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e-clips march - embedded devices, rfid, and more... |
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What embedded device isn't networked today? Devices talking to other devices, devices talking to back-end servers. It all means the convergence of 'embedded' and 'enterprise' computing - think of the Herz car rental employee in-taking a car on a PDA that is talking to the back-end server. Or think of the machine-to-machine applications communicating data about shipments in transit over wireless networks. As for RFID, it remains in take-off stage but the idea of devices and objects having (and reading) RFID tags is an exciting one. This month we focus on new developments in embedded devices and embedded/enterprise convergence.
contents:
- embedded devices: embedded / enterprise convergence
- rfid: extreme ubiquitous computing
- conference calendar: upcoming events
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embedded devices: embedded / enterprise convergence
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Embedded devices are becoming easier to program and easier to network. On the easy-to-program front, Microsoft just released a new software development kit (SDK) for the Microsoft® .NET Micro Framework. The new framework "brings the reliability and efficiency of the .NET environment to a new set of applications such as home automation systems, industrial sensors, retail displays and healthcare monitors," said Colin Miller, director of the .NET Micro Framework at Microsoft. .NET, of course, is Microsoft's strategy to bring connected, data exchange to everything everywhere. More information here.
Real-Time Innovations has been a leader in this convergence between networking (enterprise) and devices. In October, for example, they released RTI Real-Time Connect, a solution for integrating enterprise applications with real-time applications, data and devices. The product creates a Unified Global Data Space that enables enterprise applications and real-time devices to access the same information using multiple interfaces. Supported interfaces include JDBC/ODBC for relational-database (SQL) integration, Web Service Definition Language (WSDL) interfaces for SOA integration, as well as JMS, XML, DDS and various other enterprise solutions. Details
here.
Another example of device / network convergence comes from a recent study by VDC Corporation on the need for mobile health care devices. Obviously these devices need to both exchange data with enterprise-quality networks and be highly secure - exactly the trends addressed by Real-time Innovations. News on the VDC study, here. As a designer, your "take-aways" are thinking about how to easily program your device (perhaps the .NET microframework?), pondering how to make it communicate with enterprise databases a la Real-time Innovations, and finally identifying the target vertical or application that can benefit from a more intelligent, more secure, and more connected device. Good luck!
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rfid: extreme ubiquitous computing
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Another way to ponder the convergence of embedded and enterprise computing is to focus on RFID. RFID, as you probably know, allows small microchip-based tags to exchange data with RFID readers and thus expand the intelligence of situations like inventory management. Common application examples are Walmart-style inventory management, but others examples are drug control in hospitals or smart passports. RFID is a perfect example of how the boundary between embedded devices and enterprise networks is blurring substantially.
One recent study, for example, indicated that the cumulative number of RFID tags sold over the last 60 years is 3.752 billion. 27% of that number were sold in 2006 and 19% in 2005, showing how sales have showed a very robust increase (RFID Forecasts, Players & Opportunities 2007-2017). Other information sources are The Worldwide Printed Electronics Market 2007, and RFID World, coming up March 26th.
Not convinced that RFID can help you, your company, or your possible applications? Check out the new book, RFID Toys: 11 Cool Projects for Home, Office and Entertainment. It has many examples of practical projects, albeit on the hobbyist end, but they provide great stimulation for possible new design ideas.
And for a practical example of a company already deploying RFID technology (security in this case), check out Certicom Security for RFID Product Authentication, a solution that ensures authenticity and prevents counterfeiting of high-value items as they move through the supply chain. It is a collaboration with Texas Instruments and a good example of applying security to RFID at an early stage.
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conference calendar: upcoming events |
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3/5/2007, Santa Clara: EclipseCon (4 stars)
3/7/2007, Dallas: TI Developer Conference - Dallas, Texas (5 stars)
3/15/2007, Hannover: CeBIT (4 stars)
3/19/2007, Santa Clara: Software Development Best Practices (4 stars)
3/19/2007, San Jose: VON: Voice, Video, Vision (4 stars)
3/25/2007, Santa Clara: PCB Design Conference (5 stars)
3/26/2007, San Diego: O'Reilly 'Emerging Technologies Conference' (4 stars)
3/27/2007, Orlando: CTIA Wireless 2007 (4 stars)
3/27/2007, Santa Clara: Multicore Expo (4 stars)
3/27/2007, Boston: Military Technologies Conference (4 stars)
4/1/2007, San Jose: Embedded Systems Conferences (5 stars)
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- > To browse all 'conferences', click here.
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