Enhancing and Broadening Managed Connectivity Solutions Across the Americas.

OptConnect, a longtime leader in managed wireless services, today announced it has acquired Latin America-based M2M DataGlobal (“M2M”), one of the largest and most professionally run IoT organizations in Latin America.

Together these businesses create a premier managed wireless connectivity platform of scale, capable of supporting customers across a broad spectrum of industries and solution needs throughout North and South America.

Coupled with OptConnect’s current ability to serve partners in North America and other regions around the globe, the acquisition of M2M marks a significant expansion in global reach, dramatically increasing its ability to support global partnerships with ultra-reliable connectivity and support in more countries. Collectively, OptConnect and M2M serve more than 10,000 unique customers.

Headquartered in Santiago, Chile, M2M has been a pioneer in the machine-to-machine/IoT industry for more than a decade, offering a full suite of hardware products and connectivity solutions across the Americas, including Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico. Their customer-centric culture with their employee’s passion for providing unmatched customer service aligns perfectly with OptConnect’s rich history and success in providing fully-managed solutions and services.

“We are continuing to evolve as a company to meet and exceed the needs of our customers as they expand across the world,” said Chris Baird, CEO of OptConnect. “Our unwavering commitment lies in being an innovative global provider of highly valued wireless connectivity solutions. This acquisition enables us to continue to deliver on our promise to support customers and ensure they derive the maximum benefits from their IoT initiatives.”

M2M will continue to operate under the M2M DataGlobal name and utilize their office in Santiago, Chile for LATAM headquarters. Elionae Silva will continue to serve as General Manager of the M2M business unit. Felix Lluberes and Rob Adams, who have advised M2M previously, will continue to serve as advisors to the company.

“Since our inception, we have been uniquely focused on our customers and providing specialized support for their needs as we constantly innovate,” said Elionae Silva, General Manager of M2M.

“This opportunity with OptConnect will allow us as an organization to continue to be the IoT solution of the future as we continue to grow and scale.”

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Providing comprehensive and efficient solutions for mid-to-high-speed IoT applications.

VeriSilicon today announced that it has collaborated with Innobase, a wireless communication technology and chip provider, to jointly launch a 5G RedCap/4G LTE dual-mode modem solution.

The chip powering this new modem solution by Innobase has been taped out and verified, and is now in mass production and will be officially released to the global market soon.

5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) is an IoT-serving cellular technology defined by international standardization organization 3GPP in 5G Release 17. It is aimed at mid-to-high speed IoT application scenarios, and together with 4G LTE forms a complete cellular IoT ecosystem.

The joint launch of the modem solution comes as part of a strategic partnership between VeriSilicon and Innobase that will allow VeriSilicon to further expand its portfolio of wireless communication IPs and offer customers both 4G and 5G modem IP solutions. The two parties will also provide customers with a series of complete user equipment (UE) reference designs, covering critical components such as radio frequency (RF) transceivers and power management chipsets.

Lu Wenbo, Senior Vice President of Innobase, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with VeriSilicon to fully leverage Innobase’s Yunbao Modem and VeriSilicon’s wireless connectivity technology. This allows us to offer our customers leading IoT communication connectivity solutions. We have developed the world’s first commercially available IP that meets the 5G RedCap/4G LTE dual-mode communication standards, and completed chip verification for mass production. It supports data and voice services of various application scenarios including RedCap communication modules, affordable 5G smart phones, wearables, Internet-connected smart vehicles, industrial IoT, video surveillance, and smart grids.”

“4G and 5G technologies are the mainstream mobile communication standards with long lifecycles and extensive application scenarios. Innobase has pioneered the launch and successful mass production of a 5G RedCap/4G LTE dual-mode modem chip, which demonstrates Innobase’s robust R&D and product commercialization capabilities,” said Wiseway Wang, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Custom Silicon Platform Division of VeriSilicon.

