Embedded Technologies for Next-Gen LEVs and CAVs

Avnet's SimpleFlex is designed for customers to choose from a wide range of CoMs (Computer on Modules) and marry them with a standard carrier board. This allows the customer to tailor their requirements for specific applications with greater efficiency and time to market. According to Avnet, SimpleFlex serves as the foundation for a number of different applications, including HMIs, displays, infotainment systems, object recognition systems and more. The ready-to-use platform is not only cost-effective but highly adaptable, with the capacity to choose several interfaces, all assembled in-house.

Avnet recently released an embedded Arm-based platform powered by NXP that can take advantage of the Windows 10 Enterprise IoT operating system. The company's MSC SMS2-IMX8PLUS and MSC SMS2-IMX8M system-on-module (SOM) are paired with an SMS2-MB-EP5 SimpleFlex carrier board. The packages offer dual or quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 application processors, which run parallel to a Cortex-M7 core and Vivante GC7000UL graphics processor, to drive a full Windows OS. While both boards have nearly the same feature set, the top-end variant (MSC SM2S-IMX8PLUS) comes outfitted with a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor (running up to 1.8GHz), a neural network coprocessor with 2.3 tera-operations per second (TOPS) of compute and a Cadence HiFi4 digital signal processor (DSP). It also packs up to 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM and up to 256GB of eMMC flash storage, along with SD Card and PCIe expansion.

SimpleFlex from Avnet Embedded

The i.MX 8M PLUS

The MSC Q7-MB-EP5 carrier board also packs some impressive features, including dual Gigabit Ethernet and up to two SATA II interfaces. It also offers a number of ports, including USB 3.0, USB 2.0, RS232/485 and optional CAN. Modern displays can be connected via DisplayPort/µHDMI, LVDS and eDP, and feature sockets for mini–PCI Express cards, mSATA and SD/Micro SDs. Rounding out the feature set are a MIPI CSI-2 camera interface, an HD or I2S audio interface with 2x 2.5W Stereo Amplifier, 12x GPIO, RTC battery and can handle an input voltage range from 10VDC to 36VDC. The SM2S-MB-EP5 also comes with a host of connectivity options in module form, including WLAN, Bluetooth and NFC, all with optional internal or external antennas.

Avnet has also released an AI-based board under the SimpleFlex platform that allows engineers to develop and deploy AI at the Edge applications. The i.MX 8M Plus Edge AI Kit features a SMARC SoM and an industrial carrier board designed for prototyping industrial systems and LEV and CAV applications. The board features a dual or single-core ARM Cortex-A35 processor (up to 1GHz), an Arm Cortex-M33 real-time core (up to 216MHz) and a Vivante GC NanoUlta 3D GPU. It also features up to 2GB LPDDR4x SDRAM, up to 256GB of eMMC storage and a 32-bit Tensilica HiFi 4 DSP unit optimized for applications such as infotainment systems and smart speakers.

Additional features include 64Mb of QSPI Flash, a Delkin 16GB MicroSD card, HDMI 2.0 port, 2x LVDS display ports, a pair of ON Semiconductor AR1335 IAS camera modules and dual MIPI-CSI host interfaces. It also includes USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 Type-A ports, an ON Semiconductor AP1302 ISP, optional Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC modules and more. The kit comes packed with everything needed for deployment as well, including a 10.1-inch touch display, cables, heatsink and 12V power supply.

Avnet has also released a software utilization platform that allows users to switch between hardware systems without the need to change software applications. In other words, it allows engineers to upgrade hardware without the need to recode. SimpleSwitch combines the SMARC connector, container and hardware abstraction layer to maintain full functionality and compatibility of hardware interfaces while switching between modules, even while adjusting computing performance. The only thing needed is the company's SDK, which includes libraries, compilers and tooling needed to cross-compile applications and deploy them to hardware.

The key to switching hardware without the need for software modification is done via QEMU, which is a virtual machine that comes with SimpleSwitch and replicates hardware interfaces and software frameworks that are identical to Avnet's SMARC modules. A second element for seamless interoperability is base images, which are programmed onto an SD card for the SMARC modules. These images provide the minimum to boot the board and initialize the display, after which the SDK installed allows users to deploy applications on the SMARC module, which was programmed via those base images.

SimpleSwitch from Avnet Embedded

SimplePlus from Avnet Embedded

Rounding out Avnet's latest embedded technologies is the company's SimplePlus platform, which is designed to simplify creating custom touch displays for many applications. SimplePlus is a complete package that includes an LCD module, touch layer and custom cover lens with different surface treatment and bonding options. The company provides different mechanical design and integration options, such as gaskets, and plastic and metal frames, depending on the application. The platform is configurable to meet user's needs. For example, LEV and CAV companies can leverage the platform to create a display that's hardened against harsh environments while maintaining clarity and touch capabilities.

Avnet states that SimplePlus can shorten product development lifecycles by delivering a complete working unit within 48 hours. This is on top of testing the displays, complete with burn-in cycles, and conforming to regulatory guidelines. These are just some of the ways Avnet capitalizes on to help customers who require embedded solutions quickly and in complete working order.

Avnet's Simple solutions are helping to drive the future of LEV and CAV technologies with a diverse portfolio that includes SoM and touch display hardware, along with an easy-to-use software solution. Through intelligent integration and customization, Avnet is looking to change the way the world commutes and builds infrastructure, paving the way to a greener, more innovative future.