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Lattice updates mVision stack for 4K video processing

Mon, Sep 27, 2021

Higher image signal processing (ISP) is delivered via the updated mVision software stack, released by Lattice Semiconductor.

The mVision stack supports 4K video data processing and LPDDR4 memory for popular vision and high speed data interfaces. Developers can implement popular high speed communication and display interfaces to accelerate embedded vision performance with low power consumption for edge applications including machine vision, robotics, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), video surveillance and

The mVision v2.1 has support for the LPDDR4 DRAM memory standard. With up to eight programmable SerDes lanes capable of speeds up to 10.3 Gbits per second, the Nexus FPGAs are claimed to deliver the highest system bandwidth in their class, enabling popular communication and display interfaces such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet, PCI Express, SLVS-EC, CoaXPress, and HBR3 DisplayPort (at up to 8.1 Gbits per second per lane).

Signal bridging and duplication reference designs have also been added. The latest reference designs help developers convert legacy video standards commonly used in industrial applications to the more widely-used MIPI standard. The reference designs include MIPI to parallel conversion, parallel to MIPI conversion, MIPI CSI-2 to LVDS conversion, one-to-N MIPI duplicator and support for the Nexus FPGAs. The ISP support from partner Helion enables high resolution, high frame rate UHD cameras and drones, adds Lattice.

Industry analyst Bob O’Donnell with TECHnalysis Research explains: “LPDDR4 memory provides device designers with a great range of different capacities / densities, speeds, and power requirements that can be matched to specific applications. Because of its low power nature, LPDDR4 memory is particularly well-suited for embedded and machine vision in battery-powered devices or other applications where thermal management is a challenge.”

While embedded and machine vision applications can realise new user experiences in industrial, automotive and consumer markets, supporting them at the edge requires a balance of processing performance and the design’s power consumption and physical constraints, adds Mark Hoopes, director of industrial and automotive segment marketing at Lattice Semiconductor. The mVision stack simplifies and accelerates embedded vision solution development and this version 2.1 leverages the company’s Nexus FPGAs to support high performance interfaces and faster processing at low power, he says.

http://www.latticesemi.com

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Smallest Arduino Pro board brings sensing to the edge

Mon, Sep 27, 2021

Claimed to be the smallest Arduino board to date, Nicla Sense ME has been created by Arduino Pro and Bosch Sensortec. It makes sensing and intelligence at the edge accessible to all, says Bosch Sensortec.

The Sense ME is the first product in the Nicla family. It combines low-power sensor nodes with the ability to handle AI and machine learning (ML) on the edge. Dimensions are just 22.86 x 22.86mm.

The Nicla Sense ME has a nine degrees of freedom (DoF) smart motion sensor and a 4DoF environmental sensor with AI capabilities. It uses Bosch Sensortec’s BHI260AP artificial intelligence (AI) sensor system with integrated motion sensor, BMM150 magnetometer, BMP390 pressure sensor, and the BME688 four-in-one gas sensor with AI and integrated high linearity and high accuracy pressure, humidity and temperature sensors.

The board can sense and process different types of data on the edge and reduces latency and power consumption for more privacy without minimal bandwidth, says Bosch. Arduino Pro’s Adriano Chinello describes it as “a tiny board with a really great mix of sensors combined with high computational power, opening up a whole new range of applications leveraging on sensor fusion. Smart building automation, mobile and wearable devices, industrial and professional equipment are key targets”.

Power-saving operation and clear programming structure make the small board suitable for research projects, rapid prototyping and development. It is included in the starter kit provided to all teams participating in the Bosch Sensortec’s 2021 IoT Innovation Challenge, an online competition for students.

“Bosch Sensortec’s self-learning AI smart motion sensor, the environmental sensor with AI capabilities and all the other sensors allow a broad range of applications to address the different segments of the IoT market. This way developing intelligent, low-power and scalable edge sensing applications is easier than ever before” says Dr. Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO of Bosch Sensortec.

The Nicla Sense ME can be powered by a battery and used as a complete standalone board, or attached to an Arduino board to expand its capabilities. It is equipped with Arduino’s fast deployment and easy configuration and is also future-proof, says Bosch, as it allows for additional sensors. It is compatible with upcoming Nicla products, as well as the Arduino Pro MKR and Portenta families.

https://www.bosch-sensortec.com

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Round TFT display modules opens windows for design

Fri, Sep 24, 2021

Round TFT displays in the POS-I-PRO series open up design possibilities for industry, digital signage, interior design and smart homes, says Distec. The HMI series includes four expansion variants with a screen diagonal of 3.4 inches at a resolution of 800 x 800 pixels and a brightness of 350cd/m².

As is the case with the rectangular devices in the POS-PRO series, the displays integrate a PCAP touchscreen which can be operated with up to 10 fingers. A chemically hardened cover glass protects against scratches and damage.

The displays can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications, from industrial, point of sale (POS), digital signage, advertising technology and interior design, for example integrated in furniture and other smart home equipment.

The basic version POS-I-034-00-PRO-V1 is built into a powder-coated aluminium housing and can be integrated via threaded bolts on the rear of the housing. An O-ring ensures that the front is sealed against dust and water jets in accordance with IP65. There is also a mini HDMI connection for the image signal and a USB-C connection for touch and power supply.

The POS-I-034-00-PRO-V2 model has additional cables (1m each) which are secured via a strain relief. “We have added a Raspberry Pi 4B to variant 3,” says Ludwig Deimel. “The Raspberry Pi is mounted in its own robust housing with passive cooling and can be installed remotely from the display unit.” The Raspberry Pi OS (operating system) opens up possibilities for the displays’ use in the display and advertising sectors.

Round displays also offer new perspectives in furniture design and in smart homes. The POS-I-034-00-PRO-V4 is an integrated HMI. Both the display unit and the Raspberry Pi are mounted in the housing on a mounting frame and equipped with holes, cut-outs and threads to allow easy and quick integration, says Distec.

Distec explains how it has solved another challenge for the POS-I-PRO relating to the OS. Conventional OS can only display a rectangular desktop, which cuts off the content in the corners on a round display. Based on the Embedded Wizard software, Distec delivers a basic framework for real round displays with basic commands for integrating the touchscreen, such as swipe gestures and click modes, already part of the package. Smaller and larger models of the POS-I-PRO can also be implemented on request.

The POS-I-PRO series meets the requirements of the new EU Ecodesign Directive, guaranteeing long-term availability of spare parts and ease of repair. Distec manufactures the devices in Germany.

https://www.distec.de/en

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Skyworks releases switches for automotive and comms

Thu, Sep 23, 2021

Automotive switches and low-noise amplifier front-end modules from Skyworks are designed for automotive, cellular compensator and cellular telematics applications.

The company has released four devices, the SKYA21038, SKYA21039, SKYA210140 and SKYA21041.

The SKYA21038 is a single pole, double throw (SPDT) switch intended for mode switching in WLAN applications. Switching technologies enable the SKYA21038 to maintain a low insertion loss and high isolation for all switching paths, says Skyworks. The high-linearity performance and low insertion loss mean that the switch is suitable for low power transmit / receive applications.

The switch is manufactured in a compact, 1.0 x 1.0 x 0.5mm, six-pin exposed pad plastic micro leadframe package dual (MLPD) package.

The SKYA21039 is a single pole, triple throw (SP3T) antenna switch that operates in the 2.4 to 2.5GHz frequency range. Switching between the antenna (RFC signal) and the RF1, RF2, and RF3 ports is accomplished with two control voltages (V1 and V2). Characteristics of low loss, high isolation, high linearity, small size, and low cost make the switch suitable for all WLAN and Bluetooth systems operating in the 2.4 to 2.5GHz band. The SKYA21039 is manufactured in a compact, 1.1 x 1.1 x 0.5mm, eight-pin Micro Leadframe (MLP) package.

The SKYA21040 integrates a single pole, triple throw (SP3T) switch and low noise amplifier (LNA) with a bypass mode in a compact package. The device is capable of switching between WLAN receive, WLAN transmit, and Bluetooth and is provided in a small dual flat no-lead (DFN) eight-pin, 1.5 x 1.5mm package.

The fourth switch is the SKYA21041 which integrates a single pole, double throw (SPDT) switch and low noise amplifier (LNA) with a bypass mode in a six-pin, 1.2 x 1.4mm DFN package. It is capable of switching between WLAN receive and WLAN transmit.

[Picture credit: Metamorworks]

http://www.skyworksinc.com

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Lattice updates mVision stack for 4K video processing

Smallest Arduino Pro board brings sensing to the edge

Round TFT display modules opens windows for design

Skyworks releases switches for automotive and comms

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