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Review: Toit IoT Cloud Development Platform

Posted on 30 September, 2021 by Saumitra Jagdale

Toit has everything you’ll need to build an IoT application, including firmware, cloud connectivity, a web-based console, and even a new programming language with Python-like syntax but considerably quicker execution speeds. But more importantly, Toit provides container-based development for the ESP32, allowing applications to be installed and updated independently from one another, as well as from the underlying firmware. This article highlights some of the key characteristics of this feature-rich platform that assist IoT developers in swiftly and easily developing their applications.

Innovative and Effective Multitasking on a $2 ESP32 MCU

Toit pushes a $2 ESP32 MCU to its boundaries in order to perform genuine multitasking. Toit allows you to deploy numerous applications on the same device in a much lighter and agile approach by dividing the firmware and apps code. As a result, you can freely and safely experiment with your code without risking bricking your device.

On the devices, your applications run in a separate environment from the system and from each other, making it possible to run numerous applications simultaneously. As a result, even if one of the applications goes down, the system will continue to function normally. The worst that can happen if a flaw gets into your code is that it crashes that one program. Working with Toit allows users to simply repair the bug and re-deploy the app over the air in seconds.

Connectivity Options in Toit

Connectivity works out of the box with Toit. You can directly connect to the built-in Wi-Fi of the ESP32. In addition, NB-IoT or LTE-M cellular modems are used by many users to connect to the cloud. In fact, there’s no need to connect the device to the PC via USB wire and wait for it to flash the code. After having installed Toit on a device, all communications between device and cloud happens over the air, whether your device is on your desk or located on the other side of the planet.

Unlike typical IoT systems, which combine all functionality into a single large piece of code, Toit configuration for connectivity is separated from application code. Intelligent scheduling of activities is made easy by Toit’s orchestration engine, which means that it is possible to schedule a configuration change or an update in just a few clicks, even for devices currently offline.

Toit applications are 40 to 100KB in size, and an update simply transmits patches to the previously installed version, so a Toit app update can be as minimal as 20KB. Being so, updates happen in seconds, and thus the chance of losing connectivity is quite low.

Even if the cellular connection is lost during the update, Toit will automatically resume the transfer once the connection is restored. Furthermore, the updates resume from the most recent data received, rather than from the beginning.

Toit applications focus solely on producing data and preserving it on the device, as Toit’s connectivity is separated from its application code. So, each time a device connects to the internet, the data is uploaded to the cloud. Hence, even on sluggish and unreliable internet connections, this makes a Toit device incredibly robust, accessible, and power-efficient.

Programming Made Easier with Toit

If you’ve ever attempted writing code for a microcontroller, you know how frustrating it can be. You program in C, and changing a single line of code takes minutes to re-deploy. The issue is that when it comes to microcontrollers, writing in low-level programming can be tedious. High-level languages, on the other hand, such as MicroPython, make it simple to write code but at the expense of execution speed.

Toit went above and beyond in creating a programming language exclusively for the Internet of Things. It is a modern object-oriented language, it provides you with a contemporary, memory-safe language. It integrates a cutting-edge editor with syntax highlighting, goto definitions, and auto completions. Within the Toit virtual machine, your code executes as one or more applications. Because your code runs in a sandboxed environment, the worst that can happen as a result of a defect is that your application crashes.

Through the GPIO pins on the ESP32, you can control any peripheral your plugin. The I2C, SPI, I2S, and UART protocols are all available for use. In addition, Toit’s package manager provides drivers for a variety of regularly used peripherals such as sensors and motors, and if you don’t have one, their engineering team is available to assist you in writing one.

Easy to use APIs and Secure Communication

You don’t have to feel obligated to use their console and they don’t want their command-line tools to make you feel restricted. “You are in full control of your devices and everything you can do with the Toit platform, you can do through our API. It is easy to integrate our platform into your products and turn your device fleet fully programmable”, says Toit. Toit’s gRPC-based APIs give users the liberty to achieve whatever they want with the platform.

