Новини світу мікро- та наноелектроніки

The MA24103A inline power sensor from Anritsu performs peak power measurements from 25 MHz to 1 GHz with a power range of 2 mW to 150 W. A dual-path architecture enables the sensor to carry out true-RMS measurements over the entire frequency and power range. This bidirectional plug-and-play device joins the company’s existing MA24105A peak power sensor, which has a frequency range of 350 MHz to 4 GHz.

Critical markets that require peak and average power measurements well below the 1-GHz range, such as public safety, avionics, and railroads, demand reliable communication between control centers and vehicles. Lower frequencies can propagate a longer distance and maintain communication with fast-moving vehicles. Typically, at these lower frequencies, transmitting signals operate within the watt range, making the MA24103A particularly suitable for such applications.

The MA24103A inline peak power sensor communicates with a PC via a USB connection and comes with PowerXpert data analysis and control software. It also works with Anritsu handheld instruments equipped with optional high-accuracy power meter software (Option 19).

MA2410xA product page 

Anritsu

Find more datasheets on products like this one at Datasheets.com, searchable by category, part #, description, manufacturer, and more.

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Learn how surface-mount adapter evaluation modules (EVMs) help ease the transition to analog ICs with advanced package types.

The industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio frequency bands find common use in electronics systems, by virtue of their comparatively lightly regulated nature versus (for example) spectrum swaths used by cellular, satellite, and terrestrial radio and television networks. As Wikipedia explains:

The ISM radio bands are portions of the radio spectrum reserved internationally for industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) purposes, excluding applications in telecommunications. Examples of applications for the use of radio frequency (RF) energy in these bands include RF heating, microwave ovens, and medical diathermy machines. The powerful emissions of these devices can create electromagnetic interference and disrupt radio communication using the same frequency, so these devices are limited to certain bands of frequencies. In general, communications equipment operating in ISM bands must tolerate any interference generated by ISM applications, and users have no regulatory protection from ISM device operation in these bands.

 Despite the intent of the original allocations, in recent years the fastest-growing use of these bands has been for short-range, low-power wireless communications systems, since these bands are often approved for such devices, which can be used without a government license, as would otherwise be required for transmitters; ISM frequencies are often chosen for this purpose as they already must tolerate interference issues. Cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, near-field communication (NFC) devices, garage door openers, baby monitors, and wireless computer networks (Wi-Fi) may all use the ISM frequencies, although these low-power transmitters are not considered to be ISM devices.

FCC certification of such products is still necessary, of course, to ensure that a given device doesn’t stray beyond a given ISM band’s lower and upper frequency boundaries, for example, or exceed broadcast power limits. That said, reiterating my first-paragraph point, the key appeal of ISM band usage lies in its no-license-required nature. Plenty of products, including those listed in the earlier Wikipedia description along with, for example, the snowblower-mangled “fob” for my Volvo’s remote keyless system that I finished dissecting two years ago, leverage one-to-multiple ISM bands; Wikipedia lists twelve total defined and regulated by the ITU, some usable worldwide, others only in certain regions.

Probably the most common (discussed, at least, if not also used) ISM bands nowadays are the so-called “2.4 GHz” (strictly speaking, it should be 2.45 GHz, reflective of the center frequency) that spans 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz, and “5 GHz” (an even less accurate moniker) that ranges from 5.725 GHz to 5.875 GHz. And echoing the earlier Wikipedia quote that “in recent years the fastest-growing use of these bands has been for short-range, low-power wireless communications systems”, among the most common applications of those two ISM bands nowadays are Bluetooth (2.4 GHz) and Wi-Fi (both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, more recently further expanding into the non-ISM “5.9 GHz” and “6 GHz” band options). This reality is reflected in the products and broader topics that I regularly showcase in my blog posts and teardowns.

However, although when you hear the words “Bluetooth” and “Wi-Fi” you might automatically think of things like:

• Smartphones
• Tablets
• Computers and
• Speakers

I’m increasingly encountering plenty of other wirelessly communicating widgets that also abide in one or both of these bands. Some of them also use Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi, whether because they need to interact with Bluetooth- and Wi-Fi-based devices (a wireless HDMI transmitter that leverages a smartphone or tablet as its associated receiver-and-display, for example) or more generally because high-volume industry-standard chips and software tend to be cost-effective (not to mention stable, feature-rich and otherwise mature) versus proprietary alternatives. But others do take the proprietary route, even if just from a “handshake” protocol standpoint.

In the remainder of this post, I’ll showcase a few case study examples of the latter that I’ve personally acquired. Before I dive in, however, here are a few thoughts on why a manufacturer might go down either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz (or both) development path. Generally speaking…

2.4 GHz is, all other factors being equal:

• Longer range (open-air)
• Comparatively immune to (non-RF) environmental attenuation factors such as chicken wire in walls and the like, and
• Lower power-consuming

but is also:

• Lower-bandwidth and longer-latency, and
• (For Wi-Fi uses) offers fewer non-spectrum-overlapping broadcast channel options

Unsurprisingly, 5 GHz is (simplistically, at least) the mirror image of its 2. 4 GHz ISM sibling:

• Higher bandwidth (especially with modern quantization schemes) and lower latency, and
• (For Wi-Fi) many more non-overlapping channels (a historical advantage that’s, however, increasingly diminished by modern protocols’ support for multichannel bonding)

but:

• Shorter range
• Greater attenuation by (non-RF) environmental factors, and
• Higher power-consuming

Again, I’ll reiterate that these comparisons are with “all other factors being equal”. 5 GHz Wi-Fi, for example, is receiving the bulk of industry development attention nowadays versus its 2.4 GHz precursor, so the legacy power consumption differences between them are increasingly moot (if not reversed). And environmental attenuation effects can to at least some degree be counterbalanced by more exotic MIMO antenna (and associated transmitter and receiver) designs along with mesh LAN topologies. With those generalities and qualifiers (along with others of both flavors that I may have overlooked; chime in, readers) documented, let’s dive in.

Wireless multi-camera flash setups

One of last month’s teardowns was of Godox’s V1 flash unit, which supports the company’s “X” wireless communication protocol, optionally acting as either a master (for other receivers and/or flashes configured as slaves) or slave (to another transmitter or master-configured flash):

In that writeup, I also mentioned Neewer’s conceptually similar, albeit protocol-incompatible Z1 flash unit and its “Q” wireless scheme:

And a year back I covered now-defunct Cactus and its own unique wireless sync approach:

All three schemes are 2.4 GHz-based but proprietary in implementation. Candidly, I’m somewhat surprised, given the limited data payload seemingly required in this application, that even longer-range 900 MHz wasn’t used instead. Then again, the limitations of camera optics and artificial illumination intensity-vs-distance may “cap” the upper-end range requirement, and comparative latency might also factor into the 2.4 GHz-vs-900 MHz selection.

Wireless HDMI transmitter and receiver

Vention’s compact system, which I purchased from Amazon at the beginning of the year, has found a permanent place in my travel satchel. The Amazon product page mentions both 2.4 and 5 GHz compatibility, but I think that’s a typo: Vention’s literature documents (and promotes, versus the company-positioned inferior 2.4 GHz alternative) only 5 GHz support, and the FCC certification records (FCC ID: 2A7Z4-ADC) also only document 5 GHz capabilities. The perhaps-obvious touted 5 GHz advantages are resolution (1080p max) and frame rate (60 fps), along with decent range; up to 131 feet (40 m), but only “in interference-free environments”, along with a further qualifier that “range is reduced to 32FT/10M when transmitting through walls or floors.” Regardless, since this is a “closed loop” (potentially multiple) transmitter to receiver setup, Wi-Fi compatibility isn’t necessary.

Wireless video-capture monitoring systems

Accsoon and Zhiyun’s approaches to wirelessly connecting a camera’s external video output to a remote monitor, which I previously covered back in July of last year, are conceptually similar but notably vary in implementation. The two Accsoon “mainstream” units I own are designed to solely stream to a remote smartphone or tablet and are therefore 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi-based, generating a Wi-Fi Direct-like beacon to which the mobile device connects. That said, Accsoon also sells a series of CineEye “Pro” models come as transmitter-plus-dedicated receiver sets and support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz transmission capabilities.

Zhiyun’s TransMount gear is intended to be used with the company’s line of gimbals, and like Accsoon’s hardware you can also “tune into” a transmitter directly from a smartphone or tablet using a company-developed Android or iOS app. That said, Zhiyun also sells a dedicated receiver to which you can connect a standalone HDMI field monitor. And for peak potential image quality (at a range tradeoff), everything runs only on 5 GHz Wi-Fi.

