by Gary Mintchell | Mar 13, 2023 | Automation, News, Organizations, Technology
The entire scope of technology going under Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Extended Reality (XR), Metasphere, and whatever comes next has been hyped beyond the Gartner Hype Cycle. That brings out the skeptic in me.
Many trade show demonstrators have fitted me with a variety of glasses, goggles, hoods, hard hats with goggles, and many I’ve no doubt forgotten. Cool demos, all. But real applications? Nothing has really caught on. This news from the Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance included some use cases. What do you think? Do you see using them in your plant?
Well, maybe someday.
The Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA) published a new research report entitled 3D Mapping Solutions for Enterprise AR announced March 6, 2023. The new AREA research report reviews 3D mapping technologies and principles and defines parameters for choosing a 3D scanner for a specific use case.
3D models or point clouds can lower the cost, time, and developer training to view an object or environment with AR information such as instructions, warnings, or routes overlaid on the physical world. Despite its relatively young presence in the enterprise sector, AR technology has rapidly evolved into a powerful tool with broad versatility and a thriving community of experts.
AR technology is already being leveraged with 3D mapping data to provide strategic tools for site planning, instructional guidance, or real-time navigation. As AR technology advances, so will its capabilities to leverage 3D mapping data.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 10, 2023 | Networking, News
More news from the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, this one concerning working with telco networks.
In brief:
- New network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) will enable developers to build and innovate with telco network capabilities
- Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile US address global use cases with joint platform and new network APIs
- First partner: Siemens Energy optimizes user experience for remote maintenance using a Quality-on-Demand (QoD) API
- Collaboration with Microsoft will make it easier for developers to access the network APIs via Microsoft Azure Programmable Connectivity
Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile US have developed a platform with joint Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) – called T-DevEdge – to make it easy and simple for the global developer community to create new, connected solutions. These APIs will give developers a direct and simplified entryway to connectivity and other core network services on both sides of the Atlantic.
As one of the first, Siemens Energy is using one of the new APIs for Quality-on-Demand to optimize its remote maintenance. Microsoft is the first cloud provider to integrate the new set of network APIs into their cloud platform through the Microsoft Azure Programmable Connectivity Software Development Kit (SDK).
To ensure that global standards for APIs are defined and used, Deutsche Telekom, among others, founded the CAMARA Alliance. The CAMARA initiative consists of network operators, cloud providers, application developers and technology and operating system vendors. The alliance was announced during the MWC in 2022 and has grown up to eleven API families, more than 50 partners and more than 300 people working in the different groups of the community.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 8, 2023 | Automation, Networking, Wireless
Moxa sends releases about new products at times. I don’t write about the essential backbone of automation/IoT/digital transformation often enough. It’s not always sexy. But it is essential. Maybe 5G gets a little sexy, but implementation seems still distant.
This news concerns wireless networking designed to enhance Autonomous Guided Vehicles and Autonomous Mobile Robots. These solutions continue to gain traction not only in warehousing but also in manufacturing.
Moxa introduced its AWK Series, a new lineup of next-generation industrial wireless networking solutions offering 802.11ac Gigabit Wi-Fi, IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 certified security, and dual-band Turbo Roaming for unmatched wireless reliability and availability. When combined, these advanced features meet the current and future demands of applications where Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are at the heart of boosting productivity and operational safety, such as mobile automation and IP surveillance in mining, manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation, among others. The Moxa AWK Series is made up of three models: the AWK-3252A, AWK-4252A, and AWK-1151C AP/bridge/client.
Moxa AWK Series AP/bridge/clients simplify wireless operations and the integration of mobile systems outfitted with complex sensors and cameras, while also addressing the heightened requirements for industrial-grade reliable networks. With speeds of up to 400 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, AWK Series AP/bridge/clients enable a high-bandwidth, dynamic mobile environment to accommodate a large number of devices and support high-volume data communication. In addition, support for one-to-many network address translation (1-to-n NAT) helps optimize the machine integration flow by simplifying IP address assignment while avoiding IP conflicts between existing devices connecting to the OT network wirelessly.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 7, 2023 | Business, Manufacturing IT, News, Process Control
Here are a few items that I’ve come across plus one where I’m the news (so to speak).
Mark your calendars! The Ignition Community Conference will return to the Harris Center on September 26–28, 2023. Registration will be open soon.
I’ve been asked to present at a Webinar on a new Website–Manufacturing Technology Today. Going Beyond Digital Transformation: The Real Innovations in Manufacturing. Check it out. Register. Heckle me in the chat 😉 April 5, 2023.
Emerson sent an email about its Virtual Exchange–a rerun of its live/virtual event from last October. I wrote about Boundless Automation and other news from the event back then. Check it out for a refresh.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 2, 2023 | Automation, Technology
Is your head still spinning at how quickly the media hype along with corporate strategies have changed from metaverse to OpenAI and ChatGPT? What’s behind it, and should we care?
That’s how large-scale media works. It reminds me of a story I heard probably 50 years ago. Supposedly Napoleon asked someone, “Where is the crowd going? I am their leader, and I must get out in front.”
Is this something mysterious? Artificial Intelligence that will take over the world? The end of students writing essays? Will our kids no longer have to think?
Dave Winer (developer of outliners and RSS and podcasting) has been playing with ChatGPT. He thinks it can be a useful User Interface for finding things on Websites (say Facebook?).
An excellent explanation of the work behind the technology comes from Stephen Wolfram. Read this thorough explanation.
I was a bit saddened to see Mike Brooks (now of AspenTech) announce his retirement on LinkedIn. He has developed applications using AI in production software—without touting some sort of mystery and hype of AI. (See our last interview here.)
Don’t get all worked up. The hype curve will switch to something else soon enough.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 1, 2023 | Automation, Networking, News, Technology
Qualcomm participated in the deluge of 5G news emanating from Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Oh, yes, I still wish I were there. There were probably not enough contacts to justify the trip, though. Here are the five pieces of news I’ve received.
- 5G Advanced-Ready Modem-RF System
- Globally Certified Module Reference Designs
- Dell Technologies For 5G Open RAN
- Schneider Electric and CapGemini for Industrial 5G
- Simplify and Accelerate IoT
World’s First 5G Advanced-Ready Modem-RF System
Highlights:
- Snapdragon X75 5G Modem-RF System sets the benchmark for smartphone connectivity with the world’s first 5G Advanced-ready Modem-RF System
- Snapdragon X75 is also designed to drive the next stage of 5G evolution in all key verticals including vehicles, PCs, Industrial IoT and more.
- Powered by Snapdragon X75, Qualcomm Fixed Wireless Access Platform Gen 3 is the world’s first fully integrated 5G Advanced-ready fixed wireless access platform for 5G fixed internet access with an aim to bridge the digital divide.
Snapdragon X75 is the first Modem-RF System with a dedicated hardware tensor accelerator, Qualcomm® 5G AI Processor Gen 2, enabling over 2.5 times better AI performance compared to Gen 1 and introduces Qualcomm® 5G AI Suite Gen 2 with new AI-powered optimizations to achieve better speeds, coverage, mobility, link robustness and location accuracy. The Qualcomm 5G AI Suite features advanced AI-based capabilities including world’s first sensor-assisted mmWave beam management and AI-enhanced GNSS Location Gen 2, which uniquely optimize Snapdragon X75 for superior 5G performance.
Globally Certified Module Reference Designs
Highlights:
- Snapdragon X75, X72, and X35 5G M.2 and LGA Reference Designs aim to make 5G readily available for various product segments such as FWA, compute, gaming, and more.
- Globally certified turnkey reference designs optimize development costs to enable faster time to market.
- Reference designs are currently sampling with commercialization starting in the second half of 2023.
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced the Snapdragon X75, X72, and X35 5G M.2 and LGA Reference Designs, which expand on the previous announcement from February 2022. Leveraging the latest, most robust features of Snapdragon X75, X72, and X35 5G Modem-RF Systems, this product portfolio offers OEMs a turnkey solution, globally certified to work with 5G networks from all key mobile network operators worldwide, thus allowing to develop the next generation 5G devices and bring consumers a wide spectrum of 5G-enabled devices from PCs to XR to gaming, and beyond.
These new reference designs integrate modem, transceivers, and RF front-end in a single and compact board, allowing manufacturers to quickly and cost-effectively include the capabilities of the novel Snapdragon Modem-RF Systems into new products, driving 5G adoption into a wide spectrum of devices. Snapdragon X75 and X72 5G Reference Designs support both sub-6 and mmWave bands, while Snapdragon X35 5G Reference Designs are the first to support 5G NR-Light (3GPP Release 17 RedCap).
Key features of the portfolio of reference designs include:
- These turnkey reference design solutions are optimized for performance and certified to work with 5G networks from all key mobile network operators globally. The Snapdragon X75, X72, and X35 5G Reference Designs are available in M.2 and LGA form factors.
- Providing design and certification support, OEMs, ODMs, and device manufacturers can develop global 5G module solutions with sub-6 and mmWave at a fraction of the cost available today by saving on engineering time, cost, and effort required to enable 5G connectivity using discrete cellular components.
- Enables OEMs, ODMs, and device manufacturers to leverage Qualcomm Technologies’ reference designs to accelerate end-product sampling and launch timelines while putting 5G in the hands of the consumer quicker.
Qualcomm and Dell Technologies to Accelerate 5G Open RAN Design and Deployments
- Companies aim to develop a virtualized distributed unit (vDU) solution to accelerate efficient, high-capacity deployments of next-generation 5G networks.
- Dell PowerEdge servers purpose-built for open telecom networks and the edge, combined with the Qualcomm X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card with commercial-grade Layer 1 (L1) software, aim to provide a high-performing, cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for OEMs and operators deploying virtualized and Open RAN solutions.
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced plans to collaborate with Dell Technologies to develop a next-generation, 5G vDU, integrating the Qualcomm X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card into Dell PowerEdge servers. The solution will help usher in the next wave of digital transformation and proliferate Open RAN deployments globally. The companies plan to simplify deployments and help lower total cost of ownership by delivering high-performance, O-RAN compliant, energy-efficient, virtualized, cloud-native 5G solutions.
Schneider Electric and Capgemini Collaborate to Accelerate 5G Industrial Automation, Supported by Qualcomm
- The companies have customized an innovative end-to-end 5G Private Network solution with the potential of transforming industrial automation systems.
- Through highly advanced virtual connectivity, the system has the ability to be deployed across diverse industrial and logistics sites.
Schneider Electric, Capgemini, and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced their collaboration on a first-of-its-kind 5G-enabled automated hoisting solution. The companies have joined efforts on design and installation of the solution at Schneider Electric’s hoisting lab in Grenoble, France. Replacing wired connections with wireless and unifying existing wireless connections from Schneider Electric’s industrial automation system, the 5G Private Network solution demonstrates how it can simplify and optimize digital technology deployment at scale across industrial sites — from steel plants to ports.
The 5G private network hoisting solution:
- Replaces wired and other wireless connections for several critical PLC control flows and time sensitive video flows powering numerous use cases
- Operates in 3.8GHz radio frequency band, with an enterprise-grade Athonet core network and Airspan Small Cells using the Qualcomm® FSM™100 5G RAN Platform, significantly improving connectivity performance and enabling new use cases
- Beyond its core industrial functions, the Private 5G automated hoisting system can now be leveraged to deliver additional digital use cases, such as augmented operators enabled by XR (eXtended Reality) and wearable devices.
Qualcomm Expands Offering to Simplify and Accelerate IoT Across Multiple Industries
- Drives innovation across edge devices and cloud by offering silicon and software services for functions commonly required for digital transformation such as location and condition monitoring
- Addresses the fragmented nature of digital transformation use-cases by enabling developers through API-first architectures and user-friendly tools with an ecosystem of hardware and software partners
- Expands the Company’s traditional hardware business model with the introduction of ongoing IoT services
- Qualcomm Aware will initially target real-time supply chain visibility and intelligence
- Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. today unveiled the Qualcomm Aware Platform, which empowers developers and enterprises to harness real-time information and data insights to accelerate their digital transformation programs.
The Qualcomm Aware advantage rests upon three key pillars: (1) technology leadership; (2) Enablement of an expansive ecosystem of hardware and software partners; and (3) an API-first architecture and developer-friendly tools that enable interoperability with partner clouds and leading enterprise software tools.
