Dual-mode power monitoring IC helps troubleshoot by logging events

Claimed to offer an industry leading accuracy of 0.1 per cent error across a 4000:1 range, the MCP39F511A dual-mode power monitoring IC measures both AC and DC modes, says Microchip.

Power calculations and event monitoring are included with a single IC, which contributes to a reduced bill of materials cost and firmware development time, says the company.

Power monitoring has become more prevalent as developers look to monitor product performance and improve energy usage in smart cities and smart homes. To simplify calibration procedures and support most accuracy requirements, two 24-bit delta-sigma ADCs with 94.5 dB of signal-to-noise ratio plus distortion (SINAD) performance and a 16-bit calculation engine are included.

The MCP39F511A is suitable for a range of consumer, IoT and industrial applications. It is able to automatically sense power supply types and switches between AC and DC modes, optimising measurement results. Developers can troubleshoot issues with an on-chip EEPROM that logs critical events, and there is an integrated low-drift voltage reference and internal oscillator to reduce implementation costs.

Standard power calculations such as active, reactive and apparent power, active and reactive energy, root-mean-square (RMS) current and voltage, line frequency and power factor enable designers to add highly accurate power monitoring functions to end applications with minimal firmware development, advises Microchip.

Other features include auto-save and auto-load of power quantities to and from the EEPROM at power loss or start, ensuring that measurement results are never lost if power is disrupted unexpectedly. Event monitoring of various power conditions also enhances preventative system maintenance and enables developers to better manage power consumption.

The device is supported by the MCP39F511A Power Monitor Demonstration Board (ADM00667). The single-phase power and energy monitoring system calculates and displays active power, reactive power, RMS current, RMS voltage, active energy (both import and export) and four-quadrant reactive energy.

http://www.microchip.com/MCP39F511A

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IoT connectivity box provides remote access in industrial areas

Finnish company, Tosibox, offers the Lock 500, a connectivity and remote access device designed particularly for demanding industrial environments. The Lock 500 can also be used in the security and office networking sectors.

“The importance and amount of data is constantly growing in application areas such as machine builders collecting high data volumes, CCTV in security and infrastructure, and ICT applications and office remote work, says Tero Lepistö, Tosibox CEO. “Dual-SIM slots for operator redundancy allows for even more reliable connectivity,” he adds.

Tosibox Lock 500 meets the needs of industrial customers, with features such as industrial power connector, integrated DIN rail mounting bracket and industrial housing.

It has a robust, fanless enclosure made of aluminum with IP 20 rating. The back of the Lock 500 has an integrated DIN rail bracket for easy mounting. There is also an industrial screw-on DC power connector and the power source is provided with suitable connectors as an accessory.

For IT and security services, the Lock 500’s VPN throughput is suitable for remote video streaming of security cameras. Tosibox Lock 500 can also be used for connecting demanding IT network infrastructures and for building more affordable remote business solutions.

The Lock 500 boasts impressive cyber security features such as the secure storage of encryption and authentication keys in a hardware-based secure storage, which makes copying or faking the device identity impossible, claims Tosibox. The integrity and confidentiality of the software is always verified at boot-up. All software updates are cryptographically signed and verified before installing, ensuring only Tosibox product updates are allowed.

The device holds the CE certificate, with remaining approvals, FCC and UL to be added later.

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www.tosibox.com

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Infineon and Alibaba Cloud Sign MoU on Internet of Things (IoT)

Munich, Germany, and Shanghai, China – 2 August 2018 – Infineon Technologies AG and Alibaba Cloud Computing Company (Alibaba Cloud) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the joint promotion of IoT applications within the fields of smart life and smart industry. Infineon and Alibaba will thus facilitate the digital upgrade of Chinese enterprises and cities.

As an active promoter and practitioner of Industry 4.0, Infineon will rely on its own core technology and service advantages in the field of IoT to collaborate with Alibaba Cloud on its IoT operating system, AliOS Things, and provide technical services. Additionally, with the acceleration of the IoT application process, new requirements are also placed on system security. As part of this collaboration, the two parties will further explore the planning, implementation and security standards of the IoT, enabling SMEs and individuals to deploy and access Alibaba Cloud in a low-cost, highly reliable manner. This will enable the participants to share in the development dividend of the IoT, while protecting them from losses caused by security risks. The two companies also plan to collaborate on e-commerce channels.

Based on this, both parties will make use of Alibaba Cloud’s integration capabilities and successful experiences in IoT and work together to create advanced and secure IoT solutions. This will help upgrade and transform the smart digitalization of SMEs, allowing them to manage the entire production process through digital means.

“The construction and improvement of the IoT ecosystem requires gathering the advantageous resources and power of all parties,” said Wei Ku, Vice President of Alibaba Group and General Manager of Alibaba Cloud IoT. “This partnership combines Alibaba Cloud’s capabilities in operating systems with Infineon’s semiconductor technology solutions. We believe that this will effectively promote the deployment of IoT in smart industries.”

“As the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer, Infineon is committed to combining our advanced IoT semiconductor solutions with local experience,” said Andreas Urschitz, President of the Power Management & Multimarket Division at Infineon, “This partnership with Alibaba marks our efforts in this field.”

“Sustainable growth in mainland China is one of Infineon’s most important development strategies, and is also our long-term goal in the Chinese market,” said David Poon, Vice President of Power Management & Multimarket, Infineon Greater China. “We are very pleased to work with leading companies like Alibaba Cloud, and to join in creating an IoT service platform that meets the needs of the local market, helps companies achieve digitalization, and provides a driving engine for innovation and the development of smart cities in China.”

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AAEON Partners Everlight to Create Taipei’s Smart Street Light System

AAEON has joined with Everlight Electronics to participate at Taipei City Government’s “Innovative Works Smart Taipei Taipei LED Street Light Results Presentation.” The presentation showcased the latest smart street light solutions and highlighted the work being done to turn the city into a global leader for cost-effective energy efficiency.

The city government is currently engaged in the “Taipei LED Lighting Installation Appointment Project,” a two-year scheme which is scheduled to be completed during the current quarter. As part of the project, the city’s streetlights are being replaced with new LED systems that use 20% less electricity than previous installations.

At the same time, the world’s first interactive smart light poles are being installed throughout the city. The AAEON-developed technology uses existing power lines and wireless data transmission architectures such as NB-IoT, LoRa, and Zigbee to provide an integrated, diversified framework that can serve as the foundation of future smart city systems.

“AAEON is committed to the development of smart street lamps,” said AAEON New Business Development Division senior consultant Steve Hsu. “By combining smart street lamps with smart light poles, we have been able to make smart city solutions more complete.”

“Our remote control platform combines AI edge and cloud computing to improve the transmission and analysis of data from the entire system. As a result, in addition to improving street lamps’ energy efficiency, we can quickly provide accurate and insightful data reference materials for energy use and environmental impact,” Hsu added.

By using the remote platform to monitor street lighting equipment, the city will be able to cut maintenance costs. Additionally, AAEON’s smart lampposts can be used to monitor air quality and traffic levels, support interactive multimedia interfaces, and also provide additional functions including Internet hotspots, equipment charging stations, and even interactive video games.

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