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SummaryAn innovative new method to engineer computer chips more easily and cheaper than conventioanl methods have been developed by researchers who from the University of Exeter.This new technique to produce cutting-edge,versatile microchips could revolutionize the speed,efficiency and capability of the next-gen of computers.About the researchThe discovery could revolutionise the production of optoelectronic materials – or devices that produce, detect and control light – which are vital to the next generation of renewable energy, security and defence technologies, the researchers said.Dr Anna Baldycheva, from Exeter's Centre for Graphene Science and author of the paper said:"This breakthrough will hopefully lead to a revolution in the development of vital new materials for computer electronics. The work provides a solid platform for the development of novel next-generation optoelectronic devices. Additionally, the materials and methods used are extremely promising for a wide range of further potential applications beyond the current devices." This innovative new research focused on developing a versatile,multi-functional technology to significantly enhance future computing capabilities. The team used microfluidics technology, which uses a series of minuscule channels in order to control the flow and direction of tiny amounts of fluid. For this research, the fluid contains graphene oxide flakes,that are mixed together in the channels, to construct the chips.While the graphene oxide flakes are two-dimensional- consisting of length and width only- the research team used a new sophisticated light-based system to drive the assembly of the three-dimensional chip structures.Crucially, the research team have analysed their methodology to not only confirm the technique is successful, but also to provide a blueprint for others to use to help manufacture the chips. "We are very excited about the potential of this breakthrough and look forward to seeing where it can take the optoelectronics industry in the future." added by professor Monica Craciun, co-author of the paper and Associate Professor of Nanoscience at Exeter.  This article provide by University of Exeter,and the research is  published in the respected journal Scientific Reports.Article edited by kynix. 

SummaryRecently engineers discover the two-dimensional atomic sheets for memory storage when they were developing alternative ways to provide greater memory storage capacity on thiner computer chips. Most of us are curious about how engineers discover them?DiscoverA team of electrical engineers at The University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with Peking University scientists, has developed the thinnest memory storage device with dense memory capacity, paving the way for faster, smaller and smarter computer chips for everything from consumer electronics to big data to brain-inspired computing. Discussion"For a long time, the consensus was that it wasn't possible to make memory devices from materials that were only one atomic layer thick," said Deji Akinwande, associate professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "With our new 'atomristors,' we have shown it is indeed possible." Made from 2-D nanomaterials, the "atomristors"—a term Akinwande coined—improve upon memristors, an emerging memory storage technology with lower memory scalability. He and his team published their findings in the January issue of Nano Letters. "Atomristors will allow for the advancement of Moore's Law at the system level by enabling the 3-D integration of nanoscale memory with nanoscale transistors on the same chip for advanced computing systems," Akinwande said.Memory storage and transistors have, to date, always been separate components on a microchip, but atomristors combine both functions on a single, more efficient computer system. By using metallic atomic sheets (graphene) as electrodes and semiconducting atomic sheets (molybdenum sulfide) as the active layer, the entire memory cell is a sandwich about 1.5 nanometers thick, which makes it possible to densely pack atomristors layer by layer in a plane. This is a substantial advantage over conventional flash memory, which occupies far larger space. In addition, the thinness allows for faster and more efficient electric current flow.Given their size, capacity and integration flexibility, atomristors can be packed together to make advanced 3-D chips that are crucial to the successful development of brain-inspired computing. One of the greatest challenges in this burgeoning field of engineering is how to make a memory architecture with 3-D connections akin to those found in the human brain. "The sheer density of memory storage that can be made possible by layering these synthetic atomic sheets onto each other, coupled with integrated transistor design, means we can potentially make computers that learn and remember the same way our brains do," Akinwande said. The research team also discovered another unique application for the technology. In existing ubiquitous devices such as smartphones and tablets, radio frequency switches are used to connect incoming signals from the antenna to one of the many wireless communication bands in order for different parts of a device to communicate and cooperate with one another. This activity can significantly affect a smartphone's battery life. The atomristors are the smallest radio frequency memory switches to be demonstrated with no DC battery consumption, which can ultimately lead to longer battery life. All in all,this discovery has real commercialization value as it won't disrupt existing technologies. Rather, it has been designed to complement and integrate with the silicon chips already in use in modern tech devices.  

