#hardware description language

[learnandgrowcommunity]

VHDL Basics : Begin the World of FPGA Design Tools & VHDL Design Flow

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on FPGA design tools and VHDL design flow! In this video, we dive into the fascinating world of FPGA design and explore the essential tools and methodologies needed for successful FPGA development. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced engineer, this tutorial will provide valuable insights and tips to enhance your FPGA design skills. We start by introducing the fundamentals of FPGA design, explaining the benefits and versatility of using FPGAs in various applications. From there, we explore the wide range of design tools available, from popular industry-standard software like Xilinx Vivado and Altera Quartus Prime to open-source alternatives like GHDL and Icarus Verilog. We highlight the strengths and features of each toolset, enabling you to choose the most suitable one for your projects. With a solid foundation in FPGA design and tools, we then delve into the VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language) design flow. From understanding the basics of VHDL syntax to implementing complex digital designs, we provide step-by-step explanations and practical demonstrations. You'll learn about entity and architecture design, the importance of libraries, and how to simulate and synthesize VHDL code for your FPGA. To ensure a holistic learning experience, we discuss common challenges and pitfalls in FPGA design and provide valuable troubleshooting tips. We also touch upon advanced topics like FPGA optimization techniques, timing analysis, and physical implementation considerations. So, whether you're a student, hobbyist, or professional looking to enhance your FPGA design skills, this tutorial is the ultimate resource to get started on your journey. Join us now and unlock the vast potential of FPGA design tools and the VHDL design flow! FPGA design tools, VHDL design flow, FPGA development, Xilinx Vivado, Altera Quartus Prime, VHDL, Verilog, VHDL syntax, digital design, entity architecture, libraries, simulate VHDL code, synthesize VHDL code, FPGA optimization techniques, timing analysis, physical implementation, FPGA design skills.

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[assembly-official]

Assembly is not enough, i need to fuck my processor

VHDL or Verilog. I don't have any experience in Verilog, but have made some simple stuff on FPGAs with VHDL; it's pretty cool, but also quite frustrating since it's simultaneously the lowest level programming you'll probably ever do (as it is changing real hardware), but it's also quite abstract, so you don't really know what the compiler does; this makes fixing (heisen) bugs real tricky.

If you ment 'fuck my processor' more literally I recommend something with a LGA socket, because you will bend the pins of a PGA CPU. Also dry it off before reinserting it in your motherboard. I don't know how you'll get any real pleasure from it, but feel free to try!

[harrywavycurly]

Loving a Killer: A Harry Styles AU✨

Summary: You’re married to Harry Styles, who as far as you know works in the I.T department for a well known company with his bestfriend Mitch. But in reality Harry is a trained killer who spends the majority of his days in someone’s basement inflicting pain in various ways until finally that person is no longer seen as a problem to whoever hired Harry and Mitch to take care of them. Now your husband Harry has a bit of a reputation, he’s known to be quite protective as well as a bit possessive but that’s only because he loves you and he can’t help himself. Harry will do just about anything to make sure you’re happy even if that means sometimes he has to break his own rules and get his hands a little dirty in the process, you’re his wife so you’re worth it.

This series is all about how Harry tries his best to navigate being a good husband while also dealing with the fact he kills people for a living��

Pairing: Killer!Harry x wife!reader

CW: Mentions of blood, descriptions of violent acts, slightly controlling behavior, language, mentions of weapons, over protective behavior, obsessive behavior.

Tag List: Open

Extras: Here

Lasagna Casserole

Bruised Knuckles and Baked Goods

Mistakes in a Hardware Store

Tuesdays are for Dancing

A Subtle Reminder

Reassurance

Blurbs:

Broken Wrist and a Water Bottle

[gamesindustrynormal]

Sometimes when you are doing a technical software engineering interview, one of the interviewers will ask you a very specific question about something - a math formula, some obscure language feature, some curious property of a specific type of hardware, you name it. Unless it's specifically mentioned in the job description as something you need to know inside-and-out, it's something you can't really expect anyone to know by heart.

It is a bad way to conduct interviews, and honestly there is little to learn from it - you can't possibly memorize every piece of arcane knowledge some engineer with a chip on their shoulder thinks is important. Admit you do not know but if you encountered a situation where it mattered you would look it up, and hope for the best.

The interesting thing is that this happens in interviews focusing more on soft sciences as well, but it is much more difficult to know if you run into it. Questions in interviews probing for culture fit, collaboration or leadership tend not to have any obvious right or wrong answers. So someone asks you an open-ended question, like what you would do if you encounter a problem you have not seen before, and will fail you on it unless you have a very specific answer.

The point being that there is only so much prep you can do, and sometimes you will fail not because you couldn't do the job but because the interviewer can't properly evaluate you for it. Your best bet is to try not to let it frazzle you and move on, hope that you will make a good enough impression on the other interviewers that they will go to bat for you when the poor one complains.

[gaysheep]

Touching is Good: A Retrospective

My trusty Nintendo 3DS, which has held out since I was gifted it for my 15th birthday, has turned one decade old with my 25th birthday this past November. Given new life with custom firmware and nds-bootstrap via TWiLightMenu, the 3DS is stellar for visiting any past handheld title or console title up to (and somewhat including) the N64. (Quick plug for the CFW/hacking community for the less popular PS Vita, too, which has accomplished some pretty crazy-cool stuff this last year.) I use my 3DS more often than I use my Nintendo Switch most weeks.

The Nintendo DS (minus the three) launched in late 2004. The second display and stylus support were novel tools for developers to experiment with, and the NDS is best remembered for its robust catalogue of RPGs and visual novels. Where it lacked in power, narrative-focused games flourished under its technical limitations.

That being said, while browsing the ROM archives on Vimm's Lair to pick up some titles, I was reminded of what an interesting era the mid-to-late 2000s were for games. While Sony and Microsoft were fighting over the "core gamer" demographic, who had outgrown Nintendo mascots, Nintendo led a series of wildly successful marketing campaigns for its hardware after the light failure of the Gamecube, where the Nintendo DS and then the Wii were targeted at...everyone else.

[Image source. Image description in alt text.]

If you look at ads for the DS and the Wii, you'll see that adults are featured much more prominently than children, especially women and seniors. (This did not go unnoticed, as I found this ancient relic of misogyny while looking for images for this post.) A Nintendo handheld was already an easy sell to parents with small children (though I think it's also notable that ads which do focus on children often prominently feature girls. Munchlax is pretty hot...), but Nintendo's angle for the DS and Wii was that their hardware wasn't just for children. The Wii was a way to get up off the couch and to play board games with grandma. The DS was a great gadget for a working woman to keep in her pocketbook.

This worked. The Wii and DS were two of the best-selling consoles of all time. In particular, the DS's marketing campaign only worked because it came out in the perfect window of time. PDA-phone hybrids had been around since the 90s, and the Blackberry had been kicking around for a few years, but the iPhone wouldn't be introduced until 2007, and the 4G LTE standard wouldn't be released until 2009. While the Blackberry was popular with businesspeople and the PDA was out of style, smartphones were luxury toys for several years; they wouldn't become near-ubiquious until the mid-2010s. I didn't get my own smartphone until probably around the same time I got my 3DS, a full handheld generation later.

Browsing the software library for the Nintendo DS and DSi with that in mind is really interesting. Many titles released for the platform serve the same purposes that would be fulfilled by simple smartphone apps less than a decade later: planners and diaries, fitness trackers, calculators, language learning and SAT prep software, even a guide to the then-most-recent version of the driver's test in the UK. These proliferated with the release of the DSi's virtual store, but they existed even with the base model. You could go to a brick-and-mortar store and buy them on physical cartridges. (You might be wondering, "Why would you bother carrying those around over just buying a Blackberry?" You can't underestimate how expensive the service bills for a smartphone were before companies realized they were the most powerful spyware tool in history.)

There was never a time where every single businesswoman in New York carried a DS Lite, but adults did buy and use them, and a not insignificant portion of the DS's software library is aimed at a casual adult audience. Another niche covered mostly by smartphone games these days—games designed to be picked up and played in short sessions on-the-go, in places like waiting rooms and subway commutes.

Nintendo made crazy bank in the seventh console generation. Publications of the time talked about a console war between Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, but the real battle was between the PS3 and the Xbox 360 over the gamer demographic. Nintendo was producing hardware for a niche who would quietly disappear once smartphone sales began ballooning by hundreds of millions per year over the course of the early 2010s.

