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May 2
- VSORA raises $46m for inference IC
➀ VSORA secures $46 million from investors including Otium, Omnes Capital, and the European Innovation Council Fund to advance AI chip development;
➁ Funding will accelerate production of Jotunn8 (J8) inference chip, targeting silicon completion in 2025;
➂ Partnerships with semiconductor industry leaders ensure access to advanced technologies and manufacturing capabilities.
- Arms Race
➀ The U.S. and China accounted for nearly half of global military spending in 2024, with the U.S. spending $997 billion (37% of the total) and China $314 billion (12%), marking China's largest annual increase (7%) since 2015;
➁ China's spending surge aligns with its goal to modernize its military by 2035, including establishing aerospace and cyberspace forces, while Taiwan increased its budget by 1.8% to $16.5 billion for U.S. weapons and domestic systems;
➂ Other top spenders include Russia ($5.5 billion), Germany, India ($86.1 billion), Japan ($55.3 billion), and South Korea ($47.6 billion), reflecting global militarization trends.
May 1
- IEC 61051-2 certified surge protection
➀ Bourns' IsoMOV surge protectors combining MOV and GDT technologies received IEC 61051-2 certification, validating their hybrid design for enhanced reliability;
➁ The devices feature leakage current blocking via GDT, voltage ranges up to 555VAC/745VDC, and robust surge handling (up to 15kA pulses) with low capacitance;
➂ Certified for -40°C to +125°C operation, these components address premature MOV degradation while maintaining protection post-leakage increase.
- Picture Gallery: UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) visit
➀ Space South Central invited newsletter readers to visit the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) in Surrey;
➁ The author seized the opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes access to the renowned space research facility;
➂ The article highlights the experience and insights from exploring MSSL's operations and rural campus.
- Fable: The Genius
➀ The article presents a fable titled 'The Genius' with the moral 'Genius is always remembered';
➁ It reflects on the enduring impact of intellectual brilliance through allegorical storytelling;
➂ The narrative structure and recommended related fables suggest a focus on timeless lessons in creativity and legacy.
- Southampton Uni instals EBL machine
➀ University of Southampton installed JEOL JBX-8100 G3 EBL machine enabling sub-5nm structure processing in thick resist with vertical sidewalls;
➁ The 200kV system supports electron displacement and multi-domain applications (electronics/photonics/bio-nano), with a 300mm-wafer JEOL JBX-A9 tool to be added in late 2024;
➂ Funded by EPSRC, the facility integrates SEM and deep-UV lithography, using Genisys software for pattern optimization with ±9nm overlay accuracy.
- More capacitor help please
➀ The author seeks advice on replacing vintage 1985 Philips capacitors (X-capacitor and MKT type) in a motor controller board after previously replacing a faulty tantalum capacitor;
➁ Details include concerns about the polyester-paper X-capacitor's reliability and uncertainty about the MKT capacitor's specifications;
➂ Asks the community to determine if these aging components require replacement for safety and functionality.
April 30
- Codasip platform accelerates CHERI adoption
➀ Codasip launched Codasip Prime, a pre-silicon platform integrating CHERI technology to enhance memory safety and security in RISC-V-based systems;
➁ The platform includes FPGA hardware, a software development kit, and CHERI-specific IP to enable secure software development and compliance with regulations like the EU Cyber Resilience Act;
➂ CHERI addresses 87% of memory-related cyberattacks, offering cost-effective protection without requiring full software rewrites, with Codasip collaborating with the CHERI Alliance to standardize RISC-V extensions.
April 29
- Low-drop 2,000V rectifiers in TO247
➀ WeEn Semiconductors introduced two 2,000V rectifiers (90A and 60A) in TO247 packaging, designed for electric vehicle charging and industrial applications with low forward voltage drop and thermal resistance;
➁ The devices feature a maximum thermal resistance of 0.18°C/W and operate in temperatures from -55°C to +150°C, requiring heatsinking considerations due to cathode-tab connections;
➂ Targeted use cases include 1,500V bus systems, EV charging infrastructure, solar inverters, and energy storage systems, emphasizing durability against voltage spikes and stray inductance.
- Sievers to hand over to Sotomayor as NXP CEO
➀ NXP CEO Kurt Sievers will resign on October 28, succeeded by current President Rafael Sotomayor, who has 20 years of experience at NXP and previously held executive roles at Broadcom, Intel, and Motorola;
➁ Sievers, CEO since 2020, led strategic initiatives in automotive and IoT, including the acquisition of Marvell’s Wi-Fi business in 2019;
➂ NXP reported a 9% Q1 revenue decline to $2.84 billion, citing market uncertainty and tariff challenges while maintaining "cautious optimism."
