Global electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry's largest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, and Packet Digital LLC announced the two companies have signed an agreement in which Digi-Key will be a global distributor of Packet Digital products.Packet Digital is an emerging world leader in the design, development, and marketing of advanced power management solutions for portable electronic devices and embedded systems. With its patented On-Demand Power technology and PowerSage integrated circuits, Packet Digital extends battery life in portable electronic devices, helping consumer electronics companies and branches of the military develop faster, smarter, smaller products."Power management is extremely important when designing and developing portable electronic devices and embedded systems," said Mark Zack, Digi-Key's Vice President of Semiconductors. "PowerSage's scalable, next generation approach to prolonged battery life addresses users' insatiable appetites for extended usage without recharging.""Packet Digital is very excited to partner with industry leader Digi-Key to distribute our PowerSage integrated circuits worldwide," said Terri Zimmerman, Packet Digital's COO."By taking a real-time systems approach to power management, Packet Digital has developed PowerSage, a family of intelligent integrated circuits that monitor entire systems and distribute power only when needed by using dynamic voltage scaling," said Dr. Joel Jorgenson, Packet Digital's CEO. "PowerSage integrated circuits are ideal for notebook computers which require very long battery life and very economical use of power sources. They have also proven great savings in Servers, Portable Media Players, and other mobile devices and computers."Packet Digital was recently named the winner of the Electronics and Overall Innovation Challenge during Aviation Week 2012. United States Senator John Hoeven (ND) met with Jorgenson and Zimmerman in the US Capitol March 8 to congratulate the Fargo-based manufacturer for receiving the award.Packet Digital products are available for purchase now on Digi-Key's global websites: http://www.digikey.com/As a leading, integrated, Internet-based global distributor of electronic components, information about and inventory of millions of products is accessible to customers around the globe, with all products shipped from Digi-Key's single, North American location. The company's integrated business model provides product and support information online to help put engineers and procurement professionals in control as they solve tough product development challenges.

GIGABYTE Technology, a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards is pleased to announce their On/Off Charge technology now enables fast charging of the new Apple iPad (3rd Generation) devices, as well as previous Apple devices, on a majority of GIGABYTE motherboards, including soon-to-launch GIGABYTE Z77 motherboards.A derivative of GIGABYTE's highly acclaimed 3x USB Power feature, On/Off Charge technology allows iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices to draw more current from GIGABYTE motherboard USB ports than standard USB ports allow, with the added benefit that the PC can be on, in standby mode or even off. Many mobile devices can be charged via a desktop PC's USB ports as long as the system is connected to an active power source, however this is not the case with the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Even when the PC is being used and charging is enabled, these devices usually only draw a mere 0.5A for a trickle charge that can take 3 hours or more to fully charge the device. The benefits of GIGABYTE On/Off Charge are that users can reduce their charge time by around 40% while also acting responsibly and shutting down their PC system while it is not in use, e.g. while they sleep.GIGABYTE On/Off Charge comes in two flavors: a backwards compatible On/Off Charge driver that can be downloaded from the official GIGABYTE utility web page, and an On/Off Charge front panel connector. The On/Off Charge front panel connector features a special controller combined with the On/Off Charge driver that allows the computer to detect the current required by iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch products. The device dictates the current it draws, so there is no threat of overcharging from GIGABYTE 3x USB Power technology. Tests conducted in the GIGABYTE labs have shown various charging speeds with an average charging time saving of around 40%.About 3x USB Power Boost3x USB Power Boost from GIGABYTE is designed to deliver the utmost compatibility and stability for USB devices by supplying sufficient power through a single USB port. This helps free-up USB ports for using multiple USB devices and is particularly useful with PC cases that only have 2 front panel USB ports. Please visit the GIGABYTE 3x USB Power Boost website for more details.Learn more about GIGABYTE On/Off Charge from the official microsite, please visit:http://www.gigabyte.com/MicroSite/185/on-off-charge.htmGIGABYTE On/Off Charge supports quick charging of new Apple iPad

