Imagine A Power Source That ... Powers Itself

Imagine A Power Source That ... Powers Itself

Backup generators are noisy and add pollutants to our air. They are also expensive and not very dependable when looking at long stretches of power outages. No wonder why some people think twice about spending $500 and upward to have a piece of equipment that collects dust most of the time.

A new company in Italy called Electro Power Systems SpA has been designing a useful alternative back up power that is clean and reliable since their inception in 2005. Last year, this unit called the ElectroSelf™ began receiving the praise that it deserved.

ElectroSelf™ is a self-contained and self-recharging fuel-cell system that runs solely on water. There are no batteries, no diesel fumes or any other type of expensive and inconvenient factors to contend with. ElectroSelf leverages the water that is produced by the fuel cell during a power outage to generate clean H2, feeding the fuel cell during the next unscheduled power shortage.

This unit can also be incorporated with a main power source in an on grid and placed anywhere in the world. For the prospect of selling power back to utility companies in very rural country, this potential is very possible. As a self-contained unit, the ElectroSelf is capable of operating in temperatures ranging between -20 degrees C to 45 degrees C, indoors or out. Forming a business from a community co-op can also become a reality within the proper realms.

Adriano Marconetto is founder and CEO of Electro Power Systems SpA and anticipates green networks such as his company have introduced to become increasingly attractive to alternative fuels already in place. The fact that ElectroSelf is 100% self-sufficient in creating its own hydrogen opens doors for other companies to search out more flexible and totally green designs in all aspects of fuel free energy.

Not only is this new design virtually maintenance free and guaranteed to return upfront costs but is also a very real option for disaster areas, areas of extreme temperatures and isolated regions. Operating costs are minimal because of the absence of moving parts and topping off with water once per year is the only regular requirement.

ElectroSelf™ was included in the Global Cleantech 100 of 2009 and at the GSMA's Mobile Innovation EMEA event in June 2009, ElectroSelf was awarded "Most Innovative Product Enabling a Greener World". This is a fascinating use of green energy by combining Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2) to create energy; hydrogen fuel by electrolysis of demineralised wastewater of the power generation phase.

Each day, innovators from around the world are creating alternative methods to aid our planet while allowing us to hold on to the luxuries that we have become accustomed to. Hydrogen fuel by electrolysis is just the first step to bigger and better energy creativity to come.

Image credit: Electro Power System Sps 

Web: (electrops.it) 

Nokia Booklet 3G mini laptop unveiled [Full Specifications]

Nokia is bringing out its own kind of Netbook, and even though it may look like a regular netbook, it will carry the classy, smooth design we're used to see from Nokia.

The new Nokia Booklet 3G will be a Windows-based machine, supported by an efficient Intel Atom processor that promises the performance of a full-function PC. It’s efficiency credentials are boldly punctuated with battery life that stretches up to 12 hours (with normal daily use, of course – don’t expect a 12-hour Quake-fest off a single hit of juice).

Weighing only 1.25 kilograms, this new lightweight plans to pack a significant punch with its highly portable alluminum casing. It's little more than 2 centimetres thick. 

Connectivity options include 3G/HSDPA as well as Wi-fi, offering users high speed access to the internet. 

The device features a HDMI port enabling HD video out, a built-in camera for video calling, bluetooth and SD card reader. Featuring a 10-inch glass HD ready display and a built-in A-GPS (which works with the Ovi Maps gadget), pinpointing your exact position takes only seconds. 

Nokia Booklet 3G full specification

Dimensions

•Weight (max) 1250 g

•Dimensions (max) 264 x 185 x 19.9 mm

CPU and Chipset

•Intel Atom Z530, 1.6 GHz

•Intel Poulsbo US15W, fanless design

Memory and Storage

•RAM: 1 GB, DDR2, 533 Mhz, soldered down

•HDD: 120 GB, 1.8”/5mmH/SATA, 8 MB cache, 4200 RPM

Display

•10.1”, 1280×720 pixels, glass window

Battery

•16 cell, 56.8 Wh, Li-Ion prismatic, removable design

Connectivity

•802.11 b/g/n, 2T2R

•BT 2.1 + EDR

•Inbuilt 3G modem (data calls only). Different variants: WCDMA: 850/1900/2100 or WCDMA 900/2100 or no modem.

