LONDON, UK: Premier Farnell plc, the leading multi-channel, high service distributor supporting millions of engineers and purchasing professionals worldwide, has introduced DesignLink, a new web service environment that provides an electronic interface to major CAD (Computer Aid Design) tools.
This will allow electronic designer engineers to immediately search and find parts from within their CAD design environment without ever having to leave it.
Developed in close collaboration with EMA, the developer of Component Information Portal (CIP), a bridge software to Cadence’s OrCAD CAD tool, the new Coupling Interface allows the designer to take the manufacturer’s data and use it directly in their schematic design instead of the having to research them via the web; they can also be sure that they are using active parts and then simply import part attributes into the design or local parts database.
The coupling interfaces directly with the Premier Farnell companies’ websites in 40 different countries giving access to over 4,000,000 items from 3,500 leading manufacturers, all with data and pricing in local language and currencies, and further underpins the distribution group’s commitment to understanding the needs of its design engineering customers and delivering leading edge solutions.
The Group’s strategic direction has seen it focussed on providing products, information, software and services to meet the needs of electronic design engineers globally and DesignLink represents another major advance.
Randall Restle, Director of Global Technical Marketing, said: "This new capability maps out the future of integration in the design cycle. Our customers are the same as those of the CAD vendors and DesignLink will allow us to support them better in the early stages of the design cycle. It seamlessly links everything together; allowing a designer to see what parts can fit his design by part or keyword search. He can then check availability for next day delivery without ever having to leave his design environment – it integrates our product database right into the design environment.
"We invite CAD tool developers to get in touch so we can help them to integrate our extensive product database into their CAD tools. Our beta testing has indicated that designers love this product and it will become a key "must have" during CAD tool choice."
Premier Farnell invites all manufacturers of CAD tools to contact them directly to discuss implementing the DesignLink interface with their design environment. The Group will be rapidly increasing their global capability to interface with a wide range of CAD platforms this year as they expand their support to meet the unique needs of their electronic design engineering customers.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
CyberLink, NVIDIA showcase fast multimedia solutions optimized with CUDA
COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2009, TAIPEI, TAIWAN: CyberLink Corp. announced that it is showcasing multimedia solutions with NVIDIA CUDA technology at Computex 2009.
CyberLink has already implemented NVIDIA CUDA technology in several award-winning video software products including PowerDirector 7, PowerDVD 9, and the new video converter MediaShow Espresso.
“NVIDIA GeForce GPUs deliver the best image quality and great performance, a combination that always results in a great experience for our customers,” said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink Corp. “As the pioneering force behind GPU Computing, NVIDIA continues to revolutionize the PC industry by delivering accelerated software performance beyond today’s expectations, without sacrificing image quality.”
CyberLink showcased latest software solutions optimized with CUDA technology at Computex 2009 to the media and OEM partners in CyberLink’s suite at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
“CyberLink has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to GPU computing by utilizing NVIDIA CUDA technology in their portfolio of multimedia solutions,” said Michael Steele, General Manager of Visual Consumer Solutions at NVIDIA. “The maturity and flexibility of the CUDA architecture is what has enabled CyberLink to deliver a wide range of compelling features on NVIDIA GPUs first. We anticipate many more innovative developments to come.”
Products optimized with CUDA:
PowerDVD 9 – The number 1 movie playback software improves CPU usage and efficiency by offloading complex tasks to the GPU when playing DVDs with TrueTheater HD.
PowerDirector 7 – The Award winning video editing software delivers massive performance gains when encoding HD video into H.264 format and accelerated rendering speeds of popular video effects.
MediaShow Espresso – The latest video conversion application converts videos in a fraction of the time, dramatically reducing the length of time converting an HD video for use on a portable media player.
CyberLink has already implemented NVIDIA CUDA technology in several award-winning video software products including PowerDirector 7, PowerDVD 9, and the new video converter MediaShow Espresso.
“NVIDIA GeForce GPUs deliver the best image quality and great performance, a combination that always results in a great experience for our customers,” said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink Corp. “As the pioneering force behind GPU Computing, NVIDIA continues to revolutionize the PC industry by delivering accelerated software performance beyond today’s expectations, without sacrificing image quality.”
CyberLink showcased latest software solutions optimized with CUDA technology at Computex 2009 to the media and OEM partners in CyberLink’s suite at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
“CyberLink has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to GPU computing by utilizing NVIDIA CUDA technology in their portfolio of multimedia solutions,” said Michael Steele, General Manager of Visual Consumer Solutions at NVIDIA. “The maturity and flexibility of the CUDA architecture is what has enabled CyberLink to deliver a wide range of compelling features on NVIDIA GPUs first. We anticipate many more innovative developments to come.”
Products optimized with CUDA:
PowerDVD 9 – The number 1 movie playback software improves CPU usage and efficiency by offloading complex tasks to the GPU when playing DVDs with TrueTheater HD.
PowerDirector 7 – The Award winning video editing software delivers massive performance gains when encoding HD video into H.264 format and accelerated rendering speeds of popular video effects.
MediaShow Espresso – The latest video conversion application converts videos in a fraction of the time, dramatically reducing the length of time converting an HD video for use on a portable media player.
Tektronix delivers test bench for DDR3 memory design debug and validation
BANGALORE, INDIA: Tektronix Inc. has announced the 3rd generation of its proven DDR analysis software (opt. DDRA) for the DPO/DSA70000B Series and DPO7000 Series Oscilloscopes. The Tektronix DDR test solution supports all speeds of DDR, DDR2, DDR3, LP-DDR and GDDR3 and spans both PHY layer and digital domains.
The company also announced improved connectivity with a new set of Nexus Technology Ball Grid Array (BGA) Component Interposers for DDR 3 memory designs. The Tektronix portfolio of Logic Analyzers, Oscilloscopes and Probing Systems form the core of a critical test bench for design and test engineers working with DDR.
The DDR3 standard supports data rates of 800 mega transfers per second (MT/s) to 2133 MT/s with clock frequencies of 400 MHz to 1066 MHz respectively, double the speed of DDR2 technology. DDR3 is ideal for high-performance applications such as file servers, video on demand, encoding and decoding, gaming, and 3D visualization.
The Tektronix DDR Analysis software (opt. DDRA) for the DPO/DSA70000B Series and DPO7000 Series Oscilloscopes adds critical specification validation measurements that are not available on competing test solutions. The JEDEC specifications for DDR2 and DDR3 (JESD79-3C, JESD79-2E) stipulate that pass/fail limits for measurements such as Setup and Hold should be de-rated based on the measured slew rates of the associated signals.
Option DDRA now not only offers the needed slew rate measurements, but also performs the de-rating calculation and automatically adjusts the pass/fail limits. DDRA, along with a wide array of sophisticated probing solutions, including today’s introduced BGA Interposer from Nexus Technology, represents the most complete solution for validation and debug of DDR designs from a PHY layer perspective.
The new BGA component interposers for oscilloscopes and logic analyzers use an innovative socketed design that offers easy installation on the customer’s board and the ability to easily change the memory component for characterization/margin testing. This eliminates the need to send the board to a rework house thus avoiding down time and reducing development cycles.
The interposer’s design also delivers unparalleled signal fidelity by using embedded 100-Ohm resistors on each signal line very close to the BGA balls. When used with Tektronix P7500 Series Tri-Mode probes and new solder tips specific to the Nexus product or the TLA7000 Series Logic Analyzer, the interposer becomes part of the probing system and delivers accurate signal acquisition up to 1600MT/s data rates and higher.
“With decreasing geometries and ever-increasing data rates, as seen in DDR3 Memory designs, signal access and probing has become a key task for every memory designer,” said Robert Shelsky, president, Nexus Technology. “The new memory component interposers will provide design engineers with the best overall experience in terms of ease of installation and use. The new interposers help speed the analog characterization, digital debug and protocol verification of DDR3 Memory Components enabling engineers to bring their designs to market faster.”
The increase in memory system performance has led to increasing design complexity necessitating superior validation and test tools. With the industry-leading Tektronix DDR test suite of oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, probes and supporting software, engineers now have access to an entirely new portfolio with industry-best capabilities needed to develop next generation products incorporating the latest DDR technology.
The company also announced improved connectivity with a new set of Nexus Technology Ball Grid Array (BGA) Component Interposers for DDR 3 memory designs. The Tektronix portfolio of Logic Analyzers, Oscilloscopes and Probing Systems form the core of a critical test bench for design and test engineers working with DDR.
