Probably the best and most attended EDAC Emerging Companies event happened last week so congratulations to Bob Smith and staff. The premise was to develop, strengthen, and protect your intellectual property which is paramount to all emerging technology companies. Many people in this industry, including myself, have learned… Read More
My View of Contextual Leadership
Go off and do something wonderful,” said Robert (Bob) Noyce, co-founder of Fairchild semiconductors and Intel Corporation. He was heard, and the quality of our lives has been elevated by the wonderful pursuits of skilled pioneers. Notice that Bob did not say, “Go off and become great leaders.” This is because great leaders of the… Read More
The Rosetta Stone of…Actually, the Real One
Last week I wrote about the British Museum Algorithm in the context of simulation corners for variability. You walk everywhere. And if you don’t walk to just the right place, you miss something. Just like visiting the British Museum. Today I’m going totally off-topic to talk about something that really is in the British Museum, … Read More
Why Sidense OTP is Like the Armored Car of NVM
I have written about Sidense before, but last week at the TSMC Open Innovation Platform Forum, I had a chance to hear a talk by, and have lunch with Betina Hold Director of R&D at Sidense. Here is what I learned.
Sidense has been focusing on the growing market in what they like to call the smart connected universe. It is best to think… Read More
What is Casio’s Strategy for Smartwatch
Although many traditional watch smarties have remained in business since centuries, Casio can be attributed to be the modern dark horse of digital watches who entered the watch market in 1974 when the wave of digital watches had just started; not many could survive for long but Casio is still there in that segment. Casio had gathered… Read More
On The Beauty Of Turkey Vultures
Now and again I like to switch from technical topics and write about something good for the soul. I’m involved with a wildlife rescue organization; we take orphaned and injured birds (generally found by members of the public), nurse them back to health and release them back into the wild. We have permits all the way up to the federal… Read More
How MunEDA Helps Solve the Difficulties of AMS/RF IP Reuse
Reusing design IP is crucial for competitiveness. The need for reuse occurs with new designs on the same process node as the original design, new designs at the same node but using a different PDK or foundry, or designs on a different process node – usually smaller. However, achieving effective IP reuse has always been a challenge.… Read More
Smartwatch – A Tough Puzzle to Crack
Discounting the initial electronic or digital watch wave in 1970s which saw its sudden death sooner than expected, the recent Apple Watch event was the third attempt to invade the big watch market; the first being in 1999 and the second in 2012-13 led by Pebble. Although it’s stated that Apple sold about 3.6 million Smartwatches … Read More
Is Silicon Valley Gridlock a Good Sign for Semiconductors?
Let’s face it, the semiconductor world has always revolved around Silicon Valley and it always will. After commuting to Silicon Valley from the East Bay (45 miles each way) for the past 30+ years I’m acutely aware of the traffic patterns and how they relate to the economy. With the advent of smartphones I can work or be entertained … Read More
Smartphone Penetration in Bali & Gili Islands
Whether you travel for business purpose or to stay for holidays in one of the paradise island part of the “Lesser Sunda Islands” like Bali or the Gili Meno, you always learn about mobile phone penetration. If you stay in one of the luxury resorts, populated by rich western or Chinese people, you probably don’t learn more than when walking… Read More
More Headwinds – CHIPS Act Chop? – Chip Equip Re-Shore? Orders Canceled & Fab Delay