Microchip launches synchronous boost regulator
Microchip Technology, a provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, has launched the MCP1640 Synchronous Boost Regulator, which features an operating voltage of 0.35V, quiescent current as low as 19 microamperes and shutdown current of less than 1 microampere.

With integrated dual-FET transistors and output currents of up to 350 milliamperes, the 500 kHz MCP1640 regulator enables battery applications such as GPS devices and portable music players in the consumer electronics market. According to the company, the MCP1640 regulator's operating voltage of 0.35V and start-up voltage of 0.65V allows use with even a single, completely drained alkaline NiMh or NiCd battery cell. A pulse width modulation/pulse frequency modulation option enables the device's low quiescent and shutdown currents and provides up to 96 per cent efficiency, allowing for longer battery run times. The regulator's two integrated FET transistors help reduce component count, resulting in an overall smaller design.

ZTE launches world's first CDMA/LTE dual-mode remote radio unit
ZTE Corporation has launched its ZXSDR R8880, a CDMA/ long term evolution (LTE) dual-mode remote radio unit, which supports 700 MHz and advanced wireless service spectrum bands. The R8880 also supports CDMA2000 1X, evolution data optimised (EVDO) and LTE networks simultaneously.

In the CDMA arena, it supports two-transmit-two-receive and LTE multiple input, multiple output technologies. Based on ZTE's soft defined radio platform, R8880 is capable of improving the speed of network deployment and reducing the total ownership cost of the network. The R8880 is a part of ZTE's Unified RAN solution that will help tier-one CDMA operators to move towards high-end technologies like 4G.

Andrew Solutions launches SmartBeam base station antenna system
Andrew Solutions has launched its SmartBeam base station antenna system, an agile network solution that makes capacity addition and optimisation of coverage cost effective and responsive to customer demand. This tool helps operators to achieve load balancing across a cell site or a network cluster of cell sites, enabling them to get the most out of their 3G, LTE and Wi-Max networks.

SmartBeam offers three levels of base station antenna pattern adjustments -­ beam tilting, panning and fanning -­ all of which can be conducted from a central office via Andrew's Antenna Network Management System. SmartBeam utilises next-generation actuators installed under the antenna radome, which enable the threepattern adjustments. Remote electrical tilt-business software alliances perform vertical beam tilting while SmartBeam adds the horizontal panning and beamwidth fanning providing the nextgeneration network optimisation capabilities. Beamwidth fanning can result in antenna patterns being narrowed or broadened from 35 to 105 degrees. Andrew is currently offering seven SmartBeam base station antenna models with one-, twoor threepattern adjustment capabilities.

When used in combination, the three-pattern adjustments enable wireless operators to redistribute capacity based on changing traffic patterns, across a network cluster of sites, improving the capacity efficiency while also delaying/preventing the addition of new cell sites or radios. An agile system with SmartBeam antennas also helps in enhancing network quality by providing the capability to deliver stronger signal strength, minimised interference, a reduced number of dropped calls and higher data rates.

Cisco unveils a range of switches and routers as part of its Borderless Access platform
Cisco has released a range of switches and router innovations as part of its Borderless Access networks architecture, enabling seamless and secure wired-wireless communications, businesswide energy management and optimised delivery of video applications. As part of this architecture, Cisco has introduced a series of fixed-switching product lines -­ the Cisco Catalyst 3560/3750X Series and 2960-S Series -­ that provide flexible entry-level pricing and an enhanced limited lifetime warranty. In addition, Cisco has launched new routing innovations in the areas of advanced security and performance.

Cisco Catalyst 3750-X and 3560-X deliver high-performance switching with 10 gigabit Ethernet, power over Ethernet (PoE+) on all ports and a flexible uplink module. In addition, the company has introduced the Cisco StackPower power-interconnect technology that brings unprecedented power resilience to a stack of Catalyst 3750-X Series switches. With StackPower, the power supplies in a stack of up to four switches can be shared as a common resource among all the switches. In the event of power supply failures, power is maintained for business-critical applications while power shedding occurs for lower-priority devices as defined by the user. A single 1,100 watt power supply can provide power to four switches and the missioncritical end-points attached to them, helping ensure business continuity.

Meanwhile, Cisco's integrated services router, G2 3900 eSeries, is the next-generation portfolio of enterprise routers designed to enable media-rich applications, service virtualisation and energy efficiency with industry-leading security. It has tripled the performance of its ISR G2 router line, introduced in October 2009, and extended the delivery of high-performance video applications, service integration and cost savings to remote businesses.

Cisco has also launched its ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers Software Release 6, which delivers security, unified communications and management capabilities to enable customers to deliver borderless services over the wide area network.

Agilent introduces plug-in module for its digital communications analyser
Agilent Technologies has introduced a plug-in module for its 86100C digital communications analyser (DCA) that allows engineers to simultaneously test multiple optical signals. The Agilent 86100C/86115D system provides cost-effective testing and delivers high accuracy results. The testing of several singlelane devices in parallel helps in reducing the cost of transceiver tests. Further, with a more optically based communication systems, that relies on a parallel scheme to increase effective transmission rates, the ability to observe several lanes of data simultaneously becomes critical.

The 86115D optical reference receiver plug-in module can be configured with two or four optical ports. The 86100C DCA mainframe can accept up to two 86115D plug-in modules. As a result, the DCA system can monitor from two to eight optical signals. Each channel of the 86115D is designed for the precision waveform analysis of optical transceivers operating at an 8X or 16X fibre channel and 10 GB SONET/SDH/Ethernet rates. The integrated optical receiver has an unfiltered bandwidth exceeding 20 GHz and switchable compliant reference receivers. The 86115D allows complete waveform analysis over multiple transceiver technologies.

Firmware enhancements for the 86100C DCA mainframe streamline automated transceiver tests. Enhancements include faster and robust auto-scaling, utilities for fast laser tuning and an acquisition system that allows engineers to analyse multiple channels in parallel.

Intel Corporation unveils Atom processor-based platform
Intel Corporation has launched its Atom processor-based platform, which offers significantly lower power consumption and helps the company target a range of computing devices, including high-end smartphones, tablets and other mobile handheld products. The chips offer the ability to run an increasing number of media and internet applications, a choice of software and multi-task across applications, including high definition video and multi-point video conferencing. The new platform supports a range of scalable frequencies, up to 1.5 GHz for high-end smartphones and up to 1.9 GHz for tablets and other handheld designs. The chips also support Wi-Fi, 3G/HSPA and Wi-Max as well as a range of operation systems including Android, Meego and Moblin.

The platform has been repartitioned to include Intel's atom processor Z6xx, which combines the 45nm Intel atom processor core with 3D graphics, video encode and decode as well as memory and display controllers into a single system on-a-chip design. It also includes the MP20 platform controller hub that supports a range of system-level functions and input/output blocks. A dedicated MSIC integrates power delivery and battery charging. Together, these new chips deliver significantly lower power including more than 50x reductions in idle power, over 20x reductions in audio power and 2-3x reductions across browsing and video scenarios. These power savings translate into over 10 days of standby, up to two days of audio playback and up to four-five hours of browsing and video battery life. When combined with a 1.5-3x higher computing performance, 2-4x richer graphics, more than 4x higher JavaScript performance and support for full HD 1080p video decoding and 720p HD video recording, these low-power innovations provide a PClike visual experience to handheld computers.

ON Semiconductor introduces low-current voltage regulator
ON Semiconductor has launched the NCP508, a low-current voltage regulator that provides an efficient solution to support low-power, space-efficient and cost-effective designs in applications such as touchscreens, keypads, smartphones, portable meters, printers and remote controls.

The NCP508 is capable of driving currents in excess of 50 mA and is housed in a compact SC-88A package measuring 2.2 mm x 2.2 mm with an overall height of 1.1 mm. The device offers a high ripple rejection of 70 dB (at 1 kHz) which makes it an effective filter for voltage supplies. Its noise performance of 1.5 V also contributes to a clean output voltage. A low voltage dropout performance of 140 mV at a load of 30 mA also provides flexibility in designing auxiliary power rails.

The NCP508 has a maximum operating voltage of 7 V, though it can withstand high voltage transients of up to 13 V, therefore saving costs by eliminating the need for protective external circuitry. Standard output voltage versions of 1.5 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 2.8 V and 3.3 V are offered with other voltage values available in 100 mV steps. The NCP508 can also be used with low-cost ceramic capaCitors, thereby offering an economical voltage regulator solution. It is currently offered in an SC-88A package, and is priced at $0.2 per unit for quantities of 3,000 units.

D-Link launches green-managed switch
D-Link has launched the 24-port managed gigabit switch, DGs3200-24, which is the world's first green-managed switch. This technology automatically detects the device link status and reduces the power usage of ports that are not linked. When detecting a link, the DGS-3200-24 conserves power usage without sacrificing network performance. In addition to its innovative green features and the smart fan, the DGS-3200-24 switch offers advanced security features and is IPv6 Phase II certified. The DGS-3200 series is capable of operating in temperatures up to 50°C and is especially suitable for the Indian climate. The DGS-3200-24 supports both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. IPv6 simplifies and streamlines network configuration and also reduces deployment costs.

With the launch of this product, D-Link now offers a complete range of green technology products including switches, WiFi routers, network-attached storage and internet-enabled digital photo frames.