Hynix Semiconductor has announced the validation of what it claims to be the world's first MetaRAM-based 8GB 2-rank DDR3 R-DIMM, on Intel's Nehalem CPU-based Tylersburg-EP platform.The Hynix 8GB R-DIMM operates at 1066MHz speed for three DIMM per channel operation. The 8GB DDR3 device enables a maximum capacity of 144GB operating at 1066MHz in a dual processor Tylersburg-EP platform.Volume production of the 8GB DDR3 2-rank R-DIMM will begin from the second quarter of 2009, according to the company. Hynix also plans to introduce 16GB R-DIMM using the DDR3 MetaRAM technology in the third quarter of this year.Hynix' 8GB DDR3 R-DIMM operating at 1333MHz is expected to receive Intel validation by the first half of 2009.Hynix 8GB DDR3 R-DIMMPhoto: Company, March 2009

Micron Technology has announced its high-density portfolio of block abstracted (BA) NAND flash memory for use in personal media players and other applications. Utilizing 34nm process technology, Micron's BA NAND is a single-package solution, combining MLC NAND with a memory controller that eliminates the need for controllers/systems.Micron's BA NAND enables designers to migrate from raw NAND to a managed solution with minimal changes. The device employs its own embedded controller to remove the burden of NAND management from the host chipset, allowing system manufacturers to keep up with NAND technology innovations and improve their time to market.The new Micron BA NAND is packaged in the LGA-52 package and is compliant with the ONFI 1.0 specification.Micron is currently sampling 8GB and 16GB BA NAND, and plans to expand its density offering later in 2009, according to the company.In October 2007, the Open NAND Flash Interface (ONFI) Working Group, the organization dedicated to simplifying integration of NAND flash memory, introduced the block abstracted addendum specification that helps simplify the design of host controllers. BA NAND flash features Item Description Density 8GB, 16GB, 32GB Configuration x8 Interface Async/Sync ONFI 1.0/2.0 Temperature ranges –25°C to +85°C –40°C to +85°C Supply voltage Vcc 2.7–3.6V Package 52-pad LGA (14mm x 18mm) Source: Micron, compiled by Digitimes, March 2009Block diagram: Micron BA NAND flashSource: Company, March 2009

Yageo has announced its new miniature 2405 FM chip antenna for mobile applications. The 2405 FM chip antenna, having improved on drawbacks inherent in the narrow bandwidth of traditional low-frequency antennas, is set to replace external connection mechanism of traditional FM antenna with built-in capability in mobile devices, it said.Featuring reception bandwidth between 88-108 MHz and low-frequency reception performance, Yageo's 2405 FM chip antenna supports central frequency of 98MHz. With 25x4x61mm in dimension, the new 2405 FM chip antenna requires merely 50% clearance of traditional antenna thereby enabling it to be fully integrated in miniaturized portable electronic devices, such as handsets, smartphones or notebooks. Mass production is slated to start in the first quarter of 2009 with an estimated initial shipment of one million pieces per month.Vincent Hu, president of Yageo global sales business group, said, "Increasing requirements for integrated functions in portable electronic products has continued to underpin growth in the overall component market. Aside from new technology development, the ability to enhance existing functions will also be a major driver for market expansion. FM broadcast capabilities are already a standard function in audio-visual products."According to Strategy Analytics, a market survey company, FM broadcast capabilities will become a value-added feature in all 2G and 3G handsets. As FM radio stations rush to churn out more dynamic programs, Strategy Analytics estimates that one in every two handsets sold in the market worldwide will come with FM broadcast capabilities before 2010.

Motherboard maker ASRock is showcasing new entry-level notebooks and a nettop at CeBIT 2009.The company has confirmed its 12.1-inch notebook is named the MultiBook G12, is equipped with a dual-core processor, and weighs around 1.7kg. The company also has a 15.6-inch notebook, the M15, which comes with either an Intel Pentium or Celeron processor.The two notebooks will start shipping to Europe or China markets after CeBIT 2009 ends.The company is also showcasing the S330 nettop equipped with a dual-core Intel Atom 330 processor and 160GB hard drive.ASRock MultiBook G12 and M15 notebooksPhoto: Monica Chen, Digitimes, March 2009

VIA Technologies has announced its latest board form factor for embedded system developers, the Em-ITX form factor. Offering embedded developers a compact, versatile and highly integrated board form factor, VIA's Em-ITX establishes a standard for ultra-slim embedded devices.The Em-ITX form factor is a new open industry standard defined by VIA, and is 30% more compact than Mini-ITX, yet offers 200% more I/O real estate. At 12×17cm, the Em-ITX form factor includes unique dual I/O coastlines and an exclusive Em-IO expansion bus to bring flexibility and scalability, said VIA. Benefits also include reduced time-to-market cycles for developers and access to a scalable processor platform that includes the 64-bit VIA Nano processor.Embedded boards based on the Em-ITX form factor could form a base for industrial automation, digital signage, kiosk and other applications requiring an ultra-slim embedded device, highlighted VIA.The VIA developed Em-ITX form factor specification includes dual I/O coastlines: I/O inputs can be found on both 17cm edges of the board. This design reduces cable clutter facilitating more compact and robust designs while also boosting signal integrity and improving airflow, said VIA. A variety of connectors are available on these two I/O coastlines, including COM (RS-232/422/485), RJ45, DVI, VGA, LVDS, USB 2.0 and DC power signals.The Em-ITX form factor utilizes the Em-IO expansion bus to integrate with stackable, customizable, expansion modules. The Em-IO expansion bus integrates the majority of popular bus signal technologies, including USB 2.0, GPIO, LPC, PCIe, IDE, IEEE 1394, SATA, PCI, DVI, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet and Card Bus signals.Products based on the Em-ITX form factor will be available early next month.In other news, VIA recently announced net sales of NT$388.85 million (US$11.13 million) for February of 2009, an increase of 5.86% on month.A technical drawing of Em-ITX board and expansion modulePhoto: Company

Taiwan-based telecom provider Taiwan Mobile (TWM) has announced the W101, an own-brand netbook that adopts a 10-inch display, Intel Atom N270 processor, 8GB solid state drive (SSD) and Windows XP. The netbook weighs only 935g, the telco highlighted.The W101 is priced at NT$14,800 (US$421.89), but the company is providing several bundle deals with it 3.5G wireless services.Taiwan Mobile W101 netbookPhoto: Company

Nvidia has introduced four new mobile GPUs - GeForce GTX 280M and 260M GPUs for enthusiast notebooks and GeForce GTS 160M and 150M GPUs for high-performance notebooks.GeForce GTX 200M and GeForce GTS 100M series GPUs can deliver a frame rates up to 50% faster than the previous generation products without increasing overall power consumption, claimed Nvidia.The GPUs feature Nvidia's HybridPower technology that can dynamically power down the discreet GPU and transfer graphics to the system's IGP for applications that do not require a high level of graphics horsepower.Asustek Computer, Clevo and Micro-Star International (MSI) are all showing notebooks based on the new GeForce GTX 200M and GeForce GTS 100M-series at CeBIT 2009.

Mitac Technology has announced that it is showcasing the latest offerings from Getac's rugged solutions including the Getac PS535F, a next generation fully rugged GPS PDA featuring an auto-focus camera, altimeter and E-compass, as well as the new 9212 and 9213 series of durable notebooks.The 9212 and 9213 series of durable notebooks feature magnesium alloy casing, built-in TPM and fingerprint reader, while the notebooks also provide safeguards against accidental drops and resistance to vibration, shock and water spillages.The PS535F is designed for GIS surveying applications across different sectors, including utilities, oil and gas, forest patrol, and surveying and mapping of geology and mineral resources. It boasts a 300g lightweight design, eight hours operational battery power and has been built and tested to withstand rigorous everyday use and use in harsh environments. Compliant with MIL-STD 810F and IP54 the Getac PS535F safeguards against frequent drops and exposure to water, dust and extreme temperatures. A built-in 3-megapixel auto-focus camera enables instant visual data capture in the field, and the VGA touch screen display with sunlight readable technology enhances the viewing quality of graphic intensive files and detailed maps.To enhance its navigation support, in addition to built-in GPS, the PS535F offers built-in altimeter and E-compass. The PS535F also features comprehensive wireless connectivity options, including integrated Bluetooth V2.0 and 802.11b/g WiFi.

Taiwan-based network equipment specialist Alpha Networks will showcase a lineup of new broadband CPE solutions that include a GPON (Gigabit passive optical network) ONT (optical network terminal), VDSL2 802.11n wireless IAD, and ADSL2+ 802.11n wireless IAD at the upcoming CeBIT in Hanover from March 3-8.A consensus has developed that accelerating broadband deployment will lead to substantial economic growth, while observing that many governments have made it a national plan to invest in next generation broadband infrastructure, according to Alpha. Emerging video-on-demand services also boost the demand for bandwidth.The new Alpha GPON ONT complies with the ITU-TG.984 standard and offers one GPON uplink port and four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports.Alpha's VDSL2 integrated access device enables voice, data, and video information transmissions over one broadband connection. It supports VDSL2 with ADSL2+ fallback, and offers four Ethernet ports, an 802.11n wireless connection, and a USB 2.0 host interface. In addition, its ADSL2+ 802.11n Wireless Router/IAD has four Ethernet ports and can deliver WPS, TR-069, and QoS functions, the company detailed.Alpha VDSL IADPhoto: CompanyAlpha ADSL IADPhoto: Company

Alpha Networks, a Taiwan-based network equipment maker, has unveiled its new network media player, BT (BitTorrent) Box, which will be showcased at the upcoming CeBIT Hannover in Germany on March 3-8.With a built-in hard drive, the Alpha network media player is a plug-and-play network device that enables users to download files without PC from peer-to-peer BitTorrent networks, and to play and share all kinds of multimedia contents easily on a TV. BT-BOX offers video/audio decoding of all popular media formats, including RMVB/RM, WMV, MPEG-4, DivX, H.264, MKV, Avi, Asf, Vob, MP3, WMA, OGG, and AAC, as well as support for HDMI up to 1080i resolution.Alpha's new model offers an easy-to-use interface, which allows users to program channels and organize contents. In addition, BT-BOX implements an external USB OTG.Alpha network media player BT BoxPhoto: Company, February 2009