• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Microcontroller Tips

Microcontroller engineering resources, new microcontroller products and electronics engineering news

  • Products
    • 8-bit
    • 16-bit
    • 32-bit
    • 64-bit
  • Applications
    • Automotive
    • Connectivity
    • Consumer Electronics
    • Industrial
    • Medical
    • Security
  • EE Forums
    • EDABoard.com
    • Electro-Tech-Online.com
  • Videos
    • TI Microcontroller Videos
  • EE Resources
    • DesignFast
    • eBooks / Tech Tips
    • FAQs
    • LEAP Awards
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EE Learning Center
    • Design Guides
      • WiFi & the IOT Design Guide
      • Microcontrollers Design Guide
      • State of the Art Inductors Design Guide

hand-held camera cube reference design enables AI at the edge

July 21, 2021 By Redding Traiger

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. unveiled the MAXREFDES178#camera cube reference design, which demonstrates how Artificial intelligence (AI) applications previously limited to machines with large power and cost budgets can be embedded in space-constrained, battery-powered edge devices. The MAXREFDES178# enables ultra-low-power internet of things (IoT) devices to implement hearing and vision and showcases the MAX78000 low-power microcontroller with neural network accelerator for audio and video inferences. The system also contains the MAX32666 ultra-low-power Bluetooth microcontroller and two MAX9867 audio CODECs. The entire system is delivered in an ultra-compact form factor to show how AI applications such as facial identification and keyword recognition can be embedded in low-power, cost-sensitive applications such as wearables and IoT devices.

AI applications require intensive computations, usually performed in the cloud or inexpensive, power-hungry processors that can only fit in applications with big power budgets such as self-driving cars. But the MAXREFDES178# camera cube demonstrates how AI can live on a low-power budget, enabling applications that are time- and safety-critical to operate on even the smallest of batteries. The MAX78000’s AI accelerator slashes the power of AI inferences up to 1,000x for vision and hearing applications, as compared to other embedded solutions. The AI inferences running on the MAXREFDES178# also show dramatic latency improvements, running more than 100x faster than on an embedded microcontroller.

The compact form factor of the camera cube at 1.6in x 1.7in x 1.5in (41mm x 44mm x 39mm) shows that AI can be implemented in wearables and other space-constrained IoT applications. The MAX78000 solution itself is up to 50 percent smaller than the next-smallest GPU-based processor and does not require other components like memories or complex power supplies to implement cost-effective AI inferences.

Ultra-Low Power: Reduces power budget for AI imaging applications up to 1,000x

Lower Cost and Size: Cuts the cost of AI with integrated components, reduced board space, and compact size

Low Latency: Reduces latency of AI inferences by over 100x compared to other embedded solutions

The MAXREFDES178# is available at Maxim Integrated’s website for $149 (1000-up, FOB USA); also available from authorized distributors. The MAX78000 is available at Maxim Integrated’s website for $8.50 (1000-up, FOB USA); also available from authorized distributors. The MAX32666GWPBT+T is available at Maxim Integrated’s website for $6.85 (1000-up, FOB USA); also available from authorized distributors. The MAX9867EWV+T is available at Maxim Integrated’s website for $1.00 (1000-up, FOB USA); also available from authorized distributors

You may also like:


  • What is Wi-Fi HaLow? Players and future

  • What is Wi-Fi HaLow? Part 1

  • Technical challenges of automated vehicles
  • ASILs
    What are ASILs and how do they work?
  • automotive qualification
    What does automotive qualification mean?

Filed Under: Applications, Artificial intelligence, Camera modules, Embedded, IoT, Products, Reference designs, Tools, Wearables Tagged With: maximintegratedproducts

Primary Sidebar

DesignFast

Design Fast Logo
Component Selection Made Simple.

Try it Today
design fast globle

EE Training Center Classrooms

EE Classrooms

CURRENT DIGITAL ISSUE

A frequency you can count on There are few constants in life, but what few there are might include death, taxes, and a U.S. grid frequency that doesn’t vary by more than ±0.5 Hz. However, the certainty of the grid frequency is coming into question, thanks to the rising percentage of renewable energy sources that…

Digital Edition Back Issues

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Subscribe to weekly industry news, new product innovations and more.

Subscribe today

RSS Current EDABoard.com discussions

  • Advice for my disabled son please
  • Very low voltage/power Schmitt trigger?
  • 3D IC Design: Is it possible to stack CPU and FPGA?
  • dc to dc converter sparks when inserting fuse
  • 7 segment display connections

RSS Current Electro-Tech-Online.com Discussions

  • Pet Microchip scan
  • Disabled son needs advice please
  • Modify a digital clamp ammeter ?
  • Confirming whether this circuit will work
  • How does a blinky/flashing ball work?

Footer

Microcontroller Tips

EE World Online Network

  • DesignFast
  • EE World Online
  • EDA Board Forums
  • Electro Tech Online Forums
  • Connector Tips
  • Analog IC Tips
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips
  • Wire and Cable Tips
  • 5G Technology World

Microcontroller Tips

  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
  • About us
Follow us on Twitter Add us on Facebook Follow us on YouTube  Follow us on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy