Communications

For hyperscale data centres, preparing for ‘co-packaged optics’ (CPO) Molex has announced a pluggable module for external laser sources, with a cage and blind-mating hybrid optical-electrical connector. It is called Elsis. “Traditional pluggable modules have their optical connections at the user side of the module, creating concerns about eye safety when used with high-power laser sources, such as those planned ...

Renesas is aiming a set of microcontrollers at industrial equipment needing real-time Ethernet control. Dubbed RZ/N2L, the MCUs have an integrated time-sensitive networking (TSN) compliant three port Gigabit Ethernet switch and an EtherCAT slave controller. They support industrial network communication protocols including EtherCAT, Profinet RT, the new Profinet IRT, EtherNet/IP and OPC UA. “By using the RZ/N2L as a companion ...

Nexperia is aiming at protecting USB 3.2, HDMI 2.0 and LVDS data lines in vehicles with family of ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection diodes. “Additionally, this portfolio also aims to address the upcoming high-speed video-links as well as the Open Alliance multi-Gbit Ethernet applications”, according to the company. All variants come in 1 x 0.6 x 0.5mm leadless packages to improve ...

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has announced the completion specifications that define LE Audio, the next generation of Bluetooth audio. LE Audio adds support for hearing aids and introduces ‘Auracast’ branded broadcast audio. It uses an LC3 (low complexity communications codec) to deliver its quality/bit-rate/energy balance. “Extensive listening tests have shown that LC3 will provide improvements in audio quality over ...

Qualcomm has validated Anritsu’s MT8000A comms tester for sub-6GHz 5G NR small cells using Qualcomm’s 5G RAN platform and its QDART (development acceleration resource toolkit). “The Qualcomm FSM100 5G RAN Platform is a very capable 5G NR small cell solution that is used widely by mobile operators,” according to Anritsu. “The platform is designed to help OEMs reuse their software ...

The MIPI Alliance and ETSI have adopted the ‘I3C Interface for SSP’ specification, allowing the MIPI I3C Basic specification to serve as a physical and logical link layer for the ETSI SSP (Smart Secure Platform). ETSI SSP is a platform for USIM (universal subscriber identity module) and ‘secure elements’ for emerging IoT, 5G and other security-sensitive applications. SSP specifications define an open platform for multiple applications ...

ESA is looking into using lasers to send data from Earth to geostationary orbit. It operates the European Data Relay System (EDRS) – two payloads, on two different satellites, which communicate with a constellation of low earth orbit planet-monitoring satellites called Sentinels. Currently Sentinel-EDRS communication is by laser and the EDRS-Earth downlink is radio. “The challenge is that the growing ...

Advanced test equipment is required for new forms of passive optical networks, says Richard Martin of Electro Rent. The prevalence of fibre-oriented communication infrastructure continues to grow across the continent of Europe. A recent report compiled by market consultancy firm iDate predicted that the number of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and fibre-to-the-building subscribers within the EU/UK will grow from 49 million today ...

Engineers at Lancaster University have transmitted, received and decoded data sent over a stream of fast neutrons. The proof-of-concept involved modulating neutrons from a calfornium 252 source using an Arduino-controlled mechanical shutter built from high-density polythene. Detection involved a one litre tank of scintillating meterial, a photo-multiplier and a ‘mixed-field analyser’ (made by Hybrid Instruments, based at the university) to separate ...

NXP is aiming at 5G infrastructure with silicon-germanium transmit pre-drivers and dual-channel receive front-end modules. BTS6201U 2.3 – 4.2GHz pre-driver 3 x 3 x 0.85mm 16pad HVQFN BTS6302U 2.3 – 5GHz pre-driver 3 x 3 x 0.85mm 16pad HVQFN BTS7203H 2.3 – 2.7GHz +37dB dual LNA 5 x 5 x 0.85mm 32pad HVQFN BTS7203U 3.3 – 4.2GHz  +36dB dual LNA 5 x 5 ...