Sector News

Intel RealSense ID processes images locally and encrypts for privacy

Fri, Jan 08, 2021

Privacy was a top priority in the design of the Intel RealSense ID facial authentication, explains the company at its launch.

Intel RealSense ID combines an active depth sensor with a specialised neural network designed to deliver secure, accurate and user-aware facial authentication. It was designed and built specifically for user protection and processes all facial images locally and encrypts all user data, explains the company.

Intel RealSense ID works with various access systems, including smart locks, access control, point of sale sites, ATMs and kiosks.

“Intel RealSense ID combines purpose-built hardware and software with a dedicated neural network designed to deliver a secure facial authentication platform that users can trust,” explained Sagi Ben Moshe, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of Emerging Growth and Incubation.

No network set up is required and enrolment is simple, says Intel, for accurate, natural facial authentication to simplify secure entry. Using only a glance, users are able to quickly unlock what’s important to them. Intel RealSense ID combines active depth with a specialised neural network, a dedicated SoC and embedded secure element to encrypt and process user data quickly and safely.

To ensure continued ease of use, Intel RealSense ID also adapts to users over time as they change physical features, such as facial hair and glasses. The system works in various lighting conditions for people with a wide range of heights or complexions, reassures Intel.

It has been developed because traditional authentication methods leave users vulnerable to ID theft and security breaches. Companies and individuals are turning to facial authentication technology to meet the highest levels of security and privacy.

Suitable for use in finance, healthcare and smart access control, Intel RealSense ID has built-in anti-spoofing technology to protect against false entry attempts using photographs, videos or masks. It also provides a one-in-1-million false acceptance rate.

To protect user’s privacy, Intel RealSense ID processes all facial images locally and encrypts all user data. It is also only activated through user awareness and will not authenticate unless prompted by a pre-registered user.

http://www.intel.com

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P9418 is industry’s first 60W wireless power receiver IC, says Renesas

Fri, Jan 08, 2021

The single chip P9418 IC combines WattShare technology for high power density smartphone and mobile device charging. The 60W wireless power receiver is claimed to deliver faster wireless charging experiences for smartphones, laptops and notebook devices and in the industry’s highest power density. The WattShare technology enables quick and convenient charging on the go beyond smartphones, including device charging for a variety of portable computing devices, says Renesas.

The P9418 is an integrated wireless power transmitter/receiver IC (TRx) that can be configured to transmit or receive an AC power signal through magnetic induction. The P9418 provides an upgrade path for the P9415 and also delivers advanced telemetry and proprietary charging protocols required for high power applications.

It delivers up to 60W as a receiver and in WattShare (TRx) mode has up to 10W Tx capability. It has an embedded 32-bit Arm Cortex-M0 processor and Renesas claims it has best-in-class IOUT current sensing accuracy for foreign object detection. There is also a non-volatile memory for firmware and device function updates.

Bi-directional communications support proprietary authentication with encryption and the P9418 is WPC 1.2.4-compliant and various proprietary charging modes. It supports I2C 400kHz standard interface and general purpose I/Os.

Designers can also combine the P9418 wireless charging receiver with Renesas’ power management portfolio, including its USB Type-C power delivery and battery charging to accelerate development.

The P9418 60W wireless power receiver is available now.

http://www.renesas.com

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Microchip unveils power control reference design to simplify AC/DC design

Thu, Jan 07, 2021

When used in smart home devices, offline AC/DC power relies on programmability and adaptive control to offer the flexibility and intelligence required to interface with the device’s power systems. In these systems, a secondary side microcontroller is typically not capable of starting a system without the use of a separate bias power supply. Microchip addresses this with a reference design which uses the MCP1012 high voltage auxiliary AC/DC controller. As a result, says Microchip, the independent bias power supply can be removed in many applications. The MCP1012 offline auxiliary device enables the system to transfer control of the power and duty cycle to a secondary microcontroller. The control between the system and the load can be more precise and purposefully coupled, through a design that can be simplified. This reduces size and cost, adds Microchip.

The reference design uses a patented isolation technique for isolated feedback. This patented Inde-Flux transformer technology is being licensed to Würth Elektronik eiSos. It is used in the Inde-Flux transformer (Part Number 750318659), which is sold as part of 15W MCP1012 offline reference design. The transformer combines the signal power and signal communication, eliminating the need for optical feedback or an independent signal transformer. The option is also available to use more traditional approaches with a planar pulse transformer on the reference design, as well as the ability of the design to work with more traditional optocouplers and signal transformers. The secondary side control is then enabled through a combination of the transformer and Microchip’s  MCP1012 AC/DC controller along with the SAM D20 series 32-bit microcontroller.

The MPC1012 primary side auxiliary controller provides for system start up, gating and protecting an offline flyback converter for the secondary microcontroller. The device enables a range of benefits such as direct measurement and active regulation of voltage and/or current, high loop bandwidth by direct loop closure and simplified communication for load-referenced systems.

The MCP1012 offline reference design provides the principal working elements for a 15W offline power design with the necessary firmware to enable the elimination of the auxiliary power supply on the primary side, Microchip explains. This can reduce the complexity of the system including eliminating the need for optocouplers in many applications such as appliances and smart speakers.

Inde-Flux transformer technology, in cooperation with Würth Elektronik eiSos, can be scaled to standard and custom transformer designs for different voltages and power levels as needed.

The 15W MCP1012 offline reference design includes a user guide and comes with schematics and bill of materials, design files, firmware, and a demonstration unit. Microchip also offers a fundamental 1W evaluation board, the DT100118, for the MCP1012 AC-DC controller.

http://www.microchip.com

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ETSI lets edge app developers play in the Sandbox

Thu, Jan 07, 2021

To help application developers to experience and interact with an implementation of ETSI MEC APIs and test out their applications, ETSI offers the MEC Sandbox.

The interactive environment enables users to learn and experiment with ETSI MEC Service application programming interfaces (APIs). Standardised RESTful APIs are targeted at multi-access edge computing (MEC) application developers to consume the value-added services offered by MEC, including real-time access to network and context information (either fixed or mobile), as well as location information on infrastructure and user equipment.

The design principles for developing the APIs have also been specified in ETSI GS MEC 009, along with http methods, templates, conventions and patterns. The MEC service APIs are available in YAML and JSON format, presented via OpenAPI-compliant descriptions.

“With the Sandbox, developers with existing applications can configure them to access and use the live MEC APIs running in their own test environment which is essential for them,” explained Walter Featherstone, chair of the ETSI MEC Deployment and ECOsystem Development (DECODE) working group.

MEC Sandbox provides the user with a choice of scenarios combining different network technologies (4G, 5G, Wi-Fi) and terminal equipment, such as vehicles, pedestrians or connected objects. Combining these simulated assets in a geo-located environment, a user can gain hands-on experience of the behaviour and capabilities of the location (MEC013), radio network information (MEC012) and WLAN information (MEC028) service APIs.

Developers will be able to browse the Wiki Ecosystem page, which provides information mainly related to the work of the ETSI ISG MEC Deployment and ECOsystem DEvelopment (DECODE) Working Group, whose aim is to accelerate the development of the MEC ecosystem.

ETSI provides members with an open and inclusive environment to support the development, ratification and testing of globally applicable standards for ICT systems and services across all sectors of industry and society.  It is a not-for-profit body with more than 900 member organisations worldwide, drawn from 65 countries and five continents. Its membership is made up of large and small private companies, research entities, academia, government and public organisations.

ETSI is officially recognised by the EU as a European Standards Organization (ESO).

https://www.etsi.org/

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