From April 12-15, 2011, Fuzhou Rockchip Electronics Co, Ltd will join CSF HK. Rockchip will show its RK29XX terminal products based on Android OS during this fair. Products include MID, smartphones, Android TV and e-book readers.RK29XX supports Gingerbread (Android 2.3) and future versions. Manufactured with TSMC's advanced process, the A8 core can enable up to 1.2GHz. RK29XX is the world's first SoC to support decoding of the full HD (1080p) VP8 video codec entirely in hardware. It also provides a full HD decoder and encoder processor. Its high performance 3D processor supports OPENGL 2.0. RK29XX can satisfy the requirements of VoIP video call. New terminal products with stable user experience will be in mass production soon.Furthermore, the Rockchip R-Box Android TV solution will debut as well. R-Box can realize the high integration of Android OS, 1080p video, Internet connectivity, video calls, 3D games and HDTV.Customers and media personnel are welcome to visit the Rockchip booth to experience new-generation mobile Internet solutions.2011 CSF HKDate: April 12-15, 2011Rockchip Booth: 3C02, Hall 3Location: Asia World-Expo, Hong Kong International AirportRockchip RK29XXPhoto: Company
Nvidia has announced Quadro 400 GPU, a new professional graphics solution that puts the power of the GPU in the hands of designers and engineers.Built for use with professional applications, such as Autodesk AutoCAD, the Nvidia Quadro 400 GPU provides up to five times faster performance over high-end consumer gaming cards. It also gives up to 10 times improvement when running CAD/CAM applications.Priced at US$169, the Quadro 400 GPU also offers excellent power efficiency, consuming less than 35W, and its low-profile footprint means it offers the flexibility to fit into any workstation, including small form-factor systems.With 512MB of DDR3 memory, the Quadro 400 processor enables professionals to interact with a wide range of design models. It also provides high visual fidelity, featuring a 30-bit (10-bits per color) color engine with a dynamic range of over one billion color variations. The Quadro 400 drivers are optimized and certified on leading professional applications.Additional features of the new Quadro 400 GPU include: unified driver architecture – guarantees forward and backward compatibility with professional application software drivers, and simplifies upgrading to a new solution; hardware 3D window clipping – accelerated clip regions enable faster data transfer between a window and the frame buffer to improve overall graphics performance; high-quality display connectivity – drives ultra-high-resolution panels, producing phenomenal image quality, supporting two active connectors, including dual-link DVI with up to 3840 by 2400 resolution at 24Hz on each panel, and DisplayPort (DP) with up to 2560 by 1600 resolution.Nvidia's Mosaic Technology also enhances workspace across up to eight displays (using one card per two displays), enabling seamless taskbar spanning, as well as transparent scaling of any application. Works over multiple displays or a single high-resolution display, and with Nvidia nView desktop management software.The Nvidia Quadro 400 processor also supports 3D Vision and 3D Vision Pro active shutter glasses 3D technology that delivers crystal-clear, stereoscopic 3D visualization for the most immersive 3D experience, ranging from desktop workstations to collaborative work spaces.The Quadro 400 is available immediately for the HP Z800, Z600, and Z400 Workstations, and for all Fujitsu Celsius workstations. It will be available soon on select Lenovo ThinkStation D20, C20, S20 and E30 models. It is also available from Nvidia Quadro channel partners including PNY Technologies in North America and Europe, ELSA in Japan, and Leadtek in Asia Pacific.Nvidia Quadro 400 graphics cardPhoto: Company
Enabling IT departments to better manage data-intensive environments through new security and reliability features and performance, a new family of server processors that accelerate mission-critical computing have been announced by Intel.The Intel Xeon processor E7-8800/4800/2800 product families build on Intel's previous generation of server processors to set a new standard for high-end computing applications, including business intelligence, real-time data analytics and virtualization. Strengthening the line of defense for data centers, the new processors also provide advanced security features that ensure greater data integrity.Based on Intel's leading 32nm process technology, the new Intel Xeon processors have up to 10 cores with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, and deliver up to 40% greater performance than the Intel Xeon 7500 series processor. Concurrently, a new energy-saving feature reduces the power draw of idle portions of the chip. Beginning today, more than 35 systems based on the Intel Xeon processor E7 family are expected to ship from manufacturers around the world.The new processor family contains 18 new processors for two-, four- and eight-socket servers, and is expandable to servers with 256 sockets. A 40% improvement in generational compute-intensive performance can enhance the pace and accuracy of applications in such fields as scientific research and financial services where speed is essential. With up to 25% better performance with virtual machine applications than the current generation, the new chips also hold the industry's highest virtualization performance.IT managers seeking to achieve greater economic efficiencies can replace 18 dual-core servers with a single Xeon processor E7-based server. To help address rising energy costs, the new Xeon chips include Intel Intelligent Power technology that dynamically reduces idle power consumption of the chip based on the workload while also delivering advanced processor power-management capabilities.Recognizing the range of compute-intensive applications from climate modeling to real-time business analytics, and the need for uncompromised performance to run them, Intel is offering 10 advanced 10-core versions of the chip, led by the E7-8870, E7-4870 and E7-2870, all of which reach 2.4GHz with a Thermal Design Point (TDP) of 130 watts.The company also announced a version of the chip that combines the benefits of high performance with low voltage, as well as a frequency-optimized version. The 10-core low-voltage E7-8867L reaches 2.13GHz with a TDP of 105 watts, while the eight-core frequency-optimized E7-8837 tops out at 2.67GHz with a TDP of 130 watts.Intel Xeon processor E7 family based-platforms add a massive 2 terabyte of memory in a four-socket system supported by the new processors. Most of these chips also contain Intel Turbo Boost Technology, Intel Hyper-Threading Technology and Intel Virtualization Technology (VT), which can increase performance as required, ease multitasking and enhance reliability and manageability, respectively.Intel is bringing its security technologies available today in its mainstream Intel Xeon processor 5600 series, to the mission-critical server segment with the introduction of platforms based on the Xeon processor E7 family. Intel Advanced Encryption Standard New Instruction (AES-NI) allows systems to quickly encrypt and decrypt data running over a range of applications and transactions, while Intel Trusted Execution Technology (Intel TXT) creates a secure platform at boot-up by protecting applications from malicious threats.Together, these security features can ensure that virtualized environments are more reliably secure when they are launched, migrated or at rest, as well as experience better performance and functionality.Starting today, system manufacturers from around the world are expected to announce more than 35 Xeon processor E7 family-based platforms. These manufacturers include Bull, Cisco, Cray, Dawning, Dell, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Huawei, IBM, Inspur, Lenovo, NEC, Oracle, PowerLeader, Quanta Computer, SGI, Supermicro and Unisys.Numerous enterprise software vendors also support Xeon processor E7 family-based platforms, including IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Red Hat, SAP AG and VMware.Intel also announced the Intel Xeon processor E3-1200 family, an entry-level server processor built to meet the unique demands of small business applications, ranging from collaboration tools to storage and back-up applications. With up to 30% greater performance over the previous generation, the Xeon processor E3-1200 product family is faster and provides higher reliability than a desktop computer running similar applications. Support for Error Correcting Code (ECC) memory ensures system reliability by preventing glitches that cause data breaches and downtime, and with small businesses facing a harsher climate of security threats the Xeon processor E3-1200 product family helps ensure the integrity of valuable data with Intel AES-NI and Intel TXT.The Xeon processor E7-8800/4800/2800 families range in price from US$774 to US$4,616 in quantities of 1,000. The Xeon processor E3-1200 family ranges in price from US$189 to US$612 in quantities of 1,000.Intel new Xeon E7 server processor diePhoto: CompanyIntel new Xeon E3-1200 family processorPhoto: Company
Toshiba has announced that it has enhanced its NAND flash portfolio with the introduction of 24nm generation "SmartNAND," which integrates error management into the NAND package. The new chips will support simplified host-side design and application of advanced NAND process generation in digital audio players, tablet PCs, information equipment, digital TVs, set-top boxes (STBs) and other consumer applications that require high-density, non-volatile memory.Toshiba's new embedded NAND series is built using its 24nm process technology, and integrates a control chip supporting error correction code (ECC). Available in four to 64 gigabyte (GB) capacities, the devices are designed to remove the burden of ECC from the host processor while minimizing protocol changes. The SmartNAND portfolio is targeted for portable media players, tablet PCs and other consumer digital products.The new 24nm product lineup will replace current 32nm generation devices, Toshiba said, adding that the advanced process combined with faster controller and internal interface will realize faster read and write speeds and enhance overall performance. SmartNAND also supports a range of read and write speeds, optimized to suit design objectives, and four read modes and two write modes will be offered.Samples of the new SmartNAND lineup will be available from middle of April, and mass production will start in the second quarter of CY2011, according to Toshiba. Toshiba: 24nm generation SmartNAND portfolio Part number Capacity Package Start of samples Start of mass production THGVR1G5D1HTA00 4GB 48 pin TSOP May 2Q11 THGVR1G5D1HLA09 52 land LGA Aug 3Q11 THGVR1G6D1GTA00 8GB 48 pin TSOP Apr 2Q11 THGVR1G6D1GLA09 52 land LGA Jul 3Q11 THGVR1G7D2GTA00 16GB 48 pin TSOP Sep 4Q11 THGVR1G7D2GLA09 52 land LGA May 2Q11 THGVR1G8D4GLA09 32GB 52 land LGA Jun 3Q11 THGVR1G9D8GLA09 64GB 52 land LGA Aug 3Q11 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, April 2011Toshiba SmartNANDPhoto: Company
Green products, green materials and speciality chemicals provider Prime Chemicals International, which was established in 1992, has highlighted its commitment to protecting the environment.The company focuses on providing green solutions for makers in the PCB, BGA, flip chip, LED, NMP, LCD, TP and PV sectors. It has three major product lines: Green Products, Green Materials and Speciality Chemicals.Green ProductsGreen Products, which target the cooling tower system recovery and treatment, are cost-effective solutions to prevent the potential risk of factory shut-down, reduce waste water treatment cost, save energy, protect the environment by eliminating chemical additives. They are easy to use and maintain for green factories.Green MaterialsGreen Materials, which are solutions for thermal conductivity and heat dissipation for LED-related processes and products, meet RoHS & halogen-free specifications. Primary products are thermal conductive coating, thermal conductive adhesive, ambient-curable silver conductive adhesive and white backlighting ink for LCD/LED panel and lamps. Green Materials are eco-effective solutions to totally address heat dissipation issues for green processes and product designs.Speciality ChemicalsSpeciality Chemicals meet the needs of surface chemistry, polymer science, metal surface, alloy etching, metal chemistry, green application and environmental protection. Primary products are pretreatment materials, brown oxide materials, black oxide materials, anti-foam, anti-oxidant, liquid/dry film stripper, etching regeneration system, environmental clean chemicals, fine lines quick etching, fine lines special stripper, ITO etching, glass etching, alloy/metal surface clean and treatment.Prime Chemicals International is committed to offering professional, innovative and customized solutions to support clients' green factories. Please visit the company website: http://www.primepomat.com/. Or contact: sales@primepomat.com.Prime Chemicals International's market focusesPhoto: Company
Kingston Digital, the flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology, has announced that it is shipping a 4GB and 8GB Class 10 microSDHC card, joining the previously-released 16GB Class 10 card. Kingston also plans to add a 32GB capacity to the family in the second quarter of 2011."Kingston's Class 10 microSDHC cards are compatible with many of the latest mobile phones including Android smartphones and BlackBerry devices, HD cameras and the increasingly popular tablet PCs," said Mike Kuppinger, flash card business manager, Kingston. "The Class 10 speed provides faster data transfer rates and the various capacities help satisfy storage needs for users with both light and heavy memory needs."Kingston takes mobility and versatility a step further when it makes these cards part of the Mobility Kit, which includes an SD adapter and a USB card reader. The SD adapter allows users to capture continuous images or videos in digital cameras while the reader provides a simple and fast way to transfer data to a host PC. The Class 10 microSDHC cards will ship as part of the Mobility at the end of March.In addition to the Class 10 cards, Kingston currently ships the microSDHC card in a Class 4 specification as both a standalone and part of the Mobility in capacities up to 32GB. The cards are backed by a lifetime warranty and 24/7 live technical support. Kingston: Class 10 microSDHC card offering Part no. Capacity and features MSRP (US only) SDC10/16GB 16GB microSDHC Class 10 (card+SD adapter) US$139 SDC10/16GBSP 16GB microSDHC Class 10 (card only) US$138 SDC10/8GB 8GB microSDHC Class 10 (card+SD adapter) US$38 SDC10/8GBSP 8GB microSDHC Class 10 (card only) US$37 SDC10/4GB 4GB microSDHC Class 10 (card+SD adapter) US$23 SDC10/4GBSP 4GB microSDHC Class 10 (card only) US$22 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, March 2011Kingston 16GB Class 10 microSDHC cardPhoto: Company
Japan-based Powdec has announced that together with Sheffield University, they have succeeded in developing breakthrough high-voltage GaN power transistors. This was realized by creating semiconductor hetero-junction structures based on novel principles, which solve the problems of conventional transistors and dramatically improve the transistor erformance.Current collapse is almost completely eliminated, power losses are reduced and high break-down voltages of more than 1,100V are realized in the new transistors, Powdec said. These new GaN transistors are suited to be used in a broad range of equipment from inverters in consumer appliances to server power supplies, electric vehicles and industrial motors to lower power use.Powdec revealed that in its breakthrough solution, instead of a conventional metal field plate, a thin film of p-type GaN (p-GaN) is used. The company succeeded in realizing a polarization effect in the top and bottom interfaces of the AlGaN (aluminium gallium nitride) layer where equal negative and positive charge is generated, creating a 2-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) and 2-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at the interfaces. This polarization effect almost completely suppresses both the current collapse and current leakage at the gate of the HFET (heterojunction field effect transistors). This is a similar effect seen in silicon super junction devices where the entire length of the gate-drain channel is depleted (high resistance), and the electric field is distributed uniformly along the channel, enabling these GaN transistors to sustain high breakdown voltages.Powdec solved the difficult issue of realizing a high hole density in collaboration with University of Sheffield. This allowed a 2DHG of high hole density to be achieved for the first time in the world, the company claimed.Going forward, Powdec's breakthrough HFET technology can be easily combined with 'normally-off' structures. Powdec plans to shift growth of the devices to large diameter silicon wafers, with aims to have these energy efficient, high voltage products shipping in volume in two to three years. To accelerate the market adoption of these innovative, low-power GaN devices, Powdec said it is actively expanding its partnerships worldwide.
