Product category:
Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications
News Release from: Low Power Radio Solutions | Subject: ER900TRS
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 19 May 2003
Module provides two-way comms for Europe
and USA
The ER900TRS transceiver from Low Power Radio Solutions combines the company's revolutionary Easy-Radio technology with global applications potential.
The ER900TRS transceiver from Low Power Radio Solutions combines the company's revolutionary Easy-Radio technology with global applications potential The UK designed and manufactured device houses a complete transmitter and receiver system with all communications protocols embedded in onboard memory to allow OEMs to add wireless capabilities to their products without the need to understand radio technology
This intelligent device is capable of operation between 860 and 920MHz, and so is suitable for use in both the pan-European 868-970MHz band and the US-approved 902-928MHz band.
All this comes in a tiny 9-pin single-inline package that is smaller than most receivers, let alone transceivers.
The new transceiver will suit any wireless application that requires two-way data telemetry or where it is essential that a receiving node issues a "receipt" to confirm reception of transmitted data.
These include equipment such as remote data acquisition systems, handheld terminals and electronic point of sale terminals.
The ER900TRS transceiver is supplied "ready-to-run out-of-the-box" from LPRS.
Alternatively, designers can make use of a range of user-programmable functions to customise their radio links to their own specifications using simple software commands.
In either case, the high-performance FM modules use their embedded Easy-Radio software to ensure that the datastream from transmitter to receiver is "efficiently" packaged to maximise both the range and the data transfer rate of the radio link.
The datarate of the link defaults to the industry standard of 19.2Kbit/s, but can be programmed to any rate between 4.8 and 76.8Kbit/s.
All encoding and decoding functions are also handled onboard.
For European use the transceiver complies with EN300-220-3 and EN301489-3, and its transmit power output is fully programmable up to a maximum of 10mW.
Both the exact frequency of operation and power output can be precisely regulated, allowing the modules to be used within any of the lower-power sub-bands within the overall 868-870MHz frequency allocation.
A line-of-site range of 250m is easily attainable using a standard 50ohm whip antenna.
For US applications the transceiver is approved under FCC Part 15.
(Maximum power output in the US 902-920MHz band is limited to 1mW.) LPRS Managing Director Barry Gillibrand reckons the new transceiver is a real breakthrough.
"Transceiver applications tend to be pretty ambitious", he says.
"And in the past designers have become pretty disillusioned with radio technology, purely because they haven't been able to optimise the two-way data flows".
"Not only does our Easy-Radio technology overcome that hurdle", he boasts.
"But with the ER900's ability to work legally on either side of the Atlantic, there is no need for designers to reinvent the wheel to go to new markets".
The ER900TRS transceiver has serial input and output lines to simplify interfacing with host equipment.
The module also features a received signal strength indicator output which can be put to good use when setting up fixed links or networks of devices.
The transceiver modules are designed to run from single 3.6V lithium cell supplies, but for added system flexibility can be used with any DC supply between 3.3 and 5.5V.
Power consumption is battery friendly, with typical current drains for the transmit and receive functions of 23 and 17mA, respectively.
When idle, the transceiver draws a low quiescent current of 2mA.
The transceiver comes as a screened single-inline module which integrates radio, microcontroller and power supply circuitry in a space-saving outline.
The 9-pin SIP measures just 37 x 14 x 4mm, and operates over an extended commercial temperature range from -20 to +60C. Request a free brochure from Low Power Radio Solutions ...
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