MAC-SA5X rubidium atomic clock locks quicker for atomic stability

Miniature Atomic Clock (MAC) technology by Microchip has been enhanced to deliver wider temperature range and rapid warm-up time, says the company, as it introduces the MAC-SA5X miniaturised rubidium atomic clock

To meet demand for a small footprint atomic clock, Microchip Technology claims to have developed the industry’s highest performance atomic clock for its size and power. The MAC-SA5X miniaturised rubidium atomic clock also delivers a wider thermal range, critical performance improvements and other enhancements over previously available technology, says Microchip.

The MAC-SA5X produces a stable time and frequency reference that maintains a high degree of synchronisation to a reference clock, such as a GNSS-derived signal. Its combination of low monthly drift rate, short-term stability and stability during temperature changes allow the device to maintain precise frequency and timing requirements during extended periods of holdover during GNSS outages or for applications where large rack-mount clocks are not possible.

It operates over a wide temperature range of -40 to +75 degrees C and has been designed to achieve atomic stability performance by taking less time to lock compared to some of the existing clock technology. In an aircraft application, for example, these attributes enable faster power up of critical communication and navigation systems in extreme climates, Microchip says.

The MAC-SA5X allows system developers to avoid the need for extra circuitry by integrating a one pulse per second (1PPS) input pin for fast frequency calibration, saving time and development cost. The MAC-SA5X has the same footprint as previous MAC-SA.3X miniature atomic clock technology for ease of transition to the newer, higher performance device.

Designed and manufactured in the USA, the MAC-SA5X operates to less than 5.0E-11 frequency stability over operating temperature; less than 5.0E-11 per month aging rate, 6.3W consumption and is 47 cc in volume. It is supplied in an ovenised crystal oscillator (OCXO)-sized package measuring 50.8 x 50.8mm.

The MAC-SA5x family of atomic clocks is supported by evaluation kit 090-44500-000. The MAC-SA5x atomic clock is available now for pre-sampling and will be available for deliveries in February 2020, with technical support services and an extended warranty from Microchip.

http://www.microchip.com

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Compute libraries provide safety-critical framework for autonomous systems

A suite of safety certifiable compute libraries supported on CoreAVI’s Vulkan compute and graphics platform include a safety critical framework and a suite of algorithms and libraries. ComputeCore is claimed to be the industry’s first safety certifiable platform to enable high performance accelerated compute and autonomous systems.

ComputeCore facilitates a path to safety certification from non-safety critical OpenCL or CUDA applications by providing pre-written algorithms that can be used immediately, saving time and money on algorithm design.

Designed from the ground-up for safety certification, ComputeCore is offered by CoreAVI in conjunction with CoreAVI’s VkCore SC safety critical graphics and compute driver. It supports a number of compute functions such as FFT computations, matrix manipulation (including matrix multiplication, transpose and inverse), optical flow analysis, and image filtering in the spatial domain including edge detections, blurring, standard deviation filtering, and noise removal.

A building block approach makes it easily expandable to meet a wide range of compute algorithms, notes CoreAVI. The ComputeCore framework and suite of libraries is automotive ISO 26262-certifiable to ASIL D, and avionics RTCA DO-178C/EASA ED-12C-certifiable to DAL A.

ComputeCore suits a range of machine learning and autonomous applications such as neural network inferencing, augmented vision systems, signal processing, detection and analysis, image processing, and encryption. CoreAVI offers services to facilitate the migration of existing CPU/FPGA/OpenCL/CUDA compute functions or algorithms to safety critical Vulkan to realise its performance gain benefits and scalable capabilities, adds CoreAVI.

Core Avionics & Industrial (CoreAVI) is a pioneer in the military and aerospace sector, providing software and hardware IP that enable safety critical applications. CoreAVI’s real-time and safety critical graphics, compute, and video drivers, “program ready” embedded graphics processors, and DO-254/ED-80 certifiable COTS hardware IP enable the design and implementation of complete safety critical embedded solutions for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications that achieve the highest levels of safety certification with long-term support.

CoreAVI’s solutions are deployed in commercial and military avionics systems and support rapidly emerging compute applications in the automotive, unmanned vehicle, and IoT markets.

http://www.coreavi.com

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Microchip introduces MPLAB TÜV SÜD-certified tools

Functional safety certifications can be time-consuming and expensive, so Microchip has announced TÜV SÜD certification of its MPLAB XC compilers for functional safety. The tools significantly simplify the functional safety qualification process for Microchip’s PIC, AVR and SAM microcontrollers and dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs), claims the company.

To further simplify testing and diagnostics, Microchip also introduced MPLAB Code Coverage license, which determines parts of software that have or have not been executed with minimal impact to the application.

The MPLAB XC functional compilers certified by TÜV SÜD contribute to satisfying the verification and validation requirements specified in the ISO 26262 standard for automotive safety, IEC 61508 for industrial applications, IEC 62304 for medical software and IEC60730 for automatic electric controls. The MPLAB XC Compilers for Functional Safety will be packaged with additional documentation for qualification of the MPLAB X integrated development environment (IDE) and MPLAB debuggers and programmers. With no annual renewal fees, the licenses are the lowest-cost solution on the market. Using Microchip’s microcontrollers with the functional safety licenses will reduce application costs and time to market, the company advises.

Ensuring high test coverage of embedded software using code coverage tools often requires a large amount of hardware modification, expensive software and significant effort searching large data files for pertinent information. MPLAB Code Coverage has less than one per cent impact to test time. Through a patented process, code can be tested in a single pass without breaking the code into blocks. This saves time and eliminates sifting through large data files.

In addition to offering development tools that make it easier, faster and more affordable to comply to functional safety standards, Microchip also offers many PIC, AVR, dsPIC and SAM microcontrollers that are functional safety-ready. For all functional safety ready microcontrollers, Microchip provides Failure Mode Effect and Diagnostics Analysis (FMEDA) reports and safety manuals targeting ISO 26262 up to ASIL-B safety levels, with some products achieving ASIL-D.

MPLAB X IDE version 5.25 is available for free on Microchip’s website. The MPLAB Code Coverage workstation license and MPLAB XC8, XC16 and XC32++ functional safety workstation licenses are available today.

http://www.microchip.com

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Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy module has a long-range reach

The long range Bluetooth 5.0 module, the PAN1780, is for IIoT and smart home applications, says Panasonic Industry Europe. The module is based on the Nordic nRF52840 SoC controller. It has an output power of up to +8dBm and the high sensitivity of the nRF52840 which is combined with the low energy-coded PHY.

It also enables a higher symbol rate of 2Mbits per second, using the high-speed Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) 2M PHY. The new LE advertising extensions allow for much larger amounts of data to be broadcasted in connectionless scenarios, says Panasonic Industry Europe.

The module’s qualified Bluetooth mesh profile stack supports Bluetooth LE 5.0 with 802.15.4 and NFC-A. The Cortex M4F processor, 256kB RAM and the built-in 1Mbyte flash memory enable it to be used in standalone mode, eliminating the need for an external processor.  This saves complexity, space and cost, says Panasonic Industry. A variant with an AT command set, the PAN1780AT, is available.

The compact module measures just 15.6 x 8.7 x 2.0mm and features an Arm TrustZone Cryptocell 310 security core that supports a secure boot process. A temperature sensor is integrated in the PAN1780 module. The operating temperature range is -40 to +85 degrees C and the supply voltage ranges from 1.7V to 5.5V.

The PAN1780 module is suitable for industrial IoT applications, such as devices for smart city infrastructure, industrial mesh networks or robotics within Industry 4.0 environments. It is also suitable for smart health and secure medical peripherals or building automation applications like smart locks or intelligent lighting. The Cryptocell also makes it suitable for edge computing.

Panasonic Corporation develops electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. The company celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018 and operates 582 subsidiaries and 87 associated companies worldwide.

Panasonic Industry Europe is part of the global Panasonic Group and provides automotive and industrial products and services in Europe.

http://industry.panasonic.eu

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