•All modem variants have GSM and GPRS

•Assisted-GPS

I/O ports

•1 x HDMI 1.2 out

•3 x USB 2.0

•1 x headphone out (OMTP 3.5 mm) – with OMTP headsets also functions as audio in

•1 x DC-in

•1 x SD card reader

•1 x SIM / USIM slot

Camera and microphone

•1.3 MP front facing camera with integrated microphone

Keyboard

•Frame keyboard

•2 physical layouts: US (78 keys, 17 mm pitch, 1.8 mm stroke) and UK (79 keys, 16.7 mm pitch, 1.8 mm stroke)

Other

•Accelerometer

Inbox contents

•Nokia Booklet 3G

•BC-1S battery

•AC/DC power adapter

•Quick setup guide and warranty instructions

•Headset WH-205

•USB charging multi-cable CA-126

Software

•Operating System: Windows 7 Starter Edition, Home Premium or Professional

•MS Office Small Business 60 day trial

•MS Internet Explorer 8

•HDD protection utility, Hotkey utility , Knock Control utility, Power Profile Switcher, Battery Life utility

•Nokia Update Manager

•Ovi Suite

•Ovi Maps Gadget

•Social Hub

•F-Secure Internet Security 2010 trial

PTA to introduce 3G Cellular Technology in Pakistan [PTCL EVO]

What is 3G?

3G (Third Generation) is a category of next generation mobile networks that operates at a higher
frequency bandwidth and a larger channel bandwidth. Moreover, large bandwidth enables 3G networks to support very high data rates, up to 2 Mbps.

Applications

3G offers a wide range of applications. These applications are mainly made possible due to the enhanced data rates as a result of the 2Mbps bandwidth availabilities. Some of the applications are.

1. Mobile TV - Due to the high data transfer rate being offered due to 3G, TV can be viewed on Mobile Phones. For this have to tie up with a service provider, through which the content can be accessed. Eg.Apalya for BSNL(India).

2. Video Conferencing - It is possible to conduct a video conferencing using the available network, due to the 2 Mbps bandwidth.

3. Tele-medicine - This is an extended feature of video conferencing where a remote person can be given attention by a doctor located at a distant place.

4. Location Based Services - These are some services which can be accessed on the dependence of the service provider. These include weather updates, live road traffic view, and vehicle tracking.

5. Video on Demand - Videos can be viewed on demand from a service provider. For providing this service, the service provider should have collaborations with content providers such as Perceptknorigin (in India). This is again possible due to high buffering speed possible due to the 3G network.

PTCL Introducing EVO Wireless Broadband!
 
PTCL introduces EVO wireless Broadband Based on 3G Technology!
 
Experience the evolution of the broadband revolution with PTCL Evo - the ultimate solution for high speed internet access on the move. Just plug and play or work at home, in the office or anywhere in between. There’s no end to your imagination nor to what you can do with Evo.

Features:

•Superior 3G experience.
•Broadband Internet in your pocket
•Unlimited downloads!
•EV-DO Roaming in Karachi, Lahore & Islamabad/Rawalpindi - Nationwide Roaming through automatic switch over to 1 X in non EVDO Coverage areas.
•Average download speeds from 300 kbps to 500 kbps!
•Access rich media applications like live video streaming, web casts, online games and a host of other applications.
•USB Interface - Compatible with Desktops & Laptops.
•Plug & Play - Instant Connectivity

Comparisons!

For Further Information on PTCL EVO
visit:
http://www.ptcl.com.pk/

Freescale releases power management IC for new Intel® Atom™ processor

Extends battery life and reduces footprint for tablets, smartphones and other Internet consumer devices

TAIPEI (Computex 2010) – June 1, 2010 – Freescale Semiconductor today announced that it has developed a high-performance audio and power management solution for Intel’s new Atom processor-based platforms (formerly codenamed “Moorestown”). The highly integrated chip set is designed to efficiently manage processing power while enabling smaller form factors and longer battery life in next-generation mobile connected devices.

Developed in conjunction with Intel,Freescale’s power management IC (PMIC) is a two chip solution manufactured on Freescale’s advanced SMARTMOS technology, a high-voltage CMOS-based process that enables high integration of precision analog, power and logic. When paired with Intel’s low-power processors and chip sets, Freescale’s PMICs provide increased energy efficiency for Intel-based tablets, smartphones and other Internet consumer devices. Freescale’s solution combines hardware components, design support materials and support for Intel’s drivers to help OEMs deploy sophisticated products to market faster.

