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latest product and technology information from electronics companies in India
Updated: 1 hour 25 min ago

element14 incorporates new, industry leading resistors from KOA Corp. into portfolio

Tue, 02/06/2024 - 09:04

Exceptional power and reliability at the core of the new resistor range adds new capabilities, temperature tolerance and space-saving options for developers.

element14 is now stocking a range of special flat chip resistor solutions from KOA Corporation (KOA).

Important to design engineers in a wide range of demanding markets, KOA resistors are an ideal choice for designers working in automotive, industrial, aerospace, medical, instrumentation and power conversion sectors.

Among the new resistors featured is the RN73R, a high-precision, high-reliability thin film resistor, that replaces the RN73 series with improved electrolytic corrosion resistance and higher stability.

The RN73H resistor in the series is designed for tough environments and is ideal for high-precision circuits for automotive, aerospace and other challenging applications. Despite their ultra-thin film, these resistors have excellent moisture resistance due to an additional inner protective layer.

A high-precision resistor now carried by element14 that uses thick film technology is the RS73, which makes it ideal for long-term stability when designing high-accuracy sensing or voltage detection circuits in automotive, industrial and measuring applications where ESD sensitivity is an issue.

The SG73P is an endured pulse power thick film resistor that has approximately seven times the pulse handling capability of standard flat chip resistors. Its special trimming gives it a higher power rating, which means that a SG73P device can be dropped onto the pads of a similar-sized conventional part, thus increasing the power capability without changing the PCB layout.

For designers who need to conserve board space, the new WK73R wide termination thick film resistor offers several advantages. For example, the 0612 chip size allows a 6x power rating compared to standard 1206 parts, which saves board space by improving heat dissipation. The larger terminals also enhance terminal strength and the smaller distance between the terminals reduces expansion stress.

element14’s new stock of KOA resistors also includes:

  • Flat chip resistors for high voltage applications, represented by KOA’s HV73(V)-series, designed for voltages up to 3 kV (2512 size with special coating and trimming insulation to ensure that higher voltages can be applied at operating temperatures up to +155 °C.
  • TLR low-ohm, high-power metal plate shunt resistors are offered in the ultra-low 0.5mΩ…20mΩ resistance range. Special trimming gives the device low inductance and removes any hotspots from the design.
  • The TLRZ series metal plate zero-ohm jumpers handle high currents in very small sizes. These low-profile jumpers are the perfect replacement for thick film devices in existing designs.
  • UR73 resistors are low resistance, low TCR thick film resistors that offer a cost-efficient approach for current sensing in the power range from 0.125 to 1 Watt and are available in sizes from 0402 to 2512.
  • KOA’s UR73V low resistance, low TCR thick film resistors for automotive applications cover the 10mΩ – 1Ω range and are a highly cost-effective approach to current sensing in automotive, power supply, motor control and many other industrial automation applications.

element14 Product Segment Leader, Resistors, Euan Gilligan, said, “KOA is known for the quality and reliability of their resistors and other products. We are delighted to make the benefits of their capabilities readily available to developers worldwide.”

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Defence Scenario in India & Role of Indian Startups in Defence Exports & Imports of India

Tue, 02/06/2024 - 08:28

Author: Capt. Nikunj Parashar, Founder & CMD, Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd. 

In recent times, the Indian Defence sector has emerged as a focal point for the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, emphasizing self-reliance and indigenous manufacturing. With a strong commitment from the government, the Defence and Aerospace sector is witnessing a transformative phase. Recognizing the significance of a robust domestic defence industry, the vision of the government that is steering towards transparency, predictability, and ease of doing business has led to the establishment of an indigenous manufacturing infrastructure, supported by a robust research and development ecosystem, that is at the forefront of this transformative journey.

Capt. Nikunj Parashar, Founder & CMD, Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd

In the quest for self-reliance, the Indian defence manufacturing industry has seen a surge in innovation driven by a vibrant ecosystem of startups. Contributing to the development of cutting-edge technologies that empower and support the country’s defence efforts, such startups have become key players in the larger goal of reducing dependency on external sources for defence procurement. To foster the growth of the domestic defence industry, the government has implemented various initiatives and measures such as de-licensing, de-regulation, export promotion, and liberalization of foreign investments aimed at creating a conducive environment for startups. The ‘Make in India’ and ‘Startup India’ initiatives, supported by other policy measures, have modernized the armed forces and boost indigenous manufacturing.

One significant step towards fostering innovation in the Defence and Aerospace ecosystem is the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program. By providing a platform for collaboration between startups and the defence forces, iDEX accelerates the integration of innovative technologies into the country’s defence capabilities. In addition to iDEX, the government has implemented various supportive schemes to encourage innovation within the Defence and Aerospace sector. These schemes provide financial support, mentorship, and resources to startups, nurturing a culture of innovation and research. The ‘Make in India’ initiative is not just a slogan but a strategic move to reduce external dependency for defence procurement by promoting indigenous manufacturing, the government has enhanced the self-sufficiency of the Indian Defence sector. Startups, with their agility and innovation, play a crucial role in this process, contributing to the development of state-of-the-art technologies and products.

While the journey towards self-reliance in the defence sector is promising, it is not without challenges. Indian startups face obstacles such as funding constraints, regulatory hurdles, and the need for skilled manpower. However, the opportunities are immense. The government’s commitment to simplifying regulations, promoting exports, and encouraging foreign investment presents a favourable environment for startups to thrive. The role of Indian startups in defence exports is gaining prominence on the global stage with a focus on creating innovative solutions, these startups are well-positioned to cater to the evolving needs of the global defence market. Collaborations with foreign partners, facilitated by the government’s export promotion measures, have opened avenues for Indian startups to showcase their capabilities and contribute to global security. With continued support from the government and collaborative efforts, Indian startups are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the country’s defence industry. The journey towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat is not just a vision but a collective effort, with startups leading the way into a new era of self-sufficiency and technological prowess.

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Semiconductor Industry Faces Revenue Downturn in 2023, Pins Hopes on AI Surge for 2024 Recovery

Mon, 02/05/2024 - 12:06

In 2023, the global semiconductor industry faced a significant setback with an 8.8% decline in revenue, largely attributed to sluggish enterprise and consumer spending. This decline prompted notable shifts in the industry’s landscape, with Intel reclaiming the top spot from Samsung, the latter grappling with challenges in the memory sector and smartphone business.

However, during this downturn, artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as a beacon of hope, driving content and revenue growth, particularly in the latter half of the year. NVIDIA and AMD emerged as key beneficiaries, poised to expand their AI-related ventures in the coming years.

The analysts underscored 2023 as a pivotal year for semiconductor companies to recalibrate strategies and manage inventory in anticipation of an impending AI boom. Counterpoint’s semiconductor revenue tracker revealed that only 6 out of the top 20 global semiconductor vendors reported year-over-year revenue growth, indicating the pervasive nature of the downturn.

The memory sector bore the brunt of these challenges, experiencing a staggering 43% year-over-year decline in revenue. This sector’s struggles were further exacerbated by soft demand across PC, server, and smartphone segments, coupled with oversupply issues.
Despite the decline, Intel regained its position atop the revenue rankings in 2023, despite a 16% year-over-year revenue drop attributed to shipment declines in PC and server segments. Samsung, alongside other major players like SK Hynix and Micron, faced substantial revenue declines due to challenges in the memory market.

Looking ahead, analysts anticipate AI to be a primary driver of organic growth in the semiconductor industry for 2024, alongside a projected rebound in the memory sector and growth in the automotive sector. TSMC, the world’s largest foundry player, remains optimistic about capacity expansion plans for 2024, reflecting confidence in sustained demand.

Senior Analyst William Li emphasized the significance of AI, stating, “Artificial intelligence (AI server, AI PC, AI smartphone, etc.) will continue to be a major organic growth driver in the semiconductor industry in 2024.

As the industry navigates through the end of the inventory correction cycle and solidifies support from client demand, supply constraints are poised to be a key focus area. TSMC’s robust capacity expansion plans signal confidence in meeting demand, underlining expectations of continued growth throughout the year.

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Page EEPROM in hearing aid or why smart medical devices need new memory architectures

Mon, 02/05/2024 - 12:02

Author : STMicroelectronics

Medical devices aren’t immune to the latest machine learning opportunities, but the existing components don’t always satisfy the new engineering needs, which is why the Page EEPROM series by ST is finding design wins in healthcare. Put simply, the new hybrid memory architecture combines an EEPROM’s robustness and power efficiency with the speed and capacity of flash memory. We currently offer modules with eight times more storage than EEPROM to reach up to 32 Mbits while keeping the write time at about 2 ms, which is about half that of an EEPROM. Let’s thus see what such a module can bring to a highly constrained product like a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid and more.

Constraints today The case of the hearing aid

A paper funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany and presented at the 48th European Solid-State Circuits Conference in 20221 looked at a modern take on the BTE hearing aid. The researchers used a Bluetooth SoC and a DSP to process audio. The purpose was to create something small enough to be usable in clinical settings over long periods while having the computational capabilities to try new algorithms. The fact that the authors specifically mention the exploration of neural networks as a reason behind their paper further emphasizes the need to bring machine learning to this industry.

Today’s memory limitations

However, the scientists hit a pretty important limitation common to many industries: memory capacity. The researchers used 2.5 MB of memory for data and 375 KB for instructions. The obvious issue is that even the smallest neural networks will need far more than that. However, the increase in capacity cannot result in a compromise in robustness or overall power consumption. In this instance, the area behind the ear is a major constraint, and direct contact with the patient’s skin prohibits any increase in heat dissipation. Consequently, a significant bump in memory capacity can’t just come from existing devices but requires a new memory architecture.

Greater capacity also opens the door to new levels of efficiency. In this instance, instead of having external and internal modules, engineers can create one memory pool that can satisfy all their needs. It’s an increasingly common practice in embedded systems because it offers a lot of benefits. Among others, it helps simplify designs, which reduces development times and the bill of materials. It also helps optimize memory access for greater performance. Finally, companies significantly lower the risk of shortages or shipping issues since they only need one module. As memory availability can suffer from high volatility, relying on one module simplifies the sourcing and qualification process.

Architectures tomorrow The need for memory pages

At its simplest, all digital information today takes the form of zeros and ones, and each value is stored in a bit, which represents the most basic unit of computing2. Due to historical reasons, memory structures today take 8 bits to form a byte. In a traditional EEPROM, the architecture provides byte-level precision, which gives unparalleled granularity. However, erasing and writing operations take longer. Additionally, the byte-level architecture of a standard EEPROM means a bigger die. Consequently, it limits the overall capacity possible in a small component, which explains why it is difficult to significantly increase the capacity of traditional EEPROM.

To remedy this, the industry has long since adopted the notion of words, which groups bytes, and pages, which bundle words together. Thanks to this system, a memory controller can erase more cells at once, thus accelerating the process at the cost of the byte-level flexibility. For instance, serial flash traditionally has a page size of 256 bytes. Additionally, the memory is organized in sectors, which is the standard block of memory that the controller can erase at once. In most serial flash of comparable sizes to our Page EEPROM, the sector size is 4 KB. Thanks to this structure, it is possible to create significantly smaller dies. However, engineers lose the flexibility of the byte-level EEPROM.

The need for a hybrid architecture

The Page EEPROM is unique because while it uses 16-byte words and 512-byte pages to improve performance and capacity, it also enables byte-level granularity thanks to a smart page management system. More precisely, the memory controller is capable of byte-level write operations to optimize certain processes like data logging while offering efficient erase and program operations for firmware updates. Consequently, it adopts a hybrid structure to keep the flexibility of a traditional EEPROM while featuring the capacity and speed of flash. The ST architecture also checks a 17-bit error-correcting code (ECC) signature after each word to improve the overall reliability, thus enabling the correction of 2 bits within 16-byte words.

Page EEPROM: Benefits now Low power consumption of 500 µA Page EEPROM in SO8N PackagePage EEPROM in SO8N Package

As explained earlier, power consumption is a central issue for many wearables, like BTE hearing aids. In real-world operations, the Page EEPROM needs about 500 µA when reading data, which is about five times less than a serial flash, and its electrical current peak is less than 1 mA, which means fewer passive components. Additionally, ST’s Page EEPROM has a current peak control system to keep the consumption below 3 mA at all times. Comparatively, a serial flash often experiences high current peaks that lead to wide variations in power consumption. As for writing operations, the Page EEPROM needs fewer than 2 mA, which is even less than the 3 mA of some EEPROM.

Concretely, the levels of power consumption afforded by ST’s Page EEPROM mean that engineers can work with smaller batteries and smaller PCBs to fit more space-constrained applications. Indeed, 500 µA when reading data and less than 1 mA in current peak signify that, compared to a serial flash, a designer can either use a much smaller battery or use the same battery for much longer. Additionally, because the smaller current peak means fewer passive components, the PCB can shrink, which also means a bigger battery in the same case or a smaller design altogether. These are critical considerations for BTE hearing aids that were not possible until Page EEPROM.

High data rate of 320 Mbit/s

As explained, the page architecture of ST’s new memory boosts overall performance. Compared to the 20 Mbit/s of a vanilla EEPROM, the Page EEPROM clocks at 320 Mbit/s in read operations. Consequently, a microcontroller can download its firmware from the Page EEPROM in significantly less time. Additionally, our memory includes a Buffer Load feature that can program several pages at the same time, thus bypassing some of the bottlenecks inherent to the SPI protocol. In practical terms, it means that using the buffer load feature can drastically speed up the programming of hundreds of thousands of devices, thus lowering the overall manufacturing costs. The memory access time is also significantly faster for a wake-up time of 30 µs.

High endurance of 500,000 cycles

The Page EEPROM supports 500,000 read-write cycles per page over the full temperature range (from -40 ºC to +105 ºC), which is about five times better than a serial flash. A traditional EEPROM does have a higher endurance, but we’ve also found that current rates are more than acceptable for integrators since the Page EEPROM, just like the standard one, qualified for a cumulated 1 billion cycle over the entire memory capacity. Indeed, since the ST device has more capacity, developers can spread the wear over more cells, thus extending its life. In fact, many medical devices, like hearing aids, already use serial flash successfully. The endurance of our Page EEPROM thus represents an improvement, not a regression.

Next Steps

The best way to get started with a Page EEPROM is to grab our X-NUCLEO-PGEEZ1 expansion board and download the X-CUBE-EEPRMA1 package. The software bundle provides a demo application that uses the board as an external storage solution, thus showcasing how to read and write from it. It is a quick way to learn how to use a single, dual, or quad SPI interface to interact with the Page EEPROM to run a proof-of-concept or test the hybrid architecture. ST also provides technical documentation to understand the memory architecture better or be familiar with cycling endurance, among other things.

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Tenstorrent collaborates with C-DAC for implementation of the Digital India futureLABS

Mon, 02/05/2024 - 08:39

Catalyzing the next-generation Electronics System Design

Tenstorrent Inc., a next-generation computing company building computers for AI has announced that it will be collaborating with C-DAC. This is in line with Digital India futureLABS in the area of RISC-V compute and design & innovation ecosystem. By extending their AI deep learning accelerator solution to the overall progress of the semiconductor Industry, Tenstorrent will be joining forces with the Government of India.

Keith Witek, Chief Operating Officer, Tenstorrent Inc. with Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Jal Shakti, Govt. of India

The vision and roadmap of implementation of the Digital India futureLABS is being unveiled by Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Jal Shakti, Govt. of India at Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT Delhi), New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Keith Witek, Chief Operating Officer, Tenstorrent Inc. said, “India is witnessing immense growth. What India is going to do over the next five to ten years is going to set the tone for the future. Tenstorrents’ chiplet ecosystems, open hardware platforms, RISCV and artificial intelligence (AI) are a perfect match to reduce the cost of manufacturing at scale. And it is the right time for India to take advantage of the technology offerings from Tenstorrent and disrupt the status quo and incumbents as it catapults to the numero uno position. We are very happy to be part of this innovation and looking forward to the journey.”

Also, present at the moment for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) were Aniket Saha, Vice President of Product Management, Tenstorrent Inc and Kishore Amarnath, Director of Sales and Business Development Tenstorrent Inc.

Digital India futureLABS, is conceived to move up the value-chain & fortify domestic R&D by creating a collaborative ecosystem for development of IPs, Standards and catalyzing next-generation Electronics System Design ecosystem in the country by enabling co-development opportunities & partnerships amongst Government, Startups, R&D organizations and large enterprises. Digital India futureLABS will be coordinated by C-DAC to provide the dedicated thrust to following key growth areas- Automotive, Compute, Communication, Strategic Electronics and Industrial Electronics/ IoT.

It is a tremendous opportunity and Tenstorrent is pleased to be a part of innovation and development in India. India has all the necessary ingredients that are needed to be successful such as; scale, workforce – that’s easily educated and highly skilled, educational system that can create that workforce, access to capital – significantly improving, velocity of attention and business that’s going to propel and catch up to a lot of incumbents and eventually exceed over the course of the next decade.

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Cadence Unveils Millennium Platform—Industry’s First Accelerated Digital Twin Delivering Unprecedented Performance and Energy Efficiency

Fri, 02/02/2024 - 09:35

Highlights:

  • Revolutionary dedicated HW/SW acceleration platform leverages GPU and CPU computing and proprietary software algorithms to deliver up to 100X design impact through accuracy, speed and scale
  • GPU-resident solvers dramatically improve the energy efficiency of simulation by 20X over traditional HPC
  • Digital twin, AI and HPC technology combine to provide the best multiphysics simulation solution for automotive, A&D, energy, turbomachinery and data centre markets
  • Innovative generative AI technology further accelerates design and analysis exploration, enabling optimal system solutions through superior design insight
  • Available for CFD multiphysics analysis today in the cloud or as an on-premises appliance to accommodate customers’ business requirements

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. has announced the Cadence Millennium Enterprise Multiphysics Platform, the industry’s first hardware/software (HW/SW) accelerated digital twin solution for multiphysics system design and analysis. Targeted at one of the biggest opportunities for greater performance and efficiency, the first-generation Cadence Millennium M1 accelerates high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Available in the cloud or on premises, this turnkey solution includes graphics processing units (GPUs) from leading providers, extremely fast interconnections and an enhanced Cadence high-fidelity CFD software stack optimized for GPU acceleration and generative AI. Millennium M1 instances can be fused into a unified cluster, enabling customers to achieve an unprecedented same-day turnaround time and near-linear scalability when simulating complex mechanical systems.

Designing mechanical systems for new levels of performance and efficiency has become a key priority in the automotive, aerospace and defense (A&D), energy and turbomachinery industries. To optimize performance and reduce greenhouse gases, automotive designers are focused on improving fuel efficiency, reducing drag and noise, and extending electric vehicle range. Increasing efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and reducing maintenance frequency are top of mind for A&D and turbomachinery design engineers. Advances in multiphysics simulation technology are critical to achieving these goals. Performance, accuracy, capacity and accelerated computing are all essential to enabling digital twin simulations that explore more design innovations, providing confidence that they will function as intended before undertaking prototype development and testing.

The Millennium Platform addresses these needs. Highlights and benefits include:

  • Performance: Combines best-in-class GPU-resident CFD solvers with dedicated GPU hardware to provide supercomputer-equivalent throughput per GPU of up to 1000 CPU cores
  • Efficiency: Reduces turnaround time from weeks to hours with 20X better energy efficiency compared to its CPU equivalent
  • Accuracy: Leverages Cadence Fidelity™ CFD solvers to provide unmatched accuracy to address complex simulation challenges
  • High-Performance Computing: Built with an extensible architecture and massively scalable Fidelity solvers to provide near-linear scalability on multiple GPU nodes
  • AI Digital Twin: Rapid generation of high-quality multiphysics data enables generative AI to create fast and reliable digital twin visualizations of the optimal system design solution
  • Turnkey Solution: The industry’s first solution that couples GPU compute with modern and scalable CFD solvers, providing an optimized environment for accelerated CFD and multidisciplinary design and optimization
  • Flexibility: Available with GPUs from leading vendors, in the cloud with minimum 8 GPU configurations, or on premises with a minimum 32 GPU configuration—providing a flexible and scalable solution to fit each customer’s deployment needs

“Throughout our 35-year history, Cadence has been focused on increasing performance with no loss of accuracy for the most challenging computational applications. Algorithmic throughput remains a key priority, and we’re now leveraging generative AI to harvest knowledge gained from massive quantities of design and simulation data,” said Ben Gu, corporate vice president of R&D for multiphysics systems analysis at Cadence. “Our revolutionary Millennium platform is a giant leap forward, delivering unprecedented acceleration and scalability of digital twin and AI applications. CFD is poised to benefit greatly from performance and efficiency gains, and the tremendous power of the Millennium M1 is disrupting industries that must explore more design innovations and bring them to market faster.”

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OMRON Automation Launches TM S Series Collaborative Robots with Faster Joints and Expanded Safety Features in India

Fri, 02/02/2024 - 08:18

OMRON Automation has announced the introduction of TM S Series Collaborative Robots in its robotics portfolio in India. This latest addition to OMRON’s innovative lineup combines faster joints and expanded safety features, making it an ideal solution to improve the efficiency of factories in workspaces shared with people.

The new robots are designed to revolutionize industrial automation by enabling a more flexible and productive workspace where humans and robots can collaborate seamlessly. With increased speed and improved performance, the cobots can handle a wide range of tasks, including machine tending, assembly, and packaging. This allows human workers to focus on more complex and value-added activities, ultimately boosting overall productivity and efficiency.

One of the key highlights of the OMRON TM S Series is the enhanced safety features. Built with the latest advancements in safety technology, the cobots are equipped with integrated sensors, collision detection, and collaborative functionality. This ensures a safe working environment for both human operators and robots, eliminating the need for protective barriers and enhancing further collaboration between humans and machines.

 

 

“Signifying a significant portfolio expansion to strengthen OMRON’s positioning in the industrial robotics segment, the cobots are ideal for industries like logistics, consumer packaged goods, life sciences, digital hardware, etc. for assembly, palletizing, machine tending, packaging, and pick-and-place tasks. Compact and adaptable, they can be effortlessly relocated for various tasks using its built-in cameras and landmark positioning,” says Sameer Gandhi, MD, OMRON Automation, India.

Traditional factories often face challenges when integrating automation technology due to space constraints and safety concerns. The OMRON TM S Series addresses these issues by providing a flexible and easy-to-implement solution. The compact design makes it suitable for various work environments, even in spaces where traditional robots may not fit. With their small footprint and lightweight structure, they can be seamlessly integrated into existing production setup.

Also, the cobots can be easily programmed and operated using OMRON’s intuitive software, allowing for quick deployment and minimal disruption to existing workflows. The next-gen robot-stick control transforms into a full teach pendant with a touchscreen display. Hand guidance programming helps to convert program to flowchart-based graphical programming and script programming is also available for catering to both novice and advanced users.

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IoT is fuelling the growth of EV industry

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 08:22

Author: Gunjan Malhotra, Director, Komaki Electric Division

India, the fifth-largest global automotive market, is expected to grow to the third-largest by 2030. The Indian Electric Vehicle (EV) industry is thriving, with sales of 8,38,766 units in the first seven months of 2023. Moreover, with 3 million registered EVs currently, India is projected to generate 10 million EVs annually by 2030.

Gunjan Malhotra, Director, Komaki Electric Division

These unprecedented developments in India’s burgeoning EV market are propelled by the significant contribution of the Internet of Things (IoT), Data, and connected technologies. On the other hand, the shift to software-defined vehicles (SDVs) further augments seamless connectivity with the induction of compatible protocols and hardware.

The automotive industry is transforming due to the software-defined vehicle and robust communications infrastructure. The connected car’s value lies in creating a more informed, intelligent mobility infrastructure, making travelling easier, less stressful, safer, and more sustainable. However, to combat growing Cybersecurity issues, it is crucial that automakers use upgraded protocols, encrypted channels, and authentication mechanisms to ensure confidentiality.

The EV industry can only thrive with a robust charging infrastructure, and in this sphere, IoT plays a path-breaking role. These charging stations work on connected devices integrated with third-party service providers, using protocols and cloud infrastructure for seamless charging operations. IoT combines OT and IT, focusing on digital transformation. EV charging consists of charging equipment, a mobile app, and a management platform. A single charging session generates telemetry data, including battery capacity, grid limits, power consumption, and troubleshooting data.

IoT in EV charging requires continuous monitoring and data presentation, enabling notifications for users in case of critical failures or updates. This benefits all stakeholders in the value chain, including EV drivers, Charge Point Operators (CPOs), and network operators. Key use cases include user authentication, charging app availability, automated operations, smart charging, remote management, and EVSE control.

The IoT-based infrastructure should also ensure secure transactions and billing, allow for automatic charging when energy rates vary during seasons, and enable Charge Point Operators to manage operations remotely. The IoT platform also collects data from various sensory nodes, analyzing important metrics like grid limit, energy tariffs, EV battery capacity, and state of charge, making it easier to control and manage a large fleet of charging infrastructure. Thereby, data is crucial for electric vehicles (EVs) as they form a connected network of devices, including cars, charging stations, smart meters, and IEDs.

These devices collect data on user habits, battery security, and grid charge management. OEMs collect data to improve user experience and design advanced technology for a seamless driving experience. For government and other stakeholders, data is essential for EV grid integration (EVGI) and providing support to smart cities and green infrastructure projects. Hence, there should be ample virtual space to store the data as millions of EVs are expected on the road in the next decade.

Road ahead

To achieve green milestones in the mobility sector, IoT is crucial for developing next-gen applications like smart charging and vehicle-to-grid, benefiting everyone from CPOs to grid suppliers. Being a forerunner in the IT sector, India is blessed with all those resources which could be helpful to push the EV industry with a robust IoT ecosystem for its safer and swifter transition.

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Low-offset, zero-drift op amps from STMicroelectronics deliver wide gain-bandwidth for high-accuracy sensing

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 07:45

Typical applications include power supplies for industrial, server and telecom-infrastructure applications, and automotive signal conditioning and power conversion

STMicroelectronics’ high-accuracy TSZ151 operational amplifiers have very low offset voltage with minimal temperature drift, bringing enhanced accuracy and stability to circuits for sensor interfacing, signal conditioning, and current measurement.

An extremely low input offset voltage (Vio) is the defining parameter of a high-accuracy operational amplifier (op amp). The TSZ151 has Vio less than 7µV at 25°C. Moreover, the value remains stable, below 10µV, over the full specified temperature range, from -40°C to 125°C. Its high stability minimizes reliance on periodic recalibration, enhancing the availability of the end product throughout its lifetime.

With gain-bandwidth of 1.6MHz and drawing just 210μA at 5V, the TSZ151 sits between ST’s 400kHz TSZ121 and 3MHz TSZ181, giving designers more choice and flexibility to optimize speed and power consumption. The TSZ151 combines its excellent speed-to-power ratio with ultra-low maximum input bias current of 300pA.

Having a minimum operating voltage of 1.8V, the TSZ151 can be powered from the same rail as other ICs in the system, such as a low-voltage microcontroller. The rail-to-rail input and output help maximize dynamic range. The op amp also has very low power consumption, drawing just 210μA at 5V, while the low supply-voltage capability permits extended runtime with a discharged battery.

Leveraging its wide operating temperature range, from -40°C to +125°C, designers can use the TSZ151 in equipment to be deployed in harsh environments and in applications with long mission profiles. Typical uses include feedback circuitry in power supplies for industrial, server and telecom-infrastructure applications, and automotive high-accuracy signal conditioning and power conversion. The TSZ151 is AEC-Q100 qualified and is covered by ST’s rolling 10-year longevity plan that guarantees long-term product support.

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Unlocking Safety and Efficiency: Vehicle Tracking Systems’ Power

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 13:50

In the current fast-paced world, when safety and efficiency are critical in all facets of life, vehicle monitoring systems have become a transportation and logistics industry game-changer. These cutting-edge technologies improve security measures and optimize fleet management, among many other advantages. Let’s take a closer look at car monitoring systems, examining their many varieties, features, uses, advantages, and bright future.

What is a Vehicle Tracking System?

Real-time vehicle monitoring and management are made possible by vehicle tracking systems, sometimes referred to as fleet tracking systems or GPS tracking systems. It tracks the position, speed, and status of cars remotely by utilizing GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and GPS (Global Positioning System) technology.

Types of Vehicle Tracking Systems

There are several kinds of car tracking systems out there, each designed to meet particular requirements and tastes:

  1. Passive Tracking Systems: These solutions allow data to be stored inside the car on a device that can be accessed and analyzed at a later time. Although they are inexpensive, they cannot be tracked in real-time.
  2. Active Tracking Systems: With the real-time data transfer offered by active tracking systems, vehicle location, speed, and other parameters may be immediately monitored.
  3. Satellite Tracking Systems: Since satellite communication is used to provide precise tracking, satellite-based tracking systems are perfect for rural or off-grid locations where standard cellular networks might not be accessible.

How Does a Vehicle Tracking System Work?

The onboard diagnostics system of a car uses GPS technology to operate in conjunction with vehicle tracking systems. Position data is gathered by GPS receivers mounted in the car and sent to a centralized server or cloud-based platform over cellular networks. Users can use mobile or web applications to get real-time tracking data and analytics.

