Development kits set to make design work easier

~ Nexus GB releases new PC based development tools to help design engineers stuck at the drawing board ~

Nexus (GB), the UK partner of portable data token manufacturer Datakey Electronics, has released a family of serial development kits that provide all the necessary tools to build a simulated portable data system and test its features and benefits. The basic development kit covers the majority of Nexus’ range, whilst a specialist kit covers its NFX managed memory tokens, which act as USB style portable data carrier devices without the drawbacks of a consumer style memory product.

The kit allows Visual C++ or Visual Basic programmers to easily learn to integrate memory keys or tokens, greatly reducing research and development time and costs.

The NFX version of the development kit supports the latest release of the NFX family of tokens and includes a sample application, which illustrates how to use each of the example commands. Also new is a command line utility that allows for simplified testing and configuration of the NFX token’s unique OEM and security features.

Both kits operate with any Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 or XP PC and guide the user through a simple programming process for a variety of basic commands. Each development kit includes a panel mount and a board mount or receptacle, a key or token memory device, an RS-232 or USB connecting cable, PC demo software, sample source code, and a programmer’s reference manual. The NFX version of the development kit contains two tokens and two receptacles.

"The NFX Managed-Memory line of portable memory tokens was designed with OEMs in mind," says Michael Barrett, Nexus’ operations director. "Long-term availability, stable command set, USB or SPI interfaces, ultra-rugged and reliable operation, special OEM and security features, custom logo options —these are all qualities that OEMs require in a portable data carrier."

Both development kits provide documentation on how to develop applications for embedded and PC platforms. Because the NFX has both SPI and USB options, it can interface with an embedded microprocessor through its SPI bus and/or with a PC or embedded computer through its USB bus. This provides an effective form of data transport in applications or environments where networking is impractical or impossible.

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Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from Nexus GB, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://nexus-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml.

For further information contact:
Michael Barrett, Operations director, Nexus GB,
Rushdene House, Dodsley Grove, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9BE
Telephone: +44 (0)1730 816502
Fax: +44 (0)1730 817393
www: http://www.nexusgb.co.uk/
e-mail: michael@nexusgb.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

Blog: http://www.stone-junction.blogspot.com/

About Nexus GB: Established in 1986 Nexus GB is Datakey Electronics’ UK and Ireland exclusive distributor for portable, rugged keys and tokens containing non-volatile memory. These reliable and re-programmable items provide data transport, security, and access control solutions even in extreme environments where other methods, such as USB memory, would not survive. Furthermore, distinct from consumer-like memory solutions, they are a well established product that will not become obsolete as technology progresses. As a result, they are commonly used by design engineers working on long term projects, with more than three million units currently in UK service.

Ref: NEX034/06/09

White paper set to elucidate portable data

~ Nexus GB announces guide to using data in non-networked applications ~

Nexus (GB), the UK partner of portable data token manufacturer Datakey Electronics, has released a white paper entitled ‘Transferring Data in Non-Networked Applications’. The new release covers considerations such as data transport, choosing portable memory, functionality, environmental considerations and product life cycle.

Common applications for non networked data transfer using portable memory include manufacturing, processing, medical device design, secure communications, recipe uploads in food processing and service, unattended fuelling and cashless vending.

The white paper argues that, even though an increasing number of embedded applications are networked via wired or wireless methods, many system designers are deciding that in their new applications, data transport will be done through non-networked means. In applications where networking is not possible or practical, engineers are faced with the challenge of transferring data to and from their products through a portable data carrier – a physical device containing non-volatile memory used for data storage and transfer. The type of data that can be transferred includes firmware updates, feature enhancements, calibration data, configuration/recipe uploads, data logs, usage monitoring/limiting, and more.

“We hope this white paper will help more designers working on non-networked applications avoid expensive mistakes,” explained John Barrett, managing director of Nexus. “There are a number of options for portable data carriers available, and engineers need to be sure that what they choose is well suited for their application. Commonly used consumer-based options such as smart cards, USB flash drives and memory cards are not rugged enough for OEM applications and come with many hidden costs and risks.”

Free copies of the white paper can be obtained by e-mailing Nexus’ operations director, Michael Barrett, (michael@nexusgb.co.uk) or visiting the Nexus web site http://www.nexusgb.co.uk/downloads.html.

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Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from Nexus GB, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://nexus-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Michael Barrett, Operations director, Nexus GB,
Rushdene House, Dodsley Grove, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9BE
Telephone: +44 (0)1730 816502
Fax: +44 (0)1730 817393
www: www.nexusgb.co.uk
e-mail: michael@nexusgb.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: www.stonejunction.co.uk

About Nexus GB: Established in 1986 Nexus GB is Datakey Electronics’ UK and Ireland exclusive distributor for portable, rugged keys and tokens containing non-volatile memory. These reliable and re-programmable items provide data transport, security, and access control solutions even in extreme environments where other methods, such as USB memory, would not survive. Furthermore, distinct from consumer-like memory solutions, they are a well established product that will not become obsolete as technology progresses. As a result, they are commonly used by design engineers working on long term projects, with more than three million units currently in UK service.

Ref: NEX034/06/09

OEMs set to save space with externally mounted rugged portable memory

Rugged memory tokens and keys

~ No need to give up panel space or interior volume with Bar series memory keys and tokens ~
Nexus GB has released the Datakey Electronics Bar Series of rugged, portable memory products, consisting of memory tokens and mating receptacles. The Bar series receptacle features an on surface mounting system, which allows Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to add a portable data carrier to their product without giving up large amounts of panel space or interior volume. The series also features an IP-67 immersion rating and is designed to meet the requirements of the most demanding military and industrial applications.

The unique on-surface mounting style minimises the amount of interior space required, as only the receptacle's pins extend inside the OEM device. Also, the Bar Receptacle has a small footprint of only 5.3 cm2. The receptacle is secured using two screws and an adhesive gasket, which also contributes to the Bar's IP-67 rating and provides a tamper-evident installation.

While originally designed to meet the requirements of tactical military applications like Crypto Ignition Keys (CIKs), the Bar can also be used in other harsh environment applications, such as: machine access control, calibration & parameter uploads, feature enable/disable, and data transfer.

Designed for use in the most challenging environments, the Bar series meets United States Department of Defence MIL-STD-810F specifications, including: shock, vibration, immersion, salt-fog, blowing dust, blowing sand, freezing rain and more. This is extremely useful for OEMs selling into the military as well as into commercial applications that have chosen to implement this influential standard.

The Bar has an operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C (-40°C to +100°C storage) and has ESD (Electro Static Discharge) protection to greater than 15kV. Also, both the Bar token and receptacle are designed to minimise electromagnetic emissions, which is important in many military applications.

The Bar provides an intuitive slide-in/slide-out operation and features an open design for easy in-field cleaning, an important feature for tactical devices. The Bar token and receptacle have physical features to ensure that the token can only be inserted in the proper orientation, allowing for “by-feel” operation in the dark. The receptacle features a retention pin that provides tactile feedback when the token is fully inserted, and also helps keep the Token firmly in place during operation - standing up to the most demanding shock and vibration requirements.

Both the Bar memory token and the Bar receptacle use solid over moulded construction, making them extremely rugged and durable. The token uses industry standard serial EEPROM with SPI, I2C and Microwire serial interface options and memory sizes ranging from 1Kbit to 256Kbit. Additionally, the Bar token features a writeable label and is small enough to be carried in a pocket or placed on a keychain or lanyard.

Unlike consumer memory solutions, such as SD cards and USB flash drives, the Bar series memory tokens have a high mating cycle-life (25,000-cycles for the receptacle and 15,000 cycles for the token), are sold only to OEMs, and have long-term product availability. Free token and receptacle samples are available to UK customers from Nexus GB.

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Editor’s note: This press release is available from Nexus's Virtual Press Office: www.nexus-pr.blogspot.com. If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from Nexus GB, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://nexus-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml.

For further information contact:
Victoria Barrett, Marketing and PR director, Nexus GB,
Rushdene House, Dodsley Grove, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9BE
Telephone: +44 (0)1730 816502
Fax: +44 (0)1730 817393
www: www.nexusgb.co.uk 
e-mail: victoria@nexusgb.co.uk 

Press enquiries: Oana Baetica or Richard Stone
Stone Junction Ltd, Business Innovation Centre
Staffordshire Technology Park, Beaconside
Stafford, Staffordshire, ST18 0AR
Telephone: +44 (0) 1785 225416
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk; oana@stonejunction.co.uk 
www: www.stonejunction.co.uk 
Blog: www.stone-junction.blogspot.com

About Nexus GB: Established in 1986 Nexus GB is Datakey Electronics’ UK and Ireland exclusive distributor for portable, rugged keys and tokens containing non-volatile memory. These reliable and re-programmable items provide data transport, security, and access control solutions even in extreme environments where other methods, such as USB memory, would not survive. Furthermore, distinct from consumer-like memory solutions, they are a well established product that will not become obsolete as technology progresses. As a result, they are commonly used by design engineers working on long term projects, with more than three million units currently in UK service.

Editor’s note: This press release is available from Nexus's Virtual Press Office: www.nexus-pr.blogspot.com. If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from Nexus GB, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://nexus-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml.

Ref: NEX037/01/10