Microchip Technology Inc. - Experts & Thought Leaders

GlobalPlatform’s Security Evaluation Standard for IoT Platforms (SESIP) methodology has been adopted as the basis for a European Standard (EN) by the European Committee for Standardisation, CEN and CENELEC. The standard is working to help the IoT ecosystem address regulatory fragmentation and better understand, deploy and explain security. “This is all about raising the bar for IoT security,” comments Eve Atallah, GlobalPlatform SESIP Sub-Task Force Chair. “Security in IoT is a problem as a myriad of national and regional regulations have emerged in recent years. We are asking device makers and non-security experts to firstly identify relevant security requirements, implement technology to address them and then demonstrate the security features of their products. This is complex, costly and unsustainable.” Value for all IoT stakeholders SESIP procedure provides a standardised approach for evaluating IoT security enactments The World Economic Forum (WEF) reported in 2022 that cybersecurity threats have increased by over 358% in recent years, outpacing societies' ability to effectively prevent or respond to them. A year on the challenge persists, with WEF noting cybersecurity as a constant concern and listing as a top 10 global risk for 2023. The SESIP methodology provides a standardised approach for evaluating IoT security implementations, tailored to the unique requirements and challenges of the evolving ecosystem. The methodology has analysed and mapped regulatory and industry requirements from pioneering organisations such as ENISA, ETSI, IEC and NIST. The IoT community therefore has a single, accessible reference point for assessing IoT cybersecurity in line with these and other requirements, reducing fragmentation, complexity and cost from security certification processes for stakeholders. SESIP methodology Additionally, the SESIP methodology also supports the composition and reuse of certificates. This enables previously certified components to be used to build a device with in-built security assurances, without having to repeat a complete evaluation of the same component in each and every targeted market. This drives greater efficiency, security, innovation, and cost savings across the certification process. Importantly, both national and private certification bodies are creating and managing certification schemes based on the SESIP methodology. One recent example is Taiwan where the methodology is being assessed by the Institute for Information & Industry. A rapidly growing ecosystem SESIP has rapidly grown into an internationally recognised standard for security evaluation, supported by a large community of security providers, industry bodies, security laboratories and other stakeholders. SESIP has rapidly grown into an internationally recognised standard for security evaluation The GlobalPlatform community is responsible for maintaining the methodology, enforcing a governance model with an associated quality brand between CBs, product vendors and laboratories. The longstanding certification body (CB) TrustCB has already licenced 10 laboratories and certified 28+ products from industry-pioneering companies including Amazon Web Services, Microchip Technology, STMicroelectronics, NXP Semiconductors, Renesas, Secure Thingz, Silicon Labs, Trusted Objects and Winbond Electronics Corporation. Most recently, SGS Brightsight CB has joined the programme to become a GlobalPlatform SESIP CB. The methodology is also already recognised and referenced by bodies including PSA Certified, the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) and Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC). Standardisation, evaluation and certification Simplifying & strengthening IoT security through standardisation “SESIP is a result of the expertise of the GlobalPlatform community and its work to drive more cybersecurity into IoT devices without adding complexity,” adds Gil Bernabeu, GlobalPlatform CTO. “By giving stakeholders a single point of reference for IoT cybersecurity, regardless of their security expertise, we can collectively raise the bar for security. When everyone can understand, better decisions can be made faster. When better security decisions are made, confidence both within the industry and among end users grows. We believe in a digital society, but that goal is only achievable if we have trust in digital devices and services. Standardisation, evaluation and certification are fundamental to this trust.” When better security decisions are made, confidence both within the industry and among end users" More than 200,000 experts from industry, associations, public administrations, academia, and societal organisations are involved in the CEN and CENELEC network, which reaches over 600 million people in 34 countries. The development of a European Standard is based on the so-called National Delegation Principle and is governed by the principles of consensus, openness, transparency, national commitment and technical coherence. Author's quote “CEN and CENELEC, as two of the officially recognised European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs), have a strong commitment to making the digital transition in Europe a reality, working together with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that new technologies are safe, trustworthy and beneficial for all,” comments Cinzia Missiroli, Director, Standardisation and Digital Solution. “In this context, our collaboration with GlobalPlatform is key. The work on the European standard based on their SESIP methodology is a good example of what can be achieved in working together for an inclusive and safe digital society for Europe.”

