Feed aggregator

• Accelerate wireless product development and manufacturing using versatile solutions with outstanding switching speed and signal purity in a variety of compact form-factors

– Keysight Technologies, Inc. has expanded its radio frequency (RF) and microwave instrument portfolio with six new analog signal generators, two vector signal generators, eight RF synthesizers, and three signal source analyzers. These new solutions provide RF engineers with compact tools, in single channel and multi-channel platforms, for component and device characterization at frequencies up to 54 GHz.

Signal generators and RF synthesizers are essential tools that RF engineers rely on routinely to test components, devices, and systems in areas such as radar and defense electronics, wireless communication systems, consumer electronics, and more. Signal source analyzers (SSA) help RF engineers to accurately characterize phase noise, jitter, and frequency stability in oscillators, synthesizers, and signal sources and active components across radar systems, wireless networks, high-speed computing, and optical communications. These analyzers are essential for ensuring signal purity, minimizing interference, and optimizing performance in critical RF and digital applications.

Keysight’s new signal generators provide performance, with low phase noise, good spectral purity, and fast switching speed, combined with multi-channel phase coherent options. The new portfolio of RF synthesizers provide pure and fast signals, with scaled down features in even more compact and cost-effective form factors for integration and manufacturing applications.

The new Keysight compact portfolio offers several key advantages:

• Portability: Compact size, lower weight, and power consumption versus other instruments in their class for easy transport, efficient use in lab.
• Rapid testing: Fast switching speed (down to 3 µs) can accelerate testing, mimic fast moving signals (e.g. RADAR), and boost throughput with multi-channel options.
• Low phase noise: Oven-controlled crystal oscillator stabilized signal (e.g. AP5021A phase noise -145 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz, 10 kHz offset, typical) for pure signals.
• Scalable channel count: Single channel options and multi-channel options with phase coherency; units can be linked together for multi-instrument phase coherency.
• Modulation capabilities combined with signal purity, fast switching and multi-channel capability: Supports amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation, pulse modulation, pulse train, frequency chirps along with 400 MHz vector modulation.
• Fully Integrated SSA’s: Cross-correlation system with multi-programmable low noise DC supplies.
• Optimized user interface: Features an LCD touch screen and/or remote desktop PC software making it easy to operate.

Joe Rickert, Vice President and General Manager, Keysight High Frequency Measurements Center of Excellence, said: “These new signal generators, frequency synthesizers, and signal source analyzers provide RF engineers a number of new test tools that provide an exciting combination of technical performance, compact form factors, and cost-effectiveness. The generators provide excellent signal purity, fast switching, multi-channel phase coherency, and more, while the synthesizers offer pure and fast signal creation with targeted feature sets and reduced size for system integrators and manufacturers. The signal source analyzers support accurate characterization of important system components such as oscillators.  We are excited about the value that these new platforms will bring to engineers working in aerospace/defense, wireless communications, quantum computing, consumer electronics, education, and other applications.”

The post Keysight Expands RF and Microwave Portfolio with New Fast and Compact Test Instruments appeared first on ELE Times.

• ST first to put quad-band, multi-constellation design, needed for precise GNSS positioning accurate to a few centimeters, on a single die
• Innovative design ensures cost-effective precise positioning for road users and for new industrial applications, to increase the areas where autonomous vehicles can operate

STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has introduced the Teseo VI family of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers aimed at high-volume precise positioning use cases. For the automotive industry, Teseo VI chips and modules will be core building blocks of advanced driving systems (ADAS), smart in-vehicle systems, and safety-critical applications such as autonomous driving. They have also been designed to improve positioning capabilities in multiple industrial applications including asset trackers, mobile robots for home deliveries, managing machinery and crop monitoring in smart agriculture, timing systems such as base stations, and many more.

“Our new Teseo VI receivers represent a real breakthrough among positioning engines for several reasons: they are the first to integrate multi-constellation and quad-band signal processing in a single die; they are the first to embed a dual-Arm-core architecture enabling both very high performance and ASIL-level safety for assisted and autonomous driving applications. Last but not least, they embed ST’s proprietary embedded Non-Volatile-Memory (PCM), thus delivering a very integrated, cost-effective, and reliable platform for new precise-positioning solutions,” said Luca Celant, Digital Audio and Signal Solutions General Manager, STMicroelectronics. “ST’s new satellite-navigation receivers will support exciting, advanced capabilities in automotive ADAS applications and enable many new use cases being implemented by industrial companies.”

Teseo VI is the first in the market to integrate all the necessary system elements for centimeter accuracy into one die, supporting simultaneous multi-constellation and quad-band operations. This innovation simplifies the development of end-user navigation and positioning products, enhances reliability even in challenging conditions like urban canyons, and reduces bill-of-materials costs. Additionally, the single chip accelerates time to market and allows for compact and lightweight form factors.

The new Teseo VI family of precise positioning receiver chips leverages decades of experience and integrates multiple ST proprietary technologies, including precise positioning and advanced embedded memory.

The post STMicroelectronics releases innovative satellite navigation receiver to democratize precise positioning for automotive and industrial applications appeared first on ELE Times.

Devices and systems – from automotive and industrial to consumer electronics – rely on powerful, efficient, and secured microcontrollers for reliable operation. At embedded world 2025 in Nuremberg, Infineon Technologies AG will showcase how its innovative semiconductor solutions meet these needs and drive further advancements. The company will present high-quality microcontrollers featuring the latest technologies, enhanced security, and high precision – delivering excellent performance with low-power consumption. True to the motto “Driving decarbonization and digitalization. Together.” the Infineon booth in Hall 4A (booth #138) will present highlights from the consumer and IoT, automotive, and industrial sectors that contribute to a more sustainable future. In addition, customers can register for Infineon’s digital platform – the perfect place to dive deeper into the various technologies presented at embedded world during and after the event.

Infineon’s highlight topics at embedded world 2025

• Leading microcontrollers: The world of connected devices demands the highest reliability, precise calculations, robust security, energy efficiency, and user-friendly building blocks for high-quality designs.

At embedded world, Infineon will showcase its extensive MCU portfolio, featuring innovative solutions that drive progress. These include:

• PSOC microcontroller families
• TriCore-based AURIX family
• AIROC Wi-Fi-connected MCUs
• MOTIX MCUs
• Paving the way for RISC-V in automotive: Committed to establishing RISC-V as the open standard for automotive applications, Infineon is collaborating with key ecosystem partners to accelerate the adoption and maturity of RISC-V-based solutions.
• CRA-ready IoT solutions: Security is a prerequisite for connected devices and can be accomplished through either a secured MCU or a discrete security element. Mandatory regulations like the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) or global initiatives like Matter aim to protect consumers and businesses using digital products and software. To meet these requirements, Infineon provides a range of high-security, CRA-ready solutions with Edge Protect: PSOC microcontrollers deliver robust security features, while OPTIGA discrete security elements integrate seamlessly with each PSOC.
• System Solutions: To help developers fully leverage MCUs, Infineon offers a comprehensive range of software solutions tailored to various industries. DEEPCRAFT Studio, Infineon’s edge AI development platform, and the DEEPCRAFT Ready Models, deliver an easy-to-use, end-to-end machine learning development experience – from data input to model deployment. ModusToolbox, a suite of development tools, libraries, and embedded runtime resources, provides a flexible and powerful development experience.
• Enabling AI: AI is transforming our world, and to unlock its full potential, companies need a partner offering a diverse portfolio of AI hardware and software solutions – from Automotive AI and AIoT to Industrial AI. Infineon provides specialized microcontrollers and highly precise sensors that enable intelligent and adaptive edge AI systems. Infineon’s high-performance, energy-efficient power supply solutions sustainably support the growing demands of AI applications.

Infineon at embedded world

Embedded world will take place in Nuremberg, Germany from 11 to 13 March, 2025. Infineon will present its products and solutions for decarbonization and digitalization in hall 4A, booth #138 and virtually. For press inquiries please contact media.relations@infineon.com. Industry analysts interested in a briefing can email  MarketResearch.Relations@infineon.com. Information about the embedded world show highlights is available at www.infineon.com/embedded-world.

The post Infineon presents innovative microcontroller solutions supporting high-quality designs at embedded world 2025 appeared first on ELE Times.

NXP Semiconductors, an innovator and supplier of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) solutions, and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate to demonstrate a test setup for UWB radar target simulation at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The demonstration, being the first of its kind, verifies the unique performance of the NXP Trimension NCJ29D6A chipset including the enhanced radar algorithms. It is capable of generating UWB radar targets with a variable target distance down to a few centimeters, enabling maximum control and reproducibility of the simulated scenario.

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology is experiencing a steep growth in automotive, mobile and IoT markets, based on its secure and precise ranging capabilities. The Digital Key as defined by the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) leverages UWB for secure and convenient handsfree car access without compromises. The current-generation NXP Trimension UWB chipsets enable new UWB-radar use cases, such as Child Presence Detection (CPD), kick-sensing for easy trunk access, intrusion or proximity detection, and much more.

