Global distributor Avnet Inc. has introduced a development kit for embedded artificial intelligence (AI) engineers to adopt edge AI capabilities in designs.
Called RASynBoard, Avnet collaborated on the board with Renesas, AI chipmaker Syntiant, TDK and Edge Impulse. The companies will demonstrate the board at the Embedded World Exhibition and Conference in Nuremberg, Germany.
The board targets industrial and consumer applications that need battery power, always-on, smart sensing capabilities. These include sound recognition, command recognition, vibration sensing and environmental sensing applications.
The small form factor of 30mm x 5 mm is used as an add-on sensor module for existing devices or could be integrated into larger sensing needs.
The RASynBoard kit features:
- Always-on, edge AI sensing
- Dedicated AI processor
- Small sensor board
- WiFi/BT module
- Edge Impulse Studio
- E2 studio IDE from Renesas
Two domains
The board comprises two domains: always-on AI processor with on-board sensors; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) with a low-power WiFi/BT wireless module.
The AI portion detects an AI triggered event allowing the MCU system to take action or send notification through the wireless module. Engineers then can customize both the sensors connected to the AI processor as well as AI algorithm running on the AI processor.
Syntiant is contributing its NDP130 neural decision processor (NDP), an AI processor used on RASynBoard. Renesas is contributing its RA6M4 MCU for the controller on the board as well as the DA16600 low-power WiFi/BT combo module. TDK is contributing its ICM-42670-P 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor and the MMICT5838 PDM digital microphone.
Working standalone
Avnet said the RASynBoard can work as a standalone with nothing more than a battery. In development and prototyping, the module can be plugged into the IO board in the development kit. The IO board provides on-board debug and programming capabilities for the RA6M4 MCU. This also includes the expansion capabilities for both MCU and NDP120.
Both Pmod and Click interfaces are available for adding different sensors or control functions and the IO board includes a micro-SD card interface for additional storage.
Embedded World takes place March 14 through March 16 in Nuremberg, Germany.
