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Microchip adds FPGAs and IP to smart embedded vision initiative

Tue, Jul 16, 2019

Microchip has added low-power PolarFire FPGAs with enhanced high-speed imaging interfaces, an intellectual property (IP) bundle for image processing to its Smart Embedded Vision initiative.

FPGAs are increasingly popular in vision-based systems, for their high bandwidth processing capabilities in intelligent systems deployed in small form factors with tight thermal and power constraints.

The Smart Embedded Vision initiative provides a suite of FPGA offerings that includes IP, hardware and tools for low-power, small form factor machine vision designs across the industrial, medical, broadcast, automotive, aerospace and defence markets.

The initiative includes a serial digital interface (SDI) IP which is used to transport uncompressed video data streams over coaxial cabling. The interface is available in multiple speeds: HD-SDI (1.485Gbits per second, 720p, 1080i), 3G-SDI (2.970Gbits per second, 1080p60), 6G-SDI (5.94Gbits per second, 2Kp30) and 12G-SDI (11.88 Gbits per second, 2Kp60).

A MIPI-CSI-2 IP, operating at 1.5Gbits per second per lane is a sensor interface that links image sensors to FPGAs. The PolarFire family supports receive speeds up to 1.5Gbits per second per lane and transmit speeds up to 1Gbits per second per lane.

There is also an image sensor interface IP. The 2.3Gbits per second per lane SLVS-EC Rx – SLVS-EC Rx supports high-resolution cameras. Customers can implement a two-lane or eight-lane SLVS-EC Rx FPGA core.

Microsemi’sPolarFire family can support one, 2.5, five and 10Gbits per second speeds over an Ethernet PHY, enabling the initiative to meet the need for Universal Serial 10GE Media Independent Interface (USXGMII) MAC IP with auto-negotiation.

CoaXPress is a standard used in high- performance machine vision, medical and in industrial inspection. Microchip will support CoaXPress v2.0, which doubles the bandwidth to 12.5Gbits per second.

The HDMI 2.0b IP core today supports resolutions up to 4K at 60 frames per second transmit and 1080p at 60 frames per second receive.

The PolarFire FPGA imaging IP bundle features the MIPI-CSI-2 and includes image processing IPs for edge detection, alpha blending and image enhancement for colour, brightness and contrast adjustments.

A new ecosystem partner is Kaya Instruments, which provides PolarFire FPGA IP Cores for CoaXPress v2.0 and 10 GigE vision. The ecosystem also includes Alma Technology, Bitec and artificial intelligence partner ASIC Design Services, which provides a Core Deep Learning (CDL) framework that enables a power-efficient convolutional neural network (CNN)-based imaging and video platform for embedded and edge computing applications.

All Smart Embedded Vision solutions are supported by the Libero® SoC Design Suite, Microchip’s comprehensive development tool.

Through the Libero SoC Design Suite, all IP can be implemented on the PolarFire FPGA Video and Imaging Kit, the evaluation platform for Smart Embedded Vision designs.

http://www.microchip.com

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Osram Opto introduces lighting design library

Mon, Jul 15, 2019

Collaborating with SnapEDA, the electronics design library, Osram Opto Semiconductors has released its entire collection of photodiodes, phototransistors, laser diodes and infra red (IR) emitters on SnapEDA’s website to help PCB designers and electronic engineers integrate them into designs.

Rather than spend days creating digital models for each component in their designs, engineers can simply drag-and-drop Osram components into designs, saving time which can be spent on the design build.

The models can be downloaded without charge from SnapEDA’s electronics design library and from the websites of Osram’s franchised distributors which support SnapEDA models.

Highlights of the library selection include the Synios P 2720 series of high-power IR illumination LED technology with compact packaging, the IR Oslon Black family, for high power density with a small package and integrated lens and the IR Topled D5140 portfolio, a traditional DIL large-area Si PIN photodiode in a compact package.

Electronic design formats that are supported include Cadence OrCAD, Allegro, Altium, Eagle, KiCad, PCB123, Proteus, and Mentor Graphics PADS. The PCB footprints have been created based on Osram’s recommended land patterns or IPC-7351B standards when applicable.

Osram components include LEDs, IR LEDs (IREDs), laser diodes, photodiodes and phototransistors, which are used in automotive lighting, industrial electronics and mobile electronics as well as in general lighting.

