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MEMS oscillator improves phase noise, halves space needs

Thu, Jul 30, 2020

Anticipating optical and data communications for outdoor 5G deployment, SiTime introduces the SiT9501 differential MEMS oscillator. It is based on SiTime’s third generation MEMS technology.

The SiT9501 oscillator is intended for use in 100 to 800G optical modules. It is supplied in a 2.0 x 1.6mm package to achieve up to 50 per cent space savings, although other industry standard packages. The device’s smaller size allows customers to integrate more features and reduce development time, adds SiTime.

SiTime claims the SiT9501 differential oscillator offers the lowest jitter in the presence of environmental stressors, and the smallest size.

It operates over popular networking frequencies from 25 to 644.53125MHz with

70 femtoseconds of RMS phase jitter. It has a wide operating temperature range of -40 to +105 degrees C.

There are on-chip voltage regulators to filter power-supply noise, to enhance power integrity for module designs, says SiTime, together with FlexSwing driver which reduces power consumption by 30 per cent. It also integrates source-bias LVPECL resistors.

The SiT9501 can be used for high-performance applications, such as data centre switches, telecomms routers, edge servers, artificial intelligence (AI) or graphics cards and storage controllers in addition to optical modules for outdoor 5G deployment.

According to Rajesh Vashist, CEO of SiTime, this third generation MEMS delivers up to seven times better phase noise at half the power. “The SiT9501 is the first of many products to use this technology. . . In space-constrained applications, such as optical modules, the SiT9501 delivers an unmatched combination of higher performance and smaller size,” he said.

Outdoor 5G infrastructure is subject to environmental stressors such as high-temperature, vibration and airflow that can degrade throughput. Increased data rates and potential environmental stressors, contribute to shrink timing margins which requires lower jitter oscillators to ensure the same quality of service.

In optical modules, a third of the PCB area is consumed by the optical sub-assembly, leaving little room for data processing electronics. This also makes a small form factor, a critical factor in oscillator selection.

The SiT9501 oscillator is sampling now. Production quantities are planned to be available in Q1 2021.

https://www.sitime.com

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Speech synthesis IC promises superior audio playback for ADAS and AVAS

Mon, Jul 27, 2020

Automotive speech synthesis ICs in the ML2253x series are optimised for audible notifications and sound effects in advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) and acoustic vehicle alerting system (AVAS).

The ML2253x speech synthesis ICs can reduce overall system costs and simplify hardware and software design, says Rohm.

The IC uses the HQ-ADPCM compression method, claimed to provide superior audio playback with reduced memory usage for storing audio data.

The integrated sound continuity detection re-digitises the analogue speaker output signal and compares it with the playback data stored in the internal or external memory. The main microcontroller receives a feedback in case the data is exceeding a pre-defined value e.g. in case of skipping.

The IC has detection functions built in, including short-circuit, high temperature, and command transfer error detection, improving reliability in automotive applications, says Rohm.

The memory content can be updated through the main microcontroller, once connected to a communication network, such as the IoT.

Lapis Semiconductor offers the SDCK3 development tool that allows users to create voice data as well as prepare, write, and listen to ROM data stored in the speech synthesis IC. Combining SDCK3 with an optional reference board enables both hardware and software to be evaluated.

Rohm Semiconductor develops and manufactures a large product range from the low power microcontroller, power management, standard ICs, SiC diodes, MOSFETs and modules, power transistors and diodes, LEDs to passives components such as resistors, tantalum capacitors and LED display units.

Production is at manufacturing plants in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and China.

Lapis Semiconductor (former OKI Semiconductor), SiCrystal GmbH and Kionix are companies of the Rohm Semiconductor Group.

Rohm Semiconductor Europe has its head office near Dusseldorf on Germany, serving Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

http://www.rohm.com/eu

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Farnell supports makers and students with pi-top [4] computer

Mon, Jul 27, 2020

Suitable for traditional classrooms and homes to libraries, after school clubs and maker spaces, the pi-top [4] programmable computer has been introduced by Farnell.

