Category Archives: Technology

Cloud PC: How Safe Is Your Data?

The personal computer is undergoing a quiet transformation. For decades, businesses and individuals have depended on physical desktops and laptops to store applications, files and computing resources. Now, an increasing portion of that computing experience is moving away from the device sitting on a desk and into the cloud.

The emergence of the Cloud PC is at the centre of this shift. Instead of relying entirely on local hardware, users can access a virtual computer hosted in a remote data centre. Applications, operating systems and business resources can be delivered through the internet, allowing employees to work from offices, homes and other locations using a wide range of devices.

For companies pursuing hybrid work, centralized IT management and flexible computing, the model offers significant opportunities. But it also raises a question that businesses cannot afford to ignore: when the computer moves to the cloud, what happens to the security of the data?

The Computer Is No Longer Just on the Desk

A Cloud PC changes the traditional relationship between a user and a computer.

In a conventional setup, applications and files may be stored directly on a desktop or laptop. The organization is responsible for securing the physical machine, its operating system, applications and local storage.

With a Cloud PC, much of the computing environment is hosted remotely. The physical device becomes more of an access point to a centrally managed digital workspace.

That architecture can bring security advantages. If an employee loses a laptop, for example, sensitive corporate information may remain within the cloud environment rather than being stored entirely on the missing device.

But the security boundary has changed. The organization now has to protect not only the cloud infrastructure but also the identities, devices, connections and permissions used to access it.

Security Does Not Automatically Come With the Cloud

There is a common misconception that moving data and applications to a major cloud platform automatically makes them secure.

The reality is more complicated.

Leading cloud providers invest heavily in infrastructure security, encryption, identity management and monitoring. However, customers still control many aspects of how their cloud environments are configured and accessed.

A poorly configured Cloud PC can therefore become a security weakness even when the underlying cloud infrastructure is highly protected.

Weak passwords, excessive user permissions, outdated software, inappropriate data-sharing policies and compromised accounts can create vulnerabilities that sophisticated infrastructure security cannot completely eliminate.

The lesson is important: cloud technology can provide powerful security capabilities, but security still has to be designed and managed.

Identity Has Become the New Security Perimeter

Perhaps the biggest change introduced by cloud computing is the growing importance of digital identity.

When employees worked primarily inside corporate offices and connected through controlled networks, organizations could place considerable emphasis on securing the network perimeter.

Cloud computing makes that approach less effective.

An employee may access a Cloud PC from a home office, hotel, airport or another location. The identity of the person requesting access therefore becomes critically important.

If an attacker steals an employee’s credentials, the attacker may attempt to access corporate resources while appearing to be a legitimate user.

This is why multifactor authentication, conditional access, strong identity management and least-privilege permissions have become central components of modern cloud security.

Encryption: Essential, But Not a Complete Solution

Encryption is another major layer of cloud protection.

Data can be encrypted while it is stored and while it travels between systems. Microsoft, for example, documents encryption for Windows 365 Cloud PC storage and protection of network traffic in transit.

Encryption helps ensure that stolen or intercepted data is much harder to use without the appropriate cryptographic keys.

But encryption cannot solve every security problem.

Consider a compromised employee account. If an attacker successfully authenticates as an authorized user, the data may be accessible through legitimate system functions. The information may remain encrypted at the storage level, but the attacker could potentially view or manipulate it through the authorized session.

That is why encryption must operate alongside authentication, authorization, monitoring and data-loss prevention.

The Risk of Misconfiguration

One of the less visible dangers in cloud computing is misconfiguration.

Cloud platforms offer extensive security controls, but organizations must configure those controls correctly. An incorrectly assigned permission can expose information that was supposed to remain restricted.

For example, an employee may receive broader access than necessary, an administrator may leave an unnecessary service enabled, or sensitive information may be permitted to move to unmanaged devices.

These problems do not necessarily represent a failure of cloud technology. They can represent failures in implementation and governance.

For companies adopting Cloud PCs, configuration management should therefore be treated as an ongoing security process rather than a one-time installation task.

What Happens When a Device Is Lost?

The loss or theft of a laptop is one area where Cloud PCs can potentially change the risk profile.

If an organization’s sensitive information is primarily maintained inside the cloud environment, losing the physical device does not necessarily mean losing the entire corporate data set.

However, this protection depends on configuration.

Employees may still download documents, take screenshots, copy information, print files or use local applications. Browser sessions and cached credentials can also introduce additional risks.

Businesses should therefore establish clear rules regarding what information can leave the Cloud PC environment and under what circumstances.

Data-loss-prevention technologies can provide additional controls by identifying and restricting certain types of sensitive information movement.

Remote Work Expands the Attack Surface

Cloud PCs are particularly attractive to organizations with remote and hybrid workforces.

An employee can potentially access a standardized computing environment without carrying the entire corporate infrastructure with them.

