Presented here are recent news announcements regarding the following organizations: Avnet Japan, Cloudleaf, CNIguard, Confidex, Frost Control Systems, Insight SiP, Kerlink, Semtech, Senet, SmartMakers, and u-blox.
Confidex Intros RFID System for Automotive Industry
Confidex, a provider of wireless solutions for the transportation, logistics, automotive and manufacturing industries, has announced its latest RFID product offering tailored to the needs of the automotive industry. The company’s portfolio includes products for the automotive supply chain, ranging from tagging for large shipping containers to small automotive parts.
“Today’s auto industry faces a unique set of challenges with no tolerance for delays or supply chain failures,” said Miika Pylvänäinen, Confidex’s product line manager, in a prepared statement. “That means each party in the ecosystem must anticipate sustainable, future business models, while embracing a new digital transformation of the marketplace. Confidex’s new product offerings are designed to do just that.”
The company’s automotive product line includes a variety of industry- and application-specific tags and labels. The ESD On Metal Label is designed to operate on any surface and is intended for tracking ESD protective containers; with an optional over-laminated layer, it is designed to be durable against chemicals and washing. As for Confidex’s Carrier KLT, the washable label is intended for tracking small load carriers, is available with an optional protective layer, and uses the same antenna design as the Carrier PRO label.
The Ironside Flag utilizes a single-screw attachment method to facilitate installation; its flexible structure ensures that the tag can sustain mechanical impacts without damage, and it is IP69K-rated to allow for the reliable tagging of metallic returnable transport items. And the Ferrowave product line of on-metal labels is expanding with a new product called the Ferrowave Flag, built for tracking automotive parts.
Confidex’s LoopTag is intended for tracking hard-to-tag objects, such as wires and tubes; the tag is available for various diameters and works on both metallic and plastic items. Finally, the Heatwave family of high-temperature tags will be expanded with a new model targeting car manufacturing: the Heatwave Ultra, which can withstand multiple heat cycles and can track skids throughout the manufacturing process.
“Confidex’s expanded automotive product platform provides wireless connectivity for digitalization of entire production ecosystems with state-of-the-art IoT technologies,” Pylvänäinen said. “With our complete RFID tag and label portfolio, customers will now be able to improve sustainability of an entire supply chain by making it more transparent, efficient and less prone to shipping errors. Customers will also be afforded greater manufacturing and authentication flexibility to manage high complexity at reduced costs, while optimizing logistics and factory operations to decrease CO2 emissions.”
Kerlink, SmartMakers Partner on Real-Time Asset-Tracking Solution
Kerlink, a provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, and SmartMakers, a supplier of IoT systems designed to help industrial companies improve business processes, have announced a new LoRaWAN geolocation asset-tracking system that can monitor product location and status in real time. The solution works both indoors and outdoors, according to the companies, enabling a variety of application areas.
The system, known as IoT Asset Tracking, combines Kerlink’s Wirnet iFemtoCell LoRaWAN indoor gateway and Wirnet iStation outdoor LoRaWAN gateway with SmartMakers’ LoRaWAN-based GPS trackers and thingsHub Platform. It continuously monitors the location, condition and status of load carriers, shipments, containers, tools and equipment, and it generates real-time information for logistics managers and operational teams.
At large industrial facilities, the IoT Asset Tracking solution wirelessly provides energy data from equipment, while monitoring pump and motor states, as well as condition values and levels. In customized LoRaWAN networks, battery-powered IoT sensors transmit these values for several years over long distances and inside buildings, freeing personnel from time-consuming status checks and also automating processes. The data generated can then form the basis for future value changes.
Security and scalability are provided by Kerlink’s Wanesy Management Center, a carrier-grade LoRaWAN network server and network-management layer that ensures the reliable implementation and operation of private IoT networks with fewer gateways, as well as nationwide rollouts involving hundreds of gateways. The system eliminates the cost of manual inventory checking or barcode scanning, the companies report, and can reduce work process delays due to missing parts or equipment by up to 80 percent. It also enables businesses to increase their utilization of logistical assets and equipment by up to 30 percent.
“IoT Asset Tracking, which is designed for both internal and external supply chain processes, combines SmartMakers and Kerlink IoT technology to update asset-tracking technologies,” said Sebastian Stute, SmartMakers’ CEO and cofounder, in a prepared statement. “In addition to streamlining essential onsite business processes, at the order-fulfillment level it enables customers to know asset locations even between checkpoints and eliminates the need for personnel to update status through barcode scans and manual entries.”
“Kerlink gateways and Wanesy Management Center provide a secure and future-proof solution to develop smart applications, such as IoT Asset Tracking,” added Etienne Ghidossi, a Kerlink account manager, in the prepared statement. “Our partnership with SmartMakers offers businesses of all sizes a state-of-the-art solution that boosts operational efficiency, improves customer service and accelerates their return on investment.”
Insight SiP Signs Distribution Agreement with Avnet Japan
Insight SiP, a developer of ultra-miniature RF modules with embedded antennas using system-in-package and antenna-in-package technologies, has announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with technology solutions provider Avnet Japan. This will allow Avnet to supply RF modules across Insight SiP’s RF module range, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) modules for short-range networking, including the company’s ISP19, ISP18 and ISP15 RF modules. Insight SIP’s BLE solutions are intended for devices requiring low-power wireless connectivity, and its modules are based on chips from Nordic Semiconductor.
All modules integrate an antenna, an RF matching circuit, decoupling and load capacitors, and crystal oscillators. The antenna was designed to be compatible with several end applications, the company reports. The modules are designed for PCs, smartphone peripherals, IoT smart objects and M2M applications in such fields as home automation, fitness, healthcare, sports and wearables. Ultra-low power consumption and power management enables battery lifetimes of up to several years on a coin-cell battery, the company indicates. The modules are certified by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group and by global regulatory bodies such as the FCC, CE and Telec.
Features include LoRaWAN Stack and BLE 5 Ready Stack; LoRa based on Semtech’s SX126x series transceiver; BLE based on Nordic’s nRF52; an NFC-A tag for OOB pairing; an embedded 32-bit ARM Cortex M4 CPU; fully integrated LoRa and BLE matching and antennas; integrated LoRa and BLE 32 MHz and 32.768 kHz clocks; a DC/DC converter with integrated inductors; and 23 general-purpose input-output ports, including for analog and digital peripherals and an SPI interface.
The company’s ISP4520 model combines two IoT radio technologies in a single package. With integrated BLE and LoRa connectivity, this module offers long-range capability for LoRa data transmission over large distances, combined with the high-throughput flexible service of BLE for a more local connection that can be used to carry out configuration, commissioning and updating via a smartphone or tablet. Processing power is provided by the Nordic nRF52’s onboard M4 floating point processor, with 512 kilobytes of flash memory available for advanced applications. To support product developers, Avnet Japan will offer Insight SiP’s development kit with sample software.
“We are pleased to partner with Avnet Japan as our distributor,” said Nick Wood, Insight SiP’s sales and marketing director, in a prepared statement. “A particular strength of this partnership is that Avnet Japan already has franchises in Japan for many of our key chip suppliers, such as Nordic Semiconductor, Semtech and Qorvo, so it will now be able to offer customers integrated certified module solutions to complement these chip-level offerings.”
Senet, CNIguard, Semtech Provide LoRaWAN Gas Leak Detection Tech
Senet, a provider of cloud-based software and services platforms that enable global connectivity and on-demand network build-outs for the IoT, has announced that it is collaborating with CNIguard and Semtech to deliver natural gas monitoring solutions to utilities throughout the United States. Through this partnership, the companies say they intend to address the utility industry’s digitization requirements by providing an intelligent network infrastructure designed to support utility-centric LoRaWAN devices for gas safety and service delivery.
Starting with gas safety, the companies are collaborating to introduce a new version of CNIguard’s GasMarshal methane sensor, which integrates Semtech’s LoRa devices and utilizes the LoRaWAN protocol. The CNIguard network-connected gas leak detection solution supports accurate, maintenance-free operation with service-level agreements over a period of 10 years, the company reports. CNIguard will integrate its solution with Senet’s SLA-backed, carrier-grade LoRaWAN network. Senet provides options for public, private and semi-private network deployment and network operation.
“We’re excited to be working with Senet and Semtech to develop sensor-enabled devices and solutions that will help modernize critical infrastructure, enhance safety and improve overall operational efficiency for utilities,” said Edward Klinger, CNIguard’s CEO, in a prepared statement. “Our utility customers are investing in the technologies that will enable the next generation of energy systems, and we view supporting the LoRaWAN protocol as a critical element of that process.”
The three companies are currently engaged in field trials with several multi-utility service providers to explore use cases focused on improving safety levels and reliability across regional distribution networks. With a Senet network in place for gas leak detection, utilities can add network capacity and coverage to enhance operations and expand service offerings to include other gas safety and service-delivery solutions on the same IoT network, the partners explain.
“Senet has commercially deployed dense LoRaWAN networks in municipalities across the United States to support AMI for water-metering and water-management applications, and opportunities in the natural gas market are following close behind,” said Bruce Chatterley, Senet’s CEO, in the prepared statement. “We look forward to a successful partnership with CNIguard in support of this growing market opportunity and are excited to be teamed with Semtech and CNIguard to deliver new levels of commercial and consumer safety through IoT connected solutions.”
“Carrier-grade network connectivity from Senet and highly reliable low-cost sensors based on the LoRaWAN protocol from CNIguard provide utilities with new models of control and the ability to drive their vision of automation and digitization faster than ever before,” added Marc Pegulu, the VP of IoT product marketing for Semtech’s Wireless Sensing Business, in the statement. “With these solutions available today, utilities are in a unique position to become leading adopters of large scale IoT solutions that will have a lasting positive impact on the safety of citizens, the modernization of municipal infrastructure, and resource conservation.”
Cloudleaf Expands IoT Integration Partnerships for Supply Chain Visibility
Cloudleaf, a provider of digital supply chain solutions, has announced the expansion of its IoT sensor ecosystem. The company has added several IoT sensor integrations in recent months, including with Biotempak, Quuppa and Wiliot. Cloudleaf’s device-agnostic Digital Visibility Platform enables customers to integrate any sensor with its ecosystem to gain granular, holistic and real-time insight into the locations and conditions of assets traveling throughout a supply chain or at rest.
“In building our Digital Visibility Platform, it was critical to create a solution that would not require companies to rip and replace their existing tracking devices,” said Mahesh Veerina, Cloudleaf’s president and CEO, in a prepared statement. “IoT devices have become a foundational element of supply chain monitoring, particularly with the growing need for unit level tracking capabilities. Our partnerships with leading IoT sensor providers allow companies to leverage sensors that are optimized for their specific industry and use case. Furthermore, they empower our customers with a more holistic and complete picture of the supply chain, something that has become acutely critical in the midst of the pandemic and as pharmaceutical cold chains prepare to deliver an approved vaccine.”
The Digital Visibility Platform integrates device data with conditional and contextual data streams, providing real-time monitoring at the product level to provide granular insight when location data alone may be insufficient, such as with monitoring assets in flight. Product-level tracking is vital for high-value and regulated supply chains like food and pharmaceuticals, the company explains, in order to ensure that products safely reach their destination in good condition.
According to Cloudleaf, the pharmaceutical industry loses $34 billion annually due to cold chain failures, while the food industry loses $218 billion. By harmonizing real-time product-level data from integrated IoT sensors in its artificial intelligence and machine learning platform, Cloudleaf collects and analyzes real-time information to help businesses make informed decisions. This, the firm explains, enables users to correct issues before they can become irreparable, and to deliver products safely and accurately.
“With the increased focus on tracking and tracing of plasma and pharmaceutical products, Wiliot is excited to work with Cloudleaf to integrate real-time and historical location and temperature tracking, as well as configurable alerts and notifications to boost cold chain visibility,” said Steve Statler, Wiliot’s senior VP of marketing and business development, in the prepared statement.
“Cost effective unit level anti-counterfeit, location and temperature tracking using a postage stamp-sized computer is a breakthrough capability, especially at the local level,” Wiliot explained. “Combining our real-time sensor data with Cloudleaf’s platform and capability for proactive correction of issues, the cold chain will be strongly equipped to deliver safe and regulatory compliant pharmaceutical products globally.”
Frost Control Systems, U-blox Team Up on Road-Safety IoT Platform
Frost Control Systems, a manufacturer and service provider of hyperlocal IoT weather sensors, has announced that it has partnered with u-blox, which offers positioning and wireless communication technologies, to create an IoT platform designed to improve road safety. U-blox’s Thingstream communications-as-a-service (CaaS) platform is intended to keep municipal roads safe and operational, while reducing salt consumption to meet stricter environmental standards.
Adverse weather conditions pose a challenge to keeping traffic moving, communities open and thoroughfares safe. While state highways utilize road weather information systems (RWIS), municipalities’ existing solutions are often cost-prohibitive, according to the two companies. Accurately understanding weather conditions enables authorities to predict and allocate salt-spreading programs. Without such data, municipalities must often provide blanket coverage of their road networks. This can be expensive and inaccurate, often leaving sections of a road network untreated, and it contributes to high levels of salt getting into waterways, leading to corrosion and toxic chloride levels.
Frost Control Systems sought to bring unit and maintenance costs down via an IoT-based solution, and to thus make RWIS solutions available for all municipalities. Existing roadside-sensing solutions were bulky and relied on satellite, 3G and 4G modems, as well as fiber-optic backhaul and some LTE for data transfer, which were complex and costly to maintain, the companies report.
The firm deployed an RWIS solution utilizing the Thingstream platform across 30 U.S. states to help municipalities deliver salt application to the right areas when needed. All data goes through the CaaS platform. The solution is less expensive than others on the market, the companies report, enabling municipalities to precisely target salt application, resulting in an expenditure reduction of 25 to 40 percent. As salt loads approach the natural removal capacity of the environment, long-term chloride seepage into waterways can be reduced or eliminated entirely.
The solution uses the Thingstream platform for all data transfer from cloud to storage, and most data from road to cloud, while u-blox software enables Frost to offer its RWIS solution internationally. “U-blox’s Thingstream connectivity platform enables us to transport data from our roadside sensors via an MQTT broker and MQTT bridge to anywhere we want, cloud to cloud,” said Bradley Tener, Frost Control Systems’ founder and CEO, in a prepared statement.8888