IDENT partners to develop world’s first 3D gesture Multi-touch Display

IDENT Technology and AU Optronics to jointly develop Multi-touch displays with integrated long range free-space 3D gesture control capabilities

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

One of the world's largest flat panel makers, AU Optronics, has signed a deal to use a 3D gesture control chip in its 2D multi touch and 3D Liquid Crystal Display Modules (LCM) to create the world’s first LCM display with integrated free-space gesture control functionality. The agreement will provide the consumer electronic market, especially tablet PCs, with a next generation of displays, providing true 3D sensing capabilities on top of traditional 2D touch control.
The GestIC chip, developed by IDENT Technology in Germany, is based on near-field electric sensing, which allows a very easy integration into standard touch panels of AUO at a most attractive price point. A user’s hand or finger motion hovering over the display area is translated into a broad range of pre-defined gesture commands as well as jitter-free positional data. In comparison to optical camera based systems, it works independently of the ambient environment, eliminates detection blind spots and only requires a fraction of the power.
“The partnership between AUO and IDENT will create groundbreaking user interface solutions and change the way we interact with our devices,” said Roland Aubauer, Chief Technology Officer and speaker of the IDENT managing board.

The two companies will jointly integrate GestIC into AUO’s LCM and develop the user interface concept to accelerate delivery to consumers. AUO will create, market and distribute their 2D multi touch and 3D Gesture displays that provide, along with the traditional display functionalities, a whole set of pre-loaded compelling applications that can be controlled by the consumer as simply as the wave of a hand. 

"IDENT’s GestIC SoC allows us to truly unleash the third dimension for user input control via our display products," said HongJye Hong, Senior Associate Vice President of AUO Technology Unit. "Through this partnership, AUO will be able to enhance the users’ experience of operating touch/multi-touch displays. At the same time our product creation will not be burdened with all the technology shortcomings of other 3D user interface technologies which prevented a break-through of 3D gesture control for mobile devices so far.” He concludes, “We are very pleased to create the world’s first display with true 3D hand gesture sensing capability."

Related articles

• AU Optronics Corp. Reports August 2011 Consolidated Revenue (prnewswire.com)
• Plug your iPad into a 150-inch touch display (tuaw.com)
• AUO exec: OLED TVs will not be price competitive until 2014 (electronista.com)
• HP sues AU Optronics for supposed LCD price fixing (electronista.com)
• AUO VP says large OLED TVs won't be feasible for commercial use until 2014 (engadget.com)

Cortex micro market hots up as STMicro claims world’s most powerful ARM Cortex devices

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

The competition for microcontrollers based on the ARM architecture is hotting up with STMicroelectronics launching its STM32 F4 series of microcontrollers with the claim of the world's most powerful. 

The 90nm series is based on the latest ARM Cortex-M4 core, which adds signal-processing capabilities and faster operations. Single-cycle DSP instructions of the STM32 F4 open the doors to the digital signal controller (DSC) market that requires high computational capability and DSP instructions for demanding applications such as high-end motor control, medical equipment and security.

Other microcontroller makers using the ARM architecture are set to launch 65nm parts which point to similar if not higher performance.
A key point is the ability to upgrade from existing ARM-based devices. ST points out the STM32 range is the industry’s most successful family of 32-bit ARM Cortex-M processor-based microcontrollers, with nearly one of every two units shipped being a member of the STM32 family[reference]. By providing a simple, full pin-to-pin and software compatible upgrade from the STM32 F2 series with more SRAM, higher performance and a robust collection of peripherals, the F4 series will enable customers designing with the STM32 F2 series microcontrollers to offer product extensions by upgrading to the F4 series if they need more memory, performance or features. In addition, customers currently using a 2-chip MCU and DSP approach can now combine both chips in one high-performance digital signal controller.

“The STM32 F4 series is attractive for so many more reasons than simply because it is the highest performing Cortex M processor-based microcontroller available on the market today,” said Claude Dardanne, Executive Vice President and General Manager Microcontrollers, Memories and Secure MCUs Group, “With more than 250 compatible devices already in production, the industry’s best development ecosystem, and outstanding power consumption and overall functionality, the F4 family is the cherry at the top of the STM32 family of Cortex-M processor-based MCUs, which now includes four product series: the STM32 F1 series, the STM32 F2 series and the STM32 L1 series, all based on the Cortex-M3 processor, and the new F4 Series, based on the Cortex-M4 processor.”
“ST's decision to include the ARM Cortex-M4 processor into its broad MCU portfolio is a testimony to the processor's low power consumption, advanced design and high-performance DSP capabilities,” said Lance Howarth, EVP, Marketing, ARM. "ST now has one of the broadest ARM Cortex-M series processor-based portfolios available. The Cortex-M series represents the fastest growing MCU architecture and the STM32 F4 microcontroller will undoubtedly further accelerate the adoption of the ARM architecture across microcontroller applications."
The 90nm F4 series operates at a higher frequency (168 MHz instead of 120 MHz), offers single-cycle DSP instruction support and a Floating Point Unit, larger SRAM (192 Kbytes vs. 128 Kbytes), embedded flash memory from 512 Kbytes up to 1 Mbyte, and advanced peripherals for imaging, connectivity and encryption.