The DDR3 standard supports data rates of 800 mega transfers per second (MT/s) to 2133 MT/s with clock frequencies of 400 MHz to 1066 MHz respectively, double the speed of DDR2 technology. DDR3 is ideal for high-performance applications such as file servers, video on demand, encoding and decoding, gaming, and 3D visualization.
The Tektronix DDR Analysis software (opt. DDRA) for the DPO/DSA70000B Series and DPO7000 Series Oscilloscopes adds critical specification validation measurements that are not available on competing test solutions. The JEDEC specifications for DDR2 and DDR3 (JESD79-3C, JESD79-2E) stipulate that pass/fail limits for measurements such as Setup and Hold should be de-rated based on the measured slew rates of the associated signals.
Option DDRA now not only offers the needed slew rate measurements, but also performs the de-rating calculation and automatically adjusts the pass/fail limits. DDRA, along with a wide array of sophisticated probing solutions, including today’s introduced BGA Interposer from Nexus Technology, represents the most complete solution for validation and debug of DDR designs from a PHY layer perspective.
The new BGA component interposers for oscilloscopes and logic analyzers use an innovative socketed design that offers easy installation on the customer’s board and the ability to easily change the memory component for characterization/margin testing. This eliminates the need to send the board to a rework house thus avoiding down time and reducing development cycles.
The interposer’s design also delivers unparalleled signal fidelity by using embedded 100-Ohm resistors on each signal line very close to the BGA balls. When used with Tektronix P7500 Series Tri-Mode probes and new solder tips specific to the Nexus product or the TLA7000 Series Logic Analyzer, the interposer becomes part of the probing system and delivers accurate signal acquisition up to 1600MT/s data rates and higher.
“With decreasing geometries and ever-increasing data rates, as seen in DDR3 Memory designs, signal access and probing has become a key task for every memory designer,” said Robert Shelsky, president, Nexus Technology. “The new memory component interposers will provide design engineers with the best overall experience in terms of ease of installation and use. The new interposers help speed the analog characterization, digital debug and protocol verification of DDR3 Memory Components enabling engineers to bring their designs to market faster.”
The increase in memory system performance has led to increasing design complexity necessitating superior validation and test tools. With the industry-leading Tektronix DDR test suite of oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, probes and supporting software, engineers now have access to an entirely new portfolio with industry-best capabilities needed to develop next generation products incorporating the latest DDR technology.
Prices for premium- and value-brand LCD TVs converge
EL SEGUNDO, USA: The price differential between LCD TVs sold by premium brands and value brands is narrowing as marquee nameplates vie to capture a wider consumer base by offering less expensive models, according to iSuppli Corp.
The lowest price in April for a 40-inch premium-branded LCD TV was $900. The lowest price for a 40-inch LCD-TV offered by a value brand was $615. Comparable 42-inch premium and value brand sets were priced at $955 and $798 respectively.
This narrow price gap makes the premium brands very competitive with value alternatives.
“The rising popularity and growing consumer comfort with value brands like Vizio is prompting premium competitors to offer cheaper LCD TV models in the 40-inch and larger sizes,” said Riddhi Patel, principal analyst, television, for iSuppli.
However, while price is an important consideration for consumers when selecting an LCD-TV to buy, it’s not the most important factor.
“Consumers’ No.-1 consideration when buying a new LCD-TV isn’t price, but picture quality,” Patel said. “Price is secondary. So even if premium and value brands reach price parity, the dominant factor will still be which television actually looks better to the naked eye, rather than the price on the tag. Obviously, in a perfect world, that would even the playing field. But when it comes to consumer electronics, it is anything but even. Brand recognition is an important asset for any company. Who would choose a nameless Taiwanese or Chinese brand over a Sony Bravia or a Samsung?”
However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, US-based Vizio has achieved remarkable success as a premium alternative brand built from the ground up.
According to iSuppli’s Television Market Tracker Service, Vizio surged to the top spot in the US and Canadian LCD-TV market in the first quarter.
Vizio’s lowest ASP for a 42-inch Cold-Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) backlit, 60Hz refresh rate, full High-Definition (HD) LCD-TV was $850. In comparison, Samsung and Sony 40-inch LCD-TVs with the same configurations carried ASPs of $1,000 and $1,090, respectively.
The figure presents global average price trends for 40/42-inch LCD TVs, with full high definition resolution, 60Hz refresh rates Cold-Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) backlighting.
