Micrel Launches High Power Monolithic Boost LED Driver With 3.5A Integrated FET
Micrel, Inc., an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, rolled out the MIC3223, a high power Boost regulator for driving high power LEDs.
MIC3223 is a monolithic switching regulator with integrated 3.5A, 37V power switch and can be used for driving high brightness 1-W or 3-W LEDs. The MIC3223 is currently available in volume quantities, with pricing starting at $1.46 for 1K quantities. Samples can be ordered at: http://www.micrel.com/ProductList.do
“Micrel's MIC3223 provides the performance, flexibility and ease-of-use required by LED lighting system designers to meet backlighting challenges,” noted Doyle Slack, senior marketing director of analog power, linear and RF at Micrel. “In addition to the low feedback reference voltage and an integrated high current power MOSFET, the MIC3223 provides the ability to drive an external N-channel switch to control the brightness of the series connected high power LEDs.”
The MIC3223 is capable of driving up to ten LEDs in series with +/- 5 percent current accuracy from an input voltage range of 4.5V to 20V. With its peak current mode control boost architecture and integrated power switch delivering greater than 90 percent efficiency, the solution is well positioned to provide constant current with changes in input voltage and output load. The device implements a fixed 1.0 MHz PWM control scheme to allow flexibility in the design. The LED current can be programmed to a wide range of values through the use of an external resistor.
The MIC3223 features a PWM dimming input and an output driver to drive an external N-channel FET for PWM dimming at frequencies up to 20 kHz. It also offers an enable pin for very low power shutdown and an UVLO. The device has a wide range of protection features including output over voltage protection and an over temperature protection. In addition to enhanced power driving capability/reliability, the MIC3223 comes in an exposed pad TSSOP-16L package and operates over a junction temperature range of -40degC to 125degC.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in digital consumer electronics and information technology, today announced the fastest external hard drive yet in its STORY Station product portfolio – the Samsung STORY™ Station 3.0 with the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface. The top-of-line 3.5-inch external hard drive now offers 10 times faster speed compared to the previous USB 2.0 interface, making it the ideal storage solution for saving and retrieving crucial data in the blink of an eye.
“The Samsung STORY Station 3.0 has been built for advanced users who demand fast transfer speed and data security without sacrificing design,” said H.S. Lee, vice president, storage marketing, Samsung Electronics. “The STORY Station creates a seamless user experience that allows users to move large chunks of high-quality multimedia content with minimal wait time.”
The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface offers a maximum transfer rate of 5 gigabits per second (Gbps) compared to 480 megabits per second (Mbps) in USB 2.0. Users can now transfer 4MB of music (equivalent of a 3-minute song) or image files (6 megapixel camera inhi-resolution photos) in approximately 0.02 seconds and an HD movie in 2.3 minutes. The new interface is backward-compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 interfaces.
In keeping with Samsung’s world-class design tradition, the STORY Station line-up is the winner of an iF award 2009 in product design category. The minimalist design was inspired by retro electronics and combines a grey, brushed aluminum casing with the logo stenciled in red. The casing materials are RoHS-compliant, and the ventilation slits facilitate even heat dissipation to ensure reliable performance.
Designed with the environment in mind, the STORY Station 3.0 features three energy-saving modes including idle, sleep and suspend. The standby power level meets requirements for the European Union EuP (Energy Using Products) Directive for Standby Regulation.
The STORY Station 3.0 drive, available in densities ranging from 1TB to 2TB, is a part of the growing STORY product portfolio. The line-up now offers the widest range available in premium desktop storage – The STORY Station USB 2.0, the STORY Station Plus with e-SATA and USB 2.0, and the latest STORY Station 3.0. Preloaded software suites include Samsung Auto Backup, SecretZone™ and SafetyKey™ for data encryption and password protection.
The Samsung STORY Station 3.0 drives will be available globally by April, 2010 and it features a three-year warranty.
LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, will introduce 3D LCD TVs in India via a partnership with Valuable Group, the leading media company in the market.
Valuable Group is the biggest media and entertainment company in India, operating 1,700 cinemas with a 40 percent market share. The company recently acquired the global broadcasting license for Indian Premier League, the country’s professional cricket league.