Specific technical benefits of the F4 series include:

• A 7-layer multi-AHB bus matrix and multi-DMA controllers, which allow concurrent execution and data transfers;
• The integrated single-precision FPU boosts the execution of control algorithms
• High integration, with up to 1 Mbyte of on-chip Flash memory, 192 Kbytes of SRAM, reset circuit, internal RCs, PLLs, sub 1microAmp real-time clock with sub-second accuracy;
• Extra flexibility to reduce power consumption in applications requiring both high processing power and low-power performance when running at low voltage or on rechargeable batteries. These include 4 Kbytes of backup SRAM to save data in standby or battery backup modes, a typical RTC consumption of <1uA in Vbat mode, and an internal voltage regulator with power scaling capability, allowing the selection of performance or lower consumption;
• Tool and software ecosystem with a broad offering of Integrated Development Environments, Meta-language tools, a DSP library, inexpensive starter kits, software libraries and stacks;
• Camera interface, Crypto/Hash HW processor, Ethernet MAC10/100 with IEEE 1588 v2 support, two USB OTG (one with HS support),
• Dedicated audio PLL and two full duplex I2S;
• Up to 15 communication interfaces (including six USARTs running up to 10.5 Mbits/s, three SPI running up to 42 Mbits/s, three I2C, two CAN, SDIO);
• Two 12-bit DACs, three 12-bit ADCs reaching 2.4 MSPS or 7.2 MSPS in interleaved mode;
• Up to 17 timers: 16-bit and 32-bit running up to 168 MHz;

The family is in production now in four variants with prices beginning from $5.74:

STM32F405x: in addition to a complete set of advanced peripherals including timers, three ADCs, two DACs, serial interfaces, external memory interface, RTC, CRC calculation unit and analog true Random Number Generator, the STM32F405 products have a USB On-The-Go (OTG) full-speed/high-speed interface. They are available in four packages (WLCSP64, LQFP64, LQFP100, LQFP144) with 1 Mbyte of Flash.
STM32F407 products add several advanced peripherals to the ones offered on the STM32F405 products: a second USB OTG interface (full-speed only); an integrated Ethernet MAC 10/100 supporting both MII and RMII, with IEEE1588 Precise Time Protocol v2 Hardware support and an 8- to 14-bit parallel camera interface allowing the connection of a CMOS camera sensor, supporting up to 67.2 Mbytes/s. Devices are available in four packages (LQFP100, LQFP144, LQFP/BGA176), with from 512 Kbytes to 1 Mbyte of Flash.
The STM32F415 and STM32F417 parts add a crypto/hash processor to the STM32F405 and STM32F407. This crypto/hash processor includes hardware acceleration for AES 128, 192, 256, Triple DES, HASH (MD5, SHA-1). As an example of the performance achieved by the crypto/hash processor, the AES-256 encryption throughput reaches up to 149.33 Mbytes/s.

Related articles

• Samsung 20nm test chip includes ARM Cortex-M0 processor core. How many will fit on the head of a pin? (eda360insider.wordpress.com)
• Need an ARM-based 32-bit microcontroller? There's more than a few full houses on offer. (eda360insider.wordpress.com)

Cypress Introduces Very Low-Power 2.4GHz WirelessUSB Transceiver

Battery life of over a year for wireless peripherals

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Cypress Semiconductor has launched a highly integrated 2.4GHz WirelessUSB Radio-on-a-Chip with very low power consumption for wireless keyboards, mice, remote controls and other Human Interface Devices (HIDs). The new devices are offered in 4 x 4 mm QFN packages, in bare die, and in wafer form, enabling low-cost chip-on-board manufacturing.
The WirelessUSB NL has a -87dBm receive sensitivity at 1 Mbps. This enables longer range operation and allows for lower-power transmit signals. The device features very low active and standby current (less than 1 uA), enabling battery life to be more than a year for normal mouse usage. WirelessUSB NL also has a closed-loop internal architecture that minimizes signal frequency drift for very robust radio performance. This robustness minimizes retries during transmission enabling lower power consumption and allows for long payload lengths of up to 255 bytes.

The device is highly integrated, requiring less than 12 non-critical supporting components to make a complete mouse. This integration reduces board space, BOM cost and manufacturing cost, while improving overall product quality.
"Cypress's WirelessUSB has built a strong reputation as the premium solution for wireless HID products with its quality and performance," said Jayant Somani, Senior Marketing Director of Cypress's HID Business Unit. "With our bare die and wafer form offerings, WirelessUSB NL extends our portfolio of wireless products to support a variety of customer needs."
Fühlen, a leading mouse manufacturer, has selected WirelessUSB NL for its new A50G wireless mouse. The new 2.4GHz wireless mouse offers best-in-class battery life, performance and interference immunity. Rex Lai, President of Fuhlen said, "The WirelessUSB NL solution offered us low-power and high performance at the right price. We were able to get the A50G to market quickly with great design support from Cypress."
WirelessUSB NL also supports Cypress' Agile HID protocol that allows existing WirelessUSB customers to get started quickly on their designs without any additional effort. Reference designs to speed time-to-market are available from Cypress for these solutions.  It comes in RF-tested 24-QFN packages (CYRF8935A-24LQXC), in bare die (CYRF8935A-4X14C) and in full wafers (CYRF8935A-4XW14C). The die and wafer parts are available today in production volumes. The packaged parts are expected to be in production in the fourth quarter of 2011. 

The Cypress WirelessUSB NL for wireless peripherals reduces the bill of materials requirement  

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Carbon nanotubes handle line voltages in key step to reality

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Carbon nanotubes have been are inching toward electrical conductivities seen in metal wires in the labs, but researchers have now been able to use them at line voltages, lighting up interest among a range of industries.

Researchers at Rice University in the US made such a cable from double-walled carbon nanotubes and powered a fluorescent light bulb at standard line voltage.
Highly conductive nanotube-based cables could be just as efficient as traditional metals at a sixth of the weight, said Enrique Barrera, a Rice professor of mechanical engineering and materials science. They may find wide use first in applications where weight is a critical factor, such as aircraft and cars and in the future could even replace traditional wiring in homes.

