Blog Review: May 28

Ansys’ Robert Harwood examines the crossover between drones and 3D printing—particularly ones that can make repairs in inaccessible or hazardous areas. That could make both of them more popular.

Mentor’s Mathew Clark puts a new spin on the term “gumming up the works.” Poor little things.

Cadence’s Brian Fuller drills into Google’s Project Ara, the magnetic LEGO architecture for smart phones, and what it means for IP providers and open-source hardware. This is an interesting crossover between mass marketing and just-in-time, highly customized electronics.

Synopsys’ Mick Posner has a new alias. You’ll have to read about this one for yourself.

NXP’s Michael Lyons digs into standard logic and why it is so vital for innovation in SoCs. Think platforms.

Carbon’s Jason Andrews burrows down to the bare metal to explain how to improve application startup time on an ARM processor. Grab a pen and notebook.

Mentor’s John Day examines the need for new sensors on cars as public pressure to reduce emissions accelerates. This is turning into a big market—$25.8 billion by 2021.

Cadence’s Richard Goering interviews DAC general chair Soha Hassoun about what’s important at DAC this year, including the focus on security and automotive.

Ansys’ Bill Vandermark pulls together the top five engineering technology articles of the past week. Check out the self-assembling furniture that can change shape into something else.

Mentor’s Michael Ford digs into the Industry 4.0 initiative for manufacturing and why it’s necessary to shake up the status quo.

Synopsys’ Scott Knowlton asks whether teams are ready to begin PCIe 4.0 designs—which is rather odd considering the spec was announced in 2011. Well, some things do take longer than you’d expect in this industry.

Cadence’s Tawna Wilsey sheds some light on phase noise specification as an instance parameter. If you work in this space, take notes.

And in case you missed the most recent System-Level Design newsletter, here are some noteworthy blogs:

Technology Editor Brian Bailey observes that Mentor Graphics was founded by ex-testing people, and three decades later the company is offering its first tester.

Cadence’s Frank Schirrmeister owns up to the fact that the scope of system-level design has changed.

And Synopsys’ Tom De Schutter observes that data gathering and analysis opportunities multiply as more devices get involved.