derivative (PID) algorithms have been used to control flight using navigational components, such as an inclinometer, gyro, GPS module, compass, infrared height

Insectabot: Walking robot sensors and an ultrasonic height sensor in real-time. The aircraft then relays data back to a PC via an Xbee wireless module display.

TextoBraille | Wesam Alsabban, QUT

A device to translate text on the

screen to Braille language by simulating it under the user's finger while the hands move on a feigned board. Users wear gloves that are connected to the computer via USB and move their hands on a fake board that is synchronised to the mouse curser on the computer screen. As the user move their hands on the board, users will feel pressurised air coming from the six points under their fingers, simulating the indicated word or text using Braille language. Users will also be able to hear the word by using Bluetooth headphone technology. â– www.electronicsnews.com.au/ awards

www.electronicsnews.com.au SEPTEMBER 2010 25

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NEW PRODUCTS

EDITOR’S CHOICE

mable edge rate control for on-off keying (OOK) mode.

Braemac 08 9443 5122 www.braemac.com.au

Mobility transistors Wireless SoC transmitter

Graphical programming NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS has announced LabVIEW 2010, the latest version of the graphical programming environment for design, test, measurement and control applications.

According to NI, LabVIEW 2010 offers off-the-shelf compiler technologies that execute code an average of 20 per cent faster and a marketplace for evaluating and purchasing add-on toolkits for integrating custom functionality into the platform.

In addition, a hardware configuration tool enables users to access and configure their LabVIEW Real-Time targets remotely via a web browser.

Other aspects include a smart installer that automatically detects the software associated with a serial number for faster installation and an improved instrument driver finder that offers prebuilt project examples for specific instruments.

LabVIEW 2010 also offers an IP Integration Node that makes it possible to integrate any third-party FPGA IP into LabVIEW applications and is compatible with the Xilinx CORE Generator.

National Instruments 1800 300 800 www.ni.com

26 SEPTEMBER 2010 www.electronicsnews.com.au

SILICON LABORATORIES (distributed in Australia by Braemac) has unveiled its EZRadio wireless IC to help reduce the cost and complexity of one-way wireless links used in a range of consumer, industrial and automotive systems.

The Si4010 RF transmitter is a single-chip remote control IC requiring one external bypass capacitor, a printed circuit board and battery and external case with pushbuttons to create a wireless remote control.

The chip achieves ±150 ppm carrier frequency accuracy over the commercial temperature range and ±250 ppm over the industrial temperature range without using an external crystal. It also features a patented tuning circuit that automatically fine tunes the antenna; an embedded 8051-compatible MCU core with 4 kB of RAM; 8 kB of onetime programmable (OTP) nonvolatile memory; a 128-bit EEPROM; and 12 kB of ROM for library functions. It can also support program-

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC has developed three models of gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with 10W, 20W and 40W outputs.

The three models are for L to C band (0.5~6 GHz) amplifiers, which are incorporated into base stations for mobile phones, very small aperture terminals and other transmission equipment.

According to Mitsubishi, in microwave transmitters, gallium arsenide (GaAs) power amplifiers are commonly used, but gallium nitride is gaining more attention due to its high breakdown voltage and saturated electron speed.

Mitsubishi Electric 02 9684 7777 www.mitsubishielectric.com.au

Modem IC CML MICROCIRCUITS (distributed in Australia by Caelera) has launched the CMX7163 wireless data QAM modem IC. The CMX7163 provides 4/16/64QAM baseband modem functions in a single chip, replacing the current need for user programmed DSP plus

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Email your product news to editor@electronicsnews.com.au EDITOR’S CHOICE

image releases, facilitating in-thefield upgrades.

The CMX7163 logical interface provides addressable configuration parameters that ease host driver development. Selectable modulation, symbol rate and FEC suit a wide range of application requirements without hardware reconfiguration. codec ICs. The device is a complete baseband modem system that includes M2M systems over dedicated channels, digital Software Defined Radio (SDR), wireless data and SCADA systems.

The half-duplex device, which is suitable for 6.25kHz, 12.5kHz and 25kHz bandwidths, operates up to 96kbps in 25kHz bandwidths, featuring channel estimation and equalisation. On-chip sub-systems are configured by a function image data file that is uploaded during device initialisation and defines the device's function and features set. The device's functions and features can be enhanced by subsequent function

Caelera 03 9532 9444 www.caelera.com

DC-DC converter VICOR (distributed in Australia by Powerbox) has announced its PI3101 cool-power high-density isolated DCDC converter, which is suitable for end systems, such as advanced telecom and wireless infrastructure, networking and communications, Power-over-Ethernet applications and high-speed server platforms.

