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New Tech Tuesdays: Innovations in E-Bike Technology

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What are e-bikes, and what is their main purpose? E-bikes—electric bicycles equipped with electric motors to assist riders with propulsion—represent a fusion of technology with the traditional biking experience. Their assisted pedaling power makes cycling easier, more accessible, and downright fun. Pedal assistance can be particularly beneficial in covering longer distances, tackling hilly terrain, and arriving at destinations without excessive physical exertion or sweating, making e-bikes a practical option for commuting and urban travel.

E-bikes also offer an environmentally friendly alternative to cars for short to medium-distance travel, helping to reduce traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions. In fact, e-cargo bikes (i.e., e-bikes equipped with baskets for transporting goods) are perceived as an advantageous solution for urban last-mile logistics. Using e-cargo bikes is ideal for low volumes of goods and short distances in urban areas where access to conventional cars may be prohibited.[1]

Lastly, even with motor assistance, e-bikes still provide a form of exercise, as pedaling is typically required to engage the motor, especially on pedal-assist models.

This week, we take a quick look at different types of e-bikes, their regulations, and some of the embedded tech powering them. 

Types of E-Bikes and Regulations

While there are various types of e-bikes, they generally fall into two main categories:

  • Pedal-assist e-bikes amplify the rider's pedaling effort. They typically have a motor that activates only when the rider is pedaling, boosting to their natural pedal power. The amount of assistance can usually be adjusted, allowing the rider to choose how much help they receive from the motor.
  • Throttle-based e-bikes have a throttle that can engage the motor without the need for pedaling, similar to how a motorcycle or scooter operates. This allows the rider to move forward using just the motor’s power.

With e-bikes making their way into parks alongside traditional bicycles, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has established regulations governing the use of electric bicycles within the National Park System. The NPS defines an e-bike as “a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts that provides propulsion assistance.” An updated memorandum includes additional requirements that an e-bike may not exceed 100 pounds or reach 20mph when powered solely by the motor, prompting many states to create their own regulations for e-bikes using a three-class system limiting the maximum assisted speed of e-bikes.[2]

  • Class I: e-bike equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 20mph
  • Class II: e-bike equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 20mph
  • Class III: e-bike equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 28mph

The Tech Driving E-Bikes

The average range of an e-bike—the distance it can travel on a single charge—varies widely depending on many factors. However, most e-bikes can typically cover 40 to 80 kilometers (25 to 50 miles) on a single charge. This range can be influenced by factors such as battery capacity, motor efficiency, riding conditions, rider input, bike load, e-bike settings, and the overall condition of the e-bike, including the age of the battery.   

E-bikes with larger batteries can store more energy, providing a longer range. Similarly, the efficiency of the electric motor plays a critical role in how effectively it uses battery power. Hills, headwinds, and rough terrain, in addition to the bike’s carrying load, all play a role in how much the motor needs to work. Also, the more a rider pedals and the less they rely on the motor, the longer the battery will last. Many e-bikes have different modes, such as eco, normal, and high power, impacting how much the motor assists. Over time, the battery’s condition can cause them to lose capacity, leading to decreased range.

In recent years, there have been several notable developments in e-bike technology, including lighter-weight designs with foldable features (Figure 1), higher capacity batteries with smart connectivity, upgraded safety features, and automatic gearing systems.

E-Bike with Foldable Design

Modern e-bikes often feature smart systems that integrate digital technologies with physical components, enhancing user experience with advancements such as over-air updates, connectivity with apps like Bosch's e-Bike Flow App, and tracking personal cycling goals directly through the bike's system.

E-bike safety technology has also seen enhancements, including new anti-lock braking systems that are smaller and lighter, thus reducing accidents significantly. Additionally, there are innovations like digital anti-theft features, alarm systems, and tracking capabilities for enhanced security.

Additionally, the adoption of automatic gearing systems like that of the Enviolo® Harmony™, which has a number of advantages over traditional gearing systems,[3] has greatly simplified the riding experience and reduced the overall maintenance needs of e-bikes while also contributing to user-friendly e-bike designs.

All these technological developments reflect riders’ evolving demands and preferences, offering more efficient, versatile, and accessible options for a broader range of consumers. The e-bike industry continues to innovate, focusing on sustainability, user-friendliness, and technological integration.

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs

This week’s New Tech Tuesday showcases gate drivers from Texas Instruments and Infineon Technologies. Both gate drivers are ideal for half-bridge brushless direct current (BLDC) motor drives and have built-in bootstrap diodes for the high-side capacitor.

The Texas Instruments DRV8300 and DRV8300-Q1 are components designed for three-phase BLDC motor control, commonly used in applications like e-bikes. These devices are essentially gate drivers that facilitate the motor’s control and operation by driving the gate terminals of the MOSFETs in the motor's electronic speed controller.

The DRV8300-Q1, specifically, is an automotive-grade version that offers robustness and higher reliability. It supports up to 100V operation, making it suitable for higher voltage applications. This series is known for its advanced protection features, ensuring enhanced system robustness, which is crucial in e-bike applications where safety and reliability are paramount. Additionally, these devices are designed to minimize noise issues and improve efficiency in motor operation.

Their use in e-bike applications is especially beneficial due to their efficiency in controlling the motor, contributing to the overall performance and reliability of the e-bike. This makes e-bikes equipped with such technology more efficient, safer, and potentially more powerful, enhancing the riding experience.

Next, the Infineon Technologies MOTIX™ 160V Gate Drivers are an advanced solution for motor control, particularly suitable for e-bike applications. These drivers are designed for half-bridge BLDC motor drives, a common configuration in e-bikes and other mobility applications. One of their key features is the ability to support a 100 percent duty cycle operation through a trickle charge pump, ensuring consistent and reliable motor performance. The gate drivers also boast protection features such as undervoltage lockout (UVLO) and overcurrent protection, which are crucial for the safety and durability of e-bike systems.

