Author page description
May 9
- Customer Service
➀ A former executive recounts a 1980s incident where a semiconductor CEO angrily dismissed customer feedback during a dinner intended to improve client relations;
➁ The CEO erupted with profanity, claiming he 'invented the industry,' abruptly ending the meeting and leaving attendees shocked;
➂ The event highlighted systemic issues in customer engagement, with no subsequent improvements in the company’s support or communication.
- USSF selects organisations for Space Test Experiments Platform
➀ Terran Orbital and 11 other companies were selected by the U.S. Space Force (USSF) for the $237 million STEP 2.0 contract, a 10-year program to develop advanced space technologies;
➁ The initiative focuses on creating modular small satellite buses to host experimental payloads, including sensors and communication systems;
➂ The program aims to validate technologies for future military space architectures, with Space Systems Command overseeing the collaboration between defense and industry partners.
- 4.3inch IPS display replaces Innolux
➀ Inelco Hunter introduces a 4.3-inch IPS touchscreen display as a drop-in replacement for discontinued Innolux models;
➁ The display features 480x272 resolution, 450cd/m² brightness, resistive touch, and 24-bit RGB interface via SC7283-G4 driver IC, with 20,000-hour lifespan;
➂ Operating at -20–70°C and 3–3.6V, it targets industrial applications with compact dimensions (105.5x67.2x4.85mm) and low power consumption (30–45mA).
- Most Read – CoolSiC MOSFET, Chinese cars, Digital Twin Centre
➀ Infineon launched CoolSiC MOSFET 750V G2 technology for automotive and industrial applications, enhancing power efficiency and density;
➁ Chinese car companies are expanding overseas manufacturing to bypass tariffs, with BYD building a $1 billion plant in Turkey for EU market access;
➂ Q1 global semiconductor sales grew 18.8% YoY, and NIST unveiled a high-precision atomic clock to refine timekeeping standards.
- TSMC April revenue up 48% y-o-y
➀ TSMC's April 2025 revenue reached $11.6 billion, marking a 48% year-on-year and 22.2% month-on-month increase;
➁ Cumulative revenue from January to April 2025 totaled $62 billion, up 43.5% compared to the same period in 2024;
➂ The growth reflects TSMC's continued strong performance in semiconductor manufacturing amid global chip demand.
- Alice & Bob set up $50m quantum lab
➀ Alice & Bob is building a $50 million quantum computing laboratory in Paris, partnering with Quantum Machines and Bluefors;
➁ The lab will develop next-gen quantum chips (Lithium, Beryllium, Graphene) and aims to launch a 100-logical-qubit quantum computer by 2030;
➂ Funded by $103 million Series B, the facility includes a cleanroom and cryogenic systems, leveraging cat qubit technology to reduce errors and resource demands.
- Panmesia gets $30m to redefine AI infrastructure architecture
➀ Panmesia secures $30 million to develop modular AI accelerators using chiplet technology, targeting LLMs and large-scale AI workloads with optimized resource utilization;
➁ Its flexible chiplet architecture integrates in-memory processing and CXL to reduce data movement, power consumption, and infrastructure costs while enabling scalability;
➂ The accelerator combines manycore and vector processor chiplets, leveraging advanced nodes to deliver high parallelism and tailored performance for diverse AI tasks.
- Novaspace reports Space Exploration Investment to reach $31bn by 2034
➀ Global government investment in space exploration is projected to grow from $27 billion (2024) to $31 billion by 2034, driven by lunar and Mars missions;
➁ Lunar exploration funding is expected to rise from $12 billion to $15 billion, while Mars exploration grows at 11% annually with sample-return missions;
➂ The U.S. will dominate spending (63%), followed by China (22%) and ESA (6%), with 330 lunar missions planned between 2025-2034.
May 8
- The self-docking Alvik robot finds its way home
➀ Introduction of a modified self-docking Arduino Alvik robot (nicknamed Guacho) with autonomous charging capabilities;
➁ Demonstration of the robot navigating indoor environments independently and returning to base for self-sustaining operation;
➂ Highlights the advancement in overcoming power dependency challenges in robotics.
- Infineon expects FY revenue decline
➀ Infineon reported fiscal Q2 2025 revenue of €3.591 billion with a 16.7% margin, projecting Q3 revenue of €3.7 billion and mid-teens margins;
➁ The company revised its FY 2025 outlook to a slight revenue decline due to a 10% cut in Q4 expectations, driven by tariff disputes, despite stable order intake;
➂ Capex reduced to €2.3 billion, with adjusted free cash flow at €1.6 billion and reported free cash flow unchanged at €900 million.
