A foray into the ever evolving world of visual interfaces:
Since humans discovered the effectiveness of visual communication, we have integrated graphical interfaces into all computing technology. In such a funky yet futuristic world, who would have thought that someone could flash the firmware of a Canon Prixma smart printer and run the 90’s iconic PC game ‘Doom’ on it? But to comprehend the answer to that question, one must delve deeper into the nuances of the matter.
Visual interfaces appeal because they provide users with a mirage of interactivity, encouraging further engagement. This was evident when computer operating systems transitioned to Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) in the 1980s, making command line interfaces secondary at best. This jump started the quest for larger displays with better GUI’s beginning with the CRT(Cathode Ray Tube) era, as manufacturers competed to combine the largest screens with the slimmest frames. Then came the advent of LCDs, revolutionising the market, quickly surpassing older technologies and reaching a developmental peak. Simultaneously, the trend of integrating displays into smaller devices, like smartphones, emerged, leading to crisper, thinner displays.
Visual Interface as a peripheral device :
Herein, the IoT industry is at a crucial point where it can effectively combine these technological advancements to create something truly radical. Cavli Wireless, with the vision of being a leader in this segment, accepted the challenge of integrating a display interface within a smart module. This innovation gives our customers the convenience of incorporating GUI displays as a straightforward, out-of-the-box, and ready-to-use peripheral.
This strategic move set the target for the development goals for our C10QM and C20QM modules, with half a century of technological progress to supplant us. By merging historical developments with contemporary technology, Cavli Wireless is committed to delivering products that are not just advanced but also steeped in a legacy of excellence.
The effectiveness of a display is directly linked to the range of interfaces, compatible devices and/or platforms made available by the module. Recognizing this, we embarked on the significant challenge of designing a module that offers a wide array of interfaces. This variety is essential for ensuring smooth operation and control when integrated with various peripherals.
Only then does the addition of an LCD interface further enhance the user experience, making the interactions more intuitive and engaging. This level of interoperability is what defines the unique Cavli Edge of our C10QM and C20QM models.
What value does a pre-integrated display kit add to an OEM's product development efforts?
- Integrating a display into our modules offers our customers the valuable opportunity to directly test the capabilities of the module, with feedback systems visually represented on the display itself. This feature of immediate visual feedback is particularly beneficial for engineers, as it significantly catalyses the processes of debugging, troubleshooting and so on.
- Moreover, the more subtle, finely-tuned adjustments, which might not be immediately noticeable in the module's default operational behaviour, can be clearly converted into measurable metric and quantifiably displayed. This enhances the visibility of changes and allows for more precise control, furthermore expanding the customizable functionality of our modules to suit a variety of use case scenarios.
- Engaging in such a detailed and rewarding process fosters an environment conducive to innovation. It enables the iteration of existing functions and the invention of entirely new functionalities that were previously unimagined or unimplemented. This approach not only enhances the current capabilities of our modules but also paves the way for future advancements and discoveries, ensuring that our products remain at the forefront of innovation and continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers.
- For example, an automotive engineer can use the telematics capabilities of the C10QM/C20QM module to take note of throttle usage vs battery efficiency. This data can be represented onto the display in graphic format to concur to the requirements placed. As such, the display can be utilised to provide instantaneous vs periodical readings and the data gathered will help in producing the most efficient vehicle package.
- Or, the manufacturer can throw in service recommendations based on gathered data, preemptively solving problems before they even become one.
End User’s advantages: How does this make life better for an OEM’s customer ?
The integration of features such as the LCD interface into the C10QM and C20QM, and the subsequent iterative development processes, significantly enhance the end user's experience in various ways.
- For instance, consider our module's application in an e-scooter or two-wheeler, produced by a manufacturer partnered with Cavli. In this scenario, the end user – the vehicle owner – gains access to advanced features like telematics monitoring, which can be represented visually to the owner by the use of the LCD interface on offer by the C10QM/C20QM module. Such comprehensive data collection provides real-time usage statistics, enabling the vehicle owner to say, monitor and potentially improve their riding style for greater efficiency.
- Moreover, our modules are capable of delivering crucial data to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). This data is invaluable for identifying potential faults and bugs at an early stage. Consequently, it empowers the manufacturer to undertake preemptive maintenance and quality control procedures. This not only enhances the overall maintenance cost for the end user, but also contributes to the longevity and reliability of the vehicle. By providing these detailed insights and analytics through a visual interface, our modules play a pivotal role in improving both the user experience and the product lifecycle management for our partners.
- Now if you were to consider our previous example for the manufacturer, the throttle usage vs battery efficiency curve data can be retrieved from the interface by the end user, with our module and they can adjust their riding characteristics to match the ideal curve by learning on the fly. If the end user were to be provided with the raw telematic data, there is guarantee that the user can understand and make inferences about the same.
- But since our module is powerful enough to handle GUI computations, a graphical representation can be designed which is modelled on the raw data to make it easily usable to the user. In case of the maintenance recommendations, the end user could be notified earlier of the upcoming/pending service, the actual requirements, ETA and plan ahead accordingly.
Cavli LTE Cat 1/Cat 4 Modules
| C10QM | C20QM | |
|---|---|---|
| RF Technology | LTE Cat 1 | LTE Cat 4 |
| Peak Bandwidth | 10Mbps Downlink, 5Mbps Uplink speeds | 150Mbps Downlink, 50Mbps Uplink speeds |
| EDGE Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| GNSS Constellation | In-Built | |
| OS | Yocto Linux 4.14, SDK available | |
| Memory | 256MB RAM, 256/512MB ROM | |
| LCD Interface | MIPI-DBI type interface | |
| Additional Features | 2G Fallback, FOTA, Virtual CAN, UART up to 4Mbps | |
Closing Notes:
The C10QM and C20QM models skillfully blend high performance, exceptional connectivity, and a compact design, all while being loaded with advanced features. These modules are not just components; they are comprehensive solutions, equipped with functionalities such as an LCD interface, eSIM, and GNSS. This integration ensures that they cater to a wide range of global IoT requirements effectively. Moreover, the inclusion of Cavli Hubble Global Connectivity guarantees smooth global deployment and cost-efficient maintenance. It simplifies the complexities associated with international deployment and maintenance, making the modules not just versatile but also highly practical for a global market.
Furthermore, Cavli’s portfolio also offers a high performance Android IoT Module, the CQS290 which also ships with an optional integrated LCD kit. The Cortex A53 quad core processor onboard offers superior computational power, while the Adreno 702 GPU ensures greater fidelity for UI/UX purposes. The CQS290 comes bundled with Qualcomm LA2.1 Automotive middleware, which enables OEMs to have an out-of-the-box integration experience for cluster based or telematics based use cases.
