US chip ban most punitive move yet against China

When Nancy Pelosi traveled to Taiwan in August, it made front-page news around the world and raised the specter of all-out war between the US and China. Early in October, the Biden administration made a far more decisive move against China – but it barely made the news in Australia. Biden decided to unequivocally sever China’s access to high-end computer chips, also known as semiconductors.

Source: US chip ban most punitive move yet against China – Asia Times

U.S. Chip Sanctions ‘Put Temporary Checkmate on China’ 

Based on the Cold War-era Wassenaar Arrangement, including more than 40 nations, the latest U.S. regulations ban exports of Nvidia and AMD GPUs destined for supercomputers in China, as well as sales of chipmaking tools and design software. Brett Simpson (Source: Arete Research) For now, the U.S. export rules have probably stymied the advancement of China’s chip industry, Brett Simpson, senior analyst at Arete Research, told EE Times.

Source: U.S. Chip Sanctions ‘Put Temporary Checkmate on China’ – EE Times

Intel Ignite taps Boston to launch first U.S startup accelerator next month

After graduating close to 100 deep-tech startups from its outposts in Israel and Germany, Intel Corp. is bringing its 12-week accelerator program Intel Ignite to Kendall Square. Tzahi Weisfeld, the Tel Aviv-based general manager of Intel Ignite, said that the ten startups who’ll be in the first Boston batch will be announced in the coming days. Serial entrepreneur Mark Castleman will be managing the hybrid program, slated to start in November.

Source: Intel Ignite taps Boston to launch first U.S startup accelerator next month – Boston Business Journal

The Resurgence of U.S. Semiconductor Fabs 

Leading-edge semiconductor fabs haven’t been built in the U.S. for a while but that’s about to change. Let’s look at how and where those changes will take place. It is certainly worth reviewing such information because these fabs will be driving the matching advanced packaging that will also be installed on shore. If there is anything that IFTLE is sure about it is that the US government now understands that it does us no good to manufacture 5nm chips in the US if we then have to ship them to Asia to get them packaged.

Source: IFTLE 535: The Resurgence of U.S. Semiconductor Fabs – 3D InCites

Examining What’s Behind SiC Market Growth 

Silicon carbide is more than a niche technology, and recent investments by manufacturers across the globe showcase the importance of this emerging semiconductor. With the enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act, a significant portion of funds is dedicated to increase manufacturing for emerging semiconductor technology, including SiC. With this recent boom in utilization, where is SiC heading in the years to come?

Source: Examining What’s Behind SiC Market Growth – EE Times

Demand for Semiconductors Drives Double Digit Sales Growth 

Growing consumer demand for electronics, the surge in the adoption of high-end tech devices and affordable pricing on electronics are all driving a growth in the semiconductor market. Even while the sector continues to grapple with worldwide shortages, it’s posting double-digit sales growth. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), worldwide sales of semiconductors totaled $152.5 billion during the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 13.3% over the second quarter of 2021 and 0.5% more than the first quarter of 2022. The organization says global sales for the month of June 2022 were $50.8 billion, a decrease of 1.9% compared to the previous month.

Source: Demand for Semiconductors Drives Double Digit Sales Growth | Source Today

The Future Is Bright for LED and General Lighting Technology 

The lighting industry has been evolving at a rapid pace over the last several years, largely due to significant improvements in LED technology, which has positioned it as the go-to technology for traditional lighting fixtures. The growth of global LED usage has been phenomenal, projected to reach 87 percent of all light sources used in 2030, up from less than half in 2019.By virtue of their durability, energy efficiency, versatility and environmentally friendly nature, LEDs are understandably in high demand and have become one of the most ubiquitous electronic components on the market today. With significant advances in LED technology on packages, features, improved efficiencies and manufacturing costs, they have easily surpassed traditional incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) in popularity. As a result, LEDs are expected to change the dynamics of lighting in every sector, including industrial, retail, residential, healthcare and automotive. Certain technology trends are emerging that will create a host of new opportunities in the general LED lighting market.

Source: The Future Is Bright for LED and General Lighting Technology | TTI, Inc.

U.S. officials order Nvidia to halt sales of top AI chips to China 

Sept 1 (Reuters) – Chip designer Nvidia Corp (NVDA.O) said on Wednesday that U.S. officials told it to stop exporting two top computing chips for artificial intelligence work to China, a move that could cripple Chinese firms’ ability to carry out advanced work like image recognition and hamper Nvidia’s business in the country.

Source: U.S. officials order Nvidia to halt sales of top AI chips to China | Reuters

Chip Prices: No Relief in Sight

Chip supplies are loosening up, according to analysts, which in normal times would also ease pricing. But the electronics supply chain is still far from normal.

Prices continue to increase in certain sectors of the semiconductor market. Intel is the latest chip maker to announce a price hike – some estimates are as high as 20 percent. More than a half dozen major chip suppliers have increased prices within the past year.

Microprocessor supplies will remain under pressure for some time, according to industry sources. “There’s such a broad range of component classes that any given class may be in over supply or under supply,” said Paul Romano, COO for global distributor Fusion Worldwide. “The market is still in a significant state of imbalance. There are still supply issues in the automotive, industrial and automation sectors.”

Source: Chip Prices: No Relief in Sight

How to spot counterfeit electronic components

Counterfeits electronic components are Electronic components that are misleading as to the origin or quality relating to the parts. It is possible to counterfeit a certain electronic component and potentially infringe one’s trademark license rights. 

Counterfeit parts often have inferior specifications and quality. They may be a hazard in a critical system such as an aircraft navigation and life support equipment or space vehicle. The sale in consumer markets of electronic components making it easier for counterfeiters to integrate inferior and counterfeit goods into the market. 

Source: How to spot counterfeit electronic components | Latest Articles, Top Articles News

Rochester Electronics Finalizes Purchase of Hentec/RPS Odyssey 1325 Lead Tinning System

Odyssey 1325 provides high reliability BGA alloy exchange and component re-finishing capabilities.

Hentec Industries/RPS Automation is pleased to announce that Rochester Electronics has finalized the purchase of a Hentec/RPS Odyssey 1325 robotic hot solder dip component lead tinning machine. The Odyssey 1325 is a MIL spec complaint high-volume, high-mix component lead tinning machine equipped with auto load/unload functionality and is capable of processing dual solder alloys. Designed to tin component leads for re- conditioning, gold removal and re-tinning applications, including high reliability and military applications including DIP, SIP, QFP, BGA, axial and radial components as well as BGA de-balling. The Odyssey 1325 complies with all applicable GEIA-STD-006, MIL-PRF-38535, MIL-PRF- 38524E and ANSI-J-STD-002 standards.

Source: Rochester Electronics Finalizes Purchase of Hentec/RPS Odyssey 1325 Lead Tinning System – Electronics Manufacturing News

Chip sales to slow further on global recession concerns 

Chip sales are set to cool more than previously expected as the global economy struggles under the weight of rapid interest rate increases and rising geopolitical risks, fueling fears of a recession. World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), a non-profit body that tracks shipments, lowered its market outlook to 13.9 percent growth this year from 16.3 percent. For next year, it sees chip sales rising just 4.6 percent, the weakest pace since 2019.

Source: Chip sales to slow further on global recession concerns – Taipei Times