While the Internet of Things (IoT) has existed for over 20 years now, it is still a category brimming with innovation. Today, the IoT industry spans the most practical use cases, such as smart air quality monitoring, to the most futuristic—like humanoid robots. This roundup covers three different IoT systems across various applications.
InnoPhase IoT Introduces Matter-Certified Wi-Fi Solution
Fabless semiconductor company InnoPhase IoT has introduced a Wi-Fi system-on-chip (SoC) combined with a 32-bit MCU in a flexible development board/daughter card configuration.
Talaria Two and STM32U575ZI-Q development board set. Image used courtesy of InnoPhase IoT
InnoPhase IoT has partnered with STMicroelectronics to deliver a complete IoT reference solution. The reference set starts with the STM32U575ZI-Q Nucleo-144 development board as the base and adds an InnoPhase IoT INP3014 Matter 1.2 evaluation board daughter card for IoT support.
The Talaria Two INP3014 EVK Wi-Fi controller was designed for Matter-certified, battery-powered home automation devices such as smart thermostats, air quality sensors, smoke alarms, lighting, window shades, door locks, and heating and air conditioning controls. The module is based on a single-chip SoC. It offloads the protocol stack from the microcontroller, freeing up the MCU for the additional processing that complex home automation often requires.
The STM32U575ZI-Q microcontroller on the based board is a 32-bit Cortex M33 running at 160 MHz with up to 4 MB of Flash, 2 MB of SRAM, and power control functions to reduce power by 90% over comparable MCUs.
U-blox Reveals Ultra-Low-Power Asset Tracking
U-blox has announced a new service called CloudTrack that enables universal ultra-low-power global asset tracking.
U-blox CloudTrack asset tracking system. Image used courtesy of U-blox
The service provides asset tracking and secure data connectivity between devices in 190 countries using the U-blox Thingstream SIM card and a compatible cellular positioning module. CloudTrack offers multiple payment options, including pay-as-you-go pricing, for a minimal cost footprint. U-blox devices can combine Wi-Fi, cellular, and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data to achieve a 6x power reduction from a cold start compared to conventional GNSS position systems. The Thingstream SIM operates virtually everywhere on the planet, eliminating the need to navigate a complex network of multiple service providers.
The service supports three different ways to locate assets. The first is location in cloud, finding a GNSS-based location a few times daily, with data stored in the cloud for easy access. This method is used when constant position updates are not necessary. The second, location in cloud (no/poor GNSS), finds an approximate position based on cellular and Wi-Fi networks. This method is used to acquire position when GNSS signal is unavailable or unreliable. Finally, location on devices fixes position with assisted GNSS to deliver low power and improved time to first fix. This method is used when frequent position updates are required.
The new CloudTrack service operates with the following U-blox tracking modules:
- SARA-R422M10: LTE-M, NB-IoT, and EGPRS module with integrated M10 GNSS receiver
- SARA-R10001M10D: LTE Cat 1bis module with integrated M10 GNSS receiver
- LENA-R8001M10: LTE Cat 1bis module with global coverage and integrated M10 GNSS
MachineQ Conducts Power Monitoring for Energy Management
Comcast subsidiary MachineQ has unveiled its IoT energy monitoring system. The system, targeted at enterprise customers with high-energy-consuming operations, allows customers to monitor and understand energy usage. System users can then use the data to improve overall energy efficiency, maintenance, and cost.
MachineQ launches new IoT-based energy monitoring system. Image used courtesy of MachineQ
Along with the enterprise system, the monitoring hardware comes in a number of forms to capture usage at the receptacle, equipment, or circuit-breaker level. All of the devices connect via LoRanWAN to a MachineQ gateway to MQcentral, the network management application. The MQpower CT contactless current transformer connects at the circuit breaker level. It is self-powered and connects via a CT clamp. The clamp monitors loads of up to 100 A or 250 A with 1 mA resolution.
The system offers the MQpower SP smart plug line at the outlet level. The smart plugs monitor power, instantaneous current, voltage, active power, and power factor. The plugs also watch for fault conditions such as overload, over voltage, over current, and voltage sag. They come in varieties for U.S. (15A) | U.K. (13A) | EU/FR (16A) plugs at 100–240 V or 50–60 Hz.
MachineQ is targeting the solution at commercial consumers with high energy usage, such as food service, laboratories, and hotels. These companies often consume twice or more energy per square foot than the average commercial building. MachineQ designed the power monitoring solution to reduce energy consumption and monitor for unusual, fault-based power conditions.
