The new range of E3X-NA compact fibre-optic amplifiers from Omron Electronics delivers typical benefits of fibre-optic sensing, such as a comprehensive range of precise sensing heads for a limitless application solution capability, tight control of the light source for accurate and repeatable detection, and a small footprint which offers a sensing solution where mounting space is limited, or where mechanical protection is difficult to afford.

In addition, the new amplifiers are particularly easy to use.

The switching point is set simply by adjusting a multiturn potentiometer, and the amplifier’s integral bright LED bargraph display shows clearly when the amplifier is set for reliable, stable operation.

No special tools or training are required.

Installation and wiring are also fast and easy, as the units feature Omron’s master/slave connection system.

When the amplifiers are mounted in groups, power connections need only be made to the first amplifier in the group - the master.

This distributes power to up to 15 further amplifiers (slaves) connected to it, reducing wiring complexity and the risk of wiring mistakes, while providing big savings in wiring time, cost and development.

Designed to suit the vast majority of everyday sensing applications, where reliability and competitive pricing are more important than extensive functionality, Omron’s E3X-NA fibre-optic amplifiers offer a solution in a range of different versions.

Standard versions are ideal for most applications, delivering a long sensing range and a fast response, while the use of a green light source allows mark and low-contrast detection.

There are high-speed models that are well suited to counting applications, and water-resistant models with M8 connectors, which are an excellent choice for use in process plant, or where mechanical protection is difficult to achieve.

All models in the E3X-NA fibre-optic amplifier range from Omron Electronics provide a single, solid-state switching output, and all are available in PNP or NPN output versions.

+/-10V analogue command input signals are required for DC motor control, and pulse and direction commands are required for stepper motor control. The new amplifiers are highly recommended for controllers featuring custom application software or special functions which Newport motion controllers do not carry.

The C-Drive series comprises a DC brush servo amplifier (CDR-DCB) and a stepper motor amplifier (CDR-STEP), which both operate from +48V DC power supplies.

The CDR-DCB can be set to either torque (current) or speed (voltage) mode and can be easily used with digital controllers that calculate position and velocity from the motor’s encoder.

The CDR-STEP driver can micro-step precisely up to 250x and reduce power at end of motion automatically to reduce stage heating.

C-drive amplifiers can drive Newport’s positioners with motors up to 4A and are easily user-configurable (software included) via RS232 serial interface.

MOSFET output stages deliver four-quadrant power for bidirectional acceleration and deceleration of motors.

For added convenience and fast prototyping, Newport offers a full set of complementary accessories such as cables, power supplies, and a cable break-out-box for easy interfacing with our ESP6000 motion controller.

All models are also protected against output short circuit and baseplate overtemperature.

Falco Systems now offers the WMA-01 and WMA-01LF, two high voltage amplifiers that run from a low voltage power supply and provide up to 125V output. Unique is that both amplifiers can be battery powered if required, eg, for use in a Faraday cage, and that their size is only 100×50x26mm. Combined with their large voltage range, this make the amplifiers an excellent choice for use in arrange of applications, such as Mems devices, EO-modulators, PZT (piezo) positioning systems, ferroelectric devices and beam steering components.

The output noise of the WMA-01 is impressively low, at only 0.8mVrms in the DC - 20kHz full power bandwidth.

For even lower noise applications where bandwidth is not an issue, the WMA-01LF amplifier contains an output low pass filter capacitor.

This reduces the bandwidth to 50Hz, but makes the noise drop below 0.1mVrms.

The bandwidth-limited WMA-01LF is ideal for Mems or piezo positioning with manual voltage adjustment requiring extremely low noise.

The AD8034 and AD8065 combine wide supply voltage range, low input bias current and noise, low distortion, low voltage noise, low offset voltage and drift and rail-to-rail output. In addition, both products come in very small packaging, for use on even the most space-constrained boards. These performance levels at low cost are possible using Analog Devices’ proprietary XFCB high-speed complementary bipolar process.

The AD8065 is a very high performance single voltage-feedback amplifier with FET inputs, with a dual version in development.

The AD8065 is noteworthy for its very low noise, at 6.5nV/rtHz and 5fA/rtHz, and very low distortion, -91dB SFDR at 1MHz.

The device operates at 150MHz with a slew rate of 180V/us.

The AD8065 also has superior DC performance, with an IB of 1pA typical, an offset voltage of 6uV typical, and a drift of less than 1mV/C.

