The way we get from A to B and back is rapidly evolving. At the heart of the urban transport revolution is technology-driven electric mobility (‘e-mobility’). This encompasses not only electric bikes (‘e-bikes’), electric scooters (‘e-scooters’), and other lightweight electric transport, but also electric cars that rely on the availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to stay in motion. Driven by smart connectivity solutions, the e-mobility market is taking transportation efficiency to the next level in cities around the world.&nbsp;<h2>Shared micromobility&nbsp;takes commuters the last mile&nbsp;</h2>Micromobility technologies are enabling flexible, cost-effective, and eco-friendly ‘last mile’ alternatives to traditional commuting. For example, rentable e-bikes and e-scooters now make it faster, cheaper, healthier, more convenient, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly for people to travel the final part of a journey. Better yet, these solutions allow people to avoid private and public transport, reducing both traffic congestion and carbon footprints.&nbsp;It’s still early days for the sector, but all signs point to sustained growth and exciting development. One report by Market Research Future forecasts the global micromobility market will expand from $114.15 billion in 2024 to $303.47 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 13 percent during the forecast period[1].&nbsp;<h2>Bluetooth LE&nbsp;the key&nbsp;to unlocking&nbsp;e-mobility potential&nbsp;</h2>Advanced low power wireless connectivity is the key to efficient e-mobility. Shared micromobility solutions require short-range wireless technologies such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/Bluetooth-Low-Energy" target="_blank">Bluetooth LE</a>&nbsp;to communicate between smartphones and rented transport, enabling equipment unlocking and mobile payment/subscription functionality.&nbsp;By reliably and securely linking shared e-bikes and e-scooters to smartphones, for example, riders can use associated apps to not only locate and unlock the nearest machine, but also take advantage of unique features such as beginner/safe modes and the ability to check estimated travel times to help plan journeys.&nbsp;Bluetooth LE is currently used in most share bikes for communication between the bike and a linked mobile because of its ubiquitous smartphone interoperability. Other systems employ&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/Low-power-cellular-IoT" target="_blank">cellular IoT</a> with Bluetooth LE as a backup connectivity technology. The low power consumption of both cellular IoT and Bluetooth LE ensures e-vehicles remain connected for long periods.&nbsp;<h2>Wireless&nbsp;tech&nbsp;powers&nbsp;electric vehicle&nbsp;charging&nbsp;stations&nbsp;</h2>And it’s not only micromobility that’s shifting the gears of urban transport. Reliable, secure wireless connectivity also enhances the value proposition of EV charging stations. By encouraging EVs instead of conventional vehicles in city centers, carbon emissions are slashed, and everyone gets to breathe cleaner air.&nbsp;Wireless connectivity enables EV charging stations to become smart. For example, data can be gathered on the availability and condition of charging sockets. This data can be relayed to a central platform for staff to respond to disruptions or problems remotely. Avoiding potential technical issues can improve availability of the charging outlet for the consumer’s benefit.&nbsp;By seamlessly integrating Bluetooth LE, <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/WiFi" target="_blank">Wi-Fi</a>, and cellular IoT, developers can create innovative charging solutions that meet the evolving needs of the EV industry. This is important as EV adoption is accelerating and a large fleet of reliable charging points will be needed to meet demand.&nbsp;&nbsp;One innovative solution for increasing the number of charging points is to integrate them into smart streetlamps. Streetlamps are already connected to the main electricity supply offering a ready supply of energy for EVs. The U.K., for example, already boasts over 8,000 streetlight and bollard charging stations. Further lamppost conversions will allow the country to greatly expand its network of over 53,000 public charging points. Given charging point access has proved a significant barrier to EV adoption, converting streetlamps into EV charging stations will aid the rollout of EVs generally by ensuring charging is more accessible and convenient.&nbsp;<h2>Nordic nRF54 Series&nbsp;future ready for&nbsp;e-mobility&nbsp;advancement&nbsp;</h2>Nordic Semiconductor’s latest generation SoCs provide a powerful solution for developers of innovative e-mobility applications. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF54H20" target="_blank">nRF54H20</a>, for example, boasts multiple Arm Cortex-M33 processors and multiple RISC-V coprocessors. Combined with 2 MB non-volatile memory and 1 MB of RAM, the nRF54H Series endows the developer with the dedicated computing power needed to run complex e-mobility applications while also keeping power consumption low to extend battery life. &nbsp;As one of the most secure low power, multiprotocol SoCs on the market, the nRF54H20 is an ideal connectivity solution for e-mobility applications that demand protection of sensitive personal data used for payment, as well as safeguarding valuable e-transport assets.&nbsp;Furthermore, the nRF54H20 features an integrated high speed CAN FD controller. CAN (controller area network) is a standard bus used in vehicles for communications within their electronic systems, and integrating it into the nRF54H20 provides a powerful option for lower cost e-mobility implementations.&nbsp;Tomorrow’s e-mobility solutions powered by the nRF54H20 will be even more flexible, convenient, efficient, and secure. What those solutions will look like are down to the imagination of the developer, but we can be sure that they will extend micromobility to an even wider population resulting in cleaner, quieter, and safer cities.&nbsp;<hr><h3 id="isPasted">References</h3>1. https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/micro-mobility-market-8315 &nbsp;

The way we get from A to B and back is rapidly evolving. At the heart of the urban transport revolution is technology-driven electric mobility (‘e-mobility’). 

New, powerful SoCs aid drive to e-mobility

In the early days&nbsp;of&nbsp;the technology, wearables were mundane&nbsp;- a triumph of function over flair.&nbsp;We wore them to count our steps, not to make us look chic.&nbsp;Things have changed. Modern&nbsp;wearable&nbsp;consumer electronics&nbsp;devices&nbsp;increasingly&nbsp;combine&nbsp;convenience and&nbsp;purpose&nbsp;with&nbsp;more than a&nbsp;touch of&nbsp;classic&nbsp;style&nbsp;in order to&nbsp;grab a slice of a lucrative and growing market.&nbsp;<h2>The global&nbsp;appeal&nbsp;of wearable&nbsp;devices&nbsp;</h2>The wearable technology sector continues to boom. According to analyst Statista, shipments of hearables, smartwatches, smart rings, wristbands, and other wearables are forecast to reach around 560 million units in 2024[1]. That's up from the 336 million units that shipped five years earlier[2], an increase of more than 65 percent.&nbsp;&nbsp;For now, this market is largely dominated by the established smartwatch ranges of major brands like Apple, Garmin, Google Fitbit, and Samsung. These manufacturers attempt to differentiate their products by offering increasing battery life, improving usability, and added features geared towards health and fitness.&nbsp;<h2>Adding form to function&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>But the next wave of wearable tech is set to impact the lucrative world of fashion. Clever designers and developers are meeting new consumer demand by prioritizing form alongside function. By merging advanced technology with a traditional timepiece, a wearable no longer needs to look like a wearable.&nbsp;One company pioneering this approach is French consumer electronics company, Withings. The firm recently launched its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2024/03/Withings-ScanWatch-Nova-employs-Nordics-nRF52840-SoC" target="_blank">ScanWatch Nova</a>, an advanced, hybrid smartwatch designed to provide wearers with accurate, around-the-clock health metrics while offering an elegant ‘diver style’ stainless steel design.&nbsp;&nbsp;The compact smartwatch integrates temperature, accelerometer, altimeter, and multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors—all supervised by Nordic Semiconductor’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF52840" target="_blank">nRF52840</a> multiprotocol&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/Bluetooth-Low-Energy" target="_blank">Bluetooth LE</a>&nbsp;SoC—to generate a wide range of health data including temperature tracking, on-demand electrocardiogram&nbsp;(ECG), and menstrual cycle tracking.<h2>Smartwatches aim for share of prestige market&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Global prestige watch brand, Festina, has also launched the latest in its connected watch range in a stylish, modern design. The nRF52840 SoC-powered&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2024/03/Festinas-Connected-D-employs-nRF52840-SoC" target="_blank">Festina Connected D</a>&nbsp;is simultaneously both a traditional watch and an activity tracker. The stainless steel timepiece features an authentic physical dial plate and watch hands with a cut-out for the OLED display.&nbsp;Meanwhile Dayton Industrial’s Nordic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF52832" target="_blank">nRF52832</a> SoC-powered&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2022/10/Dayton-Industrials-Link2Care-Smartwatch-DA13700-uses-nRF52832-SoC-and-nRF9160-SiP" target="_blank">Link2Care Smartwatch DA13700</a>, promotes elegant design alongside a 3D motion sensor for activity records, inactivity alerts, sleep monitoring, and fall detection. The smartwatch also integrates Nordic's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF9160" target="_blank">nRF9160</a>&nbsp;SiP providing LTE-M/NB-IoT&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/Low-power-cellular-IoT" target="_blank">cellular IoT</a>&nbsp;connectivity and GNSS, meaning the wearer’s location can be reported to nominated caregivers along with any SOS alert, while further information can be uploaded directly to the Cloud and customer service center via a cellular network.&nbsp;This movement towards prioritizing form alongside function is no accident. Luxury watch sales haven't been as affected by smartwatch sales as some might think. For example last year Swiss watch exports grew by 7.2 percent compared with the previous year with mechanical watches generating almost 80 percent of the growth&nbsp;[3]. If connected watches can deliver on both looks and functionality, all signs are that consumers will respond positively. &nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>The growing trend in&nbsp;fashionable&nbsp;smart jewelry&nbsp;</h2>Another burgeoning market is fashion-forward smart jewelry that simultaneously provides health data to wearers, sometimes in addition to built-in safety and security features such as location updates and SOS alert capabilities.&nbsp;Aesthetically pleasing smart rings, in particular, are challenging the dominance of smartwatches across the sector.&nbsp;Smart rings target two different markets - people who may not want to wear a watch, and those wanting or needing to collect health metrics.&nbsp;One Nordic-powered smart ring, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2023/09/The-Ultrahuman-Ring-Air-employs-nRF52840-SoC" target="_blank">Ultrahuman Ring Air</a>, can track and record a range of health parameters, and simultaneously offer the wearer activity or recovery recommendations. As well as looking the part, the device is designed to provide a range of metrics—including a movement index and a sleep index—that can help the user better understand and improve their fitness level and the factors that affect their metabolism.&nbsp;Although not a smart ring, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2022/07/The-WHOOP-4-uses-Nordics-nRF52840-SoC" target="_blank">WHOOP 4.0</a>, developed by U.S.-based human performance company, WHOOP, is a non-traditional smart wearable as it does not have a display and can be worn on one arm, allowing the user to also wear a classic watch on the opposite wrist.&nbsp;<h2>Watch this space&nbsp;–&nbsp;the future of wearable&nbsp;tech&nbsp;</h2>The integration of wearable tech into high fashion is no passing trend. In the not too distant future, the boundaries could be pushed even further through concepts like AI-powered clothing design and customization, or interactive fashion experiences that go beyond the physical garment.&nbsp;And when powered by the next generation of highly integrated wireless SoCs, such as Nordic Semiconductor’s revolutionary&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF54H20" target="_blank">nRF54H20</a>, tomorrow’s wearables will not only be more fashionable, but even smaller, lighter, and more functional.&nbsp;<hr><h3>References</h3>1. Wearable unit shipments worldwide from 2014 to 2028. Statista, April 2024.&nbsp; 2. 2019 Wearable Market Report. IDC, March 2020&nbsp; 3. Record value and a sharp rise in volumes. Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, January 2024.

Modern wearable consumer electronics devices increasingly combine convenience and purpose with more than a touch of classic style in order to grab a slice of a lucrative and growing market. 

Wearables become high fashion

Wireless connectivity makes dumb&nbsp;products intelligent. Smart devices can transmit information about their surroundings and conditions while receiving instructions and updates. That in turn enables functionality that’s impossible for products operating in isolation.&nbsp;&nbsp;One example is a smart streetlight; by adding connectivity, the light can report whether it’s overheating and therefore likely to fail soon. It can also report its position allowing maintenance crews to arrive quickly and affect a repair before pedestrians are plunged into darkness. The streetlight could also be used as a platform for other monitoring technology such as air quality or noise pollution. Looking the other way, utilities could, for example, send an instruction over the wireless link to temporarily brighten the illumination to aid first responders attending a road traffic accident.&nbsp;&nbsp;The beneficial impacts of wireless tech are a key reason for its booming popularity. For example, Bluetooth LE—a key connectivity technology for consumer, smart home, computer peripherals, and industrial automation among other applications—is set to reach 5.9 billion shipments in 2024, up from 4.9 billion in 2022[1].&nbsp;But there is one challenge that holds back even greater wireless adoption – RF engineering is notoriously tricky. That puts off inexperienced engineers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Because of Nordic Semiconductor’s efforts to abstract away much of the complexity by offering comprehensive software and hardware&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/Bluetooth-Low-Energy/Development-tools?lang=en#infotabs" target="_blank">design tools</a>, plus reference designs, implementing a wireless design has become easier - but it’s still not trivial. Modules can offer a simpler route to market. &nbsp;<h2>Wireless for the experienced&nbsp;</h2>If you have enough&nbsp;RF&nbsp;expertise, designing a fully-functioning,&nbsp;optimized, and certified wireless circuit is practical.&nbsp;Especially if you base the circuit on a highly integrated wireless SoC from Nordic’s nRF52 or nRF53 Series.&nbsp;That’s&nbsp;because&nbsp;the chips already include&nbsp;processor(s),&nbsp;memory,&nbsp;and&nbsp;many of the peripheral devices&nbsp;and I/O interfaces&nbsp;you’ll&nbsp;need&nbsp;for your end-product. These&nbsp;components&nbsp;are all embedded onto the&nbsp;Nordic&nbsp;chip&nbsp;and&nbsp;optimized&nbsp;to work seamlessly together.&nbsp;But there’s much more to an RF design than the SoC. The designer will also need to worry about the design and position of the antenna, impedance matching circuits, power regulation, component orientation, PCB trace length, crosstalk, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and plenty of other taxing design decisions. And things can get even tougher when developing a multiprotocol design that, for example, combines Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi into a single product. Such a device will require more than one antenna with each needing its own impedance matching requirements.&nbsp;Once you’re done with the development, the next step is a lengthy and costly testing and certification process.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you get it right, there are some advantages to doing it from scratch. For example, you can closely match the wireless circuit performance to your application by trading off range or throughput for superior battery life. Or trading off antenna sensitivity against a more compact solution. It’s also possible to lower the Bill of Materials (BoM) and produce a more compact solution by designing from scratch.&nbsp;But if you get the design even slightly wrong, you might face multiple design iterations to achieve a satisfactory performance. That costs time and money - and prolongs the time-to-market.&nbsp;<h2>The benefits of a module&nbsp;</h2>For the developer with less RF engineering experience a module can make things much easier. The module maker has already completed the challenging parts of the RF design allowing you to drop-in the solution to your design - confident it will function well.&nbsp;&nbsp;When using a module, the development cycle for the wireless product will be drastically shortened – allowing the product to reach market quicker. Alternatively, because much less time will be needed on the RF subsystem design, the development team can allocate more hours to working on other product hardware and firmware features that will really differentiate the end-product from rivals.&nbsp;Module makers have lots of experience, so the performance of their devices is high. They are also experts at squeezing the best performance into the smallest space, keeping end-product form factors nice and compact. For example, to reduce the device footprint, module makers have access to specialist packaging technology that allows them to incorporate wafer level chip scale packages (WLCSP) alongside passive components to help accommodate the SoC, RF Front End, Power Management IC (PMIC), and chip antenna in the smallest area.&nbsp;Further, modules makers are quick to embrace the latest SoCs from Nordic so you can be assured of the best performing SoC for the job. For example, there are dozens of modules with the high-end nRF5340 and nRF52840 SoCs together with those for Nordic’s mid-range and entry-level SoCs. Module makers are also already working on designs using Nordic’s fifth generation solutions, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF54H20" target="_blank">nRF54H</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF54L15" target="_blank">nRF54L</a>&nbsp;Series SoCs. There are also several module options that combine Nordic Bluetooth LE SoCs with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF7002" target="_blank">nRF7002</a>&nbsp;Wi-Fi Companion IC for developers needing this multiprotocol alternative.&nbsp;<h2>Tested and pre-certified&nbsp;</h2>With a discrete RF design, considerable time and money could be needed for the weeks of testing and design iterations needed to get things compliant with RF regulations and Bluetooth SIG requirements. And even after a successful test, it can take more weeks for certification to come through, delaying sales.&nbsp;In contrast, modules are typically supplied tested and pre-certified to industry requirements. Providing the module is incorporated into the product design without modification, this compliance carries over to the end-product.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Working with Nordic’s module partners&nbsp;</h2>Nordic has teamed up with dozens of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Resources/Nordic-Partners/Third-party-modules" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">module makers</a>&nbsp;through its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Resources/Nordic-Partners" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nordic Partner Program</a>.&nbsp;These companies are trusted design partners and have worked with Nordic for many years. They know our technology inside and out. That means if you source your module from a&nbsp;Nordic&nbsp;partner you are guaranteed to get the highest performing product using the latest hardware and firmware – you&nbsp;can’t&nbsp;buy&nbsp;better.&nbsp;Designing an RF subsystem from scratch is possible and does potentially bring some optimization, space, and cost advantages. But it’s a job for a highly experienced engineering team. If you’d rather accelerate your project schedule, eliminate RF testing and compliance, and focus on what really differentiates your product from the competition then a module is the way to go. Things are made even easier by purchasing a module from a Nordic partner because you are then assured of the best service, the latest technology, and the widest range of options.&nbsp;Better yet, when basing your design on a module from a Nordic partner, you are still guaranteed support from Nordic and will still be able to use the company’s development tools and Software Development Kit to build and test application software. Finally, if you base your design on a module but later want to migrate to a discrete RF design when volumes really ramp up, Nordic will assist in that design transition.<hr><h3 id="isPasted">References</h3>1.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluetooth.com/blog/now-available-new-bluetooth-forecasts-and-trends/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.bluetooth.com/blog/now-available-new-bluetooth-forecasts-and-trends/</a>&nbsp;

Wireless connectivity makes dumb products intelligent. Smart devices can transmit information about their surroundings and conditions while receiving instructions and updates. That in turn enables functionality that’s impossible for products operating in isolation.  

Using a Bluetooth LE wireless module to accelerate time-to-market

As recently as&nbsp;2010, class-leading activity trackers generally recorded three parameters - how much you moved, and approximately how much sleep you got and how many calories you burned. Movement was measured by an embedded accelerometer, alongside a 25 MHz processor, 8 kB RAM and 128 kB Flash memory. Add in a rechargeable battery and that was about all the tech you needed to power a wearable in the early 2000s.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the intervening years&nbsp;as the technology has advanced,&nbsp;fitness trackers have not only become vastly more sophisticated in terms of what&nbsp;data they are able to&nbsp;record, the&nbsp;line between fitness, health and medical monitoring has become&nbsp;increasingly blurred.&nbsp;Today’s&nbsp;high-end&nbsp;wearables can support an impressive array of sensors&nbsp;to record, for example, the wearer’s V02&nbsp;max, blood oxygen saturation (Sp02), temperature, heart rate,&nbsp;and&nbsp;heart rate variability&nbsp;(HRV), as well&nbsp;as&nbsp;the&nbsp;sleep and activity data&nbsp;their&nbsp;early predecessors pioneered.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Wearables&nbsp;crossover from fitness to health</h2>The heart monitoring capability&nbsp;of today’s wrist-worn devices has&nbsp;transformed the wearable from a&nbsp;fitness tracker to a powerful tool for managing an individual’s&nbsp;cardiovascular health.&nbsp;Heart rate and&nbsp;HRV, alongside skin temperature measurements,&nbsp;have also been shown to&nbsp;be valuable in predicting and detecting&nbsp;hypoglycemia[1], enabling&nbsp;next generation wearables to also provide insight on an individual’s&nbsp;blood glucose history and associated&nbsp;diabetic&nbsp;risk.&nbsp;Further,&nbsp;data from these same sensors can provide stress and heart rate data, that&nbsp;combined with&nbsp;sleep quality information, can&nbsp;provide&nbsp;valuable insight into&nbsp;an individual’s mental&nbsp;health,&nbsp;and&nbsp;assist&nbsp;in better managing stress and&nbsp;anxiety[2].&nbsp;<h2>Next gen SoCs optimized for sensor fusion and ML</h2>Demand for ever more sophisticated wearables is placing increasing demand on the wireless SoCs that power the devices. Supporting wireless connectivity and supervising a host of sensors that can generate millions of data points is one thing. But making sense of all that data in context and quickly enough to enable rapid and effective clinical intervention demands an SoC with serious processing heft, and the ability to perform machine learning (ML) and sensor fusion at the edge.&nbsp;ML algorithms bring the ability to deal with a large volume of data and extract clinically relevant information from large datasets. This makes ML useful, for example, in healthcare wearables designed for human activity recognition (HAR). HAR enables a wearable to determine both specific ambulation activities (whether the wearer walking or jogging, for example) and functional activities (have they brushed their teeth, washed their hands, prepared food?). Assessing such activities and making inferences can help discern an individual’s health and wellness[3].&nbsp;To get that complete picture requires combining different data streams from multiple sensors, and that requires an SoC capable of sensor fusion so it can filter information and determine which data points from all the different sensors correspond to the same activity or health concern, and which do not.&nbsp;<h2>Nordic nRF54 Series&nbsp;future ready&nbsp;for advanced wearables&nbsp;</h2>Nordic Semiconductor has always taken the “if you build it the developer will find innovative ways to use it” approach to SoC development. In other words, the applications that require the processing power or memory allocation its cutting-edge technology provides may not have been dreamed up yet - but put the chips in the hands of clever engineers and they soon will be.&nbsp;This has never been more true than with the launch of the company’s revolutionary&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF54H20" target="_blank">nRF54H20</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF54L15" target="_blank">nRF54L15</a>&nbsp;multiprotocol SoCs. While their immediate predecessor the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF5340" target="_blank">nRF5340</a>&nbsp;was the world’s first wireless SoC to feature two Arm Cortex-M33 processors, the nRF54H20 now boasts multiple Arm Cortex-M33 processors and multiple RISC-V coprocessors. The processors are clocked at up to 320 MHz and are supported by 2 MB non-volatile memory and 1 MB of RAM. This processing power and amount of memory make the SoC perfect for running ML models and sensor fusion at the edge.&nbsp;<h2>State-of-the-art&nbsp;security to protect sensitive data&nbsp;</h2>The nRF54H20 is also one of the most secure low power, multiprotocol SoCs on the market, essential for healthcare applications that demand security of potentially sensitive personal data. Its state-of-the-art security is designed for Platform Security Architecture (PSA) Certified Level 3 IoT security standard. The SoC also supports security services such as Secure Boot, Secure Firmware Update, and Secure Storage, and has cryptographic accelerators that are hardened against side-channel attacks and tamper sensors that detect an attack in progress and take appropriate action.&nbsp;&nbsp;By replacing multiple components with a highly integrated SoC, and prolonging battery life with an ultra-low power radio and minimal sleep currents, tomorrow’s healthcare wearables powered by the nRF54H20 will continue to get smaller and become more efficient and functional, and in so doing will be able to capture various health metrics that are not possible to capture today. The rest will be down to the imagination of the developers.&nbsp;&nbsp;<hr><h3 id="isPasted">References</h3>1. The Potential of Current Noninvasive Wearable Technology for the Monitoring of Physiological Signals in the Management of Type 1 Diabetes: Literature Survey. National Institutes of Health, 2022. &nbsp;2. A Survey on Wearable Sensors for Mental Health Monitoring. National Institutes of Health, 2023.3. Wearable multi-sensor data fusion approach for human activity recognition using machine learning algorithms. B Vidya, Sasikumar P, 2022&nbsp;

Today’s high-end wearables can support an impressive array of sensors to record, for example, the wearer’s V02 max, blood oxygen saturation (Sp02), temperature, heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV), as well as the sleep and activity data their early predecessors pioneered.

