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Omni-ID Gets $21M Investment to Expand Its Industrial IoT Smart Boxes

The industrial radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag and tagging system company Omni-ID has raised $21 million dollars to extend its presence into the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) space.

Spotlight

Enlighted

Designed to give you more control over the buildings you manage, increase efficiency and make you smarter about virtually everything in your commercial spaces, Enlighted converts the abstract Internet of Things into something tangible. Enlighted’s mission is to help our customers reach long-range sustainability goals while saving money and increasing efficiency. Using our first-in-class sensor and analytics platform, we provide smart energy solutions for commercial buildings. Our technology reduces costs and improves the comfort of workspaces and the efficiency of the people who work in them. Our solutions go beyond theory. Customers are saving millions in energy costs - up to 70% in some instances - while making smarter business decisions based on the actionable data we provide. To date, our sensors have been installed in over 70 million square-feet and are deployed in Fortune 1000 company workplaces, like AT&T and Oracle.

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Industrial IoT, IoT Security

Top Technologies in IoT Network Security for Network Resilience

Article | July 12, 2023

Building resilient IoT networks: Exploring the top technologies for enhancing IoT security and protecting as well as safeguarding against evolving cyber threats in the interconnected era of Industry 4.0. Contents 1. What is Network Resilience and Why is it Needed? 1.1 Continuous Operation 1.2 Mitigating Security Threats 1.3 Data Protection 1.4 System Availability 1.5 Risk Management 1.6 Regulatory Compliance 2. Factors to Consider for Network Resilience 3. Top Trends in IoT Security 3.1 Zero Trust and AI 3.2 Supply Chain Security 3.3 Network Segmentation and Segregation 3.4 Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates 3.5 Device Authentication and Authorization 3.6 Software-defined Networking (SDN) Security 3.7 Identity and Access Management (IAM) 4. Conclusion 1. What is Network Resilience and Why is it Needed? Network resilience refers to the ability of an IoT network to withstand and recover from disruptions, attacks, or failures while maintaining its essential functions. It involves implementing measures to ensure the network remains available, reliable, and secure, even during security threats or unexpected events. Ensuring network resilience is a critical aspect of IoT network security. Network resilience refers to the ability of an IoT network to withstand and recover from disruptions, attacks, or failures while maintaining its essential functions. Ensuring network resilience in IoT network security is crucial for the following reasons: 1.1 Continuous Operation IoT networks often support critical applications and services that require uninterrupted operation. Network resilience ensures that these applications can continue functioning even during disruptions, such as network failures or security incidents. It minimizes downtime and ensures business continuity. 1.2 Mitigating Security Threats IoT networks are susceptible to various cybersecurity threats, including malware, unauthorized access, or Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Network resilience measures help mitigate these threats by implementing security controls, monitoring network traffic, and enabling prompt detection and response to security incidents. 1.3 Data Protection IoT devices generate and transmit vast amounts of sensitive data. Network resilience safeguards data integrity, confidentiality, and availability by implementing secure communication protocols, encryption mechanisms, and access controls. It ensures that data remains protected even during network disruptions or security breaches. 1.4 System Availability IoT systems often rely on real-time data processing and communication. Network resilience ensures that data flows seamlessly, allowing IoT devices to exchange information and execute tasks without interruptions. It supports critical functions such as monitoring, control, and decision-making processes. 1.5 Risk Management Building network resilience helps organizations effectively manage risks associated with IoT deployments. By identifying vulnerabilities, implementing protective measures, and having response plans in place, organizations can minimize the impact of security incidents, reduce financial losses, and maintain the trust of stakeholders. 1.6 Regulatory Compliance Many industries have specific regulations and standards governing the security and resilience of IoT networks. By ensuring network resilience, organizations can demonstrate compliance with these requirements, avoiding penalties, legal issues, and reputational damage. 2. Factors to Consider for Network Resilience Implementing redundancy and failover mechanisms within the network infrastructure helps mitigate the impact of single points of failure. This involves deploying backup systems, redundant network paths, and failover mechanisms to ensure continuous operation despite a failure or attack. Traffic Monitoring and Anomaly Detection for Continuous network traffic monitoring helps identify abnormal patterns or behaviours that may indicate security threats or attacks. By leveraging intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) and traffic analysis tools, organizations can promptly detect and respond to network anomalies, safeguarding network resilience. Moreover, segmentation and Isolation: Dividing the IoT network into segments or zones and isolating critical devices or systems from less secure ones enhances network resilience. Implementing proper network segmentation, VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks), or software-defined networking (SDN) enables effective control, containment, and mitigation of security incidents. DDoS attacks significantly threaten network resilience by overwhelming the network's resources and causing service disruption. Deploying robust DDoS protection measures, such as traffic filtering, rate limiting, and traffic diversion, helps mitigate the impact of such attacks and ensures network availability. Incident Response and Establishing comprehensive incident response and recovery plans specific to IoT network security incidents is crucial. These plans should outline clear procedures, roles, and responsibilities to efficiently respond to and recover from security breaches or disruptions, minimizing downtime and maintaining network resilience. In addition, regular penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and network audits help identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the IoT network infrastructure. Promptly addressing these issues through patches, updates, and security configuration adjustments strengthens network resilience by proactively addressing potential security risks. By implementing these measures, organizations can enhance the resilience of their IoT networks, ensuring continuous operation, prompt threat detection, and effective response to security incidents. Network resilience plays a vital role in maintaining IoT systems' integrity, availability, and reliability in the face of evolving security challenges. 3. Top Trends in IoT Security 3.1 Zero Trust and AI Zero Trust is an emerging security concept that assumes no implicit trust towards devices or users, even if they are already inside the network perimeter. Implementing Zero Trust principles in IoT networks can help mitigate the risks associated with compromised devices and unauthorized access for IoT security. In order to bolster cybersecurity measures, adopting a zero trust approach. Effectively addressing cybersecurity challenges entails not merely technological solutions but a comprehensive organizational strategy rooted in cultural and policy frameworks. Emphasizing the zero trust concept underscores the importance of policy implementation throughout the entire organization, complementing technological measures. 3.2 Supply Chain Security The complex and interconnected nature of IoT supply chains introduces security risks. The supply chain for IoT devices involves multiple stages, including device manufacturing, software development, distribution, and deployment. Each stage presents potential security risks that can compromise the integrity and security of the IoT network. This includes adopting secure supply chain management practices, such as verifying the security practices of suppliers and manufacturers, and establishing clear security requirements and standards for the entire supply chain. Conducting third-party risk assessments helps evaluate the security posture of suppliers and vendors to identify any potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses. 3.3 Network Segmentation and Segregation In IoT security, minimizing the potential impact of a compromised IoT device is crucial, and network segmentation and segregation play a vital role in achieving this goal. Network segmentation involves dividing the network into separate zones or segments, based on factors such as device type, functionality, or security requirements. The containment strategy helps minimize the impact of a security breach by isolating compromised devices and preventing lateral movement within the network. 3.4 Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates Software updates play a critical role in maintaining the integrity and security of IoT devices. IoT devices frequently require updates to address software bugs, patch vulnerabilities, or introduce new features. Over-the-Air (OTA) update mechanisms are being enhanced with robust security measures to ensure the secure delivery and installation of updates. Code signing is a prevalent practice where updates are digitally signed with cryptographic keys to verify the authenticity and integrity of the software. Secure boot is another important mechanism that establishes a chain of trust during the device boot-up process, ensuring that only authorized and tamper-free software is loaded onto the device. 3.5 Device Authentication and Authorization The increasing number of IoT devices poses a significant challenge in ensuring secure and trusted authentication and authorization. Two-factor authentication (2FA), for example, adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users or devices to provide two separate forms of authentication, such as a password and a unique code sent to a mobile device. Digital certificates, on the other hand, enable secure and trusted device authentication by leveraging public key infrastructure (PKI) technology. Each IoT device is issued a unique digital certificate, which serves as a digital identity, allowing for secure communication and verification of device authenticity. 3.6 Software-defined Networking (SDN) Security Securing Software-defined Networking (SDN) environments is paramount to protect IoT deployments. SDN offers centralized control and management of network resources, providing flexibility and scalability. This ensures that only authorized entities can access and make changes to the SDN infrastructure, preventing unauthorized access and configuration changes. Additionally, continuous traffic monitoring and analysis enable the detection of suspicious activities and potential security breaches. Encryption IoT standards and protocols should be employed to secure communication between the SDN controller, switches, and IoT devices, safeguarding data privacy and integrity. Network segmentation within the SDN environment helps limit the impact of security breaches, reducing the attack surface. 3.7 Identity and Access Management (IAM) Implementing IAM solutions, such as role-based access control (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication (MFA), within IoT networks significantly enhances network security. IAM ensures that only authorized individuals can access and interact with IoT devices and systems. RBAC enables administrators to assign specific access privileges based on user roles and responsibilities, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Additionally, incorporating MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of authentication, such as a password and a unique token or biometric verification. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if a user's credentials are compromised. 4. Conclusion The technologies discussed in this article play a crucial role in enhancing IoT network security and resilience. By leveraging these technologies, organizations can mitigate the risks associated with IoT deployments, protect against cyber threats, and ensure the reliability and continuity of their IoT networks. As the IoT landscape evolves, staying up-to-date with these top technologies will be essential for organizations to maintain a robust and secure IoT infrastructure. The transformative landscape of Industry 4.0 demands strong network security in IoT environments. The top technologies discussed in this article empower organizations to enhance network resilience, protect against cyber threats, and ensure the uninterrupted functioning of IoT networks. Embracing these technologies and staying ahead of emerging threats, helps organizations build a secure foundation for their IoT deployments and capitalize on the vast opportunities offered by the IoT ecosystem.

