How to design embedded systems with removable memory
Datakey products make the perfect partner for renewable energy applications where exposure to the elements is vitally important. Reliability is also critical due to the remote location of many renewable energy sites, an engineer visit would be very expensive and lead to critical downtime.
Typical uses include calibration, parameter settings and data logging
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Applications
Highly Accelerated Life Test (HALT)
Many of our customers test the Datakey industrial memory products in pretty extreme environments.
And so do we.
We’ve had it hit with hammers, tanks running it over, the list goes on.
But one particular customer took things to a whole new level, performing a 20-year Highly Accelerated Life Test (HALT)
The test was pretty simple, but very intense, and involved subjecting their industrial equipment to high and fast temperature cycles, as well as high vibration levels. And all the way through the HALT, the Datakey token was left inserted in the receptacle.
Unsurprisingly, by the end of the test, the contacts on the token were looking a little worn, but – crucially – the token still operated perfectly, and so did the receptacle.
Why did they go to such extremes?
In their industrial equipment which is placed in remote locations both on land and off shore, the token and receptacle are fundamental to their equipment remaining functional.
The token remains permanently inserted in the receptacle and can be subject to massive temperature fluctuations and very high levels of vibration – the test really was designed to understand whether or not Datakey was the right solution for them.
If at any time the token can’t be read, then their equipment will stop working, resulting in an expensive visit from an engineer to understand and fix the problem; something our customer obviously doesn’t want to happen.
Thankfully for them, the Datakey tokens and receptacles stood up to the test, meaning they can rely on them on an ongoing basis.
Cashless payments for renewable energy in emerging markets
Delivering renewable energy in an affordable and secure way in emerging markets is a challenge.
Across the world there are half a billion mobile phone users who have no access to grid electricity. Ambition, invention and demand for information in emerging markets is everywhere, yet the energy needed to pursue these opportunities is scarce and expensive.
One of our customers has come up with an innovative pay per charge rental model to supply smart battery packs at an affordable price to low income households. They are able to provide every customer with a high quality, affordable, convenient service to his or her home.
Datakey RUGGEDrive tokens and receptacles are central to the system, helping to provide the effective security system and the use of cashless payment.
Their cloud based system then enables them to track and control the smart batteries mitigating the risk of a normal rental system.