Addressing key requirements for Internet of Things (IoT) hardware and software from all angles

All indications are that after a long period of talk and speculation, 2017 will be the year when the Internet of Things (IOT) is finally being driven to major development. Industry research firm IHS released a report in January predicting that the number of connected devices will increase by 15% by the end of the year (resulting in a total of 20 billion). Under the potential impact of economic, logistics and environmental benefits, there will be a wide range of different areas that will be greatly utilized. This will result in a highly automated process that is more secure, providing greater energy efficiency and reliability; a smarter, more energy-efficient place to live; and less annoying and more convenient patient care.

From a fairly early stage, what efficient IoT implementation is needed for semiconductor manufacturers is already evident. Given that the number of IoT nodes is measured in tens of billions, in many cases the applications involved will be relatively cost sensitive, and the bill of materials associated with each node is clearly a fundamental consideration. The power consumed by each node must also be taken into account, as a large number of IoT nodes will be placed at remote locations where there is no power line. Therefore, battery-powered operation will be the only viable option, and it will be critical to maximize battery life (avoiding the time and cost of dispatching engineers to replace batteries in the field). Depending on the standards set by the application, there may be aspects that further affect the IoT nodes, such as space constraints, harsh application environments, and so on.

IoT deployments will use different communication protocols - wireless and wired. Some have been firmly established, and some are still emerging. Wired protocols will include KNX for building automation and industrial CAN or Ethernet. Most wireless communication protocols will focus on short-range, ultra-low-power operation. Examples include Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Other wireless options include the Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) protocol, which covers long distances, low data volumes, and minimal power consumption (such as SIGFOX and LoRa). In place of the "low-power" protocol, there will be cellular-based protocols covering the wide area network (WAN) such as LTE-M, NarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT), and 5G a few years later.

The sensor/actuator makes the IoT work. All data can be captured by the sensor and subsequently analyzed. Instead, the actuator can be used to drive the motor, start lighting, and the like. Here are a few examples where combining sensors and actuators (and supporting interconnections) will really make a difference. In home/building automation applications, a series of passive infrared (PIR) detectors can determine the motion of a person, and the LED driver can activate the illumination of the corresponding room accordingly. In industrial applications, such as large-scale horticultural sites, many different sensors can be used to monitor ambient light, temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and the like. Actions are taken if a particular parameter is not within the accepted threshold range. For example, if the temperature is too high and needs to be adjusted, the motor can be turned on to open the windows of the greenhouse. In addition, if the light level is not optimal to maximize crop yield, it can be adjusted with a connected LED driver.

Combining space, cost, and power budget constraints means that IoT nodes will need to follow a fairly streamlined design philosophy that does not provide more than easily supported features. This will require microprocessor and memory chip specifications at a lower price, without consuming too much power or taking up too much board space. Therefore, cloud-based services (data being processed and subsequently analyzed) must be accessed to compensate for node deficiencies. The ability to leverage related applications through the cloud will make the IoT system design unrestricted at the node level and allow the captured valuable data to be fully utilized. This will lead to higher data processing and storage capabilities.

So far, electronic hardware vendors and cloud service providers have been almost completely isolated from each other to solve the development of the Internet of Things. They are all in the boundaries of their core competencies. But this has had a significant impact on the surge in the Internet of Things, because the idea of ​​having to be responsible for hardware and software development elements is clearly overwhelming. Hardware engineers don't want to leave their comfort zone, facing the difficulty of writing a lot of code, but the same software developers don't want to be too limited to a development platform that doesn't give them enough room to maneuver.

The implementation of the Internet of Things will need to include many foundations. At the node level, the primary concern will be to run the most efficient and reliable operation possible so that the data captured by the sensor can be returned after being analyzed/processed, or the actuator can be started when needed. To do this, the interconnections used must be optimized for the specific tasks at hand. Then as we go further through the system, the focus will be on how to ensure that the interaction with the cloud is fully effective. What the Internet of Things world really needs is a technology that solves all of these different elements at the same time. On the hardware side, this means providing engineers with the interconnect, sensor, and actuator capabilities they need to create IoT nodes that match specific application requirements. On the software side, this means giving developers a foundation on which they can create cloud-based applications that support this hardware.

Although semiconductor companies are undoubtedly keen to participate in the IoT market, the development platforms they can provide cannot actually deal with all the issues already mentioned here. On the hardware side, a single board solution with specific sensor and communication functions is provided. These give engineers minimal room to match their system and application needs. The platform may not support the best interconnection or sensing options, so the final compromise is made. Instead, there needs to be more flexibility to support this feature.

Addressing key requirements for Internet of Things (IoT) hardware and software from all angles

In view of the ever-changing IoT deployment, ON Semiconductor engineers set a goal for themselves and create a new IoT development platform that is beneficial to both hardware engineers and software developers, and is familiar with their capabilities. The result of this effort is the company's Internet of Things Development Kit (IDK). IDK is not a restrictive "universal" approach, with a modular architecture, which means more sensors, actuators and interconnect options. It provides engineering professionals with a highly versatile, ready-to-use development resource that includes hardware and a sophisticated software framework for creating "device-to-cloud" IoT applications.

Addressing key requirements for Internet of Things (IoT) hardware and software from all angles

Figure 2: IDK motherboard with several daughter cards

Based on the high-precision NCS36510 system single-chip (SoC), IDK features a 32-bit ARM® Cortex®-M3 processor core and two sets of 320KB of flash memory. A wide range of daughter cards are available for direct connection to the base unit. For interconnection, engineers can pick daughter cards for a variety of wireless and wireline communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Sigfox, CAN, Ethernet, and more. For sensors, there are daughter cards that use temperature, moisture, motion, heart rate, ambient light, pressure, and biosensors. In addition, functions can be performed with stepper or brushless motor drives and LED driver applications.

By providing a wide range of different sensors, actuators, and communication functions that are captured through daughter cards, engineers can “mix and match” different options to find the most suitable combination for their system design. In addition, it provides an easy way for hardware engineers who are typically not proficient in cloud-based software development to the cloud-based services they need for IoT systems. Instead, software developers don't have to curb their own ideas because they have ample opportunity to develop their own proprietary services. IDK is supported by an Eclipse-based integrated development environment (IDE). This includes a C++ compiler, debugger, and code editor, as well as a wide range of application-related libraries. Accessing a common, configurable platform, such as IDK, will enable engineers to achieve their system design goals without being forced to make trade-offs or move beyond their specific areas of expertise. This will be critical for a large number of IoT systems from the conceptual stage of conception to actual deployment.

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What is a slip ring?

A slip ring is an electromechanical device that allows electrical current to flow through a rotating assembly. It is often used in conjunction with a commutator to create an electrical connection in a rotating system. The device consists of a number of contact rings mounted on the rotating assembly and two or more stationary contacts. When the rotating assembly is rotated, the contact rings pass by the stationary contacts, creating an electrical connection.


Types of slip rings

A slip ring is an electromechanical device that allows the transmission of power and electrical signals through a rotating assembly. Slip rings are commonly used in applications where it is not possible or practical to make a permanent electrical connection, such as on a rotating antenna, wind turbine, or radar dish. There are many different types of slip rings available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Some of the more common types of slip rings include fiber optic slip rings, rotary unions, and contactless slip rings.


Advantages of custom slip rings

When it comes to slip rings, custom-made ones have a lot of advantages over the standard, off-the-shelf variety. Custom slip rings are designed specifically for your application, so you can be sure they`ll meet all your needs. They`re also made to order, so you can get exactly the features you want. And because they`re made specifically for you, they`re often less expensive than generic slip rings.


Disadvantages of custom slip rings

In many industrial and commercial applications, a custom slip ring is the best way to transfer power and/or data between two systems. While custom slip rings offer many advantages, they also have some disadvantages. In this article, we will discuss the disadvantages of custom slip rings.


One disadvantage of custom slip rings is that they are often more expensive than other types of electrical connectors, such as wire harnesses or connectors. Additionally, custom slip rings can be difficult to install and may require specialized tools. Another disadvantage is that custom slip rings are not always as reliable as other types of electrical connectors. They can fail prematurely if not properly maintained or used in the correct application.


Conclusion: When to use a custom slip ring


A custom slip ring is an electromechanical device that allows for the transmission of electrical signals and power between rotating and stationary components. The use of a custom slip ring can be beneficial in a number of ways, including improved performance, increased efficiency, and longer life. In some cases, a custom slip ring may be the only option available for achieving the desired results. When considering a custom slip ring as an option for your application, it is important to understand the different factors that will impact its performance.


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