Source: iSuppli, June 2009
A premium on premium features
While the premium brands now are offering less-expensive LCD TVs, they continue to produce higher-end models with up-to-date features.
Average LCD TV prices in April in the 40-inch and larger screen sizes increased by 3 percent on a monthly basis, despite drops for the older models, as premium brands continued to introduce more full-featured sets in the larger sizes during the month.
Samsung in April introduced more LED backlit models, including the 8000 series. Prices on these high-end models in the 40- to 49-inch segment range from $2,500 to $4,000, varying by brand and size.
“The premium brands’ dual-pronged strategy of offering high- and low-end models can help them to maintain market share amid the rise of Vizio,” Patel said.
Beyond LED backlights, LCD TVs capable of viewing Internet videos and web content also are showing up as a new feature for televisions, mainly on the premium brands.
iSuppli expects average LCD TV selling prices to decline slightly in the coming months, as brands and retailers roll out with promotions for the upcoming “Dads and Grads” season. However, average list prices likely will remain flat as more new models are added to the product mix. In general, current inventory levels at the retailers are at a healthy five to six weeks.
The lowest price in April for a 40-inch premium-branded LCD TV was $900. The lowest price for a 40-inch LCD-TV offered by a value brand was $615. Comparable 42-inch premium and value brand sets were priced at $955 and $798 respectively.
This narrow price gap makes the premium brands very competitive with value alternatives.
“The rising popularity and growing consumer comfort with value brands like Vizio is prompting premium competitors to offer cheaper LCD TV models in the 40-inch and larger sizes,” said Riddhi Patel, principal analyst, television, for iSuppli.
However, while price is an important consideration for consumers when selecting an LCD-TV to buy, it’s not the most important factor.
“Consumers’ No.-1 consideration when buying a new LCD-TV isn’t price, but picture quality,” Patel said. “Price is secondary. So even if premium and value brands reach price parity, the dominant factor will still be which television actually looks better to the naked eye, rather than the price on the tag. Obviously, in a perfect world, that would even the playing field. But when it comes to consumer electronics, it is anything but even. Brand recognition is an important asset for any company. Who would choose a nameless Taiwanese or Chinese brand over a Sony Bravia or a Samsung?”
However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, US-based Vizio has achieved remarkable success as a premium alternative brand built from the ground up.
According to iSuppli’s Television Market Tracker Service, Vizio surged to the top spot in the US and Canadian LCD-TV market in the first quarter.
Vizio’s lowest ASP for a 42-inch Cold-Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) backlit, 60Hz refresh rate, full High-Definition (HD) LCD-TV was $850. In comparison, Samsung and Sony 40-inch LCD-TVs with the same configurations carried ASPs of $1,000 and $1,090, respectively.
The figure presents global average price trends for 40/42-inch LCD TVs, with full high definition resolution, 60Hz refresh rates Cold-Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) backlighting.
Source: iSuppli, June 2009A premium on premium features
While the premium brands now are offering less-expensive LCD TVs, they continue to produce higher-end models with up-to-date features.
Average LCD TV prices in April in the 40-inch and larger screen sizes increased by 3 percent on a monthly basis, despite drops for the older models, as premium brands continued to introduce more full-featured sets in the larger sizes during the month.
Samsung in April introduced more LED backlit models, including the 8000 series. Prices on these high-end models in the 40- to 49-inch segment range from $2,500 to $4,000, varying by brand and size.
“The premium brands’ dual-pronged strategy of offering high- and low-end models can help them to maintain market share amid the rise of Vizio,” Patel said.
Beyond LED backlights, LCD TVs capable of viewing Internet videos and web content also are showing up as a new feature for televisions, mainly on the premium brands.
iSuppli expects average LCD TV selling prices to decline slightly in the coming months, as brands and retailers roll out with promotions for the upcoming “Dads and Grads” season. However, average list prices likely will remain flat as more new models are added to the product mix. In general, current inventory levels at the retailers are at a healthy five to six weeks.
PM-ABC: World's first PMP audio book for iPhone users
TAIPEI, TAIWAN: As the global audience of iPhone/iPod embracing this handheld internet-connected multimedia player and smartphone gadget, the Project Management Advanced Business Consulting Inc. (PM-ABC.com), a registered education provider of Project Management Institute, who boosted the growing rate of Certified Project Managers in Taiwan to the world’s fastest one in the past three years, has developed the world’s first Project Management audio book.
