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Electronics November 21 2005 Issue
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Nikkei Electronics |
November 21 2005
Issue
Keyword . . . p. 10
High-Definition Television
What’s New . . . p. 28
- Yet Another Lead Free Problem: A Stacked Condenser Shows Performance
Degradation
- 3-Dimensional Battery R&D Activity Gets Attention All of a Sudden
- Japanese Manufacturers Are the Target of Samsung’s Semiconductor
Offensive
- Mobile WiMAX Specification Moves to Completion: MIMO Will Be Used
for Mobile Devices for the First Time
- Implementation in Japan of Private Audio Recording Compensation
Policy for HDD Audio Players Is Deferred
- Exhibition MICROMACHINE Shows RFID Tags, Micro Pumps for Fuel
Cells and Others
- NTT Develops Optical Cable and Wiring Kit Designed
to Simplify In-Home FTTH Installment
Leading Trends
Millimeter Radar Will Be Standard Even for Small Cars in 5 Years . . . p.
59
Cost reductions for millimeter-wave radar modules are being pursued
as the systems they comprise, equipped with distance detection functions,
gear up for widespread use. The target is ¥10,000 or lower.
If
costs can be cut this far, such systems could become a standard feature
not only in high-end vehicles, but also in models with a more affordable
price tag.
The Recipe for Home Printers Not to Lose to Photo Shops
. . . p.
69
Autumn of 2005 has delivered a range of new inkjet printers from the various
market players.
With double the printing speed of earlier machines and
high contrast printing functions, the new products have dramatically raised the
level of photographic printing. Behind this lies a sense of crisis towards
the growing strength of photo shop printing services.
Cover Story
Could CCD Defects Have Been Avoided?
. . . p.
93
The CCD defects that came to light in October 2005 have left one of
the greatest scars on the digital camera market since its inception. Why
was the situation left to run out of control?
Looking back,
there were a number of opportunities to prevent further escalation
of the problem.
It Cannot Happen Again. . . p.
96
The spark that went unnoticed during preliminary evaluations and was fired
by lax information disclosure
The
defect that occurred in the CCDs, which had supposedly passed through test
after test for reliability, sent a shockwave through the electronics industry.
There
are two reasons why the cause of the defect was overlooked. The first
is that two contributing factors occurred at the same time.
The other
is that decay caused by an iodine compound was an unknown failure mechanism. It
is highly unlikely, however, that the damage would have spread to such an extent
had manufacturers disclosed information amongst themselves from the start. As
it happened, materials manufacturers did not inform CCD makers of the material’s
composition and CCD makers did not notify equipment manufacturers of changes
to their manufacturing processes.
Manufacturers need to share information
in upstream development processes to prevent as yet unknown defects and to
dispel consumer suspicion.
Interview. . . p.
102
Strengthening ties with parts manufacturers to avert defects
Overcoming
Defects. . . p.
105
Improving value with alternative packaging rather than sticking with
wire connections
Control
the problem and don’t let productivity drop. On top of that,
make the camera itself more attractive. Chip Scale Package (CSP)
has the potential to do just that. Low yield, an earlier problem
when using CCDs as image sensors for mobile phones, has almost been
alleviated. CSP, which is thin, compact and sturdy, will support
the next generation of image sensors.
Interview
Hitachi’s Deputy General Manager, Digital Media Division,
Norio Ogimoto: “If We’re Going to Do It, Shall We Do ‘1
Terabyte?’”. . . . p.
111
Tech Tale
STAR WARS the Digital Cinema Revolution (Part 8): DVDs Race around
the World
. . . p.
114
Guest Paper
Automobile Electronics Continue to Advance
. . . p.
119
Automobiles are going through significant changes in the areas of
safety, the environment and comfort, all thanks to electronics. The
safety of automobiles is on an improvement trend with a move from collision
safety to preventative safety before accidents occur, and by working in
sync with infrastructure through the use of road-to-vehicle communication
and other systems.
In terms of the environment, competition is intensifying
among automakers to develop hybrid vehicles that will curb emissions of
CO², a contributing factor to global warming.
In the area of comfort,
car navigation systems are spreading beyond Japan into Europe and the
U.S., and a fusing of cars and communications looks set to occur along
with enormous changes in human-machine interfaces (HMI).
The amount
of software required has swollen and so moves are quickening to ensure
quality and to standardize software configurations, which have differed
from field to field.
Toyota Motor Corporation Managing Officer,
Takashi Shigematsu, explains about automotive electronics, which is ever
increasing in importance.
NETs Buyers’ Guide
Industrial LCD Panels
. . . p. 128
LCD panels of improving clarity are recently being found not only
in consumer devices, such as televisions, mobile phones and notebook
computers, but also in ATM and POS terminals and other industrial
equipment. LCD panels for industrial applications differ from
those for consumer devices in that they need to have greater luminance,
a broader operating temperature range and arrangements for long-term
supply. LCD panel manufacturers have established a lineup of “industrial
LCD panels,” distinguishing them from panels for consumer devices.
LCD
panels with a simple segmented display and STN LCD panels are examples
of products for use in industrial equipment. Here we look at
color TFT LCD panels, which form the mainstream in industrial applications
and which are expected to show further growth.
NETs Seminar
Course of Usability for Embedded Device Engineers (Part
1): Leveraging the Guideline for Ease of Use
. . . p.
133
A key issue facing digital home appliances and other embedded devices is improving
ease of use. This series will explain the approaches and procedures embedded
device engineers can use when developing easy-to-use products.
This first
installment explains procedures for carrying out design along a set of general
guidelines with a view to maximizing usability.
High Speed Transmission Is Emerging for Consumer Electronics
. . . p.
141
High-speed signals with frequencies over 1GHz, which have been used in servers,
routers, switches and other commercial equipment, have now become a requisite
for consumer devices. Design incorporating high-speed signals is the key
point.
This article explains the characteristics of high-speed signals
and highlights points to remember for design.
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http://ne.nikkeibp.co.jp/ |
| Keyword: |
10 |
| News Ranking |
12 |
| What's New: |
38 |
| Selected Shorts: |
49 |
| Leading Trends: |
59 |
| Cover Story: |
93 |
| Interview: |
111 |
| Tech Tale: |
114 |
| Guest Paper: |
119 |
| NETs: |
128 |
| Calendar: |
172 |
| From the Readers: |
176 |
| From the Editors: |
177 |
|
