New Partnership: IoT Think Solutions

A specialist IoT software company, IoThink Solutions (‘IoThink’), and franchised distributor, Solid State Supplies Ltd (‘Solid State Supplies’), have announced their new strategic partnership to strengthen their IoT solution offerings to their customers. IoThink will be a highly complementary service to the hardware and support that Solid State Supplies offers.

IoThink Solutions provides a complete suite of IoT software using the Kheiron IoT Suite. Customers can create and customise their own IoT platform quickly and easily, adapting to their specific needs. ‘Our partnership with Solid State Supplies Ltd is a real opportunity for us to expand in the UK, and among others within the electronics OEM community which is one of our core targets. We particularly appreciate the technical expertise of their teams and their outstanding customer service as well as their flexibility which allows us to address a plurality of markets.’

Solid State Supplies is a franchised distributor for some of the world’s leading electronic manufacturers – including communication devices, modules, and silicon – where traditionally, the primary business has been hardware design or integration. Today, these customers are now looking towards digital representation of their assets.

The IoT Technology Director, Scott A. Brenton, at Solid State Supplies said ‘we are very excited to be partnering with IoThink Solutions as we see them as the perfect fit for our IoT strategy.  IoT project success is built on collaboration and utilising the expertise available.   We are extremely proud of the support we can offer though our hardware suppliers, who we consider to be the best in the world.  Complementing this with IoThink’s ability to help our customers monitor, analyse and control their equipment through their software (SaaS), we can extend further support and expertise to our customers to help them make a success of their IoT projects.  Simply put, this makes Solid State Supplies the IoT distributor of choice for both hardware and software.’

Contact us for more information

Pulse 1×1 Industrial PIP Integrated Connector Modules

The PulseJack® RJ45 range of Integrated Connector Module’s (ICM) by Pulse Electronics have been specifically designed to support Engineers in the Industrial markets to reduce processing costs by utilising surface-mount devices (SMD) developments with the ruggedness of the total harmonic distortion (THD).

The latest PulseJack range comes in 3 different styles, single port RJ45 connectors with integrated transformers. They have different latch orientations, and all have the universal 8P/8C or 10P/8C pin configurations for supporting 100Base-TX, fast ethernet and 1000Base-T, 1Ggigabit ethernet in the same compact size.

These Solder Paste placement on the top side of the PCB can be optimised without interference from underneath during automated insertion. These modules also give superior heat flow during the IR Reflow cycle highly reducing the risk of solder balls forming.

Contact us for more information

Digi June Webinar Series

Digi is hosting a series of four free webinars in June covering Embedded, RF, Cellular and Infrastructure Management.

Promotional Draw

Each webinar features a promotional draw for attendees to be in a chance to WIN Digi products.*

  • Digi XBee RF Development Kit
  • EX15 Cellular Extender with Wi-Fi
  • ConnectCore 6UL Development Kit – i.MX6UL-based
  • AnywhereUSB Plus 2-Port Hub

*Promotional draw is not open to Digi employees or distributors

Tuesday 16th June @ 09:00am

Accelerating Wireless Development with the Digi XBee RF Ecosystem

Attend the webinar to enter our prize draw to win a Digi XBee RF Development Kit

Wednesday 17th June @ 09:00am

Connectivity Solutions for Enterprise, Industrial and Transit Applications

Attend the webinar to enter our prize draw to win a Digi EX15 Cellular Extender w/ Wi-Fi

Thursday 18th June @ 09:00am

Simplify and Accelerate Your Development with Digi ConnectCore i.MX-based SOMs

Attend the webinar to enter our prize drawing to win a ConnectCore 6UL Development Kit – i.MX6UL-based

Friday 19th June @ 09:00am

Solutions for Infrastructure Management: From Serial-to-Ethernet to USB-over-Ethernet and More

Attend the webinar to enter our prize draw to win an AnywhereUSB Plus 2-Port Hub

New: Digi IX20

Introducing the new Digi IX20: a cloud managed LTE cellular router. This high-performance router is built with industrial infrastructure and advanced security features; the Digi IX20 is ideal for critical applications, and its versatility makes it suitable for digital signage, retail kiosks, and other assets where it is vital for transactions to be secure.  

