AMD’s Seattle ARM-based server processor is now in volume production. “The ecosystem for ARM in the datacenter is approaching an inflection point, and the addition of AMD’s high-performance processor is another strong step forward for customers looking for a datacenter-class ARM solution,” says AMD’s Scott Aylor, “the macro trend of convergence between networking, storage and ...
Author Archives: david manners
Tech workers plan to retire early
Technical people feel more pressure to retire earlier than workers in other industries, says technical recruiter Randstad Techologies. Nearly half (49%) of all tech workers plan to retire early, which is set to cause disruption as senior talent could leave the workforce en masse. This is far more than the average across the UK (35%), ...
Applied Nanodetectors and CPI developing breath-test glucose monitor
Applied Nanodetectors, the 12-year-old Enfield sensor specialist, is working with the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) to develop a simple breathalyser that will give people with diabetes a non-invasive method for monitoring their daily glucose levels and could replace the ‘prick test’ methods used today. The work focuses on the feasibility of designing and printing a low-cost glucose sensor to ...
Applied Nanodetectors and CPI developing breath-test glucose monitor
Qualcomm and TDK form JV
Qualcomm and TDK are setting up a 51/49 JV to be known as RF360 Holdings. The JV will pair TDK’s RF filter/module expertise with Qualcomm’s RF front-end solutions, and will create filters and front-end modules for mobile devices, IoT hardware, drones, robots, and other end-markets. Qualcomm will invest $1.2 billion and has the option to ...
PC units fell 10% in 2015
Q4 PC unit sales fell 10.6% y-o-y to 71.9 million, says IDC, while Gartner estimates they fell 8.3% to 75.7 million. For the full year, IDC estimates that shipments fell 10.4% to 276.2 million. “The PC market continued to face persistent challenges from longer-PC lifecycles and competition from mobile phones and tablets, despite the slowing ...
Silego launches fifth gen GreenPAK part
Silego has brought out the fifth generation of GreenPAK (GPAK) programmable mixed-signal ICs. With the addition of the asynchronous state machine, designers can implement up to eight unique states with zero code, zero static power, and fail-safe operation. The addition of I²C enables designers to change device configuration, such as analogue comparator thresholds, on the fly. ...
EBM-Papst takes control of IKOR
The EBM-Papst Group has bought a majority shareholding in Ikor of Spain. “For us as system supplier, acquiring the electronics specialist Ikor means that our technology expertise and know-how is enhanced”, said Rainer Hundsdörfer, chairman of the EBM-Papst Group. “The additional production capacities especially in China and Mexico lead us to expect new market potential,” ...
Samsung opens fabs to sick workers’ representatives
Samsung has responded to calls from sick workers and their families to open up their fabs to inspection. Fab workers blame Samsung for illnesses including leukaemia. they have been in dispute with Samsung about the issue for many years. The Family Committee and the Supporters for the Health And Rights of People in the Semiconductor ...
Fujitsu makes world’s largest magnetic-reversal simulator
Fujitsu and the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) developed the world’s largest magnetic-reversal simulator, using a mesh covering more than 300 million micro-regions. In recent years, the increasing momentum for energy conservation has brought attention to improving the efficiency of motors and generators that use magnetic materials. Currently, neodymium and dysprosium elements are indispensable ...
Semi capex to fall 4.7% in 2016
Semi capex is projected to decline 4.7% in 2016, to $59.4 billion, says Gartner. “The 2016 outlook for the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market reflects a bleaker outlook for end-user electronics demand and the world economic environment,” says Gartner’s David Christensen, “capital investment policies of leading semiconductor vendors have remained cautious against the background of sluggish ...