Qualcomm wants to buy NXP - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jancumps
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 07:00:54 pm
content: That's what the news just said.

author: chris_leyson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 07:46:06 pm
content: QuoteI can see that happening, Qualcom would probably drop or sell off the low level stuff. Maybe in the not to distant future we will buy it from China, who knows, but at least we still got Diodes Inc, Fairchild and ON Semi, for now anyway.

author: Euphyllia
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 09:48:57 pm
content: They want the automotive stuff. Smart/networked/driverless/whatever cars would be my guess. Especially with the graphics division they bought off AMD and what NVDA is doing.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 09:59:27 pm
content: Good match, little product portfolio overlapp.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 10:03:27 pm
content: Just wondering what will happen with the SoCs from the Freescale portfolio.

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 07:05:13 am
content: Quote from: chris_leyson on September 29, 2016, 07:46:06 pmNXP's standard products are not involved I think. They're supposed to branch toNexperia.I knew it.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 07:49:03 am
content: aha! i deleted that post, as i was actually thinking about broadcomthis one scares me a bit actually

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 07:56:39 am
content: Quote from: JPortici on September 30, 2016, 07:49:03 amwhy

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 10:23:54 am
content: the deal doesn't make much sense to me. not sure what qualcomm is thinking.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 12:02:01 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on September 30, 2016, 08:02:06 amTheir marketing strategy is totally different, you can not buy any of their chips at low quantities from distributors, only with them and if you do you will get the datasheet and an NDA.So you should complain with the RPi manufacturers. If they intended to sell a product where the user should have access to the datasheet in order for instance to write their own peripheral drivers etc, then they should have used a different chip and manufacturer. It is your choice to buy a product where you do not have access to full specifications and datasheet.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 12:12:21 pm
content: Quote from: Kjelt on September 30, 2016, 12:02:01 pmYes. If you have products in the ~thousands quantities, you will not bother with either Qualcomm or Broadcom or Dialog or Renesas. There is just too much initial corporate bullshit to even evaluate if they have any product that you can use. I would not be happy about this acquisition.I'm happy, when someone with great support buys someone who does not have that. Like Microchip buying SMSC. But this Freescale bought by NXP bought by Qualcomm then that bought by, IDK Samsung... This is a bad.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 12:50:36 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on September 30, 2016, 12:18:53 pmIntel.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 01:37:54 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on September 30, 2016, 12:18:53 pmBeaglebone uses TI I could find a datasheet (limited) online.

author: chicken
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2016, 02:32:10 am
content: Doesn't look like it's a done deal yet.http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-30/nxp-said-to-hire-qatalyst-amid-qualcomm-acquisition-interestShort version: NXP is shopping itself around. Qualcomm has money burning a hole into their pocket, but hasn't decided on what to buy yet.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2016, 05:39:49 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on September 30, 2016, 12:18:53 pmI bought two quad core smartphones for $10 each a few months ago. They're about on par with the Pi 3 in CPU performance and ready to use out of the box - in my case connecting to my Wifi and installing the mining software. Economy of scale is your friend when finding hardware to build clusters with. Granted, the durability left much to be desired - one became more and more unstable and then failed completely after just a few months of mining. (I also had two older dual core ZTEs break down in a similar manner.)I recently bought 3 Moto Es for $20 each to replace the three ZTEs that broke down. The altcoin I'm mining with them is in its prime stage so I consider it well worth paying a little more to rebuild my cluster, with break even at 2-3 weeks. (And with luck, they'll hopefully last longer than the ZTEs.)So yes, with some patience, the hobbyist can buy really cheap embedded ARM platforms. It's not like the average hobbyist would be able to get much done with a bare BGA chip anyways.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2016, 10:02:02 am
content: I have a few Moto Es and love those phones: the battery life is amazing and the size and weight is just perfect.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2016, 04:41:03 pm
content: Quote from: dannyf on October 01, 2016, 10:02:02 amIt's too bad that while unlocking the bootloader is easy, unlocking the SIM isn't. I bought three with the intention of using one as a phone, but I couldn't find a SIM unlock that would let it recognize my T Mobile SIM. (It could actually be a hardware limitation with the version I got.) I just gave up and added it to the cluster with the other two.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2016, 05:52:34 pm
content: QuoteThe most valuable Moto E is the Verizon version where it is actually a global phone (GSM + CDMA, and the right LTE bands). They can be easily unlocked assuming that you didn't boot them up first with a verizon SIM.The ATT ones are fairly easy to unlock sim: ATT will do it for you.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2016, 07:09:54 pm
content: So much for the discrete complementary RF pairs from NXP. Nature abhors a vacuum and PNP RF transistors.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2016, 09:55:52 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on October 01, 2016, 04:56:40 pmYou don't approach MTK directly. You go to the various Chinese forums and experience the power ofGongkai. I found the MT6575 and MT6589 datasheets pretty easily.On the other hand, good luck getting someone from BCM or Qualcomm to leak anything...

