Our Tech Tart

Government ministers are in a position to help industry, but they usually hector and constrain it.  We have a minister called Matt Hancock, now Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport who appears to be a bit of a tech tart.  He espouses every over-hyped tech trend he encounters – ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/delusions/our-tech-tart-2018-02/

ReefShark chipsets halve MIMO antenna size

Nokia has revealed more details about its ReefShark chipsets, using silicon developed by teams in Finland and California, USA. The chipsets can halve the size of MIMO antennae without affecting performance and also reduce power consumption in baseband units by 64%, compared to such units in use today, says Nokia. The chipsets comprise a ReefShark ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/products/rf-microwave-optoelectronics/reefshark-chipsets-halve-mimo-antenna-size-2018-01/

Fanuc, Hitachi and Preferred Networks form jv for AI-based edge systems

Fanuc, Hitachi and Preferred Networks have agreed to establish a jv on April 2, 2018, to develop Intelligent Edge Systems that utilise AI technologies in edge devices in the industrial and social infrastructure field. The new company will develop these Intelligent Edge Systems by combining Fanuc’s’s technologies and expertise in machine tools and robots, Hitachi’s knowledge ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/fanuc-hitachi-and-preferred-networks-form-jv-for-ai-based-edge-systems-2018-01/

Pis Flaw

Intel doesn’t do flaws. The great Andy Grove kicked off his book ‘Only the Paranoid Survive’ with a description of the 1994 Pentium Flaw which cost Intel around half a billion dollars. Grove described how Intel went from denial, to choosing which customers should get replacements and then, when a Niagara of adverse publicity overwhelmed ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/dilemmas/pis-flaw-2018-01/

High V battery packs bring subtle design challenges

The consumerisation of high voltage battery packs presents challenges in power management and safety, writes Cathal Sheehan of Bourns. High-voltage battery packs are no longer exclusive to industrial installations – they are increasingly making their way into the hands of consumers in their electric vehicles and home power storage. Typically made with lithium-ion or nickel metal hydride ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/high-v-battery-packs-bring-subtle-design-challenges-2018-01/

AMD has stunning Q4

AMD had Q4 revenues up 34% thanks to its Ryzen and Radeon processors. Q4 revenue was $1.48 billion, and full-year revenue was $5.33 billion for growth of nearly 25%. “2017 marked a key product and financial inflection point for AMD,” says CEO Lisa Su,  “our newest wave of high-performance products and consistent execution created significant ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/amd-stunning-q4-2018-01/

Infineon hit by weak dollar

Infineon had calendar Q4 revenue of €1,775 million for a profit of  €283 million. For 2018 it expects revenue growth of 5% plus or minus 2 percentage points. For calendar Q1 it expects growth of 4% plus or minus 2 percentage points. “Infineon has made a strong start to the new fiscal year,” says Dr. Reinhard ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/infineon-2018-01/

Top Ten For Tech Nostalgia

Thanks to Promotionalcodes.com for this one – the ten obsolete tech products which inspire the most nostalgia: Floppy disk Nintendo 64 Fax machine Dumb phones Walkman Typewriter Ceefax VCR PDA Polaroid cameras        

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/ten-best/top-ten-tech-nostalgia-products-2018-01/

Photon MCU promises entry-level IoT prototyping

This was a new one to me: the Photon microcontroller from Particle, an entry-level IoT prototyping board.

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/arduino/photon-mcu-promises-entry-level-iot-prototyping-2018-01/

Witty or Wise?

Is the suggestion by the White House that the US government will build a 5G network serious? Or is it a witty way to kick operator ass into getting on with building their own networks? Operators around the world have been questioning the business case for 5G. They’ve been moaning about the costs. They’ve been ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/dilemmas/witty-or-wise-2018-01/

Government signs Charter to boost gender diversity in tech jobs

The Government is promoting gender diversity in the tech sector and will sign up to the Tech Talent Charter, an initiative tackling the gender imbalance in the tech workforce. The Tech Talent Charter covers all organisations employing people in technology roles and commits signatories to including women on interview shortlists wherever possible and collecting and ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/government-signs-charter-boost-gender-diversity-tech-jobs-2018-01/

Picture of the Day: Volumetric images better than holograms?

Researchers at Brigham Young University in Utah are working on creating "volumetric images" and they could represent an advance on holograms.

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/picture-of-the-day/picture-day-volumetric-images-better-holograms-2018-01/

RS Components achieves Phoenix Contact award

RS Components has been named as UK distribution partner of the year by Phoenix Contacts for its interconnection products. The distributor has been recognised for its sales growth and extensive marketing activities based around new product introductions in 2017. Colin Green UK general manager at Phoenix Contacts, writes: “The award recognises the level of commitment ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/distribution-world/rs-components-achieves-phoenix-contact-award-2018-01/

Bluetooth mesh network chip targets smart home lighting

Cypress Semiconductor has introduced a device which delivers Bluetooth mesh network connections certified by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Distinguishing it from traditional Bluetooth interfaces, mesh networking technology enables devices within the network to interface with each other to provide coverage throughout even the largest homes, allowing users to conveniently control all of the devices via apps ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/market-sectors/internet-of-things/bluetooth-mesh-network-chip-targets-smart-home-lighting-2018-01/

Omron’s tactile button has 2mm profile

Omron Electronic Components has a sealed surface-mounting tactile switch in a low profile of just 2mm. The B3SE is rated at 1 million operations. The silver plated switch is sealed conforming to IP67 (IEC 60529) standards providing high contact reliability in dusty environments and sealing against ingress of flux or fluids during manufacturing. The B3SE ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/omrons-tactile-button-2mm-profile-2018-01/

Powering up wearable devices for the military

Military personnel have come to rely in reliable wearable devices and for reliability, the design of the battery pack is critical. Jonathan DiGiacomandrea explains how technological advances are influencing the design of batteries in military devices. The global demand for connected devices is growing, with trends such as the internet of things (IoT) and home automation ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/market-sectors/military-aerospace-electronics/powering-wearable-devices-military-2018-01/

Sign up for the Gadget Master newsletter

Ensure you receive the latest and greatest Gadget Master news, hot and fresh, straight into your inbox!

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/general/sign-up-for-the-newsletter-2-2018-01/

Airline To Use Electronic Computer For Seat Bookings

Seat reservation offices of British Overseas Airways Corporation throughout the UK and Europe will soon be able to obtain immediate information on the availability of airline seats by direct interrogation of an electronic computer memory in London. So, 56 years ago, started a story in Electronics Weekly’s edition of April 12th 1961 The story continues: ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/memory-lane/airlines-use-electronic-computer-bookings-2018-01/

Sondrel founder joins EW BrightSparks selection panel

Graham Curren, the founder and CEO of the UK IC design consultancy Sondrel, has kindly agreed to strengthen the EW BrightSparks 2018 selection panel. EW BrightSparks is a programme, run in partnership with RS Components, to highlight talented young electronic engineers in the UK. Sondrel was the focus of attention with its recent acquisition of Imagination’s IMGworks, ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/sondrel-founder-joins-ew-brightsparks-selection-panel-2018-01/

Varta slots in 14mm cell for wearables

Varta Microbattery will be showing its miniaturised cells for wearables at the Wearable Technologies Conference which takes place in Munich this week (January 30-31). The microbattery firm will demonstrate its CoinPower series with a capacity of 85mAh, from a diameter of 14.1mm cell with a weight of just 2.4 grams. “Their compact and stable cylindrical ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/varta-slots-14mm-cell-wearables-2018-01/

Well Done ST

In appointing Jean-Marc Chery CEO, ST has done the right thing. At last the puerile block on non-Italians has been broken, and a fresh approach is possible. The French approach to ST has been more aspirational and expansionist than the Italian defensive strategy. One understands the caution of the outgoing management. They took over in ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/dilemmas/well-done-st-2018-01/

Rolec boxes have more size options

Rolec’s technoBOX ABS electronic enclosures are now available in 10 sizes, for use in a range of industrial electronic and electrical applications. Separate screw channels outside the enclosure’s interior maximise the space available for components. The enclosure’s bevelled lid is recessed to accommodate a membrane keypad or front plate. The lid screws are made of ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/rolec-boxes-size-options-2018-01/

Institute of Coding to be set up in UK

A £40 million Institute of Coding is to be set up in the UK under the auspices of Microsoft and 60 universities and businesses. The Institute will teach cybersecurity and AI skills via courses at 25 universities. The Open University, Birkbeck and FutureLearn are also providing tuition. The courses will offer a technology curriculum that will ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/institute-coding-set-uk-2018-01/

Tech job numbers rise, Java & AI skills in demand

The number of jobs advertised in the UK technology sector grew by 12%  last year, one of the fastest rates across UK industries, according to new data from Reed Technology. The agency’s survey also found that advertised salaries in the sector grew by 1.6%  in the last year alone with advertised salaries for some roles ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/tech-job-numbers-rise-java-ai-skills-demand-2018-01/

New Yorker signs MoxiE inductors for hi-rel

New Yorker Electronics is a long-established US-based distributor of passives and specialist semiconductors sells world-wide via its website. It has announced a new inductor franchise for MoxiE Inductor, which manufactures inductors, chokes, coils, LAN magnetics, and transformers. MoxiE’s components are used in professional audio as well as hi-rel industrial electronics and defence sectors. New Yorker ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/distribution-world/new-yorker-signs-moxie-inductors-hi-rel-2018-01/

Only Connect: On Harwin’s Datamate connector series

Harwin, a company that is proud to say it is a UK Manufacturer of connector systems, has developed their popular Datamate connector series.

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/electro-ramblings/industry-comment/connect-harwins-datamate-connector-series-2018-01/

Mouser signs Espressif

Mouser has signed  a global distribution agreement with Espressif Systems. Through the agreement, Mouser is now an authorized distributor of Espressif’s line of ESP8266 and ESP32-based low-power wireless SoC modules, and development boards for IoT. Espressif makes ESP8266EX, ESP8285, and ESP8089 Wi-Fi SoCs  based on a  32-bit Tensilica microcontroller. The SoCs incorporate antenna switches, a ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/mouser-signs-espressif-2018-01/

Renesas adds 38 MCUs

Renesas has announced immediate availability of 38 new MCUs in its RX130 Group which extend flash memory size to 256 KB, 384 KB and 512 KB, and increase package size up to 100-pins to provide higher performance and compatibility with the RX231/RX230 Group of touch MCUs. The ultra-low power, low-cost RX130 Group adds higher responsiveness ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/renesas-adds-38-mcus-2018-01/

Acceleration sensor counts steps for 4μA

BMA400 is a low-power acceleration sensor for wearables and IoT applications from Bosch, consuming as little as 4μA in step-counter mode. “Due to continuous measurement, the sensor’s high-quality measurement signal has precisely defined cutoff frequencies, making it very resistant to vibrations,” said the firm. claiming that this is particularly useful in smart home security systems ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/products/sensors-products/acceleration-sensor-counts-steps-4%ce%bca-2018-01/

US government may build 5G network

There is talk that the US government may build a 5G network and lease it out to operators. The US is said to be concerned about the security of telecoms infrastructure. One single unified government-built network could be made more secure than leaving it to individual operators, it is argued. It is reported that the ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/us-government-may-build-5g-network-2018-01/

LTC7815 DC/DC controller maintains output voltages during battery droop

The  LTC7815 Power-By-Linear IC is a  high frequency (up to 2.25MHz) triple output (buck, buck, boost), synchronous DC/DC controller that maintains all output voltages in regulation during automotive cold crank conditions. A 12V automotive battery can droop to less than 4 volts during engine restart or cold crank, causing reset of infotainment systems and other ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/ltc7815-dc-dc-controller-maintains-output-voltages-battery-droop-2018-01/

ReefShark ICs halve 5G antenna size

In Q3, Nokia is to ship volume quantities of a chip-set which will cut antenna height down to 45 cms from the current 1m – 2.6m. Called ReefShark, the MIMO ICs will enable more antennas to be installed in more locations, will triple data-handling and cut the power consumption of wireless towers. Nokia says that ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/uncategorised/reefshark-ics-halve-5g-antenna-size-2018-01/

Ed’s night at the Dorchester

Phew! Close shave. It was a damn good night at the Dorchester and I was savvy enough to book myself in under the name of a friend – now an ex-friend after the Grauniad published the guest list. So, for me, no outraged squawk and a bollocking from No.10. I’m in the clear. Those waitresses ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/ed-the-serial-ceo/eds-night-dorchester-2018-01/

Southampton breaks memristor record with 7bits/cell

Scientists at the University of Southampton have enhanced memristors, the non-volatile storage technology, achieving 128 discernible memory states per switch, almost four times more than previously reported, according to the University. Reported in Nature Scientific Reports as ‘Multibit memory operation of metal-oxide bi-layer memristors‘, the researchers reached 128 levels by evaluating several configurations of functional oxide ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/research-news/southampton-breaks-memristor-record-7bits-cell-2018-01/

The Inmos-GEC Spat

The late 1970s was a crucial time for UK semiconductors. Everyone knew we should be more involved but no one knew how to get there. The government proposed a Plessey-Ferranti- Government jv which failed when Plessey demanded a controlling interest. Then, in 1978, the government backed Inmos which caused fury at GEC with which, as ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/yarns/inmos-gec-spat-2018-01/

Top 10 most read on ElectronicsWeekly.com (to 26-Jan-2017)

With Qualcomm, embedded vision systems, SDR for the Raspberry Pi, a new CEO for ST and 3D chip technology all figuring prominently...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/electro-ramblings/general-electronics/top-10-read-electronicsweekly-com-26-jan-2017-2018-01/

Time to enter EW BrightSparks 2018!

We are now accepting entries for EW BrightSparks 2018. If you would like to enter, or nominate someone you know, head over to the page!

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/electro-ramblings/general-electronics/time-enter-ew-brightsparks-2018-2018-01/

Microsemi looking for a buyer

Microsemi, which has pursued a series of acquisitions recently, is now looking to be acquired. Reuters reports that Microsemi has received a takeover approach and has hired Quatalyst Partners, an investment bank, for advice on what to do. The company has a market cap of about $7 billion.    

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/microsemi-looking-buyer-2018-01/

Astute Electronics to distribute Plessey LEDs

Astute Electronics has been appointed an authorised distributor for Plessey Semiconductors across the UK and Ireland, Australia and China. The deal brings Plessey’s range of  GaN-on-Silicon LED lighting and sensing products into Astute’s  portfolio of elite manufacturers, all of whom have shown long-term commitment to the Hi-Rel sector. Mick Martin, Semiconductor Divisional Manager for Astute, ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/astute-electronics-distribute-plesssey-leds-2018-01/

Socionext to sample new graphics display controller in Q3

In Q3 Socionext intends to sample the third generation of its graphics display controllers calked the SC1701, In addition to strengthening the graphics function enabling 4K resolution and deep colour processing for state-of-the art in-vehicle display systems, Socionext incorporated APIX3 technology supporting increased demand for high speed video and data connectivity up to 12 Gbps. ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/socionext-sample-new-graphics-display-controller-q3-2018-01/

49 day tick is not an Arduino time bomb, apparently

Arduino uses a 32bit counter to provide a millisecond by millisecond timing reference. In is called ‘millis()’, and being 32bit, it overflows at about 4billion in decimal – or more precisely: 4,294,967,296/(24x60x60x1,000) Which is 49days 17hours 2 minutes 47.296 seconds – according to my calculator. Timing parts of an Arduino programme (‘sketch’ in Arduino-speak) tend ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/engineer-in-wonderland/49-day-tick-not-arduino-time-bomb-apparently-2018-01/

RISC-V processor trace IP available

The open-source RISC-V processor architecture is getting a trace function through an IP (intellectual property) block from Cambridge-based UltraSoC. It supports both 32 and 64-bit RISC-V designs, and is intended to integrate with the firms other RISC-V offerings. “The addition of trace capabilities means that UltraSoC provides the most comprehensive RISC-V commercial debug solution,” claimed ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/design/eda-and-ip/risc-v-processor-trace-ip-available-2018-01/

Alps signs European passives and e-mech deal with TTI

Alps Electric Europe has signed and entered into a pan-European distribution agreement with TTI. Alps Electric has had a sales presence in Europe with a Germany-based subsidiary since 1979. It will use the specialist distributor of passives, electromechanical and discrete components to support and expand its European sales. Alps co-ordinates sales and product engineering from ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/alps-signs-european-passives-e-mech-deal-tti-2018-01/

Fable: The Pocket Computer Everyone Loved

A South African physicist who won a scholarship to Imperial College became a lecturer in the USA and, while there, studied company reports so effectively that he made £100,000 (the equivalent of £500K today) in the stock market. His wife insisted that he spend half on it on a house and, with the other half, ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/fable/fable-pocket-computer-everyone-loved-2018-01/

Would you like software defined radio with your Raspberry Pi?

This is a high-end starter kit for the Raspberry Pi - we're talking software defined radio - aimed at those looking to build apps with SDR capabilities and peripheral I/O...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/raspberry-pi-gadget-master/like-software-defined-radio-raspberry-pi-2018-01/

Bozotti tenure at ST ends on high note with revenues up 19.7%

ST ended Carlo Bozotti’s final year as CEO on a high note, with Q4 net revenues of $2.47 billion, up 15.5% sequentially, gross margin of 40.6%, operating income of $408 million, operating margin of 16.5%, 2017 full-year net revenues up 19.7% y-o-y at $8.35 billion, 2017 net income of $802 million and free cash flow ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/bozotti-tenure-st-ends-high-note-revenues-19-7-2018-01/

Internet casts its net further to meet 2020 goals

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 9.c is to increase access to ICT (information and communication technologies) and a report released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is encouraging. It states that least developed countries (LDCs) are on track to achieve the goal of universal and affordable Internet access by 2020. The report, ICTs, LDCs ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/information-technology/internet-casts-net-meet-2020-goals-2018-01/

Neural network SDK for PowerVR GPUs

Imagination Technologies has announced a software design kit (SDK) for developing neural networks on its PowerVR graphics processors (GPUs). It is aimed at convolutional neural networks, and both an API and SDK are included, as well as an image for flashing on to an Acer Chromebook R13 for hardware development. Future versions of the API ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/products/software-products/neural-network-sdk-powervr-gpus-2018-01/

Harting UK’s Peter Hannon backs EW BrightSparks 2018

We’re very happy to announce that Peter Hannon, Harting UK's MD, will be on the EW BrightSparks 2018 selection panel.

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/ew-brightsparks/harting-uks-peter-hannon-backs-ew-brightsparks-2018-2018-01/

MEMS measures electric fields

Austrian engineers have developed an electric field magnitude sensor that delivers quantitative results down to 200V/m. “The equipment currently used to measure electric field strength has some significant downsides,” claimed Andreas Kainz from the Technical University if Vienna (TU Wien). “These devices contain parts that become electrically charged. Conductive metallic components can significantly alter the ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/research-news/mems-measures-electric-fields-2018-01/

Graphene balls climb the ladder to battery success

Continuing the industry’s love affair with lithium for batteries, researchers have found a way to avoid dendrites which grow on as the battery charges and discharges and which can degrade performance. Building on work began by Jiaxing Huang, professor of materials science and engineering at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering, Jiayan Luo, professor of ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/research-news/process-rd/graphene-balls-climb-ladder-battery-success-2018-01/

Look, no holograms: but still a moving image floats in space

US researchers are creating images in free space without using holograms. Instead, the team from Brigham Young University have created something like a 3D printer for the air. It uses a laser to trap a tiny particle of cellulose using spherical and astigmatic optical aberrations – a photophoretic particle trap – and then the same ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/research-news/look-no-holograms-still-moving-image-floats-space-2018-01/

Panasonic recognises Anglia’s sales performance

Anglia Components has been named Regional Distributor of the year 2017 by Panasonic. Anglia CEO Steve Rawlins, has ambitious growth plans for the UK distributor in the next five years as they aim for £100m turnover and a 10% share of the UK electronic component distribution market. Ian Needham, distribution, Panasonic, writes: “Anglia has played ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/distribution-world/panasonic-recognises-anglias-sales-performance-2018-01/

Jean-Marc Chery to be CEO of ST .

Jean-Marc Chery (pictured)  is to take over from Carlo Bozotti as CEO of ST. Carlo Bozotti, the current CEO, and Carlo Ferro, CFO, are to step down after ST’s AGM in June. A new Executive Committee has been formed which also becomes effective after the AGM. As well as Chery, it consists of: – Orio ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/jean-marc-chery-ceo-st-2018-01/

Toshiba’s Folly

Toshiba’s struggle to confront reality over the last three years has caused the Japan Exchange Regulation to state how companies faced with scandal should act, reports the Nikkei. The principle should be: “Companies should avoid dressing up a shoddy and insufficient investigation to give it the appearance of objectivity and neutrality.” When Toshiba’s accounting scandal ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/delusions/toshibas-folly-2018-01/

UN Broadband Commission sets the date for an online world

  At the World Economics Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, the UN Broadband Commission set global broadband targets to bring the 3.8 billion people in the world that are not connected to the internet, online. The United Nations’ Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development has set seven targets to connect the world’s population without internet access by ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/design/communications/un-broadband-commission-sets-date-online-world-2018-01/

Inseto acquires IDB Technologies to expand semiconductor offering

Equipment and materials distributor, Inseto, has bought IDB Technologies, a specialist supplier of semiconductor wafers and substrates. Inseto supplies the microelectronic and manufacturing sector, and this acquisition adds to its offering to the semiconductor sector. The two companies worked closely together and share many customers. Matt Brown, director, Inseto, explained the synergy between the two ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/distribution-world/semiconductors/inseto-acquires-idb-technologies-expand-semiconductor-offering-2018-01/

Quizzing Qualcomm

The EU has added its $1.2 billion fine on Qualcomm to Taiwan’s $782 million fine, to Korea’s $854 billion fine and to China’s $1 billion fine. $4 billion is not much to Qualcomm which is paying $37 billion to buy NXP, especially when the practices for which it has been fined have brought Qualcomm annual ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/dilemmas/quizzing-qualcomm-2018-01/

GPU core supports multiple in-car displays

Imagination Technologies has released a GPU core that supports multiple, high resolution displays for automotive displays. As driverless cars evolve, there is expected to be a requirement for advanced infotainment in the vehicle, such as 5G-based 4K video streaming, to keep passengers occupied. The PowerVR Series8XT GT8540 four-cluster IP is designed for display in clusters, ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/market-sectors/automotive-electronics/gpu-core-supports-multiple-car-displays-2018-01/

Manchester schools get Raspberry Pi Cafés

Manchester-based digital tech firm UKFast is creating an incubator space for tech startups at its newly expanded campus, with Tech Manchester managing the community. As part of this initiative, the web hosting firm has announced five further ‘Raspberry Pi Cafés’ for Manchester schools this year. The project represents a £100 000 investment from UKFast. Aaron Saxon, ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/distribution-world/manchester-schools-get-raspberry-pi-cafes-2018-01/

Raspberry Pi gets 10.1-inch industrial grade touch screen

Inelco Hunter is now selling a 10.1-inch PCAP touch screen kit, developed to work with the Raspberry Pi. The main applications are expected to include industrial automation, machine tool control systems and medical devices. The kit comes pre-assembled to take the Raspberry Pi which is simply mounted onto the rear of the interface PCB using ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/distribution-world/raspberry-pi-gets-10-1-inch-industrial-grade-touch-screen-2018-01/

UK gets tough on data protection laws.

Digital and Culture Secretary Matt Hancock has told businesses to prepare for stronger data protection laws. Speaking from Davos, where he has been reaffirming the UK’s commitment to AI, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Matt Hancock said the government was strengthening the UK’s data protection laws to give people more control ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/uk-gets-tough-data-protection-laws-2018-01/

Rohde & Schwarz power circuit probe has 4GHz bandwidth

Rohde & Schwarz’s latest oscilloscope probe is a power rail probe with 4GHz bandwidth. For measuring power supply quality, it can uncover coupled signals in 2.4 GHz ISM, 3 GHz LTE and higher RF bands. Power supply quality can affect the performance of sensitive electronic circuits. Embedded designs with incorporated RF modules face the additional ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/rohde-schwarz-power-circuit-probe-4ghz-bandwidth-2018-01/

Qualcomm fined $1.2bn

The EU has fined Qualcomm $1.2 billion which comes hard on the heels of the Taiwan FTC fine of $782 million. Qualcomm “paid billions of dollars to a key customer, Apple, so that it would not buy from rivals. This meant that no rival could effectively challenge Qualcomm in this market, no matter how good ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/qualcomm-fined-1-2bn-2018-01/

Cool runnings: Heat dissipation in a crypto-currency miner

Neil Birtles describes why and how he built an oil-cooled custom designed miner for the crypto-currency Verium. Most people have heard of bitcoin now, it’s been in the news a lot – shooting up in value from £430 in September 2016 to around £3,600 in September 2017, while by December it hit £14,800 before dropping ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/cool-runnings-heat-dissipation-crypto-currency-miner-2018-01/

Digi International acquires Accelerated Concepts

The connectivity and services for the IoT portfolio from Digi is enlarged with the acquisition of Accelerated Concepts, a company specializing in LTE networking equipment. Since 2006, Accelerated Concepts has produced LTE routers and network appliances for primary failover and out-of-band management. Its AcceleratedView management software is a portal to provide, manage and upgrade devices ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/digi-international-acquires-accelerated-concepts-2018-01/

A vision of the future of the tech industry

Forward-thinkers at Imagination Technologies have predicted five developments that are likely to define the next year. AI will continue its rapid growth AI has not followed the hype curve in the traditional sense. It was hyped and then went straight into reality, without entering the “trough of disillusionment”. This is rare and has fuelled a ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/vision-future-tech-industry-2018-01/

Top Ten (+1) Data Breaches

Thanks to CB Insights for this one – the top 11 data breaches:

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/ten-worst/top-ten-1-data-breaches-2018-01/

Templeton stands down as TI CEO.

TI is changing CEO for the first time in 13 years as Rich Templeton (pictured) hands over to COO Brian Crutcher. Templeton made the crucial decision to pull TI out of digital markets and focus on analogue, to whch end he bought National Semiconductor. In 2010, in the depths of a chip recession, Templeton bought ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/templeton-stands-ti-ceo-2018-01/

Lumileds 5050 offers 350 lm and 175 lm/W at 2W

Lumileds has up-graded its Luxeon 5050, reaching flux levels of 350 lm and 175 lm/W at 2W LED drive conditions (4,000K, 70CRI at 85°C). “That sets the standard for high lumen per watt for high bay and street lighting applications,” claimed the firm. “With newly released LM-80 reliability data, the product also meets DLC Premium ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/led-luminaries/lumileds-5050-offers-350-lm-175-lm-w-2w-2018-01/

Picture of the Day: Harvard’s milliDelta robots promise microassembly

Take a look at a milliDelta robot in action, taking the traditional three articulating arms of a "pick and place" Delta Robot and miniturising them

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/picture-of-the-day/picture-day-harvards-millidelta-robots-promise-microassembly-2018-01/

Keele University steps up sustainable energy research

The campus at Keele University will become Europe’s first facility for an at-scale, living research laboratory to research, develop and demonstrate smart energy technologies and services. The integrated electricity, gas and heat Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) will be in partnership with Siemens and will include the digitalisation of 24 substations, the installation over 1,500 ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/research-news/keele-university-steps-sustainable-energy-research-2018-01/

Montana Leads US Fight For Net Neutrality

Montana is leading the fight by states in the USA against the FCC’s decision to kill net neutrality. Last week 21 states filed a legal challenge to the FCC’s ruling, this week the Governor of Montana, Steve Bullock, said that Montana will only sign contracts with ISPs who retain net neutrality. Last week’s legal action ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/dilemmas/montana-leads-us-fight-net-neutrality-2018-01/

Littelfuse continues its acquisition trail with IXYS acquisition

Littelfuse has completed its acquisition of IXYS, bringing SiC expertise to the company. The deal, said to be valued at $750 million is the most recent, and largest made by the company, which acquired the TE Connectivity’s circuit protection business in 2015, for $350 million. “As the largest acquisition in our 90-year history, this is ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/products/microprocessors/littelfuse-continues-acquisition-trail-ixys-acquisition-2018-01/

Smart cities’ sprawl boosts IoT technology revenues to $60 billion by 2026

Research by ABI Research predicts the spread of smart city technology will more than double from $25 billion in 2017 to $62 billion in 2026 and at an average growth rate of 11%. ABI Research identifies 12 key smart city technologies and verticals, led by smart meters and video surveillance and EV charging stations, micro-grids, ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/market-sectors/internet-of-things/smart-cities-sprawl-boosts-iot-technology-revenues-60-billion-2026-2018-01/

TSMC to break ground on 5nm fab this week

TSMC is expected to break ground this week for the construction of its $15.7 billion 5nm fab in the Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP), reports Digitimes. TSMC plans to run trial 5nm silicon in Q1 2019 and start volume production in 2020. In 2020, TSMC intends to break ground on a $25 billion 3nm fab, ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/tsmc-break-ground-5nm-fab-week-2018-01/

Qualcomm asks to pay fine in instalments

Qualcomm has filed an application with Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) to pay its $782 million fine in instalments. The Taiwan FTC  imposed the fine on Qualcomm in October  for anti-trust violations aimed at preventing competition in the smartphone market. In what is seen as a quid pro quo for the fine, Qualcomm has broken off ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/qualcomm-asks-pay-fine-instalments-2018-01/

Laptop charger slims down and aims to be foldable

 Israeli startup, Kado and South Korea’s Dongyang have teamed up to develop the world’s thinnest laptop charger. Kado is contributing its thin charging technology and collaborating with Dongyang to complete the development of laptop chargers, which will also become the world’s first foldable charger for laptops, says Kado. The joint work will take place at ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/technology-startups/general-technology-startups/laptop-charger-slims-aims-foldable-2018-01/

How to build your own VR headset

This one caught my eye on twitter - a 16-year-old Gadget Master n France has built his own open source VR headset, dubbed "Relativ".

