IoT

Prototyping board simplifies IoT end point development

Fri, Dec 06, 2019

For rapid product development, Renesas has introduced the RL78/G14 Fast Prototyping Board. This inexpensive, function-rich board is designed to enable rapid product development for IoT endpoint equipment. Quicker development prototyping and lower costs allows users to respond to rapid changes in technology and market needs, and reduces the time to market window for new products, says the company. Renesas also introduced the RL78/G1D BLE Module Expansion Board, which users can combine with the new prototyping board to easily add Bluetooth Low Energy wireless communication functions.

The new prototyping board is based on the RL78/G14 microcontroller, which provides the richest set of functions in the low-power RL78 family. It is suitable for motor control in portable equipment and IoT sensors as well as a wide range of IoT endpoint equipment, such as home appliances, industrial equipment, building automation and healthcare equipment.

Previously, the RL78/G14 starter kit and target boards required an external emulator. There were additional costs associated with high performance versions. The RL78/G14 Fast Prototyping Board is priced to be affordable, says Renesas and has an on-board emulator circuit with the same functions as the E2 Emulator (E2 Lite), so the user does not have to purchase additional debugging tools. The board provides access to all of the RL78/G14 signal pins and includes Arduino and Pmod interfaces for easy functional expansion.

By combining a Semtech SX1261 or SX1262 LoRa transceiver with this prototyping board, it is possible to prototype for IoT sensor devices using wireless communication based on LoRa with extended period battery drive, advised Renesas. The company also provides circuit diagrams, parts lists and user manuals necessary to jump-start development, in addition to sample code and application notes related to these products.

The RL78/G14 is the most powerful microcontroller in the RL78 family, achieving a numerical processing performance of 51.2DMIPS at 32MHz. It includes up to 512kbyte of flash memory and up to 48kbyte of RAM. It provides functions such as timers and 8-bit DACs. In particular, it achieves the industry’s lowest levels of current drain, 66 microA/MHZ, when the CPU is operating and 240nA in standby mode. This microcontroller is optimal for battery-powered portable equipment and IoT sensor terminals, as well as a wide range of IoT endpoint equipment.

Both boards are available now.

http://www.renesas.com

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EERAM retains data despite a power loss

Tue, Dec 03, 2019

Microchip has introduced a family of serial peripheral interface (SPI) EERAM devices that it says offers system designers up to 25 per cent cost savings over the current serial non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) alternatives.

Serial EERAM is a standalone serial SRAM that includes shadow non-volatile back-up. The SPI EERAM family introduces four SPI densities to Microchip’s EERAM portfolio, ranging from 64kbit up to 1Mbit.

They can be used for applications that require repetitive task data-logging and which must be able to automatically restore content if power is disrupted during processing. Target applications range from smart meters to manufacturing lines.

Current low-density (64kbit to 1Mbit) NVRAMs used for these data logs are typically the highest price-per-bit memory in the resulting end products, notes Microchip.

The EERAM standalone non-volatile RAM uses the same SPI and I2C protocols as serial SRAM, enabling devices to retain SRAM content during power loss without using an external battery. All non-volatile parts are invisible to the user. When the device detects power going away, it automatically transfers the SRAM data to non-volatile storage, moving it back to the SRAM once power returns.

In manufacturing lines, for example, stations handle up to millions of tasks over their lifetimes and lost data during a task can require overhauling or discarding items. EERAMs automatically store SRAM content in these settings, allowing the manufacturing line to resume where the task was disrupted.

The primary reason EERAM is available at a lower price point is the use of standard CMOS and flash processes. As the highest volume and most widely used processes and can offer the best reliability and lowest cost in the industry, explains Microchip.

Alternatives such as ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) use a specialty process, which results in higher costs and unstable long-term supply, argues Microchip.

This EERAM family comes with Microchip’s customer-driven obsolescence practice, which helps ensure availability to customers for as long as needed.

The 48L640 (64kbit SPI), 48L256 (256kbit SPI), 48L512 (512kbit SPI) and 48LM01 (1Mbit SPI) devices are available in eight-pin SOIC, SOIJ and DFN packages in volume production.

http://www.microchip.com

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C-V2X/DSRC chipset is certified for US deployment

Tue, Dec 03, 2019

Israeli company, Autotalks has announced that its second generation vehicle to everything (V2X) chipsets are Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) -certified for secure C-V2X or DSRC (dedicated short range communications) deployment in the US.

Autotalks’ V2X chipsets achieved FIPS 140-2 security level 3 certification from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Its Craton2 and Secton embedded hardware security module (eHSM) is the first V2X HSM to achieve this certification.

FIPS 140-2 is a US government computer security standard that is used to approve cryptographic modules. The US Department of Transportation recommends level 3 certification for V2X HSM in order to prevent the theft of security credentials.

“This makes Autotalks chipsets the only truly secure C-V2X/DSRC chipsets which are ready for deployment in the US,” said Yaniv Sulkes, Autotalks’ vice president of business development and marketing in North America and Europe. “[The chipset] allows automakers to deploy Autotalks’ secure V2X chipset using either V2X technology, with the option to later change to another technology, thus eliminating risk of wrong technology selection.”

Autotalks’ chipset isolates V2X from the non-safety domains, to provide domain separation and security, scalability, and cost-optimisations of telematic control unit (TCU) deployments. The embedded HSM exceeds the secure storage size defined by US DOT V2X NPRM, assures access to secure assets only by authorised processes and includes crypto-agility for future-proof cyber defence.

Autotalks is a V2X chipset provider, and says it helps reduce collisions on roadways and improve mobility with its automotive qualified chipsets. The chipsets offer secure, global V2X communications designed for autonomous vehicles. The technology complements the information coming from other sensors, specifically in non-line-of-sight scenarios, rough weather, or poor lighting conditions. It significantly improves overall road safety, effectively coordinating vehicles, self-driving cars, motorcyclists and pedestrians.

http://www.auto-talks.com

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Ultracapacitors drive industrial robotics 

Thu, Nov 28, 2019

To address the fast-growing markets in manufacturing and warehouse logistics, Skeleton Technologies has introduced the SkelCap SCA0300 ultracapacitor series.

Strict power quality requirements in manufacturing are driving the demand for ultracapacitor-based uniterrruptible power supplies (UPS), says Skeleton. The company has designed the SCA0300 family for high power and to protect sensitive manufacturing equipment, such as warehouse and fulfillment centre robotics.

Shuttle and automated guided vehicle (AGV) manufacturers are replacing batteries with ultracapacitors due to power, reliability, and their lifetime advantages, says Skeleton.

The 300F-sized SCA0300 is designed to be easily mountable to PCBs. The high power and thermal characteristics are the result of the low ESR of the cell.

The SCA0300 complies with the strict IATF standard used in the automotive industry, ensuring the safety, quality, and reliability required in passenger vehicles, and also meets the requirements of applications in medical machinery, oil and gas, grid, and renewable energy production.

Skeleton Technologies claims to be the global leader in graphene-based ultracapacitors and energy-storage systems. It says use of patented ‘curved graphene’ has resulted in breakthroughs in ultracapacitor performance and successfully commercialised them in trucks, buses, and grid applications. Its ultracapacitor technology is claimed to deliver up to twice the energy density and four times the power density offerered by other manufacturers. Customers range from Tier One automotive companies and industrial equipment OEMs to lorry/truck fleet operators and aerospace prime contractors.

http://www.skeletontech.com 

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