IRVINE, CA -- Broadcom Corporation announced that American Science and Engineering, Inc. has selected the Broadcom Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED™) Wi-Fi technology as the connectivity component for the world's first handheld Z Backscatter® imaging system. Broadcom's WICED platform provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a complete simplified implementation of wireless connectivity resulting in faster time-to-market for a broad range of Internet of Things (IoT) innovations. For more news, visit Broadcom's Newsroom or join the conversation on the WICED community site.
The evolution of the IoT is driving significant growth and opportunities in a variety of end market segments and analysts expect revenues from the burgeoning market to reach $8.9T by 20201. According to IDC, the enabler for increased growth is the pervasiveness of wireless connectivity and ubiquitous access to the Internet, regardless of location.
"The MINI Z™ system represents an entirely new class of product for the detection industry, an effective, lightweight scanner that — for the first time — enables security, customs, and public safety officials to quickly determine if threats or contraband are present in hard-to-reach environments, such as the interior of cars, aircraft and watercraft," said Joe Reiss, AS&E Vice President of Product Management. "Broadcom's WICED technology provided the complete development platform we required to get to market quickly with this ground-breaking, innovative new product."
"As the IoT ecosystem continues to evolve, we are seeing rapid adoption of our turnkey WICED technology in a number of emerging market segments including connected appliances, smart energy systems and cloud-based health and home management services," said Brian Bedrosian, Broadcom Senior Director, Wireless Connectivity. "Broadcom's implementation into the MINI Z demonstrates the wide range of applications enabled by the WICED platform."
AS&E's design and development efforts were supported by Inventek Systems, a full-service wireless solutions provider. Inventek's WICED enabled eS-WiFi (embedded serial Wi-Fi), modules and Wireless Interoperability Network (IWIN), software eases development and simplifies implementation of Wi-Fi connectivity in an array of products across a broad spectrum of end market segments.
The MINI Z handheld X-ray detection system is a portable, single-sided imaging system that can be used to scan objects in hard-to-reach areas such as unattended bags, backpacks, or packages in a subway or bus with no set up required. It uses AS&E's signature Z Backscatter technology, an advanced X-ray imaging technology that detects and highlights the organic materials that transmission X-ray systems can miss, such as plastic guns, ceramic knives, explosives, and drugs. The device provides a real-time, easy-to-interpret image of its target on a tablet screen using Z Backscatter technology and Broadcom's WICED Wi-Fi module for a wireless connection to the scanner. The MINI Z is the first portable screen implementation based on the WICED platform.
Availability
Broadcom's WICED Wi-Fi technology and Inventek's eS-WiFi modules are now available. For more information visit http://www.meetminiz.com and http://www.broadcom.com