https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/Tech Connection Keep up on the latest tech trends with the element14 Tech Journal or learn about the most current technologies today in Tech Spotlights.en-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/low-esr-capacitors-in-automotive-camera-systems-enhancing-adas-imaging-and-sensor-reliabilityMon, 22 Jun 2026 10:53:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:2358127e-7eae-4c72-a5ef-360f84b785cbVinod-GThe automotive industry is rapidly transitioning toward autonomous driving, with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) becoming the standard for vehicle safety. Automotive camera systems are the pillars of modern ADAS camera architectures, enabling features such as lane keeping, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian detection, and surround view monitoring. These optical systems must deliver consistently accurate image data under extreme environmental and electrical conditions. However, the electronics behind an automotive camera face a significant challenge. Compact modules operate under tight thermal constraints while enduring vibration and high frequency noise from DCDC converters, serializers, and image processing engines. Even small disturbances in power integrity can degrade image signal reliability, leading to artifacts, frame instability, or latency that directly affect ADAS performance and overall vehicle safety. Panasonic Low-ESR Aluminum Electrolytic capacitors address these challenges by stabilizing the camera’s multistage power architecture, which includes converters, memory devices, and image signal processors. Their low impedance ensures effective ripple suppression and noise filtering at the image sensor supply rails, while superior ripple current capability prevents voltage dips that could disrupt timing circuits or corrupt pixel data. Their robust thermal and vibration endurance further aligns with AEC-Q200 requirements for automotive grade durability. This article explores the concepts driving the automotive camera system and demonstrates how Panasonic’s Low-ESR Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors help to achieve the high-fidelity imaging and long-term durability necessary for safe, intelligent, and fully autonomous vehicular transportation platforms. Understanding automotive camera systems In the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) architecture, the automotive camera system serves as the primary sensory input for environment perception. By providing real-time visual data from both inside and outside the vehicle, cameras enable functions ranging from lane keeping and emergency braking to driver monitoring and automated parking. There are three primary categories of automotive cameras used in ADAS and autonomous driving architectures: forward-facing sensing cameras, surround-view cameras, and driver-monitoring cameras. Forward-Facing Sensing cameras are typically mounted near the upper windscreen and analyze a wide forward area to support functions such as lane keeping, collision avoidance, and road sign detection. Surround view cameras are installed on the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle body to capture images within approximately one meter of the vehicle perimeter, enabling parking assistance and 360-degree visualization. Driver monitoring cameras, installed near the instrument cluster, track driver awareness level, eye movement, and posture to ensure safe operation Internal architecture of automotive camera modules Sensing camera and driver monitoring camera: These modules capture, process, and transmit visual data reliably under automotive operating conditions using an image sensor, a lens assembly, a processing SoC, supporting MCU, memory, a serializer/transceiver, and regulated power stages. Signals are processed by a SoC that performs real-time computations required for ADAS and autonomous driving functions. Supporting SoC is a microcomputer that issues control instructions, such as braking or steering commands, to external ECUs when system logic requires intervention. Communication with the rest of the vehicle network is handled by a transceiver, while DDR memory serves as a buffer for image data during processing, and flash memory stores firmware and sensor related data. Power to each component is supplied by a DC/DC converter that regulates the voltage from the vehicle’s primary supply to the precise levels required by sensitive imaging electronics. This architecture ensures stable performance even under fluctuating electrical and environmental conditions. Figure 1 Internal architecture of a sensing camera and a driver monitoring camera (Source: Panasonic ) Surround view camera: The circuit configuration of surround view cameras differs in complexity because these systems rely on multiple camera units installed around the vehicle to generate a unified panoramic image. Each camera contains its own image sensor, but the combined image data must be communicated to a dedicated surround view of ECU, requiring high-capacity transceiver circuits to manage the larger data throughput. Within this ECU, an FPGA performs high speed image integration, synthesizing inputs from all sensors into a single omnidirectional representation. Despite their distributed structure, surround view cameras still share the core elements found in sensing and driver monitoring cameras, such as image sensors, SoCs, MCUs, memory subsystems, and regulated power stages, but their synchronization, bandwidth, and processing demands are significantly higher to ensure seamless real-time stitching and display. Figure 2 Internal architecture of an automotive surround view camera (Source: Panasonic ) Why are Low-ESR capacitors critical for automotive camera systems? Automotive camera systems operate in electronically demanding environments like other safety critical vehicle electronics. These modules must deliver stable, high clarity imaging under rapidly changing load conditions, high frequency data transmission, and the harsh temperature and vibration profile of modern vehicles. The electronics inside these cameras rely on clean, low noise power delivery to ensure accurate image capture and errorfree processing, making Low-ESR capacitors a foundational requirement. The Ripple and Noise Challenge: Camera modules integrate high speed CMOS sensors, SoCs, transceivers, memory, and DCDC converters. These components switch at high frequencies to support HDR imaging, real-time object detection, and multicamera fusion. Highspeed switching inherently generates ripple current and high frequency noise on the supply rails, which can distort image signals, cause timing jitter, or corrupt data being transferred to ADAS ECUs. Low-ESR capacitors are essential at the power input stage because their low impedance at high frequencies allows them to absorb ripple currents and deliver fast transient response, preventing noise from propagating into sensitive imaging circuits. Filter Vulnerability and High Frequency Behavior: Camera modules often include LC lowpass filters to protect SoCs, sensors, and microcontrollers from supply noise. Ideally, at higher frequencies, the capacitor side of this filter should present near zero impedance to shunt switching noise to ground. However, if ESR is too high, the capacitor’s impedance stops decreasing with frequency, allowing high frequency interference to leak into image processing and communication paths. Low-ESR capacitors overcome this vulnerability by maintaining low impedance across the higher frequency spectrum used in modern camera power stages, ensuring that noise is effectively grounded and that imaging performance remains stable even during rapid load changes. Figure 3: Application of Low-ESR capacitors in DC/DC converter of an automotive camera system (Source: Panasonic ) Solving low-pass filter challenges in automotive camera systems using Panasonic Low-ESR capacitors A capacitor’s ESR determines two key performance parameters: ripple current handling and filtering effectiveness. Ripple Current Handling: When a high ripple current ( I ripple ) flows through the smoothing capacitor with high ESR, it will cause higher capacitor heating ( P dissipation = I 2 ripple × ESR) and increased radiated noise. Consequently, the image processing logic works harder; CMOS sensors experience higher supply perturbations, and the video signal appears less stable. Placing a Low-ESR capacitor at the DC/DC output keeps ripple low during high-speed processing steps, improving pixel-data integrity and minimizing localized heat generation. This cooler capacitor operation enables it to survive longer, especially at the high ambient temperatures demanded by AEC-Q200 specifications. Filtering Effectiveness: The automotive camera’s circuit uses a Low-Pass Filter suppresses internal noise and noise from external equipment. In an LC or RC filter, the output voltage is determined by the voltage divider relationship between the resistor or inductor and the capacitor's impedance. Ideally, at high frequencies, the capacitor's impedance should be near zero, effectively grounding the noise. Placing Low-ESR electrolytic capacitors at the input LC or RC filter lowers the total impedance, maintains the filter’s ideal attenuation slope over a wider frequency band, and reduces high-frequency bus noise coupling into the sensitive image-capture and voltage conversion circuitry. Panasonic's Low-ESR Capacitor Series: FK, FP, FT, FN, FH Panasonic offers multiple series of Low-ESR, surface-mount aluminum electrolytic capacitors optimized for automotive camera systems. All these series are AEC-Q200 qualified, offering long endurance at high temperatures and robust performance against vibration. Series FK FN FH FP FT Voltage(V) 6.3 to 100 6.3 to 100 6.3 to 100 6.3 to 50 6.3 to 50 Capacitance (µF) 3.3 to 6800 10 to 1800 10 to 680 10 to 1800 10 to 2200 Ripple Current (mArms) up to 2060 up to 850 up to 850 up to 1190 up to 1190 ESR( Ω ) Down to 0.033 Down to 0.08 Down to 0.15 Down to 0.06 Down to 0.06 Endurance(h) 2000 to 5000 2000 7000 to 10000 2000 2000 to 5000 Temperature (°C) -55 to 105 -55 to +105 -55 to +105 -55 to +105 -55 to +105 Size (mm) 4x5.8 to 18x16.5 4x5.8 to 10x10.2 6.3x7.7 to 10x10.2 4x5.8 to 10x10.2 4x5.8 to 10x10.2 Key Features Miniaturized, Low impedance High capacitance, RoHS compliant Long Life/ Long term applications Ultra-Low ESR, RoHS compliant Miniaturized, Vibration-Proof Typical Automotive Applications Audio / Navigation / HUD/ Body control/ EPS Electric stability control/ Body control Safety systems, Engine / power train control system/ Lighting system ABS/ Electric stability control/ Air bag control/ Body control/ Lighting system ABS, Engine / Power train control system/ Electric stability control/ Air bag control/ Body control/ Lighting system Table 1: An overview of Panasonic's Low ESR Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Series: FK, FP, FT, FN, FH Conclusion As the automotive industry transitions from traditional reflective mirrors to advanced Camera Monitoring Systems and Autonomous Driving architectures, the reliability of automotive camera electronics becomes a safety-critical requirement. The performance of these camera systems depends strongly on Low-ESR capacitors, which are essential for maintaining stable power delivery, preserving image sensor accuracy, and ensuring robust noise immunity across the camera modules. Panasonic’s Low-ESR Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor series is engineered to meet these rigorous automotive application demands. With high ripple-current