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Google TV: Surf while you watch television

Friday, April 17th, 2009

How would you like to stay connected to your news and email while enjoying your favourite movie or soap opera on the television? The future is

nearer than you thought.

In what could be one of the most innovative (or maybe the most annoying) value ads to our lives, Motorola will soon start manufacturing set top boxes with the Andriod operating system of the Google fame. In a nutshell, users shall soon have an internet connected cable box – a set top box that can surf the Web.

Android was primarily the operating system designed and developed by Google for mobile devices like the G1. But now it will sit in a set-top box being created by Motorola called au Box.

The device is being made for the Japanese Internet service provider KDDI, and it will be capable of playing DVDs and CDs, transfer music and video to a mobile device, and rip and store files.

The Android-powered box is being pushed along by the Open Embedded Software Foundation, a consortium of Japanese electronics manufacturers that want the Linux-based OS on a variety of devices.

The group plans to show off multiple Android-powered prototype devices including VoIP phones and TVs at the electronic trade show CEATEC this fall.

Posted in Other | 3 Comments »

Embedded GPS receiver targets timing apps

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Trimble has introduced an embedded GPS receiver for timing applications. The Resolution-SMT GPS receiver enables system integrators to add precise GPS to provide location, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and synchronization to many products or systems where cost or size had previously been a limitation.

Precise timing and synchronization is vital to today’s wireless infrastructure, efficiently controlling the flow of network information data to maximize the use of bandwidth. The Resolution-SMT receiver provides a low-cost, easy to use, highly accurate and reliable GPS timing source for the telecommunications, broadcast synchronization, power transmission and wireless industries.

The Resolution-SMT is a complete, ready-to-go timing receiver in a 19mm x 19mm x 2.5mm shielded module. The small, thin, single-sided receiver is packaged in tape and reel for pick and place manufacturing processes. It features a reflow-solderable edge castellation interface so the module can be incorporated in a product design without costly I/O and RF connectors.

Timing features of the Resolution-SMT receiver include: automatic self-survey to ensure accurate reference position for improved timing accuracy; the overdetermined timing mode provides an accurate 1 PPS synchronized to GPS/UTC within 15ns (one sigma); timing receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (T-RAIM) to assure high PPS integrity in overdetermined timing mode; and other features. The modular design also allows for reduced integration time and low implementation risk.

The Resolution-SMT Starter Kit equips designers who need to begin adding the latest GPS timing capability into their application. The Resolution-SMT receiver uses Trimble Standard Interface Protocol or NMEA.

The Resolution-SMT receiver and starter kit are available now through Trimble’s worldwide Component Technologies sales network.

- Henri Arnold
EE Times Europe

Posted in Design, Other | 1 Comment »

Microchip Technology Buys R&E International

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

Microchip Technology, a provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, announced it has acquired R&E International.

R&E International is a privately held developer of both standard and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) focusing on security and life-safety applications, based in Norristown, Pennsylvania. R&E International has supported the varied needs of end-market manufacturers worldwide since 1987 with custom and standard mixed-signal integrated circuit design and manufacturing.

“R&E International is a provider of developing innovative integrated circuits for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other life-safety systems,” said Rich Simoncic, vice president of Microchip’s Analog and Interface Products Division. “Microchip today enjoys a strong market position in smoke and carbon-monoxide detector designs with its microcontroller and analog portfolios. R&E International’s strong portfolio of products will extend Microchip’s strong market position in these security and life-safety applications. Microchip intends to leverage R&E International’s technology leadership and market presence to further drive the next generation of these critical high-profile end products.”

“We are very excited that Microchip has added R&E International products to its analog and interface products portfolio,” said Clement Nahmias, president of R&E International. “The combined capabilities of R&E International and Microchip will create new opportunities in the security and sensing markets by enabling more programmability and flexibility for numerous applications.”

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

For full details on Microchip Technology Inc (MCHP) click here. Microchip Technology Inc (MCHP) has Short Term PowerRatings of 3. Details on Microchip Technology Inc (MCHP) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.

Posted in Other | 3 Comments »

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