Variscite has brains for tiny gadgets

A concept called System-on-Module (SoM) is fueling the march of gadgets that are constantly getting smaller and more powerful. An SoM is essentially a computer CPU and its communication components packed onto a wafer that’s just slightly bigger than a Triscuit.

The DART-MX6 from Variscite is just one recent example of how small yet powerful these little biscuits have become. The MX6 supports the NXP/Freescale i.MX6 quad and dual core Cortex-A9 processor.

The MX6 is also stocked with up to 1GB of low-power RAM, support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4, USB 2.0, camera inputs, audio in and out along with the ability to encode or decode 1080p video.

The demand for SoMs has increased along wit the expansion of smart and small devices and applications. SoMs are are being used drones, computer vision devices, robotics, Virtual Reality applications, and industrial machines that require Internet access.

For a closer look at the DART-MX6, check the specs and product details on the Variscite website.

By: Ric Manning On 8/24/2016

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Netbell brings IoT to school and factory bells

When I first started using smartphones and tablets, I was impressed by what they could do but I never guess that I would one day use them to unlock my front door, turn off my kitchen lights and reset my thermostat.

But those functions and more have come with the astonishing growth of the Internet of Things, the technology that lets digital devices manage and control appliances and other physical objects.

Another new arrival in the world of IoT is the Netbell, a web-based bell control system from Linortek that lets users manage and schedule automated bell systems that are common in schools, factories and other workplaces.

Netbell software includes a built-in remote function that can deliver a signal from a main location bell system to trigger remote bells in different locations. The feature is useful for schools or factories that need to have audible signals in separate areas or multiple buildings where running additional wiring too expensive or not practical. If the locations are connected by an Ethernet network, they can be linked into the Netbell system.

The system also supports complicated schedules where alerts need to change at different times for different days. Netbell’s management software supports up to 500 web-based events.

Netbell sells both bell controllers, which can be used to upgrade the existing bell systems to be a web-based systems, and all-in-one packages that include hardware and software. Pricing starts from $242 to $689 on the Linortek website. Use the coupon code SPRING10 to get  a 10 percent discount and free shipping.

By: Ric Manning On 3/05/2016

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