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Dev kit helps develop AI apps on STM MCUs

September 3, 2020 By Aimee Kalnoskas Leave a Comment

The first development kit developed by Rutronik, the RUTDevKit-STM32L5, is a complete solution for AI-based applications running on an MCU platform.

The kit enables hardware and firmware developers to deliver proof-of-concepts within a short space of time. The focus here is firmly on security and data protection, short latency periods, low energy consumption and adequate storage resources.

Data generated by (I)IoT ((Industrial) Internet of Things) devices are increasingly evaluated on MCU platforms within the application or close to the MCU-based embedded system. This is particularly the case in industrial environments, whether for security reasons or because of the required latency periods. When it comes to implementing this Edge AI or Edge Intelligence (EI), Rutronik now offers a unique development kit that contains all the necessary components. Every single module is from the Rutronik product portfolio, while the complete BOM is available at www.rutronik.com/development-kit

The RUTDevKit-STM32L5 is based on the ultra-low-power high-performance microcontroller STM32L562ZET6Q, which operates at 110MHz. Its 32bit RISC-Core Arm Cortex-M33 with Arm TrustZone offers hardware based security features that ensure data security of the EI application during the inference phase. Thanks to Arm TrustZone, one core provides two independent processing environments: A protected one for cyber protection and sensitive code, and an unprotected one for the execution of untrusted code. Further, Arm TrustZone also supports Secure Boot, thereby enabling secure read and write protection for the integrated memory (64Mbit PSRAM and 128Mbit NOR flash) and cryptography acceleration. Arm TrustZone can also include I/O ports, a peripheral function and flash or SRAM regions. The Octo SPI interface to PSRAM and the Quad SPI interface to the NOR flash memory along with the fast A/D converter of the microcontroller support short latency periods.

In addition to the microcontroller memory, the RUTDevKit-STM32L5 facilitates use of an SD card with several GB as well as a protected area to securely store both raw data and inference data of the AI model.

Equipped with CAN FD and RS485 interface, the kit enables fast transmission of large amounts of data.

The USB-C power supply features Protection IC, and low power functions can be tested with a battery. Additionally, there is the on-board ST-LINK V2 debugger/programmer as well as Arduino interfaces for supplementary boards, such as an Anybus communication module that enables products to communicate via all common field buses and on Industrial Ethernet networks, e.g. EtherCat.

The kit also includes software and sample firmware, including a TrustZone demo, a test mode demo for CAN FD, an RS485 Modbus demo, a USB power supply, and tamper detection demo, and a dual bank flash bootloader demo.

Bluetooth and RF antenna SiP modules now available at Rutronik24

January 25, 2019 By Aimee Kalnoskas Leave a Comment

Rutronik has announced that Insight SiP‘s new ISP1507-AL system-in-package (SiP) is now available at Rutronik24. Based on the nRF52810 multiprotocol system-on-chip (SoC) from Nordic Semiconductor, the ISP1507-AL is one of the smallest fully-integrated BLE modules on the market, and is particularly suitable for mesh relay nodes and price-sensitive IoT applications.

The ISP1507-AL BLE module from Insight SiP, a French technology company that specializes in radio frequency (RF) circuit miniaturization, system-in-package (SiP) technology, and antenna-in-package (AiP) solutions, features an ARM Cortex M4 floating point processor, which enables the new SiP to do fast calculations and manage all 13 I/Os, as well as analog and digital peripherals. Due to its small dimensions (8 x 8 x 1mm), high performance, and wide range of functions, the ISP1507-AL BLE module is ideal for use in solutions that require fast processing and low power consumption. Target applications include IoT, industrial sensors, wearables, beacons, and home automation.

In addition, the ISP1507-AL BLE module features 192kB flash memory, 24kB RAM, and two integrated crystals (32MHZ & 32kHz), which enable high performance operations. In many cases, the ISP1507-AL SiP can eliminate the need for an additional microprocessor or additional memory that might have been required for previous generation products, saving cost of the total solution. Completing the new SiP’s features are an antenna and various interfaces, including SPI, I2C, UART, and ADC.

The ISP1507-AL BLE module supports Bluetooth 5.0, ANT+, and various other mesh protocols. The optional NFC antenna allows touch-to-pair functionality for increased user convenience. Since the ISP1507-AL SiP is based on the Nordic nRF52810 SoC, Nordic’s software stacks can also be used for the new module. In addition, the new ISP1507-AL SiP is pin-compatible to the related modules, including the ISP1507-AX and the new ISP1807-LR, which will be available in early 2019.

The new ISP1507-AL BLE module from Insight SiP is now available for purchase at Rutronik24.

Swissbit 2.5-in. SATA SSDs now available at Rutronik

November 1, 2018 By Aimee Kalnoskas Leave a Comment

Rutronik has announced that Swissbit’s high-performance, highly reliable industrial-grade 2.5” SATA Solid State Disks (SSDs) are now available in both the X-60 and X-600 Series at www.Rutronik24.com.

The 2.5” SSDs from Swissbit, a leading manufacturer of industrial grade flash memory solutions, offer ideal solutions for embedded and networking/communication applications that require reliable, long service life storage in a rugged and high-density form factor (up to 960GB).

“The 6Gb/s durabitSSDs from Swissbit utilize a DRAM-supported, page-based Flash Translation Layer (FTL), which gives them up to four times the reliability levels and data rates compared to conventional SSDs,” said Marisa Kuhmann, line manager for Swissbit.

The Swissbit X-60 SATA 6Gb/s durabit Series uses multi-level cell (MLC) technology, combined with a powerful controller with DRAM supported FTL and enhanced over-provisioning to deliver high-performance, cost-effective solutions for high-capacity markets. In contrast, the X-600 SATA 6Gb/s Series uses single-level cell (SLC) technology to provide maximum endurance, data retention, and performance.

Both the X-60 and X-600 Series drives feature Swissbit’s proven “Power Fail Safety,” native command queuing (NCQ), TRIM, advanced wear leveling, and bad block management, and in-field firmware update functionality. In addition, both series are supported by the Swissbit Life Time Monitoring Tool, which uses detailed S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology), enabling users to access detailed lifetime drive statistics, and allowing the prediction of imminent failure to avoid unexpected data loss.

Study analyzes Bluetooth Low Energy under various conditions

August 23, 2018 By Aimee Kalnoskas Leave a Comment

Engineers at Rutronik have conducted a new study on the latest generation of Bluetooth Low Energy through a series of extensive real-world tests. Aimed at determining the communication range, data throughput, and energy consumption of the Bluetooth 5 line, the study analyzes the performance of the wireless standard under various conditions, and gives insights into the possible new fields of applications for the technology.

The tests were conducted using a prototype of the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 chip for the hardware and an alpha version of Soft Device S140 for the software. During the study, engineers experimented with two preview development kits (PDKs), which were both linked and gradually moved apart to measure the power consumption, data throughput, and range of Bluetooth 5. The measurements were carried out in an open field, a forest, an urban shopping mall, and offices in order to simulate different areas of use.

The results of the study show that different connection parameters have a major impact on data throughput and thus, an effect on energy consumption as well. For example, the study revealed there was a significant increase in range compared to the previous version, Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2, with a simultaneous reduction in energy consumption. A white paper that details the results of the study and provides a brief summary of the Bluetooth 5 specifications, as well as an overview of relevant products, is available for download at www.rutronik.com/bt5wp.

Both the Bluetooth Low Energy 5 study and white paper originated from a bachelor thesis written by a Pforzheim University student who interned at Rutronik, where he studied the performance of Bluetooth 5.

“Supporting university students is a matter of course for us. Working on projects and the opportunity to contribute their own ideas to academic research not only benefits our students– we as a company also profit from their ideas and can directly pass on the knowledge we gain to our customers as added value at no charge,” said Bernd Hantsche, marketing director, Embedded and Wireless at Rutronik.

microSD cards carry capacities of 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB

May 12, 2016 By Abby Esposito Leave a Comment

Distributor Rutronik presents Transcend’s new industrial-grade SuperMLC UHS-I Speed Class 1 (U1) microSD cards with capacities of 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB. Between SLC and MLC NAND flash, the new SuperMLC technology features a cost-effective solution yet with nearly equivalent performance to SLC NAND flash. The SuperMLC is ideal for industrial applications.

By reprogramming the two bits per cell of MLC into one bit per cell, the new SuperMLC microSD memory cards offer high performance: The sequential write speed can reach up to 95MB/s, twice faster than MLC flash chips. With a wide flexibility of operating temperature between -40°C and +85°C, the SuperMLC microSD cards are fault-tolerant and offer exceptional endurance, delivering up to 30,000 times of P/E cycles, 10 times more durable than MLC NAND flash. Additionally, the built-in Advanced Error Correcting Code (ECC) and S.M.A.R.T. function ensure reliable data transfer and self-monitoring capability that offer optimum protection, ideal for demanding industrial applications such as medical devices, surveillance systems and POS terminals.

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IoT Gateway Starter Kit includes Intel Celeron J1900 platform and WISE-PaaS software platform

April 26, 2016 By Abby Esposito Leave a Comment

Advantech presents IoT Gateway Starter Kit in collaboration with Intel and Microsoft. This kit will jumpstart IoT innovations with a reliable platform and open gateway technologies. It is available at distributor Rutronik as of now.

The whole package includes a ready-to-run system (Intel Celeron J1900 platform and Windows 7 Embedded), IoT software platform service (WISE-PaaS), software development kit and technical support service. Additionally, Advantech’s hardware is verified to work with the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. This helps to take IoT innovations to market faster and create new business value.

For IoT developers and system integrators, the Advantech IoT Gateway Starter Kit gives the flexibility to create and deploy innovative, cost-effective and secure IoT solutions for a wide array of industrial applications. It provides powerful turnkey building blocks to connect various existing Things, including machines, devices and sensors, and unifies different protocols as IoT standard (MQTT). Furthermore, it empowers IoT application development for data streaming, analytics and prediction solutions.

The Advantech IoT Gateway Starter Kit provides a pre-configured system featuring an Intel Celeron J1900 SoC and WES7E with 4GB Memory and 500GB HDD. There are 2 gateways selected for the Starter Kit which have been verified through the Microsoft Azure Certified for IoT program: the ultra-small ARK-1123H or the multiple I/O ARK-2121L. They are both designed to withstand harsh environments, with good scalability for networking and versatile I/O communication. Besides the ready-to-run gateway system, a software solution is also included in the package. This includes WISE-PaaS/RMM Pro version: IoT device remote monitoring and management software for data management, device monitoring/control and security (Intel Security McAfee).

Customers who purchase the Starter Kit, are eligible to become VIP members in the Advantech IoT Developer Forum community to discuss with professional consultants and download the latest technical tools and documents.

Advantech
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