“Good grief, Charlie Brown!” I just exclaimed upon realizing that I’ve hit another 100-column milestone (including this one) here on EE Journal. That makes 400 columns since I joined the community.
As my columns average around 1,500 words apiece, that’s a whopping 600,000 words—each one handpicked at the crack of dawn whilst still glistening with the morning dew, fresh, fragrant, and full of promise.
The scary part? I’m a two-fingered hunt-and-peck typist, which explains why my fingers are so fatigued by the fall of the day. And the sad part is that when I was about 16, my dear old mum did all but beg me to learn to touch-type and take shorthand. But this was before computers became ubiquitous in homes and offices. I was planning on becoming the leading engineer of my generation, and I couldn’t envision ever needing to type, thereby providing yet another sterling example of my (lack of) ability to foresee the future.
The really sad thing is that, since there’s always so much new information clamoring for our attention, it’s easy for existing articles to quietly sink into the digital depths of the interweb, rarely being granted an opportunity to bask once more in the light of day (a little tear is rolling down my cheek as I pen these words).
But turn that frown upside down into a smile, because this is a time for celebration, as we see in the image shown below (no, this certainly wasn’t generated using Leonardo.ai — this is typical of the way I’m greeted by my adoring fans every day when I arrive at my office).
Below, I’ve listed the most recent 99 columns (excluding the one you’re currently reading, which makes 100). These are presented in reverse order, culminating in the offering on retro rotary dial telephones that was posted earlier this week.
There are some real corkers here, covering a wide range of topics, from sensors to robotics, power, semiconductor fabs, AI-powered co-hosts, AI-powered holograms, and much, much more. Please take a few minutes to skim these little beauties, and we’ll all meet up at the bottom of the column/end of the list.
AMD Rocks with New Versal Gen 2 AI Edge SoC FPGAs
AMD is introducing two new series of devices—Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven embedded systems and Versal Prime Series Gen 2 for classic embedded systems.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/amd-rocks-with-new-versal-gen-2-ai-edge-soc-fpgas/
Understanding and Optimizing SoC Hardware Performance
New Performance Cookbook explains how to understand and optimize the hardware performance of Arm-based SoCs in exhilarating detail (the tools and techniques are also applicable to RISC-V and other processor-based systems).
https://www.eejournal.com/article/understanding-and-optimizing-soc-hardware-performance/
Affordable Rack-Mount Quantum Computers Are Here!
Quantum Computing’s Dirac-3 Entropy Quantum Computer (EQC) is an affordable 5U rack-mount quantum computer that’s purpose-built for solving complex optimization problems.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/affordable-rack-mount-quantum-computers-are-here/
Something M-azing This Way Comes
Connectivity on Steroids! Particle’s new M-Series SOMs (System-on-Modules) support Wi-Fi, Cellular, LoRaWAN, and Satellite (NTN / Non-Terrestrial Network) communications.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/something-m-azing-this-way-comes/
SPOT Platform Gives Ambiq’s Apollo510 MCU an Unfair Low Power Advantage
The Apollo510 provides the ability to do AI/ML workloads concurrently with complex graphics, telco-quality voice applications, and always-on voice/sensor processing.
Issuing a Challenge to Edge AI Processor Manufacturers
I want an affordable Webcam + AI-MCU combo that can detect when someone is looking in its general direction and use this info to activate a display.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/issuing-a-challenge-to-edge-ai-processor-manufacturers/
LDRA’s New Security-First Capabilities Meet Missions to Mars and Colonies in Space
Four new security-first capabilities have been added to the LDRA tool suite: security vulnerability reports, security audits, security reviews, and taint analysis.
Heads Up! Nova Explosion Heading Our Way
A binary solar system formed from a red giant and a white dwarf orbiting each other is about to explode, and I don’t have a thing to wear!
https://www.eejournal.com/article/heads-up-nova-explosion-heading-our-way/
BYOD or BYOM to Synaptics’ AI-Native Edge Compute Party
Different companies are at different stages on their AI journey, so Synaptics is inviting everyone to a Bring Your Own Model (BYOM) or Bring Your Own Data (BYOD) party.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/byod-or-byom-to-synaptics-ai-native-edge-compute-party/
My AI Will Soon Be Watching You (Part 1)
In which we feast our orbs on a first-pass incarnation of my soon-to-be-epic Countdown Timer.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/my-ai-will-be-watching-you-part-1/
My AI Will Soon Be Watching You (Part 2)
One of Alif’s Ensemble AI-equipped MCUs will detect when someone is looking at the Countdown Timer, at which time I will activate my displays.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/my-ai-will-be-watching-you-part-2/
Are Holographic Displays the Ultimate UI for AI?
