LTE-M technology will play a pivotal role in the evolution of IoT, covering applications for both 4G and 5G networks. ThroughTek, a cloud platform provider from Taiwan has jointly collaborated with 4G LTE-M module maker, Sierra Wireless, and video solution provider, LOCT, on developing the LTE-M IP camera.The LTE-M IP camera was first showcased at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 this past January and again at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), attracting both domestic and international providers. Upon returning to Taiwan, ThroughTek will be attending the Smart City Expo to take place on March 26 with the aim to target telecom providers.The IP camera supports LTE-M standards for data transmission. Through the use of IoT-enabled SIM cards, the device can transmit images in the outdoor environment, where Wi-Fi network is unavailable. With the advantage of having a ready-to-use out of the box feature, the device is expected to revolutionize products by providing solutions for the monitoring, security, smart industry, and smart agriculture industries.The LTE-M IP Camera breaks through the constraints of space, providing a complete solution for outdoor IoT applicationsEntering the IoT era, a large number of devices will need to be connected in order to realize various types of use cases and applications. Currently, Low-power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology is most commonly used to create IoT applications, as it enables wide area coverage, consumes less power, and can easily be deployed. Most outdoor IoT applications today are geared towards use of a variety of sensors to collect real-time data on monitoring devices and environmental changes, however, the current market lacks video monitoring applications. This is because LPWAN technology has its limitations, especially in transmitting large volumes of data, which comes at a higher cost with using chip modules that support the technology. The latest LTE-M IP Camera is unique because its image processing uses a compression technology to take into account the volume of data being transmitted and image resolution. Designed with the use of a rechargeable battery, the device can handle low power operation to extend its battery life. The device meets the IP65 rating to protect against dust and is also water resistant, suitable for use in outdoor environments. Most importantly, the plug-and-play feature allows the device to quickly deploy in remote large-scale outdoor areas such as farms, fish farms, and event sites, fulfilling the needs for outdoor IoT applications.Kalay Platform's advanced technology provides enhanced data transmission security and privacyIn response to the increasing demand of wide bandwidth data transmission, ThroughTek upgraded the Kalay Platform's core technology to support transmission of narrowband data solutions. With data security and privacy as a primary concern, ThroughTek uses a decentralized design for its solution, using end-to-end encryption to enhance privacy protection for users. It supports IFTTT (short for IF This Then That) for automating tasks to enable users to easily manage their devices and create custom scenarios. Additionally, the Kalay Platform also supports integration of smart voice assistants such as Amazon's Alexa, Google Home, as well as other third-party APIs to provide comprehensive smart services, enabling brands to easily deploy smart devices that meet end users' needs.Besides showcasing the LTE-M IP Camera at the four-day 2019 Smart City Expo, ThroughTek will also display security applications for police and military use, smart home, and smart building, as well as 4G body worn camera, lighting cameras, smart voice assistants and other IoT devices. Visit our booth at #I327Meet ThroughTek at 2019 Smart City Summit & Expo, booth#I327
Digi-Key Electronics, a global electronic components distributor, has announced the release of a new secondary KiCad library, known as the Digi-Key Partner Library, on GitHub. This is intended to be a supplement to the existing Digi-Key KiCad library released last year.Whereas the previous library was developed and curated by Digi-Key's Applications Engineering team, the Partner Library was created to allow manufacturers to submit their own symbols and footprints to be compiled into the Digi-Key format."KiCad continues to grow in popularity as the open source alternative of robust EDA tools," said Randall Restle, VP, Applications Engineering. "The user community's endorsement of Digi-Key's atomic part library, which binds parts' symbols to their correct printed circuit board footprints, datasheets, part numbers, and more, motivated us to develop the software tools to enable and motivate suppliers to develop their own KiCad design assets. Thereby, becoming a gold standard for such assets."The initial rollout contains 45 parts submitted by TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH and is set to expand as more suppliers engage in the program.For more information about KiCad as well as the company's full portfolio of EDA and design tools, visit the Digi-Key website.Digi-Key KiCad library
