New-Tech Europe Magazine | September 2018

based 4G technology, more commonly referred to as LTE. LTE is a first- generation 4G technology that is being rolled out in different ‘flavours’ and at varying paces according to country. LTE Category 1 is already widely available at worldwide level and likely to form the backbone technology for smart home security systems, with its support for both voice and data. Slightly longer term, LTE Category M1 offers a good basis for enhanced security system support. This low- power version of LTE caters for battery-backed Internet of Things (IoT) devices that connect directly to a 4G network and thus eliminate the need to connect to an external radio network gateway. Other IoT sensors and actuators with an even lower data rate are catered for by the Narrowband NB-IoT specification. LTE Category M1 will also offer voice capability through VoLTE (Voice over LTE networks), enabling it to cater for applications such as security alarm panels, fire prevention and other safety systems that require a level of human interaction. NB-IoT does not have Voice capability and it is therefore more suitable for remote control of smart IoT connected devices such as HVAC systems, smoke detectors, thermostats, smart lockers and other IoT sensors where voice interaction is not strictly necessary. Protection mechanisms The latest generations of cellular system offer enhanced protection for the security system end user, for instance through the encryption and authentication of network signals. The lack of these features in earlier systems laid them open to possible interception of signals sent from home security systems to an external gateway. Modern cellular systems preserve the integrity of data by providing encryption of all communications. Without the requisite codes, data

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like human beings, is able to exhibit natural evolution. Diego Grassi Diego Grassi joined the Product Strategy team in the Product Center Cellular at u-blox AG in July 2014. He is responsible for the development of Industrial, Retail & Enterprise markets. Prior to joining u-blox, he held positions in product marketing, business development and strategic marketing in semiconductors companies such as Micron, Numonyx and STMicroelectronics. There, he managed multiple demand generation and ecosystem enabling programs at worldwide level in the segments of telecom, consumer and industrial electronics. Diego Grassi has a technical background in industrial electronics and holds a university degree with a focus on economics of the information.

remains inviolable. Further protection is provided by the use of authentication and identity verification technologies and digital signatures. Identification technologies include passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs) as well as biometric mechanisms such as fingerprint recognition and voice, iris or face scanning. One disadvantage of radio-based technologies such as cellular is that they are potentially open to criminal strategies such as signal jamming. The most determined criminals are potentially able to identify the waveband being used and jam or block signals. Jamming detection mechanisms are available to avoid this problem. Cyber security is continually in the press. It’s vital that software and firmware is always updated, to prevent malicious attacks by criminals who can otherwise exploit vulnerabilities in code. Alarm systems based on cellular modules made it possible to have these updates made over the air, so-called Firmware Over the Air (FOTA), saving on time spent sending out engineers to update systems and enabling changes to be made in a timelier manner. By using cellular communication technology, surveillance systems are able to evolve resilience to newer cyber security attacks. Security Technology,

Diego Grassi, Senior Manager Market Development, u-blox

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