But remote access also means that corporate systems may be accessed from networks and devices outside the organization’s direct control.

Public Wi-Fi, insecure home networks, personal devices and phishing attacks can all become part of the security equation.

This is one reason the Zero Trust security model has gained prominence. Rather than assuming that a user or device should automatically be trusted because it is connecting from a familiar network, Zero Trust emphasizes continuous verification of identity, device status and access requirements.

Cloud PCs and Ransomware

Ransomware has added another dimension to the cloud-security discussion.

Moving desktops into the cloud does not make an organization immune to ransomware. Attackers can still target credentials, endpoints, applications and users.

A compromised privileged account can be particularly dangerous because it may provide access to multiple systems.

Organizations using Cloud PCs should therefore combine access controls with endpoint protection, network security, monitoring, segmentation and recovery procedures.

Backup strategy is equally important. A cloud-based system should not be confused with a backup system. Organizations still need appropriate recovery mechanisms for critical business information.

Insider Risk Cannot Be Ignored

Cybersecurity discussions often focus on hackers operating from outside an organization. But legitimate users can also become a source of data exposure.

An employee might accidentally send a confidential file to the wrong recipient. A contractor might download information that should remain inside the organization. A malicious insider might deliberately attempt to remove proprietary data.

Cloud environments can offer improved visibility into these activities when appropriate monitoring and data-governance tools are deployed.

The objective is not to create an environment where every employee is treated as a suspect. Instead, organizations need proportionate controls that protect sensitive information while allowing employees to perform their jobs efficiently.

Building a Safer Cloud PC Environment

Businesses considering Cloud PCs should approach security as a layered system.

First, protect identities. Multifactor authentication should be standard for sensitive corporate environments, supported by strong password policies and appropriate access controls.

Second, limit privileges. Employees should have access only to the applications and information necessary for their responsibilities.

Third, control data movement. Organizations should determine when files can be downloaded, copied, printed or transferred to external devices.

Fourth, maintain software security. Operating systems, applications and browsers should receive security updates in a timely manner.

Fifth, monitor activity. Unusual login locations, repeated authentication failures, unexpected data transfers and other abnormal behaviour should trigger investigation.

Sixth, prepare for failure. Incident-response and recovery plans should be tested before an actual security incident occurs.

Finally, educate employees. Technology is only one part of cybersecurity. A user who cannot identify a convincing phishing message can unintentionally bypass several layers of technical protection.

Who Is Responsible for Cloud PC Security?

Cloud security works through a shared-responsibility model.

The cloud provider is responsible for securing the infrastructure and services it operates. The customer remains responsible for many decisions involving users, permissions, configurations, applications and data.

That division of responsibility is critical.

A business cannot simply purchase Cloud PCs and transfer its cybersecurity obligations to the cloud provider. It must understand exactly which security responsibilities belong to the provider and which remain with its own IT and security teams.

The Future of the Desktop Is Also a Security Question

The Cloud PC represents more than another way of accessing Windows or business applications. It reflects a broader change in enterprise computing.

As organizations move applications, storage and workspaces into cloud environments, the traditional definition of a “computer” is becoming less important. What matters increasingly is the combination of identity, data, applications, devices and cloud infrastructure.

That transformation offers businesses greater flexibility, but it also demands stronger security discipline.

The key question is therefore not whether a Cloud PC is inherently safe or unsafe. Its security depends on how the entire ecosystem is designed and managed.

A properly configured Cloud PC environment can provide strong protection through centralized controls, encryption, identity management and monitoring. At the same time, compromised credentials, excessive permissions, misconfiguration and poor data-handling practices can create serious exposure.

For organizations, the move to Cloud PCs should therefore be accompanied by a corresponding investment in cybersecurity strategy.

The desktop may be moving into the cloud. The responsibility for protecting the data should not.

India’s IT Export Engine Crosses USD 239 Billion as Global Demand Powers FY26 Growth

NEW DELHI, September 18, 2026: India’s technology industry has strengthened its position in the global services economy, with the country’s software services exports rising 9.5 per cent to $239.3 billion in 2025-26, according to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India.

The milestone reflects the growing international demand for Indian technology capabilities at a time when businesses worldwide are accelerating investments in digital transformation, cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data-driven operations.

The RBI’s broader measure puts India’s software services exports at $239.3 billion when services delivered through the overseas commercial presence of Indian companies are included. On a basis excluding such overseas commercial presence, software services exports stood at $221.4 billion, registering growth of 8.2 per cent during the financial year.

The numbers demonstrate that India’s IT industry is no longer dependent solely on traditional software outsourcing. The sector has progressively expanded into technology consulting, engineering, business-process services, cloud solutions, analytics and other specialised digital capabilities, creating a much broader export base.

