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Aehr receives over $8m in SiC wafer-level burn-in orders as global EV programs accelerate

Semiconductor today - 42 хв 3 секунди тому
Aehr Test Systems of Fremont, CA, USA — which provides solutions for testing, burning-in and stabilizing semiconductor devices in wafer-level, singulated die, and packaged-part form — has received more than $8m in new silicon carbide wafer-level burn-in (WLBI) orders...

Australia, Japan, the USA and Alcoa investing in gallium project in Western Australia

Semiconductor today - 1 година 59 хв тому
The governments and industry partners of Australia, Japan and the USA, together with Alcoa Corp (which provides bauxite, alumina and aluminium products), have reached a final investment decision for a gallium production plant to be co‑located at Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia...

‘Mind of the Engineer’ survey: A reality check on where EEs stand on AI

EDN Network - 2 години 59 хв тому

Are you an engineer contemplating your next “skillset” move in the AI era? If so, the ‘Mind of the Engineer’ survey is for you. The survey delves into multiple engineering disciplines, the latest technology trends, and emerging design skillsets to formulate empirical observations about where today’s engineering landscape is heading and how engineers should prepare for this AI-powered paradigm shift.

More importantly, this survey touches a hot nerve: AI’s potential to eliminate engineering jobs. Will AI fundamentally change what it means to be an engineer in the next five years? And do engineers trust AI-generated outputs, and do these outputs reflect biases in training data?

The survey also tests grounds for young engineers, where AI and machine learning (ML) skills are hot favorites. Will these disciplines take over computer science and engineering? Should engineers go for self-study efforts through books, papers, blogs, and YouTube videos, or should they opt for education courses or certificates with Coursera, edX, Udemy, and IEEE?

The survey also attempts to gauge where engineers stand in terms of effectively using AI tools in electronics design and manufacturing processes. That includes agentic AI, formal AI, AI certifications, LLMs, and AI-assisted EDA tools. Also, how comfortable engineers are in AI/ML model development and deployment.

The survey also digs deeper into how engineers are using chatbots/assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot Chat. Then there are AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and Tabnine. The survey attempts to establish where these tools stand in an engineer’s day-to-day work and what the actual productivity gains are.

That brings us to a sensitive and crucial issue: Will AI tools eliminate more engineering jobs than they create? Are AI tools making engineers significantly more productive overall? Will AI fundamentally change what it means to be an engineer in the coming years?

However, the survey isn’t all about AI; cybersecurity and quantum computing are presented as pressing issues on many engineers’ minds. For instance, where does quantum computing stand in its deployment timeline? And how aware engineers are in terms of quantum-safe products and post-quantum cryptography.

Next, the survey covers quickly emerging technologies such as chiplets and advanced packaging. Likewise, power electronics stars—silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN)—are also there. Not to be discounted, edge AI, a rapidly emerging offshoot of AI technology, is there as well.

AspenCore, publisher of EDN, is conducting the “Voice of the Engineer” survey. Once you complete this survey, you will become eligible to be randomly selected as one of 10 respondents to receive an Amazon.com Gift Card valued at USD 100 (or local equivalent). Results of this survey will be announced at a major industry event with a fanfare. They will also be posted on EE Times, EDN’s sister publication.

Participate in the survey and be part of this timely engineering conversation about the future of AI and the electronics industry at large.

Related Content

The post ‘Mind of the Engineer’ survey: A reality check on where EEs stand on AI appeared first on EDN.

Indian Deep-Tech Startup Meine Electric’s Fast-Charging Iron-Air Battery Clears Independent Validation, Paving the Way for 24/7 Renewable Energy Storage

ELE Times - 6 годин 25 хв тому

Indian deep-tech startup Meine Electric has developed the world’s first fast-charging iron-air battery system, marking a significant technical advancement for long-duration energy storage (LDES). The technology, which features a proprietary Fast Charge Long Discharge (FCLD) capability allowing the battery to charge in 6 hours and discharge over 18 hours, has been independently validated by Customized Energy Solutions (CES), a US-headquartered global energy services and technology company and the parent organization of the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA).