Already the world's largest restaurant chain, SUBWAY with more than 36,000 restaurants across 99 countries, is still taking every step to stimulate customer appetites. SUBWAY TV & RADIO, which is made up of NEXCOM's fanless media players NDiS 161 and Real Digital Media's NEOCAST digital signage platform, serves as a powerful communication medium for helping SUBWAY franchisees better inform customers of available options and enhance in-store customer experiences.ChallengeRestaurants pose many environmental challenges. With long restaurant operating hours and variable temperatures, SUBWAY TV & RADIO required a robust solution that could withstand these conditions to ensure the successful playback of their promotional content, especially during peak times. Furthermore, due to the scale of the network rollout, SUBWAY required a future-proofed hardware solution that could meet the demands of today as well as tomorrow, and could warranty against premature obsolescence.SolutionSUBWAY selected the NEXCOM fanless media player NDiS 161 to meet these challenges.One of the keys to ensuring the reliable playback in a restaurant environment is to select a robust, hardened media player appliance. One of the essential aspects of these types of media players is a fanless design. Fanless architecture deters environmental intruders, thereby increasing the durability and lifespan of the media players and protecting SUBWAY franchisees' investments.Additionally, the NDiS 161 is NEXCOM's high-definition media player. As SUBWAY content and digital signage application demands increase, the NDiS 161 will be able to support these challenges without requiring SUBWAY to install new hardware. Delivered pre-loaded with the Real Digital Media NEOCAST embedded player software, the NDiS 161 media players arrive on site ready to "plug and play". Combined with a mutli-year service support contract, SUBWAY has a technically robust and supported solution to ensure the success of their global rollout.ResultSUBWAY TV & RADIO is poised to become the largest digital signage network in the world. At the core of this network will be the NEXCOM fanless media player NDiS 161. Built to last, this solution is aimed to help companies like SUBWAY have confidence in their network infrastructure, so they can deliver their messaging more efficiently and serve customers better.SUBWAY selected NEXCOM's fanless media players NDiS 161 and Real Digital Media's NEOCAST digital signage platform

The Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant is a 300MW Pressurized Water Reactor nuclear plant and is the first plant which is designed, constructed and managed by China itself. It is not only of great significance to Chinese nuclear power development but also an important case for Advantech to promote their applications in this industry.Advantech's Shanghai Industrial Automation Group PAC Product Sales Manager, Bin Deng indicated that the operators in the control room of a nuclear power plant have the most important roles because they are responsible for the safe operation and management of the plant.In order to ensure the safe operation and minimize personal negligence, Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant established a training simulator of nearly 500 square meters which is exactly the same size as the control room. Bin Deng said that this was a large-scale project for Advantech not because of its massive area, but because it needed to be a full scope simulation.Low-cost simulation solution with complete functionsQinshan Nuclear Power Plant used several of Advantech's modules (including ADAM 5000, UNO-2668 and FPM) to complete the simulator. The plant's training cost is lower than previous practice simulations. Bin Deng indicated that with complete functions, the Phase II simulator system only cost one-fifth of former training programs.Due to a monitoring requirement which encompasses the entire region, the simulator needed to have more than 10 thousand endpoints installed to acquire the AO, AI, DI and DO signals to keep system response time within 50ms. As a result, Advantech modified the architecture to avoid network congestion as well as effectively collecting and immediately transmitting the data.Bin Deng said that if the solution were to successfully execute in accordance with Ethernet's distributed architecture, it would definitely affect the real-time transmission rates of the network. Advantech therefore, added embedded network controllers (UNO-2160 or UNO-2668) between the underlying server and an ADAM module (ADAM-5000ETCP) to aggregate and transmit data.Using the standard communication