This year there is a huge buzz around what is being called the “Internet of Things.” This refers to the phenomena of every conceivable item from glasses and watches to kitchen devices and home security to cars being controlled and connected by what has quickly become the ubiquitous Internet. The Internet of Things will Provide Top Companies Huge Opportunity.
Wireless connectivity is everywhere. Today’s embedded devices have the ability to communicate, transforming simple dedicated devices into “interconnected Smart Devices”. The range of “smart” applications that fall into this sprawling category is broad and growing. They include health and biosciences, buildings and industrial, retail, security, IT, and networks, not to mention home and consumer. From our smart phones alone, we can start our cars, set our DVRs, control our thermostats and appliances, check our heart rate and running pace, monitor our sleep patterns, pull down family photos from the cloud… the list goes on and on.
Defining World of IoT
Imagine a world where everything is smart and connected. A world where every product – from washing machines to light switches, pacemakers to hospital gowns, wristwatches to running shoes – can provide useful data that make our lives better and easier… Where thousands of wireless sensors networks help optimize crop planting and irrigation, monitor avalanche and forest fire conditions, regulate city water systems and automobile traffic… That’s the world of the Internet of Everything (IoE).
How it is great?
IoT is great for chip makers. Semiconductors are key to turning IoT vision into a reality, from processors and microcontrollers to cellular/wireless chips and the sensors and actuators that enable objects to adapt seamlessly to their environment. But the IoT is a new kind of challenge for the semiconductor industry, requiring an unprecedented combination of high performance and high volume.
With the growth in demand for devices with support of Internet of Things (IoT) feature, the Ethernet and other wireless interface such as ZigBee, Bluetooth featured integrated microcontroller chips are expected to be in demand in 2014 and 2015.
In 2008, the number of smart devices (things) connected to the internet exceeded the number of people on the earth. In 2020, Cisco and several other organizations estimate there will be 50 billion internet connected devices. Many of these devices will report to central servers and databases, while other devices may communicate directly with each other and develop their own intelligence. Most of these Internet of Things devices will be extraordinarily small and in many cased unseen.
There are many new microcontroller, wireless and sensor technologies that enable these small Internet of Things devices. Almost all Internet of Things devices will be wireless due to the expense and inconvenience of wiring these devices.
The driving technologies – ultra-low-power processors, tiny mobile sensors and wireless networking – are all available today. Industry leaders like Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Qualcomm, Bosch and Texas Instruments predict mobile sensor demand will rise from billions/year today to trillions/year by 2025. And according to Cisco, IoE growth will generate $14.4 trillion in value – across every industry – over the next decade.
Implementing the IoT requires a comprehensive process technology platform. IoT processors and microcontrollers developed within a comprehensive ecosystem can leverage both mainstream and advanced process technologies—including 0.18 µm, 0.13 µm, 90 nm, and 65 nm—as well as advanced processes at 40 nm and below.
Sensors: The True Magic of the IoT
In our view, sensors are the “magic” of the IoT. The sensor market applicable to semiconductor vendors includes micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) – based sensors, optical sensors, ambient light sensors, gesture sensors, proximity sensors, touch sensors, fingerprint sensors and more. These chips effectively detect changes in the environment, creating the information that is ultimately transmitted via a wireless chip and interpreted through application software to create an IoT solution. Sensors or sensor networks (Smart Dust, Mesh Networks, etc.) can provide feedback about numerous physical phenomena including inertia, gravity, light, pressure, temperature, humidity, chemical composition, time, heart rate, glucose, distance traveled, etc.
One of the more interesting sensor categories is MEMS-based sensors, which are creating new applications and taking share from more legacy sensor technologies. MEMS sensors have come down in price from $10 to $1 for many devices and in size down to 2mm x 2mm squared or smaller, which has dramatically improved MEMS adoption over the last several years. MEMS devices can be manufactured in CMOS processes, allowing them to become increasingly cost efficient and smaller going forward as well. Another critical factor driving MEMS adoption is that MEMS devices can easily be incorporated into electronic systems. All sensors ultimately need to be attached to analog-to-digital converters (and other analog devices) so that the information they have collected can be turned into a signal that can be digitally processed. MEMS sensors, given their small size and manufacturing, can be easily packaged with or integrated with an analog-to-digital converter, leading to lower overall module cost.
Here we are placing some key players which are helping IoT move from vision to reality.
Linear Technology
Joy Weiss, President, Dust Networks Product Group, Linear Technology Corp.
Joy Weiss, Linear Technology
Since Linear Technology purchase Dust Networks a little over two years ago, we’ve become a major player in IoT.
Dust Networks, a pioneer in the field of wireless sensor networking, is defining the way to connect smart devices. Dust Networks delivers reliable, resilient and scalable wireless embedded products with advanced network management and comprehensive security features. Dust Networks products are built on breakthrough Eterna™ 802.15.4 SoC technology, delivering ultra low power consumption for wire-free operation on batteries or energy harvesting. Working with Dust Networks, wireless sensing applications can be deployed anywhere data can be gleaned.
Dust’s portfolio of standards-based products include:
SmartMesh IP is built for IP compatibility, and is based on 6LoWPAN and 802.15.4e standards. The SmartMesh IP solution is widely applicable and cost-effective and enables low power consumption even in harsh, dynamically changing RF environments.
SmartMesh WirelessHART products are designed for the harshest industrial environments, where low power, reliability, resilience and scalability are key, making them well suited for general industrial applications as well as WirelessHART-specific designs. SmartMesh WirelessHART complies with the WirelessHART (IEC 62591) standard, offers the lowest power consumption in its class and is the most widely used WirelessHART product available.
Following is a links to a white paper supporting our view of IoT and an applications article.
Recent Projects: Below is a link to an application called Streetline, which offers smart parking for municipalities, airports and other high traffic locations.
Mike Ballard, Senior Manager, Home Appliance Solutions Group, Microchip Technology Inc.
Mike Ballard, Senior Manager, Home Appliance Solutions Group, Microchip Technology Inc.
Microchip has many devices that are well situated to enable IoT functionality, such as 8, 16 and 32-bit PIC® microcontrollers, analog, mixed-signal, memory, and embedded Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® modules. In addition, IoT designers can take advantage of Microchip’s flexible development environment, broad connectivity solutions and product longevity.
Microchip is so broad based, with 80,000+ global customers, that we do not see any singular market or application that will drive our growth in IoT. Our customer value proposition is that we provide a very broad embedded portfolio, including both the hardware and software solutions to help companies create their IoT products.
Microchip has a significant number of products that fit well into the IoT markets. We have close relationships with our customers and have been incorporating these technologies into our products, based on their feedback. Technologies such as XLP in our MCUs (which enables low-power designs), Wi-Fi Modules (Microchip offers two approaches, giving customers flexibility), and power-measurement devices, all enable our customers to meet their design and cost goals. In addition, we have been acquiring companies and technologies to ensure that we continue to meet these markets’ needs today and in the future.
STMicroelectronics
ST sees the Internet of Things as an important opportunity for anyone to leverage the Internet infrastructure to put technology to better use to help solve important societal challenges across the globe. With world-class capabilities in all key IoT technologies — sensors, embedded processing and power — and an unrivalled track record in both security and in working with ecosystem partners, the IoT is aligned with ST’s vision of microelectronics making a positive contribution to “life.augmented.” ST also have an access to and control over state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies and manufacture any of the devices on its own production lines and can also outsource production to trusted partners.
IoT Applications :
Smart Home, Industrial Automation, Healthcare and fitness, Proximity and Anti-theft accessories
IoT Products and Solutions:
Smart Sensors
Sensors are widely used in a typical IOT system. They are also driving the emergence of innovative wearable gadgets. Some of the most popular sensors are mentioned below
a) Accelerometer
Also called a g-sensor, accelerometer can be used to detect linear acceleration, vibration, tilt, free fall detection etc. Accelerometer is used to implement features such as horizontal levelling, antitheft, vibration alert, pedometer, remote monitoring of adults and kids etc.
b) Gyroscope
Gyroscope measures angular velocity and used to implement features such as gaming, 3D mouse, athlete training etc.
c) Magnetic Compass
Magnetic Compass can detect earth’s magnetic field and can give direction sense to devices. It is widely used in indoor navigation and map navigation in mobile phone.
Ultra-compact high-performance e-compass : 3D accelerometer and 3D magnetometer module
d) Pressure Sensor
Pressure sensor can detect earth’s atmospheric pressure. This feature can be used to implement barometer and altimeter. LPS25H pressure sensor from STMicroelectronics is so accurate that it can even be used to tell the floor of building accurately. This feature can be used to implement indoor navigation, augmented reality and 3D GPS.
MEMS pressure sensor: 2.5 X 2.5 mm High Accuracy barometer
e) Temperature and Humidity Sensor
Temperature and humidity sensor can detect temperature and humidity parameter which can be used to control the performance of devices as well as wearable gadgets.
f) MEMS Microphone
MEMS Microphone is audio sensor that converts sound signals into electrical signals. MEMS Microphones are increasingly preferred over conventional microphones as they offer higher SNR, small form factor, digital interface, better RF immunity and high robustness against vibration.
