Ansoft unveils enhanced HFSS solution
Ansoft Corp.’s (www.ansoft.com) JFSS v11 software features news technology designed to provide greater accuracy, capacity, and performance for system designers. HFSS is the standard for 3D full-wave electromagnetic field simulation, which is a critical aspect in designing high-performance electronic devices that operate on higher frequencies, such as PCB interconnects and RF/microwave components. The enhanced technology includes higher-order hierarchical basis functions combined with an iterative solver that provides accurate fields using small meshes, resulting in more efficient solutions for large multi-wavelength structures.
Hardened connector technology for FTTx
Corning Cable Systems (www.corningcablesystems.com) will supply Alcatel-Lucent (www.alcatel-lucent.com) with its OptiTap connector and adapter for use in Alcatel-Lucent’s gigabit passive optical network (GPON) system. The GPON architecture is considered ideal for FTTx networks, providing bandwidth efficiency for upstream and downstream Ethernet traffic. The OptiTap connector and adapter are factory-terminated and environmentally sealed, providing a hardened solution for reduced cost in drop cable deployments.
FCI, Tyco settle high-speed backplane connector tussle
FCI (www.fci.com) and Tyco Electronics (www.tycoelectronics.com) have terminated litigations relating to FCI’s AirMax and Tyco’s Z-PACK MAX high-speed backplane connector families. Tyco will continue to service existing Z-PACK customers while ceasing new promotion, and will introduce a new backplane connector family named Z-PACK TinMan while promoting FCI’s AirMax product line throughout the world, free of any claims of Tyco Electronics. Featuring 10+ Gbits/sec performance, the TinMan design offers a fully protected right-angle receptacle for use on daughtercards, and permits field repairability at either the module or single pin levels. Ground contacts positioned within each column of the connector, combined with proprietary contact lead frame arrangements, are designed to enable the TinMan to achieve low crosstalk and high throughput performance.
Agreement paves way for 10GBase-T copper modules
KeyEye Communications (www.keyeye.net) and Methode Electronics (www.methode.com) will jointly develop what is said to be the industry’s first 10-Gigabit Ethernet copper MSA pluggable modules compatible with the short-reach, lower-power mode of the 10GBase-T standard. The companies claim the devices will reduce data center cost and power consumption by 50% amidst increased use of 10-Gbit servers and switches. By replacing more expensive optical PHYs with copper-based 10GBase-T solutions, the KeyEye/Methode modules will transport 10-Gigabit Ethernet over short runs, reducing the data center’s physical and thermal footprint.
College’s workshop focuses on audio connectivity
LaSierra University’s (Riverside, CA) music technology program will offer a Neutrik (www.neutrik.com) Cable Making and Interconnectivity Workshop to select students during the fall semester. The workshop is designed to provide students with practical and theoretical instruction in understanding the importance of quality components in maximizing recording and sound reinforcement signal chains. Students will learn the proper techniques for building three types of audio cables, and for testing the quality of the signal through each cable type. In addition, students will build balanced ¼-inch cables to be used in a patchbay located in the school’s recording studio.
New research portal for designers
Electronic components distributor Newark has launched a technical research portal for design engineers, Electronics Design World, at: www.newark.com/edworld. ED World is designed to eliminate the need to visit multiple websites or perform numerous searches to find current application notes or to research multiple design approaches, solutions, and new products. The portal contains links to application notes, white papers, and block diagrams from leading manufacturers, all cross- indexed to ease comparisons of various design solutions. Supplier reference designs will soon be available, and will include Newark’s sourced bills of material in downloadable spreadsheet format.
Omnetics completes cleanroom manufacturing facility
Miniature high-rel connector manufacturer Omnetics (www. omnetics.com) has completed construction of a new cleanroom within its Minneapolis, MN manufacturing plant. The 340-square-foot facility will be used for cleaning, testing, and packaging products, as well as providing custom assembly capability for demanding applications. “We will have all critical production stages in-house,” says Greg Jones, sales and marketing manager, “so our lead times for standard and custom products will be reduced even further.”
$100,000 prize for environment-based design
U.K.-based Premier Farnell plc (www.premierfarnell.com), a worldwide distributor of electronic components, has launched a $100,000 international design competition called ‘Live Edge’ Electronic Design for the Global Environment. Engineers, students, and academics are invited to submit designs that use electronics components while having a positive impact on the environment (e.g., by increasing energy efficiency or reducing carbon emissions). The winning entrant will receive a cash prize of $50,000, as well as $50,000 in support to move the design towards production. The support package will include the services of an electronic design consultancy that will develop the design to prototype stage. In addition, the package will offer assistance with legal matters and IP registration, marketing and publicity, and Premier Farnell’s help in securing investment funding. Details are available at: www.live-edge.com/info.
