World's first 1394 Automotive IC for HD video
contributes to reduced costs and higher fuel efficiency

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) now offer the world's first '1394 Automotive' controller IC that realises HD (1,280 dots x 720 lines) video transmission over the 1394 Automotive in-vehicle multimedia network protocol. The new IC, the MB88395, can transmit multiple streams simultaneously around the vehicle, such as HD video from blu-ray DVD's, digital TV, and car navigation images. The MB88395 does this by using a light-speed 800Mbps physical layer as well as Fujitsu's proprietary SmartCODEC, which provides high compression and can transmit HD video without perceptible lag. This not only brings the rich HD experience to rear seat entertainment, but lowers the system cost of in-vehicle multimedia networks by up to 30%, and the number of wire harnesses (cables) by up to 70%, thus reducing vehicle weight and improving fuel efficiency.

Increasing attention is being paid to 1394 Automotive for in-vehicle multimedia networking and it is expected to become commonplace in the automotive market. The reasons for this include the gradual shift to digital TV in each country, the increased availability of HD content, as well as the ceasing of analogue output from Blu-ray players from 2013. These factors make 1394 Automotive necessary to satisfy the expected flood of digital transmissions across in-car networks. Anticipating the future requirements of rear-seat entertainment systems, Fujitsu led other vendors in introducing 1394 Automotive controllers in 2005. This new controller, co-developed with Fujitsu VLSI, allows more HD video content to be viewed easily And flexibly throughout the vehicle.

This technology is supported by Yuji Kawaguchi, Operating Officer of Honda R&D Co., who says: Honda R&D welcomes the MB88395, the first IC to provide the 800Mbps speeds of the 1394 Automotive specification. The importance of high-speed digital transmissions will increase further in the future to handle in-vehicle multimedia as well as to reduce weight. 1394 Automotive is an in-vehicle network that can enrich entertainment and comfort. We plan to promptly evaluate the MB88395."

Key to the MB88395's capabilities is its physical layer, which is compliant with the 800Mbps set out in the 1394 Automotive specification and is double the 400Mbpos of the previous product. This is combined with the latest version of Fujitsu's SmartCODEC compression codec for video, which has an even higher compression ratio, compressing video to one quarter of its original size - compared to one third of the previous version. The SmartCODEC, developed by Fujitsu Laboratories and used in the BT.601 Transport Over IEEE-1394 standard, can compress and decompress high-resolution video in 2-3ms without any perceptible time lag or out of sync contents, which can be a problem when watching the same contents on the front and rear-seat monitors.

These features make the MB88395 the first IC in the world to allow multiple streams of HD video and navigation images over 1394 Automotive. For example, an HD video stream (1,280 dots x 720 lines) from a Blu-ray DVD that has been decompressed has a rate of 885Mbps. With subsequent compression to one quarter using  the SmartCODEC, the rate becomes 249Mbps, so two channels can be transmitted in the 800Mbps bandwidth, which was not possible over 400Mbps products.

Fujitsu plans to expand its line-up of 1394 Automotive ICs further to handle the increasing streams in vehicles, such as video content and peripheral cameras as well as to drive further reductions in system costs. These in-vehicle networking chips complement Fujitsu's strong presence in automotive ICs for processing graphics and video.

Fujitsu Microelectronics in profile
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) is a major supplier of semiconductor products. The company provides advanced systems solutions to the automotive, digital TV, mobile telephony, networking and industrial markets. Engineers from design centres dedicated to microcontrollers, graphics controllers, mixed-signal, wireless, multimedia ICs, ASIC products and software development, work closely with FME's marketing and sales teams throughout EMEA to help satisfy customer systems development requirements. This solution approach is supported by a broad range of advanced semiconductor devices, IP, building blocks and software.

For further information e-mail: jim.bryant@fme.fujitsu.com or view website: http://emea.fujitsu.com/microelectronics

Britain's biggest fire cracker!

47 times the power of Jenson's F1 Car, Britain's biggest hybrid rocket was fired for the first time this weekend amid secrecy in the Mojave Desert - where the US tests many of its secret military aircraft.

On Saturday 17th October a team of experts, led by 25 year old rocket engineer Daniel Jubb successfully fired a unique prototype hybrid rocket, designed specially to power the BLOODHOUND Super Sonic Car through the sound barrier to 1,000 mph. It is the most advanced hybrid rocket ever created in the UK.