These UWB radar applications benefit from advanced target simulation, able to solve technical challenges, like short distance target simulation and large signal bandwidth, to mention just two. The key components are the R&S SMW200A signal generator, a R&S FSW26 spectrum analyzer and an R&S developed control software. The equipment used is available in UWB engineering laboratories today, hence reducing the initial capital investment. The demonstration is especially interesting for UWB chipset suppliers, module providers, Tier1s and vehicle OEMs.

In order to support the automotive ecosystem in testing these new use cases, collaboration with key partners is especially important. Rohde & Schwarz and NXP Semiconductors have worked closely together to validate this test system. Jürgen Meyer, Vice President Automotive Market Segment at Rohde & Schwarz remarked, “We greatly appreciate the close working relationship with the NXP Semiconductors teams around the world to realize this unique demonstration to provide the automotive industry with the test capabilities it needs to enable the next wave of UWB applications.”

An integral part of this demonstration setup is NXP’s Trimension NCJ29D6A, which is the first monolithic UWB chipset that combines secure ranging and short-range radar with an integrated MCU to enable use cases such as CPD, kick-sensing, and intrusion detection. “The demonstrator from Rohde & Schwarz allows our customers to validate their UWB radar systems and algorithms to shorten development cycles and optimize time-to-market,” said Michael Leitner, General Manager Secure Car Access, NXP Semiconductors. “This collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz is another milestone contributing to the success of UWB technology in the automotive market.”

The test setup will be shown at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, from the March 3 to March 6, 2025, at the Fira Gran Via, in Hall 5, booth 5A80.

The post MWC25: Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates unique UWB radar target simulation with NXP Trimension NCJ29D6 automotive solution appeared first on ELE Times.

Malaysia is serious about its bid to move up the semiconductor industry ladder by establishing an IC design presence, and Arm’s setting up a design shop there is a testament to this ambition. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told reporters late last week that he has been on a call with Arm CEO Rene Haas and SoftBank’s head Masayoshi Son regarding this matter.

He added that talks are in the final stage and the agreement will be finalized and signed this month. Ibrahim also said that this demonstrates confidence in Malaysia’s policies and its ambition to become a regional hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing.

Malaysia is keen to penetrate the IC design market to bolster its standing as a regional tech hub. Source: CNA

This initiative is part of Malaysia’s National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), which calls for $110 billion of direct investment in IC design, advanced packaging, and front-end semiconductor manufacturing processes, which includes wafer fabs and manufacturing equipment.

Details on what kind of design work Arm will carry out in Malaysia are yet to emerge. Ibrahim calls it a major test for the country’s ambition to embrace IC design work. “Can we provide tens of thousands of young professionals?”

“This is a challenge for the youth,” he added. “A professional workforce is essential when we attract significant investments.” That also shows a lot of sense of excitement.

Related Content

• Fabless venture formed in Malaysia
• Has Malaysia’s ‘semiconductor moment’ finally arrived
• Malaysia’s semiconductor journey spanning half a century
• Malaysia’s fabless chip company orders design tools, workstations
• Bosch to Invest Another €400M in German, Malaysian Chip Facilities

The post Arm setting up a design shop in Malaysia appeared first on EDN.

submitted by /u/One-Cardiologist-462 [link] [comments]

submitted by /u/One-Cardiologist-462 [link] [comments]

submitted by /u/AutoModerator
[link] [comments]

submitted by /u/RCBPC [link] [comments]

🎥 Еко–Техно Україна 2025 kpi пт, 02/28/2025 - 23:03

There’s a small AC-line device that has received a lot of favorable media coverage lately. It’s called Ting from Whisker Labs, Inc. and its purpose is to monitor the home AC line, Figure 1. It then alerts the homeowner via smartphone to surges, brownouts, and arcing (arc faults) which could lead to house fires. It’s even getting glowing click-bait testimonials such as “This Device Saved My House From an Electrical Fire. And You Might Be Able to Get It for Free.” Let’s face it, accolades don’t get much better than that.

Figure 1 The Ting voltage monitor is a small, plug-in box with no user buttons except a reset. Source: Wisker Labs

(“Arcing”—which can ignite nearby flammable substances—occurs when electrical energy jumps across a gap between conductors; it usually but not always occurs at a connector and is often accompanied by sparks, buzzing sounds, and overheating; if it’s in a wall or basement, you might not know about it.)

The $99 device plugs into any convenient outlet—more formally, a receptacle—and once set up with your smartphone, it continuously monitors the AC line for conditions which may be detrimental. It needs no additional sensors or special wiring and looks like any other plug-in device. The vendor claims over a million homes have been protected, aggregating over 980,000 “home years” of coverage and that four of five electrical fires have been prevented.

