RTC Magazine

Modern Wearable Computers – Form and Function Still Reign

Developing a full-function computer to mount on the body requires a delicate balance of computing power, usability, ruggedization and ergonomics.  In contrast to mobile devices,Read More...

Power Architecture Technology Enabled Differentiated solution for LTE

Text messages sent and received via mobile devices have exceeded the population of the planet. The emergence of the iPhone and other Internet and multimedia-enabled smart phones hasRead More...

3G Wireless Modules Optimized for M2M

Two new wireless modules, the LISA-H100 (for the USA) and LISA-H110 (for Europe and Asia) are dedicated to telematics and telemetry applications that typically require only data andRead More...

Hybrid Flat Panel USB Controller Board – Ethernet and Wireless

A controller board family for industrial flat panel solutions is available in 4 basic versions from Display Solution. The d.screen Hybrid board matches and exceeds the needs ofRead More...

Cellular Gateway Connects Remote Devices in Harsh Environments

A rugged programmable cellular gateway for monitoring remote assets in harsh environments features advanced battery power features and a NEMA 4X/IP66 enclosure to protect the gatewayRead More...

Zero Power Wireless Sensors Using Energy Harvesting

Sensor networks are gaining widespread use in factories, industrial complexes, commercial and residential buildings, agricultural settings and urban areas, serving to improve energyRead More...

The Smart Grid Meets the Digital Home

The proliferation of wireless networks in homes, offices and commercial buildings may at first appear to be about more easily setting up computer networks that can link together in aRead More...

The Smart Grid: The Advent of a New Technology Infrastructure

The concept of the Smart Grid can be described as a “many splendored thing.” In other words, it may have a basic definition, but many other ideas and assumptions arise from the notionRead More...

M2M Developer Kit Speeds Entry into Rapidly Expanding Smart Services Market

M2M Developer Kit Speeds Entry into Rapidly Expanding Smart Services Market A new machine-to-machine (M2M) Smart Services Developer Kit includes a deployable Intel AtomRead More...

Wi-Fi to Become Even More Versatile and Ubiqutous

It may already seem like it is everywhere—in just about every home with more than one computer, in airports, coffee shops and offices—but the most popular form of wireless digitalRead More...

The Changing Face of Embedded

It doesn’t seem so long ago that when at some non-technical social event I was asked the question, “So what do you do?” my answer would inevitably be followed by, “Uh, what isRead More...

iOS App for Automation and Control Systems

Opto 22 has introduced the Opto iPAC iOS App, which offers access to the company’s SNAP PAC System via popular mobile devices including the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The appRead More...

Smart Meter Interoperability Easy with DLMS User Association Certified Stack

A Device Language Message Specification (DLMS) protocol stack that is optimized for 16-bit PIC microcontrollers (MCUs) is the result of a partnership between Microchip TechnologyRead More...

Next Generation Wireless Server Supports New Software Development Kit

A next-generation wireless server allows design engineers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to easily add Wi-Fi and Ethernet networking to virtually any device. TheRead More...

Demystifying the 4G Phenomenon: Part 1

Demystifying the 4G Phenomenon: Part 1

Demystifying the 4G Phenomenon: Part 1

Every time I flip on the television, I come to learn yet another mobile operator is providing “4G” service. Strangely, though, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)Read More...

IPv6 Gets Ready for the Smart Grid and the Internet of Things

Of all the global protocol standards, IP remains the single unifying layer that enables any device anywhere to identify and communicate with another. Unfortunately IPv4, which hasRead More...

Defining the Future of Multi-Gigabit Wireless Communications

Getting Familiar with Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy

Bluetooth low energy is designed to enable new markets requiring low cost, low latency, low duty cycle, low data rate and low power consumption devices. These markets—healthcare,Read More...

Low Cost, High Flexibility WiFi Client, Access Point, or 3G Router

A secure embedded wireless LAN module easily connects embedded devices to 802.11b/g Wireless LAN, 10/100BaseT wired LAN and cellular WAN. The Nano WiReach SMT from Connect OneRead More...

Defining the Future of Multi-Gigabit Wireless Communications

The widespread availability and use of digital multimedia content has created a need for faster wireless connectivity that current commercial standards cannot support. This has drivenRead More...

Demystifying the 4G Phenomenon: Part 2

A key consideration in any mobile network upgrade is cost, and by far, the big ticket item remains spectrum, which is followed by equipment CAPEX. Second to cost, is spectrumRead More...

Getting What You Pay For: Optimizing PCIe Accelerator Card Designs

According to an old story that periodically makes its way around the industry, a system consisting of a rack of 1U servers was being used in a small room to process data. As theRead More...

The Smart Grid Built on Smart Objects Will Challenge Developers

For the last 50 years, developed countries have enjoyed “all you can eat” electrical energy. But no more. Today, multiple factors are leading to climbing energy costs, power qualityRead More...

Freescale-Based Desktop Platform with Optional Wi-Fi Support

A compact network platform designed for Internet security applications is just 9.4 inches wide and is suitable for the SOHO (Small Office, Home Office), SMB (Small Medium Business)Read More...

Accelerating Machine-to-Machine System Development with Embedded Software

In machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, a device captures an event and relays meaningful information to an application through a network. M2M means smart—from smart services toRead More...

10-core DPI AMC module for high bandwidth LTE network security applications

A new generation of the Kontron AMC Packet Processor modules is now available with the Cavium 10-core OCTEON II cn6645 series. For telecom equipment manufacturers, the AM4211 forRead More...

Core i7 Quad Core-Based Fanless Computer for 3G/WiFi/BT/GPS Support

A new series of rugged, quad core, fanless computers is based on the high-performance 2nd Generation Intel¨ Core i7/i5/i3 processor and QM67 chipset. The new Matrix MXE-5300 seriesRead More...

Embedded WiFi for Climate-Controlled Settings Cuts Costs

A set of commercial-grade modules delivers wireless connectivity environments to in-building or climate-controlled areas in a narrow temperature range (-10° to 65°C). ApplicationsRead More...

Very Small Half Duplex RFID Mini-Transponders for Animal and Asset Tracking

A line of very small half-duplex radio frequency identification (RFID) mini-transponders enables customers to embed tags into smaller objects across a broader range of applications.Read More...

Wireless Microcontrollers Combine Low-Power Processing and RF Connectivity in a Hybrid Architecture

Microcontrollers (MCUs) are indispensible in the world today. Their applications range from simple alarm clocks and coffee makers to complex electronics systems that controlRead More...

Embedded Firewalls—Protecting the Internet of Things

Recently there have been a number of well documented attacks on embedded devices ranging from hacked vehicle anti-theft and control systems to hijacked printers that sent copies ofRead More...

Accelerated Processing Units and Multicore Programming Innovation at the Cusp of Machine-to-Machine

Heterogeneous system architectures promise to transform many applications and the usability of machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions in these applications, enabling reliable and real-timeRead More...

Extremely Small Fully Embedded Wi-Fi Module

What is being billed as the world’s smallest fully embedded Wi-Fi module allows fast and easy application development of low power sensor and actuator solutions—enabling devices,Read More...

Wireless HD Video Streaming: Struggling toward a Standard Solution

The world of high definition video took its time getting firmly established in the consumer space in the form of HDTV, which has since become practically so ubiquitous that we loseRead More...

WiFi Modules Feature Soft AP Support For Easy HotSpot Device Integration

A family of WiFi modules provides easy WiFi connectivity through any processor-based device. With support for the latest wireless standards -- including 802.11b/g/n -- and USB 2.0Read More...

Growth of Solar Power Rides on Embedded Intelligence

The growth of the solar photovoltaic renewable energy industry in the United States is looking to have positive news for the spread of embedded systems. This may seemRead More...

PC Access to CAN Systems via Bluetooth for Control and Configuration

An intelligent CAN/Bluetooth module that supports both bridge and gateway modes also comes with a new PC interface mode. Support of the Windows driver package (VC—Virtual CANRead More...

The Internet of Things Starts at the Smart Home

More applications for smartphones are becoming available every day, making the smartphone a centerpiece of communication for the future smart, connected home. Some of theseRead More...

Design Basics for Energy Harvesting Systems

The widespread deployment of wireless sensors in our homes, offices, factories and infrastructure has opened the door for system designers to create novel approaches to poweringRead More...

Embedding Wi-Fi—What’s Involved?

Wi-Fi has changed the way we communicate and access information. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, about 200 million households use Wi-Fi networks, and there are about 750,000 Wi-FiRead More...