Wireless lavalier microphone sets

I got the Aikela set from Amazon last spring, and the Hollyland system (the Lark 150, to be exact) off eBay a month earlier. Both, as you have probably already discerned from the photos, are two-transmitter (max)/single-receiver setups. The Hollyland is the more professional-featured of the two, among other things supporting both built-in and external-tethered mics for the transmitters; that said, the Aikela receiver has integrated analog and both digital Lightning and USB-C output options…which is why I own both setups. They’re both 2.4 GHz-based and leverage proprietary communication schemes. Newer wireless lav models, such as DJI’s Mic 2, can also direct-transmit audio to a smartphone, tablet or other receiver over Bluetooth.

Joyo wireless XLR transmitter/receiver combo

I picked up two sets of these from Amazon last summer. As the image hopefully communicates effectively, they aren’t full-blown microphone setups per se; instead, they take the place of an XLR cable, with the transmitter mated to the XLR output of a microphone (or other audio-generating device) and the receiver connected to the mixing board, etc. The big surprise here, at least to me, is that unlike the previous 2.4 GHz mic sets, these are 5 GHz-based.

Clearly, as the earlier microphone-set examples exemplify, audio doesn’t represent a particularly large data payload, and any lip sync loss due to latency will be minimal at worst (and can be further time sync-corrected in post-production; that is, if you’re not live-streaming).

Perhaps the developer was assuming that multiple sets of these would be in simultaneous use by a band, for vocals and/or instruments, and wanted plenty of spectrum to play with (each transmitter/receiver combo is uniquely configurable to one of four possible channels). And/or perhaps the goal was to avoid interference with other 2.4 GHz broadcasters (such as a microwave oven backstage). All at a potential broadcast range tradeoff versus 2.4 GHz, of course.

Wireless guitar systems

I got the Amazon Basics setup last summer, and the Leapture RT10 (also from Amazon) last fall. Why both, especially considering the voluminous dust currently collecting on my guitars? The on-sale prices, only ~$30 in both cases, were hard to resist. I figured I could just do a teardown on at least one of them. And hope springs eternal that I’ll eventually blow the dust off my guitars. Both are 2.4 GHz-based; the Leapture setup also offers Bluetooth streaming support.

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine

Last, but not least, and breaking the to-this-point consistent cadence of multimedia-tailored case studies, there’s my Philips Respironics DreamStation Auto CPAP (living at altitude can have some unique accompanying health challenges). Every morning, I download the previous night’s captured sleep data to my iPad over Bluetooth. Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), to be exact, for reasons that aren’t even remotely clear to me. The machine is AC-powered, after all, not battery-operated. And that the DreamStation doesn’t use conventional Bluetooth connectivity only acts as a potential further complication to initial pairing and ongoing communication. Then again, I suppose Bluetooth connectivity is among the least of Philips’ challenges right now…

Connect with me, wired or wirelessly

As always, I welcome your thoughts on anything I’ve written here, and/or any additional case studies you’d like to share, in the comments!

—Brian Dipert is the Editor-in-Chief of the Edge AI and Vision Alliance, and a Senior Analyst at BDTI and Editor-in-Chief of InsideDSP, the company’s online newsletter.

Related Content

• A Volvo key fob: A post-mortem investigation
• The Godox V1 camera flash: Well-“rounded” with multiple-identity panache
• Multi-source vs proprietary: more “illuminating” case studies
• USB Power Delivery: incompatibility-derived foibles and failures
• Fundamentals of ISM-Band and short range device antennas, Part 1
• Exploring software-defined radio (without the annoying RF) – Part 1

The post ISM bands and frequencies: Comparisons and case studies appeared first on EDN.

The University of Arkansas (U of A) has celebrated a milestone with the topping-out of the Multi-User Silicon Carbide Research and Fabrication Facility...

Aledia S.A of Echirolles, near Grenoble, France (a developer and manufacturer of 3D micro-LEDs for display applications based on its large-area gallium nitride nanowires-on-silicon platform) has announced a series of technical advances that, it claims, set new standards for performance, efficiency and display quality...