IoT is all about data and Toit’s APIs are built to provide you complete programmatic control over your devices and to make ingesting acquired data into your own backend as simple as possible.

Using contemporary public-key encryption, all communication between the device and the cloud is encrypted end-to-end. Each device has its own cryptographically secure identification, allowing you to pinpoint the source of all collected data.

To Write And Deploy Applications, Use The Visual Studio Code Extension

Toit introduced a Visual Studio Code extension that does much more than merely highlighting the code with the introduction of a new programming language. In the built-in terminal, users may run code snippets, deploy programs, and monitor the output. The extension also displays a list of devices and apps that are currently operating in the sidebar. This Visual Studio Code extension speeds up development. We loved the fact that we could execute the software directly on the device, just as we would a computer program. There is no need to worry about picking a port, flashing, or any other issues that can arise while dealing with C++ programs. Overall, this VS code extension provides all of the fundamental functions of the web-based interface, as well as additional app deployment options.

Getting Started with Toit

To flash the firmware, first-time users will require an ESP32 board and a USB cable. Users can now start creating even without installing anything on their PCs, thanks to the support for flashing from the browser via Web serial. The provisioning of your device will just take a few minutes, and you’ll be up and running in no time. You can try out anything on the device once it has been provisioned, as long as it is connected to the internet as all the communications between the devices and cloud will happen over the air.

The console includes a built-in code editor that allows you to write, run, and monitor code on your device using timestamps. This is a terrific approach to try something new and enhance your software quickly. After your program is up and running, you can install it as a long-running application on your device. The app’s output, if any, will be logged and may be viewed in the console’s LOGS section. Toit’s excellent multitasking abilities convert an ESP32 into a whole computer. You can now easily commence your journey with Toit by referring to their quick-start guide.

For more information, kindly visit Toit’s official website.

Leetop A205 – NVIDIA Jetson Nano/Xavier NX carrier board with Dual Gigabit Ethernet, 5 SATA, 6 CSI camera and Support for 4G

Posted on 30 September, 202130 September, 2021 by Emmanuel Odunlade

Leetop has introduced a high-performance, interface-rich NVIDIA Jetson Nano / Xavier NX compatible carrier board named Leetop A205.

Leetop A205 comes with HDMI 2.0 output, GbE, microSD card, USB3.0, USB 2.0, M.2 key E Wifi / BT, M.2 key M, SATA, CSI camera, RS232, SD card, CAN, I2C, I2S, and fans, just to mention a few.

According to the company, the carrier board works only with an NVIDIA Jetson Nano or an NVIDIA Xavier NX module and is targeted at environments with strict requirements and complicated real-time vision computation.

“With the NVIDIA Jetson Nano/Xavier NX Module assembled, it could support NVIDIA JetPack, which includes a board support package (BSP), Linux OS, NVIDIA CUDA®, cuDNN, and TensorRT™ software libraries for deep learning, computer vision, GPU computing, multimedia processing, and much more.”

The Leetop A205 board also supports 4G communication and is perfect for complicated AI graphical applications such as Automated Optical Inspection, In Video Action, Robot control, Drone, 3D modeling etc. There’s a consideration for better heat dissipation as the board also comes with up to 3 fans interfaces.

