Latest News

AI computer holds promise for millions of intelligent systems

Wed, Mar 20, 2019

At this week’s GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, California this week, Nvidia has announced an artificial intelligence (AI) computer that makes it possible to create millions of intelligent systems.

There are two versions of the Nvidia CUDA-X Jetson Nano computer, a $99 development kit for developers and makers, and a production-ready module, priced at $129 for companies to create mass-market edge systems.

The small CUDA-X AI computer delivers 472GFLOPS of compute performance for running modern AI workloads and is power-efficient, consuming as little as 5W.

Jetson Nano supports high-resolution sensors, can process many sensors in parallel and can run multiple modern neural networks on each sensor stream. It also supports many popular AI frameworks, allowing developers to integrate preferred models and frameworks.

The Jetson Nano developer kit is priced to bring the power of modern AI to a low-cost platform, for makers, inventors, developers and students to build AI projects, for example mobile robots and drones, digital assistants and automated appliances.

The kit includes support for full desktop Linux and is compatible with many popular peripherals and accessories. Ready-to-use projects and tutorials are included to help makers get started with AI fast.

The Jetson Nano module can be used in embedded applications, including network video recorders, home robots and intelligent gateways with full analytics capabilities.

The design includes power management, clocking, memory and fully accessible input/outputs. The AI workloads are entirely software defined, allowing companies to update performance and capabilities even after the system has been deployed.

To help customers easily move AI and machine learning (ML) workloads to the edge, Nvidia has worked with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to qualify AWS Internet of Things Greengrass to run optimally with Jetson-powered devices such as Jetson Nano.

Nvidia CUDA-X is made up of over 40 acceleration libraries for graphics processing unit (GPU) -accelerated computing. JetPack SDK is built on CUDA-X and is a complete AI software stack with accelerated libraries for deep learning, computer vision, computer graphics and multimedia processing that supports all of the Nvidia Jetson family, including Jetson AGX Xavier for fully autonomous machines and Jetson TX2 for AI at the edge.

JetPack includes the latest versions of CUDA, cuDNN, TensorRT and a full desktop Linux OS.

A reference platform has also be created to minimise the time spent on initial hardware assembly.

http://www.nvidia.com

> Read More

Small PoL DC/DC converter eases power management integration

Tue, Mar 19, 2019

TDK claims that its FS1406 uPOL point of load (PoL) DC/DC converter is the smallest available. It is scalable and configurable, with multi-time programmable memory.

It is designed for big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G cells, IoT and computing enterprise applications.

While conventional DC/DC converters use side by side discrete integrated circuit (IC) and discrete inductor (L) the FS series integrates the IC and inductor in a compact 3.3 x 3.3 x 1.5mm package. It is particularly suitable for space-constrained applications requiring a low-profile power source, adds TDK.

The DC/DC converter minimises the external components required and its simplified design eases integration. The FS series can deliver a high density solution of 1W per mm3, while reducing size by 50 per cent, compared with other products available in its class, says TDK. This minimises system solution cost, reduces board size and assembly costs, as well as bill of materials and PCB costs. The DC/DC converter operates at a broad junction temperature range, from -40 to +125 degrees C.

uPOL products were developed by TDK’s Faraday Semi company. They combine high-performance semiconductors in advanced packaging technologies such as semiconductor embedded in substrate (SESUB) and advanced electronic components to achieve system integration in a smaller size and lower profile by 3D integration. This integration allows TDK to deliver higher efficiency and ease of use at a lower total system cost to what is currently available today.

μPOL technology includes a DC/DC converter placed in the vicinity of complex chipsets such as ASICs, FPGAs. It is by minimising the distance between the converter and the chipset, that the resistance and the inductance components are minimised, allowing fast response and accurate regulation with dynamic load currents.

The product family is rated for industrial application, is lead free and is RoHS- compliant.

Mass production of FS1406 is expected to begin in Q3 2019.

https://www.global.tdk.com

> Read More

Connect Tech adds AI computer to Sentry-X range

Mon, Mar 18, 2019

Nvidia Jetson ecosystem partner, Connect Tech, has released an Nvidia Jetson AGX Xavier Rugged Box. The Jetson AGX Xavier is a powerful artificial intelligence (AI) computer that provides high-end graphics processing unit (GPU) workstation performance in a compact package that operates under 30W.

Connect Tech’s Sentry-X is built around the Jetson AGX Xavier and features two GbE, three USB 3.1, two CAN 2.0b, one RS-232, one RS-422/485, one UART 3.3V TTL, and eight general purpose input/output (GPIO) ports.

Connect Tech’s Sentry-X is packaged into a rugged enclosure and designed for customers in aerospace and defence. It is designed to meet MIL-STD-810G as well as DO-160G for shock and vibration along with ingress protection of IP67.

The Sentry-X is designed to bring all the I/O out to one panel and terminate to rugged Fisher MiniMax connectors except for one USB 3.0/3.1, which also contains USB one the go (OTG), along with three status LEDs on the opposite panel. The flexible I/O front end also lends itself to 38999 or M12 style connectors.

For expansion options, mass storage can be added as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and analogue frame grabbers. The Sentry-X’s docking station allows for quick release if the removal or replacement of a Sentry-X compute module is needed.

Connect Tech specialises in small form factor, rugged computing. The company supports the Jetson AGX Xavier and Jetson TX2/TX2i/TX1 platforms and has sales and support staff that is well-versed in each Jetson module. Connect Tech offers 12 standard products for TX2/TX2i/TX1 and multiple custom design wins to take the customer’s application to market quickly.

This news story is brought to you by softei.com, the specialist site dedicated to delivering information about what’s new in the electronics industry, with daily news updates, new products and industry news.

To stay up-to-date, register to receive our weekly newsletters and keep informed of the latest technology news and new products from around the globe. Simply click this link to register here:  softei.com

http://www.connecttech.com

> Read More

Aitech integrates RedHawk Linux to Jetson-powered supercomputers

Mon, Mar 18, 2019

Two Nvidia Jetson TX2-based small form factor supercomputers have been introduced by Aitech. The military-grade A176 Cyclone and the industrial-focused A177 Twister enhance real-time computing for mission-critical applications with RedHawk Linux real time operating system (RTOS).

The combination of Jetson TX2 and the advanced development environment of RedHawk Linux are increase the power-to-performance ratio, explains Aitech.

“Guaranteeing real-time processor performance, low process-dispatch latencies and minimal process run-time jitter are challenging in a real-time operating environment,” said Dan Mor, GPGPU and HPEC product line manager at Aitech. He adds: “Using NVIDIA’s CUDA driver, combined with Concurrent Real-Time’s RedHawk Linux distribution, we can overcome many of these computing obstacles.”

Incorporating the Linux RedHawk RTOS into the Jetson artificial intelligence (AI) platform, helps advance real-time computing power. It offers field-proven, open-source Linux technology, advanced GUI debugging and analysis tools, and multi-core architecture support, to support high performance embedded computing (HPEC) systems.

RedHawk is also beneficial for complex embedded projects such as intelligent devices, advanced robotic systems and other autonomous applications. It has low latency, high determinism and debugging tools to support emerging Jetson-based products.

The compact A176 Cyclone is a military-grade, fanless, conduction-cooled, rugged general purpose graphics processing unit (GPGPU) small form factor (SFF) supercomputer that measures only 5.0 square inches (3225 square mm), while providing 1TFLOP of parallel processing, drawing less than 17W and weighing less than 2.2lbs (1kg).

It has multiple hardware I/O and software options (1553, ARINC 429, camera link/HD-SDI or composite frame grabbers) as well as internal microSD storage. The able to scale to more complex, compute intensive applications, enables fast integration that saves development time and money.

The A177 has the same functionality as the A176, but is designed for less rugged industrial environments. It handles complex computational requirements, such as managing multiple data and video streams and can also reach 1TFLOPS, while consuming only 17W. It weighs the same as the A176.

The two low-cost, low-power, size, weight and power (SWaP) -optimised) SFF GPGPUs use CUDA, deep learning acceleration capabilities and the real-time Linux software to ensure hard real-time performance, while several demanding embedded applications are running.

Typical uses include high data throughput and processing, such as image and data manipulation, application of digital filters, image and frame object edge detection, image recognition and data analysis, in a number of military (A176) and industrial (A177) applications.

https://www.rugged.com

> 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