Toshiba Presents Latest Recognition Processor

In its goal to take the automotive sector to new heights, Toshiba America Electronic Components has recently rolled out the newest addition to its TMPV760 family of image recognition processors. The TMPV7602XBG is highly suitable for monocular cameras utilized in ADAS, and is claimed to help designers implement ADAS applications using a cost-optimized camera system with a small form factor.

With 13 hardware-based image recognition accelerators, the new image recognition processor integrates ADAS features that are set to become part of the camera requirements for the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) two years from now. Included in these features are Forward Collision Warning (FCW), High Beam Assistance (HBA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) / Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Traffic Signal Recognition (TSR), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). Moreover, the processor supports such new applications as night-time pedestrian detection and Traffic Light Recognition (TLR).

According to Deepak Mithani, senior director of the Mixed Signal Business Unit, System LSI Group at TAEC, with ADAS technology now widely used in new-model vehicles, they are continuing to establish their portfolio of image recognition processor that could accommodate an array of functions and capabilities. He added that the TMPV7602XBG was developed to offer provide high-speed, low-power recognition of images captured by the on-vehicle monocular camera—including road markings, traffic lights and signs, pedestrians and other vehicles—to help guarantee safe driving.

ADAS applications are processed concurrently within a time window of 50ms inside the image recognition processor and with comparatively low power consumption due to the purpose-built hardware accelerators and media processing units. The beauty of the TMPV7602XBG is that it can process up to five applications concurrently, with extremely low power consumption, and targets mid- to high-end ADAS designs. Optimization of the circuit to downsize the ADAS monocular camera module helps reduce the device’s package size and enables an anticipated five percent reduction in power consumption.

The TMPV7602XBG incorporates new, improved CoHOG accelerators that offer higher image recognition precision than late-model Toshiba devices, specifically in both low-light and night-time conditions. Additionally, color-based gradient analysis of images provided by full-HD (2-megapixel) connected cameras enhances night-time pedestrian detection rates.

Utilizing its heterogeneous multi-core architecture, the all-new Toshiba processor can handle a number of applications simultaneously in real time. It boasts a maximum operating frequency of 266.7MHz and comes with newly incorporated image processing accelerators and media processing engines supported by floating point units that carry out double precision floating-point arithmetic calculations.

Mass production of the MPV7602XBG is slated to start in January 2018.