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Mouser equips electronic design engineers with the latest cybersecurity and product knowledge in its security resource centre. As technology advances, so do the methods of cybercriminals, demanding innovative and adaptable defence strategies. Two prominent and increasingly complex issues in today’s landscape are the rise of generative AI phishing and the rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT). These challenges emphasise the need for both technological solutions and heightened human awareness to ensure digital safety.

The field of cybersecurity has quickly evolved in response to the increasing sophistication of digital threats. Generative AI, for instance, is reshaping the phishing landscape by creating personalised, grammatically accurate, and contextually relevant attacks at scale. At the same time, the rapid deployment of IoT devices often leads to limited processing power, infrequent patch cycles, and suboptimal security configurations, leaving many devices and connected systems unprotected. Addressing these vulnerabilities requires a rigorous approach to IoT defence measures and component selection. These potential threats highlight the critical importance of modern cybersecurity models like zero-trust architecture. This approach requires verification for all access requests, taking into account identity, contextual factors, and real-time risk assessments.

https://resources.mouser.com/security/

u-blox has expanded its partnership with Nordian to deliver its PointPerfect Flex (PPP-RTK) centimetre-level correction services across Argentina and Paraguay, building on existing coverage in Brazil as part of a broader regional expansion strategy.

The PointPerfect Flex GNSS correction service addresses growing demand from South America’s agriculture sector, while also serving drone operators, surveying and mapping professionals. The expanded coverage delivers centimetre-level accuracy at scale without requiring deployment of additional local base station infrastructure, enabling agricultural solution providers to implement precision automation solutions across remote areas where traditional RTK networks are not economically viable.

PointPerfect and u-blox GNSS receivers are developed in close conjunction with each other to achieve optimum results. The system supports both SPARTN data format optimised for u-blox receivers and RTCM format for non-u-blox GNSS RTK receivers, ensuring broad compatibility.

“The expansion of PointPerfect Flex precision positioning service across South America through our partnership with Nordian enables agricultural solution providers to deploy automated processes that drive operational efficiencies without infrastructure constraints,” said Neil Hamilton, Head of Growth at u-blox’s Services Business Unit.

Carlos Agusti, Sales Director, Nordian, said, “Agriculture is going through a once in a generation transformation as robotic solutions enable the industry to work faster, reduce errors, and optimise workflows. u-blox’s PointPerfect Flex enables precision accuracy to manage and control these solutions, negating the need for costly physical base stations.”

The service architecture combines satellite and IP delivery methods to ensure coverage in remote locations, with communication available via both mobile internet and L-band satellite providing 99.9% uptime availability. PointPerfect Flex with u-blox high precision GNSS RTK receivers achieves 3-6 cm accuracy with convergence in seconds, while offering usage-based pricing models that reduce operating expenses through by-device hourly plans or pooled fleet management options. Data efficiency represents another key advantage, with rates up to 90% lower than traditional network RTK services.

Implementation is designed for scalability, featuring NTRIP protocol connectivity, Zero Touch Provisioning for device configuration at scale, and integration capabilities that do not require specialised expertise. This combination of centimetre-level accuracy at scale, infrastructure-free deployment, and broad technology interoperability positions the service as a driver of ecosystem leadership in South America’s expanding precision agriculture market.

https://www.u-blox.com

Power Integrations is rolling out a new reference design kit tailored specifically for solar-powered race cars as 37 student teams prepare to race across the Outback in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge starting August 24.

The kit, RDK-85SLR, features the PI InnoSwitch3-AQ IC , which incorporates PI’s PowiGaN gallium-nitride switch technology. The kit is inspired by a design created by PI’s PowerPros online support engineers in collaboration with the ETH Zurich aCentauri team, whose #85 ‘Silvretta’ challenger-class car is using the design to maximize efficiency in its auxiliary power supply.

“Thousands of engineering students participate in solar car challenges around the world each year, and these innovators will help bring about a more sustainable future,” said Andy Smith, director of technical outreach and training for Power Integrations. “We are providing this reference kit to help young engineers take advantage of the latest, most energy-efficient technologies, such as PowiGaN, in their designs.”

The design kit includes everything needed to create a 46-watt power supply that delivers up to 80 watts for short periods—making it ideal for use as an auxiliary power supply in a solar race car. It employs the company’s InnoSwitch3-AQ flyback power supply IC with a highly efficient PowiGaN switch and eliminates the need for a heatsink, enabling more compact, lightweight, and cost-effective designs. Contents of the kit include a sample power supply, four InnoSwitch3-AQ ICs, and an unpopulated PCB. It is backed by a report containing power supply and magnetics transformer build instructions, schematics, a PCB layout guide, a parts list and comprehensive performance data. Live tech support is available from Power Integrations’ PowerPros team.

“We proved PowiGaN’s reliability, performance and efficiency in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in 2023,” stated Aaron Griesser, lead electrical engineer from the 2023 aCentauri team. “We achieved 95 percent efficiency across both light and full loads with a broad output range of 5 to 60 W. Additionally, the scrutineering judges were astounded to see an auxiliary power supply without a heatsink.”

https://www.power.com