Live webinar: Exploring Bluetooth LE with Channel Sounding

This webinar will delve into the capabilities of Bluetooth Core 6.0, focusing on the innovative Channel Sounding feature and how it can be explored with the NORA B2 module series powered by the Nordic Semiconductor nRF54L chipset series. Channel Sounding promises accurate and secure distance measurements opening up for new applications.

In partnership with Nordic Semiconductor

Agenda
• Introduction to Bluetooth Channel Sounding: Overview of Bluetooth Core 6.0’s hallmark feature, Channel Sounding, and its significance.
• How Channel Sounding Works: Detailed explanation of the mechanics behind Channel Sounding.
• About the nRF54L Series: Insights into the nRF54L chipsets that support Channel Sounding, provided by Nordic Semiconductor.
• Application and Use Case Examples: Real-world applications, including ‘Find My’ solutions, digital keys, HMI, and proximity interactions.
• Channel Sounding on NORA-B2 Modules: Demonstrations of Channel Sounding on u-blox’s NORA-B2 modules.
• Live Demo: Experience Channel Sounding in action.
• Q&A Session: Engage with our experts and get your questions answered.

Key Presenters
• Paal Kastnes – Technical Product Manager – Nordic Semiconductor
• Sebastien Delaby – Senior Product Manager – u-blox

Highlights
• Bluetooth Core 6.0 Specification: Introduction to Channel Sounding, providing sub-meter accuracy and enhanced security.
• Application Scenarios: Improved tracking solutions, digital key functionalities, enhanced HMI safety, and adaptive proximity interactions.
• NORA-B2 Module Series: Featuring the latest nRF54L series chipsets, these modules offer robust performance and low power consumption.
• Interactive Demonstrations: Witness the practical implementations of Channel Sounding technology.

https://register.gotowebinar.com

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Infineon launches the world’s smallest eSIM solution for mobile consumer devices

Wearables, smartphones, tablets: In the consumer sector in particular, the demand for ever greater functionality, simplicity, and battery lifetime is increasing. Infineon Technologies contributes to these requirements with the introduction of the OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230. It is the world’s smallest GSMA-compliant and first 28 nm eSIM solution. OPTIGA Connect Consumer allows up to 50 percent less energy consumption compared to eSIMs on the market, extending the lifetime of the device’s battery without compromising on performance. It also contributes largely to more convenience since eSIMs can be managed remotely, making haptic SIM changes abundant thus saving time and resources and allowing for greater flexibility. Smartphone users can switch between different providers more easily, manufacturers can be more flexible in their design since physical access is not required. This can be a large advantage in IoT devices. Above all, OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230 is ideal for consumer devices such as smartphones, tablets, and notebooks, and even for small devices such as smartwatches and other wearables as well as 5G routers and POS payment terminals.

The OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230’s security architecture is based on Arm v8 and Infineon’s Integrity Guard 32 technology for increased performance and reduced power consumption. It enables a gain of 25 percent power/performance ratio compared to existing eSIMs on the market, thus extending the lifetime of the device’s battery. Remote SIM provisioning (RSP) and multiple enabled profiles (MEP) compliant with GSMA SGP.22 v3 enhance the end user experience. Users can download and store several mobile network operator profiles and remotely activate multiple profiles simultaneously.
With only 1.8 x 1.6 x 0.4 mm, the ultra-small chip-scale packaging reduces printed circuit board (PCB) space requirements by a factor of 37 relative to Nano SIMs and by a factor of 130 compared to standard SIMs. The OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230 is also available in X2QFN20 (3.0 x 3.0 x 0.3 mm) package. The eSIM solution features a large memory of 1 MB to accommodate multiple network operator profiles along with additional applications and user data.

OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230 is security evaluated according to BSI-CC-PP-0100-2018, specified in GSMA SGP.25 and is based on post-quantum-cryptography-(PQC) ready hardware.

The OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230 is available now.

https://www.infineon.com

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Nexperia’s new step-down DC-DC converters with lowest quiescent current enhance design flexibility

Nexperia has introduced a new series of step-down DC-DC converters featuring devices with stand-by and operating efficiency that offer engineers flexibility for designing various fixed and portable battery-powered applications across consumer, industrial and automotive end-markets.

