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ST announces Edge AI Suite for Arm Cortex-M microcontrollers, sensors, and so on

ST has just formally announced the Edge AI Suite, a development tool set for its line of STM32 microcontrollers based on the Arm Cortex-M processor core, Arm-based Stellar automotive microcontrollers, and associated smart sensors. The Edge AI Studio is free to use when generating code for ST’s microcontrollers. ST’s NanoEdge AI Studio, one of the tools within the Edge AI Suite, can be licensed for use with Cortex-M microcontrollers offered by other semiconductor vendors. The Edge AI Suite and its associated libraries are not designed to implement large language models (LLMs) or for replicating cloud-based … Read More → "ST announces Edge AI Suite for Arm Cortex-M microcontrollers, sensors, and so on"

Unleashing the Power of Quantum Computing

Before we dive into this topic with gusto and abandon (and aplomb, of course), it’s probably only fair for me to inform you that I don’t have a clue what I’m about to be talking about, if you see what I mean. “So, how does this differ from your other columns,” I hear you mutter under your breath. I’m obliged to admit that you have me there, and yet you are still reading, so ten points to me, I think.

Now, you probably think that my … Read More → "Unleashing the Power of Quantum Computing"

Lattice launches two new mid-range FPGA families with six more FPGAs into the FPGA wars

Last December, Lattice Semiconductor announced the Avant-E family of mid-range FPGAs (see “Lattice Strides Into the Mid-Range FPGA Arena With Avant”), and, at its Developer Conference this month, the company announced an expansion of the Avant family tree through new Avant-G and Avant-X FPGA families. The Lattice Avant-G family is designated as the general-purpose, mid-range FPGA family, and the Avant-X FPGAs are designed specifically for networking applications. Lattice defines “mid-range” as FPGAs that incorporate 100K to 500K logic elements. This definition seems to fit … Read More → "Lattice launches two new mid-range FPGA families with six more FPGAs into the FPGA wars"

Honey, I Shrunk the Switching Regulator (into a 2.2 x 1.6 mm footprint)

Shrink rays are a common trope with a long history in science fiction. The first time I saw one “in use” was in the 1966 film Fantastic Voyage and Isaac Asimov’s book based on the film’s screenplay. In Fantastic Voyage, movie and book, the shrink ray is used to miniaturize a submarine named Proteus so that it can be injected into a person to perform some delicate brain surgery using a very new-at-the-time laser – also miniaturized. (It was also the late Raquel Welch’s debut film for 20< … Read More → "Honey, I Shrunk the Switching Regulator (into a 2.2 x 1.6 mm footprint)"

Synopsys Takes on RISC-V Configurability with ARC-V Processor IP Family

Long, long ago, at the turn of the millennium, two champions of configurable processor IP – ARC and Tensilica – battled for dominance in that arena with unique processor ISAs and custom tools to aid in creating software-development tool chains for their configurable processors. Synopsys bought ARC in 2011, and Cadence bought Tensilica a couple of years later. Fast forward a decade and suddenly, RISC-V has somehow validated the concept of configurable processors. Consequently, many companies with proprietary processor ISAs have jumped on the RISC-V bandwagon as its ecosystem gathers momentum. For example, Intel announced the development of a third … Read More → "Synopsys Takes on RISC-V Configurability with ARC-V Processor IP Family"

9.6Gbps HBM3 Memory Controller IP Boosts SoC AI Performance

It’s not often you get to say things like “exponential increase in insatiable demand,” so I’m going to make the most of it by taking a deep breath, pausing for effect, and waiting for the audience’s antici…

…pation to mount. As I’ve mentioned in previous columns (although possibly using different words), we are currently seeing an exponential increase in insatiable demand for increased processing power.

I’m sure we’re all familiar with Read More → "9.6Gbps HBM3 Memory Controller IP Boosts SoC AI Performance"

New MCUs Provide 10^2 the Performance at 10^-2 the Power

As I’ve mentioned on occasion, I predate many of the technologies that now surround us. I remember the heady days of the first 8-bit microprocessor units (MPUs) and early single board computers (SBCs) that were based on these little rascals. Glancing at the bookshelves in my office, I see my trusty companions of yesteryear in the form of 6502, Z80, etc. data books.

One thing that reflects how far things have progressed from those days of yore circa the late 1970s is the fact that those microprocessor data books assumed minimal prior knowledge. … Read More → "New MCUs Provide 10^2 the Performance at 10^-2 the Power"

Arrow reveals first Dev Board for Intel Agilex 5 FPGAs, with two more boards planned

Arrow has just launched a development board for Intel’s soon-to-be-produced Agilex 5 SoC FPGAs, and two more such boards wait in the wings. The Arrow AXE5-Eagle board sports one Intel Agilex 5 E-series SoC FPGA. Initially, these development boards will incorporate an engineering sample of the SoC FPGA with 656K logic elements (LEs), while production boards, available by the end of the first half of 2024, will incorporate Agilex 5 devices with 334K LEs. The target price for the board is $995, which is subject to change, according to Arrow. Intel formally announced the Agilex 5 D- and E-series SoC FPGA … Read More → "Arrow reveals first Dev Board for Intel Agilex 5 FPGAs, with two more boards planned"

National Instruments to Apple Mac: Buh-Bye

National Instruments (NI) recently released a new version of its LabView test automation programming environment for the latest Apple Macintosh computers based on the Arm-based Apple M1 CPU/GPU SoC. At the same time, NI let its customers know that this release would be the last one for Apple Macintosh computers, sending a shock through some portion of the company’s customer base. Here’s the text of the email NI sent to its customers:

Dear NI Customer

According to our records, you … Read More → "National Instruments to Apple Mac: Buh-Bye"

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