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SARA module has an embedded SIM

Mon, Jul 25, 2022

For IoT applications space is limited, u-blox has developed the SARA-R500E LTE-M module with an embedded SIM (eSIM). It offers LTE-M connectivity in applications that need to be robust and secure, for example, connected healthcare and asset trackers.

Embedded SIMs are replacing the plastic SIMs typically found in mobile devices which connect the device to the cellular network. Like the plastic versions, eSIMs are provisioned with a profile that allows devices to connect to a specific mobile network operator.

The eSIM embedded in the SARA-R500E offers product developers and end users a number of advantages, said u-blox. For example, they are more robust than standard plastic SIMs and cannot be stolen or removed, increasing the security of the device. There is also no need for the components required to hold and connect plastic SIM cards which enable smaller devices, reduce the bill of material and simplify manufacturing. The SARA-R500E streamlines logistics by offering the module, data plans and the SIM from one source, added u-blox.

“SARA-R500E greatly simplifies logistics for device makers, as the eSIM is already integrated inside the module,” said Samuele Falcomer, product manager, product centre cellular at u-blox. All the customers have to do is activate connectivity, choose the data plan that best fits their needs via the u-blox Thingstream IoT service delivery platform. Particularly those customers that are too small to negotiate dedicated data plans with mobile network operators will benefit from a competitively priced offering,” he added.

Product developers can design tightly sealed devices that meet the demanding IP67 and IP68 criteria because the SARA-R500E module’s eSIM does not need to be inserted manually by the end user. As a result, the module is suitable for rugged IoT applications such as smart meters, surveillance cameras and environmental sensors.

The module also offers the option to access u-blox’s MQTT Anywhere service, which reduces bandwidth requirements for cellular data transfer, saving costs and power. U-blox’s IoT Location as a service portfolio, including AssistNow for real-time GNSS assistance data, and CellLocate, for cellular network-based positioning, is also available.

SARA-R500E is pin-to-pin compatible with all the other modules in the SARA family and uses the SARA-R5 AT command interface, making it easy to drop the SARA-R500E into existing designs.

First samples of the SARA-R500E will be available in September.
The first variant of the module will offer out-of-the-box connectivity on a North American LTE-M cellular network.

http://www.u-blox.com

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Infineon offers the key to smart locks with programmable MCU with NFC

Mon, Jul 25, 2022

The NAC1080 is a programmable 32-bit Arm Cortex-M0 microcontroller (MCU) with embedded near field communication (NFC). The single chip from Infineon has an integrated H-bridge and is intended to support engineers in the development of smart actuators, such as passive locks.

Using the NFC interface, the NAC1080 MCU enables devices to be controlled directly by smartphones. Advanced local and cloud functions can be extended within the mobile app offered by regional marketing partners. This reduces the bill of material and supports miniaturised product design, advised Infineon. NAC1080 supports various operation modes and can be powered either in passive mode by the NFC field with the energy harvested from the mobile phone, or through a battery supply in active mode.

NAC1080 also provides an integrated AES128 accelerator and a true random number generator to enable data encryption/de-encryption in a low power environment.

The NAC1080 can also be used as an emergency back up power supply. Typical active lock systems depend on battery power but using the NAC1080, if the battery is discharged, the NFC interface IC for electronic devices can power the door lock. It should be noted that because electric power is transmitted via NFC, this use case may take longer than it does in passive mode, Infineon pointed out.

The company is already working with IH Tech and FIoT-Open Lab to offer complete smart NFC locks based on the NAC1080 combining IC products, application development, IoT device testing, certification and standardisation. This collaboration enables the three companies to support local customers to accelerate the system development cycle and foster the ecosystem development together.

IH Technology is a subsidiary of Contel Technology based in Hong Kong. It provides ICs and services to support customers on mass production level designs. This includes NFC antenna, circuit hardware, application software and APPs in handheld devices for both embedded module or stand-alone system.

FIoT-Open Lab is based in Fuzhou China, enabling new “Smart+” technologies, especially for IoT, big data and artificial intelligence. It offers full suite expertise in technology development, total solution from chip design/packaging to end-application, IoT devices testing certification and setting industry standards.

http://www.infineon.com

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Teledyne presses on for software defined microwave systems

Thu, Jul 21, 2022

Teledyne e2v has developed a prototype optical link technology which it believes might soon make legacy copper data link is digital radio system design obsolete. The optical digital harness (ODH) optical link technology is another step towards enabling software defined microwave systems, said the company.

