August 2018: Welcome to Trending in Tech, a monthly update on the latest advances and innovations in the technology and engineering industries.
Inside Tesla’s Model 3
EE Times
Tesla is finally at a rate of sustainable production for its latest Model 3 vehicle. However, the unconventional automaker is seeking to upgrade key elements of the autopilot system that move beyond graphics – Tesla wants to include an internally developed AI chip. Aside from the massive computing power, the upgrade represents a huge financial and technical risk for the company.
Moore’s Law, China vs. Team USA
EE Times
The U.S. Department of Defense is pushing for a $2.2 billion program to fund several different electronics programs. The Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI) was revealed at an event that detailed the slowing of Moore’s Law and highlighted the continuation of chip advances thanks to better alternatives to CMOS scaling. These research programs are valued at $1.5 billion over the next five years.
Electronic Shortages Bad & Getting Worse
EBN Online
Over the past few months, buyers have seen a declining supply of parts and a rising cost to acquire them. Everything from capacitors to hard disks and becoming scarce and, according to Fusion Worldwide’s Greensheet, there is no end in sight as of right now. The shortage began a year ago and is predicted to continue until at least 2021.
China Kills Qualcomm-NXP Deal
EE Times
The due date for deal approval came and went without approval from China’s Ministry of Commerce, effectively terminating Qualcomm’s acquisition of Europe’s NXP Semiconductors. Qualcomm stated that they have extended the deadline several times in the past two years, but that they would not extend it again due to heightened risk and the current geopolitical climate.
Linear Thinking About Motors
EDN
The word “motor”, you’re likely to get answers that include rotating arrangements. However, rotating arrangements like brushed DCs, brushless DCs, and steppers may come at too high a cost or have other more complicated issues. The solution, then, is to “unroll” the stator of a conventional rotary motor.
Q’comm-NXP Breakup: There Will be Fallout
EE Times
Two years came and went with Qualcomm and NXP trying to figure out how they could work together. However, just last month Qualcomm walked away from the deal after China’s Ministry of Commerce missed the decision deadline that been extended time and time again. Other manufacturers are starting to speculate what comes next.
How Embedded Projects run into Trouble: Jack’s Top 10 – Number 10
Embedded
Embedded projects run into trouble in a number of ways. Number 10 on Jack’s top 10 list is resources. While an embedded project can be done on the cheap, most are quite sizeable and include manpower, money, tools, management support. One of the most common ways that embedded projects get into trouble is by not allocating enough resources.
How Murata’s Powerful Wi-Fi Module powers the Quicksilver IoT Dev Board
Arrow
As new technology pushes toward wireless connectivity, the demand for wireless IoT products is growing at an increased rate. That’s why Murata has developed the Type 1 GC Wi-Fi Module. This new product provides the reliability and resources you need where cloud services are concerned, and helps you achieve your IoT product goals.
