Amelia's Weekly Fish Fry

The next process node is coming faster and faster with every passing press release. This week we’re taking a closer look at the brand new 14nm test chip rolled out by Cadence, ARM, and IBM, and we’re looking into the new nanotube memory technology being developed by IMEC and Nantero. Speaking of breaking new ground, my guest this week is Brad Quinton (Tektronix) and we’re going to chat about the most recent developments in FPGA Prototyping, what Brad sees as the biggest problems for FPGA prototyping today, and why embedded instrumentation can be more effective than physical instruments. Also this week, I dig into Amelia’s Mailbag and give everyone the chance to win an LX9 Spartan-6 MicroBoard courtesy of Xilinx.

Saddle up comrades, we're heading over to the mighty land of Russia. In our first story, we're delving into the sci-fi-esque details of the "2045 Initiative", examining how they plan on achieving human immortality by 2045, and investigating the inner workings of their first android prototype "Alissa". Then, in another Russia-related story, we look into a new software-for-chartity fundraiser launched by Excelsior Software and tell you how you can participate in this program. Also this week, I interview Rob Frissel (Atmel) about the most recent advances in touchscreen technology for laptops and notebooks, how LCD noise comes into play, and how soon we can use these new technological advances in our own designs. I've got another LX9 Spartan-6 Microboard (courtesy of Xilinx) to give away this week but you'll have to listen to find out how you can enter to win.

Where in the world will Fish Fry take us this week? First, we’re going to take quick stroll by the most recent Raspberry Pi news, then it’s on over to some “Magic Finger” technology being developed by the Universities of Toronto and Alberta, and then we'll drive into EDA land with Bill Neifert (Carbon Design Systems- CTO). Bill is going to chat with me about Carbon Design Systems's recent collaboration with Samsung, what $4 million dollars in venture capital funding has to do with it, and what exactly Carbon is going to do with all that cashola. I have a brand new nerdy giveaway to throw your way, but you’ll have to listen to find out what it is and how to win.

The world of electronic design can change in the blink of an eye. Before you know it, things you thought were tried and true have flipped the script. This week we’re checking out why Synopsys decided to acquire of emulation powerhouse Eve, how non-volatile memory companies Kilopass and Sidense are settling their patent skirmishes (or not), and how Microsemi is shaking up the FPGA market with their new SmartFusion2 family of FPGAs.

Let’s face it, MEMS is everywhere. Our technological lives (and even some of our careers) would not exist as we know them without MEMS. This week my guest is Karen Lightman (Managing Director of the MEMS Industry Group) and we’re talking about the biggest MEMS show of the year; why you should attend, what you could learn, and how you can break into the kingdom of executives and woo them with your MEMS design Also this week I check out a new yoga class in Portland called “Yoga for Yoda” and explain why I won’t be joining this class anytime soon.

How many of you have gotten lost in your own corporate office building? Maybe it was your first week on the job? As hard as it is for us to navigate our own buildings, can you imagine what its like for emergency responders? In this week’s Fish Fry we check out a new real-time 3D mapping prototype being developed by MIT and examine how it could revolutionize the way we navigate the world around us. Also this week, I interview Steve Yang (President and Founder - ICScape). Steve and I chat about how ICScape can help your timing closure problems, what their tool suite looks like, and what’s ahead for this new EDA startup from China.

Sometimes it feels like we’re just inching along toward innovation. Sometimes it feels like we’re flying by the seat of our pants toward the future without a seatbelt in sight. This week we’re talking about Intel’s long-range plans for a 5nm process node, why ESL should be playing a big role in your next low power design, and even why the cool kids aren't using discrete components for power supplies anymore. Also this week, I give away a copy of the book “Mixed-Signal Methodology Guide” courtesy of Cadence Design Systems.

This week’s Fish Fry has it all - remote-controlled cockroaches, Raspberry Pis, and some design verification thrown in for fun. I dig into the details of a new neurostimulation system designed to create cockroach biobots, why getting your hands on a new Raspberry Pi computer may get a whole lot easier, and why verification is one of the most challenging engineering problems today. I interview Dave Reinhart (Vice President, Marketing - Aldec) about how to solve your verification struggles, how Aldec is carving out a nice slice of the EDA pie, and what meal is Dave most famous for. Also this week, I give everyone one more chance to win a copy of the book "Mixed-Signal Methodology Guide" courtesy of Cadence Design Systems, but you'll have to listen to find out how to win.

This week we’re talking mixed signals. My guest is Mladen Nizic (Cadence) and we’re talking about a brand new book published just a couple weeks ago called “Mixed-Signal Methodology Guide”.  Mladen and I chat about who this book is for, what companies collaborated to make this manual happen, and even where mixed-signal education is headed. Also this week, I check out Altera’s newly released roabmap for 20 nm and a new “magic” carpet that can not only map a person’s individual walking patterns but also predict when they are going to fall. I’ve also got a brand new nerdy giveaway this week, but you’ll have to tune in to find out what it is and how to win.

Get your motor runnin’ folks, we’re talking verification this week. In a special Fish Fry interview double-header, I chat with Brett Cline (Forte Design Systems) about what Forte’s SystemC synthesis tools look like, what’s behind their collaboration with High IP, and what his secret ingredient is for the best Bloody Mary. I also talk with Graham Bell (Real Intent) about the struggles of advanced verification, what their tool flow looks like, why Real Intent isn’t just a bug-hunting tool, and why foosball is like accelerated advanced verification signoff. Also this week, I check out the newest advances in vehicular WiFi and investigate why folks in my hometown of Portland, Oregon may need it the most.