Week In Review: Auto, Security, Pervasive Computing


Automotive, mobility Fraunhofer IIS has opened a five-kilometer (3.11-mile) 5G test bed for automotive 5G applications near the city of Rosenheim in Bavaria, Germany. A closed 5G network with multiple base stations covers the test track, where connected cars can be tested under real conditions. “The automotive test bed is designed specially for developers and users that want to test new conn... » read more

Week In Review: Design, Low Power


Alphawave IP will acquire the OpenFive business unit from SiFive. The $210 million cash deal will bring OpenFive’s high-speed connectivity SoC IP portfolio to Alphawave and nearly double its IPs currently available, including an expanded die-to-die connectivity portfolio as well as adding data center and networking custom silicon solutions. "When we completed our IPO in 2021, we committed to ... » read more

Week In Review: Design, Low Power


Tools & IP Imperas Software introduced the RISC-V Verification Interface (RVVI). The open standard and methodology can be adapted to any configuration permitted within the RISC-V specifications. RVVI defines interfaces between RTL, reference model, and testbench for RISC-V design verification, with the aim of making RISC-V processor DV reusable. It supports multi-hart, superscalar, and out... » read more

Week In Review: Manufacturing, Test


Chipmakers TSMC has introduced another version of its 4nm process technology. The process, called N4X, is tailored for high-performance computing products. Recently, TSMC introduced another 4nm process, called N4P, which is an enhanced version of its 5nm technology. N4X is also an enhanced version of its 5nm technology. N4X, however, offers a performance boost of up to 15% over TSMC’s N5 pro... » read more

Week In Review: Design, Low Power


Memory CEA-Leti demonstrated 16-kbit ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM) arrays at the 130nm node. It utilizes back-end-of-line (BEOL) integration of TiN/HfO2:Si/TiN ferroelectric capacitors as small as 0.16 µm² and solder reflow compatibility for the first time for this type of memory. The researchers anticipate it will be useful for embedded applications such at IoT and wearable dev... » read more

Week In Review: Auto, Security, Pervasive Computing


Automotive Features of Toyota’s key fobs for entering vehicles get turned off when drivers do not start paying a subscription fee when the complementary subscriptions end, says an article in Ars Technica. SiLC Technologies announced its compact Eyeonic Vision Sensor, a FMCW lidar sensor, is now commercially available. The sensor has a silicon photonic chip that keeps a lidar’s size down... » read more

Startup Funding: October 2021


Semiconductor manufacturing and packaging companies caught the attention of investors last month, with funding going to a middle-end-of-line foundry, flexible electronics manufacturer, and fab management software. Two Israeli startups are approaching AI accelerators in very different ways, while battery startups propose a variety of new chemistries in the search for the ideal electric vehicle b... » read more

Week In Review: Auto, Security, Pervasive Computing


Automotive Synopsys and 3D virtual-environment company Dassault Systèmes are collaborating on an automotive lighting system development platform. Synopsys’ optical design tools — LucidShape, LightTools, and CODE V — will be integrated with Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, which is used by automotive teams from different disciplines to work together on designs and simulations. ... » read more

Week In Review: Manufacturing, Test


Government policy Hoping to resolve the ongoing worldwide chip shortage situation, the U.S. Department of Commerce late last month launched a “request for information (RFI)” initiative, which involved sending questionnaires to various semiconductor companies. The U.S. government is asking all parts of the supply chain – producers, consumers, and intermediaries – to voluntarily share in... » read more

Week In Review: Manufacturing, Test


Markets Worldwide semiconductor industry revenue is expected to grow 17.3% in 2021, compared with 10.8% in 2020, according to a new IDC report. Segment breakdown is as follows: [table id=5 /] “Semiconductor wafer prices increased in 1H21 and IDC expects increases to continue for the rest of 2021 due to material costs and opportunity cost in mature process technologies. Overall, IDC pre... » read more

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