Streaming sample, control and configuration data, as well as reference clock and synchronisation signals via optical fibres simplifies signal distribution and reduces cable mass in complex digital radio designs, explained Teledyne e2V. Eliminating all copper signal wiring in future radios offers has multiple benefits. In addition to increased architectural flexibility, it reduces crosstalk and inter-channel interference.

According to Nicolas Chantier, strategic marketing director: “Our optical data link research marks a moment in time when the radio’s front end can finally be decoupled from the advanced backend digital data processing of software defined radios (SDRs). In so doing, designers gain implementation flexibility, enhanced digital beam forming capabilities and several extra design freedoms”.

Today’s high speed, copper-based serial data interfaces are either the JESD204 link or the license-free ESIstream from Teledyne e2v.

Data interfacing in sampled systems requires considered implementation, particularly in highly parallelised, multi-channel (i.e. electronically steered beam) systems, where data samples need to be accurately time aligned to ensure signal phase information and thus, the critical spatial information embedded within the received signals, is preserved.

Cross-channel synchronisation is further complicated by meta stability – an inherent, pseudo-random behaviour of digital systems.

The move from traditional copper in radio front end design to optical data link technology provides multiple system benefits including lossless, long range transmission, freedom of separation between front end receive and signal processing systems and weight reduction, In addition, zero EMI lowers crosstalk and signal interferers.

The ODH system is at the proof-of-concept stage. Teledyne e2v has simulated the digital design of the control methods and is currently finalising the first hardware implementation.

The company plans several updates throughout this and next year as the project progresses.

https://semiconductors.teledyneimaging.com/en

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Smart watch and LoRaWAN monitor patients’ safety

Wed, Jul 20, 2022

French management group, Domitys has installed a private LoRaWAN (long range wide area network) in one of its residences in Mauritius where patients wearing smart watches by Life Plus, a provider of support and remote patient monitoring systems..

Unlike projects in France where there is a public LoRaWAN available, in Mauritius it was necessary to create a private LoRaWAN bubble to ensure coverage of our apartment building and its surroundings.

Using Actility’s ThingPark Enterprise IoT platform, Life Plus deployed a private LoRaWAN to cover the whole facility which consists of two buildings with 120 two or three room apartments. Eight gateways have been installed, six indoors and two outdoors, as part of a network which covers all apartments, lifts and surrounding outdoor areas. The project created a 10km wide network around the residence.

Most of the currently available devices were found to be only for raising assistance (SOS and falls) and were deemed to be stigmatising and with a low use rate.

At this facility in Mauritius, Domitys wanted to make sure the residents were secure while helping to maintain their autonomy. They wear a smart watch which alerts staff as soon as something goes wrong (such as a fall or unusual activity) or if the resident sends an SOS. The smart watch is customisable to fit preferences, such as a dial, bracelet, display design.

Life Plus co-creates products with real users – seniors, caregivers, geriatricians, general practitioners, physiotherapists, dietitians and neuropsychologists, allowing it to develop an easy to use device with a customisable design that is used by 87 per cent of residents every day.

Within the facility, small beacons are placed in apartments and shared areas, for the system to precisely locate residents inside the building, in a non-intrusive way, and only in case of problems. Bluetooth location beacons do not require wiring and are battery operated. This therefore brings flexibility in their positioning in all rooms and in the hotel park, and the most discreet integration possible.

The smart watch uses Dona Care, a cloud data and software service. The personalised smart watch and digital platform also provides customised coaching and automatic data transmission such as activity and health monitoring.

Residents are motivated to exercise more thanks to a personalised coaching focused on physical activity: walking and active walking durations, number of steps, and a daily walking goal that can be set up, pushing them to achieve it. This program can be extended to cognition activities and nutrition advice too, to support caregivers and help maintain autonomy.

A ThingPark Market demo kit is now available for purchase powered by Actility.

https://www.actility.com

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SARA module has an embedded SIM

Infineon offers the key to smart locks with programmable MCU with NFC

Teledyne presses on for software defined microwave systems

Smart watch and LoRaWAN monitor patients’ safety

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