The Raspberry Pi Pico W is a versatile microcontroller board that packs a lot of power into its compact form factor. With the integration of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, it opens up a world of possibilities for projects that require wireless communication.

Bluetooth C/C++ SDK Support

To make use of Bluetooth on the Pico W, the latest version of the Pico SDK (1.5.0) introduced Bluetooth functionality that was previously unavailable. This update brings various Bluetooth libraries that expand the capabilities of the Pico W when it comes to utilizing Bluetooth technology.

Here's an overview of the available Bluetooth libraries for the Raspberry Pi Pico W:

Bluetooth Classic: This library enables communication using traditional Bluetooth technology. It allows you to connect and communicate with other devices that support Bluetooth Classic, such as smartphones, computers, and other microcontrollers.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): BLE is a power-efficient variant of Bluetooth designed for low-power devices. It enables you to create energy-efficient applications that can communicate with other BLE-enabled devices, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and IoT devices.

Bluetooth Sub Band Coding (SBC) encoding/decoding: This library provides audio encoding and decoding capabilities using the SBC codec. With this feature, you can stream audio wirelessly between the Pico W and other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as speakers or headphones.

Bluetooth Network Encapsulation Protocol (BNEP) support using LwIP: BNEP support allows you to encapsulate network traffic over Bluetooth connections using the Lightweight IP (LwIP) stack. This feature enables you to establish network connections and exchange data between the Pico W and other Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth Network Encapsulation Protocol (BNEP) support using LwIP with FreeRTOS for NO_SYS=0: This library offers BNEP support specifically for systems using the FreeRTOS operating system with the NO_SYS=0 configuration. It allows you to use BNEP over Bluetooth connections while leveraging the benefits of FreeRTOS.

These Bluetooth capabilities on the Raspberry Pi Pico W open up exciting possibilities for various projects. For example, you can create applications that involve audio streaming, where the Pico W acts as a Bluetooth audio source or receiver. You can also implement volume control functionality to adjust audio levels wirelessly. Additionally, you can explore projects that turn the Pico W into a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse, allowing it to interact with other devices.

To get started with Bluetooth on the Raspberry Pi Pico W, you'll need to follow the Pico SDK's quick-start instructions. These instructions provide guidance on setting up the necessary software tools and libraries to utilize Bluetooth features on the Pico W. Additionally, the Pico SDK documentation includes numerous Bluetooth examples that can serve as a reference for your own projects.

Note: - The Bluetooth support for pico W on Arduino IDE has yet not been confirmed or arrived.

Micropython Support

While MicroPython support for Bluetooth on the Pico W has not been officially released yet, there are indications that work is underway. Jim Mussared, the founder of MicroPython, has acknowledged the demand for Bluetooth support and mentioned active development efforts. This suggests that MicroPython support for Bluetooth on the Pico W may become available in the near future. To stay updated on the progress, you can monitor the relevant GitHub thread where the development is being discussed.

Once MicroPython support for Bluetooth is added to the Pico W, it will further enhance the accessibility of Bluetooth capabilities for a wider range of developers and enthusiasts. This will unlock even more exciting possibilities for creative projects, as it will enable developers to leverage the simplicity and ease of use offered by MicroPython while utilizing Bluetooth features on the Pico W.

In conclusion, the Raspberry Pi Pico W's integration of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities brings immense potential for wireless communication and opens up new avenues for innovative projects.

US government must provide a crystal-clear strategy when spectrums will be available so that businesses, operators, component and hardware providers can prepare themselves before utilizing these spectrum.

The industry association Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) hosted the 5G summit on May 17, 2023, in Washington DC where numerous bigwigs from the US government and the wireless industry assembled to discuss the monumental improvement in unleashing the 5G networks and the new use-cases. At the event, the officials also discussed the pending works that need to be done and the grave impediments, which the industry is facing. Devoid of any skepticism, there is a sense of positive vibes about the new opportunities that 5G promises to bring, but many believe that it is still in the early stages. The industry leaders have opined that for a successful 5G penetration, policymakers must look forward for more incentives, schemes, and also support it.

During the event, a plan has been chalked out by the speakers about how much improvement has been made on 5G and by all measures, it has been made clear that it is the fastest deployed wireless generation yet. Now, if we speak about the mmWave frequencies, low-band, and mid-band, AT&T, Verzon, and T-Mobile cover 320 million US citizens. The unleashing of mid-bands have been very fast, while AT&T’s senior vice president of Engineering and Operation, Egal Ilbaz highlighted that the company will be able to reach 200 million Point of Presence (PoPs) towards the end of 2023, while on the other hand, Neville Ray, President of Technology, T-Mobile stated that their firm would be able to reach 300 million PoPs.

Why The Federal Communications Commission Allowing Additional Spectrum for 5G Services?

A year back, the FCC has made high-band spectrum auctioning a top priority. The first 5G spectrum auctions have been done in the  28 GHz band; the 24 GHz band; and the upper 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz bands. The Commission along with these auctions is also allowing 5 gigahertz of 5G spectrum into the market and is also undertaking efforts to free up 2.75 gigahertz of 5G spectrum in the 26 and 42 GHz bands. Additionally, the FCC has taken a step for more useful utilization of additional millimeter-band spectrum in the 70/80/90 GHz bands. According to a report of FCC's official website, Mid-band spectrum has become a target for 5G buildout given its balanced coverage and capacity characteristics. With their work on the 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 3.7-4.2 GHz bands, they will make more than 600 megahertz available for 5G deployments. And speaking of the low-band, the FCC is acting to improve use of low-band spectrum (useful for wider coverage) for 5G services, with targeted changes to the 600 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz bands.

Speaking of the 5G infrastructure policy in the US, they must be updated by the FCC so that more investments can be made in the 5G ecosystem. Chairwoman of the FCC, Jessica Rosenworcel told the global media, "If we want broad economic growth and widespread mobile opportunity, we need to avoid unnecessary delays in the state and local approval process. That’s because they can slow deployment.” In an effort to promote digital opportunity for every US citizen, the outmoded regulations will be modernized by the FCC. The 5G fund for rural US has been established by the FCC in October 2020 so that they can have around $9 billion in Universal Service Fund by which the operators will be able to set-up cutting-edge 5G mobile wireless services in the rural USA, which also includes $680 million for deployment on the tribal lands.

Back in 2022, the FCC had commenced bidding auction of mid-band spectrum and that bidding auctioned around 8,000 county-based licenses in the 2.5 GHz spectrum band in mostly the rural region of America. According to an exclusive report of Reuters, AT&T Inc led bidders in the 3.45 GHz mid-band spectrum auction, winning $9.1 billion, while T-Mobile won $2.9 billion and Dish won $7.3 billion. FCC C-Band spectrum auction last year, three of the biggest US wireless firms won $78 billion in bids. For 3,511 licenses, Verizon Communications paid $52 billion, while T-Mobile grabbed $9.3 billion, and AT&T grabbed $23.4 billion in licenses.

The Ongoing Challenges Of The Wireless Industry And What’s Next For 5G

5G technology has already transformed the consumer’s lives in various ways, but according to the experts, bigger organizations will benefit more from this technology as it has the potential to power connected irrigations, smart cities, factories, and many more. Now, the executives from DISH, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T were all highlighting the flexibility and the opportunities that virtualized, software-powered networks would provide benefits for developers in the organization. The low-latency AI and ML applications will be deployed seamlessly for efficiency by distributed computing at the edge. The situation is also a bit pessimistic because in the enterprise level, the 5G development is slow and the foggy economic ecosystem would prevent some organizations from experimenting and deploying 5G to perk-up their productivity.

But, as the unleashing of mid-bands is happening soon, 5G will be able to benefit the enterprise to improve their outputs. During the 5G summit, the speakers have made it clear that Chinese operators are going to fulfill 25,000 orders for the private networks. Although the US is a bit behind in this scenario, which will obviously change in the coming few years. The problem of digital divide can be countered by the wireless industry. The arrival of fixed wireless access (FWA) offers a replacement for the fiber, which will be low-cost in various parts of the world while offering the required capacity and speeds to connect rural areas, thereby improving trade, education and various other sectors.

Even though 5G is furnished with numerous opportunities, there are some strict hurdles that are preventing this technology from reaching its potential. Experts claim that the ongoing high level of geopolitical tensions between China and the US is an imperative factor. Also, the executives from Ericsson and Samsung have stated that the state subsidies provided by the Chinese government for its infrastructure firms makes it very intricate to compete on the price, which forces numerous nations to go for Chinese wireless network providers.

Matthew Orf, the US based research analyst at Counterpoint Research said, "The Government of China’s Aggressive business strategy for unleashing 5G has given the country a chance to spearhead the wireless industry and chinese network providers and organizations are having a huge experience in deploying new use cases before the western nations. This is ultimately offering the Chinese firms a tremendous competitive advantage in regards to their western rivals.”

“Now, if we look towards 6G, the geopolitical tussles between China and the US is going to negatively impact the entire global wireless market, which would also decrease the interoperability and scale. Therefore, America must work closely with its allies throughout the world to have a single standard out of which everyone can benefit,” added Orf.

Orf also highlighted that in an effort to counter these hurdles, the industry leaders called the US policymakers to give more authorization to the FCC to open spectrum auctions and provide more spectrums for the operators. This is because the volume of data consumption is augmenting very rapidly, while more spectrum is also required for the new enterprise use-cases. But, this authorization to the FCC is not enough and the US government must provide a crystal-clear strategy when spectrums will be available so that businesses, operators, component and hardware providers can prepare themselves before utilizing these spectrums.

The increase in requirements for highly fuel-efficient, lower-emission two-wheelers is driving internal combustion engine designers to switch from carburetor-based air-fuel mixing to electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems. Designers are now challenged to find cost-effective solutions that solve the challenges of fast startup and enable reliable operation of EFI systems. This article discusses the challenges that two-wheeler designers face when switching to an EFI system, notably a 100 ms fast startup requirement. A reliable, efficient, cost-effective solution that enables quick flow of fuel to achieve the desired startup is presented. By enabling simplified designs that achieve fast startup, simplify bills of materials (BOMs), and facilitate electromagnetic-compatibility (EMC) compliance, the solution presented can improve reliability and shorten research and development time in two-wheelers.

Basics of Fuel-Mixing Systems

In an internal combustion engine, proper mixing of fuel and air in specified proportion is critical for efficiency and reliability. Low-cost two-wheelers have commonly used carburetor-based fuel mixing, but—to meet new carbon emission standards—they are being phased out in favor of the efficiency offered by EFI methods.

Carburetor systems mix air and fuel for combustion using mechanical parts, such as the fuel float chamber and the throttle venturi as well as fuel jets that spray fuel and mix it with incoming air. When the throttle of the vehicle is opened, air flow through the carburetor increases, and the venturi effect causes fuel to enter the chamber. As air flow increases, air suction increases, as does delivery of fuel, resulting in increased vehicle acceleration.

An EFI system integrates a high-speed brushless DC (BLDC) motor controlling a fuel injector that delivers fuel to the engine. An EFI system consists of electronic sensors and a fuel pump that delivers fuel to the combustion chamber located inside the fuel tank of the vehicle. The fuel supply to the combustion chamber is governed by an electronic control unit (ECU) that constantly monitors the fuel supply and precisely controls the ratio of the fuel flow based on the engine requirement. The ECU uses various parameters—throttle position, engine speed, engine temperature, and engine load, among others—for the precise and efficient control of fuel injection directly into the combustion chamber of the cylinder. A basic block diagram of an EFI system is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Block diagram of an EFI system.

The fuel pump in an EFI system draws fuel out of the fuel tank and provides it to the fuel injectors via multiple stages, as shown in Figure 1. This pump is generally driven by a BLDC motor because of its reliability, high power density, high efficiency, lower noise, lower electromagnetic interference (EMI), lower maintenance requirement, and longer life span. Unlike the traditional brushed DC motors that use brushes to transfer electrical current to the rotor, BLDC motors have permanent magnets on the rotor and electromagnets on the stator, allowing for a more efficient transfer of energy. Commutation of a BLDC motor is achieved electronically based on the instantaneous rotor position. Some systems use rotor alignment, but sensorless control of the BLDC motor system is preferred for greatest reliability.

Comparing Carburetor-Based and EFI Solutions

The traditional mechanical design of carburetor systems is very rugged. However, the air-fuel mixture cannot be accurately controlled, which leads to less fuel efficiency and increased emissions. Performance is also affected by ambient conditions, such as temperature. Maintenance (cleaning, adjustment, and tuning) is frequently required in a carburetor-based system, albeit this maintenance can be performed quickly and at low cost.

EFI systems are more accurate in the air-fuel-mixture ratio for a given driving condition and provide cleaner and more-efficient combustion. Also, throttle responses are quicker, and fuel economy is much better. Moreover, EFI systems are less prone to damage and therefore are generally maintenance free. However, EFI systems are typically perceived to be expensive compared to conventional carburetors, and tuning of fuel injection systems through ECU mapping is complex, which increases the cost when maintenance is needed.

Carburetor-based and EFI solutions are compared in Table 1. As two-wheeler manufacturers make the switch to EFI systems to meet new emission standards, designers are now looking to balance the new associated tradeoffs.

Comparison of Carburetor-Based System and EFI System

Speed, Efficiency, Reliability, and Ease of Tuning

Quick fuel delivery in a kick-start system critically requires quick BLDC motor startup. The efficiency of the overall system is crucial in the design. Because the device temperature is directly proportional to the power loss, minimizing power losses in the motor driver IC is also crucial. These requirements present fuel pump challenges that require an understanding of fuel pump operation.

Fuel-pump startup time—from zero to full speed—typically must be as little as 100 ms. During this time, the BLDC motor must complete either a rotor alignment cycle or an initial position detection (IPD) sensorless starting cycle plus a transition to the sensorless mode. The required fast and reliable startup of a sensorless BLDC motor requires a driver that can perform the rapid IPD cycle within these requirements.

While there are many solutions available on the market today, the Allegro A89303 three-phase sensorless BLDC motor driver IC purpose-designed for fuel pump application is a fast, efficient, reliable option. An Allegro-proprietary sensorless startup algorithm is incorporated that uses a trapezoidal drive algorithm to minimize time to ramp-up to maximum speed. It ensures fuel-pump startup to full speed in typically 50 ms, as shown in Figure 2. A two-pulse IPD algorithm ensures reliable and accurate initial position detection—with low resolution (30 degrees) in fast detection time (see the A89303 product datasheet)—and assists in reducing the overall startup time of the BLDC motor. An overlapping mode adaptively adjusts (leads) the phase angle of the applied voltage. This phase leading allows efficient operation of the BLDC motor and maximizes the extraction of power from the BLDC motor. These features enable easier startup and smooth, responsive, efficient operation of kick-starters.

Figure 2: Starting of a fuel pump BLDC motor with A89303.

To meet the goals of the industry, the device needs to allow for easy tuning and protection against various fault scenarios. Many applications also require detailed diagnostics of faults. In addition to in-housing many advanced features that improve overall motor-drive efficacy—including a low on-state resistance (RDS(on)) MOSFET power stage, integrated charge pump, and I2C communication block set—the highly integrated A89303 motor driver provides fault reporting against various unwanted scenarios—such as overcurrent (motor phase short), overvoltage, undervoltage, charge-pump undervoltage, lock detection, and thermal shutdown. To allow the tuning of various electrical parameters, the I2C registers enable detailed diagnostics to be read and the I2C interface allows for ease of programming. In total, the A89303 delivers the speed, efficiency, reliability, and ease of tuning demanded by the two-wheeler industry.

Reliability with EMC Compatibility and Design Simplification

Although many motor driver ICs may be available to satisfy speed, efficiency, and tuning challenges, they typically come with significant additional development time and cost for EMC compliance, as well as complexity that reduces reliability.

Integrated devices are subject to EMI. Driver designs that place capacitor(s) and regulator(s) outside of the IC create a high-frequency emission source that results in EMI. To mitigate this noise, additional components, such as beads, are often required for EMC compliance. This is especially true in high-frequency-switching applications, such as motor drivers for fuel pumps. The additional components lead to larger, complex designs with increased development time and increased points of potential failure.

Considering the EMI challenges that arise with EFI systems, a fast, reliable, cost-effective solution likely means one that minimizes sources of high-frequency noise and facilitates EMC compliance such that development schedules are reduced, BOMs are reduced, and commensurate savings are gained.

The Allegro A89303 addresses this need by in-housing the capacitor of the internal regulator, which bypasses the high-frequency switching noise of the internal digital circuitry. A spread spectrum clock in the device also minimizes EMI by spreading the emission. By bypassing and spreading the high-frequency-switching noise, systems that integrate the A89303 can earn extra margin to facilitate EMC compliance and accelerate development schedules.

BLDC motor driver operation using the A89303 requires only six passive components, as shown in Figure 3. By minimizing the number of additional components using a compact device size—the A89303 is available in the small 6.5 mm x 4.4 mm thin-shrink small-outline package (TSSOP) and the smaller 5 mm x 5 mm quad-flat no-leads (QFN) package—a smaller PCB can be used to realize a smaller, more-efficient, cost-effective solution.

Figure 3: Low component count for the A89303 device.

The High-Performance, Cost-Balancing Solution

To meet changing emission standards, many two-wheeler system designers now face the need to switch from carburetor-based systems to EFI systems. Many purpose-designed features make the Allegro A89303 motor driver IC an ideal solution for fuel pump applications, including fast and accurate startup, efficient optimization, integrated protection features, fault handling, and ease of programmability.

Arduino is a very popular open-source platform and Arduino UNO is one of the most loved microcontrollers among electronics hobbyists worldwide. It consists of a physical programmable circuit board and an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that allows the writing and upload of computer code to the board very effortlessly. Due to its user-friendly environment and huge community support, it become the first choice for beginners in this field.

In this article, we will go through some of our best Arduino UNO projects that you can make at home easily and understand the functions and workings of Arduino UNO. All the Arduino project ideas listed below were built on Circuit Digest and you can get them complete code and circuit for all projects completely for free by just clicking on the respective links. That being said let's get started with this article. 

1. Building your own Sun Tracking Solar Panel using an Arduino:

Traditionally, solar panels are fixed and the movement of the sun over the horizon means that the solar panel does not harness maximum energy most of the time.

This arduino UNO project introduces a Sun-tracking system project using an Arduino Uno, a servo motor, and LDRs to optimize solar panel efficiency. Hardware components, circuit connections, and assembly instructions are provided, along with step-by-step code explanations for the project. The project concludes by emphasizing the practical applications of the system and potential enhancements for larger solar panels.

Link: Building your own Sun Tracking Solar Panel using an Arduino

2. Bluetooth Controlled Pick and Place Robotic Arm Car using Arduino:

This fun arduino project outlines the construction of a Bluetooth-controlled robotic arm using an Arduino board and servo motors, emphasizing precision-controlled movements in robotics.

It provides insights into the arm's kinematics and the significance of understanding forward and inverse kinematics equations. The Arduino tutorial highlights the assembly process, circuit connections, and code implementation, emphasizing the role of servo motors and the Android application for wireless control. Overall, the project serves as an educational introduction to robotics and automation, showcasing the fusion of hardware and software in creating a versatile and interactive mechanical system.

