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October 17
- Sansung buys two more high-NA EUV machines.
➀ Samsung purchased two high-NA EUV machines (Twinscan EXE:5200B) for $773 million to boost 2nm chip production, with deliveries planned for 2025 and early 2026;
➁ The machines, installed at Hwaseong R&D facility, will support 2nm foundry processes for Exynos processors and Tesla's ADAS chips, achieving transistor sizes down to 8nm;
➂ TSMC has delayed high-NA EUV adoption until 1.4nm processes, while Qualcomm and MediaTek consider shifting 2nm orders to Samsung due to TSMC's higher wafer costs ($30k per wafer).
- Infineon sampling 60Ghz CMOS radar sensors for IoT
➀ Infineon is sampling 60GHz CMOS radar sensors (BGT60CUTR13AIP) for ultra-low power IoT applications, targeting Physical AI enhancement in smart home devices;
➁ The sensor integrates on-chip processing, 7GHz bandwidth, and 20m detection range, supporting presence/gesture sensing while reducing host processor load;
➂ Applications include security cameras and HVAC systems, with features like autonomous wake-up and privacy-focused activity monitoring enabled by dedicated software stacks.
- JEDEC updates DDR5 SPD standard
➀ JEDEC announced version 1.4 of the DDR5 SPD Contents standard (JESD400-5D), enhancing memory initialization and optimization for BIOS;
➁ The update adds support for DDR5-9200 speeds, introduces codes for SOCAMM2 modules, and expands error logging for MRDIMMs;
➂ The standard applies to all DDR5 modules, reflecting JEDEC's role in unifying industry solutions with input from 360 member companies.
October 14
- Gadget Book: How AI Thinks
➀ The article introduces a book titled *How AI Thinks* by Nigel Toon, an expert with extensive experience in the electronics and AI industries;
➁ It positions the book as a valuable resource for technology enthusiasts and engineers exploring AI's development and applications;
➂ The author humorously notes reading a physical copy instead of adding it to a “virtual shelf” as usual.
- Softbank, MS reported to be in talks with Wayve to raise $2bn
➀ SoftBank and Microsoft are in discussions to invest $2 billion in UK self-driving startup Wayve, potentially valuing it at $8 billion, with NVIDIA also expressing a $500 million investment intent;
➁ Wayve's AI-driven technology, built on NVIDIA's Drive AGX Thor platform, combines imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and simulation training to replicate human driving behavior across diverse environments;
➂ The company previously raised $1.05 billion in 2024 and is trialing autonomous vehicles with Uber in London, with total funding expected to reach $3.8 billion if new investments materialize.
- CSP capex $420bn this year; $520bn next year
➀ The combined capital expenditure (capex) of eight major Cloud Service Providers (CSPs)—including Google, AWS, Meta, Microsoft, Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu—is projected to exceed $420 billion in 2025, marking a 61% year-on-year increase and equaling their total spending in 2023 and 2024.
➀ Investment priorities focus on servers and GPUs, with high demand for Nvidia's GB200/GB300 rack systems in 2025, transitioning to the Rubin VR200 platform in 2026.
➂ The 'Magnificent Seven' U.S. tech giants (Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla) hold a combined market cap of $21 trillion, representing 36% of the S&P 500's total value.
- Broadcom and OpenAI to collaborate on custom AI accelerators
➀ Broadcom and OpenAI partner to develop 6GW of custom AI accelerators, with OpenAI designing the chips and Broadcom handling development and deployment;
➀ The collaboration leverages Broadcom's Ethernet and connectivity solutions to build scalable AI infrastructure, supported by a long-term co-development agreement;
➂ Leaders from both companies emphasize the partnership's role in advancing AI capabilities, optimizing performance, and supporting OpenAI's mission to benefit humanity through artificial general intelligence (AGI).
- Stoke Space raises $510m Series D for Nova first flight
➀ Stoke Space secured $510 million in Series D funding, led by USIT and supported by a $100 million debt facility from Silicon Valley Bank, to advance its reusable Nova rocket's first flight.
