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Reference platform speeds design of Wi-Fi HaLow devices based on IEEE 802.11ah spec

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Palma Ceia SemiDesign announced the availability of the company’s Wi-Fi HaLow Reference Platform, including all necessary hardware and software, for the design of Wi-Fi HaLow devices and systems based on the IEEE 802.11ah specification.

Wi-Fi HaLow is the Wi-Fi Alliance’s designation for products based on the IEEE 802.11ah standard for wireless network transmissions commonly referred to as Wi-Fi. It operates in spectra below one gigahertz (GHz) to offer a longer range and lower power connectivity. Wi-Fi HaLow, meeting unique needs for the Internet of Things (IoT), enables a range of use cases in agricultural, industrial, smart building, and smart city environments.

The Palma Ceia Wi-Fi HaLow Reference Platform consists of all necessary hardware and software to showcase the advanced connectivity capabilities of the IEEE 802.11ah standard.

mGig PHY chips boast low power consumption, exceed IEEE cable reach requirements

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Marvell introduced its second-generation Alaska Octal Scalable mGig PHY family, bringing industry-leading performance, cable reach, low power, and speed to enterprise networking infrastructure. The mGig PHYs are the newest additions to Marvell’s borderless enterprise portfolio, a comprehensive set of Prestera switches, and Alaska PHYs architected to address the specific requirements as emerging mobility and cloud applications extend the boundaries of the traditional campus environment. Designed to optimize borderless enterprise access and aggregation switching, the new PHY family offers a clear upgrade path to multi-Gigabit (mGig) technology.

Together with the previously released access, aggregation, and core Prestera Ethernet switches and Alaska PHYs, the new devices are part of Marvell’s Scalable mGig Solutions that incorporate 10G, 5G, and 2.5G capabilities and provide a seamless and flexible upgrade from 1Gb Ethernet. The Octal mGig-10G 88X3580, a 10G PHY transceiver, and the Octal mGig-5G  88E2580, a  2.5/5G PHY transceiver both exceed IEEE cable reach requirements, optimizing the number of access switch deployments and simplifying campus networking. The PHYs are the industry’s first Octal 10G and 2.5/5G devices manufactured in 12nm FinFET advanced process technology, providing lower power consumption by up to 10% compared to the previous product generation.

The new Octal mGig PHYs are Marvell’s first optimized, low power dissipation, low footprint Octal 10M/100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10GBASE-T Ethernet transceivers with IEEE 1588v2 PTP support. Key features include: Long cable reach performance: Exceeds IEEE standard requirements, 10-20% improvement compared with Marvell’s previous generation Octal solution; Low power consumption: The X3580 provides approximately 10% power reduction compared with Marvell’s previous generation Octal solution; Enhanced ESD/surge immunity; Enhanced EMI protection; Full Speed range (10M/100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G); Small footprint package (17mm x 17mm); Dual media support (Optical and BASE-T); USXGMII and legacy host interfaces (XFI, 5GBASE-R, 2500BASE-X, SGMII)

Marvell’s Octal mGig PHY family is part of the industry’s most complete networking portfolio optimized for the borderless enterprise. The portfolio includes Marvell’s unified Prestera Ethernet switch and Alaska PHY solution set and is architected from the ground up with insightful telemetry, flow-aware intelligence, scalable performance, and advanced integrated security technologies that set the bar in switching. With a complete line of GE, 2.5GE, 5GE, 10GE, 25GE, 100GE, and 400GE platforms, the portfolio is designed to fit a variety of network architectures at different speeds, densities, and scales at small, medium, and large enterprise IT organizations.  The 88X3580 and 88E2580 Octal PHY devices are available now for sampling.

Small LTE dipoles do the work of larger antennas

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Raltron has launched a multiband LTE dipole antenna that covers the entire LTE frequency band in a compact form factor. Primarily used as an LTE relay or booster, the RDP-MBD Series stub antenna supports frequencies as low as 600 MHz up to 5500 MHz.

