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May 26
- LG demos IoT-NTN vehicle bringing emergency calls to streets of Paris
➀ LG demonstrated its IoT-NTN technology in Paris, featuring AI-powered voice compression for seamless switching between terrestrial and satellite networks.
➁ The system enables real-time emergency voice calls via a single button, enhancing safety and connectivity in remote or disaster-affected areas.
➂ IoT-NTN supports applications like autonomous driving and integrates with 5GAA's C-V2X initiatives, with satellite D2D convergence under 3GPP standards.
- Ed Goes For Reconfigurables
➀ Ed proposes a £20 million UK government prize for developing reconfigurable AI chip prototypes to address AI progress bottlenecks;
➁ The UK leverages Arm’s low-power design expertise, university photonics, packaging technologies, and phase-change materials research;
➂ HMG plans funding for a collaborative research hub, imec access, and manufacturing partnerships, with Ed positioning himself in profit-generating oversight roles.
May 23
- Most Read – GaN micro-LEDs, Rivian contract, Nvidia’s Blackwell Ultra
➀ Nvidia announced the Grace Blackwell Ultra AI chip (GB300) shipping in Q3 and a 4x performance boost in its RTX Pro Server for AI models;
➁ Nvidia and Infineon collaborated on centralized 800V HVDC power architecture for AI data centers to optimize space and efficiency;
➂ Wolfspeed faces bankruptcy due to $6.5B debt and loss of key clients like Tesla and Volkswagen, reducing its SiC market share from 32% to 19%.
- Imec and MIT join forces for non-invasive diagnostic devices
➀ Imec and MIT collaborate on nanoelectronics-based solutions for minimally invasive diagnostic devices to advance personalized medicine;
➁ The partnership combines MIT's expertise in healthcare microsystems and imec's semiconductor technology leadership, aiming to develop clinical and home-use monitoring devices;
➂ AI-integrated data from these devices will generate digital biological profiles to empower disease diagnosis, therapy, and prevention.
- Wolverhampton University satellites to tackle UK water leakage
➀ Wolverhampton University leads the 'Space Eye' project, funded by £1.3m from Ofwat, to deploy six LEO microsatellites for detecting water leaks in the UK;
➁ The project utilizes satellite technology (SAR, L-band radar) and machine learning to improve detection efficiency and reduce costs compared to traditional methods;
➂ Collaboration with Quub involves 3D-printed satellites and Raspberry Pi for testing, aiming for scalable and cost-effective water infrastructure monitoring.
- Infineon shipping MCU for HMI
➀ Infineon launches PSOC 4100T Plus, an Arm Cortex-M0+ MCU integrating Multi-Sense technology for HMI applications, with 128K Flash and 32K SRAM;
➁ The MCU supports capacitive/inductive sensing, ML-based liquid level detection, and hover touch, enabling versatile roles as a standalone controller or an HMI interface chip;
➂ Targets user-friendly interfaces for industrial and consumer systems through advanced sensing and system control capabilities.
- US and EU buy less from China
❶ The US and EU are reducing imports from China, according to the Council on Foreign Relations;
❷ Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand are increasing exports but must import more from the US to mitigate reciprocal tariff impacts;
❸ Japan, with stronger negotiating power, is delaying trade negotiations and unlikely to reach a deal before July.
May 22
- Fable: Watch Out For Weird Stuff
➀ In 1938, a Dupont scientist researching refrigerants accidentally discovered a heat-resistant, chemically inert white powder when a gas was stored at dry ice temperatures;
➁ This material, now known as Teflon, is widely used in kitchens due to its unique properties;
➂ The story emphasizes the importance of investigating unexpected results, as they can lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
- Flurry of IoT wireless MCUs from Silicon Labs
➀ Silicon Labs launches 22nm wireless MCUs for IoT nodes, supporting Zigbee, Bluetooth, Matter-over-Thread, and multi-protocol operation for smart home and lighting applications;
➁ Two product lines: SixG301 (mains-powered) with up to 4MB flash/512KB RAM and security engines, and SixG302 (battery-powered) with 15µA/MHz active current for sensors;
➂ First samples (SiBG301 with Bluetooth) available now, battery-powered variants scheduled for 2026, emphasizing future-proof IoT design and Matter/Bluetooth compatibility.
- What caught your eye? (Excellion, AI ICs, Power op-amp, Nuclear batteries)
➀ Siemens Digital acquires Excellicon to strengthen EDA automation with timing and verification tools;
➁ IMEC proposes reconfigurable AI ICs for future applications;
➂ Analog Devices launches the ADHV4710 power op-amp with ±52V/100mA output and digital interface capabilities, while Zeno Power secures $50M for nuclear battery development in extreme environments.
- Intelsat completes vehicle satellite connectivity test
➀ Intelsat and Cubic³ successfully tested satellite-terrestrial network integration to deliver global always-on connectivity for vehicles, crucial for telematics and future autonomous driving;
➁ The trial combined Intelsat's FlexMove Fleet with Cubic³'s cloud platform, initially using GEO satellites for fleet management and later evolving to LEO constellations for high-bandwidth applications like HD mapping;
➂ Both companies emphasized software-defined vehicles as a priority, enabling manufacturers to meet connected mobility demands through seamless, global network coverage.
- Smaller industrial PC board for 14th gen Intel Core CPU
➀ Aaeon introduces the EPIC-RPS7, a compact 115x165mm industrial PC board supporting 14th gen Intel Core CPUs (up to 65W) and DDR5 memory for space-constrained smart manufacturing applications;
➁ The board features dual Ethernet ports (2.5Gbps and 1Gbps), USB 3.2/2.0, RS-232/422/485 interfaces, and supports up to three displays via DP, VGA, and LVDS;
➂ Designed for 0-60°C operation, it includes M.2 slots for NVMe storage and Wi-Fi modules, with power input options of 12V/22A or 19-24V.
- Gadget Book: Our Robotics Future
➀ Introduces the book 'Our Robotics Future' exploring automation, robotics and AI's transformative impact;
➁ Examines implications for businesses, workers and consumers in an automated world;
➂ Positioned as a guide to understand technological shifts driven by emerging technologies
- Sponsored Content: Storage Meets AI – Longsys’ Comprehensive Innovation Journey at COMPUTEX 2025
➀ Longsys showcased cutting-edge storage solutions at COMPUTEX 2025, targeting AI PCs and servers with products like the 8TB QLC PCIe SSD and industrial-grade BGA SSD;
➁ The company introduced its full-stack AI storage ecosystem, including QLC eMMC for edge AI and enterprise solutions like MRDIMM and Gen4 eSSD to address AI cluster bottlenecks;
➂ Longsys emphasized its PTM business model, offering end-to-end storage foundry services with firmware customization, rigorous testing, and dedicated production lines for diverse industrial applications.
- Siemens Digital buys Excellicon
➀ Siemens Digital Industries Software announces acquisition of Excellicon, a specialist in timing constraints software for chip design;
➁ The deal aims to enhance power, performance, and area (PPA) optimization in Siemens' EDA tools, accelerate design closure, and improve workflow efficiency;
➂ Excellicon's timing constraint management technology will integrate with Siemens' Questa, Tessent, and other platforms to strengthen verification and implementation processes.
May 21
- Intel looking to sell Networking and Edge Group
➀ Intel is exploring the sale or partnership of its Network and Edge Group (NEX) to refocus on PC and datacenter strategies, following previous divestments like Altera and Fab 34;
➁ NEX revenue fell to $5.8B in 2023 (from $8.4B in 2022) amid strong Broadcom competition, signaling a shift away from non-core businesses;
➂ Intel holds $50B debt and $21B cash, with CEO Lip-Bu Tan prioritizing core products under ongoing financial restructuring.
- Nvidia and Infineon to establish new architecture for power chips in AI datacentres
➀ Nvidia and Infineon collaborate to develop a centralized 800V HVDC power architecture for AI data centers, aiming to replace decentralized AC/DC systems and reduce energy losses;
➀ The new approach minimizes power conversion stages, improves efficiency, and supports higher power densities (projected over 1MW per rack by 2030), critical for large-scale AI workloads involving 100,000+ GPUs;
➂ Centralized HVDC enhances scalability, reliability, and sustainability while meeting the performance demands of next-gen AI infrastructure.
- Wolfspeed expected to file for bankruptcy
➀ Wolfspeed is expected to file for a pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to $6.5 billion debt and rejected creditor restructuring proposals;
➁ The company faced a 15% revenue loss after losing Tesla and Volkswagen as customers, and its SiC market share dropped from 32% to 19% amid competition, notably from China;
➂ Utilization at its New York fab stands at 25%, and a pending $750 million CHIPS Act subsidy is now uncertain.
- Zeno Power raises $50m Series B for nuclear batteries in space
➀ Zeno Power raised $50 million in Series B funding to develop nuclear batteries using Strontium-90, with plans to deliver commercial products by 2027.
➁ The batteries are designed for extreme environments like the lunar surface, Arctic regions, and ocean floors, providing continuous power without sunlight or recharging.
➂ The company partners with iSpace-U.S and Leicester University for lunar mission demonstrations and enhances its board with former U.S. Navy Admiral John M. Richardson.
- Top Ten (less two) Supply Chain Trends
➀ Gartner highlights eight key supply chain trends, including ambient invisible intelligence using smart sensors for real-time tracking and environmental compliance;
➁ Adoption of polyfunctional robots and autonomous data collection (e.g., drones) to optimize warehouse efficiency and reduce labor costs;
➂ AI-driven decision intelligence and intelligent simulation integrate analytics and machine learning to enhance decision-making and operational adaptability in logistics.
May 20
- 110V 1A power op-amp has digital control
➀ Analog Devices introduces the ADHV4710, a ±55V/±1A power op-amp with digital control via a 19MHz SPI interface for setting parameters like current limits and thermal thresholds;
➀ The amplifier supports large capacitive loads, configurable gain modes (high/low), and adaptive bias current for improved large-signal bandwidth (2.3MHz at 80Vp-p);
➂ Designed for applications such as power amplifiers, programmable power supplies, and piezoelectric drivers, requiring a 5V reference and heatsink for thermal management up to 19W.
- Spin that fan and get up to speed with Matter via Arduino
➀ The article introduces a beginner-friendly Arduino tutorial on implementing the Matter protocol for IoT device standardization;
➀ Matter aims to unify connectivity across smart home brands for seamless consumer experiences;
➂ The writer highlights the protocol’s potential despite personal unfamiliarity, emphasizing its role in simplifying IoT ecosystems.
- Clipping Nvidia’s Wings
➀ China aims to capture 40% of its domestic AI chip market in 2024, led by local players like Huawei's Ascend series, Cambricon, Alibaba's Hanguang 800, and Baidu's Kunlun chips;
➁ Global competitors such as Intel, AMD, Google (Trillium TPU), AWS (Trainium), and Meta (MTIA) are advancing their own AI processors, intensifying pressure on Nvidia;
➂ Imec's proposal for reconfigurable AI processors could disrupt current development paradigms, potentially challenging the strategies of major AI chip designers.
- 650V industrial SiC mosfets in 8 x 8mm package
➀ Toshiba launched four 650V industrial SiC MOSFETs in compact 8×8mm DFN packages, featuring lower switching losses (55% turn-on and 25% turn-off reduction) compared to prior generations；
➁ The flagship TW054V65C model offers 54mΩ typical on-resistance, improved gate-drive stability via a separate source contact, and operates at +18V/0V gate drive without negative voltage requirements；
➂ Targeted applications include industrial SMPS, EV chargers, UPS systems, and solar inverters, with enhanced temperature stability (Rds(on) varies only 54-58mΩ from 25°C to 150°C).
- Electronics and IC sales unaffected by tariffs
➀ Q1 2025 electronics sales declined 16% QoQ but stayed flat YoY, while IC sales dipped 2% QoQ but surged 23% YoY, fueled by AI and high-performance computing investments;
➁ Semiconductor CapEx fell 7% QoQ but rose 27% YoY, driven by investments in HBM, advanced packaging, and wafer fab equipment (WFE) spending growth;
➂ Global wafer fab capacity expanded to 42.5 million wafers/quarter, with China, Japan, and Taiwan leading growth amid geopolitical risks and uncertain trade policies.
- Elektra Awards 2025 open for entries
➀ The Elektra Awards 2025, organized by Electronics Weekly, are now open for entries, celebrating innovation in the electronics industry and recognizing excellence across sectors;
➁ New categories for 2025 include the Entrepreneurial Star (under 35) and Neurodiversity Product Design Award, focusing on young entrepreneurs and inclusive product development;
➂ Submissions are free and judged by industry professionals, with entries closing on 13 June 2025, and the awards ceremony scheduled for 9 December in London.
- Imec to demo ingestible gut sensor later today
➀ Imec has developed an ingestible sensor (2.1cm long, 0.75cm diameter) to measure redox balance, pH, and temperature in the gastrointestinal tract, addressing challenges in traditional diagnostic methods like endoscopy;
➁ The sensor, demonstrated live at ITF World, offers real-time monitoring without invasive procedures and has been tested in healthy volunteers with Wageningen University & Research;
➂ Future trials with Radboud University Medical Center will focus on patients with cancer or chronic inflammation, aiming to advance gastrointestinal disease diagnosis and management.
- Flight Recorders Compulsory In Australia
➀ In 1961, Australia announced a mandate requiring airlines to install flight recorders to capture cockpit conversations and instrument data, becoming the first country to implement such a regulation;
➁ The policy followed a recommendation from an inquiry into the 1960 Fokker Friendship crash in Queensland, which highlighted the need for crashproof recording devices;
➂ The flight recorders were designed to be housed in durable containers near aircraft tails, ensuring data preservation during accidents.
May 19
- Onward and upward for Nvidia
➀ NVIDIA announced the upgraded Grace Blackwell Ultra GPU (GB300) shipping in Q3 2025, alongside new AI infrastructure advancements;
➁ The RTX Pro Server system delivers 4x H100 performance for DeepSeek and 1.7x gains for Llama models, with NVLink Fusion enabling cross-company hardware compatibility;
➂ Future plans include the Feynman architecture (2028) and immediate production of the DGX Spark workstation, offering 1,000 AI TOPS for researchers.
- Ed Takes On Putin
➀ Ed devises a strategy to undermine Putin by exposing his corruption and fabricating compromising videos, aiming to erode public and elite support in Russia;
➁ Despite media censorship, half of Russia’s population uses VPNs and encrypted tools like Telegram and Tor, enabling targeted distribution of anti-Putin content;
➂ Ed’s team profits from Western porn platforms by monetizing the propaganda videos, funded covertly by the UK government.