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Archives
 May 2000 Issue
News & Opinion
Market Place
DACS for DVD
Two digital-to-analog converters (DACs) from Analog Devices provide 113-117 dB of dynamic range to digital versatile disk (DVD) applications. The AD1852 is a 24-bit stereo audio DAC that is a lower cost, voltage-output, follow-up to the AD1853 and uses proprietary data conversion technology that improves audio performance at sample rates from 32 kHz to 192 kHz. The AD1854 is a single-chip, stereo digital audio playback system capable of sampling data at 16, 18, or 24 bits. It consists of a multibit sigma-delta modulator with dither, continuous time analog filters, analog output drive circuitry and clickless volume control and mute.
For more information, contact Analog Devices at or on the Web at www.analog.com.
Channel Combiner
Communications and Energy Corp.’s 2300 series combiners support multipoint multichannel distribution service (MMDS). They can combine up to 16 nonadjacent channels in series or 31 adjacent channels with 1008 3 dB quad hybrid. Digital performance specifications across 6 MHz bandwidth are as follows: group delay ripple, <+/-15 ns; insertion loss, for one combiner is <1.0 dB with additional maximum loss of 0.025 dB per channel voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), >20 dB; and semi adjacent isolation, >45 dB. The unit measures 8.5 in. x 8.5 in. by 36 in.
For more information, contact Communications and Energy at or on the Web at www.cefilter.com.
Chip Family
The MicroTuner 2030 is the third generation of Microtune’s tuner RF integrated circuits (ICs). The 2030-series devices are single-chip, fully integrated (including low noise amplifier), dual-conversion tuners that support both analog and digital applications. MicroTuner chips are available with performance optimized for specific markets, including interoperable cable set-top boxes, cable modems, personal computers (PCs)/TV sets, and digital TV sets. The chips feature a 30-percent power reduction over previous series.
For more information, contact Microtune at or on the Web at www.microtune.com.
Fasteners
Gardner Bender’s specialty Data/Voice/Video (DVV) fasteners are designed to speed and simplify communication and data network installation. These fasteners feature a one-piece nail-in solution for cabling to concrete, roofing and wood studs; they accommodate common sizes of coaxial and other cable. More than two dozen different types are included in the line. All feature a clip-on cable holding design and staples with ultraviolet-resistant polyethylene saddles and zinc-plated nails. Different types meet specific application requirements. The roofing nails are designed for fastening coaxial cables directly to shingled roofs.
For more information, contact Gardner Bender at or on the Web at www.gardnerbender.com.
EDFA Modules
Ditech Communications has launched the Quasar, the first in a series of Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) modules. This module offers network equipment vendors one of the building blocks required to build advanced dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems. Quasar is intended for use in optical switching, optical add/drop, and optical restoration applications. A customized gain flattening filter ensures that peak-to-peak power differences between DWDM channels is typically 1.0 dB across a 1,530-1,563 nm range.
For more information, contact Ditech at or on the Web at www.ditechcom.com.
Cable Modem and CMTS
Com21’s DOXport 101 cable modem allows home cable subscribers to get fast Internet access. DOXport is compatible with every Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 1.0- and 1.1-based cable modem termination system (CMTS). It incorporates 56-bit data encryption standard (DES) encryption, takes up 1.5 x 7.5 inches of space, and supports up to 16 personal computers (PCs).
Com21’s DOXcontroller CMTS scales to support 4,000 cable modems, handles data and management packets in parallel, minimizes upstream traffic latency, and enables toll-quality voice with minimal voice jitter.
For more information, contact Com21 at or on the Web at www.com21.com.
Nonstandby Power
Alpha Technologies’ APC2 pole-mount, nonstandby power supply allows application-specific custom configuration. Alpha’s ferroresonant design provides fully regulated output voltage, surge and short-circuit protection, and complete line conditioning under normal modes of operation and loading. The APC2 can be configured with a variety of performance options. It is available in both 60 V and 90 V versions.
For more information, contact Alpha at or on the Web at www.alpha.com.
Hotel Internet and CMTS
Netgame’s NetHotel system uses existing hotel cable TV infrastructure to provide hotel guests with continuous connection to the Internet at speeds of up to 10 Mbps. Based on NetGame’s cable modem technology, NetHotel enables guests to access the Internet using laptop computers or through in-room set-top boxes.
NetGame’s Quarterback cable modem termination system (CMTS) transforms cable TV networks into high performance local area networks. The Quarterback CMTS is Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 1.0/1.1-compliant and supports both cable- and telco-return with a single management system.
For more information, contact NetGame at or on the Web at www.ngcable.com.
DWDM Source Laser
Ortel’s Inferno laser enables original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to add functions to their products by overcoming high signal loss. The component is an 80 mW continuous wavelength (CW) 1,550 nm distributed feedback (DFB) source laser for dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) applications. Inferno is designed for lithium niobate and discrete electroabsorption transmitters. It delivers a minimum of 80 mW CW output power over an operating case temperature range of –40° C to +65° C. Initially, Inferno will support C-band applications, but both C- and L-bands will be populated early next year.
