Sector News Archives - Page 12 of 605 - SmartCitiesElectronics.com

Rutronik System Solutions expands functionality of RDK3 base board

Tue, Feb 25, 2025

The growing demand for IoT devices is accompanied by an equally growing demand for energy-efficient energy harvesting modules. In order to meet the ecological and economic challenges of this trend, Rutronik is focusing on innovative solutions for harvesting energy from the surrounding environment. To this end, Rutronik’s System Solution developers, together with Rutronik’s wireless application experts, are introducing an innovative extension for the RDK3 Base Board. The new Ambient IoT remote control uses energy harvesting technology and thus offers a sustainable solution for the growing IoT ecosystem – without the need for a battery.

Thanks to the use of efficient wireless system-on-chip and power management semiconductors, energy harvesting can now replace conventional batteries in many applications. In addition to being environmentally friendly, this technology also reduces the costs associated with battery maintenance, supply chain, logistics, and disposal.

For the new extension of the RDK3, Rutronik allows the Infineon PSOCTM 64 (Secured MCU) integrated in the development kit to communicate with an EnOcean PTM 216B module, which contains a nRF52 SoC from Nordic Semiconductor, with an integrated Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interface. In the developed demo, the latter is located in a standard light switch and draws its electrical energy from mechanical motion – such as a keystroke. The RDK3 enables easy, cross-supplier communication between components, which means added design flexibility.

This type of technology is already established in light switches in buildings based on the Sub GHz EnOcean protocol. This protocol and ecosystem are maintained by the American EnOcean Alliance, which takes care of this 868 (EU) / 902 (USA) / 928 (JPN) MHz protocol. The German EnOcean GmbH manufactures the hardware for this. In a single module, both the components for kinematic energy harvesting and wireless connectivity are embedded. For the RDK3-based remote control, the company’s expertise and patents in the field of energy harvesting are used, but combined with Nordic Semiconductor’s Bluetooth technology, instead of the original Sub GHz-SoC.

https://www.rutronik.com/

> Read More

Rohm’s new TVS diodes support in-vehicle communication systems for autonomous driving

Wed, Feb 19, 2025

Rohm has developed bidirectional TVS (ESD protection) diodes compatible with CAN FD (CAN with Flexible Data rate) high-speed in-vehicle communication. Such protocols are seeing an increased demand in line with the ongoing advancement in autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). CAN FD is a crucial communication technology for safe, real-time data transmission between ECUs (Electronic Control Units) in vehicles. The new products achieve high-quality in-vehicle transmission by protecting electronic devices such as ECUs from surges and electrostatic discharge (ESD) while maintaining signal integrity in high-speed communication systems such as CAN FD.

The rapid evolution of autonomous driving technology and ADAS is boosting the demand for faster, more reliable automotive communication. Autonomous driving in particular requires quick and accurate processing of vast amounts of data from sensors such as cameras, LiDAR and radar – leading to the adoption of CAN FD that enables faster, higher capacity data transfer compared to traditional CAN used in automotive communication.

At the same time, to achieve high-speed in-vehicle communication, it is necessary to ensure stable transmission even under harsh environments. This has led to a growing demand for protection components that offer low terminal capacitance along with superior surge current rating and clamping voltage performance. As a result, the market for TVS diodes for automotive communication is expected to continue to grow in the future.

To meet market needs, Rohm developed the ESDCANxx series that combines low terminal capacitance with excellent surge tolerance. Two package types are available: SOT-23 (2.9mm × 2.4mm) and DFN1010 (1.0mm × 1.0mm), both supporting standoff voltages (VRWM) of 24V and 27V. The SOT-23 package includes four models: 24V ESDCAN24HPY / ESDCAN24HXY and 27V ESDCAN27HPY / ESDCAN27HXY. Similarly, the DFN1010 package is also offered in four models: 24V ESDCAN24YPA / ESDCAN24YXA and 27V ESDCAN27YPA / ESDCAN27YXA, totalling 8 products in the lineup.

The new products feature an optimised element structure that reduces terminal capacitance to a maximum of 3.5pF, preventing signal degradation during high-speed communication. High surge tolerance is also achieved, significantly improving the protection of electronic devices in automotive environments. For example, the 27V products of the DFN1010 package delivers approx. 3.2 times higher surge current rating and 16% lower clamping voltage compared to standard CAN FD-compatible products. This effectively safeguards expensive surge-sensitive electronic devices such as in-vehicle ECUs, ensuring high reliability even under harsh automotive environments.

https://www.rohm.com

> Read More

New functionality for EquipmentCloud and KontronGrid improves security and user experience

Wed, Feb 19, 2025

Kontron offers industrial software for cross-industry automation solutions through its subsidiary Kontron AIS GmbH. With the latest enhancements to the EquipmentCloud digital transformation solution and KontronGrid IoT device management solution, Kontron AIS offers machine builders and component manufacturers even more security, usability and flexibility.