The NEX30606 is a high-efficiency, high-accuracy step-down converter that offers a choice of 16 resistor-settable output voltages from input voltages ranging from 1.8 V to 5.0 V. It can deliver up to 600 mA of output current and offers the industry’s lowest operating quiescent current (Iq) of 220 μA. This feature makes it ideal for wearable consumer applications like hearing aids, medical sensors, patches and monitors in addition to battery-powered industrial applications like smart meters, asset-tracking and industrial (IIOT) and narrow-band internet-of-things (NBIOT) devices. This device provides >90% switching efficiency for load currents ranging from 1 mA to 400 mA and has only 10 mV of output voltage ripple when stepping down from 3.6 V Vin to 1.8 Vout.

The NEX40400 step-down converter combines high efficiency (up to 8 % higher efficiency than close competition at low – mid load condition) with low operating quiescent current (60 μA typ.) and can provide up to 600 mA output from a wide 4.5 V to 40 V input range for applications. Featuring PFM (Pulse Frequency Modulation) for high efficiency at low to mid loads and Spread Spectrum Technology for minimising EMI, the converter is ideal for industrial distributed power systems and grid infrastructure (e.g. smart e-meters) as well as consumer white goods. Low shutdown supply current (0.3 μA) also makes this converter suitable for use in battery-powered home appliances. Nexperia also plans to release an AEC-Q100 qualified version of the NEX40400 later in 2025 for use in automotive applications such as body electronics and lighting, in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), as well as instrument clusters, cameras and displays.

Both the NEX30606 and NEX40400 offer traditional IC protection features such as Overcurrent Protection (OCP), short circuit protection, and thermal shutdown, ensuring reliability in demanding environments.

The NEX30606 is available in a space-saving WLCSP package measuring only 1.09 mm x 0.74 mm with a 0.35-mm pitch, which is almost 50% smaller than similar competing converters. The NEX40400 comes in a cost-effective 6-lead SOT8061-1 (TSOT23-6) plastic, surface-mounted package measuring 2.9 mm x 2.8 mm.

https://www.nexperia.com

 

 

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Nexperia enhances Energy Harvesting portfolio with innovative PMIC reducing BOM cost

Nexperia is expanding its energy harvesting portfolio with the NEH71x0 power management IC (PMIC) family. This advanced PMIC line combines performance, cost-efficiency, and versatility, setting a new standard in sustainable design for low power applications. These devices eliminate the need for an external inductor, reducing circuit board space and bill-of-materials (BOM) cost. It is available in a compact 4 mm x 4 mm QFN28 package. Applications include remote controls, key fobs, smart tags, asset trackers, occupancy sensors, environmental monitors, wearables, keyboards, tire pressure monitors, and any number of Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

These new PMICs represent a complete power management solution for energy harvesting: enabling engineers to extend battery life, recharge batteries or supercapacitors, and even eliminate batteries in certain designs, thanks to its cold start feature. With the NEH71x0 (NEH7100BU, NEH7110BU) PMICs, designers can choose from multiple ambient power sources such as light, kinetic/piezo or a temperature gradient. With an input power range from 15μW to 100mW, these high-performance energy harvesting ICs can convert energy with an efficiency of up to 95%. These devices include an on-chip maximum power point tracking (MPPT) adaptive algorithm to optimise the energy harvested, which adapts every 0.5 second, making the PMIC extremely responsive to changing environmental conditions.

The NEH71x0 family integrates a range of power management features to protect batteries and storage elements, including over-voltage protection, low-voltage detection, and over-current protection. The addition of a low dropout (LDO) regulator and USB charging further reduces the BOM cost and simplifies the design process. For greater functionality, the NEH710BU variant includes I2C programmability and measurement readings, giving engineers additional flexibility and control in their designs.

NEH71x0 complements NEH2000, Nexperia’s first energy harvesting power management IC – a compact, low-BOM converter – by adding more advanced energy harvesting features and a new set of power management features, marking the next step in a growing roadmap of innovative inductor-less energy harvesting products.

https://www.nexperia.com/energyharvesting

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