LPRS offers Circuit Design's wireless modules

The MU-2-R is an embedded low-power radio modem for transmission of serial data, which operates at 434MHz and measures 36mm x 26mm x 8mm, making it almost half the size of the existing MU-1-R.

The MU-2-R wireless module is controlled by simple dedicated commands leaving the user free to concentrate on developing the transmitting and receiving of programs for their system.

For communication protocols, the MU-2-R has a standard protocol and an error correction protocol, which performs error correction on the receiver side.

The error correction protocol uses Reed-Solomon code, which has a strong error correction ability even in environments prone to burst errors.

This ensures the user can configure highly reliable systems compared to conventional radio modems.

Transmitting and receiving data and issuing commands is via a UART interface with a single-chip CPU.

In addition, the module may be controlled via the COM port (RS232C format) of a computer, minimising development times.

The MU-2-R is designed to reduce design difficulties involving high-frequency components.

A battery-operated 10mW MU-2-R covers a range of 600m or more.

If the application requires greater range, the MU-2-R can be used as a relay station without any additional components.

For long-range applications up to 10 relay stations may be used, making it possible to gather data from and control equipment in remote locations.

'The new Circuit Design MU-2-R wireless modules will be particularly useful for security and control systems where low power consumption is required and long data transmission distances are involved,' said Peter Cubbage, sales director of LPRS.

The Reed-Solomon code (RS code) is one of several FEC block codes.

RS codes are used in compact disks, satellite communications and digital TV broadcasting.

The MU-2 uses Reed-Solomon code for FEC, which reduces errors occurring due to burst noise and/or noise at low received signal level, and it improves the receive sensitivity of the equipment by more than 5dB.

Standard features of the Circuit Design MU-2-R include RandTTE compliance; low voltage and low consumption current; local access to the status of radio waves and field noise at the target station and source station; standby mode to save the power of systems; and a function to lower the output power (antenna power) from 10 mW to 1mW is for effective use of radio waves.

Field status can be checked in real time using RSSI information in the packet data Selectable RF power between 1mW and 10mW allows the user to limit the communication area so that several networks do not interfere with each other.