This audio book integrates learning activities with the versatileness and mobility of iPhone/iPod, where a joint force of playing and learning, project management and entertainment, has made a great manifestation on this 21th-century magic device.
iPhone and iPod are the most fantastic 3G products developed and marketed by Apple Inc. Not only have they re-defined the mobile phone and MP3 player, but their 3×5 inches multi-touch screen has become a fantastic stage for the display of the most advanced wireless technologies.
The versatility of the device includes a GPS that supports global map searching, Internet connection that supports emailing, web browsing, video-audio viewing, and an exclusive online shopping platform specially developed by Apple. Anything you can imagine in terms of internet and mobile phone can be realized within this palm-sized touch screen. Besides, it also allows to play games or do learning activities.
As a matter of fact, if you look at the number of the games and learning software on the Apple’s iTune platform, and their purchase rate, you will soon realize, many of this little, fancy and miscellaneous software have infiltrated every aspects of people’s life. Their function can no longer be described as “time killing.”
PM-ABC sees the versatileness and beauty of iPhone/iPod, and attempts to test the possibility of delivering quality management knowledge through this gadget. After successfully developed a world-leading project management professional (PMP) exam simulation system three years ago, PM-ABC continues to develop new learning products that can fit in with modern people’s fragmented learning life. In this sense, Apple’s iPhone and iPod prove to be a very ideal media.
This end of May, PM-ABC successfully delivered the world’s first PMP audio book, in which the Nine Knowledge Areas of Project Management are provided.
The first episode of the audio books is free for download, the second episode is divided into three parts, and each one costs $1.99. Every user is entitled a free access to the exam simulation of 200 questions provided by PMSuccess for 7 days. All the 3C lovers are welcome to test on the learning software; you may find something beyond expectation!
Free Download link
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=316708567&mt=8
This audio book integrates learning activities with the versatileness and mobility of iPhone/iPod, where a joint force of playing and learning, project management and entertainment, has made a great manifestation on this 21th-century magic device.
iPhone and iPod are the most fantastic 3G products developed and marketed by Apple Inc. Not only have they re-defined the mobile phone and MP3 player, but their 3×5 inches multi-touch screen has become a fantastic stage for the display of the most advanced wireless technologies.
The versatility of the device includes a GPS that supports global map searching, Internet connection that supports emailing, web browsing, video-audio viewing, and an exclusive online shopping platform specially developed by Apple. Anything you can imagine in terms of internet and mobile phone can be realized within this palm-sized touch screen. Besides, it also allows to play games or do learning activities.
As a matter of fact, if you look at the number of the games and learning software on the Apple’s iTune platform, and their purchase rate, you will soon realize, many of this little, fancy and miscellaneous software have infiltrated every aspects of people’s life. Their function can no longer be described as “time killing.”
PM-ABC sees the versatileness and beauty of iPhone/iPod, and attempts to test the possibility of delivering quality management knowledge through this gadget. After successfully developed a world-leading project management professional (PMP) exam simulation system three years ago, PM-ABC continues to develop new learning products that can fit in with modern people’s fragmented learning life. In this sense, Apple’s iPhone and iPod prove to be a very ideal media.
This end of May, PM-ABC successfully delivered the world’s first PMP audio book, in which the Nine Knowledge Areas of Project Management are provided.
The first episode of the audio books is free for download, the second episode is divided into three parts, and each one costs $1.99. Every user is entitled a free access to the exam simulation of 200 questions provided by PMSuccess for 7 days. All the 3C lovers are welcome to test on the learning software; you may find something beyond expectation!
Free Download link
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=316708567&mt=8
Freescale achieves new ZigBee RF4CE certification
AUSTIN, USA: Freescale Semiconductor has received the new Golden Unit certification by the ZigBee Alliance for its successful implementation of the ZigBee RF4CE specification.
Freescale is one of the first ZigBee Alliance members to achieve the Golden Unit status and has been an influential contributor in the development of the ZigBee RF4CE protocol.
Due to limitation of infrared remote controls with large screen, flat panel TVs, and the increased need for richer user-interfaces and new services, RF based remote controls are becoming pervasive in the home entertainment market, creating a greater need for standards. Freescale offers a range of ZigBee RF4CE certified products for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) that require an immediate, low-cost solution for control of applications such as HDTV, set-top boxes and other consumer electronic devices.