author: benSTmax
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2016, 02:43:02 pm
content: I think probably the automotive related parts were the ones that made most of the appeal for Qualcomm in NXP.I guess the deal will get through and in the end Qualcomm will have to make a choice about the product lines. The ones deserving some focus would be:The former-Freescale iMX seriesThe MCU line from NXP and former-FreescaleI guess 1. will meet its end. Qualcomm has better and more advanced products in this area, thanks to its involvement in mobile. I guess the engineers working on this product line would need to start packing their things and find new jobs.Tackling 2. would require Qualcomm to become an open company and at least for these product lines, offer documentation, app notes, example codes and so on or do the opposite.Putting stupid NDAs for general purpose MCUs is a certain receipt for suicide.I guess in the end they might sell the MCU business to whoever wants it.My 2 cents ...

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2016, 03:27:12 pm
content: Quote from: benSTmax on October 03, 2016, 02:43:02 pm+ Wireless. But I have to agree, if they would sell the MCU products to anyone, who grabs it, probably that would be fine. I guess it would make the most sense to sell it to someone, who is weak in the microcontroller market. Like Analog devices. Or ON. Or Fairchild, but I doubt they have the money.Anyway, my head is starting to hurt with these constant acquisitions.

author: benSTmax
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2016, 04:41:14 pm
content: I guess Qualcomm's wireless experience far outperforms anything from NXP (coming from former-Freescale). We have to keep in mind they also got Atheros sometime ago and they had good wireless expertise too.Grim-looking situation for the wireless engineers within NXP.My head hurts too. About a month ago I completed a design using a Kinetis MCU but this acquisition information now raises a lot of questions about parts availability in the future ...

author: jitter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2016, 05:30:31 am
content: Quote from: Jeroen3 on September 30, 2016, 07:05:13 amAh jeezz.. hope they didn't pay someone too much money for inventing the name "Nexperia"... But they probably did...

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2016, 06:43:48 am
content: Quote from: benSTmax on October 03, 2016, 04:41:14 pmMicrochip buying Atmel killed any possibly of our using AVR-8 microcontrollers. I am currently trying to decide of I need to design out everything made by Linear Technology.

author: ehughes
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2016, 06:58:52 pm
content: This is unfortunate for me. I use a lot of Kinetis and LPC parts. Anytime this happens I immediately do a "new design freeze" and not use anything new from the company for about 2 years....

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2016, 07:14:50 pm
content: When it comes to Qualcomm buying NXP it seems nothing is carved in stone yet.

author: benSTmax
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2016, 08:25:01 pm
content: Even if this buyout won't get through (though I don't see any reasons not to), it signals NXP is actively shopping itself around and the long-term availability of their current parts might change depending on whoever is to going to buy them

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2016, 09:17:48 pm
content: OTOH: why buy something to make the products obsolete the next day? IMHO NXP's ARM portfolio is pretty strong and probably has the widest range available from any manufacturer. Even TI doesn't have such a strong line-up. And then there are the 8 and 16 bit processors from formerly Freescale. Try and find a microcontroller NXP doesn't have a competing device for to match it.