Delivering a regulated 3.3 V output at up to 18 A output current, from an input voltage range of 36 V to 75 V DC, the PI3101 achieves >

Don’t miss out...

Industrial Electronics produced by the team at Electronics News, is a highly anticipated annual supplement that takes an in-depth look at the workhorses of the computing industry.

Conversion processors INTEGRATED DEVICE TECHNOLOGY (IDT) (distributed in Australia by Avnet) has released its motion-compensated frame rate conversion processors with an integrated resolution-enhancement engine for use in 120Hz and 240Hz televisions and high-definition video projectors.

Avnet 08 8363 2255 www.avnet.com.au

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In November 20,000 Industrial Electronics will be produced and sent to relevant decision makers across Reed Business Information’s engineering and manufacturing titles, as well as Electronics News subscribers.

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EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE ENCOURAGED. For editorial guidelines or for more information on the editorial content, please contact editor@ electronicsnews.com.au or call 02 9422 2862.

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www.electronicsnews.com.au SEPTEMBER 2010 27

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25 W/cm3 and optimises board area by providing 16.5 W/cm2. It combines isolation, voltage transformation and output regulation in a surface-mount Power-System-in-Package (PSiP) platform with a 3.6 cm2 footprint and 6.7 mm profile.

Vicor's PI3101 DC-DC converter is equipped with a variety of programmable features, including +/-10 per cent output voltage trimming, programmable soft-start capability, remote on/off-enable and a temperature-monitor function that provides an analogue output voltage proportional to the internal temperature of the product.

Transceiver chip for ANT

Powerbox 02 9457 2200 www.powerbox.com.au

NOORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR (distributed in Australia by Avnet) has released the nRF24AP2-USB, a transceiver chip running ANT software with a USB interface that enables low-cost ANT USB dongles for use in wireless sport and health monitoring. It comes in a 5x5mm QFN package and integrates a Nordic 2.4GHz nRF24L01+ transceiver core.

Farnell 1300 361 005 au.farnell.com

Solar regulators

Avnet 1300 791 695 www.avnet.com

RF app board RADIOMETRIX has introduced the CTA88 remote control chip application boards, which provide eightchannel digital input/output implementations of remote control functions using either the company’s multichannel LMT/LMR (UHF and VHF band) or single-frequency BiM (FM band) series of wireless radio modules.

The boards consist of two CTA88000-DIL chips, a CTA88 encoder board, a CTA88 decoder board, wavelength monopole or helical antennas, four jumpers for mode configuration, DIP switches for address and frequency channel configuration, eight opto-isolated digital inputs and eight relay outputs. The chip permits the setting up of a straightforward one-way wireless link for remote control applications.

Radiometrix +44 (0) 208-909-9595 www.radiometrix.com

Switching regulators ANALOG DEVICES (distributed in Australia by Farnell) has introduced 28 SEPTEMBER 2010 www.electronicsnews.com.au

the ADP2119 and ADP2120 DC-to-DC switching regulators.

The integrated 2A/1.25A, stepdown, DC-to-DC synchronous regulators include low on-resistance switching FETs (field-effect transistors) that deliver power-conversion efficiencies up to 93 per cent.

Internal loop compensation and integrated soft-start circuitry are also featured and enable high-density solutions for point-of-load applications. The ADP2119 and ADP2120 accommodate a diversity of point-ofload applications with a 1.2-MHz fixed switching frequency and a wide 2.3 V to 5.5 V operating range. Both are available in 3 mm x 3 mm leadframe chip-scale packages.

IMARK COMMUNICATIONS has released the SR solar regulators for use with remote-area power systems.

Designed to operate with RAPS inverters, the SR solar regulators are pulse width modulation shunt regulators for heavy-duty, low loss diodes and MOSFET power components.

Available in three models for 48, 120 and 240 V DC systems with nominal power capabilities of 5kW, 12kW, and 16kW, the regulators have LEDs to show system operational status and illuminated panel meters show battery voltage, charge current and battery temperature.

According to the company, the battery over voltage protection circuit and the heatsink over temperature protection will both trip the heavy-duty PV input circuit breaker if the respective settings are exceeded.

