ICs & Semiconductors Archives - Page 55 of 230

Gigabit Ethernet switch has a real time engine for industrial automation

Wed, Aug 23, 2023

With the ability to process high speed cyclical data in flight, the LAN9662 is Microchip’s latest Gbit Ethernet switch for industrial automation.

For automation networking, it has four ports, audio-video bridging and time sensitive networking (AVB/TSN), two integrated 10/100/1000BASE-T PHYs and a 600MHz Arm Cortex-A7 CPU subsystem.

A real time engine support industrial Ethernet applications, and provides the ability to modify the Ethernet frame in flight. This enables faster cyclical data rates and low latency, confirmed Microchip. The LAN9662 is compliant with key industry standards such as the OPC Unified Architecture (OPC/UA) and PROFINET software stack, offering deterministic communication capabilities necessary for industrial networking applications.

“Expanding on the LAN966x family, the LAN9662 opens a path to scale with TSN-enabled networking endpoints,” explained Charles Forni, vice president of Microchip’s USB and networking business unit. Developers can start designs knowing that industry standards are met and supported by a comprehensive software portfolio.

With two integrated PHYs, the LAN9662 provides low latency to support various daisy chain topologies. The PHY interfaces enable fast data processing within a specified time to provide a reliable network for automation applications such as motor, conveyor and multi-axis robot controllers.

The LAN9662 supports multiple interfaces, namely up to two RGMII/RMII, up to two 1000BASE-X/SerDes/2.5GBASE-X/KX, and a Quad-SGMII/Quad-USGMII interface. The configurable interfaces allow designers to reach various types of physical layers or interconnects as required.

The LAN9662 is supported by Microchip’s Switch API, the EVB-LAN9662 and the EVB-LAN9662 carrier board. Software support is also offered through Platform BSP, Linux Switchdev and PROFINET Software Stack.

Microchip Technology offers a wide product portfolio of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions with development tools for customers operating in the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defence, communications and computing markets. It is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, USA.

http://www.microchip.com

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Silicon Labs unveils Amazon Sidewalk optimised SoCs

Wed, Aug 23, 2023

Two SoCs unveiled by Silicon Labs, the SG23 and SG28, are optimised for Amazon Sidewalk.

To address the varied technologies and protocols that exist in the IoT today, the Silicon Labs portfolio includes different device families and derivatives for different parts, such as the BG line of Bluetooth SoCs and the ZG line of Z-Wave SoCs, and this latest addition, the SG family of SoCs optimised for Amazon Sidewalk.

The always-on Amazon Sidewalk network uses Bluetooth LE for device provisioning and nearby device connectivity, sub-GHz FSK for connectivity up to one mile, and a proprietary CSS radio for extreme long range. Most Amazon Sidewalk end-devices will support Bluetooth LE and either FSK or CSS. The SG28 includes two dual-band SoCs with radios for both sub-GHz FSK as well as Bluetooth LE. These dual-band parts help simplify devices and reduce cost by including the two most commonly used radios on Sidewalk end devices in a single package. The SG23 provides security and a robust sub-GHz link budget for long range, end node devices.

The company has also introduced developer tools as the company continues to work closely with Amazon to provide developers with the hardware, software, and development tools needed to navigate the Amazon Sidewalk development process.

Silicon Labs has worked directly with Amazon to create the Amazon Sidewalk Developer’s Journey, a guide with 12 steps organised in three stages, covering determining if a targeted region has Amazon Sidewalk coverage, device deployment and ongoing support for devices in the field. The guide includes technical documentation, videos, and code samples, with the option to engage a Silicon Labs expert for support. Silicon Labs provides all the tools needed for each step, and by following the Developers Journey, device makers are well-positioned for Amazon Web Services and Amazon Sidewalk certification and approval.

Silicon Labs develops secure, intelligent wireless technology for a more connected world with an integrated hardware and software platform, intuitive development tools, ecosystem and robust support for building advanced industrial, commercial, home, and life applications.

http://www.Silabs.com

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u-blox and Orbcomm create terrestrial and satellite IoT comms

Wed, Aug 16, 2023

IoT for industrial operations technology developer Orbcomm, has partnered with u-blox to develop solutions for the convergence of terrestrial and satellite IoT communications markets.

The cellular and satellite IoT communications markets have grown substantially. The Ericsson Mobility Report (2022) said the number of cellular IoT connections was approximately 0.5 billion in 2016 and projected to reach around 5.5 billion by 2028. At the same time, the satellite IoT comms market is expected to triple by 2025 (source: The Satellite IoT Communications Market report by Berg Insights). Combining satellite and cellular IoT comms can uncover new areas and be more attainable for IoT deployers, said u-blox.

As part of the collaboration, u-blox will directly integrate support for Orbcomm’s satellite communication protocols into its UBX-R52/S52 LPWA (low power wide area) modem SoC. The small chipset offers dual connectivity at a low cost, said the company. It will be at the core of future u-blox module products supporting terrestrial LPWA and satellite IoT protocols enabling connected solutions almost anywhere in the world, claimed u-blox.

The UBX-R52/S52 chipset is specifically designed for IoT applications with long lifecycle needs, it will further strengthen u-blox’s leadership in asset tracking, said Martin Leach, head of product centre cellular at u-blox. The partnership will integrate satellite protocol support alongside cellular protocols to expand the addressable market for IoT applications, including remote locations without reliable cellular coverage, added Leach.

“We are excited to see the convergence of cellular and satellite technologies into a powerful single device,” said David Roscoe, executive vice president of satellite communications and products at Orbcomm. He said that the combination of Orbcomm’s satellite technology with the UBX-R52/S52 chipset will “allow customers deploying IoT solutions in the supply chain, heavy equipment, and agriculture industries” for what he described as ubiquitous, reliable coverage “virtually anywhere on Earth, including remote locations, areas with poor cellular coverage, and isolated environments such as in the middle of the ocean”.

Industrial IoT applications that can benefit from these solutions include asset tracking in logistics, retail, and manufacturing, tracking and telematics equipment for agriculture, construction, and mining, livestock tracking and industrial sensors.

http://www.u-blox.com

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Radar sensor is smallest 60GHz with antennas in package, says Infineon

Mon, Jul 31, 2023

The BGT60UTR11AIP Xensiv 60GHz radar sensor is in a compact antenna in package (AIP) for a footprint of just 16mm², for use in consumer electronics, IoT applications and healthcare devices, said Infineon Technologies.

The company said it is the smallest 60GHz radar sensor with AIP available today and is suitable for small devices, for example vital sensing (heart and respiratory rate) and healthcare devices such as baby monitors and sleep trackers. It is also suitable for consumer electronics such as laptops, TVs and cameras, as well as smart home and building devices such as air conditioners, thermostats and smart doorbells. The radar sensor can also be used in industrial applications including robotics and tank level measurement.

The monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) is based on Infineon’s B11 SiGe BiCMOS technology. It has a wide bandwidth of 5.6GHz and a ramp speed of 400MHz per microsecond to enable high resolution frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) operation with sensitive presence and motion detection at up to 15m (50 feet). The sensor also enables precise distance measurement, 1D gesture and vital sign detection, all with sub-mm motion detection capabilities.

The integrated antennas provide a ±60 degree field of view while an integrated state machine enables real time data acquisition without processor interaction. The MMIC also includes a 12-bit ADC with a sampling rate of up to 4Msamples per second).

The MMIC’s built-in broadcast mode allows multiple chips to be synchronised. It also includes on-chip sensors for measuring Tx output power and temperature. A deep sleep mode ensures the sensor’s low power operation, added Infineon.

The Xensiv 60GHz radar BGT60UTR11AIP sensor can be ordered now and will begin shipping in Q4 2023. The Demo BGT60UTR11AIP and the radar development kit (RDK) are both available for download from the Infineon Developer Center (IDC).

https://www.infineon.com

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Gigabit Ethernet switch has a real time engine for industrial automation

Silicon Labs unveils Amazon Sidewalk optimised SoCs

u-blox and Orbcomm create terrestrial and satellite IoT comms

Radar sensor is smallest 60GHz with antennas in package, says Infineon

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