The router delivers primary and backup WWAN connectivity over software selectable multi-carrier LTE, and supports security software such as stateful firewall, MAC filtering and VPN, and management software such as SNMP, event logging, analyzer trace and QOS. This enables the router to be used in PCI or NERC-CIP compliant applications.

Key Features:

  • Compact and economical cellular routing platform
  • Redundant connectivity with dual SIMs and Digi SureLink
  • Dual Ethernet ports and single serial port
  • Global bands and single part number to simplify global distribution, deployment and management
  • Secure: Digi TrustFence® for device security, device identity and data privacy
  • Digi Remote Manager for easy set up and remote management

Digi Remote Manager

The Digi IX20 is compatible with Digi Remote Manager® – a cloud device management platform that allows devices to be set up, deployed, and maintained remotely and securely.

Click here to buy the Digi IX20 now.

Get in touch for more information using the form below or view the datasheet here.

    IoT Solutions with Built-In Security from Digi

    Digi IoT products

    In the last decade, the IoT evolution has seen an ever-increasing number of embedded systems – large and small being connecting to the internet – ranging from wearables, smart home devices, automotive, transportation, security, medical, industrial to smart city control systems.

    Billions of devices are connected to the internet and a majority are being designed to be remotely managed or field-upgradable from the cloud. This presents a huge landscape for cyber-attacks; from malicious firmware uploads to corrupt the functionality of the device, IP theft within the device or to hijack the device to gain access to the wider network it happens to be connected to. 

    To counter such threats in your design, the embedded designer now has to consider all aspects in the design that are prone to these types of attack. Typically, a full understanding from the cloud layer down to the gateway, the protocols, types of embedded hardware and memory used is required. For those who are not security experts, this could be a daunting task. 

    Thankfully, technology companies have not stood still on this subject and have developed robust solutions to help embedded designers on this subject by offering embedded technologies with security built in. 

    Digi International provides a suite of products which all incorporate their Trustfence® security framework designed to run on the Digi range of embedded products. From the XBee3® wireless control modules, to high performance ConnectCore® CC6UL and CC8x NXP iMX based processor SoMs, Digi industrial cellular gateways.

    In conjunction with Trustfence®, there is Digi Remote Manager® (DRM®): a cloud management layer that can be integrated to a variety of cloud platforms e.g. AWS, Azure, Google. By using DRM®, the end products can be deployed, remotely managed and upgraded with a high level of confidence that the network of edge devices remain secure. Preconfigured APIs are available for customers to tailor their DRM® solution for deployment, remote access and management of the assets. A mobile app is also available for DRM®. 

    For more information, please use the form below to get in touch.

    Author: Jason Good, Business Development Engineer

      Sourcing for Medical-Grade Components

      Our Sourcing & Obsolescence Solutions (SOS) division supports many blue chip Hi-Rel and Aerospace companies. Due to our knowledge of quality-approved methods (in compliance with AS standards) and extensive experience of sourcing hard-to-find and obsolete electronic components, we are able to apply our processes to support the Medical industry.

      During these difficult times, there has been a surge in demand for specific Medical-Grade components. Over the past few weeks, our SOS division has successfully sourced critical products for several manufacturers of life-saving equipment, where continuity of production is crucial.

      If you have any sourcing requirements that you would like to discuss with our SOS team, get in touch below:

        Solid State Plc Employees Complete ‘Walk the Length of England’ Fundraiser for NHS Charities Together

        On Thursday the 7th of May, colleagues from across the entire Solid State Plc group completed a walking challenge to raise much needed funds for the NHS. The aim was to jointly walk or run the equivalent of the length of England in just one hour of exercise; a total distance of 556 miles.

        As each person completed their hour long walk or run, step counts were submitted and compiled into a rolling tally. After 1,250,000 steps the finish line was crossed at 2pm, and as counts continued to roll in, the eventual combined total was an incredible 1,451,600 steps, the equivalent of 645 miles.

        The aim was to raise £2,500, but this figure was quickly surpassed with the standing at £4,524.34. Solid State Plc matched the employee sum bringing the total raised to £9,049.34.

