In the wave of global digitalization and the proliferation of IoT devices, the application scope of wireless equipment has long surpassed traditional boundaries. From smart home appliances and wearable devices to industrial automation systems (industrial control security), all rely on stable and secure wireless communication. However, the increasing number of wireless products also brings potential risks - ranging from communication interference and data leakage to user safety hazards. In particular, within the field of industrial control security, a single attack on equipment can result in significant industrial losses.To further enhance product safety and consumer protection, the European Union has officially announced the mandatory implementation of the new Radio Equipment Directive (RED) starting in 2025. This regulation comprehensively strengthens the requirements for cybersecurity and interoperability of wireless radio equipment. The directive not only applies to newly launched products but also indirectly impacts the design, upgrade, and verification strategies of existing devices. This brings unprecedented challenges to the industrial control security and smart device industries.The core spirit of RED is that if a wireless device has networking capabilities, it must fully meet basic cybersecurity thresholds from both hardware and software perspectives. This is not only a ticket to market entry but also a transformational challenge that all manufacturers and brand owners must face. Especially in terms of hardware security, traditional design thinking can no longer cope with new-generation threats - advanced secure memory and Secure Flash technologies must be adopted.Core Regulatory Impact: RED Scope, CE Mark, and Product ResponsibilityAccording to the latest RED regulations, any product with wireless functionality - such as devices with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, or NFC modules - falls within the scope of this directive. Whether it's a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, smart TV, or any network-connected home appliance, as long as the product is capable of network connection and data exchange, it is subject to regulation.The directive not only requires that devices not interfere with the wireless spectrum but also mandates:• Protection of user data from unauthorized access or modification• Ensuring devices can connect to the internet securely and prevent cyberattacks• Strengthening interoperability and upgrade management between systemsThe mandatory nature of RED means that the CE mark is no longer just a symbol of electrical safety but also a critical certificate of cybersecurity compliance. Without passing RED testing and preparing the necessary technical documentation, products cannot be legally sold in the European market.For product developers, this means rethinking security architecture at the design level and facing significant compliance costs and verification pressure. For small and medium-sized developers whose core competence is not cybersecurity, this presents an unprecedented challenge. At this point, choosing secure memory and Secure Flash with built-in hardware security features becomes the key to reducing development difficulty and risk.Memory Is More Than Storage: Winbond Secure Flash W77Q / W77T as the Key to RED CertificationIn response to the new challenges brought by RED, Winbond has introduced an innovative "Security Certification-Ready Storage Solution - Secure Flash Memory Solution W77Q / W77T." This transforms what was once an inconspicuous storage component into a key enabler for RED certification. Winbond Secure Flash, with its leading hardware security design, provides comprehensive protection for industrial control security, smart home appliances, IoT, and more.We have observed that in many system designs, processors and communication modules are assigned security tasks, while flash memory is often overlooked. In reality, by significantly enhancing the security mechanisms and functional design of flash memory within the system, we are not merely offloading the main controller - we are introducing advanced security and resiliency features that go beyond what most controllers can even offer. Secure memory and Secure Flash are poised to become indispensable cores of future security architectures, providing robust protection and compliance capabilities that elevate the entire system's defense posture.Highlight 1: 100% Compatible Upgrade SolutionThe W77Q / W77T Secure Flash memory module maintains full drop-in compatibility with the original system's SPI interface - including SPI commands, signal levels, and speeds - allowing users to replace existing flash memory without any changes to PCB design.By upgrading the memory, security features are directly built-in, such as:• Root of Trust for Secure Boot and Key StorageFirmware Validation and Resiliency Compliance (NIST SP 800-193) Secure Storage Solution Based on Pure Hardware• Secure Supply chain support with LMS• CNSA 2.0 compliance for software updatesThis approach effectively reduces development costs and design risks, while enabling existing systems to meet the cybersecurity requirements of RED. The high compatibility of Winbond Secure Flash makes upgrading industrial control security and various IoT devices much easier.Highlight 2: Comprehensive Documentation and Software Support to Lower Development BarriersIn addition to hardware security mechanisms, we provide a complete set of software development tools and application APIs, including:• Secure storage read/write packages• Authentication mechanism libraries• Open-source reference codeDevelopers do not need to implement complex security algorithms and storage management logic themselves, enabling rapid development of RED-required security features. This greatly reduces software development burdens and avoids rework risks during the verification phase. Winbond Secure Flash enables seamless integration of hardware and software security.Highlight 3: Regulatory Reference Documentation Package to Accelerate Time-to-MarketThe W77Q / W77T product provides:• RED clause-to-feature mapping tables• Security function self-assessment checklists• Technical documentation templatesThese documents can be directly used in the RED certification process, greatly simplifying the review process for testing organizations or certification consultants. Customers do not need to prepare cumbersome technical materials themselves, effectively shortening the verification cycle and time-to-market. Winbond Secure Flash helps customers quickly seize market opportunities.A Code and Data-Centric Security Solution: Redefining RED ComplianceThe 2025 RED regulation will undoubtedly become a major threshold for the EU digital product market. It not only represents a new wave of cybersecurity requirements but also a complete transformation in product design logic. For developers and brand owners, this is an unavoidable revolution - not only must they comply with the law, but they must do so efficiently.Winbond's W77Q / W77T secure solution breaks the traditional notion that memory is just for data storage, turning secure memory and Secure Flash into active participants in system compliance:• Reinforcing security design at the hardware level, strengthening hardware security• Lowering development barriers at the software level• Simplifying compliance processes at the documentation levelAs the countdown to RED implementation continues, this all-in-one Secure Flash solution - combining hardware, software, and certification support - is undoubtedly the key weapon for product developers to reduce risk and accelerate market deployment. Whether for industrial control security, IoT devices, or consumer electronics, Winbond Secure Flash provides the most robust cybersecurity protection.RED is both a challenge and an opportunity. While others are still struggling to meet regulatory requirements, we have already used secure memory and Secure Flash to help you stay ahead and seize the cybersecurity high ground in the digital era.To learn more about Winbond's advanced security solutions, visit Winbond's website or contact Winbond directly, or download the latest Hardware Security White Paper.

Users in industrial control and info-communication fields are placing growing importance on the durability and reliability of power supplies. However, legacy power supply units (PSUs) are facing unprecedented challenges due to the trend towards more compact devices and increasing business focus on ESG performance.These industrial are also setting increasingly stringent requirements for PSU performance and size, driven by corporate ESG goals and environmental sustainability performance. MEAN WELL, a leading global supplier of standard PSU products, has launched the next iteration of its classic SE-1000 series that has been a best-seller for 20 years. The all-new next-generation LRS-1200 series features a smaller footprint and higher conversion efficiency while retaining its famed high reliability design. The new product offers a superior solution for mid- to high-power applications that require high energy efficiency and compact form factors.LRS-1200 Embodies Next-Generation PSU Design through High-Efficiency, Reliability, Compact Footprint, and Carbon ReductionThe LRS-1200 is based on the SE-1000 and draws on the high reliability design characteristic of MEAN WELL. Product volume was reduced by a staggering 49% through extensive optimizations and conversion efficiency was improved by 6% to reach up to 94%. Product carbon footprint evaluation found that each LRS-1200 PSU produced 13.30 kg CO₂ of carbon emissions, a 48.02% decreased compared to the 25.58 kg CO₂e of SE-1000. It therefore satisfies the demanding requirements for a compact footprint, energy efficiency, and sustainability in modern applications. The product supports an ultra-wide input voltage range of 180 ~ 305 Vac and an operating temperature range of -30 to +70 °C. It can also operate reliably at altitudes of 5,000 meters above sea level and in unstable power grids. A peak output of 150% is supported to cater for high instantaneous loads from starting motors, demonstrating the product's superb environmental adaptability and application