CoMs with TI Jacinto 7 TDA4x or DRA8x processors target edge AI
SMARC Module 2.1 computer on modules (CoMs) based on Texas Instruments’ Jacinto 7 TDA4x or DRA8x processors are intended for high performance AI edge applications. The industrial grade CoMs have a low power envelope, said congatec. They feature dual Arm Cortex-A72 processors, powerful AI accelerators and 3D graphics. The conga-STDA4 modules consume only 5.0 to 10W, target industrial mobile machinery that requires 2D/3D camera, radar, and lidar-based near field analytics, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), as well as applications in construction and agricultural machinery. They are also suitable for vision-focused industrial automation or medical solutions that require powerful and energy-efficient AI processing at the edge, advised congatec.
The new SMARC modules come with two MIPI CSI camera inputs. The TDA4x processor-based conga-STDA4 adds an image signal processor (ISP), vision accelerators and pre-trained AI models from the TI Model Zoo, for AI-powered application development. It also includes a robotic software development kit (SDK) for enhanced functionality. The DRA8x variants offer a cost-efficient option without vision processing accelerators. Both module variants are designed to withstand harsh industrial environments and support the extended temperature range from -40 to +85 degrees C, as well as time-sensitive networking (TSN) and cybersecurity measures.
“By integrating the powerful Texas Instruments Jacinto 7 TDA4x and TI DRA8x processors in our high-performance SMARC Module 2.1 ecosystem, congatec simplifies the design-in process for this advanced Arm Cortex-A72 based SoC technology,” explained Martin Danzer, director of product management at congatec. Vision-based situational awareness designers in embedded industries can therefore focus on core competencies, saving upfront costs and reducing time to market, he added.
It also streamlines the design process while ensuring high design security and low non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs.
The conga-STDA4 Computer-on-Modules are equipped with TI’s Jacinto 7 TDA4VM or DRA829J processors based on two Arm Cortex-A72 and six Arm Cortex-R5F. With two MIPI-CSI 4-lanes and integrated ISP for MIPI-CSI cameras. The new modules enable high quality camera, lidar, or radar data capture and processing. Featuring deep-learning matrix multiply accelerators (MMA) with up to 8TOPS and C7x floating-point vector DSP with up to 80GFLOPs, the module delivers exceptional performance for deep learning and AI processing. The Jacinto 7 TDA4VM variant has vision processing accelerators (VPAC) with image signal processor (ISP) and multiple vision assist accelerators ensuring high-quality image processing and analysis. Common to both processor variants, the depth and motion processing accelerators (DMPAC) enable accurate depth perception and motion tracking. Graphics performance including GPGPU capabilities are enhanced with the integrated graphics accelerator 3D GPU PowerVR Rogue 8XE GE8430.
The new modules are embedded in congatec’s high-performance SMARC 2.1 Module ecosystem featuring tailored cooling solutions, evaluation and application ready carrier boards as well as value-adding services including signal compliance testing, conformal coating, and design-in trainings.
The conga-STDA4 SMARC CoMs support Linux, QNX, RTOS, and VxWorks.
