IoT Archives - Page 351 of 456 - SmartCitiesElectronics.com

Software simplifies 5G small cell development

Wed, Apr 29, 2020

To support the development of 5G base station technology, CommAgility has introduced its PHYRefChain-5G software. Developers working on satellite comms, wireless test, military communications and private network designs can use it to quickly develop and deploy specialised 5G solutions for customised applications.

The PHYRefChain-5G software is 3GPP-compliant, which reduces the complexity, risk, and cost of 5G product development by helping ensure new products meet global standards and are compatible with specific industry requirements, says CommAgility.

“The new 5G reference chain software adds to our base portfolio of 5G NR hardware and software,” said Edward Young, CommAgility’s vice president and general manager. The company combines its software and hardware with NXP’s Layerscape Access LA12XX programmable baseband processors for small cells, access points and private networks based on its reference chain software.

The resources in the PHYRefChain-5G software are claimed to provide a lower cost, shorter time to market option over in-house ground-up designs. The PHYRefChain-5G can play a key role in enabling the use of new radio access technology, 5G New Radio (NR), to develop next-generation communication networks.

The PHYRefChain-5G software is the foundation of CommAgility’s offering for 5G NR software development, including pre-ported and validated PHY and Stack. The 5G NR software has a flexible architecture to enable easy integration with available hardware accelerators and libraries. Versions are available for both 5G gNodeB and UE product developers. The reference chain complies with 3GPP Release 15 (specifications 38.22, 38.212, 38.213 and 38.214), ensuring end products will work with all 3GPP-compliant networks. Additionally, compliance with Small Cell Forum 5G FAPI enables fast integration with CommAgility or other protocol stacks.

Algorithms are provided for channel estimation, equalisation and synchronisation. There are also static test frameworks with hundreds of test cases and test vectors to reduce the investment required in test equipment and creating custom test environments, added CommAgility.

Version 15.0.3 of PHYRefChain-5G is available now and will be continually enhanced to meet market needs as 3GPP specifications evolve. Regular releases are planned to the software throughout 2020, adding further new features and functionality.

https://www.commagility.com

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Wirepas Mesh is scalable for decentralised networks

Mon, Apr 27, 2020

Battery-powered Wirepas Mesh technology mesh units and mesh sensor units from Fujitsu Component America, simplify the construction of large-scale decentralised networks, says the company. They allow scalable, reliable and cost-effective IoT for position tracking and sensor data collection.

The mesh units (FWM8BLZ07P) and mesh-sensor units (FWM8BLZ07Y) enable power saving, high-density networks with interference tolerance channel selection, transmitting power control and autonomous network rerouting capability, says Fujitsu. If the network environment changes, adds and/or removes the end device, or if a device failure occurs, the mesh topology and protocols will automatically reconfigure the mesh network. A security key ensures a secure communication environment throughout the network.

The FWM8BLZ07P mesh unit is well-suited for wide-area asset tracking. It features a long-sleep mode and an integrated sensor that wakes up only if certain events, like shock, are detected. This function further conserves energy because communication begins only when needed.

The multi-function FWM8BLZ07Y mesh-sensor unit incorporates temperature, humidity, air pressure, illuminance, three-axis acceleration and sound-level sensors. It can be adapted for a variety of massive, sensor data collection systems with scalable mesh topology. Sensor data paths through the mesh network topology mean that the end-node’s placement is not limited by the gateway’s location, says Fujitsu.

Both mesh units are based on the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52832 SoC and are compact. They measure 40.0 x 31.0 x 12.0mm (1.57 x 1.22 x 0.47 inches) within a grey, plain housing. They use a single CR2450 coin-cell battery and include a voltage notification function, which senses a voltage drop in the battery and allows users to determine the right timing for replacement.

The mesh and mesh sensor units and position tracking support software are available now.

Fujitsu Components America markets and distributes electronic and system components and sub-systems throughout North and South America. Products include relays, touch panels, thermal printers, wireless modules, connectors, and input and pointing devices.

The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, USA.

https://us.fujitsu.com/components

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Microchip releases latest version of 5G timing software

Wed, Apr 22, 2020

Microchip has released Version 2.1 of its TimeProvider 4100 timing grandmaster, equipped with gateway clock and what is claimed to be the fastest high-performance boundary clock to enhance 5G mobile network phase protection.

It is designed to help 5G mobile providers, cable operators and utility providers ensure phase delivery, protection and synchronisation even when the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is offline, jammed or spoofed.

The TimeProvider 4100 is a 1588 grandmaster with support for the latest ITU-T G.8275.1 and G.8275.2 1588 phase profiles. There is also an extensive port fan-out for PTP, network time protocol (NTP), SyncE, and E1/T1.

This software release builds on earlier versions by adding key software enhancements providing a virtual primary reference time clock (vPRTC). Virtual PRTC provides the ability to design a redundant precise time distribution architecture for phase protection over an optical network.

The main source of precise time is the Global Positioning System (GPS) and regional constellations that comprise the GNSS. Deployment of GNSS, however, can be expensive, due to the cost of upgrading to GNSS-capable receivers and antennae as well as increasing densification of end points. Telecomms, cable and utility operators deploy vPRTC where GNSS dependency is reduced or eliminated.

Using vPRTC leverages the existing optical network, thus avoiding expensive dark fibre expenses, it also uses a dedicated lambda to transport time precisely and securely and provides a redundant source of time through enhanced PRTC (ITU-T G.8272.1). It also allows bi-directional, precise time flows (east and west) and links together high-precision, multi-domain, high-performance boundary clocks that meet T-BC Class D, as defined by ITU-T G.8273.2.

Microchip’s vPRTC multi-domain architecture provides a high-performance, redundant, sub-five nanosecond distribution of precise time over regional and national networks.

Release 2.1 also introduces Network Time Protocol daemon (NTPd) with Message Digest (MD5) security algorithm.

TimeProvider4100 2.1 meets PRTC-B performance standards (per ITU-T G.8272) and supports 1G and 10G, NTP and PTP in a single form-factor system.

It is available now for both new and already deployed systems.

http://www.microchip.com

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Routers and software for IoT and 5G signage

Wed, Apr 22, 2020

Routers and software announced by Digi International address IoT connectivity and 5G for retail, digital signage, transportation and smart cities.

The new releases are the Digi TX54 and Digi TX64, the initial products in the TX line of transportation and intelligent traffic system routers. There is also the Digi EX12 cellular extender which joins the Digi EX15 for indoor signage, retail and food service applications.

Digi’s portfolio now has routers that include 5Ge / Gigabit LTE (Cat 18) radios, Band 71 and CBRS connectivity, 5G readiness, and are FirstNet Ready.

Supported devices can also use the Digi Core plug-in module, to adapt to the LTE standard.

Digi’s TX54, TX64 and EX12 are all built on Digi Accelerated Linux (DAL). This secure operating system adds multi-casting, expands routing protocols, and – critical for transportation applications – offers dual APN capabilities and supports dynamic DNS updates.

They also all share Edge Compute, which combined with the integral Python, allows users to add intelligence on the device. This can be from simple scripts to IoT applications.

They all also have Digi Remote Manager for centralised device deployment, monitoring and control. With Digi Remote Manager, organisations can automate firmware, software and configuration updates of all units in the field for asset tracking and compliance, including security protection. It is also available as an Android or iPhone mobile app.

Digi TrustFence is a built-in security framework, which protects internal and external I/O ports to prevent unwanted local intrusion. Digi TrustFence also provides data authentication and device identity management options. It uses the latest encryption protocols for data in motion and over-the-air (OTA) transmissions to ensure the integrity of data flowing across a network.

Designed for transportation, intelligent traffic system (ITS), and public safety applications, the Digi TX54 and Digi TX64 can be used in traffic systems for traffic monitoring and optimisation for connected and even self-driving vehicles, in the future. Dual cellular and dual Wi-Fi makes them suitable for on-transit-vehicle connectivity; eliminating network downtime with immediate cellular failover and providing simultaneous, firewalled passenger and administrator connectivity.

Additionally, the Digi TX64 with its dual Gigabit LTE (Cat 18) radios is ready for 5G as part of AT&T’s 5G rollout. This industrial computer has a Quad-core 1.9GHz processor, with added routing capabilities. It can be used for onsite camera monitoring, emergency response kits, and Wi-Fi for on-board transit applications, in addition to file streaming and storage.

The EX12 is Digi’s most affordable cellular extender for low to medium bandwidth applications, including business continuity, point of sale, and digital signage connectivity in retail and primary LTE connectivity in kiosks, ATMs, and lottery machines.

The TX54 and TX64 are available now. The EX12 will be available by this summer.

http://www.digi.com

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Software simplifies 5G small cell development

Wirepas Mesh is scalable for decentralised networks

Microchip releases latest version of 5G timing software

Routers and software for IoT and 5G signage

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