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June 2011 Archives

June 8, 2011

Sudoku adds up to something

sudoku.jpg

"Remember son, numbers add up to nothin"[1], my granpappy would tell me in his Tennessee drawl, which always sounded strange, coming from Sheffield as he did... Anyhoo, the roundabout point of this post is to draw your attention to Sudoku and its home on ElectronicsWeekly.com:
www.electronicsweekly.com/sudoku

Continue reading "Sudoku adds up to something" »

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 8, 2011 1:35 PM | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

June 1, 2011

COMs Insider: Building Bridges for SMEs

Welcome to the latest post in the series COMs Insider by Bob Pickles, Congatec UK territory manager.

Are you an SME designing industrial applications, for instance for the automation, medical, or digital signage sector? Are you attracted by the potential of embedded computer technology but base your designs on standard office PCs for lack of embedded expertise and don't know where to start?

Well - fear no more. A new initiative known as Embedded Building Blocks is available to help you develop your own embedded solutions quickly and virtually pain free.

Continue reading "COMs Insider: Building Bridges for SMEs" »

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 1, 2011 8:49 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 3, 2011

Top 10 most popular articles on ElectronicsWeekly.com

electronics weekly logo 120 x 60 png.pngHere are the top ten most popular articles on ElectronicsWeekly.com in the last week, with Freescale, Raspberry Pi and a sailbot leading the way...

See what your peers have been reading. In reverse order:

10. Qualcomm adds GLONASS positoning to smartphones

9. Comment: Linguists crack Skype conversations

8. Picture Gallery - Lumiblade OLED lighting

Continue reading "Top 10 most popular articles on ElectronicsWeekly.com" »

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 3, 2011 9:02 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Computers - Animator versus Animation

We can file this one under Digital Life, but it is just an excuse to show this funny video. Not so much man versus computer, but animator versus animation, in a computer...



Very clever, and credit to its creator, Alan Becker.

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 3, 2011 12:03 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 6, 2011

Only Connect - A small quiz on fiber optics

Welcome to another post in the series by Nick Locke, of Nicab Ltd, who has over 15 years experience in the electronics manufacturing industry specialising in interconnection cable assembly.

To complete my series of guides to fiber optics I am now going to give you a small quiz!  There is no prize for your efforts,  however, if you are brave enough to post your answers as a Comment below, I will give you a hero's reception in my next blog.

Multiple Choice

Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 
 1. Singlemode fiber has a ______ light-carrying core than multimode fiber.
A.    Smaller
B.    Larger
C.    Same size
 

Continue reading "Only Connect - A small quiz on fiber optics" »

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 6, 2011 1:34 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 8, 2011

BBC to broadcast strawberries and cream in 3D

BBC tennins in 3D.jpgAnother one for the Digital Life category, just to mark another 3D landmark - the first free-to-air 3D broadcast will be available during the BBC coverage of Wimbledon 2011. Available only, of course, to those with access to a 3D TV set and HD channels.

"We're bringing audiences a new way of getting close to the action," said Danielle Nagler, head of BBC HD and 3D. "I'm sure that 3D will only add to the drama as the world's greatest players compete for the championship."
 

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 8, 2011 3:06 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 9, 2011

Elektra Awards power up

mpu header 200.jpgWe are pleased to announce a whole number of new sponsorships for the Elektra European Electronics Industry Awards 2011.

There are 21 categories this year and the Distributor of the Year is now sponsored by IC Resources, the Educational Support Award is now sponsored by IC Group, the Embedded Systems Product of the Year Award is now sponsored by Redline, the Design Tools and Development Software Award is now sponsored by element14, and the Design Team of the Year is now sponsored by Farnell. And thank you to all the sponsoring companies for their support of the industry event!

The full list of sponsors - in alphabetic order - is as follows:

Continue reading "Elektra Awards power up" »

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 9, 2011 10:07 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 13, 2011

Only Connect: On better manufacturing co-operation

(Before we start this blog, thank you to all those who contacted my directly answering the quiz I set last week. Well the good news is that many of you did indeed do your homework and got all the answers right. It would be unfair to everyone if I were to pick one winner suffice to say you know who you are and well done you!)

A recent experience has led me to question the policy of some major connector manufacturers in the way they make their tooling and products available.

Here is the thing; we come across this problem repeatedly where an engineer flicks through the latest product catalogue or website and finds a shiny new connector and thinks "yes that's the one for me", designs it into the system, then it's passed on to the cable assembly house to manufacture prototypes, through to full production. Great, you're thinking, so what is the problem?

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 13, 2011 4:26 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 14, 2011

Photos: Wing morphing UAV from UCSD

Student launches plane x 100.jpgWe have a new Photo Gallery on the site - check out Wing morphing UAV from UCSD.

Engineers at the University of California, San Diego are mimicking the movement of bird wings to help improve the manoeuvrability of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Initial testing has validated the concept of using wing sweep for pitch control of the aircraft, say the University. Future research could combine twisting, flapping, and other wing morphing.

Take a look at some pictures of the project.

View the latest gallery >>

View all Electronics Weekly Photo Galleries >>


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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 14, 2011 10:21 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 15, 2011

Electronics Weekly keeps its Eyes on Android

Eyes on Android.jpgWe are pleased to announce another new blog, in the growing portfolio of blogs on Electronics Weekly - Eyes on Android.

