Advantech launches Edge Service Packages to scale up digitalisation on IoT-enabled applications

Advantech, has announced Edge Service Packages, including Azure IoT Edge and AWS IoT Greengrass. The growing demand for real-time insights and localised actions in industrial settings is fuelling the adoption of edge computing solutions. Edge-as-a-Service encompasses the integration of hardware, edge software, and corresponding cloud services for efficient edge orchestration. The synergy between Edge and Cloud is pivotal for successful digital transformation. Advantech’s Edge Service Packages are designed to cater to Advantech hardware platforms and third-party software applications, offering enhanced flexibility and user experience. These solutions deliver device control, edge monitoring, and software management services, facilitating the seamless scaling of digitalisation through accelerated deployment and integration.

To align with edge computing trends, Advantech presents the Edge Service Packages, Azure IoT Edge and AWS IoT Greengrass, to enhance the deployment of IoT Edge on edge platforms by adding value and simplifying the process. Leveraging cloud intelligence, they seamlessly integrate edge computing, outlining a roadmap for scalable workloads in hybrid cloud and edge computing. In addition, Advantech offers a wide selection of hardware that is Azure IoT Edge or AWS IoT Greengrass certified. Users can develop custom solutions by selecting preferred hardware and edge service packages according to their targeted cloud service or specifications, helping customers develop IoT-enabled applications in an optimised way.

Azure IoT Edge – Simplifying Connectivity and Development at the Edge
This package helps deploy Azure IoT Edge on premises to break up data silos and consolidate operational data at scale in the Azure Cloud. It encompasses essential Azure IoT Edge services, such as the IoT Hub Device Provisioning Service, connecting physical devices with their corresponding identities in the Microsoft Azure IoT Hub. Another example for the Azure IoT Edge module is OPC UA Publisher. When applied with Advantech’s Edge Manager, this web application can configure and manage the OPC UA server to ensure seamless communication with the OPC UA Publisher Edge module. This tool streamlines the selection of data nodes and facilitates their transmission to the cloud without the need for coding.

AWS IoT Greengrass – Building Intelligent IoT Devices Faster
AWS IoT Greengrass serves as an open-source edge runtime and cloud service, designed for constructing, deploying, and managing device software. It provides pre-built components so end users can easily extend edge device functionality without writing code. The components of AWS IoT Greengrass offer the addition of features and swift connectivity to AWS services or third-party applications at the edge. This package helps end users deploy and configure assets such as Lambda functions, Docker images, or machine learning models for local inference. Furthermore, it enables users to promptly initiate the Greengrass service on edge devices, manage it seamlessly through AWS IoT Greengrass, and efficiently transmit telemetry data to the AWS Cloud.
Advantech EdgeSync 360 – Transforming Industrial Device Management
Nevertheless, Advantech has developed an open cloud-based industrial IoT platform, EdgeSync 360, to revolutionise device and data management across various industrial applications. This suite of software products includes Edgelink for edge connectivity management, DeviceOn for IPC management, and WebAccess for SCADA and HMI visualisation. For cloud service, EdgeHub is a centralised platform that streamlines edge connectivity, device management, and data analysis, distributing intelligence across edge devices. It offers a seamless method to mass deploy and update not only software applications but also Docker containers, firmware, operating systems, and Linux applications in batches from cloud to edge.

https://www.advantech.com.

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Microchip makes it easier to build sophisticated graphical user interfaces

Designers are incorporating Graphical User Interfaces, or GUIs, into more electronic devices to enhance the user experience by providing intuitive and visually appealing interactions with today’s modern applications. To support embedded developers with their designs, Microchip has announced the Microchip Graphics Suite (MGS), an easy-to-learn, comprehensive solution that simplifies the process of incorporating GUIs, animations and images into a touchscreen display.
Developing a GUI can be a complex and lengthy process, requiring significant time and resources to debug and integrate code from various tools. MGS is designed to easily integrate with Microchip’s 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) and microprocessors (MPUs) and supports multiple development platforms, including MPLAB Harmony v3 and Linux environments. This comprehensive solution to build a GUI interface aims to help designers improve reusability across projects and simplify design complexities.
MGS offers compositional tools, including a simulator for hardware-free prototyping. By leveraging the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC), the simulator builds the MCC-generated C code in either web or native mode. In web mode, the tool creates an HTML file that can run on most web browsers with simulated touch interactivity. In native mode, the simulator enables debugging of the GUI on Windows desktop computers. These features enable accurate display and functionality demonstrations that are independent of hardware availability.
MGS provides an intuitive WYSIWYG interface with a modern design, enabling users to directly see and manipulate the final output, reducing errors and increasing efficiency. To make GUIs more accessible, MGS is versatile and can support a wide range of devices of varying performance. They can range from resource-constrained devices with significantly lower memory and system performance requirements to high-performance devices supporting tablet-sized touchscreens with high-fidelity video playback.
This solution is optimal for developers who want superior graphical performance without costly hardware upgrades. Additionally, MGS supports a wide range of displays, from monochrome OLEDs to 1080p 16.7M colour TFTs, including MIPI DSI, LVDS, RGB, SPI, and HDMI interfaces, along with touchscreens with 2D/3D gestures.
This comprehensive solution simplifies the integration of a GUI from design phase to implementation across a wide range of applications. MGS is highly compatible with the company’s broad portfolio of PIC32 MCUs, SAM MPUs and maXTouch touchscreen controllers. Additionally, Microchip can provide other key components including memory, power management and connectivity solutions.

Microchip Graphics Suite is supported by various development tools including MPLAB Harmony v3, MPLAB Code Configurator and Microchip’s mainlined Linux Distribution for 32-bit MCUs and MPUs.

Microchip Graphics Suite is complimentary and available now to download.

https://developerhelp.microchip.com

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Insight SiP launches next generation bluetooth radio in miniature integrated SiP package

Insight SiP is launching the ISP2454-MX module in a tiny package measuring 8 x 8 x 1mm, the smallest package on the market. With extended temperature capability up to 105oC, this device can support next generation Bluetooth based solutions including Angle of Arrival and the new Bluetooth Channel Sounding technology. Based on the new Nordic nRF54L15, this offers improved performance across the board, being based on a 4th generation radio and a double speed microprocessor compared with the nRF52 series-based devices, at a lower cost.

This module can support a wide range of solutions, offering a powerful Arm M33F 128Mhz based processor, and advanced security features with ARM Trustzone. Power consumption is improved in both radioactive and sleep modes. Memory capacity is increased with 1.5MB of storage and 256KB RAM, allowing the largest and most sophisticated applications to be run. This enhanced performance is also offered at a cost advantage over nRF52 based devices, making it equally suitable for price sensitive products.

Despite the advanced features of this device, it is released in Insight SiP’s standard 8 x 8 x 1 mm package and offers a fully integrated solution with RF matching and integrated antenna. Both 32MHz and 32 kHz crystals and DC-DC support for each processor are included, meaning it is a fully functioning Bluetooth node only requiring a power supply to operate.

A full range of peripheral connections is available including HS-SPI, SPI, UART, I2S and others. There is also a software programmable peripheral independent 128MHz RISC processor, allowing alternative high-speed peripherals to be supported. As well as supporting BLE, the module can run Zigbee, Thread and other 802.15.4 based protocols, concurrently with BLE. Protocols stacks and applications run on the real time Zephyr operating system which provides a rich suite of drivers and services.

The ISP2454 RF module is designed to run on a coin cell battery if required. Thanks to the module’s ultra-low power consumption and advanced power management system, the battery can last up to several years.

Initial samples are available now. Full production of the modules will start in 2025. Certification is pending. To help product developers, Insight SiP will offer complete development kits together with sample software that provides everything required out of the box to start developing a solution on day one.

https://www.insightsip.com/

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u-blox launches first satellite IoT-NTN cellular module with embedded GNSS

u-blox has launched its first combined 3GPP-compliant terrestrial network (TN) and non-terrestrial network (NTN) IoT module, the SARA-S528NM10. This standards-based module is a game changer for the satellite IoT market as it supports global coverage with accurate, low-power and concurrent positioning – an essential attribute for use cases requiring continuous or cyclic asset tracking and monitoring. Other IoT use cases include aftermarket telematics, industrial monitoring and control, smart metering and utilities, and fleet management.

With cellular networks covering a mere ten percent of the globe, the demand for guaranteed global reach is escalating, particularly for IoT applications such as asset tracking in remote or maritime environments. Satellite IoT bridges this gap; adoption has been partially limited by the high cost of the satellite terminals, high power consumption and the high cost of satellite airtime.

Current satellite connectivity solutions require proprietary hardware and software, which lock the terminal to a specific satellite operator – the user would need to replace their satellite terminals to move to a different satellite operator. The u-blox solution, on the other hand, is based on global 3GPP standards, and can be certified as interoperable with multiple satellite providers supporting the standard, maximising customer choice.

“The new u-blox satellite IoT-NTN cellular module is designed to maintain connectivity in areas without cellular coverage,” explained Stephan Zizala, u-blox CEO. “The integrated u-blox GNSS solution consumes less than 15mW of power in continuous tracking mode and has high RF sensitivity that reduces the time required to establish a position fix. It provides concurrent location data without interrupting the cellular or satellite connection, which further helps to minimise power consumption due to the shortened active time of the device.”

Powered by the u-blox UBX-S52 cellular/satellite chipset and GNSS M10 platform, the module complies with the 3GPP Rel 17 NB-NTN specification. This standards-based approach guarantees extended connectivity via LTE-M and NB-IoT on terrestrial cellular networks and NB-IoT on geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite constellations compliant with 3GPP Rel 17, including readiness for low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The UBX-S52 cellular/satellite chipset is currently undergoing certification with Skylo, a global NTN service provider, for its satellite network. The certification enables seamless support for both cellular and Skylo satellite connectivity, creating an enhanced and reliable experience that efficiently utilises resources.

The SARA-S528NM10 module supports all three new NTN bands – n23 (United States), n255 (L-band global), and n256 (S-band Europe) – enhancing and future-proofing its technological credentials. It is pin-compatible with other u-blox cellular-only modules in the SARA form factor, enabling engineers to easily scale up their IoT products using legacy technology without costly redesigns.

https://www.u-blox.com

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