Analog-intensive, mixed-signal IC design house Silicon Labs has introduced what it claims to be the industry's first single-die antenna-input-to-audio-output digital radio receiver solution developed for the global portable and consumer electronics markets. Leveraging software-defined radio technology, the new monolithic Si468x receiver ICs bring FM, HD Radio and DAB/DAB+ broadcast capabilities to a wide range of audio applications, from price-sensitive clock and tabletop radios to mainstream mini/micro audio systems and CD boom boxes to high-end multimedia devices with displays such as mobile phones, tablets and personal navigation devices.Silicon Labs indicated that digital radio adoption has been slow due in part to the high cost of delivering a high-performance yet power-efficient RF solution for the consumer electronics market. The Si468x family directly addresses the consumer digital radio market, with Silicon Labs stating that its single-die solution reduces system complexity, bill of materials (BOM) count and power consumption without compromising RF performance.The Si468x receivers support auto-calibrated digital tuning and FM seek functionality based on multiple signal quality and band parameters and provide flexible audio processing features including noise blanking, configurable FM soft mute, FM de-emphasis and FM hi-cut filtering. In addition, Silicon Labs stated that its low-IF digital receiver architecture helps the Si468x family deliver better RF performance compared to existing consumer-grade digital radio solutions.The Si468x family's wafer-level chip-scale package (WLCSP) option also supports very compact designs, enabling a complete digital radio receiver system with only 12 external components to be implemented in less than 100 square millimeters.The Si468x receivers are engineered with small form factor designs in mind. By integrating the RF tuner and baseband functions on a single die, the Si468x family avoids radio self-interference and helps streamline system design, validation and testing. The company added that the devices offers the smallest footprint and lowest power consumption of any digital radio solution on the market (less than 60 mW in analog FM mode and less than 95 mW in HD Radio and DAB/DAB+ modes).The Si468x receivers support worldwide analog FM radio reception and incorporate an integrated decoder for the European Radio Data System (RDS) and North American Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) standards including required symbol decoding, block synchronization, error detection and error correction functions. The Si468x receiver family is compatible with the European Eureka 147 DAB and DAB+ standards and is designed to be fully compliant with the United Kingdom's minimum specifications for DAB and DAB+ personal and domestic digital radio receivers.Samples and production quantities of the Si468x digital radio receivers are available in two package options: a 7 mm x 7 mm 48-pin QFN package and a 3.2x3.8mm WLCSP package. Pricing for the Si468x receiver family begins at US$5.62 in 10,000-unit quantities. Silicon Labs also offers evaluation kits priced at US$550.00.

There has been debate over whether the cost of using renewable energy sources is too high. According to a March 23 article from USA Today, people in Germany will have to pay 11% more for their electricity in 2013 compared to 2012 because of the government's subsidy programs for renewable energy. For countries that have financial difficulties, finding money to fund renewable energy programs may be less important than finding the money to pay for public benefits or infrastructure construction.Countries hope to increase solar installations to reduce reliance on generating electricity using coal or nuclear, and to reduce carbon emissions. Big carbon emitter countries, such as China, have introduced solar subsidy programs in hope to stimulate installations. However, what if carbon emissions fall in a country not because of increasing solar installation, but because of a slower economy? What will happen to solar demand in that country?According to a report by Bloomberg Business on March 28, Europe's carbon emission market is crashing. The European Union Emissions Trading System is the biggest carbon market in the world, according to the report, and the price tag of a ton of carbon emission has dropped from EUR31 (US$40) since the beginning of the trading system to EUR4.15/ton on March 22, 2013, said the report. The falling prices of carbon emissions are due to a slower economy causing lower emissions.This means firms no longer need to buy carbon emission permits. This is good news for the world as the air is fresher and global warming may ease a little. But with lower carbon emissions, the motivation for people to install and switch to solar power is weak. If people can maintain the current lifestyle without making changes, people will be reluctant to change.According to IHS, a market research firm, solar demand in Europe is likely to account for 32% of the global market in 2013, a significant drop from 57% in 2012.

Memory chipmakers as well as module firms are in a favorable and more profitable position in the second quarter of 2013, as prices for DRAM and NAND flash chips continue to strengthen.Early April contract prices for 4GB DDR3 modules went up 8-10% to US$25-26, with corresponding 4Gb chips quoted between US$2.80 and US$2.95, a recent Chinese-language Commercial Times report cited sources at module makers as disclosing. Meanwhile, prices for 2GB parts topped US$15 with average prices for 2Gb chips arriving at US$1.50, according to the report.Contract prices for NAND flash memory also saw a substantial rally during the same period, including those for higher density solutions, the report indicated. Prices for mainstream 32Gb MLC chips rose 5-12% in the first half of April, while those for 128Gb ones increased by 2-9%, the report said.As peak season approaches, prices for DRAM and NAND flash chips are expected to edge higher later in the second quarter of 2013. Companies including those that had losses in their most-recent quarter will benefit from the continued price increases.Chip firms including Nanya Technology, Winbond Electronics and Inotera Memories stand a good chance of swinging to quarterly profits sometime in 2013, market watchers were quoted in previous reports as saying. Meanwhile, module firms such as Adata Technology and Transcend Information, as well as fabless designers Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology (ESMT) and Etron Technology, are set to make bigger profits, the watchers also believe.

Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating Samsung Electronics' local branch over allegations concerning an advertising campaign to smear its rival HTC, according the Taiwan's state-run Central News Agency (CNA). If the allegations are found to be true, Samsung could be fined up to NT$25 million (US$835,000), CNA cited the FTC officials as indicating.In response, Samsung Taiwan said it had not been informed about the investigation. However, the Taiwan branch put a statement on its local Facebook page saying that it has stopped online marketing activities associated with its online comments forums, until all work complies with the company's principles of honesty and transparency.Also in the statement, Samsung Taiwan claimed that it appreciates online product reviews and does not intend to influence user ratings.Samsung allegedly hired local students to write and post negative comments about HTC devices, according to various reports from Taiwan's Chinese-language media.A screenshot Samsung Taiwan's statement on its Facebook page in the wake of the FTC probe

Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) is a state-owned electric power utility providing electricity to Taiwan and its other islands. According to Wikipedia (English and Chinese), in 1994 a measure was adopted to allow independent power producers (IPPs) to provide up to 20% of Taiwan's electricity. The electricity provided by the IPPs is then purchased by Taipower. Up to the end of 2010, Taipower has 11 hydro-electric power plants, 11 fossil-fuel power plants, three nuclear power plants and a total electricity generation of 40,810,000kw.The company has been plagued by controversies for years, but the biggest ever has been the ongoing debate whether Taipower's fourth nuclear power plant (Nuke 4) project - now almost complete - in Taiwan should continue. According to the Control Yuan - Taiwan's highest government watchdog body - Taipower has been censured many times for such issues as allowing outsourced firms to provide substandard products for the new nuclear power plant, delayed construction, and misuse of funds.In 2003, the Control Yuan censured Taipower twice over the construction of Nuke 4. According to the Control Yuan website, on January 10, 2003, Taiwan-based China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC) and Taipower, the two companies responsible for the procurement of the base for a reactor unit at Nuke 4 were censured due to failing to monitor their contractors who used substanard products. This resulted in cracks in the first welding layer, affecting the quality and safety of the reactor unit.Taipower is rebuilding a dock around Nuke 4. For the dock construction, the Control Yuan on September 16, 2003 faulted Taipower for failing to gather scientific figures while compiling an environmental impact evaluation report.On June 8, 2011, Taipower was censured again for ignoring the safety of Nuke 4 by changing thousands of items in the original design. Taipower was also censured because it did not monitor and test the power lines, delaying the commission date.On July 19, 2011, Taipower was censured for the concrete procurement for Nuke 4. Taipower failed to procure the required concrete due to a shortage. Taipower further twisted the law governing the bidding process for the project.On August 8, 2012, Taipower was censured for not following the "Nuke 4 Construction Quality Guarantee" guidelines, resulting in flooding at various locations in the plant during a test run.On March 20, 2012, Taipower was censured for not having a general contractor for the entire Nuke 4 project. Poor coordination meant 835 additional procurement caes, spiking up service charges. In addition, some equipment procured did not meet the requirements and standards.On January 15, 2013, Taipower was censured for numerous flaws in the procurement and installation process of the bendable metallic conduits. Some conduits were installed at the wrong spots and the supplier does not guarantee the products meet the safety requirements for a nuclear power plant.These are just the cases that the Control Yuan have dealt with regarding Nuke 4. There are more cases regarding Nuke 1, 2, 3, and other power generation plants owned by Taipower. Seriously, who can guarantee the safety of the four nuclear power plants in Taiwan?Fourth nuclear power plant (Nuke 4) of TaiwanPhoto: Jackie Chang, Digitimes, April 2013

While market outlets pay close attention to Samsung Electronics' rise and Intel's entry - both a threat to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Globalfoundries has quietly been making strong progress in manufacturing technologies and capabilities.Globalfoundries was named by IC Insights a top performer in the 2012 semiconductor industry, along with fabless chip giant Qualcomm. According to the research firm in its new report, Globalfoundries enjoyed a 31% revenue increase in 2012, driven by "its success in attracting new IC foundry customers (e.g., STMicroelectronics, Freescale, Qualcomm, etc.)."Globalfoundries recently reached a deal to buy more than 1,000 sets of production equipment installed at the 12-inch wafer fab of Taiwan-based ProMOS Technologies - a DRAM maker looking to go fabless. ProMOS also disclosed that they are in talks to transfer the whole 12-inch plant as well as the existing employees stationed at the facility, raising speculation that the US foundry might have Taiwan a base for regional operations.A number of fabless companies specializing in IC parts, such as application processors, panel driver ICs, touchscreen controllers and consumer IC solutions, are headquartered in Taiwan. It is already being rumored that Globalfoundries has landed 28nm chip orders from MediaTek, which contracts TSMC and UMC to manufacture its smartphone solutions.In addition, Globalfoundries has laid out a roadmap for 2014 that includes 3D FinFET transistors at the 14nm process - a move to keep up with TSMC and also technology leader Intel.Globalfoundries in a June 2012 Digitimes report said that it would unseat UMC as the world's second-largest pure-play semiconductor foundry in 2012, and aims for global leadership position among contract chipmakers, and the first goal already achieved.

Google's attempt to induce the next wave of display technology is charming, but in my opinion is bound to fail. That is a heavy statement right off the bat and I am generally optimistic about Google's endeavors, but I have not been able to stop laughing since I have seen the ads of people sporting the glasses, and wish that I could consult Google on choosing its product development strategies.The technology reminds me of when TV vendors were starting to promote 3D TVs. Remember all those ads (which still exist) featuring a family sitting on their couch wearing big goofy glasses while appearing to look giddy and excited? Those glasses were mocked by everyone and probably everything under the sun, and until now have not helped TV vendors bump up their value-added features for their products. Likewise, Google Glass is unlikely to make an impact on the display world as well as the company's display product line, as few people are going to actually want to wear the glasses (at least in public) because they will probably realize that looking into a tiny apparatus placed above their eyes is more uncomfortable than it is useful.The glasses are designed so that you have to look up to view whatever information you are seeking. I am guessing Google did this in order to avoid blocking peoples' vision (smart thinking), but having to constantly look upwards with my eyes personally gives me a headache and probably will not be any safer than being able to view a smartphone or tablet at eye level while doing other tasks such as walking down the sidewalk without bumping into people.Also, I do not know about you, but I do not care to look like Cyclops from X-Men. Now, do not get me wrong, Cyclops is a pretty cool guy, but unless the glasses can beam energy and knock out evil villains, I am not sure that wearing another accessory on my face is necessary instead of having a smartphone in my pocket. Also, in terms of glasses wearers it could be that Google will provide some sort of magnifying glass-type looking device that clips onto a person's spectacles, but that would be more suitable for a biologist observing cell development in a petri dish in my opinion.However, if Google were to make Google Contact Lens that would allow me to watch movies at work without anyone visibly noticing the content being played and giving people the impression that I am immersed into my computer screen, well then that would be fantastic.

The Taiwan International Lighting Show is one of my favourite shows. The reason is because the show participants always find new ways to combine lighting with interior design. This year, the show's focus is on LEDs, of course, and many firms have shown their creativity by displaying various types of LED lighting.Jan Cheng Lighting decorative LED lightingPhoto: Jackie Chang, Digitimes, March 2013LED lighting are no longer just for industrial purposes. It can be used for growing plants, decorating houses, and saving energy. The brightness efficiency has been increasing significantly over the years due to continuous effort from the firms.Epsitar LED lighting for growing plantsPhoto: Jackie Chang, Digitimes, March 2013One of the most interesting things that caught my eyes was the candle lamps. Firms such as Epistar, Everlight, and Edison Opto showcased candle lamps combined with designs such as chandeliers and table lamps. In 2012, the LED candle lamp penetration rate in the LED lighting market was less than 5%, but Epistar believes the penetration rate is likely to reach close to 10% in 2013.Epistar LED candle lampsPhoto: Jackie Chang, Digitimes, March 2013Lextar showcased many types of LED ceiling lamps including tube, panel and down lighting. Aeon Lighting had an interesting display of putting a LED light bulb in boiling water to show that the product can withstand high temperature. Aeon Lighting also showcased LED light bulbs with various colours and shapes. Everlight displayed four LED street lamps in front of its booth, showing its strength in outdoor lighting, while Delta Electronics displayed many LED light bulbs from 8-10W.Everlight LED street lampsPhoto: Jackie Chang, Digitimes, March 2013Aeon Lighting LED lighting in boiling waterPhoto: Jackie Chang, Digitimes, March 2013My favourite booth was the Edison Opto booth. Half of the booth was a café, and it looked like a real café. Buyers were able to sit down and observe the different use of LED lighting. The café had a counter and two chalkboards with menus on them. The lighting was carefully designed to make you feel like you were in a Starbucks somewhere.Edison Opto cafe Photo: Jackie Chang, Digitimes, March 2013This year's show had no surprises but firms did show that they put a lot of creativity into combining LED lighting with interior design and different applications. As for improvements in brightness efficiency, It is hard to determine with the naked eye, I have to say.

Mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, will spur an almost 30% increase in overall DRAM bit demand in 2013, according to Digitimes Research.Desktop PCs and notebooks remain the dominant consumer of DRAM, but growth in bit demand for the segment will slow to 2.9% in 2013 as compared to a larger 7.3% increase in 2012, said Nobunaga Chai, analyst for semiconductors at Digitimes Research. In contrast, DRAM demand for non-PC applications particularly smartphones and tablets will enjoy significant growth.Mobile DRAM demand is forecast to register a 72.9% jump in 2013, buoyed by the expanding markets for smartphones and tablets, Chai indicated. Chai also observed the increasing usage of mobile DRAM in these hot products.Mobile DRAM demand for smartphones will climb to 774 million gigabits (Gb) in 2013, up 83% from the 2012 level, Chai pointed out. Meanwhile, demand coming from the tablet sector is set to rise 73.1% during the same period, Chai said.Average DRAM content in smartphones will expand to 0.9-gigabyte (GB) in 2013 from 0.7GB in 2012, while that in tablets is set to reach 1.3GB in 2013 compared to 1.1GB in 2012, Chai predicted.Chai projected that the overall DRAM market, which consists of mobile DRAM and server-use DRAM products, will consume 3.733 billion Gb in 2013, a 29.7% increase. The niche DRAM segment - the category that mobile DRAM belongs to - will account for 40% of the total in 2013 compared to 33% in 2012, according to Chai.*Consisting of mobile DRAM, specialty DRAM and graphics RAM**Consisting of DRAM parts for desktops, notebooks and netbooksSource: Digitimes Research, March 2013

As Google has been aggressively conducting public tests for its Glass recently, I can't help but wonder what kind of business opportunities this piece of elegant work can bring. In addition to the IT market, demand from TV show and anime fans may be a good consumption group that Google can consider targeting.From Google's introduction clips, it seems that the Glass is already able to support functions including photo capturing, video recording, road navigation and text messaging, as well as displaying the time, flight information and data that can be found over the Internet.With all these functions, wearing the Glass is like carrying a smartphone on your head, and it will not be a surprise if Google decides to add app support to the device.As an anime and TV show fan, it has always been a dream to be able to carry a product "from the future". In Dragon Ball Z, a well-known anime masterpiece, there is a device called the Scouter that looks like a monocle and is able to detect people's "power level." Glass's industrial design has a good resemblance to such a device and is likely to attract fans into purchasing one.On top of that, if Google ever allows Glass to support apps, it will be a guarantee that some companies (most likely Japan-based) will design apps to allow the device to feature similar capabilities as the Scouter to satisfy these fans, while earning cash.Since there are a lot TV shows and anime that have devices that look like Glass, the business opportunities will not only go to Google, but also related app developers.