As its title suggests, it is all about keeping up with developments related to Android, the relatively new mobile platform developed by Google.

According to latest figures from Gartner it already has a 38% share of the smartphone market, and we hope the topic will be of interest to you.

Continue reading "Electronics Weekly keeps its Eyes on Android" »

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 15, 2011 10:58 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 17, 2011

Top 10 most popular articles on ElectronicsWeekly.com

electronics weekly logo 120 x 60 png.pngHere are the top ten most popular articles on ElectronicsWeekly.com in the last week, with Intel, iPad 2 alternatives, Ed and his company's penson fund, and a Mannerisms Fable leading the way...

See what your peers have been reading. In reverse order:

10. Picture Gallery - Wing morphing UAV from UCSD

9. FPGA firm Lattice eyes acquisition targets

8. Apple to spend $22bn on chips this year

Continue reading "Top 10 most popular articles on ElectronicsWeekly.com" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 17, 2011 11:05 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 20, 2011

Only Connect: The greening of electronics manufacturing (Going Green #7)

Welcome to another post in the series by Nick Locke, of Nicab Ltd, who has over 15 years experience in the electronics manufacturing industry specialising in interconnection cable assembly.

It has been said, by no less of a philosopher than Kermit the Frog, that it ain't easy being green. However, for many forward thinkers the very idea of being green is essential to the survival of the human race.  For others it is a vague thing that, yeah, maybe it's going to be a problem if we don't protect the environment some day.

There is also another set of people who are thinking, "I'm worried about the environment but my job involves making things, so we perpetuate the problem of taking natural resources from the earth."

Continue reading "Only Connect: The greening of electronics manufacturing (Going Green #7)" »

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 20, 2011 4:50 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 22, 2011

Elektra Awards - University Department of the Year

mpu header 200.jpgOne of the new Elektra Awards his year is the University Department of the Year. If you think a particular department should be brought to our attention, don't hesitate to contact us - webmaster@electronicsweekly.com
Electronics Weekly is looking to find the most innovative and successful electronic and electrical engineering department within a university or collage. Judging criteria will include interesting project work for students, industry partnerships and international collaborations. We will also be interested to learn of research successes.
The University Department of the Year award is sponsored by RS.

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 22, 2011 10:41 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Guest Blog: A connected world needs connected design

generic electronics image.jpgThis guest blog post, on the role of the Internet in electronics design, is written by Martin Harris, Head of Global Field Operations, Altium.

In today's world of pervasive connectivity, the Internet and all it hosts is involved in almost everything we do. Yet along with this everyday familiarity, what's perhaps less obvious is its huge and rapidly growing influence in the design of today's electronic products.

It's worth stepping back for a moment to take a look at what that means for electronics designers and what's needed to capitalize on, or even survive, the shift to more 'connected' electronics design. Broadly speaking, the role of the Internet in design can be considered from two interrelated perspectives; its influence on what we design and how it affects the way we design - or in practical terms, the type of products we create, and the processes we use to develop them.

From an electronic product point of view, the demand for connected devices is rising by the day. Estimates vary about the number of devices expected to be connected in the near future, but it's measured in the billions by the middle of this decade.

That's a big market. And it's not just confined to consumer products.

Continue reading "Guest Blog: A connected world needs connected design" »

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 22, 2011 4:25 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 27, 2011

Only Connect: Made in Britain for China (UK Manufacturing #5)

Wen Jiabao.jpgWelcome to another post in the series by Nick Locke, of Nicab Ltd, who has over 15 years experience in the electronics manufacturing industry specialising in interconnection cable assembly.

I have been very pleased to see the new series on the BBC "Made in Britain". I can't think where they got that idea! Anyway, the point is that UK manufacturing is now vital to our economy and after the recession, the sensible people in government realise re-balancing the economy will be partly manufacturing driven.

A good example of the importance of manufacturing is its ability to create jobs for all levels of education and abilities. In finance, typically, you need to be well educated and work in an office. That is ok for some but what if, like me, you like making things or you're passionate about having a physical achievement to the end of your day's work.

Continue reading "Only Connect: Made in Britain for China (UK Manufacturing #5)" »

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 27, 2011 11:07 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 28, 2011

COMs Insider: Digital signage off the shelf

Digital signage off the shelf.jpgWelcome to the latest post in the series COMs Insider by Bob Pickles, Congatec UK territory manager.

It's very interesting to see the uptake of digital signage technology these days. The technology in use and the plethora of real world applications is truly amazing.

The cost of Plasma, LCD and LED type display technology has been tumbling down over the past few years, encouraging the use of flat panel technology to replace old paper or mechanical cyclic-type advertising media.

The benefits of computer advertising are just starting to be realised with flat panel displays appearing in shopping arcades, department stores, airports, bus stations, even fast food restaurants! I read with interest about a chain of fast food restaurants only last week, rolling out flat panel displays to all of it's restaurants across Chile, allowing the company to selectively present food types at key times of the day or even automatically update menu pricing to all stores at the click of a button.

Continue reading "COMs Insider: Digital signage off the shelf" »

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Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on June 28, 2011 3:25 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

About June 2011

This page contains all entries posted to Electro-ramblings in June 2011. They are listed from oldest to newest.

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