LG 3D TVs will be deployed in venues where cricket fans gather, including public bars and restaurants across the country, to coincide with Valuable Group’s live 3D broadcast of the final four games of the Indian Premier League in April. Indian cricket fans will be able to enjoy the action in stunning 3D, making this the first time any sporting event has been broadcast in 3D in the country.
“This partnership makes LG the first company to provide 3D televisions to an overseas media company, the key target market in the early stage of 3D TV development,” said Havis Kwon, Executive Vice President and head of the LCD division of LG. “This arrangement will secure LG’s position in the 3D TV market in India.”
The model to be supplied to Valuable Group was first launched in Korea in August 2009 and is one of the first commercially available 3D TVs in the world. The screen is viewed using polarized filter glasses, which are light in weight and affordable, enabling large groups of people to enjoy brighter 3D pictures regardless of viewing angle or distance.
FRSGlobal, the only provider of risk and regulatory reporting solutions with coverage for 40+ countries on a unified platform, announced that one of its leading global investment bank clients has gone live with its regulatory reporting product, RegPro, in China.
RegPro covers over 200 reports for the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC), People's Bank of China (PBC) and State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) regulators.
Despite new regulatory changes occurring during implementation, including those imposed by the CBRC in response to the financial crisis, execution of the project took just three months. The bank now has the ability to perform automatic inter-report validation checks as prescribed by regulators.
FRSGlobal‘s RegPro produces reports from the same source (DataFoundation) in different languages, so in this example the reports are being produced in both Chinese and English. Other languages can be added on demand providing extra insight for the CFO or Head of Finance in any country. Similarly, RegPro’s scalable nature ensures that any new business embarked upon by the bank can also reported to the regulators.
Steve Thurley, VP Asia Pacific and Japan, FRSGlobal, commented: “This deal marks a milestone in FRSGlobal history. To be the first foreign vendor to put a regulatory product live in China is an exceptional achievement. We have spent considerable time over the last year building the product that would meet the SAFE, CBRC and PBC regulatory requirements. We now have more firms wishing to replicate this experience in Shanghai and Beijing.”
“Rise Again Features International Artists Shaggy, Sean Paul, Sean Kingston and Many More”
Digicel today announced details of its collaboration with international reggae artist, Shaggy, and renowned producer, Christopher Birch, to write and produce a song - Rise Again - to raise money for the Digicel Haiti Relief Fund.
Rise Again is a Caribbean song, which was written and performed by Caribbean artists for the people of Haiti. After being approached by Digicel to write the song, Shaggy went straight into the studio with Christopher Birch, producer of his diamond-selling album - Hot Shots. The song was written in less than a day and the rhythm produced within five days, and artists such as Sean Paul and Sean Kingston - as well as other top Caribbean artists - were quick to come on board and lend their support. Rise Again is being released worldwide and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Digicel Haiti Relief Fund.
Speaking about the launch of the song, Shaggy said: “Rise Again is for the people of Haiti. It is to show them that we are here for them and that we will support them each step of the way as they begin rebuilding their lives which were shattered by the earthquake. I am very proud of this song and the collaboration with Digicel. With today's launch of Rise Again, we can raise much needed funds to support the relief efforts in Haiti.”
Digicel Group CEO Colm Delves said: “As part of the Digicel Haiti Relief Fund, we wanted to collaborate with international artists to produce a song that would support the people of Haiti who lost so much as a result of the earthquake. People across the world can purchase Rise Again and all proceeds will go directly to the relief efforts in Haiti.”
Rise Again is already making waves in the US with E! News carrying a preview of the song on the E!TV Entertainment News.
Artists featured on Rise Again include Shaggy; Sean Paul; Sean Kingston; Barbadian Artists, Alison Hinds, Shontelle Layne and Edwin Yearwood; Trinidadian Soca Artists, David Rudder, Kees Dieffenthaller and Destra Garcia; Jamaican reggae artists, Tessanne Chin and Etana; and Haitian artiste, Belo.