The dipole antenna improves the quality of service (QoS) for established standards including GSM, 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE (800 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600). Enhanced QoS is important for applications requiring high-speed data, high-capacity video streaming, or high-reliability e911 services.

The omnidirectional RDP-MBD Series antenna offers continuous 360° wireless connectivity and linear vertical polarization. The RDP-MBD Series offers high gain values, ranging from 0.93 dBi up to 4.37 dBi.The RDP-MBD Series enhances the quality of experience (QoE) by reducing interference/noise to improve signal integrity.

The RDP-MBD Series is 196.15 mm long and x 21.5 mm wide. With an operating temperature of -20°C to +65°C, the RDP-MBD is ideal for a wide range of LTE applications.

RDO-MDD Series datasheet: http://www.raltron.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/RDP-MBD7-12770215-22M-W-001.pdf

Industrial-grade router features global LTE Category 4 connectivity in single SKU

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Digi International launched the Digi IX10 industrial router. The newest addition to the Digi IX industrial cellular router family is purpose-built to provide cost-effective, rightsized connectivity in industrial infrastructure environments, including digital signage, critical asset monitoring, and unattended retail applications.
 
The Digi IX10 offers a comprehensive feature set with advanced manageability, security, reliability, and network intelligence in a rugged form factor for remote assets located in geographically dispersed locations and harsh industrial environments.
 
The router fully integrates with Digi Remote Manager, Digi’s acclaimed device management cloud platform that unlocks the full potential of IoT solutions. Remote Manager adds visibility into mission-critical assets along with group configuration, monitoring, and control of thousands of devices through a single console or integration into enterprise systems through available APIs. In addition, the IX10 provides in-depth traffic analysis and bandwidth monitoring through NetFlow, while enhancing device security and identity and data privacy through Digi TrustFence, Digi’s built-in security framework.
 
The Digi IX10 features global LTE Category 4 connectivity in a single SKU reducing the need for customers to maintain regional variants.   The IX10 will support RS-232/485 for out-of-band (OOB) management scenarios, as well as Modbus for use within industrial settings such as utility meters and reclosers, oilfield applications, and industrial automation. Through dual SIM slots and Digi SureLink, the IX10 provides reliable cellular connections with fast failover to maintain uptime via multiple cellular carriers.
 
This product debut comes on the heels of the Digi IX20 launch, demonstrating Digi’s commitment to providing a comprehensive suite of products and solutions that matches user needs and addresses highly complex connectivity challenges. Digi’s family of routers supports numerous industries, including industrial settings, transportation, traffic management, and emergency response.
 
The Digi IX10 is available now in the U.S., Canada, Europe (and countries that honor CE), Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Colombia. Certifications are ongoing for Mexico, Brazil, Singapore, and Malaysia, and are expected to be finalized by mid-next year.

Secured platform-enabled Wi-Fi MCU module pre-provisioned for cloud platforms

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As the Internet of Things (IoT) expands beyond home automation and drives deeper into home control – including Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), garage doors, and fans – and grows in building and industrial automation, the need for highly integrated, reliable and secured Industrial IoT (IIoT) connectivity is greater than ever. Microchip Technology announced the first-ever Wi-Fi microcontroller (MCU) module with Microchip’s Trust&GO-enabled unique, verifiable identity.

For developers designing secure IIoT systems, Microchip’s highly integrated WFI32E01PC is a Trust&GO secured platform-enabled Wi-Fi MCU module that is pre-provisioned for cloud platforms. The WFI32E01PC is compliant to Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) specification and fully certified with the following world regulatory agencies: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Industry Canada (IC), and European Radio Equipment Directive (RED). Microchip’s Trust&GO platform inside the WFI32E01PC streamlines the process of network authentication using secure element technology, which is preconfigured and pre-provisioned for cloud authentication.

Unlike existing devices, Microchip’s new technology includes a premium PIC32 MCU core, rich peripherals, and a proven hardware security platform – enabling it not only to provide Wi-Fi but also to serve as a powerful MCU core for the entire IIoT system.

