Fujitsu next-generation multi-standard video
decoder solution for HDTV set-top boxes

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe's next-generation high-definition (HD) multi-standard video decoder solution, the MB86H61, complies with the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) and China Audio and Video Coding (AVS) Standards. The decoder chip is capable of decoding MPEG-2, H.264/AVC, AVS and VC-1 compressed video up to HD resolution. It combines a fast ARM1176JZF-S™ CPU with more than 475DMIPS with all the features required by next-generation HDTV receivers including advanced security for supporting CI-Plus and the latest embedded Conditional Access (CA) systems.

This cost-effective, low power and highly integrated System-on-Chip (SoC) incorporates all the necessary processing functions for digital video, digital audio, powerful on-screen graphics and a variety of connectivity options for set-top boxes (STB), personal video recorders (PVR) and in-car TV receivers. With the included stand-by controller, it adheres to The European Code of Conduct on Energy Efficiency and enables customers to realise STBs with extremely low power consumption. The integrated PHYs for SATA and two USB ports allow for cost-effective product designs. Additional system benefits include support for low-cost, high-speed DDR2 and NAND flash technologies.

A significant part of this new HDTV video decoder solution is the comprehensive STB application software including drivers, middleware and a customisable user interface. The software package includes ports for various third party software IPs for digital TV functions such as MHEG-5, DVB Teletext/Subtitles and CI-Plus. With its application teams located in Europe, China and Japan, Fujitsu Microelectronics is capable of providing excellent local support to its customers helping them to design their next-generation digital TV products.

The DVB digital broadcasting standard is used in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and by some broadcast systems in China that broadcast in standard definition (SD) and high-definition using the MPEG-2 and H.264 video compression formats.

The AVS specification provides one of the most comprehensive standardisation solutions for the Chinese digital video and audio industry because it addresses system level content transport, video/audio coding formats and media copyright management. It also provides video coding efficiency that is two-to-three times more efficient than MPEG-2 (and equivalent to H.264).

For further information, e-mail: jim.bryant@fme.fujitsu.com or view website: http://emea.fujitsu.com/microelectronics  Refer to page 118 

Universal earth leakage protection relay from FDB

The EFR-2 Earth Leakage Protection Relay from FDB is part of their Optima range of low cost, high specification RCDs. It is especially suited to protection of all types of electrical machinery for the benefit of maintenance personnel. It offers an extremely wide range of performance and can be specified across extensive trip levels and response times for precise system control which is especially valuable for large industrial and automated machines. Examples include large electric motors, car parking barriers, automated manufacturing assembly lines etc.

The EFR-2 is designed for use with any of the remote Optima CBCT's (core balance transformers). It is housed in a compact din-rail mounting enclosure complete with integral test and reset buttons and LED status indication. Built-in features include failsafe (control power loss tripping), manual reset after fault trip, auto reset after control power failure and trip status latched until reset (with power supply on). A non-failsafe version is available to special order; this should be used in applications where shunt tripping of primary/supply breakers makes failsafe impractical.

Specifications cover control voltages of 24-240V AC/DC non isolated 240/415V 30-120 Hz internally isolated with trip current of 10 mA-2 A and separate N/C and N/O contracts rated 8 amps 2000 VA, 415V. Time delay setting available from 20 mSecs to 1 second (factory set).

The EFR-2 will react to alternating current only and will reject stray DC signals. It will maintain accuracy over an extremely wide bandwidth from 5 Hz to 800 Hz, thus making the unit suitable for application on variable frequency drives. It can be used on solid, medium or high resistance grounded installations and, by using our recommended artificial ground package, even on ungrounded installations.

The fully encapsulated construction provides excellent temperature stability together with high immunity against shock and vibration. Housed in a flame retardant ABS housing as standard.

For further information on FDB Electrical products and services, view website: www.fdb.uk.com   Refer to page 71

Masternaut Three X real-time service - part of Romec's health and safety measures for its workforce reduced

 LeRomec, one of the UK's largest facilities management companies, has improved the safety of its mobile workers after equipping 1000 service vehicles with Masternaut satellite tracking. The Masternaut Three X real-time service is part of Romec's health and safety measures for its workforce.  It has already reduced speeding by 82 per cent and fines by 26 per cent, with a 28 per cent reduction in road traffic accidents (RTA) involving Romec staff. 

"We've installed Masternaut GPS vehicle tracking systems for all engineers. This will work alongside our scheduling software and allow us to provide 24 hour accountability. The impact of the system has been extremely positive in reducing speeding and RTAs involving our people and associated endorsements and fines," says Lee Russell, IS Business Partner, Romec.

The web-based Masternaut service gives Romec's engineering services team a live view of its vehicles and drivers, enabling real-time monitoring of actual progress against work schedules. With the system, managers in the National Service Centre, Stockport, are able to see vehicles travelling to and from customers sites and receive automatic alerts on screen and in real time.

"The National Service Centre protects 500,000 assets throughout the UK and with Masternaut we get a bird's eye view of engineers where ever they may be at any time. The always-on vehicle tracking service not only supports our duty of care policy, it also helps to encourage engineers to drive carefully and consider other road users," says Lee Russell.

Romec is one of few organisations that can deliver a range of facilities services across a national network.  By providing services to blue chip clients, the company has built a reputation based on technology enabled performance, reliability and flexibility. Romec provides a complete range of facilities management services - from specialist project management, cutting edge printing and manufacturing through to consultancy, design, installation and maintenance of your building, fire and security 

For further information, e-mail: media@masternaut.co.uk or view website: www.masternaut.co.uk

Ramtron's nonvolatile state savers FM1105-GA and FM1106-GA, have AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification 

Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq: RMTR), the leading developer and supplier of nonvolatile ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) and integrated semiconductor products, offer two of its nonvolatile state savers, the FM1105-GA and FM1106-GA, which have received AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification. The state saver device saves the state of signals on demand and restores them to the correct state automatically upon power up. F-RAM technology uniquely enables this capability due to its fast write time, virtually unlimited write endurance, and low-power requirements.

The Grade 1 temperature qualification allows the FM1105-GA and FM1106-GA to operate over the entire automotive temperature range of -40 degrees C to +125 degrees C, enabling designers to benefit from F-RAM in systems throughout the car. The nonvolatile state saver is as simple to use as a D-type flip-flop. It operates like conventional logic, but stores and retains the logic state in the absence of power, simplifying the design of system control functions.  The nonvolatile state saver with Grade 1 automotive qualification is well-suited for diverse applications including door lock and child safety position electronic latches, airbag deactivation switch, blower speed and vent position for cabin ventilation systems, dome light mode switch, and electrically heated steering wheel and seats, among other applications.

"The Ramtron state saver is an elegant solution that simplifies the design of system control functions. The state saver is unique because it remembers the stored output values without power," explains Mike Peters, Ramtron marketing manager. "The AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification of the FM1105-GA and FM1106-GA helps grow our Grade 1 automotive compliant product portfolio, further enabling intelligent automotive applications that respond to the timeliest information available," Peters adds.

Product features
The low-power nonvolatile state saver provides continuous access to nonvolatile system settings without reading a memory or consuming dedicated processor I/O pins.  It enables storage of signals that may change frequently and without notice, and it allows the nonvolatile storage of system settings without the system overhead and extra pins of a serial memory.

The FM1105-GA operates from 4.5 volts to 5.5 volts with a standby current of 20 microamps. The FM1106-GA operates from 2.7 volts to 3.6 volts with a standby current of 8 microamps. Both devices can drive 10 milliamp loads, change state continuously as fast as 1 microsecond, offer 1E12 (1-trillion) state changes, and operate over the AEC-Q100 Grade 1 automotive temperature range (-40 degrees C to +125 degrees C). Visit http://www.ramtron/products/nonvolatile-state-saver for more product details.

Availability
Samples of the FM1105-GA and FM1106-GA are available now. The device are packaged in an 8-pin SOIC that is RoHS-compliant. 

For further information, e-mail: chris.wray@ramtron.com or view website: www.ramtron.com   Refer to page 102