ICs & Semiconductors Archives - Page 169 of 235

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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Maxim reduces cost and size for dynamic hand gesture sensing

Wed, Sep 23, 2020

Dynamic gesture sensing for automotive applications can be enabled at what is claimed to be the industry’s lowest cost and smallest size using the MAX25205 data acquisition system says Maxim Integrated Products.

The MAX25205 provides swipe and hand-rotation sensing at 10 times lower cost and up to 75 per cent smaller size than time of flight (ToF) camera-based systems, claims Maxim Integrated.

Featuring integrated optics and a 6 x 10 infrared (IR) sensor array, the MAX25205 detects swipe and hand rotation gestures without the complexity of ToF cameras to improve driver safety. Gesture and proximity sensing is expected to replace knobs and touchscreens for infotainment, phone, side mirror, climate, trunk, sunroof and reading lamp controls in vehicles.

The gesture and proximity sensing sensor is supplied in a 4.0 x 4.0mm chip, which is up to 75 per cent smaller than ToF camera-based solutions, claims Maxim. It is intended for use to complement voice commands, for use when voice command is not effective. It also means that automotive displays do not become smeared with fingerprints as drivers and passengers use the touchscreens.

According to Maxim, the MAX25205 allows developers to avoid complex software development and maintenance programs. The integration of a 60 photo diode array, LED driver and internal LDO result in a form factor that is “significantly smaller” than ToF camera solutions, says the company. It can be paired with a small microcontroller, rather than the larger microprocessors that more complex solutions require.

The versatile device delivers nine gestures, including swipe, rotations, air link and 3×2 proximity zones with low lag time in a single chip. Alternative solutions require three chips and a complicated microprocessor, says Maxim.

The MAX25205 is available at Maxim’s website and the company also offers an evaluation kit, the MAX25205EVKIT#.

Maxim Integrated develops analogue and mixed-signal products and technologies to make systems smaller and smarter, with enhanced security and increased energy efficiency. Its customers are used by customers in the automotive, industrial, healthcare, mobile consumer and cloud data centre markets.

http://www.maximintegrated.com

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Lattice extends MachXO3 FPGA security for automotive use

Fri, Sep 18, 2020

New versions of Lattice Semiconductor’s MachXO3LF and MachXO3D FPGAs have been announced. The MachXO3LF FPGAs are for automotive control applications and the MachXO3D FPGAs are for system security that support extended temperature operating ranges for automotive and other ruggedised applications.

The MachXO3D FPGAs augment the popular system control capabilities of the Lattice MachXO FPGA architecture, says Lattice Semiconductor. They include hardware Root of Trust (RoT), platform firmware resilience (PFR), and secure dual-boot support. The MachXO3D and MachXO3LF FPGAs target control, bridging, and I/O expansion applications for reliable operation in rugged environments, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment, motor control, 5G communications infrastructure, industrial robots and automation systems, and defence systems, Lattice advises. They also support for an extended operating range -40 to +125 degrees C (junction temperature). They require a single 3.3V or 1.2V supply.

As more sensors and electric motors are integrated into vehicles, automotive systems will become exposed to the risk of malicious attacks and hacks. To immediately detect vulnerabilities and combat cyber attacks OEMs will demand electronic systems capable of reliable and secure operation in rugged environments, in different weather conditions, vibration and connectivity parameters.

The MachXO3D FPGAs’ security features include on-chip flash memory which secures bitstream and user data against malicious attacks via OTP mode and password protection. There is also an immutable embedded security block to enable security compliant with NIST SP-800-193 Platform Firmware Resilience (PFR) guidelines to protect, detect and recover firmware from unauthorised access. The on-chip flash enables single-chip, instant-on, and dual-boot images for fail-safe programming and in-field updates with flexible system with secure reprogramming to support reliable in-system updates.

“By collaborating with Lattice, the leading provider of low power FPGAs, we are able to provide developers in the automotive market with ready-to-use IPs that simplify their design efforts by accelerating implementation of networking controllers for CAN and LIN,” said Nikos Zervas, CEO of CAST. “With the extended temperature range for automotive and other ruggedised applications, the new MachXO3D automotive family of FPGAs will allow developers to achieve their performance and power consumption goals and get their products to market faster, while enhancing the security of their control systems,” he added.

MachXO3LF and MachXO3D FPGAs are supported by Lattice’s integrated design software suite, Lattice Diamond, a graphic user interface (GUI) -based FPGA design and verification environment with design and implementation tools optimised for low-power Lattice FPGAs. The latest version of Lattice Diamond, version 3.11.3, is now available.

http://www.latticesemi.com

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Wireless power receiver from Renesas has WattShare TRx mode

Wed, Sep 09, 2020

Renesas Electronics has added the P9415-R wireless power receiver to its portfolio. The 15W receiver uses WattShare technology and enables smartphones, power banks, and portable industrial and medical equipment, to wirelessly charge other mobile devices and accessories that also have wireless charging capabilities.

The P9415-R features up to 5W of transmit power capability in transmitter/receiver (TRx) mode, as well as receive up to 15W on Qi transmitters, enabling quick and convenient mobile device charging on the go.

Renesas believes the P9415-R will bring WattShare technology to a wider audience. It combines receiver and transmitter capabilities, allowing smartphones, smart watches, wireless ear buds and other devices to be wirelessly charged simply by placing them on top of a smartphone or other industrial and medical portable devices.

In WattShare TRx mode, the P9415-R enables these mobile devices to change the power flow direction and deliver up to 5W of power to charge other devices. Customers can use the same wireless power coil and same P9415 circuitry to both receive and transmit power wirelessly.

The P9415-R wireless power receiver has an MTP non-volatile memory for easy firmware and device function updates. It also has graphic user interface (GUI) support for user customisation.

It receives up to 30W in proprietary mode and has under voltage lockout down to 2.7V which increases the available charging area and connection times. Sensory accuracy has been improved compared with earlier devices in Renesas’ wireless portfolio to increase foreign object detection capabilities.

The receiver also has bi-directional communications to support proprietary authentication with encryption and x-y alignment circuitry for better receiver/transmitter device alignment.

It is also Renesas’ first WPC 1.3-ready wireless power receiver based on the Wireless Power Consortium’s latest inductive standard.

Renesas produces both the power receivers (PRx) used in smartphones and other applications, as well as the power transmitters (PTx) used in charging pads and automotive in-car applications.

The P9415-R 15W WattShare wireless power receiver is available now.

http://www.renesas.com

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Network processor from STMicroelectronics enhances security

Maxim reduces cost and size for dynamic hand gesture sensing

Lattice extends MachXO3 FPGA security for automotive use

Wireless power receiver from Renesas has WattShare TRx mode

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