The cables developed in the study are spun from pristine nanotubes and can be tied together without losing their conductivity. To increase conductivity of the cables, the team doped them with iodine and the cables remained stable. The conductivity-to-weight ratio (called specific conductivity) beats metals, including copper and silver, and is second only to the metal with highest specific conductivity, sodium.
Yao Zhao built the demo rig that let him toggle power through the nanocable and replace conventional copper wire in the light-bulb circuit. He left the bulb burning for days on end, with no sign of degradation in the nanotube cable. He's also reasonably sure the cable is mechanically robust; tests showed the nanocable to be just as strong and tough as metals it would replace, and it worked in a wide range of temperatures. Zhao also found that tying two pieces of the cable together did not hinder their ability to conduct electricity.
The few centimeters of cable demonstrated in the present study seems short, but spinning billions of nanotubes (supplied by research partner Tsinghua University) into a cable at all is quite a feat, Barrera said. The chemical processes used to grow and then align nanotubes will ultimately be part of a larger process that begins with raw materials and ends with a steady stream of nanocable, he said. The next stage would be to make longer, thicker cables that carry higher current while keeping the wire lightweight. "We really want to go better than what copper or other metals can offer overall," he said.

Carbon nanotubes can now make cables one sixth the weight of metal

Related articles

• Rice has made a cable from double-walled carbon nanotubes and powered a light bulb (nextbigfuture.com)
• Supergrowing N-doped nanotubes (nanotechweb.org)
• Rice researchers power line-voltage light bulb with nanotube wire (eurekalert.org)

Kontron to enter ARM PC and board market with new format

Major German manufacturer will also make ARM tablet and box PCs 
By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

One of Europe's major embedded manufacturers is to add a new format of ARM-based boards and PCs boxes to its Intel and AMD-based product range. Kontron describes this as a strategic move into the ARM architecture, enabling a new breed of embedded scalable building blocks for application-ready platforms with low-power consumption. 

The first products planned for 2011 will be in the module and board form factors. Under development at Kontron is a new module format, optimized for ARM System-On-Chip (SOC) processor types. The modules will enable ARM processors, single, dual and quad core, to be used in most vertical market applications. Following the initial release, Kontron then plans to expand its SBC family, as well as tablet and box PCs and HMIs. All Kontron ARM-based products will be available as standard solutions or as customer-specific designs as required.
"ARM- and RISC-based solutions have been part of our product range for quite a long period of time. Our strategic focus, however, was mainly x86 processor technology. Now we are extending our product range significantly with the addition of ARM", said Dirk Finstel, CTO of Kontron."By doing this, we are creating building blocks which will enable us to serve our embedded computing customers even more comprehensively. Along with the extremely energy-efficient, stationary solutions we will be placing a special focus on mobile solutions with excellent battery power-saving characteristics, which will be an ideal extension to our x86 portfolio."
A new line of Computer-on-Modules is being defined to allow the usage of ARM from single core to future quad core processors. This highly integrated ARM SOC silicon leaves a gap between the interfaces provided and what can be routed through a standard module connector. A classic PC chipset has a large number of PCI-Express lanes and USB ports. In contrast to this, the ARM SOC provides multiple UART, I2C, SDIO ports and less PCIe and USB interfaces. To allow optimum interface usage a new definition deems necessary. Kontron has selected a rugged card edge / gold finger connector solution to enable access to an industry proven connector model allowing low profile options.
To ensure improved time-to-market, Kontron is committed to enabling the ARM-based products to work with the most relevant operating systems. In addition to Windows CE 6/7, Linux operating systems such as QNX, Green Hill and VxWorks (including Hypervisor) will also be supported to focus on high reliability and real time computing. In addition, Kontron's ARM products will be ready for Windows 8 at the time of introduction.
"Due to the increase in software support beyond the boundaries of x86 technology by companies such as Microsoft, many of our customers also want to branch out on the processor technology they use," said Finstel. "Porting existing and new solutions between RISC and CISC architectures can be carried out with increased ease. The actual processor architecture is becoming less relevant as a decision criterion. Price, power consumption and performance per watt are now amongst the most important factors. One can also say that - after the revolution which x86 technology triggered off - a new era has begun in which, thanks to the extensive software support, the boundaries of processor technology are disappearing as the software eco-system has been extended to further technology platforms. This is why it is a logical step for us to launch solutions for ARM and RISC technologies which are very closely related."
Along with the corresponding hardware platforms, Kontron will be focusing heavily on software support and additional services such as customization, driver adoption and porting applications. Application engineers will benefit from an efficient migration path while at the same time significantly reducing costs. The first Kontron ARM-based module early field testing platforms will be available before the end of 2011, with SBCs, tablet computers, box PCs and HIMs following in 2012.

iPhone app controls iOS monster truck - video

iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices replace controller to make iOS monster truck dance

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

This one is a bit of fun for September but hints at the demise of the radio controlled handset, instead using freely available iOS devices to give more control, either using the gyroscope or the touch panel and so adding to the capabilities of embedded devices without adding cost. This follows on from the Parrot iPhone-phone controlled helicopter last year. 

Dexim (www.dexim.net) in Ontario has developed AppSpeed, a motion-control iOS application for it's new radio-controlled (RC) vehicles. The first AppSpeed vehicle in the product range, the AppSpeed Monster Truck, is compatible with all iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch models and is controlled wirelessly from a corresponding free application.

Using the free iTunes download, the AppSpeed Monster Truck can be controlled through multiple functions. The traditional touch sensor mode controls the truck from the Apple devices’ touch screen, while the gravity sensor allows the user to direct the Monster Truck by simply gyrating their device, taking advantage of the built-in accelerometer. Each function gives complete, 360 degree control over the truck’s movement and speed for up to 50 feet (15 meters) whether indoors or out. 

