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Bosch ‘poised for leap’ in e-mobility with new silicon carbide semiconductors

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Bosch says it is poised to make a technological “leap” in electric mobility as a result of developing new silicon carbide semiconductors.

The vast majority of semiconductors today are made using common silicon, which makes up 25 per cent of Earth’s crust, but silicon carbide is generally made from an extremely rare mineral called “moissanite”.

Bosch is secretive about its technology, but Harold Kroeger, member of the Bosch board of management, says: “Silicon carbide semiconductors will transform e-mobility.” [Read more…] about Bosch ‘poised for leap’ in e-mobility with new silicon carbide semiconductors

Autonomous vehicles simulator Applied Intuition raises $40 million in funding

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Applied Intuition, a provider of a simulation platform for autonomous vehicle development, has raised $40 million in Series B financing.

The funding round was led by General Catalyst with participation from Kleiner Perkins, M12 (Microsoft), Sozo Ventures, and La Famiglia.

Previous investors, Andreessen Horowitz, Lux Capital, and Floodgate, also participated in this round. [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicles simulator Applied Intuition raises $40 million in funding

Scientists make chip using carbon nanotubes instead of silicon

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Scientists have made a microprocessor using carbon nanotubes – not silicon.

As reported by Science News, the innovation marks a milestone in computing.

The prototype chip is said to be slower than equivalent silicon-based processors and is not as small. [Read more…] about Scientists make chip using carbon nanotubes instead of silicon

Silicon value: An overview of the semiconductor market

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The manufacturing of semiconductor-based technologies is arguably the most advanced of human endeavours in terms of engineering. 

Semiconductor materials include silicon, which can either act as a conductor of electricity or as an insulator, stopping the flow of electricity.

This strange duality, along with other features, has made semiconductors the most valuable commodity in electronics, and enabled it to form the basis of today’s technological, increasingly computerised machines and gadgets.  [Read more…] about Silicon value: An overview of the semiconductor market

Silicon Designs adds new features to its 2210 accelerometer

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Silicon Designs Model 2210

Silicon Designs has upgraded its Model 2210 series of accelerometer chips to include measurement capabilities on one, two, or three orthogonal axes.

Silicon Designs is veteran-owned small business and industry expert in the design, development and manufacture of highly rugged industrial-grade MEMS capacitive accelerometer chips and modules.

Accelerometers is an electromechanical device used to measure acceleration forces, while MEMS stands for micro-electro-mechanical systems.

Silicon Designs says its low-noise single axis Model 2210 accelerometer modules integrate a MEMS VC accelerometer chip with high-drive, low-impedance buffering for reliable, repeatable measurements.  [Read more…] about Silicon Designs adds new features to its 2210 accelerometer

Small potatoes: A closer look at chips

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microprocessor

One of the issues with analysing the chip market, as with some others, is that the products are complex and have a huge array of applications. This often makes it difficult to compare one chip with another. 

Moreover, some people might not know the difference between a micro-processor and a micro-controller, or what a semiconductor is… and where microchips fit into all this.

So here’s an attempt at an explanation. [Read more…] about Small potatoes: A closer look at chips

Qualcomm could become king of the road if it buys NXP

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qualcomm headquarters

Mergers and acquisitions happen quite frequently these days, and there’s a lot of interest surrounding them. 

For example, there are currently strong rumours that US smartphone chip giant Qualcomm is about to buy NXP Semiconductor for $40 billion.

NXP itself last year bought Freescale for $12 billion. The deal gave NXP access to the market for micro-controllers, in which Freescale is one of the leading companies.

And in a separate, similarly large deal, Japanese communications colossus SoftBank recently agreed to buy the British chip designer ARM for $32 billion.  [Read more…] about Qualcomm could become king of the road if it buys NXP

Denso invests in deep learning and vision processing startup Thinci

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thinci-app-3

Robotics and automation giant Denso says it’s become the lead investor in Thinci

Denso says its investment in startup will help accelerate next-generation automotive technology, using innovative deep learning and vision processing silicon and software. 

The company adds that its investment will lead to advancements in driver assistance and autonomous driving, improve the efficiency of thermal systems, and optimize the productivity of the vehicle’s powertrain.

Tony Cannestra, Denso International America’s director of corporate ventures, says: “Denso has been researching new developments in the area of computer vision processing. We strongly believe that Thinci’s technology will soon become a key component of next generation autonomous driving systems that require advanced computing techniques combined with deep learning capabilities.  [Read more…] about Denso invests in deep learning and vision processing startup Thinci

Panasonic releases ‘improved’ Grid-Eye infrared array sensors

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panasonic grideye_2nd_generation

New sensors have lower NETD, high accuracy and increased detection distance, says Panasonic

Panasonic  has released the much improved and accurate second generation of its Grid-EYE infrared array sensors.

The new high gain types (AMG8833 and AMG8834) and low gain types (AMG8853 and AMG8854) of Grid-Eye 2nd Generation now benefit from an improved Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD) of 0.16°C at 10Hz and of 0.05°C at 1 Hz.

For all Grid-Eye 2nd Generation models the detection distance has improved from 5m up to 7m.  [Read more…] about Panasonic releases ‘improved’ Grid-Eye infrared array sensors

A new dawn of car tech: customization through software, not hardware

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car

Three ways entrepreneurs can bring the rate of progress we’ve seen in computing and communication to car tech.

Throughout much of early-to-mid 20th century, cutting-edge design and technology found its way into cars. Following the invention of the integrated circuit, chips and bits started displacing pistons and gears in the hearts and minds of engineers.

Silicon Valley’s gravitational force began stripping Motor City of its talent, compounding with the success of every tech startup. Not long after the birth of the Internet, Silicon Valley experienced unencumbered prosperity, while Detroit struggled to hold on for dear life.

Full article: http://www.oreilly.com/pub/cpc/20765