“VeriSilicon is dedicated to the development and industrialization of low-power, high-performance IoT wireless communication technologies. Based on VeriSilicon’s accumulated expertise in RF technologies and proprietary ZSP Digital Signal Processor (DSP) IPs, we have developed comprehensive wireless communication solutions that incorporate RF IPs, baseband IPs and software protocol stacks. By leveraging the advantages of advanced 22nm FD-SOI process in terms of low power consumption and high RF performance, we can deliver all-in-one wireless system designs, supporting diverse technical standards and applications such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular IoT, and multi-mode satellite navigation and positioning. These solutions have been integrated into multiple customer SoCs with mass production.”

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Precision manufacturing is critical in producing sensitive equipment, where even small errors can have significant consequences. In this field, accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail are paramount. Computer numerical control (CNC) machining is a key technology in this context, transforming digital blueprints into intricate parts with unmatched precision. In sectors where errors might have severe consequences, such as aerospace, medical, and automotive, the role of CNC machining is essential.

Let’s unravel the capabilities and innovations of CNC machining that make it a cornerstone of modern precision manufacturing.

Advantages Of Cnc Machining In Precision Manufacturing

CNC machining’s primary advantage is exceptional precision, achieving accuracy levels unmatched by manual processes. This is crucial for components where slight deviations can lead to failure. It offers remarkable repeatability, ensuring each part is identical, which is crucial in mass production. Its efficiency is another benefit, as CNC machines operate continuously with minimal supervision, reducing production times and costs.

In addition to its precision and efficiency, CNC machining, which significantly accelerates the prototype creation process with rapid prototype machining, stands as a pivotal element in modern manufacturing. This aspect of CNC technology significantly accelerates the process of creating prototypes, streamlining the journey from concept to product. Rapid prototype machining is especially valuable in dynamic industries where the speed of development and testing is crucial, such as in the medical and aerospace sectors.

Utilizing CNC for rapid prototyping enables manufacturers to quickly produce physical models from digital designs, facilitating rapid testing and iteration. This capability is not just about speed; it ensures high accuracy and allows for swift implementation of design changes. The integration of rapid prototype machining within CNC processes highlights the technology’s role in supporting faster and more efficient product development cycles, contributing to the CNC machining market’s projected growth.

Applications In Sensitive Equipment Production

CNC machining is a versatile and precise manufacturing process used across various industries. It involves the use of computers to control machine tools, ensuring high accuracy in producing parts and components. This technology is particularly crucial in sectors where precision is paramount. Because CNC machining can deal with a variety of materials and construct intricate shapes, it is essential for creating dependable, high-quality products.

In the medical industry, CNC machining is particularly vital. It’s used for making implantable medical devices like hip implants and heart valves, as well as surgical tools such as scissors and forceps that need precise machining. This technique also creates parts for electronic medical equipment, such as components for MRI scanners. The accuracy of CNC machining is essential in the medical industry, particularly in micromachining, where tiny, exact features are required for devices like stents and catheters.

Just as crucial is CNC machining in the aerospace sector. Critical components of aircraft and spacecraft, such as engine parts like turbine blades and structural elements like wing spars, are made with it. This process is key for manufacturing parts that must be highly precise and strong enough to handle the stresses of flight. CNC machining also allows for the production of detailed interior and exterior trim pieces for aircraft.

Challenges And Solutions In Cnc Machining For Sensitive Equipment

The challenges in CNC machining for delicate equipment include choosing the right material, designing for manufacturing, and upholding strict tolerances. The equipment’s lifetime and functionality depend heavily on the materials chosen. For medical devices, materials range from metals like titanium to bio-grade plastics, chosen based on their application, especially for implantable devices.

In aerospace, materials such as heat-resistant alloys and nonmetal composites are used for parts that endure high stresses during flight. Designing functional and manufacturable parts requires a deep understanding of machining capabilities. Maintaining tight tolerances is essential, especially in aerospace, where even minor errors can have significant repercussions. Solutions involve leveraging expertise in material science, engineering design, and process control and utilizing advanced CAD/CAM software to ensure precision and reliability.

