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Kioxia uses QLC to increase UFS memory density

Thu, Jan 20, 2022

Universal Flash Storage (UFS) Version 3.1 embedded flash memory devices from Kioxia use the company’s four-bit per cell quad level cell (QLC) technology to increase density in a single package.

UFS is a product category for a class of embedded memory products built to the JEDEC UFS standard specification. It uses a serial interface with full duplex and simultaneous communication of read/write with its host device.

The UFS proof of concept (PoC) device is a 512Gbyte prototype that uses the company’s 1Tbit (128Gbyte) BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory with QLC technology. The PoC device is designed to meet the increasing performance and density requirements of mobile applications driven by higher resolution images, 5G networks, 4K plus video in smartphones, for example.

Kioxia is now sampling its 512Gbyte QLC UFS PoC devices to select OEM customers.

Product density is identified based on the density of memory chip(s) within the product, not the amount of memory capacity available for data storage by the end user. Consumer-usable capacity will be less due to overhead data areas, formatting, bad blocks, and other constraints, and may also vary based on the host device and application.

Kioxia Europe (formerly Toshiba Memory Europe) is the European-based subsidiary of Kioxia, a supplier of flash memory and solid state drives (SSDs), credited with the invention of flash memory and BiCS FLASH. Kioxia’s 3D flash memory technology, BiCS FLASH provides storage in high-density applications, including advanced smartphones, PCs, SSDs, automotives and data centres.

https://www.kioxia.com/

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ADAS introduces depth perception

Mon, Jan 17, 2022

Depth perception can be added to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) says Light, as the company introduces its Clarity depth perception platform, based on Cadence’s Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP.

The next-generation ADAS provides long range, high resolution depth perception using industry standard cameras. The Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP provides real time data processing, ensuring low latency, high bandwidth transmission of high-resolution output, said the company.

Light says its ADAS enables machines to see better than humans by using two or more cameras, novel calibration and signal processing to provide “unprecedented depth quality across the camera’s field of view”. Integrating the Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP enables up to 10 times faster processing of measured depth compared to a quad-core CPU, improving real time accuracy and reliability, reported Light. The configurable and extensible Vision Q7 DSP is accompanied by optimised computer vision libraries, optional accelerators and toolchains that efficiently handle workloads. Light implemented its proprietary multi-view depth perception algorithms via custom instructions using the Tensilica Instruction Extension (TIE) language, which resulted in an additional four-fold performance improvement with three times the area / power savings, claimed Cadence.

Meeting functional safety requirements with full ISO 26262 compliance with ASIL-D is crucial in ADAS. The Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP certified IP is available with certified toolchains, libraries and a streamlined failure modes, effects and diagnostic analysis (FMEDA) flow.

“Light’s solution enables machines to see better than humans, and a key part of that is processing that information quickly enough to allow the machine to react to the world around it,” said Dave Grannan, CEO of Light. “Integrating the Cadence Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP provides us with enhanced signal processing capabilities at low power with low latency . . . helping us to provide accurate and reliable measured depth for future ADAS systems. Additionally, integrating ISO 26262-certified IP such as the Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP is critical when designing automotive-grade solutions,” he added.

Cadence applies its underlying Intelligent System Design strategy to deliver software, hardware and IP that turn design concepts into reality. Cadence customers deliver electronic products from chips to boards to systems for the most dynamic market applications, including consumer, hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, mobile, aerospace, industrial and healthcare.

Light is pioneering real-time 3D perception to redefine how vehicles see the world. The company’s breakthroughs in computational imaging with multi-camera calibration and advanced signal processing provide accurate depth at both near and far distances in real time.

http://www.light.co

http://www.cadence.com

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AI in vehicle cockpit will help drivers interpret data

Mon, Jan 17, 2022

Computer vision based spatial AI provided by Phiar Technologies will be brought to Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon automotive cockpit platforms for AI-powered augmented reality (AR) navigation systems in vehicles.

Today, drivers are facing cognitive overload from having to interpret a multitude of information and notifications from the cockpit, while still trying to interpret directions on a 2D map, said Phiar, which is working with Qualcomm Technologies to bring seamless AI-powered road perception and AR navigation to video and HUD-based automotive IVI environments.

Gene Karshenboym, CEO of Phiar Technologies, explained that delivering AR navigation to drivers will bring them intelligent navigation guidance in real-time for more intuitive driving, without the need to look at a map. “Working with Qualcomm Technologies and the Snapdragon automotive cockpit platforms has empowered us to continually innovate on our existing high standards in AR navigation design, and to deliver the first-rate infotainment services and digital cockpit solutions demanded by modern consumers,” he said.

Bill Pinnell, vice president, product management, automotive at Qualcomm Technologies, added: “There is a growing expectation among consumers and automakers for sophisticated and truly connected digital cockpit solutions. Qualcomm Technologies is delighted that our next generation Snapdragon automotive cockpit platform is helping bring the future of driving navigation to consumers through Phiar’s innovative platform.”

Founded in 2017, Phiar Technologies is a computer vision AI company, specialising in augmented reality driving navigation technology for the automotive industry. Phiar combines its patented innovations in deep learning AI and AR into a new form of driving navigation platform to enhance safety, facilitate more intuitive wayfinding and connect drivers with their surrounding environments.

http://www.phiar.net

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Collaboration investigates improving RF switches

Fri, Jan 14, 2022

Rohde & Schwarz and FormFactor have supported the University of Texas at Austin in a research project to characterise a new technology for RF switches. The aim is to improve battery life performance and support higher bandwidths and switching speeds.

In 2020, the university published research on an RF switch technology based on hexagonal boron nitrite (hBN). The technology is energy efficient and allows higher bandwidths and speeds, making it ideal for 5G. In a follow-up project, Rohde & Schwarz and FormFactor supported further research to characterise the RF switch technology at sub-THz frequency ranges, in particular at the D-band (110 to 170GHz), for applications beyond 5G and 6G.

RF switches are used in all forms of transceivers. For example, current 4G and 5G smartphones switch between transmit and receive mode or between different frequency bands, networks, and technologies. Today’s switches need to operate constantly to change between the various states and in doing so consume a lot of power, affecting the battery lifetime of the device. The new RF switch technology stays off until required to switch to a different state, making it up to 50 times more energy-efficient.

Professor Deji Akinwande, from the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Texas Austin, commented: “By using the test and measurement solutions from Rohde & Schwarz and FormFactor our team was able to further characterise this new technology at the D-band, which is a frequency band of global interest for future 6G applications. The equipment was configured in an easy-to-use setup that provided reliable measurement results”.

The test setup consisted of a four-port R&S ZNA43 vector network analyser from Rohde & Schwarz connected to R&S ZC170 frequency extenders that allow to carry out S-parameter and intermodulation distortion (IMD) measurements at frequencies between 110 and 170GHz. There are dedicated IF inputs on the rear of the R&S ZNA43 for reference and measurement signals as well as high power LO signal for the two converters on the VNA, and its front panel ports which are typically used for these signals are available for additional measurements up to 43GHz without the need to re-calibrate the instrument. A graphical user interface (GUI) eases configuration and pertinent signal parameter routing to the converters, says Rohde & Schwarz. The converters were used within FormFactor’s Cascade Summit 12000 probe station, mounted to the mm-wave/THz positioning system. FormFactor’s WinCal XE software tool allowed was used to calibrate the test set up.

The Rohde & Schwarz technology group operates in test and measurement, technology systems, and networks and cybersecurity. Founded more than 85 years ago, the group partners with industry and government customers around the globe. The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany.

http://www.rohde-schwarz.com

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Kioxia uses QLC to increase UFS memory density

ADAS introduces depth perception

AI in vehicle cockpit will help drivers interpret data

Collaboration investigates improving RF switches

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