Swave’s HXR SLM packs 16 megapixels per square millimeter, which gives them a quarter of a billion pixels per eye!
https://www.eejournal.com/article/are-holographic-displays-the-ultimate-ui-for-ai/
Capturing 3D Images from 2D CMOS Sensors (One Sensor, One Frame –> 3D Point Cloud)
Well, I certainly didn’t see this one coming from AIRY3D!
Ceva-Waves Links Multi-Protocol Wireless Connectivity IP
Ceva-Waves Links leverages the industry-leading Ceva-Waves Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.15.4 (for Thread / Matter and Zigbee) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) IPs to offer integration-friendly wireless solutions to accelerate the development of connectivity-rich SoCs.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/ceva-waves-links-multi-protocol-wireless-connectivity-ip/
Bota Systems Gives Robots the Sense of Touch
In which we discover why Bola Systems is the 6-axis force-torque sensor “purveyor of choice” for discerning research laboratories and leading-edge robotics companies around the world.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/bota-systems-gives-robots-the-sense-of-touch/
University Degrees in Generative AI Prompt Engineering (Mind Blown!)
Can you envisage a future where you need a degree in order to be able to ask questions of AIs?
https://www.eejournal.com/article/university-degrees-in-generative-ai-prompt-engineering-mind-blown/
Who Invented the Johnson Decade Counter (and Why)?
Did some bright-spark engineer at TI or RCA see a customer demand for a 1-hot decade counter and say, “I’ve got a good idea, let’s decode the output from a 5-stage Johnson counter and call the result a ‘Johnson decade counter’”?
https://www.eejournal.com/article/who-invented-the-johnson-decade-counter-and-why/
Awesome Retro Displays and Computers
In which we start with Numitron tubes (which use seven incandescent filaments arranged to form a seven-segment display) and end with an 8-bit computer implemented using 1950s thermionic valves (vacuum tubes).
https://www.eejournal.com/article/awesome-retro-displays-and-computers/
Building A Semiconductor Fab? I Have Awesome News (Exclamation Mark)
For anyone building a semiconductor fab who wants to save time and money while reducing risk, this column is for you!
https://www.eejournal.com/article/building-a-semiconductor-fab-i-have-awesome-news-exclamation-mark/
Open-Source AutoML for Edge AI/ML Development
Automated machine learning (AutoML) refers to the process of automating the tasks of applying machine learning to real-world problems. To put this another way, AutoML means using ML to build ML models, which is delightfully recursive.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/open-source-automl-for-edge-ai-ml-development/
Want to Run LLMs on the Edge?
picoLLM is an end-to-end local large language model (LLM) platform that enables enterprises to build AI assistants that run on-device, on-prem, and in private clouds without sacrificing accuracy.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/want-to-run-llms-on-the-edge/
Customized Analog for the Connected World
The OS1000 from Orca Semiconductor is—quite simply—the most advanced power management integrated circuit (PMIC) in its class for smart health, wearable, hearable, and other connected devices.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/customized-analog-for-the-connected-world/
Want an Edge NPU for TinyML in AIoT Devices? CEVA Has You Covered
By addressing the specific performance challenges of TinyML, CEVA-NeuPro-Nano NPUs aim to make AI ubiquitous, economical, and practical for a wide range of use cases, spanning voice, vision, predictive maintenance, and health sensing in consumer and industrial IoT applications.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/want-an-edge-npu-for-tinyml-in-aiot-devices-ceva-has-you-covered/
Weaving State-of-the-Art Chiplet and SoC Fabrics
To address the needs of artificial intelligence and data center-type operations, Baya’s software-driven IP technology portfolio is designed to accelerate both complex single-die SoC and multi-die system designs.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/weaving-state-of-the-art-chiplet-and-soc-fabrics/
AI + Robotics + Vacuum Tube (Valve) Amplifiers = AWESOME
By combining robotics with AI, Neural DSP creates models of analog vacuum tube amplifiers that sound indistinguishable from the real thing.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/ai-robotics-vacuum-tube-valve-amplifiers-awesome/
Welcome to Silicon-to-Systems Space (Where No One Can Hear You Scream)
The mission of the Synopsys System Design Group is to help us go from silicon to system without killing ourselves in the process.
