Cars with lane-keeping assistance (LKA) also are mandated to have a hands-off detection (HOD) function; there are several ways to meet this challenging requirement. Where does “hands-off detection” (HOD) come into the picture? (Note: “hands-off detection” is sometimes spelled out as “hands-on detection;” fortunately, the acronym is the same either way.) It is a feature […]
FAQ
Automobile Hands-Off Detection, Part 1: Basic issues
Cars with lane-keeping assistance (LKA) also are mandated to have a hands-off detection (HOD) function; there are several ways to meet this challenging requirement. Today’s cars are packed with all sorts of functions, features, and attributes that didn’t exist – or need to – just a few years ago. Whether for driver and passenger convenience, […]
LoRaWAN IoT networks help tame temperature-sensitive applications
The need to chill vaccines reliably during their trip cross country has highlighted the value of LoRaWAN-enabled sensors and networking. Chris Boorman, Laird Connectivity Ordinarily, cold supply chain wouldn’t be a dinner table conversation. COVID-19 vaccines, of course, have changed the situation. Specialized refrigerated containers, refrigerated vehicles, and ultra-cold storage warehouses are the foundation for […]
Book review: Practical Linux Forensics by Bruce Nikkel
Practical Linux Forensics by Bruce Nikkel, a professor of applied sciences at Bern University in Switzerland, (No Starch Press) covers how to search a Linux-based system for digital evidence that will allow you to draw conclusions and create forensic reports about a particular case or incident. The book is thorough, spanning 398 pages. It covers […]
MCUs for ADAS – what’s the difference?
The emergence of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is changing how designers use and specify microcontrollers (MCUs), but it’s only one dimension of the changes occurring in the design of automotive systems (Figure 1). This FAQ will begin with the basics of AEC-Q100 requirements for automotive integrated circuits – those requirements are not going away […]
MCU specification considerations for robotics
Robotics platforms have unique needs where microcontroller (MCU) performance is concerned. MCUs that have been optimized for use in robots often incorporate multiple functions, including built-in internet protocol (IP) connectivity, safety and security functions, and advanced control algorithms. Integrating an MCU core with a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is another approach to achieving optimized […]
Nuances of low power MCUs for wireless sensors and wearables
The optimization of microcontrollers (MCUs) in power-sensitive applications such as wireless sensor nodes and wearables is all about maximizing power management effectiveness. To minimize power consumption, low-power MCUs typically operate at frequencies below 50 MHz, compared with hundreds of MHz or even 1+ GHz for conventional MCUs. These power-optimized MCUs also use low-power peripherals; they […]
8-, 16- and 32-bit MCUs…are more bits better?
Are more bits better in an MCU? That’s similar to asking: are more cylinders better in an internal combustion engine (ICE)? Peripherals and other features matter, not just bits (or cylinders). For example, in the 1980s, Volvo offered a station wagon with a turbo-V4 engine that was faster off the line than Chevrolet Corvette with […]
What does automotive qualification mean?
Automotive qualification means that a component or system meets specific industry standards for manufacturing and performance. Automotive qualification is not a static landscape. New standards are developed in response to new technologies, and existing standards evolve in response to changing applications and new mission profiles. This FAQ reviews and contrasts key international automotive standards such […]
Keeping digital health safe and secure with unforgeable cyber protection
By Chris Jones, Crypto Quantique Digital health is the modern approach to healthcare, with the potential to broaden access and improve the quality and affordability of services. It’s how providers worldwide are expecting to deal with diverse pressures connected with factors such as population growth, increasing health awareness and demand for services, and the fact […]
