$288,000 in prizes for technology to make a difference
(04:54 AM EDT, 07/04/09)
The final judging of a student competition designed to help meet the United Nations Millenium Goals started here today (July 4). The seventh Imagine Cup organized by Microsoft aims to build technology solutions that address tough challenges.

CEO: CSwitch halted operations, seeks buyer
(01:29 PM EDT, 07/03/09)
As had been rumored, programmable logic startup CSwitch has ceased operations and is looking to be acquired, the company's top executive confirmed.

European semi sales in May up 0.4% on previous month
(07:46 AM EDT, 07/03/09)
Sales of semiconductors in Europe in May again underperformed other regions according to an analysis of the figures by the Semiconductor Industry Association provided by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization.

May global chip sales up 5.4% on previous month
(07:14 AM EDT, 07/03/09)
Global sales of semiconductors rose to $16.5 billion in May, an increase of 5.4 percent from April when sales were $15.6 billion, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). May sales were 23.2 percent lower than May 2008 when sales were $21.5 billion.

European researchers warned on FP7 funding rules
(06:33 AM EDT, 07/03/09)
Singleimage, a company that helps European researchers and research administrators win bids for and execute European research programs , has warned that recent EU rules that impose accurate time recording procedures on maverick staff has created a major headache for finance managers supporting collaborative research projects.

UK scientists, ARM, Synopsys work on reliable low power computing systems
(06:01 AM EDT, 07/03/09)
Researchers at the University of Southampton's School of Electronics and Computer Science have received a $578,623 funding to develop reliable low power computing systems.

NetLogic-RMI to intensify multicore battle
(03:12 PM EDT, 07/02/09)
NetLogic Microsystems Inc.'s recent move to acquire RMI Corp. will help the multicore processor specialist to devise new products more rapidly, according to executives.

Regina Dugan enlisted to head Darpa
(01:22 PM EDT, 07/02/09)
Regina Dugan, co-founder of a company developing land mine-detection technology, has been named the new director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

GE, art institute collaborate on flexible lighting panels
(12:48 PM EDT, 07/02/09)
General Electric will begin volume production next year for flexible, paper-thin lighting panels.

Optical transistor made from single molecule
(11:56 AM EDT, 07/02/09)
Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) have reported the fabrication of an optical transistor from a single molecule.

TSMC rolls multi-time programmable process
(11:51 AM EDT, 07/02/09)
Expanding its portfolio, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC) has rolled out a 65-nm, multi-time programmable (MTP) non-volatile memory (NVM) process technology.

NXP cuts debt $504M in cash-for-bond deal
(09:59 AM EDT, 07/02/09)
NXP Semiconductor has slashed its long-term debt by $504 million in a successful cash-for-bond exercise that the chip vendor said will also help lower its interest expenses by about $32 million, further reducing pressure on available cash.

SMSC rolls I/O port expander and DTCP co-processor for MOST networks
(09:55 AM EDT, 07/02/09)
OS85650 Expands Audio/Video Capability for Next Generation Automotive Infotainment Devices

IDT samples programmable clocks for wide range of applications
(09:19 AM EDT, 07/02/09)
IDT's latest VersaClock timing devices offer greater flexibility and improved performance for designers of high-performance consumer, telecommunications, networking and data communications applications.

Xilinx cuts June sales forecast on supply problems
(08:50 AM EDT, 07/02/09)
Xilinx Inc. said it was unable to satisfy strong demand for one of its key products during the June quarter, leading to lower-than-expected sales for the period. The company now sees calendar second quarter sales falling 5 percent from the prior quarter compared with its previous forecast for revenue to be as much as 4 percent higher.

Leoni buys US-based robotics company
(05:41 AM EDT, 07/02/09)
Wiring system manufacturer Leoni AG (Nuremberg, Germany) has acquired Valentine Robotics, based in Sterling Heights near the US automotive center Detroit. The move aims at extending Leoni's portfolio for integrated system solutions with high engineering and service participation, the company said.

Leoni buys US-based robotics company
(05:41 AM EDT, 07/02/09)
Wiring system manufacturer Leoni AG (Nuremberg, Germany) has acquired Valentine Robotics, based in Sterling Heights near the US automotive center Detroit. The move aims at extending Leoni's portfolio for integrated system solutions with high engineering and service participation, the company said.

Printed battery could power bank cards
(04:55 AM EDT, 07/02/09)
Researchers from Fraunhofer entity for electronic nanosystems (ENAS) have developed a battery produced in a serigraphy printing process. The battery could power bank cards or other slim application carriers.

Printed battery could power bank cards
(04:55 AM EDT, 07/02/09)
Researchers from Fraunhofer entity for electronic nanosystems (ENAS) have developed a battery produced in a serigraphy printing process. The battery could power bank cards or other slim application carriers.

