Scalability, Modularity, Flexibility with QMCs and VITA 93

My podcast guest this week is Jan Zimmerman from TEWS Technologies. Jan and I are talking all about VITA 93 – a new QMC mezzanine card standard and why scalability, modularity and flexibility are central elements of this new standard. Jan and I also discuss the unique I/O capabilities of QMCs and how TEW Technologies is furthering innovation in this arena. 

 

Read More → "Scalability, Modularity, Flexibility with QMCs and VITA 93"

WTW (“What the What”)? Another 100 Mindboggling Columns!

“Good grief, Charlie Brown!” I just exclaimed upon realizing that I’ve hit another 100-column milestone (including this one) here on EE Journal. That makes 400 columns since I joined the community.

As my columns average around 1,500 words apiece, that’s a whopping 600,000 words—each one handpicked at the crack of dawn whilst still glistening with the morning dew, fresh, fragrant, and … Read More → "WTW (“What the What”)? Another 100 Mindboggling Columns!"

No batteries? No problem! Powercast and The Freedom of Wireless Power

My podcast this week is Eric Biel from Powercast. Eric and I explore each of Powercast’s innovative wireless power solutions, the origins of their Lifetime power solution, the benefits of their next generation RFID tags, and super cool new applications they unveiled at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show.

 

Read More → "No batteries? No problem! Powercast and The Freedom of Wireless Power"

Teaching AI to Semiconductor Students, Engineers, and Fabs

My mission today is to inform you about a university course that is no longer offered and a master’s degree program that is not yet available. Intrigued? Read on…

To set the scene, first let me remind you that I originally hail from England. I started at Sheffield Polytechnic (now Sheffield Hallam University) in the summer of 1975. You can read more about … Read More → "Teaching AI to Semiconductor Students, Engineers, and Fabs"

You May Scoff, But AI-Powered PCB Layout Is Really Real

Recently, I re-watched the epic science fiction movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Although this film was released in 1968, I don’t think I saw it on the big screen until 1969, when I was 12 years old. I know that by the time I watched the film, I’d already read the book, for which I was very grateful, because that’s pretty much key to understanding what’s going on in the first part of the film. … Read More → "You May Scoff, But AI-Powered PCB Layout Is Really Real"
July 18, 2025
July 17, 2025
July 15, 2025
July 14, 2025
July 11, 2025
July 10, 2025
July 9, 2025
July 8, 2025
July 7, 2025
July 3, 2025
July 2, 2025
July 1, 2025

featured chalk talk

Universal Sensing Module Training Presentation
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Madhura Tapse from NXP and Amelia Dalton explore how the rise of Industry 4.0 and AL/ML at the edge has driven a need for universal sensing solutions. They also examine the benefits of NXP’s NAFE13388-UIM? analog product development boards and how NXP is furthering innovation in a variety of different arenas with this software-configurable analog input solution designed for high-precision sensing and edge intelligence.
Jun 20, 2025
30,924 views

featured paper

Maximize Power Efficiency in Embedded Applications with Agilex™ 5 E-Series FPGAs and SoCs Memory Solutions

Sponsored by Altera

Learn how Altera Agilex™ 5 FPGAs and SoCs deliver up to 1.9× lower system power than Zynq UltraScale+ without sacrificing performance. This white paper dives into real benchmark data, memory interface efficiency, and architectural advantages that make Agilex 5 the smart choice for embedded, vision, and AI edge applications. Optimize for power, performance, and design simplicity.

Click to read more

Libby's Lab

Libby's Lab - Scopes out Eaton EHBSA Aluminum Organic Polymer Capacitors

Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Eaton

Join Libby and Demo in this episode of “Libby’s Lab” as they explore the Eaton EHBSA Aluminum Organic Polymer Capacitors, available at Mouser.com! These capacitors are ideal for high-reliability and long life in demanding applications. Keep your circuits charged and your ideas sparking!

