ICs & Semiconductors

LTE CAT-M1 module eliminates gateways in IoT networks

Thu, May 27, 2021

Pre-tested and certified RYZ014A Cat-M1 cellular modules by Renesas are the company’s first cellular IoT modules to support the specification. Devices can directly connect to the internet using an existing communication infrastructure owned by mobile network operators, without the need for a gateway, says Renesas. This makes it economical to connect each device, which is beneficial when installing larger networks that require a low cost per unit.

To build a wireless IoT project from scratch, the RYZ014A module includes RF regulatory certification, PTCRB/GCF (network operators) certification and carrier certification for the customer’s network operator of choice.

The module has been certified with all major radio frequency regulations in the world as well as with leading network operators in North America, APAC and European countries. 

The RYZ014A module is suitable for metering, smart home, infrastructure and industrial markets, where they can seamlessly interface Renesas microcontroller-based applications to the internet through their cellular network, for example Bluetooth Low Energy, Ultra-wide band (UWB) and Wi-SUN protocols.

Renesas has partnered with 4G and 5G chip and IoT module supplier, Sequans Communications, to provide the Monarch LTE CAT-M1 hardware and software technology used in the module.

Renesas offers customers a web-based portal, managed by ONE Tech, that provides easy access to read sensor values and manage SIM card plans remotely, reducing operating cost. ONE Tech’s embedded AI and cloud technology, with the Renesas CAT-M1 module offers embedded intelligence with an enterprise-grade platform, allowing customers to build, manage and scale smart machines in a cost-effective end-to-end ecosystem, says Renesas.

Support for world-wide frequency bands in a single design removes the need to create multiple customer platforms for different global regions, points out Renesas. There is also high output power supporting both power class options 20 and 23dBm and low current consumption in power saving mode of only 1.0 microA

The RYZ014A module and the RYZ014A-EVK evaluation kits are available now.

 The RYZ014A modules can be combined with components from Renesas, such as power ICs, Li-ion battery charger, light-to-digital sensor, and RA family microcontrolelrs to create systems, such as remote industrial process monitoring and automatic plant watering with an LTE Connection.

http://www.reneasas.com

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LTE CAT-M1 module eliminates gateways in IoT networks

Thu, May 27, 2021

Pre-tested and certified RYZ014A Cat-M1 cellular modules by Renesas are the company’s first cellular IoT modules to support the specification. Devices can directly connect to the internet using an existing communication infrastructure owned by mobile network operators, without the need for a gateway, says Renesas. This makes it economical to connect each device, which is beneficial when installing larger networks that require a low cost per unit.

To build a wireless IoT project from scratch, the RYZ014A module includes RF regulatory certification, PTCRB/GCF (network operators) certification and carrier certification for the customer’s network operator of choice.

The module has been certified with all major radio frequency regulations in the world as well as with leading network operators in North America, APAC and European countries. 

The RYZ014A module is suitable for metering, smart home, infrastructure and industrial markets, where they can seamlessly interface Renesas microcontroller-based applications to the internet through their cellular network, for example Bluetooth Low Energy, Ultra-wide band (UWB) and Wi-SUN protocols.

Renesas has partnered with 4G and 5G chip and IoT module supplier, Sequans Communications, to provide the Monarch LTE CAT-M1 hardware and software technology used in the module.

Renesas offers customers a web-based portal, managed by ONE Tech, that provides easy access to read sensor values and manage SIM card plans remotely, reducing operating cost. ONE Tech’s embedded AI and cloud technology, with the Renesas CAT-M1 module offers embedded intelligence with an enterprise-grade platform, allowing customers to build, manage and scale smart machines in a cost-effective end-to-end ecosystem, says Renesas.

Support for world-wide frequency bands in a single design removes the need to create multiple customer platforms for different global regions, points out Renesas. There is also high output power supporting both power class options 20 and 23dBm and low current consumption in power saving mode of only 1.0 microA

The RYZ014A module and the RYZ014A-EVK evaluation kits are available now.

 The RYZ014A modules can be combined with components from Renesas, such as power ICs, Li-ion battery charger, light-to-digital sensor, and RA family microcontrolelrs to create systems, such as remote industrial process monitoring and automatic plant watering with an LTE Connection.

http://www.reneasas.com

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IP suite and Armv9 Cortex CPUs are part of Arm’s Total Compute

Wed, May 26, 2021

Arm has created Total Compute solutions, assembling hardware IP, physical IP, software, tools and standards based the recently introduced Armv9 architecture.

There are Armv9 CPU cores designed for consumer devices, including laptops, smart TVs, and mobile gaming. Arm Cortex-X2 is Arm’s most powerful CPU to date, delivering 30 per cent performance improvements compared with today’s flagship Android smartphones, says the company. It is also scalable across smartphones and laptops.

Arm Cortex-A710 is also based on Armv9 and has a 30 per cent energy efficiency gain and 10 per cent uplift in performance compared to the Cortex-A78.

Another announcement is the Arm Cortex-A510, which delivers 35 per cent performance improvements and increases machine learning (ML) performance, for use in smartphone, home and wearable devices.

Described as the backbone of the Armv9-A CPU cluster is a new DynamIQ Shared Unit, the DSU-110, which is scalable and supports up to eight Cortex-X2 CPUs, together with security and ML features.

Arm also announced that all cores for mobile applications will be 64-bit only by 2023, with support for all apps from Arm’s partners worldwide.

The latest CoreLink CI-700 Coherent Interconnect and CoreLink NI-700 Network-on-Chip Interconnect work seamlessly with Arm CPU, GPU and NPU IP to enable system enhancements. CoreLink CI-700 and CoreLink NI-700 have hardware level support for Armv9-A features, such as memory tagging extension (MTE), and support increased security, improved bandwidth and latency.

http://www.arm.com

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Entry level RZ/V2L microprocessors handle AI inference and image processing

Thu, May 20, 2021

Claimed to have best-in-class power efficiency, the RZ/V2L microprocessors from Renesas incorporate its Dynamically Reconfigurable Processor artificial intelligence accelerator (DRP-AI) designed to make embedded AI more power efficient.

DRP-AI handles both AI inference and image processing functions, eliminating external image signal processor (ISP) requirements.

The latest additions to the RZ/V series of microprocessors are designed for entry level, AI-enabled applications.

The new RZ/V2L shares the high-precision AI inference capabilities combined with power efficiency of the previous RZ/V2M series. Additionally, it includes optimisations such as tailoring the DRP-AI operating frequency and memory interface for an entry-level microprocessor.

The DRP-AI provides both real time AI inference and image processing functions with the capabilities essential for camera support such as colour correction and noise reduction. This enables customers to develop AI-based vision applications, such as point-of-sale (PoS) terminals and robot vacuum cleaners, without requiring an external image signal processor (ISP). The power efficiency eliminates the need for heat dissipation measures such as heat sinks or cooling fans. According to Renesas, the RZ/V2L means AI can be implemented cost-efficiently not only in surveillance cameras and industrial equipment, but also in a range of applications including home appliances and consumer electronics.

The RZ/V2L is also package- and pin-compatible with the existing RZ/G2L general-purpose microprocessors from Renesas. This allows RZ/G2L users to upgrade to the RZ/V2L for additional AI functions without needing to modify the system configuration. This helps to keep migration costs low.

 The entry level AI accelerator products allow customers to select the most suitable product from Renesas’ microprocessor range.

As part of the RZ/V2L development environment, Renesas offers the complimentary DRP-AI Translator, which automatically converts AI models into an executable format. The input format is the industry-standard Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX). Developers can leverage the DRP-AI while using the tools they are accustomed to, allowing them to immediately start using the RZ/V2L to evaluate AI models based on proven learning data.

The RZ/V2L microprocessors feature a 64-bit Arm Cortex-A55 (1.2GHz, dual or single core) and Cortex-M33 processor with DRP-AI (1Terra operations per second per W) AI accelerator capable of running the Tiny YOLOv2 program at 28 frames per second.

Simple ISP functions required for machine vision are provided in the DRP library. There is also a 16-bit, single-channel DDR memory interface, 3D graphics functions via an Arm Mali-G31 graphics processor unit (GPU), video codec (H.264) and CMOS sensor interfaces (MIPI-CSI and Parallel) for camera input. There are also MIPI-DSI and parallel display interfaces and error checking and correction (ECC).

A Verified Linux Package (VLP) based on Civil Infrastructure Platform Linux is standard with an industrial-grade Linux implementation also available.

The RZ/V2L series is available in 15mm or 21mm square BGA packages that are pin-compatible with the RZ/G2L

RZ/V2L evaluation boards are provided as Smart Mobility ARChitecture (SMARC) system on modules (SoMs). The reference designs provide an optimised circuit diagram and board layout, and include a power supply circuit and timing tree. A power management IC (PMIC) optimised for the RZ/V2L is in development, confirms Renesas and solutions incorporating the RZ/V2L and new PMIC are expected to be available in the second half of 2021.

Sample shipments of the RZ/V2L start today, and mass production is scheduled to begin in December 2021.

https://www.renesas.com

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