Sky's the limit for wearables thanks to next gen wireless SoCs

<blockquote>“For a new product to be successful, it is not enough for it to work—almost everything around us works quite well. The design matters.”</blockquote>This is what Iván Arakistain, a technologist and researcher at Tecnalia said. After winning the Connect for Good challenge, we interviewed Arakistain to discuss his award-winning project on sustainable logistics infrastructure and his insights into the logistics industry, particularly that of perishable goods.Logistics is a dynamic field fraught with challenges, and sustainability is a growing concern, particularly in transporting perishable goods. Iván Arakistain, representing Tecnalia, won first place in the Connect for Good challenge with an innovative concept that leverages a low-power IoT solution to monitor and enable eco-friendly transport of perishable goods.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/connect-for-good-low-power-wireless-sustainability-challenge" target="_blank">Connect for Good Challenge</a> is a joint initiative by Nordic Semiconductor, Mouser Electronics, Soracom, and Crowd Supply aimed at fostering innovation for social and environmental good. It brought together a worldwide network of engineers, entrepreneurs, and developers around one mission: “to devise low-power wireless solutions that contribute towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”&nbsp;Arakistain's winning project is a game-changer in sustainable logistics. Through advanced monitoring and anomaly detection, this innovative solution optimizes the transport of perishable goods while eliminating the need for energy-intensive refrigerated cargo trailers. Thus, it significantly reduces carbon emissions and operational costs while ensuring the integrity of the cold chain. Through the integration of IoT technology, including low-energy sensors and GPS and coupled with mini solar panels for autonomy, the project sets a new standard for eco-friendly transport in the logistics industry, with broad implications for global sustainability efforts. The key component of this project is the integration of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/specs/nrf9160-development-kit" target="_blank">nRF9160 Development Kit</a>, chosen specifically for its low energy consumption and reliable cellular connectivity.In this exclusive interview, Arakistain sheds light on his journey, the inspiration behind his project, and the impact he envisions on the logistics industry's future.<h2 dir="ltr">Interview with Iván Arakistain of Tecnalia</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Can you briefly describe your winning project and the main problem it addresses in the logistics industry?</h3>One of the main challenges of the logistics industry is the sustainable transport transition. This focuses on decarbonizing the transport industry, especially because today, at least in Spain, it’s heavily based on trucks; most of the logistics happen on the road, and trucks consume a lot of fuel. So, we have to shift from that to a cleaner way of transport.Some years ago, we had a customer who sold precooked food.&nbsp;They mentioned something to us that sparked this idea process: If they could deliver the food in one day from their factory to the end customer, they would be able to avoid refrigerated transportation, especially since it’s relatively expensive, requires a lot of fuel, and is very complex.So, we started exploring that. At that time, the technology was not quite ready for the application, mainly for areas like the south of Spain, where it's very hot in the summer. The logistics were not as fast as today, but as things have evolved, we are now able to transport food—or perishable goods—in proper condition to the end customer in a short a time as needed so it arrives safely.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1713160590293-0_Ivan+Arakistain.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h3 dir="ltr">What inspired you to focus on developing a more sustainable method for transporting perishable goods?</h3>Well, the main goal is to deliver goods fast and with as low carbon emissions as possible. For that, we must change from only using transport by trucks to combining truck and train, which is obviously much cleaner environmentally. By doing so we can ensure more availability, lower cost per kilometer, and a smaller cargo footprint.&nbsp;Let’s look at how your project aligns with the Sustainability Development Goals. Could you tell us how your solution targets these goals?Our solution’s practical implications impact goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 13 (Climate Action). We are very focused on energy efficiency and sustainability goals for cities and districts. Our application can help reduce the cargo footprint and accelerate the transition from the current fuel-based transport to a more electrified way of transport.&nbsp;Of course, we cannot transition directly from 0 to 100%, so we must ensure the transition is smooth. In our area of focus, the technology background is in artificial intelligence for microcontrollers and small devices. We embed this intelligence into the embedded device so that we can know via our electronic sensors if the transported food is in good condition. We can also sense whether any volatile compounds can impact the condition of the food.By making those changes, we estimate that up to 10% of carbon reduction is possible. And that also applies to energy consumption, even though I’m not sure if it’s a linear relationship. However, the estimation stands.<h3 dir="ltr">Let's move onto the technical side. How does your solution work? Is embedded AI the differentiator from traditional energy-intensive refrigeration?</h3>As I said, we are focused on AI for microcontrollers. So, first, we develop the AI models in servers and powerful computers. Then, we reduce those models so that they can run in a small controller with a few kilobytes or a small RAM. For this application, we are focused on two types of inference.The first type of inference is air quality to determine the state of the product. The second inference type is AI for vibration analysis, which is something we have implemented here and in other projects. In this case, we can analyze if the vibration of products in the truck matches the orientation to make sure everything is good. In other cases, we also do this AI analysis of vibration for structural health and many other applications.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1713160621737-1_Manufactured+PCB+Top.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h3 dir="ltr">How accurate and precise are the AI model results in a real-world application?&nbsp;</h3>There are two processes that we do. First, we collect all the data, and then we perform model training and model testing on our computers. We split the data set into two parts: about 80% of the data is used for training the model, and the remaining 20% or so is used for testing the model.In our computer simulation, the results were very good; you can get up to 96% accuracy. But we both know that’s not the reality. Getting a very high score virtually means the model is quite good. However, when you go into the real world and flash the firmware into the microcontroller you’re using in the actual sensor, the accuracy decreases a bit. Still, we can get good enough accuracy with this model.Were there any particular challenges you faced in the development process, and how did you overcome them?As I said earlier, the original idea came some years ago with this customer we were working with. They produced precooked food, and we did some real testing with them. We sent the food with a trucker and other things to actual customers. At that moment, we realized that the technology was not quite ready, not because of the electronics but because of the isolation and insulation challenges. For that, you’d need excellent isolating materials so that temperatures are kept in the correct range.&nbsp;This was about eight to nine years ago. At that point, we did develop a complete solution, and we knew the idea was good, but it was not quite ready because of the isolation challenge. Since then, we have kept thinking and working on it, and now we know that it is a feasible application, especially since there are much more efficient containers for food transport than years ago. There are better isolation materials, which helped this improve.<h3 dir="ltr">Looking into the next decade, what are the biggest hurdles in scaling and implementing your solution across different regions and logistics networks?</h3>The main difficulty is the limited time for delivery: It has to be done within the first 24 to 48 hours and the products need a low temperature range.Of course, I think it's scalable. Still, one of the biggest challenges is the container. We need to use special containers with good insulation for this. Basically, once we are able to prove to customers that they are going to save so much on each transportation, then it makes sense.So far, we have tested with first-class precooked food, which is already prepared and ready for eating upon reheating in a restaurant or somewhere else. We are not so focused on uncooked food.<h3 dir="ltr">Let’s dive a bit into the economic side of things. What are the economic benefits of your solution for logistics companies and end users?</h3>The economic benefits mainly rely on the use of nonrefrigerated transportation. As a result, you can save about 10% of the transportation cost. It consumes less fuel and energy. It's simply more efficient. We are also very interested in combining ways of transportation: using not only trucks but also trains. Here in Spain, we have quite a robust train infrastructure, but nowadays, it is more focused on passengers than goods. So, I think we must leverage the train infrastructure and combine it with trucks in the future.Also, for international shipments, combining the truck with the train is important so that the driver does not need to drive so far. The truck driver would simply mount the truck with the goods from a train carriage, move onto another carriage to collect goods from there, and then deliver them locally.This is a standard logistics process. We are simply using the existing infrastructure. The only additional requirement would be the special containers for the food that I mentioned earlier.<h3 dir="ltr">You mentioned one customer already.&nbsp;Have you discussed this with other members of your target market? How have your target customers responded to your solution so far?</h3>Yes. 15 days ago, I was at a logistics and transportation fair in Bilbao. I gave a speech there and talked to potential customers. Clearly, there is some potential, but of course, we need to keep the focus on the end customer.<h3 dir="ltr">By focusing on the end customer, what strategies are you employing to encourage the adoption of your technology within the market?&nbsp;</h3>In Tecnalia, we work with different approaches to ensure the technology adoption. We identify and manage deep-tech business opportunities, through a venture building process to accelerate their industrial commercialization. We create new startups or commercialize licenses, accelerating the incubation of technological assets until they are turned into investment opportunities capable of generating economic and social value.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">How do you see your solution evolving in the next five years?</h3>I think that it has quite a lot of potential. We are still in a transition stage, where not everything is well-defined. The path is clear: we have to shift to the electrification of transport. But the speed at which this is going to happen is yet to be clear. Yet, I think that it has significant potential for the future because logistics is a fast-growing sector.<h3 dir="ltr">Is there close competition to your technology from bigger companies already established in the logistics market?</h3>Yes, there is. For example, some years ago, big companies like Amazon tried to sell perishable food to end customers in a very short time. However, they were not very successful because it’s not easy to deliver that fast in a cost-efficient way.Our case is a little different. It focuses on precooked food for industrial partners. The customer I mentioned earlier is not selling to end customers but rather to restaurants and other businesses. So yes, there are big players, but they are not entirely in the same market niche as ours.<h3 dir="ltr">Are there other applications or industries where your technology could be applied beyond the niche cold chain logistics?</h3>Yes, we use embedded AI for structural health monitoring in various cases. Here, you would need to know the condition of a structure. In Tecnalia, for example, we have some dedicated lab equipment, such as sensitive accelerometers. But the cost of such devices is typically quite high. They are not devices you can leave on a structure but rather devices you use within a specific timeframe.So, we are developing small, affordable devices that can use MEMS accelerometers, inexpensive microcontrollers, and embedded AI to provide early warnings if there is an anomaly, failure, or any other event on which the model is trained.The new devices we are developing would cost as much as an order of magnitude less than the typical measuring and monitoring equipment. They would only provide an early warning, after which the experts could go and perform more extensive measurement and testing.Another example of our embedded AI would be audio detection. Consider a large dataset of street sounds that can take over six gigabytes – that is a lot of information. For this, it's possible to train an AI model that takes no more than kilobytes – which is significantly less – and embed it into a microcontroller to classify the sounds. We tested this, and the model was able to accurately identify and classify the sounds of a car horn, for example, a dog barking or children playing. This is a solution to tackle problems with lots of data using a compressed model that can accurately classify the data without requiring so much power.<h3 dir="ltr">Going back to the project experience, what have you learned from working on this project that you think is crucial for innovation in sustainable technologies?</h3>At Tecnalia, we are experts in many different fields. The most interesting thing about working in an applied research and technological development centre like Tecnalia is that I can collaborate with experts in multiple fields, such as electronics, logistics, structures, and energy efficiency. For such projects to work, I have to work with lots of people to solve the problem.&nbsp;Also, experts in AI are not all the same. Some of them are more focused on big processors like NVidia devices, and we need to collaborate with them to understand the models and be able to quantize and reduce the models down to the microcontroller level.What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs or innovators looking to make a difference in the green technology space?&nbsp;My advice would be to prototype as much as they can. In electronics, we are quite used to prototyping fast. That's a good thing for our sector. But in other areas, it might be more difficult to prototype. I would also encourage people to collaborate with other experts and learn from them.<h2 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h2>Iván Arakistain's winning project exemplifies the potential for low-power IoT solutions to revolutionize the transportation of perishable goods. By leveraging advanced monitoring and anomaly detection, Arakistain's project offers a promising avenue for reducing carbon emissions and operational costs while maintaining the integrity of the cold chain.&nbsp;As we look to the future, the scalability and adoption of such solutions present ongoing challenges. Yet the momentum generated by initiatives like the Connect for Good Challenge signals a promising trajectory towards more innovation and sustainable solutions and systems. For more information about the challenge and its winners, check out our dedicated article:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/connect-for-good-challenge-winners-logistics-infrastructure-monitoring-smart-bees-and-bioreactors" target="_blank">Connect for Good Challenge Winners: Logistics Infrastructure Monitoring, Smart Bees and Bioreactors</a>.

Introducing the Winner of the Connect for Good Challenge 2023


Towards Sustainable Logistics Infrastructure: An Interview with Tecnalia

Technology plays an instrumental role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of pipelines across various sectors, from domestic to commercial and mining. As industries strive for more robust solutions, introducing smart pipeline inspection technologies marks a significant leap forward.At the heart of this innovation is the OKdo ROCK 3 Compute Module (CM3), a powerful tool designed to elevate the precision and reliability of pipeline inspections. The ROCK 3 Compute Module (CM3) is an innovation in smart pipeline inspection. Developed through the collaboration of OKdo Technology and Radxa, the ROCK 3 CM3 display the intersection of advanced technology and practical application.&nbsp;OKdo ROCK 3 Compute Module is a compact yet powerful system-on-module (SoM) that leverages the Rockchip RK3566 System on Chip (SoC). Its capabilities are not just limited to raw performance but extend to wireless connectivity, with WiFi® 5 and Bluetooth® 5.0, making it an ideal candidate for remote and autonomous pipeline inspection systems. These systems can perform detailed monitoring and predictive maintenance, fundamentally transforming the approach to pipeline management and setting a new standard for operational excellence.&nbsp;In this article, we will dive deeper into how the ROCK 3 compute module is changing how pipeline inspection systems are built and introducing immense precision and cost benefits with a wide range of applications.<h2 dir="ltr">The Challenge of Pipeline Inspection&nbsp;</h2>The challenge of pipeline inspection is multifaceted, evolving with the advancing infrastructure demands and technological capabilities. Pipelines, crucial for transporting natural gas, petroleum products, and other energy resources, face numerous challenges throughout their lifecycle. These challenges stem from various sources, including environmental conditions, the complexity of the pipeline systems, and the physical and operational stresses they endure.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Accessibility Issues</h3>Pipeline networks are often situated in environments with significant accessibility challenges. These include subsea locations, remote areas, and locations with extreme weather conditions, making routine inspections difficult and costly. For instance, the depth of subsea pipelines complicates the delivery of well-proven inspection technologies without resorting to expensive equipment and procedures.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Continuous Monitoring Needs</h3>The ongoing integrity of pipelines is critical to preventing leaks, ruptures, and other failures that can lead to environmental damage, economic losses, and safety hazards. Continuous monitoring is essential but challenging due to the extensive lengths of pipelines and the difficulty of accessing many sections. Digital twin technology and remote monitoring developments are promising but require complex data management and interpretation.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Risk of Human Error in Detecting Faults</h3>Human error in detecting faults remains a significant risk in pipeline inspection. This risk is exacerbated by the reliance on complex inspection techniques that require specialised knowledge to interpret. Advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, such as magnetic flux leakage (MFL), ultrasonic testing (UT), electromagnetic acoustic technology (EMAT), and eddy current testing (EC), have been developed to address this. These methods, employed through Pipeline Inspection Gauges (PIGs) or un-peggable robotic inspection systems, help mitigate human error but also introduce challenges in data management and analysis.&nbsp;Inspecting and maintaining pipelines are critical yet challenging tasks that require a sophisticated blend of technology, human expertise, and continuous innovation.&nbsp;The ROCK 3 Compute Module (CM3), developed by OKdo Technology in collaboration with Radxa, represents a significant advancement in embedded computing solutions. This compact module is specifically engineered for various applications, from digital signage and smart home automation to complex industrial processes and pipeline inspection technologies.&nbsp;The key features of the ROCK 3 Compute Module (CM3):<ul><li dir="ltr">Rockchip RK3566 SoC: A powerful System on Chip featuring a quad-core Arm® Cortex®-A55 CPU, tailored for efficient processing and capable of handling multitasking and demanding applications.</li><li dir="ltr">Memory: Up to 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, ensuring smooth operation and quick data handling, essential for efficiently processing large volumes of data.</li><li dir="ltr">Storage: Up to 32GB eMMC storage, offering substantial space for operating systems, applications, and data storage, enhancing its versatility in various embedded solutions.</li><li dir="ltr">Wireless Connectivity:<ul><li dir="ltr">WiFi® 5: Allows for seamless internet and network connections.</li><li dir="ltr">Bluetooth® 5.0: Facilitates easy communication with other devices and sensors, which is particularly beneficial for IoT (Internet of Things) applications.</li></ul></li><li dir="ltr">Compact Design: Dimensions of 55mm x 40mm, making it highly adaptable for integrating a wide range of design frameworks.</li><li dir="ltr">Versatility and Applicability: The module's capabilities make it suitable for various applications, from IoT devices to complex industrial systems, expanding its utility in the modern technological landscape.</li></ul>The comprehensive feature set of ROCK 3 CM3 shows its capacity to revolutionise various applications by offering a robust, versatile, and efficient computing solution that caters to the evolving demands of the technology and innovation landscape.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1712923205790-rock-cm3-compute-module-okdo-rad.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h2 dir="ltr">A Hypothetical Smart Pipeline Inspection Solution</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Design and Functionality</h3>This hypothetical smart pipeline inspection system, leveraging the ROCK CM3 module, could revolutionise managing pipeline integrity. The system could be designed to include a range of sensors capable of detecting leaks, corrosion, and other anomalies that may compromise pipeline integrity. Additionally, integrating a high-resolution camera would enable visual inspection, allowing for a detailed examination of the pipeline's internal surfaces. These components could work in concert to provide a comprehensive assessment of pipeline health, identifying potential issues before they become critical failures.<h3 dir="ltr">Data Processing and AI Capabilities</h3>The ROCK CM3, with its powerful Rockchip RK3566 System on Chip (SoC), Quad-core Arm® Cortex®-A55 CPU, and Arm Mali™-G52-2EE GPU, is exceptionally well-suited for advanced data analysis and AI-driven decision-making processes. Its processing power allows for the implementation of sophisticated AI algorithms capable of real-time fault detection and predictive maintenance strategies. This could significantly enhance the inspection system's efficiency, enabling it to analyze vast amounts of sensor and camera data on the fly to identify subtle indicators of wear, corrosion, or leaks that might be invisible to the human eye. The module's Neural Processing Unit (NPU) supports deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch, facilitating the development of custom AI models that can improve over time through machine learning techniques.<h3 dir="ltr">Connectivity and Remote Monitoring</h3>With built-in WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities, the ROCK CM3 module ensures seamless transmission of inspection data to a central monitoring system. This connectivity feature enables real-time data analysis and immediate alerting mechanisms, ensuring that any detected issues can be addressed promptly. Remote monitoring capabilities facilitated by the module's connectivity options mean that operators can constantly watch pipeline health from anywhere, significantly reducing the need for manual inspections and increasing the overall efficiency of pipeline maintenance operations.The ROCK CM3's powerful processing capabilities and advanced connectivity options provide a solid foundation for developing a smart pipeline inspection system. Such a system could dramatically improve the efficacy and reliability of pipeline inspections, utilizing cutting-edge technology to safeguard critical infrastructure efficiently and effectively.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1712923271780-shutterstock_1035745327.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Remote monitoring capabilities facilitated by the module's connectivity options ensure pipelines ensure access for pipes in all locations.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">Potential Impact and Benefits</h2>The advent of smart pipeline inspection systems, such as those leveraging the capabilities of the ROCK CM3 module, presents a paradigm shift in how pipeline integrity and maintenance are approached. These systems offer a range of benefits, from improved safety to cost savings, all while ensuring regulatory compliance and minimising environmental impact.<h3 dir="ltr">Improved Safety and Early Issue Detection</h3>One of the primary benefits of smart inspection systems is their enhanced safety. By utilizing technologies like smart pigs, eddy current testing, and magnetic flux leakage, these systems can detect defects, corrosion, and leaks early on. This capability significantly reduces the risk of accidents, spills, and environmental damage, ensuring the well-being of both people and the planet. The predictive nature of these technologies allows for proactive maintenance, addressing potential issues before they escalate into major problems.<h3 dir="ltr">Reduced Maintenance Costs and Downtime</h3>Smart pipeline inspection systems can significantly cut down maintenance costs and operational downtime. By enabling in-service inspections, these systems eliminate the need for pipeline shutdowns, which are time-consuming and expensive. The detailed data collected allows for accurate assessments, minimizing the need for repeated inspections or extensive repair work. Moreover, predictive maintenance strategies, facilitated by data from sensors, can forecast future failures, allowing for timely interventions that prevent costly unplanned shutdowns.<h3 dir="ltr">Compliance with Regulations and Environmental Protection</h3>Smart inspection systems help ensure compliance with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, safeguarding against leaks and corrosion that can lead to regulatory penalties. By promptly addressing these issues, companies can avoid legal repercussions and maintain their operating license. Additionally, the systems play a crucial role in environmental protection, detecting leaks early to prevent spills and contamination, thus supporting sustainable operations.Deploying smart pipeline inspection systems that leverage the power of the ROCK CM3 module offers substantial benefits across various dimensions. These systems enhance safety and efficiency and ensure compliance and environmental stewardship, heralding a new pipeline maintenance and operation era.<h2 dir="ltr">Future Directions</h2>The future of smart pipeline inspection technologies is poised for significant advancements, driven by integrating artificial intelligence (AI), satellite monitoring, autonomous vehicles, and enhanced sensor technologies. These innovations promise to revolutionize pipeline integrity management, offering unprecedented safety, efficiency, and environmental protection.<h3 dir="ltr">Enhanced AI and Data Analytics</h3>AI's role in pipeline inspection and monitoring is expanding, with applications ranging from leak detection to corrosion monitoring and managing ageing infrastructure. AI models are trained to interpret massive datasets more accurately and efficiently, identifying potential issues before they pose a risk. As computational capabilities grow, these AI systems' precision and predictive power will enable more proactive maintenance strategies and operational optimisations.<h3 dir="ltr">Satellite-based Monitoring</h3>Satellite technology, combined with AI, is emerging as a powerful tool for pipeline monitoring, offering a bird's eye view of infrastructure spread over vast and often remote areas. This approach detects third-party interference, vegetation changes, and ground deformations, among other risk factors. The high temporal frequency of satellite imagery and analyses enables daily reports, making it a highly effective monitoring solution.<h3 dir="ltr">Autonomous Inspection Vehicles</h3>The development of autonomous robots for subsea pipeline inspection represents a leap forward in ensuring the safety and integrity of underwater infrastructure. These robots, equipped with smart touch sensors, video cameras, and scanning sonars, can autonomously navigate along pipelines, detecting leaks, structural failures, and corrosion with high accuracy. This technology reduces the risk associated with human-operated inspections and significantly cuts costs and environmental impact.<h3 dir="ltr">Integration of Additional Sensors</h3>The future will likely see the integration of an even wider array of sensors into smart pipeline inspection systems. These could range from advanced acoustic sensors for detecting minute leaks to chemical sensors capable of identifying specific substances or changes in pipeline material integrity. Integrating such sensors, powered by the ROCK CM3's processing capabilities, would enhance the system's real-time ability to monitor a broader spectrum of potential issues.The ROCK CM3 module, with its robust processing power, connectivity options, and support for a range of interfaces and software, is well-positioned to be at the heart of these future developments. Its ability to process data from multiple sensors in real-time, support complex AI algorithms, and facilitate autonomous control of inspection vehicles makes it an ideal platform for next-generation smart pipeline inspection technologies.<h2 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h2>The ROCK 3 Compute Module is the precipice of transforming pipeline inspection and maintenance. With its potent combination of processing power, connectivity options, and the ability to support advanced data analysis and AI algorithms, it embodies the forefront of technological innovation in infrastructure management. This module's capabilities promise to enhance safety, efficiency, and environmental protection and redefine what's possible in pipeline monitoring and maintenance. As the industry stands on the brink of this digital frontier, there's an open invitation to envision and develop new, groundbreaking applications that leverage the full power and versatility of the ROCK CM3. The journey toward smarter, more resilient infrastructure systems is just beginning, and the ROCK CM3 is poised to lead the way.<h2 dir="ltr">References:</h2><ol><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://pgjonline.com/magazine/2022/january-2022-vol-249-no-1/features/artificial-intelligence-and-pipelines-a-smart-way-to-go" target="_blank">https://pgjonline.com/magazine/2022/january-2022-vol-249-no-1/features/artificial-intelligence-and-pipelines-a-smart-way-to-go</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2023/august-2023/08312023-pipeline-robot.php" target="_blank">https://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2023/august-2023/08312023-pipeline-robot.php</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.energyconnects.com/opinion/features/2021/november/diving-into-the-future-of-pipeline-monitoring-with-satellite-technology-ai/" target="_blank">https://www.energyconnects.com/opinion/features/2021/november/diving-into-the-future-of-pipeline-monitoring-with-satellite-technology-ai/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.petrosync.com/blog/pipeline-inspection/" target="_blank">https://www.petrosync.com/blog/pipeline-inspection/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.okdo.com/p/okdo-rock-3-compute-module-cm3-4gb-32gb-with-wifi-bluetooth/" target="_blank">https://www.okdo.com/p/okdo-rock-3-compute-module-cm3-4gb-32gb-with-wifi-bluetooth/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://nz.rs-online.com/web/p/rock-sbc-boards/2493155" target="_blank">https://nz.rs-online.com/web/p/rock-sbc-boards/2493155</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://hydrotechtesting.com/smart-pigging-pipelines/" target="_blank">https://hydrotechtesting.com/smart-pigging-pipelines/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://auav.ca/how-drones-are-used-in-pipeline-inspection/" target="_blank">https://auav.ca/how-drones-are-used-in-pipeline-inspection/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.flytbase.com/blog/bvlos-pipeline-inspection-using-nested-drone-system" target="_blank">https://www.flytbase.com/blog/bvlos-pipeline-inspection-using-nested-drone-system</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://dronenodes.com/drone-pipeline-inspections-oil-gas/" target="_blank">https://dronenodes.com/drone-pipeline-inspections-oil-gas/</a></li></ol>

