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Synchronous boost converter raises efficiency in consumer devices

Wed, Jul 27, 2022

The AP72250 synchronous boost converter has been designed by Diodes for step-up conversion in consumer and industrial applications where small form factors are a priority. Target applications include battery-powered devices, USB power supply units, power banks, supercapacitor charging equipment and metering systems.

The AP72250 supports a 900kHz switching frequency with a 20 microA quiescent current (IQ). It covers a wide input voltage range between 0.6 and 5.5V, with a minimum 1.0V input start up. The output range is 1.7 to 5.5V. The device integrates a 20 mOhm high side power MOSFET and a 26 mOhm low side power MOSFET.

Different operating modes can be selected and can be programmed according to users’ needs. Operating mode options are pulse frequency modulation (PFM), ultra-sonic mode (USM) and forced pulse width modulation (FPWM) mode. Engineers can therefore adjust operation under either heavy or light load conditions to maximise efficiency. According to Diodes, even when in light load situations, up to 89 per cent efficiency can be attained. The USM mode ensures that switching in the audible frequency range is prevented.

The AP72250 is claimed to deliver a seamless transition between boost and pass-through operation (in applications where this is required). The peak current mode control scheme allows it to handle a variety of input-to-output ratios. As a result, fewer external components are needed to support it than required by competing devices, said Diodes.

Under-voltage lockout, thermal shutdown, peak current limit, negative current limit, and output short circuit protection functions are also included.

The AP72250 is supplied in a WLCSP-12 package (measuring 1.75 x 1.35 x 0.45mm) and is available now.

Diodes provides semiconductors for companies in the consumer electronics, computing, communications, industrial, and automotive markets. Its portfolio includes discrete, analogue and mixed-signal products and packaging technology to meet customers’ needs. There are 32 sites worldwide, including engineering, testing, manufacturing, and customer service.

http://www.diodes.com

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Lynx adds support for IPv6 to LynxOS-178 software

Tue, Jul 26, 2022

Support for IPv6, described by Lynx Software Technologies as the next generation internet architecture, has been added to its LynxOS-178 platform for safety critical applications such as military and aerospace systems.

The additional support will enable devices running on LynxOS-178 to benefit from advanced addressing and other enhancements such as improved security via support for IP security. It will also mean simplified packet processing.

The US Department of Defence has mandated that at least 20 per cent of internet-connected devices on its networks be IPv6-only by the end of 2023. This will increase to at least 80 per cent by the end of 2025. As a result, Tier 1 avionics companies are building their next generation devices and vehicles with support for the new protocol but existing devices and vehicles are built around IPv4, which has been in use since the 1980s.

In updating LynxOS-178, Lynx has prioritised the areas most relevant to the avionics industry and has attained compliance with the DO-178C DAL A safety certification.

These address Internet Protocol, Version 6 (IPv6) Specification, ICMPv6 for the IPV6, used by routers and other network devices to send operational messages and IP Version 6 addressing architecture, which defines IPv6 addressing architecture. The revision also includes transmission of IPv6 packets over Ethernet networks, which provides a format for packet transmission and basic socket interface extensions for IPv6, which defines the application program interface (API) for TCP / IP transmission.

“IPv6 represents a sea change in how modern airplanes and other avionics systems are designed,” said Ian Ferguson, vice president of marketing for Lynx Software Technologies. “With its support for IPv6, LynxOS-178 will enable the industry to develop systems using a modern architecture, knowing that they will remain current for generations to come.”

Lynx Software Technologies develops open architecture software solutions for mission-critical embedded systems in aerospace, defence, industrial and critical infrastructure markets. The company’s real-time operating system (RTOS), hypervisor and related software support safe, cybersecure, high performance, and high-reliability computing for applications requiring the strictest standards for certification and compliance.

http://www.lynx.com

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SARA module has an embedded SIM

Mon, Jul 25, 2022

For IoT applications space is limited, u-blox has developed the SARA-R500E LTE-M module with an embedded SIM (eSIM). It offers LTE-M connectivity in applications that need to be robust and secure, for example, connected healthcare and asset trackers.