SnapEDA is believed to be the internet’s first parts library for circuit board design. It provides ready-to-use building blocks for circuit board design via its website and plug-ins for PCB design tools. The accessibility can save days in product development in products ranging from medical devices, to electric airplanes.

http://www.snapeda.com

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Microchip claims NOR flash is first to integrate MAC address options

Mon, Jul 15, 2019

Believed to be the industry’s first NOR flash memory devices with embedded media access control (MAC) addresses, the SST26VF Serial Quad I/O (SQI) 3V flash family reduces production cost and accelerates time to market, claims the company.

The flexible MAC address chips are pre-programmed with EUI-48 and EUI-64 addresses for cost-effective, plug-and-play storage for connected applications that use Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.15.4 and FireWire.

The SST26VF family’s MAC address options are available at flash densities of 16, 32 and 64Mbit.

There is no minimum order limit, which will benefit embedded system designers who source, programme and serialise MAC addresses from the IEEE-Registration Authority (RA) for all connected products. Presently these are sold by the IEEE-RA in blocks ranging from 4,000 to 16 million. The SST26VF help to eliminate the need for companies to self-procure and manage these unique identifiers from the IEEE-RA.

Both the pre-programmed EUI-48 and EUI-64 node addresses consist of an organisational unique identifier (OUI) and an extension identifier (EI). While the OUI is purchased from the IEEE by individual companies, the EI is assigned and managed through each company by building a unique EI into every product to ensure a unique extended unique identifier (EUI) node address for every device used or shipped.

The SST26VF064BEUI, SST26VF032BEUI and SST26VF016BEUI devices have a six-wire, 4-bit I/O interface, allowing for low-power and high-performance operation in a low pin-count package, says Microchip.

The options of an eight-pin SOIC and eight-contact WSON package, mean that the devices occupy less board space. The rich SQI flash, with flexible write-protected functionality ensures code cannot be inadvertently over-written or erased.

Integrated with Microchip’s proprietary SuperFlash technology, the family offers high endurance, low operating currents and low power draw, making them suitable for industrial and consumer cloud-connected applications, such as smart hubs for homes, smart home appliances, building control equipment, factory automation, security and surveillance equipment.

Microchip offers pre-programming services for customer firmware.

https://www.microchip.com

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Large e-paper displays add a dash of yellow to signage

Fri, Jul 12, 2019

Large-format tri-colour displays from Pervasive Displays render text and images in yellow as well as black and white.

Both 7.4-inch and 12.2-inch models are available. The e-paper displays can be used for signage in locations with no mains power as they operate for months, or even years, on a single battery, says Pervasive Displays.

The tri-colour displays are designed for applications where information must be dynamic, but changes infrequently, such as office meeting room schedule screens, bus stop real-time departure boards, retail signage and museum information placards (particularly those used in temporary exhibitions or where multiple languages are required). Yellow can be used to highlight specific information, important facts, changes or special offers.

Both the 7.4 and 12.2-inch models have driving waveforms that enable the display of high-quality images at 126 dpi and 103 dpi respectively. The internal timing controller (iTC) reduces the amount of peripheral circuitry and programming required, resulting in slimline displays.

Characteristics of e-paper displays that make them suitable for indoor and outdoor signage include low energy requirements, wide viewing angles and the use of physical e-ink particles that reflect ambient light, for a readable display, even in bright sunlight, says Pervasive Displays.

Pervasive Displays designs, manufactures and markets e-paper displays for applications that require high resolution, good readability and low power consumption. The company focuses on commercial and industrial applications including retail, logistics, healthcare, security and manufacturing. Its mature TFT, integrated circuit and e-paper platforms reduce risks and improve product value. Pervasive Displays simplifies the work of designers by providing both standard and custom displays and offering extensive technical support through an ecosystem of partners. Design resources include detailed product specifications, application notes, reference designs, source code and applications support. The company is based in Tainan City, Taiwan and has offices in The Netherlands and Oregon, USA.

http://www.pervasivedisplays.com

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Microchip adds FPGAs and IP to smart embedded vision initiative

Osram Opto introduces lighting design library

Microchip claims NOR flash is first to integrate MAC address options

Large e-paper displays add a dash of yellow to signage

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