Analog MEMS Microphone: Bottom port with high bandwidth, omnidirectional and high SNR
Bluetooth Smart [BLE]
Bluetooth Smart or Bluetooth Low Energy [BLE] is a standard that enables connectivity of low power devices and sensors. It uses short wavelength radio transmission at 2.4GHz band. Using Bluetooth Smart it is possible to enable two way communications between various devices wirelessly with incredible battery life. BLE enabled devices can also work seamlessly with the compatible smartphone and benefit from the rich user interface. Smartphone can also transfer data over the cloud using other connectivity such as GPRS.
Bluetooth low energy technology operates in the same spectrum as Classic Bluetooth technology but it enables ultra-low power connectivity and basic data transfer for applications previously limited by the power consumption.
InvenSense, Inc.
InvenSense Inc. is the world’s leading provider of MotionTracking(TM) sensor system on chip (SoC) and Soundsolutions for consumer electronic devices. The company’s patented InvenSense Fabrication Platform and patent-pending MotionFusion(TM) technology address the emerging needs of many mass-market consumer applications via improved performance, accuracy, and intuitive motion-, gesture- and sound-based interfaces. InvenSense technology can be found in consumer electronic products including smartphones, tablets, gaming devices, optical image stabilization, and remote controls for Smart TVs. The company’s MotionTracking products are also being integrated into a number of industrial applications.
IoT Products:
Motion Overview
MotionTracking devices from InvenSense are rapidly becoming a key function in many consumer electronic devices including smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and smart TVs as it provides an intuitive way for consumers to interact with their electronic devices by tracking motion in free space and delivering these motions as input commands. Accurately tracking complex user motions requires the use of motion sensors such as gyroscopes, accelerometers, compasses, and pressure sensors, fusing the sensor outputs into a single and accurate data stream for use as input commands in consumer electronics devices, and ongoing run-time calibration to ensure an optimal user experience.
Sound Overview
InvenSense’s microphone portfolio builds on a strong heritage of industry firsts, including continuous improvement of MEMS microphone SNR, ever-higher integration levels, and even lower power consumption. Technological advances like these have enabled machine speech recognition & active noise cancellation to become commonplace in consumer devices and other applications.
Humans intuitively understand audio capture to be a critical factor in awareness of their surroundings. InvenSense is working to enable the same level of awareness for smart devices with leading-edge MEMS microphones. InvenSense combines the capability to sense audio along with cutting-edge motion detection, which is important for many contextual awareness applications.
Key Markets
Smartphones:
While many smartphones use basic motion sensing capabilities to provide tilt sensing, screen rotation and basic video gaming functionality, the latest generation of smartphones are increasingly incorporating complete Motion Tracking and Sound technology that can deliver enhanced user experiences in the areas of web, media and menu navigation. In addition, MotionTracking can provide a range of other capabilities, such as more responsive motion-based video gaming, enhanced still and video image stabilization, improved pedestrian navigation, secure authentication through gestures, as well as gesture and character shortcuts that accelerate common tasks on the device.
Tablet devices:
Similar to smartphones, early generations of tablet devices use basic motion sensing capabilities to provide tilt-sensing and screen rotation, but it is expected that newer generations of these devices will incorporate complete Motion Tracking and Sound technology to provide a wide range of motion-based capabilities.
Wearable devices:
Wearable sensors in health and fitness are a fast growing market, and an emerging opportunity for Motion Interface integration. Motion Tracking™ devices can accurately detect a range of human body motions to enable activity monitoring in fitness devices. Various innovative devices are quickly entering the market, providing a new level of personal health and fitness monitoring. With the advancement of Motion Interface technology, wearable sensors in health monitoring and sport and fitness will allow for precise tracking and monitoring of body motion as well as other sophisticated applications, providing users with new levels of valuable information.
Digital still & video cameras:
Currently, many digital still, camera phone modules, and video cameras are equipped with basic motion sensors that perform image stabilization to reduce blur caused by hand jitter. In addition to enhanced image stabilization, the inclusion of Sound technology enables digital still and video camera manufacturers to differentiate their products to address performance, size, robustness and cost considerations.
Digital television and set-top box remote controls:
Digital televisions (DTVs), set-top boxes and Blu-Ray devices are becoming increasingly more interactive through the addition of motion and Sound interfaces as well as interactive menus and applications, internet browsing, video-on-demand services and viewing of personal media content.
Video gaming:
Motion Tracking and Sound technology in console and portable video gaming devices provides an immersive video gaming experience by accurately tracking body and hand movements, and is significantly more intuitive than traditional button and joystick based interfaces.
