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Murata, VitaNet to Automate Secure IoT Pairing and Authentication on BLE

Sept. 10, 2020

Murata’s BLE module and VitaNet’s middleware makes it easier to convert industrial components into secure IoT devices.

Murata’s MBN52832 embedded Bluetooth module now features compatibility with VitaNet Suite, the secure IoT platform from VitaNet. The result is claimed as the world’s first solution for the automatic identification and authentication of Bluetooth Low Energy, (BLE), IoT devices.

The addition of VitaNet’s middleware into the MBN52832 will give BLE IoT device manufacturers easy access to the conversion of industrial components into secure IoT devices, enabling functionality such as remote status monitoring and automated data collection. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, the reduction of manual intervention is critical, making cloud-based, remote, and secure control of industrial equipment more important than ever.

The MBN52832-VitaNet solution is based on the attachment of a QR code containing device information on pumps, motors, and other industrial components, which eliminates the need for the LCD panel or operation buttons previously required for Bluetooth operation. A VitaNet authentication key request is required only once, at system initialization, with cached VitaNet authentication key information used during subsequent operation. This is said to be the first time in the industry that security and pairing have been automated and integrated with AES-128 packet encryption supported by the Bluetooth standard.

Incorporating the Murata module allows encrypted two-way communication with IoT devices to be performed from a cloud server, enabling secure remote control and management of large numbers of IoT devices, including alive monitoring, automatic data collection, and other operational tasks.

VitaNet Suite is a platform service consisting of middleware that runs on each gateway and IoT device together with protocol conversion support from the cloud. VitaNet's patented technology converts protocols between IP networks and non-IP Bluetooth, enabling the connection of hundreds of IoT devices with secure two-way encrypted communication via a single gateway for the first time ever.

The MBN52832 Bluetooth Low Energy module enables ultra-low power connectivity for data communications. It integrates a Nordic Bluetooth Low Energy IC, RF front end, and crystal into a very small form factor. A built-in Arm Cortex M4 core with 64 kB of RAM and 512 kB of flash provides a high-performance engine and rich interface for a variety of IoT applications, including medical and healthcare, and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications.

Murata, wireless.murata.com; VitaNet, vita.net

About the Author

David Maliniak | Executive Editor, Microwaves & RF

I am Executive Editor of Microwaves & RF, an all-digital publication that broadly covers all aspects of wireless communications. More particularly, we're keeping a close eye on technologies in the consumer-oriented 5G, 6G, IoT, M2M, and V2X markets, in which much of the wireless market's growth will occur in this decade and beyond. I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, developers, and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.

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In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy, leaving to rejoin the EOEM B2B publishing world in January 2020. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.