flexibility. A 3-year warranty and lightweight design reduces system installation and operating costs even further. For budget-sensitive customers or large-scale deployments, it offers a highly cost-effective and environmentally-friendly power supply solution.Recognized in Multiple Industries and ApplicationsLRS-1200 has been certified by multiple international certification bodies. These included IEC/EN/UL 62368-1 for information devices as well as IEC/EN IEC 61558-1 and IEC/EN 61558-2 16 for industrial control applications. National safety certifications include CB, UL, DEKRA, RCM, CQC, BSMI, EAC, CE and UKCA. These not only provide assurance of safety during equipment operations but also ensure compatibility with all types of industrial equipment around the world. The peak output of 150% is particularly well suited to industrial automation and electromechanical systems with high instantaneous loads. The LRS-1200 has already been introduced in a number of applications encompassing industrial control systems, new energy devices, and cooling modules. Customer feedback has been generally positive. The new product has demonstrated clear advantages over legacy products in terms of flexibility on space-saving installations and power efficiency, further boosting its over cost-effectiveness and application value.Towards Smart Power and One-Stop SolutionsIn the future, MEAN WELL will continue to uphold the core strategy of "4S3H" by strengthening its system integration capability and the competitiveness of its products. "4S" stands for Software, System, Solution, and Service with an emphasis on software-hardware integration and application-oriented development; "3H" emphasizes high added value, high cost-effectiveness, and high output by upgrading the technical sophistication and range of applications for standard products. With the launch of the LRS-1200 high-power, compact PSU, MEAN WELL will continue to release more high power density, compact footprint, high efficiency, and smart solutions, aiming to deliver a one-stop, high-value, high-performance PSU service model.At the same time, MEAN WELL consolidates its R&D resources in Taiwan and China, and collaborating with ESG-aligned partners to co-develop product bundles featuring smart control and system scalability. These will have widespread applications in the industrial automation, LED lighting, medical, energy and information fields. All new products will undergo multi-national safety certifications to ensure compliance and readiness for global markets, enabling MEAN WELL to continue delivering stable, reliable, and sustainable PSU solutions.The next-gen LRS-1200 series offers higher efficiency in a smaller size, with MEAN WELL's trusted reliability - ideal for compact, high-power applicationsPhoto: MEAN WELL

YMIN today announced its next-generation conductive polymer tantalum capacitors designed to address the growing challenges of power integrity and system reliability in enterprise solid-state drives (SSDs). As AI, machine learning, and big data workloads drive unprecedented performance demands in data centers, ensuring stable power delivery and data integrity has become mission-critical for storage devices.Enterprise SSDs operate continuously under high-performance workloads, often in harsh environments, making them vulnerable to risks such as sudden power loss, voltage instability, and component degradation. One of the most critical issues is the potential loss of cached data during unexpected outages. YMIN's capacitors deliver high capacitance and rapid discharge capability, enabling complete cache write-back within milliseconds and safeguarding valuable data against power interruptions.High-frequency current stress during intensive I/O operations can trigger voltage fluctuations that cause bit errors or damage to SSD components. YMIN's low-ESR conductive polymer tantalum capacitors effectively suppress power rail noise, reduce ripple voltage, and ensure stable power delivery to critical storage components, even under heavy load conditions.Reliability is equally essential in 24/7 enterprise environments where SSDs must withstand elevated temperatures, vibration, and limited space. YMIN's capacitors are engineered for high reliability, exceptional thermal and mechanical resilience, and long operational life. Their compact form factor offers high capacitance density, making them ideal for space-constrained SSD designs while supporting frequent charge-discharge cycles without performance degradation.By combining robust energy storage, superior filtering capabilities, and environmental durability, YMIN's conductive polymer tantalum capacitors - as advanced SSD capacitors - provide a reliable solution for enhancing SSD power architectures. This innovation helps enterprise storage systems maintain data security, improve system stability, and achieve long-term operational efficiency in the demanding era of AI and big data.Author: Shanghai Yongming Electronics Co., Ltd.Contact: ymin-sale@ymin.comSolid State Driver (SSD)New tantalum capacitor with ultra-high capacitance densitySSD capacitor recommendation from YMIN