Sector News

Rugged Edge AI system from iBASE engineered on Jetson Orin NX/Nano

Thu, Apr 24, 2025

iBASE has announced the launch of the EC3100, a compact and durable edge AI system powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX and Orin Nano modules. Built to handle real-time AI workloads at the edge, the EC3100 delivers powerful performance with up to an 8-core Arm Cortex-A78AE processor and a 1024-core Ampere GPU with 32 Tensor Cores, making it well-suited for intelligent automation, robotics, and smart surveillance. Its aluminium-steel housing, wide 9V to 36V DC input, and operating temperature range of -20°C to 70°C ensure long-term reliability in tough industrial environments.

The system supports LPDDR5 memory with bandwidths up to 102.4GB/s and runs Ubuntu 22.04, fully optimised for NVIDIA’s JetPack SDK 6.2, which enables Super Mode and fires up more AI performance. It comes with rich I/O options including dual Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 ports, RS232, CANBus, line-out, mic-in, digital input/output, and a USB Type-C port with OTG and recovery support. Dual SIM sockets and three antenna jacks are also built in to support robust and flexible connectivity in field deployments.

Designed with expansion in mind, the EC3100 features an M.2 2280 M-key slot supporting PCIe NVMe storage, ensuring high-speed data access. Additional M.2 slots enable 4G/5G mobile broadband, out-of-band (OOB) 4G, and wireless communication via WiFi, Bluetooth, or GPS. For AI vision projects, the system includes Summit connectors for optional PoE board and CSI camera integration, enhancing its adaptability across edge AI use cases.

https://www.ibase.com.tw/

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Melexis’ robotics e-Guide on mastering the integration of sensing solutions

Wed, Apr 23, 2025

Melexis has launched a new e-Guide, “Engineering the Future of Robotics: Mastering the Integration of Enhanced Sensory Capabilities”, exploring the robotics landscape as well as Melexis’ latest technologies. The document examines how Melexis’s sensor solutions enable engineers to satisfy the industry demand by addressing integration and cost challenges while optimising designs for performance and scalability.

This engaging e-Guide, available on the Melexis website, details key innovations in robotic perception technologies such as 3D tactile sensing as well as internal sensing systems such as high-precision magnetic encoders, inductive, current, and temperature sensors.

In this piece, Melexis analyses the challenges that modern robotics face — from the complexity of integrating high-performance sensing systems into unpredictable environments to the pressures of reducing development time and overall costs. The guide then explores how traditional sensor systems often fall short when addressing the intricate requirements of tactile, positional, and torque feedback in robotic applications, especially in high-volume production.

Engineers will discover how Melexis’ sensor technologies – including Tactaxis and Arcminaxis – not only deliver robust performance but are also specifically designed to ease the transition from prototype to mass production. For instance, Tactaxis offers precise three-dimensional force measurement that emulates human touch, thereby enabling robots to interact safely and naturally with their environment. This is particularly valuable in collaborative and service robotics, where subtle tactile feedback is critical.

The e-Guide further explores the technical drivers behind Arcminaxis – Melexis’ high-resolution magnetic angular sensing solution that simplifies the mechanical complexities of encoder integration without compromising precision. Also discussed are other robotic-specific solutions such Magnetic, inductive, temperature and current sensors.

Beyond technical discovery, the guide dives into wider market trends and the future of robotics, providing engineers with practical, real-world examples and applications.

https://www.melexis.com

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Microchip introduces MCU family to simplify analog sensor design

Wed, Apr 23, 2025

Microchip has released the PIC16F17576 microcontroller (MCU) product family with integrated low-power peripherals and the ability to precisely measure volatile analog signals.

PIC16F17576 MCUs feature a new low-power comparator and voltage reference combination that can operate while the MCU core is in sleep mode, allowing for continuous analog measurement while consuming less than 3.0 µA of current. The Analog Peripheral Manager (APM) controls which peripherals are active to minimise total energy consumption and enable battery-operated applications to monitor signals effectively without excessive power drain.

Engineered for applications that measure volatile analog signals, PIC16F17576 MCUs include operational amplifiers (op amps) with software-controlled gain ladders. This feature enables a single op amp to switch between multiple gain options, helping mitigate noise while maintaining precision and power efficiency. Equipped with up to four op amps and a 12-bit differential ADC with automated averaging, the MCUs enable precise signal measurement over a wide range of inputs.

“Sensor systems can quickly become complex, often requiring multiple analog components that add board size, cost and power draw,” said Greg Robinson, corporate vice president of Microchip’s MCU business unit. “With the integrated analog features in our low-power PIC16F17576 MCUs, we’re cutting that complexity. You can eliminate parts and reduce power consumption, cutting costs and simplifying the overall design process.”

PIC16F17576 MCUs are well suited for measuring analog signals in a number of industries, including environmental and industrial monitoring, smart home and building automation. Key applications include vibration and strain measurement, flow metering, gas detection, cold asset tracking and motion sensing.

Development Tools
PIC16F17576 MCUs are supported by MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and MPLAB Code Configurator which allows designers to easily manage the functionality of the APM and analog peripherals. The devices are compatible with Microchip’s Curiosity Nano EV14L29A development board and MPLAB PICkit development tools.

https://www.microchip.com

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Mouser explores smart tech in farming with agriculture resource hub

Wed, Apr 23, 2025

Mouser offers insights into the latest innovations in farming through its agriculture resource centre. Through the integration of sensors, drones, and AI, farmers have the capability to collect and analyse vast amounts of data. Technological advancements, like satellites, have enabled farmers to track changes in land use, such as crop growth and vegetation health, which helps feed the growing global population while maintaining sustainable practices. By gaining insights into the field, like pH and CO2 levels in the moisture content, they can better understand their soil quality, leading to enhanced crop yields.

IoT devices are added to optimise agricultural practices like RFID tagging livestock to track their movements and analyse the herd’s feeding behaviours, stress levels, and potential health issues. This new level of data analytics ensures that livestock and plants are receiving proper nourishment in various climates, as well as in greenhouse and indoor agriculture. Connected devices allow engineers to take environmental control and adjust growing conditions through sensors, microcontrollers, and LEDs. Through a range of innovations, traditional farming is evolving into a data-driven and sustainable industry.

The library of resources offers engineers the tools to make informed decisions from irrigation to fertilisation. With eBooks, articles, blogs, and products from Mouser’s technical team and manufacturing partners, readers will gain valuable knowledge on the cutting-edge technology that is transforming agriculture.

https://resources.mouser.com/agriculture/

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