Computer services continued to constitute the largest share of India’s software services exports, contributing more than two-thirds of the total. Business process outsourcing also remained an important component, with finance and accounting-related services forming a significant part of the BPO business.

This diversification has helped Indian technology companies remain relevant to international clients even as the nature of technology spending has changed. Companies are increasingly seeking partners capable of combining technology implementation with domain expertise and business transformation.

The United States continued to be the most important destination for Indian software services. It accounted for 54.1 per cent of India’s software services exports during FY26.

Europe represented another major market, contributing 31.8 per cent of exports. The United Kingdom alone accounted for 15.4 per cent, highlighting the continuing importance of developed markets to India’s technology-services business.

The geographical pattern also illustrates both the strength and the opportunity for the Indian IT industry. While established markets remain critical revenue sources, expansion into Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and other emerging markets could provide additional avenues for growth and diversification.

The US dollar remained the principal currency used for invoicing India’s software exports. It accounted for 72.6 per cent of export transactions during FY26.

The euro represented 9.6 per cent, while the Indian rupee accounted for 6.3 per cent and the British pound for 6 per cent.

The dominance of the dollar reflects the strong connection between Indian technology companies and North American customers, while the presence of multiple invoicing currencies demonstrates the sector’s wide international reach.

A striking feature of India’s technology-export model continues to be its ability to deliver services remotely. Around 91.7 per cent of software services exports were delivered through off-site modes during FY26.

This model has become an important competitive advantage for Indian companies. Technology teams based in India can work with customers across continents, providing software development, technical support, analytics, consulting and other services without requiring a physical workforce at every customer location.

The growth of remote and distributed delivery has also allowed technology companies to scale their international operations more efficiently.

The RBI’s survey covered 7,569 software-export companies, with 2,363 firms responding. The respondents included most of the large companies and represented around 89 per cent of estimated total software services exports.

The survey therefore provides a significant window into the structure and performance of India’s technology-export ecosystem, particularly the contribution of large and established IT services companies.

At the same time, India’s technology economy has developed a sizeable base of smaller firms, startups and specialised technology providers. Their expansion into niche areas could become increasingly important as global technology buyers look for specialised expertise rather than only large-scale outsourcing capacity.

AI Could Redefine the Next Growth Cycle

The next chapter for India’s IT export industry is likely to be shaped heavily by artificial intelligence.

Generative AI and automation are changing how software is developed and how business processes are delivered. This presents both an opportunity and a structural shift for Indian technology companies.

Rather than relying primarily on labour-intensive technology services, companies are increasingly moving towards AI engineering, data platforms, cloud transformation, cybersecurity, digital products and high-end technology consulting.

For India, the ability to combine its large technology workforce with AI capabilities could determine how much additional value the country can capture from the next wave of global digital spending.

The expansion of software exports also carries significance beyond the IT industry. Technology services are a major source of foreign-exchange earnings for India and form an important part of the country’s services-export surplus.

The continued expansion of software services therefore provides support to India’s broader external sector while reinforcing the country’s reputation as a major global destination for technology and business services.

The latest export numbers also underline the growing importance of technology in India’s international economic engagement. Software is effectively becoming one of the country’s major globally traded capabilities.

Crossing the $239-billion mark represents a significant expansion of India’s technology-services footprint, but the next phase will be less about export volume alone and more about the value generated from each technology engagement.

Indian companies face a global market where AI, automation and digital platforms are rapidly changing traditional business models. Maintaining growth will require continuous investment in skills, intellectual property, research, innovation and specialised technology capabilities.

For India, the opportunity is substantial. The country has already built a globally recognised technology-services ecosystem. The task now is to evolve that ecosystem from a major delivery centre into an increasingly important source of technology innovation, digital products and high-value services.

With software exports reaching $239.3 billion in FY26, India’s IT industry enters its next phase with a larger global footprint—and a technology landscape that is demanding a new generation of capabilities.

iPhone 18 Series Goes on Sale in India, Buyers Queue Up at Apple Stores

New Delhi, Sep 18: Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale in India on Friday, attracting customers to Apple stores in major cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Sales began at 8 am, with long queues reported outside Apple stores as customers arrived early to get their hands on the latest Pro models. The launch has also drawn attention to the new camera, performance, battery and artificial intelligence features introduced with the latest iPhone generation.

One of the biggest upgrades is the camera system. The iPhone 18 Pro models feature a 48MP Fusion Main camera with a new variable aperture, allowing the camera to adjust to lighting conditions and provide greater control over depth of field. Apple says the new system is designed to improve low-light photography and video recording.

The phones also come with 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide and 48MP Fusion Telephoto cameras. The telephoto system supports up to 8x optical-quality zoom, giving users more flexibility when photographing distant subjects. New Pro camera controls and updated Photographic Styles are also aimed at users who want more control over the look of their photos and videos.

The front camera has also been upgraded to an 18MP Center Stage camera. It is designed to keep people in frame during photos and video calls and supports additional features for video recording.