Explore the transformative potential of the ROCK 3 Compute Module in revolutionizing pipeline inspection. Discover the power and versatility of this innovative solution, designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and operational excellence in infrastructure maintenance.

Revolutionizing Pipeline Inspection: The Power of the ROCK 3 Compute Module

Three-and-a-half&nbsp;years on from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group’s (SIG) announcement of a new specification that defined a high quality, low-power audio codec (Low Complexity Communications Codec or LC3) that promised to redefine audio streaming and wireless sound,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/Bluetooth-LE-Audio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bluetooth LE Audio</a>&nbsp;(LE Audio) is finally about to hit the commercial mainstream.The delay has due to the development time needed to shake out the bugs from what is a complex technology. As Chuck Sabin, Senior Director, Market Development at the SIG says, developing specifications is hard, particularly when there are billions of Bluetooth-enabled receiving devices out there. That’s a lot of interested parties invested in ensuring the specification is going to deliver so things work perfectly.&nbsp;With the due diligence now complete, and a year on from the adoption of the specification, the first commercial implementations of LE Audio are now coming to market. Within another three or four years, Sabin predicts—once the tech is natively adopted by iOS and Android smartphones and major wireless audio device vendors—LE Audio will be universal.&nbsp;&nbsp;When it is, wireless audio will become unrecognizable from anything we’ve previously experienced, and not just for the millions of us that use wireless headphones and earbuds, but more importantly for the hearing impaired as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>True Wireless Stereo&nbsp;and&nbsp;better battery life&nbsp;</h2>Two key advantages of LE Audio over Classic Audio that will drive mass consumer adoption are the noticeable improvements in audio quality and longer playtime.&nbsp;&nbsp;While Bluetooth LE supports multiple communication topologies for data transfer (for example, Bluetooth Mesh), it only supports point-to-point communication for audio streaming. LE Audio’s multi-stream audio functionality however enables multiple devices—for example a pair of earbuds—to receive their own unique audio stream. The left and right channels retain the original precise musical timing upon replay. The result is excellent stereo sound together with long battery life. That’s unlike the earbuds in use today that can only stream audio to a single device and therefore require an engineering work around to retransmit the second channel to a second earbud, at the cost of battery life.&nbsp;On the question of battery life, quantifying the expected reduction in power consumption over Classic Audio is difficult because it will depend on both implementation and product use. Product developers focused on providing the highest audio quality might choose to implement the LC3 codec for hi-fidelity rather than aiming for significant gains in playback time. Others may choose to focus entirely on extending battery life by trading-off sound quality. In the latter case, the battery life of your earbuds or Bluetooth speaker could double.&nbsp;<h2>Auracast&nbsp;broadcast audio promotes&nbsp;inclusion&nbsp;</h2>Another breakthrough feature of LE Audio is the addition of Auracast broadcast audio. Auracast allows an audio source device such as a smartphone, laptop, TV, or sound system to broadcast one or several audio streams to an unlimited number of Bluetooth audio receivers.&nbsp;&nbsp;There are several potential use cases for Auracast, but chief among them is the ability for it to become a high quality, lower cost augmented and assistive listening technology in venues where PA or hearing loop infrastructure is currently deployed. Such a use case opens up wider accessibility for the over 1.5 billion people living with hearing loss around the world. It can also enable multi-language audio streams in locations that support simultaneous translation services.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Next gen SoCs&nbsp;optimized for LE Audio&nbsp;</h2>While LE Audio’s LC3 codec does demand more computational resource than Classic Audio’s SBC codec to compress and decompress audio, the latest generation of wireless SoCs can comfortably meet this requirement without compromising any power consumption advantages. For example, Nordic Semiconductor’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF5340" target="_blank">nRF5340</a> SoC features a dedicated Arm Cortex-M33 application processor, optimized for performance and with ample overhead to look after the computational demands of advanced audio codecs. The SoC incorporates a second M33 processor to supervise wireless connectivity and which is optimized for low power consumption.&nbsp;Looking forward to mass commercialization of LE Audio, Nordic’s fourth generation of wireless SoCs, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF54L15" target="_blank">nRF54L15</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF54H20" target="_blank">nRF54H20</a>&nbsp;are both now sampling, and represent the future of not just LE Audio, but for many applications demanding complex machine learning (ML) and support for sensor fusion at the edge. The&nbsp;nRF54H20 SoC features multiple Arm Cortex-M33 processors and multiple RISC-V coprocessors optimized for specific types of workloads. The level of integration this will provide product developers ensures tomorrow’s LE Audio solutions—from earbuds to hearing aids—will consume even less energy, be smaller, and simpler to bring to market.&nbsp;<h2>LE Audio and&nbsp;Auracast&nbsp;world first&nbsp;</h2>The first commercialized LE Audio solutions are already available. Earlier this year, global hearing technology solutions provider GN launched a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2024/01/GN-Group-unveils-Nordic-powered-Bluetooth-LE-Audio-and-Auracast-broadcast-audio-TV-streamer" target="_blank">world first LE Audio and Auracast broadcast audio TV streamer</a>, enabling people suffering from hearing loss to stream hi-fidelity audio between their television and their hearing aids, with all the benefits of Auracast. Working seamlessly with the company’s new ReSound Nexia hearing aids or other LE Audio compatible solutions, the TV-Streamer+ integrates a Nordic’s LE Audio- and Auracast-capable SoC to deliver low power, low latency, and long range wireless connectivity with improved audio quality.&nbsp;&nbsp;For people with hearing loss the launch means they can enjoy immediate speech clarity at their preferred volume, while at the same time enjoying the benefits of Auracast. For developers and consumers, it means the LE Audio and Auracast are in the public eye.&nbsp;

Three-and-a-half years on from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group’s (SIG) announcement of a new specification that defined a high quality, low-power audio codec that promised to redefine audio streaming and wireless sound, Bluetooth LE Audio is finally about to hit the commercial mainstream.

Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast going mainstream will redefine wireless audio

