Latest News Archives - Page 381 of 582 - SmartCitiesElectronics.com

STMicroelectronics bases smart building KNX-RF software on S2-LP transceiver

Mon, Sep 28, 2020

For power-conscious building automation, the KNX software by STMicroelectronics is for its S2-LP ultra-low-power radio transceiver to enable energy-saving standardised wireless connectivity for smart building controls.

The software runs on an STM32 microcontroller or a BlueNRG-2 Bluetooth Low Energy SoC with an Arm Cortex-M0 core running at 32MHz. There is also a set of I/O peripherals.

The software contains a certified KNX-RF stack, an RF adaptation layer, and S2-LP library needed to connect the transceiver to create a low power wireless KNX node. The S2-LP operates in the 868.3MHz band at only 10mA with +10dBm output, reports ST, for what it claims is market-leading, energy efficient, secure and robust wireless connectivity which can prolong battery run-time and reducing the overall cost of the end product.

ST explains that combining the S2-LP radio and BlueNRG-2 SoC allows a smartphone to access KNX-based networks and provide an intuitive interface to monitor, control, configure, provision and update the KNX nodes.

Whether hosted on the BlueNRG-2 or STM32 MCU, ST’s KNX-RF software enables power savings for pushbuttons, light switches, occupancy sensors, roller-shutter controls, dimmer actuators, and other devices for lighting, heating, HVAC, and energy-harvesting systems, confirms ST.

The software meets the latest KNX-RF Multi specification, which supports secure (S mode), encrypted communications and frequency agility. Five channels help to avoid interference and permit fast and slow communication modes to save power. The KNX-RF Multi is also claimed to boost reliability and allow larger numbers of KNX devices to co-exist on the network, including listen before talk (LBT), fast acknowledge with auto-retry, and support for repeaters.

ST has teamed with authorised partner, Tapko, which provides the certified KNX stack and Actimage for the RF adaptation layer.

ST also offers the STKNX integrated transceiver for KNX TP communication over twisted-pair cable. The portfolio of products for smart building communications covers all major industry standards, says ST and enables wired and wireless KNX specifications. ST also provides embedded software, evaluation tools, and mobile apps to accelerate the development of Bluetooth Low Energy Mesh and 6LoWPAN networking solutions for smart-building and industrial applications.

Both S2-LP and BlueNRG-2 devices belong to the ST 10-year longevity programme.

http://www.st.com

> Read More

BM1ZxxxFJ minimises standby power in smart appliances

Fri, Sep 25, 2020

Integrated integrated zero cross detection ICs in Rohm’s BM1ZxxxFJ series are optimised for home appliances such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and air conditioners.
Domestic appliances are with communication functionality (i.e. Wi-Fi) are required to be always-on to maintain communication. At the same time, manufacturers are required to reduce standby power consumption to around 0.5W. This calls for lower standby power consumption by the motor and power supply blocks along with innovative new technologies, says Rohm.

Many appliances require a zero cross detection circuit for detecting the 0V point (zero cross point) of the AC waveform in order to provide efficient control of both motors and microcontrollers. Conventional zero cross detection circuits, however, use a photocoupler that accounts for nearly half of the standby power of the entire system.

This prompted Rohm to develop what is believed to be the first integrated zero cross detection solution for power supplies in the home appliance sector. The integrated zero cross detection IC provides designers a turnkey zero cross detector without the need for a complex design using discrete components. It does not use a photocoupler and therefore further reduces standby current consumption and increases long-term reliability, says Rohm.

The BM1ZxxxFJ series reduces standby power consumption of the zero cross circuit to just 0.01W while continuously powering the system. The error in delay time (which varies depending on the AC voltage) that exists with conventional photocoupler-equipped zero cross detection circuits is limited to ±50 micro seconds or less. This allows for the efficient drive of motors, even with the different AC supply voltages used in various countries and regions, as well as microcontrollers. At the same time, eliminating the need for a photocoupler contributes to greater application reliability by reducing risks related to age-based degradation.

Both pulse and edge waveforms used in home appliance specifications are supported by the BM1ZxxxFJ series, eliminating the need for software changes when replacing conventional zero cross detection circuits. There are six models in the series.

An integrated zero cross detection IC development board integrates a power supply for driving the integrated zero cross detection IC to simplify the decision making process for designers considering replacing existing circuits using a photocoupler.

The BM1ZxxxFJ series is available now.

https://www.rohm.eu

> Read More

Aaeon announces roadmap based on latest Intel Core and Atom processors

Fri, Sep 25, 2020

Following Intel’s unveiling of its 11th Generation Intel Core processors (formerly Tiger Lake) and Intel Atom x6000E series processors, Intel Pentium and Celeron N and J series processors (formerly Elkhart Lake), Aaeon announces a roadmap of computers for edge, AI and IoT applications.

The 11th Generation Intel Core processors increase performance compared with the current industry standard 8th and 9th Generation processors and provide access to new technologies via the inclusion of the Intel Iris Xe graphics (Gen 12), PCIe 4.0, Thunderbolt 4, USB4, DDR4 and LPDDR4x memory, and Deep Learning Boost – depending on the processor.

Aaeon offers the 11th Generation Intel Core processors in several embedded form factors: the PICO-TGU4, GENE-TGU6, and COM-TGUC6. The boards are compact to make installation and deployment quick and easy. The company will also bring the 11th Generation Intel Core processors to the UP Board family with the UP Xtreme i11 (UPX-TGL01).

Another two new products are based on the Intel Atom x6000E series processors and Intel Pentium and Celeron N and J series processors. The PICO-EHL4 brings these efficient processors to the PICO-ITX form factor. I/O includes four USB3.2 Gen 2 ports, two HDMI ports, and two Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. Aaeon will also include these Intel processors in the UP Board range with the UP Squared Pro 2 (UPN-EHL01), featuring M.2 3042/3052 slot. This board is designed for 4G and 5G support.

“With the release of these two families of Intel processors, Aaeon will provide developers and users with a broader range of products to power applications from kiosks and digital displays, to edge computing IoT networks and AI applications,” said Kevin Chiu, vice president of Aaeon’s Embedded Computing division.

The company will also sell the Intel customer reference board for Intel Pentium and Celeron N and J series processors through its eShop.

Aaeon will release the computing platforms over the coming months.

http://www.aaeon.com

> Read More

Arrow Electronics collaborates to bring cloud analytics to the IIoT

Fri, Sep 25, 2020

Cloud analytics for industrial IoT (IIoT) are available from Arrow Electronics. The company has partnered with Siemens, coderstryke and Shiratech for what it says is an end-to-end solution, coving everything from sensors and connectivity hardware to analysis and reporting software. Arrow worked with the three partners to deliver an hardware, software, tools and consultancy services for companies implementing industry 4.0.

Condition monitoring of machines and devices is essential for efficient predictive maintenance. The analytics platform gathers data from sensors and transmits it to the cloud via an edge gateway, where it can be visualised and analysed through a customised dashboard. Through continuous monitoring and collection of relevant operating data, patterns can be observed and emerging faults identified so that maintenance can be scheduled to cause minimum disruption. It can also avoid unplanned downtime and its associated costs, while cloud analytics can also analyse running costs and help increase overall service life of equipment.

Arrow worked with Shiratech to develop iCOMOX, a hardware and software solution for condition-based monitoring of industrial assets. It is connected to the cloud with Siemen’s MindSphere. Using advanced analytics and AI, MindSphere powers IoT solutions from the edge to the cloud. It uses data from connected products, plants and systems to optimise operations, create better quality products and deploy new business models, says Arrow.

The third partner, codestryke, develops customised IoT solutions and offers consultancy to help organisations plan and roll out IIoT deployments successfully and at scale. Its skills portfolio includes app development, edge and cloud analytics and the operation of cloud infrastructure. codestryke also has an edge gateway offer (including a runtime), PLC programming and connectivity solutions.

According to Arrow, the cloud analytics encompasses all the elements necessary for a successful IIoT project, from project planning and commissioning to after-sales support. Customer requirements are identified and specified during a workshop with Arrow’s support team and installation and assembly are coordinated and implemented jointly.

http://www.arrow.com

> Read More

STMicroelectronics bases smart building KNX-RF software on S2-LP transceiver

BM1ZxxxFJ minimises standby power in smart appliances

Aaeon announces roadmap based on latest Intel Core and Atom processors

Arrow Electronics collaborates to bring cloud analytics to the IIoT

About Smart Cities