IoT

Integrated RF modules create 6LoWPAN sub-GHz mesh

Fri, Apr 05, 2019

A wireless IP mesh based on fully integrated RF modules has been created by Radiocrafts.

A new family of RF modules form a complete wireless IP mesh for long range IoT access. The RIIM (Radiocrafts Industrial IP Mesh) uses 6LoWPAN, a lightweight version of IPv6.  This allows the user to access each sensor and controller from the internet using IP addressing. The radio protocol uses IEEE 802.15.4 g/e providing bi-directional communications with short transmission pulses that enables dense networks with high reliability and very low power consumption.

RIMM will enable customers to get to market quickly, based on Radiocrafts’ compact RF module as the foundation, simple set-up and a novel way to interface any sensor or actuator, the Intelligent C-programmable I/O (CIO). Customers can create complex applications managing and interfacing sensors and actuators in less than 100 lines of C-code, removing the need for an external microcontroller in the devices, advises Radiocrafts.

A complete RIIoT network includes sensor nodes based on the RC1882CEF-IPM module. The module can be configured as any of the required network nodes, a border router, a mesh router or a leaf node.

The Wireless IP Mesh does not require any license or subscription, and is very low power.

It operates at 868 or 915MHz frequency and is based on a mesh network topology, using IPv6 to address each leaf node. It can support several hundred nodes in a network, reveals Radiocrafts, yet has very low power consumption; it offers a five-year lifetime on a 2000mAh coin cell battery.

The universal sensor/actuator ICI interface means that no external microcontroller is required.

The network range is up to 20km and up to 29 mesh hops can be supported.

Ethernet access to the RIIM network is via the Radiocrafts border router. The network is cloud-compatible via the CBOR protocol.

http://www.radiocrafts.com

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Compact industrial motherboard supports three displays

Thu, Apr 04, 2019

Measuring 116.8 x 111.8mm, the AIMB-U117 is a palm-sized industrial motherboard, equipped with Intel Atom E39XX  processors, three independent displays, onboard eMMC storage and extensive I/O capabilities.

Advantech has released the motherboard which supports a wide range of DC power inputs from 12 to 24V. Compliant with flexible thermal solutions designed by Advantech engineers, the AIMB-U117 supports extended operating temperatures from -20 to +70 degrees C for rigorous reliability and performance under intense conditions. Small in size, the AIMB-U117 targets multiple applications, digital signage, passenger information systems, automation, robot AGV, robotics, and vending.

The AIMB-U117 integrates an Intel Generation 9 graphics engine for improved throughput, media acceleration, and 4k2k display resolution. Display interfaces include DisplayPort1.2, HDMI1.4, and eDP (or LVDS). It supports three simultaneous, independent display outputs to deliver DirectX 12.0, OpenGL 4.4 and OpenCL 2.0 graphics and media performance. The 4096 x 2160 resolution output means the AIMB-U117 is suitable for digital signage applications requiring a slim-sized solution with high resolution graphics and up to three independent display outputs.

The AIMB-U117 offers dual GbE LAN ports, four USB 3.0, one SATAIII and two COM (RS-232, RS-422 or 485) ports. For expansion, the motherboard supports one M.2 (E key) and one full-sized MiniPCIe (colay mSATA) for modular add-on card installation. The AIMB-U117 also supports, optional, onboard eMMC storage. The optional standard protocol interfaces include one MDB and one ccTalk for vending applications. There is also one CANBus suitable for automation applications.

The AIMB-U117 is designed for wide-ranging DC power source input (12 to 24V) and features a lockable DC jack to ensure power cables remain securely connected in high vibration environments. The AIMB-U117 can be used in automation applications and/or semi-outdoor public environments where passenger information systems, signage walls, and vending machines are located such as airports or train stations.

http://www.advantech.eu

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PoE chipset exploits IEEE 802.3bt specificiation

Thu, Apr 04, 2019

Reliable and space-efficient powered devices (PDs) can be built to take advantage of the latest IEEE 802.3bt Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) specification, says STMicroelectonics, on the introduction of the PM8804 and PM8805.

The PM8804 and PM8805 provide the PoE-converter circuitry for PDs up to class-eight, which defines a usable power budget of 71W. According to STMicroelectronics, the chipset saves space, enhances reliability, and cuts time to market for 5G small cells, WLAN access points, switches, and routers. The PoE chipset also targets smart-building and smart office applications such as IP cameras, access-control systems, display panels, lighting, curtain or shutter controllers, video-call systems, IP phones, and tabletop consoles.

The PM8804 implements a PWM controller for a 48V isolated flyback or forward converter, including dual low-side gate drivers for high-efficiency forward active-clamp topologies. The operating frequency is selectable up to 1MHz, allowing the use of small external filter and decoupling components for high power density. The PM8804 is a high-voltage start-up regulator with 20mA output capability to help save on board space and bill of materials.

The PM8805 companion chip contains two active bridges, a charge pump for driving high-side MOSFETs, a hot-swap FET, and the IEEE 802.3bt compliant interface. Integrating the active bridges saves the real estate otherwise occupied by eight discrete MOSFETs and their driving circuitry, explains STMicroelectronics. The PM8805 generates a power-good signal for enabling the PM8804 and other circuitry such as an LED driver, and supports maintain power signature (MPS) current control that allows the PD to enter power-saving standby without being disconnected.

Both devices are in production now. The PM8804 is packaged as a 3.0 x 3.0mm, 0.5mm-pitch VFQFPN-16. The PM8805 in 8.0 x 8.0mm thermally enhanced VFQFPN-43 featuring exposed pads.

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http://www.st.com

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FPGA provides customised solutions for data0centric business

Wed, Apr 03, 2019

FPGAs that will provide customised solutions for data-centric challenges in embedded, network and data centre sectors have been released by Intel. The Agilex FPGAs deliver customised connectivity and acceleration and performance and power improvements for diverse workloads, says Dan McNamara, Intel senior vice president, Programmable Solutions Group.

The Agilex FPGA is believed to be the first FPGA to support Compute Express Link, a cache and memory coherent interconnect to future Intel Xeon Scalable processors. The FPGA’s second generation HyperFlex architecture provides up to 40 per cent higher performance, or up to 40 per cent lower total power compared with Intel Stratix 10 FPGAs, notes Intel.

It is also believed to be the only FPGA supporting hardened BFLOAT16 and up to 40TFLOPS of DSP performance (FP16) and it has Gen 5 PCIe for higher bandwidth that PCIe Gen 4.

The Agilex FPGA supports data transfer rates of up to 112Gbits per second and has advanced memory support with DDR5, HBM and Intel Optane DC persistent memory support.

The Agilex FPGA fabric is built on Intel’s 10nm process with heterogeneous 3D SiP technology. This provides the capability to integrate analogue, memory, custom computing, custom I/O, and Intel eASIC device tiles into a single package with the FPGA fabric. Intel delivers a custom logic continuum with reusable IPs through a migration path from FPGA to structured ASIC. One application program interface (API) provides a software-friendly heterogeneous programming environment, enabling software developers to access acceleration via the use of FPGAs, maintains Intel.

The FPGAs have been developed to support customers in aggregating and processing increasing amounts of data traffic for emerging, data driven industries like edge computing, networking and the cloud. Intel Agilex FPGAs can be used in edge analytics for low-latency processing, virtualised network functions to improve performance, or data centre acceleration for greater efficiency, says Intel. They are built to deliver customised solutions for applications from the edge to the cloud.

The Agilex FPGAs have the flexibility to meet the hardware system challenges presented by advances in artificial intelligence (AI) analytics at the edge, network and the cloud, explains Intel.

http://www.intel.com

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