Radiocrafts Introduces New Multi-Channel RF Module

Radiocrafts AS has expanded its product line with a completely new module series, the low cost high performance RC11x0. This is a multi-channel RF transceiver with embedded protocol, breaking the USD 10 limit in volume. The series includes models for use in the license free ISM bands at 433, 868 and 915 MHz. The new modules have numerous applications in M2M communication, sensor and control networks.

The module is a complete RF system solution with a multi-channel FSK radio transceiver and a packet protocol handler with an easy-to-use UART interface. The embedded RC232 protocol provides a point-to-multipoint solution with individual addressing or broadcast, and CRC check for signal integrity. The module can also be used as a wireless RS232 / RS485 cable replacement.

The compact RC11x0-RC232 module makes up a complete RF modem in one single tiny package, replacing tens of components compared to a discrete design. No external components are required, except an antenna. The modules are delivered on tape and reel for efficient volume production. It’s small size and low power consumption makes it ideal for integration into size constrained battery operated equipment.

The ISM bands are used and shared by more and more applications, putting higher demands on the co-existence of radio systems. Due to cost reasons ASK systems have been preferred in the low cost segment, but these are more subject to interference. The new RC11x0 series from Radiocrafts offers a high performance solution based on robust FSK modulation, and outstanding selectivity and blocking properties. By combining state-of-the-art RF technology, and a streamlined module assembly and test production line, the new module series offers a unique combination of performance and price.

The RC1140 (433 MHz) and RC1180 (868 MHz) modules are pre-certified for operation under the European radio regulations for license-free use. When used with quarter-wave antennas a line-of-sight range of 1200 and 600 meters, respectively, can be achieved. The RC1190 (915 MHz) is designed for operation under the FCC regulations.

AirMagnet Enterprise 8.1 Offers Comprehensive Wireless Rogue Tracing and Containment

AirMagnet Inc. has released its AirMagnet Enterprise 8.1, an independent WLAN security and monitoring solution. The new product allows users to trace and block rogue devices that are physically connected to an enterprise network faster and reliably.

Unlike solutions that rely on singular, limited tracing mechanisms, AirMagnet Enterprise 8.1 coordinates complimentary tracing techniques leveraging AirMagnet’s intelligent sensors to perform local tracing of the sensor’s immediate environment, as well as global, centralized tracing performed by the AirMagnet server. Information is shared between the intelligent sensors and server to build a global view of the network, automatically learning from previous discoveries and traces.

The ability to identify unapproved devices that are physically connected to an organization’s WLAN infrastructure is a critical feature for any WIDS/WIPS solution. Traditionally, tracing could have variable success depending on the techniques used. Some techniques require manually defining all switches in the environment, while others may fail due to an inability to trace across subnets. However, with AirMagnet Enterprise 8.1, it is now possible to leverage multiple tracing mechanisms. This includes the ability to trace centrally or distributed, to trace over the wire or wirelessly over the air, and also to trace manually or automatically based on policy. As the only solution to include all of these mechanisms, AirMagnet Enterprise delivers significant industry improvements in terms of tracing reliability and speed.

"Rogues are still a serious threat to enterprise wireless networks. The sooner the rogues can be identified, the less trouble they can cause," said Stan Schatt, vice president and wireless LAN research director, ABI Research. "It makes sense to me to use both sensor and server information to speed up the rogue identification process and AirMagnet's Enterprise 8.1 uses precisely that approach."

Phihong Creates High-Power Midspan and Splitter to Enable a New Class of POE Solutions

Phihong USA has created a 60 W midspan and 45 W DC-DC high-power splitter to support high-power wireless access points and thin client terminals. The POE60U-560G midspan is designed to power wireless access point arrays and thin client computer terminals that require up to 52 watts of low voltage DC power.

The POE45-120 is a gigabit-compatible splitter that divides the power and data and converts from the PoE source to a regulated low voltage DC power source that can be mounted adjacent to an ethernet device. Designed to meet the latest specifications of the proposed IEEE802.3at standard wire current ratings and detection, the midspan and splitter are well suited for powering multi-radio access point arrays in business and educational environments and thin client terminals for call centers and kiosk applications.