After the failure of the Wii U, Nintendo's marketing strategy pivoted again, though I doubt they'll ever completely abandon their family-friendly image. Currently beat out only by the PS2 and the DS, the Nintendo Switch may very well climb to a status as the best-selling console of all time before the end of its lifespan, but the "gamer" demographic is much bigger than it was two decades ago at the dawn of the DS. As more and more devices become consolidated into the Swiss army knife the smartphone has become, consoles can only carve out a role as dedicated gaming machines.

I'm not sure we'll ever see anything like the Nintendo DS or the Wii again. I think they're worth looking back on for their uniqueness in that way as much as they are for the more celebrated parts of their libraries.

[the-typing-dragon]

why couldnt i make a normal game why do i have to be sitting here at 2AM designing the functionality between a hardware description language just so i can make micromanaging your spacecraft comedically complicated

[promodispenser]

Leveraging XML Data Interface for IPTV EPG

This blog explores the significance of optimizing the XML Data Interface and XMLTV schedule EPG for IPTV. It emphasizes the importance of EPG in IPTV, preparation steps, installation, configuration, file updates, customization, error handling, and advanced tips.

The focus is on enhancing user experience, content delivery, and securing IPTV setups. The comprehensive guide aims to empower IPTV providers and tech enthusiasts to leverage the full potential of XMLTV and EPG technologies.

1. Overview of the Context:

The context focuses on the significance of optimizing the XML Data Interface and leveraging the latest XMLTV schedule EPG (Electronic Program Guide) for IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) providers. L&E Solutions emphasizes the importance of enhancing user experience and content delivery by effectively managing and distributing EPG information.

This guide delves into detailed steps on installing and configuring XMLTV to work with IPTV, automating XMLTV file updates, customizing EPG data, resolving common errors, and deploying advanced tips and tricks to maximize the utility of the system.

2. Key Themes and Details:

The Importance of EPG in IPTV: The EPG plays a vital role in enhancing viewer experience by providing a comprehensive overview of available content and facilitating easy navigation through channels and programs. It allows users to plan their viewing by showing detailed schedules of upcoming shows, episode descriptions, and broadcasting times.

Preparation: Gathering Necessary Resources: The article highlights the importance of gathering required software and hardware, such as XMLTV software, EPG management tools, reliable computer, internet connection, and additional utilities to ensure smooth setup and operation of XMLTV for IPTV.

Installing XMLTV: Detailed step-by-step instructions are provided for installing XMLTV on different operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux (Debian-based systems), ensuring efficient management and utilization of TV listings for IPTV setups.

Configuring XMLTV to Work with IPTV: The article emphasizes the correct configuration of M3U links and EPG URLs to seamlessly integrate XMLTV with IPTV systems, providing accurate and timely broadcasting information.

3. Customization and Automation:

Automating XMLTV File Updates: The importance of automating XMLTV file updates for maintaining an updated EPG is highlighted, with detailed instructions on using cron jobs and scheduled tasks.

Customizing Your EPG Data: The article explores advanced XMLTV configuration options and leveraging third-party services for enhanced EPG data to improve the viewer's experience.

Handling and Resolving Errors: Common issues related to XMLTV and IPTV systems are discussed, along with their solutions, and methods for debugging XMLTV output are outlined.

Advanced Tips and Tricks: The article provides advanced tips and tricks for optimizing EPG performance and securing IPTV setups, such as leveraging caching mechanisms, utilizing efficient data parsing tools, and securing authentication methods.

The conclusion emphasizes the pivotal enhancement of IPTV services through the synergy between the XML Data Interface and XMLTV Guide EPG, offering a robust framework for delivering engaging and easily accessible content. It also encourages continual enrichment of knowledge and utilization of innovative tools to stay at the forefront of IPTV technology.

3. Language and Structure:

The article is written in English and follows a structured approach, providing detailed explanations, step-by-step instructions, and actionable insights to guide IPTV providers, developers, and tech enthusiasts in leveraging the full potential of XMLTV and EPG technologies.

The conclusion emphasizes the pivotal role of the XML Data Interface and XMLTV Guide EPG in enhancing IPTV services to find more information and innovative tools. It serves as a call to action for IPTV providers, developers, and enthusiasts to explore the sophisticated capabilities of XMLTV and EPG technologies for delivering unparalleled content viewing experiences.

[wild-karrde]

In Command - Part 15

Master List | Previous Part | Next Part

A/N: As always, thank you to the wonderful @teletraan-meets-jarvis for beta-reading for me! You are TRULY THE BEST TJ!!

Chapter Rating: T

Warnings: canon-typical violence, graphic description of injury, language

Word Count: 6.2k words

The night breeze gently whispered in through the curtains in Senna’s office, seemingly peaceful despite the quiet chaos erupting inside. 

Senna had changed into clothes meant for travel and was currently working on backing up all of the data they’d gathered, transferring files from her holocomputer onto her datapad while simultaneously breaking down any and all hardware that she could. It had shattered her heart to disassemble the comm node she’d spent so much time on for the conference, but they were operating under the assumption that their dwelling would be searched, and the comm node would only serve as a clue as to what they’d been doing on Lothal. 

Exhaustion was starting to weigh her down, but the memory of Fisk’s triumphant smirk haunted her, driving her forward. 

He can’t win. I can’t let him. 

She was also still fuming at Rex. He’d been certain that waiting for leadership to send a pick-up was the correct move, seemingly fearful that if they ran, it’d confirm Fisk’s suspicions and give him a reason to pursue them. But every second that ticked by seemed to wind Senna more tightly. Between every breath, she could feel herself bracing for a detonator to go off outside or for a squad of stormtroopers to kick in the door. It felt as though she was in a trash compactor, and the walls were steadily closing in around them. 

In order to settle her mind, she started inventorying her go-bag yet again. The first week they were on Lothal, Rex had walked her through what to pack in it, just in case they ever needed to make a hasty escape. Back then, they’d still somewhat been at odds. He’d been annoyed, thinking she wasn’t taking it seriously enough. In reality, she had thought he was being a bit paranoid this early on in their posting, but more than anything, she was teasing him for sport. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she tucked her favorite spanner wrench into the side of the bag. 

“You’re packing too many tools. A go-bag should only be essentials.” 

“A good wrench is essential, Captain. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find one that feels right in your hand? Plus this one has an extra joint that allows me to manipulate it in tight spaces and–”

“Fine. You can keep the spanner wrench. But then you can’t take your welder.” 

“I’m taking the welder. And you’re more than welcome to try and stop me. But in my experience, they can also be used as weapons. So, you know, at your own risk.” 

She could still hear Rex’s frustrated sigh echoing in that moment, and something in her chest clenched. 

Things were so different then.

Her fingers absently traced the patch over her blaster wound on her abdomen again. She wasn’t certain if it was because Fisk had pressed into it or just the knowledge that it was what had given them away, but it had been throbbing steadily ever since they’d returned home, reminding her it was there. It made concentrating on anything for too long difficult. 

Satisfied that she was as prepared as she could be, her eyes roamed over the room one more time. It looked closer to the way it had been prior to Empire Day, with parts and random hardware covering nearly every inch of the floor aside from a narrow trail she’d left clear to and from the door. Despite the night being unseasonably cool, she could feel sweat trickling down her back in between her shoulder blades, leaving an uncomfortably damp spot on the back of her shirt. She could hear Rex shuffling around downstairs, occasionally banging something closed or swearing under his breath. 

He’s just as nervous as I am. Even if he’s trying to pretend he’s not.

Flexing her fingers, Senna glanced over at the holocomputer’s display. It still had a few more minutes before the back-up was complete. She searched her mental checklist for anything else she could possibly do while she waited, anything to distract her from her fraying nerves. She’d been so busy worrying about everything else, she hadn’t had much time to even dwell on the fact that each second that ticked away was depleting the amount of time she had left with Rex. Senna violently shook her head. 

You can worry about that after you both get out of here alive and without being captured. 

She sighed forcefully, trying to dispel the sudden tightness in her chest.

There’ll be time to grieve what you lost later. 

Burying her face in her hands, Senna unleashed a shuddering breath. 

Nothing to do but wait. 

