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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.
May 16
- When Arm became accepted
➀ In 1998, ARM's founding CEO Sir Robin Saxby highlighted the company's emergence as a global processor standard, with licensees shipping over 15 million devices in the first half of the year, driven by mobile phones and multimedia applications;
➀ ARM's revenue primarily came from licensing, development boards, and consulting, with royalties accounting for only 9% of its $18.6M H1 1998 revenue;
➂ The company emphasized repeat licensing deals, collaboration with Intel on StrongARM for embedded applications, and upcoming ARM10 processor details to be unveiled at the Microprocessor Forum.
- QS RF Locator sees drone payload geolocate RF signals
➀ Quadsat launches QS RF Locator, a drone-based system to geolocate RF interference sources with precision for commercial and military applications;
➁ The system uses a directional horn, gimbal, and algorithms to analyze signal strength and angle of arrival, dynamically optimizing triangulation via automated flight paths;
➂ Tested by OneWeb and Telespazio, the technology enables rapid in-situ antenna validation and interference resolution, reducing downtime and operational costs.
- Applications closing for ISS’s Orbital Edge Accelerator programme
➀ The ISS National Lab's Orbital Edge Accelerator program, offering up to $500,000 funding and ISS-sponsored orbital research opportunities, closes applications on 19 May for space startups;
➁ Up to 20 finalists will pitch virtually in June, with six selected for mentorship and funding, announced on 7 July;
➂ The program aims to foster innovation in the space economy, managed by CASIS and TechConnect, leveraging the ISS's unique research environment for commercial and academic R&D.
- Most Read – Raspberry Pi OS, AI infrastructure, Intel 18A PDK
➀ Future Horizons CEO Malcolm Penn predicts a prolonged semiconductor industry recession, citing stagnant unit shipments 16% below the long-term trend;
➁ Siemens launches Questa One AI-powered software suite to address declining first-time silicon success rates (14% for ASIC, 13% for FPGA);
➂ Raspberry Pi OS updates include enhanced screen locking, touchscreen handling, and printer management in its final Debian Bookworm version;
➃ AMD, Nvidia, and AWS partner with Saudi Arabia's Humain to build a $5B+ AI infrastructure zone;
➄ Siemens certifies Calibre nmPlatform and Analog FastSPICE tools for Intel's 18A process technology.
- UAE to build largest AI infrastructure facility outside the US
➀ The UAE and US announced plans to build the largest AI infrastructure facility outside the US, featuring 5GW-capacity data centers in Abu Dhabi to serve nearly half the global population within a 3,200 km radius;
➀ The project, led by G42 in partnership with US companies, will use nuclear, solar, and gas energy to reduce emissions and includes a science park for AI innovation;
➂ The UAE agreed to align its security regulations with the US and plans to acquire 500,000 Nvidia AI chips annually, while enforcing strict access controls for compute resources.
- Kioxia sampling SSDs using CBA
➀ Kioxia is sampling enterprise SSDs with 8th-gen BiCS FLASH TLC, integrating CMOS Bonded to Array (CBA) technology to enhance power efficiency, performance, and capacity;
➁ The CM9 Series SSDs deliver up to 65% better random write, 55% random read, and 95% sequential write performance versus prior generations, alongside significant efficiency gains per watt;
➂ Key features include PCIe 5.0 compliance, dual-port support, and capacities up to 61.44TB (2.5-inch) and 30.72TB (E3.S form factor).
- ClearSpace clears Phase 2 of active debris removal mission
➀ ClearSpace has successfully completed Phase 2 of the UK Space Agency's CLEAR mission, focusing on active debris removal to address technical and operational challenges in space sustainability;
➁ Key achievements include passing mechanical tests for the robotic capture system, validating image processing algorithms for debris detection, and testing proximity operations using hardware emulators;
➂ The mission aims to establish UK leadership in in-orbit servicing, with Phase 3 targeting the removal of two defunct satellites and demonstrating refuelable spacecraft capabilities.
May 15
- Fable: The Unexpected Message
➀ A self-taught engineer discovered melted chocolate in his pocket while working on magnetrons, leading to the invention of the microwave oven;
➁ This accidental observation helped his company (where he was the third employee) grow to $80 billion in annual revenue;
➂ The story emphasizes finding valuable insights in unexpected occurrences.
- What caught your eye? (AI design, Grim market, Formation spacecraft)
➀ Siemens introduced Questa One software, an AI-driven suite to accelerate verification of complex ASICs and FPGAs amid rising design challenges;
➁ Future Horizons provided a pessimistic outlook on the semiconductor market, highlighting concerns over industry growth;
➂ The European Space Agency (ESA) achieved millimeter-precision formation flying with its Proba-3 spacecraft, enabling unprecedented solar corona observations.
- Picture of the Day: Orion Artemis II spacecraft completes assembly
➀ Lockheed Martin officially completes assembly and testing of NASA's Orion Artemis II spacecraft;
➀ Represents a critical milestone for human space exploration, advancing NASA's mission toward Mars;
➂ Highlights advancements in spacecraft technology and collaborative efforts in aerospace engineering.
- US bans everyone from using certain Huawei AI ICs
➀ The U.S. Department of Commerce's BIS banned the use of Huawei’s Ascend 910B/C/D AI chips, claiming they utilize U.S. technology, with violators facing severe penalties;
➁ Huawei’s Ascend 910C-based servers reportedly outperform NVIDIA’s most powerful GPUs, but production shortages limit their availability even for Huawei itself;
➂ BIS revoked the AI Diffusion Rule and plans new regulations, potentially easing restrictions for U.S. companies exporting AI chips to China.
- Tsinghua Unigroup ex-Chairman sentenced to death
➀ Zhao Weiguo, former chairman of Tsinghua Unigroup, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for abuse of power, embezzlement of $65 million in state assets, and causing $124 million in public losses;
➁ He built Unigroup into China's top chip firm through acquisitions like Spreadtrum and RDA, with Intel holding a 20% stake;
➂ The verdict follows a two-year investigation after his resignation, reflecting China's crackdown on corruption in the semiconductor sector.
- Imec opens photonics lab
➀ Imec and TNO have launched the Holst Centre Photonics Lab in the Netherlands, partially funded by PhotonDelta, to accelerate photonics R&D.
➁ The lab combines imec's expertise in tape-out validation, on-chip lasers, and system testing with TNO's strengths in free-space optics and photonic integration, fostering industry-academia collaboration.
➂ Focused on applications like LiDAR, medical diagnostics, and quantum technologies, the initiative aims to strengthen the Netherlands' leadership in integrated photonics across automotive, healthcare, and data communication sectors.
- Proba-3 space mission achieves precise millimetre formation flying
➀ The European Space Agency's Proba-3 mission achieved millimeter-precision formation flying between two spacecraft, the Coronagraph and Occulter, maintaining a 150-meter separation autonomously for hours;
➁ The mission aims to study the Sun's corona by aligning the Occulter's 1.4m disc to cast a shadow onto the Coronagraph's instrument, enabled by laser metrology, optical sensors, and AI-driven algorithms;
➂ Key contributions came from ESA, MDA Space, Airbus Defence and Space, and Belgian institutions, with advanced technologies like the Fine Lateral and Longitudinal Sensor (FLLS) ensuring millimeter accuracy.
- Your AI Chums
➀ The article discusses the rise of AI companion services, as companies like Meta, Replika, and Nomi offer customizable AI friends to address social isolation;
➁ Meta's AI Studio and other platforms allow users to design AI characters with specific personalities and interactions;
➂ The irony is highlighted where internet technologies, blamed for reducing real-world connections, now position themselves as solutions for companionship.
May 14
- AMD, Nvidia and AWS to build AI infrastructure in Saudi Arabia
➀ AWS plans to invest over $5 billion to establish an 'AI Zone' in Saudi Arabia, featuring data centers for AI training and services like SageMaker and Bedrock;
➁ AMD and Humain will invest $10 billion to deploy 500MW of AI compute capacity using AMD's Instinct GPUs, EPYC CPUs, and ROCm software ecosystem, targeting multi-exaflop capacity by 2026;
➂ NVIDIA and Humain will build data centers with up to 500MW capacity powered by advanced GPUs, including a Grace Blackwell AI supercomputer, and collaborate on AI talent development through the Omniverse platform.
- OSAT top ten grow 3%
➀ The top 10 OSAT companies' 2024 revenue reached $41.56 billion, a 3% YoY increase, with ASE leading at $18.54 billion (45% market share);
➁ HT-Tech achieved the highest growth (+26% YoY), while Hana Micron (+23.7%) and JCET (+19.3%) also saw strong performance driven by memory and automotive/OLED demand;
➂ The industry faces evolving demands for advanced packaging (e.g., heterogeneous integration, WLP) and AI/edge computing-driven high-frequency, high-density solutions.
May 13
- Questa One software uses AI to verify complex chip design
➀ Siemens Digital Industries Software launches Questa One suite to address declining first-time silicon success rates (14% for ASIC, 13% for FPGA) through AI-powered verification;
➀ The suite includes four tools accelerating simulation, fault analysis, and stimulus-free verification, claiming 50x faster test generation and 48x fault simulation improvements;
➂ Integrated with Tessent technologies and Veloce systems, it supports 3D-IC, chiplets, and software-defined architectures, with early adopters reporting significant productivity gains.