AlwaysOn’ MotionTracking sensor system
InvenSense is in the business of creating human-like interface for consumer electronic devices to improve the consumer experience. Part of that human-like interface is MotionTracking and it is now complemented by Sound. To support this strategy, we have introduced our ‘AlwaysOn’ MotionTracking sensor system on chip platforms at Consumer Electronic Show and Mobile World Congress this year. The ICM-20628 is targeted at the Smartphone and Tablet markets, and at approximately 2mW it is the world’s lowest power 6-axis (accelerometer + gyroscope) solution. To achieve the lowest system power and the best performance the ICM-20628 is enabled with on-chip self-calibration for continuous high performance over lifetime.
In addition to the motion sensors, InvenSense has a broad portfolio of high performance MEMS microphones which are optimized for: far-field applications, loud audio recording, ‘AlwaysOn’ contextual awareness, key word spotting, and directionality.
Texas Instruments
Mr. Praveen Ganapathy, Director, Business Development, Texas Instruments (India)
Mr.Praveen Ganapathy, Director, Business Development, Texas Instruments (India)
IoT products
TI has the broadest “IoT-ready” portfolio and is connecting the IoT with embedded wireless connectivity technologies, microcontrollers, processors and analog solutions. Our solutions supports, all the leading connectivity technologies including the 802.15.4 standards-based mesh and IP networks; Personal area networks; Proprietary RF sub-1 GHz; Proprietary RF 2.4 GHz; RFID/NFC; GPS.
Our useful SimpleLink™ Solution offers embedded wireless microcontrollers (MCU) or system-on-chips (SOCs) with integrated MCU, RF transceiver and more. We leverage generations of TI’s wireless IP and RF experience to accelerate your RF development, allowing you to focus on your Internet of Things design. SimpleLink™ Wireless MCUs support wireless technologies including standards-based 6LoWPAN, Bluetooth® low energy, ZigBee®, as well as proprietary Sub-1 and proprietary 2.4 GHz. The portfolio is compatible with TI’s MCUs and power management solutions as well.
Key Markets
Some of the key markets include industrial, automotive, home automation, healthcare and fitness application areas, where our broad portfolio will be able to connect to the IoT. The TI solutions are already devices like – Alarm, security and active/passive RFID/NFC, automotive IoT, Home automation and lighting; Metering/smart energy; Portable consumer; Portable enterprise; Consumer medical and health; remote controls; wireless audio.
IoT Recent Projects
TI’s solutions have been powering many innovative devices in the IoT. One such product that has been developed by an Indian start-up is Gecko. The Gecko, is a versatile, multi-featured, extendable Bluetooth low energy (BLE) device for iOS and latest Android 4.3 based smart phones. It is built on TI’s CC2541, which is a 2.4-GHz Bluetooth® low energy and Proprietary System-on-Chip. The Gecko can be used to initiate smart actions on your iOS and Android phone, such as music control on your smart phone or to trigger your smart phone camera and generate intruder alarms for any of your precious personal belongings.
Another unique way TI is helping connect with the IoT is with the Whistle Activity Monitor, which is an on-collar device that measures your pet’s activities, giving you a new perspective on day-to-day behaviour and long-term health trends. The Whistle Activity Monitor utilises TI’s Bluetooth dual-mode solution – CC2564 and TI’s power management solution – TPS62400.
Additionally, in the smart watch market, the Pebble smart watch enables the world on your wrist. This uses TI’s Bluetooth dual-mode solution CC2564 and TI’s power, battery management and logic components.
Freescale Semiconductor
Bhaskar Dhandapani, Country Sales Director, Freescale
IoT products
We have a range of IoT products. We at Freescale believe that IoT as a trend is going to be the next big revolution and we try to inculcate the phenomenon in our products. To start with we have the smallest-ever ARM-based microcontroller unit (MCU) for embedded devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) market, the Kinetsis KL03.The 32-bit MCU with an ARM Cortex-M0+ computing core shrinks the preceding KL02 unit by 15 percent in a package that measures just 1.6-by-2.0 millimeters. We then have the ‘One Box’ IoT Gateway Platform which was devised in collaboration with ARM and Oracle. To add one more to the list we have the ARM Cortex-A7 cores.
Key Markets
The Internet of Things has been catching up across industries. Practically all industries are now equipped with IoT products and projects. Specifically speaking, the auto sector, digital networking market, sensor market, retail, defense etc are all using IoT some or the other way.
and power — and an unrivalled track record in both security and in working with ecosystem partners, the IoT is aligned with ST’s vision of microelectronics making a positive contribution to “life.augmented.” ST also have an access to and control over state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies and manufacture any of the devices on its own production lines and can also outsource production to trusted partners.