Performance is another major focus of the new models. The iPhone 18 Pro series is powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip, which is built using a 2-nanometre process. The chip includes a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU and a new dual 16-core Neural Engine designed to handle demanding applications and on-device AI workloads.

Apple has also introduced a larger vapour chamber for improved heat management. The company says the new cooling system can deliver up to 40 per cent better sustained performance compared with the previous generation, which could be useful during high-intensity gaming and other demanding tasks.

Battery life is another key feature. Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro Max can deliver up to 43 hours of video playback, while faster wired charging can take the phone to 50 per cent in around 15 minutes with a compatible adapter.

The new models also bring a stronger focus on artificial intelligence. iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max run iOS 27 and include Apple Intelligence features along with the new Siri AI. Siri AI is designed to understand more personal context and help users work across apps, messages, emails and other information on the device.

The Dynamic Island has also been redesigned to display more information at once. Apple says it can now show up to three Live Activities, allowing users to keep track of information such as sports scores, navigation and music without opening another app.

The iPhone 18 Pro models are available in four finishes, including the new burgundy option. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900 in India, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,79,900.

For customers, the latest launch brings improvements across the areas most commonly associated with premium smartphones — photography, performance, battery life and AI. The strong turnout at Apple stores on the first day also reflects continued consumer interest in the company’s flagship iPhone range in India.

PM Modi Calls on Young Engineers to Drive India’s Next Semiconductor Push

India’s semiconductor ambitions are entering a new phase, with the country increasingly focusing not only on setting up chip manufacturing facilities but also on building the talent, research capabilities and supporting industries needed to sustain a complete technology ecosystem.

Addressing the SEMICON India 2026 event in New Delhi on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on young engineers, researchers and technology professionals to take a more active role in developing advanced technologies in India. He highlighted the country’s large engineering workforce as an important strength at a time when semiconductor companies are looking to expand manufacturing and diversify global supply chains.

The Prime Minister said the government is working towards training one lakh engineering students in semiconductor-related skills, with more than 70,000 already trained. He also encouraged Indian researchers and technology professionals working both within the country and abroad to contribute to the development of advanced technologies.

The emphasis on skilled manpower comes at a time when semiconductor manufacturing is becoming increasingly important for sectors ranging from smartphones and automobiles to telecommunications, artificial intelligence, electronics and defence technologies. For India, developing a strong talent base is therefore closely linked with the ability to attract investment and build higher-value capabilities.

From Policy Plans to Commercial Production

India’s semiconductor programme has gradually moved beyond policy announcements and project proposals towards actual manufacturing activity. During SEMICON India 2026, commercial production at two semiconductor facilities in Mohali and Surat was highlighted as part of this transition.

The development signals a broader shift in the country’s approach to electronics manufacturing. Instead of concentrating only on chip fabrication, India is seeking to develop capabilities across design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, equipment, materials and other specialised areas.

A stronger domestic ecosystem could also help companies reduce their dependence on long and concentrated global supply chains while creating opportunities for Indian businesses to participate in different stages of semiconductor production.

Building More Than Chip Factories

The semiconductor industry requires a wide network of supporting businesses. Chip manufacturing depends on specialised equipment, chemicals, gases, materials, testing systems and advanced packaging technologies.

Recognising this, the Prime Minister urged companies operating in these areas to explore the opportunities emerging from India’s semiconductor programme. Growth in supporting industries could create additional investment opportunities and allow domestic suppliers to become part of the wider global chip value chain.

The government has also been pushing for greater participation by startups and design companies. The focus on fabless semiconductor companies is particularly significant because chip design and intellectual property can generate high-value technology businesses without requiring companies to own fabrication plants.

Talent and Research Become Critical

India’s large pool of engineers is emerging as an important component of its semiconductor strategy. However, the industry requires specialised expertise in areas such as chip architecture, semiconductor design, fabrication, advanced packaging, testing, artificial intelligence hardware and related technologies.

The call for greater industry participation in research and development reflects the need to connect academic institutions, startups and established technology companies more closely.

Such collaboration can help turn research into commercial products while giving young engineers practical exposure to advanced technologies. It can also create opportunities for Indian companies to develop intellectual property that can compete in international markets.

New Technologies Could Expand the Opportunity

The next stage of semiconductor development is expected to extend beyond conventional chips. Technologies such as silicon photonics and compound semiconductors are gaining importance as demand grows for faster computing, artificial intelligence infrastructure and high-performance data systems.

Silicon photonics, in particular, can support high-speed data movement and has potential applications in AI-focused infrastructure and advanced computing systems.

Building expertise in these emerging areas could help India participate in newer segments of the semiconductor industry rather than limiting its role to conventional manufacturing and assembly.