TETRA or P25 legacy narrowband technologies no longer meet the connectivity needs of today’s first responders. As mission-critical network requirements grow, broadband connectivity is the answer. Proper device and mobile network testing eases the migration to 3GPP-compliant broadband mission-critical services (MCX). At Critical Communications World 2024 (CCW 2024) in Dubai, Rohde & Schwarz will demonstrate its integrated solutions that enable reliable operation of mission-critical devices, networks and services. Solutions that enhance situational awareness for law enforcement and protection round out the exhibited portfolio.

When lives are at stake, reliable communications are vital to emergency services. While voice applications are still the top priority for first responders, data and video-based mission-critical applications are becoming increasingly important in crisis situations and for efficient day-to-day operations. Public safety and government agencies around the world are migrating their various communications networks from narrowband land mobile radio (LMR) like TETRA or P25 to broadband networks that meet this new need not only for voice but also for high-speed data services.

This migration to either 3GPP-compliant isolated secure networks or commercial 4G/5G-based cellular networks with embedded mission-critical capabilities must be planned and executed very carefully in order to maintain existing narrowband capabilities. Narrowband networks will still be in use in parallel for another decade, providing features such as push-to-talk (PTT) to their users. The 3GPP-defined internal architecture for MCX services includes amongst others user/group management, policy and charging enforcement, signaling control, and cross-network interworking. Applying appropriate and advanced test and measurement techniques during this ongoing migration process is essential to ensure reliable operation of critical communications for first responders and to save lives in crisis scenarios.

As an established partner of the critical communications ecosystem, Rohde & Schwarz is showcasing its comprehensive range of test solutions for MCX at Critical Communications World 2024, taking place from May 14 to 16 at the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, UAE. At booth M20, visitors can learn from Rohde & Schwarz experts about the full range of test solutions, extending from R&D and conformance testing of end devices to network testing including MCX application verification. Solutions for spectrum monitoring and network protection complete the exhibited portfolio, all aimed at ensuring the reliable operation of mission-critical networks and services.

Device R&D and conformance testing

Rohde & Schwarz is bringing its extensive expertise in 3GPP conformance testing to the world of critical communications, demonstrating at CCW 2024 for the first time its industry-leading 3GPP MCX device conformance test suite on the R&S CMX500 4G/5G one-box tester. The test suite includes comprehensive 3GPP RF, functional, protocol and application tests for rugged MCX devices. In addition, the R&S CMA180 radio test set for testing PMR (public mobile radio) and LMR (land mobile radio) devices will be on display, highlighting the company’s cutting-edge solutions for device R&D and conformance validation for MCX device manufacturers.

Network testing

As an expert in mobile network testing, Rohde & Schwarz will also present its know-how in active and passive mobile network testing methods and solutions that cover the entire MCX network lifecycle, from coverage and interference measurements to specific MCX service testing like MCPTT and MCVideo quality. Visitors will be able to experience a unique MCX smartphone-based test solution implemented on the QualiPoc. This solution can be used in any MCX environment to assess the performance of MCX private and group calls, including measurement of 3GPP-specified MCX KPIs. Another test solution based on the R&S ROMES4 drive test software and the R&S TSMA6B mobile network scanner provides a universal tool for network engineering and optimization.

Spectrum monitoring and analysis

The Rohde & Schwarz portfolio also includes efficient solutions for stationary, transportable and portable spectrum monitoring systems that provide comprehensive spectrum awareness. At CCW 2024, Rohde & Schwarz will be exhibiting the R&S PR200, a tried-and-tested portable monitoring receiver for interference hunting in and around specific areas and facilities. It is an indispensable tool for regulatory authorities, mobile network operators, police forces, military units and other security organizations.

Cellular network analysis

R&S NESTOR is a turnkey mobile communications solution for situational awareness, law enforcement and protection of critical infrastructure. It is a software platform used in conjunction with R&S TSMA6B mobile network scanners and QualiPoc smartphones to analyze cellular networks via the air interface. Public authorities and security organizations, for example, use it to detect, identify, locate and analyze deployed cellular technologies and occupied bands and channels.

Rohde & Schwarz will present its comprehensive portfolio of solutions for mission-critical communications at Critical Communications World 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 14 to 16, 2024, at booth M20. In addition, Rohde & Schwarz experts will share their insights at the Focus Forum on testing and certification of broadband devices on May 15, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The post Rohde & Schwarz presents its test solutions at CCW 2024 that enable a successful migration to mission-critical broadband appeared first on ELE Times.

