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Cadence Mixed Signal Technology Forum

Cadence Mixed Signal Technology Forum
by Paul McLellan on 10-29-2014 at 7:00 am

Yesterday was Cadence’s annual mixed-signal technology forum. I think that there was a definite theme running through many of the presentations, namely that wireless communication of one kind or another is on a sharp rise with more and more devices needing to connect to WiFi, Bluetooth and so on. This was most obvious during… Read More


Who Really Needs USB 3.1?

Who Really Needs USB 3.1?
by Eric Esteve on 10-29-2014 at 4:58 am

USB is certainly the most ubiquitous of the Interface protocols. I would bet that everybody is using USB everyday (I mean activate a USB connection, as we also use PCIe or SATA even if we don’t realize that we do it), but which application will get benefit of the 10 Gbps delivered by USB 3.1? Before precisely answering the question, … Read More


IBM leaves semiconductors – end of an era

IBM leaves semiconductors – end of an era
by Bill Jewell on 10-29-2014 at 2:00 am

IBM last week agreed to transfer its semiconductor business to GlobalFoundries. GlobalFoundries will acquire wafer fabs in East Fishkill, New York and Essex Junction, Vermont; IBM’s commercial microelectronics business, which includes ASIC and foundry; over 10,000 IBM patents related to semiconductor manufacturing;… Read More


The GF IBM Deal Explained!

The GF IBM Deal Explained!
by Daniel Nenni on 10-28-2014 at 10:00 pm

I have it on pretty good authority that IBM has in fact come to terms with GlobalFoundries on the sale of their semiconductor business, or so I blogged last month. Did I mention that my grandparents and their many siblings settled in Upstate NY in the early 1900s from Italy via Ellis Island? So yes, I do qualify as an insider:

Insider Read More


ECDH Key Exchange is Practical Magic

ECDH Key Exchange is Practical Magic
by Bill Boldt on 10-28-2014 at 7:00 pm

nsa

What if you and I want to exchange encrypted messages? It seems like something that will increasingly be desired given all the NSA/Snowden revelations and all the other snooping shenanigans. The joke going around is that the motto of the NSA is really “Yes We Scan,” which sort of sums it up.

Encryption is essentially scrambling a
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G.fast on the copper quick road for broadband

G.fast on the copper quick road for broadband
by Don Dingee on 10-28-2014 at 3:00 pm

After a four year gestation period typical of global communications standards, G.fast has reached the point where chipset makers can implement parts against stable specifications. Formal approval of the physical layer spec, G.9701, is expected by the end of 2014. G.9700, dealing with power spectral density issues, was approved… Read More


Imec and Coventor Partner Up

Imec and Coventor Partner Up
by Paul McLellan on 10-28-2014 at 7:00 am

Today imec and Coventor announced a joint development project for 10nm and 7nm process development. Imec, which is in Leuven Belgium, is a partner with pretty much all the semiconductor companies that are planning work at these advanced nodes. It mostly does pre-competitive research and development. This type of research is … Read More


Xilinx UltraFast Design Methodology Guide will save you time and money

Xilinx UltraFast Design Methodology Guide will save you time and money
by Luke Miller on 10-27-2014 at 7:00 pm

Well today, i’m easing my way back in from vacation. Took a camper, 6 kids, 1 wife with bun in the oven and saw the great USA. 17 States, roughly 5500 miles. It was great fun and tiring at the same time. The Grand Canyon was a blessing but I really enjoyed the ‘The Four Corners‘ where UT, CO, NM, AZ all meet. I had each kid… Read More


Designing Hardware with C++ and its Advantages

Designing Hardware with C++ and its Advantages
by Pawan Fangaria on 10-27-2014 at 10:00 am

Very recently, I was seeing intense discussions on the need for agile hardware development just like agile software and ideas were being sought from experts as well as individuals. While in software world it has already evolved, in hardware world it’s yet to see the shift in paradigm. My point is that the end goal of agile hardware… Read More


The IoT and the Forbidden Fruit

The IoT and the Forbidden Fruit
by Peter Gasperini on 10-26-2014 at 4:00 pm

A tremendous froth of press and promotion has arisen in the last year concerning the Internet of Things. Nearly every High Tech firm on the globe has begun to advertise their offerings as an integral part of it, positioning their products and services as both essential to the IoT and as a vital component of its future. As the smartphone… Read More