Distributed intelligence has no bounds... connected intelligence knows no strangers

Alif delivers semiconductor and software technologies that make embedded devices significantly smarter while securely connected. Portable battery-powered or stationary IoT edge node products, simple or complex applications – it does not matter - the spectrum is covered by one of our solutions.

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Portable Point of Sale

Solution

Handheld light-weight battery operated POS system for retail, inventory, and healthcare. Constant mobile connectivity in/outdoors via Cat-M cellular, and Wi-Fi/BLE option for indoors. MIPI-DSI connects color touch-panel graphical user interface leveraging a 2D GPU. I3C connects 3-axis position detection. MIPI-CSI connects image sensor for symbol and barcode scanning, photo records, and object classification. Payment and printing modules connect via SPI. Precise location data from GNSS. Graphics/networking handled by Linux OS on Cortex-A CPUs. Real-time events managed with RTOS on Cortex-M CPUs. Ethos-U NPUs  accelerate AI/ML on imaging.

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Portable POS

Industrial Automation

Solution

A motor control platform with graphical user interface for varied mfg processes. Sensorless motor control of four 3-ph BLDC motors via timer/ADC units. MIPI-DSI connects large color touch display with rich graphics enabled by 2D GPU. MIPI-CSI connects camera for monitoring and AI-assisted inspection. PTP Ethernet time-synced network. I2S connects microphone via codec for AI-assisted fault prediction. Ambient conditions captured by sensors on I3C interface. Linux OS handles networking and graphics on dual Cortex-A CPUs while real-time tasks execute with RTOS on dual Cortex-M CPUs. AI/ML inference on images and sound is accelerated on the Ethos-U NPUs.

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Industrial 

Biometric Access Control

Solution

The system grants access through a door or building entrance with successful verification of face and fingerprint using AI/ML. System is  connected via Ethernet, with cellular Cat-M/NB as backup. GNSS registers location. MIPI-CSI connects camera for facial ID. MIPI-DSI connects color display and enhanced by a 2D GPU. I3C connects fingerprint sensor.  Transaction data plus images and audio are logged to SDHC card. Simple RF enablement with minimal external components. Software based on Linux and RTOS for maximum optimization of networking, graphics, and real-time control. AI inference for facial and fingerprint ID accelerated by NPUs.

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Biometric ID

Smart Speaker

Solution

The always-on portion of the E3 device is a low-power computing domain with hardware AI/ML acceleration to listen for wake words. The remainder of the device powers up for speech recognition and audio processing. Up to eight speakers may be connected via PDM channels to create a far-field mic array and achieve beam forming.  Ambient sensors for temperature. air quality, etc connect via I3C bus. Real-time tasks execute on dual Cortex-M55 CPUs with Helium extension. Each Cortex-M55 is paired with a Ethos-U55 microNPU for extreme power-efficient AI/ML acceleration.

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Smart Speaker

Parking Spot Finder

Solution

A sealed module buried just below asphalt surface senses the presence of a car parked above. Low-power Cat-NB connectivity enables 10+ year battery life while reporting status to cloud for parking spot management applications serving city streets or parking structures. High penetration nature of Cat-NB radio characteristics good for subterrain parking garages. iSIM eliminates need for eSIM devices and plastic SIM cards to simplify  logistics, reduce cost, and reduce power consumption. Optional camera connection on the low-power CPI interface enables other forms of parking vacancy detection through imaging and low-power AI acceleration.

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Parking Finder

Portable Medical Equipment

Solution

Ruggedized, battery-powered monitor for ECG, blood oxygen, blood pressure, and body temperature connected by cellular Cat-M for mobility with option for Wi-Fi/BLE. Body sensors and ASICs connect via analog and serial interfaces. Large color GUI display connects with MIPI-DSI and graphics are enhanced with a 2D GPU. I2S connects microphone and speaker for instruction. Activity and communications logged on SD card. Dual application cores handle user interface and networking using Linux while the dual realtime cores take care of data acquisition and processing with RTOS.

 

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Portable Medical 

EV Recharge Station

Solution

Remotely distributed individual EV recharge stations are always connected via Cat-M/NB even in rural areas, with option to cluster more than one station in a group via Ethernet before connecting securely to cloud via Cat-M/NB. Location reported by GNSS. Color touch display is connected by MIPI-DSI and user experience is enhanced by a 2D GPU. I2S connects speaker, microphone for user guidance. MIPI-CSI connects camera for crime deterrence. Ambient sensors for temperature, moisture, etc connect via I3C. SPI connects EV charge management and payment subsystems. Linux handles graphics and networking while RTOS manages real-time tasks. NPUs accelerate AI/ML.

 

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Recharge Station

Vending Machine

Solution

Always-connected vending machines via Cat-M/NB that are independent of local Wi-Fi or Ethernet to ensure 24/7 access. Large color touch display connected by MIPI-DSI. Graphics richly enhanced via a 2D GPU. MIPI-CSI connects camera to capture images for clientele classification accelerated by AI/ML in the NPUs. I2S enables audio capture. I3C connects 3-axis vibration detection, feeding AI engines for failure prediction,  maintenance optimization, and tamper detection. SPI connects module for payment collection and verification. Graphics and networking are handled by Linux OS, and real-time processing is handled under RTOS.

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Vending Machine

Fitness Wearable

Solution

The C3’s tiny Wafer-Level Chip-Scale Package (WLCSP) is only a few millimeters on each side. The C3 device absorbs many typical external components such as memory chips, an RF power amplifier, GPS/GNSS, and power management devices. Small size and high integration plus extreme low power consumption make the C3 a perfect match for fitness and healthcare wearables. Cat-M for universal outdoor connectivity with optional Wi-Fi/BLE. I3C to network multiple sensors to measure human and ambient parameters. The NPUs accelerate AI/ML for sensor fusion. Software is RTOS-based. However, a C5 device may be used if Linux OS is desired, and 2D GFX for display.

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Wearable

Smart Street Lighting

Solution

Retrofit existing streetlights or up-feature new ones. Using the C1 device simplifies design and reduces cost by integration of functions that require external components such as memory chips, GPS/GNSS devices, RF power amplifiers, and power mgmt devices. Cat-M/NB provides connectivity no matter urban or rural. Streetlamps not only report their bulb status and optimize on-time, but also take on enhanced capabilities by reporting air quality, atmospheric conditions, gunshot sounds, available parking spaces below, traffic movement, and more. The C1 enables this through AI/ML in the NPU, and connectivity through I3C bus for sensors, and MIPI-CSI for camera.

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Smart Lighting

Process Control Panel

Solution

A networked panel platform with graphical user interface to control a variety of mfg processes. MIPI-DSI connects a large color touch display with rich graphics through a 2D GPU. MIPI-CSI connects a camera for monitoring and AI-assisted inspection. PTP Ethernet enables time-synced networking. Speakers and microphone connect through a codec on I2S for user interface and for AI-assisted fault prediction. Ambient conditions are captured by sensors on the I3C interface. Linux OS handles networking and graphics on the dual Cortex-A CPUs while real-time tasks execute with RTOS on the dual Cortex-M CPUs. AI/ML inference on images and sound is accelerated on the Ethos-U NPUs.

 

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Process Control

Drone

Solution

Drone command/control functions are handled by the C5 device while optional video streaming function may be connected as a separate subsystem. C5 device executes 1) flight control via interpretation of pilot commands received on Sub-GHz radio, GNSS position, three-axis motion detection, ambient conditions, and closed-loop control of four BLDC motors for propulsion. 2) visual positioning/object recognition via camera input and AI acceleration to aid navigation and hazard avoidance. 3) Remote ID and control via Cat-M as possible solution to FAA requirement to take over drone if drone is >400ft from pilot. Smaller battery reduces aircraft weight.

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Drone

Smart Appliance

Solution

One E5 device takes care of the appliance user interfaces, process sensing/control, and connectivity.  The E5 commands a E1device that is driving the motor(s). MIPI-DSI connects a large color touch display with rich graphics through a 2D GPU. A camera connects via MIPI-CSI for oven and fridge applications. Microphone and speakers connect via codec on I2S for user guidance and noise sampling. A series of sensors for temperature, vibration, moisture, cleanness, doneness, etc connect on the I3C sensor network. NPUs accelerate AI/ML in tasks of sensor fusion, cycle efficiency optimization, and failure prediction. Both Linux and RTOS are used to optimize software.

