Archive : 18 June 2015 год

Sierra Wireless has launched the AirPrime WP Series of smart wireless modules, designed to reduce system complexity and to accelerate the development of IoT products and applications.

"We have launched a powerfully integrated device-to-cloud architecture to make it easier for our customers to innovate," said Dan Schieler, senior vice president, embedded solutions. "With an application processor running the open source Legato platform, along with the AirVantage cloud for device and application management, and a new open hardware reference design, the latest WP Series modules enable developers to quickly build connected products using a single module to run all their applications."

Interchangeable and footprint compatible with the AirPrime HL Series, the WP Series is available in 3G and 4G LTE variants, with 2G fallback on certain modules.

Meanwhile, the company has also announced the beta release of Project mangOH, a wireless open hardware reference design for IoT solutions. Designed to take advantage of the WP Series' features, the reference design is an Arduino-compatible platform that incorporates an IoT connector designed by Sierra Wireless and released as an open interface standard.

"Reducing complexity for IoT developers is a key priority," said Philippe Guillemette, Chief Technology Officer for Sierra Wireless. "Today's release of Project mangOH and the IoT connector standard provides developers with the building blocks they need to get from their concept to prototype very quickly, and then into production without the need for significant redesign."

The IoT connector has been designed by Sierra Wireless to provide a single interface for a variety of wireless and sensor technologies. Although implemented in the Project mangOH reference design, the connector has also been adopted by Freescale, Linear Technology and Texas Instruments.

Sierra claims on its website that the IoT Connector is an open interface standard intended to simplify product development with a single interface for connectivity and sensor module technology. 'Just as the minicard standard simplified development for the laptop, tablet and networking industry, so the IoT connector brings plug'n'play hardware solutions offering electrical and feature compatibility across various IoT technologies'.

"We are seeing considerable demand for industrial-grade solutions for the IoT," said Eran Zigman, TI's business line manager for wireless connectivity solutions. "The IoT connector meets a real need from our customers for a standard that is robust enough to enable years of service in industrial equipment."

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk

The realisation that silicon dissolves slowly in water could lead to a new class of medical sensor, Professor John Rogers claimed in a keynote at this year's Design Automation Conference, which took place recently in San Francisco.

Prof Rogers – pictured using his phone to scan a skin 'tattoo' sensor during his DAC keynote – and his team from the University of Illinois have combined silicon with magnesium oxides and silk to build water soluble sensors. One such sensor, that monitors brain injuries by measuring pressure and temperature, is being tested in rats.

Although the team has not yet been able to integrate wireless transmitters into the devices, it has included molybdenum wires that lead from the cranium to an external transmitter. Previously, the team has developed skin mounted patches that communicate using wireless.

"The platform is absorbable on the timescale of a week," Prof Rogers said. If successful, the biodegradable sensors will make it possible to avoid the need to perform additional surgery after treatment for brain injuries.

Author
Chris Edwards

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk

A group of researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden has managed to print and dry 3D objects made entirely by cellulose. The team also added carbon nanotubes to create electrically conductive material.

"Combining the use of cellulose with the technological development of 3D printing offers great environmental advantages," says Paul Gatenholm, professor of biopolymer technology at Chalmers. "Cellulose is an unlimited renewable commodity that is completely biodegradable and a means to bind carbon dioxide that would otherwise end up in the atmosphere."

The difficulty in using cellulose in additive manufacturing is that it doesn't melt when heated, meaning conventional 3D printers can't be used. The researchers solved this problem by mixing cellulose nanofibrils in a hydrogel consisting of up to 99% water. The gel could then be dispensed with high fidelity using a 3D bioprinter.

The next challenge was to dry the printed objects without them losing their shape. "The drying process is critical," Prof Gatenholm noted. "We have developed a process in which we freeze the objects and remove the water by different means to control the shape of the dry objects. It is also possible to let the structure collapse in one direction, creating thin films."

The cellulose gel was also mixed with carbon nanotubes to create an electrically conductive ink. By using one conductive and one non conductive ink and controlling the drying process, the researchers produced 3D circuits, whose resolution was said to increase significantly upon drying.

The team says the two gels provide a basis for the possible development of a range of cellulose based products with integral circuits. "Potential applications range from sensors integrated with packaging, to textiles that convert body heat to electricity and wound dressings that can communicate with healthcare workers," said Prof Gatenholm.

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk

Wind River has introduced an app store for its VxWorks real time operating system (RTOS). Called the Wind River Marketplace, the store is said to help customers to find and evaluate add on solutions from the Wind River partner ecosystem.

The apps, said to have been tested and validated by Wind River to ensure compatibility with VxWorks, are intended to enhance VxWorks, with categories ranging from safety and security to graphics and development tools. The Marketplace will also offer board support packages to aid with board bring-up and design.

Dinyar Dastoor, general manager of operating system platforms, said: "Marketplace creates a robust ecosystem offering for our customers, and provides our partners with a unique opportunity to showcase their products and distribute evaluation versions to our vast customer base."

LDRA is one of the first companies to use Marketplace, with its software quality and test tools available on the site. Ian Hennell, operations director for LDRA, said: "Software complexity has risen steeply, introducing greater risks for technology providers; well integrated tools that help companies implement high quality applications that are secure, standards compliant and requirements driven, provide additional assurance that systems are reliable and safe while minimising development costs."

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk