Power design, ultra-wideband, Wi-Fi, and 5G resources.

A new series of content streams in collaboration with Qorvo® have been announced by Mouser Electronics. These provide comprehensive resources for power design, ultra-wideband, Wi-Fi, and 5G applications. Each content stream offers a collection of eBooks, instructional videos, infographics, and product information, providing design engineers with resources to develop connected solutions for a wide range of innovative applications.

The new power content stream from Qorvo and Mouser features Powering Up Your Design, an in-depth eBook with rich insights on power management, brushless DC (BLDC) motor control, and Qorvo’s Power Application Controller® (PAC) ecosystem. The content stream also highlights the ACT41000 DC-DC buck converter, a synchronous step-down voltage regulator with programmable voltage and current outputs.

The ultra-wideband (UWB) content stream explores the potential applications for UWB technology, including low-latency data communication and precise distance/location measurements. An informational video, The Future is Ultra-Wideband, examines how UWB technology can transform automotive and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The content stream connects users to Qorvo’s UWB products microsite, which includes transceiver modules and related development tools.

In the new Wi-Fi content stream, subject matter experts from Qorvo and Mouser explain how engineers can take advantage of the benefits of Wi-Fi 6. From smart home designs to high-bandwidth video, next-generation Wi-Fi delivers the speed, capacity, and performance needed for the future of connected devices. Wi-Fi 6 solutions from Qorvo include front-end modules (FEMs) and filters for a multitude of IoT devices and customer premises equipment.

Qorvo’s 5G content stream analyses the many facets of 5G infrastructure and the roles that Qorvo technologies can play in them. Product highlights include the QPA9940 high-efficiency 4 W amplifier and the QDP1028 750 W gallium-nitride-on-silicon-carbide (GaN on SiC) transistors.

Mouser stocks a broad range of Qorvo products, including RF power amplifiers, filters, and application controllers, suitable for a wide variety of cellular infrastructure, satellite, and cable TV (CATV) applications.

@MouserElecEU @MouserElec @QorvoInc @Publitek #PAuto #Communications

Open Wi-Fi on the train!

When was the last time you spent an entire day without going online? 

The need for non-stop internet access is reflected by the rise of mobile devices and the popularity of open Wi-Fi networks in restaurants, museums or festivals. One key sector still lagging behind is transport. Industrial Ethernet specialist Electroustic is calling for industry cooperation to make super fast Wi-Fi on trains available to the public.  Indeed in Read-out we find this a boom as we use the trains frequently though super-fast is not always the description we would use to describe it, nevertheless it is usable and useful.

Here are details of the no-charge service provided by the state owned railway system in Ireland. Now available through out the country! - Iarnród Éireann!

Electroustic would like to create a coalition between a group of companies, united in the same objective, to promote open Wi-Fi on trains, advise transport providers on implementation and make information publically available for interested parties. (Companies who would like to be involved should contact amy@electroustic.co.uk.)

Unfortunately, there are significant obstacles for a mass implementation of super fast Wi-Fi on trains. Security issues, the complexity of the sector and lack of infrastructure are only some of the hurdles that the UK needs to overcome to remain competitive in Wireless access. According to National Rail, only nine of 25 train operating companies currently provide Wi-Fi on trains.

The good news is that some train operators seem to understand how important super fast Wi-Fi is to their customers. Virgin Trains, for example, has recently announced a new deal with the British Department for Transport that guarantees significant improvements on the new West Cast franchise over the next years. Virgin has also expressed its commitment to offering customers free and super fast Wi-Fi.

“While commendable, individual initiatives are not enough,” explained Paul Carr, managing director and owner of Electroustic. “Long-term collaboration between the Government, train operators, telecommunications, maintenance and equipment providers is necessary to improve infrastructure and access, and ensure Britain remains competitive in the wireless connectivity arena.

“The US, for example, has already entered the next stage of Wi-Fi and uses a 4G network on the Long Term Evolution (LTE) platform that can host safety critical communications and enhance passenger service. The UK needs to create a centralised strategy and focus its efforts on building a sustainable, smart infrastructure that can stand the test of time.”

Electroustic believes industry collaboration is essential to ensure Wi-Fi is implemented on a large scale in the transport sector. Infrastructure has to be reliable and robust to offer a fast and secure service. This will result in both increased customer experience and enhanced railway operations. Super fast Wi-Fi can be used for management of onboard services, like catering, as well as technical functions, such as train diagnostics, live streaming or onboard CCTV systems.