- Rule By Decree
➀ President Trump issued over two executive orders/memorandums daily in his second term, totaling 187 in the first 87 days;
➁ Biden signed 235 executive actions in his first two years, while Trump issued 211 during the same period in 2017-2018;
➂ Key focuses of Trump’s orders included defense, immigration, and energy/environmental policies, with 64 directives targeting energy and climate issues.
- CHIIPS Podcast #7 – Insights from Dr Andy Sellars and Rupert Baines
➀ The latest CHIIPS podcast episode discusses the UK's semiconductor strategy with Dr. Andy Sellars (Compound Semiconductor Catapult) and Rupert Baines (Cambridge Tech Week 2025 chair);
➁ Both experts share insights on semiconductor innovation, UKTIN's role, and silicon photonics developments at the University of Southampton;
➂ The series highlights key electronics industry trends and future challenges through interviews with global leaders.
- Lockheed Martin completes Orion development for Moon mission
➀ Lockheed Martin completed assembly and testing of NASA's Orion Artemis II spacecraft, transferring it to NASA's Exploration Ground Systems team for launch preparation;
➁ The Orion spacecraft features advanced life support, communication systems, and safety measures, marking a milestone in establishing a human lunar presence and Mars missions;
➂ Artemis II will carry four astronauts, with future missions (Artemis III and IV) targeting lunar landings and integration with the Lunar Gateway station for Mars exploration.
May 12
- Heat Wave
➀ A heat wave has led to record-breaking temperatures globally, including 44°C in Jaipur (India), 50°C in Shaheed Benazirabad (Pakistan), and 18°C in Antarctica, with NASA confirming unprecedented global warming.
➀ Historical temperature milestones include 56.7°C in Death Valley (1913), 48.8°C in Sicily (Europe's highest, 2021), and 50.7°C in Australia (2022).
➂ Rising temperatures are occurring earlier in the year, with April 2024 heatwaves setting national records in Cambodia and Myanmar.
- 2024 semi revenue grew 25% to $683bn
➀ Global semiconductor revenue grew 25% YoY to $683 billion in 2024, driven by strong demand for AI-related chips, particularly HBM, which fueled a 74% surge in memory segment revenue;
➁ Memory market recovery, led by improved supply-demand balance and higher ASPs, lifted Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron into the top seven semiconductor companies by revenue;
➂ Despite overall growth, automotive and industrial semiconductor revenues declined, highlighting market imbalances, while NVIDIA surpassed Samsung as the top semiconductor company due to GPU dominance.
- Foxconn and Mitsubishi hook up on EVs
➀ Mitsubishi Motors and Foxconn signed an MoU to supply EVs for Australia and New Zealand markets starting in 2026;
➁ The compact SUV, based on Foxtron Model B, will be developed by Foxconn subsidiary Foxtron and manufactured by Yulon Motor under the Mitsubishi brand;
➂ The partnership validates Foxtron's contract EV design and manufacturing model, emphasizing platform optimization and modular components to accelerate development.
- Raspberry Pi OS updated, sees last Debian Bookworm update
➀ Raspberry Pi OS introduces screen lock enhancements, a standalone Printers app, and improved touchscreen functionality;
➁ This marks the final Debian Bookworm-based release, with a transition to Debian Trixie expected this summer;
➂ Updates are available via apt commands or Raspberry Pi Imager, while Wayland remains the default windowing system.
- Siemens and IFS certify tools
➀ Siemens and Intel Foundry certify Calibre nmPlatform and Solido tools for Intel 18A PDK, enabling early design work and IP development;
➁ A reference workflow for EMIB-T and EMIB technologies using Siemens' 3D IC tools is established, supporting design exploration;
➂ Siemens joins the Intel Foundry Accelerator Chiplet Alliance to advance multi-die interconnect solutions.
- Ed Spots The 2D Chip Wheeze
➀ Ed proposes molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) as a potential silicon replacement for 2D ICs, citing its high current density, tunable bandgap, and compatibility with silicon;
➀ He devises a government-backed scheme offering 50% R&D tax credits, 75% income tax relief for investors, and public funding for imec licenses to attract MoS2 startups and global research talent;
➂ While the initiative aims to position the UK as a tech leader in 2D ICs, Ed personally profits by vetting applications based on undisclosed inducements, making MoS2 a lucrative venture for him.
May 9
- No-volt release with few new holes?
➀ The article discusses the need to implement a no-volt release and emergency stop system for a CNC lathe project while minimizing new holes in the front panel;
➀ Existing front panel buttons use a 12V power supply to control relays for spindle and stepper motors, with the current emergency stop lacking a key;
➁ Options for alternative switches (e.g., LA38 series) are considered, balancing safety requirements and panel modifications, including separate controls for spindle and stepper motors.