Sector News

u-blox introduces new all-band GNSS antenna for high-precision applications

Tue, Sep 10, 2024

u-blox has announced the external GNSS antenna ANN-MB2 for wide coverage, multi-constellation high-precision applications. Optimised for the u-blox high-precision GNSS technology, ANN-MB2 is well-suited for industrial automation, surveying, autonomous vehicles, mobile robotics and other applications requiring centimetre-level position accuracy in challenging environments.

The u-blox ANN-MB2 is a compact, high-precision real-time kinematic (RTK) antenna that supports L1, L2, E6/B3, L5, L-band, and all major GNSS systems. This all-band antenna features a robust architectural design, superior multipath mitigation, and versatile mounting options. With its excellent price-to-performance ratio, ANN-MB2 is suitable for easy evaluation and fast design-in of wide-band high-precision positioning applications, paving the way for mass-market adoption.

ANN-MB2 engineering samples are available now, and production is planned for Q4 2024.

https://www.u-blox.com

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Silicon Labs wireless Gecko SoCs streamline energy harvesting for battery-free IoT devices

Fri, Sep 06, 2024

Mouser Electronics, is now stocking the EFR32xG22E wireless Gecko system-on-chip (SoC) series from Silicon Labs. The EFR32xG22E is Silicon Lab’s most energy-efficient wireless SoC to date, designed to operate in the ultra-low-power envelope required for battery-free energy harvesting. The Silicon Labs EFR32xG22E wireless Gecko SoCs allow users to develop Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), 802.15.4-based or proprietary 2.4GHz wireless devices for IoT applications that harvest energy from external sources.
The Silicon Labs EFR32xG22E wireless Gecko SoC family consists of three variants: the EFR32BG22E, the EFR32MG22E, and the EFR32FG22E. Each variant features an integrated Arm Cortex M4 MCU and a high-performance 2.4GHz radio. The EFR32xG22 SoCs are ideal for devices that require immediate activation and efficient power management, featuring EM4 wake-up of 1.83 milliseconds and power consumption of just 16.6 microjoules (µJ). The SoCs also support multiple power sources and power management devices, allowing users to explore new battery technologies such as supercapacitors.
The EFR32BG22E wireless SoC enables Bluetooth 5 networking in IoT devices that demand fast startup, including asset tags and beacons, consumer electronics, and Bluetooth Mesh low-power nodes. The EFR32BG22E also offers a Bluetooth 5 direction-finding feature. The EFR32MG22E SoC is designed for Zigbee® green power and home automation, lighting and building controls, and smart building sensors. The optimised Zigbee SoC includes a 12-channel peripheral reflex system that allows for autonomous interaction among MCU peripherals, reducing latency and power consumption. The EFR32FG22E proprietary wireless 2.4 SoC features RFSense and delivers energy efficiency and increased lifespan for products with limited battery resources. The proprietary wireless 2.4 SoC is a single-die solution for electronic shelf labels, home and building automation, and commercial lighting.
The Silicon Labs EFR32xG22E wireless Gecko SoCs are supported by the xG22 Development Tools: the EFR32xG22E wireless Gecko radio boards and starter kit. The xG22 tools provide developers with everything they need to evaluate the EFR32xG22E wireless Gecko SoCs and build scalable wireless IoT applications.

https://www.mouser.com

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Advantech releases industrial 4G connectivity gateways for simplifying network integration

Thu, Sep 05, 2024

Advantech has announced the launch of the ICR-1600 series industrial 4G connectivity gateways. This new series is designed to meet the growing demand for reliable and cost-effective network connectivity in industrial environments. The ICR-1600 series offers robust performance, flexibility, and advanced features to support a wide range of industrial M2M and IoT applications, including environmental monitoring, vending machines, and surveillance. Featured models such as the ICR-1602, ICR-1642, and ICR-1645 enable seamless connectivity of Ethernet devices and serial buses to LTE cellular networks, addressing essential network connectivity needs.

The ICR-1600 series is equipped with LTE Cat4 cellular module and featured a system on module design, integrating ICR-OS directly onto the cellular module, resulting in a compact and cost-effective router without compromising performance. The series supports up to five Ethernet ports, optional serial interfaces (1 × RS232 + 1 × RS485), I/O interfaces (1 × DI, 1 × DO), and optional Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) capabilities, offering versatility and adaptability for various industrial environments. Designed to withstand extreme conditions, the ICR-1600 series operates within a temperature range of -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F) and features a robust IP30-rated metal chassis. Dual SIM slots provide backup connectivity to ensure continuous network availability, making these routers ideal for harsh environments where reliability is crucial. They support a power input range of 9 to 48 VDC, ensuring compatibility with different industrial power systems, and offer an optional DIN-rail mount for secure installation in control cabinets.

Additionally, the ICR-1600 series integrates seamlessly with WebAccess/DMP, an intelligent connectivity software platform designed for provisioning, monitoring, and managing Advantech’s routers and IoT gateways. This platform ensures secure zero-touch device enablement, simplifying pre-provisioning and configuration regardless of deployment size. With full multi-tenancy support, WebAccess/DMP allows for permissions-enabled power-user oversight, making it an ideal solution for diverse industrial applications. The platform also offers real-time, scalable device health monitoring and an extensible architecture built for seamless integration within existing services through a secure RESTful API.

ICR-OS is an operating system tailored for Advantech cellular routers, offering a user-friendly web GUI interface for easy configuration and display. The Linux-based operating system ensures robust cybersecurity and future-proof deployment options through re-development capabilities. The ICR-1600 series includes comprehensive software support, featuring advanced security measures such as HTTPS, SSH, VPN tunneling, and various authentication and encryption methods. It also offers extensive firmware management capabilities, including automatic over-the-air updates and diagnostic functionalities. These features ensure that the ICR-1600 series can meet the rigorous demands of industrial applications while maintaining high standards of security and performance.

https://www.advantech.com

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u-blox leads the way in IoT with new ultra-low-power asset tracking service

Tue, Sep 03, 2024

u-blox has announced CloudTrack TM, a unique end-to-end asset tracking service that breaks new ground for the Internet of Things (IoT) landscape. The all-in-one service provides the ultimate in ultra-low-power positioning, global connectivity and cloud integration. CloudTrack simplifies IoT asset tracking with contractless per-location-request plans accessible worldwide, offering businesses a predictable pay-as-you-go pricing model without hidden costs or worries about data usage.

The most significant advantage of CloudTrack is its 6X energy savings, compared to a standalone GNSS fix with a cold start and transmitting data securely over the internet. The service leverages the best of u-blox expertise and technology to intelligently calculate the position using a combination of available data from GNSS, cellular, and Wi-Fi sources. Businesses can locate assets in poor or non-existing GNSS signal conditions or even indoors, where it would otherwise be challenging to get a location fix and would quickly drain battery.

u-blox CloudTrack enables customers to eliminate the complexity and inconvenience of dealing with multiple location data and connectivity providers. This single-provider solution with a straightforward per-location-request pricing model streamlines the asset-tracking process for businesses. Moreover, with a single Thingstream SIM card that operates everywhere, IoT devices can span the globe using one stock-keeping unit (SKU), eliminating the need for regional SKUs. The Thingstream cloud platform makes it easy for businesses to transform and integrate their data with tracking dashboards, major cloud platforms, and enterprise backend systems.

CloudTrack works optimally with u-blox cellular ”combo” modules, including the LENA-R8 LTE Cat 1bis module with integrated M10 GNSS receiver, to deliver an all-in-one ultra-low-power global IoT asset tracking solution that is unmatched in the industry. This synergy of hardware, location and data communication services, cloud intelligence, and best-in-class energy savings exemplifies u-blox’s mission to ”reliably locate and connect every thing”.

https://www.u-blox.com/

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