IoT

Wireless software stack meets Open Metering System specification

Fri, Jul 03, 2020

A wireless M-Bus (wM-Bus) software stack leverages the integrated sub-GHz radio and multiple modulation schemes supported by STMicroelectronics’ STM32WL microcontrollers in smart metering systems.

According to ST it reduces the bill of materials costs for smart metering. The wM-Bus stack has been developed by Stackforce to comply with most of EN 13757-3/-7, covering the upper layers of the Wireless M-Bus protocol stack, as well as the lower layers (EN 13757-4) and its wM-Bus modes S, T, and C used throughout Europe in the 868MHz band. The mode N for operation at 169MHz is also an option. Other metering standards, including the most common Open Metering System (OMS) specification, as well as more specific standards like Dutch Smart Meter Requirements (DSMR) or CIG Italian Gas Committee specifications, are also met, adds ST.

Hakim Jaafar, marketing manager, STM32 Wireless products at STMicroelectronics said: “Thanks to our collaboration with Stackforce, STM32WL is reaching a new level of multi-protocol compatibility. With this wireless wM-Bus stack, the STM32WL can become the key product for a wide range of smart metering applications such as electricity, gas and water metering”.

Supported by the STM32 development ecosystem, STM32WL microcontrollers are low power devices incorporate a sub-GHz radio with a wide linear frequency range, dual power output. It can satisfy EN 300 220, FCC CFR 47 Part 15, ARIB T108, and other radio-equipment regulations, including China regulatory requirements. It also has an integrated switched-mode power supply (SMPS) and hardware cryptographic accelerators.

STM32WL devices with up to 256kbyte flash and a BGA73 package are in production now and are supported by ST’s 10-year product-longevity commitment

David Rahusen, managing director at Stackforce, said: “We will shortly add a wM-Bus over LoRaWAN stack that utilises . . . STM32WL features to merge the benefits of wM-Bus for seamless integration into metering infrastructure with the long-range capability of LoRaWAN urgently needed for metering applications”.

The Stackforce wM-Bus stack is available immediately. The wM-Bus over LoRaWAN stack will be available at the end of July 2020.

http://www.st.com

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Fanless 4K digital signage player includes remote monitoring

Thu, Jul 02, 2020

Based on 8th Gen Intel Core U-series processors, a 4K digital signage player, the SI-642-N, has been released by Ibase Technology. It can be used in commercial and retail locations as well as in transportation networks to provide real-time information and advertising relevant to the traveller.

The fanless SI-642-N offers high reliability for 24/7 operation in an industrial grade design. It is integrated with the Ibase iSmart and Observer technologies for remote monitoring, power on/off scheduling, power recovery and low temperature boot functions. The Intel HD Graphics 620 enables the system to simultaneously support two independent displays (one HDMI 2.0 and one active DisplayPort 1.2) with 4K (4096 x 2160) at 60Hz resolution. There are also two independent audio outputs.

The digital signage player’s MBD642 motherboard is populated with dual Gigabit LAN, four USB 3.1, dual channel DDR4 with up to 32Gbyte support and expansion slots including M.2 3042 B-key for 4G/LTE, M.2 2280 M-key for storage and M.2 2240 E-key for customers to install optional capture cards.

The Intel vPro and TPM 2.0 features increase productivity, remote manageability and data security, adds Ibase.

The SI-642-N is currently available in four models with different processor types. All operate on both Windows 10 and Linux Ubuntu operating systems.

Ibase Technology manufactures industrial motherboards, embedded systems, panel PCs, digital signage players and network appliances in the industrial PC and industrial IoT markets.

The Taiwanese company was established in 2000 and offers a range of digital signage system products catering across vertical markets including retail, banking, hospitality and education. Depending on their requirements, customers can choose the models based on performance, number of displays, resolution and ventilation designs. Ibase digital signage players feature advanced remote management that easily refreshes content and increases uptime while lowering costs. Ibase has partnered with leading digital signage platforms including Omnivex, Quividi and Navori. It is an Associate member of the Intel Internet of Things Solution Alliance.

http://www.ibase.com.tw

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Anritsu introduces DC block and cables to scale networking

Fri, Jun 26, 2020

110GHz components have been added to Anrtisu’s W1 range. The bias tees, DC block and semi- rigid cables are intended to help create test environments to more accurately verify mmWave and optical designs, says the company.

The new components to the W1 (1.0mm) range provide broadband frequency scalability in high-frequency device characterisation and optical networking applications. The new W1 components provides Anritsu with the broadest millimeter wave (mmWave), coaxial component portfolio in the market, claims the company. The components can integrated in test systems for high-speed designs.  Anritsu claims that no other company has a more complete set of 110GHz components for frequency and time domain use.

With operable frequency of DC to 110 GHz, the new components generate metrology-grade quality results with high repeatability, often providing a component where conventional devices do not exist. For example, the W1 coaxial interface allows for a direct connection to the instrument test port, which saves time and simplifies system setup.

The new components can be used as part of a test system consisting of 110GHz vector network analysers (VNAs), oscilloscopes and bit error rate testers (BERTs), as well as for optical transceivers, laser diodes, photodiodes and optical modulators. Development of switches and routers using NRZ and PAM4 modulation schemes with 56Gbits per second and 112Gbits per second data rates and 800G technology are target applications.

Anritsu has been providing communications test and measurement solutions for 120 years, helping customers to develop wireless, optical, microwave/RF and digital solutions for R&D, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance applications, as well as multi-dimensional service assurance solutions for network monitoring and optimisation.

Anritsu also provides precision microwave/RF components, optical devices, and high-speed electrical devices for communication products and systems. The company develops products for 5G, M2M, IoT, as well as other emerging and legacy wireline and wireless communication markets. 

http://www.anritsu.com

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BlueSky GNSS firewall update protects infrastructure

Wed, Jun 24, 2020

Critical infrastructure systems (e.g. power utilities, financial services, mobile networks and transportation) rely on timing derived from global positioning system (GPS). An update by Microchip Technology to its BlueSky GNSS Firewall software raises the level of resiliency against GPS vulnerabilities for systems.

Microchip’s BlueSky GNSS Firewall software release 2.0 performs real-time analysis to detect jamming and spoofing for protecting reception of the GPS signal and hardening response and recovery to avoid signal disruption. Release 2.0 includes charting and advanced threshold settings of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) elements such as satellites-in-view, carrier-to-noise, position dispersion, phase time deviation and the RF power level to simplify system turn-up and deployment.

Microchip developed improvements as a result of participation in an industry live-sky testing event hosted by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate. It identified new solutions to prevent signal disruption to develop the Blue Sky GNSS Firewall software release 2.0 to address operators’ evolving requirements.

Updates are essential to defend against rapidly-evolving GNSS disruptions and enable critical infrastructure operators to avoid interruptions of service.

Microchip’s BlueSky GNSS Firewall software release 2.0 is provided as part of a subscription service and is installed on the BlueSky GNSS Firewall device. When connected to Microchip’s TimePictra management software, critical infrastructure operators also can monitor and analyse GNSS signals in cities, across geographic regions, throughout a country and even globally.

Complementary devices and software in Microchip’s suite of GPS systems and services include the TimeProvider 4100 precise timing grandmaster with gateway clock, SyncServer 600/650 timing and frequency instrument, miniature atomic clock (MAC), Time Cesium and 5071A Cesium primary frequency standard.

https://www.microsemi.com

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