Latest News

TI’s SimpleLink wireless microcontroller enables reliable long-range communication

Fri, Jun 07, 2024

Mouser Electronics, is now stocking the CC1354P10 SimpleLink wireless microcontroller (MCU) from Texas Instruments. The CC1354P10 device, optimised for low-power wireless communications, features on-chip over-the-air update capabilities and advanced security features. The CC1354P10 SimpleLink wireless microcontroller enables long-range and reliable communication in a range of applications, including building security systems, smart meters, HVAC, medical, wired networking, portable electronics, home theatre and entertainment, and connected peripherals.

The Texas Instruments CC1354P10 is a multiprotocol and multi-band Sub-1 GHz and 2.4 GHz wireless microcontroller. The CC1354P10 device includes wireless protocol support for Thread, Zigbee, Bluetooth 5.3 Low Energy, IEEE 802.15.4, IPv6-enabled smart objects, and proprietary systems. The CC1354P10 also supports Matter, an industry-unifying, IP-based connectivity protocol that streamlines the development of IoT applications while allowing seamless integration into a variety of ecosystems for smart homes, industrial automation, consumer electronics, smart agriculture, healthcare, and more.

The CC1354P10 device is part of the SimpleLink platform, which consists of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy, Thread, Zigbee, Sub-1 GHz MCUs, and host MCUs that share a single-core software development kit (SDK) and rich tool set. A one-time integration of the SimpleLink platform allows users to add any combination of the portfolio’s devices into a design, allowing 100 percent code reuse when design requirements change. The multi-band wireless MCUs offer pin-to-pin compatibility from 352KBytes of Flash up to 1MByte of Flash in the 7 mm2 QFN package for maximum design scalability.

https://www.mouser.com

> Read More

ST releases energy-efficient autonomous inertial measurement unit

Thu, Jun 06, 2024

The STMicroelectronics ISM330BX 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) combines edge-AI processing, an analog hub for sensor expansion, and ST’s Qvar electric charge variations sensing with product-longevity assurance for energy-efficient industrial sensing and motion tracking applications.

The IMU contains a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer with a low-noise architecture and bandwidth up to 2kHz, suitable for vibration sensing in machine-tool condition-monitoring applications. Additional use cases include industrial and domestic robots and automated guided vehicles (AGV), intelligent appliances, and motion trackers.

Also integrating ST’s edge-processing engine that teams a machine-learning core (MLC) with AI algorithms and a finite state machine (FSM), the ISM330BX offloads the host processor and saves system power. The IMU also embeds ST’s Sensor Fusion Low-Power (SFLP) algorithm for 3D orientation tracking, which can enhance energy efficiency in applications like robotics and smart safety helmets. Leveraging adaptive self-configuration (ASC), the sensor can also automatically optimise its settings in real-time for best performance and power.

With its autonomous capabilities, the ISM330BX alleviates data transmission between the IMU and host system, as well as offloads the main processor, ensuring low latency and low power consumption. The integrated analog hub provides more opportunities for energy-efficient system integration by directly connecting external analog sensors to the edge-processing engine for data filtering and AI inference. The many power-saving aspects of the ISM330BX help engineers realize innovative industrial sensors and other battery powered smart devices that can be used also to upgrade existing industrial assets making them smarter and ready for industry 5.0

With ST’s Qvar electric charge variation detector also built-in, the IMU can integrate touch and close-proximity detection, or value-added functionality such as water leak sensing, to boost system integration and energy efficiency.

https://www.st.com/ism330bx

> Read More

DC-DC converter series from TDK is enhanced with adjustable current limit option

Thu, Jun 06, 2024

TDK has announced the addition of adjustable current limit models to the TDK-Lambda brand 300W rated i7C non-isolated DC-DC converter series. These buck-boost board mount power modules have input ranges of 9 up to 53Vdc with output voltage adjustment from 5 to 28V, 8 to 24V or 9.6 to 48V depending upon the output current rating. The i7C topology enables a seamless transition from buck (voltage reduction) to boost (voltage increase) operation. The “Itrim” output current limit function enables parallel operation of modules for higher power requirements, operation in constant current, or reducing device stress where overloading may occur due to charging large capacitive loads.

The new models are ideal for generating additional high-power DC outputs from 12, 24, and 48V system voltages in medical, automated guided vehicles (AGV), Industrial Mobile Robots (IMR), drones, industrial, test, measurement, and battery-powered equipment.

Having high efficiencies of up to 97% reduces waste heat, allowing the product to operate and deliver high useable power in demanding thermal environments. Under light load conditions, the i7C’s control techniques significantly reduce power consumption. Under zero load conditions, the typical input current for these modules is 5mA. When the module is inhibited, this current can be further reduced to approximately 0.25mA. The low quiescent current allows battery-powered equipment to remain functional longer during periods of non-operation.

These additional models include output voltage adjustment, negative logic remote on-off, output current monitoring, positive remote sense, plus input under-voltage, over-current and thermal protection. A sync function enabling a common operating switching frequency between multiple converters to reduce system noise is also included.

Three mechanical configurations are available; low profile open frame measuring 34 x 36.8 x 14.7mm (LxWxH), baseplate construction for conduction cooling (15.5mm in height), or integral heat sink for convection or forced air cooling (24.9mm in height). The i7C converters have the industry standard 1/16th brick pin-out.

All models are certified to IEC/UL/CSA/EN 62368-1 and carry the CE and UKCA marks for the Low Voltage and RoHS Directives.

https://www.jp.lambda.tdk.com/

> Read More

u-blox launches Bluetooth Angle-of-Arrival solution to enable indoor asset tracking

Tue, Jun 04, 2024

u-blox has announced u-locate, a complete indoor positioning solution, offering the optimal combination of accuracy, cost and power consumption. Based on Bluetooth LE AoA (Angle-of-Arrival), u-locate delivers positioning accuracy levels down to 10 centimetres while ensuring extended tag battery lifetimes at an affordable price point.

The flexible and modular u-locate solution targets RTLS (real-time location system) solution providers and systems integrators, with end-user indoor tracking applications in warehousing, manufacturing, healthcare and many more. The easy-to-configure mobile application includes an extensive management support tool and anchors with self-aware orientation, removing the pain of complex solution installations and ensuring reduced times to market.

u-locate’s AoA positioning algorithms deliver accuracy while reducing the cost of tracking assets, enabling a wider range of use cases. The combination of Bluetooth 5.1 technology with the optimised antenna configuration of u-locate delivers positioning accuracy, without compromising power consumption. The u-locate solution scales easily as the end-user installation grows, and futureproofing is underpinned with OTA (over-the-air) software updates ensuring continuous access to new features and updates.

The flexible solution can be tailored according to the needs of the application, and consists of a positioning middleware (u-locateHub), a positioning engine (u-locateEngine), anchor points (u-locateAnchor) and tags (u-locateTag). It can be complemented with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) products from u-blox, to guarantee seamless indoor and outdoor localisation.

u-locateHub complies with the omlox global interoperability standard and its well-documented API platform contains various APIs, supporting integration with multiple vendor solutions. By joining omlox, u-blox recognises the importance of contributing to a growing ecosystem, and promoting global interoperability of positioning solutions.

https://www.u-blox.com

> Read More

About Smart Cities

This news story is brought to you by smartcitieselectronics.com, the specialist site dedicated to delivering information about what’s new in the Smart City Electronics industry, with daily news updates, new products and industry news. To stay up-to-date, register to receive our weekly newsletters and keep yourself informed on the latest technology news and new products from around the globe. Simply click this link to register here: Smart Cities Registration