Top IoT innovations from Embedded World 2019

The Embedded World 2019 conference wrapped up at the end of February, but many experts in the electronics systems, distributed intelligence and e-mobility fields are still buzzing with excitement. The event took place in Nuremberg, Germany, and brought together approximately 2,200 conference participants from 77 countries to celebrate the newest innovations in embedded technologies. Engineers and vendors from around the world attended the conference to discuss emerging trends in semiconductors, software tools, network security, the internet of things and a whole lot more.

Visitors who attended the three day event saw a variety of presentations, but many of the most compelling exhibits focused on the evolving IoT landscape. Endpoint security, in particular, continues to be a major obstacle for companies that have embraced embedded networking tools, as the tech sector has not yet found a standardized method for securing IoT-enabled devices, Design News reported. While a vast majority of the featured solutions will not be available to mass markets for at least six months, understanding general trends in the IoT space can help companies prepare for future opportunities and potential risks. With that in mind, let's recap some of the biggest announcements from Embedded World 2019:

Microsoft introduces Windows Server IoT
Microsoft has made considerable headway in the IoT market over the past few years, largely due to its cloud storage solutions and cloud-ready operating system. During the recent EW conference, the tech giant introduced Windows Server IoT 2019, a new platform specifically designed for server-class devices. While the company has not yet released all the details, Business Insider managed to gather some basic information about the platform's capabilities.

Windows Server IoT 2019 will enable manufacturers and other industrial players to construct server-class edge devices that can facilitate high-capacity storage and powerful data gathering processes. The platform makes use of the same network development and management tools integrated with Microsoft's standard Windows Server 2019, but adds a host of new features that will help manufacturers build scalable systems with cloud and edge computing capabilities. Microsoft is hopeful that its new cloud service offering will allow the company to catch up to Amazon, its chief competitor in the IoT platform market, and boost its current adoption rate beyond 31 percent (a figure provided by a 2018 survey from Eclipse Foundation, Inc).

Advances in artificial intelligence have helped produce some interesting IoT concepts.

STMicroelectronics shows off its new AI plugin
Artificial intelligence was another focal point during EW 2019, with many companies eager to demonstrate their enhanced object detection and audio processing solutions. Jacob Beningo, a contributing writer for Design News, was particularly excited by STMicroelectronics' AI plugin for its STM32CubeMx tool chain. The plugin uses a series of neural networks to perform advanced object recognition procedures that can generate a ton of useful information, including memory usage and run-time statistics. STMicroelectronics is a global leader in the semiconductor market, yet it is also known for its advanced signal processing ecosystem (the STM32CubeMx).

The company's AI plugin will allow manufacturers to accurately classify data signals from a wide range of embedded devices, including vibration sensors, image sensors and even microphones. The STM32Cube.AI extension is able to process data quickly and efficiently, outperforming most conventional handcrafted signal processing solutions. As industrial applications continue to increase in scope and complexity, STMicroelectronics' software will be increasingly important for understanding the exact size and processing power needed to facilitate high-end AI applications.

Fraunhofer IZM unveils three new embedded devices
The Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration, a German-based applied research and development firm, debuted three new IoT-enabled devices at EW 2019. The firm is known for creating high-tech equipment for specific industrial applications, particularly those that do not have cost-effective solutions available on the open market. According to Electronics Weekly, IZM's newest hardware includes:

• Flex-Radar: This flexible PCB-based IoT radar is the first of its kind, as it features a customizable beam that can be adjusted during installation by bending the unit's antennas. The board includes a powerful field-programmable gate array for signal processing and target detection, which can provide a low cost solution for applications that track parking garage occupancy.

• Battery-powered chemical sensors: Unlike traditional sensors, IZM's embedded device is designed to operate as an "untethered sensor" within sewage pipes and chemical tanks. Most devices that rely on radio frequency transmission face significant issues when submerged in a liquid, largely due to high signal loss. Using a 169 MHz frequency, IZM was able to achieve a range of about 20 meters.

• 79 GHz MIMO radars: Making use of multipath propagation, IZM was able to create new modules that combine a 79 GHz radar with a stereo visual camera. These radars are able to send and receive multiple data signals (simultaneously) through the same radio channel and is capable of in-module processing.

Perle offers scalable IoT networking tools that can keep up with the rapid innovation of embedded technologies. Read some of our customer stories to find out how we've helped other forward-thinking companies prepare for new and exciting possibilities.