The AppSpeed also adds capabilities: it has three pre-set modes that allow the user to automatically zigzag, spin or dance their vehicle to music.
“The AppSpeed Monster Truck shows Dexim’s commitment to fun and accessible technology,” said Laconia Cheng, Managing Director of Dexim. “This is just the first of many exciting products that will use the AppSpeed to blend functional design and entertainment value.”
Initially available in black and red, the AppSpeed Monster Truck includes a custom-built radio frequency (RF) transmitter and a quick-charging battery pack (batteries sold separately). A USB charging cable is also provided to allow for convenient recharging via USB or wall outlet at home or on-the-go. Looking ahead, Dexim will expand the AppSpeed-controlled vehicle line to sport and race cars, as well as other vehicles and devices.
Available at www.dexim.net and www.amazon.com, with future availability at Best Buy in the US this autumn, the AppSpeed Monster Truck retails for $69.99, with corresponding app available for free from iTunes.

Nokia sees 1000x more bandwidth for 'Beyond 4G'

Portable Multimedia: Nokia sees 1000x more bandwidth for 'Beyond 4G'

There is room for a ten-fold increase in mobile broadband subscribers and possibly up to 100 times higher traffic per user (more than 1 GByte/sub/day), with smartphones and super-phones experiencing the fastest growth, says Harri Holma, a Fellow at Nokia Siemens Networks.

'via Blog this'

First 'brain controlled' TV to launch

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

It looks like the world's first TV to be controlled by brain waves is really set to launch in a few days time. The  TV, developed by Haier in China, uses embedded EEG technology from Neurosky, which already supplies companies such as Mattel and Toshiba with its ThinkGear system.

The Haier Cloud Smart TV offers the ability for users to interact with their Smart TV using their brains and will be demonstrated at the IFA Consumer Electronics Unlimited Conference. The TV is scheduled to be released in October in China at a price yet to be determined.
The Smart TV can interact with viewers via NeuroSky’s MindReader headset. NeuroSky’s brainwave technology can detect human brainwave patterns revealing a person’s mental state. The NeuroSky MindReader then translates the monitored brainwaves into digital signals that the television can recognize. The brain-controlled TV applications allow users to develop control over their concentration and relaxation abilities through entertainment applications.
NeuroSky is a US-based bio sensor company in Silicon Valley that works with industry partners (from startups to Fortune 500 companies) and with academic and research institutions. NeuroSky provides a platform solution by building wearable, embedded system level sensors that interpret brainwaves and other bio-signals for Human-to-Machine Interface (HMI) technology.

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Researchers develop quantum computing engine

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Researchers in the US have have demonstrated a quantum integrated circuit that implements the quantum von Neumann architecture, the heart of practical computing. In this architecture, a long-lived quantum random access memory can be programmed using a quantum central processing unit, all constructed on a single chip, providing the key components for a quantum version of a classical computer.
The hardware, developed at the University of California at Santa Barbara, is based on superconducting quantum circuits, and must be cooled to very low temperatures to display quantum behaviour. The architecture represents a new paradigm in quantum information processing, and shows that quantum large-scale-integration is within reach.
The quantum integrated circuit includes two quantum bits (qubits), a quantum communication bus, two bits of quantum memory, and a resetting register comprising a simple quantum computer. "Computational steps take a few billionths of a second, comparable to a classical computer, but the great power is that a quantum computer can perform a large number of calculations simultaneously," said Matteo Mariantoni, postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Physics. "In our new UCSB architecture we have explored the possibility of writing quantum information to memory, while simultaneously performing other quantum calculations.
"On the quantum von Neumann architecture, we were able to run the quantum Fourier transform and a three-qubit Toffoli gate –– key quantum logic circuits for the further development of quantum computing," said Mariantoni.

Quantum technology in Bristol and bath - find out more about how you can access the commercialisation of quantum technology for sensing and security

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ST Introduces World’s Smallest 3-Axis Gyroscope

Cuts package size by almost a factor of 2 to open up new designs
By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

ST has shrunk its popular 3-axis analogue gyroscope by half.
The L3G3250A combines the same robust and field-proven micromachined MEMs technology that ST has already used to produce nearly 1.54 billion motion sensors with a smaller package technology to make it the first 3-axis gyroscope to meet the demand for smaller footprints in next-generation applications such as gaming and virtual reality input devices, motion control for MMI (man-machine interfaces), GPS navigation systems, and appliances and robotics.
The sensor is a high-performance three-axis analogue-output gyroscope housed in a package measuring just 3.5x3x1 mm, reducing the footprint from 17.6 mm3 - the current generation in production today - to just 10.5 mm3, a reduction of nearly 40%. 

With a resonant frequency beyond the audio bandwidth, the L3G3250A is completely immune to audio noise, such as from speakers mounted close to the sensor, and mechanical vibrations coupled through the printed circuit board, therefore operating with greater accuracy and reliability. In addition, its design of a single sensing structure for motion measurement along all three orthogonal axes further increases sensing accuracy and reliability and delivers the industry’s highest level of output stability over time and temperature. The combination of high sensing resolution with outstanding immunity to audio noise and vibrations makes motion-sensing user interfaces more realistic in mobile phones, tablets, game consoles, and other smart consumer devices.
The L3G3250A offers two user-selectable full scales – 625 or 2500 dps (degrees per second) – with sensitivities of 2mV/dps and 0.5mV/dps, respectively. The high range allows the device to detect and measure very fast gestures and movements. Other features include an embedded self-test function, a wide supply voltage range (2.4 V to 3.6 V), embedded power-down and sleep modes to optimize power management in battery-operated devices, an embedded low pass filter and a high pass filter reset function, and high shock survivability.
The device operates over an extended temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) and is available in a 3.5x3x1 mm3 LGA-16 ECOPACK RoHS compliant package. Engineering samples are available now and volume production is scheduled for Q4 2011, with unit pricing at $3.95 for volumes in the range of 1,000 pieces.
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MathWorks move model-based design into SoCs with Faraday

MATLAB and Simulink Speed Simulations by 200x and Reduce Gate Count by Half
By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk


MathWorks is succcessfully moving its MATLAB and Simulink model-based deign tools more into silicon design. Faraday Technology is using Model-Based Design to accelerate the development of SoCs, including development of its NAND Flash Controller error correcting code (ECC) engine. MATLAB and Simulink have helped Faraday accelerate development of more efficient designs by completing system-level simulations 200 times faster, increasing throughput performance by 15%, and cutting gate count by up to 57%.

Stateflow chart of the error correcting code (ECC) engine for Faraday’s NAND flash controller.

Faraday is using this to capitalise on the move to advanced SoC designs. To meet this demand, Faraday established a faster and more cost-efficient workflow to develop memory controllers for microprocessor subsystems. Faraday adopted Model-Based Design to accelerate SIP development, explore system-level design alternatives, and improve communication among engineers. This design approach has helped reduce gate count, and shorten the development cycle for memory controllers and other modules, and, as a result, differentiate itself through lower cost to its customers.
“Model-Based Design provided an efficient and cost-effective way to improve silicon intellectual property development by enabling us to rapidly identify the best design configurations and get products to market faster,” said Ken Chen, ESL Methodology Manager at Faraday. “The Simulink environment is ideal for integrating, simulating, and exploring design architectures. The simulations are up to 200 times faster than RTL simulations, and Simulink models can be easily converted to HDL code for FPGA prototyping.”

Optimising the gate count of the ECC block

Faraday engineers used MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow to model and simulate their system-level designs, and used Simulink Coder and Simulink HDL Coder to automatically generate code from their models. This workflow enabled Faraday to shorten their design process as they moved from architecture design to hardware and software implementation. Faraday has used Model-Based Design for DDR and flash controller projects and delivered the SIP designs on schedule. The engineering team is now focused on further accelerating development by reusing and adapting their existing models on new projects.
“As integrated circuit manufacturers continue to rely on SIP providers for SoC and ASIC components, SIP engineers need the ability to rapidly deliver designs that meet their customers’ requirements,” said Ken Karnofsky, senior strategist for signal processing applications, MathWorks. “Faraday’s use of MATLAB and Simulink showcases the effective use of Model-Based Design to accelerate development, reduce costs, and simplify the integration of SIP modules into SoC designs.”

Inkjet printing of single-crystal films

Inkjet printing of single-crystal films:

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Build Your Own Arduino Sonar For The Visually Impaired

Build Your Own Arduino Sonar For The Visually Impaired: "Build Your Own Arduino Sonar For The Visually Impaired"

'via Blog this'

Zigbee gains early lead in $12bn smart grid market

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Revenues over $12bn by 2016 with powerline dominating but US rollouts peak this year
Worldwide smart meter revenues will grow to over $12bn by 2016, with the vast majority ZigBee-enabled say market researchers In-Stat..

The smart meter is a device that is at the heart of the smart grid transformation. It records a user’s electrical, water, or gas usage at a set interval, and then provides a way for this data, or a subset of this data, to be read electronically, but that is just its minimum function.
“ZigBee has been considered the front-running short range connectivity option for smart grid since its inception, and has maintained its position so far. While the number of ZigBee clients in homes to date is relatively small, In-Stat believes that ZigBee will maintain its dominance,” says Allen Nogee, Research Director. “Although Wi-Fi is pervasive, it has not been a viable choice for the smart grid because the application layers have never existed for Wi-Fi that explain exactly how Wi-Fi devices interact. That will all change with the passage of the IP-based Smart Energy Profile 2.0, expected late in 2012.”

Recent In-Stat research found:

• Powerline is the clear leader in backhaul connectivity from the meter to the utility. However, we are seeing an increasing number of wireless solutions including cellular, white space, and proprietary methods that would use unlicensed and operate in mesh configuration. 
• China, the world’s biggest energy consumer, is also the biggest smart meter consumer.
• The number of smart meters deployed in the US per year will decrease after peaking in 2011, but worldwide smart meter deployment will continue to grow.

Recent In-Stat research Getting Smart on Worldwide Smart Meter Communication Technology(#IN1104731WH) contains an in-depth look at the smart grid in general, and the smart meter and communication technology employed and includes:

Related articles

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New SATA µSSD Specification for Embedded Solid State Drives

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Connector-free, high-capacity, embedded SSDs for a new generation of tablets and ultrathin notebooks

Memory maker SanDisk has implemented the new SATA µSSD specification into its SanDisk iSSD product line of postage stamp-sized embedded SSDs. SATA-IO, an industry consortium dedicated to sustaining the quality, integrity and dissemination of serial ATA (SATA) technology, introduced the standard today.
The number of media tablets shipped worldwide is expected to grow from 17.8 million units in 2010 to 53.5 million units in 2011 according to IDC.
The Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO) is also developing SATA Express, a new specification that combines SATA software infrastructure with the PCI Express (PCIe) interface. SATA Express enables the development of new devices that use the PCIe interface and maintain compatibility with existing SATA applications. The technology will provide a cost-effective means to increase device interface speeds to 8Gb/s and 16Gb/s.
Embedded SSDs offer fast performance in a tiny footprint, making them an attractive solution for all categories of ultrathin devices. The SATA µSSD specification (see below) eliminates the module connector from the traditional SATA interface, enabling developers to produce a single-chip SATA implementation for embedded storage applications. Among the first products to implement the new standard, the SanDisk iSSD series is an ideal storage solution for OEMs developing the next generation of thin, powerful mobile computing platforms.
“To widely adopt a new component technology, manufacturers need to have confidence in its performance, longevity and cost-effectiveness,” said Jeff Janukowicz, research manager, solid state storage technology at IDC. “Today’s announcement of an industry-wide standardization for embedded SSDs, combined with OEM requirements for size and performance gains in storage, should help propel the market for these tiny, versatile drives.”
“Connector-free embedded SSDs allow OEMs to develop a new generation of thin yet powerful tablets and ultrathin notebooks,” said Kevin Conley, senior vice president, client storage solutions, SanDisk. “Initiatives such as the µSSD specification promote the development of new standards for storage solutions that help manufacturers continually refine their end consumer product and drive new industry sectors.”
The SATA µSSD standard-conforming SanDisk iSSD series utilizes a new electrical pin-out that allows SATA delivery using a single ball grid array (BGA) package. The BGA package sits directly on the motherboard, allowing for form factors as small as 16mm x 20mm x 1.2mm (up to 32GB)/1.4mm (for 64GB) and 16mm x 20mm x 1.85mm (for 128GB). The SanDisk iSSD i100 SSD is available in 8 gigabyte (GB)1 to 128GB capacities, offering OEMs a flexible range of storage options.
“The market for tablets and ultrathin computing devices continues to grow along with the need for small form factor storage solutions,” said Mladen Luksic, president, SATA-IO. “We are excited to have industry-wide support for the µSSD specification and look forward to seeing many µSSD-based products available in the near future.”
SATA Express will provide a low-cost solution to fully use the performance of SSDs, while storage devices not requiring the speed of SATA Express will continue to be served by existing SATA technology. The specification will define new device and motherboard connectors that will support both new SATA Express and current SATA devices.
“The SATA Express specification provides SSD and hybrid drive manufacturers the advantages of performance and scalability enabled by PCIe 3.0 – which is available now – and the ubiquity of SATA,” said Mladen Luksic, SATA-IO president. “We expect the SATA Express specification to be completed by the end of 2011.”

The Complete SATA Ecosystem
SATA Express is one of several specifications from SATA-IO designed to offer low-cost, high performance storage solutions optimized for specific device segments. Since its introduction in 2001, SATA technology has penetrated 99% of the PC market and evolved to provide options for a number of applications beyond traditional hard disk storage. SATA is now implemented in a variety of applications including solid state and optical drives, embedded mobile devices, consumer electronics products and enterprise storage. Key specifications for implementing SATA technology beyond the HDD device segment include:

• mSATA: A low-profile solution for mobile computing devices and other small form factor applications.
• SATA Universal Storage Module (USM): An integrated SATA interface for providing portable, volume storage I/O to consumer electronics devices, as well as PC applications.
• SATA µSSD: an embedded, single-chip solution that connects directly to the motherboard to enable ultra-thin form factor devices.

More information on these and other SATA specifications is available at www.sata-io.org.

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• SATA-IO outs new SATA Express and Embedded SSD standards, acronyms abound (engadget.com)
• SanDisk debuts new SSD U100 and iSSD i100 for tablets and ultra-thin notebooks (slashgear.com)
• SanDisk Ultra SSDs aim to boost give current computers a boost (digitaltrends.com)
• "Asus Selects SanDisk Solid State Drive (SSD) for New Ultra-Thin Notebook" and related posts (justamp.blogspot.com)
• SanDisk 240GB SSD hits $450 (news.cnet.com)
• SanDisk Announces SSDs For Tablets, Thin Laptops (informationweek.com)
• New SATA interfaces promise faster, smaller SSDs (techradar.com)
• SanDisk Ultra SSD en-route to retailers (electronista.com)

TI introduces industry’s lowest power NFC transceiver

The TRF7970A evaluation module 

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

TRF7970A NFC platform speeds designs with easy-to-configure software

Texas Instruments has launched what it claims is industry’s lowest-power contactless short-range communication transceiver. Aimed at infrastructure devices, the TRF7970A extends battery life through eight selectable power modes ranging from under 1µA in power-down mode to 120mA in full-power mode. This gives it twice the battery life of competing products, says TI.

The transceiver comes with easy-to-configure software to help developers get started quickly. Royalty-free stacks are compatible across a broad range of ultra-low-power MSP microcontrollers. Additionally, developers are able to directly access all control registers, allowing for easy fine-tuning of various parameters for the highest performance in every application.
The new transceiver builds on TI’s platform of RFID products by supporting peer-to-peer communication and card emulation in addition to reader/writer capability while maintaining pin-for-pin compatibility with the previous TRF7960. Peer-to-peer communication continues to increase in popularity in applications including medical equipment, secure pairing and payments. This allows users to more easily take advantage of continuously evolving features and apps. For example, NFC devices can configure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology sessions between devices without consumer interaction, share and interact with feature- and content- rich data such as coupons at point of sale, and allow consumer devices to easily exchange files and contacts.

Features and benefits:

• Eight selectable power modes (Power modes range from <1 µA to 120 mA)
• Supports peer-to-peer communication, reader/writer capability and card emulation
• Supports two crystal oscillator frequencies: 13.56MHz or 27.12MHz frequencies give engineers more flexibility in speed and cost options for their designs
• Large 128 byte FIFO buffer for NFC communications allows developers using microcontrollers with low MHz to create products capable of handling large data transfers
• Compliance with ISO/IEC 18092 and ISO/IEC 21481 standards gives developers the ability to create globally interoperable products
• NFC software stack libraries and an innovative RF field detector allow for easy development efforts and robust, cost effective designs
• NFC Peer-to-Peer Initiator as well as Active and Passive Target Operation are available for MSP430™ microcontrollers
• Supports multiple reader/writer protocols and includes demo software stacks for reader/writer mode ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 18000-3, ISO/IEC 14443A/B and FeliCa

With more than 1 billion RFID tags and more than 100 million RFID reader devices manufactured, TI’s RFID technology is used in a broad range of applications worldwide. Designers can accelerate time to market by tapping into TI's complete software and hardware tools, extensive third-party offerings and technical support.

