Impulse Embedded introduces Vecow’s workstation for rail and AIoT

The IVX-1000 is a rugged in-vehicle computing workstation by Vecow. It is designed for railway and AIoT (AI of things) / industry 4.0 applications and is available from Impulse Embedded.

The updated workstation is powered by the latest Intel 13th Gen Core i9, i7, i5, and i3 processors and has a wide, 16V to 160V DC input with 500V surge protection. The EN50155-compliant system can be used for AI-enabled in-vehicle applications such as ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems), public safety and mobile communications as well as AIoT / Industry 4.0 applications. 

The IVX-1000 has an LGA1700 CPU socket that can support Intel’s 13th and 12th Gen Core processors, (code names Alder Lake and Raptor Lake) including the high-performance 24 Core i9-13900E processor. This is a mixed core CPU, with eight Performance (P) hyper-threaded cores and eight Efficient (E) cores. The E cores can focus on background tasks, whilst the P cores run the more demanding applications uninterrupted. The IVX-1000 also features two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 64Gbyte of 4800MHz DDR5 memory.

There is a variety of high speed I/O such as four 10Gbits per second USB3.2 Gen2 ports and nine 2.5G Network ports, supporting TSN (time sensitive networking), for high speed edge communication standards. This allows critical information to be transmitted and acted on in real time. 

Eight of these ports feature X-coded M12 connectors to maintain and secure connection in high vibration areas. Four of the M12 ports offer PoE+, with 25.5W / 48V per port power for use with IP cameras and other PoE powered devices, advised Impulse Embedded. 

There is also an M.2 3042 B-key socket, suitable for 5G modules, one M.2 2230 E-key for Wi-Fi, and one mini PCIe slot for expansion modules. Quad display output is also standard, via two DisplayPort outputs and two HDMI ports. 

For storage, there are two SATA III ports, one mSATA connector, and one M.2. 2280 M-key (PCIe x4) socket. Some models offer removable storage via easy to access front mount caddies.

https://www.impulse-embedded.co.uk/ 

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FlightSense multi-zone distance sensor has camera-like field of view

STMicroelectronics has identified that sensors bring lifelike situational awareness to numerous types of smart equipment. It has released its latest FlightSense multi-zone distance sensor with what it claimed is an industry-best 90 degree field of view to enhance privacy-protected multi-zone ranging, object detection and scene mapping.

The field of view is 33 per cent larger than the previous generation, said the company. The optical sensors bring situational awareness to applications like home automation, domestic appliances, computers, robots, and smart equipment used in stores, factories.

Unlike camera sensors, which are sometimes positioned for these tasks, Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors like ST’s new VL53L7CX announced today do not capture images and thus ensure full privacy for users. The VL53L7CX extends the field of view to an unprecedented 90° (diagonal) for enhanced peripheral sensing, almost equivalent to that of a camera. This enhances the performance of presence detection and system activation, such as activating a screen or waking an appliance like an oven or coffee machine.

ST’s FlightSense multi-zone sensors have powerful capabilities including 3D scene mapping and simultaneously measuring distance to multiple objects in multiple zones. The multi-zone capability and the motion indicator allow use in applications like people detection and tracking, over-shoulder warning, occupancy detection, and storage / parking management.

The sensor enhances the performance of applications such as smart waste-management for tracking full and empty bins. It can also improve floor sensing, cliff prediction, obstacle avoidance, and small-object detection for robots. Further applications include keystone correction in projectors and extended hand tracking for gesture recognition using the STGesture software pack.

The VL53L7CX has native 64-zone (8 x 8) sensing and can measure distance to multiple objects in each zone, up to 3500mm. ST-patented histogram algorithms allow multi-target detection and measurement within the field of view, as well as smudge immunity above 600mm. 

The linearity is consistent when measuring distance to objects as close as 20mm. 

In low power mode, the sensor consumes just 5.4mW. The VL53L7CX can operate in autonomous mode that allows the host system to power down and wake only when a threshold value is reached. Thresholds include distance to nearest object, signal rate, and detection of motion. The sensor is pin-to-pin and driver compatible with the previous generation device, VL53L5CX.

Design-in support includes the VL53L7CX Expansion board (X-NUCLEO-53L7A1) and a development pack that includes the VL53L7CX board with an additional STM32F401 Nucleo board. The SATEL-VL53L7CX, a small-outline PCB for easy integration and fast prototyping, is also available.