ZigBee RF4CE is expected to enable advanced control capabilities (i.e., two-way communication between entertainment devices) to continue to improve the overall usability of home entertainment products. Freescale’s ZigBee RF4CE platform is already deployed in OEM products and Freescale is working with industry leaders in the development of other consumer electronic products.
“Freescale is a pioneer in the development of RF control technology with a range of products designed to meet the unique challenges of consumer electronics manufacturers,” said Brett Black, commercial wireless manager for Freescale. “As a full-service platform provider for OEMs ready to implement ZigBee technology for home control, we are delighted to be one of the first to meet the Golden Unit ZigBee RF4CE requirements.”
ZigBee RF4CE has many advantages over other technologies like IR, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for controlling consumer electronics. The advantages of ZigBee RF4CE include ultra-low power (four times lower than IR remotes), two way communications for upgraded user interfaces and services, and extended range over technologies like Bluetooth.
Freescale estimates that in 2009, there will be 4 million shipments of 802.15.4 based RF transceivers for consumer electronics. With the new standard, the number of ZigBee RF4CE shipments is expected to grow substantially. By 2012, Freescale expects there to be more than 160 million products shipped per year with ZigBee RF4CE technology.
Independent tests were conducted by NTS Corporation, TRaC Telecoms & Radio and TUV Rheinland. The ZigBee Alliance requires Golden Unit certification for all new specifications to ensure the highest standard of quality for future ZigBee RF4CE products. It also supports increased interoperability of platforms developed on this standard, extending the industry adoption of ZigBee RF4CE.
According to Bob Heile, ZigBee Alliance chairman, the Golden Unit specification establishes a wireless platform industry standard for, “consumer electronic manufacturers to create innovative products and features for the consumer that will be secure, low-cost and easy to deploy.” The ZigBee Alliance recently announced the availability of Golden Unit platforms.
Freescale is one of the first ZigBee Alliance members to achieve the Golden Unit status and has been an influential contributor in the development of the ZigBee RF4CE protocol.
Due to limitation of infrared remote controls with large screen, flat panel TVs, and the increased need for richer user-interfaces and new services, RF based remote controls are becoming pervasive in the home entertainment market, creating a greater need for standards. Freescale offers a range of ZigBee RF4CE certified products for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) that require an immediate, low-cost solution for control of applications such as HDTV, set-top boxes and other consumer electronic devices.
ZigBee RF4CE is expected to enable advanced control capabilities (i.e., two-way communication between entertainment devices) to continue to improve the overall usability of home entertainment products. Freescale’s ZigBee RF4CE platform is already deployed in OEM products and Freescale is working with industry leaders in the development of other consumer electronic products.
“Freescale is a pioneer in the development of RF control technology with a range of products designed to meet the unique challenges of consumer electronics manufacturers,” said Brett Black, commercial wireless manager for Freescale. “As a full-service platform provider for OEMs ready to implement ZigBee technology for home control, we are delighted to be one of the first to meet the Golden Unit ZigBee RF4CE requirements.”
ZigBee RF4CE has many advantages over other technologies like IR, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for controlling consumer electronics. The advantages of ZigBee RF4CE include ultra-low power (four times lower than IR remotes), two way communications for upgraded user interfaces and services, and extended range over technologies like Bluetooth.
Freescale estimates that in 2009, there will be 4 million shipments of 802.15.4 based RF transceivers for consumer electronics. With the new standard, the number of ZigBee RF4CE shipments is expected to grow substantially. By 2012, Freescale expects there to be more than 160 million products shipped per year with ZigBee RF4CE technology.
Independent tests were conducted by NTS Corporation, TRaC Telecoms & Radio and TUV Rheinland. The ZigBee Alliance requires Golden Unit certification for all new specifications to ensure the highest standard of quality for future ZigBee RF4CE products. It also supports increased interoperability of platforms developed on this standard, extending the industry adoption of ZigBee RF4CE.
According to Bob Heile, ZigBee Alliance chairman, the Golden Unit specification establishes a wireless platform industry standard for, “consumer electronic manufacturers to create innovative products and features for the consumer that will be secure, low-cost and easy to deploy.” The ZigBee Alliance recently announced the availability of Golden Unit platforms.
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