SBC has integral warm-up function to withstand extreme cold

Claimed to be the first 3.5-inch embedded single board computer (SBC) with an integral warm-up function, the CS551 can withstand cold weather environments down to -30 degrees C.

Available from Impulse Embedded, the CS551 SBC is suitable for use in military, aerospace, outdoor industrial applications and railway environments, where equipment can be subjected to extremes of temperature, operate across a wide temperature range and, most importantly, start up at low temperatures.

It supports Intel 9th/8th Gen Core processors and uses dynamic performance adjustment of both CPU and GPU speeds to allow the small form factor SBC to function in a wide temperature range of -30 to +80 degrees C when using wide temperature plug-in components.

The CS551 is powered by the latest Intel Coffee Lake processors from Intel ensuring support of the latest Windows 10 IoT and Linux operating systems. The board comes with one SODIMM socket supporting a maximum of 32Gbyte DDR4 2666MHz system memory. In addition to supporting operation over a wide temperature, the CS551 has an auto warm-up function as standard, to allow it to support the extremely cold temperatures.

There are also expansion interfaces for edge AI computing applications. These include dual DisplayPort+ graphical interfaces supporting resolutions up to 4094 x 2304 at 60Hz, dual Gigabit Ethernet ports and four USB3.1 ports. Internally there is SATA3.0 storage support, an M.2 2280 M-key NVMe slot and a full-size MiniPCIe slot with SIM support for cellular connectivity.

For machine builders and OEMs, the CS551 also comes with an on-board LVDS interface for pairing directly to a flat panel LCD. As part of its Embedded System Services, Impulse offers a complete board to display pairing service including the customer’s choice of display, a custom display BIOS and interface cables.

Impulse can configure the CS551 SBC to a customer’s specifications in the UK engineering facility. This includes the choice of memory, storage, peripherals and Microsoft Windows Embedded operating system.

https://www.impulse-embedded.co.uk/

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Image processor and sensor module support for AI starters

Swiftly following the announcement of the Kria K26 System on module (SOM) and KV260 Vision AI starter kit by Xilinx, Pinnacle Imaging Systems has introduced the Denali 3.0 soft image signal processor and high dynamic range (HDR) sensor module for use with the SOM and kit.

The KV260 Vision AI starter kit was created to help artificial intelligence (AI) innovators streamline development of smart vision applications and rapidly deploy them in production with the Kria K26 SOM. Pinnacle Imaging’s real time HDR imaging capability (up to 120dB) will enable AI developers to capture data-rich imaging streams for neural networks even in high contrast lighting conditions, says the company.

Pinnacle Imaging is also announcing an imager access system (IAS) HDR sensor module, paired with and tuned for the KV260 Vison AI starter kit. Th sensor module is based on ON Semiconductor’s AR0239 CMOS imager which can capture up to 120dB/20EV of dynamic range at 1080p/30 full HD resolution. The sensor captures three exposures per frame which are then merged and tone mapped in the ISP for HDR video optimised for AI-enabled security and surveillance applications.

“Having the powerful capabilities of Pinnacle Imaging’s Denali Soft HDR ISP available on the Kria KV260 starter kit will be invaluable for designers developing next generation vison systems designed to work in variable or difficult lighting conditions.” Chetan Khona, director of industrial, vision, healthcare and sciences at Xilinx.

The Denali 3.0 programmable ISP IP leverages Pinnacle Imaging’s proprietary algorithms to accurately tone map high contrast scenes and extract the full scope of rich image data for mission critical computer vision and AI applications requiring real-time imaging.

“Xilinx is really pushing to democratise these development tools and make them available to a wider audience of innovative thinkers,” said Alfred Zee, CEO of Pinnacle Imaging Systems. “The beauty of our programmable ISP on the Xilinx platform, is that it is easy for us to customise it to meet specific customers’ needs or adapt it to any sensor type, even those with non-traditional colour filter arrays. The AR0239 based IAS HDR sensor module is our first sensor module for this platform, but we expect to support additional sensors in the future based on customer requirements.”

Denali 3.0 delivers real-time video capable of producing up to 120dB or 20-EV steps of dynamic range while ensuring low latency. The HDR IP eliminates halo artefacts and colour shifts to capture up to 1080p HDR video in real time that is fully tone-mapped at 30 frames per second. Denali 3.0 is also able to accommodate automated or full-user control modes.

The Denali 3.0 ISP will be available as a trial download with licensed IP from the Xilinx app store connected to the Kria KV260 Vision AI starter kit from 01 June 2021. Pinnacle Imaging’s AR0239 HDR Sensor module will be available for sale from Avnet.

https://pinnacleimagingsystems.com/

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SiTime extends temperature range of Endura MEMS Super-TCXO

Expanding the reach of the Endura MEMS Super-TCXO in to airborne and cold temperature terrestrial applications, SiTime announces that the TCXO now has an operating temperature range beyond its original -40 degrees C. It can now support -55 degrees C.

This enables the Endura SiT5146 to deliver best-in-class stability over -55 to +105 degrees C, says SiTime and is therefore able to be used in low earth orbiting (LEO) satellites, commercial aircraft, satellite communication systems, and rocket delivery systems as well as terrestrial systems residing in extremely cold environments

Aerospace and defence applications depend on precise and stable timing in the presence of extreme temperatures,” said Piyush Sevalia, executive vice president of marketing at SiTime. “Through our rapid-release derivatives program, we extended the operating temperature range of the SiT5146 to -55 degrees C while maintaining ±1 to ±2.5 ppm stability and excellent performance in the presence of shock and vibration,” he continued.

SiTime’s Endura SiT5146 MEMS Super-TCXO is available 0.009 ppb/g and 0.1 ppb/g acceleration sensitivity options. The ruggedised Super-TCXO can withstand high levels of shock and vibration. Frequencies are programmable with six decimals of accuracy from 1.0 to 60MHz.

The SiT5146 can be factory programmed for any combination of frequency, stability, voltage, and pull range, enabling shorter lead times. The device is available now in a 5.0 x 3.2mm package in the production quantities.

SiTime specialises in silicon MEMS timing. It offers programmable solutions that enable customers to differentiate their products with higher performance, smaller size, lower power, and better reliability.

http://www.sitime.com

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Rohde & Schwarz validates 5G RRM FR2 conformance tests

Conformance tests are vital for mobile communications technology as mobile network operators worldwide rely on conformance to the Global Certification Forum (GCF) before accepting mobile devices in their networks. Rohde & Schwarz has announced that the GCF has approved the first two radio resource management (RRM) conformance test cases for 5G FR2 frequencies, implemented on the R&S TS-RRM-NR 5G RRM conformance test system.

The test cases have been validated in seven FR2 and LTE band combinations.
The availability of validated RRM conformance tests in both FR1 and FR2 frequency bands is crucial for a successful rollout of 5G NR technology worldwide.

The GCF has officially accepted the R&S TS-RRM-NR as suitable for the 5G RRM FR2 requirements described in the 3GPP specifications. The GCF validation process requires ‘pass’ verdicts of the complete test case performed on two different end user devices. The updated version of the R&S TS-RRM family of RRM conformance test systems has accomplished this for FR2. RRM testing is a combination of several protocol and RF test methods. It is used to determine the reaction time of a mobile phone to changes in signal quality from the available sources, and the time it takes for the device to switch between different signal sources.

The new R&S CMX500 radio communication tester has added 5G NR signaling functions for both FR1 and FR2 to the updated R&S TS-RRM-NR, which now covers LTE, WCDMA, and 5G technologies. The integrated test system is operated by the sequencer software R&S CONTEST and offers high efficiency and precise, reproducible measurement results.

The 5G RRM test cases are also supported by the R&S TS8980, the integrated RF conformance test system supporting mobile technologies all the way from 2G to 5G including FR2.

Rohde & Schwarz has supplied conformance and operator acceptance testing throughout mobile radio from 2G through to LTE.

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com

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