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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
March 1, 2024 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
I just finished counting the percentage of times in which artificial intelligence/machine learning/data analytics topics appeared in the I-Connect007 news this week. What do you think the percentage is? AI has moved well beyond a technical term; heck, it has clearly also eclipsed catch-phrase status. It seems a foregone conclusion that AI applications will be inserting themselves into manufacturing just as they are appearing in our handheld devices.
Speaking of handhelds, that market seems to be growing as well. This week’s five must-reads include smartphone market data, telecom infrastructure development, a new white paper on the influence of data analytics, a report on the European market, and the launch of a new podcast series on PCB 3.0, a new design methodology. See what I mean? If it isn’t AI/ML/DA directly, the news is a first cousin to those three topics. Have a wonderful start to the month of March.
On the Line With… Talks With Cadence Experts on Changing How Circuit Boards Are Designed
Published February 29
The I-Connect007 podcast series, “On The Line With…” hit the ground running in 2024. This week, the podcast, in concert with Cadence Design Systems, launched a new series on intelligent system design. The introductory episode released this week. Read more about why you should be listening to this podcast series here.
Worldwide Smartphone Recovery Is Happening as Shipments Are Forecast to Grow 2.8% in 2024
Published February 23
As this article points out, the global smartphone market has shrunk six out of the last seven years. Factors include longer device lifetimes, amplified by rising cost for the devices themselves, and a somewhat slower innovation cycle. 2024, however, is expected to deliver nearly 3% growth, reaching 1.2 billion units. Learn more here.
New Funding to Put the UK at Heart of Next Generation Telecommunications Services
Published February 26
Here’s an example how telecom infrastructure and cell phone demand are undergoing a resurgence. In this case, the development work incorporated telecom networks, both terrestrial and space-based. This is just one of the wireless communications related news items this week.
Ups and Downs in the World Market
Published February 29, 2024
Pete Starkey again delivers his detailed coverage of the EIPC Winter Conference, held this year in southwest Germany. Does any of their reporting comes as a surprise to you? I’ll let you be the judge. Starkey chronicles the speakers and their presentations, making, as ever, valuable reading for anyone following the European PCB industry.
IPC White Paper Emphasizes Critical Importance of Data Analytics for Electronics Manufacturing Process
Published February 26
“Multiple factors challenge the status quo of how electronics manufacturers are managed, including the blurring of the line between semiconductor and circuit manufacturing and the rapidly increasing demand for additional electronics manufacturing caused by the adoption of high-performance computing, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics, among other challenges. These pressures require manufacturers to pay closer attention to data analytics to increase productivity and reduce error and waste.” Read more here; access the whitepaper via ipc.org.
If you’ve stayed with me until the end, my answer about AI in the news is nearly 10%. Maybe that doesn’t sound like much, but when you consider how fast this technology has hit us, it’s a pretty big number.
Suggested Items
SMTA Austin Expo & Tech Forum Returns February 6, 2025
10/30/2024 | SMTAThe Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) Austin Expo & Tech Forum is set to take place on Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Travis County Exposition Center.
Manu Skyttä Starts as the President and CEO of Aspocomp Group Plc
05/20/2024 | GlobeNewswireManu Skyttä, MSc, Aeronautical Engineering, who was appointed as the new President and CEO of Aspocomp Group Plc in February, starts his position today. The Company issued a release on the appointment of Manu Skyttä on February 15, 2024.
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 16.3% Year-to-Year in February
04/04/2024 | SIAThe Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced global semiconductor industry sales totaled $46.2 billion during the month of February 2024, an increase of 16.3% compared to the February 2023 total of $39.7 billion but a decrease of 3.1% from the January 2024 total of $47.6 billion.
North American PCB Industry Sales Down 11.6% in February
03/25/2024 | IPCIPC announced today the February 2024 findings from its North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.07.
North American EMS Industry Up 4.1% in February
03/25/2024 | IPCIPC announced the February 2024 findings from its North American Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.22.