Powercast Corporation, the globally renowned company in radio-frequency (RF)-based, over-the-air wireless power technology and solutions, has announced the launch of a new wirelessly-powered RFID Temperature Scanning System that enables businesses to easily and safely monitor employees' temperatures, as they work to re-open offices and get back to normal. RFID Temperature Scanning System The new system is comprised of a wirelessly-powered temperature-scanning fob for each employee, an RFID reader, and a TV monitor. Employees receive a fob small enough to fit onto their keychain that is specially personalised to them. The fob quickly charges when held near an RFID reader using Powercast's power harvesting technology The fob quickly charges when held near an RFID reader, at the entrance to the enterprise’s office, using Powercast's patented power harvesting technology. Employees scan their own forehead using the fob to read their temperature and are permitted to enter or are denied entry, based on the temperature reading, which appears on the monitor. Effective employee screening For larger organisations and those on corporate campuses, multiple readers can be used to keep a record for contact tracing, if issues arise. Once employees take their temperature when entering the building, they can return the fob to their pocket and do not need to remove it again for location tracking. In the case of COVID-19 exposure, time-stamped information can be automatically gathered from the readers to ensure that all potentially exposed employees are notified. ‘COVID-19 Return to Work Survey’ According to a recent ‘COVID-19 Return to Work Survey’ report from Littler, an employment law practice, more than half (58%) of employers surveyed plan to conduct testing or health screenings on employees, with most referring to temperature checks (89%) and symptom screenings (72%). Powercast's Temperature Scanning System is already in use at Powercast's headquarters in Pittsburgh's RIDC Park. The RFID reader antenna is integrated into the company's check-in counter, enabling fast, hands-free screening. During the first 12 days, the system took a total of 300 readings, which were as accurate as a traditional handheld thermometer. Powercast Scanning System The new Powercast Scanning System has a distinct advantage over handheld devices The new Powercast Scanning System has a distinct advantage over handheld devices that are shared and hard to maintain germ-free or other modes that require employees to stop and write down their information, potentially sharing pens and creating a blockage at entry points. In the wake of COVID-19, businesses are eager to get back to normal as quickly as possible, while ensuring the safety and welfare of their employees. A ‘COVID-19 Returning to Work Survey’ of 1,000 U.S. employees by Eagle Hill Consulting found that 54 percent of employees are worried about exposure to COVID-19 at their job. Most employees (71 percent), however, felt their employers will be prepared to safely bring employees back to the workplace. Quick and easy implementation "We designed this new Temperature Scanning System to take advantage of proven technologies that can be quickly and easily implemented by companies of all sizes so that they can get back to work, safely and without a huge imposition to workers," said Charles Greene, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer of Powercast. Charles adds, "This is one of many ways we are applying wireless power to solve real-world problems and eliminate some of the limits of other alternatives." Powercaster RF wireless power transmitters The RFID Temperature Scanning System uses RAIN RFID readers as its source of RF wireless power. The System's over-the-air RF harvesting technology can harness RF energy from Powercast's own PowerSpot or Powercaster RF wireless power transmitters, or from industry standard UHF RFID readers. The enabling technology behind the system is Powercast's tiny, embeddable Powerharvester receiver chip, which harvests RF automatically when it's within range of an RF power source, and then converts it to direct current (DC) to power the application. The chip is highly efficient and effective in deriving power from even very small amounts of RF and is currently being used in a number of consumer and business applications where wireless power provides a distinct advantage. How the RFID Temperature Scanning System Works After recording the temperature, the data is sent to the RFID reader to read Each battery-less fob contains an RFID chip, which identifies its owner, a Powercast Powerharvester receiver chip, a Microchip Technology PIC24F04KA201 microcontroller (MCU) and a temperature sensor. The employee simply holds their fob device in a designated power area equipped with an RFID reader antenna and a TV screen. The fob harvests the RF to power up the temperature sensor. After recording the temperature, the data is sent to the RFID reader to read. The TV screen then displays the employee's name, temperature, and either a green or red light to indicate if they may enter. Microchip's PIC24F04KA201 MCU Powercast chose Microchip's PIC24F04KA201 MCU because of its minimal power consumption and ability to incorporate I2C and an analogue-to-digital converter into a very small package, enabling a car fob-like size. In addition, Microchip's MPLAB Code Configurator sped up the concept-to-prototype process, resulting in a commercially-available system in less than 2 months. "The PIC24F microcontroller family is a perfect fit for the Powercast temperature scanning fob due to the extreme low power consumption, flexible peripheral set and small form factor. Microchip's tool chain enables rapid development and commercialisation as demonstrated by this product," said Joe Thomsen, Vice President of Microchip's MCU16 business unit. Joe adds, "Creative designers are able to quickly develop low-power solutions like this temperature scanning key fob, ensuring employees return to work in a safe environment."

The adoption of commercial smart lighting systems has grown significantly as organisations strive to improve energy efficiency and operational costs in buildings. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is rising in popularity for these systems, providing a reliable and easy-to-install solution that manages power and data over a single Ethernet cable. To support larger and more efficient lighting systems, Microchip Technology Inc., via its Microsemi subsidiary, announces a cost-effective eight-port PoE switch that provides guaranteed power of 60 watts (W) per port for all eight ports simultaneously. Ideal for digital ceiling installations, the IEEE 802.3bt-compliant PDS-408G PoE switch runs noise-free with a fanless design. Remote power management Designed for enterprise connected lighting applications, the PDS-408G connects separate systems such as lighting, sensors, HVAC and Wi-Fi® access points over a single switch. The switch has eight PoE ports – the optimal amount for connected lighting – and offers end applications additional cost-savings from energy savings and lower operating expenses. In compliance with IEEE 802.3bt, the PDS-408G provides a total of 480 W, including up to 90 W for any individual port or 60 W for eight ports simultaneously. The PDS-408G is plenum rated and can be installed in any air handling space The PDS-408G is plenum rated and can be installed in any air handling space, making it ideal for digital ceiling installations. Its fanless design provides the features needed for buildings that require noise-free and reliable operation, such as offices, hospitals and hotels. The PDS-408G also provides other proven advantages of PoE, including safe power, simple installation, flexible deployment and remote power management. Connected lighting systems “Demand for Power over Ethernet in connected lighting systems has accelerated, and our new PoE switch is designed specifically for the needs of these applications,” said Rich Simoncic, senior vice president of Microchip’s Analogue, Discrete and Power business unit. “The PDS-408G continues Microchip’s leadership in PoE technology, providing an IEEE 802.3bt-compliant solution that provides almost six times the amount of power than the original PoE standard.” The PDS-408G joins Microchip’s portfolio of end-to-end PoE solutions. Developers can use the PDS-408G switch alongside the company’s extensive portfolio of 8- and 32-bit PIC® and AVR® microcontrollers (MCUs) at the end node. Microchip offers an array of easy-to-use hardware and software tools to accelerate PoE designs, including the PIC18 PoE Main Board, which features a PIC18 MCU, ATECC608A secure element and MIC28512 buck regulator.