eeProductCenter Ultimate Products 5.1

Analog Boards / Buses DSP Electromechanical Embedded Tools Interconnects Microprocessors Memory Logic and Interfaces Passives / Sensors PLDs / FPGAs Power Components Power Sources RF / Microwave Test / Measurement

Product Shopper New Product Info

(1)
ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS
Multi-chip LED modules integrate eight RGB chips
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Allegro MicroSystems has announced a new series of RGB multi-chip LED modules that provide a range of high-powered ALGaInP red, and InGaN green and blue LEDs that can be used in general lighting applications, amusement and gaming equipment, and for backlighting TFT displays. Each module combines eight LEDs in four or eight separate channels."

Readers say:
"I'm sure I could find something really cool to use these for."
"Too many $ per lm."
"LED lighting needs to go mainstream."
"Cost, density, and real estate are real issues with LED's. Smaller is better."
"Very interested in getting samples and trying these."

USABILITY RANK: 1

(2)
KODAK
Kodak sets new pixel-size benchmark for 5-MP CMOS image sensors
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Eastman Kodak Company says it has introduced the industry's first 1.4-micron, 5-megapixel (MP) CMOS image sensor that brings a new level of performance to mass-market consumer camera applications, particularly for camera phones. To deliver a new level of resolution in small optical formats, using significantly smaller pixels, the KAC-05020 image sensor combines Kodak's recently announced color filter pattern technology with a new CMOS pixel. This translates into higher quality pictures and videos in camera phones."

Readers say:
"We would most likely use these chips in cameras."
"Very neat to see a breakthrough and improvement in image sensor technology. Hopefully we will see products on the market in the near future that take advantage of these sensors."

USABILITY RANK: 6

(3)
EMAGIN
SVGA OLED microdisplay delivers small pixel pitch
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "eMagin Corp. is demonstrating its SVGA 3DS OLED-XL microdisplay at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Touting the industry's smallest pixel pitch for mobile virtual imaging products, the SVGA 3DS OLED-XL offers both analog and digital signal processing in a compact 0.44-inch display with high power efficiency."

Readers say:
"This should permit new forms of consumer displays -- or at least enable long promised technical user displays."
"It's certainly impressive."
"Great to see improvements being made in this area."

USABILITY RANK: 7

(4)
JARO THERMAL
Micro cooler shrinks in size
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: " Jaro Thermal has introduced a micro-sized fan for space-constrained applications. The Super-Flow Micro fan measures 15 x 15 x 4 mm. This micro fan delivers a rated speed of 26,000 rpm, while producing .3 CFM of airflow."

Readers say:
"What is the noise for a 26K RPM fan? Seems that will have an annoying pitch."
"Still too big!"
"Great idea for getting cooling to the components that need it."
"Very interesting! I'll have to get samples to try in a current microprocessor design we have in the works."

USABILITY RANK: 2

(5)
OMNIVISION
Image sensor delivers true HD video in all lighting conditions
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "OmniVision Technologies, Inc. has released a true high-definition (HD) image sensor optimized for use in indoor and outdoor applications for the security and surveillance markets. The OV9710 is a low-power, 1-megapixel CMOS image sensor that offers high-quality HD (720p or 800p) video performance at 30 frames per second (fps)."

Readers say:
"Can't wait to get a sample of these image sensors to try in a new cockpit design we are working on for helicopters."

USABILITY RANK: 4

(6)
NEW SCALE
Micro-actuator module delivers longer life, smaller size, lower power consumption
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "New Scale Technologies, Inc. has added a smaller, lower power module to its SQL-M line of SQUIGGLE micro-actuator modules. Each module incorporates a piezoelectric SQUIGGLE motor with optical limit switches in a compact polymer housing."

Readers say:
"Impressive. I wish their fluidic applications were more mature and that their stroke length was longer."

USABILITY RANK: 8

(7)
AMPHENOL
High-speed connector delivers 10 Gbits/s+ data rates
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Amphenol TCS has launched its eHSD connector as an upgrade to the VHDM-HSD platform with significantly crosstalk and scalable data rates greater than 10 Gbits/s. The eHSD 5-row connector meets the latest IEEE 802.3ap v3.2 10GBASE-KR Standard for 10 Gbits/s serial capability. It's backwards compatible with the existing VHDM-HSD platform to scale existing systems to 10 Gbits/s+."

Readers say:
"Doesn't mention differential impedance range."
"Data rates greater than 10Gbit/s -- how much greater? I'm under whelmed."

USABILITY RANK: 3

(8)
GORE
Gore demos active copper interconnects at 10 Gbits/s per channel
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) has demonstrated its next-generation GORE extended reach cable assemblies at DesignCon 2008. The assemblies are tailored to enable future high-performance computers (HPCs) to scale in size and function. The new "active" cables deliver extended reach over thinner, lighter copper cabling for HPC systems, enterprise servers and storage applications."

Readers say: "Available when?"

USABILITY RANK: 9

(9)
TYCO
Backplane connector delivers 10 to 12.5 Gbits/s data rate
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Tyco Electronics has launched its high-speed, high-density Z-PACK TinMan backplane connector system that is capable of operating at 10 to 12.5 Gbits/s. The connector has demonstrated 10-gigabit data stream performance across the backplane compliant to 10Gbase-KR electrical requirements."

Readers say:
"Yet another backplane connector"
"We will have to get samples to see if these are something that could be used on a processor design we have in the works. (We need smaller connectors, but we do not operate at very high clock rates)."

USABILITY RANK: 5

(10)
AVAGO
Mouse sensor offers enhanced tracking performance
eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Avago Technologies has introduced an enhanced mainstream small-form-factor optical mouse sensor that has been optimized for light emitting diode (LED)-based corded mouse applications. The compact ADNS-5050 is a user-friendly mouse sensor that includes several built-in features and enhanced tracking performance."

USABILITY RANK: 10

In case you were wondering, here's how Ultimate Products works: Our editors select up to 10 of the most significant products posted at www.eeProductCenter.com during the calendar quarter. Then, using an electronic balloting process, we submit the products with the accompanying editorial reviews to selected, qualified readers. Those readers score the products by technical significance and
USABILITY on a scale of 1 through 5, with 5 being the highest score. The product ranked No. 1 in each category was judged as most technically significant for that category. Relative
USABILITY rankings and selected reader comments are also reported. More than 1,000 of you helped to choose these products. As always, we are grateful for your enthusiastic participation.

Patrick Mannion
Editor-in-Chief, Techonline Network and eeProductcenter.com
pmannion@cmp.com