Legislating IoT Safety | TSMC in AZ: Fab or Vaporfab? | Remembering Lucky Lindy

EE Times Current · 22 May 2020 · 41m

What this episode covers

Jack Ogawa, senior director of embedded security products at Cypress Semiconductor (now Infineon), discusses how emerging IoT legislation like California's SB 327 and NIST guidelines is forcing manufacturers to prioritize security as a cost-of-ownership issue rather than just a technical feature. The episode then shifts to TSMC's announcement of a potential fab in Arizona, with EE Times editors Junko Yoshida and Boloji Ojo analyzing the political quid pro quo, supply chain implications, and the distinction between a 'fab' and a 'vaporfab' given the lack of domestic packaging infrastructure. The hosts emphasize that while TSMC's move is significant, the US lacks the necessary backend packaging ecosystem to fully support a leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing base.

Mentioned

Companies
Cypress Semiconductor, Infineon, TSMC, Samsung, Intel, Arm Holdings, Qualcomm
Products
Spirit of St. Louis
Also
California SB 327, NIST

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 55m

    271: Preparing Manufacturers for the Semiconductor Boom: Insights from SEMICON West and Beyond

    Danielle Collins of HARTING Technology Group and Jeff Miller of Rockwell Automation explain that the semiconductor industry is reshaping itself through the localization of manufacturing and the globalization of R&D, driven by AI demand and national security concerns. Anuj Mahendru of Rockwell Automation details how legacy fabs are overcoming material movement challenges in converted spaces, while new digital fabs prioritize cybersecurity and sustainability. The guests emphasize that successful suppliers must speak the language of operational data and partner closely with risk-averse chipmakers to navigate the industry's complexity.

  • IoT For All Podcast · 44m

    Breaking Embedded IoT Systems | Ken Munro, Partner at Pen Test Partners | #IoTMakers E036

    Ken Munro, Partner at Pen Test Partners, explains how his team conducts 'vanilla research' by purchasing and breaking embedded IoT devices to find security vulnerabilities, such as the My Friend Kayla doll and smart heated drinks cups. He argues that security is often treated as an afterthought by startups, leading to catastrophic failures when wrong chipsets are chosen early in development, making over-the-air updates impossible. Munro details the responsible disclosure process, noting that when vendors ignore or stonewall reports, companies often go out of business, and he advocates for government regulation like California's SB 327 to enforce reasonable security controls.

  • The Circuit · 28m

    Episode 29: The Myth of Semiconductor Industry Deglobization

    Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the political narratives around semiconductor deglobization, arguing that the industry's deeply intertwined global supply chain makes true decoupling impossible. They highlight the economic and talent challenges of moving manufacturing, noting that TSMC's Arizona fab faces higher costs and recruitment hurdles compared to its operations in Taiwan. The hosts emphasize that while countries like the US, China, and Taiwan are investing in local capacity, the lack of trained engineers and the high cost of fabs mean that global cooperation remains economically necessary.

  • Moore's Lobby · 55m

    State of the Industry: Semiconductor Insiders Discuss the Ambitions and Realities of the CHIPS Act

    Rich Simoncic of Microchip Technology, Russ Garcia of Menlo Micro, and Michael Knight of Endries International discuss the CHIPS Act's impact on US semiconductor manufacturing. They highlight the 'valley of death' for R&D, the critical need for advanced packaging and legacy node capacity, and the importance of workforce development. The panelists emphasize that while the Act is a vital first step, it must address security, supply chain resilience, and education to be truly effective.

  • Coredump Sessions · 1h 03m

    #000: How New IoT Security Regulations Will Shape the Industry's Future

    François Baldassari, founder and CEO of Memfault, and co-founder/CTO Chris Coleman discuss the impact of new IoT security regulations, specifically the EU's Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and the US FCC's Cyber Trust Mark. They argue that OTA updates, Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) tracking, and device observability are now mandatory for compliance, moving security from an afterthought to a core engineering requirement. The hosts highlight that ignoring these regulations risks severe liability, citing recent pager explosions and Shimano bike shacker hacks as examples of physical dangers from insecure connected devices.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by EE Times Current. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.