Furthermore, the MOTIX series emphasizes optimized efficiency and reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI), which are essential for maintaining the performance of e-bikes in diverse operating environments. The built-in bootstrap functionality of these drivers facilitates their use in high-power applications, making them ideal for more demanding e-bike designs that require robust power-handling capabilities.

Overall, the Infineon MOTIX 160V Gate Drivers provide e-bike and other e-mobility applications with enhanced control, efficiency, and safety features, contributing to their improved performance and reliability.

Tuesday’s Takeaway

E-bikes represent a fusion of traditional biking with advanced technology, providing an assisted pedaling experience that makes cycling more accessible, enjoyable, and practical. They serve as an efficient, environmentally friendly alternative for urban travel and commuting, offering numerous benefits for a diverse range of users. E-bikes have evolved with advancements in technology, leading to enhanced performance, safety, and versatility. These technologies allow e-bikes to achieve better speed control, more extended range, and overall improved riding experience.

Original Source: Mouser

About the Author

Rudy RamosRudy Ramos Rudy is a member of the Technical Content Marketing team at Mouser Electronics, bringing 35+ years of expertise in advanced electromechanical systems, robotics, pneumatics, vacuum systems, high voltage, semiconductor manufacturing, military hardware, and project management. As a technology subject matter expert, Rudy supports global marketing efforts through his extensive product knowledge and by creating and editing technical content for Mouser's website. Rudy has authored technical articles appearing in engineering websites and holds a BS in Technical Management and an MBA with a concentration in Project Management. Prior to Mouser, Rudy worked for National Semiconductor and Texas Instruments.

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How is India Forming Strategies to Strengthen its ACC Battery Ecosystem Backed by PLI Scheme

  • India needs to run on local ACC manufacturing, creating a robust ecosystem for innovation and economic growth.

 What are Advanced Chemistry Cells and Why Are Efforts Being Made to Boost the Ecosystem?

ACCs are cutting-edge advanced storage technologies that have the ability to store electrical energy either as chemical energy or electrochemical energy and convert it back to electric energy when needed. Basically, ACC batteries are mostly used for EVs and energy storage, but they are also massively consumed in numerous other sectors such as UPS, mobile phones, telecom, inverters, etc. According to the experts, growing a domestic advanced cell supply chain ecosystem will help the country become globally competitive in terms of mobility, consumer electronics ecosystem, and grid energy storage. The domestic supply chain will help get rid of the challenges of any sort of supply constraints, which can put the overall battery industry at risk. Currently, India is at the nascent stage of developing its in-house advanced cell manufacturing ecosystem, and speaking of the global supply chain, its presence is very limited.  According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the market demand in the nation for ACC batteries is speculated to grow from a staggering 220 GWh by 2030 to 20 GWh in 2022 at a CAGR of 50 percent.

Why the PLI Scheme for ACCs will be a Game-Changer for India’s EV Industry

Feeling the heat of the importance of ACCs, the union government, after several rounds of discussions, has announced the much-awaited Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, the 'National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage’ with a budgetary outlay of Rs 18,000 crore in 2021. With the help of this scheme, India is looking forward to a manufacturing capacity of 50 GigaWatt hours (GWh) of ACC. The aim is to escalate the domestic value addition in EV battery manufacturing and, at the same time, decrease the cost of batteries so that the nation can become globally competitive in the EV ecosystem.

Under the PLI scheme for ACC, around ten companies have submitted their bids. Ola Cell Technologies Pvt. Ltd., ACC Energy Storage Pvt. Ltd., and Reliance New Energy Battery Storage Ltd. have benefited from the scheme, and one of the bidders who had been approved previously has been disqualified by the government for non-compliance with the terms and conditions. Just a month ago, the union government even announced the re-bidding under the PLI for ACC so that the approved bidders could set up a huge battery manufacturing unit of 10 GWh with an outlay of Rs 3,620 crore.

Speaking on how the PLI scheme for ACC will be a game-changer for India’s EV industry, Soumen Mandal, senior automotive researcher at Counterpoint Research, told Circuit Digest exclusively, “India's automotive market is slowly transitioning to EVs. More than 1.5 Mn EVs were sold during 2023, a massive growth of 50 percent YoY. Approximately 40 percent of the initial cost of an electric vehicle (EV) is attributed to batteries, which India mostly imports. This import dependence leads to increased EV costs. The PLI scheme prioritizes the local manufacturing of Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACCs) in India, aiming to establish a more efficient supply chain and reduce battery cell costs, thereby making EVs more economical. In 2023, around six percent of sales were contributed by EVs in the automobile segment, and by 2030, 40 percent of sales will be contributed by electric cars. This will be possible if the PLI for ACC and FAME 11 is successfully implemented.”

India Automotive Sales Share

Although India is working hard to boost the ACC battery storage capacity, industry leaders feel that the supply chain and finding the right talent are the major hurdles for firms to set up lithium-ion cell manufacturing units.

With a focus on maximizing domestic value addition, the PLI scheme encourages investments in Giga-scale ACC and battery manufacturing facilities, which will not only drive technological advancements but also create employment opportunities. Furthermore, by incentivizing continuous sales of domestically manufactured batteries, the scheme instills confidence in manufacturers to invest in long-term sustainability and innovation. Overall, the PLI scheme for ACC has the potential to revolutionize the EV battery ecosystem in India by fostering a competitive and self-reliant industry while accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles nationwide.

The Current Challenges in India’s ACC Battery Ecosystem

Although various initiatives have been undertaken to grow the ecosystem and become self-reliant, experts feel that the limited availability of key raw materials like lithium and cobalt poses a significant challenge to battery manufacturing. This shortage often leads to dependency on imports, which can be expensive and subject to geopolitical risks. Then, the cost of imports is another major challenge in this ecosystem. Importing raw materials from foreign countries, particularly China, can be costly due to tariffs, transportation costs, and currency fluctuations. This adds to the overall manufacturing expenses, impacting the competitiveness of domestically produced batteries. There are huge regulatory hurdles. The stringent rules and regulations, both domestic and international, can create barriers to manufacturing and exporting batteries. Compliance with environmental standards, safety regulations, and trade policies adds complexity and cost to the process.

