Power/Performance Bits: June 28


Making uniform wafers Scientists from the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) and Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore) propose a technique that combines nanotransfer printing with metal-assisted chemical etching to improve wafer uniformity and increase yield. The researchers used a chemical-free nanotransfer printing technique that transfers gold nanost... » read more

Research Bits: June 21


Side-channel protection for edge AI Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology built a chip that can defend against power side-channel attacks targeting machine learning computations in smartwatches, smartphones, and tablets. Side-channel attacks involve observing a facet of the device's operation, in this case power, to deduce secrets. “The goal of this project is to buil... » read more

Power Domain Implementation Challenges Escalate


The number power domains is rising as chip architects build finer-grained control into chips and systems, adding significantly to the complexity of the overall design effort. Different power domains are an essential ingredient in partitioning of different functions. This approach allows different chips in a package, and different blocks in an SoC, to continue running with just enough power t... » read more

Research Bits: June 14


Photonic deep neural network chip Engineers from the University of Pennsylvania built a photonic deep neural network on a 9.3 square millimeter chip they say is faster and more efficient at classifying images, with the ability to process nearly two billion images a second. The chip uses a series of waveguides that form 'neutron layers' mimicking the brain. “Our chip processes information ... » read more

Can Analog Make A Comeback?


We live in an analog world dominated by digital processing, but that could change. Domain specificity, and the desire for greater levels of optimization, may provide analog compute with some significant advantages — and the possibility of a comeback. For the last four decades, the advantages of digital scaling and flexibility have pushed the dividing line between analog and digital closer ... » read more

Active Learning: Integrating Natural Intelligence Into Artificial Intelligence


Today, very few people would likely deny the fact that data can present major added value for companies. But analyzing data from production processes reveals the incompleteness of data collection and the associated reduced potential of the data that can be leveraged. Typical shortcomings include: Incomplete representation of processes in the dataspace, Inadequate connection of processes... » read more

Emulation-Centric Power Analysis Of SoC Designs


Verification expert Lauro Rizzatti recently interviewed Jean-Marie Brunet, senior marketing director, Scalable Verification Solutions Division (SVSD), Siemens EDA, about the importance of accurate power estimation and optimization for system-on-chip (SoC) designs. What is the problem facing the semiconductor industry today regarding pre-silicon power estimation? The problem is the discrep... » read more

Video Compression Enables Cutting-Edge Displays


Display technology has advanced in leaps and bounds. We can now create professional-quality video content on our mobiles, and our cars often have more displays than our living room. In recent years, electronics manufacturers have been using increasingly sophisticated display feature sets as a way of differentiating their products in the highly competitive consumer electronics market. Each new g... » read more

DRAM Thermal Issues Reach Crisis Point


Within the DRAM world, thermal issues are at a crisis point. At 14nm and below, and in the most advanced packaging schemes, an entirely new metric may be needed to address the multiplier effect of how thermal density increasingly turns minor issues into major problems. A few overheated transistors may not greatly affect reliability, but the heat generated from a few billion transistors does.... » read more

IP Industry Transformation


The design IP industry is developing an assortment of new options and licensing schemes that could affect everything from how semiconductor companies collaborate to how ICs are designed, packaged, and brought to market. The IP market already has witnessed a sweeping shift from a "design once, use everywhere" approach, to an "architect once, customize everywhere" model, in which IP is highly ... » read more

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