NXP unveils third-generation imaging radar processors

NXP Semiconductors have unveiled its new S32R47 imaging radar processors in 16 nm FinFET technology, building on NXP’s proven expertise in the imaging radar space. The third generation of imaging radar processors delivers up to twice the processing power versus the previous generation, alongside improved system cost and power efficiency. In combination with NXP’s mmWave radar transceivers, power management and in-vehicle networking solutions, the S32R47 family meets functional safety ASIL ISO 26262 ASIL B(D) requirements and prepares the automotive industry for new levels of autonomous driving.

According to Yole Intelligence’s Status of the Radar Industry 2024 report, by 2029, approximately 40% of vehicles entering the road will be passenger cars with driving automation Level 2+(L2+)/ Level 3 (L3) as well as an increasing number of vehicles with Level 4 (L4). To serve the fast-growing autonomous driving market for SDVs, automotive OEMs and tier 1 suppliers need to improve radar performance as it is essential for safe, advanced autonomy features such as piloted driving or fully automated parking.

“The S32R47 can efficiently process three times, or more, antenna channels in real time than today’s production solutions. It enables improved imaging radar resolution, sensitivity and dynamic range – required by demanding autonomous driving use cases – while still meeting the stringent power and system cost targets set by OEMs for volume production,” said Meindert van den Beld, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Radar & ADAS.

Imaging radar leverages richer point cloud data for more detailed modelling of the environment. This is a key enabler for AI based perception systems which allow for assisted and autonomous driving in the most challenging environmental conditions, such as complex urban scenarios.

The S32R47 integrates a high-performance multi-core radar processing system, allowing denser point cloud output and enhanced algorithms that enable next-generation ADAS systems. This results in better separability of objects, improved detection reliability and more accurate classification of objects such as vulnerable road users or lost cargo.

The new solution delivers up to 2x processing performance in the radar MPU in a 38% smaller IC footprint. It also includes AI/ML support for features like enhanced Direction of Arrival (DoA) processing and object classification.

https://www.nxp.com

> Read More

AKM launches new series of power management ICs for energy harvesting

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has developed the AP4413, a new series of ultra-low current power management ICs (PMICs) ideal for battery charging systems used in energy harvesting applications. The AP4413 series enables efficient battery charging while consuming an extremely low current of 52 nA and features four variants with voltage threshold characteristics matching several common rechargeable battery types. The AP4413 comes in a tiny 3.0 × 3.0 × 0.37 mm HXQFN package and has been in mass production since February of 2025.

Equipped with AKM’s proprietary ultra-low current voltage monitoring system, the AP4413 series enables autonomous charging of a small rechargeable battery via energy harvesting, which is becoming increasingly common across a wide range of applications such as remote controls, Bluetooth trackers, and IoT sensors, which have traditionally used disposable batteries. This is particularly relevant in Europe, where the transition to rechargeable batteries is being promoted by Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 to evaluate the feasibility of phasing out disposable batteries.

These devices allow system designers to utilise small amounts of ambient environmental energy, such as indoor light and body heat, to operate a variety of electronic devices, many of which are battery-operated. This is especially beneficial for IoT environmental sensors such as CO2 monitors that are installed in locations where line power is not easily accessible, and where battery replacement would be difficult.

Using energy harvesting to charge batteries is challenging, because the harvested voltage and current tend to be small and often unstable. It is therefore essential to minimise the PMIC’s power consumption and prevent excessive charging and discharging. The AP4413 series’ ultra-low 52 nA current consumption has minimal impact on a system’s power budget, and its voltage monitoring system prevents rechargeable batteries from becoming completely discharged, allowing for quick startup and/or recovery. Furthermore, the addition of an inline capacitor allows the AP4413 series PMICs to support system operation even when the battery is completely discharged, while recharging it at the same time.

https://www.akm.com

> Read More

XENSIV magnetic switches support functional safety in automotive applications

When developing applications for autonomous driving, compliance with the ISO 26262 standard is crucial – at both the system and sensor levels. To meet these demands, Infineon has introduced the XENSIV TLE4960x magnetic switch family. Developed in accordance with ISO 26262, the TLE4960x switches integrate diagnostic functions to support functional safety applications with requirements up to ASIL B. They are the only ASIL-B-compliant switches on the market that can address a wide range of automotive applications, including window regulators, sunroof actuators, and seat adjustment. In addition, the devices are AEC-Q100 compliant and qualified to Grade 0, ensuring robust performance in harsh environments.

The TLE4960x devices are designed to measure the magnetic field orthogonal to the printed circuit board in the Z-direction and feature an open-drain output for speed information. They also include integrated overcurrent and overtemperature protection. Housed in a standardised SOT23-3 SMD package, the sensors require only 1.6 mA and operate across an extended temperature range from -40°C to 175°C. Their temperature stability makes them ideal for harsh automotive environments.

https://www.infineon.com

> Read More

Rugged Edge AI system from iBASE engineered on Jetson Orin NX/Nano

iBASE has announced the launch of the EC3100, a compact and durable edge AI system powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX and Orin Nano modules. Built to handle real-time AI workloads at the edge, the EC3100 delivers powerful performance with up to an 8-core Arm Cortex-A78AE processor and a 1024-core Ampere GPU with 32 Tensor Cores, making it well-suited for intelligent automation, robotics, and smart surveillance. Its aluminium-steel housing, wide 9V to 36V DC input, and operating temperature range of -20°C to 70°C ensure long-term reliability in tough industrial environments.

The system supports LPDDR5 memory with bandwidths up to 102.4GB/s and runs Ubuntu 22.04, fully optimised for NVIDIA’s JetPack SDK 6.2, which enables Super Mode and fires up more AI performance. It comes with rich I/O options including dual Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 ports, RS232, CANBus, line-out, mic-in, digital input/output, and a USB Type-C port with OTG and recovery support. Dual SIM sockets and three antenna jacks are also built in to support robust and flexible connectivity in field deployments.

Designed with expansion in mind, the EC3100 features an M.2 2280 M-key slot supporting PCIe NVMe storage, ensuring high-speed data access. Additional M.2 slots enable 4G/5G mobile broadband, out-of-band (OOB) 4G, and wireless communication via WiFi, Bluetooth, or GPS. For AI vision projects, the system includes Summit connectors for optional PoE board and CSI camera integration, enhancing its adaptability across edge AI use cases.

https://www.ibase.com.tw/

> Read More

About Smart Cities

This news story is brought to you by smartcitieselectronics.com, the specialist site dedicated to delivering information about what’s new in the Smart City Electronics industry, with daily news updates, new products and industry news. To stay up-to-date, register to receive our weekly newsletters and keep yourself informed on the latest technology news and new products from around the globe. Simply click this link to register here: Smart Cities Registration