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Industrial IoT, IoT Security

The IoT Smarthome Battlefield: A Jointly Endorsed IoT Standard for the Home Area Network

Article | July 11, 2023

Google announced that together with Amazon and Apple (the big 3 smart home players) they will work on the adoption of a joint wireless IoT standard for the smart home. This new connectivity standard is designed to make it easier for smart home products to work with each other.In the statement, Google said they were “joining Amazon, Apple and others to create Connected Home over IP, a new independent working group managed by the Zigbee Alliance (separate from the existing Zigbee 3.0/Pro protocol). We’re contributing two of our market-tested and open-source smart home technologies, Weave and Thread. Both are built on IP and have been integrated into millions of homes around the world.”

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Software and Tools

Smart Home Technologies: Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, and Dotdot

Article | September 23, 2022

If you own smart home products like SmartThings or Nest, you may be familiar with some of the technologies behind them. Network protocols like Zigbee and Z-Wave dominate the industry, while Thread, a younger network standard, is gaining headway as a strong contender in the battle for market share. Although this may seem like your typical rivalry between industry leaders, the competitive landscape is more complicated than selecting one over another.

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12 Industrial IoT Companies You Should Know

Article | February 10, 2020

As the industrial IoT market continues to expand at rapid rates, companies across the world are reaping the benefits. Utilizing this growing network of tools and systems, businesses have been able to prevent costly downtime, decrease product development costs, enhance customer engagement and satisfaction and acquire and implement intelligent data for strategic planning purposes.The potential benefits are seemingly endless, and the list of organizations that are embracing this industrial revolution is continuing to grow, so let’s highlight some of the main IIoT companies you need to know for a number of the most common IIoT use cases.

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Industrial IoT, IoT Security

Key IoT Security Certifications to Boost Your Career in IoT Industry

Article | July 12, 2023

Building resilient IoT networks: Exploring the top technologies for enhancing IoT security and protecting as well as safeguarding against evolving cyber threats in the interconnected era of Industry 4.0. Contents 1. What is Network Resilience and Why is it Needed? 1.1 Continuous Operation 1.2 Mitigating Security Threats 1.3 Data Protection 1.4 System Availability 1.5 Risk Management 1.6 Regulatory Compliance 2. Factors to Consider for Network Resilience 3. Top Trends in IoT Security 3.1 Zero Trust and AI 3.2 Supply Chain Security 3.3 Network Segmentation and Segregation 3.4 Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates 3.5 Device Authentication and Authorization 3.6 Software-defined Networking (SDN) Security 3.7 Identity and Access Management (IAM) 4. Conclusion 1. What is Network Resilience and Why is it Needed? Network resilience refers to the ability of an IoT network to withstand and recover from disruptions, attacks, or failures while maintaining its essential functions. It involves implementing measures to ensure the network remains available, reliable, and secure, even during security threats or unexpected events. Ensuring network resilience is a critical aspect of IoT network security. Network resilience refers to the ability of an IoT network to withstand and recover from disruptions, attacks, or failures while maintaining its essential functions. Ensuring network resilience in IoT network security is crucial for the following reasons: 1.1 Continuous Operation IoT networks often support critical applications and services that require uninterrupted operation. Network resilience ensures that these applications can continue functioning even during disruptions, such as network failures or security incidents. It minimizes downtime and ensures business continuity. 1.2 Mitigating Security Threats IoT networks are susceptible to various cybersecurity threats, including malware, unauthorized access, or Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Network resilience measures help mitigate these threats by implementing security controls, monitoring network traffic, and enabling prompt detection and response to security incidents. 1.3 Data Protection IoT devices generate and transmit vast amounts of sensitive data. Network resilience safeguards data integrity, confidentiality, and availability by implementing secure communication protocols, encryption mechanisms, and access controls. It ensures that data remains protected even during network disruptions or security breaches. 1.4 System Availability IoT systems often rely on real-time data processing and communication. Network resilience ensures that data flows seamlessly, allowing IoT devices to exchange information and execute tasks without interruptions. It supports critical functions such as monitoring, control, and decision-making processes. 1.5 Risk Management Building network resilience helps organizations effectively manage risks associated with IoT deployments. By identifying vulnerabilities, implementing protective measures, and having response plans in place, organizations can minimize the impact of security incidents, reduce financial losses, and maintain the trust of stakeholders. 1.6 Regulatory Compliance Many industries have specific regulations and standards governing the security and resilience of IoT networks. By ensuring network resilience, organizations can demonstrate compliance with these requirements, avoiding penalties, legal issues, and reputational damage. 2. Factors to Consider for Network Resilience Implementing redundancy and failover mechanisms within the network infrastructure helps mitigate the impact of single points of failure. This involves deploying backup systems, redundant network paths, and failover mechanisms to ensure continuous operation despite a failure or attack. Traffic Monitoring and Anomaly Detection for Continuous network traffic monitoring helps identify abnormal patterns or behaviours that may indicate security threats or attacks. By leveraging intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) and traffic analysis tools, organizations can promptly detect and respond to network anomalies, safeguarding network resilience. Moreover, segmentation and Isolation: Dividing the IoT network into segments or zones and isolating critical devices or systems from less secure ones enhances network resilience. Implementing proper network segmentation, VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks), or software-defined networking (SDN) enables effective control, containment, and mitigation of security incidents. DDoS attacks significantly threaten network resilience by overwhelming the network's resources and causing service disruption. Deploying robust DDoS protection measures, such as traffic filtering, rate limiting, and