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Module’s RF operates over wide supply for Wi-Sun, IoT applications

Mon, Jun 14, 2021

High levels of integration are a distinguishing characteristics of the SKY66122-11 front end module, which has been released by Skyworks Solutions. The highly-integrated module is for Wi-Sun or the IoT as well as industrial, scientific, medical (ISM) applications.

The SKY66122-11 is designed for ease of use and flexibility with fully matched, 50 Ohm RF input and output, and digital controls compatible with 1.6 to 3.6V CMOS levels.

The RF blocks operate over a wide supply voltage range from 3.0 to 5.0V that allows the SKY66122-11 to be used in battery powered applications over a wide spectrum of the battery discharge curve and in the 863 to 928MHz frequency range

According to Skyworks, it is designed to enable greater range extension, providing more than two times the range of standalone SoCs. It is also claimed to have greater power delivery to antenna and low power consumption for optimal battery operation. It has been designed for IoT applications including end points and access points for smart grid and smart metering, smart city, industrial IoT sensors and surveillance. It can therefore be used in range extenders, smart meters, home appliances and smart thermostats.

The SKY66122-11 is packaged in a 36-pin, 6.0 x 6.0 x 0.9mm (nominal) multi-chip module (MCM), which allows for a highly manufacturable, low-cost solution, advises Skyworks. The package is certified MSL3, 260 degrees C per JEDEC J-Std-020.

There are three output options depending on transmission type. These are 30dBm or 25dBm, Wi-SUN orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and an integrated low noise array (LNA) with 2.5dB noise figure (typical).

The modules includes TX and RX power limiters to maximise ruggedness in operation with an integrated power detector. To save power consumption, there is a sleep mode current of 1.0 microA (maximum).

Skyworks Solutions provides analogue semiconductors to empower the wireless networking revolution. Its semiconductor portfolio connects people, places and things within the aerospace, automotive, broadband, cellular infrastructure, connected home, industrial, medical, military, smartphone, tablet and wearable markets.

Skyworks has engineering, marketing, operations, sales and support facilities located throughout Asia, Europe and North America.

http://www.skyworksinc.com

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Xilinx claims world’s highest AI performance for Versal AI Edge chipset

Thu, Jun 10, 2021

Designed to enable AI innovation from the edge to the endpoint, the Versal AI Edge is Xilinx’s AI chipset which has four times the AI performance per watt than graphics processing units (GPUs) and 10x greater compute density than the Zynq Ultrascale+, says the company. The Versal AI Edge series is the world’s most scalable and adaptable portfolio for next-generation distributed intelligent systems, claims Xilinx.

The latest addition to Xilinx’s Versal ACAP portfolio of adaptive SoCs, the Versal AI Edge devices can be used for automated driving systems with the highest levels of functional safety (ASIL D). They can also be used for collaborative robotics, predictive factory and healthcare systems, and multi-mission aerospace and defence payloads, says Xilinx. The powerful AI engines have an enhanced memory hierarchy to deliver up to four times the machine learning (ML) compute performance per W compared with GPUs. They also have lower latency, continues Xilinx.

AI-enabled automated systems require high compute density that can accelerate whole applications from sensor to AI to real-time control. In addition to the increased compute density, enabling more intelligent autonomous systems, Versal AI Edge devices support multiple safety standards across automotive (ISO 26262), industrial (IEC 61508), and avionics (DO-254/178) markets.

The Versal AI Edge series takes the production-proven, 7nm Versal architecture and miniaturises it for AI compute at low latency, with power efficiency as low as 5W together with safety and security measures required in edge applications. The Versal AI Edge series matches the engine to the algorithm, with scalar engines for embedded compute, adaptable engines for sensor fusion and hardware adaptability, and intelligent engines for AI inference and advanced signal processing workloads ranging from beam forming and radar/lidar processing.

Connectivity blocks range from LPDDR-4266, 32Gbits per second transceivers to meet all the necessary protocols in edge applications, 40G multi-rate Ethernet, PCIe Gen4 with CCIX, and native MIPI support for vision sensors at up to 8Mpixel resolution, which is critical to Level-3 ADAS and above. The enhanced memory hierarchy which includes Accelerator RAM, makes the Versal AI Edge series suitable for a wider range of applications across numerous markets, according to Xilinx.

Versal AI Edge devices provide a design entry points for developers, including Vivado for hardware developers, the Vitis unified software platform for software developers, Vitis AI for data scientists, and complete software stacks for the platform’s target applications, including domain-specific operating systems, frameworks, and acceleration libraries.

Versal AI Edge series design documentation and support is available to early access customers, with shipments expected during the first half of 2022, and a roadmap for automotive- and defense-grade devices.

http://www.xilinx.com

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Wireless and battery-less interface elevates smart industrial switches

Thu, Jun 10, 2021

Using the ZF Friedrichshafen compact generator in its industrial Harmony ZBRT wireless and battery-less interface Schneider Electric believes it has developed a simple and quick way to modify existing control units for smart industrial switches.

The self-powered Harmony ZBRT transmitter is modular and compatible with Schneider’s Harmony XB4 and XB5 control units.

Flexibility is an essential feature for industrial enterprises says Schneider, as logistical changes are often required, leading to an upgrade of equipment and control systems. Using a wireless and battery-free pushbutton is the simplest and quickest way to modify existing control units, says Schenider Electric.

New functions can be added to the system by simply adding an energy harvesting pushbutton. Each RF switch has a unique ID and can be associated to a specific function or machine. This retrofit option saves time and costs in wiring, programming, and it avoids maintenance work for changing batteries. The Harmony ZBRT interface is compatible with standard electrical contacts, so it can be set up very quickly. A duplication of function is also possible to control additional equipment with an existing pushbutton. While attaching the self-powered pushbutton on an existing switch, it is possible to initiate two associated processes with one push, for example. The advantage of this feature is that there is no change for the existing wiring and no new wiring is required.

The ZF energy harvesting switch is a compact design, measuring just 20.1 x 7.3 x 14.3mm, enabling it to be integrated directly into the plastic housing of the Harmony ZBRT. The ZF radio switch generates a voltage pulse by mechanical actuation, as it relies on the inductive principle and without any additional power source. RF commands can be reliably sent via commercially available radio protocols such as Zigbee Green Power at 2.4GHz (IEEE 802.15.4), which is used by the smart Harmony system of Schneider Electric.

https://switches-sensors.zf.com

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Winsystems partners with Foundries.io for secure industrial computing

Wed, Jun 09, 2021

Secure industrial embedded IoT platform and edge computing is the outcome of the partnership announced by embedded computing specialist, Winsystems and open-operating systems provider, Foundries.io.

The alliance empowers mutual clients to securely deploy and maintain industrial IoT (IIoT) and edge devices in critical infrastructure and harsh environments.

The partners plan rapid and cost-efficient launch of IoT and edge products with built-in security and a platform compatibility which reduces risk through all lifecycle stages. There is an extended longevity of up to 20 years for maximum return on investments (ROI), says Winsystems.

US-based Winsystems has 39 years’ of experience in developing reliable embedded computer hardware for clients in the energy, transportation, industrial control, military and medical diagnostics sectors. It employs an efficient building-block approach to designing and manufacturing customised embedded computers for edge and IIoT applications.

The Foundries.io software underpins development, security and customisation through continuous integration and a containerised approach that can be easily scaled from small to large IIoT deployments.

According to George T Hillard, Winsystems’ technical sales director, the Foundries.io platform represents a “true breakthrough in edge device management and IIoT security”. “It is one of the most complete, scalable software platforms we have integrated,” he added.

Pairing Winsystems’ hardware with the FoundriesFactory cloud-based platform allows clients to focus on developing their applications and equips them to continuously add value to their deployed devices over the full product life cycle. Foundries.io applies industry-best practices for its built-in remote validation and secure over the air (OTA) update capabilities while enabling product designers to rapidly build and deploy connected products using their own IP and applications, sharply reducing time to market and engineering costs.

Platform compatibility reduces risk, extends longevity for maximum ROI
The powerful, integrated platform means that device creators do not have to select individual software and hardware components, which they then have to integrate. This takes resources away from product development and enhancement, increases risks of incompatibility between different layers of software and the underlying hardware which prolongs development time and creates potential security vulnerabilities.

Foundries.io is compatible with Linux-based IoT and edge products which means that companies no longer need to struggle with different development, security, OTA and applications solutions on their chosen hardware platforms, said Foundries.io’s CEO, George Grey. “Product designers can easily customise the open source secure firmware and OS in their own FoundriesFactory, adding their own or third-party IP, services and applications, or optionally using container technologies,” he explained.

The predictable, cost-efficient maintenance keeps clients’ edge devices secure and up-to-date, via the software’s micro services and containerised approach.

Foundries.io incorporates The Update Framework (TUF) to power its secure updates, authenticity and integrity. Robust, incremental updates optimise use of bandwidth and device resources, also making the TUF approach more efficient than competitors’ offerings.

This secure combination supports testing of package updates and builds prior to deployment. This enables clients to continuously add value to their deployed devices over the product life cycle. Winsystems says its reliable hardware operates for decades in the field, while Foundries.io enables 20-plus years of software security and updates.

http://www.winsystems.com

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Module’s RF operates over wide supply for Wi-Sun, IoT applications

Xilinx claims world’s highest AI performance for Versal AI Edge chipset

Wireless and battery-less interface elevates smart industrial switches

Winsystems partners with Foundries.io for secure industrial computing

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