- Biomass satellite mapping Earth’s forests in 3D with P-band SAR data
➀ The Biomass satellite, developed by Airbus Defence and Space for the European Space Agency, is the first to create 3D maps of Earth's forests using P-band SAR technology to measure carbon storage;
➀ It will operate at 666km altitude for five years, providing unprecedented data on forest biomass changes to support climate change policies;
➂ The UK Space Agency highlights its role in advancing carbon cycle understanding, with the mission supporting 250 jobs and involving over 50 companies globally.
- UK penny-pinching on space research
➀ In 1961, UK Labour MP Woodrow Wyatt criticized Britain's minimal investment in space research (1 penny per capita) compared to the US and Soviet Union, proposing a dedicated Minister of Space Research to coordinate efforts;
➀ The UK Postmaster General's failure to collaborate with industry led to duplicated studies by companies like English Electric and Hawker-Siddeley, wasting resources;
➂ Wyatt emphasized the economic potential of communication satellites and the urgent need for centralized leadership to advance the UK's space technology.
- Sponsored Content: Driving the Future: Evolution of Automotive Connectors
➀ Automotive connectors are evolving to meet demands for safety, environmental consciousness, and intelligence, requiring miniaturization, integration, high voltage resistance, and high-speed transmission;
➁ Greenconn, a leading manufacturer, develops compact and integrated connectors like the GGAC203 series and high-power/high-speed solutions for electric vehicles and autonomous driving;
➂ The shift toward customization and simulation-driven design enhances reliability while reducing development costs and failure risks in automotive applications.
April 28
- Click board includes 85V 10A stepper motor driver
➀ Mikroe introduces Power Step 2 Click, a smart 85V 10A stepper motor driver based on STMicroelectronics' powerSTEP01 controller;
➁ The board's continuous current handling is ~5A due to thermal limits but can be enhanced via heatsinks or the Cooler Click fan accessory;
➂ Features include 128 microstepping, advanced motion control commands, and applications in robotics/automation for precise positioning.
- Can The US Get Manufacturing Jobs Back?
➀ Surveys indicate Americans lack interest in returning to factory jobs, and higher wage demands could undermine U.S. company profitability;
➁ Decades of outsourcing to low-cost labor markets have shifted U.S. employment toward the service sector, which now accounts for over 70% of nonfarm jobs;
➂ U.S. manufacturing employment has declined from 30% in 1950 to 8% in 2024, driven by productivity gains and globalization, with China emerging as the global manufacturing hub.
- CHIIPS podcast interview with industry veteran Ash Madni
➀ The latest CHIIPS podcast episode interviews Ash Madni, offering industry insights and workplace diversity advice;
➁ Previous episodes featured Blueshift Memory CEO Helen Duncan and ANDtr's Valerie Lynch and Nicola Thorn;
➂ The series explores electronics industry trends, technology updates, and future forecasts
- More detective work on the 1985 cnc lathe
➀ The article details an investigation into the safety interlock system of a 1985 Denford Starturn CNC lathe, revealing factory wiring errors and voltage rating issues in components like relays and logic ICs;
➀ Unexpected discoveries include the availability of original 40-year-old connectors from RS Components and a reversed speed control potentiometer due to incorrect factory assembly;
➂ The machine's design evolution is analyzed, highlighting ad-hoc modifications (e.g., external stepper drivers) and safety concerns with mixed mains/logic voltage traces on the PCB.
- Huawei chip to take on Hopper
➀ Huawei plans to sample its Ascend 910D AI processor by late May, targeting competition with NVIDIA's 2022-era H100 GPU;
➁ Mass production of the 910D is slated for Q1 2026 using SMIC's 7nm process, with a focus on datacenter efficiency;
➂ While the 910D matches H100 in AI inference tasks, it lags in training performance, though rack-scale configurations may narrow the gap at the cost of energy efficiency.
- ECTC discussion themes
➀ AMD Senior VP Samuel Naffziger discusses the demand and solutions for efficient zettascale computing in the AI era, emphasizing holistic innovation across devices to datacenters;
➁ Intel introduces fluidic self-alignment technology using capillary action for precise 3D chip stacking in hybrid bonding, achieving sub-micron alignment accuracy;
➂ IBM demonstrates machine learning models reducing thermal resistance prediction errors to <15%, significantly outperforming traditional methods (300% error) for advanced packaging reliability.
- Scottish CSignum raises £6m Series A for underwater wireless networks
➀ CSignum secures £6m Series A funding to develop EM-2 products using electromagnetic field signaling (EMFS) for sub-surface communication across water, ice, and concrete;
➁ Applications include marine monitoring, subsea infrastructure security, and environmental sensing, supported by investors like Archangels and Scottish Enterprise;
➂ Plans to expand operations in the UK, USA, and EU with new hires and enhanced cloud-based data services for underwater IoT networks.
