The Kynix Blog

Today, at the imec technology forum (ITF2017), imec demonstrated the world's first self-learning neuromorphic chip. The brain-inspired chip, based on OxRAM technology, has the capability of self-learning and has been demonstrated to have the ability to compose music.The human brain is a dream for computer scientists: it has a huge computing power while consuming only a few tens of Watts. Imec researchers are combining state-of-the-art hardware and software to design chips that feature these desirable characteristics of a self-learning system. Imec's ultimate goal is to design the process technology and building blocks to make artificial intelligence to be energy efficient so that that it can be integrated into sensors. Such intelligent sensors will drive the internet of things forward. This would not only allow machine learning to be present in all sensors but also allow on-field learning capability to further improve the learning.By co-optimizing the hardware and the software, the chip features machine learning and intelligence characteristics on a small area, while consuming only very little power. The chip is self-learning, meaning that is makes associations between what it has experienced and what it experiences. The more it experiences, the stronger the connections will be. The chip presented today has learned to compose new music and the rules for the composition are learnt on the fly.It is imec's ultimate goal to further advance both hardware and software to achieve very low-power, high-performance, low-cost and highly miniaturized neuromorphic chips that can be applied in many domains ranging for personal health, energy, traffic management etc. For example, neuromorphic chips integrated into sensors for health monitoring would enable to identify a particular heartrate change that could lead to heart abnormalities, and would learn to recognize slightly different ECG patterns that vary between individuals. Such neuromorphic chips would thus enable more customized and patient-centric monitoring."Because we have hardware, system design and software expertise under one roof, imec is ideally positioned to drive neuromorphic computing forward," says Praveen Raghavan, distinguished member of the technical Staff at imec. "Our chip has evolved from co-optimizing logic, memory, algorithms and system in a holistic way. This way, we succeeded in developing the building blocks for such a self-learning system." Ref:KY32-MAX1490AEPG+KY32-LN3251MPW

In the future, a new sensor cable could be used to protect airports, industrial complexes and people’s yards without a great deal of expense. It registers even the tiniest changes in the Earth’s magnetic field.Plenty of things go unnoticed by our senses. One of them is the Earth’s magnetic field. Unlike migratory birds and sea turtles, we need technical aids to make use of it. Like the good old compass. It has been helping seamen navigate the seven seas since the 12th century. Sort of a primitive precursor of today’s magnetic field sensors. Then in 1832, mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss laid the cornerstone for modern magnetic sensor technology when he developed a method for measuring both the direction and intensity of the Earth’s magnetic field.Since then, magnetic-field sensors have become quite important because they make entirely new solutions for difficult measuring tasks possible. And not just for research and industry—also for our private lives. For example, they help determine location and position in our smartphones. And with Apps such as Telemeter 11th, they even turn a digital Swiss knife into a metal detector.Magnetic burglar alarmSaarland University’s “All-round Warning Alarm” is based on a similar principle. When attached to fencing, a thin magnetic field sensor cable can tell whether the wind, a bird or wire cutters are “interacting” with the wire mesh. Buried in the ground of future traffic-guidance systems, it can tell which direction automobiles are driving. Not even smartphones or zippers can go undetected. That is because everything within a few meters that influences the Earth’s magnetic field is registered by highly sensible magnetic field sensors and transmitted to a smartphone via Bluetooth.The sensor cable is flexible and can be adapted to a wide variety of requirements, and it consumes very little electricity. It is also practically wear free, and measurements do not dependent on weather conditions. In addition, no data is stored and the sensor system has proved a hard nut for hackers to crack.The technology is based on the fact that the Earth’s weak magnetic field (approx. 50 microtesla) is always everywhere. And that every ferromagnetic object measurably disturbs this field for magnetic field sensors with sensitivities in the nanotesla range. Corresponding electronics and algorithms then determine metallic properties, size and direction of motion. Every type of “disturbance” has its own magnetic fingerprint.Magnetic field sensors for every purposeResearchers have been working a “magnetic” recognition systems for a good 15 years. As part of the development process, experiments were conducted with so-called AMR (anisotropic magnetoresistance) and GMR (giant magnetoresistance) sensors. The latter can be found in billions of read heads in hard disk drives, and the physicists who discovered them, Peter Gruenberg from Forschungszentrum Jülich and Albert Fert from Université Paris-Sud, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2007. Both work sensors are based on the so-called magnetoresistance effect, which says that ferromagnetic materials change their resistance in a magnetic field.Burglars in a “tunnel”The first trials with the third member of the magnetoresistance team, i.e. GMI (giant magnetoimpedence) sensors, are now underway in Saarland. In this case, impedance (alternating current resistance) depends on the intensity of an applied, relatively weak external magnetic field.But that’s not all: The prototype recently introduced by Saarland University researchers uses a fourth variant, i.e. TMR (tunnel magnetoresistance) sensors, which have only been commercially available for a short time. As the word “tunnel” suggests, these magnetic field sensors make use of quantum mechanics effects. Due to their high change in resistance of 20%, TMRs are extremely interesting for a number of applications. They are provided by Sensitec(Germany), one of the partners in this project, which is sponsored by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research.With the exception of the AMR effect, all magnetoresistance effects were discovered after 1988. In other words, this is still a relatively new, rapidly growing research sector with the prospect of extraordinary sensor solutions for various electronics sectors in the years to come. It will be interesting to see what happens! Ref:KY45-HMR3400KY45-HMC6343KY45-HMC2003

Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ:TXN) today introduced two new device families that help reduce size and weight in motor drive applications. When used together, DRV832x brushless DC (BLDC) gate drivers and CSD88584/99 NexFET™ Power Blocks require as little as 511 mm2, half the board space of competing solutions.The DRV832x BLDC gate drivers feature a smart gate-drive architecture that eliminates up to 24 components traditionally used to set the gate drive current while enabling designers to easily adjust field-effect transistor (FET) switching to optimize power loss and electromagnetic compliance. The CSD88584Q5DC and CSD88599Q5DC power blocks leverage two FETs in a unique stacked-die configuration, which doubles power density and minimizes the FET resistance and parasitic inductances typically found in side-by-side FET configurations.An 18-volt compact BLDC motor reference design demonstrates how the DRV8323 gate driver and CSD88584Q5DC power block can drive 11 W/cm3 power and enable engineers to jump-start their designs for smaller, lighter-weight power tools, integrated motor modules, drones and more. Benefits of using a CSD88584/99 and DRV832x device togetherMaximum power density: The combined solution delivers 700 W of motor power without a heat sink, providing 50 percent higher current than conventional solutions without increasing the footprint.High peak current: As demonstrated by the 18-volt BLDC reference design, the smart gate driver and power block are capable of driving a peak current of up to 160 A for more than 1 second.Optimal system protection: The combination enables shorter trace lengths and actively prevents unintended FET turn-on, while also providing undervoltage, overcurrent and thermal protection.Superior thermal performance: The CSD88584Q5DC and CSD88599Q5DC power blocks come in TI's DualCool™ thermally enhanced package, which enables designers to apply a heat sink to the top of the device to decrease thermal impedance and increase the amount of power dissipated to maintain safe operating temperatures for the board and end application.Clean switching: The power blocks' switch-node clip helps eliminate parasitic inductance between high- and low-side FETs. Additionally, the DRV832x gate driver's passive component integration minimizes board traces.Tools and support to jump-start designIn addition to the 18-volt BLDC motor reference design, engineers can search for other motor reference designs that use the power blocks and gate drivers to help solve their system design challenges. The three-phase smart gate-driver evaluation module (EVM) allows designers to drive a 15-A, three-phase BLDC motor using the DRV8323R gate driver, CSD88599Q5DC power block and MSP430F5529microcontroller LaunchPad™ development kit. The EVM is available from the TI store for US$99.00.Package, availability and pricingThe new DRV832x BLDC smart gate drivers offer peripheral and interface options for engineers to select the best device for their design: with or without an integrated buck regulator or three integrated current-shunt amplifiers. Each device option is available in a hardware or serial interface and comes in quad flat no-lead (QFN) packaging. The CSD88584/99 power blocks come in DualCool small outline no-lead (SON) packaging, with 40- or 60-V breakdown voltage (BVDSS) choices.   Ref:KY32-MSP430F5529IPNKY362-DRV8301-69M-KITKY32-DRV8301DCAR

