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Next Generation System Design – Platforms versus Tool-Chains
This paper from Altium examines the unified design platform as a new architecture that supports multiple domains (PCB, FPGA and embedded software) and offers significant productivity improvements over tool-chains.
PNA microwave network analysers
This white paper from Agilent Technologies looks at mixer transmission measurements using the frequency converter application.
Measuring absolute group delay of multistage converters using PNA microwave network analysers
This white paper from Agilent Technologies describes new calibration and measurement techniques for measuring absolute group delay of frequency converters with multiple mixing stages.
F-RAM vs. BBSRAM Free White Paper
Ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) is among today's most advanced semiconductor memories. Learn how F-RAM offers remarkably fast writes, high endurance and ultra-low power consumption. With native nonvolatility, F-RAM performs like an SRAM, but requires no battery. To read the white paper click here.
System Verilog & OVM: Mitigating verification challenges and maximising resusability
This white paper from Applied Micro looks at the challenge of verification – a nightmare for engineers with the increasing requirements and complexity of the design – and mitigating the complexity of a verification environment with the increasing complexity of design verification. System Verilog, along with its library of classes – OVM, provides a platform to face this challenge.
An alternative approach to higher power boost converters
A higher power boost converter often requires special consideration to minimize power losses and temperature rise in the FETs, diode, and inductor.
High speed board layout challenges in fpga/sdi subsystems
This white paper from National Semiconductor outlines the layout challenges facing hardware engineers when working in fpga/sdi subsystems and provides recommendations for dealing with these challenges.
Long term storage of electronic components
Long term storage, particularly of last time buy components, has been proposed as one solution to the problem of component obsolescence. The Alter Technology Group is in a unique position to report on this concept and advise the best way to manage long term storage and eliminate associated reliability problems.
How to identify and avoid counterfeit components
This white paper from Alter Technology Group will consider what are counterfeit components, why are components counterfeited and how to identify and avoid counterfeit components.
Counterfdeit components and acoustic microscopy
This white paper from Alter Technology Group considers how the encapsulants used by semiconductor manufacturers may be identified and changes or variations detected - and will look in detail at encapsulants, and the potential hazards to system reliability. The paper explains the principles of CSAM and illustrates how these are applied in nondestructive testing, failure analysis and how the CSAM compliments radiographic or x-ray inspection. The limitations of CSAM are also reviewed. The paper also describes the results of Alter UK's research to date into plastic encapsulants and suggests how this work may be taken forward in the fight against counterfeiters.
Tin whiskers and copper/tin intermetallics
This white paper from Alter Technology Group reviews the physical phenomena which may occur with components with tin (Sn) plated copper terminations.
Digital Direct-Up Conversion: The ultimate step for precise rf generation
This white paper introduces manufacturers and operators of cable head stations to a simple, cost-efficient solution for highspeed modulation procedures.
Software configuration management for embedded systems developers
Embedded systems developers face complex versions of the problems that confront most software developers. Choosing a robust SCM system can help by enabling the management of large and complex file sets, supporting distributed development, and helping to manage intellectual property risk. In fact, the right combination of SCM system and best practices can help any embedded development project progress quickly and smoothly.
The real solution to fake parts
The high tech supply chain is more vulnerable to counterfeit components than ever before. With increasingly sophisticated criminal, the only way to protect the supply chain is through tool, technology, and new thinking about industrial aftermarkets. This white paper from Verical looks at securing supply chains through data transparency and better market design.
Transferring Data in Non-Networked Applications
Nexus (GB), the UK partner of portable data token manufacturer Datakey Electronics, has released this white paper. The new release covers considerations such as data transport, choosing portable memory, functionality, environmental considerations and product life cycle.
An Integrated SIGINT Digital Receiver/Processor System Solution
This paper describes a notional Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) solution that can be integrated utilising a high performance digital receiver and a high performance Digital Signal Processing (DSP) engine. System Integrators can reduce their risk and achieve superior performance by basing their design on this proven combination of hardware.
