VCs March on Defence Tech: A $2.5 Billion Boom
Venture capital (VC) funding in defence technology firms has reached $2.5 billion this year following Anduril Industries’ $1.5 billion Series F round completed in early August, according to a new Crunchbase report. This figure puts 2024 on track to rival the record high of $2.6 billion set in 2022, signalling a growing appetite for defence […]
A Transatlantic Alliance: US and EU Chips Acts Forge a New Path in Semiconductor Collaboration
In the wake of global chip shortages that disrupted industries and economies, the United States and the European Union have taken decisive action. The U.S. CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and the European Chips Act, enacted in close succession, represent an unprecedented level of public investment in the semiconductor industry. The shared goal is clear: to reduce dependency on foreign chip manufacturing, enhance supply chain resilience, and foster innovation in this critical sector.
AI Driving Surge in High Value IC Sales
The global semiconductor manufacturing industry witnessed positive developments in Q2 2024, as evidenced by a rise in IC sales, stabilising capital expenditure, and increased wafer fab capacity. While some end markets saw a slower recovery in the first half of the year, the surge in demand for AI chips and high bandwidth memory (HBM) provided […]
AI Boom Fuels SSD Demand Surge, SK Hynix and Solidigm Ramp Up Production
The rapid growth of AI servers has caused a dramatic 80% surge in enterprise solid-state drive (SSD) prices. In response, SK Hynix and its subsidiary Solidigm are increasing NAND flash production to meet this soaring demand. The AI revolution, initially focused on high-bandwidth memory, is now driving a need for high-capacity SSDs to store the […]
US Targets Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’
The US has taken decisive action against Russia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade, imposing sanctions on seven LNG carriers, including those believed to have loaded at the Arctic LNG 2 project. This swift response, less than a month after the first suspected cargo was loaded, highlights the US's determination to curb Russia's energy exports.
Cybersecurity and AI: A Growing Disconnect Amidst Rapid Innovation
The accelerating pace of Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation is leaving security measures in its dust, creating an alarming vulnerability across the technology landscape, according to the latest PSA Certified 2024 Security report. While AI offers immense potential, its rapid proliferation, especially at the edge, significantly expands the attack surface for cyber threats. A concerning 71% of AI-driven cyber threats have been flagged as a major worry, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures to keep pace with AI's advancements.
Hot Technology! AMD’s ZT Systems Acquisition Fuels AI Server Ambitions
In a strategic move that underscores the escalating demand for AI infrastructure, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) announced its plans to acquire server maker ZT Systems for a hefty $4.9 billion. This bold move signals AMD's intention to strengthen its AI chip and hardware portfolio, positioning itself to challenge Nvidia's for a piece of the growing AI server market.
Solving Engineers’ Pain Points with Astute PCB Solutions
Engineers often face numerous challenges when working with PCB boards, but one of the most significant pain points is the inconsistent quality and reliability from different suppliers. This inconsistency can lead to production delays, increased costs, and the need for extensive testing and rework to ensure the boards meet the required specifications and standards. At Astute, we understand these challenges and have designed our collaboration with PCB People, Astute PCB Solutions, to address them effectively.
Astute Electronics appointed as supplier to Crown Commercial Services for SALUS asset tracking technology
At the request of the UK MoD, Astute Electronics Limited has been appointed as a supplier to the Crown Commercial Service’s SPARK Dynamic Purchasing System Framework RM6094 for intelligent asset location and management technology, SALUS.
DRAM and NAND Flash Revenue to Soar Amidst High Demand and Rising Prices
The DRAM and NAND flash industries are poised for a significant revenue surge in 2024, driven by high demand and increasing prices, according to TrendForce. DRAM revenue is projected to reach a staggering $90.7 billion, marking a 75% year-over-year increase, while NAND flash revenue is expected to hit $67.4 billion, a 77% year-over-year jump.
Astute and Intelligent Memory: Partners for the Long Run
Astute Group understands the critical need for reliability and longevity in industrial applications, where systems need to perform flawlessly for years, not just fleeting moments. That's why we're proud to distribute Intelligent Memory's range of products including their Longevity SD and MicroSD cards, designed with the same commitment to endurance that powered athletes in Paris.
Astute launches new PCB sourcing division: Astute PCB Solutions
Astute Electronics is thrilled to announce a new strategic partnership in collaboration with PCB People to launch Astute PCB Solutions, providing a wide range of bare board technologies to new and existing global customers.
China Races Ahead in AI Chip Production as US Considers New Restrictions
ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), a Chinese memory maker, has begun mass production of HBM2 memory chips, a vital component for cutting-edge AI and high-performance computing processors, according to Tom's Hardware. This development puts CXMT two years ahead of schedule, underscoring China's determination to achieve self-sufficiency in memory technology.
Nvidia’s Blackwell B200 AI Chip Faces Delay, Impacting Major Cloud Providers
Nvidia, the leading AI chipmaker, has reportedly informed Microsoft and other cloud providers of a delay in the production of its highly anticipated Blackwell B200 AI chip, reports The Information. This setback, attributed to a design flaw discovered late in the production process, could postpone the mass shipment of the chip by at least three months, according to The Information.
China Allegedly Evading US AI Chip Sanctions Via Elaborate Ruses
Despite stringent US sanctions aimed at curbing China's access to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips, a thriving trade persists, fueled by a network of smugglers, front companies, and creative workarounds. According to a New York Times investigation, Chinese companies are acquiring these restricted chips, crucial for AI development, through a vast underground marketplace of fraudulent shipping labels and backroom deals.
Astute Group Offers the TS Series Thumbstick Controls from APEM, Perfect for Military and Defence Applications
Astute Group offers the TS Series Thumbstick Controls from APEM, a compact and durable control solution engineered specifically for the demanding requirements of military and defence applications. These high-precision thumbstick controls are designed to provide reliable performance in harsh environments, making them an ideal choice for military vehicles, remote weapon systems, and other critical defence platforms.
LPCAMM2 Memory: A Game-Changer for Electronics?
The recently introduced LPCAMM2 memory standard is gaining traction in the electronics industry, acclaimed for its superior performance and energy efficiency. It boasts faster data transfer rates and lower energy consumption compared to its predecessor and other conventional memory technologies. This makes it an ideal solution for modern computing environments where speed and power efficiency are paramount.
Japan Doubles Down on Semiconductor Dominance: A Multi-Billion Yen Bet on the Future
Japan is making a bold play to reclaim its former glory in the semiconductor industry, announcing a series of significant investments aimed at boosting domestic production of advanced chips. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has vowed to introduce legislation to support manufacturers in securing the necessary funding, signalling a major shift in the country's industrial policy.
Memory Market Explosion: Record Revenues Predicted as AI Fuels Demand
The global memory market is set for an explosive period of growth, with revenues expected to reach record highs by 2025, driven primarily by the soaring demand for high-performance memory solutions in the burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Leading market analyst TrendForce forecasts DRAM revenues surging by 75% in 2024 and a further 51% in 2025, while NAND flash revenues are also predicted to skyrocket by 77% and 29% in the same years.
Global Semiconductor Market Soaring, Projected to Surpass $1 Trillion by 2030
The global semiconductor industry is experiencing a remarkable surge in sales, with May 2024 marking a 19.3% year-over-year increase, reaching $49.1 billion, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). This growth, the largest percentage increase since April 2022, is fueled by robust demand across various sectors, particularly in the Americas, which saw a 43.6% year-over-year increase.
New N-Channel GaN FETs from Central Semiconductor
Astute Group have some new lines of N-Channel GaN FETs from Central Semiconductor. These cutting-edge devices leverage the numerous advantages of Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology to deliver superior performance in a wide range of power electronics applications such as wireless charging, power factor correction (PFC), electric vehicle inverters, and other high-efficiency power conversion systems.