Features and Specifications of the A205 Include:

SoMs: NVIDIA Jetson Nano and Jetson Xavier NX
5x SATA ports
1x MicroSD card slot
2x HDMI 2.0 up to 4Kp60
6x MIPI CSI camera connectors
3.5mm audio jack
2x microphone headers
2x speaker (1W) header
2x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
Optional WiFi and Bluetooth via 4-pin USB header or M.2 Key E socket
4x USB 3.0 Type-A ports
1x USB 2.0 Type-C OTG port
M.2 Key E socket
1x SPI, 2x I2C , 2x GPIO, 1x UART, 1x CAN
I/O voltage: 3.3V
2x fan headers (12V/5V)
1x 5V PWM fan header
System control
Power control
LED
RTC with 3V coin-cell battery (not included)
Power supply: 13V to 19V DC input up to 8A via the 2-pin yellow connector
Dimensions: 170 mm x 100mm
Temperature Range: -25°C to +80°C

Application areas include:

Industrial automation
Robotics
Healthcare
Computer vision
Smart City, and,
Smart Office

The company also introduced a Leetop A203 that is smaller than the A205 and about the size of the modules themselves. This A203 provides less functionality but can be used for space-constrained AI or IoT applications. It offers Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI output, USB 3.0/2.0 ports, a camera interface, and an M.2 slot for optional WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Board dimension is 87mm x 52mm x 26mm while weight is 57 grams.

Both boards are available for pre-order for $349 (A205) and $179 (A203). None of them however comes with a Jetson module, so you may need to place a separate order for it (this is also available for $129).

Shipping for the A205 is expected to commence by October 21 while the A203, by September 30 this year.

Transfer files wirelessly over the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol Using BleuIO

Posted on 30 September, 2021 by mixos

This tutorial will show how to transfer files wirelessly over the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol. We will use two BleuIO dongles for this project—one for sending and another one for receiving. The sender dongle will be in central mode, while the receiver dongle will be in peripheral mode.

We have already created two python scripts for sending and receiving. You can get the source code from: https://github.com/smart-sensor-devices-ab/bleuio_file_transfer_example

You can try this project on two different computers.

A video tutorial will show you how to do it on one computer and send files between two BleuIO dongles.

Requirements :

Steps:

First, connect two BleuIO dongles to your computer.
Note down the COM port for each dongle. You can find the port using device manager.
Try to find receiver dongle MAC id. To do that, start advertising your receiver dongle and note down the MAC id. Follow the video if you need more details on how to do it.
Open file_recieve.py and file_transfer.py files. Update COM port and MAC id where necessary.
Set the file type that you are expecting to receive. For example, if you are expecting a jpg file, change file_name on file_recieve.py to result.jpg, and for a text file, you can rename it to result.txt
Keep the file in the same directory with file_transfer.py and change the file name accordingly.
Now run the script file_recieve.py using a terminal. It will start advertising and will be ready to receive.
Now run the file_transfer.py script.
Once both the dongles are connected, you will be asked to send the file from the file transfer script.
The receiver dongle will give you a confirmation once received, and you will find the file stored in the same folder with the receiver script.
Finally, you can check if you received the file correctly by running a checksum.

Please follow the video if you have difficulty in understanding.

Fibocom Extends Leadership in 5G FWA Market with FG360-NA Module Certified by US Major Carrier

Posted on 30 September, 2021 by mixos

Fibocom, a global leading provider of IoT (Internet of Things) wireless solutions and wireless communication modules, announces that its 5G module FG360-NA has been successfully certified by a US major carrier. The module is now qualified to provide wireless connection services under the US 5G network, which accelerate the deployment of 5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) in the US market.

The 4G and 5G frequency bands in North America are diverse, the CA and ENDC of which are complex, and operator certification requirements are strict. Having overcome numerous difficulties and challenges, Fibocom’s R&D and certification department has completed relevant regulations and carrier certification in 4 months. With the certification, the Fibocom FG360-NA module is able to empower a wide range of IoT applications by leveraging the high bandwidth and low latency 5G network, including FWA (CPE, ODU, gateway, router), MIFI, etc. Specially, the module supports full FWA software turnkey, realizing seamless plug-in and easy use.

“We are proud to see our 5G module FG360-NA receiving the certificate. The module is now fully capable to be deployed in the US IoT market, boosting the commercialization of 5G FWA at scale. Fibocom will continue to enable industry digital transformation with our advanced 5G technology.” said Gene Santana, VP of Overseas Carriers Certification Dept., Fibocom.