Innovations And Future Trends In Cnc Machining

CNC machining is evolving with technological advancements like AI integration and increased automation, leading to higher precision and efficiency. These advancements suggest a future where CNC machining could become more autonomous, reducing human intervention and revolutionizing manufacturing processes. The sector is expected to grow significantly, with predictions indicating a rise from $95 billion in 2022 to $154 billion by 2032.

Furthermore, the increasing emphasis on sustainability is pushing the development of more energy-efficient CNC machining processes, aligning with global environmental goals. These innovations collectively point toward a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable future for CNC machining in various industries.

Conclusion

CNC machining is pivotal in precision manufacturing, especially for sensitive equipment. Understanding its mechanisms, benefits, applications, and challenges is key to appreciating its role in modern manufacturing. The continuous evolution and technological advancements in CNC machining point to a bright future, with significant growth projected in the coming years. This technological revolution not only enhances precision and efficiency but also opens new possibilities for manufacturing sensitive equipment.

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China’s Geespace conducted its second successful satellite launch on 3rd February, sending eleven satellites into low Earth orbit, finish the deployment of the second orbital plane of the ambitious Geely Future Mobility Constellation.

Geely Future Mobility Constellation represents the world’s inaugural commercial initiative to integrate communication, navigation, and remote sensing within a single satellite network. The nine satellites of the first orbital plane was successfully deployed in June 2022. To date, Geespace has not only initiated mass production of satellites but also accomplished orbital plane level deployment, achieving constellation-level telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C). The company is actively engaged in satellite application testing.

With this advancement, Geespace joins the global league of enterprises like Iridium, Globalstar, Orbcomm, OneWeb, and SpaceX, showcasing its capability to independently construct and manage a commercial satellite constellation. It also stands as the sole entity in China to have successfully completed such extensive constellation orbital deployments. A remarkable feat achieved in 2023 by Geespace was the pioneering mass production of satellite communications for the automotive sector – a world first.

By 2025, Geespace aims to establish global real-time data communication services following the full deployment of 72 satellites in the constellation’s initial phase. The second phase will expand the network to 168 satellites, delivering global centimeter-level high-precision positioning services. This expansion is set to provide highly reliable and cost-effective satellite services to various sectors, including personal mobility with a focus on autopolit, intelligent connected vehicles, consumer electronics, and beyond. Additionally, the satellites come equipped with AI remote sensing functions, providing 1- 5 meter high-resolution remote sensing imaging. This technology is poised to revolutionize ecological environment monitoring and provide versatile imaging solutions across diverse industries.

The Geely Future Mobility Constellation offers global satellite IoT service capabilities, comparable to Iridium Next satellites. From the initial design of the Constellation, the provision of Direct-to-Cell service was a key consideration, mirroring functionality recently introduced by Starlink’s V2 mini-satellites. Consequently, the Constellation delivers efficient satellite messaging and data transmission. Geespace, focused on personal mobility, specializes in providing satellite data services to automotive and consumer electronics sectors.

By integrating communication, navigation, and remote sensing, Geespace delivers various satellite data products and services. They are designed to substantially support the “Belt and Road” initiative, fostering international cooperation. This approach will accelerate the commercialization, large-scale implementation, and global expansion of satellite applications.

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Hotel owners and managers already go the extra mile for their guests by providing excellent customer service, luxurious bedding, and even room service. However, there’s potential for you to be doing much more. You could also be treating your customers to the following Internet of Things (IoT) devices to make their stays more convenient and enjoyable:

IoT Curtains and Blinds

After acquiring a hotel business and putting plans in place to enhance the guest experience, consider investing in IoT curtains and blinds. They can be an excellent talking point with guests while also being something unique and unexpected.

Such curtains and blinds can be controlled remotely and even set on an automatic timer. Guests can enjoy having them open when the sun goes up and close when it goes down without lifting a finger.

Smart Locks and Keyless Entry

While traditional keys have been more than suitable in hotels for several years, we now have a more convenient and more secure option at our disposal. The hospitality industry is leveraging IoT through smart locks and keyless entry. These low-touch solutions can allow for more guest convenience.

Rather than risk losing a swipe card or key, guests can receive a unique code when they check in and use it to enter their room. The auto-generated keys can change for each new booking.

Smart Energy Control

Hotels in America are spending an average of $2,196 per room on energy every year. That’s an incredible 6% of their operating costs. Just a 10% reduction in energy use would have as much effect as increasing the room rate.

That’s where smart energy control with IoT comes into play. With the right setup, hoteliers can monitor and adjust all lights, fans, air conditioning and heating units, and appliances for guest convenience and money savings. Best of all, you can make all these adjustments without even visiting the rooms.

Noise Monitoring

Excessive noise can be a common problem in some hotels and motels. Rowdy guests celebrating a special occasion may decide to hold get-togethers and parties in their rooms. Not only can this lead to room damage, but it can also reduce the enjoyment of other guests.

Just as we have environmental noise pollution tools, we can also use IoT noise monitoring solutions in our hotels. Noise monitoring devices can provide insight into noise levels across all rooms. When you notice a particular room exceeding noise levels, you can intervene before a social gathering gets too noisy or disturbs other guests.

Robot Assistance

There have been staffing shortages in the hospitality industry for many months now. Hotel owners and managers are struggling to find workers, and the customer experience can suffer. However, IoT robots may assist with this problem.
Rather than relying on employees for tasks like luggage transportation and customer queries, hotels can implement robots to take care of these tasks. In fact, some hotels are already doing it. The Henn-na Hotel in Asia is staffed by multilingual robots like android concierges, cloakroom attendants, and rechargeable luggage trolleys as robotic porters.

Hotel owners face many challenges, and technology may not solve all of them. However, if improving the guest experience is high on your priority list, you may be able to rely on these IoT solutions above to help.

The post Improve the Guest Experience in Your Hotel with These IoT Solutions in 2024 appeared first on IoT Business News.

It seems intuitive to view the Internet of Things as a brilliant innovation and a giant leap forward in our civilization’s development. And it obviously is. However, it’s also a rather simple, natural, and unavoidable consequence of dozens of other innovations, most of which were made independently and for their own sake—not to create or improve the IoT.

Technologies and fields such as wireless sensor networks, embedded systems, automation, control systems, commodity sensors, ubiquitous computing, and machine learning enable and develop the IoT, often just as a secondary consequence of their intended purpose. However, many of these were developed after the Internet of Things had already started being a thing and merely improved upon it, which begs the question—when did the IoT actually “come to be?”

What Exactly Is the Internet of Things?

The IoT is exactly what it sounds like—the entire network of interconnected devices that can connect to the Internet and the cloud, interact with each other, and exchange data while performing a particular task. To do that, IoT devices typically utilize sensors and software that enable them to communicate with the digital world.

In essence, the Internet of Things is an incredibly fluid and constantly evolving network, as newer innovations lead to more and more ways for hardware devices to interact with the digital world. Thanks to that, countless industries rely on the IoT to help them operate faster, more efficiently, at lower costs, and with better customer service.

Or, as people more intelligent than we have put it:

Bernard Marr for Forbes: Everyday objects that can be connected to the Internet and be recognized by other devices and contribute info to a database.
Andrew Meola for the Business Insider: A network of internet-connected objects able to collect and exchange data using embedded sensors.
Keith Foote for DATAVERSITY: Any device with an on/off switch connected to the Internet. This includes almost anything you can think of, ranging from cellphones to building maintenance to the jet engine of an airplane.

