Press Releases

Kawasaki, Japan, Feb 10, 2010 - (ACN Newswire) - Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and the University of Toronto today announced their joint development of a new processing method for transceiver chips used in gigabit-class(1) high-speed data transmission over wirelines. The new technology employs digital circuitry to replace previously-required structures that used analog circuits. While analog processing require circuits that are adapted to the specifications of a signal being transmitted, such as transmission distance and amplitude, this new digital approach can perform these optimizations automatically, so that a single circuit could be used to accommodate a wide range of various wireline communications. Compared to conventional processing methods, this new digital-processing method makes it possible to shorten development periods by approximately half. It is anticipated that this new technology in the future could be applied to a variety of wireline communication applications, including 10 Gbps high-speed Ethernet in datacenters.

Details of this technology were presented at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference 2010 (ISSCC 2010) being held in San Francisco from February 7-11. (Presentation number: 8.7)

Background and Technological Challenges

File size data volumes for large photographic, audio, and video files are becoming increasingly larger, thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth to transmit, leading to demand for ever-faster wireline data communications. Conventional transceiver chips rely on analog circuitry which needs to be optimized to accommodate specifications of the signal being transmitted - such as transmission distance and amplitude - and therefore require multiple transceiver chips to be designed in order to accommodate for various applications.

With a growing diversity of devices featuring high-speed data transmission, the need to optimize an existing technology for every new type of device or model has become a bottleneck in the development process. Efforts to develop transceiver chips within short development periods that can accommodate the wide range of different devices have been proven challenging.

Newly-developed Technology

Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto have developed a digital circuit-based transceiver chip. Featuring digital circuitry, the new transceiver chip can automatically optimize itself for a variety of high-speed communications circuits, thus significantly reducing development periods by approximately half compared with conventional methods.

This technology detects variations in the delay on the time axis of the input signal, caused during data transmission, and based on that can automatically adjust the timing it uses for judging whether an incoming signal is a 0 or 1 (Figure 1). Since variations in data transmissions increase along with faster transmission speeds, this new technology is essential for accurate data exchange. This is the world's first technology to achieve Gbps-class speeds without the use of analog circuitry elements, while offering fully-digital timing adjustments for signal-determination.

Results

As a world's first, by using digital circuitry-based high-speed transceiver technology, Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto's new technology makes it possible to reduce the design and development period for a gigabit-class transceiver chip by approximately one-half (1/2) compared with conventional methods. This suggests that transceiver chips for a wide range of communications devices could be offered in a timely manner.

Future Developments

Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto will continue with development of this technology to optimize the digital signal processing, to further reduce the transceiver's power consumption.

Glossary and Notes

1 Gigabit-class/Gigabits-per-second (Gbps):Gigabits-per-second (Gbps) expresses data rate and indicates how many gigabits can be transferred per second. 10 Gbps is 10 billion bits-per-second (10 billion bps) = 10,000 megabits-per-second (10,000 Mbps), and indicates that 10 billion bits of data can be transferred per second.

About University of Toronto

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada's largest university, recognized as a global leader in research and teaching. U of T's distinguished faculty, institutional record of groundbreaking scholarship and wealth of innovative academic opportunities continually attract outstanding students and academics from around the world. U of T is committed to providing a learning experience that benefits from both a scale almost unparalleled in North America and from the close-knit learning communities made possible through its college system and academic divisions. Located in and around Toronto, one of the world's most diverse regions, U of T's vibrant academic life is defined by a unique degree of cultural diversity in its learning community. The University is sustained environmentally by three green campuses, where renowned heritage buildings stand beside award-winning innovations in architectural design.

For more information: http://www.utoronto.ca/

About Fujitsu Ltd

Fujitsu is a leading provider of IT-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 160,000 employees supporting customers in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.6 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. For more information, please visit www.fujitsu.com.

Contact: Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
Design Solutions Lab.
Platform Technologies Lab.
Tel: +81-44-754-2635
E-mail:hsio_adc_pr@ml.labs.fujitsu.com

University of Toronto
Prof. Ali Sheikholeslami
Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Tel: +1(416)978-1681
E-mail:ali@eecg.utoronto.ca
Address: 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4

Copyright 2010 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved.

