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The Internet of Things: Changing Big Data Analytics

The collection of data through large datasets is becoming increasingly popular among businesses. The prominence of the Internet of Things (IoT) has created a surplus of data that is now being utilized for statistical analysis. Big data analytics and IoT devices are interconnected in the sense that IoT devices enable companies to access large quantities of information. This information is then used to help gather details about the consumer and the product. IoT technology is transforming the collection of data and the information that the data provides allows for the development of more advanced IoT devices.

 

2016 Best Places to Work in Illinois

Grid Connect was recently named as one of the 2016 Best Places to Work in Illinois. The awards program began in 2006 and is promoted by The Daily Herald Business Ledger in partnership with the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC), the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, MRA-The Management Association, the Small Business Advocacy Council, the Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce and Best Companies Group.

The NET-Wars (Fieldbus wars reloaded)

Industrial Ethernet fieldbus issues of the past are coming to life again in a new form. Large protocol interest groups and manufacturers of industrial equipment have a new platform to compete for revenue and to keep brand loyalty. Ethernet-based protocols are changing with time, many companies have similar protocol implementations as they essentially have been creating the same standard Ethernet connectors.

CAN FD product launches and roadmaps

CAN FD (Flexible Data-rate) is becoming a more prominent feature in many new and upcoming products. STMicroelectronics created a CAN FD starter kit and there was better performance in terms of screen content and speed in comparison to the classical CAN. In addition to this, Cypress, Microchip, and Renesas have also created operational CAN FD networks.

Installing BluePlug with Toshiba drivers & a Firefly, BluePort, or Blueport XP

Browse the Bluetooth CD and navigate to \BU2073J\Toshiba XP,2K,ME,98SE V3.03.06\setup.exe. This will bring up the Toshiba Bluetooth stack for Windows setup screen. Click "Install" Navigate through the prompts, including the EULA. The software will prompt you to insert your Bluetooth device. Insert the BluePlug. Let the software finish installing. When it is done you will be prompted to restart your computer.

Bluetooth FAQ: Bluetooth Product Comparison

The Firefly is a Bluetooth class 1 Serial device with a db9 connector. It has 4 switches on the outside and 10 jumper pins on the inside for configuration. It can be connected to most serial devices and supports RX, TX, RTS, CTS, and GND. Power can come from the serial port, a standard wall adapter, or a usb port. It is available with a male or female DB9 connector.

Employee Spotlight: Mike Justice, Founder and President

Mike Justice is the Founder and President of Grid Connect. Before the Grid Connect, Mike founded Synergetic Micro Systems, which was later acquired by Lantronix in 2001. After working on the Lantronix team for a couple of years, Mike decided it was time to form another company. Grid Connect was founded in 2003 and has been selling and creating great networking products and technologies since.

New: HF-A21 High Performance Embedded WiFi Module

The HF-A21 module is a compact high performance WiFi module providing 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz WiFi networking for a printed circuit board device design. With a rich feature set and an industrial temperature range, this surface mount embedded module is well suited for many applications even in harsh environments. A small footprint makes the HF-A21 easy to use in handheld devices.

Employee Spotlight: Jonathan Witthoeft, Software Engineer

Jonathan Witthoeft has been working with the Grid Connect team for the past five years. After hearing about Grid Connect from a friend, he applied for a technical support position while finishing up his degree in electrical engineering. After spending three years leading tech support at Grid Connect, Jon has fully transitioned to a software engineering position where he spends much of his time working on various ZigBee and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) projects.

Smart Toasters and Data Security

Technological advancements have always had their Achilles’ heel: except maybe in cases like the wheel and the toaster. Besides that, progress has rarely been void of people to abuse the power it permits. Certainly in recent years, with the growth of internet technologies, information and identity theft has become the Mr. Hyde of development.

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