Update: Chip bans hit OEM plans
(07:28 PM EDT, 07/01/09)
Systems makers are beginning to feel the bite of a limited exclusion order prohibiting the import of chips from six companies found to infringe two packaging patents of Tessera Technologies Inc.

Firm to sell Qimonda tools from German fab
(05:01 PM EDT, 07/01/09)
The insolvency administrator for Qimonda AG has appointed Macquarie Electronics to resell select 300-mm equipment from Qimonda's wafer fabrication facility in Dresden, Germany.

Opinion: LTX-Credence unlikely to reach ATE medal round
(03:28 PM EDT, 07/01/09)
There is one company in the automatic test equipment business that reminds me of the Olympic Games. Every four years or so, they announce a new strategy after the previous one fails.

Blog: Is FPGA startup CSwitch dead?
(01:07 PM EDT, 07/01/09)
FPGA startup CSwitch appears to have closed its doors, according to several industry sources.

Indian design firms see uptick when recession ends
(12:05 PM EDT, 07/01/09)
The current global recession is driving development costs down, prompting many Indian chip and embedded design service providers to predict an uptick once the downturn ends.

International Rectifier pays Vishay $30M to settle dispute
(11:36 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
International Rectifier Corp. has paid $30 million to resolve a dispute over the sale of its power control systems division to Vishay Intertechnology Inc., ending a feud that boiled over following a hostile acquisition overture from the discrete and passives component supplier.

Update: Startup deals slump in second quarter
(11:34 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
The second quarter of 2009 was the worst for making money on venture capital deals in six years, according to a new study from Dow Jones VentureSource which said so-called liquidity levels for startup companies plummeted 57 percent to $2.8 billion in the last three months.

Real-time traffic info will become basic feature, iSuppli predicts
(11:13 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
In times when traffic jams are ubiquitous, it does not suffice to have a navigation system in the car. Only in connection with a real-time traffic information service, navigation systems can prove their benefit. For this reason, the market for these services will explode, reckons iSuppli.

Real-time traffic info will become basic feature, iSuppli predicts
(11:13 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
In times when traffic jams are ubiquitous, it does not suffice to have a navigation system in the car. Only in connection with a real-time traffic information service, navigation systems can prove their benefit. For this reason, the market for these services will explode, reckons iSuppli.

TSMC hit by yield issues, double ordering, says analyst
(10:20 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC) is expected to exceed its second-quarter guidance, but there is ''increased concern'' over its 40-nm yields and a pattern of double ordering at the foundry giant, according to an analyst.

Will Teradyne enter DRAM test market?
(10:06 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
Will Teradyne Inc. enter the DRAM test market?

Oracle taps investors for $4.5B to fund acquisitions
(09:30 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
Oracle Corp. is set to sell corporate bonds worth $4.5 billion to investors as the software vendor moves to shore up its cash position following several huge acquisitions, including the pending $7.4 billion purchase of Sun Microsystems Inc.

Siemens sprays organic photodiodes
(07:40 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
Researchers from Siemens Corporate Technology (CT) have developed a cost-effective production process for organic large-area photo diodes: Instead of the usual method of casting or doctor blading, they succeeded in spraying the material.

Siemens sprays organic photodiodes
(07:40 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
Researchers from Siemens Corporate Technology (CT) have developed a cost-effective production process for organic large-area photo diodes: Instead of the usual method of casting or doctor blading, they succeeded in spraying the material.

Via Licensing signals progress with NFC patent pool
(06:47 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
The formation of a patent pool for technologies related to near field communications (NFC) is gathering steam with one of the major players in the field, Via Licensing Corporation, signing up Motorola Inc. for its joint licensing program.

Robots kick the ball for RoboCup 2009
(06:23 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
In Graz (Austria), the RoboCup 2009 robot soccer championship has started. From July 1 to July 5, robot teams from around the world compete for the cup.

Robots kick the ball for RoboCup 2009
(06:23 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
In Graz (Austria), the RoboCup 2009 robot soccer championship has started. From July 1 to July 5, robot teams from around the world compete for the cup.

High power PD controllers address IEEE 802.3at PoE+ Standard
(05:11 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
Linear Technology Corporation has introduced the LTC4269-1, LTC4269-2 and LTC4278, IEEE 802.3at compliant Power over Ethernet (PoE+) interface controllers with integrated switching regulators for high-power Powered Device (PD) applications up to 25.5 W and beyond.

Konica Minolta: high-end printer sales to jump
(04:34 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
Japan's Konica Minolta Holdings Inc said it aims to more than double sales of its digital commercial printers in 3 years to $2 billion, as it broadens its product lineup and establishes a presence in emerging markets.

New family of LED drivers support small LCD screens
(04:27 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
Diodes Incorporated has introduced a family of three new LED drivers that provide a cost-effective and small form factor solution for small LCD screens used across a wide range of portable consumer electronics, such as portable media players, personal navigation devices and digital photo frames.

