Microchip Technology Introduces 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 FCC-Certified Radio Frequency Transceiver Module
Microchip Technology Inc. has released the MRF24J40MA FCC-certified Radio-Frequency (RF) transceiver module. The new module services the 2.4 GHz unlicensed industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) short-range wireless frequency band for the IEEE 802.15.4 specification, for ZigBee or proprietary wireless-protocol systems. It includes discrete biasing components and an integrated PCB antenna to be used in sensor and control network environments. The module is fully regulatory-agency certified for the US (FCC), Canada (IC) and Europe (ETSI).
Providing a complete short-range IEEE 802.15.4 wireless networking solution, the MRF24J40MA transceiver module is surface mountable and can be used with hundreds of 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit PIC microcontrollers (MCUs). The module is supported by Microchip’s PICDEM Z demo kit and the ZENA wireless network analyzer; as well as Microchip’s ZigBee, MiWi and MiWi P2P software-protocol stacks. When combined with these development tools, the module enables designers with little or no RF design experience to design low-power wireless networking products quickly and inexpensively.
A variety of wireless networking applications are appropriate for the MRF24J40MA module, such as industrial monitoring and control, building automation, remote control, low-power wireless sensor networks, lighting control and automated meter reading.
Designers looking to incorporate the MRF24J40MA transceiver module into their designs can do so using the PICDEM Z 2.4 GHz Demonstration Kit. The kit includes a pair of development boards with a PIC18LF4620 MCU, along with the ZENA network analyzer and wireless network configuration utility. Designers can also download any of Microchip’s free ZigBee, MiWi and MiWi P2P protocol stacks from its online Wireless Design Center.
Agilent Technologies Introduces Multiformat WiMAX(tm)/WLAN Test and WiMAX Chipset Software
Agilent Technologies, Inc. has shipped the first in a series of planned software products based on the Sequans SQN1130 chipset for WiMAX mobile stations. Designed for use with the Agilent N8300A wireless networking test set, the N7300 series chipset software provides control, calibration and test of WiMAX devices and modules.
Agilent's N7300 series chipset software provides quick and easy optimization of WiMAX device testing, plus a simple and reliable setup for fast, accurate and repeatable measurements. The series' first product, the N7302A chipset software, provides the fastest time-to-market, enabling users to get their products to market ahead of the competition. It is well suited for Mobile WiMAX chipset manufacturers, as well as manufacturing engineers and managers involved with parametric testing of WiMAX mobile stations, customer premise equipment and modules.
The N6302A WLAN measurement application runs on Agilent's N8300A test set and is designed to ensure fast and accurate analysis of 802.11b, g WLAN signals. Together, the WLAN measurement application and N8300A test set form a complete one-box transmitter and receiver test solution for WLAN devices. The WLAN Measurement Application builds on the existing WiMAX capabilities of the N8300 test set to create a true, multiformat test solution, maximizing the user's asset utilization for WiMAX/WLAN test.
The Agilent N8300A wireless networking test set is a one-box RF parametric test set for manufacturing and design engineers who need a standard-compliant 802.16d or 16e physical layer test tool for fixed and Mobile WiMAX, as well as 802.11b, g wireless LAN Tx and Rx applications. Based on an architecture comprising an integrated Vector Signal Analyzer and Vector Signal Generator, the N8300A provides a graphical user interface, SCPI interface and consistency of software and measurements with WiMAX R&D test tools.
GreenPeak Launches the Emerald GP500C Communications Controller
GreenPeak Technologies has released the Emerald GP500C communications controller chip for ultra low power wireless sensor networks. The Emerald GP500C is the only IEEE 802.15.4 standard compliant chip available today with extreme low power features that enable energy harvesting solutions for wireless sensor networks. GP500C-driven networks powered by energy harvesting for maintenance-free operation.
