Making designer chips on a desktop setup; do-it-yourself chips save a lot of time, and can feed the factory, too

Article Abstract:

Engineers are saving time by making do-it-yourself chips known as field programmable logic devices on computer workstations instead of waiting for chips to come back from a factory. Engineers design the chip on workstations using design software. They then can insert the blank chip into a small box connected to the workstation that programs the circuit in minutes. Field programmable chips are the top product in the semiconductor industry and competition is increasing with more companies, including Japan-based firms, getting into production. Companies needing to produce large amounts of chips will still find it cheaper to use application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) from a factory. Some firms find that the best solution is to use field programmable logic devices for prototypes and then use ASICs from a factory for the final product.

Semiconductor industry, Integrated circuits, Product information, Design and construction, Application-specific integrated circuits, Application specific integrated circuits, Workstations (Computers), Gate arrays, Workstations, Competition, Application-Specific Integrated Circuit, Programmable array logic, PALs (Logic devices)

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Japanese consortium backs Motorola on satellite phones

Article Abstract:

DDI Corp, a long-distance telephone company in Japan, is forming a consortium to invest in Motorola's $3.4 billion Iridium global satellite-based telephone service. The consortium, named Nippon Iridium, includes Sony Corp, the Kyocera Corp and the Mitsubishi Corp; it intends to put up about 15 percent of the Iridium's total cost. The Iridium project will allow users to communicate with anyone anywhere using pocket-size wireless phones that will transmit through 66 small satellites circling the earth. Motorola has been seeking investors for the project but has yet to disclose the names of 21 investors that will put in more than $800 million in initial financing.

Radio & TV communications equipment, Product development, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Wireless LANs, Investments, Sony Corp., Motorola Inc., MOT, Communications satellites, Kyocera Corp., KYO, Telephone systems, Dynamic Details Inc., Consortia, Telephone System, Consortium, Wireless Network

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