The BLOODHOUND combustion chamber is 14 feet long and weighs in at 400kg, the same length as a Formula 1 car and a little lighter, producing 17,500 lbs (77.8 kN) of thrust and 25 feet of flame during its ten second burn time. This is the equivalent of 47 times the power of Jenson Button's Brawn GP world championship winning car. When fully developed, the rocket will generate an incredible 27,500 lbs (122 kN) equivalent to 133,000 bhp.

The successful rocket firing marks a significant milestone in the development of the BLOODHOUND Project. The rocket forms one of the three power plants the car will employ to reach its 1,000 mph top speed. The others are a Euro Fighter Typhoon jet engine and an 800 bhp MCT V12 race engine - used to drive the HTP rocket oxidizer pump.

The BLOODHOUND Project aims to inspire future generations to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics by showcasing these
subjects in the most exciting way possible.

The rocket development programme started in March 2008 with small scale 6" rockets and is now in the final and most spectacular stage. The tests are used to refine the way the rocket burns. "We now know that we can safely control a hybrid rocket to produce the required amount of thrust" said Jubb. "Now that we have completed the first firing we can commence with a rigorous programme of testing to refine the way the rocket burns. This is ground breaking science which will have applications in all areas of rocketry."

For further information,  e-mail: jules.tipler@mission-21.com or view website: www.bloodhoundssc.com/car/rocket_propulsion.cfm

ANSMANN maxE/maxE+ range of long-lasting
rechargeable NiMH batteries for industrial portable equipment

ANSMANN, the specialist manufacturer of batteries, battery chargers and power supplies for industrial, consumer and hobby applications, has launched the maxE/maxE+ range of long-lasting rechargeable NiMH batteries that are ideal for use in industrial portable equipment applications. 

Typically, rechargeable batteries have not been used in industrial portable equipment due to their annoying characteristic of rapidly self-discharging in just a few weeks, making it necessary to regularly re-charge batteries before equipment can be used, particularly if its use is infrequent. However, the very low self-discharge feature of the maxE/maxE+ batteries, which remain 85% charged even after a year, overcomes this problem, making them suitable for a whole range of industrial portable applications for which only traditional throw-away alkaline batteries would have previously been used.

Pre-charged for immediate, out-of-the-packet use, the maxE/maxE+ batteries are available in seven different sizes including the 'famous five' - AAA, AA, C, D and 9V E block. SubC and flat-top AA sizes are also available for use in battery pack assembly.  The maxE batteries support a maximum charge current of up to 1200mAh and can be re-charged in a standard charger.  To provide even higher capacities maxE+ batteries are available in AA (2500mAh) and E block (250mAh) formats.

"The maxE/maxE+ rechargeable battery range offers all the advantages of standard rechargeable batteries but with the very low self-discharge and ready-to-use features of traditional alkaline batteries," said Paul Channell, Managing Director of ANSMANN Energy (UK) Ltd.  "They are ideally suited for use in industrial portable equipment applications where the use of rechargeable battery technology may previously have been spurned. As such, they deliver particularly important eco-cost benefits."

For further information contact, Paul Channell, Managing Director, ANSMANN Energy (UK), e-mail: pchannell@ansmann.co.uk  Refer to page 113

Brad PLC/PAC communication modules from Molex
now supported within Integrated Architecture Builder

Molex Incorporated (NASDAQ: MOLX and MOLXA) now offer Brad® PLC/PAC communication modules for the ControlLogix* and SLC* 500 systems to support within Rockwell Automation's Integrated Architecture* Builder (IAB).

System designers can now specify Brad modules as they define the automation system bill of material (BOM) using IAB," said Michael Frayne, product manager, network interfaces, Molex Incorporated. "We wanted to ensure our customers could create a complete automation system BOM with communication modules to save them time and money."

IAB is a graphical software tool for configuring Logix-based automation systems. It helps users select hardware and generate BOMs for applications that include controllers, I/O, networks, PowerFlex* drives, OnMachine cabling and wiring, motion control and other devices.

Outputs of the communication modules include BOMs and reports with quality graphics. Two versions of the reports are available for download. The full version includes all files and the second version is fully functional, but does not include the product documentation and is smaller to download. After downloading the reports, users can get the product documentation via Current Update if desired. Internet Explorer is required for download.

Molex and Brad are registered trademarks of Molex Incorporated
*ContolLogix, SLC 500, PowerFlex and Integrated Architecture are trademarks or registered trademarks of Rockwell Automation.

All other products and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

For further information on the IAB and other Brad products, view website: www.molex.com/shows/rockwell.html   Refer to page 33