“The combination of Intel’s Atom processor and Freescale’s PMIC will allow advanced innovations and end user experiences not realized with current mobile products,” said Scott Ward, vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Analog, Mixed-Signal & Power Division. “The Freescale PMIC solution for Intel-based products allows customers to help develop compelling new devices that feature extended battery life, high speed graphics and exceptional performance.”

Freescale’s PMICs have been thoroughly tested and qualified to help provide solutions for customer compatibly for new product development. The PMIC chip set has integrated audio, charging, LED backlight, USB, ADS and power rails, which when fully integrated, are designed to reduce the footprint and software development cycles.

“The recently announced Intel Atom processor delivers industry-leading performance while significantly reducing idle and active power at the platform level,” said Pankaj Kedia, director of global ecosystem programs in Intel Corporation’s Ultra Mobility Group. “Intel’s collaboration with Freescale in developing the power management chip has played a key role in achieving these power reductions, which will result in handheld form factors with great battery life.”

In addition, Freescale is engaged with multiple ODM and OEM customers utilizing the PMIC for next-generation products targeting the consumer market.

“We welcome the Freescale solution, as it is a good match for market and technology requirements set by a growing number of Internet savvy devices,” said Vesa Kiviranta, vice president, Elektrobit Wireless Solutions.

Freescale’s PMICs for the Intel Atom processor-based platform are available now, as are Intel Development Kits, Freescale development boards and reference design kits.

Intel® Multi-Core Technology do to Enhance Embedded

What Can Intel® Multi-Core Technology do to Enhance Embedded and Communications Applications?

Let’s start with the obvious one: faster performance through parallel processing. But there’s more to it. Intel® multi-core technology also enables platform consolidation, including the ability to combine a multi-platform solution—such as a GUI and RTOS—onto a single piece of hardware. It can also extend the life of legacy applications, enabling old software to run side-by-side with new code on faster platforms. It can increase system utilization, increase performance while reducing energy consumption, and allow systems to share I/O resources—all through virtualization. And by enabling isolation of critical applications and tasks, Intel multi-core technology improves the security of your solutions. In fact, the implementation models for Intel multi-core technology are quite varied and include:

1. Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP): Operating system (OS) manages memory, resources, and controls task/thread assignments. More threaded code in equals more performance out.
2. Virtualization: VMM/hypervisor manages system resources. Supports legacy software and multiple OSs, as well as platform consolidation and the ability toconverge a general purpose GUI with a real-time OS.
3. Asymmetric Multiprocessing (AMP): Manually assign resources at boot-up. Supports legacy software and multiple OSs and delivers more performance to applications as needed.

Intel multi-core technology is available in a complete array of industry-leading multi-core processors as well as single core processors equipped with hyper-threading technology. These processors deliver unprecedented platform performance and performance-per-watt—a critical requirement for next-generation communications and embedded solutions. Because each execution core in an Intel multi-core processor is clocked slower than a single-core processor, you get lower input voltage and greater performance without increasing the system footprint. And with support from Intel’s award-winning software development tools, you can optimize the software and hardware in your multi-core technology designs for maximum performance and efficiency.

Other benefits of Intel multi-core technology include:

• Backwards compatibility with Intel® architecture-based processors so you can continue to utilize the 32-bit applications of today while adopting 64-bit applications for the future. Virtualized hardware platforms can take advantage of this backwards approach for an even longer period, a benefit to very long-life market segments such as military/aerospace/government.
• Assign different tasks to each execution core, with each one functioning as a distinct processor, allowing you to dedicate multiple applications and OSs to a single execution core, unencumbered by tasks that would otherwise compete for CPU resources. You can even use virtualization to apply heterogeneous parallelism so that some cores function with greater capacity than others.

Renesas Electronics Introduces Compact, Slim Photocoupler Meeting Worldwide Safety Standards

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), a premiere supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, today introduced its new compact, slim photocoupler product, the PS2381-1, achieving the long creepage distance of 8 mm required by worldwide safety standards.