Sonam Motwani, CEO and Founder at Karkhana.io, told Circuit Digest, “While some lithium reserves have been identified in India, the exploration and processing of these resources are still in progress. Developing domestic capabilities for mining and refining lithium could help reduce dependence on imports. Manufacturing advanced chemistry cells requires sophisticated techniques and infrastructure. Ensuring that manufacturing facilities are equipped with the latest technology and skilled personnel is essential but can be costly and challenging to implement.”

Despite India's increasing demand, India’s dependence on imports highlights the huge gap in domestic production. Investment in batteries continues, and the lack of ACC facilities hampers self-sufficiency. India needs to run on local ACC manufacturing, creating a robust ecosystem for innovation and economic growth. The PLI initiative is an important step in this direction, catalyzing India’s journey towards energy independence and global competitiveness in the EV revolution.

Imports are always the major concern for India, both in terms of electronics manufacturing and electric vehicles. The country lacks the ecosystem and the policies to develop the raw materials. For instance, Lithium has been discovered on a large scale in Jammu, but a lack of advanced equipment, policies, political constraints, and environmental issues makes us more dependent on China.

Highlighting the major cause of imports and other barriers in this ecosystem, Rohit Pandit, Managing Director, Shuzlan Energy, said, "The challenges to the ACC ecosystem are multifaceted. First, it relies heavily on imports to meet demand, highlighting the lack of strong domestic manufacturing capacity. Second, existing investments in batteries do not meet global standards, hindering scalability and competitiveness. Furthermore, low prices lead to increased dependence on foreign suppliers. To address these issues, India needs strategic investments in ACC manufacturing, coupled with incentives for R&D and innovation. Collaboration between industry and academia can foster technological development, while structural change can encourage the integration of local production and supply chains. Ultimately, fostering a healthy ecosystem is key to achieving self-sufficiency and global competitiveness in the ACC region."

To reduce dependence on thermal energy and decrease air pollution on a large scale, the government of India even approved the National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage in March 2019 to enhance clean mobility. The price of Li-ion batteries has been reducing at a rapid scale and is therefore accelerating the market for battery storage internationally. According to the government’s think tank public policy agency, Niti Aayog, the price of Li-ion batteries has been reducing at a CAGR of 20 percent.

ACC Manufacturing

The positive scenario is that the country both has the talent and the resources to set up cells and battery packs. Although numerous firms have already begun investing in the assembly of battery packs, the capacities of these units are not large when compared to international averages. The entire value addition and investment in ACC manufacturing are still very low in the nation, and therefore, over 80 percent of the demand for ACCs is still met through imports, mostly from China. 

How India Can Tackle the Challenges in the Coming Years

In an effort to meet this huge demand in the EV industry, various countries have already started manufacturing the battery storage ecosystem on a rapid scale. Manufacturing capacities over 5 GWh/year have already started developing all over the world. According to a survey by NITI Aayog, China has responded to this demand faster, with 78 percent of international manufacturing capacity for batteries, while Europe and the US hold a share of 7 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Researchers even feel that the anticipated capacity additions between 2022 and 2025 will surpass 1,450 GWh of new annual production capacity internationally, with China holding the majority of the market share and Europe as the emerging epicenter of higher growth.

Now, if India wants to improve its overall battery manufacturing ecosystem, then a phased approach is needed that can merge a large volume of the value chain over time as domestic demand escalates and in-house scientific proficiency and capacity improve to meet the demand. Therefore, a coordinated and strategic approach is the urgent need of the hour. Continued government support through initiatives like the ACC PLI scheme is crucial. Policies that incentivize domestic production, research and development, and exploration of raw materials can help overcome challenges related to shortages and import dependency.

At the same time, investing in R&D to develop alternative battery chemicals or improve existing technologies can mitigate the impact of raw material shortages and reduce manufacturing costs. Most importantly, the challenges in this ecosystem can be addressed impeccably through collaboration with other countries, and international organizations can facilitate knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and access to raw materials. Establishing partnerships for the joint exploration and processing of resources can help diversify the supply chain.

What’s more essential is building infrastructure for mining, refining, and manufacturing batteries domestically. On the other hand, addressing environmental concerns associated with battery manufacturing is important. Implementing sustainable practices, such as recycling and minimizing resource consumption, can mitigate the environmental impact and ensure the long-term viability of the industry. By countering these challenges and implementing strategic solutions, the ACC ecosystem for batteries can be strengthened, enabling sustainable growth and competitiveness in the global market.

"Currently, India's ACC ecosystem is nascent, and we must wait a few years for the market to mature and address these challenges effectively. Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC) represent innovative power storage technologies that have the potential to store electric energy as either electrochemical or chemical energy. They can subsequently convert this energy back into electricity as needed. Given the anticipated surge in battery demand over the next decade, almost all major global battery manufacturers are actively investing in ACC technology from a commercial standpoint," added Soumen.

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India will soon have its own Fabs to compete against China

In an effort to boost the semiconductor industry of India, the incentive scheme of Rs 76,000 Crore was unleashed back in December 2021. Apart from this, the finance minister allocated Rs 3,000 crore in the budget session of FY 2023-24 and this year the amount has been increased to Rs 6,903 Crore. This move is an escalation of more than 200 percent in regards to semiconductor and display manufacturing. Speaking of the growth, the government and the industry bodies are looking for $55 billion by the end of 2026 and $110 billion by 2030.

Why Without Developing Automation and Digitization, India Cannot Succeed In Electronics Manufacturing Globally

 In the current product mix, out of the 100 billion dollars, we are actually manufacturing 52.7 percent of the electronics components, according to last year's data.

The union government, policymakers, and the manufacturers have been undertaking key initiatives to boost the country’s electronics and semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. In an effort to position India as a global hub for ESDM and semiconductor manufacturing, the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for large-scale electronics manufacturing, IT Hardware, Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) and Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters Scheme (EMC 2.0) have been unleashed. In fact, the government has unleashed the most promising incentive scheme of Rs 76,000 Crore to attract investments from major semiconductor players. With the help of these schemes, India's electronics export is expected to reach $120 Bn by FY26. During April-November 2023, electronic goods exports were recorded at $17.74 Bn as compared to $14.36 Bn during April-November 2022, registering a growth of 23.56 percent.

According to some industry leaders, who wished to be unnamed, stated that around 30 years back, numerous electronic companies were not able to manufacture any kind of components because of the high restrictions imposed by the government in the industry. After every three months, manufacturers had to go to New Delhi to procure a new license for raw materials. The authorities during the late 90s even argued that India must focus on building software and let China lead the manufacturing ecosystem. In this regard, N Ramachandran, Managing Director, Mel Systems and Services Ltd, feels that the negative situation has changed dramatically because the government is now very proactive in supporting the industry.

Ramachandran said, “We need real support for infrastructure and existing industries. No small-scale unit can start an operation by purchasing land especially in cities like Chennai and this is because the price of land is more than their ability of investment. They cannot move to other smaller locations because their customer base, infrastructure, and manpower is located within the city. The level of subsidies is still inadequate in terms of components manufacturing. This is because they have higher investments, and the margin is very low. There is a requirement of additional PLI in areas such as PCBs and other components where the margins are very low.”

EMS Growth

Speaking of the current challenges and prospects of India’s ESDM industry, Shri S Krishnan, IAS, Secretary MeitY feels that previously, the department was not looking to develop the core electronics and the focus was mostly centered upon developing software, e-governance and other aspects.  Currently, 70 percent of PCBs used in India are still imported. But, in the past 5-6 years, the core electronics mojo is back again on the right track. India is now having a very successful PLI on IT hardware and 27 companies have signed MoUs. Many of them have already started operating. This PLI offers benefits even to the existing companies and provides subsidies as well. The overall projected investment is only about Rs 2,500 Crores.

In an effort to counter the grave impediments, industry insiders mentioned that as India now competes in the global electronics market, sustainability has to be the core business strategy. All the major manufacturers including both the giant companies and MSMEs must look into sustainability deeply, and start transforming the major source of their unit’s energy into green energy. Most importantly, these sectors need to create more employment, which can fulfill the dreams of the youth and make them more passionate to do something for their own country. For instance, Tata group has also invested Rs 2000 crores in the ITIs, which can be used for upskilling and reskilling. The industry has to come forward and form partnerships with all the stakeholders. 

Amid all the challenges associated with the industry, how India can fulfill the mission of achieving the target of $300 billion by 2025-26. Managing Director of Deki Electronics, Vinod Sharma said that it is not that easy to achieve that target even in the coming four years. Sharma said, "I am not pessimistic about the target, but if 2.4 trillion dollars of electronics is divided by 8 billion population, then there will be $300 per capita consumption of electronics. We will definitely reach that target in a short period, but in the three years it seems difficult. Companies, which are not preparing for that target will definitely be left behind. In the current product mix, out of the 100 billion dollars, we are actually manufacturing 52.7 percent of the electronics components, according to last year's data." 

“When we reach or close to reaching the target of 300 billion dollars, 150 billion dollars of components will be required, which is a little more than the amount of oil we are importing today. In fact, a week back, the nation imported more sensors than PCBs. Therefore, we need to chalk out a clear strategy to increase the volume of exports and reduce the key imports, and find out ways to escalate the value addition,” added Sharma.

Semiconductor Industry Growth

Speaking of the future prospects of growth in the market, Richard Puthota, Senior Director Business Development at MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions mentioned that when customers are manufacturing different products, it helps to understand what kind of markets are emerging in the country. With the global engagements with major OEMs, the picture is crystal-clear where the industry is moving forward. When decisions are being made for the coming five years, developing technology is not the sole priority, but the numbers and the growth rate must be taken into consideration.  

Richard said, “EVs in automotive segments will help us in achieving huge growth numbers. In fact, the customs duty imposed on white goods appliances will also give us a huge number. From the technology side, IoT and cloud computing will play a significant role in boosting the growth of this industry and most importantly, the telecom sector will add huge value addition in the electronics industry. India’s export of electronics is going to reach 120 billion by the end of 2026. The biggest advantage of India is that it is leading in both production and consumption. Speaking of the FAME scheme, both state and the central governments come up with sales penetration of 80% on two and three wheelers, 30% on private cars, 70% commercial cars, 40% buses by 2030.”

Around ten years back, there was no possibility for India to contribute to the ESDM and semiconductor value chain. The imperative aspect is that India is already doing a lot of design on semiconductors, but they are done for international companies, which will cater to the benefit of that particular country.  It is now high time for the country to start doing design for itself. Now, the manufacturing area is a huge one and is about building a fab or an OSAT. There are a lot of procedures involved and India is nowhere in that ecosystem. 

Speaking on the contribution in the value chain Mr. GS Madhusudan, Co-founder and CEO, Incore Semiconductors Pvt Ltd. said, “It’s not about the technical talents and we have dozens. For instance, when the US asks us to develop or do a design, we do it. 30-40% of designs happen outside India. Extensive product knowledge is lacking among us. We have an advantage as we are having huge consumers of the products. India should actually focus on parts costs between 50 cents to 5 dollars because most of the consumption will be in this range. We have to build older node products such as compound semiconductors, power IGBTs, RF with older technology and if we do that, I think India can supply between 10-15 percent of the world’s demand.”

Industry experts even feel that developing automation is the urgent need of the hour for the progress of India’s manufacturing industry’s growth. India must look at it as a lens of maximizing efficiencies, minimizing rejections and at the same time, bringing consistency and improving the quality. Consistency can only come from automation and scale. For India to become a global hub for manufacturing electronics, automation becomes extremely important. But the point is how, when, and at what cost. 

Speaking of the challenges and growth of automation in industry, Ms. Nandini, Director at Tescom Pvt Ltd. said, “Msmes face the biggest challenge in deploying automation. We do not have a proper training center and costs are huge. Therefore, we start training workers when they join the organization. But, after 1-2 years, the workers start looking for jobs in a bigger organization. People in inspection systems and in testing are in huge demand and these are the areas which need to be automated.  So, in our SMT line, almost everything is automated, but post SMT activities also need to get automated within the timeframe of two years. If it’s delayed, we will definitely miss the bus.”

Sasikumar Gendham - Managing Director at Salcomp Manufacturing India Private Limited and Vice-President at ELCINA opines that ‘Rome was not built in a day.’ Therefore, India will also become a global powerhouse of manufacturing in the coming few years. But, without developing automation and digitization, there is no way India can succeed in electronics manufacturing globally.

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Globally, We Need Another 50-100 Fabs by The End of 2026 to Support the Demand for Semiconductors

Over the past couple of years, India has already started boosting its semiconductor industry with the launch of an incentive scheme of Rs, 76,000 crores in December 2021. In an effort to fulfill the mission of the union government, the Indian Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was formed, which aims to build a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem. Apart from that, state governments such as Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh also unleashed their own semiconductor policy to grow the industry.

Making Emergency Response Safer with Sensors

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First responders often work in harsh and potentially dangerous environments during their duties, whether in extreme heat when fighting fires or under exposure to toxins and other pollutants on the site of man-made disasters. The ramifications of working in such challenging conditions can include short- and long-term health consequences for first responders. Many of the heroes who worked to rescue lives at Ground Zero on 9/11 have dealt with lasting health problems ever since. Keeping first responders as safe and healthy as possible while they help others is where technology can step in—both by monitoring first responders' vital signs and critical health metrics and by monitoring the environment they're working in for hazardous conditions or airborne pollutants.

Wearable Technology with Environmental Sensors

Along with the emergency response equipment first responders bring to a rescue situation, there are emerging technologies that can equip them for safety in a number of ways. Wearable tech can inform supervisors if team members are experiencing any spikes in heart rate or blood pressure, as well as other biometric data, while environmental sensors can determine if any toxins or dangerous chemicals are present in the surrounding environment. Measuring blood oxygen levels via pulse oximetry sensors can tell firefighters when they've been overexposed to smoke-filled air, and body positioning sensors like the kind used in some step counters and other fitness trackers can sound the alarm when a first responder is lying prone or in any awkward position that might indicate potential distress. Something as simple as monitoring body temperature can let firefighters know when to pull back from the front lines and rehydrate.

Environmental sensors capable of measuring the presence of airborne pollutants or particulate matter are commonly implemented in industrial manufacturing and processing facilities for employee safety. First responders can utilize similar technology in a more mobile application to provide them with important safety information about environments they're encountering with limited prior knowledge.

Concentrations of potentially poisonous and invisible gases in the air, like carbon monoxide or dioxide or volatile organic compounds, can be detected through chromatography and light refraction. Particulate matter created by combustion, like the kind made by forest fires, can also be detected and measured through light reflection. Larger pieces of particulate reflect more light than smaller ones and pose a greater health risk, so measuring the size of particulate fragments as precisely as possible is essential. Environmental data collected from scenes of disasters has value for medical personnel as well. Having prior knowledge of the types of airborne toxins or pollutants victims and evacuees have been exposed to before they've even been examined can help develop treatment plans more quickly.

Real-time Data Collection

Mobile sensors collecting real-time data on first responders' persons feed the information into an intelligent processing layer and then display data on a “dashboard” of sorts, presenting a digital readout of the various vital signs and environmental factors being monitored. The dashboard can be monitored remotely by first responders on the scene or supervisors offsite to ensure that any responders in distress can be helped as quickly as possible. Real-time data on the surrounding air quality can tell firefighters precisely when they have to employ oxygen tanks in the field in order to breathe safely or when toxic fumes from a chemical spill have become too dangerous to be exposed to without a special breathing apparatus. Vital sign monitoring lets supervisors know when individual firefighters on the front lines of a blaze need a break or medical intervention, similar to the technology being implemented in sports to monitor athletes’ body temperature and blood oxygen levels.

Data collected in real time can also be saved and fed into algorithms that recognize patterns and make predictions to help optimize future emergency response plans. Knowing that personnel can only safely fight fires burning at certain temperatures from specific distances helps spare future hospitalizations, or worse, heatstroke or smoke inhalation. Furthermore, knowing how first responders' bodies have reacted to the presence of certain gases or volatile organic compounds in the environment can help design emergency treatment options if first responders or victims are exposed in the future and require immediate medical attention in the field. In large-scale personnel deployments, like forest fires or natural disaster relief, historical data on employee health and wellness can help supervisors determine the optimal length and frequency of shifts to maximize overall efficiency and help responders get the appropriate amount of sleep and nutrition.

Conclusion

Working in potentially hazardous environments is something asked of first responders every day, so monitoring their vital signs as well as key environmental factors is critical to ensuring safety. Using the data collected from first responders on the front lines to optimize future emergency response plans may also save lives and ensure first responders live longer, healthier lives post-retirement. The short- and long-term benefits of wearable technology and environmental sensors are so self-evident that you may see firefighters, EMTs, and even police officers wearing bio- and environmental-metric sensors on a daily basis in the near future.

Original Source: Mouser

About the Author

Alex is a senior technical writer for Wavefront Marketing specializing in advanced electronics, emerging technologies and responsible technology development.

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Global Geopolitical Uncertainties, Deepening Macro Situations can be an Impediment to the Growth of Chip Industry

With the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, one of the major hindrances faced by the chip industry is the supply chain imbalance. Apart from the pandemic, a huge amount of trade scuffles coupled with geopolitical tussle are proving to be extremely dangerous for this industry. Some experts and analysts have stated that by the end of 2024, production shortage will be completely normalized, while many still doubt it.

We Have Been Constantly Trying to Convince Component Makers to Manufacture More Products in India

India’s Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) is growing at a rapid scale, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 32.5 percent from FY22 to FY27 as opposed to 22.2 percent CAGR recorded from FY17 to FY22, as per a report by Niveshaay, a SEBI based research body. But amid these huge growth potentials, there are a couple of grave challenges such as high costs of electronic components, inadequate supply chain, unskilled labor, and high costs of power.

Progression of Authentication: Comparing Passwords, Passphrases, and Passkeys

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Join Rudy Ramos for a weekly look at all things interesting, new, and noteworthy for design engineers.

In the 1932 Marx Brothers' film “Horse Feathers,” Wagstaff (Groucho), the new college president, visits a speakeasy. Baravelli (Chico) accidentally reveals that the entry password is “Swordfish.” However, after Wagstaff enters and Baravelli exits, Wagstaff alters the password, promptly forgetting it. This mishap results in both being locked out. This early comedy exemplifies, though exaggerated, the flaws in human nature and behavior when it comes to passwords.

Weak passwords have been a consistent issue for data security. According to various studies and reports over the years, weak passwords or reused passwords are often the primary culprits in many data breaches. This week, we take a look at the differences between passwords, passphrases, and passkeys, and how the power of “length” is the key factor for security regardless of whether you use passwords or passphrases.

The Weakest Link

The weakest link in securing digital assets is often said to be the “human element.” Despite advanced technology and sophisticated security protocols, human behaviors, mistakes, and oversights can introduce vulnerabilities that malicious actors can exploit. Among the list of vulnerabilities posed by the human element, poor password practices are near the top. Many people still use weak passwords or reuse passwords across multiple sites and services, making it easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access.

For instance, in 2023, 64% of passwords only contain eight to 11 characters. Nearly 40% of users admit to sharing their personal passwords with others, and 61% of those affected by password hacking had passwords that were shorter than eight characters.

Also, according to the Q2 2023 Cyber-threat Report (April 1 - June 30) by ReliaQuest, a significant spike in ransomware activity was noted, marking it as the quarter with the highest number of victims listed on ransomware data-leak sites. The ransomware group ALPHV, affiliated with “DarkSide” and “BlackMatter,” practices triple extortion: ransomware, data theft, and DDoS attacks. ALPHV employs the AES and ChaCha20 encryption algorithms, targeting operating systems like Windows, ESXi, Debian, and more. They infiltrate systems through vulnerabilities, compromised passwords, or initial access brokers (IABs), using tools such as WebBrowserPassView, Cobalt Strike, and Mimikatz for password acquisition, initial access, and privilege escalation.

Lastly, the average global cost of a data breach in 2023 was a record high $4.45 million. Furthermore, a 2019 study by the Ponemon Institute highlighted that companies in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France spend, on average, around $5.2 million annually responding to password-related issues, revealing the economic impact of weak password practices.

User Authentication

User authentication is critical for online security, and despite education and awareness movements, users still practice poor password etiquette and sometimes fall victim to phishing emails, leading to unauthorized access, malware infections, and data breaches. Also, physical security oversights like losing devices—e.g., laptops or USB drives—or leaving them unattended can lead to data breaches. Without proper cybersecurity training, employees might not recognize potential security threats or understand the best practices to mitigate them.

To address all these human elements, continuous education, training, and cyber security awareness campaigns are nonetheless essential. Tools such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) can also mitigate risks associated with human error. Still, cultivating a security-conscious corporate and personal culture is one of the most effective strategies to protect digital assets.

Authentication Best Practice

Moving towards a security-conscious culture requires rethinking our approaches to authentication. Authentication of login credentials aims to verify an individual's identity, ensuring system access is granted only to legitimate users. Understanding the best practices for the three primary user authentication methods—passwords, passphrases, and passkeys—is crucial to prevent unauthorized system access and thwart potential attackers.

Passwords are user-created character strings, while passphrases are longer, word-based sequences for enhanced security. Passkeys employ public-key cryptography, stored on devices, and use biometrics or security keys as the second authentication factor instead of codes.

The key factor for security, whether using passwords or passphrases, is length. Increasing a password’s length raises the difficulty of brute forcing exponentially. Passphrases have equivalent or better strength than passwords of the same length. Very long, 20+ character passwords or 5+ word passphrases offer protection that may take longer than a human lifetime to crack through brute force alone

The table below shows the estimated brute force crack times for passwords vs. passphrases of different lengths with numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and symbols. Note that estimated times are approximate since crack speed depends heavily on the hacking hardware and techniques. (Source: Author)

Password/Passphrase LengthEstimated Crack Time
8-character passwordSeconds to minutes
12-character passwordHours to days
16-character passwordYears
20-character passwordCenturies
4-word passphraseCenturies
5-word passphraseMillennia
6-word passphraseMillions of years
7-word passphraseBillions of years

Key Features of Passwords, Passphrases, and Passkeys

Passwords

  • Authentication: Passwords are one of the most common methods for user authentication. They help systems verify the identity of users.
  • Complexity: A strong password typically consists of a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, which make it difficult for unauthorized users to guess or break using various hacking methods.
  • Encryption: In secure systems, passwords are often stored in an encrypted form. When users enter their password, the system encrypts the input and compares it to the stored encrypted version.
  • Use Cases: Passwords are used in various digital contexts, including logging into computers, email accounts, social media platforms, online banking, and more.
  • Security Weaknesses: Because of their widespread use and often weak construction, passwords are a frequent target for cyberattacks, like brute force attacks, dictionary attacks, and phishing. Also, passwords can be hard to remember.
  • Best Practices: It's recommended to have unique passwords for different accounts, regularly update passwords, and avoid using easily guessable information, like birthdays or names.
  • Additional Proof of Identity: Passwords are increasingly being paired with other authentication methods, like two-factor authentication (2FA), to improve security.

Passphrases

  • Length: Passphrases are typically longer than passwords. This added length can make them more secure against brute force attacks.
  • Memorability: Passphrases often consist of multiple words or a sentence, making them easier to remember than complex passwords. For instance, "BlueSkyRainyDay!" is easier to remember than "B$Rd#91!".
  • Usage: Passphrases work well for master passwords or encryption keys.
  • Entropy: Good passphrases have high entropy, meaning they are random and hard to predict. This makes them resistant to dictionary attacks, where an attacker tries every word in the dictionary.
  • Use in Cryptography: Passphrases are often used as the human-memorable component in generating strong encryption keys. For instance, in PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption, a passphrase encrypts the private key.
  • Ease of Typing: Because they are often composed of regular words or sentences, passphrases can be quicker and less error-prone compared to passwords with a mix of characters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Commonality: Not all passphrases are secure. "password1234" is technically a passphrase, but it's not a secure one. Good passphrases should avoid using common phrases or quotations and ideally include a mix of character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols) when the system allows.

Passkeys

  • Public-Key Cryptography: Passkeys often relate to cryptographic key pairs consisting of a public key and a private key. The public key can be shared with anyone, while the private key remains confidential.
  • Device-Based: Passkeys can be generated and stored on a user's device, such as a smartphone or hardware security token. Passkeys eliminate password reuse across accounts.
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): In some implementations, passkeys are used as part of a 2FA process. In addition to something you know (like a password), it involves something you have, such as a device that generates or stores a passkey, like a YubiKey.
  • Biometric Integration: Some passkey systems incorporate biometrics as an added security layer. A device might require a fingerprint or facial recognition scan before displaying or using the passkey.
  • Usage in Temporary Authentication: Passkeys can sometimes be temporary or single-use codes generated for the purpose of a specific session or transaction.
  • Avoid Shared Secrets: Unlike passwords, which are shared with the server for validation (though usually in hashed form), passkeys, especially in the context of public-key cryptography, avoid the need to share secrets. The server can verify the user's identity without ever knowing or storing the exact passkey. Passkeys are resilient against phishing and leaks, are easier to use, and are more secure.
     

Featured Products

This week's New Tech Tuesday introduces Microchip Technology's EV97M19A and Swissbit's iShield Key Pro. These two cutting-edge solutions are crafted for those who demand uncompromised security in engineering applications.

The Microchip Technology EV97M19A is a compact mikroBUS™ extension board for showcasing Microchip's SHA104 and SHA105 capabilities. While the SHA104 focuses on accessory-side applications like consumables, the SHA105 caters to host-side needs, enabling mutual authentication. Together, they ensure robust mutual symmetric authentication in commercial and industrial settings.

Designed for seamless integration with the CryptoAuth Trust Platform and other Microchip platforms with a MikroElektronica mikroBUS header, the EV97M19A also supports connection to XPRO header boards via the ATMBUSADAPTER-XPRO. It streamlines the authentication system development with its onboard Microchip devices.

Key features:

  • SHA104 and SHA105 devices with I2C interface for accessory and host-side authentication, respectively
  • Additional SHA104 device with Microchip's unique SWI-PWM interface
  • Convenient parasitic power option for SHA104 and selectable jumper
  • Compact mikroBUS board with pass-through header for extra mikroBUS boards
  • 3V default power with an optional 5V via a 0Ω resistor
  • Onboard power indicator LED

Swissbit's iShield Key Pro (USB-A/NFC) delivers secure, simple, and versatile authentication. This hardware-based solution elevates online account protection against online attacks, such as phishing, social engineering, and account takeover, aligning with Swissbit's reputation for robust data and device security. Tailored for businesses, IT infrastructures, and online service providers, it offers users superior protection for personal and professional online accounts through advanced asymmetric cryptography. Crafted in Berlin's Swissbit factory, the iShield Key Pro boasts impeccable quality and is customizable. It supports NFC for mobile devices and ensures seamless integration with any FIDO2 and U2F compatible platforms, even allowing password-less sign-ins to Windows 10. With its all-in-one design, it fortifies authentication, replaces traditional passwords, and offers options ranging from single-factor to multi-factor authentication.

Key Features:

  • Works with FIDO2 and U2F-compatible websites and services
  • Supports FIDO2 and U2F standards
  • Public and private key cryptography
  • HOTP (Event), Smartcard (PIV-compatible), OpenSC-compatible
  • Durable security key with fully molded, robust, and water-resistant housing
  • Tap-and-go authentication with NFC for mobile devices
  • Touch authentication for USB-A interface
  • OS: Windows 10/11, macOS, iOS, Linux, Chrome OS, Android
  • Browsers: Firefox, MS Edge, Google, Chrome, Apple Safari

Takeaway

Passwords are a prevalent part of our lives, and while the incessant requirements to update them can seem tedious, taking authentication seriously is the first step in protecting our data. Weak passwords are a substantial cybersecurity vulnerability that comes at a significant cost. Secure user authentication is paramount in the digital age. Passwords, passphrases, and passkeys play vital roles in ensuring only authorized users access systems. Each offers advantages, but their efficacy hinges on proper use and understanding. Still, regardless of the chosen authentication method, length is a pivotal security factor. A password's length directly influences its resilience against brute force attacks. While there are numerous best practices for authentication, cybersecurity’s greatest defense is password length.  

Original Source: Mouser

About the Author

Rudy mouserRudy is a member of the Technical Content Marketing team at Mouser Electronics, bringing 35+ years of expertise in advanced electromechanical systems, robotics, pneumatics, vacuum systems, high voltage, semiconductor manufacturing, military hardware, and project management. As a technology subject matter expert, Rudy supports global marketing efforts through his extensive product knowledge and by creating and editing technical content for Mouser's website. Rudy has authored technical articles appearing in engineering websites and holds a BS in Technical Management and an MBA with a concentration in Project Management. Prior to Mouser, Rudy worked for National Semiconductor and Texas Instruments.

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Why Global Semiconductor Firms are Reluctant to Invest in AI, IoT Amid Huge Growth Potentials

IoT and AI has the higher chance to escalate R&D expenses, requires a completely skilled workforce, and includes cross-border regulation.

Semiconductors are now the backbone of modern electronic products and are playing an imperative role in our daily lives. They are the building blocks for the integrated circuits, which power everything from computers to smartphones, and every essential home appliance. For the past few decades, technology has evolved tremendously and for instance, artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) are playing a pivotal role in almost every industrial sector. The procedure of semiconductor manufacturing includes designing devices and utilizing photolithography to place the circuits accurately on the silicon wafers. 