As the single largest investor in Haiti with a total investment of U$300 million since its launch in 2006, Digicel has over two million customers in Haiti. The Digicel Haiti Relief Fund has donated US$5 million to NGOs in Haiti to support the relief efforts and over US$500,000 has been raised by Digicel customers across the Caribbean and Central America through a text and voice donation line. Digicel also gave each of its two million customers US$5 in free credit -- totaling US$10 million.
In addition, over 60 video messages of support have been recorded by well known people such as the Fastest Man in the World, Usain Bolt; President Martinelli of Panama; West Indies legend, Sir Garfield Sobers; and many more. All videos are available to view on www.facebook.com/helphaiti.
“57 Lucky Winners From Around the Globe Will Discover and Share WOW Moments at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games”
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the Worldwide Olympic Partner for Wireless Communications Equipment, today announced the global winners of its Samsung Mobile Explorers contest.
The lucky winners will travel to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and share their personal experiences and observations through social media and online posts to Samsung's website for the 2010 Winter Games (www.samsung.com/vancouver2010).
During the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, 57 Samsung Mobile Explorers from Canada, the United States, South Korea, China and Russia will use the latest Samsung mobile phones to capture their unique WOW moments and extraordinary Olympic Games stories through daily text messaging and online posts.
“The Olympic Games are about bringing the global community together through the spirit of friendly competition and the celebration of different cultures,” said Gyehyun Kwon, vice president and head of Worldwide Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics. “Through our Mobile Explorers, we want to capture that spirit with our mobile phone technology and share it with people around the world. We are guaranteed plenty of WOW moments in Vancouver, and we look forward to our Mobile Explorers capturing those moments in unique and creative ways.”
“Thanks to Samsung, my community will be connected to the action at the Olympic Games and they are all very excited to be cheering on the Samsung Mobile Explorers and seeing our online posts,” said Ally Ruttger, a winner from St. Catharines, ON, Canada. “My first WOW moment was when I learned that I was selected as a Samsung Mobile Explorer and I am very excited to experience more WOW moments and share them with the rest of the world.”
Ten students from Beijing, China who experienced the excitement of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were ecstatic to be chosen as Samsung Mobile Explorers and are looking forward to reporting on the sporting events and festivities surrounding the 2010 Winter Games with their fellow students back home.
“As a volunteer at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, I met many friends from around the world, including Canada, and now Samsung has given me the opportunity to reconnect with the Olympic Spirit and people by sending me to Vancouver,” says Ran Bi, a student from Beijing, China. “I am thrilled to use the latest Samsung mobile phone to capture all my WOW moments and report on the celebrations and sports action at the 2010 Winter Games.”
Nearly 7,500 people entered the contest for a chance to be one of the 57 Samsung Mobile Explorers. All Explorers will be flown to Vancouver and provided with accommodation for 20 nights, meals and Samsung mobile phones to share their Olympic Games‘ WOW moments. Outfitted in bright yellow uniforms, the Explorers will cover a number of events, including Olympic events, activities at OR@S (Samsung’s two-story, 7,500-square-foot pavilion at the Olympic Games), a long-house experience at one of the Four Host First Nations communities, and other daily activities in Vancouver and Whistler. They will also collect fan stories from visitors around the world and capture the Olympic Spirit and other exciting moments.
The Explorers will post daily entries to www.samsung.com/vancouver2010, a specially designed microsite that is Samsung‘s global gateway for interactive Olympic Games experiences. The site will also have available Samsung’s Public WOW application for download and include information on the OMNIA II Olympic Games phone, updates on events at OR@S, and the initiatives that Samsung is undertaking to help make the 2010 Winter Games greener.
About Samsung's Involvement in the Olympic Games
Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. Beginning with the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications program, called Wireless Olympic Works (WOW), and mobile phones. These innovative wireless technologies provide the Olympic Family with real-time information and communications services. Samsung's commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
SEOUL, Korea (BlogTimes오세경) - Samsung Digital Imaging Company Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, todayannounced two new ultra-slim digital cameras, perfect for consumers who want a stylish, on-the-go camera for parties, family gatherings and other special moments. At just 0.65 inches thin, the 14.2 megapixel ST70 and 12.2 megapixel ST60 are each equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD and feature a 5x optical zoom and a 4x optical zoom respectively.
