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***Silicon Tuner Chipset from Mitel Semiconductor Delivers
High Performance while Reducing Cost
(October 18)
Mitel Semiconductor introduced a double conversion chipset solution for tuners in cable set-top boxes (STBs). As an up/down conversion system to be manufactured on a bipolar process, the chipset delivers the benefits of alignment-free operation while improving performance and reducing cost of cable set-top box tuners.
Until now, the only up/down conversion ICs for cable STBs were based on GaAs technology. Conventional GaAs solutions are unlikely to meet the evolving price and performance requirements for cable STBs. By using a bipolar process, Mitel's double conversion circuitry delivers high-performance silicon while enhancing production efficiencies to reduce cost and time-to-market of the system.
Mitel's bipolar approach enables a higher immunity from electrostatic discharge (ESD), which improves the reliability of the devices during assembly. With 2000V of ESD protection on all pins, the chipset improves manufacturing yield over GaAs solutions that are prone to ESD and reverse EMF (Electro Magnetic Field) damage. To further ease manufacturing and reduce cost, the chipset is optimized for low radiation. This reduces shielding requirements, saving 5 to 10 percent in the tuner BOM (Bill of Materials).
The chipset provides complete up and down conversion functionality in double conversion tuner systems for cable networks. The solution includes the SL2030 and SL2035 up and down converters, as well as the SP5848 dual phase locked loop (PLL). While accommodating a wide dynamic range RF input, the chipset achieves low phase noise performance of -90dBc/Hz. This is a two-fold improvement in performance over alternative IC solutions, enabling the chipset to deliver high data integrity in double conversion RF systems.
Using a bipolar process also reduces power dissipation to 0.4Watts, compared to 0.6Watts required by alternative IC solutions. Optimizing power dissipation at the silicon level reduces the overall power in the tuner can.
The chipset is fully supported by Mitel's global network of applications engineers. A demonstration board is available free of charge to qualified customers. The complete tuner chipset - SL2030, SL2035 and SP5848 - costs US $3.50 in high volume quantities.
***3Com Joins Symbian in Wireless Deal
(October 14)
According to Reuters, 3Com's Palm Computing and Psion-led Symbian announced plans for a cooperation that will challenge Microsoft for software supremacy in the wireless Internet world. Nokia, a member of the Symbian software/operating system consortium, said it would develop pen-based, mobile computer- phones with Palm Computing. The devices will use a pen and touch-sensitive screen rather than a keyboard to let users access emails and the Web, trade stocks, and enter and retrieve other information.
Beneath the Palm-based look will be the Epoc operating system that Psion originated and Symbian has developed to allow wireless devices to access the Internet. Symbian - whose other members are Motorola, Ericsson and Matsushita - said it was talking to Palm about the details of cross-licensing each other's products so similar developments can proceed.
In effect, Palm would allow its own, slower operating system to be dropped in favor of Epoc for the new products, but its interface will stay the same. This is a boon to Epoc, which has gained an ally/lost a rival in its fight to become the industry standard for the wireless Internet.
Microsoft Corp has developed Windows CE as its own operating system for smaller computing devices and it is used by several major manufacturers such as Hewlett Packard. Psion developed Epoc for small personal organizers, while Windows CE is a pared down version of an operating system designed for personal computers, and uses a lot of memory.
A Palm international marketing director said there were no plans to adopt Epoc for its own digital organizers, of which it has sold some five million so far. A Psion spokesman said there were no plans for Palm Computing to join the Symbian consortium.
***U.S. Hikes Anti-Dumping Duties on Taiwan DRAMs
(October 15)
According to Reuters, the U.S. Commerce Department has affirmed that Taiwan was dumping dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chips in the U.S. market and would hike proposed import duties to an average of 21.35 percent from 16.65 percent. In May, the department initially set the import duties averaging 16.65 percent.
The department investigated four Taiwan DRAM makers and hiked duties on Mosel Vitelic to 35.58 percent from 30.89 percent, Nan Ya Technology to 14.18 percent from 9.03 percent, and Etron Technology to 69 percent from 4.96 percent. It lowered import duties on Vanguard International Semiconductor 8.21 percent from 10.36 percent.
The department would impose the same average of 21.35 percent duties on nine other Taiwan microchip makers, including Taiwan Semiconductor, United Microelectronics and Winbond Electronics.
The U.S. International Trade Commission is expected to make a final decision in the case in late November.
Brokers said imposition of punitive U.S. duties would hurt Taiwan's electronics sector, the most heavily weighted component of the benchmark index, but said the Taiwan stock market should have discounted most of the factor.
Taiwan is a growing exporter of DRAM chips and its manufacturers recently filed a counter complaint with Taiwan authorities, alleging dumping in Taiwan by U.S. makers. Taiwan's DRAM exports to the United States are worth around around T$60 billion a year, said Beyond Asset Management president Michael On.
Taiwan's microchip production totalled some T$400 billion in 1998, of which T$100 billion were for U.S. exports, On said.
This all seems so dumb. How much of a DRAM business does the US have to protect? With DRAM prices all over the map how can one make any sense out of pricing, especially those at dumping levels. If this trend continues maybe we can petition the Department of Commerce to cite VIA for dumping X86 processors. This would be especially onerous if WinChip's processors would be priced below cost in order to get market share - that being the only way they can get share. Sorry, I just forgot, would this be dumping if the parts were shipped from Austin? We certainly do not have to worry about the government - someone can come up with a creative strategy to see that VIA gets into court irrespective of where the parts come from. The semiconductor market is already competitive enough without the "helpful" intervention of the Department of Commerce.
Burdened by a failure to execute and a continually shifting business model Real3D has collapsed of the weight of its aerospace legacy. On 10/14 Intel purchased the Lockheed Martin stockholdings for an undisclosed sum. Then Intel let go of the staff. But on Friday, 10/15, many were re-hired by Intel as contractors. Jobs are open for evaluation. Lockheed Martin is also paying the Real3D staff until January 1, 2000 and with a 1 week severance for each year of employment. Intel gains by getting Real3D's extensive patent portofolio and potentially is better able to compete in the 3D market. Yet, the WAVE Report has picked up that ATI has opened an office in Orlando ostensibly staffed by former designers at Real3D. In the last response to those who stayed on to the end, the Real3D options were not converted to Intel stock or options. A sad tribute to those who tried in a company that could not last 2 years.
***Hitachi and LSI Logic Forge Technology Alliance
(October 13)
Hitachi and LSI Logic announced a technology agreement that calls for joint development and exchange of 0.10-micron device architectures, copper and low K interconnect, advanced lithography, direct write E-beam and technical cooperation on embedded DRAM. Research teams from both companies are engaged in the U.S. and Japan in a variety of technology development activities.
The two companies will contribute different technology strengths to address the issues associated with 0.10-micron designs and beyond. The initial offering of the alliance will be LSI Logic's embedded DRAM (eDRAM) product based upon Hitachi's 0.20-micron process technology and LSI Logic's CoreWare design methodology. LSI Logic expects to begin shipping system-on-a-chip products with embedded DRAM cores in mid-2000.
Alliance Specifics Joint development of advanced device architecture for 0.10-micron transistors including the performance, reliability and failure analysis techniques associated with these devices.
Development of advanced interconnects for 0.13-micron devices, including copper interconnect and low K dielectric constant insulators for competitive integrated solutions.
Development of 193 nanometer wavelength lithography, reticle technology, prototyping techniques for 0.13-micron technology and mass manufacturing.
Combined research on direct write E-beam technology.
An embedded DRAM foundry relationship in which Hitachi will manufacture wafers for LSI Logic, incorporating LSI Logic's intellectual property libraries.
http://www.hitachi.co.jp
http://www.lsilogic.com
***IBM and RF Micro Devices to Collaborate on Wireless
Communications Chip Technology
(October 12)
IBM and RF Micro Devices announced an agreement to jointly develop radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) based on IBM's silicon germanium (SiGe) process technology.
The two companies intend to design integrated RFICs for next-generation cell phones. This collaborative relationship is expected to reduce the number of chips in wireless handsets over time, shortening time-to-market for manufacturers, and resulting in smaller phones that use less power and offer longer battery life.
SiGe is a process technology in which the standard silicon integrated circuit base of microchips is augmented with germanium to make the chips operate much faster with decreased power consumption. These chips can be used in a range of communications gear, boosting their performance while reducing size and power consumption. SiGe also provides increased integration capabilities, enabling designers to build chips with more functions.
***3Dmodelserver.com Opens Its "Virtual" Doors
to the Public
(October 13)
Spatial Inc. announced that 3Dmodelserver.com is now in open beta testing. 3Dmodelserver.com enables the rapid flow of 3D model data through the manufacturing enterprise and its related supply chain. The service addresses the problem of interoperability among diverse manufacturing systems - a problem recognized as a barrier in the drive for greater productivity and lower costs in manufacturing.
3Dmodelserver.com reduces the errors caused when 3D solid models are translated for use in heterogeneous manufacturing environments- a problem shared by manufacturers and their suppliers, who, until now, have had to manually reconstruct 3D models to force them to work in off-the-shelf and proprietary software systems. According to the Research Triangle Institute, Center of Economics Research, North Carolina, interoperability problems cost at least one billion dollars per year for the U.S. automotive industry alone.
Engineers and designers are now able to apply for the open beta test of 3Dmodelserver.com. Customers need a standard web browser (recommended: Netscape 4.x or above, Internet Explorer V3. or above) and an Internet connection to get to the 3Dmodelserver site. Once in the site, simply click on the option to 'Register for an account,' complete the login information and follow the instructions to upload a model in either SAT or IGES format. 3Dmodelserver.com asks the customer to indicate his or her translation and healing preferences and then prompts the customer to submit a 3D model. The customer will be notified via email when the model has been uploaded and the progress of each model can be tracked through a status page on the web site. When processing is complete, an email notification will be sent out and the customer can log into the site and download the model. On download of the file, the customer is provided with a report of the repair activity so they can fully understand the processes used.
Spatial estimates that 3Dmodelserver.com will cost the user 1/10 or less of the cost to manually fix 3D models by rebuilding the models in their current CAD system. While 3Dmodelserver.com's services are free of charge during the open beta, the site will support secure credit card transactions when the service goes live, as well as monthly billing for regular customers. 3Dmodelserver.com utilizes Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to ensure the optimum level of safety for data, but also plans an enterprise version of 3Dmodelserver.com for companies requiring data to be kept entirely in-house. This enterprise version will allow the 3Dmodelserver.com technology to reside on a firewall-protected intranet. The Internet version of 3Dmodelserver.com will be expanded before the end of the year to include support for STEP, CATIA, and Pro/ENGINEER models.
http://www.3Dmodelserver.com
http://www.spatial.com
***HP Unveils Wireless Strategy
(October 12)
Hewlett-Packard Company has unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at enabling the creation of mobile e-services for wireless service providers and extended enterprise environments. The announcement introduced an integrated hardware/software platform solution for delivering wireless Internet services; a Mobile E-services Bazaar designed to fuel the creation of wireless Internet services; and Mobile E-services-on-Tap, advanced wireless capabilities delivered to HP's service provider customers on a pay-per-use basis from infrastructure equipment owned and operated by HP. Through this announcement, HP presented a complete offering of solutions and services for deployment of mobile e-services.
HP also announced that 24 communications companies have lined up behind HP's Mobile E-services initiative, including Motorola and Nokia.
Mobile e-services are value-added, Internet-based services, such as customer services, for completing tasks and financial transactions and accessing personalized information - deployed over mobile telephony networks.
HP's Integrated Mobile E-services platform is a hardware, software and services bundle that combines Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) servers with HP technologies such as e-speak and a range of third-party partner solutions. These solutions, offered for both service providers and enterprises, are intended to be the building blocks of mobile e-services, helping to expand service offerings beyond simple voice communications and enabling the rapid deployment of mobile e-services. HP will integrate optionally HP's encryption technology and VirtualVault software, a Department of Defense Grade B secure operating system, into this platform to ensure secure transactions of critical data.
HP will also provide a range of consulting and joint marketing services to enable the deployment of these services and increased time-to-revenue.
