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Allegro advances autonomous vehicles with GMR sensor

Wed, Jan 19, 2022

Believed to be the first high-resolution giant magnetoresistance (GMR) wheel speed and distance sensor, the A19360 will help vehicle manufacurers achieve levels 3, 4 and 5 automation in passenger vehicles, says Allegro Microsystems.

The A19360 wheel speed and distance sensor provides the signal resolution and reliability required for advanced levels of automation in passenger vehicles and mobility-as-a-service applications, continued the company.

According to a recent report by consulting firm, Strategy, the first passenger vehicles with level 3 (conditional automation) capabilities should be generally available by the end of 2022, and level 4 (high automation) capabilities available in people-mover applications by 2025. By 2030, vehicles incorporating levels 3, 4 and 5 (full automation) capabilities are expected to make up 20% of the total market in Europe, 12% in the US, and 11% in China.

The A19360 sensor is designed for SAE J3016 levels of automation 3, 4 and 5, and helps to safely enable features such as park assist, fully autonomous valet parking and traffic jam assistance with 4x better positional measurement. It can even improve autopilot functionality and low-speed control in dense environments, claims the company.

The A19360 provides high-resolution information to automotive systems by generating extra output events per magnetic cycle with a protocol that’s compatible with electronic control units (ECUs). Automated and autonomous vehicles require superior wheel rotation information for accurate low-speed control.

The A19360’s eight-event per magnetic cycle mode provides an increment for every approximately 5mm of tyre roll. It also includes a four-event per magnetic cycle mode that doubles the number of outputs per magnetic cycle (compared to a normal wheel speed sensor). This allows designers to halve the number of poles on in-wheel ring magnets to save costs or increase the air gap while still obtaining the same number of increments per revolution.

The A19360 was developed for ISO 26262 ASIL B(D), and is built on Allegro’s monolithic GMR technology with low jitter and large air gap capabilities. The company’s SolidSpeed Digital Architecture is claimed to provide the widest dynamic range of operating air gap and highly adaptive performance that eliminates flatlining due to thermal drift and system dynamics.

The A19360 is available in a two-pin SIP package (suffix UB) that is lead- (Pb) free, with tin lead frame plating. The UB package includes an IC and protection capacitor integrated into a single over-moulded package, with an additional moulded lead-stabilising bar for robust shipping and ease of assembly.

http://www.allegromicro.com

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Universal building actuator has four multi-functional contacts

Tue, Jan 18, 2022

In buildings automated with KNX software, different actuator types are needed to control switchable and dimmable loads, motors and valves. Universal actuators offer flexibility in planning and implementation and are suitable for switching devices such as electric lights or fans, as well as to control drives for blinds, shutters, awnings or windows.

Building control specialist, Elsner Elektronik has introduced the KNX S2-B6-AP with four multi-functional contacts. Each can be used individually to switch loads. The maximum switching load / switching current is limited to 8A although the contacts can also be used in pairs to control 230V drives.

The application software determines whether individual contacts or a drive channel is configured for each contact pair. The universal actuator then provides the appropriate settings. For the switching function, for example, these might be switching delays or a staircase lighting timer. To provide shade, queries regarding safety around locks, movement restrictions and priorities of commands are set first. Then the sunshade automation, including slat tracking, is adjusted. For windows, there is an automatic ventilation system to keep the temperature and humidity optimal. Movement positions for different scenarios can also be set.

The actuator also has six binary inputs. They are intended, for example, for local pushbuttons for manual operation of a shading system. In the pushbutton configuration, the input and output are directly connected in the actuator. When configured as a bus pushbutton, the input signal is sent to the bus as a communication object. Each input can then be set up as a (toggle) switch, for controlling drives or scenes, for dimming, as an 8-bit, temperature or brightness value transmitter. Alternatively, two of the inputs can be used for zero position sensors.

The actuator is designed to be surface mounted. Control LEDs and pushbuttons are visible under the transparent housing cover. The actuator can be tested during commissioning to ensure it reacts to commands.

http://www.elsner-elektronik.de

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ADAS introduces depth perception

Mon, Jan 17, 2022

Depth perception can be added to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) says Light, as the company introduces its Clarity depth perception platform, based on Cadence’s Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP.