“Consumers want portability in a point and shoot, and we think our ultra-slim ST70 and ST60 address that desire, Mr. S J Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “Despite their size, both the ST70 and ST60 are feature-packed and ideal for beginner and advanced photographers who want a well-equipped but easy to use, compact camera.”
Improved Optics
Samsung’s new models feature improved 27mm wide-angle lenses (for ST70) and 27.5mm wide-angle lenses (for ST60) when compared to their predecessor, the ST50. The ST70 has a versatile 5x optical zoom, which is paired with Dual Image Stabilization (IS) to help reduce image blur by combining both Optical and Digital Image stabilizers to produce sharp images. The ST60 offers an expanded 4x optical zoom and features Digital Image Stabilization.
Creative Effects Add to the User Experience
New image effects available with the ST70 and ST60, such as Fisheye and Lomo, let the consumer easily add a touch of creativity to their photos. Similar to other Samsung compact cameras, this duo offers a long list of user-selectable Photo Styles including Normal, Soft, Vivid, Forest, Retro, Cool, Calm, Classic, Negative, Custom RGB and two new options: Sketch and DeFog Clear/Fog Lifting, which cuts through the haze to take clear photos.
HD Video Recording
The ST70 and ST60 put high-definition video recording in the palm of users’ hands thanks to the ability to record video at a resolution of 720p / 30fps, using H.264 compression. Additionally, to further simplify users’ ability to record the best video possible, the cameras offer Samsung’s advanced scene recognition technology, Smart Auto (Still & Movie). Smart Auto has been upgraded from the ST50 as it can now be used with video as well as with still images. Similar to the way the technology analyzes the composition of an image when capturing digital stills, the technology will do the same for video, automatically choosing between one of four pre-programmed settings and selecting the setting that will yield the best footage with proper exposure and color balance.
Additional Control
Consumers who want a little more control over their picture-taking can opt to use the Program mode or choose from a long list of Scene modes. Program mode allows the user to manually set options including ISO, white balance, metering mode, AF, and exposure compensation. Choosing a scene mode that best matches the shooting environment also provides users with some control but doesn’t require much effort since the camera automatically adjusts the settings for the selected mode. Available scene modes include Beauty Shot, Night, Frame Guide, Portrait, Children, Landscape, Close-up, Text, Sunset, Dawn Backlight, Beach & Snow, and Fireworks.
SEOUL, Korea (BlogTimes오세경) - Viking Range Corporation and LG Electronics, Inc. today announced that they have entered into a strategic alliance. Areas for collaboration include product cross-sourcing and joint procurement opportunities, and shared R&D and service resources, as well as expanded distribution.
Under the agreement announced today during the International Builders Show, LG plans to reach more U.S. consumers as Viking’s U.S. distributors will have the opportunity to carry premium LG appliances. This specialized distribution channel will complement LG’s existing U.S. network of national and regional appliance dealers. Viking plans to increase its international distribution, particularly in the rapidly expanding Asia/Pacific markets through its alliance with LG.
Fred Carl, Jr., CEO of Viking Range Corporation, said, “Teaming with LG will give our loyal distributors new growth opportunities while allowing Viking to work with one of the strongest global brands and technology leaders in home appliances. We look forward to this mutually beneficial relationship, including future opportunities for product development collaboration.”
“This alliance will leverage the respective brand, technology, marketing and distribution strengths of LG and Viking, enabling us both to satisfy a broader range of consumer needs,” said James Shad, President, LG Electronics USA. “Viking has built an exceptional brand, and LG is proud to be associated with this American icon’s heritage of quality and customer service.”
It is anticipated that Viking distributors will begin offering LG appliances beginning in the second quarter of 2010
The Number Resource Organization (NRO), the official representative of the five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) that oversee the allocation of all Internet number resources, announced today that less than 10 percent of available IPv4 addresses remain unallocated. This small pool of existing IP addresses marks a critical moment in IPv4 address exhaustion, ultimately impacting the future network operations of all businesses and organizations around the globe.
