ICs & Semiconductors

Intel RealSense ID processes images locally and encrypts for privacy

Fri, Jan 08, 2021

Privacy was a top priority in the design of the Intel RealSense ID facial authentication, explains the company at its launch.

Intel RealSense ID combines an active depth sensor with a specialised neural network designed to deliver secure, accurate and user-aware facial authentication. It was designed and built specifically for user protection and processes all facial images locally and encrypts all user data, explains the company.

Intel RealSense ID works with various access systems, including smart locks, access control, point of sale sites, ATMs and kiosks.

“Intel RealSense ID combines purpose-built hardware and software with a dedicated neural network designed to deliver a secure facial authentication platform that users can trust,” explained Sagi Ben Moshe, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of Emerging Growth and Incubation.

No network set up is required and enrolment is simple, says Intel, for accurate, natural facial authentication to simplify secure entry. Using only a glance, users are able to quickly unlock what’s important to them. Intel RealSense ID combines active depth with a specialised neural network, a dedicated SoC and embedded secure element to encrypt and process user data quickly and safely.

To ensure continued ease of use, Intel RealSense ID also adapts to users over time as they change physical features, such as facial hair and glasses. The system works in various lighting conditions for people with a wide range of heights or complexions, reassures Intel.

It has been developed because traditional authentication methods leave users vulnerable to ID theft and security breaches. Companies and individuals are turning to facial authentication technology to meet the highest levels of security and privacy.

Suitable for use in finance, healthcare and smart access control, Intel RealSense ID has built-in anti-spoofing technology to protect against false entry attempts using photographs, videos or masks. It also provides a one-in-1-million false acceptance rate.

To protect user’s privacy, Intel RealSense ID processes all facial images locally and encrypts all user data. It is also only activated through user awareness and will not authenticate unless prompted by a pre-registered user.

http://www.intel.com

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P9418 is industry’s first 60W wireless power receiver IC, says Renesas

Fri, Jan 08, 2021

The single chip P9418 IC combines WattShare technology for high power density smartphone and mobile device charging. The 60W wireless power receiver is claimed to deliver faster wireless charging experiences for smartphones, laptops and notebook devices and in the industry’s highest power density. The WattShare technology enables quick and convenient charging on the go beyond smartphones, including device charging for a variety of portable computing devices, says Renesas.

The P9418 is an integrated wireless power transmitter/receiver IC (TRx) that can be configured to transmit or receive an AC power signal through magnetic induction. The P9418 provides an upgrade path for the P9415 and also delivers advanced telemetry and proprietary charging protocols required for high power applications.

It delivers up to 60W as a receiver and in WattShare (TRx) mode has up to 10W Tx capability. It has an embedded 32-bit Arm Cortex-M0 processor and Renesas claims it has best-in-class IOUT current sensing accuracy for foreign object detection. There is also a non-volatile memory for firmware and device function updates.

Bi-directional communications support proprietary authentication with encryption and the P9418 is WPC 1.2.4-compliant and various proprietary charging modes. It supports I2C 400kHz standard interface and general purpose I/Os.

Designers can also combine the P9418 wireless charging receiver with Renesas’ power management portfolio, including its USB Type-C power delivery and battery charging to accelerate development.

The P9418 60W wireless power receiver is available now.

http://www.renesas.com

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Microchip unveils power control reference design to simplify AC/DC design

Thu, Jan 07, 2021

When used in smart home devices, offline AC/DC power relies on programmability and adaptive control to offer the flexibility and intelligence required to interface with the device’s power systems. In these systems, a secondary side microcontroller is typically not capable of starting a system without the use of a separate bias power supply. Microchip addresses this with a reference design which uses the MCP1012 high voltage auxiliary AC/DC controller. As a result, says Microchip, the independent bias power supply can be removed in many applications. The MCP1012 offline auxiliary device enables the system to transfer control of the power and duty cycle to a secondary microcontroller. The control between the system and the load can be more precise and purposefully coupled, through a design that can be simplified. This reduces size and cost, adds Microchip.

