Tokyo - Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) has announced that it has developed MOSFET cell based on spin transport electronics, or spintronics, an advanced semiconductor technology that makes use of the spin and magnetic moment inherent in electrons. Toshiba has fabricated a spintronics cell and verified its stable performance for the first time, and will present full details of the cell and its technologies on December 7 (EST), at the International Electronics Devices Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, USA..Continuing advances in MOSFET devices based on current miniaturization technologies will inevitably hit a wall as they meet such problems as relative degraded performance due to the increase in the resistance of global wiring and increased power consumption due to current leakage. Spintronics is regarded as a major candidate among potential solutions to this problem, but its application in a transistor has only recently started and has only been partially proved.Electrons in a magnetic layer naturally are spin polarized in one of two spin states, spin up or spin down, and the majority state determines the spin state. These spin states are more or less permanent in a magnetic layer, realizing a nonvolatile characteristic that can be used to store data. Spin current can be flowed into the same spin state in a magnetic layer, and this capability changes the impedance characteristics, which determine the read signal of a spin device.Toshiba has introduced magnetic layers into the source and drain of a MOSFET cell, and successfully applied these to controlling spin direction by the spin-transfer-torque-switching (STS) method, and by applying gate and source/drain voltages. A magnetic tunnel junction is applied for write operation of STS in the magnetic layers, which are formed with full-Heusler alloy, an intermetallic that acts as a high spin polarizer.Toshiba confirmed the practical performance in transistor level of the scalable spintronics-based MOSFET device that promises fast random write and access speeds with low power consumption. It opens the way to next-generation non-volatile semiconductor devices that can be used as reconfigurable logic devices, and non-volatile LSI chip with memory function. Toshiba will continue to promote development toward establishing fundamental technologies for application after 2015. This work was partly supported by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in Japan.

Leading memory module brand Kingmax, know for consistently developing its portfolio of patents and patent applications related to its exclusive module technology, has celebrated its 20th anniversary by expanding its product line to now include handset batteries.Kingmax said it has spent more than a year dedicating R&D resources to mastering the upstream supply chain for handset batteries and acquiring the related validations and safety standard certifications. The company has now launched its new handset battery products to target a handset market that has grown to more than one billion handset shipments per year.In line with Kingmax's vow to produce safe high-performance batteries for mobile phone applications, the company has chosen to sources its battery cells from Japan makers. This ensures that its products will have a much longer life than that of its rivals, while still maintaining reliability and guaranteeing safety. Kingmax batteries have well-constructed safety features that include protection circuit modules (PCM) and polymer-base PTC resettable fuses (PPTC), as well as emergency gas vents to prevent heated gas from building up in the battery.The quality of today's entry-level handsets can vary from supplier to supplier, which can present a safety danger to users. Kingmax has fully committed itself to producing reliable and consistent products, and provides customers with a one-year warranty and NT$100 million in liability coverage.Kingmax has released lithium (LiON) batteries to support Nokia- and Sony Ericsson-branded handset models, with its battery prices being almost half that offered by the respective handset vendors. Company chairman Joe Liu stated that Kingmax ensures that its products meet customers' high-quality requirements, and are certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for product safety. Kingmax is looking to expand its product lineup to support other leading handset brands as well as smartphones.Kingmax handset batteries are available through its sales channels in Taiwan, and the company will be rolling out the products in China and Southeast Asia in the coming months. Kingmax also plans to launch its own-brand handset batteries in other regions such as Russia and Eastern Europe, and is moving to extend its battery offering to support other applications, such as digital cameras and notebooks.

LG Display (LGD) has announced the commercial launch of a 3D LCD panel boasting full HD resolution. The new product is a 23-inch 3D monitor LCD panel for use with shutter glasses.The panel adopts the company's proprietary technologies such as "high performance 3D exclusive controller" capable of processing more than twice as much image data as other HD 3D LCDs and "copper bus line" to improve on the resolution and picture quality, the company said. In addition, the panel is able to reproduce both 2D and 3D images, meaning that users can switch back and forth from 2D and 3D modes.Although full HD 3D images have been developed for contents such as video games, movies and animations, 3D display products with full HD resolution were unavailable in the market, it said. The commercial launch of LG Display's full HD 3D LCD panel is expected to help to boost development of high resolution 3D contents while allowing users to view true-to-life 3D images.The 3D display market is expected to grow at rapid pace as the industry players are shifting their focus from two-dimensional to three-dimensional technologies. The Korea Communications Commission recently announced plans to start a trial service for the world's first full HD 3D terrestrial broadcasting from the second half of 2010. A launch of trial services for 3D satellite broadcasts had been also announced earlier in Japan and the UK.LG Display full HD 3D LCD panelPhoto: Company

VIA Technologies has announced Mobile-ITX, the latest VIA-developed open form factor specification for the creation of ultra-compact and portable embedded devices.Mobile-ITX defines a compact 6×6cm computer-on-module specification designed to enable an easier and less resource intensive development cycle for a range of ultra-compact, portable embedded systems, VIA said.Vertical market segments including medical, transportation and military embedded markets have evolved to demand higher miniaturization and portability from today's x86 platforms and VIA's Mobile-ITX form factor can offer a size 50% smaller than its Pico-ITX form factor, which measures 10×7.2cm, VIA said.Mobile-ITX employs a modularized design that includes a CPU module card and an I/O carrier board. This offers greater flexibility for developers who can simply drop in the CPU module to a custom designed, application specific carrier board, negating lengthy developmental design and testing phases, VIA highlighted.CPU modules based on the Mobile-ITX form factor integrate core CPU, chipset and memory functionality and I/O that includes CRT, DVP and TTL display support, HD Audio, IDE, USB 2.0, as well as PCI Express, SMBus, GPIO, LPC, SDIO and PS2 signals, through customizable baseboards. Mobile-ITX-based modules consume as little as 5W.VIA Mobile ITX form factor-based motherboard compared to a business cardPhoto: Ninelu Tu, Digitimes, December 2009

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NEC Display Solutions of America, a leading provider of commercial LCD display and projector solutions, announced today its first ever LED-backlit desktop monitor for business, education, government and healthcare markets, the 22-inch MultiSync EA222WMe.LED backlighting technology enables the NEC MultiSync EA222WMe to provide the same amount of brightness as other panel types while using 20% less power. Compared to previous generation NEC LCDs, the EA222WMe consumes up to 52% less power, radiates up to 61% less heat, weighs up to 25% less and uses up to 15% less packaging. The monitor and cables in this eco-friendly display are free of mercury, halogen and arsenic. Additionally, the monitor is compliant with Energy Star 5.0, TCO 5.0 and EPEAT Gold, which solidifies its status as the most energy-efficient desktop monitor offered by NEC.Users will have the ability to track their carbon savings with the display's resettable carbon footprint meter, a unique tool that calculates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. New to NEC's MultiSync EA Series is the resettable cost meter, which indicates the user's electricity cost savings via the On Screen Display."The combination of these green technologies in the MultiSync EA222WMe points to the future of where the LCD industry is headed," said Lynn Gu, product manager for NEC Display Solutions. "LED backlight structure has improved tremendously along with cost reduction, and the adoption of the LED backlight technology will continue to accelerate over the next few years."The EA222WMe features a full ergonomic stand, which includes 110mm height-adjust, tilt, swivel and pivot functionality that adds flexibility and comfort for any user. With DisplayPort, the monitor provides maximum display performance with a variety of input options that improve resolution and color depths. The ECO Mode, along with the Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) system, off timer, ambient light sensor and vacation switch, help conserve energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.The MultiSync EA222WMe includes the following features: - 16:10 widescreen display with W-LED backlight - 1680 x 1050 native resolution - 30,000 dynamic contrast ratio - 250 cd/m2 brightness - 4-way ergonomic stand - Full connectivity with VGA, DVI, USB and DisplayPort inputs - Integrated, down-firing multimedia speakers - ECO Mode, resettable carbon meter and cost meter - Energy Star 5.0, TCO 5.0 and EPEAT Gold compliance - Utilizes recycled plastics, bio plastic bag and paper fillerThe MultiSync EA222WMe comes with a 3-year parts and labor limited warranty and will be available for December 2009 shipment at an estimated street price of US$339.NEC 22-inch LED-backlit LCD monitor - MultiSync EA222WMePhoto: Company

BenQ on November 27 unveiled its first camcorder, the M1, for immediate launch in the Taiwan market at a recommended retail price of NT$8,990 (US$278), according to the company.M1 features 1080p video recording at 30 frames per second, BenQ pointed out. BenQ M1 specifications Item Detail Image sensor 10-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS Zoom 5x optical, 10x digital Screen 3-inch 16:9 230,000-pixel touch LCD panel Dimension (H x W x D, mm) 63.5 x 44.35 x 112.5 Weight (not including battery and SD card, gram) 210 Source: BenQ, compiled by Digitimes, November 2009BenQ M1Photo: Company

