An MPPA having hundreds of processors can simplify video and imaging software development for embedded applications. Each processor in an MPPA is strictly encapsulated, accessing only its own code and memory. This architecture provides a very different programming model, one where each processor devotes separate channels for each type of input and output data it needs to communicate with other processors, and there are no shared memory bottlenecks.

As a natural extension of trends in the test and measurement business, the electronics industry is moving toward embedded instrumentation. Leading this movement is Asset InterTech Inc., dedicated to the development of IEEE 1149.1 tools.

The Numerical Algorithms Group (NAG) has released a new toolbox with 1,300+ functions derived from its extensive mathematical function library.

Carbon Model Studio significantly reduces the time it takes to develop and deploy new system models.

Stackpole Electronics has expanded the FCR series of trimmable chip resistors with the addition of 0402 and 2512 case sizes.

The Sony Rolly, shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, is a "dancing" MP3 player: When songs are loaded or streamed via Bluetooth, the Rolly can roll around and flap its speaker coverings in time with the music. The speaker flaps can also muffle the sound and give it a bit more flare when noise is channeled through one side or the other.

A recent run-through of my local Fry's Electronics was stretched a bit when I took a walk down the do-it-yourself security aisle. Among an array of products for those wanting self-serve video monitoring, a $99.99 surveillance kit caught my eye.

For its XEL-1, the first commercial OLED TV, Sony made some interesting design and component choices to realize an 11-inch-diagonal screen that is only 3 mm thick. See what devices make up this ground-breaking display that is a harbinger of exciting times ahead.

Gibson Guitar has been an aggressive technology adopter. On the heels of its Ethernet Out (digital) guitar, the company has released the Robot Guitar, which automatically tunes to a range of standard and alternative tunings at the touch of a button.

The world's first self-tuning guitar—the Les Paul Robot Guitar--took center stage at a live "Teardown," yesterday, at the Embedded Systems Conference in Silicon Valley.

In this lab you'll use the RSKSH7124 evaluation board to evaluate the SH7124 SH-Tiny Microcontroller and Starter Kit development environment. For a self guided training session, double click on the VirtuaLab Tutorial link at the bottom of the window when you start the lab.

In this lab you'll use the RSK-M16C29 Renesas Starter Kit (RSK) to evaluate the M16C/29 microcontroller and development environment. For a self guided training session, double click on the VirtuaLab Tutorial link at the bottom of the window when you start the lab.

Use this VirtuaLab to learn the features of the new Luminary Micro LM3S101 microcontroller. Develop software with your choice of ARM/Keil RealView Microcontroller Development Kit or CodeSourcery G++ GNU development environment. In addition, complete example code and driver libraries including a port of FreeRTOS from FreeRTOS.org.

Use this VirtuaLab to learn the features of the new Luminary Micro LM3S811 microcontroller. Develop software with your choice of ARM/Keil RealView Microcontroller Development Kit or CodeSourcery G++