Using energy harvesting and a rechargeable battery to power a remote wireless IoT node seems like an obvious and straightforward solution, but there are some unique aspects to consider. Don’t get me wrong: I really like rechargeable batteries; in fact, I like them a lot. Whether based on lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion, or other chemistry, our […]
IoT
LoRaWAN IoT networks help tame temperature-sensitive applications
The need to chill vaccines reliably during their trip cross country has highlighted the value of LoRaWAN-enabled sensors and networking. Chris Boorman, Laird Connectivity Ordinarily, cold supply chain wouldn’t be a dinner table conversation. COVID-19 vaccines, of course, have changed the situation. Specialized refrigerated containers, refrigerated vehicles, and ultra-cold storage warehouses are the foundation for […]
5-W ac/dc converters come in 3-W footprint
Two new 5-W, board-mount ac/dc product ranges come in a choice of industry standard sizes and pin-outs, at competitive prices. The RAC05E-K series is compatible with existing 3-W part footprints and the RAC05E-KT series is in the ‘EI30’ transformer-pack style. Both series achieve 5 W in the same footprint as other 3-W parts on the […]
Battery charger IC handles low-voltage charging of wearables, compact IoT devices
The BD71631QWZ battery charger IC from Rohm Semiconductor is designed to provide low-voltage charging of wearables (e.g., wireless ear buds) and thin, compact IoT devices (e.g., smart displays) powered by rechargeable batteries. In recent years, the need for safer, higher density rechargeable batteries has led to the development of new battery types. This includes all-solid […]
PC-based scopes decode I3C waveforms
MIPI I3C Basic specification waveforms can now be decoded, displayed and analyzed on any PicoScope with sufficient bandwidth and memory depth. I3C is a medium-speed control and data bus interface for connecting peripherals to an application processor in embedded systems and a range of mobile, Internet of Things (IoT) and automotive applications. Implemented as a […]
Compact fanless computers carry new Intel, AMD MPUs
In order to offer even more options for industrial hardware users, OnLogic has announced two new additions to their popular ML100 Series of compact fanless computers. The ML100G-53 and ML100G-41 are powered by embedded processing platforms from Intel and AMD. The new devices build on the company’s experience in highly reliable, passively cooled computers for industrial, IoT, and edge […]
SBC carries ARM Cortex-A72/Cortex-A53 and Rockchip RK3399(K) MPUs
Kontron launches the 3.5-inch SBC-R39, a compact 3.5-inch single-board computer for high-performance and low-power systems. The single-board computer is suitable for integration into (open source) embedded systems in the areas of entertainment, digital signage, facial recognition, smart retail, smart classroom, smart office, and industrial applications. The 3.5-inch SBC-R39 is built on a Rockchip RK3399(K) processor […]
Pouch-type EDLCs for thin-and-light circuit designs
Supercapacitors now come in a small, thin format that makes them candidates for uses characterized by cramped quarters. Shinji Higuma, TDK Corp. In the next several years, the internet of things (IoT) will include tens of billions of connected devices. Consumer, industrial, medical, and automotive applications will feature connected devices, but not all connected devices […]
Managing smart street lighting design
Wi-SUN may well be the linchpin that turns street lighting into a scalable IoT umbrella offering a multitude of solutions beyond illumination. Soumya Shyamasundar, Silicon Labs According to the World Bank, legacy street lighting systems based on traditional technologies can account for as much as 65% of a city’s electricity consumption. The energy consumption, of […]
DC nanoammeter measures from 1 nA to 800 mA with 10-pA resolution
The NanoRanger NR-01 is an affordable, highly accurate 3.5-digit dc ammeter designed for accurately measuring low currents. With automatic dynamic ranging (9 ranges across 8.5 decades), NanoRanger measures currents from 1 nA up to 800 mA with a maximum resolution of 10 pA. Each instrument is supplied factory calibrated, eliminating the requirement for high-cost precision […]