Printed Circuit Design & Fab Online Magazine - Design News

Design News

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Design News; Published: 29 May 2008

CRANE, IN - The Hands-On Embedded Passives Workshop will be held on June 3 and 4 at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NWSC) in Crane, Indiana. The workshop will reportedly cover how embedded passives technology, in combination with HDI/microvia technology, can improve circuit signal integrity and lower common mode noise that often leads to EMI.

Attendees will also reportedly design and fabricate a PCB with HDI/microvia and embedded passives. Participants will work at a CAD workstation, design the PCB, and then build it in NSWC Crane’s PCB manufacturing facility.

It is stated that the course is intended for anyone wishing to refine their knowledge in incorporating embedded passive technology into a PCB design and manufacturing process.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Design News; Published: 28 May 2008

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - Reflex Photonics has announced the Light on Board HyperDense parallel channel optical components for IC package ultra short reach (USR) interconnections on a single PCB. The company claims that the product supports all existing physical layer protocols.

According to the company, the components features 12 parallel fiber optic channels integrated into MT-based I/O connector modules, with each channel capable of speeds of up to 10 Gbps. The component can be configured as a transmitter, receiver or transceiver, with up to eight I/O connector modules for each configuration.

“The technology adds tremendous I/O bandwidth to the microchip package without disturbing the current design and manufacturing methods of chips, IC packages or printed circuit boards,” said David Rolston, CTO, Reflex Photonics.

At a full configuration, the HyperDense product set up as receivers or transmitters will each handle a claimed 10 Gbps per second on 96 channels, or transceivers can handle simultaneous bi-directional of up to 480 Gbps, with each of the 48 channels running at 10 Gbps.

According to the company, Light On Board technology is designed to add optical interconnects to an IC without changing the chip, the IC package, or method of PCB manufacture. All existing electrical high-speed connections are maintained.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Design News; Published: 27 May 2008

YAVNE , ISRAEL — Ofer Shofman, president and CEO of Valor Computerized Systems has announced his retirement from the company. The company's board of directors has appointed Dan Hoz as acting president and CEO.

“I had the privilege of watching the company grow, and I strongly believe that it has a prosperous future ahead. I feel that now it’s time to refocus my energy on my family and personal projects,” said Shofman.

Shofman is one of the founders of Valor, and has been with the company for more than fifteen years, with six as president and CEO. Hoz has been the company’s CFO for five years, and before that served four years as CFO of Frontline PCB Solutions.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Design News; Published: 27 May 2008

MUNICH, GERMANY and WESTFORD, MA – Zuken has announced a partnership to provide schematic capture and PCB design to MBDA European Missile Systems, an organization which has programs in missile systems and countermeasures and manages multi-national defense projects.

The designs centers of MBDA originated from the EADS, BAE Systems and Finmeccanica, and Zuken’s schematic and PCB design software was selected to standardize a single platform across Europe.

Andy Inkersole, from MBDA commented: "Zuken proved with CR-5000 and E³.cable that they could cost effectively deliver the full harmonization within our current environment, while offering flexibility and technical competence."

The initial five-year agreement with MBDA will begin by moving all PCB design, schematic capture and electrical design to Zuken's modular PCB design software, CR-5000 and E³.cable. The first phase will begin with implementation in France and the UK, before being incorporated in Italy and Germany.

FREMONT, CA - Circuit prototyping system manufacturer SchmartBoard, Inc. has retained Wyndstorm Corp. to create an online community and training venue for electronics enthusiasts. The website is scheduled to launch in September 2008.

"While social media for online gaming or social networking can be lots of fun, applying these technologies to collaborative online learning…can demonstrate bottom-line results," said Marian Sabety, president of Wyndstorm.

Wyndstorm will develop an online environment allowing electronics enthusiasts, instructors, students and professionals to discuss electronics topics and circuit design in online forums, and to provide reviews and ratings of individual circuit designs, manage event calendars, and allow members to create circuit design libraries.

Wyndstorm will also provide an online circuit design and construction feature, allowing students and teachers to work collaboratively to specify the components and construction of circuit boards.

“SchmartBoard is committed to helping engineers, students, and hobbyists develop electronic circuits faster, easier, and less expensively than previously possible,” said Neal Greenberg, VP of SchmartBoard.

SolderByNumbers.com and is presently seeking beta testers. Those interested in participating in the project can sign up at SolderByNumbers.com.

WILSONVILLE, OR â€• Mentor Graphics Corp. announced first quarter fiscal 2009 revenue of $179.2 million.

“In a difficult environment, the company performed as we forecast,” said Walden C. Rhines, company CEO.

“During the quarter, we extended our cost management efforts,” said Gregory K. Hinckley, company president. “Looking forward, we continue to see a strong second half driven by renewals.”

The company has reported that for fiscal year 2009, the company expects revenue of approximately $915 million. For the fiscal second quarter, the company expects revenue of about $173 million.