United Electronic Industries has launched a four-slot military-grade IO system for aerospace and defence.

DNR-MIL-4 measures ~240 x 180 x 109mm and is designed to comply with MIL-STD-810G, MIL-STD-1275/708 and MIL-STD-461F. Operation is over -40 to +85°C.

There are three versions, with: a 8347 PowerPC, an Arm-based SoloX, or a quad-core Zynq UltraScale+ main processor IC.

“For use in PowerDNA/slaved mode, the 8347 version is recommended,” said UEI. “For embedded applications, the SoloX or Zynq may be preferred depending on the specifics of the application. The Zynq CPU series also support TSN Ethernet timing protocols.”

IO is physically via 38999 type connectors, and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports are included.

Up to 200 IO channels can be configured by filling the internal slots.

“UEI offers over 90 I/O boards, including avionics, synchro/resolver and VDT,” said the company. “Whether for health and usage monitoring, flight-line testing, or ground vehicle applications, this solution excels in delivering real-time data processing and control using technologies such as time-sensitive networking moving data over DDS.”

Electronically, DNR-MIL-4 is intended to be identical to the company’s standard DNR Series RACKtangle, except for hold-up and protection circuitry on the power supply inputs to meet MIL-STD-1275/704.

It can take standard boards from DNR-series, which is where the choice of 90 IO boards comes from. These include DNR-AI-217 for 16 channels of 24bit 120ksample/s ADC data acquisition, and DNR-1553-553 for two channels if MIL-STD-1553 serial communication.

San Francisco-based Particle has announced an octa-core Raspberry-Pi shaped single-board computer built around a Qualcomm Snapdragon Kryo CPU with 12Top/s neural processing capability, and equipped with 5G and Wi-Fi 6E comms.

Called Tachyon, and aimed at AI edge processing, it is designed to run Ubuntu across its four 1.9GHz Arm cores, three 2.4GHz cores and single 2.7GHz core.

Particle describes itself as a “full-stack IoT platform-as-a-service” company, and Tachyon is intended to run with its services, but it can also operate on its own.

“Much like it doesn’t make sense to run your own server farm in 2024, it also doesn’t make sense to build IoT infrastructure from scratch. If you’re deploying a product at scale, you should rely on other companies for infrastructure that falls into the category of ‘undifferentiated heavy lifting’ – a term we’ve borrowed from Amazon Web Services,” company founder and CEO Zach Supalla told Electronics Weekly. “We don’t want to force anyone to use our IoT infrastructure – you could do all of that on your own, and if it’s a hobbyist project and part of the experience is learning and challenging oneself, that’s great. If a user wants to DIY everything, they’re welcome to, and they can uninstall the Particle service. We want to provide a great product experience and then demonstrate to users that we’re a good technology partner with infrastructure that they can rely on.”

On board are is 4Gbyte ram, 64Gbyte flash, a two lane NVMe compatible PCIe Gen 3 bus, USB-C 3.1 PD with DisplayPort, four-lane DSI for displays up to 1,200 x 2,520 and two four-lane CSI interfaces for cameras up to 25Mpixel.

“Tachyon is footprint compatible with Raspberry P 5i, and its 40pin connector is compatible with Raspberry Pi HATs. The display, camera, and PCIe connectors are also compatible, so that accessories designed for Raspberry Pi 5 will work with Tachyon,” the company said. “Software written for Raspberry Pi 5 that is generic for the Debian architecture will in almost all cases, run directly on Tachyon, and in other cases may require slight modifications – such as to use the built in AI accelerator on Tachyon.”

A lithium-ion battery charger has been built-in, and the board can be powered by USB-C, a DC input or a lithium-ion battery.

Review Display Systems (RDS) has announced availability of two COM-HPC Client Size C modules from Aaeon for 12th and 13th generation Intel Core processors.

HPC-RPSC supports CPUs with up to 24 cores and 32 threads, and is aimed at complex parallel simulations and data analysis using inference modelling.

Up to 64Gbyte of DDR5 SODIMM memory can be fitted and it has Intel UHD Graphics 770 plus a PEG 5.0 for GPU integration.

Three PCIe 4.0 slots and eight PCIe 3.0 slots are provided for expansion, along with support for SATA and NVMe storage.

High-speed external communication is covered by dual 2.5Gbit Ethernet ports (Intel I226-LM) and six USB 3.2 ports.

Onboard TPM 2.0 handles data encryption.

HPC-ADSC is somewhat more limited than the HPC-RPSC above.

It can only be used with Gen 12 processors, said RDS, and has 10 PCIe slots, one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port. Ethernet functionality is though the PCIe slots.

COM-HPC Client Size C modules measure 160 x 120mm.

