Smart Cities

I2C interface makes low power CO2 sensor easier to implement

Mon, Jan 14, 2019

In smart environments where sensors monitor for changes so that the appropriate actions can be taken, the fastest growing examples are smart homes and smart offices where a network of sensors monitors temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels to ensure the optimal conditionals are maintained with the minimum of energy expenditure, for example heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and indoor air quality (IAQ). A challenge for such systems in that the CO2 sensors need mains power to operate incurring costs for cabling and, in the case of installing in existing buildings, redecoration. Gas Sensing Solutions (GSS) believes it has solved this problem with its low power, LED-based sensor technology. The sensor’s power requirements are so low that wireless monitors can be built that measure CO2 levels as well as temperature and humidity with a battery life of over 10 years. As they are wireless they can be placed wherever they are required with no need for cabling or disruption. Equally, they can be simply relocated as building usages changes.

GSS has added an I2C interface to its very low power CO2 sensor, the CozIR-LP to make the integration of the sensor into a design very easy, says GSS. The CozIR-LP is claimed to be the lowest power CO2 sensor available. It requires only 3mW – this is up to 50 times lower than typical NDIR CO2 sensors. The patented LED technology also means that the solid state sensor is very robust, adds GSS. This keeps maintenance costs to a minimum as the expected lifetime is greater than 15 years; making them particularly suitable for applications that measure low (ambient) levels of CO2 from 0 to one per cent.

GSS will be launching the new I2C-enabled CozIR-LP on booth C5366 at the AHR Expo in Atlanta, GA, USA (14 to 16 January 2019).

www.gassensing.co.uk 

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Analog Devices and Momenta partner for HD maps in autonomous vehicles

Fri, Jan 11, 2019

High definition (HD) maps are a critical element of autonomous driving and must deliver accurate, real-time information to help safely guide the vehicle to its destination. Announcing a collaboration with Momenta, an autonomous driving technology company based in China, Analog Devices will develop HD maps in autonomous vehicles. Analog Devices’ inertial measurement units (IMUs) will be used to improve the mapping system and technology upgrades in Momenta’s L3 freeway ramp-to-ramp and L4 full autonomy driving mapping software.

Under poor weather conditions, or when a GPS signal is lost, an IMU delivers mapping output. Analog Devices’ IMUs will enhance Momenta’s mapping software to meet the demanding accuracy requirements of HD maps. Analog Devices points out that its IMUs exceed the value/performance ratio of higher cost alternative sensors based on fibre optic gyro or laser gyro technologies.

Momenta’s vision-based semantic HD maps are crowdsourced, highly accurate and frequently updated. They provide map update and localisation services. Momenta is also able to leverage modules mounted on taxis, trucks and buses to create a

Momenta’s team includes experts on computer vision and deep learning, including one of the authors of Faster R-CNN and ResNet, the influential deep learning network.

Analog Devices has more than 30 years of experience in MEMS inertial sensor design. Its MEMS IMUs have been applied in the avionics and smart agriculture sectors, which have similar requirements to those for autonomous driving. Analog Devices’ MEMS IMUs are capable of maintaining critical specifications such as bias, sensitivity, and cross-axis sensitivity under all conditions, including time variation, shock, vibration, and temperature conditions.

http://www.analog.com

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Biosensor module integrates PPG and ECG for mobile use

Thu, Jan 10, 2019

To deliver both photoplethysmogram (PPG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements for health monitoring from a mobile, battery-powered device, Maxim Integrated Products has unveiled the MAX86150 at CES.

It is believed to be the first biosensor module to comprise internal LEDs, photodetectors and an ECG analogue front-end (AFE) to provide FDA-certifiable PPG and ECG performance in compact, power-saving designs.

Designed for mobile phones, laptops, tablets and smart speakers, it delivers synchronised PPG and ECG measurements without using two separate biosensors that together consume more board space and power than a mobile device can typically afford. As well as space, the design challenge has been to achieve high accuracy in the measurements, particularly in cases where sensor sensitivity might be impacted by low perfusion levels or dry skin.

The MAX86150 overcomes these challenges, sampling both PPG and ECG simultaneously to provide the highest sensitivity of pulse transit time. To reduce battery drain, the module can be shut down through software with near-zero standby current, allowing the power rails to remain powered at all times.

The MAX86150 is available in a 3.3 x 6.6 x 1.3mm, 22-pin optical module.

The module is accurate with common mode rejection ratio (CMRR), a measurement of noise rejection, of at 136dB, the module’s; the highest on the market, says Maxim. Its 100mA-capable, high-dynamic-range LED driver enables higher sensitivity on an array of skin types. In addition, a low-impedance contact for the ECG sensor enables more accurate measurements, even in cases of dry skin, says the company.

It minimises battery drain with low shutdown current of 0.7 microA typical and low power consumption extends battery life compared to competitive solutions.

The module’s dry electrode operation eliminates the need for gels, fluids and sticky or wet pads on other parts of the body to obtain accurate readings.

The MAX86150 is available now and the company also offers the MAX86150EVSYS# evaluation kit.

http://www.maximintegrated.com

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Xiaomi Selects Bluetooth Mesh Technology from Silicon Labs for New Smart Home Products

Thu, Jan 10, 2019

Xiaomi launches new smart home products using Bluetooth mesh networking technology from Silicon Labs. The new products from Mi Ecosystem partners include smart LED light bulbs, candle bulbs, downlights and spotlights. The voice-assistant XiaoAi smart alarm clock serves as a gateway to control smart Bluetooth mesh lights through voice commands.

“Silicon Labs is a valued technology partner providing best-in-class wireless hardware and software, development tools and local engineering support for Mi Ecosystem partners in the China market,” said Yanlu Zhang, RD Director of Xiaomi IoT platform. “Silicon Labs’ Wireless Gecko platform provides the connectivity options, design flexibility, ease of use and security features our ecosystem partners need to simplify smart product design and accelerate time.”

The new Xiaomi smart home products use EFR32BG Wireless Gecko system-on-chip (SoC) devices running Silicon Labs’ Bluetooth mesh protocol stack. Wireless Gecko SoCs offer an optimal combination of features and capabilities including high transmit power and a +125 oC temperature rating for Xiaomi’s application requirements.

“We are seeing increasing deployment of Bluetooth mesh in China’s fast-growing smart home market, and Xiaomi is poised to ship mesh-enabled smart home products at scale, driving further adoption of this versatile, ubiquitous wireless technology,” said Matt Johnson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of IoT products at Silicon Labs. “We look forward to collaborating with Xiaomi and Mi Ecosystem developers on future products leveraging our Wireless Gecko hardware and software platform.”

Silicon Labs is a leader in Bluetooth innovation, delivering ultra-small Bluetooth SiP modules, multiprotocol SoCs supporting Bluetooth commissioning, and software tools and stacks to simplify Bluetooth development. Silicon Labs is also the leading supplier of silicon and software for mesh networking applications. The company has shipped more than 150 million mesh networking SoCs and modules and has more than 15 years of experience in developing standards-based mesh networking solutions for customers worldwide.

https://www.silabs.com

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