Today, IoT devices can be found in almost every area of life—from factories to casinos to our homes. Their connection to the Internet allows IoT devices to perform their intended tasks with little or no human intervention.

You may have noticed that such definitions of the IoT, no matter how detailed or concise, still feel a bit nebulous. For example, are desktop computers or laptops part of the IoT? No, such computing devices are generally considered separate from the Internet of Things because computers can perform various other complex tasks that aren’t related to the IoT.

Smartphones, on the other hand, fall into a bit of a grey area. They are sometimes considered an IoT because almost everything we use them for relies on the Internet. But other times, smartphones are seen as non-IoT, as they are basically handheld computers.

When Was the Official Birth of the Internet of Things?

It can be said that the predecessors of the Internet of Things were the first telegraphs in the 1830s and 1840s. Yes, the telegraph uses a simple landline, but it’s still a form of long-range communication. Same for the radio (described as “wireless telegraphy”) in 1900 or TV soon after.

Of course, the actual IoT came into being after the creation of the Internet itself. The latter started taking shape in the 1960s when DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) began developing the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET). It wasn’t until the 1980s, however, that ARPANET was opened to the public. Once that happened, people started figuring out ways to connect more than just computers to the net.

Probably the most famous of the early examples of that is a Coca-Cola vending machine at Carnegie Mellon University. Many see that vending machine as “the first IoT device” because programmers at the university managed to connect it to the Internet for the simple purpose of monitoring from a distance whether or not it was stocked with cold drinks.
The public availability of the World Wide Web led to a boom of countless engineers and amateurs who wanted to connect their electronics to the net for one reason or another. Fridges, thermostats, toys, flashlights, and more—if it worked off electricity, someone has tried to plug it into the net.

Another device often credited as “the first IoT” is a toaster developed by John Romkey and Simon Hackett in 1990. The difference between the Sunbeam toaster and devices modified into IoTs during the previous eight years was that the toaster was developed as an IoT from scratch.

This does bring up a more extensive discussion of digital-first and physical-first IoT devices, of course. Digital-first IoTs were initially developed to function as IoTs, including streaming media players, mobile payment terminals, smartphones, and the 1990 Sunbeam toaster. Physical-first IoTs, on the other hand, are items that had a sensor or a microchip added to them after they were already manufactured—such as key chains, many vehicles, and the 1882 Carnegie Mellon Coca-Cola machine.

How Did the IoT Progress So Far So Quickly?

So, how did we get from the initial concept of the Internet of Things to the “smart home revolution” we are living through today? As with most other areas of life, things really ramped up for IoTs once the leaders of certain heavy industries realized the cost-cutting potential of IoTs.

Kevin Ashton, MIT’s Executive Director of Auto-ID Labs, first coined the phrase “Internet of Things” in a speech before Procter & Gamble in 1999. However, naming the IoT is arguably the second-most important part of that speech. The first is how well it highlighted the incredible boom in IoT development in the next quarter century—IoTs reduce waste, loss, and costs so much that the world’s industry couldn’t not invest in them.

The IoT is present in virtually every industry today, from improving logistics, fleet management, vehicle control, and intra-vehicular communication through industrial operational technology devices and manufacturing digital control systems to smart-grid energy management. Of course, home automation has also gone a long way thanks to IoT, as has elder care and healthcare.

Conclusion

The history of the Internet of Things is still being written and will likely continue developing parallel to human history for as long as we’re around. We’re probably not far from the day when the 1982 vending machine and the 1990 toaster will look as distant and primitive as the invention of the wheel does today.

The post A Brief History of Early IoT appeared first on IoT Business News.

Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global IoT solutions provider, is thrilled to announce that the Quectel EG915U module, has received approval from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) of Egypt.

The approval from NTRA is a significant milestone for Quectel, affirming the EG915U module’s compliance with the regulatory standards and requirements set by the Egyptian government.

