Winbond Electronics Corporation, a leading global supplier of semiconductor memory solutions, today announced the introduction of new HyperRAM products with WLCSP, which reaches an unprecedented thin form factor in embedded applications.HyperBus technology was first published by Cypress in 2014. Compared to the transmission and control interface of other memory, one of the characteristics of the HyperBus interface is the low pin count, which makes the circuit board layout simpler and the wiring area relatively small. Several IC design service companies have launched HyperBus related IP, which makes it easier for main chip manufacturers to design memory controllers, and there are more and more main chip manufacturers whose products support this interface. In response to this trend, Winbond Electronics has successively launched related HyperRAM series products.Comparing to the existing 3.0V HyperRAM products operating at 100MHz / 200Mbps and 1.8V HyperRAM products operating at 166MHz / 333Mbps, Winbond HyperRAM 2.0 products can operate at a maximum frequency of 200MHz and provide a maximum data-transfer rate of 400Mbps with either 3.0V or 1.8V operation voltage.In terms of memory density, Winbond provides four product lines of 32Mb, 64Mb, 128Mb, and 256Mb for different customer applications.In terms of package type, Winbond also provides a variety of options, including:*24-ball, 8mm x 6mm TFBGA for automotive and industrial applications *49-ball, 4mm x 4mm WFBGA for consumer applications *15-ball, 1.48mm x 2mm Wafer Level Chip Scale Package (WLCSP) *Known Good Die (KGD)Wafer Level Chip Scale Package refers to the technology of packaging an integrated circuit at the wafer level, instead of the traditional process of assembling individual units in packages after dicing them from a wafer. The key advantages of the WLCSP are the minimum inductance of die to PCB, enhanced thermal conduction, reduced package size, weight and smaller foot print. These characteristics make WLCSP the best solution to meet the requirements of mobile products like cellular phones, smart watches, and other wearable electronics. Winbond HyperRAM series products with WLCSP will be the best memory solution for these applications.HyperRAM products with WLCSP, which reaches an unprecedented thin form factor in embedded applicationsWinbond provides four product lines of 32Mb, 64Mb, 128Mb, and 256Mb for different customer applications

COVID-19 is changing everything about our lives, seriously threatening our health and safety. It has also redefined business and thrusted the economy into a recession. Despite the disruptions, the market is seeing a significant increase in demand for some products, including medical devices, such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators and respiratory humidifiers, as well as network equipment to meet the needs arising from the stay home economy and work-from-home lifestyle.Having been committed to the development of customized power solutions for medical devices and network equipment for years, APD is exerting all efforts to meet the urgent needs of global medical device and network equipment suppliers to help make their products available to markets, doing its part in the global fight against COVID-19.The expert in customized power solutions with critical technologiesAccording to Mark Tang, sales vice president, APD's power system business group, manufacturers impose rigorous requirements on medical power supply systems as medical device quality is a matter of life and death. They must maintain a long-lasting, uninterrupted and stable power supply. Building high-performance and high-reliability power solutions is the goal that APD has insisted on in its decade-long efforts toward strengthening its capabilities on critical technologies.Citing ventilators currently with a surging demand as an example, Tang noted that there is a risk of overvoltage due to backfeeding during peak load operating conditions, especially when a ventilator for critical care pumps air with a high pressure into a patient's lungs. In view of this, power supply units (PSU) must be able to support higher peak loads for longer periods to ensure the system maintains stable operation. APD's unique peak power design can effectively reduce power loss, lower PSU operating temperature and boost reliability. Moreover, its patented overvoltage protection circuit safeguards the system and PSU from damage caused by excess voltage from PSU output.APD's medical power solutions are compliant with IEC 60601 Safety Requirement for Medical Equipment. They have also been certified to meet Radio Frequency interference requirements in accordance with Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics DO-160G for Airborne Equipment, which is more stringent than medical equipment standards. This means their leakage current is minimal even under normal operating conditions so the PSU is protected from failure resulting from high-frequency 4G/5G signal interference.More importantly, APD has abundant experience in designing power solutions for medical ventilators. Its customized power solutions for global medical ventilator suppliers fully meet their EMI, temperature and peak load requirements.Leading network equipment manufacturers opt for APD for its expertise in addressing peak load