Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Minimizing Video Processing Design Time with FPGA Development Kits and Reference Designs

Oct 7 2009 2:02PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (2) |

Introduction
Video standards and methods of encoding/decoding have made tremendous progress over the last decade with the availability of large system-on-a-chip (SOC) solutions using ASSPs, ASICs, or FPGAs. The majority of broadcast content is already streaming in high definition (HD) and is moving from an interlace format to a progressive format. Today’s broadcast equipment must be capable of handling all types of video formats and resolutions. Video processing with FPGAs still holds a key advantage over other types of technologies due to the inherent flexibility and scalability of these devices.

The 1080p 60/120Hz Video
Video displays have evolved from bulky CRTs to the popular LCDs for today’s professional video monitor. For high end color graphics, CRTs offer some advantages because LCDs can only dis...Read More

 


Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Reviewed: A New Module That Simplifies Zigbee Development

Jul 21 2009 11:00AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

With some 42% of design engineers reporting in an EDN survey that they've evaluated wireless technology with the help of a dev board, finding the right tools is a key issue.

Although William Wong, an editor with Electronic Design doesn't apply banana ratings, his review of AeroComm's SDK-ZB2430 dev kit would merit a bunch of plantains. He especially likes the fact that AeroComm offers a complete system here, "that can be used without having to go through FCC approval since you don’t modify the 2.4GHz RF or 802.15.4 protocol stacks." Read his complete review here.

 


XMOS Semiconductor XS1-G Development Kit

Jul 21 2009 10:58AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (1) |

DEV-MONKEY RATING:
Ease of Set-Up
- 5 bananas
Quality and Clarity of Documentation - 2 bananas
Overall Experience - 3 bananas
Meets Expectations - 2 bananas

WHO NEEDS THIS KIT:
Engineers and designers interested in a deterministic architecture that can involve multiple MCUs in a single package. Applications include audio-visual control and switching, appliance control, security systems, automotive control, and similar uses.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
In this kit you could learn about the XCore MCU architecture and how to apply it, but the documentation makes the task difficult.

TIME TO COMPLETE TEST PROGRAM:
About three and a half hours.
...Read More

 


Friday, December 5, 2008

XMOS Semiconductor XS1-G Development Kit

Dec 5 2008 12:00AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

DEV-MONKEY RATING:
Ease of Set-Up
- 5 bananas
Quality and Clarity of Documentation - 2 bananas
Overall Experience - 3 bananas
Meets Expectations - 2 bananas

WHO NEEDS THIS KIT:
Engineers and designers interested in a deterministic architecture that can involve multiple MCUs in a single package. Applications include audio-visual control and switching, appliance control, security systems, automotive control, and similar uses.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
In this kit you could learn about the XCore MCU architecture and how to apply it, but the documentation makes the task difficult.

TIME TO COMPLETE TEST PROGRAM:
About three and a half hours.

PREREQU...Read More

 


Monday, May 19, 2008

Reviewed: A New Module That Simplifies Zigbee Development

May 19 2008 12:00AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

With some 42% of design engineers reporting in an EDN survey that they've evaluated wireless technology with the help of a dev board, finding the right tools is a key issue.

Although William Wong, an editor with Electronic Design doesn't apply banana ratings, his review of AeroComm's SDK-ZB2430 dev kit would merit a bunch of plantains. He especially likes the fact that AeroComm offers a complete system here, "that can be used without having to go through FCC approval since you don’t modify the 2.4GHz RF or 802.15.4 protocol stacks." Read his complete review here.

 


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Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Texas Instruments has new Low-power RF product guide.

Mar 25 2008 12:00AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

TI has published a new product portfolio for their sub-1 and 2.4 GHz frequency bands. New products for consumer, industrial and Zigbee markets are featured.

Both hardware and software solutions are presented as well as parametric tables.

You can download a copy of the guide here. While there you can sign up for their Low-Power RF eNewsletter as well.

 


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Friday, March 21, 2008

Book Review: Hands-On ZigBee: Implementing 802.15.4 with Microcontrollers by Fred Eady

Mar 21 2008 12:00AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

If you need to learn about something technical, a nice good starting point is always a good book.  Jon Titus reviewed one such tome;  Hands-On ZigBee: Implementing 802.15.4 with Microcontrollers by Fred Eady.

 

Eady not only defines the radio and protocol, but describes 15 commercially available hardware/software packages.  While n...Read More

 


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Book Announcement: Advanced PIC Microcontroller Projects in C, explores the PIC18 series.

Mar 21 2008 12:00AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (7) |

Dogan Ibrahim has a new book that focuses on advanced usage of the PIC18 microcontroller series by Microchip.  The book reviews the PIC18 series in-depth and the mikroC complier that is used throughout the book.  Currently available development kits are also discussed.  This information leads up to the many projects covered in the book.

 

Some of the projects include:

...Read More

 


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Book Announcement: Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks by Roberto Verdone discusses technology options

Mar 21 2008 12:00AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (3) |

A new book, Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks, could be the help you need to define your next network.  Roberto Verdone’s book presents different technology options as well as the means to measure their performance.  MAC and routing protocols, localization and data fusion techniques are presented with simulation, mathematical models or experimental test beds are discussed so that you can make an educated data-driven choice.  Case studies as well as data samples of the measurements are used to demonstrate the different methods.

 

...Read More

 


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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Book Review: Cryptography for Developers by Tom St. Denis and Simon Johnson

Mar 20 2008 12:00AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

We have a subject near and dear to the security of not only our personal information, but of confidential information used in the day-to-day running of many businesses.  Encryption of data is here to stay and is spreading throughout many industries that even five years ago didn’t imagine that it would be necessary.

 

Jon Titus reviews Cryptography for Developers...Read More

 


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