When the Ting unit identifies a problem it recognizes, the owner receives an alert through the Ting app that provides advice on what to do, Figure 2. Depending on the issue, a live member of the company’s Fire Safety Team may contact you to walk you through whatever remediation steps might be required. In addition, if Ting finds a problem, the company will coordinate service by a licensed electrician and cover costs to remedy the problem up to $1,000.

Figure 2 All interaction between the homeowner and the Ting unit for alerts and reporting is via a Wi-Fi to a smartphone. Source: Wirecutter/New York Times

It all seems so straightforward and beneficial. However, whenever you are dealing with the AC line, there’s lots of room for oversimplification, misunderstanding, and confusion. Just look at the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the US (other countries have similar codes) and you’ll see that there’s more to safety in wiring than just using the appropriate gauge wire, making solid connection, and insulating obvious points. The code is complicated and there are good reasons for its many requirements and mandates.

My first thought on seeing this was “this is a great idea.” Then my natural skepticism kicked in and I wondered: does it really do what they claim? Exactly what does it do, and is that actually meaningful? And then the extra credit question: what else does it do that might not be so good or desirable?

For example, some home-insurance companies are offering it for free, and waive the monthly fee for the first year. That’s a tradeoff users might consider, or is it a clever subscription-service hook?

There is lots of laudatory and flowery language associated with the marketing of this device, but solid technical details are scant, see “How Ting Works.” They state, “Ting pinpoints and identifies the unique signals generated by tiny electrical arcs, the precursors to imminent fire risks. These signals are incredibly small but are clearly visible thanks to Ting’s advanced detection technology.”

Other online postings say that Ting samples the at 30 megasamples/second, looking for anomalies. When it identifies a problem it recognizes, the owner receives an alert through the Ting app that provides advice on what to do.

Let’s face it: the real-world AC line looks nothing like the smoothly undulating textbook sine wave with a steady RMS value. Instead, these are some voltage level variations which the vendor says Ting captured, Figure 3.

Figure 3 The real-world AC line has voltage variation, spikes, surges, and dropouts. Source: F150 Lightning Forum

As for arcing, that’s more complicated than just a low or high-voltage assessment, as it produces RF emissions which can be captured and analyzed.

I was about to sign up to try one out myself but realized the pointlessness of that. First, a sample of one doesn’t prove much. Also, how could I “inject” known faults into the system (my house wiring) to evaluate it? That would be difficult, risky, foolish, and almost meaningless.

Consider the split supply phases

Instead, I looked around the web to see what others said, knowing that you can’t believe everything you read there. One electrician noted that it is only monitoring one side of the two split phases feeding the house, so there’s a significant coverage gap. Another one responded by saying that it was true, but most issues come across on the neutral wire that is shared by both phases.

Even Ting addressed this “one side” concern with a semi-technical response: “The signals that Ting is looking for can be detected throughout the home’s electrical system even though it is installed on a single 120V phase. Fundamentally, Ting is designed to detect the tiny electro-magnetic emissions associated with micro-arcing characteristics of potential electrical faults and does so at very high frequencies. At high frequencies, your home wiring acts like a communications network.”

They continued: “Since each phase shares a common neutral back at your main breaker panel, arcing signals from one phase can be detected by Ting even if it is on the opposite phase. Thus, each outlet in the home will see the signal no matter its location of origin to some degree. With its sensitive detector and powerful post-processing algorithms, Ting can separate the signal from the noise and detect if there is unusual electrical activity. So, you only need one Ting for your home.”

This response brought yet another online response: “monitoring the voltage of both sides of the split phase would be far more ideal. One of the more common types of electrical fires is a damaged or open neutral coming from the transformer. This could send one side of your split phase low and the other high frying equipment and starting fires. But if you’re only monitoring one side of the split phase, you will only see a high or low voltage and have no way of knowing if that is from a neutral issue or voltage sagging on the street.”

As for arcing, every house built since 1999 in the US has been required by code to use AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) outlets; those can stop an electrical fire in nearly all cases, not just report it. However, using a single Ting is less costly and presumably has some value for an older home that isn’t going to be renovated or updated to code.

How big is the problem?

Data on house fires is collected and analyzed by various organizations including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), individual insurance companies and industry-insurance consortiums. Are house first due to electrical faults a problem? The answer is that it depends on how you look at it.