The differential gain and phase errors are 0.01% and 0.02deg, with 0.1-dB flatness out to 7MHz, making the part ideal for video applications.

The AD8065 consumes 6.5mA supply current.

The AD8034 is a dual voltage feedback amplifier with FET inputs, with a single version in development.

The AD8034 is a lower priced version of the AD8065 offering similarly high performance while consuming only 3.3mA supply current maximum per amplifier.

With 80MHz bandwidth, slew rate of 80V/us, and low DC errors of 6mV offset voltage and 11nV/rtHz noise, the AD8034 offers significant performance improvements over other low-cost FET amplifiers.

A wide operating supply voltage range of 5 to 24V with rail-to-rail output add to the general usefulness of these amplifiers.

The AD8034 and AD8065 are sampling now and are available in very small SOIC-8, SOT23-5 and micro-SOIC packages.

SST Communications has developed two new power amplifiers for 802.11a and 802.11b/g WLAN systems. The products offer the industry’s highest linear output power, up to 3dB higher than competing products in a wide operating temperature range of -40 to +85C, to enable WLAN systems with wider transmission range and higher sustained datarates.

The devices’ ultrawide dynamic range and on-chip temperature-stable power detector allows system designers to optimise the transmitter output power for each individual user, thereby minimising the adjacent channel interference and achieving maximum capacity.

The power amplifiers are targeted at WLAN equipment including PCMCIA, MiniPCI and USB cards, as well as wireless access points.

‘The performance breakthroughs offered by our new power amplifier products are an ideal way for our WLAN customers to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace’, said Frank Chang, Vice Chairman and CTO, SST Communications.

‘Testing has shown that our new power amplifiers enable up to a 40% increase in range when compared with alternative offerings’.

‘Additionally, by integrating the power detector on-chip, we enable our customers to realise significant savings in BOM costs’.

‘Our experience in working with the leading WLAN baseband and RF transceiver providers has allowed us to design our power amplifiers with the full system considerations in mind’.

For maximum output power performance, SST Communications offers the SST12LP15 power amplifier for 802.11b/g systems, and the SST11LP12 power amplifier, which supports the entire 802.11a frequency band for US, European and Japanese markets (4.9-5.8GHz).

Specifically, the SST12LP15 features: 35dB gain (typical) with 26% power-added efficiency at 24dBm output power for 802.11g, and 29% power-added efficiency at 25dBm for 802.11b systems; excellent linearity of approximately 4% added EVM (error vector magnitude) at 24dBm output power, which is essential for 54Mbit/s 802.11g operation while meeting the standard’s spectrum mask up to +25dBm; and on-chip power detection range of better than 25dB (from 0-25dBm), with superior temperature stability of +/-0.5dB over 0 to 80C.

The SST11LP12 boasts: 35dB gain (typical) with 16% power-added efficiency at an output power of 23dBm for 802.11a (covering the complete 4.9-5.8GHz frequency range); linearity of approximately 4%-added EVM at 21dBm output power and meeting the 802.11a spectrum mask up to +23dBm; and on-chip power detection range of better than 23dB (0-23dBm), with superior temperature stability of +/-0.5dB over 0 to 85C.

Both devices feature single-ended/differential power detectors, which lower users’ power control cost.

SST Communications’ power amplifiers are manufactured using a reliable InGaP/GaAs HBT technology, with tested MTTF exceeding 600Mh at 100C.

Ahead Software, leaders in digital media technology, today announced that the latest addition to its Nero product, Nero Recode 2, has already surpassed 20 million downloads within the first four weeks of release. Nero Recode 2 which includes Nero Digital, the world’s fastest MPEG-4 video and audio codec, are part of last month’s update of Nero 6.3.

Nero Recode 2 is the first application to take full advantage of Nero Digital’s power. In addition to its capabilities to re-author, copy, recode and reduce MPEG-2 streams (DVD-9 to DVD-5), Nero Recode 2 can transcode ‘non-protected’ DVD movies to Nero Digital, preserving chapters, sub-titles, multi-channel audio and above all else, quality - all at lightening speed. No other application today offers these features.

“The worldwide success of Nero Digital is extraordinary,” said Richard Lesser, CEO of Ahead Software AG. “Nero Digital will soon be the number 1 brand in MPEG-4 with many CE devices to support this new standard.”

Ahead’s award-winning flagship product Nero 6 provides an all-in-one comprehensive CD/DVD burning suite. Ahead’s product line also includes Nero Digital - audio/video technology, SIPPS - VoIP, and across - professional computer aided translation software. Ahead distributes its products globally through world’s leading drive manufacturers and PC makers, as well as leading worldwide retailers.

Designed for optimum compatibility with the ISO/14496-2/3 MPEG-4 standard, the Nero Digital MPEG-4 A/V codecs feature the utmost speed and quality video coding algorithms and full High Efficiency AAC in MPEG audio.

With DVD quality at only 20 percent of the space, Nero Digital video codec supports the most popular simple and advanced MPEG-4 visual profiles, and can decode all other MPEG-4 implementations.

The Nero Digital audio codec is built on Ahead’s proven proficiency in AAC technology, but goes much further with significant efficiency and quality enhancements. A key core component of MPEG- 4, High Efficiency AAC in MPEG audio is an incomparable bandwidth extension technique allowing bit rates to be considerably reduced with no definable quality loss.

Nero Recode is both a re-quantizing and transcoding application, and is a world’s first in its class. Non-protected DVD-Video discs and DVD folders, including DVD-9 titles, can be re-authored in MPEG-2 by re-processing the MPEG streams. The user can choose to keep the menu structure of the source DVD or re-author a DVD from one or more DVD-Video titles.

In addition, Nero Recode features the ability to convert DVD titles into Nero Digital, making it possible to fit an entire movie onto a CD with virtually no perceivable loss in audio or video quality. A unique video and audio preview with expanded window view and full screen mode includes Dolby (R) Digital audio preview (DTS preview through S/PDIF). Also a watch-while-you-burn mode allows you to enjoy the movie in full screen video and multi-channel audio while copying a complete DVD, re-authoring a DVD or converting DVDs to Nero Digital(TM).

Nero Digital is the result of extensive co-development by Ahead Software and one of the World leaders in video and signal processing, Ateme of France. Further information is available from the www.nerodigital.com web site.

“Nero Digital will be one of the World’s first complete end-to-end MPEG-4 solutions to include MPEG-4 High Efficiency AAC profile,” says Udo Eberlein, President of Ahead Software Inc. “With its unbeatable video and audio encoding power, we are confident that Nero Digital will be best positioned to become ‘the’ technology leader in the ever increasing MPEG-4 market.”

Nero Recode and Nero Digital will be part of the ‘free’ PowerPack upgrade for the Nero 6.0 Ultra- Edition that will also include 5.1 Dolby(R) Digital playback and stereo encoding. The free PowerPack will be made available later this year.

Already adopted as a mandatory codec for next generation HD-DVD and Blu-ray standards, AVC/H.264 is set to have a major impact in the future of video broadcasting and content distribution. Jointly developed by the Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG) of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the MPEG committee of ISO/IEC, AVC/H.264 has huge compression efficiency over MPEG-2, while at the same time integrating effortlessly into the existing MPEG-4 architecture of Nero Digital(TM).

Nero Digital(TM) is a complete Audio/Video codec solution, based on the MPEG-4 standard, but engineered to a level that breaks all previously seen quality and speed barriers. In keeping full compatibility with MPEG-4, Nero Digital(TM) proves that not all mp4 video codec’s and mp4/AAC codec’s are equal, going way beyond the limits of other such competitive approaches. By having both audio and video in the codec offerings, Nero Digital(TM) represents one of the very few ‘all in one’ solutions in the World of A/V compression.

Nero Recode 2.2 allows for the direct importing of most video file formats, and non-protected DVD’s for encoding or transcoding into Nero Digital(TM). A range of MPEG-4 profiles are supported, including AVC/H.264 highlights such as Cinema, Portable, Mobile, Standard, and HDTV, for the ultimate in video quality creation. New CE devices supporting these profiles are expected in mid 2005.

“By bringing AVC/H.264 encoding into applications such as Nero Recode 2.2, any user can experience the video future today”, says Jim Corbett of Ahead Software AG, “With upcoming industry support for AVC/H.264 in next generation DVD and broadcast standards, we can be sure that Nero Digital(TM) will be ideally positioned to become the World’s leading MPEG-4 solution.”

Nero Digital(TM), co-developed by Ahead and Ateme, is the first complete MPEG-4 audio and video solution for home entertainment and CE devices.