Link: Bluetooth Controlled Pick and Place Robotic Arm Car using Arduino

3. Smart Dustbin using Arduino:

The Arduino Smart Dustbin Project is an innovative solution for waste management, utilizing an Arduino Nano, servo motors, an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, and an IR sensor.

The project's objective is to automatically open the lid upon detecting nearby objects, promoting cleanliness and sanitation. The circuit design emphasizes proper voltage regulation through a buck converter, ensuring the system's stability. The code involves monitoring sensor inputs and controlling servo motors to facilitate smooth lid movement. Overall, the project aligns with the "Swatch Bharat Mission," encouraging a clean and eco-friendly environment through hands-free waste disposal.

Link: Smart Dustbin using Arduino.

4. DIY Arduino Bluetooth Car Controlled by Mobile Application:

If you are a beginner and enjoy building robots, this is likely the first Arduino project you will do after learning the basics, which is why we decided to build a Wireless Bluetooth Controlled Robot Car Using Arduino.

The Wireless Bluetooth Controlled Robot Car is a beginner-friendly Arduino project with an Android app for control and RGB Neopixel LEDs. It requires components like Arduino UNO, HC05 Module, L298N Motor driver, NeoPixel LEDs, etc. The onboard chassis building process and motor connections are detailed..The Arduino Project code utilizes SoftwareSerial.h for Bluetooth communication and controls robot movements and LED lights. The Android app, built with MIT app inventor, enables users to send commands to the robot via Bluetooth.

5. Build your own Mars Rover Robot using Arduino:

This cool looking Arduino Project presents the construction of an Arduino-based Mars rover, emphasizing design, components, and assembly. It highlights the role of the L298N motor driver and HC-05 Bluetooth module in movement and control.

Detailed circuit diagrams and code explanations aid technical understanding, with an Android app enabling rover control. The project encourages exploration in robotics, electronics, and programming, fostering curiosity and creativity in space exploration. The planet Mars has captivated our imagination for centuries, and the idea of sending rovers to explore its surface has fueled our curiosity even further.

Link: Build your own Mars Rover Robot using Arduino

6. DIY Self Balancing Robot using Arduino:

This Arduino Project is not for beginners as it outlines the construction of a self-balancing robot using an Arduino, including component selection, 3D printing, and assembly.

It covers the circuit diagram and the PID algorithm's implementation for achieving self-balancing, emphasizing the significance of tuning PID values. The guide provides troubleshooting tips and instructions for ensuring the project's success. This way I would be able to grasp the underlying concept behind all these scooters and also learn how the PID algorithm works.

Link:  DIY Self Balancing Robot using Arduino

7. Building an easy Line Follower Robot using Arduino Uno:

The Line Following Robot (LFR) is quite an interesting Arduino project to work on! In this tutorial, we will learn how to build a black line follower robot using Arduino Uno and some easily accessible components.

The Line Follower Robot (LFR) uses IR sensors to follow lines on the ground autonomously, navigating with four actions: forward, left turn, right turn, and stop. The project requires an Arduino Uno, an L293D motor driver, IR sensor modules, a battery, BO motors, and a hobby robot chassis. The circuit integrates sensors, motor driver, motors, and Arduino, with the motor driver ensuring proper motor control. The code uses basic Arduino functions to define the robot's actions based on sensor outputs. Calibration involves adjusting the IR module's variable resistor, ensuring accurate line detection. Detailed assembly instructions and a video demonstration are provided for the project.

Link: Building an easy Line Follower Robot using Arduino Uno

8. DIY Arduino Based Color Sorter Machine using TCS3200 Color Sensor:

The color sorting machine employs a TCS3200 color sensor, Arduino UNO, and servo motors for automated color-based sorting of objects into designated boxes.

Its applications span diverse industries like agriculture, food, and mining where color identification is essential. The project involves building a robotic arm using a Sunboard sheet, and the program logic utilizes the servo library and a detectColor() function to determine and sort colors. Detailed step-by-step instructions and a video demonstration are provided for reference. Some application areas include the Agriculture Industry (Grain Sorting on the basis of color), the Food Industry, the Diamond and Mining Industry, Recycling, etc.

Link: DIY Arduino Based Color Sorter Machine using TCS3200 Color Sensor

9. Human Following Robot Using Arduino and Ultrasonic Sensor:

This Arduino UNO Project is not only fun to build but also is really exiting to watch it work. One exciting application of robotics is the development of human-following robots.

This article presents the development of a human-following robot with Arduino and three ultrasonic sensors, highlighting its advantages over conventional designs. It outlines the necessary components and the circuit diagram, emphasizing the crucial connections required for the project. The Arduino code demonstrates how the robot functions based on the input from the sensors, enabling it to measure distances and adjust its movements accordingly. The article underscores human-following robot's versatility and potential applications, citing their relevance in various sectors such as retail, security, entertainment, and elderly care.

Link: Human Following Robot Using Arduino and Ultrasonic Sensor

10. Automatic Irrigation System using an Arduino Uno:

This Arduino UNO project details the creation of an Automatic Irrigation System using an Arduino Uno and a soil moisture sensor.

The sensor measures soil moisture, triggering the water pump when levels are low and stopping it when the soil is adequately hydrated. A relay module facilitates pump control, while a 5V battery powers the circuit. The code, without libraries, reads sensor data, converts it to a percentage, and operates the pump based on predefined moisture thresholds. The guide includes a circuit diagram, assembly steps, and calibration instructions, making it accessible for beginners.

Link: Automatic Irrigation System using an Arduino Uno

In an effort to reduce dependence on Asian countries on chip import and to revive the country’s growth in semiconductor production, the USA in August 2022, has unleashed the much-awaited CHIPS Act worth $52 billion. Since the time of Trump administration the country has been undertaking various strenuous efforts and involved in geopolitical scuffles with China to shatter the latter’s dream of leading the technology industry. The US is trying to persuade its EU allies and India to join its league of anti-China strategies and decided to craft a ‘Chip 4’ association with Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan to build a strong semiconductor supply chain that will keep out China.

In the last two decades, the share of US chip manufacturing has reduced drastically, while advanced chipset production is now largely spearheaded by a couple of countries like South Korea and Taiwan. Currently, 90 percent of the sophisticated chips, which are of great importance for the US defense and economy are manufactured in Taiwan. This has created worries about the supply’s vulnerability, given China’s plan of military invasion on Taiwan. Chipsets, which are less sophisticated but useful in electronics, cars, and other products are now produced in China whose market has also augmented exponentially. 12 percent of semiconductors are now produced in the US that are not globally advanced.

Senior Research Analyst Faisal Kawoosa, founder of techARC, told CircuitDigest, “The closure of factories during the surge of the coronavirus pandemic has created huge disruptions on supply chains and also the winter storm in Texas further damaged the country’s manufacturing cluster. Now, demand suddenly soared unexpectedly as government offices, educational institutions, and corporate offices began work from home. Therefore, the chip shortages increased and the GDP also witnessed a sharp cut in percentage. The lockdown situations in the past few years has made absolutely clear that semiconductors play an important role in today’s world economy, and the costs that accompany restricted the supply.”

It is now clearly evident that the CHIPS and the Science Act, which was unveiled after several rounds of heated discussions, might not likely work the way it was intended. The scheme, which was unleashed with bipartisan support, was meant to boost the in-house chip manufacturing units. Even though the US is one of the leaders in advanced semiconductor design, its share of international chip production slumped 37 percent in 1990 to 12 percent currently. While speaking of the imperativeness of such technology in terms of national security, the US defense department requires 1.9 billion of them a year.

