Techniques now emerging from research labs will help make it affordable for next-generation autonomous vehicles to keep out of harm’s way. There’s a dirty little secret associated with the autonomous vehicle (AV) prototypes now feeling their way along roads and byways: Many of them depend on expensive LiDAR light detection and ranging) sensors to detect […]
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The pros and cons of the Raspberry Pi 400
In many ways, Raspberry Pi falls short as a full-fledged personal computer. The Raspberry Pi Foundation has tried to change this with its latest addition, the Raspberry Pi 400. Launched in November of 2020, the Raspberry Pi 400 is a single-board computer in the form of a keyboard, retailing at $70 per unit or $100 […]
What are system integration issues with FPGAs?
FPGAs are complex devices and are being used in more and more systems. The complexity of FPGAs is both a strength and a weakness. It’s a strength because of the many system performance benefits and capabilities they bring for designers to leverage. It’s a weakness because of the complexities of successfully integrating high pin-count FPGAs […]
How does using FPGAs impact the design process?
Using field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) can significantly increase the complexity of the design process. As seen in the previous FAQ on the application considerations when selecting FPGAs, these devices can bring improved performance to complex functions and improve overall system performance. This FAQ will consider the design process for FPGAs while the next and […]
What are the application considerations when selecting FPGAs?
Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are powerful and flexible devices. They combine the performance of custom designs with reprogrammability, even after the system is in the field. As a result, FPGAs are increasingly used in various systems, from the Mars rover to fighter jets and from communications and automotive systems to a growing variety of […]
Tips on designing smart home devices – Part 2
In Part 1, we covered the design criteria to consider when creating a new smart home device and some of the smart home protocols. Here, we continue with additional device-design considerations. How can I determine which cloud platform to use? Today, multiple cloud platforms are available. It depends on which smartphone or handheld device you […]
FPGAs and other programmable devices – what’s the difference?
Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are digital ICs consisting of arrays of logic blocks that can be programmed (wired) and reprogrammed multiple times, even after the product containing the FPGA has been shipped and is “in the field.” FPGAs are not a monolithic technology; there are variations in how FPGAs are structured and programmed, variations […]
Tips on designing smart home devices – Part 1
The smart home market is growing rapidly, with many developers striving to get a piece of the pie. As a result, competition is fierce. To create a highly competitive smart home device, designers want to make devices that are compatible with industry standards and easy to use. And they want to get these devices to […]
What is DDR (Double Data Rate) memory and SDRAM memory?
DDR SDRAM is a stack of acronyms. Double Data Rate (DDR) Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) is a common type of memory used as RAM for most every modern processor. First on the scene of this stack of acronyms was Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM), introduced in the 1970s. DRAM is not regulated by a […]
What is an SoC?
A System on Chip or an SoC is an integrated circuit that incorporates a majority of components present on a computer. As the name suggests, it is an entire system fabricated on a silicon chip. The beauty of an SoC is that it integrates all the components on a single substrate. In semiconductors, a substrate […]