The independent testing was conducted by the CES Battery Laboratory through a structured testing protocol designed to assess electrochemical performance, capacity retention, and operational stability. Testing two iron-air electrochemical cells, the assessment validated the system’s operational stability under an asymmetric duty cycle comprising a rapid 6 hours of charging followed by 18 hours of discharging per cycle.

Historically, iron-air battery chemistry has been limited by longer charge cycles, with existing approaches focused on multi-day storage applications. According to DataM Intelligence’s Iron Air Battery Market Size, Long-Duration Energy Storage Forecast 2035; 2026 Report, Iron-Air batteries are emerging as a promising solution for long-duration energy storage due to their ability to provide reliable and scalable storage using abundant materials such as iron. Global players, including Form Energy (US) and Ore Energy (Europe), have built Iron-Air systems focused on long-duration applications, with existing approaches demonstrating storage durations of up to 100 hours. However, these longer cycle times have restricted its suitability for daily renewable energy balancing.

Meine Electric has addressed this limitation through its proprietary Fast Charge Long Discharge (FCLD) technology, electrode development processes, and new system architecture. The technology enables a 6-hour charge and 18-hour discharge cycle, making it the world’s first fast-charging Iron-Air battery technology designed for daily-cycling renewable energy applications. The chemistry also offers fundamental advantages including inherent safety, reliance on abundant raw materials, and lower system costs compared to lithium-ion.

“Traditional iron-air systems are restricted to multi-day cycles, making them largely incompatible with the intermittent nature of renewable energy generation. Furthermore, solar-heavy grids don’t need a 100-hour battery. Unlike regions that require seasonal storage, the renewable challenge across Asia and MEA is fundamentally a daily balancing problem. By engineering our system to capture a full charge within a tight 6-to-8-hour window, we are finally turning iron-air batteries from a sluggish backup chemistry into a foundational, daily-cycling asset,” said Priyansh Mohan, Co-founder and CEO of Meine Electric.

This daily-cycling capability aligns precisely with the requirements of rapidly growing renewable energy markets like India, where the grid demands storage technologies that can consistently capture excess solar generation during the day and discharge it reliably overnight. For Meine Electric, it reinforces the company’s progress from laboratory-scale development towards real-world deployment of next-generation storage solutions.

Founded in 2023 by Priyansh Mohan and Stuti Kakkar, Meine Electric is the first company in APAC, and the third player globally, pioneering iron-air long-duration energy storage. As India races towards its 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030, Meine Electric is positioned to deliver key strategic advantages:

  • Market-Leading Costs: The proprietary technology operates at a levelised cost of storage (LCOS) of less than $0.05/kWh (~₹5/kWh).
  • Daily-Cycling Capability: Affordable, daily-cycling batteries that seamlessly complement lithium-ion to unlock true round-the-clock renewable power.
  • Grid Infrastructure: Systems capable of functioning as foundational assets to firm renewables and flexibilize thermal assets.

The energy industry prioritizes lower costs and higher reliability, and iron-air technology is structurally positioned to deliver on both. We are betting on iron-air as a foundational infrastructure play to support the renewable grid,” stated Stuti Kakkar, Co-founder and COO of Meine Electric.

The validation by CES adds critical third-party credibility to Meine Electric’s technology roadmap as the company moves towards larger-scale demonstrations, pilot deployments, and continues developing indigenous energy storage solutions to secure India’s transition to renewable energy.

The post Indian Deep-Tech Startup Meine Electric’s Fast-Charging Iron-Air Battery Clears Independent Validation, Paving the Way for 24/7 Renewable Energy Storage appeared first on ELE Times.

My Favorite bench project.. Ultra compact Digital Microscope with Flip screen.

Reddit:Electronics - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 22:08
My Favorite bench project.. Ultra compact Digital Microscope with Flip screen.

"This model was specifically designed for microelectronics, eliminating the image lag common in cheap USB microscopes connected to a PC."

submitted by /u/dataclone82
[link] [comments]

Transistor animations [OC]

Reddit:Electronics - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 20:09
Transistor animations [OC]

Here's some animations I made of transistors turning on and off. In order, we have an NPN BJT, n-channel MOSFET, and finally an n-channel JFET. The red and blue dots represent electrons and holes, and white flashes are recombination events. The density of dots is proportional to the actual density of charge carriers.

