Archive : 8 January 2015 год

Australian scientists developing a prototype quantum hard drive say they have improved storage time by a factor of more than 100. Manjin Zhong, from the Research School of Physics and Engineering (RSPE) at The Australian National University (ANU), said: "Quantum states are very fragile and normally collapse in milliseconds. Our storage times have the potential to revolutionise the transmission of quantum 
information." 

The team of physicists at ANU and the University of Otago stored information for six hours by writing a quantum state onto the nuclear spin of a europium atom using laser light, then subjecting the crystal to a combination of a fixed and oscillating magnetic fields to preserve the information. "The two fields isolate the europium spins and prevent the quantum information leaking away," explained Dr Jevon Longdell of the University of Otago. 

Zhong added: "We can now imagine storing entangled light in separate crystals and then transporting them to different parts of the network thousands of kilometres apart. So, we are thinking of our crystals as portable optical hard drives for quantum entanglement." 

This will allow the group to undertake fundamental tests of quantum mechanics. "We have never before had the possibility to explore quantum entanglement over such long distances," said associate Professor Matthew Sellars. "We should always be looking to test whether our theories match up with reality. Maybe in this new regime our theory of quantum mechanics breaks."

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk

In a move which broadens its MCU portfolio, Atmel has launched four MCU series based on the ARM Cortex-M7 core. Said by Atmel to be the highest performing Cortex-M7 based MCUs, the parts offer memory and connectivity options that suit them to automotive, IoT and industrial connectivity applications. 

The SAM E70 and SAM S70 are aimed at connectivity and general purpose industrial applications, while the SAM V70 and SAM V71 are aimed at the automotive market. 

"We are excited to be among the first suppliers to introduce a portfolio of Cortex-M7 based MCUs," said Jacko Wilbrink, Atmel's senior marketing director. "Our family of Cortex-M7-based devices … provides a robust feature set tailored for the automotive, industrial, consumer and IoT markets, giving designers the next level of performance, along with advanced high speed connectivity, high density on chip memory and a solid ecosystem." 

SAM S70 parts feature an FPU and run at up to 300MHz. Up to 2Mbyte of flash can be specified, along with dual 16kbyte cache memory and up to 384kbyte of SRAM. The SAM E70 series adds a 10/100 Ethernet MAC and dual CAN-FD interfaces. 

The SAM V70 and V71 series support Ethernet AVB and Media LB. When combined with the Cortex-M7 DSP extensions, the parts are said to be ideal for infotainment connectivity and audio applications.

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk

Millimetre wave technology developer SiBEAM has announced SiBEAM Snap, a wireless connector technology designed to replace physical connectors in devices such as smartphones, tablets and similar consumer products. 

By replacing physical connectors, says the company, product developers will be able to create 'completely wireless' devices that are thinner, lighter and better protected from damage. 

The concept relies upon two parts: the Snap SB6212 transmitter and the SB6213 receiver. When deployed, the parts are said to be capable of replacing USB2.0 and 3.0 links, supporting bidirectional communications at up to 12Gbit/s. No further details of the devices have been released. 

"Snap technology demonstrates SiBEAM's commitment to innovate in the connectivity space, revolutionising the mobile landscape with a true wireless connector solution," said David Kuo, senior director of marketing.

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich showed Intel Curie at CES. The button sized module is intended for use in wearable solutions. 

The Curie module, based on Intel's purpose built SoC for wearable devices, is likely to ship in the second half of 2015, but has yet to receive FCC certification. It includes a low power 32bit Intel Quark microcontroller, 384kbyte of flash, 80kbyte of SRAM, an integrated DSP sensor hub, a Bluetooth Low Energy radio, a six axi combo sensor, including accelerometer and gyroscope, and a power management IC. 

* Meanwhile, Intel plans to invest $300million to help build a pipeline of female and under-represented engineers and computer scientists; to actively support hiring and retaining more women and under-represented minorities; and to fund programs to support more positive representation within the technology and gaming industries.

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk

The Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) and Power Matters Alliance (PMA) are to merge in order to accelerate the availability and deployment of wireless charging technology. 

"The 'standards war' narrative presents a false choice," said Kamil Grajski, Board Chair and President, A4WP. "Consider that the typical mass-market smartphone contains a multiplicity of radio technologies (Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, 3G, LTE), each built around a vibrant ecosystem, whereas other devices are single-mode (Bluetooth headset). The A4WP-PMA merger is in the same spirit: enable the market to apply technologies to their best use cases." 

"The key to volume economics is to combine best-in-class wireless power transfer technology with innovative cloud-based network services," said PMA president Ron Resnick. "The best in breed combination of A4WP and PMA assures decision makers throughout the industry of responsible stewardship of these essential contributing technologies." 

One of the main objectives of the merged organisation – which will have a new name – is to accelerate the transition of wireless power technology to volume. For the consumer electronics industry, the two organisations claim, the benefit will be a competitive, multi-source and innovative supplier base. 

However, the Wireless Power Consortium, which is developing the Qi wireless charging standard has not joined the initiative. The consortium, which has more than 180 members, is led by Nokia.

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk