ICs & Semiconductors Archives - Page 161 of 227

Bluetooth 5.2 modules brings security to short range radio

Wed, Sep 30, 2020

Swiss manufacturer, u-blox offers the NORA-B1 Bluetooth module which it says brings advanced security functionality to short range radio applications.

The Bluetooth 5.2 module is based on Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF5340 Bluetooth low energy chipset, which is the first to host an Arm Cortex M33 dual core microcontroller.

NORA-B1 exploits the chipset’s dual core microcontroller to handle performance-oriented applications and even drive a display without requiring an external host processer. The single low power optimised core is dedicated to managing network connectivity and a second high performance core is dedicated to running the device application. As a result, says u-blox, NORA-B1 enables smooth and uninterrupted operation with minimal processing latency.

The Arm TrustZone enables a trusted execution environment by fully separating secure and non-secure flash, RAM, peripherals and general purpose I/Os. NORA-B1 includes Arm CryptoCell-312, which provides hardware-accelerated cryptography and, in combination with the key management unit (KMU), enables a root of trust and secure key storage.

The compact, globally certified NORA-B1 brings Bluetooth 5.2 to wireless applications, for example LE audio, which can concurrently stream multiple channels with lower power consumption than existing technology, while also supporting ZigBee and Thread.

NORA-B1 is suitable for use in industrial, medical, and smart building and smart city markets, confirms u-blox, such as industrial machine control, asset tracking, remote controls and gateways, connected power tools requiring continuous motor control, and advanced medical wearables with demanding security requirements.

The NORA-B1 has a footprint of just 10.4 x 14.3 x 1.8 mm and has reduced host board complexity, says u-blox.

It will be available in several antenna variants, including a compact PCB antenna. Qualified for an extended temperature range up to 105 degrees C, NORA-B1 can operate reliably in harsh environments that are common in industrial settings as well as in smart indoor and outdoor lighting.

Customers will be able to receive samples in Q4 2020.

http://www.u-blox.com

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STMicroelectronics bases smart building KNX-RF software on S2-LP transceiver

Mon, Sep 28, 2020

For power-conscious building automation, the KNX software by STMicroelectronics is for its S2-LP ultra-low-power radio transceiver to enable energy-saving standardised wireless connectivity for smart building controls.

The software runs on an STM32 microcontroller or a BlueNRG-2 Bluetooth Low Energy SoC with an Arm Cortex-M0 core running at 32MHz. There is also a set of I/O peripherals.

The software contains a certified KNX-RF stack, an RF adaptation layer, and S2-LP library needed to connect the transceiver to create a low power wireless KNX node. The S2-LP operates in the 868.3MHz band at only 10mA with +10dBm output, reports ST, for what it claims is market-leading, energy efficient, secure and robust wireless connectivity which can prolong battery run-time and reducing the overall cost of the end product.

ST explains that combining the S2-LP radio and BlueNRG-2 SoC allows a smartphone to access KNX-based networks and provide an intuitive interface to monitor, control, configure, provision and update the KNX nodes.

Whether hosted on the BlueNRG-2 or STM32 MCU, ST’s KNX-RF software enables power savings for pushbuttons, light switches, occupancy sensors, roller-shutter controls, dimmer actuators, and other devices for lighting, heating, HVAC, and energy-harvesting systems, confirms ST.

The software meets the latest KNX-RF Multi specification, which supports secure (S mode), encrypted communications and frequency agility. Five channels help to avoid interference and permit fast and slow communication modes to save power. The KNX-RF Multi is also claimed to boost reliability and allow larger numbers of KNX devices to co-exist on the network, including listen before talk (LBT), fast acknowledge with auto-retry, and support for repeaters.

ST has teamed with authorised partner, Tapko, which provides the certified KNX stack and Actimage for the RF adaptation layer.

ST also offers the STKNX integrated transceiver for KNX TP communication over twisted-pair cable. The portfolio of products for smart building communications covers all major industry standards, says ST and enables wired and wireless KNX specifications. ST also provides embedded software, evaluation tools, and mobile apps to accelerate the development of Bluetooth Low Energy Mesh and 6LoWPAN networking solutions for smart-building and industrial applications.

Both S2-LP and BlueNRG-2 devices belong to the ST 10-year longevity programme.

http://www.st.com

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BM1ZxxxFJ minimises standby power in smart appliances

Fri, Sep 25, 2020

Integrated integrated zero cross detection ICs in Rohm’s BM1ZxxxFJ series are optimised for home appliances such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and air conditioners.
Domestic appliances are with communication functionality (i.e. Wi-Fi) are required to be always-on to maintain communication. At the same time, manufacturers are required to reduce standby power consumption to around 0.5W. This calls for lower standby power consumption by the motor and power supply blocks along with innovative new technologies, says Rohm.

Many appliances require a zero cross detection circuit for detecting the 0V point (zero cross point) of the AC waveform in order to provide efficient control of both motors and microcontrollers. Conventional zero cross detection circuits, however, use a photocoupler that accounts for nearly half of the standby power of the entire system.

This prompted Rohm to develop what is believed to be the first integrated zero cross detection solution for power supplies in the home appliance sector. The integrated zero cross detection IC provides designers a turnkey zero cross detector without the need for a complex design using discrete components. It does not use a photocoupler and therefore further reduces standby current consumption and increases long-term reliability, says Rohm.

The BM1ZxxxFJ series reduces standby power consumption of the zero cross circuit to just 0.01W while continuously powering the system. The error in delay time (which varies depending on the AC voltage) that exists with conventional photocoupler-equipped zero cross detection circuits is limited to ±50 micro seconds or less. This allows for the efficient drive of motors, even with the different AC supply voltages used in various countries and regions, as well as microcontrollers. At the same time, eliminating the need for a photocoupler contributes to greater application reliability by reducing risks related to age-based degradation.

Both pulse and edge waveforms used in home appliance specifications are supported by the BM1ZxxxFJ series, eliminating the need for software changes when replacing conventional zero cross detection circuits. There are six models in the series.

An integrated zero cross detection IC development board integrates a power supply for driving the integrated zero cross detection IC to simplify the decision making process for designers considering replacing existing circuits using a photocoupler.

The BM1ZxxxFJ series is available now.

https://www.rohm.eu

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Network processor from STMicroelectronics enhances security

Thu, Sep 24, 2020

Combining Bluetooth 5.0 performance with enhanced privacy and security features, the BlueNRG-2N network processor is convenient and scalable, says STMicroelectronics.

The Bluetooth 5.0-certified network coprocessor is pre-programmed and ready for connecting to a host controller to provide Bluetooth connectivity. It simplifies the manufacture of products, says ST, and also allows the developer to scale the performance, features and cost of the host system independently. It can be used in a range of products such as smart medical wearables, PC peripherals, remote controls, lighting, industrial and home automation devices, and allows designers to optimise their choice of microcontroller to meet specific model requirements.

The Bluetooth enhancements featured in BlueNRG-2N include support for data length extension, which accelerates over the air (OTA) firmware updates by as much as 2.5 times, claims ST, and raises data transfers to 700kbit/s at the application level. The BlueNRG-2N also has support for Bluetooth LE Privacy 1.2, which allows it to change address frequently without host-processor involvement to prevent unwanted tracking and with minimal impact on system power consumption.

BlueNRG-2N is programmed with a digitally signed Bluetooth LE stack, which saves manufacturing costs yet maintains the design flexibility to upgrade via OTA updates. For cyber security, built-in image authentication technology always checks the stack before starting to allow only signed firmware images to run.

Power consumption is lower compared with previous BlueNRG generations, with low transmit and receive current and drawing just 900nA in shutdown mode with the Bluetooth Low Energy stack running. At the same time, the device maintains robust radio performance, with +8dBm programmable RF output power and up to a 96dB link budget.

BlueNRG-2N is the latest member in ST’s BlueNRG family of Bluetooth Low Energy chips for wireless system design. It is the dedicated network co-processor within the BlueNRG family. It shares key features with the BlueNRG-2 Bluetooth 5.0-certified SoC, which also contains a programmable Arm Cortex-M0 microcontroller to host the main application and Bluetooth connectivity on the same device. ST Microelectronics also offers developers the STM32 online development environment (ODE), which includes the STM32CubeMX GUI plug in, designed for developers to kick-start projects.

BlueNRG-2N is in full production and is included in ST’s 10-year industrial product-longevity program. The devices are available in a 2.66 x 2.56mm WLCSP34 chip-scale packages (BlueNRG-234N) or 5.0 x 5.0mm QFN32 (BlueNRG-232N).

https://www.st.com

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Bluetooth 5.2 modules brings security to short range radio

STMicroelectronics bases smart building KNX-RF software on S2-LP transceiver

BM1ZxxxFJ minimises standby power in smart appliances

Network processor from STMicroelectronics enhances security

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