KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysia has developed itself into an epicenter for semiconductor manufacturing for the last 30 years. In fast tracking up the value chain of Electrical and Electronics (E&E) industry, Malaysia has been involving in research, design and development.
The next focus areas are advanced analog, radio frequency, mixed signal and power management, IC design manufacturing and fabrication.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) for Malaysia, Datuk Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili in his statement, has emphasized on the importance of human capital development in supporting the growth of E&E industry in Malaysia. Currently, the sector employs some 462,000 people or 43 percent of total employment in the overall manufacturing sector. In ensuring that Malaysia continue to be competitive, MOSTI collaborates with a network of global technology leaders to induce technology transfer and capacity building program.
MOSTI will also continue to provide tangible incentives on commercialization and innovation efforts, in supporting the designed and development of electronic products in Malaysia.
Through its key agencies including the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), MIMOS, SIRIM and Technology Park Malaysia, MOSTI promotes international R&D alliances between Malaysian companies and leading-edge global organizations. This is to ensure the progression into the next-generation of semiconductors involving green initiatives, bio-electronics, nanotechnology, as well as migration towards integrated system solutions.
In effort to grow the E&E industry in Malaysia through innovative design and development, MIGHT, Malaysian Institute of Microsystems (MIMs) and International Society for Quality Electronic Design (ISQED) have taken a joint initiative to gather representatives from global E&E industrial entities and leading universities at the 1st Asia Symposium on Quality Electronic Design (ASQED '09) on 15-16 July 2009 in Kuala Lumpur. This initiative was supported by MOSTI and Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA).
ASQED '09 was intended to gather and share the electronic design knowledge in bridging the gap between electronic design tools and processes, to achieve optimum design quality. It is the first ever ISQED event held outside the United States, after being a successful and sustainable annual event in the in the United States for the past 10 years.
The symposium also involved the exchange of documents between ISQED and MIMs to mark the rights extended to the latter, to annually organise the ASQED event in Malaysia for the next four years.
The finale of ASQED 2009 was the Partnership Exchange session involving the Deputy Minister of MOSTI representing the Minister, ASQED Committee Members and notable industry figures on electronic design both locally and overseas. The session involved exchanges on impactful suggestions from the industry, as well as insights on MOSTI's direction in further deepening and strengthening the E&E industry in Malaysia.
In moving forward, the 2nd ASQED will be held in Penang, the 'Silicon Island' of Malaysia in July 2010.
Showing posts with label power management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power management. Show all posts
Monday, August 17, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Acacia acquires patents for computer architecture, power management technologies
NEWPORT BEACH, USA: Acacia Research Corp. announced that its subsidiary, Acacia Patent Acquisition LLC, has acquired patents for computer architecture and power management technologies.
"As Acacia's licensing success grows, more patent owners are selecting us as their partner for the licensing of their patented technologies," commented Paul Ryan, Acacia Chairman and CEO.
"Acacia is rapidly becoming the leader in technology licensing and we continue to grow
our base of future revenues by adding new patent portfolios," concluded Ryan.
These patented technologies generally relate to computer architecture and power management. These technologies can be used in computers, servers, cell phones, game consoles, microprocessors and other electronic systems.
"As Acacia's licensing success grows, more patent owners are selecting us as their partner for the licensing of their patented technologies," commented Paul Ryan, Acacia Chairman and CEO.
"Acacia is rapidly becoming the leader in technology licensing and we continue to grow
our base of future revenues by adding new patent portfolios," concluded Ryan.
These patented technologies generally relate to computer architecture and power management. These technologies can be used in computers, servers, cell phones, game consoles, microprocessors and other electronic systems.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Demand returns, pricing stabilizes in analog chips and transistors
EL SEGUNDO, USA: Although conditions in the global market for analog semiconductors and transistors are stabilizing due to rising demand and slowing price erosion, a real industry recovery is still far away, according to iSuppli Corp.
“Analog semiconductor and transistor suppliers are reporting that demand now has returned after a virtual halt in new orders in the fourth quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009,” said Marijana Vukicevic, senior analyst for power management at iSuppli. “This has caused pricing to stop falling at alarming levels.”
The average worldwide contract price for analog-monolithic semiconductors will decline by 3.9 percent in the second quarter, compared to 7.8 percent in the first quarter and 4.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Prices in the third quarter are expected to rebound slightly, rising by 0.7 percent, as demand continues to rise due to the arrival of the pre-Christmas build season.
Average pricing for transistors is set to decrease by 3.8 percent in the second quarter, a sharp reduction from a 9 percent decline in the first quarter and a 7.3 percent reduction in the fourth quarter. The rate of transistor price erosion will dwindle to 0.2 percent in the third quarter and to a mere 0.04 percent in the fourth quarter.
The figure presents the average worldwide price change forecast for analog and discrete components.
“Because transistors and analog-monolithic semiconductors are generic parts that can be used in all kinds of electronic products, sales of these devices can serve as a barometer of larger electronics industry trends,” Vukicevic said. “Thus, these events could be interpreted as a positive sign for the electronics industry as a whole. However, pricing trends for these parts also are influenced by factors within the transistor and analog-monolithic market.”
One major factor influencing pricing in the industry is the level of inventory, which had swelled to excess in 2008. Despite the poor demand situation in the first quarter, the electronics supply chain managed to reduce its stockpiles significantly in the first quarter. The inventory reductions were regarded as a positive signal by the investment community because stockpiles will have to be increased again as demand begins to rise, boosting demand and stabilizing prices.
Compared to many other semiconductor products, analog-monolithic semiconductors and transistors cannot be reduced to rock-bottom levels. With demand visibility severely limited right now, most suppliers must maintain relatively high inventory levels in order to respond quickly to any increase in demand.
Real recovery still not here
“While demand is rising, the analog-monolithic semiconductor and transistor industries still have a long way to go before their sales recover to the levels seen before the fourth quarter of 2008,” Vukicevic said. “Analog and discrete suppliers are reporting improvements in book-to-bill ratios, but the overall order visibility remains low — anywhere between two and three weeks depending on the customer and the end product.”
With analog and transistor revenue rising, utilization rates at fabs producing these products are increasing as well. Utilization rates for analog and transistor fabs in the first quarter were in the low 40 percent range. In the second quarter, utilization is expected to increase to the 60 percent level. Rising utilization is expected to contribute to stabilized prices and even an increase in analog-monolithic in the third quarter.
“Analog semiconductor and transistor suppliers are reporting that demand now has returned after a virtual halt in new orders in the fourth quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009,” said Marijana Vukicevic, senior analyst for power management at iSuppli. “This has caused pricing to stop falling at alarming levels.”
The average worldwide contract price for analog-monolithic semiconductors will decline by 3.9 percent in the second quarter, compared to 7.8 percent in the first quarter and 4.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Prices in the third quarter are expected to rebound slightly, rising by 0.7 percent, as demand continues to rise due to the arrival of the pre-Christmas build season.
Average pricing for transistors is set to decrease by 3.8 percent in the second quarter, a sharp reduction from a 9 percent decline in the first quarter and a 7.3 percent reduction in the fourth quarter. The rate of transistor price erosion will dwindle to 0.2 percent in the third quarter and to a mere 0.04 percent in the fourth quarter.
The figure presents the average worldwide price change forecast for analog and discrete components.
“Because transistors and analog-monolithic semiconductors are generic parts that can be used in all kinds of electronic products, sales of these devices can serve as a barometer of larger electronics industry trends,” Vukicevic said. “Thus, these events could be interpreted as a positive sign for the electronics industry as a whole. However, pricing trends for these parts also are influenced by factors within the transistor and analog-monolithic market.”
One major factor influencing pricing in the industry is the level of inventory, which had swelled to excess in 2008. Despite the poor demand situation in the first quarter, the electronics supply chain managed to reduce its stockpiles significantly in the first quarter. The inventory reductions were regarded as a positive signal by the investment community because stockpiles will have to be increased again as demand begins to rise, boosting demand and stabilizing prices.
Compared to many other semiconductor products, analog-monolithic semiconductors and transistors cannot be reduced to rock-bottom levels. With demand visibility severely limited right now, most suppliers must maintain relatively high inventory levels in order to respond quickly to any increase in demand.
Real recovery still not here
“While demand is rising, the analog-monolithic semiconductor and transistor industries still have a long way to go before their sales recover to the levels seen before the fourth quarter of 2008,” Vukicevic said. “Analog and discrete suppliers are reporting improvements in book-to-bill ratios, but the overall order visibility remains low — anywhere between two and three weeks depending on the customer and the end product.”
With analog and transistor revenue rising, utilization rates at fabs producing these products are increasing as well. Utilization rates for analog and transistor fabs in the first quarter were in the low 40 percent range. In the second quarter, utilization is expected to increase to the 60 percent level. Rising utilization is expected to contribute to stabilized prices and even an increase in analog-monolithic in the third quarter.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Top trends for global/Indian semiconductor industry in 2009
Right then, folks! Here are the much awaited top trends for global semiconductor industry for 2009!
First, let's start with microprocessors and microcontrollers. One of the most apt persons to answer this query was Jordan Plofsky, senior vice president, Market, Altera Corp., during his recent visit to India for the Altera SOPC Conference.
Top trend in microprocessors/microcontrollers
Undoubtedly, the major trend will be the shift to multicore and its challenges. These challenges include:
* Parallel programming tools.
* Memory bandwidth allocation.
* O/S support.
* Verification tools.
* Power reduction and performance improvements.
In one of my previous blogs, I had discussed with Intel how parallel programming is getting to be regular! Also, AMD is well on an identical path! Hence, this key global trend is very much in line with the focus on parallelism!
Top global semiconductor trends for 2009
According to Plofsky, the major trends would be:
* Consolidation
* Power management
* Supply chain dynamics changing – inventory reduction
* Focus on operational costs in a slower growth environment
Indian semicon trends
And what about the top trends for the Indian semiconductor industry? Here are some thoughts from S. Janakiraman, former chairman, India Semiconductor Association (ISA) and President and CEO-R&D Services, MindTree.
Top 5 trends for Indian semicon industry in 2009
According to Jani Sir, the key trends in India during 2009 are:
* Global customers will have higher cost pressure and increase level of offshoring and outsourcing in 2009.
* India will become an even more important market for selling semiconductors as India will show higher percentage growth than other markets.
* Decided in India and originated in India products will licensed and manufactured for the global market.
* Business models for design services will start shifting from T&M and linear with people strength to risk-reward, non linear and more skin in the game.
* India will start inventing products that matter to rural and bottom of the pyramid segments.
All of these are in line with what's happening in the Indian semiconductor industry -- focus on embedded and design services, coupled with product development, which is beginning to see several starts. Also, several MNCs are now designing products out of India. Two recent top-of-the-mind instances are those of Intel and AMD. Others will follow suit, definitely.
Well, these trends could be tough to beat! What do you think folks?
First, let's start with microprocessors and microcontrollers. One of the most apt persons to answer this query was Jordan Plofsky, senior vice president, Market, Altera Corp., during his recent visit to India for the Altera SOPC Conference.
Top trend in microprocessors/microcontrollers
Undoubtedly, the major trend will be the shift to multicore and its challenges. These challenges include:
* Parallel programming tools.
* Memory bandwidth allocation.
* O/S support.
* Verification tools.
* Power reduction and performance improvements.
In one of my previous blogs, I had discussed with Intel how parallel programming is getting to be regular! Also, AMD is well on an identical path! Hence, this key global trend is very much in line with the focus on parallelism!
Top global semiconductor trends for 2009
According to Plofsky, the major trends would be:
* Consolidation
* Power management
* Supply chain dynamics changing – inventory reduction
* Focus on operational costs in a slower growth environment
Indian semicon trends
And what about the top trends for the Indian semiconductor industry? Here are some thoughts from S. Janakiraman, former chairman, India Semiconductor Association (ISA) and President and CEO-R&D Services, MindTree.
Top 5 trends for Indian semicon industry in 2009
According to Jani Sir, the key trends in India during 2009 are:
* Global customers will have higher cost pressure and increase level of offshoring and outsourcing in 2009.
* India will become an even more important market for selling semiconductors as India will show higher percentage growth than other markets.
* Decided in India and originated in India products will licensed and manufactured for the global market.
* Business models for design services will start shifting from T&M and linear with people strength to risk-reward, non linear and more skin in the game.
* India will start inventing products that matter to rural and bottom of the pyramid segments.
All of these are in line with what's happening in the Indian semiconductor industry -- focus on embedded and design services, coupled with product development, which is beginning to see several starts. Also, several MNCs are now designing products out of India. Two recent top-of-the-mind instances are those of Intel and AMD. Others will follow suit, definitely.
Well, these trends could be tough to beat! What do you think folks?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
TI's TPS62601 converter for telecom apps
This August, Texas Instruments India (TII) announced the industry's smallest and thinnest 500-mA, step-down DC/DC converter solution, the TPS62601 converter, for space-constrained applications.
According to TI, It gives portable designers the ability to add more features and functions on a handheld device. The high-efficiency power management IC is the first 6-MHz, 500-mA converter to achieve a 13-mm2 solution size with an ultra-thin 0.6-mm total height.
I caught up with Ramprasad Ananthaswamy, Director, Power Management Products, Texas Instruments India, to find out a bit more about this so-called industry's smallest and thinnest converter solution, and its essential design trends.