This recognition further solidifies Quectel’s commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and compliant solutions for the rapidly evolving Internet of Things (IoT) landscape and with this approval from NTRA, businesses and developers in Egypt can confidently integrate the EG915U module into their IoT devices, ensuring compliance with local regulations and standards.

Quectel’s EG915U is a series of LTE Cat 1 modules, meticulously tailored for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Boasting impressive data rates of up to 10Mbps downlink and 5Mbps uplink, this series is engineered to meet the demands of high-performance connectivity.

“We are proud to receive the approval from NTRA, highlighting the excellence and compliance of our EG915U module,” commented Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions.

“Quectel is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art IoT solutions, and this approval is a testament to our commitment to meeting the diverse needs of the global IoT ecosystem.”

Designed in a compact and unified form factor, the EG915U series seamlessly integrates with Quectel’s versatile multi-mode modules such as EG91, EG95, BG95, and BG96. This compatibility ensures a smooth transition between 2G and 4G networks, facilitating adaptability to diverse industry applications. Whether migrating between different network generations or catering to specific industry requirements, the EG915U series stands as a reliable and efficient solution.

The module boasts a comprehensive suite of internet protocols, industry-standard interfaces, and versatile functionalities, including USB drivers compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11, Linux, and Android. This enables the module to cater to a diverse array of M2M and IoT applications. These applications span various sectors, encompassing Point of Sale (POS), Proof of Concept (PoC), Electronic Toll Collection (ETC), shared equipment, data cards, energy control and monitoring, security and protection, as well as industrial Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).

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The LoRa Alliance®, the global association of companies backing the open LoRaWAN® standard for the internet of things (IoT) low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs), today issued its 2023 End of Year Report. It highlights the LoRa Alliance’s incredible achievements throughout the year, in addition to providing updates on LoRaWAN deployments, technology and certification advancements.

Trends highlighted in this year’s report include:

LoRaWAN is seeing strong global deployment growth across several vertical markets, including smart buildings, utilities, cities, agriculture and industry.
There is continued diversification of the Alliance’s collaborative ecosystem, which drove end-to-end IoT solutions.
Deployments are delivering strong ROI, which in turn is accelerating the decision-making process for new users and projects.
Smart cities are increasingly requiring LoRaWAN certified end-devices in their RFPs.
LoRaWAN took a leadership position in Industry 5.0 as it meets the sustainability, efficiency and quality-of-life requirements.
The benefits and ROI of LoRaWAN deployments are exponential when end users collaborate with system integrators and solution providers.
LoRaWAN is the leader in the emerging satellite-based LPWAN communications market, with multiple member companies delivering networking via satellite and rapidly growing deployments in the sector.
The Alliance is meeting the emerging workforce needs of the IoT with its LoRaWAN Accredited Professional program, giving end users confidence in the vendors they select.

“In 2023, key end markets such as cities, buildings and utilities widely embraced LoRaWAN and the ROI it provides, leading to large-scale deployments that sparked further innovation in use cases,” stated Donna Moore, CEO and Chairwoman of the LoRa Alliance. “The demand for certified LoRaWAN devices within these essential sectors continues to grow as it is critical for massive device rollouts. Confidence in LoRaWAN was further reinforced through our Accredited Professional program, which addresses end users’ desire for a way to evaluate vendors’ knowledge of the development and implementation of LoRaWAN. As the leader in global LPWAN deployments, we anticipate an even stronger year in 2024.”

“We continued to see strong growth globally in IoT deployments in 2023, with LoRaWAN clearly established as the market leader in LPWANs,” said Robin Duke-Woolley, CEO and Chief Analyst, Beecham Research.

“With its established and active ecosystem, considerable involvement of system integrators and solution providers, and expansive features, including connectivity via satellite, we expect LoRaWAN will see strong growth again in 2024 as the IoT continues to mature.”

