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Вітаємо Ольгу Вовк із присудженням премії імені М.І.Туган-Барановського kpi пн, 03/03/2025 - 17:54

I didn’t originally plan to begin this teardown with a language lesson, but it turned out that way. Skip ahead a couple of paragraphs if you insist on bypassing it

As regular readers may already realize, likely to their dismay, I’ve spent the bulk of my nearly-30-year to-date tech journalism career attempting, among other things, to inject rhymes into writeup titles (and content, for that matter) whenever possible and management-blessed (or at least tolerated). Occasionally, I succeeded modestly. Often, I failed miserably. The challenge was particularly acute this time. See for yourself: visit RhymeZone for a listing of how many (or more accurate, few) options exist for rhyming pairings with the word “ultra”. I could have cheated and stuck “streamer” after “ultra” to expand the rhyming options list, but where’s the fun in that?

The Chromecast Ultra streaming receiver we’ll be dissecting today is (or more accurately was) among other things the “kit” partner with Google’s Stadia controller (also on my teardown pile), the usage nexus of the company’s now-defunct online-streamed gaming service. So, what popped into my head next was the word “consort”, specifically the noun defined as (among other things) an “associate”. But I needed something ending in an “a” to even sorta-rhyme. Fortunately, at least for me (your opinions may differ, understandably) the similar-meaning “consorta” also exists, at least in the Swiss Romansh language.

Thus concludes the etymology. Thanks for indulging me (see, another rhyme)! Now for the “meat” of the writeup. As I recently mentioned in my third-generation Google Chromecast teardown, I ended up reordering the publication cadence from the originally planned chronological sequence; the 2018 Chromecast 3 came first, after the 2015 Chromecast 2, followed by today’s 2016 Chromecast Ultra. That said, the calendar-year proximity between the Chromecast 2 and Chromecast Ultra may explain why the latter retained the former’s magnet-augmented HDMI connector and metal-augmented back-of-body, dropped from the Chromecast 3 successor.

As with the Chromecast 3, I wasn’t able to find a “nonfunctional, for parts only” device to tear down; instead, I resigned myself to picking a functional (albeit well-used) alternative off eBay:

for only $19.46 ($12 plus sales tax and $6.35 for shipping), shown here as usual accompanied by a 0.75″ (19.1 mm) diameter U.S. penny for size comparison purposes:

The backside printing is a bit less faint this time compared to that in the Chromecast 3, but it’s still dim. Here’s what it says around the circumference, if your eyes are as old and tired as mine:

Model NC2-6A5-D
FCC ID A4RNC2-6A5-D
IC 10395A-NC26A5D
CAN ICES-3 B
NMB-3 B
Made in China
HDMI
Designed by Google
1600 Amphitheater Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
UL US LISTED
ITE E258392
6B11CYFWMB

The earlier “magnetic” image’s hinted-at tint may have tipped you off that the HDMI connector has an atypical orange-ish color (for a possible reason I’ll explain shortly) with this device:

The power supply’s micro-USB connector’s equally uncommon color scheme is similar:

Zooming out, here’s what the latter connector is attached to:

And zooming back in:

Flip the wall wart 180° to check out its specs:

And now rotate it 90° and…wait, what’s this (it’s “only” 100 Mpbs-supportive, BTW)?

The Chromecast Ultra differs from its conventional Chromecast siblings in that it, to quote the spec sheet, “supports all resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD and high dynamic range (HDR) for superior picture quality” (at up to 60 fps, too, content source- and display support-dependent). Here’s the twist: it apparently only delivers a 4K output if the original power supply is in use (thereby explaining, I suspect, albeit in an undocumented manner as far as I can tell, the usage-reminder color match between the micro-USB input power connector and the HDMI A/V output connector). Note that the Ethernet port doesn’t actually need to be in use, as this photo I just snapped of another Chromecast Ultra I own, connected to my master guest bedroom UHD TV (whose date and time settings beg for configuration) and to my LAN over Wi-Fi, reveals:

What I’m guessing is that, in actuality, the Chromecast Ultra is looking for a USB cable that supports both power and data transfer capabilities. Would a different supplier’s PSU with a functionally compatible integrated Ethernet port (as well as an adequate USB PD output, of course), thereby also satisfying the power-plus-data cable requirements, also work? Dunno.

Onward: let’s get inside. Specifically, there’s a seam along the edge, visible in this photo of the device’s micro-USB input:

and, rotating roughly 180°, this shot of its hardware reset button and (to the left) status LED:

I decided to try popping apart the two device halves absent preparatory heat application this time, which still proved successful:

That’s some seriously dry thermal paste in-between the top-half case insides and Faraday Cage:

which may at least in part explain the Chromecast Ultra’s reported propensity for overheating (especially, I’m suggesting, as the device ages and the paste dries out). This guy’s alternative “fix” involved sticking supplemental heatsinks to the outside top case (the video is worth a viewing if only to check out the measured temperature drop post-augmentation):

Next, let’s get that Faraday Cage off:

(No) surprise: more thermal paste!

Let’s apply some isopropyl alcohol to clean off that gray goo, so we can see what’s underneath:

Hold that “what’s underneath” thought until we get the PCB out of the remaining lower-case half. Two screws removed (I’ve already confirmed there are no more at the bottom of the PCB; read my Chromecast 3 teardown for the embarrassing-to-me details of why this was necessary):

followed by the bracket that holds the HDMI connector in place:

At this point, the PCB began to elevate itself out of the remaining case half, so I redirected my attention away from the HDMI cable:

and to the first-time revealed PCB bottom half:

Look, it’s another Faraday Cage!

And here’s (in the center) the metal plate that the HDMI connector magnetically mates with when not in use, along with (at upper right) the reset switch and LED light guide assemblies:

At this point, the HDMI cable disconnected itself (gravity-encouraged) from the other (upper) side of the PCB:

Next to go, Brian-encouraged this time, was the Faraday Cage:

And after one more thermal paste wipe-off session:

let’s get to identification. At the upper-left edge are the reset switch and status LED. Along both lower edges are the PCB-embedded antennae. The large rectangular IC at the right is a Samsung K4F8E304HB-MGCH 8 Gbit LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM (there’s nothing underneath the cage frame above it, trust me; I subsequently ripped it off to check. Also, there’s nothing below the frame at bottom). And in the lower left is another, smaller rectangular IC, labeled as follows:

MARVELL
W8997-A0
637BETP

which I think is now the NXP Semiconductors 88W8997 (NXP having acquired Marvell’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity assets in late 2019) and implements the Chromecast Ultra’s dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi facilities.

Back to the now-case-free PCB topside, and more Marvell-branded chips come into view:

The one in the center is a real head-scratcher, labeled as follows:

MARVEL
DE3009-A0
633ARTE TJ

Do a Google search on “Marvell DE3009” (I’m assuming “A0” refers to the design stepping version) and you’ll find, unless you’re more adept than me…nothing, save for a Google suggestion that perhaps I meant “DE3005” instead. The DE3006, specifically the 88DE3006, was used in the Chromecast 2 and (in Synaptics-renamed form) the Chromecast 3, so on a hunch I did a search on “Marvell 88DE3009” instead. This was more fruitful, but only a bit; there was a short discussion on iFixit’s website concurring with my suspicion that it was a Google-only implemented device, along with a terse mention on WikiDevi indicating that post-Synaptics’ acquisition of Marvell’s Multimedia Solutions Business in mid-2017, the 88DE3009 was renamed the Synaptics BG4CDP (not that I can find much about it, either, save that it’s supposedly dual-core and runs at 1.25 GHz). More knowledgeable reader insights are as-always welcomed!

The markings on the small IC to the left of the DE3009 and peeking out from the frame edge are too faint for me to discern, other than that the first line is again “MRVL”. Below the DE3009 is a Toshiba TC58NVG1S3HBAI6 2 Gbit NAND flash memory. In the upper right corner of the PCB, again peeking out from under the frame, is a small IC with a Marvell logo mark in the upper left corner, along with the following:

52K
00B0G
624AK

And below it is another Marvell-sourced mystery IC:

MRVL
823AA0
634GAC

As I mentioned earlier specifically regarding the DE3009, reader insights on any of the chips I’ve been unable to identify (along with those I’ve sorta-kinda-maybe ID’d), along with any other thoughts on this teardown, are appreciated in the comments!

—Brian Dipert is the Editor-in-Chief of the Edge AI and Vision Alliance, and a Senior Analyst at BDTI and Editor-in-Chief of InsideDSP, the company’s online newsletter.

 Related Content

• The Google Chromecast Gen 3: Gluey and screwy
• The Google Chromecast Gen 2 (2015): A Form Factor Redesign with Beefier Wi-Fi, Too
• Google’s Chromecast with Google TV: Car accessory similarity, and a post-teardown resurrection opportunity?
• The Google Chromecast with Google TV: Realizing a resurrection opportunity
• Google’s Chromecast with Google TV: Dissecting the HD edition

The post Google’s Chromecast Ultra: More than just a Stadia Consorta appeared first on EDN.

