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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

ABB opens large, integrated new facility in Silicon Valley

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abb silicon valley campus

ABB says its new Silicon Valley Campus will help company usher in the next industrial revolution with connectivity and smart data

ABB is expanding its presence in Silicon Valley, which the company considers the heart of the world’s technology economy.

ABB has brought together robotics, solar, gas analyzers, software development, and wireless communications under one roof for better integrated development and customer interaction.

The new 94,170 square foot office and lab facility is 20,000 square feet larger than the previous cumulative locations and will ultimately house nearly 200 employees when at full capacity.  [Read more…] about ABB opens large, integrated new facility in Silicon Valley