The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of billions of smart devices working with countless Internet-enabled digital services. One such service is weather forecast. Weather APIs integrate weather data with smart devices, websites, and online platforms. Several IoT applications use weather data, such as smart clocks, temperature control systems, as well as travel and…
How to design an IoT-based smart alarm
We might not always appreciate them, but that morning wake-up alarm is important for everyday life. It ensures we wake up in time for work, school, meetings, appointments, or other essential tasks. Alarms can also help us keep a regular sleep/wake schedule. In this project, we’ll use the Internet of Things (IoT) to set a…
How to make HTTP requests using Arduino for the IoT
One essential step in developing Internet of Things (IoT) applications is setting up communication between the IoT devices and a web server or services. IoT devices communicate with a web server, service, or an API through HTTP requests. An HTTP request is a message sent by a client to a server in the context of…
What is IFTTT and how does it work?
Automation has extended from industrial settings to homes and offices, with smart home devices and appliances becoming a part of our everyday lives. One challenge in the automation sector is creating flow and unity between the vast diversity of devices and applications. Automation has been further affected by various online services such as SaaS (Software…
Difference between LOS and NLOS in Wireless LoRa Technology
In today’s world of communication, Long Range (LoRa) technology has taken a significant role, providing strong, long-distance connections. LoRa’s way of sending signals and its impressive reach make it an ideal option for many direct and indirect network paths. This article explores how LoRa works in two situations: when devices can see each other (line-of-sight…
Microchip introduces low pin-count MCUs with I3C support
With the step-function increase in data collected and transmitted from cloud-connected edge nodes, Improved Inter Integrated Circuit (I3C) is rapidly becoming a more sustainable solution for interfacing sensors with a high data rate and will help expand capabilities in next-generation devices. Leading the way in I3C integration, Microchip Technology has released its PIC18-Q20 family of microcontrollers…
STMicroelectronics’ new software connects IoT devices to Microsoft Azure
STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor provider serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has released software that simplifies connecting IoT devices built using the latest high-performing STM32H5 microcontrollers (MCUs) to Microsoft Azure IoT Hub. ST’s STM32Cube expansion package, named X-CUBE-AZURE-H5, consists of a set of libraries and application examples for high-performance microcontrollers of the STM32H5 series,…
New STM32 software securely connects to AWS IoT devices
STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor provider serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has added new software to its STM32Cube development tools that simplify connecting high-performing Internet of Things (IoT) devices to the AWS cloud. ST has released the X-CUBE-AWS-H5 expansion package, which enables a seamless and secure connection to the AWS cloud. It contains a…
New microcontroller discovery kit accelerates building connected devices
STMicroelectronics has released a richly featured development board for creating diverse applications with STM32H5 microcontrollers (MCUs). The STM32H5 devices are ideal for high-performance processing and advanced security in a wide range of applications, including smart sensors, smart appliances, industrial controllers, networking equipment, personal electronics, and medical devices. The STM32H573I-DK Discovery kit enables developers to explore all the integrated features…
How LoRa can impact smart cities with parking sensors
In this article, we’ll configure a parking sensor using LoRa (long-range) devices. LoRa is a wireless communication technique derived from Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) technology. For this project, Arduino Nano is connected to an ultrasonic sensor, detecting parking occupancy based on distance measurements. When a vehicle enters or leaves a parking space, the ultrasonic sensor…
The top long-range Bluetooth modules of 2023
Bluetooth, which offers short-range wireless technology, is now standard on most smart devices, including wireless headphones, smart watches, remote controls, game controllers, and many more. Most of these devices are designed to operate with smartphones or computers. Audio streaming, file sharing, peripheral devices, the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart home devices are some common…
How LTE, LTE450, and VoLTE work with GSM modems
As of March 2023, there are 92 countries with active 5G, the 5th generation mobile network. Here’s a breakdown per country. The 5G network is accessible to about: 25.2% of the population in India 40% of the population in the U.S. 55% of the 40% of the population in the UK 60% of the population in…
What is Chirpstack?
ChirpStack is an open-source LoRaWAN Network Server that enables communication between LoRaWAN devices and applications. It has a complete set of components, including a Network Server, Gateway Bridge, and Application Server, that can be used to set up and manage a LoRaWAN network. LoRaWAN is a network layer protocol maintained by the LoRa Alliance to…
STMicroelectronics introduces IR sensor for presence and motion detection
STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor provider serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, is launching a novel human presence and motion detector to enhance security systems, home automation equipment, and IoT devices that typically use passive infrared (PIR) sensing. The STHS34PF80 sensor contains thermal transistors that can detect stationary objects, unlike conventional PIR detectors that require the…
Nexperia offers industry’s first coin-cell battery life and power booster
Nexperia, an expert in semiconductors, introduced the NBM7100 and NBM5100, innovative battery-life boosting ICs designed to extend the life of a typical non-rechargeable lithium coin-cell battery by up to 10x (compared to competing solutions). They also increase peak output current capability by up to 25x compared to what a typical coin cell can deliver without…
How to design an ESP32 WiFi manager using MicroPython
Nearly all the devices we use today — from smartphones, tablets, wearables, and even many of our appliances — connect to the Internet via a home (or office) WiFi network. Internet access to smart devices is typically managed through a web interface or mobile app. Similarly, when we’re out and about, we’ll access WiFi for…
What are the top technologies enabling M2M in 2023?
In today’s digital world, machine-to-machine (M2M) is quickly becoming standard. M2M includes any technology that enables networked devices to exchange data or information. It can be wired or wireless, but the Internet of things (IoT) has made such wireless communication between devices commonplace. The interconnected of things has also made these devices intelligent. Consider how…
Keysight enables Quectel to complete 5G RedCap
Keysight Technologies recently enabled Quectel to verify that its Internet of things (IoT) wireless modules support the latest 5G reduced capability (RedCap) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) features by establishing end-to-end data call connections using the Keysight S8711A UXM 5G Test Application. This achievement accelerates Quectel’s development of 3GPP 5G Release 17 (Rel-17) compliant designs. Based on the…
Infineon launches Edge Protect embedded security solution
Infineon Technologies has announced the launch of its Edge Protect embedded security solution. The new software solution has four categories of security configurations for customer requirements in IoT applications based on increasing security capabilities. Edge Protect is optimized for Infineon’s PSoC and AIROC family of products. The new solution also offers pre-configured product-security categories to…
The top IoT platforms of 2023
There are nearly 15.14 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices active so far this year. That number is expected to double to 29.42 billion by 2030. Examples include wearables, smart-home and office devices, as well as automotive, medical, and industrial devices. More than 90% are connected to one another or a Cloud platform. Today, Cloud…