Other highlights from the 2023 report:

IEC and CEN standards validated LoRaWAN for smart metering, building on earlier OMS Group and DLMS-UA adoptions and further strengthening LoRaWAN’s ability to meet this market’s specialized requirements.
Two Technical Recommendations were released improving and augmenting LoRaWAN functionality, including using Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) to increase network capacity and Multicast D2D communication for direct over-the-air communication between devices.
Several FAQ documents were issued to strengthen users’ understanding of recent enhancements to the LoRaWAN specification, including payload codec API, relay, IPv6 adaptation layer and security.
Pre-testing of firmware updates over the air (FUOTA) and relay specifications using the LoRaWAN Certification Test Tool (LCTT) were enabled, along with new reporting features.
The Interoperability Work Group developed tools and procedures to test and certify interoperability between LoRaWAN network elements and built an interoperability testbed architecture.
Beecham Research conducted an extensive study focusing on networking technologies for smart cities, buildings and utilities, releasing two reports offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of IoT in these markets:

Briefing for IoT Solution Specialists: Using LoRaWAN in Smart Buildings, Cities and Utilities to educate system integrators and solution providers, available exclusively to LoRa Alliance members; and
User Guide to Research of Key IoT Sectors: Smart Buildings, Cities, Utilities, which noted LoRaWAN’s global LPWAN leadership, issued publicly.

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Holtek Semiconductor, a leading professional IC design house focused on microcontrollers, partners with UnaBiz, a Massive IoT service provider and integrator, to integrate Sigfox 0G technology into Holtek’s BC68F2150, an ultra-cost-efficient chipset.

This collaboration aims to bring more energy-efficient and cost-effective Sigfox-based solutions for developers and customers in the logistics and supply chain sector.

In April 2023, UnaBiz open-sourced its Sigfox device library to the public and IoT community. This move has made it easier and more cost-effective for developers, engineers, enterprises, and users to integrate the 0G technology into their IoT devices and applications and develop more efficient and innovative solutions.

The BC68F2150, a Sub-1GHz RF Transmitter OOK/FSK Flash MCU, supports multiple frequency bands including 315MHz, 433MHz, 868MHz, and 915MHz, and complies with ETSI/FCC safety specifications. Designed for a wide array of wireless control applications such as switch remote controllers, office automation, smart homes, and asset management, the Holtek chipset is poised to revolutionize these sectors.

Recognising the shared market focus on ultra-cost-efficient asset management, Holtek and UnaBiz collaborated to integrate the Sigfox library stack onto Holtek’s chipset.

Alex Lai, Director International Sales Division of Holtek said, “We are extremely excited about the enthusiastic response received from integrating the Sigfox Library into the Holtek IC. Our collaboration has already begun to bear fruit, with two Proof of Concepts (PoCs) making significant progress in the logistics and supply chain sectors in both Japan and Europe. This early success clearly indicates an unmet need in the market that we are eager to address. We look forward to assisting UnaBiz’s customers in the commercial rollout of their solutions in the near future.”

From UnaBiz side, the enthusiasm is equally palpable. Alexis Susset, Head of CTO of UnaBiz Group said, “We are pleased to work with Holtek to integrate our open Sigfox Library into their IC to accelerate the deployment of ultra-cost-efficient asset management solutions. This joint effort highlights the relevance and scalability of Sigfox in the Logistics and Supply Chain sector. Such integration expands the addressable market of Sigfox-based asset tracking solution allowing customers to track and trace not just high value assets, but diverse lower value assets too.”

Where can I find more information? Learn more about the BC68F2150 chipset on Holtek’s website and UnaBiz GitHub

Where can I purchase the chipset? Best Modules Website

Where can I purchase the evaluation board? Best Modules Website

The developer community can now visit the 0G technology’s Github page and Build Website, where they can access the new device library codes and related documentation.

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The skies buzz with an ever-increasing number of drones, offering convenience, stunning aerial footage, and efficient deliveries. But with this rise comes a growing concern: unauthorized drone activity threatens security and safety.

