The smart sensor revolution: Sensors Expo 2017

Sensors Expo 2017 is just around the corner and ARM^® is gearing up for both the exhibition and the tech talks, looking forward to the wide range of topics and activities on offer. It can’t go unnoticed that smart sensors, or ‘smart analog’, are gaining momentum and it’s a prevailing theme that brings together the entire conference program. What does this mean, why does it matter and how is ARM shaping this discussion at the conference?

Smart sensors: the heart of innovation

Next-generation technology is demanding more advanced sensing and compute solutions; the internet of things (IoT), for example, is bridging the gap between the physical world and the digital world. Smart sensors make this possible; a standalone sensor has high value, but when a sensor is smart and connected, it creates value that far exceeds its intrinsic value.

The IoT is driving the need for advanced compute – smart sensors for a connected world.

The rise of smart analog: what and why

Smart analog combines microcontroller processing with sensors or other analog circuitry, feeding the need for physical data in decision making. The richer the data, the more the value of the data goes up.

To learn more about how this data is being applied in IoT, join us for the Tuesday morning ‘IoT Lifestyle’ panel discussion at the Pre-Conference Symposium, where ARM and other key technology leaders discuss how smart sensors will invisibly power the ‘IoT lifestyle’ imagined by technology futurists.

Why custom chip design?

The increasing demand for smart sensors in many major markets – is fuelling the expansion of custom smart analog chips (or system-on-chips, ‘SoCs’). We are seeing sensor companies, end-product manufacturers (OEMs) and IoT start-ups venture into SoC design to create small, low cost and low-power, smart sensor chips. The benefits OEMs and start-ups are seeing: increased functionality, product differentiation and copyright protection.

Automotive is a key market for smart sensors, so join us on Wednesday morning for a panel discussion on ‘Automotive and Autonomous Vehicle Sensors’ – ARM’s Aniket Saha will join other industry leaders to discuss how the semiconductor industry plans to meet the compute requirements for high-performance sensor fusion to deploy ADAS functionality and autonomous driving of the future.

ADAS requires increasing sensor functionality – leaders discuss the impact at Sensors Expo.

What is the impact of intelligence in sensors?

The real value of sensor data is in the decisions taken. Smart sensors provide smart data, which results in smarter decisions of greater value. Smart, connected sensing however opens the door for a variety of attacks – communications, software, physical and life cycle attacks. Come learn from one of ARM’s technology experts about how embedded security is easier to implement than you may think, with ARM’s proven TrustZone technology. It’s been deployed across billions of devices and now available for embedded devices. Join us on Thursday morning for a session called ‘ARMv8-M TrustZone Security for Cortex-M Processors.’

Embedded security is critical – and easier than you may think – find out why at Sensors Expo.

Interested in a smart sensor custom chip design?

Come say hello at the ARM booth, stand 1532, to hear how designing a custom chip for smart sensors is easier than ever with ARM DesignStart. Our team will show you how to get started with a free evaluation of ARM’s industry-proven embedded architecture.

Don’t miss out on ARM’s talks and panel discussions at Sensor Expo and Conference:

• Pre-Conference Symposium 3: IoT Lifestyle – Invisible Technology Moving in Your Home, Your Car, Your Office, Tuesday June 27, 9am-5pm
• Automotive and Autonomous Vehicle Sensors, Wednesday, June 28, 9am
• Women in Sensor Engineering (WISE) panel discussion, Wednesday, 28 June, 2:30pm
• ARMv8-M TrustZone Security for Cortex-M Processors, Thursday, June 29, 10am

We look forward to seeing you there!

About the Author

Phil Burr is a senior product marketing manager in ARM’s CPU group. He leads a team responsible for ARM's established CPU portfolio, helping ensure that these processors enable new and existing partners to innovate.  Phil also manages the ARM DesignStart CPU program - a low-cost, easy-access route to ARM IP. Phil’s experience, spanning more than 20 years, covers product marketing, product management and business development.