and heat dissipation challengesWorking from home, online conferencing and distance learning have become the new normal in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has spurred a surge in network use and an urgent need to expand switch and router capacity, giving rise to burgeoning stay-home economy opportunities. APD underwent business transformation in 2008, shifting target from general-purpose power supply market to niche segments with higher technological barriers. Apart from medical power solutions, APD is also focusing efforts toward network equipment power solutions. In other words, APD has developed robust capabilities in network equipment power solutions. It specializes in designing high-performance and high-reliability open frame power supplies for leading network equipment manufacturers, providing strong support helping them tap stay-at-home economy opportunities.Commenting on the critical technology to network equipment power solutions, Tang pointed out the ability to sustain peak loads remains crucial. On top of that, the miniaturization trend of power supplies imposes great challenges on suppliers' caliber in heat dissipation and component selection to effectively address the heat problem of network equipment. These are right up APD's alley."We are committed to sustainable growth and aspire to become a technology pioneer as well as market leader in niche power solution markets," highlighted Tang. APD set the goal to target power solutions for medical devices and network equipment and later was able to successfully win heavyweight customers in these fields. The enablers of APD's success include its ability to do custom-design and offer leading-edge technology at continuingly lower costs, its supply chain stability, as well ‎as its collaborations with top academic institutions. It is also distinguished by its high-quality production and R&D capabilities built through the Design For Six Sigma (DFSS) initiative. All these are what allow APD to engage in long-standing partnerships with global network equipment and medical device suppliers.Mark Tang, sales vice president, APD's power system business group

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key operation strategy across different industries. With the wide-ranging possibilities of AI application, enterprises have difficulty finding system developers that meet their needs and system developers can hardly have sector-specific expertise to develop platforms to suit individual customer needs. To bridge the gap, Touch Cloud partners with WPI and Intel to build a solution that has been certified by Intel's Market Ready Solutions (MRS) program. Also through WPI's help, Touch Cloud has successfully marketed its AI Application Box in Singapore.Founded in 2016, Touch Cloud is a startup focusing on AI technology development, including cloud architecture, machine learning and deep learning. Its AI-based image analysis technology has been put to use in smart manufacturing, smart city and construction site safety. Touch Cloud's AI Application Box that it brings to Singapore through collaboration with WPI and Intel is a construction site safety solution. It leverages AI-based analysis of images captured on surveillance cameras to check if workers are wearing required protective gear, such as helmets and safety boots, to ensure labor safety.In addition to construction sites, Touch Cloud's image analysis technology can also be used in smart manufacturing and smart city applications. For example, for COVID-19 prevention, employers can use it to track employees who have just returned from overseas business trips to find out where they have been and whom they have come in contact with. It can also detect whether people maintain 1.5-meter social distancing in group gatherings.Thanks to the partnership with Intel and WPI, Touch Cloud's AI Application Box has been put to practical use. Touch Cloud has been engaged in project-based development to customize systems for customers. However, this was challenging during the company's early stage development. First of all, it requires industry-specific know-how and repeated testing to build tailored systems for specific use scenarios. Furthermore, despite the slew of AI software and hardware platforms available on the market, it is not easy to find an optimal software and hardware combination. Last but not least, customers may not have sufficient AI knowledge, so a lot of back-and-forth communication is needed to figure out their pain points and needs. To address all these challenges requires tremendous time and effort and thus the development cycle can easily go over six months.Touch Cloud turned to Intel for help in addressing these challenges. Intel has long committed to AI research and has introduced OpenVINO - an AI inference platform for image analysis. Based on OpenVINO, Touch Cloud developed its hardware-software integrated AI Application Box. Featuring an optimal combination of hardware and software, AI Application Box can be installed and ready to use in 10 minutes without compatibility issues. Moreover, OpenVINO allows Touch Cloud's AI-based image analysis program to run on customers' existing Intel x86 platforms. There is no need for customers to purchase additional hardware to build the AI system, thereby increasing their return on past investment.Having long engaged in the high-tech sector, WPI has built a broad and deep industry ecosystem in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia. It is able to help Touch Cloud quickly find suitable users for its products. Going forward, Touch Cloud, Intel and WPI will continue to work together to replicate the success with Singapore in additional markets and sectors while bringing more applications to reality.Simon Lee, Co-founder and CEO, Touch Cloud