The race to devise the next best smart home device is a tight one - the world's largest tech companies are constantly introducing new features and products to a highly saturated market of eager consumers. However, there is one drawback to the current state of the smart home: many of these devices operate separately, when in fact, they must communicate with one another in order to achieve a fully connected and truly smart home.The number of connected devices is expected to grow to 20.4 billion by 2020. In the next few years, IoT devices could know more about your home than you do. Even if you have more than 50 smart devices in your home, if there is a missing link between a device's ability to sense and act accordingly, the home is not smart.Introducing Aura WiFi MotionCognitive Systems created a solution to address this industry-wide challenge. Its patented Aura WiFi Motion technology takes a customer's existing WiFi network and transforms it into a comprehensive, automated home monitoring and security solution.Through partnerships with chipset manufacturers including Qualcomm, Quantenna Communications and Cypress Semiconductor, Aura WiFi Motion software is layered onto existing access points within a home. It monitors radio frequency (RF) waves from WiFi-enabled products to identify and alert users of motion within a home. Changes to the WiFi signals prompt user notifications that show where motion has occurred.Aura WiFi Motion has the ability to connect all devices on a mesh network so that they can work together to sense motion from room to room without any additional hardware or software. Over time, as consumers adopt more and more IoT devices, the mesh network will have the ability to truly automate the smart home based on the user's habits, eliminating the need to manually set preferences.Why WiFi Motion?In addition to home automation, the usability and benefits of Aura WiFi Motion create several distinct application categories, including:Home securityCameras are great for seeing what's going on outside of your house (preventing package theft, etc.), but having cameras inside can cause concerns around privacy. By using WiFi to monitor motion, users can "see" what's happening in each room of their home and understand the context without having a visual line of sight.Elder careFor consumers who have elderly family members who live alone, Aura WiFi Motion enables loved ones to make sure a family member is up and moving around as expected without infringing on privacy with cameras.Rental propertiesRenting your home or apartment to strangers can be lucrative, but risky. Aura WiFi Motion allows you to monitor your property and provides non-intrusive information, such as the number of people in your rental space, without making your guests uneasy.Energy managementWhen no motion is sensed in the home after a certain period of time, lights and other appliances can turn off automatically with Aura WiFi Motion to conserve energy. As Aura WiFi Motion learns user preferences and habits, conservation can be automated for increased savings.Aura WiFi Motion versus traditional motion sensingThere are other key differences that make Aura WiFi Motion an ideal solution when compared to other options.WiFi Motion versus camerasUnlike cameras, Aura WiFi Motion preserves privacy. For most people, cameras are only a solution for outdoor areas. Aura WiFi Motion can cover the whole home.Cameras can apply machine learning to identify faces and distinguish between pets and humans but there is still a high false detection risk due to pixel changes caused by shadows and lighting. Also, cameras are limited to field-of-view so several units are required to cover a whole home, which can be very costly.WiFi Motion versus PIR sensors and contact switches:PIR sensors and contact switches are typically used as stand-alone devices for home security applications. Both require special attention during installation to provide reliable detection ;whereas, Aura WiFi Motion requires no hardware set up.A contact switch can provide valuable information about localization (which window or door has been opened, etc.), but the total area each device can cover is limited. Aura WiFi Motion also provides additional context, such as when the kids arrive home or how long a caregiver has stayed.Why 'seeing' motion mattersMost actions in a home require motion. Setting a thermometer, for instance, or opening the door. Being able to "see" and interpret these motions is key for devices to sync with each other and ultimately operate independently with the user's habits and preferences in mind. This device interconnectivity and comprehension of human behavior patterns is the future of the smart home, and Cognitive Systems' groundbreaking Aura WiFi Motion is the technology to catapult us into this future.
Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation will present more than a dozen of its newest, most advanced systems and services for the Chinese market at Semicon China 2019 on March 20-22 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).Product DisplaysIn booth #4431 in Hall N4, Advantest will showcase its leading-edge test solutions through live product demonstrations and displays. These include the V93000 scalable platform, featuring the latest IC test solutions and services enabling AI technology; the FVI16 floating power VI source that extends the V93000 platform's capabilities to include testing of advanced ICs for automotive, industrial and power management IC (PMIC) applications; the B6700ES burn-in memory test system for laboratory environments, with burn-in boards that can be used in production test systems; the highly flexible T5830ES engineering station, whose Tester-per-Site design enables it to conduct testing across a wide range of flash memory devices used throughout mobile electronics; the EVA100 measurement system with a new HVI (high-voltage VI source and measurement) module that extends the platform's range to include high-power ICs for large-volume consumer applications; the T2000 platform for system-level testing; and the MMXHE and RECT550EX modules, which enable T2000 systems to more efficiently test devices used in the power trains of hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles. Advantest also will have a unique automotive display to help attendees visualize how and where the T2000 series of test systems is being applied to improve the performance and reliability of broader types of automotive electronics such as sensing, controlling, processing and power-related devices and modules.Additionally, digital graphic displays will showcase the TS9000 series of terahertz analysis systems for measuring IC mold thickness and the wiring quality of IC packages and printed circuit boards; the E3650 scanning electron microscope (SEM) for measuring critical dimensions (CD) of next-generation photomasks and the E5610 defect review SEM for photomasks; the F7000 e-beam lithography system for the 1X-nm technology node; the T6391 tester for display driver ICs (DDI); device interfaces including 300mm NAND probe cards and V93000 interface solutions for IoT ICs; the innovative CX1000P CloudTesting station and cloud-based solutions offering cost-effective, on-demand test solutions; and Advantest's array of field services to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) using AI technology.Advantest's exhibit also will include a presentation on the semiconductor system-level test business acquired from Astronics Corporation in February. More information About Advantest Corporation is available at www.advantest.com.
Based on the demand for mobile phones and tablet PCs with ultra-large memories, China's embedded memory manufacturer, Biwin, has unveiled a UFS flash memory product with maximum capacity of 512GB.The UFS flash memory product of Biwin is in accordance with UFS2.1. The continuous read/write speed of this product can reach up to 872MB/s. The product is FBGA-packaged and its capacity can reach up to 512GB from 32GB. For the 512GB product, the size is 12.0×16.0×1.0mm, while for other specs, 11.5×13.0×1.0mm. It can meet the high performance and large capacity requirements of high-end smartphones and tablet PCs in the market, even with extra performance.Biwin deals in a variety of embedded memory products. In addition to UFS memory products, the latest specs such as LPDDR4 and LPDDR4X being other standard configurations for flagship devices are also in mass production and sales.As a leading enterprise in China's memory industry, relying on the powerful memory product development capability and various types of products, Biwin is able to meet almost all requirements of customers in the market. Biwin is powerful in developing multi-platform software/hardware products and experienced in developing platforms such as Qualcomm/Intel/Realtek/MediaTek/Spreadtrum since being carefully tested and accepted by the their suppliers.For more information about Biwin, please visit: www.biwin.com.cnInnovative memory professional choice
