- SATO, Loftware Intro RFID Encoding and Logging Solution
- Infineon, Memfault Forge IoT Development Partnership
- Avnet Embedded, Renesas Team Up on Modules for IoT
- Industry IoT Consortium Updates Reference Architecture
- Soracom Applies for Listing on Tokyo Stock Exchange
Nov 24, 2022Presented here are recent news announcements in the radio frequency identification and Internet of Things industries.
SATO, Loftware Intro RFID Encoding and Logging Solution
SATO, a provider of automatic-identification and labeling solutions, and Loftware, a supplier of enterprise labeling and artwork management solutions, have announced the launch of a cloud-based RFID tag encoding and logging solution. The system, which employs SATO RFID printers and tags, as well as Loftware's NiceLabel Cloud software, is designed for track-and-trace, brand authenticity and authentication for manufacturers. SATO's CT4-LX desktop printer and CL4/6NX Plus industrial printer line are compatible with Loftware's NiceLabel Cloud RFID tagging solution, the companies report, and other hardware planned for support includes the S84NX print engine.
The solution logs the Electronic Product Code (EPC) and unique ID number for every tag encoded, enabling closed-loop tagging. By logging and mapping the EPC and unique ID to the database via NiceLabel Cloud, the SATO solution automatically keeps a record of every tag after encoding and allows users to know which factory, country and printer generated it. The NiceLabel system is available on-premise and in the cloud. Customers can start with an on-premise solution, then migrate to the cloud as they scale their labeling across applications, facilities and countries.
In addition to central data management, this automation provides compliance with traceability requirements and reduces the possibility of counterfeits, the companies report. In the United States, the European Union, China, Japan and other areas, an increasing number of medical devices must carry a unique device identification number to identify devices implanted in patients. Serialization is critical for regulators to prove the validity of pharmaceuticals, and it allows manufacturers to track and trace individual items back to the factory for supply chain visibility and authenticity.
"With today's 'always on' supply chain, large enterprises print and encode millions of tags annually across multiple facilities," said Paul Vogt, Loftware's VP for channel and alliances strategies and programs, in a prepared statement. "As a result, they require a globally integrated platform like Loftware's NiceLabel Cloud for central data and print management."
Infineon, Memfault Forge IoT Development Partnership
Memfault, which offers an Internet of Things (IoT) reliability platform, has partnered with Infineon to extend the productivity of developers using Infineon's products with the ModusToolbox. According to the companies, the partnership offers developers working on Infineon ARM-based microprocessors the Memfault platform's diagnostic capabilities, device observability and remote updating. Memfault joins the ModusToolbox ecosystem though its ModusToolbox & Friends program. According to the companies, OEMs building products on Infineon MCUs will have access to Memfault's platform, enabling them to ship products and fix problems via in-field maintenance capabilities.
Using Memfault through Infineon, a company's support, operations and product staff will gain remote visibility into embedded device metrics and performance. Engineers will have access to debugging information remotely without user interaction. And release managers can orchestrate complex over-the-air updating of firmware in an organized and controlled manner.
"Combining Infineon's microcontroller and connectivity portfolio and Memfault's strength in reliability engineering for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE, connected devices, as well as its customers in complementary verticals like wearables, smart home and building, medical devices, and IIoT made it an easy choice to partner," said Danny Watson, Infineon's director of software product management, in a prepared statement. "Together, Infineon and Memfault will equip today's developers with critical tools to build the devices of tomorrow."
Drop-in integration support requires minutes for setup, the companies indicate, and users can receive up to 100 devices free of charge. Infineon and Memfault provide integration documentation and support for the ModusToolbox, which includes Infineon's PSoC 6 series, such as the PSoC 62 MCU on the CY8CKIT-062S2-43012. Support for Memfault integrated into other Infineon microcontrollers and operating systems is available upon request.
"With ModusToolbox, Infineon has built a sophisticated platform which lays the ground for a vibrant ecosystem to develop," added François Baldassari, Memfault's CEO, in the statment. "We are thrilled to join the ModuxToolbox & Friends development program to help grow this ecosystem and give Infineon customers access to our cloud-first IoT reliability platform."
Avnet Embedded, Renesas Team Up on Modules for IoT
Avnet Embedded has expanded its existing partnership with processor manufacturer Renesas to include its compact SMARC modules. The first product of this cooperation is Avnet Embedded's MSC SM2S-G2UL SMARC 2.1.1 module family, based on Renesas's RZ/G2UL ARM Cortex-A55 processors.
Typical applications include industrial, IoT, AI, medical, transportation, power engineering and building automation. The scalable boards have dimensions of 82 millimeters by 50 millimeters (3.2 inches by 2 inches) and are specified for a temperature range of -40 degrees to +85 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees to +185 degrees Fahrenheit). The modules are manufactured at automated production facilities in Germany.
"The new SMARC module built on technology from Renesas demonstrates our commitment to giving our customers the best possible options for embedding computing in their products," said Dominik Ressing, Avnet Embedded's VP, in a prepared statement. "Renesas' RZ/G2UL processors are popular for designs focused on cost and energy efficiency, and this processor series in a modular platform will unlock huge new potential for engineers and product designers."
The module family is equipped with Renesas's RZ/G2UL processors, with an integrated single-core ARM Cortex-A55 processor running at 1.0 GHz, an ARM Cortex-M33 real-time processor and an image processing unit to support entry-level HMI applications. The typical design power ranges from 3 to 4 watts. The modules include DDR4 memory technology and up to 256 GB eMMC Flash memory. Interfaces for embedded applications are available, such as Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, dual CAN-FD, dual-channel LVDS and MIPI CSI-2, and an onboard wireless module is provided as assembly options.
"We are excited Avnet Embedded is using our RZ/G2UL for this first platform as it complements our module partnership," added D.K. Singh, Renesas's senior director and head of global system and solutions at, in the statement. "Avnet's new module will enable a broader customer base access to our solutions, leverage our MPU and comprehensive Renesas portfolio, and reinforce and grow the strategic global engagement Avnet and Renesas have established."
Industry IoT Consortium Updates Reference Architecture
The Industry IoT Consortium (IIC) has announced that it has updated its Industrial Internet Reference Architecture (IIRA). The IIRA Version 1.10, according to the IIC, is intended to address the challenges of current industrial IoT systems and industry trends, such as the convergence of IT and OT, digital twins, independent systems and the inclusion of "non-human" digital users.
The Industry IoT Consortium's focus is on providing transformative business value to industry, organizations and society by accelerating the adoption of a trustworthy Internet of Things. The Consortium is a program of the Object Management Group (OMG). "As the industrial IoT becomes common knowledge and widespread across industries, how to architect and update systems remains relevant and evolving," said Shi-Wan Lin, Yo-i Information Technology's CTO and one of the framework's authors. "V1.10 of the IIRA improves its usefulness with new development trends."
Daniel Young, a senior manager at Toshiba America and another framework author, added in the statement: "We updated the framework following feedback from IIC members who have used the IIRA for several years. Their suggested refinements reflect their real-world experiences. V1.10 of the IIRA helps practitioners who develop industrial IoT systems across industries meet their system requirements." The new IIRA maps essential Industrial IoT functions to system requirement categories to help organizations understand which functions will best meet their needs.
Another addition to the IIRA V1.10 is a new set of Architecture Patterns that system designers can use to tailor standard system features and implementations. The IIRA V1.10 illustrates how system designers can overlay patterns with each other, or with different architecture patterns, to build new system implementations from a collection of well-understood models. The IIC Technology Working Group developed this foundational document, which can be downloaded from the IIC's website.
Soracom Applies for Listing on Tokyo Stock Exchange
KDDI Corp. and Soracom, a provider of IoT connectivity services, have announced that Soracom has applied to list its shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Soracom joined KDDI Group in 2017. Since then, the company has grown its IoT connectivity platform to support more than five million IoT connections for more than 20,000 customers worldwide, in industries ranging from energy and manufacturing to payments, consumer electronics, healthcare and agriculture. Soracom says its goal is to deliver a global connectivity platform for those building a connected world.
The company began preparing for a potential public offering in 2020. KDDI and Soracom describe this as a "swing-by" IPO, in which a startup grows with the support of a larger business prior to public offering. With corporate governance systems now in place and the capacity for independent management, Soracom has applied to list its shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Prior to any such listing, it must first obtain listing approval from the Exchange and complete examination by the Japan Exchange Regulation, the company reports.