According to a recent GSA report, the numbers and types of 5G devices announced and launched has increased rapidly, among which FWA CPE account for the second largest proportion. 5G FWA, with an average marketed speeds of 648 Mbps, has become one of the main options for operators worldwide to develop home broadband services. Fibocom is optimistic about the development potential of 5G FWA worldwide, and its 5G module FG360-NA has taken the lead in the 5G FWA market, supporting major overseas 5G Sub-6 and 4G frequency bands such as n66, n71, n77 and n78.

Based on the World’s 1st FWA CPE customized 5G SOC chipset, MediaTek T750, Fibocom’s FG360-NA module supports 5G NR Sub-6 band with up to 4.67 Gbps on the downlink and 1.25 Gbps on the uplink theoretically, enabling exciting 5G speed experience. It is worth noting that, integrated with MediaTek T750, the FG360-NA module has high integration and excellent performance that cover global main frequency band & ENDC (with NA and EAU Skus). Supporting 5G standalone network (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) network architectures, the module is also backward compatible with LTE/WCDMA network standards, which helps to reduce investment complexity in the initial stage of 5G construction.

Coming with a built-in quad-core & 2 GHz ARM Cortex-A55 CPU, Fibocom’s FG360-NA module supports 5G Sub-6GHz 2CC CA (Carrier Aggregation) 200MHz frequency to improve the utilization of spectrum resources and ensure an extended 5G coverage. In addition, supporting Wi-Fi 6 AX1800/ AX3600 (Main stream)/ AX4200/ AX6000 configuration, the FG360-NA module allows end devices to enjoy the full benefits of high-speed 5G + Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. The module also supports GNSS, including GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo and QZSS.

The Fibocom 5G module FG360-NA has a rich extension of interfaces including 2.5Gbps SGMII, USB 3.1/3.0/2.0, PCIe 3.0, GPIO, I2S, UIM and so on. At present, Fibocom’s FG360 module series has been globally certified by FCC/ CE/ PTCRB, and the commercial samples of FG360 are ready for massive production.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.fibocom.com/en/newscenter/list.html
https://www.fibocom.com/en/blog/index.html
To contact the Fibocom Sales Desk, visit Contact Sales

Resources

iW-RainboW-G34S: i.MX 8M Mini Single Board Computer

Posted on 29 September, 2021 by mixos

Adding another feather to the extensive portfolio of NXP® i.MX-based Single board Computers, iWave recently launched the iW-RainboW-G34S, a single board computer based on NXP i.MX 8M Mini applications processor in a PICO-ITX form factor. iWave supports Linux 5.4.70, Ubuntu 20.04, Buildroot 2021.02 and Android 11 on the platform, supported with an extensive BSP support team and continuous updates.

The SBC is designed to achieve high-performance multimedia processing with low power in embedded consumer and industrial applications. Equipped with an Arm Cortex-A53 core running up to 1.6 GHz per core, the SBC achieves outstanding system performance while the Cortex-M4 performs low power, real time system monitoring.

Key Features

MX 8M Mini Q/QL/D/DL/S/SL CPU
Up to 4GB LPDDR4 & 128GB eMMC
Multi-OS Platform Support
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac & BT 5.0
Wide range of high-speed interfaces
1000/100/10 Mbps Dual Ethernet
HDMI Output or LVDS Display
MIPI CSI Camera Connector

The i.MX 8M Mini processor consists of an integrated 2D/3D GPU and 1080 VPU, making the single board computer a perfect fit for high performance graphics and imaging applications such as video conferencing, HMI solutions and image analytics.

