Liz Allan

  (all posts)
Liz Allan is managing editor at Semiconductor Engineering.

Author's Latest Posts

How Long Will CAN Stick Around As Rival Networks Speed Up?
By Liz Allan - 29 Apr, 2026 - Comments: 0

Key Takeaways Automotive Ethernet is rapidly becoming the backbone of software-defined vehicles for higher bandwidth, scalability, and advanced features like TSN and security that legacy protocols cannot match. CAN, LIN, and other legacy networks will not disappear quickly because they are deeply embedded, low‑cost, and proven, but they are increasingly seen as inadequate for future A... » read more

Moving Electrons, Not Just Vehicles
By Liz Allan - 02 Apr, 2026 - Comments: 0

Key Takeaways: There are several ways to convert AC power from the grid to DC power in the system. Some degrade the battery faster than others. Battery management systems monitor cell voltage, current, and temperature, helping to estimate state of charge, health, and useful remaining life. A PMIC with a multi-level converter is the most efficient way to get power from the battery to ... » read more

Data Boom Puts Pressure On NoCs, Fabrics
By Liz Allan - 26 Mar, 2026 - Comments: 0

Key Takeaways: NoC challenges, such as wiring congestion, timing closure, and performance, must be considered in tandem with topology and placement. Topologies can be customized to meet an application’s specific data flow needs, with a system containing multiple topologies to suit different data or zones. What is challenging for one type of system, such as an SoC, switch, or AI chi... » read more

Auto Ethernet 10BASE-T1S Steps Up, With Tbps On The Horizon
By Liz Allan - 23 Mar, 2026 - Comments: 0

Key Takeaways: Automotive Ethernet, particularly 10BASE-T1S, is emerging as a replacement for CAN in vehicle networks, with higher speeds anticipated for future autonomous and connected cars. The transition to Ethernet in automotive domains is not universal; some OEMs may retain CAN or LIN in certain areas due to cost, and integrating various Ethernet standards can be technically feasib... » read more

Limiting AI/ML Tools To Ensure Physical AI Safety, Security
By Liz Allan - 05 Mar, 2026 - Comments: 0

Key Takeaways: AI-based tools can help monitor physical AI systems and LLMs, but human oversight is still needed to avoid false positives, bias, and other anomalies. For autonomous vehicles and robots, edge case scenarios and understanding human values are weak points, especially as moral and social values change over time. AI tools are growing and becoming increasingly helpful for c... » read more

AI Starting To Simplify Design Of Programmable Logic
By Liz Allan - 26 Feb, 2026 - Comments: 0

Key Takeaways AI/ML and agentic tools are getting better at helping design and compile FPGAs, but downstream programming is slower to benefit. FPGAs historically have been designed using Verilog or VHDL, but higher-level languages could push more intelligence into compilers. ML tools can also help with mixed-signal co-design by automatically tuning DSP algorithms based on analog simu... » read more

Can A Computer Science Student Be Taught To Design Hardware?
By Liz Allan - 17 Feb, 2026 - Comments: 2

Key Takeaways New approaches are being devised and tested to address the talent shortage. Leveraging AI in design tools will help engineers become more efficient, and potentially could reduce the time it takes to train engineering students. EDA companies are looking at whether it's possible to train computer science and software engineers to become hardware engineers. A vari... » read more

Consumer And Med Tech Mushroom As Quantum Closes In
By Liz Allan - 05 Feb, 2026 - Comments: 0

Key Takeaways: Universities and companies are making devices inspired by biology and the human senses to help with health monitoring, semiconductor materials development, human-computer interfaces, and more. When this nascent technology becomes a viable product, government regulations will be needed to ensure consumer safety in tracking or treating their body and the environment. Qua... » read more

Flexible ICs, MEMS, Metal Oxides Solve Fresh Problems
By Liz Allan - 05 Feb, 2026 - Comments: 0

Key Takeaways: Flexible ICs are durable and form-fitting, but they add manufacturing challenges to already complex processes, while printed flex sensors lack infrastructure. MEMS are finding new popularity in massively parallel systems, on one device, or in many devices distributed across a network. Metal oxide-based sensors are more scalable than those relying on photonic crystals, ... » read more

AI’s Impact On Engineering Jobs May Be Different Than Expected
By Liz Allan - 29 Jan, 2026 - Comments: 0

Key Takeaways: AI is expected to eliminate many repetitive, entry-level tasks, but that may allow engineering students trained on the latest tools to start in more senior positions. AI is a force multiplier. It can accelerate the learning curve for junior engineers. While AI is very good at solving multi-dimensional problems, domain expertise, critical thinking, and sanity checks wil... » read more

← Older posts Newer posts →

  • Sponsors

About

Navigation

Connect With Us

Copyright ©2013-2026 SMG   |  Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy