Author page description
Today
- Reuters: Solar inverters with undocumented cellular interfaces
➀ Solar inverters and energy storage batteries contain undocumented cellular communication interfaces, potentially enabling covert remote access;
➀ Reuters reports unidentified manufacturers, with concerns these interfaces could bypass security firewalls in critical power infrastructure;
➂ The discovery highlights cybersecurity risks but lacks specifics on exploit incidents or responsible parties.
- TSMC dazzles in Amsterdam
➀ TSMC showcased its advanced semiconductor technologies at the 2025 Europe Symposium, highlighting N3 nodes' high-volume production with variants for CPUs, cost-effective products, and automotive applications;
➁ Unveiled next-gen N2 and A16/A14 processes with performance/efficiency improvements, and introduced CFET transistor designs achieving double density;
➂ Demonstrated 3D Fabric innovations (SoIC/CoWoS), wafer-scale AI systems (SoW-X), and specialized automotive/IoT solutions including RRAM/MRAM and N4C RF for emerging wireless standards.
- TSMC to open European Design Centre (EUDC) in Q3
➀ TSMC will establish its European Design Centre (EUDC) in Munich in Q3 2025 to support European customers in designing high-performance, energy-efficient chips for automotive, AI, IoT, and industrial applications;
➁ The center aims to drive process technology development, foster expertise in automotive and non-volatile memory (e.g., RRAM/MRAM), and collaborate with global design teams;
➂ The EUDC will join TSMC's global network, enhancing chip design innovation and strengthening industry partnerships across key sectors.
- EV bloodbath looms in China
➀ BYD slashed prices of its Seagull and Seal 07 DM-i models by 34% and $7,400 respectively, sparking a fierce price war in China's automotive sector;
➁ Rivals like Geely and Great Wall Motor retaliated with price cuts, potentially forcing over 100 smaller competitors out of the market;
➂ BYD's aggressive domestic pricing strategy, coupled with plans to expand overseas sales to 800,000 units, could disrupt global markets despite EU tariffs on Chinese EVs.
- ESA, CTO plan space-based 5G mmWave connectivity tests
➀ The European Space Agency (ESA) and Constellation Technologies & Operations (CTO) are collaborating on testing 5G mmWave connectivity in low Earth orbit using a pathfinder satellite set for launch in June 2025;
➁ The experiments aim to validate interoperability between space and terrestrial networks, enabling cost-effective hybrid connectivity solutions;
➂ The initiative aligns with ESA's strategy to strengthen European sovereignty in space technology and advance 3GPP-compliant Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).
- Top Ten (less 5) AR/VR Headset Vendors
➀ The article highlights the market shares of the top five AR/VR headset vendors in 2025, according to IDC data;
➀ Meta dominates the market with an overwhelming 74.6% share, followed by Apple (5.2%), Sony (4.3%), ByteDance (4.1%), and XREAL (3.3%);
➂ The piece also lists recommended articles on supply chain trends, engineer wealth, and unconventional tech ideas.
May 27
- Nvidia 800Vdc data centre
➀ NVIDIA collaborates with Texas Instruments, Infineon, STMicroelectronics, and others to advance 800Vdc power architecture for AI data centers;
➁ 800Vdc distribution aims to improve power density by 85% and efficiency via dc-dc conversion, supporting future 1MW AI server racks;
➂ The project involves power component leaders like Delta, Schneider Electric, and Navitas to optimize energy infrastructure.
- Dyson launches Pencilback Fluffycones
➀ Dyson launched the Pencilback Fluffycones, the industry's slimmest cordless vacuum cleaner, featuring a 38mm diameter and 1.8kg weight;
➁ It includes a 360-degree rotating brush to prevent hair tangling, edge-cleaning design, and green LED illumination for dust detection;
➂ Powered by a 28mm Hyperdimium motor spinning at 140,000 RPM, offering powerful suction and compact performance.
- Foxconn said to be bidding for Singapore’s UTAC to expand OSAT capability
➀ Foxconn is reportedly bidding to acquire Singapore-based semiconductor test and assembly company UTAC, owned by China's Wise Road Capital, for up to $3 billion;
➁ UTAC operates facilities in Singapore, China, Indonesia, and Thailand, with annual EBITDA estimated at $300 million;
➂ Foxconn is expanding globally, including a $433 million India JV with HCL Technologies and discussions for a €250 million packaging plant in France with Radiall and Thales.
