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.
Press kit materials are available online at http://tinyurl.com/ygvaqg5
BRANSON, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kathy and Janet Lennon, of the Lennon Sisters, will be introducing the latest additions to their awarding-winning Best Pals line of children's music, soft rag dolls, paper dolls and play sets at New York's Toy Fair in Booth #1263. They will be in the booth daily from February 14 - 17, 2010.
The celebrity sisters, who still perform in Branson and select venues throughout the year, recently saw an opportunity to realize a dream that they had always shared and decided to try their hand at being entrepreneurs as well as performers. Based on their own lifelong friendship, their love for a pair of handmade ragdolls and their concern for the lack of non-electronic toys in the marketplace, they launched their own children's product line - Best Pals. The wholesome toys, with a nod back to their 1950's childhood, were developed especially for parents and grandparents looking to provide their children and grandchildren with high quality toys at affordable prices, with the underlying premise of having and being a trusted friend. With a host of awards from Dr. Toy, iParenting Media, the National Parenting Center, NAPPA and Creative Child, the product has been recognized by parents, educators and children for outstanding play value. Originally introduced in late 2006 and priced under $30, the full line has been gaining momentum and is now available through online retailers, catalogs and in specialty toy and gift stores nationwide.
The soft ragdolls are based on a set of dolls that were given to Kathy and Janet Lennon in 1949, which were handmade for them by their mother and their Nana; the music CDs are comprised of classic childhood favorites and lullabies, and the play sets and paper dolls emphasize pretend play.
For more information visit the Best Pals web site at: www.bestpals.net.
Source: KatJan, Inc.
COLUMBIA, S.C., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- An 18-year-old woman was driving one afternoon when her car's tires went off the road. She overcorrected, and the car flipped and rolled. She was partially ejected from the car, sustaining significant internal injuries and a spinal fracture. An air ambulance quickly transported her to the hospital where she faced many surgeries and a long hospital stay, as well as a long list of expenses not covered by health insurance. However, benefits from her voluntary accident plan – about $34,000 – helped her pay for medical bills and other living expenses.*
Voluntary accident plans, like the newest one Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company released this month, offer employers and employees a variety of benefits for covered accidents that can help pay for what health insurance doesn't. "Even some of the best health plans don't cover all expenses," says Michael Scheetz, assistant vice president for product development at Colonial Life. "Employees can purchase our new accident plan without answering questions about their health, and the plan is easy to understand."
Policyholders who have a covered accident or sickness can receive a benefits check paid directly to them (unless they specify otherwise) to use as they see fit. Employees can also buy coverage for their spouse and children.
Accident Plan Features and Benefits
-- No waiting for health insurance to pay before you can file a claim
through the accident plan for benefits.
-- Three coverage levels to fit employees' budgets.
-- Employee, employee/family or family-only coverage options.
-- Wide range of coverage, such as: hospital admissions; emergency
treatment in an emergency room, doctor's office and urgent care visits;
fractures, dislocations, surgery, rehabilitation unit; X-rays;
occupational therapy, medical imaging study; and accidental death and
dismemberment.
-- Same premium for all employees regardless of job title or management
status.
-- Other benefits options: choice of accident or accident/sickness
disability riders offering total and partial disability benefits, and
sickness hospital confinement rider.
-- Coverage for people 80 years old and younger.
-- Compliant with a health savings account.
In addition, Colonial Life's new accident plan works well when packaged with other insurance plans:
-- With disability insurance:Even with disability and health insurance, an
accident can have financial effects because of possible gaps in coverage
or elimination periods.
-- With a disability rider:Can cover a spouse who may not have disability
coverage through an employer.
-- With a voluntary supplemental health plan.Provides a choice of lump-sum
benefit levels that pay for a hospital admission from a covered accident
or sickness.
For more information about Colonial Life's new voluntary accident plan, call (803) 798-7000 or visit www.ColonialLife.com.
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company is a market leader in providing insurance benefits for employees and their families through their workplace, along with individual benefits education, advanced yet simple-to-use enrollment technology and quality personal service. Colonial Life offers disability, life and supplemental accident and health insurance policies in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Similar policies, if approved, are underwritten in New York by a Colonial Life affiliate, The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company, Worcester, Mass. Colonial Life is based in Columbia, S.C., and is a subsidiary of Unum Group, one of the world's leading providers of employee benefits. For more information, visit www.ColonialLife.com.
* A real-life accident claim paid by Colonial Life.
Exclusions and limitations may apply. Benefits may vary by state.
SOURCE Colonial Life
STOCKHOLM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:
AB Electrolux (STO: ELUXA) (STO: ELUXB) (LSE: ELXB) B-share will be delisted from the Official List of the UK Listing Authority, UKLA, and the London Stock Exchange, LSE, effective of March 11, 2010. On December 16 last year, Electrolux communicated that the Board of Directors had decided to apply for such a delisting.
The Electrolux B-share has been listed on the LSE since 1928. The LSE listing has been a part in a strategy to increase international ownership in Electrolux. However, this listing is no longer deemed necessary due to deregulation of international capital markets and the increased foreign ownership of shares on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm. In recent years, trading of Electrolux shares on the LSE has been limited.
Following the delisting, all trading in Electrolux shares will be concentrated to Nasdaq OMX Nordic Market in Stockholm. Electrolux has also exited its other international listings in recent years, including those of Paris, Zurich and Geneva as well as New York's Nasdaq.
About the Electrolux Group
Electrolux is a global leader in home
appliances and appliances for professional use, selling more than 40
million products to customers in 150 countries every year. The company
focuses on innovations that are thoughtfully designed, based on
extensive consumer insight, to meet the real needs of consumers and
professionals. Electrolux products include refrigerators, dishwashers,
washing machines, vacuum cleaners and cookers sold under esteemed brands
such as Electrolux, AEG-Electrolux, Eureka and Frigidaire. In 2009,
Electrolux had sales of SEK 109 billion and 51,000 employees. For more
information, visit http://www.electrolux.com/press
Electrolux may be required to disclose the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com
Source: Electrolux
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