The Top 10 Most Popular Analog News Stories of 2011
The hot topics this year proved to be quite an eclectic mixture with no one technology development coming to the fore.
So in reverse order here are the top ten news stories of 2011. Take a peek. You just might have missed one of these stories when it first appeared on eeNews Europe Analog.
10. Wolfson reveals world’s first audio SoC
Edging into the Top Ten list is this story about Wolfson Microelectronics plc unveiling what the company claimed was the world’s first Audio System-on-a-Chip (SoC), integrating a high performance, low power, multi-channel Audio Hub, with full transmit path (Tx) noise cancellation, receive path (Rx) noise cancellation and Wolfson’s myZone adaptive Ambient Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology in one device.
9. ADI helps the Large Hadron Collider achieve highest possible superconducting magnet performance
The search for the Higgs Boson has been a topic of interest all year so it is no shock to see this story about the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland and the University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy, collaborating on the design of an advanced instrument for measuring magnetic fields in CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) superconducting magnets.
Called the Fast Digital Integrator (FDI) board, this measurement device uses Analog Devices’ A/D converters , analog multiplexers and DSP components to provide the LHC with the highest possible performance achieved to-date in measuring magnetic fields.
8. Low-cost audio processor eliminates need to write or license audio algorithms
Quickfilter Technologies has introduced a 3-channel audio processor that is designed for seamless insertion into an audio serial digital data path. The single-chip QF3DFX Profound Sound Audio Processor is easily configured using the Quickfilter QFPro Design Software with royalty- free user-tunable advanced audio algorithms for psychoacoustic effects such as bass enhancement, high frequency restoration, and virtual surround sound.
7. Surround haptics extend tactile perception into simulation environments
A new tactile technology developed at Disney Research, Pittsburgh (DRP), called Surround Haptics, proved to be a ‘must read’ story. The technology makes it possible for video game players and film viewers to feel a wide variety of sensations, from the smoothness of a finger being drawn against skin to the jolt of a collision. The technology is based on rigorous psychophysical experiments and new models of tactile perception.
6. Optical amplifier claims world record low noise performance
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden demonstrated an optical amplifier which can amplify light with extremely low noise. The breakthrough claims to enable a reach increase for optical fiber signals from e.g. 1000 km to 4000 km, and will pave the way for increasing the capacity of data communications. The new amplifier could lead to better Internet traffic and laser radar technology, and promote any applications where detection of weak levels of light is essential, such as free-space communication.
5. RF Engines unveils world’s most flexible ultra-wideband channelizer solution
This story focused on RF Engines Limited’s claim to have taken a large step towards creating the ultimate radio receiver which is capable of detecting and processing signals across all of the radio spectrum, all of the time. The UK company is introducing an innovative and highly flexible, ultra-wideband, Channelizer IP core – the ChannelCore Flex.
4. See through material set to revolutionize touch screens
Invisibility is clearly still attractive which explains why the story about Peratech (Richmond, UK) developing a see through version of its Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC) force sensing material proved so popular. QTC Clear which can be used touch screens that can completely replace current resistive touch screen technologies or enhance capacitive ones to create superior solutions with more features such as 3D input.
3. New generation of high performance MEMS gyros prepare to tackle harsh environments
Claiming a well earned bronze medal was a news analysis article penned by yours truly Paul Buckley, the editor of eeNews Europe Analog, which focused on the development of the new iMEMS gyroscopes launched by Analog Devices Inc., The interview with Wayne Meyer, ADI’s Marketing & Applications Manager MEMS and Sensor Technologies Division explained how the new generation of high performance MEMS gyros could influence the work of many design engineers.
2. Millimeter-scale all-in-one computers debut
Marching into second place was the story about what was billed as world’s first all-in-one millimeter-sized processor which debuted in February 2011 at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference in San Francisco.
1.TI agrees to acquire National Semiconductor
Not surprisingly the news story all analog engineers just had to check out was the one that explained that Texas Instruments Incorporated had signed a definitive agreement with National Semiconductor under which TI acquired National for $25 per share in an all-cash transaction of about $6.5 billion. The acquisition combined two of major industry leaders in analog semiconductors to make a new powerful No 1 in the analog world.
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