December 31, 2007

News      p. 7

Detailed Evaluation of the Panel of Sony’s Organic EL TV

Seoul Semiconductor Sues Nichia for Infringement of GaN Semiconductor Laser Patents

Murata Manufacturing Develops an RFID IC Chip with no Need to Connect to an External Antenna

A 2D Communications Media which Dynamically Changes Communications Channels Is Developed

Key Person

VIS Research Institute, Mitsuhiko Natsume: Master ‘Emotion’   p. 39

Keyword

450mm Wafer      p. 41

NE Interview

Matsushita Electric Industrial, Executive Vice President, Susumu Koike and Sony, Executive Deputy President, Yutaka Nakagawa: Do Maker Need to have Semiconductor Manufacturing Capability?   p. 43

Do consumer electronics manufacturers really need their own advanced logic LSI manufacturing technologies and plants?  We asked Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and Sony Corp. individually to offer their thoughts on the matter.  Sony was clear about its position, stating that such capabilities were not necessary.  In February 2007, Sony issued a new policy to drastically reduce investments in semiconductor manufacturing.  In October, the company announced it was selling its plant in Nagasaki, where the Cell microprocessor is produced, to Toshiba Corp.  Sony is ceasing development of 32nm manufacturing technology and will outsource manufacturing of advanced logic LSI to silicon foundries.  Matsushita, on the other hand, is espousing the reverse.  In June 2007, the company became the first in the world to commence manufacturing of logic LSI using 45nm processes, based on its UniPhier platform.  Matsushita intends to continue boldly down the path of miniaturization.

              Several years back, these two companies were heading in the exact same direction.  They sought to manufacture leading-edge logic LSI themselves in order to maximize the added value of the end product.  Profits from electronic device sales would compensate for the risks involved with semiconductor manufacturing, which requires massive prior investment in development and facilities.  At the time, the strategy was viewed as one of which only Matsushita or Sony, by possessing both semiconductor and electronics divisions, were capable.  Sony’s change of heart stunned the entire Japanese semiconductor industry and sparked immediate interest in the argument for not possessing manufacturing capabilities.  Many point out that to be able to manufacture logic LSI you must possess capabilities rivaling that of the major silicon foundries.  So, is semiconductor manufacturing necessary or not?  We posed the question to Matsushita and Sony once more.

Cover Story

Cool Software Development            p. 49

The personnel shortage in the embedded software field is worsening.  What should be done to improve the industry’s reputation, known as labor intensive and ridiculed as being dirty, dangerous and difficult (“3K” in Japanese—kitsui, kitanai, kiken)?  Redefining the dream of becoming an engineer will make the task easier.

Redefining the Dream of Becoming an Engineer        p. 52

Fostering “architects” to convey design concepts

Software architecture requires “functional beauty.”  It used to be the case that you could call yourself an embedded software engineer if you understood C language and knew your way around a microcomputer.  But those days are gone.  To come out on top in today’s global market, the industry needs to foster “architects”—software engineers who possess the same degree of expertise as doctors or lawyers.  Ways need to be found to express the beauty of software architecture in order to convey to society the brilliance of these “architects” so that people begin to look up to them.

The Engineer       p. 63

How the best architects became the best

Interviews with Shigeo Kato (Denso Corp.), Taro Kurita (FeliCa Networks, Inc.) and Hiroshi Ota (Microsoft Co., Ltd., Japan; formerly Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.)

Embedded Technology at a Glance              p. 76

Community Education                     p. 78

Yesterday it was microcomputers, today it’s robots—giving engineers a go at whole systems

Technology is more sophisticated and more complicated than it used to be, and there are fewer opportunities whereby you get to design a product from scratch.  Companies facing up to the reality of development environments need to provide engineers, both within the company and society at large, with the opportunity for a simulated development experience.  Robots are being used as an educational tool in such training.  Just like in the days when people interested in microcomputers and personal computers used to flock to become engineers, robots are beginning to attract attention as a means of educating engineers about systems as a whole.

Data       p. 86

Software engineer awareness survey

What motivates embedded software engineers?  As they are forced to undertake larger and more complicated projects, we asked about the rewards of software development and their awareness of human resource development issues.

Special Feature

Dissecting the “All-in-one Mobile Phone”     p. 99

1seg, international roaming, high-speed data transmission, organic electroluminescent (EL) monitor, GPS—when mobile phone companies released their Autumn/Winter lineups, they included a range of models featuring a complete set of functions.  Taking a peek inside a handset from each of the companies, we gain a clear picture of the different design concepts.

Automobiles Will Advance through “Multifaceted Eyes”           p. 109

Four cameras allowing a 360-degree view around the vehicle; two cameras that measure the distance to an obstacle or pedestrian, and control brake and accelerator—successive new vehicles are employing multiple cameras, enabling certain functions to be included.  This development has been triggered by the emergence of low-cost automotive cameras and high-performing automotive LSI.  These ongoing trends will provide an additional boost to the evolution of “multifaceted eyes” vehicles.

Documentary

A Patent Battle on Enemy Territory (Part 4): University Colleagues Confront Each Other    p. 119

Academy 2

Part 3: Creating a Requirement Definition (Later Part)              p. 123

Tutorial

Introduction to CMOS RF Circuitry Design (Part 1): Seeing the Path to CMOS RF Circuitry from the History   p. 188

Developments in CMOS circuit design and process technology have led to a notable increase in the application of CMOS technology within the field of radio frequencies, for example in wireless circuits.  This area is generally referred to as “CMOS RF” or “RF CMOS.”  In this series, Professor Tsuneo Tsukahara of the University of Aizu explains the basics of RF CMOS circuit design.

How to Create a Strong Patent (Part 3): Consider Conventionally Known Technology       p. 195

The third installment in this series introduces methods for gathering information and analyzing technologies conventionally known, which should be done prior to inventing or developing new technologies.  Technologies conventionally known should be researched effectively within well-defined limits as opposed to carrying out a comprehensive study.  The ability to efficiently generate strong patents all depends on whether you’ve done your homework.

World Report

From China: Many Domestic MP3 Players Out and the Market Will Shrink           p. 205

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