PICMG

MicroSAM is the first PICMG specification in a series of IIoT-related open standards to reach ratification. It is the only open hardware specification to date that addresses the fast-growing sensor market. MicroSAM enables a fundamentally different IIoT architecture, offering a distributed architecture with true Plug and Play network integration. The specification defines a 32mm x 32mm module hardware platform for traditional sensor vendors wishing to quickly create smart sensors.

MicroSAM fills a need not currently addressed by other industry specifications; namely, a compact module targeted at microcontrollers for each of the Industrial IoT sensor nodes. The processing performance and I/O connectivity are targeted toward the sensor interface. MicroSAM may exist in parallel with other embedded technologies, where MicroSAM devices provide sensor connectivity, and PICMG standards such as COM Express®, CompactPCI® Serial or MicroTCA® provide higher layers of control.

Other specification work includes requirements for common firmware features, common data model, network architecture, and integration with the Distributed Management Task Force’s (DMTF) Redfish management API.

PICMG developed this specification to benefit the industry in three specific ways:

1. It will enable sensor vendors to create smart sensors without having to manufacture the control circuitry and/or software by purchasing these components from PICMG-compliant suppliers.
2. It will enable controller suppliers who wish to create smart sensors or smart-sensor components to do so in a way that is interoperable with other suppliers.
3. Accelerate the uptake of smart-sensor technology through open-specifications and interoperability.

MicroSAM was developed in collaboration with the following PICMG members: ADLINK Technology Inc., AMI USA Holdings Inc., Arroyo Technology, Avnet Integrated, Elma Electronic, ept, Intel, Lodz University of Technology, nVent, Samtec, TE Connectivity, Trenz Electronic, and Triple Ring Technologies.

Japan Embedded Systems Technology Association (JASA) , a leading trade show organizer for embedded technologies in the Japan market, has announced its next show will be held November 15-17, 2017 in Yokohama Japan.  As one of the world’s most established and professional events for Embedded & IoT Technologies, their last show successfully ended with 415 exhibitors and 102 conference sessions, over 30,000 attendees. This year, the event is heading toward its 31th iteration with 450 exhibitors, 35,000 attendees expected and 4 specialized areas dedicated to the hottest hi-tech trends of the market.

For more information, click here.

This week, the Mars rover Opportunity celebrated its 12th anniversary on the red planet, having  landed there on Jan. 24, 2004. The rover is still functioning, and has an exploratory mission over the winter in “Marathon Valley” in the Endeavour crater.

Opportunity is controlled by two CompactPCI computers, designed and built by BAE Systems.

When Opportunity first landed, the NASA team thought the harsh Martian environment would render it useless in a matter of months. But the golf cart-sized rover, powered by solar energy, is still collecting data today.

CompactPCI remains a vital and important technology for a wide range of applications, and is widely used in satellites and other space applications. It’s rugged and it works.

Congratulations to the NASA engineers and support teams, and BAE.

Joe Pavlat

PICMG