Click here for more information

discussion
Posted on Jul 17 at 9:46am by Max Maxfield
Not my peeps!
Posted on Jul 17 at 9:23am by JK
ALL chip designers should only use two fingers when they type - I mean it's binary... "...this is typical of the way I’m greeted by my adoring fans every day when I arrive at my office..." Be careful - In a crowd that large at least one is a ...
Posted on Jul 17 at 7:23am by Max Maxfield
Hi RedBarnDesigner -- re Bardwells, check out my "Eclectic Electronic Emporiums" column that just posted on Hackster.io https://www.hackster.io/news/eclectic-electronic-emporiums-309b3a24654d
Posted on Jul 16 at 9:36am by RedBarnDesigner
Thanks to JK for posting exactly what I was thinking when I watched the video!
Posted on Jul 16 at 9:35am by RedBarnDesigner
Hi again Max, This was one from a set of project books for children exclusive to Woolworths. The Project Book 057 - "Build you own computer". You may also be interested in Project Book 147 "Build your own Crystal Set" Full set and individual items available on eBay (U.K.) {Ask your ...
Posted on Jul 16 at 8:54am by Max Maxfield
I thought that study had been discredited, not least because Rosa lied about her credentials.
Posted on Jul 16 at 7:49am by Max Maxfield
Ooh -- I'll look around and see if I can find that book. Re Bardwells, I remember it well. In fact, you should check out my next "Throwback Thursdays" column, which will post tomorrow morning on Hackster.com because Bardwells is one of the featured stores.
Posted on Jul 15 at 11:04am by JK
The videos: To be fair you should have pointed out that it is a scientifically proven fact that unless you’re a welder or an umpire, wearing a baseball cap backwards will instantly cause your IQ to drop a minimum of 50 points, based on experiments at St Cedd's College, Cambridge, ...
Posted on Jul 15 at 9:54am by RedBarnDesigner
Hi Max, Way back in my youth, I had a project book (not a Ladybird book but similar "build it" ethos) that described how to build a very simple binary "computer" using breadboard and discrete transistors. They would probably have been OC71 or similar but I no longer have the ...
Posted on Jul 9 at 11:18am by Max Maxfield
"I often wish that HAL would stop telling me 'I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.' – Dave being my moniker!" I'm assuming that HAL is a pet name for your wife LOL
Subscribe Now

featured blogs
Jul 17, 2025
Why do the links in Outlook emails always open in the Microsoft Edge web browser, even if you have another browser set as your default?...
On-board Battery Charger & DC-DC Converter
Sponsored by Infineon
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Steven Hehn from Infineon and Amelia Dalton investigate the functions of on board chargers and high voltage to low voltage DC-DC converters for electric vehicles. They also investigate the benefits that wide band gap power technologies can bring to these kinds of designs and the innovative solutions that Infineon offers for your on board charger and DC/DC design needs.
Jul 17, 2025
1,218 views
Qorvo Accelerating Matter Product Development with Qorvo QPG6200
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Qorvo
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Tim Allemeersch from Qorvo and Amelia Dalton explore the challenges of Matter application development and how Qorvo can help you navigate the landscape of Matter development. They also investigate the benefits of Qorvo’s QPG6200 IC and how you can get started using this integrated circuit for your next Matter design.
Jul 16, 2025
1,641 views
Smarter Isolation for Smarter Power Systems
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Bourns
Today’s smarter power systems demand smarter gate drive isolation. In this episode of Chalk Talk, Kritika Murari from Bourns and Amelia Dalton explore the hidden complexities of gate drive isolation, how reinforced gate drive isolation can improve a variety of design parameters, and how you can take advantage of Bourns push pull isolation transformers for your next design.
Jul 14, 2025
3,164 views
From Datasheet to Design: Picking the Perfect Operational Amplifier
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Christopher John Gozon (Goz) from Analog Devices and Amelia Dalton explore the what, where and how of operational amplifiers. They also examine roles that supply voltage, voltage offset, and input bias and input offset current play in operational amplifiers and how you can take advantage of Analog Devices’ op amp innovation for your next design. 
Jul 11, 2025
6,636 views
Improving the Cockpit Computer using Companion Microcontroller
Sponsored by Infineon
Companion microcontrollers are a vital element of today’s complex automotive designs. In this episode of Chalk Talk, Matthew Goodavish from Infineon and Amelia Dalton investigate how the architectural evolution in automotive design has encouraged the need for companion microcontrollers, the role that safety islands play in the development of these systems, and the core system benefits that companion MCUs bring to these kinds of designs.
Jul 10, 2025
8,795 views
USB’s Renaissance: Overcoming Stagnation with 10 & 20 Gbps Innovation
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Infineon
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Jimmy Chou from Infineon and Amelia Dalton explore the challenges of USB design and how Infineon is furthering innovation with the EZ-USB FX10. They also investigate the high bandwidth data subsystem, the high bandwidth data interface and the robust security features included in this solution.
Jul 3, 2025
10,490 views