The Emerald GP500C is a standards compliant communications controller that incorporates a transceiver with a fully integrated communications layer and an on-chip energy manager. Unlike other solutions on the market, the Emerald GP500C device is an "autonomous transceiver" able to drive and control the data communication instead of being driven by a microcontroller. By greatly reducing energy consumption, this architectural concept enables end nodes to run on energy harvesting devices and to be truly wireless, free of power cords and free of batteries
GreenPeak's radio creates reliable communication over an indoor range of 30 to 50 m or 100 to 150 ft., because it utilizes embedded hardware based antenna diversity that reduces dead spots. Furthermore, the Emerald includes other link reliability features such as message-over-message enabling, excellent sensitivity, a robust signal processing engine and interference detection and avoidance mechanisms.
The Emerald GP500C only consumes a fraction (10 to 25 percent) of the energy of traditional microcontroller based designs, depending on the usage profile, by using a lower peak current, an ultra low leakage current and very short transmission times via just-in-time transmission scheduling. The low energy consumption allows developers to build sensor systems with a peak current of about 20 mA and a system sleep mode of below 100 nA without compromising the network reliability.
The Emerald GP500C is delivered with a reference design and development kit that allows OEMs to build their own communication modules and applications. The unit will also support a wide range of software stacks that can run on different processors including ZigBee Pro as well as low power routing, low power sensing, a micro stack and other application-dedicated low power protocols. In addition, since the GP500C is an integrated solution, all key functions and features are integrated and minimal external components are required.
Millennial Net Release Wireless Energy Conservation Solution for Commercial and Industrial HVAC Environments
Millennial Net has expanded its wireless energy management solutions portfolio. The MeshScape Wi-Stat II is intended for use in commercial, industrial and municipal multi-zone HVAC environments to enable greater energy-policy compliance, multi-site remote monitoring and control, and usage analysis.
Complex buildings environments have a common need for regular and ad-hoc environmental occupancy patterns. Energy conservation is achieved by aligning HVAC operation with set points that closely match occupancy comfort requirements and can incorporate multiple external sensors and control actuators to integrate other factors such as external temperature and peak energy demand. Such users will find the Wi-Stat II as an alternative to programmable and network thermostat alternatives.
Designed for easy retrofit to existing HVAC infrastructure (single, multi-stage or heat-pump) without disruptive and expensive rewiring, the Wi-Stat II replaces an existing analog, digital and/or pneumatic thermostat. It connects to existing HVAC wires to harvest power. This second generation product joins a growing family of devices based on Millennial Net's MeshScape wireless sensor network technology, utilizing standard 802.15.4 unlicensed radio band, and introduces three major innovations to reduce the cost and disruption of existing facilities requiring immediate energy conservation.
The Wi-Stat II operates bi-directionally within the wireless sensor network to take intelligent control action. This provides local autonomy and robustness from disruptions in external communications. The unit is also the only thermostat replacement to provide 802.15.4 wireless communications for buildings with pneumatic interfaces for HVAC controls, and provides a migration path to future elimination of pneumatics, if desired.
Wi-StatII is available in three options: pre-integrated with a Honeywell 5130 thermostat as the local user interface; ready to be integrated to a user-supplied conventional thermostat; and to be operated without an integrated thermostat.
Connect One Mini Socket iWiFi Enables Secure WiFi Connectivity for IP Based M2M Devices 
Connect One has released its Mini Socket iWiFi, an embedded serial-to-WiFi module that connects embedded devices running machine-to-machine (M2M) applications to 802.11b/g wireless LANs with minimal programming. Mini Socket iWiFi’s compact size, battery save modes and advanced roaming features make it well suited for mobile M2M devices.
Based on Connect One’s iChipSec CO2128 Internet Protocol (IP) communication controller chip, Mini Socket iWiFi includes a full suite of Internet protocols and applications, enabling immediate and full–featured connectivity for embedded solutions. Mini Socket iWiFi includes the latest wireless and SSL encryption algorithms and serves as a firewall, protecting the embedded application from the Internet.
