Wearable

SoM by Variscite brings machine learning to compact, cost-optimised, rugged edge devices

Wed, May 08, 2024

Variscite has announced the newest member of the DART Pin2Pin family for machine learning on edge devices for markets like industrial, IoT, smart devices, and wearables.

At only 55 x 30 millimetres—about half the size of a credit card—the DART-MX93 enables machine learning, even in compact devices. Its energy-flex architecture provides efficient processing; built-in security ensures data and applications are protected.

Similar to the VAR-SOM-MX93 which was already launched by Variscite in 2023, the DART-MX93 is based on the same NXP iMX93 processor with up to 1.7GHz Dual Cortex-A55, and 250MHz Cortex-M33 real-time co-processor, equipped with the Arm neural processing unit Ethos-U65 microNPU. The new SoM includes robust features like 2x CAN bus, 2x GbE, and industrial temperature grade plus a wide range of features and connectivity options: camera inputs, audio in/out, ADC, 2x USB, certified Wi-Fi 6 dual-band 802.11 ax/ac/a/b/g/n with optional 802.15.4, BT/BLE 5.3, and LVDS display outputs.

Variscite offers a broad range of SoMs based on NXP’s i.MX 9 series. The upcoming VAR-SOM-MX91, to be released in parallel with NXP’s iMX91, is ideal for price-sensitive devices. The DART-MX95, powered by NXP i.MX95, was created for powerful edge platforms that demand high performance, high-end graphics, AI/ML capabilities, advanced security and safety functions, and a rich set of high-speed connectivity options.

The DART-MX93 is part of the DART Pin2Pin family that gives Variscite customers a future-proof way to scale their device capabilities with new generations of DART SoMs. This ensures extended longevity for customer products, as well as reduces development time, costs, and risks for future product iterations. From the i.MX8M Mini, through the i.MX8M and iMX8M Plus, to the i.MX 95.

https://www.variscite.com

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Mouser and Vishay examine battery management solutions in new eBook

Fri, May 03, 2024

Mouser Electronics, has released a new eBook in collaboration with Vishay Intertechnology, analysing the considerations and challenges of designing high-performing and reliable battery systems.

The eBook, 8 Industry Experts Discuss Battery Management Solutions, focuses on the battery management system (BMS), which is the electronic control circuit that monitors and regulates the charging and discharging of batteries. The BMS informs the systems of the state of charge (SOC) of the battery, ensures that the conditions are optimal for the battery’s state of health (SOH), and protects the battery from fault conditions that could damage it. The eBook explores proper BMS design and the ways that Vishay helps its customers achieve the best performance and reliability for battery systems. The eBook also includes examples from Vishay’s wide portfolio of discrete semiconductors and passive components to help extend battery life, improve operational safety, and ensure reliable data acquisition for precise battery health monitoring and efficient power management.

The Vishay VOA300 linear optocoupler is ideal for voltage and current monitoring in the BMS of electric and hybrid vehicles (EV/HV). The automotive-qualified device provides a fast response, gain stability, and isolation voltage greatly improved over other standard optocouplers.

The WSBE series Power Metal Strip shunt resistors feature a very low resistance and a high power capability, enabling high current sensing to 1825A. These resistors are made using a proprietary processing technique that reduces the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) to < 10 ppm/°C across the entire operating range of -55 °C to 150 °C. The devices also offer many other advantageous attributes that help simplify BMS designs and reduce costs while achieving the highest levels of performance.

Vishay surface-mount PAR transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diodes protect sensitive electronics against voltage transients induced by inductive load switching and lightning on ICs, MOSFET, and signal lines of sensor units for automotive.

Consisting of two resistors integrated into one surface mount molded package, the CDMM thick film chip dividers provide a single-component replacement for multiple discrete resistors used in high voltage up to 1.5KV divider applications. The space-saving AEC-Q200 qualified device is optimised for high-power DC/DC converters and inverters in electric automobiles.