COVID-19 goes on a global rampage as 2020 unfolds. As part of the efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, health screening stations are set up at entrances to government buildings, medical institutions, and office complexes to check people's temperatures with forehead thermometers or thermal imaging cameras. However, most thermal imaging systems on the market are not intelligent enough and are susceptible to false alarms.Their accuracy may degrade when they have been in use for an extended period of time. Furthermore, a professional team may be required to set up a thermal imaging system. These all prevent enterprises and institutions from painlessly incorporating temperature screening systems. To help relieve these headaches, ARBOR recently introduced E-Guardian S408, a thermal imaging solution for epidemic prevention. Featuring a smart design to effectively reduce false alarm rate and boost screening rate, plus a small footprint and diverse mounting options, E-Guardian S408 grabbed market attention as soon as it made a debut.According to ARBOR general manager Clark Lien, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, temperature screening systems have virtually become standard equipment of large buildings but most systems currently in use leave a lot to be desired. The problem of false alarms is the most common complaint. Temperature screening systems detect the temperature of the subject using thermal imaging technology and present the distribution of the temperatures on the display. Most systems on the market are unable to target a specific detection area so a false alarm most often occurs when a person holding a hot drink passes the screening station. When such cases keep occurring and there is no temperature calibration reference, the systems will raise false alarms again and again. The cry wolf effect will cause the operators to let their guard down, thus failing to keep the virus out.Aside from the problem of false alarms, current temperature screening systems lack user-friendly interface. They are generally categorized into two types of systems. One comes with powerful functions but requires the supplier to install the system due to a high level of complexity. The other comes with simple functions but can be installed by the user. Both types of systems have their shortcomings. The former needs professional engineers to configure system parameters, while the latter offers no flexibility in their functions.In view of this, ARBOR introduces E-Guardian S408, featuring robust advantages to solve these pain points. According to Lien, ARBOR started out as an industrial PC supplier and has developed strong capability in thermal imaging technology, which is often used in industrial applications. On top of its experience in developing thermal imaging sensors for inspection instruments used at power or petrochemical plants, ARBOR combines factory automation, ICT and thermal imaging sensor technologies to design pioneering epidemic prevention products with an emphasis on enhancing user experience and value-added features. As a result of such efforts, E-Guardian S408 delivers higher-than-expected reliability and quality. As a premium quality product with a competitive price, E-Guardian S408 has been enthusiastically embraced by the market since its launch.ARBOR not only offers E-Guardian S408 at a compelling price, but also designs it to address the problems of existing systems on the market, noted Lien. Featuring quick and easy installation, E-Guardian S408 can be set up using a rack mount or magnetic mount onto a door frame, wall, or other metal surfaces. It also comes with a built-in Human-Machine Interface (HMI) so there is no need for an external display. Following the installation guide, users can get the system up and running within five minutes.Enhanced with AI-based image recognition, E-Guardian S408 can intelligently detect the human body and locate the forehead and temple for temperature measurement. This way, it can avoid checking temperatures of a non-human object and thus reduce the chance of raising a false alarm. It also comes with a built-in calibration unit that can automatically correct temperature parameters to eliminate the problem of degraded accuracy when existing systems are in extended use.Although COVID-19 is gradually getting contained through joint efforts from the public and private sectors, Lien thinks some organizations will continue to have temperature screening systems operating at the entrance. They will become part of people's daily lives. Temperature screening systems that are smarter and easier to configure and operate will help safeguard the world against the virus.Featuring painless usability, smart design, flexible mounting options and compelling pricing, ARBOR's E-Guardian S408 helps safeguard the world against virus.