The TRF7970A NFC development kit is immediately available for order at www.ti.com/nfc-pr-es and priced at USD $99.
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Panasonic, Samsung and Sony join forces for new standard for full HD wireless 3D glasses

 Development of Joint Licensing on Bluetooth enabled and IR 3D glasses

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Panasonic, Samsung Electronics, Sony and X6D (XPAND 3D) are to collaborate on the development of a new technology standard for consumer 3D active glasses called the "Full HD 3D Glasses Initiative."
The companies say they will work together on the development and licensing of radio frequency (RF) system 3D active glasses technology, including RF system protocols between consumer 3D active glasses and 3D displays such as televisions, personal computers, projectors and 3D theatres with XPAND active shutter glasses.

These glasses end a full HD image to each eye to give higher quality 3D but there are different standards, limiting the uptake by consumers.
The standardization will also include multiple types of infrared (IR) system protocols between 3D active glasses and 3D displays, ranging from the protocols jointly developed by Panasonic and XPAND 3D to the proprietary protocols of Samsung and Sony.
The licensing is targeted to be released in September 2011 and then the development of the new standard 3D glasses will begin. Universal glasses with the new IR/RF protocols will be made available in 2012, and are targeted to be backward compatible with existing systems.
"Panasonic has been working to standardize 3D glasses technologies, and in March, we announced a joint licensing of IR system protocols with XPAND, backed by several participant companies. We are very pleased that today's latest collaboration will incorporate our previous concept into these new standardization efforts," said Masayuki Kozuka, general manager of Media & Content Alliance Office, Corporate R&D Division, Panasonic Corporation. "We hope the expanded collaboration on this 3D standardization initiative will make a significant contribution toward accelerating the growth of 3D-related products."
"Today's announced collaboration underscores Samsung's promise to meet consumer needs among the ever-changing advancements of home entertainment and consumer electronics technology," said Jurack Chae, vice president, R&D Team, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics. "To-date, active 3D technology has proven to be the most popular choice for consumers in the 3D TV market. According to the NPD Group, Active 3D technology took an average of 96 percent share of the U.S. 3D TV market in the first half of this year; and this Full HD 3D Glasses Initiative will help further drive consumer adoption and understanding of active 3D—the technology that provides the clearest and most immersive 3D experience available."
"Through this alliance, we all look forward to addressing critical industry issues to enable a better consumer experience across products. We believe active 3D technology is the most suitable method to deliver full 1080p picture quality to each eye, giving consumers the 3D experience they most desire," said Jun Yonemitsu, deputy senior general manager, Home Entertainment Development Div., Sony Corporation.
"We are delighted to contribute our efforts and technologies to the Full HD 3D Glasses Initiative for both RF and IR technology that we announced today with Panasonic, Samsung and Sony. This initiative reinforces the consumer electronics industry's commitment to highest 3D quality and provides technology consumers and theater-goers with a simple but powerful solution to the challenge of interoperability," said Maria Costeira, XPAND 3D's CEO.
The Bluetooth SIG supports the industry's move to standardize on Bluetooth technology in 3D glasses.
"These market leaders are coming together to make the 3D experience better for the consumer. It makes perfect sense thatBluetooth technology would be a vital component of that solution, both for its mass market ubiquity and the freedom and convenience it provides," said Dr Michael Foley, executive director, Bluetooth SIG. "And while today's news is exciting, this is just the beginning—Bluetooth technology in the living room makes sense in 3D glasses, stereo surround systems, remote controls, and ultimately the hub of the living room—the TV."

The protocols jointly developed by Panasonic and XPAND were announced in March 2011 and supported by eight participant companies: Changhong Electric, FUNAI Electric, Hisense Electric, Hitachi Consumer Electronics, Mitsubishi Electric, Seiko Epson, SIM2 Multimedia and ViewSonic.

Related articles

• Full HD 3G Glasses Initiative wants to standardize 3D glasses (digitaltrends.com)
• We're Finally Getting 3D Glasses That Will Work on Every Set [3dTv] (gizmodo.com)
• Samsung, Sony, Panasonic dig in heels on active 3D with new standard (arstechnica.com)
• Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung move to create 3D glasses standard (zdnet.com)
• Sony and others looking to standardize active 3D glasses (joystiq.com)

Micrium Makes uC/OS-III Source Code Available

Source Code of Popular Real-Time Kernel Now Available for Free Evaluation

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Embedded real time operating system vendor Micrium is to make the source code of the popular real-time kernel uC/OS-III available free of charge to developers who wish to evaluate uC/OS-III, as can researchers, students and others in academia.

To help ensure that developers who try out uC/OS-III will be able to make the most of the experience, Micrium is also making PDFs of the book uC/OS-III, The Real-Time Kernel available for free download. Several versions of this book, each tailored to a different embedded platform, are now available in both print and free PDF editions.
"Together, the uC/OS-III kernel and book provide practically everything needed to get started writing powerful, multitask applications," said Jean Labrosse, founder and CEO of Micrium. "Now these essential tools can be downloaded by busy developers in just a matter of minutes."
For years, developers interested in evaluating uC/OS-II have been able to download its source code directly from Micrium's Web site. Now, the same model is being applied to uC/OS-III.
Under the source-available model, the path from evaluation to production is simple and well defined. Developers begin the evaluation process by downloading source code from the Micrium Web site. Once they've decided to use uC/OS-II or uC/OS-III to develop a product, they must purchase a license for the software from either Micrium or an authorized distributor.
"The source-available model combines the best of the commercial and open-source RTOS worlds, giving embedded systems developers software that is meticulously maintained and supported, yet is remarkably easy to evaluate," said Labrosse. "Micrium's move to make uC/OS-III source available is a reflection of our keen interest in helping developers to overcome the challenges that they confront on a regular basis."
The uC/OS-III source code can be downloaded from http://micrium.com/downloads/. Developers who have already completed a successful evaluation of uC/OS-III and are planning to use the kernel in a product can contact Micrium's sales team for licensing.

First multicore Compact RIO system

Intel Core i7 Processor and Smallest NI Single-Board RIO Devices 

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

National Instruments has expanded its reconfigurable I/O (RIO) platform with the addition of the highest performance and first multicore system and smallest Single-Board RIO devices. 

Acknowledging the move to multicore in embedded systems, the cRIO-908x systems feature an Intel Core i7 dual-core processor for increased processing power, Xilinx Spartan-6 field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and the option of a Windows Embedded Standard 7 (WES7) OS configuration for monitoring and control applications that require exceptional performance and the ruggedness of CompactRIO. For high-volume and OEM applications, the new NI sbRIO-9605/06 devices are sized from less than 102.87 mm x 96.52 mm and offer greater customisation and I/O support than previous versions.
With the Intel Core i7 dual-core 1.33 GHz processor and up to a Xilinx Spartan-6 LX150 FPGA, the cRIO-908x systems deliver the highest processing power of any CompactRIO product and are ideal for performing complex signal processing and control within applications such as rapid control prototyping, advanced motion control and machine vision. The controllers can be configured with a WES7 OS, which gives engineers access to a broad ecosystem of Windows-based software and integrated graphics, or a real-time OS for reliable, deterministic performance. The systems provide a variety of high-performance peripheral connectivity including two Gigabit Ethernet ports, a MXI Express port, four USB ports, RS232 and RS485 serial ports and a new CPU eXpansion Module (CXM) that makes it possible to add custom connectivity and expansion to CompactRIO using industry standard protocols.
“By combining the power of the Intel Core i7 processor and the productivity of National Instruments integrated CompactRIO hardware and LabVIEW software, we are giving engineers a high-performance solution to quickly solve their advanced control and monitoring problems,” said Michelle Tinsley, General Manager of the Intel Embedded Computing Division.
The new NI Single-Board RIO devices provide a small and cost-optimised form factor for the NI RIO platform and are ideal for embedded monitoring and control applications in industries such as energy and medical. The devices feature a 400 MHz processor and Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA to provide reliability and performance at a low price point for OEMs. The devices also offer built-in peripherals such as RS232, CAN, USB and Ethernet. Additionally, the new devices feature a high-density and high-bandwidth connecter that gives engineers direct access to the FPGA and processor as well as the ability to add peripherals for further customisation.
"NREL is working directly with National Instruments to develop advanced power electronics inverter control hardware based on reconfigurable FPGA technology for renewable, electric vehicle and smart grid systems," said Dr Bill Kramer, who manages Research and Development for Energy Systems Integration Technologies at The National Renewable Energy Laboratory. "With the new high bandwidth connector on these NI Single-Board RIO devices and LabVIEW programming tools, we now can take our simulations and advanced algorithms from prototype to high-volume, deployable targets more quickly than ever."
An integral part of the NI graphical system design approach, NI RIO technology combines NI LabVIEW system design software with commercial off-the-shelf hardware to simplify development and shorten time to market when designing advanced control, monitoring and test systems. NI RIO hardware, which includes CompactRIO, NI Single-Board RIO, R Series boards and PXI-based NI FlexRIO, features an architecture with powerful floating-point processors, reconfigurable FPGAs and modular I/O. All NI RIO hardware components are programmed with LabVIEW to give engineers the ability to rapidly create custom timing, signal processing and control for I/O without requiring expertise in low-level hardware description languages or board-level design

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National Instruments launches LabView 2011

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

25 years of graphical programming with LabView 2011

National Insturments has launched its 25th anniversary version of the LabView graphical programming tool. The new version usefully adds re-use of code from Microsoft's .NET framework as well as more hardware integration.
LabVIEW 2011 helps increase development efficiency through new engineering-specific libraries and its ability to interact with almost any hardware device or deployment target, including the new multicore NI CompactRIO controller and the NI PXIe-5665, one of the highest performing RF vector signal analysers in the industry.

“Twenty-five years ago, we created LabVIEW to help engineers focus on innovating instead of wrestling with complicated programming and system integration issues, and today, it has become the ultimate system design software for measurement and control,” said Jeff Kodosky, inventor of LabView and National Instruments Business and Technology Fellow. “With each new version, whether by ensuring integration with the latest hardware, introducing new libraries and APIs or implementing engineer-requested features, our primary objective remains to increase productivity in any engineering situation.”

LabVIEW 2011 includes:

• Fast development of visually striking, contemporary user interfaces with a new Silver palette of controls and indicators
• Reuse code with support for the latest .NET assemblies, .m structures and new Xilinx IP for the LabVIEW FPGA Module
• Five times faster loading, wiring, editing and compiling of FPGA code
• Programmatically build and distribute executables to targets
• The ability to spawn asynchronous threads to create multithreaded applications more quickly with a new communication API 

With its stability for mission-critical applications, as well as its simplified integration with hardware from many industry leaders, LabVIEW 2011 gives measurement and control system designers the confidence to innovate efficiently within a proven support infrastructure.
“By using LabVIEW, we decreased our system development time by one-third compared to the time we spent with traditional approaches,” said Glenn Larkin, Engineer for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, home of advanced fusion research and one of the world’s most powerful lasers. “We plan to extend our use of LabVIEW and NI hardware in many facilities that support NIF so we can realise these same productivity gains in future projects.”
When combined with modular hardware, LabVIEW 2011 is the centrepiece of the NI approach to graphical system design, which provides a unified platform for designing, prototyping and deploying applications with maximum efficiency. Engineers and scientists in virtually every industry are using graphical system design, from basic measurement applications to the most complex, advanced research projects.

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Camera fits on the head of a pin - MedicalPhysicsWeb

Camera fits on the head of a pin - MedicalPhysicsWeb