The next-generation ADAS provides long range, high resolution depth perception using industry standard cameras. The Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP provides real time data processing, ensuring low latency, high bandwidth transmission of high-resolution output, said the company.

Light says its ADAS enables machines to see better than humans by using two or more cameras, novel calibration and signal processing to provide “unprecedented depth quality across the camera’s field of view”. Integrating the Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP enables up to 10 times faster processing of measured depth compared to a quad-core CPU, improving real time accuracy and reliability, reported Light. The configurable and extensible Vision Q7 DSP is accompanied by optimised computer vision libraries, optional accelerators and toolchains that efficiently handle workloads. Light implemented its proprietary multi-view depth perception algorithms via custom instructions using the Tensilica Instruction Extension (TIE) language, which resulted in an additional four-fold performance improvement with three times the area / power savings, claimed Cadence.

Meeting functional safety requirements with full ISO 26262 compliance with ASIL-D is crucial in ADAS. The Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP certified IP is available with certified toolchains, libraries and a streamlined failure modes, effects and diagnostic analysis (FMEDA) flow.

“Light’s solution enables machines to see better than humans, and a key part of that is processing that information quickly enough to allow the machine to react to the world around it,” said Dave Grannan, CEO of Light. “Integrating the Cadence Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP provides us with enhanced signal processing capabilities at low power with low latency . . . helping us to provide accurate and reliable measured depth for future ADAS systems. Additionally, integrating ISO 26262-certified IP such as the Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP is critical when designing automotive-grade solutions,” he added.

Cadence applies its underlying Intelligent System Design strategy to deliver software, hardware and IP that turn design concepts into reality. Cadence customers deliver electronic products from chips to boards to systems for the most dynamic market applications, including consumer, hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, mobile, aerospace, industrial and healthcare.

Light is pioneering real-time 3D perception to redefine how vehicles see the world. The company’s breakthroughs in computational imaging with multi-camera calibration and advanced signal processing provide accurate depth at both near and far distances in real time.

http://www.light.co

http://www.cadence.com

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AI in vehicle cockpit will help drivers interpret data

Mon, Jan 17, 2022

Computer vision based spatial AI provided by Phiar Technologies will be brought to Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon automotive cockpit platforms for AI-powered augmented reality (AR) navigation systems in vehicles.

Today, drivers are facing cognitive overload from having to interpret a multitude of information and notifications from the cockpit, while still trying to interpret directions on a 2D map, said Phiar, which is working with Qualcomm Technologies to bring seamless AI-powered road perception and AR navigation to video and HUD-based automotive IVI environments.

Gene Karshenboym, CEO of Phiar Technologies, explained that delivering AR navigation to drivers will bring them intelligent navigation guidance in real-time for more intuitive driving, without the need to look at a map. “Working with Qualcomm Technologies and the Snapdragon automotive cockpit platforms has empowered us to continually innovate on our existing high standards in AR navigation design, and to deliver the first-rate infotainment services and digital cockpit solutions demanded by modern consumers,” he said.

Bill Pinnell, vice president, product management, automotive at Qualcomm Technologies, added: “There is a growing expectation among consumers and automakers for sophisticated and truly connected digital cockpit solutions. Qualcomm Technologies is delighted that our next generation Snapdragon automotive cockpit platform is helping bring the future of driving navigation to consumers through Phiar’s innovative platform.”

Founded in 2017, Phiar Technologies is a computer vision AI company, specialising in augmented reality driving navigation technology for the automotive industry. Phiar combines its patented innovations in deep learning AI and AR into a new form of driving navigation platform to enhance safety, facilitate more intuitive wayfinding and connect drivers with their surrounding environments.

http://www.phiar.net

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Allegro advances autonomous vehicles with GMR sensor

Universal building actuator has four multi-functional contacts

ADAS introduces depth perception

AI in vehicle cockpit will help drivers interpret data

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