Depending on who you ask and what you count, there are about 1.5 million fires each year—but many are outdoor barbeque or backyard wood-pile fires. The blog “Predict & Prevent: From Data to Practical Insight” from the Insurance Information Institute deals with electrical house fires and Ting in a generally favorable way (of course, you have to consider the blog’s source) with some interesting numbers: The 10 years from 2012 through 2021 saw reduced cooking, smoking, and heating fires; however, electrical fires saw an 11 percent increase over that same period, Figure 4. Fire ignitions with an undetermined cause also increased by 11 percent.  

Figure 4 The causes of house fires have changed in recent years; electrical fires have increased while others have decreased. Source: U.S. Fire Administration via the Insurance Information Institute

Specific hazards are also detailed, Figure 5:

Figure 5 For those fires whose source has been identified, connected devices and appliances are the source of about half while infrastructure wiring is at about one quarter. Source: Whisker Labs via Insurance Information Institute

The blog also points out that there are many misconceptions regarding electrical fires. It’s easy to assume that most fires are due to older home-wiring infrastructure. However, their data found that 50 percent of home electrical-fire hazards are due to failing or defective devices and appliances, with the other half attributed to home wiring and outlets.

Further, it seems obvious that older homes have higher risk. This may be true only if all other things are equal when considering the effects of age and use on existing wiring infrastructure, but they rarely are. The data shows that assumption is suspect when considering all other factors such as materials, build quality, and the standards and codes at that time.

Other implications

If you get this unit through an insurance company (free or semi-free), that means there’s yet another player the story in addition to the homeowner and Whisker Labs. First, one poster claimed “Digging through the web pages I found each device sends 160 megabytes back to Ting every month…So that means you have to have a stable WiFi router to do the upload. As far as I know, the homeowner does not get a copy of the report uploaded to Ting, but the insurance company does.”

Further, there’s a clause in the agreement between the insurance company that supplied the unit and the homeowner. It says they “may also use the data for purposes of insurance underwriting, pricing, claims handling, and other insurance uses.” Will this information be used to increase your rates or worse cancel your home insurance for imperfect wiring?

It’s not easy to say that the Ting project is a good or bad idea, as that assessment depends on many technical factors and personal preferences. One thing is clear: it may be very useful for collecting and analyzing “big data” across the wiring of millions of homes, AC-line performance, and the relationships between house specifics and electrical risks (hello, AI). However, it can be very tricky when it starts looking at microdata related to a single residence, as it can tell others more about your lifestyle than you would like others to know or how affects how the insurance company rates your house.

What’s your sense of this device and its technical validity?  What about larger-scale technical data-collection value? Finally, how do you feel about personal security and privacy implications?

Bill Schweber is an EE who has written three textbooks, hundreds of technical articles, opinion columns, and product features.

Related content

• Ground-fault interruption protection—without a ground?
• AC-DC adapters get their GaN shrink
• Cable Self-Heating: The Other Side of IR Drop
• ‘Mistakes Were Made’,” Even in a Simple 3-Wire AC Hookup

References

• The Wall Street Journal, “This (Possibly) Free Smart Device Listens to Your Home’s Wiring — and Could Prevent a Fire”
• Electrician Talk, “Ting Power Quality device”
• F150 Lightning Forum. “Ting Electrical Fire Safety Device”
• Insurance Information Institute, “Predict & Prevent: From Data to Practical Insight”
• Wirecutter, “This Device Saved My House From an Electrical Fire. And You Might Be Able to Get It for Free.”
• Reddit, “Does Ting actually work and if so, how?”
• Reddit, “Do you recommend Ting electrical monitors?”
• Wikipedia, “Arc-fault circuit interrupter”
• Rainbow Restoration Blog, “28 House Fire Statistics: How Common Are House Fires?”
• Whisker Labs, “2023 Data Analysis Update: Internet of Things (IoT) System Preventing 4 of 5 Home Electrical Fires”

The post AC-Line Safety Monitor Brings Technical, Privacy Issues appeared first on EDN.

submitted by /u/DependentJolly9901 [link] [comments]

For coverage of all the key business and technology developments in compound semiconductors and advanced silicon materials and devices over the last month...

As semiconductor scaling approaches fundamental limits, the industry is increasingly adopting chiplet-based architectures and heterogeneous integration to drive performance, power efficiency, and functionality. This shift is enabling new computing paradigms, from high-performance computing (HPC) to artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators and edge devices. This article explores the latest developments in chiplets, their role in modern semiconductor design, the challenges that lie ahead, and the technical innovations driving this revolution.

