Sector News

5Mpixel RGB-IR global shutter sensor is a first for in-cabin monitoring

Fri, Jan 07, 2022

For simultaneous driver and occupant monitoring in vehicles, the OX05B1S has been introduced by Omnivision. It is claimed to be the smallest 2.2 micron pixel with the highest near infrared (NIR) sensitivity.

It is also believed to be the automotive industry’s first 5Mpixel RGB-IR BSI global shutter sensor for in-cabin driver monitoring systems (DMS). Despite its pixel size of just 2.2 micron, it offers 940nm NIR sensitivity for performance in extremely low light conditions. It has a wide field of view and enough pixels to view both the driver and occupants, adds the company. It is also claimed to be the first RGB-IR sensor for in-cabin monitoring to feature integrated cybersecurity.

The introduction supports the automotive industry’s transition to 5Mpixel operation and only one camera is needed instead of two for simultaneous driver and occupant monitoring systems, reducing complexity, cost and space,” points out Andy Hanvey, director of automotive marketing at Omnivision. The company adds that the OX05B1S was developed with “strong ecosystem partner support, working with companies such as Seeing Machines, to enable a complete, seamless solution for automotive OEMs”.

The sensor is based on Omnivision’s Nyxel NIR technology which uses novel silicon semiconductor architectures and processes to achieve the world’s best quantum efficiency (QE) at the 940nm NIR wavelength, claims the company. The OX05B1S has an NIR QE of 35 per cent which is four times the capability of the previous generation of sensor. This enables the OX05B1S to detect and recognise objects that other image sensors would miss under extremely low lighting conditions, to enhance in-cabin camera capabilities for occupant and driver monitoring and security. In other non-automotive systems it can be used to enhance selfie images and videoconferencing.

The sensor comes in Omnivision’s stacked a‑CSP package that is 50 per cent smaller than competitive products and allows for higher-performance image sensors in tighter camera spaces. It is also available in a reconstructed wafer option for designers who want to customise their own package.

The OX05B1S has an optional always on optional feature. 

Samples are available now and the sensors will be in mass production in Q1 2023.

http://www.ovt.com

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Infineon expands Aurix microcontroller family with electrification in mind

Thu, Jan 06, 2022

At CES 2022, Infineon has introduced the TC4x series of Aurix microcontrollers. They target trends in e-mobility, advanced driver assists systems (ADAS), automotive electric-electronic (E/E) architectures and affordable AI applications. 

The scalable family allows for a common software architecture, adds Infineon, for dependable electronics and software-based applications. The  Aurix TC4x offers enhanced connectivity, advanced safety and security, says Infineon, while new software over the air (SOTA) features are intended to meet car manufacturers’ demands for fast and secure car-to-cloud connection, with updates in the field, as well as diagnosis and analysis when the vehicle is in use.

Infineon Technologies manufactures semiconductors “that make life easier, safer and greener”. 

http://www.infineon.com

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Network slicing tests meet power saving protocol for 5G NR

Thu, Jan 06, 2022

Anritsu has collaborated with Qualcomm to deliver what is believed to be the first enhanced network slicing and user equipment (UE) power saving protocol conformance tests for 5G new radio (NR) standalone (SA). The equipment is verified on the 5G NR mobile device test platform ME7834NR powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System, which the company says is the world’s first Release 16 modem-RF system.

Network slicing enables support of specific use cases on a set of network resources dynamically configured for the purpose. Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 16 introduces support for interworking from evolved packet core (EPC) to 5G core (5GC) for network slices. It also introduces authentication and authorisation controls.

New features for power saving in user equipment is also defined in 3GPP Release 16. These include wake up signal, enhanced cross-slot scheduling, adaptive MIMO (multiple input multiple output) layer reduction and relaxed radio resource management measurement.

The conformance tests are defined by 3GPP in TS 38.523-1 corresponding to core requirements in TS 38.331and have been submitted to 3GPP Radio Access Network Working Group 5 (RAN WG5) by Anritsu. These tests will also be submitted to Global Certification Forum (GCF) Certification Agreement Group (CAG), and PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB) PTCRB Validation Group (PVG) for approval in the upcoming meetings.

The proposal consists of the 5G NR mobile device test platform ME7834NR, which is registered with both the GCF and PTCRB as Test Platform 251. 

The ME7834NR is for 3GPP-based protocol conformance test (PCT) and carrier acceptance testing (CAT) of mobile devices incorporating multiple radio access technologies. It supports 5G NR in both standalone and non-standalone in addition to LTE, LTE-Advanced, LTE-A Pro, and W-CDMA. Combined with Anritsu’s over the air (OTA) RF chamber MA8171A and RF converters, the ME7834NR covers the sub-6GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G NR frequency bands.

 http://www.anritsu.com 

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Monolithic radio supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and 802.15.4

Wed, Jan 05, 2022

Believed to be the first secure tri-radio device, NXP has introduced the IW612 at CES 2022, in Las Vegas. It enables simultaneous transmit and supports Matter, the interoperable, secure connectivity standard for smart homes. 

It supports the Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and 802.15.4 protocols for seamless, secure connectivity for smart home, automotive and industrial use cases, says the company. 

Consumers are therefore not restricted to single protocol ecosystems but can access different ecosystems and wireless network technologies. The three protocols can work together: Wi-Fi 6 reduces network congestion, extends range, improves robustness and lowers power; Bluetooth 5.2 is suitable for audio (A2DP, LE Audio), voice and network commissioning; and 802.15.4 is suitable for Matter with Thread mesh networking.

One of the primary challenges facing the IoT is limited interoperability, which can restrict the consumer’s ability to mix smart home products from different companies. Matter is a new standardised IoT connectivity protocol, designed by a consortium which includes NXP, which unifies how devices communicate, independent of the manufacturer or wireless technology. The protocol creates more connections between more objects, to simplify development for manufacturers and compatibility for consumers.

The IW612 overcomes hardware co-existence challenges that developers face today, while also enabling advanced security protocols to tackle security threats faced by the IoT, explains NXP.

It offers secure boot, debug and over-the-air firmware updates for ongoing protection, as well as WPA3 security and hardware encryption engines. 

“With the IW612, developers can leverage different wireless connectivity protocols on a single device to create an easy-to-use, secure product for smart home, industrial and automotive use cases,” said Larry Olivas, vice president and general manager for Wireless Connectivity Solutions, NXP Semiconductors. The tri-radio technology can operate across door locks and smart speakers to in-vehicle entertainment and telematics, he added.

“Interoperability has been a key challenge that has fragmented the smart home market for years, but Matter-enabled devices can change that,” confirms Jonathan Collins, research director at ABI Research.  

The IW612 can be used for border routers, bridges and gateways in the smart home that require connecting Thread or Bluetooth devices to the cloud using the integrated Wi-Fi 6 radio. Additionally, the IW612 enables communication between Matter devices regardless of whether the devices use Wi-Fi or Thread. This allows Matter-over-Wi-Fi products to control and monitor Matter-over-Thread devices, and vice versa. 

The IW612 is sampling now.

http://www.nxp.com 

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