CCD image sensors still remain preferable in some specialised application.Today I would like to talk something about CMOS image sensor technology. As the development of image sensor,CMOS technology is widely used in most machine vision applications.What's excited,perhaps as the concepts behind industry 4.0 become adopted more broadly--the need for mre capable vision systems has grown sharply. This is a video of CCD vs CMOS sensors Catalog   Historical and modern CMOS Improve productivity, support high bandwidth   readout Inherent flexible available About the high resolution Design the right products Conclusion FAQ Machine vision systems use images to gather information on a system or process and to then make decisions based on the image captured.While such systems are dependent upon lighting and software,the camera-and the image sensor within it-is the key component in the overall operation of the system,as well as the ability to improve manufacturing quality and increase productivity.At a high-level,a typical machine vision application involves som combinaton of basic measurement,counting or inspection functions.Objects may be assessed to confirm the number of objects present,to determine the number and size of features or their quality level.So machine vision could be used to not only determine that the proper number of holes have been drilled into an item, but also to verify the spacing and shape of each hole. Similarly, the location of an object may be determined in order for it to be picked up by a robot arm or to determine whether a feature is in the correct place. Other functions include reading a barcode, performing character recognition or measuring the level of a fluid.So machine vision could be used to not only determine that the proper number of holes have been drilled into an item, but also to verify the spacing and shape of each hole. Similarly, the location of an object may be determined in order for it to be picked up by a robot arm or to determine whether a feature is in the correct place. Other functions include reading a barcode, performing character recognition or measuring the level of a fluid.   Historical and modern CMOS Historically, machine vision systems have required CCD image sensors because of their high image quality and performance.  Today, however, CMOS image sensors have jumped to the forefront for many machine vision applications. Advances in CMOS pixel design have made the imaging quality available from this platform sufficient for a variety of different end uses.Modern CMOS image sensor platforms, such as that used in ON Semiconductor’s PYTHON family, are based on a global shutter pixel design that enables the capture of moving objects without the introduction of motion artefacts. In-pixel correlated double sampling provides low readout noise, while on-chip fixed pattern noise correction helps preserve image quality. Combined with a 10bit A/D converter and a dynamic range of 60dB, these features allow machine vision systems to leverage the intrinsic advantages of a CMOS platform in their operation.   Improve productivity, support high bandwidth readout With many machine vision applications looking to operate at ever higher speeds in order to increase productivity, image sensors must support high bandwidth readout. The output architecture of the CMOS platform enables this as additional digital outputs can be added to increase the available bandwidth. For example, the use of up to 32 separate LVDS outputs enables high resolution PYTHON devices to realise bandwidths that exceed those of modern computer interfaces, including 10Gbit Ethernet or USB 3.1. The ability to output at up to 80frame/s from a 25Mpixel device is well beyond the capabilities of standard CCD designs. Inherent flexible available The inherent flexibility available in CMOS output designs allows the frame rate to be further increased when operating in Region of Interest (ROI) mode, where only a portion of the image sensor array is read out. With proper design considerations, the speed increase when operating in this manner can scale by both the x and y dimensions of the ROI, enabling faster frame rates than can be realised when using a more standard CMOS output design, which only scales the x dimension. Consider the frame rates from the PYTHON 5000 image sensor compared to theoretical frame rates from a similar 5Mpixel sensor using a standard CMOS output. At full resolution, both designs would provide approximately 100frame/s, but when reading out a 1280 x 720 pixel ROI, the the PYTHON device’s frame rate increases to almost 600frame/s, while the standard output design would increase to only 300frame/s. This can be an important differentiator.    About the high resolution While high resolution can provide finer detail, this must be balanced by making sure that too much information is not captured, which would slow data processing. In addition to having the right number of pixels, they need to be in the appropriate aspect ratio for the application. For example, an aspect ratios of 1:1 is often used in pick and place applications to maximise image capture across the full field of view. Different spectral sensitivities, such as colour, monochrome and extended near infrared (NIR), may also be required to optimise the imaging system for the application. In order to do this, a camera manufacturer will look for an integrated family of image sensor products that includes multiple resolution nodes and colour options to support a portfolio of products.The PYTHON family has more than 40 options, with resolutions ranging from VGA to more than 25Mpixel. These devices are available in multiple configurations, including monochrome, Bayer Color and extended NIR sensitivities. Selected devices are available in low-power configurations or with removable tape to protect the image sensor during the camera assembly process.   