Embedded Computing: May 2004 Archives
Electronic News - Fabless Rev Up 37%
Reflecting the robust growth across the semiconductor industry, the Fabless Semiconductor Association (FSA) has announced that Q1 revenue for public fabless companies grew by 37 percent year-over-year to $8.2 billion.
Communications companies led the pack. Qualcomm's CDMA technologies division led in sales for public fabless companies in Q1 with $711 million. Broadcom was second with $573 million. Graphics company Nvidia rounded out the top three with $472 million.
The top 20 companies included five from Taiwan -- MediaTek, A-Data, Via Technologies, NovaTek
EE Times -Chip diffusion modeling yields better maps
PORTLAND, Ore. — Diffusion modeling similar to the technique used to design semiconductors has helped solve a long-standing problem in information display — the cartogram.
The classic example of a cartogram is a U.S. map with the size of each state proportional to its population. Computerized rendering of cartograms was invented at the University of Michigan in the 1960s, but the technique has since languished because even the fastest computers take an inordinate amount of time to render a well-drawn cartogram using traditional algorithms.
Using diffusion modeling, University of Michigan researcher Mark Newman solved the problem with almost instantaneous renderings of accurate, computerized cartograms. "We were working on a totally different problem — how to represent Internet traffic congestion. I was aware of diffusion models as a density-equalizing effect. That just happens to also be what the classic cartogram does — it equalizes the population density," said Newman, an assistant professor of physics.
EE Times UK - 3M unveils vibration touch technology
SEATTLE — 3M Touch Systems Inc. unveiled a new "touch" technology here called dispersive signal technology during the Society for Information Display conference.
Dispersive signal technology, developed with NXT Plc (London), recognizes touch through vibrations to a substrate. Common touch technologies recognize touch on the surface of a display by the interruption of electrical fields, acoustic waves or infrared light.
Its great to see the expansion of the lexlip facility in Co. Kildare. Intel are building a new fab plant to manufacture 65 nanometre technology. 400 jobs will be created and for college graduates this year including Tipperary Institutes Bsc in computing (Software Development) this is good news.
Along with Ebay and Google hiring in Ireland, the IT industry is looking promising. This should encourage leaving cert students to consider IT as a career path.
when we think of security we seldom pause to conisder embedded devices that are plugged into the internet.
Niall Murphy discusses the issues surrounding securing these devices, and what changes to be made from a software development approach
It is reassuring to come across articles that reinforce your belief that your PhD research has merit.
Graham Hellestrand has written an article about How virtual prototypes aid SoC hardware design.
Having successfully modeled an Intel IXP1200 network processor using SheSim I can vouch for his opinion.
It is necessary to model before you create the silicon infrastructure, or else you are going to face a whole host of thorny system design issues.
EE Times UK - Irish electrochromic display firm raises $9.5 million
DUBLIN, Republic of Ireland -- Ntera Ltd., a developer of materials for so-called electrochromic display applications, has secured US$9.5 million in a round of funding, which it intends to use to expand its manufacturing operations and to drive international sales, the company said Tuesday (May 4).
The round was led by Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures and existing shareholders also participated and helped bring the total raised by Ntera to $30 million so far. The new funding moves the company from its research and development phase to a full-scale commercial production phase, the company said.
The money is to be used to extend manufacturing operations in Taiwan and Ireland and enable the roll out of commercial products ranging from handheld screens to large-scale public clocks and information systems. Ntera's technology is an extension of electrochromic display, which has been around for numerous years but suffered form long switching times, weak coloration and temperature sensitivity. Ntera claims to have solved these problems with a self-assembling monolayer that is formed over electrodes. The so called nanochromic display (NCD) technology has more than four times the reflectivity and contrast of a liquid crystal display, according to Ntera.
Adidas have developed a running shoe that contains a chip.
According to the company, the Adidas One automatically adjusts to the runner's foot and adapts to road conditions. The microchip drives a tiny screw and cable system that moves the heel cushion.
This is a result of 3 years of secret research.
What can we expect next? It seems William Gibsons view of the future is getting closer.