It had been a long time since she’d attempted to meditate, but as she continued to struggle to calm her mind, she tipped her head back and stared at the ceiling. 

It’s what Master Ti would recommend, even though she knew I hated it. 

That thought made the corner of her lips quirk slightly. She’d complained about meditation so much as a padawan, but her master had been patient. 

“I can hear you thinking, Senna.” 

She popped an eye open to sneak a glance at her master. The Togruta’s eyes were still closed, but her mouth was turned upwards in a knowing smile. Even sitting on the floor next to her padawan, Shaak Ti had an inexplicable grace about her, an elegance even in her simple Jedi robes that intimidated Senna and left her in awe. 

“What are you designing this time?” Shaak Ti asked.

“Not designing. Optimizing,” Senna mumbled.

Her master chuckled. “Do you think it will not still be there when we’re done?”

“No, but I’ll maybe have a solution then, so I can fix it right away.” 

Shaak Ti’s sharp, bright eyes had opened then, gazing at her padawan. “Meditation is meant to be when you commune with the Force, Senna. It’s when you connect to the living things around you.” 

Senna rubbed her face in frustration. “But to me, a ship is a living thing. So is all tech, droids especially. Things that come to life in the palm of my hand. All it takes is power. The electrical kind,” she clarified. 

Her master’s smile didn’t falter as she studied her padawan. “That may be, but the way you commune with those living things is very different from how we connect with the Force. Isn’t it?” 

The young padawan considered it for a moment before nodding slowly. “I guess that’s true.” 

“And would you also agree it’s important to connect with both forms of life if you wish to be a Jedi?”

Senna shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not as good at the other connections. With people.”

“I don’t think that’s true. You’re quite skilled at tapping into a living being’s mental state. Your gift first manifested as an extreme empathy, is that not so?”

“It is,” the young girl conceded. “But people are hard. Even if I can feel how they feel, I still don’t always understand them. I don’t always do the right things or respond the right way.” She picked at a fingernail. “Machines and tech make more sense.” 

Master Ti nodded. “You do excel with tech. There is no question of that. But while all of us excel at different things, does that mean that we should back away from the things that challenge us?” 

Senna huffed a sigh. “I guess not.” 

The Togruta Jedi master smiled. “And since when have you ever backed down from a challenge?” 

The padawan met her master’s gaze and returned her smile. 

Shaak Ti’s eyes crinkled as her smile deepened. 

“Now, let’s try again.” 

Back on Lothal, Senna hugged her arms around herself as she basked in the memory. She missed her master. Most former padawans were still able to access their masters throughout their life, seeking additional guidance or advice when it was needed. But that was a privilege Senna and every other Jedi had been robbed of with Order 66. She would never walk with her master in the temple gardens again, would never share a cup of tea with her. 

But what better way to honor her than to use what she was able to teach me? 

Senna reached for the carved wooden box on her desk, exhaling slowly as her fingers traced the patterns on the outside. 

It’s time. 

Before she could overthink it, she undid the latch, flipping the lid open. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of her lightsaber. The memories of Kashyyyk felt as though they were looming, but she squeezed her eyes shut, banishing them to the back of her mind. 

No more. Not tonight. 

Her hand was trembling as she reached for the familiar hilt, and she clenched her fist to steady herself, exhaling sharply through her nose. 

Not tonight.

Her fingers wrapped around the lightsaber, and she lifted it out of the box. The weight felt right in her palm, as if she’d been born to hold this weapon. In a sense, she supposed that was true. Her finger found the switch, and she clicked it on. The blade fizzled to life, casting the entire room in a sheen of light blue. The hum was so familiar and comforting, it almost made Senna cry. She released a breath she hadn't realized she’d been holding as she rotated her wrist, slowly moving the blade in a slow curve. Already, she could feel the warmth of the Force reaching out towards her tentatively, tendrils hoping to embrace her if she’d only allow them to. Closing her eyes, she reached back. 

It still didn’t come easily. The static feeling was still present, and she furrowed her brows in concentration, reaching harder. 

Something’s still holding you back.

Senna powered down the blade, huffing in frustration. She blew a wisp of hair out of her eyes, staring down at the hilt in her hand. In the back of her mind, she could almost hear her master’s warm chuckle once more. She laughed softly to herself. 

Maybe it’s time to give some meditation a try. If nothing else, to amuse my master, wherever she is now. 

Clearing a space on the floor, she sat cross-legged and placed her lightsaber on the floor in front of her, closing her eyes and trying to calm her racing mind. Gradually, she slowed her breathing and reached out once more, searching for the last remnants of the wall she’d placed between herself and the Force to see if she could disassemble it. It had been arduous to put in place a year ago, but necessary. Now, she tried not to grow impatient and frustrated as she reached out blindly. 

It’s not a screw to be loosened or a panel to be removed. It’s not that simple. It wasn’t supposed to be. 

The Force surrounded her, but it felt as though every time she reached towards it, it danced just out of reach. 

What do you fear? 

The question popped into her mind unbidden, in her own voice. Her eyes snapped open. 

“Is it fear?” she asked herself softly.

Nothing in the room stirred. 

What is there to fear? 

It wasn’t hard to come up with a fairly extensive list with minimal thought. 

Not being able to connect anymore. Not in the way I did before. It opens me up to danger. It endangers Rex. 

There it is. 

Senna huffed, rubbing her hands over her face.  

But once we leave Lothal, you won’t have Rex. You’ll just have yourself. 

And that will have to be enough. 

She was tired of running from her past, tired of mourning a life she’d lost. 

It’s time. 

Closing her eyes again, Senna reached out once more. 

Let go.

She felt the life around her, the plants, Rex continuing to move about downstairs…

Wait.

And at least two dozen beings outside of the dwelling, heartbeats accelerating with every passing second. 

 No. 

She gasped and her eyes snapped open. Steadying her breathing, she reached out through the Force again. 

Kriff. 

Senna scrambled from her sitting position, creeping to the window and peeling back a sliver of curtain. Both of the Lothal moons were high in the sky, illuminating the street below. She scanned the courtyard and saw nothing out of place, but when her eyes landed beyond the outer wall of the compound, she caught the unmistakable glint of stormtrooper helmets, crouching just behind the wall, pulses hammering under plastoid. 

It’s only been a few hours. We should have had more time. 

She ducked back against the wall, carefully closing the window and allowing the curtain to fall back into place. Anger and frustration surged through her as she ground the heels of her palms into her eyes. 

Think. 

A soft chime caught her attention, and she saw that the back-up had finished on the computer. 

You’ve got to move. 

She disconnected her datapad with shaking hands before scrambling to snatch her commlink off of the desk. 

“Rex, you there?” she whispered frantically. 

“What is it?” Even through the commlink, his voice was tight. She couldn’t tell if it was annoyance or stress or something else, but right now, she didn’t have time to examine it.

Senna held the commlink to her lips as she tried to shove the datapad into her go-bag with one hand. 

“Keep your voice down. Imps are outside. We’ve got to go now.”

She could practically feel the shift in his voice, the captain re-emerging to command the situation. 

“How many?”

The datapad slipped from her grasp and clattered to the floor. She swore under her breath before finally managing to shove it into the main pocket of the bag, zipping it closed. 

“Roughly a dozen waiting just outside the perimeter wall. I’m not sure what they’re waiting on, but they’re going to be coming any second. Fisk must have more pull than we thought. I’m done backing up and breaking down except for the computer, but we’ve got to go.”

“You got your blaster up there with you?” he asked. 

She grabbed the weapon off of the floor where she’d kicked it earlier, slipping it into a holster on her hip before she swiped her lightsaber up and clipped it to her belt. 

Only as a last resort.

“I’m armed. Just need to grab my jacket and I’m good.” 

“Alright. Don’t forget to take the detonator when you go.”

They had rigged the house to blow in case they needed a diversion, and it had the added bonus of destroying the holocomputer Senna hadn’t had time to disassemble. It was intended to be another last resort, only drawing that much attention if there were no other options, but tonight, it felt as if any alternatives were quickly disappearing, and they’d need any advantage to get out unscathed. Senna strode over to the holocomputer, punching in a full-system wipe command. She knew she wouldn’t have time to wait and see if it completed.

Her comm crackled to life in her hand again as she carefully removed the detonator from its hiding place in her desk drawer and slipped it into her pocket. “I don’t know if they’ve got us surrounded all the way, but they’ve definitely got at least two squadrons. I see another group coming around the back corner of the house.” Rex’s voice was still steady, a comforting even tone.

“That’ll be the other dozen,” she muttered, her heart beginning to thud in her chest. “Great.” 

Slipping her jacket on, she pulled her bag over her shoulders and picked her way out of the room, glancing back one more time at the place that had been her workshop for the last several months. A pang of sadness settled into her chest, and she tapped the doorframe in farewell. 

Thanks for everything. 

Rex’s voice on the comm interrupted her sentiments. “Is the speeder bike working?” 

“Yeah, it should be good. Have they noticed it yet?” she whispered back into her comm.

“Doesn’t look like it. They’re bypassing the shed and heading straight for the back door.”

She thought for a moment. “They may not know it’s ours since it's detached. If you come up here, we should be able to climb out my bedroom window, and maybe sneak across the roof and drop down by the shed. The roof slants towards the street, so if we stay low enough, we might be able to get over there without being seen.”

He didn’t argue with her this time. “Alright, be right there.”

Senna made her way down the hall on tiptoe, patting her pockets and belt one last time to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. 

Blaster. Lightsaber. Datapad. 

A few seconds later, Rex materialized at her bedroom door, handing her his pack to hold while he pulled his cloak on. She searched his eyes and found the same urgency she felt reflected back at her, but there was also an assuredness that brought her comfort. Rex knew what he was doing, and he was going to execute everything as precisely as he could. It reassured her slightly. 

No wonder he got a command so fast.

Quickly and quietly, they snuck through her bedroom, trying their best to not even allow a floorboard to creak. Their breathing sounded incredibly loud, only drowned out by the sound of Senna’s blood pounding in her ears. Rex crouched by the window, peeking out carefully, and she quietly followed suit, bracing one hand on his back as she peered over his shoulder. He stiffened, but didn’t say anything. 

From their vantage point, they could see the second squad of stormtroopers sneaking into the back yard, blasters trained on the rear entrance of the dwelling. 

“No Fisk,” she whispered into Rex’s ear. 

“Did you see him out front?” 

“No.”

“Doesn’t mean he’s not here. Keep your head on a swivel.” 

Senna nodded, swallowing hard. Rex turned, and she flushed with embarrassment at the realization that he must have heard her nervous gulp, but he reached back, gripping her knee and giving it a squeeze. 

“We’re going to be fine,” he whispered. “Just keep your trigger finger tight and stay close.” He met her eyes and gave her a tight smile. Senna grabbed his hand, squeezing it back. 

“Will do.” 

He paused. “Also, you were right. I’m sorry.”

She stared at him for a moment before breaking into a stifled snicker. “I’ll be sure to gloat at a more appropriate time.”

He huffed. 

Senna patted his shoulder gently. “Even I didn’t think they’d get here this fast, Rex. We’d be in the same spot either way.” 

She wasn’t sure if her words comforted him at all, but he gave her a stiff nod. 

Carefully, Rex eased the window open that led onto the roof. The cool night air tickled Senna’s cheeks, and she shivered involuntarily. Neither squadron had entered the dwelling yet, and briefly, Senna wondered what they were waiting for. 

It doesn’t matter. Just get moving.

Rex pulled himself onto the roof, crouching low and reaching a hand back to Senna to help her out. The tiles were uneven and slippery, and it took another painstaking moment for Senna’s boot to find purchase. She reached back to close the window, but Rex gripped her arm, shaking his head. 

Leave it, he mouthed. 

She nodded, and the two of them flattened themselves against the roof. The tiles dug into Senna’s knees, hips, and elbows with a biting cold, but she ignored it, following Rex’s lead as he slowly began crawling forward towards the outer wall. Every clink of the tile or shuffle of their clothes sent adrenaline dumping into Senna’s system, making her even more certain they were about to be discovered. 

About halfway across the roof, they heard the blast of a detonator as the doors of their dwelling were breached. A few seconds later, the sound of shouting filled the house.

Rex pushed himself to his feet, reaching down to pull Senna up as well. “Better hurry,” he whispered. They ducked low, picking their way across the treacherous tiles as quickly as they could.

Suddenly, blaster fire erupted from the window behind them. A bolt whizzed close enough by Senna’s face that she could feel the heat from it. 

“There they are! Blast them!”

Rex swung around, pushing Senna behind him as he raised his blaster. She fumbled for the gun at her hip just as Rex’s foot slipped, and Senna heard him grunt as he lost his balance. She gripped his waist, trying to steady him, and his fingers locked around her forearm. He had just barely regained his footing when a stormtrooper ducked through the window and took aim at him. Time slowed down as Senna watched two bolts erupt from the muzzle of the E-11, one striking Rex in his right knee, and the other grazing his thigh. He shouted a curse and shuddered against her, his returning fire wildly peppering the wall of the house near the window as he fell, slipping out of her grasp. His forehead made contact with the hard tiles with a sickening crack. A scream caught in Senna’s throat as Rex slid towards the edge of the roof.

No.

Her heart felt like it stopped beating as she flung her hand out instinctively. 

Please no. 

The warmth rushed through her veins, just as it had when she’d confronted Fisk, just as it had for her entire life until a year ago. Time slowed as Rex clawed at the tiles, trying to find purchase. His eyes met hers as his waist slid over the edge.

“HANG ON!” 

Her blood sang, and she gasped, but she had him, she could feel it, could feel him. 

Another blaster bolt flew by her head, and she ducked enough for it to miss, leaving the smell of singed hair in its wake. She focused on keeping hold of Rex as she reholstered her blaster, instead pulling her lightsaber from her belt. Her thumb grazed the power button, and the saber hummed to life in her hand. 

“SHE’S THE JEDI!” 

Yes I fucking am. 

Senna wrenched her arm with all of her might, pulling Rex back up and onto the roof as much as she could. Her senses tingled, and she raised her lightsaber in time to block a blaster bolt aimed at her chest. She snarled at the stormtroopers as she threw the hand holding her lightsaber forward, pushing two of the troopers that had made it out the window off of the roof. Her arms shook as she kept her hold on Rex, pulling him closer in between deflecting blaster fire. Her fighting form was sloppy, and she knew it, but survival trumped technique in the moment. Senna’s saber hummed as she cut a wide arc, sending at least one bolt back through the window. She jerked Rex towards her again, and this time, she felt him land at her feet. 

Another blaster bolt erupted from near her ankles, and Senna allowed herself a quick glance down. Even in his current state, Rex had his blaster raised and was returning fire, blinking blood from the cut on his forehead out of his eyes. 

“Can you stand?” she shouted over the din.

“Maybe.” His teeth were clenched, and she could see a vein throbbing at his temple. She’d never seen Rex hurt before, and it made anger thrum through her. She banished the urge to embrace that rage, that hatred, instead reaching down towards him.“Grab my belt and haul yourself up! We’ve got to go!” she yelled. 

Rex clasped her hand, squeezing it lightly even now. He cursed loudly as he dragged himself to a standing position, wrapping one arm around her shoulders to support himself. Senna slid her free hand around his waist, slipping her fingers under his belt to hold him up.

“BACK UP.”

She began pushing him towards the edge of the roof, continuing to deflect blaster fire while Rex managed to pick off at least two assailants with his DL-44. The stormtroopers were pouring out into the yard now, having realized their targets were already outside. 

“How many did he fucking bring?” Senna muttered under her breath, sweat trickling from her brow as her muscles and joints screamed in protest under Rex’s weight and the strain of keeping her balance on the roof. 

“Dunno, but I can take out a few more,” Rex gritted out. Quickly, he reholstered his weapon and reached into a pouch at his side, grabbing a thermal detonator and flinging it down into the yard. The blast sent the half dozen stormtroopers that had gathered flying, their screams cutting through the night as smoke filled the air. 

Senna was gasping for breath as she held Rex up, trying to tread carefully on foot placement as they backed towards the edge of the roof. The smoke had obscured them from view from the troopers in the yard, but that didn’t stop them from firing wildly at where they thought their two fugitives might be. 

Just a little further. 

As they reached the edge of the roof, the narrow gap between the wall and the shed stretched out below them. Senna glanced down, trying not to think about how far the fall was. Rex’s eyes met hers. 

“Sorry about this,” she gasped.

Without giving herself another moment to think about it, she tipped backwards and pulled Rex off of the roof with her. She heard him inhale sharply, and briefly, she felt wild laughter bubbling up in her at his surprise. 

He’s going to kill me later. If there is a later.

Deactivating her lightsaber in the air, Senna tried as hard as she could to push away from the ground with the Force to cushion their landing. They still wound up in a heap, but at least not any more injured from what she could tell. Rex was groaning and swearing.

“Why don’t you ever just ask me to karking jump?” 

Clipping her saber back onto her belt, Senna ignored his muttering and grabbed him under his arms, roughly dragging him towards the entrance to the shed. The stormtroopers were already running into the alley, shouting at them to stop. 

Just keep surviving one more minute, Senna thought to herself. If you do that enough times, you might live to see another day. 

Once she and Rex were both inside the shed, Senna slammed the door shut behind them, locking it and busting the control panel with her fist to keep it sealed for a few moments. She helped Rex onto the speeder bike, settling herself in front of him to drive. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and she reached down, resting her hand against his forearm. They paused for a moment, the only sounds the two of them catching their breath in the deafening silence of the shed. 

“Got your blaster out?” Senna asked.

“Yup,” he grunted into her ear.

Stormtroopers pounded on the door they’d just come through, shouting commands that all blended together into an indecipherable cacophony.

“Alright, let’s see if we can get through this,” Senna whispered, trying to hide the tremor in her hands.

“Another tall order,” Rex said through clenched teeth.

“That’s unfortunately becoming a trend with us,” she muttered.

“This one’s the tallest.” 

She hummed in agreement, unsure of how else to respond. She could hear the sadness in Rex’s voice, and her chest clenched as she realized he was implying there was a chance these were their last moments together. They could already hear the stormtroopers lining up in front of the main door outside, ready to capture or kill them.

How silly all of this is, Senna thought. All of that pushback and wanting to keep him safe, and now here we are. About to die together. And I never–

“You’re surrounded! Come out with your hands in the air!” A smug voice rang out through the door, muffled but still painfully recognizable. Senna’s lip curled reflexively. 

Fisk.

The anger in her shifted to helpless disappointment.

He’s going to win. 

Her mind raced, but no better alternative to their current predicament presented itself. Senna felt her breath catch in her throat, and she fought the urge to scream in frustration.

This might be it. 

She turned around and looked at Rex. There was a pinch between his brows, and his eyes were sad. Even with the blood and dirt smeared across his face, his eyes still burned fiercely as they found hers in the dark. Her heart fluttered.

You never told him. 

But to tell him now that she loved him, to tell him all of the things she’d been withholding felt like a concession, like she’d accepted that they were going to be captured or killed. And that wasn’t something Senna was ready to do. Instead, she grabbed Rex by the back of the head and urgently pressed her lips to his. She felt him stiffen at first with surprise before relaxing into the kiss, reaching his fingers up to touch the side of her face with the same gentleness she’d come to know as inherently him. The same gentleness she’d fallen in love with. Her eyes burned as she stifled the sob welling up within her. 

She wanted to stay there forever, pretending it was just the two of them, but time was short. The odds were stacked against them in almost every way, but she was too stubborn to give up yet. 

“And since when have you ever backed down from a challenge?” her master’s voice echoed in her mind.

She pulled herself away from the kiss, resting her forehead against Rex’s for another heartbeat. 

“Just in case,” she whispered. 

“Sure,” he agreed, the corners of his mouth tugging into a smile. “But we’re going to talk about this later.”

She allowed herself a small smile before turning back around. 

“So, I assume you’ve got at least one bad idea,” he said quietly. “You always have one of those.”

“One bad idea is better than no ideas,” Senna countered. Reaching down, she started the bike. “Got any smoke grenades?” 

“Don’t I always?” he joked, grimacing as he reached into his supply pouch again and pulled two explosives back out.

“Alright, as soon as the door opens, toss them under. Maybe that’ll obscure us enough to get through the welcome committee waiting for us.”

“You want a distraction?” he asked. “Why not use the detonator?”

She’d almost completely forgotten about the small remote in her pocket, but adding it to her idea seemingly upgraded it to at least ‘half-baked plan’ status in her mind. 

“You’re absolutely right,” she laughed, pulling the detonator from her pocket. “Alright, big explosion, smoke bombs under the door, drive like a mynock out of hell, and shoot back when they shoot. Any questions?”

Rex chuckled quietly, and the rumble against her warmed her from the inside out. “None from me.”

She took one last deep breath. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

She armed the detonator and pressed the button. The entire shed shuddered and a bright flash briefly illuminated the inside of it as their entire dwelling exploded, completely destroying the place they’d called home for the last few months. Hearing shouts of confusion outside, Senna reached out with the Force to press the button that opened the shed’s main door. The door began sliding up with a groan, and Rex quickly tossed the grenades underneath as soon as the gap was large enough. 

Here we go.

The world around them erupted in blaster fire and smoke as the door slid up. Senna gunned the engine, and as soon as the door was high enough for them to duck under, they rocketed forward. A blaster bolt grazed her left shoulder as they shot out into the chaos, but she ignored it, grabbing her lightsaber and reigniting it again to deflect and blindly cut through as much as she could. There were shouts and screams as Rex’s blaster rang in her ear, the grip around her waist tightening as he whipped the weapon back and forth to cover a wide area with fire. 

Senna felt her heart pounding so hard she thought it would burst through her chest as they tore through the squadron of stormtroopers, running into one head-on with the bike. She heard the sickening thud and grunt as his body hit the front panel and dropped to the ground, leaving a scuff of white plastoid and blood on the bike’s paneling. 

Just survive another minute.

It felt like an eternity, but it was a fraction of a second before they burst out of the smoke, the blaster fire continuing to chase them as they sped away. She didn’t even have time to look over her shoulder at the smoldering wreckage that had once been their dwelling.

“Atta girl,” Rex shouted in her ear. 

Her heart soared. 

Senna tucked her lightsaber back onto her belt as she heard the whine of speeder bikes fire up behind them. Rex turned and shot backwards into the fray. 

“Are we being chased?” she shouted.

“Yup, got three bikes in pursuit,” he confirmed. 

Kriff.

“Alright, let’s see if we can make it out of town and lose them in the grasslands.” 

Senna wove in and out of the city’s streets, the bolts from their pursuers peppering the buildings and the ground around them. She felt the heat of one that got especially close to her shoulder as it winged by and slammed into a wall ahead of them. 

Kriffing transport-grade weaponry. Those pack a punch.

Suddenly, she turned left and saw the edge of the township, the streets and buildings giving way to unpaved grassland. The yellowing grass stood high enough in some places to where they would be able to be hidden from view.

If we can just make it that far. We’re so close.

She heard an explosion behind them and saw the buildings around them briefly illuminate as Rex whooped loudly. 

“Still got all three?” she yelled.

“No, I managed to hit one,” he replied with a tone that could only be described as cheerful. It made Senna smile. “Now we’re just down to the last–“

Rex gasped suddenly, and his body shuddered against her before she felt him go limp. His weapon flew from his hand and clattered against the pavement as they sped onwards.

“REX!” Senna screamed, feeling his grip around her waist loosen. She frantically grabbed his arm to hold him to her while she steered.

“REX PLEASE ANSWER ME!” 

Her pleas were met with silence. 

No. No. No. No. 

She inhaled sharply. 

Think. He needs you to think right now.

Rex had been their rear defense, but now the Imperials were free to shoot at them unhindered. He’d undoubtedly take another blast if she didn’t stop them, or they’d hit the bike, and everything would go to hell from there.

No. 

Senna swung the bike around so that it was facing their assailants, slamming on the brakes. As gently as she could, she eased Rex forward so that he was slumped over the handlebars, and then she leapt from the bike, igniting her lightsaber in the air. 

The first stormtrooper had no time to react as she came down on his speeder, cleanly slicing it and him in two. The second one was further back and had time to respond, firing at her as she charged forward. She deflected blast after blast with ease, her eyes burning and her saber humming in her hand. She felt the anger and hatred seep into her veins, the cold trickle in her blood that she’d felt on Empire Day, and in that moment, did not fight it. 

I’ve come this far. They’re not taking one more person from me. 