With a flexible memory configuration ranging from 1GB LPDDR4 to 4GB LPDDR4, with an expandable eMMC flash up to 128GB, provides customers the flexibility on the configuration. The SBC is feature rich with a host for multiple interfaces: USB2.0, SDIO, PCIe to Ethernet, MIPI_DSI to HDMI/LVDS and MIPI CSI Camera. The SBC is designed for connectivity applications with an on-board Wi-Fi & Bluetooth module. Built with an M.2 connector with optional PCIe support, you can plug in an external cellular connectivity modem.

Available in commercial and industrial temperature configuration, the iW-Rainbow-G34S is designed for mass production with iWave assuring product longevity of 10+ years. iWave complements the single board computer with thermal solutions such as heat sinks and heat spreaders to take care of the thermal characteristics, while also providing the option of an enclosure for the single board computer.

More information on the NXP i.MX 8M Mini SBC is available here.

You can find more information on our portfolio of i.MX System on Modules and Single Board Computers here. For further information or enquiries, you can reach us at mktg@iwavesystems.com

12W Constant-Current LED Driver with PWM Dimming – 12V DC@1A Input

This is a high-performance, adjustable constant current, and PWM dimmer project. It provides accurate output constant current and PWM control. The circuit regulates the current flowing through a LED/LED array to maintain the desired level of light output. The board consists of CAT4101 LED driver chip and LTC6992-1 PWM generator chip.

The CAT4101 is a constant-current sink driving a string of high-brightness LEDs up to 1A with a very low dropout of 0.5 V at full load. It requires no inductor, provides a low noise operation, and minimizes the number of components. The LED current is set by an external resistor connected to the R_SET pin. The LED pin is compatible with high voltage up to 25 V, allowing the driving of long strings of LEDs. The device ensures an accurate and regulated current in the LEDs independent of supply and LED forward voltage variation. The PWM/EN input allows the device shutdown and the LED brightness adjustment by using an external pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The driver features thermal shutdown protection that becomes active whenever the die temperature exceeds 150C.

The LTC6992 is a silicon oscillator with an easy-to-use analog voltage-controlled pulse width modulation (PWM) capability. The LTC6992 is part of the Timer Blox® family of versatile silicon timing devices. A single resistor, RSET, programs the LTC6992’s internal master oscillator frequency. The output frequency is determined by this master oscillator and an internal frequency divider, NDIV, programmable to eight settings from 1 to 16384. Applying a voltage between 0V and 1V on the MOD pin sets the duty cycle. The four versions differ in their minimum/maximum duty cycle. Note that a minimum duty cycle limit of 0% or maximum duty cycle limit of 100% allows oscillations to stop at the extreme duty cycle settings.

Components and Function

PR1 Potentiometer: Duty Cycle Control, Range 0 to 100% (Dimmer Control)
PR2 Trimmer Potentiometer: Constant Current Control 100mA to 1000mA (0.1A-1Amp)
U2 LTC6992-1: Voltage to PWM converter Provides Duty Cycle 0 to 100%, Frequency 2.6Khz
U3 CAT4101: 1 Amp Constant-Current LED Driver with PWM Dimming
U1 LM78M05: 5V Regulator for logic Circuit

Applications

Architect Lighting
General Lighting
Horticulture Lighting
Photography Lighting

Features

Operating Power Supply 12V DC (Range 12-18V DC)
Load Current 1Amp (High Brightness Single LED or String of LED)
Load Current Adjustable 0.1A to 1Amp (100mA to 1000mA)
Dimming PWM Duty Cycle 0% to 100%
Zero Current Shutdown Mode
Thermal Shutdown Protection
Low Dropout 500mV at 1Amp
PCB Dimensions 81.44 x 35.24 mm

