NTN NB-IoT Protocol tests validated.

The first NTN NB-IoT Protocol Conformance Tests have been validated on the 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR powered by the Sony Semiconductor Israel (Sony)’s Altair device according to an announcement from Anritsu Corporation.

NTN NB-IoT is a key IoT feature that useful in cases where the devices need to be deployed in remote regions without terrestrial cell network coverage. This is especially useful for asset tracking in maritime, logistics, mining, automotive and other areas.

“3GPP Release 17 which is described as the next stage for 5G and LTE, NTN enables new use cases and monetization opportunities for vertical industry segments,” said Kameda Keiji, General Manager of Mobile Solutions Division at Anritsu Corporation, “We are proud that our collaboration with Sony enables us to help the industry validate the new features quickly to market and enable certifications in GCF/PTCRB to bring certified devices to enable new applications”.

The conformance tests are defined by 3GPP in TS 36.523-1 corresponding to core requirements in TS 36.331 and have been submitted to 3GPP Radio Access Network Working Group 5 (RAN WG5) by Anritsu.

"We are thrilled about our partnership with Anritsu,” said Christophe Flechelle, GM France & System Engineering Director at Sony Semiconductor. "By establishing a certification program for NTN, we're paving the way for faster integration of crucial satellite technologies into tracking devices and wearables. This collaboration marks a significant step towards technological advancement and widespread adoption in the industry."

5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR.
The ME7834NR is a test platform for 3GPP-based Protocol Conformance Test (PCT) and Carrier Acceptance Testing (CAT) of mobile devices incorporating Multiple Radio Access Technologies. It supports 5G NR in both Standalone and Non-Standalone in addition to LTE, LTE-Advanced, LTE-A Pro, W-CDMA and now NTN. When combined with Anritsu’s OTA RF chamber MA8171A and RF converters, the ME7834NR covers the sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G NR frequency bands.
The 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR is registered with both the GCF and PTCRB as Test Platform 251.

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@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @sonysemiconil @NapierPR #Communications #TandM

Validating LIMS.

Autoscribe Informatics has announced the release of a new white paper on the validation of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). The white paper discusses what LIMS validation is and the steps involved, the responsibilities of the customer and supplier, how GAMP5 affects LIMS validation, and the deliverables you can expect from a LIMS validation project.

“As well as adhering to the many standards, such as FDA 21 part 11, ISO/IEC 17025, good laboratory practice (GLP) and good automated manufacturing practice (GAMP), regulated companies must satisfy themselves that their information management systems perform as expected and are fit for purpose,” said Simon Wood, Product Manager at Autoscribe Informatics. “This system validation white paper gives LIMS practitioners a tried and trusted framework to work form to help ensure the system has been implemented and tested with the necessary rigor to be sure this is so.”

LIMS solutions are widely used by companies subject to regulation by the FDA and equivalent international bodies. To be suitable for use in regulated industries the LIMS must be shown to fulfil its intended purpose and work in the way it is designed to work. While it is the responsibility of companies themselves to prove the system has been validated to the required level, Autoscribe has over 30 years’ experience in building and implementing LIMS for regulated organizations.

The white paper distils that knowledge into an easy to follow reference that can serve as a foundation for LIMS administrators and regulatory compliance managers on how to approach LIMS validation. It can help them understand the steps involved including creation of a user requirement specification, the development of a functional specification, the various stages of qualification testing, and production of a final summary report.

@AutoscribeLtd #TandM #PAuto

Harmonization of C& Q and CSV initiatives!

Forthcoming Technical Talk from the ISA Ireland Section is to be held at Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork on Wednesday, 18 February 2015 @ 19.00hrs sharp.

The Speaker

Jorge L. Rodriguez is the Founder, President and CEO of PACIV, a control system engineering firm. PACIV has offices in Puerto Rico, United States and Ireland. PACIV provides operational efficiencies through the automation of manufacturing processes utilizing instrumentation and control systems. PACIV clients include the largest Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Device companies in the world as well as other multinational clients in related industries. PACIV has over 120 associates world-wide and has revenues, in the past 16 years, of over $135 million.

Prior to founding PACIV, he worked for over 8 years as a control system engineer in various positions within Westinghouse Electric, Eli Lilly & Co. and J&J Janssen.

“Harmonization of C&Q and CSV Initiatives” by Jorge L. Rodríguez – President & CEO – PACIV

In many instances there is significant overlap between the computerized system validation and the commissioning and qualification activities specially for computerized control systems utilized in the manufacturing, facilities and/or utility processes (e.g. PLC’s, SCADA, DCS). As such, these efforts may be combined under one effort, to ensure proper synchronization and preclude duplication of effort. As a result, a single validation/qualification effort may be performed to produce the required deliverables to achieve compliance while harmonizing work being done even when using different teams. Moreover, the commissioning effort can reduce significantly not only the qualification effort but also the CSV effort, if performed appropriately.

In today’s competitive environment, clear and concise policies and procedures that promote such harmonization effort, regardless of the type of regulated manufacturing process and automation platform, will offer significant value by reducing the cost as well as the time it will take to complete such projects while still meeting the required level of compliance.

• Pre-registration on the ISA Ireland website would be helpful (not necessary to attend) as it would give us an indication of how many to expect on the night. On the section website under “Upcoming Events” for Wednesday 18 February click on “more info”, then follow the next prompt and click on “info” for ISA Tech Talk and you will notice a registration template at the bottom of the page.

PXI programmable resistors

NI Adds PXI Programmable Resistor Modules to Embedded Software Validation and Hardware-in-the-Loop Platforms

National Instruments has announced a new family of PXI and PXI Express programmable resistor modules that replicate the behaviour of resistance-based devices such as potentiometers, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) and resistive loads. The modules include a range of five to 18 channels, so engineers can choose the best module that scales to meet requirements for applications ranging from single unit validation of an automotive engine control unit to system integration testing for an entire network of airplane control systems.

Four new PXI and PXI Express programmable resistor modules extend the NI hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform to meet custom requirements in a variety of HIL testing applications for embedded software validation. It includes example programs and reference VIs to help engineers easily create custom NI LabVIEW applications and NI VeriStand plug-ins to meet their requirements.

“The new PXI programmable resistor modules add to our broad offering of hardware and software for hardware-in-the-loop testing,” said Ian Fountain, Director of HIL and Real-Time test for NI. “NI continues to add unique value for engineers solving rapidly changing embedded software validation problems with easy-to-use, commercially available tools based on our graphical system design approach.”

Insight into process & measurement abnormalities

Measurement validation diognostic provides unique insights

The industry-first measurement validation diagnostic on Rosemount® 848T temperature transmitters helps users avoid unnecessary shutdowns, process inefficiencies and safety issues

Emerson Process Management’s industry-first Measurement Validation diagnostic is now available on the Rosemount® 848T FOUNDATION fieldbus temperature transmitter. This new diagnostic detects temperature measurement and process abnormalities, which allows users to take preventative action to avoid unnecessary shutdowns, process inefficiencies and safety issues.

Temperature sensors, such as thermocouples and RTDs (resistance-temperature detector), can degrade over time due to harsh process conditions, vibration, and other factors. By evaluating the variation in the temperature measurement, Measurement Validation can detect abnormalities related to degraded sensors, as well as electronic interference, corroded termination points, loose electrical connections and process upsets. By alerting the user to these issues, degraded temperature sensors can be replaced before they fail or other preventative action can be taken – resulting in fewer process shutdowns, more efficient processes and increased safety. Measurement Validation also calculates the process rate of change which can help users detect runaway reactions before alarm conditions are met.

For over 50 years, Emerson’s Rosemount temperature portfolio has provided reliable temperature measurement to the process industry and with over 200,000 temperature transmitters delivered a year, Rosemount temperature transmitters are recognised as a leading technology in the process industry.