Feed aggregator

India’s industrial landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with robotics playing a pivotal role in enhancing manufacturing efficiency, precision, and productivity. Several Indian companies have emerged as leaders in industrial robotics, offering innovative solutions tailored to various sectors. Here are ten notable industrial robot manufacturers in India:

1. DiFACTO Robotics

Headquartered in Bengaluru, DiFACTO Robotics is a prominent provider of robotic solutions for the manufacturing sector. Their expertise encompasses conceptualizing, manufacturing, and implementing advanced factory automation systems. Serving industries such as automotive, metal forming, transportation, energy, electronics, and consumer goods, DiFACTO has established itself as a key player in India’s industrial automation landscape.

2. Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz

Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz specializes in autonomous mobile robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Their solutions cater to sectors like automotive, warehousing, and defense, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and safety. With a strong emphasis on research and development, Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz continues to innovate in the field of industrial robotics.

3. Gridbots

Based in Ahmedabad, Gridbots is known for developing robots and artificial intelligence systems for industrial applications. Their product portfolio includes robotic arms, vision systems, and automation solutions designed to optimize manufacturing processes. Gridbots’ commitment to innovation has positioned them as a significant contributor to India’s robotics industry.

4. Systemantics

Systemantics focuses on designing and manufacturing industrial robots that are cost-effective and easy to deploy. Their flagship product, the ASYSTR 600, is a six-axis industrial robot designed for tasks such as material handling, welding, and assembly. By addressing the challenges of automation adoption, Systemantics aims to make robotics accessible to a broader range of industries.

5. Invento Robotics

Invento Robotics specializes in service robots with applications in hospitality, healthcare, and retail. Their robots, such as Mitra, have been deployed in various settings to assist with customer engagement and service delivery. While their primary focus is on service robotics, their technological advancements contribute to the broader robotics ecosystem in India.

6. Addverb Technologies

Addverb Technologies is a leading provider of automation solutions for warehouses and distribution centers. Their robotics offerings include autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), sorting robots, and pallet shuttles, designed to streamline intralogistics operations. By integrating robotics with advanced software systems, Addverb enhances efficiency and accuracy in supply chain processes.

7. CynLr

CynLr (Cybernetics Laboratory) focuses on developing vision systems and robotic solutions that enable machines to handle objects with human-like dexterity. Their technology addresses complex manufacturing challenges, particularly in tasks requiring precision and adaptability. CynLr’s innovations are paving the way for more versatile industrial automation.

8. PARI (Precision Automation and Robotics India)

Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Satara, Maharashtra, PARI is a global automation company that has provided over 3,000 automated solutions worldwide. Their services encompass conceptualizing, manufacturing, and implementing advanced factory automation systems, catering to industries such as automotive, aerospace, and heavy engineering.

9. Goat Robotics

Based in Coimbatore, Goat Robotics specializes in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) designed for manufacturing industries. Their robots are equipped with advanced navigation systems and are used for material transport and logistics within industrial settings. Goat Robotics’ solutions aim to enhance operational efficiency and safety in manufacturing environments.

10. Peer Robotics

Peer Robotics is a startup focusing on collaborative mobile robots designed to work alongside human operators. Their robots are used in manufacturing and warehousing environments to assist with material handling and repetitive tasks. By emphasizing human-robot collaboration, Peer Robotics aims to create safer and more efficient workplaces.

 

India’s industrial robot manufacturing sector is characterized by a blend of established companies and innovative startups, each contributing uniquely to the automation landscape. As industries increasingly adopt automation to enhance productivity and competitiveness, these companies are poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of manufacturing in India.

The post Top 10 Industrial Robot Manufacturers in India appeared first on ELE Times.

submitted by /u/cosmicrae [link] [comments]

India’s drone industry has experienced remarkable growth, positioning itself as a global leader in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. This surge is driven by the government’s “Make in India” initiative and supportive policies, fostering a robust ecosystem of drone manufacturers. Here, we explore the top 10 drone camera manufacturers in India, highlighting their contributions to this dynamic sector.

1. ideaForge Technology

Founded in 2007, ideaForge is a pioneer in India’s UAV industry, renowned for developing high-endurance drones tailored for defense, homeland security, and industrial applications. Their flagship product, the Switch UAV, boasts a flight time of over two hours, equipped with advanced imaging capabilities, making it indispensable for long-range surveillance and mapping. The company’s commitment to innovation has solidified its position as a leader in the Indian drone market.

2. Zen Technologies

Established in 1993, Zen Technologies specializes in designing and manufacturing combat training solutions, including UAVs and anti-drone systems. Their drones are integral to military training, offering realistic simulations and live training exercises. The company’s focus on defense applications has made it a trusted partner of the Indian armed forces.

3. Paras Defence and Space Technologies

Paras Defence is a prominent player in the defense sector, providing a range of products, including UAVs equipped with sophisticated imaging systems. Their drones are engineered for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, featuring high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging capabilities. The company’s expertise in optics and defense electronics enhances the performance of their UAVs.

4. Asteria Aerospace

Based in Bengaluru, Asteria Aerospace focuses on developing drones for security and industrial applications. Their Genesis series offers real-time aerial surveillance with advanced imaging systems, catering to sectors like oil and gas, mining, and agriculture. The company’s emphasis on data analytics and automation sets them apart in the industry.

5. Quidich Innovation Labs

Quidich specializes in aerial cinematography and has expanded into industrial inspections and mapping. Their drones are equipped with high-definition cameras, providing unique perspectives for film production and critical data for infrastructure assessments. Their versatility has made them a preferred choice in both entertainment and industrial sectors.

6. Garuda Aerospace

Garuda Aerospace offers a diverse range of drones for applications such as agriculture, delivery, and surveillance. Their Kisan Drone is designed for precision agriculture, featuring multispectral imaging to monitor crop health. The company’s focus on affordability and functionality has made drone technology accessible to various industries.

7. Dhaksha Unmanned Systems

Specializing in agriculture and surveillance drones, Dhaksha Unmanned Systems provides UAVs equipped with advanced imaging systems for crop monitoring and security applications. Their drones are known for durability and ease of use, benefiting farmers and law enforcement agencies alike.

8. RattanIndia Enterprises

RattanIndia has ventured into the drone sector, focusing on logistics and delivery solutions. Their drones are designed to transport goods efficiently, equipped with cameras for navigation and monitoring. The company’s entry into the drone market signifies the expanding applications of UAV technology in India.

9. DCM Shriram Industries

DCM Shriram has diversified into drone manufacturing, offering UAVs for industrial inspections and agricultural use. Their drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors, providing valuable data for maintenance and farming operations. The company’s industrial expertise enhances the reliability of their drone solutions.

10. Aeroarc Innovations

Aeroarc Innovations is an emerging player in India’s drone ecosystem, specializing in high-performance UAVs for industrial, defense, and environmental applications. Their drones feature advanced imaging capabilities, including multispectral and LiDAR sensors, making them ideal for precision agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. The company is focused on developing AI-powered drone solutions that enhance automation and real-time data analysis, positioning itself as a key innovator in the Indian drone market.

 

The advancements made by these companies reflect India’s burgeoning capabilities in drone technology. With applications spanning defense, agriculture, industrial inspections, and entertainment, the integration of advanced imaging systems into UAVs is transforming traditional practices. As regulatory frameworks evolve and technology advances, these manufacturers are poised to play a pivotal role in the global drone ecosystem, showcasing India’s commitment to innovation and self-reliance in this cutting-edge field.

The post Top 10 Drone Camera Manufacturers in India appeared first on ELE Times.

A new microcontroller featuring multi-sense capabilities claims to enable new human-machine interface (HMI) and sensing solutions, ranging from sleek metallic product designs with touch-on metal buttons to waterproof touch buttons. Infineon’s PSOC 4 is an Arm Cortex-M0+-based MCU that offers capacitive, inductive, and liquid sensing in a single device.

Figure 1 PSOC 4 integrates capacitive, inductive, and liquid sensing to accommodate a variety of HMI uses cases. Source: Infineon

This new MCU combines the company’s fifth-generation capacitive sensing technology, CAPSENSE, with inductive and liquid sensing to optimize performance, enable new use cases, and realize cost savings. For a start, the fifth-generation CAPSENSE featuring always-on capability enables sensing at 10x lower power consumption and offers a 10x higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than previous devices.

Figure 2 Capacitive sensing (left) and inductive sensing (right) complement each other to enable new HMI and sensing use cases. Source: Infineon

Inductive sensing is based on a proprietary methodology that is less sensitive to noise; it complements capacitive sensing to enable new HMI use cases like touch-over-metal, force touch surfaces, and proximity sensing. This allows developers to create modern, metal-based and waterproof designs with sleek form factors such as metal touch buttons on refrigerators or robust HMI for underwater devices such as cameras and wearables.

Then there is non-invasive and non-contact liquid sensing, which employs an AI/ML algorithm to facilitate more cost-effective and accurate sensing than mechanical sensors and typical capacitive solutions. Liquid sensing is resistant to environmental factors like temperature and humidity and can detect liquid levels with up to 10-bit resolution in various container shapes.

As a result, it offers capabilities—such as foam and residue rejection and reliably working with varying air gaps between sensor and container—that other liquid sensors don’t support. So, liquid sensing on PSOC 4 can efficiently manage liquids in robot vacuum cleaners, washing machines, coffee machines, and humidifiers.

Figure 3 PSOC 4 multi-sense eliminates the need for a sensor in a liquid and is insensitive to process variations like gaps between sensor and container. Source: Infineon

Finally, CAPSENSE hover touch sensors enable applications that benefit CAPSENSE from having an air gap between the sensor and the touch surface. It leverages highly sensitive capacitive sensing capability to detect touch interactions from a significant distance. That eliminates the need for the gap to be bridged using a conductive material, typically a spring or conductive foam.

Figure 4 Hover touch sensing comes into play when a direct touch of a button is not required. Source: Infineon

PSOC 4000T with fifth-generation CAPSENSE and multi-sense capability is available now. Another MCU in PSOC 4 family, PSOC 4100T Plus, offering higher memory and more I/Os, will be available in the second quarter of 2025.

Related Content

• Haptic HMI for Reliability with Magnetic Sensors
• Poor Automotive HMI Design to Impact Euro NCAP Safety Rating
• Revolutionizing automotive HMI design through capacitive sensing
• New Functional Safety Ready MCU Features Real-Time Control and HMI
• Intuitive HMI designs – microcontroller solutions optimized for touch and display control

The post Multi-sense MCU enables new HMI and sensing use cases appeared first on EDN.

📢 Другий відкритий інженерний конкурс для школярів «Збудуй свою МРІЮ» kpi вт, 03/04/2025 - 13:01

NEPCON JAPAN 2025 concluded its successful run at Tokyo Big Sight. The
event attracted a remarkable 85,430* attendees from around the globe, serving as a premier, world-class platform for innovation, networking, and business growth.
(*including concurrent shows)

This year’s edition brought together key industry players and the latest technologies across
multiple shows, including the 17th AUTOMOTIVE WORLD, the 11th Wearable Expo, Factory
Innovation Week 2024, and the 4th SMART LOGISTICS Expo.

The global reach and influence of NEPCON JAPAN was evident through the participation of
industry-leading exhibitors hailing from countries such as Austria, Estonia, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, the United States, Malaysia, and many more.

Industry Leaders and Global Participation
The exhibition halls were packed with cutting-edge technologies and breakthrough innovations presented by some of the biggest names in the industry. These companies, among 1,711 exhibitors, showcased state-of-the-art advancements in power devices, AI-driven automation, IoT solutions, next-gen mobility, and smart logistics technology.

Notable exhibitors included:

• NEPCON JAPAN: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Omron Corporation, Siemens EDA Japan, Panasonic Corporation, Denso Corporation
• AUTOMOTIVE WORLD: Bosch Corporation, Continental AG, Denso Corporation, Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd., Toyota Auto Body
• Factory Innovation Week: LG Electronics Japan Inc., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Siemens AG, Fanuc Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Toshiba Digital Engineering Corporation
• SMART LOGOSTICS Expo: Honeywell International Inc., Daifuku Co., Ltd., Toyota Logistics Solutions, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Zebra Technologies Corporation
• WEARABLE EXPO:Lenovo Japan LLC, Sony Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Google LLC, HTC Corporation, NXP Semiconductors N.V.

Event Highlights

One of the major attractions of NEPCON JAPAN 2025 was the expanded Power Device & Module Expo and the Power Device Summit, featuring discussions by leading power device manufacturers. Attendees also had access to a range of free-to-attend conference sessions, where industry leaders from Samsung, Intel, Qualcomm, and other major players shared insights on the future of electronics and R&D.

Build on NEPCON Japan’s Success: Register for the First-Ever NEPCON Osaka

Following the success of NEPCON Japan 2025, the inaugural edition of NEPCON Osaka is set to take place from May 14–16, 2025, further strengthening Japan’s presence in the electronics industry. Expected to welcome 45,000* visitors and 600* exhibitors, NEPCON Osaka will provide a new platform for business expansion and industry growth.