Available in a non-vented case with 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, and 1000BASE-T data rates and a UNH IOL test report, the POE45-120 Power-over-Ethernet splitter works with 100 meter cat5 or better cable and has an LED to indicate it has power. It also provides isolated DC-DC to step down the voltage for input into a conventional external power supply socket. The device has full OCP, and OVP-protection. Output voltage is 12 V, and the splitter is isolated from the PoE source by 1,500 Vac. The POE45-120 meets UL LPS and SELV output requirements.

DC output no-load voltage for the one-port midspan is 56 V with accurate overload detection.  The outputs are equipped with short circuit and overload protection, and the output can be shorted permanently without damage. The voltage range of the AC is 90 VAC to 264 VAC, and AC input frequency from 47 Hz to 63 Hz.

Digi Releases Mesh Networking Protocol Optimized for Battery Powered Networks

Digi International has introduced its DigiMesh on 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz XBee embedded RF modules.  DigiMesh is a peer-to-peer mesh networking protocol optimized for battery powered networks that simplifies mesh networks while providing features such as sleeping routers and support for dense networks.  It will be offered in addition to existing XBee point-to-multipoint and ZigBee mesh networking solutions as part of Digi's comprehensive Drop-in
Networking product line.  

DigiMesh is a peer-to-peer mesh protocol that can be deployed on a variety of Digi products.  In other mesh architectures, devices are often divided into a parent-child relationship of parent routers, which provide traffic cop functions, and end devices such as sensors. These routers often cannot be put into a sleeping state and therefore must be plugged into a power source. 

With DigiMesh there is no parent-child architecture. All devices can be put into a sleeping state to conserve power and all can simultaneously be a router and end device. This is especially critical for situations where sensors or devices being managed are far from a sustainable power source and require the use of battery and/or power-harvesting technology. This one device type architecture also simplifies application development and deployment while improving scalability.

Telular Acquires SupplyNet Communications

Telular Corp. has completed the acquisition of SupplyNet Communications, a supplier of wireless tank-level monitoring services. SupplyNet Communications provides private label and branded tank monitoring solutions for large petroleum logistics and chemical companies. SupplyNet’s automatic replenishment (ARP) infrastructure enables the wireless monitoring of vital inventory information allowing companies to manage costs while optimizing cash flow with just-in-time delivery. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Telular will initially pay approximately $3 million in cash at closing.  During 2009, the company expects to generate nearly $6 million in revenues from SupplyNet Communications.  As part of the acquisition, John G. Crump, president and founder of SupplyNet, will join Telular’s management team as VP, M2M sales and services.   

“The acquisition of SupplyNet is consistent with our strategy to expand Telular’s portfolio of solutions into emerging markets with significant growth potential and recurring revenue streams,” said Joseph Beatty, president and CEO, Telular Corp.  “By combining both our technology and experience, we will be able to introduce wireless ARP solutions to new industrial markets.  This acquisition will diversify our revenue stream beyond the security space and into a relatively underpenetrated and burgeoning market.”

“The acquisition by Telular is an important step in our commitment to providing reliable and economical tank monitoring services,” said Mr. Crump. “I am very excited to join the Telular team and look forward to helping grow their M2M business.”

GreenPeak Expands its Sales, Support and Integrator Network in the USA

GreenPeak Technologies has signed up a network of sales representatives and system integrators for its quickly growing US customer base. GreenPeak’s chips and modules are based on the IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee wireless networking standard, and can utilize energy harvesting to facilitate battery-free operation in a totally wireless environment, without the need for either communication or power cables.

GreenPeak is pleased to welcome five new organizations to provide regional support to customers and to meet the increasingly sophisticated customer needs. The companies added to the growing team of GreenPeak’s sales partners are Cain White, EG Holmes and Assoc., Theta-J, TL Marketing and WaveSpace.

In addition, GreenPeak has added four new system integrators to provide specialist services to customers who are using 802.15.4 wireless technology for their applications. AISD Inc, Digital AV, LS Research, Software Technologies Group and Talon Communications were chosen by GreenPeak to cover customer needs in low power, mesh-network and wireless applications.

Hear GreenPeak Speak at the Remote 2008 Conference and Expo!
Topic: Wireless Sensors Networks Enable Remote Monitoring with no Network Wiring or Power Supplies
Learn more at www.RemoteExpo.com

Emerson is the First of Many to Begin Shipping WirelessHART

Acknowledging the importance of broad multi-vendor availability, Emerson Process Management is one of the first suppliers to begin shipping open interoperable WirelessHART standard products.  Just as its wireless technology has opened a new era for industrial process automation, standardization will support broad adoption.

