Articles – Page 3

Efficient Computer’s Efficient Computer is 100X More Energy Efficient than Other General-Purpose Processors

January 8, 2026

I remember the heady days of the 1970s, when new and exciting 8-bit processor architectures were sprouting like metaphorical mushrooms. I’m sure that, like me, you are thinking of little beauties like the 8008 (1972), 8080 (1974), and 8085 (1976) from Intel, the 6800 (1974) from Motorola, the 6502 (1975) from MOS Technology, and the Z80 (1976) from Zilog.

However, there were many other contenders that deserve mention, such as the 8-bit PPS-8 (1974) from Rockwell International, which succeeded the 4-bit PPS-4 (1972). As an aside, Rockwell Automation, which spun off from Rockwell International in 1985, will forever be associated with its Read More → "Efficient Computer’s Efficient Computer is 100X More Energy Efficient than Other General-Purpose Processors"

A 4-Bit CPU for the 21st Century

by Max Maxfield

January 6, 2026

Hello there. Welcome to 2Q 21C. We hope you’ll enjoy your stay. (2Q 21C is the
notation I’ve invented to indicate the second quarter of the 21st century—you’re welcome.)

Over the past few years, we’ve been introduced to a cornucopia of new processor designs, many of which target artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications.

Most of these machines feature one or more 32-bit central processing units (CPUs) augmented with neural processing accelerators. I think it’s fair to say we’ll be seeing more of these in … Read More → "A 4-Bit CPU for the 21st Century"

Resurrecting Dead Grandmothers (Again)

by Max Maxfield

December 30, 2025

As I’ve mentioned before (and as I will no doubt mention again), I was at the front of the queue when the first commercial version of the Oculus Rift made its debut in 2016 with an orchestral flourish of ophicleides (and you don’t forget one of those in a hurry).

To be honest, I was never a big gamer before the introduction of virtual reality (VR) and later augmented reality (AR). This isn’t to say I had no interest in games as such. I did, but mainly as an observer whose primary fascination lay in … Read More → "Resurrecting Dead Grandmothers (Again)"

A Blob No More

by Max Maxfield

December 23, 2025

My head hurts. As usual, I’ve been floundering around in embedded space (where no one can hear you scream). And as a result, I’ve been introduced to something with so many possibilities and potentialities that I don’t know whether I’m coming or going or doing something else entirely.

I was just chatting with Rolf Segger, the Founder, Owner, and Chief Strategist, and Dirk Akemann, the Partnership Marketing Manager at SEGGER Microcontroller Systems.. Rolf and Dirk were bringing me up to date on their latest and greatest … Read More → "A Blob No More"

GenSoC: Designing SoCs with Generative AI

by Max Maxfield

December 18, 2025

Every once in a while, I run across a story that’s awesome in its simplicity, whilst still managing to be mindbogglingly complex “under the hood,” as it were. But fear not, because I’m sure I’ll manage to make things confusing if I try (and even if I don’t).

This is a story in three parts. Let’s start with the folks at XMOS and their XCORE devices. XMOS was founded in 2005 in Bristol, England. The name XMOS is a nod to Read More → "GenSoC: Designing SoCs with Generative AI"

Meet the Next Generation of AR+AI Glasses User Interfaces

by Max Maxfield

December 16, 2025

It’s hard to believe that it’s now been nine years since virtual reality (VR) truly went mainstream with the commercial launch of the Oculus Rift. I was at the front of the queue when it arrived. I love VR, but I firmly believe that augmented reality (AR) is the real wave of the future, especially when combined with artificial intelligence (AI).

As an aside (if you’re a regular reader, you’ll have known one was coming), whenever we talk about augmented reality, in which we enhance reality in some way, including graphics and haptics, … Read More → "Meet the Next Generation of AR+AI Glasses User Interfaces"

Can You Hear Me Now (With My 21st Century Studio-Quality MEMS Microphone)?

by Max Maxfield

December 11, 2025

In England in 1969, what’s now known as British Telecom (BT) didn’t exist. In those days of yore, UK telecommunications (including telephones, exchanges, wiring, and equipment) were operated by the Post Office Telecommunications Department, which was part of the General Post Office (GPO).

The unabridged story of how the Post Office ended up in charge of telephones is wonderfully Victorian and slightly bonkers. To cut a long story short (which is opposite to the way I usually like to do things), this all came about because telephones were initially treated as a form of “electrical telegraph.” … Read More → "Can You Hear Me Now (With My 21st Century Studio-Quality MEMS Microphone)?"

How to Stop Bad Actors Reverse Engineering Your ASICs/SoCs and FPGAs

by Max Maxfield

December 9, 2025

Bad actors aren’t just reverse-engineering software; they’re tearing into the silicon itself. From peeling ASICs/SoCs like onions to extracting FPGA bitstreams, the hardware battlefield is heating up. Happily, some brain-bogglingly clever hardware obfuscation techniques can be deployed to flip the script. … Read More →

Meet the Power-Delivery Chiplets That May Save 50% of Your AI Power

by Max Maxfield

December 4, 2025

If you’d tried to start a power-related conversation with me just a few short years ago, I’d probably have shrugged my shoulders in disinterest. These days, however, it seems the subject of power is on everybody’s lips. It’s a hot topic, if you’ll forgive the pun (and even if you won’t).

I remember the mainframe computer we were working on in 1980. This bodacious beauty consumed 2,000A at 5V. We thought that was a lot. We were such innocents. We didn’t have a clue about the horrors to come.

AI at the Edge? Meet Wi-Fi in Microwatts

by Max Maxfield

December 2, 2025

I’ve just been introduced to a technology that has the potential to revolutionize battery- and ambient-powered AI-enabled sensors using Bluetooth or WiFi while consuming only 1/1000th the power of regular Bluetooth and WiFi implementations. Intrigued? Read on!

Before we plunge into the fray with gusto and abandon, indulge me, if you will. I read a lot of science fiction. One of the books I read recently stuck in my mind more than most. I’m talking about The Last Human</ … Read More → "AI at the Edge? Meet Wi-Fi in Microwatts"