Unlike module-based designs, discrete designs can be difficult due to the need to develop drivers and circuits for multiple chips, especially when the chips are from different vendors. Often it is difficult to receive system-level support from vendors as their expertise is only in the products they produce. Embedded designers need a highly integrated module solution providing industrial-grade MCU functionality, robust Wi-Fi connection, and hardware security and authentication. The WFI32E01PC provides these capabilities and more in an all-in-one module, improving Radio Frequency (RF) power and providing a higher level of security. In addition to industrial applications, the WFI32E01PC is designed for home automation devices, computing, and consumer devices.

As a total system solution provider, Microchip offers a broad portfolio that simplifies IoT and IIoT systems when pairing the WFI32E01 module with other Microchip market-leading components, such as the KSZ8081 family of Ethernet PHYs, MCP2542WFD family of CAN transceivers, sensors, and radio technologies including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Long Range (LoRa) and IEEE 802.15.4. Microchip’s system solution approach provides ready-to-use software drivers and hardware reference designs, significantly reducing project risk and time-to-market.

Microchip’s WFI32E01PC includes the PIC32MZW1 Curiosity Board. Microchip offers several options for software and hardware support. Software support includes Microchip’s MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and MPLAB Harmony v3 embedded software development framework. Supporting tools include the on-board debugger and in-circuit serial programming header for MPLAB Snap, MPLAB PICkit 4, or MPLAB ICD 4 external programmer/debuggers.

The curiosity board is qualified with AWS IoT Core and listed in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Device Catalog. It contains an out-of-box demo featuring registration and communication with AWS IoT Core and interaction with the onboard sensors using Alexa Voice Service (AVS). Included with the AWS IoT Core qualification are code samples, WLAN software, and network stack, which can be found in MPLAB Harmony v3.

The WFI32E01PC-I (54-pin SMD 24.5 x 20.5 x 2.5 mm) device is available in volume production in 10,000-unit quantities starting at $8.14. Also available are module options with an external antenna and without the Trust&GO security feature.

Ethernet PHY chip transmits 10 Mbps signals up to 1.7 km

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Texas Instruments introduced a new Ethernet physical layer (PHY) capable of transmitting 10-Mbps Ethernet signals up to 1.7 km through a single pair of twisted wires. The extended cable reach of the DP83TD510E is 1.5 km more than the 200-m requirement of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3cg 10BASE-T1L single-pair Ethernet specification. This additional cable length helps designers extend the reach of industrial communications without increasing system weight or cabling costs.

As the complexity of factory and building automation systems continues to grow, so does the need to transmit more data to and from nodes at the network edge. The ability to directly access edge-node applications can improve control and status monitoring while also streamlining data sharing between networked systems. Current solutions for bringing connectivity to edge nodes often use a fragmented system of multiple fieldbus protocols supported by protocol conversion through network gateways. Unifying networks through protocol conversion increases complexity and cost while also limiting the ability to remotely monitor edge-node applications.

The DP83TD510E helps designers implement a single communications network, from controller to edge node, that is capable of transmitting full-duplex data over a single pair of twisted wires. By eliminating the need for additional protocols, gateways, and cables for higher-bandwidth communications, designers can simplify network management while improving system control and interoperability in long-distance applications including HVAC valve and actuator control, field transmitters, elevator main controls, and fire alarm control panels.

When upgrading to single-pair Ethernet from two-wire fieldbus technologies, such as 4- to 20-mA current loops, designers can further streamline network design and reduce installation costs by reusing existing two-wire fieldbus infrastructure for data and power transmission. The DP83TD510E is designed for use in intrinsically safe Ethernet advanced physical layer (APL) systems. Ethernet-APL is an Ethernet specification based on the IEEE 802.3.cg 10BASE-T1L standard and was developed to streamline implementation of Ethernet networking in process automation systems with intrinsic safety requirements.

