Wireless & Communications

The nanoelectronics research centre imec and Holst Centre, an open-innovation initiative by imec and TNO (NL), are making available evaluation kits for their proprietary ultra-low power ECG analogue front-end chip for ambulatory cardiac monitoring. The evaluation kits enable device companies to evaluate imec and Holst Centre’s ultra-low power technology on their own portable cardiac monitoring solutions.

A new family of “dynamic NFC tag” memories from STMicroelectronics is set to make a vast range of consumer devices, domestic appliances and industrial equipment alot smarter, more flexible and easier. These memories will make it easier to add Near Field Communications (NFC) capability to any kind of electrical device, from loudspeakers and printers, to cookers and washing machines, to electricity, gas and water meters.

Toshiba Electronics Europe has expanded its range of next-generation FlashAir wireless LAN SD cards, with the launch of a 32GB SD card. The card features a new “internet pass-through” mode that is intended to further simplify photo sharing. Once a mobile device is connected to the FlashAir card, the internet pass-through functionality enables the device to access the internet via a wireless access point.

CSR has announced that it has established a partnership with Mentor Graphics to deliver an ‘out of the box’ solution for OEMs looking to deliver in-car wireless connectivity. CSR Synergy software will come pre-integrated in upcoming releases of Mentor Graphics’ GENIVI Linux compliant Automotive Technology Platform (ATP) to provide a complete software solution for a range of wireless connectivity technologies.

A significant number of the world’s leading mobile network operators, infrastructure and tools providers, media and communications organisations and the UK’s communications regulator have formally joined the University of Surrey in its ambitions to deliver a specialised 5G Innovation Centre (5GIC) on its main campus in Guildford.

Analog Devices has released ultra-low-noise LDO (low-dropout) regulators for RF (radio frequency) signal devices. The ADM7150/1 operate from 4.5 V to 16 V, provide up to 800-mA of output current and support output voltages from 1.5 to 5.0 V.

Lattice Semiconductor has launched a portfolio of programmable solutions intended for building the smart, low-power cellular equipment that’s needed to support the global rollout of Heterogeneous Networks (HetNet).

Sierra Wireless has launched the latest additions to the AirPrime HL Series of embedded wireless modules for machine-to-machine (M2M) applications. The new AirPrime HL modules include satellite navigation support and are the smallest embedded wireless modules (22 x 23 mm) to be completely interchangeable across 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies. These new modules are intended to provide device manufacturers with the ability to serve different regions, across multiple network technologies, with one device design.

New research has found that the number of commercial aircraft providing either Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity is set to reach 4,048 by the end of 2013, representing 21 percent of the global fleet. According to IHS the penetration of wireless is up from 15 percent in 2012 and 12 percent in 2011. By 2022, wireless connectivity penetration in commercial aircraft could top 50 percent.

HARTING has developed a new RFID antenna which enables the precise recognition of tools or production materials in an industrial environment. The sMR20 RFID antenna provides defined read ranges as low as one metre, representing an order of magnitude improvement over the currently accepted industry norm.