- They added that the solution removes the need for manual intervention (changing batteries) or cabling to supply power in applications that become zero maintenance.
- HiSilicon and Nowi have optimised the design to resolve customers’ challenges and satisfy new, stricter market requirements
HiSilicon (Shanghai) Ltd and Nowi Energy B.V. have introduced the 2nd generation of their Energy Autonomous NB-IoT platform. It acts as a sensor hub that can transmit via NB-IoT while operating indefinitely through its energy harvesting capabilities. They said that it is based on HiSilicon’s Hi2115 NB-IoT solution and Nowi’s NH2 energy harvesting power management IC. They added that the solution removes the need for manual intervention (changing batteries) or cabling to supply power in applications that become zero maintenance.
Charles Sturman, senior director product marketing at HiSilicon said “Many IoT applications require super long deployment lifecycles and direct power connectivity is often not possible. As such, energy autonomy is becoming an important factor. Our collaboration with Nowi addresses these demands as their next generation NH2 device reaches efficiency and size targets which are changing the rule-book on Energy Harvesting. At HiSilicon, we aim towards a fully connected, intelligent world and such partnerships are crucial to achieve this vision. “
Open slot on which various sensors can be placed
HiSilicon and Nowi have optimised the design to resolve customers’ challenges and satisfy new, stricter market requirements to cater to the broader variety of applications addressed. The platform combines connectivity and energy harvesting in the smallest size possible as per the companies. It offers an open slot on which various sensors can be placed depending on the application need. HiSilicon and Nowi are offering the reference design and the corresponding schematics for others to build their solutions upon.
The Energy Autonomous NB-IoT V2 Platform solves different challenges as per the companies. It provides a ‘Plug & Forget’ solution capable of multiple transmissions per day indefinitely. It offers a platform that can be tailored to fit many sensor applications with minimal effort and enables applications that were previously unable to use NB-IoT with energy harvesting due to size constraints. It also enables both indoor and outdoor applications.
Integrated energy harvesting solutions
Simon van der Jagt, CEO Nowi said “From industrial IoT to Smart Home applications we see a strong need for ease-of-use, reduction in device maintenance and small form factor solutions. As such, integrated energy harvesting solutions are playing a key role in the future of connectivity. Nowi’s energy harvesting power management technology uniquely offers these advantages owing to its extremely small PCB assembly footprint, top energy harvesting performance, and ease of implementation. We are excited to team up with HiSilicon and help customers on their way by offering the schematics of this new reference design platform. Nowi’s NH2 PMIC is becoming available in Q4 of 2020 for high volume customers.”
