Jan 30, 2024
January 2024 Updates for Design Engineers
Read the latest semiconductor and electronics news and updates.
In this edition:
Intel Acquires Silicon Mobility SAS
Nuvoton Releases Endpoint AI Platform
McKinsey Electronics Unveils New Turkey QC Lab
Intel Acquires Silicon Mobility SAS
Intel is advancing its AI strategy in the automotive sector through the acquisition of Silicon Mobility, a fabless silicone and software company specializing in intelligent electric vehicles (EVs) energy management system-on-chips (SoCs). This move, announced at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, aligns with Intel's commitment to a holistic AI approach, addressing industry challenges and supporting the transition to EVs. The company also introduced a family of AI-enhanced software-defined vehicle SoCs, with Zeekr as the first OEM to adopt these for generative AI-driven in-vehicle experiences. Additionally, Intel is set to deliver an open UCIe-based chiplet platform for SDVs, collaborating with IMEC to meet automotive industry standards for packaging technologies. The acquisition of Silicon Mobility will enhance Intel's presence in EV energy management, leveraging accelerators and advanced algorithms for improved vehicle energy efficiency. This strategic move reinforces Intel's position in the automotive market, where its SoCs are currently deployed in over 50 million vehicles for various applications, including infotainment and digital instrument clusters. The acquisition is pending necessary approvals.
Nuvoton Releases Endpoint AI Platform
Nuvoton has recently introduced its Endpoint AI Platform, featuring advanced microcontroller (MCU) and microprocessor (MPU) silicone, including the NuMicro® M55M1 equipped with the Ethos U55 NPU, NuMicro® MA35D1 and NuMicro® M467 series. These components mark a significant advancement in AI-centric computing, underscoring Nuvoton's collaborative efforts with ARM and other industry leaders. The platforms cater to a wide array of applications such as smart home appliances, security systems, industrial, agricultural, entertainment, environmental protection, education, sports, health and fitness.
The NuMicro M55M1 series stands out for machine learning applications, featuring the Ethos-U55 NPU for on-device AI functions suitable for embedded applications. This MCU enables low-power event monitoring based on image sensors, microphones and other sensors, even while in low-power mode. The M55M1 includes an ML (Machine Learning) model protection mechanism, enhancing security by safeguarding ML intellectual property against potential malicious hacking attempts. Notably, these processors support ARM Helium technology, providing a significant performance boost for ML and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) applications in small, low-power embedded systems.
For high-end Edge IIoT Gateway applications, the NuMicro MA35D1 series offers a heterogeneous multi-core microprocessor, featuring a dual-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A35 core at 800 MHz and a 180 MHz ARM Cortex-M4. These high-performance cores facilitate Tiny AI/ML edge computing, enhancing intelligent data processing at the edge of the network.
For the M467 series, a 32-bit microcontroller based on the ARM Cortex-M4F core, is designed for a range of applications, including smart home appliances, IoT gateways, industrial control, telecommunications and data centers. With built-in I/O support and compatibility with HyperRAM, the M467 series provides flexibility and power efficiency for IoT and AI/ML applications.
Nuvoton addresses the challenge of seamless integration of flexible electrodes, sensors, signal conditioning circuits and wireless devices into garments in the development of smart textiles-based wearable health monitoring systems (ST-HMS). The use of roll-to-roll printing and screen printing methods for large-scale manufacturing on flexible substrates, particularly textiles, is highlighted. The planar screen printable sensors, based on conductive inks, cater to monitoring EKG, abdominal respiration effort, blood pressure, pulse rate, and body temperature. The calibration, sensitivity, reliability and robustness of these sensors are emphasized, ensuring reuse after washing cycles.
In terms of IoT tasks, the M467 series excels with a rich set of connectivity, I/O and security peripherals, supporting applications from Ethernet 10/100 MAC to hardware encryption, decryption and key storage. With compatibility with HyperRAM, the M467 series facilitates AI/ML applications, offering 64MB of HyperRAM for flexible memory options.
To support development on these platforms, Nuvoton provides fully-featured development boards for all the mentioned hardware applications. These boards, complemented by Nuvoton's NuEdgeWise, are comprehensive tool for ML development. NuEdgeWise simplifies ML development, making it accessible for cutting-edge tasks, and its compatibility with Nuvoton's powerful MCU and MPU silicone reinforces Nuvoton's position as a leading microcontroller platform provider.
In short, Nuvoton's Endpoint AI Platform represents a significant leap in AI-centric computing. The collaboration with industry leaders, dedication to seamless integration in wearable health monitoring systems, and provision of development tools showcase Nuvoton's commitment to advancing MCU and MPU technology. These platforms not only address a diverse range of applications but also lay the foundation for the future of AI-enabled solutions across various industries. To get the latest from Nuvoton, contact McKinsey Electronics, authorized distributor in the MEA region.
McKinsey Electronics Unveils QC Lab in Turkey
In our unwavering commitment to providing peace of mind to our customers in terms of pricing, lead time, and chip authenticity, McKinsey Electronics is proud to announce the establishment of a second state-of-the-art Quality Control (QC) Lab located in Istanbul, Turkey.
We have taken a monumental leap forward in ensuring 100% genuine and traceable electronic components with the establishment of a new comprehensive QC lab in Turkey to serve the area of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This facility, alongside our Hong Kong QC Lab, is designed to meticulously test most electronic components and semiconductors, setting a new standard in the industry.
We offer a wide array of tests following the AS6081 certification standard, including but not limited to:
External Visual Inspection
Heated Chemical Test (HCT)
Remarking and Resurfacing
X-ray Inspection
Decapsulation Test
Functionality Test
Solderability Test
Programming Test
Why choose our QC lab services?
Our QC services are a game-changer, providing swift and efficient testing processes. We understand the urgency in the industry, and our labs ensure the authenticity of your components through quality assessments, no matter the source.
ERAI Certified Engineers
The ERAI Certification reflects McKinsey Electronics' commitment to ensuring the integrity and quality of the electronic components we supply and test. It allows us to manage and mitigate risks related to counterfeit electronic components efficiently. Following the strict standards of ERAI, we maintain a vigilant, comprehensive approach to supply chain security. This achievement is not only a testament to our rigorous quality control and high service standards but also affirms our dedication to safeguarding our customers from the negative impacts of counterfeit parts.
Reports of Authenticity
In a time where counterfeit components in the open market pose significant risks, our QC labs stand as a beacon of authenticity. We provide detailed reports on every test we conduct, ensuring the authenticity of each component and offering you peace of mind so you can focus on your business.
Time and Cost-Effective Solutions
We recognize the importance of cost-efficiency in your operations. Our labs deliver superior testing for your sourced components in the heart of Eurasia, thus cutting down on shipping costs and time, allowing you to maintain your budgetary considerations without compromising on quality.
Time is of the essence, and our QC labs are engineered to attest to that. Whether you're facing tight project schedules or immediate production demands, McKinsey Electronics ensures that your sourced components undergo thorough testing without causing unnecessary delays.