element14 is the high-service distributor of technology products and solutions for electronics design, manufacture and operations in India. Navin Honnavar, Senior Manager – Marketing (South Asia), element14, talks about their presence at India Electronics Week and latest trends in the market.
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Can you give us a brief on the products that were displayed at India Electronics Week?
It is an undeniable fact that India is going to be one of the most promising markets for IoT along with China. Platforms such as India Electronics Week provideus a valuable opportunity to meet with professionals in the IoT ecosystem and this year, we put together an exciting range of IoT-enabling solutions and related products at our booth from leading manufacturers like Texas Instruments, Freescale, Microchip and Analog Devices.
The flagship products that we displayed at the India Electronics Week include-
- IoT based intrusion detection and alert system-thisdevice is made by combining a simple and low cost Pir motion sensor and a RIoT board. It keeps track of all forms of motion and distinctly identifies the source to make the system comprehensive and foolproof. Further, the setup can be connected to a camera to generate images of the intruder and programmed for the photos to be communicated to the user.
- Inflight pitch-roll simulation using Xtrinsic Accelerometer which helps keep track of real time pitch and roll in motion. The device calculates both x and y axis of the moving object to generate accurate measurements of acceleration. This is especially applicable in monitoring flight movement to keep track of motion.
- RIoT Board IoT data logger- this enables any user to remotely track physical conditions like temperature and in addition controls the devices within the network setup. The concept can be of immense use in physically inaccessible or potentially dangerous regions.
- Wireless explorer robot- thisdevice utilizes Raspberry Pito enable remote access of visual feeds from the mobile device with a mounted camera. This device is applicable in search and detection related activities in geographically isolated areas.
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Currently, what are the debugging tools that areput in practice for IoT applications? What are element14’s latest offerings in this space?
IoT devices require critical and dynamic debugging tools as the environment in which they interact are extremely complex. Hence, the need of the hour is intelligent software systems that can self-correct and ideally learn from errors.
Recently we launched the Tektronix MDO4000C series of Mixed Domain Oscilloscopes which will appeal to embedded engineers for applications in Internet of Things, RF and Wireless. The oscilloscope can be configured with up to six instruments in a single unit including a full spectrum analyzer.
It provides a synchronized view of analog and digital waveforms along with RF spectrum traces, making it the ideal debug tool for Internet of Things (IoT) and many other embedded engineering applications.
Curiosity development board from Microchip – On board programming and debug via MPLAB® X IDE and code generation via Microchip’s MCC will appeal to those new to microcontrollers such as makers and students. The board’s use of pdip components and access to most pins simplifies actual development for all users, in addition, the expansion capabilities offered by incorporating a MikroBUSTM Click board header and pads for an RN4020 Bluetooth Module combine to create potentially powerful IoT solutions.
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What would be the key applications of IoT in the electronics industry?
Industrial IoT alone is expected to have a market worth of 150 billion USD by 2020. Electronics industry supplying raw materials for this phenomenal development would grow on an equal rate. Connectivity and communication in any IoT device would require radio chips, micro controllers (MCU) and sensors. It is this demand that is going to drive the component manufacturing industries to reap huge gains from the market.
Internet of Things in the electronics industry would transform everyday objects by giving them life through sensors. According to a recent global survey commissioned by element14, worldwide interest on IoT is on an all-time high with 43% of the participants wanting to connect more devices and appliances to the internet. The most remarkable aspect of this study is the fact that this proportion rose to as high as 71% across China and India.
The key applications of IoT in electronics industry would include-
- Factory automation-which involves the integration of machinery with sensors thereby increasing efficiency and productivity. As the sensors communicate status of the activity at each step, monitoring would become free of hassles.
- Smart grids-The evolution of smart grids helps in the automation of all processes in an electronics industry. Apart from the above, smart homes and smart cities would include electronic components with the intelligence to communicate essential data and initiate action.
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What are the design kits that are available through element14 and how has the concept boosted IoT?
At element14, we focus and promote research and development in the IoT sector. Design kits enable users in expressing their creativity and expertise to make ideas into reality. Working models of highly useful and efficient IoT devices developed through our design kits are published on the element14 community.
Design kits available on the element14 website vary according to the features and specifications in store. Some of the high utility models are OM13086 LPC43S67 and A70CM Cloud Connectivity Kit, Freescale Freedom Development Platform for Kinetis K82, K81, and K80 MCUs and BC3770 Battery Charger Board with KL25Z.
Grid-EYE Sensor Evaluation Kit, powered by Panasonic – the Grid-EYE Infrared (IR) Array Sensor Evaluation Kit, powered by Panasonic’s high-precision IR sensor platform enables engineers to design and develop wireless sensor prototypes quickly. It can detect multiple people or objects moving in different directions. The kit has two modes of operation; it can function as a standalone device or be connected to an Arduino DUE platform, for applications including motion detection, gesture control, detection of temperature distribution and Internet of Things.
Design and development kits provide users with the hardware to make IoT active devices while at the same time evolving such an environment. The environment of innovation and creativity generated through these kits helps address the hardware and internet needs of the device.
A good example is the ARM mbed IoT starter Kit for IBM IoT Foundation which provides the user with a sleek experience, getting data from the onboard sensors into the IBM cloud within minutes of opening the box. It is particularly suitable for developers with no specific experience in embedded or web development, as it provides a platform for learning new concepts and creating working prototypes.
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How does the design kit enable students to create new devices and applications for IoT?
Design kits in action are crafted to give any user the best possible result in the easiest manner. These compilations help enthusiasts in learning new concepts and enable the creation of working prototypes. It brings together power, backup and utility oriented features so that the user can maximize their benefits. As stated earlier, the environment of innovation created by such kits is what makes the best difference. If a good design kit with maximum utility features can be converted through a relevant concept and critical execution, it indeed leads to an effective output.
Meditech, the portable multi tool medical examination kit developed during the SciFi design challengefor students and enthusiastsis one among many viable designs developed using the kit and support from element14 online community.
Fans of Raspberry Pi can choose from numerous accessories to add to their projects; such as Wi-Pi, PiFace, Microstack add-on boards, Explore NFC, including the latest 7” Touchscreen Display for the Raspberry Pi, which enables users to create all-in-one integrated projects such as turning their Pi into a tablet, infotainment system or embedded project. The screen can be used to make ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) devices with a visual display with touchscreen capability.
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How has the element14 online community supported students in the domain of IoT?
element14 online community is a one of its kind platform with presence in over 130 countries supporting over 380,000 engineers and enthusiasts in making innovations. The amount of interactions hosted on element14.com on a daily basis cover multiple disciplines. Through community challenges, videos and webinars, we link industry to the student and innovator groups. This gives them greater insight into how the technologies of high end productions work and thus motivate them to dream big.
The community holds a number of discussion forums on multiple topics related to the Internet of Things thereby acting as a medium of information on a wide variety of applications for IoT. Most of the community design challenges also give emphasis to putting IoT in action and enhancing the connectivity among devices.
The community also publishes articles on topics like connected cars, energy harvesting in IoT and smarter world.
We have forum discussions on products such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi and Beaglebone which are joined by both experts and academicians in the domain thereby creating an ecosystem of information exchange and learning.