➁ The funding aims to accelerate Nova's development, including structural testing and activation of the Cape Canaveral launch site by 2026, following its National Security Space Launch contract with the U.S. Space Force.
➂ The company's medium-lift rocket, designed for high-frequency satellite deployment, aligns with growing commercial and defense demands, highlighted by the 'Golden Dome' initiative.
October 13
- Legged ceramic capacitors shun stress
➀ Kyocera AVX introduced KGP Series ceramic capacitors with stand-off legs to enhance mechanical resilience against bending and suppress thermal-induced weld cracking, operating from -55°C to +125°C;
➁ Available in J-lead and L-lead configurations with multiple footprints (1210 to 2225), dielectric options (C0G, X7R, X7T), voltage ratings (50V-1.5kV), and capacitance ranges (1.8nF-47μF), including single or stacked die designs;
➂ Designed for high-frequency applications in industrial, energy, and oil/gas sectors, targeting uses in DC-DC converters, DC blocking, and high-voltage coupling, while available via DigiKey and Mouser Electronics.
- Single ion atomic clock
➀ TOPTICA developed the "Topticlock," an atomic clock using a single Yb+ ion to achieve ~10⁻¹⁷ accuracy, marking a commercial benchmark with PTB;
➁ The compact system (two 19-inch racks) is undergoing validation at PTB and will be delivered to a Vienna client;
➂ Combines laser cooling, quantum-state control, and ultra-stable lasers, featuring 871nm optical output convertible to microwaves via frequency combs.
- Will The Bursting Of The AI Bubble Affect Me?
➀ The article explores the potential impact of an AI bubble burst on individuals, even if they haven't directly invested in AI companies;
➀ Shadow banking systems, which lend to AI firms at high interest rates, may transfer risks to regulated banks through securitization and insurance, potentially burdening taxpayers;
➂ The financial sector could profit from speculative cycles while governments and taxpayers absorb losses, mirroring past financial crises.
- GaN half-bridge driver chip for 72Vdc and 110Vac
➀ STMicroelectronics launches the STDRIVEG211 and STDRIVEG210 GaN half-bridge driver chips for industrial and telecom power supplies, supporting 72V batteries and 110V AC lines with a 220V maximum rail voltage;
➁ The STDRIVEG211 features 6V gate protection, short-circuit detection via an external comparator, and automatic shutdown, while the STDRIVEG210 omits the comparator for applications like solar inverters;
➂ Designed for resonant/hard-switching power supplies, motor drives, and Class-D amplifiers, the chips offer 2.4A drive current, thermal protection, and optimized gate control with a 5x4mm QFN package.
- TRISH eyes eye-tracking to predict astronaut fatigue in real time
➀ HarmonEyes collaborates with NASA-funded TRISH to deploy its H-SMART eye-tracking system in Antarctica, aiming to predict astronauts' cognitive load and fatigue in real time.
➁ The Antarctic environment, simulating deep space conditions, will test the system’s unobtrusive design for monitoring mental states during high-stakes missions.
➂ The technology aims to enhance mission safety for lunar and Mars expeditions, with adaptable hardware and software for diverse applications.
- Dutch government takes control of Nexperia
➀ The Dutch government assumed management control of Nexperia, a Chinese-owned semiconductor company, citing "serious governance shortcomings" and national security concerns;
➀ Authorities invoked the Goods Availability Act to intervene, enabling them to block or reverse company decisions for up to a year;
➂ The move followed asset disposals and personnel changes threatening critical technological capabilities, echoing prior UK actions demanding Nexperia divest a wafer fab in 2022.
- H1 telecom equipment revenues up 4%
➀ Global telecom equipment revenues rebounded with 4% YoY growth in H1 2025 after two years of decline, driven by improved comparisons, inventory stabilization, and favorable currency trends;
➁ Markets outside China saw an 8% increase, led by Mobile Core Network, Optical Transport, and Service Provider Router & Switch segments;
➂ Huawei gained market share, while Ericsson and Nokia slightly declined; 2025 global revenues are projected to grow 2%-3%, up from previous flat forecasts.
- Dual-input inductive auto sensor IC
➀ Melexis launched the MLX90514, a dual-input inductive sensor IC designed for automotive systems like steering torque feedback and steer-by-wire, enabling on-chip differential/vernier angle calculations;
➁ The integrated solution reduces system complexity by merging dual-channel processing, supports high-accuracy 24-bit data transmission, and eliminates the need for multiple ICs, lowering costs;
➂ Features include ASIL D compliance for safety, zero-latency synchronization, and compact design, making it ideal for electrified vehicles and advanced mobility applications.
- Mouser shipping Arduino ASX00073 UNO SPE Shield for extra connectivity
➀ Mouser Electronics announced the availability of Arduino's ASX00073 UNO SPE Shield, providing Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) and RS485 connectivity for Arduino UNO-compatible projects, with support for SPI, UART, and I2C interfaces;
➁ The shield enables integration of legacy industrial systems with modern technologies, targeting applications like IoT gateways, factory automation, smart grid monitoring, and HVAC systems;
➂ Mouser also offers Arduino UNO REV 4 boards (Wi-Fi and Minima variants), powered by Renesas' Cortex-M4 processor, maintaining backward compatibility with the UNO R3 form factor.
- Investing in Deep-Tech by Imec
➀ Imec challenges the perception that deep-tech investments yield only moderate returns, citing McKinsey and BCG data showing a 16% net annual IRR for deep-tech versus 10% for traditional tech with comparable failure rates;
➁ Despite high initial capital needs, deep-tech startups require less funding in later stages, face limited competition, and achieve higher profit margins due to disruptive market creation;
➂ Imec.DeepTechVentures reduces risks through semiconductor R&D expertise, global ecosystem integration, and manufacturing process optimization, accelerating commercialization of innovations like vertical AI compute architectures.
- Ed Stalks Mini-Nuke Largesse
➀ The UK government prioritizes accelerating Small Modular Reactor (SMR) deployment to address growing electricity demand from data centers and EVs, targeting completion by the mid-2030s;
➁ Rolls-Royce is the preferred contractor, with the government streamlining approvals to reduce the typical 10-year timeline;
➂ Initial contracts for ten SMR projects, each worth £2 billion, involve major engineering firms, with potential for future expansions.
October 10
- Don’t Take Government Money
➀ Russian semiconductor entrepreneurs avoid government funding due to mistrust and rely on foreign investment, fearing loss of control over their innovations;
➁ The government-backed Russian Electronics Corporation (REC) faces criticism for ineffective investment and lack of progress, despite ample national financial resources;
➂ Experts highlight Russia's need for external expertise and OEM industry development, with cautious optimism for a future fabless chip sector.
- Picture of the Day: LightMatter’s Passage M1000 3D photonic superchip
➀ LightMatter unveiled its Passage M1000 3D photonic superchip targeting AI applications, emphasizing advancements in photonic computing;
➁ The chip incorporates a 16-wavelength dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) optical link to achieve higher bandwidth density for hyperscalers;
➂ The company highlights its ability to leverage standard single-mode fiber for improved performance in AI infrastructure.
- CLS buys Ground Control to boost satellite IoT offering
➀ CLS acquires UK/US-based Ground Control Technologies to expand its satellite IoT capabilities, adding four operational sites and complementary hardware/cloud platforms;
➁ The integration combines CLS's Earth Observation expertise with Ground Control’s IoT devices (e.g., low-power trackers) for enhanced global coverage and client solutions;
➂ Both companies emphasize synergies in environmental monitoring, maritime traffic tracking, and end-to-end IoT offerings, aligning with shared sustainability goals.
- Most Read – Waymo vehicles, Qualcomm-Arduino, Fujitsu AI
➀ Waymo's self-driving vehicles in Arizona faced operational shutdowns and required towing due to heavy rainstorms;
➁ Qualcomm announced its acquisition of Arduino to enhance edge computing capabilities while maintaining Arduino's open-source ethos;
➂ Fujitsu and Nvidia partnered to co-develop a full-stack AI infrastructure for industries like healthcare and robotics, integrating Fujitsu CPUs and Nvidia GPUs.
- HBA lithography tool ‘outstrips electron beam capabilities’
➀ SecureFoundry introduces a hyper-beam array (HBA) lithography system with 65,000 independently controlled beams, patterning a 100mm wafer in 15 minutes for AI chip prototyping and wafer-scale integration;
➁ The tool operates at 22nm with no field size limits, targeting low-to-medium volume production to reduce R&D and IP commercialization costs;
➂ CEO Lex Keen discusses shifts in U.S. Chips Act funding priorities, emphasizing renewed focus on innovation grants for smaller firms over large-fab subsidies.
- TSMC Q3 up 31% y-o-y
➀ TSMC's September 2025 revenue reached $10.3 billion, a 31.4% year-on-year increase, though declining 1.4% month-on-month;
➁ Q3 2025 revenue totaled $32.47 billion, up 30% year-on-year;
➂ January-September 2025 cumulative revenue rose 36.4% year-on-year to $90.33 billion.
- Sateliot, Nordic Semi connect 5G IoT device from LEO satellites
➀ Sateliot and Nordic Semiconductor demonstrated a 5G IoT transmission via LEO satellites using an unmodified commercial cellular IoT module (nRF9151), replicating terrestrial roaming experiences;
➁ The collaboration enabled connectivity through Sateliot’s satellite constellation to Nordic’s cloud platform, addressing the global gap in terrestrial cellular coverage for IoT applications;
➂ Sateliot, backed by €70 million funding, aims to deploy a 5G-IoT satellite network for cost-effective, universal connectivity across industries like agriculture, energy, and defense.
October 9
- AI company goes bust
➀ Japanese AI company Alt filed for bankruptcy protection after being delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with CEO Kazutaka Yonekura resigning amid financial irregularities;
➁ Investigations revealed 78%-91% of Alt’s reported sales from 2021-2024 were inflated, raising concerns about IPO credibility;
➂ Despite offering AI-driven services like digital clones and automated meeting transcription, Alt faces an uncertain restructuring process due to a lack of financial backers.
- Uncertainty persists for component buyers
➀ The electronic components market faces widespread uncertainty, with DRAM supply tightened due to AI-driven HBM demand and Micron's temporary price suspension spooking buyers;
➁ Texas Instruments (TI) raised prices by 15-70% on select products and discontinued certain lines, while Vicor announced a 10% price hike;
➂ Procurement teams are advised to monitor tariffs, diversify suppliers, and avoid single-source components to mitigate risks.
- Defending critical UK satellites from laser threats
➀ The UK Space Agency (UKSA) and UK Space Command (UKSC) are developing sensors to detect and analyze laser threats targeting satellites, enhancing national security;
➁ The project receives £500,000 initial funding under the UKSA's 'Unlocking Space for Government' program to safeguard satellite-dependent services critical to the UK economy;
➂ Russian ground-based systems reportedly attempt weekly jamming of UK military satellites, emphasizing the urgency of space defense initiatives.
October 8
- Qualcomm buys Arduino
➀ Qualcomm acquires Arduino to strengthen its edge computing offerings, following earlier integrations of Edge Impulse and Foundries.io, aiming to provide a full-stack hardware-software-cloud platform;
➁ Arduino retains its open-source approach and brand independence, collaborating with Qualcomm to launch the UNO Q—a dual-architecture board for AI-powered solutions in smart homes and industrial automation;
➂ The Arduino App Lab and Edge Impulse integration streamline AI development, empowering 33M+ community members with Qualcomm’s technology and democratizing AI tools globally.