In the third blog of this four-part series, we will explore the range of personal micromobility solutions available within the consumer market, the technical challenges they face, and how technology can resolve these issues.

1. Introduction
2. Urban Infrastructure and Micromobility
3. Personal Transportation and Consumer Challenges
4. How Technology Will Shape the Future

Personal Micromobility Solutions

Personal micromobility solutions come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from e-bikes and e-scooters to electric skateboards and hoverboards. For some, they are a form of transportation used as an alternative to walking or driving; for others, they are a form of exercise equipment.

E-bikes are one of the more prominent micromobility solutions; analysts Precedence Research expect the e-bike market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.89 percent from 2023 to 2032, achieving a market value of $44.08 billion.[1]

Whereas early e-bikes were essentially bicycles with heavy bolt-on batteries and hub motors, modern e-bikes are significantly lighter and are designed from the ground up to accommodate electric drive systems and batteries. Wiring is now carefully passed through the frame’s tubing to avoid damage. For midrange and above models, mid-drive motor units are located between the pedals to optimize the drivetrain’s efficiency and weight distribution (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Modern urban e-bikes feature mid-drive motors and integrated batteries. (Source: stockphoto-graf/stock.adobe.com) Beyond e-bikes

In addition to e-bikes, there is a wide array of micromobility alternatives, such as hoverboards, Segways, electric skateboards, and e-scooters. Although ownership of these is legal, their usage in the UK and most of the EU is restricted to private land due to the prohibition of their presence in public spaces, such as footpaths, roads, and cycle lanes.

In terms of electronic design, these products are similar to e-bikes, with a motor, control interface, and battery pack. The distinction between them and e-bikes lies in the control of their movement, as they rely exclusively on an electric powertrain operated through a throttle or, in the case of hoverboards and Segways, a gyroscopic sensor that the user can manipulate to regulate the speed.

Challenges of Personal Micromobility

While personal micromobility solutions have seen incredible growth in recent decades—a trend set to continue—barriers are impacting the market. While regulatory issues need to be addressed, there are still technical challenges faced by existing personal micromobility solutions that must be resolved.

Battery Fires

Perhaps the most prevalent issue is battery fire due to the failure of individual cells or the battery management system (BMS). The London Fire Brigade reported 116 fires in 2022 caused by e-bike and e-scooter batteries, with occurrences becoming more frequent. At the start of 2023, emergency calls specifically regarding e-bike and e-scooter battery fires averaged as every other day.[2] Transport for London (TfL) has banned electric scooters, hoverboards, and skateboards from its services since 2021 due to a rise in fires.

Within modern micromobility batteries are an array of lithium-ion (Li-ion) 18650 cells linked together to provide the necessary charge capacity and voltage (usually 36V, 48V, or 52V). The electrolytes used within Li-ion cells are lithium salts. While lithium salts are ideal for this application, they are also volatile and flammable; as a result, lithium cells are extremely sensitive to temperature changes and can experience thermal runaway.

When a cell is compromised, either through damage, manufacturing defects, external heat, or over-charging/discharging, its temperature increases rapidly until it catches fire or explodes, igniting the rest of the battery pack and creating a runaway event. Furthermore, because the cathodes in Li-ion batteries contain oxygen, any fire is self-fueling and extremely hard to extinguish.

Maintaining Safety

While micromobility fires are far too common, they are almost completely restricted to devices at the lower end of the market, with mid- and premium-tier manufacturers having few to no cases of fires.

Designing Safe Batteries

To save costs, lower-end batteries often use a simple BMS designed only to balance the cells charging and discharging, with a fuse on the charging line and power outlet.

In comparison, higher-end models implement much more sophisticated safety measures, like those recommended by Littelfuse, which provides a wide range of solutions designed for e-bikes and other micromobility designs (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Littelfuse e-bike battery pack block diagram. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors are recommended within its battery block diagram, such as the Littelfuse KC Series, which can be used to monitor the temperature of cells independently, allowing for microcontrollers to act before thermal runaway can occur.

These are used alongside battery-level overcurrent and overvoltage protection devices, including the compact surface mount 0805L Series polymeric positive temperature coefficient device (PPTC), while Littelfuse ITV Battery Protectors allow for additional protection (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Littelfuse ITV battery protectors. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Sitting between the combined cells output and the BMS unit, the ITV battery protectors are a fast-responding and cost-effective surface-mount solution designed to cut the circuit when an IC or field-effect transistor (FET) detects an overvoltage.

Conclusion

Micromobility fires present a considerable risk to consumers and dent confidence in the market. To guarantee the safety of Li-ion batteries, designers must include multiple safety measures throughout the battery, targeting voltage, current, and temperature at both the battery pack and cell level. In addition, rigorous third-party testing and complying with local regulations help ensure designs are less likely to fail, and if they do, they fail in a safe manner, preventing thermal runaway.

In the final blog of this series, we will explore the future of micromobility.

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Along with Microchip’s Mi-V ecosystem, new device family helps system designers to lower power, size and weight and speed time to market

Developers of spacecraft electronics utilize radiation-tolerant (RT) field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to ensure high performance, reliability, power-efficiency and the best-in-class security for emerging space domain threats. To take it a step further and help provide fast, cost-effective software customization, Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) has introduced the RT PolarFire® system-on-chip (SoC) FPGA. Developed on Microchip’s RT PolarFire FPGA, it is the first real-time Linux® capable, RISC-V-based microprocessor subsystem on a flight-proven RT PolarFire FPGA fabric.

With today’s announcement, developers can now start designing using the commercially available PolarFire SoC (MPFS460) device and Libero® SoC development tools. Along with Microchip’s extensive Mi-V ecosystem, PolarFire SoC solution stacks, the PolarFire SoC Icicle Kit or the PolarFire SoC Smart Embedded Vision Kit, developing lower power solutions for the challenging thermal environments seen in space can happen today.

Safety-critical systems, control systems, space and security applications need the flexibility of the Linux Operating System (OS) and the determinism of real-time systems to control hardware. RT PolarFire SoC FPGAs feature a multi-core Linux-capable processor that is coherent with the memory subsystem. The RT PolarFire SoC enables central satellite processing capabilities similar to those in single board computers which are common in the space industry for command and data handling, in platform avionics and in payload control. The SoC allows for flexible implementation of highly integrated designs, customization and evolution of function while improving size, weight and power considerations.

Systems deployed in space are subjected to harsh radiation, prompting design methodologies that can provide protection for the most critical radiation-induced upset types. Unlike SRAM FPGAs, the RT PolarFire SoC is designed for zero configuration memory upsets in radiation, eliminating the need for an external scrubber and reducing the total system cost. Satellites are designed to deliver both peak and average power and to dissipate heat through conductive paths, namely metal. Starting with a SoC FPGA that can reduce your power consumption by up to 50 percent simplifies the entire satellite design, allowing designers to focus on the mission at hand.

“By delivering the design ecosystem for the industry’s first RISC-V-based radiation-tolerant SoC FPGA, Microchip is driving innovation and giving designers the ability to develop a whole new class of power-efficient applications for space.” said Bruce Weyer, corporate vice president for Microchip’s FPGA business unit. “This will also allow our clients to add enhanced edge compute capabilities to aerospace and defense systems.”

Microchip’s comprehensive Mi-V ecosystem helps designers slash time to market by providing support for symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) rich operating systems like Linux, VxWorks®, PIKE OS and more real time operating systems like RTEMS and Zephyr®. Mi-V is a comprehensive suite of tools and design resources, developed with numerous third parties, to support RISC-V designs. The Mi-V ecosystem aims to increase adoption of the RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA) and support Microchip’s SoC FPGA portfolio.

The RT PolarFire FPGA has already received the Qualified Manufacturers List (QML) Class Q designation based on specific performance and quality requirements as governed by the Defense Logistics Agency. There is also a clear path for this device to achieve QML Class V qualification, the highest qualification standard for space microelectronics.

For more than 60 years, Microchip’s solutions have powered space flight missions. Building on a history of providing reliable, low-power SONOS-, Flash- and antifuse-based FPGAs in the industry, the company works to help streamline the design of high-speed communications payloads, high-resolution sensors and instruments and flight-critical systems for Low Earth Orbit (LEO), deep space or anything in between. To learn more, visit Microchip’s radiation-tolerant FPGA page.

Availability of Development Tools

Customers can start designs now with the development tools and boards provided for the commercial equivalent PolarFire SoC. For more information, visit the PolarFire SoC page.

Resources

High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish):

• Application image:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/53640600685/sizes/l/

The post Radiation-Tolerant PolarFire® SoC FPGAs Offer Low Power, Zero Configuration Upsets, RISC-V Architecture for Space Applications appeared first on ELE Times.