The CHAMP-AV6: Maximising Performance with Minimal Porting Effort
This paper presents information from a benchmark prepared by Gedae Inc. which compares the relative performance of the CHAMP-AV4 Freescale Power Architecture MPC7447A Digital Signal Processor and CHAMP-AV6 Freescale MPC8641D Digital Signal Processor running a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) application.
Risk Management for Counterfeit Materials: The Role of the COTS Board Manufacturer
The proliferation of counterfeit parts and materials in the electronics industry is becoming increasingly widespread. This situation is forcing the COTS board manufacturers to develop strategies to maintain the integrity and reliability of its products.
Rugged COTS SBCs Leverage Intel® Power Management Features to Deploy Complete Systems
Intel supports the Aerospace & Defense market with processors and power management features specifically targeted to meet the stringent demands of system integrators designing solutions for harsh environments. Curtiss-Wright Controls leverages Intel's embedded products to serve the unique program requirements of the rugged deployed market.
Pilatus PC-21- the ideal trainer aircraft for the 21st century
Imagine a new type of trainer aircraft for the twenty-first century. One that adapts to a student's requirements, transforming its' console to match that of the type of aircraft the training calls for. Read how Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., with Curtiss-Wright Controls, has made this ideal new teaching platform a reality.
Changing the embedded development model with Microsoft .NET Micro Framework
While there is a broad range of embedded applications in need of complete and highly granular control of all operational aspects of a device, there is also a world of embedded applications out there that can easily do without. This white paper from Digi International takes a closer look.
ATOM processor technology white paper
Orchid Technologies Engineering & Consulting (OTEC), a developer of custom electronics product solutions, describes the ATOM processor technology core design, and how it can combine custom electronic hardware with an ATOM processor core. The result is a highly integrated circuit board solution customised for a range of application needs.
Delivering the ultimate user machine relationship
Today's high-profile consumer electronics appliances – from games consoles to smartphones and MP3 players – are designed from the very beginning with the user experience in mind. The quality of the overall user machine relationship (UMR) is absolutely critical to delivering competitive advantage and is one of the key factors in driving sales: in fact, for many consumers, the user interface is the device.
Combining boundary scan and JTAG emulation for advanced structural test and diagnostics
Boundary scan and JTAG emulation are two perfectly complementary methods, which are fused into one extremely flexible and powerful technique for advanced structural tests by Goepel Electronic's VarioTAP technology. By combining the benefits of both methods, VarioTAP provides a significantly higher test quality, shorter test and programming times and higher quality of diagnostics.
Taking the guesswork out of timing in real time software systems
This white paper explains XMOS' approach to develop a software implementation of a 100Mbps Ethernet MII interface.
XS1-L System Specification
This document specifies the XS1-L boot protocol, link specification, switch specification and token specifications. It is related to the L1, L2, and L4 processors which are single, dual, and quad core.
XMOS XS1 Architecture
An XS1 combines a number of XCore processors, each with its own memory, on a single chip. The programmable processors are general purpose in the sense that they can execute languages such as C; they also have direct support for concurrent processing (multi-threading), communication and input-output.
LED Reference Design
The XMOS LED Reference Design is an Ethernet-based system featuring daisychains of 100BASE-T scan boards off a central 100/1000BASE-T Ethernet switch.
XS1-G4 white paper
This white paper from XMOS looks at the capabilities of XS1-G4 in LED control applications.
AVB Reference Design Guide
This white paper looks at XMOS' Audio Visual Bridging reference design which can be used to stream synchronised audio over an ethernet network.
Logging makes sense for testbench debug
The structured application of advanced logging techniques for SystemVerilog testbench debug and analysis
Boundary scan: An introduction
Once considered to be something of a black art, and solely an aid to manufacturing, boundary-scan is 'coming of age' - thanks largely to the emergence of easy-to-use and highly automated tools for developing boundary-scan tests.
Designing Unified Threat Management systems with the PowerQUICC III MPC8572E
This white paper from Freescale Semiconductor describes how high performance, cost effective Universal Threat Management (UTM) equipment can be designed with the MPC8572E with an integrated pattern matcher.
Designing IDS/IPS with PowerQUICC III MPC8572E
This is one of a series of white papers from Freescale Semiconductor on using the MPC8572E to design different types of network security equipment including firewall/Virtual Private Network (VPN), Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)/Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), anti-virus/anti-spam/content filter and Unified Threat Management (UTM)/Integrated Services Router (ISR).
Designing Application-Aware Networking Equipment with the PowerQUICC III MPC8572E
Freescale's PowerQUICC families of processors have long established themselves as the premier communications processors in the market, widely used in a variety of numerous networking devices including switches, routers and network security equipment. The MPC8572E, the first PowerQUICC III processor with an integrated pattern matcher, is specifically designed to satisfy additional application-aware requirements of high performance networking devices. This white paper describes how high performance, cost effective application-aware networking equipment can be designed with the MPC8572E.
Designing Firewall/VPN with the PowerQUICC III MPC8572E
This white paper from Freescale Semiconductor is the first of a series of white papers on using the MPC8572E to design different types of security equipment including firewall/Virtual Private Network (VPN), Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)/Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), anti-virus/anti-spam/content filtering and Unified Threat Management (UTM)/Integrated Services Router (ISR).
Using the Keil Microcontroller Prototyping System to develop an ARM Cortex-M class processor based system
The increasing use of the ARM Cortex-M class processors in microcontrollers and embedded applications, together with the diversity of the processors within the family, requires a simple system to aid evaluation and prototyping.
Choosing the right topology
Whatever the final application, power supply users want reasonably priced products that are small and efficient, yet have excellent EMC performance. This white paper from TDK-Lambda UK explains how the choice of power supply topology can greatly affect these key parameters.
14bit Single wire interface automotive magnetic rotary encoder
Austriamicrosystems' AS5163 is a contactless magnetic angle position sensor for accurate angular measurement over a full turn of 360°.
All software life cycle phases in one tool - Blue River
Software development is becoming increasingly important in all areas of engineering. The procedures in virtually every technical product are meanwhile controlled by software and the scope of this control is growing constantly. Where the scope of software previously tended to be low due to high hardware costs, more extensive product functions are now also solved with more extensive software.
Texas Instruments Amp and Data Converter Selection Guide
TI's new 2009 Amplifier and Data Converter Selection Guide features new product features, updated selection tables and tools and software.
Texas Instruments Low Power RF Selection Guide
The new updated Low Power RF Selection Guide from Texas Instruments includes product overviews for RF transceivers, transmitters, System on Chips, RF front end and ZigBee processors.
Comparison between XPe and WES 2009
MPC Data White Paper on the Comparison of Windows XP Embedded and Windows Embedded Standard 2009.
Unifying Microarchitecture for Embedded Media Processing
This Analog Devices paper provides an overview of the architectural and functional features that make Blackfin an ideal embedded media processor.
VisualAudio—Accelerating the Development of Embedded Audio Products
This paper provides an overview of VisualAudio, a graphical development environment from Analog Devices that is specifically aimed at audio development engineers.
The Rise of Embedded Media Processing
Analog Devices asks what will be the growth drivers and enabling technologies that will move the industry forward?
Tips for designing the circuits of DC-DC converters
This paper from Torex Semiconductor explains how to design DC-DC converter circuits that satisfy the required specifications under a variety of constraints.
Optimised Networking with Multicore
This paper from Wind River illustrates how the networking industry will be revolutionised through the efficient integration of operating systems, network stacks, and multicore silicon.
Evolving Semiconductor Characterisation and Parametric Test Solutions
This paper from Keithley Instruments examines evolving semiconductor characterisation and parametric test solutions for the evolving semiconductor industry
Labs’ Demands for Greater Measurement Flexibility
This paper, by Keithley Instruments, explains the different cabling requirements and describes a single multi measurement cabling system that offers high performance.
