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2024 Mar. 21

Embedded World 2024 (Apr 9-11)

N.A.T. presents FPGA-based vision platform for real-time imaging data analytics of multiple high-end cameras

 

Bonn/Germany, 20 March 2024 - At Embedded World 2024, N.A.T. is presenting NATvision, its new real-time capable, FPGA-based vision platform for high-resolution, high-end cameras based on the MicroTCA standard (Embedded World). NATvision is the world's first platform of its kind that fully utilizes AMD's (formerly Xilinx) ZYNQ UltraScale+ MPSoC FPGA technology for the processing and analysis of imaging data streams from high-performance video cameras.

NATvision enables developers and system integrators to process imaging data streams from multiple high-resolution, high-end cameras in real time on a single consolidated platform. NATvision stands out from conventional PC-based vision platforms by utilizing faster and more energy-efficient FPGA technology, which can be modularly adapted to the individual processing tasks and a wide variety of transmission protocols as required. Thanks to the scalability of NATvision, up to twelve FPGA cards per system can be combined in a single system. The system is suitable for connecting cameras with a data throughput of up to 100 GbE.

 

Live demo

The performance of the new real-time FPGA-based NATvision platform in high-speed/high-res vision applications will be demonstrated using a live demo that captures and visualizes the trajectory of a ball in real time. NATvision enables calculated trajectory predictions to be made, on the basis of which corresponding trigger signals can be initiated. Motion control systems can use such calculations to precisely identify goods that are recognized as faulty, e.g. to exclude them from the further production process at the appropriate point using a generated trigger.

Demo setup for Embedded World 2024, stand 1-211 in hall 1

As part of the live demo, the image data is recorded with a 4K Ultra HD GigEVision camera with a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels at a frame rate of up to 180 frames/sec. Digital video data streams of up to 35 Gbit/s are transmitted and processed in the FPGA using N.A.T.'s own GigEVision firmware package. These data are then available for further FPGA-based processing as an AXI stream. Finally, the video data is written to the RAM of the FPGA-integrated ARM cores – which support Linux – via DMA. From there, data can be transferred to external nodes at up to 100Gbps via the system uplinks, for example. GPUs and AI accelerators can also be integrated as additional cards. Currently, each FPGA card can receive and process up to 40Gb/s of image data from up to four cameras. This value will increase to 100Gb/s per card in future. The measured processing latency in the FPGA is less than 500ns, while the processing speed is deterministic in every configuration.

 

Wide range of applications

NATvision is based on the open MicroTCA standard, which achieves a very high degree of modularity and at the same time allows enormous amounts of data to be transferred flexibly between all of the system's plug-in cards via its high-speed backplane. Thanks to its modularity, every NATvision system can be supplemented with additional processors and AI accelerators. NATvision naturally supports time synchronization using IEEE1588 to ensure high-precision time synchronization of all connected cameras. This makes NATvision the ideal solution for image processing with high frame rates and high image resolutions in real time.

NATvision enables the use of high-resolution, high-end cameras for inspection, quality control and monitoring across the entire value chain of industrial companies - from development and production to packaging, as well as in safety and security applications. Vertical markets can be found in industrial production (e.g. analyzing off-rollable meterage, printed items, and bulk materials as well as semiconductors and electronic assemblies), aerospace and automotive testing (e.g. material stress tests, crash tests, airbag dynamics, aerodynamics, combustion processes in engines, thermal measurement). Other applications include accident prevention systems in intelligent transport systems (e.g. railway technology), medical imaging (e.g. X-ray) and science/research (physics, chemistry, biology/biomechanics).

 

The technology in detail

The FPGA-based NATvision vision system from N.A.T., which is being presented for the first time at Embedded World, can be equipped with one to twelve FPGA cards to suit specific requirements and applications. The performance of the AMD ZYNQ UltraScale+ MPSoC processors can be scaled from 103,000 to 1.143 million logic cells, depending on requirements. The design of the in-house GigEVision firmware package for the FPGA cards is also modular, so that other camera interfaces such as CoaXPress can be easily integrated instead of GigEVision. The sample applications supplied with NATvision and the GenICam-compatible SDK enable users to quickly commission the system and integrate it into their own software routines. N.A.T. is currently working with a partner to add AI functionality to the system. The system chassis comes from partner nVent, which is also presenting the demo system at its Embedded World stand 211 in hall 1.

Camera manufacturers, inspection system developers and system integrators can find more information about NATvision from N.A.T. and the service offering at https://nateurope.com/solution/natvision/

2023 Nov. 07

DESY MicroTCA Workshop 2023 (Dec 5-7)

<a href="https://https://mtcaws.desy.de/">   <img src="DESY_MTCA4-WS_23.png" alt="12th MicroTCA Workshop home"> </a>

 

The 12th MicroTCA Workshop for Industry and Research will again take place at the CFEL building on DESY premises from December 5th to December 7th 2023.

As a member of the advisory committee, exhibitor, vendor and participant N.A.T. cordially invites you to participate (please follow this link to register) in the MicroTCA Workshop, either on-site at DESY or virtually through the workshop's streaming portal.