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/arduino/build-vr-headset-2018-01/

SDK expanding SiC wafer production

SDK is to expand its SiC epitaxial wafer capacity in two steps from 3k wpm now to 5k wpm in April and to 7k wpm in September. In addition to the traditional use as power sources, SiC-based power devices are now replacing conventional silicon-based power devices for on-board use such as inverter modules for railcars, ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/sdk-expanding-sic-wafer-production-2018-01/

Intel failing to deal with chip flaws

Intel is failing to cope with the Spectre and Meltdown faults in its processors, says IDC. Intel is “still trying to get a handle on what’s really happening. They haven’t resolved the matter,” says IDC analyst Mario Morales. Yesterday Intel advised customers to stop installing patches which it had produced to resolve the vulnerabilities. According ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/intel-failing-deal-chip-flaws-2018-01/

Monarch To Lay Round-The World Cable

In less than a fortnight H.M.Telegraph Ship Monarch, chartered to Cable & Wireless Ltd by the GPO, will sail to lay the CANTAT cable across the Atlantic. So 56 years ago, started a story in Electronics Weekly’s edition of March 29th 1961 The story continues: The 8,000 ton cable layer is now at Greenwich on ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/memory-lane/monarch-2018-01/

I thought I was good with instructions, but…

I have a pair of excellent Honeywell doorbells – expensive, but worth it, is my immediate reaction. I bought them because I wanted a warning light when the battery was getting low – my old ones failed here, so the first I knew was that someone said they visited and I didn’t answer. They also ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/engineer-in-wonderland/i-thought-i-good-instructions-2018-01/

Bridgetek PanL comes to Europe

Bridgetek is to bring the latest innovations regarding its PanL smart automation platform to European audiences, when the company exhibits at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), in Amsterdam. It will  show attendees the breadth of possibilities that this technology has, and provide system integrators with  examples of how to apply it to their next generation home/building ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/bridgetek-panl-comes-europe-2018-01/

Isabella Mascarenhas confirms IET support for EW BrightSparks

We are delighted to announce that the IET’s Isabella Mascarenhas has reconfirmed her place on the EW BrightSparks 2018 selection panel. EW BrightSparks is a programme, run in partnership with RS Components, to highlight talented young electronic engineers in the UK. Isabella, you may remember was a mainstay of the panel for the 2017 EW ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/isabella-mascarenhas-confirms-iet-support-ew-brightsparks-2018-2018-01/

Welsh hydrogen car company to start beta production

Riversimple, the Welsh hydrogen fuel-cell car specialist, is looking for equity investors to take the project forward to production. The 19-employee company has so far been funded by a crowdfunding campaign, a £2 million grant from the Welsh government and a €2 million EU grant. Riversimple launched a prototype car, called Rasa, in 2016 and ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/dilemmas/welsh-hydrogen-car-company-start-beta-production-2018-01/

Mannerisms, Gadget Master, the Daily and the Weekly, in newsletter form

Too busy to keep checking our blogs and news section? Let the content come straight to you! Easily digestible newsletter emails straight to your inbox.

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/electro-ramblings/general-electronics/mannerisms-gadget-master-daily-weekly-newsletter-form-2018-01/

Ed Concocts A NIce Little Earner

I am amazed to find that there are companies that exist purely by facilitating applications to the Department for funding proposals, Ed confides to his diary. People wanting to join our Department’s procurement programmes, research programmes or provide consultancy services can go to these companies which do all the appropriate form-filling and preparation to make ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/ed-the-serial-ceo/ed-concocts-nice-little-earner-2018-01/

Vehicle test chamber faces uphill struggle

Horiba Automotive Test Services has supplied a four wheel drive (4WD) rolling road to Mahle Powertrain to simulate driving conditions at high altitudes. The 4WD chassis dynamometer, or rolling road, is in Mahle’s new Real Driving Emissions Centre (RDEC). The Vulcan II 4WD ExtraCold unit, will be used in a variable control temperature and humidity ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/products/test-measurement-products/vehicle-test-chamber-faces-uphill-struggle-2018-01/

Gadget Watch: Microsoft boosts Surface range

Tablet or laptop? Maybe you want it all... Well, Microsoft has extended its Surface range with a new 15-inch Surface Book 2 now available for pre-orders.

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/gadget-watch/gadget-watch-microsoft-boosts-surface-range-2018-01/

techUK’s Paul Hide boosts EW BrightSparks

We are very pleased to confirm the place of techUK’s director, Paul Hide, on the EW BrightSparks 2018 selection panel. EW BrightSparks is a programme, run in partnership with RS Components, to highlight talented young electronic engineers in the UK. Paul, you may remember was a mainstay of the panel for the 2017 EW BrightSparks programme. He ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/techuks-paul-hide-boosts-ew-brightsparks-2018-01/

Peregrine Semiconductor celebrates 30th anniversary with name change

  On the occasion of its 30th anniversary and the shipment of its four billionth chip, Peregrine Semiconductor has changed its name to pSemi. The Murata company has announced that it will broaden its scope and portfolio to include power management, connected sensors, optical transceivers, antenna tuning and RF front end products. “We’ve challenged the ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/products/rf-microwave-optoelectronics/peregrine-semiconductor-celebrates-30th-anniversary-name-change-2018-01/

TUM speeds up nanorobots by 100,000x

Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a novel electric propulsion technology for nanorobots. It allows molecular machines to move a hundred thousand times faster than with the biochemical processes used to date. This makes nanobots fast enough to do assembly line work in molecular factories. “By applying electric fields, we can ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/tum-speeds-nanorobots-100000x-2018-01/

A Bottle A Day

Our forefathers were not much bothered by government-recommended alcohol units suggests the 18th century The Astronomer’s Drinking Song:   WHOE’ER would search the starry sky, Its secrets to divine, Sir, Should take his glass – I mean, should try A glass or two of wine, Sir. True virtue lies i’ th’ golden mean, And man must ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/yarns/astronomers-drinking-song-2018-01/

Astute signs P-Duke military power line

Astute Electronics has been designated as an authorised distributor for P-DUKE power components. This will see the distributor supporting P-DUKEíS range of AC/DC PSUís and DC/DC converters in the high-reliability sector. Astute will be providing technical support across the full range of P-DUKE products which includes AC-DC power supplies (open frame, chassis, enclosed and DIN-Rail ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/distribution-world/astute-signs-p-duke-military-power-line-2018-01/

French technology improves microdisplays

Next week at SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco, French research centre Leti will demonstrate a new curving technology for optical components that widens field of view and compensates for optical aberrations. Called Pixcurve, it is a proof of concept for optical components such as microdisplays, visible imagers and cooled infrared sensors used in mobile ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/french-technology-improves-microdisplays-2018-01/

US VC partners return MIPS to Silicon Valley

MIPS, provider of the eponymous processor architecture and IP cores, is once again in Silicon Valley, following the acquisition of MIPS from Imagination Technologies by Tallwood Venture Capital and Paxion Capital Partners. Tallwood’s managing director, Dado Banatao and Nicholas Brathwaite, founding partner of Riverwood Capital and WRV Capital, will represent Paxion on the board of ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/uncategorised/us-vc-partners-return-mips-silicon-valley-2018-01/

UK and France agree joint AI initiative

Closer ties between Britain and France are on the political agenda as both countries look to develop strong positions in new digital technologies such as artificial intelligence. UK Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Matt Hancock has announced plans for a digital conference to promote closer co-operation with France in the digital economy. The digital ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/uk-france-agree-joint-ai-initiative-2018-01/

Vicor introduces a 20A buck regulator

Vicor has introduced its highest current output ZVS buck voltage regulator for 24V/28V applications, providing a regulated 5V output at up to 20A. Packaged within a 10 x 14 x 2.5mm LGA SiP package, the PI3325-00-LGIZ is designed to be pin-compatibility to a 48V input version ZVS buck, the PI3525-00-LGIZ, allowing designs to be ported ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/vicor-introduces-20a-buck-regulator-2018-01/

Top 10 most read on ElectronicsWeekly.com (to 19-Jan-2017)

With Nokia and Jorma Ollila, Plessey and GaN-on-Si, Apple and voice control, and - of course - the battle of Qualcomm and Broadcom figuring prominently...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/electro-ramblings/general-electronics/top-10-read-electronicsweekly-com-19-jan-2017-2018-01/

Semi M&A slows

The historic flood of  semiconductor M&A in 2015 and 2016 slowed significantly in 2017, but the total value of M&A deals reached in the year was still more than twice the annual average in the first half of this decade, says IC Insights’ 2018 McClean Report. In 2017, about two dozen acquisition agreements were reached ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/semi-ma-slows-2018-01/

China to have 700k 300mm wpm capacity this year

China will have capacity in place to run 700,000 300mm wafers a month by the end of the year, says TrendForce. This is 42% up on 2017. The annual revenue from China’s fabs is expected to be $28 billion by the end of the year. In 2016 and 2017 28 new fabs were planned – ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/china-700k-300mm-wpm-capacity-year-2018-01/

Sign up for the Gadget Master newsletter

Ensure you receive the latest and greatest Gadget Master news, hot and fresh, straight into your inbox!

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/general/sign-up-for-the-newsletter-2-2018-01/

FD-SOI – The Thorny Q

At IFS2018 in London earlier this week, Future Horizons CEO Malcolm Penn asked an interesting question about FD-SOI. First of all he pointed out that: ST Claims To Have Been Shipping FD-SOI For Some Years and that: Samsung Said They Were Running Prototype FD-SOI Devices In 2015 and that: GF Say They Have Processes ‘Production ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/manufacturing-mannerisms/519151-2018-01/

Folding up cardboard AR with the Nintendo Switch

Familar with Google Cardboard AR? Well, get ready for cardboard-based Nintendo Labo, using the Japense gaming company's new Switch console.

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/consumer-electronics/folding-cardboard-ar-nintendo-switch-2018-01/

Qualcomm NXP deal approved by EU and Korea

Qualcomm ‘s bid for NXP has been approved by Korea and the EU. The acquisition has now received 8 of the 9 approvals around the world, with China remaining. Qualcomm cooperated with the Commission and the KFTC and agreed to all conditions required by the agencies to obtain their authorization. Qualcomm committed to exclude certain ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/qualcomm-nxp-deal-approved-eu-korea-2018-01/

Samacys powers our Component Search Engine

We are constantly adding features and sections to the site, and we are very pleased to welcome on board the Samacys component search engine.

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/distribution/samacys-powers-component-search-engine-2018-01/

Building an English high-speed railway

I remember feeling disappointed when I discovered that HS2 was going to be built from London to Birmingham first. Not that Birmingham does not deserve more than its spindly two tracks southeast, which it probably does. It is more that The North has poor train lines, and surely you would get more bang-for-the-UK buck if ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/engineer-in-wonderland/building-english-high-speed-railway-2018-01/

Win an Infineon XMC4800 Automation Board V2

When one competiton closes another opens, on Electronics Weekly. The TI DLP LightCrafter Display competition may have closed but the Infineon XMC4800 Automation Board V2 compo is now underway.

