A New World for Semiconductors: How Pragmatic is Changing the IC Landscape with Thin Film FlexICs

My guest this week is David Moore, CEO of Pragmatic Semiconductor. David and I discuss the details of Pragmatic Semi’s ultra-low-cost, ultra-thin, flexible integrated circuits called FlexICs. We explore how these thin film ICs will revolutionize the semiconductor industry, the details of Pragmatic Semiconductor’s environmentally friendly manufacturing process and what their Fab-in-a-Box is all about. 

 

< … Read More → "A New World for Semiconductors: How Pragmatic is Changing the IC Landscape with Thin Film FlexICs"

Bringing Innate Intelligence to Trillions of Devices

Did you ever wonder why they (whoever “they” are) chose the prefix “tera” to mean trillion (as in 10^12, or 1,000,000,000,000)? Well, it’s because because this comes from the Greek word teras, meaning “monster” or “marvel.” Thus, “tera” was chosen to reflect the large size of a trillion, implying something vast and extraordinary, much like the way a monster or marvel would stand proud in the … Read More → "Bringing Innate Intelligence to Trillions of Devices"

The Man Who Loved Music

This article is a book review of an autobiography of Ikutaro Kakehashi, published in 2002 and titled “I Believe in Music.” Kakehashi-san founded the electronic music powerhouse Roland, and this review was triggered by an article I read about the user-programmable Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer, an automatic electronic drum machine. Kakehashi’s autobiography details the life of a man who dedicated his life to music, electronics, and entrepreneurship. … Read More → "The Man Who Loved Music"

AI-based Anomaly Detection: From Conceptualization to Integration

AI-based anomaly detection takes center stage in this week’s Fish Fry podcast! My guest is Rachel Johnson from MathWorks and we explore how AI can work in tandem with engineers to reduce the incidence of defects and optimize maintenance schedules and the steps involved in designing and deploying an AI-based anomaly detection system; from conceptualization and data gathering to deployment and integration.

Read More → "AI-based Anomaly Detection: From Conceptualization to Integration"

From Concept to Programmable Logic Prototype in Minutes

My poor old noggin is currently buzzing with ideas for things I could do with the new line of programmable devices that were recently introduced by the guys and gals at Texas Instruments.

As usual, of course, in addition to these new devices themselves, myriad ancillary thoughts are currently cavorting around my cranium.

Let’s start with Read More → "From Concept to Programmable Logic Prototype in Minutes"

A Bold New Twist on Optical Computing

There are obvious attractions to “computing at the speed of light” with photonics-based technology—not just the extremely high speed, although that’s important, of course, but also the extremely low power as compared to transistor-logic-based computational implementations.

I’ve been exposed to a few companies offering various flavors of optical computing solutions over the course of the past couple of years. Until … Read More → "A Bold New Twist on Optical Computing"

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featured chalk talk

High Voltage Intelligent Battery Shunt
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Vishay
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Scott Blackburn from Vishay and Amelia Dalton explore the what, where, and how of intelligent battery shunts. They also examine the key functions of battery management systems, the electrical characteristics of high voltage intelligent battery shunts and how you can get started using a high voltage intelligent battery shunt for your next design.
Dec 4, 2024
15,586 views

featured video

Introducing FPGAi – Innovations Unlocked by AI-enabled FPGAs

Sponsored by Intel

Altera Innovators Day presentation by Ilya Ganusov showing the advantages of FPGAs for implementing AI-based Systems. See additional videos on AI and other Altera Innovators Day in Altera’s YouTube channel playlists.

Learn more about FPGAs for Artificial Intelligence here

discussion
Posted on Dec 16 at 12:36pm by Max Maxfield
For this type/level of design, you really cannot beat a graphical interface for speed and ease-of-use :-)
Posted on Dec 13 at 6:39pm by traneusee
The software reminds me of early Altera design software which enabled schematic entry to create programmable-logic programming files.
Posted on Dec 13 at 6:57am by Max Maxfield
Hi Steve -- I know -- it's like experiencing déjà vu all over again. As you say, this is reminiscent of when Renesas announced their ForgeFPGA family in 2021 (https://www.eejournal.com/article/renesas-announces-fabulous-forgefpga-family/). That technology, which also involves small programmable logic devices, can be traced back to Silego ...
Posted on Dec 12 at 7:03am by Steven Leibson
Thanks Max. Always trying to lead with something eye catching or funny.
Posted on Dec 12 at 4:41am by Steven Leibson
Max, these TI PLDs remind me of those Renesas ForgeFPGA devices you wrote up at the end of 2021, which in turn were based on the older Silego devices. I believe there's a new product category a brewing here.
Posted on Dec 11 at 10:01am by Max Maxfield
I LOVE your featured image!!!
Posted on Dec 10 at 7:03am by Steven Leibson
Thanks Max.
Posted on Dec 9 at 1:57pm by Steven Leibson
I agree with you, Pat Hays, and have often said as much. To offer its services as a foundry, IFS must offer industry standard tools and IP. Otherwise, it cannot compete with TSMC as a peer. Supporting industry standard ASIC design tools is an expensive proposition, as you note. Nevertheless, ...
Posted on Dec 9 at 8:35am by Max Maxfield
Very interesting as always Steve -- I've never been good at wrapping my brain around the business side of things, so it's great to see this stuff from your perspective -- Max
Posted on Dec 9 at 8:05am by Pat Hays
Excellent article, Steve! I thought Pat G tackled the right strategy, but obviously, it's been a very heavy lift. I'd like to note a possible, little commented weakness in Intel's execution which I've thought about from the perspective of my own experience in semiconductor IP...it's essential that IFS stand ...
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featured blogs
Dec 19, 2024
Explore Concurrent Multiprotocol and examine the distinctions between CMP single channel, CMP with concurrent listening, and CMP with BLE Dynamic Multiprotocol....
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Do you think the proton is formed from three quarks? Think again. It may be made from five, two of which are heavier than the proton itself!...
Digi XBee® 3 Global LTE CAT 4
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Digi
Global functionality for cellular enhanced applications can be a complicated process. In this episode of Chalk Talk, Alec Jahnke and Amelia explore the details and benefits of Digi’s XBee 3 Global LTE CAT 4 solution. We also investigate the XBee programming process and how the over the air updates of Digi Remote Manager can help future proof your next cellular design.
Dec 17, 2024
2,018 views
Calibre DesignEnhancer: Layout Modifications that Improve your Design
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Jeff Wilson from Siemens and Amelia Dalton investigate the variety of benefits that the Calibre DesignEnhancer brings to IC design and how this tool suite can be used to find and fix critical design stage issues. They also explore how the Calibre DesignEnhancer can Identify and resolve issues early in design flow with sign-off quality solutions and how you can utilize Calibre DesignEnhancer for your next design.
Dec 16, 2024
3,120 views
Implementing Infineon's CoolGaN™: Key Essentials and Best Practices -- Infineon and Mouser
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Infineon
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Zobair Roohani from Infineon and Amelia Dalton explore the fundamentals and characteristics of wide band gap materials. They also investigate why the higher band gap and higher electric field withstanding capability of GaN brings us closer toward that ideal switching technology and the unique design challenges one must pay attention to when driving GaN devices.  
Dec 12, 2024
6,756 views
Premo-Flex
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Molex
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Logan Lukasik from Molex and Amelia Dalton explore the benefits of Molex’s flat flexible cables and flexible printed circuits called Premo-Flex. They also investigate custom capabilities of the Premo-Flex solutions and how you can get started using Premo-Flex in your next design.
Dec 12, 2024
6,962 views
Evolution of GNSS
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Taoglas
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Pat Frank from Taoglas and Amelia Dalton explore the details of multi-constellations GNSS Systems. They also investigate the key characteristics of antennas and how you can future-proof your GNSS design with Taoglas antenna solutions.
Dec 11, 2024
8,459 views
Introducing the Next Generation in Electronic Systems Design
In this episode of Chalk Talk, David Wiens from Siemens and Amelia Dalton explore the role that AI, cloud connectivity and security will play for the future of electronic system design and how Siemens is furthering innovation in this area with its integrated suite of design tools.
Dec 3, 2024
17,425 views