WiFi access point for industrial M2M applications

Airborne embedded WiFi connectivity technology acquired from Quatech enables self-sufficient communications hubs for rugged M2M networks

B&B Electronics has launched its first 802.11 b/g* WiFi access point to provide M2M equipment with wireless networking capabilities.

This industrial-grade wireless access point is the first fruit of B&B’s October 2011 acquisition of Quatech, whose Airborne™ wireless networking devices feature WiFi connectivity technology to network-enable industrial M2M devices. B&B Electronics’ Airborne 802.11 b/g access point appears in two forms. An embeddable module (APMG-Q551) allows original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to WiFi-enable their own products so they can either serve as M2M wireless communications hubs or tie into existing wireless networks. An external Ethernet access point (APXG-Q5420) provides the same functionality in a stand-alone box, and adds serial device server capability as well.

B&B's Airborne Access Point technology allows the access-point-equipped device, whether it’s the external APXG or an OEM’s device fitted with the APMG, to become the center of its own self-sufficient Wi-Fi network. It can thus communicate with other Wi-Fi enabled devices, including laptops, tablets and handhelds using Android, iOS, or Windows.

As an example, an embedded APMG can turn an isolated piece of equipment in a service vehicle into a wireless gateway. The newly-created local WiFi network around the service vehicle enables multiple handhelds and tablets to talk to each other, can provide access to other equipment with embedded WiFi capability in the vehicle and can provide access to the Internet via cellular modem.

The external APXG access point is equipped with a typical Ethernet port, plus two serial ports that are not generally found on wireless access points. With Ethernet, WiFi and two serial ports all in one box, the APXG provides more port configuration and connectivity tools than other access points on the market. It can be configured as a router or network bridge. Its serial interfaces support RS232/422/485 legacy devices, and both ports can be used simultaneously. With the ability to connect and route between any of its ports, the APXG can serve as an access point (handling up to eight simultaneous client connections) or as a bridge (tying WiFi devices into Ethernet networks), while simultaneously serving as a serial device server (bridging serial devices into either wired or wireless LANs.)

Both the APMG and APXG units can switch easily from access point to client mode through either web or command line interfaces. In client mode the devices provide WPA2-Enterprise Class Extensible Authentication Protocols (EAP) with support for authentication Certificates. Advanced security including WEP, WPA (TKIP), WPA2 (AES – FIPS 197), WPA2 Enterprise, 802.11i and 802.1x (EAP) are standard. The units include support for EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, PEAP, EAP-FAST and LEAP with AES-CCMP supported in the hardware, and a fully-functional DHCP server to provide unique addresses for each authenticated client.

Built for industrial conditions, both Airborne access points are rated for an extended operating temperature range (-20°C to +85°C). The external APXG supports wide-range input power (5 to 36 VDC) and features a rugged metal enclosure, panel and DIN rail mounting tabs, and a terminal block and a barrel jack power connection.

* b/g stands for a type of signal protocol standard governing bandwidth and data speed. It operates in the 2.4GHz ISM band on a 20MHz with variable data rate per stream. It uses DSSS and OFDM modulation. Approximate indoor range = 35-38 meters, and 140 meters outdoors

Validated for Wi-Fi

Anritsu's MT8860C WLAN Test Set is now validated as part of the overall test system for Wi-Fi CWG (Converged Wireless Group) Certification Testing. The decision taken by the Wi-Fi Alliance means that the MT8860C can be used by any top-tier independent laboratory that has been authorized by the CTIA and Wi-Fi Alliance to perform RF performance evaluation of Wi-Fi Mobile Converged Devices. The testing, which is mandatory for any Wi-Fi mobile converged device for the North American market, provides network operators and handset vendors with a consistent method of evaluating and comparing the RF performance of devices that incorporate both Wi-Fi and cellular technologies.

Testing is performed according to the "Test Plan for RF Performance Evaluation of Wi-Fi® Mobile Converged Devices," as a new firmware version (11.2) has been released for the MT8860C that supports the test methodology defined. The test plan includes a comprehensive set of over-the-air (OTA) measurements that are taken in a 360° environment to create "real-world" conditions. Total Radiated Power (TRP) measurements provide information about the reach of the Wi-Fi signal sent by a converged device, while Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS) measurements indicate how well a converged device is able to detect an incoming Wi-Fi signal.

