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A 3D face recognition access control systems uses  NXP Semiconductor’s crossover MCU with a 3D camera to enable faster secure face recognition under challenging lighting conditions.

The 3D structured light module (SLM) camera is combined with the i.MX RT117F crossover MCU and is believed to be the first time a 3D SLM camera has been combined with an MCU to deliver the performance and security of 3D face recognition at the edge. It therefore removes the need to use an expensive and power-hungry Linux implementation on a microprocessor which is conventionally the case with high-performance 3D cameras, reports NXP.

The i.MX RT117F MCU is part of the i.MX RT1170 family of crossover MCUs. It is based on an Arm Cortex-M7 CPU with 2Mbyte of on-chip SRAM, running at up to 1GHz. 

The turnkey system is the latest EdgeReady solution from NXP. It enables developers of smart locks and other access control systems to add machine learning-based secure face recognition quickly and easily to smart home and smart building products. Reliable 3D face recognition can be achieved in indoor and outdoor applications, across varied lighting conditions, including bright sunlight, dim night light, or other difficult lighting conditions that are challenging for traditional face recognition systems.

The use of a 3D SLM camera enables advanced liveness detection, helping distinguish a real person from spoofing techniques, such as a photograph, imitator mask or a 3D model, to prevent unauthorised access.

The i.MX RT117F uses an advanced machine learning model as part of NXP’s eIQ machine learning software running on its CPU core.

 Advanced liveness detection and face recognition are performed locally at the edge, making it possible for personal biometric data to remain on the device. This helps address consumer privacy concerns, while also eliminating the latency associated with cloud-based solutions.

The development kit for this 3D face recognition system, the SLN-VIZN3D-IOT, will be available later in November from NXP and authorised distributors.

The i.MX RT117F includes a license to use the NXP 3D face recognition software development kit (SDK), and is available in consumer, industrial and automotive temperature grades.

http://www.nxp.com

Computer on Modules (CoMs) specifically designed for industrial-grade edge appliances have been announced by congatec.

According to Martin Danzer, congatec’s director of product marketing, the modules are qualified for applications exposed to extreme shock and vibrations. All provide the opportunity to deploy TSN (time sensitive networking) -capable real-time connected over the air (OTA) services and device2x communication. There are also  virtual machine implementations available, he adds, for enabling different tasks and domains on a single device. Target applications range from high-end edge servers to low power client platforms, confirmed Danzer.

Two module families are based on the COM-HPC specification. The conga-HPC/cTLU and conga-HPC/cTLH COM-HPC Client modules are based on the 11th Gen Intel Core vPro, Intel Xeon W-11000E and Intel Celeron processors. They are intended for demanding IoT gateway and edge computing applications requiring high bandwidth with up to 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. 

A congatec starter set is available for both module families. The starter set includes the conga-HPC/EVAL-Client carrier board, which is based on the ATX form factor. Engineers can use standard PC components for their embedded system designs. 

Another highlight for 5G platform designs is congatec’s COM Express portfolio. This now includes the COM Express Type 6 conga-TS570 modules based on the new Tiger Lake H processors. They are suitable for connected real-time IIoT gateway, edge computing and micro server workloads. For demanding transportation and mobility applications requiring high computing performance in a rugged shape, the Intel 11th Gen Core-based modules are able to operate in extreme temperature ranges of -40 to +85 degrees C. For 24/7 connected fanless embedded systems, the conga-TCV2 COM Express Compact Computer-on-Modules based on AMD Ryzen Embedded V2000 processors are another option, advises congatec. 

The modules are tailored for 5G connected and solar powered distributed process controls in smart energy grids, remote train and wayside systems, connected autonomous vehicles, and mobile outdoor equipment with limited battery capacity. The range includes Intel Atom x6000E Series, Intel Celeron and Pentium N and J Series processors on SMARC, Qseven, COM Express Compact and COM Express Mini CoM standards, as well as Pico-ITX SBCs.

For OEMs requiring 5G connected edge server level computing power, congatec’s COM Express Type 7 Server-on-Modules based on the AMD EPYC 3000 Embedded processors support up to 16 cores. Multiple cores open more options to consolidate workloads by using virtual machines on the basis of hypervisor technology from Real-Time Systems. The EPYC 3000 Embedded processors consume up to 100W TDP, so congatec has also designed cooling to ease system integration.

SMARC and Qseven platforms based on NXP i.MX 8 processor technologies for 5G includes low power SMARC and Qseven modules with machine and deep learning capabilities. They can be used in systems to see and analyse their surroundings for situational awareness, visual inspection, identification, surveillance and tracking, as well as gesture-based contactless machine operation and augmented reality. Typical examples of use will be e-charging infrastructures which require load balancing logic for various distributed charging columns and 5G connectivity for payment, services and management. 

http://www.congatec.com