Automotive-certified level shifters assist ADAS development

Two high-speed, automotive-compliant voltage translators for use in environments with ambient temperatures up to 125 degrees C are available from Diodes. The PI4ULS5V108Q and PI4ULS5V202Q are designed for use in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment, and telematics equipment.

Both shifters are compatible with either push-pull or open-drain connections. They have bi-directional flexibility with automatic direction sensing simplifies level shifting between bus interfaces, such as SMBus, PMBus, or I2C devices, by eliminating any requirement for a direction-control signal.

The eight-channel PI4ULS5V108Q performs up-translation at up to 100MHz and down-translation at over 100MHz. This performance makes it suitable for use in high data-rate interfaces, says the Diodes. Designers can ensure fast exchanges across SPI or other interfaces, with no limitation due to level shifting. This enables data transfers between system-on-chip (SoC) and peripheral components to be executed with optimum efficiency.

The PI4ULS5V202Q is a two-channel translator with internal 10kOhm pull-up resistors, allowing direct connection to interfaces with open-drain topology, such as I2C ports. The large maximum voltage-translation range of 1.2 to 5.5V enables the device to work with a variety of I2C chips and circuit designs. The PI4ULS5V202Q’s high-speed, one-shot detectors at the IC inputs result in fast rise and fall times. The PI4ULS5V202Q is able to support data rates of up to 20Mbits per second.

Both devices are AEC-Q100 grade 1 qualified, for automotive use and PPAP (production part approval process) -capable. They are in production at IATF 16949 certified sites.

The PI4ULS5V108Q is available now in the TSSOP-20 package and the PI4ULS5V202Q is offered in the MSOP-8 package.

Diodes manufactures and supplies application specific standard products within the broad discrete, logic, analogue, and mixed-signal semiconductor markets. Diodes serves the consumer electronics, computing, communications, industrial, and automotive markets. Products include diodes, rectifiers, transistors, MOSFETs, protection devices, function-specific arrays, single gate logic, amplifiers and comparators, Hall-effect and temperature sensors, power management devices, including LED drivers, AC/DC converters and controllers, DC/DC switching and linear voltage regulators, and voltage references along with special function devices, such as USB power switches, load switches, voltage supervisors, and motor controllers. Diodes also has timing, connectivity, switching, and signal integrity solutions for high-speed signals.

http://www.diodes.com

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Debug probes from Segger is wireless for monitoring from afar

USB and Wi-Fi interfaces are included in the J-Link WiFi, the latest member of the J-Link family of debug probes from Segger.

The company says that any software compatible with J-Link can use the J-Link WiFi model.

Removing the physical connection between J-Link and the host opens up opportunities for monitoring and debugging robots, vehicles, drones or other devices with moving parts. They can be monitored or debugged on the move or from a distance. Physical disconnection provides electrical isolation and J-Link over Wi-Fi accesses air-sealed environments.

The J-Link WiFi comes with Ozone, J-Flash, Monitor mode debugging, and unlimited flash breakpoints. It delivers a high download and debug speed that is not possible with other options such as Bluetooth.

The probe was created in response to customers’ requests, who, when using the J-Link Pro in combination with a Wi-Fi bridge, says Alex Grüner, CTO at Segger. “Now . . . this new model, [makes] J-Link debugging easily available for mobile applications. Customers can now do wireless debugging with the legendary speed and reliability of J-Link.”

Like the J-Link Pro, the J-Link WiFi is supplied with a built-in web server and can be accessed from any computer on the network or even outside using the J-Link Remote server.

Segger Microcontroller has over 25 years’ of experience in embedded computer systems, producing software libraries and offering hardware tools (for development and production) and software tools.

Segger provides a real-time operating system (RTOS) plus a complete spectrum of software libraries including communication, security, data compression and storage, user interface software and more.

The company’s professional software libraries and tools for embedded system development are designed for simple usage and are optimised for the requirements imposed by resource-constrained embedded systems. The company also supports the entire development process with affordable, high-quality, flexible, easy-to-use tools.

The company was founded in 1992 and is privately held. It has a US office in the Boston area and branch operations in Silicon Valley and the UK, with distributors on most continents.

Segger’s software is not covered by an open-source or required-attribution license and can be integrated in any commercial or proprietary product, without the obligation to disclose the combined source.

http://www.segger.com

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Aitech expands adds rugged GPGPU AI supercomputer

Based on Nvidia’s Xavier AGX , the A178 Thunder expands the general purpose graphics processing unit (GPGPU) systems available from Aitech.

According to Dan Mor, GPGPU product line manager of Aitech: “GPGPU uses a parallel structure, with multiple small cores that process multiple tasks simultaneously.  As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow and system size continues to shrink, computing systems will be expected to perform in increasingly remote, harsh environments.”

The A178 Thunder has twice as many CUDA cores as Jetson TX2-based systems as well as the addition of new Tensor cores. It is claimed to have some of the most powerful processing capabilities in a small form factor (SFF) system. The system features 512 CUDA cores and 64 of NVIDIA’s new Tensor cores.

Tensor cores in the Xavier system on module (SoM) amplify the matrix processing of large data sets for AI, by enabling higher levels of computation with lower power consumption. When the SoM is coupled with Aitech’s rugged computing expertise, the A178 Thunder handles up to 22 Tera operations per second (TOPS) to provide local processing of high volumes of data where it is needed, closest to system sensors.

The A178 Thunder incorporates two dedicated Nvidia deep learning accelerator (NVDLA) engines that provide an open-source inference design method. The system also features pre-installed Linux OS, which includes the bootloader, Linux kernel, NVIDIA drivers, an Aitech BSP and flash programming utilities.

The A178 Thunder weighs less than 2.4kg/5.5lbs and measures 215 x 81 x 172mm (8.5 x 3.2 x 6.8-inch). It is SWaP-optimised says Aitech and suitable for a number of military and defence applications, such as distributed computing and signal processing in next generation autonomous vehicles as well as surveillance, targeting and EW systems.

Seven pre-set power modes are standard on the A178 Thunder and users can create custom pre-sets with specific clocks and online cores. It also provides a wide input voltage range of 11 to 36V DC with steady state operation. Input power is protected by an EMI/RFI input filter as well as reverse polarity protection.

I/O options include Gigabit Ethernet, 10GBase-T, USB 3.0, HDMI output, UART Serial and CANbus as well as discrete and display ports. Video is simultaneously captured on up to four channels via SDI (SD/HD) or over eight channels at full frame rates using Composite (RS-170A [NTSC]/PAL) interfaces. There is also a high speed, internal NVME SSD with a storage capacity of up to 1Tbyte.

An evaluation board – the EV178 – is also available.

The A178 Thunder will be on display at NVIDIA’s GPGPU Technology Conference (GTC 2019) in Washington DC, USA (5 to 6 November), Stand 411.

http://www.aitech.com

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Rugged edge node has processing performance for smart cities

A rugged outdoor edge node from Aaeon, Atlas, is built to provide cities with flexible solutions for AI and edge computing. It has the Intel Movidius Myriad X for real-time processing for a range of smart city applications.

It is based on the compact Aaeon NanoCOM-APL board, featuring the Intel Atom x7, providing efficient computing with low power consumption. It is designed with an IP66-rated fanless chassis, for installation on any streetlight, making it easy to quickly set up and deploy, says the company. Connectivity is via Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, or even 4G/LTE for flexible communication within an edge network or with a central cloud server. The Aaeon Atlas also features built-in cameras and sensors for data collection and analysis.

An embedded Intel Movidius Myriad X vision processing unit (VPU) provides a low-power, high-performance solution for on-device AI inference. The Atlas is compatible with the Intel Distribution of OpenVINO toolkit, which includes optimisation and hardware acceleration to maximise the capabilities of the VPU

As an edge gateway, AEON Atlas can connect with up to 200 smart street lights, providing intelligent control. It has licence plate recognition AI inference to power applications such as smart street parking or detecting traffic violations or accidents. With traffic and congestion monitoring, Aaeon Atlas can optimise traffic signals in real time to help improve traffic flow. Aaeon Atlas can also anonymously detect pedestrians in crowd control and flow monitoring applications.

Established in 1992, Aaeon designs and manufactures professional intelligent IoT solutions. It provides industrial motherboards and systems, industrial displays, rugged tablets, embedded controllers, network appliances and related accessories, as well as integrated solutions. It also has the hardware and services for premier OEM/ODMs and system integrators worldwide. It is an Associate Member of the Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance and offers customised end-to-end services from initial product conceptualisation and board product development to mass manufacturing and after-sales service programs.

http://www.aaeon.com

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