SemiQ Inc of Lake Forest, CA, USA — which designs, develops and manufactures silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors and 150mm SiC epitaxial wafers for high-voltage applications — has announced a partnership with ClearComm Technical Sales of Huntsville, AL, USA, a specialist manufacturer’s representative serving the computing, communication, industrial and consumer sectors across the Southeastern USA...

Real-time application awareness from next-gen DPI engine R&S®PACE 2 to power traffic aggregation and optimization algorithms in XipLink’s multi-path hybrid networking solution

ipoque, a Rohde & Schwarz company and a leading provider of next-gen deep packet inspection (DPI) software for networking and cybersecurity solution providers, today announced that it is partnering with XipLink, a leading global technology provider of optimized, secure and intelligent multi-path hybrid networking. The technology partnership sees the creation of the XipLink Application Classification Engine (XipACE) by integrating ipoque’s cutting-edge DPI technology R&S®PACE 2 into the XipLink operating system (XipOS), delivering advanced application visibility for multi-orbit networking.

Layer 7 visibility for multi-orbit networking

Leveraging standards-based SCPS protocol acceleration, link bonding, Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing, XipLink delivers intelligent multi-orbit networking that ensures network performance and QoS across satellite, cellular and wireless networks. Embedding the next-gen DPI software R&S®PACE 2 introduces traffic visibility up to Layer 7 and beyond, powering the traffic aggregation and optimization algorithms used by XipLink. “Instantaneous identification of protocols and applications enables intelligent and contextual routing policies that are aligned to the criticality of the underlying applications and prevailing network conditions,” said Dr. Martin Mieth, VP Engineering at ipoque. Prior to R&S®PACE 2, XipLink relied on its built-in classification engine that supported network traffic visibility only up to Layer 4.

R&S®PACE 2 combines behavioral, statistical and heuristic analysis with metadata extraction to accurately and reliably identify protocols, applications and application attributes in real time. “Our breakthrough AI-based encrypted traffic intelligence, which includes machine learning and deep learning techniques, and high-dimensional data analysis, brings traffic awareness to the next level by identifying any type of IP traffic, despite encryption, obfuscation and anonymization,” said Dr. Mieth.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with ipoque to integrate their cutting-edge DPI software, R&S®PACE 2, into our XipOS product. The inclusion of R&S®PACE 2 underscores our dedication to delivering top-tier solutions to our customers who require enterprise-grade quality and efficiency,” said Jack Waters, CEO, XipLink. “Application-aware networking plays a crucial role in optimizing network resources, enabling us to meet the escalating demands while ensuring compliance with SLAs,” added Waters.

Delivering high-performance networks

By tapping into R&S®PACE 2’s high throughput and light-weight, efficient software form-factor, XipACE is able to augment the performance of its core functions, which include QoS management, traffic analytics, steering decisions, load balancing and dynamic link bonding. Apart from performance and scalability, XipLink’s selection of ipoque’s R&S®PACE 2 is also driven by the engine’s extensive feature and plug-in set, such as first packet classification, customizability of app signatures or tethering detection. “ipoque provides us with a proven technology that has been tested in challenging network environments. Its weekly updated signature library ensures that we keep tabs on the latest traffic trends.” said Jaco Botha, SVP Product at XipLink.

Driving the responsiveness and resilience of multi-orbit networks

From offloading traffic from congested pathways to tapping into GEO satellites to alleviate latency issues, insights from R&S®PACE 2 enable XipOS to support network diversity and resilience. At the policy level, it enables application prioritization and SLA compliance. With a growing number of applications that are bandwidth-hungry and latency-sensitive, R&S®PACE 2’s granular traffic analytics help operators to optimize their networks continuously and improve resource efficiency. The insights also pave the way for autonomous and self-healing networks via data-driven decision making. DPI analytics also support hybrid aggregation of GEO and NGSO, enabling XipOS to improve network scalability and security. “The partnership strengthens our position as the most efficient link aggregation and optimization solution in the market, especially in addressing networks that comprise constrained wireless links such as LEO services,” added Sasmith Reddi, SVP Marketing at XipLink.

The new partnership will boost XipLink’s multi-orbit networking portfolio, benefiting customers in various verticals including mobile, satellite, maritime, government and defense, as well as modem OEMs.

