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Timing grandmaster protects critical infrastructure networks

Thu, Oct 14, 2021

Enhancements to Microchip’s timing grandmaster improve deployment flexibility, security and scalability, says the company. Designed for infrastructure communication networks which acquire and maintain signals for precise timing from GPS (global positioning system) or other worldwide satellite constellations require redundant backup systems when GNSS (global navigation satellite system) signals are unavailable. The TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.3 precision timing grandmaster meets this requirement, says Microchip, with the latest IEEE 1588 v2.1 2019 security standard, and also provides an increased level of deployment flexibility and scalability.

Microchip’s TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.3 grandmaster introduces a resilient multi-client precision time protocol (PTP) optional license, providing customers with up to three connections to other grandmasters in the operator’s network. This capability can be used as a back up for time and phase input. This implements the IEEE 1588 2.1 standard majority vote mechanism to select the best input for assisted partial timing support (APTS) back up protection.

The grandmaster also provides support for two PTP server profiles on every Ethernet port. Customers can optimise usage of these ports without additional hardware investments, adds Microchip. TimeProvider Release 2.3 also allows PTP server, PTP client and in-band management to be used on a single port.

The increased security includes support for IEEE 1588 2.1 2019 standard, and for architecture guidance security, which uses redundant communication paths between PTP nodes to detect tampering. It also implements out-of-band management mechanisms for detecting tampering, degradation and failures. There is also support for authentication, authorisation and accounting as well as two-factor authentication.

PTP enhancements including increased capacity of up to 1,000 network clients, which is required for certain applications such as data centres. There are also enhancements to the E1/T1 expansion module with new signals such as composite clock and JCC (Japan CC format), both inputs and outputs, for increased integration with legacy systems.

The software update, TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.3 is available for new and already-deployed systems. Other features include:

TimeProvider 4100 Release 2.3 can be managed by Microchip’s TimePictra synchronisation management system for full fault, configuration, accounting, performance and security (FCAPS).

http://www.microchip.com

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3D Hall-effect position sensor is industry’s most accurate, says TI

Wed, Oct 13, 2021

High precision at speeds of up to 20ksamples per second provides faster real time control in factory automation and motor drive applications, says Texas Instruments as it introduces the TMAG5170 3D Hall-effect position sensor.

It is claimed to be the industry’s most accurate 3D Hall-effect position sensor. It has integrated functions and diagnostics to maximize design flexibility and system safety, while using at least 70 per cent less power than comparable devices, says the company. The TMAG5170 is the first device in a family of 3D Hall-effect position sensors for industrial use, from high performance to general purpose models.

“Smart factories have an increasing number of highly automated systems that must operate in a more integrated manufacturing flow while simultaneously collecting data to control processes,” said Noman Akhtar, senior research analyst, Omdia. 3D position-sensing technology delivers accurate, fast and power efficient real-time control for automated equipment for system efficiency and reduced downtime, he added.

The TMAG5170 provides a low 2.6 per cent full-scale total error at room temperature. It also features best-in-class drift of three per cent total error, says TI, which is 30 per cent lower than the next closest competitor. It also has at least 35 per cent lower error than comparable devices in the presence of a cross-axis field, says TI. These characteristics result in higher accuracy than any other 3D Hall-effect position sensor, according to the company, eliminating the need for end-of-line calibration and off-chip error compensation.

The TMAG5170 eliminates the need for off-chip computation and enables flexible sensor and magnet orientations by integrating features such as an angle calculation engine, measurement averaging, and gain and offset compensation. In this way the control loops are faster to reduce system latency. Software development is also simpler, regardless of sensor placement, claims TI. The sensor’s integrated computation functions also reduce the system’s processor load by as much as 25 per cent, enabling engineers to use general purpose microcontrollers such as those in the company’s low power MSP430 series to minimise overall system cost.

Smart diagnostic capabilities include checks for communication, continuity and internal signal path – as well as configurable diagnostics for the external power supply, magnetic field and system temperature. This allows engineers to customise a safety scheme at both the chip and system level for long-term reliability and lower design costs.

The TMAG5170 is available now in an eight-pin, 4.9 x 3.0mm very thin shrink small-outline package (VSSOP).

http://www.TI.com

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Capacitive touchscreen controller is at home in harsh, noisy environments

Wed, Oct 13, 2021

Functional safety-certified capacitive maXTouch touchscreen controllers from Microchip now include the MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA models, designed to address screen sizes beyond 10 inches.

Networked and connected home appliances enable both users and manufacturers to communicate with them via the internet. This can be a user of a kitchen oven looking up a recipe online or a manufacturer performing remote diagnostics or over-the-air firmware updates. Displays and touch sensors are essential for enabling this functionality in modern appliances and now Microchip Technology has extended the Class B portfolio of touchscreen controllers with two models for larger screen sizes, providing scalability.

The two new members of the IEC/UL 60730 Class B certified touchscreen controller family comply with the IEC61000-4-6 Class A specification for conducted noise immunity up to 10 Vrms (level three for industrial use). This enables products with a touchscreen interface to function in very harsh factory environments where EMI can be caused by conveyer belts, power rails or assembly machinery. In home appliances, manufacturers will benefit from an increased reliability and production yield, says Microchip, rather than risk consumers using unprotected touchscreens on an oven or washing machine that may result in false or missed touches due to EMI from unshielded power transmission, electric motors and neighbouring electrical equipment.

The MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA touchscreen controllers come with two serial interfaces (SPI and I²C) that operate simultaneously allowing redundancy in a design through the integration of safety features, such as individual communication between the touchscreen controller to the host microprocessor in addition to a safety microcontroller. Touch events are provided to both processors at the same time. This architecture shortens time to market and reduces development cost by allowing all safety-critical firmware to be developed on a dedicated safety-certified microcontroller (with mandatory source code review by an IEC/UL test lab) separate from the main processor running the appliance’s graphical user interface (GUI).

According to Clayton Pillion, director of Microchip’s human machine interface business unit: “maXTouch technology delivers outstanding noise immunity performance allowing for safe and robust operation throughout its lifetime. We have worked closely with customers to deliver the first functional safety touch controller families and are seeing high adoption where noise immunity is critical to a successful product.”

In addition to the IEC compliances, the MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA family supports an operating temperature up to 105 degrees C, which is a key requirement for cooktops and ovens where the human machine interface (HMI) system is near heating elements.

Microchip offers software to supplement the controllers, including maXTouch Studio (development tool) and maXTouch Analyzer (production end-of-line test/inspection tool).

The general-purpose ATEVK-MXT640UD-A evaluation kit (EVK) is available. The home appliance functional safety version of this evaluation kit is available on request.

The ATMXT448UD-CCUHA1 and ATMXT640UD-CCUHA1 are available in volume production now.

http://www.microchip.com

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Dual-core module supports Bluetooth 5.1’s angle of arrival

Wed, Oct 13, 2021

An RF module with dual-core processor uses Bluetooth technology in what is claimed to be the smallest package on the market. Insight SiP says the ISP2053-AX RF module supports sophisticated applications and removes the need for an additional host processor.

For advanced Bluetooth applications, it has a dual-core Arm processor, Bluetooth Low Energy 5.2 Long Range connectivity, the capability to support Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, and security features via Arm Trustzone. With extended temperature capability up to 105 degrees C, it can support every kind of advanced Bluetooth based solution including angle of arrival and low latency/streaming, says Insight SiP.

The standard 8.0 x 8.0 x 1.0mm package has an integrated RF matching and integrated antenna. There is also 32MHz and 32kHz crystals and DC/DC support for each processor, meaning it is a fully functioning Bluetooth node only requiring a power supply to operate.

This module is based on the nRF5340 Nordic Semiconductor SoC. The next generation architecture has a 2.4GHz transceiver, a 64MHz M33 network core with 256kbyte flash and 64kbyte RAM and a 128MHz M33 application core with 1Mbyte flash and 512kbyte RAM. The two cores can be operated independently to optimise performance for power consumption, throughput, and real time response.

Peripheral connections available to both cores include USB, QSPI, SPI and UART. As well as supporting Bluetooth Low Energy, the module can run Zigbee, Thread and other 802.15.4 based protocols, concurrently with Bluetooth Low Energy. Protocols stacks and applications run on the real time Zephyr operating system which provides a suite of drivers and services.

For security in the IoT, the ISP2053 has Arm Trustzone capability. This allows secure key storage, advanced encryption and root of trust verification, enabling devices to be securely authenticated, updated and data exchange protected end to end.

The ISP2053 RF module is designed to run on a coin cell battery if required. According to Insight SiP, the module’s low power consumption and advanced power management system enable the battery to “last up to several years”.

Initial samples are available now. Full production of the modules will start in 2022. Certification is pending.

Development kits together with sample software will be made available.

http://www.insightsip.com

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Timing grandmaster protects critical infrastructure networks

3D Hall-effect position sensor is industry’s most accurate, says TI

Capacitive touchscreen controller is at home in harsh, noisy environments

Dual-core module supports Bluetooth 5.1’s angle of arrival

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