Wearable electronic devices designed to be worn while in use are becoming more popular and powerful as they can monitor various aspects of human health, activity, and environment. However, these devices also face challenges such as limited battery life, data privacy, and network bandwidth. To overcome these challenges, edge computing and AI/ML are emerging as key technologies that can enable wearable devices to process data locally, reduce latency, and enhance user experience.&nbsp;As wearable technologies evolve to meet market needs, new devices are upgrading features such as basic BLE connectivity by adding the ability to run AI algorithms on neural processors on-device rather than in the cloud. This reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over the network, saving energy and bandwidth. With the AI/ML models running in silicon, wearable devices can, therefore, learn from data and perform tasks such as recognition, classification, prediction, and optimization without incurring additional latency, data costs, and power consumption. However, these improvements require greater processing power and capabilities from embedded microcontrollers (MCUs) and application processors. At the same time, consumers expect longer battery life from their wearables. Thus, new chips must balance connectivity and higher processing power with low power consumption while maintaining a small enough package size.&nbsp;This case study explores the challenges for the next generations of wearable MCUs with a specific look at <a href="https://alifsemi.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alif Semiconductor's®</a> Balletto™ family of BLE-enabled MCUs for wearable applications.<h2 dir="ltr">The current landscape</h2>The wearables market, which includes common accessories such as smart bands, smart rings, smartwatches, and medical devices, such as glucose monitoring devices is projected to grow to USD 118.16 billion by 2028 at a 13.8% CAGR. Demand for multimedia devices, smartphones, fitness trackers, and health wearables drives growth. Increasing health awareness fuels interest in fitness tracking devices for activities like cycling and running, contributing to market expansion.[2,3]Wearables have evolved significantly in recent years, presenting enhanced capabilities in various domains, such as AI processing and wirelessly transmitting data. New market demands have driven the expansion of wearable features. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic made blood oxygen sensing a must-have feature for many smartwatches. As a result, Apple and Samsung included blood oxygen monitoring in their smartwatches in 2020.Wearables incorporate edge AI-based solutions to process huge amounts of data in real-time. AI-enabled microcontrollers are a must to carry out these large AI/ML workloads efficiently and quickly. The integration of artificial intelligence enables new features, such as:<ul><li dir="ltr">Tracking and analyzing changes in users’ health data.</li><li dir="ltr">Sending users alerts for noise levels or air quality.</li><li dir="ltr">Personalize your device based on your tracked activity.&nbsp;</li></ul>Equally important as collecting and processing user data is the ability to wirelessly share data between devices. As such, Bluetooth connectivity has risen as a top requirement for wearables including functionalities, such as:&nbsp;<ul><li dir="ltr">Sending an alert to emergency services if a fall is detected.</li><li dir="ltr">Sharing important health updates with an approved health care professional.</li><li dir="ltr">Sharing workout metrics with a friend to stay motivated.</li></ul><h2 dir="ltr">Bluetooth LE changes the status quo in wearables</h2>Among the many low-power wireless technologies on the market, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology is uniquely suited for wearable devices that require long battery life measured in days or even weeks before needing to be recharged. BLE allows wearables to easily connect and communicate with other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, exercise equipment, or even other wearables.&nbsp;This enhances the device's functionality by enabling it to share exercise data, receive timely notifications, and more. Increasingly, wearable devices are adding audio support for which BLE is uniquely positioned. With the addition of support for the Low Complexity Communication Codec (LC3), BLE is now capable of use cases such as broadcast audio and shared or group listening experiences with LE Audio’s Auracast feature. For example, a wearable device can use the on-device neural processor such as Arm’s Ethos-U55 to run a convolutional neural network (CNN) model for gesture recognition or activity classification based on the motion data captured by inertial measurement units (IMUs). The device can then use BLE to communicate with other devices or a smartphone app to provide feedback or instructions to the user.&nbsp;In the Smart Home, wearables can be integrated into a smart home system, with AI algorithms learning the user's habits and preferences to automate various home appliances. BLE 5.4's enhanced performance and range can facilitate efficient communication with many IoT devices in the home. For example, a wearable could learn that a user likes to listen to calming music when they get home from work and automatically instruct the smart speaker to play the user's favorite playlist when they walk through the door.&nbsp;Additionally, features allow wearables to be located precisely, while location-based services (LBS) such as personalized fitness coaching (created by learning from a user’s previous workout data) can be enabled. It can suggest workout routines tailored to the user's fitness goals and current health status. The wearable device can recognize the user’s activity and posture using an ML model that runs on the Ethos-U55 core and sends the data to a cloud service via Enhanced Attribute Protocol (EAP). This could enable personalized, reliable, and secure fitness tracking for the user.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEzMTY0MTY0MDQ1LVdob29wLUJvZHlUcmFpbmluZy1Ub3AuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Next-gen wearables will enable highly-personal fitness tracking. Credit: WHOOP.&nbsp;AI/ML algorithms can be trained to detect patterns in biometric data gathered by wearables, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels. BLE's enhanced broadcast communication mechanism (EAD, PAwR) can allow these devices to send real-time health risk alerts to other devices, such as a smartphone, even in congested or high-interference environments. For example, a wearable could alert a user or a healthcare provider if it detects signs of an impending health crisis like a heart attack or stroke.&nbsp;When you combine AI-enabled MCUs with BLE, wearables become more personalized, efficient, secure, and useful in our everyday lives. Alif Semiconductor <a href="https://alifsemi.com/press-release/first-ble-matter-wireless-microcontroller-with-neural-co-processor-for-ai-ml/" target="_blank">has just announced</a> their Balletto family of BLE and Matter microcontrollers&nbsp;with neural processing for AI/ML workloads, which seeks to exceed the standard for low-power BLE operations.<h2 dir="ltr">Hardware accelerated machine learning</h2>To meet the market-need for state-of-the-art wearables, Alif Semiconductor offers AI/ML-enabled microcontrollers with dedicated NPU accelerators that allow heavy AI/ML workloads to run without compromising battery life. <a href="https://alifsemi.com/products/balletto/" target="_blank" id="isPasted">The Alif Balletto family</a> of microcontrollers introduces the world's most power-efficient microcontroller with on-device secure AI/ML processing, top-notch security, and ample peripherals for applications requiring integrated Bluetooth Low Energy and 802.15.4-based connectivity.&nbsp;The Balletto family boasts the powerful Arm® Cortex®-M55 core, equipped with double-precision FPU and Helium Vector Extensions, operating at a remarkable speed of up to 160MHz. Arm Ethos-U55 is a dedicated NPU accelerator that offloads AI/ML operations from the Cortex-M55 processor, allowing the M55 cores to operate in very low-power modes. This is especially important for wearables like hearing aids, which need to have a long battery life. Equally as important for wearables is having a small form-factor design, which Balletto can provide in a sub 16mm ² package. &nbsp;&nbsp;Balletto’s Ethos™-U55 Neural Processing Unit (NPU) can improve the performance and efficiency of speech recognition machine learning models by up to two orders of magnitude, excluding the 5-10x improvement already provided by the Cortex-M55 core over previous generation Cortex-M CPUs. This is ideal for wearables that rely on voice commands, improving processing speed and lowering latency.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEyODQyNDU1ODU5LWFsaWYgbWFpbiAyLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Balletto and Ensemble families. Image credit: Alif Semiconductor.<h3 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Battery-friendly microcontrollers powered by Alif’s aiPM™ technology&nbsp;</h3>The Balletto family also tackles a common problem seen by previously existing AI/ML-powered microcontrollers: short battery life. Connected wearables or mission-critical devices like hearing aids depend on long battery life for users. Their ability to function is hindered when there is a need for heavy local processing and AI/ML. Balletto MCUs are the most power-efficient in their class, thanks to Alif's innovative aiPM technology. This technology manages all aspects of the device, including individual processing cores for real-time control, neural processing, DSP and audio, deep security, and radio protocols capable of BLE 5.4 with LE Audio, Thread, and Matter. Balletto devices also include a wide range of interfaces and large memories, all monolithically integrated inside extremely small packages. This makes them ideal for demanding battery-powered applications such as wearables and hearables.Alif Semiconductor’s aiPM technology manages the power usage of the device through 8 power domains. It activates only the necessary chip sections and deactivates them when not in use, resulting in a highly efficient always-on region when there is a high requirement for local processing and AI/ML. The integrated dual-PA and on-chip antenna gives customers control of the reliability-range equation by providing tuning options of 4 dBm or up to 10 dBm Bluetooth transmit power. &nbsp;Balletto’s Bluetooth radio has a receive current of 1.5mA and a transmit current of 2.0mA, making it power conscious.Additionally, off-die peripherals produce higher energy consumption for wearables, while Balletto’s on-die solution fosters maximum efficiency. Utilization of the internal bus fabric effectively lowers access time, dynamic power, and standby power, ultimately providing more granular and precise power control at a lower cost.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Balletto family multi-layered security</h3>In addition to handling processing requirements, microcontrollers for wearables must ensure data security. Alif Balletto microcontrollers provide exceptional security features with multiple layers of protection, including:<ul><li dir="ltr">Root of Trust</li><li dir="ltr">Unique device ID for each individual chip</li><li dir="ltr">Dedicated security processor</li><li dir="ltr">Dedicated protected memory</li><li dir="ltr">Configurable firewalls that regulate access of each CPU to sections of memories and individual peripherals and extend the capabilities of the standard Arm Trust Zone security partitioning</li></ul>Alif Semiconductor is the only company in this market segment that injects at manufacturing, a unique public key infrastructure (PKI) key pair to support immutable&nbsp;hardware root of trust (RoT) from secure boot to strong authentication and remote software attestation capabilities.As a result, the personal data acquired by sensors and processed by the Alif Balletto microcontrollers are secured against third-party attacks.Users can securely manage all aspects of the device lifecycle, including key management, certificate management, remote updates, and more. Legacy MCUs may stop at TrustZone, but Alif takes you beyond TrustZone to ensure that multi-core devices are protected by not allowing two CPUs to access the same Secure domain and share secrets.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Graphics and imaging</h3>The Balletto family includes a number of hardware features to help offload traditionally CPU-intensive workloads from the MCU/MPU cores to improve performance and keep current consumption in check. One such feature is an integrated 2D graphics accelerator that can help speed up drawing operations by 4-10x compared to an unaccelerated system. This, combined with a set of imaging and display interfaces, which include parallel as well as MIPI-CSI2 and MIPI-DSI interfaces for 24-bit RGB displays and 8 to 16-bit cameras, provide everything needed for responsive and buttery-smooth graphics on pixel-dense screens.<h2 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h2>As the wearable technology market continues to expand, the convergence of edge AI and BLE technology has enabled wearables to become smarter, more efficient, and more secure. Alif Semiconductor's Balletto family of MCUs represents a significant leap forward in meeting the ever-growing demands of the wearables market. These innovative solutions empower wearables to not only collect and process data but also to provide real-time, personalized, and secure experiences, all while maintaining long-lasting battery life and optimizing form factor. The future of wearables is here, and it's exciting.<h3 dir="ltr">References</h3><ol><li dir="ltr">GlobeNewswire. <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/03/15/2627702/0/en/2023-2028-Smart-Wearables-Market-Size-Share-and-Trends-Analysis-Report-By-Y-O-Y.html" target="_blank">2023- 2028 Smart Wearables Market Size, Share and Trends Analysis Report By Y-O-Y</a>.</li><li dir="ltr">businesswire. <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220104005806/en/Global-Wearable-Technology-Market-Trends-Analysis-Report-2021-2028-Adoption-of-Fitness-Trackers-and-Health-based-Wearables-is-Anticipated-to-Propel-Growth---ResearchAndMarkets.com" target="_blank">Global Wearable Technology Market Trends &amp; Analysis Report 2021-2028: Adoption of Fitness Trackers and Health-based Wearables is Anticipated to Propel Growth - ResearchAndMarkets.com.</a></li></ol><h3>Further Research</h3>Ramesh Nair, 2023. “<a href="https://www.safetymint.com/blog/smart-wearables/" target="_blank">Smart Wearables: Advancing Safety in the Workplace</a>”StartUs Insights, 2023. “<a href="https://www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/wearables-trends/" target="_blank">Top 10 Wearables Trends in 2023</a>”GlobalData, 2022. “<a href="https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/comment/wearable-technology-iot/" target="_blank">Wearable technology market continues to rise</a>”Lisa Eadicicco, 2022. “<a href="https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/smartwatches-have-measured-blood-oxygen-for-years-but-is-it-useful/" target="_blank">Smartwatches Have Measured Blood Oxygen for Years. But Is This Useful?</a>”Fi Forest, 2022. “<a href="https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/sponsored/wearables-managing-complexities-data-privacy-consent/" target="_blank">Wearables: managing complexities in data privacy and consent in healthcare tech</a>”Industry News, 2022. “<a href="https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2022/11/16/alif-semiconductor-telit/" target="_blank">Alif Semiconductor partners with Telit to develop and deploy IoT edge devices</a>”Alif Semiconductor, 2023. “<a href="https://alifsemi.com/ensemble/" target="_blank">Supplying next generation scalable microcontrollers</a>”Arrow, 2022. “<a href="https://www.arrow.com/en/research-and-events/articles/alif-semiconductor" target="_blank">Alif Semiconductor</a>”Eduardo Montanez, 2022. “<a href="https://www.nxp.com/company/blog/nxp-i-mx-rt-mcu-technology-powers-our-smartwatch-future:BL-NXP-IMX-RT-MCU-TECHNOLOGY" target="_blank">NXP i.MX RT MCU Technology Powers Our Smartwatch Future</a>”

Learn how bluetooth connected AI/ML microcontrollers are setting the bar for next generation wearables.

Leading Wearables into a New Era with Cutting-Edge Connected Bluetooth LE based MCUs

Bluetooth&nbsp;LE, Wi-Fi&nbsp;6,&nbsp;and cellular IoT bring connectivity to low power IoT devices. The Nordic SoCs, companion ICs, and SiPs running these protocols are among the most power efficient wireless solutions on the market, extending devices’ battery life.&nbsp;But there’s more to managing power than just efficient chips; power from a battery or a mains source must be regulated and distributed, and if the device is powered by a rechargeable battery, it will occasionally need to be charged. That means no matter how efficient the processor, radio, and memory are in the wireless chip, a less-than-optimized power management system will compromise battery life.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Building a compact power management system&nbsp;Into&nbsp;one small package&nbsp;</h2>Building an efficient power management system is one problem, designing it to be compact makes things even more challenging. Many IoT products are space constrained, yet conventional power management solutions typically comprise multiple chips—for example, voltage regulator, battery charger, fuel gauge, external watchdog, and hard reset—which take up precious space.&nbsp;Nordic has addressed both the efficiency and space challenges of power management with its nPM Family of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Supplementary/Power-Management" target="_blank">Power Management ICs</a>&nbsp;(PMICs). The family comprises the nPM6001 (which features six independently controlled power rails), nPM1100 (a dual-mode configurable buck regulator and integrated battery charger) and the latest introduction, the nPM1300. This PMIC is optimized for maximum efficiency and compact size and simplifies system design by integrating the essential functions required for reliable operation into one small package.&nbsp;<h2>Intelligent power management from the nPM1300&nbsp;</h2>Within its 5 by 5 mm (QFN32) or 3.1 by 2.4 mm (WLCSP) compact form factor, the nPM1300 incorporates two buck converters, two load switches, a battery charger, USB-C compatible input, ship mode, and fuel gauge. This simplifies power management from as many as eight chips plus associated passives to one chip plus a few passives.&nbsp;In addition to the high level of integration, the PMIC provides key system management features that typically must be individually added to conventional power management circuits. These features include key items such as failed boot recovery, hard reset, a power saving ‘hibernate’ mode, watchdog timer, and a power loss warning.&nbsp;<h2>Precise fuel gauging without the power drain&nbsp;</h2>It’s very useful for a consumer to have an accurate idea of the remaining battery life of their IoT device. Engineers typically achieve this by measuring the battery voltage—which is a proxy for remaining energy—or, for a more precise result, a coulomb counter, a device that continuously measures the current flowing into or out of a battery to determine the total cell charge.&nbsp;&nbsp;The battery voltage measurement is simple to implement and uses little power, but is not very accurate, particularly if the battery is subject to temperature variances. The coulomb counter is more precise but requires additional components and drains more power. In comparison, the nPM1300 features a highly accurate fuel gauge that combines the simplicity and modest power consumption of a battery voltage measurement with the precision of a coulomb counter.&nbsp;&nbsp;Nordic conducted experiments that compared a coulomb counter, battery voltage measurement, and the nPM1300’s fuel gauge. Compared to the coulomb counter, the battery voltage calculation peaked at nearly 20 percent error. In comparison, the nPM1300’s fuel gauge showed a maximum of two percent error at worst compared with the coulomb counter but was mostly within one percent.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Fuel gauge powered by software&nbsp;</h2>The key to Nordic’s fuel gauge’s accuracy over a wide temperature range is the software algorithm powered by the host processor. The processor uses information such as the current flowing out of the battery, the battery terminal voltage, the system voltage, and a battery temperature thermistor reading.&nbsp;&nbsp;For the algorithm to produce accurate results it must first be ‘taught’ the battery characteristics (which only has to happen once if the end product continues to use the same type of battery). The teaching is done using the Nordic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-hardware/nPM1300-EK" target="_blank">Evaluation Kit</a>&nbsp;(EK) equipped with a fuel gauge board to provide the right resistive load and the Nordic nPM PowerUP App.&nbsp;After calibration and with the current, voltage, and temperature inputs, the host processor uses the Nordic-developed algorithm to accurately determine the battery’s state of charge for the life of the device. Power consumption for a one-second measurement frequency adds about four microamps to the typical host processor overhead.&nbsp;<h2>Managing power from&nbsp;battery to antenna&nbsp;</h2>Maximizing battery life demands taking responsibility for how each part of the wireless product’s system affects the overall power consumption. The developer needs to optimize each element—from the battery all the way to Cloud connectivity, including radio operation, processing, and power management—to get the most from the power source. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Basing a design on a Nordic SoC or SiP—among the lowest power wireless chips on the market—together with a Nordic nPM6001, nPM1100, or nPM1300 is an excellent foundation for keeping the energy consumption of wireless products as low as possible.&nbsp;

Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi 6, and cellular IoT bring connectivity to low power IoT devices. The Nordic SoCs, companion ICs, and SiPs running these protocols are among the most power efficient wireless solutions on the market, extending devices’ battery life. 