The Rise of Chiplet-Based Architectures

Traditional monolithic chip designs are facing bottlenecks due to escalating fabrication costs, yield issues, and power constraints. Chiplets offer a modular approach, enabling manufacturers to:

• Improve Yield: Smaller dies reduce defect density, improving overall yield and lowering per-unit cost.
• Enhance Performance: Optimized chiplets for different functions allow greater efficiency and performance scaling.
• Reduce Costs: Advanced nodes can be selectively used for performance-critical chiplets while other functions remain on mature nodes to balance cost and efficiency.
• Enable Scalability: Chiplets allow seamless integration of different process nodes and functionalities, ensuring adaptability across multiple applications.

The flexibility of chiplet-based designs is enabling complex computing architectures, where compute, memory, interconnect, and I/O functionalities are independently designed and integrated into a heterogeneous multi-die system.

Heterogeneous Integration: The Next Evolution in Semiconductor Design

Heterogeneous integration refers to the assembly of multiple dissimilar semiconductor components into a single package. This includes logic, memory, power management, RF, photonics, and sensors, combined to optimize system performance.

Key benefits of heterogeneous integration:

1. Increased Performance Density – More transistors can be packed per unit area without the constraints of monolithic die sizes.
2. Energy Efficiency – Improved power management through advanced interconnect technologies and proximity of critical functions.
3. Customizable Architectures – Modular design allows for application-specific optimizations in AI, HPC, and embedded systems.
4. Multi-Node Manufacturing – Different components can be fabricated using different technology nodes, enabling cost and performance trade-offs.

Key Technologies Enabling Chiplets and Heterogeneous Integration

1. Advanced Packaging Technologies

The success of chiplet integration depends on sophisticated packaging methodologies that ensure low-latency, high-bandwidth interconnects while maintaining power efficiency. The latest packaging technologies include:

• 2.5D Integration: Uses an interposer (silicon or organic) to connect multiple chiplets, offering high-speed interconnects with reduced power consumption.
• 3D Stacking: Enables vertical stacking of dies using Through-Silicon Vias (TSVs), achieving high interconnect density and bandwidth.
• Fan-Out Wafer-Level Packaging (FOWLP): Enhances signal integrity by reducing interconnect length and improving thermal performance.
• Wafer-to-Wafer and Die-to-Wafer Bonding: Enables ultra-dense 3D integration for logic-memory co-packaging and AI processors.

2. High-Speed Interconnects and Chiplet Standards

Efficient interconnects are critical for seamless communication between chiplets. Recent advancements include:

• Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express (UCIe) – An industry-standard interface for connecting chiplets from different vendors with minimized latency.
• Advanced Interface Bus (AIB) – Developed by Intel, enabling high-bandwidth chiplet communication for FPGA and AI accelerators.
• Bunch of Wires (BoW) – A low-power interconnect standard optimized for edge computing and AI applications.
• Silicon Photonics Interconnects – Optical interconnects enable ultra-high-speed data transfer between chiplets in HPC environments.

3. Power Delivery and Thermal Management

As chiplet architectures increase integration density, power and thermal constraints become critical challenges:

• Advanced Power Distribution Networks (PDNs) optimize efficiency across chiplets, ensuring stable voltage regulation.
• Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs) and liquid cooling solutions mitigate heat buildup in densely packed chiplet systems.
• On-Package Voltage Regulation (OPVR) reduces power loss in multi-die systems and enhances dynamic power allocation.

Industry Adoption and Notable Implementations

AMD’s Chiplet Approach

AMD pioneered the chiplet strategy with its Zen architecture, integrating multiple CCD (Core Complex Dies) with an IOD (I/O Die). The approach enhances yield and scalability while maintaining high performance.

Intel’s Heterogeneous Integration with Foveros

Intel’s Foveros 3D packaging allows high-performance logic stacking, demonstrated in products like the Meteor Lake processors, which integrate high-performance and power-efficient cores within a single package.

TSMC’s CoWoS and SoIC

TSMC’s Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate (CoWoS) and System on Integrated Chips (SoIC) technologies provide cutting-edge 2.5D and 3D integration solutions for AI accelerators and HPC applications.

NVIDIA’s Hopper Architecture

NVIDIA’s Hopper GPU integrates multiple HBM stacks and logic dies using TSMC’s CoWoS-S technology, demonstrating the potential of chiplet-based HPC solutions.