tolerance, AEC-Q200 qualification, and superior vibration resistance, these capacitors enable engineers to design more responsive, efficient, and reliable steering systems. For more innovative products from Panasonic Shop Now Select your BEST FIT Low ESR E-CAP Series! FH series, For Long Life Buy Now FN series, For High Capacitance in small case Buy Now FP series, For High Ripple Current Buy Now FT series, For High Capacitance and High Ripple Current Buy Now FK series, For Low ESR with a wide range of capacitance & voltage selections Buy Now About the Sponsor Panasonic Ind ustry strive for continuous innovation and share the company’s mission and vision - shaping the future for the better. To take engineering to the next level, Panasonic Industry researches, produces and supplies technologies for a vast range of industries. For more information, click here.capacitorsSensor reliabiltypanasonicLow-ESR CapacitorsADAS ImagingAutomotive camera systemshttps://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/industrial-waterproof-usb-connectivity-ip67-type-a-typeb-solutions-from-l-comMon, 22 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:99b70761-9c29-4891-98ce-6636494054dde14sbhargavUniversal Serial Bus (USB) is one of the leading serial communication standards in modern electronics. It is present in domestic applications, factory floors, vehicles, and outdoor infrastructures. However, not all environments are as clean as your home or car, especially those found in factories or outdoors. In these environments, water, dust particles, and oil ingress are the main culprits of intermittent faults and premature USB failures. Standard USB connectors are not designed for use in wash-down environments, exposure to rain, or in areas with airborne particulates. The absence of a sealing cover, lightweight backshell, and exposed contacts can lead to corrosion, compromising signal integrity and leading to premature failure. L-com overcomes these challenges with its IP-rated, waterproof USB cables, designed to withstand the dust and moisture often found in manufacturing and other difficult environments. This article explains the key elements of waterproof USB cabling, best installation practices, and USB cabling solutions available from L-Com for deployment in harsh environments. Engineering the seal: What makes a USB cable truly “waterproof”? A waterproof USB connector requires more than a simple rubber boot or splash-resistant coating to achieve genuine environmental protection. Several critical mechanical design choices and factors determine a USB connector's waterproof rating: IP Rating: Waterproof USB cables are specified using an Ingress Protection (IP) rating. IP ratings are defined by the IEC 60529 standards and are represented by two-digit codes. The first digit refers to the ingress of a solid foreign object. The second digit indicates the level of protection against liquid intrusion. Common waterproof ratings for USB cables include: IP67: Fully dust-proof and survives being submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. IP68: Fully dust-proof and can remain underwater deeper than 1 meter for the duration specified by the manufacturer. Figure 1: IP67 vs IP68 waterproof rating comparison for USB connectors Threaded couplings and O-ring seals provide the primary environmental seal: These create a positive, repeatable seal at the mating surface helping to achieve the IP67 rating in real-world deployments. The threaded coupling draws the two connector halves together while the elastomer O‑ring compresses to exclude water and particles at the interface. Rugged backshell: Molded backshells resist impact, flex, and cable side‑loads, which are common on machinery and vehicles. They also help control strain where the cable meets the connector , reducing micro‑fractures and shielding damage. Gold ‑ plated contacts and shielding: A typical 30 µin gold contact plating supports reliable mating cycles under varying vibration, humidity, and temperature conditions. Additionally, a combination of foil and braid shielding effectively resists EMI/RFI , ensuring signal integrity remains within USB specifications. Panel ‑ mount options: Bulkhead jacks with flying leads facilitate bringing a sealed USB feed‑through to the outside of an enclosure without compromising the cabinet’s ingress protection. Port covers and caps: An open, exposed receptacle breaks the sealing chain and compromises it. Port covers and caps preserve the seal when ports are unused. Best practices for selecting and deploying waterproof USB: selection, installation, and lifecycle Achieving reliable waterproof USB connectivity extends beyond simply selecting an IP-rated cable. It requires careful component selection , proper installation techniques, and proactive lifecycle management to ensure long-term performance in harsh environments while minimizing the total cost of ownership. Right connector family and data rate: Selecting the correct USB connector and version is crucial for data and power transfer. For example, USB-A connectors are suitable for most computers or external hard drives. USB-B connectors are used for printers and other large peripherals. Similarly, USB-C, which has the capability of faster data transfer rates, has become a standard connector for many newer devices. In addition to different shapes and sizes, USB connectors also differ in their data transfer capabilities. USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 connectors are designed for high-speed data transfer, making them ideal for transferring large files or streaming HD video, compared to slower USB 2.0 versions. Practical cable lengths and thickness considerations: USB cable length is limited by signal timing and voltage drop (e.g., 5 m for USB 2.0, 3 m for USB 3.x, and 0.8 m for USB4). Longer runs increase resistance and delay, reducing signal and voltage. Similarly, gauge (AWG) is chosen to keep the voltage drop under 5% and deliver the required current. A thicker (lower AWG) cable can carry more current and is suitable for longer or higher power cables (e.g., 20–22 AWG for 3–5 m, 3 A USB-C cables compared to 28 AWG for short, 0.5 m data-only cables). Maintain the integrity of the entire mating chain: IP67 protection only holds when all interfaces are properly sealed. If the enclosure features a waterproof bulkhead receptacle, the mating field cable must also be the matching IP-rated plug with a dust cap on any unused female side to maintain the system’s rating integrity. Installation & lifecycle best practices: To ensure the long-term reliability of waterproof USB or similar sealed connectors, cables should be routed with drip loops and kept away from areas where water can pool, as IP67 ratings guarantee only temporary immersion. Proper cable management, strain-relief boots, clamps, and rugged backshells protect against vibration and side loads. During installation or servicing, connectors should be tightened only until the O-ring is uniformly compressed to prevent damage to the threads. The unused ports must be capped immediately with tethered or lanyard caps. L‑com waterproof USB solutions: The building blocks you can mix and match Waterproof USB cables and cable assemblies from L-com provide exceptional reliability for computing applications in harsh environments. These IP67-rated USB cable assemblies and components feature robust construction that shields against dust and water ingress, making them ideal for manufacturing environments where computers must interface with robots, CNC machines, and automated equipment in the presence of particulate contamination and moisture exposure. These waterproof USB cables enable reliable computer connections in process industries, including food, pharmaceutical, and chemical processing, where exposure to liquids and chemicals is a constant concern. L-com's waterproof USB solutions also excel in demanding environments such as construction sites, mining operations, and military applications. L-com’s product range covers USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 standards and includes a wide variety of connector types such as Type-A, Type-B, A/B, B/A, Type-C, and Mini-B 5-position, along with specialized options like USB/FireWire combinations, shielded cables, extension cables, and field-installable connectors. To maintain complete system integrity, L-com also offers replacement gaskets, nuts, and IP67-rated port protection accessories, such as the WPCVR-USB-1394 Port Protection Cover . These components allow engineers to create a fully sealed, end-to-end USB path from panel feedthroughs to device connections, reducing maintenance costs in critical applications. Product Family / Component Connector Types Key Features and Use Cases Typical Lengths Waterproof Cable Assemblies (General) Broad IP67-rated USB family: Type-A, Type-B, A/B, B/A, Mini-B, Type-C, USB 3.0 Utilizes rugged housings, threaded couplings, and O-rings for sealing. Designed for harsh environments; maintain IP67 seal when mated Various (0.3 m – 5.0 m) Type-A Extension Cable Panel-Mount A-Female ↔ Standard A-Male Use Case: Creating a sealed pass-through port on an enclosure (e.g., kiosks, PLC cabinets). Requires a protective cap on unused female side 0.3 m, 0.5 m, 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, 5 m Type-B/A Cable Assembly Panel-Mount B-Female ↔ Standard A-Male Use Case: Connecting instruments, printers or diagnostic ports with a Type-B port to a host PC (Type-A). Common for instrument panels. 0.5–5.0 m Type-B/B Cable Assembly (WPUSBBB Series) B-Male ↔ B-Male (USB 2.0 Compliant) Use Case: Controller-to-device runs where both endpoints are Type-B. 2.0 m, 5.0 m USB 3.0 IP67 Assemblies (U3A00017 Series) Various (e.g., IP67 B-Male ↔ Standard B-Male) Designed for SuperSpeed (higher data rates). Includes options for shrouded IP67 male and panel-mount female connectors for high-bandwidth peripherals (e.g., machine vision). 1.5 m Bulkhead Jacks & Connectors Panel-mount A/B Jacks Use Case: Mounting connectors cleanly through a sealed panel or enclosure wall to maintain the IP rating. Mates directly with waterproof cable assemblies. 10-inch lead versions available Port Protection Cover (WPCVR-USB-1394) Waterproof Cap (USB/FireWire Compatible) Use Case: Sealing and protecting unused IP67 female panel connectors. Features a rubber lanyard to prevent loss. Essential for maintaining the IP67 rating when the port is idle. NA Table 1: Comparison of L-com IP67 Waterproof USB Cable Assemblies and Accessories Summary In challenging environments where standard USB cables and connectors are subjected to wash-downs, rain, dust, oils, or shock and vibration, signal integrity degrades and operational risks increase. IP rated waterproof assemblies featuring threaded collars and O-ring seals, robust backshells, and reliable contacts, significantly reduce corrosion and intermittent faults without sacrificing USB interoperability. With a comprehensive portfolio and proven durability, L-com’s waterproof USB solutions are the ultimate building blocks for industrial connectivity that you can mix and match to meet any application requirement. Secure and Reliable Industrial Connectivity Starts with L-com WPUSBAF Waterproof USB Type A jack with 10" wire leads Buy Now WPUSB-CVR USB cover, waterproof/firewire Buy Now WPNUT-13/16-28 Nylon nut for housing size 13/16-28 Buy Now U3A00026-1M USB 3.0 cable, waterproof Type C female-Type A male Buy Now WPUSBCN-A-3 IP67 Waterproof USB 3.0 Type A field installable connector Buy Now WPUSBABSH Series USB Cable, shielded waterproof Type A Male-Type B Male Buy Now ABOUT THE SPONSOR L-Com offer a wide range of high-performance, UL-rated solutions across many key industries, including electronics, medical, industrial automation, military, and telecom. For more information, click here.ip68IP67 Type Al-comIP-ratedE14-LCOMindustrial waterproof USBhttps://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/power-and-protection-for-modern-bms-how-bourns-components-enhance-battery-safety-and-efficiencyTue, 16 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:91ebf75f-be82-4452-87c8-49ef36483db9e14sbhargavBattery Management Systems (BMS) serve as the critical layer in modern energy storage applications, from electric vehicles (EVs) to grid-scale installations. A BMS continuously monitors essential parameters such as cell voltage, current flow, and temperature across individual cells and battery packs to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Beyond monitoring, these systems actively prevent catastrophic failures by implementing protection and isolation mechanisms that guard against overcharging, over-discharge, thermal runaway, and short-circuit conditions. This Tech Spotlight explores how Bourns’ Power and Protection product families, including the Riedon portfolio, solve key BMS challenges. Modern BMS Architectures And Their Challenges A modern BMS is the vital control layer in any energy storage system. Its core functions include: State-of-Charge (SoC) and State-of-Health (SoH) estimation: Calculates SoC, SoH, and other parameters using algorithms like Kalman filters or machine learning models. Cell balancing: Equalizes the charge across cells to maximize capacity and lifespan. Overcharge/discharge protection: Prevents overcharging, deep discharging, and thermal runaway. Communication with vehicle ECUs and telematics: Interfaces with vehicle control units (VCUs) via Controller Area Network (CAN) bus or similar protocols. However, as battery systems scale in voltage and capacity, BMS designers face multiple integration challenges: High-voltage isolation: Communication and power transfer between battery modules and the main controller require galvanic isolation to prevent cross-faults, with isolation ratings typically ranging from 3 kV to 6 kV for automotive and industrial applications. Transient overvoltage events: Fast switching during charge/discharge cycles can introduce dangerous voltage spikes. Thermal management: Becomes increasingly complex as power dissipation increases, necessitating components that maintain performance across wide temperature ranges. Accurate current sensing: Essential for precise state-of-charge (SoC) and state-of-health (SoH) estimation. These demands make isolation transformers, precision resistors, and multi-layer protection components indispensable to reliable BMS operation. Fig 1. Block diagram of BMS system (image source: Bourns)0 Bourn’s Power Division: High-Voltage Isolation For BMS Communication And DC/DC Conversion Isolation barriers serve to protect equipment and humans from harmful voltage surges. They also enable communication between a transmitter and a receiver. Bourns’ HCT and HVMA transformers deliver stable power and data communication across high-voltage EV battery systems with purpose-built DC/DC conversion and safety isolation. Push-Pull Isolation Transformers (HCT Series): Isolation transformers are essential in BMS for separating HV battery domains from low-voltage control circuits, ensuring safety while enabling efficient isolated power delivery. Bourns’ HCT series features compact, surface-mount toroidal ferrite-core transformers designed for efficient isolated DC-DC conversion in push-pull topologies. The toroidal geometry minimizes leakage inductance and EMI, while low DCR ( 8 mm, 3 kV hi-pot capability, RoHS compliance, and AEC-Q200 options, the series suits demanding automotive and industrial isolation needs. Figure 2 illustrates how leakage inductance, distributed capacitance, and magnetizing inductance affect waveform integrity in a push-pull transformer. By optimizing these parameters, the Bourns HCT Series ensures clean energy transfer, reduced overshoot, and improved regulation—critical for accurate BMS sensing and reliable isolated power delivery. Fig 2. Pulse Behavior in Push-Pull Isolation Transformers Showing Overshoot and Ringing Effects (image source: Bourns) HVMA Series: Flyback and Gate-Drive Isolation: Flyback and gate-drive transformers enable isolated auxiliary power and precise switching control in BMS inverters, motor drives, and HV domain interfaces. The HVMA series delivers AEC-Q200 automotive-grade isolation for flyback and gate-drive power stages, built to IEC 61558-2 and IEC 60664-1 requirements. Flyback models HVMA01F35A-ST10S (1W) and HVMA03F40C-ST10S (3W) offer 900 Vdc working voltage, 4000 VAC hi-pot, 1:1:1 ratio, controlled inductance values, and leakage below 1 µH. The gate-drive model (2W) provides 800 Vdc working voltage, 2750 V hi-pot, 8 mm creepage, low DCR, and a precise 5:1:4 turns ratio. These transformers reliably support gate-drive power, inverters, BMS, motor drives, and industrial power delivery. Bourns’ Protection Division: Multi-Layer Defence for Battery Safety Modern BMS systems protect themselves with multiple security layers where different components work together to address threats throughout the entire system. Bourns' Protection Division offers a comprehensive range of passive components engineered specifically for the harsh electrical environment of battery systems. A few key components form this layered defence. Precision current sense resistors for accurate BMS monitoring: Accurate current sensing is fundamental to BMS safety, as it enables precise SOC/SOH calculations and fast fault detection during charge-discharge cycles. The CSM2F and CSS metal-foil shunt resistors deliver ultra-low TCR (<50 ppm/°C), tight tolerances (±0.5%), and power ratings up to 50 W, enabling highly accurate pack and cell current measurements. Their stability under vibration makes them ideal for automotive-grade ADC interfacing and fast fault detection. Fig 3. TCR curve illustrating the ±50 PPM/°C temperature coefficient of resistance for CSM2F-8518 shunt resistor material ( image source ) Thick-Film power resistors: High-power resistors are essential in BMS for snubbing, current limiting, and dissipating transient energy to protect switching stages and measurement paths. Thick-film power resistors (PWR/PF series) offer compact DPAK, D2PAK, and TO-220 packages for space-constrained PCBs, delivering rated powers of 20–50 W at 25 °C case temperature when mounted on heatsinks. With resistance ranges from 0.02 Ω to 1 MΩ, tolerances of ±1% or ±5%, and temperature coefficients of ±100/±200/±600 ppm/°C, these are ideal for snubber, current-limiting, and load-dump energy dissipation in BMS power paths. Wire-wound power resistors: Wire-wound resistors help ensure BMS robustness by offering stable current sensing, pulse handling, and controlled failure modes during high-energy fault events. The FW, WS, and surface-mount PWR wire-wound series deliver precise sensing and robust pulse performance from 0.5–10 W. Fusible versions support safe failure modes, while non-inductive windings reduce noise in charge/discharge monitoring. Their wide resistance range and operating capability of –55 °C to +275 °C ensure long-term reliability in automotive-grade environments. Surge and overvoltage protectors: Battery systems face diverse transient threats, from lightning-induced surges in stationary storage to load dump events in automotive applications. IsoMOV ™ hybrid protectors combine GDT and MOV technologies to provide low-leakage, high-energy surge suppression for EV/HEV inverters and BMS interfaces. For multichannel analog front-end protection, PTVS diodes offer fast clamping and surge capability up to 3 kA. ZV50S multilayer varistors extend compact high-speed protection up to 4500 A, while SMA6J TVS diodes offer 600 W peak power and sub-picosecond response for sensitive sensing and communication lines. The different overvoltage protection technologies can also be combined to ensure a comprehensive protection scheme. A high-energy MOV can be placed near a main power line for high energy transient dissipation while a TVS diode is placed on a signal line to ensure the voltage is clamped quickly to protect sensitive equipment effectively. Fig 4. The construction of the IsoMOV ™ protector (Image source: Bourns) Fuses & Resettable PTCs for overcurrent protection: Fuses and resettable PTCs are indispensable for BMS because they isolate severe faults, prevent thermal runaway escalation, and protect low-voltage control electronics. POWrFuse ™ PF-63R50H provides 10–40 A overcurrent protection with 20–30 kA interrupt ratings for HV battery packs and BDUs. MF-USHT resettable PTCs add AEC-Q200-compliant, space-saving protection up to 125 °C for BMS sensing, control, and thermal management subsystems. Rectifier Diodes for efficient power conversion: Rectifier and Schottky diodes enable efficient, low-loss power conversion in BMS pre-charge, sensing, and protection circuits while maintaining reliable isolation at high voltages. AEC-Q101-qualified rectifier and Schottky diodes ensure efficient, low-loss power conversion. High-voltage series (up to 2000 V) support isolation in HV paths, while surge-rated and low-VF options improve efficiency and resilience in charge/discharge and protection circuitry. Series Power Rating (W) Resistance Range (Ω) TCR (ppm/°C) BMS Application W/WS/FW 1-7 0.01-15k ±200-300 Overload in chargers, surge withstand PF/PWR (Thick Film) 20-50 0.02-1M ±50-250 Snubbers in BESS, low-inductance drives BR/BRT/BRS (Riedon) 50-500 0.1-5k <±260 Energy dissipation in inverters, BESS UWP (Riedon) 20-100 0.5-1k <±260 Pulse handling in battery chargers Table 1. Comparison of Riedon BR/BRS resistors for high-power BMS dissipation circuit Precision Current Sensing With Riedon ™ By Bourns Riedon ™ high-power thick film resistors (PF2203 and PFS35 series): They provide compact, low-inductance current-sensing solutions for high-power BMS. With 35 W ratings, resistance values ranging from 0.01 Ω to 51 kΩ, and tight tolerances (±1%/±5%), these ensure accurate measurements across –55 °C to +175 °C and offer strong pulse-handling capability for charge/discharge and capacitor-discharge events in BESS-integrated systems. Riedon ™ power resistors: With low resistances of 0.003–0.1 Ω across 1–10 W, these resistors enable precise sensing and stable overcurrent protection in EV/HEV BMS. Their excellent pulse performance also suits industrial power supplies, inverters, smart meters, solar inverters, telecom 5G units, and capacitor recharge/discharge circuits. Riedon ™ Industrial Shunt Resistors (RS/RSH/RSI/RSJ/RSK/RSN/RSW Series): They use Manganin ™ elements to achieve 0.0083–100 mΩ resistance, ±0.1–0.25% tolerances, and ±15 ppm/°C TCR with current ratings up to 6000 A. RoHS-compliant and robust from –40 °C to +100 °C, they enable reliable measurements in BMS charge/discharge monitoring and ensure reliable overcurrent protection and thermal stability in space-constrained BMS setups. Their panel- and busbar-mount designs ensure accurate charge/discharge monitoring and are ideal for AC-DC converters, renewable energy systems, heavy industry, battery chargers, and mining applications. Integrating Bourns Power And Protection In A Complete BMS Architecture An optimized BMS architecture built on Bourns technologies offers end-to-end protection and isolation. A typical integration flow includes: BMS Stage Bourns Component Function Input / HV Bus IsoMOV ™ , PF-63R50H Fuse, PTVS Diode Surge suppression and DC bus overcurrent protection Power Conversion HCT / HVMA Transformers Isolated DC/DC conversion and communication Gate Drive & Control HVMA03F4A-LP8S Transformer, SMA6J TVS Safe switching and gate isolation Measurement & Balancing CSM2F / CSS / Riedon RS Series Shunts Accurate current and power monitoring Low-Voltage / Communication Rails MF-USHT PPTC, ZV50S MLV Resettable overcurrent and transient protection Rectification & Output Stage Bourns Rectifier Diodes Efficient current path management Fig 4. The construction of the IsoMOV ™ protector (Image source: Bourns) Conclusion The future of energy storage and electric mobility depends on smarter, safer, and more efficient Battery Management Systems. To support this, a comprehensive component ecosystem that balances isolation performance, sensing precision, and protection robustness is needed. Bourns has developed an integrated portfolio spanning three key divisions: Power, Protection, and Riedon precision sensing. These divisions collectively enable engineers to build resilient, efficient BMS architectures capable of meeting the demanding requirements of next-generation battery systems. ABOUT THE SPONSOR Bourns, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and supplier of position and speed sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic components, microelectronic modules, panel controls and resistive products. Headquartered in Riverside, California, USA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including automotive, industrial, consumer, communications, non-critical life support medical (low/medium risk), audio and various other market segments. Learn more here .bmselectric vehiclesbournshttps://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/struggling-with-tight-spaces-why-miniaturisation-demands-a-new-approach-to-cable-design-with-ecogenThu, 11 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:40b07a7c-0100-4e14-8ff9-2dd4dcc33130e14sbhargavThe rapid development of technology has not only revolutionized sectors such as advanced robotics, industrial inspection, and medical diagnostics. It has also paved the way for the miniaturization of associated equipment. Today, numerous devices, including inspection equipment, medical diagnostic tools, and robotic arms, have become smaller in size, more aesthetically appealing, and simultaneously increased in functionality. Such miniaturization demands cabling solutions that are not only compact and lightweight but can also maintain signal integrity, mechanical flexibility, and comply with environmental and regulatory standards. Traditional cabling solutions struggle to meet the preceding requirements due to their bulky insulation, insufficient bend radius, or inadequate EMI shielding. This necessitates an innovative cabling solution that provides easy installation and uncompromising performance in dynamic applications, such as robotic arms and endoscopy devices. This article discusses the cabling challenges in space-constrained environments and how Alpha Wire addresses these challenges with its EcoCable Mini®, Micro Coaxial Cables, and EcoWire® hook-up wires. Key Demands of Compact Cable Technologies Advanced wiring solutions are key requirements for many demanding, space-constrained environments, delivering breakthrough performance. Here are a few examples of applications where these specialized cables not only connect components but also provide uncompromising performance. Medical Diagnostics : Medical technology requires advanced wiring solutions as modern medical devices become increasingly miniaturized, more mobile, and integrated with advanced features. As devices like wearable monitors, handheld diagnostic tools, and minimally invasive surgical equipment shrink in dimension, the internal wiring must maintain high electrical performance within extremely tight spaces. These cables transmit sensitive bio-signals reliably while being exceptionally lightweight and flexible, allowing for greater patient comfort and enhanced device mobility. However, designing wiring for medical applications brings forth unique challenges. Cables must be made from biocompatible materials to ensure patient safety and must withstand frequent sterilization and cleaning cycles without degradation or material breakdown. Compact devices create tight bends and demand ultra-thin insulation. This increases the risk of flex fatigue and signal loss, especially in applications that require repeated movement or bending. Medical environments often require low-outgassing and halogen-free materials to prevent toxic emissions, meeting strict regulatory and safety standards. Beyond mechanical constraints, advanced wiring must also provide robust shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and ensure the accurate transfer of diagnostic images and biosensor data. Industrial Robotics : Industrial robots operate in compact spaces with high-speed movements, often involving repeated bending, twisting, and vibration. This requires a wiring solution that provides reliable and precise performance. In robotics, every joint, actuator, and sensor requires cables with high service life that can perform without fatigue or signal loss. For example, multi-axis robotic arms require cables capable of withstanding ±180° torsion every 3 feet while enduring millions of flex cycles. The most critical challenge with the traditional cables is achieving a lifespan of over one million flex cycles without conductor fatigue or insulation cracking. Cables must accommodate extremely tight, constant dynamic bend radii. Additionally, modern robots have become more compact and multi-functional. Hence, space constraints demand cables with smaller diameters, tighter bend radii, and ease of routing through narrow channels without compromising power or data transmission. Other challenges include electromagnetic interference affecting signal integrity, heat buildup during high-speed operations, and the need for chemical and abrasion-resistant materials in harsh industrial environments. Technical Criteria For Dynamic Cable Selection In High-Flex Environments Selection of cables for dynamic applications, such as robots, drag chains, or automation equipment, should focus on mechanical stress, signal integrity, thermal loads, and environmental factors. The following factors should be considered when selecting cables for dynamic applications: Conductor Selection : In dynamic applications like articulated robots or gantry systems, stranded tinned copper conductors are preferred due to their flexibility and resistance to corrosion and fatigue. The American Wire Gauge (AWG) size must be compatible with the device's electrical load and connector requirements. For example, a 7/32 stranding for 24 AWG performs better than solid wires, resisting breaks from repeated torsion up to ±180°/m in welding bots. Insulation and Shielding : The choice of insulating and jacketing materials is critical for signal integrity. Polyolefin-based insulations, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, offer superior dielectric properties compared to PVC, while also providing high strength and low density. This means less total material and a slimmer, lighter, and more flexible cable. In environments prone to EMI, such as those with motors, shielded cables are essential to minimize noise and signal degradation. For example, a double-layer cable with foil tape and 95% braid can reduce surface transfer impedance by 1/5, while preserving impedance (100-120 Ω) in high-speed data links. Figure 1: EcoCable Mini® cable with mPPE jacket offers the advantage of up to 92% lower outgassing than PVC control cable(Source: Belden ) Environmental Resilience: Cables exposed to heat, moisture, chemicals, or UV light must utilize materials such as Teflon or PVC jackets with flame-retardant properties to meet safety standards, including UL or RoHS. Polyurethane (PUR) or Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) for the outer jacket offers superior resistance to abrasion, oils, chemicals, and temperature fluctuations commonly found on the factory floor, thereby preventing premature wear and tear. Bending Radius : It is the minimum radius formed by the cable's centerline when it is bent. For cables in a dynamic environment, the recommended minimum bending radius is typically a multiple of the cable's outer diameter (OD), often ranging from 4 times to 12 times the OD. Bend radius requirements vary depending on the type of cable. For example, flexible cables can tolerate smaller bend radii, whereas high-voltage wires or fiber optic cables require larger bend radii for safety and optimal performance. Figure 2: Illustration of bending radius of a wire Installation Practices : When installing cable chains in dynamic environments, the travel distance of the cable chain should be as short as possible to maintain efficiency and reduce wear. For high-speed setups (high levels of acceleration up to 50 m/s²), pick chains that are both lightweight and rigid enough to prevent twisting and handle the motion demands. When installing cables of different diameters, separators should be used to keep them apart and avoid tangling or interference with signal and power transmission. Additionally, proper strain relief and routing should be ensured to allow the cables to flex naturally without sharp bends or excessive tension. Alpha Wire’s Eco-Friendly, Space-Saving Cable Solutions Alpha Wire has engineered its EcoGen family of cables and wires to meet the challenges of space constraints and weight reduction in medical, industrial, and robotic applications. With the EcoGen family featuring EcoCable Mini ®, Micro Coaxial Cables, EcoWire® Hook-Up Wires, and EcoFlex® Series , it provides easy routing, durability, excellent signal integrity, and environmentally friendly footprints compared to traditional counterparts. EcoCable Mini ®: This is the newest addition to Alpha Wire's EcoGen® family of environmentally friendly, high-performance cables. Developed specifically for applications requiring a smaller, lighter, 300 V cable, it offers significant space-saving advantages over standard PVC cable. This makes it an ideal choice for intricate, compact designs in a variety of equipment. The key features are: Smaller and Lighter: Engineered with mPPE insulation and jacketing, making it up to 32% smaller and 44% lighter than traditional 300 V PVC cables. This allows for easier routing and installation in tight or densely packed areas. Environmental Benefits : This cable is free of halogens, phthalates, and heavy metals. It also produces up to 92% lower outgassing than standard PVC cable, which is crucial for sensitive environments, such as those in medical devices and semiconductor manufacturing. High-Performance Materials : The mPPE insulation and jacket combine durability with performance. The stranded tinned copper conductors provide fine flexibility for complex routing. Versatile Configurations : Offers over 250 standard configurations and four shielding options, including unshielded, foil-shielded, Supra-Shield foil + braid, and Supra-Shield foil + braid with enhanced shielding, to optimize signal integrity and noise rejection. Standard Compliance : The EcoCable Mini® is suitable for NFPA 79 applications and meets the requirements of RoHS, REACH, and WEEE. EcoFlex ® Series : These cables become the preferred choice when a pre-jacketed, multiconductor flexible cable is needed in a tight space. The key features are: Flexible and Compact: Using the same mPPE insulation as EcoWire®, EcoFlex® cables provide a flexible, multiconductor solution in a smaller and lighter overall package. Durable: EcoFlex PUR® cables also feature a rigid polyurethane (PUR) jacket for high durability, with an 8+ million-cycle flex life. Multiple Configurations are available, including both shielded and unshielded versions, as well as various conductor counts, allowing for tailored applications. EcoWire ® Hook-up Wire: EcoWire ® is a single-conductor option ideal for point-to-point wiring in densely packed electronics. The key features are: Small and Lightweight: The modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) insulation is up to 45% smaller in diameter and 40% lighter than standard PVC wire . Environmentally Friendly: EcoWire® is halogen-free ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Excellent Electrical Properties: The mPPE insulation offers high dielectric strength and is resistant to a wide range of temperatures. Micro Coaxial Cables : Micro coaxial cables are the best choice for transmitting sensitive signals in the most compact configurations. Space-Saving Design: These cables are available in extremely small sizes ranging from 50 AWG down to 32 AWG, with reduced outer diameters for easy routing in confined enclosures. Signal Integrity: The controlled impedance design, combined with a PFA dielectric, provides signal integrity and limits interference over short runs. High Performance: The high-strength, silver-plated or tinned-copper alloy construction extends its temperature rating up to 200°C. A tabulated comparison of the above series of cables is listed: Feature EcoCable Mini ® (Control Cable) EcoFlex ® (Continuous Flex) EcoWire ® (Hook-Up Wire) Micro Coaxial Cables Best For Compact, lightweight multiconductor control applications (300 V) Continuous flexing and high-torsion movement (robotics/drag chains). General point-to-point internal wiring in dense panels. High-performance signal transmission in extremely compact, high-temp spaces. Primary Advantage Up to 32% smaller control cable footprint. 8 million+ flex cycles with a rugged PUR jacket. Up to 45% smaller, 40% lighter, halogen-free. Highest signal integrity in the smallest size. Conductor Sizes Up to 20 AWG Up to 16 AWG 28 AWG to 10 AWG 50 AWG to 32 AWG Insulation Polyphenylene ether (mPPE) Polyphenylene ether (mPPE) Polyphenylene ether (mPPE) Perfluoroalkoxyalkan (PFA). Jacket Polyphenylene ether (mPPE) PUR (Polyurethane) None Perfluoroalkoxyalkan (PFA). Bend Radius 10 × OD (Static) 6 × OD (Static) 5 × OD (Static) 10 × OD (Static) Temperature Up to 80° C Up to 80° C Up to 105° C Up to 200° C Table 1: Comparison of Alpha Wire EcoGen® family of cables Summary Selecting the right cable ensures reliability, efficiency, and safety of the system in space-constrained environments. Components such as medical probes and robotic arms demand compact cable solutions that must deliver superior flexibility, signal integrity, and durability without adding unnecessary bulk. Alpha Wire’s EcoGen product family, including EcoCable® Mini, Micro Coaxial Cables, EcoWire® hook-up wires, and EcoFlex® series, offers sustainable, high-performance, and space-saving wiring systems designed for today’s most demanding applications. By combining reduced size with eco-friendly materials and versatile configurations, Alpha Wire provides unmatched performance and customization with EcoGen® solutions tailored for engineers and designers tackling tight installations. ABOUT THE SPONSOR Founded in New York City in 1922 as a supplier of wire strengtheners to the millinery industry (women’s hats), Alpha Wire grew to become a valued supplier to the expanding radio industry throughout the 1930s by producing wire and insulators for antennas. The company’s purpose-driven, hazard-matched connectivity solutions along with its leadership in flexible automation cabling, consultative approach and responsive support of customers’ unique needs, availability of small put-ups, short minimum runs, and highly engineered custom cable solutions have enabled Alpha to serve many of the world’s leading companies. For more information, click here. Featured Products Micro Coaxial Cable Buy Now EcoWire ® hook-up wire Buy Now EcoFlex ® Series Buy Now EcoCable Mini® Buy NowMicro Coaxial cableAlphaWire-e14Ecogenecowireecocableecoflexalpha wirehttps://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/achieving-deterministic-latency-with-the-amd-kria-k24-somMon, 27 Apr 2026 10:05:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:c12a8068-557e-4433-82fc-0d58b942c751e14sbhargavIntroduction In industrial environments, it is imperative that digital signal processing (DSP)-intensive applications at the edge deliver efficient performance. Applications such as electric drives and motor controllers require high compute throughput and deterministic, low-latency performance for precise control. Failure to do so can cause compute-intensive DSP workloads to exhibit unpredictable or inaccurate behaviour. The result can be performance degradation, reliability concerns, and even safety risks. Traditionally, overcoming these challenges required complex hardware design and lengthy development cycles, making it difficult to balance performance with cost and time-to-market. The AMD Kria TM K24 System-on-Modules (SOMs) and Kria KD240 drives starter kits address these challenges. The K24 SOM offers a power-, performance-, and cost-optimized platform in a compact production-ready form factor. This article explores how the K24 SOM and KD240 starter kit enable architects and engineers to create reliable, high-performance motor control and DSP solutions at the edge. The kit bridges the gap between development efficiency and industrial-grade deployment. 2. Latency and Determinism in Industrial Motion Control Definitions Latency is the time delay between an input signal and the corresponding system response. In industrial motion control, it is the time between an input and the corresponding motor output. Even microseconds of delay can compromise motion precision. Conversely, determinism is the ability of the system to execute consistent and predictable control loops. This eliminates jitter and ensures reliable performance under load. A deterministic system helps ensure that every operation executes within a defined time frame. Impacts of High Latency and Low Determinism In industrial motion control, high latency and low determinism can degrade accuracy, as latency and determinism directly influence system performance, reliability, and safety. Machines can sustain optimal operating speeds only if there is precision, a lack of which results in reduced throughput and unpredictable response time. Performance degradation can extend to inconsistent control timing. There can be greater wear, heat buildup, and vibration. The result is shortened equipment lifespan and higher maintenance costs. Traditionally, these challenges were reduced using custom ASICs, DSPs, or FPGAs, which require deep hardware expertise. To identify the position of the moving rotor, the controller uses a sensor attached to the stator that provides the angled position of the rotor based on an agreed reference point. In short, it's reporting an angle measurement. Based on this angle, the controller tries to optimize the drive, creating the proper amount of current for every motor phase and enabling the motor to operate at maximum efficiency. Without this information, the motor would spin inefficiently, consuming a lot of current and eventually overheating, or it would spin and not efficiently produce the maximum amount of torque possible. Solution: AMD Kria TM K24 SOM In industrial motion control, it is critical to achieve low latency and high determinism. This is because jitter or unpredictable delays can compromise efficiency, safety, and performance. Motor control solutions based on standard microcontrollers are limited when it comes to switching frequency. The AMD Kria TM K24 SOM, paired with the Kria KD240 drives starter kit, directly addresses issues such as low latency and high determinism by offering deterministic control loops and significantly lower latency than traditional SoCs. In fact, tests show up to twice lower latency in single-axis drives than competitive devices, with even greater benefits as the number of motor axes scales, thanks to FPGA logic that enables independent rather than time-multiplexed loops. 1 The K24 SOM is equipped with built-in pulse-width modulation (PWM) capabilities. It uses programmable logic to enable continuous current measurement and real-time processing, ensuring smooth, accurate, and energy-efficient operation. By fine-tuning voltage modulation, the K24 SOM enables precise motor speed control while simultaneously reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI). Unlike traditional software-driven control loops, AMD hardware-based execution provides deterministic performance for demanding industrial drives by reducing interrupt delays and jitter. This hardware-first approach simplifies design and enhances system reliability by solving common issues associated with software routines. The key advantages of using this solution are: AI-enabled intelligence – The K24 SOM collects and analyzes parameters like current, torque, and position to enable predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and functional safety. Scalability for multi-motor systems – FPGA parallelism allows synchronized control of complex setups such as six-axis robotics or multiple coordinated drives. Flexible multiprotocol support – Compatibility with encoder/sensor standards like EnDat, BiSS, and Hiperface DSL ensures adaptability and future-proof motion control designs. Advanced modulation capabilities – Engineers can implement scalable, custom modulation schemes in programmable logic, spreading harmonics to reduce acoustic noise and torque ripple. Deterministic real-time performance – Hardware-accelerated control loops deliver sub-millisecond latency, supporting high-frequency SiC-based power electronics and ensuring consistent, reliable motor control. 3. Introducing the AMD Kria TM K24 SOM Features and Operation The AMD Kria TM K24 SOM is a powerful solution for next-generation electric drives and motion control applications at the edge. It is built on the AMD Zynq TM UltraScale+ TM MPSoC and integrates programmable logic, dual-core Arm ® Cortex ® -R5F real-time processors, and high-performance cores. It integrates FPGA-based adaptive system-on-chip technology into a compact, production-ready format, designed specifically for high-performance, real-time motor control in industrial applications. This architecture allows hardware acceleration of time-critical paths while minimizing jitter, making it ideal for compute-intensive DSP workloads. The design also supports modern power electronics, such as silicon carbide devices, by providing fast, deterministic loops at high switching frequencies. The K24 SOM is optimized for power efficiency and reliability in industrial environments, with ECC memory, thermal robustness, and extended lifecycle support (Figure 1). The K24 SOM also offers two security features: dedicated hardware built into the MPSoC and an on-board trusted platform module (TPM) device. It allows synchronization of multiple motors and offers on-board error correction and system monitoring. Figure 1: Picture showing the front and back sides of the AMD Kria TM K24 SOM Some of the key benefits of the K24 SOM for motor control include: Security Features : AMD motor control solutions offer multiple security features, from tamper monitoring to license management. Multiple Industrial Networking Protocol Support : AMD solutions support multiple industrial networking protocols, delivering high design flexibility. Functional Safety : AMD solutions are built to support the latest functional safety standards. Low Latency : AMD motor control solutions deliver low latency between IT and operational tasks for high-speed performance. Standard Industrial Networking : Besides TSN, it can support other industrial networking standards, such as EtherCAT ® , PROFINET ® , EtherNet/IP ® , and many more. Standard Fieldbus : The K24 SOM supports the CAN interface, and the KD240 drives starter kit offers a connector for the CAN 2.0 interface. 4. Getting Started with the AMD Kria TM KD240 Drives Starter Kit The AMD Kria TM KD240 drives starter kit is the latest out-of-the-box ready development platform in the Kria portfolio. This starter kit serves as a platform for developing electric drives and other size and cost-constrained applications. The kit consists of a non-production AMD Kria K24 SOM plugged into a drives application carrier card and equipped with a passive heatsink. The K24 SOM included in the starter kit is based on the AMD Zynq TM UltraScale+ TM MPSoC and paired with 2 GB of LPDDR4 memory. The starter kit is also drives-application ready because it features a three-phase inverter, quadrature encoder interface, brake control, and torque sensor interface. Beyond the drives-specific interfaces, there are host of other interfaces for general purpose developers including connectivity through Ethernet and USB ports, and flexible I/O expandability via a Pmod connector. Figure 2 shows the details of the components of the KD240 drives starter kit. Figure 2: AMD Kria TM KD240 Drives Starter Kit Software Support The solution is pre-certified for industrial use, simplifying both hardware and software development requirements. It is simplified signal processing supports many design flows, including familiar design tools like MATLAB, Simulink, and languages like Python, with its extensive ecosystem and support for the PYNQ framework. The Kria Robotics Stack (KRS), a ROS 2 superset, enhances AMD Kria TM K24 SOM by enabling hardware-accelerated robotics development. It provides optimized libraries, secure compute architectures, and seamless integration for industrial-grade robotics. With support for low latency, determinism, real-time performance, and high throughput, KRS empowers ROS 2 developers to build and deploy advanced robotic solutions faster and more efficiently on adaptive computing platforms. Out-of-the-box Demo Information The AMD Kria TM K24 SOM, coupled with the Kria KD240 drives starter kit, is an out-of-the-box-ready tool for developers building compute-intensive motor control applications. It benefits from a rich ecosystem, including pre-built motor control libraries and the KD240 kit, which enables out-of-the-box validation without FPGA expertise. It leverages multiple development flows, including Python, the MATLAB ® Simulink ® environment, and more. This demo highlights how quickly engineers can set up the KD240 drives starter kit and run a sensor-based Field-Oriented Control (FOC) hardware accelerated application. After flashing the provided microSD card with the latest AMD image and mounting the kit to the motor accessory plate, users simply connect Ethernet, USB-UART, motor accessory kit cables, and power. The setup requires no FPGA expertise. Once powered, the kit boots into Ubuntu, where the FOC motor control application is installed and launched. A browser-based GUI allows engineers to remotely control and monitor motor performance, such as adjusting RPM in real time. www.youtube.com/watch The entire setup from unboxing to running the FOC application takes less than an hour, showcasing the KD240 drive starter kit’s ease of use and rapid prototyping capability. Beyond this demo, engineers can explore additional accelerated applications through the Kria App Store, enabling quick evaluation and deployment across motor control and DSP use cases. With production-ready Kria SOMs available, the KD240 drivers starter kit provides a seamless path from development to deployment in both commercial and industrial environments. 5. Conclusion Summary Latency and determinism are critical challenges in industrial motion control. Traditional microcontroller-based systems often fall short, introducing unpredictable delays and limiting the adoption of modern high-frequency technologies like SiC. The AMD Kria TM K24 SOM and the Kria KD240 drives starter kit provide engineers with a production-ready, adaptive platform that ensures deterministic, low-latency control. By integrating programmable logic, robust security, and OTA update capability, the K24 SOM delivers long-term value for industrial edge deployments. With its out-of-the-box usability, scalability, and proven reliability, the K24 SOM allows engineers to move quickly from prototyping to deployment—achieving higher precision, safer operation, and extended equipment lifecycles. To explore the AMD Kria TM K24 SOM and Kria KD240 drives starter kit, visit: AMD Kria TM KD240 Drives Starter Kit AMD Kria TM K24 SOM Boot Kria Starter Kit Linux on AMD Kria TM KD240 1 Based on AMD internal analysis in August 2023, using the latency results reported by TI for a full control loop implementation on a Texas Instruments AM64xx standard SOC using a Texas Instruments benchmark vs. the latency results of a full control loop implementation using a Field Oriented Control algorithm designed by Qdesys. System configuration for the TI AM64xx SOC system: TMDS64EVM board; configuration for the Kria K24 SOM system: KD240 starter kit. The latency advantage improves up to 7x as the number of motor axes increases. Actual results will vary. (SOM-003) AMD, and the AMD Arrow logo, Kria, UltraScale+, Zynq, and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other product names used in this publication are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. About the sponsor AMD drives innovation in high-performance and AI computing to solve the world’s most important challenges. Today, AMD technology powers billions of experiences across cloud and AI infrastructure, embedded systems, AI PCs and gaming. With a broad portfolio of AI-optimized CPUs, GPUs, networking and software, AMD delivers full-stack AI solutions that provide the performance and scalability needed for a new era of intelligent computing. Learn more at amd.com .testingKria KD240amdK24 SOME14-AMDhttps://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/when-the-world-gets-tough-molex-connectors-get-tougher---rugged-and-reliable-connectors-built-for-extreme-environmentsTue, 09 Dec 2025 12:05:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:ee28abab-2316-464d-adcb-018b7791aebavivekvelusamyIntroduction: The rising demand for extreme environment solutions Rugged connectors are the unsung heroes of the modern world. They are present everywhere, from autonomous vehicles that navigate dusty, bumpy roads to smart factory floors where robots work in harsh, industrial environments. In such environments, even a small connection failure can halt a machine or disrupt a critical network. Yet, amid the chaos, rugged connectors quietly keep everything running, ensuring the reliable flow of power and data. Whether it's the vibration of an IC engine, the heat of a powertrain, or the moisture inside a dishwasher, connectors are the critical components ensuring reliable performance. This article explores how next-generation rugged connectors from Molex are engineered to survive and thrive in the world's most challenging applications. Defining high reliability and ruggedness for connectors and their importance Connectors should be rugged to perform flawlessly under mechanical stress, environmental hazards, and extreme temperatures. When engineers tackle waterproof connector challenges, they explore the boundaries of what connectivity can achieve in harsh environments. Picture a connector in a military drone, enduring 50G shocks during evasive maneuvers, or one in a submarine, sealed against corrosive saltwater while maintaining flawless signal flow. In terms of performance, the connector must thrive under vibration (up to 20G in vehicles), extreme temperatures swinging from -40°C to +150°C, and ingress protection that shrugs off dust storms or high-pressure washes. High-reliability means using features and systems to avoid failure in demanding applications. In space, aviation, and defense markets, high-reliability is essential in mission-critical equipment where human lives are at risk. Connectors for these markets meet specific standards for each application. They are robust, can withstand extreme environments, and are thoroughly tested and inspected. Although costly, these connectors make a safer choice. Now, what makes a connector "rugged"? It isn't just thicker plastic or tighter latches. True ruggedness is multi-dimensional: Performance under pressure: True ruggedness means maintaining consistent electrical performance and signal integrity across extreme conditions, ranging from Arctic installations where metals contract and become brittle to desert environments where thermal expansion of every joint and seal is the norm. Rugged connectors must withstand thermal shock, resist relentless vibration that would shake ordinary components apart, and maintain perfect seals against dust and high-pressure water jets (IP67 and beyond). Long-term signal fidelity through hundreds of thermal cycles and fluctuating currents separates rugged connectors from commodity designs, ensuring no surprises when the product meets real-world challenges. Materials innovation: Materials in harsh environments are relentlessly attacked through heat, salt spray, oils, and particulate matter. Rugged connectors employ advanced polymer science and engineering plastics that resist UV degradation, chemicals, and impact while maintaining flexibility at -40°C and resisting degradation at +150°C. Metal contacts undergo specialized treatments and use gold, silver, or tin plating to resist oxidation, fretting corrosion, and environmental contaminants. Specialized elastomers for seals and gaskets retain compliance after UV, oil, or coolant exposure, providing watertight barriers that maintain connection integrity over time. Construction and design: Reliability emerges from a distinct design philosophy that assumes failure modes rather than hoping to avoid them. This includes redundant sealing systems, robust locking mechanisms with audible clicks for secure mating confirmation, terminal position assurance (TPA) to prevent backing out under vibration, and strain relief to reduce mechanical stress. Error-proofing features such as color-coding, unique keying to prevent mis-mating, shrouded headers for pin protection, and generous lead-ins make good terminations routine and bad ones obvious. These features are critical for high-mix assembly and field service where precision engineering meets real-world conditions. Applications of Rugged and Reliable Connectors Molex presents a series of products for different applications: DuraClik: Conquering the fields of smart agriculture When a drone flies over farmland, it sprays nutrients while battling gusty winds and humidity. Molex DuraClik Connectors inside the drone keep the soil sensors and control units connected despite constant vibration and harsh outdoor conditions. DuraClik works perfectly here because it handles high-vibration environments like crop-monitoring drones, where an audible "click" and secure lock create a reliable connection. DuraClik is a 2.00 mm pitch, 3.0A rated wire-to-board system designed for modules exposed to high vibration. Terminal retention forces range from 