The latest version (1.6) of the NeoMesh protocol stack firmware is now available for NeoCortec’s NC2400 and NC1000 modules. The protocol stack is designed for easy integration of Sensirion SHT4xA sensors in order to build cost-effective, low power wireless temperature and humidity sensors, said NeoCortec.
The firmware of the NC2400 and NC1000 modules already includes a generic application layer which can be configured to sample a range of sensors without needing programming to implement a wireless sensor device. Now, the version 1.6 firmware enables the easy integration of Sensirion SHT4xA sensors to broaden the options to low power wireless temperature and humidity sensors for use in smart building or agriculture applications.
NeoCortec’s range of tiny modules collect data over large areas while running at an average power consumption as low as 20 microA. As a result, modules can run for years on two AA batteries, claimed NeoCortec. All NeoMesh modules are equipped with a radio and can be positioned as required around one or more buildings.
Building a NeoMesh network is easy, said the company. Users only need to switch on two nodes and the network starts to establish itself. Additional nodes will automatically join the existing network and expand it. All nodes in a NeoMesh wireless network can generate and transmit data. The protocol stack is almost infinitely expandable for most applications as up to 65,000 nodes are possible in one network, confirmed NeoCortec.
The technology is pre-certified and easy to integrate, continued the company. The modules suit a range of applications based on IoT and cloud-based sensor networks, including smart building and smart workplace, metering, security, agriculture, transportation, industry 4.0, medical and food distribution.
NeoCortec was founded in 2007 and supplies low power, bi-directional wireless mesh network modules. The company is based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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System on module is designed for streaming media applications
iWave has introduced the i.MX 8QuadMax / QuadPlus SoM (system on module) to support designers by offloading several complexities involved in the design cycle, said the company. the i.MX 8 SoM for streaming media applications is based on the i.MX 8 family of applications processors which supports advanced media processing, secure domain partitioning, and vision processing. These characteristics make the processor suitable for applications such as automotive infotainment, advanced industrial human machine interface (HMI) as well as control and home automation.
According to iWave, the i.MX 8 series allows for multiple systems to be combined into one with ease and for diverse platforms to be built with multiple operating systems on a single i.MX 8 processor.
It also allows for the creation of independent GPU displays and functionalities by partitioning the resources and enables end to end security to be implemented. The processor series also allows for multi-display and multi-domain functionality. It is possible to develop up to four 1080p screens with independent content, said iWave.
There is also dual-core Cortex-M4F for offloading real-time tasks and a scalable platform to enable seamless machine interfaces. Another feature is the multi-domain voice recognition and audio processing.
As processing capabilities increase, so do the complexity and scope of developing embedded systems. The i.MX 8QuadMax / QuadPlus SoM combines high-performance computing at low power, said iWave. It offers single, dual, or quad-core Cortex-A53 cores running at up to 1.2GHz and a dual Cortex-A72 core running up to 1.6GHz. There is also heterogeneous multi-core processing with the Cortex-M4F running at up to 264MHZ for advanced system control.
Other features include up to 4Kp60 H.265 video decoding, up to 4Kp30 H.264 decode capable VPU and 1080p30 H.264 encode capable VPU. The SoM also boasts a 3D graphics processing unit, enhanced vision capabilities via a graphics processor and pro audio fidelity levels using the SAI/I2S audio interface.
The SoM supports a variety of high speed interfaces, including Gigabit Ethernet, USB3.0, SATA3.0 and multiple GPIO, high-speed PCIe v3.0 interface support and an HDMI2.0 display (up to 4K), LVDS, MIPI-DSI (up to four lanes) and 720p at 60 frames per second.
Security features include secure boot, secure storage, Wi-Fi security and OPTEE. Operating systems supported are Linux 5.10.52, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, Android Pie 11.0.0 and QNX 7.0.0 (or higher).
The i.MX 8 SoM is also supplied with integrated u-Blox JODY-W3 making it compatible to support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.1.