- Boxing Robots
➀ Unitree Robotics showcased its humanoid G1 robots at the China Media Group World Robot Competition in Hangzhou, where they engaged in boxing matches;
➁ The G1 model stands 4'3", weighs 35kg, offers a 2-hour battery life, and costs over $16k;
➂ Founded in 2016 by Wang Xingxing, Unitree also produces affordable robotic dogs like the XDog, priced at $1,600.
- MOV Adopts Solid State Device Strategy
➀ MO Valve Company shifts focus to industrial solid-state devices up to 6000 Mc/s, prioritizing communication bandwidth over high-power applications;
➁ An export division is established, with microwave equipment attracting attention in Paris, aiming for a 40% export share including indirect quotas;
➂ The company abandons domestic market products (e.g., color TVs) and concentrates on industrial valves, thyratrons, and cathode ray tubes, affirming valves' continued relevance.
May 26
- £2.5m towards UK’s CHERI-secured MCU
➀ UK start-up SCI Semiconductor raised £2.5 million to develop a CHERI-based secure microcontroller aimed at preventing memory-related cyber attacks;
➁ The funding, supported by NPIF II and angel investors, will expand its engineering team in Sheffield and advance its 32-bit RISC-V core with hardware-enforced memory safety;
➂ The first CHERI-enabled IC is set for release in 2025, with Google Research as an early customer, promising compliance with stringent cybersecurity regulations.
- EV Foreign Market Penetration
➀ Most EVs in China, North America, the EU, and APAC are produced domestically, though North America and the EU see increasing foreign competition;
➁ Tesla and Ford expanded EU-based EV production in 2024, while some European companies faced stagnant domestic output;
➂ U.S. EV production declined by 7%, offset by growth in Mexico (U.S.-led), while China exports EVs and others rely on imports.
April 1
- TSMC ceremony marks early move to 2nm mass production
➀ TSMC held a capacity expansion ceremony at its 2nm fab in Kaohsiung to celebrate an early move to mass production.
➁ Mass production at the Kaohsiung fab and another in Hsinchu is expected to start in Q3, with a combined output forecast to generate $60 billion in revenue in Q3 and Q4.
➂ The two fabs have a maximum output of 80k wpm, with yields said to be 'well above' 60-70%. Initial clients include Apple, Nvidia, and Qualcomm.
- Bellezza process could replace copper with graphene in ICs
➀ Bellezza's 2D graphene fusion process is being used for CMOS chip assembly, replacing copper with graphene.
➁ The process operates at temperatures below 400 degrees Celsius and as low as 200 degrees Celsius.
➂ This innovation aims to extend Moore's Law and eliminate copper circuits due to their limitations in size and electrical resistance.
- Defence demand drives IR image sensor market to 5% CAGR 2024-30
➀ Yole Group reports that defense demand has driven the infrared image sensor market to exceed $1 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of over 5% from 2024 to 2030.
➁ By 2030, the SWIR market is expected to reach nearly $102 million, while cooled MWIR and LWIR are targeting $1,179 million and $249 million, respectively.
➂ The market is responsive to lower-cost technologies like Quantum Dots sensors and T2SL architectures.
- EW BrightSparks 2024 profile: Nathan Richardson
➀ Nathan Richardson, a UKESF Scholar and student at the University of Surrey, has achieved notable accomplishments in robotics and electronics.
➁ His final year project involved creating a robotic submersible for ecological research, using a Raspberry Pi and node.js for control.
➂ During his placement year at Infineon Technologies, he worked as a verification engineer, developing tests for a register block within the system.
- High-vacuum variable capacitors from EEV
➀ The English Electric Valve Co. has announced the first British commercially available high-vacuum variable capacitors;
➁ The capacitors, introduced 64 years ago, offer voltage ratings of 15kV, 8kV, and 10kV, with various capacitance ranges;
➂ The use of high-vacuum dielectric reduces plate spacing, leading to a compact design and lower stray capacitance and inductance.
March 31
- More on: Isolated ADCs measure mV with a ±200V offset
➀ Texas Instruments has introduced a series of isolated ADCs for robot motor control up to 60V;
➁ These ADCs feature 200V barriers and are available in 8pad 3.5 x 2.7mm VSON packaging;
➂ The devices offer various input ranges and resolutions, suitable for current sensing and other applications.
