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Kioxia uses QLC to increase UFS memory density

Thu, Jan 20, 2022

Universal Flash Storage (UFS) Version 3.1 embedded flash memory devices from Kioxia use the company’s four-bit per cell quad level cell (QLC) technology to increase density in a single package.

UFS is a product category for a class of embedded memory products built to the JEDEC UFS standard specification. It uses a serial interface with full duplex and simultaneous communication of read/write with its host device.

The UFS proof of concept (PoC) device is a 512Gbyte prototype that uses the company’s 1Tbit (128Gbyte) BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory with QLC technology. The PoC device is designed to meet the increasing performance and density requirements of mobile applications driven by higher resolution images, 5G networks, 4K plus video in smartphones, for example.

Kioxia is now sampling its 512Gbyte QLC UFS PoC devices to select OEM customers.

Product density is identified based on the density of memory chip(s) within the product, not the amount of memory capacity available for data storage by the end user. Consumer-usable capacity will be less due to overhead data areas, formatting, bad blocks, and other constraints, and may also vary based on the host device and application.

Kioxia Europe (formerly Toshiba Memory Europe) is the European-based subsidiary of Kioxia, a supplier of flash memory and solid state drives (SSDs), credited with the invention of flash memory and BiCS FLASH. Kioxia’s 3D flash memory technology, BiCS FLASH provides storage in high-density applications, including advanced smartphones, PCs, SSDs, automotives and data centres.

https://www.kioxia.com/

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Allegro advances autonomous vehicles with GMR sensor

Wed, Jan 19, 2022

Believed to be the first high-resolution giant magnetoresistance (GMR) wheel speed and distance sensor, the A19360 will help vehicle manufacurers achieve levels 3, 4 and 5 automation in passenger vehicles, says Allegro Microsystems.

The A19360 wheel speed and distance sensor provides the signal resolution and reliability required for advanced levels of automation in passenger vehicles and mobility-as-a-service applications, continued the company.

According to a recent report by consulting firm, Strategy, the first passenger vehicles with level 3 (conditional automation) capabilities should be generally available by the end of 2022, and level 4 (high automation) capabilities available in people-mover applications by 2025. By 2030, vehicles incorporating levels 3, 4 and 5 (full automation) capabilities are expected to make up 20% of the total market in Europe, 12% in the US, and 11% in China.

The A19360 sensor is designed for SAE J3016 levels of automation 3, 4 and 5, and helps to safely enable features such as park assist, fully autonomous valet parking and traffic jam assistance with 4x better positional measurement. It can even improve autopilot functionality and low-speed control in dense environments, claims the company.

The A19360 provides high-resolution information to automotive systems by generating extra output events per magnetic cycle with a protocol that’s compatible with electronic control units (ECUs). Automated and autonomous vehicles require superior wheel rotation information for accurate low-speed control.

The A19360’s eight-event per magnetic cycle mode provides an increment for every approximately 5mm of tyre roll. It also includes a four-event per magnetic cycle mode that doubles the number of outputs per magnetic cycle (compared to a normal wheel speed sensor). This allows designers to halve the number of poles on in-wheel ring magnets to save costs or increase the air gap while still obtaining the same number of increments per revolution.

The A19360 was developed for ISO 26262 ASIL B(D), and is built on Allegro’s monolithic GMR technology with low jitter and large air gap capabilities. The company’s SolidSpeed Digital Architecture is claimed to provide the widest dynamic range of operating air gap and highly adaptive performance that eliminates flatlining due to thermal drift and system dynamics.

The A19360 is available in a two-pin SIP package (suffix UB) that is lead- (Pb) free, with tin lead frame plating. The UB package includes an IC and protection capacitor integrated into a single over-moulded package, with an additional moulded lead-stabilising bar for robust shipping and ease of assembly.

http://www.allegromicro.com

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Universal building actuator has four multi-functional contacts

Tue, Jan 18, 2022

In buildings automated with KNX software, different actuator types are needed to control switchable and dimmable loads, motors and valves. Universal actuators offer flexibility in planning and implementation and are suitable for switching devices such as electric lights or fans, as well as to control drives for blinds, shutters, awnings or windows.

Building control specialist, Elsner Elektronik has introduced the KNX S2-B6-AP with four multi-functional contacts. Each can be used individually to switch loads. The maximum switching load / switching current is limited to 8A although the contacts can also be used in pairs to control 230V drives.

The application software determines whether individual contacts or a drive channel is configured for each contact pair. The universal actuator then provides the appropriate settings. For the switching function, for example, these might be switching delays or a staircase lighting timer. To provide shade, queries regarding safety around locks, movement restrictions and priorities of commands are set first. Then the sunshade automation, including slat tracking, is adjusted. For windows, there is an automatic ventilation system to keep the temperature and humidity optimal. Movement positions for different scenarios can also be set.

The actuator also has six binary inputs. They are intended, for example, for local pushbuttons for manual operation of a shading system. In the pushbutton configuration, the input and output are directly connected in the actuator. When configured as a bus pushbutton, the input signal is sent to the bus as a communication object. Each input can then be set up as a (toggle) switch, for controlling drives or scenes, for dimming, as an 8-bit, temperature or brightness value transmitter. Alternatively, two of the inputs can be used for zero position sensors.

The actuator is designed to be surface mounted. Control LEDs and pushbuttons are visible under the transparent housing cover. The actuator can be tested during commissioning to ensure it reacts to commands.

http://www.elsner-elektronik.de

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ADAS introduces depth perception

Mon, Jan 17, 2022

Depth perception can be added to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) says Light, as the company introduces its Clarity depth perception platform, based on Cadence’s Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP.

The next-generation ADAS provides long range, high resolution depth perception using industry standard cameras. The Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP provides real time data processing, ensuring low latency, high bandwidth transmission of high-resolution output, said the company.

Light says its ADAS enables machines to see better than humans by using two or more cameras, novel calibration and signal processing to provide “unprecedented depth quality across the camera’s field of view”. Integrating the Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP enables up to 10 times faster processing of measured depth compared to a quad-core CPU, improving real time accuracy and reliability, reported Light. The configurable and extensible Vision Q7 DSP is accompanied by optimised computer vision libraries, optional accelerators and toolchains that efficiently handle workloads. Light implemented its proprietary multi-view depth perception algorithms via custom instructions using the Tensilica Instruction Extension (TIE) language, which resulted in an additional four-fold performance improvement with three times the area / power savings, claimed Cadence.

Meeting functional safety requirements with full ISO 26262 compliance with ASIL-D is crucial in ADAS. The Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP certified IP is available with certified toolchains, libraries and a streamlined failure modes, effects and diagnostic analysis (FMEDA) flow.

“Light’s solution enables machines to see better than humans, and a key part of that is processing that information quickly enough to allow the machine to react to the world around it,” said Dave Grannan, CEO of Light. “Integrating the Cadence Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP provides us with enhanced signal processing capabilities at low power with low latency . . . helping us to provide accurate and reliable measured depth for future ADAS systems. Additionally, integrating ISO 26262-certified IP such as the Tensilica Vision Q7 DSP is critical when designing automotive-grade solutions,” he added.

Cadence applies its underlying Intelligent System Design strategy to deliver software, hardware and IP that turn design concepts into reality. Cadence customers deliver electronic products from chips to boards to systems for the most dynamic market applications, including consumer, hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, mobile, aerospace, industrial and healthcare.

Light is pioneering real-time 3D perception to redefine how vehicles see the world. The company’s breakthroughs in computational imaging with multi-camera calibration and advanced signal processing provide accurate depth at both near and far distances in real time.

http://www.light.co

http://www.cadence.com

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Kioxia uses QLC to increase UFS memory density

Allegro advances autonomous vehicles with GMR sensor

Universal building actuator has four multi-functional contacts

ADAS introduces depth perception

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