Eliminate technical barriers to IoT adoption with pre-certified connectivity
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The Internet of Things ( IoT ) offers the power and potential to improve productivity, control and efficiency in almost unlimited markets and end applications. IoT has received a lot of attention in markets where cutting-edge technology is not yet widely used, especially when connectivity is required.
In industrial and consumer applications, the key modules of sensing, processing, actuation and connectivity are essential for IoT design. Providing modular, plug-and-play solutions for each module can significantly speed up and simplify new designs for applications such as smart home/smart building, health and asset tracking, to name a few. It is particularly important that the modular solution includes customized development tools and is pre-certified to any relevant international regulatory standards and protocol requirements when necessary.
Connectivity is one of the most challenging areas, and many protocols are more or less relevant depending on the specific nature of each application. Sigfox™ has emerged as one of the most useful protocols with its built-in infrastructure and long-range connectivity. However, for many potential IoT solution designers, Sigfox is a new technology area, so ease of adoption is key to IoT adoption.
IoT Application Challenges
There are more than 31 billion devices (“things”) connected to the IoT—with tens of thousands more being connected every day. Together, these devices are bringing about tremendous positive change for consumers and business users around the world. In the home, automated lighting controls save energy and provide security, while remote doorbells allow users to “call home” from anywhere on the planet, as long as they have access to the internet. In the enterprise, every detail of a factory or other facility can be monitored; the data provided will improve operational efficiency like never before. Businesses operating equipment in remote locations can monitor work from the comfort of their offices, reducing the expense of regular inspections. The overall benefits of the IoT are being realized as data analytics, real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and other high-value propositions are enhanced.
However, many of the features that make these IoT devices so useful and portable, such as their small size, connectivity, and ability to be used remotely, also present significant challenges for designers.
Although these devices are physically small and can be deployed in confined spaces, IoT nodes need to contain a large amount of functionality. Typically, this will include a microcontroller (MCU) to manage the system and process data, various types of sensors (depending on what is being measured or monitored), and encryption technology to ensure that any sensitive data is securely stored and transmitted.
A power source is also required, and while many IoT devices are deployed in homes, offices, or factories where a power source is available, many of these devices are battery powered for convenience. Obviously, all IoT devices used in remote areas without a power source are battery powered.
The size constraints of batteries and the limited amount of power available mean that designers have significant challenges to overcome in selecting and implementing small, ultra-low power devices and developing sophisticated power management algorithms to ensure that no precious power is wasted.
Challenges of connecting IoT devices
Another challenge for IoT devices is providing a communication interface, which is essential for connecting nodes to the IoT. This is a relatively specialized field, and a key challenge for designers is to choose the most appropriate protocol from the huge range available. Some of these protocols are proprietary and suitable for very specific applications, while others, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, are widely implemented but only suitable for short-range applications.
Until recently, cellular technology was one of the only available methods for connecting nodes beyond the reach of other short-range wireless technologies such as Bluetooth. However, cellular is specialized for voice and high data rate communications, which makes it relatively power hungry and unsuitable for the simple machine-to-machine (M2M) communications that the IoT requires and relies on.
Sigfox is an established cellular system that provides low power, long range, low data rate and low cost communications for remotely connected devices, especially IoT nodes. For simple M2M communications, the Sigfox network supports simple connections at distances far greater than simple low power transmitters can achieve independently. The network uses ultra narrow band (UNB) technology to support low transmit power while maintaining a strong connection.
SigFox is suitable for almost any IoT application. It has almost no restrictions, so that applications do not need to send more than 140 12-byte messages per day and can accept a wireless throughput of 100 bits per second, so Sigfox provides a reliable, low-power, and low-cost connection solution.
However, unlike ubiquitous communication protocols such as Bluetooth, the technical expertise associated with Sigfox is considered relatively “niche.” This creates a steep learning curve for design engineers to design and implement a successful Sigfox-based communication interface, creating a technical barrier to entry for companies seeking to address the long-range IoT market.
Modular Sigfox solution eliminates technical design barriers
ON Semiconductor has been actively involved in this area and recently launched a programmable Sigfox RF transceiver system-in-package (SiP), which integrates an advanced RF system-on-chip (SoC) with all required external components (including a TCXO), making it possible to simplify and shorten the design certification process.
The AX-SIP-SFEU SiP provides out-of-the-box, device-to-cloud Sigfox connectivity, including uplink and downlink for long-range IoT applications using Sigfox LPWAN communications. The SiP integrates a Sigfox radio IC, discrete RF matching components, all required passive components and firmware in a single package. Because the solution is pre-CE-certified and Sigfox-certified, and uses ON Semiconductor's extensive technical expertise, designers can be confident of a high-quality, fully integrated and complete solution.
The tiny 7 mm x 9 mm x 1 mm, uniformly coated, package ensures that the AX-SIP-SFEU can be deployed in space-constrained, long-range IoT applications. The device is actually the world’s most compact, Sigfox-certified solution, enabling designers to overcome the physical space challenges of designing remote IoT nodes. The miniature size is particularly suitable for wearable devices, asset tracking tags, or any application that requires a small Sigfox solution.
Using the AX-SIP-SFEU also significantly reduces power-related issues, as the ultra-low-power design incorporates standby, sleep, and deep-sleep modes to save power when transmission is not required. These modes require only 0.55 milliamps (mA), 1.2 microamps (mA), and 180 nanoamps (nA) of current, respectively, allowing the device to be powered by a coin cell battery (CR2032). Alternatively, energy harvesting techniques can be used, eliminating the need for any batteries, management, or replacement.
One of the most daunting aspects of any radio design, especially when designing for the first time, is getting approval. The AX-SIP-SFEU SIP is Sigfox certified for use in the RC1 regional network, meaning it is certified to meet standard RF and protocol specifications, ensuring interoperability. In addition, the device has received the CE mark, demonstrating that it meets health, safety and environmental standards for products sold within the European Economic Area.
Summarize
While IoT offers tremendous benefits and opportunities, the small and complex nature of the nodes presents significant challenges to design engineers. Not only must they meet physical size constraints and deal with low power requirements, they must also ensure that the RF communications included in the design comply with international standards - which adds time, cost and risk to the design process. More importantly, for remote devices that need to be wirelessly connected over long distances, a more cost-effective solution than cellular networks is required.
By using pre-certified, ultra-miniature, ultra-low power modules such as ON Semiconductor’s AX-SIP-SFEU, designers can now design IoT nodes with the confidence that they can easily and virtually risk-free implement a pre-certified RF communication system, thereby removing a major technical barrier to IoT design.
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