“COME ON!” she screamed at the approaching trooper. “COME AND GET ME!” 

She was running straight at the approaching bike now, her hair flying wildly behind her. If the trooper was concerned about a Jedi running full-speed at him, he didn’t show it, hunkering down further behind his handlebars. 

Senna seethed.

Fuck you.

Just as the bike was about to hit her, Senna dropped to her knees, sliding along the pavement. The cobblestones tore at her knees through the fabric of her leggings, leaving her with torn skin and bloodied bruises that she hardly registered. She held her lightsaber skyward, neatly slicing the bike in half along its length. The halves flew over her, searing her cheek as she turned her head and pressed herself against the ground. The bike’s pieces clattered loudly against the street, and the mangled body of the stormtrooper rolled away from her. For just one second, she allowed herself to sink against the pavement, trying to catch her breath before a voice in the back of her mind started screaming. 

RUN! 

Quickly, Senna stood, ignoring the stinging and warmth of her bloodied knees as she listened for more bikes. She could hear them in the distance, but she and Rex would be long gone by the time their pursuers reached this spot.

Senna ran back to her speeder bike. She wanted to check Rex fully, but there was no time. She pushed his body forward so that she would be able to steer, albeit clumsily, and hopped on behind him, caging him in with her arms to hold him in place. Gunning the engine, she reached out with the Force, searching for Rex in it. She breathed a sigh of relief as she felt him, still there.

But fading fast. 

“Please hang on, Rex,” she whispered as she turned the bike towards the grass and sped off into the night.

Tag List: @seriowan @partoftheeternalsoul @rosmariner @misogirl828 @ellichonkasaurusrex @zoeykallus @the-sith-in-the-sky-with-diamond @gjrain20-starwars @staycalmandhugaclone @redheadgirl @fordo-kixed-rex @wizardofrozz @ariadnes-red-thread @justanothersadperson93 @leftealeaf @kaminocasey @echos-girlfriend @lucyysthings @obihiddlenox @merkitty49 @littlemissmanga @clonecyaree @baba-fett @sleepingsun501 @rexxdjarin @samspenandsword @babygirlrex0504 @ladytano420 @fxlsealarm @runforrestr @djarrex @corrieguards @the-cantina @witchklng @wolffegirlsunite @fives-lover @rain-on-kamino @ladykatakuri @ladykagewaki @arctrooper69 @hidden-behind-the-fourth-wall

[rchrd2hmn]

Future Electronics Webinar on Microchip's to ensure the hardware functionality

Designers often face challenges when migrating designs from one architecture to another. Microchip's SmartHLS compiler software elevates FPGA design abstraction from traditional hardware description languages to C/C++ software.

[electronictechub]

Understanding FPGA Architecture: Key Insights

Introduction to FPGA Architecture

Imagine having a circuit board that you could rewire and reconfigure as many times as you want. This adaptability is exactly what FPGAs offer. The world of electronics often seems complex and intimidating, but understanding FPGA architecture is simpler than you think. Let’s break it down step by step, making it easy for anyone to grasp the key concepts.

What Is an FPGA?

An FPGA, or Field Programmable Gate Array, is a type of integrated circuit that allows users to configure its hardware after manufacturing. Unlike traditional microcontrollers or processors that have fixed functionalities, FPGAs are highly flexible. You can think of them as a blank canvas for electrical circuits, ready to be customized according to your specific needs.

How FPGAs Are Different from CPUs and GPUs

You might wonder how FPGAs compare to CPUs or GPUs, which are more common in everyday devices like computers and gaming consoles. While CPUs are designed to handle general-purpose tasks and GPUs excel at parallel processing, FPGAs stand out because of their configurability. They don’t run pre-defined instructions like CPUs; instead, you configure the hardware directly to perform tasks efficiently.

Basic Building Blocks of an FPGA

To understand how an FPGA works, it’s important to know its basic components. FPGAs are made up of:

Programmable Logic Blocks (PLBs): These are the “brains” of the FPGA, where the logic functions are implemented.

Interconnects: These are the wires that connect the logic blocks.

Input/Output (I/O) blocks: These allow the FPGA to communicate with external devices.

These elements work together to create a flexible platform that can be customized for various applications.

Understanding Programmable Logic Blocks (PLBs)

The heart of an FPGA lies in its programmable logic blocks. These blocks contain the resources needed to implement logic functions, which are essentially the basic operations of any electronic circuit. In an FPGA, PLBs are programmed using hardware description languages (HDLs) like VHDL or Verilog, enabling users to specify how the FPGA should behave for their particular application.

What are Look-Up Tables (LUTs)?

Look-Up Tables (LUTs) are a critical component of the PLBs. Think of them as small memory units that can store predefined outputs for different input combinations. LUTs enable FPGAs to quickly execute logic operations by “looking up” the result of a computation rather than calculating it in real-time. This speeds up performance, making FPGAs efficient at performing complex tasks.

The Role of Flip-Flops in FPGA Architecture

Flip-flops are another essential building block within FPGAs. They are used for storing individual bits of data, which is crucial in sequential logic circuits. By storing and holding values, flip-flops help the FPGA maintain states and execute tasks in a particular order.

Routing and Interconnects: The Backbone of FPGAs

Routing and interconnects within an FPGA are akin to the nervous system in a human body, transmitting signals between different logic blocks. Without this network of connections, the logic blocks would be isolated and unable to communicate, making the FPGA useless. Routing ensures that signals flow correctly from one part of the FPGA to another, enabling the chip to perform coordinated functions.

Why are FPGAs So Versatile?

One of the standout features of FPGAs is their versatility. Whether you're building a 5G communication system, an advanced AI model, or a simple motor controller, an FPGA can be tailored to meet the exact requirements of your application. This versatility stems from the fact that FPGAs can be reprogrammed even after they are deployed, unlike traditional chips that are designed for one specific task.

FPGA Configuration: How Does It Work?

FPGAs are configured through a process called “programming” or “configuration.” This is typically done using a hardware description language like Verilog or VHDL, which allows engineers to specify the desired behavior of the FPGA. Once programmed, the FPGA configures its internal circuitry to match the logic defined in the code, essentially creating a custom-built processor for that particular application.

Real-World Applications of FPGAs

FPGAs are used in a wide range of industries, including:

Telecommunications: FPGAs play a crucial role in 5G networks, enabling fast data processing and efficient signal transmission.

Automotive: In modern vehicles, FPGAs are used for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), real-time image processing, and autonomous driving technologies.

Consumer Electronics: From smart TVs to gaming consoles, FPGAs are used to optimize performance in various devices.

Healthcare: Medical devices, such as MRI machines, use FPGAs for real-time image processing and data analysis.

FPGAs vs. ASICs: What’s the Difference?

FPGAs and ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) are often compared because they both offer customizable hardware solutions. The key difference is that ASICs are custom-built for a specific task and cannot be reprogrammed after they are manufactured. FPGAs, on the other hand, offer the flexibility of being reconfigurable, making them a more versatile option for many applications.

Benefits of Using FPGAs

There are several benefits to using FPGAs, including:

Flexibility: FPGAs can be reprogrammed even after deployment, making them ideal for applications that may evolve over time.

Parallel Processing: FPGAs excel at performing multiple tasks simultaneously, making them faster for certain operations than CPUs or GPUs.

Customization: FPGAs allow for highly customized solutions, tailored to the specific needs of a project.

Challenges in FPGA Design

While FPGAs offer many advantages, they also come with some challenges:

Complexity: Designing an FPGA requires specialized knowledge of hardware description languages and digital logic.

Cost: FPGAs can be more expensive than traditional microprocessors, especially for small-scale applications.

Power Consumption: FPGAs can consume more power compared to ASICs, especially in high-performance applications.

Conclusion

Understanding FPGA architecture is crucial for anyone interested in modern electronics. These devices provide unmatched flexibility and performance in a variety of industries, from telecommunications to healthcare. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or someone looking to learn more about cutting-edge technology, FPGAs offer a fascinating glimpse into the future of computing.

[govindhtech]

Apple Intelligence powers iOS 18, iPadOS 18 & macOS Sequoia

Apple launched Apple Intelligence, the iPhone, iPad, and Mac personal intelligence system that uses generative models and personal context to provide highly valuable and relevant intelligence. Apple Intelligence permeates iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.

