➀ A contemporary of Shockley, Bardeen, and Brattain at Bell Labs was intrigued by the transistor invention and took some home to experiment with. He believed that pairing two low-gain transistors would create a device with higher current gain, expecting the gain to double from five to ten. However, he discovered an unexpected gain of 25. The discovery is named after him. ➁ The story illustrates the value of tinkering and unexpected results in scientific research. ➂ It serves as a moral lesson that experimentation can lead to significant discoveries.
Recent #electronics news in the semiconductor industry
➀ B&K Precision has introduced a frequency counter with up to 10 digits of resolution; ➁ The counter, with a range from 1mHz to 6GHz, is designed for precision and adaptability; ➂ The device delivers 8 significant digits in just one second, improving to 10 digits with extended measurement time.
➀ Infineon introduces an isolated power supply IC for gate drivers of high-power devices; ➁ The 2EP1xxR family offers various output voltage configurations; ➂ The devices are suitable for applications like solar power, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage.
➀ Resilience will be a key focus for electronics supply chains in 2025, as companies seek to identify lower-risk components and localize their supply bases. ➁ AI integration in supply chains will intensify, with a focus on new applications for parsing supply chain intelligence and automating tasks. ➂ A new emphasis on sustainability will see organizations tackle scope-3 emissions in their supply chains, contributing to a deeper understanding of individual component emissions. ➃ Despite improvements, global chip shortages and long manufacturing lead times will continue to challenge the industry.
➀ Mouser has launched its RISC-V resource center to educate design engineers on the latest technology and applications. The center provides articles, blogs, eBooks, and products from Mouser’s technical team and manufacturing partners. It discusses how RISC-V is advancing machine learning closer to the edge in various devices.➁ Mouser offers a range of semiconductors and electronic components for RISC-V applications, including Renesas Electronics’ RISC-V MCU Fast Prototyping Board and Raspberry Pi Pico 2.➃ The resource center explores the benefits of RISC-V technology in areas such as consumer electronics, industrial sensors, and healthcare devices.
➀ This article discusses an advertisement from 1961 that appeared in Electronics Weekly, highlighting the power transistor technology of that era. ➁ The ad is part of a historical archive that reflects the advancements in electronics during the 1960s. ➂ The author, David Manners, provides context on the significance of the power transistor in the evolution of electronics.
➀ The SilverStone Extreme 1200R Platinum SFX-L PSU delivers 1200 watts of power with impressive efficiency, making it a top choice for compact high-performance builds. ➁ However, its high price and some limitations in design and thermal management may deter some users. ➂ The PSU excels in electrical performance and protection features, but its compact design and use of 85°C-rated capacitors raise concerns.
➀ DigiKey's president, Dave Doherty, expresses optimism about the electronics market's upcycle following the US presidential election. He believes the market is at the beginning of a new upcycle, driven by election outcomes and government stimulus policies. ➁ The company has seen growth in revenue and shipment numbers, with a focus on supporting designers through development boards. ➃ DigiKey has expanded its customer base, adding 50,000 new customers globally in 2024 and recording its highest EMEA customer count in October.
➀ This reference design introduces a compact BLDC motor controller optimized for high performance and efficiency in micro-mobility applications. ➁ The controller, designed by Microchip, supports up to 3kW power levels and features advanced control algorithms for precise torque and speed control. ➂ The design includes a robust three-phase inverter stage and various safety protections, making it suitable for e-scooters and e-bikes.
➀ The Elektra Awards 2024 is just a few weeks away with only two Premium Tables remaining. The event will take place on December 10th at the IET London, Savoy Place. ➁ There are no Standard Tables left, making this the last chance to secure a seat with a view. ➂ Book your place now as individual seats are limited.
➀ Vishay introduces the TS7 series of surface-mount cermet trimmers; ➁ The trimmers are designed for compact spaces and support automated assembly; ➂ The series offers a wide ohmic range and various adjustment styles.
➀ Lake Shore Cryotronics introduces a source measurement unit (SMU-10) optimized for characterizing 2D and nano electronic devices. The SMU-10 can resolve 3nV and 1fA, with voltage ranges from 10mV to 10V and current ranges from 1nA to 100mA.
➁ The unit works with both AC and DC signals and is designed to be an extension of Lake Shore's M81-SSM synchronous source measure system, enabling independent control of FET gates and sources.
➂ The system is useful for low-power test applications with challenging signal-to-noise ratios, such as sensor transistors and quantum computer readout electronics.
➀ This article describes a DIY SOS device project that uses a GSM module to send emergency alerts; ➁ The device is designed to be small and discreet, suitable for children, the elderly, and those in need of quick assistance; ➂ The article provides detailed instructions on building the device, including components list, circuit connections, and programming.
➀ Signal Integrity (SI) issues in PCB and package design; ➁ Waveform distortions and time delays; ➂ Types of signal integrity problems like overshoot and ISI; ➃ Transmission line modeling and microstrip/stripline examples; ➄ Minimizing discontinuities and managing reflections; ➅ Mitigating crosstalk and via performance; ➆ Timing and skew considerations in high-speed digital designs.
➀ This article is the third part of a series on constructing a programmable IndusPhone; ➁ It covers topics such as extracting contacts and phone book from a SIM card, designing a calculator, and creating a dial pad for the phone project; ➂ The article is aimed at DIY enthusiasts and professionals interested in hands-on learning and electronics.
➀ Solartron has been expanding its business in Russia, China, Japan, and India; ➁ Direct results include orders worth £22,000 in Russia, immediate prospects of £100,000 in China, and agreements in Japan and India; ➂ The company emphasizes the importance of market study, planning, patience, and having a saleable product.
➀ SoC design is prevalent in our daily lives; ➁ It powers a wide range of electronic devices from smartphones to automobiles; ➂ The demand for sophisticated and interconnected devices drives the growth of the semiconductor industry; ➃ SoC design is found in consumer electronics such as smartphones and tablets.
➀ ABLIC has over 20 years of experience in automotive electronics; ➁ The latest ICs from ABLIC enhance safety in autonomous vehicles; ➂ The focus is on improving safety features in autonomous driving technology.
➀ Concerns over the impact of the U.S. presidential election and the ongoing chip war between China and the U.S. are likely to decrease China's semiconductor equipment spending to below USD 40 billion in 2025. ➁ The tension is expected to affect the global semiconductor supply chain. ➃ The situation highlights the importance of domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
➀ South Korea's semiconductor industry is facing increasing pressure from Taiwan's aggressive R&D efforts; ➁ The report from Business Korea suggests that South Korea's labor regulations may weaken its competitiveness in the semiconductor sector; ➂ The intensifying competition in the industry may impact the global semiconductor landscape.