Light, thin, non-glare and warm white – Orbeos is the first OLED light source from Osram Opto Semiconductors for premium quality functional lighting. The new energy-efficient surface-emitting panel is especially suited to applications in the premium segment such as architecture, hotels and catering, offices, private homes and shops.The Orbeos OLED panel has a round lamp surface of 80mm diameter, is only 2.1mm thick and weighs 24g. These limited dimensions ensure plenty of different usage options. With an efficiency of 25lm/W, the panel beats that of conventional halogen lamps.Its warm white color temperature (2,800K, CRI up to 80) matches the warm light of an incandescent lamp and is therefore suited to lighting that is atmospheric and functional at the same time. Especially in homes, museums, restaurants or hotels, OLEDs also rate highly with their pleasant, non-glare light.New design possibilities for architects and lighting plannersOLEDs open up totally new design possibilities for architects, lighting planners and designers – it is possible to create illuminated areas with them such as lit ceilings or partitions. "Our Orbeos adds to the wide range of lighting in the premium segment. Not only do its technical features have an effect here, but first and foremost its completely different appearance," says Markus Klein, senior director SSL at Osram Opto Semiconductors. "Orbeos is a combination of energy savings and aesthetics."The Orbeos OLED panel is the first product developed by Osram on the market. In 2008, the first commercially available "Early Future" table lamp by renowned lighting designer Ingo Maurer with OLED tiles from Osram Opto Semiconductors demonstrated how OLEDs can be used in functional lighting.Long-lasting panel lightingOrbeos can be switched on and off without delay and is continuously dimmable. Unlike LEDs its heat management is simple. The panel contains no mercury and emits no UV or infrared radiation. Its brightness level is usually 1,000cd/m2 with power input of less than a watt. In ideal operating conditions it has a lifespan of around 5,000 hours. Orbeos is available with a frosted glass surface. The panels can be easily mounted using spring contacts.The rapid advance of OLEDs in general lighting has succeeded not least thanks to the technical principles of the "Organic Phosphorescent Lamps for Applications in the Lighting Market" project (OPAL), which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).Osram Opto Semiconductors OLED light source, the OrbeosPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer has launched Ion-based netbooks, nettops and all-in-one PCs including the Eee Box PC EB1501 and EB1012, Eee PC 1201N, and Eee Top PC ET2002 in Taiwan.The Eee Box PC EB1012 is the latest version of Asustek's nettop series. The PC supports HD video, HDMI, and casual gaming, highlighted the vendor.The Eee Box PC EB1501 includes a built-in DVD burner, up to 4GB of memory, wireless connectivity and Windows 7 Home Premium.Asustek also launched an Ion-based mini-ITX form factor motherboard, the AT3N7A-I, along with the Ion-based PCs. Equipped with an Intel Atom 330 CPU, the motherboard supports both HDMI output and Blu-ray playback. Meanwhile, the motherboard also features built-in Bluetooth as well as 10 USB 2.0 ports. Asustek Eee PC 1201N netbook specifications Item Detail Display 12.1-inch LED-backlit WXGA screen (1366×768) Operating system Microsoft Windows 7 CPU Intel Atom 330 dual-core processor combined with Nvidia Ion graphics Memory DDR2 SO-DIMM 2GB or 3GB Storage 250GB or 320GB hard drive plus 500GB on Asustek's WebStorage Dimensions (W × L × H, mm) 296 × 208 × 27.3-33.3 Weight (kg) 1.46 (3.22lbs) Colors Black, Silver, Blue, Red Sources: Company, compiled by Digitimes, November 2009Asustek Eee PC 1201N netbookPhoto: Terry Ku, Digitimes, November 2009 Asustek EeeTop PC ET2002T all-in-one PC specifications Item Detail Display 20-inch 16:9 widescreen Operating system Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows Vista Home Premium Touch screen Yes CPU and chipset Intel Atom 330 dual-core processor and Nvidia Ion chipset Memory DDR2 SO-DIMM 2GB HDD 250GB or 320GB SATA2 5400-rpm Graphics Integrated graphics units from Nvidia Ion chipset Dimension (W × H × L, mm) 511 × 410 × 53 Weight (kg) 7.2 Color Black, White Sources: Company, compiled by Digitimes, November 2009Asustek EeeTop PC ET2002T all-in-one PC with touchscreen capabilityPhoto: Company Asustek Ion-based EeeBox series nettop specifications Model EeeBox PC EB1012 EeeBox PC EB1501 OS Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium CPU Intel Atom N330 dual-core processor Intel Atom N330 dual-core processor Memory Two So-DIMM slots with 2GB DDR2 800 memory can support up to 4GB Two So-DIMM slots with 2GB DDR2 800 memory can support up to 4GB Storage 2.5-inch 250GB SATA hard drive 2.5-inch 250GB SATA hard drive Chipset Nvidia Ion Nvidia Ion Graphics Integrated graphics units from Nvidia Ion chipset Integrated graphics units from Nvidia Ion chipset Dimension (W × H × D, mm) 222 × 178 × 26.9 193 × 193 × 39 Weight (kg) 1.1 1.2 Color White or black White and black Sources: Company, compiled by Digitimes, November 2009Asustek Ion-based EeeBox series nettopPhoto: Terry Ku, Digitimes, November 2009Asustek EeeBox PC EB1012 nettopPhoto: CompanyAsustek EeeBox PC EB1501 nettopPhoto: CompanyAsustek AT3N7A-I mini-ITX motherboardPhoto: Terry Ku, Digitimes, November 2009