The new product is mounted in a 4-pin LSOP (long small outline package) in which the shortest distance between the LED (Light-Emitting Diode) side pin and the photo detector side pin along the package surface (the creepage distance) is 8 mm. This package achieves an insulation thickness of 0.4 mm, which is the shortest distance between the LED device and the photo detector device that are isolated within the package. In addition to these features, the new photocoupler is designed to provide package thickness of 2.3 mm, reduced by 40 percent from the existing 4-pin DIP (Dual-Inline package), and an operating ambient temperature of 115℃ as well as a guaranteed isolation voltage of 5,000 Vrms, maintaining the same voltage as the 4-pin DIP package.

A photocoupler is a semiconductor device that mounts both an LED device that converts an electrical signal to light in the input side and a photo detector device that converts light to an electrical signal in the output side in a single package. Since the signal is transmitted using light, a photocoupler completely isolates the input side from the output side. Therefore, photocouplers are used to protect electrical circuits between electrical equipment by isolating the input side from the output side, reducing noise, and are used in a wide variety of power supply circuits in TV game power supplies, cell phone chargers, office and factory automation equipments, and home appliances.

Of these applications, there is a growing demand for smaller and thinner TV game power supplies and cell phone chargers. To address this market demand, further miniaturization and thinner form factors in all types of electronic components, including photocouplers, are required. However, it had been impossible to assure electrical safety in terms of the creepage distance and the insulation thickness required by safety standards in other countries.

Renesas Electronics’ new photocoupler overcomes these issues by increasing the distance between the LED and the photo detector, and by optimizing the size of the light-emitting element to maintain the current transfer ratio, which is the strength of the light received by the photo detector.

Renesas Electronics’ new photocoupler also features an increased operating ambient temperature of 115℃ by optimizing materials. The new photocoupler also provides high insulation voltage of 5000 Vrms by adopting the highly-reliable double-molded structure used in existing photocoupler products. These features enable system designers to easily develop further miniaturized and thinner systems that comply with worldwide safety standards.

The main features of this new product are summarized below.

• • • • (1) Package thickness reduced by 40% from that of existing products, achieving a thinner form factor

  • • • (2) Industry’s first to achieve operating ambient temperature of 115℃ for a 4-pin LSOP

  • • • (3) Industry-leading high isolation voltage of 5,000 Vrms in a 4-pin LSOP package

The new photocoupler achieves an 8 mm creepage distance and a 0.4 mm isolation distance by adopting a structure in which the separation between the light-emitting and the photo detector devices is increased. The size of the light-emitting device is also optimized to maintain the current transfer ratio. Furthermore, the package thickness is 2.3 mm, a 40% reduction from the thickness of existing 4-pin DIP products. This makes it possible for system designers to develop even smaller and thinner systems that meet safety standards worldwide.
With lowered package thermal resistance and improved heat dissipation performance by changing the lead frame materials, the operating ambient temperature is increased to 115℃ even with the 4-pin LSOP miniature thin-form package, enabling system designers to develop more compact and thinner systems over a wide temperature range.
The new photocoupler achieves industry leading high isolation voltage of 5000 Vrms by adopting the highly reliable double-molded structure used in existing photocoupler products, maintaining the current transfer ratio of the photocouplers, and assuring the insulation thickness between the LED and the photo detector devices.