Key design consideration of intrinsically safe Ethernet-APL systems – especially systems designed for use in hazardous environments with explosive potential – is the ability to reduce Ethernet PHY power levels and temperature during system failure conditions. By supporting external termination resistors, the DP83TD510E can reduce inrush current and maintain lower operating temperatures when used in long-distance process automation applications, such as field transmitters. In addition to helping designers more easily meet their intrinsic safety requirements, the DP83TD510E’s ultra-low power consumption of less than 45 mW at 1 V p2p provides additional power margin that can be reallocated to other critical circuits for increased system performance.

Pre-production versions of the DP83TD510E are available now in a 32-pin quad flat no-lead (QFN) package. Pricing starts at US$3.20 in 1,000-unit quantities. The DP83TD510E-EVM evaluation module is available for US$149. TI expects the device to be available in volume production at the beginning of 2021.

BLE chips drive first Wi-Fi 6-enabled gaming consoles

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NXP Semiconductors N.V. announced it’s family of 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Dual-Band + Bluetooth/BLE solutions that are driving a new phase of connectivity innovation for advanced gaming, audio, industrial, and IoT markets. Enabling the world’s first Wi-Fi 6 enabled gaming console, NXP’s optimized IW62X family of products will provide increased capacity, efficiency, and performance for next-generation connectivity solutions including smart consumer IoT hubs, wireless speakers, video-enabled smart devices, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) devices and a universe of additional IoT applications.

Powering the latest gaming solutions in the market underscores the innovation and integration ingenuity of NXP’s wireless connectivity portfolio. The new 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 solutions are ideal for advanced gaming consoles that demand high-performance Wi-Fi with near-zero wireless controller lag time and low-latency multiplayer gaming experiences (via a single, in-room console) over wireless networks. The IW62X solutions also offer real-time interactions for cloud-based gaming devices, clients, and services by providing high-bandwidth and low-latency connectivity needed for full 4k / 60 fps gameplay.

NXP’s family of 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 Dual-Band + Bluetooth solutions bring a dramatic boost in speed, and a 4x increase in network capacity, and a 2x increase in bandwidth over previous generations of Wi-Fi. This increased capacity with reduced latency supports a significantly higher number of users and devices connected to a network or gateway.
These forward-looking features support a wide range of robust use cases, including AR/VR headsets, making full, completely wireless immersive experiences in HD possible; Multi-channel home theatre audio experiences with wireless speakers, video-enabled smart assistants with full bandwidth to support seamless 4k video interaction and content streaming; Smart IoT hubs, appliances, and accessories, outdoor and remote IP-enabled security cameras; Consumer, commercial, and industrial IoT solutions for home and building control (smart lighting, building safety and security and climate control).

The BT/BLE radios support Bluetooth/BLE standards (BLE LR/2Mbps, BLE AoA/AoD, BLE Mesh), independent Bluetooth connections, and operational modes with multiple external devices. These capabilities enable advanced smart hub and smart home services that use Bluetooth-based positioning and Mesh connectivity, providing support for numerous applications, including Dual/independent wireless headset support; Robust support of audio steaming (via stereo A2DP, Isochronous Channel); Separate low-power peripheral/accessory control, including the speaker, voice assistant, audio hubs/soundbar, physical remote control, and low-power device wakeup.

The IW62X family features the highest level of integration in the market, including 2.4 and 5 GHz dual-band Power Amplifiers (PAs), Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs) antenna switches. It also includes a power management unit that substantially reduces system-level BOM (Bill of Materials) and device board area. while also simplifying chip-on-board and integrated-module designs.

NXP’s IW62X family of 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 Dual-Band + Bluetooth solutions are available for sampling now and soon from select module partners.

4U GPU system delivers 6x AI training performance, 7x inference workload capacity

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Super Micro Computer, Inc., announced the doubling of GPU capabilities with a new 4U server supporting eight NVIDIA HGX A100 GPUs. Supermicro offers the industry’s broadest portfolio of GPU systems spanning 1U, 2U, 4U, and 10U GPU servers and SuperBlade servers over a wide range of customizable configurations.

