Embedded

Rugged, fanless analytics computer combines AI and IOT

Thu, May 30, 2019

Real-time video and graphics analytics are combined in the PIS-5500, rugged, fanless Nvidia Quadro embedded AIoT (AI and IoT) computer from Adlink. The PIS-5500 is designed for real-time video/graphics analytics applications in the rail industry.

The rail industry is using artificial intelligence (AI) to drive efficiency, improve productivity and reduce costs. Intelligence from AI-driven systems and applications can make railway operations safer, smarter and more reliable, says Adlink, to enhance the passenger travel experience and freight logistics services. AI-driven applications only function with proper data input that is collected by many IoT devices installed in stations, on trains, and along tracks. A successful implementation of such rail applications requires a seamless integration of AI and IoT technologies, advises Adlink.

Powered by an Intel Core i7 processor and integrated Nvidia Quadro general purpose graphics processing unit (GPGPU), the EN50155-certified PIS-5500 AIoT platform is ruggedised for both wayside and onboard deployment. It has a wide range DC input and isolated I/O design, but also caters for real-time video/graphic analysis applications for today’s increasingly complex railroad operations. The target applications include but are not limited to passenger information systems, railway intrusion detection, train station surveillance, onboard video security and railway hazard detection.

Adlink’s PIS-5500 is being tested and deployed commercially by leading rail system integrators worldwide. In one application, the intelligent platform is installed on special rail inspection trains to process captured images of key wayside equipment in real-time. An algorithm driven by parallel computing and deep learning allows the application to effectively identify potential equipment faults at a train speed of 120km/h, and raise the alarm to notify maintenance crews. In another application, the PIS-5500 is used in a train station control office to analyse the real-time video stream received from the platform. The application is able to not only detect suspicious behaviours and trigger alerts, but also conduct post-event analysis.

To meet varying application requirements, the PIS-5500 is also available in variants featuring an additional two USB 2.0 via M12 connectors and two 2.5-inch SATA 6Gbit per second drive bays, as well as a version supporting +12V DC power input only.

http://www.adlinktech.com

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Compact industrial motherboard supports three displays

Thu, Apr 04, 2019

Measuring 116.8 x 111.8mm, the AIMB-U117 is a palm-sized industrial motherboard, equipped with Intel Atom E39XX  processors, three independent displays, onboard eMMC storage and extensive I/O capabilities.

Advantech has released the motherboard which supports a wide range of DC power inputs from 12 to 24V. Compliant with flexible thermal solutions designed by Advantech engineers, the AIMB-U117 supports extended operating temperatures from -20 to +70 degrees C for rigorous reliability and performance under intense conditions. Small in size, the AIMB-U117 targets multiple applications, digital signage, passenger information systems, automation, robot AGV, robotics, and vending.

The AIMB-U117 integrates an Intel Generation 9 graphics engine for improved throughput, media acceleration, and 4k2k display resolution. Display interfaces include DisplayPort1.2, HDMI1.4, and eDP (or LVDS). It supports three simultaneous, independent display outputs to deliver DirectX 12.0, OpenGL 4.4 and OpenCL 2.0 graphics and media performance. The 4096 x 2160 resolution output means the AIMB-U117 is suitable for digital signage applications requiring a slim-sized solution with high resolution graphics and up to three independent display outputs.

The AIMB-U117 offers dual GbE LAN ports, four USB 3.0, one SATAIII and two COM (RS-232, RS-422 or 485) ports. For expansion, the motherboard supports one M.2 (E key) and one full-sized MiniPCIe (colay mSATA) for modular add-on card installation. The AIMB-U117 also supports, optional, onboard eMMC storage. The optional standard protocol interfaces include one MDB and one ccTalk for vending applications. There is also one CANBus suitable for automation applications.

The AIMB-U117 is designed for wide-ranging DC power source input (12 to 24V) and features a lockable DC jack to ensure power cables remain securely connected in high vibration environments. The AIMB-U117 can be used in automation applications and/or semi-outdoor public environments where passenger information systems, signage walls, and vending machines are located such as airports or train stations.

http://www.advantech.eu

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IAR Systems updates functional safety editions of Embedded Workbench

Tue, Apr 02, 2019

Functional safety editions of the IAR Embedded Workbench embedded development toolchain now include the standard EN 50657:2017 Railways Applications – Rolling stock applications – Software on Board Rolling Stock certification as well as a later revision of the Road vehicles – Functional safety standard, or ISO 26262:2018.

Functional safety is one of the most important features in many embedded systems and companies, as proof of compliance for the tools increases cost and time of development. IAR Systems provides certified versions of the complete compiler and debugger toolchain IAR Embedded Workbench for Arm, Renesas RX, Renesas RL78, and Renesas RH850.

The build chains of IAR Embedded Workbench for Arm, RX, RL78 and RH850 have been tested and approved according to the requirements on support tools to functional safety standard IEC 61508, the standard for automotive safety-related systems ISO 26262, and the European railway standard EN 50128 and EN 50657. For Arm, RX and RL78, the certification also covers IEC 62304, defining the life cycle requirements for medical device software. The quality assurance measures allow application developers to use the tools in safety-related software development for each safety integrity level (SIL) according to IEC 61508 and each automotive safety integrity level (ASIL) of ISO 26262. IAR Embedded Workbench is certified by TÜV SÜD.

IAR Embedded Workbench provides a complete integrated development environment (IDE) including the IAR C/C++ Compiler and the C-SPY Debugger. The code analysis tools C-Run and C-Stat add static and runtime analysis for code control through the entire development cycle.

IAR Systems also offers a Functional Safety Support and Update Agreement with guaranteed support for the version for the longevity of the contract. In addition to prioritised technical support, the agreement includes access to validated service packs and regular reports of known deviations and problems.

IAR Systems supplies future-proof software tools and services for embedded development. The company is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden and has sales and support offices all over the world. Since 2018, Secure Thingz, a provider of advanced security solutions for embedded systems in the IoT, is part of IAR Systems.

http://www.iar.com

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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

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