Equipped with public and private 5G (data only) and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, the MC9400 series features Zebra’s new SE58 extended range scan engine with IntelliFocus technology. The new expanded range enables workers to scan barcodes up to more than 100 feet away and can be added to customers’ existing fleet of MC9000 mobile computers without requiring new accessories. Additionally, the MC9400 Series offers Identity Guardian, a biometric facial recognition and authentication solution. Unique user-based profiles are stored in an encrypted QR code, enabling the device to be shared with unlimited users for more flexibility. It’s also equipped with a new BLE battery that, when combined with Zebra Device Tracker, ensures workers can locate a device, even when it’s off.

Deepening its embedded computer range, Cincoze has released two new computer series, P2202 AND P1201. The one computer/two purposes function means that they are not only slim embedded computers but, through the patented Convertible Display System technology, can also be transformed into panel PCs. This function also creates flexible HMI and kiosk options. The P2202 Series includes two models: P2202 and P2202E with PCIe expansion. They are equipped with an Intel Core i3/i5 U-Series CPU and support up to 64GB of DDR5 4800MHz memory. The P1201 has an Intel Atom x6425E quad-core processor and supports up to 32GB of DDR4 3200MHz memory. Both feature an operating temperature range of -40°C to 70°C and meet EMC standards for industrial environments.

The GOT317B-ADL-TRD 17-in. fanless touch panel computer is powered by the 13th/12th gen Intel Core i7/i5/i3 and Pentium processor features a SXGA widescreen LCD display with five-wire resistive touch and 350 nits of brightness. The GOT317B-ADL-TRD has an IP65-rated water and dust-proof front bezel and an operating temperature range of -10°C to 50°C. It supports 12 to 24V DC input with power ignition on/off delays and has a flexible I/O module window. Several mounting solutions are also available. Advanced features include support of one 2.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD, support for a WLAN module and antenna, 4 USB and 2COM ports, a swappable HDD tray and TPM 2.0 onboard.

The Mesa 4 rugged tablet features a 7-inch display and runs Windows 11. Mesa 4 performance upgrades include up to three times the CPU performance of the Mesa 3 with the Intel N200 processor, as well as increases in RAM size and speed. Mesa 4 also features an NVMe-based SSD storage that provides up to six times the read and write speeds of the flash memory found in Mesa 3. It has an IP68 rating and MIL-STD-810H certification alongside an ergonomic design.

Congatec GmbH has introduced a new series of COM Express Compact computer-on-modules (COMs) based on Intel’s new Core Ultra processors. The COMs deliver heterogeneous compute engines, including CPU, GPU and NPU and are designed to meet the demands of running AI workloads at the edge.

The Intel Core Ultra processor-based COMs combine high-performance real-time computing with powerful AI capabilities for applications such as surgery robots, medical imaging and diagnostic systems. They also target situational awareness in industrial applications including inspection systems, stationary robotic arms, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs).

The conga-TC700 COM Express Compact COMs with the Core Ultra processors (code named Meteor Lake) provide up to 16 cores and 22 threads to consolidate distributed devices onto a single platform. The SoC-integrated Intel Arc GPU with up to eight Xe cores and up to 128 EUs delivers up to 2× 8K resolution and ultra-fast GPGPU-based vision data (pre)processing.

An integrated NPU, called Intel AI Boost, executes machine learning (ML) algorithms and efficient AI inferences. Up to 96 GB DDR SO-DIMM with in-band ECC at 5600 MT/s achieves power-efficient high data throughput and low latency, the company said, and delivers highly efficient advanced integration of AI workloads at a lower system complexity and cost than is possible using discrete accelerators. The solution features powerful P-cores and efficient E-cores for general computing and a high-performance Intel Arc GPU for graphics-based tasks.

The modules are designed for application-ready AI use in a plug-and-play form factor. They allow OEMs to upgrade existing applications by just exchanging the modules to access cutting-edge AI technologies, Congatec said.

An available ecosystem of solution-focused products and services enables a faster time to market when implementing x86 systems with powerful AI capabilities necessary in a variety of medical and industrial uses, the company said. The modules are available with pre-evaluated real-time hypervisor technology from Real-Time Systems for virtual machine deployments and workload consolidation at the edge. Service offerings include shock and vibration tests for custom system designs, temperature screening, high-speed signal compliance testing, design-in services and training sessions to simplify the use of congatec’s embedded computer technologies.

The conga-TC700 COM Express Compact Type 6 modules support the embedded temperature range from 0°C to 60°C and are available in a variety of standard configurations. The modules will be on display at embedded world, April 9-11, 2024 in Hall 3, Stand 241.

AMD has expanded its AMD Radeon PRO W7000 Series product line with two new additions: the Radeon PRO W7600 and Radeon PRO W7500 workstation graphics cards. Targeting mainstream workloads across a range of professional industries, including media & entertainment, design & manufacturing and architecture, engineering & construction, these graphics cards offer higher performance and higher efficiency for professional workloads.

The Radeon PRO W7600 and Radeon PRO W7500 graphics cards feature AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture that offers performance and power efficiency improvements. The new architecture features new AL accelerators, unified ray tracing and AMD’s second-generation Infinity Cache and ray-tracing technologies. The new AI instructions and higher AI throughput are reported to offer over 2× performance on average compared with the previous RDNA2 architecture.

