Analog Devices introduces first in iCoupler digital isolator family

The first in a series of iCoupler digital isolators by Analog Devices offers a total bandwidth of 10Gigabits per second. The ADN4624 digital isolator provides four channels at 2.5Gbits per second, allowing data to transfer seamlessly in the electrical domain. It enables new system architectures in digital health, instrumentation and smart industry, says Analog Devices.

The ADN4624 digital isolator streamlines design and integrates isolation for safety or data integrity. At 5.7kV rms isolation and 100 kV/microcsecond CMTI, the compact digital isolator meets medical standards and isolates high fidelity video and imaging links, precision analogue front ends and serial interconnects as an alternative to specialised fibre devices.

According to Analog Devices, the ADN4624 offers simplified connectivity, robust isolation and data integrity in harsh environments. The iCoupler digital isolator provides up to 10Gbits per second bandwidth in a single device. It allows for direct isolation of high-speed serial LVDS or CML at full speed and eliminates the complexity of deserialisation, adds Analog Devices. The ADN4624 enables precision timing with ultra-low jitter to deliver full ADC performance and resolution including precision ADC sampling clocks. Precision timing is less than one picosecond rms random jitter and less than 16 picoseconds skew.

The ADN4624 is available now in a 28-lead SOIC.

http://www.analog.com

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Renesas enables HD video over SD cables for automotive cameras

Automotive manufacturers can deliver high definition (HD) video over low cost cables and connector that currently support standard definition video, by using the Automotive HD Link (AHL) from Renesas.

The RAA279971 AHL encoder and RAA279972 decoder use a modulated analogue signal to transmit the video, for transmission rates 10 times less than required to transmit HD signals digitally. The lower transmission rate means that traditional twisted pair cables and standard connectors and existing analogue video cables and connectors can be used.

Digital links such as SerDes require heavily shielded cables and high end connectors that cost significantly more than those for AHL. Additionally they may need to be replaced in five to seven years. They are also difficult to route because of a limited bending radius.

AHL is robust against noise and has a bi-directional control channel that operates independently of the video data, says Renesas. It can initialise, program and monitor the camera module. The camera can be controlled simultaneously over the same pair of wires (UTP) during video transmission to reduce the cost of installation. In comparison to a digital link in a rear view camera application, a digital link will degrade due to a failure in the cable harness or connector assembly, as weak signals can cause macroblocks to appear, hiding large portions of the viewing area. Using the same cable under the same conditions for comparison, the AHL will present a slight change in video colour or contrast, but all pixels will appear on the screen. The resulting image will accurately identify an object or person behind the vehicle.

According to Renesas, the AHL system allows automotive manufacturers to deliver advance safety systems in all vehicles, including economy models and not just luxury ones.

AHL supports resolutions from VGA up to 720p/60 or 1080p/30 enabling it to implement non-standard vertical resolutions.

There are also MIPI-CSI2, BT656, and DVP inputs and outputs to provide a flexible interface to support old and new image sensors.

The RAA279971 AHL encoder and RAA279972 decoder are available today. Renesas also offers the RTKA279971DA2000BU AHL encoder and the RTKA279972DA1000BU AHL decoder evaluation boards.

http://www.renesas.com

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Dual-output automotive navigation unit has sensor-based spoofing detection

The NEO-M9L navigation modules and M9140-KA-DR chip have been introduced by u-blox. They are built on the company’s M9 GNSS platform and use dead reckoning techniques to provide accurate position data when satellite signals are compromised or unavailable, says u-blox.

The NEO-M9L-20A and NEO-M9L-01A modules, and the M9140-KA-DR chip are specially designed for first-mount automotive designs. The modules and the chip are all automotive grade, with the NEO-M9L-01A offering an extended operational temperature range up to 105 degrees C, making it suitable for integration on the roof, behind the windscreen, or the hot conditions inside electronics control units (ECUs). Applications include integrated navigation systems, for example in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) and head units, integrated telematics control units (TCU), and vehicle to everything (V2X).

The modules include six-axis inertial measurement units (IMUs) which deliver low-latency 100Hz raw data output. The modules offer a low-latency 50Hz position update rate, for use in real-time applications. The automotive dead reckoning (ADR) output  combines the GNSS fix with IMU data for accurate positioning output. Additional GNSS-only output enables seamless integration into third-party applications. The receiver also supports wake-on-motion, which enables smart features such as theft protection and power-efficient designs, explains u-blox.

The modules offer sensor-based spoofing detection for advanced security and robustness. The chip offers protection against possible GNSS signal spoofing, which can cause navigation systems to report faulty position data or time.

“Availability and trustworthiness of position output are increased by using concurrent reception of four GNSS constellations,” says Aravinthan Athmanathan, product manager, product centre positioning at u-blox.

All the module variants comply with AEC-Q104, the latest standard for ensuring the reliability of modules used in automotive applications. Engineering samples and the evaluation kits will be available by the end of September 2021.

u‑blox specialises in positioning and wireless communication in automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. The company has a broad portfolio of chips, modules, and secure data services and connectivity. It has headquarters in Thalwil, Switzerland.

http://www.ublox.com

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TI redefines microcontroller with x10 higher processing capability

For real-time control, networking and analytics applications at the edge, Sitara AM2x microcontrollers can help engineers can achieve 10 times the computing capability of traditional, flash-based microcontrollers, says Texas Instruments (TI). The microcontrollers can be used in factory automation, robotics, automotive systems and sustainable energy management where fast, accurate microcontrollers at the edge deliver more power-efficient processing to distributed systems for industry 4.0.

The Sitara AM2x microcontrollers are built around Arm cores. TI offers single and multi-core devices running at speeds up to 1.0GHz with integrated peripherals and accelerators.

The AM243x microcontrollers are the first family of devices available in the AM2x portfolio. They have up to four Arm Cortex-R5F cores, each running up to 800MHz, which meets the high processing speed critical in factory equipment such as robotics. Fast computations coupled with the microcontroller’s internal memory enhance a robot’s precision of motion and speed of movement, translating to higher productivity, says TI. The additional processing capability enables designers to add analytics for functions such as predictive maintenance, reducing downtime on factory floors. In typical applications, AM243x devices consume less than 1.0W of active power, enabling factory operators to extend their power resources, lowering operating costs and the site’s energy footprint.

Sitara AM243x microcontrollers integrate sensing and actuation peripherals to enable low-latency real-time processing and control for factory automation as well as communications accelerators to simplify industrial networking. Engineers can leverage certified protocol stacks available directly from TI to support, for example, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, ProfiNet, and IO-Link Master to meet evolving industrial communication standards. On-chip security and integrated functional safety mechanisms, diagnostics and collateral help enable system integrators to target up to Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 3 of the IEC 61508 standard.

TI has also created the Sitara AM243x LaunchPad development kit. The evaluation tool, combined with the Sitara MCU+ software framework can be used by developers to assess the precision real-time control and networking capabilities in the AM243x. Developers also have access to application-specific reference examples, a strong ecosystem of tools and software, and the MCU+ Academy training portal to help them streamline designs and accelerate time to market.

Pre-production versions of the AM2431, AM2432 and AM2434 in a 17 x 17 or 11 x 11mm package are now available. The AM243x LaunchPad Development Kit is also available.

http://www.ti.com

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