Here's a book excerpt from "Advanced MEMS Packaging," written by experts in the field. The book details the latest cutting-edge microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) packaging techniques such as low-temperature bonding and 3-D packaging. It can certainly serve as a valuable reference for those faced with the challenging problems created by MEMS devices and packaging. Part 2 covers advanced IC packaging.
Here's a book excerpt from "Advanced MEMS Packaging," written by experts in the field. The book details the latest cutting-edge MEMS packaging techniques such as low-temperature bonding and 3-D packaging. It can certainly serve as a valuable reference for those faced with the challenging problems created by MEMS devices and packaging. Parts 1 & 2 cover advanced IC packaging, while part 3 addresses advanced MEMS packaging.
The launch of the Apple iPad has resulted in an outpouring of opinions -- good and bad. Find out what key market analysts including DisplaySearch, In-Stat, iSuppli, and Strategy Analytics have to say about Apple's latest creation.
Arrow, IPS ink global distribution deal
Littleton, Colo. — Infinite Power Solutions (IPS), a manufacturer of solid-state, thin-film energy storage and energy-harvesting power management products, has announced a global distribution agreement with Arrow Electronics, Inc., a leading global distributor of electronic components and solutions, to distribute IPS’ INFINERGY Micro Power Module (MPM) product family.
INFINERGY MPMs are miniaturized “plug & play” power modules with integrated power management and solid-state energy storage that simplify the design and adoption of self-powered, microelectronic systems using ambient energy, said the company.
The INFINERGY product family integrates IPS’ THINERGY solid-state Micro-Energy Cell (MEC) devices, which the company said provides unrivaled cycle life and near loss-less energy storage. The MPMs enable the harvested energy to be available on-demand by the system and can be thought of as a micro-UPS (uninterruptible power supply), according to the company.
These devices are designed to efficiently store variable AC and DC charge energy from common energy harvesting devices. Because these MPMs provide maintenance-free, autonomous power for decades, they outlive and outperform conventional rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors.
Arrow also will collaborate with IPS on ultra-low-power microelectronic system solutions that leverage this energy storage technology, while also providing field applications engineering, sales and marketing support.
Arrow’s initial stock of INFINERGY MPM products will include the D-MPM101-7B in a multi-connector configuration for rapid system prototyping, and the MPM101-7B in a 20-pin SMT configuration for volume PCB assembly using standard component pick-and-place equipment. Both MPMs provide a 3.3V regulated output. Additional configurations will be available in the future.
Arrow is also stocking the THINERGY Application Development Platform (ADP), a unique development tool used to demonstrate the performance advantages of THINERGY MEC and INFINERGY MPM products, even while powering the developer’s application. The ADP simplifies the lab setup for evaluating the effectiveness of various energy harvesting charging circuits, according to the companies.
ST intros an ultra-low-power, single-chip controller IC containing all the functions necessary to control an optical finger navigation (OFN) module or optical joystick. 
Renesas unveils its family of RX62T 32-bit flash microcontrollers (MCU) that enable more energy-efficient control system designs for electric motors and inverters.