Silvaco’s Fab Technology Co-Optimization (FTCO): From Atoms to Systems
FTCO uses manufacturing data to perform statistical and physics-based AI/ML software simulations to create computer models or “digital twins” of wafers that can subsequently be used to simulate the fabrication process.
GOWIN’s “Golly Gosh” Low-Cost High-Performance FPGAs
GOWIN was founded in 2014, they saw their first Silicon in 2015, enjoyed their first revenues in 2017, and they currently bill themselves as “The World’s Fastest-Growing FPGA Company”!
https://www.eejournal.com/article/gowins-golly-gosh-low-cost-high-performance-fpgas/
There’s More Than One Way to Become an Engineer (Part 1)
For some people, becoming an honest-to-goodness engineer ends up being a relatively straightforward process. Others may end up taking a slightly more circuitous route
https://www.eejournal.com/article/theres-more-than-one-way-to-become-an-engineer-part-1/
There’s More Than One Way to Become an Engineer (Part 2)
Failing exams—FPGAs in radars, submarines, and satellites—conferences and networking—Tears for Fears and the 2nd British Invasion—and then things start to get complicated
https://www.eejournal.com/article/theres-more-than-one-way-to-become-an-engineer-part-2/
No Slacking! Put Your Semicolons to Work [Exclamation Mark Goes Here]
SVH validates your HDL code. It makes sure that your code makes sense syntactically, that it makes sense semantically, that it adheres to corporate coding styles, that it takes care of function safety, that it’s aware of vulnerability issues, that… the list goes on.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/no-slacking-put-your-semicolons-to-work/
Want Automated, Certification-Level RISC-V Verification Coverage for ASICs/ASSPs/SoCs/FPGAs?
Together, Breker’s RISC-V CoreAssurance SystemVIP and RISC-V SoCReady SystemVIP provide a complete range of tests to satisfy the requirements of the entire RISC-V verification stack.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/want-automated-certification-level-risc-v-verification-coverage/
Ultralight Edge AI Platform Unveiled
NTT DATA’s Ultralight EDGE AI Platform (a.k.a. SPEKTRA for “Sentient Platform for Network Transformation) is part of a fully managed offering supported by consulting data scientists, managed services, and global technical resources.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/ultralight-edge-ai-platform-unveiled/
Enabling Voice Control in EVERYTHING
The small size, low-power, high-performance, low-cost characteristics of AI MCUs like the ADAM-100 mean it won’t be long before voice control is embedded in everything, including all our household appliances from dishwashers to thermostats to microwaves to electric kettles to electric toasters.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/enabling-voice-control-in-everything/
5G AI-Enabled SBCs for Everyone and Everything
The folks at Particle recently announced Tachyon–a high-performance MPU-based single board computer (SBC) with an integrated AI accelerator and 5G connectivity.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/5g-ai-enabled-sbcs-for-everyone-and-everything/
Eeek! GenAI-Powered Design and Verification EDA Tools
In which we meet three companies—ChipStack, Silimate, and PrimisAI (coupled with Verific the Terrific)—who are bringing GenAI capabilities into Electronic Design Automation (EDA) space (where no one can hear you scream).
https://www.eejournal.com/article/eeek-genai-powered-design-and-verification-eda-tools/
Have You Forgotten Anything?
UWB sensors implemented using GF’s FDX-SOI process and platform can be used to detect and warn of pets and kids (and grandparents) inadvertently left in the back of cars.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/have-you-forgotten-anything/
New PSoC Brains for Motor and Power Applications
Infineon’s new PSoC Control devices can be used to enhance the precision and performance of motor control and power conversion applications, plus they are wide bandgap (WBG)-ready.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/new-psoc-brains-for-motor-and-power-applications/
Zeke and His Chums Are Poised to Chat with the ISS
The live event will be open to the public (and available via online streaming) on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 11:30:14 AM PDT
https://www.eejournal.com/article/zeke-and-his-chums-are-poised-to-chat-with-the-iss/
From Thought to Circuit in Record Time with AI
Think of the CELUS AI as a trusted advisor. You tell it what you want to do, then it picks the components and generates the circuit and schematic for you.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/from-thought-to-circuit-in-record-time-with-ai/
Humanoid Robots Will Be Serving You Soon
ADAM from Richtech Robotics was the first humanoid bartender to serve cocktails at a 2024 MLB all-star game.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/humanoid-robots-will-be-serving-you-soon/
What if Your Strawberries Could Talk?
