➀ Microchip Technology has introduced the PIC32A family of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) designed for high-performance applications in industries like automotive, industrial, AI/ML, and medical.

➁ Key features include high-speed analog integration with a 200 MHz CPU, 12-bit ADCs with up to 40 Msps sampling rate, and 5 ns high-speed comparators.

➂ The MCUs also offer advanced security features and support for efficient edge sensing and signal processing, balancing high performance with cost-effective system design.

➀ Ed reflects on the sources of €1trn and his strategy to secure a share of it;

➁ Ed discusses the possibility of the US raising €800 billion for 'ReArm Europe' and €200 billion for 'InvestAI';

➂ Ed's assignment to the EU as 'Digital Envoy' and his plan to spend on meals and indulgences to identify influential figures in the spending of the funds.

➀ A research team led by Professor Kyu-Young Park from POSTECH has developed technology to significantly increase the lifespan and energy density of electric vehicle (EV) batteries;

➁ The technology involves a 'nano-spring coating' technique that improves battery stability and performance;

➂ The research is published in ACS Nano and has the potential to revolutionize EV battery technology.

➀ Texas Instruments has introduced a new addition to its MSPM0 microcontroller portfolio with the MSPM0C1104 MCU, available in a wafer chip-scale package (WCSP) measuring 1.38mm².

➁ This MCU is designed for applications where board space is limited, such as medical wearables and personal electronics, offering engineers flexibility to develop efficient embedded solutions.

➂ Key features include an extended temperature range, low power consumption, and various peripheral options, making it ideal for compact and cost-effective designs in personal electronics, industrial, and automotive markets.

➀ A new type of miniaturized pumps and valves using ultra-thin silicon films is presented at the Hannover Messe, developed by researchers at Saarland University. These pumps and valves operate without air pressure, motors, and lubricants, and can be operated in clean rooms. The team demonstrates a prototype of a new vacuum pump that can draw a vacuum up to 300 millibars.

➁ The technology is cost-effective, lightweight, and energy-efficient compared to current methods, with a 400 times lower energy consumption compared to conventional air-driven valves.

➂ The researchers have developed a novel actuator and pump technology that can be used in various applications, including robotic grippers, speakers, smart textiles, and haptic feedback.

➀ Microchip has enhanced its PIC32 MCUs with high-performance analog blocks, including 12-bit 40Msample/s ADCs, 5ns comparators, and 100MHz GBW op-amps.

➁ These features are integrated into the new 32-bit 200MHz PIC32A family.

➂ The PIC32A family also includes hardware safety and security features like ECC, built-in memory self-test, and IO integrity monitoring.

➀ Rajasekar Elavarasan, founder of Raana Semiconductors, discusses the company's specialization in manufacturing crystal growth machines for semiconductor-grade silicon wafers and advanced crystals used in defense applications.

➁ The Czochralski technique is highlighted as the dominant method for producing silicon wafers larger than 200mm, emphasizing its importance in reducing impurities and ensuring crystal quality.

➂ Raana Semiconductors aims to become the first company in India to manufacture solar-grade silicon wafers domestically, with plans to produce both solar and semiconductor-grade wafers within the next 36 months.

➀ This article discusses a smart fuse design that replaces standard fuses with a semiconductor solution, offering resettable protection, lower power consumption, and enhanced safety for vehicles.

➁ The design uses components like the TPS1213-Q1 high-side switch controller, INA296B-Q1 current sense amplifier, and a microcontroller to provide I²t overcurrent protection, low-power mode, and support for different types of loads.

➂ It is suitable for applications such as 12V and 48V power distribution boxes and zone control modules, aiming to optimize cable wiring and improve time-current characteristics.

➀ A team from Saarland University's Faculty of Engineering and Medicine is developing smart implants at the university and university hospital to monitor and promote healing in body bone fractures.

➁ The robotic implants can stiffen and soften through shape-memory technology, allowing for permanent monitoring of fracture healing.

➂ The research team is miniaturizing the technology for use in market screws as part of an EU project.

➀ A roundup of the latest electronics news from Embedded World 2024, covering automotive, military, telecoms, industrial, and consumer electronics sectors.

➁ Infineon is launching a RISC-V starter kit for automotive microcontrollers.