Global Supply Chains Create a Larger Opportunity

The global semiconductor industry has been undergoing significant changes as companies and governments seek more resilient and diversified supply chains. India is attempting to position itself as one of the locations capable of supporting this transition.

At SEMICON India 2026, the government highlighted the importance of building a reliable ecosystem that connects international companies with Indian manufacturers, startups, researchers and suppliers.

For global companies, the availability of engineering talent, a large domestic electronics market and growing policy support could make India an increasingly relevant location for technology investment. For Indian businesses, the expansion of the semiconductor ecosystem could open opportunities in manufacturing, design, logistics, materials, equipment and specialised services.

Semiconductor Growth Could Support Wider Industry

The impact of semiconductor investment is likely to extend beyond chip factories themselves. A stronger electronics ecosystem can support demand for suppliers, technical services, industrial infrastructure, logistics and skilled manpower.

It could also encourage more companies to invest in research and product development in India. Over time, this may help strengthen links between semiconductor manufacturing and industries such as automobiles, consumer electronics, telecommunications, renewable energy and artificial intelligence.

For young engineers, the expansion of the sector could create opportunities across chip design, research, manufacturing, testing and other specialised technology functions.

India’s Semiconductor Story Moves Forward

SEMICON India 2026 reflects the changing nature of India’s semiconductor ambitions. The focus is gradually moving from attracting individual projects to developing a connected ecosystem in which talent, research, manufacturing, design and supporting industries grow together.

The Prime Minister’s message placed young technical talent at the heart of that effort, while also calling on industry to invest more deeply in research and development.

As semiconductor demand continues to grow globally, India’s ability to build specialised skills, develop intellectual property and establish reliable manufacturing and supply networks will be central to determining how deeply Indian companies can participate in the global chip economy.

Venn Launches Blue Border for AI Governance & Security, Putting Native Claude Apps Under IT Control on Any Laptop

Regulated companies can now let remote employees and contractors run Claude, Claude Cowork and Claude Code on laptops the company doesn’t own: locked to company accounts, reachable only from trusted networks, and with no VDI or endpoint management required.

New York, New York, Sept 17. Venn, the secure remote work company, announced Blue Border™ for AI Governance & Security. The release lets organizations with remote and distributed workforces govern and securely use AI on any laptop, whether or not the company owns or manages it.

Blue Border installs on a Mac or PC and creates a company-controlled secure enclave on that laptop, isolating business activity from everything else on the same machine. Until now, its AI controls centered on data loss prevention for browser-based AI. Available today, the release adds three capabilities.

First, Anthropic’s Claude desktop apps, Claude, Claude Cowork and Claude Code, run natively inside Blue Border, on a personal machine, under the same controls that apply to browser-based AI. Second, tenant restrictions keep approved AI services to company-provided accounts, so a personal sign-in inside Blue Border is restricted. Third, IP-based access controls let organizations restrict sign-ins to those services to their dedicated Blue Border IP addresses, using the access policies they already run for Microsoft 365 and Salesforce.

The result is a secure way to adopt AI across all of a company’s workflows, in the browser and on the desktop, on every device its people use, without VDI. Unapproved AI tools stay blocked from company data, and DLP controls cover copy/paste, upload, download, screenshot, print and AI on any laptop.

Organizations in regulated industries cannot afford to fall behind on AI productivity, and cannot tolerate the data exposure that comes with open adoption. Venn found that 62 percent of all connections to browser-based AI tools inside Blue Border were made through personal, non-corporate accounts. When customers configured their tenant restriction settings, the number dropped to 5 percent.

“AI is the most important shift our customers have navigated since the cloud,” said David Matalon, CEO and Founder of Venn. “Blue Border was built for exactly this moment: a world where sensitive work happens on any device, and where what needs to be protected is the data itself, not the machine. Blue Border for AI Governance & Security extends that protection to every AI tool, native app or browser, and gives IT and security teams control back.”

For regulated organizations enabling BYOD and contractor programs, this changes the ceiling on AI productivity. Financial services firm StoneX uses Blue Border to meet its compliance requirements while securing its workers. Remote employees and contractors can use the most capable AI tools in their full native form, with no hardware to ship and no virtual desktop in between. Support for additional applications, including ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, is on the roadmap for later this year.

Atomic clocks refined with Spectrum AWG cards

Sept 16: Around the world, hundreds of atomic clocks are continuously compared to establish the International Atomic Time (TAI). In Germany, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) contributes with two of the world’s leading caesium fountain clocks. Keeping these running, however, depends on sophisticated technology to cool down clouds of atoms with lasers to a few microkelvin and perform Ramsey spectroscopy. AWG cards by Spectrum Instrumentation play a key role in the latest setup of the atomic clocks. The caesium fountain clocks CSF1 and CSF2 steer the national reference time scale UTC (PTB) and constitute the basis for PTB’s time services and the legal time for all of Germany, synchronizing everything from clocks and trains to air traffic, communications, broadcasting, computer systems, and much more.