Imark Communications 03 9329 5433 www.imark.com.au

CPU family for control apps GE INTELLIGENT PLATFORMS (distributed in Australia by Metromatics) has launched its PACSystems RX3i family of CPUs. The RX3i CPU315 is aimed at high-performance control applications and is ideal for where larger amounts of data and application opti-

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NEW PRODUCTS

Email your product news to editor@electronicsnews.com.au EDITOR’S CHOICE

Computing/HMI

Serial

I/O

The right connection creates incredible power.

Connectivity and control. Making your interface as reliable as the tides—and just as strong.

Sealevel creates hardware and software solutions

misation are needed, such as in water and waste control.

The PACSystems RX3i CPU315 is incorporated with the Intel M class 1Ghz processor and 20 Mbytes of user memory. It also features single control engine and universal programming environment to provide application portability.

Metromatics 07 3868 4255 www.metromatics.com.au

CMOS image sensor CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR (distributed in Australia by Arrow Electronics) has introduced a highsensitivity, high-speed CMOS image sensor targeted for the high-end machine vision market.

The 25 megapixel VITA 25K sensor is suitable for a device with a pipelined and triggered global shutter. The sensor has 32, 10-bit digital LVDS outputs that enable transfer of image data over a standard industry protocol at low power and low noise. Each channel runs at a 620 Mbps, which results in a frame rate of 53 frames-per-second (fps) at full resolution for undistorted images and fast readout.

The VITA 25K sensor offers a 35 mm optical format with monochrome or colour digital output. The pipelined global shutter capability enables exposure during read-out to reduce motion blur.

Arrow Electronics 03 9574 9300 www.arrowaustralia.com

Timing devices IDT (distributed in Australia by Avnet) has released its family of buffers and synthesisers that is compliant with PCI Express (PCIe) Gen3 specification. Using the family will enable the development of higher-throughput systems for the server, embedded and communications markets.

Avnet 08 8363 2255 www.avnet.com.au

for both digital and serial interface requirements.

Sematech’s next-gen IC devices SEMATECH has reported on materials and device structures that will define next-generation CMOS and non-CMOS technologies. The company will focus on techniques for simultaneously enhancing performance and reducing power consumption to enable the extension of CMOS logic and memory technologies.

Its papers on VLSI outlined new materials, processes and concepts and described the way current semiconductor technologies can benefit from performance-enhancing features for future scaling needs.

“Identifying the optimum processes, materials, and device structures, and how they function when combined as a module, is of critical importance in pushing conventional CMOS scaling to its limits and paving the way for emerging beyond CMOS technologies,” said Raj Jammy, Sematech vice president of materials and emerging technologies.

The company’s front-end process technologists reported on a method to reduce parasitic resistance by investigating lowcontact FinFETs with SOI substrates for 22 nm and beyond.

It also suggested exploring orientation and strain to enable a combination that simultaneously provides strong NMOS and PMOS, as well as technical advances to improve in tunnelFET transistors. ■ www.sematech.org

SeaI/O® data aquisition modules provide powerful digital, analog, and serial expansion to any computer by connecting to the host via wireless, Ethernet, USB, RS-485, or RS-232.

Up to 247 modules can be daisy chained 4000 feet apart using the pass-through RS-485 Modbus RTU interface. Create a versatile control and monitoring network using the centralized computing power on your network. .

sealevel.com > allieddata@sealevel.com > (02) 9997 8844 Allied Data is our authorized Australian Partner.

© 1986-2010, Sealevel Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

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PEOPLE & PLACES

WHAT’S ON

OUT & ABOUT

Practical Radio Telemetry Systems for Industry 20-21 September Brisbane www.idc-online.com IEEE Conference on Innovative Technologies for Eleectricity Supply 27-29 September Boston, Massachusetts www.ieee-energy.org Global Mobile Congress 18-19 October Shanghai 4gsummit.org Ignite Australia 26-27 October Sydney www.ignite-conferences.com Hazards Conferences 27-28 October Perth www.idc-online.com 16th Microopticss Conference 31 October – 3 November Taiwan www.moc2010.org.tw

2nd International Conference on Sensor Networks and Applications 8-10 November Las Vegas feihu.eng.ua.edu/sna2010 Internet of Thinggs 29 November – 1 December Tokyo www.iot2010.org Practical Project Management 6-7 December Brisbane www.idc-online.com

APPLIED ADVANTAGE: The Applied Materials AdvantEdge Mesa system has inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) source design, which eliminates the characteristic “etch signature” that has limited the performance of all previous ICP-based systems.