The annual MicroTCA Workshop for Industry and Research is the one of the most important events on MicroTCA and targets both users and vendors from international industry and research facilities around the globe.

The main topics of this year's MicroTCA Workshop are:

  • Applications in research facilities
  • Applications in industry
  • New products
  • New Technologies
  • Future of standard and interoperability
  • Software and firmware
  • Industry Exhibition - presentation of modules and systems from industry and research

At the 12th MicroTCA Workshop for Industry and Research N.A.T. will present on the following topics

  • MicroTCA Tutorial: "MicroTCA Management, Clocking and Fabrics" by Heiko Koerte (Dec 5th, 9:35 - 10:00am CET)
  • "NAT-MCH Generation 4 - new features and how to transit from NAT-MCH Generation 3" by Heiko Koerte (date and time to be confirmed)
  • "NATIVE-server: from concept to solution" by Herbert Erd (date and time to be confirmed)

In case you cannot make it to our booth during the daily conference times, please reach out to us to schedule your personal online appointment with either Herbert Erd or Heiko Koerte.

We are looking forward to welcoming and meeting you on-site at DESY.

2023 Nov. 07

Students and Career Day 2023 at HBRS (Nov 9)

 

N.A.T. is a highly innovative and owner-led company located right on the banks of the River Rhine in Bonn-Oberkassel.

Since 1990 we are developing high-tech products for wire, fibre, and radio based applications in telecommunication and industrial automation.

Based on the most recent open standards our board and system solutions are continously developed further using state-of-the-art technologies to serve our highly appreciating international customer base.

However, at N.A.T. we honestly believe that such solutions can be created only when enjyoing work and the responsibility everyone has for the entire team.

For our growing software and hardware engineering teams we are always looking for talented and motivated students and graduates of computer science and engineering. Find details for your application here: https://nateurope.com/vacancies

On November 9th, 2023 at stand H at the "Unternehmenstag 2023" at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg in Sankt Augustin, you have the opportunity to get first-hand experience and discuss your career with our VP and Director Sales & Marketing Heiko Körte.

Come and see us at stand H to get your personal information package on externship semesters, bachelor and master theses or your career start at our corporate headquarters in Bonn.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

2023 Feb. 22

Embedded World 2023 (Mar 14-16)

Banner Embedded World 2023

At embedded world 2023 NAT presents its MicroTCA based solutions for industrial applications in hall 3 at booth 3-544.

 

Among displaying the key benfits of our technology, i.e. real-time capabilities, modularity and mix-and match and cost efficiency, at embedded world NAT has put a strong focus on our NATvision solutions.

NATvision is a complete solution for for modular, flexible, scalable and reliable video processing applications and supports our customers from the early product development up deployment of standard products, regardless wether a customized or a turnkey solution is required.

NATvision is available on different Hardware platforms in order to support a fast and cost effective development from scratch up to demanding field applications.

Based on NATvision, any development of new algorithms can start immediately and independently from the final Hardware design.

Due to the flexibility of NATvision, various parameters and solution characteristics can be easily altered during development, i.e. amount and types of used cameras, sensor resolution, frames per second, processing power, new AI functions for the foreseen application. New and additional output requirements can be realized without delaying the software application development i.e. because of modified or changed hardware.

 

 

NATvision provides flexibility in several directions:

  • Provides scalability in terms of number and types of boards.
  • Provides independency of HW requirements from SW application development
  • Provides graphical SW development tool and allows the use of C an C++ codes instead of HDL.
  • Application functions can be distributed among different boards even after roll-out.
  • Timing and latency aspects are covered by hardware.
  • Remote management and system health are also covered as standard functions by design

In addition to presenting the buidling blocks at our booth 3-544 in hall 3 we also provide a life demo at booth 1-441 in hall 1 at our partner nVent.

We are looking forward to seeing you at embedded world (Mar 14-16), come and visit us at booths 3-544 in hall 3 and 1-441 in hall 1.

Please also visit the NATvision website.

2022 Oct. 17

DESY MicroTCA Workshop 2022 (Dec 6-8)

The 11th MTCA workshop for industry and research will take place on DESY premises as a physical event from December 6th to December 8th 2022.

As a member of the advisory committee, exhibitor, vendor and participant N.A.T. cordially invites you to participate (please follow this link to register).

The main topics of the workshop are:

  • Applications in research facilities
  • Applications in industry
  • New products
  • New Technologies
  • Future of standard and interoperability
  • Software and firmware
  • Industry Exhibition - presentation of modules and systems from industry and research

N.A.T. will give presentations on the following topics (list to be updated as soon as abstracts are confirmed):

  • MicroTCA Tutorial: MicroTCA Management (Dec 6th, 10:30an CET - 11:00am CET)
  • New AMCs
  • New MCHs

In case you cannot make it to our booth during the daily conference times, please reach out to us to schedule your personal online appointment with either Herbert Erd or Heiko Koerte.

We are looking forward to welcoming and meeting you on-site at DESY.