San Jose, CA, November 10, 2009 - Aptina announced today the launch of the MT9F001 camera image sensor, the latest addition to its extensive portfolio of high performance image sensor solutions. The sensor's high resolution, high speed snapshot and HD video modes, flexible interface and pre-processing options reflect the new "must have" features manufacturers are looking for in their premier cameras. The new 14-megapixel camera sensor, captures high quality, full HD video (1080p/60fps) while also enabling valuable end-user features manufacturers are seeking for their high performance designs including support for Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS). The MT9F001 image sensor incorporates Aptina's most advanced 1.4-micron pixel using Aptina TM A-Pix technology and a four-lane HiSPiTM (High Speed Serial Pixel Interface) serial data interface to achieve the combination of still image quality and video performance that set it apart from CCD technology.Early customer response to the MT9F001 has been positive. "We are impressed by the performance advancement the MT9F001 sensor represents, both in terms of image quality and in high definition video capability" said Mr. Toshinobu Haruki, General Manager in the DI Division at Sanyo, a leading supplier of hybrid cameras that couple high resolution still capture with high quality video capture." Aptina is clearly focused on continuous improvement to meet the severe demands of the consumer digital camera market," adds Haruki.The Right SolutionAptina A-Pix technology overcomes the challenge of effective photon collection in the photodiodes that small pixels present when using conventional front side illumination (FSI). The result achieved with Aptina's technology is BSI-equivalent sensitivity, but with less crosstalk for lower noise and more accurate color reproduction. When considering such critical performance parameters such as sensitivity, cross-talk, hot pixel count, and manufacturability, Aptina's MT9F001 technology is the right solution for high performance digital consumer camera products."The MT9F001 is a unique image sensor combining a smaller pixel and increased performance," says Sandor Barna, General Manager for Aptina's Camera Business Unit. "This sensor puts into practice Aptina's latest technology, including Aptina A-Pix which maximizes the light gathering of each pixel."High SpeedThe MT9F001 incorporates Aptina's HiSPiTM interface technology which was developed and is owned by Aptina. It is an open access, scalable technology that enables 1080p/60fps performance (and beyond) and has been adopted by a growing number of Aptina Tier 1 business partners to meet the challenges of high speed, low power consumption data transfer. HiSPiTM technology provides distinct benefits for users including open access to a performance focused interface, the ability to support 1080p/60fps today, and the scalability to accommodate higher data rates for the future.The MT9F001 will be in mass production in first-quarter 2010.

Eindhoven, Netherlands - NXP Semiconductors today announced the launch of GreenChip TEA1733(L) - a low-cost IC that increases energy efficiency and standby performance of power supplies under 75W. Designed specifically for low-power computing and communication applications such as netbook adapters, printer adapter and LCD monitor supplies, the TEA1733 is a Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) controller IC that enables standby power levels less than 100mW. The GreenChip TEA1733 is the first of a complete series of low-power AC/DC control ICs to be launched by NXP over the next year."With the demand for sleek, light and compact designs increasing by the day, the TEA1733 enables consumers to experience lighter and more compact netbook adapters that save money and consume less power," said Edwin Kluter, marketing director, power solutions, NXP Semiconductors. "The GreenChip TEA1733 enables new levels of energy efficiency in low-power applications. By reducing the number of external components needed, the TEA1733 allows OEMs to become more cost competitive while maintaining a high degree of quality and reliability."To enable higher efficiencies at low standby mode and at all load levels, the TEA1733 requires a very low start-up current of 10µA and consumes a low supply current of 1.25mA. The combination of fixed frequency operation at high output power and frequency reduction at low output power provides high efficiency over the total load range. Due to its high level of integration, the TEA1733 enables a compact and lighter power supply design with reduced number of external components in the SMPS.The TEA1733 is available in a safe restart protection version as TEA1733 and also in a latched protection version as TEA1733(L).With almost 500 million GreenChips already sold, NXP Semiconductors is at the forefront of designing and manufacturing energy efficient solutions for the power supply industry. The GreenChip family makes it easier and more cost-effective for power supply manufacturers to comply with energy efficiency specifications such as 80PLUS and ENERGY STAR. The GreenChip family of ICs is designed specifically for energy saving and has, from its inception, led industry standards in PC power efficiency especially in notebook power efficiency.