Funding For Semiconductor Manufacturing-US

The problem is now manufacturing chips in US consumer 25 percent longer duration and 50 percent more expensive than doing such in Asia. The domestic semiconductor manufacturers are now facing serious hurdles mostly due to government negligence, claim experts. According to a Bloomberg report, the red tape is a major impediment because from 1990 until 2020, the duration required to build new fabs increased by 38 percent. For instance, the Clean Air Act takes more than one and half years to give permission. Then, the review by the National Environmental Policy Act takes more than four and half years. A lot of unimportant federal laws will suddenly appear on the way and a lot of agencies must be consulted to approve the project.

Analysts told Bloomberg that such hold ups creates no confidence among private investment, increases project costs, and seriously restricts US manufacturers from competing in the international market.

Another grave hurdle is that the country does not have sufficient skilled workforce required for this sector, which researchers feel that the broken immigration system of late is responsible. A survey report highlighted that around 300,000 more skilled workforce is required to complete the ongoing fab ventures, leaving out the new ones, claims Bloomberg. Although TSMC and Intel announced their new projects in the country they are facing a lot of challenges to find proficient workforces for the same.

Most of the experts believe that these problems can be solved easily. For instance, there is a requirement to deploy fast track exemptions for semiconductor makers under the federal environment laws or better modify the law to give momentum to all such ventures and impede shallow laws. Visas must be escalated for proficient workforce, prioritize applicants with needed STEM abilities, and also increase green card allotments for foreign degree holders.

According to the market experts, various strategies can be formed and deployed in an effort to achieve chip sovereignty via the CHIPS act, but if the SMBs are not included then surely the act will fail to boost the chip economy in the country. The president has recently proclaimed who would lead the country’s export council where national security experts and CEOs of global firms were asked to spearhead, but not a single SMB company name was mentioned. According to a report by fortune.com, around 64 percent of new employment is generated by SMBs that contribute to 99.9 percent of overall trade in the US.

It is a clear fact that most of the subsidies and funding from the act will be benefited by the global companies and therefore, a sufficient percentage of the fund must be allocated to the small businesses to provide momentum in materials science, packaging, and mechanical design. The US government has called for the imperativeness of public-private partnerships, but at the same time, it is also important to have strategic alliances between MNCs and SMBs.

Now, when the CHIPS Act was finally unleashed, the government understood that the supply of nation’s chips that powers most of the electronic products from smartphones, washing machines, and cars to supercomputers, and defense products, faced a huge impediment at a difficult situation. For the manufacturing of sophisticated chips, the US is mostly relied on Taiwan. Now, geopolitical scuffles with China, the possible tussle in the South China sea as well as between North Korea and South Korea giving a blow to the semiconductor supplies and therefore, the US government was convinced about increasing the economy of the country’s chip manufacturing. But, with a couple of red tapes, and huge workforce expenses, the chip manufacturers require additional incentives to bring out the transformation.

Matthew Orf, Research Analyst with Counterpoint Technology Market Research, said "When the CHIPS act was finalized, around $200 billion worth of investments have been proclaimed to increase the chip production facilities. A couple of bigger firms like Texas Instruments, Intel, TSMC, Samsung, and Micron have announced their investments to create new foundries. Although the act has sparked private players to begin new projects, some of the shortcomings and legislations of the provisions could make it a challenging task. This is mostly because the new ventures are furnished with a lot of regulations and red tape that could cause the projects to stop for a while. Even though the funding has been allocated for job training and workforce education, the volume of the requirement of new employees, and the lack of skilled workforce will make the dream of the country of leading the semiconductor industry more difficult.”

“Most importantly, the act failed to find out the possible causes why exactly the country’s semiconductor industry weakened, mostly manufacturing. Experts believe that stern regulations and workforce costs makes manufacturing in the US more intricate than the Asian countries. Now, the problem is if the funding remains dry, how will the nation’s semiconductor industry remain globally competitive?,” added Work.