STAr Technologies, a leading supplier of semiconductor test equipment, formally unveiled Taurus TS-8500, the new switch matrix mainframe series specifically developed for device characterization test and process control. This TS-8500 matrix series significantly reduce time consumption and expenditure of semiconductor test and meet laboratory, engineering or mass production needs.STAr Taurus TS-8500 series is 4-slot switch matrix instrument that can be configured with low leakage modules that enables configuration from 10x12 to 10x48 channels. Other configurations include high voltage module up to 3000V and 4x6 RF module up to 40GHz. Furthermore, TS-8500 supports integration and flexible configuration to STAr' semiconductor test software products and equipment to provide customers cost-effective switch matrix solution with advantages of high performance and reliable test results."With the improvement of advanced semiconductor manufacture process and the requirement for device characterization test and analysis is in much demand. Meanwhile, to meet the trend of reducing test expenditures, suppliers must aggressively develop and design product correspond the test requirement and cost control. Undoubtedly, TS-8500 series is the ideal switch matrix solution," said Choon-Leong Lou, CEO of STAr Technologies.STAr Taurus TS-8500 is designed to solve existing problems on semiconductor test and measurement, such as the limits resulted from single function switch matrix and the reduction of efficiency and automatic capabilities. This series supports customers to flexibly select different types of matrix modules for different test applications. This further enhances the capability for single or multi-channel connections of different test need in one single switch mainframe and enable to meet customers' request for cost reduction and efficiency improvement.For more product information, please visit our website at www.STAr-Quest.comSTAr Taurus TS-8500 switch matrix mainframe
How can innovation play a big role in gaming? With "The Game Just Got Real," MSI strives for remarkable innovation and a life-like gameplay experience for gamers worldwide. MSI has announced its new gaming laptops were launched with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 series graphics.Experience new gaming realism with Nvidia GeForce RTX seriesWith real-time ray tracing and AI-enhanced gaming experience, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 series graphics pushes the boundaries of laptop graphics. This powerful graphics takes the gaming out the frame, enabling an experience of realism. Aside from the performance boost, the new GeForce RTX 20 series goes beyond the traditional rendering techniques to present better in-game lighting with detailed reflections, shadows, and shaders. To take full advantage of the new graphics, MSI has also enhanced its exclusive Cooler Boost design, effectively reducing operating temperatures.GS75 Stealth - World's 1st thin & light gaming laptop with GeForce RTX 2080 graphicsA roaring beast is living in this compact 4-sided thin bezel chassis. A direct descendent of the ultra-thin and ultra-light gaming laptop, the GS75 continues the legacy with more powerful performance in a sleek, trim body. Equipped with up to the latest GeForce RTX 2080 graphics, this beast offers stunningly realistic graphics in a surprisingly small 2.2 kg, 18.95 mm size, with dimensions up to 60% smaller than regular 17-inch laptops. In addition, the GS75 has an immersive 17.3-inch 144Hz IPS-level display, providing gamers a panoramic view of the playing field. The golden hinge accent and aluminum alloy add to both rigidity and aesthetics. Another impressive feature is the extra-large touchpad with a silky smooth glass surface, which highly improves responsiveness and pinpoint accuracy. With the 1st passive radiator design on laptop speakers, the GS75 is able to deliver stunning audio bass and "extra oomph", providing more powerful sound effects than ever in a small chassis.GS75 Stealth product overview: https://www.msi.com/Laptop/GS75-Stealth-8SXGS75 Stealth
Biwin will show customers a full range of storage solutions for mobile smart devices at the 2019 Embedded World conference, including eMMC, eMCP, nMCP, BGA SSD, SPI, LPDDR3/4/4X.It will also showcase a full range of PC embedded storage and memory solutions, the representative products being: 2.5-inch SSD, mSATA SSD, Half Slim SSD, M. 2 SSD, U. 2 SSD, DOM series, SO-DIMMs, UDIMMs, etc., BIWIN provides you with higher performance and more cost-effective embedded storage solutions from consumer grade to industrial grade, which is suitable for diversified storage product solutions and can help customers to seize the market.Innovative storage, professional choiceBiwin focuses on the development of storage technology applications and has rich experience in the application of FLASH products. It has two major hardware and software R&D bases in Shenzhen and Taiwan, and has mastered the latest technology and ensure that customers 'final product production is synchronized with the latest processes. Biwin has it's own complete IC package factory with international professional standards for packaging, testing, and production workshops. It can provide customers with "one-stop" customization services such as IC design, packaging, testing, and assembly. The full integrated upstream and downstream resources and full range of storage support services make Biwin 's products and services more cost-effective.Biwin adheres to its own advantages and is committed to provide high-quality storage products and services for the majority of system