Microcontrollers and wireless modules combine to add connectivity and theft-prevention features to IoT devices for automotive, industrial, medical, and smart-home use. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) integrate theft-prevention tracking capabilities into their IoT devices. This article reviews key trade-offs and considerations for selecting wireless tracking technologies and highlights the crucial role microcontroller units (MCUs) play…
How Amazon Sidewalk differs from Wi-Fi, cellular, and LoRaWAN networks
Amazon Sidewalk uses 900 MHz to send low-bitrate messages to IoT devices. It has a more extended range than Wi-Fi and requires no base stations. Amazon Sidewalk is a free community network that provides secure, reliable connectivity for smart IoT devices. This low-bandwidth, low-power network leverages sub-GHz frequencies to transmit small data packets over distances…
How does 5G help secure edge connectivity?
If not thoughtfully and thoroughly implemented, 5G security can be a mixed bag. On the one hand, 5G has new features designed to enhance security, such as stronger encryption algorithms and better user authentication. At the same time, 5G networks face several security challenges, including new attack vectors and a larger attack surface. This article…
Where do fiber optics fit into automotive wiring harnesses?
Fiber optics can address several important needs for automotive wiring harnesses, including lightweight, high bandwidth, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). This article begins by reviewing the benefits of fiber optics in automotive wiring harnesses. It then considers how fiber optics supports media-oriented system transport (MOST) networks and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). It then looks into…
A survey of cellular connectivity modules for IoT applications: part 2
This is the second part of the multipart FAQ series on cellular connectivity modules used for IoT applications. We discuss how u-blox, Sierra Wireless, SIMCom, and Ericsson lead the technology with their custom products for 5G, 4G, LTE, LPWA, and 2G applications. Click here to see part 1. u-blox cellular connectivity modules u-blox, a Swiss-based…
A survey of cellular connectivity modules for IoT applications: part 1
Cellular IoT connects physical devices, such as sensors, trackers, etc., to the Internet using existing cellular networks used for mobile phones. The global cellular IoT market was valued at $6.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $22.95 billion by 2030. Therefore, several companies are developing cellular connectivity modules to tap into this…
Why AI chips need PCIe 7.0 IP interconnects
Today’s SoC designers need to design PCIe 7.0 into new AI chip designs. First-pass silicon success is critical to meet the increasing performance and bandwidth demands of data-intensive applications. Data center technologies need to evolve to enable AI’s increasing workload and demands, especially as the number of parameters doubles every four to six months —…
What’s a smart wiring harness?
A smart wiring harness implements protective functions like short circuit and over-temperature protection and reporting. By implementing common functions, they reduce the amount of wiring in the vehicle and eliminate the need for modules like fuse boxes. Smart wiring harnesses are found in military, construction, commercial, and public transport vehicles. They are beginning to find…
Where are LPWAN protocols used?
LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and LP-WAN are wireless protocols used by IoT and IIoT devices. Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) is a wireless technology specifically developed for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. As Figure 1 illustrates, LPWAN enables a diverse range of applications. This article reviews the key advantages and limitations of LPWAN,…
How timing and synchronization improve 5G spectrum efficiency
5G moved from FDD to TDD to improve spectrum efficiency. That move resulted in new timing issues to keep networks in sync.