The chip industry is growing at a rapid pace all over the world and it includes firms that design and produce chip devices and components, including integrated circuits and transistors. The industry has now turned to be highly competitive coupled with major companies investing billions in research and development. Now, the point is that AI is playing an important role in the semiconductor industry. The technology is transforming the sector by improving the design, testing, and manufacturing of chips. 

While speaking of design, AI helps engineers to optimize the architecture of semiconductors and performance by quickly examining the colossal datasets, and at the same time, identifying patterns, that could be an impediment for the engineers to detect. Moreover, AI is now helping the industry’s design pattern and perks-up the potentials of chip-enabled devices. On the other hand, the verification procedure is now completely automated with the help of AI, which ensures the reliability of complex semiconductor designs. The global AI market is forecast to grow to $390.9 billion by 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate of 55.6 percent over that short period.

Image of AI

Akshara Bassi, Senior Research Analyst at Counterpoint told Circuit Digest exclusively, “AI helps in accelerating chip design and development times. At the same time, ML and AI helps analyze large datasets to generate efficient chip architectures. Additionally, they help in simulating the chip performance before it goes to production in the foundry. The simulation can help in tweaks for improved performance and enhanced functionality. Now, if you speak about the role of AI in semiconductor manufacturing or the foundry level, AI helps to activate predictive maintenance by analyzing historical production patterns for lower downtime and increased productivity of site. Additionally, the continual iterative learning process helps in improving yield rate and lower wastage. The growth looks exponential as companies would try to integrate AI into their businesses and processes for faster GTM and lower cost of chip design."

The crucial aspect is how AI is going to impact the global chip production and design. The massive demand of AI will now have a huge impact on this industry because the volume of data stored and processed by AI applications is huge. According to the experts, it is an urgent need of the hour to improve chip architecture in an effort to address the data utilization in AI based integrated circuits. The AI based chip design will be not only about boosting the overall performance, but also about escalating the data movement both in and out of the memory coupled with more augmented power and accurate memory systems. According to an exclusive engineering report published in irds.ieee.org, one option is the design of chips for AI neural networks that perform like human brain synapses. Instead of sending constant signals, such chips would “fire” and send data only when needed. Nonvolatile memory may also see more use in AI-related semiconductor designs. Nonvolatile memory can hold saved data without power. Combining nonvolatile memory on chips with processing logic would make “system on a chip” processors possible, which could meet the demands of AI algorithms.

Semiconductor experts have clearly highlighted that the improvements in semiconductor design are increasing to counter the data demands of AI applications, but they increase a bundle of production and manufacturing hurdles. As the requirement of memories have increased, AI based chips have also increased over the years. The semiconductor size is so huge now, it is not an easy task for a chip vendor to gain profit, while working on specialized hardware. The simple reason is for each application, producing dedicated AI chips becomes very expensive. In order to counter this impediment, a general-purpose AI dais would be useful. It will be easier for the vendors to escalate this general-purpose podium with inputs/outputs, accelerators, and sensors. Manufacturers will be then able to customize the podium for various workload requirements of any application, while also reducing expenses. 

Now, from the perspective of production, this industry will also gain huge benefits from AI adoption. At all the process points, AI will be there to decrease manufacturing time, boosting production efficacies, and decrease material losses. For the past couple of years, the chip industry has earned most of its revenues from the mobile device and smartphone market. The smartphone industry has already hit the peak, the chip industry should find other industries for its growth. The AI applications mostly in industrial robotics, autonomous vehicles, and big data can offer growth opportunities to the chip industry. By defining a new AI strategy, the chip companies can grab the full benefits of the emerging AI market. 

Along with AI, the Internet of Things (IoT) is another important technology, which is very likely to disrupt the chip sector in the business and industrial domains. IoT has the potential to turn almost every device into smart devices starting from retail to consumer products, medical science, and irrigation. Industrial IoTs are in huge demand these days. As the increasing demand for IoT solutions is poised to generate huge revenues, McKinsey Global Institute stated that IoT applications will generate between $4 trillion and $11 trillion globally in 2025. This huge growth offers both complexities and opportunities for the chip industry globally. 

Image of IoT

Mohit Agrawal, Senior Research Analyst who specializes in digital transformation, AI and IoT market told Circuit Digest, “The key areas where IoT is going to make a difference in manufacturing is predictive maintenance, enhancing efficiency, asset tracking, etc. IoT and AI (computer vision) is being used for quality control in a big way. Another concept that is gaining currency is Digital Twin. We can have a digital twin of a machine, system or the entire manufacturing set up. Digital Twins enables us to simulate by taking the real time data into account."

“IoT applications fail to work without integrated circuits and dedicated sensors and therefore, every IoT device is in need of semiconductors. The mobile phone or the smartphone market, which has boosted the chip market for several years, has now finally started taking rest. The chip vendors have the higher chance of grabbing new revenue opportunities with the help of IoT, helping the sector to maintain an average yearly growth rate of 3 to 4 percent in the future. Most importantly, the IoT backed devices would augment demand for integrated circuits, microcontrollers, sensors, memory, and connectivity, which has the higher chance of putting pressure on the current semiconductor supply chain ecosystem,” added Agrawal.

According to some industry sources, who wish to be unnamed, said that IoT applications mostly require a very small microcontroller, which can be embedded in smaller electronics. Therefore, there will be a huge pressure on the semiconductor industry to come out with innovative technology required for small chips, while also maintaining the chip power consumption. There is a possibility that the current base material silicon, which is used in integrated circuits, could be replaced with gallium-arsenide.  

A few researchers still doubt that IoT is going to dominate the international market for chips, because a lot of companies including the renowned ones are putting attention to the R&D of this sector. The major challenge is applying the technology. IoT products have specialized requirements, which have niche markets and very low sales. This thinking has left most of the chip firms to detest billions of dollars investments in IoT. The technology has the higher chance to escalate R&D expenses, requires a completely skilled workforce, and includes cross-border regulation.

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