Electronics Weekly – TI Bidirectional Converters, Pasternack Waveguide Sections & More

Microsemi Integrated Development Environment

(Image courtesy of Microsemi.)

Microsemi has announced the release of SoftConsole version 5.1, a Windows-hosted Eclipse integrated development environment (IDE) for designs utilizing RISC-V open instruction set architectures (ISAs) such as RV32I.

As a free software development environment supporting the development of C and C++ executables for Microsemi's FPGAs using RISC-V soft CPU cores, SoftConsole v5.1 provides a graphical interface for managing embedded software development projects. Users can develop and debug software programs and implement them in Microsemi FPGAs, with an integrated debugger offering access to memory contents, registers and single-step execution.

SoftConsole also enables users to configure project settings and organize files, provides simultaneous access to multiple tool windows and delivers the ability to quickly switch editing and debug views.

For more information, visit Microsemi’s website.

Pasternack Straight Waveguide Sections

(Image courtesy of Pasternack.)

Pasternack has released a series of straight waveguide sections in sizes ranging from WR-10 to WR-137. Typical applications include instrumentation, test benches, high-efficiency RF/Microwave transmission, radar and telecom networks.

The line of waveguide sections consists of 62 models that operate in the frequency range of 5.85 GHz to 110 GHz and in 13 waveguide bands from C to W band. They also deliver VSWR as low as 1.03:1. These waveguide straights are available in section lengths from 3 inches to 12 inches and are made of either painted copper alloy or gold-plated, oxygen-free hard copper and feature UG, CPR and UBR-style flanges.

Information concerning pricing and availability can be found on Pasternack’s website.

Synopsys Completes Verification for ARM AMBA 5

(Image courtesy of Synopsys.)

Synopsys has announced the availability of its Verification IP (VIP) and source code test suite for ARM AMBA 5 Coherent Hub Interface (CHI) Issue B. Synopsys VC VIP for AMBA CHI is suitable for successful verification closure and tape out of coherent subsystems and interconnects.

AMBA CHI Issue B has added features for atomic operations, cache stashing to improve data locality, de-allocating and cache maintenance transactions and data check and poisoning to identify data corruption. AMBA CHI Issue B also provides direct data transfer to reduce latency. Synopsys VIP includes performance metrics for latency and throughput analysis, a configurable interconnect model, a reference verification platform and system-level checks for protocol, data integrity and cache coherency.

For more information, visit Synopsys’ website.

TI Bidirectional DC/DC Converter

(Image courtesy of Texas Instruments.)

Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced a 2-kilowatt (kW) isolated bidirectional DC/DC converter reference design for 48-V to 400-V uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) and energy storage systems. For applications with wide-range voltage needs such as electric vehicles (EVs) or industrial servers, the integration of a backup converter and charger into a single power stage is intended to allow developers to implement the transfer of energy to designs more easily.

Key Features:

48-V to 400-V range: Designed to provide support for energy storage supplies with a wide range of input voltages.
Greater than 93 percent efficiency: A tested design with TI products to help designers meet ENERGY STAR guidelines and quicken time to market.
Zero voltage switching (ZVS) in boost mode: DC/DC converters help enable higher efficiency and lower electromagnetic interference than traditional hard-switching converters.
Wide low-voltage DC bus range: Implemented to charge a variety of batteries, the design gives engineers flexibility to design with lithium ion, lithium polymer and lead-acid battery banks ranging from 36 V to 60 V.
Seamless mode changeover: Less than 100 micro-seconds (µS) mode change over from charging to backup mode helps reduce high-voltage hold up capacitor requirements.

Additional details and technical specifications are located on TI’s website.

Toshiba Enterprise Hard Drives

(Image courtesy of Toshiba.)

Toshiba has announced the AL14SX Series of hard disk drives (HDD) – a family of 15,000rpm enterprise performance HDD for mission critical servers and storage. Containing a 900GB1 capacity model, this drive series features a 50 percent capacity increase as well as performance and power savings compared to Toshiba’s prior AL13SX generation.

The AL14SX Series is available in 300GB, 600GB and 900GB capacities in a 2.5 inch, 15mm form-factor, saving rack space and reducing storage footprint and operational burden. Available models support 512 native, 4K native or emulated 512 sector length technologies for optimized compatibility with industry standard applications and operating environments.

Toshiba has begun its global shipping run for the HDD series. For more information, visit the company’s website.

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