The Radeon PRO W7600 workstation graphics card delivers 2× higher TFLOPS performance and 1.5× higher maximum total data rate for displays than the previous generation. (Source: AMD)

Both cards feature 8 GB of high-speed GDDR6 memory to support data-intensive tasks and enable ray-traced renderings with detail and realism. Other features include AMD Radiance Display Engine with DisplayPort 2.1 with 12-bit HDR color support and over 68 billion colors and dual encode/decode media engines with full AV1 encode/decode support that is designed for high resolutions, wide color gamut and high-dynamic range enhancements.

The new graphics cards build on the previous Radeon PRO W7900 and Radeon PRO W7800 to offer more choices to creators and professional users and they set a new performance standard for mid-range professional graphics, said AMD.

Product specs


Radeon PRO W7600 and Radeon PRO W7500 product specifications (Source: AMD)

All Radeon PRO workstation graphics are supported by AMD’s PRO Edition software. Here is a list of certified applications for the Radeon PRO graphics cards.

The Radeon PRO W7000 Series workstation graphics cards are available from leading etailers/retailers. Product availability in OEM workstations and SI systems is expected to begin later this year. Suggested retail pricing for the Radeon PRO W7600 and Radeon PRO W7500 graphics cards is $599 and $429, respectively.

Touchscreen technology has remained virtually unchanged for decades. SigmaSense has unveiled new multi-dimensional sensing technology that improves the performance of almost any application with a touchscreen. The company also announced that it is licensing its technology to NXP Semiconductors and that the two companies will collaborate on developing high-performance sensing products for applications that require faster and fully immersive software-defined experiences.

Target applications range from mobile, gaming, wearables and IoT to automotive, industrial, and digital signage. It can even improve the performance of electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

“The planned co-development defines a move to new data-centric design options driven by software-defined sensing. The quality and speed of data extraction from the physical world is becoming as important, if not more important than processing performance,” according to Gary Baum, SigmaSense’s senior vice president of emerging technology.

“SigmaSense extracts deeper, high-quality data that makes viable new touch sensing functionality in existing and new applications. This along with a shift from analog sensing to software-defined sensing offers greater programmability and design flexibility essential for developers to innovate new features and capabilities for HMI products,” he added.

Multi-dimensional sensing enables previously impossible designs. By measuring current direct-to-digital, SigmaSense delivers low-voltage, frequency domain sensing, an industry first. Fast, continuous, high-fidelity data capture with intelligent digital signal processing moves analog challenges to the digital domain, where design flexibility can deliver orders of magnitude improvement.

The technology captures more granular data from the physical world enabling interactive advances such as high-speed touch interfaces of all sizes and shapes, new surface materials beyond glass, operation in rain and with gloves, foldable designs and economical large format interactive displays with the speed of a mobile experience.

Expanded use cases are found in large displays with gaming class, high-speed user experiences, as well as industrial/rugged applications. The technology also enables previously impossible use cases.

“With SigmaSense current-mode sensing, large displays can now simultaneously drive, sense and image the entire screen surface regardless of size. This eliminates previous speed limitations for large displays and the large latencies of the past,” explained Baum. “SigmaSense delivers 300-Hz report rates on 32-inch to 100-inch touch displays, driven by as little as 0.02 volts. Large displays in all kinds of environments including gaming tables, automotive cockpits and outdoor kiosks with over 1 mm of thick vandal resistant cover glass, are now possible.”

Legacy touch-sensing solutions used in rugged laptops/notebooks and kiosks are limited in their ability to operate in water or when gloves are used. SigmaSense claims its performance is consistent, working automatically with and without water, gloves or passive stylus and without any software mode change.

Not only can it be used to enhance existing applications, but the technology can also identify individual users via touch. Data can be accessed per individual or across devices achieving touch with intent—who is touching and what is their intent, for example, in gaming applications. Data accessed through touch can also be used in conference room applications to log into conferencing systems and share documents with only a touch from a document owner.

The technology also enables expanded functionality beyond the surface of the display for touchless 3D interaction. “Presence, hover, touch and pressure information is now provided where only an X-and Y-coordinate touch was available until now. Features such as gestures and presence detection for power management and proximity for new user experiences streamline, reduce cost and simplify functions,” said Baum.  “Examples include presence and touchless interaction in laptops for wake up, user ID login, screen brightness control, volume or pressure and haptics for new applications.”

A software-defined sensing approach means that independent channels can be allocated to multiple types of sensing via a single controller. The channels are shared between multiple sensors, even when locating the sensors separate from each other, and the channels do not require a uniform impedance to operate.

“The functions are software defined and the design flexibility enables possibilities such as sensing of temperature, humidity and any type of impedance transducers. The end results are lower cost, simplicity and improved performance of user experiences,” said Baum.