Unique ICs has released a new version of Avocad, its computer-aided design system for Windows, which provides fast design and simulation of analogue-digital circuits represented at the transistor level. Avocad is optimised for very large-scale integrated circuits. Avocad 1.79 combines a design environment with numerous utilities, including a library editor, a model editor etc.

The design environment integrates the following parts: Avocapture for schematic capture; a project manager; Avoprobe, a full functioning postprocessor; the Avosim simulation module; a simulation environment; and other tools.

While several companies have recently released thermoplastic versions of CMP pad conditioners, these new Organic Diamond Disks are made with an innovative thermally stable, stiff epoxy.

By using an epoxy base with partly metal-coated diamonds, the disks are lighter, and a wider range of abrasive particle types can be used.

nondiamond materials such as CBN are also possible with this design.

Because no metal is exposed to the surface, the disks are ideal for harsh extreme pH slurries, and a wider range of operating temperatures.

‘We are finding that when we speak with customers, our pricing is 20%, 30% or less than conventional electroplated disks out in the marketplace’.

‘Our disks also have the benefit of fixed placement grid-pattern diamonds, as well as optional oriented tips, to give predictable control over performance’.

‘They also have longer lifetimes, lower defectivity and superior uniformity results’.

‘Qualifying these disks is an easy decision for thin film and process engineers as well as fab managers’, stated ADS’ Product Manager.

The Organic Diamond Disk product line is an ideal complement to another newly release line of disks, Advanced Diamond Disk (ADD), which are environmentally friendly and made with pure polycrystalline diamond.

Organic Diamond Disks are now in full production, and are available for purchase at any volume requirement.

Magma Design Automation India has successfully partnered Anna University, one of India’s leading educational institutions, as part of its initiative to increase the number of professionals exposed to state of the art IC implementation tools. The partnership has since yielded spectacular results with students in the ECE Department of the College of Engineering led by Dr PV Ramakrishna having successfully taped out a general-purpose CDMA receiver IC.

‘Personally for me, this partnership is extra special given that I am an alumnus of this esteemed institution’.

Commented Prof N Gunasekaran, Head of the ECE Department CEG Campus’, We would like to thank Magma Design Automation for not only providing us the tools but actively supporting us and training our students in the usage of its tools’.

‘The success in such a short timeframe has greatly enthused us and we plan to expand our VLSI course offerings using Magma as the IC implementation vehicle’.

Magma’s IC Excellence initiative aims at training current designers on cutting-edge technology to meet the high productivity demands of the current market.

It enables them to focus on product innovation by automating the implementation and embedding latest technology in the engineering curriculum to imbibe IC design strength, thus bridging the academia-industry gap.

Under the programme, Magma India closely works with VLSI heads of top-tier engineering institutions providing training material, applications engineering support besides donating licences.

The initiative encompasses: donation of Magma’s IC design software to leading engineering Institutions in India, launch of a IC physical design PG diploma course with leading VLSI training institutions in India, collaborating with leading corporations in the segment, and working with the Government of Karnataka and the Department of IT, Government of India to achieve these shared objectives.

IFS Pro is a software package specifically developed for design engineers with high speed analogue simulation requirements involved in PCB, cable, connector, VLSI, and related interconnect media design. As datarates escalate beyond 1Gbit/s, the microwave frequency domain characteristics of the interconnect system become increasingly important.

The traditional microwave frequency dependent ‘port’ measurements are scattering or S parameters, impedance or Z parameters, and transmission or T and ABCD parameters.

IFS Pro simulates all these parameters quickly and accurately prior to prototyping.

IFS Pro uses novel technology for modelling high-speed frequency-dependent losses in transmission line systems through the use of a unique lossy Spice network model generator and simulator.

This makes Interactive Products the first signal integrity tool company to produce a generic Spice model that can be run in any Spice platform that accurately models frequency-dependent losses (traditional frequency-dependent models account for a single frequency only).

This adds to the existing boundary element platform, which automatically generates an extensive electromagnetic report for any arbitrary geometry and augments the various Spice models created.

IFS Pro produces numerous Spice models ranging from lossless/lossy ladder to lossless/lossy modal, for both time domain and frequency domain analysis.

Time-domain plots include: voltage (including Vin,Vout, and crosstalk); and impedance probes (including single-ended and differential).

Frequency-domain plots include S-parameter, VSWR and eye pattern.

Photon Power Technology has announced the Ipos series of DC magnetron power supplies for sputtering applications. Intended for use in industrial vacuum plasma processing, the Ipos series utilises a superior arc suppression technology of typically less that two microseconds for better quality productivity in ‘hard-coat’ glass/optical coatings.

Arc energy can be adjusted using the onboard 32bit digital control guaranteeing high accuracy and repeatability and remote control is via the RS232/RS485 interface options.

The Ipos range is available in power levels up to 20kW with various output characteristics dependent upon the wave type required for the magnetron.

All have protection against over voltage, short and open circuit conditions.

The Ipos series are suitable for single and dual magnetron sputtering systems and will also provide DC biasing power.

One of the latest techniques that the Ipos range are being used for is in VLSI, where the deposition of a copper film into deep hole and trenches is providing designed with improved flexibility.

The first military aircraft ever to carry a ‘black box’ flight data recorder took to the skies recently - with components for the black box supplied by Swindon-based magnetics manufacturer and distributor MMG MagDev. The first batch of 148 Eurofighter Typhoon supersonic aircraft have been built for the Royal Air Force by BAE Systems in Lancashire and are the first military aircraft in the world to carry a flight data recorder, commonly known as the ‘black box’.

Crucial to the operation of the black box are magnetic components designed by MMG MagDev.

MMG MagDev manufacturing director Paul Wharmby is delighted that his company should be associated with such a prestigious project: ‘This is a tremendous accolade for everybody on the team at MMG MagDev and the staff should all be proud that we are consistently involved with such high-profile applications’.

The Typhoon Eurofighter is capable of speeds up to twice the speed of sound and can climb from the runway to 14km in 30 seconds.

Spain, Germany, Italy and the UK are all involved in the manufacture of the Typhoon as part of the Eurofighter consortium and the Typhoon Eurofighters will based at RAF Coningsby, replacing the Tornado F3.

PowerPax now offers a complete range of high quality toroidal transformers. In recent tests, these China manufactured very aggressively prices units outperformed a selection of UK and European manufactured units as well as offering excellent cost reductions. Standard and customer made units are available for orders of 100 pieces or over.

The standard range covers ratings from 30 to 330VA (with custom models available from 10 to 3000VA), all manufactured in accordance with BS415 class 2, BS3535 (EN60742) and VDE 0550 class 2.

Many models are CE marked and UL approved as standard.

All devices are flash tested to 4.5kV.

The transformers come with flexible flying leads (250mm as standard or as specified), and are supplied with a standard mounting kit.

PowerPax offers a choice of resin filled centres to customer designs and offers a fast and efficient prototype service.

Available now from TTI, Bourns SRP high-current low-DC-resistance power inductors range in size from 7 to 13mm. The standard inductance range is from 0.1 to 10uH and can handle current as high as 50A with DCR well below 1mohm - model dependent. An extended temperature range from -55 to +155C resolves an area that has been an issue for some time.

Also available is the Bourns SRU range of shielded power inductors with 12 octagonally shaped models in 3, 5, 8 and 10mm sizes.

Each size has up to four models which can be used with the same pad layout, they just vary in seated height from 0.9 to 4.8mm.

Further additional devices in 2 and 6mm are soon to be introduced with a total of 10 new models, and with lab kits available in 2, 3, 5, 6 and 10mm sizes.

The one onboard size - up to four models but only one pad layout - assists in reducing space on the PCB by increased flexibility using different model selections for higher current or lower DCR requests.

Mouser Electronics has expanded its Cooper Bussmann product offering to include power management products, including the company’s Coiltronics magnetics solutions. Cooper Bussmann, a division of Cooper Industries, is one of the world’s largest producers of circuit protection devices that protect electrical, electronic and automotive systems from circuit overload.

The Coiltronics family of transformers and inductors includes a broad range of magnetics solutions to meet precise specifications.

‘Both the design engineering community and our suppliers rely on Mouser to supply the newest products available to the marketplace’, according to Barry McConnell, Mouser Vice President of Product Marketing: ‘and by stocking new products like these from Cooper Bussmann, Mouser is able to fulfil its commitment to both suppliers and design engineers alike’.

Coiltronics CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) inverter transformers feature supply output current up to 30 milliamps, a frequency range from 40 to 80kHz, and output power from 2.5 to 14W.

Available in through-hole and surface mount recess or gullwing versions, these devices incorporate floating or fixed secondary technology and are used in CCFL power supplies.

The Coiltronics DR Series of high-power density, high-efficiency shielded inductors features an ambient operating temperature range from -40 to +125C and is available in four sizes.

The devices have secure mounting, magnetic shielding, a current range up to 56A, and an inductance range from 0.33 to 1000uH.

Typical applications for the DR Series include computers, DVD players, portable power devices, LCD panels, DC/DC convertors, and more.

Additionally, Mouser stocks a variety of toroid inductors including the Octa-Pac, Octa-Pac Plus and Econo-Pac Series of power inductors and transformers.

A new monolithic chip coil series of power inductors from Murata, the LQM2HP series, features a package size of just 2.5 x 2.0 x 1.1mm (1008 size). These multilayer power inductors use Murata’s proprietary ceramic materials and innovative inner electrode design. They enable board space savings of up to 44% without performance degradation when compared with wirewound parts.

Aimed primarily at DC/DC convertor circuits, the LQM2HP series is suitable for miniaturisation of power supplies in electrical appliances that demand the best possible performance.

The inductors feature integral magnetic shielding to eliminate EMI issues.

Parts are available with inductances between 0.47 and 4.7uH.

Low DC resistance of between 0.04 and 0.12ohm (depending on the part number) minimises losses and boosts efficiency.

The series is available with rated currents up to 1.8A.