Featured Product Archive
The inventions and products featured on these pages were chosen either for their
uniqueness in the RF engineering realm, or are simply awesome (or ridiculous) enough
to warrant an appearance.
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 Shown here is the transient response simulation
of a Peltz oscillator as generated by the Quite Universal Circuit Simulator. Qucs
is a GUI circuit simulator that can handle large-signal, small-signal and noise
behavior, and runs on most platforms. The software aims to support most types of
circuit simulation; e.g., AC, DC, S-parameter, harmonic balance analysis, noise
analysis, etc. Qucsator, the simulation backend, is a SPICE-like command line circuit
simulator. It takes a network list in a certain format as input and then outputs
a Qucs dataset. Also as with SPICE, the output can be used as input by other interfaces.
Cost to users: Free. Cost to developers: lots of uncompensated. Thanks to
Bob
for the tip.1-7-2011
 If you try to take this portable computer
on an airplane with you, it almost guarantees a full-body scan, pat-down, and orifice
search by a team of TSA agent... with rubber gloves that have been worn all day.
The Xi3 might be mistaken for "an object of concern," that triggers special personal
attention at the terminal, but it is actually a modular computer that crams 6 USB
ports, DVI, 2 eSATA ports, audio in/out, display port, Ethernet and special 'Xi3
Port' that facilitates scalability, all into a 4" cube. 3 CPU options are available
at up to 2.2 GHz. What doe Xi3 stand for, you ask? X=Variable, i=Information, 3=Cubed.
Base price: $849.
12-10-2010
 This Christmas,
you can finally give or receive a trick ride that is "a superbly crafted classic
sports car design with exquisite detail," having a high quality paint finish with
chrome alloy wheels and built-in Bluetooth connectivity - for only $50. Motormouse
features real rubber tires, and an extra wide 'spare tire' scroll wheel, a soft
carrying pouch with spare battery section inside, and an opening trunk to store
batteries and receiver. Motormouse includes a 'Super-Glide' mouse mat and includes
2 x AAA batteries. Red, silver, blue, and black.
11-12-2010
If you are in the market for an inexpensive, high performance RF synthesizer,
this is your lucky day. In the last handful of months I have featured three such
devices in this spot, including, now, HGC Microwave's ______, a 29 to 3840 MHz synthesizer. Features
include 1 Hz tuning resolution, very low spurious, and excellent phase noise. The
unit incorporates both RS-232 and 4-wire serial interfaces. Software is provided
for control. Its wide bandwidth, fine resolution, and compact size (5.39" x 6.48"
x 0.67" ) make the ______ frequency synthesizer ideal for a variety of applications
including automatic-test-equipment (ATE) and communications systems. Please contact
Hans Glista for more info on his handiwork.
1-14-2011
 FatWire Wireless is offering a low-cost, high
performance synthesizer "with the performance of generators 10 times the cost ."
FatWire's SG-14044-USB operates in the 140 MHz to 4.4 GHz realm with an output power
of at least +12 dBm (+15 dBm at lower frequencies), adjustable over a 30.5 dB range.
Minimum step size is 100 Hz. SSB phase noise is -92 dBc/Hz @ 1 GHz, 20 kHz offset.
It takes a 10 MHz reference input. Programming can be done via either a USB or a
PS2 port. Price: A mere $750. The SG-14044-USB would make a good bench synthesizer
for development and testing as well as for integration into a shippable product.
12-17-2010
 Stressed out over worrying about your cellphone
falling out of your pocket and into the loo in a moment of inattention, then having
to make that difficult decision whether best to hope it goes down the hole and lose
your investment and contact list or instead garnering the willpower to retrieve
it and suffer the indignation of having to decontaminate it - possibly to no avail
- the end result being that you should have just flushed it? Well, Seal Cell™ has
come to the rescue with its dishwasher-proof tri-band GSM phone with FM radio, GPS,
and 2 Mpx camera. The Seal Shield folks also offer other toilet-proof items like
keyboards and mice. Yes, life just got a little easier.
11-19-2010 Even during worldwide recessions like the
one we have been stuck in for two years now, there are still a huge number of folks
who can afford to splurge on extravagance. For Espresso consumers of that ilk that
are also die-hard motorheads, Kees van der Westen offers the
Speedster.
Styled to resemble a high performance engine component (maybe a turbo charger?),
this steely work of chrome-plated art will make you feel like your Espresso is piping
hot oil coming straight from an engine block. The Speedster features a double boiler
system, electronic temperature controllers, steam boiler with heat exchanger to
pre-heat the water, commercial grade rotation pump, two water temperature settings,
and a four-hole steam tip. Price: €5,250 ($7,097).
1-21-2011
 Every Christmas since General Washington's
troops were hunkered down at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777, American troops
have sacrificed selflessly to secure and maintain the freedoms that we all enjoy
to this very day. During and between wars, they often spend holidays separated from
family and friends. Most eventually return home whole, some return permanently wounded,
while others, having given "the last full measure of devotion," never find their
way back to an Earthly home. For those special few, Congress established in 1864
the Arlington National Cemetery, wherein are laid to rest any and every active duty
or retired U.S. serviceman who desires interment there. What does this have to do
with a Cool Product? Well, every year since 1992, Mr. Worcester Morrill, of
Worcester Wreath in
Maine, has donated and delivered thousands of wreaths for placement on graves to
honor our fallen. For that act of kindness, he deserves recognition.
12-24-2010
 This might be the solution to the iPhone 4 reception problem.
Although the Tactical Vest Antenna System was designed for use in hostile field
environments, I believe it might have a far more lucrative future as an external
antenna for the iPhone 4. A modification would ne necessary for the convenience
of the user, however. As currently configured, it uses a hardwired interface to
the transceiver, but to be really useful, the vest needs an active circuit to allow
it to function as a repeater. Alternately, an NFC coil could be incorporated, or
perhaps a Bluetooth interface would be more appropriate. Extending the vest's frequency
range should not be too difficult. If Apple had not just ordered the halt to production
of the
Steve Jobs action figure, this would have been a great apparel
accessory package.
11-26-2010 Wireless technology is ubiquitous these days.
It is found in toys, medical devices, home appliances, factory automation, and security.
RFID tags and NFC coils are everywhere. Wireless sensors in your car tires report
pressure to the computer, and your cellphone automatically pairs up with the hands-off
comms system when you enter the car. Even your mechanic is exploiting the technology
through devices like the
Wireless ChassisEAR. Small sensor modules are attached to the
chassis and/or engine areas in order to isolate the source of a noise or vibration.
Doing so allows the mechanic to listen while driving the vehicle under the conditions
where those pesky noises always appear. I have on more than one occasion jogged
next to a moving car while trying to hear where a squeak or engine noise was coming
from. This would be a big improvement.
1-28-2011
 Not to be confused with the
SteamPunk fad that combines modern technology with sci-fi type
contraptions, these retro typewriters have been modified to perform as USB keyboards
that interface to a PC or a Mac - even an iPod. You can even buy a do-it-yourself
kit to transform your own typewriter into a USB keyboard. If you are nostalgic for
the pre-typewriter era, but need the convenience of modern technology to get
 by, you can pacify that urge with a
BookBook cover
for your MacBook computer. These hand-crafted cases function not just as a protective
cover, but also as an effective anti-theft measure because when closed, they appear
to be just an old book. Maybe grandpa will take more kindly to those newfangled
computers if you put a familiar WWII vintage IBM or a Smith Corona in front of him,
or even a good book if anything newer than a
Gutenberg
printing press is too modern for the old guy.
12-31-2010
 In yet another melding of the old with the
new, you can now have your very own set of remotely controlled LED Christmas tree
baubles. That's right, from the comfort of your easy chair, you can switch the hand-blown
angel, moon, star, and snowman figurines on or off. A single AA battery for each
bauble lasts up to 150 hours, according to the
Pro-idee company. Already have the wireless baubles? What you
need, then, is a set of wireless Christmas tree
candles with the exclusive hand-studded, sparkling Swarovski elements.
Now how much would you pay?
12-3-2010
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