        Commenting, Gary Marsh, CEO of Solid State Plc said: “In such extra-ordinary times the pressure on the NHS is colossal. The front-line workers every day, are doing such an incredible job, that we wanted to do our bit to help. My colleagues across the entire group have risen to this challenge with enthusiasm and determination, and the generosity of everyone who donated has been astounding. It is with pleasure that the company will match these donations pound for pound”.

        View the fundraiser page here

        ‘How to Gan’ Free Webinar Series from EPC

        EPC are hosting a free series of ‘How to GaN’ webinars beginning in May 2020. This educational series is designed to accelerate your learning curve for gallium nitride technology.

        Webinar 1: Why GaN is More Robust than Silicon Power MOSFETs

        Wednesday 6th May at 18:00

        Webinar 2: The 48 V Revolution: GaN for High Density Computing and Ultra-thin Laptops

        Wednesday 20th May at 18:00

        Webinar 3: 3 Ways GaN is Driving Changes in Automotive Systems

        Wednesday 20th May at 18:00

        Webinar 4: Easy Design Tips to Maximize Performance in Your GaN Designs

        Wednesday 3rd June at 18:00

        Silicon Labs Acquires Redpine Signals

        Silicon Labs Completes Acquisition of Redpine Signals’ Connectivity Business, Expanding Its IoT Wireless Technology Leadership

        “This acquisition is fantastic news for Solid State Supplies as it strengthens our IoT product portfolio. We’re looking forward to working with new and existing customers to support them with this new product offering” said Matt Cook, Product Manager for Silicon Labs. 

        Redpine’s low-power Wi-Fi assets and intellectual property provide important technology for IoT connectivity. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), the latest evolution of the Wi-Fi standard, is designed to meet the low power, performance, security and interoperability requirements needed in environments with hundreds or thousands of connected IoT devices. The integration of Redpine Signals’ assets will accelerate Silicon Labs’ roadmap for Wi-Fi 6 technology. The acquisition also adds Bluetooth Classic IP for audio applications such as wearables, hearables, voice assistants and smart speakers.

        For further information on Silicon Labs and Redpine Signals, please contact Matt Cook or use the form below:

          Unigraf UCD-424 8K Video Generator & Analyser

          Introducing the UCD-424 from Unigraf – an 8K video generator and analyser – which is now available for orders and shipping.

          The Unigraf UCD-424 is an 8K Reference Sink, Source and Branch for verifying DisplayPort™ Alt Mode over. USB-C up to 8K@30 Hz (8K@60 Hz with DSC) and 4K@120 Hz video modes with HBR3 max bit rate capability. It features USB-C v1.3 input and output with Power Delivery 3.0. The unit also supports MST (4 streams), Forward Error Correction (FEC), Display Stream Compression (DSC), and Link-Training Tunable PHY Repeater (LTTPR). UCD-424 also supports DP 1.4a Link Layer, DSC and HDCP 2.3 compliance testing.

          Compliance Test Tool

          UCD-424 supports DP 1.4a Link Layer CTS including DSC testing for Sinks, Sources and Branches. Certification from VESA on the Link Layer CTS tests for UCD-424 is pending.

          UCD-424 supports HDCP 2.3 compliance testing for Transmitters, Receivers and Repeaters. The official approval of HDCP 2.3 CTS testing for UCD-424 from DCP is pending.

          Key Features

          • 8K and 4K Reference Sink & Source
          • DP 1.4a Link Layer CTS for Sinks & Sources
          • HDCP 2.3 CTS for Transmitters & Receivers
          • DP 1.4a Features:
          • Up to HBR3 simultaneous input and output in one unit
          • DSC Sink & Source with off-line encoding and decoding
          • FEC and LTTPR support
          • MST support (4 streams)
          • USB-C v1.3 with Power Delivery 3.0
          • DP Alt Mode
          • Capable to Sink & Source 9V@3A
          • PD Role swaps supported
          • USB3.2Gen2 (10Gbit/s) bypass between test interfaces
          • HDCP 1.3 and HDCP 2.3 support

          For more information, please contact us using the form below