So what exactly is the TPS62601 power converter targeted toward? According to Ananthaswamy, the TPS62601, a high-efficiency power management IC is the first 6-MHz, 500-mA converter to achieve a 13mm2 solution size with an ultra-thin 0.6-mm total height.
The TPS62601 converter achieves up to 89-percent power efficiency and only 30-uA typical operating quiescent current, all from a 0.9x1.3mm chip scale package roughly the size of a flake of pepper. The synchronous, switch-mode device’s fixed frequency of 6 MHz allows the use of only one 0.47-uH inductor with a height of 0.6 m and two low-cost ceramic capacitors, without compromising performance and efficiency.
The device supports applications, such as memory modules, GPS modules, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules or other wireless micro-modules used in ultra-thin smart phones, digital still cameras, portable disk drives and media players.
Applications areas of this device include: Smart and media phones; Cell phones; Media players; Mobile Internet devices; DSCs; and Other portable communications devices.
This chip will help powering sources such as: WLAN modules; WiFi modules; Bluetooth modules; Memory modules; and Generic micro modules.
Essential design trends
There is a need to understand the essential design trends of the TPS62601 that makes it unique. Ananthaswamy added that the TPS62601 can deliver DC voltage regulation accuracy of +/- 1.5 percent. In addition, its excellent load transient response, wide input voltage range of 2.3V to 5.5V and 1.8V of output allows the device to effectively support single-rail voltage requirements as designers add new features and functions.
The converter also applies energy-saving techniques to help maximize battery run-time. For example, the converter automatically enters a power save mode during light-load operating conditions via an automatic pulse frequency modulation and pulse width modulation switching feature. In shutdown mode, the device’s current consumption is reduced to less than 1 uA.
Size and high-performance are important. The converter achieves up to 89-percent power efficiency and only 30-uA typical operating quiescent current, from a small chip scale package.
A high switching frequency of 6MHz reduces the size of the external components used around this chip, thereby reducing the total size of the power solution. A low quiescent current of 30 uA also makes it very attractive for portable applications requiring long run times.
Helping portable designers
Let us understand how the TPS62601 will actually enable the portable designers to add more features and functions on to a handheld device. Ananthaswamy says: "Portable system designers continue to desire more features on their devices, which require smaller, efficient DC/DC converters to maintain long battery life and system run-times. As the size of the total power solution is small, more PCB space becomes available for additional features that need to get added on to the cell phone. The TPS62601 gives portable designers access to the smallest, thinnest 500-mA DC/DC solution, which simplifies design and reduces board space and time-to-market."
The converter also applies energy-saving techniques to help maximize battery run-time. For example, the converter automatically enters a power save mode during light-load operating conditions via an automatic pulse frequency modulation and pulse width modulation switching feature. In shutdown mode, the device’s current consumption is reduced to less than 1uA.
Power management
How well does the TPS62601 tackle power management issues? The biggest issue inside feature rich cell phones today is thermal management. This power converter, consuming only 30uA for its own operation, manages the thermal problem through efficient power conversion. "Better efficiency means less heat," added Ramaswamy.
Energy-saving techniques
Elaborate on the energy-saving techniques that can help maximize battery run-time, he said: "Globally, switching regulators are efficient means of power conversion. This device is a buck derived switching regulator that efficiently converts the single cell Li-ion battery voltage to the one that is required by the various multimedia rich cell phone chips, like applications processors, GPS modules, digital multimedia broadcast chips, camera engines, WiFi etc.
"It can power all of these chips, while consuming as little as 30uA for its own operation. Depending on the input to output voltage ration, the conversion efficiency can also reach close to 90 percent. Less consumption, better conversion efficiencies, etc., all of these result in longer battery run times."
Is it then safe to say that the maximizing battery run-time problem has been tackled with the TPS62601? Not exactly!!
According to Ramaswamy, the TPS62601 addresses part of the battery run-time issue. "With this initiative, TI has gone a step ahead in making the battery last longer," he noted.
Making power converters efficient is only a part of the battery run-time issue. Along with making power converters efficient, one also has to look at how much power is consumed by the various chips that are used in a cell phone, the operating system that runs the cell phone and the overall power saving features that are built into the cell phone system. The speaker volume settings, backlight brightness settings and the duration of the backlight and some of the other user friendly settings have an effect on the battery run times.
According to TI, It gives portable designers the ability to add more features and functions on a handheld device. The high-efficiency power management IC is the first 6-MHz, 500-mA converter to achieve a 13-mm2 solution size with an ultra-thin 0.6-mm total height.
I caught up with Ramprasad Ananthaswamy, Director, Power Management Products, Texas Instruments India, to find out a bit more about this so-called industry's smallest and thinnest converter solution, and its essential design trends.So what exactly is the TPS62601 power converter targeted toward? According to Ananthaswamy, the TPS62601, a high-efficiency power management IC is the first 6-MHz, 500-mA converter to achieve a 13mm2 solution size with an ultra-thin 0.6-mm total height.
The TPS62601 converter achieves up to 89-percent power efficiency and only 30-uA typical operating quiescent current, all from a 0.9x1.3mm chip scale package roughly the size of a flake of pepper. The synchronous, switch-mode device’s fixed frequency of 6 MHz allows the use of only one 0.47-uH inductor with a height of 0.6 m and two low-cost ceramic capacitors, without compromising performance and efficiency.
The device supports applications, such as memory modules, GPS modules, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules or other wireless micro-modules used in ultra-thin smart phones, digital still cameras, portable disk drives and media players.
Applications areas of this device include: Smart and media phones; Cell phones; Media players; Mobile Internet devices; DSCs; and Other portable communications devices.
This chip will help powering sources such as: WLAN modules; WiFi modules; Bluetooth modules; Memory modules; and Generic micro modules.
Essential design trends
There is a need to understand the essential design trends of the TPS62601 that makes it unique. Ananthaswamy added that the TPS62601 can deliver DC voltage regulation accuracy of +/- 1.5 percent. In addition, its excellent load transient response, wide input voltage range of 2.3V to 5.5V and 1.8V of output allows the device to effectively support single-rail voltage requirements as designers add new features and functions.
The converter also applies energy-saving techniques to help maximize battery run-time. For example, the converter automatically enters a power save mode during light-load operating conditions via an automatic pulse frequency modulation and pulse width modulation switching feature. In shutdown mode, the device’s current consumption is reduced to less than 1 uA.
Size and high-performance are important. The converter achieves up to 89-percent power efficiency and only 30-uA typical operating quiescent current, from a small chip scale package.
A high switching frequency of 6MHz reduces the size of the external components used around this chip, thereby reducing the total size of the power solution. A low quiescent current of 30 uA also makes it very attractive for portable applications requiring long run times.
Helping portable designers
Let us understand how the TPS62601 will actually enable the portable designers to add more features and functions on to a handheld device. Ananthaswamy says: "Portable system designers continue to desire more features on their devices, which require smaller, efficient DC/DC converters to maintain long battery life and system run-times. As the size of the total power solution is small, more PCB space becomes available for additional features that need to get added on to the cell phone. The TPS62601 gives portable designers access to the smallest, thinnest 500-mA DC/DC solution, which simplifies design and reduces board space and time-to-market."
The converter also applies energy-saving techniques to help maximize battery run-time. For example, the converter automatically enters a power save mode during light-load operating conditions via an automatic pulse frequency modulation and pulse width modulation switching feature. In shutdown mode, the device’s current consumption is reduced to less than 1uA.
Power management
How well does the TPS62601 tackle power management issues? The biggest issue inside feature rich cell phones today is thermal management. This power converter, consuming only 30uA for its own operation, manages the thermal problem through efficient power conversion. "Better efficiency means less heat," added Ramaswamy.
Energy-saving techniques
Elaborate on the energy-saving techniques that can help maximize battery run-time, he said: "Globally, switching regulators are efficient means of power conversion. This device is a buck derived switching regulator that efficiently converts the single cell Li-ion battery voltage to the one that is required by the various multimedia rich cell phone chips, like applications processors, GPS modules, digital multimedia broadcast chips, camera engines, WiFi etc.
"It can power all of these chips, while consuming as little as 30uA for its own operation. Depending on the input to output voltage ration, the conversion efficiency can also reach close to 90 percent. Less consumption, better conversion efficiencies, etc., all of these result in longer battery run times."
Is it then safe to say that the maximizing battery run-time problem has been tackled with the TPS62601? Not exactly!!
According to Ramaswamy, the TPS62601 addresses part of the battery run-time issue. "With this initiative, TI has gone a step ahead in making the battery last longer," he noted.
Making power converters efficient is only a part of the battery run-time issue. Along with making power converters efficient, one also has to look at how much power is consumed by the various chips that are used in a cell phone, the operating system that runs the cell phone and the overall power saving features that are built into the cell phone system. The speaker volume settings, backlight brightness settings and the duration of the backlight and some of the other user friendly settings have an effect on the battery run times.
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