Wireless module smashes price point for 900 MHz OEM applications

Citation

(2003), "Wireless module smashes price point for 900 MHz OEM applications", Industrial Robot, Vol. 30 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2003.04930dad.003

Wireless module smashes price point for 900 MHz OEM applications

Wireless module smashes price point for 900 MHz OEM applications

Keywords: Radio, Communication

Aimed at OEMs producing equipment for the American market, a manufacturer of wireless modules AeroComm has released a 900 MHz spread spectrum module that is less than half the price of similarly specified modules from other manufacturers.

AeroComm's AC4490 transceiver module is designed to interface with OEM's designs via a serial TTL level connection, providing transparent, bi-directional wireless communication in point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and multipoint-to multipoint networks using AeroComm's proprietary RF-232^™ transparent protocol (Plate 3).

Plate 3 AeroComm's AC4490 transceiver module

The modules are aimed at OEMs who design and manufacture industrial or commercial products that currently use alternative methods of communication including infrared, serial/wired, memory card download, or other less sophisticated wireless means.

OEMs are searching for low cost alternatives that allow them to eliminate wired or replace existing wireless communications. Factors driving this need include the costs associated with installation, maintenance and relocation. Additionally, convenience and market acceptance are also important factors.

AeroComm's AC4490 employs frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology that provides interference rejection, enables co-located system operation, higher output power and maintains data integrity.

Showing versatility, the transceivers will operate over the industrial temperature range of −40 to 80°C and are agency-approved for use in portable, mobile and fixed applications in the US, Canada, Australia and South America.

The modules offer variable output power of between 1 and 100 mW, and have the highest data rates available at up to 76 kps. Various antenna options are available including integrated, external or solder pads, and the modules feature adjustable receiver sensitivity from 285 to 2102dB depending on data throughput.

Utilising a highly integrated chip solution, the modules operate from a 3.3V supply and measure 42 × 26 mm (approximately the size of a compact flash card). They are the smallest of their type available, making them ideal for use in battery powered, portable applications.

For those already using modules from AeroComm's AC4424 2.4 GHz family, the AC4490 offers socket compatibility, enabling OEMs to "design once" and subsequently interchange 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz radios to increase the performance and/or expand their markets where other frequency bands are not accepted.

Typical low cost radios provide only the RF transmission; they do not contain protocol to manage "over the air" issues such as how to overcome interference and multipath problems, detecting errors in the data, addressing messages to individual radios, point-to-multipoint or peer-to-peer communication, security from eavesdropping and link quality verification. AeroComm's RF-232^™ provides the same robust protocol found in radios costing hundreds of pounds.

For further information, US direct contact: Carrie Royce, AeroComm, 10981 Eicher Drive, Lenexa, Kansas 66219, USA. Tel: +1 801 952 1394; Fax: +1 801 952 1395; E-mail: croyce@aerocomm.com; Web site: www.aerocomm.com