wireless

Posted on by Debashis Das - No Comments on Blues launches $19 Notecard XP cellular IoT module and Notecarrier XP series carrier board

Blues launches $19 Notecard XP cellular IoT module and Notecarrier XP series carrier board

Blues $19 Notecard XP

Blues has recently released the latest entry to its Notecard family, the Notecard XP (External Power supply), an updated and more cost-effective version of its existing Notecard Cellular. This new model reduces costs by not including certain components, such as SIM switching hardware, an embedded SIM with a data plan, and conformal coating while retaining all key features and functionalities. These include an Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller, a three-axis accelerometer, a temperature sensor, and a secure element. Additionally, they have also removed the radio power supply to reduce costs further, bringing the price down to just $19. Alongside this release, Blues has also introduced a new “midband” LTE Cat 1 bis Notecard Cellular model, which features a single antenna design making it more compact and economical. In February this year we have seen Blues announced the Blues Starnote IoT Module, along with the Notecarrier A, B, F, and Pi series of […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Murata Type 2GT tiny LoRa module features Semtech LR1121 with Sub-GHz ISM, 2.4GHz, satellite S-Band support

Murata Type 2GT tiny LoRa module features Semtech LR1121 with Sub-GHz ISM, 2.4GHz, satellite S-Band support

Murata LR1211 LoRa module

Murata Type 2GT module is a tiny multi-band, low-power radio LoRa module based on the Semtech LR1121, the successor of the LR1120, that supports 860 to 930 MHz and 2.4GHz ISM bands, as well as the 2.1 GHz Satellite S-Band meaning it can work globally. The Type 2GT module measures just 9.98 x 8.70 x 1.74mm and is built on a PCB housed in a metal case and packaged as a land grid array. It combines the Semtech LR1121 RF transceiver IC, a thermally compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO), a second 32KHz crystal, an RF switch, and an RF matching network. Murata Type 2GT module (LBAA0XV2GT-001) specifications: Transceiver – Semtech LR1121 LoRa transceiver LoRa frequencies 860 to 930 MHz (ISM) 2.4 GHz ISM 2.1 GHz satellite S-Band Technology – LoRa, LR-FHSS (Long Range – Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) 32 MHz TCXO for maximum frequency accuracy Peripheral I/F – SPI and GPIOs […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on STM32WBA microcontrollers with Bluetooth LE 5.4, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter to comply with US and EU Cybersecurity regulations

STM32WBA microcontrollers with Bluetooth LE 5.4, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter to comply with US and EU Cybersecurity regulations

STM32WBA54 and STM32WBA55 block diagram

STMicro’s new STM32WBA series, starting with the STM32WBA52, STM32WBA54, and STM32WBA55 devices, is a family of Arm Cortex-M33 wireless microcontrollers with Bluetooth LE 5.4, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter connectivity that achieved the SESIP (Security Evaluation Standard for IoT Platforms) Level 3 security certification and should make them compliant with US Cyber Trust Mark and EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED) regulations due to become mandatory in 2025. The 100MHz STM32WBA54 and STM32WBA55 microcontrollers come with up to 1MB of flash memory, support Arm TrustZone architecture isolating secure processes and storage,  and incorporate background autonomous mode, flexible power-saving states, and analog and digital peripherals found in STMicro STM32U5 ultra-low-power MCUs. STM32WBA54 and STM32WBA55 specifications: MCU core – Arm Cortex-M33 at 100MHz with FPU and DSP Memory – Up to 128KB SRAM Storage – Up to 1 MB flash Wireless Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4 Long Range (LR) capable Up to 2 Mbps Bluetooth […]

Posted on by Debashis Das - No Comments on Blues Starnote – An affordable satellite IIoT module with 18 KB of data for Skylo service

Blues Starnote – An affordable satellite IIoT module with 18 KB of data for Skylo service

Blues Satellite IIoT Module

Last month, we wrote about the new Quectel CC660D-LS IoT-NTN module, built in collaboration with Quectel and Skylo. before that, we wrote about Qualcomm 212S and 9205S satellite modems which were also developed in collaboration with Skylo. Those modules support IoT NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) which makes them very useful for a variety of applications including sending texts, making voice calls, and providing emergency services, particularly in remote areas. But in a recent development, Skylo partnered with Blues to launch Starnote, a complete backup satellite module that just cost $49. It provides a backup satellite connection for times when cellular or Wi-Fi isn’t available, designed to work seamlessly with the Notecard API. The module features an M.2 E-Key edge connector and a six-pin JST connector (on the backside of the PCB) for easy setup, plus options for external antennas through u.FL connectors. It includes 18KB of Skylo satellite data without any […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 1 Comment on Particle’s M-series multi-radio devices connect anywhere with WiFi, cellular, NTN satellite, and LoRaWAN connectivity