Keeping watch over our skies, the counter-drone industry utilizes a sharp eye with visual and thermal technologies. These technologies form the foundation of visual detection, seamlessly integrated into Sentrycs Integrated Counter Drone Solutions.

Drone detection through imaging

Drone detection through imaging refers to leveraging camera technology, both visible and thermal, to identify and track unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in our airspace. This method is crucial in the counter-drone industry, offering visual confirmation for practical threat assessment and mitigation.

Visible cameras provide high-resolution imagery, which is particularly useful for daytime operations. They can capture precise details like the drone’s size, shape, and markings, enabling identification of authorized versus unauthorized craft. However, their effectiveness diminishes in low-light conditions or when obscured by fog, smoke, or camouflage. This is where thermal imaging steps in. Unlike visible cameras, it detects heat signatures emitted by objects, making it effective at night, in inclement weather, and even when drones attempt to hide. It helps differentiate drones from birds or other flying objects, providing valuable information for accurate threat assessment.

However, drone detection through imaging alone is not foolproof. Advanced drones can employ countermeasures like cloaking devices or altering thermal signatures. Additionally, image analysis can be computationally intensive, requiring powerful processing capabilities. Nonetheless, it remains a fundamental tool in the counter-drone arsenal, offering valuable visual data for situational awareness and initial threat identification.

Drone tracking and classification through imaging techniques

In the battle for secure airspace, imaging is crucial in classifying and monitoring drones.

Classification

High-resolution visible cameras capture detailed images of drones, revealing features like size, shape, and markings. This allows for comparison with authorized drone databases, quickly flagging potential threats. Even primary color and shape recognition can be enough to differentiate benign hobby drones from larger, potentially malicious ones. Additionally, advanced image analysis algorithms can extract even more information, identifying specific drone models or manufacturers, further aiding in threat assessment.

Monitoring

Once identified, visual tracking becomes crucial. Thermal imaging shines here, detecting drones even in challenging conditions like darkness or smoke. This real-time monitoring allows for accurately tracking the drone’s trajectory and predicting its movements and potential targets. By combining thermal and visible footage, operators understand the situation comprehensively, enabling them to deploy appropriate countermeasures.

Furthermore, image analysis requires significant computational power, potentially limiting its deployment in resource-constrained situations. Despite these limitations, imaging remains a cornerstone of drone classification and monitoring. Its ability to provide detailed visual data in real time is crucial for informed decision-making and effective counter-drone strategies.

Convergence of counter-drone technologies

The convergence of imaging techniques with other mechanisms creates a layered defense shield against unauthorized aerial incursions. Imagine a fortress with multiple lines of sight – that’s the power of this combined approach. Visible cameras provide high-resolution detail for initial identification, while thermal imaging pierces through darkness and camouflage, revealing hidden threats. But the picture doesn’t stop there.

Radar scans for movement, regardless of visibility, while radio frequency (RF) detection pinpoints the unique communication signals of drones, offering crucial tracking data. This multi-sensory approach paints a comprehensive picture, enabling operators to assess the nature and intent of the drone accurately.

Furthermore, the convergence doesn’t end at detection. High-powered lasers can neutralize drones based on precise thermal and visible imaging data, while GPS spoofing redirects them away from sensitive areas based on radar and RF information. This layered approach ensures the proper countermeasure is deployed for each threat, minimizing collateral damage and maximizing effectiveness.

However, the true strength of this convergence lies in its automation. AI algorithms analyze data from all sources in real time, triggering automated responses based on pre-defined protocols. This eliminates the need for human intervention, ensuring faster and more precise responses, especially in critical situations.

Conclusion

By combining imaging with other detection technologies like radar and radio frequency scanning, a more comprehensive and robust drone detection system can be achieved, ensuring the safety and security of our skies.

Whether you’re an individual, a business owner, or a security professional, there’s a counter-drone solution tailored to your specific needs.

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