Caesium fountain clocks, such as those operated at PTB, rely on the quantum behaviour of caesium atoms. One second is defined as the duration of exactly 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two energy levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom. In a vacuum-chamber, an ultracold cloud of these atoms passes twice through a Ramsey microwave cavity before their final state is measured using laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy.

How to cool down the caesium atoms

Dr. Johannes Rahm, a member of PTB’s Time and Frequency department, explains: “Before the measurement can take place, a cloud of ultracold atoms must be loaded. This is realized by means of a magneto-optical trap (CSF1) or an optical molasses (CSF2). In both cases, lasers in specific geometric alignment are detuned slightly below an optical transition of caesium-133. Due to the residual thermal motion, this laser light is Doppler-shifted to the transition frequency and by absorption of photons from the laser and conservation of momentum, the atoms in the cloud are slowed and therefore cooled down.”

A working cycle of the caesium fountain clock

A small frequency difference between the lasers then pushes the cloud upward, like tossing a ball into the air. This creates the ‘fountain’ effect: the atoms pass through the Ramsey cavity once on the way up and again on the way down under gravity. After passing the Ramsey-cavity the second time, the transition probability is determined by means of fluorescence spectroscopy. During each passage of the Ramsey-cavity, a microwave pulse is applied. The frequency of this pulse is tuned so that the resulting transition probability is about 50%. With each fountain cycle, which consist of the loading phase, the launch phase, the Ramsey-interrogation, detection and ballistic flights in between the phases, the sign of the microwave frequency detuning is inversed, so that the left and the right side of the symmetrical transition probability structure is sampled. The true transition frequency is then given by the mean of the two steered frequencies set for the 50% transition probability. Once the measurement is complete, after about 1.2 seconds, the cycle starts again and continues 24 hours a day.

Evolution of the clocks

The caesium fountain clock requires careful control of the lasers. This was originally implemented by using custom analog circuitry developed by an earlier generation of PTB engineers and scientists. Maintaining such a complex system for the long term becomes increasingly difficult. So, like the experiment itself, the supporting electronics must evolve, leading Dr. Rahm to explore how to replace its analog system with a digital alternative. His research led him to integrate AWG (Arbitrary Waveform Generator) cards in PXIe format from Spectrum Instrumentation. These cards generate the RF frequencies required to manipulate the laser frequencies for cooling, launching and detection of the atoms using acoustic-optical modulators.

Fast reaction of the Spectrum support

However, a challenge arose during implementation. Although the M4x.6622-x4 AWG cards met the accuracy extremely well, none of the possible signal generation modes matched the special requirements needed at PTB. For an efficient design of the caesium fountain clock cycle, each laser needs a specific set of waveforms at a specific time of the cycle. Dr. Rahm contacted the Spectrum Instrumentation support, which is handled by the design engineers directly. In just two days, the software engineers developed a new feature called “Sequence Restart Mode”. Dr. Rahm’s tests were successful, and the new mode works exactly as envisioned.

Meanwhile, Spectrum Instrumentation released the Sequence Restart Mode as a free-of-charge upgrade for all AWGs in the 65xx and 66xx series. The new mode can be enabled easily by installing the latest drivers.

Microwave Factory and Rohde & Schwarz enable automated SAR measurements with CMX500 support in MATEOS

Kramer Brings its Complete AV Ecosystem to Life at InfoComm India 2026

From hybrid meeting rooms and smart classrooms to divisible experience spaces and Command & Control Centers, Kramer demonstrates real-world applications alongside its latest innovations across AVoIP, signal management, audio, connectivity and AV management

Mumbai, India – Sept 16 – Kramer, a global leader in professional AV experiences, is showcasing its latest AV innovations at InfoComm India 2026, demonstrating how its broad technology portfolio comes together to address the real-world requirements of enterprise, education, Command & Control and other professional AV environments.

At Booth L01, Kramer will bring its technologies to life through real-world applications, including Hybrid Meeting Rooms, Smart Classrooms and Divisible Experience Spaces, alongside a dedicated AVoIP Command & Control environment. These application showcases are complemented by dedicated product areas spanning AVoIP, signal management, audio, connectivity, collaboration, AV management and automation as well as integrated meeting-room solutions from Ashton Bentley.

Real applications, built around real AV requirements

The Hybrid Meeting Room showcase will highlight Kramer’s Signal Management portfolio and HU product family, demonstrating how HDMI, USB-C, USB, charging, switching and extension technologies can be combined to address different room sizes and collaboration requirements.

For small meeting rooms, the SWT3-21-HU-TR provides a complete BYOD solution in a compact design, while for medium-sized meeting spaces, the SWT3-31-HU delivers the higher performance and connectivity required for more advanced hybrid collaboration. Together, the demonstrations show how organizations can create consistent meeting experiences while selecting the right solution for each room.

Kramer will also showcase integrated meeting room solutions from Ashton Bentley, combining modular meeting room furniture, display mounting systems and Kramer AV technologies into complete, repeatable room deployments. These engineered solutions help organizations standardize meeting spaces, accelerate installation, simplify maintenance and deliver consistent user experiences across locations and room types. The booth includes dedicated Hybrid Meeting Room and Ashton Bentley areas.

For education, the Smart Classroom will showcase the MTX3-42-HU, demonstrating how integrated signal management and connectivity can simplify the classroom experience for educators while providing the flexibility and performance required for modern teaching and hybrid learning environments.

The Divisible Experience Space will feature Kramer’s MTX3-88-PR-PRO all-in-one hybrid presentation solution, consolidating video switching, USB routing, DSP, Dante audio networking, amplification, streaming and control into a single integrated AV platform. The demonstration will show how spaces can operate independently or be combined for larger meetings, training sessions and events, helping organizations reduce system complexity, simplify support and create more flexible, multi-purpose environments.

AVoIP from 1G distribution to 10G Solutions

AV over IP is another major focus of Kramer’s InfoComm India showcase, with a portfolio spanning 1G and 10G solutions for applications ranging from enterprise and education to Command & Control environments.

Visitors will be able to experience the KDS-17 family, including the recently introduced KDS-17 Lite, KDS-100 and ZeeVee 10G SDVoE solutions. The dedicated Command & Control application demonstrates how 10G AVoIP can support environments requiring high-quality video distribution, flexible routing and multi-display visualization, while the 1G showcase demonstrates scalable AV distribution across a broad range of professional applications.

More technologies across the AV ecosystem

Beyond the application showcases, visitors can explore Kramer’s latest technologies across its broader portfolio.

Audio: Kramer will showcase its expanded professional speaker line, including PoE-powered Dante speakers for networked audio alongside passive models, providing flexible options for meeting rooms, classrooms and other professional AV environments.

Connectivity: The booth will feature Kramer’s extensive USB-C, USB and HDMI cable portfolio, together with TBUS tabletop connectivity solutions, addressing the connectivity needs of modern AV installations.

Signal Management: Kramer will showcase its latest Series 3 matrices and switchers, distribution amplifiers, extenders and hybrid AV solutions, providing flexible options for switching, routing, distributing and extending AV and USB signals across different applications.

Collaboration Applications: Kramer will demonstrate VIA for intuitive wireless presentation and collaboration, alongside Session Manager, a unified cloud service for session initiation, content management, third-party application launch and wireless presentation – helping create simpler, more consistent collaboration experiences across meeting and learning spaces.

AV Ecosystem Platform: Panta Rhei, Kramer’s device-agnostic AV management and automation platform, enables AV and IT teams to centrally monitor, manage and automate AV environments across rooms, buildings and sites, providing greater visibility and helping simplify day-to-day AV operations.

“InfoComm India gives us the opportunity to demonstrate not just individual technologies, but how they come together to solve the challenges our customers and partners face every day,” said Bharath Kumar, President, APAC at Kramer. “Whether it is simplifying hybrid meetings, creating smarter classrooms and more flexible spaces, building powerful Command & Control environments or giving AV and IT teams greater visibility and control, our focus is on making professional AV easier to deploy, operate and manage. We look forward to welcoming the Indian AV community and showing them the breadth of what Kramer can deliver.”

Kramer is exhibiting at InfoComm India 2026, September 16–18, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Booth L01.

AAEON Targets High-Performance Industrial AI with Intel Core Ultra Series 3-Powered MIX-PTLWV1

The company’s first Mini-ITX motherboard built on the Panther Lake platform offers 128GB DDR5, wide voltage input, and broad expansion module support.

Taipei, Taiwan – Sept 16 AAEON (Stock Code: 6579), a leading producer of industrial motherboards, has announced the release of the MIX-PTLWV1, its first Mini-ITX motherboard featuring Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 processors (formerly Panther Lake). The MIX-PTLWV1 is available with a number of processors from across the series, ranging from 15W to 25W, and provides support for up to 128GB of DDR5 (6400 MHz) via two C/SO-DIMM slots.

With the hybrid AI acceleration offered by the Panther Lake series’ integrated Intel® Arc™ GPU, Intel® AI Boost NPU, and disaggregated CPU architecture, AAEON has indicated that the MIX-PTLWV1 is positioned for use in edge AI applications across machine vision, robotic automation, and industrial inspection.

The board’s I/O provides two rear I/O 2.5GbE LAN ports (Intel® Ethernet Controller I226 series) by default. However, AAEON states that the board comes with the option of an additional two 10GbE LAN ports (Intel® Ethernet Controller E610-XAT2) on top of this, although this configuration is SKU-dependent. Alongside these, the board hosts four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (5Gbps), and four display ports, each offering 4K resolution at 60 Hz.

