BRN Discussion Ongoing

[JDelekto]

Hi JD,

I see you've looked at this in depth back in May 2022:

• #13

I sent an e-mail to support and inquired if they had a driver for Windows, but unfortunately, they only provide PCIe drivers for Ubuntu 18.04 and 20.06.

That's why one of my future goals is to see if I could analyze the source for the Linux PCIe driver (which BrainChip does make available on GitHub) and see if I can create a driver for Windows as well.

I'm not sure if there is some type of "shim" that needs to be written to use this with Python, but that may have to be done as well. However, with a driver, I see no reason why the Akida board couldn't be used with Windows as well.

Looks like they read your post:

https://doc.brainchipinc.com/
Inspired by the Keras API, MetaTF provides a high-level Python API for neural networks. This API facilitates early evaluation, design, final tuning, and productization of neural network models.

PS:
MetaTF:
https://doc.brainchipinc.com/installation.html

Installation​

Supported configurations​

• Operating systems:
  • Windows 10, Windows 11
  • Any Linux variant compatible with manylinux 2.28 (Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, …)
• Python versions: 3.9 to 3.11
• TensorFlow versions: 2.15

I need to contact one of their support engineers inquiring about hardware support. The MetaTF package that can be installed on Windows and used on Windows has an Akida IP simulator, but I don't believe it will work with the physical hardware.

When I recently ordered the M.2 device and was contacted to choose which Key I wanted (they didn't have it as a selection on the order form), I asked if they had any other documentation I could use since I wanted to work on a Windows driver. I got the following response:

Our platform runs on Linux, ubuntu. It hasn’t been qualified on Windows platforms.
All the information you need to get up and running can be found on our MetaTF site.

I'm not quite sure what they mean by "qualified" (maybe they now have a Windows driver, but it is not Microsoft WHQL certified?) but I understood it couldn't currently be used on Windows. The GitHub repo only has the source for the PCIe driver to be compiled on Ubuntu.

I know that I had originally installed Windows 10 on my shuttle PC when I purchased the PCIe card, and it wouldn't even detect the hardware nor try to install any drivers. After adding a new SSD and installing Ubuntu, I successfully ran their scripts to install the kernel driver and use the tools to detect and test the Akida PCIe card.

Ultimately I want to be able to use the hardware on Windows operating systems, not the simulator that comes with MetaTF.

 

[Diogenese]

I need to send an e-mail to one of their actual Engineers regarding hardware support. The MetaTF package that can be installed on Windows and used on Windows has an Akida IP simulator, but I don't believe it will work with the physical hardware.

When I recently ordered the M.2 device and was contacted to choose which Key I wanted (they didn't have it as a selection on the order form), I asked if they had any other documentation I could use since I wanted to work on a Windows driver. I got the following response:

Our platform runs on Linux, ubuntu. It hasn’t been qualified on Windows platforms.
All the information you need to get up and running can be found on our MetaTF site.

I'm not quite sure what they mean by "qualified" (maybe they now have a Windows driver, but it is not Microsoft WHQL certified?) but I understood it couldn't currently be used on Windows. I know that I had originally installed Windows 10 on my shuttle PC when I purchased the PCIe card, and it wouldn't even detect the hardware nor try to install any drivers. After adding a new SSD and installing Ubuntu, I successfully ran their scripts to install the kernel driver and use the tools to detect and test the Akida PCIe card.

Ultimately I want to be able to use the hardware on Windows operating systems, not the simulator that comes with MetaTF.

All above my paygrade, but here is the low down on WHQL:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000093158/graphics.html

There are two types of drivers listed on the Download Center: drivers with and without a WHQL Certification. What are the differences between the two?
Resolution
Drivers labeled as WHQL Certified have been thoroughly tested by Intel, have passed Windows Hardware Lab Kit testing on various platforms and configurations, and are signed by Microsoft as compatible with Windows* operating systems.
Drivers that do not have WHQL Certification are also thoroughly tested by Intel, are of the same functional quality as WHQL Certified drivers, and are signed by Microsoft. The key difference is that Non-WHQL drivers have not completed the full Windows Hardware Lab Kit testing prior to release. This is known as an attest-signed driver.

... but this may only apply to things available from the Intel download centre.

But there is a requirement for the latest Visual C++ redistributable package when using Windows:

https://doc.brainchipinc.com/installation.html

Using Windows, the latest Visual C++ redistributable package is required. Please refer to this link for installation.

available from MS:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170

 

[JDelekto]

All above my paygrade, but here is the low down on WHQL:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000093158/graphics.html

There are two types of drivers listed on the Download Center: drivers with and without a WHQL Certification. What are the differences between the two?
Resolution
Drivers labeled as WHQL Certified have been thoroughly tested by Intel, have passed Windows Hardware Lab Kit testing on various platforms and configurations, and are signed by Microsoft as compatible with Windows* operating systems.
Drivers that do not have WHQL Certification are also thoroughly tested by Intel, are of the same functional quality as WHQL Certified drivers, and are signed by Microsoft. The key difference is that Non-WHQL drivers have not completed the full Windows Hardware Lab Kit testing prior to release. This is known as an attest-signed driver.

... but this may only apply to things available from the Intel download centre.

They did not include a Windows driver (signed or not) in the SDK for the PCIe card, and one was not detected and installed after I had installed the card and booted Windows.

When I get the M.2 card, I'll try installing it on the shuttle PC and setting up a new Windows 11 SSD to see if it will detect it. To run this on Windows, I think I will need to finish porting the PCIe driver, then probably also port their C++ library to use low-level Windows APIs to communicate with the driver.

When that is done, a wrapper for their Engine can be used with other higher-level languages. While I understand the idea is to target Edge devices for Akida, I would still like to work with a more familiar development environment.

Of course, maybe they'll read this message and have someone work on it internally.

 

[Diogenese]

They did not include a Windows driver (signed or not) in the SDK for the PCIe card, and one was not detected and installed after I had installed the card and booted Windows.

When I get the M.2 card, I'll try installing it on the shuttle PC and setting up a new Windows 11 SSD to see if it will detect it. To run this on Windows, I think I will need to finish porting the PCIe driver, then probably also port their C++ library to use low-level Windows APIs to communicate with the driver.

When that is done, a wrapper for their Engine can be used with other higher-level languages. While I understand the idea is to target Edge devices for Akida, I would still like to work with a more familiar development environment.

Of course, maybe they'll read this message and have someone work on it internally.

Maybe the Windows compatibility is new with M2. Let us know when you get the M2.

What the world needs is a plug-and-play Akida cybersecurity USB stick, which is here the M2 comes in with, for example:

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop...o-m-2-nvme-and-sata-enclosure-10gbps-cocmnv01

Comsol USB-C to M.2 NVME and SATA Enclosure 10Gbps​

mentioned above.

 

[JDelekto]

Maybe the Windows compatibility is new with M2. Let us know when you get the M2.

What the world needs is a plug-and-play Akida cybersecurity USB stick, which is here the M2 comes in with, for example:

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop...o-m-2-nvme-and-sata-enclosure-10gbps-cocmnv01

Comsol USB-C to M.2 NVME and SATA Enclosure 10Gbps​

mentioned above.

I'll send an update once I get the new M.2 device to play with.

Something interesting though on the MetaTF document page... according to the image of the AKD1000 reference chip, it notes both the PCIe and USB 3.0 interfaces. It explains why they used this chip with the dedicated PCIe card and the M.2 form factor, however, the fact that it has a USB 3.0 interface makes me wonder why they didn't provide Akida with a USB stick. I think they intended to at one point --just not sure what happened to that effort.

 

[manny100]

The M.2 card and the Edge box with its new eco system are for developers who will find end products/users or develop at the request of an end user.
I assume that our sales staff seek out potential end users and encourage them to develop. Same with PICO?
The new cyber security product developed by Quantum Ventura and Lockheed Martin- is that available for commercial sale now? Or is it still a work in progress?

 

[IloveLamp]

Elon Musk Reportedly Emerges As a Potential Intel Buyer, Involving Qualcomm & Global Foundries In This Blockbuster Deal

It's a wild rumor, but Elon Musk could play a part in Intel's acquisition, as the report by SemiAccurate has mentioned him as a buyer.

wccftech-com.cdn.ampproject.org

 

[Smoothsailing]

I'll send an update once I get the new M.2 device to play with.

Something interesting though on the MetaTF document page... according to the image of the AKD1000 reference chip, it notes both the PCIe and USB 3.0 interfaces. It explains why they used this chip with the dedicated PCIe card and the M.2 form factor, however, the fact that it has a USB 3.0 interface makes me wonder why they didn't provide Akida with a USB stick. I think they intended to at one point --just not sure what happened to that effort.

Come on Brainchip bring out a USB stick we all want one or two

 

[keyeat]

Following on from this post, I think that management has fumbled the ball here.

We were blessed with a 'press release' in May 2023 confirming that Brainchip and Quantum Ventura were partnering to develop the CyberNeuroRT offering.

I can understand why this was not an ASX announcement at the time, although, they wouldn't have been the first company to release this sort of news as non-price sensitive had they chosen to do so.

Fast forward to todays' press release, it seems to me that akida has been officially and successfully integrated into the CyberNeuro RT offering. It also appears that the offering is commercially available.

Management seems gunshy to release anything for fear of the ASX compliance team and it is quickly hamstringing the accretion of the company's value.

We're told there's NDA, customers don't want to give up their secret sauce, blah blah blah, but we're talking about a company that was happy to be publicly released as a partner and shows one of our boards as part of their solution on their own website.

I can't see how they couldn't have dressed this up with some lipstick and walked it into the ASX office for a non-price sensitive announcement at minimum.

Edit: The annoying part about today’s press release is they say “today announced” and then refer to the “previously announced partnership”

It wasn’t previously announced and the integration also hasn’t been announced. In my mind, press releases do not count as an 'announcement' because the only people that read them are the people already invested or closely following the company. The fact they're still using the word 'announce' despite not having announced anything really bugs me. End rant.

Email Tony

 

[Humble Genius]

Sort of similar to Martin Luther King, last night I had a dream. It was the most amazing dream and had nothing to do with morning wood.
There was an announcement by Brainchip that they would pay out a one off special dividend of 50 cents per share. Management stated that this dividend was a special thank you to all their loyal shareholders who held through all of the ups and downs over the last half dozen years and was the prelude to forthcoming explosive growth....

I then woke up and realised I needed to start getting ready to go to work

 

[7für7]

Sort of similar to Martin Luther King, last night I had a dream. It was the most amazing dream and had nothing to do with morning wood.
There was an announcement by Brainchip that they would pay out a one off special dividend of 50 cents per share. Management stated that this dividend was a special thank you to all their loyal shareholders who held through all of the ups and downs over the last half dozen years and was the prelude to forthcoming explosive growth....

I then woke up and realised I needed to start getting ready to go to work

Hallelujah

 

[Dougie54]

Cockroaches are back

They never went,they were just hiding in the dark ready to come out and feed.

 

[SERA2g]

Email Tony

I'm sure one of the many shareholders already has.

When it comes to asx announcements, the team have a position internally and arguing otherwise would be like trying to get blood from a stone.

They won't be able to not announce the Nvidia takeover offer so we continue to wait.

 

[7für7]

This AI company specializes in autonomous driving and vehicle safety. They partnered recently with Honda for their new lineup Honda 0. I find some of their applications interesting because Akida could make them even more efficient and faster. Many people don’t understand that BrainChip doesn’t always have to be seen as a competitor but rather as a tool to make their own systems smarter and more efficient. As with many other AI companies, I see enormous potential here as well.

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Explore Helm.ai's AI software for high-end ADAS through Level 4 autonomous vehicles. Helm.ai offers a full suite of full-stack AI software, foundation models, and generative AI development and validation tools for production-bound projects.

helm.ai

Honda 0 Series｜Honda Motor Co.,Ltd.

Website for the new global EV

0.honda

 

[keyeat]

I'm sure one of the many shareholders already has.

When it comes to asx announcements, the team have a position internally and arguing otherwise would be like trying to get blood from a stone.

They won't be able to not announce the Nvidia takeover offer so we continue to wait.

 

[SERA2g]

View attachment 76366

So there's no confusion and to avoid Tony receiving 100s of emails, let's all collectively leave it with @keyeat to make contact.

Over to you mate

 

[Fullmoonfever]

Tried something diff out of curiosity and had a look to see if anyone linking into the BRN domain.

Not much to see, usual stuff, other than 2 individuals who took the time to link to their personal external domain.

Couple snips of who they are and obviously in the "field / industry".

Doesn't mean much as being done on individual time / reason, but at least know of BRN I guess.

 

[keyeat]

So there's no confusion and to avoid Tony receiving 100s of emails, let's all collectively leave it with @keyeat to make contact.

Over to you mate

Your missing the point .... Tony needs to receive these email from all concerned investors to understand .... one email is a drop in the ocean

No point complaining on here if your not going to do something about it.

Good luck

 

[7für7]

Is BrainChip obligated to make an announcement in this case, or is it the partner’s responsibility? Sometimes it’s difficult for me to understand when BrainChip or a partner/customer is required to issue one.

Your missing the point .... Tony needs to receive these email from all concerned investors to understand .... one email is a drop in the ocean

No point complaining on here if your not going to do something about it.

Good luck