To help fuel the creation of mobile e-services, HP plans to establish the Mobile E-services Bazaar. Combining an online "CyberBazaar" community with a number of regional centers of innovation, the Mobile E-services Bazaar would provide a trading community and developers program for wireless operators, service providers, enterprises application providers and technology partners. The Initial Center of Innovation will be located in Helsinki, Finland. Additional centers will be opened in the United States and Japan/Asia-Pacific. Service providers and enterprises will have the ability to view and test mobile e-services, join special-interest groups, access information and gain access to a supply of solutions.
Through its Mobile E-services-on-Tap platform, HP will offer mobile service capabilities delivered to service providers on a subscription or transaction basis. With the Mobile E-services-on-Tap model, HP will host and operate the infrastructure for day-to-day business operations, enabling the service provider to focus on its core competencies. This model includes all the technology, management processes and global capabilities required for service providers to run and rapidly scale their businesses.
The Mobile E-services model is designed and operated by HP using an open-systems approach that encompasses UNIX system and Windows NT platforms, and is bulletproofed with a variety of enabling software applications and database-management and infrastructure systems from HP and partners. HP's initial mobile e-services offering through this model is Messaging-on-Tap, a messaging solution owned and operated by HP.
HP's first mobile e-services solution, a WAP-compliant OpenMail messaging and collaboration solution, enables users to send and receive e-mail from WAP-enabled cell phones.
***IRMA Releases Projections for DVD-Audio and SACD
Worldwide Marketplace
(October 13)
The International Recording Media Association (IRMA) has released projections for the worldwide marketplace introduction of DVD-Audio and SACD next year. According to a survey of replicators who will be prepared to fill the pipeline with DVD-Audio and SACD product in 2000, IRMA reports that a total of 18 million discs will be produced in North America during year-one of the formats' launch.
The survey projects the number of discs being manufactured in North America will grow to 50 million in 2001, followed by 80 million units in 2002, culminating in 125 million units in the final year of the IRMA forecast 2003.
Worldwide DVD-Audio and SACD replication is projected to reach 28 million units next year, followed by 86 million units in 2001, growing to 162 million units in 2002, culminating at 295 million units in 2003.
***Sonicbox Announces Broadband Web Radio Trial with
Flashcom
(October 12)
Sonicbox announced the company is working with Flashcom, Inc. on a trial deployment of Sonicbox Web radio Tuners, beginning later this fall. Select Flashcom DSL customers will receive free Sonicbox Tuners, allowing them to listen to hundreds of Web radio stations throughout their home on radios that are not connected to a PC.
The Sonicbox Tuner is a PC add-on that lets consumers with a broadband Internet connection enjoy a variety of Web radio programming anywhere in their home. Consisting of two parts, the Tuner has a base-unit that connects to the PC and a remote tuner that stays with the listener. The base-unit transmits Web audio on an unused frequency to any FM radio within 100 ft. and receives commands from the remote tuner. The remote tuner allows the listener to select from hundreds of stations with the turn of a knob, and purchase CDs with the push of a button. Upon successful completion of the trial, Sonicbox Tuners will be made generally available to consumers. Expected delivery is in the first quarter of 2000 at a price point of under $50.
Until now, Web radio stations have primarily targeted listeners at work and neglected listeners at home. With the advent of inexpensive DSL connections for the home, Sonicbox Tuners expand the audience for Web radio stations by 'unchaining' the listener from the home PC and allowing them to listen to their favorite music and programming in the kitchen, garage and living room.
Sonicbox also announced an agreement with NetRadio.com to carry the company's Web radio stations and tie into station CD purchase affiliate programs with a button labeled 'Tell Me More'. Through 'Tell Me More', users will be able to purchase CDs of songs they hear through Sonicbox. NetRadio.com stations will be available on the Sonicbox Tuner concurrent with the Sonicbox trial deployment to DSL and cable broadband customers later this fall.
http://www.sonicbox.com/
http://www.flashcom.com/
***Samsung Demos DVD-VR Prototype
(October 13)
According to DVD Report, Samsung Electronics has demonstrated a prototype DVD-RAM digital video recorder that is compliant with the DVD Forum's DVD Specification for Video Recording (DVD-VR). The DVD-VR defines features including still picture, video slide show, and simple editing features.
Samsung told Korea's Maeil Business Newspaper that it had filed for more than 130 patents on the unit worldwide after spending more than $4 million to develop the device.
The prototype is built around a Samsung DVD-RAM drive and uses the DVxplore codec and ZIVA-3 MPEG decoder chips from C-Cube Microsystems. According to C-Cube, high-level formatting for the DVD-VR spec is handled by the silicon, while low- level formatting is controlled by Samsung's drive. Once C-Cube received a copy of the DVD-VR version 1.0 spec, firmware changes allowed most formatting to be done in a single chip. The DVxplore codec is also used by NEC's GigaStation, a digital video recorder that uses proprietary MVDiscs rather than DVD. NEC launched the GigaStation in late September with hopes of selling 4000 units in its first month of availability and 30,000 units in the first year, a NEC spokesperson said.
***DisplaySearch Report Reveals Impact of Glass and TFT
LCS Shortages on Notebook PC Shipments
(October 7)
DisplaySearch expects notebook PC shipments will be limited through Q3'00 as revealed in the Q3'99 issue of its Quarterly Supply Vs Demand Study: Notebook PCs. Because TFT LCD demand growth has outpaced TFT LCD and non-alkali glass substrate supply growth, DisplaySearch expects TFT LCD producers to meet just 86% and 93% of forecasted 1999 and 2000 TFT LCD-based notebook demand. If 50% of unmet 12.1" TFT LCD-based notebook demand is converted to HPA STN LCDs which use alkali substrates, notebook PC producers will be able to meet 90% and 95% of DisplaySearch's total notebook demand forecast of 19.1 and 22.2 million units in 1999 and 2000 respectively. DisplaySearch expects both the glass and TFT LCD supply shortage to effectively end in Q4'00 on a smoothed basis.
In 2001, the shortage will turn to an excess supply due to 91% growth in supply and 59% growth in demand between Q2'99 and Q2'01. Fab spending is expected to reach $6 billion between 1999 and 2001 with Taiwan TFT LCD producers accounting for the largest share. DisplaySearch expects Taiwan's share of worldwide yielded TFT LCD capacity to grow from 3% in 1999 to 13% in 2000, 24% in 2001 and 31% in 2003 when it will overtake Korea to become the world's second largest region for TFT LCD manufacturing.
DisplaySearch expects the "Crystal Cycle", which resulted in large surpluses in 1995 and 1998, to continue in 2001 and into the future. The Crystal Cycle is based on past performance, the duration it takes to build, install and ramp a new fab, and the tendency for TFT LCD suppliers to over-invest during shortages for fear of losing customers and market share. Large surpluses are converted to large price reductions, which result in increased TFT LCD demand, particularly in the LCD monitor market. With the LCD monitor market more sensitive to display prices than the notebook PC market, DisplaySearch expects TFT LCD monitor modules to have wider pricing swings in the Crystal Cycle than TFT LCD notebook PC modules.
The Q3'99 report provides features including:
- Identifying the top 10 notebook PC producers, their OEMs and the TFT LCD supplier to each OEM. Based on this information, Samsung was the #1 TFT LCD supplier to the top 10 notebook PC producers in Q2'99 with a 24.6% share, followed by the IBM/Toshiba production joint venture DTI with a 19% share, LG at 13.1%, Sharp at 10.2% and NEC at 10.0%.
- The addition of >15" TFT LCD-based notebook PCs to the notebook PC demand section. 15.4" - 15.7" SXGA-based notebooks are expected to be announced in Q4'99, followed by even larger displays by the end of 2000.
- The addition of high resolution SXGA+ and UXGA TFT LCD-based notebooks to the notebook PC demand by resolution section. SXGA+ (1400 x 1050 pixels) and UXGA (1600 x 1200) resolution TFT LCD-based notebooks are expected to be introduced in Q1'00 and Q3'00 respectively.
- The addition of 15.0" SXGA+ and 15.4" SXGA to the cost section.
- The extension of the total PC and notebook PC demand forecasts through 2005.An annual subscription to DisplaySearch's Quarterly Supply Vs Demand Study: Notebook PCs is available for $2995 in electronic format, $3295 in printed format, $3995 for a global site license and $3995 in Japanese. Single issues are also available.
***Rhythms NetConnections and PSINet Sign DSL Deal
(October 13)
According to Reuters, Rhythms NetConnections, which provides high-speed Internet services, and Internet access wholesaler PSINet announced they signed a deal to offer advanced telecommunications services in seven U.S. markets. Starting in December, the companies will offer Digital Subscriber Line Service (DSL), which increases the capacity of regular phone lines, in Cleveland-Akron, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, Indianapolis, Ind., Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla., greater Connecticut, Milwaukee, and Salt Lake City.
The companies could not be immediately reached to provide comment on the financial terms of the deal. PSINet also has a similar DSL deal with Covad Communications Group Inc. for some West Coast markets.
DSL technology can deliver data over standard phone lines at speeds ranging from 640,000 up to seven million bits a second, much faster than current standard modems running at up to 56,000 bits, known as "56k."
***Penguin Computing Unveils Linux Gaming Computer
(October 13)
Penguin Computing has announced the release of a Linux gaming computer. This system is based on high-speed multimedia hardware and the commercial games available for Linux bundled together with the Red Hat 6.1 Linux Operating System.
At its core, the system runs on the AMD Athlon 500 MHz processor. The base system also includes 128 MB RAM. For 3D rendering, Penguin Computing has included the 3Dfx Voodoo 3000 16MB video card. They have also included the Sound Blaster PCI128 with the Yamaha YST-MS50 Speaker system and a 10 GB Hard Drive. The high speed CD will allow for smooth viewing of those cut scene videos, and a 3COM/USR 56K Modem is an optional feature. The system also includes the Logitech Wingman Extreme Digital Joystick.
For users that need a faster CPU, more memory or hard disk space, the hardware can be configured to a customer's liking via the Penguin Computing online system configuration tool. Games include the Loki products; Civilization: Call to Power & Myth2: The Soulblighter, and also; Quake II with both Mission Packs. They will be changing the bundled software packages as titles are released. Other software included is Netscape 4.7 optimized for streaming audio and video, and Sun's Star Office 5.1a (Personal Edition). The default graphical user interface is Gnome running with the Enlightenment window manager, though this can be modified to the user's liking, i.e. KDE, Window Maker, Black Box, etc.
All systems come with standard 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. (PST) support and 24x7 and onsite support upgrades. Penguin Computing currently sells its solutions to enterprise clients such as Excite, Sprint, Sony, Fogdog.com, Petstore.com and Salon.com. In addition to its line of AMD systems, Penguin Computing also offers computers running Intel processors.
http://www.penguincomputing.com
***Retinal Changes Name to DigiLens
(October 11)
Retinal Displays has announced that it has formally changed its name to DigiLens Inc. The name better reflects the ever-increasing scope of applications for their Application Specific Integrated Lens (ASIL). Other corporate information remains the same (phone numbers, address, tax ID, etc.).
***AMD to Sell Division and Stake Future on MPU Business
(October 13)
According to Electronic Buyers News, Advanced Micro Devices has put its communications-chip business up for sale. In recent months, AMD has unloaded two product groups to fund its core business, microprocessors. Last April, the company sold its PLD subsidiary, Vantis Corp., to Lattice Semiconductor for $500 million. AMD is now selling its communications-IC business.
Some believe that AMD could unload its last major product group, flash memory, leaving it to compete in the MPU market against the likes of Intel Corp. AMD chairman and chief executive W.J. Sanders III vowed to keep the flash-memory unit within AMD's fold, but did acknowledge that the communications business would be shopped around.
The move comes at a time when most chipmakers are rushing into the communications-IC market to capitalize on Internet-driven demand. The communications-IC business is projected to grow from $4.9 billion in 1995 to $10.8 billion next year, according to VLSI Research. Even AMD's processor rival, Intel, is moving into the communications-IC sector. In just the last year alone, Intel has spent more than $2 billion on five major acquisitions in the communications-IC sector.