The mobile vehicles are required high-speed bandwidth and better network coverage for streaming media services in wireless IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) application, however this situation is hard to achieve through IP-based wireless networks, specifically for recreational vehicles (RVs), trucks, and fleets. Proscend's 4G LTE WiFi Cellular Router M330-W has been applied into IPTV solutions in European cities for RVs to enable sufficient bandwidth and to improve better network coverage.The IPTV digital multimedia box through WiFi signal is built inside in the RVs, which made of metal to cause shielding problem and weak signal, because a wireless signal is not easily pass through metal. Moreover, the installation space is strictly limit because many devices are integrated together in a space, including a cellular router, an IPTV digital multimedia player, and a TV display screen. Therefore, designed for ultra-compact and cost-effective features, Proscend's Compact Industrial Cellular Router M330-W is adopted by the customers and integrated with their IPTV digital multimedia box to get stable signal and reliable bandwidth for RVs.Stable SignalProscend's Compact Industrial Cellular Router M330-W is connected with the customized 5-in-1 outdoor magnetic mount roof-top antenna to receive LTE, WiFi, and GPS for combining multiple functions, like playing video streaming over Cellular/WiFi, and guiding the route via GPS simultaneously as well as enhancing more stable signal and better sensitivity. The Cellular Router M330-W can be also connected your digital multimedia box via a RJ45 Ethernet cable for backup support.Reliable BandwidthThe Compact Industrial Cellular Router M330-W supports LTE cellular technology, WiFi wireless connection and Ethernet network to make multiple Internet connections for combined high-quality speed and reliability. With long-distance wireless connectivity and secure VPN tunnels, the Cellular Router M330-W ensures dependable communications and improves the whole RV Internet experience to give you secure, fast and reliable connections.Affordable DeviceThe Compact Industrial Cellular Router M330-W with slim size and lightweight design meets tiny space and easy installation. Compared to expensive satellite TV devices, the Cellular Router M330-W provides competitive price-to-performance ratios to integrate with the IPTV digital multimedia box flexibly and save your cost.Proscend's Cellular Router M330-W with an outdoor 5-in-1 antenna enhances stable signal in IPTV application for RVs

Winbond Electronics Corporation, a leading global supplier of semiconductor memory solutions, today extended its record of leading the industry's innovation in specialty Flash memory with the introduction of a more flexible, high-speed read capability in its latest QspiNAND Flash products.Automotive and IoT device manufacturers are increasingly adopting high-performance Single-Level Cell (SLC) NAND Flash as a low-cost alternative at densities of 512Mbits and higher to the NOR Flash traditionally used for code storage.Previous Winbond innovations in high-performance NAND Flash include the Quad SPI-NAND interface, which shares the same 6-pin signals and QSPI command set as Quad SPI-NOR, and the Continuous Read function, which achieves up to a 52MB/s continuous data transfer rate at a 104MHz clock frequency.Now Winbond has created another innovation in high-performance NAND Flash with the introduction of the Sequential Read function in its latest high-performance W25NxxxJW QspiNAND Flash devices. In Sequential Read mode, the QspiNAND Flash products achieve the same 52MB/s maximum data rate at 104MHz as in Continuous Read mode, but with new flexibility to configure the chip's operation. The most important new options are:* Freedom to apply the user's own ECC engine. In Continuous Read mode, a Winbond W25N device only supports its own on-chip 1-bit ECC engine. In Sequential Read mode, users can implement 4-bit, 8-bit or any-bit error correction when enabled by an external ECC engine.* Access to the entire memory array - both the Main Area and the Spare Area - with a single Read command. This is ideal for code shadowing applications in which low latency and fast boot time are particularly important.* Greater flexibility to configure the data arrangement to suit the user's application."By providing for high-speed operation with its Continuous Read function, Winbond had already made QspiNAND Flash a viable option for use in code storage applications, including for code shadowing and execute-in-place operations," said Syed S. Hussain, Director Segment Marketing, Winbond Electronics America Flash Business Group. "Now the addition of Sequential Read means that users can benefit from the same high Read speed of up to 52MB/s while implementing their chosen ECC engine and data access arrangements."The new 1.8V QspiNAND Flash products are available in densities of 512Mb, 1Gb and 2Gb. The 3.0V versions are available in densities of 2Gb and 4Gb. All are manufactured in the company's 12-inch wafer fabrication facility in Taichung, Taiwan. Winbond is expanding capacity to meet new demand expected in both the automotive and IoT market segments.The new W25N QspiNAND Flash devices are offered in compact 8-pin packages - a space-saving format which was not possible for SLC-NAND Flash memory products before Winbond's development of an effective QspiNAND Flash interface. Clock speeds of 104MHz allow the equivalent of 416MHz (104MHz x 4) speed for Quad I/O performance when using the Fast Read Dual/Quad I/O instructions. To provide better NAND Flash memory manageability, the devices perform on-chip bad block management.Key features of the Winbond W25N family of NAND Flash memory products are:Wide Temperature Range* -40 degree C to +85 degree C operating range in Industrial GRADE* -40 degree C to +105 degree C operating range in Industrial plus and Automotive GRADEUnique Memory Architecture* Page Read Time with ECC Enabled: 60μs* Page Program Time: 250μs (typ.)* Block Erase Time: 2ms (typ.)* Fast Program/Erase performance* Supports OTP Memory AreaHigh-Performance QspiNAND Flash* QSPI implementation in 46nm process technology* More than 10-years data retention* 104MHz clock frequency that can support up to 52MB/S continuous data transfer rateSpace Efficient Packaging* WSON8 6x8mm* WSON8 5x6mm* TFBGA24 6x8mm* KGD (Known Good Die)For more information, please visit www.winbond.com.Winbond QspiNAND FlashSequential read, more flexibility

Swissbit, which was created through a management buyout from Siemens Semiconductor in 2001, is the only independent and European supplier of flash-memory products. By integrating its core competencies of data storage, security, and 3D packaging technologies, the company has established a new business unit, Embedded IoT, eyeing the huge opportunities driven by the growing digitization and networking of devices across the Internet of Things.Embracing the IoT EraAs a manufacturer of high quality, real industrial-grade flash storage systems, Swissbit has always taken pride in its ability to store data securely and provide a long storage life.When asked why the new business unit is established, Silvio Muschter, CEO of Swissbit, explains, "For almost ten years, we have integrated safety functions into our products. Initially, it was SD and microSD cards with integrated encryption software to prevent eavesdropping on mobile phones and data protection-compliant memory modules for police bodycams.""Then we asked ourselves a question: are these memory cards with a security solution, or a security solution in the form of a memory card?"It turns out that a right question triggered a change of perspective, which helps Swissbit open up a whole new world of applications and move into a much bigger playing field of IoT.He stresses that the increasing digitization and networking of devices is dramatically increasing the pressure for protection of data and devices, and therefore driving the demand for intelligent security products for embedded IoT solutions."In the future, the most valuable commodity will be data. At Swissbit, we see it as our mission to reliably store and protect this data," Silvio says.Easy to use, hardware-based security productsIn the industrial IoT sector, key issue for customers is: how to protect data and the IP of machines and devices, as well as communication with the cloud.From Swissbit's perspective the question is: how does a 'thing' know that the received data or data queries from another 'thing' are correct, and that the source of a message is really the system component that it claims to be?In order to answer that question and bring real industrial-grade security to IoT systems, Swissbit has developed the hardware-based solutions to ensure that machines can uniquely authenticate themselves in machine-to-machine communication (M2M) via a Secure Element.Silvio explains, by building Secure Elements into memory cards, systems can have non-cloneable identities and become uniquely identifiable M2M communication participants capable of authenticating and sending and receiving cryptographically secure data.Therefore, Swissbit Embedded IoT solutions can be used as a tamper-proof ID card in the networked device such that networked systems can be protected against misuse and 'identity theft' in the future.With years of experiences in developing security products, Swissbit is able to develop and offer customer-specific and application-specific solutions.A recent example is fiscalization: In Germany, cash registers must be equipped with a certified technical safety device (TSE), which includes a certificate as well as a secure element for tamper-proof recording of cash register data. Swissbit offers the first certified and retrofittable solution in microSD card, SD card and USB stick form factors.In fact, alongside custom security solutions, this year Swissbit will also release standard security products with a flash memory as a microSD card and USB stick. These can be used in a wide range of IoT devices, such as video surveillance, telecommunications, automotive technology (e.g. autonomous driving), medical and fiscalization applications, where the recorded data as well as access to the stored data can be protected."Our approach to securing data and communication is particularly compelling," says he. "Especially, where it's not simply a case of networks of completely new machines, but where existing systems need to be retrofitted. Here, our approach offers unprecedented flexibility."New plant to help boost new businessIn addition to storage and security, Silvio emphasizes that 3D packaging is also one of the company's core competences.At the end of 2019, Swissbit opened its new plant in Berlin, with more than 20,000 square meters of land. This triples its production capacities for highly integrated system-in-package devices."At our Berlin plant in Germany, we provide state-of-the-art production capacities – from SMT lines to bonding to 3D packaging. We will use these capacities for our own products and, if customer demand requires, also integrate further functionalities into storage solutions or offer customer-specific