The Vishay / Siliconix SQ automotive power MOSFETs are AEC-Q101 qualified and produced using a special process design that is optimised for use in the automotive industry. These devices are available in a wide range of package options for design flexibility.

To read the new eBook, visit https://manufacturers.mouser.com/vishay-automotive/vishay-8-industry-experts-discuss-battery-management-solutions-2/

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Panasonic introduces new Amorton indoor solar cell series

Wed, May 01, 2024

Panasonic’s hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells, known as Amorton, power indoor and outdoor applications like IoT devices, watches, sensor nodes, asset trackers, or remote controls. Amorton can harvest energy reliably and sustainably even in low light and artificial light environments.

Now Panasonic introduces its latest Amorton solar cell series: Named AMG-1401C and AMG-1701C, the new products benefit from a nearly perfect black-reflective surface and much higher efficiency (+20%). These breakthroughs have been made possible thanks to an optimised production process, which significantly increased the active area compared to the previous generation. The result is a 20% increase in efficiency, making the new AMG-series one of the most efficient indoor amorphous solar cells on the market today. The AMG-1401C and AMG-1701C, which are based on glass substrates, are 1.1mm thin, generate approx. 8uW/cm2 at 200lux per active area.

The external dimensions are only slightly larger than the active area, which means the space and material consumption in the final application can be optimized. The AMG-1401C with external dimensions of 41.4mm x 26.1mm generates a maximum of 77.8uW at 200 lux. The cell voltage is 2.2V, which means it can be combined with many power management ICs available in the market.

 https://industry.panasonic.eu/

 

 

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THine introduces camera kit for NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX/Nano

Tue, Apr 23, 2024

THine Solutions have announced the new THEIA-CAM 13MP PDAF camera, THSCJ101, for the NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX and Jetson Orin Nano platforms. Along with its pre-optimised ISP firmware and Linux driver, Jetson users are now able to easily integrate advanced imaging capabilities into their systems.

The THSCJ101 kit is a camera reference design kit for embedded camera applications that are using the NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX or the Jetson Orin Nano platform. The THSCJ101 kit is based on THine’s THP7312-P ISP and Sony’s IMX258 13MP CMOS PDAF image sensor.

THine’s optimised ISP firmware provides ultra-quick autofocus using Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) technology and best-in-class image quality. The kit hardware includes all items required to interface with Jetson Orin carrier boards with a 22-pin MIPI CSI-2 input connector, including a camera board in an acrylic case and a flat flexible cable.

The Video4Linux2 (V4L2) driver for the THSCJ101 is also available to control various video functions. The performance of each kit is repeatable for use in high volume production due to our production process to characterise the image parameters of each image sensor and to calibrate the image signal processing to compensate for variation from sensor to sensor.
All technical information including the reference circuit schematics, ISP firmware, and V4L2 Driver are available to customers.

Also, for customers that require unique image performance features, THine can provide a GUI based software development tool that customises the ISP firmware and/or the image sensor selection. As a result, the THSCJ101 can accelerate NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX/Nano platform users’ time-to-market without expensive integration cost or additional effort for developing embedded camera systems.

THEIA-CAM is designed for embedded vision systems. Using and optimising THine’s own ISP, THine offers Best-in-Class image quality and high production quality suitable for any project phase from proof of concept to high volume production. THEIA-CAM supports various operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux, and various platforms including Raspberry Pi, Jetson Orin, i.MX 8M families, and MediaTek Genio series. THEIA-CAM addresses wide-ranging camera applications including but not limited to AI + IoT devices, AR glasses, barcode reading devices, biometric devices, bodycams, document scanners, machine vision systems, medical scopes, microscopes, surveillance cameras, vision assistance glasses, and webcams. THSCU101, the first Kit in the family, is a 13MP PDAF USB video class (UVC) Camera

https://www.thinesolutions.com

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