Editors' Blog

BSIMProPlus Gets a Makeover

Seems like there are two kinds of EDA tool announcements. Most of them introduce new capabilities – support for a new process node or a new lithography technique or new precision. But occasionally you get what I’ll call the “re-writes.” This is where folks at the EDA company look ahead and realize that their underlying infrastructure and engines, while once quite capable, are starting to buckle under the weight of the ever-increasing load.

So, even though you mostly want to support new stuff, occasionally you’ve got to refurbish the infrastructure. That … Read More → "BSIMProPlus Gets a Makeover"

All the News on IMUs

by Bryon Moyer

Inertial measurement units (IMUs), once cool and shiny in their new MEMS editions, are now familiar old friends. We’ve become accustomed to motion sensors in our phones, so this particular integration of linear and rotational acceleration feels rather established in comparison with some of the new sensors being considered for consumer use.

But there’s still stuff going on in the motion world, and a few of the recent announcements seemed worthy of note. Oddly enough, they all came out within a week of each other; we’ll simply take them in chronological order.

< … Read More → "All the News on IMUs"

Shootout at the FinFET Corral

by Jim Turley

It’s high noon at IEDM. Both Intel and IBM have “late-breaking news” with their 14-nm FinFET numbers. The giant room is filled to bursting capacity. I’m lucky enough to have some space along the side wall, far from the screen. So far, in fact, that much of what’s on the screen is completely illegible.

Oh, and did I mention photography is not allowed? So… you can’t see the information, you can’t record it even if you saw it… you could busily write what … Read More → "Shootout at the FinFET Corral"

Gestures Stalling?

by Bryon Moyer

The Touch Gesture Motion conference (TGM) covers various technologies related to up-and-coming human-machine interface approaches. And its middle name is “Gesture.” How we doin’ there?

Well, first off, some of the consistent names in gesture – regular faces in past years – were not present this year. That caught my eye. And then there was an interesting presentation providing evidence that consumers aren’t delighted with gesture technology. Another red flag.

So let’s look at some evidence and then go over some of the challenges that gesture technology may … Read More → "Gestures Stalling?"

IoT Business Objects

by Kevin Morris

We do this thing here where we try to take occasional stock of the structure of the Internet of Things (IoT) to try to make sense out of the various pieces that come together to work or compete with each other. And I usually try to generalize or abstract some of the mess into some broader structure that’s hopefully easier to parse (or becomes an easier entry point).

We did that a while ago when looking briefly at Xively. Well, another … Read More → "IoT Business Objects"

Beefed-Up Sensor Subsystem

by Kevin Morris

You may recall that, about a year ago, Synopsys released a sensor subsystem. You could think of it as the IP needed to implement sensors in an SoC.

So this year they announce a “Sensor and Control IP Subsystem.” And the obvious question is, “How does this relate to last year’s announcement?”

Well, at the top level, you can think of it as an upgrade. When available in January, it will essentially replace last year& … Read More → "Beefed-Up Sensor Subsystem"

The Power of the Pen

by Kevin Morris

This year’s recent Touch Gesture Motion (TGM) conference had a surprising focus on pens. Which I like, actually. While most of my professional time is with a keyboard, I still take notes manually on paper. Partly it’s because, in an interview situation, I feel like it’s rude and impersonal to be typing away as if I’m some bureaucrat entering data into a form.

But, even though I’m a fast typist (on a real keyboard, not a virtual one), I can write even faster (depending on how long … Read More → "The Power of the Pen"

Sensor Algorithms Go Open Source

by Bryon Moyer

So you’re bringing together some sensors in your system, and you want to fuse their data together. Congratulations; you’re in good company. You and the rest of the world want this. If this capability is simply a need-to-have, while not being the key differentiator for you, well, yay, you get to reinvent the fusion algorithms that everyone else has already reinvented. Or you can buy them with dollars that your Board would rather be spent on differentiating technology.

Or, let’s say this capability is a differentiator for you – you’ … Read More → "Sensor Algorithms Go Open Source"

Managing Context Options

by Kevin Morris

There are so many stories about the ways in which ubiquitous sensors and The Cloud will transform our lives. Most of these stories come in the form of small examples that illustrate just how powerfully this can affect what we do on a day-to-day basis.

The idea, of course, is that The Cloud knows lots of things about you – what you like, where you go, what’ … Read More → "Managing Context Options"

On the Scene: Almost-Instant Semi Quotes with eSilicon

by Bryon Moyer

Historically, it has taken months, possibly many months to get a quote for semiconductor production. Lots of paper was involved – maybe a fax machine or two. Getting a MPW quote (in the old days) could be more like dentistry (get it? pulling teeth??!) than semiconductor design. Those days could be long gone if eSilicon has its way. In this episode of On The Scene, I chat with Mike Gianfagna and Bill Isaacson from eSilicon and get a MPW quote completely online and in less than three minutes. Take that fax machine!