Weekly Picks – Connecting PCIe and storage device

EDN Asia Weekly Online Feb. 10, 2014     Connecting PCIe and storage devices Josh Beaudet | EDN Solid-state drives (SSDs) are rapidly becoming the most preferred storage method. With this changing of the guard from hard-disc drives to SSDs, there is a need for different connections than are used for hard drives or peripherals to utilise the SSD's full potential. The connector and protocols discussed here are the future for the storage industry. Continue...     Design Features Powering highly capacitive loads Capacitance at the input of the DC-DC converter plays a vital role in keeping the converter stable. Large amounts of capacitance at the output of the DC-DC converter can provide significant challenges in the power system. Digital power control for high-current DC-DC design The drawback of digital power is latency–the time between acquisition of feedback signal and generation of subsequent modulated output–which has resulted in slower transient response than equivalent analogue controllers. more online...   Design Ideas One wire delivers power, data to LCD module Embedded systems typically use HD44780-type LCD displays as it is considered the most popular alphanumeric display controller. The interface comprises at least 14 pins: 8 for data, three for control, two for power supply, and one for contrast. IF output signal switch reduces noise in shortwave receivers This is a description of a noise suppression strategy, not about a specific design. I've done this thing twice, once on an old Hallicrafters S-20R short-wave receiver and again sometime later, on an R-390A receiver. more online...     SMART PARTS: Additive Manufacturing for Integrated Electro-mechanical Devices 3D-printed electronics deliver benefits that mirror those of 3D-printed mechanical parts. Integrate the two processes into one hybrid solution to amplify the advantages in time savings, cost reduction and design flexibility to achieve unmatched efficiencies and create revolutionary products. Join us to discover what is possible when you integrate electro-mechanical design and manufacturing. View More     News Center FEC, BER, CID: Lessons from DesignCon2014 From forward error correction to bit error ratio estimation, Ransom Stephens identifies key DesignCon discussions. Sony reportedly planning to divest Vaio PC division Japan Industrial Partners is said to be arranging a deal with Sony to buy the unit for up to $490 million. Quantum dots with single metal atoms developed Researchers used cobalt with cadmium telluride to improve the performance of quantum dots. Lenovo-Motorola deal's implications for telecom industry An analysis on how Lenovo's $9 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility will benefit former owner Google. Microsystem leads to creation of smaller hearing aids Device is 50 times smaller than existing body area network electronics to produce microscopic hearing aids. more online...   Product Center Continental integrates sensor, EPB wiring into cable harness This method is said to help carmakers reduce the unit price and decrease installation effort. AC power monitor minimises design errors Microchip's MCP39F501 enables real-time monitoring of AC power in components for commercial and industrial products. Epson crystal oscillators claim record-low jitter VCXOs from Seiko Epson operate at only 70mA at 3.3V and exhibit jitter of 0.27ps at 622.08MHz. Murata AMR sensor features 3D sensing The device allows 360-degree magnetic field detection with uniform sensitivity in all directions. DC-DC converters withstand HVAC systems over 100℃ TDK-Lambda rolled out quarter-brick DC-DC converters with 50W to 150W output power and 200V to 425V input range. more online...     News | Products | Design Features | Design Ideas | Regional Roundup | Tech Impact     EDN China | EDN Taiwan | EDN Japan | EDN | EDN Eur