A full set of software is available to make user development easier, including the Ultra Lite Driver, Linux driver, and STGesture code examples. The X-CUBE-TOF1 software pack for fast STM32 microcontroller programming contains application code examples and is compatible with the STM32CubeMX tools.

The VL53L7CX is in production now and available in a 6.4 x 3.0 x 1.6mm miniature optical LGA16 package.

http://www.st.com

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Rutronik signs Europe and Israel distribution deal with MediaTek 

Independent distributor, Rutronik, has signed a franchise agreement with fabless semiconductor company, MediaTek to distribute MediaTek’s portfolio of IoT chipsets in Europe and Israel. 

Its Genio processors offer fast multi-core performance with high energy efficiency, making them suitable for robotics, industrial automation and IoT applications. 

The agreement adds another semiconductor company to Rutronik’s linecard. MediaTek specialises in developing SoCs for mobile, home entertainment, connectivity and IoT products. The Genio series targets brands developing consumer, enterprise, and industrial smart applications at the premium, mid-range and entry levels. Rutronik will help distribute the Genio processors to customers that are designing smart home appliances, industrial automation applications, robotics, POS (point of sale) devices, digital signage, and other IoT applications.

“For us, customer orientation and future viability means offering precisely those products that are currently in demand or will be in demand. MediaTek’s innovative components and technologies add real value to our line card. The symbiosis of high-performance components and our know-how fulfills exactly what our customers expect from us as a distributor,” said Reza Armin Maghdounieh, vice president product marketing, semiconductors at Rutronik.

MediaTek said its Genio series combines quality, robustness and longevity. It offers fast multi-core performance with high energy efficiency, even for computationally intensive applications, said the company. Its development environment allows designers to customise products using Yocto Linux, Ubuntu, and Android and MediaTek’s development kits help to reduce the costs of development in the long term and accelerate time to market. 

In addition, Rutronik’s Embedded portfolio offers board-level solutions from manufacturers including Advantech, Kontron, Seco, and VIA in different form factors using the Genio chipsets. For customers, this means a fully comprehensive ecosystem from the product to the design and the solution, said Rutronik.

“We are continuing to see a strong demand for consumer, enterprise, and industrial smart applications, so we look forward to working closely with Rutronik to help brands bring intelligent devices to market faster,” said Richard Lu, vice president of MediaTek’s IoT business unit.  

He hoped: “As the largest European distributor, Rutronik will help us to further expand our IoT footprint in the region.” 

http://www.rutronik.com

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Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and dual-mode Bluetooth 5.3 module is automotive-grade

In order to prevent wireless network congestion in a vehicle and enhance audio functionalities, the u-blox JODY-W5 is an automotive-grade module with Bluetooth LE Audio. It has a compact form factor and operates in  temperatures up to 105 degrees C. 

It blends dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and dual-mode Bluetooth 5.3 technologies, including LE Audio, and is described as both cost-effective and compact while enabling different antenna configurations. 

The u-blox JODY-W5 can be used in helmet-to-helmet communication for two-wheel vehicles, EV charging solutions such as link/device configuration and data charging via an access point, telematics control and head units such as diagnostics and software updates. It can also be used for infotainment with rear seat entertainment connectivity, smartphone tethering and hands-free calling. 

The module is available in two operating temperature variants, operating at up to +85 and +105 degrees C meeting Automotive Grade 2 requirements. On request, the JODY-W5 provides an LTE-coexistence filter and antenna configurations. It is pin compatible with other u-blox JODY modules for ease of migration, design flexibility and upgradability while saving time and cost.  

Enhanced security features support secure boot and over-the-air firmware updates, key management, and hardware encryption for critical protocol keys with NXP Semiconductors’ EdgeLock Secure Subsystem, built into NXP’s AW611. These features reduce implementation efforts considerably said u-blox, while helping avoid costly security incidents. 

“By integrating the AW611 into the JODY-W5 module, we extend our partnership with u-blox, offering a solution that balances the trade-off between the adoption of latest technologies and product cost,” said Larry Olivas, general manager and vice president, Wireless Connectivity Solutions, NXP Semiconductors. 

The JODY-W5 module covers RF design and certification requirements for end devices use and applications, which can be extended globally upon request, said Sebastian Schreiber, Product Strategy, Short Range Radio, at u-blox.

The globally certified module minimises the need for specific radio testing, explained u-blox, enabling a faster time to market. The first samples will be available by the end of the third quarter of 2023.

http://www.u-blox.com

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