 

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Smart Appliance

Smart Meter

Solution

Decades of battery life for a cellular-connected utility meter is enabled by smart SoC device power management – power up only what is needed when it’s needed, sleep with minimum leakage, and draw as little current as possible when transmitting or receiving over Cat-M/NB – simple. Building on that foundation there is up-side in the battery budget for AI/ML to optimize utility usage, predict faults or dangers, streamline communications – the possibilities are endless. Smart meters with increased requirements may use C3, C5, or C7 devices while maintaining low power consumption and developers  benefit from re-use of software.

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Smart Meter

Asset Tracker

Solution

Small asset/object/human/pet trackers with multi-year battery life in the form of tags, fobs, magnet stick-ons, bracelets and more. GNSS for positioning and ubiquitous cellular Cat-M for low-power mobile connectivity. Complete environmental and g-shock sensing enabled through sensors and accelerometer connected by I3C. Conditions are logged locally to serial Flash memory and retrieved through USB as needed. Remote and mobile provisioning of subscriber management from one LTE carrier to the next during travel is efficiently handled by iSIM and its OS – no need for eSIM device or plastic SIM card that increases mfg cost and reduces battery life.

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Asset Tracker

Traffic Flow Management

Solution

Intelligent networked modules mounted at intersections, roadways, entrance/exit ramps to monitor and report traffic flow for optimization and aid collision avoidance. Camera input via MIPI-CSI and RADAR input via CAN. Ubiquitous cellular connectivity even in remote areas via Cat-M/NB and position reported by GNSS. Units may also connect via time-stamped Ethernet. I2S connects microphone via codec. Incidents recorded locally to SDHC card (images and sound). Network connections managed by Linux OS. Real-time events managed by RTOS. AI inference of image and sound data to classify situations and incidents accelerated by NPUs.

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Traffic Flow

Smart Home

Solution

A platform design to be used for varied connected smart home applications including climate control, security/fire panel, irrigation control, lighting control, appliance coordination, window shades control, etc. Always-on cellular connection is a backstop to interruptions to Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection in business and residential deployments. Platform functions include color graphical user interface, audio command/notification, facial or voice ID, local data recording, ambient condition sensing, location detection via GNSS, serial line connetions to other systems via RS-485, CAN, UART, etc. Combination of Linux and RTOS for best software balance.

 

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Smart Home

AI Camera

Solution

Peel-and-Stick camera for object classification, person detection, gesture detection, OCR and more via AI/ML. Also takes in audio for key word spotting, and sound classification such as gunshot or glass breakage also using AI/ML. Camera and microphone connect with low-power interfaces. Environment and motion sensors connect via universal I3C, and global position is determined by GNSS. Data is logged locally to SD card, and crucial or emergency data is sent via Cat-M/NB. Two AA batteries last two+ years.

 

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AI Camera

Symbol and Barcode Scanner

Solution

Rechargeable, battery-powered handheld scanner for symbols and barcodes with sub one-second read times enabled by AI/ML acceleration. Camera and color GUI display connect by MIPI-CSI/DSI. Graphics are richly enhanced using the 2D GPU. The handheld can be cradled for connectivity or Wi-Fi/BLE may be used when carried. A C7 class device can be used instead of E7 if cellular connectivity is required. Motion sensor connects via I3C for user screen orientation or free-fall detection.  Dual application cores handle user interface and networking using Linux while the dual realtime and AI cores take care of image processing with RTOS.

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Scanner

Fleet Management

Solution

Modules for trucks and rental cars/bikes/scooters track location and condition. GNSS provides precise positioning and ubiquitous cellular Cat-M enables low-power mobile connectivity. Complete environmental and motion sensing enabled through sensors and accelerometer connected by I3C. CANFD can connect tracker directly into vehicle network. All conditions are logged locally to serial Flash memory, retrieved through USB if needed. Remote and mobile provisioning of subscriber management from one LTE carrier to the next during travel is efficiently handled by iSIM – no need for eSIM device or plastic SIM card that increases mfg cost and reduces battery life.

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Fleet Management