The distributor is now shipping the programmable computing device to support digital making, coding and practical projects for educators and students, as well as makers and inventors. It can be used by students to develop key skills including coding and circuit design, as well as increasingly in-demand soft skills such as communication, critical thinking and problem-solving, says Farnell.

Every pi-top [4] computer is supplied with a Foundation Kit within a metal ‘bento box’ containing 14 components such as programmable sensors, buttons and LEDs. Users can get started right away and learn the basics of coding and physical computing, and progress through guided lesson plans in advanced coding, robotics, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI). The modular design and internal battery make the pi-top [4] suitable for learning environments outside the home or classroom, for example, the sports field or playground.

The software learning environment is designed by educators. Farnell says pi-top [4] is the only platform to be endorsed by the OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Review board) national examination awarding body for use in the computer science curriculum in the UK. Support materials include step-by-step ‘how to’ guides that help students write code to control different electronic components such as lights and sensors. There are also project based learning exaples in the software suite, which is bundled on the 8Gbyte SD card.

The pi-top [4] is powered by the 1.5GHz quad core Raspberry Pi 4 processor with 4Gbyte of RAM. Communication is via USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, dual 4K HDMI output, 40 general purpose I/O (GPIO) pins and a 128 x 64 mini screen.

The pi-top [4] can be connected to any monitor or other device including Windows, Apple and Chromebook computers and third-party products such as Arduino and micro:bit. Raspberry Pi GPIO connectivity is included as standard.

The computer is hardware compatible with Lego and Meccano and students can # access thousands of free projects and resources that utilise the Raspberry Pi HAT architecture.

The pi-top [4] also supports a variety of educational software and apps including Scratch 3, Sonic Pi and Mu-Python code editor for beginner programmers as well as Chromium web browser and Google Suite, Photo Editor, mtPaint/ ImageMagic, VLC Media Player and Minecraft Raspberry Pi edition.

The pi-top [4] computer and Foundation Kit is available for fast delivery from Farnell in EMEA, element14 in APAC and Newark in North America.

http://www.farnell.com

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AI edge box PC is based on Jetson Xavier NX to run neural networks

Wed, Jul 22, 2020

Powered by Nvidia’s Jetson Xavier NX, the Boxer-8251AI is the latest edge box PC from Aaeon. The compact PC has a six-core 64-bit Arm processor, 384 Cuda cores, 48 Tensor cores, and two NVDLA engines capable of running multiple neural networks in parallel. The Boxer-8251AI delivers accelerated computing performance up to 21TOPS.

It also boasts 8Gbyte of LPDDR4 memory and 16Gbyte of onboard eMMC memory which can be expanded through the Micro-SD card slot.

The Jetson Xavier NX allows users to select one of five performance modes to tailor the number of cores, processor speed, and power draw the system uses. Combined with the thermal design, the PC allows users to match processor performance with thermal performance for each operating mode.

The Boxer-8251AI has two COM ports and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, as well as Gigabit Ethernet port. The PC can integrate into existing applications as well as new ones, says Aaeon. The rugged, fanless design keeps dust and other contaminants out of the system, offering reliable and low-maintenance operation, adds the company.

Alex Hsueh, senior director of Aaeon’s System Platform Division, praised its AI at the edge capabilities in existing and emerging applications: “Thanks to this flexibility, the Boxer-8251AI is able to power a wide range of AI and edge computing applications from smart city environments to monitoring public transportation users for fever and compliance with face mask requirements,” he observed.

Aaeon was established in 1992, as a designer and manufacturer of professional intelligent IoT solutions. Committed to innovative engineering, the company provides reliable and high quality computing platforms, including industrial motherboards and systems, industrial displays, rugged tablets, embedded controllers, network appliances and related accessories, as well as integrated solutions.

Aaeon also has the hardware and services for premier OEM/ODMs and system integrators worldwide. As an Associate Member of the Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance, Aaeon offers customised end-to-end services from initial product conceptualisation and board product development, to mass manufacturing and after-sales service programs.

http://www.aaeon.com

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MEMS oscillator improves phase noise, halves space needs

Speech synthesis IC promises superior audio playback for ADAS and AVAS

Farnell supports makers and students with pi-top [4] computer

AI edge box PC is based on Jetson Xavier NX to run neural networks

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