Video Diary: A look back at Embedded World 2015

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Weren’t able to join us in Nuremberg? 

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With another Embedded World in the books, here’s a look back at some of Atmel’s latest smart and securely connected solutions that are ready to power next-generation Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Andreas von Hofen shows off the new automotive grade ARM Cortex-M0+-based SAM DA1. The recently-revealed family of MCUs feature an integrated peripheral touch controller (PTC) for capacitive touch applications.

Geir Kjosavik demonstrates a QTouch-based water level sensing application that highlights its advanced HMI and sensing capabilities. Notable uses for this solution include automotive liquid containers and coffee machines.

Dr. Atta Römer explores the latest advancements in phase measurement by exhibiting various localization applications based on 802.15.4 transceivers. Among those examples is Agilion, who showed off its latest e-ink display ID badge based on an Atmel transceiver that is capable of tracking employees in emergency situations, transmitting data and managing access.

Ingolf Leidert addresses Atmel’s newest development kit for ZigBee Light Link solutions using a pair of SAMR21ZLL-EK boards. In this particular demonstration, one board served as a ZigBee LightLink remote, while the other acted as a light.

Controllino is an open-source programmable logic controller (PLC) built around ATmega328 and ATmega2560 microcontrollers. The startup’s CEO Marco Riedesser went 1:1 with Artie Beavis to delve deeper into the Arduino-compatible PLC that enables Makers and designers to produce and control a wide-range of IoT projects, ranging from industrial to home automation applications.

Lionel Perdigon introduces the newest series in the Atmel | SMART ARM Cortex-M portfolio, the SAM E70 and the SAM S70. These Cortex-M7-based MCUs are ideal for connectivity and general purpose industrial applications, while the auto-grade SAM V70 and SAM V71 are perfectly suited for in-vehicle infotainment, audio amplifiers, telematics and head unit control.

The Internet of Things requires a system-level solution encompassing the whole system, from the smallest edge/sensing node devices to the cloud. That is why Atmel has partnered with best-in-class cloud partners — including PubNub, Proximetry and Arrayent — that can support a variety of applications for both Tier-1 OEMs and smaller companies. As Ramzi Al-Harayeri explains Atmel has integrated the partners’ technologies into Atmel’s cloud solutions framework adding the cloud platform functionality seamlessly to all of the company’s wireless MCU offerings.

Thomas Wenzel showcases the latest version of Atmel’s connected car solution, AvantCar 2.0. Focusing on user requirements for next-generation vehicles, this futuristic center console concept delivers an advanced human machine interface (HMI). Beyond that, the new centerstack includes curved touchscreens highlighting HMI in upcoming automobiles using Atmel technologies including XSense, maXTouch, AVR MCUs and local interconnect network.

Bosch Sensortec’s Fabio Governale and Divya Thukkaram unveil the latest extension board for the incredibly-popular Xplained platform. Featuring a BNO055 intelligent 9-axis absolute orientation sensor, the next-gen device connects directly to Atmel’s Xplained board making it ideal for prototyping projects for the Internet of Things, wearables and gaming markets, as well as for applications like personal health and fitness, indoor navigation, and others requiring context awareness and augmented reality for a more immersive experience.

David Lindstrom of Percepio takes us through some of the innovative features of Atmel Studio 6.2, including the MTB support available on the new SAM D21 board. As the demo reveals, it’s super easy to get started, enable Trace View and run the system using the all-in-one collaborative environment for embedded design.

Sankaranarayanan Kitchiah delves deeper into Atmel’s BLDC motor control development platform using a SAM D21 MCU and the Atmel Data Visualizer (ADV) application.

LED power management with Atmel’s XMega

LED lighting power management typically comprises power conversion, constant current regulation and fault handling. Key design considerations of LED power management include high integration capabilities, small form factor, energy efficiency, high temperature operation and support for a variety of standard lighting communication protocols.

“That is exactly why Atmel’s XMEGA E is highly integrated to support multiple LED driver topologies, all while leaving CPU resources for additional application functionalities,” an Atmel engineering rep told Bits & Pieces. “Plus, we offer a small form factor and dual high-speed 40ns analog comparators for current regulation, with multiple high speed 128MHz timers allowing generation of fast PWM.”

The XMEGA E also boasts dual digital to analog converters for peak current management, asynchronous event system for ultra-fast response and control loops, with a custom logic (XCL) block removing external logic components.

“In terms of energy efficiency, the XMEGA E, with its rich analog peripheral features, is capable of running a complicated power control algorithm (e.g. PFC) to achieve high power efficiency,” the engineering rep continued. “Plus, the XMEGA E offers ultra low power consumption as low as 100uA/MHz in active mode and 100nA in RTC/RAM retention. Last, but certainly not least, the XMEGA E qualifies for high temperatures at 105C and 125C.”

Atmel also offers support for multiple lighting communication protocols, such as DALI via the XCL block in XMEGA E (hardware), along with DMX, LWmesh, and interface to PLC, ZigBee Light Link, ZigBee Home Automation and other wireless protocols (software). In addition, developers have easy access to Atmel Studio 6.0, Atmel Software Framework and Atmel Gallery.

Want to learn more about designing LED power management platforms with Atmel’s XMega? Be sure to check out Atmel’s extensive lighting portfolio here.