FlexRay

What is Flexray?
For these automotive applications to become commonplace, a number of protocol requirements must exist. Enter FlexRay. FlexRay is a communication system developed by a consortium founded in 2000 by BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Motorola, and Philips Semiconductors. In 2001, Robert Bosch GmbH and General Motors joined the consortium. So did Ford Motor Company this past June. The consortium members realized that despite the numerous automotive communications protocols out on the market—most from Europe, most in or just out of development—none would fulfill future automotive control requirements. Even the computer communications protocols don’t suffice. “None of them are automotive qualified,” explains Andreas Both, business and technology manager overseeing FlexRay for the Semiconductor Products Sector of Motorola (Munich, Germany). That is, they are not qualified for automotive operating temperatures and electromagnetic compatibility requirements. (Remember hearing spark plugs fire through your aftermarket AM radio?)
FlexRay is an open, common, scalable electronic architecture for automotive applications. It can operate in single- or dual-channel mode, providing redundancy where needed. It allows both synchronous and asynchronous data transmissions. With the former, other nodes on the network receive time-triggered messages in a predefined latency time. With the latter, messages get to their destinations quickly or slowly, depending on their priority. Currently, FlexRay can handle communications at 10 Mbps—the speed of your typical low-end home-computing local area network. Motorola’s Both is quick to add that this standard doesn’t mean that 10 Mbps is enough forevermore. Instead, it is fast enough for the foreseeable future, given the applications automakers have envisioned thus far.
Last, FlexRay’s clock synchronization mechanism aptly handles cheap clock oscillators, namely those made out of quartz. And that synchronization, as with all of FlexRay, is fault tolerant. For example, FlexRay automatically and digitally compensates for the differences in the variety of quartz clocks running on the network, as well as in their slight changes in clock frequencies. This clock synchronization is a distributed mechanism; there’s no master timekeeper here. So if one node fails or for some reason is taken off the network, the other nodes will continue to operate in synchrony.
(Insofar as the fault tolerance of motors and sensors, the normal rules of reliable systems design applies. For example, in a steer-by-wire system, the sensor system in the steering wheel will be a redundant array, with two or three sensors providing the same signal. A judging algorithm in the electronics will then determine the validity of the signals; that is, it will determine whether all three sensors are providing the same information, or at least two of the three.)
Simplification=dollar savings
Along with making X-by-wire control possible, FlexRay offers other advantages. First, “any time you can get the control mechanism closer to the actual mechanism you’re trying to control, that’s a performance enhancer,” says Baker. Second, FlexRay helps eliminate the amount of mechanical space required for hydraulic fluid systems—systems that will be totally replaced by electronics. Third, continues Baker, FlexRay “provides the flexibility needed to simplify integration with current control system, reducing overall system complexity.” Therein lies a major advantage. Both OEMs and automotive suppliers are saying, says Both, “`We don’t need more [communications] technologies. We need less technologies that are more versatile.’ They want technologies that can be used over a range of applications.” That is, rather than have one by-wire protocol for steering and another for power train, FlexRay aims to be the protocol for all the applications. That’s one protocol applied across platforms, across assembly plants, across regions.
Not only will this simplify automotive electronics and communications architectures, it should also help make automotive electronics more stable.
FlexRay is aimed at the automotive market. No royalties will have to be paid for automotive applications. Prototype implementations of FlexRay-based chips are available for FlexRay Consortium members. First silicon of protocol engines will be available in early 2004; qualified silicon is scheduled for late 2004. Engineering samples of the electrical physical layer will be available from Philips Semiconductors in the second quarter of 2003; product parts by the end of 2004. First series production cars with FlexRay are expected around 2006.
The price of FlexRay devices, as with any semiconductor device, depends on silicon size, chip test efforts, commercial relationships with customers, and other criteria. None of these are fixed just yet.
For more information about the FlexRay Consortium and its FlexRay communications protocol, trawl over to www.flexray.com. Read the FAQ; it’s excellent. For additional information or if you have specific questions, send an email to request@flexray-group.com

What is WiMAX? |WiMAX-FAQ

WiMAX is an IP based, wireless broadband access technology that provides performance similar to 802.11/Wi-Fi networks with the coverage and QOS (quality of service) of cellular networks. WiMAX is also an acronym meaning “Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX).
WiMAX is a wireless digital communications system, also known as IEEE 802.16, that is intended for wireless “metropolitan area networks”. WiMAX can provide broadband wireless access (BWA) up to 30 miles (50 km) for fixed stations, and 3 – 10 miles (5 – 15 km) for mobile stations. In contrast, the WiFi/802.11 wireless local area network standard is limited in most cases to only 100 – 300 feet (30 – 100m).

With WiMAX, WiFi-like data rates are easily supported, but the issue of interference is lessened. WiMAX operates on both licensed and non-licensed frequencies, providing a regulated environment and viable economic model for wireless carriers.

At its heart, however, WiMAX is a standards initiative. Its purpose is to ensure that the broadband wireless radios manufactured for customer use interoperate from vendor to vendor. The primary advantages of the WiMAX standard are to enable the adoption of advanced radio features in a uniform fashion and reduce costs for all of the radios made by companies, who are part of the WiMAX Forum™ – a standards body formed to ensure interoperability via testing. The more recent Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard is a similar term describing a parallel technology to WiMAX that is being developed by vendors and carriers as a counterpoint to WiMAX.