Wireless Monitoring Helps Protect Consumer Health

Hypertension, along with type 2 diabetes and high blood cholesterol, are manifestations of an unhealthy lifestyle dominated by overeating, lack of physical activity and excessiveRead More...

SoCs Driving Higher Levels of Integration in Smart Appliances

In recent years, SoCs have increased in complexity from purely analog or digital devices to mixed signal ICs that can be field upgraded to adjust to evolving communication protocols orRead More...

Positioning IC Supports GPS / GLONASS / QZSS and Is Galileo and Compass Ready

A next-generation core positioning technology platform supports all deployed as well as soon-to-be deployed Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The u-blox 7 platform is basedRead More...

Digital Home Devices to Offer Increased Opportunities for Embedded OEMs

With embedded systems spreading well beyond industrial environments, they have become pervasive in peoples’ everyday lives. The trick has been to design such systems so that theRead More...

Security in the Cloud

As more enterprises look to the cloud as a mechanism for both data sharing and data streaming, key concerns of security of the cloud continue to emerge, even for private andRead More...

Advanced SoC Devices Are Developing in Interesting Ways

Whatever it is, it seems that it will include a 32-bit processor core. But after that, the devices and configurable functions that are showing up in the latest SoCs seem to be aimedRead More...

One-Chip Solution Combines 2.4 GHz, Low-Power Wireless and Capacitive Touch

A single-chip solution integrates a wireless radio with touch-sensing circuitry for wireless mice, trackpads, remote controls, presenter tools and other Human Interface Devices (HIDs).Read More...

Wireless Sensor Networks Evolve to Meet Mainstream Needs

Recent advances in semiconductor, networking and material science technologies are driving the ubiquitous deployment of large-scale wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Together, theseRead More...

Implementing Wireless Sensor Networks for Environmental Monitoring Early Detection Communication Systems

The Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data applies to M2M communication that stretches beyond manufacturing processes and infotainment apps on smartphones and tablets. Predicting andRead More...

Trends in Mobility and Their Implications for Digital Signage – Revisited

It can be said that digital signage is a twenty-first century technology that uses 1950s measurement methodologies to quantify viewer engagement habits. It can also be said thatRead More...

ZigBee PRO Green Power Chip for End Devices in the Smart Home

The ZigBee Green Power feature gives battery-free, energy-harvesting devices the ability to join any Green Power enabled ZigBee PRO 2012 network. Without requiring batteries, theRead More...

Sensor Use in Intelligent Systems Contributes to Process Optimization

Modern technology is making being disconnected more difficult than it was not too long ago. It used to be that if you wanted to get away you could leave your laptop and mobile phoneRead More...

Unlocking the Potential of “Big Data” in Low-Power Wireless Sensor Networks

By 2020, there could be 50 billion devices that communicate wirelessly. According to the GSM Alliance, just a quarter of these devices will be mobile handsets and personalRead More...

Protecting the Internet of Tiny Things: Embedded Firewall Can Secure an 8-Bit MCU

8-bit MCUs are increasingly used to build small Internet connected devices. Devices such as home automation sensing and control units, utility meters, traffic lights and remoteRead More...

Multiband, Modular RF Down Converters Feature High Dynamic Range and Low Noise

A new line of multiband, modular RF slot receivers accepts RF signals over the range of 800 MHz to 3 GHz, downconverting them to a 225 MHz IF signal suitable for A/D conversion byRead More...

Software Defined Radio: The Key to Public Safety Radios

During the decade bridging the tragic events of 9/11 and the recent devastation in Japan, the world has experienced numerous disasters claiming thousands of lives and destroyingRead More...

Discover Problems in Your Distributed System Before It’s Too Late

Distributed systems are composed of many sub components, often times built separately by different teams, and are implemented and deployed in multiple phases. There are many ways toRead More...

ZigBee Transceivers Add Wi-Fi Coexistence Schemes, Deep Packet Inspection and Wake-on-LAN Features

A new generation of ZigBee transceivers contains an advanced coexistence scheme that allows Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and ZigBee chips to work side by side in the same device. The GP501 fromRead More...

How Energy Harvesting Wireless Paves the Way to the Internet of Things

Wireless Network Devices Set to Accelerate Connectivity in the Internet of Things

Compact Industrial Firewall for Industrial, Military and Critical Infrastructure Equipment