The Ambient IoT refers to an ecosystem of objects in which every item is connected into a wireless sensor network using low-cost self-powered sensor nodes, such as Wiliot’s IoT Pixels.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/what-if-your-strawberries-could-talk/
Arrggghhh! Now I Want an NI mioDAQ! (Ignore the ‘!’)
The new mioDAQ from Emerson T&M (formerly NI) boasts 16 channels of 20-bit, ±10 V inputs @ 1 MS/s/ch sample rate, four ±10 V digital to analog converter (DAC) outputs @ 250 ks/s/ch update rate,16 flexible digital input/outputs, and four counter/timers. All this means that the easy-to-use mioDAQ can operate as an oscilloscope, a function/signal generator, and much, much more.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/arrggghhh-now-i-want-an-ni-miodaq-ignore-the/
Customized Analog ASSPs for Smart Factories and Industry 4.0
The OS2000 IO-Link transceiver from Orca Semiconductor is the same size as the MAX22515 (2.0mm x 2.5mm), and it provides a drop-in, pin-compatible replacement that meets or exceeds the capabilities of the MAX22515 at a lower price. What’s not to love?
https://www.eejournal.com/article/customized-analog-assps-for-smart-factories-and-industry-4-0/
There’s Exciting News on the Multi-Modal AI SoC Front
SiMa.ai’s MLSoC Modalix supports CNNs, Transformers, LLMs, LMMs, and Generative AI (GenAI) at the edge and delivers industry leading performance (more than 10X the performance per watt of alternatives).
https://www.eejournal.com/article/theres-exciting-news-on-the-multi-modal-ai-soc-front/
Intelligently Transporting Electrical and Optical Signals
Linear pluggable optical (LPO) modules? TeraSignal’s TSLink re-drivers beat traditional DSP-based re-timers hands-down!
https://www.eejournal.com/article/intelligently-transporting-electrical-and-optical-signals/
Taking the Size and Power of Extreme Edge AI/ML to the Extreme Minimum
Brainchip’s Akida Pico ultra-low-power NPU core operates in the microwatt (μW) to milliwatt (mW) range, thereby empowering devices at the extreme edge to perform at their best without sacrificing battery life.
AI-Powered Documentation Generator and Understander
The Folks at Driver have developed an AI that can generate high-quality documentation from disparate sources. Also, it can read, understand, and explain low-quality documentation from incongruent creators.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/ai-powered-documentation-generator-and-understander/
Streaming AI Development and Deployment at the Edge
In a crunchy nutshell: (a) Almost everyone wants to add AI to their embedded/edge applications and devices, (b) Very few people have the expertise required to add AI to their embedded/edge applications and devices, and (c) DeGirum makes it easy to add AI to embedded/edge applications and devices. Any questions?
https://www.eejournal.com/article/streaming-ai-development-and-deployment-at-the-edge/
A Bold New Twist on Optical Computing
The potential applications for non-linear networks that could be enhanced with Q.ANT’s optical technology–providing much higher performance while consuming a fraction of the power–are myriad, multifarious, and manifold.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/a-bold-new-twist-on-optical-computing/
From Concept to Programmable Logic Prototype in Minutes
My poor old noggin is currently buzzing with ideas for things I could do with the new line of programmable devices that were recently introduced by the guys and gals at Texas Instruments.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/from-concept-to-programmable-logic-prototype-in-minutes/
Bringing Innate Intelligence to Trillions of Devices
Innatera’s spiking neural processor, the T1, is an ultra-low-power neuromorphic microcontroller intended for always-on sensing applications (it’s 100 times smaller than conventional neural networks and consumes < 1mW).
https://www.eejournal.com/article/bringing-innate-intelligence-to-trillions-of-devices/
Augmenting an Existing 2D CMOS Sensor to Provide 3D Depth Perception
MagikEye’s Invertible Light Technology (ILT) is an innovative approach to depth sensing in 3D imaging systems that is designed to overcome limitations of traditional depth-sensing methods.
I See Holograms Everywhere
Proto can provide real-life, real-time, life-size, AI-powered, volumetric “hologram in a box” avatars that look, talk, and behave like real people.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/i-see-holograms-everywhere/
One More Step on the Path to AIIE (AI-In-Everything)
Edge AI with AONDevices’ AON1100 and AON1120 (1X RISC-V MPU + 2X NPUs < 260uW at 100% processing
what’s not to love?)
https://www.eejournal.com/article/one-more-step-on-the-path-to-aiie-ai-in-everything/
This One’s for the Techno-Dweebs
I like to think I know my way around a truth table, but I have to say that the table for the 7448 took me some time to wrap my brain around.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/this-ones-for-the-techno-dweebs/
Measuring Picovolts and Femtoamps
Lake Shore Cryotronics have built an enviable reputation as being at the forefront of cryotronic T&M equipment. Now their products are moving out of physics laboratories and into engineering environments, like semiconductor foundries, for example.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/measuring-picovolts-and-femtoamps/
The Rise of the Robots (Cobots)
NexCOBOT’s General Robot Controller (GRC) is an industrial and collaborative robot controller that supports myriad diverse robotic forms and functions.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/the-rise-of-the-robots-cobots/
Autonomous Trucks are Trucking Our Way!
According to Torc Robotics, we can expect to see fully autonomous trucks barreling down American interstate highways circa 2027.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/autonomous-trucks-are-trucking-our-way/
Rust Rules! (Programming Language-Wise)
Ferrous Systems, which has carved out a leadership role with respect to Rust solutions for safety-critical systems, recently announced that its flagship tool chain, Ferrocene, has achieved IEC 62304 Class C qualification for medical device software.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/rust-rules-programming-language-wise/
Predictions for Multi-Die System Designs in 2025
In his keynote presentation at the recent Chiplet Summit, Abhijeet Chakraborty from Synopsys described what 2025 will bring in chiplet space (where no one can hear you scream).
https://www.eejournal.com/article/predictions-for-multi-die-system-designs-in-2025/
Next-Generation Power Technology for Data Center Accelerator Cards
New techniques are required to handle accelerator cards whose core processing device demands 2,000 amps.
New Memory Architectures for SoCs and Multi-Die Systems
The folks at Numem have created a memory technology called NuRAM
non-volatile MRAM IP, chips, and chiplets with SRAM-like performance.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/new-memory-architectures-for-socs-and-multi-die-systems/
Multiplying the Power of Artificial Intelligence with Artificial Bodies
Engineered Arts gives us the Ameca physical platform coupled with today’s AI-powered machine vision, speech recognition, emotional AI, natural language processing (NLP), and facial expression generation.
Meet the SiPhOG, Its Creators, and Its Offspring
Based on silicon photonics, ANELLO’s SiPhOG is a fraction of the size, weight, and cost of traditional FOGs (Fiber Optic Gyroscopes)
https://www.eejournal.com/article/meet-the-siphog-its-creators-and-its-offspring/
We Haven’t Got a Plan, So Nothing Can Go Wrong!
I thought household humanoid robots were a couple of decades away (at least), and then I saw Gamma from 1X
https://www.eejournal.com/article/we-havent-got-a-plan-so-nothing-can-go-wrong/
Disrupting AC-DC and DC-DC Power Delivery from Data Centers to the Edge
Ambersemi has introduced AC-DC and DC-DC power converters that dispense with things like bridge rectifiers, electrolytic capacitors, and inductors, and replace them all with a small, cost-effective solid-state equivalent.
Zero-Code Smart Camera and Robot Controller
The Limelight 4 Smart Camera features a Hailo-8 AI Accelerator, which offers 26 tera operations per second (TOPS) of raw AI computing power
https://www.eejournal.com/article/zero-code-smart-camera-and-robot-controller/
Need 3,000A to Power Your Next-Gen XPU?
