Re-scoping the problem

The Amp Hour · 13 Jun 2017 · 1h 13m · Episode 347

What this episode covers

Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the launch of the Tektronix 5 Series oscilloscope, noting its 8-channel design and custom ASICs, while comparing it unfavorably to the LaCroix HDO8000A series which offers similar specs at a lower cost. They also review the Chazwaza, a low-cost Kickstarter VNA, and analyze IBM's 5nm GAR transistor technology alongside the sale of Toshiba's semiconductor business to a consortium including Apple and Foxconn. The episode concludes with a discussion on the US Supreme Court's ruling against patent trolls in East Texas and the announcement of contest winners for a Keysight 1000X scope giveaway.

Mentioned

Companies
Tektronix, LaCroix, IBM, Toshiba, Apple, Foxconn, Keysight, Siglent, Rigol, GlobalFoundries, Samsung, Amazon, Google
Products
Tektronix 5 Series, HDO8000A, Chazwaza, 1000X, Alexa, Google Home, HomePod

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • EE Times Current · 18m

    ON Semi’s Acquisition | TSMC’s Finer Nodes | Tesla’s AI Chip | China’s Fabless Companies

    Rick Merritt reports on ON Semiconductor's acquisition of GlobalFoundries' East Fishkill fab to transition to 300mm wafers and TSMC's roadmap updates on 7nm, 5nm, and advanced packaging. Junko Yoshida analyzes Tesla's new Full Self-Driving computer and criticizes the company's marketing of its autonomous capabilities. Echo Zhao discusses the 2019 China fabless survey, highlighting rapid growth, fragmentation, and the rise of IoT applications in the region.

  • The Spark Gap · 48m

    The Spark Gap - Episode 9

    Hosts Carl and Corey discuss the industry practice of manufacturers like Tektronix and Agilent disabling hardware features via software locks, arguing that unlocking them is not theft because the hardware already exists. They contrast Tektronix's aggressive legal stance with Rigel's acceptance of firmware hacks, which helped the company gain market share among hobbyists. The hosts recommend open-source alternatives like the Bus Pirate and Logic Sniffer, as well as commercial tools from Saleae and Total Phase, as cost-effective substitutes for expensive scope add-ons.

  • EE Times Current · 15m

    IMEC & the End of the Road(map) | EDS and the Trade War | Restoring Notre Dame

    Rick Merritt reports from IMEC's Future Summits in Antwerp, detailing a semiconductor roadmap that may halt at 2 nanometers due to shrinking gate lengths and metal pitches, while TSMC, Samsung, and Intel compete with unique packaging and transistor techniques. Barb Jorgensen covers the Electronic Distribution Show (EDS) in Las Vegas, highlighting industry skittishness over US-China trade war tariffs and their impact on component costs and supply chain delays. Brian Santow and graphics experts Jon Peddie and Kathleen Maher discuss using advanced imaging, laser scanning, and CAD tools to restore Notre Dame, debating whether to replicate the original design or reimagine it with modern materials like steel and titanium.

  • The Circuit · 14m

    The Circuit Ep:1 - Introductions

    Ben Bajarin, CEO of Creative Strategies, and Jay Goldberg, an investor in early-stage electronics and semiconductor companies, introduce their new podcast, The Circuit. They discuss the resurgence of interest in semiconductors, the economic implications of Moore's Law, and the shift toward chiplet architectures and advanced packaging to manage rising costs. The hosts outline future episodes covering geopolitics, supply chain resilience, and the strategic challenges facing major players like Intel and Apple.

  • EE Times Current · 19m

    Risking RISC-V | Engineers & the Gig Economy | Chiplets

    Brian Santo discusses RISC-V's potential in smartphones, highlighting Qualcomm's investment in SiFive and its shift from IP licensing to silicon production. The episode explores engineering education at Olin College, emphasizing a broader curriculum integrating ethics and liberal arts, and examines the emerging chiplet ecosystem, noting technical hurdles like testing and thermal management identified by Intel's Ramuni Nagasetti. Finally, it recounts the history of Texas Instruments' Speak & Spell and the current activities of inventor Jean Franzon.

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