In the first set of animations, the velocity of the dots is equal to the velocity obtained by summing the diffusion and drift currents and dividing by the charge density, but diffusion is not explicitly shown. In the second set of animations, the dots undergo diffusion and drift, and this makes it a more correct depiction of carrier motion. The drawback is of course that the jiggling makes it more visually confusing.

I made these with my semiconductor simulator (https://brandonli.net/semisim/). I also have higher quality versions of the animations here.

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

Smartphone market falls 4% year-on-year in Q2, driven by memory shortage

Semiconductor today - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 18:46
Global smartphone shipments fell 4% year-on-year in second-quarter 2026 as the ongoing memory crisis disrupted supply and pushed up component costs, according to Omdia’s Smartphone Horizon Service for July 2026 (sell-in shipments). The current dynamic has created severe market polarization, reflecting stark differences in vendors’ mitigation strategies, which vary according to their priorities, scale, price-band focus, and core audience demographics, notes the market research firm...

Making noise with a BANG, part 2: Software, integration and operating results

EDN Network - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 15:00

If you periodically need to see the frequency response of a circuit, this easy, inexpensive project can help you out.

Editor’s note: This is a two-part series on how to create a noise generator with an adjustable bandwidth and a consistent amplitude. The previous entry: 

The operation and firmware

As I mentioned last time, I was able to reuse much of the firmware from a previous Design Idea project. The Arduino C code consists of three files. One is the initialization code for the DAC, while another contains code for the LCD/touch screen operations. The third is the main code. Let’s look at these one at a time.

Wow the engineering world with your unique design: Design Ideas Submission Guide

The DAC initialization code does just what it says and is designed to get a DAC output as fast as possible. The LCD/touch screen code is the largest piece of the software puzzle. Before discussing it “under the hood”, let’s take a quick look at the some of the LCD/touch screen display outputs. Figure 1 shows most of the screens used in the BANG.

Figure 1 The BANG LCD screens are designed to be both intuitive and informative.

The first screen you see after the power-up splash screen is what I call the main screen. It allows you to select an output, but let’s hold off discussing this implementation aspect in detail until later. For now, just understand that on power-up, it will default to the noise output on the AC and DC BNC connectors.

Also on the main screen is the “Change Bandwidth” selection that will allow you to set the bandwidth for the noise (noise bandwidth is measured from 0 Hz). When you press “Change Bandwidth”, the screen will change to the keypad and allow you to enter your desired number. Note that if you exceed the maximum 225 kHz it will default to 225 kHz. Similarly, if you enter a number less than the minimum of 500 Hz it will default to 500 Hz. After hitting “ENTER” you will return to the main screen.

On the main screen, selecting “About” will take you to a screen showing lots of interesting information such as your selected bandwidth and the gain it will apply to the noise during filtering. You’ll also see the sample rate (which is fixed), firmware version, and (for those that are interested) your current IIR filter’s coefficients. Next, it shows the battery voltage and charge level. (If you do not have a battery installed you may see fully charged numbers as it is instead reporting the charger voltage. There is a #define in the top portion of the main code that you can set to “false” instead, in which case this line won’t be displayed if you don’t have a battery installed.) The last item shown is the incoming USB voltage.

The last screen shown in Figure 1 is the one displayed when “RUN” is selected on the main screen. If you see this screen, the noise signal is being generated and is being output to the BNC connectors.

Let’s talk a little about the code for creating these screens. It’s a bit long and mostly involves setting colors, drawing boxes, selecting fonts, aligning text in the box, and capturing positions of key presses. Almost all of this is done using higher level calls to the downloadable “Adafruit GFX Graphics Library”. Here’s a short example of the code showing how to display the word “BANG” in red against a grey background:

tft.fillScreen(tft.color565(0xe0, 0xe0, 0xe0)); // Grey tft.setFont(&FreeSansBoldOblique50pt7b); tft.setTextColor(ILI9341_RED); tft.setTextSize(1); tft.setCursor(13, 100); tft.print("BANG");

The third C file is the main code, which mostly directs calls to the correct LCD screen, executes miscellaneous housekeeping operations, and (of course) generates the noise signal, the latter starting with the bandwidth selected from the touchscreen. Using this value, we generate the coefficients for a digital 2-pole low-pass Butterworth IIR filter. The next step is to get a value for the gain we will be using on the noise signal. This is done by calling a function that has the bandwidth as an input and returns a gain number. Here is the code for that function:

//****************************************************** // AGC * // Does an automatic gain adjust to the * // random number amplitude. Run once after * // startup or a change in the LP filter. * //****************************************************** float AGC(float cutoff_freq) { float agcGain = 1; // Calculate agc gain based on the set bandwidth if (cutoff_freq >= 50000) agcGain = 31.0 * pow(cutoff_freq, -0.292); // for 225kHz to 50kHz else agcGain = 393.769851 * pow((cutoff_freq - 97.8961702), -0.524598029); // Curve fit of freq vs. amplitude data gainOffset = 1024.0f * (2.0f - agcGain); // Adjustment for shift in DC level return agcGain; }

You’ll see that there are two different formulas used for agcGain, based on whether the bandwidth selected is greater than 50 kHz. This dual-equation method makes curve fitting more accurate. These formulas were derived from data I generated by setting a bandwidth and then adjusting the gain in code to get a desired amplitude. The data was then used to generate curve-fitted equations (kudos to Standards Applied Engineering Tools, whose Curve Fitting Online utility gave by far the most accurate curve fit of all the tools I found and tried). Later, I’ll also detail how AI did (or, maybe more accurately, didn’t) with generating the same curve fit equation(s).

You can see from the second equation that the power function is based on -0.52; roughly the square root of 2 as we talked about at the beginning of part 1 of this series. The reason it is not exactly a square root of 2 function is because some noise, beyond the cutoff frequency of the 2-pole digital IIR filter, still exists in this roll-off portion of the filtered signal – i.e., it is not a brick wall filter.

Figure 2 shows a graph of this gain vs. bandwidth selected.


Figure 2 This graph shows the linear gain vs. bandwidth result for the equations used in this design.

With the bandwidth entered and the gain calculated, it is then incorporated into the coefficients of the lowpass IIR filter. This approach optimizes the calculations; we don’t need to add another multiplier inside the speed-optimized output loop.

Ok: we’re now ready to generate the noise signal. When the user selects “RUN”, the code enters a tight loop. In it, we get a random number from the true random number generator (TRNG). Next, we run the number through the IIR filter, which also applies the gain. Then, the lower 12 bits of this number are sent out of the DAC. (A note: the DAC has a slew rate of somewhere around 1 µS per volt to minimize the effect. The number is scaled to keep the signal mean coming from the DAC to around 1/2 Vcc.) This loop continues until the user selects “STOP”.

Those of you following closely may be thinking something along the lines of the following right now: “Another way to generate a noise signal of a given amplitude is to simply generate the random samples at a lower sample rate”. The downside of this alternative approach is that the analog reconstruction filter would need to be adjusted to follow the sample rate, which seems like a much more difficult analog design task. Also, we would still need to perform the digital low-pass filtering for anti-aliasing.

It’s time to look at the output of the BANG. Figure 3’s scope display shows the AC output time domain signal on the left and the FFT on the right. The BANG is set to give an output with a 25 kHz bandwidth.


Figure 3 This scope plot shows the BANG output with a 25 kHz bandwidth setting.

The enclosure

The BANG’s enclosure derives from a custom 3D-printable model (see later for a file-download link). It includes three parts: the main body, the base/PCB mount, and a stylus for the touchscreen. The main body’s download is modeled with two filament colors but can alternatively be printed in one color. If printed in a single color, the text is still readable, as it is also embossed. The base holds a 120 mm x 80 mm PCB. I used a protoboard as there were a minimal number of parts and was faster to build than designing and waiting for a custom PCB.

Wait, there’s more

While TRNGs are common in larger processors, they’re more rare in smaller micros. Most compilers therefore use pseudo-random number generators instead. But since this system was generating 32-bit true random numbers, it occurred to me that such a data stream may also have other uses, such as in cryptography systems, input data for testing code, a “seed” for pseudo-random number generators, or even helping you select “picks” for playing the lottery.

More broadly, it seemed like a waste to not have a way to output these generated numbers. So, I included support for this feature, via USB, in two format options – ASCII data or binary data. The desired format can be chosen from the “Select Output” LCD page shown in Figure 4 (as mentioned earlier, the power-up default is the noise generator output via the analog BNC connectors).


Figure 4 The design includes support for outputting the 32-bit true random numbers generated, over USB and in two format options.

Note that although the data is 32 bits, it can be sliced or appended to form any size random number you require. For example, you can use one bit of the 32-bit source, which will still be random, or you can append two 32-bit output numbers to create a truly random 64-bit number.

Comments on AI use

I only used AI (and then only experimentally) for one part of the project, the curve fitting of test data to create the equation(s) for the AGC. The result was…interesting. I’d already developed the earlier discussed frequency-to-gain equations for the AGC algorithm, but I thought I should also try AI to see what it came up with. I fired up Microsoft Copilot and gave it the frequency vs gain data that I’d already created by iteratively setting a frequency and then adjusting gain in the code until I got the fixed amplitude I was looking for.

Copilot noted that it looked like a power equation – good. Then it gave me a very simple equation: gain = 1.96 * freq-0.52 . Wow, I thought, much simpler than the equations I’d came up with. But it seemed too good to be true, so I got out a calculator. At a frequency of 10 kHz the gain should be around 3. When you make the calculation on the AI’s formula you get around 0.016. When I asked Copilot to use its equation on 10 kHz, it said the gain would be 3.68. Another AI with a case of cognitive dissonance. Perhaps obviously, I used the other formula instead!

Conclusion

This is a fairly easy and inexpensive project to build. If you periodically have the need to see the frequency response of a circuit, it may help you out.

Note that the schematic, code, 3D print files, Arduino software, links related to various parts of the project, and additional notes and pictures on the project’s design and construction can be downloaded for free at the MakerWorld website.

Damian Bonicatto is a consulting engineer with decades of experience in embedded hardware, firmware, and system design. He holds over 30 patents.

Phoenix Bonicatto is a freelance writer.

Related Content

The post Making noise with a BANG, part 2: Software, integration and operating results appeared first on EDN.

First Circuit sculpture

Reddit:Electronics - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 14:59
First Circuit sculpture

Very simple circuit - i had a bunch of these charger/booster modules laying around and decided to learn about the dangers of bare 18650 batteries. Excited to do more.

submitted by /u/Willy_V3
[link] [comments]

SMD to THT the hard way ;)

Reddit:Electronics - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 14:39
SMD to THT the hard way ;)

I wanted to modify my PS3 controller to USB-C, but it used a through hole connector. Not a problem!

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

IQE appoints Robert Dennehy and David O’Carroll as non-executive directors

Semiconductor today - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 14:27
At the beginning of July, epiwafer and substrate maker IQE plc of Cardiff, Wales, UK appointed Robert Dennehy and David O’Carroll as non-executive directors, representative of MACOM Technology Solutions Inc of Lowell, MA, USA under the board appointment agreement between the two firms announced on 28 May. MACOM has a beneficial interest in IQE, representing 11.5% of IQE’s issued share capital...

IQE secures $14m production order with strategic global technology customer for AI and data-center markets

Semiconductor today - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 13:22
Epiwafer and substrate maker IQE plc of Cardiff, Wales, UK has secured a multi-year production order worth $14m from a strategic global technology customer...

Crypto mining SoC unearths a need for custom IP

EDN Network - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 12:54

Conflicting application requirements can turn system-on-chip (SoC) design into a hall of mirrors. In particular, choosing a process technology can become a maze of contradictions and puzzles.

Then there is higher speed, which generally requires more power. Next, the technology that delivers the necessary performance and power efficiency may be unacceptable due to cost or supply-chain constraints.

However, a design partner who can customize foundational IP—logic cell libraries or memories—and shepherd the custom cells through the design flow, manufacturing, and testing can often bring an SoC design safely through the maze.

One recent engagement with a crypto-mining client illustrates the importance of custom foundational IP in resolving these trade-offs. And it also shows how the impact of custom cells can ripple through the design flow, from tape-out and beyond, emphasizing the need for a design partner with expertise in both IP creation and SoC implementation.

A unique application

Crypto mining is the process of generating new coins in a cryptocurrency. For many such currencies, including the ubiquitous Bitcoin, the process requires a so-called proof-of-effort: a computationally intensive task with no known shortcut.

Factoring a huge number is an example: the only way to find the prime factors is to keep trying new prime numbers. In principle, the cryptocurrency’s governors would publish a large number, the crypto miners would set to work searching for factors, and the first miner to publish all the factors would receive a new coin.

Obviously—luck aside—the miners with the most computing power will get the most coins. That leads to a computing arms race. Less obviously, this game consumes a tremendous amount of energy—one reason China attempted to ban crypto mining in 2021. To make the enterprise profitable, the miners need to stay on the leading edge of computing performance while minimizing capital investment and operating costs. These costs are dominated by power consumption.

Under those pressures, crypto miners quickly migrated from farms of CPU-based server boards to FPGAs, and then to vast arrays of ASIC hardware. Today, miners demand high computing performance, very low power consumption, very low front-end investment, and low unit cost—a set of contradictory requirements.

The mining SoC

This was the scenario presented to us by our crypto-mining client. Together, we determined that the lowest-cost approach that met their performance and power requirements would be a FinFET process with an extremely low operating voltage.

In fact, we had fully characterized 0.5-V logic libraries for this process. There was just one problem. The library could not meet the client’s speed requirements. The problem, it turned out, was the registers. This library, like virtually all standard logic libraries, uses a conventional master-slave D-type flip-flop. But it could not operate reliably at the required clock frequency. So, we decided to create a custom D-type flip-flop cell.

The D flip-flop

The D-type flip-flop has been a fundamental element in digital design for decades, used for everything from state machines to registers (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Schematic highlights a 32-bit D-flip-flop used to implement D-type registers. Source: Faraday Technology

The cell’s performance and stability are vital to any RTL design. The conventional cell design uses two stages and two clock phases. The first stage captures the input data on one clock edge, and the second stage latches the captured data on the second clock edge. In most designs, this requires routing two very accurately timed clock phases to every flip-flop cell.

We believed we could eliminate one of these clock signals and achieve a higher operating speed. Eliminating one clock would also substantially reduce the cell’s power dissipation and could reduce area and routing congestion.

But could we accomplish this, and hit the required frequency? And could we do all that while sacrificing the inherent stability of the dual-phase clock approach and still have a device that is resistant to process variations and electrical upset?

The TSPC flip-flop

Our exploration of circuit designs led to the development of the true single-phase clock (TSPC) D-type flip-flop (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Schematic of a traditional positive-edge triggered TSPC flip-flop showing how a TSPC flip-flop would meet the customer’s power requirements. Our proposed circuit design allowed the TSPC flip-flop to also operate over the necessary frequency range. Source: Faraday Technology

However, circuit design and proof of concept were just the beginning. We fully simulated the circuit in SPICE to understand the layout and sensitivities of this novel cell. We needed to characterize the TSPC flip-flop not only in isolation but also in a dense layout surrounded by other cells, under marginal, noisy clocks, and process variations. At last, we reached our goals for both performance and reliability.

The SoC design using our TSPC flip-flop met our crypto-mining client’s speed requirements. The cell also achieved a 40% reduction in power at rated speed compared to the conventional D-type flip-flop cell it replaced. It reduced the area by about 7%. And from a functional perspective, the TSPC cell was simply a normal D-type flip-flop.

But our detailed characterization of the cell revealed differences in the new device’s operating characteristics. These differences would influence the implementation flow for the SoC.

The cell in use

One unique characteristic of the TSPC cell influences front-end design, specifically power management planning. The single-phase clock for the TSPC flip-flop must not stop during operation, or the flip-flop state may be lost. This places significant limits on the use of power-management techniques such as clock gating and clock throttling. A design that interrupts the register clock must tolerate an unpredictable state when the clock resumes.

Other special characteristics of the cell further influence downstream design. For example, the cell is quite sensitive to clock signal integrity. This requires careful, skilled planning of clock networks from the outset and equally careful routing of clock trees. Conventional clock-tree synthesis tools may not deliver the necessary signal quality across all flip-flop instances, resulting in unreliable operation.

The cell is also sensitive to process variations, even at a local level. This issue can impact yield, but it can be overcome by careful placement during logic layout. We generally use manual insertion to instantiate the TSPC cells, as we have found them unsuitable for use with synthesis tools. Once the cells are placed, routing constraints are relatively minimal. The foremost issue is to maintain signal integrity on the clock lines.

Timing analysis is straightforward, of course, using the TSPC cell’s timing data. Signoff is also conventional—with the enhanced attention to clock integrity. Thanks to our exhaustive characterization and refinement of the cell design, there are no special process corners to be investigated. During test, some changes to the test vectors may be helpful to inspect the unique behavior of the cells.

A new degree of freedom

SoC designers are used to trading off power, speed, and process to meet design requirements. But sometimes no setting of these knobs will achieve the desired result. Our crypto-mining client faced this challenge: running an affordable, available FinFET process at 0.5 V would achieve all design goals except maximum speed. But consuming more power or moving to a more advanced process node in exchange for more speed was not an acceptable trade-off.

The solution was to move outside the power-performance process box with customized foundational logic. Faraday determined that we could meet the client’s needs with only one custom cell—a novel D-type flip-flop design. But once characterized, we found that the cell would place significant demands on the implementation team, from power planning through test design (Figure 3).

Figure 3 To reduce power consumption, we used a TSPC circuit to replace a master-slave flip-flop; but TSPC has an operating frequency limit, so we proposed a solution to this limitation. Source: Faraday Technology

The TSPC flip-flop thus could have become only academic exercise. However, it became an out of the box solution here. Today, the crypto-mining SoC is in volume production and meets all design requirements. The chips are out there, searching for coins and earning their living.

Jason Kang is director of IP technology at Faraday Technology. He has over 20 years of experience in fundamental IP development, PDK integration, and IP model characterization. His expertise lies at the intersection of advanced-node design flows, device modeling, and EDA methodologies, with a strategic focus on silicon implementation and the emerging field of AI-driven design automation.

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Indian Army Seeks Indigenous AI-enabled Attack Drones with 1,000-km Strike Range

ELE Times - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 12:14

The Indian Army has initiated the process to acquire indigenous long-range, one-way attack drones capable of striking targets up to 1,000 km away, as it looks to strengthen its deep-strike capabilities with AI-enabled systems. The procurement is being pursued under the Long Range Loiter Munition (LRLM) programme through the Make-II route of the defence acquisition policy.

The procurement is being pursued under the Long Range Loiter Munition (LRLM) programme through the Make-II route of the defence acquisition policy. The Army is looking for drones that can accurately engage targets at a range of 1,000 km, operate in GPS-denied environments and feature artificial intelligence-enabled targeting capabilities. The platform should be capable of carrying a 25-kg warhead with a 50-metre kill radius, fly at altitudes above 5,000 metres and achieve speeds of at least 400 kmph.

Under this framework, private companies will fund their own research and development, while the Army will procure the systems if they meet the required technical specifications. While the exact order size has not been finalised, the armed forces are expected to require thousands of one-way attack drones across different operational ranges.

The post Indian Army Seeks Indigenous AI-enabled Attack Drones with 1,000-km Strike Range appeared first on ELE Times.

India Launches Rs 15,000 Crore Project to Build Indigenous Stratospheric Airships for High-Altitude Surveillance

ELE Times - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 12:10

India has launched an ambitious programme to build indigenous high-altitude airships capable of conducting long-duration surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions, with several private companies expected to compete for the project. The project is being executed under the government’s Make-I procurement framework, which allows the Centre to fund up to 70% of research and development costs for selected industry partners.

The project is being executed under the government’s Make-I procurement framework, which allows the Centre to fund up to 70 percent of research and development costs for selected industry partners. As per The Economic Times, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the programme in February, with the overall project estimated to cost around Rs 15,000 crore, including prototype development and procurement of multiple systems.

The proposed airships are expected to remain airborne for months at a time, enabling persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The Indian Air Force’s Directorate of Operations (Remote) is overseeing the initiative and aims to develop Air Ship-based High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (AS-HAPS). The platforms are expected to operate at altitudes exceeding 20 kilometres, carrying advanced payloads for optical surveillance, electronic intelligence (ELINT) and long-range communications.

Alongside the airship initiative, the Defence Ministry is also pursuing the development of fixed-wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellites that can take off conventionally and undertake extended surveillance missions.

The post India Launches Rs 15,000 Crore Project to Build Indigenous Stratospheric Airships for High-Altitude Surveillance appeared first on ELE Times.

