The Momenta Pulse Check series highlights recent developments in Digital Industry. Pulse Checks are designed to help you stay up to date on the rapidly changing and growing global Digital Industry. Our weekly Pulse Checks delve into one of four categories: Digital Industry, Emerging Technology, Talent, and Ventures.
This week’s Pulse Check is focused on Emerging Technology. As enterprises increasingly embrace and rely on digital, we want to help you keep pace with the innovations propelling entire industries into the future. In this Pulse Check, we highlight chip and module developments, notable IoT solutions advancements, and two notable collaborations related to IoT.
University of California, San Diego team develops new chip
On November 12th, engineers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) announced the development of a chip capable of drastically reducing the frequency of IoT device battery replacement. The development team was led by professors Patrick Mercier, Drew Hall, and Gabriel Rebeiz.
The chip, described as “ultra-low power”, contains a “wake-up receiver” that responds to specific signals and enables devices to remain dormant when not in use. What differentiates the chip is it focusses on higher frequency signalling (9 GHz) which allows for significantly smaller components. The receiver is also uniquely capable of working in a large temperature range (14 F to 40 F) which is also key for low power efficiency.
Chips provide objects with key capabilities that ultimately define IoT. To implement effective and efficient IoT solutions, enabling devices to operate on low-power consumption is essential. The UCSD developments are significant and represent a key advancement in low-power connectivity.
Avent releases new module
On November 5th, Avnet, a technology solutions provider, announced its new wireless edge module, Avnet Guardian 100. The module is powered by Microsoft’s Azure Sphere IoT platform and is advertised as providing customers with increased operational efficiency through IoT. The module can be retrofitted to provide existing devices with more secure connectivity that satisfies enterprise requirements.
Guardian 100 is easily deployable amd helps customers to quickly implement IoT solutions. By combining with Avnet’s IoTConnect platform, the module can also provide valued data insight. Using Azure, Guardian 100 provides direct and secure connectivity with the cloud that only transmits data with trusted partners.
PCTEL announces new developments for its industrial IoT (IIoT) solutions
On November 13th, PCTEL, a provider of wireless technology and solutions, announced that it had enhanced its IIoT suite. New features include the introduction of enhanced industrial access points, sensor communications, and radio modules. These solutions provide PCTEL industrial customers with long-range, low power IoT communications that can operate in non-ideal conditions. PCTEL advertises its revamped solutions as being capable of integrating antennas, edge, sensors, and transceivers for IIoT uses that require durability.
MeterSYS and Senet announce smart city partnership
In mid-November, MeterSYS and Senet announced a partnership focused on the deployment of LoRaWAN for metering and IoT solutions. MeterSYS is a provider of smart metering solutions and Senet delivers cloud-based IoT platforms by leveraging LoRaWAN.
The collaboration will help provide IoT solutions for a myriad of municipal services including climate monitoring, energy conservation, management solutions (storm/flood water, solid waste, and fleet), parking, and sewer collection. As part of the partnership, organizations will now be able to plan for and install LoRaWAN while receiving device testing and MeterSYS’ data management capabilities.
As cities continue to implement smart solutions to address municipal inefficiencies, collaborations akin to the MeterSYS-Senet partnership will help hasten the development of impactful solutions. Joint efforts that enable providers to, in tandem, leverage their unique and mastered capabilities will help advance the smart city space as a whole.
Sigfox reveals several key developments
Sigfox, a global provider of IoT connectivity, held its Sigfox Connect event on November 20th and 21st where it made several notable announcements:
- Introduction of Sigfox PAN: The company announced the introduction of its private area network (PAN) which will eventually be offered in 65 countries. The provider advertises the PAN solution as specifically beneficial to smart city and home providers.
- Atlas Native and Atlas WiFi: Sigfox announced that its Atlas Native customers will now receive complimentary increased geolocation accuracy in exchange for data processing rights. The provider also announced that it had completed the global deployment of its Atlas WiFi service in collaboration with HERE Technologies. Sigfox advertises Atlas as a boon for new IoT opportunities, particularly in supply chain and logistics. Using HERE Technologies’ worldwide database of WiFi access points, Sigfox can deliver asset tracking with increased accuracy while consuming less battery.
- Amadeus partnership: Sigfox announced a joint launching of PinPoint, which will globally provide reusable and affordable travel industry tracking solutions. Amadeus is a provider of travel technologies and solutions.
As a key enabler of low power wide-area connectivity, Sigfox is a major player in and contributor to the world’s expanding IoT ecosystem. The provider maintains operations in 65 countries, and these recent enhancements are thus significant for the entire global IoT industry.
Microsoft and Nokia collaborate
On November 4th, Microsoft and Nokia announced a partnership aimed at helping advance digital transformation and innovation for AI, cloud, and IoT. The partnership will entail the leveraging of Microsoft’s cloud solutions (e.g. Azure IoT and Azure AI/ML) and Nokia’s mission-critical networking prowess (e.g. LTE/5G, IoT connectivity, and Nuage SD-WAN) to help communications service providers and enterprises with digital transformation.
The companies will be integrating Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) and Microsoft’s Azure IoT Central which will help ensure seamless IoT system deployment and management. This will ultimately help service provider clients offer their customers a single platform for all IoT services.
Momenta Partners encompasses leading Strategic Advisory, Talent, and Venture practices. We’re the guiding hand behind leading industrials’ IoT strategies, over 200 IoT leadership placements, and 25+ young IoT disruptors. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about our Connected Industry practice.
Share it