Schematic

Parts List

NO	QNTY.	REF.	DESC.	MANUFACTURER	SUPPLIER	SUPPLIER PART NO
1	1	CN1	2 PIN SCREW TERMINAL PITCH 5.08MM	PHOENIX	DIGIKEY	277-1247-ND
2	1	CN2	2 PIN SCREW TERMINAL PITCH 5.08MM	PHOENIX	DIGIKEY	277-1247-ND
3	1	C2	47uF or 10uF/25V SMD SIZE 1210	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
4	2	C1,C3	0.1uF/50V SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
5	1	PR1	5K POTENTIOMTER	BOURNS	DIGIKEY	118-3362U-1-502RLFCT-ND
6	1	PR2	5K TRIMMER POT	BOURNS	DIGIKEY	PDB181-K420K-502B-ND
7	1	R1	20K 1% SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
8	1	R2	1K 5% SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
9	1	R3	1M 1% SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
10	1	R4	300K 1% SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
11	1	R5	280K 1% SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
12	1	R6	510E 1% SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
13	1	U1	MC78M05	ON SEMI	DIGIKEY	MC78M05CDTGOS-ND
14	1	U2	LTC6992-1	ANALOG	DIGIKEY	161-LTC6992IS6-1
15	1	U3	CAT4101	ONSEMI	WorldWayElec	CAT4101TV-3679303

Connections

Gerber View

Photos

Video

CAT4101 Datasheet

New T-configuration MOSFET Relay Modules with 1 pA Low Leakage Current

Posted on 28 September, 2021 by mixos

OMRON Electronic Components Europe has introduced new high voltage and high current versions of its T-configuration MOSFET relay modules. The new G3VM T-modules with mechanical and MOSFET relay technology provides an accurate, compact, and long-lasting switching solution with no mechanical contacts.

The new OMRON G3VM-61MT and G3VM-101MT join high isolation G3VM-21MT and feature a load current of 800 mA and 550mA respectively. The electrical load characteristics of the new devices are 800 mA, 60 V for the G3VM-61MT and 550 mA, and 100 V for the G3VM-101MT. The G3VM-21MT features high isolation performance of less than – 30dB at 1 GHz and is rated at 200 mA, 20 V. The unique T- circuit structure that sends most leakage current to the ground leads to the exceptionally low leakage current of just 1 pA or less.

Housed in a compact 5 mm x 3.75 mm x 2.7 mm package, these new modules are surface mounted and are offered in SPST with no configuration required. The devices in the series support accurate measurements in all types of test equipment where mechanical relays have previously been preferred due to their low leakage current.

more information: http://components.omron.eu/Product-details/G3VM-series

KLS Series Illuminated Pushbutton

Posted on 28 September, 202128 September, 2021 by mixos

C&K’s pushbutton switch has audible feedback and provides the status of the switches’ positioning

C&K’s KLS series pushbutton switch meets market requirements on haptic and sound with clear “click” sound feedback. It provides the status of the switches’ positioning (on/off) and a clear indication of its functioning.

The KLS pushbutton is available as SPDT and DPDT configurations and with a higher rating for broader application needs. KLS also offers momentary and locking versions for easy integration into customer designs, along with a choice of five different illuminated LED color options in either of its switch positions. The KLS caps can be provided with a wide choice of standard marked or engraved logos or customized to match the customers’ specific needs.

Features

Bright LED colors
Momentary or lock version
Snap-action provides positive feedback
1,000,000 life cycle

Applications

Professional audio/video systems
Instrumentation
Control panels
Vending machines

more information: https://www.ckswitches.com/products/switches/product-details/Pushbutton/KLS/

Arduino, Bosch team for smallest AI sensor board

Posted on 28 September, 202118 October, 2021 by mixos

Arduino’s smallest board to date uses sensors from Bosch Sensortec for the Nicla Sense ME. [www.eenewseurope.com]

Arduino Pro and Bosch Sensortec have partnered on a small sensor board. The Nicla Sense ME is Arduino’s smallest board to date and uses the latest generation Bosch sensors technology on the smallest form factor yet for sensing and intelligence at the edge.

The 22.86 x 22.86 mm board has a motion sensor with nine degrees of freedom (9DoF) and a 4DoF environmental sensor with machine learning. It can be powered by a battery and used as a complete standalone board, or attached to an Arduino board to expand its capabilities.