form factors."It means that, in addition to storage and safety functions, Swissbit may further integrate additional sensors and radio modules to expand the application possibilities of its Embedded IoT products."The key message is that, we can offer very flexible development and manufacturing services to meet customers' specific requirements for their IoT applications. With the new plant in Berlin, we are optimally equipped for this."Expanding operations in TaiwanFor Swissbit, its successful strategy has always been to look for niches in all of its target markets. These include industrial automation, IoT, telecommunications, automotive technology and medical technology, where small and medium-sized quantities are more likely to be in demand, and where customers value the high product quality and support services.Silvio points out that this strategy also applies to our activities in Taiwan and China. With presence in Taiwan for almost 10 years, Swissbit has expanded its operations in Taiwan last year, aiming to offer innovative and robust IoT solutions to customers in Asia and support them comprehensively throughout the entire product life cycle."One of our unique advantages particularly for our customers in Taiwan and China is that for security applications. Especially for those companies that sell their products to key export markets such as Europe and North America," Silvio stresses.He is optimistic that with Swissbit's comprehensive support network, modular hardware security and close cooperation with local partners as well as regulatory and certification authorities, Swissbit sees itself as a solutions partner to help customers enter these markets."The market for tamper-proof POS systems in Germany or the market for industrial and building automation for manufacturers of edge computing are perfect examples," Silvio indicates. "We look forward to cooperating with local makers more closely to create a win-win situation for both sides by expanding IoT security market together."Silvio Muschter, CEO of SwissbitSwissbit provides a wide range of security products to add HW-based security to your IoT systemSwissbit offers the full portolio of SSDs, storage cards and USB products in all common NAND technologies, with real industrial-grade high qualityWith advanced 3D packaging technology, Swissbit also provides flexible development and manufacturing services to meet customers' specific needs

AU Optronics (AUO) has leveraged its display technologies and teamed up with Space4Money, the company's wholly-owned subsidiary specializing in smart retail software and hardware integration solutions, to deliver interactive Smart Collection Wall and Information Wall displays, officially unveiled at the Orientation Gallery of Taiwan's National Palace Museum.Following the successful completion of smart retail spaces for domestic telecommunications companies, restaurant chains, creative arts and department store brands, AUO leads Space4Money to wield its expertise in product technologies and smart interactive solutions to offer a brand new experience for visitors to the National Palace Museum.To meet the new trends of smart showcasing and digital creative arts, Space4Money has partnered with animation studio Digimax to achieve a melange of technology and humanities with its interactive smart showcase integrating the National Palace Museum's digital archive of artifacts in the Orientation Gallery.Among the installations, the Smart Collection Wall, measuring at 12m in width, is currently the largest of its kind in Asia. The interactive wall uses 20 pieces of AUO's 55-inch high spec video wall displays, boasting high resolution, low reflection, and appealing extreme narrow bezel design.The bezel with displays assembled is a mere 1.8mm wide, forming an almost seamless single large screen for viewers to see a full spread of images. The Smart Collection Wall has an intuitive and friendly user interface and infrared sensor design to allow several users to select, drag and swipe pictures, videos, animations, 360-degree digital models, and writing interpretations of over 300 artifacts at the same time.After accessing the virtual artworks, visitors are encouraged to explore further the actual collections in the museum. On both sides of the Orientation Gallery, the Information Walls, each composed of four 55-inch video wall displays, showcase the latest museum exhibitions and events information for visitors to get a sneak preview.The Smart Collection Wall designed by AUO's groupPhoto: Company

ASM Pacific Technology's (ASMPT) Back-end Equipment Segment has been renamed to Semiconductor Solutions Segment. The other two segments - SMT Solutions Segment and Materials Segment remain unchanged.To stay ahead of the industry curve, we have proactively diversified our product portfolio and technologies into the mid-end deposition space and more recently into data analytics.The acquisition of NEXX on Oct 2018 with their full line-up of deposition tools uniquely positioned ASMPT to offer total interconnect solutions for Advanced Packaging, making ASMPT a leader and preferred partner for Heterogeneous Integration packaging as Moore's law slows down.To provide a pioneering total solution for TCB to customers, ASMPT has embarked on a strategic partnership with a high speed X-ray inspection/ metrology provider to offer an industry's first closed loop TCB-AXI (Thermo Compression Bonder-Automatic X-Ray Inspection) solution that utilizes the power of AI data analytics to achieve faster NPI, improved yields, better reliability and BIC (Best in Class) process control for Heterogeneous IntegrationWe also entered into a strategic collaboration with SAS and by leveraging ASMPT's Industrial IoT solutions, we expect to deliver the most advanced and holistic data analytics solution to our customers with the value of higher productivity, quality and reliability in their manufacturing operations.The renaming to Semiconductor Solutions Segment marks ASMPT's ambitions and continuing quest to deliver the best integrated customer value by strengthening our offering of adjacent products and solutions.We look forward to deepen our long-term partnership with our customers by continually delivering higher value to our customers.Lim Choon Khoon, Senior Vice President of ASM Pacific Technology, Business Unit CEO (IC/Discrete & CIS), Semiconductor Solutions