Vehicle Tracking System Applications

There are numerous uses for vehicle tracking systems in different areas and businesses, such as:

  1. Fleet Management: Tracking systems are used by firms that own fleets of cars, like delivery services and transportation companies, to keep an eye on driver safety, maximize fuel efficiency, and monitor vehicle routes.
  2. Asset Tracking: Vehicle tracking systems are used to reduce the risk of theft and unlawful usage by tracking valuable assets, such as trailers and construction equipment.
  3. Public Transportation: Tracking systems are used by public transportation companies to increase timetable adherence, improve passenger safety, and streamline operations.
  4. Personal Vehicles: Individuals use tracking systems for personal vehicles to monitor teenage drivers, track stolen vehicles, and ensure family safety during road trips.

Benefits of Vehicle Tracking Systems

Installing tracking devices in cars has several advantages:

  1. Improved Efficiency: Vehicle tracking solutions increase fleet productivity overall, cut down on idle time, and optimize route planning.
  2. Enhanced Safety: In addition to ensuring that speed limits and safety standards are followed, real-time monitoring also encourages safer driving practices and allows for prompt emergency action.
  3. Cost Savings: Through the reduction of fuel consumption, the mitigation of vehicle wear and tear, and the prevention of theft, tracking systems yield substantial cost savings for commercial enterprises.
  4. Enhanced Customer Service: Accurate arrival times and timely delivery updates increase client happiness and loyalty.

Future of Vehicle Tracking Systems

Vehicle tracking systems have a bright future ahead of them as long as technology keeps developing. The capabilities of monitoring systems will be further enhanced by developments in AI (Artificial Intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), and Big Data analytics. These developments will make it possible to track autonomous vehicles, do predictive maintenance, and seamlessly integrate with other smart city efforts.

In conclusion, vehicle tracking technologies, which provide unmatched efficiency, safety, and cost savings, have completely changed the way we manage and keep an eye on our cars. These systems will continue to be crucial in determining how logistics and transportation are developed in the future with continued improvements and innovations.

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Infineon achieves ISO/SAE 21434 certification for SLI37 automotive security controllers

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 11:33

Infineon Technologies is the first company in the industry to receive the ISO/SAE 21434 cybersecurity certification for its SLI37 automotive security controller family. This enables a high level of security with ISO/SAE-compliant products and will facilitate customer integration into automotive applications such as secured devices for V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) communication. It follows the certification of Infineon’s cybersecurity management system, which was announced in November 2022.

“At Infineon, we are constantly improving our security offering,” said Sebastien Colle, Vice President, ‘Security’ at Infineon. “We enable our customers to easily demonstrate their compliance with ISO/SAE 21434. I am particularly proud that the Common Criteria certification has been used as a bridge to demonstrate compliance with ISO/SAE 21434. This is a testament to the power of Common Criteria as a generic tool that can serve application verticals. With the combination of ISO/SAE 21434 and CC EAL6+ (high) certificates, Infineon’s SLI37 controllers provide the best benchmark for security verification in the automotive world today.”

The hardware-based security features of ISO/SAE 21434 certified devices can provide a reliable foundation for a multi-layered security architecture, enabling a root-of-trust. This plays an important role in the automotive industry, where system security is mandatory for vehicle safety. Therefore, Infineon’s SLI37 automotive cybersecurity solutions provide a secured foundation for automotive applications to comply with the ISO/SAE 21434 standard.

As part of the certification process, a security evaluation was conducted by TÜV-IT GmbH, an accredited and independent security evaluator, which concluded that the products have demonstrated resistance to attackers with high attack potential. This also includes protection against physical attacks such as fault and spike attacks, as well as power and side-channel analysis.

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Infineon presents hybrid Time of Flight (hToF): Advanced technology for next-generation smart robots

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 10:58

In collaboration with device manufacturer OMS and pmdtechnologies, an expert in Time of Flight (ToF) technology, Infineon Technologies has developed a new high-resolution camera solution that enables enhanced depth sensing and 3D scene understanding for next-generation smart consumer robots. The new hybrid Time of Flight (hToF) solution combines two depth sensing concepts and helps significantly reduce maintenance effort and costs for smart robots.

Infineon’s REAL3 flexible ToF imager technology enables the combination of established high-resolution iToF flood illumination and dToF long-range spot illumination in a single hybrid Time of Flight camera. For many years now, this high-resolution technology has been used to see the smallest objects in the path of the robot and navigate around them. Adding precise long-range spot data now also allows the creation of an accurate 3D map of the surrounding area for intelligent path planning experiences even in challenging light conditions of bright sunlight or darkness that empower the next-generation robot vacuum cleaner.

The new solution reduces the height of robot vacuum cleaners by 20-30 per cent, fully replacing the top-mounted LDS (Laser Distance Scanner) making it possible to clean even under furniture with low clearance. Measuring only 31x16x8 mm, the hybrid ToF camera requires much less space for improved mapping and obstacle avoidance functionality. Making multiple sensors redundant, hybrid ToF reduces system costs as well as operation costs, since there are no moving parts that wear out over time.

The solution serves customers with a simplified and user-friendly approach to implementation. The compact hybrid ToF solution is versatile and robust and aligns well with the evolving needs of mobile consumer robot devices in various industries such as robot vacuum cleaners, commercial robots, air-purifiers and size measurement.

“The partnership with pmdtechnologies and OMS is a great example of how Infineon fosters technology innovation and digitalization together,” said Andreas Kopetz, Vice President Ambient Sensing at Infineon. “Our hybrid ToF solution caters to a rapidly expanding consumer robotic market with a wide array of applications and makes it possible for customers to come up with unique robot designs, on top of reduced system costs and complexity by one camera replacing multiple.”

“Infineon and pmdtechnologies’ hybrid ToF adopts an innovative patent architecture and is paired with dual illumination,” said Eden Xiao, General Manager, Jiangxi OMS Microelectronics Co., Ltd. “For a manufacturer like OMS, the solution has exceptional advantages such as small size, low power consumption, and a reduction of overall application cost. We are excited to utilize the unique optical design scheme that avoids multipath problems and achieves a combination of precise positioning and obstacle avoidance, further enhancing the competitiveness of hybrid ToF camera products.”

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KYOCERA AVX Expands 9155-800 Series Battery Connectors to Meet Growing Demand

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 10:00

KYOCERA AVX, a leading global manufacturer of advanced electronic components, has announced the expansion of its 9155-800 Series vertical-mate, 2.0mm-pitch battery connectors. The expansion includes the addition of new seven- and eight-position models, aimed at satisfying customer demand for higher signal and current capabilities.

These connectors, part of KYOCERA AVX’s extensive portfolio engineered to accelerate technological innovation, feature a unique contact geometry allowing full vertical engagement without risking contact damage. Unlike traditional battery connectors requiring specific engagement procedures, the 9155-800 Series can be mated from any angle, offering users greater flexibility and convenience.

Designed for a wide range of applications including industrial, medical, and consumer electronics markets, the 9155-800 Series connectors boast an array of features including a forgiving sweeping beam contact design, anti-snag feature, and robust gold-plated beryllium copper contacts capable of enduring over 5,000 mating cycles.

Furthermore, these connectors are compatible with signal and power circuits, providing users with versatility in their applications. They are constructed with flame-retardant materials and are RoHS compliant, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Perrin Hardee, Product Marketing Manager at KYOCERA AVX, emphasized the importance of these connectors in simplifying the mating process and ensuring reliable connectivity across various industries.

KYOCERA AVX has a long-standing reputation for producing battery connectors, with its 9155 family offering a wide selection of standard battery connectors for diverse applications. The family’s features include gold-plated BeCu contacts known for their reliability in harsh environments and customizable options to suit specific application needs.

With the expansion of the 9155-800 Series, KYOCERA AVX continues to address evolving market demands for efficient and reliable connectivity solutions in electronic devices.

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Exploring GPS Trackers: History, Types, and Benefits

Tue, 01/30/2024 - 12:54

In today’s fast-paced world, technology has become an indispensable part of our daily lives, revolutionizing the way we navigate, communicate, and even monitor our assets. One such groundbreaking technology that has transformed various industries is the GPS tracker. From ensuring the safety of vehicles to tracking valuable assets, GPS trackers have become an essential tool for businesses and individuals alike. In this blog, we will delve into what GPS trackers are, their history, types, working principles, applications, and the numerous advantages they offer.

What is a GPS Tracker?

A GPS tracker, short for Global Positioning System tracker, is a device that utilizes satellite signals to determine the precise location of an object or person in real-time. These trackers are equipped with GPS receivers that communicate with satellites orbiting the Earth to accurately pinpoint the device’s location.

GPS Tracker History

The history of GPS trackers dates back to the 1960s when the United States Department of Defense launched the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite constellation for military purposes. Over the years, advancements in technology led to the development of commercial GPS tracking devices, which became widely available in the late 20th century. Since then, GPS trackers have evolved significantly, offering enhanced accuracy, reliability, and functionality.

GPS Tracker Types

There are several types of GPS trackers designed to cater to specific needs and applications:

  1. Vehicle Trackers: These trackers are installed in vehicles to monitor their location, speed, and route in real-time. They are commonly used for fleet management, vehicle security, and stolen vehicle recovery.
  2. Personal Trackers: Compact and portable, personal GPS trackers are designed to track the location of individuals, such as children, elderly family members, or outdoor enthusiasts. They provide peace of mind by enabling caregivers to monitor their loved ones’ whereabouts remotely.
  3. Asset Trackers: Asset trackers are used to monitor the location and movement of valuable assets, such as equipment, machinery, and cargo. They are essential for asset management, inventory tracking, and theft prevention.

How Does a GPS Tracker Work?

GPS trackers rely on a network of satellites orbiting the Earth to determine the device’s location. These satellites transmit signals containing precise timing information and their own location. The GPS tracker receives these signals and calculates its position based on the time it takes for the signals to reach the device from multiple satellites. By triangulating the signals from at least three satellites, the tracker can accurately determine its latitude, longitude, and altitude.

GPS Tracker Applications

GPS trackers find applications across various industries and sectors:

  1. Fleet Management: GPS trackers are used by businesses to monitor and manage their fleet of vehicles, optimize routes, reduce fuel consumption, and improve driver safety.
  2. Personal Safety: Personal GPS trackers provide peace of mind to families and caregivers by allowing them to track the location of children, elderly family members, or individuals with special needs.
  3. Asset Tracking: GPS trackers are indispensable for businesses to track the location and movement of valuable assets, prevent theft, and optimize inventory management.

GPS Tracker Advantages

The advantages of GPS trackers include:

  1. Real-Time Tracking: GPS trackers provide real-time location information, enabling businesses and individuals to monitor assets or individuals remotely.
  2. Improved Safety and Security: GPS trackers enhance safety and security by enabling quick response in case of emergencies, theft, or unauthorized use of vehicles or assets.
  3. Enhanced Efficiency: GPS trackers help businesses optimize routes, improve fuel efficiency, reduce operating costs, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

In conclusion, GPS trackers have become indispensable tools for businesses and individuals looking to monitor and manage assets, enhance safety and security, and improve operational efficiency. With advancements in technology, GPS trackers continue to evolve, offering enhanced features, reliability, and functionality to meet the diverse needs of users across various industries.

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Palo Alto Networks’ Cybersecurity Predictions for 2024

Tue, 01/30/2024 - 11:40

Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader has released its cybersecurity predictions for 2024 – 5 key insights from industry leaders to help organisations ensure a secure future.

2023 saw organisations witness unprecedented levels of cybercrime. Palo Alto Networks’ State of Cybersecurity survey found that 67% of Indian government/essential services witnessed more than 50% increase in disruptive cyberattacks in 2022–2023. In October 2023, the firm received the most number of calls to their incident response team ever. Cybercriminals have used ransomware to target critical infrastructures and found novel techniques to exploit emerging technologies like generative AI to ill-effect.

The State of Cybersecurity survey also found that 75% of Indian organisations have increased their cybersecurity budgets in 2023 compared to 2022. With Indian organisations investing more in cybersecurity, it’s critical this money be spent wisely.

Predicting cybersecurity trends for 2024 will be especially important if organisations want to get ahead of modern cyberattackers. With stakes higher than ever, organisations need to take a holistic approach – accounting for macroeconomic factors, emerging technologies, and cloud risks among others.

Ian Lim, Field Chief Security Officer, at Palo Alto Networks, said, “In 2023, we’ve seen mature organisations, who invest heavily in cybersecurity, still falling victim to debilitating cyberattacks. This is due to the tenacity and ingenuity of attackers who exploit cyber hygiene issues or find novel ways to compromise legacy defences. Another key reason for these breaches lies in the complexity of security capabilities in most modern organisations. They use an average of 31.58 disparate security tools to protect their highly interconnected and innovative environments. The lack of correlation and the level of noise generated by these tools creates immense visibility gaps and dampens their ability for detection and response.

He added, “Going into 2024, highly motivated cybercriminals, nation-state attackers and hacktivists will continue to innovate, expand and exploit – not much we can do to slow that down. However, we could and should definitely address the complexity of our security capabilities with AI to make them more effective and cost efficient.

Here are the five cybersecurity trends to watch out for in 2023:

  1. Hacktivism: The Modern Crusade

2023 saw numerous instances of broadcast events being disrupted by climate activists. This year, this protest could take the shape of a cyber-first campaign. With significant events like the Olympics, the Euros, and regional elections coming up, hacktivists will look to further their cause to audiences in the millions. Previously, a high level of technical expertise was necessary, but the cybercrime-as-a-service model has lowered this threshold. Now, it only takes an extremely motivated activist with sufficient funds.

Tumultuous geopolitical climates will provide opportunities for hacktivists to gain notoriety for their group and sympathy for their cause. Most hacktivist activity is via Distributed-Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. For example, during the G20 Summit in India, more than 30 groups of hacktivists from neighbouring countries attacked more than 600 websites of government and private entities through DDoS attacks, defacements, and data leaks.

In 2024, organisations should evaluate their risk profile according to the evolving threat landscape and ensure coverage not only for financially motivated attacks but also for hacktivism and nation-state attacks.

  1. AI’s role in cybersecurity will evolve, for good and bad

Since ChatGPT’s launch in October 2022, there have been concerns worldwide regarding its potential to democratise cybercrime. Despite having guardrails to prevent malicious applications, a few creative prompts can get ChatGPT to generate near flawless phishing emails that sound “weirdly human” at an immense scale. We’ve seen attackers use Gen AI in novel ways like deepfake and voice technology to scam banks out of millions. Companies adopting Gen AI must be wary of the vulnerabilities of model poisoning, data leakage, prompt injection attacks, etc. Attackers will continue to exploit innovation gaps with the increased use of Gen AI for legitimate use cases.

Hence, one of the AI Cybersecurity trends expected in 2024 is the maturation on how organisations protect enterprise-level use of Gen AI. This involves making sure that security controls, vulnerability management and threat monitoring activities are embedded through the entire lifecycle of AI development projects. Gen AI will further embed itself into cybersecurity capabilities. Its ability to summarise, weed through noise, and give concise summaries of security events is far greater than a human analyst’s (especially at the scale a modern SOC operates). With LLMs getting better by the day, we are bound to see more sophisticated applications that move beyond just being a clever and occasionally hallucinating chatbots.

  1. Operational technology will remain the low-hanging fruit

Operational Technology is the heart of any industrial organisation. As the primary generator of revenue, OT systems must have a high level of cyber maturity. Palo Alto Networks’ State of Cybersecurity survey found that 67% of Indian government/essential services witnessed more than 50% increase in disruptive cyberattacks in 2022–2023. As organisations scramble to resolve OT-related cybersecurity woes, they will face a lack of specialised solutions that cater to the specific and niche needs of OT professionals. Many organisations still believe OT environments are protected by an air gap, whereas IT/OT convergence has resulted in OT being more connected than ever to IT and, in many cases, to the cloud. This has expanded the attack surface and greatly increased the risk to OT networks, without the investment in cyber controls.

A breach of OT systems can not only result in lost revenue, but also potentially, injuries or loss of life. A cyber secure OT environment is also a safe and reliable OT environment. A Zero Trust architecture will protect the most critical OT systems from threats, while allowing organisations to focus on their digital transformation. 2024 will see organisations invest in OT cyber security maturity to protect their most important business systems and manage the increased risk to an acceptable level.

  1. Consolidation to enable the next frontier in cybersecurity

Unit 42’s Cloud Threat Report (Volume 7) found that on average, security teams take approximately 6 days to resolve a security alert, with 60% of organisations taking longer than 4 days. In a threat landscape where attackers only require a few hours to find and exploit vulnerabilities, 4-6 days is just way too long. Organisations with disparate security tools that are not well integrated have a harder time deploying automation and orchestration. This is a major setback to reducing the mean time to detect and the mean time to respond.

In addition to the lacklustre threat response, organisations with siloed solutions are having a hard time securing their rapid digital transformation initiatives. Alongside macroeconomic headwinds and workforce challenges, enterprises are looking to consolidate their vendor spread and reduce complexities. Put simply, it is easier to manage the cybersecurity stack if there is one point of contact when a crisis inevitably strikes. Over the long term, it reduces costs and yields better results. This is thanks to the increased visibility and seamless integration that comes with a unified security offering. More organisations are waking up to these benefits and thus 2024 will see customers focus on reducing complexities and turning to consolidated cybersecurity stacks.

  1. Securing the cloud will be high on the agenda

Per the State of Cybersecurity survey, India leads APAC in cloud migration, with 80% of businesses already having a large proportion of infrastructure on the cloud, and 42% adjusting their cybersecurity strategy to adopt cloud security. Early adopters of cloud typically start with a single hyperscaler. Naturally, the single cloud model would adopt native security tools from their chosen Cloud Service Provider (CSP). Through the course of time, they experience issues and outages that can only be addressed by adopting a multi or hybrid cloud strategy. This multicloud journey would most likely necessitate a review on their existing cloud security paradigm as native CSP security tools do not seamlessly translate to different CSPs.

In 2024, organisations that have to contend with multi or hybrid cloud projects will move to establish a more unified approach to security when dealing with more than one cloud provider. Rationalising cloud security tools across the entire development lifecycle will also be a focus as this provides much higher visibility, correlation, and security monitoring.

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India’s Solar Energy Surge: A Crucial Step in Climate Change Mitigation

Tue, 01/30/2024 - 11:01

Amidst a backdrop of escalating climate change challenges, India emerges as a key player in combating environmental degradation through a significant emphasis on solar energy adoption. As the world grapples with the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels, India’s commitment to ramping up its solar energy capacity presents a beacon of hope in the global fight against climate change.

Key Points:

  1. Global Urgency for Climate Action: The current global response to climate change, though progressing, is deemed insufficient to address the escalating environmental crises. With the planet experiencing a surge in extreme weather events attributed to human-induced climate change, urgent action is imperative to mitigate further devastation.
  2. Fossil Fuels: Culprits of Environmental Degradation: The predominant use of coal, crude oil, and natural gas in the energy sector has been identified as the primary contributor to environmental degradation. These fossil fuels not only deplete finite resources but also inflict extensive damage to ecosystems through air and water pollution, exacerbating the climate crisis.
  3. India’s Renewable Energy Imperative: Against this backdrop, India has emerged as a pivotal player in the global transition towards renewable energy sources, particularly solar power. Despite a significant reliance on fossil fuels, India has set ambitious targets to triple its renewable energy capacity by 2030, aligning with international commitments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
  4. Rise of Solar Power in India: The Indian government has prioritized solar energy as a cornerstone of its strategy to diversify the energy mix away from fossil fuels. Notably, solar power’s contribution to India’s energy mix has surged from a mere 1% in 2017 to approximately 5% in 2022, reflecting sustained efforts to accelerate renewable energy adoption.
  5. Mitigating Climate Change Impacts: The intensification of solar energy deployment in India is pivotal in mitigating the impacts of climate change, particularly in the face of escalating extreme weather events. By reducing reliance on coal-fired power generation, India can significantly curtail carbon emissions, thereby mitigating climate change-induced disasters and safeguarding vulnerable communities.

India’s ambitious targets to expand its solar energy capacity underscore its commitment to combatting climate change and transitioning towards a sustainable, low-carbon future. With concerted efforts from stakeholders across sectors, India’s solar energy surge represents a crucial step in global climate change mitigation efforts.

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Marut Drones delivers the First-Ever Mineral Exploration Drones in India to NMDC

Tue, 01/30/2024 - 09:37

Marut Drones achieves a historic milestone by delivering a cutting-edge custom drone for conducting mining operations using advanced sensors – Magnetometer, Hyperspectral, and Lidar to National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)

Marut Drones, India’s leading drone manufacturer provided drones to National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) to pioneer ‘Drone-Based Mineral Exploration’ in India. NMDC procured two customized Octacopter drones from Marut Drones. This collaboration marks a significant leap forward in the field of mineral exploration, introducing advanced technology to enhance precision in mineral exploration and mapping for sustainable mining practices.

Marut has achieved a historic milestone by producing India’s inaugural set of custom drones. These drones not only mark a first for the country but also introduce advanced sensors that are being utilized for the initial time in India, specifically designed for mineral exploration. Marut Drones’ Mineral Exploration Drone is packed with cutting-edge features including advanced sensors such as Magnetometer, Hyperspectral, and Lidar, enhancing its capabilities for accurate exploration and mapping. Its innovative coaxial design not only ensures stability but also facilitates precise manoeuvrability, a crucial aspect for effective mineral exploration.

Mr. Prem Kumar Vislawath, CEO of Marut Drones expressed enthusiasm about the association with NMDC, stating, “We are the leading drone manufacturer in the country, building drones for agriculture, reforestation, and drone delivery. This is the first time in India, where we have built a drone for mineral exploration. It’s an Octaquad Coaxial X8 drone, we have specially designed for NMDC. Every aspect of this drone including the motors and the propeller systems have been made in India. It is through our Research & Development done in the state-of-the-art infrastructure; we have been building customised drones for different sectors in the country. We believe this is one of the biggest breakthroughs in the mining and exploration space. The introduction of drone-based mineral exploration aims to revolutionize exploration approaches, particularly in prospecting for critical minerals like lithium, copper, gold, diamond, rare earth elements, and other essential minerals.”

Drone-based hyperspectral magnetic exploration is initiated for the first time by NMDC and Drones are manufactured & calibrated by Marut Drones. The spacing and altitude for the flight are determined through mission planning followed with hyperspectral survey, ensuring a 30% overlap of the captured land during the drone flight. The acquired data is later processed using Hyperspec III and ENVI software by NMDC. Similarly, in drone-based magnetic surveying, the drones are calibrated, and the spacing and altitude are decided before planning the mission. Geometrics Magarrow Magnetometer is used for magnetic data acquisition, and Geometrics and Geosoft Oasis Montage softwares are employed for data processing by NMDC.

Thus, NMDC embraced a new era in mineral exploration, by using the groundbreaking drones delivery by Marut marks a significant shift from traditional methods. Historically burdened by cumbersome equipment and challenging terrains, the survey landscape is changing. The drones aim to make the magnetic survey not only five times faster but also ten times more cost-effective. This emerging technology allows drones to fly closer to the surface, enhancing data collection with higher resolution, making surveys more efficient and affordable from the outset.

The drone-based mineral exploration by NMDC is expected to bring about a significant shift in the current methods of mineral prospecting, revitalizing mineral discoveries in the country, especially in greenfield deposits. The integration of advanced drones and Made in India components by Marut showcases the potential of indigenous technology to lead the way in sustainable mining practices.

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Servotech Bags 120 Cr Order of 1800 DC Fast EV Chargers from BPCL

Tue, 01/30/2024 - 08:59

Servotech Power Systems Ltd., a leading EV Charger manufacturer in India, has bagged a major order of 1800 DC Fast EV Chargers from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). The project valued at 120 Crores will involve Servotech manufacturing, supplying, installing and strategically deploying these 1800 EV chargers across the nation, particularly at BPCL petrol pumps in major cities, as part of the BPCL E-drive Project. This move is a crucial step in promoting widespread EV charging infrastructure. The project encompasses two charger variants, 60 kW and 120 kW and Servotech aims to complete this extensive project by the end of 2024, contributing to the nation’s evolving EV ecosystem. This initiative aims to establish e-mobility touchpoints, optimizing transactions, improving availability, simplifying discovery, and facilitating navigation for EV users. The overarching goal is to ensure convenient access to the expanding EV charging network.

Sarika Bhatia, Director of Servotech Power Systems Ltd., commented on this announcement, we take immense pride in accelerating India’s E-Mobility revolution in collaboration with BPCL. Our partnership focuses on establishing a dynamic EV charging network that makes EV charging accessible for EV owners nationwide. Through cutting-edge DC Fast EV Chargers, Servotech Power Systems aims to play a pivotal role in realizing India’s ambitious goals in the E-Mobility sector, bringing the nation closer to becoming an EV-powered nation.

As India wholeheartedly embraces electric mobility, Servotech stays at the forefront of developing a robust EV charging infrastructure and has already successfully supplied 4000 EV Chargers across India (as of Jan 2024). Our active support ensures the nation’s smooth transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable transportation ecosystem. This strategic initiative not only represents a significant milestone but also paves the way for a robust and expansive charging network, essential for the future of high-capacity and rapid EV charging, said Sarika Bhatia

Servotech Power Systems and BPCL had previously worked together to transform the E-Mobility landscape. The company also bagged an order to supply and install 2649 AC EV Chargers at different locations across the country for BPCL’s E-drive project. Servotech has already completed 36% of supply and installation and the entire project will be completed by March’24.

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Infineon and GlobalFoundries Extend Long-term Agreement with Focus on Automotive Microcontrollers

Mon, 01/29/2024 - 14:15

Infineon Technologies and GlobalFoundries have announced a new multi-year agreement on the supply of Infineon’s AURIX TC3x 40 nanometer automotive microcontrollers as well as power management and connectivity solutions. The additional capacity will contribute to secure Infineon’s business growth from 2024 through 2030.

Infineon and GF have been partnering since 2013 in the development of differentiated automotive, industrial and security semiconductor technology and products. At the center of this collaboration is a highly reliable embedded non-volatile memory (eNVM) technology solution that is well suited for enabling mission-critical automotive applications while meeting the stringent safety and security requirements for next-generation vehicle systems. Infineon’s flagship microcontroller family AURIX already drives the transition in the industry towards autonomous, connected, and electrified vehicles.

“With this long-term agreement, Infineon further strengthens the supply of semiconductor solutions that are driving decarbonization and digitalization,” said Dr. Rutger Wijburg, Chief Operations Officer of Infineon. “As demand continues to accelerate for automotive applications, our goal is to deliver high-quality microcontrollers with enhanced connectivity and advanced safety and security. Our AURIX microcontrollers are a key ingredient for dependable electronics as we move towards a world with all-electric, all-connected, user-centric, autonomous cars.”

“Today’s announcement secures Infineon as a key long-term customer across multiple geographies, and particularly in Europe where the automotive industry has been an important contributor to innovation and economic growth. This underscores the criticality of a global manufacturing footprint that enables us to partner with our customers to meet their capacity needs, where they need it,” said Niels Anderskouv, Chief Business Officer of GF. “Our collaboration with Infineon delivers differentiation and innovation in automotive spanning two continents, and this long-term agreement provides Infineon with additional manufacturing for a more resilient supply chain.”

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Rohde & Schwarz to host Demystifying EMC conference as full day webinar in 2024

Mon, 01/29/2024 - 14:03

The popular industry event, Demystifying EMC, is scheduled for February 6, 2024. Hosted by Rohde & Schwarz, this one-day virtual conference kicks off a program of EMC industry expert sessions from Rohde & Schwarz and partners from the commercial and academic worlds. Participants will obtain essential updates on EMC standards and gain insights and practical tips from the live broadcast conference.

Rohde & Schwarz will host its annual Demystifying EMC (DEMC2024) industry event on February 6, 2024. The one-day virtual conference will feature technical presentations, workshops, and live Q&A discussions hosted by EMC experts from Rohde & Schwarz and industry partners. The program will cover the latest updates in CISPR, RED, ANSI, ISO, MIL, and Medical EMC standards, as well as approaches to testing, design, risk management, and compliance.

The morning session comprises five 30-minute presentations following the opening keynote by Christina Gessner, Executive Vice President of Rohde & Schwarz, and Michael Fischlein, Vice President of Spectrum & Network Analyzers, EMC & Antenna Test at Rohde & Schwarz. The keynote sets the stage for test requirements and solutions. The subjects covered in the sessions include establishing and maintaining in-house test capabilities for EMC compliance, understanding calibration and calibration services, and qualifying equipment according to US FCC and EU RED regulations. Additionally, there is are sessions that describe testing small satellites for New Space missions and testing vehicles using the latest reverberation chamber methods.

The afternoon session will start with an update on the latest CISPR and ISO standards. Then, Prof. Dr Arturo Mediano from the University of Zaragoza will give a practical demonstration of conducted emissions testing. The afternoon will also cover EMC immunity testing challenges and the latest updates in medical and automotive testing. In the closing keynote, a panel of experts will discuss the outlook for EMC testing through the next decade and beyond. Live moderation will provide participants the opportunity to interact with EMC experts and ask questions.

Michael Fischlein, Vice President Spectrum & Network Analyzers, EMC & Antenna Test at Rohde & Schwarz, comments: “As established leaders in electromagnetic compatibility testing, we are excited to continue our popular seminar format Demystifying EMC in 2024, helping to bring clarity to EMC testing, for commercial, wireless, medical, automotive, aerospace, and IoT applications. That is why we share our deep EMC expertise, derived from over 50 years of experience, and team up with our partners whose contributions enhance the learning opportunities even more.”

Registration for the DEMC2024 virtual conference on February 6, 2024, is now open and free of charge. The DEMC event will be followed by a series of related in-person events at venues around the world. For more information and to register, please visit: www.rohde-schwarz.com/DEMC.

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