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u-blox incorporates newest Nordic Semiconductor Bluetooth chips in two new compact modules

Thu, Apr 04, 2024

u-blox has announced two additions to its Bluetooth LE portfolio, ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2. The modules are based on the latest generation nRF54 Series Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) from Nordic Semiconductor. They both support Bluetooth LE 5.4 and Thread/Matter technologies in a compact, power-efficient, and secure format.

ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 are designed for a wide range of IoT applications, including industrial automation, healthcare, and smart home. ALMA-B1 is a high-end wireless MCU, while NORA-B2 brings ultra-low power to less complex applications. In the indoor positioning example, ALMA-B1 could act as an anchor point due to its vast processing capabilities, while the power efficiency of NORA-B2 makes it suitable for asset tracking tags.

According to ABI Research, Bluetooth LE device shipments are expected to roughly double by 2028. At the same time, new applications unleashed by AI / EdgeML and sensor fusion trigger the need for additional and stronger requirements, including higher security, more processing power, and efficient battery consumption.

Powered by the nRF54H20 and the nRF54L15 Nordic low-power multiprotocol SoCs, ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 provide IoT devices with the processing power for edge computing and machine learning without additional components. With more than twice the processing power of previous Bluetooth LE modules, ALMA-B1 can even replace general-purpose MCUs in a compact solution.

Both modules also offer a significant reduction in power consumption. NORA-B2 consumes up to 50% less current compared to previous generations of Bluetooth LE modules. This translates into smaller batteries or longer battery life in end products.

Designed for PSA Certified Level 3, ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 provide the highest levels of IoT security. In addition to features like secure boot, secure storage, secure debug interfaces, and hardware crypto accelerators, both modules include next-generation security features like physical tamper detection and protection against side-channel attacks.

The sizes of the modules (10 x 11 mm or 10 x 14 mm) save considerable space and facilitate migration from other u-blox’s modules. Both modules come with global certifications.

ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 are available as wireless MCUs. Both modules offer two antenna options: an antenna pin or an embedded PCB antenna.

https://www.u-blox.com

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ST boosts sensing creativity with new all-in-one MEMS Studio desktop software solution

Thu, Mar 28, 2024

ST’ MEMS Studio is a new all-in-one tool for MEMS sensor evaluation and development, connected closely with the STM32 microcontroller ecosystem and available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux operating systems.

By unifying the sensor-development workflow, from evaluation to configuration and programming, MEMS Studio accelerates development and simplifies bringing rich contextual awareness to users’ projects. Enhanced features help easily acquire and clearly visualise sensor data to explore the operating modes and optimise performance and accuracy. There are also tools for pre-built library testing, as well as convenient drag-and-drop algorithm creation for intuitive, no-code development of STM32 MCU firmware.

MEMS Studio supports the wide portfolio of ST MEMS sensors, including motion sensors, environmental sensors, and infrared sensors. It provides tools to explore and use all the sensors’ features including the finite state machine (FSM) and embedded edge AI in inertial modules for power-efficient inferencing directly in the sensor. These include creating and managing decision trees in sensors equipped with ST’s machine-learning core (MLC), monitoring interrupts status, and testing advanced features like FIFO, pedometer, and freefall detection embedded in the sensor.

MEMS Studio also offers a new experience for analysing sensor data in runtime and offline, where users can visualise, label, and edit the data for the best algorithm implementation. Spectrogram analysis and fast Fourier transform (FFT) are also available and help understand the sensor signal for the best detection of the sensing application target.

Users can choose from a wide variety of compatible development boards, including STM32 Nucleo expansion boards, sensor adapters, and ST’s multi-sensor evaluation kits. These comprise the SensorTile.box PRO, STWIN.box, and STEVAL-MKI109V3 professional MEMS adapter motherboard with adjustable power settings and a STM32F401VE MCU on-board.

As creative use of MEMS sensors continues to drive innovation in cutting-edge applications, MEMS Studio empowers designers to add new and more advanced functions in next-generation high-tech products. Its release promotes the development of smart appliances, medical wearables, and technology for digital healthcare, smart buildings and factories, robotics, asset tracking, and smart driving.

Consolidating and extending the features of established sensor-development tools including AlgoBuilder, Unico-GUI, and Unicleo-GUI, MEMS Studio is available now to download, free of charge, from https://www.st.com/mems-studio.

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Integrated LQ050XX load switch ICs from Littelfuse now at Rutronik

Tue, Mar 19, 2024

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, Littelfuse’s LQ050XX integrated load switch ICs offer the industry’s highest performance with ultra-low power consumption. They make it possible to reduce parasitic leakage currents, improve system efficiency, and extend battery life. That means a real upgrade for a wide range of applications, e.g. in wearables, smart homes, or IoT devices.

The integrated load switch ICs are available in different housing sizes from 0.77 mm x 0.77 mm x 0.46 mm to 0.97 mm x 1.47 mm x 0.55 mm. Their small size makes them particularly suitable for applications with limited space. The switches are robust, particularly power-saving and, thanks to the cutting-edge technology they contain, can deliver market-leading performance in terms of low quiescent current and switch-off current. In addition, they impress with low power losses and reduced leakage currents for extremely convincing efficiency.

The ICs are available in the following versions:
LQ05021QCS4:
The load switch delivers 2 A rated power. The integrated slew rate control improves system reliability and reduces voltage fluctuations on the bus. Together with its outstanding efficiency, this makes it the ideal solution for applications such as IoT or wearables.
LQ05021RCS4:
The IC has a high efficiency and the leading True Reverse Current Blocking (TRCB) technology. Together with a particularly low threshold voltage, the LQ05021RCS4 prevents reverse current when Vout exceeds Vin, minimises power loss during operation, and offers an extremely low switch-off current. The switch is predestined for wearables, portable electrical devices, or IoT applications.
LQ05022QCS4:
This switch is also equipped with slew rate control, which limits the inrush current and thus minimises the voltage drop. The LQ05022QCS4 supports a wide input voltage range, which optimises both the service life and the reliability of a system. The component can also be used in different voltage rails. Preferred applications include data storage, IoT devices, or low-power subsystems.
LQ05041QCS6
The LQ05041QCS6 has a rated power of 4 A. It has an integrated slew rate control and also a slew rate control. With six bumps and a size of 0.97 mm x 1.47 mm x 0.55 mm, it is particularly small and is primarily used in data storage, or the medical sector.
LQ05041RCS6
With its leading TRCB technology and extremely low threshold voltage, the switch prevents reverse currents and minimises power loss during operation. Its main areas of application include portable devices and power-saving subsystems.

https://www.rutronik24.de/

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ST’ high-performance microcontrollers pave the way to new innovations in smart home and industrial systems

Wed, Mar 13, 2024

ST has revealed a new high-performance device that combines performance, scalability and security of microprocessor-based systems that are typically more complex with the simplicity and integration of microcontrollers (MCUs).

Using these new STM32H7 MCUs, producers of equipment like smart appliances, smart-building controllers, industrial automation, and personal medical devices can evolve their products more quickly and cost effectively as end-users’ demands continue to increase. Examples include adding richer, colourful user interfaces and performing multiple functions simultaneously, which is usually achieved with microprocessors (MPU).

ST’s new STM32H7R and STM32H7S microcontrollers come with robust security features, needed to address Internet of Things (IoT) applications. They include protection against physical attacks, memory protection, code isolation to protect the application at runtime, and platform authentication. The STM32H7S devices provide further security enhancement by integrating immutable root of trust, debug authentication, and hardware cryptographic accelerators that support the latest algorithms to prevent unauthorised access to code and data. With these security features, the devices are targeting up to SESIP3 and PSA Level 3 certifications, meeting the highest industry standards for cyber protection.

The STM32H7 MCUs combine the highest-performing Arm Cortex-M core ST has yet announced (Cortex-M7 running at up to 600MHz) with minimal on-chip memory and high-speed external interfaces. They let engineers build systems with extra performance and flexibility using simple, low-cost microcontroller development tools. The devices available are further divided into the STM32H7R3/S3 general-purpose MCUs and the STM32H7R7/S7 with enhanced graphics-handling capabilities. Developers can share software extensively between the two lines, enabling efficient use of project resources and faster time to market for new products.

ST’s new STM32H7 MCUs are scheduled to enter volume production from April 2024. Sample requests and pricing information are available from local ST sales offices.

The STM32H7S8-DK demonstration and development platform, and the affordable and extendable NUCLEO-H7S3L8 MCU board, are available to accelerate building applications using the new devices.

https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32h7-series.html

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u-blox incorporates newest Nordic Semiconductor Bluetooth chips in two new compact modules

ST boosts sensing creativity with new all-in-one MEMS Studio desktop software solution

Integrated LQ050XX load switch ICs from Littelfuse now at Rutronik

ST’ high-performance microcontrollers pave the way to new innovations in smart home and industrial systems

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