Firmware upgrade makes radios even easier to use

Low Power Radio Solutions has released new V2 firmware for its market leading easy-Radio range of software embedded wireless modules.

Low Power Radio Solutions has released new V2 firmware for its market leading easy-Radio range of software embedded wireless modules.

The key to the success of easy-Radio wireless modules is having all the radio communications and data I/O software embedded in a fully compliant module.

This offers systems builders the fastest possible time to market for their products: as there is no complex radio software to write, data may be connected directly and no RF testing or approvals are required.

All the key features of the original series remain, including user selectable frequency, datarate and power output, between 1 and 10mW.

Ongoing feedback from customers has led to firmware improvements and new features being added to enhance the whole easy-Radio range.

User settings are now protected from loss even when using power cycling to reduce power consumption.

Improved and tighter frequency tolerance (+/-10ppm) ensures stability between batches, and operating temperature range has been extended to -40 to +85C.

User programmable operating frequencies are now available to enable the channel frequency to be changed to personalised settings for both 433-434 and 868-928MHz bands.

Multiple choices are available in the 433-434MHz ISM band.

Further enhancements have been made to simplify communication with easy-Radio modules.

User programmable RS232 baudrate allows connection via an extensive list of datarates.

Fast ACK feature reduces time to issue ER commands.

Default power settings allow users to set their own settings for each channel.

Customisable data ID allows each module to be given a unique 16bit ID to prevent communication with other easy-Radio users.

Digital channel selection prevents crosstalk between adjacent channels.

A new "repeater mode" means that data can be relayed between modules to increase range.

Encryption is available to configure devices and transmit secure data.

The over air datarate is adjustable to allow users to trade speed for range.

Speed may also be maximised by user defined maximum data packet size, ensuring best use of transmission time and by using the simultaneous upload/download feature where messages may be uploaded or received over air while the module delivers received messages.

Reconfigurable channel frequencies allow the flexibility to listen on one frequency while transmitting on another.

Barry Gillibrand, Managing Director of Low Power Radio Solutions, comments: "Our experience over the last 15 years tells us that up to 90% of low power wireless applications never get to market".

"This is mainly because of a general underestimation of the complexities of establishing reliable wireless links using RF ICs and then actually transmitting data through them".

"Our easy-Radio modules were a direct response to these problems and the latest generation reflect the increasing demands of a rapidly developing market".

"The great advantage we offer is that no great RF experience is required and all the communications protocols are already built-in to the modules".

"It really is an out-of-the-box solution".

New customers are invited to test drive the ER Windows-based programming software on the LPRS website, and full evaluation kits are available for the ER400TRS transceiver at 433-434MHz and the ER900TRS transceiver for European and US markets.

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