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Design News

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Design News; Published: 24 June 2008

BEIJING, CHINA - Magma Design Automation has announced that it will open offices in Beijing and Shanghai, adding 18,000 square feet of office space in the two cities, and expand its IC R&D team to provide local customer support. The company reported that it has also launched a university program partnership with the Chinese government.

"Driven by computing and consumer electronics demand, the Chinese semiconductor market is projected to surpass $28 billion in 2011," said Rajeev Madhavan, CEO of Magma. "Doing business here requires an understanding of the dynamic characteristics of the Chinese market, the role of the government and the differences in business practices."

The company stated that its program with local universities will increase the local engineering talent pool and foster research. It will provide course material, software and support, and contribute to design automation research labs. Sarah Xu, Ph.D. has been appointed as managing director, and will act as liaison to universities and EDA partners.

"China is putting strong emphasis on engineering education and software development," Xu said. "We are pleased to support these efforts by working with local universities to train engineers... and contribute to important research."

"We've worked closely with Magma in a number of areas including an internship program and joint research program," said Yici Cai, professor at the Tsinghua University Computer Science Department. "With this successful collaboration as a foundation, we look forward to extending our relationship through the formal university program."

The company established its first facility in Beijing in 2003.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Design News; Published: 24 June 2008

LONDON - Mentor Graphics has resubmitted its unsolicited offer of approximately $46 million for the Flomerics Group, a bid that Flomerics has already rejected as too low.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Design News; Published: 24 June 2008

SOUTHPOINTE, PA - Ansys Inc. has reported that the Securities and Exchange Commission had approved its planned acquisition of Ansoft Corp. for $832 million in cash and stock.

Ansoft stockholders will vote on the proposed deal on July 23.

Shares of Ansys rose 30 cents to $47.30 in after-hours trading, while Ansoft shares fell 2 cents to $36.45.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Design News; Published: 23 June 2008

SMYRNA, GA – UP Media Group Inc. announced that registration is now open for PCB West 2008, scheduled for September 14-19, 2008, at the Santa Clara Marriott in Santa Clara, CA.

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SEASIDE, OR - Written by Joseph Fjelstad in September 2006, the 3rd Edition of the book Flexible Circuit Technology features new chapters and authors that include: Flex Circuit Design Guide for Static and Dynamic Flexing by Werner Engelmaier of Engelmaier Associates, Process Challenges and System Applications in Flex by Kevin Durocher and William Burdick of GE Research, Flexible Circuit Assembly by Bob Willis of the SMART Group, and Solderless Assembly Processes for Flexible Circuits by Joe Fjelstad, developer of the Occam Process.

Reportedly to help assist in the adoption and implementation of flex circuit interconnection technology, the book and new chapters are available free of charge. PDF versions of both can be downloaded at flexiblecircuittechnology.com.

According to the book's sponsors, the new chapters were written to address needs of both the newcomer and experienced engineer, while introducing new applications of the technology. Topics include new chip packaging and interconnection solutions, emerging printed electronics technologies, RFID and other applications.

The book is published by BR Publishing of Seaside, Oregon.

GREENVILLE, SC - The Kemet Corp. has introduced four new surface-mount MIL-PRF-123 space-level ceramic capacitors. The company claims that its M123A13BXB105KZ is the only 50V 1uF SMD ceramic capacitor in the marketplace qualified to the MIL-PRF-123 specification.

The products were developed in response to a Department of Defense request for ceramic capacitors that meet the space-level requirements of MIL-PRF-123. The company reports that it completed the MIL-PRF-123 qualification for the product, which included a claimed 4,000 hours of life testing at twice rated voltage at 125^oC.

"This product announcement is an extension of Kemet's vision to become the number one preferred supplier of capacitors to the Defense and Aerospace market, and part of our larger commitment to be a technology leader in the industry," said company CEO Per Loof.