Bharat Electronics Wins ₹572 Crore Defense Order

ELE Times - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 12:00

Continuing its aggressive order book expansion, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has secured fresh contracts worth Rs 572 Crore. This order outlines BEL’s sustained order inflow. The Rs 572 Crore win highlights BEL’s dominance in the domestic defense electronics segment. This announcement highlights BEL’s strategic alignment with the country’s defense roadmap.

BEL remains a primary beneficiary of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative in the defense sector. The dual triggers of steady order inflow and an upcoming earnings report place the defence PSU in a critical watch zone for institutional and retail investors alike. This multi-crore order effectively underscores the consistent demand for its core products.

BEL’s ability to secure mid-sized orders consistently outside of major multi-billion-dollar platform contracts is a testament to its diversified electronics portfolio. While the market often focuses on mega-orders, these recurring sub-Rs 1,000 Crore wins provide high-margin stability. We view the timing of this order—just two weeks before earnings—as a positive sentiment booster, though the core focus remains on execution efficiency which will be detailed in the Q1 disclosures.

The Indian defense electronics market is evolving from basic radio communication to advanced electronic warfare and radar systems. BEL, as a dominant PSU, holds nearly 60% of the market share in electronics for the tri-services. Competitors from the private sector are emerging, but BEL’s manufacturing scale and R&D integration with DRDO provide a significant moat.

The post Bharat Electronics Wins ₹572 Crore Defense Order appeared first on ELE Times.

Випускниця ФМФ Олександра Парій: "Фізика навчила мене не боятися складних систем"

Новини - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 12:00
Випускниця ФМФ Олександра Парій: "Фізика навчила мене не боятися складних систем"
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kpi вт, 07/14/2026 - 12:00
Текст

Вихованців Київської політехніки можна зустріти на всіх континентах, у найбільших наукових осередках світу. Тим приємніше, коли вони не поривають зав'язків з університетом, цікавляться його сьогоденням, діляться своїми набутками, виступають амбасадорами КПІ ім. Ігоря Сікорського та України.

Adani Defence Announces India’s Largest Private Missile Manufacturing Hub, Invests Rs 2,500 Crore

ELE Times - Втр, 07/14/2026 - 11:34

In a bid to create India’s first backward-integrated private-sector capability of its kind, Adani Defence & Aerospace, the defence and aerospace arm of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) has announced a defence infrastructure project worth Rs 2,500 crore to establish South Asia’s largest missile manufacturing plant in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. This project will design and develop an advanced missile ecosystem with composite propellant and Trinitrotoluene (TNT) production at a single location.

Strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ambitions and the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, this project marks one of the most significant private investments in India’s defence sector. It will enhance India’s capabilities in missile production, advanced weapon systems, precision-guided munitions, and defence technologies.

The facility will strengthen India’s indigenous missile capabilities, supporting the operational requirements of the Indian Armed Forces while advancing long-term defence preparedness. It is slated to accelerate the transition of DRDO-developed indigenous missile systems from successful trials to serial production.

The investment is predicted to generate 5,000 direct and indirect skilled jobs in India, providing employment opportunities across different areas such as engineering, quality assurance, logistics, testing, maintenance, and support services. Beyond employment, the investment is likely to accelerate the supply of precision engineering products, electronic components, advanced materials, tooling, software, and testing equipment.

Since 2020, Adani Defence & Aerospace has developed a robust small arms ecosystem in Gwalior, improving the state’s contribution to India’s defence manufacturing capabilities. From this manufacturing facility, weaponry like pistols, light machine guns, carbines, assault rifles, and other advanced small arms systems are being supplied to the Indian Armed Forces. Backed by the support and guidance of the state government, the Gwalior complex has emerged as a key pillar in India’s drive for self-reliance in defence production.

This announced project under defence will combine advanced manufacturing technologies, automated production systems and globally benchmarked safety standards to support multiple missile programmes simultaneously. Designed to meet the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces as well as trusted international partners, it will strengthen India’s strategic defence industrial capabilities while reinforcing the country’s position as a reliable supplier of precision-guided munitions.

The post Adani Defence Announces India’s Largest Private Missile Manufacturing Hub, Invests Rs 2,500 Crore appeared first on ELE Times.

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