builders, brand vendors, industrial and consumer markets and also provide customers with a full range of storage application solutions including game entertainment, transportation, video monitoring, automation equipment, mobile phone, tablets, and Netcom products. BIWIN continuously optimizes the brand concept of "Bi-Win" and continuously explores the mode of storage cooperation with customers through brand licensing or agency, OEM, and investment cooperation. For example, Biwin and Hewlett-Packard have reached a strategic cooperation and gets HP's global brand license. Biwin is responsible for the global sales, manufacturing, brand operation and after-sales service of HP SSD, which has quickly created a strong high-end storage brand for HP.Biwin spread its business all over the world, spanning more than 50 countries and regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa. It also has multinational and regional offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Taiwan, the United States, and Europe. With a view to the future, Biwin will continue to innovate and customize best products and services as well as the "one-stop" solutions that are best suited to market needs.For more information, please visitGwww.biwin.com.cn/enBiwin at Embedded World 2019
Memxpro, a leading DRAM module and SSD solution provider for defense, industrial, in-vehicle, and enterprise markets, announces the release of a new industrial TLC SSD series at the Embedded World 2019 tradeshow in Germany. The new 3D TLC SSD series includes PT30 (with DRAM) and ET30 (without DRAM), and use SMI controllers and Micron original industrial B17A 3D TLC flash with 10K P/E cycles and a 4-year warranty. In addition, the exhibition highlights Memxpro's latest high-speed U.2 PCIe and M.2 2280 PCIe PT33 series with industrial 3D TLC, huge-capacity 4TB SSDs, and wide temperature DDR4 2666 DRAM modules. There is also a live demo of their mSMART storage monitoring toolbox for information retrieval and device management.A new venture in industrial 3D TLC with 10K P/E cyclesMemxpro launched their new NVMe PCIe PT33 and SATA 3 PT30/ET30 SSDs paired with Micron's original 3D TLC with 10K endurance to meet the industrial demands of AIoT. The new product series provides comprehensive data protection and enhances the endurance and retention performance of 3D TLC NAND, delivering better durability for 3D TLC SSD products. They are the ideal choice for embedded applications, industrial equipment, and edge devices operating in challenging environments.A new era of industrial-grade multi-terabyte storageAs flash technology advances, high-capacity SSDs are becoming standard in industrial data applications. Plus with industry advancements, manufacturers are bringing new form factors and speeds to the market. Memxpro's high-capacity E231 series offers storage capacity of up to 4TB for its 2.5" SSD series, up to 1TB for its mSATA and Half Slim series, and CF cards of up to 256GB. This product family complies with JEDEC standards, combining eMMC flash arrays with proven quality and stability, 3,000 P/E cycles of MLC, original extended temperature (-25 degree C~+85 degree C) ICs, and additional industrial wide temperature support (-40 degree C~+85 degree C).Industrial high-speed DDR4 2666 hits the roadIn the era of high-speed memory and storage, DDR4 has become the new standard for industrial memory in 2019. Memxpro's high-speed DRAM DDR4-2666 modules comply with the JEDEC standard to achieve 2666 MHz without overclocking RAM. The original high-quality branded memory ICs and industrial spec design makes for a low operating voltage of 1.2 V for energy-conscious power consumption and thermal efficiency. Wide temperature memory modules (-40 degree C to +85 degree C) are ideal for applications that must ensure high performance and product stability in extreme climates or industrial environments.Click-to-use mSMART 4.0 powers intelligent storage monitoringEasy to use and intuitive, Memxpro mSMART 4.0 storage device monitoring software tool is available free for download. Enabling the predictive power of big data analytics, mSMART detects problems and provides alerts to reduce routine inspection tasks and operational costs. Integrated with an enterprise database, the system will record SSD status and store data logs to benefit big data analytics that help make better informed decisions.Visit Memxpro at booth No. 2-407, Hall 2, Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, Embedded World 2019New Memxpro 3D TLC SSD debuts at Embedded World 2019
Rotating equipment including motors, pumps, air and other types of compressors, decelerators, and blowers definitely plays an essential role driving economic growth in a wide variety of industrial applications. Failure of or damage to such vital equipment can result in considerable financial loss.To prevent equipment failure from impacting production, factories that rely heavily on rotating equipment have long implemented measures such as having technicians conduct regular inspections or situating spare parts close to critical equipment for quick replacement when failure occurs. These measures are far from foolproof. For example, factory operators have no way of knowing machine conditions during operation unless an inspection is executed, resulting in frequent periods in the dark about machine conditions. In addition, when an unexpected interruption occurs on a continuous processing line, a complete run of material may have to be scrapped.In view of this, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) combines its own Prognosis Monitoring System (PMS) with sensors and computers (ADLINK MCM-100 machine condition monitoring systems) to form a complete system for machine health assessment, life prediction, and fault diagnosis. Fully supporting production equipment in semiconductor, optoelectronics, mechanics, petrochemical, steel, food processing, and other industries, ITRI's system can monitor and observe machine conditions at all times and issue warnings in the case of event, ensuring operations are sustained.Diagnosing problems while minimizing machine downtimeChun-Chieh Wang, ITRI's Manager for System Monitoring & Control Technology, points out the importance of rotating equipment as being the very heart of the manufacturing industry. Without effective assurances of equipment health, failures of critical components require operators to rely on experienced technicians with expertise and knowhow for troubleshooting chores. However, different technicians may have different opinions and identifying the problem can take some time, resulting in costly production downtime."Machines should be able to speak for themselves," said Wang. "All that's required is to simply install vibration sensors close to the equipment and PMS software on the MCM-100 device. The system can then collect and analyze sensor data in one shot, turning raw data into useful information. It can further send the results to the back-end supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Factory operators need no longer depend on experienced technicians, with indicators on the PMS allowing them to stay on top of all machine conditions in real time. A yellow indicator constitutes a prediction of the device's remaining operating life, apprising operators of deteriorating equipment health and prompting preventive maintenance if necessary. A red indicator light directs the PMS to perform fault diagnostics via characteristics check to identify failed parts, and effect prompt repairs.As is known, rotating equipment can fail for a multitude of reasons, such as ball bearing misalignment, imbalance, bending and loosening, gear breakage and wear, and center offset. If speedy identification of the failure cause is available, the problem can be resolved immediately, saving tremendous amounts of time and cost over having to dismantle the entire system for inspection and repair.The MCM-100 consolidates data collection, analysis, and upload in a single systemAccording to Wang, in the past, practical application of ITRI's PMS solution as a complete system required integration with data acquisition (DAQ) modules, industrial PCs, and a variety of other components, a process requiring considerable time and effort. The system was also bulky with an imposing footprint. In 2017, however, ITRI was introduced to the ADLINK MCM-100, an all-in-one monitoring system with built-in DAQ module and computation processing unit. Upon evaluation, ITRI decided to base its PMS solution on the MCM-100 due to its multiple advantages, including minimal footprint, low cost, support for a wide variety of I/O interfaces and wireless communication modules, high reliability, 24-bit resolution and 128kS/s sampling rate. Moreover, as a Taiwan-based vendor, ADLINK is able to provide prompt technical support and customized development for the MCM-100.The rise of the Industry 4.0 standard has spurred widespread availability of preventive maintenance solutions considerably different from ITRI's PMS, emphasized Wang. For example, IoT products only collect data but have no analytical capability to perform health assessment, life prediction, and fault diagnostics. Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions lack domain knowhow and with no equipment failure patterns, can only analyze failure modes using their massive computation resources, like looking for a needle in a haystack. ITRI's PMS solution, on the other hand, provides in-depth knowledge of vibration data analytics, equipment prognosis, and failure characteristics specific to rotating machinery. Using simple neural networks to train models and then apply the model-based reasoning to quickly pinpoint problem causes, ITRI's PMS helps factory operators across virtually all manufacturing sectors troubleshoot much faster and effectively maximize machine uptime.