Product category:
Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications
News Release from: Low Power Radio Solutions | Subject: ER900FHTRS
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 24 August 2004
US radio module goes the distance
The latest addition to the highly acclaimed Easy-Radio family of modules answers demands for long-range secure bidirectional datacommunications in products destined for US markets.
The latest addition to the highly acclaimed Easy-Radio family of modules from Low Power Radio Solutions answers demands for long-range secure bidirectional datacommunications in products destined for US markets The ER900FHTRS transceiver combines the company's revolutionary Easy-Radio software with frequency-hopping techniques to provide an easy-to-apply radio module capable of reliable operation at ranges up to 500m (line of sight)
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.
The software embedded in the modules effectively means that the customer does not have to amend or alter their current product whether it is "wired" or "unwired" for it to work with the new modules.
LPRS Managing Director Barry Gillibrand is proud of the new device.
"This is a device that proves the flexibility of our Easy-Radio technology", he says.
"All the OEM sees is a straightforward bidirectional serial link, regardless of the RF section within the module".
The new ER900FHTRS, approved under FCC Part 15, has a power output of 120mW permitted for frequency-hopping transmitters combined with a high-sensitivity receiver stage to derive its long-range performance.
Frequency-hopping techniques also provide greater security from eavesdropping compared with fixed-frequency operation.
Like the other transceivers in the Easy-Radio family, the new device 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 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 is 19.2Kbit/s.
All encoding and decoding functions are also handled onboard.
The ER900FHTRS 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 module can be used with any DC supply between 3.3 and 5.5V and power consumption is typically 150mA on transmit and on receive 18mA.
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 48 x 15 x 4.5mm, and operates over an extended commercial temperature range from -20 to +65C.
The ER900FHTRS will also have a European version compliant with the soon to be released 863-870MHz allocation for listen before transmit (LBT).
This is expected to dramatically increase usage of SRDs in this new band allocation. Request a free brochure from Low Power Radio Solutions ...
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