VOL. 22 NO. 5
May 2009
Table of Contents

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Understanding IEEE's new audio video bridging standards
by Robert Boatright
A multiyear effort by the IEEE 802.1 Audio/Video Bridging Task Group is nearing completion on a series of enhancements to the legacy Ethernet standards. The enhancements will enable the delivery of time-synchronized, low-latency audio and video over Ethernet networks while retaining 100% compatibility with legacy Ethernet networks. Here's what it means to embedded systems designers.

Improving performance for dynamic memory allocation
by Marco Varlese
To heap or not to heap need no longer be the question. Nor is dynamic versus static your only choice in allocating memory in constrained embedded designs.

Hybrid heat sinks provide optimal cooling for embedded systems
by Barry Dagan
The size of aluminum heat sinks and the weight of copper heat sinks make them impractical in many new embedded systems designs. Maybe it's time to switch to a hybrid heat sink with the light weight of aluminum but the power dissipation characteristics of copper.

Programming Pointers
Padding and rearranging structure members
by Dan Saks
Here's what C and C++ compilers must do to keep structure members aligned.

Break Points
Get some rocks
by Jack Ganssle
Ken Mattingly stresses teamwork as the real hero of the famous space saga: thousands of people doing their absolute best. It's a good lesson for a hard time.

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My remote doesn't work. It's too bright in here.
by Richard Nass
Expect to see RF replace IR in your array of wireless remote controls.