With yet another remarkable edition in the books, NEPCON JAPAN continues to set the standard for electronics innovation, R&D, and manufacturing excellence. Industry professionals, exhibitors, and tech enthusiasts alike can look forward to the next milestone event at NEPCON Osaka 2025.

The post NEPCON JAPAN 2025 Welcomes 85,430 Attendees for a Grand Showcase of Electronics R&D and Innovation appeared first on ELE Times.

Representing a step in its evolution from a technology-driven company to a product-driven company, Finwave Semiconductor Inc of Waltham, MA, USA has strengthened its commitment to addressing the increasingly demanding wireless communication landscape by signing a global distribution agreement with RFMW...

SPS – Smart Production Solutions Guangzhou concluded successfully on 27 February 2025 at Area A of the China Import and Export Fair Complex, attracting strong attendance from across the manufacturing sector. Drawing on the extensive resources of the global SPS network, the event welcomed a wide range of international exhibitors, presenting regional manufacturers with advanced smart manufacturing technologies and solutions from around the world. Through this convergence of global expertise, the platform continues to advance the intelligent transformation of the region’s industries while enabling knowledge exchange and technological transfer across markets.

Mr Louis Leung, Deputy General Manager, Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd commented: “2025 marks a meaningful step forward for SPS – Smart Production Solutions Guangzhou, following last year’s brand upgrade. The exhibition now integrates more deeply within the global SPS network, delivering world-class intelligent manufacturing resources to the region. We are very pleased with the success of this year’s shows, as evidenced by the increased visitor flow, including buyers and visitors from around the world, and the highly positive feedback we’ve received from participants.”

The three-day exhibition featured leading manufacturing enterprises showcasing breakthrough developments in sensing technology, drive systems, motion control, and other key areas. Major industry players including Autonics, Binder, Bonfiglioli, CODESYS, Controlway, Crouzet, Datalogic, DEGSON, DINKLE, GSK, HIKVISION, HUALONG XUNDA, ifm, INVT, Jaten Robot, Li-Gong, MatriBox, SERVOTRONIX, SICK, SIEMENS, SUPU, TURCK, Wanjie, WATTSAN, and Zhongda Leader presented their advanced technologies, solutions and services.

The exhibition was supported by a diverse program of concurrent events, with over 100 presentations addressing key developments in sustainability, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence in manufacturing. The sessions encouraged substantive dialogue between industry experts and participants, facilitating technical collaboration and knowledge transfer.

Partnerships with the World Manufacturing Foundation (WMF) and the Innovative Industry Fair for E x E Solutions (IIFES) brought an enhanced international dimension to the exhibition through two specialised forums: “The Future of Manufacturing: Outlook 2030” and “Manufacturing Meets the Future in Japan”. At these forums, global manufacturing experts including Prof Dr David Romero, Scientific Vice-chairman of the World Manufacturing Foundation, and Ms Shuran Yamaguchi, General Manager of Global Marketing Communications at IDEC Corporation offered insights and perspectives on global developments in manufacturing, strengthening the event’s position as a leading international platform for the industry.

Further expanding its industry reach, the event was held concurrently with Guangzhou Industrial Technology and Asiamold Select – Guangzhou. The three exhibitions worked in synergy as a comprehensive platform for procurement and exchange, where participants explored complementary technologies, discovered business opportunities, and engaged in technical dialogue and resource sharing, supporting wider innovation and growth throughout the manufacturing sector.

Exhibitor comments

“SPS – Smart Production Solutions Guangzhou has provided us with an outstanding platform for business networking and enhancing our brand visibility. At this year’s event, we connected with customers from Southeast Asia, India, and Germany, gaining valuable insights into market trends and requirements. Our ten core sensor product lines were well-received by customers from many different industries. The 2025 edition has seen steady growth in visitor numbers and more focused customer interactions, enabling us to expand our customer base and have in-depth discussions about our existing partners’ future requirements and R&D plans.”
Ms Cristing Zhou, General Manager, Guangzhou Heyi Intelligent Technology Co Ltd

“This is our sixth year exhibiting at SPS – Smart Production Solutions Guangzhou, and it remains a key event for reaching quality customers. This year, we’ve had productive meetings with potential customers from India and Vietnam, among others. With its strong line-up of both domestic and international automation companies, and high concentration of industry professionals, the exhibition provides an excellent platform for presenting our technologies and enhancing our brand.”
Mr Xiangfu Li, Sales Manager, Shinier Intelligent Tech Co Ltd

“While this is our first year exhibiting, we were already well aware of this show’s strong reputation within the industry. We saw excellent visitor flow, with many high-quality prospects and meaningful inquiries, including buyers from Pakistan and other parts of Asia. Compared to other exhibitions, this platform stands out for its high standard of execution and full coverage of the industry chain. Overall, we’re very satisfied with the results and plan to exhibit again next year.”

