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September 30
- iPhone Air teardown finds less can sometimes be more
➀ iFixit conducted a teardown of the new Apple iPhone Air, exploring its lightweight and thinner design;
➂ Contrary to expectations, the device's simplified internal structure improved repairability despite its slim profile;
➂ The analysis highlights Apple's design choices balancing portability and maintenance efficiency, with reduced internal components.
- Space Norway, SSTL partner for high-res maritime monitoring
➀ Space Norway partners with Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) to develop a satellite program for high-resolution, wide-area maritime monitoring using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and onboard Automatic Identification System (AIS);
➁ The collaboration will provide real-time surveillance capabilities for the Norwegian government, commercial entities, and international clients, with SSTL manufacturing satellites and Space Norway leading operational monitoring;
➂ The initiative aims to deliver advanced space-based surveillance globally, emphasizing service privacy and priority over designated areas.
- Micros Need MADRAMs
➀ A 1978 article by Mike Evans of National Semiconductor highlighted the critical role of efficient memory usage in microprocessor systems and the lack of universal controllers for MADRAMs (Multiplexed Address DRAMs) in multi-chip configurations;
➁ MADRAMs, like the MM5290, utilized separate row/column strobes for page-mode operation but required specialized controllers that limited timing and power-saving optimizations;
➂ The article proposed a general-purpose MADRAM controller to bridge 8/16-bit microprocessors with various memory setups, focusing on address multiplexing and selective RAS activation for enhanced efficiency.
September 29
- AI drives graphical MCU configurator selector
➀ Embedd.it launched a cross-vendor graphical MCU configurator at Microelectronics UK, leveraging AI to unify data from 1,400+ MCU families (e.g., Renesas, STMicroelectronics) for embedded software development;
➁ The tool simplifies pin assignment, device tree generation, and driver automation, reducing design time and enabling hardware migration across vendors to strengthen supply chain resilience;
➂ Available as a Visual Studio Code extension and web app, it will soon support bare-metal configuration outputs.
- Pasquale Pistorio: Optimist
➀ Pasquale Pistorio rose through the ranks at Motorola for 17 years, becoming its first non-American VP and a key figure in global semiconductor marketing;
➁ He transformed the near-bankrupt SGS-Ates (later ST Microelectronics) into the world's third-largest chipmaker by merging with Thomson Semiconducteurs, achieving profitability and zero debt by 1994;
➂ Known for blending American managerial rigor with human-centric values, he championed R&D, corporate social responsibility, and closing the global technology gap, earning knighthoods from Italy and France.
- Make Alibaba Great Again
➀ The US-China semiconductor competition has reportedly led to the resurgence of Alibaba founder Jack Ma, as Chinese authorities showcased Alibaba's in-house AI chip as a domestic alternative to NVIDIA's H20 GPU during Premier Li Qiang's visit to a Qinghai data center;
➁ The Chinese government urged domestic customers to prioritize local chips over NVIDIA's H20, citing security concerns, which halted H20 production;
➂ Jack Ma re-emerged publicly after five years of low visibility following the halted Ant Financial IPO, with his viral bar meeting and the slogan 'Make Alibaba Great Again' signaling his renewed influence.
- Space Forge partners for space-grown semiconductor materials
➀ Space Forge partners with United Semiconductors to develop semiconductor materials produced in space for quantum computing, power electronics, and sensors;
➁ Collaboration combines Space Forge's microgravity platform and United Semiconductors' III-V crystal growth expertise to onshore resilient supply chains;
➂ Aims to commercialize space-based semiconductor manufacturing and advance sustainable low-Earth orbit economies.
- Imec and Diraq deliver high-fidelity silicon qubits
➀ Imec and Diraq demonstrated silicon quantum dot qubits with error rates below the threshold for quantum error correction, achieving over 99% fidelity in one- and two-qubit gate operations;
➁ The qubits were fabricated using imec's industrial 300mm spin qubit platform and isotopically enriched silicon, ensuring low electrical/magnetic noise and high reproducibility;
➂ This collaboration validates a scalable, cost-effective semiconductor industry approach to mass-producing millions of qubits, a critical milestone for practical quantum computing.
- Ed Looks To Tap The Datacentre Bonanza
➀ The UK faces strong local opposition to datacentre construction due to water supply concerns, but national policies mandate their approval even in green belts;
➁ Ed proposes adopting water-free liquid-cooling technology to the Secretary of State, allowing environmentally sustainable datacentre development;
➂ By positioning himself as a technical advisor for datacentre approvals, Ed gains significant political influence and access to lucrative government contracts.
September 26
- UK government to invest in semiconductor supply chain
➀ The UK government announced a £10m investment with Innovate UK to support early-stage semiconductor innovation in areas like chip design and advanced packaging;
➁ A £19m Semiconductor Hub will enhance industry-academia collaboration, leveraging regional strengths such as South Wales' compound semiconductor cluster and photon/electronics hubs;
➂ Additional initiatives include £5m for chip design enablement, £40m over five years for semiconductor education, and regional investments in power electronics and photonics.
