Sector News

Xilinx adds MPSoCs for ADAS and autonomous driving

Wed, Nov 13, 2019

The Xilinix Automotive (XA) Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC 7EV and 11EG have been added to the company’s automotive portfolio. According to the company, the programmable capacity, performance and I/O capabilities enable high-speed, data aggregation, pre-processing, and distribution (DAPD) as well as compute acceleration for L2+ to L4 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving applications.

The XA Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC 7EV and 11EG offer over 650,000 programmable logic cells and nearly 3,000 DSP slices, representing a 2.5-fold increase compared with the previous largest device.

The XA 7EV contains a video codec unit for h.264/h.265 encode and decode; the XA 11EG includes 32 12.5Gbits per second transceivers and provides four PCIe Gen3x16 blocks. At the launch, Xilinx said the devices provide the performance required by carmakers, robotaxi developers and Tier-1 suppliers to perform power-efficient DAPD and compute acceleration that allows for scalable production deployments for autonomous driving vehicles.

The XA Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC portfolio is qualified to AEC-Q100 and integrates both Xilinx programmable logic and a feature-rich 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 and dual-core Arm Cortex-R5-based processing system that is certified to ASIL-C level in the low power domain. These characteristics and the high data throughput capability of the XA 7EV and XA 11EG accelerate the deployment of autonomous.

The XA 7EV and XA 11EG are available for order today.  Both are supported by Vitis and Vitis AI software.

Xilinx develops adaptive processing platforms that enable rapid innovation from the endpoint to the edge to the cloud. Xilinx invented the FPGA, hardware programmable SoCs, and the ACAP.

http://www.xilinx.com

> Read More

Low-latency PHY technology prepares for industry 4.0

Wed, Nov 13, 2019

Industrial Ethernet physical layer (PHY) products released by Analog Devices help manufacturers address industry 4.0 and smart factory communication challenges around data integration, synchronisation, edge connectivity, and system interoperability.

At SPS later this month, the company will be showcasing the ADIN1300 low-power, single port Ethernet transceiver. It has industry leading power and latency specifications, claims the company and is primarily designed for time-critical industrial Ethernet applications up to Gigabit speeds.

It has 10BASE-Te/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T IEEE 802.3-compliant MII, RMII and RGMII MAC interfaces with 330mW consumption (1000BASE-T) and 290 nano second 1000BASE-T RGMII latency (receive and transmit). It complies to several EMC test standards, including IEC 61000-4-5 surge (±4kV), IEC 61000-4-2 ESD (±6kV contact discharge), IEC 61000-4-6 conducted immunity (10V) and EN55032 radiated emissions (Class A) and EN55032 conducted emissions (Class A). It is packaged in a 40-lead, 6.0 x 6.0mm LFCSP.

The ADIN1300 is designed to operate in harsh industrial conditions and over extended ambient temperature ranges, mirroring the trend for industrial automation to increasingly adopt the Ethernet and increase data rates.

ADIN1300 is the latest technology developed for the Analog Devices’ Chronous industrial Ethernet solutions. The Chronous portfolio includes the ADIN1200, a low-power single port 10/100 robust Ethernet PHY for real-time industrial Ethernet networks. Other products include a range of advanced industrial Ethernet technologies from real-time Ethernet switches, PHY transceivers and protocol processing to complete network interface products.

ADIN1300 targets industrial Ethernet applications as motion control, factory automation, building automation, test and measurement and the IIoT.

ADI will be exhibiting ADIN1300 and other ADI Chronous Ethernet portfolio solutions at SPS ( 26 to 28 November) in Nuremberg, Germany, Hall 5, 129.

http://www.analog.com

> Read More

Module combines sensors for smart building data

Wed, Nov 13, 2019

Data can be collected within 30 minutes of plugging in the AmbiMate MS4 multi-sensor module. TE Connectivity says that the module collects data for heating, lighting, air quality and other applications to cut time to market for smart building systems.

The AmbiMate MS4 multi-sensor module integrates the most popular set of sensors needed for most smart building solutions. Engineers can use the module instead of up to seven individual sensors, enabling the time required to research, source and integrate multiple sensors and frees up resources to work on other aspects of smart building system designs.

Different module options are available to meet different specifications. A basic version has the four core sensors of passive infra red, ambient light, temperature and humidity to control of heating and lighting. Customers can choose to add a microphone and / or equivalent carbon dioxide and volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors for features such as voice activation and air quality management.

“Engineers face the challenges of looming deadlines, unforeseen technical obstacles and high expectations,” explained Jonathan Catchpole, system architect at TE Connectivity’s industrial business. “We designed the AmbiMate sensor module as the best possible set of sensors for intelligent buildings so that engineers can focus their efforts on . . . cloud integration, software or meeting the WELL Building Standard.”

(The WELL Building Standard is focused on improving comfort and productivity through enhanced control of the environment in and around buildings.)

The AmbiMate sensor module is available to buy as a standalone PCB assembly (PCBA) in bulk and also as a developer kit. The developer kit includes multiple attachment options for flexibility in the mechanical fit and connection inside a product housing. Electronics developers can plug an AmbiMate module into a host controller, like a Raspberry Pi or Arduino device, and start collecting data within 30 minutes with support of code that is available on the company’s website. The module is compatible with the I2C communication protocol.

The AmbiMate sensor module is available from electronics distributors.

http://www.te.com 

> Read More

ZF’s energy harvesting technology has a handle on smart homes

Thu, Nov 07, 2019

Smart home devices add security and energy efficiency as well as convenience. German door and window handle manufacturer, Hoppe, has developed the eHandle ConnectHome and uses energy harvesting technology from ZF.

The window handle joins the product range as an entry-level model to detect whether a window is open or closed. With ZF’s energy harvesting generator, the RF window handle does not need batteries and can therefore be retro-fitted. Rotating the handle to open or close the window generates enough energy to send an RF signal. The position of the window handle will then be transmitted wirelessly to a central control unit which can be programmed, for example, to automatically regulate the heating to turn down if the windows are open.

The eHandle ConnectHome uses a module consisting of monostable generator and RF board, produced by ZF. The generator is based on an inductive principle meaning that the required RF energy is only generated by the mechanical actuation of the handle incorporating the switch. The data transfer is made wirelessly using the EnOcean RF protocol.

Energy harvesting switches are suitable for various control solutions within different environments and a range of applications, advises ZF.

Founded in 1915, ZF has evolved from a supplier specializing in aviation technology to a global technology company.

It supplies systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology. It offers integrated solutions for established vehicle manufacturers, mobility providers and start-up companies in the fields of transportation and mobility.

ZF operates in approximately 230 locations in 40 countries.

 https://switches-sensors.zf.com/

> Read More

About Smart Cities

This news story is brought to you by smartcitieselectronics.com, the specialist site dedicated to delivering information about what’s new in the Smart City Electronics industry, with daily news updates, new products and industry news. To stay up-to-date, register to receive our weekly newsletters and keep yourself informed on the latest technology news and new products from around the globe. Simply click this link to register here: Smart Cities Registration