e2v introduces new development and evaluation tool for sensor interface Mixed Signal ASICs

e2v, the leading designer, developer and manufacturer of specialised components and subsystems, has announced the availability of CAPRI2.0, its innovative new Mixed Signal ASIC Development Kit. CAPRI2.0 is a leading edge toolset for pre-developing and validating entire sensing systems and helping to improve new product time-to-market.

e2v”s Mixed Signal ASIC (MSA) business unit specialises in providing customised solutions for sensor data acquisition in automotive, medical and industrial markets, specifically for safety and security, energy management and pollution reduction, and health and sport applications.

“The CAPRI2.0 Development Kit is a great plug-and-play tool for our customers, allowing them to demonstrate  proof-of-concept with their transducers, and to pre-develop the full ASIC by, for example, prototyping, better defining specifications, starting software development early and testing LIN communication”, said Andrew Beaumont, Mixed Signal ASICs Business Unit General Manager at e2v.

The nature of the sensing element to interface defines the analogue front-end of the ASIC: the critical section of the final ASIC design. Therefore, the innovative CAPRI2.0 Development Kit comprises daughter boards, embedding an analogue front-end specific to a family of sensing elements, and a shared mother board representative of the future ASIC digital element.

• The shared mother board incorporates:
  • A digital FPGA which embeds a small footprint 32-bits microcontroller core.                                                         
  • An advanced and friendly open source software development interface.
  • All relevant hardware features for extension boards and debugging purposes.
  Each daughter board embeds a state-of-the-art analogue Front-End IC, for example a dual channel high-resolution wheatstone bridge with D/A output, or a high-resolution ultra-low-power capacitive interface.

The user simply has to connect their sensing element to the CAPRI2.0 kit to start their ASIC evaluation and development work.

“Our experience and recognised expertise in the design and application of mixed signal ASICs, including MEMs interfacing, enable us to help our customers build optimised integrated system solutions, differentiating their products in highly competitive markets”, said Franck Berny, Marketing and Applications Manager at e2v”s MSA business unit.
 
Please contact your local e2v sales office for pricing and additional information.

Press contact:
Sylvie Mattei, Communications Manager
Phone: +33 4 76 58 30 25, mailto:sylvie.mattei@e2v.com

 
NOTES FOR EDITORS:

About e2v technologies plc

e2v technologies is a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of specialised components and subsystems, falling within two product groups:

•  Electronic tubes
• Sensors and Semiconductors

These products enable some of the world’s leading OEMs to deliver innovative systems for medical and science, aerospace and defence, and commercial and industrial applications.

For the year ended 31 March 2008, e2v achieved sales of £205m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (e2v.l). In July 2006 e2v technologies plc acquired a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of specialised electronic components and sub-systems, based in Grenoble, France and in May of 2007 e2v plc acquired MiCS Microchemical Systems SA a designer and manufacturer of semiconductor based gas sensors.  These acquisitions strengthen the Group”s position as a major global provider of specialised electronic components and subsystems.

e2v’s products are supplied into three core market areas:

•    Medical & Science: Sensor technology includes imaging sensors for intra-oral and panoramic dental X-ray, mammography, life science applications and X-ray microscopy. Electronic tubes are the enabling technology behind radiotherapy cancer treatments, microwave medical therapy and high-energy physics.
•    Aerospace & Defence: Sensor technology includes military surveillance, targeting and guidance, space-based imaging and astronomy, radar & electronic warfare and broadband data converters and microprocessors for aerospace applications.  Electronic tubes provide the enabling technology behind radars, electronic countermeasures (ECM), electronic warfare and satellite communications.
•    Commercial & Industrial: Sensor technology includes marine radars, industrial safety sensors, automotive radars and alarms, thermal imaging cameras used by fire fighters, CCD and CMOS high resolution line scan cameras for industrial inspection. Electronic tubes provide enabling technology behind TV broadcast, satellite communications, marine radar and food & industrial processing.

The overall purpose of the business is to grow sustainable shareholder value whilst appropriately meeting the expectations of customers, people, partners, suppliers and the wider community.  e2v’s vision is to create value through bright ideas in technology and materials science. The Company’s mission is to place customers at the heart of the business, providing enabling products of premium quality that extend technical barriers and enhance the competitive position of our partners.

e2v has approximately 1,800 employees worldwide with three UK based manufacturing sites in Chelmsford, Lincoln and High Wycombe, and one in Grenoble, France and one in Corcelles, Switzerland.  In addition e2v has sales offices in the UK, USA, Germany and France and Hong Kong, as well as a network of distributors and representatives covering other key territories.

Further information on e2v technologies plc is available from its website, www.e2v.com