Cover Story
SiC Waking Up
Next-Generation Power Semiconductors Are Finally Here
SiC Will Be Used in Everything from Cars to Photovoltaic Cells Within Several Years
Part 1: Industry Trends
SiC Finally Reaching Commercial Stage: Low-Price Scenario Emerging
Affordability is coming to SiC devices, which can significantly reduce the power loss of a wide range of devices, from hybrid vehicles and photovoltaic power generation systems, to industrial equipment and white goods. Up to now, SiC devices have been too expensive for most applications but this situation is changing. The prices of SiC diodes are falling and SiC transistors are becoming commercially viable.At the same time, there are rumors that the current materials are approaching their limits in terms of improving their properties.
Part 2: Technical Trends
MOSFETs to Emerge in 2009, with Rapid Improvements Occurring in Peripheral Technologies
To satisfy the needs of end manufacturers asking for SiC devices, R&D activities are being accelerated to improve the characteristics of SiC devices and substrates as well as to reduce cost.For diodes, the goal is to expand applications by increasing the current output to 100A or larger, while for transistors, the goal is early mass production.Mass production for MOSFETs, eagerly awaited byend manufacturers, may at long last begin in 2009. The pace of development is also accelerating in peripheral technologies, which will help SiC devices achieve their full potential.For example, packages that can withstand high temperatures of around 200°C, new chip bonding technologies, and capacitors are beginning to emerge.
Special Feature
Will Li-Ion Capacitors Eradicate Electric Double-Layer Capacitors?
The level of activity is picking up toward the commercialization of Li-ion capacitors, which have large capacitance. A Li-ion capacitor, which can be considered a hybrid between a lithium-ion rechargeable battery and an electric double-layer capacitor, offers higher performance than electric double-layer capacitors. Some manufacturers have already announced plans for mass production, and the market may begin ramping up around 2011. As expectations rise for Li-ion capacitors, this article looks into their actual performance and potential.
One-Seg Tuner LSI/Module: Spreading from Cellphones to All Types of Mobile Devices
One-Seg is a mobile terrestrial digital broadcasting service in Japan. It has become a standard feature in mobile phones, and is spreading to other types of mobile devices as well. In response to the popularity of One-Segcompatible devices, companies have been introducing new products--LSI receivers and modules--one after another. All of these products satisfy device manufacturers' requirements for compact size and low power consumption, etc.While these products are currently being installed as modules, an increasing number of LSIs will be directly mounted on the main printed circuit board in the future.
Guest Paper
Intel's New Media Processor Targets Home Appliance Market with Internet Compatibility
Intel Corporation has developed an SoC product called "Intel Media Processor CE 3100" (code named "Canmore") targeted at networked home appliance applications such as digital TVs, STBs, optical disk players, and HDD recorders. The new product integrates dedicated processors such as a full-HD video playback decoder and an encryption processor, along with a general-purpose processor, into a single chip. It is noteworthy that the general-purpose processor uses a core based on the same instruction set architecture used in personal computers. Intel is also offering a framework for utilizing Internet content from networked home appliances, a development tool optimized to home appliances, and a middleware suite.
Documentary
Feed Your Engineers Well!
New Challenge: Development of the Internet Terminal “Chumby” (Part 1)
Tutorial
What is a Metamaterial? (Part 1)
Because they enable product designers to implement features previously impossible with conventional materials, metamaterials have been gaining a high level of attention, especially among engineers who design high-frequency RF circuits for ultra-compact antennas for microwaves. In this series of articles, we ask Associate Professor Sanada of YamaguchiUniversity to provide a basic tutorial on metamaterials and explain their characteristics and application potentials.
Device Development Being Accelerated by Electromagnetic-Environment Reproduction System (Final)
In the previous article, we explained the effects of phasing and multipath signals sent over a long span on devices such as GPS receivers. This article explains the configuration of a recording/playback system for radio frequency (RF) signals. Referencing experimental results, this article describes the key points in designing a system to accurately record radio signals.
Academy
Session 11: Significance of Using Realtime OS
Keyword
Photomask
Key Person
Novaled AG, CEO Gildas Sorin: Revolution in Illumination Begins
NE Interview
Intel Corp., Intel Fellow, UMG Chief Platform Architect Shreekant Thakkar: Future Computers Will Be More Widely Used than Present Day Personal Computers
World Seport
From China: Low-Priced Genuine Products to Expand in the Chinese Car Navigation System Market by 2012
News
- What’s inside the Nintendo DSi?
- Impact of the Financial Crisis on Electronics Makers
