Embedded

Renesas Electronics simplifies automation network for buildings

Fri, Feb 15, 2019

At this year’s Embedded World, Renesas Electronics will show a proof-of-concept G3-PLC modem with KNX protocol that is claimed to simplify building automation for smart buildings.

The company has implemented KNX protocol on its G3-PLC powerline communication (PLC) solution. Based on the Powerline Modem Solution, Renesas will demonstrate a proof of concept to illustrate how to implement KNX networks and take advantage of the flexibility and efficiency of modern G3-PLC technology while eliminating the need for new network cable deployment.

Combining data line and power line onto one cable system and using the most efficient modulation techniques, PLC is a cost-efficient way to expand connectivity through the building in particular over long distances and across the walls.

Most commercial buildings have areas where RF and tradition network cabling do not reach. The Renesas Powerline Modem Solution demonstrates the possibilities for G3-PLC technology to address these needs without requiring new cable deployment by combining the advantages of the open G3-PLC standard with the popular KNX protocol. The result, says Renesas, will enable the deployment of reliable and cost-effective networking solutions for HVAC, lighting, fire and safety, and building access security.

Primarily developed for energy metering applications, the G3-PLC protocol is freely usable as an open standard and continuously maintained by the G3-PLC Alliance. 

The Renesas Powerline Modem Solution comprises Renesas’ OFDM PLC software modem (R9A06G037), a Renesas Synergy microcontroller (MCU) and the ISL15102, which serves as the power line driver. The software stack is based on the Synergy Software package (SSP) and combines the Renesas G3-PLC stack with a KNX software stack provided by Tapko Technologies. The proof-of-concept allows customers to build KNX over the G3-PLC protocol, offering a smooth migration path from existing KNX standard towards upcoming KNX IoT standard.

G3-PLC is a protocol for narrow band low frequency powerline communication that facilitates high-speed, highly-reliable, long-range communication over the existing powerline grid. The protocol is developed and maintained by the G3-PLC Alliance.

The Renesas G3-PLC Modem Solution with complete set of software supporting KNX Protocol will be available in Q3, 2019.

Visit Renesas at Embedded World in Nuremberg, Germany (26 to 28 February) Hall 1 – stand 1-310.

http://www.renesas.com

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Adesto partners with Watson to predict energy analytics

Tue, Jan 15, 2019

Smart buildings can be enhanced with insights into energy management and other operational data through services running on the IBM Watson IoT platform, says Adesto at the launch of its SmartServer IoT edge server platform.

Through its recent acquisition of Echelon, Adesto has been selling its open embedded IoT platform into the building automation and energy management industry for over two decades. The SmartServer IoT edge server platform features built-in device and data management for sensors, meters, actuators and controllers in buildings, through traditional and emerging protocols including BACnet, LonWorks and Modbus.

The IBM Watson IoT platform is a managed, cloud-hosted service designed to make it simple to derive value from IoT devices. It enables organisations to capture and explore data for devices, equipment, and machines, and discover insights that can drive better decision-making. When combined with the seamless connectivity of data from Adesto’s SmartServer IoT, engineers can provide facility managers with deep insights into energy consumption and other operational aspects of a building.

“IBM Watson IoT Platform enables customers to maximize the value of their physical assets,” said Sanjay Tripathi, VP of strategy and business development, IBM IoT. “Adesto’s SmartServer IoT provides the critical connection from industrial data to our platform so that customers can perform powerful analytics on their data. We are delighted to work with Adesto to demonstrate our combined capabilities, and we look forward to making the solution available to customers in the buildings sector.”

Adesto will demonstrate this revolutionary capability for building integrators, facility managers and property owners in its booth C5234 at the AHR Expo in Atlanta, Georgia (14 to 16 January) and at Embedded World, Nuremberg, Germany (26 to 28 February, booth 4A:124).

http://www.adestotech.com

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Integrity launches first MA for V2X ecosystems

Mon, Jan 14, 2019

Believed to be the first misbehaviour authority service (MAS) for the US V2X (vehicle to everything) ecosystem, Integrity Security Services (ISS) has announced that its MAS will begin by serving subscribers already subscribing to its all certificate management service (CMS).

All new and existing ISS CMS subscribers will be able to begin identifying vehicles for misbehaviour and removing them from their networks. Device manufacturers and all subscribers can contact Integrity for certification and to enable the device with the ISS-approved MAS OBU client and begin testing.

The ability to identify vehicles that are not sending correct V2X messages and to remove them from the connected vehicle ecosystem is an important security requirement to maintain trust in the ecosystem. ISS claims that its MAS provides this capability on a scalable and efficient national level. ISS will be publishing its misbehaviour detection criteria, reporting format and MAS APIs for OBU and RSU vendors to use with their compliant systems.

Integrity Security Services was established to provide best practice embedded security products and infrastructure solutions for protecting smart devices from cyber security attacks. End-to-end automotive solutions range from ECU cryptographic platforms to large-scale public key management systems.

https://www.ghsiss.com

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32-bit MCU performance optimises motor control

Wed, Nov 28, 2018

Based on the third generation RXv3 CPU core, the RX66T group of microcontrollers (MCUs) improves performance, by as much as 2.5 times better than previous RX family MCUs, says Renesas Electronics Europe.

The RX66T MCUs combine the powerful RXv3 core with the strengths of the existing current RX62T and RX63T MCUs, to address the real-time performance and enhanced stability required by inverter control. The RX66T MCUs are designed for use in industrial applications in smart factory equipment, such as industrial motors, power conditioners and robots, as well as smart home appliances, including air conditioners and washing machines.

When operating at 160MHz, the RX66T MCUs achieve best-in-class performance of 928 CoreMark2, enabling more precise inverter control, reports Renesas. The MCUs can control up to four motors simultaneously, making them particularly well-suited to conventional motor control and applications requiring multi-axis motor control, such as compact industrial robots and personal robots. In addition, the RX66T’s extra processing capacity allows developers to add programs utilising embedded AI (e-AI) for motor fault detection. Such programs can detect motor faults and identify fault location in real time based on the motor’s current or vibration characteristics. The RX66T MCUs also integrate a 5V power supply that is claimed to deliver “excellent noise tolerance”.

The RX66T MCU group will accelerate the use of intelligent endpoints employing real-time e-AI performance, Renesas believes, a trend which will drive smarter home appliances and improve production efficiency in smart factories.

As devices join the IoT, motorised devices in the field will require online firmware updates throughout their life cycles. Applying e-AI for predictive failure diagnostics requires endpoint MCUs to be securely updated with learning results generated in the cloud. The RX66T MCU Group incorporates Trusted Secure IP (TSIP), which has a track record of CAVP certification3 and provides secure firmware updates and encrypted communication.

The RX66T group comprises 80 MCUs with pin counts ranging from 64 to 144 pins and on-chip flash memory sizes of 256 to 1024kbyte. Mass production has started today for the 100-pin package MCU with 256 or 512kbyte of program flash and 64kbyte of SRAM. Other MCU versions will be release over time.

Renesas is demonstrating the RX66T MCUs in Hall 10.1 – booth 130 at SPS IPC Drives, 27 to 29 November 2018 in Nuremberg, Germany.

http://www.renesas.com

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