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SemiQ Inc of Lake Forest, CA, USA — which designs, develops and manufactures silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors and 150mm SiC epitaxial wafers for high-voltage applications — has begun a known-good-die (KGD) screening program that delivers high-quality, electrically sorted and optically inspected SiC MOSFET technology ready for back-end processing and direct die attachment...

Sushil Motwani, Founder, of Ayetexcel Pvt. Ltd. writes about the environmental impact of electronic waste and how smart projectors can help mitigate it 

Sushil Motwani, Founder, Ayetexcel Pvt. Ltd.

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I2C is a popular bidirectional serial communications bus having a clock and a data line. Both line’s drivers consist of an open drain ground-referenced N-channel MOSFET with a pullup resistor connected to a supply ranging from 1.8 V to 5 V. The pullup resistor must be small enough to meet certain timing requirements in the presence of significant bus capacitance, but large enough that the surprisingly weak active driver (specified to drop less than 0.4 V at 3 mA for standard mode and less than 0.6 V at 6 mA for fast mode speeds) current is not exceeded and that the logic low levels are met. Meeting both needs can be a challenge.

Figure 44 in section 7.24 of the UM10204 I2C-bus specification and user manual presents a method of amelioration (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Switched-pullup circuit where the analog switch is activated at high bus voltages only, paralleling an additional resistor with the standard pullup. Source: NXP

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An analog switch is activated at the higher bus voltages only, paralleling an additional resistor with the standard pullup. This reduces rise time without raising the driver’s achievable logic low level. But when the driver is activated, the amount of improvement is limited by the presence of the additional resistor at the higher voltages—too small an additional pullup, and the allowed driver current will be exceeded, and the required logic low level will not be met. A better approach would be to connect the additional resistor only when the signal is rising, that is, when the driver is off. The driver would then not be fighting the additional pullup, which accordingly could be made extremely small. This is the approach taken with the following circuit.

In Figure 2, comparators U1 and U2 are set to switch at the logic low and high thresholds of a typical 1.8V I2C bus.

Figure 2 A schematic of simulated I2C drivers, pullup resistors and bus capacitances, without (old) and with (new) connection to the autonomous non-linear pullup circuit.

When the driver turns off and releases the signal “new” from a logic low, that signal rises through the low threshold. There is an acceptable propagation-delayed positive output transition of U1 which clocks the 1Q output of D flipflop U3 to a logic high. This activates U4, switching R5 in parallel with the standard pullup R6 and greatly reducing rise time. As the signal rises through the logic high level, the output of U2 transitions to a logic low, clearing the 1Q output of U3, deactivating U4 and disconnecting R5. (In this instance, the propagation delay is welcome. U2’s delay allows the signal time to reach 1.8 V, courtesy of the additional pullup.) The circuit is now ready for the driver’s next activation, which will happen without it having to fight R5. Until activation, the circuit draws negligible current. Figure 3 shows the reduced rise time of the “new” circuit in comparison to that of the “old”, both having the same bus capacitance and same standard pullup. 100 pF is only 25% of the maximum specified value for I2C operation.

Figure 3 A comparison of the performances of standard (old) and an enhanced (new) I2C bus signals. The signals CLR, CLK, and Q swing between ground and +3.3 V are shown scaled for clarity purposes.

Although 1.8 V is a popular bus voltage (especially for smart battery IC’s), I was unable to find suitably fast, adequately low supply current comparators which can be powered from this voltage. Fortunately, 3.3 V is generally available in products with 1.8 V buses, and an analog switch serves admirably to bridge the gap between the two supplies. If the bus runs at 3.3 V, the analog switch can be replaced with a PNP transistor whose emitter is connected to the bus’s supply, and its base driven through a 3.3k resistor. In the unlikely event of a 5 V bus, 5V can be connected to the PNP’s emitter, but a 5 V-supply-capable D flip-flop will need to be found to replace U3.

Christopher Paul has worked in various engineering positions in the communications industry for over 40 years.

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is the recipient of a $4m Empire State Development (ESD) Grant. The new funding — combined with an additional $16m investment in SUNY Poly’s College of Engineering announced by Hochul in November — will support the establishment of a $26.5m Semiconductor Processing to Packaging Research, Education, and Training Center in the NY CREATES Quad C building on SUNY Poly’s campus, which is also occupied by Semikron Danfoss...

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