Feedback refers to a core concept in circuit design and control theory, used to stabilize amplifiers and control system behavior. This article outlines the fundamental architecture of feedback, classifies standard topologies, and examines a practical hardware implementation as a case study. What is the fundamental architecture of a feedback system? A feedback system consists of […]
What is automotive Ethernet?
Automotive Ethernet is a physical layer standard that adapts standard Ethernet technology to the specific demands of the electric vehicle (EV) environment. This article examines how AE is evolving in-vehicle networking to meet the high-bandwidth, reliability, and architectural requirements of next-generation connected and autonomous vehicles. Networks, such as Controller Area Network (CAN) and Local Interconnect […]
Beyond cryptography, what hardware-level vulnerabilities are a concern in SoCs?
Silicon security has traditionally focused on cryptography, including hardening crypto-accelerators and protecting key storage. In System-on-Chip (SoC) design, this approach is insufficient. An SoC integrates multiple components, such as cores, memory, and third-party IP blocks, onto a single die. This integration introduces hardware-level vulnerabilities that do not target the cryptographic algorithms themselves. Instead, these threats […]
Embedded processors explained
An embedded processor is a microprocessor designed to perform a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system. Unlike the general-purpose processors found in personal computers or servers, embedded processors are optimized for specific tasks and are “embedded” into devices that are not primarily computers. Where are embedded processors used? The applications for embedded […]
How does deep learning actually work?
Deep learning has added a new dimension to engineering applications, from 5G signal processing to predictive maintenance in power grids. It automatically detects equipment failures and optimizes network traffic with accuracy. But how do these artificial systems actually learn from data? This FAQ explores the fundamental architecture of neural networks, the two-phase learning process that […]
What are the hardware strategies for building energy-efficient AI accelerators?
Artificial intelligence (AI) applications are spreading to more industries every day. However, the amount of energy used by these AI systems has become a significant issue. Modern deep neural networks require a considerable amount of computing power. This article examines five key hardware strategies for building energy-efficient AI acceleration: dedicated accelerator architectures, analog in-memory computing, […]
What is ‘compute-in-memory’ and why is it important for AI?
If you are running AI workloads, here is something that might surprise you. Your processors are wasting more energy shuffling data around than actually doing the calculations you care about. This inefficiency is becoming a serious limit for the next generation of artificial intelligence systems. As neural networks grow to billions of parameters, traditional von […]
What are the different key layers of IoT architecture? part 2
This second part of the FAQ discusses the three upper layers of the IoT architecture, which extend beyond the physical and network layers. The middleware layer processes and manages raw IoT data from connected devices. The application layer provides user interfaces and visualization tools. The business layer converts technical capabilities into actionable business outcomes. Part […]
What are the different key layers of IoT architecture? part 1
A layered Internet of Things (IoT) architecture provides modularity, scalability, and flexibility, allowing each layer to focus on specific tasks and technologies. This FAQ series covers the five-layer IoT architecture and explains why it is a commonly used framework. This first part focuses on the first two layers. IoT Architecture provides a structured framework for […]
A survey of Wi-Fi connectivity modules for IoT applications: part 4
This last FAQ in this series will cover Broadcom, Telit Cinterion, and Renesas’s latest innovations in Wi-Fi connectivity solutions for IoT applications. These innovations continue to focus on Wi-Fi 6 and 7 technologies, which offer improved speed combined with other features. Broadcom: BCM43740/43720/47722/6765/6726/67263 Broadcom’s BCM43740/43720/47722/6765/6726/67263 are the latest versions of the company’s Wi-Fi modules, featuring […]
