RF&WirelessBlog

Nordic Semi and Broadcom collaborate on Bluetooth low energy proximity fob prototype for mobile device security

Nordic Semiconductor says successful tests prove its prototype design for a small, low-cost Bluetooth low energy proximity fob is communicating wirelessly with Broadcom’s BCM4330, the industry’s first combo chip solution certified to the Bluetooth 4.0 standard. The prototype fob design demonstrates the interoperability between Bluetooth low energy chips and Bluetooth v4.0 devices. Adherence to the Bluetooth v4.0 specification ensures that devices from different providers such as Broadcom and Nordic communicate seamlessly.

Stoke reports increased deployments of standalone LTE eNodeB aggregation gateways

Mobile broadband gateway developer Stoke has reported an accelerating increase in demand for its secure LTE base station (eNodeB) aggregation devices, fuelled by the growing number of operators that are rolling out LTE networks.

Stoke asserts that its standalone approach to security enables operators to scale their networks more easily to accommodate growth in traffic and eNodeBs, compared with security capabilities integrated into other Evolved Packet Core (EPC) elements. It says that the trend shows that carriers are placing a high priority on securing communications with LTE basestations, and are investing heavily in the technology. This is because of the shift to IP protocol end-to-end and remote basestations that may be deployed in less secure or ‘untrusted’ locations. Both of these factors represent a significant departure from traditional, closed cellular networks. LTE networks are therefore exposed to hazardous security risks, while at the same time new mobile devices and applications are encouraging greater use of streaming media by consumers, and this means that basestations must be provisioned for increasingly heavy usage patterns.

Silicon Labs launches single-chip wireless remote control with 27MHz to 960MHz operating frequency range

Silicon Laboratories has introduced a wireless IC designed to reduce the cost and complexity of one-way wireless links used in applications such as remote keyless entry (RKE), garage door openers, building automation and security devices, while still ensuring one-way link integrity.

Wireless moves into a new decade

The first week of a new year may seem a rather unsociable time to hold a major trade show, but the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas has become established as a showcase for the new product developments that will shape the immediate future of the consumer electronics market. In recent years wireless technology, and wireless-enabled IT products, have increased to become a dominant part of this market. The first days of a new year are also the traditional time for looking forward to what the future will bring, so the conjunction is timely.

So what will the new decade bring for the wireless and RF industry?

Call for papers issued for 4th Microwave and Radar Week

The organizing committee of 4th Microwave and Radar Week (MRW-2010) has issued a call for papers for the two conferences that comprise the event. MRW-2010 will take place on 14 – 18 June 2010 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Full papers must be submitted by 15 January 2010, with full details of topics and important dates available on the Websites of the conferences, the 18th International Conference on Microwaves, Radar, and Wireless Communications (MIKON-2010) and the 11th International Radar Symposium (IRS 2010).

Shortlink RF transceiver module covers telemetry and automation applications

Shortlink's SL4300-B1 wireless transceiver module has been designed for short range communications applications in the standard ISM/SRD band of 433MHz. It offers a quick and easy way to integrate powerful wireless functionality to replace cables at an economical cost, for applications such as telemetry, sensor networks, remote control, cable replacement, home and building automation. Further uses include automatic meter reading, consumer electronics, barcode scanners, meshnet, alarm and security systems, two-way remote key entry, and industrial monitoring and control.

AirMagnet launches enhanced security toolset for 802.11n networks

Wireless network security specialist AirMagnet, which became part of Fluke Networks in August this year, has announced a new version of AirMagnet Enterprise specifically designed to help drive 802.11n network deployments, management and security. The tool allows network managers both to troubleshoot 802.11n networks and to optimize their performance.

Dedicated monitoring has now become standard practice among enterprise WLAN operators, to enable them to detect complex attacks from hackers. Ensuring security has become a serious problem as network users increasingly send sensitive data such as credit card information over WLAN networks, and the integrity of the networks has become 'mission critical'. At the same time the explosion of consumer WiFi devices means that friendly devices need to be readily recognised and allowed onto the network, without compromising the ability to detect rogue devices.