Monitored Alarm Systems

With diseases such as Foot and Mouth, TB, and of course Mad Cow still presenting a danger to cattle, it's of the utmost importance that farmers monitor the health of their animals, and immediately proceed to isolate any that might be showing symptoms. If you have a herd of over 500 cows, however, keeping track of individuals can be rather tricky. That's why scientists at England's Newcastle University have developed electronic ears tags, that they're trying out on a herd of test cattle... Continue Reading Cows check in for meals using electronic ear tags

Section: Good idea

Tags: Agriculture, animals, agriculture, Newcastle University, pedometer, RFID

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Features small size, low power consumption for portable, battery-powered industrial equipment

DALLAS, July 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) today introduced the industry's smallest, 16-bit delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with integrated programmable gain amplifier (PGA), reference, temperature sensor and 4-input multiplexer. Measuring 2 mm x 1.5 mm, the ADS1118 is more than 65-percent smaller than any other 16-bit ADC available today. The ADS1118 provides direct, linearized measurements with uncalibrated error guaranteed below 0.5 degrees Celsius ? from 0 degrees C to 65 degrees C, a 75-percent improvement over the competition. It is also the lowest-power 16-bit ADC with a built-in internal reference supporting data rates up to 860 samples per second. For more information and to order samples, visit www.ti.com/ads1118-pr.

Key features and advantages of the ADS1118:

• Integration reduces overall solution size: Integrates a 16-bit ADC, PGA, temperature sensor, low-drift reference and 4-input multiplexer for data acquisition of multiple signals from numerous sensors.
• Small size saves space on the PCB: Small QFN package option allows close proximity to sensors, lowering the number of components by simplifying cold junction compensation for thermocouples.
• Low power consumption extends battery life: Supports 2.0-V 5.5-V power supply and consumes only 150 uA (typical) to extend the battery life of portable, battery-operated devices for industrial temperature measurement, gas monitoring to industrial process control, instrumentation and more .
• Provides a complete data acquisition solutionwhen combined with a MSP430 microcontroller ?.

Tools and Support

TI offers a variety of tools and support for the development with the ADS1118, including an IBIS model, anti-aliasing filtering tool for data converters and operational amplifiers, ADC circuitry to speed up computer topography. Engineers can also ask questions and help solve problems in the Precision Data Converter Forum in the TI E2E ? community.

An evaluation module (ADS1118EVM), including software and source code is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $ 49.

Availability, pricing and packaging structure

The ADS1118 is available now in a 5-mm x 3 mm QFN package. Pattern of the 2-mm x 1.5 mm QFN package are also available now with volume expected in December. Both package options are at $ 2.22 in 1,000-unit cost figures.

Learn more about TI 's Precision data converters Portfolio, by following these links:

• Order ADS1118 samples: www.ti.com/ads1118-pr
• Order the evaluation module: www.ti.com/ads1118evm-pr
• Download the data sheet: www.ti.com/ads1118ds-pr

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments semiconductor innovations to help 80,000 customers develop the potential of the world, as it could be - smarter, safer, greener, healthier and more fun. Our commitment to a better future is deeply rooted in everything we do - from the responsible production of our semiconductors to care for our staff to return within our communities. This is just the beginning of our history. Learn more at www.ti.com.

Trademarks

MSP430 and TI E2E are trademarks of Texas Instruments. All other trademarks and registered trademarks belong to their respective owners.

SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated

According to a 2009 estimate by the U.S. Society of Civil Engineers, more than a quarter of U.S. bridges are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. While newer "smart" bridges have embedded wired networks of sensors to their structural integrity, the high cost of installing such systems on existing bridges monitor is simply unaffordable for stressed city, state and federal budgets. Now University of Maryland Electrical researcher Mehdi Kalantari has a tiny, wireless sensors and monitors minute-by-minute data transfers on a bridge for structural integrity, which he estimates is one-hundredth of the cost of a wired network approach developed. .. Continue Reading Wireless sensor networks for monitoring the structural integrity of bridges

Section: Good idea

Tags: Bridge, safety, sensors, University of Maryland

• New rust sensor could lead to safer bridges

This week 's favorite post of the week comes from: Santo Lobo.

First, contributing to mention my favorite articles every week since its inception, "Funniest / Most Insightful comments of the week at Techdirt". Mainly because I 'm still hoping to' re site 'on him. 'S nice to see what' wisdom of the masses 'without my almost-lackluster reviews, it \ pushed into the most insightful and entertaining categories.

That said, most of the enchilada! As luck would have it, my quick review of the week 's article just gave ten results, stuck in my head for a variety of reasons, and so we' ll a top-ten style to do countdown ( please don 't sue me if you for the \ work "Late Show".)

Number 10 Success! Sita Sings the Blues Once Again Visible to German Youtube

Nina 's video is availble in Germany again. Never knew Nina was in a Texas-soccermon somehow so cute. Her comics are particularly illustrative of certain topics and have a style all its own. Although, I myself am more of a SMBC XKCD and kinda guy.

Number 9 Court Injunction Denied Stop Secret Web Spycams Of Running On Laptop Rental Issue

Can you believe the court says 'possible espionage' is not a loss? Somehow I might say, "installed so yeah, this guy cameras in your sisters bedroom and bathroom - but 't mean that he' that doesn \ s watching her come to court if you can prove it 's just \ .. " This line of stories seems to me, mainly due to the absurdity of the result - well, why aren 't these people just to format the laptop and install a beautiful free operating system like Ubuntu and Mint? That would fix 'em in no time.

Number 8 Kevin Smith shows the importance of building a brand as part of CWF + RTB

Once again, the notable quotable Kevin Smith is in the news for taking action to go directly to his fans - an amazing phenomenon, for a film-maker (name two others that do). The new website is worth a visit - even if just to see that \ label "with love \ made". This is, of course, in addition to his podcast, iPhone app and other offerings that do not I 'm the time to list. I 've got a soft spot for Kevin Smith. He 's an amazing public speaker, makes very good movies, and if he wasn' t like a sports fan ecstatic I 'd still on him after Twitter.

Number 7 Once Again, Protects Us From The Law Enforcement America-destroying scourge of children with Lemonade Stand

Children of America tries to cash, police and politicians are trying to make money to take. A vivid tale of absurdities in our legal system, but I think it 's never too early, hitting the "obey or else" mantra in the minds of young people.

Number 6 Can Google Get Past The Big Faceless white monolith Stage?

A revealing of the changing nature of the Google look and add a specific comment on the nature and quality of customer services. I 've been a fan of Google since the time when the people "Google, which used to say' s that?" Being someone with an engineering mentality, I 've usually all they made found to be quite the way I would have done it. I 'll miss her' clumsy engineer 'larval stage - but I'm looking forward to when this cocoon stage finish and then go towards the foundation of the'. Federation of Planets '

Number 5. The Greatest Trick The NYTimes Ever Pulled Was Convincing The World Its Paywall Exists

How many digital pictures subrscribers the NYTimes has really? This is the story of cognitive dissonance and spin. The NYTimes has the numbers really? I only know of who has the money to build the paywall to convince the New York Times they were a competent contractor, a job in sales should have held on - and never any stupidity code again.

Number 4 Arrest people with Anonymous Unlikely To associate the effects of the Fed's expected

Pretty much everything you know about this story is true, there in the headline. This punny headline should have read as well: The FBI arrested random people expected "Internet problem", to get better. "The members of Anonymous" always cracks me up too. Does anyone check to pay their membership?

Number 3 Man Made Famous over 2006 arrest for video footage of the police ... While video recordings of the re-arrest police

This exemplary product is a harrowing tale of laws stretched abusing the population, and in this case, a special people. The evil is perpetrated by the inaction of good men. This guy certainly has some problems, but at least he 's something to do. Moreover, if 's saw the last time a protagonist with the same name as a Legend of Zelda boss?

Number 2 Sincerest form of flattery? Copies of the Apple Stores so convincing you think self-employees work for Apple

Convincing fake Apple store in China! Sure look like real iPads they 're sold. If only they 'd say it' Snapple 'store, they could' ve in a whole other mess was. The sheer chutzpah, gall and ingenuity of the makers of counterfeit products is a smile reminiscent of the unquashable spirit of man.

And finally ...

Number 1 Phoenix DA decides not to file charges against woman accused of Groping TSA agents

I like this story - someone who has a little tit-for-tat (no pun intended) to the TSA was absurd and not be punished for it. Unfortunately, although she saved 's through a formality rather than the morality of the district attorney.

Remember: Some people are like slinkies. You 're pretty much good for anything, but still a smile on your face when they fall down the stairs.

Have a good night all.

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Sure, 1080p HDTVs aren 't exactly an ultra-luxury these days, but a 1920 x 1200-pixel-IPS panel on your desk? That 'sa privilege often of HD film editors, graphic designers, and those of us who like the technology know-order system enjoying hitting at work. Fortunately Dell 's new UltraSharp U2412M isn' t very expensive to deliver over 2.3 million pixels with 24-inch LED-backlit display. It also provides in-plane switching (IPS) with a wide viewing angle, a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, DVI and DisplayPort connectivity, a built-in USB hub and adjustable height. Oh, and it sells for $ 399. The price tag may make you rethink spending an additional $ 200 per inch for Apple 's new $ 999 Thunderbolt display when Dell' s 24-inch model in particular lacks a built-in webcam, and is somewhat limited in the connectivity department. Yet we have seen on HD monitors that don \ as' t more than many all-in-one costs, and knowing Dell, you should be able to find U2412M for less than retail, assuming You 're ready to test your patience with that 17-inch CRT for a few weeks.

Dell UltraSharp U2412M offers display 1920 x 1200-pixel resolution and IPS, cost doesn 't $ 999 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, July 25, 2011 17:32:00 EDT. Please read our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Dell

Meek Barbarian informed us that veteran blogger Anil Dash wrote a piece recently discussing websites having open and anonymous commenting on their sites. I'll preface this with a quick anecdote. I discovered Techdirt some three years back when my boss informed me that, as a technology consultant, it would be useful to follow a couple of technology related blogs to keep up on what is occurring in the industry. I came across Techdirt, found an article I was interested in, and dove in. I was immediately drawn in by the comments section and the community. There were anonymous cowards bravely trolling the threads. There were other anonymous cowards offering up valuable statistics, links, and points of view. There were folks using funny names and cartoon pictures as their avatars, while others used what were apparently their real names and real pictures. Even the author of the article was diving into the comments and responding to some.

? Words don't hurt unless you let them. I, as someone with an Irish background, can be called a dumb potato-farming mick, and I can ignore it. More importantly, the idiot that calls me that loses all credibility in the formed community. Even if he's anonymous, all such behavior does is provide a reason for the community to couch their faith in comments provided by ACs in skepticism. The community provides a reason to identify yourself, in the hopes that you'll be taken more seriously. In other words, from the chaos emerges order. And not an unnatural kind of order provided by head-in-the-sand policing and moderation. Assholes exist, both online and in real life. So what?

Our community

option

You won 't be surprised us coloring on the introduction of e-PM1, but the other two? Well, let 's just say that we' ve always big fans of the elusive trifecta been. Olympus just went live with the PEN E-P3 (see above), and PEN PEN E-PL3 E-PM1, three with 12.3 megapixel cameras with interchangeable lenses with Live MOS sensor, image processor TruePic VI and an ISO limit of 12,800. You 'll also get a redesigned auto-focus system, a 1080i HD video mode, redesigned user interface and a variety of filter type. The e-P3 is equipped with an all metal housing and dotted "the world 's fastest autofocus" (really?), While the rear is a 614 000 pixel OLED touchscreen. The e-PL3 steps it with a 3-inch tilting LCD, the smallest and lightest during the PEN conductor (yeah, the E-P1) in half a dozen colors for shipping costs. The outfit also revealed a new pair of fixed focal lengths, grab a camera and a flash FL-300R, all of which are in the source links below in detail. The bad news? Only the P3 will be priced at $ 900 of landing a pretty swanky kit in August of this year.

Olympus reveals PEN E-P3, PEN E-PL3, and PEN E-PM1 interchangeable lens cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Olympus (1), (2) , (3)

Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab have been able to create computers that learn language by doing something that many people consider a last resort when tackling an unfamiliar task - reading the manual (or RTBM). Beginning with virtually no prior knowledge, one machine-learning system was able to infer the meanings of words by reviewing instructions posted on Microsoft's website detailing how to install a piece of software on a Windows PC, while another was able to learn how to play Sid Meier's empire-building Civilization II Strategy computer game by reading the gameplay manual. .. Continue reading to learn computer language (and world domination) by reading the manual

Section: Research Clock

Tags: Artificial intelligence, computer, language, learning, MIT

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