Wireless module for OEMs gets upgraded range and temperature for greatly enhanced performance

Citation

(2003), "Wireless module for OEMs gets upgraded range and temperature for greatly enhanced performance", Industrial Robot, Vol. 30 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2003.04930ead.007

Wireless module for OEMs gets upgraded range and temperature for greatly enhanced performance

Wireless module for OEMs gets upgraded range and temperature for greatly enhanced performance

Keywords: Radio, Communications, Wireless

Supplier of spread spectrum, frequency hopping RF modules AeroComm has upgraded its AC5124 module with improved operating temperature performance, and improved range (Plate 6). With the upgraded specification becoming standard, the module will be useful to a wider range of OEMs seeking to include wireless connectivity to their products for industrial applications.

The AC5124 is a digital RF transceiver employing frequency hopping, spread spectrum (FHSS) technology for high resistance to interference. The module provides reliable wireless communication across hundreds of feet indoors and over miles line-of-site, and is ideal for a wide variety of commercial applications.

Operating in the 2.4 GHz band, the AC5124 replaces costly, bulky wiring in applications such as signs and point-of-sale (POS) including scoreboards, parking and traffic signs, remote displays, wireless printing and kiosks. Equally the modules can be deployed in automotive and fleet management applications, and in gaming devices to provide reliable data transfer across short distances.

The AC5124's operating temperature range covers a very versatile -40 to +80°C, giving it the ability to be deployed in the most hostile of environments, from deep freezers to deserts. The module contains sophisticated temperature compensating hardware and software to adapt across the entire industrial temperature range.

Unlike many so-called extended temperature (ET) radios that contain external temperature parts, the AC5124 senses ambient temperature and compensates each radio according to its unique temperature profile. The result is a highly reliable system whereby radios operating at any temperature within the range -40 to +80°C will maintain communication "24/7".

The sensitivity of the device has been improved from 290 to 293 dB to detect lower signal levels. As a result, the AC5124 has a 50 per cent increase in line of sight range, drastically improving its range performance.

Simple to deploy, a particular benefit of the AC5124 is its unique embedded protocol RF-232, making it a "plug and play" transceiver. The OEM sends the radio raw serial data and the radio manages "over the air" protocol to assure successful communication. Such protocol includes gaining acknowledgements and sending retries, error checking, and other items unique to RF that newcomers to the discipline typically forget. This simplifies integration for fast time to market.

The transceiver supports point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to- multipoint configurations. Accordingly it is able to broadcast data to all transceivers, or it can "address" packets to specific destinations using unique MAC addresses embedded in each radio.

The AC5124 employs a user selectable identification number that is embedded in the radio's firmware. A company can protect the integrity of their network by assigning a unique ID to their radios; only radios with identical ID numbers will synchronize. No other off-the-shelf radio can eavesdrop on an AeroComm radio, and other AeroComm radios cannot even establish synchronization – a precursor of successful communication – unless the ID numbers of the radios are identical.

The module is completely assembled and importantly, agency approved, making it ready for integration into large volume OEM applications. Data rates up to 115.2 kbps provide ample speed for most commercial applications, and at a diminutive 6.7 × 4.2 × 0.5 cm, it is perfect for integration into portable devices and stationary applications.

OEMs can choose from a short range, power efficient 10 mW version for battery- powered products, or a higher-powered 20 mW version for miles of line-of-sight range. A version with an integral strip dipole antenna is available and all AC5124C variants share the same size footprint, connectors and software interfaces for interchangeability. The modules can operate in non-condensing humidity situations from 10 to 90 per cent.

By using the 2.4 GHz frequency band, AC5124C modules are accepted virtually worldwide; the family is approved under FCC, IC (Canada) and ETSI (Europe) agencies. For ease of integration, all modules are backed by an RF design suite and full engineering support from AeroComm.

For further information and reader enquiries: 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

Plate 6 The AC5124 module