From the Internet, to the mobile Internet, Internet of things, the connection form is undergoing dramatic changes. The Internet age, mainly between the computer and the network connection; The mobile Internet era, are made with computer and the network connection. And the Internet of things era, will make various forms of intelligent products, from mobile phones, watches, bracelets and other personal related products, to the car, speakers, air conditioning and other household products, to the wisdom of agriculture, industry and other related products, all will be connected to each other.
According to the research data shows that, by 2020, Internet connection equipment will amount to 75 billion units. The interconnection between these products, it is real time and it is for a long time, some needs a few years or even decades. In order to realize the interconnection, ultra-low power consumption become the key elements of the Internet of things. How to realize the super low connection between equipment, key from the wireless connection technology, the chip, sensors, micro processor and upstream technical scheme optimization.
Look from the 2016 bluetooth technology blueprint for semiconductor factory iot strategy
Bluetooth released 2016 technical blueprint Increasing distance, speed and MESH networking
Bluetooth, Zigbee, wi-fi is three mainstream wireless connection technology, bluetooth to point-to-point ultra low power consumption, Zigbee with low power consumption and MESH ad-hoc network, while the wi-fi to big data high belt transmission. For the application of reinforcement in the Internet of things, the wi-fi alliance launched wi-fi technology, low power consumption Zigbee alliance announced Zigbee3.0 approved. After the release bluetooth 4.2, bluetooth union recently released 2016 technical blueprint.
Look from the 2016 bluetooth technology blueprint for semiconductor factory iot strategy
For bluetooth technology roadmap in 2016, bluetooth technology to realize communication distance is longer, faster transmission speed and Mesh networking capabilities. At the same time, promote their development tools Bluetooth Developer Studio online, and release new Bluetooth gateway architecture. "This year, the evolution of bluetooth technology will further to include intelligent household, industrial automation, location based services and intelligent inject more kinetic energy infrastructure, such as high growth industry." Bluetooth technology alliance developer program director Steve hegenderfer pointed out.
On communication distance, Bluetooth Smart range up to 4 times will be expanded, change the Smart home applications and infrastructure for the whole of the different conditions of the indoor or outdoor space provides the transmission distance is longer, the connection quality more stable wireless connection. Transmission speed under the condition of without increasing power consumption will increase to the current 100%, for critical applications such as medical devices to achieve faster data transmission, in order to improve the response speed and reduce the time delay. And Mesh networking capabilities to make the bluetooth network coverage throughout the building or the whole homes, made within the scope of the bluetooth devices connected to each other, more open intelligent household and industrial automation applications.
At the same time, in order to promote a bluetooth device and other connection technology equipment connection, bluetooth technology alliance announced transmission Discovery Service (Transport Discovery Service; TDS), provide conducive to find and connect the general framework of equipment. In the future, no matter what kind of device adopt wireless technology, through the TDS, between devices can be achieved to find and connect to each other. , "said Steve hegenderfer TDS and only the least power equipment operation, for the Internet of things (IoT) solves an important problem.
In addition, introduction to declare open bluetooth gateway architecture and launch tool suite, help developers to quickly create Internet gateway for bluetooth products. With bluetooth sensor can through bluetooth connection gateway device, and transfer data to the cloud for data exchange. This architecture can make everyone of stationary, with bluetooth sensor for remote monitoring and control, thereby expanding the potential of the Internet of things applications.
Multi-protocol SoC solution arises at the historic moment Simplify the IoT connection
Before a variety of wireless connection technology really fusion, there are still many connections. In order to simplify the connection of the Internet of things, semiconductor companies began to launch a multi-protocol chip solutions.
Look from the 2016 bluetooth technology blueprint for semiconductor factory iot strategy
Recently, the Silicon Labs launched more than agreement on a chip (SoC) Wireless system Gecko product series, for the Internet of things devices provide flexible connectivity and price/performance option. Wireless Gecko products include three series of multi-protocol SoC, respectively for IoT usage scenarios and the most common Wireless protocol and optimization: one is the Blue Gecko series, Bluetooth Smart connection, has the ideal output power and transmission distance. 2 it is Mighty Gecko series, in view of the best ZigBee mesh network and Thread connection. 3 it is to Flex the Gecko series, proprietary wireless protocol for a wide variety of applications of flexible options.
SoC is a new concept "agreement. In particular, is able to run on a single chip real-time two agreement. From a single agreement to many different types of parallel, its complexity increases gradually. In fact, most customers are interested in, multi-protocol series products can create more intelligent application scenario." Silicon Labs iot product marketing vice President Daniel Cooley said.
On the use case, Daniel Cooley is pointed out that the practical application of in the hospital. Before the control mode of the main is a system in a hospital nurse station control sickbed. However, when the nurse can't control when they leave. Now manufacturers in the production of medical bed is equipped with a lot of sensors, and using the mesh network, between the bed and the connection between information control rooms and hospital beds and communication. Inside the bed at the same time there are a lot of power components, can undertake the position of the bed. Nurse staffing with a tablet, control action can be transferred to the tablet, when the nurse came near the bed, communication from the ZigBee mesh network switch to the bluetooth connection, the tablet can obtain information related to the bed, and to control the bed; And when the nurse left the bed, the bed of the communication protocol will switch from bluetooth to ZigBee mesh network, direct and nurse station information control center for communication and interaction.
In addition, the Silicon Labs with plug and play type module solution to simplify the wi-fi connection. WGM110 module is wi-fi is added to the solution of all kinds of equipment, such as industrial/M2M systems, wireless sensors, remote control, thermostat, can connect household products, sales of automotive infotainment system, terminal equipment, fitness and medical equipment, etc.
Chip makers thinking adjustment From the perspective of system integration of hardware, software, and suites
Previously, semiconductor manufacturers focus on promoting technology has increased, with the variety and application of Internet of things application demand of diversification, enterprise start a shift from the focus on technology promotion how to better meet the needs of customers. From chip manufacturer of steering system thinking.
Look from the 2016 bluetooth technology blueprint for semiconductor factory iot strategy
In promoting the connection of Internet of things applications, on the ST in the development of the MCU began to change. "We think in terms of system to integrate components, software, and suite, rather than just chip." Stmicroelectronics greater China and Asia Pacific microcontroller market and application director James Wiartge pointed out.
In advancing the MCU in the application of Internet of things, need to have four elements. Stmicroelectronics STM32 ultra-low-power microcontroller and network market manager Hakim Jaafar said: "one is low power consumption, the future there will be a lot of sensors and sensors connected to the power batteries, the whole system to lower power consumption. The second is how to optimize the dynamic mode of the power consumption is essential. Battery power is fixed, how to extend the life, needs, from the perspective of the power. Power consumption has static and dynamic two kinds, optimize the power consumption of the dynamic model is the key. Three is how to do more streamlined system. Four is cost, BOM need to be more simple, which requires the higher level of integration, user purchase cost and manufacturing cost, system cost will be lower.
In view of the application in the field of Internet of things, the layout of the MCU in the future will be given priority to with low power consumption, Angle of traditional operas, wireless. , as the launch is sensitive to the application of energy efficiency of the micro controller, stmicroelectronics launched this year ARM CortexM0 + STM32L0 micro controller, the product's main peripherals include low power consumption ADC, low power consumption it 1000 times per second for 12 resolution sampling, power consumption for mu A, 41 and ultra-low power timer timer (16), can run in ultra low power mode; Low power mode include stopping, in keep all RAM data and automatically wake up case, consume 340 na.
With the deepening of the Internet of things application, semiconductor manufacturers point of competition has changed, back from building technology advantage to make the overall plan of the enterprise. "We've won't care about 8 bit or 32 bit, but care about the customer needs to performance, power consumption and cost, what kind of the kernel is the most suitable for the user." Hakim Jaafar said, "the application is simple, the application will now more and more complex, especially the software, the System level requirements will be more and more, just by a Sub System supplier is hard to do, we'll do Sub System and the partner together."
On application cases, one is the mobile sensor fusion, providing solutions is MCU + sensor + partners software, this is a Sub System, the user to Sub System are integrated into the phone, combined with their own application System can form a complete application System; 2 it is wearable, scheme is MCU + sensor + + display + user's own software/algorithm, thus forming a complete system.
