See related industry sector information under electronics/semiconductors
and communications.
Hardware
Computer and
small electronic manufacturers rely on an array of NIST standards
to miniaturize their products and stay ahead in this highly competitive
global market. Read on to see what we're doing to help computer
and electronics manufacturers stay on the cutting edge, as well
as look beyond it with futuristic new atom assembly techniques.
Semiconductor
Electronics Division -- conducts research in semiconductor
materials, processing, devices, and integrated circuits; provides
measurements and standards necessary to advance the semiconductor
industry.
National
Semiconductor Metrology Program -- established by Congress
in 1994, the NSMP responds to measurement needs of semiconductor
manufacturers; produces measurement techniques, Standard Reference
Materials, and data.
Nanofabrication
via Atom Optics -- reversing the usual roles of matter and
light, scientists use laser light as a lens to focus atoms into
nanometer-scale structures.
Autonomous
Atom Assembly -- we're building nanoscale structures atom
by atom and studying their unique electronic and magnetic properties
in our Nanoscale
Physics Facility.
Flat
Panel Display Metrology -- develops and refines measurement
procedures for electronic display metrology and helps develop
national standards for flat panel displays. Contact: Edward
Kelley, (301) 975-3842.
NIST's
Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a nationwide network
of assistance centers for small manufacturers in all 50 states
and Puerto Rico, offers experts to consult with small to mid-size
manufacturing firms. Since 1988, the MEP has assisted more than
100,000 firms, including computer and electronics manufacturers.
For example,
C-Tech Associates of Andover, N.J., manufactures test equipment
for computer and communications networks. Faced with increasing
demand, C-Tech turned to the New
Jersey Manufacturing Extension Partnership. With help
from NJMEP, C-Tech doubled its business.
Another MEP
client, Thermagon of Cleveland, Ohio, cut production time in half
with help from the Great
Lakes Manufacturing Technology Center. Thermagon makes thermal
conductive material that helps prevent heat from building up in
electronic components, including computer parts. MEP helped Thermagon
overcome production snags and delivery delays. Read
more.
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Information
Storage
The power
and convenience of our electronic devices depend on how much information
we can fit into tiny amounts of space. NIST research in data storage
technology is helping U.S. industry think small.
Advanced
Digital Data Storage Laboratory -- provides standards to improve
storage of digital information and develops data storage technology.
Magnetic
Technology Division -- develops and disseminates advanced
measurement methods and standards for the magnetic data storage
and superconductor power industries; among our projects are studies
on high-density and high-speed magnetic recording, magnetoresistive
sensors and memory elements.
Magnetic
Nanostructure -- develops new measurement methods to study
how the physical and magnetic nanostructure of magnetic recording
media influences their storage capacity.
Magnetic
Materials -- characterizes the properties and performance
of magnetic materials used in magnetic recording media, microwave
communications, and many other devices, tools and instruments.
NIST
Center for Neutron Research -- probes the properties and behavior
of magnetic multilayers used in read/write heads, recording media,
and next generation magnetic materials for improved devices. Contact:
Patrick Gallagher,
(301) 975-6210.
Object
Oriented MicroMagnetic Framework -- download software tools
created jointly by NIST and industry to verify results from programs
designed to predict how the tiny magnetic charges in new magnetic
storage devices will behave. Comparison of predicitions allows
researchers to make more accurate models of many computer storage
materials.
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Software
NIST programs
are helping improve the quality and capabilities of software used
by businesses, research institutions, and consumers. As a result
of our programs (described below), many software packages are
more efficient and can exchange data with each other.
In the NIST
labs, the Software
and Systems Division develops software testing
tools and methods that improve quality, conformance to standards
and correctness; works with industry to develop standards.
Here are links
to specific research
and test method projects in the Software and Systems Division.
A computer
language called XML is helping to fuel the phenomenal growth of
electronic commerce. Companies that are building e-commerce systems
can use NIST tests to ensure that their XML systems are in conformance
with accepted standards. This allows their computers to "talk"
to other companies computers using a common e-commerce language.
The test programs are free and can be downloaded from this
site.
S-Check
-- this NIST-developed advanced software performance improvement
tool is especially suited for improving code running on parallel
systems; provides programmers with quantitative predictions on
the effect of code improvements.
Java
Numerics -- this page provides a collection of information
resources on numerical computing in Java. Contact: Ronald
Boisvert, (301) 975-3812.
Guide
to Available Mathematical Software -- a cross-indexed and
virtual repository of mathematical and statistical software components
of use in computational science and engineering.
Web
Metrics -- download NIST software tools that will help you
evaluate the usability of your website.
NIST's
Advanced Technology Program spurs innovation in U.S. industry
by co-funding high-risk, high-payoff projects with private industry.
Results from completed ATP projects are helping advance software
technology.
Cubic
Videocomm, Inc., of San Diego, won NIST's
Advanced Technology Program funding to develop an innovative
video compression program with commercial application for video
e-mail and industrial security.
Torrent
Systems, Inc. of Cambridge, Mass., used an
Advanced Technology Program grant to develop and test portions
of a parallel software development environment that has been incorporated
into a commercial product. The new product offers significant
savings in developing computer programs.
Vitria
Technology, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif., used an Advanced
Technology Program grant to develop and demonstrate a software
package that overcomes barriers to integrating factory operations,
a problem that seemed intractable.
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Computer
Security
In the electronic
age, words like hacker and virus have taken on new meaning. Our
nation grows ever more dependent upon the secure and reliable
functioning of its electronic infrastructures, from the telephone
system, to the Internet, to the Air Traffic Control System. Likewise,
efforts to secure electronic information are becoming increasingly
important. NIST helps secure electronic data and maintain availability
of critical electronic services by identifying vulnerabilities
and cost-effective security measures. NIST also has statutory
responsibility to set security standards and guidelines for sensitive
Federal systems; these standards are often adopted and used by
the private sector on a voluntary basis. The links below describe
what we're doing to secure electronic information.
Computer
Security Division -- works to improve information systems
security for consumers, industry, and government agencies; develops
standards, measurement methods, tests, and validation programs
for information security. We provide services and guidance for
vendors, government
agencies, and computer
users. Links to some of our key efforts follow.
Advanced
Encryption Standard -- a new proposed encryption standard
selected through an international competition sponsored by NIST;
this algorithm can be used to protect financial and other highly
sensitive information transactions against unauthorized disclosure.
Computer
Security Resource Center -- a NIST-run web site providing
information security advisories, bulletins, standards, guidelines,
and announcements maintained for government, industry, and individual
computer users.
Cryptographic
Model Validation Program -- maintains cryptographic standards
and coordinates validation programs for many of these standards
via accredited private sector testing laboratories.
Virus
Information -- maintains a list of computer virus resources,
anti-virus vendors, and recommendations.
National
Information Assurance Partnership -- a joint effort between
NIST and the Department of Defense’s National Security Agency
that maintains common criteria-based standards, coordinates security
evaluations of information technology products, maintains lists
of validated products, and works with other nations for mutual
recognition of testing to reduce vendors’ product validation
costs.
Security Standards
and Guidelines - NIST develops federal
standards and guidelines
covering technical areas, such as public key infrastructure and
PBX security, and security management, topics such as security
planning and use of tested products for the protection of sensitive
systems.
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Information
Processing
The way we
handle information is changing. Computers that recognize spoken
words and interface with household appliances to create "smart
spaces" are giving us new options, as well as challenges,
for handling information. Read on to see how NIST is helping these
technologies develop.
FIPS
Federal Information Processing Standards -- We develop standards,
guidelines, and techniques for federal computer systems, including
those needed to assure security and privacy of sensitive information
in federal computer systems, when there are compelling federal
requirements and no existing voluntary industry standards.
Information
Access Division -- accelerates the development of new technologies
to easily and intuitively exchange information through research
and development of measurement methods and standards.
Speech
Group -- advances the state-of-the-art of spoken language
processing (speech recognition and understanding) to allow reliable
voice interaction with computers.
Smart
Space Laboratory -- promotes interoperability of information
systems so they may easily work together in futuristic smart work
spaces with embedded computers, sensors, and information appliances.
Math,
Statistics and Computational Science
Math,
Statistics, and Computational Science -- NIST works
with engineers and researchers in a variety of industries to find
innovative ways to apply the stunning computational power of modern
computers to a variety of scientific and engineering projects.
Guide
to Available Mathematical Software -- a cross-indexed and
virtual repository of mathematical and statistical software components
of use in computational science and engineering.
Java
Numerics -- this page provides a collection of information
resources on numerical computing in Java. Contact: Ronald
Boisvert, (301) 975-3812.
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Internet
and Other Networks
Global communications
are becoming increasingly dependent on computer networks for electronic
commerce, health care, education, science, and entertainment.
NIST helps keep these networks humming.
Advanced
Networking Technologies -- helps network protocol designers,
engineers, programmers, and testers evaluate their systems and
components by providing test methods and measurement technologies.
NIST
Networking Research Projects -- NIST research in high speed
networks, internetworking technologies, multimedia networking,
and wireless networks is described here.
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eBooks
NIST researchers
have helped advance the emerging eBook industry by developing
a prototype eBook, organizing and hosting Electronic Book Conferences,
and facilitating development of a file interchange format. Read
more.
Another NIST
innovation helps bring books to the blind or visually impaired.
Researchers have developed a Braille reader that converts electronic
text into a continuous Braille output. The new device could be
significantly less expensive than existing Braille readers. Read
more.
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Other Resources
NIST outreach
programs work directly with business and industry to boost U.S.
economic competitiveness. Many computer companies have benefited
by taking advantage of these programs.
NIST's Advanced
Technology Program spurs innovation in U.S. industry by co-funding
high-risk, high-payoff projects with private industry.
Smaller Manufacturers
face many challenges in our technology-driven environment. To
help meet these challenges, NIST started its Manufacturing
Extension Partnership program in 1988. This nationwide network
of centers, now in all 50 states, has assisted more than 100,000
U.S. firms, including computer companies.
The Baldrige
National Quality Program recognizes performance excellence
and quality achievement by U.S. manufacturers, service companies,
educational organizations, and health-care providers. Computer
firms have been competing for the Baldrige Award since it was
established in 1988.
In 1990, IBM
Rochester AS/400 Division, a manufacturer of intermediate
computer systems and hard disk drives, won the Baldrige Award.
Organizations
that apply for the Baldrige Award must address seven key criteria:
leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, information
and analysis, human resource focus, process management, and results.
Each applicant receives a feedback report citing strengths and
opportunities for improvement. Award recipients and applicants
alike say the application process can yield significant process
improvements and is good for the bottom line. In fact, a fictitious
'Baldrige
Index' made up of winning company stock has consistently outperformed
the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. And thousands of other companies
have used the Criteria
for Performance Excellence to assess and improve their overall
performance.
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