Engineers designing IoT devices need to focus on the hardware and software for their device’s applications such as smart meters, logistics tracking devices, and so on. For many designers, connectivity is not their area of expertise. Soracom, a provider and SIM cards and eSIM devices for IoT, has partnered with Sony Semiconductor (formerly Altair) and […]
Microcontroller Tips
Embedded computing modules designed for COTS applications
Acromag’s XMC-7A50-AP323 provides a user-customizable AMD Artix 7 FPGA with 48 TTL I/O channels plus a 16-bit ADC for 20 differential or 40 single-ended analog inputs on an XMC module. Other custom I/O interfaces with an FPGA on one XMC module are available by request. These high-performance modules are for embedded applications running on Linux, Windows, or […]
How do MCUs support automotive infotainment systems?
In vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems are increasingly important and complex. What’s needed from a microcontroller (MCU) in an IVI? A lot, but exactly what depends on the sophistication and mix of info and ‘tainment. Multiple cores are often needed, and so are hardware accelerators for compute-intensive functions. Considerations include connectivity, human-machine interfaces (HMIs) beyond simple […]
Key factors to optimize power consumption in an embedded device
In the previous article, we learned what a low-power system is, so now we’ll talk about the key factors which can make a power-efficient embedded system design. The power-efficient embedded system is comprised of hardware and software design along with proper components selection. Optimization is achieved by efficient implementation in different stages using different techniques. […]
How do the seven types of V2X connectivity work?
Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication includes vehicle-to-network (V2N), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-cloud (V2C), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle to device (V2D), and vehicle to grid (V2G). This FAQ begins with a review of dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) and cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technologies for V2X communications, looks at the four V2X service types and the structure of telematics control […]
What are the five levels of vehicle connectivity?
There are several efforts underway to define levels of vehicle connectivity that parallel the levels of driving automation defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The concept of autonomous vehicles, particularly at the higher levels of automation like self-driving cars, is still largely aspirational and a goal for some time in the future. Connectivity, […]
Arduino IoT microcontroller includes multi-language support and debugging capabilities
Arduino announced the Arduino Nano ESP32, the newest member of the Nano family that combines the openness and support of the Arduino community with the robust capabilities of Espressif’s ESP32-S3 microcontroller to bring “plug-and-play” IoT deployments for advanced enterprise use cases and hobbyist engineers. The board enables entirely new ways for makers at all levels […]
What’s different about MCUs for use in vehicle networking?
The increasing use of automated driving functions, more sensors and actuators, and growing V2X connectivity is increasing the challenges related to vehicle electric/electronic (E/E) architectures and in-vehicle networking (IVN). This FAQ will review the performance requirements for microcontrollers (MCUs) needed to support time-sensitive networking (TSN) in IVNs, move over to look at service-oriented gateways, domain […]
SoM now available in smart mobility architecture form factor
Laird Connectivity announces the Nitrogen93 in a smart mobility architecture (SMARC) form factor, expanding the SOM portfolio conforming to the SMARC industry standard and offering a solution that utilizes both processor and wireless silicon from NXP. The Nitrogen93 SMARC is powered by NXP’s innovative i.MX 93 applications processor, NXP PMIC PCA9450, and Laird Connectivity’s Sona NX611 Wi-Fi 6 […]
What is TinyML?
Data science has not just remained a field of scientific computing and research. In the internet-connected world, data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence are far more applicable than ever imagined. No doubt, the very first leap in the practical applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence happened when enterprise websites, including social media platforms, e-commerce […]