LED power management with Atmel’s XMEGA E

LEDs are typically used as indicator lamps in various devices and lighting applications. Modern LED devices are available with very high brightness across the visible, ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths.

LED lighting power management typically consists of power conversion, constant current regulation and fault handling. Key design considerations include high integration, small form factor(s), support for a variety of standard lighting, versatile communication protocols, energy efficiency and high temperature operation capabilities.

Atmel’s ATXMEGA E AVR MCU can be used by engineers to design an advanced LED power management system that follows the above-mentioned requirements. Indeed, the XMEGA E is highly integrated to support multiple LED driver topologies – while leaving CPU resources for additional application functionalities.

Additional key ATXMEGA E AVR MCU capabilities for LED lighting power management include dual high-speed 40ns Analog Comparators for current regulation, multiple high speed 128MHz timers that facilitate fast PWM, dual digital to analog converters for peak current management, asynchronous event system for ultra-fast response and control loops, a custom logic (XCL) block that eliminates the need for external logic components and an energy efficient design.

“Plus, the XMEGA E, with its rich analog peripheral features, can run complicated power control algorithm (e.g. PFC) to achieve high power efficiency,” an Atmel engineering rep told Bits & Pieces. “The XMEGA E also offers ultra low power consumption as low as 100uA/MHz in active mode and 100nA in RTC/RAM retention. Last, but certainly not least, the XMEGA E is qualified to operate at high temperatures (105C-125C).”

In terms of lighting communication protocols, Atmel offers hardware DALI support via XCL block in XMEGA E, as well as software support for DMX, LWmesh, interface to PLC, ZigBee Light Link, ZigBee Home Automation along with a variety of wireless protocols.

Interested in learning more about Atmel’s AVR XMEGA lineup? Be sure to check out the official XMEGA page here. Additional information about Atmel’s extensive lighting portfolio can be viewed here.

ATmega256RFR2 powers low-cost Ethernet to wireless gateways: Part 3

Earlier this week, Bits & Pieces introduced Atmel’s low-cost gateway (LCGW) reference design, powered by the versatile ATmega256RFR2 and WIZnet W5200. We explored the basics of the platform, including operation and CPU functions. We also took a closer look at the W5200 chip, memory, power system and antennae. Today, we will be diving into possible LCGW enclosures, regulatory compliance, debugging and software resources.

As we all know, users can be very creative with their enclosure designs. However, there are some basic guidelines for wireless devices. Perhaps most importantly, any metal or conductive material within 4 inches (10cm) of the antenna will have an effect on the far field radiation pattern. As such, metal enclosures should not be used. It is also recommended to keep metal parts such as screws, nuts and washers, metallic labels away from the PCB antenna area. Indeed, there are holes in the LCGW design which act as the preferred location for non-conductive fasteners.

In terms of regulatory compliance, the LCGW has been pre-tested for FCC Class B and CE compliance. Initial pre-scan data indicates this design is compliant with US and EU regulations. To obtain regulatory certification, developers will have to perform regulatory testing of their product in its final form – including enclosure and all application specific features. Although results may vary, the positive pre-scan results are reassuring and indicate the probability of successful certification is high.

The Atmel ATmega256RFR2 SoC used in the LCGW has a special Band-edge filter feature, which improves out-of-band rejection for channels 25 and 26 (2475 and 2480MHz.) The FCC defines a “Restricted Band” from 2483 to 2500MHz, meaning emissions in this Restricted Band are required to be below 54dBµV (500µV/m). Because of this requirement, many IEEE 802.15.4 devices are not able to use high power in channels 25 and 26. Nevertheless, the Band-edge filter feature of Atmel RFR2 radios allows the use of higher power in these channels. It should be noted that the FCC pre-scan data cited in this Bits & Pieces article was taken using the full output power of the  ATmega256RFR2  (+3.5dBm) and the Band-Edge feature enabled. The filer can be enabled by setting PLL_TX_FLT (bit 4) in the TRX_CTRL_1 (0x144) register.

On the debugging side, the DCP power inlet is fused for safety purposes. So if the Power-Good LED fails to light, be sure to check the fuse. If the fuse has blown and needs to be replaced, the root cause should be determined before putting the device back into service. For replacement parts, a 1 Amp 0603 SMT fuse is recommended (Bourns SF-0603S100, or equivalent). Do not use flipped CAT5 cables and be sure to exercise caution when connecting to Power Test Header J5, as this header exposes 5VDC and may damage low voltage GPIO or UART cables.

Although leveraging the 3.3V supply for light external loads is permissible, be advised that the 3.3V LDO has limitations on available line current, load current and thermal dissipation, so exceeding these limits may cause a malfunction. However, at maximum transmitter power, the Atmel  ATmega256RFR2  may exceed emissions limits in the 2483 to 2500MHz restricted band. This can be corrected by enabling the PLL_TX_FLT bit in the TRX_CTRL_1 register. Note – this special bandedge filtering feature of the Atmel RFR2 family allows use of high-power in channels 25 and 26.

Last, but certainly not least, Atmel supplies many network stacks that run on the ATmega256RFR2  These include the BitCloud ZigBee stacks, ZigBee Pro, ZigBee Light Link and ZigBee Home Automation, IEEE 802.15.4 MAC and the Atmel proprietary Light-Weight Mesh network stack.

Interested in learning more about Atmel’s low-cost gateway (LCGW) reference design? Be sure to check out part one  and two of this series.