Arizona-based Avnet has launched a development kit to enable proof-of-concept designs for edge-to-cloud IoT applications that require secure communications.

The HoriZone RA is available in the Americas and powered by microcontrollers from Japanese firm Renesas for secure IoT endpoints and edge devices. The easy-to-use kit delivers security features for RCES resource constrained embedded systems connected to Avnet’s IoT Connect platform based on Microsoft Azure cloud.

As a turnkey multi-sensor offering, the development kit is scalable and provides a seamless path from proof-of-concept to project through to deployment, including all the required building blocks. The kit includes sensors for humidity, temperature, ambient light, air quality and air pressure, plus microphone, digital accelerometer, digital gyroscope, and inductive proximity sensor for positioning information.

The board integrates several components from Renesas, including the RA6M3 microcontroller, which is suitable for IoT applications that require TFT, Ethernet, security, large embedded RAM, and USB High Speed. Also included are the ISL88014 voltage supervisor and ISL80102 synchronous boost converter for power management.

“Our RA family of microcontrollers delivers on performance with all the advanced security capabilities and features needed for IoT applications,” said Roger Wendelken, senior vice president of Renesas. “These include our secure crypto engine IP with Nist’s cryptographic algorithm validation programme certifications, Arm TrustZone for Arm v8-M, and tamper detection.”

Out of the box, engineers can start developing IoT endpoint and edge devices for a broad range of applications, including industrial and building automation, metering, healthcare, and home appliances.

The IoT Connect platform is cloud based and scalable to address common industry needs. With a standardised way to harness IoT, designers can quickly build smart apps on the platform, extending capabilities and supporting best practices and data-driven decision-making. By leveraging Microsoft’s enterprise-grade, secure Azure hybrid cloud computing service, the platform enables seamless distribution and analysis of data across cloud and on-premise systems.

“IoT devices are complex and, with shortening project timelines, Avnet’s IoT Connect platform allows for simpler and faster realisation of time to value for deployments,” said Lou Lutostanski, vice president at Avnet. “By utilising the HoriZone RA kit, designers have all the necessary building blocks for a ready-made and highly scalable solution for developing new IoT use cases quickly.”