Both Xilinx and Intel are prioritizing the data center, which is driving programmable logic R&D towards high-performance sockets. In some cases, these trends are influencing the evolution of applications in the embedded electronics sector as well. But there are countless applications for which power consumption and heat dissipation are just as, if not more, important than performance. These use cases are often found at the edge and encompass everything from sensor hubs to display controllers to image processing and AI inferencing platforms.

Microchip Technology announced the expansion of its Gallium Nitride (GaN) Radio Frequency (RF) power device portfolio with new MMICs and discrete transistors that cover frequencies up to 20 gigahertz (GHz).

Microchip Technology announced the second development tool offering in its Smart Embedded Vision initiative for designers using its PolarFire RISC-V System on Chip (SoC) Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

Infrastructure communication networks – 5G mobile, utilities, cable, transportation, defense and data centers – acquire and maintain signals for precise timing from Global Positioning System (GPS) or other worldwide satellite constellations. These networks require redundant backup systems when Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are unavailable.

Networked and connected home appliances enable both users and manufacturers to communicate with them via the internet. For example, the user of a kitchen oven might look up a new recipe online or a manufacturer might perform remote diagnostics or over-the-air firmware updates. Displays and touch sensors are essential for enabling this functionality in modern appliances.

Microchip Technology announced the release of a high-precision voltage reference (Vref) IC that is designed for automotive and industrial applications that require low drift, high reliability, and high performance.

Bandwidth growth, driven by the expansion of data centers and 5G network build-outs, is expected to drive the need for faster coherent Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) pluggable optics. Consequently, Data Center Interconnect (DCI) and metro Optical Transport Network (OTN) platforms are transitioning from 100/200G to 400G pluggable coherent optical modules to support these hyper-connected architectures.