9.8 N (standard) up to 100 N (robust variant), depending on configuration, giving engineers options based on application severity. Operating temperature spans -40 °C to +105/+125/+130 °C depending on the variant. Product advantages and features The compact design of DuraClik Connectors enables secure mating while saving space. The integrated positive lock gives an audible ‘click’ for mating confirmation. Its automotive-grade robustness can withstand harsh conditions with an operating range of -40 °C to +130 °C, satisfying LV214 (S2 vibration), ES91500-03, and SAE/USCAR-21 standards. The many variants of DuraClik can support pull forces up to 100 N with strong connector-to-PCB retention. The design is also flexible, supporting 2 to 15 circuits in vertical and horizontal configurations. Markets and applications Automotive systems: battery management, DC-DC converters, onboard chargers, vehicle connectivity, lighting, infotainment, and seat adjusters Industrial and energy: cranes, industrial machinery, energy storage systems, inverters, and power distribution units Consumer and appliances: white goods, induction cookers, vending/gaming machines Figure 1: Structure of DuraClik 2.00mm Wire-to-Board Connector System MX150: Automotive excellence in miniature form The modern car is a demanding environment for electrical connections. Take automotive sensor networks, for example: these components must handle extreme temperatures from -40°C to +150°C, resist water from high-pressure car washes, and keep working reliably through millions of vibration cycles over the car's lifetime. MX150 is a 3.50 mm pitch sealed connector system using mat-seal technology that reduces the need for individual wire seals. It is validated to USCAR-2 and GMW3191 vibration profiles: random vibration ~118.7 m/s² RMS and mechanical shock pulses of 343 m/s² (≈35 g). The current rating supports up to 22.0 A with silver-plated terminals and a voltage up to 60 V mid-voltage. Operating range: -40 °C to +125 °C (tin plating) and up to +150 °C (silver). Product advantages and features: The MX150 has a sealed connector design with mat seal (1.50 mm terminals) that reduces the need for individual wire seals. There is an option for two-ring seal/pass-through sealing for oil-resistant applications. The compact one-piece 3.50 mm pitch housing reduces assembly cost. The Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and Terminal Position Assurance (TPA) locking prevent mis-mating or loose terminals. The MX150 meets stringent automotive standards (USCAR-2, USCAR-21, GMW3191) for vibration, temperature, and sealing. It has a broad operating range (-40 °C to +125 °C, up to +150 °C for silver-plated) and exceptional mechanical retention (strong connector latch retention force, strong contact retention forces). The connector also supports a variety of circuit sizes (2 to 20 circuits), male/female, panel mount, headers, and twist-head sealed bulkheads. Markets and applications: Automotive: ICE and electric vehicles, lighting, braking system modules, battery controllers, power distribution boxes Commercial vehicles and off-highway: industrial vehicles, agricultural equipment, recreational vehicles, marine Electrical and Power systems: solar energy storage, home generators, industrial motors Industrial automation and robotics: machines, motors, machinery control systems Figure 2: Structure of DuraClik 2.00mm Wire-to-Board Connector System Mini50: Compact infotainment specialist In connector design, size and capability often have an inverse relationship. As vehicles add more advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), such as radar, LiDAR, and surround-view cameras, the real estate on sensor modules and within tight door panels becomes precious. Step into the cockpit of a self-driving car, where screens glow and sensors whisper directions. The Mini50 connectors in this environment weave a web of connections in the tight confines of infotainment hubs, cameras, and HVAC controls. Mini50 is the industry's only USCAR-050 approved unsealed interface. Using 0.50 mm terminals achieves up to 50% smaller frontal area compared to traditional 0.64 mm USCAR systems. Operating temperature is -40 °C to +100 °C, with housings capable of +260 °C reflow for soldering. Product advantages and features The Mini50 has a 50% smaller frontal area than the 0.64 mm USCAR unsealed connectors. It is the industry’s only USCAR 050-rated unsealed interface. The Independent Secondary Lock (ISL) molded in the housing ensures terminal retention with fewer parts, with the optional CPA (Connector Position Assurance) preventing accidental unmating. The Mini50 has multiple polarization options (mechanical/visual/color) which help prevent mis-mating. The housings made of high-temperature thermoplastic are compatible with IR/wave solder reflow up to +260 °C (per ES-40000-5013). Its orientation and board retention features, molded into the headers, assist alignment and help retain the header during soldering. The terminal compatibility ((0.13–0.35 mm²) of the CTX50 enables lighter wire gauges while retaining strength. Markets and applications In-vehicle electronics (interior modules): HVAC controls, instrument clusters, infotainment, lighting, switches Door/seat modules, mirror systems, sensor/actuator interfaces Modules in passenger compartments, glove boxes, and overhead consoles Any modules in dry interior zones where space is at a premium and connectors are unsealed Figure 3: Exploded view of Mini50 Unsealed Connector System MXP120: Safeguarding lives in critical moments When a car crashes, MXP120 connectors instantly trigger airbags with perfect accuracy, their bright yellow housings showing how critical they are for saving lives. Built for automotive safety systems like seatbelt pretensioners and side airbags, these compact sealed connectors work well in body electronics, keeping out water and dust even when mounted on the car's frame. MXP120 is a 4.00 mm pitch, 1.20 mm terminal sealed connector system delivering up to 13.0 A in compact safety and body-electronics applications. It employs Single Wire Seal (SWS) perimeter sealing rated to IPX8 (IPX9K under evaluation), with ISL and PLR features for secure terminal retention. Operating temperature is -40 °C to +125 °C. Product advantages and features: The MXP120 compact 4.00 mm pitch/1.20 mm terminals save space compared to 1.50 mm systems. It supports medium-power sealed applications up to 13 A, and strong terminal retention is provided by the ISL and Primary Lock Reinforcement (PLR). The available scoop-proof shrouds and audible locks deliver secure, reliable mating and prevent accidental unmating. The MXP120 is designed to meet AK and USCAR standards for global automotive compatibility. Markets and applications: Automotive: safety systems (airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, SRS, SIR), body electronics and exterior modules (door-lock mechanisms, lighting, turn signals), powertrain and engine zones (ignition coils, emission controls, fuel injection) Commercial vehicles: safety restraint and body electronics in harsher environments Industrial/consumer: medium-power sealed connectivity applications (up to 13 A) Figure 4: Exploded view of MXP120 Sealed Connector System Conclusion: As technology progresses, the choice of a connector is a fundamental engineering decision that dictates the system's reliability, safety, and longevity. By offering a portfolio of specialized solutions like the user-friendly DuraClik, the industrial-strength MX150, the miniaturized yet mighty Mini50, and the high-power MXP120, Molex provides the critical connective tissue that allows innovation to flourish anywhere on Earth. The future is being built, and it’s being built to last on a foundation of rugged and reliable connectivity. Specification comparison table: Connector Family Pitch Current Rating Temp Range Key Lock/Seal Features Primary Applications Buy Now DuraClik 2.00 mm 3.0 A –40 °C to +105/125/130 °C ISL, robust retention up to 100 N Seat sensors, HVAC, and lighting modules Click Here MX150 3.50 mm Up to 22.0 A –40 °C to +125/150 °C Mat-seal, CPA, TPA Under-hood modules, off-highway vehicles Click Here Mini50 2.00 mm (0.50 mm terminals) Up to 4A –40 °C to +100 °C USCAR-050, ISL, CPA optional Interior harnesses, infotainment, switches Click Here MXP120 4.00 mm (1.20 mm terminals) Up to 13.0 A –40 °C to +125 °C SWS perimeter seal, ISL, PLR, CPA Safety systems, door/exterior modules Click Here For more Rugged and Reliable tough connector from Molex Shop Now ABOUT THE SPONSOR At Molex, we believe in the transformative power of creating connections. Obstacles become opportunity through innovation , engineering expertise, collaborative customer experiences and industry-leading interconnect solutions. Alongside our customers, we’re bridging borders between patients and medical providers, creating safer and smarter industrial environments, turning mobile devices into hubs of on-demand information and enabling data centers to support it all. Together, we are Creating Connections for Life. For more information, click here.Rugged and Reliable Connectorstech spotlightMOLEX connectorsExtreme Environmentshttps://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/f/forum/56458/solenoid/231970Thu, 20 Nov 2025 01:08:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:941714e3-df78-4627-a6cb-fc4c339aa3e9dougwHere is a circuit: The "Adjustable Delay Monostable Trigger Relay" cost between $1 and $2, available in a 12V version. The solenoid should be oriented such that gravity makes it return when off. It is good practice to put a snubber diode across the solenoid terminals. If you absolutely need a second solenoid to make it return, you would need a second time delay relay.https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/f/forum/56458/solenoid/231969Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:11:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:6ea5e34d-a3af-4d31-9dc5-5ab2040e0910robogaryPlease check the solenoid nameplate for inrush and holding current. If you want to use conventional parts, then need a relay for pickup and drop out, and TDAE realy for your time delay. You'll need limit switches on the top and bottom to know when the solenoid reaches those positions and remove reverse polarity contacts. If you can change the solenoid, get one that returns to home position when power is off. It will save you alot of grief.https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/f/forum/56458/solenoidWed, 19 Nov 2025 22:52:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:e789094d-b9a1-48a9-a0c7-d366d25bca78Haydn66Hi i need some help with this solenoid project I need to press switch to send 12v solenoid to make it go up and when it gets to its full travel it needs to hold for about 10 to 15 seconds then change it's polarity so the solenoid pulls back in to its start position to do it over again It's for a electric go kart indicator arms like the old ford pop iam making my grandson for Christmas so if anyone can crack this and give me a parts list that will be great Thanks Haydn66https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/accelerating-innovation-with-the-amd-kria-kr260-robotics-starter-kitTue, 18 Nov 2025 11:10:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:59a3506d-b430-45c8-a961-c2b0e8f9d082vivekvelusamyThe demand for robotics is growing across various sectors due to the increasing adoption of automation. Businesses are increasingly turning to automation to address labour shortages, enhance efficiency, and improve the quality and consistency of their operations. However, robots require specialised computing solutions because they process copious amounts of sensor data and perform precise movements simultaneously. Adaptive computing platforms are crucial, as they offer the low latency and determinism required for safe, real-time control of multi-axis robots. The AMD Kria ™ KR260 Robotics Starter Kit is the easiest way to develop ROS 2-based robots with the attributes of adaptive computing and in adjunct applications involving industrial vision, communications, and control. This article discusses the KR260 Robotics Starter Kit and how adaptive computing, Robotics Operating System 2 (ROS), and particularly AMD Kria SOMs are the perfect compute platforms for next-generation robotics. Robotic Starter Kit: A Comprehensive Development Platform for Robotics, Machine Vision, and Industrial Automation A robotics starter kit is a comprehensive development platform designed for beginners, engineers, and researchers to develop hardware-accelerated applications for robotics, machine vision, and industrial communication and control. It typically contains all the necessary components and instructions to assemble and program a basic robot. The main components of a robotics starter kit typically include a micro-controller or system-on-module (SOM), memory, boot, and security modules. It also includes a power solution, multiple Ethernet interfaces, SFP+ connectivity, sensor interfaces, a cooling fan, and a microSD card. There are robot kits that include power adaptors and cables for connectivity and assembly. Sensors, motors, and software (e.g., Robot Operating System, known as ROS) are often included to enable environmental interaction and programming. Robotic starter kits find their application across various fields, including education, industry, and research. In education, they help understand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects and offer a practical approach to learning complex concepts. In the industrial sector, robotics kits provide a cost-effective solution for prototyping and testing new technologies. They help engineers and designers to develop and refine their design or prototype before full-scale production. These kits also provide them with a platform to test ideas and identify potential issues during the early stages of product development. A robotics starter kit also benefits researchers by providing them with a flexible and adaptable platform for experimentation. These kits allow them to develop new algorithms, test artificial intelligence applications, and explore innovative solutions to complex problems. How AMD Kria ™ K26 SOM and Robotics Carrier Card Power the AMD Kria KR260 Robotics Starter Kit The KR260 Robotics Starter Kit is comprised of the AMD Kria K26 SOM (non-production) and a robotics application focused carrier card. The K26 SOM is featured in both the AMD Kria KV260 Vision AI and KR260 Robotics Starter Kits, customers can also design their own custom carrier card to target various applications. The K26 SOM is a compact module built using a custom AMD Zynq ™ UltraScale+ ™ MPSoC device. This adaptive SoC integrates Arm® processors (Processor System, PS) for running operating systems like Linux and high-level applications, and Programmable Logic (PL) / FPGA for custom hardware acceleration of demanding tasks such as AI inference or image processing. It also includes essential memory and power management. The carrier card acts as the "interface" and expansion hub. The K26 SOM plugs into it, gaining access to the external world. The carrier card breaks out the SOM's high-density connectors into accessible ports, including Ethernet, USB, and crucial camera interfaces (MIPI CSI-2) for vision-based use cases. It also provides power distribution and application-specific peripherals like motor control interfaces and additional sensor connections. Using Kria SOMs together with AMD development tools (such as AMD Vivado ™ Design Tools and AMD Vitis ™ Software Platforms) and open-source tools (such as the Linux Device Tree Generator/Compiler), developers can create and test their own custom applications and programmable logic (PL) functions. This modularity also allows them to leverage powerful, standardised SOM while customising the carrier card for diverse robotic applications, accelerating development and reducing technical risk. Figure 1: AMD Kria ™ KR260 Robotics Starter Kit Source: AMD Native ROS 2 Support Offering Improved Reliability and Flexibility to Robotics Developers ROS is an industry-standard software toolkit for developing robotics applications. It includes open-source software libraries (e.g., for motion planning and control) and tools (e.g., simulation, testing, and debugging) for building robotic applications. ROS 2 is the latest version of ROS, with advanced communication capabilities and better performance than its predecessor. It is the de facto framework for robot application development, including current debugging and visualisation tools, libraries, and communication frameworks. Most features are available for all supported operating systems (including Ubuntu, macOS, and Windows), the communication protocol - historically DDS with several implementations - and programming language client libraries (in C++ and Python). The KR260 Robotics Starter Kit adopts the ROS 2 Software Development Kit (SDK), enabling a ROS 2-centric development approach with its open-source Kria Robotics Stack. The Kria Robotics Stack is a superset of ROS 2 that combines modern C++ and High-Level Synthesis (HLS) to integrate the AMD infrastructure into the ROS architecture. Figure 2 represents a simplified view of the Kria Robotics Stack and how it encompasses a robust set of system layers to enable hardware-accelerated libraries. Figure 2: Simplified view of Kria Robotics Stack One of the important features of Kria Robotics Stack is its optimization of the ROS 2 performance via FPGA-based hardware acceleration of some elements within the layers, such as TSN connectivity or packages within the perception stack. The Kria Robotics Stack can also be used by developers who do not use ROS, since most components are agnostic to the framework and can be used within traditional FPGA design approaches. For robotics developers, the ROS 2 system has been upgraded with new tools like the ROS 2 build system (ament) and ROS 2 build tools (colcon), making it much easier to use hardware acceleration. This means the same simple commands and workflows they use for regular robot software development also work for building acceleration kernels. These improvements allow developers to quickly add powerful acceleration capabilities to their robots using ROS 2. How Do AMD Kria ™ SOMs and ROS 2 Drive Next-Gen Robotics Innovation? Adaptive System on Modules (SOMs) provide a ready-made, off-the-shelf solution for robotics by blending an adaptive SoC with industry-standard interfaces and components, allowing roboticists with little or no hardware expertise to use an adaptive platform immediately. Adaptive SOMs (like the K26 SOM) are ideal for next-generation robotics, integrating powerful SoCs with FPGAs, Arm processors, and standard interfaces to simplify system integration and meet high compute demands. The Kria Robotics Stack enhances ROS 2-centric development and enables rapid prototyping with the KR260 Robotics Starter Kit. This allows developers to launch applications like the ROS 2 Perception Node faster. This out-of-the-box solution leverages FPGA flexibility for real-time performance without requiring deep hardware expertise, democratizing robotics development. The KR260 Robotics Starter Kit pairs a K26 SOM with a carrier card that supports critical robotics connections. It offers a customisable foundation using familiar tools like Python, C++, or FPGA RTL. Transitioning to a production-ready K26 SOM provides validated designs, pre-built firmware, and ecosystem resources, reducing hardware complexity and enabling roboticists to focus on sensors and actuators. Adaptive SOMs accelerate design cycles for software and hardware developers by supporting deep-learning frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch and eliminating proprietary tools. Deterministic Communication Across the Robotics Internal Network The KR260 Robotics Starter Kit features multiple Ethernet connections supporting standard DDS-UDP communication protocols. It has built-in support for precise time synchronization across networks using IEEE 802.1AS standards and advanced Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) capabilities. These are essential for real-time applications like motor control or sensor coordination. The kit's TSN subsystem ensures that all connected devices operate in perfect synchronization with minimal timing variations. The system includes two external network interfaces, allowing it to connect directly to larger networks without requiring additional specialized TSN switching equipment. Versatile Connectivity with Ample I/O Support With four Pmod 12-pin interfaces and a 26-pin Raspberry Pi HAT, the KR260 Robotics Starter Kit allows developers to connect peripherals like GPS sensors, IMUs, motor drivers, or actuators. The kit’s non-production K26 SOM, equipped with 240-pin connectors, supports robust interfaces: four RJ-45 Ethernet ports, a 10GigE SFP+ cage for high-speed networking, a 2-lane SLVS-EC RX interface for advanced vision sensors (e.g., Sony IMX547 5.1MP camera), four USB 3.0 ports for cameras or standalone use with a keyboard and mouse, and a DisplayPort 1.2a for 1080p monitor output. Conclusion The growing installation of robots is driving increased demand for accelerated high-performance computing at the edge. The AMD Kria ™ KR260 Robotics Starter Kit provides an excellent development platform for entry-level and experienced roboticists looking to create innovative ideas for ROS 2-based robotics and take them to production. It also helps developers, especially in small and medium enterprises, get to market faster with reduced total cost of ownership (TCO). AMD Kria ™ KR260 Robotics Starter Kit Buy Now Sony IMX547 Camera Kit Color Buy Now AMD Kria ™ K26 System-on-Module Buy Now Avnet Heat Sink for AMD Kria ™ K26 System-on-Module Buy Now AMD, and the AMD Arrow logo, Kria, UltraScale+, Vitis, Vivado, Zynq, and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other product names used in this publication are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. For more innovative products from AMD Shop Now About the Sponsor AMD is the high performance and adaptive computing leader, powering the products and services that help solve the world’s most important challenges. Our technologies advance the future of the data centre, embedded, gaming and PC markets. Founded in 1969 as a Silicon Valley start-up, the AMD journey began with dozens of employees who were passionate about creating leading-edge semiconductor products. AMD has grown into a global company setting the standard for modern computing, with many important industry firsts and major technological achievements along the way. For more information, click here .roboticsAMD Kria™ KR260somamdKR260 Robotics Starter Kithttps://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/m/managed-videos/150719Sat, 15 Nov 2025 10:02:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:c79b80d2-fe19-432f-815f-7ed4d76542bfbeacon_daveIntroducing Ikan's Lyra PoE Q-SYS plugin! Available in Q-SYS Designer assets today. Q-SYS Partner: https://www.qsys.com/alliances-partnerships/ikan/ Q-SYS Plugin Press Release: https://ikancorp.com/ikan-international-llc-releases-a-new-technology-...