QUALCOMM’s SoC Roadmap Meets the Diverse Needs of the Edge IOT Market
Edge IoT is deployed when machine decision making needs to take place in real time and where there is a very high volume of on-site sensor data generated that is difficult to send to an off-site network (privacy regulation or connectivity issues for example). Some good examples of Edge IoT applications include warehouse order fulfilment, factory robotic systems, on-site retail, self-checkout and personal safety monitoring systems, train and airplane entertainment. Analysts predict the Edge IoT market to be worth up to 155 billion USD by 2030 with Gartner forecasting up to 18 billion devices will deliver Edge IoT services by 2030. To meet the needs of such a diverse set of use cases presents a challenge for the semiconductor industry.
CODICO‘s long-time partner QUALCOMM has been busy in recent years developing Soc solutions that combine their technology strengths in computing and AI, camera, wireless connectivity and audio to develop one of the most comprehensive roadmaps of SoC devices to support the many Edge IOT applications. QUALCOMM SoCs for IoT are capable of powering all manner of devices, from low power IOT sensors to Voice UI capable headsets, handheld scanners, control panels, multi-camera and display automation, digital signage systems to robots, AGV’s and drones. For each of these applications a highly integrated SoC solution is available to meet the power consumption, price and performance requirements. In this article we will take a closer look at the Application SoC roadmap for Edge IOT applications.
QUALCOMM’s range of Connected and Application SoCs offer a common architecture, the devices combine powerful compute and AI processing along with dedicated hardware blocks for camera, display, security and sensor processing. The highly integrated devices simplify hardware design complexity and provide for an optimised form factor.
The current state of semiconductor supply presents designers and engineers with an unprecedented challenge as they try to identify semiconductor devices for their new products. QUALCOMM’s IoT roadmaps offers another advantage in this regard. The SoC devices are not provided as standalone devices, a portfolio of companion power management, audio CODECs, power amplifiers, charging, location and wireless connectivity solutions are available from QUALCOMM to accompany each of these SoC devices.
RB5 SoC (QRB5165) power management, codec, speaker amplifier, charger and MIMO 802.11ax/BT 5.1 connectivity companion devices from QUALCOMM
QUALCOMM’s Application SoC processors are tiered according to SoC performance, capabilities and pricing. The matrix below captures a high-level overview of the key capabilities of each SoC available from QUALCOMM today. Entry level devices are optimised to meet a specific application for example the QCS405 for wireless audio or the QCS2290 for retail and industrial handheld devices. While SoCs in the higher tiers such as the QCS610 offer more capabilities and performance to allow designers to adopt the SoC for several use case such as Retail and Security cameras, Industrial Control Panels and Robotics.
QUALCOMM’s SoC devices share a common architecture which enables designers to build a family of Edge IoT products using these devices which re-investing software components. In some cases, pin for pin compatible devices such as the QCS2290/QCS4290 and QCS410/QCS610 are offered to meet the unique requirements of Smart Connected Camera and POS / handheld market segments. Extended product lifetimes and extended temperature ranges are yet another requirement in the Edge IoT market which the QUALCOMM roadmap offers. As we covered in our last issue of Impulse a range of system on module SOM solutions from QUALCOMM’s joint venture partner THUNDERCOMM and others are also available for those customers wishing to reduce design effort, risk and time to market.
SoC product matrix taken from QUALCOMM’s Application-Processors-selector-guide_87-PN002-1-D which can be found here
We expect the Edge IoT market to be a significant opportunity for our customers in the coming years. Please come and see us at electronica to discuss if one of the QUALCOMM SoC or Thundercomm SOM can meet your requirements.
For further questions:
Thomas Carmody
+43 1 86305 362
About CODICO
CODICO stands for the design-in-distribution of high quality electronic components. The widespread product portfolio includes active and passive elements as well as products from the field of connection technology. The company operates from the Austrian headquarters in Perchtoldsdorf on the southern outskirts of Vienna as an independent privately owned company, and maintains a large number of sales offices in Germany, Denmark, Italy, France, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Sweden, the UK, and has other partner companies in Central and Eastern Europe on its team. Backed by a high level of technical expertise, CODICO puts its focus on the Design-In sector. What makes CODICO particularly special is the providing of technical support from the development phase through to the end product, as well as the marketing and sale of exclusively top quality products.
