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Copyright(c)2007 Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All editorial content and graphics on this Web site may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the copyright owner. |
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Nikkei Electronics |
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November 5, 2007News p. 7 Intel’s Entry into the Millimeter Wave Field Puts Device Manufacturers in a Quandary Reports From FPD International IBM’s Low-cost Magnetic Memory Pursues Re-configuration for Ease of Production An Amendment to the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law to Regulate Li-ion Batteries Why Sony Computer Entertainment Removed PS2 Compatibility from PS3 NE Interview Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Assistant Professor of Physics, Marin Soljacic: “New Technologies Are Created by the Needs of the Times” p. 40 Key Person Synaptics Inc., Yoshihiro Maeda: “Because I Don’t Understand It, It’s Interesting” p. 45 Keyword Spectrum Auction p. 47 Cover Story Harnessing Extremely Low-cost DRAM p. 49 DRAM prices have plunged to between one third and one fifth the price they were a year ago. What effect will the price tumble have on electronic devices development? How should dirt-cheap DRAM be put to use? Price Projections p. 52 Sub-dollar 512Mbit PC DRAM is expected in the first half 2008 Prices of general-purpose DRAM have plummeted to between one third and one fifth the price they were a year ago. The pace of the sharp decline during 2007 is likely to continue through to the end of the current excess supply situation in the first half of 2008. Large-lot prices of 512Mbit DRAM are expected to drop below the one-dollar mark around the second quarter. That would force some manufacturers out of the DRAM business and a temporary halt to the decline in DRAM prices. There is a possibility, however, that prices will take another dive from late 2009 and into 2010. Technological Outlook p. 59 Miniaturization and cell layout will cut costs by 30% annually DRAM manufacturers are set to reduce costs by 30% each year until 2011. To do that they will persist with miniaturization efforts as well as make fundamental alterations to memory cell layout. Most conventional DRAM products use a cell with an area of 8F2 (where F is the minimum feature size). The transition to cells with an area of 6F2 will move into full swing from 2007 to 2008. By 2011, 4F2 cells will be used. In terms of miniaturization in manufacturing, dimensions will continue to shrink little by little, by 7-13% annually. 3D structures for cell transistors will be employed to suppress off-state current, which tends to rise as size decreases. Special Feature Automobile and Electric Component Manufacturers’ Approach to the Chinese Market p. 87 The Chinese automobile market is now the world’s second largest, with annual sales exceeding seven million vehicles. Japanese and European automobile and electric component manufacturers have embarked on various measures that will help them survive competition in the burgeoning Chinese market. We explore the latest initiatives of the major players as viewed through two automotive electronics conferences, the 14th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, which was held in Transceiver LSIs for ZigBee: Starting with Remote Controls, Adoption Is Increasing p. 97 Short-range wireless communication specification ZigBee is being employed in a growing number of remote control products due to its low power consumption appeal. The standard is also likely to spread to various applications using mesh networks. A stream of ZigBee-compliant transceiver LSIs are emerging. Some LSIs boast power consumption of less than 20mA during transmission and receiving. Guest Paper Developing a Large Screen “Sheet-shaped PDP” by Aligning Tubes p. 103 Shinoda Plasma Corp. will commence mass production and shipments of new displays using plasma tube arrays (PTA) in the second half of 2008. These displays use the same principles of light emission as conventional plasma display panels (PDP), though they employ film substrates, making them lighter, thinner and more flexible than conventional PDPs that employ glass substrates. Another feature is their ability to be seamlessly joined to create larger displays. An engineer in charge of the development explains the essentials of PTA (or in other words “PDP sheet”) technology and related production technology. Documentary Confessions of a Veteran Engineer (Final): “No Matter What Happens, Don’t Forget to Study” p. 111 Academy 2 Part 1:Understanding Model-based Development—Run a Model on the Microcomputer Kit p. 115 Tutorial How to Create a Strong Patent (Part 1): The First Step Is a Shakeup of the Application Method p. 174 This is the first installment in a series exploring ways to generate strong patents that will have their value recognized during patent disputes. Patent application methods are one reason why Japanese firms find it difficult to acquire strong patents. Establishing rights to future technological concepts thought up by engineers is an effective way to generate patents of value. Introduction to Two-wheeled inverted-pendulum vehicles, considered a cross between a car and a robot, are bundles of power electronics and control technologies. Control technology used to keep the vehicle in static standing position is especially important. In this installment we explain related control theory and introduce prototype case examples making use of a commercially-available kit. World Report From
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