Embedded Vision Solutions with Qualcomm QCS6490 and QCS5430 SMARC Modules

Demand for vision solutions is increasing rapidly.

The demand for advanced embedded vision solutions is rapidly increasing as industries shift towards more intelligent and automated systems. The Qualcomm QCS6490 and QCS5430 processors, integrated into Avnet's SMARC (Smart Mobility Architecture) modules, present powerful options for developing high-performance, energy-efficient embedded vision applications. These modules cater to a range of industrial and commercial IoT applications, enabling sophisticated AI-driven functionalities at the edge.

AI Vision Kit with QCS6490/QCS5430 Qualcomm Smarc Module

Overview of the QCS6490 and QCS5430 SMARC Modules

The Qualcomm QCS6490 and QCS5430 are at the heart of Avnet's new SMARC 2.1.1 module families. These processors are built on a 6nm process, optimizing power efficiency while delivering high computational performance. Key features of these modules include:

• QCS6490: Octa-core CPU with four ARM Cortex-A78 cores and four ARM Cortex-A55 cores. Qualcomm Adreno 643 GPU and Adreno 633 VPU for superior graphics and video processing. 12 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) of AI performance with the latest Qualcomm Hexagon processor. Support for up to four MIPI-CSI camera inputs, enabling robust image processing capabilities. Extensive connectivity options, including USB 3.1, USB 2.0, PCIe, and Ethernet.
• QCS5430: Hexa-core CPU with two ARM Cortex-A78 cores and four ARM Cortex-A55 cores. Qualcomm Adreno 642L GPU and Adreno 633 VPU for efficient graphics and video handling. 3.5 TOPS of AI performance, ideal for applications requiring balanced power and performance. Support for multiple display options and extensive camera interfaces.

These modules adhere to the SMARC 2.1.1 standard, ensuring easy integration with various baseboards and development kits provided by Avnet. The support for both Linux and Windows IoT platforms makes these modules versatile for different application needs.

Qualcomm QCS6490 Smarc Module

Possible Embedded Vision Solutions

Industrial Automation and Robotics: Visual Inspection Systems: Utilize the high AI performance of the QCS6490 to develop systems that can perform real-time quality inspection on production lines, identifying defects and inconsistencies with high precision. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs): Leverage the powerful processing and low power consumption of both QCS6490 and QCS5430 to enable AMRs with advanced navigation, obstacle detection, and object recognition capabilities.

Smart Retail: Customer Analytics: Implement vision-based systems using the QCS6490 to analyze customer behavior, track movements, and gather data to improve store layouts and marketing strategies. Self-Checkout Systems: Enhance self-checkout kiosks with the QCS5430’s balanced performance to facilitate faster and more accurate scanning and payment processes.

Smart Cities and Transportation: Traffic Management: Deploy vision-based traffic monitoring systems using the QCS6490 to analyze traffic patterns, detect incidents, and manage traffic flow efficiently. Public Safety and Surveillance: Use the QCS5430 to create smart surveillance systems capable of real-time video analytics, face recognition, and anomaly detection to enhance public safety.

Healthcare: Patient Monitoring Systems: Develop non-invasive patient monitoring devices using the QCS6490 to track vital signs and movements, providing real-time data to healthcare providers. Medical Imaging: Enhance diagnostic equipment with the QCS5430, providing high-resolution imaging and real-time data analysis to support accurate diagnosis.

Agriculture: Precision Farming: Implement vision systems using the QCS6490 to monitor crop health, detect weeds, and optimize irrigation, ensuring efficient and sustainable farming practices. Livestock Monitoring: Utilize the QCS5430 to track the health and behavior of livestock, improving farm management and animal welfare.

Development Kits and Support

Avnet’s QCS6490 Vision-AI Development Kit is designed to streamline the development process for edge AI and vision applications. This kit includes:

• An SMARC 2.1.1 standard computer-on-module (COM) featuring the Qualcomm QCS6490 chip.
• A carrier board breaking out multiple I/O interfaces including USB, Ethernet, and camera inputs.
• Pre-installed software support with Yocto Linux and AI/multi-camera demos.
• Optional accessories like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, NVMe SSDs, and high-resolution camera modules.

This comprehensive development environment enables rapid prototyping and accelerates time-to-market for embedded vision solutions.

Key takeaways

The Qualcomm QCS6490 and QCS5430 processors, integrated into Avnet’s SMARC modules, provide robust platforms for developing a wide range of embedded vision applications. With their high performance, energy efficiency, and extensive connectivity options, these modules are well-suited for industrial automation, smart retail, smart cities, healthcare, and agriculture, among other sectors. Avnet’s development kits further enhance the ease of innovation, making it simpler for developers to bring intelligent vision solutions to life.