It uses Apple hardware to comprehend and create language and graphics, act across apps, and use personal context to simplify and speed up daily chores. With Private Cloud Compute, Apple establishes a new benchmark for AI privacy by flexing and scaling computing power between on-device processing and bigger, server-based models on proprietary Apple silicon servers.

Apple Intelligence New Language Understanding and Creation Skills Apple Intelligence offers new ways to improve writing and communication. Users can rewrite, proofread, and summaries Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party app content with new systemwide Writing Tools in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.

Writing Tools boost confidence in writing by organizing class notes, proofreading blog posts, and perfecting emails. Apple Intelligence’s Rewrite feature lets users set a tone for their writing based on audience and task.

From perfecting a cover letter to injecting humour and creativity into a party invitation, Rewrite helps produce the proper words. Proofread evaluates grammar, word choice, and sentence structure and suggests modifications with explanations that users can review or quickly accept. Summaries can summaries text into a paragraph, bulleted points, table, or list.

While writing an email, a user can choose Proofread or Rewrite from the Writing Tools menu. The Summarize feature is selected in the Notes app for holistic health notes. In Mail, managing emails has never been easier. Priority Messages display urgent communications like dinner invitations and boarding passes at the top of the inbox. Instead than previewing the first few lines of each email, users can see summaries without opening them. Users can tap long threads to get relevant details. Smart Reply suggests rapid responses and identifies email questions to assure answers. Deep language understanding extends to notifications. Priority alerts display at the top of the stack to highlight what’s most important, while summaries assist users skim long or stacked alerts to see key facts on the Lock Screen, like ongoing group chats. Reduce Interruptions, a new Focus, highlights only urgent alerts like a nursery pickup SMS to help users stay focused. The Notes and Phone apps may capture, transcribe, and summarize audio. Participants are automatically notified when a call is recorded, and Apple Intelligence creates a summary to help recall key points after the call. The Notes app on iPad Pro can capture and transcribe audio. iPad Pro can summarize audio. Image Playground Enhances Communication and Self-Expression Fun Apple Intelligence enables innovative image creation to help consumers express themselves. Users may create amusing graphics in seconds using Image Playground’s Animation, Illustration, or Sketch styles. Images Playground is simple and embedded into apps like Messages. A separate software lets you experiment with different ideas and designs. Users can play with as many images as they wish because all images are made on device.

Users can choose from themes, costumes, accessories, and locales; provide a description to characterize an image; incorporate someone from their personal photo bank; and pick their favorite style with Image Playground.

Messages’ Image Playground lets users easily create amusing graphics for pals and explore personalized conversation-related themes. If a user messages a group about hiking, they’ll receive suggested concepts relating to their friends, destination, and activity, making image creation faster and more relevant.

iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro demonstrates Messages Image Playground Image Playground presents the user’s mum as a superhero in iPhone 15 Pro Messages. In Notes, the new Image Wand in the Apple Pencil tool menu opens Image Playground, making notes more visually appealing. Users can generate beautiful graphics from rough sketches and even empty space utilising information from the surrounding region. Keynote, Freeform, Pages, and third-party apps that use the new Image Playground API also support Image Playground.

Genmojis Create Genmojis for Any Situation

Users can build unique Genmoji to express themselves. Typing a description displays their Genmoji and other options. Photos can be used to create Genmoji of friends and relatives. Genmoji can be used in texts or as stickers or reactions in Tapbacks like emoji. Genmojis are chosen for the prompt “Smiley relaxing wearing cucumbers.” In Messages, users can choose Genmoji Tapbacks.

New Photo Features Increase Control Apple Intelligence makes photo and video searching easier. Use natural language to find photographs like “Maya skateboarding in a tie-dye shirt,” or “Katie with stickers on her face.” Finding certain moments in clips to jump to the relevant segment improves video search. The new Clean Up tool can also remove background distractions without affecting the subject.

Memories lets users create stories by typing a description. Apple Intelligence will use language and picture understanding to select the finest images and videos based on the description, create a plot with chapters based on photo themes, and organize them into a movie with a narrative arc. Apple Music will even suggest songs based on memory. Apple and others do not access user photographs and videos, as with all Apple Intelligence features.

New Era for Siri Siri Siri becomes further integrated into the system using Apple Intelligence. With better English understanding, Siri is more natural, contextually relevant, and personal, simplifying and speeding up daily activities. It can track users’ stammering and preserve context between requests. Users can also type to Siri and switch between speech and text to converse as needed. Siri’s new look includes an exquisite flashing light around the screen while engaged.

Siri can now answer hundreds of iPhone, iPad, and Mac queries and provide device assistance anywhere. Mail app users can learn how to schedule emails and switch from Light to Dark Mode.

Siri will eventually understand and act on user content in more apps with display awareness. A buddy can text a user their new address in Messages and say, “Add this address to his contact card.”

Siri can do hundreds of new activities in Apple and third-party apps using Apple Intelligence. Siri will handle requests like “Bring up that article about cicadas from my Reading List” or “Send the photos from the Saturday barbecue to Malia.”

Siri will provide user-specific and device-specific intelligence. A user can say, “Play that podcast that Jamie recommended,” and Siri can find and play the episode without having to remember if it was mentioned in a text or email. Or they can ask Siri, “When is Mom’s flight landing?” and Siri will retrieve the flight data and compare them to real-time flight monitoring to give an arrival time.

Apple Intelligence must grasp deep personal context and respect user privacy to be helpful. Many Apple Intelligence models operate solely on device, a cornerstone of its processing. Privacy and security of Apple products are extended into the cloud to unlock greater intelligence for sophisticated demands that require more processing power.

Apple Intelligence can increase its computing capability and use larger, server-based models for difficult requests with Private Cloud Compute. Apple servers power these models, ensuring data is never retained or exposed.

Private Cloud Compute cryptographically prevents iPhone, iPad, and Mac from talking to a server unless its software has been publicly logged for scrutiny. Independent experts can analyze Apple silicon server code to verify privacy. Apple Intelligence with Private Cloud Compute redefines AI privacy, enabling trusted AI.

ChatGPT ChatGPT integrates across Apple platforms Apple is adding ChatGPT access to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, letting users leverage its expertise and image- and document-reading capabilities without switching tools. Siri can use ChatGPT’s knowledge as needed. After receiving inquiries, papers, and photographs from ChatGPT, Siri answers directly. An iPhone 15 Pro user tells Siri, “He have fresh salmon, lemons, tomatoes.” Help me create a 5-course feast with dishes for all tastes.” Siri on iPhone 15 Pro asks, “Do you want me to use ChatGPT to do that?” Siri displays ChatGPT results on iPhone 15 Pro. A bullet describes the first course, tomato and basil bruschetta. Apple’s systemwide Writing Tools will also include ChatGPT to let users write material for any topic. Compose users can use ChatGPT image capabilities to create graphics in many styles to match their content. ChatGPT users’ IP addresses are hidden, and OpenAI won’t store requests. Users who connect to ChatGPT must follow its data-use policies. GPT-4o-powered ChatGPT will launch later this year on iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. Users can access it for free without an account, while ChatGPT subscribers can connect their accounts and enjoy paid features from these experiences.

Read more on Govindhtech.com

[leowithyou]

"Masterful VHDL Assignment Assistance: A Testimonial for ProgrammingHomeworkHelp.com"

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[taperwolf]

Actually that assembly language post reminds me of how I used to write programs that wrote programs back in the Apple II days.

If you've ever had occasion to write programs that output code on a modern OS, you'll know that filenames are now more descriptive than prescriptive. If you can save a text stream, you can just call that block of text "foo.pl" or "foo.py" or "foo.c" and run it through an interpreter or compiler. But Apple DOS didn't save programs in BASIC as text blocks with a .bas extension; it stored them in a tokenized form — sort of a half-compiled format that saved some space and didn't let you store a syntax error. (Each token would be converted back to its text form if you LISTed the program.)

The upshot was that BASIC didn't let you create these tokenized files and save them to disk from inside BASIC programs. However, it did let you create and save text files, and there was a DOS command that treated a text file as if it were being typed into the BASIC interpreter; if you had a BASIC program in memory after that process, the usual save routine worked. It was a real dance of indirection, but I ended up using it a fair amount.