“This is a key milestone in the growth and development of the global Internet,” noted Axel Pawlik, Chairman of the NRO. “With less than 10 percent of the entire IPv4 address range still available for allocation to RIRs, it is vital that the Internet community take considered and determined action to ensure the global adoption of IPv6. The limited IPv4 addresses will not allow us enough resources to achieve the ambitions we all hold for global Internet access. The deployment of IPv6 is a key infrastructure development that will enable the network to support the billions of people and devices that will connect in the coming years,” added Pawlik.
Internet Protocol is a set of technical rules that defines how devices communicate over a network. There are currently two versions of IP, IPv4 and IPv6. IPv6 includes a modern numbering system that provides a much larger address pool than IPv4. With so few IPv4 addresses remaining, the NRO is urging all Internet stakeholders to take immediate action by planning for the necessary investments required to deploy IPv6.
The NRO, alongside each individual RIR, has actively promoted IPv6 deployment for several years through grassroots outreach, speaking engagements, conferences and media outreach. To date, their combined efforts have yielded positive results in the call to action for the adoption of IPv6.
Given the less than 10 percent milestone, the NRO is continuing its call for Internet stakeholders, including governments, vendors, enterprises, telecoms operators, and end users, to fulfill their roles in IPv6 adoption, specifically encouraging the following actions:
- The business sector should provide IPv6-capable services and platforms, including web hosting and equipment, ensuring accessibility for IPv6 users. - Software and hardware vendors should implement IPv6 support in their products to guarantee they are available at production standard when needed. - Governments should lead the way by making their own content and services available over IPv6 and encouraging IPv6 deployment efforts in their countries. IPv6 requirements in government procurement policies are critical at this time. - Civil society, including organizations and end users, should request that all services they receive from their ISPs and vendors are IPv6-ready, to build demand and ensure competitive availability of IPv6 services in coming years.
The NRO's campaign to promote the next generation of Internet Protocol continues to positively impact the Internet community. IPv6 allocations increased by nearly 30% in 2009, as community members continued to recognize the benefits of IPv6.
“Many decision makers don't realize how many devices require IP addresses -- mobile phones, laptops, servers, routers, the list goes on,” said Raul Echeberria, Secretary of the NRO. “The number of available IPv4 addresses is shrinking rapidly, and if the global Internet community fails to recognize this, it will face grave consequences in the very near future. As such, the NRO is working to educate everyone, from network operators to top executives and government representatives, about the importance of IPv6 adoption” added Echeberria.
IP addresses are allocated by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), a contract operated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). IANA distributes IP addresses to RIRs, who in turn issue them to users in their respective regions. “This is the time for the Internet community to act,” said Rod Beckstrom, ICANN's President and Chief Executive Officer. “For the global Internet to grow and prosper without limitation, we need to encourage the rapid widespread adoption of the IPv6 protocol.”
Viking Range Corporation and LG Electronics, Inc. today announced that they have entered into a strategic alliance. Areas for collaboration include product cross-sourcing and joint procurement opportunities, and shared R&D and service resources, as well as expanded distribution.
Under the agreement announced today during the International Builders Show, LG plans to reach more U.S. consumers as Viking’s U.S. distributors will have the opportunity to carry premium LG appliances. This specialized distribution channel will complement LG’s existing U.S. network of national and regional appliance dealers. Viking plans to increase its international distribution, particularly in the rapidly expanding Asia/Pacific markets through its alliance with LG.
Fred Carl, Jr., CEO of Viking Range Corporation, said, “Teaming with LG will give our loyal distributors new growth opportunities while allowing Viking to work with one of the strongest global brands and technology leaders in home appliances. We look forward to this mutually beneficial relationship, including future opportunities for product development collaboration.”
“This alliance will leverage the respective brand, technology, marketing and distribution strengths of LG and Viking, enabling us both to satisfy a broader range of consumer needs,” said James Shad, President, LG Electronics USA. “Viking has built an exceptional brand, and LG is proud to be associated with this American icon’s heritage of quality and customer service.”
It is anticipated that Viking distributors will begin offering LG appliances beginning in the second quarter of 2010.
