by Reuters
Sector News
Digi introduces smart wireless module to futureproof IoT design
Certified kits from Digi are designed to help futureproof IoT hardware designs. The XBee3 Cellular LTE-M smart wireless module supports seamless switching between frequencies, bands and protocols.
The XBee3 Cellular LTE-M development kits feature Digi’s next-generation smart cellular modem. This LTE-M certification allows Digi to bring one of the first LPWAN, software-defined technology-agile modems capable of offering Cat-M or NB-IoT on a single, compact footprint. The additional certification of Digi XBee3 Cellular NB-IoT is expected in October 2018.
The customer-configurable kit allows developers to standardise and futureproof their IoT designs by simply changing modems and SIMs. This allows them to leverage different wireless protocols without having to redesign hardware for different regions or applications.
The Digi XBee3 Cellular LTE-M smart modem is integrated into the development kit via a 20-pin Digi XBee socket, allowing for connectivity via millions of sockets already deployed around the globe, claims Digi. The module can also be easily configured and controlled from a centralized platform such as the Digi Remote Manager.
The Digi XBee3 Cellular LTE-M modem is supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS) IoT Core. It has built-in Digi TrustFence security. The module’s identity and data privacy features use more than 175 controls to protect against new and evolving cyber threats. It also provides the tools to secure connected devices, including data in motion with TLS 1.2 encryption and bi-directional authentication – required for AWS IoT connectivity.
The Digi XBee3 Cellular LTE-M smart modem development kit is now available for evaluation and testing. The kit includes one Digi XBee3 Cellular LTE-M embedded modem, one XBee3 development board, one active SIM, up to six months of free cellular service, antennae and power supply, and Digi’s full library of documentation and examples.
Digi International provides IoT and M2M connectivity products and services. It helps customers create next-generation connected products and deploy and manage critical communications infrastructures in demanding environments with high levels of security, relentless reliability and bulletproof performance.
Skyworks to Acquire Smart Interface Innovator Avnera Corporation
Skyworks Solutions, Inc, has announced it signed a definitive agreement to purchase Avnera Corporation, a leading developer of Analog System on Chips (ASoCs). Acquisition of Avnera, a private fabless semiconductor supplier, augments Skyworks’ leadership in wireless connectivity by adding ultra-low power analog circuits to enable smart interfaces via acoustic signal processing, sensors and integrated software. Upon consummation of the transaction, Skyworks will expand its addressable market by over $5 billion. Target applications include AI speakers/microphones, virtual assistants, intelligent gaming controllers and vehicle in-dash systems as well as wired/wireless headsets.
“Voice is increasingly becoming the primary interface for artificial intelligence and Internet of Things applications. Skyworks’ acquisition of Avnera will enable us to capitalize on the rapid proliferation of audio functionality and its convergence with our advanced connectivity solutions,” said Liam K. Griffin, president and chief executive officer of Skyworks. “With Skyworks’ global sales channels, strong customer relationships and operational scale, we plan to leverage Avnera’s innovative product portfolio and systems expertise to increase our footprint in automotive, industrial, home automation, enterprise and high-end consumer markets. In short, this transaction perfectly complements Skyworks’ product roadmap and will be highly synergistic across a broader customer set.”
“We are extremely excited to be joining forces with Skyworks to offer customers complete system solutions for next generation smart interface applications,” said Manpreet Khaira, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Avnera. “Both companies share a vision of enabling ubiquitous, always-on communications through highly customized designs. Together, we can develop, deliver and rapidly scale audio products with unprecedented integration and performance for the increasingly connected wireless world.”
At the heart of Avnera’s system solutions are market-specific ASoCs that combine breakthrough audio/voice analog circuits, highly efficient power management and custom hardware accelerators for smart acoustic signal processing/AI features. Avnera’s ASoCs achieve the highest level of integration in the industry and set a new performance watermark from a power consumption and footprint standpoint ─ all underpinned by more than 100 issued and pending patents. Key Avnera customers include Harman, JBL, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Polk, Samsung, Sennheiser, Sony, Vizio and Yamaha.
Skyworks will pay $405 million in cash to Avnera equity holders at closing with up to an additional $20 million if certain performance targets are exceeded over a 12-month post-closing period. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both Skyworks and Avnera and is anticipated to close by September 2018, subject to customary closing conditions. Excluding any non-recurring acquisition-related charges and amortization of intangibles, Skyworks expects the acquisition to be immediately accretive to diluted earnings per share.
Sensor module is designed for embedded video applications
Based on Sunex Optics’ 4k miniature DSL255 SuperFishEye lens, the MOD2552 sensor module is the company’s first sensor module designed for digital video device development with embedded vision.
The high-resolution module provides up to 12Mpixel resolution images and incorporates a Sony 1/2.3 type CMOS image sensor that includes an active pixel array of 4072H x 3062V. The MOD255I sensor module can be used in manufacturing consumer and security devices capable of continuous video and still images. The MOD255I module and all Sunex lenses are available from Framos.
The MOD255I module is a compact design for easy integration into any embedded vision application, such as security and surveillance, drones, immersive imaging, video communication, IoT, and consumer devices. Sony’s IMX477 CMOS consumer sensor delivers 12Mpixel at 60 frames per second, or 4K2K video at the same frame rate. The fully integrated and dynamically aligned lens provides a wide 190 degree field of view at a design image circle of 4.3mm.
The MOD2551 has thermal stability and low power source requirements and consumption, making it suitable for security and industrial action cameras delivering high-resolution video in real-time for indoor and outdoor applications. Example applications are drones, bank machines, smart home surveillance, board-room video, or sports cameras.
The module’s MIPI interface offers four bus lanes at 2.1Gbits per second for 12bit digital output with both line scan and frame rate synchronisation. The MOD255I module provides electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance to minimise interference in truly embedded systems and devices. The actively aligned lens is claimed to demonstrate improved and uniform image quality.
Framos specialises in the embedded vision space through imaging and image processing. Its portfolio of modules is backed by a dedicated team of industry and product experts and the company supports the integration of the new modules into their applications and projects.
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