- 1W current sensing resistors
➀ Rhopoint Components is distributing 1W surface-mount current sensing resistors (RBF series) from VPG Foil Resistors, with resistances ranging from 0.01Ω to 1Ω and tolerances as low as 0.5%;
➁ The resistors feature temperature coefficients of ±25ppm/°C (expandable to ±10ppm/°C for 0.1-1Ω variants) and can operate at full power up to +70°C, with cooling solutions like metal PCBs enabling higher performance;
➂ Designed for applications in solar inverters, wind power monitoring, power supplies, and over-current detection circuits.
- PCIM: 40V 0.8mΩ GaN power transistor for synchronous rectification
➀ EPC launched a 40V GaN power transistor (EPC2366) targeting 48V-12V LLC DC-DC converters, aiming to replace silicon MOSFETs in secondary-side synchronous rectification;
➁ The device features ultra-low Rds(on) of 0.8mΩ, 68A continuous current, and thermal management with both top (0.6°C/W) and bottom (1.8°C/W) cooling capabilities;
➂ Supported by evaluation boards like EPC90167, it also targets 24V battery-powered motor drives, though samples require qualification for access.
- Record quarter for Arm
➀ Arm reported record fiscal Q4 (calendar Q1) revenue of $1.24 billion, surpassing $1 billion for the first time, with royalties exceeding $600 million;
➁ Full-year revenue exceeded $4 billion, with over $2 billion from royalties, driven by higher per-chip royalties in smartphones and AI adoption in data centers and edge computing;
➂ Arm forecasts $1–1.1 billion in fiscal Q1 sales and projects Arm-based chips to comprise nearly 50% of new server chips for hyperscalers in 2024, fueled by AI workloads migrating to the edge.
- China solar panel industry takes a bath
➀ China's top solar panel producers, including Jinko Solar, incurred significant losses in 2024 due to overproduction and falling prices, with seven firms combined losing $3.7 billion;
➁ Global solar installations grew from 242GW (2022) to 602GW (2024), but aggressive expansion led to a 70% price drop and severe oversupply (1,446GW capacity vs. 993GW projected demand in 2035);
➂ Exports surged 50% to $30.6 billion (2020-2024), but EU protectionist measures and persistent supply-demand imbalances signal ongoing industry challenges.
- Danisense offers on-line current transducer calibration
➀ Danisense launches an 'Online Calibration Portal' for brand-agnostic current transducer calibration, available via their website from mid-May 2025.
➁ The ISO 17025-accredited service, based in Denmark, provides real-time updates, detailed reports, order tracking, and online payment.
➂ Customers gain 24/7 access to calibration documents, streamlining workflows and improving transparency.
May 6
- Cable assemblies keep a low profile under cooling hardware
➀ Samtec introduces Si-Fly LP cable assemblies with a 4.35mm mated height for data centers, HPC, and AI applications, addressing space constraints near IC packages;
➁ Supports 112Gbps PAM4 rates (up to 1.79Tbps) and PCIe 6.0/CXL 3.2, using proprietary 34 AWG twinax cables to optimize signal integrity and thermal management;
➂ Enables flexible PCB mounting (including belly-to-belly configurations) to reduce board space and ensure compatibility with cooling solutions like heat sinks.
- PCIM: Five automotive uses for a 1,700V flyback dc-dc converter
➀ Power Integrations unveiled five 800V automotive reference designs using 1,700V InnoSwitch3-AQ flyback converters, targeting traction inverter gate drivers, emergency power, and auxiliary systems;
➁ Designs feature planar/wound transformers and InSOP-28G packaging with 5.1mm creepage to eliminate conformal coating;
➂ InnoSwitch3-AQ integrates a 1.7kV SiC switch, supports 30-1,000V input, and delivers up to 120W with <15mW no-load consumption.
- Landlordville
➀ The author reflects on meeting a resident of Margaritaville, a U.S. resort town promoting a "laid-back lifestyle," and considers whether similar towns could exist in the UK;
➀ He humorously suggests naming UK towns after iconic British beers like "Landlordville" or "Tributeville";
➂ The article highlights the appeal of leisure-focused communities and the cultural contrast in beverage preferences, including a nod to Margarita variations like the "Ultimate Rita."
- PCIM: 1,000V 125A MEMS relay proof-of-concept
➀ Menlo Microsystems demonstrates a 1,000V/125A MEMS relay module using arrays of MM9200 switches at PCIM 2025, scalable for power systems up to 10MW;
➁ The technology targets naval circuit breakers and applications in factory automation, data centers, EVs, and smart grids;
➂ Claims compact size (30x25x4mm per 10A relay) and efficiency advantages over traditional electromechanical/solid-state relays
- Redwire boosts PIL-BOX in-space drug development technology
➀ Redwire expands its in-space drug development program by launching a high-volume Industrial Crystallizer, capable of processing 200x larger samples than current levels;
➁ The company aims to produce gold nanospheres in space for the first time, which could enhance cancer detection, targeted drug delivery, and radiation therapy;
➂ The experiment, part of SpaceX's 32nd resupply mission to the ISS, seeks to validate crystallizer technology for commercializing space-based material fabrication.
