Powering an Arduino has a little magic to it. It wasn’t obvious to me when I first started working with them, but Arduinos have on-board regulation. Taking advantage of this allows for longer power supply wiring runs by using a higher voltage power supply than the nominal 5V or 3.3V needed by the microcontroller (MCU) […]
Cybersecurity basics: Authentication and “key” management in LoRaWAN, Part 2
In part 1, we described the process of providing end-to-end security and some of the challenges in achieving network security. In this installment, we will go over how authentication work to achieve end-to-end network security between the end devices and the application servers. Device authentication and key management Each LoRaWAN device is given a unique 128-bit […]
Cybersecurity basics: Server and end device relationship to LoRaWAN network, Part 1
Providing end-to-end security is the ultimate security goal of every wireless network. Each reported successful cyber attack serves as a reminder that achieving security is easier said than done. Let’s first examine the process. Most of us know about using strong passwords and encryption. The most vulnerable security component is key management during device activation […]
Understanding delay for I/O: Using Arduino functions vs. coding the MCU
Sometimes the conveniences of using an Arduino board start to conflict with the performance that you expect, at least from a strict engineering point of view. When you develop with the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE), there are some things you need to know to understand the processing delays, functions, and how to overcome them […]
Protecting an MCU: Build your own optocoupler
Microcontrollers are widely used for controlling transistors and relays. Transistors and relays are used for actuating or (energizing) equipment with a higher voltage than an MCU can handle. For example, fans, lights, television, door locks, furnaces, and appliances can be automated using an MCU, however, most operate at higher voltages compared to the voltage tolerances […]
What’s new with Wi-Fi 6? Focus on high-efficiency
The first wide-spread home electrical appliance was the toaster, and 90% of homes today still have one.[i] Today, wireless connectivity to the internet is as ubiquitous as the electricity was a hundred years ago. Smartphones, tablets, wearables, laptops, televisions, Nest thermostats, Alexa, Google Home, Ring video doorbell sensors, surveillance cameras door locks, smart lighting, and […]
Teardown: Rexing V1 dash cam
The Rexing V1 is a simple wedge-shaped dash camera that films in a 1080-line progressive scanning format. The lens is made of six glass layers and is fish-eyed to capture a 170° view of whatever it sees. There’s also a built-in vibration sensor, called a G-sensor in the promotional literature, that automatically locks any files […]
How to learn anything for free: Massive open online courses
Positions for someone with a Masters degree in Data Science are $300K and up, according to a friend of a friend of mine who works in Human Resources for a well-known company. The company’s data scientists, who work on algorithms to predict usage based on data collected from the product’s platforms, are continually lured away […]
Choosing PCB materials to optimize applications, Part II
Have you ever wondered which type of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) materials would be worth investing in to improve signal integrity? Would your high-frequency signaling work better with a tighter, more uniform weave in the core sheet of the PCB? What’s a high-frequency signal, anyway? When should you invest in a rigid, moisture-proof PCB? Properties […]
Programmable Logic Controllers, Part 2: Evolution and history
The programmable logic control (PLC) is the controller for many industrial processes; it is tightly focused and optimized for the task due to its rugged electrical, software, mechanical, and thermal design. Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basics of the PLC, its attributes, and virtues. Part 2 looks at how the PLC has […]
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