For more information, contact Ortel at or on the Web at www.ortel.com.
Transformer Family
Pulse’s surface-mount, wideband RF transformers are designed for cable upstream interface applications. The C2020 and C2022 have 1:1 and 1:4 impedance ratios respectively, operate at upstream frequencies from 5-80 MHz and have less than 1 dB of insertion loss. These six-pin surface-mount transformers require 0.30 x 0.39 inches (7.62 mm x 9.9 mm) of board space. Both are designed for –40° C to + 85° C extended temperature operation and can withstand the 235° C peak solder reflow requirement.
For more information, contact Pulse at or on the Web at www.pulseeng.com.
PCI Chassis
Advantech Technologies’ protocol control information (PCI) chassis supports various computer telephony integration (CTI) applications. The MIC-3032/8 eight-slot CompactPCI chassis is compliant with PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group 2.5 computer telephony, H.110 cordless telephone, bus and rear panel input/output, and hot-swap specifications. Its modular design supports many CTI applications, including automatic call distributors (ACDs), voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) servers, and video-on-demand (VOD).
For more information, contact Advantech at or on the Web at www.advantech.com/ic.
Ground Resistance Tester
LEM Instrument’s GEO Model 15 is a battery-operated, auto-ranging, ground-resistance tester with a beeper that allows one-handed checking of ground grid connections without the need for stakes or disconnections. Model 15 measures from 0.025 ohms to 1,500 ohms at 1.667 kHz and can measure leakage currents down to 1 µA resolution. The tester comes with battery, heavy-duty case and calibration loop.
For more information, contact LEM at or on the Web at www.leminstruments.com.
Lightning Warning
The SAFe system for advance warning of potential lightning strikes from the French company Dimensions is available in North America. The system identifies three hazard levels: a prewarning level to indicate thunderstorms; a warning level that detects lightning hazards two to three miles from the station; and an alert level signaling imminent risk of a lightning strike. The SAFe system can detect active thunderstorms as far as 15 miles away and identify incipient thunderstorms from six to nine miles away.
For more information, contact the French technology press office at or visit Dimensions on the Web at www.eurostorm.com.
Seismic-Proof Power
Yuasa’s Zone 4-certified rack for its PowerLock batteries has been subjected to stringent shaker table testing, enabling the batteries to be used in seismically active areas. The industrial front termination PowerLock batteries are intended for distributed power, wireless, private branch exchange (PBX), cable TV and other telecom applications where space is limited and high power is essential. The Independence PL-110 and PL-150 PowerLock batteries are designed to provide a 48 V system on a single shelf of the Zone 4 rack.
For more information, contact Yuasa at or on the Web at www.yuasainc.com.
Timely Solutions
Datum’s TimePieces chipset family provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with powerful embedded synchronization solutions. Timepieces will synchronize the transmission of data, voice and video to deliver carrier-class performance for core, edge and access products, including voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) applications. The TimePieces’ plug-and-play architecture consists of a set of smart chips that configure themselves automatically, enabling designers to integrate scalable synchronization architecture with rapid time-to-market and low-risk design.
For more information, contact Datum at or on the Web at www.datum.com/timepieces.
Backbone Cable Solutions
NetClear, a structured cable solution from Berk-Tek and Ortronics, is designed to optimize signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, enabling networks to operate at peak digital data transmission levels. Every NetClear solution is guaranteed to exceed the bit error rate (BER) requirements of the most demanding applications such as Gigabit asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and Gigabit Ethernet. NetClear says all components are matched to provide clear, balanced transmission signals. NetClear patch cords use a traditional round cable construction and feature impedance-matched components.
For more information, contact Ortonics at or visit www.NetClear-channel.com.
Optical Test Set
The OTS9000 Optical Test Set from Tektronix tests dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems at 10 Gbps. Geared for manufacturers of optical carrier (OC)-192/synchronous transfer mode (STM)-64 networking equipment, the system provides users with pattern generation and analysis for verification of multiple signals through bit error rate (BER) analysis. The OTS9000 has a scalable, flexible platform and has three card configurations: transceiver, transmitter only and receiver only. The system’s variable receiver threshold allows manufacturers to perform accelerated BER testing.
For more information, contact Tektronix at or on the Web at www.tektronix.com.
Connector
Bomar Interconnect Products has announced the Shadow, a 75 ohm bayonet nut coupling (BNC) connector. It is designed to terminate commonly used coaxial cables and the RF requirements of high definition TV (HDTV). Providing 3 GHz return loss, the Shadow features machined brass with Teflon insulators and gold-plated, semicaptive contacts.
For more information, contact Bomar at or on the Web at www.bomarinterconnect.com.
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