Support for Secure Manager, a turnkey SoC which integrates core security services certified and maintained by ST is included in the STM32H5 discovery kit by STMicroelectronics.
The development board is for creating diverse applications with the company’s STM32H5 microcontrollers. The STM32H5 devices are intended for high performance processing and advanced security in a wide range of applications, including smart sensors, smart appliances, industrial controllers, networking equipment, personal electronics and medical devices.
The STM32H573I-DK discovery kit enables developers to explore all the integrated features of the STM32H5, such as analogue peripherals, timers, the ST ART (Adaptive Real-Time) accelerator, media interfaces and mathematical accelerators. This makes it easy to evaluate new designs for industrial programmable logic controllers (PLC), motor drives, and smart controllers for appliances, for example, air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines. Other potential applications include alarm controllers, communication hubs and smart lighting controls.
The STM32H573I-DK Discovery kit is a development board that includes an STM32H5 microcontroller, colour touch display, digital microphone, and interfaces such as USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi. The board also features an audio codec, flash memory, and headers for connecting expansion shields and daughterboards.
To simplify the development process, the STM32CubeH5 microcontroller software package consolidates all the necessary components required to develop an application on the STM32H5, including examples and application code. The package is fully integrated into the STM32Cube ecosystem, which contains additional software to assist with application development. ST also offers the STM32CubeMX tool for configuring and initialising the microcontroller.
The STM32H5 microcontroller features the Arm Cortex-M33 embedded microcontroller core running at 250MHz and is the first microcontroller to support ST’s Secure Manager SoC security solutions. The microcontrollers combine Arm TrustZone security with ST’s STM32Trust framework to provide trusted storage, cryptography, attestation and updates. They embed side-channel protected hardware cryptographic accelerators and target recognised security certifications, PSA Certified Level 3 and GlobalPlatform SESIP3.
ST has created the STM32H573I-DK Discovery kit with examples showing how to use the security services and integrated all the necessary software tools and support in the STM32Cube development ecosystem.
The Discovery kit as well as the H5 Nucleo Board Nucleo-H563ZI are available now available from ST’s eStore and authorised distributors.
Wearable
MRigidCSP package is claimed to increase MOSFET’s mechanical strength
Robust package technology, MRigidCSP, by Alpha and Omega Semiconductor (AOS), is initially offered on its AOCR33105E, 12V, common drain, dual N-channel MOSFET. The packaging technology is designed to decrease on resistance while increasing mechanical strength, and is particularly suited to battery applications in smartphones, tablets and ultra-thin notebooks.
AOS explained that fast charging, which requires lower power loss in the battery management circuit, is now widely adopted for portable devices. As the charging currents increase, ultra-low electrical resistance is needed for improved performance. In standard wafer-level chip scale packages (WL-CSPs), the substrate can be a significant portion of the total resistance when back-to-back MOSFETs are employed in battery management applications. A thinner substrate reduces the overall resistance but drastically reduces the package’s mechanical strength. This reduction of mechanical strength can lead to more stress during the PCB assembly reflow process, potentially causing warping or cracking in the die and, ultimately, failure in the application. The AOCR33105E is designed with trench-power MOSFET technology in a common drain configuration for design simplicity. It features low on resistance with ESD protection to improve performance and safety in battery management, such as protection switches and mobile battery charging and discharging circuits.
“Incorporating the AOS MRigidCSP packaging technology with our new dual N-channel MOSFET combines electrical performance improvements with the benefit of high robustness,” said Peter H. Wilson, senior MOSFET product line marketing director at AOS.
AOS designed the MRigidCSP package technology to be used with high aspect ratio CSP die sizes. The CSP construction delivers “a significantly strengthened battery MOSFET that won’t warp or break during the board manufacturing process,” added Wilson.
The AOCR33105E is available in a 2.08 x 1.45mm package, with RDS(on) of 3mOhm at 4.5V / 4.2mOhm at 3.1V.
The AOCR33105E in the MRigidCSP package is immediately available in production quantities with a lead time of 14 to 16 weeks. It is RoHS 2.0 compliant and is halogen-free.
Headset increases productivity with hands-free operation
The next generation of RealWear’s hands-free, wearable computers for frontline workers is the Navigator Z1 Intrinsically Safe (IS) headset, which accesses AI and 5G connectivity.
Built for productivity and safety in industries such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and mining, the hands-free IS wearable solution frees a worker’s hands to make operations smarter, safer, and more efficient.
The Navigator Z1 is certified for use in areas where nearly all electronics are strictly prohibited due to the potential risk of explosion or combustion. It can be used on sites including oil and gas production areas, for rig inspections at sea or for repair in mission-critical production equipment in processing mills, chemical facilities, and mines.
It is “the smartest and lightest IS wearable with integrated battery available to frontline workers who work in some of the most challenging sites on earth,” said Dr. Chris Parkinson, co-founder and CEO of RealWear. “We’re especially keen to introduce AI Core and 5G IS connectivity to create a new frontier of smart, connected wearable solutions for frontline workers,” he added.
Technical improvements in this version of the headset includes the introduction of RealWear’s new AI Core, especially designed for on-device enhanced AI experiences. The headset is also lighter than earlier models but retains the ruggedness and durability levels, said RealWear. There is also improved screen visibility with an HD 720p display and a high resolution front-facing camera (48 Mpixel) for better remote collaboration and low-light image capture for inspections and auditing.
The headset has a wide temperature range for use in more climates and environments, enhanced noise cancellation for improved voice-responsiveness and accuracy and improved connectivity with faster Wi-Fi 6 and an optional 5G IS solution for private and secure enterprise connectivity.
There is also a thermal camera module to spot invisible issues before they become critical and a removable integrated snag-free battery for enhanced safety and for extended use. The headset operates with Enterprise Secure Android 12.
RealWear Navigator Z1 capabilities include purpose-built software for remote expert guidance and training. Remote experts can conduct in-the-moment maintenance and repair, potentially reducing costly travel and downtime via apps like Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
Using just simple voice commands, workers can connect to FSM (field service management) enterprise AI systems to handle work orders safely and quickly, and conduct asset maintenance at reduced operational costs.
Inspectors can inspect a job site, take high quality photos and dictate notes using the field data collection component of an inspection data management system (IDMS) such as hands-free solutions from RealWear and HUVR. Captured data is instantly uploaded and geocoded for integrity verification, auditing and compliance purposes.
Device administrators can access RealWear’s enterprise-grade RealWear Cloud web portal to add approved apps to the headset, adjust a variety of settings, and even remotely connect to the headset to offer remote device troubleshooting.
To take full advantage of the powerful Qualcomm 6490 chipset, RealWear has begun to offer early access of the new headset to its global developer community.
“We’re thrilled that RealWear is utilising the Qualcomm 6490 platform in RealWear Navigator Z1 that will help frontline workers in extremely hazardous zones where rugged equipment and safety is essential,” said Jeff Henckels, director of XR Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies. “The Qualcomm 6490 is a perfect fit for RealWear’s next generation headsets as it enables powerful connections and reduced latency, an advanced ISP and advanced Edge-AI computing to deliver astonishing performance at lower power.”
The headset will launch with certifications for ATEX Zone 1, CSA C1/D1 and IECEx.
Embedded chip antennas are small and durable for the IoT
Surface mounted embedded antennas have been added to the antenna portfolio by Amphenol RF. The surface mounted chip antennas offer electrical performance up to 8.5GHz and support cellular 4G/5G-FR1 frequencies as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth / Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and LoRa, UWB and GNSS.
The embedded RF antennas are compact and have a durable construction, making them suitable for IoT and smart devices.
By surface mounting the chip antenna directly on the PCB, with antenna ensure there is no need for external antennas. They are manufactured from ceramic or FR-4 materials and are omnidirectional. In addition, said Amphenol RF, they are easy to tune and available in tape and reel packaging.
The small size of ceramic chip antennas enables efficient integration into compact devices where space is at a premium. These antennas are well suited for smart utility meters, robotics, intelligent transport systems, set-top boxes and gateways, and mobile electronic wallets.
Amphenol RF provides local technical support and matching of antennas.
Amphenol RF manufactures coaxial connectors for use in radio frequency, microwave, and data transmission system applications. Headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut, USA, Amphenol RF has sales, marketing and manufacturing locations in North America, Asia and Europe. Standard products include RF connectors, coaxial adapters and RF cable assemblies. Custom engineered products include multi-port ganged interconnect, blind mate and hybrid mixed-signal solutions.
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