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Inspecting Young Wafers

Wafers these days! They have no idea how good they got it!

Wait… not quite sure that’s true, at least about how good they got it. But still, wafers these days! Just like a frustrated teen, today’s wafers are demanding more and more from us.

And yeah, we’re definitely ruining their lives.

So, if we can get them to unlock the bedroom door and peek out at us, we can get a picture of all … Read More → "Inspecting Young Wafers"

Lattice Raises the Bar on Low Power AI

We are all focusing a lot of attention on neural network inference these days. There is lengthy debate about the relative merits of GPUs, high-end FPGAs, and other specialized solutions for generating the most and best inferencing per coloumb. Most of that centers around data center or high-end edge designs. But the real volume for inferencing chips will clearly be in cost-, power-, and space-constrained edge systems, often running on batteries, and usually far out of the realm of conventional GPUs and FPGAs. Companies like NVidia, Intel, and Xilinx are engaged in all-out war in that … Read More → "Lattice Raises the Bar on Low Power AI"

AWS wants to be Your AI and IoT Services Supplier

“Is this the party to whom I am speaking?” – Lily Tomlin

Amazon has been developing and using AI and IoT technology internally for years:

Personalized recommendations and Daily Deals on Amazon.com

Warehouse robot motion optimization in its fulfillment centers

Drone flight control (Prime Air)

Alexa’s natural language processing

Amazon Go cashierless stores (“Let’s go shoplifting!”)

Read More → "AWS wants to be Your AI and IoT Services Supplier"

AI Meets AC/DC

“For those about to rock, we salute you.” – Brian Johnson

Let’s play a game! First, we’ll divide the players into two teams. The first team includes fluffy kittens, nuns and orphans, baby ducks, and Delta blues guitarists. The second team includes patent trolls, the Ebola virus, personal-liability lawyers, and Brussels sprouts.

Which team does your local electric utility company belong on?

Most people do not harbor tender feelings toward their power company. It’s a utility, a monopoly, … Read More → "AI Meets AC/DC"

Must PUFs Degrade Over Time?

A few weeks ago, we talked about software security, and a question was raised about the reliability of physically unclonable functions, or PUFs.  We noted at the time that Intrinsic ID agreed that the issue exists, but that they had a solution that more than compensated. Today we take a look at the whole issue in more detail. Possibly too much detail. Put your wonk hat on, cuz we’re about to geek out!

PUF Basics

First, let’s look at some fundamental concepts surrounding PUFs, … Read More → "Must PUFs Degrade Over Time?"

Wally Rhines Talks About the Future of PCB and System Design

“Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one.” – Doc Brown

Wally Rhines is like the Energizer Bunny of the EDA industry. He’s a favorite and frequent on-stage presenter at industry events. Perhaps that’s because he’s an all-around nice guy, but, more likely, it’s because his presentations are so darn interesting. Latest case in point: his presentation titled, “Is Past Prologue? The Future of the PCB Design Industry,” given at the recent PCB West conference held in Santa Clara, California. Just before starting, Wally … Read More → "Wally Rhines Talks About the Future of PCB and System Design"

The Microprocessor and the Newspaper Delivery Boy

“You’re never going to find… the perfect meal without a constant willingness to experience a bad one.” —Anthony Bourdain

Why is there a McDonald’s on the Champs-Élysées? You would think that the millions of tourists flocking to Paris each year could find better places to eat. It’s not as though they’re sipping McBordeaux with their Read More → "The Microprocessor and the Newspaper Delivery Boy"

EE Journal Editors’ Choices for World Maker Faire 2018

Our EE Journal Team is back from World Maker Faire 2018! Every year, we take a trip to World Maker Faire in New York City to check out the hundreds of booths at the New York Hall of Science where makers come to  “show and tell” their projects. The creations on display at the Faire can range from homemade arts and crafts like needlepoint and quilting, to smart home devices built from scratch, to students making their own computer chips. It’s a chance for makers who work with origami and makers who work with arduino boards to come together … Read More → "EE Journal Editors’ Choices for World Maker Faire 2018"

Power’s Progress

Speed must be feeling pretty unloved these days. I mean, let’s face it: there was a time when the mettle of any decent chip was gauged by how fast it could go. Having a performance issue? Aw, just juice it up a little – there’s plenty more current where that came from!

Then it became harder to sacrifice power for anything – it was no longer free. It wasn’t expensive, but it had to be considered, much to timing’s annoyance. Now timing couldn’t get what it wanted … Read More → "Power’s Progress"

EE Journal’s Live Coverage of World Maker Faire 2018

Our EE Journal Team went to World Maker Faire 2018!

World Maker Faire New York returned for it’s 9th year at the New York Hall of Science and we were there to cover all the invention, creativity, curiosity and hands-on learning the Faire had to offer.

This year’s World Maker Faire will featured more than 800 projects and multiple stages focused on making for social good, health, food and technology, as well as the latest developments in microelectronics, 3D printing, food, drones, robotics, and more. 

Read More → "EE Journal’s Live Coverage of World Maker Faire 2018"

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