➂ NXP reveals MCX MCUs with Matter, Thread, Zigbee, and Bluetooth LE.

➀ Microchip Technology has introduced the MPLAB PICkit Basic in-circuit debugger, offering robust programming and debugging capabilities at a lower cost.

➁ The debugger is designed to be accessible to users of all skill levels and supports various microcontrollers, working with multiple IDEs.

➂ Key features include modern USB Type-C connectivity, budget-friendliness, and advanced debugging functionalities.

➀ RECOM has introduced the RPA20-FR series, a new line of high-efficiency 20W DC/DC converters designed for demanding industrial applications.

➁ These converters offer a wide input voltage range and can operate reliably in harsh environments, meeting stringent industry standards.

➂ The RPA20-FR series is suitable for railway applications and other rugged environments, providing reliable power solutions.

➀ The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Founders Edition offers a 20% performance increase over its predecessor and a $549 MSRP.

➁ Concerns over retail availability and pricing, with potential for significantly higher prices in the short term.

➂ AMD's RX 9070 launch scheduled for the same day, posing competition and availability challenges.

➀ Lois Rossmann, a renowned RepairTuber, expresses disappointment with Brother's shift towards becoming an 'anti-consumer printer company';

➁ Brother's recent firmware updates have disabled third-party toner and prevented color registration functionality on color devices;

➂ Older firmware versions are being removed from support portals, making it difficult for users to roll back updates.

Microchip is planning to lay off 2,000 employees, representing 9% of its workforce, due to weak automotive demand. The company had previously announced the closure of its Arizona fab in Q3 2025, which would result in 500 job losses and annual cost savings of $90 million. This closure has now been brought forward to May. The current cuts will affect Microchip's facilities in Gresham, Oregon, Colorado Springs, and its backend operations in the Philippines, with annual savings of about $25 million. Costs of $30 million to $40 million related to severance payments and restructuring will be incurred, as well as $45 million for modifications and cancellations of foundry contracts. CEO Steve Sanghi, who took over from Ganesh Moorthy in November 2024, was Microchip's CEO for 30 years before the transition.

➀ Microchip Technology, a semiconductor manufacturer, is planning to lay off employees at its factories in Oregon and Colorado to cope with a decline in sales.

➁ The company's CEO, Steve Sanghi, stated that the company needs to take decisive measures to adjust its business due to the decline in revenue and inventory levels reaching 266 days.

➂ Microchip has already announced the closure of its Fab 2 factory in Arizona and is expected to save about $90 million in cash annually by the end of 2025.

➀ Researchers from SMART DiSTAP have developed a groundbreaking near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanosensor for real-time iron detection in plants;

➁ The sensor can differentiate between Fe(II) and Fe(III) and monitor iron uptake and transport in real-time;

➂ This technology could lead to more sustainable agriculture and improved crop health.

➀ This reference design, TIDA-060029 by Texas Instruments, utilizes an auto-balancing impedance measurement method for accurate measurements over a wide impedance range.

➁ The design features the OPA2810 operational amplifier and optionally the BUF634A buffer, ensuring high precision and stability for LCR meter applications.

➂ The reference design is suitable for various applications including digital multimeters, impedance and vector network analyzers, and semiconductor manufacturing and testing.

➀ The article discusses a 16-bit high-accuracy analog front end (AFE) reference design from Analog Devices (ADI) that supports 4-20mA current loops or voltage inputs between 0.2V and 4.096V.

➁ This design is useful for embedded system developers, medical device designers, and power and signal integrity engineers, aiding in precise data acquisition in industrial and medical applications.

➂ ADI's reference design includes key components like a low-noise buffer, a high-accuracy ADC, and isolated power and data, facilitating easier and faster development processes.

➀ Microchip Technology has introduced the SAMA7D65 MPU series, which is designed for advanced graphics and connectivity applications, featuring a 1 GHz Arm Cortex-A7 core, advanced graphics capabilities, and low latency communication.

➁ The MPU series is suitable for industrial, medical, and transportation markets, and includes features like dual Gigabit Ethernet and Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) for precise synchronization and low-latency communication.

➂ Developers can use Microchip's Graphics Suite to create advanced GUIs and other graphics applications, simplifying the development process and enhancing design reusability across projects.