Industrial PCs (IPC) have been the driving forces for various industries. With the global smartization constantly trending up, businesses resort to digital transformation for sustainable growth, which is highlighting the increasing importance of the role that IPCs play.According to Jerry Chang, Senior Director of DFI Product Planning Division, the new trend spurs new demand, which traditional architectures can no longer keep up with. Smart systems today require IPCs to meet stronger AI computing power, more comprehensive network capabilities, and smaller footprint.IPC designs can be highly industry-specific and purpose-driven, such as healthcare, recreation, and transportation. What distinguishes IPCs from consumer electronics is that various essential specifications greatly factor in when designing and/or customizing IPC products. Nonetheless, Chang told Digitimes that, based on his observation of the market development, there are still some essentials shared by both business and customer settings, which are exactly the above-mentioned three: AI computing power, network capabilities, and smaller footprint.The demand for AI computing and networking emerged on the account of recent years' Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) trend, and it seems that IPCs' computing power hasn't yet stepped farther enough outside general data processing. The ubiquity of AI will bring edge computing to light, and today's IPCs are still not decent enough for that or for the performance level that aligns. Network capabilities on the other hand have become a must in IPCs. OT systems - mostly used in standalone systems - may require network connections, internally at most, with a few cases externally. But the tide has changed. Under the AIoT paradigm, enterprises are now stressing more on the importance of networking to external cloud and servers, which has already shifted the course for IPC design.Despite the importance of the above, IPC downsizing also seeks improvement. "IPC looks for maximum flexibility, and has to be the computing power inside miniature architectures in edge devices, so we will have to optimize that, especially in small form factors, without a question," Chang said. He also showed Digitimes that DFI already on the market has an array of products with the performance level of AI computing, robust network capabilities, and miniature design. Take GHF51 - it recently received major marketing efforts - for example, the 1.8-inch SBC form factor and AMD Ryzen R1000 processor make GHF51 a high-performance unit to support image processing and robotic arm control. For network connectivity, GHF51 also provides multiple high-speed, reliable and secure I/O interfaces to enable flexible expansion and connecting external devices.GHF51, in addition to business and industrial applications, also seems to catch academic attentions for its performance and footprint improvements. Raspberry Pi, academia and research institutions' favorite, is built on ARM-based processors, whereas GHF51, using x86-based AMD Ryzen processors, provides an upgraded alternative. We will see how this breakthrough affects the market.In addition to GHF51, each of DFI SBC series products has its own features respectively, such as ALF51 powered by Intel Atom platforms, "palm-sized" EC90A-AL, AL05P featuring Power over Ethernet (PoE), Freescale-based and "palm-sized" EC900-FS6 with "ultra-wide" operating temperatures, "mini-sized" EB100-KU powered by Intel Core i processors, CS551 with -30 degree C to 80 degree C operating temperature and smart heater triggered below -30 degree C, and a COMe Mini board, WL9A3, with Core i processors. As a tactic move, DFI foresaw the need to expand its portfolio of miniature models, and now they have more similar projects in roadmap.There may be two major reasons in DFI's miniaturization success unseen in its competitors, Chang specifically told Digitimes. One is its experienced system-on-module (SOM) development - the know-how in balancing between high-performance and small-footprint. DFI's long-term commitment to this field is believed to have accumulative values that allow it to build a complete product mix. The other reason is that, as a subsidiary of Qisda Group, DFI has received from a few benefits - the access to Qisda's supply chain that results in reduced cost estimation, and leverages for expanding regions and sectors. These advantages have been enabling system integrators to quickly build systems that combine flexibility and performance, thereby tapping new AIoT opportunities.Feel free to visit the DFI's website for more information.DFI's miniaturization asset lacked by its competitors, according to a senior director of DFI, lies in the experienced system-on-module (SOM) development, key to help system integrators build optimized AIoT systems.