The reference design uses a patented isolation technique for isolated feedback. This patented Inde-Flux transformer technology is being licensed to Würth Elektronik eiSos. It is used in the Inde-Flux transformer (Part Number 750318659), which is sold as part of 15W MCP1012 offline reference design. The transformer combines the signal power and signal communication, eliminating the need for optical feedback or an independent signal transformer. The option is also available to use more traditional approaches with a planar pulse transformer on the reference design, as well as the ability of the design to work with more traditional optocouplers and signal transformers. The secondary side control is then enabled through a combination of the transformer and Microchip’s  MCP1012 AC/DC controller along with the SAM D20 series 32-bit microcontroller.

The MPC1012 primary side auxiliary controller provides for system start up, gating and protecting an offline flyback converter for the secondary microcontroller. The device enables a range of benefits such as direct measurement and active regulation of voltage and/or current, high loop bandwidth by direct loop closure and simplified communication for load-referenced systems.

The MCP1012 offline reference design provides the principal working elements for a 15W offline power design with the necessary firmware to enable the elimination of the auxiliary power supply on the primary side, Microchip explains. This can reduce the complexity of the system including eliminating the need for optocouplers in many applications such as appliances and smart speakers.

Inde-Flux transformer technology, in cooperation with Würth Elektronik eiSos, can be scaled to standard and custom transformer designs for different voltages and power levels as needed.

The 15W MCP1012 offline reference design includes a user guide and comes with schematics and bill of materials, design files, firmware, and a demonstration unit. Microchip also offers a fundamental 1W evaluation board, the DT100118, for the MCP1012 AC-DC controller.

http://www.microchip.com

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STM32 wireless microcontroller module reduces IoT development time

Wed, Jan 06, 2021

To accelerate the introduction of new Bluetooth LE and 802.15.4-based IoT devices with a miniature, ready-to-use STM32 wireless microcontroller module.

The 7.0 x 11.3mm STM32WB5MMG module lets product teams build connected devices without needing wireless design skills. For low cost PCB technology requiring a minimal number of layers, it integrates everything up to the antenna. Users can also leverage the tools, design wizards, radio stacks, and turnkey software libraries of ST’s STM32Cube MCU development ecosystem, available free of charge, to complete the project quickly and efficiently, says STMicroelectronics.

The company’s first STM32-based wireless module simplifies technical challenges. It “extends exciting opportunities for smart connected devices,” said Ricardo de Sa Earp, group vice president, Microcontroller Division general manager, STMicroelectronics.

He describes it as a “complete ready-to-use subsystem in a single package, the STM32WB5MMG assures excellent radio performance out of the box and comes as a certified solution according to Bluetooth, Zigbee, and OpenThread specifications.”

The module supports ST’s concurrent dual protocol mode that lets any protocol based on IEEE 802.15.4 radio technology, including Zigbee 3.0 and OpenThread, connect the user directly to any Bluetooth Low Energy device.

The module addresses opportunities for smart home, smart building, and smart factory equipment. Users can leverage the microcontroller’s dual core architecture that separates radio and application-level processing for unimpeded performance, large memories for radio and application code and data storage, and cybersecurity.

The STM32WB5MMG can create a simplified, low-cost PCB leveraging the module’s optimized pin-out and take advantage of existing STM32WB55 microcontroller firmware libraries and tool chain. ST has created a dedicated application note as extra guidance for module users.

The module integrates a miniature antenna properly matched to the receiver circuitry, built-in switched mode power supply (SMPS) circuitry, and frequency-control components. With support for crystal-less USB Full-Speed connectivity, the module lets users minimise bill of materials costs as well as simplifying the hardware design.

Cyber protection includes secured software updates including over the air (OTA) for brand protection and device integrity, customer key storage and proprietary code readout protection (PCROP) to protect developers’ IP and public key authentication (PKA) support for cryptographic protection of code and connections.

By combining high RF performance with low power consumption, the module ensures reliable connectivity with extended battery life, adds STMicroelectronics.

The STM32WB5MMG is available now.

http://www.st.com

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