Cover Story
The Blue-Violet Laser Market Will Be 100 Million Units in 2010
The question is whether next-generation DVD devices can achieve the magic price of 40 US dollars. What would allow the price of core parts and blue-violet semiconductor lasers to be cut by 90%? We look at the conditions required if the next-generation DVD is to become the main contender of the optical disk.
Now is the chance
Trends in standard features of next-generation DVDs—prospect of a 100-million unit-a-year market
Competing in technology
From the optical head to the substrate —bold measures aimed at low price and high speed
Report from a laser developer
210mW output and useful life of 10,000 hours by reducing cracks in crystal
Special Feature
No Time to Waste for Embedded Device Security
Household electrical appliances the next target. Malware, unauthorized access, and other phenomena which have so far been a threat mainly to computers and server devices now seem set to cause serious problems for digital household electrical appliances and other embedded devices. An attack risks causing a whole range of problems, such as appliance misfunction or leak of personal data, which could result in major damage to appliance manufacturers. To prevent this negative scenario becoming a reality,appliance manufacturers need to set to work right away on serious measures to improve security.
Special Feature
Very Small Pump without Moving Parts Brings a Fresh Wind for Cooling Systems
Pumps can be found left, right and center in both commercial and development electronic devices and function to circulate coolants and transport other liquids. Typical examples include fuel cells that contain liquid fuels such as methanol, and water-cooled systems. However, regular pumps require moving parts to transport the liquid, which tends to increase overall size. Moreover, breakdowns are not uncommon, and noise is also an issue. Research and development of pumps without moving parts aims to overcome these issues.
Documentary
Bonanza: The Computer Program Based on 400 Years of Shogi Wisdom
The HDMI interface capable of transmitting image and sound through a single cable is already an indispensable feature on audio-visual appliances. Numerous transmitter/receiver LSIs supporting the latest specification HDMI 1.3, which was released in June 2006, are now available. From HDTV televisions to camcorders, HDMI 1.3 compatibility looks set to proceed apace.
Keyword
Consumer Product Safety Law
Key Person
Making an Engineer’s Paradise: Techwell Japan’s President, Shigemitsu Yamaoka
NE Interview
IBM Corp., IBM Venture Capital Group, Managing Director, Claudia Fan Munce: “The Goal of Venture Investment Is Raising Partners”
IBM Corp. has made an impressive recovery from its crisis of the 1990s. The secret lay in its break with dependence on proprietary technology. The IBM of today, at the same time as having a powerful research and development department, has transformed itself into a company that does not hesitate to incorporate technology developed by startup businesses. Japanese businesses too could do with a few lessons on the assessment methods that would allow them to flexibly combine use of in-house and external technologies and on methods for discovering promising new technology. IBM’s Venture Capital Group is in charge of discovering and investing in venture businesses in possession of new technology, where it also adopts a somewhat different strategy to other companies.
Academy
Tutorials of Embedded System (Part 8): Realtime OS (Part 3)
Tutorial
A-D Converters: The Development Trends Show Miniaturization and Low Voltage
The miniaturization of the CMOS process is also affecting analog circuits in a variety of ways. International conferences related to circuit technology have seen a succession of presentations regarding A-D converters that can operate at lower supply voltage, at higher speed, and so on. We hear from an analog circuit specialist about the latest achievements and trends.
Tutorial
Parts for Reducing Energy Consumption in Wireless Circuits: Polar Modulation Technology (Part 3)
Polar modulation is a technology through which signals are amplitude-modulated while the power amplifier is saturated. As there is no need for a high-linearity power amp, the method can be counted on to lower power consumption. In the last installment in the series, we focus on technology related to polar modulation, issues for the future, and other aspects.
Tutorial
An Intellectual Property Course (Part 3): Utilizing Patents Generates Profits
In this tutorial, we explain the intellectual property basics for engineers by solving problems at the level of an intellectual property exam (level 2) run by a private sector organization. In the third tutorial, we look at patent exploitation. Engineers need to learn not only about the decisions they need to make when concluding licensing contracts, but also about the appropriate usage in the event of being charged with patent infringement by another company.
Watcher / Samsung
Competitive Power Is Seen to Come from Parts Selection and Packaging
News
- Intel Corp.’s Expectations and Risk in Building a Fab in China
- Sony Chemical’s Optical Plastic with Improved LCD Visibility and Impact Resistance
- SK Corp. Develops a Li-Polymer Rechargeable Battery for Hybrid Cars
- Murata Manufacturing’s Band Pass Filter Using Boundary Acoustic Waves
