Modules boost wireless range

The Wi-LEM is an electric sub-meter for breaker-level monitoring, featuring a split core current transducer that eases installation without disruption to existing circuits.

Millennial Net has released new long-range products at Sensor 2007 Expo, including new modules for OEMs and mesh network devices that afford up to a ten-fold improvement in wireless communication range for MeshScape 5424 nodes.

They are compatible with standard MeshScape 5424 devices, which are suitable when low power consumption and less range are required.

OEMs, system integrators and end-user applications can benefit from the new options to reduce deployment costs, optimise reliability and ease installation and maintenance.

"Long range wireless continues to simplify the implementation of our Wi-LEM sub-metering products while accelerating and increasing the ROI for our customers", comments Loic Moreau, VP at LEM.

The Wi-LEM is an electric sub-meter for breaker-level monitoring, featuring a split core current transducer that eases installation without disruption to existing circuits.

Ideal for commercial and industrial applications, the Wi-LEM is typically installed within metal electric panels and often in cement/brick structures.

The presence of such structural challenges to radio transmission drives a need for mesh network solutions.

Radio power and range are directly related, but in wireless sensor networks they represent an important tradeoff that's highly application-specific.

In designs that use battery-powered devices, higher powered transmission reduces battery life.

Battery power is particularly attractive to eliminate all wiring in certain applications where mobility and/or wiring costs are driving factors.

Yet in many wireless applications range outweighs power, especially when it is available from line-power, solar or power-harvesting, or with high battery capacity or more frequent changes.

"OEMs rely on our experience and expertise to get their sensor products into the wireless world, to optimise such trade-off as power, range, scalability and cost", notes Martin Hanssmann, President and CEO of Millennial Net.

"OEMs appreciate our flexible and comprehensive product offering and our ability to adapt to their application and business needs".

Millennial Net provides OEMs, such as LEM, the technology, services and development tools that can quickly bring wireless sensor products from concept to market.

The new longer range options are available for 5424 modules, mesh nodes and gateway.

One option is adjustable to 10mW, the maximum radio power permitted globally.

The other is adjustable to 100mW, which is permitted in North America.

Back to top