Particle’s M-series multi-radio devices connect anywhere with WiFi, cellular, NTN satellite, and LoRaWAN connectivity

Particle M-series M-SoM versions

Particle Industries Inc., an IoT Platform-as-a-Service company, has announced a new line of multi-radio boards and modules that offer multiple connectivity options in a single product. Particle is a complete edge-to-cloud IoT development platform that offers hardware products and software tools for creating IoT solutions. The company’s latest product, the M-series, has a bold tagline: connect anywhere. Although wireless connectivity has come a long way, there is no single wireless technology that works everywhere. Particle’s M-series aims to address that problem by bundling multiple radios – Wi-Fi, cellular, satellite, and LoRaWAN – into one product. Particle is looking to expand from its two primary wireless technologies: Wi-Fi and cellular, and add two more radios, satellite and LoRaWAN, for broader coverage. These two radios will cover devices in areas such as enclosed spaces (boiler rooms, elevator shafts, basements, and mines) and remote locations (methane sensors in oil and gas plants, boats, […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on LibreVNA open-source USB vector network analyzer (VNA) works in the 100kHz to 6GHz range

LibreVNA open-source USB vector network analyzer (VNA) works in the 100kHz to 6GHz range

LibreVNA Open source hardware vector network analyzer vna

Jan Käberich’s LibreVNA is an open-source hardware USB vector network analyzer (VNA) based on a Spartan-6 FPGA, an STM32 microcontroller, and RF circuitry with MAX2871 and Si5351C chips. The open-source VNA supports two channels and works in the 100kHz to 6GHz frequency range. Vector network analyzers are expensive pieces of electronic test equipment used to measure the magnitude and phase of high-frequency electrical networks costing several thousand dollars. They are commonly used in radio frequency (RF) and microwave engineering applications. Last year, we wrote that Pico Technology released PicoVNA 5 software for Linux, Raspberry Pi, and macOS instead of only providing a Windows program for their commercial PicoVNA devices. I thought it was already a good development even if it was closed-sourced, but LibreVNA goes all the way with an open-source hardware design with hardware design files, the FPGA code, STM32 firmware, and PC software (GUI) all open-source. LivreVNA hardware […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments on STMicro ST60A3H0 and ST60A3H1 60 GHz transceiver ICs aim to replace USB cables

STMicro ST60A3H0 and ST60A3H1 60 GHz transceiver ICs aim to replace USB cables

ST60A3H0 ST60A3H1 60 GHz transceivers

STMicro ST60A3H0 and ST60A3H1 are short-range 60 GHz transceiver ICs that tunnel eUSB2, I2C, SPI, UART, and GPIO signals and aim to replace USB and other cables in consumer devices such as digital cameras, wearables, portable hard drives, and small gaming terminals. They should also find their way into industrial applications such as rotating machinery where cable use may be challenging. The smaller ST60A3H0 chip provides more flexibility and requires an external antenna, while the ST60A3H1 chip is a fully integrated solution with a built-in linear antenna. Both are capable of USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps and support UART, GPIO, and/or I2C signals so they are not limited to USB cables and can be used in a range of applications. ST60A3H0 and ST60A3H1 key features and specifications: 60 GHz V-Band transceiver for short-range contactless connectivity up to 480 Mbit/s eUSB2, UART, GPIO, or I2C RF tunneling Low […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments on ESP32-C6-Bug WiFi 6, Bluetooth LE, and 802.15.4 board takes a PoE Ethernet shield (Crowdfunding)

ESP32-C6-Bug WiFi 6, Bluetooth LE, and 802.15.4 board takes a PoE Ethernet shield (Crowdfunding)

ESP32-C6 PoE board

We’ve already covered a range of ESP32-C6 boards, but none supporting Ethernet and PoE so far, and the ESP32-C6-Bug board brings that to the table thanks to the Esp32-Bug-Eth shield with a W5500 Ethernet chip, an RJ45 jack and a PoE power module. Like other ESP32-C6 devices, the little board supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth LE 5, as well as Thread and Zigbee through its 802.15.4 radio, but it also integrates some other interesting features such as castellated holes for easy soldering on a carrier board and support for LiPo batteries with built-in battery charging and protection circuits. ESP32-C6-Bug board specifications: SoC – ESP32-C6FH4 MCU cores 32-bit RISC-V core @ 160 MHz 32-bit RISC-V core @ 20 MHz low-power coprocessor can run tasks even when the main system is in deep sleep state Memory – 512 KB SRAM Storage – 4 MB Flash Wireless – WiFi 6, Bluetooth LE 5, and […]