Page 46 - RC19 RealcommEDGE 2019 Fall Issue

MICROSOFT AZURE SPHERE
Secured End-to-End Connectivity for Microcontroller-Powered Devices
”There are nine billion Microcontroller devices sold each year—
and fewer than 1% of them are connected to the Internet.”
(Microsoft, 2018)

Microcontrollers (MCUs) are pervasive today, appearing in every
part of our computing world. Making these devices interactive
and adaptive via connectivity would enhance their effectiveness
and create better experiences. Azure Sphere is a high-level
application platform with built-in communication and security
features for internet-connected devices. It comprises a secured, connected, crossover microcontroller
unit (MCU), a custom high-level Linux-based operating system (OS), and a cloud-based service providing
continuous security.

The MCUs enable real-time and application processing capabilities and can be monitored remotely. The
Azure Sphere Security Service allows the MCUs to safely connect to the cloud and web. [docs.microsoft.
com/en-us/azure-sphere/product-overview/what-is-azure-sphere]

BADVR
Immersive Analytics Platform
In the age of Big Data, companies focused first on determining what
data was needed and implementing processes to gather it; over time,
processes were fine-tuned so that the data was accurate and true.
Then the processes themselves came under scrutiny, to determine
the best match for particular needs. The challenge now is: What is
your data actually doing? What does it say? How can you understand
it if you can’t see it?

BadVR uses virtual reality and machine learning to allow interaction
with the data: teams can view and manipulate various scenarios in 3-D environments to see information in a
new way. The technology has significance for multiple business types:

• Telecom
SeeSignal™ works in conjunction with the Magic Leap AR headset so you can ‘see’ wire-
less signal strength in a given space and offers ways to improve coverage in a visually
accessible way. The platform has additional features for handling signal measurements
at scale. With the advent of 5G, companies can analyze data more effectively with visual
and immersive technologies, and telecoms can stop using RF models to determine trans-
mitter placement.

• Finance
Data density is especially prevalent in the financial sector, with massive datasets on
multiple screens. Successful data modeling is enhanced in 3D for faster insights, analyzing
100x more data in half the time. Faster insight leads to faster action and an advantage over
other market players.

• Smart Cities & Utilities
Networks and infrastructure at city scale can be viewed to enhance services and security.
Virtual reality can enable better decisions for everything from emergency response to
street congestion to energy efficiency, helping municipal entities work better. [badvr.com]

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