Firmware stack aids MCU-RF integration

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jul 19, 2006

Cyan Technology has introduced a fully tested MicrelNet RF firmware stack for its eCOG1 microcontroller.

Cyan Technology has introduced a fully tested MicrelNet RF firmware stack for its eCOG1 microcontroller.

MicrelNet is a free stack from Micrel, and is for use in conjunction with Micrel's RadioWire range of RF transceivers.

The MicrelNet firmware stack and modules provide easy short-range wireless networking from basic star networks through to complex multi-level solutions and presents a host of opportunities in industrial and commercial system applications.

"The combination of Cyan's low power microcontrollers and Micrel's RF products gives the end-user a very versatile and easy-entry into RF networking for telemetry applications", stated Dr Paul Clark, Field Applications Manager at Cyan Technology.

"Used in conjunction with the CyanIDE tool-chain, which is available free from Cyan, the stack reduces development time and enables a much faster time to market - even for designers unfamiliar with radio applications".

Micrel's RadioWire MICRF6xx modules and the MICRF50x transceiver modules plug directly to the eCOG1k development board which means that a radio based development system will be up and running in minutes thus drastically reducing development time.

Solutions are available for the 433, 868 and 915MHz licence free ISM bands, with datarates up to 20Kbit/s on the modules.

Typical ranges are in excess of 300m outdoor and 40m indoors.

Use of this Cyan/Micrel solution gives engineers a proven route for designs suitable for many application areas including telemetry, building and residential control systems.

Clark adds: "This type of network, utilising short-range RF and network topologies, helps solve some of the key issues in the machine-to-machine (M2M) industry where the use of public GSM or GPRS mobile networks is too costly for mass deployment".