Features

Wolfson Microelectronics has announced the introduction of its latest high performance Audio Hub, the WM8998, which offers enhanced hi-fi playback and recording to mobile phones and tablets across the product price tiers. Featuring 122dB DAC to headphone signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and headphone total harmonic distortion (THD+N) of 85dB, while also supporting common audio samples rates from 8 kHz up to 24-bit / 192 kHz, the WM8998 delivers loud, clear voice calls and exceptional audio playback for music and video.

Linear Technology has launched the LT8310, a primary-side synchronous forward controller. The LT8310 operates over an input voltage range of 6V to 100V and is targeted for power levels up to 200W. It is able to provide a drive signal for secondary-side synchronous rectification to improve efficiency.

Cypress Semiconductor has announced that its TrueTouch Gen4X touchscreen controller family now supports single-layer multi-touch sensors which has helped to lower manufacturing costs but had no impact on performance. The Gen4X TMA445 controller enables thin form factors by leveraging Cypress’s Single-Layer Independent Multi-touch (SLIM) sensor structures. The controller also adds support for Cypress’s industry-leading tracking of multiple fingers in gloves.

The European semiconductor distribution industry is continuing to recover according to new quarterly figures from DMASS (Distributors’ and Manufacturers’ Association of Semiconductor Specialists). Semiconductor distribution sales in the second quarter of the year grew by 5.3% to 1.6bn Euros and except for France, Benelux, Nordic and Switzerland, all the major regions saw increased sales. DMASS only reports industrial semiconductor sales, defined as all semiconductors, excluding the PC channel.

Intersil Corporation has announced the ISL98611 display power and LED driver for smartphones. The ISL98611 is the first power management IC that integrates the display power and backlight LED driver functions in a single chip. It significantly improves efficiency of both functions to increase smartphone battery life by an hour or more.

Linear Technology has unveiled the LT3062, a new high voltage, low noise, low dropout voltage linear regulator. The IC delivers up to 200mA continuous output current with a 300mV dropout voltage at full load. The LT3062 features a wide input voltage range of 1.6V to 45V, delivering adjustable output voltages from 0.6V to 40V.

Altera Corporation has released Quartus II software Arria 10 edition v14.0, providing what it believes is the most advanced 20 nm FPGA and SoC design environment currently available. Altera’s proven Quartus II software delivers fast compile times and enables the highest performance for 20 nm FPGA and SoC designs in the industry.

Molex Incorporated’s CLIK-Mate 1.50mm Wire-to-Board Connector System offers a variety of circuit sizes, mounting styles and wire gauges to meet next-generation power and signal needs. In addition to the original top-mount options, the CLIK-Mate family now includes a bottom-entry version, providing capabilities for multiple applications that require the mating configuration to come from underneath such as solid-state lighting; gaming machines; LCD televisions; desktop PCs; servers, hubs and routers; factory automation equipment; medical equipment and automotive infotainment devices.

Intelliconnect (Europe) Ltd, the UK based specialist manufacturer of RF connectors, is continuing to expand their cable assembly service. Having seen considerable business growth since its launch 18 months ago the operation is relocating to a new facility in Corby and investing in additional production equipment.

Powersolve’s latest power bank gives smartphones more than 8 times the talk and standby time. Suitable for anyone who spends lengthy periods away from the mains, the PAG14AH4 will power and charge any USB compatible device including smartphones, tablets, cameras etc and is small enough to fit in a pocket, handbag or backpack.