FlexRay is an ISO-standardized, deterministic, fault-tolerant, high-speed communications bus with applications in steer-by-wire, drive-by-wire, brake-by-wire, adaptive cruise control, active suspension, and other safety and drivetrain control systems. This FAQ offers a top-level comparison of FlexRay with the controller area network (CAN) and local interconnect network (LIN) buses, details the FlexRay communications cycle, and reviews FlexRay […]
FAQ
What is the local interconnect network (LIN) bus?
The local interconnect network (LIN) bus is a single-wire bus (using the chassis ground) that enables the inexpensive integration of sensors and actuators in automobile networks. It can be used to create small subnets and can communicate over a power distribution system with a DC-LIN transceiver. This FAQ reviews the basics of LIN networks, details […]
Finding the correct LiDAR application
The automotive ADAS designers tout the up-and-coming LiDAR detection technology, coupled with mmWave radar and the camera, to support autonomous vehicle design further. But that is not the complete LiDAR story. The automotive ADAS designers tout the up-and-coming LiDAR detection technology, coupled with mmWave radar and the camera, to support autonomous vehicle design further. But […]
What are basic logic gates?
Logic gates are the building blocks of digital circuits. The basic logic gates include AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR. They can be implemented in digital hardware using transistors and/or diodes. In a few applications, they are implemented using electromechanical relays, fluidics, pneumatics, or optical elements. A series of logic gates can be […]
Security standards and MCUs
Security is an important concern for developers of all types of systems. This FAQ reviews several important security standards for IoT cyber security, security vulnerabilities in industrial automation and control systems, standards for analyzing and identifying secure coding errors in C applications, and concepts of application software security and levels of trust. The European Telecommunications […]
What’s a Neural microcontroller?
The ability to run neural networks (NNs) on MCUs is growing in importance to support artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the Internet of Things (IoT) nodes and other embedded edge applications. Unfortunately, running NNs on MCUs is challenging due to the relatively small memory capacities of most MCUs. This FAQ details the […]
What happens when an MCU powers up?
MCU start up is a highly structured process designed to ensure proper operation. Numerous elements are involved including initial power/voltage sequencing and regulation, oscillator startup, the use of a vector table, boot loaders (including possible secure boot), and application initialization. This FAQ walks step-by-step through the various elements involved during the start-up of an MCU. […]
MCU Bits and Bytes: sizes, types, and uses
Bits are the 1s and 0s that form the basis of digital information. A group of 8 bits is a byte and forms the basis of digital computing. Bits and bytes are used for storing and processing information as well as other functions in a digital IC. This FAQ begins with a brief review of […]
Smart buildings and the IoT: Zoning systems
There are significant benefits to moving some decisions in smart HVAC systems close to the application and away from the cloud. Asem Elshimi, Silicon Labs We’ve probably all experienced an office environment that always felt too cold or hot no matter the weather. And we’ve all experienced the fruitlessness of asking the building facilities team […]
The Doppler effect: From highly ridiculed to absolutely indispensable, Part 2
Originally derided as scientifically erroneous, the Doppler effect is now a vital tool in all aspects of technology, ranging from microscopic to galactic. Doppler, back in the day – and now The explanation of the Doppler effect is almost intuitive to us, with our understanding of wave phenomena along with available frequency sources and measurement […]