The folks at Empower have come up with a solution that will power today’s 1,000A XPUs, tomorrow’s 2,000A XPUs, all the way up to the day-after-tomorrow’s 3,000A XPUs
https://www.eejournal.com/article/need-3000a-to-power-your-next-gen-xpu/
Speeding AI and HPC Workloads with Composable Memory and Hardware Compression / Decompression Acceleration
The combination of Rambus CXL IP and ZeroPoint DenseMem (compression and decompression) IP can dramatically reduce the amount and cost of memory in data centers.
From Power Supply Block Diagram to Completed Design in 60 Seconds!
Circuit Mind has added the capability to take a high-level blog diagram of your power supply requirements, then to design the power tree, suggest regulators and other components, and generate the schematic while you are quaffing a well-earned cup of coffee
https://www.eejournal.com/article/from-power-supply-block-diagram-to-completed-design-in-60-seconds/
Are You Going to RISC-V Con 2025?
The auspicious (and FREE) RISC-V Con event—which brings together industry leaders, innovators, and developers in the RISC-V ecosystem—will take place on Tuesday the 29th of April 2025 in San Jose. There will be two tracks running in parallel: (1) The Main Conference and Exhibits and (2) a Developer Track.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/are-you-going-to-risc-v-con-2025/
Findchips: From Engineer’s Hack to Advanced Component Search Engine
You can only imagine my surprise and delight to discover a tried and trusted electronic component search engine of which I was previously unaware.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/findchips-from-engineers-hack-to-advanced-component-search-engine/
TASKBOTs Set to Seamlessly Integrate into Human Workplace Environments
Using REVOBOTS’ Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) deployment model, a TASKBOT can perform its duties 10X faster than a human at only 50% of the cost.
Is Integral Mind’s Digital Enlightenment Platform a True Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)?
Integral Mind has developed a paradigm-shifting AI technology in the form of a demonstrable, working artificial general intelligence (AGI) model that has been extensively vetted by the U.S. Government, including the Department of Defense and DARPA.
Only the Most Epic Embedded Online Conference Ever!
When it comes to embedded space (where no one can hear you scream), the virtual extravaganza on everybody’s lips is the Embedded Online Conference (EOC)
https://www.eejournal.com/article/only-the-most-epic-embedded-online-conference-ever/
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad 48V World
Many electronic systems (data centers, robotics, AI, communications, computing, automotive, industrial…) are transitioning from 12V to 48V. How are you going to power yours?
https://www.eejournal.com/article/its-a-mad-mad-mad-mad-48v-world/
Quantum Simulations of New Materials for the 21st Century
Training AIs using OTI Lumionics ab initio models results in more accurate simulations of new materials with respect to their opto-electronic properties.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/quantum-simulations-of-new-materials-for-the-21st-century/
Everything You Wanted to Know About LFSRs (But Were Too Afraid to Ask)
If you have any questions about things like “Pollard’s Kangaroo Method” and “Cyclotomic Cosets,” then I am the bearer of good news!
AI-Based PCBA Machine Vision Solution Ensures Supply Chain Integrity
Were I in charge of building mission-critical or safety-critical circuit boards, ShieldScan from Cybord.ai would be at the top of my shopping list.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Meets Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) in More Ways Than One
FlexGen Smart NoC IP from Arteris uses AI/ML heuristics to boost SoC development productivity and engineering efficiency.
Wow! AI-Powered “Sketch-on-Napkin” to Embedded Design
The chaps and chapesses at CELUS have just announced the next generation of AI-driven hardware design as part of their CELUS Design Platform. And all I can say is “Wow!”
https://www.eejournal.com/article/wow-ai-powered-sketch-on-napkin-to-embedded-design/
Smart AI-Enabled Verification Will Increase First Silicon Success
Questa One from Siemens EDA utilizes generative, prescriptive, and predictive AI/ML technologies, enabling engineers to achieve the highest levels of verification with minimal resources.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/smart-ai-enabled-verification-will-increase-first-silicon-success/
Scaling Up and Scaling Out: Reimagining Silicon Switching for the AI Era
Baya Systems recently added NeuraScale scalable switch fabric IP to their WeaverIP portfolio.
Will We Soon Say, “CMOS Sensors Drool, SPAD Sensors Rule”?
Ubicept develops photon-level perception systems capable of operating in extreme lighting conditions and capturing sharp images of high-speed motion.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/will-we-soon-say-cmos-sensors-drool-spad-sensors-rule/
EYEO’s Eye-Opening Image Sensor Technology
EYEO’s technology allows image sensors that capture 3x more light than standard sensors.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/eyeos-eye-opening-image-sensor-technology/
Machine Vision, Robotics, Industrial Applications? There’s an SOM for That!
Kira SOMs from AMD are being used in a wide range of machine vision, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and industrial applications.
Is This the First Video Podcast with an AI Co-Host?
I’ve just been introduced to Sophie the Sage, who is the AI co-host of a video podcast called Toronto Talks, which explores the most significant conversations at the intersection of money, business, and technology.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/is-this-the-first-video-podcast-with-an-ai-co-host/
Living in a Cubic World
I was just looking at the Cube World cubes created by Tony and Judie Ellis in the early 2000s. Maybe we could create an updated version of this.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/living-in-a-cubic-world/
Celebrating the FPGA’s 40th Birthday
Everyone at AMD/Xilinx is bouncing around with excitement with respect to this 40-year anniversary, which will be featured at this year’s Advancing AI 2025 event.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/celebrating-the-fpgas-40th-birthday/
Making Machine Vision Accessible and Affordable for Engineers, Educators, and Makers
OpenMV’s goal is to make machine vision accessible, affordable, and programmable for makers, engineers, and educators—the way Arduino made microcontrollers accessible to everyone.
Eeek Alors! AI-Powered PCB Layout Is Here and It’s Awesome
Using JITX AI-driven PCB layout, it took only 3 days and 3 layers to replicate something that humans took more than 6 weeks and 5 layers with one of the leading layout tools on the market.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/eeek-alors-ai-powered-pcb-layout-is-here-and-its-awesome/
Are Mixed Reality Theme Parks Headed Our Way?
DreamPark’s long-term goal is to “build the world’s largest theme park—one that exists everywhere and is accessible to everyone.”
https://www.eejournal.com/article/are-mixed-reality-theme-parks-headed-our-way/
Wow! That’s Some AI SOM!
Virtium Embedded Artists launch their iMX8M Mini DX-M1 SOM, which integrates a quad-core application processor and a 25 TOPS AI hardware accelerator chip with associated memory on a board with a compact 82mm x 50mm footprint.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/wow-thats-some-ai-som/
Retro Gadgets, Gizmos, Tools, and Technologies
If anyone questions me in the future, I’m going to say, “My retro-styled neo-Victorian retro-futuristic Prognostication Engine sits right at the beautifully hand-carved intersection of retro and steampunk.” Let’s see if they can argue their way out of that!
https://www.eejournal.com/article/retro-gadgets-gizmos-tools-and-technologies/
Next-Generation Motion Sensing Facilitates Immersive Spatial Audio
CEVA’s MotionEngine Hex tracks 6-DoF, augmenting an IMU with a UWB position sensor, thereby enabling next-gen controllers and RealSpace spatial audio systems.
You May Scoff, But AI-Powered PCB Layout Is Really Real
From what I’ve seen, Quilter could happily tackle anything in the Really Simple, Low-Medium, and Medium PCB categories. And I bet it won’t be long before it starts to extend its reach into higher-complexity boards.
https://www.eejournal.com/article/you-may-scoff-but-ai-powered-pcb-layout-is-really-real/
Teaching AI to Semiconductor Students, Engineers, and Fabs
Having field-tested a core course, PDF and CMU are now collaborating on the curriculum for a new master’s degree
https://www.eejournal.com/article/teaching-ai-to-semiconductor-students-engineers-and-fabs/
Remarkable Rotary Dial Delights
Have you ever noticed that nothing is as simple as it seems, and that there’s always more to things than meets the eye? Take rotary telephone dials, for example…
https://www.eejournal.com/article/remarkable-rotary-dial-delights/
Well, all I can say is “Phew!” (And I mean this most sincerely.) I’d forgotten about some of these bodacious beauties myself. Now I’m going to go back and re-read some of the choicer items that caught my eye. How about you? Have you seen any old favorites, or mayhap discovered some new ones in this collection?
ALL chip designers should only use two fingers when they type – I mean it’s binary…
“…this is typical of the way I’m greeted by my adoring fans every day when I arrive at my office…” Be careful – In a crowd that large at least one is a pickpocket.
Not my peeps!