AMD has retained two-investment banking firms -Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and Salomon Smith Barney to find a buyer for its Communications Group. This organization, which includes the Communications Products and Networking Products Divisions, has 400 employees and accounted for slightly more than 10% of the company's revenue in the third quarter. The Communications Group is expected to be sold by the first half of 2000.
Analysts speculated that AMD could be an attractive fit for several companies, including Conexant Systems Inc. and Motorola Inc.
***Matrox Adopts Simplex Interconnect Verifications Tools
for Power Grid Sign-off
(October 11)
Simplex Solutions announced that Matrox Graphics has adopted power grid sign-off (PGS) using Simplex' interconnect verification tools, Fire & Ice QX and VoltageStorm, as a standard part of their final verification process. PGS, which enables designers to identify power grid problems such as IR drop, has become a standard component of IC verification methodology as design teams have transitioned to processes at 0.25 micron and below.
As many as 75 percent of sub-quarter micron designs have power grid problems that require changes; as many as 20 percent may fail because of excessive IR drop. VoltageStorm gives designers visibility into this critical area before tapeout.
***Viewlogic and Chronology Simplify Creation of Timing
Models
(October 12)
Viewlogic Systems in cooperation with Chronology Corp. announced "TD2BLAST," a solution for creating static timing models for board-level analysis. The TD2BLAST solution combines Chronology's TimingDesigner and Viewlogic's BLAST timing analysis tools to produce an integrated environment designed to increase engineering productivity, and reduce development costs and time to market.
The complete solution enables engineers to increase design cycle efficiency by creating models of complex devices graphically from timing diagrams, eliminating manual steps in model development. TimingDesigner is available now, priced at U.S. $5,995. The TD2BLAST interface is packaged with BLAST at no extra charge. BLAST is available on UNIX and NT platforms, priced at U.S. $23,300 node-locked and $35,000 networked.
Chronology Corporation is a supplier of testbench automation and interface specification solutions. The company offers the QuickBenchVerification Suite for complete testbench generation in VHDL or Verilog and TimingDesigner for the creation of timing specifications for design interfaces.
***XM Radio and Motorola Sign Technology Agreement
Allowing Motorola to Design, Develop, Produce and Market XM-Capable Receivers for the
Automotive Market
(October 12)
XM Satellite Radio announced that it has signed an agreement with Motorola to license the technology for XM's band of radio, allowing Motorola to design, develop, produce and market XM-capable receivers. Motorola currently provides integrated electronics solutions to General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, BMW and Nissan, among others. Motorola's automotive packages include wireless communications, global positioning system and
cellular handset technology.XM will create and package up to 100 channels of digital-quality music, news, sports, talk and children's programming at its Washington, DC, broadcast facility. The service will then be uplinked to XM's satellites and transmitted directly down to vehicle, home and portable radios across the country. The subscription service is scheduled to start during the first half of 2001 for $9.95 a month.
XM is partnering with Alpine, Delphi Delco, Pioneer and Sharp to design, manufacture and market AM/FM/XM radios. General Motors has signed a long-term agreement to factory-install and market XM service in GM vehicles. It is also expected that agreements will be signed with other automakers. Hughes and Alcatel are building XM's satellites.
***Silicon Genesis and Electronic Visions Collaborate on
Next Generation SOI Wafer Bonding System
(October 15)
Electronic Visions and Silicon Genesis Corporation announced an agreement to collaborate on a next generation production SOI (Silicon-on-Insulator) wafer bonding system. Based on the Electronic Visions EV850 automated SOI bonder platform, the new system incorporates several elements of the SiGen proprietary layer transfer process to manufacture SOI substrates. This cassette-to-cassette system integrates wafer cleaning, alignment, plasma surface activation, bonding and post-bond inspection.
Silicon Genesis utilizes their proprietary layer transfer process to manufacture SOI substrates. Examples include layer-transferred "epi-like " silicon and SOG/SOQ (Si-on-Glass / Si-on-Quartz). The Silicon Genesis rT-CCP room temperature method of separating the bonded wafer pair keeps the active surface free from any detrimental thermal effects.
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