Welcome to The Alba Centre

The archive features reports on previous Associate events and will also include past news articles.

The Alba Centre Semiconductor Monthly (July) Industry Briefing
View the PDF(144KB)

Monthly Industry Briefing
(220k PDF)
Future Horizons - The Alba Centre Semiconductor Monthly Industry Briefing - February 2002.

VCX Newsletter (Volume 1 Issue 1, April 24, 2000)
The first IP Direct newsletter.

Alba Associates reception in Los Angeles
Pictures and review of the Design Automation Conference (DAC) in Los Angeles.

Systems on Chip in Japan
In June 2000, a team of seven industrialists, academics and government officials visited Japan to assess the current state of System on Chip (SoC) development in Japanese industry.

ISLI Newsletter
March 2000 edition as PDF (461k)

News Archive

SuperH Registers Star CPU IP Cores on VCX
Today SuperH, Inc., the leading supplier of multimedia RISC CPU cores, announced that it has licensed VCX TransactionWare(tm) software from the Virtual Component Exchange (VCX) and has listed its semiconductor IP cores on the VCX TradeFloor(tm).

NVis Inc. select CRL Opto as sole supplier of microdisplays
CRL Opto Limited (UK), a leading supplier of high resolution microdisplays, today announced that it has been selected by NVIS Inc. (USA) to be their sole supplier of SXGA (1280 x 1024) reflective microdisplays.

MicroEmissive Displays Ltd (MED) announces the world’s first Polymer OLED on CMOS microdisplay developer’s kit
Taipei, Taiwan, 5 November 2002 MicroEmissive Displays Ltd, the pioneer of light emitting polymer microdisplays, today announced the availability of the world’s first polymer OLED on CMOS microdisplay Developer’s Kit.

INFINITE DATA STORAGE HIRES FORMER ST MICROELECTRONICS, IOMEGA AND PHILIPS
Leading portable data storage technology company expands into US and Japanese markets with four new

CAST Inc. Joins Growing Ranks of VCX IP Vendors

ACADEMICS APPLY THEIR NEURONS TO NEW AXEON AWARD SCHEME
AXEON award scheme promotes academic research into neural networks

VCX Licensing Forum Delivers Industry-Backed PLD Licence

STUDENT NUMBERS MORE THAN TREBLE AT ISLI FOR 2002/3

XILINX AND NALLATECH ANNOUNCE INDUSTRY’S FIRST BIT ERROR RATE TESTER
High performance solution helps users accelerate FEC Bit Error Rate Testing in FPGAs

Design for Test and Verification introduced by ISLI

Scottish firm Nallatech says FPGAs are the ideal method for avoiding obsolescence in hardware.
The ability to alter both hardware and software without changing the basic boards is helping the firm sell products into applications such as defence.

INVITATION TO THE ENTREPRENEUR EXPERIENCE AT THE ALBA CENTRE
Companies Networking Event with Ian C Ritchie FREng, FRSE, FBCS Tuesday 8th October 2002, 5 to 7.30 p.m. at The Alba Centre, Alba Campus, Livingston EH54 7EG

Nallatech Ships World's First Xilinx Virtex-II Pro DIME-II Module
Nallatech, technology leaders in reconfigurable computers, have launched BenPRO, the world's first Virtex-II Pro DIME-II module offering maximum scalability and maximum communications bandwidth for telecoms, data networks, DSP and embedded processing applications.

AXEON ANCHORS DEVELOPMENT DEAL WITH SUB-SEA IMAGE PROCESSING EXPERTS SON-IX TECHNOLOGIES
Aberdeen neighbours join forces to apply innovative Neural Network technology to complex sub-sea applications.

Wolfson PR - New additions to high-speed pipelined ADC family
Wolfson introduces dual channel devices to high speed pipelined ADC family

CRL Opto and Optogone Sign Agreement to Jointly Develop Optical Communication Switching Modules

VIRTIO’S VIRTUAL PLATFORM FAMILY NOW SUPPORTS INTEL® WIRELESS MMX™ TECHNOLOGY FOR INTEL® XSCALE™ MICROARCHITECTURE
Virtio’s newest VPXS-WM Virtual Platform enables software developers to use Intel® Wireless MMX™ instructions

LDIC to use VCX Market Channel for IP
Latest IP Vendor to use VCX TradeFloor & TransactionWare

Wolfson Expands U.S. Presence
Rapid Growth Mandates Increase in Sales Staff

Wolfson Receives Award for Innovation
Wolfson Microelectronics' founder, David Milne, has been presented with the award for innovation in a company to spin-out of Edinburgh University, at a recent event organised by the university's Technopole science park.

Future Horizons - August 2002 Briefing
The Alba Centre Semiconductor Monthly Industry Briefing

IPDirect Newsletter - September 2002
The latest IP newsletter from VCX

Infinite Data Storage Listed as One of Europe's Top 100 Start-Ups
One of eight Scottish companies to be selected as ' hot 100'. Infinite Data Storage (IDS), designers of the world' s smallest portable CD-R device, the Samba, and a leader in optical data storage technology, was recently named in the second annual 'Tornado Insider 100' list as one of Europe's top emerging private technology companies.

INDIGOVISION SIGNS LICENSING AGREEMENT
INDIGOVISION SIGNS LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH HONEYWELL AUTOMATION AND CONTROL SOLUTIONS. Honeywell gains Access to leading-edge Live Networked Video technology.

EXTERITY COMPLETES SEED FUNDING
No more arguments with your family over who gets to watch digital TV.

6th Annual Connect Investment Conference
Only for the serious investor: The 6th Annual Connect Investment Conference October 21 & 22, Edinburgh

Chipidea Microelectronics latest VCX IP Seller to access Chartered
Today the Virtual Component Exchange (VCX) announced that Chipidea Microelectronics is participating in Chartered Semiconductor's prototyping program, Chartered Express(tm), as part of the VCX Service Partner initiative.

IPDirect Newsletter - August
Dedicated to providing you with the latest news and information on important issues related to Intellectual Property exchange.

INFINITE DATA STORAGE APPOINTS FORMER GE EUROPEAN FINANCE LEADER
Leading optical data storage technology company attracts top engineering and financial talent.

The latest issue of the newsletter for the Institute for System Level Integration.
Contents include: EDUCATION & TRAINING; ANALOG DESIGN; TEST ENGINEERING; NEWS.

Scottish Embedded Software July Newsletter
This is the second SESC newsletter of July - as predicted at the beginning of the month, the volume of news stories has warranted a second issue.

PLEXUS ESTABLISHES DESIGN CENTRE AT ALBA CAMPUS

Venture Capital Firms step up Investment Scrutiny
EBN Network, Crista Souza, 22 February 2002 - As venture capitalists tiptoe back into the technology waters, start-ups looking to raise cash are discovering funding is not as easy to come by as in the high-flying days of the dot-com boom.

ISLI - Test Engineering – Course Details
18 February 2002 - Board Test/ Design for Test course running at the ISLI on the 4th/5th April.

New Association at the ISLI
18 February 2002 - ISLI and Lancaster University plan to collaborate in the areas of SoC and Microsystems testing.

ISLI - Information Services
18 February 2002 - The Institute for System Level Integration has opened up its Library and Information Services to local companies.

Introduction to FPGA & VHDL - 2 Day Course
February 2002
Details of a 2-day course facilitated by Nallatech Ltd on behalf of the Electronics Design Technology Support Centre for Scotland at Napier University.

An intellectual property company in the modern electronics world
Dr Barry Keepence, Chief Technical Officer IndigoVision will be holding a seminar at The Institute for System Level Integration, Alba Centre, Alba Campus, Livingston at 3.00 - 4.00pm, Monday 28 January 2002.

Mentor Graphics Offers NewLogic Bluetooth Intellectual Property in Platform Solution
23 January 2002 - Mentor Graphics Corporation and NewLogic, a leading supplier of Bluetooth(TM) design solutions, announced a marketing agreement that allows system-on-chip designers to license Bluetooth silicon intellectual property from the Mentor Graphics(R) Inventra(TM) Intellectual Property division.

Talentscotland.com – New Web-site Proving a Hit with Engineers Worldwide
January 2002 - Following the recent launch of talentscotland.com, engineers and graduates worldwide have been taking the opportunity to register with the website to receive regular technology news and information on career vacancies from Scotland.

Distance Learning Bursaries
January 2002 - Through the Institute's collaboration with CEESI, an EPSRC-funded programme, we have secured a number of bursaries for Distance Learning. These are available to self-funding students and to employees of SMEs where the employer will pay the course fees.

Design Tools Exceed Timing Closure
EE Times, Richard Goering, 9 January 2002 - The most significant development of the new year in electronic design automation may be the advent of integrated, "IC implementation" tool suites that incorporate both logical and physical design.

Current Project's being undertaken by the ISLI
9 January 2002 - An EC supported development project proposal from the ISLI and other training and industry partners has been accepted. The project code-named SYDIC will start in Q1 2002 and will develop training material for industry in the areas of embedded software and SOC design.

Bluetooth Chips Kick Butt
Electronics News, 4 January 2002 - Bluetooth is definitely a reality, with chipset shipments on track to meet a previous 2001 forecast of 13 million, according to Cahners In-Stat Group.

Supercomputers to Massively Improve 3G System Modelling
December 2001 - A collaboration between industry and academia will significantly boost the performance of third-generation cellular radio system models.

Scottish Development International Launches Drive to Tackle Skills Needs of High Technology Companies
Scottish Development International has announced the launch of talentscotland.com - an innovative three year project to encourage global awareness of Scotland's technology industries and the job opportunities available within them.

New Distance Learning Courses from The Institute For System Level Integration
Wednesday 28th November - The Institute for System Level Integration today announces the introduction of its Distance Learning Programme in electronic systems design.

Indie IP Providers Designing Highway to the Future
ElectronicsNews 27 November 2001 - Intellectual Property (IP) providers-companies that have a business model based solely upon the sale and/or licensing of intellectual property-are increasingly indispensable to electronics manufacturers, particularly those in the communications industry.

Chip Makers' Road Map brings EDA into the Loop
EETimes, Anthony Cataldo & Richard Goering, 21 November 2001 - The semiconductor industry is being dragged kicking and screaming into an era in which jagged-edged technology disruptions and uncertainty have become the norm.

New Student Numbers for the ISLI Engineering Doctorate
5 November 2001 - Overall the Institute for System Level Integration (ISLI) now has 18 Engineering Doctorate (EngD) research engineers. This years new intake of 7 EngD researchers builds on the group who are already in their 2nd and 3rd year of a 4 year research degree. All of these students are sponsored by industry and represent a significant body of SoC design research based within ISLI that Is benefiting industry in the UK.

Amphion Reveals MPEG-4 Video Decoder Core
ElectronicsWeekly, Chris Druce, 17th October 2001 - Belfast-based IP core development firm Amphion has announced a new MPEG-4 video decoder core for system-on-chip (SoC) integration. The company claimed the CS6750 is the most efficient in the industry, available as a standalone solution for integration into any embedded processor environment.

Platforms on the Up
ElectronicsWeekly Online, Chris Evans-Pughe - The idealistic vision of an IP pick ‘n’ mix free-for-all is giving way to a more commercial reality that takes into account the complexities of SoC design by putting them together at platform level.

Adaptive Silicon Announces Next-Generation Software for the MSA 2500 Programmable Logic Core(tm)
Enhanced Software and New Tools from Synplicity and Atrenta Add Significant Functionality to ASi's Embedded Programmable Logic Core Offering.

What's Wrong with Design?
The results of a pan-European survey of electronics companies have produced the clearest statement yet that system verification is the single biggest problem in electronics design today. Addressing this one issue offers engineers potentially greater time and cost savings than any other.

New Academic Year starts at the ISLI
8 October 2001 - The ISLI are just starting the new academic year with almost twice the number of MSc students this year compared to last, reflecting the growing recognition and value of the specialised and focused training that ISLI is able to deliver.

ISLI Test Engineering Summer School
5 October 2001 - The second annual ISLI Test Engineering Summer School “Design to Test” was held at the Alba Centre on September 19th & 20th, 2001. Around 35 postgraduate students and engineers attended presentations on a variety of test-related topics from a number of experts drawn from European universities and local industry. Sessions covered a sample of topics from the current Test Education modular programme, and also included some new areas currently in development for future course presentation such as optoelectronics testing and design verification.

Spin-out to add New 3G Dimension
16 September 2001, Sunday Herald, Adaptive Programmable Silicon, a new spin-out from Edinburgh University, is aiming to provide technology solutions designed to help third-generation mobile phone networks offer multimedia services.

Professor Trips the Light Fanplastic
11th September 2001, The Herald - IFOR Samuel, who earlier this year struck a licensing deal for technology that could lead to roll-up TV screens, has announced a further breakthrough from research conducted by his team at the University of St Andrews.

Proven Theorem Could Save More Than Just Money
11th September 2001, The Herald - No matter how many tests you run on an integrated circuit or piece of software, you can never be sure that the next test you try won't expose a design error that will cost your company millions.

Optical Speeds Push Silicon
Gale Morrison, Electronic News, 31st August 2001 - A close look at the network processing segment finds any number of paradoxes, but one of the clearest to see might be that the field can hardly be called a segment at all. It’s just too big, too unexplored and too fluid.

Agere Systems licenses Bluetooth IP from NewLogic
IP licensing deal paves way for new cost-effective Bluetooth chips and chipsets.
Lustenau, Austria; August 21st, 2001 – NewLogic, a leading supplier of Bluetooth intellectual property cores, today announced a licensing deal with Agere Systems, the world leader in communications components, for Bluetooth baseband IP products. The agreement will enable Agere to embed NewLogic’s BOOST IP core into Bluetooth baseband processors and also combine Bluetooth baseband functionality with other IP to create system-level IC products for cellular phones.

Aiming to Hatch Successful Start-Ups
20th August 2001, The Scotsman - Any technology venture capitalist firm that expands during a deepening hi-tech slowdown must be doing something right.

ISLI – Doctorate of Engineering Degree
ISLI has a received a number of exceptionally good candidates for the Doctorate of Engineering degree.

Palmchip Introduces Industry’s First Multi-Channel Double Data Rate Shared Memory Processor Megacore
San Jose, California, - July 17th, 2001 – Palmchip Corporation, a leader in SOC (system-on-chip) solutions, today introduced the industry’s first multi-channel double data rate (DDR) shared memory processor megacore, the CG-7420.

Royal Bank Stands by Pledge to Invest in Technology Firms
Douglas Friedli – Businessam - 17 July 2001 – Royal Bank of Scotland said it was still committed to investing more than £100m in technology companies despite pulling out of three high-profile deals so far this year.

Edinburgh University Strikes US Technology Research Deal
Andrew Murray-Watson – The Scotman – 16 July 2001, Edinburgh University’s reputation as a world class centre for speech recognition technology was consolidated yesterday after it confirmed it is close to signing a groundbreaking deal with Stanford University in the US to assist in the commercialisation of cutting-edge research. The partnership agreement will see the universities working together to cash in on the rapidly growing speech technology sector.

It’s a Hardware Thing
11 July 2001 - In the brave new world of reconfigurability and hardware plug-ins the attraction of FPGAs and programmable SoCs is understandable. Chris Evans-Pughe looks at how the industry is using this to open up many design possibilities.

www.TheVCX.com Trading Update
4 July 2001 - More than 90 users are from Buying Companies on the VCX TradeFloor. These users are from companies genuinely interested in acquiring 3rd party SIP and have been specifically given access to the VCX TradeFloor by their company's administrator.

STMicroelectronics Develops Automotive Controller Chip
Electronics News - 3 July 2001 - As the number of semiconductors used in cars continues to show steady growth, STMicroelectronics today introduced an IC that it claims will help meet the demand.

NEC Selects Agere Systems Chips to Enable High-Speed Internet Access on Cellular Phones
Allentown Pa, 3 July 2001- Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR.A) today announced that NEC Corp. is using Agere's chips for two Internet-enabled cellular phones NEC plans to introduce to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)/General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) market by the end of this year. The two companies are also working together to develop solutions for third-generation (3G) cellular phones.

Model Technology and Actel Agreement Fuels Next – Generation FPGA
Portland, Ore., and Sunnyvale, Calif., July 2, 2001- Model Technology, a Mentor Graphics company, and Actel Corp. (Nasdaq: ACTL) today announced an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement to provide Actel customers with easy access to ModelSim(, the Electronic Design Automation (EDA) industry's leading language-neutral simulation tool.

ISLI - Doctorate of Engineering Program
28 June 2001 - The ISLI has been very successful in attracting students for the next academic year. In particular there have been a record number of excellent engineers applying for the Doctorate of Engineering program

DAC Plenary Calls for Better Software Design
Richard Goering – EE Times – 21 June 2001, The Design Automation Conference may be primarily oriented to chip design, but a plenary session Wednesday (June 20) turned the focus to embedded software development. Panelists agreed that software is becoming a key problem in system design, and several called for platform-based design as a way to facilitate both hardware and software development.

2001 Is Worst Year In Chip History, Dataquest Says
Alex Romanelli, Electronic News Online- 18 June 2001 Las Vegas – An analyst with market research company Gartner Dataquest Inc. of San Jose believes 2001 will be the worst year ever for the chip industry, with no relief until 2002 or 2003.

Glasgow Engineers in Award Winning Nanotechnology Consortium
14 June 2001 - Glasgow engineers are to share in a £18 M nationwide initiative to set up new interdisciplinary research collaborations in nanotechnology.

New Halo C Compiler from BOPS gets excellent results from EEMBC Benchmarking
Benchmarks show BOPS outperforms by 3X all competitors in EEMBC Full Fury Telecom Benchmark Suite on Telemark Score.

ISLI - Demonstration of Distance Learning Module in Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
11 June 2001 - The electronic design industry globally is undergoing significant technical change and needs substantially greater numbers of people with high-level design skills. Existing engineering staff and new graduates need flexible access to courses which will introduce them to system-level design. To help address the shortfall in high-level design skills, graduates in related disciplines will also need flexible access to basic system-level design courses to enable them to re-skill.

The VCX Public Listing
The VCX Public Listing, accessible from the VCX website.

Adaptive Silicon’s MSA 2500 Programmable Logic Core TSMC Test Chips Are Fully Functional
LOS GATOS, Calif. - June 6, 2001 - Adaptive Silicon (ASi) today announced that its MSA 2500 Programmable Logic Core(tm) (PLC(tm)) test chips, fabricated on the TSMC 0.18 micron process, are 100 percent functional. Qualification of the test chips allows manufacture of system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices with ASi's embedded programmable logic technology at TSMC.

INTENSE PHOTONICS GAINS ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT
INTENSE PHOTONICS GAINS ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT FROM ALICE VENTURES TO CLOSE B ROUND FUNDING AT £11.25MILLION (¤17.6M)