IN SHORT

GADGET WATCH

TSV, nano-scale circuit projects APPLIED Materials has released its Applied Producer Avila system to help enable through-silicon via (TSV) interconnects for 3D chip stacking.

The system offers through-silicon via solutions for speeding the development and time to market for stacked integrated circuits or chips (3D-ICs).

According to Applied Materials, the key to fabricating many 3D chip structures is the capability to deposit insulating silicon oxide and nitride films at temperatures less than 200 degrees Celsius.

Typical through-silicon vias are created on thin wafers during the final stages of the manufacturing process where higher temperatures can damage the adhesive used to bond the silicon wafer to its temporary carrier.

The Avila system, however, is able to provide ultra-uniform, low-temperature PECVD3 films at up to three times the wafer throughput.

Currently, Applied Materials is closely collaborating with imec to develop through-silicon viasenabling technologies.

Within its multi-partner program on 3D integration, imec develops and validates full 3D technologies,

30 SEPTEMBER 2010 www.electronicsnews.com.au

including the through-silicon via process, wafer backside processes such as thinning and backside deposition and patterning, as well as the actual chip stacking and stack packaging operations.

In a separate announcement, Applied Materials has also unveiled its Centura AdvantEdge Mesa system for creating nano-scale circuit features angstrom-level precision in next-generation DRAM, flash and logic devices.

The AdvantEdge Mesa system has inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) source design, which eliminates the characteristic “etch signature” that has limited the performance of all previous inductively-coupled plasmabased systems.

The Mesa’s inductively-coupled plasma source provides a flat, uniform profile, enabling precise transfer of lithography patterns out to the extreme edge of the wafer to significantly increase die yield, the company said.

Applied claimed that over 60 Mesa chambers have already been shipped for 32 nm productions and 22 nm developments. ■ www.appliedmaterials.com

OLED breakthrough GE Lighting (GE) and Konica Minolta (KM) scientists have demonstrated illumination-quality white OLEDs using "solution-coatable" materials for producing OLEDs at a low cost. GE and KM plan to manufacture OLEDs using high-speed, roll-to-roll processes rather than the vacuum-based batch processes used in the OLED display industry. The two companies plan to introduce their first OLED product in 2011. www.gelighting.com www.konicaminolta.com

DDR NAND flash memory in dev Samsung Electronics and Toshiba will develop a standardised double data rate (DDR) NAND flash memory technology with a 400 megabit-per-second (Mbps) interface and toggle DDR 2.0 specification for high-performance NAND-based mobile and consumer electronics applications. Samsung and Toshiba will focus on assuring a 400Mbps interface for the toggle DDR 2.0 specification, which provides a threefold increase over toggle DDR 1.0. www.samsung.com www.toshiba.com

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WEB DIRECTORY

To advertise email richard.bunting.morgan@reedbusiness.com.au

Amtex Electronics www.amtex.com.au Established in 1979, Amtex Electronics has become a leading supplier of Power Supplies, Battery Chargers, DC-DC Converters & Lab Supplies for both standard and custom solutions. From our large inventory, quick-turn-around local assembly and backed by expert technical staff you can be assured of the right products, when you need them.

Please visit our web site or call 02 9809 5022 for further information.

Farnell www.farnell.com.au

"With access to over 450,000 products, Access over 400,000 products and over Farnell connects you to a world of 352,000 datasheets at your fingertips. electronic components. Farnell offers Farnell is the supplier of choice, offering great value added services such as i-Buy, various value added services such as i-Buy, free re-reeling service and peel free re-reeling service and peel packaging. packaging.

Another innovative offering Visit it's where electronic from Farnell Farnell today, is element14, a leading design engineers go.and community site information portal for design engineers developed to bridge the information divide in the electronics design industry. Visit www.element14.com today!"

ASD TECHNOLOGY www.asdtech.com.au

Aussirad Electronics www.aussirad.com.au

Faraday Pty. Ltd. www.faradayshielding.biz

• Potentiometers Omeg–Panel-switched 1/4W-100W • Rotary encoders with LED • LED Lighting Colours 3W-7W with dimmable options • Joystick-Position sensors- for robots-airbag • Resistors 1/8W to greater than 1200W braking types • Capacitors –Full range • Fans 1224-48Vdc – AC24-380Vac • DiodesSemiconductors-mA to greater than 250A Please Phone:02 9876 6906 or visit our web site or email :sales@aussirad.com.au

Faraday Pty Ltd is a specialist electromagnetic shielding company, which provides design, installation, and testing of shielding systems for industrial, and Defence EMI requirements. Faraday represents pre-eminent international companies including ETS Lindgren (EMCO / RANTEC / Holaday), AR Worldwide (Amplifier Research / ARmodular) and Solar Electronics.

JED Microprocessors Pty Ltd www.jedmicro.com.au

Koloona Industries www.koloona.com.au

Lemo www.lemo.com

JED makes Single Board Computers, LCD displays and accessories for scientific and industrial users. CPUs are Atmel AVR (ATmega32 to ATmega256) with 4 UARTs and up to 36 protected I/O. JED also sells Wilke’s Tiny Tiger with SBCs programmed in multi-tasking BASIC.

Koloona Industries is a wholly owned Australian Company who have been Importing and Distributing Electrical & Electronic Components for 30 years.

Koloona specialise in High Quality Switching and Protection Components with many supportive products to complete the range. We pride ourselves on our ability to offer quick service and full technical and application support.

High quality circular connectors with the LEMO designed push pull mating. Harsh environment connectors rated to IP68.

Plastic connectors for the medical industry.

Coaxial, triaxial, quadrax, multi contact and fibre optic connectors. LEMO is accredited with ISO9001:2000 and all connectors are RoHS compliant.

ASD Technology is a premier supplier of quality RF/ Microwave, Millimeterwave, Fiber Optics and Satcom components and subassemblies. Our products include Amplifiers, Antennas, Attenuators, Adapters, Cable Assemblies, Circulators, Coaxial Connectors, Directional Couplers, Filters, Fiber Optic Links, Isolators, Limiters, Mixers, Noise Sources, Oscillators, Phase Shifters, Power Dividers Combiners, Splitters, Synthesizers, Switches, Terminations, Waveguide Components and more.

Millison Technology pty ltd www.millison.com.au

M Rutty & Co www.mrutty.com.au

Contact Electronic Manufacturing Services. With multiple surface mount production lines and dedicated prototyping facilites, our team is able to provide you with the flexible, responsive service required to fully support your business

"Companies include Portescap miniature & speciality motors, Dunkermotoren advanced motion solutions, Mavilor - AC/DC motors and drives, Italtronic DIN rail enclosures and Bivar PCB hardware. Specializing in subracks & innovative high quality 19" enclosures".

Powerbox Australia www.powerbox.com.au Microchip Technology Inc. www.microchip.com/8bit • Low pin count and small form factor • Easy migration • Cost effective • Low power capability • Ease of use and quick development • Mutiple product options • Flexible flash program memory

Wireless Design www.wirelessdesign.co.nz

Soanar Plus www.soanarplus.com RS Components www.rsaustralia.com www.rsnewzealand.com Easy access to over 350,000 Electronic, Electrical and Industrial products from over 2,500 of the world's leading manufacturers. Online users have instant stock availability and access to over 100,000 free datasheets. Delivery is free for all orders over $125 in Australia and New Zealand.

Soanar Plus offers an on-line ordering service with more than 7,500 plus parts in stock and ready for next day delivery. Our site offers real-time pricing and availability, broken pack quantities, side by side comparison and datasheets. This website complements our FREE catalogue.

"Powerbox suppling a wide selection of AC/DC Power Supplies, DC/DC Converters, Military Power Supply, Railway Converters, Security Power Supply, Euro Cassettes, External Power Supply, Medical Power Supply, Battery Chargers, Laboratory Power Supplies & DC/AC Inverters"

TekMark Australia Pty Ltd www.tekmark.net.au Authorised Distributor of Tektronix in Australia. enquiries@tekmark.net.au Key Products offered: Oscilloscopes • Logic Analysers • Real Time Spectrum Analysers • Signal Sources • Video Test Equipment • Access Networks’ Testers • Test Integrations, Consultancy & Training

Wireless Design provides RF testing and component solutions to the wireless industry.

• RF equipment rental (spectrum analysers, signal generators network analysers) • RF equipment sales new and used • RF components (cable assemblies, filters, RF adaptors, attenuators) • RF equipment calibration • Passive Intermodulation test equipment and components www.wirelessdesign.co.nz

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