Germany’s Congatet, a leading provider of embedded and edge computing technologies, announced the further expansion of its strategic solutions in the ARM processor segment with the addition of Texas Instruments (TI) processors. The first solution platform to be launched is conga-STDA4, a SMARC computer module that uses industrial-grade TDA4VM processors based on ARM® Cortex® technology. By adopting a system-on-chip architecture, Texas Instruments adds faster vision and AI processing, real-time control, functional safety, and more to its TDA4VM processor. The module features a dual-core ARM Cortex-A72 and can be used in industrial mobile devices that require field analysis capabilities, such as autonomous vehicles, autonomous mobile robots, construction and agricultural machinery. It can also be used in industrial or medical solutions, where powerful edge AI processors are required for high energy efficiency. By combining powerful Texas Instruments TDA4VM processors with standardized computer modules, the design-in process for high-performance processors is simplified, allowing designers in many embedded computing fields to focus on core functionality. The advantage of this product is that it can save companies upfront costs and shorten time to market compared to a fully customized design, especially in the case of low production volumes. Srik Gurrapu, head of Industrial business for the processor division at Texas Instruments (TI), said: “Application-ready modules developed in collaboration with a computer module supplier such as Congate are of great benefit to engineers working with ARM Cortex architecture processors such as TDA4VM. Industrial Oems, especially those without the resources for full custom design, will benefit from innovative SMARC computer modules that help simplify design while ensuring high safety and low research and development (NRE) costs.”

Martin Danzer, Director of Product Management at Congatet, said: “We see that AI and computer vision-based autonomous driving is one of the important markets for embedded and edge computing technologies, and another major growth driver for them is digitalization. Texas Instruments offers highly integrated processors for these applications, and we believe our value-add approach to computer modules will open a whole new market for this edge server-grade, AI-driven, high-throughput technology. We will use Texas Instruments processors in our credit-card size SMARC computer module ecosystem to take advantage of its advantages, including rapid prototyping and application development, cost-effective board design, and high performance. And ultra-reliable, responsive, high-utility resources from design-in to volume production for OEM systems.”

Congate debuts new strategic products at Embedded 2023, highlighting upcoming SMARC modules based on Texas Instruments TDA4VM processors. The first samples are expected to be available in mid-2023, with mass production scheduled for 2024. Texas Instruments processors will be an integral part of Congatet’s ARM technology roadmap. As a result, Congatet’s ecosystem of high-performance computer modules will be more broadly scalable and cover all major performance segments.