The Mini Socket iWiFi’s compact size (31by 41 mm with the antenna connector integrated onto the module) and advanced features makes it well suited for battery-operated embedded devices. To facilitate mobility, Mini Socket iWiFi supports seamless roaming between access points. With several sleep modes and the ability for the host application to turn off WLAN, power requirements are kept to a minimum. In deep sleep mode, the Mini Socket WiFi’s power consumption is only 30 micro-amperes, allowing battery operated devices to use the module for extremely long periods of time.
Connect One can effectively and quickly WiFi-enable non-PC devices that use any kind of embedded real-time operating system. Designers do not need to significantly reprogram their applications to connect WLAN using the Mini Socket iWiFi. Driven by simple text commands, Connect One’s Mini Socket iWiFi offloads the WiFi drivers, WPA supplicant, Internet security, networking protocols and all communication tasks from the host application.
This frees up host processing time and simplifies the wireless design process. As a coprocessor with remotely updateable firmware, new security or connectivity protocols do not require application redesign, increased memory or faster processor speed to meet future wireless demands.
Mini Socket iWiFi supports 10 simultaneous TCP/UDP sockets, two listening TCP sockets, SMTP, MIME, POP3, FTP, Telnet and HTTP/HTTPS clients, an embedded Web server with a website for the host application and one for configuring the module, and SerialNet mode for serial-to-IP bridging. Mini Socket iWiFi also supports 64/128-bit WEP, WPA1 and WPA2 encryption, AES-128/256, SHA-128/192/256, 3DESm the SSL3/TLS1 protocol for a secure client socket session and a secure FTP session. The module operates at an industrial temperature range of -40° to 85° C (-40° to 185° F) and is RoHS-compliant.
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ISA100 Standards Committee Forms WirelessHART Convergence Subcommittee
ISA100 standards committee on wireless systems for automation has created a new subcommittee to address options for convergence of the ISA100.11a and WirelessHART standards. This initiative is a key step in the mission of the ISA100 committee to develop a family of universal industrial wireless standards designed to satisfy the needs of end users across a variety of applications.
The subcommittee will contrast and compare the technology within the ISA100.11a and WirelessHART standards, building on the experiences gained with industrial applications of both standards, with an ultimate goal of merging the best of both standards into a single converged subsequent release of the ISA standard.
“This is an important development for industry since it furthers the mission of ISA100 to embrace relevant industrial wireless standards and serves the expressed needs of the end user community,” said Paul Sereiko of Airsprite, who has been invited, along with Dick Caro of CMC Associates, to serve as co-chairs of the new subcommittee.
“On behalf of end users, I believe I can safely state that our ultimate goal is to have a single industry standard for process applications. We are pleased that a path is developing to achieve that goal and that interim steps for achieving interoperable practical experience with both standards have been identified,“ said ISA100 End User Working Group co-chair Jim Reizner of Procter and Gamble who led a team of end users, including Pat Schweitzer of ExxonMobil, Herman Storey of Shell Global Solutions, and others, which stimulated the formation of the subcommittee.
An early activity of the ISA100 WirelessHART Convergence Subcommittee is to prepare the WirelessHART standard in an ISA standard format by the end of July to facilitate the evaluations.
“We look forward to the prospects of evaluating WirelessHART for convergence within ISA100 and remain committed to the timely approval of the ISA100.11a standard in 2008,” said Jose Gutierrez of Emerson Electric Company.
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Siemens Wireless Modules Becomes Independent Firm: Cinterion Wireless Modules
Cinterion Wireless Modules is the new company that emerged from Siemens’ Wireless Modules business. The Siemens division, which specializes in producing wireless communications modules for use in the M2M sector, was taken over by a group of investors led by the private equity firm Granville Baird as part of a buyout. According to a Gartner survey of June 2008, Cinterion Wireless Modules holds a 34 percent share of the market.
Supported by its new industry-experienced owners, including the T-Mobile Venture Fund and the management, Cinterion Wireless Modules will continue the successful growth strategy. The new company will drive its well-known differentiators of innovation, high quality, reliability, and direct global customer touch.
“Cinterion Wireless Modules is in the pole-position to actively shape the fast-growing M2M market,” said Norbert Muhrer, CEO, Cinterion. “Thanks to our new independence, we will now add two more strong points that are of crucial importance for the business, flexibility and speed. And that is on top of our traditional strengths, such as an innovative portfolio, a farsighted road map, and first-class international customer support.”
Cinterion Wireless Modules will expand its position in the M2M market even further. The enterprise will be focusing further on new vertical and regional markets, on launching new technologies in the 3.5 G and 4 G arena, and on intensifying its solutions business, known as M2M One.
Axeda and Digi International Partner for Wireless Remote Product Service
Axeda Corp. and Digi International have partnered to provide an end-to-end solution for connecting and remotely servicing intelligent devices where wireline infrastructure is unavailable or cost prohibitive. With this partnership, Axeda and Digi combine Digi Drop-in Networking components with the Axeda remote service platform to enable manufacturers and service providers to reduce service costs by actively managing mobile and isolated assets.
“There is a universe of devices that cannot be easily connected for cost-effective remote service,” said Dale Calder, president and CEO, Axeda. “With this partnership, Axeda and Digi have radically simplified the process of connecting mobile and isolated assets to the enterprise, delivering Axeda ServiceLink remote service capabilities to these systems.”
Together, Axeda and Digi will expand the base of customers that can now take advantage of the inherent benefits of secure remote service benefits that include increased revenue through product differentiation and higher value service contracts, all delivered at lower cost.
Digi Drop-in Networking solutions include ZigBee/802.15.4 wireless mesh gateways, adapters, modules, extenders, and environmental sensors, as well as RF-based serial and Ethernet cable replacement products. These products can be used to connect or network-enable electronic devices and sensors where no wired networking infrastructure exists, where access to an existing network is prohibited or when laying cable is impractical or cost prohibitive.
AirMagnet Teams with ProCurve to Offer WLAN Diagnostic Tools to Channel Partners
AirMagnet Inc. has become a solution provider in the ProCurve Alliance Program. This alliance will deliver WLAN troubleshooting, diagnostic and monitoring tools to ProCurve Channel Partners at discounted prices.
“AirMagnet’s solutions will enable ProCurve Channel Partners to enhance security, performance and reliability of their customer’s wireless infrastructure, while simplifying and addressing compliance with regulatory requirements and network policy,” said Andy Bryant, ProCurve global business develop manager. “We’re excited about the extra capabilities this alliance brings to our channel partners.”
Together, ProCurve and AirMagnet are offering ProCurve Channel Partners an exclusive bundle of AirMagnet products at a discounted price. This bundle consists of easy-to-use software tools that when combined with training, will allow partners to effectively plan, deploy, monitor and troubleshoot wireless networks. The exclusive bundle is made up of the following industry award-winning tools, AirMagnet Survey Pro, AirMagnet Planner and the AirMagent Laptop Analyzer Pro.
Uplogix Receives $10 Million in Additional Funding
Uplogix has received $10 million in funding from a group of new and existing investors. The investors include Citi, Adams Capital Management and other private investors including Fayez Sarofim & Co. Uplogix attracted the new investment dollars with its innovative remote management solution that enterprise customers worldwide are aggressively adopting as a critical component to their network and server infrastructure.
Uplogix’ architecture integrates an always-available, secure and intelligent direct connection to the devices it manages. In comparison, traditional network management tools are not equipped to automate routine maintenance and recovery tasks because they depend on the network being available, and thus rely on people to do the work.
“We believe Uplogix has found its place in the emerging remote management space and has proven this belief by growing its revenues, customer base and global footprint,” said Martin Neath, General Partner at Adams Capital Management. “Uplogix is based on a strong foundation of knowing what remote management problems occur within enterprise IT environments, and delivering against those challenges. They are an innovative company that is poised to capitalize on a rapidly growing market, and we are excited to further invest in their efforts and opportunity.”
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