MIT’s Tiny Terahertz Receiver Preserves IoT Battery Life

TOPICS: Battery Technology MIT Robotics Sensor.

MIT’s Tiny Terahertz Receiver Preserves IoT Battery Life

Researchers from MIT and elsewhere have built a wake-up receiver that communicates using terahertz waves, which enabled them to produce a chip more than 10 times smaller than similar devices. Their receiver, which also includes authentication to protect it from a certain type of attack, could help preserve the battery life of tiny sensors or robots. Credit: Jose-Luis Olivares/MIT with figure courtesy of the researchers. Researchers demonstrate a low-power “wake-up” receiver one-tenth the size of other devices.

MIT researchers have created a terahertz-based wake-up receiver for IoT devices, significantly reducing size and power consumption while improving security features. Scientists are striving to develop ever-smaller internet-of-things devices, like sensors tinier than a fingertip that could make nearly any object trackable. These diminutive sensors have miniscule batteries which are often nearly impossible to replace, so engineers incorporate wake-up receivers that keep devices in low-power “sleep” mode when not in use, preserving battery life. Researchers at MIT have developed a new wake-up receiver that is less than one-tenth the size of previous devices and consumes only a few microwatts of power. Their receiver also incorporates a low-power, built-in authentication system, which protects the device from a certain type of attack that could quickly drain its battery. Many common types of wake-up receivers are built on the centimeter scale since their antennas must be proportional to the size of the radio waves they use to communicate. Instead, the MIT team built a receiver that utilizes terahertz waves, which are about one-tenth the length of radio waves. Their chip is barely more than 1 square millimeter in size. 

They used their wake-up receiver to demonstrate effective, wireless communication with a signal source that was several meters away, showcasing a range that would enable their chip to be used in miniaturized sensors. 

 For instance, the wake-up receiver could be incorporated into microrobots that monitor environmental changes in areas that are either too small or hazardous for other robots to reach. Also, since the device uses terahertz waves, it could be utilized in emerging applications, such as field-deployable radio networks that work as swarms to collect localized data.

“By using terahertz frequencies, we can make an antenna that is only a few hundred micrometers on each side, which is a very small size. This means we can integrate these antennas to the chip, creating a fully integrated solution. Ultimately, this enabled us to build a very small wake-up receiver that could be attached to tiny sensors or radios,” says Eunseok Lee, an electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) graduate student and lead author of a paper on the wake-up receiver. 

Lee wrote the paper with his co-advisors and senior authors Anantha Chandrakasan, dean of the MIT School of Engineering and the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, who leads the Energy-Efficient Circuits and Systems Group, and Ruonan Han, an associate professor in EECS, who leads the Terahertz Integrated Electronics Group in the Research Laboratory of Electronics; as well as others at MIT, the Indian Institute of Science, and Boston University. The research is being presented at the IEEE Custom Integrated Circuits Conference.

Terahertz waves, found on the electromagnetic spectrum between microwaves and infrared light, have very high frequencies and travel much faster than radio waves. Sometimes called “pencil beams,” terahertz waves travel in a more direct path than other signals, which makes them more secure, Lee explains. 

 However, the waves have such high frequencies that terahertz receivers often multiply the terahertz signal by another signal to alter the frequency, a process known as frequency mixing modulation. Terahertz mixing consumes a great deal of power.

 Instead, Lee and his collaborators developed a zero-power-consumption detector that can detect terahertz waves without the need for frequency mixing. The detector uses a pair of tiny transistors as antennas, which consume very little power. 

 Even with both antennas on the chip, their wake-up receiver was only 1.54 square millimeters in size and consumed less than 3 microwatts of power. This dual-antenna setup maximizes performance and makes it easier to read signals.

Once received, their chip amplifies a terahertz signal and then converts analog data into a digital signal for processing. This digital signal carries a token, which is a string of bits (0s and 1s). If the token corresponds to the wake-up receiver’s token, it will activate the device.

Ramping up security.

Once received, their chip amplifies a terahertz signal and then converts analog data into a digital signal for processing. This digital signal carries a token, which is a string of bits (0s and 1s). If the token corresponds to the wake-up receiver’s token, it will activate the device. Ramping up security In most wake-up receivers, the same token is reused multiple times, so an eavesdropping attacker could figure out what it is. Then the hacker could send a signal that would activate the device over and over again, using what is called a denial-of-sleep attack. “With a wake-up receiver, the lifetime of a device could be improved from one day to one month, for instance, but an attacker could use a denial-of-sleep attack to drain that entire battery life in even less than a day. That is why we put authentication into our wake-up receiver,” he explains. They added an authentication block that utilizes an algorithm to randomize the device’s token each time, using a key that is shared with trusted senders. This key acts like a password — if a sender knows the password, they can send a signal with the right token. The researchers do this using a technique known as lightweight cryptography, which ensures the entire authentication process only consumes a few extra nanowatts of power. They tested their device by sending terahertz signals to the wake-up receiver as they increased the distance between the chip and the terahertz source. In this way, they tested the sensitivity of their receiver — the minimum signal power needed for the device to successfully detect a signal. Signals that travel farther have less power. “We achieved 5- to 10-meter longer distance demonstrations than others, using a device with a very small size and microwatt level power consumption,” Lee says. But to be most effective, terahertz waves need to hit the detector dead-on. If the chip is at an angle, some of the signal will be lost. So, the researchers paired their device with a terahertz beam-steerable array, recently developed by the Han group, to precisely direct the terahertz waves. Using this technique, communication could be sent to multiple chips with minimal signal loss. In the future, Lee and his collaborators want to tackle this problem of signal degradation. If they can find a way to maintain signal strength when receiver chips move or tilt slightly, they could increase the performance of these devices. They also want to demonstrate their wake-up receiver in very small sensors and fine-tune the technology for use in real-world devices.

Source: SciTechdaily.

 

Security keys Apple recommends for iPhone, iPad, Mac.

Security keys Apple recommends for iPhone, iPad, Mac.

Apple has recently added support for physical security keys in iOS 16.3 and macOS 13.2. While Apple has not manufactured its own security keys, it has made its iPhone, iPad and Mac devices compatible with existing FIDO-certified security keys.

If you choose to use physical security keys for your Apple ID, they will replace the six-digit 2FA code that is normally sent to a verified device. It is important to note that you assume full responsibility for your account, as if the keys are lost, you may be locked out of your account permanently.

Apple has recommended three specific keys and has given the green light to others that meet the guidelines. The three recommended keys are the YubiKey 5C NFC, YubiKey 5Ci and FEITAN ePass K9 NFC USB-A.

For other recommended security keys, Apple states that they must be FIDO certified and feature connectivity for Apple devices. NFC works with iPhones, USB-C works with most Macs and recent iPads, USB-A works with older Macs and Lightning works with iPhones and supported iPads.

It is important to note that there are four instances where security keys will not work: sign in to iCloud for Windows, sign in to older devices that can’t be updated, child accounts and Managed Apple IDs, and Apple Watches paired with a family member’s iPhone. 

 To use security keys for Apple ID, users will need at least two FIDO certified security keys, devices running iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3 or macOS Ventura 13.2 and later, two-factor authentication set up for their Apple ID, and a modern web browser. To sign in to Apple Watch, Apple TV, or HomePod after setting up security keys, users will need an iPhone or iPad with software version that supports security keys.

Source: www.technewsbit.com

 

Top 10 Mind-Blowing Things GPT-4 Can Do to Simplify Human Work.

If you thought that technology had already reached its peak, you are mistaken. The advancement and capabilities of technology are so vast that you keep wondering if there could be any better upgrade than this. Well, on the same lines, GPT-4 is the latest technological advancement that has left everyone in awe. There are numerous ways in which GPT-4 has come to our rescue. In this article, we shall be talking about the top 10 mind-blowing things GPT-4 can do to simplify human work. Have a look!

Financial Decision-Making.

GPT-4 stands for the ability to analyze financial data. Based on that, it can provide accurate forecasts as well. This further helps in making informed investment decisions thereby enabling businesses to achieve their financial goals.

Translation.

These days, communication between countries is required to be smooth. What poses a problem here is language. GPT-4 to the rescue it is! This technology can translate languages thereby paving the way for seamless communication across borders and cultures. Well, that’s not all. The translation is real-time!! Can it get any better?

Diagnosing Medical Conditions.

The importance of the healthcare sector cannot be merely put into words. In such a scenario, advanced technology is no less than a blessing for this sector. The latest technological advancement, GPT-4, holds the potential to analyze medical data to further diagnose and predict various medical conditions with high accuracy. This will further ease how the medical industry functions.

Creating Personalized Marketing Content.

A strong marketing strategy is one of the key factors for the company’s growth. GPT-4 can analyze consumer data and generate personalized marketing content that resonates with specific audiences. Now, you have an increased audience that could benefit the financials of your company.

Product Design. 

The GPT-4 can also play a crucial role in product design. Wondering how? Well, by generating new ideas and offering suggestions for improvement. Now, this has helped businesses to create more innovative and successful products. 

 Social Media Management. 

The GPT-4 also stands for the ability to manage social media accounts by suggesting content and generating captions and hashtags. This further helps significantly streamline social media management for businesses and individuals alike. 

 Personal Coaching 

How about getting personalized coaching and advice on topics such as fitness, nutrition, and productivity? Well, this is exactly what GPT-4 has in store for you. If you are keen to learn about these topics, GPT-4 is an absolute rescue as you can further improve your health, productivity, or any other areas of your life. 

 Creative Writing.

Writers out there – GPT-4 has got something for you as well. Generating ideas and suggesting plotlines and characters is something that this technology has to offer. In short, this could be a game-changer for writers who struggle with writer’s block or need help developing new ideas. 

 Personal Shopping.

