Texas Instruments Launches NFC Tag for Car Infotainment Pairing
Dec 04, 2015Texas Instruments (TI) is marketing a new Near Field Communication (NFC) transponder targeted at automotive infotainment applications. The RF430CL330H-Q1 is a dual-interface tag intended for easy development of systems for pairing smartphones, tablets and other NFC-enabled devices with car infotainment systems, via Bluetooth, Bluetooth Smart and Wi-Fi connections. In addition to having an NFC interface, the RF430CL330H-Q1 supports an I2C or serial peripheral interface (SPI) connection to an infotainment host processor in the vehicle.
Developers could use the chip to create solutions that launch content for users with a tap of the phone or tablet as they enter their car. The new transponder is priced at $0.64 apiece in 1,000-unit volumes. The chip can be utilized in conjunction with TI's target board, which costs $19. Texas Instruments also provides training and support for developers on its website.
Verizon Offers New Cat1 LTE Network and API Interfaces for IoT
Verizon has begun offering Cat1 LTE network features for use with Internet of Things solutions. The new LTE network will offer an alternative for systems built to use 2G networks. The company is also providing more application programming interfaces (APIs) and application enablement platforms (AEPs) on its ThingSpace platform, such as integrating Bug Labs' dweet APIs and freeboard visualization engine. The new API interfaces are intended to allow developers to connect their devices to the Internet more quickly and easily.
The incorporation of Bug Labs' AEP capabilities into ThingSpace marks the first time that developers and customers can use Verizon to manage their devices at both the application and network levels, says Mark Bartolomeo, Verizon's VP of IoT connected solutions, allowing for the creation of new innovations to be delivered to a greater number of people.
Olea Releases Wearable Bluetooth Device that Captures Heart and Respiration Data
Sensor-based software solutions provider Olea Sensor Networks has released a new wireless device known as the OS-3008 to collect and process heart and respiration data, as well as to extract and interpret vital sign statistics. The sensor device transmits data to cloud-based servers via a Bluetooth connection.
Smaller than a business card, the OS-3008 is intended to be carried in a shirt pocket, worn around the neck, or embedded in a seat back or bed. The new device is the latest product released as part of the OS-3001 Intelligent Multi-Sensor Platform for non-clinical research and development use.
NXP-Freescale Merger Gets Regulatory Approval
NXP Semiconductors has announced that it has received all regulatory approvals for its merger with Freescale Semiconductor, as well as the sale of its RF Power business, required as a condition for the Freescale merger. The closing for the merger transaction and divestment is scheduled for Dec. 7. The newly merged company will become the fourth largest maker of non-memory chips, and the leader of automotive semiconductors, the firms report.
The two companies announced plans for the merger in March 2015, indicating that they intended to secure market leadership in the semiconductor industry. The firms further noted in March that the merger would allow them to capitalize on the growing opportunities for businesses to meet demand for security, connectivity and processing. NXP says it anticipates a cost savings of $200 million during the first full year after closing the transaction, based on the merged companies' combined scale, size and global reach.
České Radiokomunikace Deploying Semtech Corp. Solution for Pipeline Measurement Tracking
Gas distributor RWE and smart meter provider Softlink have chosen to deploy an Internet of Things solution provided by Czech Internet infrastructure company České Radiokomunikace (ČRa) that consists of Semtech's LoRa technology. ČRa tested the technology this past spring. Following those tests, a pilot network was deployed in Prague and surrounding suburbs. The network employs pulse sensors on the RWE gas pipeline to capture data that is then forwarded to the ČRa cloud via the LoRa radio network. From there, the information is processed and sent to end users. The pilot network is expected to be ready for commercial operation by the end of this year, Semtech reports.
Gimbal and NanoLumens Team to Sell Platform
Mobile-engagement technology company Gimbal and LED display systems provider NanoLumens have joined forces to create new solutions that deploy Gimbal's location-intelligence platform and mobile-engagement capability, as well as NanoLumens' LED technology. The platform resulting from this partnership will include geofences and beacon-based proximity technology.
The digital display platform that the partnership will offer is intended to bridge the gap between mobile device users and brick-and-mortar stores. Solutions offered by Gimbal and NanoLumens will deliver targeted messaging to consumers on their smartphones and tablets, based on their proximity to store displays.