The idea of home automation is not bounded to houses, the application area can be extended to security systems, auditoriums, function halls, Libraries etc. Home automation is just a catchy usage.Here, the medium for automation is not considered, only the switchboard connections are discussed. Every automation circuit finally has to control a relay through the port of the microcontroller. So, the circuit is similar up to the relay control, it slightly differs at the load terminals of the relay. Generally, NO and COM terminals of the relay are used for load control, here NC is also used. Basic Idea All the home automation circuits have a remote control feature, and it may be operated through Radio Frequency, Bluetooth, Infra-Red, GSM, Wi-Fi etc. But how to connect them to the existing switchboards, and what if the remote control is misplaced or if the circuit is malfunctioning? To avoid such disturbances in a practical scenario, it is better to have manual control as well similar to the switchboards. If the relays of home automation circuits are connected in series with the existing switches, they provide semi-manual control i.e., Turn OFF is possible, but to turn ON the load, the relay has to operate. So, this is not a suitable type of connection. Combining Two-Way switch and relay Two-way switches offer a solution to this. The relay is just similar to a two-way switch in terms of terminals i.e. both have three terminals like NC, COM, NO. Two-way switch connection for Staircase lighting actually gave this idea, but now, in this case, one manual switch and one electro-mechanical relay are used. Toggling any of them changes the ON/OFF state of the load. Actual wiring By using this, existing switchboards can be modified by replacing one-way switches with two-way switches. As already mentioned, the idea of home automation is not bounded to house, the application area can be extended to security systems, auditoriums, function halls, Libraries etc. Home automation is just a catchy usage.   In the above image, Phase wire is run through all the switches on the top terminal i.e. terminal 1 and these are again connected to NC terminal of all the relays. Common terminals of switches i.e. terminal 2 of the switches are connected to the COMMON terminal of respective relays. Terminal 3 of switches are connected to loads and again connected to NO terminal of relays. So, while modifying the existing one-way switchboard, the common phase is connected to terminal 1 of two-way switches and loads are connected to terminal 3 of two-way switches. In addition to this, three terminals of switches are connected to three terminals of relays as, Two-way switchRelay Terminal 1 ——- NC Terminal 2 –—– COM Terminal 3 ——- NO Now, the loads can be turned ON/OFF manually through switchboard as well as remotely. Suppose if manual operation is not used, then turn OFF all the switches, now this state is similar to One-way switchboard with all the switches in OFF state. All the loads can be operated remotely. Their status can be known from the remote device itself. Suppose, if automation circuit fails i.e., relays in OFF state, then loads can be operated manually similar to One-way switchboard. While using manual along with automated operation, in order to get the status of the loads, an additional circuit is required to read the ON/OFF state of the loads. This is generally required if the user is at a remote location like for a house, if the operator is at the office or on a journey, reading the load status is required. But it is not essential, when the user/operator is in sight of the loads, for example, ON/OFF status of the load is directly visible. Relay board can be placed below the switchboard in a separate enclosure along with the automation circuit. However, in typical situations and requirements, an opto-coupler based sensing circuit can be included in the circuit, if the status of loads is required. Ref: KY66-G3F-203SN DC5-24 KY66-CMRD6055 KY66-CKRA2420