OTA measurements require specialized test systems. As part of the MT8860C validation process, a joint development program was established between Anritsu and ETS-Lindgren. As part of the program, ETS-Lindgren developed a new MT8860C instrument driver for use with its EMQuestTM EMQ-100 Data Acquisition and Analysis Software. This software not only controls the measurement equipment (MT8860C), but is capable of positioning the antenna relative to the converged device under test and post processing the measurement data to produce the required 2-D and 3-D antenna patterns.

Validation was achieved after the MT8860C had successfully passed a set of acceptance tests defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Based on these tests, the Wi-Fi Alliance concluded that the MT8860C performance is within the required measurement uncertainty for conducted Tx, Rx, and OTA TRP, TIS tests. In addition, the Wi-Fi Alliance was able to confirm that the linearity of the MT8860C is well behaved across all the UNII bands and provides consistent measurement results for 802.11a converged devices.

Battery-powered Wi-Fi for sensor networking

RF Monolithics (RFM),tells us that RF module applications expert Ryan Anderson will present a session entitled “Battery-Powered Wi-Fi for Sensor Networking – A Hands-On Session” at the Real-Time & Embedded Computing Conference (RTECC) in Framingham, (MA US - Sheraton Framingham Hotel) on May 25, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. Also at the conference, RFM will exhibit its RF modules products that provide wireless connectivity for sensor data collection in a wide variety of wireless sensor networking applications.

As a senior technical support engineer for RFM, Mr. Anderson understands the challenges design engineers face when incorporating RF modules into applications. Session attendees will learn how they can get years of battery life and take advantage of existing Wi-Fi access points to deliver low-cost, reliable and secure wireless sensor network products. They will receive hands-on experience with:

RFM’s battery-powered 802.11 Wi-Fi RF Module – the WSN802G (pictured)

Getting a Wi-Fi network up and running in minutes using the RFM WSN802GDK developer kit

A live wireless sensor networking demonstration for a temperature monitoring application

Attendees who bring a WSN802GDK developer kit with them to the RTECC show will be afforded one-on-one time with Ryan Anderson during the exhibit. WSN802GDK developer kits can be purchased from RFM distributors that include Avnet Memec, Digi-Key, Mouser, and Nu Horizons.

The next big thing in wireless!

GreenPeak Technologies is teaming up with one of the world's top Consumer Electronics companies, Service Providers and the ZigBee Alliance to help roll out the next big thing - The Third Wireless Network for home and office that is Green and conserves energy.

Operating concurrently in the home with Wi-Fi internet and cordless phones, the third wireless network is based on the newly approved ZigBee RF4CE (Radio Frequency for Consumer Electronics) standard that is supported by the world's leading consumer electronic manufacturers.

Remote controls are among the first applications to benefit from ultra low power ZigBee RF4CE. As ZigBee RF4CE is based on radio which penetrates walls, furniture, and floors, rather than line of sight optical IR (infra-red), this new generation of remote control means that users no longer have to point-and-shoot to their TV set or set top box to change channels or program the DVR. A single ZigBee RF4CE remote can control the entire home's electronic systems – TV, games, communications, home automation, audio, security, environment, etc.

The innovative GreenPeak ultra low power control network enables the remote controls to function on a single battery for a decade or more. "Not only are we making remotes that are essentially maintenance free," says Cees Links, Wi-Fi veteran and CEO and Founder of GreenPeak, "but by enabling remotes to run for ten times as long or more on a single battery, we are greatly slashing the amount of heavy metals, toxic chemicals and carbon footprint required for the creation and disposal of batteries."

Other ZigBee RF4CE capabilities include a central "dashboard" function on the remote control that includes monitoring home energy consumption as well as a cool "Find-Me" feature. Find-Me enables users to press a button on their TV set or stereo and their hidden or lost remote will make itself known by blinking, beeping or even playing music.

As part of the ZigBee family, ZigBee RF4CE is not limited to remote controls and can be used for many other low power, low data rate applications including controlling lighting, heating/air conditioning, locks, home automation, in-home health monitoring and alerts, etc. This year we expect to see the emergence of ZigBee light switches that do not require any batteries whatsoever and can be stuck anywhere in the home. The effort of turning the switch generates enough power to transmit an on or off signal to a lamp across the room.