ICs & Semiconductors

NXP Semiconductors has unveiled its next-generation, high-performance switch supporting Thunderbolt technology developed by Intel Corporation. The CBTL05024 features 10 Gbps performance and enhanced signal integrity. In addition, the new switch exceeds the new low-power requirement for bus-powered Thunderbolt devices. NXP will showcase its Thunderbolt-based solutions at the upcoming Intel Developer Forum (IDF 2012) and samples of the CBTL05024 are now available to qualified customers.

Altera Corporation has unveiled several key innovations planned for its next generation of 20-nm products. Extending the promise of silicon convergence, Altera is offering customers a system-integration platform that combines the hardware programmability of FPGAs with the software flexibility of digital signal processors and microprocessors along with the efficiencies of application-specific hard intellectual property (IP). The architectural, software and process innovations Altera is making at 20 nm will enable the development of an enhanced mixed-system fabric that delivers new levels of performance, bandwidth, integration and power efficiency.

Fujitsu Semiconductor Europe (FSEU) has demonstrated the transmission of >100Gbps over a single CEI-28G-VSR channel, which in effect is quadrupling the data rate throughput defined by the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) for this chip-to-chip electrical interface. This serves as a benchmark for what can be achieved over short-reach electrical channels using the same field-proven CMOS converter technology deployed in long-haul optical transport systems today.

Renesas Electronics has launched the RX21A Group of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) for smart meters with advanced functionality. The new MCUs are the first in the industry to combine large flash memory capacity of 512 KB and a 24-bit delta-sigma (Delta-sigma) A/D converter for high-resolution measurement. The RX21A Group of MCUs implements in a single chip functions such as power measurement, meter control, calculation of electricity charges, and data encryption. The device reduces the number of external components required and helps to lower the overall cost. In addition, the RX21A Group includes product versions for a variety of meter models, allowing common and effective system design.

STMicroelectronics, a leading supplier of MEMS sensors for consumer and portable applications, has introduced a new pressure sensor that allows mobile phones and other portable devices to calculate their vertical elevation relative to sea-level with very high accuracy. This means that the mobile device will know not only on which floor of a building it is located, but almost on which step of the staircase.

NXP Semiconductors has launched two high-performance switches supporting DisplayPort and HDMI architectures. The latest additions to NXP’s high-speed computing portfolio include the CBTL06DP213, a bi-directional switch for DisplayPort 1.2 applications featuring industry-leading bandwidth over 11 GHz; and the CBTL06GP212, the industry’s first switch to enable simultaneous support for both DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4. Both are multi-channel capable devices designed using NXP’s high-bandwidth analogue pass-gate technology.

Toshiba Corporation has announced that it will expand its family of EXCERIA memory cards with new microSD versions. EXCERIA (derived from a combination of “excellent” and “experience”) offers cards compliant with the UHS-I Memory Card Standard. The minimum recording speed is compliant with UHS speed class 1 and SD speed class 10.

Toshiba Electronics Europe (TEE) has announced the addition of two new devices to its metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor product offering. The T4K08 is a new native HD format sensor (720p) combining 1.75µm front side illumination (FSI) pixel technology and System on Chip (SoC) Image Signal Processing (ISP) and the T4K24 is a new FSI image sensor also leveraging 1.75µm FSI pixel technology and providing a resolution of 1080p.

Fujitsu Semiconductor Europe (FSEU) is expanding its "New 8FX" family of high-performance 8-bit microcontrollers to include twelve products each from the 64-pin MB95770 series and the 80-pin MB95710 series, both of which feature LCD control and advanced analogue functionality. The MCUs support a wide range of operating voltages from 1.8V to 5.5V.

The latest family of high-performance 8-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) from Silicon Laboratories feature the company’s latest mixed-signal breakthrough, an integrated temperature sensor with best-in-class accuracy over an extended temperature range and without the need for calibration. Offering a mix of integrated high-performance analogue peripherals and a very fast 8051 CPU in a compact package, the C8051F39x/7x MCU family provides a solution for optical transceiver modules, sensor interfaces and brushless dc motor applications for fans, dryers, vacuum cleaners and remote control toy vehicles.