Toshiba Launches New Bus Switch ICs supporting PCI Express 3.0 (8Gbps)

Toshiba corporation today announced that it will launch two-lane SPDT switches that support PCI Express 3.0(8Gbps). The new products, TC7PCI3412MT and TC7PCI3415MT, reduce switch terminal capacitance to achieve high bandwidth characteristics of 10GHz at -3dB, making high-speed transmission with lower signal degradation capable.
      The new SPDT switches have optimal configurations for all arrangements of PCI Express slots, connectors, and switches on the motherboards of desktop PCs and notebooks PCs. They can also be used for high-speed differential lines, such as USB 3.0, Display port 1.2, and SATA 3.0.

Key Features:
1-Operating Power-supply Voltage: VCC=3.0V to 3.6V
2-Wide-3dB Bandwidth: 10GHz (typ.) @VCC=3.3V
3-Low insertion loss: IL=1dB @VCC=3.3V, f=4GHz
4-Low Switch terminal ON-capacitance: CI/O=1.5pF (typ.) @VCC=3.3V
5-Standard package TQFN42 (9.0×3.5×0.55mm)

Toshiba Launches Highly sensitive 20MP BSI CMOS image sensor

Toshiba corporation today announced that it will launch a new 20-megapixel image sensor, the TCM5115CL, as the latest addition to its sensor line-up for digital still cameras. TCM5115CL offers the industry's highest resolution in the 1/2.3-inch optical format, using backside illumination technology(BSI) to improve sensitivity and imaging performance.
     Sampling of the new sensor will begin at the end of January 2013 and mass production will follow in August 2013.
      Continued advances in the resolution offered by compact digital cameras-now in the range of 10-to-16MP have brought with them the challenge of improving performance and picture quality with smaller pixels. The TCM5115CL does just this by achieving a 15% improvement in full well capacity, the amount of charge an individual pixel can hold before saturating-against Toshiba's previous generation 16MP sensor(pixel size = 1.35μm).
      TCM5115CL is designed to meet the demands of high quality, fast frame rate image capture and HD video recording supporting smooth, slow motion playback, and delivers the high frame rates 60fps at 1080p and 100fps at 720p.
      CMOS image sensors are the main product of Toshiba's Analog and imaging system business. The addition of the TCM5115CL to its CMOS sensor line-up for digital cameras will reinforce the business and support the company in securing its target of a 30% market share in 2015.

Features:
Part number     TCM5115CL
Optical Format  1/2.3-inch
Resolution      20 megapixels
Pixel size      1.2 micrometers
Frame rate      30fps @ 20Mpixel, RAW10
                       60fps @ 1080p
                       100fps@ 720p

Simmtronics launching XPAD X-720 Tablets in India

Simmtronics, a semiconductor company introduced its brand tablet brand XPAD here. The company has introduced a 7-inch display tablet called XPAD X-720 which runs on Android ICS OS and has 1 GHz processor.
         XPAD X-720 has 512MB RAM, 4GB internal memory which is expandable up to 32GB. The tablet support 3G but one requires dongle to access 3G. It has 0.3-megapixel front camera and the battery of the device stands at 2,800mAH. It works on A13, cortex A8, 1.0 GHz processor which faster computing experience. It has gravity and accelerator sensors which support Android Gravity games and support thousands of applications to download. After its successful launch in Middle East and GCC countries like Saudi, Qatar, and UAE, Simmtronics now have decided to introduce the XPAD tablets in India.
         The company will be launching a series of XPAD tablets and smartphones for the Indian market. Simmtronics will be launching four models of the tabs at the price point of Rs.4,600 upto 10,000.

GIS to expand lithography process based production to develop thin film type products

Touch screen maker GIS, which is a subsidiary of the Foxconn Group, is reportedly planning to increase its capacitive thin-film type capacity for producing more lithography process based thin film type touch screen products, according to industry sources.
          Using the lithography process will allow GIS to tackle orders from international-based smartphone vendors that are developing high-end smartphones. The technology can trim the line width and line space on touch screen products to support slim bezel screens, which will allow smartphone vendors to produce thinner and lighter products, added the sources.
      GIS currently produces roughly one million thin-film type products a month via its printing process. However, the sources said the number will largely increase most likely by the third quarter of 2013 when the company is expected to finish completing the lithography process expansion.

Strontium Launches HAWK SSD

Strontium Technology has announced a new series of high-performance solid state drives(SSDs) named "HAWK". These Hynix-built solid state drives with Strontium branding are based on SandForce's SF2281 controller and SK Hynix Flash. These drives are said to be a good upgrade option featuring 500MB/s of read and write performance  and also claim to offer faster performance for PCs and Macs. SSDs feature enhanced durability, shock-proof, silent operation and are more reliable as compared to traditional hard drives.
        The 2.5-inch HAWK drive is available in 120GB and 240GB storage capacities. The sequential (256KB,MAX) read speed is 510MB/s and write speed is 470MB/s. The random (4KB, MAX) performance is 50,000 IOPS read and 38,000 IOPS write. It comes with support for SATA I/II/III interface, TRIM support (O/S support required) and has a Mean Time between Failures (MBTF) of 1.2M. Strontium HAWK SSD has been designed to offer quicker boot up ans shorter lead time in the loading of applications to enhance productivity.
        Strontium HAWK SSD, simply makes the computer more responsive than ever. with quicker boot up and shorter lead time in applications loading, it will definitely enhance your daily productivity and ensure your system takes flight to the next level. Backed by three-year Warranty, the HAWK SSD will be available through Strontium's authorized distributors and channel partners.   

  Features :
  1- 2.5" Drive
  2- SandForce SF-2281
  3- MLC NAND Flash for Fast performance
  4- Available capacities: 120GB and 240GB
  5- Sequential performance (256KB,MAX); Read:510MB/s, write:470MB/s
  6- Random performance (4KB,MAX): Read:50,000 IOPS, write: 38,000 IOPS
  7- Supports SATA I/II/III interface
  8- TRIM support (O/S Support Required)
  9- Power Consumption: 0.82W(Active), 0.26W(Idle)
 10- Mean Time between Failures (MBTF): 1.2M
 11- 3 Years hassle-free Strontium Limited Warranty

Sharp shows 6.1-inch WQXGA panel

Sharp has demonstrated a 6.1-inch IGZO panel with a 2560x1600 pixel resolution. The panel is based on the indium gallium zinc oxide technology, or IGZO for short. One of the biggest advantage of this technology is that pixels can be positioned extremely close to each other, which allows for small screens with high resolutions to be created. This development is ideal for smartphones, tablets, and in the long run, notebooks to create a high pixel density. In addition to their pixel density, IGZO panels are up to 90% more efficient than existing LCD panels, another benefit for use in mobile devices. They can be produced relatively cheaply, as opposed to for instance AMOLED panels. With the IGZO technology, Sharp has been create a pixel density of 498 pixels for per inch.

Acer planning to launch Iconia B1 tablet costing $99 by next year

Acer Inc. is planning to launch an Android tablet priced around U.S for $99 early next year. At 7-inches with a 1024x600 resolution screen and 1.2GHz dual-core processor, the so called Iconia B1 tablet.
       The 7-inch tablet market has been getting increasingly crowded this year, with Apple Inc. launching the $329 iPad Mini and Google partnering with Asustek on the $199 Nexus 7 to challenge Amazon's and Barnes and Noble's popular devices that size. Plans for low cost tablet began hastily this fall, in response to aggressively priced offering by competitors. The final price will be determined country-by-country.
       Aside from the Iconia B1, the company is also planning to launch a low-priced version of its Intel-based Windows 8 tablet early next year.