The main example I remember now is a program that wrote random tunes — or rather, a program that, when run, would generate a random tune and then write and save a program to play it over the little beepy speaker. The notes came from a pre-calculated Markov chain table of probable steps — that is, if note N-2 is C and note N-1 is D (up a whole step), then 50% of the time N will be back down a whole step, 22% it'll be up a whole step, et c. — as did their durations, and these pairs got converted into a series of POKE and CALL statements that would sound the speaker at the appropriate frequencies for the appropriate durations when run. The program would write those commands out, along with the block of DATA commands that held the machine language sound routine, to a text file so they could all be loaded back in to be saved and run.

(For those unfamiliar with microcomputer BASICs, POKE put a value directly into a raw memory location, DATA did the same for list of values and a block of locations, and CALL activated a machine language subroutine. Apple II BASIC didn't have any commands for sound, and in fact the machine depended on reading from or writing to a particular memory location to manually move the speaker cone inwards or outwards; doing this at the appropriate frequency was how you generated tones. Add-on cards with real sound hardware existed, but I never knew anybody who had one.)

[elijasz]

I agree somewhat about it being anti-intellectualism. However academics do very much use bigger words than necessary.

Academia is exclusive for many reasons including the language. I am currently studying the differences in register used at university and in academic texts and the words used to explain the same concepts precisely to students and children. This isn't just personal experience. This is knowledge build up over several months and years and through reading a bunch of academic texts and attending seminars and lectures on the topic. Even beyond just regular classes.

Teaching big percise concepts to children is my job. Explaining them to other academics is my current occupation. We do very much use big words unnecessarily. Not all of them are unnecessary. But many are. It's important to keep in mind that the rate of this is very different, depending on the field of study.

Now one last thing: "Complex language is needed to describe complex meaning." This is untrue or, ironically, not specific enough to be true. It implies we cannot explain death to children, or how the hardware of a PC works to someone who doesn't know technical terms. Metaphors are incredibly useful and being able to explain without having the appropriate academic language is very impressive. Because it means you manage to convey meaning in a more inclusive way. That's very very useful. The goal of communication can be described as conveying information. We do it even without words. So when limiting ourselves to the format of text (I'm speaking of written academic texts, papers etc here) a lot of the extra information falls away. Thus we need to compensate by adapting the language. But it doesn't have to be super complicated.

Because academics are sometimes forced to hold certain page limits or similar, we need concise language. That's just one reason. Do we need concise language? Yes. Can complex meaning be conveyed through simple language? Also yes.

On an academic level academic language is needed. Because you have to explain all the intricate little details of something. But you can still explain complex subjects or topics with simpler language. The goal should be to include at an absolute minimum 90 percent of the language that the reader knows. The last 10 percent, and the goal should be to never reach those 10 percent, can be words that the reader doesn't know the meaning of. That's the rule for texts used to you teach people a different language. A different register might be slightly different because in academia, sentences carry much more meaning.

Anyway, I've had this discussion in a course and came to the conclusion that academic texts should continue to use academic frameworks and vocabulary, but the abstract of papers should include a description of content which is understandable to your "Average Joe". Also because it would make academics realise they aren't just writing for other academics.

This way academia starts to support the accessibility of knowledge while not impacting scientific progress. Though the average person would still be at a disadvantage, as they wouldn't be able to check if the claims from the Abstract are actually true.

The whole “scientists use big words on purpose to be exclusive” is such a bunch of anti-intellectual bullshit. Specific and concise language exists for a reason; you need the right words to convey the right meaning, and explaining stuff right is a hugely important part of science. Cultures that live around loads of snow have loads of words to describe different types of snow; cultures that live in deserts have loads of words to describe different types of sand. Complex language is needed for complex meaning.

[engineeringcollegeccourses]

VLSI Design and Technology Course at MVJCE: A Gateway to the Future of Electronics

MVJ College of Engineering (MVJCE), located in Whitefield, Bangalore, offers a specialized undergraduate program in Electronics Engineering with a focus on VLSI Design and Technology. This 4-year Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) course is meticulously crafted to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to excel in the rapidly evolving field of Very-Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) and semiconductor technologies.

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The VLSI Design and Technology program at MVJCE is affiliated with Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) and approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The curriculum is structured to provide a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, ensuring that students are industry-ready upon graduation.

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Industry-Oriented Curriculum: The program covers a comprehensive range of subjects, including Analog and Digital Electronics, Microelectronics, VLSI Design, Embedded Systems, and Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) such as Verilog and VHDL.

Hands-On Training: Students gain practical experience through well-equipped laboratories, industry visits, and internships, allowing them to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios.

Elective Courses: The curriculum offers elective subjects that allow students to explore niche areas and advanced topics such as Advances in Image Processing, Reconfigurable Computing, Long Term Reliability of VLSI systems, SoC Design, System Verilog, and CMOS RF Circuit Design.

Honors and Minor Degrees: Students have the opportunity to earn an Honors or Minor degree by accumulating additional credits in specialized areas, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) guidelines.

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For CET Quota Students:

Must have passed the Second Year of Pre-university or 12th standard or equivalent, with English as one of the subjects.

Must have secured an aggregate of at least 45% in Math and Physics, along with Chemistry / Biotechnology / Biology / Electronics / Computer Science.

Must have cleared the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET). For Management Quota Students:

Must have passed the Second Year of Pre-university or 12th standard or equivalent, with English as one of the subjects and obtained an aggregate of at least 60% in Math and Physics, along with Chemistry / Biotechnology / Biology / Electronics / Computer Science.

Must have cleared any one of the Entrance Tests conducted by the Government of Karnataka or Government of India (KCET, COMEDK, JEE).

For Lateral Entry:

Must have passed the Diploma or equivalent examination as recognized by the University, and secured not less than 45% marks in the final year examination (fifth and sixth semesters), in the relevant branch of Engineering.

Must have cleared the Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET) conducted by the Government of Karnataka

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Academia: Pursuing higher studies and research in VLSI and related fields.

The program also emphasizes the development of soft skills, including communication and teamwork, enhancing employability in the global job market.

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For more information or to apply, visit the MVJCE VLSI Design and Technology Program Page.

[lunarsilkscreen]

Functions (and Quantum)

A function, an algorithm, a process, or whatever you'd like to call it; is essentially a black box written by some developer that follows strict rules readily described to a user.

Example; Takes in a value, converts that value into an UTF-8 string of characters and then prints out a human legible variable for use else where.

A function is a "Logical Interpretation" of the underlying hardware. We're not literally feeding the 1s and 0s by hand to the processor, we have automated systems that can translate human understandable logic to the underlying hardware.

In this "Logic" has two definitions. One meaning mental logic, and the other meaning; "Not physically real" or "Not Literal".

Good luck trying to explain that in the future once you get a grasp of coder-culture.

The actual literal physical description is closer to arranged logic gates and processor clockings that make the machine do stuff. Which is *very* hard to keep track of the more complex a system gets.

So our "Programming Language" is a logical construct that gets translated into a "Manual Process" that can be handled at speed that no human can match.

The reason I'm bringing this up is because I watched a Veratasium video recently, and they've been having trouble with the verbage. And I'm trying to explain the bigger picture so that they can be more understandable to both laymen and professionals alike.

qAssembly and qSimulations, currently, offer a [logical interface] to [virtual quantum circuits].

These aren't full-fledged languages *yet* and may barely be defined as an "Assembly Language".

You're literally working with a single particle(electron maybe) and sending it through [quantum logic gates] and trying to figure out how to define what processes each thing is doing, as well as trying create a base-level language with which to speak about Quantum Programming.

Where, in our Python Interface to Q; we're working in a high-level languages, the actual qBasic is several layers less than our binary systems.

Literally organizing and arranging logic gates.

And trying to, literally; define a new mode of thinking around this new technology.

So it'l can be confusing if you're already a full-stack developer and join the quantum environment which is all Physicists and Mathematicians who don't understand Programming , yet understand the quantum-logic better than your average software developer.

The Goal of Quantum, currently, is to end up with a usable qAssembly AND higher-level languages which can be used by future developers to develop... Whatever software we find to be useful with Quantum Systems. Which could be the same as our current binary systems... Or; not. We dunno yet.

It might not even be feasible to use outside a supercooled environment, and if it is; it may not be a long time before we can use a quantum-chip in open-air environments like we use a cellphone.