Ms Xiaoting Li, Secretary General Director, Guangdong MingYu Technology Co Ltd

“To stand out in this competitive industry, we’re working on two fronts: improving our operations while building our presence in both domestic and international markets. We saw strong interest in our products at the show, with several customers arranging factory visits on the spot. Beyond domestic buyers, we received inquiries from Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and Singapore. This is only our second time exhibiting, but we’re already seeing its value in supporting our market development objectives.”
Mr Xiangpeng Ning, Factory Manager, Guangzhou Jiawei Intelligent Control Technology Co Ltd

Visitor Comments:

“As a traditional flour and noodle manufacturer, we came to the show looking for ways to digitalise and automate our operations. After two days of discussions, we’ve made excellent progress, and have found several potential partnership opportunities. The forum sessions were also valuable – the speakers offered great insights about business growth and new technologies, particularly about how to implement AI in our business.”
Mr Ningyuan Wei, Information Specialist, Xingtai Jinshahe Flour Co Ltd

“As specialists in robotics and vending solutions for the hospitality sector, we came seeking new robotics and automation technologies, along with component vendors for solutions we’re developing in India. This has proven to be the most comprehensive exhibition of its type I’ve attended. We’ve made promising contacts, particularly in sensors, robotics, and automation, and the selection of exhibitors from Germany, Korea and China aligns well with our needs. The exhibition has proven well worth our time, and we look forward to returning in the future.”

Mr Sujith Mohandas, Deputy General Manager – Robotics Unit, Urban Harvest (India)

Speaker comments:
“During my presentation, the audience was highly engaged, especially when discussing ESG and sustainability, with many taking photographs and notes. The forum provides a valuable platform for advancing manufacturing, and these shared perspectives and experiences will help drive developments in our equipment and manufacturing sectors. Representing Rockwell Automation, a global authority in industrial automation and digital transformation, I was impressed by the organisers’ thoroughness at every stage, from speaker management to content preparation, delivering a well-organised and efficiently executed event.”

Mr Jason Dong, ESG & Sustainability Business Lead, Rockwell Automation (China) Company Limited

SPS – Smart Production Solutions Guangzhou is co-organised by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd, China Foreign Trade Guangzhou Exhibition Co Ltd, Guangzhou Overseas Trade Fairs Ltd and Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. Guangdong Association of Automation, Guangzhou Association of Automation and Guangzhou Instrument and Control Society serve as honourary organisers. The fair is also supported by the China Light Industry Machinery Association, the China International Chamber of Commerce Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce, and the Beijing Internet of Things Intelligent Technology Application Association.

The 2026 edition of SPS – Smart Production Solutions Guangzhou will take place from
4 – 6 March 2026. For more details about the fairs, please visit www.spsinchina.com or email sps@china.messefrankfurt.com.

Further events in the international SPS network include:

• SPS Stage Bangkok
  6 – 8 March 2025, Bangkok, Thailand
• SPS Italia
  13 – 15 May 2025, Parma, Italy

• SPS Stage Kuala Lumpur
  14 – 16 May 2025, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• SPS Atlanta
  16 – 18 September 2025, Atlanta, United States
• SPS – Smart Production Solutions
  25 – 27 November 2025, Nuremberg, Germany

The post Substantial turnout for SPS – Smart Production Solutions Guangzhou 2025 appeared first on ELE Times.

submitted by /u/EstablishmentOdd5653 [link] [comments]

Made by kingbright submitted by /u/aspie_electrician [link] [comments]

Вітаємо Ольгу Вовк із присудженням премії імені М.І.Туган-Барановського kpi пн, 03/03/2025 - 17:54

I didn’t originally plan to begin this teardown with a language lesson, but it turned out that way. Skip ahead a couple of paragraphs if you insist on bypassing it

As regular readers may already realize, likely to their dismay, I’ve spent the bulk of my nearly-30-year to-date tech journalism career attempting, among other things, to inject rhymes into writeup titles (and content, for that matter) whenever possible and management-blessed (or at least tolerated). Occasionally, I succeeded modestly. Often, I failed miserably. The challenge was particularly acute this time. See for yourself: visit RhymeZone for a listing of how many (or more accurate, few) options exist for rhyming pairings with the word “ultra”. I could have cheated and stuck “streamer” after “ultra” to expand the rhyming options list, but where’s the fun in that?

The Chromecast Ultra streaming receiver we’ll be dissecting today is (or more accurately was) among other things the “kit” partner with Google’s Stadia controller (also on my teardown pile), the usage nexus of the company’s now-defunct online-streamed gaming service. So, what popped into my head next was the word “consort”, specifically the noun defined as (among other things) an “associate”. But I needed something ending in an “a” to even sorta-rhyme. Fortunately, at least for me (your opinions may differ, understandably) the similar-meaning “consorta” also exists, at least in the Swiss Romansh language.

Thus concludes the etymology. Thanks for indulging me (see, another rhyme)! Now for the “meat” of the writeup. As I recently mentioned in my third-generation Google Chromecast teardown, I ended up reordering the publication cadence from the originally planned chronological sequence; the 2018 Chromecast 3 came first, after the 2015 Chromecast 2, followed by today’s 2016 Chromecast Ultra. That said, the calendar-year proximity between the Chromecast 2 and Chromecast Ultra may explain why the latter retained the former’s magnet-augmented HDMI connector and metal-augmented back-of-body, dropped from the Chromecast 3 successor.

As with the Chromecast 3, I wasn’t able to find a “nonfunctional, for parts only” device to tear down; instead, I resigned myself to picking a functional (albeit well-used) alternative off eBay:

for only $19.46 ($12 plus sales tax and $6.35 for shipping), shown here as usual accompanied by a 0.75″ (19.1 mm) diameter U.S. penny for size comparison purposes:

The backside printing is a bit less faint this time compared to that in the Chromecast 3, but it’s still dim. Here’s what it says around the circumference, if your eyes are as old and tired as mine:

Model NC2-6A5-D
FCC ID A4RNC2-6A5-D
IC 10395A-NC26A5D
CAN ICES-3 B
NMB-3 B
Made in China
HDMI
Designed by Google
1600 Amphitheater Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
UL US LISTED
ITE E258392
6B11CYFWMB

The earlier “magnetic” image’s hinted-at tint may have tipped you off that the HDMI connector has an atypical orange-ish color (for a possible reason I’ll explain shortly) with this device:

The power supply’s micro-USB connector’s equally uncommon color scheme is similar:

Zooming out, here’s what the latter connector is attached to:

And zooming back in:

Flip the wall wart 180° to check out its specs:

And now rotate it 90° and…wait, what’s this (it’s “only” 100 Mpbs-supportive, BTW)?

The Chromecast Ultra differs from its conventional Chromecast siblings in that it, to quote the spec sheet, “supports all resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD and high dynamic range (HDR) for superior picture quality” (at up to 60 fps, too, content source- and display support-dependent). Here’s the twist: it apparently only delivers a 4K output if the original power supply is in use (thereby explaining, I suspect, albeit in an undocumented manner as far as I can tell, the usage-reminder color match between the micro-USB input power connector and the HDMI A/V output connector). Note that the Ethernet port doesn’t actually need to be in use, as this photo I just snapped of another Chromecast Ultra I own, connected to my master guest bedroom UHD TV (whose date and time settings beg for configuration) and to my LAN over Wi-Fi, reveals:

What I’m guessing is that, in actuality, the Chromecast Ultra is looking for a USB cable that supports both power and data transfer capabilities. Would a different supplier’s PSU with a functionally compatible integrated Ethernet port (as well as an adequate USB PD output, of course), thereby also satisfying the power-plus-data cable requirements, also work? Dunno.

Onward: let’s get inside. Specifically, there’s a seam along the edge, visible in this photo of the device’s micro-USB input:

and, rotating roughly 180°, this shot of its hardware reset button and (to the left) status LED:

I decided to try popping apart the two device halves absent preparatory heat application this time, which still proved successful:

That’s some seriously dry thermal paste in-between the top-half case insides and Faraday Cage:

which may at least in part explain the Chromecast Ultra’s reported propensity for overheating (especially, I’m suggesting, as the device ages and the paste dries out). This guy’s alternative “fix” involved sticking supplemental heatsinks to the outside top case (the video is worth a viewing if only to check out the measured temperature drop post-augmentation):

Next, let’s get that Faraday Cage off:

(No) surprise: more thermal paste!