Inside the next generation of efficient and compact power management

Every&nbsp;day, the average&nbsp;person inhales a staggering 11,000 liters of air,&nbsp;amounting to more than 300 million liters over a lifetime (as reported by&nbsp;TheWorldCounts).This remarkable intake underscores the importance of ensuring the air we breathe is fresh and clean, especially since, according to the World Health Organization, there are over 6.7 million premature deaths annually due to air pollution, with more than 3.2 million of these stemming from indoor environments. &nbsp;&nbsp;Despite the common focus on outdoor air pollution, significant health risks also originate from the air indoors. With people spending increasing amounts of time inside homes, offices, shops, gyms and restaurants&nbsp;it has become even more important to monitor the air quality of these environments.&nbsp;<h2>The next phase of air quality monitoring&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Carbon monoxide alarms have been around for&nbsp;almost a&nbsp;century,&nbsp;while&nbsp;traditional&nbsp;smoke detectors&nbsp;have been around for over seventy years. But wireless technology represents a new level of air quality measurement. For example,&nbsp;whereas&nbsp;previously conventional&nbsp;alarms&nbsp;only&nbsp;issued warnings when dangerous levels&nbsp;of carbon monoxide or smoke&nbsp;were detected, the advent of wireless technology&nbsp;allows&nbsp;for&nbsp;a more nuanced and&nbsp;timely&nbsp;response&nbsp;to potential hazards, especially in cases of long-term, low-level exposure.&nbsp;The effects of such exposure shouldn’t be taken lightly. According to an article by Julie Connolly, Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care at Liverpool John Moores University, the symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide exposure can be difficult to spot. And yet,&nbsp;they have been linked to such serious symptoms as musculoskeletal injury, fatigue, and memory loss.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beyond concerns like natural gas leaks, or carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and smoke build-up, humans present risks to fellow humans through viruses (such as COVID-19 or influenza). And certain strains of bacteria and mold spores also pose a threat to air quality.&nbsp;One of the most serious threats, however, is from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These can lead to serious health issues, including eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, and potential damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system (according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Worse still, some VOCs have even been linked to cancer.&nbsp;<h2>Creating smart&nbsp;IoT&nbsp;systems&nbsp;for air&nbsp;quality monitoring&nbsp;</h2>Now the IoT can be used to alert building occupants of these hazards, in near real-time. This allows individuals and companies to proactively implement changes to help ensure healthy indoor environments and prevent health problems.&nbsp;Moreover, smart air purification and filtration systems can be integrated into smart home systems or an intelligent HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit in a commercial building. A feedback loop can then be formed between the sensor network and the air purification system. When sensors detect the air quality dropping the system can automatically boost purification.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>The advantages of Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>There are many advantages of employing wireless technology in these applications. Technology such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/Bluetooth-Low-Energy" target="_blank">Bluetooth LE</a>&nbsp;suits compact, low-power sensors working over hundreds of meters while low-power&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/WiFi" target="_blank">Wi-Fi</a>&nbsp;technology such as Nordic’s nRF70 Series suits sensors that need a bit more bandwidth. Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi can also work together in gateways, with the Bluetooth LE signal coming from a network of sensors, while the Wi-Fi part of the gateway sends the data to the Cloud. &nbsp;&nbsp;Because these solutions need no wiring, they are simple to integrate into new builds or retrofit existing buildings. Compact, battery-powered sensors (such as carbon monoxide detectors) can easily be strategically installed near fossil-fuel heaters, in rooms with poor ventilation, and in other areas of concern.&nbsp;Once these sensors have been set up, they continuously gather data. Edge computing enables the device to only forward information to a gateway or central device when significant to trigger further decisions such as increasing ventilation. Alternatively, the data can be sent directly to the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth LE for instant notifications. Multiple types of sensors and wireless tech enable users to build the optimum solution for the application. &nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Nordic Bluetooth LE SoCs power multisensory air quality monitor &nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>For example, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2023/10/The-AirSuite-Glance-environment-monitor-employs-the-nRF9160-SiP-and-nRF52840-SoC" target="_blank">AirSuite Glance</a>, created by New Zealand company AirSuite, employs a range of sensors to monitor carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, humidity, sound, lighting, air pressure, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It uses the Bluetooth LE connectivity provided by Nordic Semiconductor’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/products/nrf52840" target="_blank">nRF52840</a>&nbsp;SoC to transmit the data directly to the user’s smartphone every minute, and the LTE-M or NB-IoT connectivity of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/products/nrf9160" target="_blank">nRF9160</a>&nbsp;SiP to send it to the Cloud at least every fifteen minutes.&nbsp;Through the dedicated app and web platform, users can oversee and receive notifications when environmental metrics surpass or fall below predetermined thresholds. Additionally, the AirSuite Monitor Web Portal offers access to historical data, allowing users to analyze trends and compare values across various rooms or sites.&nbsp;<h2>Intelligent adjustment with machine learning &nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>There are many innovations currently shaping the landscape of indoor air quality monitoring. Notably, the development of more advanced wireless sensors—low power devices that can run for years between battery replacements—and the advancement of Machine Learning (ML)-driven analytics.&nbsp;&nbsp;ML, with its pattern recognition capabilities, can identify trends, and intelligently adjust settings to optimize occupant health and comfort. The system can autonomously adjust settings in response to&nbsp;certain stimuli—such as switching on an air purifier in anticipation of the increased building occupancy expected at certain times of the day. This reduces power consumption by avoiding unnecessary equipment use and helps create indoor environments that can be continually optimized for the occupants’ wellbeing.

Every day, the average person inhales a staggering 11,000 liters of air, amounting to more than 300 million liters over a lifetime (as reported by TheWorldCounts).

Smart wireless IoT systems for air quality monitoring

The distress associated with a lost pet is a familiar dread for pet owners worldwide. As our furry companions are considered part of the family, their safety and whereabouts are of paramount concern. Technology, specifically Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), alleviates these worries in this context. GNSS technology encompasses a network of satellites providing global coverage and has been a game-changer in location tracking.GNSS involves a complex set of satellites (space segment), control stations (control segment), and receivers (user segment) that work in unison to provide precise location data. The history of GNSS dates back to the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, which marked the beginning of using satellites for geo-positioning and led to the development of various satellite navigation systems like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. Utilizing L-Band radio frequencies, these systems have found applications across numerous industries, offering location tracking, navigation, and mapping services.The u-blox M10 platform is a unique example of GNSS technology adaptation. This platform is designed for applications requiring low power consumption and small size without compromising performance. It is particularly suited for wearable and industrial applications, including pet trackers. Its ability to handle increased update rates and dynamic accuracy, along with the integration of Super-Signal (Super-S) technology for enhanced RF sensitivity, makes it highly effective in compact product designs.GNSS technology based on the u-blox M10 platform stands at the forefront of ensuring pet safety. By offering high-precision tracking in a low-energy, compact format, it not only addresses the practical aspects of pet tracking but also provides peace of mind to pet owners. This article will explore how GNSS technology and the u-blox M10 platform can revolutionize pet trackers by offering efficient, reliable, and user-friendly solutions for monitoring our beloved pets.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzAyMzAxNDg5MjU2LXNodXR0ZXJzdG9ja18xOTQ2NzUxNjQ5ICgxKS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Cat wearing GPS Tracker device.<h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The Essentials of Pet Tracking Technology</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Understanding Pet Trackers</h3>Using GPS and RFID technologies, pet trackers have significantly improved how we care for our pets. Initially, RFID technology facilitated pet tracking; developed in the 1940s for military applications, RFID was first adapted for pet identification in the late 1980s. These RFID chips, implanted under the pet's skin, emitted unique identification numbers when scanned, helping reunite lost pets with their owners.The advent of GPS technology in pet trackers marked a significant evolution. Initially developed in the 1970s for military purposes, GPS was introduced into consumer products like car navigation systems and mobile phones by the 1990s. The early 2000s saw the introduction of pet GPS trackers, which were initially bulky but soon became more compact and suitable for various pet sizes. These devices combined GPS and cellular communication, allowing real-time monitoring of pets' locations.In the late 2000s and early 2010s, trackers began integrating both RFID and GPS technologies, offering the benefits of identification and real-time tracking. The mid-2010s saw further advancements with the development of smartphone apps for pet tracking, enabling features like geofencing and alerts for pets leaving designated areas. Wearable tech trends influenced the design of pet trackers, leading to smart collars and tags.Modern pet trackers have advanced features like improved battery life, precise location tracking, activity and health monitoring, and integration with other smart home devices. Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered predictive analytics in these devices can detect unusual behavior patterns, enhancing pet safety and well-being. The future of pet tracking technology points towards longer-lasting batteries, miniaturization for smaller pets, and the inclusion of additional health sensors.<h2 dir="ltr">Key Features of Pet Trackers</h2>Pet trackers must possess certain key features to be effective:<ul><li dir="ltr">Rugged Design: Pet trackers must be waterproof, water-resistant, and designed for high activity levels. Some must also withstand extended water immersion for pets that swim.</li><li dir="ltr">Location History: This feature is particularly favored by cat owners, as it provides insights into their pet's daily movements and behaviors.</li><li dir="ltr">Weight and Dimensions: Trackers should be appropriately sized for the pet, ensuring comfort and practicality.</li><li dir="ltr">Battery Life: The battery life of a tracker is crucial, as frequent charging may be impractical. Advanced models often require more regular charging.</li><li dir="ltr">Subscription Fees: Many pet trackers come with connected subscription services, and the cost of these services should be considered when choosing a tracker.</li></ul>These features ensure that pet trackers are functional but also convenient and reliable for pet owners. The evolution of pet tracking technology, combined with these critical features, reflects a growing trend in pet care and safety, leveraging technological advancements to provide peace of mind to pet owners.<h2 dir="ltr">The u-blox M10 Platform: Enhancing Pet Tracker Capabilities</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Technical Specifications of the u-blox M10</h3>The u-blox M10 platform stands out in GNSS technology for its ultra-low power consumption and continuous tracking capabilities. It is specifically designed to meet the demands of wearable and industrial applications, featuring less than 15mW power consumption in continuous tracking mode. This low power requirement and high RF sensitivity significantly reduce the time needed to establish a position fix.&nbsp;&nbsp;<iframe id="6567311292f97d6936f2c16e" width="250" class="specs-iframe" height="440" src="https://wevolver.com/iframe/specs/u-blox-mia-m10-standard-precision-gnss-modules?iframe=true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe>The platform also boasts advanced mitigation features against jamming, spoofing, and RF interference. These capabilities are augmented by the Super-S technology, which enhances performance in weak signal environments or when used with small antennas, making it highly suitable for compact product designs like pet trackers.Moreover, the u-blox M10 offers quick and easy Wi-Fi 6E access point development, further expanding its connectivity and application potential. Another critical aspect is the computed protection level by the GNSS receiver in real-time, which quantifies the reliability of the position information, thereby improving data quality and ensuring the safety of people and assets.<h2 dir="ltr">Benefits for Pet Trackers</h2>The u-blox M10 platform's adaptability to wearables and ease of integration make it ideal for pet trackers. Its small size and efficient power consumption are particularly beneficial for devices like pet trackers, which must be lightweight and long-lasting. Combined with robust performance, this compact form factor means the u-blox M10 can be easily integrated into a wide range of pet-tracking devices without adding unnecessary bulk or draining battery life.One real-world application of this technology is demonstrated by Pawtrack, a company specializing in cat-tracking collars. Utilizing u-blox’s end-to-end solution based on the industry standard MQTT, Pawtrack has significantly scaled up its customer base, now serving cat owners in 170 countries. The platform's ability to connect to over 600 cellular networks in 190 countries makes this global reach possible. Moreover, the solution offers predictable pricing based on the number of MQTT messages sent, ensuring cost-effectiveness for both the manufacturer and the end user. This scalability and convenience are crucial for efficiently and effectively managing large fleets of IoT devices, like pet trackers.<h2 dir="ltr">Design and Future Trajectory of GNSS Pet Trackers</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Building Pet Trackers with the u-blox M10</h3>The u-blox M10 platform brings significant advantages to the design of pet trackers through its compact form factor and power efficiency. These attributes are pivotal in creating miniature battery-powered trackers suitable for pets. The MIA-M10 series of chip-sized SiP modules from u-blox exemplify this innovation, offering a power-efficient solution for size-constrained, battery-powered asset-tracking devices, including those for pets. These modules are designed explicitly for trackers in various applications, such as those for people, pets, and livestock, as well as for other uses like bike computers and cameras. This versatility and achieving up to 400% battery life in a tiny 4.5 x 4.5 mm module are game changers for pet-tracking devices.<h3 dir="ltr">The Road Ahead for Pet Tracking</h3>The future of pet tracking technology is poised for significant advancements, particularly in health monitoring features and battery life.Multi-Technology Integration: Future pet trackers must incorporate multiple tracking technologies, such as GPS, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, and radiofrequency (RF). This integration will provide more accurate and reliable tracking in various environments, mainly when GPS alone may be limited, like indoors or in areas with poor satellite reception.&nbsp;<iframe id="66558e07f7b660e58fe7dc5e" width="250" class="specs-iframe" height="440" src="https://wevolver.com/iframe/specs/u-blox-xplr-hpg-2-high-precision-gnss-explorer-kit?iframe=true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe>Enhanced Battery Life and Energy Efficiency: As pet trackers evolve, there will be a focus on improving battery life and energy efficiency. Innovations could include energy harvesting from ambient sources or using solar cells to extend battery life and reduce the frequency of recharging.AI and Health Monitoring: Integrating AI and machine learning is expected to revolutionize pet tracker technology. These technologies can analyze pet behavior patterns, predict potential escape routes, and identify pet health changes. Future trackers may incorporate advanced health monitoring and fitness-tracking features, such as monitoring heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and sleep patterns. This data will provide pet owners with valuable insights into their pet's well-being and help in the early identification of health issues.Data Security and Customizable Designs: With the advancement of pet trackers and the increasing amount of data they collect, data security and privacy will become crucial. Implementing robust encryption and security protocols will be necessary to protect sensitive data. Additionally, future designs of pet trackers are likely to become more customizable and modular, allowing pet owners to tailor devices to their specific needs and facilitate more straightforward device repairs and upgrades.These developments in pet tracker technology, underpinned by platforms like u-blox M10, highlight a future where pet safety, health monitoring, and user convenience are significantly enhanced, offering peace of mind and a deeper connection between pet owners and their furry companions.<h2 dir="ltr">Key Takeaways</h2>The advent and integration of GNSS technology, particularly the u-blox M10 platform, have marked a significant milestone in pet safety. The u-blox M10’s ultra-low power consumption, continuous tracking capabilities, and advanced features like jamming, spoofing, and RF interference mitigation have set new standards in the design and functionality of pet trackers. These technical advancements, coupled with the platform's adaptability for wearables and integration ease, have greatly enhanced the reliability and effectiveness of pet tracking devices.The u-blox M10 platform has provided a robust solution for real-time pet monitoring and paved the way for future innovations. The trajectory of pet tracking technology is geared towards more sophisticated features like enhanced battery life, health monitoring, AI integration, and improved data security. These advancements indicate a future where pet trackers will not only serve as a tool for locating pets but also as a means of understanding and ensuring their overall well-being.<h2 dir="ltr">References</h2><ol><li dir="ltr">ScienceDirect's Introduction to GNSS technology: This resource provides a comprehensive background on GNSS technology's growth and commercial applications, which would be crucial for understanding the technicalities of pet tracking technologies. Link:<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128186176000019#:~:text=1,navigation%20satellites%20and%20associated%20equipment" target="_blank">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128186176000019#:~:text=1,navigation%20satellites%20and%20associated%20equipment</a></li></ol><ol start="2"><li dir="ltr">MDPI's Role of GNSS-RTN in Transportation Applications: This paper discusses the GNSS-RTN system, which has implications for real-time, highly accurate location services. Insights from this resource could be relevant for explaining the precision required in pet trackers.Link:<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8392/2/3/83#:~:text=The%20Global%20Navigation%20Satellite%20System%E2%80%94Real,over%20a%20broader%20geographic%20region" target="_blank">https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8392/2/3/83#:~:text=The%20Global%20Navigation%20Satellite%20System%E2%80%94Real,over%20a%20broader%20geographic%20region</a></li></ol><ol start="3"><li dir="ltr">EU Publications' GNSS User Technology Report: The GNSS User Technology Report could serve as an authoritative source for the latest user technology developments, applications, and trends in GNSS, which could be directly applicable to pet tracker technology.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Link:<a href="https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/73477ef0-3516-11eb-b27b-01aa75ed71a1/language-en#:~:text=Issue%203%2C%202020,a%20summary%20of%20recent" target="_blank">https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/73477ef0-3516-11eb-b27b-01aa75ed71a1/language-en#:~:text=Issue%203%2C%202020,a%20summary%20of%20recent</a></li><li dir="ltr">UNOOSA's GNSS Information: The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs provides detailed information on GNSS systems, including satellite constellations and ground control stations, offering a high-level overview of the infrastructure behind pet tracking capabilities. Link:<a href="https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/psa/gnss/gnss.html#:~:text=Global%20Navigation%20Satellite%20Systems%20,calculate%20ground%20positions%20by%20trilateration" target="_blank">https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/psa/gnss/gnss.html#:~:text=Global%20Navigation%20Satellite%20Systems%20,calculate%20ground%20positions%20by%20trilateration</a></li></ol><ol start="5"><li dir="ltr">GPS World's GNSS Solutions for Challenging Environments: This article discusses GNSS solutions that offer centimeter-level accuracy in complex environments, a critical aspect of pet tracking technology when pets venture into areas with obstructed lines of sight to satellites. Link:<a href="https://www.gpsworld.com/gnss-solutions-for-challenging-environments/#:~:text=Lately%2C%20GNSS%20has%20become%20more,What%20drives%20higher%20accuracy" target="_blank">https://www.gpsworld.com/gnss-solutions-for-challenging-environments/#:~:text=Lately%2C%20GNSS%20has%20become%20more,What%20drives%20higher%20accuracy</a></li></ol><ol start="6"><li dir="ltr">TrackiPet Reviews on LinkedIn: TrackiPet is noted as a state-of-the-art pet tracking device providing real-time information, highlighting the practical application of GNSS technology in pet trackers. Link:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/trackipet-reviews-keeping-your-pets-safe-advanced-tracking-chauhan#:~:text=TrackiPet%20is%20a%20state,can%20be%20easily%20attached" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/trackipet-reviews-keeping-your-pets-safe-advanced-tracking-chauhan#:~:text=TrackiPet%20is%20a%20state,can%20be%20easily%20attached</a></li></ol><ol start="7"><li dir="ltr">Consumer Reports Best GPS Pet Trackers: Consumer Reports provides tested reviews and comparisons of various pet trackers, which would be valuable for understanding consumer expectations and experiences with the technology. Link:<a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/gps-pet-trackers/best-gps-pet-trackers-a1117406199/#:~:text=The%20Tractive%20GPS%20Dog%20LTE,price%20for%20the%20unit" target="_blank">https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/gps-pet-trackers/best-gps-pet-trackers-a1117406199/#:~:text=The%20Tractive%20GPS%20Dog%20LTE,price%20for%20the%20unit</a></li></ol><ol start="8"><li dir="ltr">Best Products' Best GPS Pet Trackers &amp; Collars: This source lists the best GPS pet trackers and collars, which can be used to discuss the various options available in the market and what features set them apart. Link:<a href="https://www.bestproducts.com/tech/gadgets/g1169/gps-pet-trackers/#:~:text=This%20is%20cheaper%20than%20the,Plan%20Price" target="_blank">https://www.bestproducts.com/tech/gadgets/g1169/gps-pet-trackers/#:~:text=This%20is%20cheaper%20than%20the,Plan%20Price</a></li></ol><ol start="9"><li dir="ltr">My Dog Is A Robot's Deep Dive Into Pet Tracker Technology: Offers insight into the functionalities of GPS trackers, including health monitoring capabilities, which could be integral to discussing the future advancements of pet trackers. Link:<a href="https://www.mydogisarobot.com/deep-dive-into-pet-tracker-technology/#:~:text=This%20technology%20allows%20you%20to,and%20number%20of%20calories%20burned" target="_blank">https://www.mydogisarobot.com/deep-dive-into-pet-tracker-technology/#:~:text=This%20technology%20allows%20you%20to,and%20number%20of%20calories%20burned</a></li></ol><ol start="10"><li dir="ltr">Peeva's Blog on Bluetooth Pet Tracker Technology: Provides a critical view of Bluetooth pet trackers and discusses emerging solutions like tracking dog harnesses, contributing to a discussion on the diverse technologies in pet tracking. Link:<a href="https://peeva.co/blog/blog/bluetooth-pet-tracking-app#:~:text=When%20the%20stakes%20are%20as,come%20embedded%20with%20tracking%20devices" target="_blank">https://peeva.co/blog/blog/bluetooth-pet-tracking-app#:~:text=When%20the%20stakes%20are%20as,come%20embedded%20with%20tracking%20devices</a></li></ol>