Design the right products Avent Silica offers a range of evaluation kits to help designers understand the performance available from the PYTHON family of image sensors.These kits include an image sensor,the appropriate sensor headboard,FPGA evaluation board and software and accessories.The Flexible design also allows the evaluation hardware to be use with other PYTHON devices by purchasing additional image sensors.After identifying the most appropriate image sensor, designers then need to consider the remainder of the camera design. Complementary products from ON Semiconductor include embedded boards, power and signal chain components that allow engineers to choose between modular solutions and the flexibility of a discrete design. If a machine vision system needs to be brought to market quickly, it may not be possible to build it from the ground up. For those applications, Avnet Silica products such as the PYTHON-1300-C camera module. Based on the PYTHON 1300 colour image sensor and featuring a 0.5in SXGA CMOS image sensor with a resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels, the module can be combined with Avnet Silica’s MicroZed Embedded Vision Carrier Card and the Smart Vision Development Kit to provide a complete hardware design, leaving the designer to only write the application software. Conclusion Because of the combination of image quality,bandwidth,image flexiblity and configuration flexiblity available from MOS image sensors has accelerated adoption of this technology in machine vision applications.What's celebrating,The imaging capabilities of such devices has ushered in a new level of performance and functionality for industrial imaging and CMOS sensor based imaging is now suitable for use in almost every type of design.   FAQ   1. How does a CMOS image sensor work? Unlike CCD sensors that use high-voltage analog circuits, CMOS sensors employ a smaller digital circuitry that uses less power, and are in principle free from smear (vertical white streak in the image taken under bright light) and blooming (corruption of images such as white spots).   2. Which sensor is better CCD or CMOS? CMOS sensors have thousands. This means that CMOS cameras can read out incredibly fast, even 100X faster than a comparable CCD. For long-exposure applications that is not so important, but it is especially important for video cameras.   3. Is CMOS a full frame sensor? "Full frame" is a description of sensor size, sort of... "CMOS" is a name for semiconductor technology used to make sensors. So, they are definitely different, and not comparable.   4.What is CMOS sensor type? A CMOS sensor is an electronic chip that converts photons to electrons for digital processing. CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensors are used to create images in digital cameras, digital video cameras and digital CCTV cameras.   5. What is the function of image sensor? An image sensor is a device that allows the camera to convert photons – that is, light – into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the device. The first digital cameras used charge-coupled devices, facilitating movement of the electrical charge through the device so it could be modulated.   6. What is difference between CCD and CMOS? The biggest difference is that CCD sensors create high quality images with low noise (grain). CMOS images tend to be higher in noise. CCD sensors are more sensitive to light. CMOS sensors need more light to create a low noise image at proper exposure.   7. What CCD means? Charged Coupled Device. Stands for "Charged Coupled Device." CCDs are sensors used in digital cameras and video cameras to record still and moving images. The CCD captures light and converts it to digital data that is recorded by the camera. For this reason, a CCD is often considered the digital version of film.     8. What is CCD and CMOS? CCD (charge coupled device) and CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensors are two different technologies for capturing images digitally. Each has unique strengths and weaknesses giving advantages in different applications.   9. Is CMOS sensor good? CMOS sensors traditionally have lower quality, lower resolution and lower sensitivity. CMOS sensors are just now improving to the point where they reach near parity with CCD devices in some applications. CMOS cameras are usually less expensive and have great battery life.   10. How does a CCD work? Fundamentally, a charge coupled device (CCD) is an integrated circuit etched onto a silicon surface forming light sensitive elements called pixels. Photons incident on this surface generate charge that can be read by electronics and turned into a digital copy of the light patterns falling on the device.  

SummaryAs the development of socialty,basically a family will own one car even in the development country. In the future over-the-air updates keep them constantly up to date,and thus also secure.  In the future, car owners will be able to enhance their car’s security, intelligence, and performance without getting up from the sofa. In the future, updating their car’s software will be as simple as updating apps on their smartphones today. A swipe of the smartphone will be enough to automatically update vehicle software or to download new functions directly from the cloud – without any need to visit the repair shop.    Situation AnalysisMore electronics, more functions, more software: the car is turning into a smartphone on wheels. Keeping vehicle software up to date is thus becoming increasingly important. New functions can provide extra convenience, even after the vehicle has been bought. Over-the-air software updates will therefore soon be a standard feature.Today’s vehicles feature as many as 100 control units. Even compact cars have between 30 and 50. Their software governs nearly every function in the vehicle. In addition, more and more vehicles are now connected – with the internet, other cars, and the infrastructure. This means a greater risk of weak links in vehicle software, as well as of manipulation. In this context, software updates over the cloud offer a solution that keeps cars constantly up to date, and thus also secure. In addition, the cloud updates mean that ever more functions can be added, with ever greater scope.If the necessary hardware is already installed, a new software function can be tried out and subsequently downloaded. In this way, lane-keeping or park-assist functions can be added, for example. And it is not just drivers that benefit from over-the-air software updates: in 2015, 15 percent of recalls in the automotive industry in the U.S. had to do with software errors. Four years previously, this figure was only 5 percent, according to a U.S. study based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). For automakers and their customers alike, such repair-shop visits are a huge waste of time and money, and online updates can significantly reduce this.  Over-the-air Software UpdateThe over-the-air software updates work priciple is secure,fast and simple. On the driver's smartphone or the car’s infotainment system, the online security updates are started and any new functions that need to be downloaded are selected. This information is sent to the cloud, which acts like a kind of app store, holding the updates in readiness and starting the process of downloading software to the vehicle. The data can either be downloaded in the background while the car is moving, or overnight when it is parked in its garage. As soon as the vehicle is in a secure condition (once it has parked, for example), the software updates are installed on the appropriate control units, where they are immediately activated. Security and the smooth interaction of automotive electronics, cloud, and software are decisive for an over-the-air update. Data security is ensured by the latest encryption technologies. A complex security architecture with end-to-end encryption protects the data transmission against unauthorized access. At the car-cloud interfaces, secure protocols and filters act like a firewall to ward off any hacking attempts. To ensure that an over-the-air update is not just secure, but also fast and reliable, fast update technologies such as delta and compression mechanisms are used. These accelerate the update process and reduce cost, since the data volume for the transmission remains low. One further security measure is to transmit the updates in sequences. If problems occur, the update process can be stopped and adjusted. Article resources: BoschArticle edited by kynix 

SummaryMemory is one of the most important part for electronics. Computers and Smartphones woludn't be nearly as useful without room for lots of apps,music and videos. Devices tend to store that  information in two ways: through electric fields (think of a flash drive) or through magnetic fields (like a computer’s spinning hard disk). Each method has advantages and disadvantages. However, in the future, our electronics could benefit from the best of each. There are some questions put by Chang-Beom Eom, the Theodore H. Geballe Professor and Harvey D. Spangler Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Can you cross-couple these two different ways to store information? Could we use an electric field to change the magnetic properties? Then you can have a low-power, multifunctional device. We call this a ‘magnetoelectric’ device.” In research published recently in the journal Nature Communications, Eom and his collaborators describe not only their unique process for making a high-quality magnetoelectric material, but exactly how and why it works. Physics graduate student Julian Irwin checks equipment in the lab of materials science and engineering Professor Chang-Beom Eom, where researchers have produced a material that could exhibit the best qualities of both solid-state and spinning disk digital storage. Magnetoeletric materialsMagnetoelectric materials,which have both magnetic and electrical functionalities,or "orders" already exist. Switching one functionality induces a change in the other.“It’s called cross-coupling,” says Eom. “Yet, how they cross-couple is not clearly understood.” Gaining that understanding, he says, requires studying how the magnetic properties change when an electric field is applied. Up to now, this has been difficult due to the complicated structure of most magnetoelectric materials. In the past,people studied magnetoelectric properties using very "complex" materials,or those that lack uniformity.In his approach,Eom simplified not only the research but the material itself. Drawing on Eom's expertise in material growth,he developed a unique process,using atomic "steps" to guide the growth of a homogenous,single-crystal thin film of bismuth ferrite. Atop that, he added cobalt, which is magnetic; on the bottom, he placed an electrode made of strontium ruthenate.  Bismuth Ferrite MaterialThe bismuth ferrite material was important because it made it much easier for Eom to study the fundamental magnetoelectric cross-coupling. Eom found that in their work,because of their single domain,they could actually see what was going on using multiple probing, or imaging, techniques.The mechanism is intrinsic. It’s reproducible — and that means you can make a device without any degradation, in a predictable way. To image the changing  electric and magnetic properties switching in real time, Eom and his colleagues used the powerful synchrotron light sources at Argonne National Laboratory outside Chicago, and in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. “When you switch it, the electrical field switches the electric polarization. If it’s ‘downward,’ it switches ‘upward,'” he says. “The coupling to the magnetic layer then changes its properties: a magnetoelectric storage device.” That change in direction enables researchers to take the next steps needed to add programmable integrated circuits — the building blocks that are the foundation of our electronics — to the material. While the homogenous material enabled Eom to answer important scientific questions about how magnetoelectric cross-coupling happens, it also could enable manufacturers to improve their electronics.Eom saied they can design a much more effective,efficient and low-power device now. 

SummaryWe know that empty batteries are easy to recognize.However,it is much more complicated to know the charge status between full and empty.A complete new approach with ultrasound pluses offers a precise and simple method. Batteries are used in many "mobile" technologies,and that is why it is the snag in "mobile" technologies. Like smartphones,drones,or electric cars-in many cases he time between battery charges is much too short for many people. This is why it is important to determine the exact state of charge. But this is more complicated than you would imagine. Currently, battery management systems (BMS) carry out the necessary measurements. They calculate the state of charge for each cell based on the parameters current and voltage.  However, since the calculations are partly based on standard values, they reflect the current state only approximately. In particular, this is very inaccurate in case of frequent partial charges. The battery management systems also consume some of the energy that was actually to be used for the next song or mile. About the aboving picture:Sensors with 1 cm and 2 cm diameter to measure the state of charge of the battery Battery Management with UltrasoudIn the future this will be more reliable, more energy saving and cheaper with sensor systems that are being developed in the SoCUS project at the Fraunhofer ISC. They measure the density of the negative anode with the help of ultrasound pulses. This changes as the state of charge of the cell changes.The method has several advantages: there is a direct linear connection between the state of charge and the measurement signal. This makes the evaluation simpler and more precise than with the technologies currently in use.The new battery sensors can be easily integrated into existing systems.One evaluation unit can monitor several battery cells simultaneously and measures the state of charge only during charging and discharging. The fact that this system does not check the charge continuously saves energy and, consequently, costs.Since the ultrasound signal correlates directly with the mechanical properties of the cell, all aging processes are taken into account better. This allows more accurate statements to be made about the current remaining capacity and, hence, the performance.  About the above picture: Principle of the state-of-charge estimation by ultrasonic pulsed excitations: A RCN-pulse transmitted through the cell gives rise to two wave packets (wave I and II), where the slower (wave II) ones' amplitude shows a linear relationship on the state-of-charge. For optimized signal strength of-the-shelf piezo transducers are attached centered on opposite sides of commercial pouch-type cells. Battery Management with All TypesThe new measuring method is suitable for almost all types of battery. However, to date only lithium ion batteries have been tested. In particular, electric vehicles should benefit from reliable recording of the battery charge status. After all, the distance covered between charges is the key factor for further development. But reliable monitoring of the state of charge is also important for drones that monitor industrial plants and wind parks or that manage agricultural land. The ultrasound method could be especially profitable for stationary storage systems with a large number of connected battery cells. A sensor that works only when required and records the state of charge of several cells simultaneously can save energy and also costs. In this application, flame retardant battery types are often used where the state of charge cannot be determined accurately with current methods. The new method could extend existing measurement methods of battery management systems in the future, especially also in electric mobility with a reliable, energy-saving, inexpensive variant.