AN-6905-SG6905 Green mode PFC/Flyback-PWM Controller
This application note from Fairchild Semiconductor describes the highly integrated SG6905 which has been especially designed for power supplies consisting of boost PFC and flyback PWM.
AN-6859A Design and Application Guide for SG6859A
This application note from Fairchild Semiconductor describes a detailed design strategy for a high efficiency compacy flyback converter. Design considerations and mathematical equations are presented. The guidelines for pcb layout are also given.
AN-6858 Applying SG6858 to Control a Flyback Power Supply
This application note from Fairchild Semiconductor describes a detailed design strategy for a high efficiency, compact flyback converter. Design considerations, mathematical equations and guidelines for printed circuit board layout are presented.
AN-6203 Applying SG6203 to Control a Synchronous Rectifier of a Flyback Power Supply
This application note from Fairchild Semiconductor describes a detailed design strategy for a high efficiency compact flyback converter. Design considerations and mathematical equations are presented. A 12V, 120W evaluation board is built to evaluate the performance improvement by the SG6203.
FPGA design security
The reprogrammability of FPGAs makes them a very attractive option for system design when compared with ASICs, which have a high development cost. In this paper, Florence Beaujean, applications engineer at Lattice Semiconductor, focuses on design security issues.
Field programmable controllers for cost sensitive applications
This Xilinx white paper presents the end markets, FPC solution, and its associated tools, end applications, and the Spartan-IIE performance advantage.
Xilinx multiprocessor systems
This document provides a background for building true multiprocessor systems. It is by no means a comprehensive discussion on the topic of multiprocessing. For more information, see Parallel Computer Architecture by Culler and Singh, with Gupta.
Embedded system design considerations
Embedded systems see a steadily increasing bandwidth mismatch between raw processor MIPS and surrounding components. This white paper from Xilinx examines some of the factors contributing to this.
High performance Spartan II 8bit microcontroller solution
This paper from Xilinx shows how to use the Spartan II Family in combination with an 8bit microcontroller soft ip to effectively penetrate industrial instruments and consumer applications.
Xilinx generic flash memory interface solutions
This white paper shows how a generic flash memory interface can be combined with Xilinx IP interface cores to add flash memory to Xilinx Spartan device designs. The flexible Xilinx programmable solutions presented here address three issues of primary importance in a flash memory interface design.
Targeted design platforms
Introducing the Xilinx targeted design platform: Fulfilling the programmable imperative.
Altium's Innovation Station
An introduction to the Altium Innovation Station. It includes an overview of the Innovation Station, the role of Altium Designer and the Desktop NanoBoard, FPGA and embedded project creation, targeting a design for the Desktop NanoBoard and more.
Dual stage feedback technique for single pole feedback compensation
This paper proposes and studies the effects of a dual stage compensation technique for achieving greater than 100kHz crossover frequency of a single pole system converting from 48v to 1.2v. By placing a separate non inverting gain stage after the error amplifier, the necessary gain bandwidth of the op amp can be significantly reduced allowing for high crossover frequency and good transient response.
High density, high efficiency, lightweight MIL-COTS dc-dc solution
The separation (or factorisation) of regulation and voltage transformation functions in a dc-dc converter creates new high power, small size power components which can be arranged in a variety of configurations to reduce distribution losses, duplicated functions and power dissipation at the point of load, while increasing total system efficiency.
Factorised power architecture and VI Bricks
As electronic systems continue to trend toward lower voltages with higher currents and as the speed of contemporary loads – such as state of the art processors and memory – continues to increase, the power systems designer is challenged to provide small, costeffective and efficient solutions that offer the requisite performance. Traditional power architectures cannot, in the long run, provide the required performance. This white paper looks at the new Vicor VI Bricks. Factorized Power Architecture™ (FPA), and its new families of integrated power components, called V•I Chips™ and VI BRICKs™, provide a revolutionary new and optimal power conversion solution that addresses the challenge in every respect.
