Programmable Chips Evolve For Shifting Needs


ICs and SoCs are utilizing a range of processing elements that allow them to optimize current workloads while hedging their bets for the future. What used to be a simple choice between an ASIC, FPGA, or DSP, has evolved into a mix of processor types and architectures, including varying levels of programmability and customization. Speed is essential, but technology is evolving so quickly that... » read more

FPGAs Find New Workloads In The High-Speed AI Era


FPGAs are finding new applications in the age of artificial intelligence, high-speed wireless communications, medical and life science technology, and in complex chip architectures where they can improve the flow of data. Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) enable designers to reprogram or reconfigure digital logic after the chips have been deployed, which is essential in the AI world, wher... » read more

Complex Mix Of Processors At The Edge


With AI changing so fast, it’s a juggle for companies to ensure they can deliver the best performance now while also future-proofing for unknown AI models or a completely different approach to training and inference that may emerge. There are a slew of options for high-end and budget phones, hyperscalers, and low-cost, low-power edge devices, and while GPUs keep making headlines, many designe... » read more

Chip Industry Week in Review


The U.S. government announced new import tariff actions and deals this week, including: The EU: 15% tariff on most goods including semiconductors. According to the EU's president, the action excludes semiconductor equipment. Copper: 50% tariff on all imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, effective Aug. 1, but raw input material is excluded. ... » read more

Chip Industry Week in Review


Check out the Inside Chips podcast for our behind-the-scenes analysis of changes at Intel Foundry. Intel rolled out its updated process technology roadmap this week, along with early process design kit (PDK) for its 14A gate-all-around process technology. That node will utilize high-NA EUV, and include direct contact power delivery, the second generation of its backside power delivery techno... » read more

Chiplets Still A Challenge With UCIe 2.0


Plug-and-play chiplets are a popular goal, but does UCIe 2.0 move us any closer to that becoming a reality? The problem is that the current drivers of the standard are not after interoperability in the way that plug-and-play requires. Released in August 2024, UCIe 2.0 touts higher bandwidth density and improved power efficiency, as well as new features supporting 3D packaging, a manageable s... » read more

Week In Review: Design, Low Power


Tools, design, chips Altair, a provider of software and cloud services for CAE, HPC, simulation, and data analysis, acquired Concept Engineering, a provider of automatic schematic generation tools, electronic circuit and wire harness visualization platforms that provide on-the-fly visual rendering, and electronic design debug solutions. “Concept Engineering’s advanced, reactive visualizati... » read more

Week In Review: Design, Low Power


Intellectual Property Flex Logix inked an agreement with the Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate (AFRL/RY) covering any Flex Logix IP technology for use in all US Government-funded programs for research and prototyping purposes with no license fees. “Our first license with AFRL for EFLX eFPGA in GlobalFoundries 12nm process was highly successful, with more than a half dozen pr... » read more

Week In Review: Design, Low Power


AMD completed its acquisition of Xilinx. The all-stock deal ended up being valued at approximately $50 billion due to a rise in AMD's share price (the deal was valued at $35 billion when announced). The Xilinx business will become the newly formed Adaptive and Embedded Computing Group (AECG), led by former Xilinx CEO Victor Peng, and will continue its FPGA, adaptive SoC, and software roadmaps a... » read more

Week In Review: Design, Low Power


Tools & IP Ansys updated its product suite, adding new tools and workflows in Ansys 2022 R1. It adds Phi Plus meshing technology to improve simulation of PCB and complex 3D IC packaging. It also introduces RedHawk-SC SigmaDVD, a statistically realistic modeling technique to identify the worst-case dynamic voltage-drop in hours and make it possible to achieve near 100% coverage of all relev... » read more

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