Embedded SIMs are replacing the plastic SIMs typically found in mobile devices which connect the device to the cellular network. Like the plastic versions, eSIMs are provisioned with a profile that allows devices to connect to a specific mobile network operator.

The eSIM embedded in the SARA-R500E offers product developers and end users a number of advantages, said u-blox. For example, they are more robust than standard plastic SIMs and cannot be stolen or removed, increasing the security of the device. There is also no need for the components required to hold and connect plastic SIM cards which enable smaller devices, reduce the bill of material and simplify manufacturing. The SARA-R500E streamlines logistics by offering the module, data plans and the SIM from one source, added u-blox.

“SARA-R500E greatly simplifies logistics for device makers, as the eSIM is already integrated inside the module,” said Samuele Falcomer, product manager, product centre cellular at u-blox. All the customers have to do is activate connectivity, choose the data plan that best fits their needs via the u-blox Thingstream IoT service delivery platform. Particularly those customers that are too small to negotiate dedicated data plans with mobile network operators will benefit from a competitively priced offering,” he added.

Product developers can design tightly sealed devices that meet the demanding IP67 and IP68 criteria because the SARA-R500E module’s eSIM does not need to be inserted manually by the end user. As a result, the module is suitable for rugged IoT applications such as smart meters, surveillance cameras and environmental sensors.

The module also offers the option to access u-blox’s MQTT Anywhere service, which reduces bandwidth requirements for cellular data transfer, saving costs and power. U-blox’s IoT Location as a service portfolio, including AssistNow for real-time GNSS assistance data, and CellLocate, for cellular network-based positioning, is also available.

SARA-R500E is pin-to-pin compatible with all the other modules in the SARA family and uses the SARA-R5 AT command interface, making it easy to drop the SARA-R500E into existing designs.

First samples of the SARA-R500E will be available in September.
The first variant of the module will offer out-of-the-box connectivity on a North American LTE-M cellular network.

http://www.u-blox.com

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Infineon offers the key to smart locks with programmable MCU with NFC

Mon, Jul 25, 2022

The NAC1080 is a programmable 32-bit Arm Cortex-M0 microcontroller (MCU) with embedded near field communication (NFC). The single chip from Infineon has an integrated H-bridge and is intended to support engineers in the development of smart actuators, such as passive locks.

Using the NFC interface, the NAC1080 MCU enables devices to be controlled directly by smartphones. Advanced local and cloud functions can be extended within the mobile app offered by regional marketing partners. This reduces the bill of material and supports miniaturised product design, advised Infineon. NAC1080 supports various operation modes and can be powered either in passive mode by the NFC field with the energy harvested from the mobile phone, or through a battery supply in active mode.

NAC1080 also provides an integrated AES128 accelerator and a true random number generator to enable data encryption/de-encryption in a low power environment.

The NAC1080 can also be used as an emergency back up power supply. Typical active lock systems depend on battery power but using the NAC1080, if the battery is discharged, the NFC interface IC for electronic devices can power the door lock. It should be noted that because electric power is transmitted via NFC, this use case may take longer than it does in passive mode, Infineon pointed out.

The company is already working with IH Tech and FIoT-Open Lab to offer complete smart NFC locks based on the NAC1080 combining IC products, application development, IoT device testing, certification and standardisation. This collaboration enables the three companies to support local customers to accelerate the system development cycle and foster the ecosystem development together.

IH Technology is a subsidiary of Contel Technology based in Hong Kong. It provides ICs and services to support customers on mass production level designs. This includes NFC antenna, circuit hardware, application software and APPs in handheld devices for both embedded module or stand-alone system.

FIoT-Open Lab is based in Fuzhou China, enabling new “Smart+” technologies, especially for IoT, big data and artificial intelligence. It offers full suite expertise in technology development, total solution from chip design/packaging to end-application, IoT devices testing certification and setting industry standards.

http://www.infineon.com

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Synchronous boost converter raises efficiency in consumer devices

Lynx adds support for IPv6 to LynxOS-178 software

SARA module has an embedded SIM

Infineon offers the key to smart locks with programmable MCU with NFC

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