- ChEmpower raises $18.7m SeriesA
➀ ChEmpower raised $18.7 million in Series A funding co-led by M Ventures and Rhapsody Venture Partners, with participation from Intel Capital and other investors, to scale its wafer planarization technology；
➁ The company's abrasive-free chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) solutions reduce defects, improve chip yield, and conserve water usage, addressing sustainability challenges in semiconductor manufacturing；
➂ The funding will accelerate commercialization, talent acquisition, and global fab adoption to support advanced AI chip production at sub-10nm nodes, driven by rising demand for high-performance semiconductors.
- Ed Gets Into Humanoid Robots
➀ The article highlights the emerging humanoid robotics market, noting fewer than 20 companies globally developing such technology, including three UK-based firms focused on domestic and industrial applications;
➀ Ed explores leveraging UK government support to position the nation as a 'humanoid robot superpower,' citing bullish market forecasts ($36B by 2035 from Goldman Sachs, $7T by 2050 from Citigroup);
➂ The narrative humorously touches on potential use cases, from companion robots to government-backed robotic staff, while showcasing Ed's practical adoption of a robot receptionist in his office.
April 25
- Picture of the Day: IBDM – International Berthing and Docking Mechanism
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➂ Picture of the Day: IBDM – International Berthing and Docking Mechanism
➃ This is a very expensive and complicated connector, an IBDM. It is a docking mechanism for the European Space Agency’s habitation module for the Lunar Gateway (the Lunar I-Hab). The Gateway will be a lunar-orbiting outpost and is the NASA replacement for the International Space Station. The module will eventually...
- 1,200V SiC mosfets are avalanche tested to 800mJ
➀ SemiQ is developing 1,200V SiC MOSFETs for solar inverters with avalanche testing up to 800mJ, co-packaged with silicon carbide Schottky diodes.
➁ Four devices are introduced with channel on-resistance ranging from 8.4mΩ to 16.5mΩ.
➂ Additional devices with 330mJ avalanche testing and 39mΩ on-resistance are also mentioned, with some offering ultra-fast switching capabilities.
- Most Read – Apple smartphones, GigaFab cluster, Qualcomm countersuit
➀ US-China trade deficit down 30% from its 2018 peak;
➁ Apple loses market share in China's smartphone market;
➂ TSMC plans an independent GigaFab cluster in Arizona;
➃ Intel to cut 20% of workforce and outsource 2nm processors to TSMC;
➄ Qualcomm files a countersuit against Arm.
- EW BrightSparks 2024 profile: Ethan Wilkinson, EDA Solutions / Birmingham University
➀ Ethan Wilkinson, a UKESF Scholar at the University of Birmingham, is highlighted for his exceptional technical skills and commitment to excellence at EDA Solutions.
➁ His significant achievements include contributing to the development of the first electro-optical co-simulator and his role in training and supporting customers.
➂ Wilkinson is also recognized for his community engagement, particularly in inspiring young students to pursue careers in electronics and semiconductor technologies.
- “The last and best finfet node”
➀ TSMC's N3 process is expected to be a long-running and high volume node, referred to as 'the last and best finfet node' by Kevin Zhang, SVP for Business Development and Overseas Operations Office.
➁ The N3 process includes multiple variants such as N3B, N3E, N3P, N3X, N3S, N3RF, N3A, and N3C, each tailored for different applications.
➂ TSMC's strategy is to develop a comprehensive and customizable silicon resource with the N3 process, aiming to make integrated silicon performance a platform.
- Intel Q1 revenues flat y-o-y; lacklustre Q2 forecast
➀ Intel reported Q1 revenue of $12.7 billion, flat y-o-y with a gross margin of 36.9% down 4.1 points y-o-y.
➁ The company expects Q2 revenue between $11.2-12.4 billion.
➂ CEO Lip-Bu Tan emphasized the need for better execution and operational efficiency to regain market share and drive sustainable growth.
- Crypto Quantique launches lightweight RoT IP block
➀ Crypto Quantique, a provider of quantum-driven silicon IP, has launched a new lightweight RoT IP block named QRoot Lite.
➁ The block complies with the MARS specification for secure device health and trustworthiness attestation.
➂ It is designed for integration into small systems and offers functions for device identity, measurement, and attestation.
- The World’s Workshop
➀ China accounted for 29% of all global manufacturing in 2023, according to the United Nations Statistics Division;
➁ The Chinese manufacturing sector added $4.8 trillion to the country's total economic output in 2023;
➂ The U.S. manufacturing sector's contribution to the economy has significantly decreased, now accounting for just over 10% of the country's added value.