The Return Of Body Biasing


Body biasing is making a comeback across a wide swath of process nodes as designers wrestle with how to build mobile devices with more functionality and longer battery life. Consider an ultra-low-power IoT device with a wireless sensor, for example, which is meant to last for years without changing a battery. Body biasing can be used to create an ultra-low-leakage sleep state. “In that ... » read more

Rapid Pattern Sequencing And Optimization With STAR Hierarchical System At STMicroelectronics


This white paper is the second in a series of two papers on STMicroelectronics’ experience with the Synopsys DesignWare STAR Hierarchical System. This white paper also provides insights on IEEE 1500 based network implementation, execution and analysis. It details the MASIS file’s pattern sequencing which is used for production tests and helps minimize test time. For the thermal sensor examp... » read more

STMicroelectronics’ Implementation Of The STAR Hierarchical System And IEEE 1500 Wrapping


This white paper discusses various IEEE 1500 architectures that STMicroelectronics has deployed using the Synopsys DesignWare STAR Hierarchical System test solution. STAR Hierarchical System allows users to optimize test time on system-on-chips that use multiple cores. The white paper provides guidelines on interface IP wrapping with IEEE 1500 to improve test time. In addition, it discusses the... » read more

Evolution Of The MCU


Microcontrollers are taking on a variety of new and much more complex computing tasks, evolving from standalone chips to more highly integrated devices that can rival complex microprocessors. Microcontroller units (MCUs) are being designed into everything from assisted and autonomous driving to smart cards. They often are the central processing elements for a slew of connected devices that i... » read more

MEMS Market Shifting


The MEMS sector is beginning to look more promising, bolstered by new end-market demand and different packaging options that require more advanced engineering, processes and new materials. All of this points to higher selling prices, which are long overdue in this space. For years, the market for microelectromechanical systems was populated by too many companies vying for too few opportunit... » read more

Integrated Passives Market Gets Active


Integrated passive devices are seeing greater use within system-in-package technology and numerous applications, including the Internet of Things. The tiny devices are making their way into automotive electronics, consumer electronics, and health-care products, among other uses. Europe is leading the way in supplying IPDs, thanks to offerings from Infineon Technologies, STMicroelectronics, a... » read more

The Week In Review: IoT


Deals Deere & Co. has agreed to acquire Blue River Technology of Sunnyvale, Calif., for $305 million. The transaction is expected to close this month. Blue River develops computer vision and machine learning technology for use in precision agriculture. Monsanto Growth Ventures, Data Collective Venture Capital, Innovation Endeavors, Khosla Ventures, and Pontifax AgTech were among the investors... » read more

Foundries Accelerate Auto Efforts


Foundries are ramping up their efforts in automotive chip production in preparation for a surge in semiconductors used in assisted and autonomous driving. All of the major foundry vendors are scrambling to assemble the pieces and expand their process portfolios for automotive customers. The foundries are seeing a growing demand from automotive IC customers amid the push toward advanced drive... » read more

The Week In Review: Design


M&A Ansys acquired Computational Engineering International (CEI), the developer of a suite of products that helps analyze, visualize and communicate simulation data. Founded in 1994 as a spin-off from Cray Research, the company's program covers a wide range of data formats. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. IP Efabless launched an open source framework that allows community members... » read more

The Week In Review: IoT


Analysis Adam Greenfield writes about the privacy and technology issues raised by the Internet of Things in this piece, an adapted extract from his new book, "Radical Technologies: The Design of Everyday Life." “The Internet of Things presents many new possibilities, and it would be foolish to dismiss those possibilities out of hand. But we would also be wise to approach the entire domain wi... » read more

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