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/competitions/win-infineon-xmc4800-automation-board-v2-2018-01/

Fable: The Scouser Who Made Half A Billion Dollars

A Scouser was once attracted by a Transitron job ad, got a job there, then moved  to Motorola and went from there to Fairchild as one of Hogan’s Heroes. He became Fairchild CEO before selling the company to the French, then starting a new company which pioneered the use of  mainframes to design CMOS gate arrays. He ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/fable/scouser-made-half-million-dollars-2018-01/

Bringing embedded vision systems to market

Michaël Uyttersprot, of Avnet Silica, discusses embedded vision and what is required to bring a system to market for real-world applications

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/market-sectors/embedded-systems/bringing-embedded-vision-systems-market-2018-01/

Smart IoT valve allows remote gas cylinder management

42 Technology is helping to develop a concept smart gas cylinder valve for Linde Gases that will use IoT technology to allow gas cylinders to be managed remotely. Called EVOS DCi, it uses cloud data setvices to store data, allowing users to see where cylinders are located, what they contain, and how full they are. There ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/design/communications/smart-iot-valve-allows-remote-gas-cylinder-management-2018-01/

Extra light doubles plant growth

For crop research, plant growth can be doubled using LEDs, according to a research paper in Nature. Instead of 2-3 crops per year, the research team got six generations per year from spring wheat, durum wheat, barley, chickpeas and peas, and four generations for canola. It was not just the lighting, the plants has a ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/led-luminaries/extra-light-doubles-plant-growth-2018-01/

Toshiba launches bi-directional ESD protection diode

Toshiba has introduced a new bi-directional electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection diode DF2B7ASL which is mainly targeting interface protection in applications with minimum footprint requirement such as portable equipment. As the DF2B7ASL features a snapback characteristic, it can provide low clamping voltages, which together with the low dynamic resistance of the diode ensures superior protective performance ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/toshiba-launches-bi-directional-esd-protection-diode-2018-01/

Time to enter EW BrightSparks 2018!

We are now accepting entries for EW BrightSparks 2018. If you would like to enter, or nominate someone you know, head over to the page!

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/electro-ramblings/general-electronics/time-enter-ew-brightsparks-2018-2018-01/

Comment: Technology is no longer a fast-track to riches

Since data transfer speed is no longer a guaranteed path to profit, share traders plan private ‘super networks’. A high speed fibre-optic and wireless link connecting Chicago with Tokyo on the far side of the Pacific Ocean is due to go live this year. Called Go West, this is no ordinary communications link. It will ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/comment-technology-no-longer-fast-track-riches-2018-01/

Another Fine Mess

Micron could have made a tactical error in suing UMC because UMC is now counter-suing Micron in a lawsuit which could see Micron memory barred from the China market. At a time when China-US trade relations are souring, with US politicians seeking legal barriers to China companies doing business in the USA, it would seem ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/shenanigans/another-fine-mess-3-2018-01/

Comment: New year brings a new BrightSparks opportunity

As we glided past the 70th anniversary of the transistor in December, the value of the global chip market passed the $400bn mark. If Gartner’s predictions are to be believed these are extraordinary growth figures – up from $300bn in 2010 and $200bn in 2000. But another fact that may have been missed is that ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/comment-new-year-brings-new-brightsparks-opportunity-2018-01/

Plessey is not going to mass produced LEDs in the UK

Plessey is to licence its GaN-on-Si lighting led and Gan-on-Si micro-led display intellectual property instead of mass-producing it at its Plymouth fab. There is much more on the change in direction here It could not attract the investment needed to scale-up production in Plymouth, despite being the only firm in the world that seems to ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/led-luminaries/plessey-not-going-mass-produced-leds-uk-2018-01/

Plessey shifts to licence out LEDs and micro-LED display IP

UK LED maker Plessey is to move to an intellectual property licensing model, following City apathy towards British manufacturing. Its Plymouth fab will now focus on R&D, and only limited production. The firm has single-handedly developed a viable GaN-on-silicon process suitable for making high-power lighting LEDs, which are already selling in Europe, the US, China ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/manufacturing/plessey-shifts-licence-leds-micro-led-display-ip-2018-01/

Bolloxchain

“Only two things are infinite the universe and human stupidity and I’m not quite sure about the universe,” said Einstein and, when it comes to blockchain, you know he was right. The Long Island Iced Tea company changed its name to the Long Blockchain Company and the shares went up 3x in one day. On-line ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/delusions/bolloxchain-2018-01/

Mouser signs Onion

Mouser has signed a global distribution agreement with Onion and will handle Onion’s Omega2+ device, kits, and accessories, for applications such as home automation, coding education, Wi-Fi media servers, robotics, and networking. The Onion product line revolves around the Omega2+, an expandable IoT computer packed with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, a MicroSD card slot, and a ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/mouser-signs-onion-2018-01/

RS Components’ Lindsley Ruth backs EW BrightSparks

We are very pleased to confirm RS Component's CEO, Lindsley Ruth, on the EW BrightSparks 2018 selection panel.

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/ew-brightsparks/rs-components-lindsley-ruth-backs-ew-brightsparks-2018-01/

Top Ten (+10) Silicon Places

Thanks to CB Insights for this one – 20 places which have adopted ‘Silicon’ for their tech region: Silicon Valley – N.California Silicon Glen – Scotland Silicon Alley – NYC Silicon Beach – Los Angeles Silicon Prairie – midwest USA Silicon Wadi – Israel Silicon North – Canada Silicon Roundabout – London Silicon Bog – ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/mannerisms/ten-best/top-ten-9-silicon-places-2018-01/

The Edgytokei clock makes a show of time

I'm a sucker for a concept clock, taking the simple telling of time into geeky calculation territory. So you can bet I liked the "Edgytokei" clock.

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/arduino/edgytokei-clock-makes-show-time-2018-01/

Gresham Power sponsored skier wins

Teenage skier Nicole Shering, sponsored by Gresham Power Electronics, has had 20 wins out of 28 individual races in this season’s dry-slope competition, was fastest under-18 female in 20 races, and fastest female overall in 18. ”We are very proud to be able to play our part in the development of a local athlete and that her ...

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from Electronics Weekly https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/gresham-power-sponsored-skier-wins-2018-01/