Core Viewpoint - Sony Israel will operate independently as Altair Semiconductor, marking a strategic shift to focus on the 5G IoT chip market, with plans for organizational restructuring and layoffs to enhance efficiency [2][3]. Group 1: Company Structure and Strategy - The decision for Sony Israel to become an independent entity was made jointly by Sony Semiconductor Israel and Sony Group's headquarters in Japan [2]. - The restructuring aims to ensure long-term sustainability and operational agility, with the expectation of laying off dozens of employees [2][3]. - Sony will remain a major investor in the new independent company, reaffirming its commitment to the 5G IoT market [2]. Group 2: Historical Context and Development - Sony acquired Altair Semiconductor in 2016 for approximately $212 million, integrating it into its semiconductor division [2]. - The recent management decision to refocus on core strategic areas led to the separation, allowing Altair to concentrate on 5G IoT connectivity [2][3]. - Since the acquisition, Altair has expanded its customer base and launched initiatives like logistics chain digitization, even incubating a spin-off company named Sensos [3]. Group 3: Technological Capabilities - The Israeli R&D center specializes in developing low-power cellular network chips for IoT applications, emphasizing ultra-low power consumption, compact size, and robust security features [4]. - The team has developed digital signal processors (DSPs) that integrate AI directly into sensors, along with complete modem and system-on-chip (SoC) solutions [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a new chip component designed by MIT researchers that aims to expand the Internet of Things (IoT) coverage to 5G, enhancing the capabilities of IoT applications such as health monitors, smart cameras, and industrial sensors [2][4]. Group 1: 5G IoT Technology Advancements - The new research indicates that transitioning IoT to 5G will allow for faster device connections, higher data transfer speeds, and lower battery consumption, necessitating more complex circuits to support these advancements [2][4]. - The use of 5G standards instead of 4G/LTE or Wi-Fi networks signifies a shift from medium-scale IoT deployments to larger networks with the potential for hundreds or more nodes [2][4]. Group 2: Technical Features of the New Chip - The MIT team aims to create a single radio receiver that can be reused for various applications, allowing for flexibility and tuning across a wide frequency range [3][7]. - The 5G RedCap IoT receiver can hop frequencies without requiring the low latency needed for top-tier 5G applications, accommodating up to one million devices per square kilometer [3][5]. Group 3: Challenges and Solutions - Despite the potential, the adoption of 5G in IoT has been slow due to hardware challenges, particularly in power efficiency and interference in increasingly crowded wireless environments [4][8]. - The new technology relies on a streamlined version of 5G, known as 5G RedCap, which could address issues of power efficiency and interference [4][8]. Group 4: Future Directions - The next goal for the MIT team is to eliminate the need for batteries or dedicated power sources, potentially harnessing existing electromagnetic waves for energy [11][12]. - There is an ambition to extend the frequency range of the receiver technology to cover the entire 5G signal frequency range, which could lead to a variety of applications in industrial sensors, wearables, and smart cameras [12].