Nvidia has introduced the GeForce GTX 590, the fastest dual graphics card available from the company. Powered by dual Nvidia Fermi-class GPUs on a single card, the GTX 590 is designed for enthusiasts and those looking to build the ultimate gaming PC.With a combined 1024 Nvidia CUDA architecture cores, 3GB of GDDR5 memory, six billion transistors and over 2200 individual components all packed into an 11-inch dual slot card, the GTX 590 delivers 32 tessellation engines that can power today's DirectX11 games at resolutions of 2560 by 1600 and higher. With four separate video outputs on each card, consumers can configure their PC with four independent displays, or they can span their gaming across three 3D displays, at a resolution up to 5760 by 1080.With Nvidia SLI technology, gamers can increase their PC's gaming performance by adding a second GeForce GTX 590, for enabling Quad SLI gaming mode.The GTX 590 also features a special cooling system and dual vapor chambers, which deliver both performance and acoustics. Measured with a standard decibel meter, the GTX 590 clocks in at 48dB, more than two times quieter than the closest competitive product under full graphics load, the company claimed.With an estimated selling retail price starting at US$699, the GeForce GTX 590 is available starting today from the world's leading add-in card partners, including Asustek Computer, EVGA, Gainward, Gigabyte Technology, Inno3D, Micro-Star International (MSI), POV, Palit, and Zotac.Nvidia GeForce GTX 590 graphics cardPhoto: Company
AU Optronics (AUO) will be joining Earth Hour, organized by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), along with 128 countries. From 8:30-9:30 pm on March 26, all office lights will be turned off. The company's 42,000 employees worldwide are also encouraged to join this event with their families and friends. It is estimated that around 6,000 kWh of electricity will be saved in one hour, approximately the consumption amount of one Taiwanese household for 1.5 years. AUO will practice to be even greener by turning off the lights for one hour every day from now on.In view of the excessive carbon emissions around the world that have caused climate change and posed threats to human survival, WWF conceived Earth Hour to encourage individuals, communities, companies and governments to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour on the last Saturday of March annually. It is hoped that more awareness could be raised towards the need to take action. Taiwan is collaborating with WWF for the first time this year, joining this global initiative. As a green, global citizen, AUO has decided to participate in Earth Hour with no hesitation.On March 26, AUO will turn off all office and dormitory lights in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, the US, and Europe for one hour. The company's 42,000 employees worldwide are also invited to join this event with their families. An estimated 6,000 kWh of electricity will be saved by the 42,000 households in one hour, approximately the consumption amount of one Taiwanese household for 1.5 years. In addition, AUO will continue to turn off the lights at noon every day from now on, and encourage its employees to adopt greener practices. The measures include: providing exclusive parking space for car-pool employees, reminding employees to examine and reduce their own carbon footprints every day, replacing paper cups with mugs, offering and encouraging vegetarian diet every Monday, purchasing locally grown fruits and vegetables to reduce food miles, and organizing charity events to send used goods to nonprofit and charity groups.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has announced that it led 15 supplier partners in jointly completing Taiwan's first semiconductor supply chain carbon footprint verification. The project was completed with assistance from the Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs' Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), and is part of the IDB's "Semiconductor Supply Chain Carbon Footprint Assistance and Promotion Plan". It follows TSMC's successful completion of the IDB's "Supply Chain Carbon Inventory Assistance Plan" in June 2009.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has announced that it led 15 supplier partners in jointly completing Taiwan's first semiconductor supply chain carbon footprint verification. The project was completed with assistance from the Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs' Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), and is part of the IDB's "Semiconductor Supply Chain Carbon Footprint Assistance and Promotion Plan". It follows TSMC's successful completion of the IDB's "Supply Chain Carbon Inventory Assistance Plan" in June 2009.In this project, TSMC led 15 supplier partners to verify the carbon emissions of IC products produced by wafer fabs and packaging and testing facilities according to the PAS2050 standard. The manufacturing process was examined in great detail, going as far as emissions for each layer of an IC product, and final data was further verified by a third party. This project not only set records in terms of the number of participating companies and level of detail, it also shows that Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain is actively carrying out the government's carbon reduction policies and answering the global call for product carbon footprint labeling and eco-labeling. The results of this project will help the semiconductor industry establish the capability to provide carbon footprint and eco-labels to satisfy the future requirements of customers and consumers."As we face the challenges of global climate change, energy conservation and carbon reduction, TSMC will continue to collaborate with our suppliers, share our experience in cutting emissions, and do our part to protect the environment and fight global warming." said TSMC Senior VP Stephen Tso.Participants in this project include Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE), Taisil Electronic Materials, Air Products, Air Liquide Far Eastern, United Industrial Gases, Boclh Industrial Gases, Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL), Basf Electronic Materials Taiwan, Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Taiwan, Cabot Microelectronics, Dow Electronic Materials, Asia Union Electronic Chemical, ProsperChem, Topco Quartz Products and Ardentec. Each company has completed personnel training, facility inventory and on-site surveys, data compilation and calculation, as well as checks for data accuracy. Third-party verification was completed at the end of January 2011.