Kawasaki, Japan, Feb 10, 2010 - (ACN Newswire) - Fujitsu Laboratories Limited and the University of Toronto today announced that they have jointly developed the world's first high-reliability read-method for use with spin-torque-transfer (STT) MRAM(1) that is insusceptible to erroneous writes. STT MRAM is regarded as a potential future form of non-volatile memory(2) that could be used as an alternative to flash memory. NOR flash memory that is embedded in microcontrollers widely used in mobile phones and other electronic devices is expected to reach the limits of its feasible miniaturization in the near future, which has led to the search for an alternative low-power non-volatile memory that will allow continued necessary miniaturization. By resolving one of the major obstacles to using STT MRAM, Fujitsu and the University of Toronto's new read-method marks a major step towards the practical implementation of STT MRAM as a necessary replacement for flash memory, in view of future requirements that will be necessary for compact and low-power electronic devices.

Details of this technology were presented at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference 2010 (ISSCC 2010) being held in San Francisco from February 7-11. (Presentation number: 14.1)

Background

Many electronic devices such as mobile phones or PDAs use microcontrollers with embedded flash memory, which allows onboard software to be rewritten. However, NOR flash memory used in such microcontrollers is nearing the physical limits of its miniaturization, which has led to research on various types of memory that could replace NOR flash memory.

STT MRAM, which uses magnetic materials as the memory storage element, is gaining attention as an emerging potential candidate to replace flash memory, as STT MRAM meets the needs for speed, low power consumption, and miniaturization that would make it a good candidate to replace flash memory.

Technological Challenges

STT MRAM uses memory storage elements that take advantage of the effect in which a current that is passed through a magnetic material - such as a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ)(3) - reverses its direction of magnetization (Figure 1). Passing a current through the MTJ causes its direction of magnetization to switch between a parallel or anti-parallel state, which has the effect of switching between low resistance and high resistance. Because this can be used to represent the 1s and 0s of digital information, STT MRAM can be used as a non-volatile memory.

Reading STT MRAM involves applying a voltage to the MTJ to discover whether the MTJ offers high resistance to current ("1") or low ("0"). However, a relatively high voltage needs to be applied to the MTJ to correctly determine whether its resistance is high or low, and the current passed at this voltage leaves little difference between the read-current and the write-current. Any fluctuation in the electrical characteristics of individual MTJs could cause what was intended as a read-current, to have the effect of a write-current, thus reversing the direction of magnetization of the MTJ.

Newly-developed Technology

In a joint collaboration, Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto have developed an innovative circuit design (Figure 3) that for the first time resolves the issue of erroneous writes in STT MRAM during read operations.

The newly developed read-method uses a negative resistance(4) that is intermediate between the MTJ's high resistance and low resistance on a parallel circuit (Figure 4). If the MTJ is in a high-resistance state, this circuit exhibits negative-resistance characteristics. If the MTJ is in a low-resistance state, then it exhibits normal-resistance characteristics. These characteristics allow the resistance value to be read at lower voltages than before, suppressing the tendency of the read operation to reverse the direction of magnetization and avoiding the problem of erroneous write operations.

Results

The development of this new read circuit with negative resistance has resulted in STT MRAM that is insusceptible to erroneous writes caused by fluctuations in the electrical characteristics of the MTJs. It is anticipated that the STT MRAM used as miniaturized non-volatile memory would enable greater high-performance in mobile phones and other electronic devices.

Future Developments

Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto plan to continue with R&D related to STT MRAM to strive toward practical implementation, such as lowering write currents and developing process technologies for further miniaturization.

Glossary and Notes

1 Spin- Torque-Transfer MRAM:Spin-torque-transfer magnetoresistive (STT) random access memory. MRAM that uses the "spin-torque-transfer" effect to reverse the direction of magnetization of an element by passing current through it.

2 Non-volatile memory:Memory that persists even when electrical power is cut.

3 Magnetic tunnel junction (MJT):A tunnel junction that uses the magnetoresistive effect. Consists of a recording layer made of ferromagnetic material, an insulating film a few atoms thick, and a layer made of ferromagnetic material that will not change its direction of magnetization in the presence of a current.

