Archive : 6 October 2014 год

European semiconductor sales reached $3.231billion in August, a 10.9% increase over the same period in 2013.

According to the European Semiconductor Industry Associations (ESIA), the highest performing category was the logic market, which continued the upward trend started at the beginning of this year. 

Elsewhere, revenues in the MOS microprocessor category grew strongly over July. In the memory market, the total flash and NAND memory categories showed a positive performance compared to July. 

Semiconductor devices designed to be used in specific applications registered a 0.7% growth compared to July, led by strong demand in the computer and IC cards areas. 

On a year-to-date basis, semiconductor sales increased by 10.1% versus the same period in 2013. 

On a worldwide basis, semiconductor sales in August 2014 were $28.435bn, up 1.3% versus the previous month and up 9.4% versus the same month in 2013.

Author
Laura Hopperton

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk

Standards compliance specialist LDRA has become a partner and trusted adviser to Microchip Technology in a move that will enable the latter's customers to meet functional safety requirements. 

The partnership will see the LDRA tool suite being integrated with Microchip's MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment and MPLAB XC compilers. 
"LDRA's ability to analyse embedded applications developed for our PIC MCUs and dsPIC digital signal controlls enables customers to fully verify that their software meets rigorous safety standards," said Steven Vernier, Microchip's functional safety manager. "LDRA brings 'gold standard' expertise to our customers; its tools step designers through functional safety compliance, streamlining the process." 

Microchip will now recommend LDRA tools for applications that must comply with functional safety standards, including ISO 26262 for road vehicles, IEC 61508 for industrial safety systems and EN 50128 for rail transportation systems. 

"Microchip delivers innovative platforms that significantly reduce the development efforts and BOM costs for manufacturers," noted Ian Hennell, LDRA's operations director. "The LDRA tool suite provides full verification and our hallmark rigorous level of functional safety for applications developed on Microchip's PIC microcontroller portfolio. This is particularly essential for automotive and medical applications."

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk

Engineers are being asked to create the 'ultimate' development kit as part of a design challenge launched by element14.

The Dream Board project allows users to create and brand their own virtual development kit using an interactive tool. 

They can select from a range of technical options relating to board size, processor, memory, sensors, features, interface and connectivity and core architecture. 

Once all entries are in, the most popular components will be combined to create the 'ultimate' Dream Board. This will then be unveiled at Electronica later this year. 

Dianne Kibbey, global head of community at element14, commented: "Our Dream Board initiative will provide valuable insights into how engineers and makers want to see development kits evolving. 

"We will be able to find out what makes up the 'perfect' board for our customers, what that will enable them to do and how they are looking to push boundaries in development kit design. 

The initiative builds on the results of a survey carried out by element14 earlier this month, exploring the dilemmas engineers face in choosing development kits in the design process. 

Physical interface and connectivity, as well as processor data width and speed, were cited as the most important features and requirements. 

Author
Laura Hopperton

Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk

Freescale has launched an IoT gateway reference design, said to support applications such as building/home management, smart cities, networked industrial services, where performance and reliability are critical. 

The design is based around the company's QorIQ LS1021A processor which was announced in October 2013. According to Nick Sargologos, senior product marketing manager in the company's digital networking division, the announcement of the reference design also heralds general sampling of the processor. 

The gateway is intended to allow the attachment of IoT devices at the edge. Sargologos noted: "These devices have to connect to something. If you assume that one in 1000 of the predicted 50billion IoT devices will need a gateway for connectivity, that makes a potential market for the gateway of 50million units. 
"Looking to support this, we've developed a reference design around the LS1021A that takes advantage of its large number of serial interconnects. These are the typical interfaces to which a radio will attach." 

Using the range of I/O – including dual USB 3.0 ports, a full size SATAIII port and twin minPCIe connectors – designers can attach the radio of their choice. There is also the option of using Arduino Shields via connectors provided for the purpose. 

Designed in collaboration with TechNexion, the reference design takes advantage of the security, efficiency and virtualisation support available with the LS1021A. 

The LS1021A-IoT gateway reference design, said to be production ready, is intended to reduce design cycles and speed time to market for OEMs. Alongside the LS1021A, the solution integrates other Freescale products, including a Kinetis K20 MCU, an audio codec and CAN PHY. A software development kit is also provided.

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk