Tag Archives: semiconductors

Atmel and other things turning 30 in 2014

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The big 3-0. Can you believe it? It seems like yesterday, we were focusing on non-volatile memories and inventing EEPROM. And now, we’re looking back in the rearview mirror over the past 30 years as gaze ahead towards the constantly-connected era, better known as the the Internet of Things.

Ah, 1984. A period when our company was just being founded, Prince was turning the silver screen purple, the first Mac was hitting our desks, and Kevin Bacon was helping a small town get its groove back. Safe to say, if you’re turning 30 this year, you’re in good company… here’s some proof.

Tetris

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Russian programmer Alexey Pajitnov released the first version of the game — which featured seven tetrominos descending from the top of a the screen to form a puzzle stack at the bottom — on June 6, 1984. The game would go on to become insanely popular and… addicting.

The Mac

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Steve Jobs introduced the original Macintosh computer on January 24, 1984. At the time, the model (which would later be renamed to “Macintosh 128k”) was the first mass-market PC featuring an integralgraphical user interface and mouse.

Dell

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Michael Dell created PC’s Limited while a student at the University of Texas on February 1, 1984. Originally, he sold IBM PC-compatible computers built from stock components out of his dorm room, before eventually dropping out to focus full-time on his fledging business.

3D Printing

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In 1984, Chuck Hull of 3D Systems Corporation invented stereolithography, a printing process that enabled a tangible 3D object to be created from digital data. The technology is used to create a 3D model from a picture and enables users to test a design before investing in a larger manufacturing program. Today, a number of Atmel MCUs (including AVR XMEGA, megaAVR and Atmel | SMART SAM3X8E) are used to power these next-gen devices, all inspired by Hull.

IBM Portable

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IBM introduced its Portable Personal Computer 5515 model 68 in February 1984, shortly after the success of Compaq’s suitcase-sized portable machine. At the time, the computer weighed 30 pounds — certainly not “mobile” by today’s standards. The Portable was eventually replaced by the IBM Convertible.

Mark Zuckerberg

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We wouldn’t be sharing this blog on Facebook if the founder of the iconic social channel wasn’t born on May 14, 1984.

HP LaserJet

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The world’s first desktop laser printer for IBM-compatible PCs was introduced in May 1984. It was a 300-dpi, 8 ppm printer that sold for just under $3,500.

Cisco Systems

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Networking equipment company Cisco was founded in December of 1984 by two members of Stanford University’s computer support staff. The phenomenal growth of the Internet in the mid-to-late ’90s quickly changed the telecom landscape. Eventually, the company would go on to become evangelists of the “Internet of Everything.”

Computer Viruses

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University of Southern California professor Fred Cohen published a paper entitled “Computer Virus—Theory and Experiments,” where he warned about and shared the first definition of computer viruses.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

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The TMNT first appeared in an American comic book published by Mirage Studios in May of 1984 in Dover, New Hampshire. The pizza-eating, crime-fighting ninjas were the brainturtles of artists Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, who in true Maker fashion, started a tiny publishing company out of Laird’s living room.

Legal Taping of TV Shows

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The Supreme Court decided a crucial case in January of 1984. Known as the “Betamax Case,” the court considered whether home VCR users could legally record TV shows for the purpose of watching them later, a practice known as “time-shifting.”

The Declaration of “National Ice Cream Month”

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I scream, you scram, we all scream ‘thanks’ to President Ronald Reagan, who proclaimed July 15, 1984 as the first “National Ice Cream Day.” From there on, the Congress designated July as “National Ice Cream Month.”

“Where’s the Beef?”

Who could ever forget those Wendy’s ads, right? “Where’s the beef?” quickly emerged as a catchphrase throughout the United States and Canada, originating as a slogan for the fast food chain.

TED Conferences

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Born in 1984 out of Richard Saul Wurman’s observation of a powerful convergence of technology, entertainment and design. The first TED included a demo of the compact disc, the e-book and cutting-edge 3D graphics from Lucasfilm, while mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot demonstrated how to map coastlines using his developing theory of fractal geometry. At the time, it was a one-off event held in Monterey, California, organized by Wurman himself.

Transformers

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The Transformers TV show, which made its debut in the U.S. on September 17, 1984. was inspired by the Japanese towline Microman. Transformers shortly thereafter rolled out its own figurines after Hasbro bought distribution rights for the Microman toy molds from Japanese company Takara.

“Baby Bell” Telephone System

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Led by the Bell Telephone Company and subsequently by AT&T, the Bell System was a system of companies which provided telephone services to a majority of North America from 1877 to 1984. In 1984, the system was broken up into seven independent companies by a U.S. Justice Department mandate, which became known as the “Baby Bells.”

This is Spinal Tap

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Directed by Rob Reiner, the breakthrough mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap” was released on March 2, 1984. The film, which would go on to become a cult classic, chronicled the fictional comeback tour of British heavy metal group Spinal Tap.

What is the Trebek Era of JEOPARDY!

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Alex Trebek has hosted nearly 7,000 episodes of JEOPARDY! since its syndicated debut on September 10, 1984. Over the past 30 years, he has become one of TV’s most enduring and iconic figures, engaging millions of viewers worldwide with his impeccable delivery of “answers and questions.”

MTV’s Video Music Awards

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Long before the days of Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Usher, MTV launched its first Video Music Awards (commonly referred to as “The VMAS”) on September 14, 1984. The event, which was hosted by Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler at the Radio City Music Hall, honored the best music videos from May 2, 1983, to May 2, 1984 — an era when the channel actually aired videos!

The Print Shop

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Brøderbund’s Software Inc.s’ publishing package The Print Shop epitomized the 1980s computing, enabling users to make cards, signs, and even banners. Before printing, it showed a colorful “THINKING” screen as it computed the graphics necessary to print.

The Moon Treaty

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The Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies is an international treaty that turns jurisdiction of all celestial bodies (including the orbits around such bodies) over to the international community. The treaty was finalized in 1979 and entered into force for the ratifying parties in 1984. As a follow-on to the Outer Space Treaty, the Moon Treaty intended to establish a regime for the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies similar to the one established for the sea floor in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Canadians in Space

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One of the first country’s first astronauts, Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in outer space in October 1984.

Virgin Atlantic Airways

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Virgin Atlantic’s maiden flight from Gatwick to Newark Liberty International Airport took place on June 22, 1984.

Space Shuttle Discovery’s Maiden Voyage

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Space Shuttle Discovery was one of the three orbiters of NASA’s Space Shuttle program and the third of five built. The shuttle’s maiden voyage occurred on August 30 through September 5, 1984. Over 27 years of service, it would go on to launch and land 39 times, gathering more flight time than any other spacecraft to date.

Ghostbusters

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“Who you gonna call?” The iconic science fantasy comedy — starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis as three eccentric parapsychologists in New York City who start a ghost-catching business — made its box office debut June 8, 1984.

The Terminator

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On May 12, 1984, two beings from the year 2029 arrive in Los Angeles: one is a Terminator T-800 Model 101 (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a cyborg assassin programmed to kill a woman named Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton); the other is Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), a human resistance fighter sent to protect her.

The Karate Kid

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Released on June 22, 1984, The Karate Kid was an American martial arts romantic drama film starring Ralph Macchio, Noriyuki “Pat” Morita and Elisabeth Shue. The flick was an underdog story in the mold of previous success, Rocky.

Gremlins

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Who could ever forget June 8, 1984? Not only was it the day Ghostbusters made its debut, but it was the day a boy inadvertently broke three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashed a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.

Revenge of the Nerds

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Revenge of the Nerds was an American comedy film highlighting the social life on a college campus. The flick, which starred Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards, made its premiere on July 20, 1984.

Bruce Springsteen “Born in the USA”

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Plain white t-shirt, check. Jeans, check. Red hat in the back pocket, check. This summer anthem was released on June 4, 1984.

Cirque du Soleil

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Before becoming an incredibly popular mix of circus arts and street entertainment (and certainly long before the days of synchronized dancing drones), Cirque du Soleil was conceived with the assistance of the Quebec government, as part of the celebrations surrounding the 450th anniversary of Jacques Cartier’s arrival in Canada. The first production, Le Grand Tour debuted in the small Quebec town of Gaspé, and was later performed in 10 other cities throughout the province. The first blue-and-yellow big top seats 800, much smaller than its sold-out venues today.

Hulkamania

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“Whatcha gonna do, brother?” Hulkamania was officially coined on January 7, 1984.

Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary Pass

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November 23, 1984: A day that will forever live in sports history. What has since been dubbed “The Hail Flutie Game” was a college football game between the Boston College Eagles and University of Miami Hurricanes. The game is most notable for a last-second Hail Mary pass from quarterback Doug Flutie to wide receiver Gerard Phelan to give Boston College the win.

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Still made in the USA

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Atmel just did a great 4th of July infographic celebrating the resurgence of American manufacturing. The US still manufactures 75% of everything it consumes. As a former auto engineer who saw millions of jobs lost and trillions of dollars washed down the drain, this really delights me. When I was an EDN editor I attended a presentation by Beacon Economics. This outfit was started by Chris Thornberg, the UCLA professor that predicted the 2007 housing crash in 2006. It was at this presentation that I learned that US manufacturing has never crashed, as many people popularly believe. Indeed, in dollar terms the output of US manufacturing has been on a pretty steady upward march.

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In dollar terms, US manufacturing has been on a steady and impressive rise for 40 years.

What has declined is US manufacturing employment.

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The huge increase in productivity means we don’t need as many workers in manufacturing, even though output has climbed.

This is because computers and automation and robots have greatly increased the productivity of the American worker.

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The output per US worker has steadily increased over the last 70 years.

A century ago agriculture took 70-80% of the US employment. But tractors and the green revolution has allowed American food to be grown by 2% of the work force. The same revolution that improved farming is now improving manufacturing.

Indeed the future of US manufacturing has never looked better. Many companies are continuing to invest in their US operations. Atmel just created a new production line in its Colorado fab for our XSense touch sensor film. And though the 2007 crash made for a dip in manufacturing output, there is a slow but steady recovery back to the historical trend lines of healthy growth.

Indeed, the rising costs of off-shore manufacturing have caused a lot of companies to bring manufacturing back to the USA. As noted in this link:

“The reshoring trend is rocking global business, with hundreds of companies working to bring their manufacturing operations back … to North America.”

“…the recent surge in reshoring has shocked even experts and researchers.” Hal Sirkin

I myself saw this trend 4 years ago when I visited Trail Tech up in Washington State. They are a power sports manufacturer with a line of HID (high-intensity discharge) headlamps for trail bikes. Their representative told me that they were getting the vacuum-impregnated transformers from an offshore supplier. But they just could not get the quality they needed. Once the transformer was potted there was no method of incoming inspection that would reveal poor potting or construction. So they moved the transformer manufacturing back to the US.

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This HID head lamp from Trail Tech uses a transformer that they make in the USA, so they can maintain strict quality standards.

Indeed, many companies are bringing manufacturing back. We have seen GE move its hot-water heater production back to the USA. GE will spend $1 billion to tool up its U.S. appliance production. This will add 1,300 jobs in Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia and Indiana. NCR (National Cash Register) moved its ATM machine production from overseas to Columbus Georgia. Farouk Systems hair driers and Coleman water coolers are coming back to US production. And good-old Converse has a line of shoes made in the US because of strict quality requirements. New Balance, American Apparel, and Timbuktu now make products in the U.S.

Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris has declared that they intend to return production lines to the United States. Indeed, Hal Sirkin, of the Boston Consulting Group forecasts that two to three million manufacturing jobs will come back to the U.S. during this decade.

So don’t despair about the state of manufacturing in the USA. There are good reasons to buy American and there are good reasons to buy imports. Don’t forget the economic principle of comparative advantage, and don’t forget there will always be different advantages for different countries. David Friedman, son of Nobel laureate Milton Friedman has noted there are two ways to make automobiles. One way is to mine ore and make steel and build factories and put together cars. The other way is to fill a big boat with wheat and float it to the West. It will return full of cars. What a miracle modern economics is. So don’t worry and be happy, and if people tell you how the US is lagging, show them this chart:

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This chart shows just how healthy US manufacturing is.

Infographic: Made in the USA

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With the month of July officially underway, Atmel is celebrating Independence Day in patriotic fashion, paying tribute to one of the quintessential cornerstones of the nation’s economic engine – manufacturing. Before cueing the Springsteen, firing up the grills and preparing for your 4th of July festivities, we’re celebrating U.S. manufacturing with this nifty infographic, “Made in the USA.”

Just weeks following the inaugural White House Maker Faire, it’s evident that the revival of American manufacturing is upon us, as the rise of the Maker Movement represents a significant opportunity for the United States. Last month, President Obama by increasing the ability of more Americans, young and old, to have access to tools and techniques that can bring their ideas to life.

“Today’s DIY is tomorrow’s ‘Made in America,” urged President Obama. “Your projects are examples of a revolution that’s taking place in American manufacturing – a revolution that can help us create new jobs and industries decades from now.”

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Whether it’s Makers at home, students in universities or engineers in R&D, manufacturing is on the rise. It’s making a comeback and fueling innovation! Although a global corporation, Atmel is proud of the spirit of what many are calling the manufacturing renaissance here in the United States – in both Silicon Valley and Colorado Springs.

In just the past three years, the U.S. has experienced the creation 500,000 jobs, with Atmel the proud employer of 1,532 manufacturing employees. Bolstering American manufacturing is one of the best ways to increase the number of jobs – that manufacturing is at the core of the American ethos.

As in other parts of the country, businesses related to manufacturing have always played an important role in Silicon Valley. Throughout most of the 20th century, it was the American manufacturing industry that helped create the foundation for the middle class. It was the engine responsible for propelling the U.S. to global economic prominence, while setting the standard for quality; be it for cars, television sets or semiconductors.

As manufacturing boomed, industrialization came to change the very fabric of American life, symbiotically. Today, the semiconductor industry directly employs a quarter of a million people in the U.S. and supports more than one million additional American jobs. In 2013, U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $155 billion – helping to make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. The U.S. has also seen a 52 percent increase in investment in the R&D semiconductor space, with $10 billion between 2007 and 2012. To be sure, U.S. semiconductor companies currently represent over half the worldwide market and are responsible for one of America’s largest exports.

Even in troubled economic times, the U.S. has managed to add approximately 520,000 manufacturing jobs since January 2010 and supports 17.2 million manufacturing jobs as a whole, with post-recession American manufacturing outpacing other nations. Nearly 12 million (about one in 10) people in the U.S. are employed directly in manufacturing.

Semiconductors – the little microchips controlling all modern electronics – are part and parcel of the American manufacturing landscape. As the building blocks of technology, they’re an integral component of America’s economic strength, national security and global competitiveness. Even more importantly, they’re used to develop the technologies helping us build a better future.

Most notably, the President notes that the path to this new era of American manufacturing has never been easier, citing the new tools and tech that are making the building of things easier than ever. Through resources and technology offered through the likes of Atmel-powered devices and other maker communities, we’ve reached a point at which there’s a democratization of manufacturing.

Sparklers and fireworks aside, today Atmel embraces the official observance of the national holiday through showcasing the best of U.S. manufacturing, investing and more. With that said, the Atmel team wishes you a very Happy 4th of July!

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Reza Kazerounian talks MCUs, China and the IoT

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Dr. Reza Kazerounian, SVP and GM of Atmel’s Microcontroller Business Unit, recently sat down with Yorbe Zhang of EE Times-China to discuss the company’s activities in Asia, with a specific emphasis on the Internet of Things (IoT).

Essentially, the Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a future world where all types of electronic devices link to each other via the Internet. Today, it’s estimated that there are nearly 10 billion devices in the world connected to the Internet, a figure expected to triple to nearly 30 billion by 2020.

As we’ve previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, the IoT may very well represent the greatest potential growth market for semiconductors over the next several years. Indeed, consumers want WiFi capability along with very low power consumption, as most connected mobile devices these days run off batteries. Atmel is certainly well positioned for the IoT, as our portfolio includes ultra-low power WiFi capability and an extensive lineup of microcontrollers (MCUs).

The full video of Dr. Kazerounian’s interview with EE Times-China can be viewed here. Please note that although Yorbe Zhang provides opening and closing remarks in Mandarin, the exchange between Zhang and Dr. Kazerounian is in English.

Atmel celebrates July 4th… infographic style

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For many, the Fourth of July is all about the festivities and fireworks. Here at Atmel, it’s also a day when we pay tribute to one of the quintessential cornerstones of the nation’s economic engine – manufacturing.

As in other parts of the country, businesses related to manufacturing have always played an important role in Silicon Valley. Throughout most of the 20th century, it was the American manufacturing industry that helped create the foundation for the middle class. It was the engine responsible for propelling the US to global economic prominence, while setting the standard for quality; be it for cars, television sets, or semiconductors.

As manufacturing boomed, industrialization came to change the very fabric of American life, symbiotically.

Today, the semiconductor industry directly employs a quarter of a million people in the U.S. and supports more than one million additional American jobs. In 2012, U.S. semiconductor companies generated $146 billion in sales – helping to make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. To be sure, U.S. semiconductor companies currently represent over half the worldwide market and are responsible for one of America’s largest exports.

Even in troubled economic times, the U.S. has managed to add approximately 520,000 manufacturing jobs since January 2010 and supports 17.2 million manufacturing jobs as a whole, with post-recession American manufacturing outpacing other nations. Nearly 12 million (about 1 in 10) people in the U.S. are employed directly in manufacturing.

In 2012, U.S. manufacturing contributed to $1.87 trillion to the economy, up from $1.73 in year prior and every $1 of manufacturing activity returns $1.48 to the U.S. economy. In terms of cost savings, U.S. factories’ access to cheap energy equates to cheaper costs than overseas oil and pricey shipping.

Semiconductors – the little microchips controlling all modern electronics – are part and parcel of the American manufacturing landscape. As the building blocks of technology, they’re an integral part of America’s economic strength, national security and global competitiveness. Even more importantly, they’re used to develop the technologies helping us build a better future.

TIME Magazine recently wrote that new “Made in America” economics is centered largely around cutting-edge technologies, like 3D-printing and robotics, two industries near and dear to Atmel’s heart and that of the Maker Movement we support.

Last December, President Obama made his case for a reinvigorated manufacturing base, a vision that is not unachievable. According to Moody’s Economy.com, if every American spent an extra $3.33 on U.S. made goods, it would create nearly 10,000 new American jobs.

Although Atmel is an international corporation, we’re awfully proud to be headquartered in Silicon Valley, just as we are to operate a major fab in Colorado Springs.

Happy July 4th to one and all!

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The Internet of Things (IoT) is going to the dogs with Whistle

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The Whistle Activity Monitor is an on-collar device that measures a dog’s activities including walks, play and rest. The device is designed to give canine parents a new perspective on day-to-day behavior and long-term health trends.

The Wifi and Bluetooth enabled Whistle allows users to check-in from their phones, share memorable moments and send detailed reports to a veterinarian. Basically, the device uses information including weight, age, breed and location to provide rich, individualized insights about a pe by precisely tracking activity trends over time.

“Whistle was inspired by my love of dogs,” co-founder and chief executive Ben Jacobs told the AFP. “We’re introducing a window into their lives; creating a way for owners and veterinarians to take a preventative approach to our pets’ health.”

According to Dr. Jeff Werber, a veterinarian at the Century Group in Los Angeles, there has always been a gap between what he can see in his office and what’s really going on with a dog.

“The thing is, animals act very differently behind closed doors, when they are alone, than they do around people, especially their owners. Often, an owner will notice a dog is limping. But when he examines the animal at his office, it walks normally. All the adrenaline and the desire to show off overcome the injury,” Werber told The Verge.

“By the time most owners see the problem, it has gotten quite acute. Dogs are very good at hiding the signs from owners. If you can see a change in activity or sleep, it makes it possible to spot problems sooner, and get them treated with less expensive, more preventative measures.”

As previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, the industry is beginning to see more electronic
devices – like the Whistle – join the growing ranks of Internet of Things (IoT) by becoming smart and connected.

To be sure, it is currently estimated that there are nearly 10 billion devices in the world connected to the Internet, a figure that is expected to triple when it hits approximately 30 billion devices by 2020. Clearly, the Internet of Things represents the greatest potential growth market for semiconductors and the embedded space over the next several years.