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Sfera Labs Strato Pi Max is now powered by the Raspberry Pi compute module 5

Thu, Dec 12, 2024

Sfera Labs has announced the latest evolution of its Strato Pi Max platform, incorporating the latest Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5).

Strato Pi Max is a versatile Raspberry Pi Controller and features a modular design, a hybrid CPU/MCU architecture, and extensive customisation options. This adaptability enables the Strato Pi Max to support bespoke requirements of all industrial automation projects, as well as to evolve with them.

Housed in a compact, 9- or 6-module DIN-Rail case, Strato Pi Max features two Ethernet ports, SSD, eMMC and dual SD card storage options, as well as two USB 2.0 type-A ports, with individual power control and fault detection. The platform also incorporates a slate of robust reliability and security features, including redundant storage, secure element chip, tamper detection, and hardware watchdog.

The Strato Pi Max can be easily expanded via its X2-Series expansion boards in order to meet the specific needs of industrial automation projects. These expansion boards can add up to 16 RS-485 or RS-422 ports, 4 CAN V2.0B ports, digital and analog I/O, UPS, and LTE to provide a flexible, scalable and future-proof solution.

Strato Pi Max is designed to adapt to unique requirements, offering the flexibility to create hardware tailored to specific needs. Its modular design supports both standard expansion boards and custom-built boards, enabling the integration of specialised sensors or the development of application-specific interfaces. This ensures full control over automation projects.

Additionally, Sfera Labs provides custom provisioning services, including preloaded OS images, firmware, and branding, delivering ready-to-deploy devices to customers.

https://sferalabs.cc/strato-pi-max/

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Advantech launches MIC-732 series to Accelerate AI autonomous mobile robots market

Thu, Dec 12, 2024

Advantech, has announced the release of the MIC-732-AO and MIC-732D-AO, which together form an all-in-one autonomous mobile robot (AMR) AI system and developer kit embedded with NVIDIA Nova Orin.
The MIC-732-AO is a fanless system embedded with NVIDIA Nova Orin delivering up to 275 TOPs of AI performance and exceptional processing power. Equipped with eight GMSL FAKRA connectors for cameras, the system enables robots to achieve 360-degree vision, crucial for real-time situational awareness and decision-making. Additionally, the MIC-732-AO integrates a 3D LiDAR driver for precise depth perception, facilitating navigation in complex environments. Complemented by 2D LiDAR, it captures fine surface details to enhance sensing capabilities. With a modular design and various I/O options—including 10G LAN, CANBus, IMU, and wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi, 4G/LTE, and 5G—the MIC-732-AO offers enhanced scalability and flexibility. Advantech’s MIC-732-AO also comes pre-installed with NVIDIA Isaac Perceptor, enabling developers to efficiently build AMRs.

NVIDIA Nova Orin integrates all AMR-oriented components into a single system, including the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin, 2x 2D LiDARs, 1x 3D LiDAR, 4x fisheye cameras, 4x stereo cameras, controllers, and communication. Beyond hardware integration, it also supports the NVIDIA Isaac robotics platform. With NVIDIA Nova Orin, developers only need to use one platform to build AMR solutions.

The MIC-732-AO is a fanless system embedded with NVIDIA Nova Orin, supporting AI performance of up to 275 TOPs and unprecedented processing power. Equipped with 8 GMSL cameras, the system enables robots to achieve 360-degree vision, crucial for real-time situational awareness and decision-making. Additionally, the MIC-731-AO integrates with 3D LiDAR for precise depth perception, facilitating navigation in complex environments. Complemented by 2D LiDAR, it captures fine details on surfaces to enhance sensing capabilities. With a modular design and various I/O options, including 10G LAN, CANBus, IMU, and wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi, 4G/LTE, and 5G, the MIC-732-AO offers enhanced scalability and flexibility.
The MIC-732D-AO serves as the developer kit that is compatible with NVIDIA Nova Orin. An open-frame, fan-based system, it shares the same I/O design as the MIC-732-AO. This similarity allows developers to enjoy greater flexibility in crafting their thermal solutions and applications.
The Advantech MIC-732 series is designed for AMR applications, targeting routine, human-power-intensive tasks in fields such as smart warehousing, precision agriculture, retail maintenance, high-efficiency manufacturing, and logistics.

https://www.advantech.com

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u-blox launches its first LTE Cat 1bis module with embedded eSIM

Tue, Nov 19, 2024

u-blox has launched the SARA-R10001DE, a LTE Cat 1bis module featuring an embedded eSIM with Wireless Logic connectivity designed to improve the robustness, reliability, and resilience of IoT applications. The integral eSIM ensures flexible connectivity management and gives customers the ability to switch to the best network in terms of coverage and cost. Offering faster deployment and reliable connectivity regardless of geography, the SARA-R10001DE offers multiple benefits in applications including asset tracking, telematics, micro-mobility, solar technology, smart homes, and cities, and point of sales.

The new u-blox SARA-R10001DE provides full LTE Cat 1bis band support and an eSIM with multi-IMSI technology and eUICC capability. The eSIM is already profiled with a series of Wireless Logic SIM profiles but can also be remotely profiled via OTA using Remote SIM Provisioning.

The multiple SIM profiles stored in the Wireless Logic eSIM allow the module to connect to the best network automatically. This gives confidence that the module will always connect to the best network and that the eSIM will maintain reliable connectivity by switching automatically to a different operator if any issues arise.

The embedded eSIM simplifies customer logistics because it minimises the time and effort involved in managing SIM procurement and eliminates the need to source companion components such as SIM holders.

Additional savings are possible because the SARA-R10001DE allows customers to simplify logistics and reduce complexity. Bundling an IoT module with flexible connectivity allows customers to use a single SKU instead of having several SKUs with different SIM cards in the warehouse, simplifying stock itineraries and reducing storage requirements.

The embedded eSIM enhances robustness for reliable operation in harsh environments. Unlike plastic SIMs that can warp and fail, the eSIM component is soldered in like a standard electronic component to guarantee permanent electric contact.

Designed to provide LTE global coverage, the SARA-R10001DE provides an easy migration path for legacy 2G and 3G devices to 4G LTE global coverage.

https://www.u-blox.com

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IO-Link actuator board from ST delivers turnkey reference design for industrial monitoring and appliances

Wed, Nov 13, 2024

ST has introduced an IO-Link reference design for industrial beacons and home-appliance alarms, delivered ready-to-use as a fully built board complete with protocol stack and application software.

The EVLIOL4LSV1 board leverages ST’s L6364Q dual-channel IO-Link transceiver to handle communications and the IPS4260L intelligent low-side power switch for driving the indicator lights. The board can be directly connected to signaling systems such as smart tower lights used in factory automation, funnel material alarms for quantity-remaining or urgency-level awareness, and other system warnings. It also provides a fast way to test the IPS4260L and L6364Q ICs and has a 4-pin M12 connector for an IO-LINK master and a 5-pin SWD connector for programming.

An STM32G071CB microcontroller, which hosts the ST proprietary IO-Link demo stack and the application software, handles system control and diagnostics, communicating with the transceiver and low-side switch.

The L6364Q transceiver is fully protected and supports standardised IO-Link communication speeds including 38.4kbit/s COM2 and 230.4kbit/s COM3. The transceiver can operate in single or multibyte mode, as well as in transparent mode delegating control of IO-Link communications to the microcontroller by a simple URT interface. The in-built protection ensures EMC immunity up to 2.5kVpk surge pulse/500Ω coupling without additional protection elements.

The IPS4260L low-side driver has four outputs for driving loads with one side connected to supply voltage, each individually controlled by a signal such as a digital microcontroller output. It has a wide operating-voltage range, from 8V to 50V, and the current for each output can be independently programmed from 0.5A to 3.0A. The IC integrates overload and overtemperature protection for each channel and provides open-load, overload, and overtemperature diagnostic signals to aid system management and enhance reliability. The reference design also features ST’s SMBJ30CA TVS (transient-voltage suppression) diode to withstand surge pulses with 2Ω coupling on the supply rail.

https://www.st.com

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