- Infineon launches CoolSiC MOSFET 750 G2 technology
➀ Infineon launched its CoolSiC MOSFET 750 V G2 technology, enhancing system efficiency and power density for automotive and industrial power conversion applications;
➁ The MOSFETs feature RDS(on) values up to 60 mΩ, support top-side cooling for thermal performance, and reduce switching losses through optimized gate charge and design;
➂ Compliant with AEC Q101 and JEDEC standards, the technology targets applications like EV chargers, solar inverters, and solid-state relays, emphasizing reliability and design flexibility.
- Transistor Ignition
➀ Joseph Lucas (Electrical) showcased a transistor-based car ignition system at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, replacing traditional coils/magnetos;
➁ The system used a flywheel as a generator to induce high voltage, initially targeting racing cars with potential for broader adoption;
➂ The article reflects on historical advancements in automotive electronics and semiconductor applications.
May 5
- China car industry goes off-shore
➀ Chinese car companies are expanding overseas production to bypass tariffs, with BYD building a $1 billion plant in Turkey for EU market access;
➁ Geely, SAIC, Chery Auto, and others are establishing factories in Thailand, Malaysia, Europe, and other regions to strengthen global presence;
➂ Dongfeng and FAW are negotiating production in Italy and Egypt, signaling aggressive global manufacturing strategies amid trade challenges.
- Digital Twin Centre Opens In Belfast
➀ The UK Digital Twin Centre launched in Belfast with support from Digital Catapult and Innovate UK to accelerate digital twin adoption in critical sectors;
➀ Industry partners demonstrated cross-sector solutions using immersive labs, highlighting applications in aerospace, maritime, and defense;
➁ The Centre offers an accelerator program for SMEs, providing funding, mentorship, and tools like IoT and simulation to fast-track real-world deployment.
- Ed The Manipulator
➀ Ed spreads false rumors to manipulate tech stock prices, including claims about Huawei's low-cost EUV machines, Intel 18A and TSMC A16 yields, and DeepSeek cloning OpenAI products;
➁ He circulates these rumors through brokers and analysts to trigger market volatility, allowing him to profit from stock movements;
➂ Ed considers expanding his manipulation tactics beyond the tech sector, such as spreading rumors about political figures to impact broader markets.
May 2
- Telonic offers Siglent’s enhanced precision digital multimeters
➀ Telonic introduces Siglent's SDM4000A series 5½/6½-digit DMMs in the UK, featuring 2.2M counts resolution and 50k readings/s sampling rate;
➁ Models support data logging up to 100 hours, multiple display modes (histogram/trend chart), and advanced math functions for precision analysis;
➂ Equipped with USB/LAN/GPIB interfaces, embedded web server, and compatibility with SCPI commands for remote control.
- The Customer
➀ Intel faces significant challenges, with CEO Pat Gelsinger's pledge to 'return to basics by listening to customers' being a key focus, despite the company's historical struggles in customer care;
➁ The article references Andy Grove's infamous 'Ship the shit' remark, highlighting Intel's past cultural issues in prioritizing product delivery over customer satisfaction;
➂ Anecdotes from other chip companies, including a CEO's symbolic 'customer dummy' initiative that was quickly abandoned, underscore systemic industry-wide neglect of customer-centric practices.
- Most Read – NXP Semiconductors, WLIEA, EU chip strategy
➀ The EU's 20% global chip market share target by 2030 is deemed unrealistic by auditors, urging a strategic reassessment;
➁ Huawei plans to sample its Ascend 910D AI processor in late May, targeting competition with NVIDIA's H100, with mass production on SMIC's 7nm process in 2026;
➂ NXP Semiconductors announces CEO transition from Kurt Sievers to Rafael Sotomayor in October 2025, following Sievers' 30-year tenure and strategic leadership.
- What caught your eye? (CSignum, AI servers, Power LEDs, Biomass)
➀ A startup introduces electromagnetic field signaling technology for underwater IoT monitoring;
➁ Huawei's AI server reportedly outperforms Nvidia's most powerful model, highlighting challenges to U.S. tech export restrictions;
➂ Cree launches single-die power LEDs with circular emitters for high-intensity lighting, and Airbus-developed Biomass satellite prepares to map Earth's forests in 3D.
- Bidding war for Shibaura
➀ MinebeaMitsumi raised its buyout offer for Shibaura Electronics to $38 per share, surpassing Taiwan's Yageo's $37 bid;
➁ MinebeaMitsumi's CEO emphasized the bid aligns with Japan's 'national interest' and criticized foreign acquisitions of Japanese companies;
➂ Shibaura holds a leading global thermistor market share, with Tokyo-based Advantage Partners offering buyout financing support.