TV premiere for Nero Recode video files

All you need to do to experience Nero Digital file formats “Live” on TV is to follow these three simple steps: First, install the Nero Recode CE DVD transcoding software that comes with the package on your PC, then convert the existing video files into Nero Digital format and finally burn them onto a CD or DVD. They are now ready to play back on the newly developed DVD player. The encoding process simultaneously reduces the films to a fraction of their original file size, with almost no apparent loss in quality.

“Personal” home movies - simple to use and without restriction

In addition to current standard functions and video file support, such as MP3, JPEG, VCD and SVCD, the “SCO 5000ND” DVD player manufactured by Siemssen also supports the playback of DVD audio files. The integration of Nero Digital offers enormous advantages, such as the support for various audio languages and subtitles. The latter can be retrieved using the same navigation buttons as those used to play back a standard DVD. In addition, the device is equipped with an AC3 Decoder as well as a YUV Output to enable full-screen reproduction (Progressive Scan) via video projectors, and plasma or LCD screens. The attractively designed slimline casing also offers other special features, such as a 5-in-1 card reader for all standard memory cards that allows MP3 files or even photo files to be visualized straight onto your TV screen. The product also supports DivX and Xvid playback functions, as well as the Nero Digital function.

“By combining the Nero Recode CE software with our devices, we now offer the complete solution for archiving video files in the best possible quality” stated Roberto Cataneo, Head of Digital Product Development at Siemssen, “We are very happy to have had the chance to collaborate with Ahead on developing our DVD products to include the Nero Digital standard profile in the last few months, thus allowing us to establish the first ever device of its kind on the market.”

Nero, leaders in digital media technology and developer of award-winning Nero applications, announced today the availability of a 30-day free trial version of its award winning Audio/Video compression codec, Nero Digital(TM).

The free 30-day trial bundle of Nero Digital(TM) includes three ground breaking Nero applications: Nero Recode 2 CE, which allows users to create Nero Digital(TM) content; Nero ShowTime 2 CE, which allows users to play back Nero Digital(TM) content; and Nero MediaHome CE, which allows users to share Nero Digital(TM) content to any UPnP(TM) or DLNA compliant consumer electronics device, and to PCs and laptops in your home network.

The free 30-day trial bundle of Nero Digital(TM) let the user experience the newest technologies like MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, delivering a home entertainment experience in a quality no other compression technologies can match. Already adopted as a mandatory codec for next generation HD-DVD and Blu-ray standards, AVC/H.264 is set to have a major impact in the future of video broadcasting and content distribution.

Nero Digital(TM) is a complete Audio/Video codec solution, based on the MPEG-4 standard, but engineered to a level that breaks all previously seen quality and speed barriers. It delivers DVD-quality at a compression far greater than MPEG-2, enabling the complete contents of personal videos and movies of a home DVD to easily fit on a CD, or increasing the capacity of a DVD by factor 5 and higher. Nero Digital(TM) videos can be played back on PCs running the Nero Digital(TM) codec and on the fast growing number of certified Nero Digital(TM) consumer electronic devices.

“This is a great opportunity for us to show the world what Nero Digital(TM) is all about”, said Jim Corbett, Executive Director of Nero AG. “Users will be able to create, play and share Nero Digital(TM) files and build up their own personal video library without worrying about disc or hard drive space, taking full advantage of the industry’s most powerful audio and video compression technology.”

Nero Digital(TM) co-developed by Nero and Ateme, is completely based on industry standard MPEG-4 Video (MPEG-4 SP/ASP and AVC/H.264) and MPEG-4 Audio (LC AAC, HE AAC and PS AAC) compression technologies, allowing the flexibility to play other popular MPEG-4 compliant content, yet offering advanced interactive features in unmatched audio and video quality. With Nero Digital(TM), users can fit more high quality audio and video content to any given screen size spanning mobile phones to HDTV, on CDs, DVDs, flash memory and hard drives.

The Nero Digital(TM) codec has proven to be a winner when directly compared to other popular codecs, having performed a clean sweep of all recent codec comparisons.

To continue the Nero Digital(TM) experience after the trial period, users can upgrade to Nero 6 - The Ultimate All-In-One Digital Media Solution offering over 16 applications for all your digital media needs. Furthermore, Nero will complete the Nero Digital(TM) experience by releasing Nero Digital Pro, providing unlimited Nero Digital(TM) capabilities and further establishing Nero’s dominant position in the MPEG-4 codec space.