Explore how GNSS technology, powered by the u-blox M10 platform, offers pet safety with high-precision, low-energy tracking solutions for our furry friends.


Ensuring the Safety of Fur Babies: The Role of GNSS in Advanced Pet Trackers

Cities around the world are experiencing a period of rapid expansion. According to the United Nations (UN), 57 percent of people already live in urban areas - and this is set to increase to almost 70 percent by 2050.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the time it takes you to read this blog, approximately 40,000 new IoT devices will connect to the Internet. At that rate, by 2030, we will have 30 billion connected IoT devices worldwide, or so Statista predicts. The numbers are huge, but to paraphrase software company Intuit co-founder Scott Cook, we’re still in the first minute of the first day of the IoT revolution. You ain’t seen nothing yet.&nbsp; While the average man or woman on the street may still not yet heard of the “Internet of Things”—a term first coined 24 years ago by British computer scientist Kevin Ashton—the reality is it’s changing the world every day, in almost every way. From sustainability, healthcare, and education to our homes, places of work and social lives, the IoT is having an impact on us all in untold ways. Here are some of the wireless IoT applications that could, should, and are, changing our world.&nbsp;<h2>How cellular IoT and AI help reduce food loss and waste in farming</h2>Human beings have certain basic needs. We must have food, water, air, and shelter to survive. The lucky ones amongst us take these needs for granted, but not everyone is so fortunate. At least 345 million people face high levels of food insecurity, according to the World Food Programme, and by 2050, we will have a billion more mouths to feed than we do now.&nbsp; Food loss and waste occurs throughout the supply chain. According to a Coresight study, farms contribute 21 percent of food waste, processing 14 percent, food service and retail 28 percent, and consumers waste as much as 37 percent of the food they buy.&nbsp; To address farming losses <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Low-power-cellular-IoT" rel="noopener" target="_blank">cellular IoT wireless connectivity</a> supported by AI and analytics is providing farmers a detailed picture of their crops and livestock using a combination of connectivity solutions including sensors, autonomous machines, and drones. Drones can be used for crop health monitoring and disease detection, while autonomous robots can scan harvests from the ground level for signs of pests, weeds, or disease. Meanwhile machine learning (ML) algorithms and GNSS positioning are being used to develop self-driving harvesting machinery, significantly boosting yields and reducing harvesting losses.&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected/how-the-iot-can-help-create-a-more-sustainable-future" rel="noopener" target="_blank"></a><h2>Reducing food waste in retail with Bluetooth LE and cellular IoT</h2>At the retail level, a recent study from U.C. San Diego’s Rady School of Management found dynamic pricing could reduce food waste from grocery retailers by 21 percent. Bluetooth LE-powered shelf labels and cellular IoT Cloud-connected gateways have enabled dynamic pricing by applying an algorithm that determines when the price of perishables should be lowered based on their expiration date, and automatically applying the revised price using wireless connectivity direct to the shelf.<h2>Bluetooth LE SoCs and cellular IoT SiPs saving future healthcare wearables</h2>Wearable tech has come a long way in 10 years. Today’s wearables powered by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Bluetooth-Low-Energy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sophisticated wireless SoCs</a>&nbsp;are multifunctional devices that can not only provide fitness motivation but also have the ability to play a valuable clinical role. Ironically, to some extent, we have the pandemic to thank for the development of high-end healthcare wearables, but now these devices are playing a vital role in the prevention and management of a host of other diseases from diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea through to neurocognitive disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s. Soon enough, high-end SoCs and SiPs running ML routines will enable&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Applications/Wearables" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wearables</a>&nbsp;to rapidly establish health data anomalies, and seamlessly relay the data via the Cloud to our doctors resulting in rapid clinical decisions.&nbsp;<h2>Supporting&nbsp;the next generation of&nbsp;tech&nbsp;education&nbsp;</h2>In the education sector, wireless tech is both democratizing learning and simultaneously addressing the digital skills gap. We need more coders, engineers and tech innovators, and devices such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://microbit.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC micro:bit</a>&nbsp;are supporting the next generation of digital innovators. The micro:bit program was launched in 2015, and with a million wireless chips donated by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nordic Semiconductor</a>, the program was up and running. Since then, the tiny yet powerful programmable pocket computers have found their way into the hands of 39 million children in over 60 countries, across every continent. The 11 and 12 year olds that received the first micro:bits are now at university age, and soon we will see these pioneers enter our workforce equipped with the digital coding skills their predecessors lacked.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Wireless connectivity protecting the world</h2>The IoT might be able to transform our food supply, health, and education, but all of that is pointless without a sustainable planet to live on. And there, arguably, wireless connectivity is making a more telling contribution than in any other domain. Wireless connectivity is providing answers to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2021/03/Holding-the-Line" target="_blank">illegal deforestation</a>, waste management, pollution control, electric vehicles, and ecosystem protection just for starters.&nbsp;&nbsp;Whether it’s customized cellular IoT devices installed on construction vehicles to prevent illegal logging, smart bins in cities employing optical sensors to better allocate rubbish collection and overflow, connected air quality and climate monitoring solutions to provide authorities with data to help manage traffic and emissions, or Bluetooth LE,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/WiFi" target="_blank">Wi-Fi</a>,&nbsp;and cellular IoT connectivity helping electric vehicle (EV) charging companies manage the complex EV ecosystem to boost clean transport, wireless connectivity is now everywhere, and promising a smarter, greener way to protect our precious planet.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cities around the world are experiencing a period of rapid expansion. According to the United Nations (UN), 57 percent of people already live in urban areas - and this is set to increase to almost 70 percent by 2050.  

The cellular IoT and Bluetooth LE wireless IoT applications changing our world

Wireless technology saves lives every day, sometimes in extraordinary ways. After spotting flames rising from a residence in Scotts Valley, California, a passing jogger rang the doorbell in an effort to notify the homeowners. The owner wasn’t home, but the wireless doorbell was connected to a smart home hub that alerted her to the jogger’s attempt to make contact. In an instant she provided him with the security code, enabling him to run into the house to rescue her pets from the fire.Texan Joey Lowe was equally fortunate when he passed out on his porch on a very hot summer’s day. His wife and son were out of town but received a motion alert from their smart home doorbell app when he collapsed, and were able to contact a neighbor who called 911 to transport Joey to hospital to treat the cardiac episode.Not every instance of technology keeping us safe is so dramatic, but as the ‘Internet of Everything’ delivers ubiquitous connectivity at home, at work and at play, wireless devices are keeping a watchful eye on us as never before.<h2>Safety begins with a smart home</h2>The smart home is still viewed with caution by some observers as interoperability, cost, and ease-of-operation concerns in particular have cooled consumer interest. We are all aware of the tech—from smart lights and energy management, to devices designed purely for convenience—but how many of us actually use it? According to analysts, around 16 percent of homes currently employ some form of smart technology, but the numbers are trending upwards rapidly as the industry addresses standardization concerns.Unifying connectivity standard <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Matter" target="_blank">Matter</a> will deliver consumers greater simplicity, ensuring, for example, any Amazon Echo device can control any third party smart home security product, or any other Matter smart home device. This interoperability should act as an accelerant for smart home tech where security above convenience is also driving renewed interest from consumers. As fun as it might be to remotely and wirelessly control our lights, air conditioning or blinds, keeping our castle safe from uninvited intruders is a more pressing concern.As such the market has been flooded with simple, user-friendly, easy-to-set-up wireless security systems, fully controlled and programmed via a smartphone app. These systems enable remote, wireless locking and unlocking, and the ability to issue temporary access to tradespeople or babysitters without handing over precious keys or lock combinations. An owner can also be notified if a lock is being tampered with, even if they are on the other side of the world.And not every threat to our safety at home comes in human form. Wireless smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can alert smart home owners via a smartphone app in the event of an issue – whether they are at home or not. They can detect steam from smoke, can be disabled from the app in the event of a false alarm, and tell you when the batteries are running low, without the device ‘chirping’ at you in the middle of the night.<h2>Transforming workplace safety with wireless technology</h2>The pandemic may have spawned the work-from-home movement, but not all of us are fortunate enough to be able to earn a living from our living room. For those people—first responders, construction laborers, and farmers for example—who need to venture past their front door for their employment, wireless tech is also transforming workplace safety.People working alone are at particular risk of workplace accidents, where the ability to trigger warnings may not be an option if someone becomes incapacitated. Wearable, wirelessly-connected devices employing a raft of sensors that can automatically trigger an alert to an employer or first responders are increasingly commonplace, particularly in potentially hazardous work environments like mines, farms and heavy industry.For example, using explosives in mining operations to break mineral-bearing rocks can result in toxic fumes lingering for hours. In-situ or wearable environmental sensors can ensure downtime is minimized and that workers don't re-enter the blast site until it is safe. Similarly, exhaust fumes emitted from underground excavating equipment and drilling machines can be kept within limits by monitoring with gas detectors and particle sensors.On farms, checking there is enough grain to feed livestock is traditionally a manual exercise. Aside from the risks of falling, inhaling dust emissions or the aspiration of silage gas can be extremely harmful, and like mines, explosion and fire are also real threats. Wireless connectivity allows tanks in remote agricultural locations to report level sensor data so the farmer can monitor feed, fuel, water, or fertilizer levels through a Cloud platform, using their smartphone, tablet, or computer.<h2>The power of cellular IoT wireless technology</h2>The catalyst for many of these remote monitoring solutions is the capabilities of mature <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Low-power-cellular-IoT" rel="noopener" target="_blank">cellular IoT</a> technology and the increasing ease with which it can be integrated into new solutions and application areas.Mines and farms are often isolated, but cellular IoT network infrastructure is ever expanding and is increasingly available even in remote locations. The technology can either power a gateway to pass data from a group of Bluetooth LE IoT devices to the Cloud or power sensors with end-to-end IP connectivity. Base stations can support tens of thousands of cellular IoT connections, and the communications are fully bidirectional, robust, reliable, and secure. Moreover, NB-IoT can penetrate further below ground than other wireless IoT technologies.<h2>Playing it safe with wireless technology</h2>Outside of our homes and our places of work, wireless technology is also keeping us safe in other ways. In the last five years wearable devices that double as safety devices have proliferated. Today’s ultra miniaturized <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Bluetooth-Low-Energy" target="_blank">SoCs</a> and SiPs enable designers to embed wireless connectivity in imaginative form factors such as bracelets or necklaces that double as panic buttons.For these personal safety device applications, Nordic’s <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF9160" rel="noopener" target="_blank">nRF9160</a> low power SiP with integrated LTE-M/NB-IoT modem and GNSS can provide cellular IoT wireless connectivity between the device and the Cloud, eliminating the need for a smartphone or gateway. The nRF9160 SiP combines LTE-M cellular network location data with GNSS trilateration for precise position monitoring, while the nRF9160’s assisted and predictive GNSS also saves power by speeding up time-to-first-fix (TTFF) on the satellites.And while wireless wearables have long been synonymous with keeping fit and urging us to increase our daily activity, they are now by design trying to keep us safe in the process. For example, cycling while a hugely popular pastime around the world, is also frequently hazardous. In 2020, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported nearly 426,000 emergency department-treated injuries associated with bicycles.Using Bluetooth LE-powered sensors and GPS, cycling helmets can now be transformed into a live GPS tracker, crash detector and safety beacon. Cycling equipment leader, <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2019/02/ANGi-sensor-based-device-transforms-cycling-helmet-using-nRF52832" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Specialized launched one such device</a> that uses a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope to detect any potentially dangerous incident by the measurement of linear and rotational forces to the cyclist’s head that typically occur during a bicycle crash. When it detects the possibility of a serious accident, it launches a countdown alert on the partner smartphone app. If the rider is uninjured they can then manually cancel the countdown. However, if the rider is injured and unable to cancel the countdown, the app sends a text alert notifying the user’s emergency contacts of a possible accident. In addition, the rider’s location—established by the device’s most recently uploaded GPS coordinates—is immediately sent to all contacts.It is one example among many of wireless technology making everyday life simpler, safer, and healthier for billions of us.<hr>This article was first published on Nordic's&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" id="isPasted"></a><a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Get Connected Blog</a>. &nbsp;

