Engineering Technology

2010-07-19T08:30:00.001-07:00

In a CanSecWest security conference held in Vancouver BC, last Thursday (03/19/2009), demonstrated how to retrieve data by analyzing the vibration suppression using a laser beam that is connected to a laptop or via the electrical energy that arises from a connected computer via the keyboard PS / 2 connector and cable.

Using tools ranging from under 1 million rupiah, the researchers from Inverse Path can be concluded that the laser beam which is about 50 to 100 feet from the computer device can detect any letter is typed on a keyboard device or a laptop computer nearby.

Head of security techniques, Andrea Barisani and Daniele Bianco hacker named using the microphone and photo diode lasers made to capture the vibration, the software to analyze the frequency spektogram from various different key presses, the technology used to be able to translate what is typed words. They used a technique called Time Dynamics warping which is typically used for applications that are able to recognize the same signals and translate them back. Using infrared rays will prevent casualties when they know that they are being spied upon.

"A better way to reduce this type of attack is through changing the position of your typing or typing arbitrary." Barisani said.

In the second phase of the attack method, the researchers were able to spy on your keystrokes from your computer using the keyboard PS / 2 which is connected with the power cable is 50 feet.

"This could be detected that in the same cable line, where the cables are connected in a single socket to share with it will most likely be able to attack other computers." Barisani said.

The researchers used oscilloscopes and analog-digital signal converter, in order to isolate the victim computer and detect what he was typing.

"The goal of these early tests conducted during the five days was to prepare and perform, that they are able to know what you are typing but has not continued in more data typed again, of course this requires many months of research." Barisani information.

Additionally, they tried to retrieve their data from the next room, this could have happened at an ATM machine that uses the keyboard PS / 2 keyboard or the like. The attack can not work if using a USB keyboard.

Furthermore, the same attack will be tried in a wireless network. Of course this is a fairly dangerous attacks, but requires a greater cost to buy tools electromagnetic radiation. "Maybe next time we'll try to research using the tool easier and cheaper." The researchers said.

Hacker

2010-06-28T02:13:00.000-07:00

Jakarta – hacking customer account number of banks in Indonesia, suspected of being part of the mafia syndicate bank fraud.

These syndicates are also often deceive consumers through short messages and telephone.

“Between one modus to another modus is not impossible related to each other, said Heru Sutadi ” the observer of information communication technology,to detikNet.According to his analysis, this syndicate launched their action with a particular gift from some of telecomunication operators as well as other consumer products.

“People should be careful if you received a text message or a call like that, especially when ask you to quickly transfer
money to the lottery tax,” said Heru.The man who also served as a member of the telecommunications regulator request the police to immediately arrest the perpetrator who responsible for hacking this customer’s bank account.

“The case of skimming and hacking of this bank account need to be investigated police. Because it is not impossible this is a big mafia”.

Heru had a suspicion, this mafia syndicates using sophisticated tools of information technology based. “Because to connect ATM would need ATM reader and a connection to the central bank,” he insists.

2010-06-28T01:51:00.000-07:00

SURABAYA- PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (Telkom) have a target in additional 500,000 new customers nationally for quick Internet access Speedy product in 2010. The statement was made by Director for Consumer sect of Telkom I Nyoman Gede Wiryanatha, he told to reporters in Surabaya, Sunday, after attending the customer appreciation event for Speedy 200,000 period for the East Java region that has been achieved early last November. he said “Until now, the number of Speedy customers has reached more than one million and we are optimistic that the growth will always increase”. According to him, various efforts have been made to push the growth to Telkom customers, such as improving the quality and network capacity, and bandtwith.
In addition, the launch of Speedy multy-speed packet some time ago is trusted to be able to increase customer because the consumer can choose a subscription package in accordance with the needs and price. Telkom also launched a bundling package in Speedy and it offers customers the holding subsidiary products, such as Yes TV (payment TV) and other products.
“Speedy’s subscription package targeting all segments of society, starting from the middle down to enterprise (business),” Nyoman said. He added that the market potential Speedy Internet Access customers is still quite promising, although currently many mobile operators offer mobile-based internet access.
Meanwhile, Telkom’s Executive General Manager in east java Mohammad Warif maulidy , said after improving the quality of services in the region of Madura and several other cities, his group is launching a program for teachers community and small to medium retail business (UKM).
” UKM business is growing in East Java and currently no less than 42,000 UKM to be the most potential market segments that can be supported by Speedy service,” he said on the sidelines of the party to welcome the drivers participants ‘ Speedy Tour in Indonesia 2009 “.
Until the end of this November, a total of Speedy in East Java around 210,000 and is targeted to reach 230,000 subscribers by the end of this year.

MSI Wind U160, Netbook Hold Up to 15 Hours

2010-03-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

MSI Computer, manufactures computer hardware products and solutions, is proud to announce the winner of iF Product Design Award, which is a mini laptop MSI Wind U160. The second netbook MSI has a style of Pine Trail platform from Intel Atom N450 processor. An amazing processor and efficient than Energy Star features that support a U160 MSI Wind U160 netbook to last for up to 15 hours when running on the mode of the MSI exclusive ECO. This allows the user to work all day without having to carry the battery adapter.

Design MSI Wind U160 netbook was like clamshell, which has a teriluminasi MSI logo on the outer surface, and cylindrical power button, a new footprint is also slim. Only 0.98 inch wide, netbook MSI Wind U160 Wind is the best model thin now. The keyboard and touchpad is responsive and netbooks seem comfortable when used for typing. Mini notebook MSI Wind U160 comes in colors gold, black and combined with a layer of Color Film Print makes this netbook looks smooth.

Wind U160 netbook has a 10-inch LED display with a backlit color, DDR2 1GB memory, 160GB hard drive, and 6 cell battery, Bluetooth connectivity, and Microsoft Windows operating system 7 starter. MSI also includes face recognition security software to protect information EasyFace users. MSI Wind U160 dibandrol prices around $ 379.99 and can be order through Newgg and Buy.com

Wow, Nokia Prepare Radar Technology in Mobile

2010-01-27T20:47:00.000-08:00

Nokia has announced the existence of the concept of "mobile radars" in the event the Nokia Research Center (NRC) in Helsinki, Wednesday (27/01). Nokia has implemented an active radar sensor to a mobile phone, make the measurement speed and direction of motion of a captured object, just like the traditional radar performance.

Mobile radar technology can be used to control the phone functions with a user's hand movement, for personal safety or when exercising. Mobile radars can also be used for games, perhaps the same as in Nintendo Wiii, but played on mobile phones.
Mobile radar in the demo, showing the user can measure the object distance, speed, and direction of using mobile devices. It is the same as the technology used by the police. But, unfortunately, will not make Nkia the handset version, because the radar mobile technology is still a prototype.

Cool, Keyboard Monitor Plus Laser Show on the Wall

2010-01-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

Is it possible if a desktop computer that works without a physical keyboard or a monitor?

It gives ideas to a designer with the concept of Paulina Carlos Froot Dell PC. There is no connection with a traditional monitor or USB keyboard, but Dell Froot features a pair of projectors, one applies a laser keyboard on the tabletop and the other projecting a computer screen to the wall.
In addition to the projector, Froot Dell hardware has ports on the left side and a slot to load DVD drive on the right side. Paulina also make this Froot Dell designs with colorful casing, made from biodegradable starch-based polymer, such as fruits (fruit = Froot). Dell Froot concept is environmentally friendly and seemed designed to go contest held by Dell. Not yet known when it will officially be released and published to the public

Cool, Microsoft Create Car Use Wi-Fi

2010-01-27T19:53:00.000-08:00

Major automakers have announced a remarkable generation of cars, Monday (21/12) and the application of the Sync system is designed in his Ford product, so the owner can enter Ford's USB modem directly into the car to activate the Wi-Fi signal, making broadband Internet that can accessible to all passengers. The car can turn Wi-Fi from all devices Wi-Fi facilities, ranging from smartphones to laptops.

Ford said that the factory install Sync capability will be present at next year, and no additional hardware or subscribe to an existing broadband modem. System Sync Wi-Fi Ford include WPA2 security, to ensure that only people in the car can access Wi-Fi networks are. "The speed of this technology as fast as a USB modem. Sync With this system the user will definitely get a powerful technology in the future. "Said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization.

Designed by Ford and Microsoft, Ford Sync allows drivers to this call, play music, open maps, news and weather, are also looking for businesses and other information, and all using voice technology and changing text to voice (text-to-speech). Ford Sync technology this is not the first created to provide users access the Internet on-the-road. Previously there Autonet Mobile or Waav which makes a similar technology for Cadilac car.

New Version Nimbuzz Ready Go to the BlackBerry O.S. 4.6

2010-01-27T19:41:00.000-08:00

This time is exciting news for BlackBerry users, because the Nimbuzz has announced a chat and VoIP applications for new versions of the BlackBerry smartphone. The new application differs from previous Nimbuzz application, but BlackBerry users are still able to stay in touch with friends and colleagues in a variety of platforms, including IM services and social networking.

Applications Nimbuzz chat and VoIP will be running in the background while the user usually work with the BlackBerry. When a new contact 'ping' to the user, that user will receive notification on the homescreen.

Other features of an auto reconnect option, the support for 3G connections, 2G or Wi-Fi, when a user loses the connection. A new version of the Nimbuzz application also comes with a clickable URL, which can open a browser when the URL is clicked from within the chat window. The new version is compatible application for Blackberry OS system 4.6, and higher.

Users can try the latest Nimbuzz application for the BlackBerry Storm, Bold 9000, Tour 9630, Pearl Flip, 8900 Curve, Storm 2 and Bold 9700.

Make Coolpad Laptop Damage?

2010-01-27T19:31:00.000-08:00

Coolpad can make a broken laptop? This is a lot happening on consumer laptops that use cheap COOLPAD. Many consumers who bought these COOLPAD price range Rp 30.000, - of a later complaint with less good results. The damage often happens is the computer crash.

Until now this news is still confusing because of the damage in the laptop is still a lot of questionable. But the damage that this happened many many people who identify due to the lack of good COOLPAD thus affecting quality performance laptops.

For one thing, cable is less good than COOLPAD will give a less good effect on the laptop. One example is recently being discussed, and almost the same as this COOLPAD case is a USB hub. USB hub is less good or less good effect on the computer or laptop. Many computers that use a USB hub is less well qualified to make the computer can not read the USB hub to connect using the USB connector. This is similar to that of very COOLPAD laptop less good.

If this is left alone, there is likely to damage the RAM on your computer or laptop. Logically, if the computer crashes constantly then RAM will work harder because the computer work overload.

Fun, Hear Voice Mail Via Google Voice

2010-01-27T19:18:00.000-08:00

Good news comes from Google that have voice services to release web versions. Voice services are working on the iPhone, just like in the handset Palm and Palm Pre Pixi, and add functionality Voice applications for Android and BlackBerry in the mobile browser. Google Voice applications are almost the same as Gmail mobile, where users can read, listen to messages, send messages and configure applications in mobile Safari browser.

When a user calls, the person who answered the phone user will see the number of Google Voice users, not the real number stored in the phone. This is because Google make outgoing calls from your iPhone, then through the online network merotasikannya Google Voice it. While the system Android and BlackBerry, Google Voice may insert itself as the default mobile phone user interface, and get access to contacts stored in the phone.

While the iPhone, Google's Voice will be a secondary interface and can not see contacts in the phone user, or users can use Google Sync to sync contacts on the phone with a Google Account. When a user calls, the iPhone users will confirm and indicate the routing nomot Google, rather than the intended number. When he wanted to listen to the message, the message will go into Safari and QuickTime.

Wow, the House of Representatives Can 15 Million Computer Price Per Unit

2010-01-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

News procuring computers for the 560 members of the House of Representatives is providing pro-cons in the community. According to Antara News quoted from, a computer costing 15 million per unit later to support the council's performance, both to type and save documents, also sought information through the Internet. Meanwhile, Secretary General of Parliament Nining Indra Saleh stated that the procurement of computers for members of the House price USD 11.5 million per unit, and printers are also tables for Rp3, 5 million per unit, so a total of Rp15 million per unit.

The reason, the computer brand Dell Studio One that will be accepted members of the House may be more suitable for playing games than for working. Besides high prices, a computer will also have a luxurious specification for board members. If traced from Dell.com site about computer specs Studio One, it appears that sufficient high-quality processor options, such as the Intel Pentium Dual Core, Core 2 Duo or Quad Core. As for the operating system offered in the form of Microsoft Genuine Windows ® 64-Bit 7, either Home Premium or Professional, as well as Windows Vista 32-Bit. In addition, DDR2 SDRAM memory capacity of 2GB, 3GB or 4GB may also menajdi computer selection of the council members. Storage specifications are also quite large, the choice of 320GB, 500GB or 750GB. Computers Dell Studio One is also equipped with a DVD Writer and Blu-Ray Combo drive, with Nvidia and ATI chips. 18.5-inch sized monitor 16:9 ratio WXSGA resolution, CCFL (1366x 768).

Specifications are pretty good, but unfortunately the selling price of Dell's Studio One is more or less $ 817 (Amazon.com), away from the already budgeted price board members.

Not yet a year, Microsoft's Windows 7 Fix Weaknesses

2010-01-27T19:04:00.000-08:00

Just a few months of the Windows 7 release, Microsoft has released security updates for a smaller operating system Windows 7 32-bit (1.2MB), Windows 7 64-bit (1.7MB), Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit (1.7MB), and Windows Server 2008 R2 Itanium (2.1MB). These patches to fix problems that affect to some computers that use the Error Reporting service or Microsoft Customer Support Services. Microsoft plans to release regular updates of stability and reliability of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

Here's a patch that was released for both Microsoft operating systems are:

1. Function keyboard or keyboard shortcuts, such as mute or calculator that does not run smoothly

2. Icon notification for an application is moved or lost when the application is updated

3. On a computer that runs on Windows 7, when the user to configure the Screen Saver Settings to display the logon screen when 'rest, then the user to set the computer to sleep mode, after starting the screen saver. However, that appear very black screen, not a screen saver which had been set. These problems cause the operating system to not respond, so the user must restart the computer by pressing the power button a bit longer.

If the problem has occurred, then the user can update from the Microsoft Download Center (microsoft.com / downloads) or via Windows Update or until a Windows 7 Service Pack 1 arrives. The next patch is for Windows computers with system 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, which has a NVIDIA chipset USB Enhanced Host Controller Interface (EHCI), at least 4GB of RAM, and perform operations I / O from external USB devices, such as copying data from a computer , which finally happened computer stops responding or quit the data copy operation is not normal. Repairs are available for Windows 7 32-bit (449KB) and Windows 7 (64-bit), as well as Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit (516KB).

Apple iPad tablet, Like Computer But like iPhone

2010-01-27T18:58:00.000-08:00

Apple tablet has finally reached the finals with the name iPad. iPad according to Steve Jobs, more a cross between smartphones and computers. Ukuranya Although larger than the iPod Touch, including a large LCD screen measuring 9.7 inch touchscreen, and a resolution of 1024x768 pixels larger than the iPhone, but these devices also support the application on the iPhone.

While the iPad will be present from 2 to 3 months, with the price of $ 499, cheaper than $ 599 MacMini. However, these prices are still not including the monitor or keyboard, and with the $ 69 users can get a keyboard dock or a Bluetooth keyboard and a flat seat. Apple iPad tablet can also play 720p HD video, the video output to an external source that is restricted to 480p. iPad also oleophobic coated the same as in the iPhone 3GS, which is used to prevent attach fat fingers, and can be cleaned easily.
Feature touchscreen in iPad also use the same multitouch technology in the iPhone, Apple Magic Mouse, and use notebook trackpad. Apple iPad also has the same display technology as the iMac. Like the iPhone and iPod, iPad also support the operating system with a finger-friendly QWERTY keyboard on-screen, and an accelerometer that can detect whether the device in portrait or landscape mode. Apple is also equipped with tablet 30-pin dock connector, Wi-Fi Antenna 802.11 a / b / g / n, internal 3G modem woreless and a home button that can allow a user back to the main screen operating system. iPad has super loud volume rocker style and a mute button, just like the iPhone. Apple iPad own weights only 1.5 pounds, and for the 3G version of about 0.1 pounds heavier. iPad only with Wi-Fi will be sold in the next 2 months, while the iPad with 3G will be sold in the next 3 months.

Some Facts Highest Tower in the World 'Burj Dubai' The Seldom Known

2010-01-19T16:21:00.000-08:00

Some notes and other facts of the tallest skyscraper in the world who has not much is publicly known

It turned out that this article posted there are still many parts of this building is not finished the process yet today this building is scheduled to be inaugurated. Just see the picture below:

the parts that have not completed the tallest skyscraper in the world burj dubai

the parts that have not completed the tallest skyscraper in the world burj dubai

the parts that have not completed the tallest skyscraper in the world burj dubai

the parts that have not completed the tallest skyscraper in the world burj dubai

Very high, perhaps because so much space that has the world's tallest tower is not 100 percent sold especially coupled with Dubai financial debt crisis, so there are many who have not rented a room and have not completed 100 percent.

Some Facts Burj Dubai in pictures

Some other facts:
When we climbed the stairs of the tower height manually then this is equivalent to the number of steps 3000
These buildings require 8 million cubic feet of cement, 31 thousand tons of steel construction, 55,660 square meters of stainles steel.
Surface area equivalent to 17 times the soccer field

Some wanted to travel there to see and view from the top jajirah arabia?

Nokia 9000, Best Light 3D Television

2010-01-13T18:48:00.000-08:00

Samsung LED LCD television with a new 9000 series has been launched by Samsung. Samsung claims that the television screen in the form of ultra-thin and has 3D support, a remote touch that can serve content from a variety of video sources. Let's see how thin this Samsung television screen as thin as a pencil. This television can alter 2D content into 3D, but it was like watching a Blu-ray on the big screen.

Samsung LCD TV hardware is in addition to the 3D TV at home, also can be a Blu-ray player and the 3D home theater system most recently in 2010. TV-series Nokia 9000 comes with a screen size 19 inch to 65 inches, with a thickness of less than 3-inch frame that looks shiny. Television Samsung has the technology to 240GHz image quality needed to play 3D. Unfortunately, Samsung have not told the price of television is 9000-series.

Workstation Mobile 14 Inch Pertama, HP EliteBook 8440w

2010-01-13T18:36:00.000-08:00

Notebook HP EliteBook 8440w mobile workstations represent the first 14 inch in the world. Business laptop with high performance notebooks are different from others because it is labeled as a workstation, with hardware and software specifics. Type EliteBook itself has become HP DuraFinish HP DuraCase and made of strong magnesium aluminum coating combined with anti-scratch that, although scraped with steel. EliteBook 8440w laptop weighs 136kg, has a great keyboard, and has a 16:9 aspect ratio for 14-inch display first. But, unfortunately, this laptop has a small touchpad and touchpad buttons have grooves. To have a 6 cell battery that can last up to 4 hours.

Specifications laptop HP EliteBook 8440w:
-620M Intel Core i7 Processor 2.66GHz (turbo mode up to 3.33GHz, 4MB L3 cache)
-Genuine Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
-14-inch LED-backlit display HD + (1600 x 900)
-NVIDIA Quadro FX 380M (512MB)
-4GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM
-320GB 7200RPM HDD
-Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), Ethernet, Modem, and Bluetooth Connectivity
-Battery 9-Cell (10.8V)
-Dimensions: 13.2 x 9.2 x 1.5 inches (including feet)
-Weight: 5.89lbs
-Price: $ 1,649

Beware, Take One Group Facebook Malware

2010-01-12T20:13:00.000-08:00

An angry group has made almost all the members on Facebook. Group, which makes access to the rumor that Facebook will be charged additional malware it is a trap. Thousands of Facebook member was upset that these rumors, which mentions a monthly fee of $ 4.99 to access Facebook will run from July. Users who click on these groups will be redirected to "protest group" which would then lead to email spam.

Even so, a quick check of Snopes.com companies from the UK, there is no script in the site "protest group" which leads to negative things, but the site has links to third party sites that are suspected of carrying malware. Snopes remind users to not click on specific elements that will create the script on that site over a computer, for users who do find the image in which can automatically install malware on their computers.
By searching for "Facebook charges July 2010" in the search engines so users will find a fake blogs with a black hat SEO to trick software security scanner in search engines. For that, Facebook is now thinking about what action to host the malware group.

Wow, Sea Park Whale Shaped the Eco-Friendly

2010-01-12T19:39:00.000-08:00

Vincent Callebaut, the architect behind the development and Lilypad Dragonfly, has made the whale-shaped garden designed to navigate the river around the world with clean water. Park in the form of the whale Physalia named the ecosystem that requires power from the sun and work to reduce water pollution through the bio-filtration.

Callebaut design is really fantastic, and is expected to be a technological utopia. His vision to meet with the park environment, and then covering it with a green roof and solar panels with a thin film. While the hydro-turbine to generate power from the movement of water under this whale ship, and all the energy comes from natural sources that can be updated.
Physalia itself inspired by a jellyfish "Physalia Physalis" which is translated as to "Water Bubble". Water bubbles Bubble water or is intended to navigate the entire river in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, traveling along the Danube and the Volga, between the Rhine and the Guadalquivir, Euphrate and Tiger. When he rose to the surface, his head will open and float on the surface.

On the exterior there are features of a layer of TiO2 which will react with ultraviolet light to clean water. Then the water will be incorporated into the park system, which is biologically filter out contaminants and sources of pollution. Inside the park there are also 4 different theme is "Earth", "Wind", "Fire", and "Water", which represents the element 4.

Release Intel Core I3, I5 and i7 Newest

2010-01-12T19:28:00.002-08:00

n the event CES 2010, Intel released more than a dozen new processor is still in the context of ensuring the Core family types, including processor chips I3, I5 and i7. Intel Core chip that Intel technology-based Arrandale and Clarkdale is a processor with the first 32nm manufacturing process from Intel. 4 Core Intel introduces I3, I5 and 8 Core 7 Core i7 chip fruit, all of which have tekenologi for Hyper-Threading multitasking process. Intel's new Core processor is designed Untk desktop, mobile computing, and other devices.

I5 and Core i7 is equipped with a Turbo Boost technology for excellent performance, because the Turbo Boost is designed to automatically provide acceleration performance and provide extra support when needed performance. Whereas for beginners Core processors are not equipped I3 Turbo Boost technology, but provides a graphical support HD (High Definition) which was built in the processor. Intel reveals, that now no longer required either additional graphics to the desktop or laptop with a processor Core I3. Intel Core 2 set I3 and 2 for mobile computers with clock speeds between 2.13GHz and 3.06GHz.
Another case with the present Core I5 with style and speed variations for both laptops and desktops. I5 mobile processor features, such as 540M to reach top speed 2.53GHz, and 3.06MHz with Turbo Boost. Most processors are chips I5 Core ULV (Ultra Low Voltage), Intel said. While like-620UM Core i7 has a clock speed of 1.06GHz, 2.13GHz and can be reached with Turbo Boost. Intel Core i7 is the most expensive and the top line of the latest Intel Core family, which dibandrol the price of $ 332, while I5 only $ 113.

FPGA Board Programmable with NI LabVIEW and Xilinx ISE Tools and Integrated with NI ELVIS II/II+

2010-01-10T18:35:00.000-08:00

The NI Digital Electronics FPGA Board is fully integrated with the NI ELVIS
platform, which features 12 of the most commonly used instruments in the
laboratory including an oscilloscope, digital multimeter, function generator,
variable power supplies, digital reader/writer, two- and three-wire currentvoltage
analyzers, and a Bode analyzer. Integration with the NI ELVIS platform
gives students the ability to build comprehensive test benches and analog
mixed-signal circuits that can be designed and tested in one platform. Figure 2
shows the NI Digital Electronics FPGA Board plugged into NI ELVIS II. The board
works with both NI ELVIS II and NI ELVIS II+. For more information on the
NI ELVIS platform, visit ni.com/nielvis.

WDT During Power-down and Idle

2010-01-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

In Power-down mode the oscillator stops, which means the WDT also stops. While in Powerdown
mode, the user does not need to service the WDT. There are two methods of exiting
Power-down mode: by a hardware reset or via a level-activated external interrupt, which is
enabled prior to entering Power-down mode. When Power-down is exited with hardware reset,
servicing the WDT should occur as it normally does whenever the AT89S51 is reset. Exiting
Power-down with an interrupt is significantly different. The interrupt is held low long enough for
the oscillator to stabilize. When the interrupt is brought high, the interrupt is serviced. To prevent
the WDT from resetting the device while the interrupt pin is held low, the WDT is not
started until the interrupt is pulled high. It is suggested that the WDT be reset during the interrupt
service for the interrupt used to exit Power-down mode.
To ensure that the WDT does not overflow within a few states of exiting Power-down, it is best
to reset the WDT just before entering Power-down mode.
Before going into the IDLE mode, the WDIDLE bit in SFR AUXR is used to determine whether
the WDT continues to count if enabled. The WDT keeps counting during IDLE (WDIDLE bit =
0) as the default state. To prevent the WDT from resetting the AT89S51 while in IDLE mode,
the user should always set up a timer that will periodically exit IDLE, service the WDT, and
reenter IDLE mode.
With WDIDLE bit enabled, the WDT will stop to count in IDLE mode and resumes the count
upon exit from IDLE.

Apple Enters AT&T vs. Verizon Ad War

2009-11-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

The two Apple ads show the iPhone's ability to browse the Web and manage phone calls simultaneously, a feat that's possible over AT&T's UMTS/GSM wireless network but not over Verizon's CDMA network, according to an account in Apple Insider.

With its two ad spots, Apple is clearly taking aim at a Verizon ad message which mocks the iPhone for lacking a "real keyboard" and the ability to run "simultaneous apps," for example.

Meanwhile, following up on the tamer approach of issuing a letter to customers, the new AT&T's commercials attack maps used in Verizon's Droid commercials which show a much wider 3G coverage area for Verizon than for AT&T.

In the AT&T advertising, actor Luke Wilson makes the point that AT&T's cell phone coverage reaches 97% of all Americans. AT&T, though, is referring to 2.5G and 3G coverage combined, as opposed to the 3G coverage touted in Verizon's commercials.

In case you haven't heard yet, AT&T filed a lawsuit against Verizon earlier this month, accusing its rival of making "false and misleading statements" in its own ads. AT&T says Verizon's ads imply that customers not connected to AT&T's 3G network are unable to make calls whatsoever -- when actually, they are merely bumped down to slower speeds.

Last Wednesday, a federal court denied a request for a temporary restraining order from AT&T to quash Verizon's controversial marketing blitz, ruling that the two parties must continue to duke things out in court before a decision is reached over pulling the Verizon ads.

Now, AT&T and its mobile phone partner Apple have jumped off the higher road, adopting the newer attitude that, "If you can't lick 'em, join 'em."

Watching the two wireless giants try to clobber each other over the TV airwaves should make for entertaining TV viewing straight through the holiday season, and maybe beyond that. well into 2010.

Eventually, the public will probably lose interest in this breed of TV drama, just as people ultimately get tired of many types of television fare.

If the two contenders involved were not AT&T and Verizon, there might even be a danger that folks would turn off the warring ad messages entirely.

But increasingly, life these days revolves more and more around mobile phones. Those who live in the United States are bound to pay some attention to the cacophonous fighting between the nation's two largest wireless carriers, whether or not they understand or even care about the differences between 2.5G and 3G wireless.

Enhanced Connectivity Drives Wireless Standards Beyond the desire to send and receive increasing amounts of data over cellular and broadband networks,

2009-11-19T23:46:00.000-08:00

Five or more years ago, it seemed that a new wireless standard was being proposed almost monthly. Much debate has focused on which standards would outlast the others, proving themselves to be the optimal solutions for given applications. Yet the landscape has not changed very much since then. The IEEE 802.11x standards continue to evolve to meet the needs of the wireless-local-area-network (WLAN) market. Bluetooth has cornered the wireless-headset market and is making inroads into some new areas. IEEE 802.15.4, in which ZigBee has its roots, has seemingly become the de-facto solution for applications like remote appliance control in the home. In fact, the only wireless technologies generating buzz these days are Long Term Evolution (LTE) and mobile WiMAX—both of which are designed to carry generous amounts of data. Although many debate whether both technologies are needed, the increasing demand for wireless connectivity ensures roles for a variety of standards and technologies within homes and across the globe.

Mobile WiMAX and LTE are similar in that they are both rooted in orthogonal- frequency-division-multiplexing (OFDM) technologies. In addition, they were created to aid the increased transmission of wireless data over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. Many favor LTE for its superior speed compared to mobile WiMAX, although IEEE 802.16m promises to match or exceed the data rates offered by LTE. At ITU Telecom World in Geneva, Switzerland earlier this month, both the WiMAX Forum and executives from 50 suppliers and operators endorsed the IEEE’s submission to ITU-R, which proposes an IEEE 802.16m-based architecture for IMT-Advanced. The WiMAX Forum also announced that it will finalize its WiMAX Release 2 specification in parallel with IEEE 802.16m and IMT-Advanced, ensuring that WiMAX Release 2 networks and devices will remain backward compatible with legacy WiMAX Release 1 systems based on IEEE 802.16e.

According to the ITU-R’s definition, which reflects aggregate throughput delivered to multiple users in a practical deployment, the IEEE’s IMT-Advanced proposal documents the following: Using 4x2 multiple-input, multipleoutput (MIMO) configurations in the urban microcell scenario with only a single 20-MHz TDD channel available system-wide, the IEEE 802.16m system can support both 120-Mb/s downlink and 60-Mb/s uplink rates per site simultaneously. In addition, higher data rates can be obtained with additional spectrum resources or more complex antenna schemes. The WiMAX Release 2 profile also will incorporate these capabilities for improved voiceover- Internet-protocol (VoIP) capacity, spectral efficiency, latency characteristics, handover speed, cell range, and coverage with support for wider operating bandwidth in both time-division- duplexing (TDD) and frequencydivision- duplexing (FDD) formats. The WiMAX Forum expects to see WiMAX Release 2 available commercially in the 2011 to 2012 timeframe.

In Russia, WiMAX Release 2.0 is already being tested by Yota in conjunction with its partner, Samsung Electronics. Yota plans to install the mobile WiMAX Release 2.0 solution from Samsung on its network by the end of next year. Samsung demonstrated its IEEE 802.16m-based solution at ITU Telecom World, which comprised the Samsung U-RAS Flexible base stations with upgraded modules, the existing mobile WiMAX handset, and the prototype of a new handset developed for mobile WiMAX Release 2.0. The demonstration showcased the full backward compatibility between mobile WiMAX Release 2.0 (IEEE 802.16m) and the IEEE 802.16e technologies. Mobile WiMAX operators can supposedly upgrade to mobile WiMAX Release 2.0 simply by updating several circuit-board sections and the software in their base stations.

Recently, the WiMAX Forum announced that the number of IEEE 802.16e WiMAX deployments has reached approximately 504 networks in 145 countries with 15 new deployments added in August. Regionally, Africa led with 109 deployments and Central/ Latin America closely followed with 102. The Asia Pacific and Eastern European regions reached 79 deployments each while Western Europe hosts 68 networks. North America and the Middle East grew to 49 and 18 deployments, respectively. In addition to an increase in the number of networks tracked by the WiMAX Forum, many of the already established WiMAX networks continue to expand rapidly. Yota, for example, expects to reach 200,000 subscribers this month. Clear, Sprint, and Comcast all have made strides toward expanding their networks with multiple city launches planned by the end of 2009. In addition, UQ Communications plans to cover more than half of the Japanese population by the end of December.

Such deployments are supported by product developments like the new WiMAX transceiver from Maxim Integrated Products. Aimed at subscriber applications, the single-chip MAX2839AS covers 2.3 to 2.7 GHz in a 3.5-x-5.1-mm wafer-level package (Fig. 1). Using a dual-receiver architecture, it vows to mitigate RF channel fading by as much as 10 dB compared to a single-receiver architecture. By leveraging the firm’s silicon-germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS process, the transceiver’s two receivers flaunt a low noise figure at 2.3 dB, –81 dBm sensitivity for a 64-QAM signal at a 5-MHz channel bandwidth, and a 95-dB gain range that is digitally controlled in 1-dB steps. Each device is factory calibrated to achieve better than –35 dB error vector magnitude (EVM), –45 dBc sideband suppression, and carrier leakage of –40 dBc. The transmitter features a 62-dB gain control range, which is digitally controlled in 1-dB steps. It delivers a 0-dBm linear output with a 64-QAM signal, greater than –45 dBc of sideband suppression, and more than –36 dB EVM while meeting a –70 dBc spectral mask.

As evidence of mobile WiMAX’s continued viability, visitors to the WiMAX Pavilion at ITU Telecom World experienced mobile broadband through a live indoor demonstration as well as a 30-min. driving tour with live streaming video and music along with location awareness via the Global Positioning System (GPS). Interestingly, that show also was the site of the world’s first live 2.6-GHz timedivision- duplex-LTE (TD-LTE) drive demonstration.

During Motorola’s Home and Networks Mobility TD-LTE drive tour, visitors rode in the firm’s LTE van to experience the reallife performance of TD-LTE including mobility and hand-over and a number of demanding applications. Such applications included high-definition (HD) video streaming on the downlink and uplink, GPS navigation, VoIP, video conferencing, and high-speed Internet browsing. Within the van, a TD-LTE device received and transmitted the over-the-air (OTA) data including HD video and high-speed data from and to the application servers and high-speed data from and to the Internet. Motorola’s TD-LTE solution is comprised of second-generation OFDMbased products, which include a base controller unit (BCU2) that supports TD-LTE, FDD-LTE, and WiMAX and a remote radio unit (RRU) that supports both WiMAX and LTE (Fig. 2). At the China Mobile Communications Corp. exhibition booth, Motorola also provided a TD-LTE demonstration that showcased downlink throughput of over 100 Mb/s.

Many companies are now backing LTE including US carrier Verizon. In fact, the firm recently opened the lab at the Verizon Wireless LTE Innovation Center in Waltham, MA. The experience center of the LTE Innovation Center is anticipated to open in the first half of 2010. Verizon also introduced a virtual LTE Innovation Center, in which device developers can access an online portal to discover support services for participants at the Verizon Wireless LTE Innovation Center.

According to ABI Research, a minimum of 12 mobile operators are planning to launch LTE services next year. Aside from Verizon Wireless, the first launches in the US are expected to be from MetroPCS Wireless and US Cellular. Japan’s first LTE networks will be from NTT-DoCoMo and KDDI while TeliaSonera, Tele2, and Telenor are among the carriers with LTE roadmaps in Europe. Although China Mobile has LTE in its sights, it does not plan to launch until 2011.

Although it has not formally committed to any deployments, Telefónica just made headlines by commissioning six advanced LTE pilot trials. The firm has chosen Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei, NEC, Nokia Siemens Network, and ZTE to test their respective LTE technologies in six different countries. The trials include both laboratory tests and the installation of e-node Bs in the field. The countries selected for testing are Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Czech Republic, Brazil, and Argentina.

Because LTE has not rolled out yet, development is going at a furious pace on both the infrastructure and handset sides. To help LTE and 4G base-station manufacturers reduce board space and material costs, for example, Analog Devices, Inc. debuted a series of integrated radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs). By combining multiple discrete functional blocks into one device, the ADRF660x series of mixers and ADRF670x series of modulators enable smaller, higher-density radio card form factors (see “Integrated Devices Arm Infrastructure Radios,” September 2009).

Cables and Connectors Make Vital System Links Although these interconnection components are often taken for granted, suppliers are improving the relia

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Cables and connectors work best when noticed least. Ideally, they should remain electrically invisible with minimal impact on system performance. Understanding a few simple performance parameters for each type of interconnection can help when searching for cables and connectors.

Coaxial cables come in many forms, including flexible, semi-rigid, and handformable varieties. Many suppliers, such as Teledyne Storm Products, provide both semirigid and flexible cables, while some add ruggedized variants such as corrugated coaxial cables.

Coaxial cables consist of two conductors separated by dielectric material. The outer conductor often includes a shield and is also protected by a wrap. Most coaxial cables are formed with center conductors of copper, tinned or silver-plated copper (for improved solderability), copper-clad steel, and copper-clad aluminum. Flexible cables use stranded center conductors, with typically seven strands, while rigid cables are formed with solid center conductors. The outer conductor is wrapped around a coaxial cable’s dielectric core, which is commonly formed of a dielectric material such as fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). A jacket material, such as FEP or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), may be added for environmental protection.

Different cables can be compared in terms of their highest operating frequency, outside diameter, insertion loss (usually presented in terms of a value per 100 feet of cable), velocity of propagation (the speed of RF signals through a cable relative to their speed in a vacuum), power-handling capability, VSWR (with connectors), shielding effectiveness (SE), and minimum bend radius (for flexible cables).

For example, the 1151 series of cable assemblies from Insulated Wire operate to 18 GHz with a variety of different connectors, including Type N and SMA connectors. They have an outside diameter of 0.11 in. and achieve velocity of propagation of 71 percent. They exhibit insertion loss of 30 dB/100 ft. at 2 GHz and 90 dB/100 ft. at 16 GHz. The VSWR for an 18-GHz assembly with two straight connectors is 1.35:1. Capable of SE performance to 100 dB, the flexible cable assemblies boast a 0.5-in. bend radius.

Many cable providers, such as Belden, offer products with a wide range of shielding options to fit the SE requirements of different applications. Belden’s coaxial products include cables with shields formed of metallic foil or shielding tape, outer braid, and extra foil layers.

Micro-Coax characterizes its coaxial cables by means of extensive test data, including information on the capacitance per foot of its different UtiFLEX flexible cables. Its model UFA147A cable, which is usable to 40 GHz, features capacitance of 26.2 pF/ft.

W.L. Gore has developed cables for use with a vector network analyzer (VNA) and cables capable of operating through 110 GHz. The firm’s PHASEFLEX microwave test cable assemblies are designed for minimal changes in signal phase from DC to 67 GHz. The flexible cables allow for a minimum bend radius of 1 in. without affecting performance. To test reliability, test cables were bent 90 deg., and then reverse bent 180 deg. The stranded center conductor cables in these assemblies performed beyond 100,000 cycles (or more than 200,000 total cable bends) while still meeting electrical specifications. The PHASEFLEX test cable assemblies are available with a wide range of connector options (which will determine the ultimate highfrequency limit) including 3.5-mm (to 26.5 GHz), 2.4-mm (to 50 GHz), and 1.85-mm connectors (to 67 GHz).

Gore also offers PHASEFLEX cable assemblies with 1-mm coaxial connectors for use to 110 GHz. The typical insertion loss is 1.34 dB for a 10-cm section and 2.67 dB for a 20-cm section, both with VSWR of 1.50:1.

Electronic Assembly Manufacturing, Inc. (www.eamcableassemblies.com) recently announced the availability of low-loss flexible cable assemblies for applications to 18 GHz. The cables have 0.335-in. diameter and exhibit insertion loss of just 0.048 dB/ft. at 1 GHz and 0.22 dB/ft. at 18 GHz. The cable assemblies can handle 1800 W CW input power at 1 GHz and 600 W CW input power at 10 GHz. They offer SE of better than 95 dB. EAM’s low-loss cable assemblies feature a minimum bend radius of 1.7 in. and are available in custom lengths with a wide range of connector choices, including SMA, Type N, and TNC connectors.

SSI Cable Corp. creates its Stainless Steel Advantage coaxial cable assemblies using stainlesssteel- jacketed coaxial cable with welded cable/connector interfaces for applications requiring the highest reliability albeit with limited flexibility. The cable assemblies employ a stainless-steel jacket over a thin copper outer conductor, providing excellent SE performance with high corrosion resistance. A copper outer conductor is used for optimum conductivity. The cables are available with outside diameters of 0.093, 0.145, and 0.240 in. with solid, medium-loss, and low-loss PTFE dielectrics.

EZ Form Cable Corp. produces the EZFlex 141 handformable cable as a compromise between the high performance of semi-rigid cables and the versatility of flexible cables. It is a 0.141-in.-diameter coaxial cable with silver-plated, copper-clad steel center conductor, solid PTFE dielectric, and tin-plated copper braid. It uses a silverplated copper-clad steel wire inner conductor and 0.117-in. nominal diameter solid PTFE dielectric and weighs 2 lbs. per 100 ft. The cable has a bend radius of 0.25 in. minimum for a 360-deg. excursion. The velocity of propagation is nominally 69.5 percent while insertion loss is typically 12 dB/100 ft. at 1 GHz and 29 dB/100 ft. at 5 GHz.

A number of firms offer coaxial cable assemblies for use with vector network analyzers (VNAs) and other microwave test equipment, including Mini-Circuits, MegaPhase, Pasternack Enterprises, Micro-Coax, Teledyne Storm Products, Agilent Technologies, and Anritsu. For example, Huber + Suhner, a leading provider of both RF/microwave and optical cables, has developed the SUCOFLEX 307 and RG393 cables for RF power measurements. Designed to handle high power levels with low insertion loss and high stability, the firm supports the cables with power terminations for use at power levels to 100 W and frequencies to 6 GHz and attenuations for use at power levels to 300 W and frequencies to 6 GHz. Florida RF Labs offers its Lab-Flex line of high-reliability flexible coaxial cable assemblies for measurement applications. Available with diameters from 0.135 to 0.335 in., the 0.312-in.-diameter cables can be used to 31 GHz and can handle as much as 740 W at 1 GHz. They have a minimum bend radius of 1.50 in. and feature 39.5 dB insertion loss per 100 ft. of cable at 18 GHz. Mini-Circuits, one of the newer players in the test cable assembly market, offers standard cable lengths from stock. Its CBL-series test cables, which are available with a wide range of connectors, are usable from DC to 18 GHz and are rated for 20,000 flexures without failure.

Although connectors would appear to be fairly mundane, enhancements occur on a regular basis to improve reliability or electrical performance. For example, last year Tyco Electronics announced a snap-lock SMA connector designed to mate with standard SMA connectors for simple, reliable links. Suitable for use through 6 GHz, the connector’s inner fingers slide over the threads of a conventional SMA connector and lock into place by engaging the other connector’s outer collar. The connector pair can be disengaged by pulling back on the snap-lock connector’s outer collar, making them ideal for measurement applications. The snap-lock SMA connectors are available in a variety of configurations, including in straight and right-angle forms.

Radiall grew its QMA line of connectors with the addition of high-density waterproof QMA (WQMA) connectors with snapon Quick-Lock technology. They are rated at 200 W power at 1 GHz and temperatures from -40 to +105ºC as well as for at least 100 mating cycles The RoHS-compliant connectors feature enhanced corrosion resistance to weather hostile environments.

RF Connectors, a division of RF Industries, supplies a wide variety of coaxial connectors, including 1- , 2.9-, and 3.5-mm connectors, 7/16 connectors, BNC, Type N, SMA, and TNC connectors. Another division of RF Industries, Aviel Electronics (www.avielelectronics.com), has improved the SMB connector by adding a push-lock feature to the standard MILSTD- 348 snap-on coupling mechanism increasing the disengagement force to at least 5 lbs. A locking shell pushes over the mated interfaces, locking the interface while allowing full rotation of the mated pair. Pulling back the shell allows the interfaces to be disengaged. The mating pairs include a right angle plug with crimp attachment for RG-174U cable. These enhanced SMB connectors are usable to 10 GHz.