Let’s apply some isopropyl alcohol to clean off that gray goo, so we can see what’s underneath:

Hold that “what’s underneath” thought until we get the PCB out of the remaining lower-case half. Two screws removed (I’ve already confirmed there are no more at the bottom of the PCB; read my Chromecast 3 teardown for the embarrassing-to-me details of why this was necessary):

followed by the bracket that holds the HDMI connector in place:

At this point, the PCB began to elevate itself out of the remaining case half, so I redirected my attention away from the HDMI cable:

and to the first-time revealed PCB bottom half:

Look, it’s another Faraday Cage!

And here’s (in the center) the metal plate that the HDMI connector magnetically mates with when not in use, along with (at upper right) the reset switch and LED light guide assemblies:

At this point, the HDMI cable disconnected itself (gravity-encouraged) from the other (upper) side of the PCB:

Next to go, Brian-encouraged this time, was the Faraday Cage:

And after one more thermal paste wipe-off session:

let’s get to identification. At the upper-left edge are the reset switch and status LED. Along both lower edges are the PCB-embedded antennae. The large rectangular IC at the right is a Samsung K4F8E304HB-MGCH 8 Gbit LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM (there’s nothing underneath the cage frame above it, trust me; I subsequently ripped it off to check. Also, there’s nothing below the frame at bottom). And in the lower left is another, smaller rectangular IC, labeled as follows:

MARVELL
W8997-A0
637BETP

which I think is now the NXP Semiconductors 88W8997 (NXP having acquired Marvell’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity assets in late 2019) and implements the Chromecast Ultra’s dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi facilities.

Back to the now-case-free PCB topside, and more Marvell-branded chips come into view:

The one in the center is a real head-scratcher, labeled as follows:

MARVEL
DE3009-A0
633ARTE TJ

Do a Google search on “Marvell DE3009” (I’m assuming “A0” refers to the design stepping version) and you’ll find, unless you’re more adept than me…nothing, save for a Google suggestion that perhaps I meant “DE3005” instead. The DE3006, specifically the 88DE3006, was used in the Chromecast 2 and (in Synaptics-renamed form) the Chromecast 3, so on a hunch I did a search on “Marvell 88DE3009” instead. This was more fruitful, but only a bit; there was a short discussion on iFixit’s website concurring with my suspicion that it was a Google-only implemented device, along with a terse mention on WikiDevi indicating that post-Synaptics’ acquisition of Marvell’s Multimedia Solutions Business in mid-2017, the 88DE3009 was renamed the Synaptics BG4CDP (not that I can find much about it, either, save that it’s supposedly dual-core and runs at 1.25 GHz). More knowledgeable reader insights are as-always welcomed!

The markings on the small IC to the left of the DE3009 and peeking out from the frame edge are too faint for me to discern, other than that the first line is again “MRVL”. Below the DE3009 is a Toshiba TC58NVG1S3HBAI6 2 Gbit NAND flash memory. In the upper right corner of the PCB, again peeking out from under the frame, is a small IC with a Marvell logo mark in the upper left corner, along with the following:

52K
00B0G
624AK

And below it is another Marvell-sourced mystery IC:

MRVL
823AA0
634GAC

As I mentioned earlier specifically regarding the DE3009, reader insights on any of the chips I’ve been unable to identify (along with those I’ve sorta-kinda-maybe ID’d), along with any other thoughts on this teardown, are appreciated in the comments!

—Brian Dipert is the Editor-in-Chief of the Edge AI and Vision Alliance, and a Senior Analyst at BDTI and Editor-in-Chief of InsideDSP, the company’s online newsletter.

 Related Content

• The Google Chromecast Gen 3: Gluey and screwy
• The Google Chromecast Gen 2 (2015): A Form Factor Redesign with Beefier Wi-Fi, Too
• Google’s Chromecast with Google TV: Car accessory similarity, and a post-teardown resurrection opportunity?
• The Google Chromecast with Google TV: Realizing a resurrection opportunity
• Google’s Chromecast with Google TV: Dissecting the HD edition

The post Google’s Chromecast Ultra: More than just a Stadia Consorta appeared first on EDN.