- Swansea University starts 4inch gallium oxide line for power research
Swansea University in Wales has installed gallium tri-oxide (Ga2O3) deposition equipment at its Centre for Integrated Semiconductor Materials (CISM). The material is an ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor suitable for high voltage applications. The university has added a close-coupled shower head deposition system to its MOCVD laboratory to grow crystalline gallium oxide thin films on 4 inch substrates. This new facility is expected to enhance research capabilities and collaboration opportunities.
- TI claims first fully functional isolated modulators
➀ Texas Instruments (TI) has developed what it claims to be the 'first fully functional isolated modulators';
➁ These modulators, AMC0106M05, AMC0136, and AMC0106M25, offer increased precision and resolution for phase current sensing and DC voltage sensing;
➂ The modulators are designed to be compact, enabling more precise motor control in robotics designs.
- Sub-100A IMC-Hall current sensor
Melexis introduces the MLX91218-LF, a sub-100A IMC-Hall current sensor designed for lower current applications. It supports smart energy monitoring in residential and small industrial power distribution units, micro-grids, and EV charging cables. The sensor features a 400 kHz bandwidth and 2 µs response time, with low thermal drift and high linearity for accurate measurement. It also includes dual internal and external threshold over-current detection for smart functions.
- MaiaSpace modular space launcher wins first commercial contract
MaiaSpace, a launch services startup, has signed its first commercial contract with Exotrail, a French space logistics specialist. The two companies plan to integrate MaiaSpace's modular launch services with Exotrail's spacevan platform for payload hosting and satellite delivery. MaiaSpace aims to support various satellite types, from nano-satellites to 1.5-tonne satellites, using a reusable engine with MethaLox fuel. The partnership is a significant step for MaiaSpace, demonstrating its commitment to competitive space launch services.
- Ed Sees The Greenland Opportunity
➀ Many people, including the author, sold quantum computing shares after Jensen Huang's CES remark;
➁ The author believes that tech shares may be overvalued due to the emergence of DeepSeek and the rise of open-source AI programs in China;
➂ The author suggests investing in Greenland's publicly traded companies, which have seen significant growth in the past year.
March 29
- 2.1MHz low-side current sense amplifier
➀ STMicroelectronics has introduced a 2.1MHz bandwidth low-side current-measurement amplifier in a 6-lead SOT23 package.
➁ The TSC1801 is aimed at motor control, solar power and automotive power conditioning.
➂ It provides 20V/V gain and 0.15% accuracy over the entire temperature range, with a maximum offset voltage of ±200μV.
March 28
- M8 connectors from Inelco Hunter
➀ Inelco Hunter can now ship the Conec M8 range of circular connectors and sockets.
➁ The sockets are available with up to eight poles and various mounting options.
➂ The connectors come with different keying options and matching over-moulded plugs, offering a mating life of over 100 cycles.
- When Will We See A 90nm SoC?
21年前，在Globalpress 'Leading the Recovery'会议中，一个小组讨论了'何时会有量产的90nm SoC'的问题。
来自Cadence Design Systems的高级副总裁Ted Vucurevich表示，预计最早在2004年将出现基于90nm工艺的FPGA设计。
来自Synopsys的Anton Domic认为，到2004年，将会有非FPGA芯片在90nm工艺上实现量产。
台积电的Andrew Moore也提到，公司的发展路线图显示，90nm工艺将在2004年实现。
量产90nm设计面临的挑战包括预期良率问题、客户信心问题、验证问题和成本问题。
- GaN picked for Mazda automotive power project
➀ Mazda and Rohm have signed a deal to develop GaN-based automotive power electronics.
➁ GaN can reduce power conversion losses and contribute to the miniaturisation of components through high-frequency operation.
➂ The collaboration aims to unveil a demonstration model within FY2025 and practical implementation for FY2027.
- Farnell signs global distribution deal with MCC
➀ Farnell与Micro Commercial Components (MCC)签署全球分销协议；
➁ MCC提供包括二极管、MOSFET、IGBT、SiC器件等在内的多种半导体产品；
➂ MCC将超过10万种半导体产品带入Farnell，其中25%为汽车级组件。
- IPC praises ‘war-hating’ President Trump for defence industry support
➀ The IPC, the industry association for printed circuits and electronics assembly, laments the lack of investment in the US PCB industry on the anniversary of President Biden issuing the Presidential Determination 2023-06.
➁ The directive signed by President Trump in 2017 aimed to assess the US defense industrial base and identified a critical technology shortfall.
➂ The IPC expresses its commitment to working with the administration and policymakers to ensure America's defense electronics capabilities are secure and resilient.