Supermicro now offers the industry’s widest and deepest selection of GPU systems with the new NVIDIA HGX A100 8-GPU server to power applications from the Edge to the cloud.  The entire portfolio includes 1U, 2U, 4U, and 10U rackmount GPU systems; Ultra, BigTwin, and embedded solutions powered by both AMD EPYC and Intel  Xeon processors with Intel Deep Learning Boost technology.

Leveraging Supermicro’s advanced thermal design, including custom heatsinks and optional liquid cooling, the latest high-density 2U and 4U servers feature NVIDIA HGX A100 4-GPU 8-GPU baseboards, along with a new 4U server supporting eight NVIDIA A100 PCI-E GPUs. The Supermicro’s Advanced I/O Module (AIOM) form factor further enhances networking communication with high flexibility. The AIOM can be coupled with the latest high-speed, low latency PCI-E 4.0 storage and networking devices that support NVIDIA GPUDirect RDMA and GPUDirect Storage with NVME over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) on NVIDIA Mellanox InfiniBand that feeds the expandable multi-GPU system with a continuous stream of data flow without bottlenecks. In addition, Supermicro’s Titanium Level power supplies keep the system green to realize even greater cost savings with the industry’s highest efficiency rating of 96%, while allowing redundant support for the GPUs.

This 2U system features the NVIDIA HGX A100 4-GPU baseboard with Supermicro’s advanced thermal heatsink design to maintain the optimum system temperature under full load, all in a compact form factor. The system enables high GPU peer-to-peer communication via NVIDIA NVLink, up to 8TB of DDR4 3200Mhz system memory, five PCI-E 4.0 I/O slots supporting GPUDirect RDMA as well as allowing four hot-swappable NVMe with GPUDirect Storage capability.

The new 4U GPU system features the NVIDIA HGX A100 8-GPU baseboard, up to six NVMe U.2 and two NVMe M.2, ten PCI-E 4.0 x16 slots, with  Supermicro’s unique AIOM support invigorating the 8-GPU communication and data flow between systems through the latest technology stacks such as GPUDirect RDMA, GPUDirect Storage, and NVMe-oF on InfiniBand. The system uses NVIDIA NVLink and NVSwitch technology. It is ideal for large-scale deep learning training, neural network model applications for research or national laboratories, supercomputing clusters, and HPC cloud services.

The industry’s highest density GPU blade server can support up to 20 nodes and 40 GPUs with two single-width GPUs per node, or one NVIDIA Tensor Core A100 PCI-E GPU per node in Supermicro’s 8U SuperBlade enclosure. The 20 NVIDIA A100 GPUs in 8U elevates the density of computing power in a smaller footprint allowing customers to save on TCO. To support the GPU-optimized configuration and sustain the top performance and throughput needed for demanding AI applications, the SuperBlade provides a 100% non-blocking HDR 200Gb/s InfiniBand networking infrastructure to accelerate deep learning and enable real-time analysis and decision making.  High density, reliability, and upgradeability make the SuperBlade a perfect building block for enterprise applications to deliver AI-powered services.

Supermicro continues its support of NVIDIA’s advanced GPUs in various form factors, optimized for customers’ unique use case scenarios and requirements. The 1U GPU systems contain up to four NVIDIA GPUs with NVLink, including NEBS Level 3 certified, 5G/Edge-ready SYS- 1029GQ. Supermicro’s 2U GPU systems, such as SYS- 2029GP-TR, can support up to six NVIDIA V100 GPUs with dual PCI-E Root complex capability in one system. And finally, the 10U GPU servers, such as SYS- 9029GP-TNVRT, supports 16 V100 SXM3 GPU expansions with to Dual Intel Xeon Scalable processors with built-in AI acceleration.