author: jitter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2016, 05:38:47 am
content: Quote from: benSTmax on October 05, 2016, 08:25:01 pmMaybe something similar will happen as when Motorola said goodbye to the simple stuff and OnSemi was born. They're still around...There are lots of designs still relying on stuff from Philips, now NXP and possibly next Nexperia. It's only the name that changes.Similarly Atmels serial flash now carries the name Adesto. I haven't seen our customers change a design because of that. So, in the end it depends if the new owner can keep selling enough of the stuff.

author: mac.6
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2016, 08:23:41 am
content: Lot of Freescale/NXP parts have a +10yrs availability, that's mainly required by automotive makers/suppliers. Go around that and it shut you down the whole automotive market in a breeze.

author: krho
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2017, 07:32:53 pm
content: This just went downhill. Now the Broadcom wants to buy Qualcomm.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2017, 09:46:38 pm
content: That's OK. I was already writing Motorola/Freescale/NXP/Nexperia(?)/Qualcomm in my BOM for those parts.You know, just to show how ridiculus this is.Now I will just write Motorola/Freescale/NXP/Nexperia(?)/Qualcomm/Broadcom in it.

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2017, 06:50:07 am
content: The NXP and Qualcomm merge did not continue since the shareholders (many employees) didn't want to sell their shares.The board can negotiate whatever they want, but if the shareholders don't agree, then nothing happens.Many employees of NXP/Nexperia hold shares. Part of their reward/retirement program.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2017, 07:03:55 am
content: Quote from: David Hess on October 05, 2016, 06:43:48 amWhy does that prevent you using AVR chips?

author: mac.6
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2017, 08:32:59 am
content: Quote from: Jeroen3 on November 06, 2017, 06:50:07 amWell it's mostly the EU veto that held the merger. Now it is supposed to be resumed the rest is a matter of price (and a big hand sold its share friday on qcom/brdcom rumor).

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2017, 11:00:56 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on November 05, 2017, 09:52:04 pmI wouldn't use any parts from those company as a matter of principle. I dont like:NDA walling crucial informationNot having EU suppliersProviding shit support to the westAnd please understand, even if they dont do this anymore, it will take a decade or more for me to change my mind about companies.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2017, 11:59:54 am
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on November 06, 2017, 07:03:55 amWhy accept the risk that Microchip will discontinue them or their support in any way? And if Microchip does not, why accept that risk of others doing so?It adds another reason to select ARM instead of AVR for a new design.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2017, 01:28:06 am
content: Quote from: David Hess on November 06, 2017, 11:59:54 amConsidering AVR is used in a number of popular products which make money, it seems unlikely that Microchip will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. However, whatever you think of that, going for an ARM alternative gives you no additional guarantees. There is nothing to prevent those manufacturers to pull the plug on the chip you use. Judging by the experiences of others, that's actually what happens regularly.I understand you want some guarantees, but I don't think it makes sense to look for them where there are none.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 03:18:13 am
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on November 07, 2017, 01:28:06 amBut with ARM alternative ARM based processors are available from many sources and the investment into ARM development is maintained to some extent.I do not doubt that Microchip will continue to produce existing AVR products including any which are still in development but until there is evidence of continued development, I am leery of investing in AVR. For those currently using AVR, this is largely irrelevant.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2017, 01:14:09 am
content: Quote from: David Hess on November 08, 2017, 03:18:13 amActually the processor core is the least interesting part of a microcontroller. The compiler deals with that. What makes all the difference are the peripherals and how they are connected to the pins. Changing a microcontroller from ARM to a MIPS core is just a matter of recompiling the code. Changing peripherals and pins means re-writing the drivers and changing the PCB. ARM has tried to come up with their own software eco-system (CMSIS) but that has gotten very little traction by the microcontroller manufacturers besides some very basic stuff to enable/disable interrupts (which are just a few macros to inline some assembly code).