Single sign-on (SSO) makes the login process much easier to use, and more secure. By linking to external identity providers such as Azure Active Directory, one click is all it takes for secure identification. By integrating multiple identity providers, both, the own employees and those of the system operators can be integrated. SSO can replace traditional login methods using a username and password in both desktop and mobile environments. Sensitive information such as passwords remains protected while administration is handled by the respective domain managers.

In addition, multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be made compulsory by administrators, further increasing the protection of sensitive information. The management of identities always remains in the hands of the local managers to provide a high level of security and control. Facing the prospects of growing cyber threats and legal requirements, Kontron AIS makes a decisive contribution to the secure operation of customer portals and IoT infrastructures.

Using the latest software version of EquipmentCloud, service managers can create custom reports in PDF format. Machine-related data such as master data and outstanding points can be integrated via an API so that customer-specific service processes, tickets and machine configurations can be easily documented. In addition, new CSS customisation features offer more freedom using design elements such as fonts, colours, and formatting. This means machine builders can promote their brand identity while maintaining full user-friendliness.

User statistics, which provide insights into user behaviour, are also new. Portal operators get answers to key questions: How many customers are active? How do KPIs evolve over time?

In addition, the new tracking function makes it easier to evaluate maintenance and machine care processes. Service managers can track and evaluate working hours, costs and spare parts used across systems. This creates transparency and enables more efficient invoicing.

KontronGrid, the IoT device management solution for edge devices, also offers new functionality. Docker Compose is now integrated to make it easy to configure complex Docker environments, including remote files. At the same time, a REST API for device management makes it possible to automate updates and device configurations. This enables companies to seamlessly integrate device management functions into external systems without using the graphical interface.

Further improvements have been made to the onboarding of edge devices: New devices can now be easily registered, configured and then assigned to hierarchies using the Universal ID manually or by scanning a QR code.

KontronGrid also offers the option of connecting IoT devices to machines. This gives machine manufacturers a clear overview of all their systems and the devices connected to them. Relationships can be analysed for each device group or device type, providing an important basis for predictive optimisations.

https://kontron-ais.com

> Read More

Renesas has announced ultra-low-power MCUs with capacitive touch, segment LCD and robust security

Wed, Feb 19, 2025

Renesas has introduced the RA4L1 microcontroller (MCU) group, including 14 new devices with ultra-low power consumption, advanced security features and segment LCD support. Based on an 80-MHz Arm Cortex M33 processor with TrustZone support, the new MCUs deliver a combination of performance features and power savings that enable designers to address a myriad of applications, including water meter, smart locks, IoT sensors and more.

The RA4L1 MCUs employ proprietary low-power technology that delivers 168 µA/MHz active mode @ 80 MHz and standby current of just 1.70 µA with all the SRAM retained. They also are available in very small packages including a 3.64 x 4.28 mm Wafer-Level Chip-Scale Package (WLCSP), addressing the needs of products such as portable printers, digital cameras and smart labels.

The RA4L1 MCUs are supported by Renesas’ Flexible Software Package (FSP). The FSP enables faster application development by providing all the infrastructure software needed, including multiple RTOS, BSP, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity, networking, and TrustZone support as well as reference software to build complex AI, motor control and cloud solutions. It allows customers to integrate their own legacy code and choice of RTOS with FSP, thus providing full flexibility in application development. The FSP eases migration of existing IP to and from either RA6 or RA2 Series devices.

Key Features of the RA4L1 MCUs

Core: 80 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 with TrustZone
Memory: 256-512 KB Dual-Bank Flash, 64 KB SRAM, 8 KB Dataflash

Peripherals: Segment LCD, Capacitive Touch, USB-FS, CAN FD, Low Power UART, SCI, SPI, QSPI, I2C, I3C, SSI, ADC, DAC, Comparator, Low Power Timer, Real-Time Clock
Packages: 3.64 x 4.28 mm WLCSP72, 7 x 7 mm LQFP48, 10 x 10 mm LQFP64, 14 x 14 mm LQFP100, 5.5 x 5.5 mm BGA64, 7 x 7 mm BGA100

Security: Unique ID, RSIP security engine supporting TRNG, AES, ECC, Hash

Wide Ambient Temperature Range: Ta = -40º to +125º C for the QFN, QFP and CSP package options; Ta = -40º to +105º C for the BGA package option

Availability
The RA4L1 MCUs are available now, along with the FSP software. Renesas is also shipping an RA4L1 Evaluation Board and an RA4L1 Capacitive Touch Renesas Solution Starter Kit (RSSK).

https://www.renesas.com

> Read More

Rutronik System Solutions expands functionality of RDK3 base board

Rohm’s new TVS diodes support in-vehicle communication systems for autonomous driving

New functionality for EquipmentCloud and KontronGrid improves security and user experience

Renesas has announced ultra-low-power MCUs with capacitive touch, segment LCD and robust security

About Smart Cities