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Time aware shaper protocols shape in-vehicle networks

Tue, Feb 12, 2019

Excelfore adds time aware shaper (TAS) protocols for time sensitive networking (TSN) for automotive use.

To meet automotive requirements for deterministic network behaviour, new protocols must be added to Ethernet stacks to provide audio/video bridging (AVB) and TSN to enable Ethernet to meet the demands of in-vehicle infotainment, control and safety systems.

The Excelfore TAS protocols reside in network talkers and bridges with support for TSN enhancements including IEEE 802.1Qbv and 802.1Qci, explains Excelforce. The TAS provides a circuit-switched/ time-division-multiplexed (TDM) channel into the packet-based Ethernet network. This enables a specific time window to be guaranteed for the delivery of high priority traffic, for example for automotive control systems.

The Excelfore TAS has demonstrated the ability to reduce the variance in measured propagation delays by more than 65 per cent,% compared to Ethernet traffic without the TAS, reports Excelforce. This ensures deterministic sub-100 microsecond accuracy for time-sensitive traffic.

The Excelfore eAVB/TSN protocol stack, including the TAS protocol, is available for Linux, QNX, Integrity and Android operating systems, as well as a variety of smaller real time operating systems (RTOS). It is for use in cameras, video displays, head units, ECUs, and network gateways that bridge to CAN, LIN, and other popular automotive buses.

The TAS protocol will be demonstrated at this week’s Automotive Ethernet Congress (13 to 14 February) in Munich, Germany.

Excelfore provides cloud platform and connectivity applications for intelligent transportation. It provides middleware solutions for smart mobility networks that enable OEMs and suppliers to build the next generation of smart, autonomous and learning vehicles, fleets and associated infrastructure. In addition to the eAVB/TSN protocol stack, it provides the cloud-to-vehicle eSync system for over the air updates, diagnostics and telematics.

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Low-cost RFID ICs bring flexible electronics to everyday objects

Fri, Feb 08, 2019

Cost-effective digital traceability and interactivity can be introduced to everyday objects with the ConnectIC family of flexible RFID circuits, says PragmatIC.

The flexible IC company introduces the first products in the ConnectIC family, the PR1101 and PR1102 flexible integrated circuits (FlexICs). They are designed for use in closed high frequency, radio frequency identification (HF RFID) systems. The company expects the ConnectIC family to accelerate the smart packaging market.

They FlexICs have been developed using PragmatIC’s patented technologies and the ConnectICs are claimed to deliver connectivity at the lowest cost point in the market. These FlexICs are thin and flexible, making them suitable for embedding into a range of substrates, including paper and plastic. They reduce the complexity of inlays by using single layer antennae, which further reduces the cost to brand owners and retailers.

The ConnectICs can be used for high volume, fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) and other mass market applications; PragmatIC believes they mean that electronic connectivity no longer limited to high value, luxury items.

The PR1100 is designed for proximity identification, with rapid detection of objects when one or more low-cost custom readers are integrated into the system. They can be used for hierarchical inventory management, item identification and tracking, supply chain assurance and brand authentication. They are targeted at market segments such as food and beverage, personal and home care, pharmaceutical and healthcare. They also support the introduction of digital interactivity into physical toys and games.

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Location-aware sensors distribute data in smart factory

Thu, Jan 31, 2019

Location-aware wireless sensors from Nanotron target manufacturing, healthcare and mining, while the company’s 360° Edge Analytics tools process data from any sensor in conjunction with any location radio technology.

Location-aware sensors report their location and executing data analytics at the edge of the IoT means real-time performance with low-latency location-awareness for the industrial IoT (IIoT), reported Dr Jens Albers, CEO at nanotron. He went on to say that Nanotron’s 360° Edge Analytics delivers 360° visibility of events related to people, assets, machines and vehicles.

Location-aware sensors are built on Nanotron’s swarm bee tag-ready, smart RF modules, using a common API. Available deployment and productivity tools enables customers to scale up, to increase the number of tracked objects and the size of the monitored area. Offering a per-node coverage range of up to 500m, the solution tracks objects with an accuracy down to 100mm. It leverages the advantages of concurrent data communication, ranging and tracking and provides a power-efficient approach for extended battery life of mobile devices.

Functions can be as straightforward as automatic collision warning and real-time tracking. More sophisticated and powerful sensing and location-awareness capabilities can be added at deployment or in the future. Nanotron believes its step-by-step implementation simplifies the deployment process as well as software integration to minimise time to market.

Nanotron is a provider of electronic location awareness solutions to deliver position data augmented by context information in real-time.

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Kit evaluates microcontrollers to jump-start development

Thu, Jan 31, 2019

The One-Board Discovery Kit from STMicroelectronics contains three eight-pin STM8 microcontrollers and is offered for sale by STMicroelectonics for less than $10.00.

The STM8-SO8-Disco 8bit microcontroller Discovery Kit lets users evaluate all three STM8 variants currently available in the popular eight-pin SO8 package, says STMicroelectronics.

The simple kit has a single button and indicator LED for interacting with the board, while the embedded STLINK/V2 and USB port simplify in-circuit debugging and programming from a connected PC. The microcontrollers are soldered onto individual break-offs that can be separated from the compact main board as pluggable DIL-8 modules ready to start prototyping.

The supported MCUs are the STM8S001J3M3, STM8L001J3M3, and STM8L050J3M3. The STM8S001J3M3 delivers affordable performance with features including advanced 16bit timers with three comparator outputs, three capture-compare channels, a 10bit ADC, and an 8bit timer. The low-power STM8L001J3M3 consumes just 0.3 microA in ‘halt’ mode and integrates 8- and 16bit timers and two comparators. The STM8L050J3M3 adds a 12-bit ADC and four-channel DMA controller for low-power technology.

The microcontrollers have the STM8 core, running at 16MHz, and 8kbyte on-chip flash. System-control features include watchdog and clock control, and popular communication interfaces including UART, SPI, and Fast I2C. The microcontrollers have up to six user I/Os, making them suitable for use in industrial sensors, home-automation devices, smart lighting, access cards, battery chargers, or smart printer cartridges.

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About Smart Cities

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