China's Huawei needs makeover to win big markets
(03:28 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
The meteoric rise of China's Huawei to challenge the world's top telecom gear makers has been mainly in secondary markets, but a serious push into larger, more profitable, developed markets may hinge on an image makeover.

IC market 'surge' at hand, says analyst
(03:01 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
The second half of 2009 will bring welcome relief to the semiconductor and capital equipment industries, according to market research firm IC Insights, which is predicting strong seasonal strength for electronic system sales, worldwide gross domestic product growth and continuation of an IC inventory replenishment trend that began in the second quarter.

Elpida walks away from Powerchip
(01:23 AM EDT, 07/01/09)
Japanese DRAM maker Elpida Memory Inc. is withdrawing from Powerchip Semiconductor Corp.'s board.

Retrofit kit said to transform cars into hybrids
(08:22 PM EDT, 06/30/09)
A former IBM electrical engineer has designed a retrofit kit that he claims can transform existing automobiles into hybrids by placing an electric motor inside each wheel, thereby doubling gas mileage.

Forum planned on 40/100G Ethernet
(04:34 PM EDT, 06/30/09)
The Ethernet Alliance will host a one-day forum in Silicon Valley on the changes coming with the 40 and 100 Gbit/second versions of the IEEE P802.3ba standard now in the works.

Sematech tips new 450-mm efforts, pitch standard
(04:08 PM EDT, 06/30/09)
Despite the IC downturn, International Sematech insists that it is continuing to make progress on 450-mm tool technology, by announcing several new efforts in the arena.

Virginia Tech tools up with MathWorks
(02:42 PM EDT, 06/30/09)
The MathWorks and Virginia Tech College of Engineering have signed a new three-year agreement for The MathWorks to provide resources and support for course components that utilize MathWorks tools.

Protests interrupt Cisco keynote
(01:55 PM EDT, 06/30/09)
Protesters interrupted a keynote speech by Cisco Systems chief executive John Chambers at the company's annual Cisco Live event in San Francisco today.

Canon reportedly cutting 700 jobs in stepper biz
(01:38 PM EDT, 06/30/09)
Canon plans to cut about 700 jobs from its lithography stepper division, according to reports.

Micron puts 34-nm NAND chips in mass production
(12:46 PM EDT, 06/30/09)
Micron Technology announced mass production of NAND flash memory chips using 34-nanometer (nm) process technology. Micron also said its subsidiary, consumer memory product provider Lexar Media, would deliver flash memory cards and USB flash drives based on the 34-nm devices.

Digital photo frames to get connected
(12:05 PM EDT, 06/30/09)
The total silicon opportunity for digital photo frame suppliers will exceed $550 million by 2013, according to market research group InStat.

IBM re-uses PV thermal energy for better efficiency
(11:38 AM EDT, 06/30/09)
IBM researchers recently have shown that the reuse of cooling liquid for computers can increase the total efficiency of a system. Now they do a similar trick on solar cells. The result could be an overall efficiency of better than 50 percent.

IBM re-uses PV thermal energy for better efficiency
(11:38 AM EDT, 06/30/09)
IBM researchers recently have shown that the reuse of cooling liquid for computers can increase the total efficiency of a system. Now they do a similar trick on solar cells. The result could be an overall efficiency of better than 50 percent.

Metrology provider Semilab buys SDI
(10:48 AM EDT, 06/30/09)
Continuing on its buying spree, metrology equipment provider Semilab Co. Ltd. has acquired Semiconductor Diagnostics Inc. (SDI).

Global chip sales seen ticking up in May
(10:19 AM EDT, 06/30/09)
Global chip sales in May are believed to have increased by a seasonally adjusted 2 percent on the previous month, according to analysts at Carnegie Group (Oslo, Norway).

SMIC readies 45-nm process
(10:19 AM EDT, 06/30/09)
Don't look now, but Chinese foundry provider Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) could be gaining on its rivals.

NXP, IBM in Dutch traffic control field trial
(09:50 AM EDT, 06/30/09)
Traffic authorities in the Netherlands have started pilot trials with traffic control systems aiming at controlling traffic volume in critical regions. The project is based on technology from IBM and NXP.

Broadcom jacks up Emulex offer 19%, drops lawsuit
(07:47 AM EDT, 06/30/09)
Broadcom Corp. has increased its offer for Emulex Corp. 20 percent, raising the value of the deal to $912 million, and has also dropped a lawsuit against the board of directors in a bid to engage the management in a friendly takeover discussion.

Jobs go but new processors coming at ARC
(06:57 AM EDT, 06/30/09)
ARC International (St Albans, England) is to lay off 35 employees and close several of its locations in a major restructuring that sees the licensor of multimedia IP cores reduced to 115 direct staff, excluding its Adaptive Chips joint venture in India. The company also revealed it is readying a new processing range that will be launched in November.