Apacer Technology has launched the DDR4 VLP Mini RDIMM memory module for networking, telecommunications and embedded systems, as it responds to key trends such as cloud computing, IoT and big data in the networking industry worldwide in recent years. Compliant with new generation ATCA (Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture) specifications for telecommunications and communication equipment, the DDR4 VLP Mini RDIMM memory module measures 0.738" high. It is suitable for space-constrained 1U rack systems, blade servers and embedded systems, effectively improving heat dissipation, and improving system stability and reliability.Networking and telecommunication specifications in the past were complicated and not standardised, causing many unnecessary problems in system design. ATCA is a new series of open architecture specifications developed for networking, telecommunications and industrial automation computer products. This series of specifications allows networking, communication and storage devices to be integrated on a single platform, greatly lessening the burden of monitoring and management. Adopting the common industry platform, Apacer’s new DDR4 VLP Mini RDIMM memory module fits into networking and communication equipment, such as router, gateway and switch, and embedded industrial automation equipment, reducing R&D costs and shortening time to market. Its expandability also provides convenience in the integration of the networking environment.JEDEC-compliant Apacer DDR4 VLP Mini RDIMM memory module measures only 80mm long, which is 60% the length of the standard 133mm RDIMM. Available in 4 and 8GB capacities, its 1.2V ultra-low operating voltage is up to 30% more power saving. The DDR4 also supports deep power-down mode, reducing close to 50% standby power consumption. Its power efficiency is particularly significant in satisfying the requirement for low power consumption in industrial embedded, networking and server systems. It is equipped with ECC function to ensure memory access reliability and data integrity, and has built-in thermal sensor that monitors temperature changes during memory module operation and optimises power use. Apacer DDR4 VLP Mini RDIMM memory module demonstrates high-speed transmission and low power consumption within space-constraint systems. Furthermore, its ATCA-compliance allows for system integration, providing the highest quality and stability. Ref:KY32-AT49BV162AT(T)KY32-K9T1G08U0M-YIBOKY32-CY7C131E-55NXI

Two microcontroller lines from STMicroelectronics increase energy efficiency, flexibility, and feature integration at the high end of the STM32F4 Access Line for high-performance embedded designs. Qualified up to 125°C, these STM32 devices target always-on sensor acquisition and general-purpose industrial applications and present a robust and cost-effective upgrade from STM32F1 MCUs. The STM32F413 and crypto-enhanced STM32F423 integrate up to 1.5MB Flash and dense SRAM of 320KB. These are the most highly featured of the STM32F4 Access Lines, with rich audio capabilities including a Serial Audio Interface (SAI) and an enhanced voice-acquisition interface with multi-channel Digital Filter for Sigma-Delta Modulators (DFSDM) that enables low-power sound localisation and beam forming. The devices also provide peripheral integration, with two 12-bit Digital-Analogue Converters (DACs), up to 10 UARTs, and three CAN 2.0B active interfaces. The crypto-enhanced STM32F423 also has a True Random-Number Generator (TRNG) and AES-256 cryptographic hardware accelerator.Sitting at the top of the STM32F4 Access Lines, the MCUs introduce a 100MHz dual-mode Quad SPI for connecting serial off-chip memory, 16-bit Flexible Memory Controller (FMC) for external SRAM, PSRAM or NOR Flash, up to 16-bit QVGA or 8-bit WQVGA LCD interface, and USB OTG with Link Power Management (LPM) and dual power rails that save external level shifting.In addition, both lines feature a RAM-access scheme that uses the Instruction and Data (I/D) buses and the System BUS (SBUS) to connect to separate RAM1 (256KB) and RAM2 (64KB) areas thereby minimising contentions. An enhanced DMA Batch Acquisition Mode (BAM+) takes advantage of these separate RAM1 and RAM2 areas to process code and data extremely efficiently in sensor-hub applications.Delivering high performance, the STM32 microcontrollers combine the 100MHz 125DMIPS/339 EEMBC CoreMark ARM Cortex-M4 core with ST’s power-saving Dynamic Efficiency technologies that cut RUN mode current up to 112µA/MHz. These Dynamic Efficiency technologies include the ST ART Accelerator for zero-wait execution from Flash, and the supply-voltage extending down to 1.7V, to maximise the battery life of always-connected devices.Designers can immediately start their projects using the NUCLEO-F413ZH development board. This STM32 Nucleo-144 board comes with the ST-LINK/V2-1 debugger/programmer, software libraries and examples, and can be used directly with ARM mbed online resources. Ref:KY32-STM32F401CBU6KY32-STM32F401CCU6KY362-STM32F401C-DISCO