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Renesas adds three motor control MCU groups drawn from multiple families

Wed, May 31, 2023

Targeting motor control applications, Renesas Electronics has introduced three microcontroller (MCU) groups, including devices from its RX and RA families.

There are two new MCU groups from the RA family of Arm Cortex-M devices. The RA4T1 Group delivers 100MHz performance with up to 256kbyte of flash and 40kbyte SRAM. The MCUs are based around 100MHz Arm Cortex-M33 CPU cores with TrustZone and have integrated flash memory options from 128kbyte to 256kbyte and 40kbyte SRAM. In addition to an integrated trigonometric function unit as a hardware accelerator, they feature integrated analogue functions, including 12bit ADC, PGA, comparator and 12bit DAC. The MCUs are available in 32- to 64-pin packages options.

The second addition is the RA6T3 Group which offers 200MHz operating frequency and provides 256kbyte of flash and 40kbyte SRAM. These are based around a 200MHz Arm Cortex-M33 CPU core with TrustZone and have integrated flash memory of 256kbyte and 40kbyte SRAM. They have the same analogue functions as the RA4T1 Group and integrated communications options including USB 2.0, CAN FD, I3C, SCI and SPI. They are available in package options from 32- to 64-pin.

Both new groups offer features and functions specifically for motor control applications, including trigonometric function units (TFUs) for acceleration, advanced ADC with integrated PGA (programmable gain amplifier), with a choice of communication interfaces including CAN FD.

The MCUs are supported by the Renesas Flexible Software Package (FSP) to allow designers to port designs from other RA family devices.

Another introduction is the RX26T Group of MCUs from the RX family operating at 120MHz with up to 512kbyte of flash memory and 64kbyte SRAM. Renesas claimed that it has industry-leading real-time performance of 120MHz with no-wait flash memory access. The MCUs support 5.0V power supplies with high noise immunity and control accuracy, added Renesas. They also provide TFUs, on-chip timing, and interrupt control. Designers using Renesas’ RX24T MCUs can scale designs to the RX26T devices to take advantage of existing design software while realising performance and control efficiency improvements, said Renesas.

All of the new MCUs are available now and supported by Renesas’ Flexible Motor Control development kit that enables easy evaluation of motor control using permanent magnet synchronous motors (brushless DC motors), and the Renesas Motor Workbench development tool.

http://www.renesas.com

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Secure i.MX 91 processors bring Linux to the edge, says NXP

Wed, May 31, 2023

Bringing Linux capabilities to “thousands of edge applications” the i.MX 9 series of processors streamlines the development of cost-optimised edge devices that require security, performance and Linux support in a scalable, reliable platform, said NXP Semiconductors.

The processors are designed for the next generation of Linux-based IoT and industrial applications.

Emerging protocols, such as Matter or the ISO 15118-20 standard for electric vehicle (EV) chargers, create inflection points for new products, many of which rely on Linux for use in IoT and industrial markets. The i.MX 91 family has been developed to enable users to quickly create new Linux-based edge devices, such as home controllers, connected appliances, home entertainment, industrial scanning and printing, building control, EV chargers and medical platforms, advised NXP.

The i.MX 91 is the entry point of the i.MX 9 series and has hardware and software commonality with NXP’s i.MX 93 family.

It will “provide the foundation for thousands of new device classes, with its high performance, connectivity and EdgeLock secure enclave setting a new standard for Linux platforms across IoT and industrial applications,” said Charles Dachs, senior vice president and general manager, of industrial and IoT edge, at NXP. He continued: “The i.MX 91 family enables the rapid development of platforms that may easily pivot into new markets and new applications, leveraging existing investments and streamlining product line updates.”

The i.MX 91 applications processor features an Arm Cortex-A55 running at up to 1.4GHz with support for LPDDR4 memory and dual Gigabit Ethernet for gateway or multi-network segment support. There are also dual USB ports and I/O for products in smart factory, smart home, smart office, medical device, metering and cost-optimised system on module platforms.

An integrated EdgeLock secure enclave provides lifecycle management, tamper detection, secure boot, and a simplified path to certifications. These important security capabilities are easily accessed by the developers through NXP-provided security software enablement.

The i.MX 91 family is available with NXP’s co-developed and cost-optimised power management solution, available as part of the i.MX 93 family ecosystem. The evaluation kits and software packages for the i.MX 91 family integrate with NXP’s scalable wireless portfolio which includes the IW612, the industry’s first monolithic tri-radio family that supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and 802.15.4. The IW612, focused on Matter, frees consumers from the restrictions of single-protocol ecosystems, allowing them to enjoy seamless interoperability across different ecosystems and wireless network technologies.

NXP’s i.MX applications processors are available worldwide through distributors and eTailers. They are enabled by NXP software, a broad ecosystem of tools and software, and comprehensive support. To help ensure a stable supply of products for embedded designs, all i.MX 8 series and i.MX 9 series products are guaranteed for a minimum of 15 years of availability as members of the NXP product longevity programme.

NXP expects to enable select customers with i.MX 91 development platforms in the second half of 2023 as part of the early access programme.

http://www.nxp.com

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Bota Systems brings a touch of torque to robotics

Wed, May 31, 2023

Multi-axis force torque sensor developer, Bota Systems has partnered with robotic expert, Kinova, to develop a mounting kit designed to support developers integrate the six-axis Bota SensONE force torque sensor on a Kinova Gen3 robot arm.

The force torque sensor enhances the end-effector force torque sensitivity of the robot, said Bota, adding that the mounting kit eases installation using the few screws supplied with the kit.

Rodolphe Rosset, sales director, research and academic at Kinova, said: “While our Gen3 robot already has a built-in torque sensor, adding the Bota sensor takes its precision and sensitivity to a whole new level – meeting the demands from research laboratories for higher precision and higher sensitivity.”

A robotic force torque sensor measures force and torque when they are applied on its surface. By using the measured signals in real-time feedback control, robots can perform challenging interaction tasks. The sensor used most commonly in robotics of this type is a six-axis sensor, which measures forces and torques on three axes each.

The mounting kit will be shown at ICRA in London (29 May to 2 June) alongside Bota’s MiniONE sensor. This is the company’s smallest sensor to date. The six-axis sensor enhances micro-robotic systems with haptic feedback. It is simple to install between a robot arm and almost any end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), said Bota.

It weighs only 30g and has a tiny footprint with a diameter of 30mm and a depth of 22.2mm, making the MiniONE suitable for medical applications, product testing and precision tasks like micro-assembly and micro-polishing. It provides a low-noise signal with high sensitivity and outstanding drift performance, claimed Bota.

The MiniONE requires no external hardware for operation, added the company, It includes temperature sensors and built-in filters, making it easy to program and set-up.

Bota Systems develops and manufactures multi-axis force-torque sensors, torque sensors and custom sensors. Founded in 2020 as a spin-off from ETH Robotic Systems Lab, Bota Systems is based in Zurich, Switzerland. Its sensors give machines the sense of touch, and the company’s vision is for robots to work and move safely, and as naturally and freely as humans.

Bota Systems’ team of robotic, software, and mechanical engineers develops highly-integrated and advanced sensors to support a wide range of applications, across both research and industry.

http://www.botasys.com

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DFI focuses on AI edge for smart transportation

Wed, May 31, 2023

At Computex Taipei this week, embedded motherboard and industrial computer specialist, DFI has introduced its low power vehicle system, based on Arm architecture.

The high performance computing micro-industrial motherboard is compact, allowing it to overcome space limitations in roadside equipment. It can be used for people flow identification in vehicle systems. DFI said it can improve energy efficiency and provide safety for future cities through intelligent, automated and miniaturised product design.

Exhibiting in the BenQ Group Computex Smart+ exhibition stand number MO619a at Computex Taipei (30 May to 2 June) at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan, DFI has actively deployed smart transportation solutions to upgrade public infrastructure, lower operating costs and increase efficiency, said DFI president, Alexander Su.

DFI’s smart transportation embedded solutions support road and information security. The company has joined VicOne, a vehicle information security company and IoT system integration company, 5GIoTLead Technology, to introduce in-vehicle cybersecurity technology and the 5G Smart Pole Management platform, which demonstrate simulations of smart traffic intersections.

Another highlight is the miniature industrial fanless EC70A-TGU, equipped with the 11th generation Intel Tiger Lake Core processor. This processor has low power consumption and built-in GPU based on the Intel Iris Xe architecture, for edge computing. The fanless design allows the EC70A-TGU to be light and compact. Its accurate AI judgment also considers performance and real-time responses, making it ideal for handling heavy workloads, said DFI.

The EC70A-TGU can perform real-time AI calculations and speed up pedestrian recognition, tracking, and video streaming. It can also identify violations committed by others and synchronously send the information to the smart pole management platform, providing a real-time visual dashboard and data control to enhance management efficiency.

Another innovation is the VC900-M8M in-vehicle system which adopts low power ARM architecture and supports in-vehicle information security software.

The VC900-M8M, with ARM-based NXP i.MX8M CPU, can support Yocto Linux 2.5 and Android 9.0 operating systems. It has a variety of I/O configurations and features an anti-vibration design and wide operating temperature range to allow the vehicle to function even in extreme environments, said DFI.

The VC900-M8M has a built-in six-axis IMU sensor, which monitors vehicle and driver behaviour to prevent speeding, sudden braking, and collisions. It can also manage abnormal signals and provide real-time warnings.

https://www.dfi.com/

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Renesas adds three motor control MCU groups drawn from multiple families

Secure i.MX 91 processors bring Linux to the edge, says NXP

Bota Systems brings a touch of torque to robotics

DFI focuses on AI edge for smart transportation

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