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Adding wireless data to embedded SBCs

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Mar 8, 2007

Application kit adds wireless data module to an embedded controller board

Rabbit Semiconductor's Wireless Control Application Kit provides a development reference to interface a low-cost, license-free 900MHz or 2.4GHz wireless data module from Maxstream to a Rabbit-based embedded system.

The system illustrates the versatility and simplicity of adding wireless connectivity to embedded applications such as remote monitoring, proximity sensor readings, wireless I/O control, and wireless data transmission.

The Wireless Control Application Kit contains a proven low power Rabbit LP3500 single board computer, and two MaxStream RF Modules.

The Rabbit LP3500 single board computer has 26 I/O ports, eight analogue inputs, six serial ports and a power-save mode that draws less than 100uA.

The 900MHz Application Kit features the OEM XCite RF modem from Maxstream, intended for US applications.

The 2.4GHz Application Kit features the extended range XStream RF modem for projects worldwide.

Both modems are functional replacements to a serial cable, so developers can do away with cumbersome hard wired solutions.

Sample programs and libraries are designed for quick out-of-the box development.

A Modbus master PC application allows the user to control the single board computer as a Modbus wireless slave device.

In addition, the PPP Host/Client direct wired/wireless support was developed to help demonstrate how to use common protocols like HTTP, FTP, SMTP, and POP3 over a wireless connection.

These added protocols allow the LP3500 to serve web pages or to be able to send data to an FTP server for remote data-logging.

The price for the Wireless Control Application Kit which comes complete with all the hardware and software tools, including two MaxStream radio modules, is priced competitively at US $599 for the 900MHz version and $699 for the 2.4GHz version.