March 2, 1998

Cover Story

Intelligent I/O: Does I₂O hold H₂O?
By offloading interrupt and bus-traffic overhead caused by standard I/O operations, intelligent I/O subsystems allow host CPUs to support more users or transactions. Now, the I₂O initiative seeks to make such subsystems both OS- and hardware-independent, leading to widespread deployment.
--Maury Wright, Technical Editor

Design Features

• Microprocessor and DSP technologies unite for embedded applications
  Many embedded applications require a mixture of µP and DSP functionality; semiconductor vendors are creating hybrid devices to handle both types of processing. Before you begin your next design with discrete µP and DSP devices, check out the benefits and limitations that these hybrid devices offer.
  --Markus Levy, Technical Editor

• Frame grabbers get the picture when video cameras fall short
  Even when digital video cameras do away with frame grabbers' ADCs, capture boards remain vital in real-time industrial imaging.
  --Dan Strassberg, Senior Technical Editor

• Interfacing HDLs with conventional programming languages
  Programming languages that interface with HDL models facilitate hardware/software codesign. This interface technique--along with a practical example using a VHDL behavioral model of a memory-copier device in a C-based application--helps you with this codesign.
  --Francisco Mora and Andres Torrubia, Polytechnic University of Valencia

• DSP IC's clock oscillator uses inexpensive crystals
  Circuit tricks eliminate a DSP chip's need for expensive, low-ESR crystals.
  --Sergey Dickey, Dynamic Telecommunications Inc

• Designing with op amps: Single-formula technique keeps it simple
  A simple single-op-amp design technique uses one formula--R_F/|gain|--for both positive and negative gains. The procedure works for all gain settings and produces designs with minimal bias-current error.
  --Dieter Knollman, PhD, Lucent Technologies

Leading Edge

• IC changes course of USB enumeration procedure
• Firewire VXI slot-zero controller is first, fast, and low-cost
• Bus switches offer system isolation, protection, and 5-to-3.3V translation
• EDA companies tackle pc-board design
• Communications considerations drive converter characteristics
• Programmable ADSL chip set upgrades to G.lite

• Help your palmtop over midlife crisis
• Optical sensor provides surface-mount noncontact switch
• ASIC and programmable logic join forces in new core approach
• ADCs battle ever-faster, wider ranging signals
• Triband GSM chip set achieves efficiency by avoiding DSP core
• Calendar