NXP Semiconductors N.V. unveiled a Modular IoT Gateway Solution for large node networks (LNNs) with pre-integrated, tested and RF certified support for a wide array of wireless communications protocols including Thread, ZigBee and Wi-Fi.
This range of capability allows developers to easily build out gateways based on this solution, using their choice of wireless protocols for end-to-end wireless communications in LNN configurations with supporting cloud options such as Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Operators of smart commercial buildings and smart industrial environments deploying massive mesh networks need to be able to commission, control and monitor thousands of end nodes. Built on a fully-supported, open source Linux platform running on the latest i.MX processors, the robust Modular IoT Gateway addresses this demand by connecting Thread and ZigBee-based end node devices securely with the cloud through Wi-Fi or Ethernet. In addition, local intelligence enables time critical responses and operation even when cloud connectivity is not available.
“With over 15 years of experience working with demanding wireless industrial as well as automatic meter reading and automatic meter infrastructure large node network applications, we learned that network security, flexibility, interoperability, scaling and robustness are critical to LNN commercial success,” said Robert Assimiti, co-founder and CTO of Centero. “Consequently, for Centero’s emerging innovations using Thread for LNN applications such as lighting, we are basing designs on the NXP Modular IoT Gateway Solution.”
Robust Security for Protecting IoT Devices
The Modular IoT Gateway Solution addresses stringent network security requirements to protect user and system data through encrypted wireless communications which prevents unauthorised access, as well as interception, man-in-the-middle and replay attacks. Thread-based devices are authenticated to the network through the EC-JPAKE DTLS protocol which prevents passphrases from being leaked or reverse engineered.
Thread and ZigBee messages use AES encryption for base level security at their respective mesh network layers, while offering flexible support for applications to add additional end-to-end security layers.
The Modular IoT Gateway also provides access to the advanced security capabilities of the i.MX application processor, including high assurance boot (HAB), secure key storage, secure JTAG, external tamper detection for passive and active events, and internal tamper detection for voltage, glitch and differential power analysis protection. Encryption software including OpenSSL is accelerated via the Cryptographic Acceleration and Assurance Module (CAAM). Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) support is available as an NXP Professional Services Product.
Simplified NFC Commissioning for Large Node Networks
Commercial installations with thousands of nodes can leverage the built-in secure NFC tap-and-connect capabilities through the gateway. Using a smart phone application, end nodes can be quickly and securely commissioned to the network, even when the device that is being installed is not powered, which is common in smart buildings and industrial, as well as smart connected cities, oil and gas fields and agriculture installations.
A Complete Solution for Quick Deployment
NXP’s complete Modular IoT Gateway reference design includes critical building blocks for quick customisation and application deployment including production ready hardware, schematics, bill of materials and fully documented software. Designers can evaluate, develop, prototype, iterate, field test, install and maintain LNNs for commercial settings starting with the Modular IoT Gateway Solutions platform.
“The IoT revolution is driving new requirements for our customers, and pushes the limits of their design teams,” said Denis Cabrol, director of global marketing for NXP’s microcontroller business line. “With NXP’s Modular IoT Gateway, it’s possible to develop secure and connected applications within months, without the need to hire a team of connectivity and security experts.”
Modular IoT Gateway – In Action at Electronica 2016
NXP will be demonstrating the Modular IoT Gateway with an animated ZigBee and Thread controlled Lighting Grid emulating an industrial environment at Electronica in Munich, Germany at the NXP booth located in Hall A6-107, November 8th – 11th.
Featured capabilities will include:
- LNN lighting array highlighting simultaneous real-time multicast control of ZigBee and Thread edge nodes based on NXP wireless microcontrollers
- Smart App used to control and commission LNN through the gateway
- NFC No Power network commissioning of edge nodes via Smart App and Gateway
- Modular design leveraging common radios across Gateway and Edge Nodes
- Speech recognition control through Amazon Tap to AWS cloud
Availability
NXP’s Modular IoT Gateway is available now along with supporting documentation and quick start materials. As an extension to customer development efforts, NXP offers professional support and services along with support from Volansys, NXP’s expert connectivity partner. For more details and to learn how to buy, visit the NXP Designs reference library at nxp.com/modulargateway.
NXP Strengthens Industrial Connectivity Portfolio With Multi-Protocol Sub-GHz Wireless Transceiver Platform
NXP Semiconductors launched the OL2385 family of turnkey sub-GHz wireless transceivers, adding to its industry leading, low-power microcontroller and 2.4 GHz portfolio for IoT applications. This portfolio combines scalable computing, wireless connectivity, embedded security, sensors and software to provide integrated solutions for low-power, industrial IoT applications.
The OL2385 is based on a PIN-to-PIN compatible sub-GHz transceiver hardware platform and supports multiple wireless protocols such as SIGFOX, W-MBus powered by Xemex and ZigBee® IEEE 802.15.4.
The transceivers combine excellent RF performance with low-power consumption making it ideal for battery powered applications such as home and building automation, smart metering as well as asset tracking and monitoring. The platform is designed to shorten design cycles with NXP software stacks tested for standards compliance and delivered with pre-certified binaries.
“SIGFOX is pleased to have NXP Semiconductors join the ecosystem to provide our customers even more choice of software and hardware platforms,” said Tony Francesca. “The OL2385 passed our certification and has shown very good performance with outstanding receive sensitivity.” Andrew Chien, VP of Business Development, at Innocomm added “With the firmware ready for all regions preprogrammed on the chip we are able to shorten our development cycle significantly and thereby ensure short time to market.”.
With a two-way RF channel and common modulation schemes for networking applications, the OL2385 family of transceivers covers a full range of frequency bands from 160 to 960 MHz. Extended range radio operation is enabled with high sensitivity up to -128 dBm while operation in congested environments is enhanced with 60 dB at 1 MHz of blocking performance and 60 dB of image rejection that is best in class by approximately 10 dB.
Specifically, the challenges of radio compliance in more complex applications like W-MBus and ZigBee 868 have been addressed in this device. Gert-Jan van der Hurk, managing director of Xemex noted ”We completed extensive testing of OL2385 for its suitability for W-MBus compliance, confirming that it satisfies the specification in the different modes and that we can offer our W-MBus stack with the device”.
Additional platform features:
- 14 dbm Tx output power compliant with ETSI limits
- Typical 29 mA transmit power consumption at full output power
- Less than 11 mA receive power consumption
- Excellent phase noise of -127 dBc at 1 MHz in the 868 and 915 MHz band for flexibility with external power amplifiers
- Japanese ARIB T108 standard compliant
Combined with Kinetis MCUs and LPC SDK pre-developed SPI/ UART drivers, the OL2385 is a solution that offers the broadest choice of ARM based MCUs with integrated peripherals on the market today, with fewer constraints:
- No fast polling on SPI compared to the simplest transceiver devices without integrated MCU
- Network stack and optimised radio setup preconfigured for the standards supported
Availability
The hardware and software for the OL2385 platform is provided in a one-stop-shop concept, with all components supplied by NXP. The OL2385 platform samples and development boards with SIGFOX are available now through your sales representative. Mass production of pre-programmed parts will start end of Q4/2017.
The W-MBus software is readily available for evaluation and IEEE802.15.4 compliant samples will become available in Q2 2017. W-MBus and IEEE802.15.4 preprogrammed parts will become available for mass market in the 2nd quarter of 2017.
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