RFM offers Wi-Fi sensor with five-year battery
RF Monolithics
WSN802G
RF Monolithics has introduced the WSN802G low-power Wi-Fi sensor networking module.
This RF module integrates the Gainspan GS1010 System on Chip (SoC) and enables OEMs to build low-power WLAN and sensor-monitoring solutions.
The WSN802G delivers a low-power profile and long battery-life capabilities in a functional, certified radio module that easily interfaces to existing Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) infrastructure for a variety of sensor monitoring and WLAN applications.
Tim Cutler, director of product marketing for RFM RF module products, said: 'OEMs are driven to provide wireless sensing products that leverage existing WLAN infrastructure.
'The data rates and power consumption of typical 802.11 b/g radios have made Wi-Fi impractical for sensing applications where long battery life is required for market acceptance.
'The WSN802G is highly suitable for wireless sensor networking applications due to its ability to operate for years, rather than weeks or months, on battery power.' To achieve low power consumption and long battery life, the WSN802G combines 1Mb/s and 2Mb/s data rates, which are appropriate for most sensing applications.
An advanced sleep-management feature puts the module to sleep between active periods.
Depending upon the frequency of active periods, a single AA lithium cell can provide a battery life in excess of five years.
When the module is active, its current consumption is less than 200mA, allowing a battery to adequately power the device.
Its sleep current-consumption is less than 8uA.
The WSN802G features a configurable automatic I/O reporting capability and the ability to collect sensor data directly from devices using its analogue, digital and serial I/O.
The WSN802G is also user programmable, meaning developers do not need to write an application to load into the module to implement I/O functionality.
It also removes the need for a co-processor to send appropriate commands.
The WSN802G is compatible with standard 802.11b/g Wi-Fi access points.
It operates in the 2.4GHz ISM band at 10mW RF power and features outstanding receive-sensitivity of -92dBm at 1Mb/s and -90dBm at 2Mb/s.
Typical transmission ranges are 50 metres indoors and 250 metres outdoors.
These operating parameters, along with a small 1.0 x 1.05in-square footprint, make the WSN802G suitable for a variety of commercial and industrial sensing applications, including: energy management, security management, asset management, food safety, environmental safety, cold-chain management and manufacturing.
RFM offers a developer kit - the WSN802GDK - to help design-engineers fast-track their designs.
The WSN802GDK developer kit will be available by the end of April from Avnet, Digi-Key, Mouser Electronics and Nu Horizons.
More stories
Sensor measures the height of concrete blocks
Micro-Epsilon’s OptoNCDT 1700 laser displacement sensor is being used to measure the height of concrete blocks during the production process.
Sensing opportunities for growth
In the belief that the sensor sector could be a microcosm of the whole national economy, Tony Ingham of Sensor Technology looks at what it will take to run a small technology company beyond 2010.
X-zone connects monitors for toxic-gas detection
The Draeger X-zone 5000 uses wireless technology to automatically connect multiple monitors for the continuous, reliable detection of toxic, combustible and explosive gases.
Deeter launches wireless sensor system
The Deeter Group, a developer of electronic sensors and control systems, has launched a wireless sensor system designed for industrial measurement and control applications.
Leuze sensors automate book-lending in libraries
Some large libraries use the latest material-handling systems from Swisslog-Telelift and sensors from Leuze Electronic to get fast access times, shorter queues and more economical processes.