Innovative power device to support intermediate bus architecture designs
White paper covering Vicor VI Bricks. For a majority of applications implemented today, the intermediate bus architecture (iba) has become the preferred power architecture. This power architecture has led to the development of the isolated, semi regulated dc/dc converter known as the intermediate bus converter (ibc. IBCs are an improvement to the standard regulated 'brick' dc/dc module, yet system requirements continue to evolve and are pushing the limits of these power devices. A new generation of ibc products, called bus converter modules (bcns), has been developed to address these challenges . BCMs are converters that employ a new power topology known as sine amplitude converter (sac).
Enabling next generation high density power conversion
White paper looking at Vicor VI Bricks. The drive to create Metadata processing server systems plus the parallel push for increased port density and triple play (voice / video / internet) traffic handling in telecommunication systems places greater demands on power management architectures.
Powering inflight entertainment equipment for commercial aircraft
White paper from TDI Power. Modern commercial aircraft are deploying more sophisticated passenger entertainment systems, which are putting increased demands on aircraft infrastructure. These systems present unique demands in terms of weight, efficiency, electrical noise and safety.
Applications for hall effect ic switches in portable applications
White paper from ROHM Semiconductor. In portable consumer electronic products, Hall effect sensors provide an effective alternative to mechanical switches with increased reliability as well as cost and/or performance advantages over other non contact technologies. Using integrated bipolar sensing and CMOS logic circuitry with highly reliable semiconductor packaging and a small magnet, the Hall integrated circuit (ic) provides several useful functions.
Two approaches to RTOS interrupt architectures - unified and segmented
Express Logic white paper describing two approaches to RTOS interrupt architectures - unified and segmented
Major trends in embedded software
Express Logic whitepaper on major trends in embedded software
Using event trace to analyse real time system behaviour and maximise ARM9 throughput
Real time software applications consist of multiple tasks or threads, each performing a portion of the system's workload under the management of a real time operating system (RTOS). In a real time system, a thread's priority reflects the relative urgency of its work, and RTOSes strive at all times to run the most urgent work that needs to be performed. In this paper, Express Logic will examine just how priority assignment affects system performance and show how the use of unique priorities can actually add overhead and reduce overall throughput.
Eclipse-based embedded IDE combines best of proprietary and do it yourself worlds
Software development tools for embedded systems have evolved in an interesting direction. In this paper, the evolution of embedded development tools offerings is tracked, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. You can then see how Express Logic has overcome the weaknesses of all previous options, delivering to the marketplace an IDE that is Eclipse based, customised for embedded development, yet at a price point that is well below that of existing commercial offerings.
Express Logic and Ball Aerospace team up to provide embedded real time software for NASA's 'Deep Impact' space mission.
On January 12, 2005, NASA, working with the engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the University of Maryland, launched Deep Impact’s two piece space probe with the intention of hitting Tempel 1—a comet 80 million miles away. To complete the $300million project, JPL went to long time hardware provider Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp, specifically tasking Ball with building an 820-pound craft approximately the size of an SUV. The project consisted of a Flyby craft and an impactor craft, which was responsible for taking and transmitting the data back to earth. These imaging instruments were also required to aid in the autonomous navigation of the crafts as well.
RTOS selection and its impact on ehnhancing time to market and on time design outcomes
Express Logic white paper on how time-to-market and on-time design considerations can cost or make you money - and why you should consider these factors in choosing or replacing your operating system.
Introducing nanoETXexpress, based on ETXexpress / COM Express
Embedded computer technology company and the inventor of the ETX Computer On Module (COM) form factor, Kontron, has announced full support for the newly released nanoETXexpress module size 'nano' - based on the ETXexpress / COM Express interface standard (by PICMG)
microETXexpress - compact SFF embedded solution
Kontron, embedded computer technology specialist and the inventor of the ETX Computer-on-Module (COM) form factor, fully supports the compact microETXexpress module size, which is based on the Type 2 pin-out of the COM Express standard (by PICMG).
 
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