The MIX-PTLWV1’s selection of internal connectors includes five serial box headers, with one offering RS-232/422/485 and the remaining four for RS-232, an 8-bit Programmable digital I/O, two 10-pin headers for USB 3.2 Gen 1 interfaces, and a 40-pin LVDS connector, co-layed with eDP.

Supporting 128GB of dual-channel DDR5 system memory, the MIX-PTLWV1 provides a fairly substantial increase in memory capacity compared to the 96GB offered by Mini-ITX boards built on earlier Intel processing platforms.

The board’s expansion options include an M.2 2230 E-Key, an M.2-1A 2280 M-Key, and an M.2 3042/52 B-Key with a Nano SIM slot for wireless, NVMe storage, and cellular function support. In addition to its M.2 slots, the MIX-PTLWV1 is equipped with an open-edge slot supporting an eight-lane PCIe Gen 5 interface, although like its expanded 10GbE LAN option, this configuration is also SKU-dependent.

For its OS, the MIX-PTLWV1 can support Windows® 11 64-bit and Ubuntu 24.04 (Kernel 6.8).

EQONIC Expands Battery Range with Cleaner, Quieter Battery Power Solutions for Sites, Events and Everyday Backup

LONDON, Sept 16 – EQONIC Group, a pioneering UK battery technology company, today announced two new additions to its energy storage range: the EQ Power, a Mobile Battery Energy Storage System (MBESS), and the EQ Portable Power, a high-capacity portable power station.

Both launches are a direct response to demand from EQONIC’s clients for power that is cleaner, quieter and easier to deploy than diesel generators or fixed installations – whether that’s on a construction site, at an event, or simply away from the mains.

EQ Power: Industrial-Scale Power for Site and Field

Built for versatility, EQ Power comes in three capacity options and can support construction sites, festivals, sporting events, emergency building backup, and mobile or field operations. It can run on its own, work in hybrid configuration with diesel generators, or integrate with hydrogen generators, solar and grid supply, allowing clients to fit it into the power setup they already have on site.

EQ Power is housed in a single weatherproof unit that can be lifted onto a truck bed or trailer with standard site equipment and wired in within minutes, without groundworks or a specialist installation crew. It can also be supplied with optional heavy-duty wheels for ease of manoeuvrability. Working alongside diesel generators, it has already cut fuel consumption by up to 60% in a live construction case study, easing fuel resupply, cutting costs and reducing emissions from day one.

It runs on whatever power is available; solar, mains grid, hydrogen or diesel – and automatically switches to the cleanest source. Built-in fire protection and smart cooling keep it safe to run outdoors in demanding weather. Multiple units can be linked together to power bigger sites, and because it runs silently, it also removes the noise that normally makes it hard for workers to hear each other over a generator.

EQ Portable Power: High-Power Portable Energy, On the Move

EQONIC has also launched the EQ Portable Power Station – a wheeled, high-power portable power station built for anyone who needs dependable power away from the mains. It’s designed for tradespeople and outdoor construction crews, campers, road-trippers and event-goers, and for households wanting a reliable backup supply when the power goes down.

It’s about the size of a large wheeled suitcase – 630 x 313 x 467mm and 40kg – so it can be rolled through a doorway, lifted into a car boot, or wheeled across a campsite or job site with ease.

A single charge is enough to run a mini fridge for over a day, keep a laptop topped up for around seven weeks of daily use, or recharge a phone more than 300 times – making it just as useful powering a job site as it is a camping trip, a day at an event, or a home during a power cut.

It charges from empty to full in around three hours on the mains or can be topped up using a solar panel or a car’s 12V socket when there’s no power nearby. If the mains cut out, it switches over in under 10 milliseconds – fast enough that connected electronics won’t notice – and a smart app lets users check remaining charge from their phone.

Together, the two products extend EQONIC’s offer from large temporary power deployments to portable backup and leisure use, giving clients a consistent battery-based alternative wherever quiet, reliable power is needed.

Jas Kandola, founder and CEO of EQONIC Group said:

“Every product we offer starts with a conversation with our clients. On the industrial side, they kept telling us the same thing: generators are noisy, expensive to run, and a headache to keep fed with fuel – especially on sites in the middle of nowhere. The EQ Power MBESS is our answer to that – something you can roll onto site, plug in and forget about. We heard a version of the same problem on a smaller scale too, from people who just wanted reliable, portable power for work, travel or emergencies at home – and that’s exactly what the Portable Power Station delivers. Both products exist because our customers told us what they needed, not because it was the easiest thing for us to build.”

The EQ-Power MBESS and EQ Portable Power are available now in the UK and have been configured for UK and European markets. For more information, visit eqonic.com and contact the EQONIC team directly.