- Most Read – EUV lithography, Self-driving cars, N2 process
➀ TSMC has secured 15 customers for its 2nm N2 process, with Apple reserving half of the initial capacity;
➁ NVIDIA plans a $500M investment in UK self-driving startup Wayve Technologies, enhancing AI-driven autonomous vehicles;
➂ Imec achieves breakthroughs in high-NA EUV lithography, enabling 20nm pitch structures for advanced semiconductors
- Infineon and Rohm to collaborate on SiC packages
➀ Infineon and Rohm signed an MoU to collaborate on SiC power device packages, enabling each other as second sources to enhance customer design and procurement flexibility;
➁ Rohm adopts Infineon's top-side cooling platform (e.g., TOLT, Q-DPAK) for improved power density, while Infineon integrates Rohm's DOT-247 package to expand its SiC half-bridge solutions;
➂ The partnership aims to extend to silicon and wide-bandgap technologies (SiC, GaN) for broader customer solutions and industry innovation.
- $160bn 2025 capex
➀ Global semiconductor equipment spending reached $33.07 billion in Q2 2025, up 23% YoY, with China ($11.36B) leading but declining 7%, while Taiwan ($8.77B, +125%) surged driven by TSMC;
➁ U.S. fab projects face delays (Intel, Micron, Samsung), contributing to North America's 41% QoQ spending drop;
➂ 2025 global Capex is projected at $160B (+3% YoY), with mixed 2026 forecasts: Intel plans cuts, Micron and TSMC (predicted $45B in 2026) eye expansions amid CHIPS Act policy shifts under Trump's administration.
- New Renesas MCU group for high-end motor control
➀ Renesas announced the RA8T2 MCU series for high-end motor control, featuring a 1 GHz Arm Cortex-M85 processor and optional Cortex-M33, enabling real-time control and AI-driven maintenance prediction in industrial and robotic systems;
➁ The MCUs integrate advanced peripherals like Gigabit Ethernet, EtherCAT, and high-speed MRAM, along with DSP/ML acceleration via Helium technology to enhance precision and reduce downtime;
➂ Key technical highlights include support for multi-phase PWM timers, simultaneous three-phase current sampling, and safety features like rapid PWM shutdown for overcurrent protection.
- UKESF Skills Charter celebrates leading electronics employers
➀ UKESF launched its Skills Charter to recognize 33 employers for supporting young engineers with technical skills and industry experience;
➁ Companies like ARM, AMD, and Raspberry Pi were praised for promoting inclusivity and outreach in electronics;
➂ UKESF's scholarship program reports 79% of recipients achieve First-class degrees, with 90% working in tech roles post-graduation.
- Bollox
➀ The UK government announced a £10 million semiconductor innovation funding program, claiming it will drive technological advancements across industries;
➁ The budget is widely criticized as inadequate, with TSMC's equivalent capital expenditure for just three hours dwarfing the entire UK initiative;
➂ Industry experts and commentators ridicule the initiative's disconnect from reality, highlighting bureaucratic inefficiencies and lack of strategic alignment with semiconductor sector needs.
September 25
- What caught your eye? (AI boosting, EUV lithography, In-orbit construction)
➀ Nvidia's controversial investment in OpenAI sparks speculation about AI companies inflating valuations to sustain the AI narrative;
➁ Imec and ASML achieve breakthroughs in high numerical aperture EUV lithography, patterning 20nm-pitch structures for advanced ICs;
➂ Rendezvous Robotics secures $3M funding for its TESSERAE modular tile technology to enable large-scale in-orbit construction via swarm robotics.
- 800V 30A pre-charge relay
➀ Omron launched the G9EJH-1-P-E pre-charge relay, distributed by Rutronik, capable of 100,000+ 800V switching operations with 30A in-rush current and 490 m/s² shock resistance;
➁ The compact 36g relay features low power dissipation (100mΩ contact resistance), operates at -40°C to +85°C, and is PCB-mount with 27x31x30mm dimensions;
➂ Designed for EV chargers, energy storage systems, and solar inverters, it uses a pre-charge mechanism to protect main contacts from high in-rush currents via a limiting resistor.
- ISS National Laboratory preps new in-space research aboard the ISS
➀ The ISS National Laboratory selected 15 experiments for the Northrop Grumman CRS-23 mission, including biofilm prevention via UV light and space debris collection using an inflatable Capture Bag；
➀ Key collaborations involve Arizona State University, TransAstra Corporation, and CASIS, with NASA oversight for non-agency research；
➂ The SpaceX Falcon 9-launched Cygnus XL spacecraft delivered 11,000 pounds of supplies, advancing in-space research for human health and space sustainability.
- Raspberry Pi 500+
➀ Raspberry Pi launches the upgraded 500+ model with an internal 256GB NVMe SSD and 16GB LPDDR4X RAM, powered by a 2.4GHz Arm Cortex-A76 processor.
➁ The keyboard features mechanical Gateron KS-33 Blue switches with RGB backlighting controlled by a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller.
➂ Priced at $200, it includes dual 4K display support, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity, and tools for NVMe/custom key cap replacement.
- Alphawave Semi tapes out on TSMC 3nm
➀ Alphawave Semi taped out a 64Gbps UCIe D2D IP subsystem on TSMC's 3nm technology, doubling bandwidth density and enabling chiplet-based architectures for AI and datacenters;
➁ The solution supports Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) and offers 8x higher bandwidth density than conventional interfaces, with advanced reliability features like per-lane health monitoring;
➂ Collaboration with TSMC highlights a focus on high-performance, energy-efficient computing, strengthening Alphawave's AI platform for scalable systems.
- Auto chip market growing 5x faster than auto market
➀ The automotive semiconductor market is projected to grow from $68 billion in 2024 to $132 billion by 2030 (10% CAGR), five times faster than the auto market's 2% growth rate;
➁ Infineon, NXP, and ST lead the market, while Chinese firms, backed by national policies, advance in ADAS and power SiC. OEMs like Tesla, BYD, and Nio are vertically integrating, disrupting traditional supply chains;
➂ TSMC and Samsung control sub-16nm node production, with capacity fully booked through 2027. Challenges include geopolitical risks, AI compute demands, and centralized vehicle architecture shifts.
- Apex satellite manufacturer becomes billion dollar company
➀ Apex, a satellite manufacturing startup, raised $200 million in Series D funding, reaching a $1 billion valuation led by Interlagos with participation from existing investors like Andreessen Horowitz;
➁ The funds will expand manufacturing facilities and boost spacecraft production for both commercial (e.g., Earth observation) and government payloads (e.g., missile defense) under the Golden Dome initiative;
➂ Founded in 2022, Apex aims to revolutionize scalable satellite bus production, positioning itself as a key player in the space technology sector.
September 24
- Raspberry Pi packs the M.2 HAT+ Compact for PCIe in the official case
➀ Raspberry Pi releases M.2 HAT+ Compact, a smaller variant of its existing accessory for Raspberry Pi 5;
➁ Supports 2230-format M.2 PCIe cards, enabling expanded storage or connectivity within the official case;
➂ Presented as a potential upgrade for Raspberry Pi-based home computer setups, enhancing compact system capabilities.
- The Illusionist
➀ Intel's stock value stagnated over 25 years, with $10,000 invested in 2000 now equivalent to $18,651 after inflation;
➁ Intel spent $133.86 billion on stock buybacks from 2000-2021, raising questions about prioritizing financial maneuvering over process technology R&D;
➂ Former CEO Paul Otellini’s 2008 dismissal of Arm’s potential in smartphones highlights strategic missteps and managerial hubris.
- 7A capacitively-isolated gate driver
➀ Littelfuse launched the IX3407B, a single-channel isolated gate driver delivering ±7A output with a 2.5 kV capacitive isolation barrier and 150kV/μs transient immunity, supporting MOSFETs, SiC MOSFETs, and IGBT gates;
➁ Features include under-voltage lock-out, active output shutdown for gate discharge during supply failure, and operation up to 1MHz with low propagation delays;
➂ Targets industrial and renewable energy applications, such as motor drives and solar inverters, packaged in a wide SOIC-8 format.
- Taoglas adds to Comet Series
➀ Taoglas expanded its Comet Series with the MA58x family of antennas engineered to maintain stable RF performance in metal-rich environments, overcoming groundplane interference challenges;
➁ The antennas offer multi-connectivity across 5G/4G MIMO, Wi-Fi 6/7, and GNSS, with 20% better efficiency than alternatives and support for 600 MHz–7.125 GHz frequencies;
➂ Designed with IP67-rated ASA housing, they target applications in automotive, industrial automation, and IoT, ensuring reliability in harsh conditions.
- Pickering adds to LXI microwave switching range
➀ Pickering Interfaces expanded its standard LXI microwave switching solutions with five new RFIU families, enhancing flexibility and density for cross-industry RF testing;
➁ The new products simplify system design through higher channel density, integrated multiplexer/matrix solutions, and support for frequencies up to 110GHz, while reducing lead times and test system size;
➂ Applications span semiconductor, automotive, medical, and communications sectors, supported by tools like the Microwave Switch Design Tool and compatibility with Linux/real-time OS.
- Top Ten (+40) Best Funded Start-Ups This Year
➀ AI dominates the top-funded startups, with OpenAI leading at $40B (valuation $300B) followed by Scale AI and Anthropic, all focused on AI infrastructure and safety;
➁ Key sectors include quantum computing (PsiQuantum, Quantinuum), defense AI (Anduril, Saronic), and energy tech (Commonwealth Fusion, Helion Energy), with NVIDIA as a prominent investor in multiple companies;
➂ Notable trends include massive seed rounds (Thinking Machines Lab), healthcare AI (Abridge, Ambience), and global participation from investors like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
September 23
- CHIIPS #17 – AI growth insights from Ed Kaste of Global Foundries
➀ The latest episode of the CHIIPS podcast features Ed Kaste from Global Foundries discussing AI's role in driving semiconductor industry growth, particularly at the edge;
➁ Kaste highlights key design challenges related to power efficiency and system integration in AI-driven semiconductor development;
➂ The podcast emphasizes the importance of AI as a catalyst for innovation and market expansion in the semiconductor sector.