protocol, MODBUS/TCP, the UNO-2668 and ADAM-5000ETCP were connected and onsite high-frequency and short frame signals could be acquired. In order to integrate the UNO-2668 and the server, and be able to send high-frequency and long-frame signals, developers designed their own communication interface based on the original configuration using programming tools such as EVC, CB.NET, and C#.Real-time data transmission on the independent sub-network between the server and the UNO devices is ensured because communication traffic is small, so there are no data-blocking problems. Bin Deng stated that each UNO device could control at least 20 ADAM modules but in Qinshan's case only 16 were used, leaving reserve spaces for future expansion.Later in the project, the Qinshan Plant also adopted Advantech's industrial-grade monitor, fire monitoring device, and other products as their Phase III simulator. In response to customer demand, Advantech offered IPCs plus board controllers to complete the simulator.Successful environmental control in nuclear applicationsIn addition, the Hainan Nuclear Power Plant is also planning to use Advantech's products and they will start shipping this year. The simulator project is for the main control room and control center and will utilize Advantech's ADAM 5000, UNO-2668 and FPM devices.Advantech IPC and communication modules are not only suitable for nuclear power plant simulators but have also been applied to other monitoring applications such as the simulation for environmental and meteorological monitoring for Suzhou's Thermal Institute, and a data acquisition system for radiation detection in Wuhan and the Shanghai Physics Institute.Bin Deng said that regarding safety issues, military and research institutes have a strong demand for environmental radiation surveillance. In 2008, Advantech's data acquisition system assisted Wuhan's automatic detection station in environmental monitoring of nuclear radiation and the follow-up plan will be associated with weather systems to enable more accurate monitoring.Furthermore, a picosecond accelerator in the Shanghai Physics Institute has also adopted Advantech's ADAM 5000 to monitor their facility. For safety, the Institute required a nuclear response time of less than 1ms and Advantech offered better results with only 0.3ms which impressed them.Taking features to the next level via APAX's new architectureBin Deng noted that features for nuclear-related applications often take 4 to 5 years to design; the entire project from construction to actual operation and the required hardware has to decided upon before construction. Since projects can drag on for long periods, there are considerable variables and risks that may affect the implementation of such projects.To eliminate customer concerns in nuclear-related applications, Advantech offers at least 20 to 30 year warranty periods and uses long life supply components to avoid shortages. Advantech's new APAX series needs no middle layers (UNO devices) for communication and provides excellent features such as quick response rates, long MTBF, online diagnostics, and hot swapping. Meanwhile, flexible I/O modules reserve more space for future upgrades. Based on the ADAM 5000 series, Advantech believes their modularized APAX products will improve system performance and continue to win customer trust.Advantech modified the architecture to avoid network congestion as well as effectively collecting and immediately transmitting the data.

Leading international mainboard and graphics card maker MSI officially announced the new GeForce GTX 680 graphics card featuring the latest 28nm GeForce GTX 680 GPU and 2GB of GDDR5 memory. The GeForce GTX 680 graphics card is outfitted with the latest GPU that not only meets PCI Express 3.0 standards and supports DirectX 11 technology, but also features NVIDIA's GPU Boost technology. GPU Boost technology allows the core clock to be automatically adjusted on the fly for optimal gaming performance. When used with the MSI Afterburner overclocking utility, the power limit and clock offset can be adjusted as well for better overclocking capability. A single card can also support NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround technology for up to four monitors to give gamers the best gaming experience.Support for MSI's exclusive Afterburner overclocking utilityThe MSI GeForce GTX 680 graphics card supports NVIDIA's GPU Boost technology that allows the core clock to be adjusted on the fly for optimal gaming performance. When used with MSI's exclusive Afterburner overclocking utility, gamers can control the power limit and clock offset for better overclocking capability. The card is also equipped with advanced fans speed control based on GPU temperature. Afterburner supports the free video/audio capturing function Predator and can even use smart phones to control the graphics card in desktop machines. When combined with the Kombustor burn-in testing function, it is an indispensable tool for enthusiasts looking to get the most out of their graphics card.28nm process and support for PCI Express Gen 3 standardThe MSI GeForce GTX 680 graphics card uses the 28nm GeForce GTX 680 GPU and supports the latest PCI Express Gen 3 standards. This advanced manufacturing technology reduces operating temperatures and improves performance, and when combined with the latest connectivity standard it can also deliver a staggering 32GB/s of bandwidth with compatible CPUs and mainboards. For gamers, this means an even better gaming experience with 40% more performance than previous generation GeForce GTX 580 graphics cards.Support for single-card 3D Vision Surround technologyApart from supporting the latest DirectX 11 technology, the MSI GeForce GTX 680 graphics cards has the ability to enable NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround using three 3D monitors and 3D glasses with just a single card. Gamers will be able to enjoy the spectacular visuals of 3D games and movies. Additionally, support for up to four displays driven by one graphics card allows gamers to make the most of multiple-monitor gaming configurations.About MSI GeForce GTX 680, please visit: http://event.msi.com/vga/GTX680MSI GeForce GTX 680 graphics card

GIGABYTE Technology, a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, is pleased to introduce the latest GV-N680D5-2GD-B graphics cards. Built with the highly anticipated GeForce GTX 680 GPU, GV-N680D5-2GD-B utilizes the latest 28nm fabrication process, features GDDR5 memory and adapts 1536 CUDA cores. GIGABYTE GV-N680D5-2GD-B supported Microsoft DirectX 11 and PCI-Express 3.0 which not only improves the processing ability but provides gamers a faster, smoother and richer gaming experience. Supporting NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround, 3D Vision, PhysX, and 3-way SLI, GV-N680D5-2GD-B guarantees gamers an ultimate gaming experience. Equipped with the innovative GPU Boost technology, GV-N680D5-2GD-B delivered dynamic clocking with different clock rate - Base clock and Boost Clock. It automatically boosts the clock speed of the GPU to offer enthusiastic gamers extra performance.Faster SMX/ GPU BoostThe next-generation SMX units have replaced SM units, and substantially improve the processing ability. It pushes the breathtaking performance of the GV-N680D5-2GD-B to new levels with NVIDIA GPU Boost. This technology dynamically maximizes clock speeds to bring out the best performance in every game.Smoother FXAA/ TXAA/ Adaptive VSyncNVIDIA anti-aliasing FXAA is 60% faster than 4X MSAA. The performance and quality of TXAA is better than 8X MSAA. Get ultra-smooth gaming with NVIDIA gaming innovations like Adaptive Vertical Sync! GV-N680D5-2GD-B dynamically adjusts VSync to current frame rates for maximum playability. Gamers can achieve a smoothly gaming performance and to have the best experience with realistic visuals.Richer Single GPU 3D Vision Surround PhysXGV-N680D5-2GD-B supports NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround. Users can experience broader, richer gaming environments with the latest technological advancements. Bring games to life with NVIDIA Surround multi-monitor gaming on a single card, supercharged PhysX and 3D Vision, plus the unbeatable power of SLI.For more details of GIGABYTE GV-N680D5-2GD-B, please visit the GIGABYTE VGA website at: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/main.aspx?s=43Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/GIGABUTE_VGAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GIGABYTE.VGAGIGABYTE GeForce GTX 680 graphics card

VIA Technologies has announced the two latest VIA modules in the growing VIA Modular Solutions portfolio, the VIA COMe-8X92 and the VIA QSM-8Q90. The modular design approach allows for short time-to market, application-specific customization, simplified development, high stability and long life cycles allowing customers to rapidly develop new and exciting devices.Measuring 95mm by 95mm, the VIA COMe-8X92 is based on the industry standard Computer-on-Module (COM) Express Compact form factor, developed and maintained by the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG). The VIA COMe-8X92 module combines a 1.2GHz VIA NanoTM X2 E-series dual-core processor and the VIA VX900H media system processor (MSP) providing a ruggedized solution targeted at industrial PC and large OEM customers focused on dynamic application segments, including medical, advanced gaming, industrial automation and digital signage.The VIA QSM-8Q90 module measures just 70mm by 70mm and is based on the new embedded QSeven form factor developed to meet the demands of various low-power and mobile applications. Featuring a VIA 1.0GHz VIA Nano E-series processor and the VIA VX900 MSP, the VIA QSM-8Q90 module is the ideal building block for power constrained handheld application segments, including medical, advanced gaming, military and test and measurement equipment.In addition with the VIA COMe-8X92 and VIA QSM-8Q90 modules, VIA offers comprehensive starter kits, including a multi-I/O carrier board reference design, (and a 7-inch LVDS display with the QSM-8Q90), board support packages (BSPs), display, system monitoring tools/SDKs, and design guide, enabling industrial PC and OEM customers to rapidly customize their solutions.The VIA COMe-8X92 module also offers support for the latest connectivity standards including 18/24-bit single-channel LVDS, VGA, Display Port and HDMI with onboard I/O includes two SATA II ports, one GigaLAN port, one USB client port (shared with one of four USB 2.0 ports), four USB 2.0 ports, SDIO, expansion buses for one PCIe X4 and one PCIe x1 and the VIA Labs VL800 USB 3.0 host controller which offers support for four USB 3.0 ports. System memory support includes one slot for up to 4GB of SODIMM DDR3 RAM.The VIA QSM-8Q90's on-board system memory includes 1GB of DDR3 RAM as well as support for two 1-lane PCIe expansion and an18/24-bit LVDS connector with resolutions up to 1366 by 768.VIA COMe-8X92 system-on-module solutionPhoto: CompanyVIA QSM-8Q90 system-on-module solutionPhoto: Company

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, March 23, 2012 – Taipei Fuhsing Private School, a popular choice for children of Taipei's celebrities, successfully deployed CAYIN's digital signage system to increase involvement and create a timely paperless information channel.The unique part of this case is using SMP-WEBDUO to manage a multi-screen digital signage. It becomes a popular way for schools in Taiwan to deploy a TV wall within limited budgets.Fuhsing Private School installs a TV wall near the main entrance of the school. Students and faculty can always watch campus updates whenever they pass by the gate. It is also a great medium for the school to promote student achievements and, at the same time, to foster parental involvement when they pick up their children, waiting at the main entrance.The TV wall is composed of 6 pieces of 42 inch high brightness industrial LCD screens. One CAYIN SMP-WEBDUO digital signage player is all you need to manage rich multimedia playback on the TV wall.Based on the same system structure, the school installs another 3x3 TV wall in the auditorium. Messages can therefore reach students clearly and magnify engagement during all kinds of activities and ceremonies.In addition to the entrance and auditorium, Fuhsing also installs 9 pieces of 32 inch LCD screens in the cafeteria where students gather around every day. Managed centrally by CAYIN SMP-WEB4 digital signage player, these screens can be widely used to announce school's policies, promote academic seminars, and recognize outstanding performances of students and the faculty.CAYIN's digital signage players are equipped with powerful remote managerial functions. The sophisticated solution can minimize the administrator's workload. Screens can be turned on and off automatically based on a pre-set schedule. Administrators can easily check the system status on a web-based user interface and perform troubleshooting remotely.CAYIN's digital signage players support the most popular web languages and multimedia formats. Therefore, the school can broadcast real-time chorus performances, sports games, field trip pictures, wall of fame, emergency messages, and many other kinds of video, Flash, HTML, ticker, and image files as they wish. All contents can be updated easily via network.Located in downtown Taipei City, Taipei Fuhsing Private School is a famous private school in Taiwan. Since 1968, the school has enjoyed an outstanding reputation based on high academic achievement and a complete and well-balanced education. It's a popular choice for children of Taipei's celebrities to study from kindergarten all the way up to senior high school (grade 12).Please download the complete case study from CAYIN's website:http://www.cayintech.com/digital_signage_applications/case_fuhsing_private_school.htmlAbout CAYIN TechnologyCAYIN Technology offers a complete portfolio of appliance-based digital signage solutions, including media players, servers, and software, for various commercial applications, such as education, transportation, retail, hospitality, corporate use, and financial and public institutions. CAYIN is dedicated to being a reliable partner to its clients worldwide, and has successfully set up various application references globally. In order to best facilitate the deployment of CAYIN products, the company also provides tailored services to satisfy the ascending market demand for almost limitless applications.Taipei Fuhsing Private School deployed 9 units of 32" LCD, managed by CAYIN SMP-WEB4 digital signage player, in the cafeteria.

Nvidia has launched the first GPUs based on its next-generation Kepler graphics architecture.For desktop gaming, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 GPU provides a faster, smoother and richer experience, claims Nvidia. For notebooks, the new lineup of GeForce 600M GPUs enables smaller, more powerful designs than were previously possible. Both are available immediately.Kepler is based on 28nm process technology and succeeds the 40-nm Nvidia Fermi architecture, which was first introduced into the market in March 2010.Compared with the closest competitive product, the GeForce GTX 680 GPU is more than 300% faster in DirectX 11 tessellation performance and up to 43% faster in cutting-edge games, yet consumes 28% less power, according to Nvidia. It also provides twice the performance per watt of the GeForce GTX 580, the flagship Fermi-based processor that it replaces.Setting the standard for future enthusiast-class GPUs, the GeForce GTX 680 is built on an array of new technologies, including SMX, a new streaming multiprocessor block that delivers twice the performance per watt of previous-generation products; special board components, including acoustic dampeners, high-efficiency heat pipes and custom fins, that create a quiet gaming experience; Nvidia GPU Boost technology; new FXAA and TXAA anti-aliasing and adaptive VSync technologies; and support for up to four separate displays, three of them in 3D, off a single card for a massive 3D gaming experience.The Nvidia GeForce 600M family of GPUs, when paired with the latest processor technology from Intel, enables ultrabook and notebook designs that are thin, light and fast. Technological advances that set them apart from the competition include Nvidia Optimus technology, Nvidia Verde notebook drivers, Nvidia PhysX engine support, optional Nvidia 3D Vision technology, optional Nvidia 3DTV Play software, and Nvidia SLI technology.The Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 GPU is available now from the add-in card suppliers worldwide including Asustek Computer, Colorful, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte Technology, Innovision 3D, Micro-Star International (MSI), Palit, Point of View, PNY, and Zotac. Expected pricing is US$499.The following manufacturers will be shipping ultrabooks and notebooks based on the GeForce 600M family of GPUs: Acer, Asustek, Dell, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Lenovo, LG, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba.Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 graphics cardPhoto: Company

20 March, 2012, Taipei, Taiwan - GlacialLight, a sub-division of the experienced technology manufacturer GlacialTech Inc., is pleased to introduce a 4-inch LED down light – GL-DL04 – to the Capella Series.This high performance 4-inch 8.6W LED down light acts as a bulb and fixture all-in-one that serves as a trouble-free replacement for outdated traditional lighting.Designed for indoor commercial and residential usage such as malls, supermarkets, offices, and hallways, the GL-DL04 adds even more energy conscience solution options to GlacialLight's Capella Series. Using only 8.6W the GL-DL04 uses much less energy than traditional down lights. Further reducing lighting related cost, the GL-DL04 has a rated lifespan of 30,000 hours. This translates to a decade of evenly distributed light if used for eight hours a day.The GL-DL04 is available in three color temperatures, 3000K, 4000K, and 6000K that emit 300, 320,and 400 lumens of light, respectively. All three models take an universal AC 100-240V power source, and have a power conversion efficiency of at least 75%.The GL-DL04 allows for a perfect flush fit when installing, thanks to its slim, compact, and fashionable design. Additionally, like the rest of GlacialLight's Capella Series, the GL-DL04 contains no hazardous chemical such as mercury, and does not emit harmful UV or IR rays, making it more eco-friendly than traditional lighting fixtures.Capella Series GLDL04 Product Features- For indoor use only- All‐in‐one bulb and fixture- Slim, compact, and fashionable design- Low power consumption- Eco‐friendly: RoHS Compliant, No UV or IR radiation- 2 Year Warranty4" 8.6 Watt High-Performance LED Down Light for Commercial and Residential Applications