IoT

IR dynamic gesture sensor keeps driver’s eyes on the road

Tue, Jun 29, 2021

Hand gestures can be recognised by the MAX25405 next-generation optical sensor to ensure that a driver’s eyes remain on the road. The optical sensor recognises a variety of gestures in a quarter of the size and at 10x lower cost than camera-based time of flight systems in automotive, industrial and consumer applications, says Maxim Integrated.

The MAX25405 detects a wider proximity of movement and doubles the sensing range to 40cm compared to earlier generations, in a form factor that is a quarter the size of camera-based systems in automotive, industrial and consumer applications. According to Maxim, these enhancements offer an alternative to voice communications, enabling drivers to focus on the road.

The MAX25405 has integrated optics, a 6 x 10 infra red sensor array and a glass lens which increases sensitivity and improves the signal to noise ratio. The improved performance doubles the proximity and distance of sensing applications so that passengers in the front and rear seats can be also operate entertainment displays, for example, with gestures. There is a high level of integration compared to competitive ToF solutions that require three chips and a complicated microprocessor.

The MAX25405’s small 20-pin, 4.0 x 4.0 x 1.35mm quad flat no-lead (QFN) package together with four discrete LEDs measures up to 75 per cent smaller than ToF camera-based solutions.

The MAX25405 recognizes nine gestures, including swipe, rotation, air-click, linger to click and 3 x 2 proximity zones with minimal lag time. It is affordable for use in multi-range automotive, consumer and industrial applications, including touch-free smart home hubs and thermostats.

The MAX25405 gesture sensor and associated MAX25405EVKIT# evaluation kit are available now.

Maxim Integrated has a broad portfolio of semiconductors, tools and support, to delivers analogue solutions including efficient power, precision measurement, reliable connectivity and robust protection along with intelligent processing for automotive, communications, consumer, data centre, healthcare, industrial and IoT applications.

http://www.maximintegrated.com

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Reference design enhances 3D computer vision for edge AI

Tue, Jun 29, 2021

Combining the AI computing of Blaize and the image processing of eYs3D Microelectronics, the Blaize Pathfinder P1600 system on module reference design is available for indoor and outdoor AI-based autonomous robotics, security, touchless control, autonomous vehicles and smart retails.

There is an integrated eYs3D depth camera which has stereo vision capabilities that deliver millimeter-level accuracy of depth at optimal range, says Blaize. The Blaize Pathfinder P1600 system on module (SoM) capabilities can eliminate the use of costly lidar implementations for robotics and other autonomous services, Blaize advises.

The SoM uses Blaize’s programmable Graph Streaming Processor (GSP) architecture and software productivity suite to process both RGB camera data and depth data for accurate 3D sensor fusion applications at the edge. According to Rajesh Anantharaman, senior director products at Blaize, the GPS architecture and eYs3D integration enables faster time-to-market for systems incorporating visual simultaneous location and mapping (VSLAM), facial feature depth recognition, and gesture-based commands.

The combined design improves depth and distance sensing via the camera’s 3D sensor application that includes a sensor fusion function enabling a combination of two sets of data – RGB camera data and depth data. The Blaize P1600 can convert the depth camera’s USB output to high-speed Ethernet connectivity, for enhanced video processing. Software development kits for the reference design will accommodate a wide range of operating systems, programming languages and development tools.

“We are excited to partner with Blaize to bring advanced computer vision capability to market, such as filtering, depth-sensing fusion, real-time 3D point cloud compression and streaming, that further enhance edge AI capability,” said James Wang, eYs3D’s chief strategy officer.

“Depth-sensing technology has been widely adopted commercially in consumer and industrial applications in the last few years. eYs3D is a leader in 3D-stereo vision and its technology has already been used in popular VR headsets, robot arm visual systems and facial recognition kiosks. We are now seeing growing applications in robotics, 3D scene learning, drones, smart retail and other markets,” he added.

The Blaize AI software suite comprises Blaize Picasso and AI Studio.

http://www.blaize.com

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Infineon unveils in-cabin monitoring systems for safe vehicles and roads

Fri, Jun 25, 2021

Radar sensors and microcontrollers from Infineon enable short range automotive applications in in-cabin monitoring systems (ICMS) which is reshaping passenger safety, says Infineon.

The Xensiv 60GHz BGT60ATR24C AEC-Q100 radar sensors, Aurix microcontrollers and Optireg power management ICs (PMICs) contribute to ultra-wideband (UWB), low power and cost-performance scalable architecture for ICMS sub-systems. The devices support the use of new signal processing techniques which are robust but also balance computational costs, the degree of information as well as the power consumption of the system, claims Infineon.

The Xensiv BGT60ATR24C radar sensor is a cognitive sensing device with multiple transmit/receive for virtual array configurations. There is also an agile modulation generation mechanism, automatic power mode configurability and simplified interfaces between RF and the processing side.

The Aurix TC3xx MCU family integrates a fast radar signal processing unit and enhanced security with the second-generation of the hardware security module (HSM). This includes asymmetric cryptography accelerators and full EVITA support. (The EVITA project is an EU project to design, verify and prototype suitable architectures for secure automotive on-board networks.)

Infineon has partnered with bisening, a South Korean imaging radar technology start-up, and Caaresys, an Israeli start-up to accelerate the development cycle using Infineon’s 60GHz automotive portfolio.

For example, bitsensing’s 60GHz MOD620 is enabled by advanced signal processing techniques using Infineon’s chipset. The pairing “offers a new level of confidence in safety for the automotive industry that demands excellence, reliability and unmatched intelligence,” said Dr. Jae-Eun Lee, bitsensing’s CEO.

Partner Caaresy has used Infineon’s Xensiv 24GHz and 60HHz radar sensors and Aurix MCUs in its CabinCare and BabyCare radar-based systems. It uses algorithms and radar signal processing to create aesthetic and contactless vital sign monitoring in automotives, explained CEO, Ilya Sloushch.

http://www.infineon.com

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700V buck regulators have low power consumption for smart home sensing

Fri, Jun 25, 2021

700V buck regulators in the RAA2230XX family are claimed to deliver superior power consumption, noise and EMI suppression, as well as reduced overall system cost compared with competing alternatives. The devices can be used in a range of applications, including home appliances, sensing systems such as smoke alarms and gas sensors, white goods, power meters and industrial controls.

The RAA2230XX buck regulators consume only 10 to 30mW when idle, helping system designers meet standby power regulations. A switching algorithm minimises electromagnetic interference (EMI) and eliminates audible noise, such as ‘humming’ or ‘whining’, says Renesas. The regulators also can supply as low as 3.3V output, enabling designers to eliminate a second-stage low dropout regulator (LDO), saving bill of materials (BoM) cost and board space.

The buck regulators connect to the AC line to power Renesas MCUs, sensors and other digital ICs. Renesas has developed Winning Combinations, consisting of complementary analogue, power, timing devices and embedded processing, simplifying the design process. There is, for example the household smoke detector with a turnkey architecture for a residential smoke alarm, which is suitable for smart industrial control terminals.

The RAA2230XX buck regulators are available in TSOT23-5, SOIC-8 and SOIC-7 package options. They are pin-to-pin compatible with competitors’ products for easy replacement

The new 700V RAA2230XX buck regulators (2.0, 4.0 and 8.0W versions) are available today. Renesas also offers evaluations boards for different package and output combinations.

Renesas Electronics delivers embedded design with microcontrollers, analogue, power, and SoC products for a broad range of automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT applications.

http://www.renesas.com

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