congatec modules set new benchmarks for secure Edge AI applications

In doing so, congatec underlines its strong partnership with NXP. Customers benefit from straightforward scalability and reliable upgrade paths for existing and new energy-efficient edge AI applications with high security requirements. 

In these applications the new modules offer the advantages of up to three times the GFLOPS computing performance compared to the previous generation with i.MX8 M Plus processors. The new neural processing unit from NXP called 'eIQ Neutron' doubles the inference performance for AI accelerated machine vision. In addition, the hardware-integrated EdgeLock secure enclave simplifies the implementation of in-house cyber security measures.

The new conga-SMX95 SMARC modules are designed for an industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C, are robust in mechanical terms and optimised for cost- and energy-efficient applications. The integrated high-performance eIQ Neutron NPU makes it possible for AI accelerated workloads to be performed even closer to the local device level. Specific applications for the new SMARC modules can be found in AI accelerated low-power applications in sectors such as industrial production, machine vision and visual inspection, rugged HMIs, 3D printers, robotics controllers in AMR and AGV, as well as medical imaging and patient monitoring systems. Other target applications include passenger seat back entertainment in buses and aircraft, along with fleet management in transportation, and construction and farming applications.

The feature set in detail

The new conga-SMX95 SMARC 2.1 modules are based on the next generation of the NXP i.MX 95 application processors with four-six Arm Cortex-A55 cores. NXP is now using the new Arm Mali 3D graphics unit for the first time, which delivers up to three times the GPU performance compared to predecessors based on i. MX8 M Plus. Also new is the image signal processor (ISP) for hardware accelerated image processing. Particularly noteworthy is the NXP eIQ Neutron NPU for hardware accelerated AI inference and machine learning (ML) on-the-edge in the new SMARC modules. The corresponding eIQ software development environment from NXP offers OEMs a high-performance development environment which simplifies the implementation of in-house ML applications.

In addition, the new SMARC modules integrate a real-time domain for real-time controllers. The conga-SMX95 SMARC modules offer 2x Gbit Ethernet with TSN for synchronised and deterministic network data transmission, LPDDR5 (with inline ECC) for data security. For display connectivity the new modules offer DisplayPort as the standard interface and the still widely used LVDS display interface. For direct camera connectivity the modules have 2x MIPI-CSI.

congatec also offers an extensive hardware and software ecosystem as well as comprehensive design-in-services for simplified and accelerated application development. These include, among other things, evaluation- and production-ready application carrier boards and custom-tailored cooling solutions. In terms of services, congatec offers comprehensive documentation, training and signal integrity measurements for application development.