Each Wi-Fi 6 access point provides a significant speed boost, said iWave, as well as 50 per cent increase in battery life, a four-fold increase in network capacity and a two-fold increase in bandwidth over previous generations of Wi-Fi.
Dual-band GNSS module delivers position accuracy in urban environments
The u-blox NEO-F10N, the company’s latest positioning module, is based on the u-blox F10 platform. Its L1/L5 dual-band technology supports both bands from multiple constellations, including NavIC for metre-level position accuracy in urban areas, said u-blox.
The module’s firmware is upgradeable and can be configured to support a variety of use cases, including, for example, vehicle aftermarket telematics and micro-mobility markets as well as industrial applications requiring metre-level position accuracy.
According to u-blox, its enhanced resilience against multi-path interference improves position accuracy in urban environments. Leveraging signals from both the L1 and L5 bands, the module achieves significantly better accuracy than using the L1 band alone. While receivers equipped with L1 band support can determine the road a vehicle travels on, those incorporating both L1 and L5 bands can even discern the specific side of the road.
Users currently employing receivers based on modules like the u-blox NEO-M8 and NEO-M9 can seamlessly migrate to the NEO-F10N. The module enhances position accuracy, reduces power consumption, and offers an alternative to customers who do not want to deploy DR (dead reckoning) set-ups.
“With the RF front end offering double SAW filter and low-noise amplifiers (LNA), the u-blox NEO-F10N ensures exceptional immunity to out-of-band RF interference, making it particularly suitable for applications with nearby cellular modems,” said Bernd Heidtmann, u-blox’s product manager, product strategy for standard precision GNSS.
The company has also introduced the ANN-MB5 L1/L5 antenna which offers customers an easy and reliable option for metre-level applications that require multi-band and multi-constellation support, even in challenging environments.
Swiss company, u-blox, specialises in positioning and wireless communication in automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. Its services, and products let people, vehicles, and machines determine their precise position and communicate wirelessly over cellular and short range networks.
The company offers a broad portfolio of chips, modules, and secure data services and connectivity for customers to develop innovative and reliable solutions for the IoT.
Its headquarters are in Thalwil, Switzerland, and the company has offices in Europe, Asia, and the USA.
SmartStudio NR IP software supports 5G data throughput
Claimed to bring greater efficiency to data throughput tests on 5G user equipment, the SmartStudio NR IP Performance MX800071A software for Anritsu’s radio communication test station MT8000A has been released.
5G provides the last-mile link from the nearest basestation to the subscriber’s building in services such as fixed wireless access (FWA). Anritsu said it developed the MX800071A to simplify and optimise data throughput tests required for developing 5G based customer premises equipment (CPE) used for FWA.
As remote working increases, together with a rise in home entertainment, high speed, large capacity communications applications such as FWA are gaining in popularity. Development of CPE for FWA, and of wireless communication modules built into CPE, requires data throughput testing using various sets of communication parameters. Developers face difficulties, however, with settings that require specialist knowledge, which can reduce the efficiency of the development process and raise its costs. Anritsu said that the MX800071A simplifies and optimises complex parameter settings, helping increase the efficiency of tests.
It works with the base station simulator to configure a 4G and 5G SA/NSA radio environment for testing data throughput. The interface allows for the set up of test parameters which eliminate the need for specialist knowledge of complex protocols.
In addition, the MX800071A has been tested with a wide range of 4G and 5G modem chipsets and wireless communication modules, and provides connectivity with most 4G and 5G user equipment.
Anritsu Corporation has provided communications test and measurement solutions for 125 years and today engages customers developing wireless, optical, microwave/RF, and digital solutions for R&D, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance applications, as well as multi-dimensional service assurance solutions for network monitoring and optimisation. Anritsu also provides precision microwave/RF components, optical devices, and high speed electrical devices for communication products and systems. The company develops advanced solutions for 5G, M2M, IoT, as well as other emerging and legacy wireline and wireless communication markets. Anritsu has offices around the world and employees in over 90 countries.
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