Toshiba ApP Lite IoT Platform Features Analog Front End For Faster, More Efficient Wearables

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. introduces the TZ1200 series of ApP Lite processors for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The first product, the TZ1201XBG, is a high-performance processor for next-generation consumer Internet of Things (IoT) applications, which not only have extremely low-power requirements, but also need the latest graphics features to drive a high-resolution display, while occupying a very small footprint.

The TZ1201XBG integrates an ARM® Cortex®-M4F processor with a high-performance 2D graphics engine and 2.2 megabytes of embedded SRAM[1]. It comes with an integrated high-precision analog front end (AFE), which has a 24-bit delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC), eliminating the need for an external ADC or graphics controller. This makes the processor well suited for such IoT applications as smart watches, health and fitness wearables, home automation and virtual/augmented reality, to name a few.

"Manufacturers need a processor solution that can meet the power, performance and memory requirements associated with the growing number of mid-range consumer IoT applications," said Deepak Prakash, senior director of marketing, Logic LSI Business Unit, System LSI Group at TAEC. "Toshiba has a proven strong commitment to enabling IoT devices, and our newest line of ApP Lite processors was specifically designed to target this burgeoning area of the market."

The high-precision AFE measures extremely weak signals (about 10 microvolts), such as EEG or EMG (brain or muscle scans), as well as impedance, which can be used to determine stress level index by calculating skin resistance. The AFE also supports up to 4-channel voltage/current/impedance multi-sensing with only a minimal addition of external components. By integrating the software and various services, the data measured by the AFE can be utilized to create new applications as well as target new markets.

The ARM Cortex-M4F at the heart of the TZ1201XBG was developed to target active current consumption of 78 microamps per megahertz (MHz) in normal operation mode. It works with the power management software for about one week in pulse measurement applications or for about one month in watch applications with a 200mAh battery.

The new ApP Lite processor can run at 120MHz in overdrive mode at maximum working frequency. Its dedicated 2D graphics accelerator reduces CPU utilization and power dissipation, enabling smooth functioning of the graphical user interface (GUI). Together with the embedded data compressor, the TZ1201XBG enables large-capacity data storage for long periods of time without frequent uploading of data.

Availability

Samples of the TZ1200XBG ApP Lite processor will begin shipping in April. Mass production is scheduled to begin in summer 2016.

For more details, visit:
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
http://www.toshiba.com/taec