Imagimob’s Edge AI solutions are now available for the AURIX product family

Autonomous and automated driving is a megatrend in the automotive industry, along with electrification. AI plays a critical role in this trend, enabling vehicles to detect pedestrians, analyse driver behaviour, recognise traffic signs, and control trajectories, among many other use cases. A key enabler of this is Edge AI, as autonomous and automated driving is highly dependent on the need for AI systems with machine learning capabilities and processors that can handle large amounts of data in parallel, safely, secured, and in real time. To address this challenge, Imagimob, an Infineon company, has enhanced its automotive machine learning portfolio by integrating machine learning capabilities into Infineon’s Automotive ASIL-D complaint MCUs like AURIX TC3x and AURIX TC4x.

“The integration of secured and dependable AI capabilities into microcontroller families is crucial for advancing autonomous driving applications in the automotive industry,” said Thomas Boehm, Senior Vice President Microcontroller at Infineon. “We are proud that our AURIX microcontrollers are now supported by Imagimob Studio, making them accessible to developers worldwide. This highlights our role as a leading innovator in the industry.”

“With the integration of AURIX into our Imagimob Studio, we are bringing full machine learning (ML) compatibility and capabilities to the automotive sector,” said Alexander Samuelsson, CTO of Imagimob. “This means that all the use cases we support with our platform are now also available for Infineon’s AURIX microcontrollers.”

With Imagimob Studio, developers can now create robust ML models for the Edge and deploy them onto Infineon’s proven AURIX MCUs. The process starts with creating machine learning models in Imagimob Studio. Once the AI model is complete, users can select to deploy on the MCUs directly within the platform. They are then guided through steps on how to deploy the code seamlessly, simplifying the implementation of machine learning on MCUs and enabling the creation of sophisticated ML models. In addition, Imagimob Studio offers a sample project for siren detection, demonstrating model creation and deployment. By using the code example, users can also learn how to create acoustic models with AURIX MCUs and a microphone shield. Furthermore, Imagimob has developed new regression models that can be used to calculate remaining battery power, health status, and usage time.

The AURIX TC4x scalable MCU family offers a seamless upgrade path from the AURIX TC3x family of ASIL-D compliant automotive MCUs. This enhanced performance is powered by the next-generation TriCore 1.8. In addition, the AURIX TC4x features a scalable accelerator suite that includes a parallel processing unit (PPU) and multiple intelligent accelerators to support cost-effective AI integration. For the AURIX TC4x family, these advancements translate into enhanced machine learning capabilities, enabling developers to deploy multiple models simultaneously or more complex ones. For instance, while the AURIX TC3x can handle basic siren detection, the AURIX TC4x enables both siren detection and voice interaction simultaneously.

https://www.imagimob.com/studio

> Read More

u-blox extends reach of PointPerfect GNSS correction service via RTCM RTK data format

u-blox extends the reach of its PointPerfect GNSS correction service by adding the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) data format standard, opening the service to use with all GNSS and real- time kinematics (RTK) receiver hardware.

PointPerfect has until now exclusively delivered the correction data using the SPARTN data format. Designed for increased flexibility, the addition of RTCM now lowers barriers to adoption and expands the addressable market of scaled-up high-precision positioning solutions. The high-precision service works seamlessly with any GNSS RTK receiver module, u-blox or non u-blox, and even with mixed device fleets without a need for integration expertise.

This expansion introduces RTCM users to PointPerfect’s uniquely flexible usage-based pricing plans as an affordable alternative to the rigid high annual service fees of conventional RTK suppliers. The pay-as-you-go plans allow users to pay only for the hours that they use. Pooled plans make it simple to optimise costs by sharing service hours across the whole device fleet.

This expansion of the PointPerfect GNSS correction service will address a broader range of devices in segments that utilise the RTCM data standard, such as robotic lawnmowers, service delivery robots, UAVs and precision agriculture.

The PointPerfect RTCM service expansion provides centimetre-level accuracy in seconds, is simple to use, cost effective, offers seamless coverage over entire continents, countries, and regions, and with 99.9% uptime availability for reliable performance.

https://www.u-blox.com

> Read More

ST reveals Page EEPROM two-in-one memory to boost smart-edge performance and efficiency

ST’ Page EEPROM combines the power efficiency and durability of an EEPROM with the capacity and speed of a Flash memory, creating a hybrid memory for applications that face extreme size and power constraints.

The new memories address growing demand for storage in embedded applications, needed to support increasingly sophisticated features and run data-hungry edge-AI algorithms. One example is behind-the-ear hearing aids, where Page EEPROM can reduce the bill of materials and help create products that are slimmer and more comfortable to wear.

In addition to wearables, Page EEPROM is ideal for applications such as healthcare devices, asset trackers, e-bikes, as well as other industrial and consumer products. “The intelligent edge has evolved quickly and is profoundly changing demands on embedded memory storage density, performance, and power consumption,” said Philippe Ganivet, STMicroelectronics EEPROM product line manager. “Our new Page EEPROM is the perfect ultra-low-power memory to complement a microcontroller for remote IoT modules that operate on battery power.”

“ST’s Page EEPROM is the perfect non-volatile memory, a true best-of-both worlds solution that enabled us to achieve the ambitious targets we set when creating the latest generation of our flagship product family of GPS trackers, IoT devices, and all other designs where high performance, high reliability, small size, and low power are required,” said Patrick Kusbel, owner of BitFlip Engineering, one of the first customers to use the new memory ICs. “The M95P is up to 50 times faster yet consumes as little as one-tenth the power and delivers five times the reliability — at 500k writes compared to 100k writes — typical of other parts we used before. It’s a game changer.”

ST’s Page EEPROM family offers densities of 8Mbit, 16Mbit, and 32Mbit, greatly increasing storage over standard EEPROM devices. Embedded smart page-management allows byte-level write operations for processes like data logging, while also supporting page/sector/block erase and page-program up to 512 bytes for efficiently handling firmware over the air (OTA) updates. The devices also allow buffer loading, which can program several pages simultaneously to cut the time for loading software in production. The data-read speed of 320 Mbit/s is about 16 times faster than standard EEPROM, while write-cycle endurance of 500,000 cycles is several times higher than conventional serial Flash.

Also featuring a novel peak-current control, Page EEPROM minimizes power supply noise and prolongs the runtime of battery-operated equipment. The write current is below that of many conventional EEPROMs and there is also a deep power-down mode with fast wakeup that reduces the current to below 1µA.

Longevity is assured, with 100-year data retention. The devices are included in ST’s 10-years product longevity program that guarantees long-term product availability.

The X-NUCLEO-PGEEZ1 expansion board and X-CUBE-EEPRMA1 software package are available now, for users to learn how to interact with Page EEPROM and adopt the new devices in application designs. The software includes a demonstration application that shows how to test the memory’s hybrid architecture and quickly build a proof of concept.

The M95P08, M95P16, and M95P32 Page EEPROMs are in production now and available from $0.50 for the 8Mbit M95P08. The X-NUCLEO-PGEEZ1 is ready to order from the eSTore at the budgetary price of $40.00.

https://www.st.com/page-eeprom

> Read More

u-blox unveils X20, its new all-band high-precision GNSS platform

u-blox has announced its new X20 all-band high-precision GNSS platform that raises the bar for accuracy, performance, and security. Building on the success of the company’s popular F9 high-precision GNSS platform, this new generation addresses the current high-precision GNSS needs around the world, and its future-proof design is equipped to also handle new and emerging technologies and standards. The new platform is designed for industrial automation, automotive, and other applications that require centimetre-level position accuracy in challenging environments, as well as time synchronisation applications for critical infrastructure systems.

X20 is an all-band (L1/L2/L5/L6) platform with an integrated L-band receiver. As it includes all available GNSS satellite signals, it offers the highest precision positioning even in difficult signal environments. It supports the basic L1 and L2 frequencies, along with the subsequently added L5 band. The L5 band operates at lower frequencies than the L1 and L2 bands and benefits from improved signal properties, making L5 signals inherently more robust. The u-blox X20 also adds support for the L6 band. This band is used not only for navigation services, but also correction services that help make positioning estimations more precise.

The new u-blox X20 platform provides maximum flexibility, with built-in support for all types of correction services. It not only supports local base stations and correction types such as RTK (real-time kinematic), Network RTK, and PPP-RTK, but also introduces the option to utilise PPP (precise point positioning) corrections. The platform’s versatility and scalability allow its users to select the optimal solution for their application, balancing cost and precision. Potential applications are multifold, from port logistics operations to machine control in construction as well as emerging industrial applications, for instance UAVs, and ground robotics such as lawnmowers.

The u-blox X20 platform is software upgradeable. This serves to future-proof the system, as users will be able to adapt their system should there be any evolutions in the relevant technologies and standards.

X20 was designed to provide the utmost integrity and security. The platform comes with end-to-end security functions, including system authentication via secure boot and secure firmware update, message authentication, and encryption with built-in secure root of trust (RoT). The platform also supports Galileo OSNMA authentication combined with advanced jamming and spoofing detection and mitigation.

https://www.u-blox.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