CA Engineering
Pushing Boundaries in IoT and Wireless Tech

CA Engineering (CAE) is an industry-leading wireless technology firm with expertise in developing and integrating specialized wireless technology solutions. Founded in 1995, the company focuses on wireless consulting and design with associated hardware and software. CAE is known for creating the world’s first Microsoft Azure Sphere-embedded sensor platform, called Anode. The company has a history of firsts, including being the first Qualcomm-authorized design center, technological breakthroughs in wireless power management, and developing innovative wireless solutions for Fortune 100 companies worldwide.

CAE specializes in helping clients broaden the functional scope of their products with the power of wireless IoT. The company expertly manages all aspects of wireless projects, including hardware design, embedded software development and integration, manufacturing testing, and assisting clients in the deployment of IoT solutions. The company also holds special expertise in developing, managing, and customizing backends for IoT data.

CAE’s president, Howard Gee, explains that the CAE engineering team created a “greenfield” design for its sensor platform, completing, all in-house, its development, integration, manufacturing, and functional testing, all without using an “existing module.” This year, the company has continued its investment in this area, expanding its reach into the broader Azure ecosystem, by developing an Azure data repository/ backend that securely stores, manages and allows for the visualization of data from Azure Sphere (and other) devices, and can be highly customized, depending on a client’s specific use case.

CAE recognizes Azure Sphere as the perfect technology for growing its wireless technology expertise. Azure Sphere’s cloud-based security and cross-over MCU enables device/appliance manufacturers to set up and maintain secure IoT networks that can be updated, monitored, and controlled remotely. With Azure Sphere, CAE has created an exceptional high-end user experience while implementing a more secure route for sending data from devices to the backend and vice versa.

In addition to its Azure Sphere sensor platform, CAE has designed, manufactured, tested and obtained regulatory certification for a standalone Azure Sphere module that a reputed home appliances manufacturer has integrated directly into over 25 different appliances. This custom module obtains data from the appliance control boards and pushes it to an Azure backend database. The module performs specific functions, such as sending commands for turning on or off oven lights, setting the temperature in refrigerators, starting or stopping dishwashers, and, most importantly, receiving and implementing firmware updates to the appliances. CAE quickly developed a module that could easily be loaded on the appliances, interface with a user-facing application, and send confirmations back to the manufacturer. For the past seven months, the client has integrated this module into the vast majority of the products they have manufactured.

We will continue to stay current with Microsoft's evolution, in developing Microsoft-based technologies, and in broadening our experience in implementing those technologies in real-world settings for the betterment of our customers' businesses

Scripting many such success stories and having carved a niche in the IoT space, CAE is planning to make the best use of the developments in Microsoft's Azure Sphere technology.

"We will continue to stay current with Microsoft's evolution, in developing Microsoft-based technologies, and in broadening our experience in implementing those technologies in real-world settings for the betterment of our customers' businesses," says Gee.