Introduction to Laser Soldering

Laser soldering is an advanced soldering technique that utilizes a highly focused laser beam to heat and join soldered components. It is widely used in electronics, automotive, aerospace, and medical device manufacturing, offering precision and minimal thermal impact compared to traditional soldering techniques like wave and reflow soldering.

How Laser Soldering Works

Laser soldering operates by directing a controlled laser beam onto a solder joint, heating it to the required temperature to melt the solder and form a secure electrical or mechanical connection. The key components of a laser soldering system include:

1. Laser Source: Typically a fiber laser, diode laser, or Nd:YAG laser, chosen based on the application requirements.
2. Beam Delivery System: Optical fibers or galvanometer scanners to direct the laser beam to the precise soldering location.
3. Process Monitoring System: Infrared or vision-based sensors to ensure quality and consistency.
4. Flux Application System: To clean oxidation and improve wetting properties of the solder.

The laser’s intensity, duration, and focus are carefully controlled to avoid overheating and ensure optimal bonding.

Laser Soldering Process

The laser soldering process follows these key steps:

1. Surface Preparation: The materials to be soldered must be cleaned and flux applied to prevent oxidation.
2. Positioning & Fixturing: Components are precisely positioned to ensure accurate solder joint formation.
3. Laser Heating: The laser is directed at the soldering site with carefully controlled power and duration.
4. Solder Melting & Wetting: The solder melts and flows over the joint, creating a reliable electrical and mechanical connection.
5. Cooling & Solidification: The solder joint solidifies, forming a strong bond with minimal stress or thermal damage.
6. Inspection & Quality Control: Automated systems, such as X-ray or infrared imaging, may be used to verify joint integrity.

Applications of Laser Soldering

Laser soldering is employed in various high-precision industries, including:

1. Electronics Manufacturing: Used in PCB assembly, wire bonding, and micro-soldering for miniaturized circuits.
2. Automotive Industry: Employed in sensor connections, battery pack manufacturing, and electronic control modules.
3. Medical Devices: Used for assembling compact and delicate electronic components in medical implants and diagnostic equipment.
4. Aerospace & Defense: Essential for high-reliability solder joints in avionics and military electronics.
5. Telecommunications: Applied in optical fiber splicing and high-frequency circuit board soldering.

Advantages of Laser Soldering

Laser soldering offers several advantages over conventional soldering techniques:

• Precision & Control: Allows fine control over temperature, beam positioning, and solder flow.
• Minimal Thermal Impact: Reduces heat stress on delicate components, making it ideal for miniaturized electronics.
• Non-Contact Process: Eliminates mechanical stress and contamination risks.
• Automation Friendly: Easily integrates with robotics and inline inspection systems for high-throughput manufacturing.
• Consistent & Repeatable Results: Ensures uniform solder joints, reducing defects and rework.
• Eco-Friendly: Reduces solder waste and eliminates the need for high-temperature heating elements.

Disadvantages of Laser Soldering

Despite its many benefits, laser soldering also has some limitations:

• High Initial Cost: Requires investment in specialized equipment and skilled operators.
• Material Sensitivity: Some materials may not absorb laser energy efficiently, requiring careful parameter adjustments.
• Limited Joint Sizes: May not be suitable for large-area soldering applications.
• Laser Safety Considerations: Requires protective measures to prevent accidental exposure to high-intensity laser beams.
• Dependency on Precise Alignment: Small misalignments can affect solder quality and reliability.

Conclusion

Laser soldering is a cutting-edge technology that enhances precision, efficiency, and reliability in soldering applications. While it comes with a higher upfront cost and requires careful process control, its advantages in high-precision industries make it a preferred choice for modern manufacturing. As technology evolves, improvements in laser systems and automation will further expand the scope of laser soldering, making it an indispensable tool in next-generation electronics and industrial applications.

The post Laser Soldering Definition, Process, Working, Uses & Advantages appeared first on ELE Times.

India’s smart lighting industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by technological advancements and a growing emphasis on energy efficiency. Smart lighting integrates advanced controls and connectivity, allowing users to customize illumination levels, colors, and schedules, often through mobile apps or voice assistants.

This article highlights ten prominent smart lighting manufacturers in India, showcasing their contributions to this dynamic sector.

