Jun 29, 2017The following are news announcements made during the past week by the following organizations:
CISC;
Skyworks;
SALTO Systems;
Ayla Networks;
Fujitsu Components America; and
Telit.
CISC Announces New Testing Features for RAIN RFID, EPC Gen2V2 Tags, Readers
CISC has announced its RFID Xplorer—Tag Tester, a tool for evaluating the performance and conformance of RAIN RFID tags. The system provides measurement techniques for testing standards around the world, and provides a means to characterize the physical behavior of different tags, both as standalone tags and as tagged item tags.
The tag population analysis tool of the Xplorer Tag Performance Tester enables users to display the minimum turn-on power of a tag population on a graph. The number of tags that answer over the different power levels are displayed, in order to help a user find the optimum solution and potential weaknesses for a given application.
For autonomous measurement, an inventory round is initiated to detect the tags within the field. A frequency sweep is performed as the basis for a read range evaluation from tag to reader and from reader to tag. The results can then be saved to an XML or TXT file.
The frequency sweep results can be processed to generate a cumulative distribution function, displaying the number of tags over the tags' turn-on power, backscatter power, read range and backscatter range. The display options let a user choose the carrier frequency of interest and the display metric.
The interference analysis tool available in the CISC RFID Xplorer Tag Emulator and Sniffer, and in the CISC RFID Xplorer Tag Performance Tester, enable users to analyze possible interferences in the frequency range of 800 MHz to 1 GHz.
The CISC RFID Xplorer Tag Emulator and Sniffer allows users to log RFID communication in an XML file. The communication analysis tool can analyze the XML file logged with the CISC RFID Xplorer Sniffer. The extensive analysis evaluates the number of responses, empty slots and collisions detected for each query round, and also tracks the Q-value communicated to the tags by the reader.
The Field Recorder in the CISC RFID Xplorer Tag Emulator and Sniffer measures the power of the field using the RF sensor module. This provides real-time measurement of the RF field and the environmental setup. It is integrated in the CISC RFID Xplorer Tag Emulator and Sniffer software. The Field Recorder can either run standalone or simultaneously with the Sniffer and Tag Emulator. The measured field data can be logged into a separate XML file or together with the sniffer log file to analyze the RF field characteristics and the communication together.
Skyworks Releases Multi-Standard IoT Front-End Module
Skyworks has announced the launch of the SKY66113-11, the company's latest 2.4 GHz fully integrated RF front-end module (FEM) supporting Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)/Bluetooth Smart, 802.15.4, Thread and ZigBee applications.
According to Skyworks, the device is a front-end solution for Internet of Things applications, particularly within the connected-home, wearable and industrial markets. It can be used with voice assistants, sensors, beacons, smart watches, thermostats, wireless cameras, wireless headphones, medical pendants and hearing aids.
The FEM includes an integrated high-gain, low-noise amplifier with a transmit bypass path and digital controls. It more than doubles the wireless range compared to a standalone system-on-chip (SoC), the company reports, improving the receive sensitivity up to 7 dB. The FEM operates on a wide supply voltage range from 1.7 to 3.6 volts, allowing for use in a broad range of battery-powered applications. The FEM has a fast switch on-off time and is in a compact footprint package: 16-pin, and 2.4 millimeters by 2.4 millimeters by 0.8 millimeter.
SALTO Systems to Introduce BLE-Enabled Reader
SALTO Systems, a manufacturer of electronic access-control solutions, has announced that it will showcase its hospitality products, including the new Bluetooth Low Energy AElement Fusion reader, at the annual Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC), being held on June 26-28 in Toronto.
"SALTO has a great lineup of technologically advanced electronic lock solutions for HITEC," said Rob Zijl, SALTO Systems' VP of hospitality-access solutions, in a prepared statement. "We're particularly excited to launch the AElement Fusion—a small, customizable light ring reader that offers a discreet electronic lock for hotels looking to deploy electronic access control that is stylish and innovative."
SALTO Systems' other featured products at HITEC will include systems designed to help hospitality installations streamline operations from back-of-house to the front desk. The company's hospitality solutions exist for virtually every touchpoint that can affect the experience of the hotel brand and create unique keyless experiences for guests.
AElement Fusion is a new electronic lock with a sleek reader and an interactive light ring that illuminates when access credentials are presented, providing a minimalistic design that blends with any hotel décor. The AElement Fusion is compatible with RFID, Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies that can be integrated with mobile applications, including SALTO Systems' JustIN Mobile.
JustIN Mobile is intended to replace the need for a physical access hotel room card, by securely sending a room key over the air from SALTO's ProAccess SPACE management software to an iOS- or Android-based device. A guest's smartphone sends a signal to open his or her hotel room door's electronic locks via BLE. JustIN Mobile can improve the guest experience by eliminating the need to physically check in or out at the front desk, while streamlining overall hotel operations.
SALTO's XS4 access-control platform combines electronic door components, peripherals and software, providing wireless networked access-control solutions for hospitality management. The company's ANSI-compatible XS4 Mini's compact design enables security professionals to upgrade and replace mechanical-key-operated door locks with electronic access control. The XS4 Mini features stainless steel construction and Mifare-DESFire and BLE technologies, allowing it to work with conventional smart cards and SALTO's JustIN Mobile app.
