Scope: Power electronics conference, robots rise, more
August 2nd, 2009 | 
Author: Looking Ahead: To the Power Electronics Technology Conference
Opening Oct 30 and running through Nov 1 in Dallas, the Power Electronics Technology Exhibition and Conference has retuned, its sponsors say, to focus on the greatest innovations in power design. The keynote and general- session address highlight two of these innovations. One session covers opportunities to improve efficiency in power electronics, and the other covers the ROHS (restriction-of-hazardous-substances) situation in China. Tutorials cover subjects ranging from basics of components to motor control and energy harvesting. Technical tracks include power design; applications, including the use of ZigBee for energy management; and components.
Quasiresonant flyback converter easily charges energy-storage capacitors
EDN.com — Designers often use chargers with flyback topologies to quickly charge energy-storage capacitors (reference 1 and reference 2). In a flyback topology, the energy transfer takes place only when the charger’s power MOSFET is off, which effectively isolates the power switch from the load, comprising high-energy storage-capacitor banks. Thus, the voltage levels on the circuit transformer’s secondary can vary from zero to a predetermined value and corresponding energy level without any significant stress on the components on the primary side of the transformer.
Microsoft and Yahoo Are Linked Up. Now What?
The New York Times (July 29, 2009) — The bumpy, marathon mating dance between Microsoft and Yahoo finally concluded on Wednesday, when the two companies announced a partnership in Internet search and advertising to take on the industry powerhouse Google.
But there was plenty of skepticism about whether the new partners could make a serious dent in Google’s dominance.
Posted in Business Technology | 
Tags: Google, Internet search, Microsoft, partnership, Yahoo | 
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Mobile Handset Inventories Bulk Up
ElectronicsNews.com.au (July 27, 2009) — The handset vendors have a spring in their step as Q2 2009 results come in, says analyst ABI Research. The exception is North America which is still struggling economically. In contrast, Asian economies have been lifted by regional stimulus packages and by an anticipation of improved retail sales conditions in the latter part of H2 2009. Overall, the company is revising downwards its forecast 2009 contraction to -7.5 percent from -8.1 percent (to 1.11 billion units).
Bluetooth attach rates rise, while total market falls
ElectronicsNews.com.au (July 27, 2009) — Bluetooth is on track to increase attach rates in many key market segments, reports analyst In-Stat. However, the recession is taking its toll on the end equipment markets for the technology, as Bluetooth-enabled equipment shipments will shrink 4 percent in 2009.
Scientists Manipulate Ripples In Graphene, Enabling Strain-based Graphene Electronics
ScienceDaily (July 26, 2009) — Graphene is nature’s thinnest elastic material and displays exceptional mechanical and electronic properties. Its one-atom thickness, planar geometry, high current-carrying capacity and thermal conductivity make it ideally suited for further miniaturizing electronics through ultra-small devices and components for semiconductor circuits and computers.
Microsoft Offers Europe a Choice of Browsers
BERLIN — The New York Times — Microsoft has offered to give European computer users a choice of Web browsers, an unprecedented move that the company, the world’s largest software maker, hopes will avert another antitrust conviction and big fine.