CommAgility and NXP collaborate to accelerate 5G New Radio

Wireless Telecom company, CommAgility has collaborated with NXP Semiconductors to develop the Layerscape Access LA12XX programmable baseband processors for 5G New Radio (NR) processing. The collaboration enables CommAgility to accelerate 5G hardware and software development and enhance the performance of its 5G platform, reports the company. It will use its 5G platform to create private and specialised network solutions based on NXP programmable baseband processors.

CommAgility is already implementing its 5G NR PHY and protocol stack software on the NXP processors, initially supporting sub-6GHz bands and mmWave frequencies. The software and processors available enable CommAgility to design and deploy a complete, optimised 5G software and hardware portfolio for access points, small cells and specialised networks, to be available this year.

Edward Young, VP and general manager at CommAgility, said that basing its 5G portfolio on NXP’s new family of baseband processors will “enable us to create cost-effective, power-efficient solutions with high data throughput”. He continued: “Our 4G software and hardware has already been deployed in a wide range of LTE applications from commercial to specialised networks and we look forward to continued growth with our new 5G New Radio product line.”

CommAgility is part of the Wireless Telecom Group company. It develops embedded signal processing and RF modules and LTE PHY/stack software, for 4G and 5G mobile network and related applications. CommAgility designs the latest DSP, FPGA and RF technologies into compact products based on industry standard architectures. CommAgility’s LTE software for mobile devices and wireless infrastructure includes physical layer and protocol stack for small cells, physical layer and protocol stack for terminals, an advanced scheduler for small cells, and IP development in the areas of advanced PHY algorithms in multi-core SDR platforms.

 Wireless Telecom Group consists of Boonton Electronics, CommAgility, Microlab and Noisecom. It designs and manufactures advanced RF and microwave components, modules, systems and instruments for the wireless, telecommunication, satellite, military, aerospace, semiconductor and medical industries. Wireless Telecom Group’s products include peak power meters, signal analysers, signal processing modules, LTE PHY and stack software, power splitters and combiners, GPS repeaters, public safety monitors, noise sources, and programmable noise generators. The company also supports the development, testing, and deployment of wireless technologies around the globe.

http://www.commagility.com

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Rutronik UK adds Minew’s MS88SF2 multi-protocol module

Based on Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF52840 SoC, the MS88SF2 multi-protocol module can be operated with Bluetooth 5.0, ZigBee 3.0, Thread and ANT wireless protocols, as well as with proprietary 2.4GHz stacks. The module is the latest module from Minew and is available at Rutronik UK.

The integrated module measures just 23.2 x 17.4 x 2.0mm and contains all necessary components from radio to different antennae (PCB and ceramic) and the antenna-matching network, or a U.FL/IPEX antenna plug, for external antenna connection, says Rutronik UK. The metal cover protects against unwanted radiation and electromagnetic waves.

It has an Arm Cortex-M4F processor with a core speed of 64MHz, delivering sufficient computing power for highly complex algorithms and also for floating-point calculations, confirms Rutronik UK. The 1Mbyte flash memory can hold several radio stacks and also larger customer applications and offers enough space for data logger tasks. Power management includes an on-chip DC/DC converter and low-dropout (LDO) controller as well as automated power-saving mode.

The MS88SF2 is CE, FCC, IC, TELEC and BQB-certified. It is intended for cost-effective building of network nodes in applications such as cycling computers, heart rate and blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose meters, scales, thermometers, mobile accessories, sports and fitness sensors, remote controls and toys, key fobs and wrist bands, 3D glasses and gaming controllers.

Rutronik UK operates as an independent company. Its parent company, Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente, is the third largest distributor in Europe and ranked number 11 worldwide. The broadline distributor supplies semiconductors, passive and electromechanical components as well as boards, storage, displays & wireless products. The company‘s primary target markets are the automotive, medical, industrial, home appliance, energy and lighting industries. Rutronik’s brands for product lines are Rutronik Embedded, Rutronik Smart, Rutronik Power and Rutronik Automotive, providing specific products and services in groups tailored to the applications. Rutronik also offers technical support for product development and design-in, individual logistics and supply chain management.

http://www.rutronik.com

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MAC-SA5X rubidium atomic clock locks quicker for atomic stability

Miniature Atomic Clock (MAC) technology by Microchip has been enhanced to deliver wider temperature range and rapid warm-up time, says the company, as it introduces the MAC-SA5X miniaturised rubidium atomic clock

To meet demand for a small footprint atomic clock, Microchip Technology claims to have developed the industry’s highest performance atomic clock for its size and power. The MAC-SA5X miniaturised rubidium atomic clock also delivers a wider thermal range, critical performance improvements and other enhancements over previously available technology, says Microchip.

The MAC-SA5X produces a stable time and frequency reference that maintains a high degree of synchronisation to a reference clock, such as a GNSS-derived signal. Its combination of low monthly drift rate, short-term stability and stability during temperature changes allow the device to maintain precise frequency and timing requirements during extended periods of holdover during GNSS outages or for applications where large rack-mount clocks are not possible.

It operates over a wide temperature range of -40 to +75 degrees C and has been designed to achieve atomic stability performance by taking less time to lock compared to some of the existing clock technology. In an aircraft application, for example, these attributes enable faster power up of critical communication and navigation systems in extreme climates, Microchip says.

The MAC-SA5X allows system developers to avoid the need for extra circuitry by integrating a one pulse per second (1PPS) input pin for fast frequency calibration, saving time and development cost. The MAC-SA5X has the same footprint as previous MAC-SA.3X miniature atomic clock technology for ease of transition to the newer, higher performance device.

Designed and manufactured in the USA, the MAC-SA5X operates to less than 5.0E-11 frequency stability over operating temperature; less than 5.0E-11 per month aging rate, 6.3W consumption and is 47 cc in volume. It is supplied in an ovenised crystal oscillator (OCXO)-sized package measuring 50.8 x 50.8mm.

The MAC-SA5x family of atomic clocks is supported by evaluation kit 090-44500-000. The MAC-SA5x atomic clock is available now for pre-sampling and will be available for deliveries in February 2020, with technical support services and an extended warranty from Microchip.

http://www.microchip.com

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Microchip introduces MPLAB TÜV SÜD-certified tools

Functional safety certifications can be time-consuming and expensive, so Microchip has announced TÜV SÜD certification of its MPLAB XC compilers for functional safety. The tools significantly simplify the functional safety qualification process for Microchip’s PIC, AVR and SAM microcontrollers and dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs), claims the company.

To further simplify testing and diagnostics, Microchip also introduced MPLAB Code Coverage license, which determines parts of software that have or have not been executed with minimal impact to the application.

The MPLAB XC functional compilers certified by TÜV SÜD contribute to satisfying the verification and validation requirements specified in the ISO 26262 standard for automotive safety, IEC 61508 for industrial applications, IEC 62304 for medical software and IEC60730 for automatic electric controls. The MPLAB XC Compilers for Functional Safety will be packaged with additional documentation for qualification of the MPLAB X integrated development environment (IDE) and MPLAB debuggers and programmers. With no annual renewal fees, the licenses are the lowest-cost solution on the market. Using Microchip’s microcontrollers with the functional safety licenses will reduce application costs and time to market, the company advises.

Ensuring high test coverage of embedded software using code coverage tools often requires a large amount of hardware modification, expensive software and significant effort searching large data files for pertinent information. MPLAB Code Coverage has less than one per cent impact to test time. Through a patented process, code can be tested in a single pass without breaking the code into blocks. This saves time and eliminates sifting through large data files.

In addition to offering development tools that make it easier, faster and more affordable to comply to functional safety standards, Microchip also offers many PIC, AVR, dsPIC and SAM microcontrollers that are functional safety-ready. For all functional safety ready microcontrollers, Microchip provides Failure Mode Effect and Diagnostics Analysis (FMEDA) reports and safety manuals targeting ISO 26262 up to ASIL-B safety levels, with some products achieving ASIL-D.

MPLAB X IDE version 5.25 is available for free on Microchip’s website. The MPLAB Code Coverage workstation license and MPLAB XC8, XC16 and XC32++ functional safety workstation licenses are available today.

http://www.microchip.com

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