The €59 Nicla Sense ME board comes with Bosch Sensortec’s BHI260AP AI sensor system with integrated motion sensor, BMM150 magnetometer, BMP390 pressure sensor, and BME688 4-in-1 gas sensor with AI and integrated high-linearity and high-accuracy pressure, humidity, and temperature sensors.

“This is a tiny board with a really great mix of sensors combined with high computational power, opening up a whole new range of applications leveraging on sensor fusion. Smart building automation, mobile and wearable devices, industrial and professional equipment are key targets,” said Adriano Chinello, Head of Arduino Pro.

The Nicla Sense board has already been included in a starter kit provided to all teams participating in the Bosch Sensortec’s 2021 IoT Innovation Challenge. This is an online competition where students combine hardware and software tools to develop fascinating sensor-based IoT solutions.

“The Arduino Nicla Sense ME combines the hardware and software know-how in one platform and ensures high-speed time-to-market for our users. Bosch Sensortec’s self-learning AI smart motion sensor, the environmental sensor with AI capabilities and all the other sensors allow a broad range of applications to address the different segments of the IoT market. This way developing intelligent, low-power and scalable edge sensing applications is easier than ever before,” said Dr. Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO of Bosch Sensortec.

The Arduino Nicla Sense ME is now available for €59/US$70.

more information: www.arduino.cc/pro/hardware/product/nicla-sense-me

E-PEAS cooperates with TCT on energy harvesting solution

Posted on 28 September, 202128 September, 2021 by mixos

Cooperation between E-PEAS and TCT has resulted in an energy harvesting solution for three-phase electricity cables designed to support IOT.

Building on the existing technology relationship between e-peas and TCT, the two companies have made another major advance in the harvesting of energy from power lines. These partners already successfully demonstrated a solution that can extract energy from single-phase wire. Now they have expanded on this, by developing hardware that can be used with three-phase cabling.

The new multifaceted energy harvesting solution is unique to the market. It consists of an e-peas AEM30940 high-performance power management IC (PMIC) accompanied by a TCT current transformer featuring one of the company’s proprietary high-permeability ferromagnetic cores. The current transformer is clipped around the cable. The AC current it extracts via induction from the cable is subsequently converted into a DC current using rectification circuitry, and the AEM30940 can then utilize this to power the electronic system it is connected to.

There are countless IoT-related applications that will benefit from this latest e-peas/TCT innovation, allowing energy-autonomous sensing and communication equipment to be deployed anywhere that there is nearby AC electricity distribution infrastructure. The need to send out engineers to replace batteries is eliminated, with operational expense reductions being derived from this. Among the opportunities that this solution will be able to address are industrial control/monitoring, building automation, smart grid, environment monitoring, etc.

e-peas and TCT are demonstrating their energy harvesting solution for three-phase cabling at the SIDO Lyon conference on Stand W308. This uses the hardware just described to power a system comprising a light sensor, humidity sensor, temperature sensor, and a wireless transceiver IC, as well as covering real-time measurement of the current passing through the cable. Further demonstrations will be conducted at SIDO Paris (9-10 November, stand F20).

“Our company has been working closely with e-peas for just over two years, and what we have been able to achieve will have major implications for the emerging IoT sector,” explains Alexandre Decombejean, Sales Manager at TCT. “The low cold-start capabilities of e-peas PMICs really provide the differentiation that we needed for this energy harvesting arrangement. Other devices would mean that too much of the available energy would simply be wasted.”

“The new three-phase cable energy harvesting hardware we are now demonstrating will give us access to a broad selection of different deployment possibilities, allowing battery-less operation to be implemented across a multitude of customer applications,” adds Christian Ferrier, e-peas’ CMO. “We envisage this solution being pivotal in enabling widespread implementation of smart factory and smart city projects around the world.”

Block Diagram

more information: