Embedded

At Embedded World 2021 digital, congatec unveiled its latest SMARC 2.1 modules based on the NXP i.MX 8M Plus processor. The conga-SMX8-Plus modules feature four quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 based NXP i.MX 8M Plus processors and are intended for low power, embedded vision and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

The low power SMARC 2.1 Computer-on-Modules have machine and deep learning capabilities, which allow industrial embedded 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.

The Arm Cortex-A53 based quad-core processor platform includes an integrated neural processing unit (NPU) for AI computational power and an image signal processor (ISP) for parallel real-time processing of high resolution images and video streams from the two integrated MIPI-CSI camera interfaces.

The ecosystem includes application-ready 3.5-inch carrier boards, Basler camera and AI software stack support. The credit card sized modules are intended for use in smart farming and industrial manufacturing, retail, as well as transportation, smart cities and smart buildings.

The i.MX 8M Plus processor-based SMARC modules enable responsive embedded vision and AI applications with a low power envelope. The neural processing unit (NPU) adds 2.3Toperations per second of dedicated AI computational power to the four multi-purpose Arm Cortex-A53 processor cores.

The integrated ISP processes full HD video streams with up to 3x 60 frames per second for video enhancement. There is also a DSP for local speech recognition without any cloud connection.

The module’s Cortex-M7 real-time control together with a time synchronised networking capable Ethernet port.

In addition to the encryption module (CAAM) for hardware-accelerated ECC and RSA encryption, the Arm TrustZone also integrates the resource domain controller (RDC) for isolated execution of critical software. The secure high assurance boot mode prevents the execution of unauthorised software during boot.

The SMARC 2.1 modules operate at the industrial (0°C to +60°C) or extended (-40°C to +85°C) temperature ranges. They also have in-line ECC for up to 6Gbyte LPDDR4 memory.

The modules can drive up to three independent displays and provide hardware accelerated video decoding and encoding including H.265 for high resolution camera streams delivered by two integrated MIPI-CSIs to be sent directly to the network.

For data storage, there is up to 128Gbyte eMMC, which can also operate in safe pSLC mode. Peripheral interfaces include one PCIe Gen 3, two USB 3.0, three USB 2.0, four UART as well as two CAN FD and 14 GPIO.

For real-time networking, the module offers 1x Gbit with time sensitive networking (TSN) support plus conventional GbE.

An optional M.2 WiFi and Bluetooth LE card adds wireless connectivity. Linux, Yocto 2.0 and Android operating systems are supported.

https://www.congatec.com

Infineon Technology claims that its latest AIROC devices are the industry’s first 1×1 Wi-Fi 6/6E and Bluetooth 5.2 combo SoC for the IoT, enterprise and industrial applications, and the first 2×2 Wi-Fi 6/6E and Bluetooth 5.2 combo SoC for multimedia, consumer and automotive applications.

The Wi-Fi 6/6E devices operate in the 2.4, 5.0 and the new, greenfield 6.0GHz spectrum for minimal latency. Intended uses are for high quality video and audio streaming applications like gaming consoles, augment reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), smart speakers, media-streaming devices and automotive infotainment as well as applications that require an instant response, such as security systems and industrial automation.

The Bluetooth 5.2 technology enables high quality audio with LC3 and enable new Bluetooth Low Energy audio use cases such as audio sharing and audio broadcast. The low power wake-on-Bluetooth Low Energy mode allows the host CPU to conserve power while the Bluetooth core autonomously ‘listens’ for incoming connection requests.  Infineon’s unique Smart Coex maximises Wi-Fi throughput when used concurrently with Bluetooth, and optimises the device for multimedia use cases.

The AIROC Wi-Fi 6/6E-certified devices double the wireless coverage range, compared with Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 4 and deliver 40 per cent more coverage than typical Wi-Fi 6/6E solutions, says Infineon. The robust connection enhances interference mitigation while the low latency and co-existence of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth improve multimedia streaming and gaming responsiveness in overlapping network environments, reports Infineon.

Multi-layer security protections with secured boot, firmware authentication and encryption, and lifecycle management, introduce a higher level of security for IoT applications.

The AIROC Wi-Fi 6 / 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 combo is currently sampling to select customers.

It will be on display at Infineon’s virtual Embedded Solutions Conference 2021 (1 – 5 March): www.infineon.com/embeddedworld

NXP has introduced the i.MX 9 applications processors, which integrate dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) to accelerate machine learning (ML).

The i.MX 9 series is NXP’s first implementation of the Arm Ethos U-65 microNPU, which makes it possible to build low cost, highly efficient AI in embedded devices. They also implement NXP’s Energy Flex architecture which can be used by developers to optimise energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint while extending battery life, says the company.

The i.MX 9 series is intended to expand machine learning capabilities at the edge for performance-intensive systems which require low power connectivity and machine learning acceleration options. Typical uses will be factory and process automation, transportation, robotics and industry 4.0, together with machine learning with time sensitive networking (TSN) technology, they will enhance performance graphics, vision and enable emerging technologies.

Specific i.MX 9 applications processors will also enable advanced machine learning, including multi object, multi-face recognition with inference in milliseconds and voice based system which will recognise natural language and accents. There will also be sequence analysis for gesture recognition and processors will be able to detect anomalies in industrial systems for predictive maintenance and in synthetic sensors for smart homes and other IoT applications.

The first families in this series will be built in 16/12nm FinFET process technology with specific low power optimisation. The i.MX 9’s Energy Flex architecture combines heterogeneous domain processing (independent applications processor and real-time domains with a separate low power, multimedia domain), design techniques, and process technology to maximise performance efficiency, explains NXP.

For example, low power audio use cases can be powered by the real time domain, where audio can run when the rest of the processor is switched off. The real time domain is also suited to industrial applications such as the CAN network which requires a fast boot (less than 100 milliseconds).

Also included in the i.MX 9 processors is the EdgeLock secure enclave. This is a self-managed, autonomous on-die security IP in the SoC architecture. It simplifies the implementation of complex security with autonomous management of security functions, including silicon root of trust, run-time attestation, trust provisioning and SoC secure boot enforcement. There are also crypto services for advanced attack resistance and to simplifying security certifications. The EdgeLock secure enclave intelligently tracks power transitions when end-user applications are running on the device to help prevent new attack surfaces from emerging.

For edge to the cloud security, specific members of the i.MX 9 series will be Microsoft Azure Sphere-certified.

The i.MX9 application processors will find applications in smart homes, smart cities and public safety systems, fleet management, farming and agriculture, consumer audio, healthcare and energy applications where low power connectivity and machine learning acceleration options are necessary.

http://www.nxp.com