Challenges in Chiplet and Heterogeneous Integration

Despite the benefits, challenges remain:

1. Interconnect Latency and Bandwidth – Efficient, low-latency interconnect solutions are required for high-speed data exchange between chiplets.
2. Standardization Issues – Lack of universal standards complicates cross-vendor chiplet integration and interoperability.
3. Design Complexity – Optimizing power, thermal efficiency, and routing in multi-die architectures requires advanced EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools.
4. Manufacturing Costs – While chiplets can reduce per-unit costs, the added complexity in packaging and interconnects can offset savings.
5. Security and Reliability – Multi-vendor chiplet integration introduces security risks and potential failure points that require robust testing methodologies.

The Future of Chiplets and Heterogeneous Integration

The industry is rapidly evolving towards fully modular semiconductor designs, driven by:

• AI and Machine Learning – Custom chiplets optimized for AI workloads are expected to dominate future architectures.
• 3D Heterogeneous Computing – Next-generation chips will feature tightly integrated compute and memory stacks for high-speed processing.
• Chiplet Ecosystem Growth – Collaboration among semiconductor giants is leading to open standards like UCIe for universal chiplet interoperability.
• Quantum and Neuromorphic Computing – Emerging computing paradigms are leveraging chiplets for specialized, high-performance computation.
• AI-Assisted Chiplet Design – Machine learning and AI-driven automation are revolutionizing semiconductor design, optimizing layouts for power and performance efficiency.

Conclusion

Chiplets and heterogeneous integration represent the next frontier in semiconductor design, overcoming the limitations of traditional monolithic scaling. With industry leaders like AMD, Intel, TSMC, and NVIDIA driving advancements, we are entering an era of unprecedented performance and efficiency in computing architectures. While challenges remain in standardization, interconnects, and thermal management, continued innovation promises a future where chiplets become the fundamental building blocks of next-generation processors, ushering in a new era of modular, high-performance computing.

The post Chiplets and Heterogeneous Integration: The Future of Semiconductor Design appeared first on ELE Times.

For artificial intelligence (AI) at the edge moving from basic tasks like noise reduction and anomaly detection to more sophisticated use cases such as big models and AI agents, Arm has launched a new CPU core, the Cortex A-320, as part of the Arm v9 architecture. Combined with Arm’s Ethos-U85 NPU, Cortex A-320 enables generative and agentic AI use cases in Internet of Things (IoT) devices. EE Times’ Sally Ward-Foxton provides details of this AI-centric CPU upgrade while also highlighting key features like better memory access, Kleidi AI, and software compatibility.

Read the full story at EDN’s sister publication, EE Times.

Related Content

• Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) Game Changer
• Edge AI chip features “at-memory” architecture
• SiMa.ai’s Second-Gen Edge AI Chip Goes Multi-Modal
• New Arm architecture brings enhanced security and AI to IoT
• Arm adds new Cortex-M processor for AI on small IoT devices

The post Arm’s AI pivot for the edge: Cortex A-320 CPU appeared first on EDN.

The relentless drive toward miniaturization in electronics has led to a growing demand for materials that can sustain high performance at the nanoscale. Graphene, a two-dimensional allotrope of carbon, has emerged as a game-changer due to its exceptional electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. This article explores the latest advancements in graphene-based electronics, focusing on its role in enabling ultra-miniaturized devices, challenges in fabrication, and future prospects.

Graphene’s Unique Properties for Electronics

Graphene’s exceptional properties make it an ideal candidate for miniaturized electronics:

• High Electrical Conductivity: Graphene exhibits carrier mobilities exceeding 200,000 cm²/V·s, significantly surpassing silicon, due to its unique Dirac cone band structure allowing ballistic transport over micrometer scales.
• Atomic Thickness: At just one atom thick (0.34 nm), graphene enables extreme device miniaturization, significantly reducing the short-channel effects encountered in silicon transistors.
• High Thermal Conductivity: With values up to 5000 W/m·K, graphene efficiently dissipates heat, crucial for high-performance electronics, especially in applications requiring ultra-high power density.
• Mechanical Strength: Graphene is over 200 times stronger than steel, ensuring durability in nano-scale applications and enabling mechanically flexible devices.
• Quantum Effects: Graphene’s electronic properties are governed by relativistic Dirac fermions, enabling high-speed transistors, valleytronic devices, and novel quantum computing architectures.

Graphene in Transistors and Logic Devices Graphene Field-Effect Transistors (GFETs)

Graphene-based transistors, or GFETs, are at the forefront of miniaturization due to their ultra-high carrier mobility and near-ballistic transport.

• Recent advances include dual-gated GFETs, which enhance carrier modulation and energy efficiency by reducing contact resistance and improving subthreshold slope.
• Researchers at MIT have demonstrated graphene-based sub-5nm transistors, showcasing potential replacements for conventional MOSFETs and FinFETs.
• The integration of graphene with high-k dielectrics such as HfO₂ has shown improved gate control and reduced leakage current.

Graphene Nano-Ribbons (GNRs) for Bandgap Engineering

One challenge with graphene is its lack of an intrinsic bandgap, making it difficult to use in digital logic. Narrowing graphene into nano-ribbons (GNRs) introduces a bandgap, allowing for graphene-based semiconductors.

• IBM has developed 5nm GNR transistors, which exhibit superior switching behavior compared to conventional silicon devices.
• Recent studies on doping GNRs with boron and nitrogen have further improved bandgap tunability and transistor performance.

Graphene in Memory and Storage Devices

Graphene’s potential in memory applications stems from its ability to form ultra-thin, high-capacity storage solutions with fast switching characteristics.

Graphene-Based Resistive RAM (RRAM)

Graphene oxide (GO)-based RRAM enables high-speed, low-power memory.

• Samsung and research institutions have demonstrated graphene-based non-volatile memory capable of replacing NAND flash storage with endurance exceeding 10¹² write cycles.

Graphene Supercapacitors for Fast-Charging Memory

Graphene supercapacitors provide ultra-fast charging and discharging, making them ideal for next-generation RAM and hybrid storage solutions.

• The incorporation of graphene aerogels and MXenes in supercapacitors has drastically improved capacitance and retention characteristics.

Graphene in Flexible and Wearable Electronics

The push toward wearable and bendable electronics demands materials that maintain high conductivity while being flexible. Graphene’s high mechanical flexibility and optical transparency make it ideal for:

• Flexible Displays: Graphene-based OLEDs and micro-LEDs enable ultra-thin, foldable screens.
• Wearable Sensors: Graphene-based biosensors detect physiological changes in real-time, with high sensitivity and selectivity.
• Smart Textiles: Integrated graphene circuits enable e-textiles for healthcare monitoring and human-machine interface applications.

Challenges in Graphene Electronics

Despite its potential, graphene electronics face challenges:

1. Scalability: Large-area, defect-free graphene synthesis remains difficult. Current CVD processes often introduce grain boundaries affecting electron transport.
2. Bandgap Engineering: Lack of a natural bandgap limits its application in digital logic. Research into graphene bilayers and heterostructures aims to address this.
3. Integration with CMOS: Seamless integration into existing silicon-based processes is challenging. Efforts in 2D material stacking with TMDs like MoS₂ show promise.
4. Fabrication Costs: High-quality graphene production methods such as CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) and mechanical exfoliation are expensive and require optimization.

Recent Breakthroughs and Solutions

• Graphene-Silicon Hybrid Chips: Researchers at the University of Manchester have demonstrated graphene-silicon hybrid devices, improving compatibility with existing chip technologies.
• Graphene-Doped 2D Materials: Heterostructures with h-BN (hexagonal boron nitride) and MoS₂ (molybdenum disulfide) provide tunable electronic properties and enhanced stability.
• AI-Assisted Material Design: Machine learning models are now accelerating the discovery of optimal graphene-based transistor architectures.
• Twistronics: The controlled twisting of graphene bilayers at specific angles (e.g., the magic angle ~1.1°) has enabled the discovery of superconducting states, opening doors for quantum computing applications.

The Future of Graphene in Electronics

The integration of graphene into commercial electronics is closer than ever. Major developments include:

• 5G and 6G Communications: Graphene antennas and RF components enable ultra-fast wireless networks with reduced energy consumption.
• Neuromorphic Computing: Graphene’s quantum properties contribute to brain-inspired computing architectures, with memristive behavior suitable for AI applications.
• Quantum Electronics: Graphene-based qubits and topological insulators are being explored for scalable quantum computing architectures.
• Spintronics: Graphene’s spin-orbit interactions are being leveraged for the next generation of low-power spintronic devices.

Conclusion

Graphene electronics is pushing the boundaries of miniaturization, promising a future of ultra-small, high-performance devices. While challenges remain in fabrication and integration, ongoing research and industry collaborations are accelerating progress. With continued advancements in materials engineering, device physics, and quantum mechanics, graphene may soon replace silicon as the foundation of next-generation nanoelectronics.

The post Graphene Electronics and Miniaturization: The Future of Nano-Scale Devices appeared first on ELE Times.

🌸 Завітайте на виставку робіт учнів та викладачів Східно-Європейської філії школи Ікенобо kpi пт, 02/28/2025 - 12:41

🕔 Дайджест актуальних подій та конкурсів від Відділу академічної мобільності kpi пт, 02/28/2025 - 10:00

submitted by /u/BigPurpleBlob [link] [comments]