traffic diversion, helps mitigate the impact of such attacks and ensures network availability. Incident Response and Establishing comprehensive incident response and recovery plans specific to IoT network security incidents is crucial. These plans should outline clear procedures, roles, and responsibilities to efficiently respond to and recover from security breaches or disruptions, minimizing downtime and maintaining network resilience. In addition, regular penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and network audits help identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the IoT network infrastructure. Promptly addressing these issues through patches, updates, and security configuration adjustments strengthens network resilience by proactively addressing potential security risks. By implementing these measures, organizations can enhance the resilience of their IoT networks, ensuring continuous operation, prompt threat detection, and effective response to security incidents. Network resilience plays a vital role in maintaining IoT systems' integrity, availability, and reliability in the face of evolving security challenges. 3. Top Trends in IoT Security 3.1 Zero Trust and AI Zero Trust is an emerging security concept that assumes no implicit trust towards devices or users, even if they are already inside the network perimeter. Implementing Zero Trust principles in IoT networks can help mitigate the risks associated with compromised devices and unauthorized access for IoT security. In order to bolster cybersecurity measures, adopting a zero trust approach. Effectively addressing cybersecurity challenges entails not merely technological solutions but a comprehensive organizational strategy rooted in cultural and policy frameworks. Emphasizing the zero trust concept underscores the importance of policy implementation throughout the entire organization, complementing technological measures. 3.2 Supply Chain Security The complex and interconnected nature of IoT supply chains introduces security risks. The supply chain for IoT devices involves multiple stages, including device manufacturing, software development, distribution, and deployment. Each stage presents potential security risks that can compromise the integrity and security of the IoT network. This includes adopting secure supply chain management practices, such as verifying the security practices of suppliers and manufacturers, and establishing clear security requirements and standards for the entire supply chain. Conducting third-party risk assessments helps evaluate the security posture of suppliers and vendors to identify any potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses. 3.3 Network Segmentation and Segregation In IoT security, minimizing the potential impact of a compromised IoT device is crucial, and network segmentation and segregation play a vital role in achieving this goal. Network segmentation involves dividing the network into separate zones or segments, based on factors such as device type, functionality, or security requirements. The containment strategy helps minimize the impact of a security breach by isolating compromised devices and preventing lateral movement within the network. 3.4 Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates Software updates play a critical role in maintaining the integrity and security of IoT devices. IoT devices frequently require updates to address software bugs, patch vulnerabilities, or introduce new features. Over-the-Air (OTA) update mechanisms are being enhanced with robust security measures to ensure the secure delivery and installation of updates. Code signing is a prevalent practice where updates are digitally signed with cryptographic keys to verify the authenticity and integrity of the software. Secure boot is another important mechanism that establishes a chain of trust during the device boot-up process, ensuring that only authorized and tamper-free software is loaded onto the device. 3.5 Device Authentication and Authorization The increasing number of IoT devices poses a significant challenge in ensuring secure and trusted authentication and authorization. Two-factor authentication (2FA), for example, adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users or devices to provide two separate forms of authentication, such as a password and a unique code sent to a mobile device. Digital certificates, on the other hand, enable secure and trusted device authentication by leveraging public key infrastructure (PKI) technology. Each IoT device is issued a unique digital certificate, which serves as a digital identity, allowing for secure communication and verification of device authenticity. 3.6 Software-defined Networking (SDN) Security Securing Software-defined Networking (SDN) environments is paramount to protect IoT deployments. SDN offers centralized control and management of network resources, providing flexibility and scalability. This ensures that only authorized entities can access and make changes to the SDN infrastructure, preventing unauthorized access and configuration changes. Additionally, continuous traffic monitoring and analysis enable the detection of suspicious activities and potential security breaches. Encryption IoT standards and protocols should be employed to secure communication between the SDN controller, switches, and IoT devices, safeguarding data privacy and integrity. Network segmentation within the SDN environment helps limit the impact of security breaches, reducing the attack surface. 3.7 Identity and Access Management (IAM) Implementing IAM solutions, such as role-based access control (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication (MFA), within IoT networks significantly enhances network security. IAM ensures that only authorized individuals can access and interact with IoT devices and systems. RBAC enables administrators to assign specific access privileges based on user roles and responsibilities, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Additionally, incorporating MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of authentication, such as a password and a unique token or biometric verification. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if a user's credentials are compromised. 4. Conclusion The technologies discussed in this article play a crucial role in enhancing IoT network security and resilience. By leveraging these technologies, organizations can mitigate the risks associated with IoT deployments, protect against cyber threats, and ensure the reliability and continuity of their IoT networks. As the IoT landscape evolves, staying up-to-date with these top technologies will be essential for organizations to maintain a robust and secure IoT infrastructure. The transformative landscape of Industry 4.0 demands strong network security in IoT environments. The top technologies discussed in this article empower organizations to enhance network resilience, protect against cyber threats, and ensure the uninterrupted functioning of IoT networks. Embracing these technologies and staying ahead of emerging threats, helps organizations build a secure foundation for their IoT deployments and capitalize on the vast opportunities offered by the IoT ecosystem.

Read More
Industrial IoT, IoT Security

Top 10 Tools for IoT Security Testing: Mitigating Cyber Threats

Article | July 11, 2023

Google announced that together with Amazon and Apple (the big 3 smart home players) they will work on the adoption of a joint wireless IoT standard for the smart home. This new connectivity standard is designed to make it easier for smart home products to work with each other.In the statement, Google said they were “joining Amazon, Apple and others to create Connected Home over IP, a new independent working group managed by the Zigbee Alliance (separate from the existing Zigbee 3.0/Pro protocol). We’re contributing two of our market-tested and open-source smart home technologies, Weave and Thread. Both are built on IP and have been integrated into millions of homes around the world.”

Read More
Software and Tools

What Impact Will Data Management Have on Your IoT Strategy?

Article | September 23, 2022

If you own smart home products like SmartThings or Nest, you may be familiar with some of the technologies behind them. Network protocols like Zigbee and Z-Wave dominate the industry, while Thread, a younger network standard, is gaining headway as a strong contender in the battle for market share. Although this may seem like your typical rivalry between industry leaders, the competitive landscape is more complicated than selecting one over another.

Read More

12 Industrial IoT Companies You Should Know

Article | February 10, 2020

As the industrial IoT market continues to expand at rapid rates, companies across the world are reaping the benefits. Utilizing this growing network of tools and systems, businesses have been able to prevent costly downtime, decrease product development costs, enhance customer engagement and satisfaction and acquire and implement intelligent data for strategic planning purposes.The potential benefits are seemingly endless, and the list of organizations that are embracing this industrial revolution is continuing to grow, so let’s highlight some of the main IIoT companies you need to know for a number of the most common IIoT use cases.

Read More
MORE ARTICLES

Spotlight

Enlighted

Designed to give you more control over the buildings you manage, increase efficiency and make you smarter about virtually everything in your commercial spaces, Enlighted converts the abstract Internet of Things into something tangible. Enlighted’s mission is to help our customers reach long-range sustainability goals while saving money and increasing efficiency. Using our first-in-class sensor and analytics platform, we provide smart energy solutions for commercial buildings. Our technology reduces costs and improves the comfort of workspaces and the efficiency of the people who work in them. Our solutions go beyond theory. Customers are saving millions in energy costs - up to 70% in some instances - while making smarter business decisions based on the actionable data we provide. To date, our sensors have been installed in over 70 million square-feet and are deployed in Fortune 1000 company workplaces, like AT&T and Oracle.

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Platforms

Quectel Expands Its IoT Antenna Portfolio With Six New 4G and 5G Antennas

Business Wire | October 26, 2023

Quectel, a global IoT solutions provider, has unveiled six new antennas designed to provide robust connectivity performance for IoT devices. The new antennas cover a wide range of use cases from 5G to non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) bringing new capabilities to customers. We’re delighted to further augment our comprehensive range of antennas with the addition of these new antennas and evaluation boards, said Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions. “Internet of Things applications increasingly demand high-performance antennas that meet their specific needs whether that’s for competitive cost, access to specific network technologies in particular frequency bands or for robust, safe characteristics such as IP ratings and RoHS and REACH compliance. The expanded Quectel antenna range is sure to meet the needs of your device and deployment and is backed by our design support and deployment experience, alongside, of course, our widely deployed and comprehensive range of modules.” The Quectel YC0001CA is a 4G surface-mount design (SMD) antenna that is optimized for LTE, LTE-M and Narrow Band-IoT (NB-IoT) networks. This low-profile antenna, which measures just 35.0 x 8.5 x 3.0mm, operates in the 700-960MHz and 1710-2700MHz and is both RoHS and REACH compliant for use in sensitive environments. In addition, the antenna can be supplied on tape and reel for high-volume applications and is compatible with all of Quectel’s 4G, 3G, 2G and LPWA IoT modules. The Quectel YC0018CA is a 5G SMD antenna that covers 5G New Radio (NR) Sub-6GHz frequency bands. Depending on the ground plane, the antenna is designed to be mounted directly to the printed circuit board (PCB) using a conventional PCB reflow process. Measuring 40.0 x 7.0 x 3.0mm, the antenna operates between -40 °C to +85 °C and weighs 15g. The antenna can be tuned specifically for the final device environment with a simple, PI matching circuit and, when used with other 5G antennas, it can achieve multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) performance. Also available on tape and reel, the antenna can also be supplied with the YC0018CAEVB evaluation board. The Quectel YECN028AA is a 5G or NTN external antenna that supports the 410-470MHz, 617-960MHz and 1425-6000MHz frequency bands. With dimensions of 225 x 54.5 x 13.0mm, the antenna is IP66, RoHS and REACH compliant so it has wide applicability to use cases in sensitive environments. Featuring high efficiency and gain, the antenna offers omni-directional high-speed data transmission and can be used in a wide range of wireless devices such as access points, outdoor equipment, real-time monitoring devices and many others. The Quectel YEMX223J1A is a 5G x 2 combo antenna that is IP67, RoHS and REACH compliant. Measuring 186.0 x 176.0 x 100.5mm, the combo antenna supports the 410-470MHz, 617-960MHz, 1420-1520MHz, 1710-2690MHz, 3300-3800MHz and 4000-6000MHz frequency bands. The ultra-wideband antenna box is also backward compatible supporting 2G and 3G networks as well as Cat-M and NB-IoT. Designed for ease of integration with connection via two cable lengths from 450-5000mm, the pole, wall suction mount omni-directional antenna offers ease of installation and durability thanks to its IP67 and IP69K compliant enclosure. Quectel offers flexible installation option with custom cable length and connector options The Quectel YEMX425J1A is a 5G x 4 combo antenna that measures 186.0 x 176.0 x 150mm. The combo antenna supports the 410-470MHz, 617-2690 MHZ and 3300-6000MHz frequency bands and both RoHS and REACH compliant. Offering backward compatibility with 2G, 3G, Cat-M and NB-IoT, the antenna is, in common with the YEMX223J1A, compatible with Quectel’s RM520x Series of IoT modules. In addition, durability is assured thanks to the combo antenna’s IP67 and IP69K ASA enclosure. Rounding out the latest wave of Quectel antenna introductions, the Quectel YSIS001AA, metal spring antenna operates in the 412-427MHz band, the 433-435 MHz band and the 450-470MHz band which is compatible with LTE B31 plus EU433 applications. Measuring 29.0 x 7.0 x 7.90mm, the RoHS and REACH compliant antenna is mounted to the host device PCB using the conventional SMD reflow process, offering high efficiency. In common with all Quectel antennas, these new additions to the range also gain Quectel’s comprehensive antenna design support including simulation, testing and manufacturing for custom antenna solutions to meet customers’ specific application needs. About Quectel Quectel’s passion for a smarter world drives us to accelerate IoT innovation. A highly customer-centric organization, we are a global IoT solutions provider backed by outstanding support and services. Our growing global team of 5,900 professionals sets the pace for innovation in cellular, GNSS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules as well as antennas and services. With regional offices and support across the globe, our international leadership is devoted to advancing IoT and helping build a smarter world.