“We are thrilled that our Smart Wireless products are first to ship with the new WirelessHART standard built in,” said John Berra, president of Emerson Process Management.  “We’re also excited that customers will have a growing range of WirelessHART applications from the industry-wide member companies of the Hart Communications Foundation that approved the standard in September2007.”

Emerson has begun shipping WirelessHART products from its Smart Wireless range of pressure, flow, level, temperature, vibration, pH, and discrete transmitters and gateways, AMS Suite predictive maintenance and Wireless SNAP-ON software, 375 Field Communicator, and native wireless interface of DeltaV and Ovation digital systems.  The continuous stream of future new products from Emerson will also use the standard, including the soon-to-be-released valve position transmitter, and Smart Wireless THUM Adapter that will unleash stranded diagnostics in legacy devices.

According to Berra, HART 7 wired and wireless technologies will coexist in plants.  Wired solutions will continue to dominate safety and critical control applications.  Early applications of WirelessHART include easy and quick upgrades of existing facilities to monitor variables previously out of reach economically or physically. The wireless applications are expanding to include non-critical closed loop control or open loop control with humans in the loop. 

Learn about HART at the Remote 2008 Conference and Expo
Topic: Smart Sensors and Wireless Opportunities from the HART Foundation
Learn more at www.RemoteExpo.com

MeshNetics Wins Frost & Sullivan Award for Its ZigBee Product Line Strategy

MeshNetics has won the 2008 North American Wireless Sensors Product Line Strategy of the Year Award from Frost & Sullivan. With this award, Frost & Sullivan recognized MeshNetics’ introduction of the world’s first 900 MHz ZigBee PRO platform, complementing its line of 2.4 GHz ZigBee RF modules.

“ZigBee modules from MeshNetics have set a groundbreaking new standard by shrinking size, expanding operating range and extending battery life,” said Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst V Sankaranarayanan. “In both ZigBit Amp and ZigBit 900 module, MeshNetics has enhanced the performance and reduced the size of the product. Its ZigBee modules provide best-in-class range while minimizing power consumption. As a result, OEMs and system integrators are now turning to MeshNetics as the prime source to ZigBee-enable their products.”

“We are honored to accept this award from the world’s leading analysts,” said Alexey Rybakov, managing director, MeshNetics’ ZigBit Business Unit. “Our goal was to become a ZigBee House of choice for OEMs and system integrators by providing them with the ultimate selection of the ZigBee-enabling components for their wireless products and solutions. Now we are proud to offer both hardware components and embedded software for 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz bands, along with comprehensive engineering support. This award comes as an important acknowledgment that we are on the right track.”

Ctek Selects Kyocera 300 Module for Z4100 Wireless Router

Wireless Sessions Highlight Remote 2008 Conference Program

The Remote 2008 Conference and Expo will host numerous educational sessions covering the emergence of wireless technology in the industrial and remote markets. Don’t miss your chance to attend this industry leading event!

Wireless Sessions Include:

• Wireless Communications…. So Many Decisions – A Panel Discussion
  
• Intelligent Infrastructure Deployment Using WiFi Technology – Burbank Water & Power
  
• The ISA100 Standard - Characteristics and Benefits of the Standard, Latest Developments, and Progress – AirSprite Technologies
  
• Technical Network Security Assessments:  Understanding Your Vulnerabilities – Wurldtech security Technologies
  
• The Best Practices to Deploy a Reliable Microwave Network – Communication Infrastructure Corp.
  
• Wireless Mesh for Industrial and Security Applications – Fluidmesh
  
• Turning the Corner with M2M: The Evolution of Wireless for Remote Monitoring and Control – KORE Telematics
  
• Wireless Sensors Networks Enable Remote Monitoring with no Network Wiring or Power Supplies – Greenpeak
  
• Achieving Great Profits from Remote Management in the Industrial Environment – Combrio, Inc.
  
• Ensuring Constant Connectivity and Secure Access to Remote Locations – Uplogix
  
• Smart Sensors and Wireless Opportunities – HART Foundation
  
• When in Roaming: No longer do as the "Roamers Do" – Telular Corp.
  
• Advancements in Chip Technology Make Low Power WiFi a Reality – Point Six Wireless
  
• Reducing Costs and Increasing Efficiency Through Analog to Digital Migration – Sierra Wireless
  
• Incorporating Wireless Measurements with Wired Data Acquisition Systems – National Instruments