Blog Review: Aug. 26


Cadence's Paul McLellan shares some highlights from Hot Chips, including the massive growth in deep learning models, the basics of designing neural network models, and challenges involved in different approaches. Mentor's Colin Walls explores memory management units, its job of translating an address used by the CPU to an alternative address, and why this remapping is desirable and useful. ... » read more

Manufacturing Bits: Aug. 25


DNA storage for TV shows DNA storage was a hot topic about two or so years ago, but it’s been somewhat quiet since that time. DNA storage is back in the news. For the first time, Twist Bioscience has stored an episode of a new Netflix show using its synthetic DNA technology. The new show, BIOHACKERS, is a new six-part biotech thriller. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that car... » read more

What Happened To Execute-in-Place?


Executing code directly from non-volatile memory, where it is stored, greatly simplifies compute architectures — especially for simple embedded devices like microcontrollers (MCUs). However, the divergence of memory and logic processes has made that nearly impossible today. The term “execute-in-place,” or ”XIP,” originated with the embedded NOR memory in MCUs that made XIP viable. ... » read more

Power/Performance Bits: Aug. 25


AI architecture optimization Researchers at Rice University, Stanford University, University of California Santa Barbara, and Texas A&M University proposed two complementary methods for optimizing data-centric processing. The first, called TIMELY, is an architecture developed for “processing-in-memory” (PIM). A promising PIM platform is resistive random access memory, or ReRAM. Whil... » read more

Power Amp Wars Begin For 5G


Demand is increasing for power amplifier chips and other RF devices for 5G base stations, setting the stage for a showdown among different companies and technologies. The power amplifier device is a key component that boosts the RF power signals in base stations. It's based on two competitive technologies, silicon-based LDMOS or RF gallium nitride (GaN). GaN, a III-V technology, outperforms ... » read more

Moore’s Law Enters The 4th Dimension


The basic idea that more transistors are better hasn't changed in more than half a century. In fact, the overriding theme of a number of semiconductor conferences this month is that we will never have enough compute capability or storage capacity. In the past, when the number of transistors in a given area actually did double every 18 to 24 months, increasing density per square millimeter fo... » read more

Week In Review: Manufacturing, Test


Packaging Chunghwa Telecom, ASE and Qualcomm Technologies have announced plans to jointly build Taiwan's first 5G mmWave enterprise private network smart factory. As part of the plan, ASE is deploying a series of smart factory technologies within its existing Kaohsiung, Taiwan-based campus. This includes the deployment of 5G mmWave network cells in the Kaohsiung campus. Qualcomm will be ... » read more

Week In Review: Design, Low Power


Tools & IP SiFive announced OpenFive, a self-contained and autonomous business unit that will offer custom silicon solutions with differentiated IP. OpenFive will be led by Dr. Shafy Eltoukhy, SVP, and general manager of OpenFive. OpenFive debuted with a new Die-to-Die (D2D) interface IP portfolio to serve next-generation chipset based designs for networking, HPC, and AI markets. The D2D p... » read more

Week In Review: Auto, Security, Pervasive Computing


Pervasive computing — data center, edge, IoT SEMI formed a new standards committee to develop global standards for flexible hybrid electronics (FHE). The SEMI Standards Flexible Hybrid Electronics Global Technical Committee will develop FHE standards for design, materials, manufacturing, packaging and systems and to drive industry growth. IPC is also working on FHE standards as an industry s... » read more

What’s Next For Semis?


It’s been a turbulent year in the semiconductor industry. 2020 was supposed to be a strong year. Then, the coronavirus outbreak hit. Suddenly, a large percentage of countries implemented various measures to mitigate the outbreak, such as stay-at-home orders as well as business and store closures. Economic turmoil and job losses soon followed, not to mention the human tragedy involved. M... » read more

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