The Need for Continuous Asset Tracking

Of the many complexities along the global supply chain and daily logistics operations, asset tracking is arguably the most challenging. Disruptions and subsequent capital loss not only affect goods transported worldwide, but also containers and vehicles used for shipment. On a more local scale, retail stores and shop owners are challenged in keeping track of their assets and supply at all times throughout the day for reasons varying from theft prevention to inventory management.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have published regulations that require all cars, SUVs, trucks, and vans to have rear-view visibility systems that started May 1, 2018. In fact, until recently, the rear-view camera was the only camera used in many car models and was considered an excellent safety feature. Modern vehicles have evolved significantly in the past few years, adopting innovative safety features that include blind-spot detection, surround-view monitoring, forward and rear collision warning, lane keep assistance, and autonomous parking assistance. These features utilize cameras and sensors to inform the driver about the car and its surroundings via the dashboard display. Now, there are at least six cameras present in high-end vehicles. There may be video display systems in cars like DVD players and TVs for passengers.

The BlueRiver® platform is Semtech’s award winning technology for AV-over-IP, which is one of the fastest growing segments in the Professional AV signal distribution market. As the core technology that powers Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE™), BlueRiver has been demonstrated to be the only AV-over-IP technology that can provide matrix switch-like performance, delivering pristine 4K resolution video with imperceptible latency, along with multichannel audio and control signals, such as USB, Infrared and Consumer Electronic Control, all over standard 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks using a common control Application Programming Interface (API).

For this second installment in the BlueRiver applications for Pro AV blog series, we’ll take a look at how SDVoE enables the most cost efficient and feature-rich AV-over-IP systems for applications typically using the traditional matrix switch topology.

Optical solutions are essential to connect and power the digital era as signal integrity forms the backbone of every digital platform. Every time someone opens a webpage or uses a connected device, data moves from point A to B—often using optical fiber. With increasing industry and consumer demand for high-quality internet and fast upload and download speeds, fiber now makes up 32% of fixed-broadband subscriptions, up 20% in the last decade. The data center and enterprise networking companies powering data usage and cloud computing need high performance optical interconnect technology to minimize cost and power consumption without sacrificing efficiency and speed.

Smart cities are key to improving quality of life of citizens and driving down carbon emissions. And monitoring power, air and water quality and transport requires reliable low-cost sensors in a rugged, cost-effective network.

Brought on by the convergence of the Cloud and the Internet of Things, hyperscale data centers and wireless operators are pushing towards 200G and 400G. Key to this transition are optical modules, which is where Semtech’s Tri-Edge™ technology plays a core role. With increasing bandwidth demands, optical modules must evolve alongside data center equipment to deliver greater density, lower power consumption, and lower latency. We spoke more about this with Timothy Vang, Vice President, Marketing and Applications at Semtech.

Happy Earth Day!

Since its official launch in early 2020, the BlueRiver® ASIC has been the bedrock of all new product developments for Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE™). From standalone encoders and decoders, to HDMI wall plates, the ASIC has provided a lower power and cost effective platform from which our customers can expand their product portfolios. With full integration of USB, designed for connecting and routing USB devices such as keyboards, mouse and track balls, BlueRiver sets a new benchmark for KVM over IP applications.

The increasing demand for intelligent, scalable and cost-effective global asset tracking solutions is a trend, which has been recently accelerated by the urgency to improve end-to-end supply chain performance, visibility and customer services.

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) launched its $6.7 million AUD Climate Smart Pilots project in 2018. The program trials digital technologies to improve the information generated for farmers regarding natural resources and climate variability across fisheries, horticulture and livestock sectors. As temperatures warm, rainfall regimes change and seasons shift, innovative Internet of Things (IoT) technology can provide early warnings, input control and new ways to manage farming systems.