Updated: Japan props up Elpida with $1.7 billion in aid
(12:12 AM EDT, 06/30/09)
Japan pledged to prop up loss-making chip maker Elpida Memory with up to $1.7 billion in public and private capital and loans, the country's first capital injection in a company since the financial crisis.

Broadcom raises Emulex offer to $912 million
(09:34 PM EDT, 06/29/09)
Broadcom Corp. Monday raised its cash tender offer for storage technology company Emulex Corp to $912 million and changed the tenor of its previously hostile takeover bid in what it called a final effort to engage Emulex's board.

Amkor's founder to step down as CEO
(05:31 PM EDT, 06/29/09)
Amkor Technology President and Chief Operating Officer Ken Joyce will assume the role of CEO of the company effective Oct. 1. James Kim, Amkor's founder, will step down as CEO and become executive chairman.

Intel, Micron, Samsung start NAND scaling race
(05:06 PM EDT, 06/29/09)
The NAND flash memory scaling race is off and running--again.

SunPower, Wells Fargo funding solar projects
(04:59 PM EDT, 06/29/09)
U.S. solar panel maker SunPower Corp. and Wells Fargo Monday said they have teamed up to fund up to $100 million in solar projects for businesses and public buildings.

Green pressure sensors tap quartz MEMS
(03:58 PM EDT, 06/29/09)
Epson Toyocom unveiled a green sensor technology that eliminates dangerous oil and gases from pressure sensors, instead using a quartz microelectromechanical system (QMEMS) tuning fork as the sensing element.

Forte beefs up high-level synthesis tool
(03:12 PM EDT, 06/29/09)
High-level synthesis EDA vendor Forte Design Systems has commenced volume shipments of the latest version of its Cynthesizer SystemC synthesis software for hardware and electronic system level design.

Virage Logic joins Power.org
(12:23 PM EDT, 06/29/09)
IP vendor Virage Logic has joined Power.org, the organization that promotes and develops standards for Power Architecture.

Management buys out Sarnoff Europe
(10:57 AM EDT, 06/29/09)
A management group has acquired Sarnoff Europe and its ESD protection technology from Sarnoff Corp.

Samsung using 45-nm process for ARM-11 based processor
(09:34 AM EDT, 06/29/09)
Samsung Electronics Ltd has started sampling its ARM11-based application processor that will be made on its 45-nm CMOS process technology.

Mentor adds support for control logic to Catapult C
(09:01 AM EDT, 06/29/09)
EDA vendor Mentor Graphics announced extensions to its Catapult C Synthesis tool to support full-chip high-level synthesis, a move billed by company executives as the most significant enhancements to Catapult C since the tool was introduced in 2004.

Altera rolls low power, anti-tamper FPGAs
(09:01 AM EDT, 06/29/09)
Altera this week is rolling out a new product family, Cyclone III LS, billed by the company as the industry's first low power FPGAs with anti-tamper, design-security and design-separation features.

Industry agrees on unified cellphone chargers
(08:36 AM EDT, 06/29/09)
The members of industry association Digitaleurope have signed a memorandum of understanding aiming at developing a common charging solution for mobile phones. The move dangles the availability of a charger that can be used across all almost brands.

Altera enhances security in extended Cyclone-III FPGA family
(07:27 AM EDT, 06/29/09)
Altera Corp. (San Jose, Calif.) has introduced the Cyclone-III LS family of FPGAs with enhanced security features. The devices are made on a 60-nm process technology from TSMC and offer 0.25W of static power consumption for 200,000 logic elements.

Semico projects five-fold netbook growth
(07:00 AM EDT, 06/29/09)
As many as 59 million netbooks will ship in 2013, nearly 22 percent of the mobile PC market and up almost five-fold from 2008, according to a new report by Semico Research that profiles the major chip contenders in the sector.

Telecom firms back standard phone charger in Europe
(06:32 AM EDT, 06/29/09)
Top mobile telephone suppliers have agreed to back an EU-wide harmonisation of phone chargers, the European Commission said on Monday, hailing the pact as good news for consumers and the environment.

Siemens platform addresses Hi-Mix Low-Volume production
(03:25 AM EDT, 06/29/09)
After several months of field testing, Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems GmbH (Munich) has launched sales for its Siplace SX component insertion machine platform. With a high degree of flexibility, the platform particularly addresses production environments characterized by frequent product changes and low volumes.

Vodafone mulls T-Mobile U.K. bid
(09:03 PM EDT, 06/28/09)
British mobile phone operator Vodafone Group Plc is considering a bid for T-Mobile UK, even though any deal could be stopped by regulators, the Financial Times reported.