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Software and Tools

ATEL® Unveils the WB550 Apex by ATEL™: The Ultimate 5G Indoor Router with Unmatched Connectivity, Security, and Value

PR Newswire | October 25, 2023

ATEL®, a leader in telecommunications technology, is excited to announce the launch of its latest innovation, the WB550 Apex by ATEL™ 5G Indoor Router. Designed to meet the most demanding Internet connectivity needs, the WB550 Apex by ATEL™ offers unparalleled data speeds, robust security features, and the power to connect up to 32 users. As more of our lives shift to the cloud, having a real-time connection to the Internet is no longer an option, explains Terence "TC" Caston VP of Product Marketing: "Our businesses and homes rely on low-latency applications that perform best with networks that have the power to support them. ATEL® has ensured the network's edge devices have the power to deliver!" The WB-550 FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) device gives your business or home the reliability and power to connect to the things that move you. Key highlights of the WB-550 include: Support for NSA or SA 5G networks C-Band 5G and LTE Cat-19 fallback for lightning-fast speeds in areas without 5G Connections for up to 32 devices on its powerful Wi-Fi 6 network For managing your deployment of devices, ATEL® has also included its premiere device remote management solution called ATRACS™. Our remote management portal has been designed to bring the best-of-breed features to every ATEL® device we launch with two years of free service! About ATEL Asiatelco Technologies Co. (ATEL®) was established in 2003. Since its inception, ATEL® has been growing steadily with its sales covering more than 50 countries. ATEL's business model is JDM/ODM for serving wireless operators and branded customers. With 20 years of accumulated experience, ATEL® has built a strong, effective, and efficient team in R&D and manufacturing. Customers can always rely on the ATEL® team's performance. Quality, flexibility, on-time delivery and lower cost, are just some of the key factors of success at ATEL® and the key to customer satisfaction. ATEL-USA was established in 2017, with its headquarters in Newport Beach, California. We have invested in the industry's top talent for hardware, software, marketing, quality, and operations. This has allowed us to continue the transition from a 3rd Party ODM to a full-service OEM supplier of quality wireless products. Our products include FWA (Fixed Wireless Access), POTs replacement devices, mobile broadband routers, hot spots, home phone connect, OBD, CPE, IoT, safety devices, and smart devices for the US market. A strong, effective, and efficient R&D team, along with the manufacturing team, has positioned ATEL-USA to enter into the OEM space.

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Industrial IoT

Comcast and Broadcom to Develop the World’s First AI-Powered Access Network With Pioneering New Chipset

Business Wire | October 23, 2023

Comcast and Broadcom today announced joint efforts to develop the world’s first AI-powered access network with a new chipset that embeds artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) within the nodes, amps and modems that comprise the last few miles of Comcast’s network. With these new capabilities broadly deployed throughout the network, Comcast will be able to transform its operations by automating more network functions and deliver an improved customer experience through better and more actionable intelligence. Additionally, the new chipset will be the first in the world to incorporate DOCSIS 4.0 Full Duplex (FDX), Extended Spectrum (ESD) and the ability to run both simultaneously, enabling Internet service providers across the globe to deliver DOCSIS 4.0 services using a toolkit with technology options to meet their business needs. DOCSIS 4.0 is the next-generation network technology that will introduce symmetrical multi-gigabit Internet speeds, lower latency, and even better security and reliability to hundreds of millions of people and businesses over their existing connections without the need for major construction of new network infrastructure. On October 12, Comcast announced that it will begin to introduce the first customers in the world to Internet services powered by DOCSIS 4.0 using FDX. While the company will continue to leverage FDX, the collaboration with Broadcom will provide Comcast and other operators with additional options in the pursuit of delivering the best possible connectivity experience. The Xfinity 10G Network leverages the latest advancements in edge compute, digital optics and real-time, actionable telemetry to meet and exceed our customers’ constantly evolving connectivity needs, said Elad Nafshi, Chief Network Officer, Comcast Cable. With this new Unified DOCSIS4 chipset from Broadcom, we can broadly deploy transformational AI network capabilities alongside symmetrical multi-gig speeds. FDX is the best technology for Comcast, but this groundbreaking unified chipset will provide the entire industry with options when upgrading their nodes, amps, and cable modems for DOCSIS 4.0. The new end-to-end chipsets will be the industry’s first to incorporate AI and ML capabilities that will transform the operations and customer experience functions by: Making smarter network performance decisions using network diagnostics insights produced by both local and cloud AI. Enhanced monitoring and issue detection using bandwidth-efficient telemetry data. Transforming network maintenance of the network using real time issue localization plus predictive and self-healing network intelligence. Protecting network facilities and customers with improved cybersecurity intrusion detection. Assisting customers more effectively through local and cloud-based AI. Monitoring home IoT devices for connectivity disruptions. All these capabilities, and more, are achieved while reducing network latency and insulating customer data to ensure the utmost privacy standards. “By enabling a toolkit that includes FDX, ESD or both simultaneously, this new Unified DOCSIS4 chipset incorporates the advantages of both technologies and will enable economies of scale as well as a common retail modem for the industry,” said Rich Nelson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Broadband Video Group, Broadcom. “The edge network and in-home capabilities of this chipset will improve network intelligence and reliability to create an improved broadband experience with enhanced privacy protection and cyber security for the consumer.” Comcast and Broadcom are designing and building the new chipset based upon CableLabs’ DOCSIS 4.0 specifications. The companies have a history of working together to introduce innovations that have pushed the industry to the next generation of connectivity. In 2021, Comcast conducted the world’s first full duplex multi-gigabit symmetrical test on Broadcom-built silicon. In January 2022 the companies tested the first Full Duplex DOCSIS 4.0 system-on-chip (SoC) cable modem that delivered symmetrical speeds faster than 4 Gbps. Later that year, Comcast successfully tested the final technical component of necessary to deliver multi-gig symmetrical speed powered by DOCSIS 4.0 throughout its network with 10G smart amps built on a Broadcom-developed reference design. The companies expect to begin trials early in 2024 and to begin deploying the new chipset in live networks before the end of the same year.

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Platforms

Quectel Expands Its IoT Antenna Portfolio With Six New 4G and 5G Antennas

Business Wire | October 26, 2023

Quectel, a global IoT solutions provider, has unveiled six new antennas designed to provide robust connectivity performance for IoT devices. The new antennas cover a wide range of use cases from 5G to non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) bringing new capabilities to customers. We’re delighted to further augment our comprehensive range of antennas with the addition of these new antennas and evaluation boards, said Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions. “Internet of Things applications increasingly demand high-performance antennas that meet their specific needs whether that’s for competitive cost, access to specific network technologies in particular frequency bands or for robust, safe characteristics such as IP ratings and RoHS and REACH compliance. The expanded Quectel antenna range is sure to meet the needs of your device and deployment and is backed by our design support and deployment experience, alongside, of course, our widely deployed and comprehensive range of modules.” The Quectel YC0001CA is a 4G surface-mount design (SMD) antenna that is optimized for LTE, LTE-M and Narrow Band-IoT (NB-IoT) networks. This low-profile antenna, which measures just 35.0 x 8.5 x 3.0mm, operates in the 700-960MHz and 1710-2700MHz and is both RoHS and REACH compliant for use in sensitive environments. In addition, the antenna can be supplied on tape and reel for high-volume applications and is compatible with all of Quectel’s 4G, 3G, 2G and LPWA IoT modules. The Quectel YC0018CA is a 5G SMD antenna that covers 5G New Radio (NR) Sub-6GHz frequency bands. Depending on the ground plane, the antenna is designed to be mounted directly to the printed circuit board (PCB) using a conventional PCB reflow process. Measuring 40.0 x 7.0 x 3.0mm, the antenna operates between -40 °C to +85 °C and weighs 15g. The antenna can be tuned specifically for the final device environment with a simple, PI matching circuit and, when used with other 5G antennas, it can achieve multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) performance. Also available on tape and reel, the antenna can also be supplied with the YC0018CAEVB evaluation board. The Quectel YECN028AA is a 5G or NTN external antenna that supports the 410-470MHz, 617-960MHz and 1425-6000MHz frequency bands. With dimensions of 225 x 54.5 x 13.0mm, the antenna is IP66, RoHS and REACH compliant so it has wide applicability to use cases in sensitive environments. Featuring high efficiency and gain, the antenna offers omni-directional high-speed data transmission and can be used in a wide range of wireless devices such as access points, outdoor equipment, real-time monitoring devices and many others. The Quectel YEMX223J1A is a 5G x 2 combo antenna that is IP67, RoHS and REACH compliant. Measuring 186.0 x 176.0 x 100.5mm, the combo antenna supports the 410-470MHz, 617-960MHz, 1420-1520MHz, 1710-2690MHz, 3300-3800MHz and 4000-6000MHz frequency bands. The ultra-wideband antenna box is also backward compatible supporting 2G and 3G networks as well as Cat-M and NB-IoT. Designed for ease of integration with connection via two cable lengths from 450-5000mm, the pole, wall suction mount omni-directional antenna offers ease of installation and durability thanks to its IP67 and IP69K compliant enclosure. Quectel offers flexible installation option with custom cable length and connector options The Quectel YEMX425J1A is a 5G x 4 combo antenna that measures 186.0 x 176.0 x 150mm. The combo antenna supports the 410-470MHz, 617-2690 MHZ and 3300-6000MHz frequency bands and both RoHS and REACH compliant. Offering backward compatibility with 2G, 3G, Cat-M and NB-IoT, the antenna is, in common with the YEMX223J1A, compatible with Quectel’s RM520x Series of IoT modules. In addition, durability is assured thanks to the combo antenna’s IP67 and IP69K ASA enclosure. Rounding out the latest wave of Quectel antenna introductions, the Quectel YSIS001AA, metal spring antenna operates in the 412-427MHz band, the 433-435 MHz band and the 450-470MHz band which is compatible with LTE B31 plus EU433 applications. Measuring 29.0 x 7.0 x 7.90mm, the RoHS and REACH compliant antenna is mounted to the host device PCB using the conventional SMD reflow process, offering high efficiency. In common with all Quectel antennas, these new additions to the range also gain Quectel’s comprehensive antenna design support including simulation, testing and manufacturing for custom antenna solutions to meet customers’ specific application needs. About Quectel Quectel’s passion for a smarter world drives us to accelerate IoT innovation. A highly customer-centric organization, we are a global IoT solutions provider backed by outstanding support and services. Our growing global team of 5,900 professionals sets the pace for innovation in cellular, GNSS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules as well as antennas and services. With regional offices and support across the globe, our international leadership is devoted to advancing IoT and helping build a smarter world.

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Software and Tools

ATEL® Unveils the WB550 Apex by ATEL™: The Ultimate 5G Indoor Router with Unmatched Connectivity, Security, and Value

PR Newswire | October 25, 2023

ATEL®, a leader in telecommunications technology, is excited to announce the launch of its latest innovation, the WB550 Apex by ATEL™ 5G Indoor Router. Designed to meet the most demanding Internet connectivity needs, the WB550 Apex by ATEL™ offers unparalleled data speeds, robust security features, and the power to connect up to 32 users. As more of our lives shift to the cloud, having a real-time connection to the Internet is no longer an option, explains Terence "TC" Caston VP of Product Marketing: "Our businesses and homes rely on low-latency applications that perform best with networks that have the power to support them. ATEL® has ensured the network's edge devices have the power to deliver!" The WB-550 FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) device gives your business or home the reliability and power to connect to the things that move you. Key highlights of the WB-550 include: Support for NSA or SA 5G networks C-Band 5G and LTE Cat-19 fallback for lightning-fast speeds in areas without 5G Connections for up to 32 devices on its powerful Wi-Fi 6 network For managing your deployment of devices, ATEL® has also included its premiere device remote management solution called ATRACS™. Our remote management portal has been designed to bring the best-of-breed features to every ATEL® device we launch with two years of free service! About ATEL Asiatelco Technologies Co. (ATEL®) was established in 2003. Since its inception, ATEL® has been growing steadily with its sales covering more than 50 countries. ATEL's business model is JDM/ODM for serving wireless operators and branded customers. With 20 years of accumulated experience, ATEL® has built a strong, effective, and efficient team in R&D and manufacturing. Customers can always rely on the ATEL® team's performance. Quality, flexibility, on-time delivery and lower cost, are just some of the key factors of success at ATEL® and the key to customer satisfaction. ATEL-USA was established in 2017, with its headquarters in Newport Beach, California. We have invested in the industry's top talent for hardware, software, marketing, quality, and operations. This has allowed us to continue the transition from a 3rd Party ODM to a full-service OEM supplier of quality wireless products. Our products include FWA (Fixed Wireless Access), POTs replacement devices, mobile broadband routers, hot spots, home phone connect, OBD, CPE, IoT, safety devices, and smart devices for the US market. A strong, effective, and efficient R&D team, along with the manufacturing team, has positioned ATEL-USA to enter into the OEM space.

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Industrial IoT

Comcast and Broadcom to Develop the World’s First AI-Powered Access Network With Pioneering New Chipset

Business Wire | October 23, 2023

Comcast and Broadcom today announced joint efforts to develop the world’s first AI-powered access network with a new chipset that embeds artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) within the nodes, amps and modems that comprise the last few miles of Comcast’s network. With these new capabilities broadly deployed throughout the network, Comcast will be able to transform its operations by automating more network functions and deliver an improved customer experience through better and more actionable intelligence. Additionally, the new chipset will be the first in the world to incorporate DOCSIS 4.0 Full Duplex (FDX), Extended Spectrum (ESD) and the ability to run both simultaneously, enabling Internet service providers across the globe to deliver DOCSIS 4.0 services using a toolkit with technology options to meet their business needs. DOCSIS 4.0 is the next-generation network technology that will introduce symmetrical multi-gigabit Internet speeds, lower latency, and even better security and reliability to hundreds of millions of people and businesses over their existing connections without the need for major construction of new network infrastructure. On October 12, Comcast announced that it will begin to introduce the first customers in the world to Internet services powered by DOCSIS 4.0 using FDX. While the company will continue to leverage FDX, the collaboration with Broadcom will provide Comcast and other operators with additional options in the pursuit of delivering the best possible connectivity experience. The Xfinity 10G Network leverages the latest advancements in edge compute, digital optics and real-time, actionable telemetry to meet and exceed our customers’ constantly evolving connectivity needs, said Elad Nafshi, Chief Network Officer, Comcast Cable. With this new Unified DOCSIS4 chipset from Broadcom, we can broadly deploy transformational AI network capabilities alongside symmetrical multi-gig speeds. FDX is the best technology for Comcast, but this groundbreaking unified chipset will provide the entire industry with options when upgrading their nodes, amps, and cable modems for DOCSIS 4.0. The new end-to-end chipsets will be the industry’s first to incorporate AI and ML capabilities that will transform the operations and customer experience functions by: Making smarter network performance decisions using network diagnostics insights produced by both local and cloud AI. Enhanced monitoring and issue detection using bandwidth-efficient telemetry data. Transforming network maintenance of the network using real time issue localization plus predictive and self-healing network intelligence. Protecting network facilities and customers with improved cybersecurity intrusion detection. Assisting customers more effectively through local and cloud-based AI. Monitoring home IoT devices for connectivity disruptions. All these capabilities, and more, are achieved while reducing network latency and insulating customer data to ensure the utmost privacy standards. “By enabling a toolkit that includes FDX, ESD or both simultaneously, this new Unified DOCSIS4 chipset incorporates the advantages of both technologies and will enable economies of scale as well as a common retail modem for the industry,” said Rich Nelson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Broadband Video Group, Broadcom. “The edge network and in-home capabilities of this chipset will improve network intelligence and reliability to create an improved broadband experience with enhanced privacy protection and cyber security for the consumer.” Comcast and Broadcom are designing and building the new chipset based upon CableLabs’ DOCSIS 4.0 specifications. The companies have a history of working together to introduce innovations that have pushed the industry to the next generation of connectivity. In 2021, Comcast conducted the world’s first full duplex multi-gigabit symmetrical test on Broadcom-built silicon. In January 2022 the companies tested the first Full Duplex DOCSIS 4.0 system-on-chip (SoC) cable modem that delivered symmetrical speeds faster than 4 Gbps. Later that year, Comcast successfully tested the final technical component of necessary to deliver multi-gig symmetrical speed powered by DOCSIS 4.0 throughout its network with 10G smart amps built on a Broadcom-developed reference design. The companies expect to begin trials early in 2024 and to begin deploying the new chipset in live networks before the end of the same year.

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Events