Ayla Networks Adds IoT Platform Enhancements for Manufacturers
Ayla Networks has announced enhancements to its Internet of Things platform for manufacturers of connected products. The platform enhancements will enable manufacturers to forge closer customer relationships and improve their IoT return on investment.
"In the seven years since founding Ayla, we've seen manufacturers' questions evolve from, 'How do we connect to the IoT?' to, 'Now that we're connected, what should we do next?'," said David Friedman, Ayla Networks' CEO and co-founder, in a prepared statement. "These latest enhancements to the Ayla IoT platform encourage greater consumer adoption and brand affinity. By continually advancing our Ayla IoT platform and ecosystem, we enable manufacturing businesses to evolve at the speed of IoT." The enhancements to the platform include features designed to spur greater consumer adoption of connected products and to reduce operational costs.
Amazon Alexa integration is now available. This feature allows manufacturers to tap into consumers' strong desire for smart-home voice control. Manufacturers can implement Alexa Smart Home Skills on their connected products via the Ayla IoT platform, without writing code or running servers on AWS.
Ayla recently announced Ayla Insights 2.0, an upgrade to its IoT platform service that provides actionable IoT data to help manufacturers improve the product lifecycle. Ayla Insights 2.0 business intelligence can lead to cost savings in IoT product creation, as well as opportunities for new revenue streams based on warranty, support, maintenance, and other value-added features and services.
The Ayla platform update includes integrations with mnubo to provide descriptive IoT insights and advanced data science, including IoT machine learning and artificial intelligence. Ayla's manufacturer customers can integrate mnubo to perform real-time operations monitoring, predictive maintenance and product usage analytics. Companies can use mnubo's analytics to reduce their service and maintenance costs through proactive support that avoids unnecessary truck rolls, improve the efficiency of spare parts inventory management, and gain greater visibility over their installed base of Ayla-connected products, in real time.
Mobile data streaming service (DSS) provides the automatic updating of consumer IoT mobile apps from the Ayla cloud. Multi-factor authentication provides an extra security layer for IoT products, to help consumers feel more confident in purchasing and using products, such as connected door locks. WeChat support allows the millions of WeChat users throughout Asia to use their WeChat credentials to log in, then set up and operate Ayla-enabled IoT devices.
Fujitsu Intros Sensor-Based IoT System-Development Platform
Fujitsu Components America has announced that its BlueBrain development platform for Internet of Things applications is now available with a development breakout board and interface board, allowing designers to create a wireless monitoring and data-collection system via Bluetooth. The BlueBrain Sensor-Based IoT System Platform is expected to be made available this summer as a standard product through distribution.
Jointly developed with CRATUS Technology, the BlueBrain platform features a high-performance CORTEX-M4 microcontroller from STMicroelectronics and a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless module from Fujitsu. The embedded hardware, software, interfaces and peripherals are designed to reduce the time and expertise required to develop and deploy wireless, sensor-based products running simple or complicated algorithms.
The breakout board provides switch inputs and LED outputs to test input-output ports and functions, as well as programming interfaces for proof-of-concept and application development. The interface board provides additional sensors and interfaces, and may also be used in parallel to expand the development platform.
The BlueBrain Edge Processing Module attaches to a standard, 32-pin EEPROM-style IC socket, or equivalent footprint, on a mezzanine board to address specific markets and applications. These include industrial, agriculture, automotive, telematics, retail, smart buildings and civil infrastructure. The suggested pricing for the BlueBrain Sensor-Based IoT System Platform is $425.
Telit Offers BLE Module With Integrated MEMS Motion and Environmental Sensors
Internet of Things company Telit has announced its BlueMod+S42M, a standalone Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 4.2 single-mode module with an embedded three-axis accelerometer, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. The component is optimized for efficiency and simplicity in end-device design and manufacturing, the company reports, and provides BLE functionality with improved security, motion and environmental sensors, and features that reduce development costs, bill of materials and time to market.
Built for large-scale projects, the BlueMod+S42M expedites device design across a range of industrial and consumer applications areas. The embedded sensors are necessary for high-value, fragile asset tracking, as well as time- or temperature-sensitive applications, such as cold-chain monitoring in the pharmaceutical and agriculture industries.
The release of the certified BlueMod+S42M complements Telit's existing portfolio of Bluetooth and BLE modules, the company reports, and is intended to address demand in the rapidly growing BLE-dependent market.
"Cost, power and reliability are critical to the success of IoT applications that demand efficient Bluetooth Low Energy solutions," said Ronen Ben-Hamou, Telit's EVP of products and solutions, in a prepared statement. "Our new qualified Bluetooth module caters to designers of all levels with tight development, materials and manufacturing cost constraints and even tighter timelines. The beauty of the +S42M is its simplicity: single-chip SoC, feature-packed, sensibly priced, exceptional power savings and extensive interoperability."
Full applications can be embedded in the BlueMod+S42M, which is a self-contained SoC requiring no additional external supporting components. The device is equipped with an on-board micro-controller, an integrated chip antenna, passive components, temperature and humidity sensors, and an accelerometer.