4 Negative resistance:An element that has negative resistance value, in which its current decreases when voltage rises.

About University of Toronto

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada's largest university, recognized as a global leader in research and teaching. U of T's distinguished faculty, institutional record of groundbreaking scholarship and wealth of innovative academic opportunities continually attract outstanding students and academics from around the world. U of T is committed to providing a learning experience that benefits from both a scale almost unparalleled in North America and from the close-knit learning communities made possible through its college system and academic divisions. Located in and around Toronto, one of the world's most diverse regions, U of T's vibrant academic life is defined by a unique degree of cultural diversity in its learning community. The University is sustained environmentally by three green campuses, where renowned heritage buildings stand beside award-winning innovations in architectural design.

For more information: http://www.utoronto.ca/

About Fujitsu Ltd

Fujitsu is a leading provider of IT-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 160,000 employees supporting customers in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.6 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. For more information, please visit www.fujitsu.com.

Contact: Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
Technology Integration Lab.
Platform Technologies Lab.
Tel: +81(46)250-8379
E-mail:til-si@ml.labs.fujitsu.com

University of Toronto
Prof. Ali Sheikholeslami
Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Tel: +1(416)978-1681
E-mail:ali@eecg.utoronto.ca
Address: 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4 Canada

Copyright 2010 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved.

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/d7607d/global_biocides_re) has announced the addition of the "Global Biocides Report - 2010" report to their offering.

This report provides in depth information on the market for biocide products within consumer and industrial applications. It includes detailed market analyses, value chains for each of the 19 applications for biocides and discussions of industry trends. It assesses the impact of current and emerging regulations on the biocides used. The report develops forecasts for biocides from 2010 through 2014. It discusses the efforts of biocide manufacturers and formulators in launching new biocide formulations to meet changing market requirements, for example build up of resistance, lower costs, regulations.

The report also provides an overview of 19 enduser applications for biocides and data on each of the major geographical regions. It provides value and volume data for different biocides. In addition, the report provides a summary of each of the biocides that are being used to control microbes and insects within consumer and industrial applications. Industry influences on the biocides market are also discussed along with regulatory and technical requirements.

The scope of the study is worldwide. The overview section provides extended definitions of the biocides to provide the reader with a clear understanding of the technology involved. In addition, this section provides an analysis of biocide consumption by application and region. There is a profile of an ideal biocide as outlined by endusers.

The company profiles section includes a detailed discussion of the companies that have pioneered biocide development and examines how their available products and services are setting the standards for preservation.

The base year for this study is 2009. Figures are based on revenue figures at the manufacturers' level and are projected at 2009-U.S. dollar value.

This report answers these sector questions:

    --  What are the future directions of the biocide industry?
    --  What are the most important biocides being used in enduser applications
        today?
    --  What are the most promising biocides?
    --  What impact will regulations have on biocides consumption?

This report includes application sector strategic analysis including:

    --  Industry Overview
    --  Biocide comparison and market shares
    --  Evolution and adoption of trends
    --  Leading suppliers and distribution channels
    --  Increased Regulatory Impact on Business and Technology
    --  End-user analysis and what biocides they are using
    --  Licensing Deals
    --  Alliances
    --  Mergers and Acquisitions
    --  What impact will regulations have on biocides consumption?

This report includes application sector strategic analysis including:

    --  Industry Overview
    --  Biocide comparison and market shares
    --  Evolution and adoption of trends
    --  Leading suppliers and distribution channels
    --  Increased Regulatory Impact on Business and Technology
    --  End-user analysis and what biocides they are using
    --  Licensing Deals
    --  Alliances
    --  Mergers and Acquisitions

Executive Summary:

The global consumption of biocides was $ 7 billion in 2009. For Biocide suppliers geared towards the construction industries, the last two years have been very difficult due to the worst recession in recent history. However suppliers to the disinfection industries have experienced growth as increasing demand for biocides against H1N1 and hygiene continues.

The future is promising for Biocide suppliers as the global economy recovers. One application for biocides is water treatment and this will become a key sector. A growing population and expanding industrialization are playing important roles in the growth of the water treatment market. The rising world population is driving the need for clean water. Expanding industrialization means demand for biocides is also on the rise. "For example, biofilm is a key issue. Biofilm formation can harbor nuisance organisms and limit the efficiencies of the cooling equipment.

