SensiML, a QuickLogic subsidiary that develops AI tools for IoT endpoint development, has collaborated with Infineon to provide AI and machine learning for its PSoC 6 microcontrollers (MCUs) and the sensors they support.

SensiML’s analytics toolkit AI development software is combined with the Infineon ModusToolbox and low-power dual-core PSoC 6 MCUs in this collaboration, giving developers a quick and easy way to record data from Infineon Xensiv sensors, create AI and ML-based models, and implement them on PSoC 6 MCUs.

Designers with little to no data science experience can use this approach to include local intelligence into their IoT designs for smart homes, industrial, fitness, and other applications.

SensiML and Infineon are kicking off their partnership with a Hackster.io “Build AI for the IoT Design Challenge.” Innovators will be challenged to capture and label sensor data, train AI and ML models, and deploy the results on a PSoC 6 MCU to create intelligent endpoint applications using the SensiML data analytics toolkit and Infineon ModusToolbox software, as well as Xensiv sensors, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity ICs, and PSoC 6 MCUs.

The challenge’s purpose is to demonstrate how quick and simple it is for developers to construct local, low-power, AI-based IoT edge devices using the two companies’ comprehensive end-to-end development platform.

The SensiML analytics toolkit creates efficient AI models from labeled datasets and allows developers to utilize them to design clever, high-performance edge algorithms without the need for hand coding or data science skills. The PSoC 6 family, which is built on a low-power architecture appropriate for battery-powered edge IoT applications, is complemented by this toolkit.

Dual-core Arm Cortex-M4 and M0+ processors are included in the PSoC 6 family, allowing for design partitioning for simultaneous power and performance improvement. Users can execute their AI applications developed by the SensiML tools on one processor and their application code on the other thanks to the dual-core design.

“Infineon has a large and loyal following for their innovative and extensive sensors, MCUs, and associated development tools,” said Chris Rogers, chief executive officer of SensiML. “SensiML complements that offering with AI and ML tools that make it easy for developers to add sophisticated AI functions in a small memory footprint with ultra-low power consumption. With AutoML support covering a broad array of sensor inputs, SensiML is ideal for IoT edge processing across Infineon’s Xensiv portfolio.”

Steve Tateosian, vice president at Infineon, added: “SensiML offers a quick and easy path for our PSoC 6 MCU, connectivity and sensor customers to add low-power, local intelligence to their edge IoT applications. Through our mutual collaboration, we can now offer a complete suite of software and hardware development tools and products, enabling developers and Hackathon participants to create next-generation smart endpoint IoT devices for a wide range of end uses.”

SensiML, based in Oregon, builds software that enables low-power IoT endpoints to use AI to convert raw sensor data into usable insights at the device layer.

France Brevets and Verimatrix have sold their NFC patent portfolio to Infineon. Infineon currently owns the entire portfolio, which includes over 300 patents in a variety of nations. All of the patents are for near-field communication (NFC) technologies that are either implemented in an IC, such as active load modulation, or that improve NFC usability at the user level. France Brevets had previously monetized the portfolio. It is now part of Infineon’s patent management system.

“With this acquisition, Infineon further strengthens its IP and technology portfolio, specifically in our leading markets for security and connectivity for the IoT,” said Thomas Rosteck, president of Infineon’s connected secure systems division. “This expansion of our own patent portfolio highlights the excellent company positioning and its continuous investment in technology spanning several verticals. The acquired patents will not only increase our visibility in connectivity and IoT but is another step towards our IP leadership in device authentication.”