The GPT-4 has served to be a blessing as it can assist with personal shopping by suggesting products based on user preferences and previous purchases. This would provide users with more personalized and accurate product recommendations. However, this also raises concerns about digital privacy. 

 Legal Analysis 

The GPT-4 can also analyze legal documents and provide insights and recommendations, simplifying legal research. This would become all the easier for lawyers and legal professionals to understand complex legal documents and cases.

Source. Analytics insight

Top 10 AI Tools

 

Top 10 AI Tools everyone should use.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have become increasingly important in the modern economy. They are used to automate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency and productivity, and create new products and services. 

 One major role of AI tools is in data analysis. With the explosion of data in recent years, companies are using AI tools to analyze vast amounts of data and extract valuable insights. These insights can be used to optimize business processes, develop new products, and improve customer experiences. 

 AI tools are also being used to automate repetitive tasks such as data entry, customer service, and inventory management. By automating these tasks, businesses can save time and money, and free up their employees to focus on higher-level tasks. 

 In addition to automation, AI tools are also being used to create new products and services. For example, chatbots and virtual assistants are becoming increasingly common in customer service, while self-driving cars and drones are being developed for transportation and delivery.

Here are 10 AI-powered tools that could significantly improve your ability to effectively execute your tasks.

ChatGPT OpenAI’s 

ChatGPT is an AI-enabled tool that uses natural language processing (NLP) to engage in conversations with users. It can understand and respond to written or spoken language, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of applications.

Many companies now use ChatGPT-powered chatbots to interact with customers and provide them with quick and accurate responses to their inquiries. These chatbots can handle a high volume of inquiries, freeing up human customer service representatives to focus on more complex issues.

Brandmark.

Brandmark.io is an AI-powered branding tool that helps professionals create logos, color schemes, and other visual elements for their brand. It uses Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to generate unique and customized designs based on the user’s input and preferences. 

 In addition to logos, Brandmark can generate a variety of other branding assets, including business cards, social media graphics, and marketing materials. Its user interface (UI) is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, with drag-and-drop functionality.

Namelix 

Namelix.com is an AI-powered business name generator that helps professionals come up with unique and memorable names for their businesses. 

 Users can enter keywords related to their business, select the industry, and indicate their preferred style and tone. Namelix integrates with domain name registration services and other tools, making it easy for users to purchase domains and set up their online presence. It is a valuable tool for entrepreneurs, startups, and businesses that need to create a brand name or company name.

Action Transformer (ACT-1) by Adept 

ACT-1 is an upcoming AI-powered hiring tool that helps companies streamline the recruitment process and identify the best candidates for a given position. It uses natural language processing and machine learning algorithms to analyze resumes and job descriptions, as well as assess candidates’ skills and qualifications based on their responses to online assessments.

ACT-1 can also automate many of the time-consuming and repetitive tasks associated with the hiring process, such as scheduling interviews and sending follow-up emails.

Moonbeam 

Moonbeam is an AI-powered content creation tool that helps professionals create high-quality marketing content such as blog posts, social media updates, and email campaigns. 

It integrates with popular content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress and Hubspot, making it easy to incorporate the generated content into existing workflows. The tool can also automate many of the time-consuming and repetitive tasks associated with content creation, such as formatting and editing.

Waldo 

Waldo is an AI-powered search engine that uses search indexes pulled from Google, Bing, and others. However, it packages the results into a different kind of interface that lets you hyper-tune your search with the click of a few buttons. The company officially launched with a Chrome extension six months ago. On the contrary, as of today, a more advanced version of it is also available as a stand-alone site and on mobile.

Postwise 

Postwise is an AI-powered social media management tool that helps professionals create and schedule engaging social media content. It allows users to schedule and publish their social media posts on various platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Postwise can also schedule posts for optimal engagement times, making it easy for users to stay consistent and reach their target audience. It can also analyze social media performances and provide insights into engagement, reach, and audience demographics. 

Snipd

 Snipd is a Swiss AI-enabled tool that transcribes content and synchronizes with note-taking apps. It automatically generates book-style chapters and delivers podcast highlights. Users can manually create “snips” as they listen to an episode, allowing them to save their favorite moments and add notes to each clip.

byAutomata 

byAutomata is another AI-based content repurposing tool that converts existing content into different formats, such as turning a blog post into a social media post, an infographic, or a video. It can also be used to personalize content for different audiences. With its AI-powered automation capabilities, you can create workflows that customize content based on different audience segments, such as adapting the language or tone to fit the target audience’s preferences.

Playground AI 

Playground AI is an AI-powered design platform that enables designers to create, prototype, and iterate on designs with the help of artificial intelligence. It uses machine learning algorithms to analyze user behavior, identify patterns, and generate insights that designers can use to improve their designs. The tool integrates with a variety of content management systems and marketing tools, making it easy to publish and distribute generated content. It also integrates with other design tools, such as Sketch and Figma, so designers can use it alongside their existing workflows.

Source: ambcrypto