Debug probes from Segger is wireless for monitoring from afar

USB and Wi-Fi interfaces are included in the J-Link WiFi, the latest member of the J-Link family of debug probes from Segger.

The company says that any software compatible with J-Link can use the J-Link WiFi model.

Removing the physical connection between J-Link and the host opens up opportunities for monitoring and debugging robots, vehicles, drones or other devices with moving parts. They can be monitored or debugged on the move or from a distance. Physical disconnection provides electrical isolation and J-Link over Wi-Fi accesses air-sealed environments.

The J-Link WiFi comes with Ozone, J-Flash, Monitor mode debugging, and unlimited flash breakpoints. It delivers a high download and debug speed that is not possible with other options such as Bluetooth.

The probe was created in response to customers’ requests, who, when using the J-Link Pro in combination with a Wi-Fi bridge, says Alex Grüner, CTO at Segger. “Now . . . this new model, [makes] J-Link debugging easily available for mobile applications. Customers can now do wireless debugging with the legendary speed and reliability of J-Link.”

Like the J-Link Pro, the J-Link WiFi is supplied with a built-in web server and can be accessed from any computer on the network or even outside using the J-Link Remote server.

Segger Microcontroller has over 25 years’ of experience in embedded computer systems, producing software libraries and offering hardware tools (for development and production) and software tools.

Segger provides a real-time operating system (RTOS) plus a complete spectrum of software libraries including communication, security, data compression and storage, user interface software and more.

The company’s professional software libraries and tools for embedded system development are designed for simple usage and are optimised for the requirements imposed by resource-constrained embedded systems. The company also supports the entire development process with affordable, high-quality, flexible, easy-to-use tools.

The company was founded in 1992 and is privately held. It has a US office in the Boston area and branch operations in Silicon Valley and the UK, with distributors on most continents.

Segger’s software is not covered by an open-source or required-attribution license and can be integrated in any commercial or proprietary product, without the obligation to disclose the combined source.

http://www.segger.com

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Aitech expands adds rugged GPGPU AI supercomputer

Based on Nvidia’s Xavier AGX , the A178 Thunder expands the general purpose graphics processing unit (GPGPU) systems available from Aitech.

According to Dan Mor, GPGPU product line manager of Aitech: “GPGPU uses a parallel structure, with multiple small cores that process multiple tasks simultaneously.  As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow and system size continues to shrink, computing systems will be expected to perform in increasingly remote, harsh environments.”

The A178 Thunder has twice as many CUDA cores as Jetson TX2-based systems as well as the addition of new Tensor cores. It is claimed to have some of the most powerful processing capabilities in a small form factor (SFF) system. The system features 512 CUDA cores and 64 of NVIDIA’s new Tensor cores.

Tensor cores in the Xavier system on module (SoM) amplify the matrix processing of large data sets for AI, by enabling higher levels of computation with lower power consumption. When the SoM is coupled with Aitech’s rugged computing expertise, the A178 Thunder handles up to 22 Tera operations per second (TOPS) to provide local processing of high volumes of data where it is needed, closest to system sensors.

The A178 Thunder incorporates two dedicated Nvidia deep learning accelerator (NVDLA) engines that provide an open-source inference design method. The system also features pre-installed Linux OS, which includes the bootloader, Linux kernel, NVIDIA drivers, an Aitech BSP and flash programming utilities.

The A178 Thunder weighs less than 2.4kg/5.5lbs and measures 215 x 81 x 172mm (8.5 x 3.2 x 6.8-inch). It is SWaP-optimised says Aitech and suitable for a number of military and defence applications, such as distributed computing and signal processing in next generation autonomous vehicles as well as surveillance, targeting and EW systems.

Seven pre-set power modes are standard on the A178 Thunder and users can create custom pre-sets with specific clocks and online cores. It also provides a wide input voltage range of 11 to 36V DC with steady state operation. Input power is protected by an EMI/RFI input filter as well as reverse polarity protection.