Wireless technology saves lives every day, sometimes in extraordinary ways. After spotting flames rising from a residence in Scotts Valley, California, a passing jogger rang the doorbell in an effort to notify the homeowners. The owner wasn’t home, but the wireless doorbell was connected to a smart home hub that alerted her to the jogger’s attempt to make contact.

Wireless technology keeps us safe at home, work and play

Without the coders, engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators of tomorrow emerging from the classrooms—and soon—it will become increasingly difficult to advance society and tackle diverse global challenges. As things stand now, a global technology talent shortage threatens to stifle progress across all tech sectors.Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom in the classroom. There’s a long way to go, but industry leaders are working hard to close the digital skills gap.<h2>Filling the gaps</h2>In 2021 there were more than two million U.K. job vacancies in tech, more than any other labor area. Yet a large section of the British workforce is apparently nowhere near skilled enough to apply for many of these tech-based positions. According to FutureDotNow—a coalition of industry leaders focused on closing the digital skills gap for working age adults—some 11.8 million U.K. workers lack even basic digital skills.In its 2022 Digital Strategy, the U.K. government asserted that while over 80 percent of all jobs advertised in the U.K. now require digital skills, employers say the lack of available talent is the biggest factor holding back growth. Estimates suggest the digital skills gap costs the U.K. economy as much as £63 billion ($79 billion) a year in potential GDP.This gap not only plays an important role in the U.K.’s economic prospects but also in an individual’s life chances. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport report in 2019 found: “The move up the career ladder from low- to high-skill jobs comes with increased demand for specific digital skills. Acquiring specific digital skills makes career progression and a pay increase more likely.”<h2>Responding to the challenge with micro:bits</h2>In March 2015, in response to the significant skills shortage across the U.K. at the time, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) launched Make It Digital, a nationwide initiative focused on creating the next generation of digital pioneers. One year later, the project spawned the delivery of one million Nordic-powered BBC micro:bits—tiny yet powerful programmable pocket computers—to Year 7 school students throughout the country’s schools. It was hoped the device could transform young people from passive consumers of technology into digital innovators via the power of ‘coding’.Within six months the not-for-profit <a href="https://microbit.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Micro:bit Educational Foundation</a> was established to promote the micro:bit project internationally. To this day the foundation works in collaboration with educators to create curriculum materials, training and resources that empower a young person’s creativity and boost their opportunities in an equal and purposeful way.<h2>Overcoming inequality</h2>The foundation has good reason to focus its efforts on overcoming inequality in education. Research indicates that factors such as socio-economic background can have a significant impact when it comes to children learning about coding. A 2022 report by Ofsted (the U.K. Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) revealed that state schools with higher proportions of disadvantaged pupils were&nbsp;less likely to offer a GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) in computer science.The gap between genders is also pronounced. Analysis of examination data from 2021 shows there are&nbsp;disproportionately few girls in computer science, making up just 21 percent of entries at GCSE and 15 percent at the GCE (General Certificate of Education) Advanced (A)-Level (a U.K. subject-based qualification for students aged 16 and above). Last year, computing A-Level continued to have the highest gender gulf of entrants, while the U.K. tech industry comprises only 26 percent women.<h2>Full STEAM ahead with micro:bits</h2>Seven-and-a-half years on from the launch of the, adoption is tracking impressively. Over 7 million micro:bit units have been sold worldwide. The device continues to be actively embedded in children's learning at schools and other education systems. Around 39 million young people in over 60 countries—including Denmark, Finland, Uruguay, Singapore, Canada and Bangladesh—have so far used the micro:bit to get hands-on with computer science and technology, learning important digital skills in the process.And STEAM [science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics] education programs are making a meaningful difference. In Bangladesh, for example, where less than half of the country’s 47 million children will attend school beyond the age of 15, the British Council has provided free workshops to increase public access to digital skills training and to teach children to create technology, not just consume it. The first phase of the program reached 2,000 young people in 12 districts.Most participants (88 percent) were aged 12-16, with a fairly balanced gender split of 51.5 percent male and 48.5 percent female. The majority had never coded before, and 13 percent said the workshop was their first time using a computer. But 95 percent of participants said they would be interested in learning more coding in the future. And 70 percent more girls said they would choose computing as a subject at school after using the micro:bit.<h2>Powering the micro:bit journey</h2>Nordic Semiconductor has played a vital role from day one of the micro:bit journey. The company donated the first one million nRF51822 chips to kickstart the micro:bit, and later supported a smooth transition from the micro:bit V1 to the micro:bit V2 device integrating the Nordic <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/products/nrf52833" target="_blank">nRF52833</a> SoC as its core processor. The nRF52820 has also since been added to the board as the micro:bit’s interface chip.In addition to processing capabilities, the micro:bit’s Nordic-enabled wireless connectivity is used in two distinct ways. First, using the device firmware update (DFU) tools in the Nordic software development kit (SDK), the micro:bit has the capability to be updated from a phone or tablet over Bluetooth LE. This means schools or students without access to laptops can still easily use the micro:bit. And second, it provides a student-facing feature, which can be used with either a set of Bluetooth services or with the micro:bit radio feature.<h2>The Micro:bit Educational Foundation: Shaping the future</h2>The micro:bit’s achievements to this point are just the beginning. The Micro:bit Educational Foundation has now joined forces with BBC Education and Nominet (the U.K.’s official domain name registry) to launch “BBC micro:bit – the next gen”, a nationwide initiative to ready U.K. primary school children aged 8 to 11 for the digital world, once again empowering them with the skills to shape their future. The campaign will offer&nbsp;30 micro:bit devices&nbsp;to every primary school in the country – a giveaway of almost 700,000 micro:bits.Whether programming it for useful functions such as a sunlight sensor or a step counter, or using it for an exciting treasure hunt challenge, the Nordic nRF52833 SoC-powered micro:bit will continue to teach practical computer knowledge in an accessible and authentic way. As the micro:bit evolves, the foundation hopes the device will inspire all children to create their best digital future.<hr>This article was first published on Nordic's&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" id="isPasted"></a><a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Get Connected Blog</a>. &nbsp;

Without the coders, engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators of tomorrow emerging from the classrooms—and soon—it will become increasingly difficult to advance society and tackle diverse global challenges. As things stand now, a global technology talent shortage threatens to stifle progress across all tech sectors.

Empowering next gen digital innovators with micro:bits

Smart lighting is a key component of smart commercial buildings and the connected home. Based on LEDs—which use at least 75 percent less energy, and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lighting, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE)—combined with Bluetooth LE SoCs like Nordic’s nRF52, nRF53, and the forthcoming <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF54H20" rel="noopener" target="_blank">nRF54 Series</a>, smart lighting brings illumination into the modern age.Not only can intelligent lighting minimize energy usage, by, for example, dimming when ambient light conditions brighten or switching off when people are not present, but it can also form a platform for other sensors such as proximity monitors and air quality sensors.The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) was quick to promote Bluetooth LE as a good connectivity option for smart lighting by highlighting the economies of scale that only the most widely deployed wireless radio standard in the world can provide. A further advantage is that Bluetooth LE is interoperability with almost every smartphone on the market, enabling the mobile to become a convenient interface for commissioning and controlling smart lighting.But some tricky engineering challenges have threatened to stall smart lighting adoption. The good news is that first Bluetooth Mesh, and now the Bluetooth SIG’s recently announced Bluetooth NLC (Network Lighting Control) are providing solutions. &nbsp;<h2>Adding mesh networking to Bluetooth</h2>Bluetooth LE started life as a low power-consumption extension to Classic Bluetooth. In the early days it was designed for consumer type applications - for example wireless keyboards and mice or connecting peripherals such as fitness wearables to smartphones. Such applications require relatively simple peer-to-peer or star network topologies. In contrast, applications such as smart lighting—which features dense installations of wireless nodes—are best served by mesh networking.In a mesh network, every node can talk to every other node rather than being restricted to communicating with just a central master node. That brings advantages such as built-in redundancy: if a node fails, messages can simply be rerouted through alternative paths.To make Bluetooth LE more suitable for smart lighting, the Bluetooth SIG introduced Bluetooth Mesh. Making its debut in 2017, the tech offers features and options to create large-scale device networks. Without Bluetooth Mesh, individual lights are controlled from a central hub, restricting the position of each because it needs to remain in range of that hub. But with Bluetooth Mesh, a command rapidly propagates through the network with no position restriction on the lights - provided individual nodes are close enough together to communicate. It is also very easy to add or remove lights to or from the network.<h2>Bringing greater interoperability to smart lighting</h2>Bluetooth Mesh helped resolve some smart lighting engineering challenges but not all. The optional nature of Bluetooth Mesh’s features meant vendors had to choose a subset for their product segments. Challenges arose if vendors operating in the same product segments choose a set of options that didn’t work well with products from another vendor. For example, that made it frustrating for a consumer when features chosen for LED drivers from one maker were not compatible with features selected for light switches from another. Such problems undermined interoperability and consumer adoption.Ensuring complete interoperability requires standardization across radio-, communication-, and device-layer of a wireless lighting control solution. Interoperability was ensured at the radio layer by using the Bluetooth LE protocol, and the communication layer through Bluetooth Mesh. But until now there was no solution for the device layer.&nbsp;To address this challenge, the Bluetooth SIG has developed a class of specifications called Bluetooth Mesh Device Profiles. These profiles define which options and features of the Bluetooth Mesh specification are mandatory for a certain kind of end-product – thus ensuring interoperability between different manufacturers’ versions of that type of device.The first suite of mesh device profiles is collectively referred to as NLC profiles. According to the Bluetooth SIG, these profiles build on Bluetooth Mesh to form Bluetooth NLC, “the world’s first full-stack, multi-vendor interoperable wireless standard for wireless lighting control”.<h2>Taking advantage of Bluetooth NLC with nRF Connect SDK</h2>Nordic is the leading Bluetooth LE company in the world and is an enthusiastic supporter of Bluetooth Mesh and now Bluetooth NLC. That’s why we’ve immediately made it easier for developers to get started with the technology by including NLC profiles in the nRF Connect SDK.The <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Bluetooth-mesh/Development-software?lang=en#infotabs" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NLC profiles</a> in the software development kit can be used to implement interoperable network controlled lighting setups, including ambient light and occupancy sensors, light controller, energy monitoring, scene selectors, and dimmer controls. Each of the profiles specifies a set of models and a set of performance parameters. The nRF Connect SDK provides a demonstration of how to implement each of these profiles as part of the Bluetooth samples contained in the kit.<h2>A bright future for wireless smart lighting</h2>The shift from wired to wireless lighting control solutions is being driven by three main advantages: greater design flexibility, lower cost of deployment, and future extensibility.Wireless systems allow for optimal placement of switches, lights, and other equipment, including places where it would be impractical for wired systems. Without the need for control wires, wireless lighting controls offer lower deployment costs. Decreased labor and material expense, minimum disruption during installation, and reduced maintenance costs also bring substantial savings. Finally, once deployed, wireless systems are easier to extend and it is simple to add advanced controls.These advantages mean that wireless lighting is set to boom. The U.S. DoE, for example, forecasts that 28 percent of commercial lighting deployments will be wirelessly connected by 2035. With the interoperability Bluetooth NLC now brings to the device layer of wireless control systems, Bluetooth smart lighting will play a major role. The Bluetooth SIG says that Bluetooth NLC device shipments will grow at a CAGR of 115 percent between now and 2027. The future for smart lighting is very bright.<hr>This article was first published on Nordic's&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" id="isPasted"></a><a href="https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected?utm_campaign=2021%20wevolver" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Get Connected Blog</a>. &nbsp;

Smart lighting is a key component of smart commercial buildings and the connected home. Based on LEDs—which use at least 75 percent less energy, and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lighting, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE)—combined with Bluetooth LE SoCs like Nordic’s nRF52, nRF53, and the forthcoming nRF54 Series, smart lighting brings illumination into the modern age.