Another factor to influence Biocides is the regulatory environment. Today, the trend towards more environmentally friendly or environmentally acceptable products is having an impact. Products with human contact are becoming more tightly regulated. In addition, developing nations are setting up their own regulatory bodies. Demand for greener, innovative formulations and biocide boosters presents the main growth opportunities. The increasing number of application methods for delivering biocides, has seen new entrants into the Biocides industry.

Taken as a whole, these factors will drive the growth of the Biocides industry and the need for specialized products to meet changing needs over time according to Biocide Information.

The biocide market experienced consolidation in 2009, as producers are looking for measures to control cost and to strengthen market position. This trend will continue as the biocides industry is still relatively fragmented.

Specialty biocides can be divided into preservatives and germicides with the latter accounting for the majority of consumption. The germicides market can be further segmented into antiseptics, disinfectants, sanitizers and sterilants. Preservatives also include a range of products including algicides, antifouling, incan bactericides and fungicides.

The Americas is the leading global consumer for biocides but several factors are combining to bring the American percentage down, according to Biocide Information. Countries such as Brazil, China, India and Russia continue to offer growth opportunities as per capita income rises and human health issues are accorded more importance, Biocide Information said.

Key Topics Covered:

    --  Overview
    --  Market Dimensions by Application
    --  Market Dimensions by Region
    --  Requirements of a New Biocide
    --  Distribution System
    --  Suppliers of Biocides to End-Users
    --  Expected Growth of the Global Biocides Industry
    --  Introduction & Methodology
    --  Detailed Profile of leading 10 Biocide Manufacturers
    --  Applications Analysis Overview
    --  BIOCIDES IN ADHESIVES
    --  BIOCIDES IN ANTIFOULING
    --  BIOCIDES IN ANTISEPTICS & CONTACT LENSES
    --  BIOCIDES IN HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
    --  BIOCIDES IN INDUSTRIAL & INSTITUTIONAL PRODUCTS
    --  BIOCIDES IN INKS
    --  BIOCIDES IN LEATHER
    --  BIOCIDES IN METALWORKING FLUIDS
    --  BIOCIDES IN MINERAL SLURRIES
    --  BIOCIDES IN PAINTS
    --  BIOCIDES IN PAPER
    --  BIOCIDES IN PERSONAL CARE
    --  BIOCIDES IN PETROLEUM
    --  BIOCIDES IN PLASTICS
    --  BIOCIDES IN POLYMER EMULSIONS
    --  BIOCIDES IN RECREATIONAL WATER
    --  BIOCIDES IN TEXTILES
    --  BIOCIDES IN WATER TREATMENT
    --  BIOCIDES IN WOOD PRESERVATIVES
    --  List of charts

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/d7607d/global_biocides_re

    Source: Research and Markets

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ef0ac0/2010_plimsoll_anal) has announced the addition of the "2010 Plimsoll Analysis - Mental Health Centres - A comprehensive profile of 71 companies operating in the UK market" report to their offering.

The UK Mental Health Centres market analysis

This edition of the Plimsoll Analysis is the most comprehensive review yet of the UK Mental Health Centres industry. With the market due for a prolonged period of consolidation to weed out over capacity and weakened competitors, keeping up with development will be vitally important. Whether you are looking for companies to buy, thinking of selling or just keeping up with developments in the market, this special Plimsoll Industry Analysis will give you a new outlook on your market.

What you receive on each company

This special edition of our report is designed to alert you to merger and acquisition activity in your market. We individually assess each of the companies in their own 2 paged section of the report.

You will receive the following on each company:

    --  An individual valuation
    --  A full financial health assessment
    --  A breakdown of the board members and ownership structure
    --  A 10 point takeover attractive rating

Key Topics Covered:

    --  Section 1: Best Trading Partners- the best in the industry
    --  Section 2: Sales & Market Performance
    --  2.1 Sales Growth
    --  2.2 Sales Return on Total Assets
    --  Section 3: Profitability
    --  3.1 Gross profit
    --  3.2 Pre-tax Profit Margin
    --  3.3 Pre-tax profit plus directors fees
    --  3.4 Pre-tax Profit Return on Total Assets
    --  3.5 Profit Summary

Industry Analysis:

Each company in the industry analysed using the unique Plimsoll method. Every company is analysed, rated and valued over two pages, giving you a graphical appraisal of each companys financial performance in an instant.

Some of the Companies Mentioned:

    --  2 Care
    --  Mental Health Care (Wirral) Ltd
    --  Affinity Healthcare Ltd
    --  Mental Health Foundation (The)
    --  Andover Mind
    --  Mind (The National Association For Mental Health)
    --  Bridge 86 Ltd
    --  Oakleaf Enterprise
    --  Cambian Healthcare Ltd
    --  Partnerships In Care Ltd
    --  Canterbury Oast Trust
    --  Castlebeck Group Ltd
    --  Priory Securitisation Ltd
    --  Coed Du Hall Ltd
    --  Dementia Care
    --  Robinia Care (South West) Ltd
    --  Ellingham Employment Services
    --  Robinia Care East Midlands Ltd
    --  Employment Support And Retraining Agency Ltd
    --  Robinia Care London Ltd
    --  Mental Health Care (Avalon) Ltd
    --  Sandwell Third Age Arts
    --  Mental Health Care (Community) Ltd
    --  Signhealth
    --  Mental Health Care (Furze Mount) Ltd
    --  Teamwork Trust (The)
    --  Mental Health Care (New Hall) Ltd
    --  Tendring Mental Health Support
    --  Workbase
    --  Mental Health Care (U K) Ltd

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ef0ac0/2010_plimsoll_anal

    Source: Research and Markets

TAIPEI, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- From our Haitian friend Jean Marie Altema who has now safely arrived in the US: "I really thank you for your words...Thank you for your prayer and your thoughts to me and to my Haitian brothers."

From our Haitian friend Marie Yancik Mezile who is still in Haiti: "Thank you to all our friends for their expressions of solidarity and affection. The hardest part is ahead when we are rebuilding..."

In the afternoon of January 12, 2010, in the bustling Port-au-Prince, no one would imagine in an instant, the record-breaking Richter Scale 7 earthquake would strike the capital city, which not only brought upon Haiti unprecedented disaster but also made the country the center of world attention. Soon after the earthquake hit and when communications were still difficult with Haiti, the Chairman of TAITRA, Dr. Chih-Kang Wang, instructed TAITRA's Taiwantrade website, to deliver warmth and care through an Internet message board to the Haitian members and buyers. What is truly uplifting is that the voices coming out of Haiti or from the Haitians who have now found a safe haven have also been surfacing on the message board.

For a long time, TAITRA has been actively carrying out all kinds of trade missions and shows in Central and South Americas, leading Taiwanese manufacturers to build strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with the enterprises in the area. But, this time, TAITRA did not talk about trade. TAITRA instead has focused on delivering warmth and care to Haiti. Through online network, Taiwantrade invited its member and buyer friends around the world to leave well-wishing messages on the message board. In three short days, hundreds of messages were left on the board. The messages came from Taiwanese manufacturers as well as buyers and suppliers across continents. Even though these messages came from all over the world, they carried a common voice, that is, best wishes, undying hope and eternal care.

Here is a message from Dumisani Eugene Gwebu of the UK: "We offer our deepest sympathies to the people of Haiti in their darkest hour. The Lord is with you and you will pull through this period. You are in our prayers every day. God bless and protect you."

At the same time, the Taiwanese voice is also firm and sincere, such as the manufacturer Hui-ju Tsai's message: "Though the distance between Taiwan and Haiti is very far, it still pains us deeply to see the pictures in the TV news reports. We sincerely pray to the Heaven to listen to these suffering people's voice and let the agony go away soon. Go, Haiti!"

Taiwantrade has completed compiling all the most heartfelt messages and will send them together again to our Haitian members and buyers. Perhaps this earthquake broke up our communications and took away our friends. These truest regards will nevertheless ultimately be heard by the Haitian people who yearn for them.

All the messages compiled by Taiwantrade can be found on the website below: http://messagestohaitians.taiwantrade.com.tw

    Source: TAITRA