I/O options include Gigabit Ethernet, 10GBase-T, USB 3.0, HDMI output, UART Serial and CANbus as well as discrete and display ports. Video is simultaneously captured on up to four channels via SDI (SD/HD) or over eight channels at full frame rates using Composite (RS-170A [NTSC]/PAL) interfaces. There is also a high speed, internal NVME SSD with a storage capacity of up to 1Tbyte.

An evaluation board – the EV178 – is also available.

The A178 Thunder will be on display at NVIDIA’s GPGPU Technology Conference (GTC 2019) in Washington DC, USA (5 to 6 November), Stand 411.

http://www.aitech.com

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Rugged edge node has processing performance for smart cities

A rugged outdoor edge node from Aaeon, Atlas, is built to provide cities with flexible solutions for AI and edge computing. It has the Intel Movidius Myriad X for real-time processing for a range of smart city applications.

It is based on the compact Aaeon NanoCOM-APL board, featuring the Intel Atom x7, providing efficient computing with low power consumption. It is designed with an IP66-rated fanless chassis, for installation on any streetlight, making it easy to quickly set up and deploy, says the company. Connectivity is via Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, or even 4G/LTE for flexible communication within an edge network or with a central cloud server. The Aaeon Atlas also features built-in cameras and sensors for data collection and analysis.

An embedded Intel Movidius Myriad X vision processing unit (VPU) provides a low-power, high-performance solution for on-device AI inference. The Atlas is compatible with the Intel Distribution of OpenVINO toolkit, which includes optimisation and hardware acceleration to maximise the capabilities of the VPU

As an edge gateway, AEON Atlas can connect with up to 200 smart street lights, providing intelligent control. It has licence plate recognition AI inference to power applications such as smart street parking or detecting traffic violations or accidents. With traffic and congestion monitoring, Aaeon Atlas can optimise traffic signals in real time to help improve traffic flow. Aaeon Atlas can also anonymously detect pedestrians in crowd control and flow monitoring applications.

Established in 1992, Aaeon designs and manufactures professional intelligent IoT solutions. It provides industrial motherboards and systems, industrial displays, rugged tablets, embedded controllers, network appliances and related accessories, as well as integrated solutions. It also has the hardware and services for premier OEM/ODMs and system integrators worldwide. It is an Associate Member of the Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance and 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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Evaluation kit supports energy harvesting embedded controller

For the development of battery maintenance-free IoT equipment, Renesas Electronics has introduced the RE family, which encompasses the company’s current and future line-up of energy harvesting embedded controllers. The RE Family is based on Renesas’ proprietary Silicon on Thin Buried Oxide (SOTB) process technology. SOTB is claimed to dramatically reduce power consumption in both active and standby states, eliminating the need for battery replacement or recharging.

Following the introduction of the RE01 microcontrollers, the first of the RE family, the RE01 Group evaluation kit is now available to allow users working with the RE01

Hiroto Nitta, senior vice president, Head of SoC Business, IoT and Infrastructure Business Unit at Renesas, said: “We hope this will accelerate the spread of IoT equipment powered by energy harvesting.”

The RE01 evaluation kit includes an evaluation board with an RE01 embedded controller, an interface for the energy harvesting device and a rechargeable battery interface. There is also an Arduino-compatible interface for easy expansion and evaluation of sensor boards and a Pmod connector to expand and evaluate wireless functionality. There is also a low power memory in pixel (MIP) LCD expansion board so that users can evaluate display functions faster. The kit also contains sample code and application notes that  serve as references for power management design that eliminates the need for battery maintenance, and driver software that supports CMSIS, Arm’s Cortex Microcontroller Software Interface Standard. Sample code for low power ADCs, digital filter and fast Fourier transform (FFT) routines, 2D graphics MIP LCD displays, and secure boot and secure firmware update functions for improved security are available.

The kit can be used to adopt energy harvesting based on RE01 Group devices at the system level and will accelerate the development of equipment that does not require battery maintenance.

IAR Embedded Workbench for Arm which can use the high efficiency IAR C/C++ compiler, and e2 studio (note 2) which can use the free GNU compiler are available as the developmental environment.

The RE01 evaluation kit is available now.

http://www.renesas.com

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