The lead hardware designer of both the original ARM core and the BBC Micro Computer, Professor Steve Furber, is leading an effort to simulate the human brain with ARM cores. Custom chips with 18 cores each will be used. Check out the story at Electronics Weekly for more information: One million ARM cores to simulate brain at Manche`ster – 7/8/2011 – Electronics Weekly.
A long time fan of the NASA Space program, the last shuttle going up is a little bit sad. Artist Alberto Cuadra has put together this infographic about the shuttle. Originally created by the Houston Chronicle. (Citation missing, please comment if you have one!)
These days it is pretty rare to see a press release from a semiconductor company touting 5V TTL capabilities. Diodes is upgrading their 5V TTL logic as reported by Electronics Weekly. While the 5V operating will easily appeal to hobbyist, the package sizes may not. They are not through-hole components. However, the 74ACHT series will provide you surface mount solutions for AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XOR, Inverter, and Schmitt trigger glue logic.
Diodes can be found at www.diodes.com.
Watch an episode of NCIS or CSI and you might get the impression that hacking electronic devices is a simple way to learn all you need to about a person. While these shows tend to gloss over the science of the forensic work, the truth is, most electronic devices only rely on obscurity to keep data safe. Here is an article from Cambridge researchers discussing how to read contents using lasers (but not feverish typing on a keyboard for software that is clearly graphical in nature.). That sound crazy right? Don’t forgot Princeton has guidelines on security based on the fact you can freeze RAM to extend its retention.
Techniques like these might not work much longer. This new SRAM chip from Maxim, the DS3660, isn’t big but it is continuously updating its cells to prevent a recoverable data pattern from being imprinted. Tamper-resistant features will work to keep the secrets of the chip safe, should someone try TV-style hacking techniques.
Additionally, it also includes cool features like a 64-bit unique serial number, a random-number generator, and a seconds counter all while supporting I2C communications.
Check with Maxim for more details. Don’t be surprised if samples are tough to come by….: http://www.maxim-ic.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/6767
Over at Universe Today, there is a review of the book titled “NASA Space Shuttle Owner’s Workshop Manual.” When I first started using the Internet (over dial-up at 28.8kps), I came across JPL’s website. It lead me to the Operations Manual and Reference Guide for the Space Shuttle. At the time I couldn’t believe such information was available to the public. Then I realized, didn’t the public buy those machines in the first place? It is a shame we are garaging them.