1. Philips Lighting India (Signify)

Philips Lighting, now operating as Signify, is a global leader in lighting solutions with a substantial presence in India. The company offers a diverse range of smart lighting products, including the popular Philips Hue series, which allows users to control lighting ambiance and intensity through mobile applications and voice commands. Philips’ commitment to innovation and quality has solidified its reputation in the Indian smart lighting market.

2. Wipro Lighting

Wipro Lighting, a division of Wipro Enterprises, has been at the forefront of providing innovative lighting solutions in India. The company offers smart LED lighting products that are compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Wipro’s smart bulbs and fixtures enable users to adjust brightness and color temperatures, enhancing both residential and commercial spaces with energy-efficient lighting solutions.

3. Havells India

Havells India is a renowned electrical equipment manufacturer that has ventured into the smart lighting segment. The company offers a range of smart LED bulbs and fixtures that can be controlled remotely via mobile applications. Havells’ smart lighting solutions are designed to provide energy efficiency and convenience, catering to the evolving needs of modern consumers.

4. Syska LED Lights

Syska LED Lights has emerged as a prominent player in India’s smart lighting industry. The company offers a variety of smart bulbs that can be controlled through mobile apps and are compatible with voice assistants. Syska’s focus on affordability and quality has made smart lighting accessible to a broader consumer base, contributing to the widespread adoption of intelligent lighting solutions.

5. Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals

Crompton Greaves has a longstanding presence in India’s electrical industry and has embraced smart lighting technologies. The company offers smart LED bulbs and fixtures that can be controlled remotely, allowing users to customize lighting settings for different moods and occasions. Crompton’s integration of smart features into their lighting products reflects their commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions.

6. Goldmedal Electricals

Goldmedal Electricals has diversified its product portfolio to include smart lighting solutions. The company’s smart LED bulbs and panels offer features like remote control, scheduling, and compatibility with popular voice assistants. Goldmedal’s emphasis on design aesthetics and functionality has positioned it as a notable player in the smart lighting market.

7. Orient Electric

Orient Electric, a part of the CK Birla Group, has expanded its offerings to include smart lighting products. The company’s smart LED bulbs and fixtures can be controlled via mobile apps, providing users with flexibility and convenience. Orient’s focus on energy efficiency and innovative designs has contributed to its growing presence in the smart lighting sector.

8. Bajaj Electricals

Bajaj Electricals has been a trusted name in the Indian electrical industry and has embraced smart lighting technologies. The company offers smart LED bulbs and luminaires that can be controlled remotely, enhancing user convenience and energy savings. Bajaj’s commitment to quality and innovation has enabled it to cater to the evolving demands of consumers seeking intelligent lighting solutions.

9. TP-Link

TP-Link, known for its networking products, has entered the smart lighting market in India. The company’s smart bulbs can be controlled through the Kasa app and are compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. TP-Link’s expertise in connectivity solutions has facilitated the seamless integration of their smart lighting products into modern smart homes.

10. HomeMate

HomeMate specializes in smart home solutions, including smart lighting products. The company’s offerings include Wi-Fi-enabled RGB LED kits and smart bulbs that can be controlled remotely via mobile applications. HomeMate’s focus on user-friendly interfaces and customization options has made it a notable player in the Indian smart lighting landscape.

 

In conclusion, India’s smart lighting industry is witnessing rapid growth, with numerous manufacturers offering innovative and energy-efficient solutions. The companies highlighted above have played significant roles in shaping the market by providing products that cater to the evolving needs of consumers and businesses alike. As technology continues to advance, these manufacturers are poised to drive further innovation, contributing to a more connected and sustainable future.

The post Top 10 Smart Lighting Manufacturers in India appeared first on ELE Times.

NUBURU Inc of Centennial, CO, USA — which was founded in 2015 and develops and manufactures high-power industrial blue lasers — and HUMBL Inc, a strategic holding company with a focus on Brazil, have executed a $2m equity swap agreement and strategic partnership designed to accelerate both companies’ growth strategies and deliver immediate value to shareholders...

🛸 Майстер-класи, головоломки і квести з нагоди Міжнародного дня числа Пі kpi пн, 03/03/2025 - 13:26

For its fiscal second-quarter 2025 (ended 28 December 2024), Lumentum Holdings Inc of San Jose, CA, USA (which designs and makes optical and photonic products for optical networks and lasers for industrial and consumer markets) has reported revenue of $402.2m. This is up 19.4% on $336.9m last quarter and 9.7% on $366.8m a year ago, and exceeds the $380–400m guidance range. Growth is being driven by strong demand from cloud customers, particularly in data-center interconnect and networking end-markets...

• 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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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🎥 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”

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