Technology


Sensing structure requires no touch


Touch sensors that don’t require direct contact offer new sensitivity for robotic systems, thanks to researchers at Qingdao University in China and South Korean scientists. Their new type device detects interference in the electric field between an object and the sensor, up to 100mm away. The sensors is aimed at robotic and bio-mimicking (bionic)


applications, where electronic skins allow robots to detect and react to external stimuli promptly. This also allows robotic systems to analyse an object’s shape, pick it up and manipulate it. Most current sensors rely on direct touch that causes a physical


deformation of the contact layer, leading to changes in electrical capacitance. But this doesn’t render a uniform response across the object, which limits the sensitivity and overall abilities of these sensing systems. “To bring greater sensitivity and versatility, we have developed


new composite films with surprising and very useful electrical properties,” says Xinlin Li of the Qingdao University team. For the composite, the team combined two materials with a high


dielectric constant – a measure of their response to electric fields. It consists of small amounts of graphitic carbon nitride added to polydimethylsiloxane, which exhibits an unexpectedly low


3D fi nger recognition and data transmission to a mobile phone


dielectric constant – a counter-intuitive result, and ideally suited to making a sensor more sensitive to electric fields. The composite can be made and processed by a specific 3D


printing method. The team created a grid that senses objects from 5mm to 100mm away. The next step is to develop the technology for volume production, but also explore other possibilities beyond detecting shape and movement.


Satellite navigation IoT module is accurate to a few centimeters


California-based IoT solutions provider, Telit Cinterion, has launched a high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver capable of centimeter-level accuracy. Designed for seamless operation near cellular or other radios, the SE868K5-RTK ensures optimal immunity, and its compact size of 11 x 11mm fits into the tightest of spaces. The SE868K5-RTK is a multi-frequency and multi-


constellation positioning receiver module, fortified by Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) capabilities that enhance positioning accuracy. By harnessing dual frequencies (L1/E1 and L5/E5), the module improves location precision and reduces multi-path effects, resulting in high accuracy required by various industries. The SE868K5-RTK supports RTK corrections via the RTCM


protocol, with its final performance contingent upon signal level and antenna quality. Raw data output support (via RTCM) empowers developers to manage high-precision applications with ease. The SE868K5-RTK module can use corrections generated


by customers’ base stations or streamed by corrections service providers. When combined with Telit Cinterion’s cellular modules and


NExT connectivity services, the SE868K5-RTK becomes part of an end-to-end flawless correction stream.


The module’s robust design and optimised positioning


engine ensure reliable performance and high-quality navigation, even in complex RF environments. Maintaining compatibility and scalability is crucial in the rapidly evolving IoT landscape, and at the heart of the SE868K5-RTK’s design is its compact 11x11 mm form factor, which enables versatile integration across wearables, drones, robots, fleet tracking and precision agriculture. In addition, the planned support for an external inertial measurement unit (IMU) will complete xE868 family with the continuous positioning capability offered by untethered dead reckoning. Furthermore, the SE868K5-RTK’s compact size ensures adaptability in size-restricted settings and facilitates seamless migration within the scalable xE868 family. This allows developers and engineers to effortlessly integrate the module into existing designs or deploy it in new projects without significant adjustments, leveraging the full benefits of high-precision GNSS technology. “This trailblazing module, boasting centimeter-level


accuracy, exemplifies our dedication to delivering unparalleled solutions to meet the dynamic demands of IoT applications, thereby establishing a new benchmark for precision, reliability, and flexibility,” said Marco Argenton, VP Product Management, IoT Modules at Telit Cinterion.


www.electronicsworld.co.uk May 2024 05


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