page 38
Sensors and MCUs
Controlling the Future of Appliances
by David Simpson, Contributing Editor
Microcontroller and related component prices continue to decline while sensor selection expands, providing appliance producers with cost-effective opportunities to upgrade and differentiate their products.

page 38
Sensors and MCUs
Designing with DSPs
APPLIANCE Best Practices Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) can play an important role in appliances. Manoel Soares, senior engineer at Whirlpool Corporation’s R&E Center, Advanced Electronics Applications, explains how to work with these powerful devices.

page 36
Product Review
Communication Appliances

page 46
Market Research
52nd Annual Statistical Review - 2005
Published May 2005 - The Statistical Review is an annual statistical report covering over 200 appliances in nine appliance categories based on unit factory shipments in the U.S. Domestically produced appliances plus imports are included in the totals. Exports are not included. Revenue information is not included.

page 71
APPLIANCE New Product Digest
Emphasis: Motors and Air-Moving Devices and Equipment
Supplier solutions in this edition of ANPD include:

page 27
The Open Door
Impact of RoHS on Materials and Parts Availability
by Tim McGrady, principal scientist, IMR Test Labs
Recent regulations such as the European Union Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) have increased the limitations on material use.

page 28
International Appliance Technical Conference 2005
Engineering for the World
by Lisa Bonnema, Editor
The “I� in IATC wasn’t lost on those attending the 2005 International Appliance Technical Conference. From Chinese outsourcing to Canadian legislation, this year’s engineering conference looked at technology from a global perspective.

page 32
Electronics Report
Blue LED Displays
Kingbright has developed a Dual Blue SMD LED display that is said to offer additional flexibility in sizes and color, higher reliability, improved efficiency, and significant cost reduction to the production phase.

page 34
Motor Technology
High-Efficiency Motor
Using brushless d.c. (BLDC) technology and on-board electronics, A.O. Smith of Tipp City, OH, U.S. was able to create a high-efficiency motor to help manufacturers meet air-conditioner efficiency standards.

page 72
Electrical Manufacturing
The Basics of Brushless Motor Drive Design
by Dal Y. Ohm, consultant, Drivetech, Inc.
Due to the increasing demand for compact and reliable motors and the evolution of low-cost power semiconductor switches and permanent magnet (PM) materials, brushless motors are widely used in every application from home appliances to the aerospace industry.

page 75
Engineering Televisions
A Sound Investment
by Jill Russell, Associate Editor
A digital sound recording feature recently entered the consumer electronics arena when Mitsubishi Digital Electronic America Inc. introduced its new high-definition television with a built-in digital video recorder.

page 24
People
Richard Farr of R&R Supply Co.
After a 50-year career in the HVAC industry, Richard Farr shows no signs of slowing down.

page 9
APPLIANCE Line
The Value of Opportunity
By Lisa Bonnema, Editor
COST—the dirty four-letter word we are all sick of talking about, reading about, and thinking about. It’s an issue, yes, but it’s not everything. And if you are focusing on it too much, you may be missing out on a more important opportunity.