The flexible range of solutions powered by NVIDIA GPUs and GPU software from the NVIDIA NGC ecosystem provides the right building blocks for diverse tasks for organizations addressing various verticals — from AI inferencing on developed models to HPC to high-end training.

Modules handle CBRS networks for private LTE IoT, broadband apps

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Telit announced the availability of two new modules designed and built to support CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) networks in the USA. The modules are based on Sequans’ Cassiopeia LTE Cat 4/6 chipset technology and are optimized for the design of devices for private LTE IoT and broadband applications. The collaboration will benefit both companies by leveraging Telit’s strong position as a module supplier and Sequans’ expertise in 5G/4G cellular connectivity.

The Telit LTE Cat 4 LE915A4-P CBRS module, based on the Sequans Cassiopeia SQN3220SC chipset, is pin-to-pin compatible with the Sequans CB410L module, and the Telit LTE Cat 6 LE915A6-P, based on the Sequans Cassiopeia SQN3220 chipset, is compatible with the Sequans CB610L module. Both are the industry’s first cost-effective LCC (leadless chip carrier) modules designed from the ground up to enable easy and massive deployment of IoT devices on private LTE CBRS networks. The modules can support a wide range of applications — including industrial IoT and M2M devices, gateways, and broadband consumer devices — and the very small form factor LCC package enables easy mounting into small and thin devices or mini-PCI or M.2 NGFF carriers.

Key features

  • CBRS Module is available in two versions: LTE Cat 6 and LTE Cat 4
  • All-in-one standalone module solutions
  • 3GPP Release 10
  • Small LCC (leadless chip carrier) package, 32 x 29 mm
  • Supports CBRS networks in USA on LTE band 48, and MNO networks worldwide on LTE bands 42/43
  • Includes drivers for all major host operating systems
  • Includes a comprehensive set of interfaces

Second generation 2.5GbE chip provides advanced Ethernet for enterprise connectivity

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As people around the world make the shift to a longer-term remote work environment caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the demand for more Ethernet bandwidth to meet the needs of companies and their employees is rising. To help accelerate the upgrade of network environments and improve performance for the enterprise and gaming communities, Realtek Semiconductor has launched the second generation of its 2.5GbE chip.

While most companies continue to upgrade their wireless routers to Wi-Fi 6 with 2.5GbE ports, this solution falls short of truly increasing connection speed. The entire environment, including bridges such as internet cards and switches, needs to be equipped with Ethernet connections faster than 1Gbps to reach 2.5GbE speeds. Realtek’s second-generation 2.5GbE, part of its RTL8125B series for business applications, provides original equipment manufacturers and enterprises with rapid development while offering home entertainment enthusiasts, gamers, streamers, and audiovisual specialists quicker, more stable, and diversified interface solutions.

Eco-friendly, smaller design: The surface area has been reduced by 64% and power consumption by 50% compared to the first-generation models. Thinner and more energy-efficient, the 2.5GbE lowers the amount of power lost for long-term and large-scale transmissions, making it even more environmentally friendly.

High compatibility and stable transmission: The Realtek RTL8125B series is compatible with existing network cables, and it does not require switches for connections under 110 meters. It is also capable of providing stable uni- and bi-directional transmissions (uploading and downloading) even when combined with multiple brands of switches. It provides enterprises and users with a high-speed network environment out of the box, giving them a stable and fast network for teleconferences, data recovery, file transmission, gaming, and video streaming.

Unique bandwidth-regulating software: The included ‘Dragon’ network bandwidth management software developed by Realtek can be used to assign packet priority. Smart distribution of bandwidth ensures that users’ most essential applications will not lag.

Ethernet is still the most stable method of network transmission. With the demand for high-speed network environments on the rise, Realtek’s Second Generation 2.5GbE solution can be widely applied to motherboards, external PCIe cards, and USB network extenders. In addition, other network-related products including web cameras, online hard drives, servers, routers, cable boxes, printers, and base stations can all make use ofRealtek’s network solutions, satisfying the need for stable, high-speed network environments from enterprise and network users.