Hard macrocells for DC/DC converter in automotive embedded mechatronic systems

A novel configurable DC/DC converter architecture, to be integrated as hard macrocell in automotive embedded systems, is proposed in the paper. It aims at realizing an intelligent voltage regulator. With respect to the state of the art, the challenge is the integration into an automotive-qualified chip of several advanced features like dithering of switching frequency, nested control loops with both current and voltage feedback, asynchronous hysteretic control for low power mode, slope control of the power FET gate driver, and diagnostic block against out-of-range current or voltage or temperature conditions. Moreover, the converter macrocell can be connected to the in-vehicle digital network, exchanging with the main vehicle control unit status/diagnostic flags and commands. The proposed design can be configured to work both in step-up and step-down modes, to face a very wide operating input voltage range from 2.5 to 60 V and absolute range from −0.3 to 70 V. The main target is regulating all voltages required in the emerging hybrid/electric vehicles where, besides the conventional 12 V DC bus, also a 48 V DC bus is present. The proposed design supports also digital configurability of the output regulated voltage, through a programmable divider, and of the coefficients of the proportional-integrative controller inside the nested control loops. Fabricated in 0.35 μm CMOS technology, experimental measurements prove that the IC can operate in harsh automotive environments since it meets stringent requirements in terms of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, operating temperature range, out-of-range current, or voltage condition

Fast approximations of activation functions in deep neural networks when using posit arithmetic

With increasing real-time constraints being put on the use of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) by real-time scenarios, there is the need to review information representation. A very challenging path is to employ an encoding that allows a fast processing and hardware-friendly representation of information. Among the proposed alternatives to the IEEE 754 standard regarding floating point representation of real numbers, the recently introduced Posit format has been theoretically proven to be really promising in satisfying the mentioned requirements. However, with the absence of proper hardware support for this novel type, this evaluation can be conducted only through a software emulation. While waiting for the widespread availability of the Posit Processing Units (the equivalent of the Floating Point Unit (FPU)), we can already exploit the Posit representation and the currently available Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU) to speed up DNNs by manipulating the low-level bit string representations of Posits. As a first step, in this paper, we present new arithmetic properties of the Posit number system with a focus on the configuration with 0 exponent bits. In particular, we propose a new class of Posit operators called L1 operators, which consists of fast and approximated versions of existing arithmetic operations or functions (e.g., hyperbolic tangent (TANH) and extended linear unit (ELU)) only using integer arithmetic. These operators introduce very interesting properties and results: (i) faster evaluation than the exact counterpart with a negligible accuracy degradation; (ii) an efficient ALU emulation of a number of Posits operations; and (iii) the possibility to vectorize operations in Posits, using existing ALU vectorized operations (such as the scalable vector extension of ARM CPUs or advanced vector extensions on Intel CPUs). As a second step, we test the proposed activation function on Posit-based DNNs, showing how 16-bit down to 10-bit Posits represent an exact replacement for 32-bit floats while 8-bit Posits could be an interesting alternative to 32-bit floats since their performances are a bit lower but their high speed and low storage properties are very appealing (leading to a lower bandwidth demand and more cache-friendly code). Finally, we point out how small Posits (i.e., up to 14 bits long) are very interesting while PPUs become widespread, since Posit operations can be tabulated in a very efficient way (see details in the text)

Orthodontics and obstructive sleep apnea in children

Children who suffer from respiratory problems and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) commonly exhibit disturbances of craniofacial morphology. A significant number have nasal obstruction associated with a narrow maxilla; maxillary constriction may increase nasal resistance and alter the tongue posture, leading to narrowing of the retroglossal airway and OSA. Sixty children with a case history of oral breathing, snoring, and night time apneas were studied. An orthognathodontic investigation was performed using radiographs that included not only the usual examinations (posteroanterior cephalographs and intraoral radiographs) but also computed tomographic scans. This article discusses the materials and methods and the results of this study

An instrument for the characterization and calibration of optical sensors

This paper presents the development of a hardware/software system for the characterization of the electronic response of optical (camera) sensors such as matrix and linear color and monochrome Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). The electronic response of a sensor is required for inspection purposes. It also allows the design and calibration of the integrating device to achieve the desired performance. The proposed instrument equipment fulfills the most recent European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) 1288 standard ver. 3.1: The spatial non uniformity of the illumination ΔE must be under 3%, and the sensor must achieve an f-number of 8.0 concerning the light source. The following main innovations have achieved this: An Ulbricht sphere providing a uniform light distribution (irradiation) of 99.54%; an innovative illuminator with proper positioning of color Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and control electronics; and a flexible C# program to analyze the sensor parameters, namely Quantum Efficiency, Overall System Gain, Temporal Dark Noise, Dark Signal Non Uniformity (DSNU1288), Photo Response Non-Uniformity (PRNU1288), Maximum achievable Signal to Noise Ratio (SNRmax), Absolute sensitivity threshold, Saturation Capacity, Dynamic Range, and Dark Current. This new instrument has allowed a camera manufacturer to design, integrate, and inspect numerous devices and camera models (Necta, Celera, and Aria)

A multi-processor NoC-based architecture for real-time image/video enhancement

n/

Thermal, electric and durability characterization of supercaps for energy back-up of automotive ECU

A new generation of mechatronic devices, such as the E-latch for door closure, is introduced in the automotive field to replace mechanical systems with electro-actuated parts with embedded electronic control unit (ECU) connected to the main vehicle network. Due to severe automotive safety-critical requirements an energy back-up solution is proposed, based on supercaps and boost converter, to ensure E-latch operation even in case of main battery failure. An in-depth thermal, electrical and durability characterization of the supercaps proves the suitability of the energy back-up unit for automotive applications

Optimized energy and air quality management of shared smart buildings in the covid-19 scenario

Worldwide increasing awareness of energy sustainability issues has been the main driver in developing the concepts of (Nearly) Zero Energy Buildings, where the reduced energy consumptions are (nearly) fully covered by power locally generated by renewable sources. At the same time, recent advances in Internet of Things technologies are among the main enablers of Smart Homes and Buildings. The transition of conventional buildings into active environments that process, elaborate and react to online measured environmental quantities is being accelerated by the aspects related to COVID-19, most notably in terms of air exchange and the monitoring of the density of occupants. In this paper, we address the problem of maximizing the energy efficiency and comfort perceived by occupants, defined in terms of thermal comfort, visual comfort and air quality. The case study of the University of Pisa is considered as a practical example to show preliminary results of the aggregation of environmental data

Stand Up Científico (Popularización entre risas)

PopER Stand Up Científico es el primer grupo latinoamericano de comedia en vivo de divulgación científica. En el grupo hay actualmente dieciocho integrantes, entre estudiantes, graduados, postgraduados e investigadores científicos, cubriendo una amplia variedad de disciplinas (biología, química, bioquímica, biotecnología, astronomía, paleontología, física, matemática.). El grupo tiene su origen en el primer curso de stand up científico, iniciativa del Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva en el año 2015, que a través del Programa de Popularización de la Ciencia y la Innovación, Tecnópolis y TECtv organizó un curso coordinado por Diego Golombek y dictado por Diego Wainstein. Una vez conformado el grupo, desarrollamos nuestros materiales individuales y grupales buscando, a través del stand up, desmitificar la idea del científico serio, de guardapolvos y anteojos, haciendo foco en la vida personal de los “científicos-standuperos” y su relación con su trabajo. A su vez, se busca comunicar ciencia acercando conceptos e ideas científicas de un modo entretenido: queremos enamorar de la ciencia a los que se acercan, despertar curiosidad en los que todavía no la conocen y resonar en aquellos que ya pertenecen a nuestra comunidad. La invitación es a reírse de/con nosotros. El show es apto para todo público y desde el año 2015 de manera continua presentamos nuestro espectáculo en bares, centros culturales, por ejemplo el Centro Cultural de la Ciencia: (C3), Universidades públicas y privadas (UNLP, UBA, UNQUI, UCALP, UDE, etc.), museos (Museo de La Plata, Museo de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia), escuelas (primarias y secundarias), Congresos y festivales, obteniendo una respuesta positiva por parte de los espectadores. El nombre Poper es un juego de palabras con las iniciales de POPularización Entre Risas y un homenaje al epistemólogo Karl Popper

Stand Up Científico (Popularización entre risas)

PopER Stand Up Científico es el primer grupo latinoamericano de comedia en vivo de divulgación científica. En el grupo hay actualmente dieciocho integrantes, entre estudiantes, graduados, postgraduados e investigadores científicos, cubriendo una amplia variedad de disciplinas (biología, química, bioquímica, biotecnología, astronomía, paleontología, física, matemática.). El grupo tiene su origen en el primer curso de stand up científico, iniciativa del Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva en el año 2015, que a través del Programa de Popularización de la Ciencia y la Innovación, Tecnópolis y TECtv organizó un curso coordinado por Diego Golombek y dictado por Diego Wainstein. Una vez conformado el grupo, desarrollamos nuestros materiales individuales y grupales buscando, a través del stand up, desmitificar la idea del científico serio, de guardapolvos y anteojos, haciendo foco en la vida personal de los “científicos-standuperos” y su relación con su trabajo. A su vez, se busca comunicar ciencia acercando conceptos e ideas científicas de un modo entretenido: queremos enamorar de la ciencia a los que se acercan, despertar curiosidad en los que todavía no la conocen y resonar en aquellos que ya pertenecen a nuestra comunidad. La invitación es a reírse de/con nosotros. El show es apto para todo público y desde el año 2015 de manera continua presentamos nuestro espectáculo en bares, centros culturales, por ejemplo el Centro Cultural de la Ciencia: (C3), Universidades públicas y privadas (UNLP, UBA, UNQUI, UCALP, UDE, etc.), museos (Museo de La Plata, Museo de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia), escuelas (primarias y secundarias), Congresos y festivales, obteniendo una respuesta positiva por parte de los espectadores. El nombre "Poper" es un juego de palabras con las iniciales de POPularización Entre Risas y un homenaje al epistemólogo Karl Popper.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse