Analysis

STMicroelectronics has introduced a compact stereo headphone and loudspeaker driver chip, with a flexible I2C bus control interface, which is intended for mobile phones, PDAs and laptop computers. The new TS4956, in a lead-free 2.5x2.4mm flip-chip package, can drive up to 38mW per channel continuous average power into 16-ohm headphone loads, or 450mW into 8-ohm loudspeaker loads, when operating on a 3.3V power supply.

Renesas Technology’s AE-5 32-bit smart card microcontroller family has received a further two ‘Common Criteria’ security certifications. These certifications are at assurance level EAL4+ according to the ISO/IEC 15408 international standard relating to security of IT (Information Technology) products. These latest results confirm Renesas' commitment to developing ICs for a wide range of security-conscious applications. In today's global ...

The National Microelectronics Institute (NMI), in collaboration with USED4semicon, has launched GLOBALStockroom, a machine parts sourcing service dedicated to semiconductor manufacturing. It aims to reduce downtime, reduce inventory and provide a marketplace for slow moving and obsolete spares. The service has been trialled and tailored during the last 12 months by 3 major manufacturers within the NMI membership.

One of Europe’s leading vendor of conformal coating solutions, HumiSeal Europe, has announced the internal appointment of its former development chemist, Marie Kaing, to chief chemist. The announcement comes as the company continues to focus its efforts on developing the European market and specifically vertical markets such as the automotive sector.

Phihong USA has selected PI’s LinkSwitch-LP family of integrated circuits with EcoSmart technology in the design of its PLA family of linear-eliminator adapters. The PLA family addresses sub-12W applications such as cellphones and wireless phones, MP3 players and PDAs. Phihong PLA charger/adapters with PI’s LinkSwitch-LP ICs easily meet worldwide regulatory standards for energy efficiency and deliver up to three watts of output power in a co...

Tundra Semiconductor Corporation has announced that Robert Fischer has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Sales, effective immediately. In this new role, Fischer will lead Tundra’s global sales effort across all markets and will report directly to Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Hoste.

ChipX Inc. has announced it has joined the CE-ATA Workgroup to expand its product offering with CE-ATA solutions. Consumer electronics and portable product developers are always trying to lower system footprint, improve power efficiency and integrate as much of their designs as possible into the smallest number of devices. Hard disk interfaces have not been designed for these applications and are neither small nor efficient.

National Instruments has announced that it has expanded its digital camera support with the release of three new PCI Express-based frame grabbers. With the new NI PCIe-8255R, NI PCIe-8231 and NI PCIe-1427 frame grabbers, National Instruments now offers support for every major digital camera bus, including IEEE 1394b, Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) Vision and Camera Link. The company is the only vision component provider to offer PCI Express hardware for...

Forge Europa will be exhibiting at this year’s Electronica 2006 and will be launching a new range of standard and custom designed LED assemblies along with new product developments such as aLED high power LED lighting assemblies, high intensity traffic LEDs and long life LED technology.

Laird Technologies has announced today that it will open a manufacturing facility in Chennai, India, further strengthening its proximity and support capabilities to key customers. The new facility, expected to open in mid 2007, will be approximately 150,000 square feet. Ground breaking is planned for January 2007.